ISLAND RECORDS UK 7” SINGLES DISCOGRAPHY for 1970 - THE "WIP" SERIES – Catalogue Numbers 6075 to 6097.

ISLAND RECORDS - UK 7” SINGLES DISCOGRAPHY – 1970
WIP SERIES – Catalogue Numbers 6075 to 6097
(Includes Chrysalis Label Material Distributed by Island)
This list posted Thursday, 11 September 2008

NUMERICAL ORDER:

1. Island WIP 6075
Artist: QUINTESSENCE
A-side: Notting Hill Gate
B-side: Move Into The Light
Release Date: January 1970
Label: Pink Label Design With No Centre & Black Island Logo in a Pink Island Label Bag
Details: The A is a different mix to the album version on “In Blissful Company”
The B-side is a non-album track
CD availability: both tracks are extras on the Repertoire CD “In Blissful Company”

2. Island WIP 6076
Artist: JOHN and BEVERLEY MARTYN
A-side: John The Baptist
B-side: The Ocean
Release Date: January 1970
Label: Pink ‘I’ Label Design in a Pink Island Label Bag
Details: No UK Picture Sleeve, But There Are European Picture Sleeves
Both tracks off the “Stormbringer!” LP
CD availability: on the Island/Universal CD remaster “Stormbringer!”

3. Chrysalis WIP 6077
Artist: JETHRO TULL
A-side: The Witch’s Promise
B-side: Teacher
Release Date: 16 January 1970
Label: Chrysalis ‘Green’ Label Design with Chrysalis Name & Butterfly Logo at the Bottom with White Island ‘I’ Logo at the Top.
Details: Usually came in a Green Chrysalis Label Bag
Some Copies Came In A UK Picture Sleeve, But They Are Rare
Both tracks were non-album on release, later appeared on the 2LP set from 1972 called “Living In The Past”
CD availability: both tracks are extras on the CD remaster of “Benefit”

4. Chrysalis WIP 6078
Artist: BLODWYN PIG [features Mick Abrahams, ex Jethro Tull]
A-side: Same Old Story
B-side: Slow Down
Release Date: January 1970
Label: Chrysalis ‘Green’ Label Design In Green Chrysalis Label Bag
No UK Picture Sleeve, But There Are European Ones,
Details: Both Tracks are Non-Album in the UK.
“Slow Down” is a cover version of a Larry Williams song.
CD availability: both tracks are on the Island/Universal CD remaster of “Ahead Rings Out”

5. Island WIP 6079
Artist: RENAISSANCE
A-side: The Island
B-side: The Sea
Release Date: January 1970
Label: Pink “I’ Label Design in a Pink Label Bag
No UK Picture Sleeve, But There Are European Picture Sleeves
Details: The A is an edit of an album track on “Renaissance”, their December 1969 LP; the B is non-album
CD availability: both tracks are extras on the Repertoire CD “Renaissance”

6. Island WIP 6080
Artist: KING CRIMSON
A-side: Cat Food
B-side: Groon
Release Date: 13 March 1970
Label: Pink “I’ Label Design in Rare Picture Sleeve
Details: The A is an edited version of a track from “In The Wake Of Poseidon”; the B is non-album
CD availability: both the edit and it’s unreleased B-side are on the “Strangely Strange – But Oddly Normal – An Island Anthology 1967-1972” 3CD Box Set from 2005

7. Chrysalis WIP 6081
Artist: JETHRO TULL
A-side: Inside
B-side: Alive And Well And Living In
Release Date: 24 April 1970
Label: Chrysalis ‘Green’ Label Design with Chrysalis Name & Butterfly Logo at the Bottom with White Island ‘I’ Logo at the Top. No UK Picture Sleeve, But There Are Several European Picture Sleeves
Details: Both tracks taken from the Chrysalis LP “Benefit”
CD availability: both tracks on the remastered “Benefit” CD remaster

8. Island WIP 6082
Artist: FREE
A-side: All Right Now
B-side: Mouthful Of Grass
Release Date: May 1970
Label: Pink ‘I’ Label Design in a Pink Label Bag
No UK Picture Sleeves, But There Are Many European Versions
Details: The single preceded the 26 June 1970 album release of “Fire And Water” and is an Edit Version at 4:16 minutes; the full album version is 5:42 minutes.
The lovely instrumental B-side “Mouthful Of Grass” is on their 2nd album “Free” from October 1969; later issues of “All Right Now” have different B-sides
CD availability: the A is on the 2000 “Fire And Rain” CD remaster and the 2008 2CD DELUXE EDITION, while the B is on the “Free” CD remaster from 2000

9. Island WIP 6083
Artist: IF
A-side: Raise The Level Of Your Conscious Mind
B-side: I’m Reaching Out On All Sides
Release Date: May 1970
Label: Pink “I’ Label Design in a Pink Label Bag; No UK Picture Sleeve,
But There Are European Picture Sleeves
Details: Both tracks are on their debut LP “If”, but both versions here are single mixes and different to the LP takes
CD availability: both 7” versions are extras on the Repertoire CD “If Volume 1”

10. Island WIP 6084 (WITHDRAWN)
Artist: SPOOKY TOOTH and ART
A-side: Nobody There At All by SPOOKY TOOTH
B-side: Room With A View by ART
Release Date: June 1970 - Withdrawn
Label: White Labels Only on 7” single - Very Rare
Details: the A is on “The Last Puff” LP released 3 July 1970 on Island ILPS 9117;
The B is on the “Supernatural Fairy Tales” LP released in 1968 on Island ILPS 967
CD availability: the A side is available on the Repertoire CD re-issue of “The Last Poof” from 2005, while the B is unavailable on Drop Out CD re-issue from 1998 of “Supernatural Fairy Tales”

11. Island WIP 6085
Artist: FOTHERINGAY [featuring Sandy Denny]
A-side: Peace In The End
B-side: Winter Winds
Release Date: June 1970
Label: Large Pink “I” Label Design with no centre in Pink Label Bag
Details: Both tracks are on “Fotheringay” – their lone album from June 1970
CD availability: both tracks are on the Hannibal label CD “Fotheringay”

12. Island WIP 6086
Artist: CAT STEVENS
A-side: Lady D’Arbanville
B-sides: 1. Time 2. Fill My Eyes (2-track B-side Maxi Single)
Release date: June 1970
Label: Large Pink ‘I’ Label Design, Most Copies In Pink Label bag
But There Is A Rare UK Picture Sleeve (mistakenly credits "Katmandu" as the B-side)
Details: All tracks taken from his 1970 Island Records debut album “Mona Bone Jakon”. The A-side is about Patti D’Arbanville whom he had a relationship with.
CD availability: all three tracks are on the Universal/Island remaster CD of “Mona Bone Jakon”.

13. Island WIP 6087
Artist: JIMMY CLIFF
A-side: Wild World
B-side: Be Aware
Release Date: August 1970
Label: Large Pink “I” Label Design in a Pink Label Bag
No UK Picture Sleeve (re-issued in 1976 in Pic Slv)
Details: “Wild World” is a CAT STEVENS cover and CAT STEVENS also PRODUCES this version.
It was re-issued as an EP in a picture sleeve in 1977 (Island IEP 9)
CD availability: both tracks are available on Disc 2 of the superlative HIP-O SELECT book set “Better Days Are Coming – The A&M Years 1969-1971”, a 4CD set out of the USA in 2005 (mastered by GAVIN LURSSEN)

14. Island WIP 6088
Artist: HIGH BROOM
A-side: Dancing In The Moonlight
B-side: Percy’s On The Run
Release Date: August 1970
Label: Pink “I” Label Design in a Pink Label Bag,
Details: both A&B are non-album tracks, the A–side was covered and made a hit by TOPLOADER in 2000
CD availability: neither track is available on CD at present

15. Island WIP 6089
Artist: FAIRPORT CONVENTION [feat Richard Thompson/Sandy Denny]
A-side: Now Be Thankful
B-side: Sir B. McKenzie’s Daughter’s Lament For The 77th Mounted Lancers From The Straits Of Loch Knombe, In The Year Of Our Lord 1727, On The Occasion Of The Announcement Of Her Marriage To The Laird Of Kinleakie
Release Date: September 1970
Label: Large Pink “I” Label Design in a Pink Label Bag
Details: this is the last PINK label release on 7” in the UK; the B-side is non-album track and was their attempt to get into the Guinness Book Of Records for the longest song title!
CD availability: both tracks are available as extras on the Island/Universal CD “Full House”

