Deborah Harry is the only person I've ever asked for an autograph. I was back stage at their final US concert in 1978 and was terrified to walk up to her and speak to her. She was standing with the other band members waiting to exit the back door of the auditorium. When they all finally went out the back door I ran after them and went out the door only to find a U-Haul truck driving away from what was a loading dock. I turned around to walk back inside and to my amazement, Debbie was sitting down on the doorstep by herself. It was pretty surreal. All of the band members left in the truck and were going to come back with a car and pick her up and go to a New Years party. I got to speak with her for about 5 minutes. She was really friendly, super nice, even asked what I was going to do later. I wish I hadn't ran out of film in my cheap camera. I took a lot of pictures standing on the stage. In those days a back stage pass allowed you to go pretty much anywhere. Well, needless to say I still have the autograph and the memory of her giving me a New Year kiss on the cheek and a few minutes of banter.
@@Michael45RPM Apologies for the long winded post but it was so much different in those days, I had to share. I have a great AC/DC story too but will save that for your upcoming AC/DC album reviews, LOL.
I've always heavily associated Blondie with NYC. I listened to those first few albums so much, I had Blondie fatigue for 10 years. Same with Talking Heads. I pulled out Parallel Lines last week and listened to it - perfect album. Debbie Harry raging 🔥
Totally agree. I'm from the u.k and Blondie to me perfectly capture that late 70s/early 80s New York vibe - dangerous, edgy, dark, but also pretty, and a kind of street glamour. Every musical style that was in the new york stew of that time was in Blondies music, but with a twist- which is what happens when supposed opposites influence each other. Perfect NY band of that time. ❤️
I like when our fine Dusseldorf friend says "SMOKED!" with enthusiasm! Imagine my disappointment that the 4 bonus albums were not reviewed for audiophile quality! Maybe though ... some day ... when you are over your Blondie fatigue!
Blondie are a favorite band of mine. I bought Parallel Lines in 1978 on vinyl. It contained their massive hit Heart of Glass. Debbie Harry is an individual person. Very charismatic.
As a lifelong collector of UK 1st pressings I NEVER keep or buy records in the shrink, over the years I've had too many destroyed either by shrink or "hard" pvc covers. I learnt the hard way 10 years ago when I found that all my owned from new cream covers were trashed the shrink had welded itself to the cover, attempted removal destroyed the jackets. Shrink was never intended as a 35 year or more protection. Over the years unopened shrink can literally shrink and put an "s" fold or warp in the record.
Blondie is a purely American band. The only non American is Nigel the bass player. So country of origin is US. More trivia. The first US pressings of Parallel Lines had a mistake. It contained the short 45 version of Heart of Glass. They caught it and all represses after that had the full length version as was intended. So you could say there are two different first US pressings.
Thank you for your review Michael looking forward to the arrival of my order sometime soon fingers crossed. Good advice regarding the shrink wrap I keep it seperate. Nice to see some love for Hunter too.cheers from down under.
Great Video Again ! The UK Autoamerican Album still in the shrink could have been bought in one of two shops. Only two UK shops sold UK pressings in the shrink 1. Lttlewoods Stores 2. Most likely to be a Woolworths clearance item. Everyone had to hold their breath when opening the shrink ! Great Videos !
I am by no stretch of the imagination a seasoned veteran of vinyl collecting, but I feel like the only reason to keep the shrink wrap intact is if you think you’ll sell the record someday. I don’t think I’ll ever sell my records, so a good outer sleeve makes more sense. Of course I cut out and save hype stickers.
I always remove the shrinkwrap, peel off or cut out any hype stickers, and garbage the shrinkwrap. Shrinkwrap, if it shrinks due to temperature variations, can warp your record. However, I primarily remove the shrinkwrap so I can see the album cover in all its' intended glory, not viewing it through a closed window.
As I understand it, country of origin relates more to where an album was recorded. That is generally where the original master is going to be located, which is the key, as you want the stamper to be created from that. Typically, many bands will record in the country they come from but that's not always the case. I might be incorrect on some of this, but again that's how I understand it.
I live in the US and my copy of Parallel Lines is a first German pressing and it also has lyrics for Parallel Lines. As others have said this is absolutely a American band also that was not a first US pressing of Blondie self title. Which I believe someone did comment on. That does make a difference when comparing.
There's no doubt-Blondie is not just an American band, they are from a specific place and scene. Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Jimmy Destri, Clem Burke, and Gary Valentine are all American. Nigel Harrison took over from Valentine, but that doesn't make them British in any way, shape, or form. They're not just American. They're very much a New York band, born out of the whole Max's Kansas City / CBGB scene. VERY much a New York band. I saw them with Iggy Pop in Montreal in '77. It was 2 days after my 18th birthday. Great experience.
Michael, would be really good if you could post some clips. Perhaps put them on a second channel if demonetisation is an issue. I have a contemporaneous UK Plastic Letters. The sleeve credits Sterling Sound for mastering, the dead wax is 'Porky Prime Cut'. A US/UK comparison would be interesting... The advantage of the repress is that everybody is going to get similar without having to hunt through the noise of the used vinyl market for the 'best'.
I think that shrink wrap issue doesn’t apply to US releases. We don’t use the high gloss inks the UK have and I’ve never had an issue with the wrap sticking to the covers. I do keep the lps outside the jackets so warping or dishing isn’t an issue.
You are correct! The shrink used in the states does not cause the same issues as some of the UK shrink I have seen. I have been lucky over many years and saw only 1 issue with shrink. Even when it can fuse you can just slide in a piece of card stock and separate with no issies
I'm lucky enough to have gotten all my Blondie records before the big vinyl explosion when it was always in the bins at the stores. All are really clean. Cool to see the boxset for people that need to get them all at once. They're definitely online but a rarer find than in yesteryear.
