Thursday 20 August 2009

The “BACKTRACK” LP Series. 14 Albums from 1970 on Track Records. A Detailed Discography.

The British "BACKTRACK" LP SERIES on TRACK RECORDS 
NUMERICAL ORDER - DETAILED



1. VARIOUS ARTISTS – Backtrack 1
Track 2407 001, Issued May 1970

Side 1:
1. Walk On Gilded Splinters – MARSHA HUNT
2. Hey Joe – JIMI HENDRIX
3. Devil’s Grip – THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
4. Pictures Of Lily – THE WHO
5. All Along The Watchtower – JIMI HENDRIX
6. Desdemona – JOHN’S CHILDREN [featuring Marc Bolan of T.Rex]

Side 2:
1. Fire – THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
2. I Can See For Miles – THE WHO
3. Follow Me – EIRE APPARENT
4. It’s Been A Long Time – ANDY ELLISON
5. Call Me Lightning – THE WHO
6. The Wind Cries Mary – JIMI HENDRIX

2. VARIOUS ARTISTS – Backtrack 2
Track 2407 002, Issued May 1970

Side 1:
1. Under My Thumb – THE WHO
2. Desdemona – MARSHA HUNT [John’s Children/Marc Bolan cover]
3. Purple Haze – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
4. Come And Play With Me In The Garden – JOHN’S CHILDREN
5. If I Had A Ribbon Bow – FAIRPORT CONVENTION
6. Magic Bus – THE WHO

Side 2:
1. Something In The Air – THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN
[Written by John “Speedy” Keen]
2. Cherry Smash Sings Songs Of Love – HUGG
[Written by and featuring MIKE HUGG of Manfred Mann]
3. Pinball Wizard – THE WHO
4. Nightmare – THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
5. Let Me Light Your Fire – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
6. The Last Time – THE WHO
[A Rolling Stones cover]

3. THE WHO and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – Backtrack 3
Track 2407 003, Issued May 1970
(Contained Previously Unreleased STEREO Mixes of WHO Songs)

Side 1:
1. Substitute – THE WHO
2. Disguises – THE WHO
3. Run, Run, Run – THE WHO
4. I'm A Boy – THE WHO
5. Whiskey Man – THE WHO
6. Happy Jack – THE WHO
7. So Sad About Us – THE WHO

Side 2:
1. Hey Joe – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
2. I Don’t Live Today – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
3. Purple Haze - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
4. Can You See Me - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
5. The Wind Cries Mary - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
6. Stone Free - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE

4. THE WHO and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – Backtrack 4
Track 2407 004, Issued May 1970

Side 1:
1. Pictures Of Lily – THE WHO
2. Relax – THE WHO
3. Sunrise – THE WHO
4. I Can See For Miles – THE WHO
5. Armenia City In The Sky – THE WHO
6. Our Love Was – THE WHO
7. Call Me Lightning – THE WHO

Side 2:
1. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
2. Are You Experienced – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
3. If Six Was Nine – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
4. Remember - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
5. Gypsy Eyes - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
6. All Along The Watchtower - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE

5. THE WHO and JIMI HENDRIX – Backtrack 5
Track 2407 005, Issued May 1970
(Rear sleeve credits JIMI HENDRIX, the label THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE)

Side 1:
1. Magic Bus – THE WHO
2. Boris The Spider – THE WHO
3. Mary Anne – THE WHO
4. Tattoo – THE WHO
5. Pinball Wizard – THE WHO
6. I'm Free - THE WHO
7. Rael - THE WHO

Side 2:
1. Rainy Day, Dream Away – THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
2. Manic Depression - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
3. Love Or Confusion - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
4. Come On - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
5. Spanish Castle Magic - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
6. Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE

6. VARIOUS ARTISTS (Soul Acts) – Backtrack 6
Track 2407 006, Issued May 1970

Side 1:
1. Love Power – THE SANDPEBBLES
2. I Can Feel The Ice Melting – THE PARLIAMENTS [aka Parliamment]
3. If This Is Love (I’d Rather Be Lonely) – THE PRECISIONS
4. Headache In My Heart – THE DEBONAIRES
5. Because Of Love – THE SANDPEBBLES
6. Let Hurt Put You In The Loser’s Seat – THE PARLIAMENTS [aka Parliament]

