FRANCE GALL/POUPÉE DE CIRE, POUPÉE DE SON

 Eurovision Song Contest has been going on here again. I stopped listening long time ago as the entries got further featureless and dependent on calculation rather than creative joy (more on that here https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/06/eurovision-gala29-winners-29.html). I get there are still many fans savouring it, but as I understand more for the outfits and the show than the music itself.  Maybe it's just me getting old and unable to keep up with with the modern twists and turns, but I do think the whole thing peaked musically in the seventies and never really recovered.  Most of my ESC favorites are from the sixties, a time when you could take chances and try something new.  This winning number from 1965 with France Gall (1947-2018) is my all time fav. An exemple of how a rather simple tune could turn into something special because of adventurous arrangements. I still find the contrast between the hard working orchestra with the thundering drums and her very teen vocals enthralling.  They don't make stuff like that anymore.  (FÄV*)

 

WALLACE COLLECTION/LAUGHING CAVALIER PCS 7076 (-69) UK

 

 Belgian outfit formed as "16th century" late sixties by former members  of the defunct band Sylvesters Team teaming up with two affiliates of The Belgian National Philharmonic Orchestra. After moving to England they got a contract with Parlophone and changed their name to Wallace Collection, same as the museum situated near the EMI main office. Today often called a one-hit-wonder due to the single "Daydream" becoming a hit in many countries while the rest of their efforts didn't make that much impact. They recorded two albums for UK Parlophone, whereof this was the first. Though from Belgium they sound very British here. All cuts are self-penned and the core rather perky pop, but with enough twists and turns to make it partly arty or even psych. So advanced pop, mostly happy and quite catchy, but garnished by crotchet. It took me a while to get in, but now when I'm there it's a fine place to be. "Peru" offers nice soft psych. "Ragtime Lily" an adveturous twenties pastiche. "Misery" haunting with superb bass play. "Daydream" dreamy and catchy.  As proficiently produced by Australian Dave Macay and with Geoff Emerick (who handeled most Beatles recordings) as engineer the arrangement, mixes and audio are all top of the line and very good to the ears.  So if You like pop, but could do with some extra topping, it's worth a try.  Originally issued like this in Europe, Downunder, Israel and a couple of Southamerican countries.  US and Canadian version (Capitol ST-350) came as a ten track,  omitting "Natacha", Merry-Go-Round", "Poor Old Sammy" and "Laughing Cavalier".  Japan 2015 CD on Magic Records (WPCR-16742) came with the original fourteen tracks. Premiere UK (also as mono PMC 7076) had label as shown here in a structured flip/back cover.  (PÖX*)

                                                                        

          

                                                                                   

                                                                          

     

                                                                            

                                                                              

                                                                              



 

 

ARETHA FRANKLIN/ARETHA'S GOLD ATS ST 06039 (-69) ITALY

 

  Not much else to say about this than it's a top collection of songs from one of the best female soul singers, all recorded 1966-68 in Atlantic Studios, New York City, or Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and produced by Jerry Wexler.  Together an indisputable guarantee for high quality cuts.  And it comes as promised. Just check the tracklist, shining like true gold with a cornucopia of goodies - "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Naural Woman", "Chain Of Fools", "I Say A Little Prayer" - and ten more killers.  I could go on praising, but you've got the idea by now. I also like the audio on this Italian press very much -  loud and distinct with top separation, making her come close and touch. It's been a while since I let her in, but this opens up all the doors and she's back in my life again. Issued and reissued all over the world on about every possible format. Premiere US on Atlantic (SD 8227), UK on Atlantic (588 192).  First Italian had label as shown here on heavy vinyl in a laminated cover.  (FÄV*)  (ÖTALÖ*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                       

                                                                                      

                                                                                   

                                                                          

                                                                            

 

BEAT HITS 66/67 GP-9914 (-67) MONO SWEDEN

 

