RK 50: Monochrome Set

8-28-08 RK 50: Monochrome Set

7" ALPHAVILLE / HE'S FRANK ROUGH TR UK RT 005 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" EINE SYMPHONIE DES GRAUENS / LESTER LEAPS IN ROUGH TR UK RT 019 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" MONOCHROME SET, THE / MR. BIZARRO ROUGH TR UK RT 028 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" HE'S FRANK (SLIGHT RETURN) ROUGH TR UK BL 1 1979 3 TRKS no pic sleeve

LP STRANGE BOUTIQUE DINDISC UK DID 4 1980 11 TRKS autographed; on CD as “Tomorrow Will Be Too Long”

LP LOVE ZOMBIES DINDISC UK DID 8 1980 10 TRKS with art prints; on CD as “Tomorrow Will Be Too Long”

7" STRANGE BOUTIQUE, THE / SURFING S.W. 12 DINDISC UK DIN 18 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" 405 LINES / GOODBYE JOE DINDISC UK DIN 23 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" APOCALYPSO / FIASCO BONGO DINDISC UK DIN 26 1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" TEN DON'TS FOR HONEYMOONERS PRE UK PRE 18 1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP ELIGIBLE BACHELORS CHERRY RED UK BRED 34 1982 11 TRKS

CD ELIGIBLE BACHELORS SUMMIT UK SUMCD 4096 1982 11 TRKS re-issue

7" MATING GAME, THE / J.D.H.A.N.E.Y. CHERRY RED UK CHERRY 42 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" CAST A LONG SHADOW CHERRY RED UK CHERRY 51 1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP VOLUME, CONTRAST, BRILLIANCE Vol. 1 CHERRY RED UK MRED 47 1983 14 TRK Collection

CD VOLUME, CONTRAST, BRILLIANCE Vol. 1 re P-VINE JPN PCD-22072 1983 25 TRK Collection ('04 issue), 9 x bonus tracks

7" JET SET JUNTA / LOVE GOES DOWN THE DRAIN CHERRY RED UK CHERRY 60 1983 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" JACOB'S LADDER BLANCO Y NEG NEG 4 1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" JACOB'S LADDER BLANCO Y NEG NEG 4-T 1984 5 TRKEP; with poster, autographed

CD LOST WEEKEND, THE WEA JPN WPCR-1461 1985 11 TRKS

LP LOST WEEKEND, THE BLANCO Y NEG BYN 5 1985 11 TRKS

12" WALLFLOWER BLANCO Y NEG NEG 12-T 1985 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP FIN CHERRY RED UK ACME 3 1986 19 TRKS Live, autographed

CD GOOD LIFE, THE RICHMOND UK MONDE 8CD 1992 19 TRKS Live; same as "Fin"

12" REACH FOR YOUR GUN EL UK GPO 10T 1986 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP DANTE'S CASINO VINYL JAPAN ASKLP 4 1990 10 TRKS autographed

CD DANTE'S CASINO VINYL JAPAN ASKCD 4 1990 10 TRKS original CD issue

CD JACK HONEYMOON MONOCD 1 1991 10 TRKS

LP JACK HONEYMOON MONOLP 1 1991 10 TRKS

CD5 KILLING DAVE HONEYMOON JAKK 1C 1991 3 TRK CD Single CD5

12" KILLING DAVE HONEYMOON JAKK 1T 1991 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD CHARADE CHERRY RED UK CDBRED 102 1993 14 TRKS

LP CHARADE CHERRY RED UK BRED 102 1993 14 TRKS

CD LIVE CODE 90 UK NINETY 4 1993 20 TRKS Live 1990, CD-only release? I can’t seem to locate an LP of this title.

CD5 FOREVER YOUNG CHERRY RED UK CDCHERRY 126 1993 3 TRK CD Single CD5

CD MISERE CHERRY RED UK CDBRED 114 1994 11 TRKS CD-only release? I can’t seem to locate an LP of this title.

CD TRINITY ROAD TOYS FACTORY JPN TFCK-88854 1995 16 TRKS Japanese pressing, CD-only release? I can’t seem to locate an LP of this title.

CD5 I LOVE LAMBETH CHERRY RED UK CDCHERRY 138 1995 4 TRK CD Single CD5

I remember buying the first few M Set LP’s and singles when they were new releases – but I did not keep them in the gush of 80’s UK new wave entrants. I found a collection CD (“Compendium”) about ’96 or so – and it clicked. It was fairly easy to find all of their releases. I have not listed every collection LP/CD here – there are quite a few of them!

