WHITESNAKE - Slide it in (Geffen, 1984 - Canadian edition) @320

It's the first time I post an album of power rock, I do it because this is the Canadian edition, with a mixage that differs from the previous UK one (on EMI /Liberty).  Since the time I first heard this version, I stopped listeining to my UK copy, this is the one I definitely prefer! At the time that this LP was released, the band had already lost his axemen Mick Moody (ex Tramline, 2 LPs on Island) and Mel Galley, and was right about to engage guitar hero John Sykes (ex Tygers of Pan Tang and Thin Lizzy), so the band re-recorded some guitar parts and overdubbed them on the ones already existing, the result of which was that practically three guitarists took part to this explosive album.  On the UK sleeve also Colin Hodgkinson (ex Back Door) is named, but on this edition the only bass player results to be Neil Murray.  In a few cases the songs have also different structure, for example "Hungry for love".  So, the whole operation can look a little bizarre, but the presence of Sykes and the new equalization  (more energy to the high and middle frequences) give a general rendition that - in my opinion - overwhelms the previous mixage. And besides, I always had a crush on Coverdsale's voice... The songs are the same, but in different order, and here they really work fantastic: "Gambler" never sounded to me as a good beginning for an album.  The UK version was also used for all the worldwide editions, the only exception was Canada.  I'm not sure whether this version was also used for the USA release, but I remember some interviews of those years where Coverdale himself calls this the "Canada edition". 

1 slide it in
2 slow'n'easy
3 love ain't no stranger
4 all or nothing
5 gambler
6 guilty for love
7 hungry for love
8 gimme more time
9 spit it out
10 standing in the shadow

LINK
(no PW this time!)


Your Countess

GREENFIELD AND COOK - Second album (Polydor, 1973)

A very good pop group from Holland at their second utterance, in my opinion much better than the first. Here, thankgod, all those  honeydripping bombastic orchestral arrangements are abandoned, curtsey to the unknown "central scrutinizer" who had to take this extremely drastic decision!  The album includes the hit that gave them 5 minutes of popularity, "Far too late", still today a lovely song to listen, reminds me somehow of the Hollies, a band I always loved.  As I said in the Mouth and Macneal post ( == >>  see), this band comes out (1972, first LP) in a period of post-beat while whole world was still hoping for a return of the Beatles (as often announced, especially around 73 and 74), or at least for someone new who'd filled the gap which the Fab 4 had mercilessly left. As for Mouth & Macneal, they come from Holland and the year is 1973.  I listed this album on this blog, because it's definitely out of discussion to post it on a folk-related blog!  ;-) 

 

All in all, a very enjoyable album!

Your COUNTESS

MOUTH AND MACNEAL - Pocketful of hits (Decca, 1973)

The blue-jeansed album by a pop group from Holland, in the period of the early 70's' post-beat, prototypes of Abba and environmental epigones while the whole world was still hoping for a return of the Beatles (as often announced, especially around 73 and 74), or at least for someone new who'd filled the gap the Fab 4 had mercilessly left.  Check also the post of Greenfield and Cook, a pop group from Holland as well, same year.

HUGH HOPPER - 1984 (CBS, 1973)

as promised after posting Elton Dean's first LP (see link)

A very experimental album, I always loved work like this, where a musician expresses geniality and openness of visuality (see people like Ron Geesin, Robert Wyatt, etc).  Might be disappointing for all those who believe to find some softmachine-sound and/or compositions. There's a CD reissue of this "1984" album, and it adds a track named "Miniluv reprise", which is actually a different version of "Miniluv" appearing on the LP "Hopper Tunity Box" (originally on Compendium, 1977). The title 'reprise' fits better because it has definitely nothing to do with the first track appearing on the CBS LP.  By the way, "Hopper Tunity Box" is also an album I recommend, you can find it in some other blog around.

titles:
Miniluv
Minipax 1
 Minipax 2
Minitrue
Miniplenty
Minitrue reprise

Players:
John Marshall, Gary Windo, Pye Hastings, Lol Coxhill, Malcolm Griffiths, Nick Evans.

Funny liner notes, by John Esam, if one day I have some time I'll scan the cover for you.

LINK





Your COUNTESS

VERSAILLES - Don Giovanni (1992)

VERSAILLES

the French group, not the Japanese one.

This album comes after a request, I couldn't believe that it doesn't exist on any other blog, it's not one of those 60's-70's rarities after all.  This is a gorgeous work, although - technically speaking - the band has the usual problems with the drummer, who doesn't lack fantasy and spirit of invention, but unfortunately remains often backwards with the tempo.  For those who want evidence, check especially the first two tracks on the album "Blaise and Benjamin", of 1998.  Also the guitarist is not very gifted in solos, his fingers often stumble, tangling himself up with plectrum and strings. However, despite a number of citations - mainly of Genesis - here you find extremely creative compositions, large spectrum of arrangements, a perfect LP for Progressive lovers!

Don't miss it.
Enough said.

The Countess