Drama! - Erasure

Last week when we were in Utrecht, Puck showed me this single by Erasure. I couldn't for the life of me figure out whether I already had it or not. I've seen the sleeve numerous times through the years, of course, which causes confusion in my photographic memory.

When I came home, it turned out I didn't have this single, and so, since I knew I would be back at the store this week, I had a new opportunity to buy it. 'Drama' was the first single from Erasure's 1989 album 'Wild!' and was a number 4 hit in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4893
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Drama!' / 'Sweet sweet baby'

Hold on - Bolland en Bolland

The Dutch brothers Bolland recorded a very American-sounding single in 1978, entitled 'Hold on'. I got to know the song because of a compilation album of 1978 hits which I got as a present in 1979, but the strange thing is: 'Hold on'was never a hit.

That's not to say it's a bad song: it could easily compete in the international charts at the time - but I think the record company never even tried this.

My collection: 7" single no. 4892
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hold on' / 'Outlaws paradise'

London - Alessi

The Alessi Brothers made some great jazzy stuff in the late Seventies,with one of their best known tracks being 'Oh Lori'.

This single was taken from the same album as 'All for a reason', a year after 'Oh Lori'. It's an ode to one of the world's most exciting cities, 'London'. And it's got that same jazzy feel.

My collection: 7" single no. 4891
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'London' / 'Farewell'

The one that you love - Air Supply

'The one that you love' is a classic love song, written by Graham Russell and recorded by the Australian band Air Supply. The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 1981. Although it is a wellknown song, the single did not chart in most of Europe.

This copy of the single was pressed on green vinyl, which I suppose is part of a limited edition run. Quite a beautiful collector's item!

My collection: 7" single no. 4890
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The one that you love' / 'I want to give it all'

Am I normal? - Eye to eye

After the duo Marshall Hain split up, Kit Hain went on a solo career and Julian Marshall seemingly disappeared from the pop scene. Seemingly, because in 1980 he was part of the group Eye to eye.

Most people don't know this, as the single 'Am I normal?' did not become a hit. The beautiful sleeve featured a painting called 'Hand Maid', created by Philip Castle.

My collection: 7" single no. 4889
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Am I normal?' / 'Tonight insomnia'

Early morning wake up call - Flash and the Pan

The title track of Flash and the Pan's 1985 album 'Early morning wake up call' was released as a single. It wasn't a commercial success, but it is quite a catchy track in the style of this Australian band.

My collection: 7" single no. 4888
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Early morning wake up call' / 'Look at that woman go'

In the clouds - All about Eve

When I started collecting All about Eve records in the late Eighties, I quickly became aware that they'd released some independent 12" singles at the beginning of their career. The 12" of 'D for desire' never came within my grasp for a reasonable price, and neither did 'In the clouds', their second release from 1985.

While I was never prepared to shell out 50 pounds or more for 'D for desire' ever since I got a bootleg 7" single, I did buy this 12" single for 20 pounds. That's still a lot of money, but it was lot cheaper than they were going for at the time - plus it was in pristine condition. Sometimes you have to live a little.

My collection: 12" single no. 270
Found: Record fair, London
Cost: 20 pounds
Tracks: 'In the clouds' / 'End of the day', 'Love leads nowhere'