16. Chrysalis WIP 6090
Artist: TIR NA NOG [Gaelic for "Land Of The Young"]
A-side: I’m Happy To Be (On This Mountain)
B-side: Let My Love Grow
Release Date: October 1970
Label: Chrysalis Green Label Design; there are European Titled Sleeves of this rare release
Details: Both tracks are non-album
CD availability: "Tir na nOg" 2012 Esoteric Recording CD Remaster [both bonus tracks]

17. Island WIP 6091
Artist: THE ALAN BOWN
A-side: Pyramid
B-side: Crash Landing
Release Date: October 1970
Label: Pink Rim Palm-Tree Label Design
There is no UK Picture Sleeve But there is a European Titled Slv
Details: both tracks are from the “Listen” album on Island ILPS 9131
CD availability: initially available on a 1993 Edsel CD (UK reissue label) combining both of his Island label albums “Listen” from 1970 (which has both the A&B above) and his follow up LP “Stretching Out” from 1971 on ILPS 9163.
However, the CD has long been deleted and is expensive second-hand - neither track is available on any other CD at present

18. Island WIP 6092 (released 1971 – see Details)
Artist: CAT STEVENS
A-side: Moon Shadow
B-side: Father And Son
Release Date: Released in June 1971 (see below)
Label: Pink-Rim Palm-Tree Label Design (and not the Pink Island label)
Details: Some detailed explanation is needed with this one in order to clear up some confusion. Some discographies have listed 6092 as released in September 1970, which numerically makes senses, but release-wise it doesn’t. “Moonshadow” is off the “Teaser & The Firecat” LP, which was released in the UK in September 1971. “Tea For A Tillerman”, the album that preceded it was released in the UK in November 1970 – so releasing a track off an album in September 1970 before either LP is issued simply doesn’t make sense. “Moonshadow” was NOT RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER 1970 but in late June 1971. The confusion over label variation may lie with European issues. Many of them sported picture sleeves, which the UK issues didn’t, but more importantly, all of them had the famous ALL PINK LABEL with the ‘I’ logo design. However, while that label variant finished in the UK in mid 1970, it continued in Europe well into 1971. The Guinness Book Of British Hit Singles prides itself on the 100% accuracy of its details and lists “Moon Shadow” as peaking in the UK charts in August 1971, which is CORRECT. (Also of note is that the single credits the song as two words "Moon Shadow", but when it turned up on the September 1971 album it was shortened to one word - also the copyright date on the 7" is miss-credited as 1970 when it should read 1971).
CD availability: the A-side is on the 2000 remaster of “Teaser & The Firecat” while the B-side is on the 2000 remaster of “Tea For A Tillerman”

19. Island WIP 6093
Artist: FREE
A-side: The Stealer
B-side: Lying In The Sunshine
Release Date: November 1970
Label: Pink Rim Palm-Tree Label Design in a Pink Label Bag
Details: The A is a different mix to the album version on “Highway”; the B is off their second album “Free” from 1969.
CD availability: the A-side is on the 2000 remaster of “Highway” as an extra track; the B-side is on the 2000 remaster of “Free”

20. Island WIP 6094
UNISSUED

21. Island WIP 6095
UNISSUED

22. Island WIP 6096
Artist: BRONCO
A-side: Lazy Now
B-side: Matter Of Perspective
Release Date: November 1970
Label: Pink-Rim Palm-Tree label Design in Pink Label Bag
Details: both tracks are non-album
CD availability: neither track is available on CD at present

23. Island WIP 6097
ARTIST: JIMMY CLIFF
A-side: Synthetic World
B-side: I Go To Pieces
Release Date: December 1970
Label: Pink-Rim Palm-Tree Label Design in Label Bag
Details: LAST Island 7” in 1970, both tracks were non-album on release
CD availability: both tracks are on the HIP-O SELECT 2006 USA CD “Goodbye Yesterday” in top quality remastered form

WIP 6098 (Unissued)
WIP 6099 (Unissued)

ARTIST ALPHABETICAL ORDER – ISLAND UK 7” SINGLES – 1970 (WIP):

1. ART (see SPOOKY TOOTH, Split Single)
2. BLODWYN PIG – Same Old Story (Chrysalis WIP 6078)
3. THE ALAN BOWN – Pyramid (Island WIP 6091)
4. BRONCO – Lazy Now (Island WIP 6096)
5. JIMMY CLIFF – Synthetic World (Island WIP 6097)
6. JIMMY CLIFF – Wild World (Island WIP 6087)
7. FAIRPORT CONVENTION – Now Be Thankful (Island WIP 6089)
8. FOTHERINGAY – Peace In The End (Island WIP 6085)
9. FREE – All Right Now (Island WIP 6082)
10. FREE – The Stealer (Island WIP 6093)
11. HIGH BROOM – Dancing in The Moonlight (Island WIP 6088)
12. IF – Raise The Level Of Your Conscious Mind (Island WIP 6083)
13. JETHRO TULL – Inside (Chrysalis WIP 6081)
14. JETHRO TULL – The Witch’s Promise (Chrysalis WIP 6077)
15. KING CRIMSON – Cat Food (Island WIP 6080)
16. JOHN and BEVERLEY MARTYN – John The Baptist (Island WIP 6076)
17. QUINTESSENCE – Notting Hill Gate (Island WIP 6075)
18. RENAISSANCE – The Island (Island WIP 6079)
19. SPOOKY TOOTH and ART– Nobody There At All and Room With A View
(Island WIP 6084 – WITHDRAWN – White Labels Exist)
20. CAT STEVENS – Lady D’Arbanville (Island WIP 6086)
21. CAT STEVENS – Moonshadow (charted August 1971) (Island WIP 6092)
22. TIR na N’OG – I’m Happy To Be (On This Mountain) (Chrysalis WIP 6090)

A LIST of VINYL LPs (Records) With HARD-TO-FIND “POSTERS”

