SMALL FACES/78 IN THE SHADE SD 19171 (-78) US

                                                                             

 I ususally shy away from band comebacks made years after their heydays, but thought I'd give this a try. It was the second of two original albums made by Small Faces 1977-78, the fifth in total and also the last.  They were all there except Ronnie Lane,  who struggled with multiple sclerosis and was replaced by Rick Willis.  Both albums have been unanimously dissed by critics and non of them sold sufficiently so I didn't expect a lot when giving this my first listen.  But to my taste it's not that bad.  All old school bass/drum/guitars/organ and no traces of painful synth trials or redundant meddling.  Right on and much probably recorded live in the studio. Far from the band's sixties efforts, but still a pretty good rock soul effort. If You listen very close you can hear parts here and there reminding of what they did in Small Faces or Faces, just alittle less obvious.  For exemple "Filthy Rich" has a style making me think of Ogdens and "Real Sour" might have done it on Long Player.  Of course one can hear this is eight years later and in a way tainted by all that's been around during that time, but as a long time devoted fan of the band I take what I can get and this could have been a lot worse.  1978 vinyl issues on Atlantic all over Europe, Downunder, Japan and a couple of South American countries, US cassette and CD in Germany, Japan US and Taiwan. First US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)  (SXÅH*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                    

 

FLEETWOOD MAC/KILN HOUSE RS 6408 (-70) GERMANY

                 

Always a big fan of the band's Peter Green years, but not so much of their later efforts. This forth original LP was the first without Green and the last including Jeremy Spencer. Also Christine McVie took part in the recordings, though not as a fully credited member.  So a kind of transition album, but stylewise more "Then Play On" than "Future Games".  And even if I miss some of the Peter Green magic there's still enough blues and rock here to please.  The two blues rockers "Station Man" and "Tell Me All The Things You Do" both sufficiently heavy and tight to grip and cause bodily motion.  "Jewel Eyed Judy" a touching rock ballad and "Buddy's Song" a very ok homage to Holly. I also like the audio very much -  natural with top separation, giving it a slight garage feeling at parts. So even if lacking blossoming Green parts it has enough of the band's old ways to make me listen and enjoy. Issued and reissued on about every format all over the world through the years.  Premiere UK on Reprise (RSLP 9004), US  on Reprise (RS 6408). Japan 2013 CD on Reprise came as limited edition in paper sleeve. First German had label as shown here in a laminated fold/out sleeve with picture insert.  (GÖXÄ*)  (FXÄC*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                              

                                                                                 

    

 

GARY BROOKER/NO MORE FEAR OF FLYING 6307 659 (-79) GERMANY

 

 I really like his second solo album "Lead Me To The Water"   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/10/gary-brookerlead-me-to-water-6359-098.html.  Filled with well written and sincerely performed songs, much reminding of the stuff he did with Procol Harum.  As I see it a forgotten gem that could attract more than just old PH fans.  This solo debute also seems sadly forgotten. Maybe not a gem of the same magnitude, but well worth to be noticed and heard.  The familiar voice is certainly there and he's backed by some respected names. Among them drummer Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention), guitarist Tim Renwick (Bowie, Elton John), bassist Bruce Lynch (Cat Stevens) and top steel gutarist B.J. Cole.  Record produced and arranged by George Martin at Air Studios.  With Brooker in that surrounding it could have been a classic, but to my ears it's just...good.  Title track, co-written by him and Keith Reed, is a killer - warm and catchy, carried by a haunting  keyboard riff (especially listen to the slight change of emphasis when the vocals start). I also enjoy listening to the emotional "Say It Aint So Joe" and "Old Manhattan Melodies", but the rest don't grip me that hard.  I'm probably too stuck in the old PH ways to enjoy it as it was meant, but three likes out of ten on an album isn't bad at all and title track alone makes it worth while, so a keeper for sure.  Issued and reissued all over the world on LP through the years, also German 1997 CD (Repertoire REP 4659-WY) and UK cassette (ZCHR 1224). Premiere UK and US on Chrysalis (CHR 1224). First German had label as shown here in a glossy sleeve with glossy pic/lyric/credit inner.  (GÖXÄ*)  (PRÖX*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                      

                                                                                 

                                                                                 


 

THE ROLLING STONES/AROUND AND AROUND BLK 16315-P (-64) MONO GERMANY

                                                                        

