New Releases 1972.03.20

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of March 20, 1972

Looks like we missed a week somehow!

Caught my eye:

SMITH, PERKINS & SMITH (Island / Capitol SW-9317) (LP)

BERT KAEMPFERT – 6 Plus 6 (Decca DL 75322) (LP)

U.S. band signed directly to Island UK – I really like the single from the Smith, Perkins & Smith album, “Save Me”. I understand Wayne Perkins played on the re-recorded Bob Marley records. German maestro Bert Kaempfert is still EZ.

Also of interest:

THE STRAWBS – Grave New World (A&M SP-4344)

WACKERS – Hot Wacks (Elektra EKS 75025)

LILY TOMLIN – And That’s The Truth (Polydor 24-5023)

British group Strawbs get yet another US release. Isn’t The Wackers = Bob Segarini, the Canadian guy? Comedy LP from TV actress Lily Tomlin – she had been a big success on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” with her ‘Edith Ann’ character – and this is the LP of it.

Notable singles:

BADFINGER – Baby Blue b/w Flying (Apple 1844)

BILL BLACK COMBO – Harlem Nocture b/w Sassy Pants (Mega 0070)

DEEP PURPLE – When A Blind Man Cries b/w Never Before (Warner 7572)

AL KOOPER – Monkey Time (Columbia 4-45566)

Great A-side from Badfinger; The Bill Black Combo moves into the 70’s on Mega (after leaving both Hi and Columbia); A Deep Purple “Fireball” single; Al Kooper covers Major Lance (not sure which Al K. LP it’s from). Also issued this week, but not listed – Polydor pick up about a dozen or more James Brown “King” label 45’s, re-issue time!

Sam the Record Man

I read that the Sam the Record Man store on Yonge Street in Toronto is closing at the end of June '07. I visited it 2 years ago, right around that time. Sad, I never got there in vinyl days - but they did have an impressive jazz selection - I got an UZEB CD that no other store in Toronto had for sale. Also, even 2 years ago, they were no longer turning on the big neon lights - which was just as well, as it was hotter than all hell during my first (and so far only) visit to Toronto. When I can find the photos I took of Sam's, I'll post 'em. R.I.P. yet another record store. Toronto, I feel for you. We're still smarting from the loss of all those Tower Records stores. Now you have to go to Japan to shop in a brick & mortar Tower store. Which I will do in a few weeks.

New Releases 1972.03.06

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of March 6, 1972

Caught my eye:

JETHRO TULL – Thick As A Brick (Reprise 2072) (LP) (CD)

SPIRIT – Feedback (Epic KE-31175)

WAYNE COCHRAN / C.C. RIDERS – Cochran! (Epic E-30989) (LP)

THOMAS F. BROWNE – Wednesday’s Child (Vertigo VEL-1011)

I already had a British import of the Jethro Tull LP – the hippie record store got it in before I even knew it was coming out! The Spirit LP looked good, but I didn’t get it then. I had seen Wayne Cochran’s big white pompadour on TV – I had no idea what he / it sounded like. Thomas F. Browne is likely the least interesting artist on Vertigo!

Also of interest:

CLAIRE HAMMILL – One House Left Standing (Island/ Capitol SW-9316) (LP)

SAVOY BROWN – Hellbound Train (Parrot 71052)

FLOYD CRAMER – Detours (RCA LSP-4676) (LP)

STEVIE WONDER – The Music Of My Mind (Tamla 314)

Claire Hammill was on Island, and that was enough for me in ’72. I knew “Train To Nowhere” by Savoy Brown. Instrumental EZ / C&W from Mr. Floyd Cramer. R&B benefits from Mr. Wonder’s early 70’s LP’s – yeah!

Notable singles:

ALICE COOPER – Be My Lover b/w Yeah Yeah Yeah (Warner 7568)

BAY CITY ROLLERS – Keep On Dancing b/w Alright (Bell 45169)

ELTON JOHN – Tiny Dancer b/w Razor Face (Uni 55318)

JO JO GUNNE – Run Run Run b/w Take It Easy (Asylum 11003)

PAUL KANTER – Sunfighter b/w China (Grunt 65-0503)

ROBERTA FLACK – First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Atlantic 2864)

Nice A-side from Alice Cooper. Pre-“Saturday Night” U.S. Rollers single – their US debut? Good FM hit for Elton John. Dandy A-side for Jo Jo Gunne. A distinct non-hit for Paul Kanter & Grace Slick. EZ R&B big time hit for Roberta Flack.

The Barrow Poets

As you may or may not know, one of my personal interests is in 'English novelty' music. Having found him on a website based in the Isle of Man, I wrote to Mr. William Bealby-Wright of The Barrow Poets (and Doggerel Bank)...and he sent me this 45!

