Rare Bird

Rare Bird

Rare Bird (Charisma UK CAS 1005) 1969

As Your Mind Flies By (Charisma UK CAS 1011) 1970

Epic Forest (Polydor UK 2442 101) 1972

Somebody's Watching (Polydor UK 2383 211) 1973

Born Again (Polydor UK2383 274) 1974

Rare Bird were a British late 60’s/early 70’s band that were initially signed to Charisma Records. They were managed by the owner of Charisma Records, Tony Stratton-Smith. They were among the first British rock groups to use a ‘dual keyboard’ format (Procol Harum also comes to mind). At the time of their debut album, they even managed a well-thought-of single, “Sympathy” that charted in England. The song was even covered by another Charisma act, Capability Brown.

I am only aware of legit CD’s for the first 3 albums. The first two were done in Japan in the late 80’s (and they sound great!). “Epic Forest” just got a British CD release via the famous “El” label (via Cherry Red). I do not think the last two albums have legit CD issues. All 5 Rare Bird LP’s got issued internationally (yes, even in the U.S.!). Both Charisma LP’s had their LP covers changed for the U.S. market (the first being on ABC’s Probe Records, the second on ABC Records proper). Apparently, Universal England has made a compilation from the 3 x Polydor LP’s as a CD.

Rare Bird member David Kaffenetti later renamed himself David Kaff and was the keyboard player in the fictitious rock band Spinal Tap. Organist Graham Field formed a band called Fields, who made one (self-titled) LP. Drummer Mark Ashton managed a few solo album, in the singer / songwriter style. Bassist / vocalist Steve Gould sounds like Arthur Brown at times – which is a great compliment (check out “Hammerhead” on “As Your Mind Flies By”).

While Rare Bird may be an easily recognized name in Great Britain, they are not all that well-known in the U.S. – having never had a ‘hit single’ here. Did they tour here? I think so, but I am too young to have been aware of them having ever come. I am also not aware if they have ever re-formed, as so many of the 70’s British bands seem to do.

Drunk guy in an elevator

Photo is "Drunk guy in an elevator" by Ron Kane...Tokyo, Summer '07

New Releases 1972.07.31

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of July 31, 1972

Caught my eye:

CAPABILITY BROWN – From Scratch (Charisma CAS 1056) (LP) still not on CD!

BEE GEES – To Whom It May Concern (Atco SD 7012) (LP) (CD)

Two good ones! I am a huge fan of Capability Brown – formerly known as “Harmony Grass” and after CB known as “Krazy Kat” – this is their excellent debut album, and still not on CD as of summer ’07. I believe this was a two-man Bee Gees album.

Also of interest:

FUNK INC. – Chicken Lickin’ (Prestige 10043)

GALLERY – Nice To Be With You (Sussex 7017) (LP)

I found the Gallery album a few years ago and couldn’t put a date to it. I like the title of the Funk Inc. LP!

Notable singles:

CHICAGO – Saturday In The Park b/w Alma Mater (Columbia 4-45657)

MICHAEL JACKSON – Ben b/w You Can Cry On My Shoulder (Motown 1207)

JAMES BROWN – Good Foot (Parts 1 and 2) (Polydor 14139)

GERONIMO BLACK – ’59 Chevy b/w Let Us Live (Uni 55539)

VAN MORRISON – Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven) b/w You’ve Got The Power (Warners 7616)

JOE COCKER – Midnight Rider b/w Woman To Woman (A&M 1370)

KIM FOWLEY – I’m Bad b/w Forbidden Love (Capitol 3403)

Hit single for Chicago. Michael’s solo debut? A re-issue? More R&B from James Brown. Ex-Zappa sidemen make a Geronimo Black single (why wasn’t it “Low Riding Man”?) Nice A-Side for Van Morrison. Probably the last of the Joe Cocker singles in the old style. And somebody must’ve had a laugh – the Kim Fowley single was listed under “Country & Western” titles on the Phonolog release sheet!

Your Song Is Good

We saw Japanese band "Your Song Is Good" at Shibuya Ax on July 1, 2007 - at the invitation of Chabe from Escalator. Good show, and I bought 3 of their CD's at the show.

It's hot in L.A. - so no energy for a proper post today. Thinking of writing about British 60's LP's! But I have some more 1972 to post, as well as some 1973 - eventually!

John Mayall / Eric Clapton

Last album listened to?