The Album Cover Above
It's Ultra-Rare Poster Below

1. The Who Sell Out - THE WHO (1967 on Track, Sticker On Sleeve & Rare Poster)
2. The Beatles - THE BEATLES (The White Album) (1968 on Apple, 2LP Set (Mono & Stereo) with 4 Photos and Lyrics Poster)
3. Moby Grape - MOBY GRAPE (US 1967 Original on Columbia + Poster)
4. Let It Bleed - THE ROLLING STONES (1969 on Decca, Mono or Stereo, Stickered Slv + Rare Poster)
5. This Is Touch - THE TOUCH (1969 on Deram)
6. Cricklewood Green - TEN YEARS AFTER (1969 on Deram)
7. The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other – VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR (1970 on Charisma)
8. Ma Kelly’s Greasy Spoon - STATUS QUO (1970 on Pye)
9. Fly – YOKO ONO (1971 2LP Set on Apple)
10. H.M.S. Donovan - DONOVAN (1971 2LP set on Dawn Records with Poster)
11. Imagine - JOHN LENNON (1971 on Apple, Inner Slv, Poster & A Postcard)
12. A Nod’s As Good As A Wink…To A Blind Horse - FACES  (UK 1971 Green Label Warner Brothers, with Rare Poster UK and USA – Note: US LP original credits the title as “A Nod Is As Good As…”)
13. The Johnny Otis Show – Live At Monterey! – JOHNNY OTIS (USA 1971 2LP set on Epic Records EG 300473 – Fold-out Poster)
14. 200 Motels – FRANK ZAPPA/MOTHERS OF INVENTION ((UK 1971 2LP set on United Artists, Poster & Booklet)
15. Electric Warrior - T.REX (September 1971 UK LP on Fly Records HIFLY 6 with A Stickered Slv, Inner Bag & Large Fold-Out Poster)
16. The Man Who Sold The World - DAVID BOWIE (1972 reissue on RCA with Poster & Inner Sleeve)
17. Who Came First – PETE TOWNSHEND [of THE WHO] (1972 on Track, Gatefold Sleeve & Poster)
18. Back To Front – GILBERT O’SULLIVAN (1972 on Mam, Lyric Insert + Black & White Poster)
19. Big Gun – LUCIFER (1972 on Lucifer, Private Press Sold Via Oz Magazine)
20. Exit – LUCIFER (1972 on Lucifer, Private Press Sold via Oz Magazine)
21. Two Quid Deal - SKIN ALLEY (1972 on Transatlantic + Large Poster)
22. Son Of Schmilsson - NILSSON (1972 on RCA, Lyric Poster & Inner Slv)
23. Chicago IV – At Carnegie Hall – CHICAGO (UK 1971 4LP Live Box Set, 2 Posters)
24. Manassas - STEPHEN STILLS & MANASSAS (UK 1972 2LP set on Atlantic, Inner Bags & Fold-Out Lyric Poster)
25. Epic Forest – RARE BIRD (1972 on Polydor, EP + Rare Poster)
26. Master Of Reality - BLACK SABBATH (1972 on Vertigo + Poster)
27. Stoneground Words – MELANIE (1972 on Buddah + Rare Poster)
28. Reflections In A Mud Puddle – DORY PREVIN (June 1972 UK LP on United Artists UAG 29346 – Gatefold Sleeve with Foldout Poster)
29. Paul Brett – PAUL BRETT (UK 1972 Bradleys BRADL 1001, Envelope Sleeve, Inner & Poster)
30. Dingly Dell - LINDISFARNE (1973 on Charisma, Inner Sleeve & Poster)
31. Dark Side Of The Moon - PINK FLOYD (1973 on Harvest, Two Posters, Two Stickers)
32. Ancient Maps - BOB PEGG (1973 on Transatlantic TRA 299, Huge Poster)
33. Kings Of Oblivion – PINK FAIRIES (1973 on Polydor)
34. Hat Trick – AMERICA (UK 1973 LP on Warner Brothers K 56016 + Rare Fold-Out Poster Insert)
35. Save The Children – VARIOUS ARTISTS (1973 on Tamla M800-R2, USA 2LP Set with a “Save The Children” Poster)
36. Back To The Garden – DAVE CARTWRIGHT (UK 1973 Transatlantic TRA 267, Inner Sleeve & A Foldout Poster)
37. Tanx - T.REX (1973 on EMI)
38. The Facts Of Life – BOBBY WOMACK (USA 1973 United Artists UA-LP043-F (Includes Poster of Himself Attached To Original Sleeve)
39. Great Hits – T.REX (October 1973 UK LP on EMI/Bolan BLN 5003, Stickered Front Sleeve & Poster)
40. Band On The Run – PAUL McCARTNEY and WINGS (1973 on Apple, Inner Sleeve + Poster)
41. Hello! - STATUS QUO (1973 on Vertigo, Inr Slv & Poster)
42. What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits - THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (UK 1974 on Warner Brothers, Fold-Out Band Poster)
43. The Tain - HORSLIPS (1974 on Oats, Inner Sleeve & Rare Poster)
44. Wishbone Four - WISHBONE ASH (1974 on MCA + Poster)
45. Phil Spector’s Christmas Album – VARIOUS ARTISTS (1974 Re-issue on Warner Brothers + Poster [Note: Original Didn’t Have A Poster])
46. David Cassidy Live - DAVID CASSIDY (1974 on Bell + Huge Poster)
47. Todd - TODD RUNDGREN (1974 2LP on Bearsville)
48. Chicago V – CHICAGO (UK 1974 CBS, Gatefold Sleeve + Poster + Fold-out Insert)
49. Eddy And The Falcon – WIZZARD (UK 1974 Warner Brothers K 56029, Gatefold Sleeve, Poster)
50. Maximum Darkness – MAN (1975 on United Artists, A Live Set with Poster)
51. Hotel California - EAGLES (1975 on Asylum, Fold-Out Band Poster)
52. Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy - ELTON JOHN (1975 on DJM, 2 Booklets & Poster of the Gatefold Sleeve)
53. Fish Out Of Water - CHRIS SQUIRE [of YES] (1975 on Atlantic)
54. Chicago VII – CHICAGO (1975 on CBS, 2LP Set, Street Life Poster)
55. Live! At The Lyceum - BOB MARLEY and THE WAILERS (Dec 1975 on Island + Poster)
56. Loving Awareness – LOVING AWARENESS (1976 on More Love, 2 Posters)
57. Four Seasons Of Love – DONNA SUMMER (UK 1976 GTO Records GTLP 018 + Calendar Foldout Poster)
58. All Of This & World War II – VARIOUS ARTISTS (1976, 2LPs on Riva Records, All Beatles covers + Poster)
59. P.Funk Endless Tour – PARLIAMENT (UK 1977 2LP set on Casablanca CALD 5002, Gatefold Sleeve with a Large Foldout Poster)
60. Wings Over America - WINGS (3LP Live Set, Jan 1977 on Parlophone, 3 Inners & Poster)
61. Never Mind The Bollocks… SEX PISTOLS (UK 1977 on Virgin, Original Copies, Sticker Slv, Poster & 7” single – THE POSTER IS VERY RARE!)
62. Right on Time – THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (UK 1978 LP on A&M AMLH 64644 + Fold-Out Poster of The Brothers)
63. Obsession – UFO (1978 LP on Chrysalis CDL 1182 (+Poster)
64. London Town - WINGS (April 1978 on Parlophone)
65. At Budokan – BOB DYLAN (1978 on CBS, 2 Booklets & Poster)
66. Hi-Tension – HI-TENSION (UK 1978 on Island ILPS 9564 + Poster)
67. That’s Life - SHAM 69 (November 1978 on Polydor)
68. Jazz – QUEEN (November 1978 on EMI, 'Attached' Nude Girls on Bikes Poster)
69. Babylon By Bus - BOB MARLEY and THE WAILERS (UK Dec 1978 2LP Live Set, Die-Cut Slv, Inners, Poster)
70. Thriller – EDDIE + THE HOT RODS (UK 1979 Island ILPS 9563 (Inner Sleeve & Fold-Out Poster)
71. Teenage Depression- EDDIE & THE HOTRODS (UK + Poster)
72. Dynasty – KISS (1979 on Casablanca)
73. Iron Maiden – IRON MAIDEN (1979 on EMI)
74. 20 Jazz Funk Greats – THROBBING GRISTLE (1979 on Industrial)
75. The Eddie Cochran Singles Album – EDDIE COCHRAN (UK 1979 United Artists UAK 30244, +7” single “Think Of Me” and “Pretty Girl” [United Artists FREE 12] + Foldout Poster of the cover Advertising other Artists in the series)
76. “Y” – THE POP GROUP (1979 on Radar, Foldout Colour Poster)
77. Emotional Rescue - THE ROLLING STONES (1980 on Rolling Stones)
78. Foolish Behaviour - ROD STEWART (1980 on Riva + Poster)
79. Get Happy! - ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS (1980 on F-Beat, Inner Sleeve & Poster)
80. Women & Children First – VAN HALEN (1980 on Warner Brothers, Dave Lee Roth Poster)
81. More Specials – THE SPECIALS (September 1980 on Two Tone & Bonus 7”)
82. Greatest Hits Volume 2 - COCKNEY REJECTS (October 1980 on Zonophone)
83. Eagles Live – EAGLES (UK 1980 2LP Set on Asylum K 62032, Inr Sleeves + Poster)
84. Cultosaurus Erectos – BLU OYSTER CULT (UK 1980 LP on CBS Records 86120 with Insert and Poster)
85. Face Dances - THE WHO (1981 on Polydor)
86. Talk Talk – THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS (1981 on CBS 84892)
87. Tin Drum – JAPAN (1981 on Virgin)
88. Rage In Eden – ULTRAVOX (1981 on Chrysalis)
89. Dance – GARY NUMAN (1981 on Beggars Banquet)
90. Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables - DEAD KENNEDYS (1981 on Cherry Red)
91. Living My Life - GRACE JONES (1982 on Island, Fold Out Poster)
92. Combat Rock - THE CLASH (1982 on CBS)
93. This Are Two Tone - VARIOUS ARTISTS (1983 on 2-Tone)
94. Let The Tribe Increase - THE MOB (1983 on All The Madmen)
95. T.Rextasy – MARC BOLAN and T.REX (UK 1983 Marc On Wax ABOLAN 5)
96. Frontiers – JOURNEY (UK 1983 LP on CBS Records 25261 + Poster)
97. Purple Rain by PRINCE (1984 on Warner Brothers, Inr Slv + Poster))
98. Mirror Moves – PSYCHEDELIC FURS (1984 on CBS)
99. Victims Of The Future – GARY MOORE (1984 on EMI)
100. On A Storyteller’s Night – MAGNUM (1985 on FM, Picture Disc & Poster)
101. Arena [Live] – DURAN DURAN (1985 on EMI, Gatefold + Poster)
102. Drive – TOMMY CHASE QUARTET (UK 1985 Virgin PAL 5)
103. Frankenchrist – DEAD KENNEDYS (1985 on Alternative Tentacles with H.R. Giger Poster)
104. True Blue – MADONNA (1986 on Sire, with Tour Poster)
105. The Politics Of Ecstasy – MAGIC MUSHROOM BAND (1986 on Pagan)
106. Animal Liberation – VARIOUS ARTISTS (UK 1987 on Wax Trax! WAX UK 25)
107. Licence To Ill – THE BEASTIE BOYS (1987 on Def Jam)
108. Randy Rhodes Tribute – OZZY OSBOURNE (1987 2LP set on Epic + Poster)
109. Savage - EURYTHMICS (November 1987 on RCA)
110. Radio Kaos - ROGER WATERS [of Pink Floyd] (June 1987 on EMI)
111. You Can Dance – MADONNA (1987 on Sire, with Gold Obi & Poster)
112. All Right Now – PEPSI & SHIRLIE (1987 on Polydor POLH 38 + Poster)]
113. Master Of Puppets – METALLICA (1987 reissue, Music For Nations, Direct Metal Mastered + Poster)
114. The Complete Sun Sessions - ELVIS PRESLEY (1987 2LP Set on RCA with “All-Time Greatest Hits” Sleeve Poster)
115. Mind Bomb – THE THE (1989 LP on Epic with Inner Sleeve & Poster)
116. The Cream Of Supreme – VARIOUS ARTISTS (UK 1987 on Supreme SU 3)
117. Billy & Albert – At The Royal Albert Hall [Live Comedy] – BILLY CONNELLY (1987 on 10 Records DIX 65 + Poster)
118. Flowers In The Rain – PAUL McCARTNEY (1989 on Parlophone, Special Edition with Prints & Poster)
119. The Royal Box – MADONNA (1990 on Sire) (contains “Immaculate Collection” with Video, Cards & Poster)
120. Asquarius – CUD (1992 LP on A&M, 1st 5000 Had Poster)
121. Wild Wood – PAUL WELLER (UK 1994 Go Discs! 828 438-1, Gatefold Sleeve + Poster)
122. The X Factor – IRON MAIDEN (1995 on EMI)
123. Ziggy Stardust – Motion Picture Soundtrack (UK 2003 2LP set on EMI ZIPPYRIP 3773 with Inners & Poster)
124. Steady Diet Of Nothing – FUGAZI
125. Made Of Bricks – KATE NASH (2008 on Pink Vinyl + Poster)
126. Day & Age – THE KILLERS (2008)
127. Glasvegas – GLASVEGAS (2008)

