1969/THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK 422 837 362-1 (-88) US

 Soundtrack to a film starring Kiefer Sutherland, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr. among others. I haven't seen it, but apparently it's about a couple of young people dealing with difficulties in US in the shadow of the Vietnam war, like getting drafted or the consequences of resisting, and also with a love story pitched in. For more on that check  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_(film)# . But the movie aside this soundtrack can serve as one of the better vinyl compilations of late sixties music ever, counting tracks by Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Zombies, Moody Blues, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Canned Heath, Animals and Blind Faith. Maybe too obvoius picks for some collectors, but to me it's nice to get such a string of classics in one place, regardless of their original label belongings. The only exclusive track is The Pretenders doing a version of Bacharach's "Windows Of The World", but they do it so well it melts in perfectly with the rest. Also the audio on this US press is smashing, allowing you to enjoy all the way. So if you by chance have missed a couple of the classics in here and want them on vinyl this comes highly recommended. Issued late eighties pretty much all over the world on vinyl, CD and/or cassette. All CD versions seems to have The Fifth Dimension "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" as bonus track. First US had label as shown here in a stickered thin glossy cover. (ZÖNT*) (SÄM*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                    

                                                                             
                                                                                  

                                                                               

 

PETULA CLARK/JUST PET WS 1823 (-69) US

 She's had one of the longest, if not the longest, active career for any singer, stretching from her live debute 1939 up to today at age 92. As she's also recorded albums and/or 45:s in Spanish, Italian, French and German, it'd be impossible for me to figure out an exact discography, but this would be somewhere around her fortieth album. For more please check post on her third, the 1957 "You Are My Lucky Star"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/11/petula-clarkyou-are-my-lucky-star-npl.html . With her large production in mind I awaited this to be a well done yet run-of-the-mill album, more sweet than alerting, but it's a little more than that. Not only because of cover choice, among others counting Turtles "Happy Together" as well as two Beatles ones - "Hey Jude" and "Fool On The Hill". Also the arrangements and her singing are often more adventurous than expected, showing she still had a lot more new turns to offer at age thirtyseven. So to my ears not just an ordinary orchestrated pop album. It may seem like that at first glance, but if you listen closely it's quite entertaining. Apart from the aforementioned I also especially dig "For Those In Love" and "If I Only Have Time". As this US label has "An original Vogue recording" I guess it's from a French original (Vogue SLD 732). Right me if I'm wrong. Vinyl issues in UK, Downunder, Canada, South Africa and a couple of South American countries. Also as US reel, cassette and 8-track. UK 1996 CD on Sequel Records (NEB CD 902) came with four bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy sleeve with giant poster and WB ad inner. Poster is way too large for me to scan, so I borrowed that pic from Discogs.  (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                                

                                                                                        

                                                                                     

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                               

                                                                                      

                                                                                 


 

HARDIN AND YORK/FOR THE WORLD SKL 5095 (-71) UK

 Pianist Eddie Hardin (1949-2015) and drummer Peter York (1942-) left Spencer Davies group 1968 due to disagreement with musical direction and continued as a duo to and from, recording eight albums up to 1995. This was their third. Don't remember having heard anything from the duo before, but was recommended this from a friend and now after finding a copy at a good price in a bin I'm ready to hear. Listening through it's a rather odd mix of hymnlike ballads and prog, shifting between stillness and adventurous moves. For exemple side on starts with "Deep In My Dispair" - a slow heavy orchestraded piece and continues with the soul rock "Have Mercy Woman". Then follows two more ballads before ending with a jazzy instrumental, filld with rich organ. Side two has about the same disposition. All cuts self-penned, including lots of piano and organ, some guitar and some orchestral backing. All high quality, but to my taste maybe with a little too much emphasis on ballads. I wish more had been like the rocking "Have Mercy Woman", the country prog "Cowboy" and the jazzy "Xtension 345", still those are enough to make it a keeper. Originally also released in US and Canada (London XPS 602), France and Germany. German 1995 CD on Repertoire Records (REP 4489-WY) came with six bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a laminated structured cover with "blue box" stereo inner.

