Jim Mancel Explained

Background:person
Jim Mancel
Genre:Rock, pop, r&b
Occupation:Musician
Label:Polydor, Celebration, Change Records, Apex, Quality, Cel Mar Inc., People City Music
Past Member Of:Chester

Jim Mancel was a Canadian singer, producer, composer and arranger who had several hits from the early 1970s and another in the early 1980s. He has recorded for the Polydor, Apex, and Quality labels, and Quality's subsidiary, Celebration. His hits include, "I Could Give You the World" which was a hit on the MAPL chart in 1970, and his 1975 single "Let the Phone Ring" which was also commercially successful in Canada. He hit the adult contemporary chart in 1977 with "Just Be Yourself". He was also a member of the Canadian band, Chester who had a hit in 1973 with "Make My Life a Little Bit Brighter".

Competing in overseas musical events, he has won awards in Greece and France.

Background

In the late 1950s at the age of thirteen, Jim Mancel was singing a cappella in Toronto Hillcrest Park with two of his young friends. At 2am, a man in a long flannel coat appeared out of the darkness. After convincing them that he wasn't a deviant, they went the man to his house where they did an audition for him and his wife. The man then arranged a gig for them at a folk club in Toronto, the Purple Onion. After that the boys faded out of sight.[1]

In 1971, Mancel won the Songwriters' award at the Cannes Festival in France.[2]

Mancel was the lead singer of the Canadian group Chester, which was formed by Glen Morrow in late 1972.[3] The group consisted of Mike Argue on lead guitar and vocals, Jim Mancel on lead vocals, and Glen “Wedge” Monroe on drums, piano, and guitar, and Glenn Morrow on keyboard, guitar and vocals. The group had a hit with "Make My Life a Little Bit Brighter" which spent 13 weeks on Vancouver’s CKLG chart, peaking at #3 in November 1973.[4] After the group broke up, Mancel embarked on a solo career and recorded the single, "Let the Phone Ring".[5] [6]

Mancel was also mentored by Sam Sniderman at some stage in his career.[7]

In 1976, Mancel entered into a partnership with John Marmora with the company, Celmar Productions which was at one time rated as one of Canada's top three jingle recording companies. For the next ten years the company won awards and produced over five hundred advertising jingles. Their client base reached from Canada to the United States.[8]

Working with The Longo Brothers, Mancel recorded a composition of theirs.[9]

Career

1970s

"I Could Give You the World"In 1970, Mancel's single "I Could Give You the World" was released. It became an award winner in Greece at the 3rd Olympiad of Song.[10] With "Aido" by Ljupka Dimitrovska from Yugoslavia in first place, Cash Box magazine wrote that his place was second, and in third place was Eva Correia José Maria from Brazil with "Teletema".[11] In actual fact, Mancel who was representing the United States came third. He received a medal and $300 in prize money. He was also pictured on page 29 of the Photo Journal newspaper,[12] [13] [14] and in another in Cash Box with the other two contestants.[15]

It entered the Top 50 MAPL Canadian Chart at #49 on September 19.[16] It would get to #26 on the Top 30 MAPL Canadian Chart on October 31. On that week, the chart had been changed from Top 50 MAPL to Top 30 MAPL.[17] [18] The following week (November 7) the chart had changed again and was now the Top 20 MAPL chart. The song was now in the "Recommended singles meeting CRTC requirements for AM radio" section.[19] On the 14th of that month it was in the "Recommended selections that have met RPM's good music programming standards" section, just outside the Top 20 MAPL GMP Playlist chart.[20]

It spent a total of seven weeks in the MAPL chart.[21] [22]

"Let the Phone Ring"In 1975, the single, "Let the Phone Ring" would be a national hit. It entered the RPM 100 Top Singles chart at #97 on February 15.[23] It peaked at #77 on March 15.[24] [25] With the single getting a heavy amount of air-attention in Toronto, it was making the right kind of noise over the border, reaching the ears of people in Buffalo. It got the interest of the WYSL program director Steve Mitchell. Several copies were also taken to various radio stations in the United States due to the growing interest in the record.[26] Meanwhile in Canada, as recorded by the April 19 issue of RPM Weekly, the single was still charting regionally and getting spun on contemporary play lists such as Jim Duncan's show at CKBC in Bathurst (charted),[27] CFOM-FM in Quebec,[28] CKCK in Regina (charted),[29] Billie Gorrie's show on CKRC in Winnipeg (charted).[30] Billboard reported in the May 5 issue that the record was showing some surprising sales action in Canada with it being playlisted and charting across the country.[31]

