Stiff Little Fingers- Alternative Ulster & 78 R.P.M.

 I guess I have been a punk phase lately. Amazon prime has all these fantastic documentaries on punk rock and over the past week I have watched documentaries on: X, Stiv Bators, Jawbreabreaker, Brainiac, Bad Brains. The energy has spilled over into the blog and I upload one of my favorite 45's of all time.

Time Zone - World Destruction

John Lydon--love him or hate him - he is outspoken, definitely political, and speaks whatever is on his mind not matter who it may tick off. But I read recently that his wife has dementia and he is her full time caregiver. That is something everyone should admire. There are only a few post Sex Pistol releases of John's I like and John and Afrika's vocals work very well. I've had this on 12" single for 30 years and only recently ran into this 45 and PS

Tom Robinson Band - Up Against The Wall

I try to avoid talking politics. But there is no doubt in my mind that Democracy is up against the wall. Our politicians should be standing up for what is right and what is fact not sticking to falsehoods and the party line. I don't care if you are a Democrat or Republican...it should be about the America. Those politicians that stand up for what is right should not be chastised for doing so. They should be celebrated.  For those social media followers out there...do you research before posting. There are too many people in this world with agendas out there posting false bull shit.  Don't keep the falsehoods going by forwarding them and keeping them alive. 

Tom was before his time- Brilliant Punk at it's finest

The Minus 5- Nine Lives to Rigel Five

I have this love for late 70's power pop 45s and plan on having a week long extravagana of them in the future. I have uploaded some power pop in the past: (see Chris Stamey, Big Star, Flamin Groovies, Leopards, Plimsouls) etc but I really have neglected it in both uploads and collecting. Of course some of the songs on my wish list are pricey as hell. I'm not going to say tonight's offering is powerpop. The Minus 5 have been around awhile and they recorded a couple of Game Theory songs for this CARA 45 record club. I never go more than a week without listening to some Game Theory and Scott Miller's other band The Loud Family. They were criminally overlooked. Scott left this world in 2013 and the world is worse off for it...that is a fact!  So when I read that the Minus 5 were putting this out I immediately joined the CARA club..it was pricey for 12 45's but the ones I have received have been pretty good.  So enjoy this early Game Theory song by the Minus 5 and I have even included the Game Theory version.

Del Shannon - Led Along

The stock copy of this Del Shannon 45 had eluded me for quite a while. I had copies of the promo variations but in the last few months lucked into the stock copy. This so reminds me of the Beach Boys Pet Sounds era...fantastic. Why was this not a hit?????

During my running around today I found a copy of his Little Town Flirt LP on Big Top for a buck...cool. Now if I could only find the "I Can't Believe My Ears" 45 on Amy. 

The Epitome of Sound- You Don't Love Me

 I have posted each night this week...wow, just like old times. To keep with the old routine tonight is SOUL night. I picked this slice of sweetness up in September. Pricey and so so sweet. Now this is what I am talking about when you need to get in that sweet groove where the vocals and music just melt into your being!

Jan & Dean - Yellow Balloon

 It has been bitter cold the last few days. So I felt the need for some sunshine pop. This Jan & Dean one off for Columbia records was really just Dean as Jan was still recovering from the auto accident. I read  that Gary Zekely so disliked this version he shopped it around. The Yellow Balloon version competed with this one and it won the battle of the charts as this one for J&D only bubbled under the top 100. But I do like this version alot. I've had the promo copy for years but stumbled on the stock copy within the last year

The Stranglers - Duchess

 Let's keep the odd ones a comin...US record companies had no clue what to do with the Stranglers. They were on quite a few labels but really had no success in the US of A. I first discovered them in 1985 or so when I found their A&M pink vinyl 45 EP with sleeve for a quarter (uploaded it last year). I was hooked and remember spending money to eat on as a poor college student at a yard sale on a bunch of Stranglers albums and 45s...side note, the guy selling them had the most amazing punk lp/45 collection and I was broke. It sad what I had to pass on. I'm pretty sure I picked this up that day. The world lost Dave Greenfield to Covid last year...F'in COVID

U.K. Subs - Tomorrow Girls

Last night I posted that A&M was a weird label. What I meant was that they seemed to put out a lot of promos, of punk and alternative groups but I am not sure they really promoted them. I mean, they released a Bauhaus 45 and Picture sleeve, without probably really understanding Bauhaus and how to market them. Tonight I have another one that is equally weird. Here we have a Promo US 45 of a punk classic from U.K. Subs but get this, it references a forthcoming LP that was never released in the USA. What the hell was RCA thinking?????

