THE BEE GEES/BEE GEES FIRST UK STEREO 583012 VS. UK MONO 582012

Time for this old monolover to make yet another stereo revaluation. No need for format confirming comparison with this one, as all tracks are known to have separate mixes. Had the mono for ages and always been blown away by that mix. Also kept stereos long time ago which I then thought sounded second hand and therefore subpar. But that was long ago and now I'm pondering if the replay equipment I used back than had something to do with the experience. Since it is one of the better melodic psych albums of the period with a fantastic blend of catchy and experimental and one I never get tired of hearing I'm now trying out the stereo again to see if that can add to my joy. And it does in a way. To my ears it is a for its time tophole mix. Well kept together and avoiding too much panning it comes out natural and providing very good listening. Naturally some of the balance differ between the formats, but apart from that i get about the same sensation. Stereo may be percieved as a bit more detailed and the mono as somewhat clearer and more powerful, but that's just from close frontal listening. Other ear directions give an almost equal result. I still prefer the mono, but promise I will never bad-mouth or frown upon this stereo again. (BÅXÅ*) (MÅW*) (CPYC*)

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND 2345 033 (-74) UK

One of a bunch compilations issued after the band started to disintegrate around 1970, containing stereo takes from their first three albums. Haven't heard all the others so I can't make a final comparison, but this sounds totally ok to my ears. Considering the quality of some of the original recordings the audio is surprisingly good. You can always argue with track choice on collections like this, but to my taste it presents a well balanced picture of the three years involved - from the raw beginnings to the somewhat cooler end. I'm more into their messy stuff so my favorites here would be "White Light/White Heat" and "Run Run Run". It's not called a "Best of..." so no such expectations, but I still think they could have added "Waiting For The Man" as that is one of their most famed. There may be compilations out there fitting separate tastes better, but if you're just after an early vinyl providing enjoyable listening and happens to spot it in some cheap been it's well worth while. To my knowledge released in UK only and never reissued in any shape.

FAMILY/IT'S ONLY A MOVIE RA 58501 (-73) UK

Follow-up to the marvellous Bandstand album (see earlier post) and sadly also their last before final break-up. Counting many other group's last efforts one could expect something dutiful recorded as a mere contract filler, or in worst case a compilation of earlier unissued material, but this sounds surprisingly fresh with lots of goodies attached. Title track having that unique blend of very adventurous and appealing so typical for the band...in the midst of all melodic and rhythmic gaming you also get catchy parts to hold on to, making you wanna return for more. "Boom Bang" both cool and persuasive with its gospel feel. "Sweet Desiree" playful in a Caribean style. And there's more once you get in. To my taste maybe not up there with "Doll's House" or "Bandstand" , but certainly good enough to spin and enjoy. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl and CD, also 8-track and cassette. First US and Canadian on United Artists (UA-LA 181-F). UK 1997 CD on Castle Communications (ESM CD 566) came with two non-LP 45 flip sides as bonus. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a matt cover with gun pic/lyric/credit inner and "banger" insert. (FÄXI*)

DAVID BOWIE/LET'S DANCE AMLP 3029 (-83) UK PICTURE DISC

By far the Bowie record I've had the hardest to get near. Not that I thought it was all bad, but as a follow-up to the mind-blowing "Lodger" and  "Scary Monsters..." I saw it as a betrayal to us old fans. After so many innovative albums filled with challenging moments, this was just too slim and crowd-pleasing and didn't stirr my brain at all. Never owned a copy before, but spotted this pic disc at a very reasonable price and thought - why not? After spinning it for a couple of days I have to admit it has its moments. The vocals are top notch all the way and even if almost can't stand the title track or "Modern Love" his voice still makes me listen. To my taste neither "China Girl" nor "Criminal World" reach up to the Iggy Pop or Metro originals, yet this "Cat People" version works just fine. "Ricochet" enjoyable as psychedelic disco, but my favorites are the very emotional "Without You" and the perky "Shake It" with perfect balance between vocals, rhythm and the brazen guitar. Never thought I could wrap my ears around this album and actually enjoy some of it, but now I have and I do. It took me thirtyseven years, but better late than never. Issued and reissued every possible way all over the world through the years. UK regular vinyl on EMI (AML 3029), US (SO-17093). This UK pic disc came in a thick poly-vinyl sleeve, some with a "Not For Sale" sticker. (PKÅ*)

