Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GerryM
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 10:57 PM

There's an obituary for June Perse in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of Friday 20 October 1978, available at https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette/21383551/ It reads, in part,

June Perse, Composer

Services for June Tauber Reizner Perse, a composer of musical comedy, will be held Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Burton L. Hirsch Chapel, 2704 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill.

Mrs. Perse, 51, of New York, died Tuesday (Oct. 17) in New York.

A native of Pittsburgh who moved to New York 11 years ago, she composed the music for the "Julius Monk's Plaza Nine Review" in New York and wrote the comedy material for the "Allen King Comedy TV Special."

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 08 Apr 24 - 04:32 PM

Yep Gerry. Got my copy of the LP around 2017 from Discogs. Nice record.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GerryM
Date: 07 Nov 21 - 03:34 AM

The Alarums & Excursions album is available at https://youtu.be/oc8w6zoFqEY.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 04 Oct 14 - 12:29 AM

Hi Larry - The Michael Brown album is called "Alarums & Excursions". Found some information on Amazon. Never had the chance to get a copy of it.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 11 Jun 10 - 03:01 PM

I used to have an LP by Michael Brown with those songs on it, but I don't know what happened to it. It included Hang on the Bell Nellie, and Elizabeth Borden. Is anybody else familiar with it?

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 08:34 AM

Well, I can get to my email box again! I sent an email to John Marlowe and he gives me the whole name of June Reizner - her real name is June Tauber Reizner Perse. She died accidently in the autumn of 1978.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Jochen
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:16 AM

Okay, now I looked it up. The name of June Reizner is June T. Perse, and apparently the name was at some stage June Stevens (may have been a maiden name). She (?) also wrote "What this country needs is another movie star" - long before Arnold became governor...

Take care
Jochen

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Jochen
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 10:00 AM

Your welcome, Jason. Great research on Shackles, I instantly informed John Marlowe. I believe that there was one more pseudonym for June Reizner, but then I may be wrong. I did not look it up.

Take care
Jochen

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:17 AM

Thank you Jochen. If memory serves, June Reizner's real name is June R. Perse (and may that "R." be Reizner?). He (she) also wrote the satirical song "The '68 Nixon" and another song called "Barry's Boys".

BTW, I think I've got the origins of the song "Shackles". I cannot get to my email box these time, so I hope that you would email John Marlowe about that. It is a song written by Tom Paxton (Many thanks to Gerry, who told me that), and its real name is "If You Had Me In Shackles"". I also found it on ASCAP's License Page but finally found out that Tom Paxton had never sung it. It was only sung by The DBJ Trio.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Jochen
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 06:53 AM

"This Mad World of Ours" was a compilation album that came out in Europe only in 1966.

June Reizner also wrote some other songs under a pseudonym. Or June Reizner is a pseudonym for someone else. In any case, at leats one more song written by that person under a different name was recorded by the Trio.

Take care
Jochen

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 11:35 AM

That way they don't have to say, The Best of The Chad Mitchell Trio.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 07:10 AM

I had never heard of "This Mad World of Ours" either, but following the link Joe gave I see there are no songs on it that aren't on one or another of the Mitchell Trio albums that preceded it. Seems like a strange thing for the label to do.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 01:09 AM

I have to say that I loved just about every song the CMT and TMT did. But while I knew about them from the 60's TV shows and Radio they really escaped my radar until about 10 years ago. The short shelf life songs are a good history lesson now but you can't deny the fine singing and harmonies.   The rest of the material is still strong and not to be missed. CMT's recording of Four Strong Winds is a stand out in a filed of stand outs. The live recording of The Great Historical Bum should be listened to if only to learn stage craft and performance.

Don

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Rose, Sri Lanka
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 12:42 AM

Yes, John Denver is on the cover looking VERY young... and minus his specs!

Thanks ever so much for your help I hope I will find this songbook:)

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 01:11 PM

I wasn't aware of "This Mad World of Ours" (1966) but it's listed on this John Denver Discography. Looks like the albums from the John Denver days of the Mitchell Trio were:

• 1965 The Mitchell Trio: THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GONNA BE
  
• 1965 The Mitchell Trio: VIOLETS OF DAWN
  
• 1966 The Mitchell Trio: THIS MAD WORLD OF OURS
  
• 1967 The Mitchell Trio: ALIVE!

