Classic 45's Jukebox

Label: Elektra 45720
Year: 1971
Condition: M-
Last Price: $18.00. Not currently available for sale.

I still think this is my favorite Bread track... the lyrics are hopelessly romantic, but that's just what you want when you're hopelessly in love. And the arrangement suits the mood perfectly. David Gates has concocted a perfect Pop confection that should not be dismissed merely because it is so. The sheer beauty of the music, song, voice, lyrics literally brings me to tears when I'm in a certain mood. The vision of my dear wife coming and "pouring herself on me" when I'm feeling down, and of our ultimately "flying away" from our worldly cares and woes together, evokes such poignancy for me that I feel it's happening... as the music plays. I finally found a copy of with audio good enough to record for my iTunes library, but when I began to make the mp3 "snippet" for Classic 45s, I simply could not find a reasonable place to edit this nearly perfect musical "poem," so I ended up including the entire 2:33 song as the snippet. If you are inclined to dismiss Bread and David Gates, do me a favor and listen to the entirety of the snippet. This level of creativity in Soft Rock definitely deserves our 2-star recommendation, and I hope you agree. Enjoy! Note: This beautiful copy comes in a Near Mint picture sleeve with no notable flaws. The labels look Mint, and the vinyl (styrene) looks almost Mint. Fortunately, this copy, while not perfect, is close enough to earn a rare (for this pressing) Near Mint audio rating. Have a listen to the snippet, and you'll agree you can imagine a more perfect rendition, but you have to admit this Mono mix is gorgeous!

Label: Third Man 262
Year: 2003
Condition: M
Price: $20.00

The A side was originally released in 2003, but there was no U.S. 7-inch vinyl release at that time. This 2015 single is the first generally available U.S. 7-inch 45 rpm record for the song, which is an essential touchstone in the history of Modern Rock/Grunge. This beautiful single has a large spindle hole. These brand new copies come in a sturdy, heavy-paper picture sleeve. The sleeve indicates that these tracks may have been remastered for this release. This is a new, unplayed copy.

Label: Dunhill/ABC 4138
Year: 1968
Condition: M-
Last Price: $30.00. Not currently available for sale.

Besides the classic A side, this single is doubly wonderful because of the great Garage-Rock nugget hiding on the B side. The A side is a specially edited version of a 3:28 album track. Collector Nerd Alert: Most pressings of this release are on Dunhill/ABC; however, at the beginning of the single's run a few copies were released on Dunhill... those command slightly higher prices. Note: This 45 record comes in a vintage Dunhill/ABC factory sleeve. It has Near Mint labels and vinyl. The audio sounds pristine Mint... a real treat! (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Motown 1103
Year: 1967
Condition: M-
Last Price: $20.00. Not currently available for sale.

It's clear that Diana Ross' spoken interlude in this underrated Supremes single was one of Michael Jackson's greatest vocal inspirations. His little hiccup surely started from late-night air-guitar sessions when Michael would sing along with Diana on this one. :-) The B side is another fine H-D-H tune. This single is also remarkable for the manic mastery of James Jamerson's bass playing. Right from the get-go, his bass starts running away behind the scenes and just doesn't stop for breath! (Note: Jamerson was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.) Note: This beautiful copy comes in a vintage Motown Records factory sleeve. It grades very close to Mint for its labels and vinyl, and the audio is Near Mint as well. (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Columbia 45259 dj
Year: 1970
Condition: M-
Last Price: $40.00. Not currently available for sale.

One of the group's last singles, this is a neglected classic. Great melodic story with an unforgettable hook on the A side, and a sea of shimmering guitars on the B side. This promo copy grades close to Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio). (This scan is a representative image from our archives; this copy doesn't have the stamp shown.)

Label: RCA 13725
Year: 1984
Condition: M
Price: $14.00

What a fabulous recording this is! This duo was in a creative streak that we all got to enjoy, and this is one of the best Techno/Synth tracks of the early 1980s. Note: This beautiful copy comes in a nearly flawless picture sleeve. The 45 itself has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio). (This scan is a representative image from our archives.)

Label: Sire 49033
Year: 1979
Condition: M
Last Price: $15.00. Not currently available for sale.

I just had to have a snippet of this classic synth-pop dancer, one that helped power that whole genre at its inception. This record has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio). The iconic picture sleeve grades a strong Near Mint.

Label: Atlanta Artists 818384
Year: 1984
Condition: M-
Price: $6.50

This is a beautiful Near Mint stock copy. Essential 1980s Rap/Funk. This is an edited version of the 7:12 album track. The audio is very close to Mint.

Label: Malaco 2122
Year: 1985
Condition: M
Last Price: $12.00. Not currently available for sale.

From a warehouse find, this is a new, unplayed stock copy. It's a crime to Soul radio that this one wasn't a huge hit for the veteran Mr. Bobby Bland. It's a wonderful recording fully deserving our highest rating of 2 stars. We just had to put up an mp3 "snippet" so you can hear it for yourself... Enjoy! Note: This beautiful copy It has no notable flaws, grading Mint across the board (Labels, Vinyl, Audio).

Label: Fantasy 655
Year: 1971
Condition: M-
Price: $12.00

Here's a beautiful copy of one of my personal favorite CCR singles, which, unfortunately turned out to be their last truly great 45. Back in 1971, my awareness of pop music was just awakening, and though I'd heard CCR on the radio, I never paid much attention. That was the music of my older sister. :-)

Today, this song remains one of my 5-Star Creedence tunes, but it's definitely not among the singles that define their legacy — such as "Proud Mary," "Fortunate Son," "Bad Moon Rising," or "Who'll Stop The Rain." Still, when it comes on the radio or through my iTunes playlists, it thrills me in a way the others -- though also thrilling -- just don't. That's one reason I've put am mp3 "snippet" of it in our online "jukebox."

(This scan is a representative image from our archives--the copy we have for sale has some light ringwear on one side).