SONGS THAT MADE IT BIG IN AUS

THE BEETLES AS BEETLES

2010-08-30T02:18:00.000-07:00

The Beatles as beetles from

BABY MAKES HER BLUE JEANS TALK (ORIGINAL 12") - DR. HOOK

2010-07-01T02:27:00.000-07:00

American band Dr Hook had a massive 1982 hit with "Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk".

Not many people know there was a 12" version on vinyl. It has never made it to CD as far as I am aware.

Here it is for the first time in the world "Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk" 12":

http://rapidshare.com/files/404236414/dr_hook_-_baby_makes_her_blue_jeans_talk__ext_vinyl_mix_.mp3.html

GIMME SOME (12') - BRENDON

2010-04-19T06:14:00.000-07:00

Brendon (born Brendon Dunning) was a UK glam rocker. He had releases on EMI Magnet in the mid 1970s.

One of his singles, "Gimme Some", hit the UK singles charts in 1977, peaking at #14 in March of that year.

“Gimme Some” also hit the Oz charts but it was too short in my opinion to make a big impact in the burgeoning club scene for which it was designed….

So here for download is an extended Tom Mix version that was mastered from a European CD mix of the original single. It has overdubs and a new rhythm track taken from a popular hit from the 1980s called “The Best Part Of Breakin’ Up” by disco artist Roni Griffiths.

Currently Brendon and Dave Levy (former band member) have released new material under the name of Simple Country Folk. The album is titled "Long Time Coming".

http://rapidshare.com/files/377647722/brendon_-_gimme_some__ext_tom_mix_remix_2010_.mp3

LYIN' IN MY ARMS - REX ALLEN JR

2010-03-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Rex Allen junior is an American country singer whose fortunes have been good but have not surpassed that of his father Rex Allen senior.

In 1975 Rex released a non-album single "Lyin' In My Arms" which did well in country NSW and other places in Oz.

I have not been able to find the original single on CD anywhere in the world. The only version I've heard has been a re-make which sounds inferior and doesn't come close to the original's production values.

Here for download is "Lyin' In My Arms":

http://rapidshare.com/files/368601177/rex_allen_jr_-_lying_in_my_arms__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

MEGA-IDOL MIX - BILLY IDOL

2010-03-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

In my old 12" vinyl collection I have a few original mega mixes that have not made it to CD.

Billy Idol's work is widely known but his "Mega-Idol Mix" only briefly made it to vinyl in a few parts of the world. It was the flip of the "White Wedding" 12".

A second attempt at a mega mix was made by DMC (Disco Mix Club) who commissioned Sanny X to release an alternate mega mix but it too has not been on CD.

For download is a Tom Mix CD version of the original "Mega-Idol Mix". It is an almost exact match of the vinyl 12" original.

http://rapidshare.com/files/368601181/billy_idol_-_mega_tom_mix.mp3

DON'T BLAME THE CHILDREN - SAMMY DAVIS JR

2010-02-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Before Sammy Davis Jr got "lumbered with / known for" the bubblegum song "The Candy Man" from the show "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory", he had a number of interesting but low charting singles. "Don't Blame The Children" was one such track.

Here in Oz the single was better received than in his homeland and even today this track is hard to locate in any format.

Here for download is the 1967 mono single mix of "Don't Blame The Children":

http://rapidshare.com/files/346259771/sammy_davis_jr_-_don_t_blame_the_children__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

WHEN THE BOAT COMES IN (Dance Ti Thi Daddy) - ALEX GLASGOW

2010-01-30T03:51:00.000-08:00

Alex Glasgow was born in England but moved to Australia in 1981. He became an Aussie but his famous single was originally recorded in England.

Alex Glasgow was born in 1935 in Gateshead Durham England. He cited one of his greatest influences as Gateshead Public Library. After graduating in Languages from Leeds University, he taught in Germany. On his return to Newcastle-On-Tyne, he joined the BBC. He also began to write topical songs. He composed the music for Alan Plater's play Close The Coalhouse Door. Alex is best known for his recording of "When The Boat Comes In", used in the TV series When The Boat Comes In. He also wrote the scripts for four episodes. Alex emigrated to Australia in 1981 where he died in 2001.

Copy of his obituary:

By Alan Plater - The Guardian, Thursday 17 May 2001.

…Alex moved to Australia because he suffered from arthritis and the climate in Perth was expected to give him some relief - and enable him to continue playing the guitar.

Alex started his career in WW2 forces broadcasting and once had a record in the German charts, an experience echoed when his recording of Dance To Thi Daddy - the theme music of the BBC series, When The Boat Comes In, for which he wrote some memorable episodes - made it to the charts.

This revealed Alex at his most characteristic. He refused resolutely to go on Top of the Pops, or do guest shots on any television variety shows. "I'm not a bloody commodity," he said. Once, prior to an ideologically-acceptable appearance on television with Henry Livings, he was appalled when a make-up girl tried to cut his hair "to match the picture in the Radio Times". "Leave my hair alone," he said. "I do not have a public image."

As a performer, maybe the most accurate description of him was chansonnier. He was multi-lingual and once spent an evening with Jake Thackray trying to work out the joke in a key verse of a Georges Brassens' song before making the triumphant discovery that the tag line was sung in French, but with a Belgian accent.

He figured if he was doing his job properly, he should always be in trouble.

But even his nearest and dearest were shocked when, in 1981, he left his native Gateshead and moved to Fremantle. The year before, he and Henry Livings had appeared at the Perth Festival in their legendary road show, The Northern Drift, and Alex fell in love with the place.

He and wife Paddy celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in mid-air on their way to a new life. He justified the move with his special brew of unchallengeable assertions. "They're wonderful people. They're all like Geordies. And do you realise, 70% of the world's wild flowers are in Western Australia?" His Letters from a Pom, and Henry Livings's replies, were a regular feature in the Guardian during the early period of his migration.

The last few years of his life were cursed with illness of a particularly cruel nature. He went bravely but not gently. Gentle wasn't his style, except within the family. He lived long enough to take photographs of his first grandchild. He is survived by Paddy, and by his children, Richard, Daniel and Ruth.

The copy here for download was supplied by Jimmy Barnes, many thanks Jim!

http://rapidshare.com/files/343352885/alex_glasgow_-_when_the_boat_come_in.mp3

GO CHASE YOUR RAINBOW - BOBBY RUSSELL

2010-01-15T12:38:00.000-08:00

Why did I put this song on the blog? Here is a copy of some correspondence from a regular contributor...

...Have you ever thought about putting 'Go Chase Your Rainbow' by Bobby Russell on your blog. I think Australia was the only place it charted. Got to No. 11 in 1974 in N.S.W. Bobby, of course, was a very successful songwriter, having written 'Honey' for Bobby Goldsboro, 'The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia' and 'Ships In The Night' for Vicki Lawrence (his then wife) and 'Little Green Apples' (hits for both O.C. Smith and Roger Miller) to name a few. He had his own minor turntable hits in the early 70's with 'Saturday Morning Confusion' (although I think it was bigger overseas) and '1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero' and 'Our Love (Will Rise Up Again)'...'Go Chase Your Rainbow' is a very hard song to find - you very kindly got me a great CD copy to replace my vinyl. I've always loved the song. Anyway I'll leave the thought with you....Al.

Well, yes Al, the single of "Go Chase Your Rainbow" I've only found once on CD, over 2 decades ago and it has never been released by a commercial company since. Here from CD is a copy of "Go Chase Your Rainbow":

http://rapidshare.com/files/335858133/Bobby_Russell_-_Go_Chase_Your_Rainbow.mp3

HOWEVER DARK THE NIGHT - CAESARE

2010-01-04T21:45:00.000-08:00

The single "However Dark The Night" has a raw edge to it as it was recorded for the soundtrack to the 1980 movie The Idolmaker. The lead singer is credited as Caesare which was the charcter played by actor Peter Gallagher. This was Peter's first role in film. Peter is always popping up in small movies and TV roles. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the TV drama The O.C.

The song was written by legendary muso Jeff Barry who's done everything from writing for Neil Diamond, The Crystals, The Monkees, Carole King to the Archies and more...he co-wrote "I Honestly Love You" with Oz muso Peter Allen...he co-wote "River Deep, Mountain High"....&c

"However Dark The Night" was not a massive hit in Oz but is worthy of being at least realeased on CD as I don't think the movie soundtrack has ever been digitised. The DVD of the movie comes out every so often, if you haven't seen it, you should.

Enjoy!

http://rapidshare.com/files/330529726/Caesare__Peter_Gallagher__-_However_Dark_The_Night.mp3

DOCTOR FRANKENSTEIN'S DISCO PARTY - JOHNNY WAKELIN

2010-01-02T18:59:00.000-08:00

Johnny Wakelin came from Sussex England and had 2 major hits in the 1970s "Black Superman" and "In Zaire". Both songs were about boxing legend Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali).

What do you do when you run out of boxing ideas and want a third hit, hmmm? Cash in on the disco craze and go for the lamest lyrics ever!

