Writing On The Wall - "Man of Renown"

Writing On The Wall - Man of Renown b/w Buffalo (1973 Pye - UK Issue)

Scottish four-piece psych/prog band, formed in Edinburgh, then moved to London, in search of fame and fortune.

Their final single, it's a semi-autobiographical story about trying to make it in the big city. After this record didn't hit, and the band's gear got ripped-off, they called it a day.

B-side is an edited version of "Buffalo," probably their best-known song. I'm sure it was placed on the flip to help sales out. What happened though, DJs ended up playing the already-known B-side, sending "Man of Renown" into obscurity. The downer-psych/prog of side B is much more representative of the rest of their recorded output.

You can hear a solid live version of the A-side, as well as multiple versions of "Buffalo" on the RPM/Ork Reissue of their first LP, Power of the Picts. This version of "Man of Renown" was comped on TREMORS, which I'd highly recommend purchasing.

Mr. Curt "Write down your Number"

Write Down Your Number b/w I'm Going Blind (Euphoria 1978 - US issue)

Boston's Curtis Naihersey, AKA, Mr. Curt was in an embryonic version of the Real Kids, way back when they were known simply as The Kids. Mr. Curt sings only on this track, backed by La Peste. This is perfect pop! The B-side is a masturbation tune performed by Pastiche, a band that Mr. Curt still plays guitar with. Eh, it's ok. I've heard a handful of tracks from Mr. Curt's various projects. This is the one to get!

Equals - "Back Streets"

No Place to Go b/w Back Streets (Moggie 1983 - UK issue)

This track is a bit of a departure for this blog. As far as I can tell, this is the last 45 released by The (noticeably older) Equals. They did record some tracks later on, and re-record others, but this was the last new vinyl.

At the time this was released, Eddy Grant was riding the success of "Electric Avenue." It doesn't appear that Eddy was involved in any way on this. A-side is boring. B-side isn't the Equals of the 60's and 70's, but it has grown on me quite a bit. Scan is of the back of the sleeve, as it's almost identical to the front, but it has some production/writing credits. This also got a 12" release, but doubt it got many spins in the club. Produced by Bruce Baxter, arranger for Billy Fury, and all-around industry mogul Hal Carter, who produced the incredible Rockin' Horse!!! Moggie Music was Hal Carter's publishing company. The record label was probably just a one-off.

The Boys - "Suzie Wong from Hong Kong (From the Chippie down the Road)"

Listen to the Beat b/w Suzie Wong from Hong Kong (From the Chippie down the Road) (Jungle 1981 - UK issue)
Yet another band called The Boys! I haven't been able to find any info on this, nor any mention of this record at all! Pretty listenable double-A-sided 45. Side A is a synth number, a bit like late-70's Mike Batt solo material. It isn't half bad either, just not right for this blog. Side AA is a poppy little tune, from the perspective of a guy with a bad case of the yellow fever. Somewhat reminiscent of a slowed-down Status Quo, plus It's got some nice hand claps. Some fella named "Brian Gilmore" wrote both sides and it was recorded in Liverpool. Can anybody help with some info?

32nd Turnoff - "Used to be a Tiger"

Used to be a Tiger b/w Baby (Honey) What you Doin' to Me (Jay Boy 1970 - Italian issue)

Not much is known about this Eddy Grant studio project. I can't find any information on who else was involved. No matter, "Used to be a Tiger" is as good as rock & roll gets! This gives off a strong frat rock vibe, not unlike The Sonics, updated for 1970.

The B-side sounds a bit like Cream's "Strange Brew," and think I'd actually rather listen to Cream than this track. Rather dull.

Both tracks on this single taken from their eponymous LP. "Used to be a Tiger" is probably the only cut of real interest to rock'n'rollers. Much of the rest is funky, with drum breaks and such. Rumor is that the LP was pretty much thrown together from sessions done in President Records founder Ed Kassner's studio.

Cardinal Point - "Keep on Dancing"

Cardinal Point - Keep on Dancing b/w Show me the Way (Phillips 1973 - Dutch issue)

This is one of those songs that I throw on every time I have a DJ gig, thinking that the crowd (and I use that word loosely) will go apeshit for it. So far, nobody has seemed to care but me. I guess that's what happens when one self-indulgently plays glam records to a top-40 audience.

Formed in Sicily in 1964 as I Punti Cardinali, their early releases were Italian versions of "Little Green Bag," "Something in the Air," and The Cats' "Lea." A few years later, they shipped off to Holland, anglicized their name, and started singing in English. This amazingly catchy tune builds nicely, and with a key change thrown in for good measure! Written by Hans Van Hemert and Piet Souer, both of whom worked with Mouth & MacNeal and Luv'. It's worth a mention that their organist was blind. He'll be the one wearing sunglasses in every band photo.

B-side starts out as a steel drum-driven island jam, but kicks into gear about 45 seconds in. Pretty solid record, overall.

Equals - "Beautiful Clown"

The Equals - Beautiful Clown b/w Daily Love (President 1977 - UK issue)

The last great Equals 45? At any rate, I think this is their last single with Eddy Grant involvement. It's hard to say, as I can't seem to find a comprehensive discography. The track was written by Grant and is a MONSTER, as good as anything they've ever done. I wish I knew what this one is about or, for that matter, what a "musical snitch" is.

The B-side was written by guitarist Derv Gordon and holds up pretty well too. Daily Love sounds like a mix of "Build me up Buttercup" and "Baby Love." I wouldn't be surprised if those were direct influences on this one, as The Equals were shameless riff thieves!

Both Sides produced by Eddy Grant

Ah, what the hell, here's the B-side too!