If I Could Only Be Sure”, a staple on the All-Nighter scene, was released in 1972 and was taken from Porter’s eponymous ABC album. Unlike its predecessor, it was also released in Brazil, Canada, France, New Zealand and in the UK on Probe Records, 23rd Feb 1973, 45 years ago! It was a modest hit at the time peaking at #89 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was later covered by Paul Weller on his 2004 album Studio 150. Both tracks were produced by Gabriel Mekler who was a rising star in the early seventies. His Lizard and Vulture labels had national chart success and he produced albums for Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night, Janis Joplin and Etta James.

Huge Blackpool and cleethorps tune.

By Trevor Senior