ABC TELEVISION'S THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS VOL. 2 LK 4554 (-63) UK MONO

 One of two LP:s released 1963 in association with the UK TV-show "Thank Your Lucky Stars", broadcsted between 1961-66. While the other was a sampler of Pye artists  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/04/brian-matthew-introduce-abc-televisions.html , whith more "grown-up" music as pop ballads and smooth jazz, this was mainly directed towards a younger audience. I love picking and digging in to stuff like this, where I can get a mix of today still well known acts and ones that disappeared from the public eye long time ago. Apart from the obvious Rolling Stones I bet most lovers of sixties music also are familiar with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Tornados, Heinz and Bachelors. Though the real gold for me here are the recordings that otherwise only surfaced on 45:s or long forgotten LP:s back then and therefore sadly forgotten by most today. Some of them has resurfaced on CD:s or as downloads by now, but as this sampler was almost coincident with the recordings it's worth more to me. Good to hear tracks like The Caravelles "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" - femal vocal duo with enough spunk to catch, The Big Three "By The Way" good Merseybeat pop, Kathy Kirby "Dance On" emotional rhythmic pop and Mickie Most "Mr. Porter" an exemple from his early artist carreer before he became a successful producer. All in original mono with smashing audio. To my knowledge only issued on vinyl in UK and Israel (PAX ISK 1003) and that was it. Premiere UK had label as shown here with "Recording First Published 1963" and "Made In England" only at the top in a laminated flip/back cover with Handling/Playing inner.  (SÄM*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                      

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                    

                                                                                          

 

SAM APPLE PIE LK-R 5005 (-69) UK MONO

 My last post on this was too meager, so here I go again with added music. London based blues rock band existing between late sixties and 1974. Originally formed by members from a "Bottleneck Blues Club", but going through a number of personal changes during their short existence. This was their first album of two, including Sam Sampson on vocals, Mike Smith and Andy Johnson on guitar, Bob Rennie on bass and Dave Charles on drums. Produced by Ian Sippen and Peter Shertser (who both also worked with Ashkan and Clark-Hutchinson) and partly arranged by Andy Clark from Clark-Hutchinson who also contributed some piano. All songs but one - Rufus Thomas "Tiger Man" - self penned. To my taste this is very good white blues. A fine mix of slow and up-tempo, all carried by smashing guitars. It all blend so well together there's no need to jump tracks, just taking them in one after another. If I have to pick favourite cuts it'll be "Hawk" with its double guitar solo and the thoughtful "Sometime Girl". Full album below. As released on Decca 1969 the mono is without doubt a fold. This sounds just right though, so probably from a very good compatible. 1969 issues also in US (Sire SES 97020) and Germany (Decca SLK 16637-P). UK CD on Repertoire Records (REPUK 1017) came with mono mixes for "Tiger Man" and "Sometime Girl" as bonus. Premiere UK mono had label as shown here in a laminated cover with stereo/mono die-cut hole on rear and red rim inner. (YMÖ*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                                                                     

                                                                                

 

MONICA TÖRNELL/DON'T GIVE A DAMN 6316 052 (-75) SWEDEN

Swedish singer/songwriter born 1954. After releasing two albums - "Ingica" and "Alrik" - sung in Swedish in a folky ballad/rock style - she totally changed subject with this, trying out fusion, psych and soul, all sung in English. Ten tracks whereof four self-penned, produced by Björn J:son Lindh and backed by members of Stockholm jazz band Splash together with ABBA crew Janne Schaffer, Mike Watson, Ola Brunkert and Tomas Ledin. A top gang indeed. And I'm floored - by the skill, oddity and diversity. For exemple - "I'm In Love With A Big Blue Frog" very heavy soul rock to screamy vocals, "Angels And Devils" odd rhythmic thing with vocal chants, "(People) Don't Give A Damn" slow funky jazz, "Sam Hill" heavy blues with mean guitars. She may not have the most strong soulful voice, yet her energy and personality still nails every song. Also the audio here is smashing - big, strong and natural. Very happy to have found this. Picked it because it was cheap and I liked the front pic, but it turned out to be a gem...at least in my world where odd female vocal stuff is much loved. The tracks below were the only original ones from the LP I could find on Youtube. Issued on vinyl in Sweden and Japan (Swedisc SW25-6007). Also on Swedish cassette (7125 058), but to my knowledge never reissued on CD or any other format. Swedish vinyl had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.   (FÄV*)  (SCÄ*)  (CCÖ*)

