The Fabulous Poodles - 1979-02-14 - The Bottom Line, New York, NY

The Fabulous Poodles
1979-02-14
The Bottom Line, New York, NY
FM Broadcast Recording, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and MP3 (320 kbps) versions

OK, here's a show that I had been searching for for a very long time (since before I started this blog), one of the very few known Fabulous Poodles live show recordings. I have been fortunate enough to have and post other available FabPoo recordings, but had been unable to track down this one down, until a reader of the blog came forward to provide it to me (Much thanks, Stuart!). If you aren't familiar with The Fabulous Poodles, they were a great, but short-lived new wave/old school 70's UK band with a great style that combined an early 60's Who and Kinks sound with 50's kitsch and 70's new wave, and outrageously witty lyrics (See previous posts). I loved their unique sound and style, but they only made 3 albums before disbanding in 1980 (only 2 released in the U.S.). Their only U.S. Tour (in 1979) was marred by having all their instruments and equipment stolen within the first few days, and having to scrounge up borrowed and make-shift equipment the rest of the tour. But they carried on nonetheless. This show comes from a radio broadcast of their NY Bottom Line Show, shortly after their equipment issues, and, unfortunately, it does affect the show, as for the first few songs the amp for the violin (a very important component of their sound) is not working at all. They eventually are able to come up with an alternative fix for the rest of the show, but the early songs are without Bobby's trademark violin. So, again, this is one of the few full show recordings of The Poos, and despite the equipment issues, there are some great moments. BTW, The complete studio recordings of The Fabulous Poodles were recently reissued (2018) in a CD Box Set (Cherry Red Records, UK) that includes all the songs from their three albums as well as many other singles, unreleased tracks and demos, as Mirror Stars: The Complete Pye Recordings 1976-1980, and contains everything they ever recorded. It is a goldmine for Fabulous Poodles fans, and its modern day release shows that I certainly am not the only one who remembers and cherishes the music these guys created. Check 'em Out.

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Suicide Bridge
3. Cherchez le Femme
4. Chicago Box Car
5. B Movies
6. Rum Baba Boogie
7. Oh Cheryl
8. Work Shy
9. Tit Photographer's Blues
10. Mirror Star
11. Roll Your Own
12. Twist and Shout
13. You Really Got Me
14. Mr. Mike
15. Bike Blood
16. DJ Talk
17. We'll Meet Again
18. DJ outro
Bonus Track:
19. Bionic Man/(From The Robert Klein show)

Tony de Meur – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Richie Robertson – Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Bobby Valentino – Violin, Mandolin, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Bryn Burrows – Drum, Percussion

FLAC - Fabulous Poodles_1979-02-14_BottomLine,NY_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Fabulous Poodles_1979-02-14_BottomLine,NY_mp3.rar
Links updated (09/29/23)

Fabulous Poodles - 1979-03-28 - Denver, CO

Fabulous Poodles
1979-03-28
Rainbow Music Hall, Denver, CO
FM Broadcast recording (Rob Bishop), very good quality
from his master cassette
mp3 @ 320 kbps
Custom artwork

And now, for all you Fabulous Poodles fans out there, here's another rare treat. This is an exclusive concert recording, only available here, and comes to us thanks to a friend of the blog that sent this in to me. My new friend Rob Bishop was at this concert back in 1979, then rushed home to catch (and record) the delayed broadcast of the show on the radio. The resultant tape, as heard here, although missing the first couple songs (he must not have made it home in time to catch the beginning) of the show (for this tour they usually started with 'Suicide Bridge', then 'Chicago Boxcar'), provides us with another glimpse of the Fabulous Poodles Live. Once again, they are full of shenanigans and hi-jinks between songs, but put down some great Rock 'n Roll, prominently featuring Bobby Valentino on various instruments. Some new additions to this set include a sly re-working of 'Twist Again' as 'The Wrist', and more of their playfulness in their request segment where they ask the audience what was the first record they ever bought, and then attempt to play it. This time, it results in a hilarious country version of The Sex Pistols 'Anarchy in the UK' and a quick turn at Hendrix with 'Purple Haze'. The rest of the set features their usual mix of great songs from their first 2 albums. The recording, although suffering from limited dynamic frequency range (not much at the very low or high end, probably due to the equipment used at the time), is otherwise very good, with a nice clear sound and mix from the FM broadcast. Overall, a fantastic find and wonderful addition to the so few available recordings of this fine band. BTW, I know that Fabulous Poodles recordings are very scarce, because after the last one I posted (2/13/79 My Father's Place here), I was contacted by the former Road Manager for the Fab Poodles themselves (Barry Bartlett), and he was delighted to get that recording (he didn't have any). He also then contacted former Poodles band members Tony DeMeur and Bobby Valentino, who also did not have this recording (and they also were very happy to get it). If the band themselves don't even have live recordings from their days as the Fabulous Poodles, these recordings must be pretty rare. Anyway, enjoy this. Thanks again to Rob Bishop for recording this and making it available here. And Barry, Tony, and Bobby, if you're still out there, this one's for you - Thanks for all the entertainment you provided back in those days as the Fabulous Poodles! Truly classic stuff.

