Time has flashed by over the last few months since we closed the door on our physical shop, but that means we have more time to spend on all you lovely online folk. The first task was to sort out the tons of super sounds we have that have never been on the website. We are getting close to having that done and the next step is loading them up on our wonderful website, which will begin very soon. If you have a wants list, please send it to us. We may be able to fill some gaps in your collection.
Now let’s take a little look back at some favourites that hit our shelves this year. We have a lot to catch up with and I want to try and cover lots of genres, but I am going to stick with 45s on this little round up.
The Hill Brothers – Call Of Your Land + 3 – Spare Time
Four fine tracks from this young French Rockabilly band. The first of the two self penned numbers would not be out of place on a Corn Fed LP and the second has the Lonesome Sound so many people now crave. The two covers follow the Charlie Feathers style but bring their own exuberant energy to the tracks.
The Hill Brothers – four track sampler
Maddox Brothers And Rose – Dig A Hole / Ugly And Slouchy – Lonesome Blues 45
The Maddox Brothers and Rose are one of the key bands in the development of country music and their history is fascinating, but too much to go into here. For now, let’s just say Ugly and Slouchy is a stone-cold Rockabilly classic. This 1957 track was reissued on CBS Rockabilly vol 2 in 1978 and has been filling dance floors ever since. It is a track like no other and the whole band is having a ball. The flip is the band’s version of the folk song Darlin’ Corey. This is not as well known as Ugly but matches it for exuberance and sheer joy.
Dig A Hole
Ugly And Slouchy
Lloyd ‘Fatman’ Smith – Where You Been + 3 – El Toro EP
El Toro have been doing a great job bringing fantastic R’n’B to us all with a series of EPs over the last few years. The latest batch includes this fine issue from Smith, best known for Miss Mushmouth (included here) which has been booming from DJs speakers all over the world. But Lloyd shows us here that that track was no lucky strike. He really does hit four out of four on this EP.
Part Time Sweetheart
Miss Mushmouth
Shorty Billups – Boss Chick / Why Can’t You Be True – Fine
This is listed all over the web as Rhythm and Blues, well I am saying here and now this is ROCK N ROLL!!! Topside has a mid-tempo stomping beat, screaming vocal, swaying sax, walking bass and pounding drums. Fantastic. The flip is a slower-paced pledge of love with super sax and guitar. (Heck, I did not want to say it, but this really does sound like an overlooked Little Richard 45.)
Boss Chick
Why Can’t You Be True
The 5 Royales – I Could Love You / Tell The Truth – King
Two right royal rockers from one of the greatest Rhythm and Blues vocal harmony groups ever. These guys were a huge influence on a young James Brown, and many of their tracks are now considered precursor soul classics.
Topside is from 1956 and the flip from 1958. Both feature, as you would expect, exceptional vocal harmony, but they also have outstanding instrumental backing, particularly the raging guitar on I Could Love You.
I Could Love You
Tell The Truth
The Scotsmen – Beer Bust Blues / Scotch Mist – Scotty
Frat-classic drinking song and super-cool instro. The topside rolls along like a night on the sauce that you know from the start is going to go wrong but you continue anyway. The best sort of indulgence. The flip drives along at a good speed with super sparky guitar and rumbling organ base.
Beer Bust Blues
Scotch Mist
Merry Christmas everyone and all the best for a terrific 2025!
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