Yes yes I know, the conventional wisdom about Phil Spector is that he was a successful record producer who went manic-depressive and is now in a correctional facility for the murder of his girlfriend. Yeah, if you want to shrink it down to the Reader’s Digest version of events…
But take this into consideration. Phil Spector was one of the greatest producers of the past sixty years. His “little symphonies for the kids” were miles above anything that other music producers at the time were creating. Light-years, even. What he created influenced everyone in the music industry – everyone from Brian Wilson to Alan Parsons.
So for this edition of K-Chuck Radio, I’d like to bring you ten songs that were produced by Phil Spector. They may not be the ten biggest hits he ever produced, but they are indeed a great sampling of his work.
THE ALLEY CATS
Puddin’ n Tain (Ask Me Again, I’ll Tell You The Same)
Phil Spector’s first production successes were with doo-wop groups, and he had several hits with artists like the Alley Cats. It’s a goofy song, but you can tell Phil is working with the conventions of doo-wop music and finding something special inside.
THE PARIS SISTERS
I Love How You Love Me
Oh my God this song is smoother than melted caramel. Absolutely breathtaking and beautiful. And it foreshadows Phil’s future work on love songs and ballads.
I love how you love my-The Paris Sisters 1961 played on a 1954 Seeburg jukebox from Maynardcat-2 on Vimeo.
THE RONETTES
Walking In the Rain
You know what – the Ronettes’ biggest hits, “Be My Baby” and “Baby I Love You” are absolutely magnificent. But this song, in my humble opinion, is their best recording of all time.
THE CRYSTALS
Uptown
There are several recordings by “The Crystals” that are really Darlene Love and the Blossoms. This one is definitely the Crystals. And it’s definitely good.
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
One of the great “false ending” songs of all time. Phil actually had the 45’s printed with “3:05” as the running time. Of course, by the time the DJ’s realized the song was actually closer to four minutes, it was too late – the song was on the radio and in everybody’s hearts.
IKE AND TINA TURNER
River Deep – Mountain High
The Wall of Sound meets the Voice of Fire. Really, this recording was Tina Turner with Phil’s “Wrecking Crew” house band at Gold Star Studios, I don’t think Ike was anywhere near the studio on that day. A massive, massive worldwide hit – but because it flopped in America, Phil considered the record a failure.
THE BEATLES
The Long and Winding Road
I might be the only person in America who actually believes that this version – engineered by Spector after going through miles and miles of audiotapes – is better than the version on the “Let It Be… Naked” CD release.
SONNY CHARLES AND THE CHECKMATES, LTD.
Black Pearl
What a great song… you could tell that Phil threw everything but the kitchen sink into this track. Maybe the kitchen sink is in there as well. It might be in the right speaker.
THE RAMONES
Do You Remember Rock ‘n Roll Radio?
Let’s see… Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound versus the Ramones’ amplifiers. I think it’s a standoff.
STARSAILOR
Silence is Easy
Yes, Phil Spector was producing records up until at least 2003, when he crafted this UK pop hit for the group Starsailor.
So welcome to this wonderful Wall of Sound production, a little blog symphony for the kids, on this edition of K-Chuck Radio!!
Chuck The Writer 
This is great, Chuck. All great songs. It’s a shame that Spector did what he did; he was a truly legendary producer.
LikeLike
I loved that “Top Gun” brought “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ ” back into vogue at the time … not just for the jukebox-accompanying rendition by the “pilots,” but also the substantial use of the original over the start of the movie’s end credits.
LikeLike
Darlene Love “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” should be on every Spector list.
LikeLike