Henry Lopez-Real Top Ten – Reckless Records London

Henry Lopez-Real Top Ten

This weeks Top Ten is from Henry Lopez-Real! Henry has been a regular at several shops I’ve worked at over the years – and always buys fantastic gear. Henry produces the Gideon Coe show for BBC Radio 6.

BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES JUKEBOX 45’s TOP TEN

Errol Dixon & The Back Beats – Too Much Whisky

Flip side of his Mama Shut Your Door single on Blue Beat from 1961.

An apposite title, for some of us at least, at this time of year.  This’ll help the fug if you’re struggling. Beautiful-sadly uncredited-saxophone solo.

Rico And His Blue Boys – Soul Of Africa

Another on Blue Beat-this time from ’64-and another B side. This one the flip to Prince Buster’s Wash All Your Troubles Away.

Extremely moreish. You’ll never play it just the once. My copy has seen a lot of action at parties but Rico’s mighty trombone still makes it, just about, through the worn grooves.

Afronational band – Money Palava

Single on the Afronational label outta Sierra Leone c.1970-something.

Completely infectious with sweet ringin’ guitars to the fore.

Purchased many moons back in a now sadly defunct outlet on the Goldhawk Road where the basement prices were 10p for singles/ 20p for LP’s. Trendy new café/vinyl emporiums take note. This is an attractive pricing policy and you will attract custom. Perhaps not the sort of custom you’re looking for but nevertheless…

Chuck Berry – Ramona, Say Yes

Chuck hits a soul groove on this single for Chess.

He’s pretty keen on her red dress though thankfully he doesn’t tell us how old the titular Ramona is (or whether he’s transported her across state lines recently) and consequently we can still play this one on the wireless every now and then.

Manuel & The Renegades – Rev Up (Piper Records)

Beep Beep & The Roadrunners – Shifting Gears (Vincent Records)

Blast the new year cobwebs away with this pair of killer surf/hot rod 45’s. Very lo-fi and very fine.

Link Wray – Jack The Ripper/The Black Widow (Swan 1962)

All about Link’s mean, low slung guitar of course but it’d be an oversight not to mention brother Doug’s  thunderous performance on drums particularly at the fade. Outtasight Doug!

A reminder never to neglect the Cheaps. I picked up an OG of this 2 sided monster in Reckless for £2 a while back. Looks battered. Plays like a dream. Pressed LOUD.

Henry Gray & His Bayou Buddies – Henry’s Rock (Sunland Records)

Can never resist a 45 by an artist called Henry though you don’t need to be called Henry to dig this pounding piano rocker from Louisiana.

Newest record on the list from 1985 which was just the other year right?

George Harrison – Miss O’Dell

Another B side to his 1973 hit Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth). George attempts to knock out a Dylan-esque paen to Chris O’Dell of Apple Records but keeps breaking in to fits of laughter before leaving Macca’s old phone number at the end.

The laughter’ll do you good and remember spring’s just around the corner.

This can be found for pence.

Sun Ra Presents The Qualities – Happy New Year To You!

Not Sonny’s most challenging work but agreeably off-kilter doo wop to see in 2020.