OUM KALTOUM/OULIDA EL HOUDA S.C.3363 (??) MONO EGYPT

 When checking the bins I mostly pick things on my want list ot at least stuff I'm familiar with. But sometimes I see something with music content totally new to me that tickles enough to make me wanna have. Like the issue with Japanese koto master Michio Myagi  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2016/01/michio-myagimasterpieces-of-koto-jl-7.html  , or this one I just found (eng. title translation - "The Prophet Is Born"). I learned from the Wikipedia article that Oum Kaltoum (also apparently spelled Om Kalsoum, Umm Kulthum or Omm Kalthum) was an Egyptian singer/songwriter and actress, born either 1898 or 1904, that from the twenties up to her death 1975 became immensely popular throughout the Arab World, highly rewarded and sometimes called "the voice of Egypt" or "the forth pyramid". She was also ranked by Rolling Stone magazine at place 61 on a list of 200 greatest singers of all time. So it was with great expectations I put it on my turntable and sat down to listen. At first I didn't get it at all. It's not the kind of music I usually listen to and I don't understand the language. But after trying to get rid of all musical preconcieved notions I can appreciate. As I understand this is one long piece, split over two sides of the LP. It's a very old kind of music, with roots going back hundreds of years, very rhythmic and emotional, in a way calming and somtimes almost hypnotic. Her voice is so woven in with the backing instruments it becomes an instrument in itself. With my western pop/rock/blues background I may not be ready to grasp the beauty as much as any Arabian listener, but can cherish it from an outsiders point of view. Tried to find this issue on the net to date it, but no luck. I spotted a French seventies stereo with the same title, but different number, which I believe is a later re-issue of this mono. I guess it's from the sixties with label as shown here on heavy vinyl in a glossy cover. (FÄV*)

                                                                                  

                                                                               

                                                                                

 

 

ALAN PRICE/BETWEEN TODAY AND YESTERDAY K 56032 (-74) UK

 

Counting his work with Alan Price Set, his "Together" collaboration with Georgie Fame and the "O Lycky Man!" soundtrack this was his sixth solo album after leaving The Animals 1965. But with all that'd been between this and his charting sixties singles (can be heard on the superb 1970 collection "The World Of Alan Price"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/10/alan-pricethe-world-of-alan-price-pa-77.html  ) it's amazing this has the exact same atmosphere as those. Warm and snug, guaranteed to put you in a cozy mood. Side one has songs in a twenties or thirties style handeling British working class issues, while side two comes with a more modern appeal. Rear side image also mirrors different times, having large picture with him as a kid and smaller of him grown up. All cuts penned by Price who also produced. Though I really like the "today" side two a lot - and then especially "Look At My Face" and "Angel Eyes" - the "yesterday" music-hall style songs makes my heart beat even faster with joy. That's good all through, but if to pick some favorites from it - "Left Over People", "In Times Like These" and "Jarrow Song". The audio is excellent and very good to the ears. To my taste in all a very enjoyable album. 1974 issues  on Warner Brothers in US, Canada, Japan, Downunder and over Europe. Also as US cassette and 8-track. UK 2003 CD on Castle Music (CMRCD 739) came with five bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin matt cover. (ÄNÄ*)

                                                                                  

                                                                               

                                                                                     

                                                                                 
                                                                            

                                                                                 

                                                                             

                                                                            

                                                    
                        

 

THE TURTLES/YOU BABY WW-S 7112 (-66) US STEREO

  This was the band's second LP, issued one year before their big breakthrough "Happy Together"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-turtleshappy-together-ha-u-8330-67.html . While that album, with all right, has become a sought after classic, this slightly less smooth one is by many regarded as not that important. I can't understand why. To my ears a very fine blend between raw garage, well sung ballads and a couple of songs that could be called psych but I rather say weird. Production and arrangement mostly right on, making them come close. Stereo mix has too many parts where vocals and backing are split between the speakers making it sound rather unnatural in earphones, but coming out quite all right as background. I do like the garage style cuts best - like the frenzied "Almost There" and "Flying High" plus the slow and harsh "Pall Bearing, Ball Bearing World". Never thought I'd hear Turtles as a garage band, but here it is and it's good. Definitely one I will listen too many times more. Sixties issues in Canada and Mexico. Later reissued on vinyl and/or CD in Germany, Downunder, UK and Downunder. US issue also as cassette, 4-track, 8-track and reel. US 2016 CD on FloEdCo (MFO 48042) came with all songs in both mono and stereo. Premiere US vinyl had label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (YZÄ*) 