Same here. Parallel Lines was the first eBay purchase I ever made. Whenever it was that eBay first started. I remember “winning “ it for like $4 or something.
Michael Fantastic job! and thank you for spending the time and energy to help us get a sense of the records and decide on purchasing options! Blondie is definitely an American band They developed at CBGB’s in Manhattan, NY Along with the Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Television and many others Debbie literally learned her craft on that small dim stage Not that it matters but for the debut the first US pressing is on Private stock - a small label Some US labels were taking short cuts in the late 70s - recycled vinyl etc The other US originals sound stellar Congratulations, sounds like you have a hot pressing of the UK debut Country of origin refers to where the first generation tape resided and was pressed It is not always the country the band comes from Examples are The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street (3rd press US Monarch most desireable) and Who’s Next US first press Decca where the masters were pressed in Los Angeles. Bob Marley and the Wailers first real proper album was Burin on Island Records for larger distribution - it and all subsequent records had country of origin of the tapes / pressing in the UK Steve Hoffman and Discogs will give you the information best sounding pressing and what you need for records released first not in the band’s home country. Also many times the plating in the UK can be used in Germany and other European countries and cost a lot less. There is a German Led Zeppelin II with RL on side 1 and second press on side 2 that most people don’t know about - much less expensive and you can hear the real key “hot cut” Whole Lotta Love” orgasmic interlude and explosive finish The term for when the EQ of the rerelease is true to the original master is a “flat transfer” They probably did a very minor tweaking. After a bit of experience listening to original pressings you will develop an ear when you listen to a remaster and tell that it does not live up to the expectations even without hearing a comparison. Albums will sound closed in or lacking dynamics, tonally off, eq imbalance, less air, etc. Next time you play one of your older remaster purchases just key in on how natural in general it sounds I have US originals of Blondie’s first 4 albums and the Greatest Hits Kudos for them giving so many options on lp and cd I like them but they are not a high tier artist for me Based on your recommendations - the 4 LP rarities box sounds perfect And $250 can go somewhere else - thank you immensely!!! Bravo
A refreshing change from a European perspective. Almost all USA vinyl reviewers only do Rock, Prog Rock, Jazz & Blues. Very little Pop, Reggae, Punk, New Wave & Hip-Hop being reviewed by US RUclipsrs. Blondie sold way more records in UK and Europe than in the USA and as a result, Euroland certainly made them their own. I would love to hear reviews of stuff that didn't do as well in US but were massive in UK and Europe: Oasis - What's The Story Morning Glory, Radiohead - OK computer.... (5x Platinum in UK and only 2x Platinum in USA) So many bands the Americans did not get into, Japan (with David Sylvian), The Jam, Manic Street Preachers, Blur, The Stone Roses, Ian Dury and the Blockheads.... to name only a few. Keep um coming Michael... good job!
@@Michael45RPM Cool... i look forward,.. So much good music on vinyl. Why stop at Europe? Check out "Shabini" by "Bhundu Boys" from Zimbabwe on the "Discafrique" label or "Pure Heroine" by "Lorde" from New Zealand on "Universal".... or if you are feeling really adventurous, why not try some Chinese Underground Indi/Rock/Punk/New Wave..? anything on the "Maybe Mars" Label... bands like "P.K.14" of "Backspace", The whole world listens to Vinyl... not just the USA
I have both the private stock copy and the chrysalis version. Gotta say i really didn’t hear any difference myself. Was hoping too when I found the Private Stock copy but honestly didn’t hear anything different at all.
Back in 1978, I remember my copy of Parallel Lines had the lyrics for Parallel Lines on the lyric sheet but no song on the album. I assume it was a song they never finished.
Blondie IS an American band. It’s not even up for debate. The only British born member (Nigel Harrison) joined on the third album. All of their records were recorded and mastered in the US. The first record was originally issued on the (US) Private Stock label. The band bought back the rights and then signed to Chrysalis. The differences you are hearing between the two pressings may be due to the fact that the US Chrysalis is actually a second pressing. I still believe a more accurate comparison would have been to the original US copies. I recently purchased a 1981 MoFi copy of Parallel Lines and it sounds excellent. Unfortunately I am unable to compare to an original nor the recent reissue.
Great video and commentary! Enough Blondie listening, Blondie fatigue. 😂. Thanks for your diligence. Parallel Lines and Best of, both on Chrysalis, are all I need.
Hey Michael, Another interesting video. But I'm very surethane Blondie is an American group. ..very heavily associated with New York City and the whole CBGB club scene. And while it is possible that the UK OG pressing does sound better...I think that was the exception to the rule. For the most part...I still strongly believe that the band's country of origin still produces the best sounding pressings.
I think BLondie was lumped a USA band as she was there at the beginning of punk in NYC and you always see the pic of her at CBGBs. I got the box set, but the smaller one- just the extras. I have a Mofi Blondie of Parallel Lines (which IMO, sounds great, and I Ialready had the japan press of Eat to the Beat, which I was also happy with. I would love to know how these compare to the ones you have. Thanks for comparing these diff pressings.
Nice to hear from you Michael that the box and vinyl are of the same high standard. That seems like a very good result to me. To be very close to the original despite the digital recording. An uplifting comparison that does justice to the icon Blondie. A killer box and a killer reissue. And an amazing Michael. :-) Blondie makes dreams come true with the mega box. ❤️Heike The different editions. Exciting and at the same time a revealing comparison. Thank you Michael for your hard work. :-)
Always remove the shrink wrap and replace it with a quality outer sleeve. The whole point of manufacturers using shrink wrap is that it shrinks when exposed to any heat...and once it's opened along one edge the pressure from any shrinkage is going to be uneven. While this is minor, and won't affect every album, why take a chance? And yes, Blondie is a New York band. Thanks for the great video!
Die habe ich auch und die klingen alle Spitze, da brauchst du nichts anderes, wenn sie im guten Zustand sind. Ich kaufe mir die 4-LP Box mit den Raritäten.
