tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25593498709360375662024-03-13T18:29:58.425+00:00Copycat Cover RecordsAdventures in collecting anonymous cover versionsPopperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-16937861084098369642022-09-24T20:26:00.003+01:002022-09-24T20:26:59.719+01:00Shameless advertising<p>If you've come here looking for stuff relating to cover version albums, there's plenty to feast your eyes on. However you'll have to forgive this particular post - a blatant plug for your blog-master's new book, hot off the presses.</p><p>It's called <i>FOUR SIDES OF THE CIRCLE: THE BEATLES' SECOND PHASE, 1970-1974</i> and it's by TERRY WILSON.<br /></p><p>Those of you familiar with Ian MacDonald's <i>Revolution In The Head </i>will know what to expect - this is a detailed, song-by-song account of the Beatles' final years (because, as outlined in the book, they didn't techincally split up until 1975, and so this covers their 'second phase' years).</p><p>Classic songs, classic albums <i>- Imagine</i>, <i>All Things Must Pass</i>, <i>Band On The Run</i>, <i>John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band</i>, <i>RAM </i>- and so on... all analysed, discussed and evaluated, and woven together with the story of their criss-crossing paths.</p><p>For more info and a link to the order page see here: <a href="https://four-sides.weebly.com/">https://four-sides.weebly.com/</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwgtzmFyMjhee15PHKchuoutTlkOS3Pf83MYV4KQbTuU3Y1lYX5pHWVwhrKqxKGhOOw-cTejs0upik_pWxMXU5uO_VRFPVDwvlD2-c1Mz0lYQd5n4iUkfEF1bJSBklPHhBrwO4cOSaoIKhmYIs5xsQox1WUnxJbNdu2OBT6zdbGnDJ6dPR1EkQsLi/s5551/merged%202copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5551" data-original-width="4370" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwgtzmFyMjhee15PHKchuoutTlkOS3Pf83MYV4KQbTuU3Y1lYX5pHWVwhrKqxKGhOOw-cTejs0upik_pWxMXU5uO_VRFPVDwvlD2-c1Mz0lYQd5n4iUkfEF1bJSBklPHhBrwO4cOSaoIKhmYIs5xsQox1WUnxJbNdu2OBT6zdbGnDJ6dPR1EkQsLi/w315-h400/merged%202copy.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-2553491309551394642020-03-29T14:55:00.000+01:002020-03-29T14:55:17.695+01:00Newly discovered Top of the Poppers cassetteVery occasionally, we are lucky to find another item from the long Top of the Pops discography, which had managed to escape our attentions. The latest new find is a cassette by the Poppers, as shown below:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9n8nlvYeG8/XoClH9_nvQI/AAAAAAAAGTo/ttk9mEhhexgTJaPFVwh5oFq0-tkzhcRKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Disco%2BMachine%2Bre-issue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1326" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9n8nlvYeG8/XoClH9_nvQI/AAAAAAAAGTo/ttk9mEhhexgTJaPFVwh5oFq0-tkzhcRKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Disco%2BMachine%2Bre-issue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTJ5RvYkphY/XoClLNGyP6I/AAAAAAAAGTs/3-BAO46HwWcYYqOkCw4VcIzqdU02sJ1EACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Disco%2BMachine%2Bre-issue%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1597" height="138" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTJ5RvYkphY/XoClLNGyP6I/AAAAAAAAGTs/3-BAO46HwWcYYqOkCw4VcIzqdU02sJ1EACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Disco%2BMachine%2Bre-issue%2Bdetail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's called <i>The Top Of The Poppers Sing And [Play] Disco Machine </i>- which may sound familiar, as this is not entirely new to us.<br />
<br />
It's a compilation from the main Top of the Pops album series, but it has appeared in a cassette edition previously, not, as here, on the Bravo label, but on Allegro. That earlier edition was one of three disco-based compilations issued on cassette, all in white cases.<br />
<br />
Let's have a look at them:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M119Ca-GTAI/XoCm1RntnHI/AAAAAAAAGUI/RWM-2h0QH0Ag-GH6pFkmwOmx9TSSmoLnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M119Ca-GTAI/XoCm1RntnHI/AAAAAAAAGUI/RWM-2h0QH0Ag-GH6pFkmwOmx9TSSmoLnACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="205" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTr3omPRVUk/XoCm3qjZ8aI/AAAAAAAAGUM/T8GI-v4qx3g_xHEUoCjvSi5ZEEEzomrZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTr3omPRVUk/XoCm3qjZ8aI/AAAAAAAAGUM/T8GI-v4qx3g_xHEUoCjvSi5ZEEEzomrZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2cAW7jzMY/XoCm5NaulpI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/P7rTVSo2HZQgWIB1glrkrceADg2-38StQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH2cAW7jzMY/XoCm5NaulpI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/P7rTVSo2HZQgWIB1glrkrceADg2-38StQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<i>Disco Crazy</i>, <i>Disco Heat</i>, and <i>Disco Machine </i>were all compiled from the main series, and were issued by Allegro (one of Pickwick's imprints) as ALC 4049, ALC 4050 and ALC 4051.<br />
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The track listings can be read from these scans:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQieJTsVoV4/XoCngU9x3NI/AAAAAAAAGUk/4SyZjqUEJdIlvJgQxMC5VkvqSTekLOi8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1813285_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="789" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQieJTsVoV4/XoCngU9x3NI/AAAAAAAAGUk/4SyZjqUEJdIlvJgQxMC5VkvqSTekLOi8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1813285_orig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR5Y59PoO0U/XoCnjHuk4mI/AAAAAAAAGUo/9W9C_HBamX0JVYM0NlJJEaMs32Z_fhTBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/7288879_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="800" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR5Y59PoO0U/XoCnjHuk4mI/AAAAAAAAGUo/9W9C_HBamX0JVYM0NlJJEaMs32Z_fhTBACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/7288879_orig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79Isy4uAjig/XoCnlG7GdnI/AAAAAAAAGUs/6hFjrsfR12sEWzQlnvmwGQteOocvcGOQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1591372_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79Isy4uAjig/XoCnlG7GdnI/AAAAAAAAGUs/6hFjrsfR12sEWzQlnvmwGQteOocvcGOQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1591372_orig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our new discovery is, of course, a re-issue of one of these. However at least one of the other two was also re-issued on Bravo, as shown below:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUZkcaxhpAM/XoCn4--BQ1I/AAAAAAAAGU8/zW2RLygYmbYVJ53lPIwfRaccF13ltzffACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="700" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUZkcaxhpAM/XoCn4--BQ1I/AAAAAAAAGU8/zW2RLygYmbYVJ53lPIwfRaccF13ltzffACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/s-l16c00%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Was the third one as well? We don't know!<br />
<br />
One other point of interest is the brand-new artwork on the Bravo edition of <i>Disco Machine</i>, which is unlike most Top of the Pops covers. In fact this too has a precedent - it's from the same shoot as a photo once used by the Stereo Gold Award label for one of their <i>12 Tops </i>LPs:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3rKM4_1aIg/XoCoYsJd5sI/AAAAAAAAGVI/0-KyetjSU3s9M2UGWjj4p4ay9A1vSRX4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Disco%2BMachine%2Bre-issue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1326" height="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3rKM4_1aIg/XoCoYsJd5sI/AAAAAAAAGVI/0-KyetjSU3s9M2UGWjj4p4ay9A1vSRX4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Disco%2BMachine%2Bre-issue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6fMnAT2iMg/XoCoT09wsjI/AAAAAAAAGVE/t0sqsS-Iz2ANBbVTdL8T2WLUAbEZ1vV-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/8780719_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6fMnAT2iMg/XoCoT09wsjI/AAAAAAAAGVE/t0sqsS-Iz2ANBbVTdL8T2WLUAbEZ1vV-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/8780719_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, an intriguing find. I wonder how many more Top of the Pops releases are lurking out there, waiting to be added to our database?<br />
<span id="goog_2021716229"></span><span id="goog_2021716230"></span><br />
<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-1495177584311633452020-02-15T13:51:00.000+00:002020-02-16T10:36:04.435+00:00Chevron cassettes - new research project underwayChevron cassettes - those of Parade of Pops fame - have interested me for years, but I've never yet found anything like a full discography.<br />
<br />
Many years ago I was contacted by a collector named Tony who was part-way through assembling a full label listing. However there remained many gaps and uncertainties, whch would need some more work to sort out. It only took me the best part of a decade, but I've finally gotten around to addressing the issue and starting a full, online discography with images. (And if you're reading this, Tony, thanks for getting the ball rolling.)<br />
<br />
You can see the work as it currently exists <a href="https://www.45spaces.com/chevron-cassettes/" target="_blank">here</a> <br />
<br />
Those familiar with the site, 45Spaces, will know it's an open-access collaborative platform. Anyone can sign up and start adding info, listings of missing cassettes, images, comments - anything you like. It would be great for collectors and fans to pool their info, and help build up the site to its max potential - so, if you're reading this, please join up and help!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6ov6GR2sY8/XkfyCQ1YkUI/AAAAAAAAGRg/brWukKS1c7QfhrX1CUy39H-Pqwu-bupfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1243" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6ov6GR2sY8/XkfyCQ1YkUI/AAAAAAAAGRg/brWukKS1c7QfhrX1CUy39H-Pqwu-bupfACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The first 100 releases are included already, but research is ongoing - we still have some gaps. It's a learnng process, and so far we have found the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Yellow inserts - Chevron released its first cassettes in mid-1977, a set of 50. These all re-issued LPs from the Windmill label, and all had basic-style yellow inserts in the cassettes. Most, if not all, would be re-issued later on, with better artwork.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azpXJRWmRFk/Xkf1W_6V-0I/AAAAAAAAGRs/xpJVCzR2Cz8a8K54p0uVQsOLMFuzmAVFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azpXJRWmRFk/Xkf1W_6V-0I/AAAAAAAAGRs/xpJVCzR2Cz8a8K54p0uVQsOLMFuzmAVFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/001.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>above: CHV 001, first release and one of 50 'yellow cover' cassettes</i> </div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Chevron launched its LP range in March 1979, with 60 LPs, many of which
were vinyl editions of already existing cassette albums. All the LPs
show 1979 as their release date - and for some reason, Chevron started
putting 1979 on the cassettes too, even when they had been issued before
this. Just to confuse us collectors, I presume...</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEHyr9k1cfA/Xkf1ujQgDCI/AAAAAAAAGR0/VFLaa03w6jgp9h2e7L-yabFL4ZUcEd2tgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEHyr9k1cfA/Xkf1ujQgDCI/AAAAAAAAGR0/VFLaa03w6jgp9h2e7L-yabFL4ZUcEd2tgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/087.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>above: 1978 release, which started having 1979 printed on it when the LP version arrived</i><br />
<i> </i> </div>
<ul>
<li>Red cases - based on what we have
found so far, it appears Chevron may well have used red cases throughout
its lifespan. We used to think they were only in use for a fixed
period, but we're starting to change our minds.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hXiFPVDyL8/Xkf2FaHUZjI/AAAAAAAAGR8/cRAmZvPaeQo25IqBqxuPIwI_PZkEc7kPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1400" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hXiFPVDyL8/Xkf2FaHUZjI/AAAAAAAAGR8/cRAmZvPaeQo25IqBqxuPIwI_PZkEc7kPACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>above: red cassette case </i><br />
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Chevron Classics
