THE ALAN BOWN! DML 1049 (-69) UK MONO

  Their debute "Outward Bown" on MGM/Music Factory  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/04/outward-bown-cublm-1.html was a top psych effort. But for some reason it didn't sell, so 1969 they changed their agenda towards white soul and moved to Deram for the follow up. After the recordings were made singer Jess Roden left the band and was replaced by Robert Palmer. Palmer re-recorded all vocals for the UK issue, but the tapes for US still had the Jess Roden versions and was released as such (Deram DES 18032). Haven't got down with the US version yet so that will be a later task, but to my taste this UK is a lovely LP. I get one psych number - the long and multi-themed  "The Prisoner" -  while the rest mostly comes soft and melodic, crowned by Palmers caressing voice. Lovely listening all through and I got many favorites. Apart from the mentioned especially "Perfect Day", "Elope" and "My Friend" (unfortunately I can't seem to find some of those on Youtube to enclose here, but I take what I can get). In any case it's highly recommended.  Even if it doesn't change your life as you know it it will sure make parts a little more bearable. This mono is with all certainty a fold, but sounds just right so from a very good compatible.  Apart from UK and US also issued on vinyl in Japan 1976 (Deram SL-291).  UK 2005 CD on Esoteric Recordings (ECLEC 2190) came with two bonus tracks. First UK mono had label as shown here in a laminated cover with die-cut hole on rear and red rim inner. Stereo came with red/white label and blue rim inner. (UKÖ*) (YMÖ*) (DÄRR*) 

                                                                                

                                                                              

                                                                               

                                                                             

                                                                               

                                                                             

 

SHORTY LONG/THE PRIME OF SHORTY LONG STML 11144 (-70) UK

 

A guy totally new to me when I found this vinyl for my Motown collection a while ago. I've learned about him from his Wikipedia article  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorty_Long . Got nothing to add to that so I'm keeping this short.   Frederick Earl Long (1940-69) was an american singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. After releasing a couple of not so successful singles on Tri-Phi he got hooked by Motown's Soul label and seems to have worked there as a jack-of-all-trades, supporting the labels and its artist in many ways. His own biggest 45 hits was "Here Comes The Judge" and "Function At The Juction". This his second album was released posthumously after his death in a boating accident summer -69. It didn't sell a lot at release and nor did any of the spawned 45:s. Not sure if it was a newly recorded album, a collection of earlier unissued stuff, or a mix of both. It does sound somewhat uneven to my taste, blending good tunes - like the uptempo "I'm Walking" and the very romantic "I Had A Dream" - with not so seminal covers of Procul Harum's "Whiter Shade Of Pale" and Fats Domino's "Blue Monday". However as a whole it's still good Motown - well performed all through with tons of that unique label atmosphere and I'm just happy to have found one more of their gems to enjoy. To my knowledge only other issues on vinyl was 1969 in US and Canada on Soul (SS-719). UK 2012 CD on Kent Soul (CDTOP 369) came with this, his first album - "Here Comes The Judge" - and two bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.  (TÖMÖ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                             

MIDNIGHT COWBOY/ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SCORE UAS 29043 (-69) UK

 One of my all time favorite movies. To my taste neither Dustin Hoffman nor Jon Voigt have ever done better. And this soundtrack isn't bad either. Supervised by foremost Bond-composer John Barry (1933-2011) and offering not only the classic Nilsson cover of "Everybody's Talking" and the Barry-penned award-winning theme song. I also get two numbers from shortlived US psych band The Group,  two from Elephant's Memory and one from US singer/songwriter Leslie (Lesly?) Miller. Lot's of good music to enjoy, movie or not. And the audio on this UK press is smashing - loud and perfectly clear. So even if you haven't seen the film or for some strange reason don't like it it's still good listening all the way. Issued and reissued on about every possible format all over the world through the years. Spanish 2020 2xCD on Quartet Records (QR434) came with tons of bonus material. Premiere US on U.A. (UAS 5198). First UK had label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (ZÖNT*)