Dave Berry - This Strange Effect - The Decca Sessions 1963-1966 (2009 RPM) mp3@320 only

He never had a hit in the U.S., and he was only briefly a star in the U.K., but Dave Berry recorded a whole lot of material in the mid-'60s. This double CD only covers about the first half of his output for Decca between 1963-1970, yet contains no less than 57 tracks, making it likely to be the most definitive collection of his work during this era. Every one of his British hits (except 1966's "Mama") is here, along with all the non-hits, B-sides, LP tracks, and rarities from EPs. There are even five cuts that only appeared on either the Rhythm and Blues compilation LP or the live At the Cavern album, as well as two previously unissued April 1963 recordings ("Easy to Cry" and "Tongue Twistin'") produced by Mickie Most. Load on lengthy liner notes with firsthand quotes from Berry and many cool vintage period illustrations, and you have a package that's hard to beat for comprehensiveness. The quality of the music, it should be cautioned, is nonetheless pretty uneven. Along with the haunting ballads that were his greatest strength (including his big hit "The Crying Game" and the Ray Davies composition "This Strange Effect") and the odd first-rate R&B raver ("Don't Gimme No Lip Child," "I Love You Babe"), there are also a good number of so-so tracks. Berry wasn't the greatest R&B singer, and some of the covers are humdrum; some of the sentimental songs are gloppy; and in his effort to demonstrate his versatility, there were some unimpressive forays into country, folk, and easy listening. To be blunt, you could easily halve this down to a single disc that would be far better, though the specific songs chosen might vary widely according to listeners' personal tastes. Nonetheless, there are a good few fine off-the-beaten tracks that don't usually show up on Berry compilations, like the B-side "Hidden" (which strongly recalls the underrated Scottish group the Poets); the moody folkish "On the Other Side of Town"; the overlooked Gerry Goffin-Carole King tune "So Goes Love"; and the sullen, surprisingly tough "Don't Make Fun of Me." With such good value in terms of quantity and annotation, it's a sensible purchase for anyone with enough interest in Berry to want more than a best-of.(allmusic) 

As i said i post here the ''Decca Sessions 1963 - 1966''. I am sorry but i don't have it in lossless. Here are some fine tracks you don't usually don't see on ''Best off'' albums. There is a further RPM collection called '' Picture Me Gone The Decca Sessions 1966-1974'' released in 2010. I am very interested in this one . Maybe some of you gals and guys have this album. I would be very happy if one kind person would send me (if possible lossless) a copy. I would post it than here on the blog.
Okay hope you like it
Have fun
              Frank             mp3@320 p1    &    mp3@320 p2

Brit Invasion R&B - The V.I.P's - The Complete V.I.P.s (2006 Repertoire 2 CD) Flac & mp3@320

Modern mathematics isn't quite capable of counting how many R&B bands existed in Great Britain during the 1960s, but like a significant number of them, the V.I.P.s were destined to win greater recognition after they called it quits than while they were together. The final version of the V.I.P.s evolved into Spooky Tooth, who enjoyed chart success in both Europe and the United States during their late-'60s/early-'70s heyday, while guitarist Luther Grosvenor became a member of Mott the Hoople after changing his name to Ariel Bender (he also received some less than flattering reviews from several young women in the documentary Groupies, but that's another story).

Given their résumé and the obscurity of their catalog, one might not expect much from The Complete V.I.P.s, but this double-disc compilation makes it clear this band was better than the average gathering of blues-wailing Brits. Lead singer Mike Harrison's voice was strong and emotive enough to carry material like "Smokestack Lightning" and "Straight Down to the Bottom" with style, guitarists Frank Kenyon and Jimmy Henshaw (the latter of whom was later replaced by Grosvenor) played with tough, no-frills menace, and bassist Alf "Greg" Ridley and drummer Walter Johnstone (later replaced by Mike Kellie) held down the rhythm with a solid, potent groove.

The Complete V.I.P.s, true to its title, collects everything the band released between 1964 and 1967 -- one single each for RCA, CBS, and Phillips; two 45s for Island; two three-song EPs for French Fontana; and a pair of stereo mixes from a Fontana compilation -- along with an impressive live set recorded for German radio and two unreleased tracks.

