RINGO STARR/RINGO'S ROTOGRAVURE 2310473 (-76) SCANDINAVIA

 

  His fifth original solo album and the last with any involvement from the other Beatles before the 1981 "Stop And Smell The Roses"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/12/ringo-starrstop-and-smell-roses-nbi.html  . John Lennon wrote "Cookin" on which he also plays piano, Paul & Linda McCartney gave him "Pure Gold" and contributed backgrund vocals on that. George Harrison donated "I'll Still Love You" - a song he originally wrote for Shirley Bassy - but didn't participate in the recordings. Though there were lots of other famed names taking part - e.g. Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Dr. John, Jim Keltner, Klaus Voorman and Harry Nilsson. Produced by Arif Mardin, who also worked with acts like Queen, Aretha Franklin, Bee Gees and Rascals - to name a few. But despite all that skill involved it didn't sell accordingly, only reaching #28 in US and didn't even chart in UK. So how does it stand today? I refuse to compare him with other artists cause Ringo is like a genre of his own. And in comparison to the other of his albums I've heard this is to my taste top five, only surpassed by his four former releases. "A Dose Of Rock'n'Roll" is a very well produced smooth radio friendly rocker, which as 45 also managed #26 on Billboard, and "Cookin" a cosy reggae-ish number with sweet background quires which also is my favorite here. To my ears non of the other tracks stick out very much, but it's all very well done with top audio, so if you feel positive with his vocals it's nice listening all through. Issued and reissued on vinyl and/or CD all over the world through the years, also cassette and 8-track. Premiere US on Atlantic (SD 18193), UK on Polydor (2302-40). US CD on Atlantic (7 82417-2). First Scandinavian had label as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover with picture/lyric/credit inner. (BÄ*)  (CCÖ*)  (RYNX*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                             




 

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD/GRAND FUNK E-ST 406 (-69) UK

  A Michigan trio, formed early 1969, that for the larger part have been under my radar. Had a couple of their later efforts in the eighties but always thought those came out a little too bland. This, their second LP, is certainly not. Instead I get simple but catchy melodies spiced with tons of raw innovative guitars to meritoriously pumping bass and guitars. All cuts but one - the Animals cover "Inside Looking Out" - self penned. This is a top exemple of how heavy blues emerged into hard rock. Violent and sweet at the same time with both jazzy and psych interludes. It all works so well together it's hard to pick favorite tracks, but why not the opening one - "Got This Thing On The Move" - with its rhythm changes, disted guitars and superb bass lines, or the psych hard rock "Winter And My Soul", or the fierce "Inside Looking Out" cover, again with tophole guitars and bass. Full album below. Listening to it now I'm almost ashamed it took me over fifty years to discover, but better late than never. Issued and reissued in all possible formats all over the world through the years. Premiere US on Capitol (SKAO 406) in a fold/out cover. Japan 2002 remastered CD (Capitol TOCP 67002) came with two bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a thin single laminated or matt cover with EMI ad inner. 

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                               

                                                                                   

 

THE SUPREMES/SUPREMES A GO GO MOTOWN 649 (-66) US MONO

 

  I've been a steadtfast Supremes fan ever since I first heard them in the mid-sixties. So even if I already have both UK stereo and mono versions  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-supremesthe-supremes-go-go-tml.html  I couldn't resist this early US mono press when spotting it in a bin a while ago. Maybe I should be satisfied enough with the UK:s, but as they were an American trio and this was released a couple of months earlier it is more of an original and together with the small dissimilarities enough for me to justify a buy. Apart from the label design the logo on the front sleeve differ and this also have "The sound of young America" banner on the rear, missing on the UK. To my ears audio is about the same. The UK is cut a bit louder, but they both come out great. A lovely album conveyed by an excellent mono mix whichever you choose. Premiere US press had label as shown here on heavy vinyl in a glossy cover with Motown ad inner.  (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)  (FÄV*)  (TÖMÖ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                           

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                                                             




 

