Rarest Original UK LP Pressing Variant?

[cameron]

Although I already have just about every first pressing variant for the UK by the Hollies, whenever I see a first edition, I feel compelled to have a look anyway, and I'm glad that I did in this case! 

'Would You Believe' was issued in the UK on 1st June, 1966 as PMC 7008 in mono only, just as the previous two Hollies had been. Following the huge success of 'For Certain Because...' in late 1966 and the fact that the Hollies now owned all their recordings and exclusively licensed them to EMI (so they earned more money, very wise move), EMI were keen to put out some of the EMI owned material. Thus, 'The Vintage Hollies', the stereo mix of 'In The Hollies Style' was issued in early 1967. Curiously enough, so did the stereo mix of 'Would You Believe?' with identical artwork to the original pressing, just bearing the stereo texts instead. It was issued on the Yellow and Black Parlophone label in early 1967 and to this day is perhaps the most collectable Hollies Parlophone pressing variant, along with the original 1964 stereo issue of 'Stay With The Hollies'. 

This then, is something of an anomaly that I didn't even know existed. The first thing that attracted my attention was the lack of a stereo or mono text on the front cover, but immediately looking at the back cover, I saw that it was not only a flip-back sleeve, but it bared the PCS 7008 stereo catalogue number. But what makes this rare? It's a 1969/1970 pressing on the then new black and silver EMI label. It was famously called the 'one box' label due to having one boxed EMI logo at the bottom, whereas all post mid-1970 pressings had a box at the top too. It also is a -1 matrix on both sides, making it technically a first pressing. That means that 'Would You Believe?' was still in demand in 1969/70 and EMI went to the trouble to re-press it. I've never come across any other pre-1969 Hollies studio album on a black and silver Parlophone label other than the late 70's reissues of 'Evolution', 'Butterfly' and 'Confessions Of The Mind' with new covers. 'Hollies Sing Dylan' and 'Hollies Sing Hollies' also remained in print throughout the label cross over, so it's possible to see both LPs on either an original yellow and black logo or a black and silver one. 

What strikes me most is the thickness of the vinyl, it must be at least 180g at a guess, thicker than the original mono pressing that I've got anyway. It sounds great! Here's some photos: 

[gee]

yes it's a very rare version Cameron - note also that EMI never bothered to include any Hollies albums on that pink circa 1967 innersleeve either !

- both the chart album 'Evolution' (PMC/PCS 7022) & 'Butterfly' (PMC/PCS 7039) had been issued when that innersleeve was printed - Cilla's 'Sher-oo !' featured is Parlophone PMC/PCS 7041 while The Goons 'Goon...But Not Forgotten' is Parlophone PMC 7037

- and they duly included recent albums by The Beatles ('Sgt Pepper' PMC/PCS 7027), The Shadows, Cliff, The Seekers, The Scaffold, singers Ken Dodd, Des O'Connor, Frankie Vaughan, Solomon King, Rolf Harris, Lulu, Shirley Bassey, and even the, then 'new' EMI acts; Pink Floyd, Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, and even 'My People Were Fair...' by Tyrannosaurus Rex (!) but NOT The Hollies recent albums...

tho' Mrs. Mills  Greece Revisited, Ivor Novello, and The Gordon Highlanders (!) are all duly  'plugged'....

was this notable omission of any Hollies albums possibly due to EMI still being 'miffed' about The Hollies ground breaking  1966  'leasing back' deal (?)

Look out for copies of 'Hollies Sing Dylan' denoted as being the stereo PCS 7078  version but with a 'stereo' side one wrongly pressed up with a mono side two (it says 'stereo PCS 7078 on label and album cover, but is 'xex' on the mono side two run out groove as opposed to 'yex' on the correct stereo side one)

A copy of 'Record Collector' magazine had 'Hollies Sing Dylan' also listed as a later Music For Pleasure' re-issue (I'll have to try and find my copy of the magazine to check the MFP catalogue number they gave) - I've never seen that MFP version of 'Sing Dylan' if it was issued (?)

- I mentioned it to Bobby Elliott who told me he 'thought' he had a copy at the time  but he had given it away years ago...    


If that's accurate then it's possibly  a cancelled full MFP release  with just some odd 'promo' copies pressed up? (EMI still had it on Parlophone as a vinyl album in the early seventies - I ordered and got a later stereo vinyl copy on 'silver box' Parlophone from The local HMV Shop in 1974 - and it was certainly on EMI's main label later on when put out on compact disc etc) or possibly any such MFP version might have been issued overseas ?


has anyone ever seen or got 'Sing Dylan' on MFP label ?

