Hi Everyone,
Just had a nice long chat with Mike Medway,he tells me he is having discussions with Sony Music who own the rights to the Embassy Recordings.Let's hope something comes of that.
Mike also reminds me Kay Barry was really Barbara Kay.
Even more news we are close to contacting Dick Jordan via his daughter,thanks to Mike for that.
Recently I have made contact with a couple more American Embassy Collectors who seem to be very keen on obtaining as many copies as they can find.

Bye for now.

Bob Lusty.

Hello Everyone,Just a short item.

Someone as let us know who recorded the original version of Rikki Hendersons "Devotion",it was Peter Elliot on Parlophone.Peter was very popular in ythe late 50's and early 60's both on Radio And TV.
Just this morning I was browsing in one of my many books on popular music and I came across a picture of the "Juke Box Jury" TV programme and who should be sat there was June Marlow (June Lowe) who recorded "Sing Little Birdie" with Barry Kendall (WB333).Also on the Jury were Jack Jackson,Sam Costa and Brenda Lee.

All for now.

Bob Lusty.

Hi everyone,
Mike Redway tells me he met Gerry Grant 2 or 3 years at his Gulf Club,he is now trying to contact him for me,I hope he as some luck.
Personally I have been trying to find a Gerry Grant who used to tour the UK doing a tribute to Roy Orbison,he even made some CD's of Roy Orbison songs.
I worked with him a couple of times in my DJ'ing days,I thought he was the same one that was on Embassy so I sent a picture to Mike and he said it is a different person.So let's hope Mike can help.

Just looking at January 2009 "In Tune" magazine and on the back cover is a CD "Brylcreemed Boys & Beehive Birds" Acrobat ACQCD7008. it's a brilliant 4 CD set of 50's songs and includes an Embassy Track "See you later Alligator" by THe Canadians.

Also there is another 4 CD set "Lipstick,Nylons,Petticoats & Stilettos" Acrobat ACQCD 7012.Contains all female singers/artistes from the 50's and includes two tracks by Embassy recording star Jean Campbell "No one will ever know" & "Two Hearts Two Kisses".

Two brilliant sets if you love music from the 50's.

All for now,Bob Lusty,

Hi,Embassy Collectors.

You might like to know there is a CD currently available from Tower.com called "Giant Records Story".
It contains 24 excellent cover versions of American hits of the 60's,honest there are some real classics here,some in my opinion could have been hits in their own right if they had not been released on budget lables like Caravelle,Kenilworth,Giant etc all recorded and released by The Spar Record Company of Nashville.They were sold in various American stores including Woolworths same as Embassy in the UK.
Mr "Yakety Sax" Boots Randolph plays sax on some tracks.Titles include "So much in love".Frank Carr./"If you wann be happy".The Belles./"Shout".Bill Allison.?"Little Band of Gold".Johnny Ralls./"Dancin' Party".Leroy Jones./plus a fantastic original "Big Split Twist"./Marty & The Merits a real knock out track.
If you enjoy sounds of the 60's this is a must for your collection.

Comes in Digi-pak with a very informative booklet.

Thanks to Paul Urbahns the "Hits Records" expert for letting me know about this first class CD.

Bye for now.

Bob Lusty.

This new CD release may be of interest. Details taken from Bim Bam Records website.

