1968 - Part 2

Another look at the year 1968, one of my favourite years!

1.		David McWilliams - The Days of Pearly Spencer	1968
2.		John Rowles - If I Only Had Time	1968
3.		Long John Baldry - Let the Heartaches Begin	1968
5.		Malcolm Roberts - May I Have the Next Dream With You	1968
5.		Mason Williams - Classical Gas	1968
6.		R Dean Taylor - Gotta See Jane	1968
7.		Spanky & Our Gang - Like to Get to Know You	1968
7.		Ananda Shankar - Jumpin' Jack Flash	1970

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Jackie Lee

This is a tribute to a 1960s singer best remembered for the theme songs to two children's TV series: White Horses and Rupert the Bear. There was a lot more to Jackie Lee though as this selection of tracks will hopefully illustrate!

1.		Jackie Lee - Beautiful City	1973
2.		Jackie Lee - It's a Big Mistake	1966
3.		Jackie Lee - I Gotta Be With You	1967
5.		Jackie Lee - Love Is Gone	1965
5.		Jackie Lee - You Too Can Have Heartaches	1966
6.		Jackie Lee - Co-Co	1971
7.		Jackie Lee - Everybody Needs a Little Lovin'	1969

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Easy Eurodisco

In this broadcast I discuss the idea of a link between Eurodisco and Easy Listening.

1.		Chilly - Dance With Me	1978
2.		Vera - Bizz Bizz Buzz Buzz	1980
3.		Dick Hyman - Give It Up or Turn It Loose	1969
4.		Dick Hyman - Tell Mama	1971
5.		Dick Hyman - Rainy Days and Mondays	1971
5.		John Barry - Theme from Midnight Cowboy	1970
6.		Black Sugar - Pusseycat	1970
7.		Herbie Mann - Push, Push	1971

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Library Tracks

I've put together a collection of easy listening instrumentals from the early 70s for this collection. Most are library music, and I've lost track of the details - though isn't that how library music should be?!

However, as those of a certain age will probably notice, Track 2 and the end track are a little better known being the theme from Houseparty and General Hospital respectively - both mainstays of the mid-70s ITV schedules for many years. I was very excited to find both pieces of music, but as nearly always happens I feel the versions used on the TV shows were slightly better than the versions I found!


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Permissive

This is an audio tribute to the 1970 film Permissive - a remarkable low-budget affair chronicling the fall from innocence of a new girl on the groupie scene.

Marketed as a soft-core title, don't expect any thrills in that direction, but do expect some terrific music of the time and a look at London at its dirty, seedy end-of-the-60s best.

1.		Comus - In the Lost Queen's Eyes	1970
2.		Comus - Intro Music	1970
3.		Forever More - Good to Me	1970
4.		Forever More - We Sing	1970
5.		Comus - The Bite	1970
6.		Forever More - You Too Can Have a Body Like Mine	1970
7.		Titus Groan - Can't Find the Words to Say	1970
8.		Comus - The Bite	1970
9.		Forever More - Beautiful Afternoon	1970
10.		Forever More - 8 O'Clock And All's Well	1970
11.		Forever More - Sylvester's Last Voyage	1970
12.		Comus - Suzy Come Down	1970

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Vintage Radio 2

I've had the idea for quite a while of doing a sort of tribute to the old Radio 2 - particularly the Radio 2 of the early 70s - hope you enjoy the result!

1.		Blue Mink - Melting Pot	1969
2.		Mike Curb Congregation - Sweet Gingerbread Man	1969
3.		Doris Day - Do Not Disturb	1965
4.		Shirley Bassey - Something	1970
5.		Matt Monro - On Days Like These	1969
6.		Helen Reddy - This Masquerade	1972
7.		Vicki Carr - It Must be Him	1966
8.		Kathy Kirby - All of a Sudden My Heart Sings	1965
9.		Paraffin Jack Flash - Satisfaction	1968

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Party Mix 1

I guess the party season made me think of trying my own hand at something that might get people dancing, so here it is.

Of course this presented me with a dilemma in that I felt the selection needed a certain mainstream appeal, yet those who know me, or even if you've just followed previous stuff on here, will know I don't entirely do mainstream!

So the result is necessarily a compromise. Absolutely no Abba - sorry, just can't do it, but we do have Big Bang with their cover of Voulez Vous. Feels Like I'm in Love by Kelly Marie has always been a crowd pleaser, yet I somehow prefer the 1995 remake to the original. Pretty much all the other tracks, apart from Vera and Debbie Jacobs, were hits in their day.

