Probably the most iconic cover, the album Abbey Road was the last studio recording made by the Beatles. It was released before Let It Be, which became the final release before the band dissolved. My favourite songs on this album are the two openers on side 1, Come Together and Something.  Being one of the Beatles best selling albums, there are many slight variations in the pressings, but the main difference in early pressings vs later ones is the inclusion, on the side 2 label, of Her Majesty, a 23 second clip tacked on to the end of the LP.  The clip is on all versions but is not listed on the label till later issues.  I have a copy of each issue.  The clip was originally taped as part of the 16 minute medley on side two starting with You Never Give Me Your Money, but was cut on McCartney's suggestion.  It was later added to the end of the tape by a sound engineer, who had been instructed never to throw out anything.

Hey Jude was released by Apple in early 1970 as a compilation album of Beatles non-album singles and B-sides.  The original title was to be The Beatles Again, but was changed to Hey Jude to capitalise on the this hit single. Early copies have The Beatles Again on the label with subsequent issues being changed to Hey Jude.  There are also variations in the catalogue numbers on label and jacket as well, with the prefix being changed from SO-383 to SW-383. This copy has SW-383 on the jacket, Hey Jude on the spine, SO-383 and The Beatles Again on the label, making it an earlier version.

 The final two Beatles albums in my collection are both compilation albums; The Beatles 1962-1966 SKBO 3403 and The Beatles 1967-1970 SKBO 3404. The two double albums were released at the same time in early 1973 and together include every A-side single, written by the Beatles, released in the UK. Originally released on Apple label with custom corresponding red and blue apple labels; later issues by Capitol with the same catalogue numbers just not the Apple label.

Sgt. Pepper by The Beatles on Capitol SMAS 2653.  What else can be said about this iconic album! Considered to be the most influential and famous Rock album ever, with sales of over 30 million copies, I doubt I have any insight to add,  other that to say if you haven't hear it then make sure you do.

Still in the psychedelic genre, we have the next Beatles album, the soundtrack Magical Mystery Tour.  Another album that needs very little said about it.  My copy is the less common mono version; by 1967 most demand was for stereo productions, so less mono albums were issued.
This is a Canadian pressing in VG+ condition, with the 12 page booklet included.  It is the first issue (all subsequent issues were in stereo) on the colourband label MAL 2835. This is certainly among my favourite Beatles albums, with so many great songs.

The Beatles, also commonly know as The White Album, was a double album released in 1968 and is my favourite of the Beatles albums in my collection.  Back in the USSR, Glass Onion, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Rocky Raccoon, Sexie Sadie, Helter Skelter etc etc. Great album.  The first issues were numbered and the first pressings had side 1 song 6 mislabelled as Bungalow Bill instead of The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill.  This copy is a later, unnumbered, pressing on Apple Label SWBO 153.

Picking this album up at a garage sale along with quite a few others, I was pleasantly surprised to find the album inside was actually the mono version of Beatles '65 T2228 on the Capitol colourband label (early release).  It is in VG+ condition also! No proper cover, but still a good find for a dollar.  Released in late 1964, the Beatles '65 was so popular that many artists released albums with similar titles that year; Sinatra '65, Ellington '65, Brasil '65 etc. A good early album with many hits like  I'm a Loser, Baby's in Black, I Feel Fine & Everybody's Trying to be My Baby.

In the same collection was this greatest hits, The Early Beatles, this one on the lime green Capitol Label, which is the third release of the album. The original was released early 1965 and this copy is from 1969. For me this album is really a place holder till I can find a better copy.  The condition of most of the album is VG, but with a massive scratch running through two song on the second side making that part unplayable, it needs to be replaced eventually.

Rubber Soul, released in late 1965, in my opinion, is the beginning of their best music. Musically and lyrically this album has depth and is more sophisticated, and all the songs are original music, no more covers. There is also more experimenting with instruments as on Norwegian Wood with George playing sitar.  My copy is the original mono version T 2442 VG+ condition.

