King of the panpipes (LP 532)

Zamfir Baroque Concertos (Vinyl, Philips, 1988) **** 

Genre: Classical

Places I remember: Marbecks Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear costume: Telemann Concerto in A

Active compensatory factors: This is yet another example of a record I would not have in my collection if it weren't for working at Marbecks Records during my holiday breaks.

I'd often wander into the classical shop in the arcade and ask questions about what was good in the baroque sub-genre. This was one recommendation.

At first I was very sceptical - the terrible cover and Gheorghe Zamfir is/was the panflute guy who was outrageously popular with the easy listening pan pipe albums.

But I perservered and one listen was enough to dispell all the prejudices I held.

This is a great album!

Where do they all belong? That's it for the classical division.

Stranger on the shore (Roger Williams) (LP 531)

Roger Williams Mr. Piano (Vinyl, Kapp Records, 1962) ** 

Genre: Easy listening

Places I remember: My dad's record collection.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear costume: Niagara Theme 

Active compensatory factors: I continue to own this for nostalgic reasons - pure and simple. The record itself holds nothing for a child of the Beatles (aside from the George Martin track - keep reading).

There's the ridiculously bad portrait on the cover, the schmaltzy string arrangements that accompany the piano, and the very mannered playing style of Roger Williams (born Louis Weertz, on my birthday - October 1, in 1924). Sounds interesting? There are 50 available via discogs for around $2.00 each!

But, thanks to dad - here it is! That cover was always around (the purply stain on the back cover is instant nostalgia) and the song selection holds it firmly in place (Themes from Dr Kildare and Ben Casey are evidence of that).

The only slight point of interest is his version of George Martin's Niagara Theme (George's song was done by his own Orchestra and issued in 1965). But it's not a great tune, I'm sorry to report.

Where do they all belong? Mercifully, that's the last album in my Easy Listening section.

Yin-yang (John Lee) (LP 528 - 530)

The Eleventh House featuring Larry Coryell Level One (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1975) *****

The Eleventh House featuring Larry Coryell Aspects (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1976) ***

Coryell/Mouzon Back Together Again (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1977) ****

Genre: Jazz fusion 

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Rock and Roll Lovers (Back Together Again)

Gear costume: Nyctaphobia (Level One)

Active compensatory factors: I like my jazz fusion with a beat that is inventive but also one that I can understand and Alphonse Mouzon fits the bill. He is an amazing drummer. 

Larry Coryell is like John McLaughlin - a whirlwind on guitar.

What I like about these albums is the way all the musicians blend and give room to each other. The Other Side (on Level One) is a great example.

If you want to pick one of these to launch into, I'd recommend Level One. It feels like five albums' highlights compressed into one, with brilliant and inspired playing throughout.

Where do they all belong? Next up in the vinyl fusion department is Deodato.

Give it one (Maynard Ferguson) (LP 527)

Maynard Ferguson M.F. Horn Two (Vinyl, CBS Records, 1972) ***

Genre: Big Band Jazz 

Places I remember: A Country Traders second hand shop in Palmerston North 

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Mother (Yes - the John Lennon song is given a lively rendition by a jazz trumpeter - go figure, somehow it really works!)

Gear costume: Spinning Wheel (Yes - the Blood Sweat and Tears song) 

Active compensatory factors: I came across this mint copy amongst the usual dross in a second hand furniture shop on the outskirts of Palmerston North a few years ago.

I knew of Canadian trumpeter Maynard Ferguson but what really sold me was the cheap as chips price for a mint copy, the choice of cover songs (as well as the two named above, Maynard has a turn at Hey Jude, Theme From "Shaft", and Country Road) and the fact that this was recorded in 1972. Maybe the best year for my type of music, ever!

It doesn't really disappoint, goes without saying that the players are stellar musicians, but I'm not a huge fan of the trumpet (Jacky can't stand it), and there are FIVE other trumpeters on this album APART FROM Maynard! So, it doesn't get a lot of listens outside of ARF (Abbey Road Five, a.k.a the Shack, a.k.a. the vault).

Where do they all belong? Although I enjoy this album, I'm not searching for M.F. Horn One etc.

