Babydoll and the New Surfettes - When We Said Goodbye / You Haven't Done Nothing. USA-Hawaii

It's always great to find a 45 no one knows about, but it's even better when it's in the Soul genre! The b side features a nice bass riff too.

There have been a couple of ebay auctions that settled nicely. One described the 45 as thus: "Private pressing of an extremely rare and seldom seen HAWAII female SOUL record. Side one is a pleasing soul ballad, the flip side is Stevie Wonder’s SOUL classic."

Own. From a local collector's garage sale for $1 (2020). He had no idea what is was.

6/22/20 (first listen); 3/21/22 (review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Mark Vieau - Blind Love / Say a Prayer. 1993 USA-Texas

Picked this one up because it's from our old stomping grounds south of DFW, and this is a complete unknown! Whitney, Texas is not the place you'd expect to find a hip label, yet they had dozens of similar releases in the late 80s and early 90s. This is a very professional recording, not the usual private press fodder. Music can best be described as hair metal meets pop rock. A little later than what I normally collect, but this one is a cool little oddity.

Own. Online acquisition (2021).

5/2/21 (first listen); 2/5/22 (review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Arnie & Chisé Trio ‎- Three Cherries / Bumming Around. 1966 USA / Japan

Three Cherries is a novelty song where Chise opens in English with her heavy Japanese accent, and then proceeds to make a silly song in Japanese. Bumming Around is rockabilly and is arguably Arnie's contribution. They have an album that is also highly sought after. Super cool 45.

Own. Thrift shop find (2021).

Added handwritten note below. Click on the photo to hi-res.

10/12/21 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Lightkraft - Now Or Never / Take Me. 1984 USA-Colorado

I never really wrote a review, but I described the genres as thus: A-side = Modern Soul Boogie sound; B-side = AOR / New Wave sound.

We eventually learned that the band is local to us here in Colorado Springs! Released in the spring of 1984 in fact. Elk Bugles says the band were from Indiana and Minnesota. But there was another poster in her collection that showed the band playing here. 

Even though it doesn't appear Tiny Barge was a performer on the 45, his name is listed as the publisher. Here's a page for him, as he's still performing it appears.

Sadly we found lead singer Ric Wright's obituary.

Own. Found at a record store in Denver (2022). No pic sleeve.

After updating the Discogs entry, I received three unsolicited - and generous - offers for it, which tells me there's a huge market for this. I usually keep rare items like this and the music is good for the collection.

7/18/22 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Charles J. Foley (Charlie) - Witches Ogres and Mint / Overture (To the Sabbath). 1974 USA-Nebraska

Wow - this one is completely extinct from the modern historical record. Nowhere to be found - at all! And it's good folk too - a bit of Dylan and some dark themes. I would expect this to be a big hitter if it ever gets discovered.

Own. Found at a record store in Denver (2022).

7/27/22 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Everyone's Daughter - Take Me Home / Get To You. 1986 USA

First side recalls Iron Maiden with its galloping guitars and dual solos. Other side is more in the Dio / Malmsteen mold. Former auctions suggest the band is female - or at least the singer. Can't find too much about the group. In any case, a good two sider for metal fans.

Own. Thrift shop find (2022).

9/26/22 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

The Whale and Flea – Ridin' On / Dawn Song. 1986 USA-Oklahoma

This is a heavy hitter in the field of 80s boogie soul or really just simply boogie. Has a heavy funk vibe on A) that I dig, especially some of the guitar work. B side is a bit too much balladry, but still some fine guitar work at the end. Apparently they were from Norman, Oklahoma (where Univ. of Oklahoma sits).

Own. Found at a record store in Denver (2022).

12/18/22 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

2 Plus 2 - Two Girls / Stay Around Me. 1985 USA-Pennsylvania

Music is fairly dumbo hair metal. "Two girls for every guy" being the thought provoking chorus, sung over and over. Not too bad though. Decent riffing. Some crack research turned up bupkis. The label address is in Sellersville, which sits in between Allentown and Philadelphia.

Own. Online acquisition (2022)

12/18/22 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Racket - It's Our Night / Cruisin' (Down Main Street). 1981 USA-Pittsburgh

An older sounding 45 than the date suggests, while there is synthesizer, there's also Hammond organ and phased guitar. A better than average hard rock, and it looks to be related in some way to Poobah (Peppermint Productions). Good stuff.

Recent evidence places this 45 from 1981 and the band is from Pittsburgh.

Own. Online acquisition (2022).