JOHN MAYALL – Blues Breakers – John Mayall with Eric Clapton (London US CD 800086.2 (recorded, released 1966, this CD is from the 80’s)

Why that one?

I was loaned the book “Strange Brew – Eric Clapton & the British Blues Boom 1965 – 1970” by Christopher Hjort – I read the first 70 pages in one sitting.

What did you think?

I didn’t hear this album until after Cream broke up. I didn’t even hear it on the radio – in fact, I believe the first John Mayall record I ever actually heard (and identified) was “The Turning Point” (which I still love – and I see that a re-mastered CD with bonus tracks has been issued – must go out and get a copy!). Eventually, it transpires that no self-respecting Cream fan can be without this John Mayall LP. But by the time I actually hear it, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. In 2007, the single most interesting thing for me on this album is the appearance of British jazzers:

Johnny Almond (on baritone sax)

Alan Skidmore (on tenor sax) and

Dennis Healy (on trumpet)!

Thus far, my favorite story in the book I’m reading is about how Clapton angered and confused the studio engineers by wanting to have them record him with his ‘set up’ at full volume: “No, I can’t, because if I turn it down, the sound changes. And I can’t get the sustain I want.” OK, sound pretty good, Eric – “All Your Love” has that ‘classic Clapton’ “riff” in it – is this the first non-jazz ‘power riff’? This album proves British Decca wasn’t clueless – well, this, and “Aftermath” by The Rolling Stones.

I like that Eric is ‘reading’ Beano #1242 (May, 1966) – I wonder what that issue goes for on eBay these days?

So, much love to John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker – all still alive as of this writing. Let’s not forget John McVie (bass) and Hughie Flint (drums), folks. Usually, when trying to think of the “ultimate” set of British rock music, I start with Joe Meek around 1960, then you get The Beatles…and The Rolling Stones, Graham Bond ORGANization, Manfred Mann, The Who – but we mustn’t dismiss John Mayall as being ‘merely blues’ – “Blues Breakers – John Mayall with Eric Clapton” is the sound of electric British rock music really staking it’s claim. For me, it’s what the Japanese might call “Pre-70’s” – the sound of things to come. What a hot guitar sound!

Tonight will likely see me playing “Fresh Cream” and perhaps a bootleg CD or two of Cream playing live in England in 1966. I wonder how much more of that book I will get through tonight?

Colosseum

Colosseum

COLLECTOR'S COLOSSEUM BRONZE DE 85815 IT

LP 1971 8 TRK Collection

COLOSSEUM LIVE SEQUEL US 1006.2

CD 1971 7 TRKS Live

COLOSSEUM LIVE ISLAND/BRO UK ICD 1

LPx2 1971 6 TRKS Live

DAUGHTER OF TIME SEQUEL UK NEXCD 256

CD 1970 8 TRKS Vertigo

DAUGHTER OF TIME DUNHILL US DSX 50101

LP 1970 8 TRKS

GRASS IS GREENER, THE DUNHILL US DS 50079

LP 1969 8 TRKS

THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE SALUTE YOU DUNHILL US DS 50062

LP 1969 6 TRKS

THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE SALUTE YOU FONTANA UK STL 5510

LP 1969 8 TRKS UK original aka “Morituri Te Salutant”

THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT... / VALENTYNE SUITE SEQUEL UK NEXCD 161

CD 1969 13 TRKS, 2 on 1

VALENTYNE SUITE VERTIGO UK VO 1

LP 1969 7 TRKS UK original

I have been a fan of Colosseum for years and years. As a very young fan of Cream, Colosseum were one of the few other British bands of the day that seemed interesting. Remember, this is before the 70’s – you had pop music, then electric blues, then rock bands, jazz bands that became rock…etc. Colosseum is basically a bunch of jazz guys presented as a rock band, at just the right time.

Colosseum’s drummer Jon Hiseman and sax player Dick Heckstall-Smith had been in the famous Graham Bond Organization (which also included future members of Cream Jack Bruce and Terry “Ginger” Baker, as well as the mighty Graham Bond).

I tried Colosseum because I could see that Jack Bruce had a song on their second U.S. album “The Grass Is Greener” (“Rope Ladder To The Moon”) – however, my favorite song there would have to be the original recording of “Jumping Off The Sun” – which got re-recorded for “Collector’s Colosseum”. I also noted that Colosseum were utilizing the services of Cream’s lyricist, Pete Brown.

