Released in November 1967, Open was the second LP on the great Marmalade label (the first was the Blossom Toes' debut, We Are Ever So Clean, which appeared simultaneously). There seems to be confusion as to what constitutes a first pressing, perpetuated by the usual self-appointed eBay experts, so I thought I'd clarify it here.
First pressings of Open came in thick, unlaminated card sleeves, and had textured labels. The majority were mono (607002), though a handful were pressed in stereo (608002). The cover gave some background info about Brian and Jools, but didn't mention the Trinity - guitarist Gary Boyle, bassist David Ambrose and drummer Clive Thacker. The very first batch of LPs remedied this on a square card insert:
Presumably the printing cost was too high to continue, as very few copies of it have surfaced.
Open wasn't a hit, but in April 1968 the band reached #5 with This Wheel's On Fire, prompting the album to be repressed, this time in a thinner, laminated cover and with smooth labels. The vast majority of copies are thus, but if it's a true original you're after, you need the much rarer unlaminated sleeve, with textured labels and insert. Glad we've got that one cleared up.
First pressings of Open came in thick, unlaminated card sleeves, and had textured labels. The majority were mono (607002), though a handful were pressed in stereo (608002). The cover gave some background info about Brian and Jools, but didn't mention the Trinity - guitarist Gary Boyle, bassist David Ambrose and drummer Clive Thacker. The very first batch of LPs remedied this on a square card insert:
Presumably the printing cost was too high to continue, as very few copies of it have surfaced.
Open wasn't a hit, but in April 1968 the band reached #5 with This Wheel's On Fire, prompting the album to be repressed, this time in a thinner, laminated cover and with smooth labels. The vast majority of copies are thus, but if it's a true original you're after, you need the much rarer unlaminated sleeve, with textured labels and insert. Glad we've got that one cleared up.
Gary Boyle went on to be the guitarist in Isotope, sadly a long forgotten and much underrated British jazz rock fusion outfit from the early 70's. I wonder what happened to him, I rated him very highly.
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