After finally finding an update copy and falling in love again feel I must repost this gem to remind of one of the most important Stones albums.  The combination of tracking, versions and release year makes it unique and the audio so direct it's such sweet listening. This first press can be hard to locate, but luckily the more common mono reissue sounds great too and can be easier to find in one of the cheaper bins.  So, here I go again...First Stones album issued in Germany. Has no connection to any variation of their UK or US debutes. Instead it's a compilation of 45 cuts recorded 1963-64 - three from the UK EP "The Rolling Stones" (DFE 8560), the entire "Five By Five" EP (DFE 8590), plus three singel A-sides and one B-side. To my ears by far the best collection of Stones' early recordings. First issued very close to the 45:s themselves and only containing pristine versions and mixes. This is them as they were, without any later meddling as remixes or other assorted embellishments. Rock'n'roll history at its finest, brought to us pristinely. Audio shifts a bit depending on original recording quality, but most of it beautiful - big and strong with fine separation and lots of presence. For this old fan of the band's earliest period it's heaven. 1964 release also in France (Decca 158.012). German seventies reissues in mono (BLK 16315-P) and fake stereo (SLK 16315-P) came with bright red label and laminated cover. To my knowledge never issued legally on CD. Premiere German had dark red/gold label as shown here and thin glossy cover. (RÅ*) (PÖP*) GÖXÄ*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                                

 

ARGENT/RING OF HANDS S 64190 (-70) UK

 

 Always loved the band's eponymous debute. A both intelligent and emotional pop gem, in a way reminding of The Zombies later efforts and with Colin Blunstone still in it could have been a worthy follow-up to  "Oddesey And Oracle".  I've now updated my post on that with four very sweet songs  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/09/argent-s-63781-69.html . This second LP has some of that, but also partly oriented towards the kind of light prog that would be their badge following years.  All handeled well  here and as a whole the album provides an interesting journey through thick and thin, but personally I prefer the somewhat lighter, poppier parts. "Rejoice" a beautiful ballad with long organ intro and soothing vocals, the bluesy "Sweet Mary" and the catchy "Celebration". Early seventies issues in Europe, US, Canada, Downunder and South Africa.  US 1999 CD on Sony Collectables (COL-CD-6087) came with one bonus track.  Premiere UK had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover.  (ZÖZ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

                                                                       

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

           

 

MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS/GREATEST HITS STML 11040 (-67) UK STEREO

 

 UK variation of the US 1966 "Greatest Hits" (Gordy G/S 917). This came with a different sleeve design and "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" was replaced by "I'm Ready For Love". Either way it's a complilation of twelve 45' cuts that could please not only Motown lovers, but also fans of female vocal and/or sixties soul in general.  I get some of their classic tracks -  "Love Is Like A Heat Wave", "Dancing In The Street", My Baby Loves Me" and "Ready For Love" - coupled with today maybe less know gems as "Quicksand",  "Live Wire" and "Wild One".  Many of the recordings were made 1963-64, so in a more primitive way than the label's somewhat later hits, but that also makes them further transparent, allowing more feeling to sip out, so it works well for me. Unfortunately all the tracks here are rechanneled mono. Not too bad, but a little bit disturbing. Haven't heard a US yet so I don't know if the ones there are separate mixes. If someone reading this knows - please comment and tell.  Also released on vinyl in Canada, Spain, Germany, Argentina and Downunder plus US cassette, reel and 8-track. All CD issues seems to have come with the original US tracking. First UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.  (TÖMÖ*  (FÄV*)

                                                                                         

                                                                                    

                                                                            

                                                                                

   

 

PETER GABRIEL/SHAKING THE TREE - TWELVE GOLDEN GREATS PGTV 6 (-90) UK

 

 Don't know what to think about this. It's nice to get a twelve track vinyl retrospective of his solo carreer including a couple of rather rare ones.  But to me not totally perfect for rekindling since a large part are odd edits and/or alternate versions.  Only three of the cuts - "Solsbury Hill",  "Big Time" and  "Family Snapshot"  -  comes in original album shape.  For the rest I get one re-recording ("Here Comes The Flood"), one re-mix ("Shaking The Tree") and seven divergent edits.  I do enjoy having the 45 edit of "Sledgehammer" and the radio one of "Shock The Monkey" on LP, though on the whole I'm confused. Don't know if to recieve it as innovative or a result of pseudo-creative  meddling.  Maybe time will tell. As it is now I do feel welcomed, just not by arms open wide.  Issued on vinyl in some countries as "Twelve Golden Greats" and world wide on CD and cassette as "Sixteen Golden Greats".  Not sure why the vinyl wasn't a 2xLP set with all sixteen tracks, maybe it was a way for the label to make fans go for the CD instead as that format was meant to take over at the time.  Premiere UK had labels as shown here in a fully laminated stickered cover with pic/lyric/credit inner.  (GYÄ*)

