V.A. - Decca Originals - The Girls Scene

Release Date: Jun 12, 2000
Recording Date: 1963 - 1969
This installment in Decca Records archival Scene-related CDs explores the sizable contributions of the fairer sex to pop music during the 1960s. While these ladies may have made a significant impact in their native U.K., the vast majority remained virtual unknowns on other shores. The Girls' Scene (2000) contains over two-dozen cuts, representing some of the best female vocal groups of the era. Much like their Stateside colleagues, songs were often derived from veteran contemporary composers. This collection offers up distinguished reworkings from performers whose names might not be instantly recognizable, although the melodies should be. The Motown-sound is represented by "Two Lovers" from Louise Cordet, as well as Beryl Marsden's spot-on reading of "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Thru' His Eyes." The Brill Building pop scene spawned the Gerry Goffin/Carole King compositions "The Boy From Chelsea" -- sung here by Truly Smith -- an inspired take of "Hey Boy" by Barry St. John, and along with Phil Spector, Marianne Faithfull's "Is This What I Get For Loving You?" Faithfull is one of the more prominent figures to have emerged from Andrew Loog Oldham's notable stable of talent. In many ways, Oldham was the English equivalent to Spector, as both were multi-talented moguls who were best known for their work behind the scenes with others. From his coterie are Adrienne Poster and Vashti -- each respectively cover Keith Richard and Mick Jagger tunes "Shang a Doo Lang" and "Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind." Lorraine Child goes even closer to the source on the Oldham-penned "You." Olivia Newton-John is certainly a name that stands out, as does her unmistakable Aussie warble on the otherwise hard-hitting attack of Jackie DeShannon's "Till You Say You'll Be Mine." Parties interested in Girls' Scene should also note the other entries in this series, including the Rock 'N' Roll Scene (1999), Blues Scene (1999), Freakbeat Scene (1999), Psychedelic Scene (1998), and two volumes from the wonderful world of the Mod Scene (1998).

Track list:

01 - the orchids - oo-chang-a-lang
02 - antoinette - jenny let him go
03 - the vernons girls - only you can do it
04 - louise cordet - two lovers
05 - truly smith - the boy from chelsea
06 - dana gillespie - you just gotta know my mind
07 - barry st. john - hey boy
08 - susan hampshire - when love is true
09 - jean marrin - save the last dance for me
10 - beryl marsden - when the lovelight starts shining thru
11 - pamela blue - my friend bobby
12 - jackie frisco - sugar baby
13 - janice nichols - i'll give it five
14 - bobbie miller - what a guy
15 - the mysteries - give me rhythm and blues
16 - olivia newton john - till you say you'll be mine
17 - vashti - some things just stick in your mind
18 - marianne faithfull - is this what i get for loving you
19 - billie davis - nobody's home to go home to
20 - shape & sizes - rain on my face
21 - lorraine child - you
22 - linda flavell - the trouble with me is you
23 - adrienne poster - shang-a-doo-lang
24 - lulu - try to understand
25 - exceptions - solider boy

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Mavis Staples - Don't Change Me Now [1988]

Don't Change Me Now pulls together most of the better efforts from Mavis Staples' solo career, being a composite of two solo albums, Mavis Staples and Only for the Lonely, recorded for Stax subsidiary Volt in 1969 and 1970, respectively. Ace has added a number of originally unreleased tracks to this collection. The liner notes are well written and the sound is fine.
CD covers included

Track list:

01.Ready For The Heartbreak
02.Sweet Things You Do
03.You're Driving Me
04.The Chokin' Kind
05.A House Is Not A Home
06.Security
07.Pick Up The Pieces
08.Good To Me
09.You Send Me
10.I'm Tired
11.Why Can't It Be Like It Used To Be
12.Chains Of Love
13.You're All I Need
14.I Have Learned To Do Without You
15.How Many Times
16.Endlessly
17.You're The Fool
18.Since I Fell For You
19.What Happened To The Real Me
20.Since You Became A Part Of My Life
21.It Makes Me Wanna Cry
22.Don't Change Me Now

