Mark Barry's Reviews of CDs, Blu Rays, DVDs, LPs, Record Label Discographies...

"Back To Front" by GILBERT O’SULLIVAN. A Review Of His 2nd Album From 1972 Now Expanded And Remastered By Salvo Of The UK In 2012.

2012-02-16T18:41:00.007Z

"…Looking Back Over The Years…Never Wishing To Hide The Tears…"

"Back To Front" is the 2nd release in a full-on reissue campaign for Irish singer-songwriter Raymond Gilbert O'Sullivan (his debut album "Himself" was relaunched in November 2011 and is reviewed separately). With fantastic new sound, three bonus tracks, quality packaging and a none-too steep price - legions of his fans worldwide will be thrilled to see that his MAM Records catalogue is finally receiving a thorough going-over (and it's artist-approved too).

Here are the finite details - UK released Monday 20 February 2012 (21 Feb 2012 USA) Salvo SALVOXCD002 breaks down as follows (45:01 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 14 are his second studio album "Back To Front" – released October 1972 in the UK on Mam Records MAM-SS 502 and December 1972 on Mam Records MAM 5 in the USA. It peaked at Number 48 in America - but hit the coveted Number 1 spot in England.

Tracks 15 and 16 are "Alone Again (Naturally)" and "Save It" – the A&B sides of a 7" single released February 1972 in the UK on Mam Records MAM 66 and June 1972 in the USA on Mam Records 3619 (both were non-album tracks at the time). It peaked at Number 3 in the UK - but spent 15 weeks on the American charts – six of which were at Number 1. Also - outside of a very rare Japanese CD albums box set issued in the early Nineties with a 3" CD single of both tracks as a bonus – it's the first time the rare B-side "Save It" has been on CD anywhere else.

Track 17 is "Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakka-Day" – the A-side of a 7" single released May 1972 in the UK on Mam Records MAM 78 (again a non-album track in the UK at the time of release – it’s B-side is the album cut "But I'm Not").

Other 7" singles – "Clair" and "What Could Be Nicer" were issued as the A&B-side of a 45 in the UK in October 1972 on Mam Records MAM 84 (it reached Number 1) and "Out Of The Question" was also issued as an A-side 45, but in the USA-only on Mam 3628 in April 1973. This CD will allow fans to sequence all the above.

The original UK LP had a matt single sleeve with two gatefold inserts – a black and white poster of Gilbert (now placed across the inside of the CD digipak) and a gatefold lyric sheet (also fully replicated in the second half of booklet). There's a 'Gilbert O'Sullivan – A Singer And His Songs' logo sticker on the front of the card digipak which will undoubtedly accompany all of these expanded reissues. The 20-page booklet is gorgeous - tastefully laid out lyrics to all the songs (including the bonuses), photos from his own archives, trade adverts and a detailed paragraph on each song with reminiscences from Gilbert on the album's creation. There's glossy photos in here I’ve never seen. Even the CD is a pictured one and the card digipak matches the same matt feel of the original vinyl album sleeve – a nice touch and great attention to detail. But the really big news for fans is the SOUND…

Remastered from original master tapes – the sound quality is a vast improvement on what went before (compilations and expensive Japanese imports). While "Himself" from 1971 is a little hissy in places – "Back To Front" from 1972 is incredibly clean and there's superlative clarity on all the instruments. You can now hear Big Jim Sullivan's wonderfully expressive acoustic guitar work on "Alone Again (Naturally)" and his rocking slide on the lesser-heard Side 2 opener "I'm In Love With You".

Four decades ago I was busy discovering girls in Dublin and Gilbert's "Can I Go With You" (a phrase teenagers used at the time) was a key track (what great memories). I’d also forgotten how snappy the brass work on "In My Hole" is (very Burt Bacharach) - while the almost vaudeville "But I'm Not" sounds like a really good late Sixties Beatles ditty. There's treated vocals on the clever lyrics of "The Golden Rule" and "Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakka-Day" may have a silly title (for which he was derided) - but it's a cracking single and a genuine bonus on here (chap in Bradford and all).

But somehow this release belongs to 'that' 1972 song - "Alone Again (Naturally)". Now February 2012 - its beautiful melody and poignant words are 40 years old – yet it still touches a soul willing to listen (lyrics from it title this review). In fact what strikes you most when relistening to this entire album - is the endurance of the songs. Gilbert was big for a reason...

This is a lovely reissue – and Salvo are to be praised for handling it so well.

Recommended.

"Deuce" by RORY GALLAGHER. A Review Of His 2nd LP From 1971 Now Newly Remastered And Reissued In 2012.

2012-02-16T11:29:00.007Z

"…Took Me Out Of My Mind…Took Me Out Of My Head…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2012 CD REISSUE ***

Under the supervision of Donal Gallagher (his older brother and former tour manager) - Irish guitar hero RORY GALLAGHER had his LP back-catalogue first reissued onto CD between 1998 and 2000. Each of those RCA/Capo releases came in jewel cases and had previously unreleased bonus tracks. The campaign culminated with a tremendous outtakes compilation in 2003 called "Wheels Within Wheels".

This latest version of “Deuce” (his second album) is one of six 'new' remasters released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of his Solo career (list below). So what's different? In a nutshell - cheaper price, upgraded packaging and 2011 mastering. Here are the finite details...

Released 16 January 2012 in the UK (31 Jan 2012 in the USA) - "Deuce" is on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917372 and comes in a card digipak rather than a jewel case. The single bonus track “Persuasion” which first appeared on the 1999 CD reissue has disappeared without mention. It sounded to me suspiciously like a much later outtake stuck on the end of that reissue so it would have something previously unreleased on it. There is no mention either in the slightly reworked liner notes as to why it’s been dropped.

The gatefold card sleeve repros the colour artwork of the original vinyl album (front and rear) while the booklet is only slightly extended over the previous 1999 foldout inlay (8 pages as opposed to 6). There is a collage of extra photos of Rory taken by MICK ROCK who took the original atmospheric shots of Rory for the front and rear sleeve in 1971. The 3-page liner notes of the 1999 version by Shu Tomioka and Charles Stanford have been slightly altered and suddenly only credited to Donal Gallagher across 2 pages – they also lazily leave the running order in the incorrect way (“I’m Not Awake Yet” and “Used To Be” when it should be the other way around). While the packaging is disappointingly lazy - it has to be said that the card digipak is nice to look at – and retailing at less than six quid (and even cheaper online) - it's adequate.

Originally released November 1971 on Polydor 2383 076 in the UK and Atco SD 7004 in the USA – and with all 10 tracks self-penned and self-produced – the songwriting and playing on his second solo album improved hugely on his unflashy debut album from May of that same year. For that reason “Deuce” has been a huge fan favourite ever since – name-checked by such luminaries as Johnny Marr of The Smiths. The Edge of U2 and Slash of Guns ‘n Roses. The greatly talented and much-missed US comedian Bill Hicks raved about it for years too. The original British vinyl album in particular (some 40 years after the event) with its easy to damage and flimsy sleeve has become increasingly expensive in Auctions (much like the TASTE studio albums from 1969 and 1970). So this budget-priced CD is a great way of acquiring a rarity at a very reasonable cost. However, the new sound may present fans with real problems…

The initial 1999 CDs were 'remixed and remastered' by Tony Arnold at Courthouse Facilities in Dorset - these are 'untampered' versions remastered by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at Wired Masters in the UK in November 2011 (46:58 minutes total playing time). Andy and Matt have been involved in and received praise for remasters of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Frankie Miller, Wishbone Ash and The Kinks (many of which I’ve reviewed). For these reissues the original 1/4 master tapes have been returned to - therefore giving the fans the album Rory himself would have approved rather than the slightly 'altered' preceding version. However - unlike the great sound quality on the first LP I’ve reviewed in this series - the results on “Deuce” are very mixed – and in some cases have revealed flaws on the original tapes hidden by the remix of 1999...

First up is the running order – the 1999 version put "I'm Not Awake Yet" and "Used To Be" as Tracks 1 and 2 (the wrong way around) - both songs are finally presented here in their correct running order. However it's now obvious why they were reversed on the 1999 version – they were hiding something. "Used To Be" (which opens the 2012 CD) has a crackling to the guitar in the first 30 seconds that is very pronounced – the tape is probably corrupted. If you go back to the 1999 version – it is on there - but mixed to the background – here it isn’t. So as you play the track now - its 'pronounced distortion' is very disconcerting to say the least. Unfortunately the same slight crackle is on parts of "Maybe I Will" too - while the acoustic guitars of "I'm Not Awake Yet" that are on the 1999 remix will make fans feel that this 'authentic' version is a little bare.

On the up side - "Don't Know Where I'm Going" is fabulous acoustic Blues and it sounds great. "Whole Lot Of People" retains the 'live' feel Rory wanted – complete with him shouting before he goes into that speaker-to-speaker solo. The studio version of "In Your Town" is a tad beefed up too and I've always loved the slow feel to "Should've Learned My Lesson" - probably the best-sounding track on here. The jazzy "There's A Light" has beautifully sweet Bass from Gerry McAvoy and great swirling guitars/off-centre vocals from Rory. And I can still remember to this day the excitement and frustration of trying to copy the acoustic brilliance of the Doc Watson influenced “Out Of My Head” (lyrics above). I’m sure my teenage attempts were mirrored by hundreds of other budding guitarists. "Out Of My Mind" was just so brilliantly musical and showed off his amazing playing skill for a lad of only 23. The album then ends on a rock high with "Crest Of A Wave" where the band kicks in with some power.

So if I'm to be brutally honest – the sound on this 2012 version of "Deuce" (one of his most beloved of albums) is a tad disappointing – and even dull in places. Ok – authenticity has been restored – but if its to the listener’s loss (and with the bonus track chopped off) – a punter might feel seriously short-changed here. But like the soppy fan I am – I took one look at the card digipak – and bought it anyway! Should you ditch the old version – no – but try to get to hear this one too – there are sonic upgrades worth having.

Like most Irishmen, I can't be rational about Rory Gallagher. I saw him and his band as a teenager live in Dublin in the early Seventies and the experience was mind-blowing. I then bought every album he ever put out after that and always looked forward to hearing where his flying fingers would take me next.

Rory was sadly lost to us in 1995 through liver failure - and it still hurts to think that this most unassuming and brilliant of guitar heroes is gone.

Best we remember him this way – even if this reissue is flawed.

PS: the titles in this 2012 CD & Download reissue series so far are:
1. "Rory Gallagher" (originally released in May 1971)
2. "Deuce" (November 1971)
3. "Live! In Europe" (May 1972)
4. "Blueprint" (February 1973)
5. "Tattoo" (August 1973)
6. "Irish Tour '74" (July 1974) [2LP set on 1CD]

There will also be 180-gram vinyl versions of each of the above - they're due 27 Feb 2012 on the "Music On Vinyl" label.

"The Wildest Dream - Conquest Of Everest". A Review Of The 2010 Film Now On A 2011 BLU RAY.

2012-02-15T21:51:00.002Z

"…Because It's There…"

Did George Mallory and his climbing partner Andrew Irvine reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1924 - almost 30 years before the first official conquering of the world's highest mountain by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay? And when Mallory's body was finally found on the slopes in 1999 just a few thousand feet beneath the 29,000-foot apex - why was the 'only thing missing' on the perfectly preserved remains a black and white photograph of his beautiful wife Ruth? Was it because Mallory had placed that photo on the summit - as he had faithfully promised in his passionate love letters written to her during the ascent?

Both of these questions are tantalizing of course - and I don't want to spoil your viewing pleasure by answering either... But I would ask you to give this superb half-drama half-documentary film a look in - because it's a fantastic retelling of a heroic and heartbreaking story - and in many ways a very romantic and inspiring watch.

"The Wildest Dream" is also a technical astonishment. Conrad Anker - the experienced climber who discovered the body in 1999 - wants to fulfil a lifetime's dream. The American wants to retrace Mallory's last fateful journey - right down to using the same clothing and equipment they used. He wants to somehow prove that the brave Englishmen did indeed make it to the top but perished on the descent. He pulls in another young climber prodigy to make up the pair - the incredibly agile Leo Houlding.

So in order to make the film - the cast and crew endured genuine hardship and danger - two tons of equipment by foot - altitude sickness - ravines - hypothermia - it's all here... And adding to the beautifully photographed mountain and expertly woven in real footage from 1924 - the superlative voiceovers of Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson, (the late and lovely) Natasha Richardson and Alan Rickman also bring the whole piece to life. And the picture quality expertly depicting peaceful dawns combined with daytime blizzards on the snowy slopes of the great mountain - is breathtakingly beautiful on BLU RAY.

Even the very long "Making Of" is a feast for the mind and the eyes - full of factoids that wouldn't have had a place in the movie - but fill in the background and your need for more.

Mallory is like that other great English adventurer Ernest Shackleton - a daring-do man who engendered huge amounts of hero worship. But Mallory also has that mystery about him. Even his most famous comment to a reporter about why anyone would want to climb Mount Everest in the first place (title above) is disputed. Maybe he said it - maybe he didn't? Maybe they made it to the summit - or maybe they died trying - but still valiant and true?

"The Wildest Dream - Conquest Of Everest" poses as many questions as it does/does not answer. But I'm glad I watched it - because these are great historical characters worth remembering – pioneers who deserved celebration.

Recommended.

"Rory Gallagher" by RORY GALLAGHER. A Review Of His 1971 Debut LP Now Newly Remastered And Reissued In 2012.

2012-02-12T14:47:00.010Z

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2012 CD REISSUE ***

Under the supervision of Donal Gallagher (his older brother and former tour manager) - Irish guitar hero RORY GALLAGHER had his LP back-catalogue first reissued onto CD between 1998 and 2000.
Each of those RCA/Capo releases came in jewel cases and had previously unreleased bonus tracks. The campaign culminated with a tremendous outtakes compilation in 2003 called "Wheels Within Wheels".

This latest version of his debut album is the first of six 'new' remasters released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of his Solo career. So what's different? In a nutshell - cheaper price, upgraded packaging and 2011 mastering. Here are the finite details...

