Any way you like it (Thelma Houston) (LP 414)

Thelma Housten Any Way You Like It (Vinyl, Motown, 1976) *** 

Genre: Soul (I don't have a 'disco' section) 

Places I remember: Chaldon Books and Records (Caterham on the hill)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Don't Leave Me This Way




Gear costume:  Don't Know Why I Love You 

Active compensatory factors: Don't Leave Me This Way immediately takes me back to the late seventies, working Friday nights at Marbeck's Records. This was one of Roger's favourites and for good reason.

The song just builds and builds into a monster; Gamble and Huff can be relied upon for quality!

Sadly there isn't another track on the album that comes close. Side one has two other bright disco numbers but side two is weaker with five songs of varying quality.

Thelma has a presence and a great voice but she needs the right material. Don't Leave Me This Way was perfect for her.


Where do they all belong? As noted above, I don't have a disco genre section in my collection but to me this is soul music with a killer beat - Don't leave me! Satisfy the need in me!

Champaign Jam (Atlanta Rhythm Section) (LP 357)

Atlanta Rhythm Section Are You Ready! (Vinyl, Polydor, 1979) ****

Genre: American pop/rock 

Places I remember: Marbecks Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Angel (What in the world's come over us)




Gear costume: So Into You

Active compensatory factors:  I  was into my second year of working at Marbecks Records in my University holidays when Roger Marbeck played this album in the shop a few times. 

It's a slick amalgam of southern rock like Marshall Tucker Band were playing (I fell for the MTB big time). 

Rhythmic guitars, extended jams, good ole boys: fun!!


Where do they all belong? This is the only ARS album I possess but really, that's enough. The Marshall Tucker Band discography is a different thing though - I'm a completist as far as they go. Not sure why as they plough the same furrow to a large extent.When I think about it I guess it's the more romanticised version of the western hero that I like (The Long Ride was my way in).

Soft stuff (Earl Klugh) (LP 345)

Earl Klugh Crazy For You (Vinyl, EMI, 1981) ***

Genre:  Modern Jazz 

Places I remember: Marbecks Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I'm Ready For Your Love




Gear costume:  Soft Stuff (and other delights)

Active compensatory factors:  This came out when I was working at Marbecks Records (the lack of apostrophe always buggs me - surprising as Murray Marbeck was a scholar and a gentleman).

Roger Marbeck would play it often, and it just perfectly sums up the cool laid back approach that was the atmosphere in the shop. Roger has great musical ears and he was spot on with this album.

Side one is the stronger - maybe because I've heard it more: countless times in the shop and subsequently at home. Side two stretches things and starts to feel a little dated.

That opening track though (as above). Magic times!!


Where do they all belong? Try the duets albums with Bob James for more of this brand of coolness.

Rings of life (Michael Murphey) (LP 335)

Michael Murphey Blue Sky - Night Thunder  (Vinyl, Epic, 1975) ****

Genre:  Country rock

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records, Auckland

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Wildfire




Gear costume:  Carolina In The Pines

Active compensatory factors: Regular readers will remember that I mentioned finally tracking down a copy of this album when I last mentioned Michael Murphey in this blog.

Since then I have tragically lost the copy in our recent house move - so I'm on the hunt again*. Deep sigh.

In the meantime, I'll be listening to YouTube's copy of Wildfire. This is just a great great song. 

Many years ago, Roger Marbeck gave me a cassette version of the album and I instantly loved it. I've bought (and lost) other Murphey albums but none compare to the grandeur of this one: his classic album.

Where do they all belong? In my collection. 

*Among other things I lost all the albums in my country genre. So - quite a few to catch up on.

Tonight and forever (Carly Simon (LP 300)

Carly Simon Spoiled Girl (Vinyl - Epic, 1985) *****

Genre: American pop/rock  

Places I remember: Chaldon Books and Records (Caterham on the hill)  

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: My New Boyfriend




Tired Of Being Blond



Gear costume: Everything else - Spoiled Girl, Come Back Home, Tonight And Forever, The Wives In Connecticut, Anyone But Me, Interview, Make Me Feel Something, Can't Give It Up.