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Joe Tex - First On The Dial: Early Singles And Rare Gems [2008]

Release Date: Jun 30, 2008
Joe Tex had been releasing records for almost a decade before he had his first hit in 1965. This 25-track compilation doesn't come close to including all of them, but it does a good job in assembling the most important of those, concentrating solely on discs he made for the Dial label, almost all of the songs having been cut in 1961-1964 prior to his chart breakthrough. At this point, Tex -- as was the case in the pre-fame recordings of numerous '60s soul stars -- was still searching for a style to some degree, and by and large the cuts aren't as earthy as the ones he'd lay down later in the decade. There are even songs with strong debts to early-'60s dance-novelty tunes ("The Peck"); arrangements similar to those heard in early-'60s 45s by poppy early soul singers like Marv Johnson and Dee Clark; and hints of Clyde McPhatter, Sam Cooke, and doo wop. Yet at the same time, there are also strong pleading ballads much closer to the Southern soul style with which he became identified, all of them written by Tex himself, the slightly James Brown-ish "Blood's Thicker Than Water" being a particular highlight in that regard. Because this isn't Tex at his peak or his most characteristic, you wouldn't recommend this as the first or second anthology to acquire. But if you do like Tex at his '60s peak, it's suggested listening, both because it illustrates his roots and because it's enjoyable on its own merits. Also on the CD are a few tracks that fall outside the disc's principal aim of anthologizing 1961-1964 Dial singles, but are worthy additions that are hard to find on compact disc, including the 1967 holiday-themed 45 "I'll Make Every Day Christmas (For My Woman)" and its flip, "Don't Give Up"; the 1965 B-side "Build Your Love on a Solid Foundation"; and two cuts from a 1965 LP, "Tell Me Right Now" and the Sam Cooke-styled "There Is a Girl."

Track list:

01.The Only Girl (I've Ever Loved)
02.Hand Shakin', Love Makin', Girl Talkin', Son of A Gun from Next Door
03.Popeye Johnny
04.Meet Me in The Church
05.Be Your Own Judge
06.I Let Her Get Away
07.The Peck
08.Someone to Take Your Place
09.I Should Have Kissed Her More
10.I Wanna Be Free
11.Blood's Thicker Than Water
12.What Should I Do
13.One Giant Step
14.The Rib
15.Say Thank You
16.Looking for My Pig
17.Old Time Lover
18.I'd Rather Have You
19.I Had A Good Home, But I Left (Part 1)
20.I Had A Good Home, But I Left (Part 2)
21.Build Your Love on A Solid Fountain
22.I'll Make Everyday Christmas (for My Woman)
23.Don't Give Up
24.Tell Me Right Now
25.There Is A Girl

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Johnny Cash - Koncert V Praze (In Prague Live) [1983]

Live recording at concert in Sport Hall, Prague, in 11 April, 1978.
CD covers included

Track list:

01.Ring Of Fire
02.Folsom Prison Blues
03.I Still Miss Someone
04.Big River
05.I Ride An Old PaintStreets Of Laredo
06.Sunday Morning Coming Down
07.I Walk The Line
08.Last Date
09.City Of New Orleans
10.Hey Porter
11.Wreck Of The Old '97
12.Casey Jones
13.Orange Blossom Special
14.Wabash Cannonball (with Carter Family)

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Johnny Cash - Famous Country Music Makers (Live) (lossless) [2000]

Recorded Live In Concert
FLAC, CD-rip, covers

Track list:

1.: Ring Of Fire
2.: Big River
3.: Boy Named Sue
4.: City Of New Orleans
5.: Rock Island Line
6.: Highwayman
7.: Long Black Veil
8.: Folsom Prison Blues
9.: I Got Stripes
10.: I Still Miss Someone
11.: Sixteen Tons
12.: Get Rhythm
13.: Jackson
14.: If I Were A Carpenter
15.: Orange Blossom Special
16.: Sunday Morning Coming Down
17.: Why Me
18.: Casey Jones
19.: Peace In The Valley
20.: I Walk The Line

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V.A. - Bubblegum Classics Volume 1-3 [1995-96]

