SIMON AND GARFUNKEL/BOOKENDS KCS 9529 (-68) US STEREO

  I didn't waste many words on the UK mono when posting it ten years ago, just pitied the fold - which among other things is specified by label having reference to the US stereo number (KCS 9529) instead of the mono (KCL 2729). That sounds ok, but still not the real thing. And as the US mono has at least partly different mixes I've been trying to find one of those ever since. Still havent, but a while ago I came across this 1:st press US stereo and that's a mindblower in its own way. Certainly one of the better period stereos out there - incredibly wide and detailed.  "Save The Life Of My Child" may come with somewhat too much reverb for my taste, but the rest is just dandy. And so far I've never heard better reproductions of my fav songs from it  - "America", "Old Friends", "Fakin' It" and "Mrs. Robinson". Still hoping to find a US mono, but till I do this will be more than sufficient.  Issued and reissued all over the world on every possible format through the years. Premiere US (here Santa Maria press) had label as shown here in a glossy cover. Earliest copies also came with a large poster. Way too big for my scanner, so the last pic below I borrowed from the net just to show it in all its glory.  (YZÄ*)

                                                                              

                                                                             

                                                                             

     

                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                                           

T.2. /IT'LL ALL WORK OUT IN BOOMLAND SKL 5050 (-70) UK

 Setting initiated by earlier members of the band Neon Pearl. After they broke up the drummer Peter Dunton joined Gun and bassist Bernard Jinks went to Bulldog Breed. Later those two teamed up with Bulldog Breed guitarist Keith Cross to form T.2. This album wasn't promoted properly by UK Decca and then pressed in low numbers so it didn't sell much in Britain and became a one-off for the trio, which split due to inner friction, though later line-ups released a couple more albums in the nineties. I don't know much about how it was made, but it has most I want from this genre - catchy melodies, rhythmic gaming, wild drumming and tons of awsome guitars. Favorite tracks - "In Circles" is just furiously lovely and the "Morning" suite covering side two is both adventurous and ear pleasing twentyone minutes. The mix is quite narrow, probably with compatibility in mind, and the difference from using the mono button isn't big. Decca still released monos at this time and one of the most reliable UK dealers I bought from some decades ago swore he had seen this as mono. I doubt it, but maybe some copy still exists out there waiting to be found. 1970 issues also in US and Canada (London PS 583), France, Germany and Downunder. German CD on World Wide Records (SPM-WWR-CD-0032) came with three bonus tracks recorded at a BBC session 1970.  Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin laminated cover with "blue box" inner. 

                                                                               

                                                                                   

                                                      
                                                                                  

 

DIRTY BLUES BAND SSL 102 34 (-68) UK

 For more on  band members and background please check post on their second LP "Stone Dirt" https://monolover.blogspot.com/2020/04/dirty-blues-band-featuring-rod.html and/or the rear cover notes below. Listening to this debute now I get a rather lovely white blues album, performed by six guys then between 18 and 21 years old. Maybe not  absolute top of the genre, but pleasant enough with a fair share of warm flowing organ, very good guitars and some estimable harmonica. It's tight and direct with a garage feeling and you never for a second doubt the honesty. Also the audio on this UK is top notch - big and clear - so it's good listening all the way. I always liked to be nuzzled by sweet chunks of organ, so my favorites here are some of those with that - "What Is Soul, Babe?", "Chicken Shack" and "Shake It Babe". 1967 premiere releases in US and Canada on Bluesway (BLS 6010) plus US mono promo (BL 6010). 1968 issue also in South Africa (Bluesway ABC 102). Never heard the UK mono, so not sure if that's from the US promo or a fold. As this stereo is compatible it could be either way. First UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.  

                                                                                 

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

                              
                                                                                   

 

MOTT THE HOOPLE /BRAINCAPERS ILPS 9178 (-71) UK

 Together with "Mad Shadows" https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/07/mott-hooplemad-shadows-ilps-9119-70-uk.html their heaviest and, to my taste, best. Though I've listened to it innumerable times through the years it's still a favorite and still makes me happy. Feel I have to make a re-post now with added songs so the rock'n'roll fans who for some reason don't know it yet can get a grip.  At the time it was recorded the gang was on the edge of break-up. Alltough they had a great stage act with followers there was no hit record and lack of commercial success caused fractions within the group. Later they would team up with David Bowie which eventually would lead to prosperity in the glam rock genre, but at this time the music was still rude rock'n'roll. As with "Mad Shadows" most of it is recorded live in the studio and Guy Stevens production is very close and authentic. Without overdubs or usage of any sound distorting devices the music comes through absolutely clean with being-there feeling. The separation is fantastic and the stereo mix as natural as it gets. It's all good, but what attracts me most is the raunchy hammond licks, especially on the tracks "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" and "The Moon Upstairs" - it don't get much rawer than that. As with their previous records it didn't sell much and stayed outside the UK and US charts. This is a one I never let go - it's real rock'n'roll, dark and dirty, exactly as it was. Not the record you bring to a romantic meeting, but perfect for an evening with the boys, drinking beer and howling at the moon. First UK issue came with a "bomber" inner and an eye mask included. Issued in US on Atlantic (SD 8304) and also had a 2003 CD re-issue on Angel Air (SJPCD 160). (MÖHÖ*) (GÖJ*) 

                                                                                

                                                                              

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                                   

 

THE BEATLES/A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK UAL 3366 (-64) US MONO

 

