Reviews of tasty and obscure hook-filled rock'n' roll releases (Glam, Heavy Bonehead Crunchers, Powerpop, Pop/psych,Garage, Surf, 60s Girl Group Rock)...Plus any quirky musings that tickle my fancy...
I created this blog in order to stimulate interest, share discoveries and encourage people to go out and search for the original vinyl. Hopefully this blog might also encourage labels to actually compile some of this stuff officialy.
So here we go with the main event... Today, it was mainly a question of quality over quantity. In just a few hours I managed to remove quite a few tenacious blemishes off my UK wants list. Including that Bunch single, which was probably my top remaining UK want. Some nice, if less high end (i.e expensive) stuff including UK issues of those 2 Procession singles, both are great pop
The Johnny Coolrock is a tough one to find -first you don't really go out of your way to look for 70s Casablanca singles, secondly there can't be many of them about. It's a cracker in any case
What was apparent is the complete drought of European Glam singles in the wilds of Utrecht... has the well run dry? OK, I didn't have the patience to sift through boxes upon boxes of cheap singles, but even the usual dealers who feature Junkshop Glam, had become paupers... Bring on Saturday, which is usually "consolidation" day... Friday 07:04 am - Into the "Ghastly Blank..."
The outdoor fair at its new location at Janskerkhof is starting to take hold and has expanded beyond its original intention. It now meanders and winds around which makes for a convivial experience. Some nice pieces including this Norwegian Byrds single I had never seen before....
This Wayne Fontana B side was a recent discovery for me
Anyhow, tomorrow bright and early the real stuff begins....
Moondoggs – Felicity/Turning Point – ATA -ATAK 4460 (Australia 1971) Here’s a very obscure Grillfat sizzler from OZ. There is very little in the way of information available, however it seems that Moondoggs might have shared at least a couple of members with Toby Jug. Recorded at A.T.A studios in Sydney, it’s the B side that is of most interest. Starting off in subdued fashion, the track then plunges into Heavy plodding dirge mode and features some neat sustained lead going all Eastern before reverting to its Caucasian origins. The A side is just a weird novelty tune of limited appeal
Starlust – Girly Books & Magazines/ Solid State Hysteria –Starlust ST 100 (US 197?)
Starlust is one of those names mentioned in the same breath as other New York bands thrown up in the wake of the New York Dolls such Teenage Lust, Harlots of 42nd Street, Magic Tramps, Brats etc…However there is nary any information on Starlust let alone on this release. The main guy was called Steve and he later re-appeared as a member of The Grapplers who released a single on Sonic in 1980. It has been mentioned that this single was recorded at Bell Studios at the same time as the first Kiss album, which might place it to 1973, but there are reasons to doubt this: The label states it was recorded at Kingdom Sound where the Ramones, DMZ, BOC and others recorded but I doubt this as well as the A side sounds more like a home studio recording… oh and mixed at Record Plant? Again big doubt…It also sounds later than 1973 Girly Books & Magazines by Starlust sounds like a total New York sleaze classic –right? Well it nearly is - the tune and lyrical content are great, HOWEVER it goes on and on and on for over 6 minutes, so loses the initial momentum it had promised. A better idea would have been to have a part I and part II split across both sides of the record and it would have helped in mastering it louder than it actually is. The B side (the AM side) is a buzzing and loud instrumental with some raucous guitar, like a Dictators backing track Hear a full version of Girly Books & Magazines
Nick Farinacci –Don’t Be a Fool/Trying Every Way I Can – Smile Record -475-23 (US 197?) Nick Farinacci was a talented Anglophile Pop provider out of Cleveland (OH). It seems he was on a one man mission to deliver his vision of Pop perfection as he plays and sings it all by himself. As far as I can see he only released 2 singles, this one and You're Wasting My Time / Hold On To What You've Got on Edcom in 72. I am assuming this one came out shortly after, but it’s a Google “0” so no fact to back this up. Anyhow Don’t Be a Fool is a lovely example of Midwest Powerpop, all catchy and jangly, played and sung just right. The B side is another kettle of fish, being some kind of Gilbert o’ Sullivan going Toytown while aiming to represent Luxemburg in the Eurovision song contest...