[dirtyfaz]

I've got the Black & Gold label stereo version of Would You Believe. It has stereo on the top right hand corner. My mono copy also has the black & Gold label as well but has mono top right hand corner.
Looking at your copy Cameron I find it interesting the the cover is identical to mine except for the stereo being missing on the front of yours. Notice on yours the entire back looks identical even including the mono cat # on the bottom in the fold over. Looking at that they must have removed the stereo for a new print run.
Are you sure about the mono and stereo issue release dates? My mono copy also states next to the cat # top right back 'also available on Stereo No. PCS 7008'.
Sadly I never kept the inner sleeves to my records back then as I felt they scratched the surface of the disc and replace them with the clear plastic type. In Australia all the records were issued with this plastic inner sleeve

[cameron]

Yes, I think we've discussed it before that EMI gave the Hollies the 'cold shoulder' post-1966. They couldn't wait to get rid of them when their contract was up in 1972! However, they did plug Hollies Greatest on the inner sleeve from 1970. I guess they made good money on it given it's chart success and also EMI had a stake in about a third of the songs on the album. Butterfly was also promoted on standard issue Parlophone 7" single sleeves in 1968, perhaps as a 'gesture' to aid ailing sales of the album. It does seem placed on the sleeve as an afterthought, placed away from the other albums on it. The Hollies' unusual arrangement was certainly groundbreaking, but I don't think it benefited their career in the long run sadly.

Back to the LP in question, I think it's interesting how it's got a flipback sleeve in 1969/70 but the front cover has the stereo label cut from it - they obviously had another batch of covers made at a later date - or were the stereo/mono texts on the front covers stamped on before they were laminated? The text on the flipback itself covers stereo and mono variants, it would seem a logical way to make the sleeves cheaply. The rear stereo warning box (at the top right corner) was over-printed on as it's not as clear as the other print on the sleeve. I have a one box pressing of 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' by Pink Floyd that's exactly the same. No stereo/mono text on the front (although I don't think that LP had that on 1st issues) and an obviously re-stamped stereo information box on the rear of a flipback sleeve. That particular copy has the rarer grey printed back too, identical to the first pressing. I think EMI were using up their original sleeves with the new vinyl labels to save the cost of printing new sleeves.

The story goes (according to legend) that EMI were quite prepared to press Would You Believe? in mono and stereo. The sleeves were printed, mixes prepared... but no stereo variant appeared. No reason given. At this point, stereo records were special order only in the UK from record retailers. They were issued in plain paper sleeves as opposed to the advertising ones so retailers could instantly tell the difference between stereo and mono LPs without having to take them out of the sleeve to check. It would remain this way until 1967 when 'Evolution' was issued. The Hollies had gradually sold more and more records but their albums were slow sellers after Stay With The Hollies. Adding the lead single I Can't Let Go to WYB? was seen as a way of increasing the sales of the album. For whatever reason, the stereo mix was culled at the last minute. I have the date written somewhere (I think it's in the sleeve notes for the Clarke Hicks & Nash Years boxset) of when in 1967 the PCS 7008 variant was released, almost a year on from the album being released.

As for the Hollies Sing Dylan re-pressing, isn't the re-pressing the one with the sleeve with the red swirling text on the front and a small picture of the band in the middle from the Confessions Of The Mind era? Or was that an Australian only pressing?

[gee]

Sounds like a non UK pressing

'Hollies' (1965) actually reached a very respectable No. 8 in the UK albums chart - higher than either 'Would You Believe ? ' or 'For Certain Because...'

the stereo version was of course later released as 'Reflection' on Regal Starline in November 1969 therefore  this album must have been available on catalogue in one form or another for longer than any other Hollies studio set being readily available first in mono on Parlophone from 1965 (reaching no.8), then in stereo on RS budget label from 1969 and later re-issued on BGO Records, so  this might well be their biggest selling studio album overall being easily available and stocked  in many high street shops (notably Woolworths, W.H. Smith etc) for the longest continual period of time of all Hollies studio albums

- followed in turn  by 'For Certain Because..' (aka 'Stop Stop Stop' in stereo on Starline in December 1971), 'Evolution' (aka 'The Hollies' in stereo on MFP in February 1972) & 'Would You Believe ?" (aka 'I Can't Let Go' in stereo on MFP in October 1974) , - then 'Evolution' was re-issued in August 1978 prior to all later all on BGO Records in the mid eighties - tho' 'Reflection' was the first such budget re-issue in late 1969  being readily available in most high street shops besides the regular record shops (the earlier World Records re-issues were not stocked in the general high street shops)

 
'Reflection' ('Hollies '65' stereo version) even got a specific EMI 'Executive Series' Starline cassette release in a third sleeve design in May 1975 too

 I was quite surprised to see 'In The Hollies Style' high up in the NME album chart top ten in 1964 (per an NME album chart book I found a while back) - I always assumed the second Hollies album had 'flopped' completely chart wise....which makes you wonder IF it could be in the NME album chart for a number of weeks then how come it FAILED to reach the 'accepted' BBC album chart ?

