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DIFFERING
GERMAN VERSIONS OF BRITISH ALBUMS
and German swirl releases of British (and one Australian) albums that were not issued on swirl in Britain

Almost all British albums, except some of the more obscure ones, were granted a German release. Apart from the difference in label design, quite some of the covers were altered, mostly in a restrictive way. We only list substantial differences. If a swirl logo is printed in a different colour on the front, we do not reckon this substantial enough to mention it.
The albums were released almost simulteneously with the British versions. They are listed numerically.

Early releases had a B-side style label on both sides and the ''old'' catalogue numbers like 847 900 for Colosseum's Valentyne Suite.



6360 012

MANFRED MANN CHAPTER III - DECEMBER FOURTH

6360012dTESTLBL

Test pressings of Manfred Mann Chapter III: Volume 2 were adorned with a completely different and consequently scrapped title!



6360 013
CLEAR BLUE SKY - PLAY IT LOUD

6360013dLBL

The discarded title from the British release proved undeadly in Germany. It is featured prominently on the label, but not on the spine.



6360 050
BLACK SABBATH - MASTER OF REALITY

masterDinner


The elaborate concept of the British packaging was too much for the German branch. The poster was kept and identical to the British one, but the box cover was sacrificed. As a small compensation, a black inner sleeve with the catalogue number in the top right corner was added. The embossing of the cover and the negative printing of the B-side label were saved from the block, too.

6360050Dbl
6360050Dwh

As of now we have found two different labels for this release and a third one is rumoured to exist. Both have the misspelling (or rather misconception) ''Masters'', instead of ''Master''. None of these mention track A3 Embryo, even though the music is present on the release.
The Austrian press (with ''Austro Mechana'' on the label) carries again the ''normal'', not inverted design.




6360 062
JADE WARRIOR - RELEASED

6360062D


The outrageous British packaging of Jade Warrior's Released was restricted while retaining almost all of its luxurious quality.  The cover itself is a single cover, depicting virtually the same front and back as the British release. The Vertigo logo was transferred to the left upper corner, while the freecoming space now had a caption ''including poster''. Indeed, a poster was added. This was an exact copy of the 6-part fold-out board used in Britain, but of course on ''normal'' thin paper.



6360 065
NUCLEUS - ELASTIC ROCK


There seems to be a reissue of Nucleus' Elastic rock under this catalogue number, at least there are listings that mention this release. We have never seen a copy ourselves...



6360 071
BLACK SABBATH - VOL. 4

6360071Ölbl
As stated in the introduction, some albums were released seperately in Austria. These bear the caption ''Austro Mechana'' on the label, the Austrian equivalent of GEMA, the copyright control institute.






6360 073
BEGGAR'S OPERA - PATHFINDER

beggpathD


The same measures as with the Jade Warrior album were taken with Beggar's Opera Pathfinder. Since no swirl logo adorned the British release there was nothing to transfer. The notion ''including poster'' was inserted at the top left corner, just above the helmet of our space cavalier.


6360 074
CATAPILLA - CHANGES

As you would expect, the die-cut gimmix cover of the insect head was deleted and a simple single cover was used instead.



6360 081

SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND - FRAMED

Very unfortunately, the die-cut of the cover was omitted in Germany, making this a very boring version, indeed.



6360 098
STATUS QUO - HELLO!

6360098

Only well-selling titles were granted a separate Austrian release, this is one of them.



The following album was only in Germany available on Vertigo swirl. French and British pressings were on Fontana

6325 251
ALAN STIVELL - CELTIC ROCK (1973)

6325251
6325251lbl

Line-up: Dan Ar Bras, gtr, voc/ Bagad Bleimor, bagp, bombarde/ Jean-Luc Hallereau, bsgtr, voc/ Michel Santangelli, dr/ Pascal Stive, keyb/ Alan Stivell, voc, hrp, bagp, keyb, fl/ Gabriel Yacoub, gtr, banj, dulc, voc/ René Werneer, vl, voc.
Production: Franck Giboni.
Cover-design by unknown.
Photography by unknown.
Liner notes: none.
Cover manufactured by unknown.
Recorded at Chateau d'Hérouville.