From 1966 comes the first psychedelic rock album by the Beatles, Revolver. Third on the list of Rolling Stones 500 greatest albums of all time, this is another amazing and ground breaking Beatles album. This reissue from 1969 is on the lime green Capitol label ST 2576, VG+.
Taxman, Eleanor Rigby, Yellow Submarine and Tomorrow Never Knows. A little more complex than I Want to Hold Your Hand ?
See what you think:

My earliest Beatles album is the third and final exclusively Canadian release, Long Tall Sally. Following this album, all North American releases would be the same.  Initially released only in mono T6063 on Capitol Label, until a stereo version came out in 1970.  The cover is almost identical to the US release of The Beatles Second Album, but has a different track list.  Most information on record collecting is for the US and UK releases. Very little information exists about Canadian pressing, but with a much smaller market the number of quality albums, especially exclusive pressing such as this, makes them quite rare.  As collecting vinyl becomes more popular (I have seen a huge increase in the last 10 years!) albums like this will, in my opinion, go up in value considerably. This cover is in NM condition and the album at the top end of VG+. In today's market I would estimate a value of slightly over $100.00
Here is the title track










A Hard Day's Night, soundtrack for the film, could be considered an early music video.  The purpose of the movie was simply to sell the album.  At the time the soundtrack plan was conceived in late 1963, although huge in England, The Beatles were not yet famous in America. Released before the film, the soundtrack had sold 1 million copies in four days, becoming one of the fastest selling albums in the history of the record business!  There are many variations of this record, with early pressings having the song I'll Cry Instead incorrectly listed as I Cry Instead on both mono and stereo versions.  Later versions which were corrected are actually less common and therefore more collectible.  Another error only on first pressings, is publishing credit for This Boy only, to Maclen Music Inc. This was corrected on subsequent pressings to include I'll Cry Instead and This Boy. My copy is a first pressing Mono UAL 3366 in United Artists (blue label).  Canadian pressings were on Black, Red or Blue labels for mono and were pressed by the Compo Company Ltd. Lachine Quebec.  Finding a copy of this album in excellent condition is probably difficult. Most people would have played it many many times and probably not on the best equipment.  This copy is well played VG- condition; plays through with no skips, but significant background noise.

Time Honoured Ghosts is the 6th studio album by the English progressive rock band Barclay James Harvest. This is a nice album, and one that I bought totally on a whim (not knowing anything about the band) back in the 70's when it came out.  It is very melodic and almost melancholy at times, definitely progressive or art rock. Released in 1975 on Polydor PD 6517, this is the only BJH album recorded in the US that I know of.  Here is a sample from One Night

The Board of Directors features Count Basie with The Mills Brothers doing Big Band/Swing classics.  As you can probably tell by now, I don't stick to any particular genre.  Recorded in '67 and released the following year on Dot Records DLP 25838. Listening to this I would be thinking 40's not almost 1970! This album is what you would expect from the combination of two pillars of the big band arena.

The 8th studio album by The Beach Boys, Today is a widely acclaimed album by the band, and with hits like Help Me Ronda, Dance Dance Dance and Do You Wanna Dance? may be (next to Pet Sounds) one of their most praised albums.  My copy is an original mono recording on the Capitol Label T2269, VG condition.

Released in 1967, Wild Honey was not particularly successful at the time for the Beach Boys.  I am not a huge fan of the Beach Boys, but I do like this album a lot; perhaps because it is a departure from their surf pop style. The cover is from a close up of a stain glass window from Brian and Marlyn Wilsons home. My copy is a UK import on Capitol Label ST 2859, made by EMI Limited.
Listen to this clip from the R&B flavoured I Was Made to Love Her

This 1974 double album Endless Summer is a compilation of early 60's hits; all the music that I would associate with the Beach Boys.
Surfin' Safari, Surfer Girl, Be True to Your School, Little Deuce Coupe, I Get Around etc.  If you are a fan and like their early music, this would be a good album to get; for later music, Good Vibrations - Best of The Beach Boys, is a compilation of hits from 66' and on.
Initial releases of this album (which this copy is) included a poster showing an airplane towing a Beach Boys banner.

 The Dutch band George Baker Selection's 5th studio album contains the hit Paloma Blanca, an Abba style pop rock song.  Does this cover scream 70's, or what! (click on the image for a close up). The soundtrack for Reservoir Dogs has their song Little Green Bag, which is a great song, but unfortunately nothing like it is repeated on this album. Hey, that is just my opinion, not my type of music really.

Long John Baldry, the 10th solo album by John William Baldry, released in 1980, just two years after becoming a Canadian citizen. At 6'7" the Long John nickname is certainly appropriate.  He played with many bands in the 60's in England before starting a solo career, even fronting bands with such musicians as Rod Stewart and Elton John at different times.  His style on this album, which is all covers, is folk/blues and pop.
I like his version of the Bonnie Dobson song Morning Dew.