New Releases 1972.02.28

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of February 28, 1972

Caught my eye:

JIMI HENDRIX – In The West (Reprise 2049) (LP)

BILL BALANCE & THE FEMININE FORUM (Mark 56 578) picture disc (LP)

LINDISFARNE – Fog On The Tyne (Elektra EKS 75021)

JOJO GUNNE (Asylum SD 5053)

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA – No Answer (U.A. UAS-5573)

The posthumous Hendrix live LP’s just keep on comin’. L.A. radio comedy from DJ Bill Balance. 2^nd U.S. LP from Alan Hull & Co. (Lindisfarne), as licensed from Charisma Records, England. Ex-Spirit guys Jo Jo Gunne make a Southern California ‘classic’ – with singles like “Run Run Run” and “Shake That Fat”. The Move quickly become E.L.O.

Also of interest:

THE GUESS WHO – Rockin’ (RCA LSP-4602)

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS – Eat A Peach (Capricorn 0102) double LP (CD)

FANNY – Fanny Hill (Reprise 2058)

HARRY CHAPIN – Heads & Tales (Elektra EKS 75023)

JACKIE LOMAX – Three (Warner 2591)

The Guess Who soldier on. Southern-fried jam rock from the Allmans. More feminist rock from Fanny. Singer/Songwriter nirvana from Harry Chapin (LP has a die-cut cover, and the single is 6 minutes long). Liverpool’s finest (Jackie Lomax) gives Warner Brothers their 2^nd album.

Notable singles:

JOAN BAEZ – Silent Running b/w Rejoice In The Sun (Decca 32890)

DON BOWMAN – Hello D.J. (2 parts) (Mega 0062)

HARRY CHAPIN – Taxi (Elektra 45770)

JAMES BROWN – King Heroin b/w Theme from King Heroin (Polydor 14116)

Joan Baez has an O.S.T. A-side; C&W comedy from RCA veteran Don Bowman – a funny record! The first single from “Heads & Tales” by Harry Chapin. James Brown continues to give Polydor singles that the radio won’t exactly flog.

New Releases 1972.02.21

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of February 21, 1972

Caught my eye:

GEORGE CARLIN – FM & AM (Little David SD 7214) (LP)

HOMER & JETHRO – The Far Out World Of… (RCA LSP-4648)

DAVE MASON – Headkeeper (Blue Thumb BTS-34) (LP)

PARRISH & GURVITZ (Decca DL 75336) (LP)

Stand-up comedy from George Carlin. Is this near the end of the run for Homer & Jethro on RCA? Dave Mason gives Blue Thumb a 2^nd album, which is at least partially, if not entirely, live. I already had Parrish & Gurvitz – the English Regal Zonophone version – I’d heard it on the radio, and went in search of the import.

Also of interest:

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS – Greatest Hits (Columbia KC-31170)

THE IMPRESSIONS – Times Have Changed (Curtom 8012)

DAVE EDMUNDS – Rock Pile (Mam 3)

LITTLE FEAT – Sailin’ Shoes (Warner 2600)

Now you can get all those BS&T A-sides on one convenient LP. Curtis Mayfield got his own label, but still somehow – there are records by The Impressions (is this the final Impressions LP?). Rockin’ Dave Edmunds – is this the “I Hear You Knockin’” LP? Southern-fried rock from Lowell George & Little Feat.

Notable singles:

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART – Click Clack b/w I’m Gonna Booglarize You Baby (Reprise 1068)

BILLY EDD WHEELER – Betty Bowlegs b/w Does Mel Tillis Really Stutter (RCA 74-0656)

MALO – Suavecito b/w Nena (Warner 7559)

ISAAC HAYES – Do Your Thing (Enterprise 9042)

WEA makes a Beef single! B.E.W. veers towards novelty material (I don’t think either of these songs are on his sole RCA LP, “Love”). Nice radio hit for Jorge Santana (Carlos’ brother) with Malo. Super groovy R&B A-side for Isaac Hayes.

New Releases 1972.02.14

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of February 14, 1972

Caught my eye:

THE FIRESIGN THEATRE – I Think We’re All Bozos On This Bus (Columbia CQ-30737) QUAD version

HAWKWIND – In Search Of Space (U.A. UAS-5567)

JIM CAPALDI – Oh How We Danced (Island / Capitol SW-9314)

DONOVAN – The World of Donovan (Physical – Spiritual) (Epic KEG-31210) double LP

Quad comedy LP’s? OK. We go all spacey with the 2^nd U.S. Hawkwind LP. Traffic’s Jim Capaldi gets a solo album (even before Steve Winwood got a real solo album). And I am not 100% certain that this Donovan album actually came out in the U.S. – my copy of it is Dutch, and I do not recall seeing a U.S. copy! It’s essentially an Epic label 2LP ‘best of’. (Sorry, the photo didn't rotate, for some reason)

Also of interest:

JACKSON BROWNE (Asylum SD 5051)

JAMES LAST – Music From Across The Way (Polydor 24-5505)

STONE THE CROWS – Teenaged Licks (Polydor 24-5020)

AL GREEN – Let’s Stay Together (Hi SHL 32070)

EZ hits from Jackson Browne and James Last (my dad had this album). 2^nd U.S. album for Stone The Crows. Big time R&B hit for Rev. Al Green.

