MOTOWN/25 U.S. NO.1 HITS FROM 25 YEARS 310.15.003 (-83) GERMANY

 2xLP compilation released in relation to the television special "Motown 25 : Yesterday, Today, Forever", aired to commemorate the label's 25:th anniversary. One of many Motown samplers issued through the years, though in this case with a twist - all tracks had been list toppers. Usually when encountering collections of differing kinds I look for oddities, rare recordings that only previously been on flip sides or are exclusive to that issue. Obviously I get non of that here, instead a suite of twentyfive Motown all time classics, which isn't bad either. From Marvelettes "Please Mr. Postman" to Diana Ross & Lionel Richie "Endless Love", over acts like Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Miracles, Commodores and Thelma Huston. A couple of the early cuts comes in mono, the rest true stereo, and the audio is smashing - loud, clear and well separated. So even if I have most of the songs before it's a truly rewarding ride, very good to the ears. Issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years, also cassette and 8-track. Premiere US on Motown (5308ML2). First German had label as shown here in a fully laminated fold/out cover.  (GÖXÄ*) (SÄM*) (TÖMÖ*)

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                              

                                                                                     

                                                                                 

                                                                                

 

DEEP PURPLE/DEEP PURPLE IN CONCERT SHDW 412 (-80) UK

 2-LP set with live performances the band made for BBC at two occations. Record one contains a gig from February 1970, introduced by John Peel, and record two one from March 1972. They were a great live band, which had already been shown on the superb 1972 release "Live In Japan", and here's more of the same. The audio on the first record is somewhat hampered by fake stereo, while the second comes true and fully fledged. Yet fake or true mixes doesn't matter much here. You still get top performances with lots of zest and closing my eyes in the listening chair I can still be there. Hard to pick favorites since it's all very good listening, but I do like the over twenty minute long "Space Truckin", starting very intenese and powerful and then eventually turning in to psych spells on organ and guitar. A wonderful piece. And even if the performance hadn't been that good I probably would have bought it anyway, just for the package. Outer sleeve has  fifteen colour pics of the band and the inners fifteen black and white, all from back in those days, so it's also good to the eyes. In all a very good experience and I guess a must have for any band fan. Issued early eighties all over the world on vinyl and cassette. Later reissued on LP, CD, cassette and SACD, some with different names and/or sleeve desgin and some with added tracks. First US 1981 on Portrait (R2 38050). Premiere UK had label as shown here in a laminated fold/out cover with picture inners.  (LYBÖ*)  (DHÄ*)

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                         

 

MANFRED MANN/WHAT A MANN 859024 FZY (-68) SCANDINAVIA

 

 A very strange compilation of songs recorded 1966-68. Apart from the very successful "Mighty Quinn" cover it's mostly filled with odd EP tracks and flip-sides, non of them of the crowd pleasing kind. Five of the tracks are more or less jazzy instrumentals. Of those I like the playful "Wild Thing" cover most, while the rest don't attract me especially. Not that they're bad, just somewhat trifle-ish in comparison to other things they've accomplished. For the rest I dig the cover of Randy Newman's "So Long Dad" with its mellotrone backing, the very psych "Funniest Gig" and of course "Mighty Quinn". Not sure what Fontana expected when releasing such a quaint collection of tracks, but it didn't sell a lot and is now getting hard to find in the bins. I'm glad they did cause I got a couple of cuts new to me, so it goes well with my other Manfred Mann LP:s. Also originally issued in UK (SFL 13003, with different sleeve design) and Downunder. Japan 2003 CD on Fontana (UICY-9250) came with ten bonus tracks. First Scandinavian had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover. (CCÖ*)  (MÄNÄ*)

                                                                               

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                             

                                                                               

                                                                              

 

