Brat – Not Quite Right

Brat – Not Quite Right/ Long Time Away –Red Rooster Records (1974 US)

This is in fact the first release by Artful Dodger prior to signing to Columbia and to big shot management team Leber-Krebs. Artful Dodger never really made it, but were big favourites as they really hit the spot with their special mix of Power Pop /Byrdsian jangle and upfront raspy Faces rock. All 4 albums are worth seeking out –but I especially recommend their first two ( self-titled and Honor Amongst The Thieves) as well as their later album as a four piece on Ariola (Rave On). Not Quite Right finds the band at the boogier edge of the spectrum, although the intro is reminiscent of Wayside and there’s enough melodicism to elevate them way above being average boogie merchants. Long time Away is simply gorgeous and is very different to the version found on their first album.

Click below for edits of Not Quite Right and Long Time Away

Fred Cass And His Fabulous Cassettes – At The Weekend

Fred Cass And His Fabulous Cassettes –At The Weekend/ Donny & Marie (The Disco Queen) –The Fred Cassette Co (1980 AUS)

Ok, here’s a little something to end the week…The A side is a cracking rockin’ ode to the weekend, which would sit perfectly next to Eddie And The Hot Rods or Stanley Frank. Recorded in the summer of 1976 with The Sports’ Stephen Cummings on lead vocals, it features a great Glitter drum break and blazing dual lead guitars. The packaging on this DIY single includes an insert that’s pretty hilarious and if you believe the credits, the A side was used in a movie called Hot Throat. Whatever the truth, here is a link to a film clip of the band miming the song in the studio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_hFJUoYgY4
The B side, Donny & Marie somehow manages to be pure filth without a sheep or ewe within hearing distance …

Click on title for a soundclip of At The Weekend

Slowbone – Oh Man

Slowbone – Oh Man/Get What You’re Given – Rare Earth RES 119 (1974 UK)

Slowbone were an East End combo formed by Barry Hart and Jeff Peters from 60s Psych band Turquoise. They released 2 other singles at the time on Rare Earth: Happy Birthday Sweet 16 and Hot California Beach (under the name Rough Riders). They were also the backing band on the Sonny And The Sovereigns single –School Is Out (also on Rare Earth, check out the October 30th 2006 post ).
Oh Man is a snappy uptempo Teen/Glam/Boogie workout much in the same vein as The Bo’ Flyers or April, while Get What You’re Given sounds more grown up and is in Freaky/Prog/Rock mode and I assume this is more in keeping with the material found on their posthumous Tales Of A Crooked Man and a Live at The Greyhound albums.

Oh Man is bound to bring a smile to your face and get your feet tapping…

From left to right: Keith Shepherd (drums), Jeff Peters (bass), Lea Hart(guitar,vocals) and Jim Hunter (keys)

Click below for a full version of Oh Man

The Casuals –Tara Tiger Girl

The Casuals –Tara Tiger Girl/Nature’s Child –Parlophone R5959 (1972 UK)

Tara Tiger Girl was sandwiched between The Casuals’ Decca period and The Witch on Dawn in 1974.
The Casuals at this time were most likely Ex-World of Oz Chris Evans and his Kansas Hook/ American Jam Band cronies in full-on Pure Pop mode. Nature’s Child also appeared as the B side of The American Jam Band’s American Jam single.
Tara Tiger Girl is a fine Psych/Pop number very much like The Move circa 1968 albeit with a vocalist sounding a lot like Anthony Newley in very tight loons! The tune is damn catchy anyhow, with some nice Psych touches. Enjoy the fun!

Click below for a full version of Tara Tiger Girl

Toggle –Little Green Men

Toggle –Tiger Woman/ Little Green Men –Decca 85.029 (1974 French issue)

Another fun and near-genius creation from the Tony Atkins/Gerry Morris partnership. It shares a sci-fi theme with Galahad’s Rocket Summer (Bell) , but with a more naïve Joe Meek-like sense of innocence . Musically this is a perfect example of BubbleGlam with its dual sustained guitars and killer chorus coming in nice and early around the 30 second mark. The A side is more straightforward and is a top Boogie/Glam number, again with nice sustained guitar plus handclaps and a neo/pseudo-Rockabilly vocal delivery.

