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Before T. Rex assaulted the world with their glam rock party in the early '70s, there was the folk duo Tyrannosaurus Rex. Although both bands were fronted by flamboyant singer/guitarist/songwriter Marc Bolan, the earlier outfit was the polar opposite of the style of music that would later become synonymous with Bolan. Tyrannosaurus Rex originally formed in September of 1967 as a duo after Bolan split from his previous band, John's Children. Joining Bolan in the band was percussionist/bongo player Steve Peregrin Took, a gentleman that Bolan named after a character in The Lord of the Rings novel series. Bolan was so infatuated with Rings that most of the subject matter in Tyrannosaurus Rex songs came directly from the books as well.

Possessing a tone as clear as a bell, perfect diction and phrasing, and no shortage of personality, Jo Stafford was one of the greatest and best- selling female singers of the pre-rock and roll era and beyond; whether it’s her early sides with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and The Pied Pipers or her classic solo recordings for the Capitol and Columbia labels with arranger/conductor husband Paul Weston, there is no mistaking the sound of that magnificent voice. Now, we at Real Gone Music have a very special treat for fans of this superb, yet to some degree overlooked, vocalist: a treasure trove of 24 radio performances taken from The Carnation Contented Hour, which Jo co- hosted on the Columbia Broadcasting System. These previously unreleased 1950-1951 recordings come to us from the Tony Martin estate courtesy of Michael Feinstein and with the blessing of Jo’s son Tim Weston, and are taken from original master tapes, not transcription discs; remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision, these are studio quality sessions and thus a major, major find in the Jo Stafford discography. It is such a treat to hear Jo interpret songs like “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “I’ve Got the World on a String” that became big hits for other artists.

Tyrannosaurus Rex - My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair… But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows (1968) {Expanded Edition 2004}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 457 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 186 Mb
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© 2004 Straight Ahead Prod. / A&M / UMC | 986 250-9
Rock / Glam Rock / Proto Punk

My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair… But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows is the debut album by British rock band Tyrannosaurus Rex (later known as T. Rex), released in 1968. The record features Marc Bolan on vocals and guitars, and Steve Peregrine Took on backing vocals, drums, pixiephone, and percussion. It also features disc jockey John Peel, who reads a Bolan-penned fairytale for the album's closing track, "Frowning Atahuallpa (My Inca Love)," which includes what must be one of the earliest "Hare Krishna" chants on a British pop record (two years before George Harrison's My Sweet Lord).

Chuck’s 1979 and 1982 albums respectively on one CD ‘Just For You’ includes the huge disco smash ‘Cisselin’ Hot’ as well as several other fine moments, notably the gentle mid tempo ‘Just For You’, the excellent, breezy Modern Soul dancer ‘Don’t Tell Me You’re Sorry’, By 1982 the emphasis had switched from the disco influences heard in ‘Cissell’ Hot’ to more mid tempo, steppers and ballads but in ‘Night Miracles’, ‘Possessed’ and ‘Dance Away The Pain’ the dance sounds are there. The pick of the slower tunes are ‘Love Is Missing From Our Lives’ and ‘Understanding Man’.

Dave Pell - I Had The Craziest Dream (1998) {Capitol Jazz–EMI 724349544529 rec 1955-1957}
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© 1955-57, 1998 Capitol Records / EMI | 7243 4 95445 2 9
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Saxophone

The Dave Pell Octet was the epitome of mid-'50s West Coast jazz. With its tight arrangements, concise performances (usually around three minutes long despite the rise of the LP), soft tones, and distinctive brand of restrained swing, Pell's ensemble was a perfect representative of cool jazz. The ensemble originally was part of the Les Brown Big Band, gaining an independent life of its own in 1955. This valuable reissue CD from 1998 has all of the first 13 selections that Pell recorded for Capitol – eight from 1955 and the remainder from 1957 – plus four titles (one previously unissued) led by trumpeter Don Fagerquist with a similar band in 1955 (one of only two opportunities that the underrated great had to head his own date).

The name Chuck Cissel evokes a time of feel good, uplifting love vibes from a golden pre-electronic, pre-hip hop R&B era of soul music, so perfectly defined by the classic dance hit Cisselin Hot. A collaboration with Producer Skip Scarborough, at the peak of his song writing powers with Earth Wind & Fire. Chuck Cissel comes from Tulsa, Oklahoma then moved to New York to perform on Broadway. Among Chuck's recordings was his song Don't Tell Me You're Sorry, a favourite among UK soul fans which in its early form helped secure a recording contract with Arista Records for the two albums presented here.

The blues of Lurrie Bell comes from a turbulent place, but there's no denying the man can play. This album brings together tracks from three different sessions, the bulk being held in 1997. Supported by a spartan rhythm section, Bell sprays kamikaze guitar licks over a bevy of old standards like "Five Long Years," "Who Do You Love," "Mean Old Frisco," and "You're the One." The last four songs on the album are the real treat; cut in 1995 at the Mercurial Son sessions, this is just Lurrie and his electric guitar running through raw, soulful, and sometimes whacked-out versions of everything from "Rollin' and Tumblin'" to "If I Had a Hammer." If you've wondered what all the fuss is about, grab this CD and turn on to the blues world of Lurrie Bell.