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So. Boulevard Records - you are joking,
right ? I suppose in a way we are, I mean, you didn't honestly think
we were going around collecting these albums for the music did you ?
Perhaps for the sexy, semi-naked girls on the majority of the sleeves,
maybe.. Anyway, let's try and chart a little of the background of this
British cheapo label before we go any further..
What! You've been diggin' for information again?! Yes, and as with our
search for treasured information regarding the Contour label, we've
drawn another astounding blank. The Internet was a total loss, plus
we know for a fact that the address on the back of the albums is a definite
non-starter. In fact, the only thing we're sure of at this moment in
time is that the label was releasing albums between 1971 and 1973 and,
by jumping to conclusions by looking at the catalogue numbers, we reckon
on their being somewhere between 100 and 200 Boulevard releases. So,
seeing how you'll should never pay more than 50 new pence for any one
single album at your local flea-market, we reckon you can catalogue
the entire label for the price of six new CD's. But why!!
Ooof! Harsh! But, probably fair..Yes, it probably is. From what we can
piece together about the Boulevard label, we believe that the budget
label was a showcase for the New Town Sound publishing house that released
albums slung together by a range of session musicians (rumours persist
that these session men included a number of fine upstanding musicians,
including Ray 'Mungo Jerry' Dorsey). Boulevard is also responsible for
the 'World Top Ten' range that challenged the Top Of The Pops range
for supremacy of the chart-hits-cover-version-albums market. Most of
the albums are full of cover-versions, but the occasional bit of in-licensing
was allowed; one such album worth tracking down is the re-release of
the "Hair" album by Alan Hawkshaw masquerading as The Graham Walker
Sound, originally released on Saga Records. Most of the albums are pressed
on low-grade or recycled vinyl and usually feature 70's style picture
covers that can be described as, well, 'saucy'! There are far more risqué
sleeves out there than the ones pictured below!
Wicked! Those saucy sleeves sound interesting! They are a total scream
and make excellent flyers for club nights etc, but the music on most
of the albums makes collecting Boulevard albums heavy going. Most of
the music is totally pants and not really of interest to your average
collector of any music genre. Come on, let's put it to the test and
see what you think.
Put it to the test? It's the only way to settle it really. Us versus
them. Below we'll reproduce the original sleeve notes from each album
and compare what the label boasts with what we think the music actually
sounds like. Believe you me, there will be a difference..!
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"Silver Saxophones"
(Boulevard, 4034) 1971
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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Sax music is back
with a bang. Today saxophone are part of today's "in" sounds
and are no longer restricted to the confines of jazz and big
band music. Throaty, bluesy and course or soft and sweet and
melodic, it's all here as our silver saxes demonstrate their
flexibility in a rich variety of styles and tempos.
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The album opens with
the cheesiest cover of "Sloop John B" we've ever heard, then "Greensleeves"!
Ooof ! The organ on the album came straight outta Blackpool Ballroom,
it sounds sooo cheesy.
Sax music with a "phut" rather than a bang...
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"Blues N' Bras"
(Boulevard, 4065) 1971
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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Superb brass arrangements
PLUS hard driving blues EQUALS an exciting album you just have
to listen to.
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Oh God, that same cheesy
organ from the sax album accompanies the parping brass!
Can a white man sing the blues? Certainly the guy on this album
can't...
Excitement levels were only increased by staring at the picture
on the sleeve! |
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"Discotheque Volume
1" (Boulevard, 4079) 1972
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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If you are looking
for an album for your party, this is the one for you! Roll back
the carpet, or just sit with your feet up. Either way you will
enjoy this swinging disc, and you will find yourself playing
it again and again! No disc library should be without it.
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Most of this album sounds
like the Everly Brothers recorded in a toilet. Just exactly when
did this music 'swing' in the 70's?? There's one half-decent track
on the album called "Ah Soul", so at least someone had a sense
of humour. Also included is "Man, This Is Reggae" that features
on another Boulevard album not a million miles away from here.