LIST FORMED July 2008 – August 2012

This list will be updated when new info comes to light - so please e-mail suggestions and additions - thanks...

The “POP HISTORY” Series of Vinyl Double Albums On Polydor Records from the early 1970’s.

The following “POP HISTORY” Discography is for the GERMAN RELEASES only. Release Dates range from 1972 to 1974 (the dates on the record labels tend to refer to the copyright dates of the material rather than the release date).

They were also issued in other countries in Europe and even in South America [none were issued in the UK or the USA – some of the earlier titles were imported into each]. Each set was a double album and had distinctive generic colour artwork, laminated gatefold sleeves, polylined inner bags and quality pressed European vinyl (Polydor/Cube labels). Collectors have long enjoyed them for their ‘early material’ track lists and top quality mastering.

It isn't all straightforward however when you stray away from the German issues - artists featured in the series differed from country to country - as did the Volume Number they were allocated.
For instance the French version of Booker T & The M.G.’s turns up as Vol.5 instead of 8, while Richie Havens is Vol.11 instead of 13. Uruguay had THE BEE GEES as Volume 5, while there was none in the German issues. THE WHO set in Argentina is a double, while the Brazilian issue ‘appears’ to be a single – it isn’t. The “Pop History” name and same artwork was used in a 10LP German Box Set where the artists are doubled-up on some records or receive a single album on others – many people broke out these single albums and sold them separately – as “Pop History” titles. James Brown is Volume 3 in many countries, but the track list on the Spanish issue is different to the German issue (different hits in different countries). With this cross-country tailoring to their particular marketplace, but often using the same German artwork and even the same overall catalogue number, it's easy to see why some confusion can creep in...

Also - for British and Irish fans alike, the series throws up some quirky anomalies – huge and popular ‘rock’ acts like SLADE, guitarist ROY BUCHANAN and the fabulous Maggie Bell fronted STONE THE CROWS are not represented here, but HARDIN & YORK are? Eddie Hardin and Peter York made 3 albums in the UK on Bell Records (1971’s “For The World” is the 3rd), none of which did any business in Britain. Musically they may have been excellent, but fame-wise, they were and still are absolute obscurities in their own country and their albums are now hard-to-find vinyl rarities clocking in at £25 + (if you can locate them). They were, however, huge in Germany, capable of filling large venues and hence the reason they were afforded the luxury of a “Pop History” double in that country. The same applies to SAVAGE ROSE - huge in Europe - but virtual unknowns in the UK.

Also - FOUR of the doubles are not compilations, but 2 whole albums under another name – see notes on Hardin & York, Mountain, The Grateful Dead and Medicine Head.

I've finally located Volume 17 (possibly Jack Bruce), Vol. 24 appears to be unissued and the series ends with Rory Gallagher on Vol.30. The release info and track lists come from a European Polydor catalogue of 1974 I’ve acquired and also from the albums I own. I’ve double-checked the details for accuracy and to my knowledge, this is the first time that all of this info on the series has been put together in the one place.


1. Pop History Vol.1 – CREAM (Polydor 2675 014)
[Featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker]
14 Tracks: N.S.U./White Room/Sitting On Top Of The World/Sunshine Of Your Love/Passing The Time/Lawdy Mama/Deserted Cities Of The Heart/As You Said/I Feel Free/Sweet Wine/Doing That Scrapyard Thing/I’m So Glad/Traintime/Toad


2. Pop History Vol.2 – JIMI HENDRIX (Polydor 2675 013)
16 Tracks: Who Knows/Voodoo Chile/Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)/Rainy Day Dream Away/We Gotta Live Together/All Along The Watchtower/Power Of Soul/And The Gods Made Love/Moon Turn The Tides.../Changes/Foxy Lady/Long Hot Summer Night/Message To Love/House Burning Down/Still Raining Still Dreaming/Come On - Part 1


3. Pop History Vol.3 – JAMES BROWN (Polydor 2625 009)
24 Tracks: Maybe Good-Maybe Bad (Part 1 & 2)/Choo Choo/Stagger Lee/Use For Mother/After You Done It/You’ve Got To Change Your Mind/Soul Pride (Part 1)/Soul Pride (Part 2)/Fever/Is It Yes Or Is It No/World (Part 1 & 2)/Georgia On My Mind/The Chicken/Time After Time/If I Ruled The World/I’m Shock/Prisoner Of Love/Kansas City/Brother Rapp (Part 1 & 2)/Just Plain Funk/I’ll Lose My Mind/Gittin’ A Little Hipper/The Scratch/Here I Go


4. Pop History Vol.4 – THE WHO (Polydor 2675 012)
20 Tracks: My Generation/Heatwave/Smash The Mirror/Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde/Overture From Tommy/Doctor! Doctor!/In The City/Mary Anne With The Shakey Hand/I Can See For Miles/Sally Simpson/Magic Bus/You See My Way/The Acid Queen/We’re Not Gonna Take It/Summertime Blues/Bucket “T”/Our Love Was/Christmas/Don’t Look Away/Call Me Lightning


5. Pop History Vol.5 – THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL featuring JOHN SEBASTIAN (Polydor 2625 010)
24 Tracks: Daydream/Jug Of Wine/Try A Little Bit/(Till I) Run With You/Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind/Six O’ Clock/Didn’t Want To Have To Do It/Henry Thomas/Younger Girl/Nashville Cats/Only Yesterday/You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice/Revolution/Forever/Rain On The Roof/Voodoo In My Basement/Money/Summer In The City/Do You Believe In Magic/Only Pretty What A Pity/Never Goin’ Back/Blues In The Bottle/Night Owl Blues/She Is Still A Mystery


6. Pop History Vol.6 – ERIC BURDON and THE ANIMALS (Polydor 2625 011)
18 Tracks: St. James Infirmary/A Girl Named Sandoz/The Black Plague/Uppers And Downers/No Self Pity/Cheating/When I Was Young/It's All Meat/Serenade To A Sweat Lady/Orange And Red Beams/Winds Of Change/Help Me Girl/New York 1963 - America 1968 (Full 19:00 Minute Version)/Year Of The Guru/You're On My Mind/She'll Return It/Just The Thought/The Immigrant Land


7. Pop History Vol.7 – FRANK ZAPPA and THE MOTHERS of INVENTION (Polydor 2625 012)
20 Tracks: Help I’m A Rock/I’m Not Satisfied/Motherly Love/Plastic People/The Idiot Bast@#! Son/Brown Shoes Don’t Make It/The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny/Anything/You Didn’t Try To Call Me/Duke Of Prunes/Hungry Freaks Daddy/Uncle Bernie’s Farm/Who Are The Brain Police/Who Needs The Peace Corps/Absolutely Free/Status Back Baby/Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin/Go Cry On Somebody Else’s Shoulder/Flower Punk/America Drinks & Goes Home