Anyway judge for yourselves, would this get you off your chair? At least for a couple of tracks maybe?

1.		Forrest - Rock the Boat	1983
2.		Gibson Brothers - Cuba	1980
4.		Vera - Baby Won't You Dance with Me	1983
5.		Sly & the Family Stone - Dance to the Music	1968
6.		Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm in Love	1995
7.		Dina Carroll - Ain't No Man	1991
8.		Carol Douglas - Doctor's Orders	1974
9.		Big Bang - Voulez Vous	1989
10.		Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme	1973

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The Golden Age of Dance 1988-92

This is a look at some dance music from the years 1988-92, often referred to as the golden age of dance. These are really just personal memories, more than any kind of academic perspective. I hope you enjoy listening, and if you'd like to get in touch or leave a comment you can do so by using the links on this page.

1.		Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon	1988
2.		Sandra - Secret Land	1990
4.		Raul Orellana - The Real Wild House	1989
5.		Katherine E - I'm Alright	1990
6.		Vicki Shepherd - Somewhere	1990
7.		Clubhouse - Deep in my Heart	1990
8.		Secchi - I Say Yeah	1991
9.		Cathy Dennis - Move to This	1991
10.		808 State - Ooops	1991

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Houseparty

Anyone of a certain generation will probably remember Houseparty, which appeared on the weekday afternoon ITV schedules between 1969 and 1981.

The idea was to simulate a ladies' coffee morning and this was done so effectively you had the impression you were merely "dropping in" on something that was happening anyway. The fact there appeared to be no real beginning or end (and certainly no presenter) further emphasised this.

The programme generally opened to the sound of a doorbell, but someone would already be in mid flow about knitting a pair of slacks, and ditto at the end the title music would fade in over some similar discussion. You almost had the feeling that Houseparty never actually stopped!

There are a few short clips floating around on Youtube and TVArk, but that's probably all we'll ever get to see, as this was pretty much pre-video days, and the series seems unlikely to see the light of day on DVD.

But I have found the music. It's a piece called Blue Lady by John Wallace and his Band. As far as I know it was only ever played at the end, and you generally only heard about 20 seconds of it. I feel sure this will bring back some good memories!

I hope you enjoy listening, and if you'd like to get in touch or leave a comment you can do so by using the links on this page.

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TV Cream Article on Houseparty

A Look Back to 1968

This show is a look back at the year 1968, which was a marvellous year for pop music in my opinion.

It was inspired by the Clinton Cards "1968" CD card in their "A Time to Remember" series. All the tracks are chosen from this CD apart from two: the Madeline Bell and Herb Alpert tracks which I added.

I hope you enjoy listening, and if you'd like to get in touch or leave a comment you can do so by using the links on this page.

1.		Fleetwood Mac - Albatross	1968
2.		Jose Feliciano - Light My Fire	1968
3.		Madeline Bell - Step Inside Love	1968
4.		Box Tops - Cry Like a Baby	1968
5.		Herb Alpert - This Guy's in Love With You	1968
6.		The Love Affair - Everlasting Love	1968
7.		Gun - Race With the Devil	1968
8.		Andy Williams - Can't Help Falling in Love	1968
9.		Hugh Montenegro - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly	1968
10.		Laura Nyro - Stoned Soul Picnic	1968

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Reparata & the Delrons

Known in the UK for the 1968 hit Captain of Your Ship, but never really big in their native US, Reparata & the Delrons were a surprisingly long-lived girl group, forming in the early 60s with the major part of their career coming to an end around a decade later.

They leave behind a notable selection of music ranging from the bittersweet teenage ballads of the early years, through more upbeat northern soul sounds, to some more quirky and stylised arrangements towards the end of their career.

The six tracks on this radio show aim to give a taste of what the group were about, so listen and enjoy!

1.		It's Waiting There For You	1967
2.		Captain of Your Ship	1968
3.		Weather Forecast	1968
4.		Saturday Night Didn't Happen	1968
5.		Hold The Night	1969
6.		A Song For All	1975
7.		Octopus's Garden	1972

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Jackie Trent

I thought for this show I'd put the spotlight on just one artist, and the first one I thought of is Jackie Trent.

In the context of her long career, Jackie has been far more active behind the scenes as a lyricist and composer, and was of course famous for being married to Tony Hatch. Consequently her career as a singer tends to be overlooked, and I thought it would be good to present a short selection showcasing her vocal talents.

The four songs featured here include her one big hit from 1965 "Where Are You Now", but I think you'll agree Jackie had a great voice, and hopefully she'll be as much a discovery for you as she has been for me.

