1.) Scorpions – Blackout Vinyl, LP, Album - 1st Pressing - France - 1982 - Harvest – 2C 070-64686 Media: VG+ / Sleeve: VG+ A1 Blackout 3:48 A2 Can't Live Without You 3:46 A3 No One Like You 3:55 A4 You Give Me All I Need 3:38 A5 Now! 2:33 B1 Dynamite 4:12 B2 Arizona 3:53 B3 China White 6:56 B4 When The Smoke Is Going Down 3:50 Blackout was Scorpions' first highly successful album, due to its clever balance of pop/rock (the title track), power ballads ("When the Smoke Is Going Down"), and catchy heavy metal ("Dynamite," "No One Like You"). Vocalist Klaus Meine had a throat operation prior to the record's release, and surprisingly, his voice sounds more melodic and lively than ever. The rest of the band sounds great as well, and the album is highlighted by the fast-paced performances of guitarists Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs. Blackout has been called Scorpions' best record ever, and that statement is not unjust. "No One Like You" gave the band its first chart hit. 2.) Scorpions – Animal Magnetism Vinyl, LP, Album - 1st Pressing - France - 1980 - Harvest – 2C 070 45933 Media: VG+ / Sleeve: VG+ A1 Make It Real 3:50 A2 Don't Make No Promises (Your Body Can't Keep) 2:55 A3 Hold Me Tight 3:57 A4 Twentieth Century Man 3:00 A5 Lady Starlight 6:18 B1 Falling In Love 4:10 B2 Only A Man 3:35 B3 The Zoo 5:30 B4 Animal Magnetism 6:00 "The Zoo" will always be the one iconic song I associate with Scorpions. Maybe it was just the right time of their career, but I think this was the album where they became their tightest as a band, musically. Sure they've had more commercial and critical success with other albums, but Animal Magnetism has a flowing groove that is infectious, with just the right punch. The period of Lovedrive, AM, Blackout, and Love At First Sting was inarguably their best period, with Crazy World having its moments, and Animal Magnetism was the most underrated of that era. Play these records back to back and pay special attention to the flow and precision of AM, you'll see what I'm talking about. For maximum effect, play these on the big box speakers from back in the day in your Mom's basement. 3.) Scorpions – Tokyo Tapes 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold - 1st Pressing - Germany - 1978 - RCA Extra – CL 28 331 Media: VG+ / Sleeve: VG+ A1 All Night Long 2:55 A2 Pictured Life 3:04 A3 Backstage Queen 3:30 A4 Polar Nights 6:43 A5 In Trance 5:22 B1 We'll Burn The Sky 8:16 B2 Suspender Love 3:28 B3 In Search Of The Peace Of Mind 3:00 B4 Fly To The Rainbow 9:23 C1 He's A Woman, She's A Man 5:22 C2 Speedy's Coming 3:21 C3 Top Of The Bill 6:39 C4 Hound Dog 1:16 C5 Long Tall Sally 2:09 D1 Steamrock Fever 3:35 D2 Dark Lady 3:34 D3 Kojo No Tsuki 3:09 D4 Robot Man 5:33 If you played in a hard rock band during the '70s, what were you likely to be doing circa 1978? Why, recording a live album, of course. Preferably a double vinyl set, and in Japan to boot. The Scorpions were no exception, and in fact, their Tokyo Tapes were captured only days after Cheap Trick's At Budokan in April 1978. Though hardly as inspired or successful, the Tokyo Tapes set still serves as an ideal greatest-hits collection of the Scorpions' first decade. This recording also showcases the spectacular playing (and occasionally, the dreadful singing) of guitarist Uli Jon Roth, who would soon leave the band for a misguided solo career, but displays some jaw-dropping technique here, most notably on the epic "We'll Burn the Sky." The rest of the band also puts in competent performances on such early standards as "In Trance," "Fly to the Rainbow," and "Speedy's Coming." The material on disc one is consistently strong, and though a number of pointless covers ("Houng Dog," "Long Tall Sally") and that most dreaded concert spectacle -- the drum solo -- break the flow on disc two, the band still closes strong with the crowd-pleasing Japanese folk song "Kojo No Tsuki" and frenetic versions of "Dark Lady" and "Robot Man." Ultimately, if you have any curiosity about the Scorpions' early material, Tokyo Tapes provides the perfect introduction. Caution! There are slight surface scratches on these discs but they play a good VG+. __________________________________________________ These records have been cleaned with a professional ultrasonic machine. New inner and outer sleeves included. Fast & careful shipping.