Brand New Slices of Vintage Power Pop (1977-1985)

VARIOUS - RAIDERS OF THE LOST HOOK Vol. 6 (2024)

 

At last, and four years after ROTLH Vol. 5, (July 2020) here's a brand new volume of power pop songs recorded and released between 1977 and 1985. Another collection of songs from a time full of innocence and fun.

 

As usual, i've added the full details of the bands involved. The main difference with the previous volumes is that the image embedded in each song belongs to the original releases, and not to some possible reissues.

 

WU (566 mb)

Bob Stanley's C90 (Mojo May 1996 Home Taping)

VARIOUS - LUXEMBOURG, NIL POINTS (1996)

 

Compiled by Bob Stanley, frontman of Saint Etienne and rock journalist (NME, Melody Maker, Mojo) and author of the 2022 book Let's Do It: The Birth of Pop Music: A History. This new volume of Mojo Home Taping offers a travel through Europe at the time when English Pop was dominating the world.

 

All the original liner notes, written by Bob Stanley have been included within the booklet, all elements have been scanned, resized to fit in a custom CD artwork.

 

WU (578 mb)

Tom Hibbert's C90 (Mojo March 1996 Home Taping)

VARIOUS - MY FUNNY VALENTINES (1996)

 

Compiled by Tom Hibbert (1952–2011) (English music journalist and film critic for Smash Hits, Q and Mojo), this new volume of Mojo Home Taping proposes a C90 of "Your Greatest Romantics Records Ever..."

 

All the original liner notes, written by Tom Hibbert have been included within the booklet, all elements have been scanned, resized to fit in a custom CD artwork.

 

WU (518 mb)

The Original "Beatlesque" (Mojo April 1996 Home Taping)

VARIOUS - BEATLESQUE (1996)

 

In 1996, Paul Du Noyer, born in Liverpool and writer, editor for NME, Q and Mojo compiled his "C90's home taping" of Beatlesque songs, Surveying stuff from the 60s (Knickerbockers) up to the 90s (World Party). Of course, this feature was a major influence for my own Beatlesque compilations. (See below).

 

All the original liner notes, written by Paul Du Noyer have been included within the booklet, all elements have been scanned, resized to fit in a custom CD artwork.

 

Maybe the easiest volume to re-build the compilation, the main body of work was the artwork, so i sincerely hope you'll enjoy and appreciate the exclusive share on PPA.

Comment as much as you wish because if you want more MOJO volumes like this, this will encourage me to make more. 

 

WU (595 mb)

If you want to listen to more Beatlesque Stuff, please find my own collections

HERE

More Than 11 Hours of 157 Beatlesque Songs

Fanzine Free CD (Out-of-Print)

BUCKETFULL OF BRAINS - 50th ANNIVERSARY CD (1998)

 

Established 1979, Bucketfull Of Brains (BoB, not to be confused with the US BOB) was the definitive fanzine in the UK. Throughout the 80's, some 7" flexis, and later proper 7" were given away with each issue. For the anniversary of the 50th issue, a terrific 19-track compilation CD was inserted with the 50th issue in honor of that event. The collection featured many rare/exclusive tracks including Matthew Sweet "Bold Moves," You Am I "Bring The Ole Sun Down", Sparklehorse "London", others from The Rooks, Dan Penn, Dwight Twilley, Tommy Keene, Bill Lloyd, Radio Sweethearts, Cherry Twister and many more!. The 50th issue is now OOP but you can purchase any other issues from Bucketfull Of Brains

 

WU (448 mb)

Great Bass Parts In History (Mojo Issue 15) (PPA Exclusive)

VARIOUS - TALES OF THE DEEP (David Cavanagh's C90) (1995)

 

The continuing story of Mojo's Home Taping featured in February 1995 a dream C90 compilation of great bass parts in history. It was assembled by David Cavanagh During his career, Cavanagh wrote for Sounds, Select, Q, Uncut and Mojo. He died by suicide in Luton in December 2018 at the age of 54.

