April -Rollin' It Over

April –Rollin’ It Over/ Come On Down – PYE 7N 45462 (1975 UK)

Crap name for a band, but this Tony Hatch produced single is a nifty example of up-tempo Glam Pop. Rollin’ It Over is like a Bay City Rollers tune with loud power chords, a driving Glitter beat and a sing-along chorus.. Add a bit of Bilbo Baggins with a little Bo’ Flyers thrown in and you should get the idea. Not a stupendous find, but pleasing all the same. The B side is also good and very much in the same mould.

Sweeney Todd –Roxy Roller / Moonquake –Remember

Sweeney Todd –Roxy Roller/ Rue De Chance - London HLU 10540 (UK 1976)

For some reason I seem to have half a dozen Nick Gilder albums scattered about my music room, but this single is his ultimate moment and both songs are probably the choice cuts from the first Sweeney Todd album (recorded before pot-marked Bryan Adams came along) . Roxy Roller is simply a fantastic Glam/ Power Pop Rocker and is up there with the best singles released in the 70’s. It certainly has the grit and attitude missing from the rest of Nick Gilder’s output.

Moonquake – Remember/ This Winter –London HLU 10446 (UK 1974)

I reviewed the first Moonquake album back in the May archives and the 2 best songs from the album are coupled here together and make this one hell of a great single. This version of Remember is edited (removing most of the 2nd lead break), but this is all you really need . Forget albums…SINGLES RULE !!!!!


Staying with Canadian artists released on London Records, the B side of April Wine’s Child’s Garden single –The Whole World’s Goin' Crazy is a fine Glam Rock tune with silly vari-speeded backing vocals ( London HLU 10544 UK 1976)

Click below for a clip of Roxy Roller

Wants...

Hi
Here are a few elusive singles I'm currently looking for. If you have copies or any ideas please email me

Hector -Wired Up -DJM
Spiv -Oh You Beautiful Child -Pye
Phoenix -Pictures Of You -Dawn
Snatch -Shout it Out -Polydor?
Daddy Maxfield -Rave N Rock
Soho Jets -Hi Heel Tarzan -Polydor
Thanks

Smokestack Crumble –Got A Bad Leg

Smokestack Crumble –Got A Bad Leg/ Whisky Macaroni –Dawn DNS 1013 (1971 UK)

Had to pick this one up on the strength of name alone. I was also intrigued as it was produced by Keith Relf as I quite liked the Medecine Head album he produced on Dandelion around the same time. The A side is OK in a 70’s Hard Rock kind of way, but I much prefer the B side as it features a loud cowbell and the guitar is nice and raucous. In fact I’m pretty sure this is Vic Malcom on guitar prior to starting up Geordie. The vocals are pretty raspy, but I have no idea if this is Brian Johnson or not. A so-so release in any case.

Tag – Off Down The Road

Tag – Off Down The Road / Guitar Love - Philips 6006 477 (1975 UK)

Of all the singles I picked up recently, for some reason this is the one that I keep returning to over and over again. Off Down The Road is a loud Pop number with an intriguingly constructed tune that grows on you and yet is instantly catchy at the same time. It has a real big sound with piano, a relentless beat, exuberant guitar playing plus the usual Glam trappings (handclaps, Heys etc…but not in the usual context). Off Down The Road has a very special something that I can’t quite put my finger on and is a hugely enjoyable find.
The B side is a 50’s style slightly left-of-field Rocker featuring a Les Gray/ Elvis pastiche lead vocal, some neat guitar, another loud and full production and is also well worth revisiting. Both sides were produced by Brian Keith –has anyone got any background information on this release?

Click on title for soundclip

Plastic Feet – Big Blond Baby

Plastic Feet – Big Blond Baby/ Magic Queen - Negram NG 400 (1974 NL)

Boy do these guys look camp or what… or maybe they’re just Dutch.
Anyhow Big Blond Baby is a great mid-tempo Stomper with at least 386 HEYs and 128 Hey Heys throughout…. It has handclaps, a nifty guitar riff, a raspy Noddy Holder –like lead vocal and a cool melodic chorus (Hey Hey -Your Papa don’t mind, Hey Hey -your Mama is kind ????). The B side is simply adequate no more, no less.

Click on title for soundclip

Blackfoot Sue – a couple of clips for the weekend…

It’s easy to forget just how great these guys could be…I hope you’ll enjoy the pounding marching groove of Standing In The Road and the wild ending of its near identical follow-up Sing Don’t Speak

Oliver Day – Crazy Love

Oliver Day –Crazy Love/ Let The Music - Bus Stop BUS 1025 (1975 UK)

Crazy Love is a fun and commercial up tempo Glam pop single. Oliver’s vocal performance is a real hoot coming on like a Cartoon Steve Harley extending vowels into oblivion, but ends up sounding more like Billy Hamon of Butch Things “fame”(check out April’s archives). It has an obvious All The Young Dudes - Mott The Hoople guitar cop, a sing-along-chorus and nutty laughter on the fade out, but the outcome is a lesson on how to add all the ingredients, but cock up the mix and completely miss out on TOTPS! The B side Let The Music is a riotous fast paced Rocker and is well worth checking out as well.

Click on title for a full version of Crazy Love

Mustard – Good Time Comin’

Mustard –Good Time Comin’/ I Saw I Heard –EMI 2165 (UK 1974)

I’m amazed at the quantity (and yes –sometimes quality) of Glam singles still to be discovered out there. This single by Mustard is another prime corker. This single is loud and I mean really LOUD, it literally burst out from the vinyl…It’s a real heavy Cruncher, but without any Hard Rock histrionics. It has a great overdriven guitar sound, non-stop handclaps and a very peculiar pseudo-Rockabilly guitar break accentuated by a honking sax…and the handclapping storm-troopers march on and on throughout… The B side is really good too with its metallic clanging power chords, wild guitar solo and… yes, handclaps! Glam as the new Freakbeat? –discuss at your leisure…

Click in title for soundclip

The Jets – Yeah!