Side 2:
1. I’m In Love Again – THE DEBONAIRES
2. You’ve Got To Pay The Price – AL KENT
3. (I Wanna) Testify – THE PARLIAMENTS [aka Parliament]
4. You’ll Soon Be Gone – THE PRECISIONS
5. Don’t Be Sore At Me – THE PARLIAMENTS [aka Parliament]
6. Where Do I Go From Here – AL KENT

7. VARIOUS ARTISTS (Rock Acts) – Backtrack 7 - Mixed Bag
Track 2407 007, Issued May 1970 (Pink Sleeve)

Side 1:
1. How Would You Feel – JIMI HENDRIX and CURTIS KNIGHT
2. Hippy Gumbo – MARSHA HUNT
3. It’s Only Me – BENT FRAME
4. The Seeker – THE WHO
5. I See It All- THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN
6. Keep The Customer Satisfied – MARSHA HUNT

Side 2:
1. Summertime Blues (Live) – THE WHO
2. What’s Happening – THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
3. Long Hot Summer Night – JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
(misspelled on label as "Lot Hot Summer Night")
4. Accidents – THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN
5. Here For More – THE WHO
6. The Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's Dice – JIMI HENDRIX
EXPERIENCE

8. THE WHO – Backtrack 8
Track 2407 008, Issued November 1970
(Mono Version of “A Quick One”)


Side 1:
1. Run, Run, Run
2. Boris The Spider
3. I Need You
4. Whiskey Man
5. Heatwave

Side 2:
1. Cobwebs and Strange
2. Don't Look Away
3. See My Way
4. So Sad About Us
5. A Quick One While He's Away

9. THE WHO – Backtrack 9
Track 2407 009, Issued November 1970
(Stereo Mix of “Who Sell Out”)

Side 1:
1. Armenia City In The Sky
2. Heinz Baked Beans
3. Mary-Anne With The Shaky Hands
4. Odorono
5. Tattoo
6. Our Love Was
7. I Can See For Miles

Side 2:
1. Charles Atlas
2. I Can't Reach You
3. Medac
4. Relax
5. Silas Stingy
6. Sunrise
7. Rael

10. THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – Backtrack 10
“Are You Experienced” (Stereo Version – see Notes)
Track 2407 010, Issued November 1970


Side 1:
1. Foxy Lady
2. Manic Depression
3. Red House
4. Can You See Me
5. Love Or Confusion

Side 2:
1. I Don't Live Today
2. May This Be Love
3. Fire
4. 3rd Stone From The Sun
5. Remember
6. Are You Experienced

[Notes: this is a reissue of his debut album on Track 612 001 in 1967, which was originally only issued in MONO; this Backtrack was the first in STEREO]

11. THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – Backtrack 11
“Axis: Bold As Love” (Mono Version – see Notes)
Track 2407 011, Released May 1970


Side 1:
1. EXP
2. Up From The Skies
3. Spanish Castle Magic
4. Wait Until Tomorrow
5. Ain't No Telling
6. Little Wing

Side 2:
1. If Six Was Nine
2. You've Got Me Floating
3. Castles Made Of Sand
4. She's So Fine
5. One Rainy Wish
6. Little Miss Lover
7. Bold As Love

[Note: this was a budget reissue of his 2nd album originally issue in 1967 in both MONO and STEREO versions – this reissue is the rare MONO mix]

12. ARTHUR BROWN – Backtrack 12
“The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown” (Stereo Version)
Track 2407 012, Issued May 1970

Side 1:
1. Prelude – Nightmare
2. Fanfare - Fire Poem
3. Fire
4. Come And Buy
5. Time/Confusion

Side 2:
1. I Put A Spell On You
2. Spontaneous Apple Creation
3. Rest Cure
4. Money
5. Narration (Child of My Kingdom)

[Notes: this is the Stereo version of an album that first appeared 2 years earlier on Track Records in both Mono (Track 612 005) and Stereo (Track 613 005).
It also features VINCENT CRANE of ATOMIC ROOSTER. “I Put A Spell On You” is a Screaming Jay Hawkins cover; “Money” is a Barrett Strong cover]

13. MURRAY ROMAN – Backtrack 13
“You Can’t Beat People Up And Have Them Say I Love You” (Stereo)
Track 2407 013, Issued November 1970
(Is a reissue of his 1969 debut LP on Track 613 007)

