HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May Your 2016 be filled with bargains on rare and precious vinyl.

All the best/Erik

WILSON PICKETT/THE EXCITING WILSON PICKETT SD 8129 (-66) US

Something for the New Years Eve dancing? His third original album, but listening today it's more like a greatest hits with classics like "Land Of 1000 Dances", "In The Midnight Hour", "Ninety-nine And A Half (Wont Do)" and "634-5789 (Soulsville USA)" - all high on the lists back then - plus other known songs like "Barefootin" and "Mercy Mercy". A party record for sure - up-tempo or slow movers all treated with same energy and powerful vocals. I get a lot of presence here, a guy reaching out to touch. The stereo isn't exactly to my taste - sometimes sounding true, sometimes fake and almost too loud at parts, but when you hit the dance floor it's all about the power and the rest is soon forgotten. Also as US mono (8129). First UK on Atlantic (587/88 029). Premiere US stereo had label as shown here, glossy cover and Atlantic ad inner. (YZÄ*)(PÖC*)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

As I'm working larger part of Christmas and boxing week, together with seasonal obligations, I'm forced to take some time off from posting. See You again 2016. Wishing You Happy Holidays wherever You are/Erik

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES/THE SEASON FOR MIRACLES S 307 (-70) US

One of many many Christmas LP:s issued through the years from the late forties and on, where of larger part seems to have been just another day at work for the artists trying to cash in on the season using a semi-traditional style and getting a result solely confined to the holiday. This is a lot more than that. Though the songs are seasonal the performance and most of the style goes beyond and what you get is mainly a very good Smokey Robinson & The Miracles album. A nice soul album with a couple of jazzy interventions and all over touching vocals. If you forget about the lyrics most of the cuts would fit midsummer eve as well as Christmas day. A candy that lasts longer. Favorite track - a very soul filled "Jingle Bells". To my knowledge only originally issued in US and Canada (same number and sleeve design). First US had label as shown here and glossy front cover. (SXÖM*) (TÖMÖ*) (YZÄ*) (CXÅ*)

THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM -18 ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS HITS NOX 1 (-85) UK

Christmas sampler issued through UK EMI:s "Now!" budget serie and to me a cheap and easy way getting many nowadays rare Christmas singles from known acts together with a bundle of good music. It stretches from Bing Crosby to Band Aid and beyond - including Lennon, McCartney, Wizzard, Slade, Beach Boys, Greg Lake and Queen among others. For once also with the first vinyl issue here being the most comprehensive with eighteen cuts while the vinly reissue had seventeen - omitting Greg Lake's "I believe In Father Christmas" (originally thought as a protest against the commercialization of Christmas) - and the CD version (CDNOX 1) as a sixteen track, leaving both Lake's song and the Lennon track behind. Sadly the the audio on this press is rather dull and even, still fitting as background to seasonal chores laying ground for a rock'n'roll Christmas. First UK with label as shown here and thin glossy cover. (CXÅ*) (SÄM*) (QÄN*)

DONOVAN IN CONCERT NPL 18237 (-68) UK MONO

His first live album, recorded at Anaheim Convention Center in California September 1967 with first release about one year later. Songlist has previous hits as well as a couple of lesser known songs. Setting - including flutes, double bass plus occational, piano, strings and brass - brings a very warm jazzy and friendly atmosphere. His breathy vocals are as cool as ever and the audio on this mono is tophole - big, strong yet natural. All versions are more or less different from earlier ones and not standing back to any of the originals. Recordings handeled by Mickie Most, as I understand remix only without further additions. Like it all and especially the two jazziest versions - "Preachin' Love" and "Mellow Yellow" plus the baroque "Writer In The Sun". Don't have a UK stereo for comparison at the moment, but the superb audio on this coupled with Most's rep as a "mono producer" and the fact that Pye was one of the last UK labels to make separate mixes at least convinces me this is true mono. Premiere US on Epic as stock stereo and mono promo (BN 26386). First UK had label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl and laminated flip/back cover. (TÖW*) (LYBÖ*) (YMÖ*) (PÖY*)