                                                                                     

                                                                                      

                                                                                 

                                                                                     

                                                                                      

 

PROCOL HARUM/THE BEST OF PROCOL HARUM SP-4401 (-72) US MONO + STEREO

 In my world there are no bad Procol Harum records. Original recordings or compilations in any size or format it's all good. Like this US collection blending sweet melodic hits like "Whiter Shade Of Pale", "Homburg", "Shine On Brightly" "Conquistador" and "A Salty Dog" with pearls like "Whisky Train" and "Simple Sisters". You also get three 45 B-sides - "Lime Street Blues", "Long Gone Geek" and "In The Wee Small Hours Of Sixpence" - that did show up on various other compilation about this time, but here all together for the first time on an American issue. "Homburg", "Lime Street Blues" and "In The Wee Small Hours Of Sixpance" comes in original mono. "Long Gone Geek" and "Whiter Shade Of Pale" fake stereo, the rest true. Audio shifts a little depending on original recordings, but I get very enjoyable listening all through. For fans who don't have all those cuts yet and prefer to listen to analog recordings in an analog way, or those new to the band who wanna try them without paying a fortune, it's highly recommended. Also originally issued on vinyl in Canada, Downunder and a couple of South American countries. US remastered CD on A&M (3259). Very first US vinyl had brown label. The design shown here existed between 1973-75, so somewhat later. It came in a silvery-black fold/out cover.  (YZÄ*) (PRÖX*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                                      

 

CRABBY APPLETON EKS 74067 (-70) US

 California band existing in the early seventies. Came to be when Los Angeles band Stonehenge - consisting of Casey Foutz – keyboards, Hank Harvey – bass, Phil Jones – drums and Flaco Falcon – percussion - was joined by singer/songwriter Michael Fennely, originally in sunshine pop band The Millenium. Their greatest moment was the debute 45 "Go Back", reaching #36 on Billboard, but non of the other singles or the two LP:s - this debute and the follow-up "Rotten To The Core" - sold that well, so they disbanded after just a couple of years. On this I hear a melodic blend of folk rock, plain rock and psych, much of it sounding surprisingly British. I'm listening to "Go Back" again as I write this and that is just beautiful - catchy melody with sweet vocals, attractive guitars and appealing drum sound. Further "The Other Side" has some nice Fennely falsetto and I also like the organs in "Peace By Peace" and the psych "Hunger For Love". The whole thing can be regarded as somewhat uneven, but it's certainly strong enough to be enjoyed all through, especially since both mix and audio are top notch. In fact the stereo is so good here even I don't long to hear what a mono mix could be. Early seventies issues also in UK, Canada, Germany, Downunder and a couple of South American countries. US 2002 CD on Collectors Choice Music (CCM-285-2). Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with Elektra co. inner  (YZÄ*)

                                                                                    

                                                                             

                                                                             

                                                                                 

 

MERIT HEMMINGSON/HOVEN DROVEN 7C 062-35475 (-77) SWEDEN

 While some of her early seventies LP:s - e.g. "Huvva!" and Trollskog"   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2019/02/merit-hemmingsonhuvva-4e-062-34273-71.html  - to the larger part were mosaics of old hymns, herding calls and Sami jojk, all dressed in a mostly jazzy outfit, this comes a lot more stylish and distinct. Therefore I'm confused by the title "Hoven Droven", an expression from a northern Swedish dialect, hard to translate but can mean things like "chaotic", "upside down" or "some of this and some of that". It is a mix, this time beteween a brides march, herding calls, a pilgrim song, troubadour songs and classical pieces, some of it with a jazzy motion, so innovative for sure. But since it has a clearer production than the two aforementioned albums and comes out more compartmented it's actually less "hoven droven" than before and some of the old magic is gone, at least for me. And I would liked to have heard more from her hammond. Even if she handels the piano and clavinet very well too, it's the hammond play that's always been the icing on her cake. All that said it's still good listening and best enjoyed all through. If I have to pick a favourite, why not her version of Ravel's "Pavane". To my knowledge this was the only issue, also on cassette (7C 262-35475). Vinyl came with label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with picture/credit inner. (FÄV*)  (SCÄ*)  (CCÖ*)