So, I managed to obtain both “Daughter of Time” and “Colosseum Live” as new releases – better late than never. I didn’t like vocalist Chris Farlowe as well as whoever had been singing for Colosseum, but…

After the end of Colosseum, easily my favorite album is Dick Heckstall-Smith’s “A Story Ended”, with great Pete Brown songs, Graham Bond etc. I met Mr. Heckstall-Smith when his book “Safest Place In The World” was published in England, in 1990 – and got to tell him how much I liked his LP. And I’m friendly with Pete Brown.

So, let’s just say I am a big Colosseum fan, and remain so after 30+ years of fandom. I saw a video of the reformed band playing in the 90’s, and they were great – and you can’t say that about every 60’s band!

New Musik

Last album listened to?

NEW MUSIK – From A To B (GTO / CBS EU CD 474616.2 – originally issued as GTO UK LP GTLP 041 in 1980)

Why that one?

I recently got the CD for the 3^rd New Musik album, “Warp”, when I visited Japan

What did you think?

It was pretty much as remembered. I am going to try and listen to all three New Musik CD titles presently. I probably hadn’t played any of the complete albums since I got the first two as CD’s (in the 90’s). I like their singles real well – “Luxury”, “This World of Water”, “While You Wait”, “The Planet Doesn’t Mind” etc. I understand that leader Tony Mansfield is perhaps better known as a producer (Captain Sensible, Lio etc.) – but as far as I am concerned, New Musik are an 80’s band that has aged rather well. They were never over-played (I do not think I ever heard them against my will!). I do not get a chance to add to my New Musik very often (recently found a U.S. 45 of “Straight Lines” and just obtained the aforementioned “Warp” CD in Japan). I never saw them play live – I do not think they ever came to the U.S. to play live. I have no idea if any of them are active in the music business at present. I think I always thought that the keyboard player would turn up in some other group, but…I never saw if he did. Mansfield is the singer / writer / guitarist – but to me, the keyboard player of New Musik was a real star. By the way, all three CD’s by New Musik have bonus tracks – but I believe there are still some cuts on 7” singles that never made it to CD.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE / TWELFTH HOUSE EPIC UK EPCA 1976 7"

ANYWHERE GTO FR 474615.2 CD

ANYWHERE GTO UK GTLP 044 LP

CHURCHES / THEY ALL RAN AFTER THE CARVING KNIFE GTO FR GT 298 7"

FROM A TO B GTO FR 474616.2 CD

FROM A TO B GTO UK GTLP 041 LP

LIVING BY NUMBERS / SAD FILMS GTO UK GT 261 7"

LUXURY GTO FR GT 13-296 12"

LUXURY / OFFICE, THE GTO UK GT 268 7"

PLANET DOESN'T MIND, THE GTO UK GT 13-302 12"

SANCTUARY EPIC US NFE 37314 LP

SANCTUARY / SHE'S A MAGAZINE / CHIK MUSIK GTO UK GT 275 7"

STRAIGHT LINES (10") EPIC US 3E 36450 10"

STRAIGHT LINES / ON ISLANDS EPIC US 9-50841 7"

STRAIGHT LINES / ON ISLANDS GTO UK GT 255 7"

THIS WORLD OF WATER / MISSING PERSONS GTO UK GT 268 7"

WARP EPIC/SONY JPN EICP 7015 CD

WARP EPIC UK EPC 85567 LP

WHILE YOU WAIT GTO UK GT 13-291 12"

WHILE YOU WAIT / FROM THE VILLAGE / GUITARS GTO UK GT 291 7"

New Releases 1972.07.24

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of July 24, 1972

Caught my eye:

GARY OWENS – Put Your Head On My Finger (Pride 0002) (LP)

CHICAGO – Chicago V (Columbia KC-31102) (LP)

VAN MORRISON – St. Dominic’s Preview (Warner Brothers 2633)

GENTLE GIANT – Three Friends (Columbia KC-31649) (LP)

Insane comedy LP from L.A. D.J. Gary Owens (KMPC-AM), just wonderful! The first Chicago album to not be a multiple disc set! Decent Van Morrison album. New label for Vertigo act Gentle Giant.

