THE SOUND OF THE SIXTIES EVA 12021/22 (-83) MONO FRANCE

 French 2xLP copilation offering a lot both for collectors of rare cuts and students in rock history. Record one has fourteen tracks from US bands and record two fourteen from UK ones, all original mono. Apart from hard to find stuff by more known acts as Kim Fowley, ?Mark & The Mysterians, Electric Prunes, Nashville Teens, Trashmen and Yardbirds, you can also hear recordings from US bands like We The People, The Mojo Men, The Vejtables and Other Half. On the British part there's The Creation (with Ron Wood and Mick Avory), The Shake Spears, Maze, Hairy Ones (shortlived mid-sixties project with Jimmy Page and John McLaughlin), Primitives, Ingoes (later renamed as Blossom Toes) and Episode Six (then including Ian Gillian, Roger Glover and John Gustafson). The Ingoes "In The Midnight Hour" and Belfast Gypsies "The Gorilla" only released on French EP:s back then. Most tracks are garage takes and it seems  the compilers just took them as they were without any embelle-shing measures, so the audio shifts from pretty good to good, depending on original recor-dings. Can't mention all my favorites here, but it's nice to have Yardbirds demo "Baby What's Wrong" and Electric Prunes debute 45 "Ain't It Hard". More below. This issue was French only, reissued on 2xCD 2008 (Eva 080150). Apparently the original vinyl was pressed either with white or black labels, some including a large booklet. Luckily this copy is blessed with one - 42 pages with info and sleeve pics on over 800 French 45:s issued between 1962-68. Meaty insert indeed. All wrapped in a single fully laminated cover. No secret I love vinyl compilations, especially those with rare takes or numbers. If You do too - here's a hundred or so more that might be worth checking out https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=S%C3%84M  (SÄM*)  (MFÄX*)

                                                                               

                                                                            

                                                                                  

  
                                                                                  

                                                                            

                                                                             

                                                                         

                                                                              

                                                                            

                                                                            

                                                                           

    
                                                                            

                         





 

JACKIE LOMAX/IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT APCOR 6 (-69) UK MONO

  A man with a much too big and detailed story to take on fully here.  Following is just a humble abridgement.  Jackie Lomax (born John Richard Lomax 1944-2013) was a Brirish guitarist/ singer/songwriter who from the early sixties and on played with a number of groups (e.g. Undertakers and Badger) though never hitting the big time. After touring in US 1965-67 with Undertakers and some other bands without breakthrough Brian Epstein brought him home to England and took him under his wings.  By recommendations from Epstein he recorded a couple of unsuccessful singles and one (then unissued) album for CBS before being dropped by the label.  Following Epstein's death George Harrison took over and produced this album. Apparently six of the songs - including the Harrison-penned 45 choice "Sour Milk Sea" and the flip side "The Eagle Laughs At You" -  were recorded at EMI:s studios in London at the same time Harrison took part in the "White Album" makings. When those were over they both went to Los Angeles and did the rest with help from Phil Spectors old backing "Wrecking Crew". But even if those were an experienced and impressive enough company, as a fab four fan I'm more awed by the gentlemen attending the UK recordings - apart from Harrison there were Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman and Nicky Hopkins. Control room handeled by Beatle crew Ken Scott, Geoff Emerick and Pete Brown. With so much skill from both sides of the Atlantic involved you'd think nothing could go wrong. But it did. Neither the album or the spawned 45 "Sour Milk Sea" sold enough and it became his last effort for Apple. All tracks except "Sour Milk Sea" penned by Lomax. To my taste a rather ok album though somewhat unfocused. Some songs hit me good - like "Sour Milk Sea", "The Eagle Laughs At You" and "Speak To Me" - while others seems to pass my senses by, no matter how hard I try. Title song has zest, but a little too close to "I'm The Walrus" to be spesh. This was the last (S)APCOR  with double issue in UK. The mono sounds legit all through, but can't say for sure till I find a stereo to compare with. 1969 vinyl issues on Apple in US, Canada, South Africa, Downunder plus a couple of European and South American countries.  Japan 2005 Apple CD (TOCP 67570) in paper sleeve came with five bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin fully laminated cover with credit/info inner. (BÄ*) (YMÖ*) (ÄPLÄ*) 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                             

