LEE HAZLEWOOD ANN-MARGRET/THE COWBOY AND THE LADY LHI-S-12007 (-69) US

 The first LP by Hazlewood after leaving ABC and starting his own label. He'd also quit the long time collaboration with Nancy Sinatra, here replaced by a new lady - Swedish/American actress and singer Ann-Margret. Nothing penned by Hazlewood himself, instead an album covering more or less country classics. As co-produced by artist/songwriter/producer Donnie Owens (who also worked for Elvis and Duane Eddy among others) and co-arranged by harmonica legend Charlie McCoy (who worked for Elvis, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, Chet Atkins plus many more) and Hazlewood himself the result comes almost too perfect to my ears. Not an expert on the genre myself, but I do prefer when the outcome is more naked and direct and this comes very smooth and radio friendly. The tracks that make me sit a little more straight in the listening chair are ones garnished by Ann-Margret - the ballad "You Can't Imagine" plus the up-tempo "Only Mama That'll Walk The line" and "Dead End Of The Street". Her vocals may not be absolutely perfect all the way, yet personal enough to catch my attention. I've seen reviews saying the best thing with this issue is the sleeve pics. I wouldn't go that far. Good listening that  might not be mind-blowing but certainly charming. First released on vinyl in US, Germany (London SHA-U 118) and Downunder. Also as US 8-track and MP3 17xFile plus a 2017 CD on Light In The Attic (LITA 160) that came with six bonus tracks. First US had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover. (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*) (ÄZL*)

                                                                              

                                                                                   

                                                                             

                                                                                        

                                                                                     

 

HEADS TOGETHER/FIRST ROUND 6360 045 (-72) UK

                                                                                    

 I've always loved compilations and then especially those who carry odd or even unique tracks you can't fine anywhere else. This is one of those. A Vertigo follow-up to the much praised 1970 "Vertigo Annual"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-vertigo-annual-1970-6499-4078-70-uk.html , though with a somewhat different agenda. Still a very good exposé over contemporary more or less experimental music, but as it seems with a couple of cuts originally not even issued on Vertigo. For exemple Sunbird "Brother Bird", a ballad with some psych feeling by Patrick Campbell-Lyons from the sixties psych band Nirvana, was a one-off 45 on Philips. Also the Martin Carthy cut was originally on Philips and the Pete Atkin one on Fontana. But the real treat here is Lassoo "Brothers" - very catchy and well sung up-tempo folky style with a nice organ break - connected to Sunbird by the Campbell-Lyons production. I've been combing through the net trying to find it anywhere else, but without luck, so I guess this sampler is the only record you can get it on. It's all very happy listening indeed. I not only get lots of good music, but can also enjoy a couple of true rarities and even one track unique to this. Luckily the whole album is posted on YouTube, so you can enjoy it even if you don't care about merchandise. To my knowledge this was also issued on Vertigo In South Africa, but never on vinyl elswhere or anywhere on CD. UK came with labels as shown here in a matt fold/out cover with dated swirl inner. (SÄM*)  (WLÖ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

                                                                                     

              
                                                                                 

 

ELVIS PRESLEY/GOLDEN RECORDS VOLUME 3 LPM 2765 (-63) MONO GERMANY

 Long time since I found an Elvis vinyl worth buying, then this suddely occured. Not in a bin, but as a present from a former girlfriend by mail. Maybe too private to share here, though it made me so happy I just have to tell. Number three in a serie with some of his best. For the two former check  https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=elvis+golden+records . Here I can enjoy classics like "It's Now Or Never", "Stuck On You", "Surrender", "Are You Lonesome Tonight" and "Little Sister" in mono with absolutely smashing audio - big warm and natural. At gunpoint I may prefer his earliest stuff over these more neatly arranged recordings, but the backing here, including The Jordanaires, is so perfect and his voice so intriguing I just have to give in. I mean - Elvis is Elvis and there will be no other like him...ever. Now I'll get back to my listening chair, put this on the turntable and just enjoy. Issued and reissued all over the world on all possible formats through the years. I can't count them all. This German seems to be an early second press, having the same matrices and and sleeve as the original, only label design differs. It came with label as shown here on heavy vinyl in thin fully laminated cover. (GÖXÄ*)  (ÄWY*)

