After their top 10 hit with 'Halfway down the stairs' in the summer of 1977, the Muppets followed that single up with an EP featuring four songs. It was another hit for the Jim Henson creations, peaking at number 19 in the UK singles chart in December 1977.
The single displays much of the charm the old television series had, although obviously the songs were a bit more important on this disc than all the slapstick and visual jokes the audiences enjoyed on television. Still, the back of the sleeve displays this message from Miss Piggy: 'To my adoring fans, Thank you for making me the superstar I was destined to become.' Quite.
My collection: 7" single no. 5312 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Don't dilly dally on the way', 'Waiting at the church' / 'The boy in the gallery', 'Wotcher knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road'
I first discovered this song when I bought the 12" single in November 2008, also at the record fair in Utrecht. I'd just started this blog and it was a great discovery. Now that this blog is slowly winding down (I only have to add a couple of dozen 12" singles and any new records I buy) it's nice to find this single.
According to the information on the sleeve of this single, it doesn't just feature the two famous singers (from Heaven 17 and Propaganda respectively), but also Midge Ure (from Ultravox) on keyboards. The single was released in August 1985 and wasn't a hit.
My collection: 7" single no. 5310 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'When your heart runs out of time' / 'When your heart runs out of time (drumless)'
A photographic memory isn't of much use when record companies decide to have different picture sleeves for singles in different territories. I was convinced I didn't have 'Looking for you' by Kit Hain when I bought this, but as it turns out I did (see it here). Fortunately the B-side of this single is different, and it's a good one too.
'Looking for you' was released in 1982, four years after Kit Hain scored a massive hit together with Julian Marshall: 'Dancing in the city'. It's the same delightful voice with different material. She could have been a star, but the general public wasn't interested.
My collection: 7" single no. 5305 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Looking for you' / 'Lost domain'
When I posted this blog about the 12" single of Fiction Factory's 'Ghost of love', Laurent from Belgium pointed out that there was another single by this excellent band called 'All or nothing' with an unreleased B-side track, 'Dreaming of someone'. I didn't know this, but it was obviously interesting because I haven't heard anything by the band I didn't like.
I was pleasantly surprised last week when I found this promotion copy of the single. There is a version with a picture sleeve, but in the absence of that, a promo copy is always nice to have. And of course, the track is good, but the B-side is even better. That's my opinion, of course...
My collection: 7" single no. 5314 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'All or nothing' / 'Dreaming of someone'
When Kim Wilde recently recorded a cover of 'Spirit in the sky', it was reason enough for me to want to hear (and have) the original version by Norman Greenbaum. That single isn't as easy to find as this 1986 hit version by Doctor & the Medics, which like the original version reached number 1 in the UK singles chart.
The single was taken from their debut album 'Laughing at the pieces'. Subsequent singles weren't as successful. They released three further albums between 1987 and 1996. In 2003 there was a reunion, after which they started performing - in a different line-up - as a tribute act to various artists.
My collection: 7" single no. 5323 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Spirit in the sky' / 'Laughing at the pieces'
With a softfocus sleeve and a singer like Lynsey de Paul, people in the Seventies knew what they were getting: carefully crafted pop songs brought by a tempting but not entirely convincing voice. At least, that's my opinion. I heard 'Won't somebody dance with me' a while ago on the radio and thought it was a nice song, so the hunt for this single was on.
On this German release, the 1973 UK top 20 hit is relegated to the B-side in favour of 'Sugar me', which was a hit the year before and reached number 4. This single was actually released in 1981, in the hope of improving on the number 16 placing in the German chart almost a decade earlier.
My collection: 7" single no. 5325 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Sugar me' / 'Won't somebody dance with me'
I've already featured the Jon & Vangelis version and the Donna Summer version of 'State of independence' on this blog, so here is the version by Boilerhouse. Who? Boilerhouse, who remixed Donna Summer's version in 1990. Not a lot of spectacular things happen in this version: it apparently features a 'new bass' (whatever that is).
The single was released to promote a compilation album imaginatively titled 'The best of Donna Summer' and did a reasonable, if not great, job: it peaked at number 45 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5320 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'State of independence (new bass mix)' / 'State of independence (original version edit)'
The Australian band INXS had their biggest success with the 1987 album 'Kick'. The immortal 'Need you tonight' was taken from that album, but also 'Never tear us apart', 'New sensation' and this one: 'Devil inside'. In the UK, the sales were stimulated with a limited edition pack containing six colour postcard, each featuring a member of the band.
