Classic 45's Jukebox

Bang The Drum All Day by Todd Rundgren

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:49:02 -0800

Label: Bearsville/Coll. 0330
Year: 1983
Condition: M
Price: $4.50

Originally released on Bearsville 29686. One of my wife's absolute favorites, it's gotta be in the Classic 45's jukebox! Seriously, if you don't know this one, you're missing out. Take one puff, and you'll be instantly hooked! :-)

The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em) by Greg Kihn Band

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:45:11 -0800

Label: Beserkley 47149 dj
Year: 1981
Condition: M
Price: $18.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed Stereo/Mono white-label promo copy, in its original picture sleeve. One of the truly great moments in American power pop.

I Hear Trumpets Blow by Tokens

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:14:30 -0800

Label: B.T. Puppy 518
Year: 1966
Condition: M
Price: $18.00

This great single is one of only two Top 40 hits that these guys scored after their chart-topping classic from 1961, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Nearly every Tokens single is worth seeking out if you're a fan of that 1960s pop form called "Sunshine Pop," which is characterized mainly by a vocal harmony sound deriving from early 1960s doo-wop, Beach Boys-style vocals, and folk-rock harmonies, on top of a Power Pop/Bubblegum Rock rhythm section. The B side of this 45 is a delightful, propulsive soul-ish cover of the Kornfeld-Duboff song that Billy and the Essentials recorded the same year.

Find Another Fool by Marcels

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:47:59 -0800

Label: Colpix 606
Year: 1961
Condition: M-
Last Price: $33.00. Not currently available for sale.

This is a terrific obscurity... While the A side is a nice — and predictable — doo-wop version of "Sunshine," the real action is on the flip. "Find Another Fool" finds the group making a convincing transition to soul a la the Drifters or Contours. Sweet! Note: This copy comes in a vintage Colpix Records factory sleeve.

Mary, Oh Mary by Fats Domino

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:06:09 -0800

Label: ABC-Pmt. 10567
Year: 1964
Condition: M-
Last Price: $18.00. Not currently available for sale.

Both sides of this single are rockin' northern soul dancers. Note: The A side audio is affected by a slight off-center pressing, though not noticeable until halfway through the track. This copy comes in a vintage ABC-Paramount Records factory sleeve.

Mr. Lee by Bobbettes

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:51:37 -0800

Label: Atlantic Oldies 13044
Year: 1957
Condition: M
Last Price: $8.50. Not currently available for sale.

Originally issued on Atlantic 1144. This is a new copy of the Silver/Black Atlantic Oldies release, in its original sleeve. "Mr. Lee" is one of my absolute favorite girl group singles, not only because it was one of the first, but because the arrangement is so terrific (love that little guitar twang thang that pops up between vocals!) and the lead singer is so growly passionate about her guy. :-) My only question is, What happened to her, and the other Bobbettes? They had one or two other Atlantic singles and then disappeared into rock'n'roll obscurity (as far as I know).

(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone by Aretha Franklin

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:44:45 -0800

Label: Atlantic 2486
Year: 1968
Condition: M-
Price: $18.00

This styrene pressing has pristine audio! Note: The A side is rated #359 in Dave Marsh's 1001 list... it's the B side that's rated at #127. Note: This single is from a large collection we've purchased whose records typically have mint or near-mint audio and near-mint vinyl. The labels are near mint as well, but the owner had a habit of writing a date in small print on the B side label. Note: This copy comes in a vintage Atlantic Records factory sleeve.

Sugar Mama (You Know You're My Baby) Part 1 by Benny Gordon

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:19:52 -0800

Label: Estill 1000
Year: 1968
Condition: M
Price: $30.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy of the first issue of this terrific single, with the original South Carolina address shown for the record company.

Mirror Star by Fabulous Poodles

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:03:34 -0800

Label: Epic 50666
Year: 1979
Condition: M
Price: $8.50

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original factory sleeve. An essential early Modern Rock track from the Poodles that features a lyric, melody, and arrangement that would do their senior compatriots The Who proud.