  US version of the album, which they handeled in pretty much the same way as the "Help" one  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-beatleshelp-original-motion-picture.html - carrying the songs from the film together with a couple of instrumentals. In this case also adding a track - "I'll Cry Instead" - wich was meant for the film but didn't make it. The four instrumentals - "I Should Have Known Better", "And I Love Her", "A Hard Days Night" and "This Boy" (here renamed "Ringo's Theme") -  was made by George Martin conducting a bunch of studio musicians. Apparently the stereo version has the the eight Beatles cuts as fakes while this mono is all true and it sounds just fine - big and bold. But even if the UK tracks that was rejected here did show up on later US releases I wouldn't call it "butchering". This was in fact issued before the UK and it is a soundtrack by the film company rather than regular Capitol, so it stands well on its own feets and probably a must in most true Beatles collections.  Issued in US, Canada, Downunder and South America on vinyl through the years, also cassette, 4-track and 8-track. US 2014 CD on Apple (BOO 19700-02) came with both mono and (true?) stereo versions.  (YZÄ*) (ZÖNT*) (BÄ*) (LGÅ*) (ÖXCÅ*)

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                      

                

                                                                                 

                                                                                   


 

BACKTRACK 2 2407 002 (-70) UK MONO

 Second issue in the UK Backtrack serie and in my world the most interesting. Here's A + B side of The Who's legal aid '45 for Stones, supposing to help Jagger and Richards make bail while charged for drugs - "The Last Time" and "Under My Thumb" - both tracks in prime mono with great audio. The Marsha Hunt cover of John's Children's "Desdemona" and Thunderclap Newman's "Something In The Air" also have the original 45 monos. Cherry Smash recorded one single for Track 1967 - "Sing Songs Of Love" (written by Mike Hugg from Manfred Mann) - vocal psych with an acid flow, here in its original shape. John's Children "Come And Play With Me In The Garden" is the only one here that doesn't have top audio, but it is a rarity on early vinyl any way you get it. (If You want more JC facts, pics and their 45's with top audio I truly recommend this collection -  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2016/09/johns-childrenin-midsummer-night-scene.html). Further there's a 3:10 mono edit of Who's "Magic Bus" with big, clear audio and the 45 version of Jimi Hendrix "Fire" - her called "Let Me Light Your Fire" - sounding way better than the UK album version. According to the labels three of the tracks are supposed to be stereo - "Pinball Wizard", "Purple Haze" and Fairport Conventions "If I Had A Ribbon Bow" - but non of them are. The FC cut previously only appeared as a 1968 '45 A-side and this sounds like the same mix. "Pinball Wizard" probably some kind of fold, as is "Purple Haze" with guitars high in the mix and a raw sound and vocals way down. However that may be this album must be a yummy aquaintence for any vinyl lover into both rare takes and mixes. Also released Downundrer with different sleeve design, but I don't know of any other issues.  First (only?) UK had label as shown here in a thin glossy cover.    (XXÖ*) (SÄM*)(UKÖ*)(WÖH*)(JHÄ*)(TRÄC*) 

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                         
                                                                            

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                  

EYE BREAK

 Recovering after an acute eye operation a while ago, so the computor isn't my best friend at the moment. Hopefully it will get better soon and I can get back with a new stack. All the Best/Erik

 

THE BEATLES/MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR SMAL 2835 (-67) US STEREO

 Already mentioned this stereo in posts on the US mono https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-beatlesmagical-mystery-tour-mal.html and the German Apple/HörZu stereo https://monolover.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-beatlesmagical-mystery-tour-shze.html . Those are the ones I usually go to when I want to enjoy this masterpiece today. The mono is my absolute favorite, but it's also nice to hear every track in true stereo and the slightly longer re-mix of "Strawberry Fields Forever", as they appear on the German.  However back in the days this US stereo was about the only place where you could hear true stereo mixes of "Hello Goodbye" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" which was magic, and the fact that "Penny Lane", "Baby You're A Rich Man" and "All You Need Is Love" were fakes didn't bother the teen me very much. Played my first stereo copy to pieces, but it was first with the mono I fell completely and utterly in love. Even if a pick-and-mix combining the UK 2xEP with a couple of 45 A:s and B:s it do appear cohesive and then one of the best psych albums ever recorded, regardless of format. It has everything - well written catchy melodies, sincere vocals and experimenting at the forefront of its time.  The audio on this copy is just fine, big and well separated. The release was pressed at many plants in US during the sixties. As far as I can figure out the one shown here was made at Capitols pressing plant in Jacksonville 1968. It came in a strurdy glossy fold/out cover with a 24 page booklet stapled inside.  (BÄ*)  (YZÄ*)  (LGÅ*) (MÄGX*)

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                               

 

JETHRO TULL/CATFISH RISING 1C O64-3 21886 1 (-91) EEC

 Listening to this, their 18th studio album, today I'm amazed. Not one sign of fatigue or ennui. Instead I get a very fresh blend of pop, folky and hard rock, sincerely sang and played and loaded with catchy moments. Balm for the soul for this old Tull fan. Impossible to pick favorites since I'm all in with it all, but the gripping ballad "Still Be Loving You Tonight" with its beautiful guitar riff makes me wanna listen again and again, the very cool "Rocks On The Road" and "Roll Yer Own" haul me in every time and "This Is Not Love" classic Tull magic with some excellent Barre guitar. I could probably write a novel about this LP, but won't. You may already have figured out I'm in love with it, so I'll stop here and just add a couple of songs so you can hear for yourself. Also released on vinyl in UK, South Africa and a couple of countries in Europe and South America. Most original CD and cassette issues came with thirteen tracks, adding "White Innocense", "When Jesus Came To Play" and "Sleeping With The Dog".  The very first UK and German limited issue LP:s also had an EP added with those songs. Sadly this is not one of those, but the ten cuts here are sure enough for my well-being for now. First EEC (now EU) had label as shown here in a matt cover with lyric/credit inner.   (YÖHT*)