Track listing A-side: Suzy MacGuire (trad.) 3'34''/ Ian Morrison Reel (P.McLeod) 4'03''/ She Moved Through The Fair (trad.) 4'14''/ Can I Melinydd (trad.) 1'52''/ Oidhche Mhaith (trad.) 1'49''.
Track listing B-side: An Dro Nevez (trad.) 3'40''/ Maro Ma Mestrez (trad.) 3'05''/ Brezhoneg' Raok (Alan Stivell) 3'42''/ An Hani A Garan (trad.) 4'05''/ Metig (trad.) 3'57''/ Kimiad (trad.) 3'23''.

The Vertigo logo on front is black.

Matrix number A-side:
10 AA 6325251 1Y 320
Matrix number B-side:
10 AA 6325251 2Y 320

Rarity scale: R2


Folk raged in Germany in the early seventies, so this release seems logical enough. Previous Stivell LP's were only available as an import in Germany. Undoubtedly this is one of his best and this serves as a record that makes it clear why Stivell almost singlehandedly succeeded in carving an international niche for folk (rock) from Brittany. Apart from the almost pugnacious rock track Brezohoneg' rock, a convincing incentive to speak the native language of Brittany, it is traditional material almost throughout, but presented in a unique and strictly personal manner. Stivell's main instrument is the celtic harp and he uses this in itself quiet instrument with great elasticity and verve. The elegant guitars of Dan Ar Bras dominate the finely honed arrangements. The Breton material is powerful and full of uncommon twists, a far cry from the diluted versions for tourists in places like Vannes and Lorient. All tracks are filled with a combination of down-to-earth and even gritty directness with celestial widths and etherical visions, a combination that made Stivell a national hero after an exhausting career. The importance of Stivell for Breton culture cannot easily be overestimated.

Why the great ''celtic'' cover of the native (French) pressing was replaced by this horrible design is anybody's guess. A reasonable picture of Stivell with his harp is placed within an atrocious frame that sits uneasily on a flat green background.
The lettering makes it even worse. Both fonts are totally unsuitable and the pink shadows are the sad climax of no taste at all. A graphic monstruosity.
The backcover holds a fine live photograph, the information on the contents, a small version of the tasteless lettering and two small pictures of Stivell's previous French albums on Fontana.

Notes: The British version was titled From celtic roots and released as Fontana 6325 304 in 1973 in a totally different cover.
The native (French) version had yet another (fold-out) cover and was released as Chemins de terre on Fontana with the same catalogue number as in Britain, also in 1973.



As British Vertigo changed the label to a design of Roger Dean, often called ''spaceship'' or ''ufo'' label, other countries were not that fast. Therefore the swirl label survived much longer in some countries, one of them being Germany. The following albums were released with a swirl label in Germany and NOT in Britain.

6360 087
MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND - MESSIN' (1973)

6360087
6360087lbl

Line-up: Manfred Mann, keyb/ Colin Pattenden, bsgtr/ Mick Rogers, voc, gtr/ Chris Slade, dr.
Production: Manfred Mann.
Cover-art and design by Peter Hignett, William Stone & Peter Goodfellow.
Liner notes: none.
Cover manufactured by unknown.
Recorded at Maximum Sound Studios.

Track listing A-side: Messin' (Mike Hugg) 10'00''/ Buddah (Manfred Mann + Mick Rogers) 7'00''/ Cloudy Eyes (Manfred Mann) 5'30''.
Track listing B-side: Get Your Rocks Off (Bob Dylan) 3'00''/ Sadjoy (Manfred Mann) 4'30''/ Black And Blue (Matt Taylor + Phil Manning) 7'57''/ Mardi Gras Day (Mac Rebennack) 3'00''.

No Vertigo logo on front.

Matrix number A-side:
10 AA 6360087 1Y 320
Matrix number B-side:
10 AA 6360087 2Y 320

Rarity scale: R1


Space-riff-rock and the departure of Mike Hugg (whose shadow still hangs over the title track) make this a much more accessible outfit than Chapter III. The simplicity of the riff on the title track sets the standard, but there is much too little happening, making this a classic example of a track extended too long for its own good. The following religious ballad is a bit simple, too, and, yes, pretty longish. Much better is Cloudy eyes, including a guitar part that could have been by Steve Hackett. The tradition of Dylan covers is restored on Get your rocks off, but this is only maginally interesting music. Good guitars and hopeless choirs make a mixed blessing out of Sadjoy. The stubborn rock of Black and blue and the jungle rock of Mardi gras day do not contribute anything to rock's canon. An opportunity well wasted.