                                                                                       

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                              




 

CHER/GOLDEN HITS OF CHER SLS 50378 (-76) UK

 A to my taste valuable collection of twelve 45 A-sides recorded between 1965-67, at a time she was still involved with Sonny Bono, who produced and co-arranged all tracks and also wrote five of them. A mix of true and fake stereo, probably due to some of the cuts were made for 45 use only and therefore only existed in mono when this was compiled. Audio shifts a little between tracks, but non comes out bad and most very enjoyable. Reason I think it's valuable is it offers background to one of the most prominent musical carreers from the seventies and on. She's sold over 100 million records and won many awards - Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy to mention some. She's also the only artist who's had #1 singles on Billboard during six decades. However her beginnings seems to have been more tenative, which is shown here. Far from the grandiose shimmer carrying most of her later hits. Instead I get comparatively simple recordings, made with four-channel equipments and probably under stress. More intimate for sure, bringing me closer. Even if not all cuts here have a lasting hit quality, there are a couple of gems standing the test of time - of course "Sunny", "Bang Bang" and "Where Do You Go", but I also like her version of "Hey Joe", coming out both surprisingly soft and rather odd. This was first released in UK and Israel only 1972 on United Artists (UAS 29317). Second issue 1976 on Sunset over Europe and in Canada. UK re-press had label as shown here in a laminated cover.

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                        

                                                                                  

                                                                              

 

DEAN MARTIN/THAT'S AMORE REG 1067 (-67) UK MONO

 Even if this isn't the music I mostly listen to today I must have something with Dean. He was the coolest of crooners, with a smooth emotional baryton that always touched. Listening to this now takes me back to the late fifties and early sixties when I spent hours listening to the valve radio in the living room when my parents were away. The song I remember the most is of course "That's Amore", but the slow sentimental ballads "Under The Bridges Of Paris", "June In January", "When You're Smiling" and "Out In The Cold Again" also takes me back to less complicated times, before climate crises, ruthless capitalism and AI. Some people say we're closer to eachother now with help from different social medias, but I actually think that keeps us further apart. Whatever ideas and knowledge one can exchange through the net it will never be as good as meeting and loving in real life. I'm getting off track here, but these were the thoughts that came to me while writing, so I'm posting it anyway. Having a hard time to place this in time and space. The label and rear sleeve say 1959 while the lower flip has date "6705" and I can't find any corresponding issues from elsewhere, so I guess this was a UK compilation with cuts recorded 1959 and released in May 1967. Also issued in New Zealand (same label and number). UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.  (SXS*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                                     

                                                                            

                                                                                 

 

OUR GENERATION/A COLLECTION OF MUSICAL MEMORIES FROM THE 60' & 70' OP-3517 (-88) US MONO+STEREO

 Can a 1988 collection of tracks really make justice to sixties and seventies hits. Obviously it can, if made like this. Three LP:s hosted in a box, carrying 40 cuts, all original mono or true stereo with top audio. And it's to my taste brilliant compiling, blending an abundance of US classics with a couple of UK:s, all with a timeless quality. I know for a fact that my fav vinyl dealer, who owns or at least have heard about everything sixties and seventies during his forty year in the business, has a much loved copy of this and still listens to it every now and then. That says a lot and I get it - no downers here, just peachy all through. I cant even try to pick favourite tracks here, but if to mention just a few it'd be Martha & The Vandellas "Dancing In The Street",  The Impressions "People Get Ready", The Fifth Dimension "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In", Guess Who "American Woman", Donovan "Sunshine Superman" and Nilsson "Everybody's Talking". For the rest check track list below. Don't have much more to say than if you love music from back then and wan't something with excellent audio on vinyl that covers some of the best, this is a good way to go. To my knowledge this was US only, also as 2xCD (OPCD-3517). Vinyl had label as shown here in a thick glossy box.  (YZÄ*)  (SÄM*) (ÖXCÅ*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                        

                                                                               

                                                                                   