Side 1:
1. Three Kinds Of Highs
2. That's A Bust
3. The Banana Thing
4. Anything You Want To Do
5. Good Chicks And Bad Chicks
6. Three Ways To Score
7. The Baja Marimba Band Story
8. The Riots

Side 2:
1. Be There, Be There
2. Horror Films
3. Twiggy
4. Try This, Little Joe!
5. Good News
6. Join The Navy
7. War Films
8. The Real Enemy

14. THE WHO – THE OX [John Entwistle Their Bass Player] – Backtrack 14
Track 2407 014, Issued November 1970

Side 1:
1. Heinz Baked Beans
2. Heaven And Hell
3. Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde
4. Fiddle About
5. Cousin Kevin
6. Doctor Doctor

Side 2:
1. Medac
2. Boris The Spider
3. I’ve Been Away
4. Whiskey Man
5. In The City
6. Someone’s Coming
7. Silas Stingy

NUMERICAL ORDER - CONCISE

1. 2407 001 – VARIOUS ARTISTS – “Backtrack 1” (May 1970) £25.00
2. 2407 002 – VARIOUS ARTISTS – “Backtrack 2” (May 1970) £12.00
3. 2407 003 – THE WHO and JIMI HENDRIX – “Backtrack 3” (May 1970)
(Contained Previously Unreleased STEREO Mixes of WHO Songs) £15.00
4. 2407 004 – THE WHO and JIMI HENDRIX – “Backtrack 4” (May 1970) £15.00
5. 2407 005 – THE WHO and JIMI HENDRIX – “Backtrack 5” (May 1970) £15.00
6. 2407 006 - VARIOUS ARTISTS (Soul) – “Backtrack 6” (May 1970) £15.00
7. 2407 007 – VARIOUS ARTISTS (Rock & Soul) – “Backtrack 7”
(November 1970) £12.00
8. 2407 008 – THE WHO – “Backtrack 8”
(Mono Version of “A Quick One”) (November 1970) £18.00
9. 2407 009 – THE WHO – “Backtrack 9”
(Stereo Version of “Who Sell Out”) (November 1970) £12.00
10. 2407 010 – JIMI HENDRIX – “Backtrack 10”
(Stereo Version of “Are You Experienced”) (November 1970) £15.00
11. 2407 011 – JIMI HENDRIX – “Backtrack 11”
(Stereo Version of “Axis: Bold As Love”) (November 1970) £15.00
12. 2407 012 – ARTHUR BROWN – “Backtrack 12” –
(Stereo Version of “The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown”) (Nov 1970) £12.00
13. 2407 013 – MURRAY ROMAN – “Backtrack 13” –
(Stereo “You Can’t Beat People Up And Have Them Say I Love You”)
(November 1970) £12.00
14. 2407 014 – THE WHO – THE OX (John Entwistle songs) – “Backtrack 14”
(November 1970) £22.00

Compiled March - August 2009

16 comments:

  1. Hi Mark,

    I presume our path has crossed in past, having been customer in the past, present and future record shops in Berwick Street since mid 1980s

    Just come accross blogg from google. I have Purchased a copy of Backtrack 5 today, but cover is more a teal colour and doesn't have 99 in top left corner, inner sleeve is stamped WH Smith Stevenage and hand written date of 15.2.71 (I presume original purchase date), do you know any more information on this sleeve?

    Cheers,

    Fat Andy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've checked my 4 and 6 (don't have 5 unfortunately to hand) and they have the 99 logo (as in 99P). The date is the sell date - I've gotten the actual release dates from a record company catalogue. Another way to sort of spot originals is that their inner bags were dated up to about mid 1972 - so some of the "Backtrack" issues have literally got 05/70 right down in the bottom right corner of the inner polylined bag.

    I'm still working on this blog - so any more info - and I'll post it.

    I'm also compiling the full 99 series which hasn't been properly documented before - the soul Atlantic ones - the All Sorts ones with braille rear sleeves - again on Track...

    Hope that helps. Mark.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Actually - now that I think about it - some of the Backtrack LPs were very popular (Who/Hendrix of course) - some died a death.

    What you might have is a 1971 LP - a repress - with the 99 logo missing so it could be sold for more??