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Bid a few years ago, when he came to L.A. to play some shows, hence the autographs. My friend Joe found an M Set laser disc in Japan – I wish it had been me! I got a DVD of their performance on “Bedrock” on UK TV (as an NTSC AC:1 DVD!). I guess the last few M Set albums were never made as vinyl LP’s – I have never seen vinyl copies of “Misere” or “Trinity Road” – do they exist as LP’s?

And Bid’s alter ego, Scarlet’s Well, keeps on releasing albums on CD – I think there are 6 of them now! How time flies!

RK 50: John Lurie

8-27-08 RK 50: John Lurie

I first saw The Lounge Lizards at the Whisky A-go-go about 1981 or so. I (vaguely) remember drinking a lot at that show (I would’ve been 21 or 22 then). I saw them roughly 20 years after that, at the El Rey theatre on Wilshire Blvd.

CD AFRICAN SWIM AND MANNY & LO STRANGE AND B SBM 0017

1998 25 TRKS Both original soundtracks

CD DOWN BY LAW CRAMMED BEL MTM 14CD

1987 21 TRKS

CD FISHING WITH JOHN (O.S.T.) STRANGE AND B SB 0014

1998 23 TRKS O.S.T.

CD GET SHORTY (O.S.T.) (Various artists) ANTILLES US 529310.2

1995 17 TRKS John Lurie & Various artists

CD MARVIN PONTIAC STRANGE AND B SB 0018

1999 14 TRKS

CD MEN WITH STICKS (J.L. Nat'l Orch.) CRAMMED BEL MTM 34CD

1993 3 TRKS

CD STRANGER THAN PARADISE STRANGE AND B SB 0010

1999 9 TRKS

Mr. Lurie has an amusing sense of humor – ever see his T.V. series “Fishing With John” (1991)? Some of those are pretty funny – there’s a DVD of it out, courtesy the Criterion Collection.

One definitely needs to have all (or most) of the releases by The Lounge Lizards:

“The Lounge Lizards” (1981), “Live From The Drunken Boat” (1983), “Big Heart (Live in Tokyo” (1986), “No Pain For Cakes” (1987), “Voice of Chunk” (1989), “Live in Berlin 1991, Vol. 1” and “Live in Berlin 1991, Vol. 2” (both ’92 releases) and, finally, “Queen of All Ears” (1998), their last studio recording. My friend Joe has a laser disc of The Lounge Lizards “Live in Tokyo” (1985), and I have a laser disc of the “Live in Berlin 1991” set. As far as I know, neither of these have ever been made into DVD’s. There are also a few CD’s on Mr. Lurie’s “Strange and Beautiful” label that I cannot find, primarily soundtracks – or did I get them all finally? Is something out-of-print? I really should check the OST for “Mystery Train” – Mr. Lurie has something on that…

It is uncommon to experience entertainment of this nature in person. I do not think the Lounge Lizards / Mr. Lurie were over-doing it by appearing in Los Angeles only twice in 25+ years.

I am a big fan of his artwork. Wish I had an extra $500 to get one of the prints up on his website presently. Very funny stuff – and I do not say that about just anything. Gotta have that coffee table book of his artwork, too (“A Fine Example Of Art”). I have heard that he has been in ill-health for a while now – I hope he is alright, and that he continues to create stuff that he chooses to share with the world.

RK 50: Miharu Koshi

8-26-08 RK 50: Miharu Koshi

CDx2 AUTOPORTRAIT (Collection) NU TAURUS TACT-1013/4

1998 28 TRK Collection

CD BOY SOPRANO NON STAND JPN 30CH-160

1985 8 TRKS Haruomi Hosono

CD CHANSON SOLARE FOA JPN FRCA-1002

1995 12 TRKS CD-only release?

CD CORSET DAISYWORLD CTCR-16049

2003 13 TRKS Haruomi Hosono

CD DER VATER UND DIE PISTOLE FUN HOUSE JP FHCF-1108

1991 14 TRKS CD-only release?

CD ECHO DE MIHARU SIXTY SXCR-303

1987 11 TRKS re-issue

CD LA VOIX DE PARIS MEDIUM JPN RISU-001

1992 14 TRKS autographed

CD L'ASSASSINAT DE LA RUE PELICAN REWIND JPN RWCL-20007

2000 12 TRKS Haruomi Hosono

LP PARALLELISME YEN/ALFA JPN YLR-28019

1984 9 TRKS insert, Haruomi Hosono

CD PARALLELISME kami ALFA JPN ALCA-5133

1984 9 TRKS / in YEN BOX 2

CD PASSEPIED FUN HOUSE JP 00FD-7125

1989 13 TRKS CD-only release?

