The US LP that contained this had a cover . . . . . . that to me had a similarity to that of the cover of Dawn's (with Tony Orlando) first album:
#16 of 1975 (#378 in total) - "Hold Me Close" by David Essex (#1 for 3 weeks - 04 October-18 October 1975) The UK single: The US single: Wikipedia entry - also NME #405 and Melody Maker #345 (both same duration - 04 October-18 October 1975). His last chart topper; alas, did not make U.S. charts.
Week Ending 04 October 1975 04 - 02 - 01 - David Essex - HOLD ME CLOSE 08 - 01 - 02 - Rod Stewart - SAILING 05 - 08 - 03 - The Drifters - THERE GOES MY FIRST LOVE 04 - 10 - 04 - Art Garfunkel - I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU 06 - 03 - 05 - Leo Sayer - MOONLIGHTING 08 - 05 - 06 - Jasper Carrott - FUNKY MOPED / MAGIC ROUNDABOUT 05 - 07 - 07 - Showaddywaddy - HEARTBEAT 05 - 04 - 08 - 5000 Volts - I'M ON FIRE 04 - 11 - 09 - Carl Malcolm - FATTIE BUM-BUM 05 - 12 - 10 - Jonathan King - UNA PALOMA BLANCA (WHITE DOVE) 05 - 21 - 11 - George Baker Selection - PALOMA BLANCA 11 - 06 - 12 - Roger Whittaker - THE LAST FAREWELL 06 - 25 - 13 - The Band Of The Black Watch - SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS 03 - 30 - 14 - Four Seasons - WHO LOVES YOU 04 - 26 - 15 - The Chi-Lites - IT'S TIME FOR LOVE 03 - 31 - 16 - ABBA - SOS 07 - 14 - 17 - Chris Spedding - MOTOR BIKIN' 06 - 20 - 18 - Mac And Katie Kissoon - LIKE A BUTTERFLY 02 - 47 - 19 - Judge Dread - BIG 10 06 - 16 - 20 - Desmond Dekker - SING A LITTLE SONG 08 - 13 - 21 - Mike Batt With The New Edition - SUMMERTIME CITY 09 - 09 - 22 - Hot Chocolate - A CHILD'S PRAYER 02 - 38 - 23 - Morris Albert - FEELINGS 07 - 18 - 24 - Procol Harum - PANDORA'S BOX 08 - 15 - 25 - Kenny - JULIE ANN 06 - 22 - 26 - Bad Company - FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE 1 - NEW - 27 - Mud - L'L'LUCY 10 - 19 - 28 - K.C. And The Sunshine Band - THAT'S THE WAY (I LIKE IT) 02 - 37 - 29 - The Goodies - NAPPY LOVE / WILD THING 02 - 40 - 30 - Bob Marley And The Wailers - NO WOMAN, NO CRY 07 - 17 - 31 - Al Matthews - FOOL 02 - 45 - 32 - Pilot - JUST A SMILE 04 - 33 - 33 - Hamilton, Joe Frank And Reynolds - FALLIN' IN LOVE 02 - 42 - 34 - Ray Stevens - INDIAN LOVE CALL 13 - 28 - 35 - Billie Jo Spears - BLANKET ON THE GROUND 11 - 24 - 36 - The Stylistics - CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING (BUT MY LOVE) 10 - 23 - 37 - Gladys Knight And The Pips - BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME 03 - 36 - 38 - 53rd And 3rd Featuring The Sound of Shag - CHICK-A-BOOM 03 - 44 - 39 - Peoples Choice - DO IT ANY WAY YOU WANNA 05 - 35 - 40 - Sandy Posey - SINGLE GIRL 03 - 34 - 41 - The Diversions - FATTIE BUM-BUM 1 - NEW - 42 - Esther Phillips - WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES 1 - NEW - 43 - Elton John - ISLAND GIRL 1 - NEW - 44 - Smokie - DON'T