Johnny decided to take a very catchy unknown instrumental disco riff and get some buddies to write new English lyrics hence "Doctor Frankenstein's Disco Party". The music was originally written by Harold Faltermeier of "Axel-F" fame - the theme for the movie "Beverly Hills Cop".

"Doctor Frankenstein's Disco Party" did get some airplay in Oz and charted in the lower reaches of the Top 100 in some states. It bombed in most parts of the world and I don't think it has ever made it to CD...

Here is an extended Tom Mix version of "Doctor Frankenstein's Disco Party":

http://rapidshare.com/files/329506581/johnny_wakelin_-_doctor_frankenstein_s_disco_party__ext_tom_mix_.mp3

MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' - JOE JEFFREY

2009-12-26T21:55:00.000-08:00

The Joe Jeffrey Group consisted of Joe Jeffrey (lead vocals and guitar - born Joseph Stafford Jr. in Cleveland, Ohio), Al Russ (bass), Charles Perry (percussion) and Ron Browning (drums).

In 1970 Australia, Joe’s version of “My Baby Loves Lovin’” did big business in Sydney NSW while the original UK version by group White Plains beat it in most other states. The reason it did better in Sydney was because Joe’s first hit “My Pledge Of Love” sold well there previously in 1969.

As you can see from the Oz record label above it was released under Joe's name not under the name of the whole group…every Top 40 chart book issued since credits the song to the whole group, I don’t know why?

Singles:

My Pledge Of Love / Margie - 1969
Dreamin' Till Then / The Train – 1969
Hey Hey Woman / The Chance Of Loving You – 1969
My Baby Loves Lovin' / The Chance Of Loving You – 1970
A Hundred Pounds Of Clay / Power Of Love – 1970

Here for download is Joe Jeffrey with “My Baby Loves Lovin’”:

http://rapidshare.com/files/326415013/Joe_Jeffery_-_My_Baby_Loves_Lovin.mp3

BEACH BOY GOLD - GIDEA PARK

2009-12-23T19:27:00.000-08:00

UK pop artist Adrian Baker has been a member of various groups starting from in the 1960s to present day. His work also includes a number of years when he played live with the Beach Boys as part of their touring band.

When the big megamix craze happened in the 1980s Adrian who was on hiatus from playing with the Beach Boys decided to cash in and record a medley of their songs, "Beach Boy Gold", which also included songs by Jan and Dean and other surf groups. He released the medley under the group name of Gidea Park.

The single 7" mix of "Beach Boy Gold" hit the airwaves in Oz and did really well. It was also issued as a longer 12" mix. The former has not been on CD where as the latter is often issued on surf compilation CDs.

Capitol records issued a megamix by the real Beach Boys to try and compete with Gidea Park. The 7" single was edited from the 12" vinyl mix. The 12" vinyl mix had 2 versions: the pop songs mixed on one side and the ballads on the flip side. These 12" mixes have been issued on CD.

Here for download is the single edit of "Beach Boy Gold":

http://rapidshare.com/files/324978228/gidea_park_-_beach_boy_gold.mp3

EL RANCHO ROCK - THE CHAMPS

2009-12-23T19:17:00.000-08:00

The Champs are best known for their big selling song "Tequila" which still gets a spin when I do mobile disco work. It has made the boys very rich...considering it was actually the b-side of the original single...but that's another story...

After their initial hit, the group had a string of less successful instrumental hits. One of these was "El Rancho Rock" which was released in Oz on the Leedon label. It was the label's 6th release.

Here for download is the single mix of "El Rancho Rock":

http://rapidshare.com/files/324990119/the_champs_-_el_rancho_rock.mp3

ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN - JIMMIE RODGERS

2009-12-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

Jimmie Rodgers has other songs on this blog. Please use search facility to locate them.

Jimmie was an American singer whose hits included many non-American traditional songs like "Waltzing Matilda" and "English Country Garden". I have a suspicion that Jimmie sang so many non-American standards to get a foothold in lucrative overseas markets and of course with old traditional songs you don't have to pay royalties.

He certainly had a big chart run in the 1960s right through until the early 1970s. One of his last singles was "Windmills Of Your Mind" which was released around 1971 on the A&M label.

Here for download is the original mono single mix of "An English Country Garden":

http://rapidshare.com/files/324990116/jimmie_rodger_-_english_country_garden.mp3

DON'T YOU JUST KNOW IT - HUEY SMITH AND THE CLOWNS

2009-12-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

There are many artists which show up on the old Leedon label started by Lee Gordon in the late 1950s. He has other artists on this blog. Please use search facility to locate them.

The 3rd single to be unleashed on the new Leedon label was "Don't You Just Know It" in 1958 by popsters Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns.

By olden day standards it did well and was Top 20 in Sydney.

Here for download is a cleaned-up copy of the old single of "Don't You Just Know It" in glorious mono:

http://rapidshare.com/files/324990115/Huey_Smith___the_Clowns_-_Don_t_You_Just_Know_It.mp3

MY KNIGHT IN BLACK LEATHER (7") - BETTE MIDLER

2009-12-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

In 1979 Bette Midler put out a very camp disco song called "My Knight In Black Leather". It was a great dance track. Bette must have had her tongue firmly planted in her cheek. The single did big business in Oz but only minor business in the USA.

The album version went for nearly 5 mins but the edited single ran 3:30 mins. The vinyl single is hard to locate nowadays and I don't think the edited version has ever been on CD.

Here for download is the single edit of "My Knight In Black Leather":

http://rapidshare.com/files/324990113/bette_midler_-_my_knight_in_black_leather__tom_mix_edit_.mp3

ANY DREAM WILL DO - MAX BYGRAVES

2009-12-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

In 1973 veteran UK entertainer Max Bygraves had a hit with a song from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. The song “Any Dream Will Do” was covered by many artists but his version made it into the Top 10 biggest hits of the year…

The 1973 Year End Charts:

01. Tie A Yellow Ribbon - Dawn
02. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Picket
03. For The Good Times - Perry Como
04. And I Love You So - Perry Como
05. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
06. You're So Vain - Carly Simon
07. Never, Never, Never - Shirley Bassey
08. Any Dream Will Do - Max Bygraves
09. I Am Pegasus - Ross Ryan
10. Top Of The World - The Carpenters

It is one of those songs which is hard to find on CD. For download is an extended 12" Tom Mix version of “Any Dream Will Do”:

http://rapidshare.com/files/324490515/max_bygraves_-_any_dream_will_do__extended_tom_mix_.mp3

LOOKING AFTER NO.1 - BOOMTOWN RATS

2009-12-22T10:40:00.001-08:00

The Boomtown Rats were an Irish rock band that scored a series of UK hits between 1977 and 1980 and were led by vocalist Bob Geldof, who organised the Ethiopian relief efforts, Band Aid and Live Aid. Bob was instrumental in organising songs like “Do They Know It’s Christmas”, raising millions of dollars for people in drought and war stricken areas.

All original six members were originally from Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. The name "Boomtown Rats" comes from Woody Guthrie's autobiography, Bound for Glory. They became a notable band, but one whose accomplishments were overshadowed by Geldof, a former journalist with the New Musical Express magazine. The group moved to London in October 1976, and became associated with the punk rock movement. Signing a recording contract with Ensign Records, they released their debut single, "Looking After No.1", in August 1977. It was the first of nine straight singles to make the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart.

Here for download is their first single "Looking After No.1", which as you can see was taken from a vinyl 7” that Bob signed for English friends Peter and Heidi…who moved to Newcastle Australia...

http://rapidshare.com/files/324480376/boomtown_rats_-_looking_after_no.1.mp3

I BELIEVE I'M GONNA LOVE YOU - FRANK SINATRA

2009-12-03T01:15:00.000-08:00

Francis "Frank" Sinatra had a long career and when I was just a kid the first song I ever heard him do was his minor hit from 1975 called "I Believe I'm Gonna Love You" which as it turns out has been done by many other people.

Frank was mostly on EMI subsidiaries but went to the Reprise label in the 1970s. His change of label also brought a softer edge to his orchestrations and for some reason his Reprise work lacks the punch and clarity of his earlier work. Maybe he was just getting older?

Today is my 32nd wedding anniversary so to celebrate I have placed this old chestnut on the blog for lovers everywhere to enjoy!

Here for download is the single version of "I Believe I'm Gonna Love You":

http://rapidshare.com/files/315625797/Frank_Sinatra_-_I_Believe_I_m_Gonna_Love_You.mp3

PRETTY MAID - TONY MARSHALL

2009-11-20T10:46:00.001-08:00

In 1973 in Australia one of the biggest hits of the year was "Pretty Maid" by Tony Marshall. Tony's song was first a hit in 1971 in Germany (his homeland) where it was called "Schöne Maid". The original German version had tweeting birds at the start but the musical arrangement was basically the same.

Pete Bellotte who wrote the English lyrics for "Pretty Maid" has been churning out hits for many years. Pete was a British lyricist and producer, most notable for his collaborations with Giorgio Moroder. His hits include "Hot Stuff", "I Feel Love", "Love To Love You Baby" and "Son Of My Father".

