As a lifelong collector of Kim Wilde records, a limited edition 7" single of her latest single 'Shine On' was a musthave of course. The single was released back in August, and right now the item has sold out, although you can still find some copies on Discogs.com and Ebay. And it's worth owning, not only for the two excellent tracks on this disc, but also for the fact that it is pressed on blue vinyl. Oddly, to my knowledge this is the first coloured vinyl 7" single ever by Kim Wilde.
'Shine On' is performed as a duet with Boy George. The two have crossed paths several times during the last four decades, but never collaborated on a song. The other side featured 'You're My Karma', another duet but this time with up and coming British talent Tom Aspaul. Everything is produced, as usual, by brother Ricky Wilde, who turns 60 today. Gosh, how time flies!
My collection: 7" single no. 6424 Found: Cherry Red records, received 5 August 2021 Cost: £7.99 Tracks: 'Shine On' (with Boy George) / 'You're my karma' (with Tom Aspaul)
I don't really know why - well it probably was a lack of funds - but I never bought the 12" single of Ferry Aid's 'Let it be' despite being a fan of several artists on this record. 23 years later, I finally managed it and what a pleasant surprise this disc holds...
The remixed version of 'Let it be' starts with the part of Kate Bush, so basically it starts on a high. It's very interesting to hear a different sequence of artists in the 12" mix.
My collection: 12" single no. 545 Found: discogs.com, received May 18, 2010 Cost: 5 euro Tracks: 'Let it be [12" remix]' / 'Let it be (Mega message mix)'
On March 6, 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise - a ferry between Zeebrugge in Belgium and Dover in England - capsized, which killed 193 passengers and crew. The Sun newspaper, which had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day, quickly organized a recording of a charity recording. The song 'Let it be' was performed by an impressive array of artists, recorded on March 14, 15 and 16 at PWL studios. The recording was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman.
Contributing artists were, in order of appearance: Paul McCartney, Boy George, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Nick Kamen, Paul King, Mark King, Taffy, Andy Bell, Pepsi & Shirley, Mel & Kim, Jaki Graham, Mark Knopfler (guitar solo), Gary Moore (guitar solo), Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Edwin Starr, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ruby Turner and Kate Bush. The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.
The single made number 1 in the UK singles chart and also topped the charts in Switzerland and Norway. In the Dutch Top 40, Ferry Aid reached number 3.
My collection: 7" single no. 575 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987 Cost: 4 guilders Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Let it be (Gospel Jam mix)'
'The crying game' was written by Geoff Stephens and first recorded by Dave Berry in July 1964. Then-unknown session guitarist Jimmy Page played rhythm guitar in this song while Big Jim Sullivan played the solo.
In 1965, Brenda Lee recorded a cover version of the song. Boy George followed suit in 1992. His version was produced by the Pet Shop Boys. Both the Brenda Lee and Boy George versions were used in the Neil Jordan movie, 'The crying game' (1992). The single turned out to be Boy George's last major hit single, peaking at number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It topped the singles chart in Canada.
My collection: 7" single no. 4756 Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'The crying game'
'Everything I own' was written by David Gates to be recorded by his band Bread in 1972 on their album 'Baby I'm a want you'. Although the song is frequently interpreted as a romantic love song, Gates actually wrote the song as a tribute to his late father. It quickly became a popular standard, recorded by artists such as Olivia Newton-John, Rod Steward, Chrissie Hynde... and Boy George.
Boy George's version was a reggae treatment of the song, released as his debut solo single after Culture Club split up in 1987. Coming at the time of his arrest for possession of heroin it provided a major boost to his career. It was a number 1 in many countries, including the UK, Italy, Norway, Canada and South Africa. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 3 - Boy George's only top 10 hit in the Netherlands to this day.
My collection: 7" single no. 4439 Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010 Cost: 0,12 euro Tracks: 'Everything I own' / 'Use me'
