Sire Records Says Yes to Some Rare ‘Classic’ Oldies

Sire Records’ “Just Say Yes” is one of the record industry’s most original and engaging packaging ideas--a series of CD sampler albums that offer both hard-to-find numbers by the label’s established artists and tempting introductions to its promising new artists.

Among the artists saluted in the series’ first five albums: Lou Reed, Depeche Mode, Ministry, Morrissey, Ocean Blue and Ice-T. The albums, sold separately and carrying a $7.98 list price, have been released at the rate of about one a year. Sales of individual volumes have approached the 250,000 mark.

But this year’s edition--Volume 6--offers an inviting twist. Titled “Just Say Yesterday,” the album features “classics” from the Sire vaults, few of which have appeared on CD.

The set, which lists for $15.98, includes such landmark and/or disarming selections as Patti Smith’s “Piss Factory,” the Normal’s “Warm Leatherette,” B-Movie’s “Nowhere Girl,” M’s “Pop Muzik,” Plastic Bertrand’s “Ca Plane Pour Moi” and Blancmange’s “Don’t Tell Me.”

“The reason we decided to do a ‘yesterday’ collection is that so many people have called over the years, saying I can’t get Blancmange or I can’t get B-Movie,” said Howie Klein, executive producer of the series. “Plus I love this kind of stuff. It should be available on CD. To me, the album is almost like a public service.

“I’ve been listening to most of these songs for years, but they still sound great. My favorite track changes from day to day, but the one at the moment is the Patti Smith tune. It’s a record everybody talks about, but almost nobody has it because it is so rare. There were only about 5,000 of them pressed (on vinyl) when it came out in the ‘70s.

“I also love the segue between Aztec Camera’s ‘Jump’ and the Bluebelles’ ‘Cath,’ and I used to play it on my radio show in San Francisco, so I couldn’t wait to get that on a CD.”

Among other tracks on the album: Tin Tin’s “Kiss Me,” Tim Scott’s “Swear,” Madness’ “One Step Beyond . . .” and Specimen’s “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

Christmas Stocking: “Alligator Stomp: Cajun Christmas” and “Doo Wop Christmas” are inviting new Christmas compilations from Rhino Records.

The 17 selections on the first album range from Beausoleil’s “Christmas Bayou” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” to the Jambalaya Cajun Band’s “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Silent Night.”

The “Doo Wop” album’s 18 tracks include the Drifters’ classic version of “White Christmas” plus the Penguins’ “Jingle Jangle,” the Cadillacs’ “It’s Christmas Time,” Frankie Lymon’s “It’s Christmas Once Again” and the Moonglows’ “Just a Lonely Christmas.”