Nightair / Nightair SRT SRTZ 76372
Very typical of SRTs output, a single colour sleeve, a sort of dark brown colour which they used a lot, plus a basic back layout, with the Letraset Victorian font and vignetted press photo to add a bit of decoration. Nightair seem only to have done this one album, despite the usual optimism of the sleeve note “Dave, Kevin and Lynda are my style of music today. I know that this album is the first of many good things for the listening public…”. They were a trio, rhythm guitar, drums and bass, all handling vocals as well. The SRT code dates the pressing to 1976 and it was recorded at the Fairview Studio in Hull, engineered by boss Keith Herd there (who also helped out on piano).
See Saw – Welcome To Skegness
Skegness Magazine’s website posted in 2007 that “I’m thrilled to bits as I’ve just secured a copy of the original LP record”. I shared the thrills on spotting it but more because it is one of the tackiest private pressing sleeves I have seen in a long time! It was in a charity shop, with the previous 50p price sticker reduced to 25p. Formed in 1975, See Saw were a rock covers band, regulars at the Anchor Pub, Sea Lane, Ingoldmells, where the visitors to the many caravan and camp sites round about could drown their sorrows to Doo Wah Diddy, Stayin’ Alive and, er, Smoke On The Water. Singer Sid Dennis went on to work as a “risque” stand up. An SRT production from 1979.
Peter Hayward – King Of The Keys
And maestro of the Mecanorma dry lettering as well; three of their decorative fonts make up the haphazard titling. And let’s squeeze all the track info onto the front as well, leaving most of the back totally empty. But it’s the cover photo montage which makes this such a gem. The clouds and mountains are likely cut out of a travel catalogue as we can see the edges and the moire effect. Likewise with the piano, which has been rescreened and is totally out of proportion. Then comes Peter himself in his hippy stage gear, and of course the organ, again out of scale. Peter cut a couple of albums for the label and more for Grosvenor, none are as bad as this. He retired to Sweden but still returns to do special organ nights at clubs across the UK, and has tons of video on YuTube. No idea of a date (late 1960s, early 1970s?) or who manufactured this.
Memoires de Plaisir – Paperwate
From the Tank label in Stratford, another country duo “with the ability and timing to perform a good comedy routine.” They could probably have done Harry Secombe impressions as well. I love the fact that they felt the need to translate the French title for us! Quite why Paperweight wasn’t a good band name but Paperwate was, I have no idea. Arthur Higgs of the Lincolnshire Country Music Round-up says on the back that having seen them live “I had no hesitation in putting them in touch with Tank Records.” Cheers Arthur, said Tank Records. Released in 1977 I’ve just seen a copy online for £1.12p.
Martin Brand – Portrait
Paul Shane (from Hi de Hi fame – you have to take your endorsements where you can) writes a few words on the back, telling us the singer has “that indefineable (sic) something extra special to offer”. Mainly yet another cover version of Donkey Serenade. Alan Taylor did the painting and you wonder why you would want to use it on a front sleeve, until you see the back where Martin is modelling for Donald Trump. Cut at Kaley Studios in Fitzwilliam Street, Parkgate, Rotherham, in 1983 (where Pulp made their first demos the previous year!). “You will hope, as I, that this album will only be the first of many,” concludes Mr Shane. Released by Brand Records, but actually manufactured for him by Lyntone.
The Country Stile – Ken Goodman
I’d not heard of this independent label from the Isle of Wight, started by John Waterman in 1970 as an outlet for the recordings of local acts. They issued over a hundred records before John retired in 2011. So it’s not strictly speaking a private pressing, but what the heck, it certainly looks like one! The central cover illustration is actually quite cute and well done, but is ruined by the terrible hand drawn lettering. You can see what look they were after (sort of Diary of An Edwardian Lady) but the cost of a sheet of Letraset would have really paid off. Recorded at Arnies Shack in Dorset, it was Ken’s second album from 1977, three original songs and the rest covers. I don’t think there was a third.
ST33 