The Joy of 45 Collecting: Lost 45 Tunes Not Available from iTunes, Spotify, or Similar Services
Jukebox "Snippet" 45s: Chronological List of Site Additions
As I add 45s to our inventory, I pick select 45s to highlight with mp3 "snippets" so you can hear the music yourself. I only record "snippets" of tunes I particularly like, ones I think have been under-played and under-appreciated, or ones that are so rare and wonderful I'll never hear them otherwise. For myself, I keep an iTunes playlist of these "snippets," and that playlist is one I listen to most often. These pages chronicle the mp3 "snippets" I've added to our online "jukebox" in reverse chronological order. You can browse the pages to see what was added and when. Click on the blue "Play" button to play the snippet, or click on a song's title to load the page. Many of these 45 records are still for sale, though just as many have been sold. I hope you enjoy perusing these pages as much as I have enjoyed putting them together!
Tom Jones had released a few singles on Tower just prior to signing to London/Parrot, recording "It's Not Unusual," and becoming a household name — and a household voice — overnight. Unfortunately, most observers missed the pure beauty of the man's voice, soaring its way over the melodic hurdles this catchy song contains. New to me (also sadly), it reminds me of the first time I heard Elvis Presley singing "That's All Right" on Sun Records: A voice suddenly let free and discovering the sheer joy that such singing can bring. Unfortunately, Jones adopted an over-the-top vocal persona after fame arrived, and gems like this have to be rediscovered one Northern Soul fan at a time. I'm putting a snippet in the jukebox to enlighten others who haven't heard this before. It didn't chart in the U.K., but it did briefly hit the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in the wake of "It's Not Unusual."
No matter what you think of Phil Spector The Man, you've gotta admit he had magic in his touch when it came to coaxing heart-wrenching emotion from his productions — the singer, the drums, the strings, the melody, the lyrics, the "multitude." This rare release — a Holland-Dozier-Holland tune, no less, and his last with Tina Turner (the single's credits include "Featuring Tina") — was new to me, yet by the end I was totally convinced that True Love was being revealed in all its tender, powerful beauty. The song may not be as memorable as "River Deep - Mountain High," but the production is just as glorious. After several listens now, I've decided this is a definite 2-star recommendation!
This rare single is a must-own for fans of raw-edged Soul, either Northern or Southern. In this case, it's the rhythm section that pulls you in and won't let go!
This is one Bee Gees single that's hard to find nowadays and which, when I do get a copy, doesn't last long in the store. There's a good reason for that... "To Love Somebody" is, without a doubt, one of the brothers' very best songs, and it's got a great arrangement going, too.
This amazing single just demands your attention... And don't resist: I assure you, you'll be all the better for paying attention! As far as I can determine, this was the artist's only vinyl output.
In this case, although "Sweet Lovin'" is the "Plug Side," fans of Northern Soul would always put this B side first, and it is a great dancer you won't want to miss! Have a listen to the mp3 snippet in our "jukebox!"
Now playing:
Sleep
One Fine Day by The Chiffons
These virtual "boxes" are for you folks who only like new, unplayed or pristine Mint 45s.