I remove all my records from the shrink but keep the shrink in the jacket if it has an interesting sticker on it. Interesting to see how they compare to the brit pressings. All those records were recorded in the US I believe, I wonder if the flew metal across the pond or a copy of the tape.
I remove the shrink wrap from all my records. In most cases I'm able to remove the sticker from the wrap and apply the sticker to an outer sleeve cover usually in the same location the sticker was placed on the shrink. On the rare occasion that the sticker is not removable or very difficult I simply cut around the sticker removing the shrink and then place the sticker inside the outer sleeve cover between the album and the sleeve. Very informative review. It's too bad those UK versions cost a fortune just in shipping to get them to the states, have to settle for the US pressings. 👍🏻
so, is that box set worth over 400 bucks? I was able to get the smaller box set from amazon for 136.00 (free shipping) - worth it. Also, I was glad to hear you mention the Cocteau Twins - they are one of my fave bands. (If you also like Dead Can dance and Lisa Gerrard), I just got Lisa Gerrard's brand new release with Marcello De Francisci called EXAUDIA. It is a phenomenal album - so glad she released it on vinyl. I have played it nonstop since it arrived yesterday ( I also got the Super Fly all analog, Kevin Gray reissue and the Blondie box set came all yesterday, and I haven't even played them yet. I can not take this Lisa Gerrard lp off my turntable....it is that good!!!
Would have loved a comparison of the original first album Private Stock pressing with the true original US release also on Private Stock....which I own 😊
Michael - just be sure: it looked to me like your US version was in fact not the first press, but merely a reissue on Chrysalis (the 1st would be on Private Stock) - I bet that would change the outcome here…
If the original pressings always sound better why can’t they just replicate how it was done originally. Or is it to do with tape degradation over the years.
Have you listened to any of the plangent process digital releases? The Springsteen box or some of the Dead releasss? Would love it if you could do a shootout w/the analog originals. I think there’s a plangent Strange Days (Doors) as well
Blondie always epitomized a New York band for me. New York in the 70’s and early 80’s. Punk is original british and of course there were influences but i think they were much more inspired by american artists.
There is no reason to keep shrink wrap any more since the days plastic album covers (outer sleeves) became available which has been at least 40 years ago or longer
I'm sorry, but how could you call Blondie as a British band? All its original members were American and all their early LPs were made in the USA. The main songwriting team was Debby Harry and Chris Stein. They had a British bass player for a while but that hardly makes it a British band. And, "Blondie" is the name of the band. The lead singer is Debby Harry.
Many British and European people do.... we did not have the internet in the late 70s. Blondie was marketed by the music press of the time as a British band with an American singer because the mainstream British record buying public just were not gonna buy US music. You have to remember, these were times when Pink Floyd and The Who were "out" as they were considered too "out-of-touch"... as they were living a jet set lifestyle touring the US, while the people of the UK were deep in financial depression. Sex Pistols and The Clash were the new kids on the block.... as people wanted change at every level. Clever move on behalf of the marketing team as Blondie's European and UK sales were way bigger than sales in US. Parallel lines even went Platinum in Communist Yugoslavia
Blondie was always an American act and the Brits from the music tabloids didn’t put a UK lipstick origin on it - they reveled in the fact that Blondie came out of the exciting CBGBs NYC nebula of talent along with The Ramones who hit it big touring in the UK and a myriad of others later
@@audiotomb The Ramones were never big in the UK, Blondie had 6 hit singles from the 12 tracks on Parallel Lines alone. She was on every teenagers wall and every middle aged man's car stereo. Women in their 30s were going to hair dressers and asking for the Debbie H cut. Blondie was mainstream bigtime! As big as Adam and the Ants were in 1980. The Remones remained a niche market even when the Pistols were at the top of the hit parade. The Ramones never even got a top 10 Chart position.
I don't think he meant it literally. I think he's meaning that the diversity in style of the songs (and sometimes their quirkiness) and attitude of the band has a more British taste to it than American. And indeed, their greater density of success in the UK tends to support that. Another such outfit would be Sparks - that quirkiness just oozes Britishness, even when they aren't. The converse can happen too. Take the post-Green Fleetwood Mac. British (mostly) but perhaps more US in style? There certainly wasn't any *actual* confusion of where (most) of the band came from. Debbie appeared on everything from Swap Shop (kids' Saturday Morning show) to The Muppet Show over here (UK) and across Continental Europe, and the American accent was obvious.
Have to disagree re. the remasters’ sleeves. Parallel Lines is now too dark with less detail and the Eat to the Beat cover is really overexposed and has none of the skintone of the original sleeves. The music however on the remasters sounds fantastic!
You must listen to the original Netherlands pressing on clearish vinyl before you can qualify which is the best pressing. That pressing has surprised many who thought it was a slam dunk for the UK original.
Am I missing something? I thought Blondie was all American. Certainly the two most important members were, and they came up through the New York scene.
As far as the original US pressing, it would be Private Stock, in December 1976. Don't know if it differs from the next issue, on Chysalis, but when Chrysalis signed them and they changed labels, all unsold PS copies were recalled. Doubt they changed the master.