12/22/22 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

The Whim of Arrow - 1800LBS of Grey / The Day Noah's Ark Sank. 1966-67 USA

A very bizarre 45. The first side is a mix of novelty folk and hard rock. There's a pretty heavy guitar lick about half way through. It's not psychedelic fuzz either. Like 70s hard rock. 45cat has confirmed the date of this song to be 1966, so way ahead of its time. Seems like it was made for children maybe? The second side is an instrumental organ driven number like Booker T and the MG's (confirmed to be from 1967). Absolutely one of the weirdest 45s I've heard. They were "Rollem" them that's for sure! A certain keeper.

No idea where they're from.

Own. Found at the Austin Record Show (2023).

5/25/23 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

The J.T. Cooke Band - Bright Blue Eyes / Lasting Man. 1982 USA-Kansas City

The J.T. Cooke Band were typical of their era. Not too far from REO Speedwagon or Journey, but a bit more raw with some nice lead guitar. As good as the groups that "made it" for better or worse. This is no underground classic, but it's well done. B side is more enjoyable here at PPR. BTW - there is no one named J.T. Cooke in the band.

Own. Antique Mall find in Newton, Kansas (2023).

12/21/23 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Sterling. 1981 USA-Minneapolis

Classic yacht rock here. Softer than standard AOR with a higher sophistication. Good looking guys singing about love while presumably the sexy female audience are drinking highballs. Get out your white pants and double breasted blue coat.

Own. Thrift shop find (2024)

9/2/23 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Ground Attack - Red Lion / Every Mother's Son. 1981 England

Though associated with the NWOBHM movement. Ground Attack sound more like a standard issue early 80s hard rock band. Not very heavy or original, the two tunes here blow by without much notice. A little AC/DC can be heard on the B side. 

11/25/24

Lynx – Just A Friend / Woman Of My Dreams. 1970 USA-Texas

Just the fact that these guys are from Andrews, Texas is already a revelation for this Texas Tech graduate. How a hard rock band like this existed in the oil fields and ranches of 1970 is something amazing in of itself. Solid hard rock from the Grand Funk / Rare Earth school. This was their debut, but they managed to get out six 45s, which is incredible. They even covered early Yes on one of those. I'd keep that one if I ever find it...

7/21/20 (first listen); 9/15/24 (review / new entry)

The Pawnbrokers - Realize / Smell of Incense. 1968 USA-North Dakota

From Fargo, North Dakota, The Pawnbrokers certainly were turned onto the most psychedelic aspects of the movement. I have the A) on a comp and it's a fuzz blaster, perfect for that sort of thing. B) is new to me, and is a trippy psych number leading into some progressive Eastern ideas. This one hasn't been comped that I know of. What a great two sider.

9/10/24

Acoma - My Store / My Long Lost Friend. 1971 USA

The A) side is very interesting. Psychedelic soul with a really mellow groove. Sort of like a laid back Gil Scott-Heron. The B side is not to my taste, perhaps a bit of country even. The label is from Nashville but no idea where Acoma might be from. Interesting that it alleges the music comes from the album This Land is Our Land, but it does not appear this album exists. 

From a thrift shop in Bozeman, Montana (cleaner than the Discogs copy). I almost kept it for the A-side, but I think I'll take the profit this time. 

8/15/24

3.5/2.0

Those Two - Baby I Know / I'm Gonna Walk With You. 1966 USA

Garage folk with typical influences of the day like The Beatles, Byrds, Mamas and Papas, etc... Dual female, male vocals. Not sure where they're from.

Found in Bozeman, Montana. The Discogs photo is my copy. Will sell it eventually.

8/15/24

3/3

Charlie Burton and Rock Therapy - Rock and Roll Behavior / That Boy and My Girl. 1977 USA-Nebraska

When I found this I thought it would be big money. It looks like some underground punk 45 - and from 1977! Nope. The A) side is retro 50's rock but with a 70s hard rock guitar solo, which is the highlight of both sides. B) side is more towards blues rock. From Lincoln, Nebraska. I'm keeping it for now. 

Own. From a thrift store in Sheridan, Wyoming (2024).

3.5/2.5

8/15/24

Black Ice - Gotta Get You Out Of My Mind / Come on Home. 1970 South Africa

Yet another South African obscurity from 1970. The a) side is pop psych with horns, whereas the b) side features more organ and is the better of the two tracks. Good melodies and very much of the era. Apparently Black Ice had at least one major hit back home ('Susannah'), but this debut recording remains unknown.

Own. Found at a local estate sale (2024). The Discogs image is my copy.

8/4/24

Larry John Page & The Vision - Shadow of Love / You Baby You. 1971 South Africa

Almost identical to the The Gentle People 45, wherein the A side is fairly commercial harmony pop and the B side has psychedelic characteristics including fuzz. I preferred this one just a bit more.

Own. Found at a local estate sale (2024). The Discogs image is our copy.

8/4/24

3.5