TIM HARDIN/2 SVLP 6002 (-67) UK

 

Don't remember seeing any Tim Hardin records here when I started to collect LP:s in the late sixties/early seventies. Though early on loved in the US it seems he didn't make the same impact in Europe back then. You could hear cover versions of his most known tunes "If I Were A Carpenter" and "Reason To Believe", but the source remained unknown...at least to me. The only other record from him I've had in my collection till now is "Suite For Susan Moore And Damion"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/04/suite-for-susan-moore-m-63571.html   which I'm still struggling to get into. But this hits me more direct. Not only do I get the original version of IIWAC, the whole thing is just touching. The singer/songwriter tradition at its best. An evenly soothing flow all through, sometimes with a slightly jazzy twist, sometimes with sparse orchestral backing, crowned by that mindful voice. Perfect listening for relaxing after a long hard day. It all stick so well together it's hard to pick favorite tracks, but if I have to - "If I Were A Carpenter" and "Tribute To Hank Williams". 1967 releases in US (FT/S 3022), UK, Canada and Downunder. Later reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world. Japan 2008 limited ed. CD in paper sleeve (Verve Forecast UICY 93400) came with five bonus tracks. First UK (also as mono - VLP 6002) had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. 

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                                                                

 

CZERWONY GITARY/SPOKÓJ SERCA XL 0734 (-71) MONO POLAND

 

 

  I think it's strange that so many collectors of psych, prog or symphnic rock neglect stuff recorded in the Eastern Bloc in the sixties and seventies. I guess some are put off by most of it sung in domestic languages, but musically it can be well up there with efforts from UK or US bands and there are true gems still out there to be found. To mention two of my favorites from there and then - the bittersweet East German "Renft"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/09/klaus-renft-comborenft-8-55-396-74-east.html  and the brutal Polish "Trzy Korony"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/04/krzystzof-klenczontrzy-korony-sxl-0779.html . Here's another Polish issue that has the ability to bring joy to any music lover.  Czerwony Gitary (The Red Guitars) was one of the most popular bands in Poland and neighbuoring countries. Formed 1965 and soon became a huge seller and popular live act. They also toured the US and recieved a special reward from Billboard Magazine. Lead guitarist and vocalist during their heydays was Krzystzov Klenczon, who left the group 1970 to form Trzy Korony (check link above). This their fifth album was recorded by the three remaining members. I get a couple of up-tempo cuts, but most of it soft folk psych with a fine blend of odd and melodic. Favotite tracks - the dreamy "Nie Jestes Cisza" (You Aren´t Quietude) and "Gdy Trudno Zasnac" (When It Is Hard To Fall Asleep) plus the soft rocker "Ucze Sie Zyc" (I Learn To Live). No clue if this mono is a separate mix, though it sounds right all the way so it might be. I may not understand Polish, but I do understand music...the universal language. Legally issued in Poland only (also as stereo SXL 0734). Reissued on CD 2003 (Muza 830988 046 2) and on clear vinyl 2021 (Muza SXL 9734). Premiere vinyl came with label as shown here in a thin glossy cover.  (BÅC*)

                                                                                  

                                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                          

                                                                                     

                                                                            

                            


 

BILLY J. KRAMER AND THE DAKOTAS/BILLY J. - THE HITS OF BILLY J. KRAMER REG 1057 (-67) UK MONO

  For background on the combo please check post on the US 1964 "Little Children" LP https://monolover.blogspot.com/2015/10/billy-j-kramer-with-dakotaslittle.html .  One of many successful UK bands from the early sixties I was aware of and sometimes listened to, but didn't follow and never bought back then. Therefore this hit compilation was a nice addition to the collection, containing twelve tracks recorded 1963-65 and previously 45 only in the UK. Larger part produced by George Martin with an unmistakable Liverpool sound. They were most prosperous doing covers of Lennon-McCartney compositions. There are two of those included here - "I Call Your Name" and "From A Window" - the latter certainly one of the better from the duo not recorded by The Beatles. I also get the UK #1 "Little Children" and its flip side "They Remind Me Of You" plus a version of the Bacharach ballad "Trains And Boats And Planes". In all a quite lovely trip back in the years, conveyed by original mono takes with pristine audio.  This copy is an early reissue of the 1966 MFP "Billy Boy", which came with different sleeve design. But as it has the same "MFP 1134" matrices I guess the audio is the same too. To my knowledge those were the only releases. This came with label as shown here on heavy vinyl in a laminated flip/back cover.  (SXS*) 

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                                        

                                                                           
                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                

READY, STEADY, GO! LK 4577 (-63) UK MONO

 

