Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys

**lifesaver62** · June 11th, 2004, 04:46 PM

Who is the original artist on this song???

I have a version from Love Childs afro Cuban Blues Band but they don't sound like original artist or cut I heard in clubs.

**DISCODISK** · June 11th, 2004, 04:57 PM

the equals out of the u.k

**lifesaver62** · June 12th, 2004, 04:18 PM

THANKS!!!! 8)

**markydefad** · June 12th, 2004, 04:56 PM

Beware that there are 2 versions of this record by the Equals. I paid around $18 bucks at Tower to get The Equals Greatest Hits compilation, only to find there was a remixed 45 of BEBSB that was the one played in clubs--NOT the version on the CD, thank you very much. :evil: :evil: :evil:

**markydefad** · June 12th, 2004, 05:35 PM

Nicky, discodisk and/or anybody else...

Do you remember the discussion of The Equal's "Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys" from several years ago?

I bought "The Best of The Equals: Baby Come Back" (DJ Specialist) for a copy of "BSBEB" (2:51) and, after hearing it, inquired why this was considered such a special track. I was told there was another mix of it that was the more danceable version and that I was basically screwed for having bought this less-desirable version of the song.

Now sfbeary is asking me about a 2nd version which he doubts exists. I'm just repeatin' what I was told by the more-informed members of this board.

Do I remember this correctly? :roll:

**NickNack** · June 12th, 2004, 08:56 PM

You're OK, Marky. I went out and bought a CD titled "THE BRITISH 60s: THE EQUALS, THE FOUNDATIONS", so I could get BSBEB on CD. The versions on this CD are 're-recorded by one or more of the original artists'. That's how they got away with the title. Of course, you don't see that small print until you get it home.

I've had the 45 of BSBEB for a long time and I do remember the discussion we had on the board back then.

**sfbeary** · June 13th, 2004, 12:21 PM

but Nicky and Marky: the one Nicky just wrote about is a re-recorded version on CD that's not truly by the equals - that couldn't be the one played in clubs back in the day.

markydefad wrote "there was a remixed 45 of BEBSB that was the one played in clubs" -- does THAT one actually exist?

this is what fantomas wrote in the original black skin blue eyed boys thread:

"This early 70's song by the Equals was disco music at its best. Easily, up there with the top 10. There are various MP3 files out there by the Equals and Eddy Grant (their lead singer). All the files I downloaded had a differnt sound from the original version that I heard back in 1973.In the "new" BSBEB, Eddy Grant has that "island" sound when he sings, plus, the music has lost some of its groove. But MIXMACHINE was nice enough to send me an MP3 file that is a copy of the original, 45 version, early 70's, young Eddy Grant sound (no island sound here).

The music, the Funk and Rock mixture is great; this is a hard driven sound with lots of bass and guitar (sorry, no violins or none of that sissified sound here). This version (45) of BSBEB is for the real Disco collector / aficionado."

this re-recorded version fantomas wrote about can't be "a remixed 45 of BEBSB that was the one played in clubs" as marky wrote above, right?

from what i now understand, there was a re-recorded version, but it wasn't the one played in clubs.

right!?!?

**markydefad** · June 13th, 2004, 01:46 PM

sfbeary,

Well, at least I'm not crazy. This did actually happen. I just recall being told there was another, better version--one that I supposedly didn't buy. Now, since the person making the claims was the infamous Fantomas....I'm wondering about the veracity of the claims. He was often full of "it" with his claims, if ya get my drift. :roll:

Barry, my "remixed for clubs" phrase was only based on info that Fantomas provided that there was a better version; I have no knowledge that that was the case.

I went home and listened to the cd copy I have and I don't think it was re-recorded. It's around 2:47 in length and is OK...but no great dance record, IMHO. Maybe I had to have been there?

Maybe all this info is erroneous. I was just expounding & possibly projecting on what I was told. Is that clear? :o

**sfbeary** · June 13th, 2004, 02:07 PM

but what fantomas was stating in what i quoted above was that the original 45 was *the* version and that the re-recorded version was lame. you were the one who claimed in earlier in this thread that "there was a remixed 45 of BEBSB that was the one played in clubs."

ultimately, i don't care who's right - i'd LOVE to find out that i'm wrong and that there's a club version out there that puts the original 45 to shame.

i don't want to spend time and money on ebay or anywhere else trying to find a record that doesn't exist, and i don't think other people should be encouraged to do so. i'm not trying to "catch" you or anyone else - i simply think it's extremely important to be clear and precise about the information that we're putting out into the world.

**markydefad** · June 13th, 2004, 02:13 PM

Sheesh. This happened several years ago. I just remembered that he said there was a better version. I presumed over the years that I didn't have this "better" 45 version. :o

If ya gotta "get" me, consider me "got".

**QUINNY** · June 13th, 2004, 07:15 PM

I think he was referring to the original 45, which from memory, came out in 1970. I was always puzzled by the original thread, as I never heard of an extended version BITD. However, I did lead a sheltered life at times, so I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there is one!

**Mixmachine** · June 13th, 2004, 09:00 PM

This is the 7" version I sent Fantomas, and he is/was right, this version is the one that was played in clubs of the day, I was to young to attend then but this copy I got long ago from a late friend and first generation DJ originally form NJ. This record was very hard to come by.

This version start off with Eddie vocal only intro 'Ok I'm loosing up now children" it has a very 'raw' fusion sound, guitar lead forward in the mix, mid-breakdown guitar lead very 70's similar to Barrabas sound.