Looking closely at the girl in the background, you can see her
70's pants! Full back panel of course! |
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"Man It's Reggae"
(Boulevard, 4100) 1973
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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Reggae has, over the
past couple of years, become very much a force to be reckoned
with in the world of pop music. We are pleased to bring you
this collection for your enjoyment. Played on this disc by Dave
Smith & the Pylots, we know these tracks will make any party
go with a real swing, so let in the sunshine!
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They've nicked this
cover picture from another album for a starter!
Half of the tracks sound almost identical, The Pylots are not
exactly the most versatile reggae group you've ever heard. The
vocal tracks are really cringeworthy, the instrumentals are just
about palatable.
Do not confuse this 'reggae' album with anything released by Trojan
Records. |
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"Soft Rock" (Boulevard,
4111) 1973
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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One musical instrument
must have outstripped all others over the last few years-the
guitar ! The instrument had a surge of popularity at the time
that The Beatles hit the scene, and it hasn't really eased back
since ! We are pleased to bring you this addition to the Boulevard
catalogue, featuring the sound of guitars, playing swinging
numbers, a great record for either listening or dancing, if
you remember The Ventures, this will bring the memories flooding
back !
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"Soft Cock" would be
a better title. The limpest rock album you've ever had the misfortune
of hearing.
Was 50's rock 'n' roll really, really this bad ? I think not...I
hope not ! |
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"Hard Rock" (Boulevard,
4118) 1973
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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withing this sleeve is a HARD ROCK album, performed by the band
Equinox, who are new to the recording field, this being their
first album. The group is a four piece of Mick Shedd (vocals,
guitar), Sid Oldfield (bass), Jon Stoppard
(organ) and Terry Waldon (drums). |
My God, this is awful ! The one-and-only
album from Equinox I would suspect...It's as
bad as the "Soft Rock" album...if not worse !
Wonder who the session players
were....or are the names real. And why is there a burd on the
front cover, coz she ain't in the band if the players names
are correct ?!
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STOP
PRESS !! Jon Stoppard has
kindly provided Vinyl Vulture with an interview, reminising
on his experiences as the organ-player with The Equinox and
the recording session with Boulevard. Follow the link above
to find out all the sordid details !
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"Children's Favourite
TV Themes" (Boulevard, 4153) 1974
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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Hearing the music
regularily, children soon become attached to it and it is for
them that this album has been compiled, since it enables them
to play their favourite pieces as often at they like.
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The theme from the "Magic
Roundabout" is played by a solo recorder ?! Ooof ! "Rupert
The Bear" is sung out of key - terrible ! Mad take on the
"Dr Who" theme as well... this is probably the only
track on this album I'd play again, but certainly not to anyone's
children !
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"Top Soul Hits"
(Boulevard, 4163) 1974
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Boulevard Boasts
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Vulture
Verdict
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Here is a super soul
album for all you brothers and sisters of soul. All the great
songs are here, performed by The Baltimores, including the exciting
"River Deep Mountain High", "Shaft" and the more gentle soul
sound of "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Feel The Need
In Me". Have yourself a soul party!
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This is one soul party I would
never, ever gatecrash ! The group sound like they were stood
in a toilet recording the vocals - awful !
The only 'need' we felt was to
make an plantpot out of the vinyl !
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So, there you have it.. there are
definitely some highlights on the Boulevard label, but proceed
with caution! I bet there are dozens of half-decent records (and,
dare I say it, perhaps even the one or two excellent releases!)
out there that we're yet to track down on the label and so, should
you have any of them, we'd love to feature them on our page! Please
send us an email and we'll include your record! Saying that, we
see at least six 'new-to-us' Boulevard albums each time we go
crate-diggin' and we wouldn't buy any of them..
Thanks to everyone who took time out to listen to the above albums,
voluntarily or otherwise. Let no-one say we do not suffer for
our art!
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