I agree Millbrook is very good. There’s also a ‘making of’ documentary which is well worth a watch & is probably on YouTube but you can get it on DVD.
I'd like to check that out. Cheers! My Golden Earring collection consists of a 45 of Radar Love. I'll have to do something about that.
A good compilation to start off with is a 3CD set called ‘Collected’ which covers all phases of their career from Neder-beat to Psychedelic to rock/pop. Can be found cheaply on eBay.
GE reissues from Music on Vinyl continue with Contraband and To The Hilt. Contraband was never a favorite of mine, but the new reissue has some tight bass and it contains Mad Love’s Comin’ … a true classic. I think the run is limited to 1500 copies for each lp.
Got the reissue yesterday. Contraband is one of the albums that never really did much for me though. Gotta keep the collection complete though. Really hope they'll put out Naked III sometime soon!
I hope you enjoy these vinyls fellas! Funnily enough, I really love Contraband. Mad Love’s Coming is, as you say, a classic. I also like Suleen, Fighting Windmills and Bombay. Faded Jeans does nothing for me though.
I was introduced to the Contraband album by finding the US version titled Mad Love in the cutout bins. The US version kicks off with I Need Love, replacing Faded Jeans. Years later when Contraband was finally available on CD I heard Faded Jeans for the first time and really liked it, but missed I Need Love. The "Complete" Studio Recordings (missing the Moontan version of Big Tree, Blue Sea, amongst others) includes I Need Love, allowing me to build my own complete version of the album.
I don't know if it's representative of their '70s style, but I do enjoy To The Hilt. My old MCA copy is pretty trashed, so if the reissues are decent I may replace it.
To The Hilt has some great tracks on it, but I find it too keyboard heavy in places, I much prefer the guitar-centric sound on Contraband and then later on Live.
To the Hilt always sounded a little too muted for me. No have a German press of the lp as well as US. I have the reissue on pre order with the hope that it brings a touch more clarity. I love the music!
My copy sounded a bit thin and the flimsy post-oil crisis vinyl probably didn't help matters. I love the mix of paranoia, sarcasm, strings and funkiness. It's literally the only thing I've heard by them aside from the Radar Love singe.
You might like their ‘Switch’ LP also. It’s a great companion to ‘To the Hilt’ and it has some great keyboard work.
Ditto for me. Had the Mad Love LP. Am PISSED that the CD (entitled Contraband) does not have I Need Love on it. Is there any way to get that song on CD without shelling out for the complete studio box?? I cannot remember if I have it on something else or not.... At least the USA version of Moontan (which I consider infinitely superior to the import/original one because the USA one has the new version of Big Tree Blue Sea on it instead of Just Like Vince Taylor and Suzy Lunacy as well as a better running order IMO) is available on CD and I have that thank God. I'm not aware of the Mad Love LP receiving a CD release though.
I am waiting on Contraband now. Back on first release, over here it was called “Mad Love” with a slightly different song list. And personally I prefer the North American version with “I Need Love” and without “Faded Jeans”.
Mad Love is definitely stronger for having Faded Jeans replaced by I Need Love. I do think the Contraband LP sleeve is a better presentation, however. They should release an A’s and B’s LP collection similar to Shocking Blue and Earth and Fire. They have some strong B sides that aren’t easy to find outside the cd box set.
I've been a fan since Moontan came out on 8-track. Still have vinyl from Moontan thru The Hole, and that and much more on CD. My favorite of the bunch is 1977's Live - superb!
For those who are interested. ‘Cut’ on gold vinyl drops in early September. GOLDEN EARRING - CUT - Music On Vinyl
I just picked up these fine albums at my local ! Golden Earring – Contraband (2021, "Safari" vinyl, 180 gram audiophile, Vinyl) Number 000294 Golden Earring – Live (2021, White, Vinyl) Number 000275