THIS IS ONE MAN'S COLLECTION OF OLD VINYL RECORDS WHICH CHARTED IN OZ BUT HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY THE BIG MUSIC COMPANIES. THIS BLOG RUNS IN CONJUNCTION WITH MY ORIGINAL SITE...IF YOU ARE THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OF A WORK AND WISH IT TO BE REMOVED PLEASE LEAVE A REQUEST IN THE COMMENT BOX. NB. I'M ALSO ADDING CLIPS FOR SOME OF MY REMIXES PRODUCED IN MY OWN STUDIO NOW THAT THE LINKS TO MANY OF THE DOWNLOADS HAVE EXPIRED.
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.
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/
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!
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.
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.
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:
"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":
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:
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...
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!
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.
"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.
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.
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”. 