8. Pop History Vol.8 – BOOKER T. & THE M.G.’s (Polydor 2625 013)
23 Tracks: Mrs. Robinson/This Guy’s In Love With You/Because/Foxy Lady/Hi Ride/Time Is Tight/Heads Or Tails/Michelle/Lady Madonna/Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy/Light My Fire/Eleanor Rigby/Soul Limbo/The Horse/I Want You/Something/Melting Pot/Hang ‘Em High/Johnny, I Love You/Sunny Monday/La La Means I Love You/The End/Over Easy


9. Pop History Vol.9 – ERIC CLAPTON (Polydor 2668 001)
[Features Cream, Derek & The Dominoes and Eric Clapton Solo]
15 Tracks: Bottle Of Red Wine/Bell Bottom Blues/Rollin’ And Tumblin’/Badge/Lawdy Mama/Strange Brew/Let It Rain/Spoonful/Anyday/Wrapping Paper/Little Wing/Sweet Wine/After Midnight/Key To The Highway/Layla (Full Album Version)


10. Pop History Vol.10 – GINGER BAKER (Polydor 2668 002)
[Features Cream and Ginger Baker’s Air Force]
14 Tracks: Sweet Wine/Passing The Time/Sunshine Of Your Love/Twelve Gates Of The City/Doin' It/Man Of Constant Sorrow/Blue Condition/We Free Kings/Today/Toad (Full 13 Minute Version)/What A Bringdown/Let Me Ride/Do What You Like (Full Near 12 Minute Version)/I'm So Glad


11. Pop History Vol.11 – TASTE (Polydor 2668 003) [featuring Rory Gallagher]
[Features Studio and Live Material]
19 Tracks: Sugar Mama/I’m Movin’ On/What’s Going On/Born On The Wrong Side Of Time/ Same Old Story/Eat My Words/Gamblin’ Blues/Railway And Gun/If I Don’t Sing, I’ll Cry/Feel So Good – Part 2/On The Boards/Hail/See Here/Dual Carriageway Pain/I’ll Remember/Blister On The Moon/It’s Happened Before, It’ll Happen Again/Leaving Blues/Catfish (Full 10 Minute Live Version)


12. Pop History Vol.12 – THE SPOTNICKS (Polydor 2676 016)
23 Tracks: Amapola/One Has My Name/Green Eyes/Ku’damm Promenade/Muddy Mississippi Line/Walk Right In/Last Date/Diamonds/I’m Coming Home/Steel Guitar Rag/Bye Bye Birdie/Habanera/Everybody’s Talkin’/In The Mood/Busted/Say Mama/Walking Back To Happiness/Havah Nagila/Wildwood Flower/Recado/I’ll Remember You/Hot Toddy/Space Walk


13. Pop History Vol.13 – RICHIE HAVENS (Polydor 2625 015)
18 Tracks: Indian Rope Man/Baby Blue/Wear Your Love Like Heaven/Run Shaker Life – Do You Feel Good/I Started A Joke/Shouldn’t All The World Be Dancing/From The Prison/Open Your Eyes/Strawberry Fields Forever/A Little Help From My Friends/Priests/I Pity The Poor Immigrant/Prayer/She’s Leaving Home/Lady Madonna/For Haven’s Sake/Don’t Listen To Me/The Parable Of Roman


14. Pop History Vol.14 – JOHN MAYALL (Polydor 2675 017)
13 Tracks: The Laws Must Change/Nature’s Disappearing/Waiting For The Right Time/To A Princess/I’m Gonna Fight For J.B./Lying By My Bed/Night Flyer/Counting The Days/Took The Cat/Saw Mill Gulch Road/California/Many Miles Apart/People Cling Together/You Must Be Crazy/Thoughts About Roxanne/Thinking Of My Woman


15. Pop History Vol.15 – SAVAGE ROSE (Polydor 2675 018)
21 Tracks: Savage Rose/Look Out/You’ll Be Alright/I’m Walking Through The Door/White Swans’ Marriage Clothes/Everybody Must Know/Her Story/Sailing Away/Your Sign – My Sign/His Own Happiness – God’s Little Hand/Oh Baby Where Have You Gone?/Open Air Shop/You Be Free/A Trial In Our Native Town/Sleep/The Shepherd And Sally/The Castle/Ride My Mountain/A Girl I Know/Life’s Other Side/I’m Satisfied Mr. Captain


16. Pop History Vol.16 – GOLDEN EARRING (Polydor 2625 018)
21 Tracks: Back Home/Everyday's Torture/Gipsy Rhapsody/Born A Second Time/Song Of A Devil's Servant/Big Tree Blue Sea/One Huge Road/The Truth About Arthur/Magnificent Magistral/I'm Going To Send My Pigeons To The Sky/Yellow & Blue/Landing/Crystal Heaven/Must I Cry?/God Bless The Day/See See/The Wall Of Dolls/Who Cares?/Nothing Can Change This World Of Mine/The Loner/The Sad Story Of Sam Stone/This Is The Time Of the Year

17. Pop History Vol.17 – JACK BRUCE (Polydor 2668 004)
17 Tracks: Never Tell Your Mother She’s Out Of Tune/As You Said/Doin' That Scrapyard Thing/We’re Going Wrong/White Room/Theme For An Imaginary Western//Over The Cliff/This Night This Song/Once I Loved/HCKHH Blues // To Whom It May Concern-Them/Statues/ Things We Like/Allah Be Praised/N.S.U./Dance The Night Away/Train Time


18. Pop History Vol.18 – AIR FORCE [Ginger Baker's Air Force] (Polydor 2668 005)


19. Pop History Vol.19 – THE VELVET UNDERGROUND and NICO (Polydor 2625 019)
17 Tracks: Lady Godiva's Operation/Eulogy To Lenny Bruce/What Goes On/Winter Song/Some Kind Of Love/The Gift/Chelsea Girl/I’m Set Free/The Murder Mystery/Little Sister/I'll Be Your Mirror/Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams/Jesus/The Fairest Of The Seasons/After Hours/It Was A Pleasure Then/ That's The Story Of My Life


20. Pop History Vol.20 – THE BLUES PROJECT featuring AL KOOPER and STEVE KATZ (Polydor 2625 020)
18 Tracks: Fly Away/Steve’s Song/Dakota Recollection/Two Trains Running/When There’s Smoke, There’s…/I Want To Be Your Driver/If You Got To Make A Fool Of/No Time Like The Right Time/Endless Sleep/Wake Me-Shake Me/Niartae’s Hornpipe/Cheryl’s Going Home/Calypso/I Can’t Keep From Crying Some/Violets Of Dawn/Mojo Hannah/The Flute Thing/Catch The Wind


21. Pop History Vol.21 – HARDIN & YORK (Polydor 2625 021)
[2 whole albums; their debut LP from 1969 on Bell Records called “Tomorrow Today” (Tracks 1 to 9) and their 2nd LP also on Bell Records from 1970 called “The World’s Smallest Big Band (aka Hardin & York)” (Tracks 10 to 15)]
15 Tracks: Tomorrow Today/100 Years From Now/I'm Lost/Drinking My Wine/Candlelight/Beautiful Day/Mountains Of Sand/Can't Keep A Good Man Down/Listen Everyone/Just A Case Of Time/I Can't Find My Way Home/Love, A Song For You/Rock & Roll Medley (a) Jailhouse Rock (b) Mean Woman Blues (c) Rip It Up!/The Pike/”Northern Medley" (a) Lady Madonna (b) Norwegian Wood


22. Pop History Vol.22 – MOUNTAIN (Polydor 2625 022)
[2 whole albums, their 1969 US-Only debut LP on Bell Records by Leslie West called “Mountain” (Tracks 1 to 11) with their 2nd LP from 1970 [1st in the UK] also on Bell Records called “Mountain Climbing” (Tracks 12 to 20)]
20 Tracks: Blood Of The Sun/Long Red/Better Watch Out/Blind Man, Baby, I’m Down/Dreams Of Milk & Honey/Storyteller Man/This Wheel’s On Fire/Look To The Wind/Southbound Train/Because You Are My Friend/Mississippi Queen/Theme For Imaginary Western/Never In My Life/Silver Paper/Yasgur’s Farm/To My Friend/The Laird/Sittin’ On A Rainbow/Boys In The Band