**QUINNY** · June 14th, 2004, 03:23 AM

That's the original 7" version then. Mystery over.

I've got a feeling that the other version must be from an extremely rare LP I have where the Equals went into the studio and made a live version of most of their hits plus the first outing of Funky Like A Train. The LP I have is a white label promo, that as far as I know was given away to music industry people at Christmas '75 as a present. Don't ask any other details as it's in a garden shed, non alphabetically stored.

**Forrrce** · June 14th, 2004, 05:20 AM

Originally Written by QUINNY

That's the original 7" version then. Mystery over.

I've got a feeling that the other version must be from an extremely rare LP I have where the Equals went into the studio and made a live version of most of their hits plus the first outing of Funky Like A Train. The LP I have is a white label promo, that as far as I know was given away to music industry people at Christmas '75 as a present. Don't ask any other details as it's in a garden shed, non alphabetically stored.

You may be referring to the promo 12" with the 15-minute workout of 'Funky Like A Train' and a couple of other tracks on the flip. I do see this on occasion - last spotted in a shop last week (unpriced).

**QUINNY** · June 14th, 2004, 05:28 AM

From memory FLAT was about 11 minutes or so on the LP I have.
The label was white with big lettering that was sorta drawn in perspective, with the letters bigger at the top than the bottom. Something like the early Atmosfear Elite label titles.

**Forrrce** · June 14th, 2004, 06:23 AM

Originally Written by QUINNY

From memory FLAT was about 11 minutes or so on the LP I have.
The label was white with big lettering that was sorta drawn in perspective, with the letters bigger at the top than the bottom. Something like the early Atmosfear Elite label titles.

That's the one I'm referring to. On Phonogram.

**QUINNY** · June 14th, 2004, 06:54 AM

I succumbed and went a rootin'.

EQUALS PARTY: EQUAL001 - NOT FOR SALE COMMERCIALLY

SIDE ONE
Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys (8.07)
Baby Come Back (2.50)
Stone Cold Cat (7.20)

SIDE TWO
Born Ya! (5.04)
Funky Like a train (15.50) Forrrce, you were right!

In all honesty, I don't think the versions were anything special, but maybe great for a funk radio show as an oddity.

Anyone know anything about the Spanish 12" of BSBEB that came out in '82? Gemm has a copy for sale at an inflated price.

**SandraDee** · June 14th, 2004, 01:47 PM

Originally Written by QUINNY

I did lead a sheltered life at times

Bus shelters, air raid shelters, sheltered accommodation..........sorry Q, couldn't resist it. :lol:

**paul** · June 14th, 2004, 03:13 PM

Whoa! I do remember us discussing this way back when.
I didn't even know there were a few versions of this song floating around. I think my mom still has that 45 though I think it looks slighty different from the one shown.
Hmmm, I'm not too sure if one would immediately associate it with disco music. It had a funk flavor with a detectable "island" twist to it.
Since this song is so popular, I guess I should snatch it from mom the next time I'm in Florida.

**NickNack** · June 14th, 2004, 03:49 PM

The one Mixmachine is showing is the same one I have. Real early for disco but still big in the clubs in the early 70s. I remember playing this at home and my Mom looking at me saying, "What the hell is that man singing about? How many Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boys has he seen?" Gotta love Mom. :D

**QUINNY** · June 14th, 2004, 04:44 PM

Originally Written by Steely Dan

Originally Written by QUINNY

I did lead a sheltered life at times

Bus shelters, air raid shelters, sheltered accommodation..........sorry Q, couldn't resist it. :lol:

Steely: You forget the most important one. Tax shelter. Maybe I'll take advantage of that, sooner rather than later.

**Mixmachine** · June 14th, 2004, 11:53 PM

Originally Written by paul

Hmmm, I'm not too sure if one would immediately associate it with disco music. It had a funk flavor with a detectable "island" twist to it.
Since this song is so popular, I guess I should snatch it from mom the next time I'm in Florida.

Paul , for what ever is worth this one is listed in the Discola Fortune 500 Disco list at # 46. In those early days club music was not dub 'disco' yet. Locally down here as teen agers we called many records like this 'underground' music, cause very few people ever heard of them, I first heard this one in local house partys, didn't even know about 'Dance' clubs yet..

**markydefad** · June 15th, 2004, 09:08 PM

Well, thanks for all that information!!!!

The good news: based upon Mixmachine's description, I guess I do have the definitive 45 version of this song on the cd I bought. :D :D :D Also, I didin't pay $18.00 for it--more like $6.99!!!! :oops:

So, now just so I fully understand...the alternate versions of this record that fantomas found "undesirable" on the internet were the later re-recordings by Eddy Grant and/or The Equals with the "island feel" that Paul's mom seems to have in her 45 collection, right?

Is that the gist of it? :o

**MixMasterMax** · June 16th, 2004, 07:20 AM

There is a fantastic version of this track by the Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band from 1975. Also many other tracks on this LP are great and were played heavily in NYC clubs. It's funny that I read this post after ripping this LP just this past Saturday. Here is a link where you can hear the tracks.
Love Child's Afro Cuban Band

**Mixmachine** · June 16th, 2004, 10:55 AM

MixmasterMax, Thanks for that link, I din't know that "Life & Death in G&A" was done by Sly Stone originaly, need to check on that, my copy of this record is by Abaco Dream, another "underground" classic.