The Jets – Yeah! / Rusty Corinthian Pillar –Cube 2016 063 (French issue 1973)


The A side is a real winner with a totally amazing production job. It definitely sounds like some frustrated session guys, having had their fill with Gary, decided one afternoon to ape the Glitter Sound and have a hit with it….and they failed magnificently. OK the song is very pleasingly minimalist and real close to Do You Want To Touch Me (Oh Yeah!) with a bit of I Didn’t Know I loved You (Till I Saw You Rock And Roll) thrown in for good measure, but the sound is just incredible. They most likely attempted The Mike Leander Drum Sound, but then decided that they could improve on it. The Glitter pounding is there, but they went even more over the top with the double tracking and tape delay. They even ride and push the drum track faders up during the song! Incredible. On top of this you get all the dorky space synth/ Moog bits all over the place. There are also a few dissonant chord progressions near the end that I guess betray their pretentious muso leanings. The B side is proof of this as it’s a totally nasty and unlistenable progressive Jazz Rock instrumental...AAARRGH! (For the B side), but a very loud YEAH! For the A.

Click below for soundclip

off to the land of smelly cheese...

Hi
Well I'm off on holiday tomorrow, so don't expect any new posts until after the 5th of August. There's plenty more stuff to come though and perhaps I will even find some nice French pic. sleeves in between snorkling sorties...In the meantime, here's wishing you all the best and hope you'll be checking back when normal broadcasting resumes.

Until then, feast your eyes on this...a "cool" picture sleeve of the Glambastic first Single by Sisters -All together now: Kick your boots off, stomp your feet... on the floor...

All the best
Robin

My version is better than yours Part 1: Don’t Let Go – Rats vs Light Fantastic

In the left corner we have RATS (no, not The Rats who released the wonderful Bolanesque Turtle Dove the same year) and in the right corner we have LIGHT FANTASTIC (who also released some OK stuff in the mid 70’s on MAM and Penny Farthing)


Rats - Don’t Let Go/ Dragon Child –MAM 113 (1974 UK)

This is the original version released in February ’74. The first thing that strikes you is that it’s played really fast and perhaps too well. The drumming is not basic enough and is nearly “funky” during the verse. Things come together nicely during the chorus as the drums thump away simplistically and the vocals chant out the words with gusto. The solo is horrid –is it a synth or a sax? It sounds like a chicken pulled out of someone backside anyhow (makes a refreshing change).
It’s a great song, but this version just doesn’t deliver. The B side – Dragon Child is some form of Rockin’ progressive Jazz Rock fusion. It’s also played really fast and is somehow akin to Van Der Graaf Generator on speed…


Light Fantastic –Take Me, Shake Me/ Don’t Let Go –Blue Jean BJS 701 (1974 UK)

Released 6 months later, this one is the bomb! Tempo?…check, handclaps?…check, loud crunching guitars?…check. The song really comes into its own here: It’s basic, but with a great production and nice touches (she said whispered) and it thuds along as it should. The guitar solo could be The Move, detuned guitar strings and all. A great song given its rightful rendition and …it’s only the B SIDE!!!! Take Me, Shake Me is the bastard son of Bend It and Bend Me, Shape Me with a bit of Silver Machine thrown in. It’s a cool Glam Stomper with another great production job from Bob Andrews. No doubt about it - Light Fantastic are the WINNERS with their fine coupling…

In the next episode of my version is better than yours –Top Down Time: The Dantes vs The Rockaways.

PS: You can find The Light Fantastic version on Boobs –The Junkshop Glam Discotheque- RPM 298

Hear Light Fantastic

The Boston Boppers – Did You Get What You Wanted

The Boston Boppers – Did You Get What You Wanted/ Whirlwind Girl- Bellaphon BF 18232 (1974 German issue)

Strategically positioned somewhere between über-Kool and the land of Dork, The Boppers' only single is a great Glam Rock period piece, but with a severe dose of Kitsch.
Originally released on Penny Farthing in the UK, several pictures sleeves were issued around Europe using shots from the same photo session. And god didn’t Old Europe deserve the faux-fur and ski goggle look, it’s just a shame that it didn’t catch on down the snow-piste… Produced and co-written by Mike Leander’s mate Eddie Seago, the music fits the image perfectly, loud and thumping like a mutant Glitter Band with over the top vocals that at times approach Boris Pickett territory. The call & response and the chorus are supremely catchy and will haunt you forever. I bought this single when I was 14, and when I heard again for the first time again this year, I remembered every vocal inflexion perfectly.…Now where did I put my goggles…?

The B side is a good rocker , but in a slightly less OTT way. The A side can be found on Boobs –The junkshop discotheque RPM 298 (UK 2005)

Please click below for soundclip

Norris The Troubadour Seaboard Coastliners –I Am Back From Vietnam

Norris The Troubadour Seaboard Coastliners –I Am Back From Vietnam / Mr. Guitar Man I know You Can -Mayhams Collegiate Records 765-65-9 (US 1970)

Hilarious single from the zany world of Norridge B. Mayham. This is one of those singles that I picked up on the strength of the title alone. I’ Am Back From Vietnam (Hold The Elevator My Baby Is Coming Down) is a deliciously amateurish performance with shifting tempos and an unusual song structure as the song just heads wherever it feels like going. Norridge has been in the business for over 30 years by then, click the link for full information on this guy.

