fredag 26 juli 2024
BERNIE TAUPIN/TAUPIN DJLPS 415 (-71) UK
A whole album containing poems recited to musical background shouldn't be my cup of tea. But as this is Elton John's lyricist and most of the music is composed by Elton John men Caleb Quaye and Davey Johnstone plus renowned singer/songwriter Shawn Phillips - all three playing on the record produced by Gus Dudgeon - it's must be worth a try. One of the songs spoken is a version of "The Greatest Discovery" from Elton John's eponimous second album, the rest new to this. Just listened through and don't know what to think. It's all very well done - he's a good reader, the poems clings well even if I don't understand all of them. The backing, either simple or orchestral, is suberbly done, the audio is sweet and the sleeve opulent. I get a tiny bit touched but certainly not caught. It's probably just me, but I can't get all in even if I try. Anyway it is a nice addition to any Elton John collection and I will keep it for sure. Also released on vinyl 1971 in US, Japan, Germany and Downunder. Don't know of any other issues. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a fully structured fold/out cover with twentyseven pictures inside.
JUDY HENSKE-JERRY YESTER/FAREWELL ALDEBARAN STS 1052 (-69) UK
Judy Henske (1936-2022) was a talanted US singer who relesased five solo albums 1963-66 of which non gave her much recognition. Though on this, with ground paved by her husband Jerry Yester (producer and earlier member of Loving Spoonful and Modern Folk Quartet) it all fits...at least to my taste. It didn't sell a lot either and soon disappeared from the shops. Maybe a too odd mix of genres for then and ahead of its time, but luckily it's been revalued and is today sought after by many serious collectors. And it is a very personal blend of folky, baroque and psych, making it one of a kind. All cuts self-penned - co-produced by Yester and former Loving Spoonful member Zal Yanovsky. Yester sings lead on a couple of tracks, but most are handeled by Henske and it's those I like best. Her voice is incredibly strong and sometimes almost arousing. All tracks are both special and catchy-ish enough, so a good listen all through, but if to pick favorites it'd be "Snowblind", "Horses On A Stick", "Three Ravens" and "Raider". Full album below. Premiere US and Canadian on Straight (STS 1052). Also original issues in France and Germany. US 8-track on Straight (8RM-6388). Issued world wide on CD 2016 on Omnivore Recordings (OVCD-180) with five bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a matt fold/out cover with lyrics inside. (FÄV*)
THE BEACH BOYS/THE BEACH BOYS' CHRISTMAS ALBUM STTX 340.775 (-6?) FRENCH STEREO
It's a long time before christmas, but a good Beach Boys album can make you jolly regardless of season so here we go. As the story goes a kind of answer to Phil Spectors "A Christmas Gift For You" https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/12/phil-spectors-christmas-album-apcor-24.html , which recordings Brian Wilson took part in but got sacked from. Anyway it was their seventh studio album containing a mix of five self-penned songs and seven traditional numbers. The self-penned are mostly classic pop or rock style while the traditional comes with orchestral arrangements from Dick Reynolds (who also worked with Frank Sinatra and Four Freshmen among others). It could have been a an awkward amalgamation, but this blends very well together, not only for the common theme but also because of the all over sweet vocals. It's July when I'm writing this so I'm not in the right holiday mood yet to pick any favorite tracks. For now I'm just hearing it as another enjoyable, well produced Beach Boys LP. All cuts are well executed true stereo and this French Pathé-Marconi press is exquisite - crystal clear with perfect separaton, making it very good to the ears. Full album below. Issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through the years. First UK on Capitol (T/ST 2164). US CD on Capitol (D 163992) came with four bonus tracks. Not sure what kind of animal this French is. Seen it listed as both original and reissue, but if the latter it's an early one. It came with label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. (BÅB*) (MFÄX*) (CXÅ*)
BLACK SABBATH/VOL. 4 6360 071 (-72) UK
Had this UK the seventies, but lost it. Took a long time to find another early ok copy I could afford, but here it is. Not a very first press, as that didn't have "Made in England" on B-side label and no track timing on sleeve, so a little later but early enough with swirl label and inner, plus the sheets inside the sturdy fold/out. Had the US green label for a long time https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/10/black-sabbathvol-4-bs-2602-72-us.html and always been good with that, but since they were a UK band and I've seen claims on the net the UK has better audio I just had to have one to hear for myself. Not sure if this somewhat later UK issue has other audio than the very first or my ears are getting too old but I can't hear much difference between the UK and US at all. If I listen closely the UK can be percieved as bit more open, though both are brutal enough, fitting the musical outcome just fine. Otherwise they come with the same sleeve design including pic sheets. So my only big win with this would be to have it on Vertigo swirl, which probably is satisfying enough. For more details on the album itself please check the link above. (WLÖ*) (BLÄC*)
CHANGES
Back again, but now with some changes. A while ago I realized there
were few records left in my old collection interesting enough
to write about, so for some time now I've depended on new bin finds to
keep the page going. I still am though it is getting harder to find
stuff worthy to write about I haven't done already. So this is a
heads-up. I will try to keep the same pace as before, but if I can't
find the right stuff there may be delays. I don't like to post fillers.
It's got to be vinyl that means something to me. And even if I can't
keep up the pace I hope you'll agree. New post tomorrow...
torsdag 4 juli 2024
SUMMER BREAK
Will take my usual summer hiatus now and be off line for a while, but
back again soon with a new stack. Wishing You a pleasant summer wherever You are/Erik