FRAGMENTS |A new Greek inspired psychedelic sound
The Forum Quorum | No More Tears | (Decca) 1968 | The truth about The Forum Quorum is stranger than all the gimmicky stories yet to be dreamed up by unborn generations of rock group promoters. So, in introducing the group’s first album, let’s forget all the adjectives and stick to straight, simple information.
First, what’s The Forum Quorum?
Take five boys of mixed Greek and Italian background, all living within walking distance of each other in Astoria, New York City.
Give them musical backgrounds and a desire to be top professionals in rock ’n’ roll. Add an electrified bouzouki, the Greek classical guitar, plus an amplified flute for the shepherd’s sound, over a driving rock beat.
Drop in a father young enough to know rock, and talented enough to be the chairman of a music department in a New York Junior High School. Mix with an advertising man who grew up in the music business. That’s The Forum Quorum.
About the Forum Quorum
The Forum: A place where people met in the Greco-Roman times to air views and exchange news.
A Quorum: Enough people on hand to make something happen.
The truth about The Forum Quorum is musicality, innovative sound and a fresh approach to music of today.
It comes from 17-year-old Sturg Pardalis, writer, lead singer, arranger, electric guitar, electric bouzouki.
It comes from 17-year-old Sal Palazzolo, writer, lead singer, rhythm guitar.
It comes from 20-year-old Roger Calleo, writer, lead singer, organ, flute, arranger.
It comes from 18-year-old Brian Albano, drummer and poetry student.
It comes from 17-year-old Bobby Castaldo, bass and rock historian.
And now, to your ears and feet, we commend the following: Girl Make Up Your Mind —Sal, Roger and Sturg wrote it. Bouzouki, flute, beat . . . all here. Sturg has vocal lead.
Your Turn To Cry—Roger wrote this. Lyrics by Sal. Roger sings. The group drives.
51st Thought—Sal sings his own composition. Moody balladry with flute and bouzouki; especially melodic.
Misery—Soul in counterpoint. Roger sings his own song. Sturg came up with creative arrangement.
There’s No Runnin’ Away—Upbeat and moving; Sturg wrote, arranged and sings it. Forum Quorum sound. Monologue—In the Bob Dylan manner; but original Forum Quorum thinking and playing. Roger asks the lyrical questions.
A Summer’s Day— Sturg sings his own words to his own music. For anybody who has ever had a summer romance.
Synopsis—A group effort recapping the entire album. Roger and Sturg laid it out; everybody had a chance to shape it to the right conclusion. Instrumentally, a bold adventure.
No More Tears—Theme from a motion picture. Thoughts shared by all who love and are left alone for a moment or a year. Uninhibited singing by Sturg and truly lovely flute and bass passages.
Just The Same—Sturg contributes another rock ballad original. This time he picks up the 12-string guitar to mesh with Roger’s flute improvisations. Sturg, of course, vocals.
Testify—The Forum Quorum takes on a rock standard and applies its own standards to the performance. Sturg arranged, with The Forum Quorum’s producer, Milt Gabler, knowledgeably aided by his sound staff of Rudy May and George Chandler, adding the electronic touches that help make the difference.
The Forum Quorum | No More Tears | (Decca)
Roger is lead vocal; Sturg, lead guitar. So the truth: the first folk singers and players came from the Mediterranean areas; dancing and singing spread from there to help civilize the world.
Now the circle has been completed: American musicians use the background and instruments of Greco-Roman times, the flavour of the folk melodies, the excitement of folk dancing blended with the rock beat created here at home.
This group is made up of perfectionists, each and every one. They rehearse every night in Sturg’s cellar with father Gus Pardalis on hand to help keep the music away from the trite and routine.
They are professionals. Mike Douglas called them back to his TV show and paid tribute to their sound, their appearance, and their act.
The truth is there is no other group like The Forum Quorum. Listen, and we know you’ll agree. Decca has provided the Forum; you can be the Quorum!
Fragments | The Forum Quorum Jukebox (4 songs)
Billboard articles
The Forum Quorum comprises a group of Greek and Italian boys who dispense what Davis calls a “Mediterranean sound.” Lead instruments are electric bouzouki, played by Sturg Pardalis, and shepherd’s flute, played by Roger Calleo. Pardalis doubles on electric guitar and Calleo on organ. Co-partner of Pardalis is Sal Palazollo.
Others include Mike Banana on bass and Brian Albano on drums. The lead singers are Pardalis, Palazollo and Callen, who write most of the material for the group. The age range is 17 to 19.
Musical mentor of the combo is Gus Pardalis, director of the music department of a Queens, N. Y. Junior High School and a composer. Ad man Davis has provided promotional and marketing advice and has already implemented a many-sided campaign.
The Forum Quorum | No More Tears | (Decca) 1968
This includes a Decca Records contract; a movie. “Mission to Mars” with Darrin McGavin and Nick Adams; and publication of a book in two months by Gros-set & Dunlap titled “How to Form a Rock Group.”
Additionally, they have recorded the Girl Scout theme sons, “Follow the Piper,” planned as a special project through that organization.
Backing things up arc engagements on the Mike Douglas Show, the Cheetah, teen clubs, commercials for Sattler’s department store in Buffalo, a national tv commercial and nightly sessions at the group’s home base in Astoria, L. I.
Davis keeps the group under strict discipline. “I want them to realize the meter is running,” he says. He seeks to inculcate them with what is happening on the contemporary scene, and its relation to the past and future. “I want them to be articulate spokesmen of the world of rock.” he says, “just as I expect their book to be a guide to the rock business for young groups.”
A typical touch illustrating the care with which Davis is guiding the group: their costumes are designed by Patton Campbell, who did the Broadway musical. “Man of La Mancha.” (17/02/68)
Discography:
”No More Tears” / ”Your Turn To Cry” (Decca 32340) 07/1968
”Misery” / ”Just The Same” (Decca 32425) 12/1968
The Forum Quorum LP (Decca DL-75030) 10/1968
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