USA HIGH SCHOOL/TEENERS: EMBASSY LABEL TEEN FAVOURITES

Track listing:
1. Cradle Of Love - Bobby Stevens, 2. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes - Les Carle, 3. When Will You Say I Love You - Mike Redway, 4. Here Comes That Feeling - Kay Barry, 5. Borne On The Wind - Ray Pilgrim, 6. Dream Lover - Hal Munro, 7. Language Of Love - Bobby Stevens, 8. Pretty Blue Eyes - Johnny Worth, 9. Makin' Love - Paul Rich, 10. Don't Ever Change - Redd Wayne, 11. Only Sixteen - Rikki Henderson, 12. Born Too Late - Maureen Evans, 13. Poetry In Motion - Don Duke, 14. Run To Him - Rikki Henderson, 15. Running Bear - Dick Jordan, 16. The Time Has Come - Bobbie Britton, 17. Someone Else's Baby - Johnny Worth, 18. Tell Laura I Love Her - Paul Rich, 19. Don't Treat Me Like A Child - Jean Campbell, 20. Broken Hearted Melody - Maureen Evans, 21. Once Upon A Dream - Mike Redway, 22. Starry Eyed - Rikki Henderson, 23. Romeo - Jean Campbell, 24. Lonely Boy - Johnny Worth, 25. You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry - The Starlings, 26. A Forever Kind Of love - Mike Redway, 27. Bobby Tomorrow - Ray Pilgrim, 28. Boys Cry - Les Carle, 29. Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp Bomp Bomp) - Bobby Stevens, 30. No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile - Ray Pilgrim & Mike Redway.

ESPRESSO £10.00

I have just received my copy of "Teen Favourites" and I have to say that is a nicely put together compilation. Only criticism is that some sleeve notes would have been a bonus but the picture gallery of some of the artists and labels is a real plus. I do have a picture of Hal Monro (Neville Taylor) who is featured, which Oriole sent me back in 1962! but have never been able to locate a photo of Rikki Henderson, does anyone have one?
Talking of Rikki, that appears to be the only mistake on said CD as track three which credits Mike Redway singing "When will you say I love you" when in in fact it is Mr. Henderderson doing the "biz"

Best wishes to all Embassy enthusiasts out there........ Stuart Ralls

Hello Stuart,
My copy is on order,until then I cannot comment on it,however I agree with you sleeve notes are important especially for this kind of material.
Reference to photographs of Embassy/Oriole artistes.
Recently I sent a selection to our top man John,including one of Rikki Henderson on a EP cover also Joan Baxter.When He has a spare moment maybe he will put them on the site for all to see.

Until the next time keep on collecting and putting your comments on the Embassy Site for all to share.

Regards,Bob Lusty.

Hopefully we may be hearing some Embassy's played on "Sounds of the Sixties" on BBC Radio 2 in the near future. I have recently been in touch with the shows producer, Phil Swern and sent him a random selection of Embassy recordings from Jan 1960 to the final "Big 4" session in 1965. He emailed to say they will certainly prove useful and hopes to play some tracks in the near future. So keep listening to the show folks and see what happens.
Best wishes from Stuart Ralls.

Hi you all! Well a great memory revival. I worked for Oriole Records Ltd,left in 1961, and as a humble member of the accounts department, run by Ron Hale C.A., one of my duties was to pay the musicians at the end of an Embassy recording session. One such session was of 'Elizabethan Serenade' at Walthamstow town hall, there were several retakes and Reg Warburton told me I was an inspiration. I looked so bored until they got the 'glock' right, it helped him! Brian Matthew was incidentally the male artist on the 'Oh Doctor I'm in Trouble' double of Peter Sellars and Sophia Loren, Maureen Evans being his partner. Happy days.

Hi John (everyone)

Re: EMBASSY EP – WEP 1122 (1965) - Latin-American Piano by Jules Ruben, his Piano and Percussion

As an avid Embassy collector for some years now I seem to have unearthed an Embassy EP that appears to be previously un-catalogued. Or are my dreams of a little gem going to be shattered by others that already have copies??

If it’s true and it is previously unlisted, it seems pretty remarkable that with all the other collectors, dealers and information out there in the public domain in terms of discography’s and catalogues that I haven’t come across this before – or at least seen it on Ebay!

As far as I was aware, the EP releases stopped at WEP 1121 (Paul Rich – Tribute to Eddie Cantor). This one appears to be the next release WEP 1122 and showing a published date of 1965.

I managed to buy the EP from an Ebay trader in Australia recently. I can only guess that it found its way out there by an emigrating family sometime in the past.

I was a bit sceptical at the time that it wasn’t a genuine Embassy release as he only showed the front cover in the Ad, but now it has arrived I can confirm that it is definitely a genuine Embassy EP.

Does anyone else out there know anything about it?

I can supply photographs of the disc and sleeve for authentication!!

