Everything I Own has an unusual place in pop history. It’s a song that gave two artists their only number one hits – but was a comparative flop for the band that wrote and recorded it first. (more…)

This sweetly sentimental slice of soul, featuring the featherlight falsetto of 16-year-old Marcel King, was England’s answer to The Stylistics. Surprisingly, Sweet Sensation came not from Philly – but Manchester. (more…)

If I were making a compilation album of easy-on-the-ear acoustic music of the early Seventies, it would include this melancholy take on Cole Porter by Gary Shearston. (more…)

Andy Kim – Rock Me Gently

21st February 2021 · 1970s, 1974, Music

Watching and listening to him here, it’s tempting to wonder whether Andy Kim started out as a Neil Diamond tribute act. He certainly had the sideburns, and the voice. (more…)

There’s something sinister and creepy about seeing a brother and sister sing this song together. Even more so when they do it while looking lovingly into each other’s eyes. (more…)

Someone should write a book about all great songs that began life as B-sides. Here is another. (more…)

Cockney Rebel – Mr Soft

18th February 2021 · 1970s, 1974, Music

The second single from the second album by Cockney Rebel (The Psychomodo), Mr Soft gave Steve Harley his second hit after Judy Teen. (more…)

This hot mess of a sloppy bluesy jam is arguably the last really great Stones single. (more…)

Sparks – Amateur Hour

15th February 2021 · 1970s, 1974, Music

This is my favourite Sparks song – though only a whisker ahead of their next one, Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth. (more…)

The smoothest and sweetest soul balladeers of the era, The Stylistics’ signature sound was built around the lush Philly productions of Thom Bell and the soaring falsetto of Russell Thompkins Jr. (more…)