The PPC "Rubber Soul" (Revamped 2023 for PPA)

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES - THE PPC RUBBER SOUL (2008)

 

1965 saw the release of Rubber Soul, it was a major leap forward as much musically (folk, sitar, fuzz) as artistically with a seminal artwork that would influence quite a lot of bands of the era. The title is a wordplay on "Plastic Soul". It was the expression that black musicians were using to describe The Rolling Stones.

 

A PPC compilation originally posted in 2008 in mp3 format only, and instead of re-upping the very same one, i have totally revamped it, changing a few tracks but keeping the same artwork for this first repost of the complete series in lossless.

WU (282 mb)

The PPC "Rubber Soul" USA (Revamped 2023 for PPA)

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES - THE PPC RUBBER SOUL USA (2019)

In 2008, i made the Rubber Soul tribute based upon the UK edition of the album, and while i was checking the audio quality of the 2008 Tribute and using better audio files, it came to my mind it could be fun to make a new version of the tribute, but instead of using the UK album again, i decided that the basis would be now the US edition which has a slightly different track listing.

WU (228 mb)

The PPC "Help!" (Revamped 2023 for PPA)

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES - THE PPC HELP! (2008)

 

This was their second motion picture. Fourteen songs, ten of which written by the dynamic duo, plus two songs penned by l'angelo mysterioso and two covers.

A PPC compilation originally posted in 2008 in mp3 format only, and instead of re-upping the very same one, i have totally revamped it, changing a few tracks but keeping the same artwork for this first repost of the complete series in lossless.

WU (241 mb)

The PPC "Beatles For Sale" (Revamped 2023 for PPA)

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES - THE PPC BEATLES FOR SALE (2008)

 

Their fourth album "Beatles For Sale" was originally posted on PPC as the fifth part of the series because i had no worthy cover of "What You're Doing". So, at the time i asked Thierry from William Pears to record a special version of that song for this tribute. A song unavailable elsewhere.

 
Special note: The booklet artwork is based upon the scarce french sleeve of the fourth album, 1965 was the name of that LP.

 

A PPC compilation originally posted in 2008 in mp3 format only, and instead of re-upping the very same one, i have totally revamped it, changing a few tracks but keeping the same artwork for this first repost of the complete series in lossless.

WU (254 mb)

The PPC "A Hard Day's Night" (Revamped 2023 for PPA)

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES - THE PPC A HARD DAY'S NIGHT (2007)

 

This was their third album but also their first release filled with 13 original songs. This was the peak of the Beatlemania sound covered by some well known artists, but also by other bands you might like to dig.

A PPC compilation originally posted in 2007 in mp3 format only, and instead of re-upping the very same one, i have totally revamped it, changing a few tracks but keeping the same artwork for this first repost of the complete series in lossless.

WU (230 mb)

The PPC "With The Beatles" (Revamped 2023 for PPA)

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES - THE PPC WITH THE BEATLES (2007)

 

Ten months after the first LP, "With The Beatles" was a sequel of the highest order with an equal ratio of covers-to-originals. The legendary photo sleeve will remain one the best ever made, many times copied (slightly revamped here). Again, 14 artists cover the full-length album.

 

A PPC compilation originally posted in 2007 in mp3 format only, and instead of re-upping the very same one, i have totally revamped it, changing a few tracks but keeping the same artwork for this first repost of the complete series in lossless.

WU (248 mb)

The PPC "Please Please Me" (Revamped 2023 for PPA)

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES - THE PPC PLEASE PLEASE ME (2007)

 

Recorded in a day and sixty years after its release, the album which still sounds fresh as ever (e.g. the Flamin' Groovies covered 3 songs from this LP) "Please Please me" is reloaded by 14 artists from today and yesterday. There were "8" originals plus "6" covers showing the Moptops influences and their superior musical taste.

 

A PPC compilation originally posted in 2007 in mp3 format only, and instead of re-upping the very same one, i have totally revamped it, changing a few tracks but keeping the same artwork for this first repost of the complete series in lossless.