Pure bubblegum music
More info and CD covers in archive

Track list:

CD1

01.Ohio Express - Yummy, Yummy, Yummy
02.Boyce & Hart - Alice Long (You're Still My Favorite Girlfriend)
03.The Cuff Links - Tracy
04.The Fifth Estate - Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead
05.The DeFranco Family Featuring Tony DeFranco - Abra-Ca-Dabra
06.Street People - Jennifer Tomkins
07.Tommy Roe - Jam Up And Jelly Tight
08.Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
09.Everyday Hudson - Laugh, Funny Face
10.Dawn - Knock Three Times
11.Music Explosion - Sunshine Games
12.Keith - Ain't Gonna Lie
13.1910 Fruitgum Company - Indian Giver
14.The Peppermint Rainbow - Will You Be Staying After Sunday
15.Jefferson - Baby, Take Me In Your Arms
16.Rare Breed - Come And Take A Ride In My Boat
17.Bobby Sherman - Julie, Do Ya Love Me
18.The Partridge Family - I Think I Love You
19.Shannon - Abergavenny
20.Capt. Groovy And His Bubblegum Army - Capt. Groovy And His Bubblegum Army


CD2

01.The Monkees - I'm A Believer
02.Crazy Elephant - Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'
03.Tommy James & The Shondells - I Think We're Alone Now
04.The Cuff Links - When Julie Comes Around
05.The Kids From The Brady Bunch - Candy (Sugar Shoppe)
06.White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin'
07.1910 Fruitgum Co. - Simon Says
08.The Prophets - Playgirl
09.Tommy Roe - Dizzy
10.Rare Breed - Beg, Barrow And Steal
11.Bobby Bloom - Montego Bay
12.Edison Lighthouse - It's Up To You, Petula
13.The Five Americans - Western Union
14.The Fun & Games - The Grooviest Girl In The World
15.Bobby Sherman - Easy Come, Easy Go
16.Shawn - With Every Beat Of My Heart
17.Lou Christie - I'm Gonna Make You Mine
18.The Flying Machine - Smile A Little Smile For Me
19.Brotherhood Of Man - Save Your Kisses For Me
20.The Rock & Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Company Of Philadelphia 19141 - Bubble Gum Music


CD3

01.The Archies - Sugar, Sugar
02.The Cowsills - We Can Fly
03.Tommy James & The Shondells - Mirage
04.Lancelot Link & The Evolution Revolution - Sha-La Love You
05.The Clique - Sugar On Sunday
06.The Banana Splits - I Enjoy Being A Boy (In Love With You)
07.Tony Burrows - Every Little Move She Makes
08.Bobby Sherman - Little Woman
09.The Tricks - Wham! Bam! Ala Cazam
10.Robin McNamara - Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
11.Salt Water Taffy - Finders Keepers
12.The Monkees - A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
13.Tony Christie - Amarillo, (Is This The Way To)
14.Ohio Express - Chewy, Chewy
15.Austin Roberts - Ricky Ticky Ta Ta Ta
16.The Fun & Games - Elephant Candy
17.Kissoon, Mac & Katie - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep
18.Tommy Roe - Jack And Jill
19.Kasenetz-Katz Super Cirkus - Dong-Dong-Diki-Di-Ki-Dong
20.The Peppermint Trolley Company - Baby You Come Rollin' Across My Mind
21.The Wombles - Remember You're A Womble
22.Sweet - Little Willy

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V.A. - It's the Cheap Damaged Goods [1998]

