Righteous Brothers Collectors Items
Last updated 15 February 2023 - Updated items in red
Alternate version of Soul And Inspiration
Verve 58 501 France 1966
Verve 10383X Canada 1966
Verve 0150 Italy 1966
Verve 58 501 West Germany 1966
Verve DV-5001 Japan 1966
Verve VK-142 (Verve Sounds Of Fame series) Mono Issues US 1968
Verve 889274-7 (Verve Hit Come Back series) West Germany 1990
It is now apparent that the alternate version of "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration", was also mistakenly issued in France in addition to Italy, Canada, West Germany and Japan in 1966. There may well be other countries that were also sent this alternate version but without hearing them, it is impossible to confirm which ones. Can definitely confirm that the UK and Australia had the correct version though.
This alternate version was also used in the US on the 1968 Verve reissue series "Sounds Of Fame" 142 single by the Righteous Brothers with "Little Latin Lupe Lu" on the flip side.
Unfortunately the single was issued in both stereo and mono formats but nowhere on the record label does it indicate if the track is mono (with the alternate version) or stereo (with the standard version).
There is however, a definite way of establishing whether it is the alternate version without having to play the "Sounds Of Fame" 142 single record. Etched in the deadwax (the run out before the label) is the master number, if this is "65 VK 634-M" it is the alternate version - IT MUST INCLUDE THE "M" the standard version doesn't include the "M".
This same pressing was also used when in 1990 the owners of the Verve label in West Germany reissued the single as part of their "Hit Come Back" series, with the original B side "B Side Blues".
Listen to the alternate version of "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration"
Verve 10383X Canada 1966
Verve 0150 Italy 1966
Verve 58 501 West Germany 1966
Verve DV-5001 Japan 1966
Verve VK-142 (Verve Sounds Of Fame series) Mono Issues US 1968
Verve 889274-7 (Verve Hit Come Back series) West Germany 1990
It is now apparent that the alternate version of "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration", was also mistakenly issued in France in addition to Italy, Canada, West Germany and Japan in 1966. There may well be other countries that were also sent this alternate version but without hearing them, it is impossible to confirm which ones. Can definitely confirm that the UK and Australia had the correct version though.
This alternate version was also used in the US on the 1968 Verve reissue series "Sounds Of Fame" 142 single by the Righteous Brothers with "Little Latin Lupe Lu" on the flip side.
Unfortunately the single was issued in both stereo and mono formats but nowhere on the record label does it indicate if the track is mono (with the alternate version) or stereo (with the standard version).
There is however, a definite way of establishing whether it is the alternate version without having to play the "Sounds Of Fame" 142 single record. Etched in the deadwax (the run out before the label) is the master number, if this is "65 VK 634-M" it is the alternate version - IT MUST INCLUDE THE "M" the standard version doesn't include the "M".
This same pressing was also used when in 1990 the owners of the Verve label in West Germany reissued the single as part of their "Hit Come Back" series, with the original B side "B Side Blues".
Listen to the alternate version of "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration"
The elusive Go Ahead And Cry picture sleeve
Verve VK-10430 (08/1966)
It is rather ironic that one of the most used photos of the Righteous Brothers, taken from the front cover of the "Go Ahead And Cry" album, should also be the cover photo of their most elusive picture sleeve.
The "Go Ahead And Cry" single itself is by no means rare, it was after all, a top 30 hit after its release in August 1966.
The previous two Righteous Brothers Verve singles, "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration" and "He", had both been issued with picture sleeves but only a very few of the "Go Ahead And Cry" seem to exist.
It is rather ironic that one of the most used photos of the Righteous Brothers, taken from the front cover of the "Go Ahead And Cry" album, should also be the cover photo of their most elusive picture sleeve.
The "Go Ahead And Cry" single itself is by no means rare, it was after all, a top 30 hit after its release in August 1966.
The previous two Righteous Brothers Verve singles, "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration" and "He", had both been issued with picture sleeves but only a very few of the "Go Ahead And Cry" seem to exist.
Original mix of Little Latin Lupe Lu
Local pressing with original mix
Local pressing with new mix
Telegram from VeeJay Records
National promotional pressing
National regular pressing
Moonglow M-215 (11/1962)
"Little Latin Lupe Lu"/"I'm So Lonely"
The initial local release of "Little Latin Lupe Lu" by the Righteous Brothers on Moonglow Records in November 1962 had an alternate mix to the well known hit version, which had a full national release in May 1963.