Hear edits of Little Green Men and Tiger Woman

Smiley –I know What I Want

Smiley –Penelope/ I Know What I Want –LMCE LM 78008 (1972 French issue)

Post Creation single featuring Bob Garner. Although the A side is written by Kenny Pickett, I am unsure if he actually appears on the record. I Know What I Want ( written by Bob Garner) is an atmospheric semi-Glam/Late Fuzzbeat Stomper. As a further link to The Creation; both sides were co-produced by Shel Talmy, but strangely the production lacks a bit of power and bite. The A side is pretty hard to take: It’s a seriously grating piece of 70s Bubblegum, with obnoxious kiddie vocals . Anyone have confirmation of the line up on this single?

Click below for an edit of I Know What I Want and a snippet of Penelope (for information purposes only!)

My Version Is Better Than Yours Part 6 –Incorporating the Mike Berry story Part 2: Round The Gum Tree:Fire VS Real McCoy

Fire –Round The Gum Tree/Toothie Ruthie –London 45 -20048 (1968 US issue)
Real McCoy –Round The Gum Tree/ I Will –Target 7N 17704 (1969 IRL)

We are talking Bubblegum here and with a capital B! Fire were a trio from Hounslow featuring future Strawb Dave Lambert, they are more widely celebrated for their classic Psych/ Freakbeat number My Father’s Name Was Dad (Decca). Mike was producing this later Fire session.

MB: Time was running out and their songs were not coming together, so I showed them this song that I knew we could finish before we ran out of time.

At 1 minute and 32 seconds you can see his point and it’s also a very simple but catchy tune, even the backing vocals are sped up sounding like the Chipmunks on Helium.
MB: After we finished the session, I said to myself –What I have done here? –I’ll never work in this business again.

Later Mike received a phone call… “Hello Mike –Dick Rowe (head honcho at Decca at the time) here –I have to say that Round The Gum Tree is the most commercial song I’ve ever heard, we must release it and it will be a huge smash”

MB: I thought it was a prank call and I put the phone down on him, but rang back to check and it was actually him...

Fire’s Round The Gum Tree wasn’t the predicted smash, but Irish showband Real McCoy gave it another shot. Their version is longer with added Psych guitar effects and even a key change. Whatever version you prefer, this song sounds like a real hit, just a shame that it wasn’t issued in the US as The 1910 Fruitgum Company…

Click below for edits of Fire’s and Real Mccoy’s versions of Round The Gum Tree

Remember This –Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival

Remember This –Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival/Over and Over Again –Penny Farthing PEN 862 (1975 UK)

Remember This is in fact Brum legend Mike Sheridan as the A side was originally recorded for the unreleased Elmer Goodbody Jnr album (check out his version of The Move’s Do Ya on Charisma). Featuring members of Wizzard (minus Roy Wood), it stands head and shoulders above The Cherrie Vangelder-Smith version. Rock ‘N’Roll Revival is a real opus. Part Slade, Rubettes, Wizzard with some Glitter Band thrown in plus with a Bolan/ Buddy Holly (or is it Gene Vincent?) hommage at the end. The performance ends up being much more than the sum of its parts. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something happening here and it all ends up being strangely touching and evocative. The B side is also a pretty good rocker written by Mike Sheridan.
To check out the Mike Sheridan/ Elmer Goodbody Jnr story go to http://www.mikesheridan.org.uk/the_official_nightriders_website_002.htm

The Elmer Goodbody Jnr album is available there and real cheap


Click on title for a full version of Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival

Smith & Weston – A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues

Smith & Weston –A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues/Run Run Run –Decca F13441 (1973 UK)

Smith & Weston come up with a neat version of the Arthur Alexander track. Rawer than The Flamin’ Groovies' version from the previous year, this version stands (and stomps) at the crossroad of the then current Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival (Wild Angels, Fumble…) and crunching Glam. It features great power chords and handclaps, but the fuzzy/ scratchy guitar didn’t get quite through the mastering stage unscathed. Who the hell were these guys? More Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival/ Glam crossovers soon…

Click below for a soundclip of A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues

Mogan David And His Winos –Savage Young Winos

Please welcome scribe and curator extraordinaire Collin to Purepop with his review of this artifact that I hadn’t taken out of its sleeve for at least 25 years…God it's FUN. Hopefully Collin will be submitting more reviews, which will be great as I only have so many words in my vocabulary…

