Just waiting on Amazon to pull their finger out and list the paperback version of my latest book, but for those who can’t wait (or who’d rather have the digital version), the PDF format (contains all the exact same content as the print version) is available to download here:
My latest book on rare and collectable UK vinyl is complete! This one has been a long time in the making. Due to there being around 88 UK releases on the collectable “Gramophone Co. Ltd” label style, it has been necessary to publish this label’s discography in two volumes – otherwise the book would have been huge (!) and massively expensive too! (Don’t forget, all my books are printed in FULL COLOUR throughout, these are not simple black and white ‘listings’ type books).
As with my previous books, I’ve gone into extensive detail on the stories behind each album and band and included all known UK 1st pressing and reissue variants (where possible) and included contemporary news clippings, articles and reviews too – so you get to read what the opinions were of reviewers when the album and single was released.
Volume 1 includes the first 44 albums and related singles. Volume 2 to follow later in 2018.
I’ll be posting links to the online retailers very shortly…so watch this space!
Just when you think you’ve found all known variations on an album sleeve or label, up pops another one! And so it is with Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. Here is the newly discovered first issue variation. Have you spotted what’s different about it? 
Well, the sharp-eyed amongst you may have spotted that there is no “Pacific Eye & Ear” credit. Specifically, until now, we were used to seeing the following credit below the ‘special thanks’ two lines (just above the central illustration):
‘album concept and design: pacific eye and ear / illustrations: drew struzan / photography: shepard sherbell’
When compared to the second issue sleeve (which does have this credit) one can see that it looks to be added as an afterthought, the text is a little heavier and blacker than the two lines above it. So it was either overprinted onto existing sleeves or it was a new line of type-setting (that didn’t quite match the original) that was added onto the artwork for the next batch of print runs.
This newly discovered version (well spotted Adrian!) joins the ranks of other Sabbath first issue sleeves such as ‘Paranoid Big Bear’ and the debut with ‘copyright subsists in Stereo recordings’…
So who’s got a genuine first issue SBS sleeve then…?!
Grab yourself a super rare version of Cressida’s 1st LP on Vertigo, their self-titled debut was reissued on the iconic swirl label but is even rarer than the initial pressing…you won’t get many chances to see this one. The 1st pressing features the ‘A PHILIPS RECORD PRODUCT’ on the label, but this second issue does not have this wording, but does still have the same 1Y1/2Y1 stamped matrix as the first pressing. I’ve not seen another one like this…
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323030207076?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
based on the artwork for both sides of the Harvest inner sleeve…
and also available on all kinds of wall art, t-shirts…etc
Here’s my latest book – WWA Records, The Complete UK Vinyl Discography:
As well as detailing all UK vinyl releases the book tells the detailed story of the label and its controversial but short-lived existence. Founded by then Black Sabbath manager Patrick Meehan, the label also released albums by Gentle Giant, Groundhogs, Snafu and Jackie Lynton as well as Black Sabbath. This book lists all known variations of each album release and shows each label version or sleeve variation where appropriate.
As well as hard copy paperback (see Amazon link above) the book is also available as PDF download from Lulu:
Complete with original gatefold sleeve and swirl inner, this super rare 2nd pressing is identical to the more common 1st pressing but does not have ‘A PHILIPS RECORD PRODUCT’ on the label and is stupidly hard to find! Check it out on eBay here and grab yourself one of the rarest Vertigo Swirls out there…(oh and it plays great too!)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322951279989?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Lots of lovely t-shirts featuring vintage logo graphic designs…
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322687812509?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Here’s a rather rare chance to acquire an UNPLAYED, STILL SEALED copy of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”. But then the dilemma is…do you open it and play it and hear an original pressing in BRAND NEW condition…(but destroy a lot of its value in the process!) or do you keep it in its unplayed, sealed condition and speculate on what must be an accumulating asset…
Spent a very enjoyable afternoon with Keith Riley of Shape Of The Rain yesterday. We discussed at length his memories of the album “Riley, Riley, Wood & Waggett” released on Neon in July 1971 as NE7. As well as sharing how the album was recorded and what happened to the band afterwards, he revealed some fascinating insights on the album cover shoot and also gave me the poster shown below. What a top man! Also present joining in the discussion was the band’s original manager, David McPhie (and both their wives too, by the way, who also provided some fabulous stories of the band). All will be revealed in the next book from RareRecordCollector.net – The Neon Label UK Discography – which also features exclusive insights from the label’s founder, Olav Wyper. Thanks to David McPhie for setting up the interview and huge thanks to Keith Riley for sharing his memories of a criminally overlooked album.