Release Date: Aug 18, 1998
The U.K.'s premier outpost for punky pop and poppy punk, Damaged Goods released their first label sampler CD in 1998. It's the Cheap Damaged Goods is a 30-track history of the label's effort to bring the world some of the rawest, hookiest garage-inspired music around. The lineup includes some big names like Holly Golightly, whose "Virtually Happy" is taken from her first solo album and starts the disc off with a sultry bang; Thee Headcoats, who are the label's centerpiece group and contribute one of their most scathing tracks, "(We Hate the Fuckin') NME"; the Manic Street Preachers, whose early single "New Art Riot" is included; the always charming Helen Love; the Television Personalities; and the re-formed Revillos. Some of the lesser known bands provide the highlights of the disc: the Budget Girls' silly "Tickle Bee," Lovesick's melancholy punk-pop anthem "Sunflower," Dutronc's pounding cover of Jacques Dutronc's classic "Et Moi, Et Moi, Et Moi," Cukooland's C-86-styled girl-group pastiche "Endless Song," Bristols' supergroovy garage swinger "Questions I Can't Answer," and the unfortunately named the Adventures of Parsley's wonderful "On the Move." The disc presents a highly entertaining picture of a label who always knew exactly what they were on about, a label that released some of the best indie rock on the planet. The proof is in the pudding and the pudding tastes damn good.

Track list:

01.Holly Golightly - Virtually Happy
02.Helen Love - We Love You
03.Budget Girls - Tickle Be
04.Thee Headcoats - We Hate The Fuckin' NME
05.Honeyrider - Endless Summer
06.J Church - Young Mother
07.Thee Headcoatees - Davey Crocket
08.Manic Street Preachers - New Art Riot
09.Lovesick - Sunflower
10.Television Personalities - Sorry To Embarass You
11.Anorak Girl - She Says
12.Sexton Ming - Danny Edwards
13.Dutronc - Et Moi, Et Moi, Et Moi
14.Twister - It's A Dog's Life
15.Hopper - Baby Oil
16.Oizone - Love Me For A Reason
17.Cuckooland - Endless Song
18.Phantom Pregnancies - Ghost Boy
19.Toast - Nothing At All
20.Bristols - Questions I Can't Answer
21.Dustball - Sent Apart
22.The Revillos - Jack The Ripper
23.Wat Tyler - Justify Your Book
24.Cee Bee Beaumont - The Harbour Master
25.Period Pains - Heroes
26.Reverse - Stem The Slide
27.Bette Davis & The Balconettes - Feed My Ego
28.Armitage Shanks - Shirts Off
29.Dweeb - Retard
30.The Adventures Of Parsley - On The Move

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Jackie DeShannon - Put a Little Love in Your Heart [1969]

DeShannon co-wrote her second Top Ten hit, the title track, with Jimmy Holiday and Randy Myers, and this album contains more of the fruit of their collaboration, including the follow-up, a Top 40 hit called "Love Will Find a Way."

Track list:

01.Put A Little Love In Your Heart
02.You Are The Real Thing
03.River Of Love
04.Keep Me In Mind
05.Mama's Song
06.Movin'
07.You Can Come To Me
08.You Have A Way With Me
09.I Let Go Completely
10.Always Together
11.Love Will Find A Way
12.Live

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The Pipettes - Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me (EP) [2007]

Release Date: 2007
Here is The Pipettes EP that precedes the North American release of their debut album.

Track list:

01.Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me
02.I Love You
03.Really That Bad
04.Guess Who Ran Off With The Milkman

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The Pipettes - Call Me (EP) [2010]

Released: 19 Jul 2010
'Call Me' is the second single to be taken from The Pipettes second album, ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes’

Track list:

01.Call Me
02.My Heart's A Bomb
03.Over Heels
04.Call Me (Operator Please Remix)

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The Pipettes - Stop The Music (EP) [2010]

Released: 19 Apr 2010
'Stop The Music' is the first single to be taken from The Pipettes second album, ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes’.
CD covers included

Track list:

01.Stop The Music
02.So I'll Say Goodbye
03.Our Love Was Saved By Spacemen
04.Who Made You The Doctor
05.Stop The Music (Justus Kohncke, Kompakt Remix)

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The Pipettes - Earth vs. The Pipettes [2010]

Release date: 19.10.2010.
So many changes have taken place since the release of the Pipettes' previous album that sorting it out is just too much of a pain. All you really need to know is that members of the group have come and gone and their sound has changed from girl group imitators to disco-pop acolytes. The constant behind the group, songwriter and ringleader Monster Bobby, is still there, still calling the shots on Earth vs. the Pipettes. His decision to leave the girl group sound behind was actually a wise one. Despite the tunes often being quite good, there was something off about the presentation. They seemed trapped between wanting to emulate the sound exactly and trying to add something more modern to the mix, which left them in limbo. The new approach is more blatantly pop and newfangled.

