A very rare find indeed! CAPTAIN MARRYAT - THOR 1007 S 1974 PROG ROCK

Occassionally when you are searching through hundreds of old Jim Reeves & Abba LP's you come across a gem ......and here it is!!! The 1974 Self titled LP of the Glasgow Prog Rock band Captain Marryat. Recorded at Private studios on the THOR record label it was produced apparently in very limited numbers and given away at their gigs and therefore only a handful exisit, exactly how many I am not sure, but we are probably talking double figures. This copy is also in Excellent condition with surprsingly small amount of wear to the vinyl. It is currently live on ebay via Vinyl_Spurs and you can follow it by clicking on this link.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250915088266&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
It certainly isn't going to win any awards for it's sleeve artwork but the music is rousing in a nostalgic prog 70's way and why the band were so short lived I don't know.
If you have any more information regarding the pressing or the band I would be interested to know...it is certainly generating a lot of interest at the moment worldwide.
Watch this space.

Picture Discs

Picture discs really came to the fore in the late 70's although they originated long before this in much more limited numbers. In the eaqrly 80's every artist started jumping on the multicoloured band wagon with coloured, shaped and picture vinyl hitting the shelves and becoming collectors items. Probably the most simplistic definition of a picture disc is the incorporation of graphics and music onto a round or shaped disc.

These days of course they are easy to come by on the internet and collectors can fairly easily add to their collection without spending hours trawling the shops, which in a way is not as much fun as coming across a stunning rock picture disc from the 70's.

I have added a few pictures of some of the recent picture discs in my possesion which include Scorpions, Slipknot and The Eurythmics - all of which are currently available via my ebay shop at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MICKS-MEMORABILIA/7-ROCK-METAL-/_i.html?_fsub=2057564017&_sid=58532857&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Favourite Vinyl Covers

What is your favourite Album artwork, leave me a comment and let me know what it is and why!

Favourite Vinyl Covers

Another classic cover from the 70's is of course the timeless prism of the Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon. Released in 1973 the album has sold  approximately 45 million copies worldwide and still continues to sell in large quantities to a new generation of Floyd fans. It remained in the US Billboard charts for an amazing 741 weeks (over 15 years!!)

The cover was designed by Hipgnosis a well known contibutor to Pink Floyd artwork, and the famous dispersive prism was designed by George Hardie. Instantly recognised the world over as The Pink Floyd's finest offering.

Favourite Vinyl Covers

One of the reasons for wanting to keep Vinyl Alive is the appreciation of the amazing artwork on some of the covers, I am sure you have your own favourutes in your collection. Here a few of mine which really make a statement or catch the eye. The CD is no competition when it comes  to full appreciation of the expertise, and thought which goes into the cover production.
KING CRIMSON -  THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

Released in 1969 the cover was by Barry Godber and is a classic in the Prog Rock Genre.
The colours and the freaky face are a perfect match for the raucous cacophony of Crimson's music

Youtube Rock Classics

If you go to bottom left of blog you will find a link to some of my fav bands via youtube, plug in, click on and enjoy whilst you browse.

Vinyl Collections - Where Does it End

Obviously like most collectible items unless you have a plan it can get out of hand, do you collect imports, limited editions, coloured, re-releases, boxed sets etc etc or do you just stick to main release only.

Aussie Floyd and Shine on Live

In the case of Floyd I have pretty much stuck with the original releases where possible with no duplications and only UK, except on the singles where I have diversified onto imports too. I would be interested to know where you draw the line with your collections or whether anything goes!.

Keep Vinyl Alive & Kicking!!

For many years now I have been a keen collector of all things music and memorabilia and escpecially vinyl.
With hundreds of 7" 12" and LP's in my collection, down the years I have added as money/space has allowed. It is nowhere near as expansive as some collections I know, but it certainly is a decent enough reflection of rock & pop over the last 50 years.

Top of the list in terms of my most treasured possesions are the Floyd items, with tickets, t-shirts, books, CD's, videos, and of course vinyl. And I guess I have a couple of hundred Floyd related items alone. But recently I have started to sell some of my collection and you will find links on any of the items that I am currently selling. So why set up a blog? simple to share my love of vinyl and to try and help sell some of it too.!