Cloud Nine – Say Goodbye/ Rock And Roll Highway WB WBA-4070 (Australia1974 )
Cloude Nine was an Aussie Boogie/Glam band that eventually signed to RCA releasing a couple of singles and one LP (We're Just Good Friends…So Rock On) with its iconic sleeve.
However before signing to RCA they released this single on Warner Bros. Both sides are exclusive to this release, but it’s the B side that is of more interest
Although not ground breaking, Rock And Roll Highway is a perfect example of an uptempo Aussie melodic rocker with Glam tendencies. Of particular interest is the slap-back delay that gives the lead guitar a Groovies feel. The A side is OK Pop, no more, no less
Following their stint on RCA, Cloud Nine then morphed into Taste with some tasty releases on Bootleg, and Philips
Zebra –Hey Girl/ To Dream On –Novola NOX-207 (Spain 1974) Spain is not usually known as a land of predilection for Glam infused crackers. Rare examples include Burning, Norah (although Argentinian by birth) and Noel Sotto (Hello Hello), so it was a nice surprise hearing this for the first time last summer in LA while on the way to a record store (thx Noah) Hey Girl is not an outright Glam Cruncher, but has a Glitter Beat underlay over which streams a delightful melodic tune with many neat touches such as the Smoke (My Friend Jack) guitar sound and Popsike harmonies. Hey Girl is a top tune and performance regardless of genre. Zebra had pedigree as formed by ex Los Bravos members (who quit before this single) and had a quite a large output during their tenure from 1971 to 1976. I have not heard anything else by Zebra, but if there are any other gems in their catalog, it would be nice to know
Northwest Company –Rock ‘n’ Roll Lover Man/ Let It All –Coast C 1974 (Canada 1971)
Canada’s Northwest Company are probably best known among collectors for their debut Garage Punk double-headed monster Hard to Cry/ Get Away From It All from 1967, but the band persevered until the early 70s and released several other singles of note, including this fine outing from 1971. Rock ‘n’ Roll Lover Man chugs along in fine rockin’ fashion and features some neat west coast harmony singing that is grounded by the tough and rugged playing which differentiates it from more usual rural Poco -like fare. The B side is also great, more intricate in terms of arrangement; it features a killer short lead break among other unexpected twists and turns. More info here: http://vancouversignaturesounds.com/hits/rock-n-roll-lover-man-northwest-company
Hi I am currently selling 83 singles as listed below from Sunday 30th December until Sunday 6th Jan As the records sell I will be updated the list marking them as sold As an experiment 2 of the records are listed as part of a 48 hr mini auction, namely -Chunky Albatross Baby and The Jimmy Jukebox UK pic sleeve
One record which is totally unknown is this primitive killer by Bad L.T
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Here is the full list, if you want to receive the full list with sound clips and prices, please email me at purepop1ukATyahooDOTcoDOTuk
Part 1: Mini
48hr Auction
Jimmy Jukebox
– Motorboat/25hours a Day –Sonet (UK) SOLD
Chunky - Albatross Baby/ Road Runner Girl –Orange
(UK) SOLD
Part 2:
Junkshop Glam, 70s Pop, Bubblegum and oddities
Albatross -
Anything I Want To/Bournemouth Rock - Mooncrest (UK) SOLD
American Jam
Band -American Jam/ Nature's Child- Parlophone UK SOLD
Andy Bown
-Supersonic/ Feeling Better- GM (UK) SOLD
Angel - Good Time Fanny/Who D'ya Think Your Fooling
-Cube (French Pic Sleeve) SOLD
Arizona Swamp
Company- Tennessee Woman/ Train Keeps Rollin/ - Parlophone UK SOLD
Brother Susan
- See My Fingers Fly/Full Blooded Man - EMI (UK) SOLD
Buzz - Mony
Mony/ Tell Me Where You Bin -Pinball German pic sleeve SOLD
Capt. Skidlid
- Charlie Brown!/ She Knew Him Too-RCA UK Demo
Captain
Groovy and His Bubblegum Army - Captain Groovy's Bubblegum Army/ Bubblegum
March -Hansa German pic sleeve SOLD
Casuals- Tara
Tiger Girl/ Nature's Child-Parlophone UK Demo SOLD