Notable singles:

LEON RUSSELL – A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall b/w A Song For You (Shelter 7316)

COMMANDER CODY & THE LOST PLANET AIRMEN – Hot Rod Lincoln (Paramount 0146)

FAMILY – Larf & Sing b/w Between Blue and Me (U.A. 50882)

THE NEWBEATS – On Pretty Woman b/w Remember Love (Hickory 1624)

THE SWEET – Poppa Joe (Bell 45184)

Dandy AM A-side for Commander Cody; Leon Russell single from his 2^nd Shelter album “Leon Russell & The Shelter People”; A Family single from “Fearless”; I guess The Newbeats stayed with Hickory from “Bread & Butter” all the way to ’72 (at very least); glam rock from The Sweet – in early ’72!

New Releases 1972.02.07

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of February 7, 1972

Caught my eye:

KEITH EMERSON & THE NICE (Mercury SRM2-6500)

“JAMMING WITH EDWARD” (Rolling Stones COC 39100) (LP)

THE FREE DESIGN – One To One (Project 3 5061)

Mercury Records now try to cash-in on the Emerson, Lake & Palmer wave. For the 2^nd release on the Rolling Stones label, we get a half-baked LP of jam sessions that aren’t quite up to the Stones usual standards – at least it’s a mid-line. EZ hits from Project 3’s Free Design.

Also of interest:

KING CURTIS – Everybody’s Talkin’ (Atco SD 33-385)

ISAAC HAYES – In The Beginning (Atlantic SD 1599)

MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND (Polydor 24-5215)

TONY MOTTOLA – Superstar Guitar (Project 3 5062) (LP)

Rockin’ R&B from King Curtis. Atlantic trys to cash-in on the current success of Isaac Hayes (who is now signed to Enterprise). Manfred Mann transmogrifies yet again. EZ hits from Project 3’s guitar maestro.

Notable singles:

MOUTH & MacNEAL – How Do You Do (Philips 40715)

GORDON HASKELL – Sitting By The Fire b/w No Meaning (Atco 6869)

IAN MATTHEWS – Da Doo Ron Ron b/w House of Un-American activity Blues (Vertigo 103)

SANTANA – No One To Depend On b/w Taboo (Columbia 4-45552)

Annoying AM hit from Dutch act Mouth & MacNeal; single from “It Is & It Isn’t” by former King Crimson bassist / vocalist Gordon Haskell (both songs are on the album); a single from the 2^nd U.S. Vertigo LP by Ian Matthews (“Tigers Will Survive”); Santana cover a jazz song and get a decent radio hit with it.

New Releases 1972.01.31

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of January 31, 1972

Caught my eye:

INCREDIBLE STRING BAND – Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air (Elektra EKS-74112) (LP) (CD)

FIRESIGN THEATRE – Dear Friends (Columbia KG-31099) double LP (LP) (CD)

THE DOORS – Weird Scenes Inside The Goldmine (Elektra 8E-6001) double LP (LP)

I heard the I.S.B. at a friends house – but I knew I wanted to hear them by their record covers and song titles. My brother & my friend Paul had already hipped me to The Firesign Theatre – so I was waiting for this one! And The Doors roll on – with a nice double Best of – which included some up-to-that-time non-LP Morrison songs.

Also of interest:

JOHN KONGOS – Kongos (Elektra EKS-75019) (CD)

NEIL YOUNG – Harvest (Reprise MS 2032) (LP) (CD)

DAVID BROMBERG (Columbia C-31104) (LP)

South African John Kongos gets a U.S. release! Neil Young delivers his 4^th solo album and I saw David Bromberg on TV – playing with George Harrison, no less!

Notable singles:

THE SINGING DOGS – Hot Dog Boogie b/w Hot Dog Rock & Roll (RCA 48-1021) re-issue

JAMES BROWN – Talking Loud and Saying Nothing (Parts 1 & 2) (Polydor 14109)

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE – Running Away b/w Brave & Strong (Epic 5-10829)

YES – Roundabout (Atlantic 2854)

PAUL SIMON – Mother & Child Reunion b/w Paranoia Blues (Columbia 4-45547)

I suppose this Singing Dogs 45 got re-issued because of the ‘success’ of the re-issue of “Jingle Bells”? As far as I know, there are the only four Singing Dogs songs ever made! Top drawer soul from Mr. J.B. and my favorite Sly single. Yes get a U.S. single (but was it their first U.S. single? I think not!). Paul beats Artie back to the chart, with a snappy hit single.