                                                                                       

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                

 

PURE GOLD ON EMI/20 HITS BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS EMK 251 (-73) UK

 Compilation containing twenty UK 45 cuts originally released 1968-73. It's a mixed bag, blending melodic rock by acts like T.Rex, Deep Purple, Wizzard and ELO with soul from Temptations, Jackson Five and Stevie Wonder. I also get perky pop from Cliff Richard, Cilla Black, New World and much more. Some of the best from the British list back then. All cuts have later showed up on numerous of other vinyl and CD collections, so why is this worth noticing? For me it's the variation, considering the time and place over the genres and therefore becoming a kind of time capsule that can put me back then whenever I'm listening through. I didn't fancy all of those songs back in the days, but can appreciate the full monty now as part of the context. So in a way it helps me to broaden my taste. Mostly when twenty cuts are crammed into a single LP the audio suffers, but this sounds surprisingly good, allowing me to fully enjoy. Two of the tracks - Bruce Ruffin "Mad About You" and Kenny "Heart Of Stone" - are fake stereo, the rest true. So much going on here I can't pick any absolute favourites, but adding a few below. Checking the net I can see it was also released on vinyl in Greece (same number). UK also issued on cassette and 8-track. Vinyl had label as shown here in a fully laminated "golden" sleeve with cut corners giving the impression of a box. (SÄM*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                               

                                                                                  

 

CLIFF RICHARD WITH THE SHADOWS/WONDERFUL LIFE 33SX 1628 (-64) UK MONO

 

This is the twelfth album from Cliff Richard and/or The Shadows I'm posting here. They were a large part of my early teens, forming a kind of connection still valid today. I can't be a critic and say their albums from that time are good or bad in any way, just that I feel at home with the music and therefore it's good to me. This is a soundtrack from one in a serie of musical movies made in the sixties involving the combo. Ten of the cuts has Cliff singing to orchestral backing, two with him and The Shadows and two by The Shadows alone. The orchestral tracks sounds far from pop, then more like ordinary late fifties or early sixties musical tunes with him singing very sweet or even crooning. The ones with him and/or the Shadows perks it up a bit, sounding just as expected from them and then. As a whole it doesn't make me wanna jump up and down and scream with joy, but as it all is so well done - performance, production, arrangements, mix and audio - it's good to the ears and very soothing. And the package is lavish with rear sleeve having eleven colour pics from the movie and the inner sleeve twentyfour b/w ones. Favorite tracks - "On The Beach", "Theme For Young Lovers" and "Wonderful Life". Originally issued like this over Europe, Downunder, Japan, India, South Africa, Turkey and Israel. US version as "Swingers' Paradise" (Epic LN 24145) had different sleeve design. UK 2005 CD on EMI (7243 4 77718 2 8) came with four bonus tracks. Premiere UK (also as stereo SCX 3515) had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover with picture/credit inner.  (CXÄ*)

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                                       

                                                                                      

                                                                              

                                                                                

                                                                                   

 

SIMON STOKES AND THE NIGHTHAWKS SE 4677 (-70) US

 

                                                                                   

When going through the bins I always follow the huge want list kept in my brain and pick accordingly. But sometimes I come across vinyls I've never seen before that looks interesting and give them a listen in the shop. This is one of those and one that went directly to my gut. Apparently Simon Stokes (1938-2020) worked as a song writer from the late fifties up to 1965, when he started a carreer as singer and issued a couple of singles with separate settings under different names for various labels. He worked as a staff writer for Electra 1968-69 before splitting with the label and signing a new contract with MGM for which he recorded this one-off album with The Nighthawks. Up to 2011 he would release six more albums and a couple of more singles either as solo artist or under differing group names, but that's another story. This is good rock'n'roll - very raw with screamy vocals, killer guitars and adaptive rhythm section. Primitive without being too simple, in a way reminding me of early Captain Beefheart. All cuts but two - "Jambalaya" and "Down In Mexico" - penned by the band. A mix of rude and piped down that goes very well with me. Also the stereo mix and audio here is very good to my ears. Favorite tracks - "Big City Blues", "Sugar Ann" and "Rhode Island Red".  Also originally issued in Germany (MGM 2315 016). UK 2007 CD on Rev-Ola (CR REV 219). Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                    
                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

