Busy doing nothing - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'Busy doing nothing' was released in 1983 as the fourth single by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin. It was quite a whimsical song, originally written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, and recorded by Bing Crosby in 1949.

Throughout his forty year career, Van Heusen received 10 Oscar Nominations for Best Song in a Motion Picture, 4 Academy Awards for Best Song in a Motion Picture, 1 Emmy Award for Best Musical Contribution and 6 Golden Laurel Nominations for Best Music in a Motion Picture. He died on February 7, 1990, just under two weeks after his 77th birthday.

My collection: 7" single no. 5467
Found: unknown
Tracks: 'Busy doing nothing' / 'The world spins so slow'

Johnny Rocco - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'Johnny Rocco' was written by Les Vandyke in the late Fifties and recorded by several rock and roll acts, including Marty Wilde.

Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin recorded their version in 1982 as a track on their album 'Disappear'. When released as a single, it didn't manage a chart placing.

My collection: 7" single no. 4899
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received May 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Johnny Rocco' / 'The Hamburger song (We've survived this before)'

Leipzig - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'Leipzig' was originally recorded by Thomas Dolby. Originally appearing as a B-side to an early Dolby single produced by Andy Partridge, 'Leipzig' - according to Stewart and Gaskin - sounded like a great song in embryo. The backing was minimal, the overall mood dark and introspective.

Dave & Barbara's version of the song is, by contrast, expansive and technicoloured, with a big, rolling beat, embellished with electronic percussion, keyboards, and cartoony sound effects.

My collection: 7" single no. 4786
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Leipzig' / 'Rich for a day'

The locomotion - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

So I've got the 7" single of 'The locomotion' by Stewart and Gaskin, a synthpop version of the 1962 song by Little Eva. I didn't know there was actually also a 12" single with two remixes of that track. What's more, the B-side is also included in an extended version!

Naturally, I had to have it. So when I saw it in the shop yesterday for the first time ever, I bought it immediately.

My collection: 12" single no. 509
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'The locomotion (extended version)', 'The locomotion (derailed version)' / 'Make me promises (extended)'

The locomotion - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'The loco-motion' was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1962. The original recording of the song was sung by Eva Boyd, under the stage name Little Eva, which reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.

Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin recorded their version of the song in 1986. It became the duo's last hit, reaching the number 70 spot in the UK singles chart. A subsequent cover version by Kylie Minogue was more successful, reaching number 2 in the UK. Artistically, this is the more interesting version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3775

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 20, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'The locomotion' / 'Make me promises'

It's my party - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'It's my party' was originally recorded in 1963 by Lesley Gore. She recorded the song at the age of sixteen. It peaked at number 9 in the UK Singles chart.

After the success of 'What becomes of the broken hearted', which Dave Stewart recorded with Colin Blunstone, he recruited Barbara Gaskin to sing in his cover version of 'It's my party'. The single became a number one hit in the UK and Germany. Stewart and Gaskin continued to work together, but they never equalled this level of success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1137

Found: All that music, Leiden, December 28, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'It's my party' / 'Waiting in the wings'

Download: here

What becomes of the broken hearted - Dave Stewart featuring Colin Blunstone

Dave Stewart (not to be confused with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics fame) was born as David Lloyd Stewart on December 30, 1950 in London. As a musician he has worked in various progressive rock bands like Uriel, Egg, Gong, National Health and others. In 1981 he recorded a solo single with vocals by Colin Blunstone. It peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

'What becomes of the broken hearted' was originally a hit for Jimmy Ruffin in 1966. I didn't know the original song when I first heard this in 1981. I thought it was a great electronic composition!

My collection: 7" single no. 360
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'What becomes of the broken hearted' / 'There is no reward'

I'm in a different world - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin made a career out of covering old soul songs. Starting out with the German number one hit 'It's my party' in 1981, they also recorded covers of songs like 'The Locomotion', 'Johnny Rocco' and this 'I'm in a different world'. It was written by the Motown songwriting team of Holland/Dozier/Holland and it was a hit for the Four Tops in November 1968, reaching number 27 in the UK singles chart. This cover version didn't reach that chart, but it was a minor hit in the Netherlands, only just missing the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3540

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'I'm in a different world' / 'Henry and James'

Download: here