We had a nice assortment of tapes that we listened to on this tape recorder. I don't know how many of you remember this particular tape but it was one of my personal favorites. I don’t recall now who owned this tape but I know I tried to buy it from the owner but he would not sell. He liked it too. I figured I would get my own copy when I got back home. I have searched for this tape and/or record album for years and I’m still looking.
The music on this tape was arranged and conducted by a gentleman named Stu Phillips. I first became aware of Mr. Phillips around 1964 when he did an instrumental record album of songs by the Beatles. The orchestra he used then was called the Hollyridge Strings. For some reason the name Stu Phillips stuck in my brain more then the Hollyridge Strings name. When I heard the music on this tape of the Monkees songs I thought it kind of sounded like the music on that Beatles album by the Hollyridge Strings. I took a closer look at the tape box and saw the name Stu Phillips.
In March of 2004 I discovered that Stu Phillips had a web site ( www.StuWho.com ) and had just published a book about his work in the music business. If you remember singers from the 1960s like Shelley Fabares, James Darren, Paul Peterson, The Ronettes, The Marcels and The Monkees then you will find this book to be very interesting. Mr. Phillips worked with all these people and more.
I ordered the book and sent an e-mail to Mr. Phillips. The next day I received a very gracious response from him. He even autographed my copy of the book and included a personal note. Here is the e-mail I sent him and his response.
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From: Richard B. Mayes
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 8:21 PM
To: 'stu@stuwho.com'
Subject: I Remember Stu Phillips
I first became aware of Stu Phillips when I heard the instrumental hits of The Beatles being played on the radio. I liked The Beatles but for awhile there it seemed like every other song on the radio was by The Beatles. At that point in my life I didn't have the money for a record player so I never bought any records. I was in the record stores frequently looking at records and that Hollyridge Strings album was one I looked at frequently. For some reason your name caught my attention more then the Hollyridge Strings name. There was something about the sound you were able to create that was so different from what I was used to hearing on the radio at that time.
In 1966 I got drafted into the Army. In 1967 I found myself in Vietnam. Another guy and I went 50 - 50 on a reel-to-reel tape recorder. This tape recorder became a major source of entertainment for us in the evening. We started asking our families to send pre-recorded tapes for us to use. One of the tapes we got was an instrumental version of hits by the Monkeys. I loved the sound on this tape. One day I took a closer look at the tape box to see who made this tape. There was that Stu Phillips name again and I remembered this Monkey’s tape sounded a lot like the music I was hearing on the radio of the Beatles hits. Before I left Vietnam I tried everything I could think of to get that tape from its owner. I was unsuccessful.
The photo below shows my humble home in Vietnam with the tape recorder and the tape of your music lying on the table next to the tape recorder. I just recently found the image of the tape box cover at a site on the Internet.
When I returned to the States and got back into the record stores I discovered there were more Hollyridge Strings albums available and that Stu Phillips name was still on the cover of most of them. I looked for that Hits of The Monkey's album but could not find it. I still didn't own a record player so I still was not buying records at the time.
Once I got out of the Army and got a real job I was finally able to buy a complete stereo system and my collection of records started to grow. I was finally able to start buying those Stu Phillips albums I had been looking at for so long. I had a hard time finding some of your albums and I ended up paying a premium price for a couple of them. I now have all of your Hollyridge Strings albums plus those done by the other guys. One album I was never able to find was the one with the Hits by the Monkeys. Over the years I have searched lots of different places. My mistake was searching for this album under your name and/or The Hollyridge Strings.
Several weeks ago I became aware of your web site and your new book. On your web site I discovered that you did the Hits of Monkey’s album with the Golden Gate Strings. No wonder I was having so much trouble finding that album. I did a search on The Golden Gate Strings and found a place on E-bay that was selling the reel-to-reel version of this album. The only problem was that it had already been sold and it sold for a whole lot less then I would have been willing to pay for it. Darn! Darn! Darn! I will be doing more searching on E-bay now.
I have bought the few CD releases of the Hollyrigde Strings that I have found. All my records are still in good condition. I have the computer software (Adobe Audition) now that allows me to digitize those albums that have not been reissued on CD. The first album I did my digital restoration on was the Christmas album you did with the Hollyridge Strings. I think that is my favorite album. The second album I digitized was your “Feels Like Lovin’” album. I have completed the Four Seasons Songbook album and am presently working on the Nat King Cole Songbook album.
I am not a musician. I have never tried to play a musical instrument but I still may one of these days. I do know what I like to listen too and I do like your stuff. I have always admired, envied and respected what people like you can do with an orchestra. Thanks for all the great music.
I look forward to reading your book. I hope there is a section in the book on your work with that adorable and still lovely Shelley Fabares.
Respectfully !
Richard B. Mayes
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From: Stu Phillips
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 12:43 PM
To: Richard B. Mayes
Subject: Many thanks
Dear Richard,
Your letter has really moved me. I am so delighted that one of my musical endeavors has so enriched the life of another individual __ and, obviously, still does. If you have not already bought my book, please don't. It would be my pleasure to send you a signed copy as my gift to you.
Are you aware of the two Hollyridge albums that I recorded in 1971? They were called: "Hits of the Seventies" and "The George, John, Paul, Ringo Songbook." They are very hard to find at this time. If you don't have them, I will send you a CD (taken from the LPs).
Please keep in touch and any questions you may have I will be happy to answer.
Sincerely,
Stu Phillips
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The book ... "Stu Who? Forty Years of Navigating the Minefields of the Music Business". NOW AVAILABLE at:
stuwho.com ... amazon.com ... Barnes and Noble ... half.com ... Film Score Monthly ... Samuel French ...
Book Soup ... and at other local bookstores.
"Stu Phillips' incredibly varied career has included writing the music for Russ Meyer's, Beyond The Valley
of the Dolls. I wrote the screenplay. The story of that movie alone is worth the price of admission to this
book." - ROGER EBERT.
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