New Releases 1972.01.24

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of January 24, 1972

Caught my eye:

HEVY GUNZ – Dope On Dope and Dope Doops (Enterprise 1022) (LP)

PETER YARROW – Peter (Warner BS 2599) (LP)

HORACE SILVER – United States Of Mind (Blue Note 84368)

Hevy Gunz were a comedy group – in the 99 cent bin – believe it or not, this album was eventually re-released as 1/2 of a double LP! Peter Yarrow is the Peter of Peter Paul & Mary. Unless I am mistaken, he was also the last of the three to issue his ‘solo’ album. I didn’t catch up to Horace Silver until “In Pursuit Of The 27^th Man”, but I know this album is a groovy one!

Also of interest:

ERIC MERCURY – Funky Rock (Enterprise 1020)

PAUL JONES – Crucifix In A Horseshoe (London XPS-605)

BRINSLEY SCHWARZ – Silver Pistol (U.A. UAS-5566)

RAY STEVENS – Turn Your Radio On (Barnaby 30809) (LP)

I’m very into Eric Mercury – “Electric Black Man” etc. – but I do not know this album. Paul Jones used to be the vocalist of Manfred Mann. Brinsley Schwarz featured Nick Lowe on bass. Ray Stevens was more in his “Mr. Businessman” mode than his “Ahab The Arab” mode – both are OK for me.

Notable singles:

BENNY HILL – Ernie, The Fastest Milkman In The West b/w Ting-A-Ling-A-Loo (Capitol 3272)

BREAD – Everything I Own b/w I Don’t Love You (Elektra 45765)

JONATHAN KING – Hooked On A Feeling (Parrot 3029)

BEE GEES – My World b/w On Time (Atco 6871)

CAROLE KING – Sweet Seasons b/w Pocket Money (Ode 66022)

I never knew this Benny Hill single came out in the US! More M.O.R. Bread hits. How long did Jonathan King beat Blue Swede to this song? Nice song from Carole King – and decidedly a non-hit Bee Gees 45 in the US (but I understand it was huge in Japan etc.)

The Last 10 Records in My Collection

The Last 10 Records in My Collection

LP ZODIAC MINDWARP / LOVE REACTION TATTOOED BEAT MESSIAH VERTIGO US 832729.1 1988 15 TRKS

CD ZOLAR X TIMELESS ALT TENTACLES VIRUS 319CD 2004 20 TRK Collection (70's/80's recordings)

CD ZOMBIES, THE KNIGHT RIDING KNIGHT UK KNCD 11001 1990 14 TRK Collection (60's recordings)

LP ZOMBIES, THE ODESSEY AND ORACLE DATE US TES 4013 1968? 12 TRKS 2nd cover

LP ZOMBIES, THE ROCK ROOTS DECCA AUS VMP 1018 1975? 16 TRK Collection (60's recordings)

7" ZOMBIES, THE TIME OF THE SEASON / FRIENDS OF MINE EPIC/SONY JPN 06.5P-43 1969? 2 TRKS with pic sleeve re-issue

LP ZOO COWBOYS AND ENGINES XSF NZ SBP 237832 1982 10 TRKS

7" ZOO KEEP IT UP / SHAH YAFIR CBS AUS BA 222966 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP ZUIDERWIJK, CESAR / JASPER VANT HOF LABYRINTH

21 NL 210.015 1984 8 TRKS Golden Earring

LP ZYGOAT ZYGOAT POLYDOR UK 2383 270 1974 12 TRKS

These are the last 10 titles in my music collection. I saw the Adrian Edmundson-directed video clip for “Prime Mover” and decided to give Zodiac Mindwarp a try. When I was a teenager, I saw Zolar X walking around the parking lot of Tower Records on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Years later, Don Bolles played me their album, then this CD happened. Always liked The Zombies, but I never thought there would be so many fanatics! The CD is a collection, with “Tell Her No” and “She’s Not There”; the “Odessey” LP is the 2^nd cover for the US edition – which I found sealed, many moons ago. Zoo used to be known as Pop Mechanix – NZ (Christchurch) musicians. This LP & single were recorded in Australia, and didn’t feature their singer Andrew Snoid ( = Andrew MacLennan ) – good band, but – sadly, Pop Mechanix never released their Mike Chunn-produced 1980 album. Cesar Zuiderwijk is the drummer of Golden Earring, and Jasper Vant Hof is a famous Dutch keyboard player – need to give this LP some more time. And, finally…Zygoat is Burt Alcantara, a guy who worked for Electrophon Studios, in England. As far as I know, the sole Zygoat LP is not out on CD. It’s 100% electronic, and fairly snappy.

What is the last record in your collection?

- Ron

New Releases 1972.01.17

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of January 17, 1972

Caught my eye:

YES – Fragile (Atlantic SD 7211) (LP) (CD)

KING CRIMSON – Islands (Atlantic SD 7212) (LP) (CD)

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER – Pictures At An Exhibition (Cotillion SD 6666) (LP) (CD)

LENNY BRUCE – Live At The Curran Theatre (Fantasy 34201) triple LP (LP)

Well, readers – I was certainly in the record stores downtown for this week’s releases! Imagine my good fortune – a King Crimson LP! And I heard “Roundabout” by Yes the same week, either in the hippie record store or on the FM radio. I think I already had the (then inexpensive) import version of ELP’s “Pictures At An Exhibition”. And I obviously couldn’t afford a triple comedy LP on my non-existent budget of 1972 – but I was into him…and I did eventually get a copy (it’s a whole show!).

