POR SIEMPRE BEATLES J060-04.973M (-71) MONO SPAIN

Spanish compilation. With "Inner Light" and "I'm Down" on LP first time anywhere. Have all original UK mono mixes with good audio. Re-issued many times through the years in Spain, both as mono and fake stereo, although some later pressings were made at the wrong speed. Safest with -1/-1 matrix and 1/1 mothers. Later can be OK but those are the only ones I know for sure. Same tapes had a double release in Brazil 1972 as "Beatles Forever" (APPLE SBTL/BTL 1017), but some of the stereo cuts there are re-channels of the monos and the mono album is a fold down of that partly fake stereo. So this is the only one with legit mixes. Early Spanish issues either on dark blue/silver label or the bright blue/white shown here. First presses had exclusive laminated cover with "pinched" spine. (BÄ*)(PÖP*)(SXÖX*) (LGÅ*)

THE GODS/GENESIS SX 6286 (-68) UK MONO

Early settings of the group included guitarist Mick Taylor and Greg Lake on bass. Prior to this recording Taylor left for John Mayall and Lake went on to King Crimson. Remaining members were Joe Konas, John Glascock (later with Jethro Tull), Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) and Lee Kerslake (Head Machine and Toe Fat, before he re-united with Hensley in Uriah Heep 1972). This is top notch UK psych/prog with catchy songs, groovy lyrics and lots of Hensley's flowing organ. All tracks are originals, some up-tempo and some powerful ballads. A few reminding of later Uriah Heep stuff, mostly due to Hensley's vocals and song writing mode. I've never heard an original stereo so I can't compare versions. The mono sounds nice though - clear with perfect balance and fine separation - so either separate mix or a very good fold down. I don't know of any original releases from other countries. On vinyl in Italy 2012 (Tapestry records TPT 269), and CD releases in Russia, Japan and Germany - all with bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (YMÖ*)(ÖRHÄ*)

GEORGE HARRISON/ALL THINGS MUST PASS (TODO DEBE SUCEDER) LDS 2187/8/9 (-71) MONO ARGENTINA

Released as mono in Argentina and Brazil. Shown here is the Argentine version. To me this sounds a lot better. While the Brazil issue have bigger base and sounds narrow and unclear at times, this has a fantastic width with very good separation and clarity. I believe both are fold downs. As far as I can hear the Brazil mono used the rather damp and unclear UK original while the Argentinians had the US issue, wich from the beginning sounded a lot better. I can't think of any other way to explain the differences. First release had box as US with all text and titles in Spanish, colored inners with track order and large poster. Also issued in stereo with a "SLDS" prefix. (BÄ*)(SÖMI*) (ÄPLÄ*)(GÄÖ*)

TAGES 1964-68 7C 138-35954/5 (-83) MONO + STEREO SWEDEN

Really nice compilation and fair retrospective on a great group. A 2-LP set with 32 tracks of which most are very good. A couple of them rare, previously only on B-sides or charity albums, also with a non-LP single from their second incarnation "Blond". All have initial mixes - mono or stereo - as they were. Audio is a bit softer than back then, but still very enjoyable. Cover laminated flip/back and inner sleeves has lots of pictures and info (in Swedish). One LP with the pop/r&b songs they did for Platina and one with the more psychedelic stuff from the Parlophone recordings. EMI even bothered to mimick the exact design from the original labels. So it's as close as you get to the sixties originals without actually being there. Favorite early pop cut "Don't Turn Your Back"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zSnhVHqxMQ   and from the later days "She's Having A Baby Now"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIDB8AYUUso  . Also issued on CD (EMI - 4750292). (SCÄ*)(DÄXÖ*)(CCÖ*)

EARTHA KITT/THAT BAD EARTHA DLP 1067 (-55) UK MONO

A singing sex bomb with most international success from the late forties till early sixties. Of Cherokee/African-American/German descent, born in a cotton picking society in South Carolina. Started her career 1943 with the Katherina Dunham Company and moved on to become a solo artist 1948. She remained active as singer, actress and writer till her death 2008. I remember her from when I was a kid late fifties and early sixties. In Sweden she was seen as very exotic. The sexy vocals, pretty face and cat-like appearance stunned grown men and she was mentioned more than once by my father and his friends. She also toured here and starred in a few television specials. This was her UK debute album. First US 1953 as "RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt" 10 inch LP ( LPM 3062), later on 12 inch ( LPM 1183). This UK 10 inch has different tracking, among others incorporating "Montonous" from 1952 "New Faces" revue - having the original lyrics that was later changed for the 1954 film version. The audio couldn't be better - big and warm, allowing the voice to get out and touch. I really feel connected here. Premiere issue had label as shown here and fully laminated cover with crescent flips. (FÄV*)(NYFÖ*)

FACES/ OOH LA LA K 56011 (-73) UK

The last studio album with the old gang. Eventually Rod Stewart would go to continue his solo carreer in US and Ron Wood end up with The Rolling Stones. Kenney Jones later became a member of The Who and Ian McLagan and Ronnie Lane went on for solo albums and further collaborations. As the story goes at this time Stewart was already parting from the group and didn't attend a lot, so the album mainly came out of a collaboration between Ronnie Lane and producer Glyn Johns. Luckily the split doesn't show on the ready product - it's another good Faces album. The same loose post-garage atmosphere as before, all liquored up and ready for a night out. Title track is among their best and "My Fault" one of those simple one-chord rockers that goes perfectly with your fifth pint of beer. First press cover design, with moving eyes and lips, was apparently too complicated for UK manufacturers initially, so it was leased out to Album Graphics Inc. in US. First British issue had US cover with UK rec. number, labels as shown here and large lyric/picture poster. (SXÅH*)