23. Pop History Vol.23 – THE GRATEFUL DEAD (Polydor 2679 003)
[2 whole albums - “Vintage Dead” (Tracks 1 to 4) and “Historic Dead” (Tracks 5 to 9). Although the material was recorded in the mid Sixties, both albums only received official release in the UK on Polydor in 1972]
Tracks: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/Lindy/Stealin'/The Same Thing /I Know You Rider/It Hurts Me Too/It's All Over Now, Baby Blue/Dancin' In The Streets/In The Midnight Hour

24. Pop History Vol.24 – NOT YET TRACED


24. Pop History Vol.25 – MEDICINE HEAD (Polydor 2625 026)
[2 whole albums; their 1971 2nd LP on Dandelion Records called “Heavy On The Drum” (Tracks 1 to 11) and their 1969 debut LP also on Dandelion Records called “New Bottles And Old Medicine” (Tracks 12 to 25)]
25 Tracks: There's Always A Light /Any Day Now/Medicine Pony/Thou Shalt Not Pass/Expectation Blues/To Train Time/Call On Your Saviour/Have No Fear/You Got Me Rockin' And Rollin'/Once There Was A Day/(Sometimes) Even The Moon Has No Face/When Night Falls/Ooee Baby/Next Time The Sun Comes Round/This Love Of Old/Home's Odyssey/Oh My Heart To Peace/Do It Now/Be It As We Are/Fire Under Mountain/Two Men Now/Crazy 'Bout You Baby/Goin' Home/His Guiding Hand/Walkin' Blues

26. Pop History Vol.26 – JULIE DRISCOLL and BRIAN AUGER (Polydor 2668 007)
18 Tracks: This Wheel’s On Fire/Tramp/Day In The Life/Save The Country/Save Me (Part 1)/Indian Rope Man/Black Cat/Take Me To The Water/A Kind Of Love In/Goodbye Jungle Telegraph/Season Of The Witch/I’ve Got Life/Light My Fire/Maria’s Wedding/Let The Sunshine In/Red Beans And Rice/Truth/Road To Cairo


27. Pop History Vol.27 – T. REX (Cube 2635 005)
24 Tracks: Hot Love/Jewel/The Visit/Childe/Ride A White Swan/Summertime Blues/Get It On/Is It Love?/One Inch Rock/Summer Deep/Warlord Of The Royal Crocodilee/Seagull Woman/Jeepster/Hot Rod Mama/Mustang Ford/Chariots Of Silk/Cat Black/She Was Born To Be My Unicorn/Debora/Iscariot/Nijinsky Aind/Organ Blues/By The Light Of A Magical Moon/Dragon’s Ear


28. Pop History Vol.28 – PROCOL HARUM (Cube 2635 006)
22 Tracks: A Whiter Shade Of Pale/She Wandered Through The Garden Fence/Something Following Me/A Christmas Camel/Homburg/Conquistador/Quite Rightly So/Skip Softly (My Moonbeams)/Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone)/Rambling On/Wish Me Well/Shine On Brightly/A Salty Dog/The Milk Of Human Kindness/Crucifiction Lane/The Devil Came From Kansas/Boredom/Whisky Train/Your Own Choice/Still There Be More/About To Die/The Dead Man’s Dream


29. Pop History Vol.29 – THE MOVE (Cube 2635 007)
17 Tracks: I Can Hear The Grass Grow/Helloh Susie/(Here We Go Round) The Lemon Tree/Don’t Make My Baby Blue/Flowers In The Rain/Fire Brigade/Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited/Wild Tiger Woman/Night Of Fear/Blackberry Way/When Alice Comes Back To The Farm/The Last Thing On My Mind/Curly/Hey Grandma/Walk Upon The Water/Brontosaurus/Fields Of People/Omnibus


30. Pop History Vol.30 – RORY GALLAGHER (Polydor 2679 006) [see also Taste]
[Tracks 1 to 5 are by TASTE; 6 to 17 are RORY GALLAGHER solo]
17 Tracks: Blister On The Moon/Born On The Wrong Side Of Time/Leaving Blues/Railway & Gun/Eat My Words/Hands Up/Just A Smile/Wave Myself Goodbye/Can’t Believe It’s True/Used To Be/I’m Not Awake Yet/Don’t Know Where I’m Going/Should’ve Learned My Lesson/Going To My Hometown (Live)/Messing With The Kid (Live)/In Your Town (Live)/Bullfrog Blues (Live)

The “CHESS GOLDEN DECADE” Series Of Vinyl LPs on the Checker and Chess Labels in the UK between 1973 and 1975…

CONTENT:
A quick browse through the track lists of these fabulous themed albums will reveal the familiar and the extremely obscure. Even now in March 2009 (36 years after their release) die-hard collectors of Fifties and Sixties Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Soul will have trouble recognizing some of these artists and their quirky little tunes - Bobby Tuggle, Don & Bob, Rusty York anybody? And that of course is what makes the CHESS GOLDEN DECADE series of eight albums such a great listen.

Released across 1973, 1974 and 1975 (ending with a cheap Sampler album in February 1975), all 8 were compiled by NIGEL GRAINGE and given year-by-year themes for each volume. The original MONO and STEREO recordings were used - although some were dubbed from vinyl because no tapes existed. The artwork was colour coded, each afforded the luxury of a gatefold sleeve with the Chess Horse’s Head logo embossed across the front and rear. On the inner gatefold each sported informative and enthusiastic liner notes by ROB FINNIS, BILL MILLAR and other notable experts - peppered with black and white pictures of the musical offenders between the texts. With quality pressed Phonogram vinyl, a budget price, rarities as well as old favourites – and all that eye-catching artwork – the albums were a joy to look at and hear. The release dates are from PHONOGRAM catalogues for 1975 and 1976 - so they're accurate.

RARITIES/UNRELEASED TRACKS:
There were for the time – several scoops in the series. Probably the biggest was “All My Life” by THE FOUR TOPS. It was from the same sessions that produced their rare debut single on Chess 1623 “Could It Be You? b/w Kiss Me, Baby” – it was a previously unreleased track and a huge draw for Motown collectors. Bobby Charles, Rufus Thomas, Bobby Cisco, Harvey And The Moonglows, Piano Red, Jimmy McCracklin and others featured with previously unreleased material too. [Note: in order to give more info for enthusiasts and collectors, I’ve detailed the original vinyl release information under each track for each volume – also noting earlier issues and which are the unreleased tracks].

COMPILERS:
The series was made with the input of RALPH BASS at the Chess Studios in Chicago, LEN DIAMOND and CHARLIE GILLETT at Radio London, CLIVE RICHARDSON at Shout magazine, ROGER ST. PIERRE, the Soul Columnist at the NME (New Musical Express) and BILL MILLAR and MIKE LEADBETTER of the Blues Unlimited magazine. These UK-based specialist publications also supplied the black and white photos of the artists for the inner gatefolds. The albums were sold at Phonograms Super Mid Price level initially – cheaper that a standard album. Sleeve design was by HARDY/ESCASANY/LODWICK with the front cover photo of the gold Chess piece by ROD SHONE. (The liner notes on the sampler album are by JOHN PEEL and are particularly funny, informative and full of his joy for the music – and they’re now of course terribly poignant in the light of his tragic loss.)

CD EQUIVALENTS:
Chess and its subsidiary labels (Argo, Cadet and Checker) have been done to death on CD over the last few decades, so most of these tracks are out there now in some digital form or another. Many, however, are not easy to locate – especially when it isn’t the usual suspects - Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters or Howlin’ Wolf. Here are a few suggestions on where to look…


1. The MCA/Chess “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” Series of CDs came out of Universal in the States in 2002 and numbers 10 great titles (not all are from the classic Chess periods of the Fifties and Sixties, but most are). I’ve posted a complete list of them on Listmania in Amazon.co.uk and reviewed most (relevant titles to this series are pictured above). They’re ERICK LABSON remasters and the sound quality is fabulous - he has over 800 mastering credits to his name and has almost exclusively handled the entire Chess catalogue.


2. If you want almost all of it – it’s available – but prepare your bank manager first – because they’re now expensive collector’s items. Erick Labson did a huge chunk of the catalogue via the “The Chess Story: 1947-1975” box set in 2000 (15 CDs - pictured above). There’s also 3 smaller part boxes with 5 in each – all four are now deleted and extremely pricey.


3. I also loved the MOJO Magazine’s themed series of 4 Chess titles from 2005. Mojo’s staff choices are an expert mixture of the familiar and the obscure – but all of it good – tracks you should know and would want in your life. They came out in card digipaks with detailed booklets - there’s “Chess Originals” (9830156 - pictured above), “Chess Tearjerkers” (9830154), “Chess Northern Soul” (9830153) and “Soul Sisters” (9830155). They have the “MOJO” logo on the spine and front sleeve. Well worth hunting down.


