Fancy –Star Lord

Fancy –Star Lord/ Brother John –Sticky STY 3 (1973 UK)

This is NOT the Fancy of Wild Thing near fame, but Nigel Benjamin with this Southend combo 2 years before joining Mott (post The Hoople). The line up also included Bob Banasiak on guitar, Phil Mitchell on bass, and Chris Holibon on drums. Bob Banasiak would join Angel (Good Time Fanny) soon after recording this single. He plays on both sides of Angel’s Little Boy Blue single.
Star Lord is a prime example of anthemic early 70s British rock full of pretty loud guitar heroics courtesy of Bob Banasiak. It’s nothing terribly original, but quite a neat ride all the same throughout its 5 minute+ running time. Brother John is rockier, but never really cuts loose. It’s a tough single to track down as only a few were ever pressed up. Thanks to Just A Buzz for the background information: http://www.justabuzz.com/

Hear a full version of Star Lord

The Equals –Diversion

The Equals –Diversion/Here Today Gone Tomorrow –President PT 414 (1973 UK)

Great 70s single by The Black-Skinned-Bue-Eyed Equals. This catchy 1973 release finds them mixing in their usual Rock/Soul edged Bubblegum with more than a hint of Crunching Glam. The incessant I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back and tight handclaps all add to the illusion of the perfect crossover. The B side is good as well and provides further proof that there are plenty of lesser known Equals tracks due for a proper reappraisal. The fast rockin’ She Lives For Today (B side of Hang Up My Rock N Roll Shoes) with its cutting lead guitar is another cool one to look out for.

Hear a full version of Diversion

Unknown Acetate –Midnight Woman

I just bought this acetate on ebay, but the only information I have is that the tune was published by Carlin Music. It starts out in pretty snarly and gritty fashion, but then goes off in a commercial tangent with a chorus that recalls Three Dog Night covering The Sweet’s Alexander Graham Bell. It then loses its definition a bit before returning to the second verse in a meatier mode. Perhaps this actually got a release? Who knows...

Hear a full version of Midnight Woman

Biggles –Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’

Biggles –Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’/Can’t Buy You –Philips 6006 160 (1971 UK)

This is Mike Berry (U.K. Jones, Ning, Small Wonder etc...) with the simple but effective premise of sticking two great tunes together (Crazy Elephant’s Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’ and Spencer Davis’s Gimme Some Lovin’) to maximise the results. Add to that some “live” audience participation worthy of The Premiers’ Farmer John with a clangy Dear Prudence guitar riff and Bob’s your uncle...

Mike Berry: “It was a simple idea, would it work if we stuck these two songs together? And it did...”

Top idea, top performance and top result!

Hear a full version of Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’

Jinx –I Saw Your Face

Jinx –I Saw Your Face/I Love You –Pink Elephant PE 22.809Y (1974 BE)

BelgoGlam combo featuring singer Marc Morlock (bass/ vocals), Dan Tritonian (guitar/vocals), Paul Mendez (keyboards) and “Pedro” on drums.
Both sides of this second Jinx single are fantastic Play It Loud era Slade concoctions with I Saw Your Face featuring melodic raspy lead vocals over a Beatles meets “The Stomp” bedrock. I Love You is more incessant and showcases some fine HEYs...
In a world where Robert Mutt Lange is better known as Mr. Shania Twain, this single was produced by Mr .Vangelder –Smith (AKA Jacques Zwart). He also co-wrote the B side. Mark Morlock (HG Wells !) released a slew of singles under his own name during the 80s. Belgium as the new Holland? Discuss at your leisure...

Hear a full version of I Saw Your Face

Day ‘n Night –I Just Need Somebody

Day ‘n Night –I Just Need Somebody/Such A Lot To Talk About –DJM DJS.220 (1970 UK)
The word sumptuous was invented for times like these... Opening with thunderous flanged drums, I Just Need Somebody turns into a wondrous near Aphrodite’s Child-like over-production full of pathos supported by some great mellotron. OK, it’s real dramatic Psych Pop; but its simple premise and hook keeps it at bay from any pretentiousness. Not sure how this single came about but Jacques Moralli –the mastermind behind Village People, co-wrote the A side with Jack Fishman who seems to have been mainly involved in soundtrack work.

