WALLY TAX - THIS GIRL IS MINE

Dutch singer/songwriter WALLY TAX was born in Amsterdam in 1948 and found fame as the vocalist in the 60's NEDERBEAT group THE OUTSIDERS. The band were highly regarded in Holland and were considered by many to be the Dutch ROLLING STONES. The live side of their DEBUT LP from 1967 captures the wildness of their act and the hysteria they generated in their audience

 



The group recorded a string of amazing songs as good as any in the era, but made little impact in the rest of the world. They split at the end of the decade and Tax put together another band TAX FREE, briefly moving to the US where an LP was recorded and released

Unfortunately the anticipated US breakthrough failed to materialize and Tax returned to Holland to embark on a solo career and write songs for others. His 70's material moved closer to the MOR field, string dominated and often reminiscent of BUDDY HOLLY'S later pop discs { ''MISS WONDERFUL'' from 1973 is a good example of this }




His biggest hit would come in 1977 with ''LET'S DANCE'' and the songs he wrote for CHAMPAGNE { one of which: ''ROCK n' ROLL STAR'' charted in the US }. ''THIS GIRL IS MINE'' from 1975 didn't fare as well but was an artistic high, driven by a DISCO HI HAT, SWEEPING STRINGS and WAH WAH GUITAR it stands as a perfect example of MID SEVENTIES PHILLY INSPIRED DANCE POP

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - VERSION TO VERSION

KRISTINE SPARKLE began her recording career in the mid 1960's and experienced minor fame as part of the group FAMILY DOG at the turn of the decade. By the start of the 70's she was establishing herself on the UK CABARET CIRCUIT and appeared on TV SHOWS like BBC TV's CRACKERJACK {in which she sang and performed in sketches}

During this time she released a number of 45's for the DECCA label and in 1974 was offered ''GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN'' a song written by PAUL CURTIS.The recording was a step on from the GLAM POP novelty style of her previous Decca releases,being a well crafted and deftly orchestrated POP SOUL number.The song seemed perfectly placed to make headway at a time when SOPHISTI-SOUL from the likes of BARRY WHITE and PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL recording artists were showing good sales in the UK




Sales proved to be thin despite the quality of the record and it was to be Kristine's last recording for DECCA.She switched to the POWER EXCHANGE label,dropping her surname and increasing sales with ''PUSSYCAT TIGER'' and the self penned ''DEVIL WOMAN'',a song which CLIFF RICHARD would later cover and earn a huge hit with

Meanwhile DECCA were intent on getting a hit with ''GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN'' and a further version was recorded and released in 1976.This time the song was given a stonger backbeat and a more upfront feel in keeping with the early DISCO productions that were enticing feet onto the dancefloor. The vocals were handled by CISSY STONE who led a hardworking band on the BIRMINGHAM club scene.The band appeared on the TV talent show NEW FACES and at one time included future SPECIALS keyboard man JERRY DAMMERS

This version seems to have done better business.It was spun at the leading NORTHERN SOUL venue THE WIGAN CASINO and receives plays on that scene to this day