 

All the original liner notes, written by David Cavanagh have been included within the booklet, all elements have been scanned, resized to fit in a custom CD artwork.

 

Even though it was easier to re-build the compilation, the main body of work was the artwork, so i sincerely hope you'll enjoy and appreciate the exclusive share on PPA.

Comment as much as you wish because if you want more MOJO volumes like this, this will encourage me to make more. 

 

WU (560 mb)

28 Slices Of Vintage Power Pop (1974-1985)

VARIOUS - RAIDERS OF THE LOST HOOK Vol. 4 (2010)

 

In 1978, Greg Shaw wrote in the Power Pop special issue of Bomp: "Any way you look at it, Powerpop began with the Who (...and the Easybeats...). Their approach to songwriting was solidly pop - every song was short, catchy, hook-filled, built on bright, uplifting major chords, and they never shied away from those all-important "la la la's".

 

This fourth volume compiles some of the best of the 70's-80's genre era, some bands might be not so well known, but the hooks are here and the songs have stood the test of time.

 

First posted on PPC in 2010, it was then available in mp3 only. It is shared now on PPA for the first time in FLAC. All the songs have been checked and upgraded to lossless format. Finally the inner sleeve has been assembled to feature all the details of the bands invloved.

 

WU (572 mb)

The Mosquitos Alive

THE MOSQUITOS - LIVE AT THE FIRST AVENUE CLUB

 

Before they released their mini LP "That Was Then, This Is Now", The Mosquitos had made their name as a burning live act.

More than twenty years ago, i got a CD-R of the Mosquitos' stuff with demos and this live concert. Originally posted in mp3 on PPC in 2008, i then made a custom CD artwork for this live concert share.

 

WU (232 mb)

Their Fab Mini LP (Never Properly Reissued)

THE MOSQUITOS - THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW! (1985)

 

As the story goes, this Huntington/Northport, Long Island band formed when a band called Quisp broke up. Leader Vance Brescia had some songs he wanted people to hear, so he got a few friends together to perform them. Those friends included ex-Fabians’ Steve Prisco (guitar) and Iain Morrison (bass), as well as Pat Bishow (drums). Soon Tony Millions would join on organ (and occasional lead vocals) and the lineup was complete. The Mosquitos took off quickly. The band got excellent press and built up quite a local following. Soon, they gained a ton of fans on NYC’s burgeoning garage scene, despite the fact that their roots were more Mersey/60s pop. Sometime early in ‘84, Bishow left and Pete Bross filled in on drums until the band found permanent replacement Mitch Towse. (Bross would come back for the last couple months of the band’s existence a couple years further on.) In 2023, Kool Kat released an excellent 2-CD anthology "This Then Are" featuring studio and live tracks.

 

WU (123 mb)

Shake It Up (Ain't It Time?) (Never Reissued)

THE CRYERS - THE CRYERS (1979)

 

A real power pop masterpiece, it was ranked #132 in the Ultimate Power Pop Guide and the opening track "Shake It Up" was also the first one on the DIY Rhino compilation, aptly titled "Shake It Up" (American Power Pop II).

 

WU (264 mb)

Easy Listening Mojo Home Taping (PPA Exclusive 2024)

VARIOUS - UP UP AND AWAY! (Dylan Jones' C90) (1994)

 

In 1994, MOJO Magazine asked several musicians, writers and journalists to compile a C90 tape of various genres. Maybe the first one was Will Birch collecting his dream C90 of Power Pop tunes. The real fun was those "Home Taping" cassettes. At the beginning, MOJO was really a smart magazine, larger, bigger and really cult following. Some years later in 1997, Mojo included a free CD, but it just wasn't the same.

 
So, two months after Will Birch, Mojo asked Dylan Jones (author of many books about Jim Morrison, David Bowie and others) to compile his C90 of 31 songs which tried to encapsulate the best of the Easy Listening genre, featuring timeless MOR icons, a passport to international listening pleasure.