A depressive image on the front. Earth is a desert, only inhabitable to humans with gasmasks, one of which is looking you candidly in the eye. A design that probably will be deemed prophetic in years to come, though you and I will not longer be there to comment. The fold-out is die-cut. Opening makes the earth globe float in the void with only a dead moon for companion. Not bad, but somehow quite depressing, too. The bandlogo on the right bottom corner does not fit in the image at all.
Nice and corresponding lettering, though awkwardly positioned.

Notes: The title on the label omits the closing apostrophe.



6360 090
BEGGARS OPERA - GET YOUR DOG OFF ME (1973)

6360090
6360090lbl

Line-up: Colin Fairlie, dr, voc/ Ricky Gardiner, gtr, voc/ Alan Park, keyb/ Linnie Paterson, voc/ Gordon Sellar, bsgtr, voc/ Raymond Wilson, dr.
Production: Roger Wake.
Cover-art  by Brian Adams & Pete Brown.
Liner notes: none.
Cover manufactured by Druckhaus Maack KG.
Recorded at unknown.

Track listing A-side: Get Your Dog Off Me (Alan Park + Ainsworth) 3'40''/ Freestyle Ladies (Virginia Scott) 4'20''/ Open Letter (Robert Smith) 4'32''/ Morning Day (Virginia Scott) 4'32''/ Requiem (Ricky Gardener) 2'18''.
Track listing B-side: Classical Gas (Mason Williams) 4'28''/ Sweet Blossom Woman (Mick Grabham) 4'08''/ Turn Your Money Green (Alan Park + Ainsworth) 4'08''/ La Di-Da (Beggar's Opera) 2'53''/ Working Man (Gordon Sellar + Ainsworth) 4'33''.

No Vertigo logo on front.

Matrix number A-side:
10 AA 6360090 1Y 320
Matrix number B-side:
10 AA 6360090 2Y 320

Rarity scale: R1



Keeping the inspiration up while everything goes awry is hard and this album is there to prove it. BO falls into the same trap as many did before and afterwards: an attempt to commercialize the sound, thereby sacrificing the characteristics that made the band unique. Ugly compromises are the inevitable result. The frighteningly commercial title track sounds wonderful, great guitars galore, but is empty from all emotion. A cross-breed between Nazareth and McCartney's Wings is not our idea of exciting music. The rest is questionable half-hard rock, beefed up with false energy. Only the closing Working man shows something that remotely sounds like inspired musicianship. Obviously too little.

The cartoon-derived and pretty vicious bulldog on the front looks unpromising for passing postmen, but doesn't make for a good cover image, although the mixture of alertness and stupidity is well executed. The colours are garish.
No problems with the lettering, they are just as cartoony as the image



6360 098
STATUS QUO - HELLO! (1973)

6360098D
6360098Dlbl

Line-up: Stewart Blandamer, sax/ Andy Bown, keyb/ John Coghlan, dr/ Steve Farr, sax/ Alan Lancaster, voc, bsgtr/ John Mealing, keyb/ Richard Parfitt, voc, keyb, gtr/ Francis Rossi, voc, gtr.
Production: Status Quo for G.M. Ltd..
Cover-art  by unknown.
Liner notes: none.
Cover manufactured by Druckhaus Maack KG.
Recorded at  IBC Studios

Track listing A-side: Roll Over Lay Down (Status Quo) 5'41''/ Claudie (Francis Rossi + Rob Young) 4'00''/ A Reason For Living (Richard Parfitt + Francis Rossi) 4'41''/ Blue Eyed Lady (Alan Lancaster + Richard Parfitt) 3'50''.
Track listing B-side: Caroline (Francis Rossi + Rob Young) 4'16''/ Softer Ride (Alan Lancaster + Richard Parfitt) 4'00''/ And Its Better Now (Francis Rossi + Rob Young) 3'20''/ Forty-Five Hundred Times (Richard Parfitt + Francis Rossi) 9'50''.

No Vertigo logo on front.