Active compensatory factors: Five stars? Really?? - I can hear you now. But I have no hesitation showering this album with pure pop classic status.

Roger Marbeck started the ball rolling by giving me a load of old recorded cassettes, this album was on one side of a C90. I played it in the car endlessly. My children will know all of these songs!

I eventually found a proper cassette version, then a CD, and now the vinyl from up the road at Chaldon Books and Records. When I bought it the old guy who owns the shop ('nothing good came out after 1956') said, "Oh I love Carly Simon!"

The best pop record of the eighties? I know that's a big call but for me, it's a resounding, 'Oh Hell Yeah!!'

And I should hate it! Drum machines when there aren't eighties drum sounds, Linn drums, eighties synths, schmaltzy ballads that have all of those things (Make Me Feel Something/ Tonight And Forever), but the songs are so damn catchy, the singing is so brilliant and the production creates such a great warm sound, that I can't think of an eighties album that I play more than this one.

One of the things I love about these songs is their intelligence. Carly doesn't suffer fools and her stance throughout the album is solidly #Metoo before that concept existed. Song after song is female-centric in a totally refreshing way.

The lasting impression is one of Carly having fun, so I always have a great big grin on my face whenever I listen to it. It makes me feel great - hence it being thrashed on road trips.

Where do they all belong? This was her last peak - so I suggest going back to Anticipation or No Secrets or just put Spoiled Girl on again! 

Touchdown (Bob James) (LP 240)

Bob James All Around The Town (Vinyl - CBS, 1981) *****

Genre: Cool Jazz  

Places I remember:  Marbecks Records (Queen's Arcade, Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: We're All Alone




Gear costume:  Angela, Stompin' At The Savoy, and the rest!

Active compensatory factors: You'll instantly know at least one track on this album - Angela (Theme From "Taxi"). It's a muscular version on show here.

As are the rest of these songs - recorded with a variety of combos. All of Bob's strengths are on show and none of his weaknesses (polite production I'd call it).

We're All Alone is a peak. I remember Roger Marbeck playing this and I remember the first time I heard it. Those horns rip!!

And, before you yell - what about the lack of continuity between these live cuts?? Why haven't you taken a point off for that huh?? This isn't like a rock album where I really need to feel it's a cohesive live document. This is jazz! Cool jazz.

Where do they all belong? A 'best of' compilation is probably your next safest bet with the prolific Bob.

I'm so glad (Cream) (LP 220 - 226)

Creme de la Cream vinyl box set (1980)

Cream Fresh Cream (Vinyl - RSO, 1966) ***
Cream Disraeli Gears (Vinyl - Polydor, 1967) *****
Cream Wheels Of Fire: In the studio (Vinyl - RSO, 1968) **
Cream Wheels Of Fire: Live at the Fillmore (Vinyl - RSO, 1968) ***
Cream Goodbye Cream (Vinyl - RSO, 1969) ****
Cream Live Cream (Vinyl - RSO, 1970) ***
Cream Live Cream Volume II (Vinyl - Polydor, 1972) ****

Genre: Blues (a stretch, I know, but it keeps all the Clapton material roughly in one place)  

Places I remember: Roger Marbeck's Cannongate St house, early eighties.  

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Sunshine Of Your Love (Disraeli Gears), Crossroads (Live)




Gear costume: Badge (Goodbye), Strange Brew (Disraeli Gears) 


Active compensatory factors: Welcome to the longest Goo Goo entry for ages. That's because I'm tracking through the contents of my Creme De La Cream vinyl box set.

But first: some context.

It all started with I'm So Glad on an el cheapo knock off Cream compilation album (called Swlabr) on Polydor's el cheapo knock off Karussell label, bought from a supermarket back at the dawn of time. 

I'm So Glad, as featured on that album in long/live form, hooked me. Forever.

Fast forward to 1980 and I'm helping Roger Marbeck dig out wet clay from under his house. As a thank uou, Roger gives me this box set: all the studio and live albums together, along with Extra Cream (a bonus 12 inch single). He's a great guy is our Roger!