                                                                               

                                                                               

 

CHICKEN SHACK/IMAGINATION LADY SDL 5 (-71) UK

 The band's fifth studio effort, or maybe more truthfully - the fifth album under the name "Chicken Shack", as guitarist Stan Webb was the only constant member during a couple of turbulent years in the seventies. On this LP playing with drummer Paul Hancox (earlier with The Mindbenders) and bassist John Glascock (1951-79), who earlier had played with The Gods and Toe Fat and later would be a member of both Carmen and Jethro Tull. It was the only album from this trio. Has very little in common with the music from the band's first three albums. Instead I get a hard blues rock album, with emphasis on HARD. Tons of raw, contorted guitars and head-on vocals to wild backing. As heavy as it could get from any power trio. And you get no softening studio work on this press, it's all right in your face. Highly recommended to all who want rock'n'roll to be so mean it hurts. Got many favorites here. The cover of Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter" has to be the most brutal version ever recorded. "Poor Boy" has guitars that may scratch both your skin and ears and "Crying Won't help You Now" hits like a steamroller on speed.  So nothing for the faint-harted here, but for those who enjoy being manhandled by music it might be something.  Early vinyl issues in US and Canada (Deram DES 18063), Downunder, Japan and a couple of European countries. EU 2012 CD on Esoteric Recordings (ECLEC 2333) came with two 45 edits as bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a matt fold/out cover with "blue box" inner.  (DÄRR*)

                                                                     

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                            

                                                                               

                                                                               

BACKTRACK 1 2407001 (-70) UK MONO + STEREO

 Another sampler in the Backtrack serie well worth an update with added songs.  Here dominated by the label's two big names - The Who and Jimi Hendrix with three cuts each. The Hendrix tracks "All Along The Watchtower" and "The Wind Cries Mary" are true stereo while "Hey Joe" just sounds a little wider as a two-channel. The Who cuts are all presented as stereo, a little harder to distinguish, but as far as I can hear "Pictures Of Lily" and "Call Me Lightning" are slightly rechanneled monos while "I Can See For Miles" is true. The Marsha Hunt cover of Dr. John's "Walk On Guilded Splinters" comes in true stereo (for more on her please check post on the "Woman Child" album  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2016/11/marsha-huntwoman-child-2410101-71-uk.html ). Athur Brown's debute 45 "Devil's Grip" is original mono. The rest of the tracks seems to have been tampered with in some way. John's Children "Desdemona" and Eire Apparent "Follow Me" - two top psych 45:s for the first time on LP here - also slightly re-channeled. Same goes for John's Children member Andy Ellison's "It's Been A Long Time", which earlier had shown up on the 1968 "Here We Go Round The Mullberry Bush" soundtrack. I'm probably overly fussy regarding the mixes here cause there's no real damage done. The alternations are small and though the audio varies a little most sound very good and non bad. And it is a top collection of tracks - blending rare with more common gold. Also issued Downunder on Polydor (SP137) with different sleeve design. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin glossy cover. (XXÖ*) (SÄM*) (WÖH*) (JHÄ*) (TRÄC*)  

                                                                              

                                                                                

                                                                           

                                                                             

                                                                              

                                                                                

                                                                            

