The Carolines Featuring Carell Mancuso The Carolines Featuring Carell Mancuso

£11.63

Genre:
Girls
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
7"
Catalogue Id:
LTDEP 022

Three previously unissued girl group gems on a gorgeous 60s-style vinyl EP.

Through songwriter Billy Terrell, a mutual friend, I was contacted by composer and producer Larry Weiss. With credits such as ‘I Go To Pieces’ for Gerri Granger, ‘Mr Dream Merchant’ for Jerry Butler, the international hit ‘Bend Me, Shape Me’ and some stunning ballads for Ray Pollard, Baby Washington, Chuck Jackson, Walter Jackson and others already to his name, Larry became best known in the 70s as the writer of Glen Campbell’s big hit ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’.

Being on the Brill Building scene in the 60s, Larry worked with several girl groups and his writing style lent itself to the sound Phil Spector made so popular. An act he seemed particularly close to was the Carolines who recorded his ‘Can’t Stop Lovin’ The Boy’ and ‘You’re My Baby’ for Roulette in 1966. Larry also produced the group’s other single, issued on Dynovoice two years later. All four of those sides are excellent, but languishing in Larry’s storage vault were three superb girl group recordings from 1966, all with full production and previously unheard.

Lead singer Carell recalls how it all came about: “We were a singing group in the 60s – sisters Trisha (Pat) and Evie Patane, Sylvia Torres and me, Carell Mancuso. Everyone called me Carol or Carol Ann. We were originally the Teardrops but became the Carolines, after my nickname. We sang at a lot of school functions and just for ourselves and friends: all our favourite girl group songs from that time by the Ronettes, Marvelettes, Crystals, Shirelles etc.

“One summer day we went to the beach. I remember it well. We’re at Jones Beach in Long Island, New York, on a blanket, under the sun, and we’re singing, practicing songs, as we did. This guy comes up to our blanket and says, ‘I’m Larry Weiss from Roulette Records.’ I remember saying to him, ‘Yeah, and I’m Ed Sullivan from New York City!’ – being the silly girl I was. He continued and said, ‘Really! We’d like you to come to the Brill Building to hear you and see if we can work with you.’ Well, we did go and they liked us. We made a record for Roulette and went on record hops in Philadelphia to promote it. A couple of years later we also recorded with Bob Crewe’s company, Dynovoice Records, as the Little Bits featuring Karyl Mann – another name switch. But the three songs here were recorded for Larry and for some reason never came out.”

Larry’s considerable production skills are evident on this trio of tunes. His previously unheard composition ‘Big House’ is as perfect as the girl group genre gets. The Paris Sisters were the first to record Jackie DeShannon & Jack Nitzsche’s ‘Baby That’s Me’ but saw it remain in the can until Ace put it out in 2016. Meanwhile, versions were released by the Fashions in 1964 and the Cake in 1967. Also covered was Chip Taylor’s ‘Mama’s Little Girl’ which was released by Reparata & the Delrons on RCA in 1966.

Ady Croasdell

Share

Track listing

Show

Delivery & Returns

Show

We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Customer reviews

Show

Customers who bought this item also bought