RENAISSANCE MINSTRELS VOLUME III
Company: TMOQ / Smokin' Pig
Matrix Number: 1702 A / 1702-B
Relese Date: February, 1974
Country: USA
SIDE A
1. IT DON'T COME EASY 2:55
2. COLD TURKEY 5:40
3. DEEP BLUE 3:28
4. ANOTHER DAY 2:45
5. INSTANT KARMA 3:37
6. BACK OFF BOOGALOO 2:30
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SIDE B
7. BLINDMAN 3:46
8. HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) 2:30
9. BANGLA DESH 3:47
10. GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH 3:30
11. GIVE PEACE A CHANCE 4:40
12. EARLY 1970 2:30
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Sound Quality: EX. stereo
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Source: all officially released tracks
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COMMENTS
Technically, this is not a bootleg but a pirate record that collects various solo tracks from the 45 rpm singles. We've included it here since we've listed the other records in the RENAISSANCE MINSTRELS series.
RELEASES
1. February, 1974 (see above). This record had the catalogue number 73032, thus it was released together, or just after, THE BEATLES, 73030, a record that included tracks copied from the CBM album PARIS SPORTS PALAIS, released in January, 1974. Obviously, it precedes RENAISSANCE MINSTRELS VOL. IV by CBM, that was released around March, 1974. The first pressing was distributed in a jacket on thick, colored cardboard, typically used by both the TMOQ companies, with the front cover insert on pink paper reproducing the same "Renaissance Minstrels" lithograph that the other volumes in the series had used. This also contains the track listing, a catalogue number on bottom right and the TMOQ / Smokin' Pig logo. Some copies had also a second insert on the back with a drawing of an old radio. The disc itself has light blue labels with the Smokin' Pig logo.
Mid-late 1974, early 1975. Further pressings came in normal white jackets, at first with the same light blue Smokin' Pig label. The insert was often printed with a multi-color "rainbow" effect. There's no back insert.
Additional pressings may have been released in the second half of the 1970's. They should have the same insert printed on colored paper, without the "rainbow" effect, and Smokin' Pig labels in various colors, or other labels.
1983. This record was included in the series released in 1983 with a new insert, partly folded over the back cover, with some generic liner notes of no interest in the folded part. The insert was numbered 1702 on bottom right. The disc had a colored TMOQ / Smokin' Pig label.
INTEREST. From a musical point of view, this is a relatively pleasant compilation, pressed in good quality vinyl. As a collectible item, the first pressing with the back cover insert is uncommon. The other releases have little value.**/*
THE WCF COUNTERFEITS
The WCF company counterfeited this record in 1974 in much decreased sound quality and in mono (the company did not have facilities for pressing stereo LPs). These were pressed in poor quality, thick vinyl which produced a noisy pressing. All of these things together make this a completely useless album. It was distributed in the typical folded sleeve that WCF used, with a reproduction of the original insert. It lacks the TMOQ / Smokin' Pig logo (not surprisingly) and TMOQ's catalogue number. The cover art has been directly printed on the sleeve, with sculptures of the Beatles heads shown on the back. The disc has matrix 2033 A / 2033 B, and had a blank white label.
The WCF plates, with the matrix numbers erased, were used for a further pressing distributed with a jacket with the original TMQ insert directly printed on front and a hole on the back to show the label, which was blank white. This probably came out in 1975.
INTEREST. In mono and poorly pressed, these are the worst releases of this title. *
​THE WIZARDO RECORDS COPY
In 1976-1977 Wizardo records released his own version of RENAISSANCE MINSTRELS VOL 3, in the series K.O. Records, on matrix 404-B/404-B and an insert titled BEATLES APART The copy seen had green Von Grossenshush labels, but copies on Cat 'n' Dog label may exist as well.
INTEREST. Only for completists. *
THE STRAWBERRY RECORDS COPY
1985. This title was also included in the Strawberry Records series of reissues in colored vinyl of various bootlegs. In excellent stereo and on orange colored vinyl, it has matrix TMQ 730 - RR A / TMQ 73032 - RR B.
INTEREST. Useful for collectors of the entire series.**