PLAY YOUR ROCK N' ROLL TO ME 02 - 48 - 45 - Dobie Gray - OUT ON THE FLOOR 1 - NEW - 46 - Sparks - LOOKS, LOOKS, LOOKS 02 - 50 - 47 - Chris Farlowe - OUT OF TIME 05 - 43 - 48 - The Fatback Band - YUM YUM (GIMME SOME) 1 - NEW - 49 - Glen Campbell - RHINESTONE COWBOY 1 - NEW - 50 - The Exciters - REACHING FOR THE BEST Week Ending 11 October 1975 05 - 01 - 01 - David Essex - HOLD ME CLOSE 05 - 04 - 02 - Art Garfunkel - I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU 06 - 03 - 03 - The Drifters - THERE GOES MY FIRST LOVE 06 - 08 - 04 - 5000 Volts - I'M ON FIRE 06 - 10 - 05 - Jonathan King - UNA PALOMA BLANCA (WHITE DOVE) 05 - 15 - 06 - The Chi-Lites - IT'S TIME FOR LOVE 09 - 06 - 07 - Jasper Carrott - FUNKY MOPED / MAGIC ROUNDABOUT 05 - 09 - 08 - Carl Malcolm - FATTIE BUM-BUM 04 - 14 - 09 - Four Seasons - WHO LOVES YOU 06 - 11 - 10 - George Baker Selection - PALOMA BLANCA 09 - 02 - 11 - Rod Stewart - SAILING 07 - 13 - 12 - The Band Of The Black Watch - SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS 04 - 16 - 13 - ABBA - SOS 03 - 23 - 14 - Morris Albert - FEELINGS 02 - 27 - 15 - Mud - L'L'LUCY 06 - 07 - 16 - Showaddywaddy - HEARTBEAT 03 - 19 - 17 - Judge Dread - BIG 10 07 - 05 - 18 - Leo Sayer - MOONLIGHTING 07 - 18 - 19 - Mac And Katie Kissoon - LIKE A BUTTERFLY 07 - 26 - 20 - Bad Company - FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE 03 - 29 - 21 - The Goodies - NAPPY LOVE / WILD THING 12 - 12 - 22 - Roger Whittaker - THE LAST FAREWELL 1 - NEW - 23 - David Bowie - SPACE ODDITY 02 - 44 - 24 - Smokie - DON'T PLAY YOUR ROCK N' ROLL TO ME 02 - 42 - 25 - Esther Phillips - WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES 02 - 43 - 26 - Elton John - ISLAND GIRL 03 - 30 - 27 - Bob Marley And The Wailers - NO WOMAN, NO CRY 07 - 20 - 28 - Desmond Dekker - SING A LITTLE SONG 08 - 17 - 29 - Chris Spedding - MOTOR BIKIN' 02 - 46 - 30 - Sparks - LOOKS, LOOKS, LOOKS 03 - 32 - 31 - Pilot - JUST A SMILE 02 - 49 - 32 - Glen Campbell - RHINESTONE COWBOY 02 - 50 - 33 - The Exciters - REACHING FOR THE BEST 10 - 22 - 34 - Hot Chocolate - A CHILD'S PRAYER 03 - 34 - 35 - Ray Stevens - INDIAN LOVE CALL 04 - 39 - 36 - Peoples Choice - DO IT ANY WAY YOU WANNA 1 - NEW - 37 - Roxy Music - LOVE IS THE DRUG 08 - 31 - 38 - Al Matthews - FOOL 05 - 33 - 39 - Hamilton, Joe Frank And Reynolds - FALLIN' IN LOVE 04 - 38 - 40 - 53rd And 3rd Featuring The Sound of Shag - CHICK-A-BOOM 1 - NEW - 41 - T. Rex Disco Party - DREAMY LADY 03 - 45 - 42 - Dobie Gray - OUT ON THE FLOOR 1 - NEW - 43 - Trammps - HOLD BACK THE NIGHT 03 - 47 - 44 - Chris Farlowe - OUT OF TIME 06 - 48 - 45 - The Fatback Band - YUM YUM (GIMME SOME) 1 - NEW - 46 - Natalie Cole - THIS WILL BE 1 - NEW - 47 - Tommy Hunt - CRACKIN' UP 1 - NEW - 48 - Dee Clark - RIDE A WILD HORSE 1 - NEW - 49 - George Harrison - YOU 1 - NEW - 50 - Johnny