991.com Sleevenotes : A Blog about Collecting Rare Vinyl 7", 12" & LP Records, CDs, Memorabilia & Music

You know the Drill

Back when this established alternative rock quintet were still called On A Friday, for that was the day they practiced, and the name Radiohead was known only as a song title off a Talking Heads record, a number of demo recordings by Thom Yorke and co. were flung far and wide beyond their local Oxford in search of a record deal.

Sent for promotion and review to radio, student mags and the like, not many of these ultra rare Drill 12” EP white label test pressings have survived. Put aside, buried in the vaults, lost in college dorm rooms … what’s more, collectors these days would rarely let this out of their grasp

Missing from your collection? For any fan serious about collecting, ask yourself: can you live without it…!

Vinyl sales on the up

NME recently confirmed that "through the first five months of 2009 alone, sales of vinyl are up 50 per cent on 2008". They also make clear that although it's still "a drop in the ocean" compared to CD album and digital download sales, in targeting those that still see music as art, taking your casual music fan out of the equation, and weighing up all the possible formats that have been offered over the years - eight-track cartridges, cassettes, MiniDiscs, CDs, downloads etc. - the vinyl LP still stands as the number one more aesthetically pleasing. Read on...

Good News

For those of you that have been waiting [and for those of you that so far have missed out], there is a new shipment of the amazing books by Yuri Grishin on the way & we should soon have them all back in stock again.

For those that don't know, Yuri has written & released four incredible books on the great British Record Labels of the last thirty years. Each book is an encyclopaedic reference with label designs, sleeve pictures & interviews with key people that had a hand in the label, making then an essential for the library of any serious collector.

The books available so far are for Island, Harvest, Charisma & the recently published Vertigo, which also includes singles for the first time.

Yuri plans to also publish pocket books in the future for ease of use & also to include any updates to his main works.

As someone that has purchased one of each, I can recommend them !

RTA

Go Cat Go!

Rockabilly seems to be the 'in thing' round these parts this week. Not only do we have Imelda May's latest blaring out in the office for the umpteenth time, but a number of LP compilations of authentic rockabilly sounds have recently come our way. With got obscure artists, some well knowns, we've got all bases covered on the label front - Mercury, Sun, Capitol, Okeh, Ace, Chess, Federal, King, Vee Jay, Roulette, Arcade... we've even got the Brits doing it. So go on, break out the brill cream and Lucky Strikes, roll those cuffs high and dance like it's... well you pick the year, you've good choice!

Sir/ Madam, Your Bubble-Bath Awaits

Following on from Richard D James' DJ set in the early hours of Sunday morning at Matter, Fabric's latest enterprise to hit the 02 Arena - what is reputedly the largest club night out in the world at the moment (it sure is big!) - and ahead of his show at Manchester's Warehouse Project, the ever reliable Fact Magazine present you with a Top 10  rundown of essential Aphex Twin purchases. Now, the mighty Analogue Bubblebath EP from '91 gets a look in, and seeing as it's a bit of a rare one, and seeing as we specialise in rare ones, well... we thought we'd dig one out for you. Just don't forget to scrub behind the ears as well Mighty Force MF201

You too

If you missed U2’s recent 360° Tour concerts, or if the reported sound problems spoiled your fun, you could rewind a few years – actually it’s an unbelievable 12 years – and relive the live extravaganza that was their Popmart Tour, filmed on 3^rd December 1997 in Mexico City.  For, in the deep, dark recesses of this office-cum-tardis I have found a secret stash of brand new, unplayed, still sealed ‘Special Edition’ DVDs, resplendent in their holographic packaging. Remixed in 5.1 surround sound and digitally regraded (whatever that means) this double DVD set features previously unreleased material, alongside all the usual suspects & favourites.  And, now that this set is out-of-print, we have them available for less that you’d pay for a Wembley burger & a can of pop.  Some say it’s even better than the real thing…

Classical? Really?

Yes! An exciting new development here at 991, we recently purchased a substantial classical collection containing over 1000 titles. There are hundreds of HMV ASD, Decca SXL, Melodiya, RCA Red Seal in addition to the Mercury Living Presence Stereo LP's pictured below. There are lots of white labels and factory sample LP's too, something for everyone. As if this wasn't enough, everything is MINT. I'll be posting more on this collection as it starts hitting the site in a few days but as a taster, check out this picture.....

The return of Vinyl - How Britain got its groove back

Battered by CDs, MP3s and internet streaming, you would have expected vinyl to be long since dead. So why is the west London factory famous for producing Sgt Pepper, The Dark Side Of The Moon and Tubular Bells back at the top of the charts again?