I was always aware of this limited edition so I never bought the single until I saw it last weekend. I could have bought it back in 1988, but at the time, there were so many good records and not so much money to go around. These days it's almost the other way around...
My collection: 7" single no. 5311 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Devil inside' / 'On the rocks'
Many artists seemed to reach their creative peak in 1984. It's the year from which I remember so many great songs, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Paul Young's personal best was the single 'I'm gonna tear your playhouse down', also released in that year. I wanted to buy this single for a long time but had to wait until I found the limited edition with a poster sleeve. I finally have it now.
'I'm gonna tear your playhouse down' was the first single taken from Paul Young's second solo album 'The secret of association' and peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart in October 1984.
My collection: 7" single no. 5322 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'I'm gonna tear your playhouse down' / 'One step forward'
'Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)' is the title track from David Bowie's 1980 album. It was also issued as the third single from that album in January 1981. The single didn't do as well as the previous two singles, 'Ashes to ashes' and 'Fashion', and peaked outside the UK top 10 at number 20.
Musically the track was notable for its lead guitar work by Robert Fripp and distinctive synthesized percussion. The lyrics, sung by Bowie in a mock-cockney accent, charted a woman's withdrawal from the world and descent into madness ('When I looked in her eyes they were blue but nobody home ... Now she's stupid in the street and she can't socialise'). Personally I prefer the B-side, also taken from the album, 'Because you're young'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5298 Found: Record fair, Utrecht Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Scary monsters (and super creeps)' / 'Because you're young'
Man 2 Man was founded by brothers Miki and Paul Zone, who had been known in the New York music scene since the mid-1970s. Paul participated in a band called The Fast during this period. After The Fast, the brothers spent the first half of the 1980s singing on a number of Hi-NRG and disco records for record producers such as Bobby Orlando (records like Divine's 'Native love' and The Flirts' 'Passion'). Soon after they formed a new band, which was originally called Man's Favourite Sports. However, another band had already claimed the right to use this name, so the Zone brothers became known as Man 2 Man.
Under this name the band scored their biggest hit, 'Male Stripper', teaming up with cult electro producer Man Parrish. Originally released in the United Kingdom in 1986 on the Bolts Records label, 'Male stripper' was a big club hit throughout the autumn and peaked at number 64 on the UK Singles Chart. In early 1987, the single charted again in the UK, and this time the song became an even bigger hit, spending five weeks in the Top 10 and two weeks at number 4. This success was barely seen by group member Miki Zone, who had died of spinal meningitis caused by AIDS on December 31, 1986.
My collection: 7" single no. 5304 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Male stripper (part 1)' / 'Male stripper (part 2)'
When I was younger, so much younger than today, Abba was my favourite band. I got an album of their greatest hits as a souvenir after a holiday because I really wanted it, and I played it over and over again. One of my favourite tracks on that album was 'So long', which to me sounded like the hardest kind of hardrock I could imagine.
Of course, Abba were never in the business of hardrock, but there is a certain rock edge to this song. It was released as a single in November 1974. Although musically similar to 'Waterloo', it was only a hit in Sweden, Germany and Austria, peaking at number 7, number 11 and number 3 respectively.
My collection: 7" single no. 5326 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'So long' / 'I've been waiting for you'
If you haven't seen the most recent Muppets movie yet, try to go and see it now because it's rather hilarious. Despite all the squeaky clean candyfloss production values, the writers have done their best to incorporate that good old Muppet anarchy in the story, and best of all: the movie uses the rich history of Jim Henson's creatures to full effect.
One of the great things about the movie is that the song 'Mah na mah na' is featured in it. This was used in the very first episode of the Muppet Show in 1976 and also appeared on the soundtrack album for the show. This single, released by PYE in 1977, features two classic Muppets song. Officially 'Halfway down the stairs' is the A-side, and it is this song which peaked at number 7 in the UK singles chart in June 1977. But who remembers this sweet little song performed by Kermit's nephew Robin?
My collection: 7" single no. 5313 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Halfway down the stairs' / 'Mah na mah na'
So these are the humble beginnings of Bananarama. Keren Woodward and Sara Dallan had been childhood friends in Bristol since the age of four, and attended St. George's School for Girls together. The pair became a trio when Dallin met Fahey while studying fashion journalism. They became friends because they both dressed more radically than the other students. The trio were ardent followers of the punk rock and post-punk music scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s and often performed impromptu sets or backing vocals at gigs for such bands as The Monochrome Set, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Department S and the Nipple Erectors.
