Flowers in our hair - All about Eve

I got to know All about Eve thanks to a TV special on a satellite channel. On that occasion I saw short clips of 'Every angel', 'Martha's harbour' and 'Flowers in our hair'. I hadn't had much of a chance to find out more about them, but within weeks I spotted this 12" single in a discount record store. A once in a lifetime chance, as I found out later. At least, this 12" single became quite expensive in later years, although the price seems to have dropped in recent years.

Besides an extended version of the title track, this disc features a cover version of the Cliff Richard track 'Devil woman'. Cliff Richard? Well it's hard to imagine him singing this lyric I have to say, but he did.

My collection: 12" single no. 77
Found: Haags Modehuis, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Flowers in our hair (extended)' / 'Devil woman', 'Paradise'

Rise to the occasion - Climie Fisher

Although most people are familiar with the unattractive 'Hip hop mix' of Climie Fisher's 'Rise to the occasion', originally it was actually a very nice song. One should consider that remix as a misguided attempt to attract a new audience for the pop duo, as if regular pop audiences aren't worthwhile.

This 12" single features an extended remix of the original version, still free from the random mumblings of someone hailing from one 'hood' or another.

My collection: 12" single no. 370
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rise to the occasion (extended mix)' / 'Rise to the occasion', 'Mental block'

Never let me down - David Bowie

'Never let me down' was released as the third single from David Bowie's album of the same name in the summer of 1987. The song is about Bowie's long-time personal assistant, Coco Schwab. Bowie described their relationship, saying 'It's platonic. But there is a romance in it, I guess, inasmuch as it's hard for two people to feel totally at ease in each other's company for that period of time and not expect too much from each other. Always being prepared to be there if the other one needs someone, you know? There's not many people you find in life that you can do that with, or feel that way with.'

This 12" single features an extended remix of the track, as well as a dub and acapella version.

My collection: 12" single no. 352
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down (extended dance remix)' / ''87 and cry', 'Never let me down (dub)', 'Never let me down (acapella)'

Genetic engineering - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

This 12" single features the so-called '312 mm version' of 'Genetic engineering', a single released by the band as the first single from their fourth album 'Dazzle ships'. The single was a commercial disappointment for the band, as it peaked at number 20 in the UK singles chart, thus ending a run of four consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK.

This remix clocks in at 5'18 minutes and as such adds 90 seconds to the original version of the song. It mostly consists of added instrumental passages.

My collection: 12" single no. 287
Found: Record exchange, London, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Genetic engineering (312 mm version)' / '4 Neu'

Our lips are sealed - The Visitor featuring Roxanne Wilde

Although Kim Wilde's younger sister Roxanne Wilde has an equally captivating voice and stage presence, she never quite manage to lift her career off the ground in the way her older sister did. Along the way, she did record several interesting records. First with her own band Dimestars, and later with some dance producers.

Her hit with Darren Tate, 'Destination' became a chart hit in May 2003 and soon after that she recorded 'Our lips are sealed' with The Visitor, a.k.a. Jon Pleased. This 12" single features two versions of the track as well as a rather interesting instrumental dance track. Roxanne later became a backing vocalist for Kylie Minogue, so she did alright for herself anyway.

My collection: 12" single no. 440
Found: HMV, London, December 2003
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Our lips are sealed', 'Our lips are sealed dub' / 'A month of Sundays'

That ole devil called love - Alison Moyet

In the summer of 1985, Alison Moyet released her fourth solo single, 'That ole devil called love', a cover of a song originally performed by Billie Holiday. The song didn't appear on her debut album 'Alf', and so it was a nice extra for her fans.

This 12" single features a jazz version of the song as well as an extended remix of the B-side 'Don't burn down the bridge', which was also a non-album track.

My collection: 12" single no. 353
Found: unknown
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'That ole devil called love', 'That ole devil called love (Jazz version)' / 'Don't burn down the bridge (extended version)'

Take on me - A-ha

A-ha did their farewell tour last year, causing some grief among their fans, who are coming together this weekend for a fan reunion. Personally I think it's a matter of time before the three Norwegians reunite for another tour and/or album. It may take some years, but in the mean time, there's loads of old records to enjoy.

Such as this one, the original 12" single of 'Take on me', released in 1984 - a year before the single was re-released for the third time and finally became a hit. It's 'Take on me', but not as you know it. I've always liked this version a little better, also because of the exclusive track 'Stop! and make your mind up' which was never released since.

My collection: 12" single no. 19
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Take on me (long version)' / 'And you tell me', 'Stop! and make your mind up'