Read the article at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1198335/How-Britain-got-groove-back.html

Discovered - The Tridents featuring Jeff Beck acetate

The Tridents were a Yardbirds-esque British R&B group that Jeff left when he joined the real Yardbirds on Tuesday, March 2nd 1965. This recording dates from late 1963 or Early 1964 [at best guess] & features a nineteen year old Jeff & his Telecaster with Ray Cook on Drums, Paul Lucas on Bass & Vocals and brother John Lucas on Rhythm Guitar & Vocals.

It appears that four demo tracks were recorded by the band. Two at Regent Sound & two at Oriole Studios in London - 'Wanderin' Man Blues', 'Trouble In Mind', 'Keep Your Hands Off My Woman' & a Tridents self-penned original 'That Noise!'

Of these tracks, very scratchy & noise reduced to hell & back versions of 'Trouble In Mind' & 'Wanderin' Man Blues' were finally released on the 'Beckology' compilation, having been taken from seriously scratchy acetates.

Originally the plan was for 'Keep Your Hands Off My Woman' & 'That Noise!' to be A sides & 'Wanderin' Man Blues' & 'Trouble In Mind' the B sides.
This acetate pairs 'That Noise!' & 'Wanderin' Man Blues', so this is from Oriole Studios, meaning that the other two tracks were the ones recorded at Regent Sound.

The only markings on this disc are the track titles & The Tridents, hand written in Chinagraph pencil at the centre. When we discovered it, the A side title was quite worn, but the B side was when my heart jumped into my mouth as I realised just what this might be.
It had to be played.

We played it. B Side first as it was the title I recognised. It was exactly what I'd hoped it was - The Tridents with Jeff Beck!
Clear, crisp, full range sonic beauty making the 'Beckology' version sound like it was recorded through a pile of old socks. By the looks of things, this can have been played no more than a handful of times.
The A Side was unknown to me at the time, but turned out to be a chugging R&B number very reminiscent of early Yardbirds. It had obviously been played a little more than the B Side, but even so it was still very clear & crisp.

At that point, I knew we'd stumbled upon something a little bit special.

So, here we have [in amazing condition for a delicate acetate], two Tridents tracks from 1963. One previously unreleased & one released in a C- audio quality where both of these tracks are A/A+. Hellfire, there are CYMBALS on these versions!

Over forty five years old & stored safely away for most of that time until our intrepid archaeologists re-discovered this ancient artifact, possibly unplayed since 1964 [until we played it to see what it was].

Given that the Beckology version was supposedly the best available to CBS/Epic, we can only conclude that no more than two copies of this acetate exist [as far as we are aware]. This is only the second acetate to surface & it is free from any notable marks or scratches, unlike the one owned by Paul Lucas that was loaned to CBS/Epic for the Beckology release. There are some light cosmetic scuffs to some areas of the disc, but because of the fragile nature of acetates this is inevitable & will be caused simply by removing the disc from its paper sleeve. These have no effect sonically, as we can attest to, having played both sides through.

The chances of Paul Lucas releasing his personal acetates are slim to nil, so this acetate becomes effectively a one-off.
In this amazing condition, it IS the best available recording of The Tridents available in the world.

Over the years, seeing many 'rare' & 'impossible to find' items turn up again & again here, you can get quite blasé about things. It takes something like this to remind yourself just why you do this for a living. It's the musical equivalent of finding an undiscovered Egyptian Tomb - And it takes your breath away.

View the acetate here

Cheap Trick brings back the 8-track

Those who swear by vinyl say that records provide a warmer sound compared to compact discs, and that the larger packaging and gatefold artwork offer a superior tactile experience (and certainly to digital downloads). But where's the love for the 8-track, those bulky blasts from the past which sounded fine enough in your El Camino, and which broke down classic albums indiscriminately into four programs. Don't look now, but the cartridges are back, brought by a band from the same era, Cheap Trick. Read more right here

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/cheap-trick-brings-back-the-8-track/article1205531/

Now & Then

When you’ve sold more than 100 million records you can well afford to indulge yourself in a one of Maranello’s finest.  Indeed, I believe it’s compulsory. So, I was interested to see this little beauty recently advertised in Classic & Sports Car magazine.  Now if the Carpenters are your artist of choice you certainly cannot say your collection is complete without this in your garage.  I reckon a couple of hundred large might just secure it - a small price to pay for a glorious Daytona - then you can cruise down to the Riviera playing ‘Yesterday Once More’ on your 8-Track. Rainy days and Mondays just a distant memory...

Love Vinyl? Love This

http://www.charityshopdj.com/ 

Simples!