Hear a full version of I Just Need Somebody

Teddy Lane –Heart Break

Teddy Lane –Bye Bye Love/Heart Break-Negram NG 357 (1973 NL)
Teddy Lane was formed by Shoes singer Theo Van Es while he spent a couple years on vacation before rejoining The Shoes in 1974. Future Catapult bassist Aart Mol was also in the band.
Funny, it sounds more like they’re singing Heartbeat and not Heartbreak on this top B side, but whatever the correct title, it’s a fine rousing performance recalling as much Slade as Artful Dodger. Over a crunching Glitter Beat; The vocals sound just like Billy Paliselli while the chord progression during the middle eight is pure Gary Herrewig...The A side is less significant while their other single Do The Rock ‘N’ Roll is pretty nifty, but Heart Break still has in the edge in my book.

Hear a full version of Heart Break

Weeny Boppers, Flying Saucers, Spivs and a Grudge: The Laurice (Laurie Marshall) Story

Many of you will recall the buzz that the Grudge single (When Christine Comes Around/ I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In) created on this blog 3 years ago. You have no doubt been searching out Oh You Beautiful Child by Spiv; one of the top 5 Crunching Glam tracks of all time. You may have been aware that there was a link between those singles and Paul St. John (The Flying Saucers Have Landed) by the same token you may have also overlooked the Weeny Bopper single (David, Donny And Michael). Well it’s time to set the record straight as I had the real pleasure of interviewing Laurice AKA Laurie Marshall AKA Paul St. John. Laurie Marshall has been known as Laurice for the last 30 years and here is the background story to those great records...
Laurice was doing session work at Abbey Road in the late 60s/early 70s. Laurice had been making demos for a guy called Peter Bowen who was first engineer at Abbey Road who had a little demo studio out in the Home Counties. “That’s where I learned my recording techniques...”Around the same time Laurie also worked with Alan Parsons, who was also engineering at Abbey Road. Through this he got the first gigs as a songwriter for Marble Arch Music and PYE Records.

Paul St.John –Flying Saucers Have Landed/Spaceship Lover –PYE 7N. 45190 (1972 UK)

In 1972 Laurice, under the pseudonym of Paul St. John, recorded and released Flying Saucers Have Landed/ Spaceship Lover. In my opinion those are two wonderfully produced slabs of late Psych mixed in with some Bolan and Donovan. A good description would be Erik Von Daniken in velvet Loons.
“That’s exactly what it was! I thought the books were wonderful and they inspired me to write those songs. Both Flying Saucers Have Landed and Spaceship Lover were based on Erik Von Daniken. I later met Erik Von Daniken. He came to speak at Toronto University when I was in Toronto - and I was in the front row. I, of course, gave him a copy of Flying Saucers, and he was quite thrilled about it.”
Although amply deserved, success was elusive as the single barely got a release...
“I was really upset because I worked really hard on that record and it wasn’t taken seriously by the record company. They didn’t want to promote British singers...When Flying Saucers Have Landed was released, I was so pissed off with the BBC that I went demonstrating one day with a sandwich board outside the BBC. I walked up and down all day with a sign that said “BBC unfair to British recording artists”.

Hear an edit of Flying Saucers Have Landed and Spaceship Lover

Grudge –When Christine Comes Around/ I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In –Black Label BL 002 (1973 UK)

I found 4-5 copies of this single in the basement of the Record & Tape Exchange in ‘79/’80 and just had to have them based on the title alone. And god, talk about NOT being disappointed...
Both sides are simply amazing, but I have a slight preference for the B side; sounding like a 1910 Fruitgum Company or Ohio Express backing track with a camp lead vocal, a very catchy sing-along chorus, assorted screams and an Elvis impersonation coming on more like Mae West in the middle eight - this is one incredible release!

I’m Going To Smash Your Face in (Marshall –Jumbo Music p 1973)

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll

When I see you look at me, I know that I can tell
You think that I’m a fool and treat you much too well
Things are going to change round here you’ve met your Waterloo
I’ll throw you in a great big trunk, this is what I will do.

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll
I’m gonna kick your teeth in
I’m gonna kick your teeth in baby
I’m gonna kick your teeth in, oh yeah my paper doll

You’ll scream and shout, but I won't heed your call
I’ll keep you locked up all your life behind this dudgeon wall
I’ll tie you to a great big chair, you’ll live your life in fear
It’s time for you to pay the price for saying I’m a queer

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll

(Elvis impersonation break)…I’m gonna smash your face in, I’m gonna smash your face in, I’m gonna smash your face in, ‘cos I feel so lonesome tonight.

