Crunchy Granola Suite - Percy Faith Orchestra

According to the blurb on the sleeve of this promotional single, Percy Faith's version of 'Crunchy Granola Suite' was a hit in the Netherlands. At the time of writing, the track was at number 9 and still climbing. The information was not entirely correct: the track was still in the Tipparade, the 'bubbling under' chart in the Netherlands - and never actually reached number Dutch Top 40.

The fact that this track was wellknown in the Netherlands was because it was regularly used by the Dutch radio station Veronica. As such, it was a daily background noise in their programmes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5019
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Crunchy Granola Suite' / 'Enter the dragon'

I'm a tiger - Olivia Pascal

You'd be forgiven for not knowing who Olivia Pascal is, but she was Germany's most popular singer in 1980, judging from the fact that she won Bravo's golden Otto that year. Olivia's singing style is quite reminiscent of Wendy James from Transvision Vamp or an even breathier version of Samantha Fox.

The two songs on this single are quite familiar: 'I'm a tiger' was originally a hit for Lulu and written by Marty Wilde (Kim's dad) in the Seventies. The other side is 'Glad all over', originally recorded by the Dave Clark Five. That song was recently covered by the Pet Shop Boys as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5018
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm a tiger' / 'Glad all over'

Solsbury hill - Peter Gabriel

'Solsbury Hill' was written by Peter Gabriel after he left the and Genesis. Released as his debut single, it allegedly explains the reasons behind his departure, while also talking about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill in Somerset.

The song has been used in a number of movies like 'Vanilla sky' (2001) and 'In good company' (2004). The song has been covered by various artists, such as Dave Matthews, Erasure, Sarah McLachlan, Saga, and Justin Hines.

My collection: 7" single no. 5017
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Solsbury hill' / 'Moribund the burgermeister'

Prime time - Alan Parsons Project

Released as the second single from the Alan Parsons Project's 1984 album 'Ammonia avenue', 'Prime time' was the follow-up to 'Don't answer me'. The success of that single was so phenomenal, that this single could never compare, but still it reached number 34 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The title of the album was inspired by Eric Woolfson's visit to Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Billingham, England, where the first thing he saw was a street with miles of pipes, no people, no trees and a sign that said 'Ammonia Avenue'. The album focused on the possible misunderstanding of industrial scientific developments from a public perspective and a lack of understanding of the public from a scientific perspective.

My collection: 7" single no. 5016
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Prime time' / 'The gold bug'

The eve of the war - Jeff Wayne

I have The eve of the war, The eve of the war and The eve of the war, but now I've also got 'The eve of the war', an original German pressing with a very different sleeve. This particular pressing contains the version sung by Chris Thompson, whereas later pressings would feature Justin Hayward on vocals.

The way I understand it, this single is the rarest one of all four, which made it all the more amazing I found it for such a low price. The world of record collecting is baffling sometimes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5015
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The eve of the war' / 'The red weed'

Keeping the mystery alive - Climie Fisher

Climie Fisher released 'Keeping the mystery alive' in 1987 as their third single. Although a flop in most territories, it reached number 35 in the German singles chart. The track was produced by Steve Lillywhite and mixed by Bruce Forrest.

Their next single was to be 'Rise to the occasion', the biggest hit in the duo's career.

My collection: 7" single no. 5014
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Keeping the mystery alive' / 'Nothing but a feeling'

Mad about you - Belinda Carlisle

After the Go-Go's broke up in 1985, Belinda Carlisle (born August 17, 1958) embarked on a solo career. Her first solo album 'Belinda' was released in 1986. It was a successful album in the USA and Canada, although it didn't trouble the charts in Europe.

'Mad about you' was released as a single from the album, reaching number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and also reaching the top 10 in Australia. Duran Duran's Andy Taylor played guitar on some of the tracks on the album and appeared in the music video for 'Mad about you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5013
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mad about you' / 'I never wanted a rich man'