I believe the Mitchell Trio Songbook is out of print, but readily available as a used book at Amazon or at Bookfinder.com. Looks like the going price is about 25 bucks, but Amazon has a couple for under $17, including shipping. Search under Mitchell Trio Song Book and also under Mitchell Trio Songbook. More about the Mitchell Trio Song Book in this thread (click), as we call it.... ;-)
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Rose,
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 12:20 PM

I was listening to their album "This mad World of Ours" today, while playing 'monopoly' with my children. I remember when we were younger, how my brothers and I would go mad over their songs!!! ...we still do!! Does anyone know if their songbook is available? I was looking for one when I stumbled across this 'thread'(?) as you call it.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Fangling
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 06:27 AM

June Reizner also wrote "The 68 Nixon".

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Arkie
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 10:55 PM

Sorry about the big blank. I was reading Guest, Gerry's last comment and the page started to jump and next thing I know I've posted. Guess it was an itchy trigger finger.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Arkie
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 10:49 PM

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 10:05 PM

Joe, there's some stuff about Norman Martin at http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=12114
(I think it's the right Norman Martin). Wikipedia gives him credit (or blame) for The Song That Never Ends. This is probably also him: http://uk.imdb.com/name/nm0552851/

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:49 AM

I was listening to the "I Was Not a Nazi Polka" today. Now it just seems funny, but how did people react to it when it came out? It was on the 1965 Mitchell Trio LP on the Mercury label called "That's the Way It's Gonna Be." That was only 20 years after WWII, and there were plenty of former Nazis working in the American "military-industrial complex." The songwriter was Norman Martin - any background information on him?

June Reizner wrote "Barry's Boys," and I believe she also wrote Ronnie's Boys, which appeared in one of the Chad Mitchell Trio reunion albums. Any information on her?

My favorite Chad Mitchell Trio song was Fall River Hoedown (Lizzie Borden). Songwriter was Michael Brown - anything to be said about him?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 10:08 AM

Nothing of substance to add but can't fail to say "thanks" to one of my musical heroes. Thanks Joe Frazier, for a significant part of the soundtrack of my own musical youth, and a big chunk of the accompaniment to my adulthood as well.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 12:02 PM

Vicar:

I owe you (and your mates) and apology. At my age, I should know better than to rely on anecdotal information when making a comment about the motives of others. While you and I may not agree on our politics, I can certainly understand and appreciate how yours evolved. I will defer to the famous remark attributed to Voltaire in saying that I admire your openness and candor. Too many, on both sides of the political aisle, lack the courage to express their convictions as openly.

I continue to admire the musicianship and the very special sound your group consistently produced, along with the thought-provoking songs, many of which I do happen to admire. I have some of your old LP's. Both of my sons, in their early 30's, have become fans as well.

Thanks for the response. TJ

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 09:10 AM

It may be that Roberta Flack got First Time Ever - indirectly - from the Trio. At http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=441 we read,

Alex of Melbourne, Australia wants to know how Roberta Flack got onto "The First Time Ever" 15 years after Ewan MacColl wrote it. I learned it from the Chad Mitchell Trio album "Reflecting" (1964?). In the fall of 1966, while working at the Host Farm, a resort hotel in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I gave the lyrics and guitar chords to Morgan Ames, who was performing at the piano bar. In the summer of 1974(?) My wife and I saw Roberta Flack perform at the Valley Forge Music Fair outside Philadelphia. She introduced the song by saying that she learned it from her "good friend Morgan Ames". Ron White, Atlanta, Georgia

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 08:39 AM

Yes, ddpro, Ms Flack had big hits with both Killing Me Softly and First Time Ever. See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberta_Flack

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,ddpro
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 02:07 AM

Roberta Flack - is that the one who made "Killing Me Softly W/ His Song" famous?

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 02:04 AM

The Trio did First Time Ever, many years before Roberta Flack or whoever had a mega-hit with it.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 01:40 PM

Vicar-

Thanks from me as well for the good musical work that you and other members of the Trio accomplished.

What Ewan MacColl song(s) did you cover?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, who remembers one of your concerts in the early 1960's at Bowdoin College

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Peace
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 08:55 PM

Thanks for that. For some reason I have thought for years (BGOAU) that it was penned by Silverstein.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 08:35 PM

Bobad - yes, the same Peter Gzowski. It wasn't exactly a protest song. It was called Song For Canada, and written with Ian Tyson (of Ian & Sylvia). I think it was written as a "why can't we get along?" song for French & English-speaking Canada, but when the Trio sang it it came out more as being about Canada & the US.

