Tuesday, November 07, 2023

Chorale - Including "Riu Riu" (1979)

©1979 Arista records - LRM-5C 062-62248
Vinyl rip, mp3 320 kbps

Chorale was a British group that combined elements of prog rock and folk. In 1978 Chorale had a minor hit in the Netherlands with 'Riu, riu' The album was released in 1979 and did not sell at all, but that was due to a lack of promotion and airplay. The album itself is great. Riu Riu is the traditional song of Spanish origin and was already sung in the 16th century. In 1967, The Monkees made their version of it.

I totally agree with this review of the album:

Tracks:
1. Anthem
2. Merry Old England
3. Thomas Harper
4. Songs For Every Season
5. War
6. The Battle
7. Come The Night-Time
8. Riu Riu
9. Child Of Space
10. Heavy Load
11. Pantomime


Monday, October 30, 2023

Nasty Pop - Nasty Pop (1975)

©1975 Island records - ILPS 9340
Vinyl rip, mp3 320 kbps

Nasty Pop was a Pop Rock band from Liverpool. Didn't make an impact like that other Liverpool band. This is their self titled first album. It was released in 1975 on Island records and mixed by Tony Visconti.

If you want their second album "Mistaken I.D." you can visit Power Pop Angels (Raiders of the Lost hook)

Bass player Keith Wilkinson was a member of Squeeze 1985-1995.
Guitar player Tony Whimshurst went to the Planets. They had a minor hit with "Iron For The Iron" in 1979.
Guitar player Gordon Smith was a member of Kevin Coyne's band before Nasty Pop

Tracks:
Stage And Plays
Play It Loud / I Don't Know
Pretty Author
The Ballad Of Doodie Handstand
Ticking Fast
The Invisible Kid
Lady Sings
Lonely King
Airs And Graces
Crow
One Of Those Days
Country Lover


Saturday, May 20, 2023

The Rumour - Frogs Sprouts Clogs And Krauts


©1978 Stiff Records (SEEZ 13)
Vinyl rip, mp3 320 kbps

The Rumor made their record debut as Graham Parker's backing band with the album Howlin' Wind (1976). During their work with Parker, The Rumor began releasing their own recordings the following year, beginning with the album Max (1977). In 1979, the band saw their mastery of the new wave sound confirmed with Frogs Sprouts Clogs and Krauts, a commentary on the European community.

Andrew Bodnar: Bass
Steve Goulding: Drums, Vocals
Brinsley Schwarz: Guitar, Vocals
Martin Belmont: Guitar, Vocals
Bob Andrews: Keyboards, Vocals
Roger Bechirian: Producer, Engineer


Tracks:
Frozen Years
Emotional Traffic
Tired Of Waiting
Loving You (Is Far Too Easy)
Euro
Leaders
We Believe In You / New Age
All Fall Down
One Good Night
I Can't Help Myself


Friday, May 19, 2023

Bobby Helms - Sorry, My Name Isn't Fred...


©1966 KAPP Records (KS-3505)
Vinyl rip, mp3 320 kbps

One of the most popular singers during the 1950s was Bobby Helms. His big hits at the time like Tennessee Rock’n’Roll and Jingle Bell Rock were aimed straight for the young teenagers. Bobby tried his hand at a few more up-beat rock songs, but was not really happy with this style, and when he reverted to a ballad style he was again among the hits beginning with Fraulein in 1957, and following with My Special Angel, which gave him a Gold Disc in 1958.

It was when he joined the Kapp Label in the mid-1960s as a country singer that Bobby Helms began to carve a new career for himself. Leaving behind his days as a pop singer, Bobby settled down to a new country career and hit the charts with Sorry My Name Isn’t Fred. He made two very enjoyable modern country albums with KAPP and proved that Bobby Helms had the right feel for country music. This is his first album for KAPP Records, Sorry, my name isn't Fred... from 1966.


Tracks:
A1  Sorry, My Name Isn't Fred
A2  The Last Word In Lonesome Is Me
A3  Portrait Of A Lonely Man
A4  Things I Remember
A5  Wondering
A6  Jig Saw Puzzle
B1  Touch Of Yesterday
B2  Take Good Care Of Her
B3  Standing At The End Of My World
B4  Not Till Now
B5  Right Back In Your Arms
B6  Where Does A Shadow Go


Thursday, April 27, 2023

Tony & Derek Hardman - Tiger Moth

©1976 UK Records (UKAL 1019 SUPER 2330 107)
Vinyl rip, mp3 320 kbps

According to a reviewer on Amazon.uk, the album was a collection of demo recordings sent to the record company for review, then returned in print. Whether that's true or not, I don't know, but the songs are nice to listen to.
 
Tony Hardman is known as one half of the Manchester folk duo "Tony & Arthur" with Arthur Wakefield. After the duo broke up, Tony teamed up with his brother Derek and recorded this album. '

Derek's daughter, Jane Hardman, remembers Tony & Derek rehearsals:
My father and uncle performed and recorded as a folk duo in the 1970s. Every week throughout my childhood they rehearsed in the bedroom next to mine, and I went to sleep to the sound of my father's bass guitar and my uncle's voice coming through the wall. I know every word of every song on their album. Unfortunately, my uncle is no longer with us, so hearing his voice again is always bittersweet, but very comforting.