                                                                           

                                                    

CLIFF RICHARD/THE ROCK CONNECTION 1A 064-26 0309 1 (-84) NETHERLANDS

 I don't wanna whine over vinyls so I wasn't going to post this, but since it is part of my experience of the artist I'll do it anyway and try to be civil. I was a very early fan of Cliff and The Shadows as they brought some excitement to the very young me before Merseybeat caught attention. And even if not 100% in since the mid-sixties I've always kept track to see what they were up to and maybe even find some late gems. This looked very promising when I saw it in a bin a while ago - titled "The Rock Connection" with a surprisingly rugged looking Cliff on sleeve and song titles like "Lucille", "Be Bop A Lula" and "Dynamite". Thought it had to be him returning back to basic, doing classic rock'n'roll. Apparently it's part original and part compilation, including previously released tracks. That's ok, but when I listen I hear a  synth album. Syntheizers have their place in music, but shouldn't be allowed to even get near rock'n'roll. It's like having a pepper roast and wrap it cotton candy. His voice is still catchy, so if backed by a classic rock outfit it might have been really good. I guess this kind of dish has its fans in many places, but to me it's not that tasty. Issued on vinyl and/or CD and/or cassette over Europe, Asia, Downunder and South Africa. EU 2004 CD on EMI (583 4022) came with six bonus tracks. First Dutch had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with lyric/picure inner.  (HÖLX*)  (CXÄ*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

 

PROCOL HARUM/THE PLATINUM COLLECTION PLAT 1003 (-81) UK MONO+STEREO

 After finding and falling in love with "The Platinum Collection Of The Move"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-movethe-platinum-collection-plat.html  some time ago I was very happy to spot this in a bin just a week later. A twentyfour-track with another of my favourite sixties bands, just as they were back then. "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", "A Salty Dog", "Kaleidoscope", "Salad Days (Are Here Again)", "Conquistador", "She Wandered Through The Garden Fence", "Long Gone Geek", Homburg" and "Repent Walpurgis" all original mono, the rest true stereo. A to my taste stunning blend of gems, including 45 A:s and B:s combined with some of their best album cuts. A mix of sweet ballads, rock'n'roll, art music, melodic pop and hard core drama I doubt would leave any true music lover disappointed. Guess all tracks can be found on CD and/or as downloads, but if you're like me and want songs recorded for vinyl on vinyl and don't have access to all the originals, this is probably one of the best from the band you can get. And as vinyl compilations now suffer a decreasing popularity you probably won't have to cough up a lot if you can find a copy. Impossible to pick just a couple of favourites from such a cornucopia of wealth, but adding a few exemples below. To my knowledge this UK was the only issue. It had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover. (PRÖX*)  (FXÖ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                       
                                                                                        

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                

   


 

 

20 ORIGINAL WINNERS OF 1964 R-25293 (-65) US MONO

 If you follow this blog you know by now I love all kinds of compilations and especially those who carry rare cuts, close to the fact. There may not be any outmost rarities on this, but most of them scarce if you want them on early LP and above all it's a stunning collection of goodies. You might think that cramming in ten cuts on each side would impair the audio, but this offers enjoyable listening all the way. So many classic oldies on here - Millie Small "My Boy Lollipop", Mary Wells "My Guy", Betty Everett "Shoop Shoop Song", Honeycombs "Have I The Right", Miracles "You Really Got A Hold On Me", Rivieras "California Sun" and Drifters "Under The Boardwalk", to mention some. I also get a few new to me, like Patty & The Emblems "Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl", The Exciters "I Want You To Be My Boy" and The Raindrops "What A Guy". Happy hearing all through, fitting for close listening, background to chores or party music. To my knowledge only released in US and Canada and on vinyl only. Can't seem figure out if this the US original or the somewhat later re-press, but it really doesn't matter to me. The music is there and it's good. Anyway it came with label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)  (SÄM*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

 