Tony Marshall was born February 3, 1938 in Baden-Baden as Herbert Anton Bloeth. He changed his name to Herbert Anton Hilger before changing for a third time to Tony Marshall. He settled on the name Tony Marshall in about 1965 when he started training as an opera singer at Karlsruher College of Music.

Before his opera career took off Tony made the German top 40 with his first single "Schöne Maid". Since then he has had many hits in Germany but is considered a one-hit-wonder in Oz.

In 1976 a disco version of "Pretty Maid" was issued by Pretty Maid Company (click label at right).

Here is the English version of "Pretty Maid" by Tony Marshall:

http://rapidshare.com/files/309782714/Tony_Marshall_-_Pretty_Maid.mp3

MONKEY SPANNER (VERSION) - DAVE AND ANSELL COLLINS

2009-11-15T02:41:00.000-08:00

Dave and Ansell Collins were a Jamaican vocal/instrumental duo (Ansell's name has been spelt many ways over the years: Ansil or Ansel).

Dave Barker (born David John Crooks, 10 October 1947 in Kingston, Jamaica) was a session vocalist, and Ansell Collins (born 1949, also in Kingston) was a keyboard player. They were working for producer Lee "Scratch" Perry in Kingston in the late 1960s, and joined forces in 1971, for the reggae single "Double Barrel". Released by Festival music on the Interfusion label in Oz, it topped the charts in that year. It was the first record that drummer Sly Dunbar (then 14) ever played on.

The follow-up release, the similarly styled "Monkey Spanner" enjoyed the same international success. There were 2 versions issued on the 7" vinyl the A-side and the AA-side.

Here in Oz the instrumental version AA-side was the one that made the charts in most states but has not been on CD yet. The vocal version is the one most commonly released. Here for download is the rare Oz hit mix:

http://rapidshare.com/files/307295048/dave_and_ansel_collins_-_monkey_spanner__instrumental_version___vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

S S SINGLE BED (TOM MIX 12") - FOX

2009-11-07T03:43:00.000-08:00

Aussie born artist Susan Traynor went off to American for an adventure holiday and got tangled up with Kenny Young (writer of "Under The Boardwalk"). After 1970 she went to the UK with him while he worked writing songs for Brit groups and artists.

The group Fox were a UK band formed by Kenny Young. Susan started out doing backing vocals, then lead vocals and eventually she changed her name to Noosha Fox and became the focus of the first album. The second album had Kenny doing most of the vocals. Noosha took over lead vocals again after the second album sank and this is when the single of "S S Single Bed" was released and it made her an instant #1 in Oz and in other places. After its success the Oz music companies released a couple of her first singles "Only You Can" and "Imagine Me, Imagine You".

Noosha went solo by the end of the 1970s but the hits dried up. She has never returned to her homeland.

Here for download is a Tom Mix 12" extended remix of "S S Single Bed":

http://rapidshare.com/files/303595692/Fox_-_SSSingle_Bed__Ext_Tom_Mix_2009_.mp3

ONLY YOU - WAYNE NEWTON

2009-11-03T00:15:00.000-08:00

Wayne Newton was a star of the 1960s but still performs in Las Vegas. His hits are known around the world. In 1964 he had a remake of an older song that seems to have done big business in Oz but not so overseas. The song "Only You" has had numerous interpretations over the years. Ringo Starr and Harry Nilsson even had a top 40 hit in 1974 with pretty much the same arrangement.

Wayne Newton's version charted well in Sydney and did big business in NSW. This track is one I found and fixed up for Alan Katzmann and his audiophile friends who are collecting all the chart hits heard on Sydney radio 2UE from 1956 to 1974.

http://rapidshare.com/files/301732541/Wayne_Newton_-_Only_You.mp3

KING OF THE COPS - BILLY HOWARD

2009-10-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

UK comedian Billy Howard did a great job of impersonating half a dozen TV cops and had a hit in 1976 with a ditty called "King Of The Cops" which used the Roger Miller song "King Of The Road" as its backing song. I think that Roger Miller got most of the royalties for the A-side.

The B-side is "Bond Is A Four Letter Word" which nowadays sounds funnier than the A-side as most of the young folks of today would have no idea who the impersonated cops were on the A-side. The B-side is a Sean Connery spoof which still works well and will give you a few chuckles...

This record was sent by Neale Judd from WA who has asked for help cleaning up the old vinyl versions as the songs have not appeared on CD anywhere in the world.

They are in a zip file with a password: http://tommixmusic2.blogspot.com/

http://rapidshare.com/files/292747068/bill_howard_hits.zip

JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE - JIMMIE RODGERS

2009-10-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

Alan Katzmann, friend and regular contributor to this blog and my Tom Mix Oz Music blog, asked me to put this song on here for download because, as he says, most people in Oz heard this version on the top 40 back in 1960 but it has not been on CD.

"Just A Closer Walk With Thee" by Jimmie Rodgers got to #1 for a few weeks in 1960 and was a big hit Oz-wide...sadly the modern day younger CD compilers keep on issuing the wrong version...in fact the only version available is completely different to the hit single version.

Many thanks Al for your continued support and suggestions...

http://rapidshare.com/files/292706734/Jimmie_Rodgers_-_Just_A_Closer_Walk_With_Thee.mp3

MOVIE MEDLEY (MONO TOM MIX) - THE FAB 4

2009-10-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

The only official megamix by The Fab 4 was called "Movie Medley" it was put out by Capital records in the USA and it charted well here in Oz. It was made with a matching film clip with parts taken from various movies in which The Fab 4 had appeared.

The songs in the megamix are:

Magical Mystery Tour
All You Need Is Love
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
I Should Have Known Better
A Hard Day's Night
Ticket To Ride
Get Back

When faced with tracking this down on CD I was not able to find it for ages so I made my own mono version which is similar to the official stereo version but has a few surprises - the tambourine which Ringo shakes in "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" has been dubbed over other parts and the end has the dialogue from the bootleg "Get Back" rooftop sessions.

I have found and purchased the stereo version on CD from a secret source in England (thank you George M.) but it is not on any of The Fab 4's official CDs as of yet.

The zip file has the password: http://tommixmusic2.blogspot.com/

For download is the Tom Mix mono version of "Movie Medley":

http://rapidshare.com/files/290136734/movie_medley.zip

MEGAREX (SINGLE EDIT) - T REX

2009-10-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

English rockers Marc Bolan and T Rex had numerous 1970s glam rock singles so when the 1980s came along and making mega-mixes of artist's greatest hits was in vogue then it wasn't long until Sanny-X of Disco Mix Club created a set of T Rex mixes called the "MegaRex" set.

There were four different versions that all came out in May 1985 they were:

"MegaRex 1" 12" (5:30 mins)
"MegaRex 2" 12" (8:23 mins)
"MegaRex 3" 12" (5:32 mins)
"MegaRex 4" 7" (3 mins).

"MegaRex 1" contains songs: Tame My Tiger, Chrome Sitar, Solid Baby.

"MegaRex 2" contains songs: Truck On (Tyke), The Groover, Get It On (Bang A Gong), Telegram Sam, Shock Rock, Metal Guru, 20th Century Boy, Children Of The Revolution, Hot Love.

"MegaRex 3" contains songs: Truck On (Tyke), The Groover, Get It On (Bang A Gong), Telegram Sam, Shock Rock, Metal Guru, 20th Century Boy, Children Of The Revolution.

MegaRex 2 and 3 have been released on CD but the edited 3 min single mix has not to my knowledge surfaced anywhere in the world. Originally this version was released in Oz on black vinyl but overseas it was on a picture disk (click picture above).

Tracks included in the "MegaRex 4" single edit are:

Metal Guru

20th Century Boy

Children Of The Revolution

Here for download is the single edit of "MegaRex 4":

http://rapidshare.com/files/290027206/t_rex_-_megarex__single_version_tom_mix_edit_.mp3

LIVING DOLL (12") - CLIFF RICHARD AND THE YOUNG ONES WITH HANK MARVIN

2009-10-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

Cliff Richard had a major hit in Oz in 1986 with his remake of his old 1960s pop hit "Living Doll" done for the UK charity group called Comic Relief. It was the first record to be issued by the charity which is also responsible for Red Nose Day.

Cliff did the fund raising song with the team from The Young Ones TV show not realising his fan base in Oz would also latch onto this song and send it to #1 in the top 40.

Here for download is a Tom Mix exclusive version using the rare CD version of the single mixed with dialogue from the 12" vinyl mix.

http://rapidshare.com/files/289638452/cliff_richard_and_the_young_ones_-_living_doll__cd_tom_mix_.mp3

HOLE IN MY SHOE (12") - NEIL PYE

2009-09-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

In 1984 English actor Nigel Planer in character as Neil Pye from the TV show The Young Ones reached #2 in the UK charts with a version of Traffic’s “Hole In My Shoe”.

The TV show cast members had another hit in 1986 with their comedy version of "Living Doll" which was a Cliff Richard hit from yesteryear. Cliff generously allowed them to use the track as well as appear in the clip. Both songs were for charity and both sold well in Oz. In fact the "Living Doll" track was so popular it was released as an extended 12" mix and made it to #1 for many weeks.