THE SUPER GROUPS SD 33-279 (-69) US

 I could never resist a good sampler. Even if I got all or most of the tracks before, having them in a new environment, sometimes with different audio and/or in a nice sleeve just makes me wanna buy. Then if the cuts are from many different LP:s or there are 45 versions you don't have it is very pleasing to get them all in a row. Totally new to me here is the 2.51 single version of Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". Good if you wan't the essence without having to sit through the whole sventeen minutes  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/05/iron-butterflyin-gadda-da-vida-587116.html    . Then there's two each by Cream, Bee Gees, Rascals, Buffalo Springfield, and Vanilla Fudge. All among all the band's best efforts - just look at the track list!  All cuts are true stereo and the audio on this is lovely (Presswell pressing). I also like the sleeve design very much, with its arty front and band pics on rear. I've noticed many collectors today shy away from vinyl compilations as they rather get them on CD of just download the songs. That is very good for all us who still prefer LP:s, cause if they are harder to sell they'll be a lot cheaper to buy and we can get stuff like this for a bargain. Only issued in US (also as 8-track, cassette and reel), Canada and Germany. The latter on the older grey/yellow label with different sleeve design. Premiere US had ridged label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (SÄM*)  (YZÄ*)

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                           

                                                                              

                                                                                

 

JOHNNY CASH/JOHNNY CASH SINGS HANK WILLIAMS DT-91284 (-60) (-67) US

 Not a big country fan in general, but as I have soft spots for both Johnny Cash and Hank Williams this should fit. Despite what the title promise only four songs here were penned by Williams - "I Can't Help It", "You Win Again", "Hey Good Lookin" and "I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You" - one by Leon Payne - "I Love You Because" - and the rest by Cash himself. So a kind of compilation album with Cash recordings, released by Sun after the singer left the label and moved to Columbia. Often when labels issue material after an artist is gone you have to put up with subpar stuff that has stayed in the vaults for a reason, but this works well for me. With the aforementioned cuts I also get a couple of Cash originals like "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk The Line". So many classic tracks on one plate, all performed with Cash's familiar dark timbre to that signature jerky backing, sometimes supported by background quires. As simple as attractive. Early 1960 issues in US (LP 1245), Canada (London SU 1245), Australia (HAA 7631), New Zealand (London HAM 6195). US 2003 CD on Varése Saraband (302 066 464 2) came with five bonus tracks. The one here is part of a 1967 Capitol Record Club press, issued both in mono (T-91284) and this Duophonic stereo.  Don't know why they bothered to fake it. I would have preferred the mono, but it doesn't sound too bad so ok listening anyway.  It came with label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                            

                                                                                          

 

THE ASSOCIATION/GREATEST HITS WS 1767 (-68) UK

 To my taste a very good collection of songs from this classic US band. There could have been even more goodies on here, but I do get three from their 1966 debute "And Then ...Along Comes The Association", one from the follow-up "Renaissance", four from the 1967 "Insight Out" and four from the 1968 "Birthday" (for more on those albums check here    https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=%28%C3%84K%C3%96*%29  ). All topped with the then previously 45 only "Six Man Band", here re-mixed to true stereo. I'm getting a lot of what I like most about them - cozy dreamy sunshine psych. Maybe more dreamy than pure psych, but certainly special enough to put my mind in a good mood. For those new to the combo I guess this could serve as a very good introduction. Got many favorite tracks, but to choose a few - "Windy", "The Time Is Today", "Time For Livin" and "Six Man Band". I also like the audio on this press, coming out very good to the ears. Issued and reissued on every possible format all over the world through the years. Premiere US on Warner Bros. (WS 1767). First UK (also as mono W 1767) had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover with lyrics on rear.  (ÄKÖ*)

                                                                                     

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

                                                                                      

                                                                  

 

CLIFF RICHARD AND THE SHADOWS/CINDERELLA SX 6103 (-67) UK MONO

 A combo that today by many is seen as dated, but I still carry a torch for them as they were one of the acts that in the first years of the sixties paved the way to modern pop and rock for a then very young Swedish radio listener. This is a later exemple of what the guys could do, but one I can still enjoy. Music penned by The Shadows for a childrens play, performed with help from Norrie Paramor Orchestra and Mike Sammers Singers, all produced by Paramor. Regardless of what one may think about the style and/or genre this is very well done. Meticulously arranged and produced with smashing mono audio. One track has solo vocals by Irish session singer Jackie Lee (who among others also worked with Jimi Hendrix, Tom Jones and Elton John), one a duet between Lee and Richard, two by The Shadows, while the rest is sung by Richard, either with The Shadows or to string arrangements. As a whole not the least nasty or adventurous, but a good mix of songs, most of them with a happy twist. Favorite tracks - "In The Country", "Hey Doctor Man" and "The Flyder And The Spy". Also issued on vinyl in Holland, Israel, Downunder and Taiwan. UK reel (TA-SX 6103). To my knowledge never issued in US or on CD. Premiere UK (stereo SCX 6103) had label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.  (CXÄ*)  (FÄV*)                                                            

