H
Album Reviews
VinylH
Collector
by Paul Rigby
RL Burnside
First Recordings
HHHHH
Fat Possum 80365-1
Rhythmic blues direct from
the Delta
Released as a
limited edition,
180gm vinyl,
these early
recordings (taped
by George Mitchell in 1968)
reflect the genius of Robert
Johnson and John Lee Hooker.
The more you listen, however,
the more Fred McDowell,
Burnside’s direct influence,
shines though in Burnside’s
rhythmic style. Playing the
rawest Delta blues – the sort
that locals might find down their
local juke joint – Burnside’s
voice, and the emotion that
pours from it, sucks you into his
world. His playing is simply
mesmerising, as he covers
Skinny Woman, Jumper On The
Line and Peaches. These field
recordings present Burnside in
the wild, his natural
environment, which should
please the purists no end.
Factory
Path Through The Forest
HHH
Guerssen 046
Legendary psych singles
collected with early forays
A real
hotchpotch of
rarities
collected
together to
form an album
of sorts, the music here reflects
the short life of the UK freakbeat
group who only produced two –
now highly collectable – singles:
Path Through The Forest,
released on MGM in 1968, and
Try A Little Sunshine, released
on CBS the following year.
Combining strong power chords
with psych undercurrents, the
band showed considerable talent
in their brief existence and
remain one of a batch of “What
ifs?” within the UK music history.
In addition to the aforementioned
A- and B-sides, this LP also
features rare acetate recordings:
a cover of Family’s Second
Generation Woman and Fairport
Convention’s Mr Lacey, plus a
new mix of Path Through The
Forest, with early psych effects
that were rejected by MGM
plugged back into the mix.
Hellhammer
Apocalyptic Raids
HHH
Back On Black BOBV 114 LP
Rough hewn demos
signposting black metal
Hellhammer were
one of the most
interesting metal
bands of the mid-
80s underground
scene. A short-lived outfit (they
100 Record Collector
Albums.indd 100
were together for around a year
between 1983 and 1984) the
talented to be labelled just a
“garage” band, this group
Mind was the breakthrough. Their
other four tracks are among the
an opportunity to reinvent a piece
of music and put their own stamp
principle members would later retained the aggression and strongest, helped in no small on it. Soft Cell’s makeover of
reform to create the peerless drive that defined the sound of measure by Bev Bivens’ Gloria Jones’ relatively
Celtic Frost. This album is a their contemporaries, but distinctive tones. unheralded soul hit Tainted Love
collection of demos that incorporated some notable There, in part, is the rub for turned it into a global synth-pop
circulated around the fan circuit songwriting prowess which the rest of the acts, as there’s anthem, but the original serves
at the time and perfectly present added a little balance and little to distinguish one from as a fine opener to this
their high energy, basic punk nuance to their work. another, though each gives their revealing compilation.
approach to metal. Packed with best. The interesting Blackburn & Listen to Mark James’ first
vim and vigour, these recordings Various Snow pop up with some alternate/ take on his own Suspicious
proved to be an essential Recovery demo versions of their material, Minds, however, and you’ll
influence on the later black HHHH including Stranger In A Strange realise that Elvis Presley barely
metal genre. Fractured FRACT 01 Land, and there are some strong altered a single crotchet or
Cover, remix or disassembly? songs from The Tricycle, formed quaver for his own hit. It’s the
Charley A sumptuous 7” box set with a by one of We Five after the latter’s same story with Carson & Gaile’s
Musselwhite’s sturdy pizza short-lived career. Also ear- Somethin’ Stupid or Barbie
Southside Blues box-style catching is Randy Steirling, whose Gaye’s My Boy Lollipop: the
Band packaging, voice on Green Monday is a embryonic readings were so
Stand Back Recovery is curious mix of Donovan and perfect, why change anything?
HHHHH made up of James Blunt, making for one of On the other side of the
Pure Pleasure/Vanguard VSD 79232 10 discs, the stronger tracks. coin, Howlin’ Wolf’s Red Rooster
Whitey sings the blues each within a Almost 20 acts vie for offers a primitive growl that Sam
Musselwhite’s magnificent 1967 die-cut card sleeve. Across attention, and their crossovers Cooke or The Rolling Stones
solo blues debut was made all these, 20 avant-garde artists all and inter-relations are detailed in opted to jettison, while Johnny
the more startling because he choose a single song to compiler Alex Paleo’s detailed Darrell’s original of Ruby Don’t
was just 22 when he recorded it. reinterpret. Each track is an sleevenotes, in which a plethora Take Your Love To Town is bog-
Yet Stand Back belies exploration: Zoviet France’s take of different names doesn’t help standard country fare that lacks
Musselwhite’s maturity and on Motörhead’s Bomber is an distinguish one lot from another. the emotive frailty of the Kenny
knowledge. In some ways it was unrecognisable tale of tone Nevertheless, this is a deep trawl Rogers hit version. And if Bill
a shocking album for its time. decay and bubbling electronica, through one company’s response Haley’s watered-down Rock
After all, here was a white man, Carter Tutti’s (ex-Throbbing to folk-rock, though you will have Around The Clock led to teddy
admittedly playing with black Gristle) version of Pink Floyd’s to search hard for undiscovered boys slashing cinema seats,
musicians, but taking hold of the Lucifer Sam is quite haunting nuggets. Kingsley Abbott surely Sunny Dae’s earlier
blues genre by the scruff of its and partly psychotic, while rendition would have had them
neck. Each song, however, Barbara Morgenstern’s Still Dead! The Grim setting fire to the ticket booth.