Neil's hit song “Hole In My Shoe” was backed with a remix called "The Paranoid Remix". For this download I have joined both versions to make a "complete" new version of this track.

Wow man, like totally enjoy!

http://rapidshare.com/files/283730596/neil_-_hole_in_my_shoe__tom_mix_paranoid_edit_.mp3

TAKE ME BACK TO HOLLYWOOD (12") - TED GARDESTAD

2009-09-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

Ted Gardestad (b: 1956 d: 1997) was a Swedish singer, songwriter and musician. He had been helped along the way by the members of Abba and their production team at Polar Music. It was Ted’s 1978 album Blue Virgin Isles which got him first recognised in Oz. It contained the hit “Take Me Back To Hollywood”. Although there was no Abba involvement on the album Ted does thank Stig Anderson, ABBA and the Polar family in the credits.

Molly Meldrum flogged “Take Me Back To Hollywood” relentlessly on Countdown and eventually it became a hit. The track contains an interesting Oz connection. The backing choir contains Oz singer Vanetta Fields who is widely known as a singer in the backing group of John Farnham. Vanetta cut her musical teeth in the 1960s being a member of Ike and Tina Turner’s backing singers The Ikettes.

The album Blue Virgin Isles was recorded in Hollywood and Stockholm and many international artists were used as backing vocalists. David Cassidy, John Mayall and Dr. John were just some...

Here for download is an extended 5:20 min Tom Mix 12" of Ted's big hit “Take Me Back To Hollywood” taken from the 8 CD box set pictured above which went on sale in 2009.

It is in a zip file with a password: http://tommixmusic2.blogspot.com/

http://rapidshare.com/files/283370383/TED_12_INCH.zip

THE LONE RANGER (12") - QUANTUM JUMP

2009-09-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

Another song that was a hit in Oz was a piece favoured by Kenny Everett on his TV show which was on at 6 pm on the ABC. "The Lone Ranger" had an intriguing introduction that was used in many episodes when they needed a 15 second link between segments. The opening line which sounded like some kind of Indian tribal chant was in reality a cleverly disguised reading of the name of the highest peak in New Zealand: Taumata-whaka-tangi-hanga-kuayuwo-tamate-aturi-pukaku-piki-maunga-horonuku-pokaiawhen-uaka-tana-tahu-mataku-atanganu-akawa-miki-tora.

Quantum Jump was a quirky studio group put together by Rupert Hine in 1973 - Rupert is in the centre of the group picture above. After the release of 2 albums the band called it quits when they didn't have much commercial success. Then when "The Lone Ranger" single took off they went back and put together some more tracks on a third "Best of" album.

"The Lone Ranger" single released in 1976 was a bit of a sleeper in the UK but for us here in Oz we got in early on the action. The song was banned too in some places around the world because it implied Tonto and the Texas Ranger were more than just good friends...but in Oz they had an edited "safe" version which was distributed to various radio stations.

There were 2 original mixes of the song. Their length was roughly the same (about 3 mins) but the 12" mix on blue vinyl had a few dubbed sections and backwards parts on the end.

Here for download is a Tom Mix remix 12" using both original versions with some clever editing and sampling. Enjoy the new 5:20 min version!

http://rapidshare.com/files/282080219/Quantum_Jump_-_The_Lone_Ranger__Ext_Hi_Ho_Tom_Mix_2009_.mp3

IKO IKO (12") - THE BELLE STARS

2009-09-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

The Bell Stars were a UK group of ladies who hit the big time in the 1980s. Originally the group was called The Bodysnatchers. One of their early hits was "Iko Iko" and another was "The Clapping Song" which was a traditional rhyme turned into pop. It made it to #4 in Oz. This track was also a minor hit for Garry Glitter in the early 1970s and a major hit for Shirley Ellis in 1965.

Singles

"Hiawatha" (Stiff Records) 1981 - UK
"Slick Trick" (Stiff Records) 1981 - UK
"Another Latin Love Song EP" (Stiff Records) 1982 - UK
"Iko Iko" (Stiff Records) 1982 - UK # 35
"The Clapping Song" (Stiff Records) 1982 - UK # 11, AUS # 4
"Mockingbird" (Stiff Records) 1982 - UK # 51
"Sign of The Times" (Stiff Records) 1983 - UK # 3, AUS # 45
"Sweet Memory" (Stiff Records) 1983 - UK # 22
"Indian Summer" (Stiff Records) 1983 - UK # 52
"The Entertainer" (Stiff Records) 1983
"80's Romance" (Stiff Records) 1984 - UK # 71
"World Domination" (Stiff Records) 1986 - UK, US Dance # 5
"Iko Iko" (Stiff Records) 1989 - US # 14, AUS # 7

"Iko Iko" was released again in 1989 and included in the soundtrack of the movie "Rain Man". There was also an extended vinyl version which was remixed with a new "bonus beats" drum and bass line. It is this version I have used for this download.

http://rapidshare.com/files/279450082/belle_stars_-_iko_iko__tom_mix_123_bonus_beats_.mp3

GETTING SO EXCITING - LEE KOSMIN

2009-09-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

Lee Kosmin was a North Londoner who in the 1970s was touring the UK pub circuit with his band The Lee Kosmin Band and having the occasional single released. He is still available for bookings in London as I write. These days I think he sings as a duo with a female singing partner.

Lee Kosmin as a solo artist had a cool number in the Oz charts in 1981-2. It was a track that took the mickey out of all those house parties where young singles met to booze, hook up and etc....the best line in the lyrics involves the word "cliché". Oh, and also listen for the kettle boiling in the kitchen!

The song "Getting So Exciting" is reminiscent of Joe Jackson's style, where the singer seems to merely observe and report.

Here for download is the original single of "Getting So Exciting":

http://rapidshare.com/files/267484067/lee_kosmin_-_getting_so_exciting__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

HOLD MY HAND (ARIA) - CARLO SANTANNA

2009-09-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Carlo Paul Santanna (born 29 June 1949, near Rome, Italy) is a noted guitar player/singer whose credits include being in the UK pop group "Paper Lace" that won the UK talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1974 and had 4 sizeable hits in Oz and around the world. Their 4 hits were: "Billy, Don't Be A Hero", "The Night Chicago Died", "The Black-Eyed Boys" and a remake of "Hitchin' A Ride". Nottingham's pop group Paper Lace started out being called Music Box in 1969.

Carlo Santanna's one and only Oz hit "Hold My Hand (Aria)" came out in 1976 on the Philips label. It was written by 3 people: Sergio Bardotti, Dario Baldan-Bembo and Thumpston. Sergio and Dario were well known Italian writers/singers whose original song called "Aria" was translated into English by Thumpston.

According to a visiting contributor John McKenzie, all vocals were done by Carlo. Carlo is nowadays John's manager and still in the music business. Thanks for the information John.

Not long after Carlo's version came out, jazz muso Acker Bilk (born: Bernard Stanley Bilk) produced an instrumental version just called "Aria" and it was credited to Acker Bilk his Clarinet and Strings, it was released on the Astor label. It reached #5 in the UK.

Not long after the Bilk version was out another was released by Roger Whittaker called "Here We Stand (Aria)" - same song, different name and less orchestration. It was on his RCA album Reflections Of Love.

Norman Newell then penned new English lyrics to the song for Shirley Bassey and the title became “Born To Lose”. She started using the song in 1977 on tour in Japan.

The Italian singer Ornella Vanoni has later also sung “Aria” in English, but with different English lyrics penned by Ben Raleigh.

Since it was released to the English speaking world the song just keeps on evolving. Here for download is the Carlo Santanna version of "Hold My Hand (Aria)" that kicked it off:

http://rapidshare.com/files/267766679/carlo_santanna_-_hold_my_hand__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

JUST SO LONELY (12") - GET WET

2009-09-05T04:37:00.000-07:00

"Just So Lonely" by USA group Get Wet is a well remembered top 40 hit from 1981.

The song briefly charted in the USA top 40 and then sank into oblivion but in Oz "Just So Lonely" spent over 5 months (23 weeks) on the singles charts, peaking at #15. The song was produced by the legendary Phil Ramone.

This retro-flavoured gem draws comparisons to the sound of '60s girl groups such as The Crystals or The Dixie Cups but with a new-wave twist. The Get Wet self-titled album went largely unnoticed outside Australia and the follow-up single a cover of Connie Francis' million-selling smash, "Where The Boys Are" briefly charted in Oz and flopped in most foreign markets.

The original single of “Just So Lonely” was 3 minutes long and the album version had a different ending that made it slightly longer. By using both versions from CD copies and adding a completely new drum track I have made a new 5:30 min version that still packs a wallop!

By the way if the drumming on the original single sounds familiar that's because it was done by Liberty Devitto, the drummer from Billy Joel's backing band.

Band members:

Sherri Beachfront (surname is really Lewis) - lead vocals.

Zecca Esquibel - piano, electric keyboards.

Louie LePore - guitar.

Doug Stegmeyer - bass.

Liberty Devitto - drums.