BOB DYLAN/ANOTHER SIDE OF BOB DYLAN BPG 62429 (-64) UK MONO

Can't think of any other artist giving me such mixed emotions. Counting hundreds of fantastic cover versions of his songs he is without doubt one of the best American songwriters, yet for some reason I've never been able to appreciate his own takes. Like on this, where I get classics as "All I Really Want To Do", "It Aint Me Babe" and "My Back Pages". I can understand they are great songs, but my heart isn't in. Here I'm a lot more excited by this particular pressing. Through the years I've seen many different UK issues sold as "first press" and since they all can't be there has been confusion. Now I've found a copy which I'm absolute sure is a first so thought I'd share it here. Between 1962-64 UK CBS didn't have their own pressing plant, but had to rely on Philips to get their stuff out. It was first from september 1964, after buying Oriole and getting two plants into the bargain, they could start making their own pressings. So from Dylan's eponymous debute to "The Times They Are A-Changin" all were originally made by Philips. And as those issues differ from the later CBS ones and undoubtedly are earlier it's easy to get a timeline. This is one exemple. The vinyl is thick and the label is heavily structured with large BPG and "Recording First Published 1964". The laminated sleeve also has large BPG and no printers credit.  (BÖB*)

P.J. PROBY/THREE WEEK HERO LBS 83219 (-69) UK

To my taste not his best effort, far from the daring and partly unbridled persona he was so successful with in Europe mid-sixties (see earlier posts). It's unmistakably the same man here offering country-ish, blues-ish and pop-ish songs, but in a mostly calm surrounding sounding more mature than before and I don't think that suits him att all. What makes it valuable to me and presumably to any die-hard Led Zeppelin fan is all four future members of the band provide most of the backing on the album, making this their first joint studio effort. Not that it sounds much Led or Zeppelin. You get some acoustic guitar licks that only could have been played by Page and signature Bonham drum parts, but the only backing reminding of the band's later work is the medley "It's So Hard To Be A Nigger/Jim's Blues/George Wallace Is Rollin' In" with all four participating, including Robert Plant on harmonica and tambourine. So even if the album as a whole don't offer me lots of musical joy it's still a must-have for its historical value. Far from the same circumstances, but I can't help seeing this as a kind of sibling to the German 1962 "Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers" album, where a couple of the guys backing Tony would go on and form a more known band of their own. To my knowledge this was only issued in UK and South Africa. Reissued 1990 on LP and CD by BGO Records (BGOLP/CD 87). Premiere UK (also as mono LBL 83219) had label as shown here in a laminated cover. This stereo copy in a mono sleeve with stereo sticker. (LÖZ*)

CLIFF RICHARD & THE SHADOWS/THE YOUNG ONES 33SX 1384 (-62/-64) UK MONO

Cliff Richard's sixth album and first of a handful soundtracks by the combo. It topped the UK list, sold over a million and spawned three top ten singles. But though being one of the most poplar LP:s in Britain and some other parts of the world early sixties it's today one of those albums you often find in the cheap bins and even then not causing much attention. A sign how much zeitgeist and public tastes have changed last sixty years. Listening now as I write I could go on about the well done mix and fantastic audio making it lovely to the ears and it's all there, but for me it's the songs and the memories that does it. About half of the songlist brings orchestral pieces, either instrumental or sung by The Michael Sammes Singers. Not exactly my kind of music, but giving a nice time characteristic atmosphere. What I do like is the Cliff Richards & Shadows tracks - the rocking "Got A Funny Feeling" , the sweet guitar ballad "Peace Pipe" plus "The Young Ones" and "Lessons In Love" good period pop. Probably not much here for the modern impatient listener, but for us who were there and wanna make a brief return it's well worth while and perfect for a sentimental spin. Issued and reissued on vinyl, cassette and CD all over the world through the years. US and Canadian as "Wonderful To Be Young" on Dot (DLP 3474). Japan 2016 CD on Oldays Records (ORD 6269) came with five bonus tracks. Premiere UK mono came on green label. As this second press copy has both "Recording first published..." and "Sold In UK..." it can be dated to 1964. It came in a laminated flip/back cover. (CXÄ*)

GOLDEN EARRING/MOONTAN 2406-112 (-73) UK

Dutch band founded 1961 as "The Tornados", but as there already was a British band with that name it was changed to "The Golden Earrings", which they picked from a song by UK instrumental band "The Hunters" (btw same band as mentioned in the previous "Unit 4+2" post). From 1965 and on gathering a public on home turf and getting a number of top five's on the Dutch list. Though with some following in other countries through the late sixties it was first with this their ninth album and the "Radar Love" 45 they reached international success. It's one of those bands I knew was good, but for some reason never listened in to and it was first late in life they got to me with this LP. But better late than never, cause this is a very enjoyable album. Somewhere between psych blues and hard rock, garnished with excellent guitars, rhythmic gaming and flute. Good listening all the way, but if to pick three favorites - the pumping dark "Radar Love", the psych/prog "Are You Recieving Me?" and the raw rocker "Candy's Gone Bad". Should do it for any fan of seventies rock and then some. Issued and reissued on vinyl, 8-track, cassette and CD all over the world through the years. Premiere Dutch as a six-track, including "Suzy Lunacy" and "Just Like Vince Taylor", but omitting "Big Tree, Blue Sea" - a track list used in most countries while the US and Canadian originals came the same as UK. Japan CD on Polydor (POCM 2485136) came with all seven involved tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover with pic/lyric/credit inner. (TRÄC*)