The Sequins [NY], "They're Dancing Now" c/w "Love Me Forever," Terrace 45-7511 (rel. 11/1962)
Another "no photo available" entry in the big book of pop, The Sequins were one of at least five girl groups with that name. This group, whose members remain unknown, despite three releases in 1962-63, appear to be white vocalists, though the ethnic boundaries blur in the girl group style.
Best-known for their third single, "You Can't Sit Still" c/w "Mr. Leader of the Band" on Ascot Records, these girls are in the hard-hitting side of the girl group equation, and their forceful (if sometimes tin-eared) delivery is refreshing on a pair of ditties, one which is a real standout for its style.
"They're Dancing Now" came from the songwriting partnership of the gay Howard Greenfield (Neil Sedaka's usual collaborator) and middle-aged housefrau Helen Miller. Miller had an ear for ambitious, unusual melodies and meshed well with Greenfield's sincere narratives. The song's music, like much pop of its day, seems influenced by Leonard Bernstein's score for the Broadway musical and hit movie West Side Story. Though most pop cleffers glossed over Stephen Sondheim's witty, percussive lyrical style, they glommed onto the exciting modern-sounding vibe of Bernstein's music. The wide and adventurous intervals and chord progressions of his score inspired many pop and r&b melodies. The Drifters' hit "On Broadway" is one example of Bernstein's unintended influence.
Miller fashions a dramatic and haunting melody for this story of a girl at a high-school dance who seethes in spite and jealousy until fate turns the tables in a good way. Arranger Claus Ogermann got the connection and his work spotlights the grand movements of the melody with strings, tympani, etc. The modal leaps of the melody inspires frenzied string lines. This melody must have sounded modern and vital in 1962; it still evokes that feeling. Certain pieces of music from this era (the theme songs to TV series Route 66 and The Defenders) also contain this yearning, expansive feel.
It's a bit much for these singers to navigate. They give it their all, but some of the twists in the melody are hard to harmonize, and thus they hit a few snags along the way. The grand sweep of it all is engaging and it's a favorite of mine in the girl group department.
Best-known for their third single, "You Can't Sit Still" c/w "Mr. Leader of the Band" on Ascot Records, these girls are in the hard-hitting side of the girl group equation, and their forceful (if sometimes tin-eared) delivery is refreshing on a pair of ditties, one which is a real standout for its style.
"They're Dancing Now" came from the songwriting partnership of the gay Howard Greenfield (Neil Sedaka's usual collaborator) and middle-aged housefrau Helen Miller. Miller had an ear for ambitious, unusual melodies and meshed well with Greenfield's sincere narratives. The song's music, like much pop of its day, seems influenced by Leonard Bernstein's score for the Broadway musical and hit movie West Side Story. Though most pop cleffers glossed over Stephen Sondheim's witty, percussive lyrical style, they glommed onto the exciting modern-sounding vibe of Bernstein's music. The wide and adventurous intervals and chord progressions of his score inspired many pop and r&b melodies. The Drifters' hit "On Broadway" is one example of Bernstein's unintended influence.
Miller fashions a dramatic and haunting melody for this story of a girl at a high-school dance who seethes in spite and jealousy until fate turns the tables in a good way. Arranger Claus Ogermann got the connection and his work spotlights the grand movements of the melody with strings, tympani, etc. The modal leaps of the melody inspires frenzied string lines. This melody must have sounded modern and vital in 1962; it still evokes that feeling. Certain pieces of music from this era (the theme songs to TV series Route 66 and The Defenders) also contain this yearning, expansive feel.
It's a bit much for these singers to navigate. They give it their all, but some of the twists in the melody are hard to harmonize, and thus they hit a few snags along the way. The grand sweep of it all is engaging and it's a favorite of mine in the girl group department.
Two reviews from the same day (11/24/62); Cash Box is a bit blase about it all but doesn't spare the jargon. Billboard offers a more enthusiasm but puts the ballad B-side in first place. Both reviews suggest the constant exposure to a growing number of girl-group singles and a jaded view toward them in general.
"Love Me Forever" was first recorded in 1957 by square guy group The Four Esquires; it attracted several MOR cover versions before The Sequins' "Stand By Me"-adjacent rethink. It's a handsome arrangement by Ogermann, who reins in his melodramatic bent. The girls sound Black on this side, which means they studied the harmonies of The Shirelles, as the Cash Box reviewer noted. Their vocal blend works better on this more predictable fare, which is over before the listener gets tired of it, in best B-side fashion.
For an extra, here's a reprise of their eerie "Mr. Leader of The Band," from a 1963 Ascot Records platter...
Tomorrow: super-obscure Louisiana vocal group The Jets do their gritty thing on a 1956 Jazzmar Records single.
Tomorrow: super-obscure Louisiana vocal group The Jets do their gritty thing on a 1956 Jazzmar Records single.
Oh man, these tracks are a delight. I also listened to "You Can't Sit Still" on YouTube. Despite being derivative in some ways I loved hearing all four tracks. My day has been enriched by experiencing them all for the first time. Nice instrumental arrangements and great-sounding recording and reverb quality. Something very likable and winning about the vocals...kind of ballsy/confident and vulnerable at the same time. Strong and fun harmonies throughout but the harmony invention at 00:50 of "Love Me Forever" ?...very nice! And your historical overview was informative as always--thanks, Frank!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like them. I've been charmed by these four sides and, again, you get right at it... "kind of ballsy/condifent and vulnerable at the same time." Spot on. I wish someone had documented whom these vocalists were. They were just grist for the music mill at the time.
DeleteThe Sequins did another single that I hope to track down soon.
I could write more about how the score for "West Side Story" cast a wide influence on pop music all over the world. It's seldom mentioned, but those songs were major events in music at the time and they helped shape the sound of the 1960s in my humble opinion.
Yep—"They're Dancing Now" definitely has that timely Bernstein-adjacent mix of sturm und drang musicality to it. While it's "Stand By Me" musically, "Love Me Forever" does indeed have its charms and more natural harmonies going for it. Googled London records which at this point in time was owned by Decca. Wonder why this Terrace deck wasn't distributed by Decca proper.
ReplyDeleteHere's the confusing part--London Records was owned by UK Decca, which was a 100% different company from American Decca. I once read an explanation of why there were two Deccas at the same time, but I no longer have the book with that info handy. It's an odd approach; a shadow company that attempted to get a part of the American music market. Many UK Decca artists and groups were London Records artists in the US, from The Rolling Stones on down.
DeleteLondon had many side-labels and they also distributed a bunch of regional imprints. They were a going concern in US music for decades. The average person didn't know who they were or who was behind them.