 
All the original liner notes, written by Dylan Jones, have been included within the booklet, all elements have been scanned, resized to fit in a custom CD artwork.

 

it was a huge work to find the lossless files and a bigger amount of work to make the artwork, so i sincerely hope you'll enjoy and appreciate the exclusive share on PPA.

Comment as much as you wish because if you want more MOJO volumes like this, this will encourage me to make more. 

 

WU (550 mb)

I have found my old issues (with the home taping features) in some boxes, but not all of them. (the oldest one i have is Issue #5, but some are missing - I can't find the following ones: 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - so if anyone could help telling me if there are some Home Taping features in those issues, that would be kind.

Excellent French Pop (Never Reissued)

DARRAS & DESUMEUR - TEMPS (1975)

 

Here's a little time-out post with a forgotten and overlooked french pop duo. The album flopped even though it received some rave reviews in french rock papers and got some radio airplay at the time of its release.

 

Daniel Darras (keyboards/singer) and Jean-Louis Desumeur (guitar/bass/singer) were both members of the short-lived French rock band "Présence" at the beginning of the 70's. After "Présence" disbanded in 1973 both members decided to pursue their career on as a duo. Inspired both by the music of The Beatles, Wings, CSN & Y they recorded their debut "Temps" in 1975. It was only released in France and Canada on RCA Victor in a gatefold textured sleeve. They were helped by another member of Présence, Alain Crepin (guitar), while the drums were handled by André Sitbon. with a little help from some famous French guests. It has never been reissued on CD or any other format. The duo released a second album (more folky than pop) in 1979.

"Temps" is really an hidden gem of French pop, highlighted by some great keyboard/synths parts (a la Wings) and the guitar work, representitive of the French duo. It is an  album filled with excellent French vocal harmonies, not so far from the Beatles (for instance the song "Les Diamants de Lucy" song quotes many characters from the Fab Four songs, Other influences are Wings (Red Rose Speedway/Band On The Run) and CSN &Y.

 

WU (275 mb)

French Glam/Glitter (Never Reissued)

BLUE VAMP - BLUE VAMP (1973)

 

Blue Vamp was a short-lived “glam/glitter” band (1972-1974). In July 1973, the group recorded a first eponymous album of 9 tracks in London, under the equally short-lived label “Vamp Records” distributed by Disques Motors. The psychedelic illustration of the cover is signed Bernard Beaugendre who will create that of “Music for Supermarket”. Their 3 minutes of glory came with the 1974 single "Jolly Dolly" penned and produced by Jean-Michel Jarre, a song which can be found on various junkshop glam compilations. Of course, the album flopped and has never been reissued.

WU (360 mb)

Slight Pop Guaranteed (Never Reissued)

THE CRACKERS - GUARANTEED (1983)

 

Hailing from Albuquerque (New Mexico), the band fronted by Bradd Aubry, with its unique album, presents a slight pop, composed of subtle combinations of flavors sixties. Obvious Beatles influences as well as some Herman's Hermits should appeal to "power pop lovers". In 1984, the group, partly modified, released a 5 track EP but the know-how was almost gone. In 1984, they released a fab single "What Did I Do?" (featured on "Raiders of The Lost Hook Vol 5")

WU (248 mb)

Excellent Country Rock Anthology (PPC 2013)

VARIOUS - COUNTRY ROCK WILL BIRCH'S C90 (1994)

 

In November 1994, a few months after the milestone Power Pop C90 (June, Issue #7), Will Birch suggested Mojo Magazine to compile his Urban Cowboy Dream C90 of Country Rock tunes. It was a long long time ago before Mojo was giving away free cd's with every issue.

 

For the November Issue #12 of Mojo, Will Birch picked 29 songs which try to encapsulate the best of the early Country Rock genre.

 

I compiled Will Birch's picks and i made a custom set of artwork, adding one bonus song "I'll Be Home" (version produced by Michael Nesmith).

