Please help identify this acetate master

BT · Post by BT » Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:58 pm

I have just pulled out a record I obtained years ago, and I don't really know what it is, but I suspect it will be of enough interest that I'm posting here rather than in the collector's part of the board--I hope that's ok.

Is this an unreleased album, or the master of a bootleg? Or is it just some regular LP I'm not familiar with... I'm hoping someone here can tell me.

It's from The Mastering Lab, Hollywood, CA.

It is a 12" Leonard Cohen acetate, listed as "MONO ref." at the bottom of the label is typed "Asylum Records"

The typewritten label reads "Side Four."

Songs listed (I haven't played it) are:

1. It's my own world Now 4:50
2. Nancy 3:10
3. Love is the Item 3:30
4. Works of Charity 3:55
5. The Storeroom 3:15

The other side of the disc has no label--n/g is written in grease pencil in the label area, although it does seem to have been pressed.

Please reply to the group--my email address is nonfunctional.Thanks in advance.

Post by **jarkko** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 12:32 am

This is a really interesting find - to me it looks like a new album
in progress, maybe in the mid 1970's - a project that for some
reason was then dropped. Leonard performed "Storeroom" in
several concerts in 1976 (and the song has been released on
some bootlegs). We of course know Nancy but the other tracks
look exciting. Why don't you give it a listen??? It is possible
that you're holding a real collectors' rarity - handle the acetate
with great care!
Jarkko

eeey · Post by **eeey** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 12:49 am

BT,

Why don't you contact The Mastering LAB. They are still in business in L.A. And they even list Leonard Cohen as one of their clients! Contact Teresa@themasteringlab.com

eeey

Post by **jarkko** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 12:51 am

Good idea! And if you do, please let us know what you learn from them!
I will also make some inquiries about the history of this master.
Jarkko

BT · Post by BT » Fri Aug 01, 2003 1:00 am

Thanks for the replies. I think I picked this up in the bargain bins of Aron's or Rhino Records in LA in the mid-to-late 70s. I'd forgotton I had it. My turntable (wouldn't you know it) has just broken down--it needs a new belt is all, but it'll probably be a couple of weeks before I can deal with this, as I'm going out of town for a few days. If someone would like to inquire of the Mastering Lab on my behalf, be my guest, and let me know what you learn! Any other hints or thoughts, please advise.

eeey · Post by **eeey** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 1:07 am

BT,

I will contact The Mastering Lab for you and I will let you know what they tell me.

eeey

BT · Post by BT » Fri Aug 01, 2003 1:15 am

Thanks very much, eeey. I wonder if they'd have a record of all their past masters...

Linda · Post by **Linda** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 5:47 am

This is very interesting, let us know what develops.

BT · Post by BT » Fri Aug 01, 2003 6:11 am

I'll keep checking in here while I'm out of town, in case anyone has any insights into this thing, and I'll certainly let you all know whenever this is finally identified. Thanks already for your help.

Post by **jarkko** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 8:44 am

I have some new information directly from Leonard. This is what he says:

"It's My Own World Now" became "The Butcher".
"Love Is The Item" and "Works of Charity" were some of the
first songs he wrote (they have not been released)

According to Leonard these songs (and several others) exist on a demo tape he did for Polygram in the early sixties.

---

This means that your acetate master is a invaluable rarity!

Jarkko

BT · Post by BT » Fri Aug 01, 2003 8:53 am

Thanks, Jarrko. That's exciting--I hope the disc really contains what the label says it does!

Does Leonard have any knowledge of the (two-record set?) that somebody booked at the mastering lab as asylum records would have been mastering?

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:01 am

This is way cool

, BT

~ Congratulations! Now, off to the repair shop to get that record player fixed

.

It'll be interesting to listen to "The Butcher" from the "It's My Own World Now" perspective.

I'd love to see the lyrics of "Love Is The Item" and "Works of Charity," if you could/would print them here. It would be lovely if Leonard would grant permission for that, even though I suspect it's not a permission issue.

~ Elizabeth

BT · Post by BT » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:12 am

I've already ordered that replacement turntable belt!

Hope that fixes it. The thing failed today, just to spite me--it was working yesterday...

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:21 am

Oh dear ~ is that Murphy's Law? One of those phenomena! I just did in my stationary cd/radio/tape combination unit with a hammer tonite because it wouldn't let go of the Leonard interview with John Hammond that I'm trying to transcribe. The unit died yesterday morning. I didn't discover that the tape was entrenched until this morning. Can I tell you how good it felt.....much better than the Sims, I'm certain! I was victorious, too, by the way

.

Welcome to the Forum, BT!

Linda · Post by **Linda** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 2:30 pm

What a find BT. Perfect example of never get rid of anything. Are you a long time fan of LCs? Tell us more.