I'm always a sucker for paranoid fantasies, so when Scott dug Estelle's song In the Year 2000 out of the bowels of our MP3 library, I was all over it. It's not often that you find a bonafide Ronette sampling Adolf Hitler, but here's the proof: download MP3.
Estelle renewed my interest in Linda Laurie's (pictured at left) single Ambrose, Part Five, one of the stranger novelty records I've ever heard. For years I've searched high and low for parts one through four of this series, and just recently I found one called "Forever Ambrose." It stunk. Ambrose talks too much, he even sings for crying out loud! Give me the surreal subway tunnel croak of "Just Keep Walkin" anytime: download MP3
After hearing Linda Laurie again, it sparked these two Public Service Announcements from Mary of the Shangri-Las. I could listen to her say "bauble" all night long: download Taste Tip 1 | Taste Tip 2
linda laurie = wow. classic . thank you all so much.
Posted by: jpeatt | May 09, 2006 at 09:50 PM
So Linda Laurie's kind of the R Kelly of her day? Parts 1 through 4 demand to be heard! Surely someone out there has the complete set!
Posted by: David | May 11, 2006 at 05:37 PM
According to Mr. Music, there aren't parts 1-4: http://www.jerryosborne.com/5-30-05.htm
Posted by: AR | May 12, 2006 at 10:01 PM
Im afraid Mr. Music is mistaken, sort of. There may not have been other records specifically called "Ambrose Part One," but there were other "Ambrose" singles that pre-dated "Part 5."
I own one of these - it's called "Forever Ambrose," and it's really stupid. Same basic idea, only they're not walking through a subway tunnel, and Ambrose talks a lot more, and then he starts singing. It's not worth posting here, believe me. I've seen other Ambrose singles on eBay from time to time also.
-ken
Posted by: Station Manager Ken | May 15, 2006 at 11:58 AM
Actually, Ken, you're wrong. "Forever Ambrose" came out AFTER "Ambrose (Part Five)". There are NO parts 1 through 4 of "Ambrose"
Posted by: Rich | January 22, 2007 at 11:48 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've been searching for "Ambrose (part 5)" for many, many years. I used to listen to it on a station out of Tampa, Florida in 1958. All I could remember was 'Ambrose' and 'just keep walking' and not too many of the details of the song.
So once again, thanks for refreshing a old dudes memory.
Keep up the good work.
regards
mike
Posted by: mike fisher | June 23, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Actually in those days she was known as Little Linda Laurie!
(Asin Little Richard! LOL!)
Posted by: LittleHawk | June 28, 2007 at 04:42 PM
Linda Laurie appeared Australia in 1959 or 1960 (I can't remember the precise date). She toured with Lloyd Price, Conway Twitty, The Kalin Twins, and a host of Australian Rock'n'Roll stars on the same bill - and that was the problem! Linda wasn't a rock'n'roller and the audience didn't enjoy her monologue style. In some cities she was booed off the stage. I have a photo of the concert poster if you would like to see it.
Posted by: Michael Young | October 13, 2007 at 07:31 PM
I'VE BEEN KNOCKING MYSELF OUT, LOOKING FOR AN MP3 OF THIS "AMBROSE" SONG. I AM A MEMBER OF "THE REGENTS", THE GROUP WHO RECORDED BARBARA ANN IN 1961. I HAVE SOME "REGENTS" SONGS THAT I WOULD BE WILLING TO TRADE FOR IT.
Posted by: GUY VILLARI | December 10, 2007 at 06:46 AM
If you still haven't found Ambrose, it is on the CD Bring Back Those Doowops- 30 Original Oldies.
Regards, John
Posted by: John Congemi | March 27, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Linda is a personal friend. What do you need?? Diane
Posted by: Diane Stevenett | June 02, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Diane - My father was the late songwriter / producer Bert Russell Berns. He wrote and produced two songs with Linda Laurie on his Keetch label in 1964 called "Jose He Say" and "Chico." Would it be possible for you to put me in contact with Linda? Thanks! -Brett
Posted by: Brett Berns | June 27, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I love 50's / 60's vocal groups , how i can contact with GUY VILLARI to listen their stuff?
Posted by: VelvetCandles | July 26, 2008 at 10:40 AM
diane- perhaps i'm too late, but i really want to know more about linda laurie. i love how she sings in "stay at home sue" and I wanted to find out if she did any similar songs? what was her inspiration for the song (besides runaround sue)?
Posted by: sandra | October 14, 2008 at 09:06 PM
on that same Mr Music web page, Linda Laurie says that's NOT her posing on the piano. sorry to burst anyone's bubble.
here's the real Linda Laurie on "To Tell the Truth":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-bQqsoMvQ0&feature=related
Posted by: stu | October 22, 2008 at 12:26 PM
I just want to say that Linda Laurie was very talented in all she did. She did record more sides than just Ambrose. What we really should remember her by were the great two huge hits she wrote for Helen Reddy. Leave Me Alone Ruby Red Dress and Delta Dawn.