It’s just no good it’s plain to see, it’s time to end your fun
You’ll end up begging me for more, bread and water too
The scar is deep inside my heart, it’s written on your face
Your evil ways will soon be gone, ‘cos acid leaves no trace

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll
I’m gonna kick your teeth in
I’m gonna kick your teeth in baby
I’m gonna kick your teeth in, oh yeah my paper doll

When Christine Comes Around follows the same theme….It’s got a cheesy teeny-bopper Status Quo feel, A mad Wipe Out type intro…and the lyrics? …well you guessed it!

Christine, Christine, Christine
When Christine comes around I’m gonna smash her face in, I’m going to have her high up on the ceiling where no one can hear her urgent screaming etc…ad nauseum!

Hear an edit of I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In/ When Christine Comes Around



So how did this incredible single come about?
“My college chum Simon Potter (Simon Godd on the label) was the co-writer of When Christine Comes Around. He became the head of the English Department at the famous Wimbledon College, the Jesuit school for boys. When he started, he lived in a ground floor flat in Wimbledon. Well there was this girl just upstairs from him who had an apartment above him and every time he had a visitor there would be a knock at the door and there she would be...She was a very homely girl and it wasn’t like she was a great conversationalist. She could suck the oxygen out of a room in 2 minutes. It was really difficult. And guess what her name was? CHRISTINE! We were driving around London one day after an awful evening visit by this dreaded lady and Simon was talking about what he wanted to do to her. I said why don’t we write a song? It took us about 20 minutes and it was done.”

The story behind the Black Label is also worth hearing:
“I had hooked up with this guy Cyril Black. Cyril was a real character-.talk about Tin Pan Alley...In the 50s and 60s there was a very famous band leader called Stanley Black. He was very well regarded and very prestigious …and then there was his brother Cyril - who was a walking embarrassment to Stanley, apparently!
Cyril was really hungry for success. He had this tiny little room in Denmark Street. He was such a stereotype, this little Jewish guy in Tin Pan Alley with glasses. You could trust him as far as you could throw him – which wouldn’t be very far. We went to see him and sung When Christine Comes Around to him and he thought that it was wonderful. He knew this rich heiress called Prudence. We went to see her, sang the song to her, she thought it was wonderful and we were in the studio before we knew it with my band and it just took off...She loved I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In as well. We were doing Punk before we knew what Punk was. I didn’t know what we were doing, I just enjoyed it. Oh and Christine finally put 2 and 2 together and she was not amused...and she stopped coming around. Finally – she got the hint!

The Black Label reference is 002; did you have anything to do with 001?
"No, but Cyril wanted the first to be 002, so people wouldn’t think it was the first release. I found out a little bit later that Cyril was in the soup for tax evasion and fled to Canada! "
Did you think it was going to be a hit?
"Of course, I thought that everything I did was going to be a hit. The band I worked with really got into the song"

Weeny Bopper –David, Donny And Michael /Won’t You Smile For Me –PYE 7N. 45203 (UK 1972)

“2 weeks later we were in the studio with Weeny Bopper singing David, Donny and Michael ; it was such a switch. When my dad heard Christine and I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In, he was furious with me and wouldn’t talk to me for 2 weeks, but then he heard the Weeny Bopper single and that kind of redeemed me. It was quite funny really, and I chuckle to this day when I think about it.”
The Weeny Bopper single does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a yearning paean to the teeny Bopper idols of the time, namely, David Cassidy, Donny Osmond and Michael Jackson. It’s definitely one of the better tribute records from the era and puts the C into cute. Quite a change from Grudge!
“You know, Robin, Weeny Bopper was the most professional singer I ever worked with. She was 10 years old, she walked into the studio cool as a cucumber. She was very accommodating and so sweet. It really was a dream session.”
The song is co-written by Cyril Black.
“I had to give Cyril a writing credit; he was just too much...”
Hear an edit of David, Donny And Michael

Spiv –Oh You Beautiful Child/ Little Girl – PYE 7N 45293 (1973 UK)

Oh You Beautiful Child is a great example of the perfect Glam Cruncher with its slap-back compressed handclaps, cutting lead, catchy hook and exuberant vocals, it’s definitely up there with the best hard Glam singles of the 70s.