Tony Hardman was killed in a climbing accident in Glencoe in the 1980s.

Tracks:
A1  Going Through The Motions
A2  Oh My What Do I See
A3  Beware Of The Bogey Man
A4  I Belong
A5  Rattle Tail Hoo-Ha
A6  Goodbye Wishful Dreaming
B1  Stand Still And Look At Me
B2  The Way Is The Way
B3  Orange Coloured Handkerchief
B4  Treasured Possessions
B5  I Can Sleep At Night
B6  Tiger Moth


Friday, November 18, 2022

Alice Cooper - Isolated (isolated Instrumental tracks)

This compilation ©2022 AppleCore 

Compilation of Alice Cooper songs when Alice Cooper still meant the band and not the person.
The person Alice Cooper has been filtered out as best as possible. Now and then you can still hear some fragments, but in general they have become good instrumental versions. Handy if you do karaoke :-)

01. Today Mueller
02. Reflected
03. Shoe Salesman
04. Beautiful Flyaway
05. Black JuJu
06. Halo Of Flies
07. Desperado
08. Gutter Cat Vs. The Jets
09. Blue Turk
10. Elected
11. I Love The Dead
12. Hard Headed Alice
13. Crazy Little Child
14. Man With The Golden Gun 



 



Monday, November 22, 2021

Marcel Maceao - The Best of Marcel Marceao (50th Anniversary Edition)


Vinyl Mp3 320 Kb/s ©1970 MGM Records. This compilation ©2020 AppleCore 

In 1970 the legendary mime Marcel Marceau made an album under the  pseudonym Marcel Marceao. This album was reviewed by, in those days, typical representatives of the American public.

  • Jacqueline Susan's dog said, "Listening to this record was the most exciting experience I've had since Lassie"
  • Jack Douglas' brother called this "A masterpiece combining the virtuosity of Pablo Casals, Mama Cass and Lamont Cranston."
  • Spiro Agnew called this album the quintessence of euphony, cacophony and salacious ecstasy. “I found this record to perfectly represent the position of the silent majority until I materialized onto the scenic expanse.” He said.
  • Richard Burton said, “Elizabeth loved it.”
  • Governor Reagan’s spokesman told a reporter that this is a local matter and does not concern his office.
Read all the reviews on the backside of the album.
 
The original album has one quarter of an hour track and a one minute track on both sides. The 50th anniversary edition is remixed and extended. It comes with 2 bonus tracks; Marcel's rendition of John Cage's 4'33 and a new one minute track. 



 


Monday, August 23, 2021

Joshua Rifkin - The Baroque Beatles Book (1965)

©1965 Elektra (EKL-306) 
Vinyl rip Mp3 320 Kb/s 

Musiciologist-conductor-pianist Joshua Rifkin’s The Baroque Beatles Book is a milestone from the early days of Nonesuch Records.  It began as a marketing concept-cum-youthful prank: How about writing Baroque-era arrangements of the Fab Four’s Top 40 hits,as if Lennon & McCartney were contemporaries of Bach & Handel? Beatlemania and the Baroque were both in fashion with theirrespective audiences, and the disc became a crossover hit at the height of the 1965 holiday season. But The Baroque Beatles Book was no mere novelty item. Over the years it has gained downright legendary status among Beatles fans, classical enthusiasts and those who have followed the remarkable evolution of the Nonesuch label. Newsweek declared the collection “inspired”; the Boston Globe called it “brilliant.”

The Royale Beatleworks Musique, MBE 1963
   Overture: I Want to Hold Your Hand and "You're Gonna Lose that Girl" – 6:00
    Réjouissance: I'll Cry Instead – 1:50
    La Paix: Things We Said Today – 2:02
    L'Amour s'en cachant: You've Got to Hide Your Love Away & Les Plaisirs: Ticket to Ride – 4:24

Epstein Variations, MBE 69A
    Hold Me Tight – 4:15

"Last Night I Said", Cantata for the Third Sunday after the Shea Stadium, MBE 58,000
    Chorus: "Last Night I Said" (Please Please Me) – 5:22
    Tenor (Helpentenor)Recitative: "In they came jorking" & Aria: "When I Was Younger" (Help!) – 5:31
    Chorale: "You know, if you break my heart" (I'll Be Back) – 1:40

Trio Sonata, Das Kaferlein, MBE 004 1/4
    Grave-Allegro-Grave: Eight Days a Week – 2:27
    Quodlibet: She Loves You/Thank You Girl/Hard Day's Night – 1:12



 


Friday, August 13, 2021

The Blue Water Folk - The Blue Water Folk (1970)


©1970 
Folk Heritage FHR013S

This is the debut by Blue Water Folk with Geoff Ashton, Ian Grime, Steve Ocock, Alan Waring & Rita Waring with Rod Williscroft on bass and reputedly only 200 copies made.