Also of interest:

LORD SUTCH / HEAVY FRIENDS – The Hands of Jack The Ripper (Cotillion SD 9049)

HERMETO PASCOAL – Hermeto (Cobblestone 9000) (LP)

LIGHTHOUSE – Thoughts Of Movin’ On (Evolution 3010)

I had the first Cotillion Lord Sutch album (I just got a CD of it recently!), but…this LP was likely $3.98 – so I didn’t bother with it – it would take a few years for my Joe Meek fandom to make me more curious about Lord Sutch. No, I didn’t know who / what Hermeto was then – that would take until the U.S. release of “Slave’s Mass” (my favorite concert of the last decade was Hermeto play live at UCLA a few years back). I suppose Hermeto had already played with Miles Davis by the time this LP was released? And is this the LP by Lighthouse that sported the fine single “One Fine Morning”?

Notable singles:

NEIL YOUNG – Heart of Gold b/w Sugar Mountain (Reprise 1065)

GILBERT O’SULLIVAN – No Matter How I Try (Mam 3617)

MELANIE – Nickel Song (Buddah 268)

Perennially non-LP Neil Young B-Side, eh? Another non-hit Gilby single. Melanie was still a ways off from “Brand New Key”. She sure seemed to have a lot of duds.

New Releases 1972.01.10

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of January 10, 1972

So, 1972 doesn’t exactly start off with a Bang…but it’s not without merit…

Caught my eye:

MILES DAVIS – Bitches Brew (Columbia GQ-30997) double LP, QUAD

ANNETTE PEACOCK – I’m The One (RCA LSP-4578) (LP)

IAN MATTHEWS – Tigers Will Survive (Vertigo VEL-1010) (LP) (CD)

DON GIBSON – Country Green (Hickory LPS-160) (LP)

Miles’ most disorienting record to date – now available in 4-channel SQ Quad! Never knew about Annette Peacock at the time, but…I would by ’76 or so. I had purchased and loved Ian Matthews’ “If You Saw Thro My Eyes”, so I was all ready for “Tigers Will Survive” – it had even more Richard Farina songs on it! And we’re near the end of the original “indie” Hickory label (I think we will see the end of it when it gets sold to MGM this year).

Also of interest:

BLUE OYSTER CULT (Columbia C-31063)

PATTO – Hold Your Fire (Vertigo VEL-1008)

PAUL SIMON (Columbia KC-30750) (LP)

NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZLEWOOD – Nancy & Lee Again (RCA LSP-4645)

The Paul Simon LP is the star here – his first post-S&G solo album. Patto’s 2^nd US release on Vertigo. The debut from hard rockers B.O.C. – and Nancy & lee try to re-kindle the magic that was previous found on Reprise records for RCA.

Notable singles:

KOOL & THE GANG – N.T. (Parts 1 & 2) (De-Lite 544)

MYLON LeFEVRE – Mountain Home b/w Why You Been Gone So Long (Columbia 4-45532)

THE ARCHIES – Hold On To Lovin’ b/w Love Is Living In You (Kirshner 63-5018

FLOYD CRAMER – Corn Crib Symphony b/w Your Last Goodbye (RCA 74-0626)

What acronym can this Kool & The Gang single be? Nice Tits?! We’ll all hear about Mylon LeFevre in a short while once he makes an album with Ten Years After’s Alvin Lee. Who knew The Archies were in the status of ongoing concern in 1972? Not me! And I bet this is a dandy instrumental C&W single from Mr. Floyd Cramer.

= = =

We're going to do "1972" now. A friend of mine, Rick - has suggested to me that "Everything released in 1972 was great!" - he's not far off, but - the record industry was still very much in the schlock mode, as we will see. But not without merit, certainly!

- Ron

XTC

XTC (Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding etc.)

I complete my new wave trifecta with XTC.

LP 25 O'CLOCK (Dukes) VIRGIN UK WOW 1 1985 6 TRKS (1^st album / EP as “Dukes of the Stratosphear”)

12" 3D EP VIRGIN UK VS 188-12 1977 3 TRKS with pic sleeve; debut release – has the coda of this 12” made it’s way to CD? “Goodnight, suckers!”

