Sue Thompson

2-5-10 Sue Thompson

I last wrote about singer Sue Thompson in 2002. I know of her because I inherited a 45 of “Norman” from my older sister, and I found the “Meet Sue Thompson” LP in New Zealand in the 80’s.

Hickory LPM-104 “Meet Sue Thompson” [1962] mono LP only

Hickory LPS-107 “Two of a Kind” [1962] mono LP only?

Hickory LPM-111 “Golden Hits” [1963] mono LP only

Hickory LPS-121 “Paper Tiger” [1965]

Hickory LPS-130 “Sue Thompson with Strings Attached” [1966]

Hickory LPS-148 “This Is Sue Thompson Country” [1969]

Hickory LPS-168 “The Two of Us Together” – Don Gibson & Sue Thompson [1973]

These latter day MGM / Hickory LP’s feature some songs from her earlier albums in stereo…some in stereo for the first time:

MGM / Hickory HR-4503 “Warm Love” – Don Gibson & Sue Thompson [1973]

(re-issue of LPS-168 “The Two Of Us Together”, with a new cover)

MGM / Hickory H3F-4511 “Sweet Memories” [1974]

MGM / Hickory H3G-4515 “...And Love Me” [1974]

MGM / Hickory H3G-4520 “Oh How Love Changes” – Don Gibson & Sue Thompson [1975]

MGM / Hickory H3G-4523 “Big Mable Murphy” [1975]

Mercury / Wing SRW-16317-W This is where some of her 1950’s Mercury 45’s / 78’s turn up! “The Country Side of Sue Thompson” [1966, 50’s recordings; stereo is electronically reprocessed]

Hickory LPS-154 “Treasure Album”

Various Artists [1970] This is where these Sue Thompson tracks appear in true stereo for the first time: Sad Movies (Make Me Cry) / Paper Tiger / Have A Good Time / Norman / James (Hold The Ladder Steady)

Happily, there are several Sue Thompson CD’s available:

GOLDEN CLASSICS COLLECTABLES US COL-5661

1995 18 TRK Collection

GREATEST HITS CURB US D2 77462

1991 12 TRK Collection

SUZIE – HICKORY ANTHOLOGY '61 - '65 ACE UK CDCHD 991

2003 26 TRK Collection, stereo

Go for the Ace UK CD! It has the most songs, and the most stereo!

I am still finding US Hickory 45’s by Sue Thompson – and I have yet to determine which of ‘em are non-LP. There are dozens of ‘em! And as far as I know, Ms. Sue Thompson is still alive ‘n’ kickin’.

Rusty & Doug Kershaw

2-4-10 Rusty & Doug Kershaw

LP KERSHAW, DOUG ALIVE & PICKIN' WARNER US

BS 2851 1975 11 TRKS Live

7" KERSHAW, DOUG AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN THE ORAL TRADITION promo WARNER US

PRO 346 1970? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo-only

CD KERSHAW, DOUG BEST OF WARNER US

25964.2 1989 10 TRK Collection (70's recordings?)

LP KERSHAW, DOUG CAJUN WAY, THE WARNER US

WS 1820 1969 12 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG DEVIL'S ELBOW WARNER US

BS 2649 1972 12 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG DOUG KERSHAW WARNER US

WS 1906 1971 11 TRKS promo

LP KERSHAW, DOUG DOUGLAS JAMES KERSHAW WARNER US

BS 2725 1973 10 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG FLIP, FLOP & FLY WARNER US

BS 3025 1977 11 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG INSTANT HERO SCOTTI

FZ 37428 1981 9 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG LOUISIANA MAN, THE WARNER US

BSK 3166 1978 11 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG MAMA KERSHAW'S BOY WARNER US

BS 2793 1974 11 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG RAGIN' CAJUN WARNER US

BS 2910 1976 12 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG SPANISH MOSS WARNER US

WS 1861 1970 11 TRKS

LP KERSHAW, DOUG SWAMP GRASS WARNER US

BS 2581 1972 11 TRKS promo

LP KERSHAW, RUSTY RUSTY…CAJUN IN THE BLUES COUNTRY COTILLION US SD 9030 1970 12 TRKS Doug Kershaw, prod.

