It seems to me that March is one of those idea months for finding 45s of the lost cause. Granted, I'm not going to take much stock into finding rock and roll 45, unless they are jukebox copies and scratched and played to death. So I hold my breath and try to find the alternative sort of stuff, you know forgotten Northern Soul songs that Half Price Books have for 49 cents, or selective country or even pop songs. God knows I have seen a lot of the latter and documented them in the past. Last year at this time, somebody dumped a bunch of pop 45s at the Salvation Army and I bought about 20 and wrote out the results. Laughed at most of them and donated them back to the St Vincent De Paul. It's what we call recycling baby!
Between the good and the bad and the forgettable, lies a diamond in the rough, a single from a forgotten artist that makes you rediscover the music in the grooves. Some pop music has surprised me a bit, most didn't. I have actually liked a couple of Margaret Whiting's London 45s, Wheel Of Hurt but the B Side Nothing Last Forever was much better. Even in my bargain hunts of 45 hunting, I cannot bring myself to buy Frank Sinatra's 45s or even CDs; Waterloo's St. Vincent De Paul actually had four CDs in pristine shape including Ring A Ding Ding, but outside of the first Greatest Hits, I wasn't interested. But I did waste a quarter on a Mantovini's 45 Clair De Lune just to hear what the fuss was all about. The King of Muzak he was and forever will be, even though he did influenced Brian May.
At 57 years old and with time winding down, I'm have become more obsessed with finding the obscure 45 and longing for the days of when the label sent boxes of records out to radio stations and let the DJ's dictate what to play, instead of Corporate interests and radio playing the same 57 songs over and over. In reality the 50's through the 80s were a vast goldmine of music to be discovered through vinyl records and of course, those box set of mystery 45s that let me discovered High School USA (Washington DC Area), Piano Nellie, and Ben E King's Let The Water Run Down. Let's face it, I am not going to get wowed by bad rap, oversung R and B and modern rock that doesn't rock. I really doubt if my girlfriend will be impressed by Tony Roma or Jack Jones, but as long the music keeps me occupied she won't care at all and still love me for the record hoarder collection that I am.
Why continue to collect and hear oldies from artists nobody cares about you ask. Well, it's a way to remember the ones that made singles that time and radio have forgotten. Unless you look hard for them on You Tube before that goes away, you won't hear much if at all from a Melody Condos or Donald Hines or Teri Allen. And Grandpa Jones could sing a mean hillbilly number as well. Who's Len Snider? Hell I don't know but he made a single called I'll Be Coming Home Tonight. And it looks unplayed.
The selections of this Singles Going Steady came from Half Price Books but from a Ames radio station called KISU, which is the Iowa State University radio station. And I think will be a two part SGS blog. While sorting through the records yesterday, I forgot to pick up a couple 45s since there was a woman wanting to check out the ones that I didn't buy, I think she did buy Alley Cat from Bent Fabric and Garden Party from Rick Nelson but I had both of those 45's and didn't needed them. What I thought I had Bobby Day's Joe Blon I had Melody Condos instead. And sad to say that TD Boogie Woogie by The Crusaders, which would have been the find of the day, had a crack in the 45 making it unplayable. But at least I got a decent 45 record sleeve out of the deal.
On paper (or vinyl) I have some interesting finds. Boudleaux Bryant, who wrote the big hits for the Everly Brothers, had a EP of some of his best known songs. Joe Melson, songwriting partner to Roy Orbinson had a single for Hickory and Paul Desmond had a 45 of Take Ten, the answer record to Take Five, a song he made famous for Dave Brubeck. Thankfully that record is not broken or cracked. In some ways, this blog does give a peek inside of what would going on at KISU in the mid 60s although I'm sure these 45s were stuffed in a box and donated somewhere till somebody picked them up, thought they sucked and got a few cents out of them at HP Books. I tend to have a good judgement about 90 percent of the time and I do believe these selections are the pick of the litter. But I do know I have been known to be wrong at time and finding crappy singles and donate them back to charity after the results. But I make sure I document the good and the bad and reserve judgement till I need to clear space. And we all know I'll be doing that before my next trip to Madison.
1) You Were On My Mind-Ian & Sylvia (Vanguard VRS-35025) 1964
Of course We Five did a version of this with a few years later (Chet Powers alterated the lyrics a bit but melody still remains strangley familair) but the duo of Ian Tyson and Sylvia Fricker did score a Canadian hit this lively folk number. B side Someday Soon, would be a minor hit for Judy Collins and is only 2 minutes long. I like this version better than Judy's.
2) High Is Better Than Low-Melodye Condos (RCA 47-8234) 1963
What I thought I had the Bobby Day single, turned out to be this one instead and by the time I raced back to Half Price Books, that record was long gone. Condos has a Doris Day styled vocal to this dated pop song that nobody bought but it's only a minute forty five. More of positive Connie Francis style I guess, but not exactly memorable. B side Lonely People Do Foolish Things would have worked better for Brenda Lee or Lesley Gore, or Connie Francis for that matter.