Pheon Bear – War Against War

Pheon Bear – War Against War/ 87th Precinct – Pye 7N 45232 (1973 UK)

The A side is a real loud cruncher falling somewhere between Freakbeat and Glam. It has ’66 Yardbird strident guitar breaks, feedback and a raspy shouted vocal performance from an angry Mr. Bear who just had someone spit in his porridge. The song itself is pretty basic, not moving too far from a 12 bar structure, but it’s chant-like chorus of Gotta keep up the war against war is pretty effective. But who the hell is this guy???. This came with a nice picture stamp on the label…a cheaper option to picture sleeves anyhow…

Jackal –Year of The Tiger

Jackal –Year of The Tiger/ Big Star –BASF BA 1009 (1974 UK)



A bit of a strange one this, but a definite grower. Year of The Tiger is an atmospheric Psych/ Glam number with an over the top echoed guitar and an odd rolling beat. The background vocals are somehow reminiscent of Kung Fu Fighting, but this is no Disco record! Something must have gone wrong during mastering, as the top heavy mix hasn’t transferred well to vinyl and the top end is distorted on the record. They should have stuck with Ampex tape during the recording, or perhaps some BASF boffin was simply learning his chops with the cut. The Mastering Race? I think not…
The B side is a more straightforward rocker with a Lou Reed -Vicious –like riff, but adds a Hammond and Congas when they should have stuck with a trusted cowbell. Not sure who the band are, but I saw a mention that it could be members from Hull’s The Rats (Mick Ronson’s lot)

Click on title for soundclip

Hector – Bye Bye Bad Days

Hector – Bye Bye Bad Days/ Lady –DJM DJS 303 (1974 UK)

Bye Bye Bad Days is a blistering Glam/Punk performance and a worthy follow-up to their fantastic Wired Up single. It’s all you could ever want from a glam single: Loud guitars, a stomping beat, crunching handclaps, snotty vocals and a super chorus that comes on like the Bay City Rollers performing Jeepers Creepers in salute to Satan.

Bye bye bad days, gotta get back to those schooldays…

Hear a sound clip



Also check out the link below
http://hector-band.co.uk

Soho Jets - Denim Goddess

Soho Jets - Denim Goddess/ Smile - Polydor 2058 98 (1974 UK)


Featuring Grant Stevens who would later front Razar in ‘77, Denim Goddess has a nice full production with cowbell, handclaps and an electric clavinet. The background vocals recall Mott’s Roll Away The Stone and Grant Stevens has a great voice with a very considered vocal approach. It all comes together very nicely, but it could do with a bit more grit and less polish. Denim Goddess is fine period Glam/Pop single with a very catchy chorus that makes it sound like an instantly recognisable hit. The Soho Jets released Hi Heel Tarzan as a second single, but I haven’t heard it yet.

Note: When you click on the link above you might wait a bit for the song to load

FROG

Frog –Pourquoi Pas/ Dragster –Philips 6042 287 (France 1977)

Yep, you read it right… this came out in 1977 and not 1973. It’s a marvel that these guys were wearing those outfits and still proudly sprouting those damn ‘taches by then. Check out those yellow boots, that gorgeous red creation and the arrogant French sneer of the owner. It looks like the guy in silver has just been “seen to” by those Great Danes as part of the group’s new drummer initiation ritual, he won’t be any trouble now anyhow…

The sleeve is a classic even if the record isn’t -Pourquoi Pas is an amiable Gallic rocker in a let’s-go-out-tonight-and-have-a-good-time type of way. The B side Dragster is more interesting: It’s starts off like Interplanetary Twist for 10 seconds and then goes into jolly rock mode until…. the tempo shifts and The Frogs turn “English” - One by one Hollywood sunshine, two by two Hollywood my blue… followed by a voice over telling us to move away from your Dragster…very puzzling.

Oh and The Frogs are dressed by Daily Blue…

J.C. Livingstone –Momma Was A Steamroller Lady

J.C. Livingstone –Momma Was A Steamroller Lady/ OO La La Me – Penny Farthing BF 18223 (German issue 1973 )


Don’t be fooled by the toothy Donny Osmond grin as an evil smirk and darkness lies within… Propelled by savage pounding drums and featuring a nifty slide riff and brash guitars, Momma Was A Steamroller Lady (what a great title) is a real blustering rocker somewhere along the lines of Fortune Teller with a bit of Jumpin’ Jack Flash thrown in for good measure..

Momma was a steamroller lady, sister had a problem or two
Poppa was a freeloading son of a gun who never left money for food
But we were high high high…

This is Glam Rock filtered through 60’s garage Punk and it’s a real classic through and through.

Click below for soundclip

New Release: Cheap Trick –Rockford

Cheap Trick –Rockford –Big 3 Records 804983678825 (2006 US)

After their atrocious Special One album from 3 years ago, it’s an astonishing surprise to find The Trick so reinvigorated with this, probably their most consistently great album since their 70’s heyday. At least 8 of the tracks sit nicely next to some their best output in any case. Opening with the wake up call of Welcome To My World followed by Perfect Stranger the album just keeps racing along at an amazing speed. The first breather is on track 5, but O Claire is a wonderfully catchy ELO affair and is a pure delight. And then we’re back aboard the hurtling Pop express. You just keep getting hook after hook and the album ends sounding like a virtual greatest hits package Perhaps the real star of the show is Robin Zander; his range, inflections and delivery shine throughout the album. My favourite track is perhaps the rocking Give It Away and the result, as with the rest of the album, is pure Cheap Trick as we knew them and the way we always wanted them to be. Magic...