CD RODEO DE PARIS DENON JPN COCA-14427

1997 10 TRKS Haruomi Hosono

CD SOURCE D'ESPOIR FUN HOUSE JP FHCF-2030

1992 10 TRKS CD-only release?

LP TUTU YEN/ALFA JPN YLR-28011

1983 9 TRKS insert, Haruomi Hosono

CD TUTU kami ALFA JPN ALCA-5124

1983 9 TRKS / in YEN BOX 2

With Haruomi Hosono

CD SWING SLOW MERCURY JPN PHCR-916

1996 12 TRKS

10" SWING SLOW (10") MERCURY JPN PHJR-10002

1996 6 TRKS (1 track not on the CD)

A wonderful Japanese female vocalist. I actually met her in Tokyo, about ’97 or so – at the HMV in Shibuya, with Koji Ueno. She’s one of my favorite artists, and I am missing one or two of her full length albums! Yes, I have some singles and videos…

The “Swing Slow” CD/10” is amazing, just wonderful. Whenever she collaborates with Haromi Hosono, the results are often astonishing – like on the Chisato Moritaka “This Summer Will Be More Better” CD/LP.

It’s rather difficult to keep up with Japanese domestic artist new releases – otherwise I wouldn’t have missed three already! 9 visits to Japan, and I still can’t find her book + CD (with artwork by Kintaro Arai – at least I think that’s his name).

RK 50: Jethro Tull

8-25-08 RK50: Jethro Tull

A British rock band with a flute player! I first heard of Jethro Tull on a Warner Brothers sampler LP, with “My Sunday Feeling” being the cut I remember. It wasn’t hard to find their LP’s, so in no time at all – I had everything released in the US by Ian Anderson & Company. Always did like their 3^rd album “Benefit” the best, and – with the recent re-mastered CD’s – I am now listening to some that I’ve heard infrequently…or not at all!

LP THIS WAS ISLAND UK ILPS 9085

1968 10 TRKS UK original issue

CD THIS WAS CHRYSALIS US 35459.2

1968 13 TRKS re-mastered, 3 x bonus tracks; will likely get the new 2CD 40^th anniversary version…

LP STAND UP ISLAND UK ILPS 9103

1969 10 TRKS UK original issue, with ‘pop up’

CD STAND UP CHRYSALIS US 35458.2

1969 14 TRKS ('01 re-issue) (4 x bonus tracks)

7" SWEET DREAM / 17 ISLAND/CHR UK WIP 6070

1969 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, long vers. of "17" – only available on this 45!~

LP BENEFIT ISLAND/CHR UK ILPS 9123

1970 10 TRKS UK original; when this was released, I got the U.S. vers. with “Teacher” on it, too.

CD BENEFIT CHRYSALIS US 35457.2

1970 14 TRKS ('01 issue) (4 x bonus tracks)

LP MY GOD! ATHAPASCAN 20.5

1970? 8 TRKS pirate LP, blue vinyl; Live + studio (rare singles, making their LP debut)

LP AQUALUNG ISLAND/CHR UK ILPS 9145

1971 11 TRKS original UK issue

LP AQUALUNG (QUAD remix LP) CHRYSALIS US CH4 1044

1971 11 TRKS Quad test pressing, remixed !

CD AQUALUNG CHRYSALIS US 95401.2

1971 17 TRKS (6 x bonus tracks) ('98 issue)

7" LIFE IS A LONG SONG (EP) ISLAND/CHR UK WIP 6106

1971 5 TRK EP; with pic sleeve – I am rather fond of this EP

LP THICK AS A BRICK CHRYSALIS UK CHR 1003

1972 2 TRKS orig. UK issue, with big newspaper

CD THICK AS A BRICK CHRYSALIS US 95400.2

1972 4 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks – one of which is an interview) ('98 issue)

LPx2 LIVING IN THE PAST (Collection) ISLAND/CHR UK CJT 1/2

1972 21 TRK Collection, UK original; large booklet – an excellent collection set

CDx2 LIVING IN THE PAST (Collection) TOSHIBA JPN TOCP-67369/70

1972 21 TRKS ('04 issue) kami sleeve, exact replica of original 2LP package

This was as far as I got at the time. I was ‘pulled away’ from J.T. by the burgeoning European music scene; French artists, German artists, Italian artists – some of whom appear to have been greatly influenced by J.T. It took me a few years to hear:

CD PASSION PLAY, A CHRYSALIS US F2 21040

1973 1 TRK not the re-mastered vers.