Nash - LET'S BE FRIENDS Week Ending 18 October 1975 06 - 01 - 01 - David Essex - HOLD ME CLOSE 06 - 02 - 02 - Art Garfunkel - I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU 07 - 03 - 03 - The Drifters - THERE GOES MY FIRST LOVE 04 - 14 - 04 - Morris Albert - FEELINGS 06 - 06 - 05 - The Chi-Lites - IT'S TIME FOR LOVE 05 - 09 - 06 - Four Seasons - WHO LOVES YOU 05 - 13 - 07 - ABBA - SOS 08 - 12 - 08 - The Band Of The Black Watch - SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS 07 - 05 - 09 - Jonathan King - UNA PALOMA BLANCA (WHITE DOVE) 03 - 15 - 10 - Mud - L'L'LUCY 02 - 23 - 11 - David Bowie - SPACE ODDITY 03 - 24 - 12 - Smokie - DON'T PLAY YOUR ROCK N' ROLL TO ME 06 - 08 - 13 - Carl Malcolm - FATTIE BUM-BUM 04 - 17 - 14 - Judge Dread - BIG 10 07 - 10 - 15 - George Baker Selection - PALOMA BLANCA 10 - 07 - 16 - Jasper Carrott - FUNKY MOPED / MAGIC ROUNDABOUT 03 - 25 - 17 - Esther Phillips - WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES 08 - 19 - 18 - Mac And Katie Kissoon - LIKE A BUTTERFLY 07 - 04 - 19 - 5000 Volts - I'M ON FIRE 10 - 11 - 20 - Rod Stewart - SAILING 04 - 21 - 21 - The Goodies - NAPPY LOVE / WILD THING 03 - 26 - 22 - Elton John - ISLAND GIRL 07 - 16 - 23 - Showaddywaddy - HEARTBEAT 04 - 27 - 24 - Bob Marley And The Wailers - NO WOMAN, NO CRY 03 - 32 - 25 - Glen Campbell - RHINESTONE COWBOY 03 - 30 - 26 - Sparks - LOOKS, LOOKS, LOOKS 02 - 37 - 27 - Roxy Music - LOVE IS THE DRUG 02 - 43 - 28 - Trammps - HOLD BACK THE NIGHT 08 - 20 - 29 - Bad Company - FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE 13 - 22 - 30 - Roger Whittaker - THE LAST FAREWELL 03 - 33 - 31 - The Exciters - REACHING FOR THE BEST 08 - 18 - 32 - Leo Sayer - MOONLIGHTING 04 - 31 - 33 - Pilot - JUST A SMILE 1 - NEW - 34 - Chequers - ROCK ON BROTHER 02 - 46 - 35 - Natalie Cole - THIS WILL BE 02 - 41 - 36 - T. Rex Disco Party - DREAMY LADY 02 - 48 - 37 - Dee Clark - RIDE A WILD HORSE 04 - 35 - 38 - Ray Stevens - INDIAN LOVE CALL 02 - 49 - 39 - George Harrison - YOU 05 - 36 - 40 - Peoples Choice - DO IT ANY WAY YOU WANNA 06 - 39 - 41 - Hamilton, Joe Frank And Reynolds - FALLIN' IN LOVE 1 - NEW - 42 - John Miles - HIGH FLY 02 - 50 - 43 - Johnny Nash - LET'S BE FRIENDS 02 - 47 - 44 - Tommy Hunt - CRACKIN' UP 1 - NEW - 45 - George McCrae - I AIN'T LYIN' 04 - 44 - 46 - Chris Farlowe - OUT OF TIME 04 - 42 - 47 - Dobie Gray - OUT ON THE FLOOR 1 - NEW - 48 - Hello - NEW YORK GROOVE 1 - NEW - 49 - Wings - LETTING GO 1 - NEW - 50 - Reparata - SHOES
This was Essex's last number one, and perhaps his weakest song until that point: in my opinion, very repetitive and one which lacks something catchy. But people loved it anyway, because there wasn't much around to choose from. Essex was still a very popular figute, and by 1975 he had successfuly made the jump from glam star to all-round star.