BILLY J. KRAMER WITH THE DAKOTAS/LISTEN PMC 1209 (-63) UK MONO

  For more on him and his carreer check post on the American "Little Children" LP  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2015/10/billy-j-kramer-with-dakotaslittle.html . Imperial label issued three albums by him in US while this became his only in UK. It does not contain any of his more famed UK 45 tracks, but still very enjoyable with its George Martin produced blend of sweet ballads and up-tempo rock'n'rollers. Backing by The Dakotas - Mike Maxfield and Robin Macdonald on guitars, Ray Jones on bass and (Elike Brooks brother)Tony Mansfield on drums, with George Martin pitching in on piano, come out a lot like contemporary Beatles. His vocals sounds a bit limited in comparison, though still fitting the material as a glove. To my ears very good Merseybeat. I especially like the more rocking cuts - "Sugar Babe", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Great Balls Of Fire", "Beautiful Dreamer" and the Beatles cover "I Call Your Name" - but the ballads are also agreeable and provide a nice balance. Maybe not the commonly most known or hailed Mersybeat record, but I guess totally worth it for anyone into that genre. Early vinyl releases in Canada (Capitol T 6061), Germany (Odeon SMO 84011), South Africa and Downunder. UK 1997 CD (EMI 7243 8 56562 2 4) came with both mono and stereo versions. Premiere UK (also as stereo PCS 3047) had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover with "rice paper" EMI inner.  (PÖX*)

                                                                                      

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                           

                                                                               

                                                                               

 

SONNY & CHER/LOOK AT US 587034 (-66) UK MONO

  

American pair that produced a number of hits in the later half of the sixties. Still remembered and cherished by us who was there, while somewhat later generations just may see it as an outset for Cher and her solo carreer. She has done good things without Sonny, but it's hard to imagine any of that would have happened without this early alliance. Both started as part of Phil Spectors gang - Sonny as producer and Cher as background singer. They fell in love and went on from 1964 to try as a solo duo. After two ok selling singles they got a chance to release this debute LP. It spawned three 45:s, whereof "I Got You Babe" became a blockbuster, reaching top five in many countries and topping the lists in US, UK , Canada and New Zeeland. Listening today that is the highlight of the album, with them switching vocals to a dreamy Phil Spector-ish orchestral arrangement, topped by a simple but catchy oboe riff. Kind of timeless, well worth to be spun and loved over and over. But I also find other things to enjoy on here. The surprisingly grubby Bono-penned "It's Gonna Rain" is just fun and the covers of "Let It Be Me" and "You've really Got A Hold On Me" works fine. Produced and arranged by Sonny Bono and you can hear he's been infected by the Spector bug and he's got it bad. There are tons of reverb and bombastic manners over most of the record. It works fine with "I Got You Babe", but for some of the other cuts it can be a little too much. However I enjoy most of it and it's a keeper for sure. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl and/or CD through the years, also 4-track and reel. Premiere US on ATCO (SD/33-177). Very first UK copies on maroon label (ATL 5036). This somewhat later had structured plum label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (ÄTHP*) (FÄV*)

                                                                              

                                                                              

                                                                                      

                                                                              

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 I'm taking a blog break over Christmas and New Years. Not celebrating anything myself, just meeting old friends for food, drinks and reminiscing. At our age we have the future behind us, though always discussing what was and what could have been. The big world seems to be going mad with lots of evil roaming around. But let's skip the big world for now and instead rely on the peace and love we carry within to make this holiday magic. Big Hugs/Erik

 

FRANK CHACKSFIELD AND HIS ORCHESTRA/MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS SKL 4069 (-59) UK STEREO

  Apart from being a monolover I'm also a fan of very early two-channel mixes from a time when the format was new and stereo albums in many countries were sold at a higher price than the monos. Back then it was important to present this new setup as good as possible and make it worth the cost, so they made an extra effort to get it right. To my ears these early ones come out way better than most sixties stereo mixes. This is an exemple. Frank Chacksfield and his orchestra may not be very collectible by themselves for now, but the outcome here is beautiful, especially when you need to get in a suitable Christmas mood. Sweet caressing tunes from a full orchestra hitting you so natural it's like being there. There are no obvious stereo panning or meddling of any kind, you just get it as it was. Beautiful as holiday background, but also good to the ears when listening close. Musically maybe not my first choice in general, but it will be played a lot this Christmas. Issued in US stereo as "Music For A Merry Christmas" (Richmond S 30056) and in Australia (Decca SKLA 6049). First UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover with "FFSS" inner.   (CXÅ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

 