PROCOL HARUM/NOVUM EAGLP 661 (-17) EU

  Procol Harums twelvth and sadly last album after Gary Brooker passed away in February. The 1991 "Prodigal Stranger" https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/06/procol-harumthe-prodigal-stranger-pl.html , which was a come-back fourteen years after "Something Magic", became a very positive surprise to me. Much of the old magic was there, his voice still warm and personal and there were quite a few catchy moments. So how does Procol Harum sound even twentysix more years down the road, fifty years after "Whiter Shade Of Pale", then with Gary Brooker as only surviving member after even Keith Reed had left and been replaced by old-timer lyricist Pete Brown (who in the sixties wrote for Graham Bond and Cream among others)? At least to my taste - very good! Brooker's warm voice is still there as well as the eclecticism, feeling and will to go beyond. I get a mix of ballads and rock'n'roll in about the same style as the band cultivated in the first half of the seventies, all melodic with some gripping moments. The lyrics are also more propound than earlier, handeling stuff like capitalism, war and dictatorship, which also make them concerned. So there's something here both for the music lover and those who believe songs should come with a message. In my world it doesn't reach up to some of their earlier masterpieces like "Home", "Shine On Brightly", or "Exotic Birds..." (how could it?), but certainly good enough to be spun and enjoyed over and over. Favorite tracks below.  To my knowledge this EU 2xLP is so far the only vinyl release. Also on CD in US, Russia and Japan.  First EU had label as shown here on thick unflexible vinyl in a single cover with pic/lyric/credit inners and a download card.  (PRÖX*)

                                                                           

                                                                                  

                                                                             

                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                              

                                                                               

                                                                           

   
                                                                             




 

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES/LOVE CHILD UK MONO TML 11095 VS. UK STEREO STML 11095

                                                                                 

 Their fifteenth LP and the first without any involvement from Holland-Dozier-Holland who'd left Motown early 1968. Instead it seems the label gathered about all they had to manage song-writing and production for the album, including Valerie Simpson, R.Dean Taylor, Smokey Robinson and Barry Gordy himself. The group now also had a new voice - Cindy Birdsong (earlier with Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/10/patti-labelle-and-her-bellesover.html) - replacing original member Florence Ballard.  Considering all that this comes out surprisingy good. Nothing like the H-D-H hit-machine, but with other qualities. More concerned lyrics carried by well written melodies and top production. And I do get a couple of very catchy moments, especially the gripping title song. So in spite of all the changes this is still a very good Supremes LP, providing pleasant listening all through. When I first heard this mono I was convinced it was a separate mix. It had all the signs - very good balance and separation with a natural feeling. But after comparing with the corresponding stereo I now hear a fold. One from a perfect compatible, but still. Even so I rather listen to the mono since it is more together and therefore sweeter to my ears.  First US and Canadian vinyl on Motown (MS 670) in stereo only, also 8-track and cassette. Then issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years. First UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.  (TÖMÖ*)  (ZYZÖ*)  (FÄV*) (MÅW*)  (CPYC*)

                                                                             

                                                                                  

                                                                            

                                                           
                                                                               

                                                                                 

                                                                            

 

PAUL SIMON S 69007 (-72) UK

 Of all good he's done after the split with Garfunkel this remains my favorite. I can't hear a bad moment on it. The lyrics oozes reality and the melodies are gripping. Apparently recorded at many different locations - Paris, New York, San Francisco and Kingston, Jamaica. On "Duncan" he's backed by Los Incas, earlier behind the Simon & Garfunkel hit "El Condor Pasa". The (too) short "Hobo's Blues" embellished by violin from Stephane Grappelli (1908-97), one of the great jazz names of the thirties and forties with Quintette du Hot Club de France. Further on "Mother And Child Reunion" he recorded with local Jamaican musicians. It's high quality all through I get the impression every note and word was carefully balanced to make it. Usually I embrace some kind of imperfection to make the music more bona fide. There's non such here, but so well done I cede anyway. Also the audio on this UK press is smashing - big and natural. Still loving it all so can't pick absolute favorites, but giving a few exemples below. Issued and reissued on every possible format all over the world through the years. I can't coun't them all. Premiere US on Columbia (KC 30750). EU 2010 CD on Sony/Columbia (88697820232) came with three bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a glossy stickered cover with "silver" pic/lyric/credit inner.  