In 1981, Bananarama's members were living above the rehearsal room that was used by former Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook. With their help, Bananarama recorded their first demo 'Aie a Mwana' (a cover of a song by Black Blood, sung in Swahili). The demo was heard at Demon Records, which offered Bananarama their first deal. The song was an underground hit and Bananarama were signed by Decca (later London Records) and remained on this label until 1993.
My collection: 7" single no. 5299 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Aie a mwana' / 'Dubwana'
Taken from Pink Floyd's 1987 album 'A momentary lapse of reason', 'One slip' was originally released as the B-side of the album's first single 'Learning to fly', but then re-released as its third single, after 'On the turning away'. The song was undoubtedly the least accessible of the three, but it still peaked at number 50 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1988.
The song was co-written by David Gilmour and Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera. This copy was taken from the library of London Weekend Television music services, and sold at the record fair in Utrecht this weekend. Hence the sticker on the sleeve...
My collection: 7" single no. 5296 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'One slip' / 'Terminal frost'
This single is not the original release of 'I only want to be with you', but a re-release from 1987. Dusty Springfield had just had a big hit with the Pet Shop Boys ('What have I done to deserve this') and her old record company decided to cash in with a compilation album of Dusty's old hits. Did they think this single would become a hit as well?
Back in November 1963, Dusty Springfield had her first hit with this song, which peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart. In 1987, this success was not matched: the single didn't even reach the chart. But then, the people who wanted to have it already had it in their collection most probably.
My collection: 7" single no. 5309 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'I only want to be with you' / 'Breakfast in bed'
The band Leisure Process never had much success, so its only claim to fame was the inclusion of band members Ross Middleton and Gary Barnacle, who have always been successful session artists.
'Cashflow' was one of their singles and when you listen to the two tracks on this single you can hear a great instrumental on the B-side. In my opinion, it's the best track the band have recorded.
My collection: 7" single no. 5297 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 12, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Cashflow' / 'The emigré'
Most people seem to think that Paul Young landed an immediate number 1 hit with his debut solo single 'Wherever I lay my hat' in the summer of 1983, but in fact, it was this single, released in 1982, which started it all. Paul Young left his band the Q Tips and released 'Iron out the rough spots' as his debut single. The single was not successful, in fact it didn't chart in any territory.
Up next was 'Love of the common people', which was equally unsuccessful upon its first release. It was only when the third single was released, the aforementioned 'Wherever I lay my hat', when Paul reached number 1 in the UK and Ireland. 'Love of the common people', of course, still became a hit after fourth single 'Come back and stay' had gone top 10 almost everywhere. But this single remained unknown for most people - although the track still does appear on Paul Young's debut solo album, 'No parlez'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5295 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Iron out the rough spots' / 'Behind your smile'
Although it was already 1981, the band Racey were still recording rock and roll tracks as if no two decades had passed. An anachronism in a way, but it was kindof charming nonetheless. 'Little darlin'' was one of their later offerings, which didn't dent the charts.
Racey's last hit, 'Runaround Sue', was released the year before. The band formally split in 1985, and since then two separate groups
named Racey exist, one featuring band member Richard Gower and the other
featuring Clive Wilson, Phil Fursdon and Pete Miller.
My collection: 7" single no. 5302 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Little darlin'' / 'Rock it'
Today Marty Wilde celebrates his 73rd birthday. That in itself is a great achievement, but even more so when you start to realise that 55 years after starting his career with a string of top 10 hits in the UK, he is still performing across that country.
'Rubber ball', released in January 1961, was his last top 10 hit, peaking at number 9 in the UK singles chart. I was quite stunned to find this mint copy yesterday, in the stall of a dealer who was selling everything for just 1 euro. Normally one is expected to pay much more for old gems like this.
My collection: 7" single no. 5316 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'Rubber ball' / 'Like makin' love'
For a mere eight years I was well into Tori Amos. All that time she released five great albums, until the disastrous covers album 'Strange little girls' ended that great run and introduced a decade of wishy-washy albums, finally descending into that career nosedive called the - gasp - Christmas album.
I should have suspected that Tori Amos was not entirely artistically correct when her third album 'Boys for Pele' spawned a few very bad remix efforts. The number one hit 'Professional widow', in which the original song was mangled beyond recognition, was an offence, and it was followed by this 12" single featuring four half-decent remixes of 'In the springtime of his voodoo'. I couldn't foresee what would happen next, I bought this one out of curiosity more than anything.