Don't Ever Let Me Know by Bobby Fuller Four

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:36:47 -0800

Label: Mustang 3016
Year: 1966
Condition: M-
Last Price: $20.00. Not currently available for sale.

What a terrific single... not only do you get an amazing cover of a great Buddy Holly classic, but the self-penned flip is what power pop dreams are made of!

Too Much Monkey Business by Chuck Berry

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:03:20 -0800

Label: Chess 1635
Year: 1956
Condition: EX
Price: $40.00

One of Chuck Berry's very best—and hardest to find—singles. Both sides are classics! Note: The A side audio is a weak EX, and the B side is a strong EX. The label has a fair amount of ringwear, but no writing or stickers, etc.

Good Grease by Mark III Trio

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:43:50 -0800

Label: Wingate 015
Year: 1966
Condition: M-
Price: $22.50

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy. This single comes complete with two killer soul instrumentals. Great stuff!

Yester Love by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:23:22 -0800

Label: Tamla 54167
Year: 1968
Condition: M-
Last Price: $12.00. Not currently available for sale.

This is one of those lesser-known Miracles tunes that deserves better... Some folks may associate it with Stevie Wonder's relatively dreadful "Yester-You, Yester-Me...", but it shares nothing with that single but one word in the title. Credited to Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. Note: This copy comes in a vintage Motown Records factory sleeve.

Losing My Religion by R.E.M.

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:48:00 -0800

Label: WB 19392
Year: 1991
Condition: M
Last Price: $9.00. Not currently available for sale.

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy. Having been a big R.E.M. fan since their 1983 debut ("Radio Free Europe"), and then watching their career unfold... not always in a direction I was thrilled about... I remember being totally astounded to hear this one. Not only was it a magnificent return to their roots musically, but it's a simply superior pop song. Nothing simple about it, but it sounds so simple! And consider this: "Losing My Religion" has no chorus. How do you make a pop song a hit that has no hummable chorus? And yet on the strength of its music and lyrics--totally legible, it's so right-on as a tale of fragile, vulnerable love--"Religion" went on to become the biggest chart hit of the group's career. Deservedly so, and it anchored an album of similarly worthy note. As with most R.E.M. singles, the B side is a previously unreleased, non-LP cut. Note: Dave Marsh included this single in his 1999 addendum to the original list of 1001 greatest singles, originally published in 1989.

New Age Girl by Deadeye Dick

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:38:26 -0800

Label: Ichiban 232
Year: 1994
Condition: M
Price: $8.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy. Gray/Purple, marbled vinyl. Hilarious, sexy, and wonderful modern rock'n'roll!

Everyday of the Week by Students

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:59:22 -0800

Label: Checker 902
Year: 1958
Condition: EX
Last Price: $17.50. Not currently available for sale.

This is the original Checker release from 1958, when unaccountably the single failed to make the charts. (Checker had picked the record up from the small Note label, which had released the songs earlier in the year on Note 10012.) When re-released on Argo in 1961, the A side managed to hit the R&B top 40. But the enduring mystery is how the incredibly catchy B side failed to catch on. But wait! Someone was listening, for only 5 months later, the Dovells had a smash with a song called "Bristol Stomp" that is basically just a re-write of "Everyday of the Week". Not much comfort to P. Tyus, who wrote both of the Students songs, but hey... this was the early days of rock'n'roll when stealing hits from black artists was still pretty much tolerated. Still, one of the reasons this single rates so highly with doo-wop fans is the incredible, raw power of that young lead singer's voice as he starts to tell you the story of his frustrated love life. You gotta be able to remember being young to really understand, but as Dave Marsh says in explaining why it's at #254 in his list of the 1001 greatest singles, he manages to convey his life story in a very meaningful way here.

Rocky Mountain High by John Denver

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:31:42 -0800

Label: RCA 0829
Year: 1972
Condition: M
Last Price: $12.00. Not currently available for sale.

If you have room for only one John Denver single in your collection, please make it this one! Truly sublime. And this copy has precisely what you want when taking it in: Crystal clear audio.

