Singles Going Steady-The Sequel

In the greatness that we call the era of the 45. (Began around 1955, ended 1990 thereabouts) we have many selected singles that made it to the charts but we also had the majority of singles that didn't chart.   That became forgotten favorites from selected blogs.  That are fondly remembered, even though they didn't chart.  That were found as DJ copies and made the list the hard way.  Which is where most of them have popped up.  On the Crabb Singles Going Steady Series.

Our original blog which was part of the Top Ten Of The Week series took a while to catch on, but in the top ten of the month, The Singles Going Steady Blog has endure a cult following and even a response from a reader.

On the subject of Flash And The Pan Hey St. Peter which originally came out in 1977 on Midland International.  The song is basically the same version that you hear on the Epic 1979 LP, with the DJ 45 of this song has both long and short versions.  A moot point since radio never played it here but to these ears, the short version fades out at the final chorus.  So basically dear readers you not missing anything different than the You Tube version of the four minute version.

So here we are again.  Time to pick 10 singles from the archives from the great rock era up to around 1990. Some you may have heard, most you haven't.  If the SGS series keeps getting good ratings, we'll continue a part three in the future.  If not, we tried.

1.  In The Summertime-Mungo Jerry  (Janus J-125) 1970  A record found for free up at Record Collector, it was in very good condition despite it being a DJ copy and getting airplay from a forgotten AM station.  One of the best songs of summer ever written and it still has that summertime song magic that makes it fun to hear once in a while.  Of course, your friendly oldies station still has it in regular rotation. Request it often.

2.  Got It Made-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Atlantic 7-88966) 1988  It would been easier to include a more recognizable track from the classic rock years but I chose to go with this sorta hit from their American Dream flop and it's probably a rare track since both Steven Stills and Neil Young wrote this. Stills with the main music, Young with the bridge and middle 8 which kinda really doesn't fit the song all that well.  You can't beat the CSN harmonies though and even though this was more mainstream, I still think it was one of the highlights of American Dream.  Maybe someday I'll revisit American Dream but for now I'll stick with this single.

3.  Fly Away-The Original Blues Project (MCA 40154) 1973   The Blues Project only made two albums proper (Projections and the Al Kooper less Planned Obsolescence, anything else was live or compilations) but in 1973 Al Kooper decided to reunite the boys in Central Park and made a hard to find double LP for MCA Records which One Way reissued on CD for a year or two.  This live recording was released on 45 but radio never played this either and the only example was me finding a DJ copy of this.  One of Kooper's best sung songs ever.  At this time Kooper was having better luck producing Lynyrd Skynyrd and being a in demand producer.  But the black eye was Kooper's crappy 1979 Four On The Floor disco album for Casablanca which was beyond belief and almost ruin Kooper's credentials forever.  It's that bad.  Lately Kooper has done a blog called New Music For Old People for the Morton Report, to which he picks 10 forgotten songs or songs you should hear and has his own jukebox for it.  Example here http://www.themortonreport.com/entertainment/music/new-music-for-old-people-big-star-ryan-adams-allen-stone-and-more/
A side note: Glenn Hughes (Trapeze, Deep Purple, Black Mountain Communion) sings on the dreaded Four On The Floor LP but is uncredited, he didn't want no part of that monstrosity.  It's a rare LP of the fact that it sucks.  Pay anything over a penny for it and you'll be ripped off.  

4.  Heavy Music-Bob Seger (Abkco 4031)  1967   Originally Cameo 494.  Before he started doing the Springsteen ballad rock and roll sounds of Night Moves or Stranger In Town, Seger was a hard rocking Detroiter that made a couple singles for the old Cameo Parkway label before moving over to Capitol.  Hard to understand why Bob has never included this on any of his best ofs (he had to include Ramblin Gamblin Man or he would have been lynched by the faithful).  A great bass introduction and a melody to get y'all out on the dance floor.  Heavy Music Part 2 is considered a alternative version.  The folks at Abkco reissued this sometime in the 70s.  Reference:  http://www.segerfile.com/singles.html  

5.  On The Way Home-Buffalo Springfield  (Atco 45-6615)  1968  Another freebie single given to me by the Record Collector folk, this is one of the lesser charting songs from Buffalo Springfield, written by Neil Young but sung by Richie Furay with Neil in the background.  Later redone by Crosby Stills Nash & Young on the Four Way Street LP http://www.cover-vs-original.com/song-37.html

6.  Lookin For A Love-J. Geils Band  (Atlantic 45-2844)  1971  My first introduction to J. Geils Band came via WLS in Chicago when they played this 3:30 edit from The Morning After (I know neither KCRG or KLWW ever played it or if they did I knew nothing about it).  The frenzy live version from Full House was played on the underground FM station later.  I also remember seeing The J. Geils Band on the ABC In Concert series and even back then Peter Wolf was a force to be reckon with on stage.  Had a few more Atlantic singles that went to the top thirty and then they got big with a certain album called Freeze Frame.  But I prefer their rock and boogie of the early 70s more. Fun fact: Steven Bladd playing Zickos Drums on this live version.

7.  Listen To The Band-The Monkees (Colgems 66-5004) 1969  Every teenie bopper of the late 60s had The Monkees 45's in their collection.  Our cousins had them, so did the girl next door and yes I grew up watching their TV show on Saturday Mornings too.  But by the time this song came out Peter Tork left, the show got canceled and their movie Head was released to questionable reviews.  One of the very few songs that Mike Nesmith sang on that got released as A side (might be the only one but I'm too tired or lazy to look it up).  Mike would leave to form his own band and have a bigger hit with Joanne.

8.  Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy-Freddy Cannon (Swan 4050) 1960  Mr. Cannon has been highly influential in my 45's listening habits, since my mom had copies of Tallahassee Lassie and Way Down In New Orleans, it was always fun to find anything that Cannon released although I never did find very many of his sides later in life and in the 4 for a dollar bins.  This is actually a not too bad cover of the Red Foley country number.  Found this at Mad City Music Exchange Tuesday and would kill to get a copy of the Kookie Hat 45.

9.  Up From The Skies-Jimi Hendrix Experience (Reprise 665) 1968  Name association was always one my ways of getting 45's into my collection or con my mother into buying me some of the 4 for a buck specials that Arlans would have or Woolworth's (Yep I miss Woolworths).  Jimi Hendrix was one artist that even when I was 7 or 8 years old, I would seek what was out there on 45 and going to the record section at Arlans would bring out the freaks playing the jukebox (the dude that played Sookie Sookie 10 times and dancing about remains firm in my mind) but somehow on a trip to Fort Dodge nobody bothered to pick up this 45 from Jimi and company.  Like The Doors, Jimi is regarded as rock royality but back in 69 his and the Doors 45s were easily found for 29 cents apiece.  And I'm sure command a bit more in price.  My copy is pretty well played and wouldn't get much for but it's the value of having it in my collection remains precious to me.

10.  That's The Way A Woman Is-Messengers (Rare Earth R-5032)  1971  They were from Milwaukee and got a regional hit although it took me forty years to finally find a 45 of this song.  They were one of a few rock acts that were on the Rare Earth label, the label Motown reserved for rock bands or progressive rock (UFO actually had their first album out on Rare Earth).  Basically, your typical one hit wonder, and it's pure pop rock fun.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy-06ChtFUc 
PS: Ended up being a major hit in Japan.  Video is kind of corny.

Bonus cut:  Romeo And Juliet by Micheal And The Messengers (USA 874) Featuring Wayne Beckner on lead vocals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMYHhM8gj1Y&feature=related