Dick’s Picks: Rare Doo-Wop Rock ‘n’ Roll 7″ vinyl from the Hollywood Flames ‘Much Too Much’/’In The Dark’

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Dick’s Picks: A vintage slice of doo-wop-flavoured-rock’n’roll from the Hollywood Flames has had Dick cutting a rug around the office this week…..

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THE HOLLYWOOD FLAMES Much Too Much: Very rare 1959 UK rock ‘n’ roller 7″ vinyl single from the US vocal group, full sales info here

The Hollywood Flames

A hugely popular US vocal group who regularly hit the R&B and pop charts, they peddled a neat line in Doo-Wop style close harmonies with a rock ‘n’ roll flavour. Forming as the Flames in 1949 at a Watts, L.A. (the same Watts that would later act as a catalyst for the Watts riots/rebellion in ’65), the group had a ‘fluid’ line-up that featured members Bobby Byrd (no not that one) and David Ford.

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Here they are (with a slightly different line-up) circa ‘Much Too Much’

So what’s so great about ‘Much Too Much’?

Although not their biggest hit (that would be ‘Buzz, Buzz, Buzz’ fact fans) this vintage slice of doo-wop flavoured rock ‘n’ roll/R&B was a real ‘dancer’ in the cool UK clubs of the early ‘60s, getting spins from Guy Stevens (nuff said) amongst others, to these 2016 ears the records close harmony vocal, Sam Cooke stylings, replete with wild sax breaks functions like some mini-time-travel portal, immediately transporting YOU the listener back to a world of all-nite diners, gas guzzling motorised behemoths, soda-pop, ice-cream, hamburgers, polka-dot dresses, quiffs, leather, and just about anything else that signifies ‘50s teen America.

What a great little ’45!! That’s not where the fun ends though, flip it over and you have the slow, brooding ‘In The Dark’, a heartfelt paean to a new love – it oozes soul and points the way to the music of the ’60s, just around the corner.

If you like this you might want to check some other late ’50s/early ’60s R&B/Rock ‘n’ Rollers just landed at eil.com

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THE FIVE SATINS Your Memory: Rare 1960 UK 7″ vinyl single with intact four prong centre, wonderful [and highly sought after] slice of doo-wop flavoured rock ‘n’ roll from the US vocal act, backed with I Didn’t Know, die cut company sleeve. Thevinyl on this copy displays the odd light scuff/hairlines and is overall in VG+ condition – the first copy we’ve ever had too! More info here
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THE FIVE SATINS Wonderful Girl: 1959 UK 7″ vinyl single with intact 3-prong centre, super romantic slice of rock ‘n’ roll favoured doo-wop – the perfect accompaniment to sharing a double chocolate malted with your very own dream date, backed with the equally brilliant Weeping Willow, die cut company sleeve. The vinyl on this copy is superb with very little evidence of play over its 57 years! More info here
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THE TU-TONES Still In Love With You: Very rare and super collectable 1959 UK 7″ vinyl single with intact tri-centre, it’s a wonderful surf-guitar driven late ’50s rock ‘n’ roller with just a hint of doo-wop, one of only two ’45s released by the mysterious combo, backed with Saccharin Sally, die cut company sleeve. The A-side is in Excelent condition with only very light play visible, the B-side shows a couple of light scuffs/hairlines but nothing excessive – overall an Excellent condition copy and the first we’ve ever had! More info here

 

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