Penfro Sounds

Prefab Sprout Lions In My Own Garden (Exit Someone) / Radio Love Kitchenware SK4 (1983) Prefab Sprout are an English band who rose to fame in the 1980s. Formed by the brothers Paddy and Martin McAloon in 1978. The first 45 release was on their own Candle record label in 1982; this here is the 1983 re-issue on Kitchenware Records. The song title came about as Paddy wanted a song where the first letters of the words spelled out Limoges, the French city where his then girlfriend was studying. Music journalist Stuart Maconie described the title track as "enigmatic, melancholy, tuneful and therefore perfect for a jobless literature graduate with girlfriend problems" Another important member of the band is Wendy Smith (keyboards and vocals) who joined after this 45 was released. SK4

John Lee Hooker Mai Tai / Don't Be Messing Around With My Bread Planet PLF 114 (1966) Not a great deal of information exists regarding this recording.  Issued in Germany on the Hit-Ton Schallpatten label (HT 300010) , it was issued here in the UK on the Planet label which was a short lived label founded by the producer Shel Talmy. Born in 1920 (or it could be 1912 or 1915 or 1917; his birth year has been a matter of debate for some time but John often stated it was 1920), John's career began with his first record in 1949 (Boogie Chillenon, a 78 shellac on the US Modern label) and he became a well known figure on the R&B scene. In 1962 he toured Europe as part of the American Folk Blues Festival and the exposure saw his first UK chart single in 1964 with "Dimples". In the mid 60s he began recording with several rock bands starting with The Groundhogs.  Prior to this release, two 45s were released on the Planet label credited to John Lee's Groundhogs.   PLF 114

The Sweet Hell Raiser / Burnin' RCA Victor RCA 2357 (1973) Starting life as The Sweetshop they shortened their name and adopted glam rock to become one of the best known bands of the 1970s. The best known line-up was lead vocalist Brian Connolly, bassist Steve Priest, guitarist Andy Scott and drummer Mick Tucker.  Initial 45 releases were very much bubblegum pop which, while providing the chart hits, was not the sound the band wanted.  As they evolved and were given more control their sound became heavier and this could be heard especially on many of their album tracks. This single written by the song writing duo Mick Chapman & Nicky Chinn, released in April 1973 hit #2 in the UK charts.  The flip side written by the band is a heavy guitar driven track that owes a lot to Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song. RCA 2357

The Specials AKA Nelson Mandela / Break Down The Door! 2 Tone CHS TT 26 (1984) The Specials AKA were formed back in 1977 and were the leaders of the UK ska revival.  By the time of this single the band's line-up had changed with lead singer Terry Hall having left in 1981 (to form the Fun Boy Three) Vocals on this single were performed by Stan Campbell who, just as the single was released, also parted ways with the group. He was however persuaded to front the band on two live appearances on the BBC Top Of The Pops programme. Written by band member Jerry Dammers who admitted that just prior to writing the song he had no idea who Nelson Mandela was and at the time not many people outside South Africa knew of him.  He had he in the early 80s been labelled a terrorist by the British Conservative government .  Dammers attended an anti-apartheid concert in London in 1983 which gave him the idea to write the song.  The song had an almost immediate worldwide impact including ...

Johnny Jones And The Casual Kings Purple Haze Brunswick BR 37 (1976) This 45 was released in 1976 with 2 tracks that were popular on the UK Northern Soul scene. Johnny Jones recorded his soul version of Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze in 1968.  The band was formed in 1962 by Jimi Hendrix and bassist Billy Cox after they were discharged from the army.  Johnny Jones joined 1964 as Jimi's replacement when Jimi embarked on the next stage of his career.  Based out of Nashville the band were active throughout the 60s including a stint as the house band for the local TV show Night Train.  On the flip side is Fred Hughes, a soul singer who originated from Arkansas.  He relocated to Compton, California and recorded this track in 1970.  The track is one of several 45s he released during the period 1965-1971. In the UK this single was withdrawn as Brunswick's licence for Purple Haze had expired.  Purple Haze was then released on Cream Records. BR 37

B.B. King Sweet Thing / Soul Beat Kent K 45x475 (1967) Born in 1925, B.B. King had his 1st 45 released back in 1951 (his 1st shellac release was in 1949).  By the time this 45 was issued he had released over 80 singles and had established himself as one of the premier players in his field. A straight guitar lead blues number this 45 demonstrates his sophisticated playing and vocal style. The flip is a solid instrumental. Earning the nickname "King Of The Blues" he is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. K 45x475