In a four year whirlwind of activity, the Cream super group juggernaut conquered the world and then flamed out. 

Here's everything they recorded!

Things began with Fresh and my copy's crazy stereo separation (Ginger and the bass on the right, Eric and vocals on the left) is the first bizarre aspect of note (it was also released on mono but quickly deleted - shame coz it's probably the better way to hear this).

Maybe it's done to showcase the three master musicians' individual genius and Eric's guitar pyrotechnics are, indeed, mind blowing, but it sounds weird and on the tinny side at times (especially on Four Until Late).

Highlights:  Spoonful still sounds remarkable, Rollin' and Tumblin' is an extraordinary firestorm thanks to Bruce's gob iron and vocals (my mother always hated this song!), and I'm So Glad retains its, erm, freshness.

Disraeli Gears is by far the best of the two studio albums (double album Wheels Of Fire and Goodbye are mixtures of live and studio tracks), even though it includes the weak Blue Condition and bizarre Mother's Lament to end each side.

Highlights aplenty: apart from the amazing riff at the heart of Sunshine Of Your Love, take your pick from Strange Brew, Tales Of Brave Ulysses (Clapton on spectacular wah wah) or SWLABR, or We're Going Wrong or Take It Back and Dance The Night Away is a psychedelic musical representation of the cover all on its own.

Third offering was the double Wheels Of Fire - one studio album and one live (it was released as a double at the time but the Creme de la Cream set presents them as the two individual albums that were later released).

It's my least favourite Cream album. The studio sides are patchy and the live tracks bloated.

Highlights: Crossroads is, of course, a highlight of Clapton's entire career and Traintime on the live album is worth your time (still can't get through all of Spoonful or Toad without getting distracted). Studio album highlights are even less plentiful - White Room is barking mad and shouldn't work but somehow does;  and Born Under a Bad Sign is energetic.

As  a final statement (the remaining two live albums come from roughly the same source as those that appear on Wheels Of Fire), Goodbye Cream is a doozy!

Highlights: That brilliant version of I'm So Glad that I heard first on the Karussell album is here (the sound of three great musicians kicking the shit out of the blues), the best version of Politician (great guitar by Slowhand), and Badge with George Harrison on rhythm guitar. 

The two live albums are enjoyable without being essential. Curiously, even though it seems a cash in two years after the first collection, Volume II is much the better album thanks to the greater brevity and variety 0n show.

Rather than a full concert, we get individual tracks - never my favourite approach, as you know.

Live Cream highlights: A Lawdy Mama that sounds like Strange Brew, an epic Sweet Wine that takes in some interesting side roads and a less frenetic but worthy Rollin' and Tumblin'. 

Live Cream Volume II highlights: muscular versions of Deserted Cities of the Heart, White Room, Politician, and Hideaway. The version of Sunshine Of Your Love ain't too shabby either!!

Where do they all belong? More Clapton related material when we roll around to the CD collection again - specifically Journeyman.

Le chant grégorien est un chant sacré anonyme (LP 126)

The Deller Consort  Gregorian Chants - Wedding of Cana (Vinyl - Everest Records, 1979) *** 

Genre: Classical

Places I remember: Marbecks Records (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/Gear costume: It all morphs into one extended ambient sound collage.




Active compensatory factors: Incredibly calming sounds these; bought after hearing something similar at Roger Marbeck's place.

This form of chanting goes back to the 9th and 10th century. For me, it's similar to Buddhist chanting and Brian Eno's ambient albums - meditative and refreshing after listening to 'modern' music. 

Best listened to on a Sunday morning or late at night. 

Where do they all belong? This album stands alone. Every home should have one!