- from the mid-1980s, Chevron issued double-cassette packs in their
Chevron Classics range. Not all were classical, and some were soudalike
covers of hit singles. We've so far identified at least 80 and perhaps
as many as 100 such double packs.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BXU3FxmrLs/Xkf2bASu8dI/AAAAAAAAGSI/dHq8k6lnxHU1gEldGnHxg0GHb9gpvFthwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3001%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="599" height="325" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BXU3FxmrLs/Xkf2bASu8dI/AAAAAAAAGSI/dHq8k6lnxHU1gEldGnHxg0GHb9gpvFthwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/3001%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>above: Chevron Classics double-pack of soundalike cover versions</i><br />
<i> </i> </div>
<ul>
<li>Cassette shells - so far we
can see no real pattern to the sytle of cassette shells - white with
blue ink, black with paper labels, cream with black ink - you name it -
and sometimes two or three different types are known from the same
release. In addition, many of the Chevron Classics double packs had
different styles on each of the two tapes! Maybe some day we will get to
the bottom of all this...</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hE95vKfqXoM/Xkf2_er-ffI/AAAAAAAAGSQ/hIMW1jC4lxwd6ybK-NcmAcgLpZVfv2qLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/krista-chv-085-4-che.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="600" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hE95vKfqXoM/Xkf2_er-ffI/AAAAAAAAGSQ/hIMW1jC4lxwd6ybK-NcmAcgLpZVfv2qLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/krista-chv-085-4-che.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLrTrIqDJEo/Xkf3Bb6Dd_I/AAAAAAAAGSU/Io7K1ps3-r0ntAOVCtagWBERInG980DWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/krista-salute-to-abba-2-che.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="600" height="203" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLrTrIqDJEo/Xkf3Bb6Dd_I/AAAAAAAAGSU/Io7K1ps3-r0ntAOVCtagWBERInG980DWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/krista-salute-to-abba-2-che.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>above: cassette shell variants</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
These are a few of the areas of interest we've stumbled upon.<br />
<br />
By collectors joining forces and pooling info, we can surely learn more and get the world's first illustrated discography complete. So, do help out if you can, and if not, feel free to stop by the site and have a good look around. I'm sure it will be of interest, and a useful resource for Chevron fans out there.<br />
<br />
* At the point of writing this, we have ten albums from the first hundred which we cannot identify. Please let us know if you have the artists or titles for any of these:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>CHV 002</li>
<li>CHV 011</li>
<li>CHV 014</li>
<li>CHV 019</li>
<li>CHV 023</li>
<li>CHV 030</li>
<li>CHV 041</li>
<li>CHV 065</li>
<li>CHV 080</li>
<li>CHV 097</li>
</ul>
Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-26444719030101640302019-12-24T11:20:00.003+00:002019-12-24T11:20:42.193+00:00Merry Christmas!Over the last couple of years, this blog has become an occasional thing rather than something which is updated every week. Nonetheless, it's still going, and we're always pleased to hear from loyal followers with comments and newly discovered records.<br />
<br />
I'd like to wish all cover version collectors out there a Merry Chritsmas. And if you like, you can play spot the LP cover with the following...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vsZQ2cnoQeQ/XgH0HUSin9I/AAAAAAAAGNU/-E3hELOjXp4jpQ3e1lORcatnfcFKYQ4xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/no-artist-listed-gudby-tjane-windmill-ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="834" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vsZQ2cnoQeQ/XgH0HUSin9I/AAAAAAAAGNU/-E3hELOjXp4jpQ3e1lORcatnfcFKYQ4xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/no-artist-listed-gudby-tjane-windmill-ab.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>
<br />
It's from a UK cover version album - answers in comments please - sorry, no prizes available but you will gain everlasting glory!<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and a happy new year.Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-70598380201354056572019-11-30T19:50:00.001+00:002019-11-30T19:50:56.615+00:00Budget albums in the national pressLast week, we heard that the old UK budget albums, including Top of the Pops, were afforded a glimpse of the limelight, courtesy of the Daily Mail newspaper.<br />
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Like several dailies, the Mail has a column for reader questions and answers, and someobdy posed the query, "Did any artists who recorded cover versions for Music For Pleasure's <i>Hot Hits </i>or Pickwick's <i>Top Of The Pops </i>go on to achieve fame?" And, someone named James Thompson, of Hartlepool, pitched in with an informed answer.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgMXa5BpyCg/XeLHXLytVlI/AAAAAAAAGNA/iFizKxdUiBs4WZ_rCOCBHMBFFoXDzXP7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC06198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="436" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgMXa5BpyCg/XeLHXLytVlI/AAAAAAAAGNA/iFizKxdUiBs4WZ_rCOCBHMBFFoXDzXP7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/DSC06198.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's hard to read from the scan, so here's a grab from the online version (click to enlarge):<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fy3I88RGOK0/XeLHh8IcK_I/AAAAAAAAGNE/OCqxlnfl-dc3w6k_P1cXm1gAbLgXBQiLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Daily%2BMail%2B19%2BNov%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fy3I88RGOK0/XeLHh8IcK_I/AAAAAAAAGNE/OCqxlnfl-dc3w6k_P1cXm1gAbLgXBQiLACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Daily%2BMail%2B19%2BNov%2B2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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James Thompson is clearly quite a fan - and if you're reading this, please leave a message.<br />
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Great to see - and our thanks to Clive Hetherington for the heads up, and the newspaper scan.<br />
<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-91248712917721358072019-10-25T12:53:00.002+01:002019-10-26T00:37:15.850+01:00Burn, baby, burn ... Disco Inferno!One of the great things about collecting budget cover versions is the way collectors are willing to generously share their new finds, and last week, I was pleased to hear from John MackMersh, who'd come across a cassette on the little-known <a href="http://copycatcovers.blogspot.com/search/label/VFM" target="_blank">VFM label</a>.<br />
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The tape in question is <i>Disco Inferno</i>, a nine-track assemblage of disco-style hits, which was issued in 1978. John sent over some scans, and very kindly also donated the cassette itself, so it is now safely in my all-too-little VFM collection.<br />
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Here are some images:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5bkKy_FE2M/XbLbHcNiayI/AAAAAAAAGLo/K68tso16bxU-NxBuQqp1WYwbEFyvDwS6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/insert%2Bfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="983" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5bkKy_FE2M/XbLbHcNiayI/AAAAAAAAGLo/K68tso16bxU-NxBuQqp1WYwbEFyvDwS6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/insert%2Bfront.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buL_8cjBvVs/XbLbLhT3EQI/AAAAAAAAGLw/Fn3prmqdxBUwZ6Yx-LxeEZag3t6zf7nqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/insert%2Binside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="817" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buL_8cjBvVs/XbLbLhT3EQI/AAAAAAAAGLw/Fn3prmqdxBUwZ6Yx-LxeEZag3t6zf7nqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/insert%2Binside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUvxGqs0QQo/XbLbJ6b-VPI/AAAAAAAAGLs/Utqs-xOvxXEB0-h9LvIs0JGiSgv15zSeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cass%2Bside%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUvxGqs0QQo/XbLbJ6b-VPI/AAAAAAAAGLs/Utqs-xOvxXEB0-h9LvIs0JGiSgv15zSeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/cass%2Bside%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n--38mVRFKM/XbLbM-GxuII/AAAAAAAAGL0/sZDklAE55CgQrKSc1LPIEZgnGEHa96XRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cass%2Bside%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n--38mVRFKM/XbLbM-GxuII/AAAAAAAAGL0/sZDklAE55CgQrKSc1LPIEZgnGEHa96XRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/cass%2Bside%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What a great item! I particularly love the '70s-style image on the front, complete with the roundel stating, "Special Price 99 Pence". VFM = Value For Money, so they lived up to their name.<br />
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Now, I did wonder about the tape: was this a newly-recorded disco-type album, or was it a collection assembled from earlier VFM releases? I was intrigued that there were only nine tracks, making me think of some sort of long musical sequence - those familiar with 'Stars on 45' will know what I mean.<br />
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John though stated these were standard cover versions, and when I got to listen to the cassette, I was able to confirm their origins. Luckily, one of my other VFM cassettes contained the track, 'Black Is Black', also included here - and a comparison revealed they are the same versions. So, this is a VFM compilation album.<br />
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This is the track listing:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Black Is Black</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 6</i>]</li>
<li><b>The Shuffle</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 2</i>]</li>
<li><b>Sunny</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 1</i>]</li>
<li><b>Ma Baker</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 4</i>]</li>
<li><b>Disco Inferno</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 4</i>]</li>
<li><b>Red Light Spells Danger</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 1</i>]</li>
<li><b>Too Hot To Handle</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 3</i>]</li>
<li><b>Good Morning Judge</b> [from <i>Hit Parade '77 Vol. 3</i>]</li>
<li><b>Ain't Gonna Bump No More </b></li>
</ol>
Given our previous efforts to compile a VFM discography, we have been able to identify the source album for eight of the nine selections, the odd one out being the final track. They are all from the previous year's <i>Hit Parade '77 </i>set, bar this one oddity.<br />
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It's curious that only nine tracks were included from a pool of perhaps 60 or 70 titles at VFM's disposal. There's no sign on the cassette itself that this was conceived as a 'volume 1' (which might explain other tracks being held off for a 'volume 2'), so Value For Money, yes, but a hint of short-changing, perhaps? The total running time (based on the speed of my cassette deck) is less than 17 minutes per side.<br />
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I bet you'd like to hear it? I don't usually upload sound files, since most of these cover versions were put out by small independent labels, some of whom are still exploiting them commercially. I would not want to undermine them by giving away copies, but in the case of VFM I know of no evidence they have been trading in any guise for the last 30-odd years.<br />
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So, for those au-fait with downloading files, here is a digital copy of the album. It's in MP3 for convenience, and bears all the hallmarks you'd expect from an old tape - so don't expect clean, crisp hi-fi.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BA3VJO9KW6jfCUG3pUWqAB9-lDT4s46n" target="_blank">Download link</a><br />
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To be fair, it's all the better for its imperfections.