Also of interest:

MILES DAVIS – Live Evil (Columbia CQ-30954) QUAD double LP

GRANDPA JONES – Live (Harmony H-31396) (LP)

JUDAS JUMP – Scorch (Pride 0003)

DONNY OSMOND – Too Young (MGM SE-4854)

Miles in Quad! Is this the one with Hermeto? I think this Grandpa Jones LP is a straight re-issue of a Monument title. Judas Jump – same label as Gary Owens – isn’t this British? Teen fodder from young Donny Osmond.

Notable singles:

BLOODROCK – D.O.A. (Capitol 3399)

BREAD – Guitar Man (Elektra 45803)

SLADE – Take Me Back ‘Ome (Polydor 15046)

MELTON, LEVY & THE DEY BROTHERS – Play Little Children b/w S.O.S. (Columbia 4-45650)

BEE GEES – Run To Me b/w Road To Alaska (Atco 6896)

Heavy stuff from Bloodrock, maaan; dandy A-side from Bread; real UK Glam Rock from Slade; Melton is of course Bary Melton, the guitarist from Country Joe & The Fish; OK minor hit for the Brothers Gibb.

Captain Sensible

In Japan, I got the new CD of "Women & Captains First" by Captain Sensible, from The Damned. It's his '82 solo album debut with the big hit single on it - "Happy Talk". I had always liked The Damned (lots of fun, eh readers?), and after "Machine Gun Etiquette", I really liked The Damned. So, I was ready for a Captain Sensible major label solo career. Despite the big hit, this CD wasn't originated until this year, a full 25+ years since it's original LP issue. There was a CD in England that collected his singles, but never this one...until now! This album also has the fun novelty song "Wot?" - and I have always been partial to the psychedelic pastiche of "A Nice Cup Of Tea".

My small, humble Captain Sensible collection:

CROYDON / JIMI HENDRIX'S STRAT A&M UK CAP 3 7" 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

DAY IN THE LIFE OF…, A A&M US SP-5026 LP 1984 11 TRKS U.S. Collection

HAPPY TALK A&M UK CAPP 1 12" 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

HAPPY TALK / IT / I CAN'T STAND IT A&M UK CAP 1 7" 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

I GET SO EXCITED DELTIC UK DELT 2T 12" 1988 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

I'M A SPIDER / WOMEN SAGO A&M UK CAP 5 7" 1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

MY BABY DON'T CARE WEIZENHEIMER KCEP 002 10" 1978 4 TRKS with pic sleeve ('04 issue)

POWER OF LOVE, THE A&M UK AMLX 68561 LP 1983 12 TRKS 2nd, promo

SENSIBLE SINGLES A&M UK AMA 5026 LP 1984 13 TRKS Collection

STOP THE WORLD / BACK TO SCHOOL? A&M UK CAP 4 7" 1983 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

THERE ARE MORE SNAKES THAN LADDERS A&M UK CAPX 7 12" 1984 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING CRASS UK 321984/5 7" 1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

WOMEN AND CAPTAINS FIRST A&M JPN AMP-28064 LP 1982 14 TRKS insert

WOMEN AND CAPTAINS FIRST kami UNIVERSAL JPN UICY-93257 CD 1982 13 TRKS ('07 issue) kami sleeve (2 x bonus tracks)

WOT! A&M UK CAPP 2 12" 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

WOT! / STRAWBERRY DROSS A&M UK CAP 2 7" 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

WOT? NO MEAT? / A MEAT SANDWICH ANIMUS UK TOUCH 3 7" 1985 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

Hawkwind / Robert Calvert

Hawkwind / Robert Calvert

CDS 4004 Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music (Sept. ’76)

CDS 4008 Quark, Strangeness & Charm (June ’77)

CDS 4014 25 Years On (as “Hawklords”) (October ’78)

CDS 4016 PXR 5 (May ’79)

All titles Charisma Records UK.

After being a venerable progressive rock band for United Artists Records in England during the first half of the 70’s, Hawkwind signed to Charisma Records and delivered a quartet of “new wave / progressive rock” LP’s.

What? Hawkwind as a new wave band? Yes, it’s true – after the sonic assaults of “In Search of Space” and “Space Rituals”, the sound of the band was honed down to a tight new wave band with a charismatic lead vocalist, the late South African Robert Calvert. They had also added violinist Simon House (from High Tide) and the sound was wonderful.

“Quark, Strangeness & Charm” is my favorite of these four titles – from this album “Days Of The Underground” ranks as my single favorite Hawkwind track, with a great performance from Calvert – and fantastic lyrics.