Bitch by Rolling Stones

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:15:53 -0800

Label: Rolling Stones 19100
Year: 1971
Condition: M-
Last Price: $20.00. Not currently available for sale.

This is one of the greatest of the Stones two-sided monster hits. Well, the B side didn't actually chart, but it's so great it really should have. Presumably, radio just wasn't ready to play a song called "Bitch" yet... though they were prepared by 1975 when Elton John hit the Top 10 with "The Bitch Is Back."

OK, trivia time again... "Brown Sugar" was one of eight #1 U.S. singles by the Stones. The group also had eight chart-toppers in their native England, though over there they garnered all of those hits during the 1960s.

Here is the list of the Stones' #1 U.S. singles:

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (1965)
Get Off My Cloud (1965)
Paint It, Black (1966)
Ruby Tuesday (1967)
Honky Tonk Women (1969)
Brown Sugar (1971)
Angie (1973), and
Miss You (1978)

For comparison's sake, here are their #1 U.K. hits. You'll notice that the group gained monster popularity about a year earlier than they did in the U.S., same as the Beatles.

It's All Over Now (1964)
Little Red Rooster (1964)
The Last Time (1964)
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (1965)
Get Off My Cloud (1965)
Paint It, Black (1966)
Jumpin' Jack Flash (1968)
Honky Tonk Women (1969)

Note: This copy has a small number written on the B side label.

Pepper Snake by Cactus Channel

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:41:28 -0800

Label: HopeStreet 6495
Year: 2011
Condition: M
Price: $9.00

If any of you thought soul was dead, take a listen to this little modern wonder. The group does an amazing 2011 version of what King Curtis called "Memphis Soul Stew!" And the single actually has a large spindle hole!

Dance Of Love by Charlie Rich

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:58:34 -0800

Label: Smash 2012 dj
Year: 1965
Condition: M-
Last Price: $20.00. Not currently available for sale.

These are two great soul sides from one of the greatest figures in Rock'n'Soul (including country, of course!). The flip is a made-for-dancing, no-holds-barred Northern Soul number that'll partly explain why the album title from which these tracks were taken is named The Many New Sides of Charlie Rich.

True Blue by Madonna

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:37:09 -0800

Label: Sire 28591
Year: 1986
Condition: M
Price: $18.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original picture sleeve. Dave Marsh was right to give this great Madonna hit such a high ranking in his list of the 1001 greatest singles every made... it's a perfect pop confection and a gorgeous blend of 1980's dance rock and 1960's girl group rock. This is a copy of the limited edition pressing on clear blue vinyl.

I Get Wild-Wild Gravity by Talking Heads

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:26:32 -0800

Label: Sire 29565
Year: 1983
Condition: M
Last Price: $15.00. Not currently available for sale.

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original picture sleeve. Absolutely essential early 1980's modern dance rock... both sides are dance classics from 1983. Note: The back flap of the picture sleeve with this copy has a small slit at the top.

2000 Miles by Pretenders

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:50:45 -0800

Label: Sire 29444
Year: 1983
Condition: M
Price: $15.00

Note: Dave Marsh includes '2000 Miles' at #630 in his list as the greatest new Christmas song of the 1980's. The A side is also in Marsh's list... at #805!

Somebody's Changin' My Sweet Baby's Mind by Little Milton

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:55:59 -0800

Label: Checker 1231
Year: 1970
Condition: M
Price: $15.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original factory sleeve. I think I'm in love with this single... it's that good (both sides!). Both sides in true stereo. Note that the artist adds "Campbell" to his name credit on this single (is this the only one?)

Won't Be Long by Aretha Franklin

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:54:28 -0800

Label: Columbia 41923 dj
Year: 1961
Condition: M-
Price: $25.00

This great record was Aretha's first foray into the pop Top 100 and remains one of her most incredible vocal performances... A voice liberated by a new musical sound called "Soul." Both recordings are with the Ray Bryant Combo. Note: This copy comes in a vintage Columbia Records factory sleeve.

