Michael Nesmith & The First National Band - 'Loose Salute' hype sticker

George Harrison - All Things Must Pass first pressing hype sticker

I was delighted to find this copy of one of my all time favorite records (with a hype sticker 'd never seen before) at a recent record show. Fortunately, this hype sticker was applied directly onto the cover, and has survived (most that were applied to the shrink wrap ended up in landfills).

R.E.M Reckoning hype sticker

Before the mainstream success, this sticker shows how REM took the critics by storm on their early releases.

The Doors - Waiting For The Sun first pressing hype sticker

Imagine a day when the ubiquitous Doors classic 'Hello I Love You' was brand new, and used to promote the new LP from the group! Fortunately, this hype sticker was applied directly onto the cover, and has survived (most that were applied to the shrink wrap ended up in landfills).

Elvis Costello US hype stickers... My Aim Is True

I'm kinda fascinated by hype stickers (the stickers placed on the shrink wrap of LPs by labels to get consumers fired up). Most have ended up in landfills, so when they pop up it's always cool.

The above example is from the first pressing (identifiable by the yellow back cover) of Elvis Costello's remarkable debut LP. The review sums up the dawn of Elvis' career quite nicely and is intelligently written. No surprise that Columbia records chose it to hype their new post-punk genius.

Within a year, the graphic design of the LP changed a bit (the back cover background switched to off white), and the record was the critics choice for album of the year in Rolling Stone; a highly relevant honor for the time! The new hype sticker reflects this distinction. The other sticker ('new from Columbia') is also on my first pressing copy as well. By the time of this release, the album certainly wasn't 'new' anymore.

JIMI HENDRIX - THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY / SILENT NIGHT / AULD LANG SYNE

During the holiday season in 1969, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles, and Billy Cox (aka Band Of Gypsys) were deep in rehearsal mode for their New Year's Eve concerts at Fillmore East which unveiled this monumental group (captured for all eternity on the legendary Band Of Gypsys LP).
Thankfully, the tape machine was running as the group launched into a spontaneous holiday flavored jam.

This jam was first released as a picture disc in 1974, then again (with much better sound quality) as a black vinyl 12" EP in 1979 which is the release you see (and hear) here.

The fellas may hit a few bad notes from time to time, but I'm certainly glad that this was released! In addition to it being a gas hearing that outrageously badASS Hendrix tone in a holiday setting, it shows the humorous side of his personality in another context. When it comes down to it, every day feels like a holiday when there's a Hendrix record on the turntable.

PAUL MCCARTNEY - OH WOMAN, OH WHY (promo 45 mono mix)

I was inspired to share this one in honor of Sir Paul's triumphant, incredible and inspiring concert at San Francisco's Candlestick Park last night.

Relegated to the flip side of Paul's first solo hit single ('Another Day') is one of the most flat out, edgy, and (most surprisingly) violent cuts Paul ever recorded. This track was recorded in New York City (not England as stated on the labels) during the sessions for the (genius)  1971 LP Ram.

The commercially released single (in stereo) is pretty balls out to begin with, as Paul's vocals, punky guitar and the outfront drumming (courtesy of Denny Seiwell) rock this song into the stratosphere. HOWEVER, the promo single (which was serviced to AM radio in very limited numbers) has a mono mix that ups the intensity even further. The snare drum is brought up even louder, the vocals are pushed higher in the mix, and the shocking gun shots are even more present in the mix.

My copy is the only one I've ever seen, and I searched for years for it. If you find one, expect to pay approximately what an average ticket costs for a McCartney concert (unless you get REALLY lucky).