Electronic Lover (Ray Parker Jr) (LP 526)

Ray Parker Jr Woman Out Of Control (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1983) ** 

Genre: Soul 

Places I remember: Hastings' Record Exchange

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I Still Can't Get Over Loving You

Gear costume: Woman Out Of Control 

Active compensatory factors: Ray Parker Jr with and without Raydio was a force in the seventies and eighties (Raydio broke up in 1981). Ghostbusters is of course what first comes to mind when his name comes up, but he's so much more than that mega-hit.

This is a very rewarding listening experience - Ray's smooth vocals and likeability, the sharp sounds (yes, of course it's dated but that's now part of the appeal) and the catchy tunes, all make Ray Parker Jr ripe for your reappraisal!

Where do they all belong? More Ray Jr to come when I cover  Raydio.

It must be a camel (Frank Zappa) (LP 525)

Frank Zappa Hot Rats (Cassette Tape, Vinyl and CD, Zappa Records and Ryko, 1968) ***** 

Genre: Alternative rock (but really Zappa is a genre unto himself) 

Places I remember: The cassette version came first, from my cousin Christine in the UK during the mid seventies, Vinyl reissue from JB Hi Fi in Palmerston North this year, CD from Real Groovy in between times.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Willie The Pimp (Beefheart lifts it to another level)

Gear costume: Son Of Mr. Green Genes

Active compensatory factors: Zappa called this a 'movie for the ears' on the sleeve and that's a good description of how this oral feast plays out.

I've written about it on Goo Goo previously and I won't add too much more here, aside from saying I still play this album regularly and I still hear new things every time.

If you haven't yet experienced Hot Rats, and you're maybe a little put off by Zappa's scatological approach at times, try it. You'll love it!

I especially recommend the reissue on pristine vinyl with all the original album art. It's beautiful!

Where do they all belong? Relax, there are many more Zappa albums to come in this countdown.

Roamin' amd ramblin' (The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation) (LP 521- 524)

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (CD, Not Bad Records, 1968) ***

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation Doctor Dunbar's Prescription (Vinyl, Not Bad Records, 1968) **** 

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation To Mum From Aynsley And The Boys (CD, Not Bad Records, 1969) **** 

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation Remains To Be Heard (Vinyl, Not Bad Records, 1970) **

Genre: Blues 

Places I remember: Slow Boat Records, Vinyl Countdown

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Let It Ride (To Mum)

 

Gear costume: Run You Off The Hill (To Mum); Change Your Lowdown Ways (DrD'sP)

Active compensatory factors: Aynsley Dunbar first came to my attention as the drummer in Frank Zappa's early seventies Mothers, then he turned up in Journey and Jefferson Starship (1979 to 81). Wow! A serious pedigree.

I did already know about The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation though - specifically Doctor Dunbar's Prescription, as I'd seen it in Marbecks record racks but I was a bit young and the cover was a bit freaky!

When I finally caught up I was astounded how good they were! Those two middle albums in particular are amazingly diverse and enjoyable. John Mayall's production of To Mum, is in particular, spectacular.

The fourth album is a barrel scraping affair (only two tracks feature Aynsley Dunbar, so the title is accurate). Side one is strong (features those two Dunbar appearances) but side 2 is quite weak - hence the two stars.

Where do they all belong? These four, the sum total of the albums The Aysnley Dunbar Retaliation released, are reissues from 2014 on Not Bad Records: great finds on recent trips to Wellington and New Plymouth.  

Rock that boogie (Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen) (LP 518 - 520)

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Country Casanova (Vinyl, Paramount Records, 1973) *** 

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen (Vinyl, Warner Brothers Records, 1975) *** 

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Tales From the Ozone (Vinyl, Paramount Records, 1975) *** 

Genre: Country 

Places I remember: First two came from Real Groovy, third was from a second hand shop in Manchester.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Rock That Boogie (Country Casanova)

Gear costume: Smoke Smoke Smoke (That Cigarette) 

Active compensatory factors: I have a soft spot for Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. They don't take themselves too seriously; they are a lot of fun; they boogie and they swing in a down home country way; they don't sound slick and polished - more like a garage band than a bunch of Nashville cats; and their album covers are a real hoot!

Each album is a rewarding experience. The second one here (actually their 4th studio album) sounds more honed, and Willin' is the perfect song for the boys to do.