4. If you just want an excellent overview of the label and its entire output, then 2005’s “Chess Pieces – The Very Best Of Chess Records” set is superb value for money (pictured above). At under £10.00 including p&p from most online retailers, it has 2CDs and a whopping 48 remastered tracks.


5. But the best and cheapest is a new series of discs that turned up in April and December of 2008 called “Chess Chartbusters” Volumes 1 to 6 (pictured above). Clearly aping the Motown Chartbusters market, each has themed artwork, 20 great tracks and cost a fiver (or thereabouts). 120 corkers for £30 is great value in any man’s language.

The UK-only CHESS GOLDEN DECADE Albums Vol.1 to 8 and their SAMPLER LP in detail



1. Chess Golden Decade Volume 1 – “The Early Fifties”
Light Blue Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 205 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog (No More Doggin’ Around) – RUFUS THOMAS
[1951 USA 78” on Chess 1492, A-Side (produced Sam Phillips)]
2. Juiced – JACKIE BRENSTON
[1951 USA 78” single on Chess 1472, A-Side]
3. Mardi Gras Mambo – THE HAWKETTS
[Earliest recordings of Art Neville of The Neville Brothers]
[1954 USA 7” single on Chess 7780, A-Side]
4. Reconsider Baby – LOWELL FULSOM
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 804, A-Side]
5. Most Of All – THE MOONGLOWS
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1589, A-Side]
6. White Cliffs Of Dover – THE BLUE JAYS
[1952 USA 78" on Checker 782, A-Side]
7. My Babe - LITTLE WALTER
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 811, A-Side]
8. Bo Diddley – BO DIDDLEY
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 814, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. 64,000 Dollar Question – BOBBY TUGGLE
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 823, A-Side]
2. Tippety Top – THE RAYS
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1613, A-Side]
3. I’m Mad – WILLIE MABON and HIS COMBO
[1953 USA 78” on Chess 1538, A-Side]
4. Sincerely – THE MOONGLOWS
[1954 USA 7” single on Chess 1581, A-Side]
5. In My Diary – THE MOONGLOWS
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1611, A-Side]
6. Sinner’s Dream – EUGENE FOX
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 792, A-side]
7. Jock-A-Mo – JAMES ‘SUGARBOY’ CRAW
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 787, A-Side]
8. See You Later Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1609, A-Side]


2. Chess Golden Decade Volume 2 1956 – “Take It Easy Greasy”
Beige Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 206 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Take It Easy Greasy – BOBBY CHARLES
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1628, B-Side of “Only Time Will Tell”]
2. Ain’t Got No Home – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5259, A-Side]
3. Troubles, Troubles – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5259, B-Side of “Ain’t Got No Home”]
4. The Music Goes Round & Round – PAUL GAYTEN
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5257, A-Side]
5. Driving Home, Part 1 – PAUL GAYTEN
[1957 USA 7” single on Argo 5263, A-Side]
6. A Kiss From Your Lips – THE FLAMINGOS
[1956 USA 7” single on Checker 837, A-Side]
7. When I’m With You – THE MOONGLOWS
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1629, B-Side of “See Saw”]
8. Roll Over Beethoven – CHUCK BERRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1626, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Tall Dark Handsome Man – BOBBY CISCO
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1650, A-Side]
2. Rock, Rock – BOBBY CISCO
[Unreleased Chess Session]
3. Smokestack Lightnin’ – HOWLIN’ WOLF
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1618, A-Side]
4. I Knew From The Start – THE MOONGLOWS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1646, B-Side of “Over & Over Again”]
5. I’ll Be Home – THE FLAMINGOS
[1956 USA 7” single on Checker 830, A-Side]
6. All My Life – THE FOUR TOPS
[Rare Previously Unreleased 1956 Chess Session]
7. I’ll Turn Square For You – BOBBY CHARLES
[Unreleased Track]
8. Who Do You Love – BO DIDDLEY
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 814, A-Side]


3. Chess Golden Decade Volume 3 1957 – “Dime Store Pony Tail”
Pink Colour, Card Embossed Gatefold Sleeve, ROB FINNIS Liner Notes
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 207 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. The Walk – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 885, A-Side]
2. You Can Suit Yourself – BOBBY CHARLES
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1658, B-side of “No More”]
3. I Can’t Wait – RAY STANLEY
[1957 USA 7”single on Argo 528, B-side of “Over A Coke”]
4. Over The Mountain, Across The Sea – JOHNNIE & JOE
[Johnnie Richardson and Joe Rivers, 1957 USA 7” on Chess 1654, A-Side]
5. The Clock – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1665, B-Side of “Long Lonely Nights”]
6. Long Lonely Nights – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1665, A-Side]
7. Jelly Bean – THE NITE CAPS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1694, A-Side]
8. Rock This Morning – LOWELL FULSOM
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 882, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Dime Store Pony Tail – BOBBY DEAN
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1673, B-Side of “Just Go Wild Over Rock’n’Roll”]
2. Flat Foot Sam – OSCAR WILLS [aka TV SLIM]
(This re-recording is credited to O WILLS – his real name. However, it was recorded in 1956 on Cliff 103 under his more common stage name TV SLIM)
[1957 USA 7” single on Argo 527, A-Side]
3. Teardrops – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1675, A-Side]
4. This Love – THE MOONGLOWS
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1701, A-Side]
5. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby – THE TUNE WEAVERS
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 872, A-Side]
(Originally on Casa Grande 4037 earlier in 1957)
6. M.T.Y.L.T.T. – THE DREAM KINGS
(More Than Yesterday Less Than Tomorrow)
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 858, A-Side]
7. Oh Oh – EDDIE BOYD
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1698, A-Side]
8. Susie-Q – DALE HAWKINS
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 863, A-Side]


4. Chess Golden Decade Volume 4 1958-59 – “Book Of Love”
Brown Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve, BILL MILLAR Liner Notes
Released in the UK July 1974 on Checker 6445 200 [MONO]
[This LP is actually sports the ‘Chess’ label, but there’s a sticker on the inside of the gatefold stating that ‘Checker” is the correct label (their mistake); also Track 3 on Side 1 of the label only mistakenly credits PIANO RED as PIANO ‘C’ RED]

Side 1:
1. Book Of Love – THE MONOTONES
(Originally released on Mascot 124 in November 1957)
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5290, A-Side]
2. Nothin’ Shakin’ – EDDIE FONTAINE
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5309, A-Side]
3. Sugaree – RUSTY YORK
(Originally issued earlier in 1959 on Note 10021)
[1959 USA 7” single on Chess 1730, A-Side]
4. 1-2-3 – PIANO RED
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
5. She’s Alright With Me – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS
[1959 USA Chess Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
6. Been So Long – THE PASTELS
(Originally released on Mascot 123 in 1957)
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5287, A-Side]
7. The Wobble – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[Alternate previously unreleased version of his 1958 7” A on Checker 885]
8. Say Man – BO DIDDLEY
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 931, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Everybody Rock – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 893, A-Side]
2. He Knows The Rules – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
3. Boogie Rebop – PIANO RED
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
4. Zombie – THE MONOTONES
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5301, B-Side of “Tom Foolery”]
5. This Broken Heart – THE SONICS
(Originally issued on Harvard 801 in early 1959)
[1959 USA 7” single on Checker 922, A-Side]
6. Ten Commandments Of Love – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1705, A-Side]
7. False Alarm – THE RE-VELS [aka THE REVELS]
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1708. A-Side]
8. Legend Of Sleepy Hollow – THE MONOTONES
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5321, A-Side]


5. Chess Golden Decade Volume 5 1959-61 – “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”
Lime Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK July 1974 on Checker 6445 201 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. But I Do – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY [aka (I Don't Know Why) But I Do]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5378, A-Side]
2. If I Can’t Have You – ETTA and HARVEY (Etta James and Harvey Fuqua)
[1960 USA 7” single on Chess 1760, A-Side]
3. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – DON and BOB [Don Level, Bob Love]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5400, A-Side]
4. Goin’ Back To Memphis – (JUMPIN') GENE SIMMONS
[1960 USA 7” single on Checker 948, B-Side to “Bad Boy Willie”]
5. Back To School Blues – DALE HAWKINS
[Alternate Take - Unavailable Elsewhere]
6. My Baby’s Got Soul – LARRY WILLIAMS
[1959 USA 7” single on Chess 1736, A-Side]
7. Louisiana Blues – FREDDY FENDER
[1960 USA Argo Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
8. Just You And I – GUITAR RED
[1961 USA 7” single on Checker 988, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Every Day Of The Week – THE STUDENTS
(Originally issued on Checker 902 in 1958, B-Side to “I’m So Young”)
[1961 USA 7” single reissue on Argo 5386, B-Side to “I’m So Young”]
2. Knee Socks – THE IDEALS
[1959 USA 7” single on Checker 920, A-Side]
(Was reissued in 1961 on Checker 979 as Johnny Brantley and The Ideals]
3. I Need A Change – THE MIRACLES
[1960 USA, 2nd and last 7” single on Chess 1768, A-Side]
4. You Always Hurt The Ones You Love – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5388, A-Side]
5. I’m So Young – THE STUDENTS
[(Originally issued on Checker 902 in 1958, A-Side)
[1961 USA 7” single reissue on Argo 5386, A-Side]
6. Bad Girl – THE MIRACLES
[1959 USA, 1st 7” single on Chess 1734, A-Side]
7. The Chant – RAMSEY LEWIS
[1959 USA 7” single on Argo 5352, A-Side]
8. Let It Rock – CHUCK BERRY
[1960 USA 7” single on Chess 1747, B-side of “Too Popped To Pop (Casey)”]

