ALBUMS

There were quite some albums put out on cassette and stereo-8 tape in the USA. If you own any of these, please notify us!

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Please note that we did not repeat information on line-ups and track listings if they are already known from the UK counterparts, nor do we show the covers if they are identical. Naturally, we will not discuss the music either in case there are no differences to the British release.

VEL 1000
JIMMY CAMPBELL - HALF BAKED (1970)

Why this album was chosen to inaugurate Vertigo in the USA is anybody's guess. This is certainly not one of early Vertigo's finest hours and many other LP's that would have been more apt come to mind easily.

This may serve as a fine example of the US branch changing the packaging and also an indication of what they are looking for: maximum readability. So the red lettering of the UK front cover has gone and is replaced by clear white. Readability is improved beyond any doubt, but the red suited the image much better. The logo on front underwent the same treatment. Also inside the gatefold the red print of the lyrics is substituted, this time by black (on light grey) and this is actually no improvement at all, since the red on grey of the British release is perfectly readable already. Or did they run out of red ink at the printing plant?

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which are missing on the UK release.

VEL 1001
PATTO - ''same'' (1970)

This is a much more logical choice, as the Patto debut is one of the best early Vertigo albums.

As was to be expected, the structure of the British cover has been deleted, this has a flat and smooth surface. The inside of the gatefold was altered, though. The beautiful red print on yellow (as fitting to the front image) was replaced by a prozaic black on white. Perhaps the American ability to read was a bit underestimated by the art-directors.

Notes: The inside of the cover mentions the release of a ''8 tape'' version with catalogue number VC-8-1001.

And, thanks to our ever growing contigent of meticulous readers, we can now present a picture of both front and back of this rare artifact. The running order has been revised on this release, to make all four sides approximately of the same length.

VEL 1002
IAN MATTHEWS - IF YOU SAW THRO' MY EYES (1971)

That this was considered suitable for the US market may be understandable, though it didn't sell too well, of course.

Both the inside and outside of the cover were tampered with. Title and artist changed place with the Vertigo logo. The wording was decreased in size and alined to the right. Readabilty improvement? Of course, the texture of the British cover was deleted. The lay-out on the inside was completely worked over. The track-listing now appeared on the left, so as not to obstruct Ian's face, this time clearly a change for the better. The lyrics were pulled slightly to the left thereby improving the, indeed, readabilty, as they are now not any longer spread over the fold in the middle.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which on the UK release were on the inside of the cover only.
The vinyl on our copy is as flimsy as an RCA dynagroove record, but plays very well.

	Indeed, there were reel-to-reel issues too! Above an example, which carries the catalogue number M 1002. Note the incorrect spelling of the artist's name.

VEL 1003
never released as far as we are aware

VEL 1004
ASSAGAI - ''same'' (1971)

The ridiculous liner-notes, the worst feature of the British album, are unfortunately kept in place. The excellent British cover for some (political?) reason did not appeal to the US branch, so they designed a completely different cover (courtesy of in-house artist Czubak, who designed most of the Limelight covers too), also quite impressive, luckily.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which on the UK release were on the inside of the cover only.

VEL 1005
GENTLE GIANT - ACQUIRING THE TASTE (1971)

As much as it is laudable to release this early British prog masterpiece in the USA, it appears also a wasted effort, since probably almost no one bothered to listen to this in 1971 for what it was really worth.

The cover again was subtly altered. The red tongue was printed with slightly more contrast and the lime-green lettering of the British issue was changed to black, yes you guessed why. Also on the inside this obsession continues. The fierce light blue on black of the lyrics was changed into partly sepia on white and partly white on dove-grey. And yes, we admit, it maybe a bit clearer to read like this.
The disc is inserted into the cover from the inside, ''unipak'' style.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which on the UK release were on the inside of the cover only.

Yes, for once we agree. Good choice, no doctoring with the cover, but now the matrix numbers are suddenly hand-etched!!

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which on the UK release were on the inside of the cover only.

VEL 1007
JADE WARRIOR - ''same'' (1971)

We are thankful for the fact that they left the front cover alone. On the inside, however, the beautiful purple on white of the printing has been changed to prozaic black on white for the photo and white on black for the lyrics.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which on the UK release were on the inside of the cover only.

We raved sufficiently about this in the British section, so we will not repeat this here. Excellent choice.

The over-elaborate cover of the British issue was replaced with a new design, constituing quite some steps backward, although rather nice in itself. The main figure is clearly derived from the original cover by Roger Dean. The abundance of purples, pinks and greens is balanced by the stark symmetry of the image.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which are nowhere to be found on the British release.
The cover depicted above has an extra sticker with ''recommended cuts'' for radio use. The label is not the promo label, though.

Another fine choice, though even this did not sell very well, we guess.

