Although released in 1982, this single sounds like it was recorded in the sixties. It sounds like the Supremes produced by Phil Spector, but it isn't. It's the British trio Sylvia and the Sapphires, a girlgroup that recorded a few singles before fading back into obscurity.
'Shopping around' did not chart in the UK and narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40. This limited edition picture disc was a real find.
After a few disappointing singles, T'pau returned to form with 'Only the lonely', one of the standout tracks on their second album 'Rage'. For the single release, the track was remixed, which gave it a more powerful sound.The work was rewarded, since it peaked at number 28 in the UK singles chart in early 1989.
I bought a limited edition version of the single, which featured a gatefold sleeve and a booklet, which featured photographs of the band and individual members.
My collection: 7" single no. 992
Found: Record Exchange, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Only the lonely (Guitar remix)' / 'Between the lines'
Sandra Ann Lauer was born on May 18, 1962. In 1975 she visited a talent show. She was not actually taking part in it, but sitting in the audience. While the jury was counting the votes for the performers of that night, Sandra walked onto the stage, persuaded the DJ to put on the German cover version of a song from Olivia Newton-John, grabbed the microphone and started singing. Aided by newfound recognition, she released a debut single 'Andy Mein Freund'. This single flopped.
In 1979 Sandra joined the girl group Arabesque, which was successful for a couple of years. After nine albums and the end of the disco era the group broke up. In the mean time, Sandra had met musician Michael Cretu. They became romantically involved and started living together and working together in Cretu's self-built studio. Their first single together was 'Japan ist weit' (1984), a German cover of the Alphaville song 'Big in Japan', which flopped. Their second single was more successful: '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena' was a hit in 21 countries, including a number one hit in the Netherlands, Germany and several other European countries. It launched Sandra's career, which is still going today.
My collection: 7" single no. 1858 Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, January 30, 1993 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: '(I'll never be) Maria Magdalena' / 'Party games (instrumental)'
Sold separately in a second hand shop in London, this single is actually part of a six disc collection called 'Six Pack'. This pack, which came in a pvc folder containing the first five hit singles by the Police ('Roxanne', 'Can't stand losing you', 'So lonely', 'Message in a bottle' and 'Walking on the moon') plus this single.
'The bed's too big without you' appeared on the second album by the Police, 'Reggatta de Blanc' (1979). This single included a previously unreleased mono version and a live track, pressed on blue vinyl.
My collection: 7" single no. 2188
Found: Record Exchange, London, September 29, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The bed's too big without you (mono version)' / 'Truth hits everybody (live in Boston)'
After having been in Propaganda until 1986, and then in Act with Thomas Leer circa 1988, Claudia Brücken recorded a solo album, which was released as 'Love and a million other things' in 1991. Two singles were released from this album, of which 'Absolut(e)' was the first. Despite favourable reviews, the single did not reach the UK top 40.
It was released as a limited edition in a box set, including three postcards.
Céline Carzo represented Luxembourg during the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest. It was one of the most dynamic songs Luxembourg had ever contributed to the Contest. After it finished 13th in a field of 22 competitors, I lost hope that this song would be released in the Netherlands. All I could do was search for the single that was released in Luxembourg and/or France. Someone I knew actually bought a copy in France, but he also told me it was very rare.
Indeed, it took me seven years to find this single. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the single version lasted for 4 minutes, 1 minute longer than the maximum performance time during the Contest.
The band King formed in 1983 in Coventry. The band consisted of lead singer Paul King, Mick Roberts, Anthony Wall and Jim Lantsbery. Their debut album 'Steps in time' was released in 1984, along with the band's debut single 'Love & pride'. In May 1984, this single only reached number 84 in the UK singles chart, but after extensive promotion the single was re-released and made number 2 in early 1985.
This limited edition release features a colour poster. It was the main reason for buying the single at the time, because I didn't really need to hear this track anymore. Now I'm glad to have it.
My collection: 7" single no. 3084 Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Love & pride' / 'Don't stop'
Although released in 1982, this single sounds like it was recorded in the sixties. It sounds like the Supremes produced by Phil Spector, but it isn't. It's the British trio Sylvia and the Sapphires, a girlgroup that recorded a few singles before fading back into obscurity.
