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!
12/31/11
Chuck Berry
1956, Chess 1635
Genre: Rock 'n' Roll
One of Chuck Berry's very best—and hardest to find—singles. Both sides are classics!
12/20/11
The Students
1958, Checker 902
Genre: Vocal Groups (Doo-Wop)
The enduring mystery is how the incredibly catchy B side (of "I'm So Young") failed to catch on. But wait! Someone was listening, for only 5 months later, the Dovells had a smash with a song called "Bristol Stomp" that is basically a re-write of "Everyday of the Week".
12/10/11
The Pretenders
1983, Sire 29444
Genre: Modern Rock
It's interesting to note that both sides of this single show up in Dave Marsh's list of the 1,001 greatest 45s... "2000 Miles" (the greatest new Christmas song of the 1980s, according to Marsh) is at #630, while "Middle of the Road" on the A side weighs in at #805!
12/09/11
Aretha Franklin
1961, Columbia 41923
Genre: Deep Soul
12/07/11
The Supremes
1967, Motown 1103
Genre: Northern Soul, Motown Style
It's clear that Diana Ross' spoken interlude in this underrated Supremes single was one of Michael Jackson's greatest vocal inspirations. His little hiccup surely started from late-night air-guitar sessions when Michael would sing along with Diana on this one. :-) This single is also remarkable for the manic mastery of James Jamerson's bass playing. Right from the get-go, his bass starts running away behind the scenes and just doesn't stop for breath! Of course, it's much easier to hear and appreciate that instrument when the audio is as clear and the mix as perfect as on this original 45.
Rummage through hundreds of original-issue 45's for $6.00 or less!
Now playing:
Zabadak by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
Cool Shake by The Dell-Vikings
These virtual "boxes" are for you folks who only like new, unplayed or pristine Mint 45s.