Released 16 January 2012 in the UK - "Rory Gallagher" is on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917352 and comes in a card digipak rather than a jewel case (it appears to have no US release date as yet).
The two bonus tracks which first appeared on the 1999 CD are here also - two previously unreleased studio outtakes from the sessions - rough and exciting covers of "Gypsy Woman" by Muddy Waters and "It Takes Time" by Otis Rush.

The gatefold card sleeve repros the black and white artwork of the original vinyl album (front and rear) while the booklet is only slightly extended over the previous 1999 foldout inlay (8 pages as opposed to 6). There are two extra photos of Rory, but disappointingly the Donal Gallagher liner notes are exactly the same as before (bar a few mistakes corrected). Both the picture beneath the see-through tray and on the CD itself is the black and white Mick Rock photo used for the front cover artwork.

Although it has to be said that the card digipak is nice - two new photos and the same essay is hardly pushing the boat out in terms of anything new - but retailing at less than six quid (and even cheaper online) - I'd say it's more than adequate. But while the packaging might be underwhelming, the real fireworks comes in the sound department...

The initial discs were 'remixed and remastered' by Tony Arnold at Courthouse Facilities in Dorset - these are 'untampered' versions remastered by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at Wired Masters in the UK in November 2011 (55:12 minutes total playing time).
Andy and Matt have been involved in and received praise for remasters of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Frankie Miller, Wishbone Ash and The Kinks. For these reissues the original 1/4 master tapes have been returned to - therefore giving the fans the album Rory himself would have approved rather than the slightly 'altered' preceding version. The results are really great...

If I was to use one word to describe this remaster it would be 'fresh' - everything somehow sounds new - clean, present, none too trebled up the nines - and it's easy to hear why Donal and Daniel Gallagher (Rory's nephew) would want these new versions in the marketplace. While the guitars of the opener are in your face (and for all the right reasons) - the harmonica in the background of "Laundromat" is still part of the mix - it's not rammed out front for effect - nicely handled - don't mess with the original. The Bass is so sweet now on "Sinner Boy" as the guitar pans from speaker to speaker in the solo (lyrics above). In fact his backing band of GERRY McAVOY on Bass and WILGAR CAMPBELL on Drums and Percussion can be heard 'so' clearly on every track - very impressively transferred. VINCENT CRANE of Atomic Rooster and Arthur Brown fame puts in superb keyboard work on two tracks - "Wave Myself Goodbye" and "I'm Not Surprised".

The long mid-tempo Blues of "For The Last Time" has been a huge favourite of mine for decades now - I've put in on loads of 70's Fest compilations as an example of an unfairly forgotten nugget. The guitar solo at the end of the track is beautifully clear. The witty and languid "Wave Myself Goodbye" sounds fabulous too. But the sonic-best has to be the last two album cuts - the acoustic Fats Domino R'n'B of "I'm Not Surprised" and the John Coltrane jazz-influenced seven-minutes of "Can't Believe It's True" where Rory puts in rare Alto Sax playing (double-tracked). The last in particular makes for an odd Gallagher listening experience (he was experimenting) but a great one nonetheless - and I'd forgotten how good his guitar work is towards the end as he harmonics his way to the final fade.

Originally released May 1971 on Polydor 2383 048 in the UK and Atco SD 33-368 in the USA (with all tracks self-penned and also self-produced) - his unflashy debut didn't make the top 50 in either country for the 23-year old and has always been hard to find on original vinyl ever since. The British original in particular (some 40 years after the event) has become increasingly expensive in Auctions (much like the TASTE studio albums from 1969 and 1970). So this budget-priced CD with nice packaging and even nicer sound is a great way of acquiring a rarity at a very reasonable cost.

Like most Irishmen, I can't be rational about Rory Gallagher. I saw him and his band as a teenager live in Dublin in the early Seventies and the experience was mind-blowing. I then bought every album he put out after that for years to come and always looked forward to hearing where his flying fingers would go to next.

Rory was sadly lost to us in 1995 through liver failure - and it still hurts to think that this most unassuming and brilliant of guitar heroes is gone. He's up there now as far as I'm concerned - talking the Blues with all the greats.

And I'm glad to report that his recorded legacy has been properly taken care of here - because I for one will be buying the rest of these reissues with a sense of excitement and affection.

PS: the titles in this 2012 CD & Download reissue series so far are:
1. "Rory Gallagher" (originally released in May 1971)
2. "Deuce" (November 1971)
3. "Live! In Europe" (May 1972)
4. "Blueprint" (February 1973)
5. "Tattoo" (August 1973)
6. "Irish Tour '74" (July 1974) [2LP set on 1CD]

There will also be 180-gram vinyl versions of each of the above - they're due 27 Feb 2012 on the "Music On Vinyl" label.

"Four Weddings And A Funeral". A Review Of The 1994 Film Now Reissued On A 2012 BLU RAY.

2012-02-05T21:39:00.005Z

"…Damn Fine Filly…"

I recently reviewed the BLU RAY reissue of "Love Actually" - commenting on how beautiful the picture quality had suddenly become over the preceding DVD versions. Well - somebody seems to be taking care of business here too - because the print on this 6 February 2012 reissue of "Four Weddings And A Funeral" is exceptional also - especially given what's gone before.

Filmed in the summer of 1993 and released in the spring of 1994 - Director Mike Newell and Producer Tim Bevan took a big chance on a then largely unknown Hugh Grant as the male lead. Playing Charles - a nice but bumbling 32-year old British bachelor - he's the love interest for the sophisticated and sexy American socialite Carrie (Andie MacDowell hot from her successes in "Green Card" and "Groundhog Day"). With six hundred thousand dollars lopped off their budget and only 38 days to shoot - it cost very little to make - and therefore when it became a global phenomenon it eventually grossed over $250 million in profit worldwide. "Four Weddings..." also made stars of Hugh Grant (and Liz Hurley in 'that' dress at the London premier). It laid the ground for so many British rom-coms to follow - highlighted the classiness of Kristin Scott-Thomas ("The English Patient") - Rowan Atkinson as a comedic genius - John Hannah as the thinking-woman's crumpet - and of course properly launched the 'film' career of England's best scriptwriter - Richard Curtis. It was even nominated for 2 Oscars - Best Film and Best Original Screenplay.

Clarity - starting with spotlessly clean PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and MGM logos - the BLU RAY bypasses a menu and goes straight into the credits - and as the principal characters are established in the opening montage - its clear that some kind of restoration has been done here. It looks really great - bright, clean and amazingly fresh. The picture is also automatically defaulted to a 16.9 aspect - so it fits your entire screen without losing any definition to stretching.

So much is visually improved in this transfer, but moments that stick out include - the scene outside the church after the first wedding where Charles spots Carrie across the churchyard - it's beautifully clear. When they are making their way back from the tent reception - drunk in a Land Rover singing "Stand By Your Man" - and Charles gets out of the car under some trees at night - it's 'so' clear. Charlotte Coleman as Charles' eccentric sister Scarlett and her scary dress sense - orange hat and purple dress - Rowan Atkinson as the trainee priest conducting his first wedding service and blowing almost every line - when Carrie turns up at the end in the doorway in the rain - all of it - just great. There are only a few occasions when you notice slight haze and blocking (Bernard and Lydia getting it on in the bedroom as Charles hides) - but mostly it's a joy to look at and really brings out the summery feel of it all - smartly dressed guests in sunny garden locations etc. It also shows a London landscape that has no Gherkin building, the lovely Lady Di was still with us and a person gave you a Fax number and not an e-mail address.

It's very funny too - the script is fantastic in so many places - Charles describing one of his posh friend's new look "Tom...disastrous haircut..." - Scott Thomas describing the dress of the first bride Laura "...She looks like a big meringue..." - George the boor at the Boatman pub thinking he's in with the American sexpot - "Damn fine filly..." - Charles confiding in Matthew (John Hannah) about fluffing an attempt at wooing the same - "Do you think there really are people who can say...Hi Baby! My name is Charles! And this is your lucky night!" And Matthew replies "Well if there is...they're not English!"

And when actual heart is called for (tears instead of laughter) - Curtis gives John Hannah the speech at Gareth's funeral complete with the W.H. Auden poem "Funeral Blues" at the end ("Stop all the clocks...He was my North, my South, My East and My West…my Sunday Rest…"). It's still evocative to this day. Even the gay relationship between their characters was handled with joy and class and didn't focus on disease and ostracization.

Niggles - we've seen it too many times and it hasn't dated as well as "Love Actually" or "Nothing Hill" when it comes to repeat viewing. The terrible Elton John at the beginning. The lack of language subtitles shows an amazingly cavalier attitude to audiences outside of English speaking countries. The 'Extras' listed below are good - the 2004 versions put out on the DVD double (interviews with Grant, Newell, Callow, MacDowell etc) - but it would have been nice to have something new. But apart from those small points – there’s little else. If only Terry Gilliam's film legacy was treated with such respect and smarts...

To sum up – an evergreen movie and a very satisfying transfer to BLU RAY. So if you've any affection for this great British romcom - then acquire this version of it pronto - especially as its relatively cheap.

Recommended.

PS: this review is dedicated to the memory of the actress Charlotte Coleman who died in 2001 and starred in this film

BLU RAY Specifications:
PICTURE: Widescreen 16.9 Aspect Ratio
AUDIO: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
SUBTITLES: English For The Hearing Impaired
EXTRAS:
Audio Commentary with Filmmakers Mike Newell
Four Weddings And A Funeral - In The Making Featurette
The Wedding Planners Documentary
Two Actors And A Director Featurette
Two Promotional Clips (one with Hugh Grant as Lead, then Andie MacDowell as Lead)
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer

"Can't Buy A Thrill" by STEELY DAN. SHM-CD Releases in Japan in 2008, 2010 and 2011 - Info On The 'TWO' Versions.

2012-02-05T10:38:00.008Z

"…Turn That Heartbeat Over Again…"

There are TWO VERSIONS of this SHM-CD that requires some detailed explanation so that you choose the right issue for you – so here goes…

First is the 25 June 2008 SHM-CD of Steely Dan's debut album "Can't Buy A Thrill" on Geffen/Universal UICY-93515. Issued as a limited edition in Japan-only - it comes with MINI LP ARTWORK that repro’s the original October 1972 American gatefold sleeve on ABC Records ABCX-758. This version was then 'reissued' last year 29 Dec 2011 (again in Japan only) with the same catalogue number, the same mini repro LP artwork and the same Barcode 4988005518293.

The 2nd version is also a SHM-CD - but it was released 22 December 2010 on Geffen/Universal UICY-20122 in a STANDARD JEWEL CASE with the Barcode 4988005639240.

Both SHM-CD versions have the foldout inlay that came with the 1998 issues (the lyrics, Fagen and Becker’s caustic “A Farewell To Flatbush” liner notes) and a separate Japanese booklet with a Japanese essay and some notes on the SHM-CD format. If you copy and paste 'either' barcode into the search bar on Amazon for instance – you will get the different entries – and their varying prices. They are of course available on eBay and the cdjapan and yesasia websites - among others.

SOUND - both versions are the Donald Fagen, Walter Becker and Gary Katz’s 1998 remaster – just on a SHM-CD – neither is a new remaster. Some tracks are better than others – "Fire In The Hole" and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" both feature instrumentation that is suddenly 'there' when most of it seemed buried in the mix before. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter's guitar solo on "Change Of The Guard" is right out there now - David Palmer's Vocals and Jerome Richardson's lovely Sax work on "Dirty Work" are now so clear too – as is the lead in organ and rhythm section. Elliott Randall's blistering guitar work on "Reelin' In The Years" fills your speakers as do the solos on "Do It Again" by Denny Dias (Coral Electric Sitar) and Donald Fagen (Keyboards). The rhythm section on "Midnite Cruiser" is very pronounced - Jim Hodder's soulful vocals the same while "Skunk" puts in another great solo. Perhaps loveliest of all is "Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)" – David Palmer's vocals and Baxter on Steel Guitar – so sweet. It’s a staggeringly accomplished debut album – and it sounds just peachy here (see also my review for their 1973 follow-up "Countdown To Ecstasy" on the SHM-CD format).

What is a SHM-CD and does it sound better than the standard 1998 issue that’s available very cheaply? Some say yes, others say it’s a con. It was developed in 2008 by JVC as a brand new form of CD with far better retrieval capabilities. The problem is that they are ONLY available in JAPAN and usually at considerably higher cost. Also one of the biggest arguments put forward ‘against’ them is that you need a high-end player to get the best out of these CDs – I don’t agree. I had an old (but good) Denon CD player for 15+ years, which I played this and others on and they sounded great – way better than my standard versions. I recently purchased a new Marantz CD 6004 (What Hi-Fi’s 2011 Award Winner) for £250 and it sings like a bird. £250 is hardly audiophile cost – and as I say it sounds gorgeous. I own about 8 of these beauties and the sound on all is more than impressive – it’s in the musicality – it’s in the details. I would say however that if the remaster is recent – and its on SHM – and you’ve a half decent player – then the combo of all 3 will produce wonderful sonic results (see my recent review for James Taylor’s “Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon” on Japanese SHM-CD).

To sum up – yes these suckers are pricey – and they really should be domestically available at a much cheaper price – but if you’ve any love for this stunning Seventies band – then you owe it to yourself to indulge in one.

Problem – you’ll probably want the rest too – and your bank manager will definitely want your guts for garters…

PS: summary of the two versions of SHM-CD

1. SHM-CD Standard Jewel Case Issue on Geffen/Universal UICY-20122 - Barcode 4988005639240 (released 22 Dec 2010)

2. SHM-CD Mini LP Repro Sleeve Issue on Geffen/Universal UICY-93515 – Barcode 4988005518293 (25 June 2008 release, reissued 29 Dec 2011)

"Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon" by JAMES TAYLOR. A Review Of The 1971 LP Now Remastered In Japan (2010) Onto The SHM-CD Format In A 5" Repro Slv

2012-02-02T13:36:00.009Z

"…Blue As The Deep Blue Sea…Won't You Listen To Me…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2010 SHM-CD REMASTER FROM JAPAN ***

Fans of JT will know that only 3-tracks from "Mud Slide Slim" are available as remasters – "You've Got A Friend", "You Can Close Your Eyes" and "Long Ago And Far Away" – all of them on the Warners Brothers/Rhino 'Best Of' compilation "You've Got A Friend" from 2003. And sweet they sound too…

But this Japan-only SHM-CD released 7 April 2010 on Warner Brothers WPCD-13820 (barcode: 4943674097319) is the first time the entire album has been remastered since its release on a dull-sounding US/European CD in the mid Eighties. And as one of the first vinyl albums I ever bought as a kid and loved to bits - I’m thrilled to say that the 40-year wait has been worth it - because the audio quality on this CD reissue is BEAUTIFUL.