WU (594 mb)

Power Rock from Sweden (Never Reissued)

THE SLEEP - WIN OR LOSE (1985)

 

Hailing from Sweden, The Sleep released only one album "Win Or Lose" (1985) Web Records in Sweden and Closer Records in France. The main references which come to mind are the Fleshtones and the Saints (Chris Bailey era). Nine songs of pure raw energy, two of which are covers "Don't You Lie To Me" (Chuck Berry) and "Just Like Eddie" written by Geoff Goddard after he had left The Tornados in 1963. The Sleep split shortly after the release of the album. The Sleep reunited in 1992 for a one off gig at Barowiak Uppsala. .."

 

WU (233 mb)

Memphis Pop Wizard (Never Reissued)

D. BEAVER - COMBINATIONS (1973)

 

Hailing from Memphis, D. Beaver was fronted by keyboardist David Beaver (Gentrys, Edgewood). The band made a lasting impact with their 1973 album "Combinations". D. Beaver’s project fused pop, blues rock, and psychedelia. Released by TMI Records (Steve Cropper) “Combinations” showcases Beaver’s musical range and could be compared to Todd Rundgren of the same year, but also Wings and later Pilot. Distributed by RCA, the album flopped and has never been reissued

 

WU (236 mb)

Another Band of Sneakers (Never Reissued)

SNEAKERS - EAR CARTOONS (1980)

Sneakers (neither the Chris Stamey band, nor the other Sneakers who were on Bearsville Records) began as a bunch of high school kids from Springfield Oregon in the mid-70's. The band rehearsed. A lot. And focused. Eventually settling on a solid lineup, and straddling the fence between classic 60's pop and the emerging "New Wave", Sneakers found guidance with the help of Allen Kovac's then fledgling managment firm, and producer Roger Atkins, who'd written hits for the likes of the Animals and the Monkees. Sneakers was hailed as the first band with a nationally released album from Oregon since Paul Revere and the Raiders in the '60s. The Ear Cartoons album nabbed the "Pick of the Week" honor in Billboard magazine upon its release in 1980. The band toured non-stop, opening for international acts and filling venues in their hometown. Keyboard/guitarist Cletis Carr left the band in 1981, to be replaced by sax player Todd Duncan. The band then recorded a second album, Music From The Sole which remains unreleased. The band uprooted from Oregon to Houston and shortly thereafter broke-up.

 

WU (240 mb)

The New Summer (PPA Exclusive)

VARIOUS - A PALACE IN THE SUN (2024)

 

Only a few days before summer day of 2024, here's the brand new collection brought to you by PPA. 26 bands with many fresh releases of this year, this is a compilation that i've really enjoyed making, listening (many many times in my car) and making the artwork. As usual, the full set of artwork is included, every song has the original album image embedded. Finally, the front artwork is an old fashioned image of my hometown. Now you can enjoy and comment about this new volume.

 

WU (561 mb)

WU (194 mb)

All The Kids On The Street (Never Reissued)

THE HOLLYWOOD STARS (1977)

 

Kim Fowley put together the band and helped them write songs. rehearse and shopped them around to the major record companies. Mark Anthony (1951-2002), Michael Rummins, Bobby Drier, Ruben DeFuentes and Terry Rae would be "THE STARS ", but there was already a STARZ, so they called themselves "The Hollywood Stars". Two of their songs were covered by major artists "King of the Night time World" recorded by Kiss and "Escape" by "Alice Cooper".
The album was released with the single "All the Kids On The Street". After The Kinks "Sleepwalker" tour, there was to much tension between Mark and the rest of the band. Soon after, Mark quit.." and it was the end of The Hollywood Stars. Of course, the album has never been reissued on cd, but "All The Kids On The Street" is a power pop anthem.

Two archive albums recorded in 1974 and 1976 were released in 2013 and 2019 to critical acclaim, prompting the band to reform in 2018. They have just released an album of new material on Rum Bar Records.

 

WU (276 mb)