                                                                                   

                                                                               

                                                                             

                                                                           

                                                                               

                                                                         

 

 

 

TAMLA MOTOWN IS HOT, HOT, HOT/THE SUPER KOLOSSAL GIANT KINGSIZE HOT, HOT, HOT ALBUM 5C 180-50252/3 (-73) NETHERLANDS

 This 2xLP compilation was the last part of a serie of volumes issued in Germany, Netherlands and Scandinavia early seventies and in a way a summary as it contains tracks earlier released on other single LP compilations in the serie. I can't say if it has the best picks to everyone's taste, but it sure gets me with twentyeight cuts all oozing with Motown feeling. Though I have most of the tracks before it's nice to have them all in a row, listening through with a big smile on my face. I got so many favourites here. To mention a few - Supremes "Love Child", R. Dean Taylor "Gotta See Jane", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles "Tears Of A Clown", Marvin Gaye "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", The Isely Brothers "This Old Heart Of Mine". All immortal classics that will stay alive through re-issues and cover versions long after we're gone. And that's just my pick for now. I guess if You're a Motown fan You probably see many other highlights when checking the song list below. Also the audio is fine all through, partly coming out somewhat softer than the originals, but hitting the ears just right. If You're new to Motown or a beginner that want more of the best they could offer - it's recommended.  First Dutch had label as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover. (TÖMÖ*)  (HÖLX*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                                      

                                                                                 

                                                                              

                                                                              

                                                                                

 

THEM/HERE COMES THE NIGHT PAS 71005 (-65) US STEREO

 

By most often simply seen as a US version of the band's classic UK debute   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2023/08/themthe-angry-young-them-lk-4700-65-uk.html . A twelve track omitting "Just A Little Bit", "I Gave My Love A Diamond", Bright Lights Big City", "My Little Baby" and "You Just Can't Win", instead adding "Here Comes The Night", "One More Time" and "One Two Brown Eyes". But with the different tracking, sleeve design, label and title I rather se it as a separate issue than just a different version. This is new to me and after playing a couple of copies of the UK to pieces since the sixties and getting more than accustomed to that it's a much welcome addition. I do have two of the added songs already on the "World Of Them" mono    https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/11/themthe-world-of-them-pa-86-70-uk-mono.html   , but as that is a later compilation and this an original it's closer to the fact and therefore closer to my heart. As expected this "stereo" is fake, though as such not bad at all. I mostly hear some kind of enhanced mono, somewhat brighter than its UK sibling, but with tophole separation making it very ok listening. After more than fifty years with the band I'd say all tracks here are favourites, but if to pick a few - "Here Comes The Night" and "Mystic Eyes". This variation was also issued in Canada, Japan, a couple of South American countries and as UK export . Japan 2021 CD on Oldays Records (ODR 7066) came with all tracks in mono and stereo. Not sure if the stereos on that are the original fakes of some kind of re-mixes. If You know - please comment and tell. Premiere US had label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)  (VMÖ*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                             

                                                                                    

 

 