I have no idea why Hawkwind decided to call themselves Hawklords – the band (and sound) were literally unchanged. “25 Years On” is a good album, too. “The Flying Doctor” is particularly amusing.

I am also fond of Calvert’s solo work – especially his third album “Hype – The Songs of Tom Mahler”. I understand there is a book that goes with this album, but I’ve never seen a copy.

The Stranglers

The Stranglers

EMI Years (roughly ’77 – ’82)

7" 5 MINUTES / DEATH AND NIGHT / OUTSIDE TOKYO U.A. JPN CM-192

1979 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" 5 MINUTES / ROK IT TO THE MOON U.A. UK UP 36350

1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" BEAR CAGE U.A. UK 12BP 344

1980 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" BEAR CAGE / SHAH SHAH A GO GO U.A. UK BP 344

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD BEAST IN TORONTO, THE pirate RAG DOLL RDM-941009

2000? 13 TRKS Live '78 pirate

CD BLACK AND WHITE EMI UK CDP 790596.2

1978 14 TRKS 3rd album

LP BLACK AND WHITE U.A. UK UAK 30222

1978 14 TRKS LP + 7", white vinyl

7" CHOOSEY SUSIE / MEAN TO ME U.A. JPN 17F-3

1979 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" DO THE EUROPEAN / CHOOSEY SUSIE IRS US SP 70952

1980 4 TRK EP; no pic sleeve

7" DON'T BRING HARRY U.A. UK STR 1

1979 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve

7" DUCHESS / FOOLS RUSH OUT U.A. JPN CM-263

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" DUCHESS / FOOLS RUSH OUT U.A. UK BP 308

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" DUCHESS / RAVEN, THE IRS US IR 9018

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" GOLDEN BROWN LIBERTY DE 1C K052-83255Z

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" GOLDEN BROWN / LOVE 30 U.A. UK BP 407

1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" GOLDEN BROWN / STRANGE LITTLE GIRL EMI UK G45 6

1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, re-issue

LP GREAT LOST STRANGLERS ALBUM KING JPN K28P-321

1983 14 TRK Collection, insert, Japan-only

LP GREAT LOST STRANGLERS ALBUM CONTINUED KING JPN K28P-322

1983 13 TRK Collection, insert, Japan-only

7" GRIP / LONDON LADY U.A. UK UP 36211

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" GRIP '89 LIBERTY UK 12EM 84

1989 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD5 GRIP '89 LIBERTY UK CDEM 84

1989 4 TRK CD Single CD5

7" JUST LIKE NOTHING ON EARTH / MANINWHITE U.A. UK BP 393

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD LA FOLIE EMI UK CDP 746614.2

1981 12 TRKS 1 x bonus track

LP LA FOLIE LIBERTY UK LBG 30342

1981 11 TRKS

7" LA FOLIE / WALTZ IN BLACK U.A. UK BP 410

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO THE FAMILY U.A. UK BP 405

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP LIVE (X CERTS) KING JPN GP 670

1979 11 TRKS same as "Live", poster

CD LIVE (X-CERTS) EMI UK CDP 790597.2

1979 13 TRKS Live 2 x bonus tracks

LP LONDON LADIES pirate RZM RZM 201

1979? 10 TRKS Live, pirate

CD MENINBLACK, THE EMI/FAME UK CDFA 3208

1981 12 TRKS 2 x bonus tracks

LP MENINBLACK, THE LIBERTY UK LBG 30313

1981 10 TRKS

12" N'EMMENES PAS HARRY FAN CLUB FR HARRY 1

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, re-issue

7" N'EMMENES PAS HARRY / LIVIN' IN A BEAR CAGE U.A. FR 2C 008-82868

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" NICE 'N' SLEAZY / SHUT UP U.A. JPN CM-140

1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD5 NIGHTTRACKS STRANGE FR UK SFNTCD 020

1989 3 TRK CD Single CD5 ('82 BBC recording)

CD NO MORE HEROES EMI UK CDP 746613.2

1977 12 TRKS 2nd album

LP NO MORE HEROES U.A. NL 1C064-99560

1977 12 TRKS 2nd album

7" NO MORE HEROES / IN THE SHADOWS U.A. JPN CM-103

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" NO MORE HEROES / IN THE SHADOWS U.A. UK UP 36300