including Strange Land and adaptation of New Order’s Reaper’s Jukebox Terry Staunton
Christo Redemptor, is always Temptation is a genuine pop HHH
credible, always believable. gem, stripped bare with an Ace CDCHD 1205 Willows Songs
Featuring Musselwhite on almost Abba-esque vocal. Volume two of deathly dirges HHHH
harmonica and vocals, he was The question is whether or not Finders Keepers FKR 020 CD
ably supported by Harvey Mandel Vinyl Round-up the death count on this second Get your Maypoles out, the
on guitar, with both piano and The following releases are out collection of ghoulish examples Wicker Man cult carries on
organ played by Barry Goldberg, now, unless otherwise dated of the death disc genre (roughly Ah, the British
with a rhythm section of Bob Art Ensemble Of Chicago Les 1958-66) would exceed the first Isles. Finders
Anderson on bass and Fred Stances A Sophie (Soul Jazz) volume. Well… How many in an Keepers have
Below Jr on drums. Bonnie “Prince” Billy Is It The American football team? And did been good to
Sea? (Domino) the crash include the reserves you over the
We The People Jackson Browne Time The and coaches? Just as we were years. Their
Too Much Noise Conqueror (Inside Recordings) about to abort the calculation, Welsh Rare Beat compilations
HHH Johnny Cash 16 Biggest Hits ex-Ronette Estelle lifts the body remain essential purchases for
Sundazed LP 5251 (Sony Legacy US) count above 50 billion with The anyone interested in golden
Raw energy… with style Jolie Holland Living & The Dead Year 2000. age psych-folk, and now they
If you’re into obscure American (Anti-) Rest easy, volume two wins turn their eyes to Ireland and
garage bands then this Judas Priest British Steel (Sony hands down. Like its predecessor, the Highlands.
supergroup, containing members Legacy US) this digs out little-known, often B- Hooking this upon an
of The Offbeets, Nonchalonts and Korn Korn (Sony Legacy US) side, examples of heartbreak and instrumental recording of Willow’s
Trademarks, will no doubt appeal. Jenny Lewis Acid Tongue tragedy providing inspiration for Theme, famously pushed to
Most successful during their mid- (Warner Bros; includes CD perverted writers. A couple of erotic bursting point by Britt
60s time with the Challenge album) Little Caesar goodies are split by Ekland in The Wicker Man, and
imprint, this 14-track compilation Oasis Dig Out Your Soul (Big decent pop production on Ronnie here sourced from the original
collects all of the band’s work for Brother; limited edition box set) Dante’s In The Rain. Then we drop master tapes, Willows Songs
that label. Remarkably, the music Okkervil River Stand Ins into a netherworld that includes presents a number of traditional
has been recorded from the (Jagjaguwar) pretty dire Elvis soundalike recordings that crop up in
original analogue masters and Nina Simone Remixed & Thomas Wayne and textbook different form in The Wicker Man
sounds all the better for it. Too Reimagined (Sony Legacy US) country from Vern Stovall, by way itself. It’s no surprise, then, that
of Joe Meek’s production of we have illicit sex (Gently Johnny,
Pamela Blue’s My Friend Bobby. My Jingalo; moonlit grubbiness in
Label Profile: The Vinyl Factory, UK Unbelievably, there’s yet another among the corn rigs), fertility jigs
outing for Leader Of The Pack. and quite sinister vocal-and-
“We’re not a record The strongest is probably the dulcimer jaunts on the children’s
label in the magnificently kitsch Nightmare favourite Oranges & Lemons,
traditional sense, from The Whyte Boots (writer/ complete with eerie kids “chop
but rather a curator producer Lori Burton), while chop chop” outro.
and creator of apparently The Cadets only just Whereas the Wicker Man
collectible vinyl editions,” says The Vinyl Factory’s Sean Biffer. managed to get through Car soundtrack’s associations will
“These will often, though not exclusively, take the form of a box Crash without cracking up. It’s a always make listening to it a task
set, on which we’ll work closely with the artists themselves to bit of a car crash, rescued by a where beauty makes bedfellows
make to the very highest standards, paying particular care and few fine records and much with dread, these recordings are
attention to the quality of the vinyl, artwork and print”. The eyebrow-raising. Cue thunder and largely just quite moving,
company’s first release was a Primal Scream’s Beautiful Future, sobs… Kingsley Abbott especially the likes of Highland
which contains a vinyl double album, exclusive Andrew Lament, and even Willow’s Theme
Weatherall remix of Uptown, poster, booklet and credit sheet. You Heard It Here itself, which here loses some of its
The Factory firmly believes that physical products are more First sexual charge, instead scooping
important than ever, so why not make them beautiful and HHHH you off into a flute-and-strings
collectible at the same time? “After all,” adds Bidder, “what Ace CDCHD 1204 soundscape. Hunt down the
better way to enjoy the music you really love, than to engage Largely unsung originals of Wicker Man OST on Trunk first,
with it on every level?” Contact: www.vinylfactory.co.uk well-known favourites then get this to broaden the
Cover versions often give artists picture. Jason Draper
10/10/2008 13:21:16