Small Wonder –Ordinary Boy

Small Wonder –Ordinary Boy/ Ride A Black Sheep –Dawn DNS 1094 (1974 UK)

Anyone for a Raga Glam track? Ordinary Boy is an incredible mish-mash of stomping Glitter beat with double -tracked handclaps, detuned E string to D guitar, sitar resonance and gritty vocals. The effect is startling. The song is good with a great call to arms chorus. Glam stomping Raga rules!
The other side Ride A Black Sheep is a total T Rex cop. It’s pure Jeepster with a fun Marc Bolan impersonation. You can find the B side on the Glitter From The Litter CD (Sanctuary CMQCD675)

Both tracks were written by Mike Berry who 8 years later would sign us to a music publishing deal…A man of decidedly niche tastes indeed…

Sisters –There’s A Raver Coming Home

Sisters –There’s A Raver Coming Home/ Help The Music -Warner Bros 16445 (French issue 1974)

This is Probably the band’s 2nd single following the wonderful Kick Your Boots Off (Bell 1307). There’s A Raver Coming Home is a gloriously over-produced Glam classic. It starts off with the heaviest of shuffle beats punctuated by some very manly Glitter Band style HEYs. The song then develops into a 4 chord 50’s chord progression, but doesn’t veer into any retro pastiche and stays true to the band’s laudable motto of anchoring everything to the most basic glitter beat. By the end of the song you may have female backing vocals and deep saxes, but they never deviate and their mission is fully accomplished The B side is also very cool, we’re more into Slade territory and the track has some great over the top lead guitar. Truly amazing.

Click on title for soundclip

Streak –Bang Bang Bullet

Streak –Bang Bang Bullet/ Black Jack Man - Deram 84.133 9 (French issue 1973)

Featuring future Arrows members Jake Hooker and Paul Varley (ex Little Free Rock), Bang Bang Bullet is full on New York Dolls through and through. The attitude, groove and lyrics are all there, but with less make up... It rocks, it bites and hooks you immediately. The B side Black Jack Man is also good, but it plods a bit and doesn’t quite have the spark that lights up the obvious choice for the A side.

Click below for soundclip

Ellie Greenwich

The single...

Ellie Greenwich –You Don’t Know

Ellie Greenwich –You Don’t Know/ Baby –Red Bird RB 10-034 (US 1965)


Masterfully produced By Shadow Morton and Jeff Barry – You Don’t Know is a big tasteful production that’s totally built on mood, atmosphere and emotion. Ellie’s vocal performance is simply breathtaking. She sings with an enchanting quaver in her voice that is just so heartbreakingly pure, it really gives you shivers down your spine. The timbales and double bass bestow depth and foundation to the general frisson and the deep echo cloaks the haunting performance. You don’t know what I’ve been going through… The lyrics are enigmatic. Who exactly is she pinning for? You can imagine that the sentiment is akin to the Secret Love episode in Grace Of My Heart…The mystery is all there, make up your own mind

You don't know what I've been going through
Since the day I laid eyes on you
You don't know how hard it is to hide
All my love (baby) deep inside
And I'll pray that's the way it's gonna stay
Day by day I'll just pretend 'cause she's my friend
And I can't let her know I really love you so, oh oh
Won't somebody help me?
Oh help me, please help me, oh

You don't know what I've been going through
'Cause till I die (baby) I'll love you
And I'll try not to cry when you walk by
'Cause she's just like a sister to me and she, yes she
Is so in love with you, I don't know what to do, no oh
Won't somebody help me? Oh help me, I love you, oh
You don't know what I've been going through
Since the day I laid eyes on you
You don't know what I've been goin' through
Don't know what I'm goingto do
'Cause till I die baby I'll love you


It had taken me quite a few years to find a copy of the original single, this was not helped by the fact that the B side Baby is highly prized by Northern Soul collectors, but whatever the cost, You Don’t Know is a priceless masterpiece.

New Release: The Nines –Calling Distance Stations

The Nines –Calling Distance Stations- T.A.S Gold ( Canada ’06)

One sunny afternoon in ’97, I picked three albums that for me crystallised all that was noble about the Pop reawakening that was taking place at the time. Michael Penn’s Resigned , the first Roswells album and Wonderful World Of Colour by The Nines helped reaffirm my belief that something was indeed brewing and that Power Pop was not just for losers…Nearly 10 years later and I got that same warm glow on first hearing the new Nines album. Steve Eggers and cohorts have weaved one of those albums that is totally immediate, yet with enough depth and variety to invite you back for repeat spins (well CDs spin as well don’t they?). Smart, but not too clever-clever, The Nines wear their influences on their collective sleeves: You can roll off names like Badfinger, Jellyfish, Birdwatchers, XTC or Squeeze, yet the songs are instantly recognisable as being wholly Nines. The opening 4 track salvo will have you gripped: Drama Queen and Hard Luck are bright Pure Pop rockers. Marigold is a perfect Baroque Left Banke homage and Driving Myself Insane is simply catchy as hell. The album has at least 4 other songs just as good with a special commendation to Take What You Want and the closer Receiving Me. It’s nice to know that there are still some top class new releases out there if you look beyond the obvious parapet of crap…
www.ninespop.com

Beach Boys: Brian, Mike, Al and Bruce together June 13th 2006!

Hard to believe...but where’s that hatchet again????

Records that sound like The Flamin' Groovies pt 3

The New Legion Rock Spectacular –Wild One/ Second Cousin –Spectacular Records 11075 (1975 US)

The A Side is a rowdy version of Wild One with cool distorted electric piano and panto rockabilly vocals. It ends up sounding like a collision between Jerry Lee Lewis and Suicide on Chipmunk drugs…But it’s really the B Side that interests us here as it’s a carbon copy of The Groovies' Second Cousin. They have the sound down pat and when you first hear it you would swear that it was an alternate mix off Flamingo. The guitars are Jordan/ Lynch through and through, the vocals are pure maniac Roy Loney (albeit a bit forced ) and the drums emulate Danny, even if the snare skin is tighter…but what’s the point you may ask? Well…er…It’s fun and the guys really rock out on both sides of this single. They later released an album and I think they covered Heading For The Texas Border on it. Eat your hearts out Raconteurs…

Snapp – Cheat, Cheat

Snapp – Cheat, Cheat/ So Many Reasons –Cube Records BUG 45 (1974 UK)

Produced by John Worsley, Cheat, Cheat is a fun and authentic 60’s girl group recreation full of castanets, cavernous echo and teenage girl vocals. It’s very surprising that this dates from ’74 as the single captures that Gold Star sound so perfectly. The vocal delivery is somewhere between the Dixie Cups and The Tammys ( Egyptian Shumba) and falls just the right side of cute…All together now…you’re a CHEAT CHEAT!