Subject: ADD: Business Goes On As Usual (Hellerman)
From: Vicar
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 10:25 AM

someone above mentioned a song called Business Goes On As Usual. It's actually written by Fred Hellerman and I'm still doing it as an introduction to Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya -works very well these days wth all the death war profiteering going on:

Business Goes On As Usual
(Fred Hellerman)

Business goes on as usual - the corn and the profits are high
And the TVs boom in every living room and they tell us which deodorant to buy

Business goes on as usual, except that my brother is dead
He was 25 and very much alive but the dreams have all been blasted from his head!

In a far off land with a gun in his hand
He died in a war he did not understand

And business goes on as usual - there's plenty to choose from the rack
And the rumor goes, the latest thing in clothes will be -black!

Business goes on as usual, business goes on as usual...........

Fred Hellerman also wrote our electrical musical homage to the Byrds (More to Eve of Destruction, really) - "The Sound of Protest Has Begun to Pay"- not quite enough with Violets Of Dawn to get us into R&R!

Joe Frazier

Fomatting edited for indexing purposes.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Arkie
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 10:17 AM

I cannot really add much to what has been said about the Trio other than to join in the praise of one of the most significant groups of their era. For me one of the marks of a good song is its lasting appeal. However, there are some songs whose power and strength is that they are perfect for the moment they are delivered. The Trio certainly recorded songs of lasting appeal but they also hit a certain period in history with thought provoking bytes of music and they did it with humor, intelligence, and solid musical ability. To dress as corporate executives while delivering music with an edge only added to the effect. I remember most of the groups of the folk boom era but the Chad Mitchell Trio ranks as number one to me. It was number one then and is now as well.

Vicar, I am glad you are around so I can say thank you to at least one of the Trio.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: bobad
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 10:06 AM

Peter Gzowski?? Didn't know he wrote protest songs. Is it the same Peter Gzowski who was the CBC radio host?

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 09:01 AM

Looking through the songwriters on the Trio albums is a good thing to do. I first heard of Tom Paxton from a Trio album; those albums were also my introduction to Phil Ochs, Ewan MacColl, Shel Silverstein, Yip Harburg, Michael Brown, Jerry Bock, Fred Ebb, Norman Martin, Bob Gibson, Hamilton Camp, Ed McCurdy, June Reizner, Fran Minkoff, Peter Gzowski, and some guy named Deutschendorff who went on to have a bit of a career.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 03:03 AM

Hi, Joe -
I was wondering if you got the topical songs through relationships with particular songwriters, or if there was a particular member of the Trio who selected songs. Looking through the songwriters on my Mitchell Trio CD's, I see a lot of songs by Tom Paxton and a couple good ones by somebody named Michael Brown (Lizzie Borden and John Birch Society). Also at least a couple from Norman Martin (I Was Not a Nazi Polka).
So, I guess I don't see a "thread" - you got your topical songs from a whole stable of songwriters. I've always appreciated that those songs had such a nice, spicy "bite" to them. I think a good dose of irreverence is a healthy thing for a member of the clergy, so your singinging background was good preparation for ministry. As a Catholic seminarian in the 1960's, I learned some of my irreverence from Chad Mitchell songs. We sang lots of them.
All the best to you.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Vicar
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 02:20 AM

P.S.       For Joe Offer

    Does this answer your question about the "thread" in our music? It's more than this, of course - but I'm glad to discuss it, if you like.
                                                                                                Joe (Vicar)

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Vicar
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 02:14 AM

TJ in San Diego

      Believe it or not, financial success was never anywhere near primary in my motivations in the CMT. When I auditioned for them they asked me if I was "into folk music", my response was to sing "If I Had A Hammer" and "Banks Are Made Of Marble". I had learned them from Pete Seeger" Almanac Singers. I was also a young member of the W.E. B. DuBois Society and   a member of the Communist Party. (I think its time we stopped apologizing for this and be proud of what the Party stood and fought for for all those years.They were, in 1955, the only other people around who saw things the way I did.My dad was a steelworker and I was the oldest of 8. It's not hard to figure that out! And I was 16, for God's sakes - James Dean was our idol and a workingclass hero was something to be.

    The Trio has just put out a 3 DVD set that covers our our,and our career just about, (This is not a commercial insert). We talk all the way through about the lyrics of the songs, of the political satire, and of the natural politiziation of what we were singing about. Granted - I was already pretty much of a leftist, but the others - even John Denver later on - Heard it and came on board.! Oh yes - the arrangements, the harmonies, the fact that we were rather good musically and loved doing it a lot- that helped sell the Message - these days I'm doing it in sermons!

                                                                                  Joe Frazier
                                                                                  Chad Mitchell Trio

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 02:06 PM

Jimmy T and others:

The trio was known for its tight harmonies and arrangements. They were certainly commercial, taking full advantage of the unique opportunities of that era. Some will always criticize them for commercial success and lump them with The Kingston Trio, The Limeliters, Bud & Travis, et al as being part of that "great folk scare."