Mogan David And His Winos –Savage Young Winos –Kosher Records KOSR-001 (1973 US)

"Proto-punk and general good taste fans should definitely try and track this one down”

It's Harold Bronson, the guy who founded Rhino Records, leading a gang of school-pals (all with great names like 'Cute Dan' and 'Speed Freak Paul') through a side and one more of excellente giz-rock of the oily 1970's vintage. Saturday Night Pogo owners should instantly recognize the Winos brand as their Beauty Queen (reecoded circa '73) is probably - no, definitely - the best track on said sad slab o' wax. Lethal levels of ineptitude are reached and somehow hitched to unbelievable lines of melodicism!!! Street Baby is The Real Kids seven years early, Party Games is more psychedelic than the Leopards picking a fight with Poobah and Nose Job has lyrics stolen from MAD Magazine - recorded on George Carlin's portable tape machine no less! Side two is live and kinda blows (plus it's all covers - though there is a surprise bluezz bonus track!).

The packaging is Live-At-Leeds-lavish beyond all reason - especially given its limited nature - with the sordid history of the band all typed out on the back-side of the gatefold (three members quit to devote more time to working on their hot rods only to miss out on Nose Job becoming the semester hit of the UCLA campus bookstore). Funny inserts, comics, contests, failed music theory papers and clippings are all an extra-tall glass of glee and refreshingly round out this bubbly belly-washer of an LP. Can still find dis 'un for not too much money (got mine for a ten spot) and it's all over (the U.S.) given that it was sold mainly through the pages of Phonograph Record and other period TB sheets.

Has Chris Stigliano done a Winos tribute issue of Black To Comm yet - if not, somebody should tell him! Sure to be a hit amongst Low Numbers fans, especially since most of 'em were Winos before graduating to chic, L.A. modernity.

To sum up:The name of the band is Mogan David & His Winos, The name of the record is Savage Young Winos, available on Kosher Records


Click below for edits of Beauty Queen, Street Baby and the bonus track (comes after The Berkowitz Blues)

Barracuda –Summer Girls

Barracuda –Summer Girls/ I Feel So Down–EMI 2027 (1973 UK)

Just to salute the end of summer (what summer???), here is a superb Beach Boys cop written by Marty Wilde and Peter Shelley. I don’t know how this one slipped by especially as it could easily be confused with that other summer song by The Barracudas (also on EMI). Summer Girls was later covered by Flash Cadillac And The Continental Kids as Hot Summer Girls on their fine Sons Of Beaches LP (Private Stock PS 2003). The B side I Feel So Down is a cool piece of hypnotic bongo psych and makes this single a great 2-sider.

Click on title for edits of Summer Girls and I Feel So Down

Zingara –Girl Girl Girl

Zingara –Girl Girl Girl/ Give It All Up Boy –Pink Elephant 22.698.G (1973 NL)

Girl Girl Girl is another heavy Glam Cruncher from The Netherlands. Zingara came from Coevorden and the line-up originally featured 4 members from Hartung Sound. After their first single (Mary Lee/This world - Pink Elephant 22.635-H) Richard Hartung left the band and the remainder of the group issued this single before splitting up for good. Although the tune itself holds few surprises, it’s a good foot-stomping performance suitably Neanderthal in attitude.

Click on title for a soundclip of Girl Girl Girl

Spiv –Oh You Beautiful Child

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 up there with the best. Little Child starts off like Dear Prudence but then turns into this Radio Birdman/ New Christ styled rocker with the vocalist sounding uncannily like Rob Younger! The single was produced and the A side written by Laurie Marshall - the same guy who was behind Grudge’s When Christine Comes Around/ I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In, Paul St. John (The Flying Saucers Have Landed) and Weeny Bopper (David, Donny And Michael). If anyone knows Laurie I would love to hear from him (email through my profile page). Laurie Marshall also released some Disco stuff, but I’m unsure if it’s the same person.

