The Styrous® Viewfinder: Blondie

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April 26, 2021

45 RPMs 62: Michael Damian ~ Rock On with 12"

12" 45 rpm record, front cover

cover photographer unknown

photo of album cover by Styrous®

Today is the birthday of rocker, Michael Damian, born on April 26, 1962, in Bonsall, California. Damian did a FANTASTIC cover of one of my all-time favorite songs, Rock On by David Essex.

I have always loved covers of songs when they are done with thought and care, however, the original version is the one I always love the best. I guess it's a case of "First Love". But in this situation I actually love Damian's better! That's saying a whole lot! His bass guitar reverberating in the opening drives me wild then there's the subtle Reggae beat that emerges at times. WOW!

Michael Damian ~ Rock On

12" 45 rpm record, back cover

cover photographer unknown

photo of album cover by Styrous®

Rock On is a tribute to the early days of rock 'n' roll, with mentions of the 1956 Carl Perkins classic Blue Suede Shoes (which I love much better than Presley's) and the 1958 Eddie Cochran hit Summertime Blues. Twenty years later Cochran would be mentioned again in the New Wave song, Thank You by Chrisma.

Rock On was originally meant to be the "B" side but in an interview to Circus he stated:

"I said 'No!' I've had three years of people telling me what I should do.' But when 'Rock On' came out I was actually surprised it did so well. It was very sweet success because it was exactly what I wanted - the song, the production, the attitude - it's one of my favorite records, no matter whether I recorded it."

I have loved covers of songs when they are done with care, however, the original version is the one I always love the best; a "First Love" syndrome. In this case, I love the cover better! That's saying a lot about this song!

There have been many other covers of the Essex song, The Dave Howard Singers did a pretty outrageous, almost punk cover and Blondie came in with a really nice, laid back version of the song in 2012. Def Leppard did a bitchin' version of the song in 2005; it's the only cover they've done in concert. Then in 2017, Rickie Lee Jones and Madeleine Peyroux recorded a fantastic and politically charged video of the song in support of women's rights (links below).

Rickie Lee Jones & Madeleine Peyroux

photo by Shervin Lainez

After a 1981 appearance on American Bandstand in support of his debut single, a cover of the Eric Carmen tune She Did It, Damian was offered the part of struggling singer, Danny Romalotti, on the daytime television series The Young and the Restless in which he appeared for twelve years.

He also had the starring role in the 1993 Broadway production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Playbill - 1993

Damian has released five albums with eight top 40 hits, including his number-one cover of the David Essex song Rock On (from the Dream a Little Dream soundtrack), which was certified gold in 1989. He also won a BMI Song-writing Award for his hit single Was It Nothing at All.

While researching for this article I discovered Damian is a fan of actress/singer Julie London who introduced the 1953 song, Cry Me A River, written by Arthur Hamilton. I'm with him on that!

Julie London

photo by Marina Chavez

Rock On lyrics

[Intro]
Ooh
Shoow

[Verse 1]
Hey kid, rock and roll
Rock on, ooh, my soul
Hey kid, you boogie too, did ya?
Hey shout, summertime blues
Jump up and down in them blue suede shoes
Hey did you rock and roll?
Rock on

[Bridge]
And where do we go from here?
Which is the way that's clear?

[Verse 2]
Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen
Jimmy Dean
James Dean

[Bridge]
And where do we go from here?
Which is the way that's clear?

[Verse 3]
Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen
Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Dean

[Break]
Rock on
Rock on
Rock on

[Verse 4]
Hey kids
Rock and roll
Rock on

[Hook]
Rock on
Hey, hey
Rock and roll
Rock on

[Hook]
Rock on
Hey, hey
Rock and roll
Rock on

[Hook]
Rock on
Hey, hey
Rock and roll
Rock on

Michael Damian ~ Rock On

12" 45 rpm record label, side 1

photo by Styrous®

Michael Damian ~ Rock On

12" 45 rpm record label, side 2

photo by Styrous®

Tracklist:

Side 1:

A - Michael Damian – Rock On (Extended Version)
Producer – Michael Damian Weir*
Written By – David Essex
Producer – Michael Damian Weir*
Written By – David Essex - 6:28

Side 2:

B1 - Michael Damian – Rock On (Radio Version)
Producer – Mich. Damian Weir*
Written By – David Essex
Producer – Mich. Damian Weir*
Written By – David Essex - 3:20

B2 - Blue Future – Where Is She
Written By – L. Weir* - 3:57

Companies, etc.

    Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Vestron Pictures, Inc.
    Copyright © – Cypress Records Ltd.
    Licensed Through – Sonet Records
    Licensed To – Intercord Ton GmbH
    Marketed By – Intercord Ton GmbH
    Manufactured By – Intercord Ton GmbH
    Published By – Rock On Music (2)
    Published By – Copyright Control
    Pressed By – Sonopress – C-7895
    Mastered At – Sonopress

Credits:

Producer – Larry Weir, Tom Weir

Notes:

Parts of the release have a yellow sticker on front cover "No.1 USA", apparently put on the sleeve, after the record reached No.1 in the US-charts.
"Top 10 USA" printed on front cover.
B1 printed as "Rock on (7'' Version)

Side B total time: 7:20

Top opening spineless sleeve.
Mastering date from runouts: April 1989
Printing date from sleeve: May 1989

℗ 1989 Vestron Pictures, Inc.
© 1989 Cypress Records Ltd.
Licensed through Sonet Records
Marketed by Intercord Ton GmbH, Licensee.

Publishers
A, B1: Rock On Music
B2: Copright Control

Manufactured by Intercord Ton GmbH, Stuttgart, Licensee
Printed in W. Germany

From the original motion picture soundtrack "Dream a little dream" INT 148.316, MC 448.316, CD 848.316
7''-Single INT 113.326/Maxi-Single-CD INT 828.315

Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Rights Society (Boxed): GEMA
    Label Code: LC 7310
    Matrix / Runout (Label side A): C-7895 A
    Matrix / Runout (Label side B): C-7895 B
    Matrix / Runout (Runout stamped side A): DMC-7895 A-1/4-89 II
    Matrix / Runout (Runout stamped side B): DMC-7895 B-1/4-89
    Other (Print date on back cover): 5/89
    Pressing Plant ID (Embossed, below label side B): [Bass clef symbol]

Michael Damian – Rock On
Label: Cypress Records – INT 128.315
Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
Country: Germany
Released: 1989
Genre: Rock, Stage & Screen
Style: Pop Rock

Viewfinder links:

Eric Carmen

Eddie Cochran

Michael Damian

James Dean

Def Leppard
David Essex

Debbie Harry aka Blondie

Rickie Lee Jones

Julie London

Mary Ellen Mark

Carl Perkins

Madeleine Peyroux

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Net links:

Discography

Songfacts ~ Rock On

YouTube links:

Blondie ~ Rock On
Michael Damian ~

Rock On

Blue Future – Where Is She

Def Leppard - Rock On

David Essex ~

Rock On

Rock On (Dream a Little Dream video)

Rock On (Midnight Special) (live) 1974

Madeleine Peyroux, Rickie Lee Jones ~ Rock On

Styrous® ~ Monday, April 26, 2021

45 RPMs Archive
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June 6, 2019

45 RPM 32: The Residents ~ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

On June 6, 1965, the single (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones was released in the U.S. and as they say, the rest is history.

The Residents ~ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

45 RPM record sleeve (front)

design by Pore-No Graphics

photo by Styrous®

The song has been covered by many artists; a few of them are Mary Wells, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie and the Hot Rods, The Strangeloves and even an instrumental jazz version by Oscar Peterson and Milt Jackson. There is an amazing array of many more listed in the links below.

The earliest version was by Otis Redding for his album Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, released on September 15, 1965, by Volt Records (link below).

