Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

“Tar and Cement”: Eco-Soul or Soul-Folk?

In the course of putting together a funk & soul mix, I previewed for consideration the songs on a 1960s Capitol Records compilation album entitled, Super Soul-Dees!  Volume 2:

Super Soul-Dees LP

One song in particular seemed to stand apart from the other tracks:  “Tar and Cement” by Verdelle Smith.  Certainly, Capitol’s 1960s soul roster skewed toward the pop end of the spectrum, but even this tune caught me by surprise with its folk-y sound and especially its lyric:  a cautionary tale about the deep hit to the spirit that can occur when we convert nature’s beautiful landscapes into urban spaces.

As it turns out, “Tar and Cement” is an English-language version of an Italian pop song, “Il ragazzo della via Gluck,” originally sung by Adriano Celentano.  Both songs were released in 1966, and Verdelle Smith’s version even went Top 40 here in the States — although you never hear it on oldies radio.  Why is that, I wonder – it’s a beautiful vocal and great tune:

Tar and Cement

Verdelle Smith (1966)

Based on this Australian’s first-hand account, it would appear to be true that Verdelle’s version, indeed, really did go all the way to the top of the National pop charts in Australia (confirmed).  “Tar and Cement,” after its initial 1966 single release, indeed, would be the title track of a 1967 EP release in Australia, as well as New Zealand.  EMI/Capitol would also release the song in Africa — says 45Cat:  “Rhodesia chart entry (within the Top 10) 21 January 1967 with a #3 peak.  South Africa chart entry 23 September 1966 with a #15 peak.”

EP

Australia

EP

New Zealand

Billboard‘s original April 16, 1966 review shows that “A Piece Of The Sky” was initially tagged as the A-side — not “Tar And Cement” (which also reached #65 on Cash Box‘s Top 100 Chart and #61 on Record World‘s Pop Chart).

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Verdelle Smith bio

From back cover of EP

Every telephone directory has its Smiths, every roster of recording artists has its Smiths … but there’s only one singing Smith named Verdelle.  And “(Alone) In My Room” was the first of many emotion-packed items destined to catapult exquisite Verdelle Smith to the heights of entertainment fame and distinction.

Propelled by the title hit, the sudden whirlwind of popularity and acclaim in which Verdelle finds herself did not erupt overnight.  Instead, it all began in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she and her brothers Johnny and Joe attended a church which specialized in short sermons and extended sessions of singing.  By adding folk and popular material to their repertoire, they soon found themselves singing professionally, on radio, and at community gatherings in and around the famed Jersey.  Verdelle decided to continue singing and eventually joined several pop-oriented duos, trios, quartets, and even larger groups.  But not until she teamed up with Billy Byrd for a unique song and dance act did Verdelle attract the individual attention due her.

Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, both gentlemen, being record producers as well as composers, were among the first to take notice.  Recognizing Verdelle’s wide emotional range (developed and perfected by many years of gospel singing) and a vocal quality that projects all of the most current sounds and rhythms of today’s hits.  Messrs. Vance and Pockriss set out to find just the right material for their talented find.  First-up they located a seething Spanish ballad by Joaquin Prieto for which they composed contemporary English lyrics and penned the title “(Alone) In My Room.”  This and the smash hit “Tar and Cement” were two songs that took the nation’s D.J.s by surprise and guaranteed Miss Smith a most rewarding career in the exclusive world of popular excellence.

Bonus video link to version by Françoise Hardy

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Update

Verdelle Smith

ABC Adelaide‘s investigative team, “the Baldies” — who had previously located Melanie Coe (young lady who inspired the Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home“), Dolores Erickson (model on the cover of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass’s Whipped Cream album), and Ronnie Rondell (the man on fire on the cover of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album — tracked down Verdelle Smith in 2008 [includes audio of their conversation].

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LINK to Folk

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LINK to Soul

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