THE ANIMALS/ANIMAL TRACKS E 4305 (-65) US MONO

Has very little to do with the UK Animal Tracks album (see previous post). Having only two tracks in common - "Roberta" and "For Miss Caulker", this is more a compilation of hit singles and left-overs. "Story Of Bo Diddley" and "Bury My Body" appearing on their first UK album, but the rest are A- or B-sides of previous '45:s with a few mixes that would never appear on UK LP. The British version was dark and mature and something pretty new for the pop scene at the time - and this wasn't. That said I must add the American mono release meant a lot to me when I got it. 35+ years ago it was the only way to get some of the songs in their original mono shape on LP...and even ones with different mixes or versions from the UK ones I was accustomed to - one exemple is "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", US version being, at least partly, a different take and a lot more loose and emotional than the rigoruos UK mix (and more to my liking). May be hard to understand today, with internet and all current re-releases on CD and vinyl, yet tracing and purchase the "right" mixes or versions back then could take a lot of effort. The cheap cut-out shops I mentioned in an earlier post had a lot of this record, but always the fake stereo. When finally the mono showed up at a market sale I hurried home to play it and it was all I hoped for. Even if it wont cause that much happiness for a modern buyer, it's still good in comparison to many later re-issues. (ÄNÄ*) (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*)

TASTE 583 042 (-69) UK

Irish three-piece band, today mostly known as starting point for guitar hero Rory Gallagher. Recorded two albums before breaking up at the end of 1970, the other being "On the Boards" (UK Polydor 583 083/US ATCO SD33-322). The music is very powerful blues and early hard rock. It's clearly in the same mood as contemporary stuff from more successful UK bands as Sabbath and Zeppelin, but lacks the broad base and repetitive riffs of those groups. The production is less grandiose and dramatic, instead it gives a closer and more intimate feeling. (Producer Tony Colton is one of those who participated in the rock scene of the sixties and on, but never got a big name for himself - produced Yes, Shirley Bassey, Johnny Cash and Allman Brothers to name a few, wrote songs for Rod Stewart and Georgie Fame, and also started his own short lived band "Head Hands and Feet" with Albert Lee.) I got only good stuff to say about this album. An exemple of proto-hard rock with good songs, lots of attack and a marvellously raw guitar always in focus. First US isuue on ATCO (SD 33-296) and German on Polydor (184214). (GÄG*)

THE BEST OF ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS VOL.II E-4454 (-67) US MONO

Posting a quicky on this one. A true transitional album, containing tracks from three Animals settings, the last '45 ones from newest, "When I Was Young" and "A Girl Named Sandoz". The constant change is probably why they couldn't get the LP title right. This is vol II, but there was no first part of "Best of Eric Burdon and the Animals", just a "Best of the Animals". (OK it's picky but I have to say it). Most of the tracks appears to be the original mono mixes here and I suppose the '45 edits, but "See See Rider" version seems somewhat misplaced. According to cover and label the timing is 2:44 wich would be the approximate single edit, but the actual timing is almost four minutes, being the same as Animalization album version but lacking the true power of the mono there. Maybe the '45 edit was planned from the beginning for true mono and fake stereo, but instead they decided to go the other way with true stereo and a fold down. That's the only logical explanation I can think of. (ÄNÄ*) (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*)

THE KINKS/LOLA VERSUS POWERMAN AND THE MONEYGROUND NSPL 18359 (-70) UK

I'm on a mission here. It is often said this is a low point for Kinks, uninspired, or not just good enough, and I can't figure out why. It's certainly not because of the songs - of the thirteen tracks here 6-7 are very strong and the rest very good, not a bad number among them. Maybe it has to do with the zeitgeist - the music scene changed a lot at the time, but here they keep on as if it still was 1968. It sounds like the same instrumentation and same production as then and the same kind of melodies and lyrics. So the 1970 public, eager for novelties, may have turned their backs at it, but I'm not. Since I love the groups late sixites production with social comments, reflections and good humor, mostly paired with attractive melodies, I'm thinking - what's not to love on this? It is the same procedure, but also the same strength. So next time You listen to this, don´t see it as a part of 1970's new dawn, put Your sixties ears on instead and enjoy it in the same mood as "Village Green" or "Arthur" and it will come through so much better. Re-released in UK on PRT and three different Pye labels through the years, but very first issue has label as shown here, unlaminated f/o cover and thick, unflexible vinyl. First US issue on Reprise (RS 6423). (KYX*) (PÖY*)

THE ANIMALS/ANIMAL TRACKS 33SX 1708 (-65) UK MONO

The band's second UK album, with same kind of style as on their first although much more elaborated. There's no place for teen drama here - this is an album for grown-ups. Many see this as the best they ever did. Personally I'm more into their post -66 settings albeit this is a gem of its time. Burdons voice means a lot, but to me Alan Price is the hero. His piano and organ is everywhere for rythm, support and solos, and carrying a large part of the record. After this he quit the group and started a solo carreer. Burdon was always the public face in the early years, yet as I see it Price was the main man and musical anchor of the group. His departure was the start of a turbulence with both music and personnel that would last till the group quit four years later. The Mickie Most production is stable and darkish and fits the musical choice perfectly. Mixed and issued in mono only. (Except for the name, this has nothing to do with the US Animal Tracks album from the same year. I will post on that later.)First UK had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover with EMI inner. (ÄNÄ*)

