Elusion?

[NickNack]

Hi Everyone,

I'm playing an old reel-to-reel that I stupidly did not track list :x and so I need your help.

There's an early to mid 70's song on here I remember having on a 7". I think the group was called Elusion but when I go to AMG they reference the R&B group of the 80's or the girl-group of the 90's.

This song was a great 'pre-disco' piece. The 4/4 was there but not brought up front. Heavy on the bass with lots of rock guitar passages. Strong male vocals, sometimes inflecting like the lead singer (Jimmy Page?) of Led Zeppelin.

I've got the chorus. I keep backing up the tape to get the verses but it's taking me forever so I thought I'd start with this.

TRYING TO FIND YOU, TRYING TO FIND YOU,
AIN'T AS EASY AS IT SEEMS.
LIKE A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK
I SEE YOU IN ALL MY DREAMS.

Each verse begins with the guy thinking he sees this woman he's searching for. Here's the beginning line of each:

Verse 1: Thought I saw you on a train / Could have been my imagination.
Verse 2: Thought I saw you in the park / Looking at an evening paper.
Verse 3. Thought I saw you in the rain.

It's in verse 3 where this guy really starts to wail, giving the song more of a rock edge than before. Hell, this could be one of the first DOR pieces and not Disco at all. Also, the song was longer than the average 45 RPM as it gave you instrumental breaks and a longer than usual instrumental fade.

Any clues? If not, I'll be back with the full verses. :D

[NickNack]

Never mind --- I got it. And I must thank our Goddess, Boodikka, because it was my remembering one of her conversations on the board that put the group's name in my head.

The song: "Elusive" / The group: Babe Ruth

I know everyone talks about "The Mexican" but I always liked this one better. Plus I just found out the lead singer was female :-? : Janita "Jenny" Haan, described as having a voice between Janis Joplin and Robert Plant.

Elusion to "Elusive" --- you gotta give me a break on that.

Jimmy Page to Robert Plant? OK -- smack me, I'm not a rocker. :oops:

[Mixmachine]

NickNack, Was this song a club hit in NYC discos of the day?

Just gave this one a good wash and a couple of spins, this is a very nice tune I always liked, because it was released in í75 I donít remember any local Discos playing it, but remember tracking it down (from charts?) and used it in many old tape recordings of mine, nice rhythm guitar and a fine Rock and Dance fusion example; My 7î is on Capital, 5:02 in length and recorded in the UK , an overlooked fact until now.

[NickNack]

NickNack, Was this song a club hit in NYC discos of the day?

Just gave this one a good wash and a couple of spins, this is a very nice tune I always liked, because it was released in í75 I donít remember any local Discos playing it, but remember tracking it down (from charts?) and used it in many old tape recordings of mine, nice rhythm guitar and a fine Rock and Dance fusion example; My 7î is on Capital, 5:02 in length and recorded in the UK , an overlooked fact until now.

Hi Mix,

Yes, this song received a lot of club play. That's why I bought it --- I kept hearing dj's spin it. I remember the length of the 45 shocked me when I first got it. 5:02 was long for a 7" but, it still played LOUD! Glad you agree with me about the Rock/Dance fusion, although at the time I'm sure I wasn't thinking that way. I knew they weren't "from the block",you know, "my 'hood" but they damn sure didn't sound like rock, or anything else, I was hearing on the radio. Researching this yesterday is when I found out Babe Ruth was a well known, if underrated, rock band out of England. I had no idea because I just don't consider this a rock piece. I'm going to pick up the CD with this cut and the CD that has "The Mexican" on it. I have none of their stuff in my collection except this 45 (if I ever find it) so these two would make a nice addition. Rock band or not, these guys (and girl :) ) worked!

[DISCODISK]

MIXMACHINE/NICKNACK was also massive here too on the northern scene it was one of those funny ones that came to you then came back if you know what im saying, capitol[u.k] released some really great records round this time but as with everything they were always too late this was a 76 release here so by that time the train had left the station for big u.k sales :roll:

[Mixmachine]

If I ever heard ëëthe Mexicanî by Babe Ruth I donít remember at all, it certainly doesnít ring any bells, un-known pre í76 club hits always spark my curiosity because many of them are rare gems obscured by the ëRockí world of the time, and for me, this period of club music is the most diverse and creative of all the Disco years.

I will track down this CD tooÖ Thanks