Track list:

01. Call Me 2:50
02. Ain't No Talkin' 2:31
03. Thank You 3:25
04. I Need A Little Time 3:40
05. History 2:21
06. I Always Planned To Stay 3:27
07. Stop The Music 4:07
08. I Vibe U 3:41
09. Our Love Was Saved By Spacemen 3:04
10. Finding My Way 2:39
11. Captain Rhythm 2:29
12. From Today 3:34

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Solomon Burke R.I.P.

March 21, 1940 – October 10, 2010

Solomon Burke - Nothing's Impossible [2010]

CD covers included

Track list:

01.Oh What a Feeling
02.Everything About You
03.Dreams
04.Nothing's Impossible
05.It Must Be Love
06.You Needed Me
07.Say You Love Me Too
08.You're Not Alone
09.New Company
10.When You're Not Here
11.The Error Of My Ways
12.I'm Leavin'

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Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone [2010]

Release Date: Sep 14, 2010
Mavis Staples may not have a voice with the kind of range and pure power of an Aretha Franklin, but she understands the ins and outs of phrasing and nuance, and brings an inimitable, gritty passion to everything she sings, even into her seventies. She’s also not afraid to walk right down the middle of the road between secular and sacred, fully aware that both the blues and gospel are really talking about the same thing -- the need to get to a better place. She performs this delicate synthesis well on You Are Not Alone, an album that finds her teamed with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, whose production on this project is surprisingly sympathetic to Staples' strengths, and more importantly, doesn’t make her sound like an adjunct participant in a Wilco album. No, this is Mavis' show, and she grabs ahold of well-chosen covers like Randy Newman's “Losing You,” Allen Toussaint's “Last Train,” Reverend Gary Davis' “I Belong to the Band,” and John Fogerty's “Wrote a Song for Everyone” with conviction, wringing every bit of wisdom, anger, compassion, and joy out of them, while bringing a fresh perspective to traditional gospel pieces like “In Christ There Is No East or West,” “Creep Along Moses,” and “Wonderful Savior,” reminding that redemption is pretty hard work even in the best of times. She tackles a couple of Pops Staples pieces here, too, “Don’t Knock” and “Downward Road,” making this whole set a well-rounded portrait of Mavis Staples as she stands then, now, and tomorrow. Tweedy wrote several songs for the project, but only one, the title track “You Are Not Alone,” appears here, and he wisely resisted any urge to overdo his sonic stamp on the album. Most tracks feature sturdy, simple, and subdued backing that allows Staples' voice to carry the show, highlighted by reverbed guitar reminiscent of Pops Staples' trademark sound, although only enough to suggest it -- nothing here gets in the way of Mavis' voice. You Are Not Alone is a solid outing that somehow amazingly manages to be both secular and sacred at once, and there is a stripped-down timelessness to it. It’s gospel. It’s blues. It’s about love and redemption, and how each needs the other.
CD covers included

Track list:

01.Don't Knock
02.You Are Not Alone
03.Downward Road
04.In Christ There Is No East Or West
05.Creep Along Moses
06.Losing You
07.I Belong To The Band
08.Last Train
09.Only The Lord Knows
10.Wrote A Song For Everyone
11.We're Gonna Make It
12.Wonderful Savior
13.Too CloseOn My Way To Heaven

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Divine - Native Love (The Best of) [1991]

The Best of Divine is a 14-track collection of the campy singer/actor's disco singles, containing such songs as "Shoot Your Shot," "Jungle Jezebel," "Love Reaction," "T-Shirts and Tight Blue Jeans," "Kick Your Butt," "Alphabet Rap," "You Think You're a Man," and "I'm So Beautiful." Divine is not a particularly gifted singer, and these songs are so arch and campy that only listeners with a taste for extreme kitsch will want to explore this. Those who do share that taste, however, might find the record enjoyable, at least in small doses.