'Evolution' was Kenny Everett's 'album of the week' on Radio Caroline in 1967 (as later also was 'Write On' on Noel Edmonds BBC Radio One radio show in 1976 !)

'Sing Dylan' (mono & stereo) and 'Sing Hollies' (stereo only) both came with first yellow/black labels then the 'silver box' seventies design

'Hollies Greatest' began yellow/black and went to 'silver box' design - however in 1970 mono copies PMC 7057 were on 'silver box' design before mono was discontinued where stereo versions existed thereafter

yes 'Butterfly' was later plugged on a Parlophone singles back cover, as was 'Hollies Sing Hollies' on a rarer colour sleeves single cover too, but neither that album or 'Sing Dylan' ever got onto an EMI album innersleeve cover....

it's notable that while 'Hollies Greatest' from August 1968 (which of course EMI  had a vested interest in)  was STILL being 'plugged' as late as 1970 alongside 'Let it Be', 'Abbey Road' and the first solo Beatles albums...however there was NO sign of either 'Sing Dylan' or 'Sing Hollies' let alone 'Confessions of The Mind' studio albums

EMI thus intentionally or otherwise further created an impression to the wider UK public of The Hollies as  being in essence 'only a singles band' to any great degree, by plugging a hit singles compilation for over two years from summer 1968 to 1970  while ignoring three later Hollies studio albums ('Sing Dylan' had reached No. 3 in the UK albums chart)


 re EMI albums -  I have a mono copy of The Beatles 'Help !, Jeff Beck Group 'Cosa Nostra Beck Ola', 'The Shadows' Greatest Hits', and 'Cliff's Hit Album' each on 'silver box' design all of which must date from 1970

Pink Floyd's 'Piper At The Gates' began on blue/black Columbia - but EMI put 'This mono record...' wording on BOTH the stereo and mono versions - on both grey and later white back covers by mistake
'A Saucer Full of Secrets' began on blue/black Columbia too before going over to 'silver box' design

[cameron]

I never knew that 'Hollies (1965)' faired so well in the charts. I guess that's why EMI prepared the stereo mix for 'Would You Believe?' ready to issue but something spooked them at the last minute - perhaps the rumblings of the new business deal? The pressing that I have carries the same -1 matrix as the 1967 pressing. Also, so does the 1972 MFP pressing of 'Evolution'. So if anyone ever wants a first pressing of 'Evolution' but can't afford one (it seems to be the most expensive Hollies LP along with 'Butterfly'), this budget MFP pressing is actually from the same stereo stamper and is on surprisingly thick vinyl for a budget LP. Either way, it's a very common pressing to find in the UK. It's one of the few Hollies albums along with 'Live Hits' and '20 Golden Greats' that's relatively easy to find in a charity shop here and most well stocked used record shops that I've visited have a copy. 'Reflection' seems to be the most sought after due to it having a flip-back sleeve and being a high quality first issue of the stereo mix of 'Hollies'. 'I Can't Let Go' and 'Stop! Stop! Stop!' on MFP seem quite easy to find also.

I'm surprised that EMI never plugged 'Hollies Sing Dylan' because it was phenomenally successful in the UK, reaching the number two spot on the chart. It remained in print until 1978 I believe, or had its last re-press in 1978. It was even issued in the UK a couple of years ago on a '20 Golden Greats/Hollies Sing Dylan' twofer that was well stocked in the likes of HMV and local independent stores. And I see it, the Hollies made Dylan more approachable to those of us who don't quite "get" Bob Dylan. The Hollies made his songs short, sweet and to the point. Not to mention infectiously catchy. As much as the critics hated it on principal, the sales success speaks for itself and it's a brilliant album from start to finish.

I've just checked my copy of 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn', it doesn't have the stereo stamp that I mentioned earlier from memory. It does however have the correct stereo text at the bottom but is missing the stereo logo from the top that appeared on later pressings. It's still a grey back cover. Collectors go mad for the one box pressings and there's a secret reason why - for mono pressings, EMI used thicker vinyl than the original pressings. To extreme vinyl buffs, they argue that there is a difference and increase in the quality of the sound reproduction but personally I think it's negligible. If there's one thing to be thankful about the Hollies being on Parlophone, it's that EMI really knew how to press a record and make it sound GOOD. Philips, Pye and Track Records sound terrible for the most part. I bought a copy of 'Are You Experienced?' by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in mono on Track records and never got further than the first side for years as it sounds like it was pressed by hand using a knitting needle - awful. It wasn't until I got a first U.S. pressing that I enjoyed listening to it! EMI and to a slightly lesser extent, Decca records, always seemed to issue sonically good pressings throughout the 1960's.