Step into your Tardis, rematerialise in 1978, and enjoy the experience,
while picturing two little cog wheels going round inside a Hitachi
radio-cassette. It's better than you may remember!<br />
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Thanks again to John for the cassette.<br />
<br />
<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-15318611813988548452019-08-11T18:00:00.002+01:002019-09-13T08:17:40.940+01:00New discovery completes Deacon EP discographyDeacon was one of the smaller players in the budget covers LP market, issuing just half a dozen instalments of <i>Pick of the Pops </i>through 1970 and 1971.<br />
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But apart from those full-length collections, they also issued a small number of EPs directly pulled from the LPs - like the Avenue label did - containing the same cuts.<br />
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Until now, we knew of two such EPs, DEA 5022 and DEA 5023. Then last week, we were contacted by Jason Stevens, who has discovered DEA 5021.<br />
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Here are some images of the labels:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFqJpiyASsw/XVBFpK98lfI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/sPCkJ6rXLe4fbTKpJlHpjzxhLOzVvbuLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Deacon%2BEP%2B1%2Bside%2B1%2Brough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFqJpiyASsw/XVBFpK98lfI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/sPCkJ6rXLe4fbTKpJlHpjzxhLOzVvbuLQCLcBGAs/s200/Deacon%2BEP%2B1%2Bside%2B1%2Brough.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuBZDQa9yM0/XVBFpPAtBeI/AAAAAAAAGDM/B7INM87lJMoEAvRVZG2Bse_O-w5eCIADQCLcBGAs/s1600/Deacon%2BEP%2B1%2Bside%2B2%2Brough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuBZDQa9yM0/XVBFpPAtBeI/AAAAAAAAGDM/B7INM87lJMoEAvRVZG2Bse_O-w5eCIADQCLcBGAs/s200/Deacon%2BEP%2B1%2Bside%2B2%2Brough.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The tracks are: <span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">The Wonder Of You / Rainbow / Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours / (It's Like A) Sad Old Kinda Movie. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">Here are the other two EPs: </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zl1DoK18XY/XVBGSW0xKYI/AAAAAAAAGDk/14VMD4hAla8wa95Md9SP9n8Diw-M0QizwCLcBGAs/s1600/DEA%2B5022%2Bside%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="696" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zl1DoK18XY/XVBGSW0xKYI/AAAAAAAAGDk/14VMD4hAla8wa95Md9SP9n8Diw-M0QizwCLcBGAs/s200/DEA%2B5022%2Bside%2B1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1ZLraVXXTU/XVBGRYuExqI/AAAAAAAAGDc/57QEiMNEYDglBNtx6odGb4Kujk7m0MM2QCLcBGAs/s1600/DEA%2B5022%2Bside%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="698" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1ZLraVXXTU/XVBGRYuExqI/AAAAAAAAGDc/57QEiMNEYDglBNtx6odGb4Kujk7m0MM2QCLcBGAs/s200/DEA%2B5022%2Bside%2B2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">Tracks: In The Summertime / Lola / Yellow River / Up Around The Bend</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zmja8bXmTSg/XVBGSepwfCI/AAAAAAAAGDg/tLXdOFyfjL8AKUAjLtJNKfBcXjFs7x_HwCLcBGAs/s1600/DEACON%2BEP%2B5023%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zmja8bXmTSg/XVBGSepwfCI/AAAAAAAAGDg/tLXdOFyfjL8AKUAjLtJNKfBcXjFs7x_HwCLcBGAs/s200/DEACON%2BEP%2B5023%2BA.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gW79mSHVeRM/XVBGSsIuP8I/AAAAAAAAGDo/pfy5oPKcJxQQFPfU3_pVhsuZlo6apUrgQCLcBGAs/s1600/DEACON%2BEP%2B5023%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gW79mSHVeRM/XVBGSsIuP8I/AAAAAAAAGDo/pfy5oPKcJxQQFPfU3_pVhsuZlo6apUrgQCLcBGAs/s200/DEACON%2BEP%2B5023%2BB.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">Tracks: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">All Right Now / Natural Sinner / Neanderthal Man / It's All In The Game</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">Together, these three EPs include every track from the album, <i>Pick of the Pops volume 4</i>, and in the correct sequence:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcYYC-wK7g0/XVBG70r28WI/AAAAAAAAGEA/gB5vPStPuv4xasw5BAKEDC8I_68FrFZtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Pick%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPops%2Bvol%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcYYC-wK7g0/XVBG70r28WI/AAAAAAAAGEA/gB5vPStPuv4xasw5BAKEDC8I_68FrFZtQCLcBGAs/s400/Pick%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPops%2Bvol%2B4.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">There can be very few collectors out there who own all three of the EPs. It has taken us literally years to even get confirmation they all exist. Our thanks to Jason for the latest find.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">Now, eagle-eyed readers will spot two anomalies with all this. The first is that the EPs are not called <i>Pick of the Pops</i>; they are called <i>Top of the Pops</i>. It is known that in 1971, Pickwick sued Deacon for brand infringement, something we initially thought was the result of <i>Pick of the Pops </i>sounding too similar to <i>Top of the Pops </i>for comfort. Now we have a second theory: Deacon has brazenly used <i>Top of the Pops </i>right here on these EPs; so Pickwick were bound to do <i>something</i>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">The second anomaly remains a mystery - the LP above, volume 4, was issued immediately after volume 1. In other words, Deacon missed out volume 2 and volume 3. Possibly this was some kind of mistake - but look at the corresponding EP labels: they all say <i>Top of the Pops <b>vol. 2</b></i>. So they did get the release number right, even if they changed the name!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">We are going to stick our necks out and say these were the only Deacon EPs released. Well, apart from this promo item, which came in a picture sleeve but has nothing to do with the above:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRHXJq67K2M/XVBIz9go6OI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/7DfxD3lU2HMtfXIYbX1EgzhoUIFAjavggCLcBGAs/s1600/unknown-lets-play-bingo-deacon-records.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRHXJq67K2M/XVBIz9go6OI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/7DfxD3lU2HMtfXIYbX1EgzhoUIFAjavggCLcBGAs/s200/unknown-lets-play-bingo-deacon-records.jpg" width="197" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qtKo8NKDOk/XVBIzeSRisI/AAAAAAAAGEM/HoSvmWnpNdwIYDYzxAMdy1Xuaj1CHpihwCLcBGAs/s1600/no-artist-listed-bingo-goes-pop-deacon-records.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="614" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qtKo8NKDOk/XVBIzeSRisI/AAAAAAAAGEM/HoSvmWnpNdwIYDYzxAMdy1Xuaj1CHpihwCLcBGAs/s200/no-artist-listed-bingo-goes-pop-deacon-records.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;">So, that's Deacon's EP series concluded. We think. Now go try and find copies - as is well documented elsewhere, some of these cuts include vocals by Elton John, and must be among the rarest commercially released recordings from him. If only collectors knew...</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #464e54; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></span></span>Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-32613485659466728012019-07-31T21:15:00.000+01:002019-07-31T21:15:00.636+01:00Top of the SpotsWe love to find examples of Top of the Pops albums cropping up in unexpected places. This one was noticed by Ian Byrne, and featues on the cover of the new album, <i>Office Politics</i>, by Divine Comedy.<br />
<br />
Below is the full gatefold record sleeve, inside and outside: <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn-PGrNVoFo/XUH1gLbsMZI/AAAAAAAAGCs/eZRkdVPnnq0ehyeca_tXjH-4Op2f5WflQCLcBGAs/s1600/65880026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn-PGrNVoFo/XUH1gLbsMZI/AAAAAAAAGCs/eZRkdVPnnq0ehyeca_tXjH-4Op2f5WflQCLcBGAs/s320/65880026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And notice the guy at the bottom, studying his Human League reord?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSGe4Jfp5Uo/XUH1gBItmRI/AAAAAAAAGCo/Ym7_c4I_x7kaUmZKHeWZqgvjnk3k1g4bwCLcBGAs/s1600/65880026%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="450" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSGe4Jfp5Uo/XUH1gBItmRI/AAAAAAAAGCo/Ym7_c4I_x7kaUmZKHeWZqgvjnk3k1g4bwCLcBGAs/s320/65880026%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next to his right arm is Top of the Pops voume 4, from spring, 1969.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycfuwiOdfYU/XUH1e9KsggI/AAAAAAAAGCk/JgHap5BXx8oG9zYKYySH5bpLm4iD6dYOQCLcBGAs/s1600/UK%2Bv04%2Bf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="513" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycfuwiOdfYU/XUH1e9KsggI/AAAAAAAAGCk/JgHap5BXx8oG9zYKYySH5bpLm4iD6dYOQCLcBGAs/s320/UK%2Bv04%2Bf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What's it doing there? Not sure - it seems once again that people in high places are secret Top of the Pops fans, just like us!Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-68201028246582863502019-07-27T17:03:00.003+01:002019-07-27T21:52:21.319+01:00South Africa: Still digging Top of the Pops in 1981We know of many, many overseas pressings of Top of the Pops records dating throughout the lifespan of the series - starting as early as volume 2 (France and Norway) and running as late as volumes 68 (Italy) and 69 (Israel), towards the end of 1978.<br />
<br />
There are a couple more items known from after this point, including one compilation LP from Brazil, 1979 - but this week we stumbled on an even later edition of Top of the Pops - this one from South Africa.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPwyLqE9i3g/XTxzV1OKn1I/AAAAAAAAGCE/9qq9Ci2U65cLKjIsH0XAwyL4wlhYwxEuACLcBGAs/s1600/S%2BAfr%2Bfront%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="673" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPwyLqE9i3g/XTxzV1OKn1I/AAAAAAAAGCE/9qq9Ci2U65cLKjIsH0XAwyL4wlhYwxEuACLcBGAs/s320/S%2BAfr%2Bfront%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDwg0Pq232I/XTxzU_Ihg8I/AAAAAAAAGCA/Ngw8EslezYw8obl-VSxiCxB3Q-GJnTUAgCLcBGAs/s1600/S%2BAfr%2Bback%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="728" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDwg0Pq232I/XTxzU_Ihg8I/AAAAAAAAGCA/Ngw8EslezYw8obl-VSxiCxB3Q-GJnTUAgCLcBGAs/s320/S%2BAfr%2Bback%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At first glance, it appears to be an equivalent to the UK volume 84 - at least, that's where the cover originated. But the contents do not match; this is not a straight re-press, but a new and unique compilation LP issued only in South Africa.<br />
<br />
The tracks range through volumes 84, 85 and 86, so it was released no earlier than summer, 1981, while the UK series was in serious decline. This is the track listing:<br />
<br />
<div class="paragraph">
Side 1<br />
<ul>
<li>Kids In America - from vol 85</li>
<li>What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - from vol 85</li>
<li>Making Your Mind Up - from vol 85</li>
<li>Stand And Deliver - from vol 86</li>
<li>Bette Davis Eyes - from vol 86</li>
<li>Stars On 45 - from vol 86</li>
<li>All Those Years Ago - from vol 86</li>
<li>You Drive Me Crazy - from vol 86</li>
</ul>
</div>
Side 2<br />
<ul>
<li>A Little In Love - from vol 84</li>
<li>Romeo And Juliet - from vol 84</li>
<li>In The Air Tonight - from vol 84</li>
<li>Woman - from vol 84</li>
<li>Mind Of A Toy - from vol 85</li>
<li>Night Games - from vol 85</li>
<li>Attention To Me - from vol 85</li>
<li>Lately - from vol 85</li>
</ul>
<br />
Apart from some Soviet repressings of earlier albums, this is the only overseas Top of the Pops yet confirmed from the 1980s. It's particularly suprising to see such a record issued so late on; the UK series was approaching its conclusion, and would come to an end within the year. And yet here is a South African release, billing itself as volume 1 of what would have been a new series, and starting a new catalogue number series at TOP 001.<br />
<br />
They even issued it on cassette as well. Clearly, they thought Top of the Pops still had legs!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ay-Fc66fOmo/XTxzUI-j6JI/AAAAAAAAGCI/K0h9gYWLz4sf5FZS2UeeOpJnb8wK_kV3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/S%2BAfr%2Bfront%2Bcopy%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="460" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ay-Fc66fOmo/XTxzUI-j6JI/AAAAAAAAGCI/K0h9gYWLz4sf5FZS2UeeOpJnb8wK_kV3wCEwYBhgL/s320/S%2BAfr%2Bfront%2Bcopy%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IR0i8mzsstk/XTx1fwdot2I/AAAAAAAAGCY/c4Pmr0HPIggz6OQH2sZQee0vuxHmA32MQCLcBGAs/s1600/S%2BAfr%2Bback%2Bcopy%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="307" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IR0i8mzsstk/XTx1fwdot2I/AAAAAAAAGCY/c4Pmr0HPIggz6OQH2sZQee0vuxHmA32MQCLcBGAs/s320/S%2BAfr%2Bback%2Bcopy%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
This isn't the first Top of the Pops from South Africa - we know of two others, issued way back in 1972, but it may well be the last. Unless a "volume 2" appears, we think this could be the final release outside the UK, not including re-issues, of course.<br />
<br />
Let us know, if you think otherwise!<br />
<br />