Chris Hodge -
We're on Our Way/ Supersoul -Apple UK Demo SOLD
Crunch -
Let's Do It Again/ Not Tonight Josephine -Youngblood UK Demo SOLD
Dancer- Hate
Generator /Love Seeds -Dawn UK Demo SOLD
Douglas-
Monkey Song/ Montego Sunshine -CBS Swedish Pic Sleeve SOLD
Ducks Deluxe
-Fireball/ Saratoga Suzie -RCA (UK) Demo SOLD
Fill'Mon - Move on/ Baby I Feel Good -Carnaby
International Belgian pic sleeve) SOLD
Firebeats
& Ingjerd Helen - Klap I Takt/ Abraham -EMI
Danish pic sleeve) SOLD
Gang- Run Run
Run /Easy Come Easy Go -20th Century Records UK SOLD
Gerry Morris
- Sunlover/Only The Beginning - York UK
Demo SOLD
Harpo - My
Teenage Queen/ I Don't Know Why -EMI Swedish Pic Sleeve SOLD
Cedric –I’m Leavin’/You Say You Love Her –Derrick D -1888 (US 1970)
Yes here you have it - Cedric on Derrick…. The Derrick label was perhaps best known for issuing the Marble Phrogg LP. Out of Tulsa Oklahoma Cedric is in fact the beginnings of The Totty Brothers (Dennis and Byron) who later in the 70s released 2 Hard Rock albums as Totty, it’s especially their first self-titled one in 1977 that is really sought after. Here we go back to 1970 with drummer Roger Roden for these 2 amazing choppy loud and shambolic numbers at the cusp of late Garage with lashings of Proto Punk and hints of Funk (yikes). It’s actually the B side You Say You Love Her that leads the way in terms of consistency of mission. The singer exhales the lyrics though the tightest of throats then around the 1 minute mark the drums let loose pushing the guitar into some kind of Hard Rock Little Johnny Jewel-like angular guitar slashes . The A side I’m Leavin’ side follows the same pattern, again just after the minute mark things get really wild and interesting. It seems that just 100 copies were pressed at the time (both documented copies have the label sides reversed) and it’s been a very hard one to track down. So here it is for your enjoyment… More information on Totty here: http://tottybrothers.com/index.html
So here I am at Schiphol Airport with the plane delayed for 30 minutes, so an opportunity to post about the last day. It looks like that on average, it has been a good trip after all. Today I picked up more Glamsters along with other singles of a more singular interest I don't often buy records by German artists, but 2 great ones showed up. Toxic, as discovered via ugly Things released 2 singles in the late 60s. Horse and Director is an amazing tour-de-force
The Ones single has so many potential things wrong with it. Namely made by Germans, it has a link to Tangerine Dream -Edgar Froeser plus one dude is brandishing a flute on the cover plus the sleeves states that it is music for Hippies!!!!!
However have a listen, it's a great Popsike track
The last record I picked up is a real stunner...and it will be showing up on my next list
And yes I will be back next April, Brexit or no Brexit...
So day 2 Saturday... I didn't manage to unearth any new discoveries, although The Juveniles blew my mind...nearly on a par with the Preachers' Who Do You Love
The Australian Yardbirds is nice...and glad to finally have a pristine on Film along with St. David's Road with a small centre
Some Glam spares mostly of the Danish Kind including a Danish version of Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet
Tomorrow is the last day, still I have a feeling that I will come back with a whole bunch of Euros, which will be handy for when I return in April as The Pound will probably not be worth much by then on the foreign exchange market...
So the 50th Installment of the Utrecht fair began at 7am pretty much on the dot this time. A big improvement is allowing dealers into the main halls from 6am, meaning that there are no no queues when the record fair itself opens at 7. First thing first, Nothing momentous went down in terms of finds this time, OK got plenty of spare titles including the elusive Hammer singles, but the only killer for myself was the Fingers Lee Belgian only pic sleeve. What a monster that one is...