Three weeks Essex was at number one, and three weeks new entries were appearing. From the best to the utter worst, here they are. The Exciters - This week's Northern Soul hit is courtesy of a band who had success during the 60s. Here, another of those hits loved on Wigan or Blackpool. Almost cracked the top 30 and deserved to be a hit. Glen Campbell - One of Glen's greatest hits, a mixture between country and pop which was loved by audiences on both shores. The sort of song that sells thousands upon thousands of copies. Sparks - Their last hit as a "glam" concept. We are treated to a 1920s throwback which it's far more attractive than Get In The Swing, but ultimately achieved almost the same result as the previous hit. But 5/5 for audacity. Smokey - Chris Norman as Rod Stewart again. The sort of Chinnichap pop tune that Smokey kept on doing by that time. Again, a hit from the band which changed their name shortly after. Elton John - Elton is giving us pseudo-Caribbean music for the charts. A hit based on that part of the world, mixed by the great rock touch of his band. For the umpteenth time, a number one in the US; but the UK buying audience didn't rate him as highly. Esther Phillips - For our disco hit that week, we find a lady whose success was very far away (the 60s). And she is back into the limelight with a sleazy, highly sexual hit which was a great hit on both shores. People loved to dance to it. Mud - They may have left RAK for Private Stock; but on chart terms, it was business as usual. A frantic song which made another Top 10 and kept them among the great performers this year. Johnny Nash - After the number one with Tears On My Pillow, it was expected a great follow-up. Well, to my ears... he fails miserably. Yes, it is a cheery song with whistles an' all, but it lacks that punch ToMP had. It's forgettable, to say the least. George Harrison - It wasn't the hit it really deserved: it's something pleasant for George. A song inspired on that Motown sound, it contains even more philosophical lyrics than Bolan's New York City. In the UK, people didn't rat him as high as in the US. A shame, because it's great. Dee Clark - Another of those forgotten 60s stars goes for the first (and only) time to the UK charts. A basic disco tune by a man more accustomed to pure soul. The UK wanted to dance, and Dee did just that. Tommy Hunt - More Northern Soul (almost a new hit every week). One of the best voices (and most revered) from the genre is here with what we can define as the basic NS hit. Natalie Cole - A hit in the US, here it failed to crack the Top 30. In a chart filled with bagpipes, mopeds and Rochdale cowboys, a shot of happiness by way of miss Cole didn't make people love her. A shame, because it's as good as soul can be at this time. Cole will re-appear... 13 years later. Trammps - After a couple of misfires, the Trammps had a huge hit with this one: something that could be defined as a throwback to their less disco-fied hits. More for hugging and dancing with your partner and which was loved by all the audiences. T. Rex - Bolan is continuing his "funky" era with this one. Lyrics are more complicated than with New York City and the overall is that Marc has recovered from the excesses of a year ago. Somehow, the future look nice for him. Roxy Music - The perfect cross-over with soul, disco and rock went to number two. A provocative tune, helped by the always seductive Ferry which bridged the gap between the seductive soul and the rock guitars. The result was their first US hit. Reparata - The keyboards, the greek sounds... it's something nice. But it was a far cry from Captain of Your Ship. Sounds to me like a song made for cabarets and working man's club. Wings - Between 1975 and 76, Macca had great hits (as we will see). But this is a great unknown: a funky-influenced (check out the groove!) rock song which sounds great. Why people didn't like it? It's as funky the Beatles could get at this time. *Another unknown which didn't chart at all: Venus and Mars/Rock Show*. Hello - Bob Bradbury was taking notes when Bohannon released Disco Stomp. The rhythm is copied to their second and last of their hits. It sounds more American than their previous attempts and they achieve a great Top 10. The band shortly dissappeared from view in the UK, although they are still famous in Germany. George McCrae - The same formulaic hit by McCrae in which was his last Top 20 hit: a very incessant rhythm accompanies some repetitive lyrics which made people dance and buy the record. But for me, it's too much. John Miles - One of the best song around that time. People often focus more on his biggest hit (which we'll see later), but overlooks these 3 minutes of pop-rock which weren't too bad. Indeed, it still sounds phenomenal to this day. Chequers - For all those people dancing, here is something. A UK band which first were doing reggae, but later switched to funk and soft disco. Here, a hit which wasn't too bad, but it wasn't gold either.
And from those wiped episodes, a rehearsal of Hold Me Close and Pans People dancing to Island Girl. Fabulous.