<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-81631764313022163792019-06-02T18:49:00.000+01:002019-06-02T19:09:57.761+01:00Nonstop Top 20 comes to a stop!It's been a while since I went crate digging, but old habits die hard, and this weekend while attending a village fete, I had a rummage through an LP box at a brick-a-brack stall. Up popped this very rare record:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkXrDWXGT50/XPQDxKpTeaI/AAAAAAAAF48/jb6Iv2JGg1wD_U-xFbo-zjMOeh-9SSYqwCLcBGAs/s1600/LP%2Bsleeve%2Bfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkXrDWXGT50/XPQDxKpTeaI/AAAAAAAAF48/jb6Iv2JGg1wD_U-xFbo-zjMOeh-9SSYqwCLcBGAs/s320/LP%2Bsleeve%2Bfront.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXVRENeCffY/XPQDxpVZscI/AAAAAAAAF5A/e9zdpqceOGwYTpN106NnTUOUIpB5TB6OACLcBGAs/s1600/LP%2Bsleeve%2Bback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1364" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXVRENeCffY/XPQDxpVZscI/AAAAAAAAF5A/e9zdpqceOGwYTpN106NnTUOUIpB5TB6OACLcBGAs/s320/LP%2Bsleeve%2Bback.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIz3-uIVVL0/XPQDx8lIArI/AAAAAAAAF5E/JOIF028Ii7YzUtW9Yr-KRuZQ0DD0vE9YQCLcBGAs/s1600/Label%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="790" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIz3-uIVVL0/XPQDx8lIArI/AAAAAAAAF5E/JOIF028Ii7YzUtW9Yr-KRuZQ0DD0vE9YQCLcBGAs/s200/Label%2B2.jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHmzSoQv6dg/XPQDuQhzO-I/AAAAAAAAF44/I29_CAAYfLQDoOSdZ2NpZUhx2J6V1G0kgCLcBGAs/s1600/Label%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="793" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHmzSoQv6dg/XPQDuQhzO-I/AAAAAAAAF44/I29_CAAYfLQDoOSdZ2NpZUhx2J6V1G0kgCLcBGAs/s200/Label%2B1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
It's none other than volume 11 of the Plexium label's 'Nonstop top 20'. The fact that a copy had evaded me for so long is testament to its scarcity. If only there were more cover version fans out there, it would be worth something! (I grabbed it for 50p.)<br />
<br />
This was the last LP in the series, appearing in the spring of 1973, as the cover version industry started to go into decline. There are no fake audience effects on this LP (as there were on earlier instalments in the series) but the tracks are closed up, so there is no pause between them.<br />
<br />
Something which I wondered about was where these tracks came from. On the face of it, they are Plexium original recordings, but it was often the case that the smaller labels would share tracks or lease them in, especially when sales were dwindling and budgets were tight. What struck me reading through the listing, was the coincidence of so many titles to the mfp album, Hot Hits 17, which was one I had when I was a kid.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWfdGpOC_L4/XPQF6NcnY2I/AAAAAAAAF5Y/Ds3NFKckigM5sRBDn1ljg-Pd-fl3WoodQCLcBGAs/s1600/Hot%2BHits%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWfdGpOC_L4/XPQF6NcnY2I/AAAAAAAAF5Y/Ds3NFKckigM5sRBDn1ljg-Pd-fl3WoodQCLcBGAs/s320/Hot%2BHits%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The two LPs have the following songs in common:<br />
<ul>
<li>Cum On Feel The Noize</li>
<li>Tie A Yellow Ribbon</li>
<li>The Twelfth Of Never</li>
<li>By The Devil (I Was Tempted)</li>
<li>Killing Me Softly With His Song</li>
<li>20th Century Boy</li>
<li>Feel The Need In Me</li>
<li>Pinball Wizard</li>
<li>Power To All Our Friends</li>
<li>Never Never Never</li>
</ul>
<br />
Yep, 10 of the 12 tracks on the mfp album also appear on the Plexium set. So they have to be the same recordings, right? Wrong. They are different - much to my surprise.<br />
<br />
Not to be beaten, I next turned to Mike Morton's current RCA album, Non Stop Hits volume 5, to see if that's where they originated.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_Rjc-6SO3Q/XPQI7R4zxGI/AAAAAAAAF5k/OtnOQe4UZzkHYzyUOjhQHdEy7KJwwbEyQCLcBGAs/s1600/Non%2BStop%2BHits%2BRCA%2Bvol%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="664" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_Rjc-6SO3Q/XPQI7R4zxGI/AAAAAAAAF5k/OtnOQe4UZzkHYzyUOjhQHdEy7KJwwbEyQCLcBGAs/s320/Non%2BStop%2BHits%2BRCA%2Bvol%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There's plenty of cross-over here too. Plexium and RCA both selected the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Cum On Feel The Noize</li>
<li>Killing Me Softly With His Song</li>
<li>20th Century Boy</li>
<li>Feel The Need In Me</li>
<li>Looking Through The Eyes Of Love</li>
<li>Pinball Wizard</li>
</ul>
<br />
That's six songs in total - half the RCA LP, in other words. And once again, they are different.<br />
<br />
Incidentally, I noted above how 10 of the 12 mfp titles were on the Plexium LP. The two that weren't - Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse and Doctor My Eyes - are also on the RCA album!<br />
<br />
I must confess, it's a real mystery to me why the cover version albums
so often duplicated so much material. Of all the singles in the charts,
they repeatedly selected the same narrow set of hits, as illustrated
again here.<br />
<br />
I did also check the current Top of the Pops album - more cross-overs abound, but yet different recordings once again.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnz8BAmb_JE/XPQKS7amP-I/AAAAAAAAF5w/UZzpQohG50IUyFZ0jOEHBGEyK1i1ochQgCLcBGAs/s1600/1337830_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="532" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnz8BAmb_JE/XPQKS7amP-I/AAAAAAAAF5w/UZzpQohG50IUyFZ0jOEHBGEyK1i1ochQgCLcBGAs/s320/1337830_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The shared titles between Plexium and Top of the Pops are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Cum On Feel The Noize</li>
<li>Tweedle Dee</li>
<li>Tie A Yellow Ribbon</li>
<li>The Twelfth Of Never</li>
<li>20th Century Boy</li>
<li>Get Down </li>
<li>Love Train </li>
<li>Power To All Our Friends</li>
</ul>
<br />
So, you can see all four albums contain their own versions of several identical tracks. Not exactly giving listeners a USP, but I suppose popular hits like Cum On Feel The Noize and 20th Century Boy were just impossible to skip.<br />
<br />
As for the following, you can check them yourself to see if any of the recordings match up! I haven't done so - there aren't enough hours in the day...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMXbQxcDp_Y/XPQOjzyRqbI/AAAAAAAAF58/PSFsUPSalawYpEWBS8R0_9LkAIhvZiIhgCLcBGAs/s1600/no-artist-listed-blockbuster-flag-ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="713" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMXbQxcDp_Y/XPQOjzyRqbI/AAAAAAAAF58/PSFsUPSalawYpEWBS8R0_9LkAIhvZiIhgCLcBGAs/s200/no-artist-listed-blockbuster-flag-ab.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eT39kfxxDAU/XPQOlR3hp0I/AAAAAAAAF6E/nP9LJmDrJj0ZxgQKh4_A44e9DjkUQrsCQCLcBGAs/s1600/no-artist-listed-power-to-all-our-friends-enterprise-ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="708" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eT39kfxxDAU/XPQOlR3hp0I/AAAAAAAAF6E/nP9LJmDrJj0ZxgQKh4_A44e9DjkUQrsCQCLcBGAs/s200/no-artist-listed-power-to-all-our-friends-enterprise-ab.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
So, there it is. The end of the line for Nonstop Top 20, with its sad-looking cover, which doesn't even carry a picture. And so far as I know, that was the end of the Plexium label too.<br />
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<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-71625602718209938282019-03-02T18:57:00.000+00:002019-03-02T22:52:35.642+00:00Top of the Poppers ... featuring Alan Caddy ?!?Surely some mistake? Well, read on...<br />
<br />
Over in New Zealand, Top of the Pops recordings were originally issued on a local version of the Hallmark label. Then, in the mid-1970s, Music World took over - the label having been created by budget record entrepreneur, Hoghton Hughes.<br />
<br />
Before and after the switch, New Zealand tended not to simply re-issue the UK albums, but instead create their own collections, many of which plugged specific artists in the titles - so, for example, we find albums with novel names such as, <i>15 Hits of Slade, T Rex, Sweet</i>, <i>20 Hits of Abba and Other Great Groups</i>, and <i>20 Hits of the Wombles and Other Pops for Children</i>.<br />
<br />
All good fun, of course, and fitting in with these was the 1973 LP, <i>The Top of the Poppers Present Elvis Gold: 16 of The King's Greatest Hits</i>. Here's the cover:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9ykAuAzz1s/XHrI4M4pdEI/AAAAAAAAFXM/iUdMnXemCTktzgRyW0_7Ed-rjCBR2rqJwCLcBGAs/s1600/New%2BZealand%2BElvis%2BGold%2Bfront.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9ykAuAzz1s/XHrI4M4pdEI/AAAAAAAAFXM/iUdMnXemCTktzgRyW0_7Ed-rjCBR2rqJwCLcBGAs/s320/New%2BZealand%2BElvis%2BGold%2Bfront.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_646848523"></span><span id="goog_646848524"></span><br />
<span id="goog_646848523">This album was issued by Hallmark New Zealand, before Music World became involved. What's odd, is that even by the close of 1973, The Top of the Poppers only had 13 cover versions of Elvis hits to compile. Yet the album promises 16 titles - so how did they do that?</span><br />
<span id="goog_646848523"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_646848523">The answer may surprise you - the album contains </span><span id="goog_646848523"><span id="goog_646848523">only </span>three Top of the Pops recordings ("</span>Polk Salad Annie"; "I'm Leavin'" and "Burning Love"). The rest of the tracks? One was borrowed from Hallmark's <i>Revived 45s </i>album (and was previously issued as a 45 on the Embassy label) - namely, "Surrender" - but the other 12 consist of the whole of this LP:<br />
<br />
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Yes, indeed. The bulk of the New Zealand album purporting to be by the Top of the Poppers actually had nothing to do with them! For those who don't know, Ross McManus was a modestly successful singer better known today for the fact that he was Elvis Costello's father. (This album was once re-issued on CD as <i>Elvis's Dad Sings Elvis</i>!)<br />
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(Bear with us, we're getting to the Alan Caddy bit...)<br />
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Come 1975, the Music World label had superseded Hallmark New Zealand, so far as Top of the Pops was concerned, and among the many interesting records which were issued, was this one - <i>The Top of the Poppers Present Elvis' 20 Golden Hits</i>.<br />
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Now, the proprietors of this blog, and the Top of the Pops fan website, have known about the LP for several years. But without full scans of the cover and labels, we did not know the track listing - until now. Buying Top of the Pops albums from such far-flung places is an expensive hobby, so when a copy turned up on Ebay from a UK seller, at a bargain price, we felt we should snap it up. What we discovered came as a surprise...<br />
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This LP contains all the material on the earlier New Zealand record, but contains four additional tracks: "Promised Land"; "Fool"; "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" and "Rags To Riches". All of these songs were to be found on earlier Top of the Pops albums, so one might suppose they were the source.<br />
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Well in fact, that was true for three of them - "Promised Land"; "Fool" and "Rags To Riches". But when it comes to "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", the Music World label eschewed the Poppers' recording from volume 15, and substituted a completely different soundalike cover version. Some intrepid detective work (ie, we listened to it) revealed this is none other than the recording by Alan Caddy, which was originally released in 1971 on the following Avenue label LP:<br />
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So what's the deal? We have to confess, we have no idea. Firstly, there's no obvious reason why the <i>bona-fide</i> Top of the Pops version would be ignored; and secondly, how did Music World manage to get the master tape of Alan Caddy's recording? And could the switch somehow have been a mistake? It's hard to see how!<br />
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Whatever the story, this is a possibly unique example of an Alan Caddy track being issued under the name The Top of the Poppers!<br />
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We might also mention that research into overseas releases is not always easy, and it's often the case that one discovery leads to more. In this instance, we were able to identify three other Top of the Poppers releases from the listing on the back:<br />
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Hopefully, one day, copies of these will also surface. Maybe they too hold surprises for us...<br />
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<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-59920096924264428662019-02-22T22:06:00.000+00:002019-02-23T17:42:16.307+00:00Very rare box set on EbayBack in 1968 (we think!) mfp took the extraordinary step of re-issuing their first four budget cover version albums in a special box set - containing the albums, <i>Hits '67</i>, <i>Smash Hits</i>, <i>Heart Hits </i>and <i>Hits '68</i>.<br />