“I was an A&R man for PYE Records for a while and that’s when I recorded Spiv. The demo was incredible and I asked the guy at PYE –why don’t we just release that? No No No, we must do it all again...They really had no idea...
Spiv was an actual band and a real nice bunch of guys...But how do you tell those guys after the record was made that you are not getting played because the promotion guy from PYE has left your record on the BBC’s doorstep? Promotion guys were just dumping releases in and around the offices there. It was a real scandal"

Hear an edit of Oh You Beautiful Child and Little Girl

"I then left PYE in 1974 and was concentrated on moving to Canada. I realised that I wasn’t get anywhere in the UK. I was told that I should go to America, but it was easier to get to Canada first. I started recording and then all the Disco stuff came up.”

Laurice continued to record and released disco records with some success, but the eventful quirkiness didn’t end there:
“Boy, could I tell you some stories about the nut who ran my record company. This guy who ran Casino Records in Canada was such a loony. He actually went down to see Elvis Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker in Nashville and told him that if he didn’t sign me that he would send some of the boys round to “take care of him”. I ended up having my contract suspended!”
Laurice has continued to record until recently in a more Jazzy approach, but will he ever revisit his Grudge days?
“Records like Grudge were a breeze, I could do them now with my eyes closed...but there isn’t a market for them – or is there?”
“I’m coming out with a new CD entitled Rockin Retro. It is a retrospective of some of my rock songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Christine is on it, of course, and some real rock rousers from that era. You’ll see some details about it soon on my website http://www.lauricenow.com/ and if that is what people want, then I’ll follow it up with more from any or all of those eras. I’ll let you know, when it is released. It shouldn’t be long now. And by the way, many thanks for the interview and hello to everyone out there who support good music that should never, never die!”

Buster Jangles’ Flying Mattress –Love Has Taken Over My Brain

Buster Jangles’ Flying Mattress –Love Has Taken Over My Brain/The Little World I Knew-RCA 2112 (1971 UK)

A strange one this one... Released in ’71, it comes across like John Kongos tripping out with a muffled Ronnie Bond with abundant lashings of cheap fuzz. The effect is hypnotic through repetition; but a definite winner in my book. Buster Jangles were probably/definitely not a real band, but the results of an overnight session from misled songwriters cum producers Clark and Naylor expanding their horizons while nailed to the beat after an evening out on the tiles...The B side starts off disjointed but then turns into a pleasant Monkees/Sunshine Pop number.

Note: I have a spare vg copy of this single, if anyone has a suitable trade –contact me through my profile page.

Hear a full version of Love Has Taken Over My Brain

Portrait –Sh-Sh-Sheila

Portrait –Sh-Sh-Sheila/Hurt Bad By Love –CBS 4520 (1969 UK)

Sh-Sh-Sheila is a Cool number that jumps around much in the same manner as U.K Jones’ Let Me Tell Ya or Goodbye by The One Hit Wonders. I guess it makes sense as a pure product of ’69 as it has a Jerk dance stance with bubblegum overtones, a Kingsmen/ Who riff and a pounding pre-Glam handclapped beat. Both songs are written and performed by Derek Savage and John Turner who would release Your Mother Thinks I’m a Hoodlum as Savwinkle and Turnerhopper (see review November 10th 2008) on Pye the following year.

Hear a full version of Sh-Sh-Sheila

Moving Men –The King of Crazy Town

Moving Men –The King of Crazy Town/Girl I Wanna Hold Your Hand –Decca 86049 (1975 France)

The Moving Men were an off-shoot of Gallic space age baldies –Les Rockets. The song was written and produced by Claude Mainguy. It was later re-recorded with French lyrics and released by Les Rockets as Les Fils Du Ciel.

Information from: http://www.lesrockets.com/i_movingmen.asp

The King of Crazy of Crazy Town is a fine sturdy rocker with some great effect laden vocals and robust riffage. The B side is a more traditional Rock ‘n’ Roller, which gains from the switch to a more stomping rhythm ¾ of the way through.

Hear a full version of The King of Crazy of Crazy Town

1976 bites back... Roobarb's A Star and Mach II - Concorde

Just to prove that 1976 wasn’t a complete dead loss, here’s a double review featuring a couple of singles I picked up at the weekend.