Track list:

01.Shoot Your Shot
02.Jungle Jezebel
03.Native Love
04.Love Reaction
05.Shout it Out
06.T-Shirts and Tight Blue Jeans
07.Psychedelic Shack
08.Shake it Up
09.Kick Your Butt
10.Alphabet Rap
11.You Think You're a Man
12.Walk Like a Man
13.I'm So Beautiful
14.Hey You!

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The Gentle Waves - Falling From Grace (single)

Track list:

1. Falling From Grace 3:46
Backing Vocals - Rozanne Suarez
Drums - Richard Colburn
Trumpet - Mick Cooke
Violin [Arrangement], Bass - Stuart Murdoch
Vocals, Guitar [Spanish], Guitar [Electric], Harpischord, Cello, Backing Vocals - Isobel Campbell
2. Going Home 3:34
Guitar - Bill Wells
Vocals, Guitar, Cello - Isobel Campbell
3. October's Sky 2:42
Clarinet, Flute - John Burgess (2)
Piano, Samples - Bill Wells
Tuba, Double Bass - Lindsay Cooper (2)
Vocals - Isobel Campbell
4. Hold Back A Thousand Hours 3:57
Bass Drum - Paddy O'Flaherty
Double Bass - Lindsay Cooper
Flute - John Brugess (2)
Piano - Bill Wells
Shaker, Clave - Derek Star
Vocals, Guitar, Glockenspiel, Backing Vocals - Isobel Campbell

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Yo La Tengo - The Original Score From The Motion Picture Adventureland [2009]

Bonus LP from Matador's Buy Early Get Now promotion for the album Popular Songs.
LP covers included

Track list:

01.Funtastic Time
02.A Giant Ass Panda
03.Tumbling Die
04.Mixtapes Say So Much
05.Pool Party Tonight
06.Henry Melville
07.I Think I'm In Love
08.Dad Starts Fucking A Bald Woman
09.Ready To Owe You Things
10.Still, Standing
11.My Spot
12.Give 'em Enough Pot
13.Whoa!
14.Shut The Fuck Up, Frigo
15.Farewell Adventureland
16.Barfarific Time - Gonna See You Next Summer
17.Rainy Night In New York
18.Why Do You Have That Stupid Shirt
19.A Giant Ass Panda (Alternate 1)
20.A Giant Ass Panda (Alternate 2)
21.Tumbling Die (Alternate)
22.I Think I'm In Love (Alternate 1)
23.I Think I'm In Love (Alternate 2)
24.Whoa! (Alternate)

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Yo La Tengo - Here To Fall (Remixes EP) [2010]

Here To Fall is the most popular track from "Popular Songs," a couple having a tense conversation about the future over the background of menacing, descending chords and distorted wa-wa guitar. Each of these legendary hip hop performers has taken the track and the story and made it their own. Maseo from De La Soul strips the song to its core only to add driving guitars and a heavy groove. RJD2's take is as cool and atmospheric as you'd expect. It is the EP's closer that truly takes the song to the next level - Pete Rock's remix is dusky, minimal, abstract and hypnotic - carving the song down to the discrete elements of the human relationship, then dropping a verse about Yo La Tengo themselves - in a word, awesome

Track list:

01.Here To Fall (Album Version)
02.Here To Fall (De La Soul Remix)
03.Here To Fall (RJD2 Remix)
04.Here To Fall (Pete Rock Remix)

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Maki Nomiya & Fernanda Takai - Maki-Takai No Jetlag [2010]

Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) unites with Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai (Pato Fu) for a mini-album containing songs selected by the two. Included are a new original song by Maki called "Nagoya" with Japanese lyrics, P5's "A Message Song", Ishida Ayumi's "hitori ni shite ne", Pato Fu's "Saudade", and a live version of bossa nova "O Barquinho" also sung in Japanese.
Although the two have performed shows together in both Brazil and Japan, here the music was recorded in Brazil while Maki recorded her vocals in Japan, and the whole mixed together. The whole is produced by John Ulhoa, Pato Fu's guitarist and husband of Fernanda.

Track list:

1. nagoya
2. hitori ni shite ne
3. saudade
4. Message Song
5. kobune (Live)

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