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" NUCLEAR DEVICE / YELLOWCAKE UFO U.A. UK BP 318

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP OFF THE BEATEN TRACK LIBERTY UK LBG 5001

1986 13 TRK Collection that was, essentially, replaced by “Rarities” in ’88

7" PEACHES / GO BUDDY GO U.A. UK UP 36248

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD RARITIES EMI UK CZ 141

1988 19 TRK Collection (6 x bonus tracks)

LP RARITIES LIBERTY UK EMS 1306

1988 13 TRK Collection

CD RATTUS NORVEGICUS IV EMI UK CDP 746362.2

1977 9 TRKS 1st album

LP RATTUS NORVEGICUS IV U.A. UK UAG 30045

1977 9 TRKS 1st album, LP + 7"

CD RAVEN, THE EMI UK CDP 746615.2

1979 12 TRKS 1 x bonus track

LP RAVEN, THE LIBERTY DE 1C038-157604.1

1979 11 TRKS re-issue, not a 3-D cover

7" SOMETHING BETTER CHANGE (EP) A&M US AM-1973

1977 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, White vinyl

7" SOMETHING BETTER CHANGE / STRAIGHTEN OUT U.A. JPN CM-127

1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" SOMETHING BETTER CHANGE / STRAIGHTEN OUT U.A. UK UP 36277

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" STRANGE LITTLE GIRL / CRUEL GARDEN U.A. UK BP 412

1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" STRANGLERS, THE KING JPN GXA 6

1979 6 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, Japan-only

7" SVERIGE / IN THE SHADOWS U.A. SWEDEN UP 36459

1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" THROWN AWAY / TOP SECRET U.A. UK BP 383

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" TOMORROW WAS THE HEREAFTER U.A. UK SIS 001

1980 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

CD12 U.A. SINGLES '79 - '82 (12CD boxed set) EMI UK 551672.2

2003 29 TRK Collection; 12 x CD Singles (BOXED SET #2)

7" WALK ON BY / MEAN TO ME / TITS U.A. UK FREE 9

1978 3 TRKS no pic sleeve, White vinyl – given away with “Black & White”

7" WALK ON BY / OLD CODGER / TANK U.A. UK UP 36429

1978 3 TRKS with pic sleeve; George Melly sings on “Old Codger”

12" WHO WANTS THE WORLD KING JPN GXA 7

1980 5 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, Japan-only

7" WHO WANTS THE WORLD / MENINBLACK, THE U.A. UK BP 355

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

I was probably fairly lucky that it was the debut Stranglers LP that was pulled out and played (in a record store) when the question was asked, “What is this punk rock stuff from England?”. For one, it meant that I didn’t totally dismiss ‘Punk rock’ – but it must be stated that I was avidly collecting Italian horror film soundtracks in 1977 – and that I had no real interested in ‘Punk rock’ per se.

It must also be stated that I liked the sound of The Stranglers initially, as they had more than a passing resemblance to The Doors (and the vocalist sounded a bit like Syd Barrett to me – must be a Cambridge thing?) – and I could relate to the anti-social subject matter of the songs. Yes, some of the lyrics are a tad misogynistic – it was 1977, the term “politically correct” didn’t exist yet (at least, I don’t think it did!).

Within 2 years, I was in England for the first time, and I was lucky enough to get a 3-D copy of “The Raven”, which became a favorite album of mine. What was I thinking? I sold my 3-D “Raven” when the CD initially came out, and I have yet to find a real original again. I saw the band live at The Whisky in Los Angeles – they were in a bad mood, as they’d just had all of their equipment stolen. I seem to recall that the ticket for the show was $8.50, about double what any other show would’ve been at that time (’79-’80).

The Stranglers were a cool band. It was fun to collect their singles, to read the British press about what bad boys they were. Having read more than one book written by Hugh Cornwell, I get the idea that they were, in fact, ‘bad boys’. There’s something for me on each of their EMI records, and I have nearly all of the released titles. I stuck with the band all the way until Hugh Cornwell left the group (after the Epic label albums).

The topic of the ‘early’ Stranglers came up recently when George Melly died – Mr. Melly, of course, was a guest vocalist on “Old Codger” – on the single from the U.K. “Black & White” LP, “Walk On By” (and I think it’s a bonus track on the original CD).

I wonder what music historians will make of The Stranglers in 50 years time? A punk band that wasn’t a punk band? Misogynistic malcontents? British accents?