Arno Hecht - sax.

Here for download is the Tom Mix 12" version of "Just So Lonely":

http://rapidshare.com/files/275928395/get_wet_-_just_so_lonely__ultimate_tom_mix_2008_.mp3

JUST WANT TO TASTE YOUR WINE (EXTENDED TOM MIX 12") - BILLY SWAN

2009-09-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

Billy Swan (born Billy Lance Swan May 12th 1942 Cape Girardeau Missouri) is an American pop and country singer whose big 1974 hit “I Can Help” is still played on radio across the world today. The organ used on this track was a wedding present from Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. Billy did the song in just one take with no overdubs….pretty good, eh!

One of his following tracks “Just Want To Taste Your Wine” was a hit in early 1976 here in Oz but it hardly gets a run on radio these days. I don’t think anyone in Oz has ever put it on a compilation CD although it has appeared on Billy’s Greatest Hits CD in America. “Just Want To Taste Your Wine” features backing by The Jordanaires, the same crew that once backed Elvis.

After his time in the spotlight Billy became a backing singer and session muso.

Here for download is an extended 4 minute Tom Mix version of “Just Want To Taste Your Wine” from a CD copy:

http://rapidshare.com/files/275757160/Billy_Swan_-_Just_Want_to_Taste_Your_Wine__Ext_Tom_Mix_.mp3

DISCO DUCK (2009 TECHNO TOM MIX REMIX) - RICK DEES

2009-08-31T02:28:00.000-07:00

Rick Dees was an American radio DJ who struck the big time by creating a dance novelty song in the middle of the disco boom of the late 1970s. "Disco Duck" was originally marketed on a 7" vinyl single with Part-1 (vocal mix) on side A, and Part-2 (instrumental mix) on side B. There was a also a promotional 6 minute 12" disco remix of the record issued to some of the big clubs and discos in America to help fast track this song to the top of the charts. The 12" mix was not issued in Oz and not readily available outside the metropolitan areas, as most of the 12" records sold were import copies.

The song "Disco Duck" is still fondly remembered by us oldies but in today's modern era the weak disco beat of this track means it hardly gets played because today's kids, more or less, enjoy a more techno sound...

Here for the first time is a DJ Tom Mix remake which takes some of the old "Disco Duck" charm and mixes it with the new techno beats...

If you like this kind of "old meets new" concept then on my other blog is a remix of Marty Rhone's hit "A Mean Pair Of Jeans"...(click link)

http://tommixmusic.blogspot.com/2008/03/download-no2.html

Here for download is a 6 minute 2009 Techno Tom Mix of "Disco Duck":

http://rapidshare.com/files/273790329/rick_dees_-_disco_duck__ext_tom_mix_2009_.mp3

RADIO (12") - THE MEMBERS

2009-08-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Martin Rushent was a supremo UK record producer whose bands included ABC and The Human League. One of his more interesting collaborations got the UK pop group The Members their biggest hit in Oz. Martin Rushent is famous for layering and adding numerous types of echoes over the original work and his mix of this song goes to the fullest extreme. The single version of "Radio" hit the charts and clubs in 1982 and stayed around for most of the year. The extended 12" mix named "Radio - Dub Version" ran about 5 minutes...it contained very few vocal lines. The flipside of the 12" had the regular 3 minute single version which contained all the vocals.

Musos in the band included:

Nicky Tesco
Gary Baker
Jean Marie Carrol
Steve Morley
Clive Parker
Nigel Bennett
Chris Payne
Adrian Lillywhite
Rudi Thompson
Simon Lloyd

The Members had a couple of lesser known singles:
1 "The Sound Of The Suburbs"
2 "Offshore Banking Business"
3 "Romance"

4 "Killing Time"

5 "Flying Again"

6 "Going West"

By 1982 they had switched labels to Island Records and this is where their major hit was recorded. After leaving Virgin in 1981, they broadened their sound by introducing a full-time horn section, Steve 'Rudi' Thompson (ex-X Ray Spex) and Simon Lloyd (Bananarama and Icehouse) and embracing funk and rap as well as reggae. The one-off single, Radio, was released on Island and became a hit in Oz.

The band then enjoyed an American hit by reaching out to the burgeoning MTV generation with "Working Girl".

For download is the Dub Version of "Radio" mixed with the Vocal Version. It runs about 6 mins total. This is an exclusive remix made by Tom Mix Studios. Enjoy!

http://rapidshare.com/files/272658421/the_members_-_radio__dub_and_single_vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES (12") - DOOBIE BROS

2009-08-28T02:57:00.000-07:00

The Doobie Bros were not brothers by kin or blood. The group were named after a type of "herbal" cigarette.

They kicked off their career with the hit "Listen To The Music" back in 1972 and were still churning out hits in the 1980s. Their line-up changed, their style evolved but most of all they became a dance mix sensation when many of their old hits were given re-makes and do-overs. "Long Train Running" the club remix outsold its original single mix. "Listen To The Music" was also given new life in the clubs of the 1990s.

During 1978, in their second incarnation the Doobie's lead singer had become Michael McDonlad whose smooth delivery and high voice gave them a new edge. This was also the era of the extended version or club mix....hence the extended version of "What A Fool Believes" which has only ever been released on vinyl. The song was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The remix label shows that an additional percussion track was added and the artist has been credited...otherwise it sounds much like the single version.

http://rapidshare.com/files/272521416/doobie_brothers_-_what_a_fool_believes__s_w_ext_vinyl_tom_mix_-cr.mp3

MA'M THIBAULT (DISCO VERSION) - TRANQUILLE

2009-08-24T02:09:00.000-07:00

"Ma'm Thibault" by Tranquille was a great instrumental disco track from 1977. It made an appearance here in Oz on the Miracle label once owned by Robbie Porter. The long version was about 6:50 mins and the single was 3:00 mins. The song was a big club hit and I doubt if people knew exactly what they were dancing to as it only had a few words and they were in French.

The original non-disco version of "Ma'm Thibault" (Mrs Thibault) was by Canadian TV puppet Mr. Calm (Monsieur Tranquille) but a local Canadian producer thought the track was strong enough to stand alone as a disco instrumental which had the occasional shout of "Ma'm Thibault" sung by an exasperated Mr. Calm (Monsieur Tranquille). To distance themselves from the TV show the song's producer listed the artist of the disco mix as Tranquille. The show which featured Monsieur Tranquille and Madame Thibault was the Canadian equivalent of The Muppets (sort of)! Here in Australia the single mix was also placed on Disco Fever the double K-Tel dance album.

This song is like the classic "Mah-na Mah-na" song written by Piero Umiliani - a hit for The Muppets. If you like The Muppets then see the next post below re Jim Henson.

Enjoy an extended disco classic "Ma'm Thibault":

http://rapidshare.com/files/270835394/tranquille_-_ma_m_thibault__ext_vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

RUBBER DUCKIE (12") - ERNIE

2009-08-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

James Maury "Jim" Henson, was one of the most widely known puppeteers in American television history. He was the creator of The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and the leading force behind their long run in the television series Sesame Street and The Muppet Show and films such as The Muppet Movie and The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

Jim popularized rubber ducks in 1970, performing “Rubber Duckie” which was sung by Jim’s character Ernie on Sesame Street. This track was actually the throw-away b-side and the theme to Sesame Street by The Kids was the a-side. The song is named after Ernie's toy, a rubber duck affectionately named Rubber Duckie....The song had two follow-ups, "Do De Rubber Duck" and "D.U.C.K.I.E," and Ernie frequently spoke to his duck and carried it with him in other segments of the show. On a special occasion, Little Richard would perform the song with Ernie.

Little known facts about “Rubber Duckie”:

The ‘famous’ rubber-duck-squeaking solo in the original version of the is squeaked by the song’s creator, Jeff Moss.

The toy rubber duck is considered a percussion instrument by the Boston Pops Orchestra who have played this song on occasion - they only allow the percussionists to play them.

There are several versions of this song, including a cover by Little Richard and a five-version CD in German, containing a “dance remix”.

“Rubber Duckie” is a bona-fide hit. In 1970 it made the Top 40 charts and stayed on for 7 weeks, peaking at number 1 in some parts of Australia! Nationally it ranked at #10.

Ernie's Duck's birthday is on January 13th.

Joe Raposo who worked with Henson and The Sesame Street Kids was responsible for the song "Sing...Sing A Song" which was a hit for The Carpenters around 1973.

Here for download is the original mono vinyl single of “Rubber Duckie” but extended to 3:00 mins by Tom Mix. For those lucky enough to find this track on CD you'll notice the stereo orchestration is slightly buried under the vocals unlike than the original mono single.

http://rapidshare.com/files/269952297/ernie_-_rubber_duckie__extended_tom_mix_.mp3

I WON'T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU - MAUREEN MCGOVERN

2009-08-21T03:40:00.000-07:00

"I Won't Last a Day Without You" is a song composed by Americans Paul Williams and Roger Nichols.

Paul Williams released his version as a single in 1973, but garnered only minor success in America. Maureen McGovern recorded the song and also released it as a single in 1973 (on her album The Morning After), with results similar to those of Williams. Eventually it became a hit single for The Carpenters in 1974.