                                                                               

                                                                                 
               

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                              

                                                                                  

                               
                                                                 


 

THE JACKPOTS/TIC TAC TOE SLP-57 (-67) SWEDEN

                                                                        

     

 Band that to my taste issued one of the better pop/psych albums with their second and last effort - "Jack In The Box".  I've now updated that post with four songs so check back if You want something really sweet  - https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/09/jackpotsjack-in-box-slp-68-68-sweden.html .  This debute album isn't that experimental, then more an able vocal pop LP, well fitting the period.  The psych outcome of JITB was probably due to studio presence of the always creative Michael B. Tretow, who later would work wonders with ABBA.  This was produced by Claes af Geijerstam, at the time member of Ola & The Janglers.  Of the twelve tracks only two are self penned - one by Geijerstam and one by the band.  The singing and high pitch voices are here already and do touch, but the arrangements a little too well groomed for my taste. I get some listeners prefer that, but I miss some the adventure and sometimes even danger brought by JITB.  Nevertheless this is still good to the ears.  I especially like the covers of "Tossing And Turning" and the Cole Porter classic " I've got You Under My Skin". It has  become a collectors item also because of the front sleeve design, especially made for the album by renowned artist Ardy Struwer. And since the record didn't sell a lot from the beginning many seem to be willing to pay for one of the first pressed to get an early print of the paintings.  Issued on vinyl in Canada (Stone Records 3729) and in Italy with different sleeve design (Vibration VB-L 6024). Reissued in Sweden on Sonet's Grand Prix label (same number).  Never released like this on CD, but the 2003 EU on Universal Music (018 333-2) came with a mix of tracks from this and JITB. Premiere Swedish had label as shown here on heavy unflexible vinyl in a fully laminated cover.  (SCÄ*)  (CCÖ*) (SÖNÄ*)

                                                                            

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                              

                                                                                 

     

                                                                                    

PAUL MCCARTNEY/III 00602435321875 (-20) EU

 

 This is good. McCartney playing with himself during Corona isolation. Even if a bodily lockdown it doesn't seem to have hampered his creativity in any way.  It's all him - instruments, vocals, production and penning - with lyrics reflecting on ageing, relations and loneliness. Very personal and, as I understand, very honest. Musically partly darkish and audio quite dense, then balanced by a couple of simple see-through ballads.  Some of the songs can even be tagged as psych, or at least experimental - like the downright heavy "Slidin" and the very emotional "Deep Deep Feeling" - which also happens to be my favorites from here as I'm always up for aural adventures. His voice naturally sounds older, but  still so unmistakably him I'm home. Maybe not his best - which would be strange considering the circumstances - but one of the better and one that certainly will be excavated and enjoyed from my listening chair onwards. Spread all over the world on vinyl, CD, cassette and MP3. I'm not going in to the large number of editions existing already with differing colors, numbered or in box. Shown here is the EU plain black original. It came with label as shown here on heavy vinyl in a stickered glossy cover with lyric/credit inner.  (BÄ*)  (MÄCC*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                    

 

THE BEATLES/SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND PMC 7027 (-67) UK MONO

 Can't have a vinyl page without this UK mono. Today as much an icon as an LP. Every aspect of it has been disected down to smallest particles, there are many mono-stereo comparisons with attached opinions on the net, all variations of early UK issues frequently mentioned, so it's hard to find something new to write. Maybe I just settle with one of the songs. Cause even if I heard it through countless times there's one song that still can give me goosebumps if I'm in the mood - "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds".  To me the blend of Lennons psychedelic verses and McCartney's homely refrain works perfect.  Getting in deep I'm thrown between cool adventure and warm hugs in a way that always touches me.  First it was said to have been all about a drawing by Lennon's son Julian, an explanation already from the beginning doubted by many, including me, as the initials of  Lucy, Sky and Diamonds could be interpreted as LSD and Lennon was known to be on acid at time for recording. Julian's  piece of art may have been a brainwave, but getting the full picture by lyrics and music together the message is hardly entirely from a child's drawing.  Also Paul McCartney admitted in a 2004 interview that it obviously was about drugs.  But whatever the background I find it as gripping today as I did fiftythree years or so ago and will certainly carry it high till I die.  Don't think the copy shown here was from the absolutely first batch, but as is has the -1/-1 matrixes, the fully laminated fold/out cover with flips inside, the picture insert and flaming inner probably rather early.  (BÄ*)  (LGÅ)  (PÖX*)