Monday, April 27, 2009

Wellington –Swoop Down On You


Wellington –Swoop Down On You/ Superstar –Negram NG -675 (1975 Dutch issue)
Swoop Down On You
is probably the 3rd single from Northamptonshire’s very own Wellington. Their 2 other singles came out on Concord, but I can’t find any confirmation if this one even came out in the UK. It’s very similar to Catch Us If You Can (see review and hear sound clip here: http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2006/09/wellington-catch-us-if-you-can.html), as it’s a catchy stomper with rattling piano and a top hook. In fact it’s so similar to Catch Us If You Can that it even shares the same B side -Superstar. Their other single Alright I’ll See You Tonight is also fun with its intro that totally rips off Get It On .

Enjoy the whole Swoop right here...



Friday, April 24, 2009

Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet: The Launch

OK, finally here are a few pics from the launch of Clap Your hands and Stamp Your Feet. Building up to the launch there had been a lot of national press, radio and TV coverage in Holland, it was quite amazing actually, there are just so many angles to this thing. Seeing pics of Pantherman in the mainstream national press was quite a thrill.

I must say that I am very proud to have been involved in this compilation. The guys at Excelsior have done a great job and the CD and booklet look amazing. It certainly stands out from your usual CD.

Anyhow, I spent the Friday mopping as best I could singles from the 500 or so dealers at the fair, I took the odd short coffee break and ended the day hanging up with Jos our 100 Nederglam pic sleeves display. The concept was huge. Fuck Fen shui, this is the really important stuff!


100 singles rule!

So as Bonnie St. Claire was the focus of it all and a goddess, so all the Bonnie singles ended up dead centre, the Left Side singles were on...you guessed it –the Left Side. Cardinal Point had to be at a Cardinal Point, so were on the bottom right. Shelby The Clap’s single had to be next to The Rockets as he was a Rock N Roll Drummer...it goes on and on. Earlier in the day, I got Bonnie’s number and gave her a ring -she seemed really happy to be involved...


On the day itself, the momentum was building nicely and then 1 o clock was suddenly upon us. I started by spinning a couple of tunes, Jos projected his compilation of NederGlam videos, and then Smyle were ready to take to the stage.
The Smyle guys were super friendly and their short set was just what was called for; full of Beatle harmonies and Powerpop jangle. They hadn’t played together in 35 years, but the fun and complicity they shared on stage was pretty infectious.




Mark Boon of Smyle

Pantherman (Frank Klunhaar) showed up minus costume. It seems his mask is kept in a glass display in his living room, but perhaps one day...Anyhow Frank is a very friendly and TALL gentleman, still I am sure he call in his gnashers if required.


I am going to bite you...


Had a quick word with Pete Koelewijn , his name appears all over this compilation. He wrote and produced CYHASYF, Locomotion, Rock N Roll Drummer, and so much more. His production and knack for combining the NederStomp with killer hooks are legendary. Jos will be talking to him in more depth soon and interviews will be appearing on the NederGlam website (more details shortly).

But where was Bonnie? We were told that she was on her way and then we heard that she was still at home, so we gave up on her showing up, but the show went on culminating in those involved (Pantherman, Pete Koelewijn, Smyle and Wally from Lemming) being presented with the CD.
Then it was all over, a special moment had passed where the last two years of researching and getting the compilation had reached its apex or had it?




Robin, Bonnie and Jos (and sandwich)

...We then we get a call that Bonnie was coming after all...and 1 hour after the main event had reached its premature climax, Bonnie strolled in. It was lovely meeting her and chatting. I then had the honour to introduce her on stage and present her with the CD, but Bonnie had other ideas..."Play the record" she said and off she went performing Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet, even passing the mic to me to help out on “backing vocals...”!


Clap Your Hands an Stamp Your Clogs...motherf***ers

Ever the professional Bonnie then held court signing singles, albums and photos for a long line of fans. She is still a top draw attraction and Holland should be proud of her - she is a national treasure! She released some classic Euro Glam HIT singles, but one shouldn’t also forget Tame Me Tiger and I surrender. Classic singles with classic performances. Go check out YouTube as well...her influence and talent should never be belittled.


Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Records picked up in Utrecht










Here are some of the singles I picked up in Utrecht. I arrived on the Thursday so was finally able to visit the Da Capo shop http://www.dacaporecords.nl . It’s absolutely great for singles (and LPs -if you like that sort of thing) –the basement (The Beatcave) is crammed full of singles at 1 Euro each and they also have a single bar full of more collectable singles, plus all the singles in the main shop. It’s well worth arriving a day early and checking the shop out. I must have found around 30 singles at Da Capo. The remaining 70 or so singles were found in 3 days of going up and down the aisles at the fair in a mad obsessive daze...Here’s to a return in November to the best record fair in the world!!!