The latest was a very sexed up version by Britney Spears who recorded the song with producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins for her second studio album, Oops!... I Did It Again, on February 24, 2000, at Pacifique Recording Studios in Hollywood (link below).

The Residents ~ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

45 RPM record sleeve (back)

design by Pore-No Graphics

photo by Styrous®

The most famous cover has to be by the American new wave group Devo who released their rendition of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction as a single in 1977. It was re-recorded with Brian Eno as producer for their first album, and that version was also released as a single in 1978, this time by Warner Brothers Records, after it was approved by Mick Jagger. I love this cover! (link below)

Steve Huey of AllMusic wrote that the Devo version "reworks the original's alienation into a spastic freak-out that's nearly unrecognizable". It was featured in the 1995 Martin Scorsese epic crime film, Casino.

The quirky music video for the song and several others from this album received significant airplay on early MTV. A notable feature of the video is dancer Craig Allen Rothwell, known as Spazz Attack, whose signature dance move, a forward flip onto his back, drew him significant attention.

The Residents ~ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

45 RPM record sleeve (back) detail

design by Pore-No Graphics

photo by Styrous®

But the quirkiest version of Satisfaction absolutely has to be by the San Francisco New Wave, avant-garde/experimental collective, The Residents released in 1976. Originally released in an edition of only 200 copies, their cover became a cult sensation, thanks in part to the success of the afore mentioned cover by Devo the following year, necessitating a re-press in 1978 of 30,000 copies (link below).

It is moderately paced with drums and a VERY weird vocal. Dissonant and dysfunctional is putting it mildly. A guitar played by Snakefinger soars over the tune from time to time.

Brad Laner, writing for Dangerous Minds, states the cover "is nearly everything the better known version by Devo from a year later is not: Loose, belligerent, violent, truly fucked-up. A real stick in the eye of everything conventionally tasteful in 1976 America."

In addition to the music and graphics, one of the cool things about this recording is the medium itself; transparent, yellow vinyl.

The Residents ~ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

45 RPM record (side 1)

photo by Styrous®

The Residents ~ Loser ≅ Weed

45 RPM record label (side 1)

photo by Styrous®

The "song" on the flip side of the record, Loser ≅ Weed (link below), is much faster and is just as weird as Satisfaction. The intro to it puts me in mind of the intro to Heart of Glass by Blondie.

The Residents ~ Loser ≅ Weed

45 RPM record (side 2)

photo by Styrous®

The Residents ~ Loser ≅ Weed

45 RPM record label (side 2)

photo by Styrous®

Tracklist:

A - Satisfaction, written by Jagger-Richard - 4:30

B - Loser ≅ Weed, written by The Residents - 2:09

Companies, etc.

    Manufactured By – Cryptic Corporation
    Copyright (c) – Cryptic Corporation
    Phonographic Copyright (p) – Cryptic Corporation
    Published By – Pale Pachyderm Publishing
    Published By – Immediate
    Lacquer Cut At – Sonic Arts

Credits:

    Backing Vocals [Backing Stylists] – The Pointless Sisters
    Design [Cover Art] – Pore-No Graphics*
    Lacquer Cut By – LK*
    Lead Guitar – Snakefinger
    Percussion – D. Jackovich*
    Producer – The Residents

Notes:

"This record was previously released with a different cover.
The Residents present a rehash of their 1976 classic Satisfaction b/w Loser ≅ Weed.
Previously released in 1976".

©1978, The Cryptic Corp.

