Part 4 - The Garden Of Earthy Delights

Deep Purple III, Original U.S.A. -69

In 1969 Deep Purple’s first line-up Mark I released their last album together. The album (also known as Deep Purple III) not only has some great music on it but awesome cover art as well. Picture on the cover is taken from the hell segment of painting ”The Garden Of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch’s (1450-1515). Record company Telegrammaton, part owned by comedian Bill Cosby got into legal dispute with the museum that owns the painting. Album got banned from many record shops over anti-religious vibes. Small marketing and lack of a hit single also contributed to album’s commercial failure. Record company was in financial troubles at the same time and got bankrupt in 1971.

Here’s interesting fact; the cover is in black and white because of the printer’s error. No-one bothered to fix the mistake though. Especially on a cover like this, gatefold sleeve is the only way to do the cover justice. There’s a lot of interesting details to look at while listening to the record.

Opened gatefold sleeve

Interesting details

... and the band itself.

I got a nice tip from a fellow collector to check out the link below. It show’s a nice interactive and narrated tour of the original painting. I highly recommend to take time and enjoy the tour!

https://tuinderlusten-jheronimusbosch.ntr.nl/en

Original text by Veli Palevaara

Translated by Tomi Julkunen

Part 3 - Ear Candy

Gatefold sleeve upright; easier to perceive the cover art.

I actually fell in love with music again. I had numbed myself by listening to music that different medias were overhyping and overplaying. I had almost forgotten how to find music on my own. In the end I started to resent safe playlists and hit songs all the radio stations were playing. I pretty much listened to stations where there was no music, just talking. Pretty rough for a guy who used to love music.

With the help of vinyl I relearned to enjoy all that ear candy that remain outside mass media. All of a sudden my mind was filled with feel good songs, a virtuoso musical performances, killer uptempo tracks, lingering art rock numbers, and mind puzzling sound collages. The Real Deal!

Pink Floyd, Meddle, Gatefold, 3rd UK Pressing, 1971

You seem to appreciate the recording more when you get the physical copy of it. You also tend to focus more on listening when you listen to the record from top to bottom, rather than skipping to the next song after the first chorus. These days I sit comfortably on my recliner and let the soothing airwaves kiss my ears. And when I want to take ” a mini holiday” after a hard day at work, I put on my high-quality Sennheisers and enjoy like there was no tomorrow. I just concentrate on the music, feelings and visions I get from it. Bestness!

Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Dave Gilmour and Rick Wright

The Perfect example of this kind of mini holiday is Pink Floyd’s Meddle album. Especially the B side which has only one song on it. The best song in the world; Echoes. 23 minutes and 32 seconds of incomprehensibly majestic body of music that you never want to end. A song you never get tired of. Pure genius.

While listening to the song I dive to the deepest points of Marianas Trench, where the pressure is crushing and darkness total. The way the band slowly lifts the listener from this desolate abyss is dazzling. It’s such a great moment when you finally rise to the surface. For the rest of the song you can feel the relief and sense the freedom.

Original Text by Veli Palevaara

Translated by Tomi Julkunen

Part 2 - Inner Sherlock

Lenny Kravitz, Circus. Original UK & Europe pressing, 1995.

I quickly realized that I needed to narrow down my collecting. It was pointless to buy vinyl copies of the cd’s I had already bought in the 90’s and later (except few fave artists). Smart decision, as I noticed that vinyl pressings from cd era were quite small, and therefore considerably more expensive. Once again I saved a few bucks. I decided to start to check out ”the golden ground” which I hadn’t really looked into besides the radio hits. That meaning rock music from the 60’s and 70’s. Along the way I have come a cross surprisingly small amount of releases from that era that haven't hit the mark. Lots of positive surprises though! A whole new stomping ground.

After few purchases I soon found out that the pressing also matters. There’s re-releases, pressings from different countries and the most sought-after first pressings! Usually the original pressings from artist’s home country are the most wanted ones. Little bit confusing all in all, but in a good way. I also learnt that in addition to checking out the label number on the cover, you also have to check out the vinyl label and matrix codes etched on the inside ring of the vinyl. With those codes you can find the right pressings. My inner Sherlock Holmes rose up immediately!

Fortunately I discovered discogs.com page that made it easier to find the right pressings. Discogs also have an application which helps to keep up with your own collection and to track the albums you’re looking for (wantlist). Good stuff! But it’s not always that easy to find something you’re looking for. Sometimes you need to dig deeper into the internet, ask tips from fellow vinyl enthusiasts or guidance from the local vinyl dealer. I myself really like to have a chat with a friendly shop owner. Shooting the breeze with him also gives collecting a social aspect and you get lot’s of cool information about artists and records.

When I was looking at my first discogs entries I noticed that I had started collecting with a bit more valuable 90’s releases. Fortunately I bought them at that time as their value has risen notably in just a couple of years. One of my favorite artists from the 90’s is Lenny Kravitz. For me Mr. Kravitz is a trendsetter and a link to the great old music from where he picks his influences. Leonard’s production tastes like a good vintage wine, and is a strong combination of rock, soul and funk. A fresh sounding mixture of tight groove and melodic hooks. A real ear candy for yours truly.

A good example about this is Lenny’s fourth studio album Circus, which at first seems a little dark. It might have something to do with the cover art and the title of the opening track ”Rock And Roll Is Dead”. When you keep spinning it more and more you can hear that it really is a diverse collection of songs, where sounds and production is Lenny’s own sandbox. It’s not his best work but still excellent anyway. The album is one of those rare vinyl pressings as it was released right in the middle of the 90’s. Actually it’s this talented multi-instrumentalist’s fault that I also love funk and soul. I take a deep bow and send a thank you to all the way to USA.

PS. Lenny is awesome bass player!