Morphing from a backing band for Ronnie Hawkins to the touring band with Dylan, and then after recording the Basement Tapes (to come later in this blog) they formally became The Band. Music From Big Pink,  is their debut album and consists of songs written by Dylan & The Band members, except for their cover of Long Black Veil. Any Dylan or The Band fan should have this in their collection.  I am a big fan of debut albums of artists that I really like, as they often portrays the essence of who they really are musically.  An extremely influential album, another must have  for any serious collector.  My copy is the original gatefold on Capitol colourband label, SKAO 2955, released in 1968, in strong VG+ condition both media and cover. This is an album that for me is collectible both musically and for it's value, so I looked for an original release in good condition. Front cover art by Bob Dylan.

Just a taste...

The double live album Rock of Ages, recorded in the final days of 1971 at the Academy of Music in New York City, is a great example of The Band in concert. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Wheels of Fire, The Weight, The Shape I'm In, Life is a Carnival...it has them all!
Capitol SABB 11045, first release on Orange label which Capitol switched to in mid '72.  Another Robert Ludwig mastered LP at Sterling Sound.

My first purchase of The Band, probably around '78 at a used record store in Toronto. Released in '76, The Best of, is exactly that, and a good introduction to their music.  This first press is Mastered By Capitol by Wally Traugott (wly in deadwax), another great mastering engineer.

If you are a classic rock fan then this debut album should be in your collection.  In my opinion it doesn't get any better for this band that this album.  Bad Company, another Super Group, with members from the band Free, King Crimson & Mott the Hoople, was the first release of Swan Song Records (Zeppelins label).  With this album going 5 times platinum (5 million +) it should be fairly easy to find a good quality copy floating around out there.  I don't think there is a bad song on this album, and certainly some great hits like the title track.  Considered a hard rock band this album isn't a head banger by any means. Consider The Way I Choose  :

From Hard Rock we go to Folk. Joan Baez on her debut self titled album on the Vanguard label, released in 1960 shortly after playing at the Newport Folk Festival in '59.  Consisting of folk and traditional ballads, some from centuries back, this is a great folk album. Simple with just acoustic guitar and beautiful vocals.
This copy, although an original Canadian pressing, is in kind of rough shape, lots of pops and tics but fortunately no skipping.

Her 10th studio album One Day at a Time has her singing the Jagger/Richards song No Expectations, the Wilkin/Dill  song made famous by Johnny Cash Long Black Veil, as will as two of her own compositions Sweet Sir Galahad and A Song for David.  This album has a more country folk feel that her first and is accompanied by a host of musicians.  Vanguard VSD 79310.

Ok, with a cover like this and songs such as Portuguese Washerwoman and Gay Ranchero, how could I resist!  Formed in 1964 by Herb Alpert to capitalize on the popularity of the Tijuana sound, this band actually out lasted the Tujuana Brass.  Go figure! This is the 4th studio album from 1966 on A&M Records LP 118, and it sounds like you may expect - marimba music with guitar, brass, reed and percussion. Couple shots of tequila along with this album and you are in Mexico!  Second hand store purchase, probably a buck or less.

New Wave band the B-52'S had a huge hit single with Rock Lobster before this LP was released in 1979. The version on this album is different that the original single but, along with Planet Claire and Dance This Mess Around, lead to an really great album.  I would bet that Rock Lobster still fills the dance floor at clubs; such a great dance song.

Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) made up of three Bachman brothers and Fred Turner, was formed shortly after Randy Bachman left the Guess Who.  This is their self titled debut album, released in 1973 on Mercury Label SRM 1-673.  My copy is the second issue of this album with the Chicago Skyline label issued in 1974. This is a hard rockin' album and a certainly a change from Guess Who, with Gimme Your Money Please, Hold Back The Water, Stayed Awake All Night, and the bluesy almost soul Blue Collar, which is my favourite on this album; great lead guitar.

 Bachman Turner Overdrive II also released in '73 has what are probably their two best known hits Takin' Care of Business and Let It Ride.  In early '74 Mercury changed their labels from bright red with the Mercury logo circling the perimeter of the label (which this copy is, so 1st pressing) to the Chicago Skyline label as on my copy of the debut album.  I saw BTO in Windsor at the U of Windsor outdoor stadium right around the time this LP was released.