Tales From the Ozone was their fifth studio album and the last one to feature most of the original lineup. It continues the varied approach - from Minnie The Moocher to The Band like Lightnin' Bar Blues.

Where do they all belong? That wraps up the Commander's albums. If you want a great sampler - Too Much Fun has all the high spots.

The hustler (Baker Gurvitz Army) (LP 516 - 517)

Baker Gurvitz Army Baker Gurvitz Army (Vinyl, Vertigo, 1974) ***

Baker Gurvitz Army Elysian Encounter (Vinyl, Mountain Records, 1975) ***

Genre: Progressive rock 

Places I remember: Chaldon Books and Records (Caterham on the hill)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: 4 Phil

Gear costume: Mad Jack; People (EE)

Active compensatory factors: After Cream, Blind Faith, and Ginger Baker's Airforce (great first album, forgettable second), Ginger Baker hung out with the Gurvitz brothers for a few years in the mid seventies.

Part rock and part prog, the brothers could play but they weren't Jack Bruce or Eric Clapton. Well, nobody is, but you know what I mean.

The main issue with the first album (I don't have their third and final studio album) is the vocals. Ginger chimes in raspily from time to time (Mad Jack is his best vocal effort ever, by far), but the brothers are the main vocalists on the debut and they are just not distinctive enough for my money.

Stephen Parsons (a.k.a. Mr Snips) takes over lead vocals on Elysian Encounter and he's much better - with a more bluesy delivery. At times he sounds a little like Steve Winwood (especially on Time).

So, if you like seventies prog rock with the accent on rock, then these albums are a rewarding listen - especially the second one.

Where do they all belong? That's it for Ginger in my collection. R.I.P. Peter 'Ginger' Baker - quite a character.

Is this what you want? (Jackie Lomax) (LP 514 - 515)

Jackie Lomax Is This What You Want? (Vinyl, Apple Records, 1969) ****

Jackie Lomax Did You Ever Have That Feeling? (Vinyl, Capitol Records, 1977) ***

Genre: Apple Records/Dark Horse etc 

Places I remember: Marbecks Records (Auckland); Real Groovy (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Fall Inside Your Eyes

Gear costume: Speak To Me, Sour Milk Sea

Active compensatory factors: The Apple Records one is a noteworthy album for Beatle completists as it was produced by George, and both Paul and Ringo also appear.

It's also a damn fine rock album. Jackie's vocals are drenched in soul and R'n'B and the songs are memorable and catchy, plus the musicians are all rock gods! How could it go wrong?

Well, it was probably too much of a good thing at the time, because it had little commercial appeal outside of Beatle obsessives. Weird.

Where do they all belong? After leaving Apple his records were good but not great so I only have this one from the late seventies to add to the collection.

Come together (The Beatles) (LP 512 - 513)

The Beatles Abbey Road (Vinyl and CDs, Apple Records, 1969) ***** 

The Beatles Abbey Road - 3LP Anniversary Edition  (Vinyl and CDs, Apple Records, 1969) ***** 

Genre: Beatle pop/rock 

Places I remember: DJ Records; HMV Oxford St; The Warehouse; Kings Recording - Abu Dhabi

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Come Together

Gear costume: Everything else. It's the bloody Beatles! 

Active compensatory factors: It's a ritual I've had for the last 40 years: whenever moving house - first thing I do is set up my turntable, amp and speakers - select this album and turn up Come Together (and then let the album play out).

That means I've bought it a few times now!

I have a huge shit eating grin on my face every time I do it. Miraculously, every time I play it I feel like it's the first time.

When I began collecting Beatle albums in 1970 with the Hey Jude compilation, both Abbey Rd., and Let It Be were pretty much brand new, and soon to join Hey Jude on my wire record rack.

Of all the versions, I prefer my original vinyl edition. It still sounds incredible and while I applaud Giles Martin's efforts to keep them sonically current, I don't play that version (the outtakes record is great to hear all the same).

Plus: how cool is that cover? No band name - the four figures are iconic as they walk across the road a little along from the St John's Wood EMI studios. During the photo session, there would have been no doubt that John was in front, leading the way!

Where do they all belong? Their best album? So many contenders. I'm still a White Album, then Revolver, then Abbey Road kind of guy. Yes, Sgt Pepper is 4th! Crazy!! Breathtaking quality.