MARMALADE/THERE'S A LOT OF IT ABOUT 63414 (-68) UK MONO

 

Glasgow band founded 1961 as The Gaylords. 1966 they changed name to Marmalade and got signed by CBS. Today probably most known for successful cover versions, like the million selling "Ob-la-di-ob-la-da", while the rest they did has been much overlooked through the years. This  debute album is to the larger part a compilation, displaying some of their variety. Apart from a few obviously crowd-peasing covers there are also a couple of early 45 cuts showing on pychedelic knowledge. I especially adore "Man In a Shop" and "I See the Rain" (the latter much liked by Jimi Hendrix who called it "the best cut of 1967") and two catchy pop songs with enough eccentricity to stick  - "Mr Lion" and "There Aint No Use In Hangin on" - all four self-penned. Here's also a very good version of "Hey Joe". All well performed with top vocals and some smashing guitars. Audio varies a little, probably depending on original recordings, but most comes out just fine and non bad. Sixties vinyl issues in Canada (Columbia  ELS 344) and on CBS in Israel, Downunder, Brazil and a couple of European countries. Japan 2006 CD on Air Mail Archive (AIRAC 1240) came with ten bunus tracks.  First UK (also as stereo S 63414) had structured label as shown here in a laminated cover. (MYK*) (YMÖ*)

                                                                     

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                               

                                                                             
                                                                              

                                                                                 

              
                                                                                   

                                                                            

                                                                                 

BLODWYN PIG/AHEAD RINGS OUT ILPS 9101 (-69) UK

 

Band formed by guitarist Mick Abrahams, who left Jethro Tull after their debute album "This Was" due to a sqabble with Ian Anderson over the band's future direction.  Abrahams wanted to continue in a more classic blues/rock direction while Anderson was eager to try new ways. Story well known, still important to keep in mind when listening to this album cause it has more in common with "This Was" than any further Jethro Tull issues. So - let's say - if Abrahams had been the winner in the direction argument this is probably a lot what second JT LP would have sounded like.  You get the familiar r/b with the recognizable guitars and very nice flute play from Jack Lancaster...who you can hear wasn't totally unaware of Anderson's idiom at that time. It's quite a bit jazzier with more brass and long instrumental parts and some might miss Ian Andersons vocals, but if you're a fan of the 1:st JT LP you'll find this isn't far from. Favorite tracks -  "Dear Jill", "It's Only Love" and "Leave it with me". Also originally issued in US, Canada and Downunder (all on A&M SP-4210). UK 2012 CD on EMI (357 6852 2 7) came with seven bonus tracks.  UK Island went through three different label designs 1969 - commonly called "eye", "block" and "i" - and this was issued on all of them. But even if the one here carries the third of those variation I still see it as a close enough original since it came with earliest matrixes (ILPS + 9100 + A/ILPS + 9101 + B2) in the original matt fold/out cover.  (ÖSÄP*)  (YÖHT*)

                                                                                   

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                              

                                                                                 

                                                                            

                                                                                 

 

ELASTIC BAND/EXPANSIONS ON LIFE DN 6 (-69) UK MONO

 

                                                                        

Welsh psych/prog combo that went through a number of names and settings from 1963 and on. As "The Silverstones" they played gigs with Opportunity Knocks talent show, did supporting acts for other bands and toured Europe. 1967 the group disintegrated, but reformed due to an already scheduled Portuguese tour, now as "Elastic Band". 1968 they got a contract with Decca, released two '45:s and this one-off album. After recording the gang split for good as Ted Yeadon joined Love Affair and Andy Scott went to bigger fame with The Sweet. Scott has said about the recording - "whatever was lacking in rehersals was certainly camouflaged by enthusiasm". To my ears it's a good listen even if not totally top of the line. Rather average contemporary UK psych/prog with influences from Jethro Tull and Traffic among others. Got some nice flutes and a couple of very ok songs, but not enough to make me sing and dance. This mono is a rather bad fold, partly unbalanced but fair enough to get the drift. A big plus is the John Pickstock front cover design - a fine exemple of sixties art. Don't know of any other original issues. German 1970 release on Decca (PD 12015). Dutch 1992 CD on Pseudonym (CDP 1001) came with A:s and B:s of their two 1968 mono singles as bonus tracks. Premiere UK mono had label as shown here in a laminated cover with red rim inner. Stereo came on a bright blue label with blue rim inner.  (DÄN*) (YMÖ*)

                                                                           

     

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                         

                                                                      

                                                                                 

                                                                            

 

ASHKAN/IN FROM THE COLD DNR-1 (-69) UK MONO

 

 Can't find much about this band or the making of the LP. Vocalist Steve Bailey earlier played drums in a gang called "Starfighters" and from the early eighties and on he's contributed to a number of different albums in various genres, mostly as a bass player. Bob Weston became a member of Fleetwood Mac 1972-73 and lead guitarist on the "Penguin" album. This one-off has been much frowned upon by critics and others. I don't understand why. Most of it is borderline disturbing...in a very good way. Shrilling guitars and Baily's hoarce vocals to mostly dark drum/bass background, seemingly recorded on four channels without later meddling makes it a blistering example of pristine hard rock, before make-up and mellowing studio equipment took over. No mercy, just attack. This mono is with all certainy a fold, but sounds great. I like it all, especially when it gets downright evil. Three speciments below. 1969 vinyl issues on Decca in a couple of European countries and in  US on Sire (SES 97017). UK CD on Grapefruit Records (CRSEG 013).  Premiere UK mono had label as shown here in a laminated cover with red rim inner. UK stereo (SDNR-1) came on bright blue label with blue rim inner.  (DÄN*)  (YMÖ*)

                                                                                    

                                                                            

                                                                             

 

 

                                                                                   

  

 

A SUMMER PLACE

 Now I'm planning to take a long seasonal break. Making it easy at the most, just doing some random post. Maybe updating a few so they appear as new, though mostly enjoing the summer, hope you don't think that's a bummer. Cause I need some space to rest my mind, but promise to be back in time. Finding it hard to keep away I'll probably check in day by day. So for comments, contacts or just feeling near...I'll be here. Erik