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Some years ago I spotted one online and bought it - I have never seen or heard of another copy anywhere until now. Remarkably, one of these mega-rare box sets is up for sale on Ebay:<br />
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More info on this box set can be found <a href="https://hothitslps.weebly.com/48-great-hits.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And <a href="http://copycatcovers.blogspot.com/2012/08/mfp-in-box.html#comment-form" target="_blank">here's</a> an old blog post I did about my own copy back in 2012.<br />
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For a reasonable £29 plus shipping, this holy grail for cover version fans can be yours if you're quick. <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/48-GREAT-HITS-ON-4-LPs-MFP-1089-1194-1211-1226-Good-Condition/113656635779?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D8625399f68d44db8a0bce011a97e29ed%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D392240836084%26itm%3D113656635779&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A64244198-36ec-11e9-8bef-74dbd18093fc%7Cparentrq%3A1733a01b1690aadc6819d7bcfff594e8%7Ciid%3A1" target="_blank">Here's a link to the Ebay listing</a>.<br />
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It looks to be in reasonable condition, with some light wear and tear, and also has the original printed insert. Judging by the photos, the inner sleeves are later, but could easily be swapped for plain white ones, as originally issued. And some sticker removal would be in order for at least one of the record labels! Nonetheless, a great item for someone out there.<br />
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**UPDATE: Item is sold.<br />
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<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-71717359750921330732019-02-16T18:53:00.000+00:002019-03-01T22:46:35.659+00:00Top of the SpotsAnother in our series of occasional posts, which crop up when a Top of the Pops LP makes a cameo appearance in the media.<br />
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This time out, we spotted one of the LPs in the popular British TV show, Hollyoaks, a sort-of adolescent soap opera screened in the early evenings. OK, we don't normally watch the show, and don't know much about it, but our research reveals the following:<br />
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Down in "Hollyoaks Village" is an "emporium" (a junk shop) staffed by the character, Liberty Savage. The episode screened on Valentine's Day this year saw Liberty having a tense conversation with her sister, inside the emporium, and here's what we noticed:<br />
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There it is - just behind her - Top of the Pops volume 26.<br />
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For some reason, they've stuck a big pink label over the model's face. Something's written on it, but we can't make out what!<br />
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Here's the original LP sleeve:<br />
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Next to it on the shelf is a Contour album, which may well be another budget cover version LP. Impossible to say. We don't recognise the red album sleeve behind it, but then again, it doesn't necessarily belong to the disc anyway.<br />
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Watch out for more 'Top of the Spots' - and if you see any yourself, drop us a line.<br />
<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-26857126711445736722018-12-22T17:05:00.000+00:002018-12-30T16:02:16.053+00:00Spare Snare<br />
Spare Snare are (according to Wiki) a long-standing lo-fi band from Dundee, Scotland. Recently, one of the group got in touch about a record they had released back in 2015 - a single titled "Spare Snare Sing Billordo", containing two tracks, No Quise Angustiarte / More Action Heroes.<br />
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The songs are great, but the reason it finds its way onto this blog is because of the artwork on the sleeve and label. So, without further ado...<br />
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Pretty cool, eh? (Red vinyl too!) Our thanks to Jan of Spare Snare - check them out. <br />
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Top of the Pops collectors won't need to be told where the artwork originated, but here anyway are the original sleeves:<br />
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Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-80649828006027110442018-11-26T11:39:00.003+00:002018-11-26T15:21:16.430+00:00Bowie tribute LP arrives.We were delighted last week to get out hands on a copy of the much-anticipated David Bowie LP issued by Electronic Sound magazine: The Top of the Poppers Sing and Play the Hits of David Bowie.<br />
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As detailed in our last post, it compiles nine tracks from the Top of the Pops albums and is the first new vinyl release from the series in 33 years. Check out the fabulous purple vinyl! <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRieEHLEdRw/W_vZcrOE0ZI/AAAAAAAAFHk/AZ3KIr4_T5EVvrTZu0uxpHFvmdFQS2wlQCLcBGAs/s1600/SP%2BBowie%2Bvinyl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRieEHLEdRw/W_vZcrOE0ZI/AAAAAAAAFHk/AZ3KIr4_T5EVvrTZu0uxpHFvmdFQS2wlQCLcBGAs/s320/SP%2BBowie%2Bvinyl.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQca3aR4P9Y/W_vZUbdhWXI/AAAAAAAAFHU/jH0ZkPd9x8MG_DOuRfokqLX-JLwotQ_zgCLcBGAs/s1600/Label%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="778" height="199" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQca3aR4P9Y/W_vZUbdhWXI/AAAAAAAAFHU/jH0ZkPd9x8MG_DOuRfokqLX-JLwotQ_zgCLcBGAs/s200/Label%2BA.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz9d54_wgQ4/W_vZU4T2HFI/AAAAAAAAFHY/1kgCqbovtJE-NGr0qxbp7fI12-mzBk0agCLcBGAs/s1600/Label%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="777" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz9d54_wgQ4/W_vZU4T2HFI/AAAAAAAAFHY/1kgCqbovtJE-NGr0qxbp7fI12-mzBk0agCLcBGAs/s200/Label%2BB.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<br />
Of course Poppers fans will know exactly what the record contains - nine cover versions bridging across Bowie's 1970s output, from "Space Oddity" through to "Fashion".<br />
<br />
This LP is certain to become highly collectable, and I would recommend snapping a copy up while you can. And while you're at it, check out the mag as well, which carries an article about the Top of the Pops series by (ahem) a certain collector and blogger.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6rm4UbVu_s/W_vZVDSDLXI/AAAAAAAAFHc/2NP0tSCmzEwZPT3TqLu1kSLRZvgD9bM4gCLcBGAs/s1600/Mag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6rm4UbVu_s/W_vZVDSDLXI/AAAAAAAAFHc/2NP0tSCmzEwZPT3TqLu1kSLRZvgD9bM4gCLcBGAs/s320/Mag.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Mag and vinyl are available here: https://electronicsound.co.uk/<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-46211968363391326152018-09-30T14:27:00.001+01:002019-04-08T21:54:14.896+01:00Top of the Poppers Sing & Play David Bowie!If you thought another vinyl Top of the Poppers LP would never appear, then, like me, you were wrong.<br />
<br />
Details have started emerging on the internet of a forthcoming vinyl LP, Top of the Poppers Sing & Play the Hits of David Bowie, issued by the Electronic Sound label.<br />
<br />
Check out the groovy coloured vinyl as well:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwwVF9OrIjo/W7DPHDcCUQI/AAAAAAAAFF4/rfLKXFaZuA0-7pWVd0BlY74WA2r20U0MACLcBGAs/s1600/TOTP-BOWIE-MOCKUP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="940" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwwVF9OrIjo/W7DPHDcCUQI/AAAAAAAAFF4/rfLKXFaZuA0-7pWVd0BlY74WA2r20U0MACLcBGAs/s400/TOTP-BOWIE-MOCKUP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The record is not available yet, but I would recommend anyone interested <a href="https://electronicsound.co.uk/product/totpbowie/?utm_source=Electronic+Sound&utm_campaign=1f7045d128-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_18_01_53_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_07c18cd97f-1f7045d128-134842717&mc_cid=1f7045d128&mc_eid=79fa4b5d7a" target="_blank">place a pre-order here</a> as these are bound to become collectors' items, and likely to be limited editions.<br />
<br />
The track listing is:<br />
<ul>
<li>Starman (from TOTP volume 25)</li>
<li>Life On Mars? (from TOTP volume 32)</li>
<li>Sorrow (from TOTP volume 34)</li>
<li>The Man Who Sold The World (from TOTP volume 36)</li>
<li>TVC15 (from TOTP volume 52) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Space Oddity (from TOTP volume 48)</li>
<li>Heroes (from TOTP volume 62)</li>
<li>Boys Keep Swinging (from TOTP volume 73)</li>
<li>Fashion (from TOTP volume 83)</li>
</ul>
More info will be posted here in due course...Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-84006863660001068972018-08-13T10:59:00.000+01:002018-08-13T11:01:02.280+01:00Previously unknown Top 4 EP foundThis week, I was contacted by collector, Benn Elsey, with details of a Top 4 EP, produced by Bill Wellings and featuring a couple of Lennon-McCartney songs on side 1.<br />
<br />
At first, it was unclear what Benn had found - so far as we knew, there were only ever four of these EPs released, and none had "She Loves You" or "Bad To Me" on - so this would be a brand-new discovery.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uulnN_c3HVk/W3FUlQa_l0I/AAAAAAAAEwU/wx8TQfrG2wUnKWfP5HFzMyNRyYyglZUbACLcBGAs/s1600/Top%2B4%2BEP%2BT4505%2Bside%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uulnN_c3HVk/W3FUlQa_l0I/AAAAAAAAEwU/wx8TQfrG2wUnKWfP5HFzMyNRyYyglZUbACLcBGAs/s320/Top%2B4%2BEP%2BT4505%2Bside%2B1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cJ6rI6QB98/W3FUnVjhrmI/AAAAAAAAEwY/foZZiI6R_eoqb4AD5Q_TwZvYj5jZEEgTwCLcBGAs/s1600/Top%2B4%2BEP%2BT4505%2Bside%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cJ6rI6QB98/W3FUnVjhrmI/AAAAAAAAEwY/foZZiI6R_eoqb4AD5Q_TwZvYj5jZEEgTwCLcBGAs/s320/Top%2B4%2BEP%2BT4505%2Bside%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What we are looking at is T4505 - the <i>fifth </i>EP in the Top 4 series, previously uncatalogued and not known to exist!<br />
<br />
The previous four can be seen <a href="http://www.spanglefish.com/bargainrecords/index.asp?pageid=213337" target="_blank">here</a>, by the way.<br />
<br />
The Top 4 label was a cousin to the Top 6 label, whose EPs contained six tracks. Top 4 would take a quartet of them and issue them again - presumably at a cheaper price. Here, then, is the corresponding Top 6 edition, which also has versions of "I'll Never Get Over You" and "In Summer".<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZlxZvGo9V8/W3FWCkKlgDI/AAAAAAAAEw0/RmdDL2QYcZwtX-d7byR7KFTLtHjQayYvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Top%2BSix%2Bside%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="700" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZlxZvGo9V8/W3FWCkKlgDI/AAAAAAAAEw0/RmdDL2QYcZwtX-d7byR7KFTLtHjQayYvwCLcBGAs/s320/Top%2BSix%2Bside%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQjxQRInhxc/W3FWEoezVqI/AAAAAAAAEw4/Y9p6g2cjg0YFMTZQVeVtNmPV-hVs5jiZwCLcBGAs/s1600/Top%2BSix%2Bside%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQjxQRInhxc/W3FWEoezVqI/AAAAAAAAEw4/Y9p6g2cjg0YFMTZQVeVtNmPV-hVs5jiZwCLcBGAs/s320/Top%2BSix%2Bside%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dating the disc is reasonably easy, since it would have appeared while the hit versions were current. We therefore place it circa August 1963.<br />
<br />
Great find - our thanks to Benn for the info and images.<br />
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<span id="goog_1917812796"></span><span id="goog_1917812797"></span><br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-54964751372381488702018-07-15T11:18:00.000+01:002018-10-13T17:14:20.351+01:00Top of the Pops 50!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
July 2018. We couldn’t let this time pass without marking a
very important anniversary: Top of the Pops, the best and most famous series of
cover version albums is 50 years old! It would go on to enjoy some 92 standard
editions, not to mention copious spin-off releases, but here we will focus on
the first of them: Top of the Pops volume 1.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We don’t know the exact release date for this debut LP, but
it was right around now, five decades ago, that it hit the bargain record racks
of Britain. </div>
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<br />
<br />
Let’s start by listing the tracks, and where the original
versions got to in the singles charts:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Young Girl – Originally a hit for The Union Gap Featuring
Gary Puckett (No. 1)</li>
<li>My Name Is Jack – Originally a hit for Manfred Mann (No. 8)</li>
<li>Can't Take My Eyes Off You – Originally a hit for Andy
Williams (No. 5)</li>
<li>Blue Eyes – Originally a hit for Don Partridge (No. 3)</li>
<li>Something Here In My Heart – Originally a hit for The Paper
Dolls (No. 11)</li>
<li>Jennifer Eccles – Originally a hit for The Hollies (No. 7) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Do You Know The Way To San
Jose – Originally a hit for Dionne Warwick (No. 8)</li>
<li>I Can't Let Maggie Go – Originally a hit for Honeybus (No.
