MAK- LES SOEURS /MAKS CLPS 33/30 (-66) SWEDEN

Swedens first all-girl pop band, started in Gothenburg 1964 by sisters Karin and Margareta Hamrefors with friend Agneta Wigforss. After being spotted by band leader and director Ronnie Hartley while rehearsing they got a chance to perform locally, which eventually led to participation in national radio and TV shows plus touring neighboring countries like Iceland and Soviet Union. One of their hallmarks was to perform barefoot on stage, sometimes called the "no socks or shoes-trio", which was considered odd back then at many locations. 1966 they signed with Cupol Records and went on to release a serie of 45:s, where of a couple in German solely aimed at that market, before final breakup early seventies. This was their one-off LP. It includes the debute single - "Mitt Liv"/"Förlåt Mig" - while the rest of the cuts were album only. Stylewise I get a blend of schlager, pop and country. The girls themselves play guitars, flute and rythm instruments, while bass, drums and more provided by studio musicians. All three sings, sometimes in harmony, apparently un-schooled and that's what makes it for me - the personal borderline amateurish approach to the material allowing conneciton as with friends rather than exalted idols. Five of the songs in English, the rest in Swedish - with the girls own translations of songs like "House Of The Rising Sun", "Excuse Me", "All My Trials" and "Dirty Old town". Favorite tracks are the cover of Tages "So Many Girls" - here translated as "Kanske Du Liksom Jag" - and the self-penned "Once More", no doubt inspired by early Tages. They were from the same city and may have been aquainted, but I cant find any facts on a deeper relation between the groups. To my knowledge this Swedish LP was the only issue. It came with label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl and thin fully laminated cover with "Cupol" inner. (FÄV*) (SCÄ*) (CCÖ*)

BRYAN FERRY/THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION WITH ROXY MUSIC EGTV 2 (-88) UK

Issued as a kind of follow-up to the 1986 collection "Street Life". Sold very well at release and reached #6 on the UK list, eventually rewarded 3xPlatinum. Not as well compiled as its predecessor and with a couple of cuts in common it has been scolded by fans and reviewers and put down as an act of greed by the label. Good or bad in comparison is always up to what you compare with and as I didn't have "Street Life" when finding this I thought it was quite rewarding. A collection of Roxy/Ferry songs can never be all bad and this is a-ok, providing fine listening all through. I also get a a couple of good cuts I didn't have before - the previously unreleased "He'll Have To Go", the 45 version of "Jelaous Guy" and "Help Me" earlier only issued as US 45. Maybe I don't truly need the new re-mix of "Let's Stick Together", but it's there so why not. Audio totally ok considering the play time. For close listening I would have preferred less treble, but it works just fine as background. Issued all over the world, except US and Canada. Vinyl issues in Europe and South America, otherwise most common on CD or cassette. Not entirely sure where this copy stands timewise, but guess rather early...having stamped matrixes (EGTV 2 A-1U-1-/EGTV 2 B-1U-1-), label as shown here, matt cover with "front flap" and glossy pic/lyric inner. (ÄNÖ*) (BRÄY*)

EUROVISION GALA/29 WINNERS - 29 WORLDSUCCESSES 2488 834/5 (-81) MONO SCANDINAVIA

Not a big fan of what the Eurovision Song Contest has become last three decades or so. My delight for it stays with the earlier years and now mostly because of the memories I have from watching it with family and friends. Through the sixties Sweden only had one TV channel and ESC was one of the highlights of the year. This 2-LP charity sampler, issued in association with Red Cross, carries all those early winners. Not the actual live takes, but recordings made in the same mode at the same time, so almost there. Much for me to reminisce by here - Jaqueline Boyer "Tom Pillibi", Isabelle Aubret "Un Premiere Amour", Grethe & Jörgen Ingmann "Dansevise", Lulu "Boom Bang A Bang" and Sandie Shaw "Puppet On A String". But most important I get my all time ESC favorite recorded close to the fact - the 1965 winner France Gall with "Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son". Missing some of the dynamics from the live performance, there brought by the full orchestra supported by prominent thunderous drumming   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/05/france-gallpoupee-de-cire-poupee-de-son.html  , but close enough. Getting all sixties winners in a row works great with me, enabling a joyous trip down memory lane. As far as I can hear all cuts are mono. The early ones with all certainty true, while some of the later may be more or less folded. Originally released all over Europe and in Israel. Also on cassette, but not CD. Premiere Scandinavian had label as shown here and laminated fold-out cover. (SÄM*) (FÄV*) (GZÅ*)(CCÖ*)

THE SUPREMES/DIANA ROSS AND SUPREMES GREATEST HITS 1 13 609 (-69) CZECH RECORD CLUB ISSUE.