1.		Jackie Trent - Where Are You Now	1965
2.		Jackie Trent - You Baby	1966
3.		Jackie Trent - There Goes My Love	1966
4.		Jackie Trent - Hollywood	1968
5.		Keith Mansfield - Powerhouse Pop	1969

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The 60s Laid Bare

The title's probably a bit over-dramatic but, in the end, I couldn't think of anything better. I wanted to try and highlight what I think of as the "non-trendy" 60s, rather than the 60s of the Stones, Janice Joplin etc. This is the music that the grown-ups favoured and, as someone whose childhood spanned the whole decade, it's the music I tend to associate with the time too, having more contact with adults than teenagers.

I reckon easy-listening as we know it came into being in the 60s, and there are a few examples here, with the opening and closing tracks from Mrs Mills representing the good old-fashioned singalong which was very popular back then, but just seems to have vanished in the years since.

Another interesting development of the late 60s was how political consciousness was turned into entertainment, as illustrated by the Diana Ross & the Supremes track and the Three Degrees.

1.		Mrs Mills - Winchester Cathedral	1967
2.		John Walker - Annabella	1966
3.		Matt Monro - On Days Like These	1969
4.		Madeline Bell - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me	1968
5.		Dusty Springfield - So Much Love	1968
6.		Diana Ross & the Supremes - Love Child	1968
7.		Three Degrees - I Like Being a Woman	1972
8.		Tony Christie - Avenues and Alleyways	1971
9.		Mrs Mills - Bye Bye Blackbird	1964

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Junk Shop Choice

Apologies for the long absence, but I'm back with a shorter show this time which I've called Junk Shop Choice.

You see all sorts of unlikely looking and forgotten music in junk shops and charity shops, and I thought it might be fun to string some of together and see how it sounds.

I've got a very eclectic selection here, but there's something I like about all of them from the super-cool sound of Alfred The King of Disco to the novelty charm of Botch-a-Me by Rosemary Clooney.

Take a listen, and I hope you enjoy it!

1.	00:00	Marty Cooper Clan - Walk Don't Run	Early 60s
2.	03:50	Dick Hyman - Alfred the King of Disco	Early 70s
3.	07:20	Julie London - Fly Me to the Moon	1964
4.	09:45	Tommy Dorsey Orchestra - Sunny Side of the Street	1944
5.	12:54	Rosemary Clooney - Botch-a-Me	1952
6.	15:09	Vinnie Bell - Dawn	1967

Please note this mix is presented for information and demonstration only in a low bitrate mono stream

Easy Listening Disco (reposted)

This is one of my favourite selections so decided to give it a second posting. Hope you enjoy it.

I've called this selection Easy Listening Disco because that's just what it is - something like a Radio 2 playlist perhaps (but a good one, of course!).

South Side Movement is a recent discovery for me and we kick off with a nice funky instrumental. Next up is The Cutter - a fun Rediffusion library track, linking on to Eddie Kendricks early disco sound with Date with the Rain.

A bit of celebrity disco at track 4, but Johnny Mathis does it so nicely we can forgive him! Then at track 5 something interesting - an uncredited female singer on Sounds Like Soul's version of Son of a Preacher Man (another Rediffusion library track), and I must say whoever she is she gives Dusty a run for her money.

Going way back in time next for the Frank Sinatra track. This and the end track are from an EP that's been lying about since I was a child. Usual classy vocals accompanied by a very uptempo and swinging Billy May Orchestra on these two tracks.

A soulful sound from session singer Rosetta Hightower next, and some more funk from LTG Exchange, then on to another track from the 1980 film Prom Night. This track accompanies the dancing at the prom disco just before all the carnage begins!

We finish up with some classic pop from one-hit wonders Ace, and some late 60s northern soul from Marilyn Powell before ending with the second Frank Sinatra track.

1.	00:00	South Side Movement - Mud Wind	1972
2.	04:25	Vick Flick - The Cutter
3.	06:29	Eddie Kendricks - Date With the Rain	1972
4.	15:02	Johnny Mathis - Gone, Gone, Gone	1979
5.	21:22	Sounds Like Soul - Son of a Preacher Man	1969
6.	23:44	Frank Sinatra - Dancing in the Dark	1959
7.	26:06	Rosetta Hightower - Friendship Train
8.	29:51	LTG Exchange - Waterbed	1974
9.	35:22	Paul Zaza - Love Me Til I Die	1980
10.	39:58	Ace - How Long	1975
11.	43:06	Syd Dale - Time for a Change	1974
12.	46:30	Marilyn Powell - Something to Hold on To	1968
13.	49:14	Frank Sinatra - Baubles, Bangles and Beads	1959

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O Michel

For some reason I've had this 1979 Patsy Gallant track on my mind for a few days. Don't know why as it was never one of my favourites, but it made me get the album out and give it another spin.

