Like several of the labels in the old EMI group, Parlophone Records has a long, convoluted history, incorporating various twists, turns and takeovers. In 1950, George Martin joined Parlophone, an appointment which proved to be the defining moment in the label’s history. By the early/mid 50s they were releasing increasingly more spoken word and novelty recordings, and were also building up a roster of new young Jazz musicians and former dance band ‘Pop’ singers But hit records were few and far between. Initially, Parlophone made a few attempts to hop aboard either the Skiffle or R&R bandwagons. By the end of the decade R&R had noticeably softened, as strings were added, a style personified by Adam Faith who gave Parlophone their very first UK No.1 in December ’59 with ‘What Do You Want’. They did well with Trad Jazz, registering a handful of hits with the chart-topping Temperance Seven and of course no essay about Parlophone would be complete without at least a passing nod to The Beatles who changed absolutely everything.
CD1: ADAM FAITH – Poor Me: THE BEATLES – Love Me Do : SHANE FENTON & THE FENTONES – Cindy’s Birthday : KEITH KELLY – (Must You Always) Tease Me : THE BACHELORS – Please Don’t Touch : THE VERNONS GIRLS – Let’s Get Together : JERRY LORDAN – Who Could Be Bluer ?: PAUL RAVEN – Walk On Boy : BOB MILLER & THE MILLERMEN – Trouble Shooter : JOHNNY KIDD & THE PIRATES – Big Blon’ Baby : WALLY WHYTON – Don’t Tell Me Your Troubles : CLIFF BENNETT & THE REBEL ROUSERS – I’m In Love With You : THE FENTONES – The Breeze And I : JODY GIBSON & THE MULESKINNERS – If You Don’t Know : JIM DALE – Be My Girl : EDDIE SILVER – Put A Ring On Her Finger : JOAN SMALL – Gonna Get Along Without You Now : EDNA SAVAGE – Every Day : THE JOHN BARRY SEVEN – Saturday’s Child : DANNY DAVIS – You’re My Only Girl : PIERCE ROGERS & THE OVERLANDERS – Do You Still Love Me?: THE PACKABEATS – Gypsy Beat : PETER GORDENO – Uptown : ANITA HARRIS – I Haven’t Got You : VINCE EAGER – No Other Arms, No Other Lips : MARK TRACEY – Caravan Of Lonely Men : THE MOONTREKKERS – Melodie D’Amour : MIKE SARNE FEATURING BILLIE DAVIS – Will I What ?: THE VAMPIRES – Swinging Ghosts : SHARKEY TODD & THE MONSTERS – The Horror Show : CHARLIE DRAKE – Mr Custer : BERT WEEDON – Big Note Blues : THE TEMPERANCE SEVEN – Pasadena : PETER SELLERS & SOPHIA LOREN – Goodness Gracious Me : CD2 – : MIKE SARNE FEATURING WENDY RICHARD – Come Outside : ADAM FAITH – When Johnny Comes Marching Home : THE BEATLES – P.S. I Love You : SHANE FENTON & THE FENTONES – I’m A Moody Guy : VINCE TAYLOR & HIS PLAYBOYS – Brand New Cadillac : THE JOHN BARRY SEVEN – Little John : LORRAE DESMOND – Get Your Daddie’s Car Tonight : BOBBY SHAFTO – Over And Over : JERRY LORDAN – Do I Worry ?: JOHNNY GAVOTTE – It’s Not Too Late : JOHNNY ANGEL – Web Of Love : THE SCORPIONS – (Ghost) Riders In The Sky : DARREN YOUNG – I’ve Just Fallen For Someone : PERRY FORD – Garden Of Happiness : NICKY HENSON – Till I See You Cry : CLIFF BENNETT & THE REBEL ROUSERS – When I Get Paid : JUDD PROCTOR – It’s Bluesy : BILL & BRETT LANDIS – Love Me True : PAUL HANFORD – Everything : ANITA HARRIS – Mr One And Only : NICKY HILTON – Your Nose Is Gonna Grow : TONY ROCCO – Torture : THE VIPERS – Baby Why : HOUSTON WELLS & THE MARKSMEN – This Song Is Just For You : RAY CATHODE – Time Beat : NEVILLE TAYLOR – House Of Bamboo : GERRY DORSEY – I’ll Never Fall In Love Again : MATT MONRO – Portrait Of My Love : PETER WYNNE – The Wall : LAURIE LONDON – He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands : BERNARD CRIBBINS – Hole In The Ground : HUMPHREY LYTTELTON & HIS BAND – Bad Penny Blues : CHRIS & THE STUDENTS – Ducks Away From My Fishin’ : PETER SELLERS & THE TEMPERANCE SEVEN – Ukulele Lady.