Five Easy Pieces

A little while ago I posted on the more difficult Prefab Sprout things to find. So now it’s time for five items everyone can find fairly easily and generally inexpensively. Even though not rare, they’re fun to have and outside the normal run of the mill.

We'll start with the "Sproutbox". Very easy to find indeed, but check all the contents are present: that includes 2 badges, 2 postcards, and a copy of "King of Rock 'N' Roll". The boxes often get squashed and scuffed, and occasionally you come across a shrinkwrapped version. But you don't have to pay more than a few quid, which is worth it just for the badges I think.
We’ll start with the “Sproutbox”. Very easy to find indeed, but check all the contents are present: that includes 2 badges, 2 postcards, and a copy of “King of Rock ‘N’ Roll”. The boxes often get squashed and scuffed, and occasionally you come across a shrinkwrapped version. But you don’t have to pay more than a few quid, which is worth it just for the badges I think.

 

More Rock 'N' Roll, with an all out promotional campaign which ended with the single at number 7 in the UK charts and the band forever seared into the general publics' hot dog associative memory. There is a 12" Box containing the trivia game which is very difficult to find, but the 7" is fairly common for a few quid. And great fun it is too: the board is a foldout sleeve but make sure the question cards are complete and present.
More Rock ‘N’ Roll, with an all out promotional campaign which ended with the single at number 7 in the UK charts and the band forever seared into the general publics’ hot dog associative memory. There is a 12″ Box containing the trivia game which is very difficult to find, but the 7″ is fairly common for a few quid. And great fun it is too: the board is a foldout sleeve but make sure the question cards are complete and present.
At some point in 1985, CBS did the obvious thing and released "Goodbye Lucille #1" with the obvious title. It was promoted with a picture disk. You'll find it without much difficulty for £10 - £15. I've even seen it made into a clock...
At some point in 1985, CBS did the obvious thing and released “Goodbye Lucille #1” with the obvious title. It was promoted with a picture disk. You’ll find it without much difficulty for £10 – £15. I’ve even seen it made into a clock…
Almost impossible to photograph because of the very reflective CD, but this is CDCBS 26522, the first commercial Prefab Sprout CD release. Recognisable because of having no barcode, but not to be mistaken for the later DADC Austria variant, which has a light blue CB811 logo top right of the back sleeve. Made by Nimbus UK and reputed to sound particularly good in comparison to later pressings
Almost impossible to photograph, so apologies for the quality (and no better photos to filch online), but this is CDCBS 26522, the first commercial Prefab Sprout CD release. Recognisable because of having no barcode, but not to be mistaken for the later DADC Austria variant, which has a light blue CB811 logo top right of the back sleeve. Made by Nimbus UK and reputed to sound particularly good in comparison to later pressings, probably because it precedes the overuse of compression in CD mastering. You can get this very inexpensively if you keep your eyes open.
Possibly one of the more awkward items to find, but not too hard - check musicstack or discogs and expect to pay £10 or so. But it's a wonderful cult object, "Cars and Girls" from Argentina. The song isn't translated, but there's a wonderful kitsch quality about the sleeve and Spanish label
Possibly one of the more awkward items to find, but not too hard – check Musicstack or Discogs and expect to pay £10 or so. But it’s a wonderful cult object, “Cars and Girls” from Argentina. The song isn’t translated, but there’s a wonderful kitsch quality about the sleeve and Spanish label

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