Considerably More Than Three 7"s Clash

Alas, no tunes by Culture in this batch (given the sorry state of second hand reggae vinyl sales in New Zealand) but, whilst fastidiously saving* for a house, I’ve been trying my best not to buy records.

(*This is all relative. I am mindful of how incredibly fortunate we are to have been able to save more than $30k for a house deposit in a year without any major impedance to our lifestyle. We are part of a tiny minority that is able to afford a property in the capital city in which we live, I really don’t have any idea how those less fortunate can get by).

Anyways, I’ve been trying to show some restraint but a couple of things have come up from regular sources that needed to be snapped up. As always, I then selected a few more to accompany to make up the numbers for postage.

SHADOWS OF KNIGHT "GLORIA"

The original. I’ve wanted this for ages and already have the 1969 (known as the ‘heavy metal’ version, by some release. I’ve got a real soft-spot for ‘Nuggets’ type of garage rock material and this is a classic of the oeuvre.

DONOVAN & JEFF BECK GROUP "GOO GOO BARABAJAGAL"

My old man fancied himself as a bit of a folkie (my parents met during the late 1960’s ‘new wave of English folk’ at the Hanging Lamp folk club in Richmond) and absolutely despised Donovan, whom he saw as totally generic and totally commercial. He’s got a bit of a point, but the B-Side of this has a really good break that I’m going to sample.

CROSBY STILLS & NASH "JUST A SONG BEFORE I GO"

Mine for a dollar, really bought for my Mum. (Seeing as I’ve subsequently bought a job lot of 7”s from another vendor and have a second, unplayed copy, I might actually get round to sending this one). It’s late 70’s, which is when CSN went a bit pear shaped (the LP’s became much less consistent and largely written with outside help. One assumes because of all the gak that was being consumed). This is nice though and featured on a live video that my Mum and Dad used to watch in my teens ad infinitum.

CANNED HEAT 2 CLASSIC SINGLES

My Dad had a copy of ‘Boogie With Canned Heat’ that I used to rinse as a teenager. One of my most coveted guitars was a Gibson Les Paul Gold Top with P-90’s, largely because it’s what Blind Owl played. It wasn’t a massive surprise to learn later than most of Canned Heat succumbed to drink and drug related illness. Listen to that LP – they sound wasted.

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL "LOOKING OUT MY BACK DOOR"
Another one of my Father's favourites (and consequently something that I heard a great deal whilst growing up). Added interest because of the 'Big Lebowski' connection.

SUPREMES "REFLECTIONS"

Once we’re into the new house, I’m going to sort out my 7” storage into proper bins. One for soul, one for funk, one for reggae etc. This is a classic. I know my Mum (a proper soul fanatic) would be jealous.

BRIAN AUGER AND TRINITY "I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER"

I really bought this because I absolutely love ‘Indian Ropeman’, with Julie Driscoll. This is still pretty funky. I used to work at a Northern Soul/Freakbeat weekly club night and I’ve seen ‘Indian Ropeman’ tear a dancefloor a fresh one on several occasions. That Hammond is heavy…

EMMYLOU HARRIS "EASY FROM NOW ON"

It’s early seventies and on Reprise. I’m sort of in love with Emmylou Harris, despite the tawdry 80’s mainstream country stuff. I had an old girlfriend whom generally had absolutely terrible music taste, whom perversely loved ‘Wrecking Ball’ (written for Harris by Neil Young and featuring him on backing vocals). A weird one, that.

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS " LOUISIANA LOU AND THREE CARD MONTY JOHN”
Possibly the worst name for a single, ever… I’ve never really got into The Allman Brothers, but really should.

 ARETHA FRANKLIN ‘NATURAL WOMAN’Obviously Aretha’s the original diva, but this is kinda special to me based on the fact that it’s written by Carol King (with her then husband Gerry Goffin). King’s ‘Tapestry’ LP was one of the real sounds of my childhood.
 

JOAN BAEZ "THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN"

I’ve bought a couple of early Baez LP’s of late and really need to get into them. She’s got that classic, pure folk voice (along with Judy Collins). I’ve not actually heard her do this, but The Band are another favourite.

SHOCKING BLUE "MIGHTY JOE"
Holland’s Shocking Blue are probably best known for their global smash, ‘Venus’. Nirvana’s cover of ‘Love Buzz’ later influenced me to insist that my 90’s band cover ‘Lava’ by The B-52’s in similar fuzzed-up style. This is really quite danceable and goes well with the BRIAN AUGER tune mentioned above. Sweet!

THE ELECTRIC PRUNES "I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM LAST NIGHT”

I mentioned ‘Gloria’ by The Shadows of Knight being ‘Nuggets’esque. Well, this is actually off of Nuggets. I LOVE this tune. Such a find and I think I paid some ridiculously small sum ($3, maybe) for it.