Gruesome Twosome: Reheated Nostalgia Edition
Lady Flash: “Street Singin’”
LP: Beauties In The Night, 1976
The Rubettes: “Tonight”
LP: Wear It’s At, 1974 | BUY
Old was new in the mid-’70s, and this pair of enjoyably retro efforts put me in a Happy Days frame of mind. Oreo-like trio Lady Flash were formed as backup singers for Barry Manilow’s touring show. Barry himself wrote and produced “Street Singin’”, an unexpectedly funky modest hit (#27 in the summer of ‘76) with lyrics and melodies that cleverly echoed various ’60s pop tunes. Interestingly, Lady Flash member Lorraine Mazzola had previously been in Girl Group faves Reparata & The Del-Rons. England’s The Rubettes were another odd duck hybrid (hey, your Glitter Rock got into my Doo-Wop!) which could’ve only emerged from the ’70s. “Sugar Baby Love” was their signature hit, but the follow-up single “Tonight” amps up the retro to charming effect. Both of these songs make me want to don a powder blue polyester prom suit, frilly shirt and platform heels to do the Stroll. Enjoy!
March 14th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
There’s a fun couple of tracks for a Tuesday night! Definitely working the cheesy nostalgia factor back in the ’70s…and fairly well, to boot. Thanks for sharing these, Matt.
March 15th, 2006 at 10:12 am
The Rubettes’ big hit was called “Sugar Baby Love” not “My Sugar Baby”
March 15th, 2006 at 10:54 am
First Jeff/John Barry, now this. Thanks, Lee.
Dan - I though YOU would especially like the Lady Flash!
March 20th, 2006 at 9:41 am
It’s very Manilow… you can tell that a mile away. Very reminiscent of “New York City Rhythm.” How do I know that? Don’t ask.
[Why is this filed under “Gruesome??”]
March 20th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
Nancy, I went to check out “New York City Rhythm” at iTunes and found the song vaguely familiar — my parents had that album. Jeez, I remember that ugly album cover with the brass figurine well.
All of the Gruesome Twosomes are filed in a category called “Gruesome” for easy reference. The name does not reflect the quality of the music presented — I hope not, anyway!