HIT '69 582079 (-69) UK MONO

 

A true gem for us who like to get 45 mono mixes on LP close to the fact. A charity sampler sold in favour of mentally handicapped children, containing twelve single cuts from the late sixties. Most of them only existed in mono prior to this, which probably was the reason they decided to release it in mono only. The only track sounding like some kind of a fold in comparison to the stereo is "Pinball Wizard", but this version is fading somewhat faster at the end and sounds a tiny bit speeded in comparison. "First Of May" has less reverb than on the Odessa mono album    https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/08/bee-geesodessa-58204950-69-uk-mono.html   and the a-capella song at the end fades down to a lower level. BeeGees sometimes had different mixes for mono albums and mono 45:s and this is probably the single version. "Something In the Air", "Oh Happy Day", "I'm Beside Myself" and "Walk On Guilded Splinters" are the mono '45 versions. Never heard the single versions of "Badge" or "St. Louis", but those on here sounds true mono. The audio is tophole all through providing very good listening. To my knowledge this UK was the only issue. If You're interested in more late Polydor mono 45 mixes on LP also check the triple album "Pop Power '69"   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2020/10/pop-power-69-109-60123-69-uk-mono.html  (SÄM*)  (YMÖ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

                         

WEST SIDE STORY/THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK RECORDING BPG 62058 (-61) UK MONO

 

  One of the first LP:s my parents bought. Up to then it'd mostly been 45:s and my fathers jazz 78:s so for me it was a revelation. Even if I back then had started to wrap my young mind around rock and pop this seemed so luxrious compared to the other records we had I couldn't resist listening. Didn't know then that it would be an all time classic and broadly praised for decades to come and certainly didn't get all of the magic, but it did touch me. Then, after seeing Beatles performing at the Swedish TV-show "Drop-In" 1963, rock took over my mind 100% and I forgot all about this. But just a while ago I spotted a copy in a bin that was exactly the same as the one we had. The structured label with large "BPG" prefix in a floppy laminated fold/out two-flip sleeve with pics and synopsis inside. Not sure why or how I remember after sixty years, but it fits my memory to the point. And listening to it sure takes me back in time. I may have heard "America", "I Feel Pretty" and all the other cuts from many different settings on many different occations through the years, yet it's with this particular copy I finally feel at home and can enjoy to the fullest. The fact that it offers a next to perfect mono reproduction helps, but it's the reminiscing that does it. May seem strange from a collecting point of view, though maybe not from an older man's, where memories tend to overhaul the present.  (ZÖNT*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                                                     

                                                                               

                                                                               

 

SUMMER BREAK

  Taking a break from music to rest my ears and cleanse my mind so no new posts for a while, but back with a new stack before you know it. Hope You're having a great summer/Erik 

THE ANIMALS/THE MOST OF THE ANIMALS SX 6035 (-66) UK MONO

  The Animals was part of the so called British invasion and way more popular in America than in England. Up to -66 six albums had been released in US and only three in UK. The group had a US contract with MGM for their entire career while they issued on three different labels at home - Columbia, Decca and MGM. This compilation was put together by UK Columbia after the group decided to move to Decca and consists mostly of non-LP tracks from 1964-65. Over the Atlantic the Americans had issued every song the group recorded on albums, but in England some of the best stuff were still only available on 45:s. As the album title hints all tracks were handeled by master producer Mickie Most, the mix and engraving is perfect and the audio tophole. Favorite tracks - "It's My Life", "We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place", "Bring It On Home To Me" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. Early releases in a couple of European countries, Downunder, South America and Israel. There was also a 1965 Swedish only variation with early gems, having other sleeve design and slightly different tracking   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-animals-ssx-1016-65-mono-sweden.html  . UK 1971 12-track stereo issue on MFP label (MFP 5218) carried the same name as this, but had other sleeve design and only five cuts in common. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. (ÄNÄ*)  

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                      

                                                                                   

                                                                               

 

TERRY KNIGHT AND THE PACK LE-8000 (-66) US MONO

 

  Michigan garage band founded 1965 when singer and former DJ Terry Knight became front man of an outfit called The Jazz Masters, after which the band name was changed to The Pack. Following release of one non-selling single for Wingate they got a contract with the small Lucky Eleven label.  A string of 45:s followed of which at least two - covers of The Yardbirds "You're A Better Man Than I" and the Ben. E. King's "I (Who have Nothing)" - became minor national hits. This debute album can be seen as a kind of a compilation, carrying eight single A:s and B:s and four non-45:s. Checking reviews from then and now I see both love and hate. Love for a good garage album and hate both because some think they lack own identity and others criticizing Terry Knight's vocals. I'm more of a lover. Maybe Knight's vocals aren't the best ever, but certainly good enough and no one into US sixties garage would expect something Sinatra or Tom Jones to accompany the racket. And how many of the hundreds of band recording at the time had their totally own identity? They were all borrowing from and inspired by eachother. I do like many of the cuts - the fuzz driven "Numbers", the rather weird "The Shut-In", the dreamy "Sleep Talkin" and, why not, the totally ok cover of Rolling Stones "Lady Jane". Full album below. The band would issue one more album before breaking up 1969, after which guitarist/bassist Mark Farner and drummer/ vocalist Don Brewer went on to form Grand Funk Railroad, but that's another story. To my knowledge only originally released in US (also as stereo SLE-8000) and Canada (Barry B 351). UK 1996 CD on Hyacinth (122) came with this and the band's second album, the 1967 "Reflections". Premiere US had label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                                 