Part of a 6-album campaign (see list below), this 2010 remaster (37:34 minutes) was done by ISAO KIKUCHI in Japan and it’s a limited edition (non-numbered) on the SHM-CD format. Super High Materials CDs do not require a specific machine to play them on – they’re simply a better form of disc created by JVC in 2008 to improve on the original format (unchanged since it was first put out 30 years ago). The general idea is that the sound on the SHM-CD is more defined as they play - they seem to extract more nuances from the transfer - and of the 8 or so that I own – I've found this to be true.

The 5” mini repro packaging here apes the April 1971 USA vinyl release on Warner Brothers WS 2561 with its hard-card gatefold artwork (lyrics and recording details on the inside). The outer resealable bag it has to be said is very flimsy, so extracting and replacing the sleeve has to be done carefully lest you rip it. The 12-page plain white booklet is very ho-hum too – just lyrics and an essay in Japanese that you can’t read. No pictures – nothing new. At least the rounded white paper inner bag has one of those protective poly-slips inside it to protect the CD. The disc itself repro’s the green Warner Brothers label of the original vinyl album too – a nice touch. It’s tastefully done as always with these releases. But it’s all about the sound here…

Right from the opening bars of "Love Has Brought Me Around" you can suddenly hear the instruments – especially Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums - so sweet and warm. Other highlights include the Banjo of John Hartford and Fiddle of Richard Green on "Riding On A Railroad" – much clearer now – as is the lovely accordion playing of Kevin Kelly on "Places In My Past".

As everyone knows "You've Got A Friend" was written by CAROLE KING and first turned up on her magnificent "Tapestry" album at almost the same time of release – April 1971. What is perhaps not stated enough is her overall contribution to James Taylor's "Mud Slide Slim" in that she played piano on 7 of its 13 tracks (harmonizing on others too) - and always with that beautiful melody she seemed to effortlessly get. It underpins "Hey Mister, That's Me Up On The Jukebox" (lyrics above title this review) and "Highway Son". The other beautiful lady contributing to proceedings is of course JONI MITCHELL who puts in rare guest vocal appearances on "You've Got A Friend" and the gorgeous "Long Ago And Far Away" – both sounding so much more defined here. If I wash pushed, I'd say the best-sounding tracks on here are "Machine Gun Kelly" and "Soldiers" – acoustic guitars, the rhythm section - all very, very sweet indeed.

Downsides – it's Japanese only, a limited edition and expensive. And the booklet could have done with some more pizzazz instead of the rather safe presentation it did get.

But if you've got any kind of love for this Seventies singer-songwriter album – then you owe it to yourself to acquire this SHM-CD version of it. Lovely, lovely stuff – and I’m saving up to get the rest…

PS: the albums remastered in Japan in this April 2010 series are:
1. Sweet Baby James (March 1970) on Warner Brothers WPCR-13819
2. Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon (July 1971) on Warner Brothers WPCR-13820
3. One Man Dog (November 1972) on Warner Brothers WPCR-13821
4. Walking Man (July 1974) on Warner Brothers WPCR-13822
5. Gorilla (May 1975) on Warner Brothers WPCR-13823
6. In The Pocket (June 1976) on Warner Brothers WPCR-13824

"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy". A Review Of The 2011 Film Now On BLU RAY.

2012-02-02T13:16:00.005Z

"…Tinker Tailor...Bored Me Rigid Sir...Except For…”

There's a sequence in this dreadfully slow and boring movie that's worth bigging up because it's better than five-stars. I'd even go as far as saying that it's a serious contender for a top-ten placing in the best 'acting' ever put on screen. Gary Oldman has been almost comatose cold for most of the movie (as befits his character) - but then about halfway through the dense unfolding plot - he sits down with Benedict Cumberbatch (how good is he) at his home with a bottle of spirits and both get quietly blotto. Loosened up and now distinctly human, George Smiley (Oldham's MI5 character) then regales a story to Cumberbatch about how he met and sussed out a fanatical Russian spy. Oldham isn't just good in it - he's absolutely sensational. And the camera barely comes off him for maybe six or seven minutes. It's a huge amount of dialogue to remember and stay in the moment as he recounts it. If you're wondering why he was Oscar nominated - this extraordinary segment is surely the reason why.

Mark Strong puts in the best performance of his career too - there are times when I swear you can literally see what his character is thinking - beautifully subtle work. Colin Firth and Tom Hardy are superb also. The rest of the top-notch cast are the cream of British actors - an A-list to die for - and all honour that. But as you've probably gathered from a slew of one-star reviews (some of them even openly hostile) - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" has still somehow managed to feel like having your teeth pulled - and without the payoff either.

And this is before you have to contend with the dire WASHED-OUT LOOK of the BLU RAY PRINT. It tries to ape Seventies "French Connection" like grittiness and it's just awful. It absolutely wrecks 80% of the scenes - blocking - blurriness. I know it's supposed to be a seedy tale about seedy men in a seedy business - but it just feels like amateur hour - you think you're watching some crappy pirate video.

As I say - it isn't 'all' deathly dreary offices, grey filing cabinets and Jacobs Cream Crackers as some reviewers have tried to claim - there are genuine moments of greatness in here. It's just that there aren't enough of them - and the main bulk of the feature is a stone cold drag (intentional or not).

Still - good luck on the night Mister Oldman - you thoroughly deserve your nomination and a win. I just wish the film you got it for aroused the same level of affection...

"Original Album Classics" by JOHNNY WINTER (AND). A Review Of The Sony/Legacy 2011 5CD Box Set.

2012-01-30T16:55:00.011Z

"…I’m Hungry…Let's Do This Fucker!"

Johnny Winter's lone entry in the hugely successful "Original Album Classics" Series is a genuine nugget. A 5CD Mini Box Set concentrating on his rightly celebrated Late Sixties/Early Seventies Blues-Rock output - it's also mid-price into the bargain.

Released 24 January 2011 in the UK (1 Feb 2011 in the USA) – each CD is housed in a singular card sleeve which repro's in miniature the back and front artwork of the original vinyl LP (with recording info, production credits etc downloadable via the Net from Sony's website). Columbia/Sony Legacy 886976561727 breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 is "Johnny Winter" released May 1969 on Columbia CS 9826 in the USA and June 1969 on CBS S 63619 in the UK (34:14 minutes)

Disc 2 is "Second Winter" released as a 3-sided 2LP set in November 1969 on Columbia K2S 9947 in the USA and May 1970 in the UK on CBS S 66321 (46:57 minutes)

Disc 3 is "Live/Johnny Winter And" released March 1971 in the USA on Columbia CS PC 30475 and in the UK on CBS S 64289 (40:12 minutes)

Disc 4 is "Still Alive And Well" released April 1973 on Columbia KC 32188 in the USA and in the UK on CBS S 65484 (44:32 minutes)
[Note: Tracks 11 and 12 “Lucille” and “From A Buick Six” are bonus tracks]

Disc 5 is "Saints & Sinners" released February 1974 in the USA on Columbia KC 32715 in the USA and in the UK on CBS S 65842 (41:48 minutes)
[Note: Track 11 “Dirty” is a bonus track]

Winter’s debut LP "The Progressive Blues Experiment" was released on Imperial Records in the States in April 1969 - so the first disc on here "Johnny Winter" is actually his 2nd album and his debut for Columbia Records. Along with its impossibly cool follow-up "Second Winter" (a 3-sided 2LP set where Side 4 was blank) - they are vinyl treasures I've had on my turntables for over 40 years.

Highlights from both include the twin guitar boogie of "I'm Yours And I'm Hers" along with the stunning National Steel slide of "Dallas". And as if to stamp his credentials on the genre, the cover of the Muddy Waters staple "Mean Mistreater" features two huge Blues Legends – Willie Dixon on Bass and Walter "Shakey" Horton on Blues Harp. Speaking of mean harmonica warblers – Winter's own Harp playing on "Back Door Friend" makes him sound like some 70-year old veteran. The immediately impressive "I Love Everybody" track from "Second Winter" turned up on those CBS sampler LPs in 1970 and 1971 while his cover of Percy Mayfield's "Memory Pain" sounded so hard rock - a great opening salvo and a clever reading of the changing sounds of the time.

But like Rory Gallagher on "Live In Europe" (another genuine guitar hero), it wasn’t until 1971 that you heard the full power of Winter and his band on the now legendary "Live" album. There are versions of the Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and Chuck Berry’s "Johnny B. Goode" that are arguably definitive – blistering stuff. I'm afraid I threw many a guitar shape to these tracks in my living room as a teenager…oh dear…

The final two albums featured here - "Still Alive And Well" and "Saints And Sinners" - saw RICK DERRINGER both join the ranks and produce. The Canned Heat boogie of "Rock & Roll" and the Slide Blues of "Too Much Seconal" showed that the magic was still there (even if the drugs seemed to be getting the better of him). His version of the Stones "Silver Train" from 1973's "Goat's Head Soup" sounds so much like them that it might very well have been an outtake from that Stones session with Winter singing lead instead of Mick Jagger. His still fired-up and funky spoken intro to "Still Alive And Well" titles this review. His version of Berry’s "Thirty Days" is great fun too. And on it goes…

To sum up – nearly 6 albums worth of great Blues-Rock for roughly two quid a record is a bit of a no-brainer really.

No Winter of discontent here folks. Recommended.

PS: and if you want more check out his late Seventies collaborations with MUDDY WATERS on Blue Sky Records which feature Winter producing and playing on all (see the 3CD "Original Album Classics" box set). There is also a Legacy Double of "Second Winter" and a "Woodstock" version of "Johnny Winter" – both have bonus discs with previously unreleased live material from the period.

______________________________________________________

PPS: below is a list of titles in the "Original Classic Albums" Series
5CD and 3CD sets up to and including January 2012

1. The Allman Brothers Band
2. Argent (see REVIEW)
3. Jeff Beck (Box 1)
4. Jeff Beck (Box 2)
5. Tony Bennett
6. George Benson
7. Big Audio Dynamite
8. Blood, Sweat & Tears
9. Blue Oyster Cult
10. Boney M
11. Pierre Boulez
12. The Brecker Brothers
13. Dave Brubeck Quartet
14. Jeff Buckley
15. The Byrds
16. Johnny Cash
17. Cheap Trick
18. Stanley Clarke
19. Harry Connick Jr.
20. Cypress Hill
21. Miles Davis (Box 1)
22. Miles Davis (Box 2)
23. Duke Ellington
24. Earth, Wind & Fire
25. Electric Light Orchestra
26. Agnetha Faltskog [Frida of Abba]
27. Dan Fogelberg
28. Aretha Franklin (see also 3CD list)
29. Rory Gallagher
30. Glenn Gould
31. Hall & Oates
32. Hot Tuna
33. The Isley Brothers (see REVIEW)
34. The Jacksons
35. Etta James
36. Jefferson Airplane
37. Jefferson Starship
38. Waylon Jennings
39. Journey
40. Judas Priest
41. Kansas
42. Carole King
43. Kris Kristofferson
44. Mario Lanza
45. Cyndi Lauper
46. The Lovin’ Spoonful
47. The Mahavishnu Orchestra
48. Henri Mancini
49. John McLaughlin
50. Al Di Meola
51. Molly Hatchet
52. Thelonious Monk (Box 1)
53. Thelonious Monk (Box 2) (see also 3CD sets)
54. Mott The Hoople
55. Mountain
56. Willie Nelson
57. Harry Nilsson
58. Ted Nugent
59. Laura Nyro
60. The Alan Parsons Project
61. Dolly Parton
62. Murray Perahia
63. Michel Petrucciani
64. Poco
65. Prefab Sprout
66. Preservation Hall Jazz band
67. Elvis Presley (Box 1)
68. Elvis Presley (Box 2)
69. Leontyne Price
70. The Psychedelic Furs
71. Lou Reed (Box 1)
72. Lou Reed (Box 2)
73. REO Speedwagon
74. Sonny Rollins
75. Artur Rubinstein
76. Run DMC
77. Santana (Box 1)
78. Santana (Box 2) (see also 3CD list)
79. Joe Satriani
80. Boz Scaggs
81. Nina Simone
82. Sly & The Family Stone
83. Lonnie Liston Smith
84. Patti Smith
85. Smokie
86. Soft Machine
87. Spirit
88. Isaac Stern
89. The Stranglers
90. Ivor Stravinsky
91. Suicidal Tendencies
92. James Taylor
93. Steve Vai
94. Various - Carols For Christmas
95. Various – The Joys Of Christmas
96. Weather Report (Box 1)
97. Weather Report (Box 2)
98. John Williams
99. The Edgar Winter Group
100. Johnny Winter (And) (see REVIEW)
101. Paul Young
102. Sophie Zelmani

PS: 01/02/2010 saw the introduction of THREE DISC SETS in the “Original Album Classics” Series and releases are ongoing. Here is a list as of January 2012…

