1960s Vinyl 23 Items

Bobby Darin's Atco albums, original copies of which were pressed with yellow 'harp' labels, are collector's items today. He remained with the Label until switching to Capitol in 1962, by which time he had released no fewer than 13 long-players including 'At The Copa', 'Two Of A Kind' (with Johnny Mercer), the dance themed 'Twist With Bobby Darin' and 'Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles'. This compilation picks the best from those albums. Enjoy the fabulous musical fruits of the multi-talented Bobby Darin.

The teen girl falling in love with greasy biker melodrama that set The Shangri-Las on the scene was beaten to the core when English high society child Lynn Ripley -better known as Twinkle- took it to the next level on her own composition "Terry". Penned at the tender age of sixteen, Twinkle's lyrics were found so twisted and bad tasty that the song got the honour of being banned at the BBC thirteen years before the Sex Pistols ran the same luck with "God Save The Queen." A ban that, as you would have guessed, instead of hiding the song from the era's teenage record hunters made it even more coveted. Thus "Terry", Twinkle's first 45 issued on Decca in October 1964, became an instant top 5 hit in the UK and was released successfully worldwide as well as covered by many bands (like Claude François French version or Los Extraños cover sung in Spanish).

First issued on the Dot label in 1965, Karen Verros’ recording of ‘You Just Gotta Know My Mind’ is one of the most popular and in-demand tracks ever to appear on Ace Records’ “Girls With Guitars” compilation series. Pressings of the hopelessly rare original exist in two variants, one 20 or so seconds shorter than the other.

This new Ace release features the longer of the two versions. ‘Karen’s Theme’ on the B-side is the ‘You Just Gotta Know My Mind’ backing track, with added freakbeat guitar in place of Karen’s vocal.

An original copy, in the unlikely event one should become available for sale, is likely to carry a hefty asking price. Designed to resemble a small-run mid-60s acetate pressing, rather than a replica Dot label, this very welcome addition to Ace’s catalogue of 7-inch vinyl singles should set punters back about the cost of a bottle of cheap plonk.

Just one word to say: Essential!

Just one word to say: Essential!

FRANCE GALL was a prolific French vocalist and performer, remembered as one of the central figures of the 1960s yé-yé pop movement. Aligning catchy, spirited rhythms with lighthearted lyrics and drawing from the beat music a la early Beatles and Hollies, the yé-yé artists promoted a sort of new freedom of expression and breaking down of social barriers in post-WWII France. Third Man Records is beyond honored to bring this music to a larger audience by issuing the first authorized North American vinyl pressings of these titles, some of the most brilliant highlights from Gall’s catalog. While France Gall had been releasing music since she was 16 it wasn’t until she took the Grand Prix at the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest with her rendition of Serge Gainsbourg’s “Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son” that she would be catapulted to the top of the swinging yé-yé scene alongside the likes of Francoise Hardy, Sylvie Vartan and Bridgette Bardot. This record contains two of France’s most loved tracks, “Poupée de Cire” and “Laisse Tomber Les Filles” also penned by Gainsbourg. She recorded versions of the title track in French, German, Italian and Japanese and was now an international pop superstar. At the time France was dismissed by many as making fluffy ultra commercial pop hits but her music stands the test of time far better than most, as not many were making music of this consistent high quality. Highly recommended. 180-gram vinyl pressing in direct-to-board jackets.

First time ever reissue of The A-jaes hyper-rare 1964 single on Oak Records, only 99 pressed. Killer high velocity pounder. Plus, also adding two unreleased tracks from a one-of-a-kind 1965 acetate. An alternate and superior version of “I’m Leaving You” plus “Maybe It’s The Way You Said Goodbye”. All four songs will be released on a 7” 45 e.p. as Jaw067. The A-Jaes feature Trevor White later of Jook and Sparks on guitar and his big brother Geoff White on lead vocals and harp. 400 copies on black vinyl.

Just one word to say: Essential!

Energetic Beatlesque ‘68 power pop! With similar melodic stylings as groups like the Merry-Go-Round and the Left Banke, Ellie Pop’s individuality shines through their commonality with superb underground ‘60s pop innovators. Pressed on clear vinyl!

After 53 years of oblivion, Walkin Up con Los Walkers, the fundamental work of Argentinian garage-psych is being reissued again in Argentina from the original mono master tape. An iconic LP from “the other” youngster music—the one that was known as “beat music"—it was originally released in 1969 and has never been reissued in its original format until now. The band had previously released two LPs and several 45s which contained an exquisite selection of covers, from The Rolling Stones material to songs by Astor Piazzola, but with Walkin’ Up they entered history as excellent songwriters and conceptual artists. With a great use of studio production, unseen before in Argentina, they laid down a wide range of psychedelic sounds and structures that decades later are be considered as the Buenos Aires version of Los Shakers’ La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar—both albums under a huge influence from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s. Limited edition of 300 copies on 180-gram vinyl with the careful restoration and printing of the original artwork. Includes a printed postcard and a lavish 4-page booklet with photos and liner notes by journalist Víctor Tapia.

Just one word to say: Essential!

Just one word to say: Essential!

"Formed in 1961 when Dennis Wilson, the only Beach Boy to regularly visit the beach, asked his brother Brian to write a song about the sport of surfing. The Beach Boys reached number 75 in national charts with their first single (the resultant song 'Surfin'') and were immediately signed to a major label. Though many debut albums in the early '60s were mainly built around a few smash-hits, the Beach Boys' 1962 full length debut on Capitol (featuring such hits as 'Surfin' Safari,' '409' and their version of the Eddie Cochran classic 'Summertime Blues') remains one of the greatest first steps in American pop culture, and a mandatory chapter in the history of rock and roll."