3) Can't Run To Daddy Anymore-Teri Allen (ABC Paramount 10482) 1963
Unlike Melodye Condons, Teri Allen benefited from better production and songwriting from Paul Vance which sounds like He's A Rebel. Perhaps the Wrecking Crew might had a hand in playing the music. B side Her Or Me, with the screaming MAKE UP YOUR MIND opening intro line grabs your attention. Kinda a minor Lesley Gore vibe.Make up your mind? I'll pass.
4) I'll Be Coming Home Tonight-Len Snider (All Boy 45-8507) 1963
Turning our attention to the lesser known teen idols nobody heard about comes from Len Snider which adds a bit of British backback to Len's Bobby Vee vocals. Or is it Bobby Rydell? B Side Everybody Knows is a more of teen ballad, somewhat like Dion. But a good chance you'll never hear it, unless somebody posts it on You Tube.
5) TD's Boogie Woogie-The Crusaders (Cameo 285) 1964
A shame this record had a crack in it, but it's a teen version of the old boogie woogie number Pinetop Perkins played back in the 1920s. No relation to the Jazz Crusaders of Put It Where You Want It fame. B side At The Club is a jazzier number but basically background music regardless.
6) Trouble Is My Name-Donald Himes (Hi-2068) 1963
Early soul music from the folks at Hi Records and one can detect the genius of Willie Mitchell and the Hi Rhythm Section although this would be the only single that Donald put out. One of those actual one hit wonder would have happened if the label would have promote this better but this does sound like a one take demo. B side You Had To Pay is more straight lined blues, something that Bobby Bland would have done. I do know Willie Mitchell has his fingers all over the production. A Northern Soul classic before it's time.
7) Your Goose Is Cooked-Little Rose Evans (Tahoe Records 45-2357) 1963
Did you ever by a record simply of the fact of the title make you want to check it out? Case in point this hard charged R and B number complete with a mumbling bass vocal as the hook. A call and response between Little Rose and the chorus shouting back the title line. The other side Minutes and Hours probably was destined as the plug side. A bit more polished the Goose Is Cooked but not as much fun although I still get a kick out of hearing Mr. Bass mumbling along. Ray Ellis on the arrangements.
8) Reassure Me-Eddie Bo (Cinderella 1203) 1963
From New Orleans Eddie Bo recorded for a variety of labels (Chess, Ric, Ace) and this was one of two singles that he recorded for the NOLA based Cinderella label to which London Records picked up distribution. Best known for Check Your Bucket that Duke And The Drivers covered later. Reassure Me owes a bit to Professor Longhair but with a soul beat and Chris Kenner too. The guesswork is that The Meters might have been the backing band. B side Shake Rattle And Soul is more of the same NOLA R and B. But it doesn't really excite me that much.
9) Hot Biscuits And Gravy-Marvin & Johnny (Felsted 45-8681) 1963
Another soul biscuits jammer, Marvin And Johnny recorded sides for Speciality (Day In And Day Out) and Modern (Ko Ko Mo) and Aladdin before doing this one off single for Felsted about the joys of hot biscuits and gravy. Thank you guys, you just made me hungry on that one. B Side I'm Tired Of Being Alone is doo wop blues soul and the better side.
10) My Little Lady-Grandpa Jones (Monument 820) 1963
He was more than the novelty act on Hee Haw, Jones had some very good country sides for RCA, King and Monument and he does a cool take on the Jimmie Rogers number, with a little help from Nashville's finest musicians, most notably the ones who played on the RCA recordings of other artists. You can tell by that polished and echoes sound (Floyd Cramer, Jerry Reed, Murray Harman, Anita Kerr). Grandpa Jones needs a good overview album for his accomplishments to country music. B side Away Out On The Mountain continues that Nashville sound complete with Jones' Yodel. They don't make em like that anymore.
11) Stay Away From Her-Joe Melson (Hickory 45-1229) 1963
Melson is better known for co writing songs with Roy Orbinson but he did strike out on his own. This was his final single on Hickory. A more bouncy and uptempo number I gather this fell under too rock for country department since it didn't take off. B side His Girl sounds eerily like Only The Lonely if Buddy Holly would have sang it.
12) Take Ten-Paul Desmond (RCA 47-8264) 1963
Perhaps the find of the batches of 45, was Paul's update on Take Five. And one of the reason I continue to search of the obscure and elusive 45s that time has forgotten. Desmond has one of the coolest sax sound in the jazz era, which would perfectly in Dave Brubeck and at times on his own, Even his old Columbia producer George Advirian on board too. B side Embarcadero is more of a bossa nova type of jazz that Desmond and Jim Hall trade leads. Tastefully done.
Part 2
13) Tommy Makes Girls Cry-Kelly Garrett (Ava C-137) 1963
More of the pleasant but forgettable Lesley Gore vibe. Less interesting on the B side Baby It Hurts.