Mos Def to release new album … on a T-shirt

The rapper and sometime actor has turned to fashion to publicise his new record. But if you're expecting a garment that plays hip-hop then you'll be disappointed

What better way to enjoy Mos Def's new album, The Ecstatic, than on ... er ... a T-shirt?

Up the Tempo

Our first copy of this genuinely rare original 1957 In London Vol. 2 UK 'microgroove' vinyl LP, on the highly collectable Tempo Records label (TAP12), has recently landed. Beautifully evoking the post-war gloom of mid-fifties London and a historic slice of jazz in Britain at the time, it stars Victor Feldman's Big Band, Nine-tet and Quintet recorded in December ‘56 and January '57 with notable performances from Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, Jimmy Deuchar, Dizzy Reece, Kenny Napper, Phil Seamen and more.  Pressed in small quantities, the 'rough' textured white & purple Tempo labels are spotless with no spindle wear, indicating very little play, if any.  In terms of condition this is one of the best examples of an early Tempo record to surface on the collectors market and possibly the best original copy you are likely to find of this particular album. A superb jazz rarity to be treasured and an investment item for the future.  If I look this good at 52 years old I’ll be extremely pleased, not to mention very surprised!

The 20 most collectable LPs

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ Record collecting has never been more popular with vinyl LPs from The Beatles still commanding the highest prices, but experts predict that it won't be long before recordings made by bands in the eighties and nineties will be worth owning too.

Neil Roberts, head of the department for Popular Culture for auction house Christie's said: "Album sleeves played such an important role in the past, you went and picked up your vinyl every Saturday and what was on the LP sleeve was important. I think that's an area that's going to be more in demand in the future."

Besides The Beatles, British blue-chip bands that command hundreds of pounds for rare and earliest pressings include the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who and The Smiths. David Bowie and Marc Bolan also have a huge fan base. Across the water, Elvis is among the most sought-after rock and roll innovators.

Here are the 20 most collectable albums, taken from Record Collector's 'The Top 200 most collectable LPs'. www.recordcollectormag.com

1. The Beatles, The Beatles 'The White Album'     Value: £5,000-£7,000+
 
2. John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Unfinished     Value: £3,000
 
3. The Beatles, Please Please Me     Value: £2,500
 
4. Billy Nichols, Would You Believe Me     Value: £2,500
 
5. Marc Bolan, Hard on Love     Value:   £2,000
 
6. The Bread and Beer Band, Untitled     Value:   £2,000
 
7. Forever Amber, The Love Cycle     Value:  £2,000
 
8. Jimi Hendrix, Cry of Love     Value:   £2,000
 
9. The Rolling Stones, Their Satanic Majestics Request     Value:   £2,000
 
10. The Beatles, The Beatles (export LP)     Value:   £1,500
 
11. David Bowie, Bowpromo     Value:   £1,500
 
12. Dark, Dark Around The Edges     Value:   £1,500
 
13. Doctor Isiah Ross, The Flying Eagle     Value:    £1,500
 
14. Friends, Friends     Value:   £1,500
 
15. Alexis Korner, Blues From The Roundhouse     Value: £1,500
 
16. The Rolling Stones, Promotional Album      Value: £1,500
 
17. The Beatles, Yellow Submarine     Value: £1,200 
 
18. Spriguns of Tolgus, Jack With a Feather     Value:  £1,200
 
19. Tinkerbell's Fairydust, Tinkerbell's Fairydust     Value: £1,200
 
20. The Beatles, Abbey Road     Value: £1,000

Original Beatles board game discovered by 991.com

 THE BEATLES Flip Your Wig: Rare original 1964 US board game manufactured by Milton Bradley Games in association with NEMS. A highly desirable and collectable game, complete with all pieces in remarkable condition considering that this item was manufactured for children to play with forty four years ago.

Prices of mint condition copies of this game have more than tripled over the last 2 years as they become near impossible to find, this in turn has driven up the price of non mint copies.

Both the the contents and the box itself are in near mint condition, the box show very little signs of age with only a small sticker mark on the bottom plus a light crease, the top is stunning.

The box contents should include:

Main playing board
1 Die
3 of each yellow Beatles Face Card (12 total)
12 red Hit Record cards
3 of each red Beatles Instruments cards (12 Total)
3 of each yellow Beatles Signiature card (12 total)
4 mover pieces (one of each Beatle)
Instructions in filler tray
Compartment to store mover pieces.

All other contents listed above are present and are in fantastic condition, the board is not damaged, faded or split as is so often the case. The cards are free from creases, writing, rips and tears as are the Beatles main mover pieces. The instructions on the filler tray are clearly printed, unfading and without discolouration. The colours on the picture are rich and vibrant.