1. ADAM & THE ANTS (26/09/2011)
[Dirk Wears White Sox/Kings Of The Wild Frontier/Prince Charming]
2. AMERIE (01/02/2010)
(All I Have/Touch/Because I Love It)
3. ANATHEMA (26/09/2011)
[Judgement/A Fine Day To Exit/A Natural Disaster]
4. BLONDIE (26/09/2011)
[No Exit/Livid/The Curse Of Blondie]
5. COLIN BLUNSTONE (26/07/2010)
[One Year/Ennismore/Journey]
6. DAVID BOWIE (09/01/2012)
[Outside/Earthling/Hours…]
7. JOHNNY CASH (09/01/2012)
[Hello, I’m Johnny Cash/The Johnny Cash Show/Man In Black]
8. CLANNAD (24/01/2011)
[Magical Ring/Macalla/Sirius]
9. SHAWN COLVIN (08/02/2010)
[Steady On/Fat City/Cover Girl]
10. ALICE COOPER (26/09/2011)
[Trash/Hey Stoopid/The Last Temptation]
11. MILES DAVIS (26/07/2010)
[Nefertiti/Socerer/Filles De Kilimanjaro]
12. DEEP PURPLE (26/09/2011)
[Slaves And Masters/The Battle Rages On/Purpendicular]
13. DONOVAN (22/07/2010)
[Mellow Yellow/Hurdy Gurdy Man/Barabajagal]
14. BOB DYLAN (26/07/2010)
[Empire Burlesque/Down In The Groove/Under The Red Sky]
15. BOB DYLAN (09/01/2012)
[Good As I Been To You/World Gone Wrong/MTV Unplugged]
16. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (28/03/2011)
[Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970/Live At The Royal Albert Hall/Live In Poland]
17. AGNETHA FALTSKOG [FRIDA of ABBA] (01/02/2010)
[Agnetha Faltskog/Nar En Vacker Tanke Blirsang/Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus]
18. (PETER GREEN’S) FLEETWOOD MAC (01/02/2010)
[Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac/Mr. Wonderful/The Pious Bird of Good Omen – The Original UK Album Track Lists – No Extras]
19. ARETHA FRANKLYN (01/02/2010)
[The Electrifying/The Tender The Moving The Swinging/Soul Sister]
20. THE JEFF HEALEY BAND (09/01/2012)
[See The Light/Hell To Pay/Feel This]
21. JAPAN (28/03/2011)
[Adolescent Sex/Obscure Alternatives/Quiet Life]
22. JEFFERSON AIRPLANE (28/03/2011)
[Volunteers/Bark/Long John Silver]
23. JOURNEY (01/02/2010)
[Departure/Escape/Frontiers]
24. TAJ MAHAL (24/01/2011)
[Taj Mahal/The Natch’l Blues/Mo’ Roots]
25. CHARLES MINGUS (26/07/2010)
[Mingus Ah Um/Mingus Dynasty/Tijuana Moods]
26. WILLIE NELSON (01/02/2010)
[Yesterday’s Wine/Red Headed Stranger/Stardust]
27. THE ONLY ONES (09/01/2012)
[The Only Ones/Even Serpents Shine/Baby’s Got A Gun]
28. SHUGGIE OTIS (09/01/2012)
[Here Comes Shuggie Otis/Freedom Flight/Inspiration Information]
29. DOLLY PARTON (8/02/2010)
[Eagle When She Flies/Slow Dancing With The Moon/White Limozeen]
30. IGGY POP (28/03/2011)
[New Values/Soldier/Party]
31. ELVIS PRESLEY (26/09/2011)
[Today/From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis Tennessee/Moody Blue]
32. PRIMAL SCREAM (26/09/2011)
[Vanishing Point/Echo Dek/XTRMNTR]
33. SANTANA (08/02/2010)
[Illuminations/Oneness/The Swing of Delight]
34. SANTANA (26/09/2011)
[Havana Moon/Beyond Appearances/Spirits Dancing In The Flesh]
35. SCORPIONS (01/02/2010)
[In Trance/Virgin Killer/Taken By Force]
36. GIL SCOTT-HERON (24/01/2011)
[Real Eyes/Reflections/Moving Target]
37. SIMON and GARFUNKEL (01/02/2010)
[Sounds Of Silence/Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme/Bookends]
38. PATTI SMITH (26/07/2010)
[Gone Again/Peace And Noise/Gung Ho]
39. THE STRANGLERS (28/03/2011)
[Feline/Aural Sculpture/Dreamtime]
40. TOTO (08/02/2010)
[Toto/Hydra/Turn Back]
41. LUTHER VANDROSS (01/02/2010)
(Never Too Much/Give Me The Reason/The Power of Love)
42. VANGELIS (26/09/2011)
[Heaven And Hell/Albedo 0.39/Spiral]
43. THE WALKER BROTHERS (01/02/2010)
[No Regrets/Lines/Nite Flights]
44. MUDDY WATERS (24/01/2011)
[Hard Again/I’m Ready/King Bee]
45. BOBBY WOMACK (09/01/2012)
[Home Is Where The Heart Is/Pieces/Roads Of Life]

"Original Album Classics" by TAJ MAHAL. A Review Of The 2011 3CD Mini Box Set On Sony/Legacy.

2012-01-29T13:29:00.012Z

"…Have You Ever Been On The Outside…"

Released 24 January 2011 - this 3CD mini box set is part of Sony/Legacy’s hugely successful and popular "Original Album Classics" series. It contains the following 3 albums in 5” card repro sleeves with original American artwork on the front and rear…

Disc 1 is "Taj Mahal" – his 1968 debut LP (Stereo Version) on Columbia CS 9579 in the USA and Direction S 8-63279 in the UK (33:00 minutes)

Disc 2 is "The Natch'l Blues" – his 2nd LP from February 1969 LP on Columbia CS 9698 in the USA and Direction S 8-63397 in the UK (49:03 minutes)
Note tracks 10, 11 and 12 are Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks which first appeared on the 2000 CD reissue

Disc 3 is "Mo' Roots" – 1974 LP on Columbia KC 33051 in the USA and CBS S 80346 in the UK (33:43 minutes)

At first glance - this release seems like a steal at just under seven quid (twelve bucks) - but there's 'both' really good and really bad on here. Let's get to the good first...

The debut album is the stuff of Blues-Rock legend – an absolute gem. The band consists of guitarists Ry Cooder (credited as Ryland P Cooder) and Jesse Edwin Davis and veterans James Thomas on Bass and Charles Blackwell on Drums. Taj sang all the tunes and mainly stuck to harp playing except on the brilliant 8-minutes of "The Celebrated Walkin' Blues" where he puts in some great slide-guitar work. Niggles - the original album was also issued in MONO - and as you can see from the playing time provided above – it could easily have been fit on here as a first – but alas. I would also love to one day see a LEGACY DOUBLE DELUXE of this fantastic debut – there must be some outakes in storage somewhere – and live sets with that stellar band…

The follow up "The Natch'l Blues" was more of the same up-tempo boogie (and his first LP to chart in the USA). Again it featured Jesse Edwin Davis (had his own albums on Atco by now) but also brought in Al Kooper on Piano. Produced by Bruce Robinson, the record featured great funky blues rhythms like "Going Up To The Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue" – sounding not unlike Shuggie Otis on his wonderful debut "Here Comes…" (see separate review for that 3CD box set). The 3 bonus tracks are shockingly good too – especially the Fleetwood Mac 1st album feel to "New Stranger Blues" (lyrics above).

Both album one and two were remastered before for the 'Rewind' series and sound great – really full of life and presence.

But the side is let down badly by the "Mo' Roots" set - a real dog and wildly out of place here. It was also badly produced for 1974 – very dull and lifeless sounding - and I'm afraid this supposed remaster has done nothing for it. Tracks like "Slave Driver" with its cod-reggae rhythms sounds like poor man's Bob Marley and The Wailers. A better inclusion would have been the 1969 2LP set "Giant Step/De Ole Folks At Home" which continued on convincingly from the first two records. It's also a single CD that fitted the entire double on it – so it would have been ideal here – and made this box a must buy.

Like the Shuggie Otis, Muddy Waters and Fleetwood Mac 3CD sets in this cool little series – this box set of great Blues Rock is stunning value for money. But this Taj Mahal addition is docked a star for that turkey 3rd disc.

To sum up - it's a good release then - but it could have been truly great one. Still, it’s nice to see this criminally overlooked Bluesman be given the limelight again.

And maybe a set of Chicken Shack repro's next please...

PS: Begun in February 2010 and ongoing into 2012 - here is a list of the "Original Album Classics" Series Mini Box Sets – the '3CD' Versions

1. ADAM & THE ANTS (26/09/2011)
[Dirk Wears White Sox/Kings Of The Wild Frontier/Prince Charming]
2. AMERIE (01/02/2010)
(All I Have/Touch/Because I Love It)
3. ANATHEMA (26/09/2011)
[Judgement/A Fine Day To Exit/A Natural Disaster]
4. BLONDIE (26/09/2011)
[No Exit/Livid/The Curse Of Blondie]
5. COLIN BLUNSTONE (26/07/2010)
[One Year/Ennismore/Journey]
6. DAVID BOWIE (09/01/2012)
[Outside/Earthling/Hours…]
7. JOHNNY CASH (09/01/2012)
[Hello, I’m Johnny Cash/The Johnny Cash Show/Man In Black]
8. CLANNAD (24/01/2011)
[Magical Ring/Macalla/Sirius]
9. SHAWN COLVIN (08/02/2010)
[Steady On/Fat City/Cover Girl]
10. ALICE COOPER (26/09/2011)
[Trash/Hey Stoopid/The Last Temptation]
11. MILES DAVIS (26/07/2010)
[Nefertiti/Socerer/Filles De Kilimanjaro]
12. DEEP PURPLE (26/09/2011)
[Slaves And Masters/The Battle Rages On/Purpendicular]
13. DONOVAN (22/07/2010)
[Mellow Yellow/Hurdy Gurdy Man/Barabajagal]
14. BOB DYLAN (26/07/2010)
[Empire Burlesque/Down In The Groove/Under The Red Sky]
15. BOB DYLAN (09/01/2012)
[Good As I Been To You/World Gone Wrong/MTV Unplugged]
16. EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (28/03/2011)
[Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970/Live At The Royal Albert Hall/Live In Poland]
17. AGNETHA FALTSKOG [FRIDA of ABBA] (01/02/2010)
[Agnetha Faltskog/Nar En Vacker Tanke Blirsang/Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus]
18. (PETER GREEN’S) FLEETWOOD MAC (01/02/2010)
[Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac/Mr. Wonderful/The Pious Bird of Good Omen – The Original UK Album Track Lists – No Extras]
19. ARETHA FRANKLYN (01/02/2010)
[The Electrifying/The Tender The Moving The Swinging/Soul Sister]
20. THE JEFF HEALEY BAND (09/01/2012)
[See The Light/Hell To Pay/Feel This]
21. JAPAN (28/03/2011)
[Adolescent Sex/Obscure Alternatives/Quiet Life]
22. JEFFERSON AIRPLANE (28/03/2011)
[Volunteers/Bark/Long John Silver]
23. JOURNEY (01/02/2010)
[Departure/Escape/Frontiers]
24. TAJ MAHAL (24/01/2011)
[Taj Mahal/The Natch’l Blues/Mo’ Roots]
25. CHARLES MINGUS (26/07/2010)
[Mingus Ah Um/Mingus Dynasty/Tijuana Moods]
26. WILLIE NELSON (01/02/2010)
[Yesterday’s Wine/Red Headed Stranger/Stardust]
27. THE ONLY ONES (09/01/2012)
[The Only Ones/Even Serpents Shine/Baby’s Got A Gun]
28. SHUGGIE OTIS (09/01/2012)
[Here Comes Shuggie Otis/Freedom Flight/Inspiration Information]
29. DOLLY PARTON (8/02/2010)
[Eagle When She Flies/Slow Dancing With The Moon/White Limozeen]
30. IGGY POP (28/03/2011)
[New Values/Soldier/Party]
31. ELVIS PRESLEY (26/09/2011)
[Today, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis Tennessee/Moody Blue]
32. PRIMAL SCREAM (26/09/2011)
[Vanishing Point/Echo Dek/XTRMNTR]
33. SANTANA (08/02/2010)
[Illuminations/Oneness/The Swing of Delight]
34. SANTANA (26/09/2011)
[Havana Moon/Beyond Appearances/Spirits Dancing In The Flesh]
35. SCORPIONS (01/02/2010)
[In Trance/Virgin Killer/Taken By Force]
36. GIL SCOTT-HERON (24/01/2011)
[Real Eyes/Reflections/Moving Target]
37. SIMON and GARFUNKEL (01/02/2010)
[Sounds Of Silence/Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme/Bookends]
38. PATTI SMITH (26/07/2010)
[Gone Again/Peace And Noise/Gung Ho]
39. THE STRANGLERS (28/03/2011)
[Feline/Aural Sculpture/Dreamtime]
40. TOTO (08/02/2010)
[Toto/Hydra/Turn Back]
41. LUTHER VANDROSS (01/02/2010)
(Never Too Much/Give Me The Reason/The Power of Love)
42. VANGELIS (26/09/2011)
[Heaven And Hell/Albedo 0.39/Spiral]
43. THE WALKER BROTHERS (01/02/2010)
[No Regrets/Lines/Nite Flights]
44. MUDDY WATERS (24/01/2011)
[Hard Again/I’m Ready/King Bee]
45. BOBBY WOMACK (09/01/2012)
[Home Is Where The Heart Is/Pieces/Roads Of Life]

"The Name Of The Rose" on BLU RAY. A Review Of The 1986 Film Now Reissued On A 2011 BLU RAY.

