Curt Boettcher.com

April 1967—Sessions with Jim Valley: According to a blurb from a 1967 issue of Tiger Beat, “Ex-Raider Jim Valley spent several weeks in April recording his songs which Curt Boettcher produced. I can’t wait for them to be released. I think Jim will be surprising a lot of people by his solo efforts.” The songs were:

1. Try, Try, Try (James Valley)
2. There is Love (James Valley)
3. Now (James Valley)

This was a period in Valley’s career where he was chasing a solo gig on Dunhill Records. Valley did record & release “Try, Try, Try” as a single (Dunhill 4096; released in August 1967); this single was produced by Steve Barri. “There is Love” also appeared as the B-side of “I’m Real” (Jerden 814). Valley’s original Boettcher-produced demos are now lost in the vaults somewhere. Musicians credited include Wyman Parker and Jerry Scheff.

July 12, 1967—Sessions with The Fifth World: Stephen J. McParland references an “audition tape presented to Columbia Records” by this group. I know nothing of this group beyond what McParland uncovered. The songs were:

1. I’m With You (Lee Mallory)
2. Just Wanna Be With You and Your Friends (?)
3. Know It All (Curt Boettcher)
4. Love [AKA Love at Last?] (Lee Mallory)

November 10, 1967—Sessions with The Bootiques: Stephen J. McParland’s wonderful series of Gary Usher biographies (titled The California Sound: An Insider’s Story) contains many nuggets of info. One such is the AFM union sheet for this recording session for The Bootiques. Boettcher already produced their single “Did You Get Your Fun / Mr. Man of the World” (Date 1513) in 1966, so these must’ve been for follow-up singles. The songs were:

1. I’m Gonna Take
2. Cool Children
3. The People are Sleeping
4. You are Love

Musicians credited include Wyman Parker, Jerry Scheff, Mike Henderson, Mike Deasy, Ben Benay, Jim Troxel and Jim Bell. The session was held at Columbia Records.