8)</li>
<li>Lovin' Things – Originally a hit for Marmalade (No. 6)</li>
<li>Where Is Tomorrow – Originally a hit for Cilla Black (No.
39)</li>
<li>La La La – Originally a hit for Massiel (No. 35)</li>
<li>Boy – Originally a hit for Lulu (No. 15)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Top of the shop is “Young Girl”, which had been number 1 for
most of June 1968. Here’s the Top of the Pops version, the very first thing
most purchasers would have heard when their new LP smashed down onto the
turntable, and the automatic arm jerked its way across to the vinyl…</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dqyyWTGOCgg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dqyyWTGOCgg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Top of the Pops, of course, was not the first such series to
launch. Apart from mfp’s ‘Hits’ albums, the most important competition came
from the Marble Arch label, and their ongoing Chart Busters series, which
happened to hit instalment number three right around now. So, along with Top of
the Pops volume 1, buyers had the choice of the following LP:
</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIxjvF3DB_M/W0sd0LX-e-I/AAAAAAAAEvw/6JNXEKyCuC0srhT7sQBW05_9JqR6VH6rACEwYBhgL/s1600/no-artist-listed-young-girl-marble-arch-ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="547" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIxjvF3DB_M/W0sd0LX-e-I/AAAAAAAAEvw/6JNXEKyCuC0srhT7sQBW05_9JqR6VH6rACEwYBhgL/s320/no-artist-listed-young-girl-marble-arch-ab.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Note how it too contained a version of “Young Girl”. Top of
the Pops were, of course, keenly aware of this rival offering, and it’s
interesting to read the sleeve notes on the back of the album, which take a sly
dig at the Chart Busters series:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Welcome to the 'Pop'
scene, here we present a wonderful bunch of 'Pop' goodies. All the songs on
this record are 'Chart-Busters' and we take great pleasure in reproducing them
for you using the swinging-est bunch of talent on the scene. Switch on and we
dare you to try and SIT through both sides.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In terms of recording Top of the Pops, it seems the early
editions were made at Marquee Studios in Soho,
under direction of Bruce Baxter. We once heard from the engineer on that very
first edition, Gery Collins, who recalled his work on volume 1 and the next few
editions which followed:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I engineered the first TOTP album. To help date it, I know ‘Do
You Know the Way to San Jose’,
was on it. I'd only been with the Marquee for about nine months when Allan
booked us. The studio then really was stretching its facilities to burst to accommodate
such a large session. In fact, I remember the session men were in the studio and
the backing singers were hastily located in the adjoining studio office and
stairs up to the loo. Picture it if you can as you listen to the track…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(and here it is, for you to do just that!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Gery continues, “Bruce Baxter was the MD, and I believe the
arranger was called Andrew Jackman. As I stated, the basic rhythm, brass and
strings were laid down on an Ampex four-track machine. Yes, just four tracks! Sometimes
we pre-mixed the four across to three tracks of a Leevers Rich half-inch tape
machine, leaving one track free for vocals.”
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The link between these recording artists and the Hallmark
label remains a little sketchy. It seems that Hallmark purchased the tapes, rather
than having funded them themselves, and set about putting the LP package
together. One conundrum Gery couldn’t solve when we asked, was how there came
to be stereo versions of some of these tracks in circulation; although the Top
of the Pops album was issued in mono, there exists a little-known LP without a
title, which was released on the Uni-Zel label at around the time, and which
contains nine of the recordings – in glorious stereo!</div>
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I asked Gery about this, but he was not sure how this
obscure LP came to be: “I’ve not heard of Uni-Zel. The original four-track
would have been mastered on half-inch tape, and mixed down, I’m pretty sure, to
mono. Allan [Crawford, the man behind the series] was a business-minded,
no-frills man. Don’t think he would bother then with stereo. At that time,
I know from contemporary engineers that stereo was not widely accepted for pop
singles as many thought the stereo detracted from the audio impact that mono
would give… maybe Hallmark leased the master to Uni-Zel and they remixed it
into stereo?”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever the back-story, Hallmark needed to create a
striking cover for the forthcoming record, and when it emerged, it was housed in
a bright orange sleeve which couldn’t be missed! The cover design would become
iconic, and established a standard for cover version LPs from then on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man behind the design was Bill Graham, who worked for
Pickwick International and was in charge of the small creative studio, based in
Victoria Works, Cricklewood, designing the label’s regular sleeve art: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I remember when the MD (Monty Lewis) briefed me on the
project. I had a couple of hours to come up with a design using an existing
photograph that, quote, ‘could be seen from the other side of Victoria
Station’.”</div>
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The photograph supplied to Bill was one which Pickwick had
used previously, on the US
album, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The In Crowd</i> – a collection of
original hit recordings:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sp29rpXmcKI/W0sd1KVlfTI/AAAAAAAAEv0/5vRVLbX1gVIZ9DsY9u0INN1tHbnlRaTaACEwYBhgL/s1600/various-artists-the-in-crowd-ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="767" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sp29rpXmcKI/W0sd1KVlfTI/AAAAAAAAEv0/5vRVLbX1gVIZ9DsY9u0INN1tHbnlRaTaACEwYBhgL/s320/various-artists-the-in-crowd-ab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bill recalls, “The first picture, the girl in the cap, was
supplied to me. I can’t remember now in what form, but it was probably a
transparency. Most of the covers I worked on were photographed specially in a
small photographers in Gerrard Street.
The problem was that these were produced very quickly, the design studio had
limited facilities and remember it all relied on the printers re-touching
(I believe at film stage) to achieve any cut-outs, so sometimes it could be a
little crude especially with the hair (How easy it is now with computers).”</div>
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So contrary to popular belief, the models were not cut out
and stuck onto coloured backgrounds; rather, the colours were painted <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">around </i>them. Of course, there was an
issue with this particular photo in that Bill needed to select a bright, bold
colour, but the model’s hair was in jet-black shadow. Consequently, it was
subjected to an unusual cropping effect, to the left as we look! </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IP-Bjes3wVQ/W0sdzp9YDZI/AAAAAAAAEvw/pMw7s1fOBsEGONm0XRaBNUZsjmbng3KqwCEwYBhgL/s1600/no-artist-listed-young-girl-hallmark-ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="550" height="315" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IP-Bjes3wVQ/W0sdzp9YDZI/AAAAAAAAEvw/pMw7s1fOBsEGONm0XRaBNUZsjmbng3KqwCEwYBhgL/s320/no-artist-listed-young-girl-hallmark-ab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This image, by the way, was re-used when the Best-of
collection form 1969 was assembled the following year. Here she is again, with her hair restored!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9Qzsh28-CY/W0sdxfOuN3I/AAAAAAAAEvo/Ds65w6HlitEj52p4Ryqc0WOZKkaVvOKtwCEwYBhgL/s1600/BO%2B69%2Bcover%2Bfront.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="510" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9Qzsh28-CY/W0sdxfOuN3I/AAAAAAAAEvo/Ds65w6HlitEj52p4Ryqc0WOZKkaVvOKtwCEwYBhgL/s320/BO%2B69%2Bcover%2Bfront.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
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Key to getting the series launched was the title, Top of the
Pops. As Bill recalls, “We knew that the most important thing was the name and
its connection to the BBC program.” And apart from that photo, Bill also had to
come up with the logo for the albums:</div>
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“For the record, the font, Cooper Black, at that stage did
not have the outline I required – so I had to draw it, which I can say I did
not enjoy. I wanted it because the white and dark outline would ensure the
title would show up whatever the background.”</div>
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Thus, Bill’s idea for the style of lettering allowed any and
every variety of colour scheme to be used, which indeed it was. Bill had
immediately created a design classic, the basic template for which would remain
unchanged into the 1980s. “Nobody realised how popular it would be, and that
the series would continue so long. My format was hardly changed for many years.”