NANCY SINATRA/BOOTS R 6202 (-66) US MONO

  Her debute LP and to my taste her absolutely best. As produced by Lee Hazlewood, arranged by Billy Strange and played by the Wrecking Crew the backing couldn't be better. The track choice is truly interesting, covering Rolling Stones  ("As Tears Go By"), Dylan ("It Ain't Me Babe"), Beatles ("Day Tripper" and "Run For Your Life") and Knickerbockers ("Lies"). The worldwide blockbuster "These Boots Are Made For Walking" and "So Long Babe" penned by Hazlewood. It's fun to hear how she takes borderline misogynist songs like "Run For Your Life" and "These Boots Are Made For Walking" and give them a sex change, using men as prey. Also the audio on this US mono is smashing. So not the dirty rock'n'roll I usually fancy. But there's tons of quality here, all well done and good to the ear, so even a rock fan can give in and endear. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl and/or CD through the years, also 8-track, 4-track, reel and cassette. First UK on Reprise (R-6202). US 1995 CD on Sundazed (SC 6052) came with four bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with Reprise ad inner.  (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*)  (ÖXCÅ*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                               

                                                                                     

                                                                              

 

RINGO STARR/STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES NBI-33246 (-81) US

 His eighth solo album, here with a backing crew second to few - George Harrison, Paul and Linda McCartney, Ron Wood, Harry Nilsson, Stephen Stills, Al Kooper, Jim Keltner and many more pitched in to help him out. John Lennon was also due to participate and had offered him the songs "Nobody Told Me" and "Life Begins At 40", but after he was killed Ringo decided not to use those. So it's almost like a Beatles reunion, reinforced by some of the other great names back then. But it didn't sell, so what went wrong? To my taste it's not that bad. The McCartney contributions "Private Property" and "Attention" maybe not his strongest compositions, but the Harrison "Wrack My Brain" and the Nilsson ones "Drumming Is My Madness" and "Stop And Take Time To Smell The Roses" works well. And my favorite - the Nilsson produced re-recording of "Back Off Boogaloo" - is surprisingly good, even if I prefer the original. As a whole maybe not his finest moment, but still worth having just because of the crew and the history behind. Issued and reissued pretty much all over the world on vinyl and CD, also cassette and 8-track. First UK on RCA (RCALP 6022). US limited ed. 2023 "Record Store Day" CD (Culture Factory (CFU 01236) came with six bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with lyric/credit inner.  (YZÄ*)  (BÄ*)  (RYNX*)

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                            

                                                                                

                                                                              

 

FOGHAT/FOGHAT (ROCK AND ROLL) BR 2136 (-73) US

  For band background check post on their debute  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/11/foghat-br-2027-72-us.html . That was seriously well played heavy blues on the border to hard rock. And on this follow-up you get more of the same. The title is sometimes listed as eponymous and sometimes as "Rock And Roll" due to the rock and breadroll on front sleeve. I hear here a seamless blend of hard rock, blues and boogie, mostly savagely performed by brilliant gutars to hard core bass and drums, conveyed by excellent audio. Probably won't fit at a posh disco or as background to holding hands in front of the fire, but whenever you're in the mood for being hit by rock'n'roll steamroller it will do the work. It's one of those albums that works best listened to all in a row, but if to choose favorite tracks it'd be "Long Way To Go" and "She's Gone". So same procedure as on the debute, but that's fine with me. Why change a winning formula? Issued and reissued pretty much all over the world on vinyl and/or CD through the years, also cassette, reel and 8-track. First UK on Bearsville (K 45514). Japan 2008 remastered CD in paper sleeve on Bearsville (VICP 64281). Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover, some with promo insert.  (YZÄ*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                  

 

THE BEATLES/LOVE SONGS 7C 156-06550/06551 (-77) SWEDEN

 

A kind of follow-up to the 1976 "Rock'n'Roll Music"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-beatlesrocknroll-music-pcsp-719-76.html  . It has been scolded by some as a greedy cash-in project, but to me it's a lot more than that. Any authentic Beatles issue has a value and even if all cuts on this were previously released the new set-up still gives them a slightly new aura. You can always argue about track choices on a compilation, but these are quite allright with me. Only objection would be they are too few. There would have been possible to add at least three of four more without influencing the audio quality. Anyway it's a truly stunning collection of songs. "P.S. I Love You", "Yes It Is" and "This Boy"  are fake stereo and the rest true, but they all sound great, so a tophole compilation it is. I guess most collectors are after either getting it on Parlophone or enjoying the more lavish US package, or maybe both. This Swedish 1st press is nice hybrid as it came on Parlophone in an imported US encase...so in a way you get two birds with one stone. And since it is commonly priced way below US or UK originals it's also my obvious choice.  Issued and reissued all over the world through the years on all possible formats. Premiere US on Capitol (SKBL-11711) and UK on Parlophone (PCSP 721). First Swedish had label as shown here in a US structured leathery fold/out cover with gold print, mottled tracking inners and a twentysix page lyric booklet. (BÄ*)  (LGÅ*)  (CCÖ*)  (PÖX*)