It spent a total of four weeks in the National chart.[32] [33] [34]

Further activitiesAs reported by RPM weekly in the June 7, 1975 issue, Mancel was free from his contract with the Celebration label and looking around for a new record deal. He was also planning for a session at the 16-track facility at Master's Workshop studio in Toronto which was run by Doug MacKenzie. With a recent gig at Kingston behind him which resulted in "Let the Phone Ring" becoming one of local radio's top phone requests, Mancel and his five-piece band Reachout had a good run on the Ontario club circuit. They were to set to appear at the Shamrock club in Toronto on June 2.[35]
"Just Be Yourself", Change Records periodAlong with Myles Cohen, Jeanette Brantley, Aura, Mancel was part of Change's Canadian list of artists.[36]

In 1977, the single "Just Be Yourself" bw "Dreams" was released on the Change Records label, Cat #CH 45003. It was produced by John James Stewart. Mancel co-wrote the A side with Glen Morrow. The B side was written by Bill Hughes.[37]

In January 1978, the record had been getting some good attention. Being one of the records that was in the "Additions to playlists and charts that are not yet charted on the RPM charts" category, it was getting spun on Dave Watts' show at CFRA Ottawa, and Ray Edwardson's show at CFSL Weyburn,[38] It was also charting there, entering the station's chart #39 for the week of January 21, 1978.[39] A breakout market addition at CFRA Ottawa, it was also playlisted on Dave Watts' show.[40] By the week of February 4, the record had been on the RPM Adult Oriented Play list chart for three weeks. It had moved up from #47 to #42.[41] It peaked at #37 on February 25, spending a total of seven weeks in the chart.[42] [43] [44]

By March 18, RPM had noted that the record had received solid airplay in the MOR and Top 40 markets across Canada. It did particularly well in the Maritimes. It peaked at #24 on CKTS in Sherbrooke. It was currently at #13 on CKBC Bathurst. It had also had a nine-week run at Ottawa's leading station, CFRA. Throughout the Maritimes there were fourteen stations spinning the disc. There were other stations that had picked up on it including some adult contemporary stations which were instrumental in getting the record to have its charting run on the RPM Adult Oriented playlist.

According to Mancel's label, his debut album was to be released in April.[45] Artist Aura aka Aura Urziceanu recorded his composition "L.A. Sunshine" which was released on Change Records CHD 300 in 1978.[46] [47] [48]

1980s to 1990s

In 1980, Mancel released two singles. They were "Heart of a Lion (Terry's Theme)" bw "Heart of a Lion (Terry's Theme)" Instrumental on Quality Q 2382X[49] and "We Had a Dream (The Dream Song)" bw "We Had a Dream (The Dream Song) Long version on Apex AP 95564. It was credited to The Northern Light Orchestra Featuring Jim Mancel.[50]

In 1981, working with The Longo Brothers, Mancel sang lead on the song "Easy Life" which was written by Frank and Larry Longo. He co-produced and co-arranged the record with John Marmora. It was released on People City Music C-336.[51] [52] It was a hit on the CKLW chart that year.[53]

In a joint-effort production with John Marmora and The Longo Brothers, the song "City Motions" (Featuring Moe Koffman) bw "If The Feeling’s Not Right" was released on People City Music PCM-823 in 1984.[54] [55] It got into the CanCon Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart that year. It was in the chart from October 6 to the 27th.[56] [57]

1984 was also the year that Mancel pulled out of his Celmar Productions partnership to re-pursue his solo career.[58]