Smyle –Tandem
The Hammer –I’d Do It Again –NL Pic Sleeve –this is Mark Boon post Smyle –a great powerpop single.
Amsterdam –Donay
Tiger – Hot Amsterdam/ The Bomb. This is in fact The Tigers On Vaseline –the B side is indeed “The Bomb” and rocks to the max.
Drama –Mary’s Mamma (Peter Koelewijn production –the B side is best)
Wellington –Swoop Down On You -would you believe a third single by Wellington? I don’t think it got released in the UK –good uptempo Glam)
Shadows of Knight –My Fire Department Needs A Fireman –Ger Pic sleeve
Renee –Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On
Radar –Sweet Baby Sweet –Killer Dutch Glam single –If I knew this one before, it would have been on the comp – a prime candidate for volume two !
Mike Berry –Don’t Be Cruel (The Joe Meek one, not the Ning one)
Zoo –Walking –CNR - another stomping Dutch Glamster
Whistle –The Party Must Be Over –UK demo
Lemming –Bang On
Rocketters –Rocket Man
Cape Canary –Let There Be Light
Brownsville Station –King of The Party –Ger pic sleeve
Resonance –Moto Rock –French Pic Sleeve. This is the same bunch who did OK Chicago . Great motorbike noises over a chugging beat
Circus –Over and Over –Negram
Bacchus –who Put The Bomp –The B side Teen Queen is the reason to own this one
Fickle Pickle –The Letter Dutch Pic Sleeve
Los Brincos –You Know (B side is Spanish version of Nobody Wants You Now)
Serpentine –Yesterday Papers –cool psych 2 sider –perfect Circus Days fodder
Serpentine –Instant Alison
Girlie –Andy –Dutch Pic sleeve
Nick Gilder -Roxy Roller –Dutch Pic Sleeve
Anita Garbo –Race With The Devil –Good cover of the Gun hit with a Glammy B side
Mathew Passion –Company Director –Dart
Wei Wei Wong –Sing Song Boat –Dart
Mighty Love –We’ve Gotta Live With One Another –D'art
Left Side –Morning Sunrise –absolute killer B side on this their last single, forget the A side
Moving Men –The King of Crazy Town –The Rockets in disguise in ultra rocking Glam mode with quirky effects galore
Cardinal Point –Peppermint Twist
Bintangs –Riding On the L &R –what is it with the Dutch and flutes? –Otherwise a cracking rocker
John Arthur –No Lady No –CNR
Whichwhat –Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’ (the Crazy Elephant Tune)
Heart-Stronger –the Dutch Heart’s 3rd and last single
Zoom –Bye Bye Honey Bee –self produced French poppy Boogie Glam single
20/20 –nice Dutch pic sleeve of Cheri
Artful Dodger -lead track off 3rd album, but with front cover featuring photo used for the painting on the front of their first album.
Jungle Jim –Big Fat Onraguman (Swedish Pic Sleeve)
Pebbles –Mother Army
William Shakespeare –Can’t Stop Myself From Loving You (Ger Pic Sleeve)
General of Budapest –Everybody Join us
Carl Simmons –King Of Rock N Roll (this is Dick Turpin of Madeline fame)
Chicory Tip –Good Grief Christina –Dutch Pic Sleeve
Chicory Tip –Survivor
UFO –C’mon Everybody –early single –sounds like they only wanted to be Blue Cheer at this point
Teddy Lane –Bye Bye Love –good rocking B side
Hector –Bye Bye Bad Days –UK DJM
Giorgio –Today’s A Tomorrow / Underdog–Ger Pic sleeves
Slade – Get Down and Get With it –the short haired sleeve
Bert De Conninck –Cadillac –Killer cover version
Uge –Mad Charles (a wonderful mad release –check out the blog)
Shakane –Big Step (Ger Pic Sleeve)
Shakane –Down Down Down (the Trevor Burton song-great B side as well –Ger Pic Sleeve)
Streak –Bang Bang Bullet –Dutch pic sleeve
R.B Zipper –Come Back Marianne –Ger Pic Sleeve
Pantherman –Pantherman –French Pic Sleeve
Barefoot-Frightened –Pye Demo

Also 3 LPS -The Swedish Shakane LP on Sonet, Bonnie St. Claire (now signed!) and Lemming
Plus tons of spares– watch this place...

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Bert De Coninck –Cadillac


Bert De Coninck –Cadillac/De Katvis –Parsival 1018 (1975 Belgium)

Before I get round to finally listing all the singles I found in Utrecht, Check out this fabulous Flemish take on Vince Taylor’s Brand New Cadillac that I found at the fair. This version owes more to The Renegades or The Shamrocks than to Vince Taylor’s original but it has real bite and sports a blistering lead break that simply oozes attitude as does the vocal performance that is positioned somewhere between smooth crushed velour and pure snot (get with the Phlegm!). Bert is still making music in Portugal –check out his site here: http://www.bertdeconinck.com/

More details on the Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet launch soon....I am still waiting for a snap of Bonnie and me on stage –anyone?

Hear a full version of Cadillac

Monday, April 20, 2009

Return from Utrecht...again


Well I've just returned from an extra special time in Utrecht. Picked up just over 100 singles -including the French Pantherman single (thanks JP) among some other real treasures and the usual 15% of duds...