My collection: 12" single no. 636 Found: Delft, 1996 Cost: 20 guilders Tracks: 'In the springtime of his voodoo (Hasbrouck Heights club mix)', 'In the springtime of his vooodo (Quiet mix)' / 'In the springtime of his voodoo (Sugar dub)', 'In the springtime of his voodoo (Hasbrouck heights single mix)'
Daryl Hall & John Oates wrote some very fine pop tunes in the early Eighties, and this is one of them. This single from their 1981 album 'Private eyes' was also released on a 12" single, which features an extended version of the track. This wasn't a standard practice back in those days, in fact I have a few 12" singles from 1981 which only feature the normal single version.
The funky beat of this track has been misused by many hiphop "artists" through the years, and you can also hear it in Simply Red's 2003 hit 'Sunrise'.
My collection: 12" single no. 163
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I can't go for that (no can do)' / 'Unguarded minute'
When Frida went solo in 1982, nobody suspected that it signalled the end of Abba, the band she'd been part of for the last ten years. And when the first single, 'I know there's something going on', produced by Phil Collins, became a big hit, nobody knew that the rest of her solo career would be less successful. Her career as a solo artist became comparatively insignificant, although artistically it had some interesting moments nonetheless.
This 12" single features the full length version of the track, as it was found on the album 'Something's going on'.
My collection: 12" single no. 144 Found: Record fair, 1993 Cost: 1 guilder Tracks: 'I know there's something going on (full length version)' / 'Threnody'
When you look at the sleeve of the 7" single of 'You are the one' and compare it with this one from the 12" single, you'll see that a different photograph was used from the same photo session. You'd wish this was done more often, because all too often the sleeve of the 12" single is an exact replica, if only a bigger one, of the 7" single.
Another attractive feature of this 12" single was the inclusion of an extended remix of 'You are the one', plus the instrumental version. Which in turn makes you wonder why these were never released on cd.
My collection: 12" single no. 229 Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1994 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'You are the one (12" remix)' / 'You are the one (instrumental)', 'Out of blue comes green'
When the duo Groovenut decided to remix Kim Wilde's 'You came', little did they know that there were actually plans to re-record and re-release this track. It was 2005, a full 17 years after the release of the original track, and the plan was simply to update the track for the new century.
When they asked for permission to use the samples of the track, they never got that permission. But in 2006, when 'You came (2006)' was released in Europe, they were asked to recreate the mix, using the new vocal tracks. The original mix was only ever released on white label 12" singles - and fortunately I found a copy.
My collection: 12" single no. 444 Found: unknown, 2005 Cost: unknown Tracks: 'Love you more'
When the cd-single became the preferred format in the late Eighties, vinyl was quickly pronounced dead by the record companies, not realising they were digging their own graves at the time. But before they did, there were some efforts made to sell vinyl discs, for instance with exclusive tracks.
This 12" single of Duran Duran's 1993 single 'Come undone' for instance features the 'TV synth strings' mix of 'Come undone', which was not available on either of the two (!) cd-singles available in the UK. But it is suspicious that this 12" single was released in Italy in. So buying this in a shop in Amsterdam two years after its release was a bit of a fluke...
My collection: 12" single no. 237 Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, 1995 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'Come undone (edit)', 'Ordinary world (acoustic version)' / 'Come undone (FGI Phumpin' 12"), 'Come undone (La fin de siecle)', 'Come undone (TV synth strings)'
When Kate Bush finally released a new album in 1993, four years after the previous one, I was looking forward to it like never before. The world really needed new music from Kate Bush, as the music scene in 1993 had become boring and predictable. Kate Bush was never that: her new single showed an unexpected whimsical style.
'Rubberband girl' was released a month before a holiday in London, so I had to wait a while before I got my hands on this picture disc 12" single. Featuring the same tracks as the cd-single, the real treat was the picture disc itself which showed a still from the movie 'The line, the cross & the curve' which was released in 1994.
My collection: 12" single no. 174 Found: HMV, London, October 1993 Cost: 4 pounds Tracks: 'Rubberband girl (extended version)' / 'Rubberband girl', 'Big stripey lie'
Nik Kershaw got through his first two albums okay, but when the 'difficult third album' came up, he was out of luck: although his music was still very interesting, it proved 'too difficult' for the record-buying audience. Hence, 'Radio Musicola', as the album was called, never got the attention it deserved.
The title track was one of the tracks to be released as a single and this 12" single features an extended version of it, which is not spectacular, but nice nonetheless.