01 Banks Of The Roses (2:17)
02 Three Jolly Rogues (1:12)
03 The Snow Is Falling (3:02)
04 Lord Nelson (2:55)
05 Curragh Of Kildare (3:56)
06Fair And Tender Ladies (2:08)
07 New York Girls (2:32)
08 Maid Of Fyfe (2:38)
09 Early Morning Rain (2:44)
10 Marie's Wedding (1:46)
11 Trooper And The Maid (2:23)
12 Come Kiss Me Love (3:16)
13 Blue Nose (2:28)
14 Willie's Gone (2:40)

Friday, July 23, 2021

Brass Bed - Melt White

©2010 Art Design by Peter DeHart + Allison Bohl

Brass Bed songs are strange. Sometimes it sounds like a 70's powerpop band and sometimes like a experimental avant garde ensemble but overall it's a surprisingly good combination. Melt White is not of  'Sgt. Pepper' greatness but it has some simularities. God Save the Thieves and Strangers are pure McCartney pop.

1. Aria 02:19
2. People Want to Be Happy 03:28
3. Miniature Day Parade 03:30
4. Panthers 04:04
5. Begs Me Not To Beg 03:18
6. God Save the Thieves 04:44
7. Maybe It's Not Me 03:26
8. Strangers 03:03
9. Bums on the Radio 03:15
10. Pop Mission 02:08
11. If I Was a Farmer 06:00.

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Brass Bed With Allison Bohl - On Nilsson



Brass Bed and long-time collaborator Allison Bohl, decided to have a go on four of Harry’s songs. They created somewhat haunted versions of his songs. The songs "He's Large" and "He Needs Me" are from the live action Popeye movie (1980). 

It's nice but as an introduction to Harry Nilsson’s work, you would be better served by actually picking up one of Harry's records (Aerial Ballet or Nilsson Schmilsson preferably). Those interested in Brass Bed should check out his album "Melt White", pure McCartney pop.

One
He Needs Me
 He’s Large
Don’t Forget Me.

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Harry Nilsson - Rarities


Video!
Some Harry performances wich could be considdered rare if internet didn't exist. Some titles are double but the sources are different

A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (HD Quality)
Son Of Scmilsson Audio Visual Tour (Add)
The Music Of Nilsson BBC Preview
Did Somebody Drop His Mouse - A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night Live at the BBC
Beatlefest rehearsel 1992 with Liverpool (Beatles tribute band)
At Peggy March show
Rare Harry Nilsson Vol 1. The Music Of Nilsson
Rare Harry Nilsson Vol 2. A Touch of Schmilsson In The Night
Rare Harry Nilsson Vol 3. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
 

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

Dean Torkington and James Brian Healless - The Bat Strikes Back


©2008 Artist Selfrelease EU.TBSBDEC08 MCPS
mp3 320 kbps

The album Meat Loaf should have made but didn't. Tribute act Dean Torkington and James Brian Healless did. Dean and James wrote all the tracks in the best Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman tradition.
The story of Dean Torkington is rather sad. Meat Loaf sued Dean in 2012 for using meatloaf.org. The domain had been in use by Dean for more than 10 years, but he lost the lawsuit. Dean wasn't a fan of Meat Loaf after that and continued as a Elthn John tribute act. Read it all here.

01 The Bat Strikes back
02 The Days When We Were Young
03 To Hell And Back
04 Last Survivor
05 Should Have Known Better
06 If I Was King
07 Without You


Monday, May 24, 2021

Colin Scot - Just Another Clown



The second album from Colin Scot is the first album he made for Warner Brothers. Scot surrounds him with some big names in music again; Bassist Nick Potter, Rare Birth members Fred Kelly and Dave Kaffinetti, Guitar teacher John Pearse, Drummer legend Ray Cooper and producer Tom Newman.
Just like its predecessor (here), this release also failed to make an impact.

01 I'm A Dreamer
02 Then You Won't Be Blue
03 Sunday Morning
04 It's Over Now
05 Baby, I Got News For You
06 Bluebird
07 Lament
08 Edward And Charley And Me
09 You're Singing My Song
10 A Simple Song

©1973 Warner Bros. Records - K46236
mp3 320 kbps

Thursday, May 20, 2021

The Mirza Men - Beatles In L.A.


©1969 DJM Silverline (DJSL002)
Vinyl rip - No cleanup - mo3 320 Kbps

No, it's not a misprint for mersey men! The Mirza concerned here is Mirza Al Sharif. You can hear him on bongos, conga or timbales throughout this album. 12 early Beatles songs in Latin style produced by Nigel Hunter and great arrangements by Ido Martin and Dick Abell. 

01 Eight Days A Week
02 Michelle
03 I Saw Her Standing There
04 A Hard Days Night
05 Tell Me What You See
06 MI Feel Fine
07 Can't Buy Me Love
08 Yesterday
09 I'm Down
10 Eleanor Rigby
11 She's A Woman
12 Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

Silverline DJSL.002
mp3 320 kbps