CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND/STRICTLY PERSONAL LBS 83172 (-68) UK STEREO

 This is what I wrote about the UK mono when I posted that twelve years ago -  "a lot more experimental than his debute. Impossible to describe accurately, but hard psychedelia country blues may fit. Odd rythms, melodies and lyrics presented as ordinary songs. I love the free spirit from wich it was made and it always brings a big smile to my face"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/04/strictly-personal-lbl-83172.html . Though a fold that came out totally ok and I could dig it, but still wanted a corresponding stereo to get it as it was meant. It doesn't show up that often and it took quite a while to find at a price fitting my wallet, but here it is. A plethora of not so clean quirks and odd insights dressed for a party - like a very dirty bride in a stained, but almost tolerable gown. Demanding to embrace in one sitting, but there are a couple of truly magic moments that always makes me smile. For exemple "Beatle Bones 'N' Smokin' Stones" hardcore country psych with many strawberry twists and "Kandy Korn" so ugly it's worth to be loved. Not a record for the faint hearted, but if you're in for an adventure it might fit... though you might need a shower after listening.  (XLÄ*)

                                                                                

                                                                             

                                                                              

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                 

 

ALL THE STARS BIGGEST HITS P-7033 (-63) US MONO

 Here's greetings from the early sixties American music scene, counting two cuts each from The Orlones, The Dovells, Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker and Dee Dee Sharp plus one from The Tymes. Acts that may be forgotten by most today, but big back then and still with ability to charm if you were there. For exemple Chubby Checker's "Birdland" and "The Fly" attempts to do follow-ups to his twist success by introducing new dances. The Tymes "So Much In Love" a romantic harmony piece. Dee Dee Sharp "Locomotion", a song originally written for her, which she originally declined, but recorded after Little Eva got a US #1 with the song. Bobby Rydell "Roses Are Red" romantic in a forties style with brass backing including grand background quires. In all a kind of time travel to another time ruled by another kind of mind. May seem obsolete to modern computerized listeners, but for us who has reached a certain age it can still mean something. To my knowledge this US 1963 was the only release. It had label as shown here on heavy unflexible vinyl in a glossy sleeve with "Pull Off Pix" on rear, still unpulled on this copy, and company inner.  (YZÄ*)  (SÄM*)  (ÖXCÅ*)                                                            
                                                                                  

                                                                                            

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                                                                       

 

MELANIE 6.24022 (-79) GERMANY

 For more on her, please check  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/02/affectionately-melanie-203028-69.html . Already at first listen to the world wide hit "What Have They Done To My Song, Ma?" I fell in love. Mental lyrics to accordion sung by the most intimate voice I'd ever heard. I listened again and again and even after fifty years it can still give me goosebumps if I'm in the right mood. I became an early follower, but it was a bumpy road, blending heartwarming songs with ones that didn't touch me at all. After a while I gave up though I still keep a couple of her albums for old times sake. This German compilation of 45 A:s and B:s from her early years is from the Melanie I like the most. To my taste it's all good here - apart from WHTDTMSM I get tophole covers of Rolling Stones "Ruby Tuesday" and James Taylor's "Carolina In My Mind" plus the happy-go-lucky "Brand New Key". I sit through it all with open ears, enthralled by that special voice. To my knowledge this was the only issue, also as cassette (4.24022). It came with label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (GÖXÄ*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                               

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                                   

 

THE BEATLES/SONGS, PICTURES AND STORIES OF THE FABULOUS BEATLES VJLP 1062 (-64) US MONO

 The tale about how Beatles first was neglected by US Capitol and instead got their first contract with VeeJay label, which soon released a variation of the debute album, is well known. Then of course the band ended up with Capitol anyway. How all that happened and how this album came to be is a way too vast and complicated story to get into here, but if You're interested - check this Wikipedia article for full review   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introducing..._The_Beatles#Version_one  . What you see here is in fact a re-issue of the US debute "Introducing...The Beatles" - a twelve track, omitting "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You" -  under another name name in a totally different package.  Never owned a legit copy of the US original myself, so for me this is as good as it gets. As You can see the label carries the initial name, the audio is very good and the sleeve beautiful - a vivid three-quarter fold/out containing info and many pics of the boys. A lot better to the eyes than the original. No doubt an act of greed - a trial by VeeJay to squeeze more profit of what they had while they could, but listening to and looking at the result today I'm glad they did. It seems this exists with at least three different label designs - one with rainbow rim, one black with large "VeeJay" in an oval on top and this more plain "VJ" one. Don't know the timeline, but positive all three are early.    (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*) (BÄ*) (LGÅ*)

                                                                                     

                                                                             

                                                                                

                                                                                        

                                                                                        

                                                                                        


                                                               

 

