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!
11/27/11
Impressions
1962, Swirl 107
Genre: Deep Soul
I can't imagine what this group was thinking, in 1962 naming themselves after a then-very-popular-and-famous soul group. But clearly they weren't thinking about achieving fame and fortune! :-) Which is too bad, because their sound anticipates funky soul and the no-holds-barred gospel singing style of Wilson Pickett. Pickett made his name as lead singer for similar outfit called the Falcons, and across town a singer called Bobby Womack was making noise heading a group called the Valentinos. There were various other groups doing this irresistible gospel-soul thing, including the Ohio Untouchables and, of course, the Isley Bros. But who knew The Impressions had got into the act as well? Certainly was news to me — though very good news!
11/26/11
Love
1966, Elektra 45605
Genre: Garage/Psych
Incredible Psychedelic Rock... It just doesn't get any darker or more dangerous than this!
11/22/11
Up 'N Adam
1969, Earth 100
Genre: Bubblegum
Terrific Bubblegum Rock from this studio group.
11/09/11
Every Mother's Son
1967, MGM 13788
Genre: Bubblegum
Great Bubblegum/Sunshine Pop single in the best Monkees tradition. :-)
11/03/11
Chiffons
1963, Laurie 3195
Genre: Girl Group
This single struggled to reach the Top 40, though it should have been a much bigger hit. We know that today, of course, as it's one of three of their 45s to be included in Dave Marsh's classic 1,001 list. This is why I keep a copy it in the jukebox — it's that good!
11/01/11
Polvo
2011, Merge 427
Genre: Modern Rock
A tour-de-force of the latest alternative rock... Think Radiohead or Arcade Fire. Very impressive indeed! I notice that the track was "mixed with" Mitch Easter, the guy who produced the early R.E.M. albums.
Now playing:
Do It Again
Headin' Out/ Right There by Screamin' A's
These virtual "boxes" are for you folks who only like new, unplayed or pristine Mint 45s.