Podcasts about Sunshine pop

Label: Lenox 5555Year: 1962Condition: M-Price: $22.00One of my personal all-time favorites: When "Little Esther" Phillips starts singing, I literally get goosebumps — the recording's that powerful! And what a voice! Note: This copy has nearly pristine-looking labels and Near Mint vinyl. The audio is close to Mint, with just a touch of surface noise.

Label: Stone Flower 9001Year: 1970Condition: M-Price: $8.00This is a beautiful Near Mint stock copy in its original factory sleeve. Some of Sly Stone's best work outside of the Family Stone recordings... both sides! (This scan is a representative image from our archives--the copy for sale has NO drillhole).

Label: Acta 815Year: 1968Condition: MLast Price: $12.00. Not currently available for sale.The very best kind of melodic, romantic pop that'll just wrap you up in warm sunshine. :-) Check out the mp3 "snippet" of it in our "jukebox." (Click the blue "play" button.) By the way, the B side is a non-album cut. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Acta Records factory sleeve. It has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: A&M 8578Year: 1969Condition: M-Price: $8.00Originally released on A&M 1039, this is a powerful Phil Spector production with a great vocal by Sonny Charles. The Checkmates' first single, it's just as great--though not nearly so famous--as the hit 'Black Pearl' that followed. A must-have for Spector collectors. This is a copy of the A&M "Forget Me Nots" reissue. This beautiful reissue has pristine Mint audio!

Label: I.R.S. 9907Year: 1982Condition: M-Price: $12.00This is a beautiful stock copy, in its original picture sleeve. This is simply one of the very best girl group songs of all time. Unlike their Sixties counterparts, though, these girls write their own songs, play their own electric guitars and drums, and sing about the lovelife of working girls who are way past sweet sixteen! The audio is pristine Mint!

Label: Columbia 11388Year: 1980Condition: MLast Price: $10.00. Not currently available for sale.From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original factory sleeve. This is one of two great, hard-to-find singles released from the Rockpile album Seconds of Pleasure. Rockpile was a band formed by Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds. Of the two singles, this was the first, and also the only one that charted. Note: This beautiful stock copy has Mint labels and pristine audio. The vinyl (styrene) is graded Near Mint to reflect some faint storage wear.

Label: Elektra 45720Year: 1971Condition: M-Last Price: $18.00. Not currently available for sale.I still think this is my favorite Bread track... the lyrics are hopelessly romantic, but that's just what you want when you're hopelessly in love. And the arrangement suits the mood perfectly. David Gates has concocted a perfect Pop confection that should not be dismissed merely because it is so. The sheer beauty of the music, song, voice, lyrics literally brings me to tears when I'm in a certain mood. The vision of my dear wife coming and "pouring herself on me" when I'm feeling down, and of our ultimately "flying away" from our worldly cares and woes together, evokes such poignancy for me that I feel it's happening... as the music plays. I finally found a copy of with audio good enough to record for my iTunes library, but when I began to make the mp3 "snippet" for Classic 45s, I simply could not find a reasonable place to edit this nearly perfect musical "poem," so I ended up including the entire 2:33 song as the snippet. If you are inclined to dismiss Bread and David Gates, do me a favor and listen to the entirety of the snippet. This level of creativity in Soft Rock definitely deserves our 2-star recommendation, and I hope you agree. Enjoy! Note: This beautiful copy comes in a Near Mint picture sleeve with no notable flaws. The labels look Mint, and the vinyl (styrene) looks almost Mint. Fortunately, this copy, while not perfect, is close enough to earn a rare (for this pressing) Near Mint audio rating. Have a listen to the snippet, and you'll agree you can imagine a more perfect rendition, but you have to admit this Mono mix is gorgeous!

Label: Columbia 45259 djYear: 1970Condition: M-Last Price: $40.00. Not currently available for sale.One of the group's last singles, this is a neglected classic. Great melodic story with an unforgettable hook on the A side, and a sea of shimmering guitars on the B side. This promo copy grades close to Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio). (This scan is a representative image from our archives; this copy doesn't have the stamp shown.)

Label: Atlanta Artists 818384Year: 1984Condition: M-Price: $6.50This is a beautiful Near Mint stock copy. Essential 1980s Rap/Funk. This is an edited version of the 7:12 album track. The audio is very close to Mint.