My collection: 12" single no. 425 Found: Record Exchange, London, 2000 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Radio Musicola (extended version)' / 'L.A.B.A.T.Y.D.', 'Radio Musicola'
As written before, there is a difference between the extended version of Tears for Fears' 1984 single 'Mothers talk' and the so-called 'Beat of the drum mix' of that track. This 12" single is the only one that contains the latter mix, although a German pressing with the sleeve shown here claims to feature it as well.
Now if you expect to get a really good remix, you're bound to be disappointed. Personally I find this remix noisy and a bit 'too much'. But any collector of Tears for Fears will be delighted to hear this mix nonetheless, as it's pretty rare. It only found its way onto cd in 2006 when Mercury released the 'Deluxe edition' of 'Songs from the big chair'.
My collection: 12" single no. 632 Found: All that music, Leiden Cost: 14,5 guilders Tracks: 'Mothers talk (Beat of the drum mix)' / 'Empire building'
Although the British band Private Lives never hit it big, they certainly had their chances since three different singles were taken from their only album release. 'Break the chains' is probably the least wellknown of the three, but it was still released on 7" and 12".
This 12" version features both the radio mix of the track and an extended version - although the latter is not announced as such on the sleeve. While it's a mystery to me why other singles 'Living in a world (turned upside down)' and 'From a river to a sea' did so bad, I can understand it better for this one. Although I like the tune, it certainly isn't spectacular by any standard.
My collection: 12" single no. 635 Found: Discogs.com, received 2009 Cost: 3 euro Tracks: 'Break the chains [extended]' / 'Break the chains (radio mix)', 'You've got to win'
Nobody covered Kim Wilde's 1981 hit, 'Cambodia'. Well, there were actually quite a few of them (including a Swedish death metal band, an American dance queen, a pop singer from Luxembourg and a Norwegian electro-band), but this 12" single was released by Nobody.
A strange name for an act, but then the Belgians usually have a tendency to be quirky. Vocals on this version were by one Loredana and the track was produced by Starfighter & Club Genius. If that still doesn't tell you anything, you know just as much as me.
My collection: 12" single no. 447 Found: German website, 2007 Cost: 6 euro Tracks: 'Cambodia (original extended mix)' / 'Cambodia (Ion rmx)'
Although I was only seven years old when this single was released, I can say that I've loved this song from the very beginning. I bought the single years later, but that was only because I had a double LP with this track on it since early 1979. And then there was this 12" single...
Every year in June there was a street market in a street near to my parents' house. The first time ever I went there I found this 12" single, featuring 'Dancing in the city', and pressed on blue vinyl. I was stunned. Even if it wouldn't contain an extended version, I simply had to have it. And so I bought it. It didn't even cost that much, although I'm sure it's pretty rare and hard to find now. But I might be wrong of course.
My collection: 12" single no. 9 Found: Braderie, Den Haag Cost: 3 guilders or so Tracks: 'Dancing in the city' / 'Take my number'
The last single by Mel & Kim was released when Mel was already receiving treatment for cancer, a battle she ultimately lost on January 18, 1990. Her illness was made public at the time of the release of this single.
This 12" was the first of a series and includes the original version of the B-side 'You changed my life' plus an extended version of the title track. The content of this 12" single is identical to the cd-single released at the time, which is why I never bought this one. But at 1 euro, I simply had to snap it up.
My collection: 12" single no. 634 Found: Haarlemmerstraat, Leiden Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'That's the way it is [extended]' / 'I'm the one who really loves you (US remix)', 'You changed my life'
When I bought this 12" single there was no way to tell whether it contained an extended version of the lead track, so I just bought it. I think this version is slightly longer, but certainly not a remix of the track, which is a pity, but so be it.
Featuring three tracks, this disc was apparently sold for the price of a 7" single in the UK - or so the sticker says. Value for money then, because if anything, Shalamar were known for funky music and this is very funky music.
My collection: 12" single no. 633 Found: unknown Cost: unknown Tracks: 'I can make you feel good' / 'Friends', 'Help me'
Released some time before the album, 'Mothers talk' was actually the first single from Tears for Fears' second album 'Songs from the big chair'. Little did they know then that it would become such a successful album. And although the single did reasonably well in the UK (peaking at no. 14 in the chart) other countries weren't convinced until the next single, 'Shout', was released.
This 12" single was released as one of two different versions. It featured the original extended version. In Germany, a 12" single - which I also have - was released with the very same sleeve, but announcing this extended version as the 'Beat of the drum mix'. But that was actually a different mix, one that I will write about in the next blog about Tears for Fears...