Follow-up to the "Beat Hits 65/66" compilation https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/06/beat-hits-6566-gp-9907-66-mono-sweden.html. That was filled with odd cuts from more or less obscure acts and thus a cornucopia for us who appreciate getting to know long forgotten sixies bands and artists.  This has more like that.  Larger part were picked from a serie of Jukebox EP:s issued around 1966/67,  mostly consisting of Swedish groups doing covers of then successful hits. The most surprising cut would be the English folk musician Keith "Mac" MacLeod (1941-2020) doing a cover of "Donna Donna" (among other things he is known to have been a big influence on the young Donovan and the role model to his song "Hurdy Gurdy Man"). Even if bands like Ola & The Janglers, Violents, Hounds and Lee Kings were and still are known, some of their contributions here are exclusive.  The Speaders were a band from Stockholm existing 1964-69, that released one more 45 on Decca 1967. The Hi-Balls came from Sollentuna and also made two 45:s for Karusell 1966.  The Shivers didn't release anything under own name, but participated on a couple of compilations, like the Jukebox EP:s and Zingotoppen https://monolover.blogspot.com/2014/03/zingotoppen-rm-2511-67-sweden.html. The Panthers, from Tallåsen, issued a couple of singles 1964-65. That's all I can get about those more unfamed bands from the net for now, but all further info is welcome.  For me it's fantastic getting so many rare garage gems on close to the fact vinyl, as they were. All are important as part of pop/rock history, but if to choose a couple of favs it'd be The Violents cover of The Rainbows "Balla Balla", so wild with happy guitars. The Speaders "With A Girl like You" and The High-Balls "I'm A Boy" may not reach up to the originals, but good in their own ways. To my knowledge this was the only issue and even if some of the cuts has reappeared on other vinyl or CD compilations through the years, the one here means a lot to me cause it was first.  It came with label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with top opening.  (SÄM*)  (SCÄ*)  (CCÖ*) (SÖNÄ*)

                                                                           

                                                                           

 

                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                              

  

                                                                                                                                                         

DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES/SUPREMES GREATEST HITS MS 2-663 (-67) US STEREO

 

 This is me in love, so prepare for a profuse post. The twenty-sixth Supremes album I'm doing and in a way the loveliest. No half-ass stuff here, just  twenty numbers of the highest dignity, hitting my ears one after one just right. Two LP:s with some of the best from one of the best Motown acts. Maybe I have most of the songs before and maybe I'd prefer the mono takes, but that doesn't matter as I'm listening  now. In my world in this day and age it remains a homage not only to the girls, but also to the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and in a way also the company at large.  So much good music and so many feelings from over fifty years ago filling my room.  No problems to pick favorites here, just check the song list and there they are, all of them.  This stereo press comes with for its time very good mixes and enjoyable audio.  It was originally pressed at a number of plants in US and I got no clue where this copy was made, but the label design tells me it's an early one.  Issued and reissued all over the world on 1xLP or 2xLP and CD through the years, also cassette, reel and 8-track.  US 1986 2xCD on Motown (MOTD 5357).  Early US vinyl had label as shown here in a thick glossy fold/out cover (some with a poster, sadly missing with this copy).   (TÖMÖ*)  (ZYZÖ*) (FÄV*)

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                            

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                                

 

THE BEATLES/LOS GRANDES EXITOS DE LOS BEATLES MOCL 5314 (-69) MONO SPAIN

 

 Spanish version of "Oldies But Goldies", well fitting my obsession for finding original Beatles issues on other labels than Parlophone, Capitol or Apple.  This is not even a first press, but the dark blue/silver Odeon label with titles in both Spanish and English makes it beautiful in itself (for first press label check last pic below). The vinyl is quite heavy and the two-flip sleeve mimics the UK almost 100%. Audibly it's a little less exact than the UK, though one has to listen close to detect the difference.  So why is it needed? As I see it all Beatles issues made during the band's existence are icons and therefore every variation is important, epecially those with large label and/or sleeve variations...and for a true fan it's impossible to have too many Beatles records. (BÄ*)  (LGÅ*) (SXÖX*)

                                                                                   

                                                                              

                                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                               

    



 

MARIANNE FAITHFULL'S GREATEST HITS PS 547 (-69) US

 

 Sometimes I wonder if my my mind is getting too old to embrace all items in my ever growing collection.  Bought this as a unique compilation with a good choice of songs from her sixties, though after checking more closely discovered it's a  US version of the UK stereo issue of "The World Of Marianne Faithfull" (Decca SPA 17)...which I apparently already knew (for more on that check post on the UK mono https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/06/world-of-marianne-faithfull-pa-17-69-uk.html ). The front sleeve title fonts and color differ, but it's the same pic. Also the US rear is more interesting with its five lovely face pics.  A more surprising difference is the UK has all but two tracks - "As Tears Go By" and "Is This What I Get For Loving You" - in true stereo, yet on this US also "This Little Bird", "Summer Nights",  "Yesterday" and "In My Time Of Sorrow" sounds like more or less enhanced mono, while "Is This What I Get For Loving You" has the stereo mix here. So clearly not from the same tapes. If to choose it'd be the UK for the audio - apart from having more true mixes it's also further distinct and powerful - and the US for the sleeve with the five face rear. And both ways I get my favorite Marianne Faithfull song - "In My Time Of Sorrow".  This US version also saw early issues in Canada, Downunder and a couple of South American countries.  US 1987 CD on ABKCO (CD 547), came with four bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a matt sleeve.  (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*)   (CPYC*)

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                            

                                                                           

 

SRC/MILESTONES E-T 134 (-69) UK MONO

 