 

DEEP PURPLE/STORMBRINGER PR 2832 (-74) US PROMO

 

   Though still very caught by the Mk I and II wonders I was totally ok with the first MK III offering "Burn"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2020/04/deep-purlpleburn-tps-3505-74-uk.html   as that had parts reminding of the old gang. This follow-up is even further away from the Purple I have lots of raunchy teen memories to. To my ears little less melodic and not as profound, but with enough other qualities to get by. Though missing Ian Gillian and Roger Glover I must admit David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes (the latter formerly in Trapeze   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2016/04/trapezemedusa-ths-4-70-uk.html  ) are doing good too. Most of it comes very intense, the power ballads as well as the harder pieces, and Richie Blackmoore's guitars rules. The stereo mix is mostly very centered and sometimes pressing the mono button makes no difference at all. Don't know if that's the original mix, or if it was made especially for the promo. I don't have any 1st press US stock copy to compare with now, but guess time will tell. In any case the audio is very good and I like the whole thing for what it is. Not unconditionally as it doesn't sound like "my" Deep Purple, but it sure is an enjoyable hard rock record well worth to be spun many times. Favorite tracks - "Stormbringer", "Lady Double Dealer" and "Soldier Of Furtune". Issued and reissued all over the world on all possible formats through the years. Premiere UK on Purple Records (TPS 3508). EU CD on Purple Records (TPSX 3508) came with five remixes, the quad version of the album and a DVD as bonus. First US had label as shown here (though of course without the promo line) in a glossy cover. (DHÄ*)  (YZÄ*)  (ÖRJ*) 

                                                                                

                                                                                       

 
                                                                             

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, WISHBONE ASH, MOTT THE HOOPLE/ THE HISTORY OF ROCK VOL 27 HRL 027 (-84) UK

 2-LP set part of one of the many compilation series that emerged in the seventies and eighties. I don't especially collect any of those and seldom look twice when spotting one in a bin. However this caught my eye and made me wanna buy. One side each from four of the most prominent UK rock bands of the early seventies, each originally on different UK labels - Vertigo, Harvest, CBS and MCA - but here figuring all together. With all the good these outfits produced it would be impossible to get everyone in on any choice of tracks and I do miss some of my favorites, but as a whole it works fine with me. Deep Purple "Black Night" originally 45 A-side only and "When A Blind Man Cries" B-side of the "Never Before" 45. Mott The Hoople "Saturday Gigs" a 45 only A-side. The rest from albums. Sometimes with this kind of late compilations you can get parts with subpar audio, but this sounds surprisingly good, providing pleasant listening all the way. Impossible to chose favorite tracks but I do like they included "Saturday Gigs", Mott The Hoople's last single and the only one including Mick Ronson. To my knowledge this was the only issue. It came with label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with colour images and stories of the bands inside. (SÄM*)  (BLÄC*)  (DHÄ*)  (MÖHÖ*) 

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                    

 

TOM JONES/FROM THE HEART SKL 4814 (-66) UK STEREO

 This is the eighth Tom Jones album I'm posting. Even if a lover of garage and early hard rock, one have to pipe down sometimes and just go with a flow. And then why not a musical flow of the highest quality. And this sure is, on every level. His voice sometimes powerful sometimes soothing, the orchestral backing on the spot, the stereo mix and audio tophole. But what I like most about this are the production and arrangements, partly adveturous though without making a mess, giving some of the tracks an odd yet very appealing expression. I especially like the versions of "Begin The Beguine", "Georgia On My Mind" and "A Taste Of Honey" here. Even if covers they are inventive enough to stand proud on their own. In short a very nice piece to relax to, or as background when meeting someone special. It was a while since I met someone special to me, but when/if I do this will certainly be on the turntable. Released like this 1966 all over Europe and Downunder. Later reissued in Japan and a couple of South American countries. Also on cassette in Germany, Australia and Indonesia. German 1989 CD on London Records (820 557-2 RT) came with four bonus tracks. The US Parrot versions of his albums was so different from UK it's hard to say which corresponds, but it may be "Green, Green Grass Of Home" (PA 61009/PAS 71009). Premiere UK stereo had label as shown here in a laminated cover showing him looking out over his old home town Pontypridd.  (TÖJX*)