12" 5 SENSES VIRGIN CAN VEP 308 1981 5 TRKS with pic sleeve, Canadian-only, at the time of “Senses Working Overtime”

12" ALL YOU PRETTY GIRLS VIRGIN UK VS 709-12 1984 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" ALL YOU PRETTY GIRLS / WASHAWAY VIRGIN JPN 07VA-1006 1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" ALL YOU PRETTY GIRLS / WASHAWAY VIRGIN UK VS 709 1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, nice fold-out ‘gimmicks’ sleeve

7" ARE YOU RECEIVING ME? / INSTANT TUNES VIRGIN NL 100.232 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" ARE YOU RECEIVING ME? / INSTANT TUNES VIRGIN UK VS 231 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" BALL AND CHAIN VIRGIN UK VS 482-12 1982 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" BALL AND CHAIN VIRGIN UK VS 482 1982 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD BIG EXPRESS, THE VIRGIN UK CDV 2325 1984 14 TRKS 3 x bonus tracks

LP BIG EXPRESS, THE GEFFEN US GHS 24054 1984 11 TRKS square cover – the original UK release was a round cover

LP BLACK SEA RSO US VR-1-1000 DJ 1980 11 TRKS green outer bag

LP BLACK SEA VIRGIN UK V 2173 1980 11 TRKS insert

CD BLACK SEA kami TOSHIBA JPN TOCP-65714 1980 14 TRKS 3 x Bonus Tracks ('01 issue)

7" CHAIN OF COMMAND / LIMELIGHT VIRGIN UK VDJ 30 1979 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, free single that came in Drums & Wires

CD CHIPS FROM THE CHOCOLATE FIREBALL (Dukes) GEFFEN US 24169.2 1985/7 16 TRK Collection – their album and EP on one CD

12" DEAR GOD VIRGIN UK VS 960-12 1987 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD DEAR GOD VIRGIN UK CDEP 3 1987 7 TRK CD EP CD5 where they tried to collect the B-sides of the era (The “Homo Safari” series etc.)

7" DEAR GOD / BIG DAY VIRGIN UK VS 960 1987 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD5 DEMO TRACKS VIRGIN JPN VJCP-14044 1992 5 TRK CD Single CD5; Japan-only EP, from the time of “Nonsuch”

10" DISAPPOINTED, THE VIRGIN UK VSA 1404 1992 3 TRKS with pic sleeve – nope, I do not have a CD, 7” or 12” of this one!

CD DRUMS & WIRES VIRGIN UK CDV 2129 1979 13 TRKS first CD issue

LP DRUMS & WIRES VIRGIN UK V 2129 1979 12 TRKS + 2 TRK 7" single

CD DRUMS & WIRES kami TOSHIBA JPN TOCP-65713 1979 15 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks) '01 re-mastered

CD ENGLISH SETTLEMENT GEFFEN US 4036.2 1982 15 TRKS 1st US CD vers. (original UK CD did not have all of the tracks, so I went for the US copy)

LPx2 ENGLISH SETTLEMENT VIRGIN UK V 2223 1982 15 TRKS UK original issue

CD EXPLODE TOGETHER VIRGIN UK CDOVD 308 1990 16 TRKS ('78/'80 recordings) “Go+” and Andy Partridge’s solo album on one CD

7" GENERALS AND MAJORS (7" x 2) VIRGIN UK VS 365 1980 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, 7"x2

7" GENERALS AND MAJORS (Mono) / (Stereo) RSO US VR 300 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

CD GO 2 VIRGIN UK CDV 2108 1978 13 TRKS original CD issue, 1 x bonus track

LP GO 2 VIRGIN FR 2933 758 1978 13 TRKS alternate 'photo cover', insert

LP GO 2 VIRGIN UK V 2108 1978 12 TRKS insert

CD GO 2 kami TOSHIBA JPN TOCP-65712 1978 13 TRKS 'kami sleeve' re-issue

12" GO+ VIRGIN UK VS 233-12 1978 5 TRK EP; with pic sleeve – originally given away free with initial copies of “Go 2”

12" GRASS VIRGIN UK VS 882-12 1986 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" GRASS / DEAR GOD VIRGIN UK VS 882 1986 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" GREAT FIRE VIRGIN UK VS 553-12 1983 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" GREAT FIRE / GOLD VIRGIN UK VS 553 1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve + Plastic cover – “Gold” is one of my favorite B-Sides

12" KING FOR A DAY VIRGIN UK VST 1177 1989 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD3 KING FOR A DAY VIRGIN UK VSCD 1177 1989 4 TRK CD Single CD3

7" KING FOR A DAY / (Same) GEFFEN US 7-22953 1989 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

7" LIFE BEGINS AT THE HOP / HOMO SAFARI VIRGIN JPN VIP-2760 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" LIFE BEGINS AT THE HOP / HOMO SAFARI VIRGIN UK VS 259 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, clear vinyl

12" LIVE & MORE VIRGIN JPN VIP-5904 1981 6 TRK EP; large Picture labels, insert – the “Black Sea” era live B-sides, mostly

7" LOOKING FOR FOOTPRINTS (Flexipop Mag.) FLEXIPOP UK 16 1979? 1 TRK no pic sleeve, flexidisc – which happily turns up on “Rag & Bone Buffet”

12" LOVE ON A FARMBOY'S WAGES VIRGIN UK VS 613-12 1983 4 TRKS with pic sleeve – unless I am mistaken, some of these B-sides never made it to CD