Tracklist:
01. B Movies
02. Rum Baba Boogie
03. The Wrist
04. Work Shy
05. Tit Photographer Blues
06. Pinball Pinup
07. Mirror Star
08. Anarchy in the West
09. Purple Haze
10. Mr. Mike
11. Bike Blood
12. (encore) Toy Town People

New Link! (Updated 06/07/21)
Fabulous_Poodles_1979-03-28_Denver.rar

 

Fabulous Poodles - 1979-02-13 - My Father's Place, Hempstead, NY

Fabulous Poodles
1979-02-13
My Father's Place, Roslyn, NY
FM Broadcast, good sound quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps
Custom artwork included

Here's a real treat (at least for me!). I have been looking for this show (or any other FabPoos show) since before I started this blog. As I have said previously here (when I posted another, much shorter radio show of theirs here), "The Fabulous Poodles were a great, but very short-lived late '70's band. These guys had a great sound that was a combination of early Kinks and The Who, mixed with 50's kitsch and 70's new wave, and clever, witty lyrics. That's right, not only did they sound great, but they were funny, too. Just a great, original, and overlooked band". Driven by Tony DeMuer's wit, antics, and energy, and Bobby Valentino's ferocious violin, these guys were sensational, especially live. But there are just so few live recordings of them. This is one of the few longer-length sets available (but not very available, as it took me many years to finally get hold of it), so this is a joy to hear. They only made three albums (only 2 in the US!) between 1977 and 1979. By 1980, they were gone, and in an ugly split with their manager, they were forbidden from ever performing as the Fabulous Poodles, or even using their Poodles stage names again. Tony DeMeur changed his name to Ronnie Golden and became a comedian with some success in British TV. Bobby Valentino became a respected session musician, lending his distinctive violin to countless recordings, including contributing the signature fiddle part to The Bluebell's UK Hit, 'Young At Heart', a few years later. Bobby remains active in music, and has a website detailing his various projects. I give my thanks and am forever indebted to blog reader David B. for sending this show to me. If you are not familiar with these guys, you really should check them out (if you are already familiar with them, no doubt you have already started downloading this, and don't need me to tell you). Enjoy!

Tracklist:
01. Suicide Bridge 3:56
02. Cherchez La Femme 4:29
03. Chicago Boxcar 3:42
04. B Movies 3:49
05. Rum Baba Boogie 5:16
06. Oh Cheryl 3:43
07. Work Shy 4:33
08. Tit Photographer Blues 4:03
09. Pinball Pinup 6:54
10. Mirror Star 4:04
11. Roll Your Own 4:46
12. Louie Louie 2:21
13. Puppy Love 1:37
14. Mr. Mike 3:38
15. Bike Blood 4:03
16. Don't Lie To Me 5:20
Total Time: 66:20

New link! (updated 02/13/19)
Fabulous_Poodles_1979-02-13_HempsteadNY.rar

Fabulous Poodles - 1979-05-26 - London BBC

Fabulous Poodles
1979-05-26, Paris Theatre, London
BBC Radio In Concert Broadcast
MP3 @ 320 Kbps
Good Sound Quality

Here's an all-too short, but very sweet BBC radio show from the Fabulous Poodles, a great, but very short-lived late '70's band. These guys had a great sound that was a combination of early Kinks and The Who, mixed with 50's kitsch and 70's new wave, and clever, witty lyrics. That's right, not only did they sound great, but they were funny, too. Just a great, original, and overlooked band. This way-too-short show highlights some of their best songs, but leaves out so many more. Still, great to have any live recordings of the band (still looking to find their other, longer radio broadcasted shows from 1979). So, check out the poodles, you'll be glad you did.

Tracklist:
1.Suicide Bridge.
2.Chicago Boxcar (Boston Back).
3.B-Movies.
4.Workshy.
5.Pinball Pinup.
6.Mirror Star.
7.Microphone.
8.Bike Blood.

Total Playing Time 30:11
File Size 69.4 MB

New Link! (Updated 06/27/21)
Fabulous_Poodles_1979-05-26_-_London_BBC_Radio.rar