Oh You Beautiful Child appears on Glitter From The Litter Bin ( Sanctuary CMQCD675)

Click on title for edits of Oh You Beautiful Child and Little Girl

Stumblebunny –Tonite vs Tony Sherman –Tonight

Tonite from Stumblebunny –While You Were Out LP –Mercury 9198 135 (1979 French issue)

Tony Sherman –Tonight/Slippin’ Into Darkness –BASF 05 15455 0 (1974 NL)

The mystery to be cleared up here is how Tony Sherman had a hit on Holland in 1974 (number 11 in the charts) with Chris Robison’s Tonite which I originally thought first appeared on the Stumblebunny EP released in 1977 (see August 9th 2007 posting). Both version are credited to C. Robison and they are definitely the same song. I’ve uploaded a clip of the later 1979 Stumblebunny LP version produced by Richard Gottehrer. All 3 versions make one thing clear –the song is a total classic whichever version you pick.
Chris Robison’s website http://www.chrisrobison.net/index.html mentions the possibility of a CD release of the Stumblebunny stuff and it would be great have this stuff out as the album contains other ace Power Pop tunes including Walk Away and Knock’in Around.

Thanks to Jos for pointing out the Tony Sherman release and for sending me a copy!

Click below for edits of Stumblebunny’s Tonite and Tony Sherman’s Tonight

U.K. Jones –Let Me Tell Ya / And The Rains Came Down (The Mike Berry Story Part 1)

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Mike Berry recently. I had to hook up with him as I kept noticing his name on so many great “lost” singles (Ning, The One Hit Wonders, Small Wonder , UK Jones, Boneshaker, Biggles etc…). Mike Berry is not the same Berry as the “Are you being served”/ Tribute to Buddy Holly guy, nor is there any relation to Dave Berry or Chuck for that matter…Mike was a radio DJ, publisher (Sparta Florida and Apple- he signed Badfinger to Apple publishing), songwriter, producer , singer and overall music biz mover and shaker. For a Beatles overview of his career check out: http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/wordsofwisdom.shtml
Mike is currently working as Executive Producer on a series of programmes on UK labels for Capital Radio. Over the next installments, I’ll be uncovering some of these lesser known gems, starting with:

U.K. Jones –Let Me Tell Ya / And The Rains Came Down – Deram DM 231 (1969 UK)

Let Me Tell Ya has been referred to elsewhere as being the first ever Glam number and although it features handclaps and HEYs, this single is so much more than that. It’s a riotous performance with the same exuberance as found on Mike’s One Hit Wonders CBS single (Hey Hey Jump Now/ Goodbye). The tune is simply the mother of all hooks, the gang-show vocals give it a Frat Rock/Party feel and the driving beat hurtles along relentlessly. The key change at the end is a great touch –perfect and all so simple.
And The Rains Came Down is also really special and is like nothing else I've ever heard . It has this HUGE Gold Star drum sound, a wonderful upbeat bubblegum chorus and very LOUD thunder and rain effects.

Mike Berry: A lot of these singles were recorded quickly at the end of sessions. It was my release at the end of the sessions, to get the session men or band members and say “let’s do this, let’s do that” in the hope that something might happen. When I did the U.K. Jones single, it was while I was doing sound-alike records for a label called Reditunes. It was recorded at R.G. Jones in Morden. We were experimenting, trying to get the sounds that the Americans were getting. The influence of R.G. Jones was unbelievable as he taught me a lot in how to get those sounds. The name U.K. Jones came about because we recorded at R.G. Jones and I’m from the UK –it’s as simple as that!

Hear an edit of Let Me Tell Ya & And The Rains Came Down

Stumblebunny –Tonite

Stumblebunny -4 track EP –Slip-Shod Records (1977 US)

Tonite is simply a top draw Power Pop tune. While less glossy than the later Mercury version produced by Richard Gottehrer, it’s a fine rockin’ performance and sounds like The Raspberries or Dwight Twilley if they had recorded for Titan (well to these ears anyway…)

Click below for a full version of Tonite

Jabberwock & Disturbance –Sneakin’ Snaky

Jabberwock - Sneakin’ Snaky/Fortune Teller –MCA 264 (1977 UK)
Disturbance - Sneakin’ Snaky/Fortune Teller –MCA 566 (1980 UK)

Sneakin’ Snaky is one of those out-of-nowhere songs and performances. It’s part PRAM/New Wave with a touch of The Small Faces (the Artful Dodger vocals). The song builds nicely until the chorus kicks in…and what a chorus it is! It will sweep you along and is so damn catchy that it will never leave you. The version released later by Disturbance is simply a remix with added keyboards. It’s also great, but the Jabberwock mix is more powerful and just has the edge