List of hits and participation

List
ActTitleYearChartPeakWksRoleNotes #
Jim Mancel"I Could Give You the World"1970MAPL Top 50
MAPL Top 30		267[59] [60] [61] Artist3rd place winner
3rd Olympiad of Song, Greece[62]
Chester"Make My Life a Little Bit Brighter"1973RPM 100
Cash Box 100
Cash Box Looking Ahead		10[63] [64]
100
101		21[65] [66]
1[67]
6[68] 		Band member
Vocals[69]
Jim Mancel"Let the Phone Ring"1975RPM 10077[70] [71] 4[72] [73] Artist
Composer		[74]
Jim Mancel"Just Be Yourself" / "Dreams" 1977RPM Adult Oriented Play list377[75] [76] [77] Artist[78]
Jim Mancel"Easy Life"1981CKLWHB[79] Artist
Co-producer, co-arranger		[80]
The Longo Brothers featuring Moe Koffman"City Motions"1984CanCon Top 10
Adult Contemporary		104[81] [82] Co-producer[83]

Discography (selective)

Singles
ActTitleCatYearNotes #
Jim Mancel"I Could Give You The World" / "Sidewalk Dreamer"Polydor 2065 0261970
Jim Mancel"Let The Phone Ring" / "Jenny"Celebration CEL 2116X 1975
Jim Mancel"Just Be Yourself" / "Dreams"Change CH 450031977
The Northern Light Orchestra Featuring Jim Mancel"We Had a Dream (The Dream Song)" Short Version / "We Had a Dream (The Dream Song)" Long Version with DialogueApex AP 955641980
Jim Mancel"Heart of a Lion (Terry's Theme)" / "Heart of a Lion (Terry's Theme)" (Instrumental)Quality Q 2382X1980
Jim Mancel"Easy Life" / "Easy Life" (Instrumental)People City Music C-3361981
Jim Mancel"After All You Put Me Through" (Mono) / "After All You Put Me Through" (Stereo)Cel Mar CM-0011981