LPx2 KERSHAW, RUSTY & DOUG KERSHAW (GENUS CAMBARUS) HICKORY US LPS 163 1969? 21 TRK Collection

LP KERSHAW, RUSTY & DOUG LOUISIANA MAN HICKORY US LPM 103 1962? 12 TRKS mono, re-issue 2nd cover

LP KERSHAW, RUSTY & DOUG LOUISIANA MAN HICKORY/MGM US HR-4506 1974 12 TRK Collection (50's/60's recordings)

CDx2 KERSHAW, RUSTY & DOUG LOUISIANA MEN ACE UK

CDCH2 992 2004 56 TRK Collection (50's recordings)

7" KERSHAW, RUSTY & DOUG PIROGUE / MY UNCLE ABEL RCA US

47-8182 1962? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

Interesting that It was Rusty & Doug and not the other way around. R.I.P., Rusty. Doug Kershaw still plays live, and I presume he still releases records / CD’s. The Rusty & Doug Hickory label sides are wonderful – the ’04 “Louisiana Men” collection is everything you’d ever want to hear…well, almost. I got a CD of Doug’s Warner Brothers “Best of”!

The Hickory label has always been sort of an interesting US label for me. I am a big fan of Rusty & Doug, as well as Sue Thompson, The Newbeats…Roy Acuff etc. I have a couple of Hickory label various artist CD’s that have artists like Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Bob Luman etc. – on addition to the aforementioned artists.

Strawberry Alarm Clock

2-3-10 Strawberry Alarm Clock

7" BAREFOOT IN BALTIMORE / AN ANGRY YOUNG MAN UNI US 55076

1967? 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" GIRL FROM THE CITY / THREE UNI US 55241

1971 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS UNI US 55018

1967 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

CD INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS MCA US MCAD-22015

1990 10 TRKS 60's recordings

CD STRAWBERRIES MEAN LOVE BIG BEAT UK CDWIKD 56

1986 21 TRKS (8 x bonus tracks) (60's recordings) (’91 issue)

7" TOMORROW / BIRDS IN MY TREE UNI US 55046

1968 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

Easy to dismiss the Strawberry Alarm Clock as a one-hit-wonder, with “Incense and Peppermints”, but I do like them as a band. Trainspotters note: “Incense and Peppermints” only exists in mono, folks – doesn’t matter if it’s on a 7”, LP or CD – it’s mono or nothin’ at all! And it’s still a great single, 40+ years later…

Several years ago, I found some SAC singles that were not “Incense and Peppermints”: “Girl From The City” and “Tomorrow” (which would’ve been a great follow-up to “I&P”, but I didn’t hear it until 2007 or so). I even have an easy listening orchestra version of “Tomorrow”, believe it or not!

There are 4 x proper SAC LP’s, all of which have been re-issued on CD by Collector’s Choice. I recently found the UK collection CD “Strawberries Mean Love”, and it’s excellent. 21 tracks, mostly in stereo. Gets me where I want to go. Obscure 60’s in digital!

For years, I read that the SAC were from San Jose, but I read in the booklet for “Strawberries Mean Love” that they were originally from Santa Barbara. Tarred and feather for their genius “Incense and Peppermints”, I guess if the hippies couldn’t take them seriously…who could? And I don’t know of an easy listening orchestra version of “Incense and Peppermints”…too difficult to arrange for a big band?

So get yourself some hippie thrills and chill to the non-hit tunes of the Strawberry Alarm Clock on a CD today (oh, and have a nice clean mono listen to “Incense and Peppermints”).

p.s. Happy Joe Meek Day!

Rick Wakeman

2-2-10 Rick Wakeman

I’ve never been a big fan of Rick Wakeman, but I will confess to several occasions of interest.