A sampler that has become a highly valued member of this old Rolling Stones fan's collection, simply because it was the very first time the band appeared on an LP, six months before the eponimous debute. "Ready, Steady Go!" was a British TV show, broadcasted between August 1963 - December 1966, and during that time featuring some of the contemporarily most successful pop/rock artists. (For more on the show check the vast Wikipedia article  -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ready_Steady_Go! ) This collection of Decca 45 cuts from acts that also performed there early was compiled and pressed within months after first airing. I guess we're still a few remembering names like The Chucks, The Mojos, Heinz and The Tornados, and for us the whole album is filled with chances to rejoice and reminisce, getting it all as it was. But more important it also hints the beginning of the "modern" rock scene, as played and developed by The Rolling Stones. Here before the big breakthrough valued like any other upcoming act, way below the album's stars Brian Poole And The Tremeloes who get the honor of opening and closing the LP and is the only act mentioned in the rear sleeve notes (see below). At this time no one had a clue Stones would become iconic and still performing sixty years later, here they're just faces in a crowd. So even if I've heard "Come On" and "I Wanna Be Your Man" a zillion times before with about the same audio, listening to them here feels special just because of that context. Pressed late 1963 and released early 1964. To my knowledge issued in UK only, reissued 1982 on vinyl (TAB 60) and cassette (KTBC 60). First had ridged label as shown here with "Made in England" only on top and "Recording first Published 1963" on heavy vinyl in a thin laminated cover. (RÅ*) (SÄM*)  

                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                          

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                            

                                                                                

                                                                                      

                                           
                                                                         

SCENE '65 /16 TOP R&B TRACKS 33SX 1730 (-65) UK MONO

  Follow-up to the 1964 "On The Scene" r&b sampler  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/09/on-scene-33sx-1662-64-uk-mono.html  . This comes with the same kind of set-up - a collection of sixteen single cuts, most then non-LP in UK. An amazing blend of freakbeat and rocking r&b, recorded 1963-65. I get both rare 45 takes from well known outfits and even rarer cuts by shortlived today almost forgotten bands. At this time Zoot Money's Big Roll Band included Andy Summers (who would go on to Eric Burdon & The Animals and world wide fame with Sting in Police) and Paul Williams (later in Juicy Lucy, Tempest and Blue Whale). Bo Street Runners incorporated both Mike Patto and Mick Fleetwood (who by then had moved on from The Cheynes, the band he played with appearing on the "On The Scene" sampler). Fairies has a certain John "Twink" Adler on drums (later inTomorrow, Pretty Things and Pink Fairies) . The Zephyrs at the time included both Jerry Donahue (Fairport Convention, Fotheringay) and Pete Gage (Vinegar Joe). To me it's beautiful. The mono mixes pristine close to the fact and the audio tophole - e.g. I've never heard Yardbird's "I Ain't Got You" clearer with better separation. Getting tons of good music, well sounding original mono recordings and a large portion rock/pop history on the same plate...yummy. Favorite tracks - Downliners Sect "Little Egypt", Bo Street Runners "Tell Me What You're Gonna Do", Fairies "Get Yourself Home" and Zephyrs "She's Lost You". To my knowledge this UK was the only release. It had label as shown here in laminated flip/back cover with rice paper EMI inner. (SÄM*) (ÖGÄ*) (ÄNÄ*) (YÄB*)(FXÄC*) 

                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                              

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

                                                                                    
                                                                                      

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                              

 

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                 




 

ON THE SCENE 33SX 1662 (-64) UK MONO

  Samplers seldom show up on best album lists, but counting musical quality, audio, track rarity and historical importance this could place on any such list and high there too. Getting debut 45:s from Animals, Yardbirds and Downliner Sect on an album so close to time of release, plus obscure non-LP singles from Georgie Fame and Cliff Bennett, would be enough to satisfy any concerned collector, but that's just the beginning here. The Cheynes "Respectable" has a 16 y.o. Mick Fleetwood on drums. Zephyrs "I Can Tell" with Jerry Donahue (Fotheringay, Fairport Convention) and Peter Gage (Vinegar Joe). The two A-sides from Mickie Most & The Gear have some very competent guitars from young session man James Patrick Page. The Syndicats included both Yes guitarists Peter Banks and Steve Howe at different times - "Maybelline" here has the 17 y.o. Steve Howe on guitar. You also get The Moquettes one-off single A-side "The Right String Baby, But The Wrong Yo-Yo", Rey Antony &The Peppermint Men's debute "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" and long forgotten semi-hit "Seven Daffodils" by The Cherokees. Compiling is prefect - sixteen cuts raging over 1963-64 British r&b, garage rock and freak beat. You'd think with so many non-charting efforts there'd be at least some low points, but there's not one bad track on it. Audio big and warm bringing you close in time and space. I can't find anything even remotely negative to say. 100% beautiful. Six of the cuts were released on a Columbia 1965 EP (SEG 8413). To my knowledge this was the only album issue. It had label as shown here with "Recording first published...", on thick unflexible vinyl in a laminated flip/back cover with rice-paper "Emitex" inner. (SÄM*) (ÄNÄ") (YÄB*) (JÄZ*) (ÖGÄ*) (FXÄC*) 