Side A: Immediate, BMI
Side B: ℗ 1978 The Cryptic Corp. Published by Pale Pachyderm Pub.(BMI)

This 1978 re-release of the rare 1976 original was an edition of 30,000 copies pressed on transparent yellow vinyl and in a slightly redesigned two color sleeve. The original release was a limited edition of 200 copies, each hand-screened in three colors, and then hand-inked with three more colors.
Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): RR7803/A LK
    Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): RR7803B/ LK
    Rights Society (Sides A & B runout, stamped): ⊏◯⊐
    Rights Society: BMI

The Residents ‎– Satisfaction
Label: Ralph Records ‎– RR7803
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Yellow
Country: US
Released: Aug 1978
Genre: Electronic
Style: Experimental

The Cryptic Corporation
524 San Anselmo AV #109
San Anselmo, CA 94960 - USA
info@crypticorp.com
415.578.4646

Viewfinder links:

Devo
Aretha Franklin
Mick Jagger
Oscar Peterson
Otis Redding
The Residents
The Rolling Stones

Net links:

Dangerous Minds ~
‘Satisfaction’ shootout: DEVO VS the Residents VS the Rolling Stones
Everetttrue ~ 15 versions of ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’
Pop Culture Experiment ~
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”: Cover Songs Uncovered
Stereo Gum ~ The Number Ones: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
VH1 ~ 50 greatest covers of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

YouTube links:

The Rolling Stones ~ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (live)
Otis Redding - Satisfaction (Monterey '67)
The Strangeloves ~ [I Can't Get No] Satisfaction
Oscar Peterson & Milt Jackson ~ Satisfaction (Remastered)
Devo ~ [I Can't Get No] Satisfaction (Video)
Britney Spears ~ Satisfaction VMA 2000
The Residents ~ Satisfaction (1976)
The Residents ~ Loser ≅ Weed
The Residents ~ Loser ≅ Weed (live)





Styrous® ~ Friday, July 13, 2018

45 RPMs Archive
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August 22, 2018

Wollensak 3M 8050A ~ 8-Track recorder

photos by

Styrous®

In the sixties I listened to music on 8-track tape, commonly known as Stereo 8, the eight-track cartridge, eight-track tape, or simply eight-track). What I loved about this format was it was an endless loop tape cartridge; you could set the player to repeat and it would play the tape over and over, forever.

The endless loop tape cartridge was first designed in 1952 by Bernard Cousino. George Eash invented a cartridge design in 1953, called the Fidelipac cartridge. The cartridges (nicknamed "carts" by DJs and radio engineers) were used by many radio stations for commercials, jingles, and other short items.

Fidelipac cartridge interior

The Lear Jet Stereo 8 track cartridge, a consumer version, was designed by Richard Kraus while working under Bill Lear and for his Lear Jet Corporation in 1963. The major change was to incorporate a neoprene rubber and nylon pinch roller into the cartridge itself, rather than to make the pinch roller a part of the tape player, reducing mechanical complexity. Lear also eliminated some of the internal parts of the Eash cartridge, such as the tape-tensioning mechanism and an interlock that prevented tape spillage. By doubling the number of tracks from 4 to 8, the recording length doubled to 80 minutes.

Lear Jet Stereo 8 interior

In 1965 the 8-track tape player for the automobile was introduced and now you were not stuck with only what the radio provided, you could have the music YOU wanted to hear on the go (link below).

It seems, just like vinyl LP, the 8-track tape is making a comeback (link below). It is absolutely amazing?

Blondie ~ Parallel Lines 8-Track tape

The original 8-track, tape recorder introduced at the end of 1971. was essentially identical to a model by Sanyo introduced six months earlier. It featured an ill-conceived "power" switch and "track" switch that was either on or off (not capable of ejecting after one or four tracks, just ejecting or not); a surprising design mistake that was corrected less than a year later.

When home 8-track tape recorders were introduced, of course I had to have one. Of the brands available, I chose the Wollensak 3M 8050A recorder.

Wollensak 3M 8050A recorder

Wollensak Model 8050A

The Wollensak division of The 3M Company marketed an outstanding line of 8-track recorders, manufactured for them by Sanyo, from 1971 to 1975. 3M Engineers designed the units; Sanyo manufactured them for themselves and 3M. Sanyo at the time was primarily a "for-hire" manufacturer, so the Sanyo- branded machines were never as available as the Wollensak versions. All feature very intelligent design, robust mechanical construction, and superior electronics. Along with Roberts/Akai probably the best 8 track units ever.