2012-01-27T19:43:00.010Z

"…The Step Between Ecstatic Vision And Sinful Frenzy…Is All Too Brief…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2011 BLU RAY ***

French Director Jean-Jacques Annaud had his work cut out for him. First he had to hire BAFTA-winning writer Andrew Birkin along with three other top scriptwriters to do a 'Pamplifest' of "Il Nome Della Rose" – a 500-page medieval whodunit written in Italian by Historian and Scholar Umberto Eco. Then after four years of design prep, Annaud had an entire Benedictine Abbey built to scale on hills outside of Rome in the winter of 1985. So come the opening minutes of "The Name Of The Rose" - as William of Baskerville and his novice Adso of Melk (Sean Connery and a 16-year old Christian Slater) dismount from their nags and have their hands washed inside the huge wooden gates of that fourteenth century structure - you can 'see' that Annaud spent his 17 million dollar budget wisely…

Right from the word go you are immersed in their world. The camera pans up to vertigo-inducing battlements, down to a vast courtyard, over to vestibules and quadrangle arches festooned with ecclesiastical masonry. There is little of comfort here and the only earth dug up is not for vegetables but fresh graves. Everything else is filth and grime – mud – snow – animal faeces. Then once inside - the chilling austerity continues. Stone floors, hard wooden pews and incense swinging censers at mealtime. There are marble altars with hidden latches, crypts with mounted skulls and passageways alive with droves of really fat rats. There’s even a Scriptorium tower beside the Abbey where books are laboured on by hand for years - and a secretive library above it all that is accessible only through a wooden labyrinth…

As if this isn’t enough – then there’s the look of the inmates. It feels like Annaud sent out an all-points bulletin to hire 30 of the ugliest actors in the world. These monks, scribes and translators are like the grotesque gargoyles that loom over everything on the elevated pillars. Some of them are fat – some giggling and maniacal – others are toothless (many are all three). They all wear coarse grey cassocks and sport severe tonsure haircuts. Others have large facial warts or the scars of self-flagellation on their backs – punishment for sins of the flesh (and we’re not talking about chorus girls here). Even the medical infirmary is a place of terror - with jars of dark substances that look more like torture potions than medicines and soothing poultices. This is how the fourteenth century would have looked - and felt – and it is completely believable.

It helps too to have a fantastically well-chosen cast… Principal in this is Sean Connery as a Franciscan Monk who uses sextants, magnifying glasses and his considerable intellect to solve ‘conundrums’ in the year of our not-so-enlightened Lord 1327. Other grotesques include William Hickey as the prophecy spouting Brother Ubertino, the veteran Italian actor Feodor Chaliapin Jr. as the ‘venerable’ Jorge – a blind spiritual leader who rants about ‘laughter’ deforming faces and making men look like monkeys. And best of all is the simpleton hunchback Salvatore (a stunning turn by “Hellboy” leading man Ron Perlman) who sticks his tongue out at people and babbles in all languages and none…

The story sees William of Baskerville brought in by a wily Abbot seeking answers and discretion (a superbly cast Michael Lonsdale). William is to investigate monks dying of what appear to be 'unnatural forces'. As more bodies succumb to murders that begin to look like signs from the Bible (a vat of pig’s blood and a scented bathtub are assigned to the Blood and Water predictions of the Apocalypse) - the Holy Inquisition is eventually summoned. But God’s mercy on Earth is the dreaded Bernardo Gui (a deliciously cruel F. Murray Abraham) who is the very personification of man’s twisted inhumanity when corrupted by power. Brother William is now in a race against time – he knows from bitter past experience that Bernardo Gui will come to convenient explanations involving 'devils in their midst'. And with some tortured confessions – Gui will sacrifice three unfortunates to the burning stake (including Adso’s girl) because he knows this will calm the spiritually panicking monks.

But the film belongs to Connery. Relishing a properly meaty role and well-written script (especially when it’s so closely linked with his favourite subject of education) – he gives his William just the right amount of Sherlock Holmes genius but with that touch of condescending arrogance too. William is driven – and like Holmes - has an almost dismissive disdain for life. It’s as if solving the puzzle is everything – certainly more important than stopping the monster from killing his next victim. But more than this - William also suspects that nothing 'supernatural' is taking place – that someone in the Abbey is reluctant to unleash knowledge and ideas on the ordinary people – especially those written down in "...spiritually dangerous books..." And on it goes to a showdown in the labyrinth of the Scriptorium – and a peasant girl in the mist who haunts Adso into his old age (the only earthly love he has ever known)…

Words matter in this film – so the script rises to it. In an argument that William has with the permanently vexed Jorge about 'laughter as a weapon' – their sparring in front of the other monks is the stuff of brilliance. When Adso encounters the beguiling and beautiful 'girl' (played by a gorgeous Valentina Vargas) – he confides in his master about women and love. William’s response is both comical and wonderful. When William hears the hunchback Salvatore utter the word "Penitenziagite" – he knows he was once a heretic. It’s the war cry of the Dolcinites – an order of monks who believed in the poverty of Christ – but wanted all men to follow in the same (something the Church wasn’t too keen on). So the Dolcinites slaughtered the wealthy and for good measure all the corrupt fat priests too. William's explanation to Adso of how religion can warp the mind is both humane and intelligent (the dialogue from it titles this review).

PICTURE QUALITY – there have been poor reviews of a German issue on Blu Ray – but this July 2011 copy is a USA release on Warner Brothers which is REGION FREE and will therefore play on all machines (if you type in the barcode number 883929180080 into the SEARCH bar on Amazon – it will direct to the correct version).

The picture quality is a VAST IMPROVEMENT on everything that has gone before. It absolutely ‘isn’t perfect’ by any means - but it is beautiful in many places – something the DVD issues notoriously failed to deliver on. There are so many great moments where the clarity is shocking now – Connery looks out the window at a fresh grave being picked by a crow – food chucked out the sleuth at the back of the Abbey and allowed to roll down to the clambering peasants below (“another generous donation to the poor from the church…”). Even the night sequences when they’re scurrying around the desolate courtyard areas are superbly clear. There are times when blocking and some speckling appear (fog engulfing the Abbey) – but it’s rare. This is the BEST the print’s ever been and the stunning/sinister score by JAMES HORNER has also been given an upgrade so it rattles out through your speakers with real force. The ‘Extras’ of the 2DVD set are all here too.

"The Name Of The Rose" is the very definition of a 'cult' movie - and like "The Big Lebowski" and "Brazil" - quotes from it litter the net.
It blew me away when I first saw it and it's been in my top ten ever since. So if you're a fan, you should buy this BLU RAY version - and if you're new to it, then dig in.

And remember – when a man is found in a monastery stable with a witch, a black cat and a cockerel – it doesn’t necessarily mean he isn't a nice person…

BLU RAY Specifications:
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition 16x9 1.85:1
AUDIO: DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 2.0 and Spanish 1.0
SPOKEN LANGUAGES: English, French, Italian, Castellano, Czech (Cesky), Hungarian (Magyar), Polish
SUBTITLES: English (For The Hearing Impaired), French, Italian (For The Hearing Impaired), Castellano, Dutch, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Czech (Cesky), Danish (Dansk), Finnish (Suomi), Hungarian (Magyar), Norwegian (Norsk), Polish, Portuguese, Swedish (Svenska)

EXTRAS:
2 x Feature Length Commentaries by Director JEAN-JACQUES ANNAUD – one in English and the other in French (with English subtitles)
"The Abbey Of Crime – Umberto Eco's The Name Of The Rose" – A Detailed Making Of In German and French with subtitles (40 minutes)
Photo Video Journey with Jean-Jacques Annaud (10 minutes)
Theatrical Trailer

"Think About The Times: The Chrysalis Years 1969 to 1972" by TEN YEARS AFTER. A Review Of The 2010 EMI 3CD Retrospective.

2012-01-24T19:34:00.007Z

"…Only Thing I Understand Is Living…"

Released 26 July 2010 as a 3CD set - "Think About The Times: The Chrysalis Years 1969 to 1972" on Chrysalis/EMI 5099964214726 takes its title from a track on the 1970 TEN YEARS AFTER album "Watt" – and breaks down as follows…

Disc 1 (76:53 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Ssssh" – released August 1969 in the UK on Deram SML 1052 and in the USA on Deram/London DES 18029
Track 9 is "If You Should Love Me" – the non-album 7" single B-side to the 'American' release of "Love Like A Man" issued in 1970 on Deram DEM 7529
Tracks 10 to 17 are the album "Cricklewood Green" – released April 1970 in the UK on Deram SML 1065 and in the USA on Deram DES 18038

Disc 2 (79:17 minutes):
Track 1 is "Love Like A Man (Single Edit)" – a non-album version [A-side] issued May 1970 in the UK on Deram DM 299
Tracks 2 to 9 are the album "Watt" – released December 1970 in the UK on Deram SML 1078 and Deram XDES 18050
Tracks 10 to 19 are the album "A Space In Time" – released August 1971 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1001 and in the USA on Columbia KC 30801

Disc 3 (60:16 minutes):
Track 1 is "I'd Love To Change The World (Single Edit)" – a non-album 7” single version [A-side] issued September 1971 in the USA on Columbia 4-45457
Tracks 2 to 10 are the album "Rock & Roll Music To The World" – released October 1972 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1009 and in the USA on Columbia KC 31779
Track 11 is "Choo Choo Mama (Single Edit)" – a non-album 7” single version [A-side] issued November 1972 in the USA on Columbia 4-45736
Track 12 is "Love Like A Man (Recorded Live At Bill Graham's Fillmore East)" – a non-album 7” single version [B-side to “Love Like A Man”] issued May 1970 in the UK on Deram DM 299

Housed in a double jewel-case with a fairly skimpy (but informative) 8-page booklet - EMI have released many multiple CD sets in this 'retro' series with the same generic packaging - Robin Trower, Frankie Miller, Barclay James Harvest, The Groundhogs, UFO and The Edgar Broughton Band among them. All are remastered and pitched at mid-price.

In this case (as is with most of the others) – the superb remastered sound comes courtesy of PETER MEW at Abbey Road. It should also be noted that "Ssssh", "Cricklewood Green" and "Watt" are different remasters to the 2002 versions done by PASCHAL BYRNE at Alchemy Audio in London. The other big draw here for TYA fans is the difficult to find and hugely popular albums "A Space In Time" and "Rock & Roll Music To The World" from 1971 and 1972 respectively – available remastered - and reasonably priced at last.

Musically – as one reviewer rightly says – some tracks are plodding and none are 'live' and therefore not really representative of the band at their best. But dealing with what we do have - there is so much on here to savour. "Working On The Road", "I'm Coming On" and "Choo Choo Mama" are great boogie tunes. I also love the acoustic vibe of "Circles", the Prog Rock keyboards of "Standing At The Station" and the string arrangements of "Over The Hill". There are even wise deliberations on beliefs on the trippy treated vocals of "Religion" (lyrics above). It isn't all genius - of course not. But there are 5 studio albums & five rare 7" single sides on here – and that's an awful lot of Classic Rock music for not a huge amount of wonga.

Niggles - packaging wise its workmanlike at best. I would have much preferred it if this entire series has gone down the road of Columbia's "Original Classic Albums" mini box sets – albums in repro card sleeves with the full session info available via download from Sony’s website. But alas…

Too often overlooked - TEN YEARS AFTER still hold huge swathes of fans in serious affection – and on re-hearing these remasters and Alvin Lee's terrific axework – it's easy to know why.

Rock & Roll Music To Us...

Recommended.

"Hidalgo" on BLU RAY. A Review Of The 2004 Film Now On A 2008 BLU RAY.

2012-01-24T14:48:00.009Z

"…Lost The Race…But Won A Friend…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 'BLU RAY' VERSION ***

For such a huge production piece - Joe Johnston's expertly directed "Hidalgo" seems to have eluded everybody. A sort of "Little Big Man" meets "Lawrence Of Arabia" hybrid - it garnished favourable reviews on release in early 2004 and a cult following on DVD later that year. It was even name-checked in the back pages of Leonard Maltin's Annual Movie Guide as a 'favorite'.

Well - I'd argue that it's time to mount your saddlebags once again folks and get some serious hot sand on your laser beams - because "Hidalgo" has very definitely been given a whole new lease of life on this beautifully transferred 2008 BLU RAY reissue...

Loosely based on the life of Frank Thomas Hopkins (played by Viggo Mortensen) and his fast-and-strong horse - the Spanish Mustang "Hidalgo" - John Fusco's screenplay spruces up his tale of daring-do a great deal (to some controversy it has to be said). Frank is initially presented to us as a repeated long-distance race winner as well as a dispatch rider for the less-than-chivalrous US Cavalry. Born of a Native Indian mother and European-American father, they named their 'half caste' son "Blue Child". But at the beginning of the movie (and although he speaks their tongue and loves their way of life) - we find Frank rather shamefully hiding what's in his blood and heart.

Then after witnessing the appalling aftermath of Wounded Knee (a massacre of defenceless Lakota Sioux Indians in South Dakota) - we move forward in time to find Frank pasty-faced and broken. Riding around on his famous steed, he's acting out Cowboys and Indians games for boorish patrons in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Drunk most of the time - Frank is little more than a circus clown - and kept in check by the generosity of the famous marksman (the ever wonderful J.K. Simmons plays Bill Cody). But like Chief Eagle Horn who walks into the centre of the big top every afternoon and is pelted with rotten food and boos - Frank feels old before his time and permanently humiliated.

But an olive branch comes in the shape of a visiting Arab and Chinaman. Lured by a hefty purse and a need to redeem himself - Frank agrees to journey into "The Ocean Of Fire" - an endurance horserace in the Middle East which dates back it's history a full 1000 years. Crossing scorched desert and jagged limestone for nearly 70 days - the race covers a staggering 3000-miles between Aden and Syria - eventually arriving at the Arabian Sea. With casualties lost to sandstorms, quicksand and plagues of locusts - only the strongest riders and the purest of steeds will survive. So little is expected of the Western 'Cowboy' and his Halfbreed.

Along the way Frank acquires a goat-herder and water-fetching boy as his "Hidalgo" team, fascinates a feisty daughter who longs to ride alongside the men as their equal (Zuleikha Robinson), dodges a scheming English lady who wants the win the race to acquire the sacred Al-Hattal horse bloodline (Louise Lombard), swaps swords and bullets with a villainous nephew (Said Taghmaouri) and hobnobs with an all-powerful Sheikh (a superb turn by Omar Sharif) who is sceptical at first of the 'far rider' but grows to admire and even revere the gritty and tenacious American. And of course the film has two major pluses - Mortensen and his craggy features filling the whole screen with an everyman quality that is very smart casting indeed. And the horses themselves - beautiful and majestic creatures - and almost telepathic in their symbiosis with their riders. And on the story goes...through all manner of mental and physical trials...to end up back again in Frontierland USA where wild horses run the plains...like a free-spirit should...

PICTURE - the film's default aspect is 2.40:1 - so there are bars at the top and bottom of the picture - but even when stretched to Smart or Full Aspect mode - the print is rarely anything less than a desert swoon. So many great images - the CGI of the "City Of Paris" ship arriving in Arabia is beautifully rendered - the dawn and dusk over the desert - the up-close shots of Bedouin tents and Arabic clothing - sand-blasted faces and parched lips - all of it - GORGEOUS.