                                                                         

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                             

                                                                            

                                                                            

                                                                              

                                                                                 

                                                                               

               

 

                            
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                            

THE CAKE/A SLICE OF CAKE MUP 390 (-69) UK MONO

 

 

A reminder of one of the most interesting girl group records from back then. Band consisted of Barbara Morillo, Eleanor Barooshian and Jeanette Jacobs (1950-82). After breaking up 1968 Barooshian (who changed her name to Chelsea Lee) and Jacobs went on to contribute backing vocals for Hendrix "Electric Ladyland", Soft Machines debute LP, Ginger Baker's Air Force and Dr. John. Jacobs also married Chris Wood of Traffic 1969. Their first LP, arranged by Harold Battiste, had a very much Phil Spectorish wall of sound feeling to it all. This second and last is much more split and adventurous. You get beautiful madrigal ballads, mixed with US sixties rock, west indian steel-drum and parts that must be described as psych. Most of it out there in the best possible way. Maybe the (uncredited) presence of Dr. John and his part in the arrangements helped making it. Tracks like "P.T. 280" (rumoured to be about a meeting with The Who in Beverly Hills and the title referring to the cab fare to there - $2,80 plus tip), "Extroverted Introvert" and "Annabelle Clark" are just outstanding and nothing else is bad. Nuff said - just listen and enjoy! Premiere US and Canadian 1968 on Decca (DL 75039), also as white label mono promo, though I've never seen a US stock mono. This UK is probably a fold, but it sounds just fine, so from a good compatible. UK 2007 CD "More Of The Cake Please" on Rev-Ola (CR REV 222) came with both their albums. First and only UK mono with label as shown here in a laminated cover with red rim inner.   (YMÖ*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                           

                                                         
                                                                             

                                                                            

                                                                             

                                                                             

 

FOUR TOPS TML 11010 (-65) UK MONO

  Back then one of the most successful Motown groups, with many international blockbusters (for more please check posts on some of their other albums https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=(F%C3%96RH*) ). This was the debute and it's good as such. Not yet the fully fledged hit-machine they would become, but all that secured later fame is already here - the vocals, the vigour and the Holland-Dozier-Holland composing. Languishing rather than bubbly and even if I prefer their up-tempo stuff there's so much feeling you can't avoid beeing touched. "Baby I Need Your Loving" is a today almost forgotten romantic classic. One can dive deep into the tracks "Where Did You Go", "Ask The Lonely", "Without The One You Love", "Love Has Gone" and Sad Souvenirs", all crammed with yearning.  Certainly no pick-me-ups, but could be perfect as background to precious love meetings. This UK mono is cut a little too loud for my taste, almost bursting the seams at a few places, but still ok as mood setter. Premiere US and Canadian on Motown (MT/MS 622), also cassette and 8-track. Sixties issues in Holland, South America and Downunder. Japan 2013 remastered CD on Motown (UICY-75841). First UK (as mono only) had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.  (FÖRH*) (TÖMÖ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                         

                                                                               

                                                                              

                                                                            

DU SKULLE VART ME´ - EN TILLBAKABLICK PÅ DE SVENSKA POP-ÅREN 63-69 7C 138-35694/5 M (-79) MONO + STEREO SWEDEN

 To my taste an excellent 2-LP compilation containing 32 cuts from the Swedish sixties. (Title in English - "You Sould Have Been There - A Retrospective On The Swedish Pop-Years 63-69".) Apart from the more known domestic acts - as Shanes, Tages, Mascots and Streaplers - I also get some rare garage cuts from bands that only released one or a couple of 45:s - like Namelosers, Cherry Stones, Sleepstones, Annaabee-Nox and Palmes. There are recordings from three girl groups that very few remember today -  Plommons, Doris med Dandys and Plums. Also one from the Finnish band Jormas.  Five of the tracks are stereo, the rest mono, all as they were and the audio is very good throughout. So I both get to reminisce with hits from my teens and learn something new. There's so much for me to enjoy here in different ways it'd be impossible to pick favorites, but I very much relish The Namelosers fuzz drenched covers of "Land Of A Thousand Dances" and "Susie Q", The Shakers very garagey version of "Too Much Monkey Business" (where they obviously didn't know the lyrics but instead invented their own "English") and of course all the rare female vocal. This was the only release, on vinyl and cassette. Vinyl had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover with pics and lots of info inside.  (SÄM*)  (FÄV*)  (SCÄ*)  (CCÖ*)