Click below for soundclip

Marcus Hook Roll Band and William Shakespeare pics

Can't seem to be able to add these to the actual post...oh well

Vanda & Young: Marcus Hook Roll Band and William Shakespeare

In my not always so humble opinion; these guys were purveyors of top notch Pure Pop brilliance. Every time I go back to the Easybeats releases, I am always amazed at just how much they crammed into their little 2:30 minute operettas. Beyond Friday On My Mind, there are countless gems that still sound so fresh and inventive today. From 1966 onwards songs like Heaven and Hell, Do You Have A Soul, Made My Bed, Happy Is The Man or Land Of Make Believe are testaments to their genius. Even The Shame Just Drained (compilation of unreleased tracks) LP contains amazing tracks like Amanda Storey, Me and My Machine and Station On Third Avenue that could have been hits in their own right. Vanda & Young continued writing, performing and producing throughout the 70’s often using made up names (Tramp, Haffy’s Whiskey Sour etc..) as outlets for their ever consistent songwriting factory. They hit the big time again with more mainstream releases by John Paul Young and Flash In The Pan before concentrating on managing AC/DC…

Anyhow I recently picked up a couple of worthy releases just to vindicate my belief…

Marcus Hook Roll Band – Natural Man / Boogalooing Is For Wooing –Regal Zonophone RZ 3061 (UK 1972)

Much closer to the rockier Easybeats material such St. Louis, Good Times or Rock And Roll Boogie, Natural Man is totally exhilarating. It’s a tough little number featuring clanging power chords, shaking maracas with an incredibly catchy chorus that will remain engraved on your brain. The delivery of the verse also reminds me of Alan Price’s Lucky Man. It’s a real bona fide classic. The B side is another fine rocker written by Wally Allen (Pretty Things).

William Shakespeare –Can’t Stop Myself From Loving You/ Goodbye Tomorrow, Hello Today –Albert Productions AP -10470 (AUS 1974)

Also known as “Billy Shake” –get it? in some countries (UK release on Youngblood), would-be Teen Idol William Shakespeare actually had a hit with this in Australia and you can understand why. It’s an anthemic Glam number that relies heavily on repeating its great chorus. The song builds nicely up to it and there’s a great chord sequence during the pre-chorus. Vanda & Young pulled out all the stops with the production and boy does it shine…

Flamin' Groovies -Cyril Jordan sells Hofner Bass...

Here is the man with the Beatle bass he recently sold online...

A little shopping trip...

Saturday was a real scorcher, the sky was blue, Eng-er-land beat Jamaica 6-0, the Epsom derby was in full swing in the sweltering heat and I spent 5 hours rummaging through piles of singles in a record shop in Addlestone (off Jct 11 off the M25). The shop is called Archive Records and it's a pretty amazing place, there is just so much stuff (10s of thousands of singles, albums, 78's etc... The shop is kept in glorious chaotic order, with piles of unsorted stuff as well as the most stringently alphabetisised boxes you will ever see. If you follow the link http://www.archiverecords.co.uk/ -the Website has downloadable spreadsheets of part of the stock, but there is much more to find on the premises. Prices are sometimes over-inflated and there seems to be a blanket pricing policy on most of the singles I was looking at (£ 2-£4), but the experience is just amazing if you have the stamina!
This is a list of some of the stuff I found during 2 visits to the shop:
First Class -Beach Baby (Sunny Records), Smiffy -See You Later (Antic), Alvin's Heart-Beats -Chilli Willi( Magnet), Sisters -Kick Your Boots Off (Bell), Snapp -Cheat Cheat (Cube), Crunch -Let's Do It Again (YoungBlood), Roky Erickson -Bermuda (Virgin), Tartan Horde -Bay City Rollers We Love You (UA), Beano - Little Cinderella (Deram), Rossal -It's No Use Telling Me No (20th Century), Angel -Good Time Fanny (Cube), Granny -Lady (DJM), Balls (Trevor Burton) -Fight For Your Country (Wizard), Andy Kim -Be My Baby (Paramount)

You will need several hours to go through the stuff and Addlestone has very little else to offer (apart from the UK's 2nd oldest Oak tree???) - There was nowhere decent to eat -so beware!


Coming up soon -A Vanda & Young special

Flamin' Groovies -Roll Over Beethoven video

Whoo! and Whoo! again... The Groovies live on French TV 1972 -Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EizZ8D1LI-Q

Yellow Bird –Attack Attack

Yellow Bird –Attack Attack/ Right On – Magnet MAG 16 (UK 1974)

Somehow this one hasn’t cropped up yet on any Junkshop Glitter CD comps, but it rings all the right bells and truly delivers with its Eddie Cochran handclapped intro, crunching beat, killer chorus and a wild guitar solo which is nearly on a par with Hector’s Wired Up (DJM). The chorus has a rockin’ Dwight Twilley feel to it, although it sounds like there’s one syllable too many: The meter would surely have been improved by naming the song Shark Attack instead, but they would have missed out cashing in on JAWS by 2 years anyhow... Both tracks are written by Marty Wilde (Kim’s dad) and Peter Shelley (Alvin Stardust).

