Soul passing through soul - Toyah

Released in June 1985, 'Soul passing through soul' was the second solo single by Toyah Willcox. Although Toyah was originally the name of her band (1979-1983), she continued with that name even when she went solo. Well, it was her own first name after all.

While 'Don't fall in love', her first solo single, had been a success, peaking at number 27 in the UK singles chart, this one only reached number 57. Personally I think this is the stronger of the two - even the B-side is very good.

My collection: 7" single no. 3108
Found: Big Company Records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Soul passing through soul' / 'All in a rage'

Echo beach - Toyah

Toyah's cover version of 'Echo beach' reached number 54 in the UK singles chart. Before I found the 12" single of this track, I found this limited edition picture disc 7" single, released in April 1987.

One further single, 'Moonlight dancing', was released in 1987 without any chart success, before Toyah turned her attention to television and theatre.

My collection: 7" single no. 2676
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 2, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Echo beach' / 'Plenty'

Don't fall in love - Toyah

'Don't fall in love', released in 1985, was Toyah Wilcox's last top 40 hit in the UK, peaking at number 22. She'd had a lot of hit singles since 1977, when she started her career as part of a band named Toyah. A year later she married guitarist Robert Fripp.

I bought this single because my sister said she liked the song a lot. Myself, I was more impressed with the colourful and visually striking cover of the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2368

Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 40p

Tracks: 'Don't fall in love' / 'Snow covers the kiss'

Echo beach - Toyah

'Echo beach' was originally recorded by the Canadian band Martha & the Muffins in 1980. I liked that song a lot, and so it's no surprise that I would also be interested in cover versions. Toyah's version of the song was released in 1987, but I didn't find out about it until more than a decade later. That's when I found this 12" single.

It was an interesting find, because even though I like the song and Toyah's delivery of it isn't bad, it doesn't have quite the same magnetic quality the original had. The 'Surf mix' of the track is longer but doesn't add much to the song either. I would have to say that I haven't quite made up my mind on this one. But judge for yourself...

My collection: 12" single no. 387

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 1999

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Echo Beach (Surf mix)' / 'Echo Beach (7" mix)', 'Plenty'

Download: here