The final BTO album in my collection is actually the first one I bought back in '75.

The hit song Hey You, according to Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap Stories, is a bit of gloating over BTO's success, directed at the Guess Who, after mud slinging by Burton Cummings for Randy leaving the Guess Who.
On Mercury SRM 1-1027, released in 1975.

Today we have the first two albums by the Supergroup Asia. With an abundance of musical talent from bands like Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, and King Crimson this band was destined to succeed.  With the debut album Asia released in 1982 came the top 10 hit Heat of the Moment, as well as other great songs like Sole Survivor and Here Comes the Feeling. Any Yes fan will recognise the cover art style of Roger Dean on these albums.

The second release in 1983 Alpha is also the final release with the original band members until the much later Phoenix.
My copy of Asia was mastered at Sterling Studio (as indicated in the deadwax) and Alpha has the Artisan Studio symbol, both are known for the high quality mastering.  Since it is more cost effective to ship out lacquers and press locally than ship finished albums, most large production albums are pressed in many different factories, but the mastering of the different issues can affect quality of sound and sometimes value of the record.  An example of this would be the Led Zeppelin II release with "RL" in the deadwax, showing it was mastered by engineer Robert Ludwig, who was at Sterling Studios at that time.

Jumping back to 1966 for the final "A" record, is The Association with and then...along comes The Association.  This is the second pressing of the debut album by this Sunshine Pop band from California, on Valiant Records. After the first release, Cherish became a hit so was added to the cover instead of just sings Along Comes Mary.
See if you recognise this:

Satchmo At Symphony Hall recorded in 1947, features Louis Armstrong. This album on Decca DL 8037 was released in 1954 and although in VG- condition (kind of scratchy, but no skips) is a great jazz recording. I especially like Black and Blue, and Boff Boff.

Louis Armstrong plays W.C. Handy on Columbia CL 591, a 1954 release, this 60 year old recording is in suprisingly good condition, easily in VG condtion for vinyl and VG+ cover. William Handy is known as the father of the blues, and this album is a great testament to his music!
At 80 years old when this recording was made, Handy is quoted on the album cover "I never thought I'd hear my blues like this!  Truly wonderful! Truly wonderful! Nobody could have done it but my boy Louis!"

Another great Louis Armstrong release on Kapp label KL 1364 from 1964. Hello, Dolly! this is Louis Armstrong. Some real classics on this like Hello Dolly, A Kiss to Build a Dream On, Jeepers Creepers and my favorite Blueberry Hill. What a voice! Louis Satchmo (from Satchel Mouth) Armstrong.

In Visible Silence by The Art of Noise, released in 1986 on China Records Label, is the second full length album by the UK band.
I would call this experimental, electro pop music.  I believe this band was one of the first to use sampling in their music.  Probably most known for their version of the Mancini Peter Gunn theme music, the other stand out for me is Paranoimia, a robotic sci-fi type of composition.

On Record is the second LP by the Canadian rock band April Wine, and produced a few hits with their cover of You Could Have Been a Lady, & Bad Side of the Moon, as well as their own composition Drop Your Guns. Released in 1972 on Aquarius label AQR 503, VG+ condition for vinyl and cover. This was also the first US release for the band titled April Wine on Big Tree label BTS 2012. This is a modestly collectible record with a book value of around $20.

Winning the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2011, The Suburbs by Montreal based indie rock band Arcade Fire is up next. What else can be said that hasn't been said already about this album!  This is a great record, well produced and carefully recorded; the sound is awesome.
It is hard to pick favourites, but Modern Man, Rococo and Wasted  Hours, would be in that group for me. One interesting feature on this album is that the music continues into the lead off track on side three. Can's say that I have seen that before.

 This self titled album is the third studio album recorded by British singer/songwriter Joan Armatrading. Pop, folk and a bit blues, this contains a selection of great songs like Down to Zero, Love and Affection & Tall in the Saddle. Released in 1976 on A&M, my copy is VG condition, and as with the following album, purchased at a garage sale.

Skipping an album of hers, we come to To The Limit her fifth studio album released in 1978. My copy is a later reissue in NM condition, looks like it has hardly been played. I can't say that this is a stand out album in my opinion; good yes, but not special.

