Due to circumstances beyond my control I have to refrain from posting
for a while now. Back with a new stack as soon as possible. With all that's going on in the world these days it can be hard to find peace of mind. But whatever happens there will
always be music for support. The enclosed song here is one of those that brings me solace. To my taste one of the most underrated Beatles numbers and it always takes me to a good place. Lyrics from the Chinese Tao Te Ching adapted to a melody played by Indian musicians with vocals by a British band. World music at its best. See You later/Erik
Florida sextet existing between mid-sixties and late seventies,
during that time surviving by touring and playing live versions of
hits from British Invasion bands like Beatles, Stones, Cream and
Procol Harum. They also managed seven top 100 hits on Billboard,
whereof "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron" reaching #2. It seems all their
highest charters where about Snoopy and/or the Red Baron, at least
that's all I'd heard from them till I spotted this in a bin a
while ago. With that in mind and seeing the cute front sleeve I
passed it by at first, but then the dealer, who has about the same
taste as me, said - I like it, just listen and You may be
surprised. I did, I was and warmed up quite a bit. Some of it
still a little too cute to my taste, but there's also some good
garage involved. For exemple rather perky, but still charming covers of Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man" and Spencer Davies "Gimmie Some Lovin" plus a strange instrumental version of Byrds "So You Want To Be A
Rock'n'Roll Star". I also like the catchy title track. All performed with youthful glee leaving a
positive feeling. To my ears maybe not the best US period album,
but certainly with enough good to make it a keeper. US and
Canadian originals came on Laurie Records (SLP/LLP 2039). Also
released on vinyl in New Zealand on Stateside and Australia on
Universal Record Club. Don't know of any other issues. First UK
(also as mono HAP 8351) had label as shown here in a thin
laminated cover.
For more about the combo please check their first and
only original release, the 1968 "Music Is Music"
https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/06/king-george-discoverymusic-is-music-al.html
. This follow-up was recorded same year, but for some reason not released back then. Fortythree years later though rediscovered and put out by German Shadoks label. First issue was this 2011 and
as the
label was put down a couple of years later I guess that was it. A band consisting of US singer, songwriter and guitarist George Clemons together with three
young Swedish musicians. It's very diverse, mixing ballads with uninhibited psycho parts carrying screamy vocals, wild drumming
and flashy guitars. Most of it seemingly recorded live in the studio, making it come out very natural with lots of presence. Psych rock the way I like it. Exemple below. No doubt
inspired by and honouring The Jimi Hendrix Experience, but also
taking it further into freakier territories. As both
melodic and very out-there I couldn't ask for more. Been on my
turntable a lot since I found it and it always brings a
rebellious smile on my face. Also issued on German
CD (SHADOKS 136), but that's all. Vinyl came with label as shown here in a hard fully laminated cover with picture/info insert. (GÖXÄ*)
When listening to and posting their twentyfourth album
"Masterpiece" a while ago I wasn't all in, liking the arrangements
and audio, but not overly enthused by the songwriting. This
twentyseventh is a lot more to my taste and apparently also then
more to the common taste, as it initially sold better, won the
American Music Award for best soul/R&B album and also brought
two US R&B #1 hits - "Happy People" and "Shakey Ground". I
like the division of uptempo cuts on side one and soul ballads on side
two. Also this sounds a lot more classic Temptations than on the
"Masterpiece" album and the outcome as I hear it could have been done five or six years earlier. And
the audio on this Japanese edition is just smashing. An all catchy and
bracing experience. Hard to pick out absolute favs, but if I have to
it'll be the up-tempo positive "Happy People", the heavy bass-tight
"Shakey Ground" plus the caressing "A Song For You" and "Memories".
Still classic Motown as late as 1975. Issued and reissued pretty much
all over the world on every possible format through the years. Premiere
US on Gordy (G6 969S 1). First Japanese had label as shown here in a
fully laminated top flap cover with obi and lyric/info insert. (ÄZÄ*)
(TÖMÖ*) (ÄIÖ*)
To my taste one of the better band compilations from back in the days.