A COLLECTION OF 16 ORIGINAL BIG HITS/ VOL.5 TML 11050 (-67) UK MONO

One more British Tamla Motown collection, imitating the US Motown compilation serie but with totally different tracking. US vol. 5 was more spread among the labels artists, this has six tracks from Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells - together or separately. The Contours "Can You Jerk Like Me" was a '45 only release, on here's the original mix together with other more or less rare versions from the Motown stable. Lots of good music as it was. First UK in mono only with label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (TÖMÖ*)(SÄM*)

ARETHA FRANKLIN IN PARIS/LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA 587 149 (-68) UK MONO

One of the top live albums of the sixties. Recorded at the Olympia in Paris 1968, maybe not backed by the best band in the world but with energy and vocals enough to make it unforgettable. She does most of the songs here a lot better than on previous studio recordings. And the audio on this mono is perfect - big and bold with natural clarity and the voice always in focus. I just have to close my eyes and listen...and I'm there . I've never heard the stereo version but doubt it can beat this. Produced by Jerry Wexler and first released on US Atlantic (SD-8207). Premiere UK had label as shown here and laminated cover. (YMÖ*)(FÄV*)(LYBÖ*)(ÄTHP*)

BRIAN ENO - DAVID BYRNE/MY LIFE IN THE BUSH OF GHOSTS EGLP 48 (-81) UK

This has been debated and written about ever since first release so I don't think I can add anything on the background or making. It's one of those albums that keeps giving year after year, no matter from what angle you approach. Historic and experimental, heartbreaking and funny, making statements but yet in a way indifferent - suitable for dancing as well as close listening. It has been released with a number of diverse mixes and/or trackings through the years. After first issue they got complaints from a group calling the track "QU'RAN" blasphemic. For some reason they listened and decided to withdraw it and replace the track with a B-side - "Very Very Hungry" - and at the same time do some further work on the sound. So "QU'RAN" is only available on the first LP press and first edition CD (1986). It's a pity - this first release had perfect audio already and that is one of the best numbers. 1:st US on Sire (SRK 6093) Premiere UK with label as shown here and thin fully laminated cover. (ÄNÖ*) (FÖF*)

QUINTET OF THE HOT CLUB OF FRANCE/SWING FROM PARIS LF 1139 (-53) UK MONO

Legendary jazz combo, active between 1934-48. Group member and co-founder Django Reinhardt (1910-53) is regarded as one of the best guitarists of all time. This is a compilation of some of their best recordings issued as a tribute after his death. The choice of tracks shows on his incredible skill with the instrument. Fans of Clapton, Beck, Page or Hendrix are adviced to listen closely - this goes beyond genres and the finger work more reminding of Segovia than later guitar heroes. As far as I know the first with the group on 33 rpm. An export press was also made for the US market (London LB 810). Early UK on 10 inch had label as shown here and fully laminated cover with crescent flips. (LYBÖ*)(NYFÖ*) (CLÄZ*)

TAGES/CONTRAST PMCS 313 (-67) SWEDEN

(For more background check my posts on the groups previous albums.) Their forth LP and the first after leaving Platina for Parlophone. The change to a big successful label helped them to broadened the horizon and gave a chance to better staffs, arrangements, pressings and audio. Anders Henriksson produced as usual, this time with bigger means allowing him to exceed. The eight self-penned songs are the strongest on the album. I don't care much for the two soul covers, but the rest is A-OK. "Fuzzy Patterns" and "You're Too Incomprihensible" are hard core psych and "Why Do You Hide It" orchestrated baroque. The two '45 tracks - "I'm Going Out" and "Every Raindrop Means A Lot" - melodic and catchy uptempo, and the rest just good odd songs. Only downside is it's too short - the whole album clocks in at just over 24 minutes. Issued in stereo only, but as most contemporary Swedish "stereos" it's narrow, made for play even with old mono pick-ups so it's fine audio either way. Re-issued on CD 2011by EMI/Sweden. First with label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl and fully laminated cover. (SCÄ*)(DÄXÖ*) (PÖX)(CCÖ*)

RITA PAVONE PML 10350 (-63) MONO ITALY

Italian pop/rock singer with enormous success on the domestic market in the sixties, but also big seller in USA, Spain and Germany. After winning a 1962 talent contest at age 16, she got to record her first album a year later. A single from it "La Partita di Pallone" and the English version "The Ball Game" became million sellers in Europe and USA. She was a frequent guest at Ed Sullivan Show and toured with some of the biggest US stars. Elvis had a thing for her and she recorded duets with Paul Anka and Barbara Streisand. As a ten year year old 1964 I was in love and listened to the single "Clementine Cherie"/"Come Te Non C'e'Nessuno" over and over again. Today the pop/rock style and orchestral arrangements on this debute LP sounds dated, yet her young natural voice makes it appealing. Sometimes she hits it and sometimes not, but all the time with girlish spree and enthusiasm. I may not be in love anymore, but certainly charmed. First Italian press with label as shown here, very thick unflexible vinyl and stiff laminated cover. (FÄV*) (FÖGÄ*) (ÖTALÖ*)