By Cousin Justin
One of the most exciting things about selling records has been selling obscure music to the people originally involved. Recently we sold this 45 to original The Novelty drummer Chip Pace. When he brought this fact up to me I asked if he could tell me what he remembers from the sessions and he gave me this info:
We recorded the record at Trod Nossel Studios; here is the link. Good link for you to get information on many obscure 60’s\70’s east coast bands. Follow the website and links into some interesting information.
We recorded the 45 RPM with legendary Doc Cavaliere at Trod Nossel Studios in Wallingford CT. Doc mentored us over 2 days of rehearsal on how to get the tracks perfect. It took over 25 takes to get the lead vocal tracks to sound gritty enough to please him. Doc made the lead singer (Ron) drink to get him a little drunk so he would loosen up and deliver the performance he was looking for.
Doc took a particular liking to the drum tracks (Chip), so much that he was adament about doing too many retakes because he did not want to lose that driving feel. He felt the drum tracks were hot!
The keyboard tracks (Larry, on a Hammond B3) were solid as were the rhythm guitar track (Dave) with the exception of producer Bill Durso over dubbing some extra guitar tracks (most notable in the opening of “Handwriting On The Wall”) to give it a more funky-bluesy feel. The horn players (Ray & Dan) were hitting some pretty high notes during that session and pretty much shredded their lips, another reason to limit retakes.
All in all it was a memorable experience and we all walked away feeling great about the session. The record did quite well on the East Coast and opened the doors for promotional concerts and a video, opening for acts like The Young Rascals.
Thanks,
Chip
Novelty-Handwriting On The Wall
Novelty-Long Time Waiting
13 comments
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June 18th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Cousin Geoff
I agree Cuz Justin, that it’s thrilling hearing about old interesting recordings and good old stories from back in the day. Very cool! This makes me want to dig up my interview with The Capreez lead singer Al Reid…
June 28th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
mirriam
You’re the best
July 5th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Paul Bezanker
Dear Cousin Justin,
Thanks for the the priceless background information on The Novelty! Having the names of the band members (do you have their last names?) helps fill in the empty spaces in the continuing history of rock’n'roll from Connecticut, including the legendary 45 and LP label, Poison Ring Records. The Novelty and Poison Ring Records are featured with 900 other recording artists in my 450-page book “Connecticut Rocks! The History of Connecticut Rock ‘N’ Roll©” which is available directly from me. (Thanks for the plug!)
July 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Paul Bezanker
Dear Cousin Justin,
I did not realize my email address would not appear with my comment - please let your faithful readers know they can contact me about my Connecticut Rocks! book via email at pbezanker1@aol.com. Thank you!
July 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Cousin Geoff
No problem Paul, we’re glad to give you the chance to tell us about this book. Stop by again anytime.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Country Paul
Thanks to my friend Paul Bezanker for letting me know about this. I was a Music Director and DJ in Connecticut, home of Poison Ring Records, but I got there in ‘71, when this record had come and gone. Too bad, because “Handwriting” is really good, as is the track on “Long Time” (I like the other side better over all). Incidentally, he didn’t bribe me to say this, but anyone with any interest in a deeper knowledge of rock in the northeast owes it to themselves to pick up Pau Bezanker’s amazingly well-researched volume. Unknown to many, Connecticut was a repository for a wide range of exceptional talent, from the well known (Gene Pitney; The Five Satins; Little Anthony & The Imperials when they were the Chesters; Al Anderson both with The Wildweeds and later NRBQ; Van Trevor; and dozens of people who live[d] there but weren’t associated with the state) to the one-hit and local-hit wonders (The Blue Beats’ “Extra Girl” comes to mind - #1 in New Haven!) to the sadly obscure, like The Novelty. Local scenes were always helped by exciting and involved local radio, which Connecticut had in produsion, and which may explain the significant number of successful “local only” artists statewide. It’s way cool that you played this record for us, Cousins; time to explore your site some more!
Best regards,
Country Paul
(ex-WHCN, WDRC, WCCC, WPLR, WWYZ, WWUH and before that a bunch of stations in Rhode Island)
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Raquel Sullivan
wowwwwww so cuttttte. Do you still look the same? Can we buy the copy of your records?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Anonymous
hi uncle chip! I like the music! love, gabriella i like your drums. love jacob
November 30th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Jean
I grew up with Ron and Larry in Springfield, Massachusetts in the early 60’s. They are brothers, and when I knew them, they had formed a garage band called The Retrievers. I believe they cut a record under that name, but I’ll be damned if I can remember the title. Their last name is Clark, and they were the two oldest brothers in a family of 5 boys. As far as I know, Larry still lives in the Springfield area, and Ron is somewhere in California. My son is a big fan of 60’s music, and he emailed me a link to this webpage.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:06 am
Cousin Justin
Thanks Jean these personal accounts are why we do the website!
December 28th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Torre Pace
Great record…the horns are pre-Tower of Power…luv the flaminco riffs on the fade out…The drumming is smooth & tight.
What is hip….tell me, tell me
I of course had the honor of performing and recording with my brother Chip throughout his career in many venues in LA …a fine precision drummer and vocalist.
Torre Pace
December 5th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Laura Stevens
Thanks to Chip Pace for sending me this link. I am the wife of Ray Stevens (who sadly passed away last week). Ray was one of the horn players in The Retrievers and Novelty. The other horn player was Dan Bembenek, who passed away a few years ago.
Larry Clark and Ron Clark are still with us, and Dave is as well. Ron has moved to Denver and the others are still fairly local.
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Charlene Pace-DiCarlo
Dear Laura, I’m so sorry for your loss. My brother Chip told me about the sad news of your Husbands passing. I’m Charlene, Chips’ oldest sibling and I do remember Ray, because I used to watch them whenever they would reherse at the house. I can only imagine what you’re going through, having lost my Dad in June of 2011. I will keep you in my prayers and ask the lord to help you get through this difficult time. Respectfully, Charlene-Pace DiCarlo