You get some of the best from one of the most prominent US groups, both
with full band and solo, in a luxurious well equipped 2-LP package and the
audio is smashing. Good for both ears and eyes. Twenty tracks from
sixteen albums plus one previously unreleased surrounded by lyrics,
pictures and lots of info. Works both as introduction to the band and to
us who followed them back then and want to reminisce. Impossible to
choose favorite tracks, the list would be too long. I guess that's up to
what mood you're in when favouring, but as I wanna relax at the moment
it'll be "Feel So Good" and "Pretty As You Feel" from the Bark album,
just to get there. Issued and reissued on vinyl and/or CD pretty much
all over the world through the years, also as US cassette, reel and
8-track. First US had label as shown here in a hard structured fold/out
cover with glossy discography inners and a twelve page booklet
containing pictures, credits and lots of additional info on songs and
albums. Yummy! (YZÄ*) (JÄF*)
A band and LP I knew nothing about when spotting this in a bin a
while ago and searching the net gave close to nothing, so what I
know so far is what's written or rear sleeve (check below). Not
going to repeat that here, but it sure is an interesting crowd of
members, counting Bruce Stephens and Leigh Stephens from Blue
Cheer, Neville Whitehead from Keith Trippet Group, Martin
Quittington from Steamhammer and Mick Waller, who performed drums
on Jeff Beck Group's debute album "Truth" https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/03/jeff-beck-grouptruth-sx-6293-68-uk-mono.html and also played with
acts as John Mayall, Jimi Hendrix and Rolling Stones. So when
pulling together former members from bands like Jeff Beck Group,
Blue Cheer and Steamhammer the outcome must be all good,
doesn't it? I don't know. I expected something hard rocking with a
couple of twists here and there, but what I get is mostly soft
ballads including brass and background quires. Songwriting ok, still
this is far from what I wanted. Luckily there are two rockers I can live
with despite of the arrangements - "Stop And Think" and "Rider" - but
for the rest I will need some time to stop and maybe reconsider. 1972
vinyl releases also in Germany and Australia, but to my knowledge never
issued on CD. US had label as shown here in a laminated cover with
Dynaflex inner. Sadly I can't seem to find anything on Youtube to tag along, maybe You have better luck. (YZÄ*)
Atlantic sampler that can be a good way in to sixties and seventies
classics for the newbie collector who wants a good vinyl introduction to
the era, or might do it for the oldtimer that still miss some of the
tracks or just forgot. An odyssey from the sweet and catchy - like Bobby
Darin's "Splish Splash", "Sonny & Cher "I Got You Babe", Young Rascals "Groonin" and Crosby,
Stills Nash & Young's "Woodstock" - over the then innovative - as
Vanilla Fudge "You Keep Me Hanging On", Yes "And You And I" and Iron
Butterfly "In-A-Gadda-Da- Vida" - to the hard core Led Zeppelin "Whole
Lotta Love" and Rolling Stones "Brown Sugar". It carries the 3:10 single
version of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", otherwise the LP ones. The audio is
tophole and even if I have most of the songs before it's good to
reaquaint with those in a for me new surrounding. I'm a sucker for
compilations, cause for me a recording, however familiar to me it may
be, can change impact and even be more satisfactory in a new context. A
comfort for me, too stuck in the old ways to learn new things, that I
can still get favourites I've had for decades sounding fresh. I've
noticed lately that interest for sixties and seventies music is fading
as many of us oldies lose interest and sell their collections or just
pass away. Newer generations have other idols in other genres, though I
hope at least some of them can look back and enjoy these oldies. So much
good music to discover and it won't hurt to try. This was issued on
vinyl over mainland Europe and in South Africa, also as French and
German cassette, but not in UK or US and not on CD. (GÖXÄ*) (SÄM*)
Have had and enjoyed the UK version of this - "With Love From Us
To You" - for decades now. Top mono mix and audio and those
alluring voices always make me feel good. But that UK was mono
only and I've been curious if some original stereo could add
something. And now after finding an original US one it'll be a
pleasure to examine. Listening as I write this and almost done I'm ambivalent. Good thing is all tracks are true stereo. Bad
thing is all are mixed about the same way - instruments in one
channel and voices in the other, giving an unnatural picture. But that outcome has at least one advantage - when the vocals are separated from the
instruments I can hear their voices very clear and it's beautiful.