If the V.I.P.s aren't enough to make anyone forget the Yardbirds or the Pretty Things based on this material, they could certainly hold their own in a contest with most of their other contemporaries, and the segue from the frantic rocker "Rosemarie" into a jazzy take on "In the Wee Wee Hours" (here called "Late Night Blues") shows they had impressive versatility. Anyone with a taste for Anglo R&B from the classic era would do well to give this a spin.(allmusic)

Surely the V.I.P's were one of the stronger bands in this genre. They did inventive versions of the classics and they did very very good own songs. In the end the band evolved in Spooky Tooth with temporary success nearly worldwide. This Repertoire release fulfill all you like about these guys.
Enjoy it
             Frank                   Flac p1  &  Flac p2  -  mp3 p1  -  mp3 p2

British Top Notch Psychedelia: Kaleidoscope - Tangerine Dream 1967 (1998 Repertoire Records) Flac & mp3@320

No relation to the far better known American Kaleidoscope, though this British group was also psychedelic, and was active at almost exactly the same time in the late '60s.

Highly esteemed by some collectors, Kaleidoscope epitomized certain of the more precious traits of British psychedelia with their fairy-tale lyrics and gentle, swirling folky sound. At times they sound like a far more melodic and accessible Incredible String Band. Their folky ballads have aged best, and although there's some period charm to be found throughout their two albums, it's all a bit too cloying to rank among the finest unknown psychedelia.

Although they had a solid underground reputation in Britain, they never found wide success, and evolved into a similar group, Fairfield Parlour, by the end of the '60s.(allmusic)

And here comes the complete review by allmusic:

Probably has the edge as the best of their two albums, but not by much. Includes several of their best songs: "Flight From Ashiya," "Dive Into Yesterday," "The Murder Of Lewis Tollani," and especially the fragile ballad "Please Excuse My Face."  (Richie Unterberger, allmusic)

Wow...this at great length review let no questions unanswered.

Dear Folks maybe you know that i love this band. This is their first album full of british psychedelia and folk sounds from the mid sixties in parts influenced by ''Diamond'' Syd. Rather the guys are no simple copies. If you don't know this album and you like british psychedelia grab it. It's highly recommend. This is the Repertoire release from 1998 but i added also the artwork from the 2005 Repertoire release. The tracklist is the same and i think it's the same remastered tapes like the '98 release. So you can choose your preferred artwork if you want print it. Anyway i hope you enjoy.

Cheers
           Frank     Flac part 1  &  Flac part 2           mp3@320

 

Heavy Pop Rock From Ohio: Freeport - Freeport 1970 (1970 Mainstream Records, Vinyl) Flac & mp3@320

 A band from Ohio, Freeport cut this album in 1970. It was the only album by the band. In my opinion it is a real good one. As i heard the first time about it it was called ''Psychedelic Rock''. But it's definitely not psychedelic. To me it have a lot of pop inside. Very fine guitar work (often very heavy), good songs, very good vocals here and fine pop melodies in the most songs. I don't know how to name it, so i call it a very good album :-).

Have fun
              Frank    Flac & mp3@320

Dave Berry...This Strange Effect - The Very Best of (1997 Rotation Records) Flac & mp3@320

I posted some weeks or months ago a Singles collection by Dave Berry in mp3. Here is now a very good ''Best Of'' from Rotation Records. 20 of his well known hits, mostly from the sixties.

Dave Berry was a former teenage idol and a star in the early/mid sixties here in Europe and with some songs also in the UK.
His most successful songs are ''Cryin Game'', ''Memphis, Tennessee'', Little Things. He had a Number 1 hit in the Benelux states with  ''This Strange Effect'' that was written by Ray Davies but never recorded by himself or with the Kinks as far as i knows.

His early hits name-checked his backing band the Cruisers who at that time were John Fleet (bass and piano), Roy Barber (rhythm guitar), Frank Miles (lead guitar) and Kenny Slade (drums). Berry parted with this line-up around the time of "The Crying Game" and recruited three more local musicians - Frank White, Johnny Riley and Pete Cliff as the second generation of Cruisers. Lead guitarist White was eventually replaced by Roy Ledger. Berry regularly used session musicians Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Big Jim Sullivan and Bobby Graham.
Currently in the Cruisers are Daniel Martin (lead guitar since 2010), Adrian Fountain (rhythm guitar since late 2011), Dan Wright (drums, from January 2013) and Brian Wood (bass guitar, joined 24 years ago, the longest serving member of the band).
In 2009 RPM Records issued a double disc with the title '' This Strange Effect (The Decca Sessions '63 - '66)''. If someone is interested i can post the double disc, too (But it's only in mp3@320).
Okay hope you will like this one and

enjoy it
            Frank           Flac p1 & Flac p2          mp3@320

Part5 Of 5 - Cilla Black - Completely Cilla 1963-1973 (2012 EMI Records 5CD Box) Flac & mp3@320

Hello Folks, you know all come to an end and this is the last disc of the marvelous Cilla Black box. The last song of the last disc is called ''Silly Wasn't I'' and Mrs.Black is right. She wasn't. Hope you have fun with the music of Cilla Black.