Blessing in disguise (Michael Murphey) (LP 116)

Michael Murphey Cosmic Cowboy Souvenir (Vinyl - EMI, 1973) ***

Genre: Country

Places I remember: Slow Boat Records (Wellington)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Blessing in Disguise




Gear costume: Rolling Hills

Active compensatory factors: Roger Marbeck once gave me a tape of Blue Sky - Night Thunder by Michael Murphey. It contained the hit song Wildfire, which I was immediately drawn to, but it turned out I loved the whole album. Murphey's voice is an authentic one.

Sadly the tape was munched many years ago and I've been searching for a replacement copy ever since*.

I did find this earlier album last year in Slow Boat Records. It's no where near as good as Blue Sky - Night Thunder but it's still a worthwhile record in its own right.

Straying into the poppier end of country from time to time, there is still plenty of  pedal steel and mandolin from Herb Steiner to keep it real.

Extra kudos: it's produced by the great Bob Johnston.

Where do they all belong? Still, the search goes on for Blue Sky...*

* Since writing this post I found a copy! Vinyl too! And it's as great as I remember it. It will be the next cab off the rank in this genre.

Come pick me up (Ryan Adams) (LP 6)

Ryan Adams Heartbreaker (CD - Bloodshot Records, 2000) ****

Genre:  Americana

Places I remember: This was in a pile of CDs that Roger Marbeck gave me in the early 2000s. He thought I'd like it and he's not often wrong is Roger.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles:   Oh My Sweet Carolina is damn near perfect. Emmylou Harris provides the harmony and... just wow baby!




Gear costume: My Winding Wheel is another gem on the album.

Active compensatory factors: A prodigious talent, Ryan Adams puts out A LOT of stuff! Not all of it is great but Heartbreaker was a fine debut solo album for him. 

It's patchy as most of his albums are (only Gold is genius from start to finish for me), hence the four star rating.

Where do they all belong?: Where to next? Try more of Adam's CDs - most notably Gold, and other Americana bands like the Jayhawks and my fave, Golden Smog.

Grab your mates and head for the beach (The Dressing Gowns) #104

Dressing Gowns Surfing At Piha/ Eatin Bananas In The Bahamas (CBS, BA 461 977, 1981)

Okay, this one is REALLY odd.

I bought this while working at Marbecks because it was a laugh and Roger and I loved it!

He was (still is) a surfer dude, I was (still am) not!

The CBS rep loved this so he pushed it which is how Rog and I heard it. I think we both liked the simplicity and the amateur, almost punkish/low-fi style which was pretty refreshing in 1981.

I have no idea who The Dressing Gowns were (or are now), and this is one time Google has not been able to help. I did find a link to someone selling a copy on Trade me - $2.50 + postage. So not a rare goldmine item either then!

Any edge the song had in 1981 has pretty much gone after over thirty years but it's still a nifty little ditty.

Hidden gem: The B side is a slower attempt at a novelty song and doesn't work.

Through the garden of your smile I saw the back door or your life (The Rumour)

I recently picked up a compilation of The Rumour - a NZ band of the seventies (not to be confused with The Rumour, Graham Parker's band from the UK).

Some thoughts - they started as The Surfires (two of their songs are on the compilation) who were (near as dammit) very similar sounding as the hit making Rumour.

Shade Smith was the key ingredient - his songs carry the band forward. When he was hot - so were the band. Unfortunately he wasn't hot that often. Of the 24 tracks (value!!) only five can be described as 'hits': L'Amour est L'enfant de la Liberte; Garden of Your Smile; Holy Morning; No Money On Our Trees; and Queen of Paradise. Pity the CD doesn't include the other big hit Sunshine Through a Prism that was covered by Suzanne.

The dominant style is seventies soft rock a la Bread or Air Supply. Sometimes it's successful, but other times not. For instance What Have You Done (with that day God gave you) is pretty icky.

The harmony work is superb though and these five songs still resonate. The sound isn't always great though - sounds like it was mastered off old vinyl in places.

It's a nice overall package with some great photos and details of the band's rise and fall. One slight pedantic point - why is Graham Nash's song Teach Your Children credited to someone called John J Francis?

Finally - the CD thanks Roger Marbeck. Wahoo!! Good stuff Roger. Great to see your name in print on a CD.