Amsterdam Russ

Can anyone help in identifying this instrumental track? Possibly it's the backing track to something, but if so, what? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2eK66HtxZw

How about this for obscure? A Warner Bros release of Loma 2058 by Barry 'Barefoot' Beefus - from Turkey!

My copy arrived in the Netherlands today. I have to say it looks jaw-droppingly good.

Bob, it sounds like you need a primer on the Berne Convention. Happy reading..

Brenton Wood - EP - Brazil

Excellent. Looking forward to receiving it.

Overseas copies on their way?

"Sorry, an error occurred" - that's what I'm getting.

Entered the UK charts at number 9, 30th Sept 1967 and peaked at number 6. It dropped out of the Top 15 six weeks later. By then Sgt Peppers had been ousted from it's long run in the poll position by the soundtrack to The Sound of Music...

Looking through the photo galleries here creates the same sense of - ugh, they're all old! It's like being a teenager and accidentally wandering into an OAP's party. Worse, remember the elderly Teddy Boys who, years after their 50s heyday, continued to wear drape jackets and crepe shoes, and had greased back hair, which would typically be grey? People see the same thing now, except it isn't the ageing Teddy Boys, it's the Northern Soulers!

Hmm, possibly then the obit is for a different Rucker. Reading through it again, the article does state that Tyrone Rucker gained the nickname 'Big Daddy Rucker' in the 70s. If so, maybe his friends had the other one in mind when they gave him the tag. Someone must know for sure or at least have a reference book to consult...

Welcome, Elaine. What can you tell us about this CD, how you went about getting it together and what motivated you to do so?

This obituary of any use to you? https://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/?id=7963

It might seem a silly question to ask, but how is it known that the heavier vinyl press is in fact the first and therefore 'original' release? I presume there must be a few facts to substantiate this. So, what are they? There seems to be some doubt as to whether the 'second' press of lighter weight is a legitimate release (if so, when?) or a bootleg from the 70s. Is anyone actually able to clarify what it is, and isn't? Having listened to the previously mentioned Sonny Hopson radio show (which, amazingly, I found in a bargain bin at HMV Islington some 6-7 years ago), and having done some reading up on the guy, it seems obvious that he was a natural promoter. With a band and their new 45 to promote - and with his own nightclub, radio show and status as perfect vehicles to do so - it would seem entirely acceptable for him to have pressed up more copies if needed, especially if his own promotional activity gave the record a second breath of life. So, what are the actual known facts about the release of this 45?

Clicking on the images brings up the larger files you uploaded.

I was fortunate to spend some time in conversation with Wayne Bennett - Bobby Bland's legendary guitarist - when the Malaco Review came to the UK in 1989. Whilst regaling me with tales of 'the old days', he was also kind enough to sign a few 45s that I'd taken along. Whereas Wayne Bennett was happy to sign my 45s and chat for a good hour or so, Bobby Bland was surly and, I felt, rather disagreeable. He would only sign one 45 and appeared reluctant to do even that. The weak squiggle on this copy of Blue Moon is what passes for his autograph. Perhaps he was just having a bad day. Regardless, these remain treasured possessions.

What a tune! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FlE6MRiyNc

Worth a try, but I suspect the seller will only think that you're kidding around!

The real title of the track we know as The Kid is Holiday. When the two tracks got released outside of the local Belgian/Dutch markets there was a mix up. Holiday became The Kid and vice versa! This is confirmed on Andre Brasseur's own website (which used to be available in a number of languages including English, but for some reason unknown is available only in French at the moment). Your 45, which was pressed for the local market, has the correct title. Also, if you watch the clip on YouTube, you'll see a series of comments that further confirm the mix-up in titles.

When you play The Kid, do you get this track instead?

CNR is a Dutch record label with a history stretching back to 1939. They released a greatest hits album of Brasseur's work in 1977. Your 45 is a reissue put out to coincide with that album.

Hey, Calum, it might sound an odd question, but are you the same person who set up a Silhouettes website a few years ago and also used to frequent the WebmasterWorld forums?

Could be the track 'Holiday', which is paired with The Kid on most releases. If it is 'Holiday' the reason for the mix up is that 'The Kid' is in fact 'Holiday' and vice-versa. At some point very early on the titles got mixed up. This possibly accounts for later UK releases that have the tracks swapped as A & B sides. I guess that when someone advised of the error they said the songs are on the wrong side - the A side should be the B side. In reality they were only supposed to swap the titles, and not the songs!

Thanks, Bob. It's a tough crowd in here sometimes!