Anyhow early days...Hoping for an upwards gear shift tomorrow
OK here we are again for the 50th edition of the ever over-whelming Utrecht Record Fair This is bound to be the last pre Brexit fair, meaning that next time the pound will most likely not be worth more than 80 cents...Anyway my April trip is already booked, what will be will be... I caught the end of the outdoor fair in its new more pleasant location, just picked up The Gallery single at a good price
At the Plato record shop, there have boxes of 2nd hand singles behind the counter and I picked up some unexpected stuff including the Jimmy Jukebox in its Savage pencil sleeve My check in to the hotel was then interrupted in the lobby by offers of Absinthe and beer with a couple of boxes of singles to wade through. Nice to get a pristine copy of the Dynamites single (Switzerland) Alarm clock is set for 6, so should be inside the cavernous hangar of dreams as close to 7 as I can ....Will report back tomorrow
Rowing Gamblers - A World of Roses/My Very Special Dream –Parlophone SD 6071 (1969 Sweden)
A World of Roses was the 4th Rowing Gamblers single released in 1969 and it’s a perfect piece of Swedish Pop recalling Badfinger with some back to basics Let It Be/White Album meaty guitar sound. It also fits nicely with The Tages or Blond’s pop sensibilities which is not surprising when you learn that Göran Lagerberg from those bands actually wrote the tune. The bridge, late on, has a very recognisable Tages melodic twist to it. The Rowing Gamblers were formed in the Stockholm area in 1965 and released 5 singles prior to disbanding in 1970
Here’s another unknown. Obviously triggered by the runaway success of The Rubettes, Rock Me Over is a catchy ditty that also reminds of Wizzard or Smiffy (See You Later). Unlikely to be of the pen of Bickerton and Waddington, the performance and tunage of Rock Me Over still has the charm fitting of a sunny afternoon. Any clues? Hear a full version of Rock Me Over
Hi Here is the full set sale list of the record I am selling as a set sale. First come, first served for one week only I will be regularly updating the list here, marking the ones that have sold (in RED)
A big bunch this spread out over 4 categories: Part 1: 60s Freakbeat, Psych, Beat and Bubblegum Part 2: Junkshop Glam, 70s Pop and oddities Part 3: Heavy Psych, Bonehead, Hard Rock and Proto Punk Part 4: Aussie Heavy Rock, Glam, Bonehead and dripping Grillfat…
In order to get the list with prices and condition you need to contact me and I will email the list to you. You can contact me via comments with your email address (I will not make the comment public), or via email purepop1ukATyahooDOTcoDOTuk,
Part 1: 60s Freakbeat, Psych, Beat
and Bubblegum
Act, The - Cobbled Streets/One Heart -Columbia UK Demo SOLD Alexander Bell -Alexander Bell Believes/ A Hymn…with Love CBS (UK) Billy Nicholls -Would You Believe/Day Time Girl -Immediate -German pic sleeve SOLD Blue Beard -Sly Willy/Country Man -Ember UK Pic sleeve Casuals -Caroline/Naughty Boy -Decca (UK) SOLD Cherry Slush –I Cannot Stop You/Don’t Walk Away –Coronet Germany SOLD Derek Paul -Drugtaker/Riverboat -Young Blood (UK) SOLD Easybeats -Peculiar Hole in The Sky/HP Man -Parlophone (AUS) Easybeats -Sorry/Funny Feelin -Parlophone (AUS) SOLD