Click on title for soundclip

Frankie & The Phantoms - Rock ‘n Roll Band / Smiffy -See You Later

Frankie & The Phantoms –Rock ‘n Roll Band/ Jamburger –RCA LPBO 5013 1974 (UK)

The A side is a heavy crunching stomper. There are shades of Wizzard/ Eddie & The Falcons but the outcome is much much wilder. The raspy vocals are shouted and the guitars rip and tear over a cool Glitter Band baritone sax underlay. The song is just the same 3 chords over and over, but it’s catchy as f**k.. Again not idea who this is, but the ghastly B side is a muso jam session…

Smiffy –See You Later (Little Baby Love)/How Can You Be A Millionaire –Antic K11501 1974 (UK)

Similar in a way to the Frankie & The Phantoms single, as it’s a guitar/ sax rocker with Roy Wood overtones, but it’s a more commercial venture altogether adding glockenspiel and backing vocals to the mix. Smiffy must in fact be the producer Peter L. Smith, but on the execrable B side he might as well just be Peter Sarstedt –PUKE! More of cute period piece than an outright corker, it’s still a nice find.

Click below for an edit of Rock 'n Roll Band and See You Later

Caspar -Messin' Around/ Make You Feel Like You're Mine

Caspar –Messin’ Around / Feel Like You’re Mine –Vinyl Countdown VCR -003

I stumbled across this one and I’m so glad that I did. The songs are the near genius creation of one Caspar Giles McCloud and were recorded at 10 cc’s Strawberry Studios. The two sides of this single are as close to the perfect Glam/ Power Pop coupling that you will ever get to hear. Messin’ Around is as good as The Raspberries Go All The Way, but with an added sense of mystery. The vocals are somehow a dead ringer for Dan Sarka (Vandalias/ Stingray Green). You Feel Like You’re Mine could have jumped straight off The Dwight Twilley Band's Sincerely album. Both songs and performances are really special, you can check them out here: http://pop45.blogspot.com .

The single has been reissued by http://www.vinylcountdownrecords.com on vinyl… The same label has issued a fine new single by the label's own band The Foxx and they also have a Marbles (Red Lights) release on the way.

I don’t know anything about the original issue of the Caspar single, if anyone has the facts please let me know

Next reviews

Over the next few days I will be adding reviews of Caspar, Frankie and The Phantoms etc...

Jackie De Shannon -Live at Dingwalls 25/05/06

Now I wasn't even going to go to this show, but I'm damn glad I did as this is was the best gig I've seen for years... This is the first time she'd ever played the UK and it was an occasion to remember. It's hard to believe that Jackie is well over 60 as she is still such a BABE. God, if I only looked half this good...She came on and opened with When You Walk In The Room, she was straightaway at ease and the young band got the backing right with a nice clear 12 string riffs. The set was good and she had many cool anecdotes to share between numbers. Something magical happened when she played Dylan's Don't Think Twice, It's Alright - everything just came together and she really soared and took the audience with her...Each Time was an unexpected delight and Needles and Pins reminded us why we were here in the first place. The crowd was laping it up and joined in What The World Needs Now and Put A Little Love In Your Heart and then it was over. The only omissions for me were Don't Doubt Yourself Babe and Splendor In The Grass. I stayed on another two hours as Dingwalls felt like home. A line of about 150 balding blokes holding CDs had formed into an orderly queue as Jackie was holding audience and graciously took time time to talk and give authographs to everyone. Amazing!

Records that sound like The Flamin' Groovies Part 2

Daddy Cool – Teenage Heaven -Reprise Records MS 2088 (US 1972)

Housed in a fantastic 50’s style gatefold sleeve, Teenage Heaven was Daddy Cool's 2nd album. They had started out playing Rock’n’ Roll oldies around Melbourne and this set made up their first album Daddy Who? which featured a fine hit single in Eagle Rock. By Teenage Heaven the sound was branching out; often visiting the same territory that The Groovies frequented in 70/71 with a bit of Ruben and The Jets thrown into the mix. The opener Hi Honey Ho is a cracker: A great Stones/ Groovies rocker with a passing nod to early Little Feat. Daddy Rocks Off recalls a lighter Doctor Boogie or Rip This Joint and there’s a real killer in the closer Teenage Blues. That track could have easily graced a Groovies album -no sweat...It’s a fine album to listen to in its own right and the good humoured 50’s pastiches are still enjoyable now. In any case Teenage Heaven was one of the bright sparks that lit up those dark days of Prog nothingness and for that I am still grateful to this day.

Moonquake

Moonquake - Self-titled- Gamma GS 510 (Canada 1973)


Montreal trio who learned their chops backing Michel Pagliaro and made a huge impression with Remember… well on this 13 year old anyhow…

The album leads off with Remember and it’s pure class with its chorus to rival Creedence at their best, a fantastic cut and slice guitar, cowbell and Jaggeresque sneering vocals…Check the lyrics out:
2 years ago it was brand new thing to wear sparkles all over your clothes
Those 4 inch heels on your imported shoes and that silver spoon for your nose
Last Year baby, well I gave it all up and bought an expensive suit from France
Now I spend my time drinking Courvoisier, honey, you know I love to dance…

It typified Rock’n’ Roll coolness and has a dark decadent Stonesy feel that permeates throughout the album

This Winter 's intro cops the riff from Maggie May adds a bit of junkie squalor to the Stonesy chug. “I worked 7 days a week never got any sleep, stuck a needle into my arm, I always broke never had a stroke of good luck…”

For me those two songs are the stand out tracks, but there are two more rockers (Seasons and Tomorrow), a pseudo 60’s sitar led track Don’t You Try To Be My Baby and a 6 part opus Crazy Situations that has its moments. They released a 2nd album Starstruck a couple of years later, but they went for a more “commercial” approach and the album is horribly over-produced (think Blue Ash 's 2nd album)
Anyhow at their best these guys rocked with attitude and didn’t sprout any facial hair. I followed through my admiration for this band by actually covering Remember as a Barracudas B side in the early 90’s, but I was quite miffed that when we played Montreal no one knew the song or had even heard of Moonquake…Bloody typical…

click below for a soundclip of Remember

Flamin' Groovies -At Full Speed: Complete Sire Recordings 1976-79 (2CDs)

Now this is getting confusing!!!! This is NOT the 3CD box on DBK titled "Bust Out At Full Speed". I think it's a UK release, but don't know the label yet. Anyhow it has all the tracks missing from the DBK release.