Jabberwock were Neil Harrison (ex-Driftwood, k/gtr/v), Giz Van de Kleut (b), Chris Reeves (v/gtr, ex-Rock Candy), Pete Jennings (k, ex-Cressida) and an un-named session drummer. Chris Reeves was also playing with The Dyaks; Van de Kleut and Pete Jennings also took part in a May 1978 recording session intended for a second Dyaks single. Neil Harrison issued solo singles 78-79 (?). The group had split before the 1980 release of the remixed versions of the two tracks. Chris Reeves then recorded with Mystere Five's and released a solo single (assisted by Peter Jennings) on the Y label.

Thanks to Steve at Lowdown Kids for the background info

Click below for edits of the Jabberwock and Disturbance versions

Back From Belgium...

Just got back from a few days days in Brussels and yes, I just happened to stumble across some record shops when I was there... It was nice to see so much vinyl still being sold within a City centre. There was quite a lot of dross to get though and I didn't have the time to go through everything, but a couple of shops had some good stuff that was easy to spot(Jukebox and Collector)
It was a mixed bag but some of the finds included the following in pic sleeves:
Hector -Wired Up/ Bye Bye Bad Days (French )
The Smoke -My Friend Jack
Clique -Superman
Trems -You Can't Touch Sue
Teddy Lane -Do The Rock The Rock 'N' Roll
Milk 'N' Cookies -Little Lost And Innocent (French)
Shakane -Love Machine
Plastic Feet -Big Blond Baby (Belgian pic sleeve different from the Dutch one)
Doc & Prohibition -Generation

Plus a US 4 track EP from Stumblebunny on Slip -Shod Records ( 1977 -2 years before the LP), a Robin Goodfellow UK Demo on Dawn plus more Cardinal Point, Arrows and other pic sleeves

Barry Green –Papa Do

Barry Green –Papa Do/Boomerang –Decca F.13282 (1974 UK)

Barry Green is in fact Barry Blue and both sides of the single were co-written by Rubin (AKA Linsey De Paul). Papa Do is a fun commercial ditty, but with a nice fuzz part and engaging heavy pounding . Lynsey also released the song, but the ultimate killer version can be found on Cardinal Point's LP (Philips) where the performance is a dead ringer for Galahad’s Rocket Summer (Bell)

Click on title for an edit of Papa Do

The Eggy- You’re Still Mine

The Eggy- You’re Still Mine/Hookey-Spark SRL 1024 (1969 UK)

The Eggy were formed by ex-Sorrows guitarist Roger Lomas and possibly included Pip Whitcher (also ex Sorrows). You’re Still Mine is an amazing Proto Glam/ Late Freakbeat number with incredible over the top Wah Wah guitar effects and a superb twin lead break. It bridges the 60s and 70s perfectly and is a top tune as well. The B Side Hookey is also great, reminding me of The Smoke at their best.
Roger Lomas would later re-appear with Renegade (A Little Rock ’N’ Roll/My Revolution on Dawn) and The Dodgers before taking on a producer’s role in the late 70s/80s.

Click below for edits of You’re Still Mine and Hookey

The Sunshine Kid –My Linda

The Sunshine Kid –My Linda/Get Your Rocks Off Baby –RCA 2413 (1973 UK)

Post Apple single by Chris Hodge. My Linda has some real meaty power chords, a bit of funky Wah Wah and a strange Asiatic interlude, there’s a lot crammed in for sure. As for the subject of Chris’ desires…Perhaps this is why Chris was pushed or jumped ship from Apple???? The Beatle Oooohs are a nice touch in any case. Get Your Rocks Off Baby is a more straightforward boogie work out; again very strong in the guitar department.

Click on title for edits of My Linda and Get Your Rocks Off Baby

Latest shopping trip...

Just got back from a few days gallivanting around Witchfinder General territory. I Managed to hit one record fair plus a few record shops in Norwich and a car boot sale in Banham (not far off the B 1113)! I came back with around 50 singles -No real amazing finds, but cool stuff including some choice Bugglegum: Nevada Sound with a cool version of Gimme (Gimme) Good Lovin' on Pye, Bubbles -Hazy Hazy Crazy Crazy (in Europe they edited out the Crazy Crazy from the title), several Demos on UK including Sloply Bellywell, Robin, Handful of Cheek, Ricky Wilde...