Label: Colgems 1001Year: 1966Condition: MPrice: $45.00This was the group's first chart single, and what a great debut it was! No, they weren't a new Beatles, but this was first-rate pop for sure. Be sure to check out the wonderful Goffin-King tune on the B side, with its delightful little psychedelic interludes. This single's picture sleeve came in several variations... some in full color like this one, some in 2 colors, some with the white banner at the bottom, some not, etc. Note: This copy's picture sleeve, which has the white bottom banner, is nearly flawless. The 45 record itself has Mint labels and pristine sound.

Label: Gordy 7056Year: 1966Condition: MPrice: $32.00This beautiful copy has pristine audio... awesome to hear this classic in its original pounding clarity. This is a first pressing with the "It's in the grooves" Gordy label. There were many label variations on this release. This copy has the title and artist at the bottom of the label, with no quotes. Note: This beautiful copy has Mint labels with a drillhole. The vinyl looks untouched, and the audio is pristine Mint. (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Fontana 1607Year: 1968Condition: MLast Price: $25.00. Not currently available for sale.The A side may be their sensitive face, but the B side is another terrific Garage/Psych rocker. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Fontana Records factory sleeve. It has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Philly Groove 175Year: 1973Condition: M-Price: $12.00 Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Bell Records factory sleeve. It has light storage wear that lowers the Labels and Vinyl grades to Near Mint. The audio sounds pristine Mint.

Label: Stang 5060Year: 1975Condition: M-Price: $10.00If you're a fan of the sweet side of Philly soul and haven't heard this one, you've found a little piece of heaven! Note: The 45 has very nearly Mint labels and audio. (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Stiff/Epic 50747Year: 1979Condition: M-Price: $8.00Just one small example of what made the British new wave so refreshing... from the Nick Lowe school of Pure Pop for Now People, Ian Gomm wrote and recorded perfect little pop rock confections that were pure ear candy. Note: This copy has light storage wear on the labels and vinyl, but after a cleaning the audio is pristine Mint.

Label: B.T. Puppy 519Year: 1966Condition: M-Price: $20.00Typically fabulous Tokens outing... half surf/beach sound, half doo-wop. That's one of the combinations that defines Sunshine Pop, in fact. The flip is in the same "breezy" vein. The vinyl grades a weak Near Mint with visible hairlines, but the audio is much closer to Mint than not. The picture sleeve grades Near Mint with a partial tear where the hole of the 45 would sit.

Label: Epic 10345Year: 1968Condition: MLast Price: $35.00. Not currently available for sale.Here's an especially beautiful copy of one of the most interesting tracks in Donovan's catalogue. Here is a description from the wordiq.com website: Released in May 1968, his next single was the swirling psychedelic nugget 'The Hurdy Gurdy Man', a song he originally intended for his old friend and guitar mentor Mac MacLeod who had a heavy rock band called Hurdy Gurdy. Donovan had also considered giving it to Jimi Hendrix, but when Mickie Most heard it, he convinced Donovan that the song was a sure-fire single and that he should record it himself. Donovan tried to get Hendrix to play on the recording, but he was on tour and unavailable for the session. In his place they brought in a brilliant young British guitarist, Allan Holdsworth. Jimmy Page also played on the session, and it is believed that John Paul Jones may have played bass with (possibly) John Bonham on drums. If so, this would make it the first recorded performance featuring the three future members of Led Zeppelin. Both Jones and Page have stated that the idea of Led Zeppelin was formed during the Hurdy Gurdy Man sessions. The B side is a non-album track. Note: This beautiful copy has Mint labels and comes with simply awesome sound. The picture sleeve is Near Mint with one tiny tear at the top edge.

Label: Original Sound 67Year: 1967Condition: MPrice: $30.00This group's followup to their classic Psychedelic Rock single, "Talk Talk," wasn't nearly so successful, but that's no comment on its quality. The A side is a top-notch psych-rock performance, the flip is nearly its equal. I've put a snippet of the A side in the jukebox, since it's likely that many 1960s rock fans haven't heard it. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Original Sound Records factory sleeve. The labels grade very close to Mint, while the vinyl looks untouched, and the audio sounds pristine Mint!