SOUND - audio is equally impressive. When the thundering hooves and the sandstorm comes at you - your viewing room will beg for mercy and be shown none.

The two extras "Sand & Celluloid" and "America's First Horse" are very informative and enjoyable. The first is a behind-the-scenes 'making of' featuring short interviews with Mortensen, the Writer, the Director, Executive Producers, Animal Trainers and Production Design people. Particularly impressive is the entire mud-walled town constructed on site for a fight sequence - and the edible locusts - each of which took 4 hours to create (utterly convincing). 800 horses were brought in to create the charge and race sequences - and wind and dust battered everyone and everything daily. The second feature goes into the Mustang Breed itself and how they were brought to America in 1519 by Cortez and then adopted by the natives as their own 'sacred' partners. Very good indeed...

To sum up - dialogue between Omar Sharif and Viggo Mortensen title this review...and in some ways mark out the history of this criminally ignored nugget.

"Hidalgo" is an excellent 'story' movie and well worth seeking out - especially now that it's been given a format which brings out all that hard work and finally makes it shine.

I may feel the urge to spit on a camel every now and then, but I'm so glad I bought this film...

BLU RAY Specifications:
VIDEO: 1080p High-Definition / 2.40:1
AUDIO: Dolby Digital 5.1 English, French and Spanish
ENHANCED AUDIO: DTS 5.1 French and Spanish, PCM 5.1 English
SUBTITLES: English, English For Hearing Impaired, French, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish

BONUS FEATURES:
"Sand & Celluloid" - A Making of Featurette, Behind The Scenes etc (10 minutes)
"America's First Horse - Hidalgo And The Spanish Mustang" - The Story of Hildago's Ancestors (21 minutes)

"Countdown To Ecstasy". A Review Of Their 1973 Album Now Reissued In Japan On The SHM-CD Format (2008 and 2011).

2012-01-19T18:15:00.010Z

"…I Detect The El Supremo…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2008/2011 JAPAN-ONLY SHM-CD REISSUES ***

In truth - I can’t be rational about Steely Dan. Few people who loved and grew up with Seventies Rock can be. Their run of 7 albums between 1972's "Can't Buy A Thrill" and 1980's "Gaucho" was genius.
So when I spent the guts of thirty quid on this fangled new CD of their 2nd album from 1973 "Countdown To Ecstasy" – I was wondering if I was 'hearing' new things precisely because I love the band so much - and/or - because I just paid through the nose for this disc?

But once you hear this SHM-CD on any half-decent system – the difference is IMMEDIATE – and makes you want to dive in on the other 6 albums as fast as in humanly possible.

A little history first regards this release - originally issued 25 June 2008 on Geffen UICY-93516 in Japan-only on the SHM-CD format (Super-High Materials) with 'mini LP repro artwork' – my copy is a new 25 December 2011 'reissue' of that 2008 title – and again a limited edition. What seems to happen is that 2000 copies or so are pressed up – they sell out quickly – and Japan simply represses more whenever demand calls for it. But it seems that even this 25 December 2011 reissue is already sold out as I write (18 Jan 2012).

All 7 of the Dan’s classic albums are part of a massive campaign - some 900+ SHM-CDs of classic albums 'reissued' in Japan in 2011 (the format has really taken off there). The SHM-CD does not require a special player to play it on (the SHM-SACD does) – it's just a better-made CD pioneered by JVC to give clearer reproduction. I own 8 or 9 of these Repro Beauties and they are invariably better than other released versions (see reviews for Joe Walsh, George Benson, Phil Upchurch and Wishbone Ash).

The repro'd artwork is typical of so many Japanese reissues (SHM or not) – superlative. It uses the American sleeve with its matt sheen (not stippled like the UK Probe Records original), has its rare lyric insert as a separate page and the fold-out inlay that came with the 1998 remasters featuring Becker & Fagan’s caustic notes. There’s also a Japanese booklet with unreadable lyrics and blurbs on the SHM-CD format. The label uses the yellow ABC Records design. But the big news is of course the SOUND…

While "Bodhisattva" kicks in with crystal clear drums and Skunk Baxter’s stunning guitar work – the first genuine blast is the clarity of "Razor Boy" which is just beautiful. It suddenly feels like an Audiophile release where every nuance is realised – where the presence and sheer musicality is amplified but without being overbearing. It's just 'there' and God is it good. "The Boston Rag" sounds boss too especially when the brass kicks in. The Side 1 finisher "Your Gold Teeth" is one of my favourites and it's awash with all that keyboard soloing swirling around your speakers - far more detailed. Rick Derringer’s guitar work on "Show Biz Kids" still astonishes to this day (lyrics above) as does the loveliness of "Razor Boy". The only slight let down I would say is the less than stellar impact of "My Old School" which still seems to lack any real punch. "Pearl Of The Quarter" is so pretty and it ends on "King Of The World" – beautifully clear and vibrant. And I’m one happy bunny.

In fact rehearing this album on this format makes me think of so many other titles that I’d want this way – and why aren’t any of them given UK and US releases?

Why do I have to buy Tom Waits, James Taylor and Van Morrison in Japan if I want proper remasters of their WEA catalogues?

To sum up – a gem of an album – accomplished – still fresh – and enhanced by this lovely and covetous version. The only regrets have to be the cost and the difficulty in acquiring one. Still – if you’ve any love for this much-loved ensemble – you owe it to yourself to indulge in one of the SHM-CD reissues. I hear "Can't Buy A Thrill" and "Aja" are equally stupendous.

And after all – as the witty and wise Donald warns us - it's "…only life's wages…"

"Rusty Rocks" by RUSTY YORK. A Review Of The 2004 CD Compilation By Bear Family.

2012-01-17T10:12:00.024Z

"…Sugaree…You Know I Love You So…"

Released on Bear Family BCD 16543 AR, "Rusty Rocks" is a 28-track CD compilation featuring his recordings between 1957 and 1964.
It's part of Bear Family's "Rocks" Series - which in April 2004 had only 5 other releases - but now in January 2012 sports 42 - and rising (see list below and other titles reviewed).

It comes in Bear Family's now standard packaging for this series – a 3-way foldout card digipak containing a detachable oversized booklet inside (52 pages for this issue). Pages 2 to 33 feature an in-depth essay on Charles Edward York (his real name) by noted writer and musicologist COLIN ESCOTT, Pages 35 to 40 show photos from Rusty’s own 'Scrapbook' - while Pages 41 to 50 have a full Discography on all 28 recordings (and more) by Bear's own RICHARD WEIZE. The text throughout is peppered with trade adverts from Billboard and Cashbox, black and white and colour photos of Rusty in the USA and Europe as well as reviews and posters for Dick Clark Shows in Hollywood and Michigan. It’s the usual classy act from Bear.

And then of course there's the great sound courtesy of JURGEN CRASSER. I’ve raved about his mastering work before (see my TAG for him and reviews for the astonishing "Blowing The Fuse" series (16 compilations) and the "Sweet Soul Music" series (10 discs). Musically it's Rock'n'Roll and Rockabilly with a little Pop on the later Sixties stuff, but it sounds great - full of atmosphere, echo and life.

TRACK LIST:
1. Sugaree
2. Sweet Love
3. The Girl Can't Help It
4. Mean Woman Blues
5. Peggy Sue
6. Great Balls Of Fire
7. Shake 'Em Up Baby
8. Red Rooster (Instrumental)
9. Sweet Talk
10. Peggy Sue (2)
11. Sadie Mae
12. Tore Up Over You
13. Tremblin'
14. Love Struck
15. La Dee Dah (Duet with BONNIE LOU]
16. Cajun Blues/Frosty (Instrumental)
17. Goodnight Cincinnati, Good Morning Tennessee
18. Sweet Love (2)
19. You'd Better Leave My Baby Alone
20. Baby What You Want Me to Do See [as BILL STAMPER]
21. Don't Do It
22. One, One, One, Wonderful (Instrumental)
23. Molly Darlin' [as BILL STAMPER]
24. Tremblin' (Alternate)
25. Tore Up Over You (Alternate)
26. The Girl Can't Help It (2)
27. A Fallen Star
28. Margaret Ann

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 22, 23 and 24 are from the 1979 vinyl album "Rusty York: Rock And Roll Memories" on Jewel JRC 917

Tracks 4, 5, 6, 12, 16, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28 are from a 1994 CD compilation called "Cincinnati Fireball" on Gee Dee 270 103

Tracks 24 and 25 are 'Alternate Takes' of "Tremblin'" and "Tore Up" and are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

The other tracks (and some above) are either 7” single releases or from rare US compilations – and many are seeing the CD light of day for the first time.

Born in Kentucky – Rusty York's lone chart entry is the fabulous "Sugaree" – a song I've loved and featured on many a rocking CD compilation. Its ultra-rare original US 45 is repro’d on the CD label (P.J. Records 100). "Sugaree" has a great history. Written by country singer Marty Robbins, it was aired by gospel group The Jordanaires on Capitol as their first secular release in late 1956. York’s version rearranged it into a faster beat and was recorded April 1959 as a casual B-side, but the finished Rock'n'Roller demanded release. It was immediately hawked around RCA, Mercury and other big record companies - but none showed any interest. Undeterred – it was put out on the self-published P.J. Records in April 1959 (P for was Pat Nelson and J for Jackie DeShannon). They pressed up a thousand copies at a time and sold them from cars. 10,000 singles later - it was picked up by Note Records that summer (Note 10021) and then at the end of the year released on the mighty Chess label. Chess 1730 finally charted on the Billboard Top 200 at a lowly ranking of 77. Hank Ballard and The Midnighters even put out a version on King in June 1959. "Sugaree" is just one of those irresistibly brill Rock'n'Roll records that never dates. Bolstered up by great Saxophone work from Jimmy Risch – it boogies along and wins fans every time. It's rare instrumental B-side "Red Rooster" is also on here.

The rest of the tracks comprise of like-minded cover versions – Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue", Little Richard's "The Girl Can't Help It", "Mean Woman Blues" (sung by Elvis Presley in 1957 on his "Loving You" album) and Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls Of Fire". He sounds like 1950's Buddy Holly on the pretty "A Fallen Star". The cool Rockabilly of "Shack 'Em Up Baby" turned up on "All I Wanna Do Is ROCK" – Bear Family's budget-priced CD sampler for the "Rocks" series (a great introduction). I also particularly like the two versions of 1957's "Sweet Love" which is very Gene Vincent in his prime. The instrumental "Cajun Blues/Frosty" too features JIMMY RISCH on sax, but also has some excellent guitar work from York himself. Even the 1961 material like "Tore Up Over You" and "Love Struck" is good – sounding not unlike period Jerry Lee Lewis. There's also a tremendous boogie cover of Jimmy Reed's shuffling Blues classic "Baby What You Want Me To Do" which was put out as a 45 in 1964 with "Molly Darlin'" on the A (REM Records REM 330 - credited to BILL STAMPER). The only real turkey for me here is a terrible duet with Bonnie Lou on "La Dee Dah" – a sappy 1959 "cha cha cha" song on King Records – I guess it's been included due to its rarity.

To sum up – I liked this compilation a lot. Rusty York may be a criminally forgotten figure in the Rock’n’Roll and Rockabilly pantheon – but this superb "Rocks" compilation by the incomparable Bear Family does him and his recorded legacy proud.

PS: The "Rocks" Series by Bear Family features the following artists:

1. Chuck Berry [see REVIEW}
2. Pat Boone
3. Johnny Burnette [see REVIEW]
4. The Cadillacs
5. Eddie Cochran
6. Bobby Darin
7. Fats Domino
8. Connie Francis
9. Don Gibson
10. Glen Glenn
11. Bill Haley
12. Roy Hall
13. Slim Harpo [see REVIEW]
14. Dale Hawkins
15. Ronnie Hawkins
16. Screamin' Jay Hawkins
17. Wanda Jackson [see REVIEW]
18. Sonny James
19. Buddy Knox & Jimmy Bowen with the Rhythm Orchids
20. Sleepy LaBeef
21. Brenda Lee
22. Jerry Lee Lewis
23. Smiley Lewis [see REVIEW]
24. Little Richard
25. Bob Luman
26. Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers
27. Carl Mann
28. Amos Milburn [see REVIEW]
29. Ella Mae Morse [see REVIEW]
30. Ricky Nelson
31. Carl Perkins
32. Roy Orbison
33. Lloyd Price
34. Piano Red (aka Dr. Feelgood) [see REVIEW]
35. Charlie Rich [see REVIEW]
36. Jack Scott
37. Shirley & Lee
38. The Treniers
39. Big Joe Turner [see REVIEW]
40. Conway Twitty
41. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps
42. Rusty York [see REVIEW]

The Bear Family "Rockin' Rollin'" Series features:

1. Johnny Horton
2. Marvin Rainwater
3. Marty Robbins Vol.1
4. Marty Robbins Vol.2
5. Marty Robbins Vol.3

"Faces In Reflection" by GEORGE DUKE. A Review Of His 1974 Jazz-Fusion Album Now Remastered Onto A 2008 CD In Universal's "Originals" Series.

2012-01-15T12:51:00.008Z

"…Faces Reveal Shadows…You Can't Conceal…"

As a fan of Seventies Jazz-Funk and Jazz-Fusion, I must admit to lack of knowledge on this one – and it's a gem I’ve been missing out on.

This 2008 CD remaster on Verve B0011514-02 is a straightforward reissue of "Faces In Reflection" - a rare Jazz-Fusion album by George Duke originally released in 1974 in Europe and the USA on MPS Records/BASF (it had no British release). It's also part of Universal's "Originals" CD series. All of these discs are remastered, housed in card digipaks with original artwork reproduced on the outer and inner flap (usually no booklet) and are pitched at mid-price. The series is extensive - Jazz, Funk, Soul, Latin, Big Bands and Fusion albums across the multinational’s vast array of labels (see list below). But the big news for fans here is the SUPERLATIVE NEW SOUND…

KEVIN REEVES handled the mastering and it’s a fabulous job done - the sound quality is 'so' good. Being Fusion and filled with keyboard flourishes and jazzy drum patterns – the remastering needed to enhance the playing – and it has. "Piano Solo No. 1+2" for instance has slight hiss – but it’s not dampened out nor compressed – it’s allowed to breath – and lovely for it. You really hear the musicianship. JOHN HEARD is the Bass player and NDUGU the Drummer – all other instruments are by GEORGE DUKE.