Typical late 70s disco really, though there's something about it I like. The lyrics seem quite amusing, and I love the idea of a "disco cafe" - I wonder what they were like!

Patsy is only really known for "From New York to LA" in the UK, though she had a longer career in her native Canada, and I hear is still going strong, having appeared in a film there a few years ago.

Enjoy the track!



http://www.divshare.com/download/10326236-6d4

Grooveroom Talking - 2 January 2010

Welcome to the first show of 2010, and Happy New Year to everyone!

Some good stuff in this show - we're looking at the 1979 Joan Collins film The Bitch, as well as sampling some music from an early 70s porn film.

And of course we could hardly talk about 70s porn without playing the Andrea True Connection classic More, More, More.

Hope you enjoy it - look forward to reading any thoughts, suggestions etc on the comments!

1.		Andrea True Connection - More, More, More	1976
2.		Karen Silver - Hold On, I'm Comin'	1979
3.		Players Association - Turn the Music Up	1979
4.		Skatt Brothers - Walk The Night	1979
5.		Pattie Brooks - My Heart Belongs To You	1979
6.		Herb Alpert - Rise	1979
7.		Don Argott - If It Ain't Easy, It Ain't Sleazy	1972

Grooveroom Talking - 18 December 2009

Welcome back to my third radio show!

Carrying on the theme from previous shows the celebrity disco track this week is Gone, Gone, Gone from Johnny Mathis, and our music from the movies is the Julio Gutierrez version of Last Tango in Paris.

We also have some tracks exploring the boundaries between easy listening, jazz and disco, and finishing with a great favourite of mine from Eddie Kendricks.

Hope you enjoy listening - the weekend starts here!

1.		Sly and the Family Stone - Dance to the Music	1968
2.		Grey & Hanks - Dancin'	1978
3.		Geraldine Hunt - Can't Fake the Feeling	1980
4.		Cheri - Murphy's Law	1982
5.		Johnny Mathis - Gone, Gone, Gone	1979
6.		Julio Gutierrez - Last Tango in Paris	1973
7.		Syd Dale - Disco Tek	1973
8.		Silver Convention - Save Me	1975
9.		Steely Dan - Time Out of Mind	1980
10.		Shakatak - Easier Said Than Done	1981
11.		Eddie Kendricks - Date with the Rain	1977

Grooveroom Talking 11 December 09

This is number two in my series of disco oriented radio shows and I had great fun putting it together. I'm going to try and make these shows a weekly event as long as time permits!

I've got some great tracks from disco's earlier days to start us off, a curiosity from Ethel Merman, and this week's cinema spot looks at the 1970 British film "Groupie Girl" and the track "Sweet Motion" which is featured in the film.

We follow that with a couple of italo-disco tracks from around 1980 and finish with a slow dance to Barbra Streisand's "Guilty" from the same year!

Don't forget to leave me a message on the blog if you've got any suggestions for future shows - I'd love to hear from you!

The tracks I'm playing and talking about this week are:

1.		Steely Dan - Do It Again	1972
2.		Zulema - Giving Up	1973
3.		Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme	1973
4.		Patti Jo - Make Me Believe in You	1975
5.		Ethel Merman - There's No Business Like Show Business	1979
6.		Salon Band - Sweet Motion	1970
7.		Passengers - I'll be Standing Beside You	1979
8.		Pino D'Angio - Ma Quale Idea	1980
9.		Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb - Guilty	1980

Grooveroom Talking

Felt like trying something new this time, so instead of just stringing the music together I thought I'd talk about it too - a bit like a radio broadcast, so hope you find it entertaining! Apologies for any blips in the sound - this was something of a tryout session as far as my equipment goes. Anyway looking forward to reading any comments you want to make about the show, so please don't be shy!

The tracks I'm playing and talking about are:

1.		Final Edition - Betcha Can't Love Just One	1980
2.		Harlow - Movie Queen	1980
3.		Alan Hawkshaw - Beat Me 'til I'm Blue	unknown
4.		Love De-Luxe - Here Comes that Sound Again	1979
5.		Paul Zaza - Love Me 'til I Die	1980
6.		Banzaii - Chinese Kung Fu	1975
7.		O C Smith - Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp	1968