Cheers
           Frank   Flac p1 Disc5  &  Flac p2 Disc5  &  Flac p3 Disc5       - mp3@320 Disc5   



In case on disc five the track 14 should be corrupted you can download the track correctly here:
 Track 14 Disc 5 - I Hate Sunday mp3

Track 14 Disc 5 - I Hate Sunday Flac 

Power Pop by Nineties Power Popsters Fastball - Little White Lies (2009) Flac & mp3@320

Fastball spent much of the 2000s rather quietly but they were hardly the only '90s alt rock band to be in seclusion. The fallout of the alt rock explosion led to lots of bands being written off as one-hit wonders -- sometimes fairly, sometimes not -- and the vagaries of the music business sometimes suggest that a band had faded out when they're just taking a break, as Fastball did during the bulk of the decade. Once they left the major leagues, they released Keep Your Wig On on Rykodisc in 2004 then took an extended break, reconvening in 2009 for Little White Lies, an album that suggests that the band might be better off now that the spotlight isn't shining directly upon them. Little White Lies is stripped-down and simple, a brisk, muscular guitar pop record that showcases their melodic strengths in a way none of their other records do.

More than ever, Fastball sounds like a classicist pop band in the best possible sense: they build upon tradition without being beholden to it, and the unadorned production draws attention to their nicely structured tunes and finely honed performances. This might not be a knockout; it's something better -- a quietly assured record that finds Fastball confident and mature, reaching a new pop peak.(allmusic)

This is a very very good pop album and the influence of the fab four is still listenable i.e. 'She's got the rain'' or also ''Rampart street'' and ''Soul Radio''. If you like well written and performed pop songs grab it.

Enjoy Frank   Flac p1  & Flac p2    -  mp3@320

Sparks - Kimono My House 1974 Flac & mp3

Arguably one of Sparks' best albums, 1974's Kimono My House finds the brothers Mael (Ron wrote most the songs and played keyboards, while Russell was the singing frontman) ingeniously playing their guitar- and keyboard-heavy pop mix on 12 consistently fine tracks. Adding a touch of bubblegum, and even some of Zappa's own song-centric experimentalism to the menu, the Maels spruce up a sleazy Sunset Strip with a bevy of Broadway-worthy performances here: as the band expertly revs up the glam rock-meets-Andrew Lloyd Webber backdrops, Russell sends things into space with his operatic vocals and ever-clever lyrics.

And besides two of their breakthrough hits (the English chart-toppers "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us" and "Amateur Hour"), the album features one of their often-overlooked stunners, "Here in Heaven." Essential.(allmusic)

I'll never will forget that moment as i heard the first time the jingle e piano and the dramatic vocals over the melody line...''Zoo time..is 'she and you time'...''  and than ''Heartbeat, increasing heartbeat
You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers''. It kicked me for around three minutes to a place who believers call heaven. I know everything of that little moment after nearly 45 years. So great. A song for the eternity. They never did a song like that again. They have done a lot of great pop music but i think this is their best album they ever made. This is real pop opera. The album is extraordinary in many kind of ways. Hope you like it.
Have fun
               Frank   Flac p1  & Flac p2       mp3@320

Summer Wine (with Tony Rivers) - The Fabulous Summer Wine 1971-1973 (EM Records 1999 Japan) Flac & mp3

The history of Summer Wine starts in the early 60's with Tony Rivers and The Castaways then through the second half of that decade with Harmony Grass. In 1970 Tony Rivers and Castaway member JOHN PERRY were working regulary providing harmonies on numerous artists recording sessions. During the course of this work they met up with RAY FENWICK (fresh from Tee Set and Spencer Davis Group) and producer extraordinaire Mike Hurst to record a version of ""Why Do Fools Fall In Love"" which was released under the name Summer Wine.

The single did nothing in the UK but made the USA Top 100. Between summer 1971 and summer 1972 the band continued to record even though it was never their intention to perform the songs live. Whilst two other singles were released and as was the case in those days, no hit single-no album these tracks have never before been released in the UK as Summer Wine until now.(Editorial Review)

Summer Wine was a further top notch project by Tony Rivers. Not only but also because the high class musicians around him this is a wonderful pop effort. Modern seventies doo wop sounds and a high class pop songwriting paired with top notch - sometimes BB like- vocals made this songs in my ears to an absolute marvelous top seventies pop collection. The name of the band is a 100% bulls eye hit: ''Summer Wine''. Just great. Cheers!

