The Orlons - Spinnin' Top

[Theothertosspot]

Anyone have any idea why this was released as 113-B on some copies and 113-A on others? 

[The Yank]

Not 100% sure but it appears from these 2 surveys that when the 45 was first released (May'66) that "Anyone..." was the A side (#32 on the WROV survey). A few months later, some stations jumped on the B side (#25 on the WDAS survey) and "Spinning Top" became the A side -  

[Solidsoul]

12 hours ago, The Yank said:

Not 100% sure but it appears from these 2 surveys that when the 45 was first released (May'66) that "Anyone..." was the A side (#32 on the WROV survey). A few months later, some stations jumped on the B side (#25 on the WDAS survey) and "Spinning Top" became the A side -  

I always thought "Spinning Top" was the original A side then "Anyone Who Had A Heart" was later remade as the A side.

Maybe WROV started playing "Anyone Who Had A Heart" because it was the same as the  Dionne Warwick record they remembered!

Edited July 18, 2023 by Solidsoul

[Solidsoul]

10 hours ago, The Yank said:

 

I have here both variations of this record beside each other. 

According to the matrix numbers "Spinning Top"was always the A side on both copies. The label details on one of the labels is wrong.

The copy with the label saying "Spinning Top" as the A side looks much more authentic. It has the deep red colour and the embossed star in the run out groove like the Jerry Williams If You Ask Me" original. (See first picture on the left)

The copy with the label saying Spinning Top is side B has a more Orange colour to it like the later Calla's. The run out groove number on this one still has Spinning Top as the A side.

I wonder if it was pressed at two different pressing plants and one got the label details wrong!

 

 

Edited July 18, 2023 by Solidsoul

[Theothertosspot]

11 hours ago, The Yank said:

Not 100% sure but it appears fro these 2 surveys that when the 45 was first released (May'66) that "Anyone..." was the A side (#32 on the WROV survey). A few months later, some stations jumped on the B side (#25 on the WDAS survey) and "Spinning Top" became the A side - 

"A few months later", would that be two months, as it came out on Planet records in the UK in July 66 with Spinnin' Top as the "A" side.

[The Yank]

It's hard to say what the intended A side was for the Orlons 45. The single was never reviewed in the trades (Billboard, Cashbox or Record World) and Calla never took out an ad promoting the single. While looking at Radio activity, it's strange so many stations played "Anyone..." in May and then in October even more stations went with "Spinning Top". 

    This article from June '66 makes it look like "Spinning Top" was the A side - 

[Tlscapital]

8 hours ago, Solidsoul said:

I have here both variations of this record beside each other. 

According to the matrix numbers "Spinning Top"was always the A side on both copies. The label details on one of the labels is wrong.

The copy with the label saying "Spinning Top" as the A side looks much more authentic. It has the deep red colour and the embossed star in the run out groove like the Jerry Williams If You Ask Me" original. (See first picture on the left)

The copy with the label saying Spinning Top is side B has a more Orange colour to it like the later Calla's. The run out groove number on this one still has Spinning Top as the A side.

I wonder if it was pressed at two different pressing plants and one got the label details wrong!

Two pressing plants involved. Then the 'A' side press has for Co-Producers Jackson & Wisner while the 'B' side press has Jackson & Thomas Bell ! There's more to it than just 'A' and 'B' side issues between the two pressings that were likely not soi simultaneous as they show some 'inner' push'N'shove between Jimmy Wisner and Thom Bell apparently.

[The Yank]

To make things even more confusing, the pic shown with "'Spinnin' Top" as the A side has the Calla address as 1650 Broadway, the pic showing "Spinning Top" as the B side has the Calla address as 1631 Broadway . The 1650 to 1631 address change occurred somewhere around #120 which would suggest the "Spinning Top" as a B side is the later pressing. 

Edited July 19, 2023 by The Yank

[Tlscapital]

9 hours ago, The Yank said:

To make things even more confusing, the pic shown with "'Spinnin' Top" as the A side has the Calla address as 1650 Broadway, the pic showing "Spinning Top" as the B side has the Calla address as 1631 Broadway . The 1650 to 1631 address change occurred somewhere around #120 which would suggest the "Spinning Top" as a B side is the later pressing. 

Yes by September 1966 with Calla 119 the change of address for the label HQ was effective.

The Orlons Calla 113 releases with confusing T. Bell and J. Wisner involvement is tricky indeed.

Is this revealing of some struggle or just pure confusion with the change of adresses and all...

With 'spinning top' being our 'stronger' side as a NS tune but also not a "dull" cover of sumthin...

First issued in May 1966 as the 'A' side it was re-released as the 'B' side post September 1966.

And there's a BUT indicating what could be another 'twist' in the struggle between them sides...

The sole promo copy from May 1966 with the old address presents 'spinning top' as the 'B' side !

Edited July 19, 2023 by Tlscapital