The History Of Syracuse Music

LP Compilation Series

By Matthew Baker

 

     Ron Wray a Disc Jockey in the Syracuse NY area, was the producer and driving force behind this 13 volume compilation series. Ron is one off the most knowledgeable people that I know on Ronnie’s early career. The reason for this series, was to document the long history of the musicians of the central New York area. This was a non profit operation where the money generated from the Selling of the First volume was used to make Volume II and so on. This Series was NOT a bootleg series. All songs and Artists in this series were obtained with the artist or owner of the recordings permission. There were only 500 copies pressed of each volume, and finding all 13 volumes has proven to be a very hard task.

     The Release dates of each Volume is in question. Ron his told me that they were released between 1984 and 1987. The earlier Volumes that I have seem to be older than these dates indicate. Ronnie James Dio appears on every volume accept II and V. It pretty much spans Ronnie’s career up until the beginning of Black Sabbath. I will give you details about each volume that Ronnie’s music appears on, and as much detail on the recording that I can.

The History Of Syracuse Music, The Groups 1958-1970

Catalog # ?????                           Label ECEIP

Ronnie Dio and The Red Caps:  Lover 1959

This track is taken from the single Lover/Conquest Reb 105

It was recorded in a private studio in Trumansville NY. Ronnie

Plays Bass and only backing vocals.

The History Of Syracuse Music Volume III and IV 2LP

 Catalog # PSLP 1007-1010        Label ECEIP

 Ronnie Dio & The Prophets:  Gonna Make It Alone 1963

 This song was taken from the single Gonna Make It Alone/Swingin Street

Lawn 218

The History Of Syracuse Volume VI

Catalog # PSLP 1001                  Label ECEIP

Elf : Hoochie Koochie Lady  1973

        Rockin’ Chair Rock n’ Roll Blues  Recorded Live June 1973

Hoochie Koochie Lady was taken off of their self-titled debut on

EPIC records.  Rockin’ Chair Rock n’ Roll Blues is on of 2 Elf live tracks to

see commercial release. This is a totally different version than the song that

appeared on the LP LA 59. It also is almost 1 minute longer.      

The History Of Syracuse Volume VII

Catalog #PSLP 1013-1014          Label ECEIP

Ronnie and The Red Caps: Lover  1958

Ronnie Dio: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Elf: Sit Down Honey

Elf: L.A. 59  

The song Lover is taken from the single Lover/Conquest Reb 105 

It was recorded in a private studio in Trumansville NY. Ronnie

Plays Bass and only backing vocals. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

was taken directly from an acetate. The flip side of the acetate is Bad Man

In Town. This is the only Recording of this song that you will find.

Ron Wray owns the only unreleased acetate. Sit Down Honey and L.A. 59

Are from the LP’s Elf and L.A. 59 respectively.

The History Of Syracuse Volume VIII and IX 2LP        

Catalog # PSLP 1015-1018          Label ECEIP

Ronnie Dio: Say Your Mine Again 1965

Elves: Walking In Different Circles 1969

Rainbow: Man On The Silver Mountain 1975

 Say Your Mine Again was Released as a single Kapp 697. The Song was

Recorded on July 21st 1965. Several other songs were recorded during

the sessions at Kapp, that were never released, but still exist. Walking In Different

Circles Was released as a single on Decca 732057. It was recorded at the Decca

studios on April 8th 1969. Just like the Kapp Sessions, there are several Elves

tracks that were recorded, but never were released. Man On The Silver Mountain

Was taken from the first Rainbow LP.  

The History Of Syracuse Volume X and XI 2LP

Catalog #  1019-1022                   Label ECEIP

Ronnie Dio: The Way Of Love 1966

Elf: Hoochie Koochie Lady 1973

 The Way Of Love Was recorded on June 26th 1966, and was released as a single

Kapp 770.

The History Of Syracuse Volume XII and XIII 2LP

Catalog #  105                                Label Blue Wave

Ronnie Dio and the Red Caps: An Angel Is Missing 1961

Ronnie Dio and The Prophets: Make Johnny Blue 1963

Ronnie James Dio: Interview 1982

 An Angel Is Missing was recorded at Riposo studios in Syracuse NY. It was released

as a single on Seneca 178-102. Make Johnny Blue was released on the LP Dio At

Dominoes. Ronnie plays trumpet on this song!! The Interview is by Ron Wray while         

Ronnie was with Black Sabbath.

 

Other Compilations

 

Syracuse New Times Presents:

20 Years Of Syracuse Rock

Elf: Hoochie Koochie Lady   Live June 1973

  This was a cassette tape compilation given away by The New Times, a Syracuse NY music newspaper. There were only 1000 copies made. This is the only other live elf track

Known to have been released other than Rockin chair Rock n Roll Blues. It was released

in 1992??

 

 

The Syracuse History Of Rock N Roll

Catalog #WSEN 101

Ronnie Dio and The Red Caps: An Angel Is Missing

Only 1000 of these were made, and sold in 1991.