Here in Oz in some places Maureen's version sold better than in the USA and in fact The Carpenter's version didn't do as well.

Maureen's version has made it to CD but sadly the version on CD is a new remix and the percussion has been more emphasized than on the original vinyl single.

Here for download is the original single mix from vinyl in glorious mono of Maureen McGovern's "I Won't Last a Day Without You":

http://rapidshare.com/files/269797925/maureen_mcgovern_-_i_won_t_last_a_day_without_you__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

AUSTRALIA - GOOD NEWS

2009-08-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

THIS VILLAGE PEOPLE SOUND-A-LIKE 12" DANCE HIT "AUSTRALIA" BY THE STUDIO GROUP "GOOD NEWS" WAS ON R.C.A. RECORDS. IT WAS A MASSIVE PUB AND CLUB HIT WHICH HAD AIRPLAY 1979-1980. THE SONG CHARTED AT VARIOUS STAGES IN DIFFERENT STATES. IT WAS WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY A EUROPEAN TEAM WHOSE CREDITS INCLUDE "HANDS UP" BY OTTAWAN (A FRENCH GROUP), "DISCO BOUZOUKI" BY THE GREAT DISCO BOUZOUKI BAND (A GREEK GROUP) AND OTHER DISCO HITS OF THE 1980S.

THE EXTENDED 12" VERSION OF THIS SONG HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO C.D. BUT THE COMMERCIAL SINGLE HAS NOT.

BELOW IS THE TOM MIX VINYL EDIT:

http://rapidshare.com/files/149224109/GOOD_NEWS_-_AUSTRALIA__VINYL_TOM_MIX_EDIT_.mp3

KLF MEGAMIX (TOM MIX) - KLF

2009-08-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Kopyright Liberation Front had a big string of hits that used sampling from other songs and they worked on creating their own band persona based on an ancient mythological race called The Mu-Mu who "supposedly" sailed from one side of the world to conquer America...

At one stage The KLF roped-in Tammy Wynette to do guest vocals and the resultant track "Justified And Ancient" was their biggest hit.

I have over the years collected all their work on CD and vinyl and have made 2 megamixes of their greatest hits. One is short and the other is slightly longer and concludes with the alter-ego hit Doctorin' The Tardis which they released under the name of The Time Lords.

Longest KLF megamix:

http://rapidshare.com/files/161904302/KLF_-_k_l_f_megamix__doctored_by_tom_mix_.mp3

Shortest KLF megamix:

http://rapidshare.com/files/158651391/KLF_-_k_l_f_megamedley__extended_tom_mix_2008_.mp3

HURRICANE (PART 1) - BOB DYLAN

2009-08-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

In 1975 Bob Dylan had a hit on his hands with "Hurricane" a mournful song about a boxer wrongly accused of killing a man...a cheery topic, eh?

It was a song which ran over 7 minutes but the radio edit was only 3:45 mins. The single edit has appeared on a commercial CD just once long ago.

The version used for this download is from the vinyl version released on the CBS Hall Of Fame series...the record is from America hence the large hole in the centre (see picture).

Here is the single edit of "Hurricane":

http://rapidshare.com/files/267798794/Bob_Dylan_-_Hurricane__Part_1_.mp3

WITCH DOCTOR - JOHNNY 'SCAT' BROWN

2009-08-15T04:13:00.000-07:00

Lee Gordon was an entrepreneur and recording artist who left America to set up shop in Oz. Johnny O’Keefe was one of his major acts. Lee set up an Oz record company called Leedon.

Amongst Leedon’s early releases were a couple of foreign singles credited to the mysterious Johnny 'Scat' Brown: "Indeed I Do" and "Mama Rock". The flip sides of both records were performed by totally different artists despite the fact the b-side of "Indeed I Do" also listed Johnny 'Scat' Brown as the singer. The performer of "Little Star", the flip of "Mama Rock" was shown as Moon Rockets, another mystery act.

"Indeed I Do" and "Mama Rock" had been recorded in the USA, featuring vocals performed by an Elvis Presley sound-alike singer, Johnny Powers. The singer's identity was unknown to Leedon staff at the time, as the tapes had been sent to them from the USA by Lee Gordon without any recording details. As a result, company manager Alan Heffernan created the pseudonym Johnny 'Scat' Brown.

These singles had been preceded by another Leedon single also billed to Johnny 'Scat' Brown which featured cover versions of current American chart hits, Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater" and David Seville's "Witch Doctor". However, after listening to the tracks it is evident this first Johnny 'Scat' Brown single release is a completely different artist as he has a slight lisp in places.

Some of these singles were released locally in the face of 'embargo' restrictions placed on them by publishing companies such as Chappell Music. In the picture you’ll note there is a duty stamp from this publishing company attached to the label.

According to former Leedon employee Max Moore, Heffernan's cousin discovered decades later (the 1970s), that although there was a real Johnny 'Scat' Brown performing in the USA, the person who had recorded "Indeed I Do" and "Mama Rock" was indeed noted rockabilly artist Johnny Powers. Johnny's CD of greatest hits is still available in America as I write, which includes the aforesaid singles.

A decent copy of the vinyl 45 rpm of "Witch Doctor" currently sells for about $40A. Here for free is a download of "Witch Doctor" and "Purple People Eater" by the anonymous singer working under the name of Johnny 'Scat' Brown:

"Witch Doctor"

http://rapidshare.com/files/267621997/johnny__scat__brown_-_witch_doctor__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

"Purple People Eater"

http://rapidshare.com/files/267627571/johnny__scat__brown_-_purple_people_eater__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

Dedication:
Mike, one of our long term family friends died suddenly today 15-8-2009 aged 53 leaving his wife to cope with not only his loss but the loss of her own father 3 days before. It is with reverence I leave this message of love and support for Rose M. our dear friend and her 2 sons - Tom & Liz.

IF YOU CAN PUT THAT IN A BOTTLE (12") - JOHN DAVIDSON

2009-08-12T04:48:00.000-07:00

John Davidson (born 13-12-1941) was an American singer and actor. John worked firstly on the Broadway stage. He was cast in many big shows in the 1960s working alongside many American superstars. John was also a TV game show host....the most widely known show he worked on was Hollywood Squares which in Oz was re-badged and called Celebrity Squares.

In 1967 John Davidson had a minor Oz hit with his version of "If You Can Put That In A Bottle" released on CBS records. Australian, Peter Doyle also had a competing version on Astor Records which did not chart - I am still hoping to find a copy of Peter's version.

Here for download is an extended Tom Mix version of "If You Can Put That In A Bottle":

http://rapidshare.com/files/266536935/john_davidson_-_if_you_can_put_that_in_a_bottle__vinyl_ext_tom_mix_.mp3

A CHA CHA AT THE OPERA (DISCO CONCERTO) - A CHA CHA AT THE OPERA

2009-08-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

Zues B. Held (born Bernd Held in Freiburg Germany 24th August 1950) was the producer and inspiration behind the UK Liverpool based group known as Dead Or Alive. Their greatest hit was "You Spin Me Right Round (Like A Record)" which still sells well all around the world and has numerous remixes floating in the disco stratosphere.

Zues B. Held also cut some interesting club mixes, one of them, "A Cha Cha At The Opera (Disco Concerto)" came out in 1982 on Island records, it didn't sell all that well in the USA but did OK in Europe and did well in the Oz club charts.

It followed the work pioneered by Malcolm MacLaren who put opera to a dance beat. It has a hook laden riff which would have been perfect for a Dead Or Alive song.

For download is the 12" mix:

http://rapidshare.com/files/265442250/a_cha_cha_at_the_opera_-_a_cha_cha_at_the_opera__ext_vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

TOM MIX ELO MEGAMIX - ELO

2009-08-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

The supergroup ELO fronted by Jeff Lynne had more than 20 hit singles and they are probably enjoying a great lifestyle from sales and royalties...

Some of their rare singles and b-sides include the "ELO Megamix" which was done in 1986 by Paul Dakeyne of DMC (Disco Mix Club) it was issued on the flipside of "Getting To The Point" - one of their lesser known songs. Paul's original ran about 9 mins and although mostly good it had some moments where the songs didn't join very well.

Out there in cyberspace some kind folks have already put the original "ELO Megamix" on blogs for download but to date I have never found one which sounds good or is in a 320kb format. Never one to rest, I recently set to work and made my own version but have used CD song masters to keep the fidelity high. It starts like the old Dakeyne version but adds more songs to the mix than his original and is only 8 mins long. It sounds great and the download is set at 320kb.

I have used a zip file with password: http://tommixmusic2.blogspot.com/

The Tom Mix "ELO Megamix" includes the following songs:

Don't Bring Me Down
Sweet Talking Woman
Livin' Thing
I'm Alive
Xanadu
Shine A Little Love
Turn To Stone
Hold On Tight
Rock'n'Roll Is King

http://rapidshare.com/files/265323737/TOM_MIX_ELO_MEGA.zip

IT'S IT'S...THE SWEET MIX - THE SWEET

2009-08-08T04:56:00.001-07:00

The UK group The Sweet had a big connection to Oz as all their early hits were co-written by an Ozzie, Mike Chapman. Partners Nicki Chinn and Mike Chapman wrote songs for Suzi Quatro, Mud, Smokie, Blondie, Starship, Exile and many other big groups.