Roobarb –Roobarb’s A Star/Go To Sleep My Teddy Bear -Bell 1485 (1976 UK)
Released as a tie in to the then popular pre-Tween cartoon series, Roobarb’s A Star is a charmingly cute yet devilishly catchy tune. You just can’t fail to be moved...

Enjoy the full Roobarb below!

Mach II- Concorde/Supersonic –Spark 1141 (1976 UK)
Anyone for an ode to the Earth-shrinking-City linking-droopy-nosed Concorde??? Concorde is supersonically melodic and delightfully naff. You’ve got to dig that phasing on the Rule Britannia “French horn” part and its Pilot meets Blue at a Tony Rivers/Dodgers get together approach. The B side is, as you would expect, an instrumental with some dodgy synths parts replacing the vocals .

Hear the full version of Concorde

The 1970s -What was the golden age?

Base: 272

A comment to the Radar review by Matt, got me thinking...When you collect 70s singles especially of the Glammy persuasion, anything after 74 doesn't conjure up the same sense of excitement. But is it snobism?

So with more time than sense, based on the 272 70s singles reviewed these last 3 years, you can see above a chart that represents what appears to be the golden period for singles -namely 1973 and 1974. I have always said that 1974 was the new 1965! There is a big drop after 1974 into 1975 and it plummets dramatically for 1976 and beyond. So basically The Drones or The Suburban Studs do not cut The Mustard like Daddy Maxfield does...

Just to upsept the theory, my next two reviews will be for singles released in 1976...

Radar –Sweet Baby Sweet

Radar –Sweet Baby Sweet/ Midnight Fire –EMI 5C 006-25506 (1976 NL)

Sweet Baby Sweet is an astute choice for a title on this female fronted late Dutch Glam corker as it...well ...recalls a female fronted Sweet track! It features great vocals over an exuberant performance all perfectly rendered by its powerfully compacted production. The B side Midnight Fire is really good as well, drawing parallels with The Shocking Blue, it also rocks along in fine fashion. Sweet Baby Sweet was the first out of three singles released by Radar; the others being One Way Ticket and Don’t Ever Go Away (all on EMI)

Hear a full version of Sweet Baby Sweet

Singles on ebay! Including Rainbow Family, Mighty 'Em etc...

Hi
I will be listing about 30 singles on ebay. I have put a few up already, including Mighty 'Em, Bert De Connink and Rainbow Family, with more being added over the next few days.

You can find them here:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/purepop1uk

In the meantime, here's a clip of the Rainbow Family single for those who don't know it...

UPDATE (6th May) : OK, all done I have listed 28 singles all with sound clips....This is my lot for a while -good luck!

Competition: Win a copy of Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet

Easy one this...er, perhaps not. But the first person, apart from Jos, who recognises the mystery track will win a copy of the NederGlam comp "Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet".
Failing anyone recognising the artist and the track, the best review or comment on the track wins it...
Answers through the comment function on this post
Good luck!

Here is the mystery track

Wellington –Swoop Down On You

Wellington –Swoop Down On You/ Superstar –Negram NG -675 (1975 Dutch issue)
Swoop Down On You is probably the 3rd single from Northamptonshire’s very own Wellington. Their 2 other singles came out on Concord, but I can’t find any confirmation if this one even came out in the UK. It’s very similar to Catch Us If You Can (see review and hear sound clip here: http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2006/09/wellington-catch-us-if-you-can.html), as it’s a catchy stomper with rattling piano and a top hook. In fact it’s so similar to Catch Us If You Can that it even shares the same B side -Superstar. Their other single Alright I’ll See You Tonight is also fun with its intro that totally rips off Get It On .

Enjoy the whole Swoop right here...

Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet: The Launch

OK, finally here are a few pics from the launch of Clap Your hands and Stamp Your Feet. Building up to the launch there had been a lot of national press, radio and TV coverage in Holland, it was quite amazing actually, there are just so many angles to this thing. Seeing pics of Pantherman in the mainstream national press was quite a thrill.

I must say that I am very proud to have been involved in this compilation. The guys at Excelsior have done a great job and the CD and booklet look amazing. It certainly stands out from your usual CD.

Anyhow, I spent the Friday mopping as best I could singles from the 500 or so dealers at the fair, I took the odd short coffee break and ended the day hanging up with Jos our 100 Nederglam pic sleeves display. The concept was huge. Fuck Fen shui, this is the really important stuff!