THE ROYAL POLYNESIANS FEATURING CHARLES MAUU/POLYNESIA-NATIVE SONGS AND DANCES OF THE SOUTH SEAS T 483 (-54) US MONO

 When I spotted this sleeve in a bin a while ago I thought it might be something like the 1958 US "Voodoo Drums In Hi-Fi"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2015/02/voodoo-drums-in-hi-fi-1296-58-us-mono.html  , where they'd caught live performances from cult gatherings just as they were, bringing absolute presence. But this is something different. A studio recording by Tahitian chief Charles Mauu and his band. Not sure how much of it is traditional Polynesian tunes and how much is later adaptations to please more modern listeners, but the result is good to the ears - very warm with an attractive mix of exotic and familiar conveyed by top audio. Obviously I don't understand a word of what they're singing, but the vocal rich language fits well to the tunes and also the rear sleeve offers a desciption of each song. Apparently all of them are poems about love - for persons, nature or the native land. To me both endearing and uplifting listening. Even if I don't get the words the overall message is clear - dont worry, be happy. Hard to pick favourites, like choosing just a couple of pearls out of a whole necklace, but why not the love poem "Mareva" and the dance song "Minoi Minoi". Released with eight tracks on 10 inch LP or 2xEP, or twelve tracks on 12 inch pretty much all over the world from 1953 into the sixties. To my knowledge never reissued on CD. First US 12 inch twelve track had label as shown here in a laminated cover with High Fidelity/The Protective Envelope inner. (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*) 

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                                  
                                                                                  

                                                                                        

 

THE MOVE/THE PLATINUM COLLECTION PLAT 1001 (-81) UK MONO + STEREO

 To my taste a very valuable compilation. A 2xLP with twentyfour cuts from one of the most innovative British sixties bands, pursuing various genres like pop, blues, rock, psych and baroque, always with a positive result. Seven of the cuts mono, the rest true stereo. A mix of 45 A:s and B:s and album tracks, even two from the very rare 1968 live EP "Something Else from The Move" - "Stephanie Knows Who" and "So You Wanna Be A Rock'n'Roll Star". It's cut very loud and the audio shifts a little between songs, but most sounds very good and non come out bad. I'm amazed how much catchy music these guys produced in just three years and it's impossible for me to pick out just a couple of the best tracks. The most obvious would be ones like "Blackberry Way", "Fire Brigade" and "I Can Hear The Grass Grow", but I also have other favourites, as "Curly", "Brontosaurus" and "Useless Information".  In the early seventies Jeff Lynne quit Idle Race and joined the band to continue as a trio together with Roy Wood and Bev Bevan up to 1972, when they turned in to Electric Light Orchestra. For more on Move, Roy Wood solo, Wizzard and early ELO, please check   https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=(R%C3%96WS*)  .  To my knowledge this was UK only, also as cassette (ZCPLT 1001). Vinyl had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (RÖWS*)  (FXÖ*)

                                                                                      

                                                                             

  

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                 

 

THE ROBBS SR 61130 (-67) US

 Wisconsin band founded early sixties by brothers David, Robert and George Donaldson together with friend Craig Kramf. Apart from being house band on Dick Clarke's "Where The Action Is" TV show they released fifteen 45:s 1964-71, two last under the name "Cherokee", whereof non succeeded to reach top 100 on Billboard. With that in mind, checking the cute sleeve pics and seeing the soft songtitles I didn't expect much from this, their one-off album. But it's actually high quality. A compilation of single A:s and B:s coupled with two new tracks - "Jolly Miller" and "See Jane Run" - blending sunshine pop, folk rock and baroque, at places pulled towards psych or garage. Solid backing and sweet harmony singing conveyed by top audio makes this very good to both ears and mind. I especially like the soft psych "Race With The Wind" and "Violets Of Dawn" plus the garage rocker "Jolly Miller". So this was a happy surprise for me and a reminder to never judge an album by its cover.  Only released on vinyl, as mono and stereo, in US and Canada (both  MG 21130/SR 61130). US 2004 CD on Collectors Choice (CCM-478-2). Premiere US had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with ad inner.  (YZÄ*)