LP 1984 CHARISMA UK CDS 4022

1981 10 TRKS orig. UK issue

LP COST OF LIVING CHARISMA UK CAS 1163

1983 9 TRKS Robert Powell etc.

CD CRIMES OF PASSION (O.S.T.) EDEL EDS 5404.2

1984 10 TRKS V.A., O.S.T.

LP GOLE (O.S.T.) CHARISMA UK CAS 1162

1983 12 TRKS O.S.T. (811295.1)

7" I'M SO STRAIGHT I'M A WEIRDO A&M UK AMS 7510

1980 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

CD JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH A&M US CD 3156

1974 2 TRKS ('91 issue) with L.S.O.

LP JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH A&M UK AMLH 63621

1974 4 TRKS booklet, with L.S.O.

CD MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF KING ARTHUR… A&M US CD 3230

1975 7 TRKS ('88 issue)

LP NO EARTHLY CONNECTION A&M US SP-4583

1976 8 TRKS with mylar sheet

LPx2 RHAPSODIES A&M US SP-6501

1979 17 TRKS

7" ROBOT MAN / 1984 OVERTURE (Part 1) CHARISMA UK CB 392

1981 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

LP ROCK 'N ROLL PROPHET MOON UK LUNA LP 1

1982 8 TRKS orig. UK issue

CD ROCK 'N ROLL PROPHET…PLUS PRESIDENT UK RWCD 12

1982 12 TRKS ('93 issue) (4 x bonus tracks)

CD SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII, THE A&M US CD 3229

1973 6 TRKS

LP SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII, THE A&M UK AMLH 64361

1972 6 TRKS

LP WHITE ROCK (O.S.T.) A&M US SP-4614

1977 8 TRKS O.S.T.

I was a Yes fan in the early 70’s. I had heard “All Good People” on the FM radio and was ready for “The Yes Album” and “Fragile”. A big part of what was interesting about “Fragile” were the keyboards – by Mr. Rick Wakeman. It was lost on me that he had been active in Strawbs (or that he had played for David Bowie).

During the 80’s, while airchecking music videos off of satellite TV, I got a video for “I’m So Straight I’m A Weirdo”; I really like the song and the video is a good, typical English music video – very eccentric. I was also very fond of Wakeman’s work on the “Crimes Of Passion” original soundtrack (notably “It’s A Lovely Life”).

Very recently, I finally got a CD of “The Six Wives of Henry VIII”. I should’ve got the LP as soon as it came out, but there were too many other things on my plate in 1972. It’s a pretty strong album, his debut solo album – nearly 40 years hence. Probably my favorite A&M album of his. Also still working on (listening to for the first time) his Charisma LP’s, some have sounded rather good to me. But he sure does have a lot of CD’s, doesn’t he? I am sure I’ll never get through them all!

Earth & Fire / Jerney Kaagman

2-1-10 Earth & Fire / Jerney Kaagman

7" 78th AVENUE / DIZZY RAPTURES POLYDOR NL 2050 498

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD ANDROMEDA GIRL POLYDOR NL 835084.2

1981 9 TRKS

LP ANDROMEDA GIRL VERTIGO NL 6399 271

1981 9 TRKS

LP ATLANTIS POLYDOR NL 2925 013

1973 6 TRKS

7" DREAM / JERNEY'S DAY OFF VERTIGO NL 6198 490

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD EARTH AND FIRE (1st) REPERTOIRE DE REP 4348-WY

1970 18 TRKS (9 x bonus tracks)

LP EARTH AND FIRE (1st) RED CANADA PRBLP-3000

1971? 9 TRKS

7" FIRE OF LOVE / SEASON OF THE FALLING LEAVES VERTIGO NL 6012 971

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD FRAMES (as EARTH AND FIRE ORCHESTRA) LANKO CD 4711

1988 8 TRKS

CD5 FRENCH WORD FOR LOVE CNR NL S/CD 860019

1989 4 TRK CD Single CD5

7" FRENCH WORD FOR LOVE / GEMINI CNR NL CNR 7860019

1989 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP GATE TO INFINITY POLYDOR NL 2925 065