Fickle Pickle -Just an Old Fashioned Love Song/ Ask The People -Explosion Dutch pic sleeve SOLD Fingers, The –All Kinds of People/Circus with a Female Clown –Columbia Demo UK Fire -Round The Gum Tree/Toothy Ruthie -London (US) Flowerz - Flyte/Talken about Love -Kingston (US) Fresh Air - Running Wild/Stop Look Listen -Pye Demo (UK) SOLD Jay and The Americans -French Provincial/Shanghai Noodle Factory UA Demo (UK) SOLD Just William - I Don’t Care/ Cherrywood Green –Spark Test Pressing (UK) SOLD K.G Young -Spider/Spider Woogie 9th Movement -CBS -German sleeve SOLD Kult, The - No Home Today/Mister Number One -CBS Demo (UK) SOLD Marmalade -I See The Rain/Laughing Man -CBS Dutch Pic Sleeve SOLD Merseys, The – So Sad About Us/Love Will Continue –Fontana UK SOLD Nimbo -When The Swallows Fly/ Noticeingly By - Pye UK SOLD Peter and The Wolves -Little Girl Lost and Found/Is -MGM (UK) SOLD Peter Janes -Emperors & Armies/ Go Home Ulla -CBS -UK art sleeve Please - We Aim To Please (rougher version) /Paper Anne (Acetate) SOLD Power - Children Ask (If He is Dead) /She is The Color of -MGM (US) Promo issue Raspberry Pirates -Looky Looky, My Cookie's Gone/ Good Morning Baby Atlantic (UK) SOLD Rupert's People -A Prologue to a Magic World/ Dream on my Mind -Columbia Belgian Pic sleeve SOLD Smoke -My Friend Jack/We Can Take It -Columbia SOLD Street People -Jennifer Tomkins/All Night Long -Ariola German pic sleeve SOLD Them –Walking in The Queens Garden/I Happen To Love You –Tower US Pic sleeve Troggs -Lost Girl/The Yella in Me -CBS (UK) Yardbirds -Happening Ten Years Time Ago/Psych Daisies -Columbia Yellow Pages -Here Comes Jane/Ding Dong Bell -Page One Demo (UK) SOLD
Part 2: Junkshop Glam, 70s Pop and
oddities
Alan Steve -Honey Baby/ Daisy Five -Egg French art sleeve American Jam Band -Jam Jam/ Back on The Road- Young Blood German art Sleeve) SOLD Andy Bown -Supersonic/ Feeling Better- GM (UK) Angel - Good Time Fanny/Who D'ya Think Your Fooling -Cube (German Pic Sleeve) SOLD Arlan Green -Promo EP-Moonbrite/I Do/ Rock Hotel/The Next Time White label -Bell (UK) Big Star -O My Soul/ O My Soul edit - Ardent (US Promo) SOLD Bo' Flyers -Do The Buster/So Young and in Love -Pye (UK) SOLD Bo' Flyers - Saturday Could only Last Forever/17 Teenage Dream - Pye -Portuguese Pic Sleeve SOLD Chicory Tip -Survivor/ Move On -Vogue French Pic sleeve Frenzy - Poser/ Things You Do - DJM (UK) SOLD Gerry Morris - Sunlover/Only The Beginning - York UK Demo Giggles - Reaching Out/ Street Dancer - EMI UK Demo SOLD Hero - Love Gone Bad / Nothing Comes Easy - Private Stock UK Demo Imperial Dogs -This Ain't The Summer Of Love / I'm Waitin For The Man -Backdoor Man (US pic sleeve) Jackal -The Year of The Tiger/Big Star BASF-UK Demo SOLD Jet - My River/Quandary -CBS (UK) SOLD Jinx -Saw Your Face/ I Love You - Pink Elephant (NL pic sleeve) SOLD Lance Romance -California Summertime/ Hollywood Nites - Now (US) SOLD Loco -At The Local Dance/ The Man -BUK German Pic Sleeve) SOLD Marcus Hook Roll Band -Natural Man/ Boogalooing is for Wooing -Regal Zonophone (UK) Mustard -Good Time Comin/I Saw I heard - EMI Demo (UK) SOLD Nick Lowe -So It Goes/ Heart of The City -Stiff- (UK) SOLD Ning -Machine/ More Ning - London US issue SOLD Pete Dunton -Taking Time / Still Confused -RCA -French art sleeve SOLD Pheon Bear -War Against War/ 87th Precinct - Pye Demo (UK) SOLD Puzzle -Houla/ Do You Feel The Pain -DJM - German Pic Sleeve SOLD Rescue Co. No. 1- I Want to Save