NEW TITLES BEING ADDED TONIGHT!

 New stuff for your ears starting tonight:

  1. Bill Anderson - "I Can't Wait Any Longer" - '78 - Full single version

  2. David Bowie - "Rebel Rebel" - '74 - The seldom-heard U.S. single mix

  3. Carpenters - "Ticket To Ride" - '70 - The original mix, not the re-recording that came out in '73

  4. Joe Cocker - "You Are So Beautiful" - '75 - Being a "Walking Dead" fan finally made me add this

  5. The Five Americans - "I See The Light" - '66 - Mono single mix

  6. The Glass Prism - "The Raven" - '69 - Edgar Allan Poe set to psych/organ-filled bliss

  7. The Gun - "Race With The Devil" - '68 - Mono single mix

  8. Mary Hopkin - "Those Were The Days" - '68

  9. Led Zeppelin - "D'yer Mak'er" - '73

10. Herbie Mann - "Hijack" - '75

11. The Modern Lovers - "Roadrunner" - '76 - Recorded in '72 - For those in love with Massachusetts

12. The Paradons - "Diamonds And Pearls" - '60 - Stereo

13. Graham Parker And The Rumour - "Hold Back The Night" - '77

14. Ramones - "Do You Wanna Dance" - '78

15. Sonny And Cher - "All I Ever Need Is You" - '71

16. Bruce Springsteen - "Prove It All Night" - '78

17. The Tams - "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" - '64 - Mono single mix

18. The Toys - "A Lover's Concerto" - '65 - Yeah I know, about time!

19. Link Wray And His Ray Men - "Rumble" - '58

20. The Zombies - "She's Coming Home" - '65

I hope everyone has a happy holiday season! See you in '24!

NEW WIDGETS FOR CURRENTLY PLAYING AND PLAYLIST HISTORY

 I'm just letting my listeners know that the "Now Playing" and "Recently Played" widgets on the station's webpage have been updated to newer versions, mainly because I had no choice. The old versions are being phased out to the point where artist images were completely eliminated, and I don't even have the ability to custom-upload my own image choices on them.

The new versions have a fairly reliable stock library of artist images, and I can upload my own when necessary; obviously, the more obscure the artist is, the less likely the stock library will have something. I can't stop you from mentioning that an artist's image is missing or could be better, but trust me, I am well aware of the issues and will strive to perfect them the best I can. 

Most artist images will have biographies attached to them on the "Now Playing" widget, and all tracks on that widget have a Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down feature. The "Now Playing" widget has a player attached to the top of it if you don't want to click on the blue "Listen Now" button above it(which leads to a more robust player, but that's just my opinion). Gone are the Wikipedia, "Tweet Song" and Amazon purchase links; the widget developers probably don't think they're relevant anymore, and they're probably right. Everyone knows how to use Wikipedia and Mr. Musk made it financially impossible for anyone to autopost on X/Twitter anymore.

The "Recently Played" widget shows a history of the last 100 tracks played. It refreshes at a rate of every 90 seconds, and I can't do much more than that without the distinct possibility of the widget missing a track. Be aware that the refresh isn't instantaneous due to the sheer volume of tracks in the history. 100 tracks is the maximum capability, so please don't ask me if it can show the last three days, the last week, etc.

I apologize if I don't sound overly positive about these changes. Maybe I'm in the minority, but it seems to me that these days the phrase "New And Improved," whether it refers to technology or the foods we eat, isn't worth a hill of beans anymore. I MISS THE OLD, and that especially means the pre-2016 days of internet radio. I'll let Satchmo conclude this post: "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..."

UPDATE: After hearing such phrases as "craptastic" and "amateurish," I have reverted back to the old widgets. Hopefully, the company I deal with will at the very least let me upload my own artist images to them if they do in fact no longer have access to the old third party image provider.

NEW ROTATION ADD: MICKY DOLENZ - DON'T DO IT - 1967(ORIGINALLY RECORDED IN 1965)

 Just before going through an agent and answering the casting call for a new Screen Gems TV show called "The Monkees," Micky Dolenz was fronting two nightclub acts in California: Micky And The One-Nighters and The Missing Links. Someone apparently saw The Missing Links and asked Micky if he would be interested in laying down a couple of tracks for Challenge Records(home of The Knickerbockers, one of my favorite 60's acts). Micky's group didn't sound professional enough, so members of The Wrecking Crew were called in to help(including Glen Campbell on guitar).