My collection: 12" single no. 22 / no. 631 Found: Free Record Shop, 1985 / All that music, Leiden, unknown date Cost: 7 guilders / 12,5 guilders Tracks: 'Mothers talk (extended mix)' / 'Empire building'
'Leave in silence' is still one of my all time favourite Depeche Mode tracks, and this 12" single had a little to do with that. I was very impressed with the extended remix of this single, and the 'quieter' version that was included on the B-side of this 12" single added a dimension to the beauty of the track. I remember spending some hours re-mixing these mixes on my old tape recorder, using the excellent 'pause' buttons they used to have. One mix exceeded 10 minutes, if I remember correctly.
The instrumental 'Further excerpts from My secret garden' elaborates on the B-side of the 7" single and is another highlight in the band's catalogue. In my opinion this ranks among the best 12" singles they have released during their impressive 30 year career.
My collection: 12" single no. 17 Found: Free Record Shop, 1985 Cost: 8 guilders Tracks: 'Leave in silence (longer)' / 'Further excerpt from: My secret garden', 'Leave in silence (quieter)'
For a long time, this 1986 re-recording of 'Don't stand so close to me' was in the history books as the only reunion of the British band The Police and it is still their most recent studio recording. Produced by Laurie Latham, this version is very different from the 1980 original.
This 12" single brings together four versions of the track: the original version, the 1986 version, a dance mix of that 1986 version and a live version of unknown origin. Amazingly, a cd version of this disc also exists: a CD-Video was released in the UK, featuring all four tracks plus the music video for this 1986 version.
My collection: 12" single no. 38 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986 Cost: 15 guilders Tracks: 'Don't stand so close to me '86 (dance mix)', 'Don't stand so close to me '86' / 'Don't stand so close to me (original version)', 'Don't stand so close to me (live)'
In 1990, Kate Bush was one of the artists that participated in the project 'Two rooms', in which covers of Elton John songs were recorded. Kate Bush chose 'Rocket man', a song originally released in 1972. According to Kate: 'When I asked to be involved in this project and was given the choice of a track it was like being asked ‘would you like to fulfill a dream? would you like to be Rocket Man?’... yes, I would.'
Mercury Records had the good judgement to release Kate's track as a single, and Kate added another cover on the B-side: a version of 'Candle in the wind', released by Elton John in 1974. A stripped down, almost clunky version that takes a lot of its charm from Kate's beautiful vocals. This 12" single features both the vocal and instrumental version - as did the cd-single of 'Rocket man'.
My collection: 12" single no. 629 Found: Discogs.com, received February 8, 2012 Cost: 5 euro Tracks: 'Rocket man' / 'Candle in the wind', 'Candle in the wind (instrumental)'
February 29 is an extraordinary day and on such a day I think I should post at least one extraordinary record. This one fits the bill: it's one of the earlier 12" singles I bought and one of precious few that features three different songs, all remixed, and all good.
'Human racing', the title track of Nik Kershaw's debut album was remixed to great effect, leaving only drums and vox at the end, but still engaging and soulful. Nik's voice sounds suspiciously like Stevie Wonder's on this track, and it's the kind of soulful song the blind American could have written and recorded himself. The remix of Kershaw's hit single 'Wouldn't it be good', which inexplicably isn't included on expanded double cd re-release of 'Human racing' of last Monday, is weird but wonderful, and the remix of album track 'Faces' is moving and more engaging than the original version. So there you have it: 17 minutes of pure bliss on one piece of vinyl.
My collection: 12" single no. 13 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985 Cost: 7 guilders Tracks: 'Human racing (special extended mix)' / 'Wouldn't it be good (remix)', 'Faces (remix)'
'Respectable' was only the second single of the duo Mel & Kim Appleby, but they were quickly becoming a phenomenon. The single reached number 1 in various countries including their native England, and a variety of formats was released to keep the fans buying products.
The 12" single appeared in different sleeves, although it appears that the black & white sleeve (pictured above) was the only one used in the UK - not counting a limited picture disc edition of course. I bought both versions on one day, just last month, realising that I have a lot of Mel & Kim discs already but these were still missing.
Both 12" singles I own feature the same set of remixes, of which the extended version starts in a particularly loud and slightly annoying way. As always with Stock/Aitken/Waterman productions: when you've heard one remix you pretty much have heard them all.
My collection: 12" single no. 622 & 623 Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012 Cost: 3 euros each Tracks: 'Respectable (extended version)' / 'Respectable (7 inch version)', 'Respectable (Extra beats version)'