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And here we are, half a century on, still celebrating that
first Top of the Pops LP. What followed is well-known. Top of the Pops ultimately
accounted for almost a hundred full albums, all freshly recorded and containing
over one and a quarter thousand individual cuts. That’s pushing a hundred
tracks a year. Check the little coloured panels on the front and you will see
lists of song titles which provide documentation of what was hot, and
occasionally what was not, in each six- or eight-week micro-era, which taken as
an entirety, charts the development of popular music through well over a
decade, bridging from the 1960s to the 1980s. </div>
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We salute Top of the Pops on this 50th anniversary, and the
people who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. </div>
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Happy Birthday Top of the Pops!</div>
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And finally, one last cut from the LP, for your delectation: </div>
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Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-68283857095332476712018-02-10T18:23:00.001+00:002018-02-10T18:24:21.483+00:00Top of the Tots on cassetteWe've always assumed this 1971 album was issued on cassette, but had never actually seen a copy. One has now surfaced, confirming our suspicions...<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWmhfL7ZcB4/Wn83CArSJ9I/AAAAAAAAEgo/btTi6Vh7MeIIQxN4xGv7zLYmWT2RdHi4wCLcBGAs/s1600/Top%2Bof%2Bthe%2BTOTS%2Bvol%2B1%2BCASSETTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWmhfL7ZcB4/Wn83CArSJ9I/AAAAAAAAEgo/btTi6Vh7MeIIQxN4xGv7zLYmWT2RdHi4wCLcBGAs/s320/Top%2Bof%2Bthe%2BTOTS%2Bvol%2B1%2BCASSETTE.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Here are the full scans:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOoJmHU-85Q/Wn83LzewkcI/AAAAAAAAEgw/39SdS-czHe4uEQxxFOulU3Sc8ynJs2xkQCLcBGAs/s1600/tott%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1321" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOoJmHU-85Q/Wn83LzewkcI/AAAAAAAAEgw/39SdS-czHe4uEQxxFOulU3Sc8ynJs2xkQCLcBGAs/s400/tott%2B01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y90HWY3MEXk/Wn83K7XYenI/AAAAAAAAEgs/RiFeFlRxf7UYdous2Cs55IRYqcedP7TXACLcBGAs/s1600/tott%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="803" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y90HWY3MEXk/Wn83K7XYenI/AAAAAAAAEgs/RiFeFlRxf7UYdous2Cs55IRYqcedP7TXACLcBGAs/s320/tott%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-PSRzdxyew/Wn83L4yLgtI/AAAAAAAAEg0/R1GlhW7uXOQNTe8iDOs9IeZh3va92tYuACLcBGAs/s1600/tott%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="808" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-PSRzdxyew/Wn83L4yLgtI/AAAAAAAAEg0/R1GlhW7uXOQNTe8iDOs9IeZh3va92tYuACLcBGAs/s320/tott%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Notice how the order of the tracks has been shuffled, as compared to the <a href="http://topofthepopslps.weebly.com/tots-lp1.html" target="_blank">LP edition</a>. I've never really understood why they did that! The usual supposition is that it's to equalise the playing time of the two sides - but is one really that much longer than the other? We'll probably never know.<br />
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I presume these cassette editions are so rare because they were universally owned by children, and if any copies survived a typical kid's careless treatment, few would have been kept once the owner had become a teenager.<br />
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The above confirms to us that the album was issued on all three main formats in the 1970s - vinyl, of course, cassette, and the equally rare 8-track cartridge.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmvUMWrgO9U/Wn83118uLrI/AAAAAAAAEhE/M0VXnm38gXwzVEzL3IeHFQWO0zS3nPf6ACLcBGAs/s1600/8tr%2BTots%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmvUMWrgO9U/Wn83118uLrI/AAAAAAAAEhE/M0VXnm38gXwzVEzL3IeHFQWO0zS3nPf6ACLcBGAs/s1600/8tr%2BTots%2B1.JPG" /></a></div>
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Nice to add one to our cassette discography. Keep a lookout for volumes 2, 3 and 4.<br />
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Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-57729363812404841782018-01-08T18:22:00.002+00:002018-01-08T18:52:11.453+00:00Sensational new find: unknown UK Top of the Poppers LP!Blog posts like this don't come along too often. I can date my interest in Top of the Pops back to my early childhood, while I started properly collecting and cataloguing them maybe 15 years ago. So how amazing is this new find? A UK album by Top of the Poppers, which I had never previously seen a hint of, in all my time collecting and researching.<br />
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Here are some scans:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LsIEZu4ECRI/WlO32FJ3nlI/AAAAAAAAEaU/I6z2HhiTZ1kMj1ujJtp6XzaY5Yk_MCwKACLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2Bfront%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="973" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LsIEZu4ECRI/WlO32FJ3nlI/AAAAAAAAEaU/I6z2HhiTZ1kMj1ujJtp6XzaY5Yk_MCwKACLcBGAs/s320/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2Bfront%2Bcover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dui-ffOQd-s/WlO38TynfjI/AAAAAAAAEaY/tNlLZOy25Rc4YgdlrIM1WOZygxouXiazwCLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2Bback%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="972" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dui-ffOQd-s/WlO38TynfjI/AAAAAAAAEaY/tNlLZOy25Rc4YgdlrIM1WOZygxouXiazwCLcBGAs/s320/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2Bback%2Bcover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUA198VN8bU/WlO4EX4zEKI/AAAAAAAAEag/NJ6ms1BIRJcXS_VHj5oFPH9rhXbbjJRMwCLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B1%2Bside%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="792" height="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUA198VN8bU/WlO4EX4zEKI/AAAAAAAAEag/NJ6ms1BIRJcXS_VHj5oFPH9rhXbbjJRMwCLcBGAs/s200/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B1%2Bside%2B1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs4d-2J6xU4/WlO4DyYUmeI/AAAAAAAAEac/HWvQN790L4c75Bp3Ohiw11XPUBw6nue_wCLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B1%2Bside%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="788" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs4d-2J6xU4/WlO4DyYUmeI/AAAAAAAAEac/HWvQN790L4c75Bp3Ohiw11XPUBw6nue_wCLcBGAs/s200/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B1%2Bside%2B2.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZHJLPr11FU/WlO4Ew80tXI/AAAAAAAAEak/Jd1Tn-nXQrs8deTQzfUblz2zWkOl0BvwACLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B2%2Bside%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="792" height="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZHJLPr11FU/WlO4Ew80tXI/AAAAAAAAEak/Jd1Tn-nXQrs8deTQzfUblz2zWkOl0BvwACLcBGAs/s200/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B2%2Bside%2B1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlxq8uJl0EE/WlO4FvqnjYI/AAAAAAAAEao/Z5Ekyfj2gMMhTCeqm68qMJrF69LE8DXfQCLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B2%2Bside%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="793" height="198" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlxq8uJl0EE/WlO4FvqnjYI/AAAAAAAAEao/Z5Ekyfj2gMMhTCeqm68qMJrF69LE8DXfQCLcBGAs/s200/Disco%2BMania%2B3LP%2BRecord%2B2%2Bside%2B2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Some of this package will look familiar to the collector. The back-story is a little convoluted, so we'll start at the beginning. 1975 - and Pickwick decided to compile a single disco album from Top of the Pops tracks. Here's the cover, and it's the same graphic as on our latest find:<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DD4I2EMnl4E/WlO42yjX03I/AAAAAAAAEas/7BaU2LveFqc9z7DsVU2X1AQqeJ4BfeCzACLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="394" height="317" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DD4I2EMnl4E/WlO42yjX03I/AAAAAAAAEas/7BaU2LveFqc9z7DsVU2X1AQqeJ4BfeCzACLcBGAs/s320/Disco%2BMania%2B20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What happened next is not entirely clear, but let's take a guess at the correct sequence of events. It's now 1976 and Pickwick are starting to take an interest in issuing double albums - hence, the Top of the Poppers were subject to the 2LP treatment with the following:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdO0IYP5lBM/WlO5OnZISzI/AAAAAAAAEaw/0mBsagQgLqUfVmgtrVVwGWz8hcYHN_YUACLcBGAs/s1600/Disco%2BMania%2B40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="420" height="319" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdO0IYP5lBM/WlO5OnZISzI/AAAAAAAAEaw/0mBsagQgLqUfVmgtrVVwGWz8hcYHN_YUACLcBGAs/s320/Disco%2BMania%2B40.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This double album contained the former compilation LP as disc 1, adding a second 20-track disc to complete the package.<br />
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And so to the newly discovered LP - it's a re-issue of the double LP, but with artwork from the earlier single LP! The records inside are not re-issues in the usual sense, though. They are literally the same pressings, just housed inside a different cover (a single sleeve, by the way, not a gatefold).<br />
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And to cap it all, Pickwick squeezed in a third LP - the eponymous <i>Mac and Katie Kissoon </i>on its original Hallmark press, from 1975. Below is the original commercial sleeve:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5zo5oC9USo/WlO6Z3hzYzI/AAAAAAAAEa0/i3IoseGTGgEfL9cF7BM6KCcVMpbjO82nQCLcBGAs/s1600/Kissoons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="757" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5zo5oC9USo/WlO6Z3hzYzI/AAAAAAAAEa0/i3IoseGTGgEfL9cF7BM6KCcVMpbjO82nQCLcBGAs/s320/Kissoons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Pickwick triple album has no catalogue number, the original vinyl discs retaining their own numbering. This factor, accompanied by a complete lack of small print, makes dating this new discovery very difficult. We assume it compiles the previous releases, but...<br />
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Note the "40" on the front of the double LP above. This album appeared just as Pickwick were branching into their "50" series of double albums. Is it possible therefore, that they launched the triple album just before this idea began, then had a fast re-think and issued the double Poppers' album separately, to fit into their new branding initiative? That might explain why the cover art follows on from the very first LP. If so, the sequence of events changes, and the triple LP actually pre-dates the double.<br />
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There's no way of knowing for sure. If you know anything about all this, please let us know! <br />
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Meantime, we're delighted to add a new title to the UK discography Who'd have thought it??<br />
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<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-4654302316436214612018-01-05T21:38:00.000+00:002018-01-05T22:10:57.397+00:00Groovy 7-inch releases from PortugalThe second in a mini-run of Top of the Pops posts.<br />
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I have recently become aware of a series of singles and EPs from Portugal, with Top of the Pops recordings and artwork. First, here are the covers of the three I've found so far - not great images, but good to see anyway...<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6f4cqRWTIg/Wk_sbXnBQkI/AAAAAAAAEZM/bbOhwMFF5YE8yvB4l21kEFMAOH1NIsmrgCLcBGAs/s1600/Portugal%2BCan%2Bthe%2BCan%2Bfrom%2Bvol%2B31%2Bfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="757" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6f4cqRWTIg/Wk_sbXnBQkI/AAAAAAAAEZM/bbOhwMFF5YE8yvB4l21kEFMAOH1NIsmrgCLcBGAs/s320/Portugal%2BCan%2Bthe%2BCan%2Bfrom%2Bvol%2B31%2Bfront.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBlUpQof688/Wk_sdwjVTpI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/F_PLr8ox6m4U1X4moH6l56w24ZJ7qZ23gCLcBGAs/s1600/Portugal%2BHallelujah%2BDay%2BEP%2Bfrom%2Bvol%2B31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBlUpQof688/Wk_sdwjVTpI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/F_PLr8ox6m4U1X4moH6l56w24ZJ7qZ23gCLcBGAs/s320/Portugal%2BHallelujah%2BDay%2BEP%2Bfrom%2Bvol%2B31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbuGLx7z-uY/Wk_sgVUDVxI/AAAAAAAAEZU/Xw1L2hrl6pM-8Zc_53jgE0CH-tYl3X_-QCLcBGAs/s1600/Portugal%2BThis%2BTown%2Bfrom%2Bvol%2B38%2Bfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="498" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbuGLx7z-uY/Wk_sgVUDVxI/AAAAAAAAEZU/Xw1L2hrl6pM-8Zc_53jgE0CH-tYl3X_-QCLcBGAs/s320/Portugal%2BThis%2BTown%2Bfrom%2Bvol%2B38%2Bfront.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Great little records! The sleeves of course incorporate photos of models as shown on the British LP covers - cut out onto white backgrounds and converted to black and white. Just for those who don't know - here's where they originate...<br />