100 singles rule!

So as Bonnie St. Claire was the focus of it all and a goddess, so all the Bonnie singles ended up dead centre, the Left Side singles were on...you guessed it –the Left Side. Cardinal Point had to be at a Cardinal Point, so were on the bottom right. Shelby The Clap’s single had to be next to The Rockets as he was a Rock N Roll Drummer...it goes on and on. Earlier in the day, I got Bonnie’s number and gave her a ring -she seemed really happy to be involved...


On the day itself, the momentum was building nicely and then 1 o clock was suddenly upon us. I started by spinning a couple of tunes, Jos projected his compilation of NederGlam videos, and then Smyle were ready to take to the stage.
The Smyle guys were super friendly and their short set was just what was called for; full of Beatle harmonies and Powerpop jangle. They hadn’t played together in 35 years, but the fun and complicity they shared on stage was pretty infectious.



Mark Boon of Smyle

Pantherman (Frank Klunhaar) showed up minus costume. It seems his mask is kept in a glass display in his living room, but perhaps one day...Anyhow Frank is a very friendly and TALL gentleman, still I am sure he call in his gnashers if required.


I am going to bite you...


Had a quick word with Pete Koelewijn , his name appears all over this compilation. He wrote and produced CYHASYF, Locomotion, Rock N Roll Drummer, and so much more. His production and knack for combining the NederStomp with killer hooks are legendary. Jos will be talking to him in more depth soon and interviews will be appearing on the NederGlam website (more details shortly).

But where was Bonnie? We were told that she was on her way and then we heard that she was still at home, so we gave up on her showing up, but the show went on culminating in those involved (Pantherman, Pete Koelewijn, Smyle and Wally from Lemming) being presented with the CD.
Then it was all over, a special moment had passed where the last two years of researching and getting the compilation had reached its apex or had it?



Robin, Bonnie and Jos (and sandwich)

...We then we get a call that Bonnie was coming after all...and 1 hour after the main event had reached its premature climax, Bonnie strolled in. It was lovely meeting her and chatting. I then had the honour to introduce her on stage and present her with the CD, but Bonnie had other ideas..."Play the record" she said and off she went performing Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet, even passing the mic to me to help out on “backing vocals...”!


Clap Your Hands an Stamp Your Clogs...motherf***ers

Ever the professional Bonnie then held court signing singles, albums and photos for a long line of fans. She is still a top draw attraction and Holland should be proud of her - she is a national treasure! She released some classic Euro Glam HIT singles, but one shouldn’t also forget Tame Me Tiger and I surrender. Classic singles with classic performances. Go check out YouTube as well...her influence and talent should never be belittled.

Records picked up in Utrecht

Here are some of the singles I picked up in Utrecht. I arrived on the Thursday so was finally able to visit the Da Capo shop http://www.dacaporecords.nl . It’s absolutely great for singles (and LPs -if you like that sort of thing) –the basement (The Beatcave) is crammed full of singles at 1 Euro each and they also have a single bar full of more collectable singles, plus all the singles in the main shop. It’s well worth arriving a day early and checking the shop out. I must have found around 30 singles at Da Capo. The remaining 70 or so singles were found in 3 days of going up and down the aisles at the fair in a mad obsessive daze...Here’s to a return in November to the best record fair in the world!!!