The two tracks that were recorded were today's featured number, the playfully suggestive garage rocker "Don't Do It," and "Huff Puff," which sounded like a somewhat angry and snarly Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs. Even though recorded in 1965, they remained unreleased until 1967. A little phenomenon called Monkeemania was happening then, and at the time it seemed like anything that had The Monkees' name on it stood a great chance at being a smash. Challenge Records tried to cash in on the phenomenon and put out "Don't Do It" first; even though it went top 10 on radio station surveys in Hawaii and Kentucky, it only managed a #75 peak on the Billboard Hot 100 on 4/1/67. "Huff Puff" came out a little later with the same picture sleeve in a different color, and let's just say that it didn't even come close to blowing up on the charts.

This will be part of The Retro Attic's rotation today along with 12 other oldies from the 50's through the 70's. Thanks for listening and showing your support! 

 Micky Dolenz - Don't Do It

NEW EBAY LISTING - THE DIAMONDS - WE'RE STILL ROCKIN' - 1995 OUT OF PRINT CD

 Usually when a newer version of a classic oldies act releases a new album and includes remakes, you can tell right away that it's a half-baked effort. Not so with this one! The doo wop and street corner vocal harmonies are top notch, and Gary Owens is a heckuva sax player! This particular album isn't available on any of the streaming platforms and doesn't come up for sale very often, so if you would like to help out The Retro Attic, then please feel free to place a bid! The Diamonds We're Still Rockin'

ALBUM REVIEW: Dion - Born To Be With You - 1975(Phil Spector International Records)

 Dion DiMucci spent the late 60's and a good chunk of the 70's rediscovering himself after years of chemical dependency; this was achieved through a series of albums targeted toward the MOR/AC market. This particular album was a fine example of his new introspective approach and will mainly appeal to those listeners who need to tune out from life for a half hour by retreating to their dimly lit den. 9 times out of 10, the source of our own problem(s) is in our back yard, whether that back yard is in our mind or at a physical homestead.

A good 3/4 of this album has a murky, dirge-like sound, thanks mainly to...you guessed it...the Phil Spector Wall Of Sound. Listening to these tracks reminds me of Jackie DeShannon's version of "The Weight" sparring with George Harrison's "Bangla Desh." If you're looking for a little peppiness and a small reminder of Dion's teen idol Laurie Records era, then the only track that qualifies is the eighth and final track, "Good Lovin' Man."

2 of the tracks have a clearer production and sound to me like early James Taylor meeting Jim Croce("Your Own Back Yard" and "New York City Song"). "Your Own Back Yard" will probably stand out for you from the rest of the pack, and rightfully so; it had previously been released as a non-LP single in 1970 on Warner Brothers. The rest of the tracks were recorded in 1974.

Please note that the below streaming link pairs the album with his 1976 effort "Streetheart" as well as a Phil Spector involved non-LP 1976 single(track 9).

Stay tuned for more album or single reviews in the future and keep rediscovering those lost oldies on The Retro Attic!

PURCHASE: Born To Be With You on Amazon

SPOTIFY: Born To Be With You on Spotify

SINGLE CURRENTLY IN THE RETRO ATTIC'S ROTATION: Your Own Back Yard - peaked at #75 in Billboard on 7/3/70. And we have it in stereo(mono is much more common)!

HOW TO BECOME A SPONSOR ON THIS STATION!

 My two licensed internet radio stations, The Retro Attic and Awfully Awesome 80's, are looking for sponsors. For an extremely low monthly rate(a choice of having your ad run either 5 times a week or 10 times a week on the station), I will produce a 30 second ad that can be dry or that can include background music. I can also offer a sidebar ad for your business(with a clickable link) on one of my websites for a slightly higher monthly rate.

I am looking for specific types of sponsors that, like me, are devoted to keeping oldies and 80's music alive and well:

 1. Used record/compact disc stores across the USA that cater to tourists and/or sell their titles online.

 2. Flea market vendors across the USA that deal exclusively with vinyl and compact discs.

 3. Oldies and 80's related tribute bands that tour either nationally or only in specific areas of the USA.

 4. Long-lost artists from the 50's through the 80's that have new music or books they want to promote, but don't have the time or know-how to do it.

I would be open to discussion on other types of sponsors(such as a pest control business or a restaurant), but only if you have a reputable business with good intentions.

