VARIOUS ARTISTS
PHIL SPECTOR THE EARLY PRODUCT

Ace’s producer-based series continues with a bumper 28-track collection devoted to the most famous record producer there ever was, the one and only Phil Spector. Compiled by arch Spector buffs Rob Finnis and Mick Patrick, the set focuses on the legendary eccentric’s early work, with all titles drawn from the 1958 to early 1963 timeframe. Half of the selections are making their CD debut. These include ‘Nights Of Mexico’ by Russell Byrd (the recording alias of songwriter-producer Bert Berns), two titles by Bobby Sheen (soon to reach the Top 10 under Spector’s guidance as the lead vocalist of Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans) and both sides of an ultra rare 45 by Terry Day (aka Terry Melcher, the son of Doris Day). More familiar hits by the Paris Sisters, Curtis Lee and Gene Pitney are also featured. The set contains the first record Spector ever made, ‘Don’t You Worry My Little Pet’ by his own group the Teddy Bears, taped in ’58 at the fabled Gold Star studio in Los Angeles, the scene of many of his future triumphs. Soon realising the spotlight wasn’t for him, and ever the control freak, Spector then set about building himself a career as a producer. Before long he had inveigled his way into Leiber & Stoller’s inner circle at Atlantic Records in New York, where late in 1961 he launched his own label, Philles. But that’s another story. Meanwhile, this is where it all began for the would-be genius.