I think the 1st UK pressing of the Blondie-Blondie album on Private Stock is a different mix to those when remastered but I could be wrong as it has been a while....X Offender/In the Sun are different mixes on the single en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondie_(album)#Track_listing
@@Michael45RPM Great! Thank you. Like the systematic way of analysing and the live talks - even with Michael Fremer it's some kind of amusement... So, cheers and keep it going! 🙋🏼
@@Michael45RPM -Thanks-LP tip for my German friend -an 80’s band out of Boston club scene called ‘Treat Her Right’ 1st record, on RCA in the U.S, 1988, self titled. I had been working in a record store as I lived and breathed music…still do but every Wednesday we would get our orders in and that meant new promos lps. Even in 1988’! I dropped the needle on that record and nearly everyday I worked as it just fit the bill. It transported me in an instant. Rootsy, swampy rock and roll, rhythm and blues. The lead singer went onto form Morphine and died on stage in Italy 10 years later I believe -Mark Sandman. What a talent. Really enjoyed both those RCA records they released as ‘Treat Her Right’. Billy Conway, the drummer would follow him to Morphine and just past away down the road from me in Montana last year. I never got into the Morphine as I was in my Pavement/Wilco/Flaming Lips phase but someday I may dip my toes into those waters. I have such good memories of Wednesday promos as we had been inundated by the LA hair metal bands. I remember the day that The Cure’s ‘Disintegration’ came out as we had been rocking the Zeppelin as an antidote to hair metal. It felt like a brand new drug, the one I needed at the time. All those records still hold up for me just like it was yesterday. Music is a form of time travel for me; that’s why it’s so precious. Even takes me to times in which I never existed. Reminds me….. Did you ever listen to that Cale/ Reed tribute to Any Warhol ‘Songs for Drella’? Another one I still listen to. I would think that’s right up your alley! Thanks for what you do, and how you do it. Cheers Michael-Scott
They say not. But that might change as corporate whims change, I suppose. After all, they want to maxmise sales *now* and not have people holding make for a future release, and so it serves them to say these box sets are the only way you will be able to get these new remasters.
One more quick comment. I do have an original US and UK Plastic Letters. When I compared those lps the difference between the two pressings was noticeable. However there isn’t a clear winner for me. They sound different but both sound good. The only way i can describe it would be the UK one sounds more raw like a live sound almost. Where as the US one sounds more produced but better balanced and maybe a bit fuller. The finest vinyl i have in my collection for Blondie has to be the UK 12” of I’m Always Touched by Your Presence Dear. The sound on that 12” esp the A side is nothing short of jaw dropping. What’s more i don’t think any lp release ive heard of any of their full length lps comes anywhere near the quality of that single. If you have one play it! See what you think.
Only Nigel Harrison the bass player was British. I would say Blondie are an American band. Harrison replaced the original U.S. bass player Gary Valentine after the 1st album.
I already had original UK and original US pressings but then I bought the picture disk after reading this from Steve Hoffman himself. in 2006.. My old PICTURE DISC that I bought in 1978 of Blondie's Parallel Lines is the best sounding version I've ever heard. In fact I used it as a ref for the DCC version. Only problem with it is that it's noisy (like all Fitz.-Hartly Pic Discs). AND HE WAS RIGHT IT IS BY FAR THE BEST SOUNDING VERSION!
I have not heard the picture disc but i have heard both the UK and US pressing... however, i have a Yugoslavian pressing that beats them both hands down.
Funny i just found the picture disc in my local shop while going in to pick up the 4 lp extras box they held for me. I paid $40 too much but I like supporting him. I was going to use the Parallel Lines picture disc as one of my lps I leave on my turntable when it’s idle to keep away dust from the underside of records.
Blondie is absolutely NOT a British band, and NEVER has been thought of as being so in the UK. They are always thought of as American, because they are! Plus the New York connection is simply too overwhelming for them to be thought of in any other way, regardless of their success in the British charts.
Deborah Harry is the only person I've ever asked for an autograph. I was back stage at their final US concert in 1978 and was terrified to walk up to her and speak to her. She was standing with the other band members waiting to exit the back door of the auditorium. When they all finally went out the back door I ran after them and went out the door only to find a U-Haul truck driving away from what was a loading dock.
I turned around to walk back inside and to my amazement, Debbie was sitting down on the doorstep by herself. It was pretty surreal. All of the band members left in the truck and were going to come back with a car and pick her up and go to a New Years party.
I got to speak with her for about 5 minutes. She was really friendly, super nice, even asked what I was going to do later. I wish I hadn't ran out of film in my cheap camera. I took a lot of pictures standing on the stage. In those days a back stage pass allowed you to go pretty much anywhere. Well, needless to say I still have the autograph and the memory of her giving me a New Year kiss on the cheek and a few minutes of banter.
Wow thx for sharing this 67
@@Michael45RPM Apologies for the long winded post but it was so much different in those days, I had to share. I have a great AC/DC story too but will save that for your upcoming AC/DC album reviews, LOL.
@@67Pepper 😅😅🤣
I still have all my originals from new from the early 80's.
I've always heavily associated Blondie with NYC. I listened to those first few albums so much, I had Blondie fatigue for 10 years. Same with Talking Heads. I pulled out Parallel Lines last week and listened to it - perfect album. Debbie Harry raging 🔥
Totally agree. I'm from the u.k and Blondie to me perfectly capture that late 70s/early 80s New York vibe - dangerous, edgy, dark, but also pretty, and a kind of street glamour. Every musical style that was in the new york stew of that time was in Blondies music, but with a twist- which is what happens when supposed opposites influence each other. Perfect NY band of that time. ❤️
Blondie is definitely a NYC, US band. They grew up at CBGBs with the Ramones, Talking Heads etc...
Of course Blondie is a New York band…
These comparisons to the originals are fun to watch. Thanks for sharing 👏
I like when our fine Dusseldorf friend says "SMOKED!" with enthusiasm! Imagine my disappointment that the 4 bonus albums were not reviewed for audiophile quality! Maybe though ... some day ... when you are over your Blondie fatigue!
ah - Blondie. So many memories of that era - Blondie, Ramones, Iggy Pop, The Damned. I was a bit too young for the Pistols unfortunately.
Private Stock is the orig US pressing, not the major label. It's rare and pricey. And Blondie is a NY band. That's a given.
Blondie are a favorite band of mine. I bought Parallel Lines in 1978 on vinyl. It contained their massive hit Heart of Glass. Debbie Harry is an individual person. Very charismatic.