Label: WB 7383 djYear: 1970Condition: M-Last Price: $18.00. Not currently available for sale.This was Van Morrison's first single for Warner Brothers featuring two classic tracks from his breakthrough Moondance LP--including, in "Crazy Love", the most transcendent beauty he ever coaxed from those incredible pipes of his. Nothing else in Morrison's catalog sounds quite like this. You Van fans already know this... but in case you're just checking the guy's catalog out, be sure to make time for this gem. Note: This beautiful copy grades close to Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Sire 29549 djYear: 1983Condition: MPrice: $12.00Stereo/Mono promo copy. This terrific outing from this offshoot of Talking Heads is specially edited from a much longer (5:48) album track. It comes in the very cool picture sleeve. Note: This promo 45 has Mint labels and pristine sound. The picture sleeve is nearly flawless, with just a faint touch of top-edge wear.

Label: Arista 0200Year: 1976Condition: M-Last Price: $15.00. Not currently available for sale.This is simply one of Carmen's very best singles outside of his work with the Raspberries: So tuneful, with such a propulsive beat it's gotta rate 2 stars! The only fault I can find is that the song should have been a much bigger hit than it was. And don't neglect the B side... it's another melt-in-your-mouth rocker from Carmen's debut album you must make part of your Carmen/Raspberries collection. By the way, the A side is an edited version of the 5:21 album track. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Arista Records factory sleeve. It has Near Mint labels and vinyl, and pritine Mint audio.

Label: Double Shot 104Year: 1966Condition: M-Last Price: $25.00. Not currently available for sale.One of the absolutely essential singles in the history of Psychedelic Rock. The flip is terrific too... I wonder how they got so paranoid? This is the first pressing, with the label name at the top of the label. Note: This beautiful copy has Near Mint labels with a hint of ringwear. The vinyl looks untouched, and the audio is very close to Mint. (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Mutual 502Year: 1964Condition: M-Price: $25.00High-powered early garage group from Washington, DC... one of the many American garage acts inspired by the Beatles and other foursomes from the 1964 British wave. Besides the A side hit, be sure to check out the B side as well... It's another fine rocker! This was a non-album single (the group had no LPs). Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Mutual Records factory sleeve. It grades close to Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: SGC 001Year: 1968Condition: MPrice: $60.00This is the first release of this much-released single, on the light tan label with no horizontal lines. The single was released again in 1970 on a light green (with some yellow) label. Though the A side is the band's most famous song and was a hit again for Nazz's guitarist and songwriter, Todd Rundgren, in 1973 -- in fact, it was Rundgren's biggest hit and only top 10 single -- my personal fave is the terrific, snarly B side. Rundgren had clearly been listening to the Who, but that's OK: It's a great song and a great sound! That Nazz and SGC thought so, too, is evidenced by the fact that "Open My Eyes" was actually the original A side of the single. As the chart information shows, "Eyes" charted nearly 6 months before "Hello" started up the chart. All in all, this is a nearly Mint copy of a classic single, the first from a Pennsylvania band led by one of the most important figures in American rock'n'roll during the 1970's. Even though he wasn't a consistent hitmaker himself, Todd Rundgren brought a large number of important artists to the studio and became a studio engineer/producer of even higher esteem than as a solo singer/musician. Note: This copy looks new with a drillhole. The sleeve is Near Mint and also has a drillhole. (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Hot Wax 7110Year: 1971Condition: M-Price: $12.00This is one of the group's harder singles to find, but I actually prefer it to their bigger hits. Note: This beautiful copy grades Near Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: London 1061Year: 1975Condition: M-Price: $11.00This is a terrific Philly-Style soul dancer! The song is great, and the arrangement is awesome. Though a hit on the RnB/Black singles chart, it fizzled on the pop chart... too bad, cause it's a definite keeper. I'm sticking a snippet in the jukebox to keep it close by. :-) Note: This beautiful copy grades Near Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Boardwalk 177Year: 1983Condition: M-Price: $9.00Seems strange that in the midst of the rockabilly revival of the early 1980's this terrific number didn't do better than it did. It's a classic... irresistible! Note: This copy comes in a vintage Boardwalk Records factory sleeve. The audio is pristine Mint! Note: This scan is a representative image--these labels do NOT have an any X marks.

Label: Mercury 73008Year: 1970Condition: M-Last Price: $15.00. Not currently available for sale.This is the original release of the song, credited to 'Buddy Miles & the Freedom Express.' It was re-released in 1971 on a different catalog number and with a different flip, and became a somewhat bigger Pop hit. The A side is slightly edited from the 3:20 album track. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Mercury Records factory sleeve. It has pristine Mint audio.