First Taste of Love by Ben E. King

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:20:04 -0800

Label: Atco 6185
Year: 1961
Condition: EX
Price: $16.00

I'm assuming that everyone out there knows the unbelievably classic "Spanish Harlem," either in its first version by Ben E. King or by the amazing version Aretha Franklin recorded a decade later. But I suspect that not many have had the pleasure of this single's B side, so I'm sticking a snippet of it in the jukebox for you. "First Taste of Love" is more uptempo than "Spanish Harlem," features surprising, doo-wop-style backup vocals, and was cowritten by none other than Phil Spector. Note: The A side label has "79" written on it, and its audio is EX. The B side label and audio are M-. This copy comes in a vintage Atco Records factory sleeve.

Love Is Here And Now You're Gone by Supremes

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:42:34 -0800

Label: Motown 1103 dj
Year: 1967
Condition: M-
Last Price: $28.00. Not currently available for sale.

This promo copy has the same Mono mix on both sides. It's clear to me that Diana Ross' spoken interlude in this underrated Supremes single was one of Michael Jackson's greatest vocal inspirations. His little hiccup surely started from late-night air-guitar sessions when Michael would sing along with Diana on this one. :-) The B side is another fine H-D-H tune. This single is also remarkable for the manic mastery of James Jamerson's bass playing. Right from the get-go, his bass starts running away behind the scenes and just doesn't stop for breath! Of course, it's much easier to hear and appreciate that instrument when the audio is as clear and the mix as perfect as on this original 45. (Note: Jamerson was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.) Note: This copy comes in a vintage Motown Records factory sleeve.

Only Pretty, What A Pity by Lovin' Spoonful

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:37:02 -0800

Label: Kama Sutra 239
Year: 1967
Condition: M-
Last Price: $12.00. Not currently available for sale.

This rarely heard Spoonful single has two terrific sides... the flip is a full-fledged romper harking back to "Do You Believe in Magic" but without John Sebastian singing lead. It sounds more like a British power pop number than anything a U.S. band would make, actually. (That's a compliment, by the way!)

It's Been Worth It All by Robert Knight

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:43:19 -0800

Label: Rising Sons 707
Year: 1968
Condition: M
Price: $15.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy... pristine mint except for some slight ring wear from storage. Both sides are excellent songs, but the B side, at only 1:42, unfortunately ends much sooner than one would hope.

Hallelujah Baby by Dells

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:19:00 -0800

Label: Cadet 5641
Year: 1969
Condition: M
Price: $15.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original factory sleeve. You'll find a terrific cello and horn arrangement on this one... not to mention the vocals. Amazing! The B side ain't no slouch either... a great uptempo number. Note that this release was in true stereo.

Don't Leave Me by Impressions

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:21:03 -0800

Label: Swirl 107
Year: 1962
Condition: M-
Price: $30.00

I can't imagine what this group was thinking, in 1962 naming themselves after a then-very-popular-and-famous soul group. But clearly they weren't thinking about achieving fame and fortune! :-) Which is too bad, because their sound anticipates funky soul and the no-holds-barred gospel singing style of Wilson Pickett. Pickett made his name as lead singer for similar outfit called the Falcons, and across town a singer called Bobby Womack was making noise heading a group called the Valentinos. There were various other groups doing this irresistible gospel-soul thing, including the Ohio Untouchables and, of course, the Isley Bros. But who knew The Impressions had got into the act as well? Certainly was news to me — though very good news! Note: This single is from a large collection we've purchased whose records typically have mint or near-mint audio and near-mint vinyl. The labels are near mint as well, but the owner had a habit of writing a date in small print on the B side label.

Hard To Handle by Otis Redding

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:08:37 -0800

Label: Atco 6592
Year: 1968
Condition: M-
Last Price: $17.50. Not currently available for sale.

This is the original version of the song that the Black Crowes took to the top 40 in 1991. Incidentally, back in 1968, "Amen" was the plug side, which is probably why "Hard To Handle" didn't get become a hit until 1991. Note: This copy comes in a vintage Atco Records factory sleeve.