THE BLUES BAND/OFFICIAL BOOTLEG ALBUM BBBP 101 (-80) SCANDINAVIA

 At first glance this looks very plain and anonymous. Neutral band name and front having title like stamped on an all white background. But when you see the rear sleeve and the inner it suddenly gets more interesting. Apparently a setting consisting of Paul Jones and Tom McGuiness (Manfred Mann), Hughie Flint (John Mayall's Blues Breakers), Dave Kelly (Tramp) and Gary Fletcher (Sam Apple Pie). So tons of bluesy knowledge in that gang. For the story how they came to be please check the rear sleeve text below. Apparently no major record company wanted to release the recording at first, so they made a private press of 3000 numbered and signed copies just to get it out. But after getting attention from BBC they got a contract with Arista Records in UK, who just re-released it as it was. It also became a kind of breakthrough and the band went on up to 2022, releasing twentytwo more albums along the way. With all that experience put together it's no surprise this debute comes out as a very good blues album. A mix of covers and self-penned, mostly executed hard and fast, always with excellence. And the audio is perfect, very exact very natural. Don't know how it was recorded, but it gives the impression of being mostly done live in the studio with only minor later additions. If you're into British white blues you probably have it already, if not it's highly recomended. Full album below. Issued on vinyl all over Europe, Canada, Downunder, South Africa and South America, but to my knowledge never in US. Japan 2009 CD, remastered in paper sleeve (Air Mail Archive AIRAC-1517) came with two bonus tracks. First Scandinavian had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with picture inner.  (CCÖ*) (MÄNÄ*)

                                                                              

                                                                               

                                                                                           

                                                                                       

 

LED ZEPPELIN/III 2401-002 (-70) UK

 

  Finding special issues of famed albums in decent and playable nick means a lot to me. Especially as I'm trying to survive on a relatively low pension and have a limited choice of dealers to visit. Been burned from bying on the net too many times so that's not an option for me anymore. And it is more of a sport finding the good stuff with modest means. If you have all the money in the world there's only a minor challange and I guess a lot less fun. I've always been happy listening to my US press  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2020/03/led-zeppeliniii-sd-7201-70-us.html . Still when this UK showed up in a bin to an affordable price I couldn't resist. Not top condition, but very playable with decent sleeve. And it is a first press, shown by matrices having etched "Do what thou wilt" and "So mote it be" and the label error - having "Clelebration Day" as "Celebration" only. Audio ok, though the volume shifts between songs, for exemple making "Immigrant Song" coming out very low, so if you have that loud enough in the beginning you might have to adjust the volume before listening to the rest. But that's a minor concern, in all it's pleasant listening. Issued and re-issued all over the world on all possible formats through the years. First UK had label as shown here in a fully laminated fold/out cover with revolving picture disc inside.  (LÖZ*) (ÄTHP*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

                                                                                        

 

THE ROLLING STONES/STORY OF THE STONES NE 1201 (-82) UK MONO+STEREO

                                                                                 

Can one have too many compilations from a favorite band? I don't know. Long thought I've had enough with Rolling Stones, but then this showed up in a bin and I couldn't resist. A 2-LP thirty track set in a very smart package carrying true mono and stereo mixes conveyed by smashing audio. "Have You Seen Your Mother..." messy as usual, but the rest comes with amazing separation. This was exactly what I was looking for when posting the "Through The Past Darkly" vinyls https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/09/rolling-stonesthrough-past-darkly-uk-69.html  - a UK compilation that wasn't all mono or stereo, but carrying the best outcome of each format. And don't be fooled by the fact that this was issued by a budget label. The outcome was produced in association with Decca, which guarantees the quality. So overall a well done compilation, but what really cought me was that it has the 45 mono versions of both "Honky Tonk Women" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want". I didn't have any of those before on LP, just folds from the stereos. I can now also for the first time enjoy the true stereo mixes of "It's All Over Now", "Paint It Black", "Under My Thumb" and "Ruby Tuesday" with tophole clarity. So not just another Stones compilation, but a must-have for me and a favourite to be. Released on vinyl and as 2xCassette in UK, Ireland and Portugal. Don't know of any legal CD issue. First UK had labels as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover.  (RÅ*)