7" LOVE ON A FARMBOY'S WAGES (7" x 2) VIRGIN UK VS 613 1983 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, 7"x2

12" LOVING, THE VIRGIN UK VST 1201 1989 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD3 LOVING, THE VIRGIN UK VSCD 1201 1989 3 TRK CD Single CD3

7" LOVING, THE / CYNICAL DAYS VIRGIN UK VS 1201 1989 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD MAKING PLANS FOR ANDY pirate LIVING LEG LLRCD 076 1990 13 TRKS Live, a Pirate CD I found in Germany, years ago

7" MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL / ARE YOU RECEIVING ME? VIRGIN AUS K 7668 1979 3 TRKS no pic sleeve, live

7" MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL / BUSHMAN PRESIDENT VIRGIN UK VS 282 1979 3 TRKS with pic sleeve + GAME !

7" MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL / LIFE BEGINS AT THE HOP VIRGIN FR 2097 823 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL / THIS IS POP VIRGIN JPN VIP-2792 1979 3 TRKS with pic sleeve, Live tracks on the B-side

7" MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL / THIS IS POP VIRGIN US VA 67009 1979 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" MAYOR OF SIMPLETON VIRGIN UK VSR 1158 1989 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" MAYOR OF SIMPLETON VIRGIN UK VST 1158 1989 3 TRKS with pic sleeve – with this release, they were playing the ‘different B-sides’ 12” game

CD3 MAYOR OF SIMPLETON VIRGIN UK VSCD 1158 1989 4 TRK CD Single CD3

7" MAYOR OF SIMPLETON / (Same) GEFFEN US 7-27552 1989 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

12" MEETING PLACE, THE VIRGIN UK VS 912-12 1986 5 TRK EP with pic sleeve

7" MEETING PLACE, THE VIRGIN UK VSY 912 1986 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, clear vinyl

7" MOLE FROM THE MINISTRY (Dukes) VIRGIN UK VS 763 1985 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

CD MUMMER VIRGIN UK CDV 2264 1983 16 TRKS 6 x bonus tracks

LP MUMMER VIRGIN UK V 2264 1983 10 TRKS UK original issue

7" NO THUGS IN OUR HOUSE VIRGIN UK VS 490 1982 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, fold-out ‘gimmick’ sleeve – no 12”, I presume?

CD NONSUCH GEFFEN US GEFD-24474 1992 17 TRKS (last Virgin label album) – drat, I once passed up a double UK LP of this title

CD ORANGES & LEMONS GEFFEN US 24218.2 1989 15 TRKS

LPx2 ORANGES & LEMONS GEFFEN US 24218.1 1989 15 TRKS

CD ORPHEUS - THE LOWDOWN (Blegvad / A. Partridge) APE HOUSE APECD 005 2003 12 TRKS with book – not a stellar release, but to be included…Mr. partridge did once produce some nice stuff for Peter Blegvad

LP PSONIC PSUNSPOT (Dukes) GEFFEN US GHS 24169 1987 10 TRKS 2^nd Dukes album

CD RAG & BONE BUFFET VIRGIN UK CDOVD 311 1990 24 TRK Collection (70's, 80's recordings) – collecting many odd B-sides etc.

7" RESPECTABLE STREET VIRGIN UK VS 407 1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve – no 12”, I presume?

LPx2 RHYTHM, THE pirate CENTRIFUGAL 12CENT-07 1981? 15 TRKS Pirate, Live 1/80

CD3 SENSES WORKING OVERTIME VIRGIN UK CDT 9 1982 4 TRK CD Single CD3 was released ‘after the fact’

7" SENSES WORKING OVERTIME / BLAME THE WEATHER VIRGIN UK VS 462 1982 3 TRKS with pic sleeve, not a fold-out sleeve

7" SENSES WORKING OVERTIME / BLAME THE WEATHER VIRGIN UK VS 462 1982 3 TRKS with pic sleeve, fold-out sleeve

7" SGT. ROCK / LIVING THROUGH ANOTHER CUBA VIRGIN UK VS 384 1980 3 TRKS with pic sleeve, poster – no 12”, I presume?

CD SKYLARKING VIRGIN UK CDV 2399 1986 14 TRKS UK version, which does not have “Dear God”

LP SKYLARKING GEFFEN US GHS 24117 1986 14 TRKS the "Dear God" US version

7" STATUE OF LIBERTY / HANG ON TO THE NIGHT VIRGIN JPN VIP-2599 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" STATUE OF LIBERTY / HANG ON TO THE NIGHT VIRGIN UK VS 201 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP TAKE AWAY (Andy Partridge) VIRGIN UK V 2145 1980 11 TRKS rubber-stamped labels

7" TAKE THIS TOWN / BABYLON'S BURNING (The Ruts) RSO UK RSO 71 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve (O.S.T.)