7 and 7 Is by Love

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:55:17 -0800

Label: Elektra 45605
Year: 1966
Condition: EX
Last Price: $30.00. Not currently available for sale.

Note: This copy comes in a vintage Elektra Records factory sleeve.

You Drive Me Crazy by Shakin' Stevens

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:54:06 -0800

Label: Epic 02217 dj
Year: 1982
Condition: M
Price: $16.00

Shakin' Stevens was a hugely popular Rockabilly revival artist in the U.K. in the early 1980s, racking up no less than 13 Top 10 hits (4 of them chart-toppers) between 1980 and 1985. The 1980s Rockabilly revival never caught fire in the U.S. as it did in Europe, and Stevens managed only one chart single here ("I Cry A Little Bit", #67 in 1984). I've only heard an album's worth of his material, most of which consists of covers of relatively obscure 1950s Rockabilly and RnB tracks. This single is far-and-away the best I've heard and is a personal favorite. It's one of those tunes I don't want far away, so I'm sticking a bit of it in the Classic 45s jukebox. Note: This promo copy has the same Stereo version on both sides. It also has the promo-only picture sleeve it came with; the sleeve has some light ringwear and a small tear on the front side.

Time To Get It Together by Up 'N Adam

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:24:08 -0800

Label: Earth 100 dj
Year: 1969
Condition: M
Price: $15.00

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed promo copy.

Bongo Rock by Incredible Bongo Band

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:45:17 -0800

Label: MGM 14588
Year: 1973
Condition: M
Last Price: $18.00. Not currently available for sale.

A truly incredible remake of the old Preston Epps hit (1959).

It Ain't The Meat (It's The Motion) by Swallows

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:47:45 -0800

Label: Collectables 3620
Year: 1951
Condition: M
Price: $4.50

Originally released on King 4501. This is one of the terrific 'dirty' rock 'n' roll records from the early 1950's... it's a perfect example of the blatant sexuality that many white folks were afraid of when their little teenagers started listening to black rock'n'roll. :-) Like most white guys, the first time I heard the song was through Maria Muldaur in the early 1970s, but you ain't ever heard the song til you heard the Swallows original! Sadly, I think pressing of this reissue is about to cease, so I've bought up a few to spread the joy around. :-) (Hope I'm wrong about that, but these days, you never know for sure...)

Lonely No More by Rob Thomas

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:03:48 -0800

Label: Atlantic/Melisma 93896
Year: 2005
Condition: M
Price: $7.00

This remarkable single features the artist's two biggest-selling iTunes tracks... the B side is currently a bigger seller than the A side, though both are terrific and quite different. The B side is from his second album, while the decidedly funky A side is currently available only as a single. (Note: This single is now out of print.)

I'll Take You There by Staple Singers

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:56:57 -0800

Label: Collectables 71029
Year: 1972
Condition: M
Price: $4.25

Originally released on Stax 0125. Here's one of those rare cases where I think Dave Marsh missed a big one that should have been included in his list of the 1001 greatest singles ever made. The sinuous beat and show-stopping vocals on this recording make me stop and pay attention every time! Note: This reissue presents the original recording in full, living stereo! (When making the mp3 snippet of this one, I simply couldn't leave out any of the best bits... Fans of the song will notice I've already edited out a couple verses in the middle, but hey... the thing was already over 2 minutes! Sorry to you folks on a dialup connection.)

Rocket 88 by Jackie Brenston

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:23:37 -0800

Label: Chess/Coll. 3412
Year: 1951
Condition: M
Last Price: $4.50. Not currently available for sale.

Originally released on Chess 1458. This recording was actually made by Sam Phillips at the fledgling Sun studios and leased to Chess. It is considered by many rock'n'roll fans to be one of the very first true rock'n'roll records, partly because of the distorted guitar that makes its appearance toward the end of the record. Absolutely essential! Incidentally, the band is Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm, with Ike Turner himself on that historic lead guitar.