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. RPM Weekly, Volume 19 No. 25 August 4, 1973 - Page 1 (Front cover) HAPPINESS ....IS CHESTER
  2. Marketing Volume 83, Publisher Maclean-Hunter (1978) - Page 8 PRODUCTION
  3. The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - CHESTER
  4. Vancouver Pop Music Signature Sounds -
    1. 91: MAKE MY LIFE A LITTLE BIT BRIGHTER BY CHESTER
  5. RPM Weekly Volume 19 No. 25 August 4, 1973 - Page 1 HAPPINESS ....IS CHESTER
  6. The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - CHESTER
  7. RPM Weekly Volume 19 No. 25 August 4, 1973 - Page 1 HAPPINESS ....IS CHESTER
  8. Emery Village Voice, April, 2021 - Yesterday and Today - April 2021 By Tim Lambrinos
  9. RPM Weekly, Volume 36 Non. 14 May 15, 1982 - Page 9 AROUND THE MUSIC BIZ, New single from Longo Bros.
  10. Billboard, August 22, 1970 - Page 80 Canadian News Report, From The Music Capitals of the World, TORONTO - Page 81 International News Reports, From The Music Capitals of the World, Continued from page 80
  11. Cash Box, August 8, 1970 - Page 51 CashBox Canada
  12. Billboard, August 1, 1970 - Page 58 International News Reports, From The Music Capitals of the World, Yugoslavia's 'Adio' Captures Greece Olympiad of Song
  13. Popular Song Festivals, Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - 1968 - 1973 - WORLD SONG OLYMPIAD IN ATHENS – GREECE, 1970 - III WORLD SONG OLYMPIAD IN ATHENS – GREECE, Final standings:
  14. Photo Journal, Vol. 34 - No. 14 - Semaine Du 20 Au 26 Juilett 1970 - 29 Le 3e prix est revenu aux
    Etats-Unis pour la chanson
    "I Could Give You The World ”
    interprétée par Jim Mancel. II
    a reçu une médaille d'honneur
    et un prix de $300.
  15. Cash Box, August 8, 1970 - Page 81 ONE, TWO, THREE
  16. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 5 September 19, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 50 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  17. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 10 October 24, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 50 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  18. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 11 October 31st, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 30 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  19. RPM Weekly, Volume 14, No. 12 November 7th, 1970 - Page 9 TOP 20 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  20. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 13 November 14th, 1970 - Page 6 TOP 20 MAPL GMP PLAYLIST, Recommended selections that have met RPM's good music programming standards.
  21. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 5 September 19, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 50 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  22. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 11 October 31st, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 30 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  23. RPM Weekly, Volume 22 No. 25 February 15, 1975 - Page 16 RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  24. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 Nos 2 & 3 March 15, 1975 - Page 22 RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  25. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 4 March 22, 1975 - Page 23 - 24 RPM Top Singles, RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  26. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 8 April 19, 1975 - Page 4 QUALITY SHOWS SALES ON MANCEL & HUDSON BROS.
  27. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 8 April 19, 1975 - Page 33 RPM CONTEMPORARY RADIO ACTION, BATHURST, CKBC (Jim Duncan), Charted
  28. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 8 April 19, 1975 - Page 34 RPM CONTEMPORARY RADIO ACTION, QUEBEC CITY, CFOM, Playlisted
  29. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 8 April 19, 1975 - Page 34 RPM CONTEMPORARY RADIO ACTION, REGINA, CKCK, Charted
  30. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 8 April 19, 1975 - Page 34 RPM CONTEMPORARY RADIO ACTION, WINNIPEG, CKRC, (Billie Gorrie), Charted
  31. Billboard, May 3, 1975 - Page 50 Canada, From The Music Capitals Of The World, TORONTO
  32. RPM Weekly, Volume 22 No. 25 February 15, 1975 - Page 16 RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  33. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 Nos 2 & 3 March 15, 1975 - Page 22 RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  34. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 4 March 22, 1975 - Page 23 - 24 RPM Top Singles, RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  35. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 14 June 7, 1975 - Page 3 Jim Mancel shopping for new label deal
  36. RPM Weekly, Volume 28 No. 17 January 21, 1978 - Page 4 An important year for Canada at MIDEM by Walt Grealis Pages 4 - 7 (Page 7) Change Records with publishing arms ...
  37. Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Jim Mancel, Just Be Yourself / Dreams
  38. RPM Weekly, Volume 28 No. 17 January 21, 1978 - Page 37 RPM Hitmakers, DAVE WATTS CFRA OTTAWA & RAY EDWARDSON, CFSL WEYBURN