As a lifelong collector of UK 1st pressings I NEVER keep or buy records in the shrink, over the years I've had too many destroyed either by shrink or "hard" pvc covers. I learnt the hard way 10 years ago when I found that all my owned from new cream covers were trashed the shrink had welded itself to the cover, attempted removal destroyed the jackets. Shrink was never intended as a 35 year or more protection. Over the years unopened shrink can literally shrink and put an "s" fold or warp in the record.
I try to always buy in the shrink with hype and only had 1 issue in 25 years. Guess I was lucky?
Beautiful box set. Very happy with it!
Blondie is a purely American band. The only non American is Nigel the bass player. So country of origin is US.
More trivia. The first US pressings of Parallel Lines had a mistake. It contained the short 45 version of Heart of Glass. They caught it and all represses after that had the full length version as was intended.
So you could say there are two different first US pressings.
thx for the info Richard
Thank you for your review Michael looking forward to the arrival of my order sometime soon fingers crossed. Good advice regarding the shrink wrap I keep it seperate. Nice to see some love for Hunter too.cheers from down under.
Great Video Again ! The UK Autoamerican Album still in the shrink could have been bought in one of two shops. Only two UK shops sold UK pressings in the shrink 1. Lttlewoods Stores 2. Most likely to be a Woolworths clearance item. Everyone had to hold their breath when opening the shrink ! Great Videos !
Wow very cool info David!
Oh man..now I have shrink wrap worries... I have so many still in shrink
hmmmmmm
Blondie is an American band. I saw them live in Glasgow, Scotland, in April this year and they were superb.
I am by no stretch of the imagination a seasoned veteran of vinyl collecting, but I feel like the only reason to keep the shrink wrap intact is if you think you’ll sell the record someday. I don’t think I’ll ever sell my records, so a good outer sleeve makes more sense. Of course I cut out and save hype stickers.
I saw Blondie in concert last night here in New York. They were outstanding. I bought the deluxe box also. Thank you for the review.
how cool is that Uri!
@@Michael45RPM And they are plating again tonight I may again.
!!!!!!
Very good video Michael. A lot of information that can help a lot for anyone interested in this type of content. That's great.
I always remove the shrinkwrap, peel off or cut out any hype stickers, and garbage the shrinkwrap. Shrinkwrap, if it shrinks due to temperature variations, can warp your record. However, I primarily remove the shrinkwrap so I can see the album cover in all its' intended glory, not viewing it through a closed window.
The US first pressing is also on Private Stock. The Chrysalis US pressing is a reissue.
my mistake Paul you are right
Waiting for it to arrive, thanks for a comprehensive review.
As I understand it, country of origin relates more to where an album was recorded. That is generally where the original master is going to be located, which is the key, as you want the stamper to be created from that. Typically, many bands will record in the country they come from but that's not always the case.
I might be incorrect on some of this, but again that's how I understand it.
I live in the US and my copy of Parallel Lines is a first German pressing and it also has lyrics for Parallel Lines. As others have said this is absolutely a American band also that was not a first US pressing of Blondie self title. Which I believe someone did comment on. That does make a difference when comparing.
There's no doubt-Blondie is not just an American band, they are from a specific place and scene. Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Jimmy Destri, Clem Burke, and Gary Valentine are all American. Nigel Harrison took over from Valentine, but that doesn't make them British in any way, shape, or form.
They're not just American. They're very much a New York band, born out of the whole Max's Kansas City / CBGB scene. VERY much a New York band.
I saw them with Iggy Pop in Montreal in '77. It was 2 days after my 18th birthday. Great experience.
Michael, would be really good if you could post some clips. Perhaps put them on a second channel if demonetisation is an issue.
I have a contemporaneous UK Plastic Letters. The sleeve credits Sterling Sound for mastering, the dead wax is 'Porky Prime Cut'. A US/UK comparison would be interesting... The advantage of the repress is that everybody is going to get similar without having to hunt through the noise of the used vinyl market for the 'best'.
I think that shrink wrap issue doesn’t apply to US releases. We don’t use the high gloss inks the UK have and I’ve never had an issue with the wrap sticking to the covers. I do keep the lps outside the jackets so warping or dishing isn’t an issue.
You are correct! The shrink used in the states does not cause the same issues as some of the UK shrink I have seen. I have been lucky over many years and saw only 1 issue with shrink. Even when it can fuse you can just slide in a piece of card stock and separate with no issies
I'm lucky enough to have gotten all my Blondie records before the big vinyl explosion when it was always in the bins at the stores. All are really clean. Cool to see the boxset for people that need to get them all at once. They're definitely online but a rarer find than in yesteryear.
Same here. Parallel Lines was the first eBay purchase I ever made. Whenever it was that eBay first started. I remember “winning “ it for like $4 or something.
Blondie die hard New Yorkers
Love the PhD remark😎
Michael
Fantastic job! and thank you for spending the time and energy to help us get a sense of the records and decide on purchasing options!
Blondie is definitely an American band
They developed at CBGB’s in Manhattan, NY
Along with the Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Television and many others
Debbie literally learned her craft on that small dim stage
Not that it matters but for the debut the first US pressing is on Private stock - a small label
Some US labels were taking short cuts in the late 70s - recycled vinyl etc
The other US originals sound stellar
Congratulations, sounds like you have a hot pressing of the UK debut
Country of origin refers to where the first generation tape resided and was pressed
It is not always the country the band comes from
Examples are The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street (3rd press US Monarch most desireable) and Who’s Next US first press Decca where the masters were pressed in Los Angeles. Bob Marley and the Wailers first real proper album was Burin on Island Records for larger distribution - it and all subsequent records had country of origin of the tapes / pressing in the UK
Steve Hoffman and Discogs will give you the information best sounding pressing and what you need for records released first not in the band’s home country. Also many times the plating in the UK can be used in Germany and other European countries and cost a lot less. There is a German Led Zeppelin II with RL on side 1 and second press on side 2 that most people don’t know about - much less expensive and you can hear the real key “hot cut” Whole Lotta Love” orgasmic interlude and explosive finish
The term for when the EQ of the rerelease is true to the original master is a “flat transfer”
They probably did a very minor tweaking.