LP PASSION PLAY, A CHRYSALIS US CHR 1040

1973 2 TRKS booklet

LP WAR CHILD CHRYSALIS US CHR 1067

1974 10 TRKS

CD WAR CHILD EMI UK 41517.2

1974 17 TRKS (7 x bonus tracks) ('02 issue) – really like the bonus tracks!

LP MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY CHRYSALIS US CHR 1082

1975 7 TRKS

CD MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY CHRYSALIS US 41572.2

1975 7 TRKS ('02 issue) (5 x bonus tracks)

LP TOO OLD TO ROCK 'N' ROLL… CHRYSALIS US CHR 1111

1976 10 TRKS poster

CD TOO OLD TO ROCK 'N' ROLL… CAPITOL US 41573.2

1976 12 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks) ('02 issue)

And, really, after these titles, I am a bit iffy about continuing to follow J.T. – I own LP’s of some of the later albums…”Too Old” was the album that came out while I was at my first record store job – I all but ignored it at the time it came out.

I’ve seen them live in San Francisco; I saw them play an acoustic set on NBC TV a few years back (’96?), and it was excellent – it was the late 90’s, and they were playing songs from the “Life Is A Long Song” EP!

If Ian Anderson wrote an autobiography, I’d probably try and read it.

RK 50: Icehouse

8-22-08 RK50: Icehouse

12" BABY, YOU'RE SO STRANGE REGULAR AUS X 14279

1986 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" BABY, YOU'RE SO STRANGE (7" x 2) REGULAR AUS K 9924

1986 4 TRK EP; with pic sleeve, 7"x2

CD BOXES (with Sydney Dance Co.) CHRYSALIS US VK 41659

1985 21 TRKS Iva Davies

10" CAN'T HELP MYSELF / SEND SOMEBODY (as Flowers) REGULAR AUS X 12501

1980 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" CAN'T HELP MYSELF / SONS CHRYSALIS US CHS 2568

1981 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

12" CRAZY REGULAR AUS X 13285

1987 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" CRAZY / NO PROMISES (Live) CHRYSALIS US VS4-43156

1987 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" CROSS THE BORDER CHRYSALIS US 4V9 43062

1986 3 TRKS no pic sleeve

12" CROSS THE BORDER (Interview) promo CHRYSALIS US VAS 2389

1986 11 TRKS promo-only 12", no pic sleeve

7" CROSS THE BORDER / FLAME, THE REGULAR AUS K 97

1986 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD FLOWERS MASSIVE 780941.2

1980 14 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks)

LP GREAT SOUTHERN LAND (Collection) CHRYSALIS CAN CHS 41680

1989 10 TRK Collection

12" HEY LITTLE GIRL CHRYSALIS UK CHS 12-2670

1982 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" HEY LITTLE GIRL CHRYSALIS US 4V9 42731

1983 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

LP ICEHOUSE CHRYSALIS US CHR 1350

1981 10 TRKS U.S. version

LP ICEHOUSE (as Flowers) REGULAR AUS L 37436

1980 11 TRKS original 1st Aust. release

7" LOVE IN MOTION / GOODNIGHT, MR. MATTHEWS REGULAR AUS K 8486

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP MAN OF COLOURS CHRYSALIS US OV 41592

1987 10 TRKS

CD MEASURE FOR MEASURE REGULAR AUS CD 53180

1986 12 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks)

LP MEASURE FOR MEASURE CHRYSALIS US BFV 41527

1986 10 TRKS

12" NO PROMISES CHRYSALIS US 4V9 43009

1986 3 TRKS no pic sleeve

7" NO PROMISES / INTO THE WILD CHRYSALIS US VS4-42978

1986 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" NO PROMISES / PERFECT CRIME, THE REGULAR AUS K 9850

1985 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

12" NO PROMISES promo CHRYSALIS US VAS 2362

1986 3 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo-only

7" PARADISE / BABY, YOU'RE SO STRANGE CHRYSALIS US VS4-43041

1986 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP PRIMITIVE MAN REGULAR NZ RRLP 1204

1982 10 TRKS

LP SIDEWALK REGULAR AUS RRLP 1206

1984 10 TRKS

LP SIDEWALK REGULAR NZ RRLP 1206

1984 10 TRKS

CD5 TOUCH THE FIRE CHRYSALIS UK CHSCD 3472

1989 3 TRK CD Single CD5

10" WE CAN GET TOGETHER CHRYSALIS UK CXP 2527

1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" WE CAN GET TOGETHER / PARADISE LOST CHRYSALIS UK CHS 2527

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" WE CAN GET TOGETHER / PARADISE LOST (as Flowers) REGULAR NZ K 7999

