I stumbled across this just now--I seriously doubt FYE will ever stock them, but they are available on Amazon at prices ranging anywhere from $12.67 to $25.49 (plus shipping).

http://freespace.virgin.net/robert_ian. ... elanie.htm

FEBRUARY 2007

SIX CLASSIC ALBUMS RE-ISSUED





Six of Melanie’s classic albums have been re-issued by Demon Edsel Records, part of the Demon Music Group (DMG). The albums have been packaged as 2 for 1 release as follows:



Born To Be/Affectionately Melanie (EDSS1001 single CD)
Candles In The Rain/Leftover Wine (EDSD2001 double CD)

The Good Book/Gather Me (EDSD2002 double CD)


Each release includes a comprehensive booklet containing elements from the original album sleeves as well as extensive newly written sleeve notes. Bonus material is taken from the soundtrack albums R.P.M .and All The Right Noises, and two tracks from Sunset and other Beginnings.



Candles In the Rain also includes the full version of Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) running for 7:40mins as well as Alexander Beetle, which was not included on the initial UK release of the album.



All three CDs were released on February 5th, and are available from major on-line retailers. More detailed information can be found via the Album Discography under the relevant titles.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8 ... ative=9325

Thanks, AMW, for the heads-up.

This will probably sound strange, but my knowledge of Melanie's music has always been very limited - even though my very first rock concert was seeing her perform at Westbury Music Fair (Westbury, NY) during the summer of 1970. I don't remember the show too well, which was not her fault - since I was just a goofy 14-year-old at the time.

I'm familiar with the obvious ("Beautiful People", "Lay Down/Candles in the Rain", and "Brand New Key."

Can any hard-core Melanie fans recommend any particular album releases, or compilations, to start from?

Thanks, in advance.

I think Gather Me is her best with Candles second best. Their are some 3rd party resellers on Amazon selling the doubles for under $13, which is really cheap. Unfortunately, they're somewhat unreliable drop shippers. I just inquired into what my wholesale cost would be on these, but i suspect it will be higher then the drop shipper's retail on Amazon.

Any of the major label best of comps is a good place to start.

Great news...I'm in!

To be honest, except for Rhino Handmade's reissue of "Photograph (Double Exposure)", I've not heard any of Melanie's albums in their original form--up till now they've been virtually abandoned to vinyl as near as I've ever been able to figure out. Rhino's "Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits Of Melanie" is an awesome greatest hits collection, however--sounds great and has the sort of detailed liner notes Rhino is noted for. An elusive Melanie track is "Birthday Of The Sun" performed live at Woodstock--it can be found on the "Woodstock 2" CD, but was left off the 4-CD boxed set that came out in 1994.

Thanks, everyone. I'll start out by trying to track down the Rhino comp. If I like what I hear, then I'll take a plunge into some of her regular releases (which I'm sure will be available on Amazon, before too long.

SADLY, It's time to LAY DOWN CANDLES IN THE RAIN. Again.

I did it then and I will do it again until I can longer lay them down.

We all had caught the same disease
and we all sang the songs of peace

Let your white dove smile up at the ones who stand and frown....

This brings to mind my own personal favorite "misheard lyrics." I had a 45 of "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" as a kid, and used to sing along:

"Lay down, lay down
lay it all down.
Let your white clothes pile up
as you wash them 'round."