WU (270 mb)

Second LP Edition (Red Cover)

20/20 - SEX-TRAP (1983)

 

Spurred by more critical acclaim, the album was picked up by Enigma in 1983, with a different and revamped runninng track listing:  two songs "Sex-Trap" and "Fast Car" were remixed, one song dropped "Please Please (Listen To Me)" and one song added, the fantastic "Jack's Got A Problem" which was the opener on the Enigma edition (The Red album was briefly available in CD format in Germany, a really scarce item).. But again, the band had signed to the label "Enigma" that would later become successful before the band had any hit records. They split soon after and would reunite in 1995 for "4 Day Tornado".

WU (327 mb)

Second Japan CD Reissue 2008 (Blue Cover)

20/20 - SEX-TRAP (1982)

 

When the enormous backlash against the Knack hit "My Sharona", it virtually ended the careers of many far superior L.A. bands, among them 20/20 and the Plimsouls, who were undoubtedly the other two most popular bands of the scene. 20/20's label could never translate radio play and sold-out shows into national chart success, so when the label wanted to do a third album, 20/20 declined, they might have better luck elsewhere. A new deal with a major label fell through, leaving the band without a label and still in debt from the initial advance, so the band released their third album Sex-Trap in 1982 on their own Mainway Records (blue lettering). It was first reissued on CD in 1999 (yellow lettering), and again in  2008 (blue lettering) - both released compiling all the tracks from the 1982 and 1983 editions, and adding a bonus track.

 

WU (329 mb)

Single Edit Version (Unavailable Elsewhere)

DWIGHT TWILLEY - OUT OF MY HANDS (1979)

 

From his first proper solo album "Twilley", "Out of My Hands" was released as a single with a special edit that can't be found anywhere else. The song will stand as one of his greatest tunes with some ELO, Beatles, Tom Petty and Spector thoughts.

 

WU (73 mb)

100% Covers Free, 100% Wilsonesque

VARIOUS - THE POCKET SYMPHONIES TO GOD Vol. 2 (2016)

 

Eight years after the first compilation, i'd finally made a sequel to "The Pocket Symphonies To God". In  2016, I worked all summer long on this brand new collection. Only 6 artists (out of 52) of this new volume could also be found on the first one.

WU 

(text file with mega.nz link)

A-Side Jack Nitzsche Original Version + B-Side Never Reissued (12" Promo)

DWIGHT TWILLEY - SOMEBODY TO LOVE (1979)

 

On July 21, 1979, Dwight cut what would become a signature song for him, “Somebody To Love” (produced by Jack Nitzsche) with a hot version of Barrett Strong's “Money” on the flip side. Released in both 7" and the new 12" versions (with sleeve cropped from the front cover of the unreleased "Blueprint" album), the song very nearly became a major hit, garnering substantial airplay all over the country. The version of “Money” derived mostly from the Beatles' cover, found Twilley taking liberties with the original version by inverting the riff completely, and only playing it ‘right' in the instrumental. The song grew to be one of the most popular on stage numbers, and ironically, became an excuse for the audience to toss money up on stage, ones, fives, change. That era ended when they started bringing Monopoly money to the gigs. Twilley in the fade singing ‘MasterCharge' has always made the song for me. The "Money" 12" version has never been reissued on CD.

 

WU (53 mb)

Dwight Twilley (June 6, 1951 – October 18, 2023)

DWIGHT TWILLEY - RARITIES Volume One (2008)

 

A collection of rarities from 1972 to 2007 released in 2008 on CD-R. It was the first part of the seven volumes briefly available between 2008 and 2009. A tribute to the late Mr. Twilley.

 

WU (300 mb)

Overlooked Power Pop Band (Soundboard)

THE CRETONES - ALIVE AND WELL (1981)

 

The  Cretones recorded live around 1981 for a radio broadcast, performing 11 songs: 8 coming from their two albums, plus three covers "Maybelline", "All Day And All Of The NIght" and "Slow Down". Custom artwork specially made for PPA.