1977 10 TRKS

LP IN A STATE OF FLUX DURECO NL 88.05

1982 10 TRKS

7" INVITATION / SONG OF THE MARCHING CHILDREN POLYDOR NL 2050 084

1972 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" JACK IS BACK / HIDE AWAY DURECO NL 47.09

1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD5 KEEP ON MISSING YOU CNR NL S/CD 860019/2

1989 3 TRK CD Single CD5

12" LOVE IS AN OCEAN / (Instrumental) VERTIGO NL 6840 181

1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" LOVE IS AN OCEAN / YOU VERTIGO NL 6198 529

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" LOVE OF LIFE / TUFFY THE CAT POLYDOR NL 2050 322

1974 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" MAYBE TOMORROW MAYBE TONIGHT POLYDOR NL 2050 242

1973 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" MEMORIES / FROM THE END TILL THE BEGINNING POLYDOR NL 2050 179

1972 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" ONLY TIME WILL TELL / FUN POLYDOR NL 2050 359

1975 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD PHOENIX CNR NL CD 86O019

1989 12 TRKS

CD REALITY FILLS FANTASY POLYDOR NL 835083.2

1979 8 TRKS

LP REALITY FILLS FANTASY VERTIGO NL 6413 509

1979 8 TRKS

7" RUBY IS THE ONE / MECHANICAL LOVER POLYDOR NL 2050 019

1970 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" SEASONS (Long) / (Short) ATCO US 45-6744

1970 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

7" SEASONS / HAZY PARADISE POLYDOR NL S 1335

1969 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP SONG OF THE MARCHING CHILDREN POLYDOR NL 2925 003

1971? 5 TRKS

CD SONG OF THE MARCHING CHILDREN / ATLANTIS POLYDOR NL 831641.2

1971/3 11 TRKS 2 on 1

7" STORM AND THUNDER / LOST FOREVER POLYDOR NL 2050 133

1972 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" TELL ME WHY / WHAT MORE COULD YOU DESIRE? VERTIGO NL 6198 517

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" THANKS FOR THE LOVE POLYDOR NL 2050 376

1975 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD TO THE WORLD OF THE FUTURE POLYDOR JPN ERC-29245

1975 7 TRKS

LP TO THE WORLD OF THE FUTURE POLYDOR NL 2925 033

1975 7 TRKS

7" TWENTY FOUR HOURS / STRANGE TOWN DURECO NL 46.63

1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" TWO OF US (Remix) / LOVE IS TO GIVE AWAY DURECO NL 47.47

1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" WEEKEND / ANSWER ME VERTIGO DE 6147 024

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE / (Instrumental) POLYDOR NL 2050 411

1976 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" WILD AND EXCITING / VIVID SHADY LAND POLYDOR NL 2050 044

1970 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

Jerney Kaagman solo:

7" ALL RIGHT HERE I AM / (IN A SHADE OF A) WILLOW TREE DURECO NL 48.86

1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP MADE ON EARTH DURECO NL 88082

1984 11 TRKS

7" MY MYSTERY MAN / MISERY DURECO NL 49.54

1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD RUN POLYDOR JPN ERC-29247

1987 10 TRKS

7" VICTIM OF THE NIGHT / THEME FROM V.O.N. POLYDOR NL 885342.7

1986 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

Dutch band Earth and Fire were always interesting for me. I followed them in real time, from about ’75 until ’88 or so. They were like a Dutch version of Jefferson Airplane, a rock band with a female lead vocalist – all of E&F’s stuff is in English, too. By the time of “Reality Fills Fantasy” (1979), their sound was a lot more pop than rock – but it was still interesting stuff.

“To The World Of The Future” (1975) is my favorite album by them. The single from that album, “Love Of Life” is my favorite single by them. I always tried to find all the E&F singles that I could, as the singles usually had cool non-LP B-sides.

As far as I know, there were only ever 2 x Jerney Kaagman solo albums. Both of which were sung in English (and in the style of latter day E&F). She was the lead vocalist of E&F.