THE FOUR TOPS/MAIN STREET PEOPLE DSX 50144 (-73) US

 I've seen this in used bins for decades, but always passed. I thought - if they weren't on Motown anymore it couldn't be that good. Then I picked this copy a while ago just out of curiosity and to my surprise it's not bad at all. Handeled by no less than three experienced producers - Steve Barri, Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter - and backed by jazz people like bassist Wilton Felder, drummer Paul Humphrey plus blues guitarist Gary Coleman there was certainly skill involved in the reordings and their voices sound as good as ever. I do miss some of the Motown ambience, but there's enough power and ability to grab to make it good listening. "Are You Man Enough" (from the film "Shaft In Africa"), "Sweet Understanding Love" and "Whenever There's Blue" are all very catchy and there are no low points otherwise. No need to skip tracks here. I can enjoy it all in a row. Glad I finally gave it a chance. It took a while, but better late than never. Issued and reissued on vinyl all over the world through the years. Also Cassette, 8-track and 10 x File, but to my knowledge not on CD. First UK on Probe (SPBA 6277). Premiere US had label as shown here in a stickered structured fold out cover with Dunhill co. inner. (YZÄ*)  (FÖRH*)

                                                                                  

                                                                             

                                                                                  

                                                                              

                                                                                

                                                                             

                                                  

 

DAVE BERRY/THE SPECIAL SOUND OF DAVE BERRY LK 4823 (-66) UK MONO

 UK rock singer Dave Berry, born David Holgate Grundy 1941, started his carreer in the early sixties with his band "The Cruisers. In 1963 they signed with Decca and did good on the domestic list with covers of Chuck Berry's "Memphis Tennessee", Bobby Goldsoro's "Little Things and the Ray Davies penned "This Strange Effect". However he did a lot better with list toppers in Belgium and in Holland, where he recieved an award from the independent radio station Veronica for their best selling single of all times. This his second LP is part compilation, as it counts four 45 A-sides - "Sticks And Stones", "Mama", "Little Things", "So Goes Love" - and two flip sides - "Alright Baby" and "Green Grass". Produced by Mike Smith and arranged by Mike Leander, who worked with about everyone back then and among other things arranged the strings on Beatles "She's Leaving Home" and co-produced the original "Jesus Christ Superstar". And to me the reason this LP becomes is the arrangements and audio. Dave Berry's vocals works best in rock'n'roll, but here it's mostly mushy ballads which his rather limited voice can't do full justice. Luckily there are a couple of up-tempo cuts that do just fine - like "It's Gonna Be Fine", "Allright Baby" and "Sticks And Stones". So for me not a five star record, but with enough going for it to be a keeper. Also issued on vinyl on Decca in Holland (DU 175 003) and New Zealand (LKM 4823), but to my knowledge that was it. Premiere UK had ridged label, as shown here, in a laminated cover.

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                            

 
                                                                                 

                                                                         

   

 

THE BEATLES/MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR PCTC 255 (-76) UK

 

Since I'm already the proud owner of the US mono and stereo originals and the German A1/B3 matrix  https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=%28M%C3%84GX*%29   I shouldn't need this, especially as it uses the full 1967 US tapes with fake stereo versions of "Penny Lane", "All You Need Is Love" and "Baby You're A Rich Man". There's been debates about this issue, about why they stuck with the US instead of replacing those tracks with the George Martin true stereo re-mixes, or why they didn't redress the whole thing with fresher tapes from the EMI vaults. That would have meant having all tracks in true stereo and/or getting better audio all over, which may have put this up there with the German A1/B3 issue. However the audio here is pretty good too and it does mean something to me to have a first UK press of a Beatles LP on Parlophone. Even if my first choices for listening always will be the US mono and German stereo, this is valuable in another way and now that I've found a fine copy I know we'll never part. It came with label as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover with stapled booklet inside. (BÄ*)  (LGÅ*) (PÖX*) (MÄGX*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

 

DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES/LET THE SUNSHINE IN MS 689 (-69) US

 Their sixteenth album and one of five issued 1969. One should think both the group and the Motown crew would have been so exhausted by this time it would have hampered all outcome. But no, there's still a lot to be happy about here for Supremes fans and Motown lovers in general. The three cuts also released as 45's - "I'm Living In Shame", "The Composer" and "No Matter What Sign You Are" are all good Supremes, sweet catchy tunes. I also dig to hear two 1966 recordings - "Let The Music Play" and "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" - including original member Florence Ballard (1943-76), who was sacked 1967 due to alcohol problems. And there's more to enjoy, all high quality conveyed by top audio.  This is a biased post from a big Supremes fan, but I doubt anyone can shy away from the fact that it is a very good album, providing a pleasant journey all through. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl and CD through the years, also cassette, 8-track and reel. First UK in both mono and stereo (Tamla Motown S/TML 11114). Premiere US had label as shown here in a laminated cover with "Motown Fan Bag" inner.   (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*)  (TÖMÖ*)  (ZYZÖ*)