Don't know how many Supremes collections that's been compiled and issued in different countries all over the world through the years. As there were only a limited number of tracks recorded by the original trio in the sixties and about the same songs will show up on any "Greatest Hits" or "Best Of" I guess even the most die-hard fans would find it hard to need them all and then be forced to choose. This is one I see many reasons to pick and keep. As it was the first Czech Supremes album, having unique compiling and sleeve design, not so much a compilation as a regular domestic issue. To my ears it sounds like cut without much limiting or compression so you get the tracks less soft but with partly better dynamics and separation. At two or three places the treble could be perceived as too sharp, but as a whole the audio is natural, up in my face and beautiful as such. I also get yet another Motown label variation which is just dandy. I am a little confused about the timeline of this copy. As far as I can understand very first 1969 had white label and sleeve design as seen here, while the second issue from around 1970 came with this blue label in a totally different cover. As this has the 1969 sleeve and 1970 label I'm guessing a transition copy, either very late sixties or very early seventies, pressed on thick unflexible vinyl in a thin matt flip-back cover. (ZYZÖ*) (TÖMÖ*) (FÄV*) (BÅC*)

TEN YEARS AFTER/CRICKLEWOOD GREEN UK MONO DML 1065 VS. STEREO SML 1065

Seems like a waste of time doing this comparison since it's so obviously a fold, but I did and it is. Of the UK Decca co. monos issued 1970 larger part were so called "catalogue monos" - meaning they were mentioned in the catalogues sent out pre-release and then only pressed if enough orders came in. At that time all UK Decca stereos were ok compatibles, so all they had to do was to fold and release, no separate mixes needed. An English friend told me that as this was issued late spring 1970 most record shops didn't keep the mono, so you either had to make a special order or find the right dealer. But if it's a straight fold, why bother? If you're like me getting it as an original one-channel on the brown Deram label with dated red rim mono inner actually means something. And as made from a perfect compatible it sounds great - in fact bluesy stuff can come through better in one piece than when made up by a stereo mix. Not that there's much diffrence here between the formats. Stereo is very centered with tons of overlapping and only some channel separation - if you listen with bad ears or from anywhere except between the speakers the result is the same. So if you're only in it for the music and audio there's no need to cough up a lot for a mono when you can get a stereo for a fraction of the price. This is for die-hard TYA-fans, label collectors, rarity hunters and mono anoraks only. (XYÄ*) (UKÖ*) (YMÖ*) (MÅW*) (CPYC*) (DÄRR*)

SOEUR SOURIRE B 14081 R (-62?) MONO FRANCE

Her saga is, or at least was, well known. About a Catholic nun - Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers - who in the early sixties succeeded to get a #1 on Billboard and topping other lists all over the world. One of the most unexpected success stories, but as it turned out also a very sad one. After being encouraged by the abbess in the Belgian monastary where she lived she recorded a couple of her self-penned songs on an album to be used as a gift for visitors of the congregation. One of the songs - "Dominique" - got air play and soon spread to be a world wide hit. However she didn't get much royalties from it, which instead was shared by Philips label and the congregation, and non of the follow-ups sold well. She left the convent 1966 and went on to live with an admirer - Annie Pécher - with whom she developed a lesbian relationship. In 1967 she released a pro-contraceptive song - "Glory Be To God For The Golden Pill" - which resulted in a clash with the Catholic Church and cancelled concerts. Then after many years of artistic and finacial failure coupled with partly frosty relation to the church, she and Annie Pécher committed suicide in March 1985 - she aged 51 and Pécher 40. If you heard "Dominique" you know how this LP comes out as reflecting her early monastary years. Positive songs with religious motifs, sparsely arranged and some of it surprisingly catchy. She has a very nice voice - clean and secure, yet emotional and personal. Backing vocals probably by fellow nuns. Audio on this early 10 inch is superb - direct and natural. As far from rock'n'roll as you can get, but still in a strange way pleasing. This was also issued in Italy (black label, same number). A twelve track variation called "The Singing Nun" issued 1963 in US and a couple of other countries. 1998 US CD on Collector's Choice Music (DPCM 5295). Premiere (?) French had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (MFÄX*) (FÄV*) (SYSÖ*) (GZÅ*)

