Tommy James & The Shondells - Crimson & Clover

 
MCA D-2483 (reissue of Roulette 7028, 1968)

Any fan of this group needs one of these, as the LP version is a complete mess.

Wiki says: 
Based on suggestions from radio stations, Tommy James and The Shondells chose to create a longer version of "Crimson and Clover" for their album. Since the song was initially recorded in single format, they had the choice of either re-recording it or expanding it. Opting to expand the song, the first two verses were copied without vocals and overdubbed with guitar solos by Shondells guitarist Ed Gray using steel guitars and fuzz guitars. Due to issues with the speed of the single version and the master, this resulted in a slight drop in pitch during the solos, which went unfixed...

Regardless, the LP version is terrible - and, unfortunately, all over oldies radio and best-of comps. Aside from the pointless instrumental interludes, the LP mix is weak. The original mono single mix has a wonderfully raw edge to it and some great dynamics (which I tried to keep intact for this mp3 rip).

INXS - Don't Change

 
Mercury (UK) 812-626, 1983 [Atco (US) 7-99874, 1982]

I hated this band when they first broke on MTV with The One Thing. Hated them. They embodied everything that was wrong with commercialized nu-wave: preening, pretentious... those dreadful keyboards and '80s lite jazz sax.

They completely won me over with this follow-up single, though. Epic track. I did get used to their sound in the years following, and they even made a few respectable LPs, though this one does remain as their greatest hit, IMO.



You can see from the pic that my copy had a bit of a manufacturing mishap: the label must have slipped while being pressed, and can be heard at the end of the song. Miraculously, it plays!

Robert Knight - Everlasting Love

 
Rising Sons #705, 1967

A search for this track will most likely turn up the mid '70s monstrosity by Carl Carlton - after that any number of horrendous covers not worthy of mention, but this is the real deal. A true Nashville R&B classic, and one of the last from that era.

Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her

 
Brunswick 55462, 1971

Every hits compilation of this band seems to feature the same remix, which is a shame. The spare instrumentation of the original 45 was perfect.

Nilsson - Everybody's Talkin'

RCA 447-0838 ('70s reissue of #74-0161, 1968)

Song certainly needs no introduction. I have been on a Nilsson kick lately, having seen the recent documentary Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?.

Bo Diddley - Bo Meets The Monster

Chess EP 5125, 1958

Boooo!

Fats Domino - I'm Ready

Imperial 5585, 1959

Piano Oriented Rock - whatever happened to that. So many fifties rockers pounded the keys, then it seems like that all stopped with the British Invasion.

For years I only knew this tune from The Band's cover off Moondog Matinee, until I found this 45 at a yard sale. Obviously they didn't do it justice. I love the abrupt change back to the root at the end of the "Talkin' on the phone..." part - a neat little detail The Band didn't bother with. Lazy fuckers.

Oran "Juice" Jones - The Rain

"I gave you things you couldn't even pronounce"



Def Jam 38-06209, 1986


Classic '80s R&B hit. Love the "Later That Night" monologue at the end.

It's all about the clothes.

The Everly Brothers- Bowling Green

Warner Bros. 7020, 1967


A strange one. In an apparent attempt at updating their sound, they released this little baroque pop ditty in the Summer of Love. Oboe intro? check. Shiny, happy backing vocals? check. Fruity singalong hook in the chorus? We are Go.

It actually did chart, briefly, depending on what survey you check - the last time that would happen until their reunion in the '80s.



The album this was taken from is worth checking out. The same fruity backing singers keep popping up, along with random smatterings of fuzz guitar and general identity confusion. Their cover of "Whiter Shade Of Pale" is stunning... and just plain wrong.

Chuck Berry - Joe Joe Gun

Chess 1709, 1958


B-side of "Sweet Little Rock And Roller".

This is not your typical lion vs. elephant jungle drama novelty tune. Chuck's playing is great on this track, with some fine rhythm backup by Bo Diddley (you can hear him yelling in the background)

but the real standout is Fred Below's insane drums. Garage Jazz!

Tommy Roe - Sweet Pea

ABC 10762, 1966


Some twangy bubblegum pop, not too removed from the stuff that Nick Lowe was cranking out during his Jesus Of Cool phase. Count the ascending key changes!



If you've seen the film Jesus' Son, chances are this song and the visual of Samantha Morton's introductory scene are permanently burned into your mind.

The Equals - Police On My Back

President 166, 1967

Finally tracked down a copy of this classic. Did not chart in its day, but is definitely their most recognizable song now.

Nice punchy sound on this 45.

Neil Young with Crazy Horse - Cinnamon Girl

originally Reprise 911, 1970


Different mix, different vocal (Neil and Danny switch high and low parts). I wouldn't say it's better than the LP version, but it sounds pretty cool.

The Equals - Baby Come Back

RCA 47-9583, 1968

Eddie Grant's '60s outfit, with their one hit - but it's a monster. Even I remember hearing this on WLS when I was a kid.

It was a fairly unlikely US hit for a UK beat band. Back in '68, this sound was both retro and ahead of it's time - though it apparently was a huge hit overseas. Not too surprising. Listening to it now, I'm hearing more than a little Elvis Costello (see Get Happy), maybe some King Khan & BBQ as well.



Turn it up - this is a party record.