Label: Geffen 28175Year: 1987Condition: MPrice: $9.00This release proves that Robertson could still write a damn great song, play a mean guitar, and sing an angry tale long after he parted ways with Levon Helm and the rest of the legendary rock group known as The Band. It's also a grim reminder of how scary the world was in 1987, before the U.S. and the Soviet Union finally ended the cold war. If you missed this terrific single the first time around, be sure to check it out now... we've put a snippet into the Classic 45's Jukebox for you. Note: This beautiful copy has light storage wear that lowers the Label grade to Near Mint. The wax and audio are pristine. The picture sleeve grades Near Mint.

Label: Mirage 99810Year: 1983Condition: MPrice: $9.00From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original factory sleeve. An absolutely essential post-disco classic from 1983. If this don't get you movin', you're dead! Flip is a shorter (3:48) 'Dub' version of the song. The label notes that all instruments are played by Rob Kilgore. Collector Nerd Alert: The album version is shorter, at 3:34, but the album also has a "Remix" version at 6:03... I suspect this is a specially edited version of that. Note: This beautiful 45 has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Atlantic 2517Year: 1968Condition: MPrice: $12.00From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy with a drillhole, in the original factory sleeve. This is one of the duo's great, relatively unsung, recordings... They sure had incredible synergy while it lasted.

Label: Chess 2030Year: 1967Condition: M-Price: $18.00Wow! That Muscle Shoals studio could sure churn out the terrific soul in the late 1960's. Both sides are essential to a good Soul collection. ?Note: This copy has a drillhole and comes in a vintage Chess/Checker/Cadet Records factory sleeve. The A side audio is pristine Mint, but the B side has some very light surface noise that's occasionally audible.

Label: Cadet 5594Year: 1968Condition: MPrice: $30.00Another terrific Muscle Shoals, Fame-studio production... not to be missed! Note: This like-new copy has a drillhole on otherwise Mint labels. The vinyl looks untouched, and it has pristine Mint sound. (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Roulette GG-135Year: 1969Condition: MPrice: $8.00The A side was originally released on Dunhill/ABC 4217. The magnificent B side, however, was never before released on 45 rpm. It appeared on a 1969 Grass Roots LP, and it surely would have been a hit as a single! Have a listen to the mp3 jukebox snippet and see what I mean. This is a new copy of the Roulette reissue, in its factory sleeve.

Label: Atlantic 1023Year: 1950Condition: MPrice: $15.00This is a new copy of the yellow-label pressing from the 1970s, on the same catalog number. This early Ruth Brown single is credited to "Ruth Brown & Delta Rhythm Boys."

Label: Arista 0139 djYear: 1975Condition: MPrice: $18.00Stereo/Mono promo copy. This is one seriously great dance number, with a powerful sense of menace that you don't normally find in Disco music... Which is why I've decided to put it in the Philly Soul genre instead. No matter... it's a must-have 1975 rarity. Group is New York duo Mike Felder (guitar) and Bill Daniels (piano). They didn't make an album, just a couple of singles, which is why you won't find this tune in Apple Music, Spotify, or other primarily-album-based services. This promo has a somewhat shorter version than on the retail release. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Arista Records factory sleeve. It has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio). (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: WB 7733Year: 1973Condition: M-Price: $14.00The A side is swinging Northern Soul at its danceable best! Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Warner/Reprise Records factory sleeve. It looks new (Labels, Vinyl), but the audio has light surface noise that keeps it a weak Near Mint.

Label: Columbia 43678Year: 1966Condition: MLast Price: $40.00. Not currently available for sale.This is one of this group's finest singles. It's not only got the familiar Garage-style hit on the A side, but you'll find a neat, catchy, Beatlesque rocker on the flip. Great package! I'm glad to see Dave Marsh includes it in his list, because if it weren't there it would definitely get 2 stars from me! :-) I hope you enjoy the mp3 snippet as much as I do. Speaking of which, fans of short songs take note: "There She Goes" has a clock time of only 1:45! Note: This beautiful copy comes in a Near Mint picture sleeve, which has no notable flaws. This vinyl pressing has Mint labels and pristine sound.

Label: Sire 28630Year: 1986Condition: M-Last Price: $9.00. Not currently available for sale.From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original picture sleeve. The terrific B side is specially edited from a much longer (6:34) album version. Despite notable scuffing on the vinyl, the audio is a strong Near Mint. The picture sleeve is also Near Mint with the beginning of a bottom split seam, light top edge wear and some ringwear in the white background areas of the sleeve.