You/Amanda -Jam (UK) SOLD Robin Goodfellow -Why Am I Waiting/ Love You 'Til Friday -Pye Demo (UK) SOLD Shakane - Gang Man/ Jenny - UA (UK) SOLD Shambles -Hello Baby/Held Me Spellbound-RCA (UK) SOLD Shamrock -Bird Dog/Some Things that I Need-Polydor NL Pic sleeve) SOLD Sisters -There's a Raver Coming Home/Help The Music -WB (German pic sleeve) SOLD Smyle -It's Gonna Be Alright / She Means a lot to Me -Polydor -Dutch pic sleeve Spode -Cincinatti Woman/Singalong Song-Decca Bel art sleeve) SOLD Stray -Move It/ Crazy People -Transatlantic-UK SOLD Wellington -Alright I'll See You Tonight/How would you like to Rock with Me - Concord (UK) SOLD Whistle -The Party Must Be over/Hideaway - York (UK) SOLD Yello Taxi -Anna Laura Lee/ Mary Ann -President (UK) SOLD Yellow Bird - Attack Attack/ Right On - Ariola German Pic Sleeve) SOLD
Part 3: Heavy Psych, Bonehead,
Hard Rock and Proto Punk
3's (Threez) - Do You See/ Transporter - Threez (US) SOLD Artist - Every Lady Does It/For The First Time -Peppermint (US) SOLD Black Rose - Love Handles/ Man is Blind-Michigan Nickel (US) SOLD Brood - The Roach/Virginia Neal -Lemon (US) Budgie - Crash Course in Brain Surgery/ Nude disintegrating Parachute Woman –MCA German Art sleeve SOLD Chilly Chimes - Join The Army/ Let Me Inside Swedish Pic Sleeve SOLD Corporation -Wild Time/Let’s Try to Put Him Down Negram (NL) SOLD Griffin - I Am The Noise in Your Head/ Don't You Know-Bell (US issue) SOLD Hard Road - Pain in My Heart/ Movin' Down The Line -Marjon (US) SOLD Influence, The - Driving Me Wild/ I Want to Live-Orange (UK) Lucifer – Mr Jack / Mr Jack -private (UK) SOLD Lucifer – Pr**k / Want It-private (UK) Merriday Park – Witchcraft / My Shady Friend -Columbia (Canada) SOLD Morse Code Transmission - Satan's Song/ Cold Society -RCA (Canada) SOLD Nick Simper's Dynamite – St. Louis / Soul Rider -Ariola (Dutch pic sleeve) Old Scratch - Devil Take You/Diamond Lady –Colly Records (Canada) Pentagram – Livin' In A Ram's Head/ When The Screams Come -High Voltage (US) SOLD Raving Maniac, the - Rock n Roll Man/ Freedom -Cricket (US) Rog & Pip - From a Window/ Warlord -Philips German pic sleeve SOLD Smog – Wiched Man/ Time For The Blues -M&G (Peru) SOLD The Jax - The Jax are Back (Live)/ The Jax Are Back -Baddog (US) SOLD
Part 4: Aussie Heavy Rock, Glam,
Bonehead and dripping Grillfat…
Ash band–Let's Go/ Since She Left Me –Kanandra (AUS)
Buffalo- Just a Little Rock and Roll/Barbershop Rock -Philips (AUS)
Buffalo- Little Queenie /The Girl Can't Help It -Vertigo (AUS)
Buffalo- Lucky /On My Way Vertigo (AUS)
Buffalo- Sunrise (Come My Way) /Pound Of Flesh -Philips (AUS)
Buffalo- Suzie Sunshine /No Particular Place to Go -Philips (AUS)
Buffalo- Sweet Little Sixteen /Essukay-Vertigo (AUS)
Buffalo- What's Going On /I'm Coming Home -Philips (AUS)
Bullet–Rock My Lady/Mover –Chicago (AUS) SOLD
Finch –Out of Control/And She Sing –Picture Records Australa (AUS) SOLD
Geeza–Song to Warilla/Dragon Queen –Living Sound (AUS)
Geeza–Sydney City Ladies/Run n Hide –Laser (AUS) SOLD
Geeza–Vambo/Get It –Living Sound (AUS) SOLD
Nitro–Blues in My Shoes/For Me or For You –Warm and Genuine (AUS) SOLD
Sweaty Betty–Every Little Thing/Man of The World –Van Diemen (AUS)
U-Turn –Living in The City/Do You Remember –Laser (AUS)
U-Turn –Sidewalk Teaser/One Day Love Affair –Laser (AUS)
U-Turn –Traffic Lights/Long Lost Years –Laser (AUS) SOLD