Contact me at; andycwhitaker@hotmail.com

Andy

Andy, That EP must be extremely rare and must be one of a very minimal pressing. I would think that by it's 1965 release date that it must have been close to the end of Embassy's association with Woolworths and if my memory serves me well all Embassy's were taken from the stores almost overnight so what become of all the stock that was being held at the time goodness only knows. Perhaps staff were given the opportunity to grab what was left. I do have the two other Jules Ruben EPs (WEP 1084 & 1117) but unfortunately I only collected mainly singles at the time so when WEP 1122 was issued I would have been concentrating on buying The Big 4 EPs which I thought were brilliant both in performance and recording quality. As for "Jules Ruben" I believe this was probably Steve Race in disguise, especially as there is an original track written by the man himself, has anyone any idea if this is correct.
By the way, Ray Pilgrim and myself are still trying to establish the identity of Terry Brandon. I believe it to be Dance Band singer Tony Crane who unfotunately died about 10 years ago so if anyone know of any info on Terry or indeed Tony please do let us know.
Keep on flying the Embassy flag, All the best. Stuart Ralls.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL EMBASSY COLLECTORS.

Most of you will remember Radio Luxembourg on 208.
Well recently a Embassy Programme Broadcast LP came on Ebay and I was lucky enough to win it,and it is the very first one to be broadcast on October 1st,1958 9 PM tp 9.15 PM.
It's a fiveteen minute show introduced by Don Mason and features Rikki Henderson's "Volare" and "Torero" ,some songs from "Show" EP"South Pacific",then comes "When" by Johnny Worth followed by songs from "A Merry Widow",
Next comes "Yakety Yak" by Paul Rich.
Embassy singles & 78 records 4/- each.
It's in VG condition and plays well.
There must be more Embassy Broadcast records out there somewhere,keep your eyes open.

Well done Andy Whittaker for discovering the Embassy EP 1122 by Jules Rubin.



Bob Lusty.

Hi everyone,
It's great to see so much interest in the Embassy Label,not only from the UK but from around the Globe,Finland, Norway,Sweden,Denmark,Holland,Germany,France,Italy,Spain and the USA.
There is a CD available "Traditional Music of Scotland" by Gordon Franks Singers released in 1999 on E2ETDCD130.It does not mention the Vocalist as Embassy's Rikki Henderson,however it is him on there. Infact it is a copy of the Embassy LP "20 Scottish Melodies" WLP6021 with singers and music directed by Gordon Franks released in 1961.
Two tracks are missing on the CD,"I belong to Glasgow" and "The road to the Isles" other wise it is the same.
My question is how did they get permission to reissue it.On the information it states Issued under licence from Madacy Entertainment Group Inc.
Next Embassy on Ebay.There seems to be quite a demand from collectors for Embassy Records,WB662 "Don't bring me down" by Terry Brandon as recently sold for £33.51.
Other Embassy tracks recently released on CD are David Ross "Last train to San Fernando",The Coffee Bar Skifflers "Frankie & Johnny" both on Great British Skiffle.SCCD 1192.Vol.4.
Also David Ross "Singing the blues"/"Wake up little Susie" - Paul Rich "Fabulous" - Hal Burton "Rave on" - The Rock'n'Rollers "Ko Ko Mo"& "Happy Baby" on Great British Rock'n'Roll .SCCD 1171.Vol.3........ David Ross "I'm Walkin'" on Great British Rock'n'Roll. SCCD 1191,VOL.4.

Well that's all for now.Bob Lusty.

June Marlow (June Lowe, "Sing,little Birdie" WB 333) made recordings for several labels,I have just obtained a Copy of "Showstoppers" Allegro All 895,Released 1959.On this LP she sings four songs from "Funny Girl" with the Alan Moorhouse Orchestra.
But much to my surprise two Embassy Tracks are included "Food Glorious,Food" & "As long as he needs me" by Vicki Stevens from "Oliver".Both with the Chorus & Orchestra directed by Gordon Franks.
So it goes to show Embassy leased their material to other labels like Allegro which was sold in Woolworths.
Keep on looking for Embassy.

Bob Lusty.

Hi,

Excellent site - I'm in my late 40s, but still have fond memories of Embassy records in my family bought by my elder siblings (it was hard times in 1960s East London!).