A whole slew of Jam promos (Sylvester -Gimme Time, Bitter Suite -Six O' Clock News, Walter Mitty -Caroline etc...).

Biggest disapointment: A 1973 single on RCA under the name Hammerhead...weak poppy reggae.

Best deal -The Passengers -Something About You for 25 pence!

As for the Sakkarin single above? It is in fact a demo copy of Sugar Sugar!

Back soon...

Gisela Dreßler -48 Crash

Gisela Dreßler -48 Crash/ Can The Can –Amiga 455984 (1974 DDR)

Released in East Germany in ’74, Gisela delivers two admirable Suzy Quatro cover versions. Perhaps 48 Crash has the edge, but both performances are top draw and there is no lack of power within the grooves . Gisela (the perfect mix of Romy Schneider and Bobbie McGee?) shows no restraint in her delivery and the result is very convincing. I am unaware if there is a Lives Of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) subplot behind her story, but it’s great stuff to be enjoyed for what it is...

Click on title for edits of 48 Crash and Can The Can

Stanley Frank -Run For The Sun

Stanley Frank (S'cool Days) has recently updated his site with some new songs including an absolute corker called Run For The Sun. It's an unreleased early 80s song produced by Mick Ronson and is as good as The Raspberries' Cruisin' Music -Purepop ecstasy!

Click on title to go to Stanley's site

Andy Bown –Supersonic

Andy Bown –Supersonic/Feeling Better –GM GMS 9039 (1975 UK)

Yes, the same Andy Bown (and NOT Brown), who was the HE in The Herd, performing a storming version of the theme to Saturday morning’s TV Pop programme Supersonic. Produced by Tom Allom (Tiger etc…) it’s a cracker to be filed next to Dazzle’s Jim’ll Fix It (DJM).

For those born too late or residing elsewhere, Supersonic was the ultimate in UK Pop TV featuring many Glam greats and was just around long enough to embrace Punk (the appearance by The Damned was particularly memorable). Presented by school boy crush-maker Sally James and directed by the Cecil B. DeMille of morning TV Mike Mansfield, the show ran from September ’75 to April ’77. More information and a full list of appearances here: http://www.watkins1.freeserve.co.uk/supersonic.htm

Cue the music!

Click on title for a full version (3:17) of Supersonic

NQB –Long Long Weekend

NQB –Long Long Weekend/ Free The People –Hendrix Music Production SSS1040 (1973 Sweden)

NQB were an all female Swedish combo and Long Long Weekend is a rousing Junkshop Glam Stomper much in the tradition of Bonnie St. Claire or Heart (the Dutch one). Similar in chord structure to Bitch/ Mustard’s Good Time Coming, the performance is top notch with pounding piano and a mean lead guitar.
The B side is also interesting as it’s a gospel influenced rocker with mentions of freeing the people from the Bayou????
NQB had at least one album and more singles released, I would be interested to know if anything else lives up to the promise shown on this release.

Click on title for soundclip

No, It's not Ricky Wilde or Darren Burn...

...It's yours truly circa 1973 -Jeeez talk about being consistent!

Clutch –Black Angel

Clutch –Black Angel/ The Frighteners –EMI 2016 (1973 UK)

Black Angel is a 3 chord Boogie/Glam Cruncher with some neat revved –up Motorbike effects and Kim Fowley type grunts. The tune doesn’t really go anywhere, but you have got to dig those bike sounds… The B side is a pretty good up-tempo rocker. I couldn’t find any info on these guys, perhaps a one-off??

Click on title for a soundclip of Black Angel

Amsterdam –Mary Lou

Amsterdam –Mary Lou/ Best Friend –Pink Elephant 22.841 (1974 NL)

Amsterdam were members of the feared Ajax Inter-City Firm and they were always at the forefront when it came to bashing in Feyenoord skulls. They eventually rose beyond their violent notoriety when they started to bring their instruments to play for their mates on the football specials and somehow got themselves signed to the Pink Elephant label –They were even filmed for TV on a train performing this very same song!!!