Track listing:

Disc 1
1. Shake Some Action (Jordan / Wilson)
2. Sometimes (Thomasson)
3. Yes It's True (Jordan / Wilson)
4. St. Louis Blues (Handy)
5. You Tore Me Down (Jordan / Wilson)
6. Please Please Girl (Jordan / Wilson)
7. Let The Boy Rock And Roll (Sebastian / Butler)
8. I'll Cry Alone (Jordan / Wilson)
9. Misery (Lennon / McCartney)
10. Don't You Lie To Me (Hudson / Whittaker / Berry)
11. She Said Yeah (Christy / Jackson)
12. I Saw Her (Jordan / Wilhelm / Hunter)
13. Teenage Confidential (Jordan / Wilson)
14. I Can't Hide (Jordan / Wilson)
15. I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better (Clark)
16. Between The Lines (Jordan / Wilson)
17. Move It (Spence)
18. Take Me Back (Jordan/ Wilson)
19. Ups And Downs (Lindsay / Melcher)
20. When I Heard Your Name
21. Reminiscing (Curtis)
22. There's A Place (Lennon / McCartney)
23. Yeah My Baby (Jordan / Wilson / Edmunds)
24. Good Laugh Mun (Jordan / Wilson / Edmunds)
Disc 2
1. All I Wanted (Jordan / Wilson)
2. Don't Put Me On (Jordan / Wilson)
3. House Of Blue Lights (Raye / Slack)
4. Blue Turns To Grey (Jagger / Richards)
5. Paint It Black (Jagger / Richards)
6. Next One Crying (Jordan / Wilson)
7. Jumpin' In The Night (Jordan / Wilson)
8. Yes I Am (Jordan / Wilson)
9. Werewolves Of London (Zevon)
10. It Won't Be Wrong (McGuinn / Gerst)
11. Please Please Me (Lennon / McCartney)
12. Down Down Down (Burton)
13. Absolutely Sweet Marie (Dylan)
14. You're My Wonderful One (Holland / Dozier / Holland)
15. 19th Nervous Breakdown (Jagger / Richards)
16. Boys (Dixon / Farrell)
17. 5D (McGuinn)
18. First Plane Home (Jordan / Wilson)
19. Lady Friend (Crosby)
20. In The U.S.A. (Jordan / Wilson)
21. Tell Me Again (Jordan / Wilson)
22. Shake Some Action (Jordan / Wilson) (Demo Version)

Release 19-6-06

New Release: The Oranges -Teen Rock

The Oranges-Teen Rock-Rabbit Records RAC-008 (2006 Japan)

I saw these guys play in LA 6 years ago and they are still at it! It was an unbelievably silly yet moving experience. In matching Bay City Roller type gear, they proceeded to ball over the crowd with their sunny Glam Pop sung in Japanese. So here we have 20 rockin’ songs with English titles all sung in their language…and? Well the appeal is pretty much universal and the experience goes beyond a one idea joke thanks to their overwhelming exuberance and their obvious love for 70’s trash pop. Only thing is that with 20 songs it does go on a bit, but in snippets there is much fun to be had. Take the song titles for a start: “Teen Rock Is Alright”, “Teenage Pop” ( first line: Bay City Rollers, Dead End Kids, Buster, Rosetta Stone, Carol…), “Teen Rock Sensation”, “Let It Rock’n’Roll”, “Teen Rock Kicks”. ..These guys are certainly dedicated and definitely bonkers…
http://www.oranges.jp.ne.org/
(available through www.notlame.com -check out the samples)

Next posts...

Hi
New reviews will be posted over the weekend, Moonquake, Daddy Cool etc...
All the best
Robin

Marc Thor Band –Trak/ Love Sucks

Marc Thor Band –Trak/ Love Sucks - Indy Records NR 10894 (US 1979)

I first came across Marc Thor on the Live At The Rat (Rat Records 528 US 1976) double album It’s a great live record featuring tracks by The Real Kids, DMZ, Willie “Loco” Alexander and other local Boston bands. On Side 3 Marc Thor (backed by DMZ) does a fine number called Circling LA, all about Jonathan Richman’s first trip out to the West Coast to sign a record deal. It’s a great song and performance built around an A-D-E chord progression. Trak is similar insofar that the song construction is dead simple, but the lyrics don’t immediately make much sense (blame William Burroughs…). Marc plays an overdriven electric piano over the rough and ready guitar based Boston sound and it fits somewhere between The Velvet Underground’s Foggy Notion, She Cracked (Modern Lovers) and Willie Alexander’s Kerouac. Love Sucks is a short sharp rocker, but lacks magic of the A side.



Bad joke time:

Marc walks into a room…Hi! I’m Thor!

Reply: I’m so thor I can’t even piss…

Grudge –When Christine Comes Around/ I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In

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

Please click onthe link above for When Christine Comes Around

Hard to know where to start with this one, but a special commendation is due to 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’ve had this single for over 25 years and on the rare occasions I take it out to play it never fails to get a reaction….


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!


