The Bee Gees - I've Gotta Get A Message To You

Atco 6603, 1968
 
A huge song, a huge hit - and essentially the end of their run of great '60s pop singles (besides "I Started A Joke", which was not released as a single in the UK for some reason).

This is different from the LP/CD version: slightly longer, different vocal (in parts), and the orchestra is buried in the mix until the final chorus.

Donovan - Sunny South Kensington

B-side of "Mellow Yellow", Epic 5-10098, 1966

I never cared much for the A-side, but this song really has something. Donovan's amusing enough with his portrait of swinging London, but the real star here is John Paul Jones' brilliant arrangement. So many things going on, from the dual electric/upright basses on the intro to the continually changing keyboards (John Cameron, I think): harpsichord to organ to harmonium to piano, and back again.

Do not click on this if you hate having a song stuck in your head for days.

Echo & The Bunnymen - Angels And Devils

Korova (UK) KOW34, 1984
 
B-side of "Silver". This was a one-off, recorded during a break on their '84 North American tour. I remember being really psyched by this when it came out, as it seemed to suggest a return to a simpler, stripped down sound after the lush orchestrations of Ocean Rain and multilayered production of Porcupine. Too bad they didn't pursue this any further and instead went the overproduced, '80s synth route with "Bring On the Dancing Horses" and that awful self-titled LP.

One of their best 7" sides, and the end of a great run.

Herman's Hermits - Leaning On The Lamp Post

MGM Records K13500, 1966
 
Guilty pleasure record here. It's fruity as hell, like most Herman's Hermits tunes, but what are ya gonna do? It's irresistibly catchy Brit invasion bubblegum, something this band cranked out in bulk.

This one reached #7 in the U.S.



The single version is different - different take - than what's on any of their albums (yes, I'll admit it: I have several Herman's Hermits records.)