Enjoy
         Frank   Flac p1 & Flac p2 & Flac p3        mp3@320

At Request: Roger Glover & Friends - The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast 1974 (Repertoire Records) Flac & mp3@320

Of all the multitudinous highways and byways down which the enterprising Deep Purple collector can travel, none, perhaps, is so surprising as The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast, Purple bassist Roger Glover's first "solo" album, and -- almost incidentally -- one of the most delightful children's records ever made. Yes, a children's record. In 1973, Glover was approached about creating a musical adaptation of artist Alan Aldridge and poet William Plomer's book of the same name -- a commission that surprised him, but which he nevertheless accepted. The book itself is delightful and, while Glover's work is unquestionably more heavily flavored by the near-psychedelia of the illustrations, the spirit of the text is retained as well, to create an album that stands among the few truly successful musical adaptations of an existing story yet committed to vinyl. Although Glover, as the album's premier composer, takes the bulk of the credit for this success, his co-conspirators, too, merit praise. Convening what resembles one of the greatest all-star lineups in heavy metal history -- and then banning them from even glancing toward their usual territory -- Glover is joined by Purple stalwarts David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, future Rainbow frontman Ronnie James Dio, session stars Eddie Hardin and Tony Ashton, soul singer Jimmy Helms, Roxy Music's Eddie Jobson and John Gustafson, and three quarters of funk-rock aspirants Fancy. Each was given his own role to play and the resultant album is a tremendous mishmash of musical styles, from folky balladeering to psychedelic whimsy, but leaning most heavily toward an early-'70s pop/rock vibe -- for some reason, one could imagine the early Queen spending an awful lot of time listening to The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast. Given the heavily narrative nature of the project, it is best listened to in one session -- a handful of tracks certainly exist more to carry the tale than make a musical impact.

Highlights, however, leap out from across the platter, with the macabre "Old Blind Mole" and the positively buoyant "Love Is All" the twin extremes around which the action revolves. Gustafson's hard rock "Watch out for the Bat," meanwhile, must surely have induced nightmares within the album's younger fans, while Dio's closing "Homeward" all but predicts the course of arena rock during the '80s. [The original vinyl packs 19 tracks; the 25th-Anniversary CD adds one, the European B-side "Little Chalk Blue," together with a fabulous enhanced multimedia clip ("Love Is All" again) taken from a projected animated TV series. It's a great package, as well as a chance to reacquaint yourself with one of childhood's most treasured tales.] (allmusic)

I remember the Single ''Love Is All'' at the time i was eleven and it was a big hit in the radio station i mainly listened at the time. I loved that song and from my small pocket money i buyed the single. The album i never heard at the time because at that time then i was still a ''Single-Boy''. My time of listening to longplayers hadn't come yet. Anyway a nice guy requested this album and i think it could be a good idea. If you don't know the album maybe you give it a try because this is completely different stuff from what Roger Glover did with Deep Purple
.

Enjoy
          Frank    Flac p1 & Flac p2 & Flac p3       - mp3@320

Part4 Of 5 - Cilla Black - Completely Cilla 1963-1973 (2012 EMI Records 5CD Box) Flac & mp3@320

Here comes the fourth part of the box. I think i will post the last fifth part either later today or tomorrow. I am not sure 'cause i want to post some other nice (hopefully :-) ) albums and i also have a little work here in the house. We will see.
Have fun
cheers Frank 
                       Flac p1 Disc4 & Flac p2 Disc4 & Flac p3 Disc4       -   mp3@320 Disc4

                                                              

Part3 Of 5 - Cilla Black - Completely Cilla 1963-1973 (2012 EMI Records 5CD Box) Flac & mp3@320

Good Morning, Good Day, Good Evening wherever you are. Once again it's nearly weekend and i assume we're all happy about it and can enjoy a well deserved two day break of work (at least in far parts of the world) or how long it last in your country.And that's what i wanna wish all of you; Hours of relaxing, loving, laughing, enjoying the sun, enjoying the rain, enjoying the time you are together with the people you love and and and all what you love and like the most. And maybe you will take time to listen a little more to the box of this very lovely lady of Liverpool.

I confess i haven't heard the complete box no more for a very long time. Only one disc here one disc there from time to time. And sure in times like this where music is available everywhere that fast like never before in the history of mankind sometimes is hard not to jump from one artist and his/her music to another. I think it's very important, in our times where the speed of life is so fast, to slow down in particular parts of our life. And that was it whereby the box remembered me: To cool down the pace and listen to the music. Long story short: i listened to the whole box and it was a great fun.
On the box are songs who don't catch me but a huge amount of the around 140 songs have a magic appeal to all my musical senses. And there are some real killer gems on the five discs. Take time and find yours. 

A lot fun and a great weekend
                                               Frank   Flac p1 Disc3 & Flac p2 Disc3 & Flac p3 Disc3                                                                                                                                                               mp3@320 Disc3