    How about the Matrix no? Is it higher than A1/B2 - that kind of thing - higher would indicate a repress.

    People also changed polylined inner bags over the years...so they can't be trusted either!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Mark

    Matrix numbers appear to be A# 1420 1S5 and
    B# 1420 114, although not too easy to read (the  symbol represents upside down triangle)

    Thanks for your time,

    Fat Andy

    ReplyDelete
  5. As luck would have it - a Volume 5 came into the shop only days ago - it's "99"-less also, yet as you can see from the photo I used off the web, there is a "99" sleeve out there somewhere.

    As all the numbers after 5 'didn't' have the "99" logo, I would imagine that some of the 5 pressings did, while others didn't. I would still consider it an original with either.

    Hope that helps mate.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Mark

    Thanks for all your effort and help.

    Fat Andy

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Mark,
    Very interesting blog. A bunch of die hard Hendrix fans and I have been musing over AYE/Backtrack 10 for a number of years now, even involving Ian Shirley at RC.

    The main queries in question were, was the original LP on Track ever issued in stereo and was Backtrack 10 the first stereo release of the album in the UK. Plus, was there a mono version of BT10, (which you seemed to have answered in your notes) - all the BT10 covers I've ever seen all state MONO on the reverse but play stereo (all, that is, apart from one copy I own which very oddly plays stereo on side 1 & mono on side 2).

    I'd like to chat through a few things on this subject with you if I could, in particular the mysterious 'fake' Track stereo version of AYE that appeared in the 80's (recently seen being sold on eBay as the mythical original stereo version for upwards of £200)....do you have a work number I can reach you on (at Revival maybe?)

    Look forward to hearing from you.

    Steve Elphick

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Steve

    Revival contact is 020 7437 4271

    I'm in Friday (but meeting my brother for lunch). call Saturday if you want. I usually lunch about 1pm.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Mark,
    Interesting site, good to see Steve getting in touch to talk through some points.
    I've been working on Jimi vinyl for the last 18 months or so and have listened to many of the Backtack series repeatedly. BT 10 stereo? No, as it contains ENHANCED from MONO material. Still working on the project but if you want any more info' ask Steve for my mail address.
    Best, Gord

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice blog Mark,

    I had most of these the first time round but sadly they got lost/sold/swopped over the years.

    Was thinking about the 'with or without 99' covers. We didn't have decimal currency until 15 February 1971 so maybe it was added as a marketing ploy after that date. Seems strange that an album released in May 1970 would have a price marked in decimal currency.

    I think I have two 'Age of Atlantics' somewhere. One with and one without 99, will have to dig them out and check them.

    Regards
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi there. Canada calling. I am a Brit now living in Canada. Am I correct in thinking that Backtrack 9 has excerts and commercials from a couple of offshore radio stations between the tracks? If this is the case, Does anyone know where I might obtain a copy? Thanks Brian

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  12. For what it's worth, Backtrack 3 didn't have any previously unreleased stereo mixes. They were unreleased in the UK, but all had been released in Germany on the "The Who" LP.

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  13. Great to see a discussion of the Backtrack series. I owned 10 and 11 back in the day as well as some of the Allsorts albums. I've just re-acquired BT 10, and the most striking aspect of it, apart from the amazing fidelity, is that it plays in stereo, though the sleeve says mono. I came on here to establish this fact and you have confirmed it, so thanks.

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  14. I am a noob to the backtrack series, my question is, if these were a 'budget' reissue series, how do they hold up sonically against the first press originals? namely Axis bold as love 1st press either US or UK vs Backtrack 11?

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  15. Anyone know anything about the classic photo? I have seen it many times before. Anyone know when, where who etc it was taken?
    Just can't think why I've seen it so many times (outside of the Backtrack Series) and would be good to clear the mystery!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi .. I was born in England now resident in Australia (28 years) .. I have Backtrack 13 (Murray Roman) and have scanned the cover if you would like it.
    This was a scarce album even back in the late 60's and early 70's & pre Cheech & Chong. I don't know that it still stands up now, but at the time it was guaranteed to crack up everyone in the room (even if you were not stoned). There were other 'Music Samplers' around in those days too, popular amongst the young because they were cheap. You Can All Join In & Nice Enough To Eat from Island Records, Fill your Head With Rock, Bumpers, Gutbucket to name a few.

    ReplyDelete