….In fact Amsterdam were a bunch of namby- pamby hippie popsters (Indian Pipe), but they did appear on Van Oekel’s Discohoek performing this track in a studio train carriage…In any case Mary Lou is another fine example of period Boogie/Glam - nice and crunchy with a blistering lead break.

Click on title for soundclip

Polyphon -Estonian Glam 1974!

Unbelievable! I need this single -What further gems are there to be found behind ye old Iron Curtain -Tallinn here I come...

Marmalade –Our House Is Rockin’

Marmalade –Our House Is Rockin’/Hallelujah Freedom Blues –EMI 2071 (1973 UK)

Surprisingly heavy later release by the Cousin Norman mob. Both tunes are prime juicy cuts of Para Glam Boogie quite close to Hustler, Canyon, Geordie, Albatross etc…Marmalade had a pretty long career across several labels and some of their early singles and first album on CBS are definitely worth seeking out as they contained some great Psych/Pop (with 2 bass players!)

Click below for edits of Our House Is Rockin’ and Hallelujah Freedom Blues

Horizontal –Jennifer Generator

Horizontal –Jennifer Generator/ The Last Time –RCA 2140 (1972 UK)

I picked this one up on the strength of the title alone and it nearly lives up to expectation. I couldn’t find any information at all on this release, but Jennifer Generator is a late Bubblegum entry with a nice chord progression and lush harmonies. The use of a Fender Rhodes also adds an unexpected touch. The B side ups the tempo and has more than a hint of Buddy Holly/ Bobby Fuller as if channeled through Kasenetz/ Katz

Click on title for edits of Jennifer Generator and The Last Time

Me And Him –For The Sake Of The Show

Me And Him –For The Sake Of The Show/The Loving Arc –Dawn DNS 1108 (1975 UK)

Me And Him try their damn hardest to be The Beatles here, but end up sounding more like The Rutles on this fine vaudevillian Baroque Pop number. The orchestration and repetitive leitmotiv render the tune instantly hummable and the overall effect is a pure charm offensive. I don’t know who these guys were, but they released at least one further single Waiting Here on Dawn (DNS 1121) in1975.

Click below for a soundclip of For The Sake Of The Show

Bubbles –This Is Where The Hurdie Gurdie Heebie Geebie Greenie Meenie Man Came In

Bubbles –This Is Where The Hurdie Gurdie Heebie Geebie Greenie Meenie Man Came In/Zap N’ Cat –Decca Y-10832 (1975 Aussie issue)

Finally got my mitts on this great 2-sider. David has already reviewed this on his 784533 site (http://784533.co.uk/) and I can only second his opinion. Some may find the A side too quirky, but for me this is the essence of pure Bubbleglam and every bit as wonderful as its title. From the Chicory Tip gurglings to the near sea shanty vocals, this is a real gem to be cherished and sung along to! Zap N' Cat is an out and out Punker with a great cutting guitar sound, it also features a great lead and drum break. ENJOY!

Click on title for edits of HGHGGMM and Zap N’ Cat

Screemer – They’re On Bell Flexi (Interplanetary Twist)

Screemer – They’re On Bell-Lyntone –LYN 3534 (1976 UK)

This is a pretty naff flexi disc promoting Screemer’s Interplanetary Twist (Bell 1483). Anyhow it’s an opportunity to meet Adrian, Glen (is this 80’s plonker Zaine Griff?), Rob, Dave and Alan. The promotional effort didn’t work and Interplanetary Twist sank without a trace. This Phil Wainman production was also at least two years out of date, although it had a certain Rocky Horror edge; it didn’t get a chance to resonate with the public at the time. It seems that this same band had a later single on Arista (In The City), but is not to be confused with Screamer’s City Or Bust also on Arista that same year.

Click on title for the full Screemer flexi experience

Shake A Tail Suzy

Shake A Tail Suzy/ Meet Barry Sheene –Sound For Industry SF 144 (1973 UK)

Barry Blue meets Barry Sheene! This is a double sided promotional flexi disc for Suzuki that was issued in 1973 . Barry Blue produced and co-wrote Shake A Tail Suzy
under the pseudonym Barry Green. The A side is simply a different edit/mix of Big Wheel’s Shake A Tail (Bell 1310) that can also to be found on Velvet Tinmine, although this version predates it. There are more cycle noises, more suggestive purrs, plus other slight variants…The B side features an interview with Barry Sheene. It is yet to be confirmed if this is the same edit of the interview as the flexi that came with the February ’73 issue of Japanese Bikes Monthly.