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                                               

                                                                            

                                                                                 

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 

THE VIOLENTS/STRING TIME SLP 34 (-63) MONO SWEDEN

 For more on the combo please check post on their 1964 "Live At The Star Club" album https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-violentslive-at-star-club-slp-42-64.html . Swedish guitar band existing 1959-66. Guitar instrumentals became a popular genre in Scandinavia from late fifties and a couple of years on with many band picking up the practice and reaching local fame. Another known exemple would be Shanes, which started as a pure instrumental band  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-shanesstrictly-instrumental-tlp.html . This was The Violent's second LP. I've always had a soft spot for this kind of music, probably since it was about the only kind of "modern" music played on the Swedish radio early sixties and I was a devoted radio fan as a kid. Listening today they may not reach up to the all over quality from more internationally renowned guitar band's, like The Shadows or The Ventures, but this LP still has the ability to charm me as it was still early sixties.  Not as violent as the the band name may suggest, instead simple and right on with lots of energy. And that together with the smashing mono audio makes this very good to my old ears. So natural it's like being there. Fourteen tracks, whereof five vocal. I do like the instrumentals best, especially the frisky "Kvantingen" and "Hässelbysteppen".  To my knowledge this was the only release. It had label as shown here on thick unflexible vinyl in a fully laminated cover with top opening.  (SCÄ*)  (CCÖ*)  (SÖNÄ*)

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                                                                      

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

 

DIANA ROSS/EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING MS-724 (-70) US

 Her first solo album https://monolover.blogspot.com/2016/06/diana-ross-stml-11159-70-uk.html was a success, reaching top 20 on Blillboard while the spawned 45 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" topped the list. As a result Motown rushed the recording of this follow-up which was released six months later. I like the debute for its lingering sixties Motown feel and slight Supremes hangover. This proffers more of the same...at least part of it. The side one opening with "My Place", Ain't No Sad Song" and the Gordy-penned title track plus the side two "How About You" give me something of a Supremes feeling. "Come Together" and "The Long And Winding Road" might no be the easiest Beatles covers to handle, though to my taste they do them surprisingly well. The rest do not hit me that hard, but all together it's a worthy follow-up and good to the ears both as background and for close listening. The LP only managed #42 on Billboard, while the spawned 45 "I'm Still Waiting" got to #1 in the UK and the more modest #63 in US. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl and CD through the years, also as cassette and 8-track. Japan limited ed. 2022 CD on Motown (UICY-79953) came with seven bonus tracks, including a cover of Beatles "Something". Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with Motown ad inner.  (YZÄ*)  (TÖMÖ*)  (FÄV*) (ZYZÖ*)

                                                                              

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                               

                                                                                    


 

QUEEN/INNUENDO 068-79 5887 1 (-91) EU

  Wasn't going to post this as it's already been dissected down to smallest molecules at different places on the net, but after finally finding a fine vinyl copy I could afford and falling in love thought I'd write a few words on it anyway...so here's my two cents. It's an amazing album. Not only because it was recorded as Freddie Mercury's health was rapidly declining due to AIDS and still sounds so good, but also it was a return to their roots with melodic and majestic rock'n'roll topped by Mercury's vocals and Brian May's excellent guitars. Though I bought all Queen LP:s back then I wasn't delighted with the turns their music took after "Jazz". A couple of good tracks here and there, but larger part sounding like stuck in a synth swamp thus hurting my ears and mind. Here I hear very little of that. Synths are used, but mostly staying in the background as support. Instead I get sentimental ballads and well written rockers, performed in a classic Queenish way - so sweet and bombastic at the same time. Good listening all through. Favorite tracks - "Innuendo", "Headlong", "Bijou" and "The Show Must Go On". Apparently five of the tracks were edited for vinyl and are shorter versions here than on the CD. Ive seen discussions on the net where people are enraged about that. But as I don't do CD:s and this vinyl version is enough to fill me with joy I couldn't care less. Issued and reissued on LP, CD and cassette all over the world through the years. Premiere EU had label as shown here in a glossy cover with picture/lyric/credit inner.  (QÄN*) (PÖX*)