7" TEN FEET TALL / HELICOPTER / SONAMBULIST VIRGIN US VA 67004 1980 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" TEN FEET TALL / OLYMPIAN (The Skids) SMASH HITS HIT 002 1980 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, flexidisc, this time from “Smash Hits” magazine

7" THANKS FOR CHRISTMAS (as ‘Three Wise Men’) VIRGIN UK VS 642 1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve – an Xmas single

7" THIS IS POP? / HEATWAVE VIRGIN UK VS 209 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" THIS WORLD OVER VIRGIN UK VS 721-12 1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" THIS WORLD OVER / BLUE OVERALL VIRGIN UK VS 721 1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, cards attached to the cover of the single

CD TINY CIRCUS OF LIFE, THE VIRGIN FR 30953 1992 16 TRK Collection, 'France-Only' title – presumably from around the time of “Nonsuch”

7" TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN ("The Colonel") VIRGIN UK VS 380 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve; Colin Moulding solo single – Mr. Moulding also played on an album by French pop group “L’Affaire Louis’ Trio”

7" TOWERS OF LONDON (7" x 2) VIRGIN UK VS 372 1980 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, 7"x 2 – no 12”, I presume?

CDx4 TRANSISTOR BLAST (4CD boxed set) TVT US 3240.2 1998 52 TRKS BBC Live & Studio, it was missing the booklet – but it was inexpensive

7" WAIT TILL YOUR BOAT GOES DOWN / TEN FEET TALL VIRGIN NL 101.553 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" WAIT TILL YOUR BOAT GOES DOWN / TEN FEET TALL VIRGIN NZ VS 322 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" WAIT TILL YOUR BOAT GOES DOWN / TEN FEET TALL VIRGIN UK VS 322 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" WAKE UP VIRGIN UK VS 746-12 1985 6 TRK EP; with pic sleeve

7" WAKE UP / TAKE THIS TOWN VIRGIN UK VS 746 1985 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD WAXWORKS: SOME SINGLES 1977 - 1982 GEFFEN US GEFD-4037 1982 12 TRK Collection – which I bought ostensibly to get “Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down” on CD!

LP WHITE MUSIC VIRGIN UK V 2095 1978 12 TRKS UK original issue

CD WHITE MUSIC kami TOSHIBA JPN TOCP-65711 1978 19 TRKS 'kami sleeve' re-issue, 7 x bonus tracks

7" WONDERLAND / JUMP VIRGIN UK VS 606 1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve – no 12”, I presume?

CD XTC IN MOTION pirate MIKULSKI RD 003 1991? 17 TRKS Pirate, Live 70's – another CD I found in Germany

12" YOU'RE A GOOD MAN ALBERT BROWN (Dukes) VIRGIN UK VS 982-12 1987 4 TRKS with pic sleeve, the final ‘Dukes” single

I think it was determined that if the copies of “Go 2” that came from the exporter had a “free” 12” single attached to it (i.e. “Go +”), it was OK to take it home and listen to it. That the exporter was Caroline Exports – an arm of Virgin Records – meant that they were ‘pushing’ XTC, when they were new. When I telex’d them, expressing interest, they sent some “F.O.C.” goods in the next shipment – “Free Of Charge”. Hey, what speed do I play this at?

Instantly hooked, I bought a “Go 2” with a “Go +” shrink-wrapped to it and went nuts. It took about 15 minutes to order up a copy of “White Music” from England. I was given “F.O.C.” copies of the first two ‘singles’ – “This Is Pop” and “Statue Of Liberty” – and I sniffed out a “3D EP” pretty darned quickly. With the track to be found on the “Guillotine” sampler (“Traffic Light Rock”), one could assemble a pretty compelling C-90 of this new British band.

When are they going to come? As in, “When are they going to play The Whisky?”. Fall of ’79, I went to England, made sure I had everything I could find by XTC – I checked all of the other Virgin label sampler LP’s etc. I was buying a lot of British press in those days – NME, Sounds, Melody Maker, Smash Hits, Flexipop etc., so it seems unlikely they XTC could make a move that wasn’t covered. OK, so I missed the 7” of the “3D EP” – but I guess there weren’t many of them made.

My heart was broken when XTC lost their keyboard player, Barry Andrews. I had used the use of keyboards to justify my interest in this band – I suppose this is why I could never ‘warm’ to “Drums & Wires” – I had Barry Andrews withdrawal! And it took them so damned long to come to L.A. to play! Got back on track with “Black Sea”, I remember really liking “Skylarking” and “Oranges and Lemons”…

I got the Barry Andrews solo singles and, eventually, the Shriekback records. But it reminds me of a scenario that I am familiar with – I have a favorite band – they take a big break – and I can almost never get back into the groove with them. Like King Crimson, I never went for any XTC titles after “Nonsuch” – and, truth be told, I never really went for “Nonsuch” in a big way. Had I had enough XTC?

In the new century, I can buy kami sleeve ( = little paper album covers ) CD’s of the albums I really like and remember XTC very fondly. So, I am a few titles away from a complete-ish collection – big deal. Can’t have everything!