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!
Here's a beautiful promo copy of this to-die-for RnB rocker, in its original Gee Records factory sleeve. This 2-star recommendation (our highest), it's worth noting, falls in the category of "very short" tunes, clocking in at only 1:46!
Here is a fantastic Northern Soul stomper with a clear Motown feel to it, but in my researching I can't find any source for the year of release. I'm guessing 1966.
This special promo has a longer edit of the album cut than on the retail copies (which clocks at 4:56). Apparently, that edits out Stevie's "Harmonica Solo" which is restored in this 5:18 track. Keep in mind, however, that both of these are dramatically edited versions (found only on 45) of the somewhat-indulgent, more than-twice-as-long 10:27 album track! Surely this promo's edit, which is labeled as a "Special DJ Reservice" release, is the ultimate version... and the sound is sublime... pristine Mint! By the way, both this rarely heard single, and "That Girl" were non-album singles that were previously unreleased until gathered into Wonder's 2-album compilation released in 1982.
This single's A side has a rhythm section that deserves its own spot in the Soul Hall of Fame — truly awesome! Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" to hear what I mean.
Here's another single with simply dynamite sound, featuring two Northern Soul-style dancers you won't want to miss! I liked the A side so much I quickly put together an mp3 "snippet" ... so have a listen!
The A side ("He's Awful Nice To Me") is a decent enough recording, but I think Carole would have had a better shot if radio programmers had focused on the B side instead, which I liked enough to make this one a Recommended single (one star). Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" of "My Girlfriend"... Hope you like it as much as I do!
Here's another case where in the passage of time and according to taste, I think the real gem on this 45 is the B side — have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" to see if you like it as much as I do. It has some particularly nasty (in a good way) electric guitar picking aside Ms. Dunn's powerful vocals, and it swings something fierce!
The A side is a terrific uptempo Girl Group number, rarely heard but deserving of better. Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" I've added to our "jukebox"... note that the snippet edits out the slow intro (only because I prefer the fast bits :-).
This rarely seen 1993 single features both of the Cranberries first two hits, a common characteristic of 45s beginning in the 1990s. "Dreams" was actually their first hit, though only in the "Modern Rock" market as measured by Billboard. After "Linger" was a hit in the Pop market, "Dreams" saw new life in a re-release.
This early single was released from the same album and just before their breakthrough hit, 'Whip It.' Though it didn't get much radio play at the time, it's definitely one of their 'greatest hits.'
This single's A side ("Chained To Your Heart") is a terrific Northern Soul dancer cranked to the nines! The flip is perhaps not so great a dancer, but it's a terrific recording... have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" I've added to our online "jukebox!"
The top 10 hit on the A side ("Let's Think About Living") is a swipe at all the "death" songs then in vogue on pop radio. But for me, the real fun begins on the B side... sounding a little like Elvis (who didn't in 1960?), Luman and crew manage to deliver a fine rockabilly track, propelled by the great Boudleaux and Felice Bryant song.
Have a listen to the mp3 snippet of this one, and you'll understand why Jethro Tull mattered at this point in Rock history. They definitely made their contribution in this great track from their LP "Aqualung"! By the way, "Locomotive Breath" was revived (I don't know if it was a re-recording) and charted for the group in 1976 after they had moved to Chrysalis.
This single's "Plug Side" is a fine Philly-Soul style ballad, but the real action is on the flip (how often do I say this in a day, I wonder?): "I'm Just A Man" is a terrific dancer well worth seeking out. Check out the mp3 "snippet" of the tune I just put in our online "jukebox!"
Most Northern Soul fans think the A side of this single ("Give A Little Bit") is what makes it special (and it is a good one!), but perhaps they never listened to the B side? Because "Here She Comes" is a stomping dancer you won't want to miss!
This delightful and rare Doo Wop single offers a nice ballad on the A side, but the real action is on the mid-tempo flip — which I liked so much right away I had to stick an mp3 "snippet" of it in our online "jukebox", so have a listen!
Rummage through hundreds of original-issue 45's for $6.00 or less!
Now playing:
Zabadak by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
Baby, We Better Try To Get It Together/ If You Know, Won't You Tell Me by Barry White
These virtual "boxes" are for you folks who only like new, unplayed or pristine Mint 45s.