 

MADDY PRIOR/CHANGING WINDS CHR 1203 (-78) UK

  

The second of two solo albums she issued 1978. They differ in settings and context, but both are high quality. The first - "Woman In The Wings"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/01/maddy-priorwoman-in-wings-chr-1185-78-uk.html  - involved Jethro Tull members in production and backing. This includes musicians Chris Stainton, BJ Cole and Rick Kemp among others. Eight of the ten songs penned by Prior herself - melodic and catchy with lyrics from personal experiences. On a few later albums her appearance would be tainted by excessive use of synths and poor production, but here's everything still top notch. Synths are kept as support only and it all comes very natural with real instruments including string arrangements. Production, credited to Davy Rohl, is elaborated and the numbers tied together by a soft and cozy atmosphere. Maddy Prior could be down right magic given the right circumstances - this is one of those moments. Favorite tracks - "In Fighting", "Pity The Poor Night Porter", "Ali Baba" and "To Have And To Hold". Full album below. If You like good melodies and top female vocals this should do it! Released on Chrysalis 1978 in Canada, Downunder and over Europe. First US 1980 on Takoma (7079), also UK cassette (ZCHR 1203) and 1995 CD on BGO (BGOCD 213). Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin glossy cover.  (BRYF*) (FÄV*) (SÖPX*) 

                                                                     

                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                  

 

BLUES NOW LK 4681 (-65) UK MONO

  

While other UK Decca samplers I've posted here mostly have been concentrated on rock and/or pop - for exemple the 1965 "Bumper Bundle"   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/09/bumper-bundle16-hits-lk-4734-65-uk-mono.html  - this is all bluesy stuff and a nice blend of black and white. I get to explore or reaquaint with 45:s from influential black artists as Otis Spann, C.J. Dupree and Mae Mercer, but also tasting some early trials in British white blues bringing a fair share of rock history. A very young Rod Stewart (later Jeff Beck Group and Faces). Graham Bond Organisation at the time consisted of Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker (Cream) and Dick Heckstall-Smith (Colosseum). The Artwoods (led by  Ron Wood's older brother Art) included both Jon Lord (Deep Purple) and Keef Heartly (John Mayall). Ronnie Jones & the Night-Timers had John McLaughlin on guitar. And here's still Them "Baby Please Don't Go" a 45 A-side, later swapped when the flip side "Gloria" became more popular. I know I'm nagging a lot about "rock history" through the blog, but in my world it's impossible to fully understnd what's happening with music today if you don't know the background. And to be able to travel back and get so many magic moments, exactly as they were on one LP, means a lot to me. To my knowledge this was the only issue. It came with label as shown here in a laminated flip-back cover. (SÄM*) 

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                      

                                                                                 

                   
                                                                                    

 

LITTLE RICHARD/THE FABULOUS LITTLE RICHARD SP 2104 (-59) US MONO

  

When posting the Swedish compilation a while ago I expressed a strong urge to find early US pressings of his first two albums  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/06/little-richardgood-golly-miss-molly-11.html  . Still haven't, but the other day I did find this first US issue of his third. Apparently not a true original recording, but Specialty Records digging the vaults for unissued stuff and outtakes after Richard got a religious epiphany and left the label. Eight of the thirteen cuts had female background quires added afterwards and I guess there were even more embellishing done. With all that going on your expectations may run low. But have no fear - this is still an excellent rock'n'roll record!  Eight of the songs self-penned and he also wrote new lyrics to the Lieber/Stoller song "Kansas City" (which in this new form was covered by The Beatles on their "For Sale" album). Let be most of the tracks are more mellow than expected, but all saved by his fabulos vocals. My favorites here would be the up-tempo ones  "She Know's How To rock", "Kansas City", "Early One Morning" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On". Maybe not totally up there with "Lucille", "Tutti Frutti" or "Long Tall Sally", though with enough rock magic to enthrall.  Can't seem to download the full album to the page, but's here's a link to a Youtube playlist      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqo0VlYXPyc&list=PLqsrrTceeAkt__GFpmt6_fF515gODFd3g . For some reason the UK and Canadian were released before the US and these three the only fifties issues. Later reissued pretty much all over the world on LP and CD. Japan 1993 CD on P-Vine Records (PCD 1903) came with four bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)