Mike's first hit that he wrote was Soft Delights in 1970 which was sent into the top 20 by local Oz group The New Dream in 1971. Mike had originally released the song with his own fledgling UK based group called Tangerine Peel. Just as Soft Delights was charting another Mike Chapman song hit our top 40 airwaves, a similar sounding bubblegum track called Funny Funny by The Sweet.

In 1983, Sanny-X a European club DJ from the remix organisation called The Disco Mix Club (DMC), made an outstanding Sweet Megamix. In 1984 it was a top 20 hit in many countries and got to position #83 in the end of year Australian top 100 chart. The 7" was released locally on RCA and ran about 3:30 mins. The single as shown in the accompanying picture contained only 3 songs: Blockbuster, Teenage Rampage and Hell Raiser.

The extended 12" was another issue altogether! There are at least 3 known versions of the 12" mix. One is over 8 mins, one is 6 mins (called The Blitz Buster Remix) and one is just under 5 mins. They all consist of the same songs but have been overdubbed and edited in different ways. I recently asked Sanny why this happened and he said that songs once sent to DMC can be further edited by staff DJs who make regional or market variances.

Since The Sweet Megamix has not been on a commercial CD anywhere in the world I made my own new 12" using the old vinyl mix as a guide. All the basic song tracks have been lifted from CD so the quality is really great.

The file is in a zip. There is a password: http://tommixmusic2.blogspot.com/

Songs include:

Blockbuster
Teenage Rampage
Hell Raiser
Ballroom Blitz
Fox On The Run

http://rapidshare.com/files/265079964/tom_mix_sweets.zip

LOCOMOTION - RITZ

2009-08-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

Back in the 1960s Little Eva had the original “Locomotion” but in Oz it wasn't until the end of the 1970s that it was a hit again for a foreign band. French group Ritz released “Locomotion” in late 1979 on the CBS Epic label. Their version peaked at #12 on the Australian charts in early 1980, and spent a total of thirty weeks inside the top 100.

“Locomotion” didn’t make any kind of impact in the U.S. nor England. It was a minor hit in the group’s native France but a #1 in New Zealand, in mid 1980.

There was a 12” and a 7” mix of the song. For this download I have engineered the start of the 12” onto the 7” single mix. The 12” version had a puffing steam train that was left off the single.

For download is the single mix of "Locomotion" with bonus beginning:

http://rapidshare.com/files/262760092/ritz_-_locomotion__single_edit_tom_mix_.mp3

ISTANBUL (NOT CONSTANTINOPLE) (12") - THE FOUR LADS

2009-07-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

The Four Lads is a Canadian male singing quartet. They grew up together in Toronto Ontario and were members of St Michael’s School Choir. The founding members were Corrado "Connie" Codarini, (bass); John Bernard "Bernie" Toorish (tenor); James "Jimmy" Arnold, (lead); and Frank Busseri, (baritone and group manager). Codarini and Toorish had formed a group with two other St. Michael's students, Rudi Maugeri and John Perkins, who were later to become founding members of another group, The Crew-Cuts.

Hit Singles:

The Little White Cloud That Cried 1951 (backing Johnny Ray)

Istanbul (not Constantinople) 1953

Moments To Remember 1955

No Not Much 1955

Standin’ On The Corner 1956

Who Needs You 1956

One of our friends in foreign lands is Krista a teacher who works in Owen Sound Canada and she asked me to make a long version of "Istanbul" for her dad as it is one of his favourites. He went to school with some of the singers from the group.

It just happens to be one of my dad's faves too. My dad used to play this on our very large radiogram when 78 rpms were the standard. We lived at Walcha Road when I first heard this song at about age 4.

Here for download is the 12" Tom Mix of this old classic:

http://rapidshare.com/files/260562080/the_four_lads_-_istanbul__not_constantinople___ext_tom_mix_.mp3

OUT OF THE GAP (EDITED MEGAMIX) - THOMPSON TWINS

2009-07-23T02:47:00.000-07:00

The Thompson Twins had a major chart run in the 1980s with no less than 7 top 40 hits. It was the decade of Megamixes and the Thompsons had a series of 3 "Out Of The Gap" Megamixes that I know of.

There was the "Out Of The Gap" (Extended Megamix) on the flipside of the "Sister Of Mercy" (Extended Mix) - this one was about 9 mins long and has recently appeared on CD.

Then there was the "Out Of The Gap" (Single Megamix) that was 6:30 mins long and appeared on the flipside of "Sister of Mercy" 7" - this one has not been on CD.

Lastly, there was the "Out Of The Gap" (Edited Megamix) which appeared on the oddly shaped space glider picture disc (as shown above) which was on the flipside of a remix of "Sister Of Mercy" 7" - this edited Megamix is the one for download here. It goes about 5 mins.

This 5 min Megamix contains:

In The Name Of Love
Love On Your Side
Tears
Doctor Doctor
We Are Detective
Lies
Into The Gap
Hold Me Now

http://rapidshare.com/files/259042853/thompson_twins_-_out_of_the_gap__medley_short_tom_mix_.mp3

HIP SHAKE JERK (12") - THE QUICK

2009-07-18T02:46:00.000-07:00

The Quick was a dance pop duo from England that consisted of vocalist Col Campsie and bassist/keyboardist Georgie McFarlane. McFarlane and Campsie originally met in California in 1978, and began working together when they returned to England, taking the name "The Quick". Their debut single, "Sharks Are Cool, Jets Are Hot”, didn’t do much business overseas but they soon took off in Oz. In 1981, the duo's single, "Hip Shake Jerk", became a hit in Australia, reaching #12, and their first album, On the Uptake was quickly released there. Remixed and repackaged as "Fascinating Rhythm", the album was released to the rest of the world in 1982, spawning a 12” dance hit, "Zulu". The single "Rhythm of the Jungle" was another top 20 success in Australia, reaching #13, and also became a hit in Europe. The 12” mix of "Rhythm of the Jungle" has been released on CD as too some of their dance 12” tracks but “Hip Shake Jerk”, has not. A second album, International Thing, followed in 1984 with the 7” single of the same title also doing minor business in Oz.

Singles

1979 Sharks Are Cool, Jets Are Hot
1980 Hip Shake Jerk AUS #12
1980 Young Men Drive Fast Aus #49
1980 Ship To Shore
1981 Zulu US Dance #1
1982 Rhythm Of The Jungle AUS #13, NL #9, UK #41
1982 Touch Aus #49
1984 International Thing Aus #69
1984 Missing You Now
1985 Down The Wire UK #88
1986 Bed Of Nails
1986 We Can Learn From This
1987 I Needed You, You Needed Me

Here for download is the Tom Mix 12” of “Hip Shake Jerk”:

http://rapidshare.com/files/257141370/the_quick_-_hip_shake_jerk__ext_tom_mix_2009_.mp3

CALLING OCCUPANTS OF INTERPLANETARY CRAFT - CARPENTERS

2009-07-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

"Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognised Anthem Of World Contact Day)" was originally the opening track on an album by Klaatu the Canadian band who sparked controversy back in the mid 1970s when everyone thought it may have been The Beatles working secretly on a new project...WRONG!

By 1976-77 The Carpenters got out their own version of "Calling Occupants" using a link to a previous idea they first used on their album "Yesterday Once More". The whole of side 2 on this particular album ran like a 1950s radio show with games and competitions hosted by a fake Radio DJ (Tony Puluso) which were interspersed with classic hits of the 1950s....

When stuck for an intro to the album version of "Calling Occupants", Richard Carpenter got Tony Puluso back to start the track like it was from the 1950s radio show, you know, back in the era of all those supposed sightings of UFOs....etc.

Anyway, The Carpenters went on to have a massive hit and some radio stations played the shorter single version that ran 4 mins as opposed to the album mix with the Tony Puluso segment which ran 7 mins.

The only time the rare 4 min single mix has been on CD was in the last few years when a Japanese firm put it out at an exorbitant price. Sadly, the master tapes were not available so the transfer to CD was from vinyl.

For download is a Tom Mix exclusive, an edited single mix of "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognised Anthem Of World Contact Day)":

http://rapidshare.com/files/256282021/carpenters_-_calling_occupants__single_edit_tom_mix_2009_.mp3

KISSIN' TIME (AUSTRALIAN WAY) / GEE IT'S WONDERFUL / THE DOOR TO PARADISE / THE FISH - BOBBY RYDELL

2009-07-13T03:40:00.000-07:00

This download contains four songs by Bobby Rydell which have not made it to CD.

American Bobby Rydell had a massive run of hits in the early 1960s in Oz, about twenty songs in all. Bobby originally started in 1959 and had a couple of non-charting songs in his homeland.
Then he hit upon the idea of making a massive seller by including numerous American capital cities in the lyrics of a pop song.

