Bonnie and The Treasures - HOME OF THE BRAVE (Gold Star Studios) (1965)

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED - (Phi-Dan 5005) Recorded at Hollywood's Gold Star Studio on July 24, 1965, this magnificent production once thought to have been the work of Phil Spector, was indeed produced by Jerry Riopelle. Supposedly, Gold Star engineer Larry Levine played for Spector, a tape of Riopelle's production of Clydie King's 'The Thrill Is Gone'. Spector was so impressed that he took him under his wing at Philles Records from the summer of 1965 throughout 1966. Lead vocals on 'Home Of The Brave' were also rumored to be that of Miss Veronica Bennett of The Ronettes. Alas, that rumor proved to be be false as vocals were handled to perfection by session singer/songwriter, Charlotte O'Hara (Charlotte Ann Matheny) who was given that name by songwriter Al Hazan and Gold Star engineer Larry Levine, for her 1963 Ava Records single, 'What About You'. Jerry Riopelle chose to credit her and background singers, Sherlie Matthews and Clydie King as Bonnie and The Treasures. The Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil tune would be in a chart war with another version issued by Jody Miller on Capitol at the same time. In the week of August 28th 1965, Jody Miller's version peaked at #25 on the Billboard chart while Bonnie's version stalled at #77. The 'Wall Of Sound' never sounded so good on a Girl Pop disc as it did on this one. L.A.'s "Wrecking Crew' supplied a powerfully explosive backing track while the entire performance was beefed up courtesy of Gold Star's iconic echo chamber. See the television appearance of Bonnie & The Treasures performing HOME OF THE BRAVE:    • Bonnie and The Treasures - HOME OF THE BRA...