What's Playing Now

[Fritz The Cat]

Imagine: The Rolling Stones have lost their Jumping Jack at the microphone. So David Byron took his part. No, it's only fantasy. But on this one we may listen to David Byron covering "Honky Tonk Women". He also recorded a swinging version of "Bad Moon Rising". He also contributes his voice to the Humble Pie song "Natural Born Bugie". But now: listen to "Curly": is it true? Yes, it's David Bowie, opening the song and singing the interlude. It's a little sensation: David Bowie is singing duet together with David Byron. Look at the beautiful Hagström guitar on front cover.

[Fritz The Cat]

The Clive Allen Orchestra is a fantasy name for a bunch of some unknown studio musicians, who later became more or less famous. On most songs, the voice of David Byron may be listened to. On this one we have interesting versions of the Move song "Blackberry Way", "Something's happening", and a dramatic version of "Race with devil". It's simply fun!

[Fritz The Cat]

Does anybody know? Do exist also Vocal Productions made in USA? IMHO this was a typical european phenomenon. Cheap productions on cheap labels, sold only in Supermarkets. They had a bad image in the musicians community. But today it's fun to listen to.

[Fritz The Cat]

On this vocal production we may listen to Lulu singing to another version of her world hit "Boom bang a bang" and "Come back and shake me". Joe South's "Games people play" and a powerful version of "Pinball Wizzard" sung both by David Byron. IMHO: one of the best cover versions of a WHO song! Listen also to the dramatic moony drums.

[Fritz The Cat]

David Byron sings on "The red balloon" and a beautiful version of "With a little help from my friends" and many other tracks. The voices more softer and in lower key were contributed by Long John Baldry: as example on Barry Ryan song "Eloise". These young inexperienced musicians had the posibility to benefit from the perfect studio conditions at Pye Studios.

[Fritz The Cat]

Which is your favorite winter picture on a vinyl front cover? We have informations these days about a huge blizzard in the east of USA.

[SpeakerLabFan]

Renaissance - s/t
(1969, Elektra)




US issue with the US cover art. progressive rock, classical and jazz - great stuff.

[Fritz The Cat]

Beautiful cover artwork. Music and art go together on this one! No winter picture on the front cover because it's a magical sleigh ride: what a beautiful powerful title song! The term "Nantucket Sleighride" was coined by the whalers to explain what happened after they harpooned a whale. The first harpoon was not intended to kill the whale but only to attach it to the whale boat...."Tired angels" is dedicated to Jimi Hendrix. What a huge "Nantucket Sleighride" this man did!

[SpeakerLabFan]

Does anybody know? Do exist also Vocal Productions made in USA? IMHO this was a typical european phenomenon. Cheap productions on cheap labels, sold only in Supermarkets. They had a bad image in the musicians community. But today it's fun to listen to.

I think I have or have seen these types of productions, not specifically Vocal Productions - I can't recall if they were US or EUR issues. Sounds like there are some hidden gems and fun novelties - Bowie vocals? wow. There were lots of muzak-type instrumental jazz covers of contemporary hits in the US in the late 60s and 70s - Tony Mottola, etc, I think Wrecking Crew members may have played on a few of these.

[Fritz The Cat]

The european issue had totally different cover art work. This is a german reissue pressing. This is a revolutionary album of classic symphonic progrock.

[Fritz The Cat]

Today we have to notice how important the keyboard work of Felix Pappalardi was. Listen to the beautiful track A2 "Long Red". Felix Pappalardi was the mastermind of Mountain: what a superb producer. This US pressing is disappointing. No dynamics. Does anybody own a good pressing of this one?

[SpeakerLabFan]

Paul Kossoff - Back Street Crawler
(1973, Island) KENDUN A/B in deadwax




Turn it up for the 17+ minutes track on side 1, Tuesday Morning. Kossoff is joined on some tracks by Free bandmates Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke. Also includes Time Away, co-written with John Martyn who joins Kossoff on guitar on the track.

[Fritz The Cat]

The english pressing looks like this, sounds very fine and dynamic. Guitar playing brought to the point. Paul plays simply and pure. Paul Rodgers lead vocal on "Molten gold": it's solid gold.....

[SpeakerLabFan]

The english pressing looks like this, sounds very fine and dynamic. Guitar playing brought to the point. Paul plays simply and pure. Paul Rodgers lead vocal on "Molten gold": it's solid gold.....

Thanks for the pictures. The US copy uses the same picture on the back cover. Killer record.

[Fritz The Cat]

Kinney pressings of UK never were gold standard. Concerning the dynamics, i am not satisfied by this one. Does anybody own a sufficient pressing of this album? But this LP has enormous depth. Listen to track A5 "It's a long way down to the top". And so was the life of Paul Kossoff at this time....