[gee]

'Reflection' had both a flip back sleeve and a later non flip back version, while 'Stop Stop Stop' was issued on Starline not MFP

yes the most common Hollies vinyl LPs are '20 Golden Greats', 'Hollies Live Hits' and that MFP issue of 'The Hollies' (Stereo 'Evolution') it seems as I know I have seen more copies of those than any others - tho' 'Hollies Greatest' (stereo 'silver box') also is quite common with the yellow/black stereo and mono versions turning up from time to time as well...

I haven't seen either 'Reflection' or 'Stop Stop Stop' for a while in any charity shops

'In The Hollies Style' was the most expensive plus stereo 'Stay With The Hollies' tho' 'Evolution' and 'Butterfly' (stereo and mono versions) have risen in value of late - 'Would You Believe ?' and 'For Certain Because...' yellow/black Parlophone stereo and mono plus that later stereo WYB are hard to find too - and Mono 'Sing Dylan' is rare now, the mono mix not appearing on any official CD

all Parlphone Hollies albums are getting rarer now - even the four featuring Terry Sylvester plus 'Greatest vol 2' (1972) are not that common now...

I haven't even seen the MFP compilation 'Long Cool Woman...' for a time now

and the Polydor studio albums appear infrequently too


EMI / Warners have just released on 29 January  'Original Albums Vol 2' five CD set of; 'Evolution' / 'Butterfly' / 'Sing Dylan' / 'Sing Hollies'/'Confessions of The Mind'  - catalogue No. 0 825646179817 on 'Parlophone' - stereo versions of all without any bonus tracks but at about 13 pounds or so it's good value.

replicas of the original sleeves are featured but the EMI motif has been completely removed leaving an empty box next to the Parlophone motif...!

[knut]

Evolution has always had a terrible poor sound. I just checked the quality on my vol 2 box and to me it sounds remarkably clear.

[cameron]

I agree that all the Hollies original Parlophone albums are very hard to find now. There's enough on eBay though. Prices seem very hit and miss to me, I tend to hold on and wait until a bargain comes along unless it's an exceptional copy. You get people list them and not know what they've got, like I saw a mono 1st press of 'Hollies (1965)' the other day for just £15 and it looked to be in quite good condition. I only paid £3 plus postage for my copy of 'Distant Light' from eBay too. Having said that, I only paid £17 for a first press of 'In The Hollies Style' that's at least a VG+ if not EX from a record shop. I like browsing record shops because to them, the Hollies aren't a "serious" band, so you can pick up 1st pressings in the same price bracket as someone like Cilla Black, Herman's Hermits or the Animals etc... and no one seems to have a clue about the pressing variants for the Hollies either.

It's a shame about 'Evolution', it just has quite a sonically poor mix, especially in mono and the stereo mix is lousy. I've been working on a stereo remix of the full album for a while now. Using frequency separation techniques, I've been able to isolate guitar, drums, percussion sounds and bass depending on the track and spread them into true stereo with centralised vocals to create a "proper" stereo mix. I don't think for a second that there's any plans from higher up to re-mix and re-issue the album from the session tapes. My mix isn't perfect by any means, some tracks sound better than others, but it's a nice new way to hear perhaps the Hollies' best album. I've been trying to work out how I can share it but when I've uploaded it to my Soundcloud account or YouTube, it's been banned due to copyright. It's a catch 22 situation - the fans want a better sounding version of the album, and that's possible to do officially, but no one wants to do it officially, so a fan makes a new mix and then it gets blocked! There must be a way. I'd like to share it as I've worked quite hard on it and a stereo remix of 'Evolution' seems to be the most requested Hollies mix

[knut]

Keep up the good work, Cameron! How about Dropbox and share a link here?

Here are a few other Versions, South Africa, Spain and Germany:

.

[cameron]

Feb 5, 2016 17:17:48 GMT knut said:

Keep up the good work, Cameron! How about Dropbox and share a link here?

.

I've never used a drop box before, can you recommend one to use? 

[knut]

I just use www.dropbox.com. It is very easy. Here you may see my German singles:

www.dropbox.com/sh/8hzp7fl2w0eywv3/AAA1xEMECSHSWBWrBDqvj5Hda?dl=0

[nelio]

Feb 5, 2016 17:17:48 GMT knut said:

Keep up the good work, Cameron! How about Dropbox and share a link here?

Here are a few other Versions, South Africa, Spain and Germany:

.

The one in the middle looks like a Brazilian release on the Odeon label. And it is a plastic bag cover just like the ones released in Brazil at the time.