1980 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

I am not the biggest Icehouse collector, by any means. No need to have every single variant, though I have a few. I enjoyed the first 3 or 4 albums (in real time) and I am still particularly disposed to his “Measure For Measure” album. I was lucky enough to see Mr. Iva Davies play live (as Icehouse) at the “County Club” in Reseda, CA – ’81? I wish I could remember. I remember the bass player’s ‘squaresville’ shoes; the whole world was ‘new wave’, except for the bassist’s shoes – nice, thick, black…I always thought the “Love In Motion” 45 was particularly strong (and I also remember a nice cover version of it by the Divinyls!).

I think I first heard of Icehouse when I first visited New Zealand, in 1980/1 – and they were, at that time, called “Flowers”. I always suspected there was probably another working band somewhere in the world called “Flowers”, but…can’t bring ‘em to mind.

Being the age that it was – Icehouse made a good many music videos – and I have several nice live performances on video, too. They probably exist, but I don’t think I ever saw an Icehouse bootleg LP or CD.

Brian W. would know the answer to this question: Did they ever get the CD issue of “Measure For Measure” right, with all the appropriate B-sides added – finally? (note: Brian answered this question in Portland, earlier this month). Yes, they did finally appear to get it right, with a recent re-mastered CD.

So, decent Australian band – with some great records. For me, however – no longer in the status of ongoing concern.

RK 50: Peter Hammill

8-21-08 RK 50: Peter Hammill

LP FOOL'S MATE CHARISMA US CAS 1037

1971 12 TRKS I would like to find a UK LP of this title

CD FOOL'S MATE re VIRGIN UK CASCDR 1037

1971 17 TRKS (5 x bonus tracks) ('05 issue)

CD CHAMELEON IN THE SHADOW OF THE NIGHT CHARISMA UK CASCD 1067

1973 9 TRKS

LP CHAMELEON IN THE SHADOW OF THE NIGHT CHARISMA UK CAS 1067

1973 9 TRKS

CD SILENT CORNER AND EMPTY STAGE, THE CHARISMA UK CASCD 1083

1974 7 TRKS

LP SILENT CORNER AND EMPTY STAGE, THE CHARISMA UK CAS 1083

1974 7 TRKS

CD IN CAMERA CHARISMA UK CASCD 1089

1974 7 TRKS

LP IN CAMERA CHARISMA UK CAS 1089

1974 7 TRKS

CD NADIR'S BIG CHANCE CHARISMA UK CASCD 1099

1975 11 TRKS

LP NADIR'S BIG CHANCE CHARISMA UK CAS 1099

1975 11 TRKS

CD OVER CHARISMA UK CASCD 1125

1977 8 TRKS

LP OVER CHARISMA UK CAS 1125

1977 8 TRKS

LP FUTURE NOW, THE CHARISMA UK CAS 1137

1978 12 TRKS insert

CD FUTURE NOW, THE re CHARISMA UK CASCDR 1137

1978 14 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks) (’06 issue)

CD PH7 CHARISMA UK CASCD 1146

1979 11 TRKS

LP PH7 CHARISMA US CA-1-2205

1979 12 TRKS promo; I would like to find a UK LP of this title

CD BLACK BOX, A re CHARISMA UK PHSCDR 1

1980 8 TRKS ('06 issue)

LP BLACK BOX, A S-TYPE UK PHS 1

1980 8 TRKS

CD SITTING TARGETS VIRGIN UK CDV 2203

1981 11 TRKS

LP SITTING TARGETS MERCURY NL 6302 130

1981 11 TRKS

LP ENTER K NAIVE UK NAVL-1

1982 7 TRKS

CD ENTER K re FIE UK FIE 9101

1982 8 TRKS (1 x bonus track) ('03 issue)

CD PATIENCE FIE UK FIE 9102

1983 8 TRKS '91 issue

LP PATIENCE NAIVE UK NAVL-3

1983 8 TRKS UK

Another “in order” list. Being a Van der Graaf Generator fan, I was pre-disposed to enjoy Peter Hammill’s solo albums. The ones listed above were the ones I serious followed. I have several after these, but this was my contiguous set of PH solos. I got to meet him, get his autograph, see him play live several times etc. So far, I only have a few of his re-mastered CD’s. My favorites are the ones from “Silent Corner…” to “PH7”. Good health to Mr. Hammill!