A peculiar little song-poem/vanity hybrid for you today, originally
unearthed many years ago by fellow blogger Bob Purse.
Scotch Tape/Close to You, credited to Lana Johnidas
and the Swinging Strings, was an early release from Sandy Stanton’s Film City
label, which means it was issued circa 1964. Being that early the chances are
that the Swinging Strings – Sandy’s ever-present Chamberlin – are played by
either Sandy himself or the great Rodd Keith. Both songs were written by Ms.
Johnidas, and my feeling is that she probably paid for this disc to be cut to
demonstrate her songwriting prowess, for shortly after she joined the ranks of
Hollywood-based Our Productions/Your Management, whose offices were in the
Capitol Tower on Sunset and Vine.
Her career as a performer/composer was managed by Michael
Goldberg, who also looked after the careers of such stellar names as Friar
Tuck, the Plastic People, Jacobson and Tansley, and Epic recording act The
Kaleidoscope. Sadly, it does not look as though that career amounted to much,
as outside of this one disc I’ve been unable to find a credit for Lana on any
other record. A shame, because this is a fun little record and her voice, with
that hint of a giggle in it, is rather infectious.
Los Angeles-based publisher Flex Songs was closely associated
with Stanton: recordings featuring Stanton and published by Flex appear on
Excel, Fable and Film City. I can find no evidence, but years of experience
would lead me to believe that Stanton was at very least a partner in the
company, if not the
outright owner.
That’s about it. As usual, any further info would be
appreciated. Thanks Bob, for unearthing this gem.
Enjoy
Download Scotch HERE
Download Close HERE
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