If you guys like Linda and other rare music of the 50's and 60's you should check out our little slice of RnR heaven, Rockinradio.com where we play the "Best Oldies you've NEVER heard" and some you have but not in a very long time! IN fact, my December show should include one of her songs. I'm trying to decide between All Winter Long and Prince Charming.
Posted by: RandyT. | November 22, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Don't forget to flip the "Ambrose Part V" single over! The B-side, "Ooh, What A Lover" is a real gem too!
Posted by: Andreas G | January 12, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Wow - I use that line "Just Keep Walkin" on myself all the time, and even a few of my friends. It's actually very philosophical (NOT!). :) On a whim tonight I decided to see if I could find anything out about one of my Mom's old 45s. Never thinking I'd ever be able to hear this again! Wow. So glad you posted. I'm sending my Mom and sister the link to your site!
Posted by: Michelle | January 17, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Hi, I am also addicted to Linda Laurie, and her music. She was very innovative, and way ahead of her time.
I have several of her records, including "Ambrose Returns", which is hard to find. It's kind of noisy, but it's pretty good, and is on the order of Ambrose 5. She only made the 3 Ambrose records, as far as I know.
I have the music to, or the records for: Stay At Home Sue-All Winter Long-Where Do You Go-Ambrose Pt 5-Ambrose Returns-Forever Ambrose(your right, it's terrible)-Ooh What A Lover(flip of Amborse 5-Stay With Me(flip of All Winter Long)-Jose He Say,B/w Chico(also neither one is good)-Whereever He Goes,I Go-Soupin' Up Your Motor, & Prince Charming.
There are probably more, because she was a very talented young lady.
If anyone is interested, contact me thru Facebook under under the Screen name Demo100adk. Thanks. Arnold
Posted by: Arnold Kirkbride | July 12, 2009 at 02:38 AM
My aunt, Linda Laurie passed away yesterday at the cottage hospital in Santa Barbara after a long battle with cancer. She was an amazing woman.....
Posted by: Eric Gertz | November 21, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Eric,
Thank you for posting this, even if it is tragic. I've always considered "Ambrose (Part Five)" to be the work of an extraordinarily talented woman (lovely, too). Pass along my symphathies and fond wishes to your family as you gather without her this Holiday season.
By the way, I own six more of her singles!
Sharing Your Grief, Ort. Carlton in Athens, Georgia.
Posted by: Ort. Carlton. | December 14, 2009 at 01:43 AM
In a binge of research about Linda Laurie yesterday, I posted what was her FIRST record release (from July, 1958) on YouTube yesterday. As it turns out, Linda first recorded with her friend, Susan Yellin, as the Knott Sisters (sometimes noted as the Not Sisters), "Undevided Attention". This song was written by both girls, Linda under her real last name "Gertz". This was about 5 months before Ambrose got into the picture. The main side, as by the Shades featuring the Knott Sisters, was called "Sun Glasses" written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Both sides were produced by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, though that tidbit is not on the label. The sheet music for "Sun Glasses" features the two girls (in sun glasses of course), Linda on the left and Susan on the right, accompanied by two guys in shades. I haven't proven it beyond doubt just yet, but I believe Linda herself provides the vocals for the Shades, or at least the speaking Shade guy, the predecessor to Ambrose. If so, you can label the record as "Ambrose, Part 1-4". Here's a link to the "Sun Glasses" side video I made, complete with pictures:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jslp_8QOKz8 (copy and paste)
And here's the other side with just Linda and Susan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iSNTVy7A3Q (copy and paste)
I was in contact with Peter Stoller last night, and he says with certainty that the two Shades on the sheet music are not Jerry or Mike, nor are they Doc or Mort, though any of them may have assisted with the singing chores.
Fred Clemens
Posted by: Fred Clemens | December 28, 2009 at 03:58 PM
Hello Eric.....I am a friend of Linda's and I want to say that I am so sorry for your loss. Linda was a wonderful talented woman with a huge heart.
Posted by: Barbara Cadario | January 07, 2010 at 12:46 PM
I loved Linda, and loved working with her in the studio and onstage. I really miss her. Want to get in touch with her family. Please contact me on Facebook. Thanks, Charlo Crossley Fortier
Posted by: Charlo Fortier | May 18, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Linda Laurie did not write "Delta Dawn." Larry Collins (of the Collins Kids) and Alex Harvey wrote that song.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1337971469 | May 25, 2010 at 03:49 PM