  39. RPM Weekly, Volume 28 No. 17 January 21, 1978 - Page 38, 41 (Page 41) BREAKOUT MARKET ADDITIONS, WEYBURN CFSL (Ray Edwardson), CHARTED
  40. RPM Weekly, Volume 28 No. 17 January 21, 1978 - Page 38 BREAKOUT MARKET ADDITIONS, OTTAWA CFRA (Dave Watts), Playlisted
  41. RPM Weekly, Volume 28, No. 19 Feb 04, 1978 (Library and Archives Canada, Item: 10199) - RPM Adult Oriented Playlist
  42. RPM Weekly, Volume 28, No. 22 Feb 25, 1978 (Library and Archives Canada, Item: Item: 10081) - Page 29 RPM Adult Oriented Playlist
  43. RPM Weekly, Volume 28, No. 23 Mar 04, 1978 (Library and Archives Canada, Item: Item: 10160) - Page 26 RPM Adult Oriented Playlist
  44. RPM Weekly, Volume 28 No. 24 Mar 11, 1978 (Library and Archives Canada, Item: Item: Item: 3779) - Page 35 RPM Adult Oriented Playlist
  45. RPM Weekly, Volume 28 No. 25 March 18, 1978 - Page 22 Mancel's Change 45 gains air in pop, MOR markets
  46. JioSaavn - La Sunshine, Artists, Jim Mancel Music
  47. Popsike - RARE AURA Urziceanu "L.A. SUNSHINE" CHANGE REC OG DISCO FUNK 12" EBONY CUTS
  48. Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Aura Urziceanu, Special Way
  49. Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Jim Mancel, Heart Of A Lion (Terry's Theme)
  50. Discogs - The Northern Light Orchestra Featuring Jim Mancel – We Had A Dream (The Dream Song)
  51. JioSaavn - Easy Life (feat. Jim Mancel)
  52. Music Metason - ArtistInfo Jim Mancel, Easy Life
  53. BIG 8 RADIO.COM - CKLW Chart Book by David Kelly, M
  54. The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - LONGO BROTHERS, The
  55. RPM Weekly, Volume 41 No. 5 October 6, 1984 - Page 14 Longo Brothers release City Motions single
  56. RPM Weekly, Volume 41 No. 5 October 6, 1984 - Page 5 TOP CANCON, ADULT CONTEMPORARY
  57. RPM Weekly, Volume 41 No. 8 October 27, 1984 - Page 7 TOP CANCON, ADULT CONTEMPORARY
  58. Emery Village Voice, April, 2021 - Yesterday and Today - April 2021 By Tim Lambrinos
  59. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 5 September 19, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 50 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  60. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 10 October 24, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 50 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  61. RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No. 11 October 31st, 1970 - Page 7 TOP 30 MAPL CANADIAN CHART
  62. Photo Journal, Vol. 34 - No. 14 - Semaine Du 20 Au 26 Juilett 1970 - 29 Le 3e prix est revenu aux
    Etats-Unis pour la chanson
    "I Could Give You The World ”
    interprétée par Jim Mancel. II
    a reçu une médaille d'honneur
    et un prix de $300.
  63. RPM Weekly, Volume 20 No. 7 September 29, 1973 - Page 27 RPM100 SINGLES
  64. RPM Weekly, Volume 20 No. 9 October 13, 1973 - Page 11 RPM100 SINGLES
  65. RPM The Programmers Weekly, Volume 19 No. 2 July 28, 1983 - Page 16 - 17 The Programmers RPM100 SINGLES
  66. RPM Weekly, Volume 20 No. 20 December 29, 1973 - Page 15 RPM100 SINGLES
  67. Ultimate 70s.com - Song: "Make My Life A Little Bit Brighter", Artist: Chester Peak position on the Cashbox Singles chart: #100, Number of weeks on the Cashbox Singles chart: 7 (1 week in the Top 100)
  68. Ultimate 70s.com - Song: "Make My Life A Little Bit Brighter", Artist: Chester Peak position on the Cashbox Singles chart: #100, Number of weeks on the Cashbox Singles chart: 7 (1 week in the Top 100)
  69. Vancouver Pop Music, Signature Sounds -
    1. 91: MAKE MY LIFE A LITTLE BIT BRIGHTER BY CHESTER
  70. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 Nos 2 & 3 March 15, 1975 - Page 22 RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  71. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 No. 4 March 22, 1975 - Page 23 - 24 RPM Top Singles, RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  72. RPM Weekly, Volume 22 No. 25 February 15, 1975 - Page 16 RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  73. RPM Weekly, Volume 23 Nos 2 & 3 March 15, 1975 - Page 22 RPM 100 Top Singles (51-100)
  74. Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Jim Mancel, Let The Phone Ring / Jenny
  75. RPM Weekly, Volume 28, No. 22 Feb 25, 1978 (Library and Archives Canada, Item: Item: 10081) - Page 29 RPM Adult Oriented Playlist
  76. RPM Weekly, Volume 28, No. 23 Mar 04, 1978 (Library and Archives Canada, Item: Item: 10160) - Page 26 RPM Adult Oriented Playlist
  77. RPM Weekly, Volume 28 No. 24 Mar 11, 1978 (Library and Archives Canada, Item: Item: Item: 3779) - Page 35 RPM Adult Oriented Playlist
  78. Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Jim Mancel, Just Be Yourself / Dreams
  79. BIG 8 RADIO.COM - CKLW Chart Book by David Kelly, M
  80. Music Metason - ArtistInfo Jim Mancel, Easy Life
  81. RPM Weekly, Volume 41 No. 5 October 6, 1984 - Page 5 TOP CANCON, ADULT CONTEMPORARY
  82. RPM Weekly, Volume 41 No. 8 October 27, 1984 - Page 7 TOP CANCON, ADULT CONTEMPORARY
  83. RPM Weekly, Volume 41 No. 5 October 6, 1984 - Page 14 Longo Brothers release City Motions single

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