Matrix number A-side:
10 AA 6360098 1Y 320
Matrix number B-side:
10 AA 6360098 2Y 320

Rarity scale: R1



We have discussed this band in the UK section, so we will not do this again here. You can rest assured that this is Quo at its very narrowest: boogie-blues is alternated with boogie-blues. Being thus able to fend the music away from us, we concentrate on the strange story of the cover.

quoprecvr

Most German copies you will see come in the cover pictured above. If you have very good eyes you will discern a small notification in the bottom left corner, see enlarged scan detail. Translated it amounts to this: This is a temporary cover. If you so desire, you can exchange it for the original cover shortly at no extra cost. Apart from a strange definition of ''original'', this message is likely to have been disregarded by many owners. Especially since the forthcoming ''original'' cover turned out to be a black silhouette on a black cover, which needs the use of a 500W bulb to relinquish its image. You can have a look at this on the Italy page. German copies with the second cover are therefore much rarer and are considered to be R2.
Neutral lettering in white with a black shadow was temporary too. It changed to silver on the ''original'' cover.

Notes the exclamation mark of the title is omitted on the label.



6360 102
SPENCER DAVIS GROUP - GLUGGO (1973)

6360102D
6360102Dlbl

Line-up: Gary Cooper, steel/ Spencer Davis, voc, gtr/ Ray Fenwick, voc, gtr/ Eddie Hardin, voc, keyb/ Charlie McCracken, voc, bsgtr/ Pete York, dr.
Production: Spencer Davis.
Cover-art  by John Kosh.
Photography by Tim Fulford-Brown.
Liner notes: by Pete York.
Cover manufactured by Druckhaus Maack KG.
Recorded at Morgan Studios and Advision Studios.

Track listing A-side: Catch You On The Rebop (Eddie Hardin + Ray Fenwick) 3'17''/ Don't You Let It Bring You Down (Eddie Hardin + Ray Fenwick) 3'53''/ Living In A Backstreet (Eddie Hardin + Ray Fenwick) 3'26''/ Today Gluggo, Tomorrow The World (Pete York + L.Rubin) 3'42''.
Track listing B-side: Feeling Rude (Eddie Hardin + Ray Fenwick) 3'17''/ Mr.Operator (Eddie Hardin + Ray Fenwick) 3'35''/ The Edge (Eddie Hardin + Ray Fenwick) 2'22''/ The Screw (Eddie Hardin + Ray Fenwick) 3'43''/ Tumble Down Tenement Row (Spencer Davis) 3'09''.

No Vertigo logo on front.

Matrix number A-side:
10 AA 6360102 1Y 320
Matrix number B-side:
10 AA 6360102 2Y 320

Rarity scale: R2



The unsuccessful single Catch you on the rebop, which is the opening track here, reminds one vaguely of I'm a man, once more bringing to mind the unlucky career of Mr.Davis after the departure of Steve Winwood from his group. The well-executed, but ultimately somewhat colourless rock on this here album will not change the ingrown public opinion that the SDG was just a hulk without Winwood. ''With their new face on'' was a much better effort, but that underestimated album was 5 years old by now. Somehow this doesn't sound like a band that believes in its own possibilities, and so this is reasonably satisfying rock, but nothing that will take anyone by surprise or grope for some deep emotion. Best track: the also flopped single Mr.Operator, a straight but nonetheless convincing piece of rock.

The cover is a gimmix in the best of Vertigo traditions. You can manipulate the front flap into a half cylinder that in its turn can be fastened into the backsleeve. You now have a cylindric tin of ''Gluggo'', which is good for almost anything, if we may believe the pretty funny text inside. A very good idea, albeit somewhat derisive of The Who's Sell out. The backcover shows the lads in duotone before an old-fashioned store that among other products sells, you guessed it, Gluggo.
The lettering is very much part of the product and completely in style.



6357 100
BUFFALO - DEAD FOREVER (1974)

6367100lbl

Someone in 1974 thought it a good idea to belatedly release this Australian hard-rock piece. It is reviewed in the Australia section. The gatefold cover was reduced to a single one. The album received a new catalogue number.



6366 101
BLACK SABBATH - SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH (1973)

6367100lbl

Another album pressed for the Austrian market and this must be the strangest of them all, as this was not released in Germany itself with a swirl label. Both cover and disc are maufactured in Germany, but the Austrian copyright notice ''Austro Mechana'' betrays the purpose of this issue. The matrix number shows both a Vertigo and a WWA number (logically, as this was released on WWA in the UK):
WWA 005 2Y*1  14 6366101 B
as well as three digits that are hardly readable, but could be anything from 250 to 370.



92 985
BLACK SABBATH - PARANOID (1971)

92985lbl
92985st

As above, this time for an Austrian book- and recordclub with a differing catalogue number. The cover is the normal German one, although unlaminated, but has a sticker in the corner announcing the special number.



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