Label: Date 1642Year: 1969Condition: M-Price: $25.00Here's a dynamite Northern Soul dancer you won't want to miss... have a listen to the mp3 "snippet"! The B side is a fine keeper as well. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Date Records factory sleeve. It grades Near Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Capitol 4932Year: 1963Condition: M-Price: $35.00This is a beautiful copy of the Beach Boys' first top 10 hit, which also had a Top 40 B side -- one of their greatest "Car" songs. Note: This 45 record comes in a vintage Capitol Records factory sleeve. It has Near Mint labels and vinyl, and pristine Mint audio!

In this episode, Kirk gives a final report on his son's university Beatles class, Kirk and Paul review their Spotify Wrappeds, and there's a quiz of music-themed trivia.

Label: Laurie 3400Year: 1967Condition: M-Price: $15.00Here's another Music Explosion single you won't want to be without! Check out the mp3 "snippet" of it... Not a big hit, but it's extremely catchy. Great B side, too. By the way, the A side is a non-album cut. Note: This beautiful copy has a drillhole and comes in a vintage Laurie Records factory sleeve. The audio sounds very close to Mint. (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Prelude 8004Year: 1979Condition: MPrice: $25.00Jocelyn Brown was a member of this group. This terrific Philly-style dancer was their biggest hit. I liked it so much right away I had to get an mp3 "snippet" out for you to hear. Great Disco-style dancer on the flip. Both tracks are edited from longer album cuts of 7:54 and 6:30, respectively. Note: This beautiful copy has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Atlantic 87236Year: 1994Condition: MPrice: $6.00Despite some signs of jukebox use on the vinyl, the audio is Mint! This terrific Country chart-topper is one of several by this artist to cross over to the Pop market. Have a listen to the mp3 snippet, and you might hear why! This one borders on Rockabilly.

Label: Atlantic 3574Year: 1979Condition: M-Price: $14.00In case you have somehow avoided being infected by this acutely catchy tune, here's your opportunity! You can find an mp3 snippet of this in the Classic 45's jukebox... check it out! This Abba tune differs from most of their catalog in a couple respects: It's one of their rare A side tracks that features a male lead vocal (in this case, Bjorn Ulvaeus). It's also one of their few hard rockers, opening with that instantly memorable rhythm and punchy lead guitar.Note: The 45 itself grades very close to Mint. The picture sleeve is nearly flawless!

Label: Buddah 114Year: 1969Condition: MPrice: $12.00This is a different recording--slightly slower beat and different vocals--from the one that appears on some later bubblegum compilations, such as Rhino's 'The Best of the 1910 Fruitgum Co. and Other Bubblegum Smashes' LP. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Buddah Records factory sleeve. It has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Laurie 3380Year: 1967Condition: MPrice: $20.00Besides the famous A side, don't miss the great B side on this one, which shows the group's garage-rock roots very clearly. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Laurie Records factory sleeve. This vinyl pressing has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Atlantic 89048Year: 1988Condition: MLast Price: $10.00. Not currently available for sale.From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy, in its original picture sleeve. The A side is an edited version of a 5:44 album track, and the B side is a non-album tune.

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to J.D. Lobue Jr., son of television director & at one time budding sunshine pop musician J.D. Lobue Sr. We reached out to J.D. Jr., after reading an article in a fantastic music magazine called Ugly Things about a band from the 1960s called The Gordian Knot. While reading the article, the name J.D. Lobue came up and host Josh Mills immediately thought, “That MUST be the father of my former little league baseball teammate!” After all, Lobue isn't Smith, it's a pretty unique name. With a little bit more research, we discovered our hunch was correct, it was the same person. As we dug a little further, we realized that not only was Sr. a member of The Gordian Knot, but was also a well-known television director whose credits included multiple credits for iconic American shows like Soul Train, Soap, It's A Living, Herman's Head, Dharma and Greg and so many more. There were also credits for shows that didn't make it like Norman Lear's All's Fair, Amanda's By The Sea, Comedy Zone, You Take The Kids and more. So on this episode, we get into the weeds on what it was like in the booth watching your dad direct Soul Train and how your dad kept it together when things didn't go right on the set of Soap. We also discuss meeting the great Madeline Kahn, how he channeled The Bad News Bears Tanner as a member of the Dodgers at Studio City National Little League, iconic TV director Jay Sandrich, the jazz fusion band The Crusaders, sitting in Archie Bunker's chair on the All in the Family set, playing tennis at Mel Torme's house and much more. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story. Take a listen.