Now to those I'd have . . . The biggest hit for the former "Little Esther" whose career dated to at least the 1950's; in the U.S., peaked at #20 in Billboard, # in Cash Box, # in Record World, and # in Radio & Records. Performed this on the fourth edition of NBC's Saturday Night Live as aired on 08 November 1975 (guest host: Candice Bergen). Would be the last solo Number One for the Rocket Man a.k.a. Captain Fantastic for the next two decades; topped US Billboard (Hot 100 #380 - 3 weeks, 01 November-15 November 1975), Cash Box (2 weeks - 01 November-08 November 1975), Record World (3 weeks - 08 November-22 November 1975) and Radio & Records (3 weeks - 31 October-14 November 1975). His predecessor at the top in the States didn't even make the British charts with the entry in question, which will be dealt with after a look at all the 'newies'. The big comeback for the legendary singer and guitarist; was the 376th Number One of US Billboard's Hot 100, peaking there for 2 weeks (06 September-13 September 1975), also topped Cash Box (1 week - 13 September 1975) and Record World (1 week - 20 September 1975) but had to settle for a #4 peak in Radio & Records. It was so long on the US charts that the label's rim print changed whilst it was still in release: The daughter of the late Nat "King" Cole rides out of the starting gate with this ditty, which in the U.S. was her initial calling card, reaching #6 in Billboard, #9 in Cash Box, #7 in Record World, and #12 in Radio & Records.
Their most successful U.S. release; made it to #30 in Billboard, #24 in Cash Box, #28 in Record World, and #26 in Radio & Records. Managed to get to #35 in US Billboard, #44 in Cash Box, and #43 in Record World. The penultimate single release on US Apple and the last on the label to chart in the States, this eked out the following peaks: #20 Billboard, #19 Cash Box, #39 Record World, #32 Radio & Records.
Managed to reach #68 in US Billboard, #58 in Cash Box, and #73 in Record World. In the U.S., could only get to #39 in Billboard, #41 in Cash Box, and #62 in Record World. This recording used the same instrumental backing as another 45 from a few years before. More on that later. Chartwise, in the States this got as high as #92 in both Billboard and Cash Box in August, before a flurry of legal issues sank it.
The Reparata tune had previously been recorded by a local Pittsburgh band, Felix Harp, as "She Didn't Forget Her Shoes (Johnny And Louise)," released on the U.S. NAMI (North American Music Industries) label which, in late 1973, acquired the former Capitol Records pressing plant in Scranton which they'd shut down in late June (and would keep in operation until Spring 1979): As this, it sounded like a quirky singer-songwriter number.
And now, let's get to that US Number One of the period that did not register a blip on the radar of the British charts . . . "Bad Blood" by Neil Sedaka: Almost as proto-punkish and edgy as he ever got - and it didn't hurt who his duet partner was (a certain bloke with the initials E.J. - the same chap whose "Island Girl" replaced this at the top in the States) . . . The 379th Number One of Billboard's Hot 100, sitting atop the charts for 3 weeks (11 October-25 October 1975); also topped Cash Box (2 weeks - 25 October-01 November 1975), Record World (1 week - 25 October 1975) and Radio & Records (3 weeks - 10 October-24 October 1975).
Now for the other 'newies' from my collection I could not put clips for before. First, Mr. Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy":
Then, "This Will Be" (which many years later would be covered for a segment on Benny Hill's show): This, as the flame of Chicago soul was slowly beginning to burn out.
Hold Me Close is chirpy and cheerful, but nowhere near as interesting as David’s initial hit singles. Rhinestone Cowboy rescued Glen Campbell from the chart wilderness. It’s got a majestic sweep, and is well played, sung, and arranged. Sparks plug into The Roaring Twenties for Looks Looks Looks. Daft, but endearing. Love Is The Drug - One of Roxy’s classic singles. Great bass-line, and suitably haughty vocals from Mr Ferry. Talking Heads were obviously fans. More faux-Caribbean nonsense from Taupin re Island Girl. It’s not quite as insulting as Jamaica Jerk Off, but Elton’s third-rate Bennie & The Jets recycling adds to its rubbishness. Wooden spoon.