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The two singles contain tracks from volume 31: "Hallelujah Day" / "One And One Is One" and "Can The Can" / "Rubber Bullets" - but the original cover photos are from the earlier volumes 27 and 29. We think 1973 is correct for both.<br />
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The EP has four tracks from volume 38: "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" / "The Night Chicago Died" / "Shang-A-Lang" / "Red Dress" - and the cover photo is from the same LP, so it's a dead cert the EP came out in 1974.<br />
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We should also draw attention to the fact that the group is given two new identities - Free Band and The Non Stoppers. Nonetheless, there is a little "Top of the Pops" logo printed on the fronts!<br />
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Here are the backs of two of the sleeves. We'd love to find more of these, if anyone can help.<br />
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<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-1063497381678961392018-01-03T21:32:00.000+00:002018-01-03T21:33:13.325+00:00Top of the Pops - Complete set for saleHappy New Year, blogsters. I have a couple of interesting Top of the Pops items to kick off 2018, this being the first of them.<br />
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I was alerted to this by an anonymous tip-off - presumably from the Ebay seller himself.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZyni2lEVU4/Wk1KEWA7gjI/AAAAAAAAEY8/JbkBcBr-r7Y6gFzKxeWofOaRd54Lg_vIQCLcBGAs/s1600/s-l500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MZyni2lEVU4/Wk1KEWA7gjI/AAAAAAAAEY8/JbkBcBr-r7Y6gFzKxeWofOaRd54Lg_vIQCLcBGAs/s320/s-l500.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The seller, kevsboxcom, is advertising, "the dogs b**, the mother-load, the eBay job lot of 2018 ... Every Top of the Pops LP from the main series Vol 1 (1968) through to Vol 92 (1985) and Every Best of year LP (1969-1984), and over half have their original posters."<br />
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You can see the item for sale <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Top-of-the-Pops-LPs-The-full-set-and-all-the-Bests-of-LPs-Yes-all-of-them/273005730155?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649" target="_blank">here</a> <br />
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He's also chucking in a few extras, including one Top of the Pops CD.<br />
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Job lots like this don't generally come up, so this is a rare chance for someone to bag a complete set in one go! The asking price for this mega-lot? A reasonable £299.99.<br />
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Will be interesting to see how the sale goes...<br />
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<i>Watch this space for a couple of fab new TOTP finds!</i><br />
Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-26768226491243577192017-10-11T06:16:00.002+01:002017-10-11T06:17:37.073+01:00Nonstop Top 20 volume 8 - in SwedenHolger Schoeler has sent us some images of a great edition of <i>Nonstop Top 20 </i>from Sweden. This is one of a set which appeared there, with racing cars on the covers. We've featured them before (<a href="http://copycatcovers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/another-swedish-nonstop-top-20.html" target="_blank">see here</a>) but until now, volume 8 has been a gap in our discography.<br />
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The track listing exactly matches the UK album, and here are the scans:<br />
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The cover art is fantsastic, and unusual for cover version LPs. Below is the UK edition, with its more familiar - although just as quirky - sleeve:<br />
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Thanks to Holger for the images.Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-80071592491095745302017-09-23T17:49:00.001+01:002017-09-23T17:51:16.004+01:00Discovered: another Brazilian Top of the PopsEarlier this year we reported on a Top of the Pops compilation album from Brazil, which was called "volume 2" (see <a href="http://copycatcovers.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/unusual-poppers-compilation-from-brazil.html" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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Well, we've now found some images of volume 1 - and here it is:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo6FiVuvP5Q/WcaOrfMJgxI/AAAAAAAAEXo/R62VGNmRvaMU3z0LPgiqEyLs5srq78VHQCLcBGAs/s1600/Brazil%2Bvolume%2B1%2Bback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="892" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo6FiVuvP5Q/WcaOrfMJgxI/AAAAAAAAEXo/R62VGNmRvaMU3z0LPgiqEyLs5srq78VHQCLcBGAs/s320/Brazil%2Bvolume%2B1%2Bback.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtDDWyQCT4/WcaOpwW6m0I/AAAAAAAAEXk/kTb1eFNSbyM3zuulRlVmZ2P87IFwxYs-gCLcBGAs/s1600/Brazil%2Bvolume%2B1%2Blabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtDDWyQCT4/WcaOpwW6m0I/AAAAAAAAEXk/kTb1eFNSbyM3zuulRlVmZ2P87IFwxYs-gCLcBGAs/s320/Brazil%2Bvolume%2B1%2Blabel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_343423933"></span><span id="goog_343423934"></span><br />
<span id="goog_343423933">This "volume 1" uses the cover photo from UK volume 27, but it's quite a bit later. Most
of the 12 tracks are from the UK volume 32, which
dates the album after August 1973.</span><br />
<span id="goog_343423933"></span><br />
<span id="goog_343423933">Although we don't have a definite sequence of songs, we can see just about enough of the side 2 label to tell that they match tracks 7 to 12 on the sleeve - in other words, the playing sequence appears to correspond to the listing on the front. </span><br />
<span id="goog_343423933"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_343423933">The album was issued by RCA-Camden, and tracks are as follows:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Get Down</b> -- from vol. 30</li>
<li><b>Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting</b> -- from vol. 32</li>
<li><b>Fool</b> -- from vol. 32</li>
<li><b>Touch Me In The Morning</b> -- from vol. 32</li>
<li><b>Me And Mrs Jones</b> -- from vol. 29</li>
<li><b>Alright, Alright, Alright</b> -- from vol. 32</li>
<li><b>Yesterday Once More </b>-- from vol. 32</li>
<li><b>Tie A Yellow Ribbon </b>-- from vol. 30</li>
<li><b>And I Love You So</b> -- from vol. 31</li>
<li><b>Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose</b> -- from vol. 32</li>
<li><b>Hell Raiser </b>-- from vol. 31</li>
<li><b>Life On Mars</b> -- from vol. 32</li>
</ul>
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Here are volimes 1 and 2 side-by-side. I wonder if a volume 3 was ever released?...<br />
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<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559349870936037566.post-79138163289446830052017-09-04T11:55:00.000+01:002017-09-04T12:05:18.779+01:00When does a one-off become a series?We had another interesting email from Clive Hetherington recently, in which he flagged up a couple of covers albums we'd not seen before. Both are UK albums on the World (?) label, an imprint of the World Record Club.<br />
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Which may ring a bell; we've featured this (supposedly) one-off from Word Record Club before <a href="https://copycatcovers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/uk-one-offs-part-11-everyone-who-had-hit.html" target="_blank">see here</a>:<br />
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This album appeared sometime in the second half of 1964, and so far as we knew, was never followed up.<br />
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Now Clive's research has thrown up two possible successors. The label is different, but the company the same. Fistly, here are a few images:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIwa0LHHmMg/Wa0vhKzx2mI/AAAAAAAAEW0/fqnpkt3QDRQbFndNBLWCC4k7oW6SUPYkwCLcBGAs/s1600/aab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIwa0LHHmMg/Wa0vhKzx2mI/AAAAAAAAEW0/fqnpkt3QDRQbFndNBLWCC4k7oW6SUPYkwCLcBGAs/s320/aab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk7cigigK1c/Wa0vgQXB4SI/AAAAAAAAEWw/RI0Epv_7fRk4zOGhRom0dMiUhgdxTKBugCLcBGAs/s1600/f6e17a82-4c59-11e7-8275-d604cba47213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk7cigigK1c/Wa0vgQXB4SI/AAAAAAAAEWw/RI0Epv_7fRk4zOGhRom0dMiUhgdxTKBugCLcBGAs/s320/f6e17a82-4c59-11e7-8275-d604cba47213.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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The top one is called "DJ's Dozen" and the bottom one is "Hot Pops". Although both contain his from summer and autumn 1965, in both cases the labels state 1966 as the year of issue, so they weren't released currently with the hit versions.<br />
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These are wonderful finds, but can we really consider the World Record Club releases to be a series? Probably not. Nevertheless, these new discoveries will be of much interest to UK collectors, and provide some more evidence of the cover version idea gaining traction in the mid-1960s.<br />
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Here are the track listings, and where the corresponding single entered the UK charts, the date is given as a point of reference:<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DJ’s Dozen</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>What the World Needs Now </li>
<li>On My Word (12/06/65)</li>
<li>Ticket To Ride (17/04/65)</li>
<li>It Ain’t Me Babe (05/06/65)</li>
<li>Please Don’t Just Stand There </li>
<li>Help (31/07/65) </li>
<li>There But For Fortune (10/07/65)</li>
<li>Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (29/05/65)</li>
<li>Colours (05/06/65)</li>
<li>You’ve Got Your Troubles (10/07/65)</li>
<li>Mr. Tambourine Man (19/06/65)</li>
<li>I’m Henry The Eighth I Am </li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hot Pops</b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Satisfaction (28/08/65)</li>
<li>The Time In Between </li>
<li>Catch Us If You Can (17/07/65)</li>
<li>All I Really Want To Do (14/08/65)</li>
<li>I’m Alive (29/05/65)</li>
<li>Looking Though The Eyes Of Love (12/06/65)</li>
<li>And I Love Her </li>
<li>We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place (17/07/65)</li>
<li>You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (25/09/65)</li>
<li>Down In The Boondocks (09/10/65)</li>
<li>Don’t Make My Baby Blue (07/08/65)</li>
<li>Unchained Melody (14/08/65)</li>
</ul>
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We must also mention the album below, chanced upon while looking for more info:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Petrie09L5A/Wa0wskZ6rvI/AAAAAAAAEXE/gVtMRhohor8fHHn2PRnwCCKs3RYt7AydACLcBGAs/s1600/discogs%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Petrie09L5A/Wa0wskZ6rvI/AAAAAAAAEXE/gVtMRhohor8fHHn2PRnwCCKs3RYt7AydACLcBGAs/s320/discogs%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VwNOOqMVHiQ/Wa0wuo47KsI/AAAAAAAAEXI/DN0tTRa9RiwPkfVW4YuMLKUPk3O66R0SgCLcBGAs/s1600/discogs%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="594" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VwNOOqMVHiQ/Wa0wuo47KsI/AAAAAAAAEXI/DN0tTRa9RiwPkfVW4YuMLKUPk3O66R0SgCLcBGAs/s320/discogs%2B3.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />
"Top Pop Song Hits Vol 2" is basically a compilation from the two UK albums - everything points to it being a US release. I wonder what they did for Vol 1??<br />
<br />
Thanks to Clive for his scans and info.<br />
<br />Popperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05135391179253864071noreply@blogger.com0