May 12, 2008 Earworm

The answer record phenomenon is one part of pop music history in which I am generally disinterested. Craven cash ins at worst, dully executed sequels at best, the only real benefactor of these records seemed to be the copyright holder of the original song should it actually sell a few copies. With that in mind, I viewed Ace's recent compilation, "The Answer To Everything: Girl Answer Songs Of The Sixties", with a dubious eye below a cynically cocked eyebrow. Seeing the inclusion of Tracey Dey's first single, "Jerry (I'm Your Sherry)", however, made it a must have since that track has only been available in digital form on compilations of less than perfect pedigree.

"Jerry (I'm Your Sherry)", as clumsy as it is, has made me laugh for years because Tracey's list of reasons for being unable to come out suggests more of a sequel to Preston Sturges' "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" than one to The Four Seasons' "Sherry". Hangovers, worn down shoes, and torn dresses suggest a night far wilder than anyone's mother would feel comfortable and, frankly, if I were Sherry's father I would meet Jerry at the door with a shotgun should he come calling again.

"The Answer To Everything..." would ultimately provide more than I could ever have hoped for because, dear readers, it contained a long sought out answer to the question, where in the world is Tracey Dey. What became of her, who she was, even her real name, has been the subject of interest for some time now in the world of people who care about such things and it appears that Rob Finnis has been holding out on us. Tracey Dey is Nora Ferrari of Yonkers, NY. And Nora Ferrari of Yonkers, NY, was one hot cookie as well as a girl with an amazing voice who could sing just about anything. She should have been huge but instead, has had to settle for die-hard worship from unknown strangers like me.

Having taken the liberty - and extreme pleasure - of fleshing out the wikipedia entry for Tracey Dey, I can now consider the mystery closed, hope for a good "tell-all" or, at least, "tell-some", and start looking for a second hand copy of last years film, "Reservation Road".

Happy Monday.