DORIS DAY/DAY DREAMS CL 624 (-55) US MONO

An album very far from the music I usually collect and enjoy. Instead of filling my already shattered persona with blues, psych and more or less dirty rock'n'roll I get the opposite here - soft, romantic and very emotional. Need that too sometimes. Not only to be able to pipe down it the midst of the maelstrom, but in this case also cause it reminds me of my kid years in front of the valve radio mid and late fifties. Not that I especially remember any of the these songs from then. It's the atmosphere that does it, the warmth and sheer kindness of it all. Her voice is secure, soft and emotional, the arrangements soothing and audio downright cozy. Right to my love hungry gut. Favorite tracks - "That Old Feeling", "Sometimes I'm Happy", "You Go To My Head" and the rest. If you're in that mood this is all good. Usually I'm having a hard time to establish a timeline for US issues, but thanks to the excellent "Album Discographies" page ( http://www.bsnpubs.com/discog.html) I can nail this rather accurately. Apparently some initial copies were pressed on the red/gold label and this one of the first on "six eye". The "High Fidelity" box under "LP" logo on front cover introduced late 1955 and circle arond "LP" removed from beginning of 1956 and replaced with a box (see pic below). So though not the very first this copy is with certainty pressed late 1955. Eight of the cuts had surfaced earlier on the 1949 10 inch "Youre my thrill" (Columbia CL 6071). This extended version also originally issued in Canada (same number) and UK (Philips BBL 7120). Early US had label as shown here and laminated cover with vinyl attendance inner. (YZÄ*) (FÄV*) (ÖXCÅ*)(NYFÖ*)

OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN 2310 219 (-72) ITALY

One of the most successful female artists of the late 20th century. Four time grammy awarded, OBE and AO, with a mass of records topping lists all over the world reaching a total sale in excess of 100 million. Still an aritst I've never got close to and knew very little about till I started to search facts for this post. I do remember the Grease movie and the giant surrounding hype dumped over lovers and haters alike. I didn't belong to any of those groups, in fact that whole Travolta/Newton-John thing just passed me by without a trace...like something happening on another planet. This, her second solo album, feels a lot more near to me. Recorded at Abbey Road, produced by The Shadow's Bruce Welsh and John Farrar and backed by orchestra and/or common rock/pop setting it's very un-greasy, relying more on her own vocals and feelings than studio aftereffects. To this I can connect and then live with. Maybe not top ten on the list of best female solo albums ever, but it is personal and I do get her. Favorite tracks - the two George Harrison covers - "What Is Life" and "Behind That Locked Door" plus the soft "Living In Harmony". Originally also issued in UK, Germany, South Africa and Downunder, but never in US. Japan 1989 CD on EMI "Pastmasters" serie (CP21-6073). First Italian had label as shown here and fully laminated cover. (FÄV*) (ÖTALÖ*)

THE SUNSHINE COMPANY/HAPPY IS LP 9359 (-67) US MONO

Los Angeles group only existing a little more than two years 1967-68, during wich time they released three albums and six 45:s. Most successful single "Back On The Street Again" at Billboard #36 and this debute album, reaching #126, became their highest charting LP. The music here can best be described as sunshine psych pop - bright and positive with enough odd turns to take it above average. Atmosphere as expected from 1967 California, all very well sung, produced and arranged. Sometimes reminding of contemporary The Mamas & The Papas, but more stylewise than direct copying. I hear this take of "Up, Up And Away" more sparkling than the 5th Dimension hit version, "Four In The Mornin" has some good psych guitar all through and "Love Is A Happy Thing" comes out just happy with its weird vocal part. The two Beatles covers - "I Need You" and "Rain" - both treated in a "summer of love" kind of way. "Rain" a little too mellow for my taste while "I Need You" is performed in a soft psych fashion with perfect fit. Can't say for sure if this mono is a separate mix, but the the balance and separation make me believe it is. Also originally released in Canada (same label and number) and New Zealand (IRL-32656). Not issued like this on CD, but as combined with their second eponymous LP on Spanish Retro Disc International (RDI 33044). Premiere US had label as shown here, laminated cover and Liberty ad inner. (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*) (FÄV*)