JACKSON 5/THIRD ALBUM STML 11174 (-70) UK

Their third LP out of four recorded and issued in just a little more than a year. After three no.1 singles and their previous "ABC" album reaching #4 on Billboard they didn't waste any time and this follow-up arrived just four months later. With such time schedule you could expect flaws, signs of diminished inspiration or dutiful fillers, but on the surface this sounds amazingly enthused and fresh. As its predecessor it got to #4 on Billboard and spawned their fourth consecutive no.1 single - "I'll Be There" - sold six millions world wide and is today by many considered the combo's best effort. I don't know....even if it has a good portion classic Motown feeling and the production and audio is top notch it's a little too cute for me. Michael Jackson doing most of the lead vocals. His childish voice straining to fit the very grown-up arrangements, like heavily orchestrated ballads or pumping uptempo, may have melted many hearts through the years, but the only track on this that really touches mine is "Can I See You In The Morning" - soul psych with an odd construction, adventurous strings and fetching vocals. I wish they'd skipped some of the mushier cuts for more like that. Premiere US on Motown (S-718). Issued and reissued on vinyl, cassette, 8-track and CD all over the world through the years. First UK had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (TÖMÖ*)

SAVOY BROWN/GETTING TO THE POINT SKL 4935 - LK 4935 STEREO VS. MONO

One more mono-stereo comparison. For background also check earlier post on the mono.Then I was almost sure that was a separate mix due to balance and separation.Now after finding a UK 1st stereo to compare with I'm positive. I don't have ears or time enough to do a minute by minute, but can mention three diffrences that at least convinces me. On "Flood In Huston" the mono has about one second longer fade-out revealing one extra guitar note not audible on the stereo. On "Stay With Me Baby" the stereo is slightly longer with two extra guitar notes. Finally the stereo "Mr Downchild" starts at low volume and slowly tuned up while the mono is loud from the beginning with vocals higher in the mix. There are other differences, but these three alone is enough to show the mono was a separately mixed album and as such one of the very last, or maybe the last, from UK Decca. Personally I prefer the mono - it's bigger, bolder and clearer fitting their blues perfectly. First UK press had ridged label and laminated cover as shown here. (SÄVX*) (CPYC*) (MÅW*)

THE SUPREMES/MEET THE SUPREMES MT-606 (-64) US MONO

Debute album from one of the most famous and biggest selling Motown acts. As first issued 1962 it shows the label's early years before the Holland-Dozier-Holland hit machine entered and a four piece combo, including Barbara Martin, where Diana Ross not alwars was the lead singer. Not so much soul, but pop oriented ballads and up-tempo. To my ears more charming than catchy, still a must for any Motown lover worth the name. Very first came with a "stool cover", but after their breakthrough with the second album "Where Did Our Love Go" reissued with a face pic on front. Found the copy shown here a while ago and it intrigues me. Common knowledge is this second cover version was issued 1964. Having similar rear as the first, a couple with remaining "car" logo below while later got a square one, but all early with same tracking error as first "stool" issue - listing ten of the eleven cuts and then not "Let Me Go The Right Way" and "Time Changes Things", instead "The Boy That Got Away" not on the album. This do have the "car" logo indicating an early press but also the correct track list. The logo, thick vinyl and label design shows one thing and the track list someting else. So how to place it timewise - very early, rather late or maybe one of a kind and thus inestimable. Any Motown expert reading this - please help! (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*) (TÖMÖ*) (ZYZÖ*)

MEDICINE BALL CARAVAN - MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE BS 2565 (-71) US

