Cannonball - Supertramp

Without Roger Hodgson, but with a reputation that was very good, Supertramp soldiered on after 1983. Rick Davies took over lead vocals, and the 1985 album 'Brother where you bound' was promoted with the first single 'Cannonball'.

On the album and on thie 12" single, the track lasted for well over 7 minutes, whereas the 7" single contained an edit. Impressive also is the 10 minute instrumental version on the B-side of this 12" single.

My collection: 12" single no. 285
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Cannonball (Direct to disc version)' / 'Cannonball (instrumental)'

Heartbreaker - Dionne Warwick

When Barry Gibb is producing, or even co-producing, any song takes on a decidedly 'Bee Gees sound'. So when Dionne Warwick had her 1982 album 'Heartbreaker' co-produced by Gibb, it was almost as if she was doing backing vocals to Bee Gees tracks. Warwick later commented that she didn't like the album's title track, but recorded it because she trusted the judgement of the three Gibb brothers, who wrote the song, that it would be a hit.

And it was: Warwick reached the charts all over the world when 'Heartbreaker' was released as a single. It reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 2 in the UK singles chart. Warwick commented: 'I cried all the way to the bank'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3088
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 12, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heartbreaker' / 'I can't see anything but you'

Ever so lonely - Monsoon

To be honest, I'd completely forgotten that I owned this 12" single of 'Ever so lonely'. The single has been on this blog in an earlier entry. So when I was going through my 12 inch singles, I was pleasantly surprised.

This extended version of 'Ever so lonely' is made in the best of the Eighties traditions: it's just longer, it features a few extra instrumental and vocal passages, and no irritating beats and out of key synth loops. How refreshing!

My collection: 12" single no. 338
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Ever so lonely (extended version)' / 'Sunset over the Ganges'

Mama - Zucchero

In 1990, the Italian singer Zucchero attempted to reach the charts outside of continental Europe, where he'd made a name for himself. In July 1990 he released 'Mama' in the UK, an English version of his 1989 European hit 'Madre dolcissima'. The single did not chart.

In 1991, he had more success, when he recorded a duet with Paul Young. Their track 'Senza una donna' became a top 10 hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3060
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Mama' / 'Madre dolcissima'

You keep me hangin' on - Tata Vega

Tata Vega was born as Carmen Rosa Vega in New York on October 7, 1951. She began her singing career in 1963. She was cast in the Broadway production of the musical 'Hair', after which she joined the band Pollution and then the group Earthquire. Between 1976 and 1981, she released four solo albums on the Motown label.

In 1980, she released her version of the Supremes hit 'You keep me hangin' on'. It was a typical late Seventies disco version, which did not manage to chart outside of America. I bought this single because I am interested in every cover version of 'You keep me hangin' on'. I have to admit that I still like Kim Wilde's version best.

My collection: 7" single no. 3045
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, December 19, 1998
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on' / 'You better watch out'

The sun ain't gonna shine anymore - The Walker Brothers

'The sun ain't gonna shine anymore' was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. It was originally released as a single by Frankie Valli in 1965. Although it was recorded with his group the Four Seasons, it was released as his first solo single in over a decade.

In 1966, the Walker Brothers released their cover version of the song. This version had a lot more success than Valli's original, reaching the singles charts all over the world. The single peaked at number 13 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1071
Found: London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The sun ain't gonna shine anymore' / 'My ship is coming in'

Love scenes - Beverley Craven

Beverley Craven released her second album 'Love scenes' in 1993, after giving birth to her first daugher, Mollie. This experience ended up being part of the subject matter on that album, unfortunately, with the track 'Mollie's song' as the most unfortunate result.

The title track was released as the album's first single, and it was also the last single to be released on the 7" vinyl format. Subsequent singles 'Mollie's song' (yes, I couldn't believe it either) and 'The winner takes it all' (a cover of the Abba track) were only released on cd-single. 'Love scenes' reached number 34 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1996
Found: London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love scenes' / 'Blind faith'