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The
tail-end of 1962 saw the US airwaves awash with female
artists such as Brenda Lee, Dee Dee Sharp and the Exciters
but sitting above them all in the charts that December
was 18 year-old newcomer Marcie Blane with Bobby's
Girl. Perhaps best remembered in the UK for the
cover by Susan Maughan, Bobby's Girl marked the
high point in what was to be the brief recording career
of a gifted student who'd fallen into the music business
more by accident than design. Having agreed to record
some demos as a favour for a songwriter pal, Marcie was
subsequently offered a contract with Seville Records.
And what self-respecting teenager would turn that down?
Despite reaching No.3 with Bobby's Girl (only Elvis
and the Four Seasons kept her off the top spot), and releasing
a further 6 teen-orientated singles, Marcie - never comfortable
with performing - quietly retreated from showbiz shortly
thereafter.
One of the most recognisable hits of the early 60s, Bobby's
Girl has appeared on countless various artists
packages over the years but this release marks the first-ever
CD anthology of Marcie Blane's entire Seville output.
Including all of her hard-to-find singles plus two foreign
language versions, the compilation also boasts recently
discovered demo recordings. Whilst most of her material
- including Bobby's Girl - was written by the prolific
songwriting team of Hank Hoffman and Gary Klein,
Marcie also recorded an early Neil Diamond offering
(Bobby Did) as well as a song by Edna
Lewis (She'll Break The String), who'd
previously co-written hits for the Crests and Lesley Gore.
Reluctant "One Hit Wonder" or no, Femme Pop
completists will nonetheless rejoice as Miss Blane makes
her long-awaited CD debut.
Annotated by top US Pop authority Mick Patrick,
Bobby's Girl - The Complete Seville Recordings
also includes rare photos, memorabilia and superb sound
restoration throughout.
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