 

Split Enz - I Got You

 My Sunday recording mishmash hit almost all the genres...I hit the alternative/punk side pretty heavy..some quite political. But tonight I think I'll go for the poppier side of punk. I remember the first time I heard this song I was blown away. The video killed it as well. All these years later it still has not dulled for me. This should have been a smash in the US but dented the charts at I believe #53... A&M was a weird label...see plenty of promos of their 45's and they put out quite a few Split Enz picture sleeves

The New Goldenaires- You Can't Hide From GOD

 I spent some time this afternoon recording songs to my computer. One thing is for sure...I have a wide range of taste...eclectic as hell...oops...should not swear but specially on a Sunday.  Tonight is a 45 from a Kinston Label. I was fortunate enough this past summer to meet James, the last surviving member of this band. He had been searching for a copy of this and picked up my extra copy. All copies of this I have seen have been well worn....and you know why....because it is KILLER witha Kapital K

Twice As Much Band - Crystal Coast

I am not a big fan of Shag music and I definitely can't dance it..lol. But every once in awhile I hear something shag that catches my fancy. I have no clue who this band is or if they released anything else but it swings and grows on me more and more when I listen to it. Mega Sound Studios was located in Bailey NC and that is not too far from me and my guess is this was released in the 80's but that is just a guess. There were no listing for this band/song on discogs so I entered this one into their database and now someone has a G+ copy for 20 bucks. Have no clue if it is hard to find but I think it is a keeper

The Unknowns- All Over The World

Phil Spector died this week with fairly little notice that I could see. While he was a musical genius, and I am a fan of the Spector Sound...it's hard to celebrate a man and heap praise on him due to the flaws he had...actually flaws do not accurate describe his issues and depravity. But do you penalize the artists that recorded for him....I think not. The Ronettes should be celebrated..I updated the link to this Ronettes song I posted in 2011  http://poppacool.blogspot.com/2011/05/ronettes-best-part-of-breakin-up.html

Tonight I thought I would upload a nice cover version. The original of this was an album cut by the Youngbloods. The Youngbloods had some catchy songs and I do not believe they issued this as a 45..glad for this obscurity

Binky Griptite - Stone Soul Christmas

 I only recorded a few Christmas 45's this year. Here is an interesting B side

Ken Williams Baby If You Were Gone & Come Back

 Here's a killer double sided 45 uploaded by request. I recorded the B side first as I think that is the raver everyone digs but I kinda like the ballad A side..go figure 

Derek And The Dominos- Bell Bottom Blues

 One of my faves and finally found a copy of the promo Clapton 45 with the promo exclusive sleeve.  The recorded version is the Derek and the Dominos version

Bobby Green and the Sportsmen- Little Heart Attacks

I am sitting here drinking coffee and getting ready for the work day in my home office. I am fortunate that I can do work at home but I do prefer my office. I went to the office yesterday and the building was empty...weird to see that. So after 45 minutes on the treadmill this morning, a nice hot shower and my mind wandering to all the things I need to do today. One of the things that popped in the ole noggin was how I have neglected this blog. I am not sure where November went. I had plans for this blog...had recorded more 45s, took pictures and next thing I know it is the holiday season. Oh my I have Christmas songs but have not recorded them....I must get busy. But first things first. Upload this, fix another cup of coffee and get rolling on work and prepare for the webinar..

So here is a nice local bopper. I've purchased some cool 45s in Elm City before but did not find this one there. If you are driving through Elm City...don't blink or you will miss it!

 

Screamin Jay Hawkins - I Hear Voices

 Wow, crazy day. I went to an organized auction but they had what I imagine is over 4000 lp's and a few thousand 45s. I waited all day but I got them. There is lots of obscure bands and I have yet to look at them. A few killer lp's like Bo Diddleys 1st Lp. I filled my truck up and now what to do with them. Guess I will be cleaning out the shed

Tonight is a recent pickup

The Jam - In The City

 Well Saturday went without a hitch although I did not get the Mingus LP. They had 1 copy and the guy in front of me picked it up. I don't think he wanted it but overheard me ask the owner if they had any. I then heard him ask for a record mailer. They also did not have the Strum & Thrum comp but I think I have tracked down one of those. 

Tonight I post one of my all time faves. It took me years to find a copy of this and it was an elusive stock US copy with the Picture Sleeve. Promos seem to be easier to find but I am still trying to find me a promo that is affordable. The Jam were pretty much over by the time I discovered them back in the 80's. Very underappreciated here in the states!

Renaldo Domino - Never Thought

 Another COVID19 Friday....Saturday means creeping out into the public to Record Store Day. I have an 8am appointment (love the reservations) so I should get the few things I am looking forward to tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the Verlaines LP, the Charles Mingus LP (can't believe I don't have that one). I'm also considering the Church Gold Afternoon Fix, The Bob Mould LP, The Who live LP and the American Jangle Underground LP. Who knows, may even get brave and venture out elseware. I mean, I know I need to go to Target to get my Dog his food as he is picky and likes only a certain brand that Target carries.

Tonight I am sharing a new 45 I ordered last month. I found a copy of a Renaldo Domino mid/late 60's 45 on Smash (unfortunately it is cracked but it plays). I loved it and when searching found out he put this out last year. What a voice. How did this guy never make it big. I say support him and order it from Happy As A Lark records.