Len Barry was born Leonard Borisoff in Philadelphia in 1942. By 1961 he had a record deal with Cameo Parkway Records. His group, The Dovells, with Len as their lead singer, had a #2 record, “Bristol Stomp," after Dick Clark played it on “American Bandstand.” Following that success, the Dovells recorded several other hits, including “You Can’t Sit Down," which reached #3 in 1963. John Madara and Dave White first recorded Len at Mercury Records, with "Do It Again," which was a new lyric to "You Can't Sit Down," and "Happy Days," that John, Dave and Len wrote together. Nothing happened with the Mercury records and John and Dave moved over to Decca with Len. Their first recording session was "Lip Sync," backed with a remake of "At The Hop," called "At The Hop '65." It had some chart success, but in October of '65, after they began to take Len in a different direction by doing a "ballad with a beat," Len’s musical career would take off when “1-2-3” reached the airwaves and became an instant, worldwide hit. What followed were two other smash hits, "Like A Baby" and Somewhere." John Madara went on to say "Len was truly one of the great male vocalists and probably one of the most gifted lyric writers I have ever worked with. Dave, Len and I spent a lot of time together. I really love him a lot and one of my great joys in life was working with him. On the way to the recording session of 1-2-3, we were discussing the middle section of the song. There was a traditional Madara & White break with drums going into the instrumental. Len thought that there should be lyrics there also, on top of the drums. Lenny wrote the bridge minutes before the session started. It is exactly how it ended up on the record. What I really loved was to wait for Lenny's vocal endings, where he would come up with the greatest ad-libs. They were always so original and exciting. In a conversation I had with George Harrison, he told me that John Lennon had 123 on his jukebox. It was one of his favorite songs".....This rare, historical CD features 25 songs by Len, & there were singles released from the LP, but the LP featured on the cover was never released in its entirety. This has ALL of len,s great Northern Dancers in one package,all legendary records on the scene and the man is a legend over here in the UK with dancers and collectors alike!...ive included some bonus tracks essential to this collection.......list under back cover.
AMM
The Tasters!
Bonus Tracks
26 You Baby
27 Don't Come Back
28 Girl You're Too Young
29 Like a Baby
30 Rainy Side Of The Street
31 The Moving Finger Writes
32 I Struck It Rich
30 comments:
Another rarity which I'm very glad about. Thanks for review, P.
I have his superb LP "My Kind Of Soul" and some other singles. So I'm very interested in this CD. One of the best Blue Eyed-Soul singers.
Yves
Another blue EYED soul and with a great voice, I have this but thanks for the review and the bonus tracks AMM
Thanks for the rare share MM, only have the 1-2-3 album.
cheers,ELtel
I'm in love! 😎 Thanks, AMM!
Thanks AMM. Nice that you included the bonus tracks.
Rarity? I'm in.
Some NS classics on this!
I don't know where you find these rare gems AMM, but keep it up :)
Many thanks for the review.
BigD
I heard of this one but never heard any of it can't wait Thanks AMM
Cheers Pedro
Thank you AMM Much Appreciated for this Album
Very interesting review, I look forward to reading them each day. Thank you for all the others and this one. thank you AMM.
me also had his RCA LP only so this great review much appreciated also thanks for bonuses AMM
Hey, supercool :D reminds me a bit of Veronica because of 'You Baby' and reminds me of the Dovells of course . Superb review, thanks a lot ✌🏻 🌞 ☮️
Big thanks for this review AMM, reallly good music!
Thanks for the review AMM its new to me, appreciated
Many thanks for bonus tracks & info
Thanks for the review, once again you provide great sounds
Quite a few tracks here that haven't heard before. Please and thanks!
Nice share AMM and thanks for the added bonus tracks
Reb
many thx to USman 47 for reminding me of the last track added!
I Have This Album But Not The Bonus Trax Cheers AMM
thank you for another great review my friend
I've been looking for a digital copy of Len Barry - Ups And Downs (Buddah) 1972
if anyone can help.
Thank you for sharing this rarity from Len Barry!
Len Barry was one cool dude. A walking encyclopedia of Philly music. Nice man who passed away recently. Thanks,AMM.
Thanks for the upgrade AMM
@imnokid
sending direct..
Thanks AMM for the Len Barry. Many tracks I haven't heard before, but surprising to me that "Hearts Are Trump" isn't here. Not to worry I've had that single since 1965.
len barry a massive fave of mine .
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