After a bit of experience listening to original pressings you will develop an ear when you listen to a remaster and tell that it does not live up to the expectations even without hearing a comparison. Albums will sound closed in or lacking dynamics, tonally off, eq imbalance, less air, etc. Next time you play one of your older remaster purchases just key in on how natural in general it sounds
I have US originals of Blondie’s first 4 albums and the Greatest Hits
Kudos for them giving so many options on lp and cd
I like them but they are not a high tier artist for me
Based on your recommendations - the 4 LP rarities box sounds perfect
And $250 can go somewhere else - thank you immensely!!!
Bravo
A refreshing change from a European perspective. Almost all USA vinyl reviewers only do Rock, Prog Rock, Jazz & Blues. Very little Pop, Reggae, Punk, New Wave & Hip-Hop being reviewed by US RUclipsrs. Blondie sold way more records in UK and Europe than in the USA and as a result, Euroland certainly made them their own.
I would love to hear reviews of stuff that didn't do as well in US but were massive in UK and Europe:
Oasis - What's The Story Morning Glory,
Radiohead - OK computer.... (5x Platinum in UK and only 2x Platinum in USA)
So many bands the Americans did not get into,
Japan (with David Sylvian), The Jam, Manic Street Preachers, Blur, The Stone Roses, Ian Dury and the Blockheads.... to name only a few.
Keep um coming Michael... good job!
almost all of this will come jane
@@Michael45RPM Cool... i look forward,..
So much good music on vinyl. Why stop at Europe? Check out "Shabini" by "Bhundu Boys" from Zimbabwe on the "Discafrique" label or "Pure Heroine" by "Lorde" from New Zealand on "Universal"....
or if you are feeling really adventurous, why not try some Chinese Underground Indi/Rock/Punk/New Wave..? anything on the "Maybe Mars" Label... bands like "P.K.14" of "Backspace", The whole world listens to Vinyl... not just the USA
Good information. Thank you for putting this up. Love Blondie.
For the first Blondie album, Chrysalis is not the US first pressing. I have the US Private Stock 1st pressing (New York, NY). It is terrific.
sorry if i made a mistake
I have both the private stock copy and the chrysalis version. Gotta say i really didn’t hear any difference myself. Was hoping too when I found the Private Stock copy but honestly didn’t hear anything different at all.
wow NO michael. BLONDIE were an NYC band. full stop! 1000%!!! New York Dolls, Blondie, The Ramones. the 3 part NYC story of the 70s.
Back in 1978, I remember my copy of Parallel Lines had the lyrics for Parallel Lines on the lyric sheet but no song on the album. I assume it was a song they never finished.
Blondie are a 100% American band
Considering Nigel Harrison is 100% British, i don't know how you worked that out!
Debbie Harry booted that loser outta the band years ago.. LOL Blondie are 100% American!!
Blondie IS an American band. It’s not even up for debate. The only British born member (Nigel Harrison) joined on the third album. All of their records were recorded and mastered in the US. The first record was originally issued on the (US) Private Stock label. The band bought back the rights and then signed to Chrysalis. The differences you are hearing between the two pressings may be due to the fact that the US Chrysalis is actually a second pressing. I still believe a more accurate comparison would have been to the original US copies. I recently purchased a 1981 MoFi copy of Parallel Lines and it sounds excellent. Unfortunately I am unable to compare to an original nor the recent reissue.
Great video and commentary! Enough Blondie listening, Blondie fatigue. 😂. Thanks for your diligence. Parallel Lines and Best of, both on Chrysalis, are all I need.
Oh btw I took ALL the shrink wrap off my records! Thanks!
Hey Michael,
Another interesting video.
But I'm very surethane Blondie is an American group. ..very heavily associated with New York City and the whole CBGB club scene.
And while it is possible that the UK OG pressing does sound better...I think that was the exception to the rule. For the most part...I still strongly believe that the band's country of origin still produces the best sounding pressings.
I think BLondie was lumped a USA band as she was there at the beginning of punk in NYC and you always see the pic of her at CBGBs. I got the box set, but the smaller one- just the extras. I have a Mofi Blondie of Parallel Lines (which IMO, sounds great, and I Ialready had the japan press of Eat to the Beat, which I was also happy with. I would love to know how these compare to the ones you have. Thanks for comparing these diff pressings.
Nice to hear from you Michael that the box and vinyl are of the same high standard.
That seems like a very good result to me.
To be very close to the original despite the digital recording.
An uplifting comparison that does justice to the icon Blondie.
A killer box and a killer reissue.
And an amazing Michael. :-)
Blondie makes dreams come true with the mega box.
❤️Heike
The different editions.
Exciting and at the same time a revealing comparison.
Thank you Michael for your hard work. :-)
Always remove the shrink wrap and replace it with a quality outer sleeve. The whole point of manufacturers using shrink wrap is that it shrinks when exposed to any heat...and once it's opened along one edge the pressure from any shrinkage is going to be uneven. While this is minor, and won't affect every album, why take a chance? And yes, Blondie is a New York band. Thanks for the great video!
I still have my german pressings of the first four Albums from the 70/80ies. I will listen to them the upcoming Weekend..
Die habe ich auch und die klingen alle Spitze, da brauchst du nichts anderes, wenn sie im guten Zustand sind. Ich kaufe mir die 4-LP Box mit den Raritäten.
Interesting video again
Yes Parallel Lines lyrics were on the first UK pressing as was the Fan Cub insert.