 

WU (277 mb)

Inspired by The Genius Of Jeff Lynne (PPA Compilation)

VARIOUS - ELO-ISH (2020)

 

Originally posted on PPC, this is my homage to the music of Jeff Lynne and his influence on Power Pop either with The Move, ELO or The Idle Race. It features only original songs, no covers.

 

WU (575 mb)

Self Released Canadian Power Pop

THE RYE CATCHERS - THE RYE CATCHERS (2000)

 

Formed around 1996, The Rye Catchers were from Vancouver, Canada. Their self released album is a superb power pop album. It was ranked #21 in the David Bash list of the best Power Pop albums of 2001.

 

WU (310 mb)

Not to be confused with the australian band who also released an eponymous titled album.

First 7" EP (Never Reissued)

THE TEARAWAYS - SOUNDS LIKE... (1981)

 

Hailing from Santa Barbara, California, The Tearaways released their first 7" EP with four stellar songs, including the beatlesque "Don't Feel So Bad". After a 12 year hiatus, The Tearaways returned with "See The Sound" (1993). The band is still very active today and has released their latest album in 2023 "And Four Our Next Trick".

 

WU (76 mb)

Alan Merrill Between Streak & Arrows (CD Reissue 2005)

VODKA COLLINS - TOKYO NEW YORK (1973)

 

Vodka Collins was a Tokyo-based Japanese-American rock band fronted by Alan Merrill (Streak, Arrows), formed in 1971. The original line-up released "Tokyo New York" in Japan only. It features a killer single released in 1972 by Alan Merrill whilst in Japan. Automatic Pilot is the perfect Glitter anthem with a chorus that is pure T.Rex. The band reformed in the 90's and released three more albums.

WU (245 mb)

7" Single Version (Power Pop Heaven)

JOHNNY MOPED - DARLING, LET'S HAVE ANOTHER BABY (1978)

Recorded by a pioneering punk bands of the era, this single sounds like an oddity in the Moped discography but it will stand as one of the best power pop songs of its time. "Darling Let's Have Another Baby" is featured among "The 12 Greatest Punk Rock Records Ever Made" (Danny Baker, NME).

WU (51 mb)

Jangle Pop Perfection (Never Reissued)

BOBBY SUTLIFF - ANOTHER JANGLY MESS (1987)

 

After the Windbreakers' "Run" LP (1986), Bobby Sutliff went solo with the wryly titled five-song "Another Jangly Mess" in the UK. Produced by Mitch Easter, the songs of this 12" EP easily match his finest work with the Windbreakers. These are the original versions of the songs which were slightly rearranged for the full length US album "Only Ghosts Remain", A Top 200 Power Pop album which has been remastered and expanded in 2023.

 

WU (126 mb)

Jangle Pop Covers (A PPA Tribute)

BOBBY SUTLIFF - ALL SORTS OF DREAMS (2023)

 

In 2006, Bobby Sutliff released his "All Sorts" album, including seven covers and a few originals or demos, So, this year i have imagined to make a sequel to that album with covers recorded by Bobby Sutliff which weren't on his other physical solo albums. On the same template as the Lolas, Ed James, Walter Clevenger collections of rarities (tributes, compilations et al...), i have compiled those covers adding a custom artwork.

 

WU (495 mb)

Jangle Pop Demos (80's)

BOBBY SUTLIFF - HOME DEMOS 1984-1987 (198?)

 

The Bobby Sutliff demos have been around for a while, but most of them until now have been available in lossy format, sometimes mistitled. Now for the first time here they are in lossless format (tape source), the original audio was more than brickwalled, so i've tried to repair the audio. For the most part of them, I've indicated the albums on which the songs later surfaced. I also made a custom artwork for this collection.

No demos included here are coming from the rare and self released cassette of demos "Griffin Bay".

 

WU (454 mb)