TIME OF THE ZOMBIES EPC 68262 (-73) UK MONO + STEREO

I bet all Zombies lovers already knows about this classic 2 LP compilation, but it's still worth mentioning since being valuable in so many ways. Record two has the entire "Odyssey and Oracle" LP, stereo version. Record one, side 1, is a collection of eight hit single tracks, all with their original mono mixes. But the most interesting is record one, side 2, having eight tracks originally meant for a US follow-up album to the Odyssey LP. That never saw release since the group didn't actually exist at this time and new formation "Argent" was already in the making. Four of the songs were released on '45:s 1969, but the rest had their first issue on this compilation. Considering the stress under wich it was made and the hurried handeling of the result, it is surprising the songs still come through so strong today. "Imagine the Swan" is outstanding and the rest almost as good - some could have placed on Odyssey LP and some points forward to first "Argent" setting. So what you get here is a fine '45 collection, re-issue of a rare masterpiece album and top class previously un-released tracks. That's what I call a fine compilation. All tracks had later release on CD:s, but for us vintage lovers, prefering analog, it's a very good deal. Premiere UK had labels as shown here, matt fold/out cover and CBS ad inners. (ZÖZ*)(PÖP*)

ROLLING STONES/DECEMBER'S CHILDREN LL 3451 (-65) CANADIAN FFRR MONO

I know purists say for US Stones issues only US copies are adequate, but there was no way I could resist this Canadian press. It's wrapped in a thick, very hard, structured cover with high quality print. The label is of same FFRR kind as first UK exports over the Atlantic and sound quality clear and edgy. If this had been US 1st press it would have sold dearly, but since it is Canadian you can get a mint copy cheaper than a tatty American even though this is rarer. Being a collector for over thirty years there's still a lot I don't understand about the business. But I know I like this and it's a keeper. For comparison with US issue (I don't have that anymore) matrix no:s are hand etched (Side 1: ARL-703X1-2-A/Side 2: ARL-7032-2-A) (RÅ*) (ÖXCÅ*) (YZÄ*)

MARLENE DIETRICH/SOUVENIR ALBUM DL 5100 (-49) US

After American Columbia introduced the LP record in summer 1948 other labels rushed to launch the new format and one of the first was US Decca releasing a large number of long playing records in 1949. One of those was the first Marlene Dietrich album. After years as a movie star, with only relatively few recordings made, she was now off to a new start as performer and singer. The following decades she was to become a celebrated artist and big album seller. This first LP issue consists of eight older recordings, transformed from '78:s to vinyl. That kind of transference has been rather common through the years when dealing with vintage re-issues, but these early trials always sounds best to my ears. Since there was no equipment to limit, compress or wash the sound, it always comes out exactly as it was - same warmth and atmosphere - and that's the way it should be heard. (NYFÖ*)(FÄV*) (YZÄ*)

THE ANIMALS/ANIMALISM E-4414 (-66) US MONO

On the contemporary UK "Animalisms" LP (check previous post) the group continued in the same style as before, but this US version is something different. It's not only dependent on other tracking, but also has more adventurous arrangements and production. The sound is overall softer, with extended use of reverb and phasing, and the fuzzed guitars on some tracks makes it sound like early psychedelia. Though recorded partly in England and partly in California and Florida, Tom Wilson production makes it stick together as a whole. Frank Zappa is credited for arranging two of the tracks, but I suspect his influence was bigger than that since many of the other songs are handeled the same way. Some say the difference between new and old Animals was Burdon changing drug from alcohol to acid, but this album shows that's only part of the truth. From now on the group also became part of the new musical movement beginning to flurish in America about this time, with or without LSD. I see this as a transitional album - a year later there would be a new group with a new agenda, but winds of change are blowing here already. (ÄNÄ*) (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*)

BRIAN ENO/BEFORE AND AFTER SCIENCE 2302071 (-77) UK PROMO?

This post is not about the artist or record. Eno is Eno, he does what he does and either you like it or you don't. But I would like some help to figure out the issue. Initially it came with a blank front folder containing four art sheets, but this copy had two folders when I bought it, second one containing six sheets - five with his autobiography, discography and his own thoughts about the music. There's also facts about the painter and a sheet with an extra drawing (exemples posted below). I've been trying for years to get information about this, but got nothing. Even wrote about it on Wikipedia, but since it was unknown and I couldn't back it up with images then, they removed it. So this may be the first posting ever on the two folder issue. It's probably a promo of some kind, but I would like to confirm that and get to know more about it. Anyone here got facts? (ÄNÖ*) (ÖRJ*) (FÖF*)

ROLLING STONES/OUT OF OUR HEADS LK4725 (-65) UK MONO EXPORT

Stones US issues differed a lot from the ones on the other side of the Atlantic. The Americans relaesed more albums than the English and the ones with same title always had other tracking. (The first one corresponding was "Satanic..." in late -67.) For this issue only six of the twelve tracks coincide - US version having both '45:s "Satisfaction" and "The Last Time". This was to be their most successful record so far, reaching #2 in UK and topping the US charts. I don't know the reason UK Decca decided to press both the domestic version for England and the American for export. Maybe they thought the taste was different on the European continent, or just saw it as a chance to cash in further. This export was the only variation sold in Sweden at first, the UK version showed up here much later. In any case this mono sounds lovely - big and bouncy with lots of presence. The corresponding export stereo however used the US fake stereo tapes and can be avoided by all who's after a genuine mix https://monolover.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-rolling-stonesout-of-our-heads-skl.html . First UK mono had ridged label as shown here in a laminated cover. (RÅ*)(ÖXÄP*)