Animalism by the Animals on MGM label, is the 5th US release for the band. Probably most famous for their version of House of the Rising Sun on the first album, this album has three really great bluesy covers: Smoke Stack Lightning, by Chester Burnett (Howlin' Wolf), Hit The Road Jack (Percy Mayfield) and Going Down Slow (James Oden).

1966 mono copy E 4414, this album was in a box of records I bought at an auction.  Most were trashed, but there were a few worth keeping, like this one in VG condition.  I think this was the last release as The Animals, except perhaps for future reunion albums.

Now billed as Eric Burdon & The Animals, (although The Animals are mainly session musicians) Eric Is Here, in my opinion, is a fairly weak album.  Being a Randy Newman fan, I bought this because there are three songs of his on this album.
1967 release on MGM SE 4433 VG condition.



1968 was a productive year for Eric Burdon & The Animals.
Everyone of Us is the second of three albums released that year in the US.

I like this album a lot.  Although hard to define, it ranges from beautiful instrumentals in Serenade to a Sweet Lady, spoken work on The Immigrant Lad, to the psychedelic Year of the Guru; and that is just side one! MGM SE 4553, VG+ condition, another garage sale pick.

 Ole! Bossa Nova on Capitol ST 1872 from 1963, is a Brazilian Jazz Samba fusion album by classical guitarist Laurindo Almeida. This even contains a sheet of dance steps to learn the Bossa Nova.

One of the things I love about hunting in second hand stores is picking up an album like this.  I would not have bought this at a record store, or online, not knowing anything about the music; but for a dollar or two it was well worth picking up, and I can learn the Bossa Nova to boot!

Next up is an album From Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass which was produced for Radio Stations.  This is a DJ sampler and was put out to get more radio play for the band, which had been around for a while at this time.  This album from 1969 is on A&M, LP 9004 (mono version) despite the cover showing SP 19004 (stereo). The back cover, label & inscription in dead wax are all mono, and this is also evident when played.

I played sax in a band in Junior High School and we played many of the songs on this album. The Lonely Bull, Tijuana Taxi and If I We're a Rich Man.  Another second hand store purchase (Goodwill, I believe). VG+ condition of vinyl.




History - America's Greatest Hits is next on the platter.  America, formed in London England in 1970, are a folk, soft rock band and had many hits: A Horse With No Name, Ventura Highway, Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair...to name a few.

This compilation is on Warner Brothers Label KBS 3110, a second pressing ('77) of the 1975 release.. If you like their music and want to get some, this album would be a great start.  It contains all the early hits, remixed by George Martin (think the Beatles) and really is a good album.

Gregg Allmans first solo album Laid Back has, in my opinion, his best music. Starting side 1 with Midnight Rider and then Queen of Hearts as well as his version of Jackson Browne's These Days. There isn't a song on this album that I don't like.  My only critique of this album, and this may just be my copy, is that the recording of Will the Circle Be Unbroken seems slow, as if the tape was slowed when recording. This is especially noticeable when listening to this recording and then his live recording from the Tour album.

 Also working on Brothers and Sisters during the time this album was recorded, this album has a much more Laid Back feel, almost melancholy.  The cover is painted by Abdul Mati Klarwein, who has done may covers including Santana - Abraxas, Miles Davis - Bitches Brew and many others.  On Capricorn CP 0116 VG+ condition.
Used record store purchase.


The Gregg Allman Tour, a live album recorded at Carnegie Hall, New York & Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey. A lot more upbeat that the previous album, this captures the feel of a live performance very well.  This album includes two great songs by special guests Cowboy.

My only complaint with this album, and some other double albums from this era, is that side one is backed with side 4, and 2 with 3; which makes it harder to play in order.  I realise this type of recording is called automatic sequence and was done for record changers, so you could stack the albums and play in order. But really, by '74 who was stacking albums! Just a small pet peeve of mine.  Capricorn label 2CA 0141, VG+ condition, I bought this at a record store around '76 I think.

The final Allman record in my collection is Playin' up a Storm by Gregg.  Recorded during his time with Cher, this is another good album and one I would recommend to any Allman Brothers fan, unlike Two The Hard Way, which was done with Cher.  I suppose everyone is allowed to put out one dud!

Mostly covers, with three of the nine songs written by Gregg.
Capricorn Records CP 0181, VG+ purchases at a used record store.