Hello, kiddies.

If you are dropping by on you way from Fufu Stew, then welcome. If you came here first, then when you leave, be sure to drop by Fufu Stew for the rest of this special Vinyl Record Day post.

I am making an effort to share with you more of the records that I used to listen to as a child. Believe it or not, I bought my first records from the local government employees store (namely Memco) back in 1975. It’s hard to believe that some 32 years later, I am finding myself operating two blogs. In more ways than one, this fulfills a lifelong dream of mine in that I get to play the proverbial disc jockey and host a weekly radio(?) programme, creating my own playlists that are being enjoyed by people all over the world. Enough of the verbal rhubarb already. Let’s get to the music.

These are the first records I ever purchased. I was about six years old when I started to get a weekly allowance from my father. Unlike my brother who chose to either save his earnings or spend them on something practical like clothes (he was the thrifty one even at the age of eight, God rest his soul), I spent every cent I got on records. Imagine that. Even at the risk of getting reprimanded for not fully realising the value of a dollar, I still took the chance. Most times I did get punished and had my new scores taken away from me, bu I didn’t care because even back then I had the jones… Unfortunately, just like the tunes over at Fufu Stew, the original 45s were long since rendered unplayable as a result of many years of abuse. Thankfully I was able to replace all of them with more vinyl of varying conditions. The music is the most important thing here, so here we go…

 

The first is an unlikely piece from Janis Siegel and the Manhattan Transfer. Some of you may remember their short lived variety show which aired on Sunday nights if memory serves correctly. I always enjoyed watching shows like that. It seemed that everybody had one back then. Tony Orlando and Dawn, Sonny And Cher, the list goes on and on. Well, the signature tune for this particular show was a little thing called “Operator”. A rather poignant tale of a person who was trying to make a “telephone call” to Jesus, in other words, deep in prayer. Save for the religious overtones, this was a rather upbeat number with the signature harmonies that made this group famous for many years.

Please download and enjoy Operator, an .mp3 file, 5 MB.

I found a minty fresh copy of their debut LP for this one at one of my favourite mom and pop shops. It’s a pretty good record as a whole. One can be purchased with loose change I’m sure.

The second is from the group Hot Chocolate, who had a monster hit back in 1975 with a tune called “You Sexy Thing”. Everybody should know that one by now, as it has been used ad nauseum in many television commercials over the past thirty years or so. I for one am partial to its flip side, a patented soapbox moment of the highest order. This piece expresses how two people who are in love should not concern themselves with what other people think of them. It’s important to note that these two people are involved in an interracial relationship, hence the name of the tune.

Please download and enjoy The Amazing Skin Song, an .mp3 file, 6 MB
Thanks once again to my good friend Rob. His 45 was also well played, but still sounds better than the one I was forced to discard… It was beat up beyond recognition. Sorry, I was only a child and didn’t know any better… Here’s an import comp that looks pretty good…

 

Finally, here’s one another timeless classic, performed by the Spinners.

 

Please download and enjoy They Just Can’t Stop It The (Games People Play), an .mp3 file, 5 MB.
I found a cheap replacement at the monthly record show here in town which, surprisingly enough, another one is fast approaching just in time for me to score some more funky 45s to take to New Jersey in a few weeks…

Well, there you have it. That’s my tribute to the glory of Vinyl Record Day. I am proud to have been asked to be a part of this blogswarm, and I am glad that you kids are digging the tunes that I have to share.  Be sure to check out JB’s Vinyl Record Day Rundown for all the latest information. Now when the celebration ends and normal life resumes, there will still be lots more snacks to be had by one and all, so please be sure to drop in again, k? Enjoy your week and remember to be safe.

Peace and blessings.