Now for the comparison of NME's and Melody Maker's charts for the middle of this record's reign at the top: NME SINGLES CHART - Week Ending 11 October 1975 01 (01) - David Essex - HOLD ME CLOSE 02 (03) - Art Garfunkel - I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU 03 (06) - The Drifters - THERE GOES MY FIRST LOVE 04 (02) - Rod Stewart - SAILING 05 (05) - Leo Sayer - MOONLIGHTING 06 (11) - Jonathan King - UNA PALOMA BLANCA (WHITE DOVE) 07 (23) - Four Seasons - WHO LOVES YOU 08 (10) - Carl Malcolm - FATTIE BUM-BUM 09 (16) - ABBA - SOS 10 (12) - George Baker Selection - PALOMA BLANCA 11 (07) - Jasper Carrott - FUNKY MOPED / MAGIC ROUNDABOUT 12 (04) - 5000 Volts - I'M ON FIRE 13 (19) - The Chi-Lites - IT'S TIME FOR LOVE 14 (NEW) - Mud - L'L'LUCY 15 (08) - Showaddywaddy - HEARTBEAT 16 (22) - The Band Of The Black Watch - SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS 17 (18) - Morris Albert - FEELINGS 18 (15) - Mac And Katie Kissoon - LIKE A BUTTERFLY 19 (NEW) - Judge Dread - BIG 10 20 (09) - Roger Whittaker - THE LAST FAREWELL 21 (25) - Bob Marley And The Wailers - NO WOMAN, NO CRY 22 (NEW) - Esther Phillips - WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES 23 (NEW) - Smokie - DON'T PLAY YOUR ROCK N' ROLL TO ME 24 (NEW) - The Goodies - NAPPY LOVE / WILD THING 25 (NEW) - Glen Campbell - RHINESTONE COWBOY 26 (NEW) - Sparks - LOOKS, LOOKS, LOOKS 27 (20) - Bad Company - FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE 28 (NEW) - Elton John - ISLAND GIRL 29 (NEW) - Peoples Choice - DO IT ANY WAY YOU WANNA 30 (NEW) - Pilot - JUST A SMILE MELODY MAKER SINGLES CHART - Week Ending 11 October 1975 01 (01) - David Essex - HOLD ME CLOSE 02 (06) - Art Garfunkel - I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU 03 (04) - The Drifters - THERE GOES MY FIRST LOVE 04 (02) - Rod Stewart - SAILING 05 (10) - Jonathan King - UNA PALOMA BLANCA (WHITE DOVE) 06 (03) - Leo Sayer - MOONLIGHTING 07 (11) - Carl Malcolm - FATTIE BUM-BUM 08 (27) - Four Seasons - WHO LOVES YOU 09 (08) - Jasper Carrott - FUNKY MOPED / MAGIC ROUNDABOUT 10 (05) - 5000 Volts - I'M ON FIRE 11 (21) - ABBA - SOS 12 (20) - The Chi-Lites - IT'S TIME FOR LOVE 13 (07) - Showaddywaddy - HEARTBEAT 14 (19) - George Baker Selection - PALOMA BLANCA 15 (15) - The Band Of The Black Watch - SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS 16 (09) - Roger Whittaker - THE LAST FAREWELL 17 (NEW) - Morris Albert - FEELINGS 18 (14) - Mac And Katie Kissoon - LIKE A BUTTERFLY 19 (NEW) - Mud - L'L'LUCY 20 (NEW) - The Goodies - NAPPY LOVE / WILD THING 21 (26) - Bad Company - FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE 22 (13) - Al Matthews - FOOL 23 (NEW) - Esther Phillips - WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES 24 (NEW) - Bob Marley And The Wailers - NO WOMAN, NO CRY 25 (16) - Mike Batt With The New Edition - SUMMERTIME CITY 26 (12) - Hot Chocolate - A CHILD'S PRAYER 26 (NEW) - Judge Dread - BIG 10 28 (NEW) - Smokie - DON'T PLAY YOUR ROCK N' ROLL TO ME 29 (25) - Hamilton, Joe Frank And Reynolds - FALLIN' IN LOVE 30 (NEW) - Elton John - ISLAND GIRL 11 October was significant in that, in the States, it was the debut of what started out life as NBC's Saturday Night, with George Carlin as guest host, and the musical guests Billy Preston (who performed his second and last US #1, "Nothing From Nothing") and Janis Ian (who performed her big hit of her second wave of fame, "At Seventeen"; both of which didn't do blip on the UK charts).
