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!
The A side ("Keep The Faith") is in a hard-edged Bubblegum mold, but the B side — check this out! Terrific psychedelic fuzz guitar, jerky garage rock... these guys had another side to them entirely on this track. Think I'll sock a snippet in the jukebox... it's that good!
At first glance, this single is a comeback effort by the group whose big claim to fame was "Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight" back in 1954, rethinking their big hit as a Philly "sweet soul" number. However, flip the record over and you will hear why this rare 45 commands such high prices among Northern Soul collectors (well over $100 for a Near Mint copy). I liked it so much on first hearing that I've added an mp3 snippet to the "jukebox." Have a listen!
Here's a beautiful, Near Mint copy of the first pressing of this rare pair of Soul instrumentals, courtesy of veteran tenor saxophonist Red Prysock, the brother of singer Arthur Prysock. Both of these are major keepers, but on first listening I prefer the funkier flip... have a listen to the mp3 snippet I've added to our "jukebox." These tracks were picked up by Chess and re-released in 1968 on Chess 2042. As far as I can determine, they were the saxophonist's last recorded output.
Here's a beautiful original 1966 pressing of a single I've been hunting forever... The audio is truly Wow! ... even though there are a couple of light "pops" near the beginning. (Have a listen to the mp3 snippet I couldn't resist adding to the Classic 45s Jukebox!)
Here's a beautiful copy of this rare 1963 doo-wop 45, a surprising and delightfully rocking cover of "Smoke...", made famous in the Rock'n'Roll era by the Platters' 1958 version. Liked it so much I'm sticking a snippet in the Classic 45s jukebox. Have a listen!
Here's another catchy tune that hit big in the U.S. Black/RnB market, but bombed on Top 40 radio. I'm putting a snippet into the Classic 45s Jukebox in case you don't know this one... it's pretty yummy!
In Stock $9.00
02/05/15
Ronald Louis Smith
1979, Sunshine Sound 1011 Genre: Other Northern Soul
With horn charts straight from an Earth, Wind & Fire session, this is a really impressive rarity from the Miami "Sound of Sunshine" studios that gave birth to T.K. Records.
This A side was a big hit in the Black market, but for some reason this gorgeous slice of Philadelphia Soul (in this case, courtesy of Thom Bell) just didn't catch on in Pop radio. After two listens, I'm a big fan... have a listen!