There are two very easy methods to identify the original mix, the first is by the design of the record label itself which comprised of the company logo in a semi-circle with stars and moon surrounding it. Moonglow had used this design since the company was formed in Belgium in the mid 1950's. This design was changed by the time the revised mix of "Little Latin Lupe Lu" was issued locally and then nationally.
The second method is by the matrix number in the deadwax, the matrix number of the original mix "Little Latin Lupe Lu" is "45M-215-1" but on all other pressings, the matrix number in the deadwax is "45M-215-1RE2". However, it must be the number etched in the deadwax as one pressing does have the original number printed on the label.
The local pressings of both mixes, credit the songwriting publisher on both sides of the single to Ray Maxwell Music whereas the national pressings following the deal with VeeJay Records also incorporates Conrad Music to the publisher credit.
On the left are variations of the "Little Latin Lupe Lu" release on the Moonglow label, at the top is the initial release with the original mix, followed by a further local release with a revised mix.
Next, the telegram from VeeJay Records with details of their distribution agreement with Moonglow, followed by the national promotional copy and regular national release.
Listen to the original mix of "Little Latin Lupe Lu"
"Little Latin Lupe Lu"/"I'm So Lonely"
The initial local release of "Little Latin Lupe Lu" by the Righteous Brothers on Moonglow Records in November 1962 had an alternate mix to the well known hit version, which had a full national release in May 1963.
There are two very easy methods to identify the original mix, the first is by the design of the record label itself which comprised of the company logo in a semi-circle with stars and moon surrounding it. Moonglow had used this design since the company was formed in Belgium in the mid 1950's. This design was changed by the time the revised mix of "Little Latin Lupe Lu" was issued locally and then nationally.
The second method is by the matrix number in the deadwax, the matrix number of the original mix "Little Latin Lupe Lu" is "45M-215-1" but on all other pressings, the matrix number in the deadwax is "45M-215-1RE2". However, it must be the number etched in the deadwax as one pressing does have the original number printed on the label.
The local pressings of both mixes, credit the songwriting publisher on both sides of the single to Ray Maxwell Music whereas the national pressings following the deal with VeeJay Records also incorporates Conrad Music to the publisher credit.
On the left are variations of the "Little Latin Lupe Lu" release on the Moonglow label, at the top is the initial release with the original mix, followed by a further local release with a revised mix.
Next, the telegram from VeeJay Records with details of their distribution agreement with Moonglow, followed by the national promotional copy and regular national release.
Listen to the original mix of "Little Latin Lupe Lu"
Elusive Moonglow 234 single
Moonglow M-234 (06/1964)
"Bring Your Love To Me"/"If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying"
As with all major recording artists, the Righteous Brothers back catalog is relatively easy to obtain, even recordings made before they really hit the big time in 1965, are still not that difficult to locate due to their popularity and the vast quantities pressed.
The Moonglow 234 single "Bring Your Love To Me"/"If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying" is however, very hard to come by, the regular issue being harder to locate than the promotional copy - which is usually the case whenever a record has been withdrawn from circulation or the release cancelled.
For whatever reason, the plug was pulled on Moonglow 234 and "This Little Girl Of Mine" on Moonglow 235 was released in August 1964 as the replacement retaining "If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying" as the B side.
"If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying" is not the same track as issued on the Bill Medley solo Moonglow 221 single and on the Moonglow 1003 album "This Is New" by the Righteous Brothers.
It is in fact a version of the song by the Righteous Brothers using the same basic backing track as the Bill Medley solo track but with Barry Rillera featured on guitar and credited on the record label.
"Bring Your Love To Me" was finally fully released 6 months later in December 1964 on Moonglow 238 with "Fannie Mae" as the B side.
"Bring Your Love To Me" had overdubs added for the Moonglow 245 release in June 1966, the original mix can be found on the "Gold" CD compilation and the later overdubbed version, although edited, can be found on the "Anthology 1962-74" and "Moonglow Years" CD compilations.
Listen to "If You'll Lying, You'll Be Crying"
"Bring Your Love To Me"/"If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying"
As with all major recording artists, the Righteous Brothers back catalog is relatively easy to obtain, even recordings made before they really hit the big time in 1965, are still not that difficult to locate due to their popularity and the vast quantities pressed.
The Moonglow 234 single "Bring Your Love To Me"/"If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying" is however, very hard to come by, the regular issue being harder to locate than the promotional copy - which is usually the case whenever a record has been withdrawn from circulation or the release cancelled.