Time for another repost of an all time favorite, slightly altered with added songs. SRC (Scot Richard Case) was a Detroit based psych/prog band existing between 1966-72, releasing three LP:s on Capitol label. Much influenced by the contemporary UK melodic psych scene and groups like Procol Harum and Jimi Hendrix Experience, they developed a sound which remains special to me even fifty plus years later. In my world this second album is the best they made. All is good here - a bunch of well-written catchy melodies with interesting lyrics, tons of good guitars, flowing organ and lots of fuzz. Apart from the odd track mixing Grieg's "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" with Jimmy Page's "Beck's Bolero" all numbers are self-penned. Co-produced by the group and engineer John Eddins. It wasn't a big seller, didn't make Billboard top 200 or the European lists, but today much appreciated by psych/prog fans. Shown here is one of the more uncommon UK mono issues. It's with all certainty a fold-down from the stereo, but a successful one and it sounds great. Premiere US on Captiol (ST-134). Released 1969 on vinyl also in Canada and Downunder (same no.) plus US cassette and 8-track.  US 2010 CD on Micro Werks (MW 065).  First UK had black/silver label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. (YMÖ*)

                                                                              

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                          

   

ARTHUR CONLEY/SOUL DIRECTIONS SD 33-243 (-68) US

 

 For more on the man and his unusual story check post on the debute "Sweet Soul Music" - https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/10/arthur-conleysweet-soul-music-587069-67.html.  This third album was the first after his friend and mentor Otis Redding passed away and you can clearly hear his influence still present. Not only because it contains traces of some of the duos last collaborations and the farewell song "Otis Sleep On", but also for the Tom Dowd production and the ambience at large. Though it wasn't a top seller back then, listeing today I get a whole lot of good contemporary US soul and even if Otis wasn't there in person anymore his spirit sure was.  I hear a nice blend of hard and soft - from the up-tempo and very danceable "Funky Street" and "People Sure Act Funny", over languishing ballads like "Love Comes And Goes", "This Love Of Mine and "Burning Fire", to the gospelish goodbye "Otis Sleep On".  All sung with tons of feeling to embracing arrangements. I've heard he's been called a B-class Otis Redding, but this shows he was a lot more than that. Issued 1968 on vinyl and pretty much all over the world through the years. First UK in mono and stereo (Atlantic 587/8 128). Japan 2012 lim.ed. remastered CD on ATCO (WPCR 27574). Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover.  (YZÄ*)  (ÄHU*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                              

                                                                                

                                                                                 

 

GROUNDHOGS/SPLIT LBG 83401 (-71) UK

 

 The mind can be a terrible thing, especially when wired towards the murkier parts of the psyche.  And that's what it's about on the side one Split-suite here, where Tony McPhee depict his own panic attacks with feelings and reactions...very private and very honest. The side two lyrics may be recieved as quite distressing too, but not that fear struck.  Musically it's one of the darkest and heaviest issues ever from a power trio - mostly big bass and howling or scorching guitars to hard working drums.  And when you combine those dire, yet candidly sung, lyrics to that music something very special emerge. I wouldn't call it a black hole, but it can certainly cause hard blues fans to gravitate around and get sucked in.  I was and here I am.  The way it's put together makes it hard to pick just a few favorites, but if I have to - the entire "Split" suite and "Junkman".  Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl, CD or cassette through the years.  First US on United Artists (UAS-5513) came with totaly different sleeve design.  UK 2020 reissue on Fire Records as CD or 2xLP (FIRECD 508/FIRELP 508)  with seven alternate versions as bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a fully laminated fold/out cover. 

                                                                       

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

    

      

                                                                                           

                                                                               

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

 

GEORGIE FAME AND THE BLUE FLAMES/RHYTHM AND BLUES AT THE FLAMINGO 33SX 1599 (-64) UK MONO

 

 I've always carried a torch for the man and his appealing blend of r&b and jazz.  This was the debute - a live take from a performance made at the Flamingo Club in London, September 1963. Sounds like recorded with one or two mikes without safety net.  Coming out rather unbalanced and sometimes messy, but even if the audio isn't top notch I get a good feeling knowing that was exactly how it was at that club an autumn night fiftyseven years ago...right on without any later meddling. My favorite kind of time travel.  They're doing ten cover versions very well with lots of presence...in fact the feeling is very much like on their coming studio albums ( https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=%28FG%C3%96*%29 ), only in this case conveyed by a subpar recording. Not my most listened Georgie Fame album, though it is nice to be able to return to London in autumn 1963 and scoop up the artmosphere, so worth a spin or two just for that. Initially released in UK only. German 1985 vinyl reissue on Polydor (823774-1). Japan 2014 CD on Polydor (UICY 76189) came with 10 bonus tracks.  Premiere UK had label as shown here, with both "Recording first published 1964" and "Sold in UK...", in a laninated flip/back cover with larger "mono" top front.  (FGÖ)