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

  

 

KEEF HARTLEY/LANCASHIRE HUSTLER SDL 13 (-73) UK

 After releasing six LP:s with Keef Hartley Band he decided to release one as a solo project, then including singers Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer plus guitarist Pete Gage from Vinegar Joe, which he'd been working with on the album "Rock'n'Roll Gypsies" a year earlier. Also with vocalist Jess Roden from Alan Bown, Jamaican guitarist Junior Kerr and bassist Philip Chen, keybordist Jean Rouselle (session musician who's worked with about everyone from George Harrison to Thin Lizzy), Mick Weaver on hammond and moog (Wynder K. Frog) and guitarist Jim Mullen (Pete Brown & Piblokto and Brian Auger). So a very experienced backing it is. I've seen it got some mixed reviews through the years, some calling it aimless, lacking some of the strength of his earlier albums. This is the first listen for me and I must say I'm positively surprised. A blend of soul, r&b, rock'n'roll and jazz, sometimes with a prog twist and sometimes more towards psych, though always melodic with top vocals. No surprise some reminding of Alan Bown and some of Vinegar Joe, but in all pretty unique. Favorite tracks "Circles" and "Jennies Father". I'm certain this enchants most of KHB:s old fans, but it may also do it for lovers of the involved genres in general. Vinyl issues also in US and Canada (Deram XDES 18070), Mexico, Japan and South Africa. UK 2009 CD on Esoteric Recordings (ECLEC 2102). First UK had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover with "blue box" inner.  (DÄRR*) (KÄÄF*)

                                                                                 

   

                                                                                   

                                                                              

                                                                                

 

SPENCER DAVIES GROUP/THE BEST OF THE SPENCER DAVIES GROUP FEATURING STEVIE WINWOOD ILPS 9070 (-68) UK MONO + STEREO

 Compilation issued after Stevie Winwood decided to leave the band at age 18 and instead join Traffic. For me Spencer Davies Group was an essential part of British sixties music. Always well performed, melodic and catchy with a string of hits and lots of radio play during the short time - 1963-67 - Winwood was part of the combo. As this British issue was the first hit collection I've been trying to find an original on "eye" label for a long time. But since it didn't sell very well on home turf initially and had separate presses in other countries it hardly ever shows up like this in ok nick, at least not in my search area. But now I've found one and truly rejoicing. Even if the label say stereo, what I hear is a mix of mono and true stereo cuts and the audio is very warm all the way, no doubt from original tapes. So now I can enjoy "I'm A Man", "Gimmie Some Lovin", "Keep On Running", "When I Come Home", "Somebody Help Me" and many more as they were meant to be heard. I even get two rare 45 B-sides - "Waltz For Lumumba" and "Trampoline" - in original shape. I'm aware sixties music is starting to lack attraction nowadays as some of us who were there then are passing away and others are getting rid of their vinyl collections, favouring CD:s and downloads instead. But I'm still here and I wont let go. This has been issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through the years. Premiere UK (also as mono ILP 970) had label as shown here on heavy vinyl in a laminated flip/back cover. (TXÄW*)  (ÖSÄP*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                       

                                                                                          

 

THE BEATLES/REEL MUSIC 1 C 064-07 611 (-82) GERMANY

 This has been called the most unnecessary Beatles compilation and I guess it can be seen as trial by EMI to flog just a couple of more cents out of the then dead formation. Compiled with cuts earlier figuring in various movies by the band. All tracks earlier both issued and reissued muliple times. All that said I do think it has positive sides. I get fourteen very good songs and even if I heard them many times before getting them in a new kind of constellation actually adds something. Also the audio is smashing all over so very good to the ears. And since it is an official release by EMI I guess it has to take place in any serious Beatles collection. So even if it might be regarded as futile by some I still think it's worth having and even be enjoyed at occations. For more details on the issue I recommend the Wikipedia page  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reel_Music . Issued and reissued on every possible format all over the world through the years. First German had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with picture inner. Some also with a "The Beatles Souvenir Program" insert, sadly missing with this copy.  (GÖXÄ*)  (BÄ*)  (LGÅ*)