The reducing the of six-part poster cover to a simple gatefold was solved quite ingeniously. The first four segments were diminished and placed together on the front. The backcover stayed the same, but was augmented with an extra advertising text about the band. At the inside the one now missing segment with the lyrics was placed on the right and the fourth segment was repeated on the left, this time in its original size. Quite a puzzle.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which are on the British release on the inside of the cover.
Our copy is housed in a company innersleeve, that advertises other Phonogram albums, four of them Vertigo releases (VEL 1008, 1010, 1011 and 2-500). Three of these four have a quite significantly different cover to the editions that were actually released! If you own a copy with such a differing cover (there almost certainly must exists proofs of these), please contact us.

VEL 1010
IAN MATTHEWS - TIGERS WILL SURVIVE (1972)

The front is almost identical to the British release, but the dark brown has been made a shade lighter. The cover still is textured! Inside the prozaic black and white was replaced by a much better warm brown. They also altered the lay-out: the photograph on the right was repaired to its full glory with the information now projected on it, instead of in a column of its own. Definitely better like this.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which on the UK release were nowhere in sight.

Maybe because of its partly ''american'' sound this was released in the USA too, a very conservative record by any standard.

There were some slight lay-out changes made to the front. The name and title were moved to the top left and resized to fit in. Hard to see the advantage of this. Inside and back were left unaltered.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which are nowhere at all on the British release.

VEL 1012
JADE WARRIOR - LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM (1972)

The front is identical to the British release. Inside the sand-yellow was replaced by white and the elegant font of the lyrics by a prozaic lettering. The fourth and fifth photograph were replaced by only one other -unclear- photo. Why did they do that?

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which on the UK release were on the inside of the cover.

VEL 1013
never released as far as we are aware

VEL 1014
never released as far as we are aware

We found two label variations of this album, the left one boasting typography that is quite uncharacteristic for Vertigo.

This is discussed in the first Germany album section (6360 102). The gimmix cover was maintained, thank you very much.

This is discussed in the second Germany album section (6360 609). Unfortunately, the otherwise so diligent art-work bosses kept the worst designed Vertigo cover ever just as it was. An opportunity gone to waste.

Notes: The usual Mercury wording is reappearing at the bottom of the label.

VEL 1017
SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND - NEXT (1973)

The follow-up to the not so overwhelming ''Framed'' is definitely better than that record, but not as good as the still-to-come ''Tomorrow belongs to me''. That being said, there is still some very enjoyable material, most of all the longer tracks. While both Swampsnake and Gang bang (which sports extreme female-hostile lyrics) trod well-known paths, The faith healer shows promise through a real architectural built-up and an ominous atmosphere. This hard-rock combined with epic elements takes advantage from its finely honed arrangement. The single Giddy up a ding dong is disappointing fake rock 'n' roll. The Brel cover Next has a fabulous arrangement and profits strongly from Harvey's theatrical talent, all tongue in cheek. Vambo marble eye sounds like Slade on vacation and is mainly palatable by virtue of its debile lyrics and the great guitar parts. The best is saved for the end. The last of the teenage idols balances precariously on the thin edge between parody and deep-digging seriousness. The opposition between dark and muscular rock and totally flipped-out sarcastic passages makes for the highlight on this quite patchy album.

The luxurious silver and black foil cover of the British issue has been replaced by simple red and black, surely a cheaper piece to manufacture. Harvey gestures triumphantly wearing dull clothes. On the back small portraits of the band members
The lettering is the same as always, but cannot do much harm in this poor graphical design.

Notes: In Britain this was assigned the catalogue number 6360 102, but had, of course, a spaceship label.
The Phonogram credit is now added to the Mercury wording.

VEL 1018
ATLANTIS - IT'S GETTING BETTER (1973)

The contents of this album are discussed on the second Germany page (6360 614).
Thumbs up for the graphic department which confined the ridiculous German cover-design to the dustbin. The image now used is a lot better: Atlantis perishes in the ocean under a dramatic sky. They could have pasted the logo a bit more carefully, though, even before Photoshop. On the back a great portrait of singer Inga Rumpf and a small photograph of the rest of the band, transferred from the German cover-design.
The position of the title should have been solved in a less obvious way.

VEL 1019
is an album ''Earth'' by Vangelis.
We have never seen a copy with a swirl label yet.

VEL 1020
CRICKETS - REMNANTS (1973)

There you are: the only native swirl release from the USA. The Crickets were the backing band for Buddy Holly and indeed, one of the members (drummer Allison) is still there. He has assembled a bunch of very supple and handy musicians, who unfortunately do not deliver the goods on this LP. Everything is very relaxed, mind you, but the kind of relaxation that gives us the gribes. There are some country harmonies, a slice of southern rock, commonplace harmony vocals, a watery ode in Mississippi style, some acceptable violins and a clear production. The sum does not offer anything that we haven't heard much better elsewhere. Ooh Las Vegas must be the worst of all, but it also contains an excellent guitar part which must be mentioned. Hey, that's no way to say goodbye!