US private stock records OG sounds awesome as well
Blondie’s a “New York” band.
I remove all my records from the shrink but keep the shrink in the jacket if it has an interesting sticker on it. Interesting to see how they compare to the brit pressings. All those records were recorded in the US I believe, I wonder if the flew metal across the pond or a copy of the tape.
exactly Mark
I remove the shrink wrap from all my records. In most cases I'm able to remove the sticker from the wrap and apply the sticker to an outer sleeve cover usually in the same location the sticker was placed on the shrink. On the rare occasion that the sticker is not removable or very difficult I simply cut around the sticker removing the shrink and then place the sticker inside the outer sleeve cover between the album and the sleeve. Very informative review. It's too bad those UK versions cost a fortune just in shipping to get them to the states, have to settle for the US pressings. 👍🏻
I have a Mofi test pressing of Parallel Lines that’s phenomenal.
Just checked and my US pressing has that Parallel Lines lyrics
so, is that box set worth over 400 bucks? I was able to get the smaller box set from amazon for 136.00 (free shipping) - worth it. Also, I was glad to hear you mention the Cocteau Twins - they are one of my fave bands. (If you also like Dead Can dance and Lisa Gerrard), I just got Lisa Gerrard's brand new release with Marcello De Francisci called EXAUDIA. It is a phenomenal album - so glad she released it on vinyl. I have played it nonstop since it arrived yesterday ( I also got the Super Fly all analog, Kevin Gray reissue and the Blondie box set came all yesterday, and I haven't even played them yet. I can not take this Lisa Gerrard lp off my turntable....it is that good!!!
Just checked my copy. Pressed in Portugal. It was bought in the UK.
Sell the box asap. You don’t need it at all. Keep the OGs which are AAA and you know it 💯
🍸✌
Would have loved a comparison of the original first album Private Stock pressing with the true original US release also on Private Stock....which I own 😊
You can't usually go wrong with UK pressings of US albums. A lot of contract presing in the US was pretty sub-standard really.
Michael - just be sure: it looked to me like your US version was in fact not the first press, but merely a reissue on Chrysalis (the 1st would be on Private Stock) - I bet that would change the outcome here…
If the original pressings always sound better why can’t they just replicate how it was done originally. Or is it to do with tape degradation over the years.
Have you listened to any of the plangent process digital releases? The Springsteen box or some of the Dead releasss? Would love it if you could do a shootout w/the analog originals. I think there’s a plangent Strange Days (Doors) as well
Blondie always epitomized a New York band for me. New York in the 70’s and early 80’s. Punk is original british and of course there were influences but i think they were much more inspired by american artists.
My understanding of the shrink wrap is that it contributes to record warping. I always remove mine and keep the hype sticker instead.
There is no reason to keep shrink wrap any more since the days plastic album covers (outer sleeves) became available which has been at least 40 years ago or longer
I'm sorry, but how could you call Blondie as a British band? All its original members were American and all their early LPs were made in the USA. The main songwriting team was Debby Harry and Chris Stein. They had a British bass player for a while but that hardly makes it a British band. And, "Blondie" is the name of the band. The lead singer is Debby Harry.
Many British and European people do.... we did not have the internet in the late 70s. Blondie was marketed by the music press of the time as a British band with an American singer because the mainstream British record buying public just were not gonna buy US music. You have to remember, these were times when Pink Floyd and The Who were "out" as they were considered too "out-of-touch"... as they were living a jet set lifestyle touring the US, while the people of the UK were deep in financial depression. Sex Pistols and The Clash were the new kids on the block.... as people wanted change at every level.
Clever move on behalf of the marketing team as Blondie's European and UK sales were way bigger than sales in US. Parallel lines even went Platinum in Communist Yugoslavia
Blondie was always an American act and the Brits from the music tabloids didn’t put a UK lipstick origin on it - they reveled in the fact that Blondie came out of the exciting CBGBs NYC nebula of talent along with The Ramones who hit it big touring in the UK and a myriad of others later
@@audiotomb The Ramones were never big in the UK, Blondie had 6 hit singles from the 12 tracks on Parallel Lines alone. She was on every teenagers wall and every middle aged man's car stereo. Women in their 30s were going to hair dressers and asking for the Debbie H cut. Blondie was mainstream bigtime! As big as Adam and the Ants were in 1980. The Remones remained a niche market even when the Pistols were at the top of the hit parade.
The Ramones never even got a top 10 Chart position.
Like it or not, Blondie were bigger than Led Zeppelin when it came to UK record sales.
I don't think he meant it literally. I think he's meaning that the diversity in style of the songs (and sometimes their quirkiness) and attitude of the band has a more British taste to it than American. And indeed, their greater density of success in the UK tends to support that. Another such outfit would be Sparks - that quirkiness just oozes Britishness, even when they aren't. The converse can happen too. Take the post-Green Fleetwood Mac. British (mostly) but perhaps more US in style?
There certainly wasn't any *actual* confusion of where (most) of the band came from. Debbie appeared on everything from Swap Shop (kids' Saturday Morning show) to The Muppet Show over here (UK) and across Continental Europe, and the American accent was obvious.
funny never realy got into Blondie however Your Reviews are Always Entertaining and Educational weather I am interested in the artists or not.
My sentiments exactly. :-)
Hello mike Coffee,
absolutely right.
Michael mediates very well.
Educational and insightful.
What remains is always the joy of vinyl. :-)
❤️Heike
I just picked up the 4 lp outtakes boxset
It has a larger 12” copy of the book over the 10”
How do the cds sound anyone?
Have to disagree re. the remasters’ sleeves. Parallel Lines is now too dark with less detail and the Eat to the Beat cover is really overexposed and has none of the skintone of the original sleeves. The music however on the remasters sounds fantastic!
Blondie
Lighter fluid will take the shrink off.