                                                                                   

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                                     

 

ROXY MUSIC/FLESH+BLOOD EGLP 46 (-80) UK

 Been a Roxy Music ever since their debute LP all the way up to "Avalon". Every album with lots of catchy moments and alluring atmosphere. But even for a band held in such high regards I have gradings. And the two albums that doesn't please me all the way are "Manifesto"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/11/roxy-musicmanifesto-polh-001-79-uk.html   and this. Compared to much other music released at this time they rule, yet to my taste doesn't keep up with their other albums. This is maybe just me, but I don't understand the need for disco versions of Byrds "Eight Miles High" or Wilson Pickett's "In The Midnight Hour". The originals are so good by themself, so presenting them to synthesized dance beat only diminish them, at least to my taste.  On the other hand there are two killers here - "Flesh And Blood" and "Oh Yeah" - both among the best they produced. The rest comes rather middle-of-the-road to my ears, but these two saves the album and make it a welcome addition to the collection. Issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through the years. First US on ATCO (SD 32-102). There are many CD:s with this released in a number of countries, but I can't find any with bonus tracks to recommend. First UK was 1980 on Polydor (POLH 002). This, marketed by Virgin, showed up later in the eighties, but even if not original it has enough quality to be enjoyed. Top audio with label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with hard glossy lyric/credit inner.  (ÄNÖ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                     
                                                                               

                                                                                    

 

NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZLEWOOD/DID YOU EVER? SF 8240 (-71) UK

 Follow-up to the duos 1968 "Nancy & Lee"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2019/05/nancy-sinatra-lee-hazlewood-nancy-lee.html . In US and some other countries titled "Nancy & Lee Again" . This was not a then newly recorded album, instead a compilation of earlier unreleased material from the sixties. Knowing that you could expect some half-ass material and/or unfinished stuff, but this comes out a lot better than that. Maybe not containing any obvious hits, but all so very well executed it sounds original. Seven of the ten tracks penned by Hazlewood and the orchestral backing is all over superb. No clue why these tracks were originally rejected. Maybe they had too many recordings at occations and had to choose. The audio and mixes are smashing providing good listening all the way. Hard for me to pick favorite tracks, though "Down From Dover" and "Arkansas Coal" has some unusually naked and emotional vocals from Nancy, making them stick, and the simple and seemingly private "Got It Together Again" is quite fun. So knowing about the circumstances for this vinyl I didn't expect much, but was pleasantly surprised. A keeper for sure. Issued as ""Nancy & Lee Again" with different track order in US, Downunder and Japan, while this version was released in Canada and over Europe. First US on RCA-Victor (LSP-4645). US 2023 CD on Light In The Attic (LITA 199-2) came with two bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a thin laminated cover.  (FÄV*) (ÄZL*)

                                                                                    

                                                                                     

                                                                                

                                                                            

 

CHÉR SLBY 3081 (-66) UK

 Her third solo album, here collaborating with Harold Battiste (who also worked with Sam Cooke and Dr. John among others) and Sonny Bono, though only one of the songs here are by him - "I Feel Something In The Air" - the rest covering stuff from artists like Donovan, Dylan, Goffin/King, Paul Simon, Burt Bacharach and Buffy Sainte-Marie. It wasn't a big hit back then, only reaching #59 on Billboard and even less successful in the rest of the world. Listening today with mixed emotions. Bono's production, much inspired by Phil Spector, even if powerful still very dense and partly even muddy, at least to my ears. And even if it was brave to cover songs then still big hits with the original artists I can't hear she's adding much to them. On the plus side is her unique voice and the killer "Sunny", which makes it all worth it. So to my taste far from her best effort, yet with enough to make it a keeper. Issued and reissued on vinyl pretty much all over the world through the years. First US on Imperial in mono and stereo (9320/12320). French 2001 CD on EMI (5 31698 2) came with eight bonus tracks. First UK (also as mono LBY 3081) had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. (FÄV*) (XLÄ*)

