BRIEF SUMMARY

The skill and artistry of the musicians shine through on this recording. Given the variety of music produced in the late 60’s / early 70’s they had some tough acts to compete against and this is probably the main reason why they didn’t secure a major position in the music world. The second side, to me, is lovely. It has a smooth, but edgy feel to it and the tracks synchronise very well with each other. They slow Eleanor Rigby down just a fraction, (although this may just sound like they do because of their vocal style) and overlay Cornets to it and whilst no Beatle fan would say it improves the song, it certainly gives it something different by adding something so simple. 
In excellent condition overall, this is well worth an investment. Check it out.

Blonde on Blonde - Contrasts

£215.00

TITLE: Contrasts

ARTIST: Blonde on Blonde

LABEL: Pye

CAT NO: NSPL 18288

RELEASED: 1969

FORMAT: Vinyl Gatefold LP album

COUNTRY: UK

GENRE: Folk Rock

VINYL: Ex

LABEL: Ex

COVER: VG+
It is worth mentioning here that not only is the vinyl in excellent condition (I heard 1 click on Side 1) but the pressing is on quite heavy vinyl. There is very little flex in it which, long term, can only be a good point.

This is a gatefold sleeve. However, the front cover is a single cardboard sheet – quite unusual in my experience. Apart from some very small damage at the extreme top and bottom of the spine the cover is in extremely Good condition. The outside of the cover, front and back, has a lovely original sheen to it. Around the edges of the front gatefold section it appears some protection has removed this sheen, about 1cm around the edge. The back gatefold section is fine. The inner sleeve holding the LP is perfect. Overall, the cover is extremely well preserved

VINYL: Ex

LABEL: Ex

COVER: VG+
Side 1

Ride with Captain Max

Spinning Wheel

No Sleep Blues

Goodbye

I Need my Friend

Mother Earth

Side 2

Eleanor Rigby

Conversationally Making the Grade

Regency

Island on an Island

Don’t be too Long

Jeanette Isabella
With the band taking their name from an earlier Bob Dylan LP, together with covers of both The Beatles (Eleanor Rigby) and The Incredible String Band songs (No Sleep Blues and I Need my Friend), the title of this LP is a fair reflection of the breadth and eclectic nature of this bands first musical offering in 33RPM format.

The core of the band were from Newport South Wales, and moved early to London to play in a variety of clubs, Uni’s and colleges alongside Deep Purple, Jefferson Airplane, Atomic Rooster, Genesis, Wishbone Ash, Fleetwood Mac and Roy Harper. Featuring at the second Isle of Wight festival in 1970, the band were in exalted company.

The music is very accomplished with an element of folk, psychedelia and rock, over-all fused together with excellent harmonies topped off by a production which is first class. The second side has a very melancholic feel to it and a consistency, or perhaps flow, that isn’t quite there on Side 1. ‘Regency’ for instance has an almost minstrel like feel to it; close your eyes, you could imagine it being played at the court of a King or Queen in the middle ages. Lovely and simple. Throughout Side 2, an Acoustic guitar features heavily and they sprinkle the songs with well worked harmonies; finger cymbals and a Lute amongst other instruments. As such you could mistake it for West coast America at times, rather than the coal fields of South Wales.

Vinyl Seconds

Blonde on Blonde - Contrasts

ALBUM INFORMATION

CONDITION DESCRIPTION

TRACKS

MUSIC REVIEW