Hal Munro was actually Neville Taylor, who recorded for Parlophone with The Cutters.

Is Shorty Mitchell really Geoff Love?

On the subject of overseas Embassy releases, I can recall seeing at least two of the "Juke Box Favourites" series on Israeli Embassy EPs - the last one went on Ebay. If I can find a link to it on Popsike, I'll post it here.

Look forward to sharing some more 60s recollections of Embassy in time............

Gene

Hey, Geno, nice to see you on here, hope you're well!

How is your Embassy collection going? I have had to temporarily stop collecting (credit crunch, dontcha know!) but I hope to resume again shortly!

My earliest memories of Embassy are a coupla singles given to me when I was about 10 years old. I remember Paul Rich's version of Poor Little Fool, among other items...

I still have that record but it's virtually unplayable now.

Cheers,
Mark Walker

Hey Mark - good to catch up with you, and hope the new job is going well!

I have to confess that, for the same reasons, I sold off my Embassy 45s collection of nearly 200 pieces a couple of years ago lock, stock and barrel. As with all these things, it's a move I sorely regret making, but I held on to all 8 volumes of the "Juke Box Favourites" EPs, and about 7 of the Big Four EPs (need more!).

The earliest memories I have of Embassy are the singles we had in the family during the early 60s:
PAUL RICH: Devil Woman / The Swiss Maid
RIKKI HENDERSON: Loop De Loop / The Wayward Wind
LES CARLE: From A Jack To A King / MARILYN LEE: Our Day Will Come
PAUL RICH: Deck Of Cards (can't remember the B-side)

and I was let loose on the family Portadyne to be able to enjoy them! Plus my mum bought the "Holiday in Hawaii" EP and the "Hawaiian Paradise" LP, which I believe were both by the Hawaiian Islanders. I have to confess that I really love Les Carle (aka Ken Barrie)'s version of "In Dreams" which you can hear on the stream of the Radio 2 programme about Woolies.

Gene

This CD is now available from Bim Bam Records:

EMBASSY LABEL TEEN FAVOURITES VOLUME 2

Track listing:
Hal Burton - Move It, Dick Jordan - Here Comes Summer, The Saville Brothers - Charlie Brown, Rikki Henderson - Peggy Sue Got Married, Bobby Stevens - His Latest Flame, Bud Ashton - Foot Tapper, Maureen Evans - Fever, Rikki Henderson - High Class Baby, Bobby Stevens - Shakin’ All Over, Ray Pilgrim - Bachelor Boy, Bobby Stevens - A Mess Of Blues, Johnny Worth - Mean Streak, The Typhoons - Rhythm Of The Rain, Ray Pilgrim - Brown-Eyed Handsome Man, Mike Redway - Blue Bayou, Bobby Stevens - Take Good Care Of My Baby, Paul Rich - Poor Little Fool, Bud Ashton - Shindig, Ray Pilgrim - Let’s Dance, Paul Rich - Sheila, Mike Redway - Bossa Nova Baby, The Typhoons - Candy Man, Paul Rich - No Particular Place To Go, Bud Ashton - Genie With The Light Brown Lamp, Joan Baxter - Stay Awhile, Typhoons - All My Loving, Ray Pilgrim - Have I The Right, The Starlings - Da Doo Ron Ron, The Pearls - He’s So Fine, Rikki Henderson - What In The World’s Come Over You

ESPRESSO £10

Paul Rich - Poor Little Fool

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

As shown on the new releases list from Bim Bam Records for July 2010:

EMBASSY LABEL TEEN FAVOURITES VOLUME 3
(30 late 50s - early 60s rockin' teeners from UK Woolworths label, incs..Bobby Stevens, Barry Kendall, Hal Burton, Johnny Worth, Rikki Henderson, Joe Julian, Kay Barry, Don Duke, The Jaybirds, The Typhoons, Ray Pilgrim & The Beatmen, Paul Rich, Glenn Derry, Terry Brandon)
ESPRESSO £10

have just found this wonderful site. what memories. i cannot find any reference to rita williams, am i right in thinking that she was a regular recording artiste for embassy?