Truthfully, a lot of performers can trace their beginnings and early inspiration to groups such as these. If a more scholarly approach and adherance to a "higher folk calling" led them down a different path, so be it. I spent a lot of years in the wine business. An awful lot of my premium wine customers and cohorts began to cultivate their wine appreciation over a jug of Gallo, Red Mountain or Blue Nun.

To address CMT's approach to topicality, they seem to have done these songs with a direct aim at a young collegiate audience, not entirely altruistically, and very well aware of the financial rewards.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Peace
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 04:12 AM

Glad you showed up, Joe.

A song I learned from either you or your records at the time was "Business Goes On As Usual." Likely the hardest-hitting anti-war song I've ever heard. And you guys were reaching people who went to see three clean-cut guys and they got people who were providing anti-war songs, songs that ridiculed 'things' like the JB Society, the Klan, racism. The CMT was important because it attracted the then 'middle class' and I think as a result added to the activities and memberships of the various 'movements'. Indeed, it was an important group in many ways. I add my thanks to those who have posted above.

BM

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 03:49 AM

How come no-one has mentioned their great new single and video yet? Very *very* clever words!

'The George Bush Society'

Well done guys! :0)

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 09:26 AM

I laughed when I read about JJ's daughter. That's the same reaction we had listening to those records in the deepest part of the deep south when they first came out. In that time and place it was important for us to know that it wasn't illegal to sing, or think, like that. Thanks, Joe.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Vicar
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 02:43 AM

Whoever you are - you and your daughter just gave me the most siignificant compliment I've ever had! Thank you.
                                                                                  Joe Frazier
                                                                                  CMT

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: JJ
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 09:07 PM

A few years ago when my daughter was in high school I played a number of the Chad Mitchell Trio's satirical songs for her -- the ones that required only a few footnotes.

Her response was, "You meant they let them record this stuff?" She couldn't conceive that the powers-that-be would allow themselves to be made fun of.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,ddpro
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 08:44 AM

Ha.
Gerry is patient enough.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Peace
Date: 16 Aug 08 - 01:17 AM

Gerry, the guest is trolling. Your list is pretty darned conclusive.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 16 Aug 08 - 01:11 AM

Sorry, guest, I've written out 19 titles, I'm not going to write out 19 summaries (if that's what you want). The links at the top of the page will get you started, and no doubt your favorite search engine will find you lyrics for many of the others. If you still have any questions after all that, feel free to come on back & ask them.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: Peace
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 11:29 PM

Explain if you would please what you mean by that question.

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 11:21 PM

Thanks. But can anybody tell me what are the foci of these satires?

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 04:44 AM

And also a song called The '68 Nixon from their single, which contains "Now the Reagan can ramble and the Rocky can race, but Nick can jump from left to right and not lose his place"?

Subject: RE: Review: About the Chad Mitchell Trio's satires
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 12:23 AM

Here's an attempt to list all political satirical songs recorded by the Trio. Album first, then song(s).

Live At The Bitter End: The John Birch Society.

Blowin' In The Wind: The Ides of Texas.

These two songs also appear on The Best Of The Chad Mitchell Trio. The John Birch Society is also on Mighty Day - The Chad Mitchell Trio Reunion.

Singin' Our Minds: Alma Mater; Twelve Days.

Reflecting: Barry's Boys; What Did You Learn In School Today

The Slightly Irreverent Mitchell Trio: On That Great Civilized Morning; Draft Dodger Rag; Rhymes For The Irreverent.

On That Great Civilized Morning might also be on Mighty Day - The Chad Mitchell Trio Reunion.

Typical American Boys: Which Hat Shall I Wear; Yowzah.

Which Hat Shall I Wear is also on Mighty Day - The Chad Mitchell Trio Reunion.

That's The Way It's Gonna Be: Lucy Baines; I Was Not A Nazi Polka; Ecumenical March.

Violets Of Dawn: Your Friendly, Liberal, Neighborhood Ku Klux Klan; We Didn't Know; The Sound Of Protest; Business Goes On As Usual.

The Mitchell Trio Alive: What This Country Really Needs Is Another Movie Star.

I know I've missed at least one, the one about Lurleen Wallace - "It's great that you're governor, Lurleen" - was that Alabama Mothers, from The Mitchell Trio Alive?

I've also left out a great many songs that were political, or topical, but not satirical, and a great many that were satirical, but not topical. And of course others may not agree with the categorizations I've made, anyway.