London Town - Wings

Paul McCartney and Denny Laine began writing 'London Town' in Perth, Australia, in late 1975 during the Wings Over the World tour, but they completed it later in Scotland. The recording features a lead vocal by Paul McCartney and backing vocals by Linda McCartney and Laine. It was one of the first songs recorded for the album of the same name, prior to the departures of Joe English and Jimmy McCulloch, who play drums and guitar, respectively, on the track.

The lyrics of 'London Town' describe "ordinary people" and everyday life in London. According to Beatles biographer John Blaney, it "presents a romanticized view of London; part reportage and part fantasy." Blaney elaborates that it combines "idealisation with acute observations of everyday street life." 

My collection: 7" single no. 8282
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'London Town' / 'I'm carrying' 

80's romance - The Belle Stars

The Belle Stars were quite popular for a while in the first half of the Eighties, especially with their song 'Sign of the times', which was a top 3 hit in the UK. 

Their last hit was '80's romance', released in the summer of 1984. It only reached number 71 in the UK singles chart, but for some reason I remembered this song instantly when I saw this single during this weekend's record fair. It was actually the first time I saw this single; at least, I don't recall ever seeing it before. It's so nice to own a copy.

My collection: 7" single no. 8279
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: '80's romance' / 'It's me' 

Let's begin again (Amanece) - Malcolm Roberts

'Amanece' was performed by Jaime Morey, representing Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1972. The song was picked up that same year by Malcolm Roberts, a British singer who became best known for representing Luxembourg at the same contest in 1985 as part of a group that sang 'Children, Kinder, enfants'. 

The song 'Amanece' was given new English lyrics by Norman Newell, a successful British record producer in the Fifties and Sixties, as well as a songwriter. Newell became particularly known for his recorded productions of West End musicals. This version of 'Amanece' is a fine accomplishment for both Roberts and Newell.

My collection: 7" single no. 8275
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Let's begin again (Amanece)' / 'He ain't heavy, he's my brother'

 

Ciao ciao bambina - Jean-Paul Mauric

Jean-Paul Mauric represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 with 'Printemps (Avril carillonne)'. But he had his eyes on the contest years before that, as his version of 'Oui, oui, oui, oui' in 1959 proved. 

That same year, he also recorded a version of another Eurovision song: Domenico Modugno's famous 'Ciao ciao bambina', also known as 'Piove'. Jean-Paul's version is sung almost entirely in French. This EP also features three other songs by Mauric, who remained a popular singer in France until his death on 5 January 1971.

My collection: 7" single no. 8274
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Toi je t'aime d'amour', 'Ciao ciao bambina (Piove)' / 'Mon seul amour', 'Mes trois amours'

Ten American girls - Bolland

The Bolland brothers made some excellent music and quite a few duds too. But when they were at the top of their game, they made 'Ten American girls'; a track that youngsters these days would call a 'banger'. I've had the 7" single for four decades now, but I was not aware that there was also a 12" single of this track. 

Until now, that is. I found this wonderful 12" single. pressed on clear yellow vinyl and featuring extended versions of both the A- and B-sides of the single! I quite like the extended version of 'Ten American girls', but the extended version of 'Night of the shooting stars' is even better, to be honest. Check it out!

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Ten American girls (extended version)' / 'Night of the shooting stars (extended version)'

Eve's volcano - Julian Cope

Although I only own single by Julian Cope - Eve's volcano - it is such a brilliant song that I wouldn't mind hearing an extended version of it. I was in luck this weekend, because I found a 12" single of the track. Well, I thought I was lucky, because upon getting home I discovered that the disc was seriously warped. And that was caused by the extremely large poster included in the sleeve. It's a huge thing the size of an Underground poster, the kind you see all over London still these days. 

Fortunately I was able to find the tracks online, and so I have the doubtful honour of owning a disc I can't play with a poster that I don't really need. At least the item was cheap!

My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Eve's volcano (Vulcano Lungo)' / 'Spacehopper - Annexe', 'Almost beautiful child (I & II)'

Jack in the box - Clodagh Rodgers

In 1971, Clodagh Rodgers was internally selected to represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. During a national final she had to sing six songs. Due to a postal strike, viewers were unable to cast votes for the songs this year, so 8 regional juries, consisting of 10 jurors with just one vote each for their favourite song, were constructed from members of the public. These juries were located in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Manchester, and Norwich. The winning song was 'Jack in the box'. 

This EP, recorded in mono, presents four of the six songs. ('Look left, look right' was later released on the album Rodgers and heart, while 'In my world of beautiful things' has never been officially released in any form.) I bought this EP because of the low price and the birth of Venus-imitating photo on the sleeve!

My collection: 7" single no. 8273
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Jack in the box', 'Another time, another place' / 'Someone to love me', 'The wind of change'