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*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                                        

                                                                                  

 

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD SD 2-806 (-73) US

 A 2-LP collection of tracks from one of the best US acts of the late sixties. Containing seven cuts from the debute, seven from "Buffalo Springfield Again" and nine from "Last Time Around". It also has a special feature by carrying the near nine minute version of "Bluebird" and apparently this is the only place you can find it. A very fine odyssey through the bands way too short existence conveyed by top audio (my copy has a Presswell Pressing). For me who's always been a fan it's a must, not only for the long "Bluebird", but also to be able to get so much good music in one place. Just putting it on and enjoying. So if you're a beginner or a fan that want it all on vinyl, but have a hard time to find the original albums at a fitting price, this comes highly recommended. Got so many favourites here, but if to pick a few - "Mr Soul", "Rock'n'Roll Woman", "For What It's Worth" and of course the extended "Bluebird". Released on vinyl in US, Canada, over Europe, Downunder, Japan and a couple of South American countries. Also on US cassette and 8-track. To my knowledge no legit CD issues exist. First US had label as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover.  (YZÄ*)  (ZHÄ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                     

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                              

                                                                               

 

 

KEN LEVY AND THE PHANTOMS/ROCK'N'ROLL CLP 104 (-73) MONO SWEDEN

 British rock'n'roll band existing between 1960-69. After failing to make success on home turf they moved to Sweden early sixties and became popular in Scandinavia, there releasing three LP:s and seventeen 45:s. They also worked as supporting act for bands touring Scandinavia in the sixties, e.g. The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers and The Searchers. It seems that all through the sixties they kept playing old style rock'n'roll, as it was made in the fifties and early sixties, sometimes with a garage rock feeling, but with little trace of later popular genres. Simple, right on and quite refreshing for tired ears that's been tuned in to every genre change since then. No hidden agenda - this is what you came for and this is what you get. It takes me back to less troubled times and makes me feel if not younger so at least partly revitalized. To pick a favourite track it must be "Ten Green Bottles", which is a rock'n'roll version of the old nursery rhyme "Itsy Bitsy Spider". This copy is a re-issue of a 1964 release on Nashville label. Never seen that so I can't compare, but every track here seems to be original mono mixes and the audio is superb. This and the original were Scandinavian only and never showed up on any other format, but most of the cuts can be found on the German 2001 CD "Best Of Ken Levy And The Phantoms" (Rock-In-Beat-Records RB 022). The re-press had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (CCÖ*)  (BRBÄ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

 

 

JIGSAW/LITHERSLADE FARM 6308 033 (-70) UK

 British band formed 1966 by former associates of The Fortunes, The Mighty Avengers and Pinkerton's Assorted Colours. Initially playing blues rock and reputed for their tumultous stage show, including fire, explosions and property damage. After some member changes they 1970 got a contract with Philips records and released this debute album, then consisting of Tony Cambell on guitar, Berrie Bernard on bass, Des Dyer doing drums, Clive Scott handeling keyboards and Tony Britnal playing Saxophone. It's a concept album, telling a tale about a run down pop-singer and also meant as derition of the music industry. What I hear is a ongoing musical web, woven together by various styles like pop, blues, prog, psych and art music and now and then interupted by various fake interviews. At first I get a patchy impression, but after listening through a couple of times I hear the full picture and it's both interesting and quite funny. As everything sticks together it's hard to pick out single parts, but to me the cover of Family's "The Weavers Answer", the organ drenched "Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring" and the pop psych "Seven Fishes" stands out. I guess timorous listeners won't get much out of this album, but if you're in for an adventure it might be something. To my knowledge this UK was the only issue. It had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                             

                                                                               

 

THE WORLD OF BLUES POWER/VOL. 3 SPA 263 (-72) UK

 The vol.1 and vol. 2 versions of this was issued 1969 and 1970, in both stereo and mono (see earlier posts). As this was released 1972 it's in stereo only. Three of the cuts are fake - "Got To Move", "Merry Christmas" and "T.V. Mama" - the rest true. To my ears a good collection blending true black blues by Champion Jack Dupree, Homesick James, Eddie Boyd and Robert Nighthawk with white practitioners like Keef Hartley, John Mayall (featuring Eric Clapton and Peter Green),  Ten Years After and Savoy Brown. It all sticks very well together and the audio is smashing throughout. I'm aware vinyl compilations aren't that sought after anymore as many prefer CD:s or downloads. I do want them this way, mainly because these recordings were made for vinyl in the first place and transferring them to other formats will change the outcome to something other than originally intended. So for older recordings vinyl feels more right for me. Hard to pick absolute favourites from something so well compiled, but why not Champion Jack Dupree "Under Your Hood", Savoy Brown "Made Up My Mind" and John Mayall with Peter Green "So Many Roads". Also issued like this Downunder and in Spain as "Blues" (Decca CPS 9295). UK had label as shown here in a laminated cover with "blue box" inner.  (SÄM*)  (WÖF*)

                                                                             

                                                                                      

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                                                                

 

JUNE TABOR/SOME OTHER TIME HNBL 1347 (-89) UK PROMO

 This was her seventh solo album, not counting the two "Silly Sisters" ones she did with Maddy Prior. For more on her please check post on the "A Cut Above" album  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/01/june-tabor-with-martin-simpsona-cut.html . On this she teamed up with pianist Huw Warren which resulted in a genre change - moving from performing more or less folky tunes to doing her own versions of jazz standards. I've always regarded her as one of the foremost British folk singers, so it will be fun to hear what she can do with jazz. First listening is as expected. Very soft, almost sleepy. Backing mostly just piano with occational cello, saxophone, bass and percussion. No excessive singing, instead her dark voice caress the melodies, making them cozy and easy to digest. Enjoyable both in the listening chair and as background to relaxing moments. Exemples below. So no big deal she went to jazz instead of folk, it's still unmistakably June Tabor and it's good. Also issued on vinyl on Hannibal in US (HNBL 1347) plus cassette in UK and US. Japan CD on Midi Inc. (MDC6-1173) came with two bonus tracks. This UK is obviously a promo copy as it has both info sheet and the photograph that was used on rear sleeve. The photo has a sticker on back saying in Swedish "returneras efter användning" (return after using) - and then adding an address. Probably a pre-release dispatch to some music journalist, supposed to use the pic with a review and then return it, which this one apparently didn't.  (FÄV*)  (JÖB*) (ÖRJ*)