Wonder if they ever recorded anything a-capella, cause they could
certainly do good in such manner. The mono is better listening as a
whole, but I do enjoy the girls more naked, so this is a keeper
for sure. Issued and reissued pretty much all over the world on
vinyl and/or CD, also US cassette, 8-track and 11xFile. First US
had label as shown here in a laminated cover. (YZÄ*) (TÖMÖ*)
(ZYZÖ*) (FÄV*)
There are probably a couple of hundred different Animals
compilations from all over the world out there in various bins
today. Thought I already had my fair share, but when this showed
up in
top nick at a very affordable price I couldn't refuse. It had the
lyric insert, the obi was still on and as it was Japanese I hoped
for great audio and maybe getting at least some of the cuts in
true stereo. I did get some of that though far from it all. All
cuts are some kind of fake stereo, or maybe rather enhanced mono. The
balance is fine and using the mono button gives about the same result,
just more compressed. On the other hand the audio is just dandy - wide,
clear with top separation - so if you don't listen too closely with a
nitpick brain it can be very good for both ears and mind. And as I get some
of my Animal favourites - "Bring It On Home To Me", "It's My Life",
"Baby Let Me Take You Home" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" with
different, yet as excellent audio as on my UK vinyls it's a keeper
for sure. To my knowledge this was Japanese vinyl only and never
reissued in any form. It came with label as shown here in a fully
laminated cover with lyric insert and obi. (ÄNÄ*) (ÄZÄ*)
Mick Softley (1939-2017) was a singer-songwriter of Irish origin. He
early became a force behind the English folk music scene by setting up his
own folk music club and working with later big names as Maddy Prior and
Donovan. After his debute LP - the 1965 "Songs For Swinging Survivors" - he quit the music business, worked as a marked trader, spent time with his family and
only played gigs at nearby clubs. Late sixties he met Donovan again, who
persuaded him to make another album and this is it. I've seen it tagged
as psych, but don't agree. It's hard to describe. The closest I can
think of is folky with arty and proggy elements woven in. I hear a very
pleasant journey between rock, eastern-inspired and stripped guitar-vocal
pieces, all emotionally performed. I'm still rather new to this so too early to
pick absolute favourites, but the folk type rocker "Can You Hear Me
Now?", the arty "You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine" and the Indian inspired "If
You're Not Part Of The Solution, You Must Be Part Of The Problem" caught
me alredy at first listen. Early seventies issues also in Italy and
Japan (Epic ECPL-30). Japan 2020 CD in paper sleeve on Vivid sound
(VCSD-5932). Premiere UK had label as shown here in a matte fold/out
cover.
Title promising the very best of Deep Purple. But is it really? I'd say
maybe most of the best from the Harvest years. I would have liked at
least one from their sadly underestimated third eponimous LP and maybe
some of my other personal favourites, like "No One Came" from Fireball,
"Maybe I'm A Leo" from Machine Head, or why not "Listen, Learn, Read on"
from Book Of Taliesyn. But as a twelve track single LP the compiling is
pretty good. I do get their breakthrough 45 only "Black Night",
also"Speed King" and "Child In Time" from In Rock, title track and
"Demons Eye" from Fireball and "Highway Star" and "Smoke On The Water"
from Machine Head. Also the audio on this press is just dandy all the
way through - loud and clear - making the cuts well as hard and rude as
they were intended when first recorded. I guess if You're reading this
You already have some of those albums, or at least some of the many
other band compilations that's been issued since. But if You for some
reason are new to the band, or maybe having a hard time finding
something close to their best efforts fitting Your wallet and wan't good
analog listening for just a couple of bucks, this comes recommended.
Issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through
the years. The 30th Anniversery Edition 2xCD (50999 9475712 5) came with thirtyone tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a thin matte cover. (DHÄ*) (HÄVL*)
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