This single had been a real mystery, but Steve from Low Down Kids http://lowdownkids.blogspot.com has filled in some background information: It seems that “Grudge”/ Laurie Marshall is none other but Paul St John who released The Flying Saucers Have Landed - Pye 7N 45190 1972 (also available on the Glitter From The Litter CD) he was also involved with The Weeny Boppers single –David, Donny & Michael…Any more info is most welcome and if anyone wants to upload this somewhere, I’ll send a CDR .


Inept? –Yes, intriguing? –Yes, Wonderful?…Perhaps, of questionable taste? –MOST CERTAINLY!

New Release: Stingray Green

Stingray Green –Hard Numbers - HCI 6453 (2006 US)


Somehow straddling the AM dial between The Raspberries, Boston, Sunshine Pop and The Small Faces; Stingray Green marks the return of Dan Sarka, Kent Militzer and Dan Boardman who fronted the 90’s Power Pop cartoon band The Vandalias (2 very cool albums on Big Deal). This is one of those rare albums that you could leave on automatic replay as the soundtrack to your day. I haven’t tired of it yet and I keep playing it over and over, which is a rare feat for a new release in this day and age. It also helps that the album has 10 songs and lasts just over half an hour... Dan’s voice is still as distinctive as it ever was…think of an inbred Eric Carmen on a collision course with a mutant Carl Wilson with a little Justin from The Darkness thrown in for good measure. The songs are all great - from the straight rocking Go Home, the pathos of Good Intentions, the 70’s riff rock of Bad Batch –just dig those gorilla grunts punctuating the chorus. All Over You would be a perfect single and brings together everything that is great about this band: An infectious melody, fantastic wild guitar twiddling and glorious harmonies.

http://www.myspace.com/stingraygreen
www.stingraygreen.com

Purchased through http://www.notlame.com/ April ‘06

Flamin' Groovies The Complete Sire Recordings

It looks like it's on its way soon...Flamin' Groovies - Complete Sire Recordings 1976-79 (2CD). Due for release on 22/05/2006
No more information yet, but it's bound to include all the tracks missing from the DBK issues and a real bargain at £12.99!

Link to great site with MP3 of Butch Things

Above is the link to a great Blog...enjoy Billy's "dulcet" tones!

I will hopefully soon work out how to add links. properly...

Trevor White – Crazy Kids

Trevor White - Crazy Kids/ Moving In The Right Direction - Island Records WIP 6291 (UK 1976)

Dodgy ageing rocker in flared jump suit and boxing boots creates instant Teen Rock classic SHOCK!!

Crazy Kids is definitely up there in the pantheon of non-hit wonders. Originally a Jook B side (Trevor’s previous Bovver Boy stomping combo), this later solo version is THE BOMB. From the opening lead guitar salvo to the slamming bedroom door, emphasizing surly TEEN behaviour, you know this song is something special, but when the chorus hits you will be in ASBO* PUREPOP heaven ….
Crazy Kids –TEENAGE
Crazy Kids –Won’t They ever leave us alone
They can have their say, but just don’t get in our way anymore

Talk about teenage repression…this songs rocks, pops and hits all the right spots

Trevor had been kidnapped by Sparks at this time, but I guess part of the deal was being allowed one last shot at stardom and adulation, but this only ended up in glorious failure.

You can find the A side on the Glitterbest compilation ( RPM 265). I also strongly recommend RPM’s Jook -Different Class (RPM 295). This release compiles their 5 RCA singles, the Chiswick EP and a slew of unreleased tunes. A must!


* ASBO = Anti -Social Behaviour Order (for non UK residents)

New Release: Willie Nile

Willie Nile –Streets of New York –Evangeline GEL 4096 (2006)
Yes, Willie Nile is still very much amongst us and his new album is a godsend for those bitten by the Vagabond Moon bug all those years ago. His unique quavering warble is still intact and most of the songs hit the spot. Whereas Elliot Murphy lost the plot following Aquashow, Willie has stayed true to his early promise and doesn’t disappoint. This is Willie’s first album since Beautiful Wreck of The World (1999) and once again Willie demonstrates an uncanny knack of turning out instantly memorable hooks over and over again. Apart from the 13 originals there is also a fun energetic rendition of Police On My Back to be enjoyed... http://www.willienile.com/

Flamin’ Groovies –Slow Death Video

Amazing video of The Groovies in ’72 playing Slow Death. This is just so cool. Catch the threads and the attitude! No sound at present, but hopefully this will soon be remedied
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_otct9_iGY

Thanks to JL for this–Be sure to check out the Flamin’ Groovies France yahoo group: http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaminGrooviesFrance/

Stanley Frank –S’Cool Days

Stanley Frank - S’Cool Days/ On A Line –Power Exchange Records PX 247 (UK 1977)

This single is a HIT and boy does it ROCK! This release was sadly overlooked and didn’t get the airplay to make the charts or even achieve cult status…Perhaps it would have stood a better chance if it got released 3 years earlier as the guy’s hair wasn’t spiky enough for the times. The single is as close to perfection as you can get. The lyrics spell out TEENAGE RAMPAGE albeit delivered by a Canadian in his 20’s…The chorus is sprouted out à la Get Out Of Denver, so many words, so little time….There’s no air to breathe. The compressed handclaps and drums make this sound like a Mike Leander/ Vic Maile collaboration, … nothing is superfluous and everything counts: From the dut dut dut backing vocal mantra, the one note piano pounding, the driving guitars. The tune itself is killer- a hook-filled powerhouse of a single. Stanley Frank later released a cover of Cold Turkey and an album in 1980, but by then the urgency had gone. A one-off wonder to be cherished, shared and danced to! (you can find copies of this cheap on ebay -go for it!)

You can hear the song here: http://www.stanleyfrank.com/