14) Dreamy Moon-Boots and Idaho (RCA 47-8211) 1963
WOW, this is hillbilly music, even for RCA standards, this is much rougher than the smooth sounds they got out of Jim Reeves and the others. This song inspired me to Google Boots Faye and it turns out she recorded two singles for Capitol with Idaho Call, her singing partner and husband. Originally on Callfrye, RCA picked it up in 1963. A honky tonk hillbilly waltz with an accordion for lead instrument this is the oddball single find of the day. B side Tip Toes shows off Boots' guitar playing skills. She was actually quite good. http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artists/story/index.php?id=14759
15) What Do They Know-Carol Montgomery (Sound 7 Stage 45-2512) 1963
More girl pop, to which Ray Stevens produced under the Ahab Productions banner. Carol was married to Bob Montgomery (Buddy Holly) and they did a few singles for Warner Brothers under Bob And Carol. One of two singles she released on her own name with Bob writing the songs. She was also a in demand background singer (Elvis, Jimmy Buffet, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton). B side Wish I Didn't Love Him is a fun little girl pop romp, which is over and done in under two minutes.
16) A Week In The Country-Ernest Ashworth (Hickory 45-1237) 1963
While 1963 may have not been a ideal year for Rock n Roll, country was doing quite well, even for the minor artists. Usually Hickory Records could be relied upon putting out good to great music, after all they had access to the Acuff-Rose Publishing Company but on this song Ashworth records something from Baker Knight and 4 Star Publishing. Baker Knight wrote a few hits for Ricky Nelson at that time but Week In The Country didn't do much on the charts, although it might have skirted the bottom reaches of the top 100. B side Heartbreak Avenue is a country weeper which sounds like Big Al Downing is playing piano or Floyd Cramer. Whoever is playing piano has that perfect honky tonk tone.
17) A Statue In Windows-Lorry Peters (Hickory 45-1228) 1963
Lorry made two singles for Hickory, this one was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Bye Bye Love) and is a country weeper. B side she tackles What About Me, which is written by Don Gibson and is the better song. Sounds a lot like Let's Think About Living.
18) I Had To Run Away-Jimmy Elledge (RCA 47-8241) 1963
His biggest hit was a cover of Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away but Elledge had more of pop shine than actual country, his vocals are more like Narvel Felts and Chet Atkins actually steered him more towards pop than country. There's Nothing Left For Me is a torch ballad. The next to last RCA single Jimmy would issue, he would move over to Hickory Records for more of the same. Singles nobody bought.
19) As Long As There's A Sunday-Justin Tubb (Groove 58-0024) 1963
The son of Ernest Tubb, Justin made recordings for Decca and later Groove/RCA, This song is the template of the Nashville Sound of the 1960s for RCA, Anita Kerr backing singers and Chet Atkins polished productions made it a first rate song. Again, like most of these 1963 singles that I've been playing, none made the charts and if they did they didn't chart too high. B side When Love Goes Wrong was written by Dottie West. Just for the record I do enjoy the RCA Nashville Sound at that time.
20) Day Dreamin-Norm West (Hi 45-2073) 1964
Back to the early soul of the Memphis sound, West was a journeyman soul singer that made two singles for Hi Records and with Willie Mitchell producing. Minor Northern soul ballad. B side Angel Of My Dreams, more of the same, or rather less.
21) You Can't Stop Me From Dreaming-Betty O'Brien (ABC Paramount 45-10461) 1963
Popcorn soul as they call it. One of two singles Betty recorded for ABC. Not exactly impressed with this song. B side I Don't Feel A Thing is rocking R and blues. Probably would have better as a A side.
22) I Don't Stand A Chance-Rosco Gordon (ABC-Paramount 45-10501) 1963
As we close this Singles Going Steady blog about the finds of the month, I think this is the first time I ever had most of the songs come from the same year. Which goes to show that 1963 wasn't exactly a memorable year but at least we didn't have to contend with Broken Wings or Sweet Chile O Mine, but thank your lucky stars The British Invasion turned things around. Rosco Gordon recorded for many labels, best known hit was Just A Little Bit for Vee Jay in the 1950s. But on his final ABC single he goes more a more soulful strut with a bit of Motown thrown in to appease the kiddies. Which still didn't sell. B side That's What You Did, Rosco duets with Barbara Gordon, who adds a bit of something extra but not enough to remember this song after you played it.
23) She's No Lady-Lyle Lovett (Curb/MCA 53246) 1988 #17 country
Lyle has been a outside country legend since he broke in 1986 but I find him to be acquired taste although I did like the easy swing of She's No Lady but the B side Pontiac is boring the hell out of me as I write this.
24) If I Were A Carpenter-Johnny Cash & June Carter (Columbia 4-45064) #36 1970
They were perfect together. B side is Cause I Love You
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