I’m sure you know what I am talking about – those cherished LPs you still have in your collection or had traded away long ago because the major record labels once stated (and more than once): “Every LP will eventually be reissued on CD”. Little did we know that it was not to be.
I’m sure you have your favourites you want on CD and know lots of people who have theirs. I will tell you that I have replaced nearly all my old LPs with CDs, and many of those I have purchased more than once as the technology improved and remastering and remixing became better. I cringe at some that I have purchased 4 times (Ziggy Stardust is one offhand – by the way, the newest reissue is quite fine). And yet, there are those others that should have at least one crack at the digital format. So without further adieu, here are my top four LPs that I want on CD:
Glencoe – Glencoe
Released in 1972, this is one of my favourite all-time albums. At times Crosby, Stills and Nash-like, at other times touches of Wishbone Ash and Home, this collection of songs is some of the most satisfying I have heard on one LP. There’s enough rocking out too to keep you interested from track to track. I’ve sent emails to small labels, asked about it at Sony (who now have the rights to Epic, the original label), but until recently got nowhere. I even went so far as to order the CD from a vinyl copy store, got it, and wouldn’t you know it, the edit on the first track was wrong. “Airport”, one of their best singles, was recorded in one take, and at the end of the song, you hear conversation between the producer and the band – missing on this copy. But recently I have heard that Esoteric Records is considering remastering it – so fingers crossed. Glencoe made a second album as well, Spirit of Glencoe, which I hope to see released.
Tranquility – Silver
Some years ago, Rock and Groove Records released Tranquility’s first self-titled album on CD. They acquired the rights through Sony (again on Epic). They had every intention of releasing Silver too, but there was a problem over the cost of the rights and it was never released. Another major shame here. The first album is great, but Silver is exquisite. Absolutely beautiful layers of vocals on top of gorgeous arrangements, with one foot in the Progressive realm and one in folk-rock. As legend has it, they preceded Yes at one concert venue and were not allowed to leave by the fans, they were that good.
Buckingham Nicks – Buckingham Nicks
Before Mick Fleetwood asked them to join Fleetwood Mac, there was this amazing album. If you liked the first two Macs with Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham, and there are probably 50 million or so of you out there, then this is a must for your collection. They own the rights to this, and just haven’t gotten around to releasing it on CD “yet”. By all accounts, this is the most requested LP to CD transfer IN THE WORLD!!! If either of you two are reading this, please get going – I ain’t gettin’ any younger.
Argent – Counterpoints
The last Argent album was very overlooked. If you liked Circus, then you will like this one too. Admittedly, not as strong as the early albums, but why in the world have there been multiple releases of each one of their other albums and not one crack at this one? I have to admit, too, that I am a bit of a completest so this just irks me.
So those are my top four. Interested in sharing yours?
–Bob Metcalf
From KRAFTWERK:
KRAFTWERK 1
KRAFTWERK 2
RALF amp; FLORIAN
The Beatles Live at the Hollywood Bowl should be an obvious release on CD, yet somehow this has slipped through the cracks.
If you’re a fan of ’80s music, then you will no doubt have several albums that were never issued on CD because of the lack of manufacturing facilities at the time.
Topping my list is “Closer To The Flame” by Rob Jungklas. EMI supposedly issued it at the time, but I’ve never been able to find any evidence of its existence.
Not necessarily a ‘favorite’, but I’d love to see ‘Keith and Donna’, by Keith amp; Donna Godchaux, on CD to round out my GD collection.
If I had a choice, it would be Hungarian rock band Locomotiv GT’s English album released on ABC/Dunhill in 1974. The album featured two singles: “Rock Yourself” and “She’s Just 14”. My Dad used to own that on vinyl for the latter cut, which he really liked. One fact about “She’s Just 14” that you may or may not know is that Cream’s Jack Bruce played harmonica on that cut.
Ivjad FORGOTTEN about Locomotiv! ! Thanks for the reminder!!!!!
“Desire Wire” by Cindy Bullens. Described by William Ruhlmann of allmusic.com as: “One of the great lost rock albums of the ’70s, Bullens’ debut release is full of tough, passionate, incredibly catchy rock amp; roll played to the hilt and sung with fire”.
and “The Headboys” by, ironically enough, The Headboys.
Absolutely!
The Silencers – Rock And Roll Enforcers
Don’t have any cds in mind right now but one thing I was thinking about was concert videos not on dvd yet and could be another topic to cover 3 that I have in mind being I recently watched them is pink Floyd delicate sound of thunder Phil Collins no ticket required and Pete townshend deep end live.I have the Collins and Floyd on laserdisc but just vhs for the townshend
How about Pulse and The Wall on bluray!
Neil Young – Time Fades Away
Beatles – Rarities
Cat Mother amp; The All Night Newsboys – Albion Doo-Wah
Dr. Strut – S/T, Struttin’
Ballin’jack – S/T
Larry Raspberry amp; The Highsteppers – No Accident
Salloom, Sinclair And The Mother Bear – S/T
Definitely Buckingham Nicks and Neil’s Time Fades Away.
Also, the ORIGINAL Cold Spring Harbor from Billy Joel. I mean the original 1972 mix with the full length songs, and not that reissued 1984 hack job.
Naturally, the original album would need to be remastered at the correct speed, unlike the original album pressing.
I think “Cold Spring Harbor” deserves a 2CD Deluxe Edition reissue… you know, have the remastered/corrected original mix on CD1 and the 1984 mix on CD2, if possible. And whatever bonus material they can find from that era.
All the Wet Willie albums.
All the Wet Willie albums and the early Head East catalogue.
Though they have appeared on iTunes for download, it would be nice to see Emmylou Harris’ “13” and “Evangeline” make an appearance on CD.
I’d also add in the four Hudson Ford albums – “Nickelodeon”, “Free Spirit”, “Worlds Collide” and “Daylight” as being long past due for re-release. To date we have been limited to three of their singles added to the Strawbs’ “Halcyon Days” compilation.
Finally , though it may be his worst album, I wouldn’t mind a release for Southside Johnny’s “Trash It Up”.
I, too, would buy Buckingham/Nicks in a heartbeat…I last heard it while house-sitting for my graduate Professor while she was away and she had it in her collection. That was back around 1998 or so.
I’m sure I could locate a bootleg copy these days via the ‘net, but I’d much prefer to have an official release!
do you know the email address for Buckinghamnicks.net?
No. but often, if you wrote to info@ (of any site), you might just have gotten through.
I note they have a forum. You might be able to get what you’re looking for through there.