My stations have been around for anywhere from 8-11 years and can reach a worldwide audience; some people will tell you that I'm obviously devoted to yesteryear since I love concentrating on those hits and artists that most other oldies stations no longer touch! I know that some of my listeners love to travel, buy records and see tribute shows, so as CSN once said: "What have you got to lose?"

If you're interested in learning more, then please PM me through Facebook or use the contact form and/or chat function on my websites(http://retroatticrareoldiesradio.com and http://awfullyawesomeeighties.com). As Canned Heat once said: "Let's work together" and build an oldies-devoted network!

Please also note that if you would like to support my stations through other methods, then I do accept donations(one-time or a monthly subscription) through the Paypal buttons on my website. You can also show your support by checking out my auctions and set sales on E-Bay(please see the sidebar listing on this site or search on E-Bay for the seller ID of "retroatticmusic"); maybe I will have a collectible that will interest you!

THE NEWEST ADDS AS OF MAY 1, 2022

 As you will see, I am starting to make a habit out of adding more oldies "standards." Listeners, for the most part, want familiarity when they tune in. That way, they stand a better chance at being amazed when they hear a lost single as the next track. At least I hope so! Anyways, here are The Retro Attic's latest adds:

1910 Fruitgum Company - Simon Says - Mono Single Mix

The Allman Brothers Band - Crazy Love

America - A Horse With No Name

America - Sister Golden Hair

Bad Company - Feel Like Makin' Love

Bad Company - Silver, Blue & Gold

The Band - Don't Do It

Barnaby Bye - Can't Live This Way

Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger - Single Mix

Archie Bell & The Drells - I Can't Stop Dancing

The Blue Ridge Rangers - Jambalaya(On The Bayou)

Jimmy Buffett - Come Monday

Jimmy Buffett - Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes

Glen Campbell - Where's The Playground Susie

Bernadette Carroll - Party Girl

Alvin Cash & The Crawlers - Twine Time

Ray Charles - One Mint Julep

Chicago - Free

Jim Croce - Chain Gang Medley

Vic Damone - An Affair To Remember(Our Love Affair)

Mac Davis - Burnin' Thing

Joey Dee & The Starliters - What Kind Of Love Is This

John Denver - It Makes Me Giggle

Neil Diamond - Soolaimon(African Trilogy II)

The Doobie Brothers - Long Train Runnin'

The Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get

Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy

Earth, Wind & Fire - Got To Get You Into My Life

The Four Lads - Enchanted Island

Doug Franklin With The Bluenotes - My Lucky Love

Freddie & The Dreamers - I'm Telling You Now

Freddie & The Dreamers - You Were Made For Me

J. Geils Band - Must Of Got Lost - Full Length

Golden Earring - Radar Love - Full Length

Good & Plenty - Livin' In A World Of Make Believe

Rosco Gordon - Shoobie Oobie

Noel Harrison - A Young Girl

Deane Hawley - Look For A Star

Hot Tuna - Keep On Truckin'

Janis Ian - Insanity Comes Quietly To The Structured Mind

The Ikettes - I'm Blue(The Gong Gong Song)

The Jackson 5 - Maybe Tomorrow

Billy Joel - Piano Man

LaBelle - What Can I Do For You?

Denise LaSalle - Trapped By A Thing Called Love

Led Zeppelin - Black Dog

Kenny Loggins - Whenever I Call You Friend

Kenny Loggins - This Is It

The Lovelites - How Can I Tell My Mom And Dad

Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded By The Light - Full Length

Al Martino - Living A Lie

Mashmakhan - As The Years Go By

Paul McCartney & Wings - Jet

Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Meat Loaf - You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth(Hot Summer Night)

The Messengers - Window Shopping

Chad Mitchell Trio - The Marvelous Toy

Tim Moore - Second Avenue

Ormandy - Good Day

Donny Osmond - I Have A Dream

The Osmonds - Love Me For A Reason

The Partridge Family - I Woke Up In Love This Morning

Pointer Sisters - Going Down Slowly

Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side

Bobby Rydell - Swingin' School

Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

The Shirelles - Soldier Boy

Paul Simon - Kodachrome

The Steelers - Get It From The Bottom

The Sunshine Company - Look, Here Comes The Sun

The Temptations - Ungena Za Ulimwengu(Unite The World)

Three Dog Night - Play Something Sweet(Brickyard Blues)

Thomas Wayne - Tragedy

Deniece Williams - Baby, Baby My Love's All For You

Wings - Live And Let Die