One-sided advertising record for the Oscar Mayer company with versions of the “I’d Love to Be an Oscar Meyer Weiner” jingle done in different styles from around the world.  “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!’  (1967) . Put out by the J. Walter Thompson agency.

Track Listing:

• Tijuana – styled after the currently popular Tijuana sound. It uses the “mariachi” trumpet over a “rock” rhythm section. It’s a sing-a-long.

• Dixie – Traditional Dixieland sound. A basic rhythm section and some strong brass in the front line. In true Dixie fashion, everyone tried to get in the last note.

• Bossa Nova – The cool sound. A lush guitar against a bossa nova rhythm and a gal who really delivers a song.

• Gary and the Hornets – A nationally known rock and roll group does it. And remember, these kids are 8, 13, and 14 years old.

• Motown – Soul sound. There’s a Memphis bass pattern around the hand clapping that says rhythm’s the thing.

• Country & Western – Nashville sound all the way. That means at least four guitars, a lot of echo, and some ah in the background.

(15 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5)

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The Joyful Heirs  “I Found a Treasure”  A custom pressing from Cincinnati circa late sixties (?)  I’ll let you take in the wonderful faces, hairstyles and clothes of this “group”  Who was listening to this when the radio was playing The Stones, Dylan, The Beatles, Janis, The Doors, Creedence, The Band, Motown, James Brown, Otis Redding … you get my point.  Anyway, Tony is the one who found this “treasure”!

(32 votes, average: 4.09 out of 5)

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A beautiful alternate cover from Japan.  “Sounds Like The Flirtations”  Deram Records (1970)  Here’s their greatest hit “Nothing But A Hearthache”  A Northern Soul dance club favorite.

Although they never recorded for Motown Records, the Flirtations should have, because they sounded like nothing so much as a more energetic version of the Supremes, and by all rights, this exciting vocal trio should have been continually at the top of the pop charts during the late 1960s and early 1970s. They did have a big hit with 1969’s “Nothing But a Heartache,” a record that has had an enduring shelf life and actually might be better known now in the 21st century than it was 40-some years ago. An American singing trio who relocated to the U.K. in 1967, the Flirtations recorded an album, Sounds Like the Flirtations, and several singles for the Decca imprint Deram Records before leaving for Polydor Records in 1972. This set collects the Deram album and adds in four additional tracks from the same time period to make an ideal introduction to this fun group. Among the gems here are the undeniably classic “Nothing But a Heartache,” the bursting-with-energy “Need Your Loving,” the autobiographical “South Carolina” and the why-wasn’t-this-a-hit “What’s Good About Goodbye My Love,” but everything here falls into the same groove, with upbeat arrangements, spirited singing and insistent, racing and almost unhinged horn arrangements.  (Allmusic)

(24 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5)

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“It Takes Two”  Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston  Tamla Motown Records

(43 votes, average: 3.63 out of 5)

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“In Reggae Time”  Ember Records (UK)  A nice compilation of reggae and soul from 1970 including:

Sonny & The Daffodils – You got to make de money while you can; Gonna give it one more try; That girl she done me wrong
Laris McLennon – Confusion; Try me; Baby that’s love; Turn me loose
Vernon Vermont – Golden band; Come back; Too late; Hurry home
Maynell Wilson – Motown feeling
Hoagy Benson – Kangaroo
Norma Lee – Hurt

(63 votes, average: 4.03 out of 5)

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Marvin Gaye Super Hits  Motown Records

(56 votes, average: 3.66 out of 5)

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The Temptations   “I Wish It Would Rain”/”I Truly, Truly Believe”   Tamla/Motown   The last of the classic lineup of David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams   (1968)   Produced by Norman Whitfield     Check out this performance clip with David Ruffin upfront. Bass Melvin steps up to the mic on this single’s B-Side “I Truly, Truly Believe”

(38 votes, average: 3.18 out of 5)

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Tammi Terrell   “Irresistible”   Motown Records (1969)   “Irresistible” is a collection of Tammi’s solo releases including “I Cried,” “I Can’t Believe You Love Me” and “Come On And See Me.” “All I Do” which is my favorite Tammi Terrell solo recording, wasn’t released until 2002 in the UK (in the compilation A Cellarful of Motown!).

The song was written for her in 1966 by a sixteen year-old Stevie Wonder (with Clarence Paul and Morris Broadnax), and was recorded that year by Tammi and also by Brenda Holloway (also not released until 2005).   Stevie Wonder finally released his own version on the 1980 album “Hotter Than July.”   (Michael Jackson, Eddie Levert and Walter Williams of the O’Jays, Charie and Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band and Betty Wright all provided background vocals!)

Tammi began her singing career in 1960.   In 1967, she met Marvin Gaye.   Their eternally beautiful and romantic duets include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Your Precious Love”, “You’re All I Need To Get By”, “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You”, “If This World Were Mine” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” !

In late 1967, she collapsed on stage with Marvin and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.   After eight surgeries failed to save her, Tammi passed away in March of 1970, causing Marvin Gaye to sequester himself from the studio until he returned with “What’s Goin’ On” in 1971.   Worse yet, her illness and death at just 24 years-old prevented her from realizing her potential as a solo artist.   “All I Do” is nice way to remember her.

(55 votes, average: 3.84 out of 5)

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The Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring Paul Desmond   “Jazz Red Hot and Cool”   Columbia Records   An intimate live recording of a small club date at Basin Street in New York City in 1955.   Set includes Lover, Little Girl Blue, Sometimes I’m Happy, The Duke, Indiana, and Love Walked In. This version of the quartet included Bob Bates on Bass and Joe Dodge on Drums.   This is still early Brubeck, with Desmond (blurred there on the left of the cover), but before the “classic” Quartet with Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on Drums in 1958.   (That is the group that played on “Time Out” and the classic sixties “time signature” series of popular Brubeck releases.   Perhaps the last, big sellers in the genre prior to Motown and The Beatles invasion which knocked so many brilliant, jazz musicians to the sidelines of popular culture.)   On a personal note, I pulled this out of my stepfather’s collection at twelve, so the cover is burned in my memory.     Once – perhaps still – you could find this cover in 9 out of 10 dollar bins.

(69 votes, average: 3.86 out of 5)

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The Supremes Greatest Hits   Tamla Motown

(44 votes, average: 4.64 out of 5)

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