The writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland had several hits in the Sixties, as writers of songs by the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Isley Brothers. This single, 'Going back to my roots' by Odyssey was released in 1981 - the song was written by Lamont Dozier alone.
He still had what it takes: the single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4979 Found: Kringloop, Lisse, December 18, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Going back to my roots' / 'Baba awa'
It's strange how a run of the mill disco track can sound quite good thirty years on. Freddie James recorded the track in 1979 and managed to get a worldwide hit with it, despite his age (he was just a young kid).
The single reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, but reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4973 Found: Empire Record, Den Haag, December 3, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Get up and boogie' / 'Get up and boogie (instrumental)'
Double singles have always been irresistible to me, so when I spotted this one I bought it despite the fact that I didn't know the A-side track. Elton John is a classic singer/songwriter anyway, so most of his stuff is worth listening to. With the exception, perhaps, of 'Heartache all over the world', which is a piece of music that doesn't really go anywhere.
Despite being described as a 'non-hit' on Wikipedia, it still managed to reach number 7 in Australia. In the UK, it didn't get past number 45.
My collection: 7" single no. 4966 Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'Heartache all over the world' / 'Highlander' // 'I'm still standing' / 'Passengers'
Aled Jones was born on December 29, 1970. He was raised in the small Welsh-speaking community of Llandegfan, in Anglesey and attended Ysgol David Hughes. Jones joined the choir of Bangor Cathedral at age nine and was lead soloist within two years. The remarkable clarity of his treble voice was appreciated by a member of the congregation, Hefina Orwig Evans, who wrote a letter to local record company Sain, and he was duly signed. In 1982 he won the Cerdd Dant solo competitions for competitors under 12 at the Urdd Eisteddfod.
He became famous when he recorded 'Walking in the air' for the Channel 4 animated film 'The snowman', based on the book by Raymond Briggs. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart three years later. I actually got to know the song two decades later, when All About Eve recorded a remarkable cover on their album 'Iceland'. However, this version - with full orchestra - is in a league of its own.
My collection: 7" single no. 4954 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010 Cost: 10p Tracks: 'Walking in the air' / 'Walking in the air (instrumental)'
Donna Summer's collaboration with Stock, Aitken & Waterman was short-lived, i.e. it only lasted for one album (1989's 'Another place and time'), but there were three singles taken from the album.
'Love's about to change my heart' was the last of the three. It was a moderate hit, but it became a favourite amongst fans due to Summer's strong vocal performance and the fact that it had a slow beginning, reminiscent of several of Summer's disco hits of the 1970s, during which time she was the most successful female of that genre. The single reached number 20 on the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 4955 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010 Cost: 50p Tracks: 'Love's about to change my heart' / 'Love's about to change my heart (instrumental)'
'When Smokey sings' was a comeback single of sorts for the band ABC. It was released as the first single from their fourth album 'Alphabet city' and their first big hit since 'All of my heart' almost five years previous.
The song's title refers to Smokey Robinson and is a tribute to this Sixties soul crooner. In the album version of the song, references are made to 'Luther', 'Sly', 'James' and 'Marvin' (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternate lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.
My collection: 7" single no. 4965 Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010 Cost: 2 pounds Tracks: 'When Smokey sings' / 'Chicago (part 1)'
Pat Boone was born on June 1, 1934 and was a successful pop singer in the Fifties and early Sixties. As a devout Christian, Boone refused songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his standards—including a role with sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. In his first film, 'April love', he refused to give co-star and love interest Shirley Jones an onscreen kiss, because the actress was married in real life.
The song from the movie was released as a single in 1958 and reached the top of the charts in the USA, while peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Netherlands. In 1974, the track was covered by Ricky Wilde. Indeed: Kim's younger brother.
My collection: 7" single no. 4953 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010 Cost: 10p Tracks: 'April love' / 'Love letters in the sand'
The writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland had several hits in the Sixties, as writers of songs by the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Isley Brothers. This single, 'Going back to my roots' by Odyssey was released in 1981 - the song was written by Lamont Dozier alone.