Considering this was released over forty years ago the box is stunning, and has been looked after very well and shows very little evidence of being played.

http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=334123

Tubular Bells 35th Anniversary Celebration At London’s O2!

Cities across the world will join in a special one off performance of one of the most successful albums.

Mike Oldfield’s 1973 album Tubular Bells is most well known for being the theme tune to The Exorcist.

Across the world in Milan, Berlin, Paris, Sydney, Japan and London, events will be taking place to mark the 35th anniversary of the album, as well as it’s digitally enhanced re-release.

But there’s a twist.  Each event will happen on June 6th at 6pm, following the devilish 666 motif.

London’s devilish event is hosted by The British Music Experience and will be held at the O2 Arena. Visitors can try their hand at bell ringing, before listening to the 29-piece Hand Bell Ringers of Great Britain and ambient house duo The Orb, showcasing their tribute.

Oldfield, 56, said he doesn’t want the horror movie link to put families off bringing children who will be admitted free.

He said: “I hope the kids will come and families won’t be put off by the 666 thing.”

The event will take place at the O2 Arena from 2pm. Adult tickets are £15, concessions £12 and children get in free.

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

DINOSAUR JR 'Farm': [Release Date 22/06/09] CD:

 

http://991.com/buy/productinformation.aspx?StockNumber=472575

http://991.com/buy/productinformation.aspx?StockNumber=472578

* Brand new album from the original, revitalised line up of Dinosaur Jr [J.Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph]. * If 'Beyond' was Dinosaur Jr's return to form, 'Farm' is proof that this band continues to deliver rock worth cranking up to 11. * At times wholly 70's guitar-epic, at other times perfect for sitting by a babbling brook with Joni and Neil, 'Farm' encompasses Dinosaur Jr's signature palette - soaring and distorted guitar, unshakable hooks, honey-rich melodies, with songs that get into your head and, bouncing around happily, stay there. * The worry about the reunion of the original Dinosaur Jr. line-up, more than 20 years after their formation and legendary dissolution, was that these guys were just flogging the back catalogue as a marketing gimmick. With the release of 'Beyond', in 2007, the band gave a hearty Marshall-driven 'F**K YOU!' answer to those inquiring ears. * 'Farm' was recorded in J.Mascis' Bisquiteen studio in Amherst, Massachusetts, and was produced by Mascis.

Roll Up Roll Up - The Beatles Rockband Unveiled.

The Beatles: Rock Band was unveiled today at Microsoft’s E3 press conference in a world premiere attended by Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison.

Here are some screenshots of the game.

     

 

Check out the fantastic trailer and full instrument specs right here http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com/

Thunder Classics Reissued

Thunder’s classic albums Back Street Symphony and Laughing On Judgement Day are to be reissued in deluxe expanded form on 6 July.

The band’s first two albums have been remastered and expanded by a tonne of extra material, including live tracks, B-Sides and rarities.

Backstreet Symphony, Thunder’s classic debut album, was originally released in March 1990. Now expanded to 2 CDs, it’s bolstered by a number of bonus tracks, including rare studio and live b-sides. It also includes their March 1990 Town & Country Club gig, available in its entirety on CD for the first time. The sleeve also features out takes from the original photo session, memorabilia and a newly written sleevenotes by Classic Rock’s Dave Ling.

Laughing On Judgement Day, Thunder’s classic second album, was originally released in 1992, entering the charts at No.2 (and only kept off the top spot by Kylie Minogue's Greatest Hits!) This expanded edition now includes a bonus CD featuring studio and live b-sides from the album’s now rare and out of print singles.

Here’s the bonus CD contents:

Back Street Symphony
1.   An Englishman On Holiday (Live)
2.   Girl’s Going Out Of Her Head (Live)
3.   Until My Dying Day (Live)
4.   Another Shot Of Love (Live)
5.   Don’t Wait For Me (Live At Donnington)
6.   Backstreet Symphony (Live At Town & Country Club)
7.   She’s So Fine (Live At The Town & Country Club)
8.   Until My Dying Day (Live At Town & Country Club)
9.   Higher Ground  (Live At Town & Country Club)
10.  Don’t Wait For Me  (Live At Town & Country Club)
11.  Fired Up  (Live At Town & Country Club)
12.  Dirty Love  (Live At Town & Country Club)

Laughing On Judgement Day
1.   She’s My Inspiration
2.   With A Little Help From My Friends
3.   Low Life In High Places
4.   Everybody Wants Her
5.   Dirty Love (acoustic version)
6.   Higher Ground (acoustic version)
7.   Like A Satellite (live version)
8.   Gimme Shelter
9.   The Damage Is Done
10.  Higher Ground (Live)
11.  Lazy Sunday (Live)
12.  Bigger Than Both Of Us