I ‘ll post another “flexi” review in a couple of days.

Click on title for a full Shake A Tail Suzy

Ted Mulry Gang –Jump In My Car

Ted Mulry Gang –Jump In My Car/Give It To Me –Philips 6000192 (1976 German issue)

Although it shares a common theme with the Prowler single, this is nowhere near as pervy. In fact Jump In My Car is a comforting automotive Pub Rock/Boogie ditty quite close to what Dave Edmunds/ Rockpile were doing around the same time featuring a very similar use of monkey beat guitar chugging. Chris Spedding’s cover on his first RAK album is probably better known over here, but this is the original “hit” version. What’s next? Stan Collymore covering Bird Doggin’?

Click below for a soundclip of Jump In My Car

Sweeney Todd -Roxy Roller -German Pic Sleeve

Sweeney Todd -Roxy Roller/ Rue De Chance -Nova 6.11959 (1976 German issue)

Just an excuse to show off this classic German picture sleeve and as a reminder of the great slice of Power Pop/Glam found within

Hear a soundclip

Prowler –Pale Green Vauxhall Driving Man

Prowler –Pale Green (HMMMM) Driving Man/Jaywick Cowboy –Parlophone R5986 (1972 UK)

Welcome to the ongoing rummaging of future New Seekers boy Brian Engel’s closet. This is one twisted release for sure… Behind the nifty lead guitar and pop sheen of the chorus there’s a nasty tale lurking within. I bet Lyn Paul didn’t hear this one before the audition!

I’m that nasty shifty kind

That greasy 1950s kind

I’m a pale green HMMMM (Vauxhall) driving man…

Obscene and conniving

Pale green HMMMM (Vauxhall) driving man

I’m sure the management at the Vauxhall Luton plant weren’t too pleased to have their superior brand tarnished in this way, so the word Vauxhall has been replaced by a fuzz effect –It’s weird but strangely fitting. Does anyone know if any copies exist with the Vauxhall intact? I would love to hear it!

Be sure to also check out Brian’s later single by The Shambles (February 16th 2007 post)

BTW, I’m a proud Vauxhall driver, but thank god it’s of a darker shade of green!

Click below a full Pale Green (HMMMM) Driving Man

Barry Blood –Poor Annie

Barry Blood –Poor Annie/ On The Run –Alaska ALA 24 (1975 UK)

Supposedly a descendant of Captain Blood... Poor Annie is closer to middle of the range Pub Rock than all out buccaneering Glam. The guitar sound is relatively crunchy and the track comes across like Ducks Deluxe (playing the 100 club in October!) track with a few more chords thrown in. The B side is interestingly sparse. It was probably a live in the studio demo with just electric guitar, slightly off mic vocals and drums. Not quite Doctor Ross or John Lee Hooker, but pretty cool all the same. Barry later recorded an Eastenders off shoot song: Killing Time (Angie’s song) and She’s The Queen Of My Rock ‘N’ Roll in ‘82 .

Barry in the early 70s. Photo courtesy of Steven Blood

Click on title for edits of Poor Annie and On The Run

Kincade –Mo’Reen

Kincade –Mo’Reen/You Turned My World Around –Penny Farthing Pen 835 (1974 UK)

There’s a strange story going on here…. John Carter (Carter/ lewis, Ivy League, First Class etc…) and some session guys recorded and then had a continental hit using the name Kincade with Dreams Are Ten A Penny in 1972.Only there was no band…so the label got a guy called John Knowles to front the release, but he was soon replaced by members from Octopus to mime the song on TV. Things then start to get complicated as John Knowles reappeared releasing singles under the name John Kincade while John Carter continued putting out singles as Kincade with both acts being on Penny Farthing!

Anyhow Mo’Reen is a strange beast indeed with a cool mix of acoustic guitar, handclaps and its nasal vocal performance. The arrangement and production is remarkable throughout with its out there Roy Wood/T. Rex string part and bizarre orchestration; the sound really sucks you in. I would like to know more about the lineup here –There’s a compilation CD of Kincade stuff released, can anyone share the information perhaps contained in the liner notes?

Click below for a soundclip of Mo’ Reen