Dutch Treat

11.20.05

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One month ago, a two-hour drive to the Allentown, Pennsylvania 45 record fair seemed extreme, but as I write from this quaint and cozy B&B in Utrecht, Holland, I realize that jetting across the Atlantic to buy records is a whole other ballgame. Okay, so I've crossed the line, but it's the Jaarbeurs Megaplaten & CD Beurs! I mean, it's the largest record fair in all of Europe! And I have a good excuse, which will be explained in due time.

A solo trip to Utrecht (fourth largest city in Holland, 20 minutes from Amsterdam) might seem like a lonely prospect, but it's been just the opposite, thanks in part to Elsa's home—a B&B run by a bubbly Dutch lady who greets me every morning with a cup of tea and the inside scoop on the other record collectors in the house. And also thanks to Saturday night's entertainment—the four disco/ house/ funk collectors who I will collectively call the Brighton boys. Oh, and the charming Frenchman Gipe, who gave me a fantastic deal on the Victoire Scott "4eme Dimension" EP, Christine Delacroche, and a few Stone singles.

Aside from the few cool cats mentioned above, the fair was a total nerdfest. As I was eating lunch amongst hundreds of beer-guzzling, cigarette-puffing age 40+ male Caucasians, this ratty old man takes a seat across from me, and smiles—only to reveal his mouth full of.... one brown tooth. Yuck!

After an 8-hour Saturday spent record hunting, Brighton boy, Paul (also residing at Elsa's) invited me to join him, Nick the Record, Martin, and Gav at a lively Italian restaurant on the canal. Four bottles of wine later, Martin and Paul agree to accompany me to the Ye-Ye Party thrown by some French and Dutch DJs from the Jaarbeurs fest. Boston garage group the Lyres are just finishing their set when we arrive, and the aforementioned Gipe is about to hit the decks. Was it the too many bottles of wine or is Jay & the Techniques' "Strawberry Shortcake" one helluva shaker? Luved it loud! On our way back into town, we attempted to sneak into the 21st floor bar at the NH Hotel (tallest building in Utrecht) for one last drink, but it was nearly 4 am and the bar had just closed. In hindsight, thank god. Otherwise, I never would've made it back to the fair this morning—where I found a very rare Patty Michaels single on Epic—picture sleeve!

Yup, I've crossed the line.

Sheila

The Brighton Boys: Nick the Record, Paul, and Martin selling their soul

This Magic Moment: My view from a canal bridge in Utrecht, listening to the Bee Gees' "Fanny (Be Tender With my Love)" as the sun goes down

Ye-Ye Party: Gipe avec moi

Disc-O-Dame: Wearing her love of vinyl

Sandy Sarjeant "Can't Stop The Want:" It exists on 45! Poor DJ, I swiped the sleeve in a slightly intoxicated state, and took waaay too many photos

Posted by Sheila at 12:53 PM

I Never Dreamed

11.04.05

On Wednesday night I celebrated the release of the Rhino GG box set with two of my heroes—Mary Weiss of the Shangri Las and the sixties' sweetest songwriter, Russ Titelman. Please excuse me while I regress into a starry-eyed teenager, but when I told Russ Titelman how much his songs meant to me, he said "Aww... thank you sweetheart," and then gently kissed my hand! Oh. My. God. This is the man responsible for the Cookies' greatest—"I Never Dreamed" as well as Lesley Gore's "What Am I Gonna Do With You (Hey Baby)" and the Cinderellas' "Baby Baby I Still Love You." I think I'm in love. Two seconds later I'm introduced to Mary Weiss, looking blonde and beautiful—with the same street sass she exuded in the Shangri Las. Too cool.

Other legendary ladies in the house included Arlene Smith of the Chantels, La La Brooks of the Crystals, the Toys, Mary (Reparata) + Nanette (of the Delrons), Margaret Ross of the Cookies, Toni Wine, Maxine Brown, and the Goodies.

It was magic.

Sheila

Posted by Sheila at 09:55 PM