Smyle –Tandem
The Hammer –I’d Do It Again –NL Pic Sleeve –this is Mark Boon post Smyle –a great powerpop single.
Amsterdam –Donay
Tiger – Hot Amsterdam/ The Bomb. This is in fact The Tigers On Vaseline –the B side is indeed “The Bomb” and rocks to the max.
Drama –Mary’s Mamma (Peter Koelewijn production –the B side is best)
Wellington –Swoop Down On You -would you believe a third single by Wellington? I don’t think it got released in the UK –good uptempo Glam)
Shadows of Knight –My Fire Department Needs A Fireman –Ger Pic sleeve
Renee –Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On
Radar –Sweet Baby Sweet –Killer Dutch Glam single –If I knew this one before, it would have been on the comp – a prime candidate for volume two !
Mike Berry –Don’t Be Cruel (The Joe Meek one, not the Ning one)
Zoo –Walking –CNR - another stomping Dutch Glamster
Whistle –The Party Must Be Over –UK demo
Lemming –Bang On
Rocketters –Rocket Man
Cape Canary –Let There Be Light
Brownsville Station –King of The Party –Ger pic sleeve
Resonance –Moto Rock –French Pic Sleeve. This is the same bunch who did OK Chicago . Great motorbike noises over a chugging beat
Circus –Over and Over –Negram
Bacchus –who Put The Bomp –The B side Teen Queen is the reason to own this one
Fickle Pickle –The Letter Dutch Pic Sleeve
Los Brincos –You Know (B side is Spanish version of Nobody Wants You Now)
Serpentine –Yesterday Papers –cool psych 2 sider –perfect Circus Days fodder
Serpentine –Instant Alison
Girlie –Andy –Dutch Pic sleeve
Nick Gilder -Roxy Roller –Dutch Pic Sleeve
Anita Garbo –Race With The Devil –Good cover of the Gun hit with a Glammy B side
Mathew Passion –Company Director –Dart
Wei Wei Wong –Sing Song Boat –Dart
Mighty Love –We’ve Gotta Live With One Another –D'art
Left Side –Morning Sunrise –absolute killer B side on this their last single, forget the A side
Moving Men –The King of Crazy Town –The Rockets in disguise in ultra rocking Glam mode with quirky effects galore
Cardinal Point –Peppermint Twist
Bintangs –Riding On the L &R –what is it with the Dutch and flutes? –Otherwise a cracking rocker
John Arthur –No Lady No –CNR
Whichwhat –Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’ (the Crazy Elephant Tune)
Heart-Stronger –the Dutch Heart’s 3rd and last single
Zoom –Bye Bye Honey Bee –self produced French poppy Boogie Glam single
20/20 –nice Dutch pic sleeve of Cheri
Artful Dodger -lead track off 3rd album, but with front cover featuring photo used for the painting on the front of their first album.
Jungle Jim –Big Fat Onraguman (Swedish Pic Sleeve)
Pebbles –Mother Army
William Shakespeare –Can’t Stop Myself From Loving You (Ger Pic Sleeve)
General of Budapest –Everybody Join us
Carl Simmons –King Of Rock N Roll (this is Dick Turpin of Madeline fame)
Chicory Tip –Good Grief Christina –Dutch Pic Sleeve
Chicory Tip –Survivor
UFO –C’mon Everybody –early single –sounds like they only wanted to be Blue Cheer at this point
Teddy Lane –Bye Bye Love –good rocking B side
Hector –Bye Bye Bad Days –UK DJM
Giorgio –Today’s A Tomorrow / Underdog–Ger Pic sleeves
Slade – Get Down and Get With it –the short haired sleeve
Bert De Conninck –Cadillac –Killer cover version
Uge –Mad Charles (a wonderful mad release –check out the blog)
Shakane –Big Step (Ger Pic Sleeve)
Shakane –Down Down Down (the Trevor Burton song-great B side as well –Ger Pic Sleeve)
Streak –Bang Bang Bullet –Dutch pic sleeve
R.B Zipper –Come Back Marianne –Ger Pic Sleeve
Pantherman –Pantherman –French Pic Sleeve
Barefoot-Frightened –Pye Demo

Also 3 LPS -The Swedish Shakane LP on Sonet, Bonnie St. Claire (now signed!) and Lemming
Plus tons of spares– watch this place...

Bert De Coninck –Cadillac

Bert De Coninck –Cadillac/De Katvis –Parsival 1018 (1975 Belgium)

Before I get round to finally listing all the singles I found in Utrecht, Check out this fabulous Flemish take on Vince Taylor’s Brand New Cadillac that I found at the fair. This version owes more to The Renegades or The Shamrocks than to Vince Taylor’s original but it has real bite and sports a blistering lead break that simply oozes attitude as does the vocal performance that is positioned somewhere between smooth crushed velour and pure snot (get with the Phlegm!). Bert is still making music in Portugal –check out his site here: http://www.bertdeconinck.com/

More details on the Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet launch soon....I am still waiting for a snap of Bonnie and me on stage –anyone?

Hear a full version of Cadillac

Return from Utrecht...again

Well I've just returned from an extra special time in Utrecht. Picked up just over 100 singles -including the French Pantherman single (thanks JP) among some other real treasures and the usual 15% of duds...

