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*)