Crown jewel of New England 45's..

[eargasm!]

Had this discussion a few times with another collector. Regional collectors will almost unanimously(and rightfully so) place the Rising Storm at the top of the LP list but the 45 was a bit more difficult to discern..The What Four on Fleetwood was my personal choice. A dazzing complex and powerful a side, and beautiful moody flip..In the absence of a small handful of copies that leaked out of the infamous Mr Sound City's lair (and a couple still remain) and one that I turned up in the wild soon after, it's virtually extinct..Are there rarer records? Yes..but legendary status , musical quality and rarity seem to point in the direction of this NETS legend..Are there better? The Shames and The Cobras are 2 records that quickly come to mind when I think of 2 siders that take a back seat to none..
I welcome debate and dissention on the subject!

 

[eargasm!]

i do know of course that several other long time regional collectors own this one..Mr Buckeye, Shakesomeaction,..

 

[MopTopMike]

I have my own personal faves, however, their identities as New England 45s will be kept under-wraps as I investigate stories and sources as time permits.

Going by a general consensus view, of the "established" New England based 45s, the undisputed champ has to be the Squires on Atco. Legend, reputation, strength of musical A and B side caliber places it at the summit. The Cobras would be a close contender for the crown, but comes in a well-deserved second.

 

[soundog III]

Shames, Cobra's , Squires & What Four are all superb two sided killers, the first three of which reside in the collection, with Shames taking top honors. Another double sided fave, which, while certainly not rare, qualitatively takes a back seat to none, is Remains - I Can't Get Away From You b/w But I Ain't Got You.

The above listed covers Massachusetts, Maine & Connecticut, correct?. So what about Rhode Island, Vermont & New Hampshire? I'd nominate The Others for RI, & the Chosen Few From Saint Michael's for VT. But what about NH? Surely not the Wiggins's...:rolleyes:.

If I'm incorrect about ascribing the Cobra's to ME. I nominate this superb double decker:

 

[Michael W]

If I was to start collecting New England 45s, top of my want list would be the Rouges 'Next Guy'

 

[eargasm!]

correct about The Cobras being from Maine, Mr Soundog! Great choices for all of them!! All records mentioned are supreme 2 sided killers and all legendary! My own personal favorite 45 has got to be The Shames, but The What Four is soooo tough!! The Rouges is worship worthy!

 

[bosshoss]

I like all the above choices. My absolute #1 would have to be the same as Michael W - The Rouges. I've had 2 copies, the current one being mint and sounds stunning. Apart from all the obvious choices and 2-siders, I'll just mention "She Still Loves You" by the Henchmen on Rujac (MD), which I love, is under-rated and really never seems to show up.

 

[MopTopMike]

Boss - Maryland (MD) is not part of the New England region. Maryland lies in the mid Atlantic region.
As for the Waverly label Rogues (Rouges is a label misprint) you guys will dig the snapshot pix of their recording session in tbm!

 

[bosshoss]

Oh...
Well at least I know where Texas and California are.

 

[Ned]

Bram Rigg Set - I Can Only Give You Everything is an absolute favorite. How about "The Devil's Own" - pretty great record as well. I agree with MTM on The Squires - damn good live band, too. Home town favorite = Yesterday's Children "To Be Or Not To Be" - also a pretty tough band live. A real shame that George's Boys didn't have a commercial relase.

Actually, all four bands were great live acts.

New Englander Ned

 

[chas_kit]

Worcester Mass - Beep Beep & the Road Runner's True Love Knows, and more distantly, She's Mine by the Nite Riders.

Connecticut- Just Won't Leave by the Madhatters, Now and Then by the Stains. I also love Don't Press Your Luck by the Shags.

Favorite Rhode Island disc- All I Really Wanna Be Is Me by the Cowsills

 

[buckeyebeat]

The New Breeds "Wasting My Time"/"It's Love" is the easy winner for me in the Worcester Battle Of The Bands. I like the Beep Beep 45 a lot but the New Breeds has been in heavy rotation since 1983. I've never been big on the Nite Riders. I'd take the End (either version), Personals (the only one in this list I don't have), Spectres, Back Street Boys, even Paul Chaplains "the Hearse" (not from Worcester, but close enough).

Some other double sided dynamite favorites include the 5th Generation, Motts Men, Ramrods "Bright Lit Blue Skies"/"Mr Wind", Ebb Tides on Arco (LOVE their take on "Summertime"), etc.

Props to the Malibus on Planet as top RI 45 - assuming the band was from RI and not just the label....

I've owned two copies of the What Fours 45 - although I traded one before I got the second copy, assuming it would turn up again in the band's back yard, as it did (thanks again to the late great NH flea market/record store!)

 

[BBTD]

Some New England faves from my stack incl. ALAN & THE USHERS "See Susie Run", BAD MANNERS "I'm alone", BOLD "Gotta get some", BONDSMEN "I don't want your lovin'", BOSS BLUES "Before the dawn", COWSILLS "All I Really Wanta Be"...and that's only A to C.

One that I'm curious about is the CHAIN REACTIONS "Life"/"What Am I Supposed To Do" on Francis Record label. According to Aram Heller's "Till the stroke.." the B-s. is good moody garage a-la The Mauve. Would love to hear that!

Erik/BBTD

 

[eargasm!]

Really like See Susie Run, but Whirlpool completely knocks me out ! I havn't heard The Chain Reactions that you mention either...perhaps someone here can enlighten us..Speaking of Aram's book, has anyone here heard The Last Resorts?
Thanks for all the input, guys! Great to hear different opinions!!

 

[MopTopMike]

Chain Reaction is a moody low key sound, a bit folky.
Last Resort is lame-o.

 

[buckeyebeat]

Really like See Susie Run, but Whirlpool completely knocks me out ! I havn't heard The Chain Reactions that you mention either...perhaps someone here can enlighten us..Speaking of Aram's book, has anyone here heard The Last Resorts?
Thanks for all the input, guys! Great to hear different opinions!!

Is that the Last Resort on Demco? If so, I also vote thumbs down. Weak Long Island style (Rascals/Vagrants)/ proto Bosstown sound.

The Chain Reactions is a pretty rare record, I don't have it. I don't recall seeing it for sale.

 

[eargasm!]

Since we're on the subject, has anyone turned up a copy of The Remains, Talkin' 'Bout You since the issue was last raised?

 

[legbarecords]

Just found a youtube clip of the Henchmen "she still loves you". Brilliant! As I don't own any comps, many of these are new to me. Every time you guys mention something, I dig around and find a clip and it's always fantastic!