Motorcycle/ I Don't Believe Them

This is a new, unplayed promo copy from the collection. Wow! This record has been on my personal want list since I started collecting 45s seriously in 1972... And here is an untouched promotional copy with pristine Mint audio! The artist here is actually — drum-roll! — Paul Simon, working as Jerry Landis and here both writing and singing catchy little Rock songs (the B side is a Mystics-like ballad) in the style of the day. Chartbook Reference God Joel Whitburn actually files this single under the "Paul Simon" section, where it becomes Simon's first chart single (just barely) as a "solo" artist. The tracks were released earlier in 1961 on Madison 169, which is a rarer release.

"Motorcycle" beautifully mines the burgeoning style of Rock that I refer to as "Surf/Cars" — songs celebrating the sun, sea, surf and fun together with songs glorifying and pining for various muscular vehicles. Both styles tended to feature electric lead guitar played in a tone and style that supposedly mimics the rhythms and shifting tones of ocean surf. Note: This beautiful promo copy has Mint labels, with no flaw worth noting, together with pristine Mint audio — nothing is missing; everything is crazy clear. The vinyl grades Near Mint, reflecting some very light storage wear and a faint warp hardly worth mentioning that has no effect on the audio. PS. In case you're wondering, in 1961 Amy had no factory sleeve for its 45 records; only its sister brand Mala did at that time; I believe Amy sleeves were only introduced in 1965.