Reeves has an impressive track record – he’s remastered the beautiful "What Color Is Love" album by Terry Callier (also in the "Originals" series), the Hip-O Select reissue of Barry White's "I've Got So Much To Give" from 1974, Volume 2 of the Smokey Robinson series, the "United Artists Collection" double for Gordon Lightfoot and two fantastic Crusaders albums "Pass The Plate" (1971) and "Images" (1978) – I've reviewed the lot and his work is exceptional on all of them.

Musically "Faces In Reflection" is a little Todd Rundgren's Utopia (the 1974 debut), a little Frank Zappa, some Mahavishnu Orchestra and a whole lot of keyboard fusion. It's fast and some would say excessively so in places, but it’s better than that. "North Beach" sounds very Brian Auger with its echoed-keyboards and funky feel. The beautifully mellow "Capricorn" has brought customers to our counter enquiring after it on more than one occasion - while the slightly Latin feel of Milton Nacscimento's "Maria Tres Filhos" is an album highlight for me.

Most of the cuts are instrumentals and thankfully there are no self-indulgent 18-minute workouts on here (the longest track is 6:25) and better for it. "Faces In Reflection No.1" is very musical and sounds like something out of a movie soundtrack. One or two tracks have vocal rapping alongside the soloing, but only one has words - the album finisher "Faces In Reflection No.2" (lyrics above).

A bit of an unknown that deserves better frankly – I urge to check it out. Recommended…

*** A List Of Some Of The Titles In Universal's "ORIGINALS" CD Series ***
Labels covered include - Verve, Mercury, Fontana, A&M, Chisa, Blue Thumb, Kudu, ABC, Philips, Impulse etc…

1. New Orleans Nights - LOUIS ARMSTRONG and the ALL STARS (1950)
2. Satchmo At Pasadena - LOUIS ARMSTRONG and the ALL STARS (1951)
3. A Tear To A Smile - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY (1975)
4. Change Up The Groove - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY (1974)
5. He's Coming - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY (1971)
6. Lifeline - ROY AYERS (1977)
7. Ubiquity - ROY AYERS (1971)
8. Vibrations - ROY AYERS (1977)
9. Virgo Red - ROY AYERS (1973)
10. You Send Me - ROY AYERS (1978)
11. Chapter One: Latin America - GATO BARBIERI (1973)
12. Chapter Three: Viva Emiliano Zapata - GATO BARBIERI (1974)
13. Chapter Two: Hasta Siempre - GATO BARBIERI (1973)
14. Ruby. Ruby - GATO BARBIERI (1977)
15. Tropico - GATO BARBIERI (1978)
16. Basie Land - COUNT BASIE (1963)
17. On My Way & Shoutin' Again - COUNT BASIE (1963)
18. Intimacy - WALTER BEASLEY (21 October 2008)
19. Just Kickin' It - WALTER BEASLEY (1989)
20. Walter Beasley - WALTER BEASLEY (1987)
21. I Got A Woman And Some Blues - GEORGE BENSON (1970’s material, 1984)
22. Shape Of Things To Come - GEORGE BENSON (1969)
23. Soul Finger - ART BLAKEY and the JAZZ MESSENGERS (1965)
24. Bobo Motion - WILLIE BOBO (1967)
25. The Brazilian Scene - LUIZ BONFA (1965)
26. Braziliana - LUIZ BONFA and MARIA TOLEDO (1965)
27. Return Of The Brecker Brothers - THE BRECKER BROTHERS [Randy and Michael] (1992)
28. Just Between us - NORMAN BROWN (1992)
29. Jazz Samba – CHARLIE BYRD (1962)
30. Occasional Rain - TERRY CALLIER (1972)
31. What Color Is Love - TERRY CALLIER (1973)
32. Children Of Forever - STANLEY CLARKE (1973)
33. A Love Supreme - JOHN COLTRANE (1964)
34. Ascension - JOHN COLTRANE (1965)
35. Crescent - JOHN COLTRANE (1964)
36. Impressions - JOHN COLTRANE (1961)
37. John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman - JOHN COLTRANE and JOHNNY HARTMAN (1963)
38. The John Coltrane Quartet Plays... - JOHN COLTRANE QUARTET (1965)
39. Kulu Se Mama - JOHN COLTRANE (1965)
40. Live At Birdland - JOHN COLTRANE (1963)
41. Meditations – JOHN COLTRANE (1965)
42. New Thing At Newport - JOHN COLTRANE and ARCHIE SHEPP (1965)
43. Images - THE CRUSADERS (1978)
44. Old Socks, New Shoes...New Socks, Old Shoes - THE CRUSADERS (1970)
45. Pass The Plate - THE CRUSADERS (1971)
46. Ascenseur Pour L'echafaud - MILES DAVIS (1957)
47. A Dream Fulfilled – WILL DOWNING (1991)
48. Come Together As One – WILL DOWNING (1989)
49. Faces In Reflection – GEORGE DUKE (1974)
50. I Love The Blues, She Heard My Cry - GEORGE DUKE (1975)
51. Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins - DUKE ELLINGTON and COLEMAN HAWKINS (1962)
52. Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - DUKE ELLINGTON and JOHN COLTRANE (1963)
53. Plays The Theme From V.I.P. & Others – BILL EVANS (1963)
54. Out Of The Cool - GIL EVANS ORCHESTRA (1961)
55. Octet - MAYNARD FERGUSON (1955)
56. Ella In Hamburg (Live) - ELLA FITZGERALD (1961)
57. Ella In Hollywood - ELLA FITZGERALD (1961)
58. Porgy & Bess - ELLA FITZGERALD and LOUIS ARMSTRONG (1957)
59. At The Shrine – STAN GETZ (1954)
60. Big Band Bossa Nova - STAN GETZ and GARY McFARLAND (1962)
61. Dynasty – STAN GETZ (1971)
62. Getz/Gilberto – STAN GETZ and JOAO GILBERTO (also features Astrud Gilberto) (1963)
63. Getz/Gilberto No.2 – STAN GETZ and JOAO GILBERTO (1964)
64. In Stockholm (Live) - STAN GETZ (1956)
65. Jazz Samba Encore! – STAN GETZ (1963)
66. Sweet Rain - STAN GETZ (1967)
67. Stan Getz With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida – STAN GETZ and LAURINDO ALMEIDA (1963)
68. Jazz Giants '58 - STAN GETZ, GERRY MULLIGAN, HARRY EDISON, LOUIS BELSON and The OSCAR PETERSON TRIO (1958)
69. Swing Is Here - TERRY GIBBS (1960)
70. A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness - ASTRUD GILBERTO and WALTER WANDERLEY (1966)
71. The Astrud Gilberto Album - ASTRUD GILBERTO (1965)
72. Look To The Rainbow - ASTRUD GILBERTO and GIL EVANS (1966)
73. The Cool World - DIZZY GILLESPIE (1964)
74. Dizzy Gillespie Goes Hollywood – DIZZY GILLESPIE (1963)
75. Dizzy On The French Riviera - DIZZY GILLESPIE with CHRIS WHITE, RUDY COLLINS, LALO SCHIFRIN and LEO WRIGHT (1962)
76. I Just Dropped By To Say Hello - JOHNNY HARTMAN (1963)
77. Used To Be Duke - JOHNNY HODGES and his ORCHESTRA (1954)
78. Lady Sings The Blues - BILLIE HOLIDAY (1956)
79. The Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard – FREDDIE HUBBARD (1962)
80. At The Museum Of Modern Art – MILT JACKSON (1970s)
81. Treasure Island - KEITH JARRETT (1974)
82. Rio Revisited - ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM and GAL COSTA (1989)
83. Quincy Jones Explores The Music Of Henry Mancini - QUINCY JONES (1964)
84. The Quintessence - QUINCY JONES ORCHESTRA (1962)
85. You've Got It Bad Girl - QUINCY JONES (1973)
86. Live At The Apollo – B.B. KING (1990)
87. Arabesque - JOHN KLEMMER (1977)
88. Barefoot Ballet - JOHN KLEMMER (1976)
89. Goin' Latin - RAMSEY LEWIS (1966)
90. The In Crowd - RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO (1965)
91. Live At The Bohemian Caverns - RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO (1962)
92. Home Is Where The Music Is - HUGH MASEKELA (2LP set on 1CD) (1972)
Gary McFarland – see STAN GETZ
93. Down Here On The Ground - WES MONTGOMERY (1967)
94. Goin' Out Of My Head - WES MONTGOMERY (1965)
95. Blues In Time - GERRY MULLIGAN and PAUL DESMOND QUARTET (1957)
96. Lonesome Boulevard – GERRY MULLIGAN (1990)
97. The Blues And The Obscure Truth - OLIVER NELSON [featuring PAUL CHAMBERS, ERIC DOLPHY, BILL EVANS, ROY HAYNES and FREDDIE HUBBARD] (1961)
98. In A Romantic Mood - OSCAR PETERSON (1955)
99. Oscar Peterson Plays The Jerome Kern Songbook - OSCAR PETERSON (1952)
100. Oscar Peterson and Nelson Riddle - OSCAR PETERSON and NELSON RIDDLE (1963)
101. Oscar Peterson Trio + One - OSCAR PETERSON TRIO and CLARK TERRY (1964)
102. Blues In the Closet – BUD POWELL TRIO (1956)
103. Come Into Knowledge - RAMP (1977)
104. Elis & Tom - ELIS REGINA and ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM (1974)
105. Quiet As It's Kept - MAX ROACH (1960)
106. On Impulse! - SONNY ROLLINS (1965)
107. Swing Street Café - JOE SAMPLE and DAVID T. WALKER (1981) [Keyboardist and Guitarist with The Crusaders]
108. Piano, Strings And Bossa Nova - LALO SCHIFRIN (1962)
109. Everybody's Somebody's Fool - LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT (1950s Material)
110. Let It Be Me (Live) - NINA SIMONE (1987)
111. Hobo Flats - JIMMY SMITH (1963)
112. Live At The Village Gate - JIMMY SMITH TRIO (1963)
113. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? - JIMMY SMITH (1964)
114. Sonny Stitt Sits In With The Oscar Peterson Trio - SONNY STITT and OSCAR PETERSON (1957)
115. ...Plays The Contemporary Music Of Mexico And Brazil - CAL TJADER (1962)
116. At Mister Kelly’s – SARAH VAUGHAN and HER TRIO (1957)
117. All The King's Horses - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1972)
118. A Secret Place - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1976)
119. Feels So Good - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1975)
120. Inner City Blues - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1971)
121. Reed Seed - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1978)
122. Soul Box - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1973)

"Conan The Barbarian". A Review Of The 2011 Remake Now On BLU RAY.

2012-01-13T01:11:00.006Z

"…Behold…And Despair!"

You can't really accuse Marcus Nispel’s swords and sorcery fantasy of being namby-pamby – there’s cracked skulls and slashed limbs a plenty – and enough ketchup to worry Burger King. We’re not exactly talking Conan The "Librarian" here. And yet somehow – and despite Herculean effort (if you’ll forgive the terrible pun) - it just doesn’t click.

It should though. All the right ingredients for an update of this comic-book hero are there - bad guys with bad teeth – a minion with a severed nose and a tasty set of thumb-screws – an evil witch sporting razors for nail extensions – exotic wenches sporting very little else… And all the while a longhaired body-builder does his best to act while wielding a sword of destiny, riding a horse through haunted forests, causing landslides in slave mines, sneaking through secret passages into a turreted castle of ultimate doom (you know the sort) – and even finding time to shag a monastic nubile in a mud hut with very fetching candlelight. Not to mention all manner of burly warriors with more facial battle scars than members of the Scunthorpe Debate Society after a particularly rough game of Cribbage.

To be fair to the lead actor on which pretty much everything rests - it’s hard to follow in the triceps of Arnold Schwarzenegger. But Jason Momoa as Conan The Barbarian is likeable and a very credible presence on screen (he clearly bought a Bullworker in the few months as well). Stephan Lang (of "Avatar" fame) is the main villain - a power-obsessed overlord trying to get an ancient mask back that will make him a God (I felt the same way last week when I was queuing in Tescos). He thoroughly enjoys a psychotic frown as he pokes your eyes out and regularly rabbits on about "…rivers of blood..." and other such delightful bedside chatter (dialogue above). There are loads of battle sequences to keep the action ante up and the BLU RAY picture quality is immaculate throughout (it comes as a 'Double Play' set and there's a '3D' version too). There's even a believable 'attraction' between Jason Momoa and the gorgeous Rachel Nichols as Tamara the 'pure blood'. There’s also the ever-watchable Ron Perlman as Corin (Conan’s father) and Nonso Anozie plays Conan’s loyal sidekick Artus – a man with Byzantine dreadlocks and personal hygiene issues.

And yet this new remake grows tiresome very quickly – rather like "The Prince Of Persia" did. I think the main culprit is the incredibly derivative storyline - we've seen and heard all of this epic warrior and his journey nonsense before - and way too many times too. A boy witnesses his father and entire village be slaughtered – grows up to be a fierce warrior – systematically avenges all involved – meets fab-looking dolly bird en-route – saves the world from the forces of darkness – returns to a nicer mud hut at the end – has a shower (wash the blood and entrails off) – and settles in with a nice cup of cocoa and the Downton Abbey Christmas special. It sounds like great fun – it sounds rip-roaring – and at times it is. But it also feels a little empty-headed somehow. It's hard to get excited about this - and I’d admit to fast forwarding on more than one occasion. I also doubt I’d want to watch it again – so it’s a rental rather than a purchase.

Still – if you’re up for a bit of a He-Man actioner – you could do worse - you could try Poker night at the Scunthorpe Debate Society…

"Infamous". A Review Of The 2006 Movie On DVD.

