Several UK first pressings have now been updated in the Vertigo Swirl section, click the sleeves to see each of the pages:
Here’s another classic concept by ace sleeve designer Marcus Keef. A super rare LP to find on Vertigo these days. Click here to see all the details on the sleeve, label and matrix.
Has anyone spotted that Houses Of The Holy when initialised spells HOTH…which also happens to be the name of a Norse God who was tricked into slaying his almost immortal brother…? Or is it just me?!
Hoth (an anglicised spelling of Höðr) was blind and the brother of Baldr (or Balder or Baldur). Baldr was almost invincible and could only be slain with mistletoe. The Norse gods amused themselves by trying various weapons out on Baldr, to no effect. Loki, however, made an arrow out of mistletoe and, tricking Hoth, guided his bow and arrow towards Baldr killing him. Odin, enraged at this, gave birth to a son Vali, who grew to adulthood within one day and killed Hoth in revenge.
Just found this to be quite an interesting insight, given the lyrics to ‘Immigrant Song’ on Led Zeppelin III and the Norse runes and symbols adorning the untitled 4th album…wonder what Mr. Page would have to say?
For reasons unknown, Dave Kelly’s eponymous 1971 album never made it onto the Vertigo label, despite a test pressing being made. Instead, the album was released on another Phonogram label – Mercury. But if it had been released on Vertigo it would have probably looked like this…
A few more albums have been updated in the Vertigo swirl section, complete with the usual details on gatefold sleeves (and pictures of both) as well as any other interesting facts I can dig up! Lots more to update so keep checking back regularly:
Mike Absalom’s self-titled album on Vertigo is an interesting enigma with regards to its label design. Given the catalogue number of 6360 053 and supposedly released towards the end of 1971, the ‘usual’ label design features the expected small swirl logo and VERTIGO above the spindle hole…yet a label variation exists with a large swirl and VERTIGO below the spindle. The last known large swirl label design was way back on 6360 040 – some 13 albums earlier than Absalom’s. Any clues anyone? Read my theories by clicking here.
Oh and check out Mike Absalom’s website here, it’s got some great examples of the lyrics from the album including cartoon illustrations by Hugh Workman, here’s an example of ‘John The Bog’
Gentle Giant’s ‘Acquiring The Taste’ and ‘Octopus’ have now been updated in the Vertigo Swirl section. Click the sleeves below to go to each album’s page:
WWA Records was a short-lived vehicle for Black Sabbath and Gentle Giant to enjoy a little more freedom creatively (and probably to give them more control over their finances) having been ‘shackled’ to a larger record label for several years. Only 14 albums were released, several of which were reissues of earlier Black Sabbath albums released on Vertigo swirl.
Click the sleeve images to go to each album’s page…and if you’re wondering what happened to WWA011, my guess is it was reserved for Sabbath’s next album after ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ but with the debacle over getting sued by their former manager, it was delayed so long it ended up being released on NEMS…in other words, ‘Sabotage’…just my guess of course!
A few more additions to the site; ZZ Top’s second album is becoming more difficult to find in good condition on the original London Records label (an offshoot of Decca); Captain Beefheart and Mike Oldfield have also been added on the original Virgin label featuring the ‘two virgins and red dragon’ label design. Also another obscure title on the Pegasus label (with the second ‘PEG’ style label rather than the original winged horse style label). Lots more updates and additions to come!
Many thanks to Steve Moore for emailing in with great pics of his rare copy of the “Harvest Sampler Of The Initial Four June Releases” from 1969. This is believed to be a DJ promo only release to help ‘launch’ the newly formed Harvest label. It promotes the first 4 albums on Harvest from Deep Purple, Michael Chapman, Shirley & Dolly Collins and Pete Brown & His Battered Ornaments.
Steve wondered why SHVL753 had been omitted from the sample record and I can advise him that it is my belief that Panama Limited Jug Band’s album was not released until around September/October of 1969 (despite it having the third catalogue number in the sequence between Pete Brown’s SHVL752 and the Collinses’ SHVL754), thereby not being ready in time to be included on the sampler…
It’s a definite rarity, rumoured to be limited to a production run of 100 copies, and thanks once again to Steve for supplying the images and showing an interest in the site! Rest of Harvest section to be updated in next few weeks!
Rare Record Collector 