I will do a couple of posts on the fair and the launch of Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet...Yes, Pantherman was there , Pete Koelewijn, Wally from Lemming also. Smyle did a fine a set and...Bonnie St. Claire performed Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet!!!! Incredible stuff -More soon!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Utrecht Record Fair and Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet




Well, yeah -of course I'll be there!

This time it's even more special as we are launching the Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet CD. A bit less time for me to go digging for singles, but well worth it for a chance to be part of this great project.

Here are some details of the launch event -read on and see some of you there!

All the best

Robin

Coming out next week, on Excelsior is a compilation CD of early 70s Nederglam !
Fistful of Records Jos and Brit accomplice Robin Wills worked on this thing for some years now, having done all research, compilation and sleeve notes. The CD is entitled "Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet" after Dutch glam's biggest hit record at the time by Bonnie St Claire & Unit Gloria. Other songs included are some totally unknown Glam Rock stompers & crunchers by acts like Booby Trap, The Heavy Dwarfs, Dump, Zingara, Pantherman and Plastic Feet. Among somewhat better known acts like Lemming, Catapult, Left Side and Long Tall Ernie And The Shakers you will discover a multitude of Glam era obscurities here that will blow your socks off and open your mind to some great sounds and beats ! With The Netherlands being the main country in continental Europe to boast a Glam Rock scene, a compilation of this stuff was way overdue. The CD contains 24 songs by 23 acts, plus a 52 page full colour booklet crammed with cool pics, plus the incredible stories behind all bands and songs. Also included are reprints of all original sleeves, whether Dutch or foreign.


The CD will be launched at the Utrecht CD and Record Fair, next saturday April 18th, between 1 and 3 pm. There’s gonna be DJs (well Jos and yours truly), original Nederglam videos, an exhibition of Nederglam memorablia and record sleeves, and there’s a Smyle reunion gig ! Also there will be many ex-glamstars present, like the Catapult guys, the one and only Pantherman, of course Smyle, Lemming singer Wally, some Left Side guys, producer Peter Koelewijn, Mr. Pink Elephant Willem van Kooten, the Booby Trap singer and all members of Bonnie st Claire & Unit Gloria, most probably including queen Bonnie herself !!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet” is available in all good Benelux record shops, and can be ordered from the online Excelsior shop, go to
: http://www.excelsior-recordings.com/
The CD will be shipping in the next few days

Sunday, April 12, 2009

My Version Is Better Than Yours Part 9: Crazy Elephant vs. Doctor Father -(There Ain't No) Umbopo




Continuing with a jungle theme, here we have 10CC competing with themselves. So the question is: do you prefer them shackled to the Bubblegum Kings or working for themselves?

Crazy Elephant -There Ain't No Umbopo/Landrover -Bell C006-91465 (1970 French issue)

Written and released as part of 10CC's tie-in with the Kasenetz Katz Bubblegum Factory. This version of Umbopo was produced by Ritchie Cordell with Graham Gouldman and probably features all four Hotleg/ 10cc members. The Crazy Elephant take on the song is an admirable cavernous Spectorian tour de force a la Checkmates (Love Is All I have To Give) and should have been a huge hit at the time. There's a surprising emotional resonance as well, partly because the lyrics, but also due the lead and backing vocal performance and interplay. The bass playing is also just fantastic.

Hear your Crazy Elephant Umbopo






Doctor Father-Umbopo/Roll On -Pye 7N. 17977 (1970 UK)

Released and probably recorded after their tenure with Kasenetz/Katz, this version could pretty much be considered a Hotlegs' single. They slow the track down and elongate it into a 5 minute + opus giving it a slight raga/Psych feel with the detuned guitar (E TO D or full DADGAD?) working well. Although there are extra lyrics, it does tend to go on a bit, but the backing vocals at the end are worth hanging on for...

Hear Doctor Father's Umbopo



Friday, April 10, 2009

Earle Mankey -Mau Mau


Earle Mankey –Mau Mau/ Crazy –Bronze BRO 53 (1978 UK issue)

OK, this is not particularly obscure, but I gave this copy a spin while I was tidying up and it was a real joyous occasion getting reacquainted with it. It’s a real Pop producer’s single and it sits somewhere between Biology (off that first Sparks/ Halfnelson LP) and the Move’s Do Ya with its monster riff. Fun with a capital P for Pop.
…this might just give me the momentum, to start a mini series of Jungle themed tunes…

Feast on the Mau Mau



Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Reparata –Your Life Is Gone


Reparata –Your Life Is Gone/Octopus’s Garden –Dart ART 2057 (1976)

Originally released on D’Art in 1972 as a B side, Your Life is Gone gained its rightful place as an A side on this later issue following the success of Shoes (on Dart, Polydor and Surrey International). Your Life Is Gone may be one of the best death records of all time as it’s not that over the top or schmaltzy and features some of the greatest ambulance sirens ever committed to vinyl. Apart from the appeal of its theme, Your Life Is Gone is also up there musically with some the best sides Reparata released with The Delrons on RCA in the mid 60s. It’s a fine mix of Spectorian grandeur with a great vocal performance full of pathos and vulnerability as well as featuring some neat Bijou electric sitar and those brilliant sound effects...

Enjoy the full version here: