1984

Sleeve Notes:

SIDE ONE

1. EDDIE COCHRAN — 3 STEPS TO HEAVEN (B & E Cochran) Palace Music Co. Ltd. ℗ 1960 Liberty Records Inc. Within a month of the tragic death of American Rock ‘n’ Roller Eddie Cochran in April 1960, this record entered the charts and got to No 1 in mid June. A mid tempo disc, after his rock anthem classics “Summertime Blues”, “C’mon Everybody” and “Somethin’ Else”.

2. ADAM FAITH — POOR ME (Van Dyke) Mills Music Ltd. ℗ 1960 The follow-up to Adam’s first hit “What Do You Want”, this also went to the top and firmly established Terry Nelhams in a successful career that has embraced many facets of show business.

*3. RICKY VALANCE — TELL LAURA I LOVE HER (Barry, Raleigh) Lawrence Wright Ltd. ℗ 1960 Every now and then a so-called “death disc” makes its mark in the charts — one of the most successful was this tale of young Tommy determined to win the money to buy his girl a diamond ring in a stock-car race. A classic ‘one-hit wonder’ — please pass the kleenex!

4. JOHNNY KIDD AND THE PIRATES — SHAKIN’ ALL OVER (Heath) Mills Music Ltd. 1960 Shakin’ All Over has become a rock classic over the years. Written by London-born Johnny, under his real name of Frederick Heath, this was his only No 1 in a career that was cut short by his untimely death in a car crash in October 1966. His act is always remembered for the hard-driving rock ‘n’ rdll which has inspired many of today’s heavy metal bands and the exotic pirate costumes complete with Johnny’s eye patch.

5. HELEN SHAPIRO — YOU DON’T KNOW (Schroeder, Hawker) Lorna Music Ltd. ℗ 1961 Helen’s first disc ‘Don’t Treat Me Like A Child’ had reached No 3 and this was soon surpassed by You Don’t Know—the first of two chart toppers for this 14 years old school girl from London’s East End. Voted Top British Female Singer for 1961 and 1962, she notched up a million sales with this worldwide hit.

*6. DANNY WILLIAMS — MOON RIVER (Mancini, Mercer) Famous Chappell with the Rita Williams Singers and Geoff Love and his Orchestra ℗ 1961 A Norman Newell discovery, this young black crooner scored a No 1 with his 3rd chart entry — the haunting song from “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” starring Audrey Hepburn. Moon River was the fourth Oscar winner to top the Pop charts. Known as Britain’s answer to Johnny Mathis, Danny had many hits in the early 60’s, returning in 1977 with Dancin’ Easy’, based on the Martini T.V. jingle.

7. B. BUMBLE AND THE STINGERS—NUT ROCKER (Fowley) Ardmore & Beechwood Ltd./EMI ® 1962 Based on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and arranged by the legendary Kim Fowley this record was banned by the BBC but, in spite of this set-back, reached No 1 for a week in May 1962.

8. FRANK IFIELD — LOVESICK BLUES (Friend, Mills) Lawrence Wright Ltd. ℗1962 Born in the U.K. but achieving success in Australia where he grew up, Frank consolidated his first No 1 “I Remember You” with this more up tempo song with big band backing and his instantly recognisable yodel. A regular performer today, Frank has crossed to country music to great acclaim.

*9. GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS — YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE (from “Carousel”) (Rodgers, Hammerstein II) Chappell Music Ltd ℗ 1963 This likeable lad from Liverpool still holds the unique distinction of having hit the No 1 spot with his first 3 consecutive releases. First was “How Do You Do It?” then “I Like It” both written by Mitch Murray and for his 3rd release Gerry chose this beautiful ballad from “Carousel” that has since become the anthem of Liverpool Football Club or at least “The Kop”.

10. CLIFF RICHARD — BACHELOR BOY (from “Summer Holiday”) (Richard, Welch) Elstree Music Ltd./EMI ℗ 1962 A double A-side, coupled with ‘The Next Time’, Bachelor Boy came from Cliff’s highly successful movie follow-up to The Young Ones— “Summer Holiday” in which Cliff and The Shadows starred with Una Stubbs, Richard O’Sullivan and Melvyn Hayes. Co-written by Cliff and Shadow Bruce Welch who was to provide such a driving force in Cliff’s re-emergence in the late 70’s.

℗ Original Sound Recordings made by EMI Records except track 1 stereo

SIDE TWO

1. THE BEATLES — SHE LOVES YOU (Lennon, McCartney Northern Songs Ltd. ℗ 1963 The second No 1 from the Fab Four with its much imitated “Yeh, Yeh, Yeh” chorus. “From Me To You” their first chart-topper, held on to the top for 7 weeks in May 1963 but She Loves You entered the charts at the end of August, stayed at the top through September and remained in the charts for a total of 31 consecutive weeks — almost 7 months! even climbing back to No 1 for two weeks in December as if to mark the spot for the next single, USA conqueror “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.

2. BILLY J. KRAMER AND THE DAKOTAS — BAD TO ME (Lennon, McCartney) Northern Songs Ltd. ℗ 1963 Written as was his first hit “Do You Want To Know A Secret” (No 2), by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Bad To Me took another clean cut scouse lad to the top. Teamed with Manchester group The Dakotas and signed to The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, Billy was a wow with the girls—their screams almost drowning the performance on his many successful package tours.

3. THE SHADOWS — DANCE ON (V & E Murtagh, Adams) S. Bron Music Co Ltd. ℗ 1962, The Fourth top pop for Cliff’s ‘backing group’, this tune will always be associated with the famous ‘Shadows Walk’. The top-selling records for eleven of the first fourteen weeks of 1963 were either by Cliff Richard or The Shadows or, indeed, by two ex-Shadows — Jet Harris and Tony Meehan. Dance On took over at No 1 from Cliff’s “Bachelor Boy”

*4. CILLA BLACK — YOU’RE MY WORLD (Bindi, Sigman, Paoli) Carlin Music Corp/MCPS ℗ 1964 Another Liverpool artist who was taken under the wing of Brian Epstein’s management, Cilla Black scored her second No 1 hit with this beautiful yet powerful rendition of a song originally an Italian ballad called “II Mio Mondo”. Cilia went on to have many hit records throughout the 60’s and also became a family favourite with her popular T.V. series.

*5. PETER & GORDON — WORLD WITHOUT LOVE (Lennon, McCartney) Northern Songs Ltd ℗ 1964 Another Lennon & McCartney composition which shot to the top but this time performed by Gordon Waller and Peter Asher, brother of Paul’s then girlfriend Jane. The duo enjoyed many successful years together before Gordon went into the theatre while Peter travelled Stateside where he is now a top record producer, particularly successful with Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor.

6. THE HOLLIES — I’M ALIVE (Ballard Jnr) S. Bernstein & Co. Ltd. ℗ 1965 The Hollies from Manchester showed the world that Liverpool was not the centre of the musical universe with a string of Top 10 hits through the 60’s including “Just One Look”, “Here I Go Again”, “I Can’t Let Go” and “Bus Stop”. But it was this Clint Ballard Jnr song on George Martins’s Parlophone label that gave these five fresh faces their only No 1 — so far!

*7. MANFRED MANN — PRETTY FLAMINGO (Barkan) S. Bernstein & Co. Ltd./Heath Levy Music ℗ 1966 On this, the Group’s second No 1, bass player Tom McGuiness had been replaced by Jack Bruce who can also be heard on backing vocals. Johannesburg-born Manfred had so developed the group over the preceding 3 years that their stage act and albums could reflect both their more ‘popular’ songs from the charts and the R & B classics which had been their early inspiration.

8. THE BEACH BOYS—GOOD VIBRATIONS (B. Wilson, M. Love) Rondor Music (Ldn) Ltd. ℗1966 Capitol Records Inc. The Beach Boys – brothers Carl, Brian and Dennis Wilson, cousin Mike Love and family friend Al Jardine put California on the musical map through their surf in’ songs, eulogising the free and easy way of life and “California Girls”. Good Vibrations however, was their first No 1 and reflected Brian’s efforts to combat the powerful influence that The Beatles were exerting on popular music.

9. PETER SARSTEDT — WHERE DO YOU GO TO (MY LOVELY) (Sarstedt) United Partnership Ltd. ℗ 1969 United Artists Inc. This highly memorable and melodic story song with a haunting accordian backing was performed and written by Peter Sarstedt, brother of early 60’s pop star Eden Kane and 70’s crooner Robin Sarstedt. A beautifully drawn word-picture of La Dolce Vita it held the top spot for 4 weeks in March 1969.

*10. THE SCAFFOLD — LILY THE PINK (trad. MT. Gorman, McGear, McGough) Noel Gay Music Ltd. ℗ 1968 This surreal masterpiece, conceived by group members Roger McGough (poet), Mike McGear (vocalist and brother of Beatle Paul) and John Gorman (general loon!), stayed at the top over Christmas 1968 and helped to pave the way to a wider appreciation for a burgeoning art form —Liverpool poetry!

℗ Original Sound Recordings made by EMI Records except tracks 8,9 *stereo
This compilation 1984 Music for Pleasure

Label: MFP 41 5657 1

1984 1980s Covers

Sleeve Notes:

Words, Me, The Peaceful Heart, Love Is Blue, Jennifer Juniper, Soul Coaxing, Green Tambourine, Step Inside Love, What A Wonderful World, I Can Take Or Leave Your Loving, Do You Know The Way To San Jose, Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear, Simon Says, Classical Gas, Scarborough Fair, Sleepy Shores, Canadian Sunset, Clouds, Downtown, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Cast Your Fate To The Wind, Stranger On The Shore, Without You, Handel’s Largo, April In Portugal

Label: PRT COMP 9

1984 1980s Covers

Sleeve Notes:

SIDE ONE

THE BEATLES – PLEASE PLEASE ME (Lennon & McCartney) Dick James Music Ltd. ℗ 1963 EMI Records Ltd.
The second single by The Fab Four consolidated the early success they achieved with ‘Love Me Do’ in November 1962. Please Please Me entered the charts in January 1963 reaching the No 2 spot by the end of February. The song was also the title track to The Beatles’ first album which raced to No 1 becoming the second biggest consecutive album chart topper of all-time.

2. THE HOLLIES – JUST ONE LOOK (Payne, Carroll) Angusa Music Ltd ℗ 1964 EMI Records Ltd.
The Manchester based Hollies hit the limelight at Christmas 1963 with Maurice Williams ‘Stay’ getting into the Top Ten but it was Just One Look that really put them on the map reaching No 2 in March 1964 leading to a string of Top Ten hits throughout the 60’s.

3. ADAM FAITH – SOMEONE ELSE’S BABY (Van Dyke, Ford) Multimood Music ℗ 1960 EMI Records Ltd. The Sixties began with two No 1 hits from London born Adam Faith with both ‘What Do You Want’ and ‘Poor Me’ reaching the top. His next release, also in a similar vein, Someone Else’s Babyfeatured the string sound that he had made so popular and reached No 2 in May 1960. Adam consolidated his career on TV and the Big Screen and achieved much success in the business and management field in later years.

4. HELEN SHAPIRO – TELL ME WHAT HE SAID (Barry) Ardmore & Beechwood Ltd./EMI ℗ 1962 EMI Records Ltd. A young school girl from London’s East End, Helen was discovered by EMI’s John Schroeder, soon scoring two chart-toppers out of her first 3 releases. This John Barry composition raced to the top also but was denied the top spot for 3 weeks by The Shadows’ Wonderful Land’. Helen was voted No 1 Female British Singer for 1961 and 1962.

5. MANFRED MANN – IF YOU GOTTA GO, GO NOW (Dylan) Warner Bros. Music Ltd. ℗ 1965 EMI Records Ltd. With a recording career of only 2 years standing, 1965 saw this London-based blues band reach No 2 with this Bob Dylan song to complement their previous Top Five placings of 5, 4, 3 and 1. The original line up was a seedbed of talent covering many facets of show business today.

6. THE SWINGING BLUE JEANS – THE HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE (Romero) Ardmore & Beechwood Ltd./EMI ℗ 1963 EMI Records Ltd. These four likeable lads from Liverpool did not have a No 1 single, nor for that matter did they get many singles into the charts, but nevertheless they have come to epitomise the Beat Boys of the Mersey Boom. One night stands, Nationwide tours, Ready Steady Go-their lively rhythm and blues sound captured the mood of the times. This version of Chan Romero’s Hippy Hippy Shake gave them their highest chart placing at the start of 1964.

7. CILLA BLACK – YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELIN’ (Spector, Mann, Weil) Screen Gems/EMI Music Ltd. ℗ 1965 EMI Records Ltd. Also from Liverpool, the birth-place of the Beat Boom, Cilia Black had already secured her rightful place in Pop history by 1965. Two massive hits ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ and ‘You’re My World’ had taken the world by storm and this soulful ballad written by hit makers Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, with the help of the legendary Phil Spector, placed her at the penultimate position during January 1965. That same week the Righteous Brothers’ original was at No 3 before leap-frogging to No 1

8. THE BEACH BOYS – SLOOP JOHN B (trad. arr. Wilson) United Partnership Ltd. ℗ 1966 Capitol Records Inc. This fastest selling single so far by California’s sons of the surf also gave them their highest chart placing in the UK of their career to date. Their previous hit, the party-style ‘Barbara Ann’ had reached No 3 but they went one better with this traditional song arranged by Beach Boys’ prime mover Brian Wilson. Incidentally the original sloop, the ‘John B’, lies to this day where it eventually sank in the Govei nor’s Harbour off Nassau in the Bahamas.

9. KEITH WEST – EXCERPT FROM A TEENAGE OPERA (Philwit) Robbins Music Ltd. ℗ 1966 EMI Records Ltd. Mark Wirtz, an early 60’s record producer, had achieved limited success with releases on Ember by Marcus Tro, Sheila and Jenny and Satellite One, but he hit the jackpot with the song we all know as ‘Grocer Jack’ with its plaintive chorus sung by a children’s choir. Whatever happened to a projected opera?”

10. BOBBY GOLDSBORO – HONEY (Russell) Peter Maurice Music Co. Ltd./EMI ℗ 1968 United Artists Inc. A popular vocalist in the USA, Bobby Goldsboro first hit the UK charts with this tear-jerking ballad. The poignant and touching lyrics can still bring a lump to the throat to this day. Selling a quarter of a million in Britain, worldwide sales have accounted for 3 million copies and, strangely enough, when it was re-released in 1975 it also reached Number Two!

SIDE TWO

1. THE HOLLIES – I CAN’T LET GO (Taylor, Gorgoni) April Music Ltd. ℗ 1966 EMI Records Ltd. In 1966 The Hollies continued to dominate the charts with three Top Ten hits, the first of which was I Can’t Let Go which reached No 2 in March and was denied the supreme accolade of a No 1 for 3 weeks by The Walker Brothers ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’.

2. BILLY J. KRAMER AND THE DAKOTAS – DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET (Lennon, McCartney) Northern Songs Ltd. ℗ 1963 EMI Records Ltd. Billy J. Kramer, another new star from Liverpool was teamed with Manchester’s Dakotas by Brian Epstein and given this Lennon & McCartney song taken from The Beatles’ first album ‘Please Please me’. George Harrison’s original was well matched by Billy J’s easy going vocal style leading to many more hit records and block busting Nationwide tours.

3. SHIRLEY BASSEY – AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME (Bart) Lakeview Music Ltd. ℗ 1960 EMI Records Ltd. The girl from Cardiff’s Tiger Bay switched to EMI’s Columbia label at the start of the 60’s and from then on she never looked back. Hit followed hit; the first of these was the powerful ballad As Long As He Needs Me, written by Lionel Bart for his blockbusting musical ‘Oliver’.

4. FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS – I’M TELLING YOU NOW (Garrity, Murray) B. Feldman & Co Ltd./EMI ℗ 1963 EMI Records Ltd. Freddie Garrity co-wrote this happy song with Mitch Murray who had penned many hits, including ‘How Do You Do It?’ and ‘I Like It’ for Gerry Marsden. The reason it never reached the top was because that spot was occupied for both weeks by another blockbuster, Billy J. Kramer’s ‘Bad To Me’

5. PETER & GORDON -TRUE LOVE WAYS (Petty, Holly) Southern Music Publ. Co. Ltd. ℗ 1965 EMI Records Ltd. The duos 2 previous chart entries, including the No 1 ‘World Without Love’, were written by John and Paul. For their third hit, however, they chose a Buddy Holly classic which they endowed with melodic harmonies and spent one week at No 2 in May 1965.

6. GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS – I’M THE ONE (Marsden) Dick James Music Ltd. ℗ 1964 EMI Records Ltd. Following his phenomenal achievement of 3 No l’s with his first 3 releases, Gerry only just missed the chance to become even more of a pop legend when this, his fourth release, narrowly missed the top spot. Written by Gerry himself as were many of his later hits, he has maintained his popularity to this day attracting large crowds wherever he performs.

7. VIKKI CARR – IT MUST BE HIM (Becaud, Vidalin, trans., David) ℗ 1967 Liberty Records Inc.(MCPS) Born in El Paso, Texas, Vikki (real name Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona) was the eldest of seven children. On moving to Los Angeles as a young girl, she developed her musical talents becoming a top-flight cabaret artiste playing Reno, Las Vegas and all the top venues. This single, which often moved her to tears on-stage was her first UK chart entry in the summer of ’67.

8. VINCE HILL – EDELWEISS (FROM “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”) (Rodgers, Hammerstein II) Williamson Music Ltd. with the Eddie Lester Singers – Arranged & Conducted by Johnny Arthey ℗ 1967 EMI Records Ltd. Popular vocalist Vince Hill was well established on the pop scene in the early 60’s working with many fine bands. His biggest hits came in the mid-60’s as the group impetus subsided and ballad singers made a comeback. Edelweiss from the hit show ‘The Sound of Music’ gave Vince his highest chart placing.

9. THE HOLLIES- STOP STOP STOP (Clarke, Hicks, Nash) Gralto Music Co. ℗ 1966 EMI Records Ltd. Written by group members Alan Clarke, Tony Hicks and Graham Nash (soon to depart Stateside to join Dave Crosby and Steven Stills) this highly original story song gave the Hollies another No 2 during 1966. The banjo, recorded with echo, gives this tale of an over-excited customer at a night club an eerie, surreal quality. A No 2 again, but a lasting memory.

10. THE BEACH BOYS – GOD ONLY KNOWS (Wilson, Asher) Immediate Music Ltd. ℗ 1966 Capitol Records Inc. The Beach Boys second attempt at a No 1 this side of the Atlantic also fell at the last hurdle although it paved the way for their next single, the superb ‘Good Vibrations’ to reach the coveted No 1 spot.

Label: MFP 41 5658 1

1984 1980s Covers