THE ROLLING STONES/BLUE & LONESOME 572012 (-16) FRANCE

Don't know if to call this a comeback or a swansong, but in any case I like it a lot. Stones paying homage to their forerunners and heroes by covering some favorite songs from those.  As it seems most performed by themselves with just a couple of reinforcements, among them Eric Clapton playing two tracks.  Recorded in three days only. Not sure how it was produced or arranged, but it all come out exactly to my taste -  like live in the studio with a true garage feeling. You get the impression of a couple of guys playing what they like just for fun without a thought on outcome or reception.  That may not be the whole truth, but the atmosphere is there.  Undoubtedly their best since Steel Wheels and I have to go back to the Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main Street, Goats Head Soup albums to get hit with the same genuineness.  Away all former dabbling with disco and reggae, this is the Stones I want.  Love it all, but if to pick one fav it has to be "I Can't Quit You Baby" with some very emotional vocals by Jagger and sweet Clapton guitars.  Released on CD all over the world, also 12xFile.  Only vinyl issues I'm aware of are the US on Interscope/Polydor and this French, pressed for EU.  It had label as shown here in a matt fold/out cover with glossy picture/credit inners and a "download" card.  (RÅ*)  (MFÄX*)

STEAMHAMMER/REFLECTION UK MONO M 63611 VS. UK STEREO S 63611

For more background check separate post on the mono.  Considering the circumstances - 1969 issue on CBS - I didn't expect anything other than this mono to be a fold and as far as I can determine from comparing the formats with mono button pushed on the stereo that seems to be the case.  I can hear no deviations in intros or fadeouts. Listening in very close there can be some miniscule difference in balance, like the bass coming out a tiny bit sterner at a couple of places on the mono, but nothing that would indicate separate mixes.  I've seen in the past dealers trying to sell the mono as a "different" mix, though my guess is it's not even if it sounds just fine and to my taste giving a better impact than the stereo.  If you plan to buy it do it for the audio, rarity and because it is a great album, but don't expect a separate mix.  A mono button on the stereo will give about the same outcome.   (MÅW*)  (CPYC*)

BAD COMPANY/STRAIGHT SHOOTER ILPS 9304 (-75) UK

A true supergroup it was, collecting former members of band as Free, Mott The Hoople, King Crimson and managed by Led Zeppelin man Peter Grant. For more background check post on their eponimous debute.  That sounded much like a softer version of Free, radio friendly rock crowned by Paul Rogers vocals.  This is more of the same and in a way a perfect blend that could have satisfied about any seventies listener.  "Good Lovin' Gone Bad", "Deal With The Preacher" and "Wild Fine Women" rock'n'roll not far from from the signature Free sound. Further sweet ballads like "Anna" and "Call On Me", then topped by an almost prefect rock ballad - "Shooting Star" - concerning the deaths of Jimi Hedrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin. All very well performed including cunning guitars and Rogers special voice. Presented just suitably soft - rather hard for the rock fans, but mellow enough for radio and ideal for car music. And it did very well, reaching top ten in a number of countries, including #3 in both UK and US. Not seen as any kind of classic album today, but at least I think it still provides good listening and then especially "Shooting Star".  Issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years, also 8-track and cassette. First US on Swan Song (SS 8413). EU 2015 2xCD on Swan Song came with 14 bonus tracks, including alternate versions, unreleased songs and a former B-side. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a matt cover with glossy picture inner.  (FDÄ*)

THE ROLLING STONES/REWIND 1971-84 EJ 2601061 (-84) UK

Yet another of many many Stones compilations issued up to this day.  This is to my taste about half good. Older classics like "Brown Sugar", "Tumbeling Dice" and "It's Only Rock'N'Roll" coupled with three of the better from somewhat later days - "Start Me Up", "Respectable" and "She's So Cold" -  the remaining six I could live without.  Audio very good and I guess if you don't care enough to get all original LP:s but just want the songs on vinyl it'll do just fine.  Good thing is you get lyrics to all songs, not so common with Stones LP:s from back then.  US vinyl came as an eleven track, omitting "She's So Cold", Respectable" and "It's Only Rock'N'Roll" replacing them with "Emotional Rescue" and "Hang Fire".  Issued and reissued on LP, CD and cassette all over the world through the years, some with various tracking.  Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin laminated and stickered cover with lyric inner.  (RÅ*)

BABE RUTH/AMAR CABALLERO SVHL 812 (-74) UK

Follow-up to their excellent "First Base" debute (see earlier post). While that had about the same hard rock prog trope all through making it evenly good listening, this comes more experimental and straggling.  A blend of r&b, baroque,  psych and prog, very well played indeed and crowned by Janita Haan's personal vocals.  It may take time to get all in, but when you do it can be worth while.  This time the songs themselves don't hit me that hard, then more the arrangements and details.  Like the strings and flute counterpointing in "Lady",  the cool guitar in "Baby Pride" or the odd vocals in the psych funk "Doctor Love".  So even if I don't get many of those downright catchy moments I usually need to embrace an album, there's so much interesting stuff going on in and around it's still good listening.  Seventies vinyl issues also in US and Canada (Harvest ST-11275), Australia (World Record Club R-02606), Japan (Odeon EOP-81029) and South Africa (Harvest SHVLJ (D) 812).  Premiere UK had label as shown here in a matt fold/out cover.  (FÄV*)  (HÄVL*)

JUICY LUCY/LIE BACK AND ENJOY IT 6360 014 (-70) UK

British blues band formed 1969 by American born steel guitarist Glenn Ross Campbell, formerly in legendary psych rock outfit The Misunderstood.  They immediately gort a UK hit with a cover of "Who Do You Love" managing top 20 and the eponimous debute album reaching #41.  That was to my taste very good heavy blues rock with US swamp tunes luring just above or under the surface.  Got no original to show here at the moment, but still looking and hoping to rekindle. However this follow-up is great too, now after member changes including recruiting guitarist Mick Moody (later in Snafu and Whitesnake) and drummer Rod Coombes (who would go on to Strawbs) plus replacing lead singer Ray Owen with Paul Williams (earlier with Zoot Money).  I get heavy blues rock gilded by lots of attractive steel guitar and Paul Williams sweet vocals.  Willy Dixon's "Built For Comfort" very heavy with perfect timing making you feel both hit and relaxed at the same time.  Cover of Zappa's "Willy The Pimp" starting off slow and heavy then going through tempo changes till the exhausting end.  My absolute favorite would be "Pretty Woman", showing less is more. Very simple melody coated by a sugary guitar and Williams catchy vocals so well done you wanna hear it again and again.  Issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years. First US on ATCO (SD 33-345), also as mono promo (33-345). EU 2010 CD on Esoteric Recordings (ECLEC 2216) came with one bonus track.  First UK had labels as shown here in a six part fold out poster sleeve having member photos on one side and live pic with tracking and credit on the other.  (WLÖ*)

REINSTATED

Back again after a couple of turbulent weeks. Don't think I'll be able to continue a tight schedule for the nearest future, but will at least try to go on posting every other or every third day for a month or so, then we'll see. Thanks for being patient. Erik