[Publius]

Charlie Calello was one of the more talented arrangers in the Brill Building. He worked with the Four Seasons, and when Tommy DeVito was bought out due to his problems handling money, Charlie's relationship with the group blossomed under Bob Gaudio, who became the leader after Tommy left.

In 1969 Charlie Calello produced Janis Ian's last disk for Verve Forecast, "Who Really Cares", before she jumped to Capitol and revived her career for one last hit in 1976. One song from that disk was released as a single, "Calling Your Name", and Charlie showed his producer's chops.

First he starts with the sound balance of an old 78 rpm disk, then slowly bleeds in the full sound. He brings in a brass section in the middle. This is a beautiful and haunting song in waltz time -- how many people would have had the courage to write a waltz in 1969?! -- and even after 46 years I find myself spellbound by what the teenage Janis and Charlie accomplished. The end just breaks your heart.

This should have been a hit.

Janis Ian: "Calling Your Name"

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Publius, for the stories about the tunes. ((HUGS))