You must listen to the original Netherlands pressing on clearish vinyl before you can qualify which is the best pressing. That pressing has surprised many who thought it was a slam dunk for the UK original.
Am I missing something? I thought Blondie was all American. Certainly the two most important members were, and they came up through the New York scene.
As far as the original US pressing, it would be Private Stock, in December 1976. Don't know if it differs from the next issue, on Chysalis, but when Chrysalis signed them and they changed labels, all unsold PS copies were recalled. Doubt they changed the master.
thx for the Infos Charlie
@@Michael45RPM Welcome! I was on a Robert Gordon Link Wray Private Stock LP, which soon became an RCA LP...
I think the 1st UK pressing of the Blondie-Blondie album on Private Stock is a different mix to those when remastered but I could be wrong as it has been a while....X Offender/In the Sun are different mixes on the single
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondie_(album)#Track_listing
Isn't the really FIRST pressing after mastering THE COUNTRY of ORIGIN, and not the country where the bands roots / origin is?
we go into it on Sunday
@@Michael45RPM Great! Thank you. Like the systematic way of analysing and the live talks - even with Michael Fremer it's some kind of amusement... So, cheers and keep it going! 🙋🏼
Hello Leonard... ,
a very interesting question.
To which we can expect an exciting answer with Michael on Sunday. :-)
❤️Heike
Are they going to be releasing them separately?
i have no idea Pre
@@Michael45RPM -Thanks-LP tip for my German friend -an 80’s band out of Boston club scene called ‘Treat Her Right’ 1st record, on RCA in the U.S, 1988, self titled.
I had been working in a record store as I lived and breathed music…still do but every Wednesday we would get our orders in and that meant new promos lps. Even in 1988’!
I dropped the needle on that record and nearly everyday I worked as it just fit the bill. It transported me in an instant. Rootsy, swampy rock and roll, rhythm and blues. The lead singer went onto form Morphine and died on stage in Italy 10 years later I believe -Mark Sandman. What a talent. Really enjoyed both those RCA records they released as ‘Treat Her Right’. Billy Conway, the drummer would follow him to Morphine and just past away down the road from me in Montana last year. I never got into the Morphine as I was in my Pavement/Wilco/Flaming Lips phase but someday I may dip my toes into those waters. I have such good memories of Wednesday promos as we had been inundated by the LA hair metal bands. I remember the day that The Cure’s ‘Disintegration’ came out as we had been rocking the Zeppelin as an antidote to hair metal. It felt like a brand new drug, the one I needed at the time. All those records still hold up for me just like it was yesterday. Music is a form of time travel for me; that’s why it’s so precious. Even takes me to times in which I never existed. Reminds me…..
Did you ever listen to that Cale/ Reed tribute to Any Warhol ‘Songs for Drella’?
Another one I still listen to. I would think that’s right up your alley!
Thanks for what you do, and how you do it. Cheers Michael-Scott
They say not. But that might change as corporate whims change, I suppose. After all, they want to maxmise sales *now* and not have people holding make for a future release, and so it serves them to say these box sets are the only way you will be able to get these new remasters.
One more quick comment. I do have an original US and UK Plastic Letters.
When I compared those lps the difference between the two pressings was noticeable. However there isn’t a clear winner for me. They sound different but both sound good.
The only way i can describe it would be the UK one sounds more raw like a live sound almost. Where as the US one sounds more produced but better balanced and maybe a bit fuller.
The finest vinyl i have in my collection for Blondie has to be the UK 12” of I’m Always Touched by Your Presence Dear. The sound on that 12” esp the A side is nothing short of jaw dropping.
What’s more i don’t think any lp release ive heard of any of their full length lps comes anywhere near the quality of that single. If you have one play it! See what you think.
I think (from memory) they broke big in the UK first, with Plastic Letters.
Only Nigel Harrison the bass player was British. I would say Blondie are an American band. Harrison replaced the original U.S. bass player Gary Valentine after the 1st album.
IMO the best sounding OG's of the first 5 Blondie Albums are the first german Pressings. I will get the 4-LP Box-Set. My OG's sounds dynamite.
I already had original UK and original US pressings but then I bought the picture disk after reading this from Steve Hoffman himself. in 2006.. My old PICTURE DISC that I bought in 1978 of Blondie's Parallel Lines is the best sounding version I've ever heard. In fact I used it as a ref for the DCC version. Only problem with it is that it's noisy (like all Fitz.-Hartly Pic Discs). AND HE WAS RIGHT IT IS BY FAR THE BEST SOUNDING VERSION!
I have not heard the picture disc but i have heard both the UK and US pressing... however, i have a Yugoslavian pressing that beats them both hands down.
Funny i just found the picture disc in my local shop while going in to pick up the 4 lp extras box they held for me.
I paid $40 too much but I like supporting him. I was going to use the Parallel Lines picture disc as one of my lps I leave on my turntable when it’s idle to keep away dust from the underside of records.
Wasn't the first US pressing on Private Stock (PS 2023), and the reissue on Chrysalis (CHR 1165)? Both were in 1977.
you are right i was wrong with this!
@@Michael45RPM You'll have to buy another version now and do another comparison!! 🤣
Pah :-)
Play Great on 1st US Private, better than US Chrysalis 👌🏻
Blondie is an American band, none of the members is British. Maybe you are thinking of The Pretenders?
Nigel Harrison was British; the rest American.
I expected this to be about sound quality.
Ich finde die Box auch gelungen, jedoch die Cover aller Alben sind zu eng gefasst, leider.
Dump the shrink!
Original British lps generally were not shrink wrapped at all
Many dealers resealed lps
No Shrink! It’s acidic! Can get stuck on the sleeve… No good.
Blondie is absolutely NOT a British band, and NEVER has been thought of as being so in the UK. They are always thought of as American, because they are! Plus the New York connection is simply too overwhelming for them to be thought of in any other way, regardless of their success in the British charts.