I will do a couple of posts on the fair and the launch of Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet...Yes, Pantherman was there , Pete Koelewijn, Wally from Lemming also. Smyle did a fine a set and...Bonnie St. Claire performed Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet!!!! Incredible stuff -More soon!

Utrecht Record Fair and Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet

Well, yeah -of course I'll be there!

This time it's even more special as we are launching the Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet CD. A bit less time for me to go digging for singles, but well worth it for a chance to be part of this great project.

Here are some details of the launch event -read on and see some of you there!

All the best

Robin

Coming out next week, on Excelsior is a compilation CD of early 70s Nederglam !
Fistful of Records Jos and Brit accomplice Robin Wills worked on this thing for some years now, having done all research, compilation and sleeve notes. The CD is entitled "Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet" after Dutch glam's biggest hit record at the time by Bonnie St Claire & Unit Gloria. Other songs included are some totally unknown Glam Rock stompers & crunchers by acts like Booby Trap, The Heavy Dwarfs, Dump, Zingara, Pantherman and Plastic Feet. Among somewhat better known acts like Lemming, Catapult, Left Side and Long Tall Ernie And The Shakers you will discover a multitude of Glam era obscurities here that will blow your socks off and open your mind to some great sounds and beats ! With The Netherlands being the main country in continental Europe to boast a Glam Rock scene, a compilation of this stuff was way overdue. The CD contains 24 songs by 23 acts, plus a 52 page full colour booklet crammed with cool pics, plus the incredible stories behind all bands and songs. Also included are reprints of all original sleeves, whether Dutch or foreign.


The CD will be launched at the Utrecht CD and Record Fair, next saturday April 18th, between 1 and 3 pm. There’s gonna be DJs (well Jos and yours truly), original Nederglam videos, an exhibition of Nederglam memorablia and record sleeves, and there’s a Smyle reunion gig ! Also there will be many ex-glamstars present, like the Catapult guys, the one and only Pantherman, of course Smyle, Lemming singer Wally, some Left Side guys, producer Peter Koelewijn, Mr. Pink Elephant Willem van Kooten, the Booby Trap singer and all members of Bonnie st Claire & Unit Gloria, most probably including queen Bonnie herself !!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet” is available in all good Benelux record shops, and can be ordered from the online Excelsior shop, go to : http://www.excelsior-recordings.com/

The CD will be shipping in the next few days

My Version Is Better Than Yours Part 9: Crazy Elephant vs. Doctor Father -(There Ain't No) Umbopo

Continuing with a jungle theme, here we have 10CC competing with themselves. So the question is: do you prefer them shackled to the Bubblegum Kings or working for themselves?

Crazy Elephant -There Ain't No Umbopo/Landrover -Bell C006-91465 (1970 French issue)

Written and released as part of 10CC's tie-in with the Kasenetz Katz Bubblegum Factory. This version of Umbopo was produced by Ritchie Cordell with Graham Gouldman and probably features all four Hotleg/ 10cc members. The Crazy Elephant take on the song is an admirable cavernous Spectorian tour de force a la Checkmates (Love Is All I have To Give) and should have been a huge hit at the time. There's a surprising emotional resonance as well, partly because the lyrics, but also due the lead and backing vocal performance and interplay. The bass playing is also just fantastic.

Hear your Crazy Elephant Umbopo




Doctor Father-Umbopo/Roll On -Pye 7N. 17977 (1970 UK)

Released and probably recorded after their tenure with Kasenetz/Katz, this version could pretty much be considered a Hotlegs' single. They slow the track down and elongate it into a 5 minute + opus giving it a slight raga/Psych feel with the detuned guitar (E TO D or full DADGAD?) working well. Although there are extra lyrics, it does tend to go on a bit, but the backing vocals at the end are worth hanging on for...

Hear Doctor Father's Umbopo

Earle Mankey -Mau Mau

Earle Mankey –Mau Mau/ Crazy –Bronze BRO 53 (1978 UK issue)

OK, this is not particularly obscure, but I gave this copy a spin while I was tidying up and it was a real joyous occasion getting reacquainted with it. It’s a real Pop producer’s single and it sits somewhere between Biology (off that first Sparks/ Halfnelson LP) and the Move’s Do Ya with its monster riff. Fun with a capital P for Pop.
…this might just give me the momentum, to start a mini series of Jungle themed tunes…

Feast on the Mau Mau