                                                                                 

                                                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                           

PINK FLOYD/A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON 7480681 (-87) HOLLAND

                                                                                    

 After Roger Waters left the band and went solo the remaining members started to work on various solo projects, but as those didn't reach the same success as the group efforts David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright got togther to record an album as Pink Floyd. Since Roger Waters claimed he had the right to the group name there were legal disputes, but they were resolved out of court 1987. So they had to struggle even outside the studio to get this record out and the question is - was it worth it?  All cuts penned by Gilmour, whereof six co-written with non-group members. Backed by lots of additional personel, among them Jim Keltner (Plastic Ono Band) on drums and Tony Levin (King Crimson) on bass. Handeled by multi-awarded producer Bob Ezrin. Listening today it's sounds very much like the Dark Side Of The Moon/Whish You Were Here period. Rather dark with excellent guitars and enough quirks to keep you awake. The melodies aren't that strong overall, but both "Sorrow" and "Learning To Fly" have enough weight to nail me to the listening chair. Also the audio is very good to the ears. So a fine record, but not my favorite Pink Floyd sound. I loved them most from the debute up to and with "Obscured By Clouds". That was a period of unbridled spontaneity where they created some of the best psych tracks ever.  But that's me. If you're into their later stuff this will make a good addition.  Issued and reissued all over the world on every possible format. First UK vinyl on EMI (EMD 1003), first US on Columbia (OC 40599). First Dutch had labels as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover with slighty structured lyric inner.  (PÅX*)  (HÖLX*)

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                                                                   

                                                                                     

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

 

NANCY SINATRA/COUNTRY MY WAY RS 6251 (-67) US

 Continuing my Nancy Sinatra odyssey. Here on her fifth album she's doing country pop, as often with help from Lee Hazlewood, who produced and also provides vocals on two tracks. One cut - "By The Way (I Still Love You)" - penned by Hazlewood, the remaining covers of country songs or more regular pop ones with a country twist.  Most known track today would be "Jackson" - a Wheeler/Lieber composition that's also been recorded by Kingston Trio and Johnny Cash/June Carter among others. Her version, co-sung by Hazlewood, reached #14 on Billboard and became a hit in many other countries. I may not be a big fan of the country pop genre, but enjoy this because of the throughout high quality. Everything is top class - backing, arrangements, stereo mix and audio and her voice really fits the form. It has some added reverb, but not too much so good listening anyway. Apart from "Jackson" I also especially enjoy the very soft songs "End Of The World" and "Lonely Again". Issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years, also reel, 4-track, 8-track and cassette. First UK on reprise (RLP/RSLP 6251). US 1996 CD on Sundazed (SC 6056) came with three bonus tracks. Premiere US (also as mono R-6251) had label as shown here in a laminated cover.  (YZÄ*)  (FÄV*)

                                                                               

                                                                                    

                                                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                              

 

DIANA ROSS PRESENTS THE JACKSON 5 STML 11142 (-70) UK

 The combo's debut album. Motown artist Gladys Knight early became a big fan of the brothers and talked Berry Gordy into signing them. However Gordy doubted they would make a breakthrough of their own and therefore claimed the popular Diana Ross as the one who'd discovered and was handeling them (read "her" presentation below). I wasn't all in with their second and third albums (see earlier posts), thought they came out a little bit too cute and even mushy at parts. This hits me much better. It still has a lot of that classic Motown feeling I love so much with cover versions of songs from Temptations, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and the Miracles. Most of the songs are uptempo with heavy bass and drums and Michael's childish voice sounds a bit more tamed than on the follow-ups. This is good listening all through, epecially "I Want You Back" (Billboard #1), the cover of Sly Stone's "Stand" and the intense "Nobody". A happy record. Issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years, also reel, cassette and 8-track. Premiere US 1969 on Motown (MS-700). First UK had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with Motown ad inner. (TÖMÖ*)