Soundtrack to a movie picturing 154 persons, including artists and crew, making a caravan "live trip" all over US, playing big cities as well as smaller locations. Haven't seen the film, but judging from the music on this album it must be good. Top notch performances with great audio by very diverse settings. Three cuts goes right to my heart. Two medleys - one from a very playful BB King and a rather violent one from Stoneground, both with great guitars. Also Alice Cooper doing "Black Juju" - an appealing live version before his big breakthrough. I like the Delanie & Bonnie "Free The People" version and the Doug Kershaw medly as well, but the three aforementioned are the ones I keep returning to. There must have been about a thousand pop/rock soundtracks from the fifties and on in US alone, many relying only on one good track or just a famous film score. This is one of the good guys - more like a live compilation than a soundtrack, played by some of the best. Contemporary vinyl issues in Canada, France and Germany. Don't know of any CD reissue. First US had label as shown here, glossy cover and "loss leader" inner. (SÄM*) (LYBÖ*) (ZÖNT*) (KÖÖP*)

THE BEST OF SONNY & CHÉR 587083 (-67) UK MONO

They were a great success in the sixties and rightfully so. Well written melodies and personal lyrics conveyed through very appealing male/female duets - his dry almost crispy voice supported by her moist melodic - all wrapped in a Phil Spector inspired semi bombastic production. Many singles high on lists world wide back then, popular TV appearances and live performances. Today they may be embraced by an ageing sixties audience - to which I belong - and of some interest to competist collectors of Chér's solo years, but apart from that - nothing. I think it's a pity. The songs are still catchy and everything so well done it's still appealing now almost fifty years later. Time for a revival? This compilation has most of their hits, all original mono mixes and the audio is superb. Premiere US on ATCO (SD/33-219). First UK had label as shown here and laminated cover. (FÄV*) (ÄTHP*)

JAMES BROWN AND THE FAMOUS FLAMES/PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG HA 8262 (-66) UK MONO

He's been crowned father, grandfather or godfather of US funk or modern soul many times and did renew the genres in the fifties and early sixties just by doing his thing before Motown and Atlantic soul division took over the baton. Keeping a legendary status he did many successful comebacks, in his last days topped by performing for over 80.000 at Oxegen festival in Ireland and being inducted to UK Music Hall Of Fame just before his death 2006. Today still hailed by soul/funk fans and old time collectors, but as it seems almost forgotten or even unknown by newer generations of music lovers. First time I heard this album back in the mid sixties it didn't connect. US soul to me then had been Supremes style - melodic, soft and civilized. This was raw and dangerous done by a gut feeling, different from all I've heard so far. So I pushed it away and it wasn't until the seventies disco funk wave I finally got it. It's not an Elvis in black leather singing "In The Ghetto" or posh disco freaks miming funk. This is it, the origin - music born in the actual ghetto from bad circumstances and the screams are for real. Maybe I'm taking it too far by saying that he sounds like a guy struggling with all he's got to get out into something better, but that's what I hear on this album. Favorites - title track, "You Don't Have To Go" and "And I Do Just What I Want". Premiere US on King (S/938) with a "bag" cover. UK 1967 reissue on Pye International (NPL 28099) came with "dance" cover. First UK on London had label as shown here and laminated "star" cover.

DIE PUHDYS 8 55 348 (-74) EAST GERMANY

My first aquantance with the band was through their second album "Puhdys" about two years ago (check earlier post) and I was truly impressed. Fine hard rock with great riffs and a portion good humor. While that can be described as rock with psych interludes this debute is almost the other way around - psych with hard rock intervals - i.e. the overall style is psych with lots of sub-genres appearing, including pop, baroque, music-hall and classic rock. Sometimes reminding of Moody Blues and sometimes Deep Purple, still with unique idiom. My favs are the three hard rock numbers "Vineta", "Tunen Öffnen Sich Zur Stadt" and "Zeiten Und Weiten" - two former with various themes, tempo changes and tons of howling guitars. The latter could be called kraut rock, or how to describe something sounding like Mötörhead with a German singing Ian Gillian on vocals. I don't understand the lyrics, but the odd grip together with top guitars and good audio makes it a keeper and one I actually return to now and then. Eighties release in USSR on Melodia (33C 60 - 09035-36). East German reissue 1980 with same number but different sleeve design. First had label as shown here and thin glossy cover. (BÅC*) (GÖXÄ*) (ÄMY*)