Penfro Sounds

Johnny Dupont Spectrum / Caravan Columbia 4-43762 (1966) Johnny is a one of those artists that very little information exists on the internet.  The few bits that I have been able to glean comes from the liner notes on his only album. From those notes it seems that Johnny was a native of Troy NY and attended and graduated from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.  It seems that his musical output is limited to one album and one 45, both released on the Columbia label in the US. And that's it, all I could find so over to you to help fill in the gaps.  If you have any information regarding this musician please post a comment and let us know. In the meanwhile enjoy the organ driven bit of "space age" jazz called "Spectrum" and then flip over to the (short) cover of Duke Ellington's "Caravan". FLAC

Julius Wechter & The Baja Marimba Band Theme From "Deep Throat" Bell 45,339 (1973) Whilst you may not have seen the movie (or not admit to it) this has to be one of the most famous porn movie titles of the genre. Released in 1972, it was written and directed by Gerard Damiano, listed in the credits as "Jerry Gerard", and starred Linda Lovelace (aka Linda Susan Boreman). It was one of the first pornographic films to feature a plot, character development, and relatively high production values & it soon earned mainstream attention.  Very quickly it became the subject of obscenity trials and was banned in various places.  A soundtrack album was released and the original pressing is now highly sought. On the album this track was listed as  "Introducing Linda Lovelace." Julius Wechter initially was known for playing vibraphone and percussion for the Martin Denny group in the 1950s. In the early 1960s, he moved on to movie soundtracks and television score...

Max Romeo Don't You Weep / Weeping (Version) Pama Supreme PS 318 (1971) Born Maxwell Smith on 22 November 1944 in Jamaica, Max started his career with the Jamaican group The Emotions.  The band had their first success in 1965 with the single "(Buy You) A Rainbow" followed by several other 45s. By 1968 Max (now know as Max Romeo) embarked on a solo career with the single "Wet Dream." Whilst claiming it was about a leaking roof the song was banned by the BBC in the UK due to its overtly sexual references. On the back of the ban the single reached the UK Top 10. In the early 70s Max became heavily involved in Jamaican politics, touring the island and promoting the People's National Party along side many others such as Bob Marley. This 45 was released in 1971 on the Pama Supreme label which was part of the Pama group which was one of the major outlet for reggae music in the UK.  The label was run by the brothers Harry, Jeff and Carl Palmer. Initial set up in ...

Todd Rundgren Time Heals / Tiny Demons Bearsville PSR 455 (1981) In January 1981 Todd released his ninth studio album entitled Healing. Included with the album was this bonus single which plays at 33⅓ rpm. The album and bonus single features Todd in every role, from vocalist, playing all instruments, producer and engineer.  The album and single's theme is spirituality and the human condition with each track exploring a different aspect. The bonus single was also released in March 1981 where it had some success on the US Billboard charts.  Same two tracks but this time playing at 45rpm. FLAC

Bill Haley And His Comets Green Tree Boogie / Sundown Boogie London HL 8142 (1955) A recent call had me rushing off to view a box of records that a local seller had put aside for me.  On arrival I found a box of 10" shellac 78s which I would normally avoid due to the pure weight and also rarely finding anything that would interest me. However within the box were several discs in surprisingly great condition, this being one. Released in the UK in 1955, the a side to this disc was originally released in the US on Essex Records back in 1951 where it was credited to Bill Haley And The Saddlemen.  At the time of its initial release it would have been considered as what was called western swing, a sub genre of country music. Western swing had began in the US Great Plains' dance halls during the late 1920s slowly gaining more appeal with names such as Bob Willis, Light Crust Doughboys and Texas Playboys.  Bill Haley appeared on this scene in the mid 1940s eventually forming his ...

Dave Davies Hold My Hand / Creeping Jean BMG BMGCAT407BOX9 (2019) Like the previous post this single appears as part of The Kinks' "Arthur" box set that was released in 2019.  Recorded in 1968, the original 45 was released in 1969 was Dave's fourth solo single. The single failed to chart in the UK due to very limited promotion from Pye Records and scant radio airtime especially as at the time of release the UK pirate radio stations had been taken off the air.  It did in fact  fail to chart anywhere. Whilst credited as a Dave Davies solo single, on both tracks he was backed by the members of The Kinks.  This was also one of the last recordings bass player Pete Quaife recorded prior to leaving the band. As discussed in the previous post, Dave's career never matched the success expected and Pye Records  pulled the plug on the album that was due to be released in 1969.  His lack of interest in continuing a solo career was also a factor in the album being cancel...