Six painted portraits on a barely acceptable execution level is one thing. The backgrounds before which they are placed are another: chaotic, childish, uninspired and hasty, brrrr..... On the back a group photograph framed within a peppermint stick pattern that defies criticism. What a horrible mistake at all levels.
The lettering is awkwardly placed, difficult to decipher and too commonplace to figure on an album. Another blunder...

Only a minor intervention hit the cover. The wording ''2 record set'' was inserted in the upper left corner and ''composed by Vangelis Papathanassiou, lyrics by Costas Ferris'' was added under the bible citation low in the middle of the front. The inner illustration by Dubré was left in place.

Notes: There are running time indications on the label, which are absent on the British edition.

MK 7
ALEX HARVEY - ALEX HARVEY TALKS ABOUT EVERYTHING (1974)

This isn't so hot an item as it would seem. Tracks from the current album ''The impossible dream'' are alternated with very serious interviews, although Harvey must be hard to understand to an American audience, as his charming Scottish brogue is relentlessly applied to all his conversation. He surely is a very sympathetic character. A bonus single and a ''script'' is included with this promo only release, the latter being not much more than a cue-sheet with time-table. The single (with the catalogue number VEPL-2) has its own sleeve, almost identical to the album cover, but not any material that is not on the album. It is duly marked ''highlights only'' on label and sleeve. Both sides of the album as well as of the single have a ''small swirl'' design. The label strangely misspells ''includes'' as ''encludes''.

No need to contemplate the design of the cover: there is none. The same goes for the bonus single.

There quite some singles known from the USA. We are not sure about the B-side of some. Please drop us a line if you know of these.

All US singles we have seen have the B-side style label on both sides. Promo singles feature at the end of the list. The matrix numbers on all of these are hand-etched:

VE 100 RONNO
A: 4th Hour Of My Sleep. B: Powers Of Darkness.

VE 101 IAN MATTHEWS
A: Hearts. B: If You Saw Thru' My Eyes.

VE 102 IAN MATTHEWS
A: Reno, Nevada. B: Desert Inn.

VE 103 IAN MATTHEWS
A: Da Doo Ron Ron. B: Never Again.

VE 104 THOMAS F.BROWNE
A: Gentle Sarah. B: Carry My Load.

Promo picture sleeve and label for VE 104, Thomas F. Browne, Gentle Sarah/ Carry my load

VE 105 IAN MATTHEWS
A: Tigers Will Survive. B: Hope You Know.

VE 106 JADE WARRIOR
A: We Have Reason To Believe. B: Barazinbar

VE 107 APHRODITE'S CHILD
A: Babylon. B: Break.

VE 108 JADE WARRIOR
A: A Winter's Tale. B: The Demon Trucker
(depicted below).

VE 109 MARSHA HUNT
A: Somebody To Love. B: (Oh No! Not) The Beast Day.

VE 110 SPENCER DAVIS GROUP
A: Don't Let It Bring You Down. B:  Today Gluggo Tomorrow The World.

VE 111 CRICKETS
A: Ooh Las Vegas. B: Rhyme & Time.

VE 112 SPENCER DAVIS GROUP
A: Living In A Back Street. B: Sure Need A Helping Hand.

VE 113 ALEX HARVEY SENSATIONAL BAND
A: Swampstake. B: Gang Bang.

VE 200 ALEX HARVEY SENSATIONAL BAND
A: Sergeant Fury. B: Tomahawk Kid (some list Gang bang as B-side).

VE 201 BROWN'S HOME BREW
A or B: Cincinnati Floor. other side???????

VE 202 THIN LIZZY
A: Showdown. B: Night Life.

VE 203 KRAFTWERK
A: Autobahn. B: Morgenspaziergang.

VE 204 KRAFTWERK
A: Kometenmelodie 2. B: Mitternacht.

VE 205 THIN LIZZY
A: Wild One. B: Freedom Song.

VE DJ-1 RONNO
A: 4th Hour Of My Sleep (mono). B: 4th Hour Of My Sleep (stereo).

VE DJ-3 IAN MATTHEWS
A: Reno, Nevada (mono). B: Reno, Nevada (stereo).

VE DJ-5 JADE WARRIOR
A: Barazinbar (stereo). B: Barazinbar (stereo too!).

VE DJ-6 BROWN'S HOME BREW
A: Cincinnati Floor (stereo). B: Cincinnati Floor (mono).

VE DJ-7 THIN LIZZY
A: Showdown (stereo). B: Showdown (stereo too!).

VE DJ-8 KRAFTWERK
A & B: Autobahn [both sides same]
(also depicted below)
The label points to the commercial release with the catalogue number VE 203.

VE DJ-9 KRAFTWERK
A: Autobahn. B: Autobahn [different edit: 5'46'' instead of 3'27''].

Promo (radio) picture sleeve for VEPL 1, Aphrodite's Child, Vertigo album 666	Promo label for VE DJ-  1

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