Gary Owen's Blog

In June, 1964, United Artists' released their soundtrack to " A Hard Day's Night" . They were very anxious to get this LP out, so- excepting "Can't Buy Me Love" - EMI sent them rough mono mixes of all the songs. Meanwhile, Capitol Records- the label The Beatles were signed to in pretty much all the western hemisphere- somehow lost the rights to this gold mine of an album. They decided to release a "semi-soundtrack" with an album titled "Something New" . The company was also sent the same rough mono mixes of the tunes featured in the flick- plus one which was supposed to be in the movie....... ......and that song was "I'll Cry Instead" .  This Country-Rock flavored tune was originally going to be used during the police chase scene but director Richard Lester felt it wasn't quite right. Instead, he decided to repeat the hit "Can't Buy Me Love" . He also (stupidly) cut "You Can't Do Tha...

A continuation of my Beatles green "Starline Series" thread..... By 1969, Capitol Records had switched over to what is now known to collectors as the red and orange "target label" (my favorite). For whatever reason, in 1971, the company decided to reissue two of the unique 1965 Starline singles on said target label: "Roll Over Beethoven / Misery" and "Boys / Kansas City" . This time, they were released as regular reissues and did not bear the name "Starline". These singl es were only pressed at the Jacksonville, Illinois plant and are not common. At the same time (and plant) Capitol mistakenly pressed up a small run of the Canadian 45 "All My Loving / This Boy" which- in 1964- reached #45 in the US as an import. It bears the Canadian catalog number but has US markings. Once the error was discovered, production was immediately halted and the single withdrawn. Yes, it's rare. 

In January, 1962, Capitol Records launched it's "Starline" series as a vehicle for reissuing old hit singles. The 45's feature a greenish version of the classic yellow and orange swirl label which adorned Capitol's regular singles in the 1960's. IMHO, I think this label is more attractive, and, yes, their rarity does add to it. :) The six Beatles singles released in Capitol's Starline series were: 1. Twist And Shout / There's A Place (6061) 2. Love  Me Do / P.S. I Love You ( 6062) 3.  Please Please Me / From Me To You  (6063) 4. Do You Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl (6064) 5. Roll Over Beethoven / Misery (6065) 6. Boys / Kansas City (6066) The first four were reissues of singles which were released earlier on the Vee Jay and Tollie labels. The last two were unique creations by Capitol. For whatever stupid reason, three tunes:  "Misery" , "There's A Place" and "From Me To You" had not been releas...

Yes! Summer is on it's way! With that, let's celebrate by singing along with this groovy song from The Monkees new album "Good Times!"

Well, it's yet another new year. This means it's time for some Rare Earth. I am sure you see the connection? "I Just Want To Celebrate" was released in 1971 and reached #7. Grooviness abounds.

Thanks to everyone at CTV for helping me with this. :)

There's always room for new things....... Yes. Contrary to public opinion, this most certainly applies to Gary Owen Land. The latest new acquisitions being the following (click on the links): The first replaces my worn out Gretsch bar stool which has now been officially retired. The second will act as a back up for my constantly used PA. It most certainly shall be utilized at smaller gigs like house parties etc. All in all, two wonderful additions to the evolving- and currently under renovation- Gary Owen Land. See you in the next post.