6. Chess Golden Decade Volume 6 1961-62 - “Talkin’ Trash”
Yellow Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1974 on Checker 6445 202 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Let Me In – THE SENSATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5405, A-Side]
2. Mama Didn’t Lie – JAN BRADLEY
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1845, A-Side]
3. Smokey Places – THE CORSAIRS (Featuring The Voice Of Jay "Bird" Uzzell
[1961 USA 7” single on Tuff CH-1808, A-Side]
4. Stop The Wedding – ETTA JAMES
[1962 USA 7” single on Argo 5418, A-Side]
5. Talkin’ Trash – THE VIBRATIONS
[1961 USA Checker Records, was the B-side of “Peanut Butter” on the withdrawn USA 7” single Arvee 5027]
6. Rinky Dink – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1829, A-Side]
7. She’s My Baby – STEVE ALAIMO
(Originally issued in 1957 in the USA on Marlin 6067 as the A-side, it was initially credited to Steve Alaimo and The Redcoats. But this cut is a different version again - which appeared on the "Mashed Potatoes" LP on Checker Records in 1962)
[1961 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session?]
8. Chicken Scratch – J.C. DAVIS
(James C. Davis, One Time Sax Player for James Brown’s Famous Flames]
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1831, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Peanut Butter – THE MARATHONS [aka THE VIBRATIONS]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5389, A-Side]
2. Watusi – THE VIBRATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Checker 969. A-Side]
3. Music, Music, Music – THE SENSATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5391, A-Side]
4. Story Of My Life – ‘BIG’ AL DOWNING
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1817, A-Side]
5. Everyday I Have To Cry – STEVE ALAIMO
[1962 USA 7” single on Checker 1032, A-Side]
6. Stormy – THE CORSAIRS
[1963 USA 7” single on Tuff-CH 1847, A-Side]
7. I Got A Woman – STEVE ALAIMO
[1962 USA, A Track off the “Mashed Potatoes” album on Checker Records]
8. Happy Weekend – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 134, A-Side]

7. Chess Golden Decade Volume 7 1963-65 – “Hi-Heel Sneakers”
Violet Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK November 1974 on Chess 6445 203 [STEREO]

Side 1:
1. Hi-Heel Sneakers – TOMMY TUCKER
[February 1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1067, A-Side]
2. Soulful Dress – SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[August 1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1082, A-Side]
3. Selfish One – JACKIE ROSS
[August 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1903, A-Side]
4. Voice Your Choice – THE RADIANTS
[December 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1904, A-Side]
5. Sitting In The Park – BILLY STEWART
[July 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1932, A-Side]
6. Get Closer Together – JOE TEX
[1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1087, B-Side to “Sit Yourself Down”]
7. Help Me – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
[April 1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1036, A-Side]
8. (The Story Of) Woman, Love And A Man (Part 1) – TONY CLARKE
[1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1880, A-Side (Part 2 was the B-Side)]

Side 2:
1. Dancing Danny – THE VIBRATIONS
[1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1061, A-Side]
2. Meddlin’ – LITTLE WALTER
[1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1063, A-Side]
3. One Hundred And Two (Still Can’t Do It Like I Used To) – PIANO RED
[1963 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
4. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE
[March 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1924, A-Side]
5. I Do Love You – BILLY STEWART
[February 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1922, A-Side]
6. I Had A Talk With My Man – MITTY COLLIER
[October 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1907, A-Side]
7. Temptation 'Bout To Get Me – THE KNIGHT BROTHERS
[May 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1107, A-Side]
8. Slip-In Mules (No Hi-Heel Sneakers) – SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1073, A-Side]


8. Chess Golden Decade Volume 8 1965-66 – “The 'In' Crowd”
Pink Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve, ROGER ST. PIERRE Liner Notes
Released in the UK January 1975 on Chess 6445 204 [STEREO]

Side 1:
1. Summertime – BILLY STEWART (George Gershwin cover)
[August 1966 USA 7” single on Chess 1966, A-Side]
2. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS
[September 1965 USA 7” single Checker 1120, A-Side]
3. The ‘In’ Crowd – THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO
[August 1965 USA 7” single on Argo 5506, A-Side]
4. In The Basement (Part 1) – ETTA JAMES and SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[August 1966 USA 7” single on Cadet 5539, A-side]
5. We’re Gonna Make It – LITTLE MILTON
[August 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1105, A-side]
6. It’s A Man’s Man’s World – BIG MAYBELLE [Mabel Louise Smith]
(Cover version of the famous James Brown song)
[1966 USA 7” single on Chess 1967, A-Side]
7. See Me Through – BOBBY WOMACK
[1966 USA Chess Records session, Previously Unreleased]
8. Feel So Bad – LITTLE MILTON
[January 1967 USA 7” single on Checker 1162, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Wade In The Water – THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO
[July 1966 USA 7” single on Cadet 5541, A-Side]
2. Wang Dang Doodle – KOKO TAYLOR
(Written, Produced & Featuring On Backing Vocals – Willie Dixon)
[April 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1135, A-Side]
3. Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing – FONTELLA BASS and BOBBY McCLURE
[February 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1097, A-Side]
4. Searching For My Love – BOBBY MOORE and THE RHYTHM ACES
[February 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1129, A-Side]
5. Come A Long Way – BOBBY WOMACK
[1966 USA Chess Records session, Previously Unreleased]
6. Recovery – FONTELLA BASS
[January 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1131, A-Side]
7. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis – CHUCK BERRY
(Features THE FIVE DIMENSIONS, Recorded in London in 1965)
[1965, on the Chess Album “Chuck Berry In London”]
8. We’re Gonna Get Married – BO DIDDLEY
[1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1142, A-Side]


9. Chess Golden Decade Sampler
Pictures all 8 volumes on the front, single laminate sleeve
Released in the UK February 1975 on Chess 6830 181
[Liner Notes by JOHN PEEL]

Side 1:
1. See You Later Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES (from Vol.1)
2. Sincerely – THE MOONGLOWS (from Vol.1)
3. Smokestack Lightnin’ – HOWLIN’ WOLF (from Vol.2)
4. Ain’t Got No Home – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY (from Vol.2)
5. The Walk – JIMMY McCRACKLIN (from Vol.3)
6. Susie-Q – DALE HAWKINS (from Vol.3)
7. Book Of Love – THE MONOTONES (from Vol.4)
8. Ten Commandments Of Love – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS (from Vol.4)
Side 2:
1. But I Do – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY (from Vol.5)
2. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – DON & BOB (from Vol.5)
3. Rinky Dink – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ (from Vol.6)
4. Peanut Butter - THE MARATHONS (Vibrations) (from Vol.6)
5. Hi-Heel Sneakers – TOMMY TUCKER (from Vol.7)
6. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE (from Vol.7)
7. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS (from Vol.8)
8. Summertime – BILLY STEWART (from Vol.8)

Joe Walsh Japanese CD Remasters of his 1st 4 solo albums...

The Japanese-only 2004 24-bit CD Remasters of Joe Walsh's first 3 albums "Barnstorm" (1972), "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" (1973) and "So What" (1974) complete with vinyl LP Repro sleeves and inners have now become hugely expensive collector's items.

Someone in Japan seems to have noticed this, because the 3 are being 'reissued' on 22 April 2009 in Japan again - but this time along with the missing 4th title - the live set "You Can't Argue With A Sick Mind" from 1975.

They're also putting out The James Gang catalogue when Walsh was with them - "Yer Album" etc - they're the 2000 remasters, but are in card repro sleeves for the first time.

They're all available for pre-order from the 2 excellent Japanese mail-order sites "cdjapan" and "mundojapan".