For whatever reason, the plug was pulled on Moonglow 234 and "This Little Girl Of Mine" on Moonglow 235 was released in August 1964 as the replacement retaining "If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying" as the B side.
"If You're Lying, You'll Be Crying" is not the same track as issued on the Bill Medley solo Moonglow 221 single and on the Moonglow 1003 album "This Is New" by the Righteous Brothers.
It is in fact a version of the song by the Righteous Brothers using the same basic backing track as the Bill Medley solo track but with Barry Rillera featured on guitar and credited on the record label.
"Bring Your Love To Me" was finally fully released 6 months later in December 1964 on Moonglow 238 with "Fannie Mae" as the B side.
"Bring Your Love To Me" had overdubs added for the Moonglow 245 release in June 1966, the original mix can be found on the "Gold" CD compilation and the later overdubbed version, although edited, can be found on the "Anthology 1962-74" and "Moonglow Years" CD compilations.
Listen to "If You'll Lying, You'll Be Crying"
Final Moonglow limited release single
Moonglow M-246 (06/1966)
"Let The Good Times Roll, Little Latin Lupe Lu, Koko Joe" (medley) /"Hot Tamales"
Extremely rare, promotional only local release on Moonglow 246 from June 1966, comprised of a medley of three songs;
"Let The Good Times Roll" (1 minute 40 seconds)
"Little Latin Lupe Lu" (22 seconds)
"Let The Good Times Roll" (18 seconds)
"Koko Joe" (58 seconds)
There doesn't appear a logical reason for this release, possibly to promote "The Best Of The Righteous Brothers" release by Moonglow a month or so earlier but that particular album didn't include, "Koko Joe", one of the tracks featured in the medley.
The flip side, "Hot Tamales" (misspelt Tomales on label), was a Bobby Hatfield solo single originally issued in March 1963 on Moonglow 220 and was included on the Righteous Brothers Philles 4009 album "Back To Back" in December 1965.
Listen to the "Moonglow 246 single"
"Let The Good Times Roll, Little Latin Lupe Lu, Koko Joe" (medley) /"Hot Tamales"
Extremely rare, promotional only local release on Moonglow 246 from June 1966, comprised of a medley of three songs;
"Let The Good Times Roll" (1 minute 40 seconds)
"Little Latin Lupe Lu" (22 seconds)
"Let The Good Times Roll" (18 seconds)
"Koko Joe" (58 seconds)
There doesn't appear a logical reason for this release, possibly to promote "The Best Of The Righteous Brothers" release by Moonglow a month or so earlier but that particular album didn't include, "Koko Joe", one of the tracks featured in the medley.
The flip side, "Hot Tamales" (misspelt Tomales on label), was a Bobby Hatfield solo single originally issued in March 1963 on Moonglow 220 and was included on the Righteous Brothers Philles 4009 album "Back To Back" in December 1965.
Listen to the "Moonglow 246 single"
Disco version of Hold On (To What You Got)
Haven HS-800-D (Disco version) (03/1976)
"Hold On (To What You Got)" both sides
The Righteous Brothers final Haven single, "Hold On (To What You Got)", was aimed at the Disco market and there was a special Disco Version of the track issued. The label to this version differs from the standard issue with an added suffix to the catalog number, ie. "D" plus Disco Version is also printed on the label.
The song was another written and produced by the Haven owners, Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, for the Righteous Brothers and was not included on either of the Righteous Brothers Haven albums "Give It To The People" or "The Sons Of Mrs Righteous" and this Disco Version has never been issued on a CD compilation.
The Disco Version is 50 seconds longer with an extra chorus with only the girl backing singers featured inserted at the 2:40 mark. Issued in both stereo and mono, although the label on the mono issue erroneously states that it is stereo.
Listen to the Disco Version mix of "Hold On (To What You Got)"
"Hold On (To What You Got)" both sides
The Righteous Brothers final Haven single, "Hold On (To What You Got)", was aimed at the Disco market and there was a special Disco Version of the track issued. The label to this version differs from the standard issue with an added suffix to the catalog number, ie. "D" plus Disco Version is also printed on the label.
The song was another written and produced by the Haven owners, Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, for the Righteous Brothers and was not included on either of the Righteous Brothers Haven albums "Give It To The People" or "The Sons Of Mrs Righteous" and this Disco Version has never been issued on a CD compilation.
The Disco Version is 50 seconds longer with an extra chorus with only the girl backing singers featured inserted at the 2:40 mark. Issued in both stereo and mono, although the label on the mono issue erroneously states that it is stereo.
Listen to the Disco Version mix of "Hold On (To What You Got)"