                                                                          

 

WILSON PICKETT/HEY JUDE SD 8215 (-69) US

 The tenth Pickett album I'm putting up here, check  https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=(P%C3%96C*)&max-results=20&by-date=true . When I see for me new stuff by the man in a bin I just pick and don't even bother to listen, cause I know it'll be to my taste - a blend of well executed hard and sweet soul with at least a couple of catchy moments. Here I get power ballads like "Back In Your Arms", "Search Your Heart", "People Make The World" and not least a very competent "Hey Jude" cover, mixed with uptempo incorporating a version of Steppewolf's "Born To be Wild". Backing by southern soul masters Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and also including a young Duane Allman as session guitarist. This is to my ears very good Atlantic soul, played by the best and crowned by all over puissant vocals. Nuff Said! Issued and reissued all over the world on all possible formats through the years. First UK on Atlantic (588 170). Japan 2025 CD on Oldays Records (ODRIM 1157) came with two bonus tracks. First US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with Atlantic ad inner. (YZÄ*) (PÖC*)

                                                                                  

                                                                            

 

SANDIE SHAW/THE GOLDEN HITS OF SANDIE SHAW MALS 781 (-68) UK STEREO

 Oops I did it again..was my first thought whan I came home with this and realized I already had it...well kind of...in shape of a UK twelve track mono compilation on Golden Guinea label  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2024/09/sandie-shawthe-golden-hits-of-sandie.html   . It happens more and more these days that I buy stuff I already have in some form and it can be a waste. Do I really need a ten track stereo with cuts recorded 1964-65 when I already have and enjoy a twelve track with original mono takes? As it turns out - yes! Didn't expect all mixes here to be true stereo, but as it turns out they are. And not conveyed as crude and/or unbalanced as expected from this early UK stereos, instead coming out well balanced and natural. Are these mixes really from as early as 1964-65, or are they later makes made to fit the then growing British demand for two-channel outcome? Not sure, but if anyone reading this knows - please comment and tell! So instead of this becoming another doubleton in the collection, reminding me of my failing memory, it actually adds something and therefore a welcome addition. This stereo version was also released in Canada and Downunder. UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. (FÄV*)  (PÖY*)

                                                                                   

                                                                                         

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

 

THE LITTER/EMERGE SPB 1004 (-70) UK

 US garage psych band from Minneapolis initially existing between 1966-72, thereafter reforming several times during the nineties with shifting settings. During their first period they recorded three albums whereof this was the last and most successful, reaching #175 on Billboard. There's a vast article on the band on Wikipedia, too much to compress here, so if You wanna know more go there  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Litter#  . I'm having a great time listening to this now. If you fancy garage psych and acid rock this is it. Mostly frantic rhythms with howling guitars, pumping bass and wild drumming. There are a couple of calmer parts just enough to catch your breath, but most just wild. No elaborated melodies and not catchy in some common way, though with tons of raw feeling guaranteed to affect. It's all very toghether so I'm having a hard time picking favourite tracks, but I do feel especially uplifted by "Journeys" and "Blue Ice". This is probably not for those raised with songs neatly arranged in a caressing sythesized flow, as many big hits are today, but if you long for something real and borderline disturbing with an analog punch it might be something. Issued and reissued pretty much all over the world on LP and/or CD through the years, also US 8-track and cassette plus 9xfile MP3 world wide. Premiere US on Probe (CPLP 4504). US 2015 CD on Purple Pyramid (CLP 2242) came with one bonus track. First UK had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. (CÖLÖ*)