Almost forgot to add the UK equivalent release: For those who heard it, how do you think it would have fared on the charts where you are?
Let me try that again: #20 US Billboard and Record World, #21 Cash Box, #37 Radio & Records. And her biggest latter-day hit, with collaborations by guitarist Joe Beck (not Jeff Beck).
David Essex - HOLD ME CLOSE Very middle of the road, but the ever smiling, cheeky David gets away with it. 3/5
Favs... Week Ending 04 October 1975 NEW - 27 - Mud - L'L'LUCY Week Ending 11 October 1975 NEW - 37 - Roxy Music - LOVE IS THE DRUG Week Ending 18 October 1975 NEW - 42 - John Miles - HIGH FLY NEW - 48 - Hello - NEW YORK GROOVE NEW - 49 - Wings - LETTING GO
Mud: energetic but unfortunately rather showoffish hard rock. Not my style but could definitely have been worse Esther: disco version of a '30s song, speeding along rather uneventfully Elton: lively, it's alright but not quite up to the standards of most of what preceded it Smokie: nice little acoustic guitar rhythm that (as a YouTube comment helpfully points out) could have been lifted from Marie's the Name of His Latest Flame by Elvis, the vocalist sounds as anguished as if he were singing Sylvia's Mother, and there are pleasant, low-key background strings. All in all, a pretty good listen Sparks: channelling Glenn Miller or someone, I don't know exactly in what decade this jazzy, horn-drenched style was most popular, but it was a few before the '70s Glen: likeable hit, although I preferred the original from Larry Weiss, who wrote it. Slightly, because they're not significantly different Exciters: the same band who had a great can't-sit-down song in '63 with Tell Him returns with this soul effort, which is on the nondescript side and would have been better if a bit slower, in which case it might not have needed to also be shorter David: iconic track, re-released Roxy: also iconic track that gave the band their first broad-based hit, although in Canada specifically it hit no. 3 after complete blanks preceding it. Rather jerky rhythm but smooth organ and the usual vocals, a good listen T Rex: the backing track is pleasant but rather static, which means his affected vocal style sounds out of place rather than merely idiosyncratic. Best I can give is "not bad" Trammps: good, rhythmic song very reminiscent of well above-average '60s soul, or the best of their holdovers into the present decade Natalie: fair-to-middling disco-influenced soul with somewhat overboard vocals Tommy: fast-paced "northern soul", a nice bridge in particular and a good listen Dee: more disco-influenced soul, livelier than his big hit Raindrops from a decade and a half earlier George: musically approaching the better numbers on All Things Must Pass but lyrically lacking because of many one-word lines and numerous repetitions of the title. On balance, and almost certainly after repeated listening, I'd be willing to overlook the latter Johnny: decent reggae / pop with plenty of whistling Chequers: instrumental near-disco that seems patterned after Van McCoy's The Hustle but it's awfully atmospheric, plenty of reverb I suppose. Interestingly done and above average for the genre John: emphatic pop / rock with keyboard chords and helpful guitar riffs, I might have guessed Pilot or the like George: yet another pretty good, rhythmic soul-influenced disco effort (or vice versa) from the man. Of all the names I associate with disco in the mid-'70s, he appears to have the best run of songs, although offhand I'd rank the one here as somewhere in the middle Hello: foot-clomping beat right from the intro, guitar riffs and quite a few musical things going on, glammy Bolan / Bowie vocals, but it all works pretty well Wings: bluesy organ, bluesy guitar solo, a rock groove that reminded me of, uh, John Lennon's Cold Turkey, although with horns too. Not quite my style but it's a solid effort Reparata: fairly quick, keyboard-dominated, minor key track that arguably has some prog elements, from a fairly well-regarded but not terribly successful '60s holdover Single of the Week: Roxy Music, Love is the Drug, but there are plenty of contenders this time round with pretty good entries from (in order) Smokie, Glen Campbell, Trammps, Tommy Hunt, George Harrison and the ENTIRE third block, all six of 'em