His specially crafted song "Kissin' Time" sold well, especially in all the towns mentioned.

To make it appeal to numerous more folk he changed the lyrics and issued versions for some specific American states and then changed the lyrics for international sales.

The 1960 version issued for Australia has not been on CD.

Regular contributors, Alan K. and Jim B. have sent "Kissin' Time (Australian Way)" for inclusion in this 4 hit download.

Some of Bobby's flipsides scored a top 40 position here in Oz.

Two such songs are "The Door To Paradise" which was the B-side to "I Wanna Thank You" and "Gee It's Wonderful" which was the flip of "I'll Never Dance Again". These songs are included in the download.

Lastly, Bobby's big 1961 hit "The Fish" has not made it to CD anywhere.

Here are all four missing hits:

"Kissin' Time (Australian Way)"

"The Door To Paradise"

"Gee It's Wonderful"

"The Fish"

There is a password on the zip file: http://tommixmusic2.blogspot.com/

http://rapidshare.com/files/255300127/bobby_from_tom_mix.zip

BRANDENBURG CONCERTO NO.3 - WALTER "WENDY" CARLOS

2009-07-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Wendy Carlos (born Walter Carlos November 14, 1939) was an American composer and electronic musician. Carlos' fame originated in the late 1960s with recordings made on the Moog Synthesizer, which was a relatively new and unknown instrument at the time; most notable were L.P.'s of synthesized Bach, and the soundtrack for the film "A Clockwork Orange".

Before his sex change, Walter and musician Benjamin Folkman, had a 1969 top 40 hit record in Sydney and in some parts of NSW (I don't think it charted elsewhere in Oz). The song was an edited single version of the album track "Brandenburg Concerto No.3" from the album "Switched-On Bach" which was the winner of three 1969 Grammy Awards.

The single version has not made it to CD anywhere in the world as far as I can tell.

For download is a Tom Mix exclusive...A CD copy of the missing 7" edited single of "Brandenburg Concerto No.3":

http://rapidshare.com/files/254597985/Walter_Carlos_-_Brandenburg_Concerto_No.3__Single_Edit_.mp3

NO NAME - DENNIS WEAVER

2009-07-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

Dennis Weaver was an American actor who worked in movies and TV in the 1960s and 70s. His first TV shows were westerns which capitalized on his twangy southern drawl. His voice was folksy and homespun.

In 1971 Dennis hit the big time in an early Stephen Spielberg movie called "Duel", it had a maniacal truck driver and Dennis as the main characters.

Dennis had a recording contract in the USA circa 1971-72 and issued a couple of singles on a small label. Here in Oz his work was released on the Fable label. His big hit called "No Name" was copied by Oz performer John Laws. "No Name" was a folksy country ballad done in the hands of Dennis but was given a syrupy string-laden make over by John Laws, who also opted to use a faux American accent. (In my opinion it was cringe-worthy at best). The Oz version is available on my regular Tom Mix Music site which is listed in the link section on the left of this page.

Next, Dennis starred in the TV show "McLeod", a police drama that did well for many years. He had many roles over the years. He died in 2006.

Here is a copy of his single of "No Name":

http://rapidshare.com/files/253336974/dennis_weaver_-_no_name__vinyl_tom_mix_.mp3

I HEAR THOSE CHURCH BELLS RINGING / ANGEL BABY / TREAT ME LIKE A GOOD PIECE OF CANDY - DUSK

2009-06-26T02:45:00.000-07:00

It is not often that people recall the female pop group Dusk who featured a veteran of the music biz out front on lead vocals: Peggy Santiglia, who had sung lead on “My Boyfriend’s Back,” the 1963 hit by the Angels. She had been singing on sessions in New York City for years, and was a friend of Bell Record's producer Hank Medress.

Dusk were a studio girl group who were thrown together to record songs that were rejected by Tony Orlando and Dawn....

Dusk's first big hit was "I Hear Those Church Bells Ringing" in 1971 followed by "Angel Baby" and finally "Treat Me Like A Good Piece Of Candy".

By the time the latter charted Dawn were a major hit making group and the Bell label didn't promote Dusk, their stablemates, and the girls quietly faded away.

For download are all three of Dusk's hits. They are all mono. Even in 1971 they sounded dated as that was what they aimed for, they were meant to sound like the original 1963 work by the Angels...

The 3 song zip file has a password: http://tommixmusic2.blogspot.com/

http://rapidshare.com/files/248808987/dusky_bits_tom_mix.zip

COSTAFINE TOWN - SPLINTER

2009-06-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

The English pop group Splinter had a big hit in 1974 with "Costafine Town" and it was mostly attributed to the fact that George Harrison (member of The Beatles) was associated with its production. Besides being Splinter's producer George also played guitar on this track.

Sadly, because the estate of George Harrison is held up with legal issues many of the songs formerly on George's Dark Horse label have never been on CD.

Here for download is the single mix from vinyl of "Costafine Town":

http://rapidshare.com/files/245895809/splinter_-_costafine_town.mp3

I'LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN, KATHLEEN (EXT TOM MIX) - LT. PIGEON

2009-06-18T02:47:00.000-07:00

Lieutenant Pigeon was a British musical group popular in the early 1970s. A spin-off from an experimental music band Stavely Makepeace, it was fronted by Rob Woodward. The group's sound was dominated by a heavy ragtime-style piano played by Woodward's mother, Hilda.

In 1972 "Mouldy Old Dough", their first hit, was #1 in Oz and top 10 in many other countries. In their UK homeland they had 2 singles in 1972 and then all but vanished from pop charts, They were more than just a one hit wonder in Oz as 3 of their album tracks were given 7" releases in various states.

In 1974, their next big Oz hit was a a revival of an old traditional song "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" - an Irish aire from long ago. It went to position #3 in some capital cities in Oz and was #1 in many regional centres.

Here for download is a 12" extended Tom Mix version of "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen":

http://rapidshare.com/files/245854003/Lieutenant_Pigeon_-_I_ll_Take_You_Home_Again__Kathleen__ext_tom_mix_.mp3

BUTTERFLY (ALTERNATE ENGLISH VERSION) - DANYEL GERARD

2009-06-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

French singer Danyel Gerard had a massive hit in 1971-72 with "Butterfly" around the world and in Oz. The vinyl versions we heard on Lismore radio station 2LM and purchased as a 7" single had an English version on one side and a French/German version on the flip. It charted with a competing version by OZ artist Matt Flinders.

The other hit version by Aussie artist Matt Flinders is available on my original Tom Mix Music blog (click link) http://tommixmusic.blogspot.com/

Danyel recorded versions of "Butterfly" in Spanish, French, English and German. At present most language versions of this song have made it to CD digital form all except the alternate lyric version as found on Solid Hits Vol.2 by K-Tel records. The version on the K-Tel album ran 25 seconds shorter than the single version because it was edited. This version is known as the USA version and it reached #78 on the USA charts. Here is a reconstructed version of "Butterfly" as made in the studios of Tom Mix:

http://rapidshare.com/files/244076092/danyel_gerard_-_butterfly__english_vinyl_mix_.mp3

DON'T LET THE GOOD LIFE PASS YOU BY - DES O'CONNOR

2009-06-07T21:55:00.000-07:00

A big 1973 hit in Oz was Des O'Connor's version of "Don't Let The Good Life Pass You By". It was very successful saleswise in NSW, in Sydney particularly.

The first version to do big business in Oz was by American singer Mama Cass Elliot whose version came out in 1970. In America, another hit version was in 1971, by country artist Ferlin Husky.

Mr. O'Connor's 1973 version has not made it to CD anywhere in the world as far as I am aware. His 7" vinyl single was originally released on Pye Records.

The version for download was sent to me by Silver who runs a music site at the following link:

http://www.silver-mg.com/Music/Sept2008/DesO%27Connor/Lyrics_DesO%27Connor_Lyrics.htm

Here for download is the single "Don't Let The Good Life Pass You By" from vinyl:

http://rapidshare.com/files/242120260/Des_O_Connor_-_Don_t_Let_The_Good_Life_Pass_You_By.mp3

SKINNY GIRLS - ALAN O'DAY

2009-06-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

A big pop novelty hit from 1980 and never been on CD to my knowledge.

It was top 10 in most states of OZ but didn't do much business elsewhere in the world.

All music details are on the picture of the label (please click picture).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sorry folks, sadly the download link has been removed as requested by Alan O'Day (his message is below).

This same message shows up on numerous blog sites around the world it seems. I also did a check for the song's availability in other lands and it it currently unobtainable in any form and has not made it to commercial CD in the last 29 years.

It seems Alan leaves this message on blogs where his work shows up. The link to this song was posted 7th of June 2009 and the message to remove was sent 7th June 2009...

Hi,
I sincerely appreciate that you are a fan of "Skinny Girls", which I wrote & performed. However, it is not adviseable for you to make my record available without permission. I survive from my song royalties. I'm trying to re-release my 70's material for sale digitally, & having it show up for free is not helping. So respectfully, I'm asking you to remove this file. If you should want to verify my identity, you can email me through my website. TIA, Alan.