New beginning (Mamba Seyra) - Bucks Fizz

I bought the 7" single of Bucks Fizz's 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra)' pretty soon after its release. The 12" single followed years later, after a period in which I'd grown tired of the song and eventually started to like it again. The fact that Puck was quite interested in this track also helped, of course.

I finally bought this 12" single in 1996. It features an extended version of the track as well as two bonus tracks. The extended version is loud and full of echoes - very Eighties indeed.

My collection: 12" single no. 297
Found: Record fair, 1996
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra) (extended version)' / 'In your eyes', 'I need your love'

Now you're gone - Black

The third and last single from Black's 1988 album 'Comedy' was the upbeat 'Now you're gone'. At least, the music sounded quite upbeat, the lyric was less optimistic. Still, it was a change from the mostly minor key tracks Black had released up until then. Not that it met with a lot of enthusiasm: the single only reached number 66 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side, a so-called 'Mardi Gras version' of 'Now you're gone', is a nice extra, and quite a surprising version of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 724
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 28, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Now you're gone' / 'Now you're gone (Mardi Gras version)'

Ik zie een ster - Mouth and MacNeal

'Ik zie een ster' is the original Dutch version of the 1974 Eurovision entry by Mouth and MacNeal, 'I see a star'. Although they performed the song in English during the Contest - as a result of relaxed language rules - this single contains a version entirely in Dutch.

The song was released as a single in the Netherlands in March 1974 and reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. That's quite remarkable, as 'I see a star' finished third during the Contest as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 3694
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ik zie een ster' / 'Liefste'

Singles bag - John Lennon

In support of Record Store Day, EMI released a limited edition John Lennon vinyl package. It's titled 'Singles bag', but it's not really a bag, but rather a cardboard envelope with three singles, a poster, three postcard and one plastic adaptor in it. It's a real treat for John Lennon fans and those who appreciate his music.

Of course, there isn't really anything new in the bag: all three singles have been released in the past. Still, it is quite wonderful to hear 'Imagine' once again - still the highlight of this bag in my opinion - and of course who could resist the sound of Yoko Ono screaming like an escaped inmate of a psychiatric ward in 'Why'? The poster of the duo in the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam during their 'Bed-in for peace' action is a nice extra.

My collection: 7" single no. 4837
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010
Cost: Well... let's just say it wasn't cheap.
Tracks: 'Mother' (John Lennon) / 'Why' (Yoko Ono) // 'Imagine' / 'It's so hard' // 'Watching the wheels' (John Lennon) / 'Yes, I'm your angel' (Yoko Ono)

Last day - Editors

Last year, the Editors released their most recent album 'In this light and on this evening'. Produced by Flood, the sound of the album leaned a lot towards band he'd produced before, such as U2 and Depeche Mode. The first single from the album was 'Papillon', which appears on this single in a beautiful acoustic version.

The track 'Last day' was not included on the album, but most probably recorded during the sessions for it. This single was released exclusively on Record Store Day, April 17, 2010.

My collection: 7" single no. 4836
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010
Cost: 10 euro
Tracks: 'Last day' / 'Papillon (acoustic live at Studio Brussels)'

Side of the road - Babyshambles

Pete Doherty formed Babyshambles during a hiatus from his band the Libertines in 2003. Although Doherty is mainly famous for his drug abuse, the band was actually able to find some sort of commercial recognition with their debut album 'Down in Albion' (2005). Initially an independent band, they signed with Parlophone in 2007.

On Record Store Day, Parlophone released this limited edition 7" vinyl with two tracks by Babyshambles. Personally, I think the B-side is better than the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 4835
Found: La La Land, April 17, 2010
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Side of the road' / 'UnBiloTitled'

Back to the start - Lily Allen

'Back to the start' is a track on Lily Allen's most recent album, 'It's not me, it's you' (2009). It was getting a lot of airplay in Australia, having peaked at number 21 in the Australian Airplay chart.

On Record Store Day (April 17, 2010), a limited edition 7" vinyl single was released, available only for one day. The single contains this track and the bonus track 'Kabul shit'. It is unlikely that the track will be released as a 'regular' single, but meanwhile, this is a great collector's item.

My collection: 7" single no. 4834
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010
Cost: 7 euro
Tracks: 'Back to the start' / 'Kabul shit'