Tar And Cement - Verdelle Smith (Stereo U.S. Single Version**
You're My World - Cilla Black
I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers
You're The Reason I'm Living - Bobby Darin
Midnight Mary - Joey Powers (Original Single Version)**
Bad To Me - Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas
Have I The Right? - The Honeycombs
Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto (Stereo)**
21 really hard-to-find HIGH-CHARTING HITS! Sixteen of these songs made the Top 20. Six tracks (**) making their U.S. CD or stereo debut. All tracks digitally mastered from the best available analog sources (master tape... more »s in most cases), all but 9 in TRUE STEREO! Detailed 8-page booklet. A must for collectors & sixties enthusiasts.« less
21 really hard-to-find HIGH-CHARTING HITS! Sixteen of these songs made the Top 20. Six tracks (**) making their U.S. CD or stereo debut. All tracks digitally mastered from the best available analog sources (master tapes in most cases), all but 9 in TRUE STEREO! Detailed 8-page booklet. A must for collectors & sixties enthusiasts.
CD Reviews
Sensational compilation
Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 01/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Continuing with the "Hard To Find 45s..." series, Eric Records rolls out another outstanding installment here with some impressive first-time-on-CD 60s classic tunes. In amongst the 21 tracks here, all of which were top-40 hits, are a few well-known hits sounding as good as you'll find anywhere. The bigger draw here is the appearance of tunes in sound quality not found anywhere else along with some first-time stereo that makes for a revelatory sonic experience. The stereo mix of Kyu Sakamoto's "Sukiyaki" gives the tune a whole new life. "Tar and Cement", the Verdelle Smith side that has yet to appear on legitimate CD makes its debut in crystalline stereo. Some of the more ubiquitously available songs appear here in a remarkably clean and listenable mono. This is the first time the Chimes' "Once In A While" can be heard without cringing from the saturation it suffers on virtually every other CD. Other great stereo comes in the form of Kris Jensen's "Torture" and "White on White" from Danny Williams. More rarities to CD come in the form of Garry Miles' "Look For A Star", Frank Gari's "Utopia" and Nancy Williams' "How Glad I Am". Capping off this exceptional compilation is the eight-page liner notes booklet with commentary on each of the included tracks. Eric has done an outstanding job here and we, collectors and casual listeners alike, can only hope they will continue to serve up such products. This is simply the best of the best."
Hard To Find 45s on CD, Vol 7: More Sixties Classics
Greg Eichelberger | San Diego | 08/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I first discovered the Hard To Find series in 1999 (Vol. 4: The Late 50s), I was amazed that I had finally been able to increase my collection of popular tunes. "He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands)," "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue," "Three Stars" and "I've Come Of Age," among others, were songs I had on audio cassette tape, but not on compact disc.
Since that time, I have been able to pick up additional Hard To Find CDs, all of which have selections that continue to amaze. The latest acquisition, Vol. 7, has me in music heaven.
From the first track, Johnny Burdette's "Dreamin'," an overlooked classic, to Gene McDaniels' terrific "Hundred Pounds Of Clay, both radio hits of their day, to songs NO contemporary DJ would spin, "Tonight (Could Be The Night)," "Village Of Love," "Look For A Star," "Utopia," "Don't Just Stand There," and the oft-misunderstood Nancy Wilson single, "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am," this is just one terrific compilation.
And you can take that me, a person who has hundreds of such collections. Almost every song is a hit in my book, especially the final six on the CD, "I'll Never Find Another You," "You're The Reason I'm Living," "Midnight Mary," "Bad To Me," "Have I The Right (by the Honeycomb, best known as one of the few groups with a female drummer and as Joe "Telstar" Meek's last hitmaker)," and Kyu Sakamoto's No. 1 hit, "Sukiyaki (for lack of a better title)," all hold a special place in this reviewer's heart.
A recommended buy all the way."
This Is a Super Collection
Mr Music | New York, NY United States | 11/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How nice it is to see an oldies collection that doesnt rely on the same old songs that everyone else uses. This collection on ERIC Records focuses on a group of '60s oldies that were strong chart hits, but for one reason or another, have fallen thru the cracks in terms of Cd release. Most of these are ridiculously hard to find , like "White On White" by Danny Williams, "Youre My World" by Cilla Black, and "Utopia" by Frank Gari. The nice folks at ERIC Records have not only gathered them for us on one hot CD (a very generous 21 tracks, not the paltry 10 or 11 tracks you get from the major labels) but they have taken the time and effort to search out the ORIGINAL, first generation master tapes AND the hard to find Stereo versions!! There is a BIG surprise on this CD.....Kyu Sakamotos 1963 smash "Sukiyaki" in its super rare stereo mix, first time anywhere. This track is worth the price of admission alone.
The sound quality of this collection (and Vol 6 also, by the way) is stunning. Digging out the original master tapes from the dusty vaults of the various labels is a dirty job, but it makes ALL the difference...these sound like they could have ben recorded yesterday. I have to rate this Cd an A+++ I can only hope that ERIC continues to seek out these "lost" hits.....a wonderful Cd from a wonderful oldies label!! Keep 'em Coming guys!!"
Yesterday's Memories
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 09/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Vol. 7 in the "Hard to Find 45s on CD" is an excellent collection. Eric Records has done an excellent job with the sound quality. The Chimes' remake of a Tommy Dorsey hit "Once In A While" is one of my favorites with this romantic doo-wop version, "I know that I'll be contented with yesterday's memories knowing you'll think of me once in a while." Gene McDaniels' "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" is a real charmer from 1961. The Velvets' "Tonight (Could Be the Night)" with famous songwriter Boudleaux Bryant on backing vocals sounds crisp in this stereo version. Frank Gari's "Utopia" is a delightful nugget from 1960 that only went to #20, but sounds lush & romantic in that early 60s way. Patty Duke's "Don't Just Stand There" may be a bit over-dramatic, but her straightforward vocal reading and the crisp percussion sounds great on this release. "Tar & Cement" by Verdelle Smith that didn't rise high in the charts (#38) is worthy of dusting off with its fragile romantic lament. Cilla Black's "You're My World" is a dramatic English version of an Italian song that sounds like a Dusty Springfield runaway. Bobby Darin's country "You're the Reason I'm Living" is delivered with Darin's vocal swagger & predates Ray Charles' foray into country-western music. Joey Powers' lone hit "Midnight Mary" is a fond blast from the past. This set concludes with the hard-to-find #1 Japanese hit by Kyu Sakamoto "Sukiyaki" with its addictive melody & Kyu sounding like an Asian Gene Pitney. Vol. 7 is a satisfying set, well worth seeking! Enjoy!"
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1