2012-01-12T12:01:00.007Z

"…Infamy! Infamy! They've All Got It In For Me!"

Surely an Oscar was due to TOBY JONES for his central performance in "Infamous"? And Daniel Craig too - menacing, sexy, intoxicating - you can see why this guy will pull off the lethal double-whammy - Bond for the boys – but films like "Defiance", "The Mother" and "Flashbacks Of A Fool" for challenging roles and acting chops.

The story begins with much of the cast narrating their thoughts on Truman Capote via interview to the camera. They discuss with dispassion this odd little American writer who was also a world-class raconteur and smoozer. Particularly good are Juliet Stevenson as the socialite and Sandra Bullock as Piper Laurie (author of "To Kill A Mockingbird").

The story begins with Truman seeing a story in a newspaper about a family wiped out in small town America. He is drawn to it without really knowing why. He and Bullock travel to the town, but are stumped by paperwork. The town sheriff (downplayed subtly and beautifully by Jeff Daniels) won't play ball and allow either access to anything to do with the case. So Truman does what he does best - he wheedles his way into the sheriff's family and their affections with his charm and tales of famous folks (a trick he uses in the interviews in jail). Then the real murderers get caught and Truman gets stuck in on both of them knowing that these scumbags want their sordid stories told. And on it goes...

The support cast is uniformly superb too – Sigourney Weaver, Hope Davis, Isabella Rossellini and Gwyneth Paltrow – all actresses of real talent and power.

"Infamous" made me like a man who some would say was superfluous to Humanity's requirements - a person who tested your patience - who was outside the norm - but used his wit, intelligence and verbal cunning to rise above the ridicule he so often evoked.

"Infamous" is a thought-provoking story about a complex, clever, irritating, pretentious and ultimately fascinating person - a tale added to by the central performance - and not dominated by it (as Phillip Seymour Hoffman did in the more lauded "Capote" movie).

I thought it was a fantastic film – and with a great cast delivering on all fronts.

Highly recommended (and roll on the BLU RAY reissue).

"United 93". A Review Of The 2006 Movie Now On A 2011 BLU RAY.

2012-01-10T15:08:00.026Z

"…I'm Thinking Of You…"

I can remember the first time I saw "United 93" - I was stunned. Released less than five years after the events of September 11, 2001 - the wounds were still raw. Yet as a film it didn't just 'work' - it was brutal, stark and painfully honest - and all the more admirable for it.

Written and Directed by PAUL GREENGRASS - it had the most difficult material in the world to deal with - fraught with all sorts of depiction dangers and accusations of a crass cash-in. And yet it succeeded on every level. Come the last 15 minutes - your hurt is pretty much uncontrollable and the tears are flowing for real. I was truly moved.

And now on the 10th Anniversary of the event (Sept 2011) - it arrives on BLU RAY. And I'm glad to say it boasts a proper upgrade in picture quality and 'bonus material' which is not just respectful - but equal in power to the movie itself...

It opens with four men in an apartment block. Dressed like a Middle Eastern businessman, the leader of the group squints underneath his immaculately clean reading glasses. But Ziad Jarrah is nervous - and as he breathily chants prayers over his Koran - even seems troubled. But a face that has no such qualms interrupts Ziad. It's Ahmed Al Haznawi - who will later hold the flight at bay with a knife he's smuggled into his belt. The al-Qaeda radical fixes Ziad with a steely gaze and says - "It's time."

And so begins their infamous journey - driving to the airport - parking their cars - checking-in with minimal luggage - getting through the security monitors - and eventually boarding "United 93" - an early-morning non-stop flight from Newark International to San Francisco. Hours later - 33 passengers and 7 flight crew are fighting back - desperately trying to retake the cockpit from Ziad and Ahmed. But despite their valiant efforts - the Boeing 757 nosedives into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 am. And of the four aircraft hijacked and sacrificed that horrible day, it was the only one 'not' to reach Osama Bin Laden's presumed target (The White House, Washington DC).

Why does "United 93" work? First up - Greengrass begins with the everyday - the 'ordinary'. In the waiting area - Thomas Burnett makes a business call as he eyes his polished shoes - while a dehydrated Nicole Miller applies lip-gloss once on board. Equally beautiful and seated for take-off, hostess Cee Cee Lyles regrets having not brought enough magazines for her to read on a 5-hour long haul flight - while passengers Patrick Driscoll and his friend William Cashman (70 and 60) plan a hiking holiday to Yosemite National Park from a colour brochure. Hilda Marcin asks politely for a glass of water so she can swallow her medication with her breakfast - while a man opens his laptop on the seat rest in front of him with a relaxed air. A 20-year old Deora Bodley is trying to do just that - she fixes a makeshift pillow on the headrest of her seat - and leaving her headphones in - tries to get some shut-eye. And up in the cockpit while on autopilot - First Officer LeRoy Homer talks to Captain Jason Dahl as they eat their meals from plastic trays about a London holiday he's planning for his wife and their new 11-month old baby. Every scene is humdrum - and of course real - and therefore incredibly unsettling...

Second is the cast. There are no big names in the lead roles (some of the actors are vaguely familiar like Christian Clemenson from "Boston Legal" but most are not). Greengrass then combines their largely unknown faces with real people who were actually there on the day - Ben Sliney of Herndon Air-Traffic Control, Thomas Roberts of Boston ATC, Curt Applejack of New York ATC and Major John Fox heads up the military. Along with other staff members, the effect is like watching the events unfold in front of you - but in real-time.

The music by JOHN POWELL is also used sparingly - but when it's applied - it packs either an incredibly sinister punch or ups your pulse-rate big time.

Then there's the astonishing editing. The camera moves behind people's heads as they run down corridors - we get momentary glimpses of worried faces through gaps in clothing - there's close-ups on sweating foreheads which then in turn pull back onto disbelieving faces. There's side profiles of personnel constantly making and answering phonecalls - desperately trying to get a grip on the escalating panic. Speech quickens as the chaos escalates - and it all ratchets up the tension to the nines. So when the horror finally comes - it's devastating.

The first sign of trouble is American Airlines Flight 11, which stops responding to hails from Air-Traffic Control and then disappears off radar over New York (it's gone into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre). Then an officer examines a tape of what was transmitted from the cockpit - he works out that the word 'planes' is used and not 'plane' - as in plural. With 4000 aircraft in the sky - their terror is palpable. Then it gets really ugly. The second of the hijacked aircraft (United 175) finally appears on the New York skyline outside their observation tower. But instead of making an emergency landing - and as they watch - it flies at escalated speed and smashes directly into the South Tower - bursting into flames. Now both buildings are on fire. The moment of silent disbelief that follows in the Control Room is heart-stopping.

The script is fast and punchy too. Wisely Greengrass avoided conspiracy theories in his construction but did include factual details. The American military's Airforce NORAD was conducting a drill on that morning (of all mornings) and was informed by the FAA of the hijackings. At 08:46 a.m. they scrambled four F-15 fighter planes from Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts to enter New York airspace, but politicians denied them 'engage' orders. Controversy has raged ever since. But again, Greengrass doesn't discuss this. He just shows the pandemonium at every level of authority while at the same time concentrating on what matters - the 'people' - and especially their eventual bravery - when they realized they weren't going to be any negotiations and they had to stop fanatics killing even more innocents.

Some words now on the bonus material - the 2006 UK single DVD had 3 'Extras' - "United 93: The Families And The Film" (60-minutes), a feature-length commentary by Paul Greengrass and "Memorial Pages" - passengers and crew remembered with 40 written biographies. However, an American 2 DVD set put out in 2007 provided more. Added on were - "Flight 93 National Memorial", "Chasing Planes - Witnesses To 9/11" and "Twin Towers". This BLU RAY has all 6 features. The "Families" documentary in particular is extraordinary - where the actors meet the families with often beautiful results. Those who've lost someone are permanently hurting people - and acknowledgement/discussion of this by anyone other than the authorities (who have to appear to care) is hugely cathartic. In between the interviews are a lot of family photos and home movies - so be prepared for sadness as well as celebration.

To sum up - given the ultra-sensitivity of the material - "United 93" is a fantastic film and a major achievement for all involved. It's also a worthy reissue on BLU RAY with well thought-out and fitting extras that both enhance and inform.

I just wish it hadn't taken so many lost lives to produce something of worth and beauty. May they rest in peace...

BLU RAY Specifications:
ASPECT: 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.35:1
AUDIO: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French, Canadian French, German, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Italian, Japanese DTS 5.1
SUBTITLES: English SDH, French, Canadian French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin Amer4ican Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Greek, Traditional Mandarin

PS: as an aside – but related to 9/11…
If the link below doesn't work, I urge to check out a video on YouTube called "Regret" by THE BLUE NILE. Apparently collated and posted by a fan that wanted to say something about the atrocity on its 10th Anniversary - the video uses one of this superlative Scottish band’s lesser-known tunes - "Regret". The song originally turned up as a UK non-album B-side to the 12" single of the "Tinseltown In The Rain" from 1984 on Linn Records. It's only LP/CD appearance to my knowledge is a 1991 compilation called "The Tree And The Bird And The Fish And The Bell – Glasgow Songs By Glasgow Artists". It's hard to find but worth hunting down.

"Regret" is played against a backdrop of black and white images from that tragic event. Recorded years before in a country some 6000 miles away (and of course about something entirely different) it somehow fits perfectly - both musically and lyrically. Words from it title this review.

More to the point (and I'll openly admit to this) – it moved me to tears.

"Original Album Classics" by SHUGGIE OTIS. A Review Of The 2012 3CD Mini Box Set On Sony/Epic.

2012-01-08T14:23:00.021Z

"…Pretty Music I Hear…"

Like most people - I came across this superlative American guitarist in a roundabout way – via The Brothers Johnson and their huge Funk/Soul hit of 1977 "Strawberry Letter No. 23" (which Otis wrote). That track came off the "Freedom Flight" album from 1971. This new mini box set is the first time that three of those rare and fabulous Seventies LPs have been brought together in one place – and at a more than reasonable price.

It breaks down as follows – released Monday 9 January 2012 in the UK and Europe (17 January 2012 in the USA) - "Original Album Classics" by SHUGGIE OTIS is a 3CD mini box set on Sony/Epic 88691901782 and contains the following three albums in single 5" card repro sleeves:

"Here Comes Shuggie Otis" - released February 1970 on Epic Records BN 26511 in the USA and April 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 63996 (36:21 minutes)

"Freedom Flight" - released September 1971 in the USA on Epic Records E 30752 [produced by Johnny Otis – it had no UK release] (38:30 minutes)

"Inspiration Information" - released March 1975 in the USA on Epic Records KE 33059 [it had no UK release] (32:27 minutes)

It doesn’t say who remastered these albums or where, but the sound quality is wonderful. The debut is a little hissy in places as are the beat boxes used as percussion on the 3rd LP "Inspiration Information" (sounds like the back beat used on the Timmy Thomas classic "Why Can't We Live Together"), but other than that it all sounds so much better than other releases I have of the same material. The bass in particular is so sweet and by the time you get to the improved production qualities of the second and third LPs – the audio quality is great. And as with all of these "Original Classic Albums" 3 & 5 CD mini box sets, the lyrics and recording details are downloadable from Sony's website www.legacyrecordings.com/originalalbumclassics

The music - releasing his US debut album in late 1969 at only 17 years of age - "Kooper Session – Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis" made everyone sit up and take notice (see separate review). His follow up debut 'solo' album "Here Comes Shuggie Otis" (which is the first disc to be featured here) is the stuff of legend – the very definition of 'lost classic' and 'cool album you must hear before you die'. It opens with two different types of instrumental – "Oxford Gray" is very Sixties Fleetwood Mac with a clavinet thrown in while the fantastic soulful organ shuffle of "Bootie Cooler" regularly brings customers to our counter asking after the 'cool' tune that’s playing. Then it changes again into Mamas & Papas sixties pop with "Knowing (That You Want Him)". Then another fantastically cool and funky instrumental - the not-so-subtly titled "Funky Thithee" which shows his great guitar chops against the backdrop of a chugging beat. He name-checks his blues heroes at the beginning of "Shuggie's Blues" as he just plays around – it then goes into an organ-shuffle and boogie – great stuff. The slow blues of "Gospel Groove" is another that brings the punters up to ask – who the Hell is this! It ends with Albert King type tracks "Baby, I Needed You" and "The Hawks". Listed at £35 for an original copy of the British vinyl (if you can find one) – you can hear why this gem is so sought after. The LP actually troubled the US album charts for 2 weeks in March 1970 at a lowly placing of 199.

His 2nd solo LP "Freedom Flight" is the one that will interest Soul Boys who like their Blues and Rock with a slightly trippy even spacey feel. It has only 7 tracks because its title song is a 13-minute instrumental that sounds like Jazz meets Blues meets Mellow meets Santana – it's 'so' good. "Purple" is a very B.B. King number, while it gets a little Stax funky with the superb "Sweet Thang" which opens the album. "Me And My Woman" is a Gene Barge song once covered by Albert King - and of course there's the brilliant "Strawberry Letter 23" (lyrics above) that still sounds effortlessly cool to this day. In fact "Freedom Flight" was a huge leap forward from the first album and featured high-profile guests included Jazz fusionist George Duke, the drummer Aynsley Dunbar, his dad Johnny Otis and Wilton Felder of The Crusaders.

His 3rd solo LP "Inspiration Information" saw him take a leap into a Jazz/Soul unknown – and is beloved by rare groove aficionados everywhere (it's name-checked by Prince as a fave). It opens with the jaunty title track that sounds so catchy. "Sparkle City" uses a simple guitar flick as its basis for about half of its duration – it’s a little Boz Scaggs meets the Average White Band - while "Happy House" is Todd Rundgren circa "Something/Anything?" with its spacey feel and layered vocals. The beautiful instrumental "Rainy Day" features a slow drum shuffle and strings – it sounds like some cool film outtake. It ends on "Not Available" - another superb guitar instrumental. Bluntly it's easy to hear why this album was reissued in 2001 on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label and why it still turns up on reissue vinyl all the time in the West End of London – its just so bloody good and chockers with usable funky acid-jazz tunes.

Niggles – as I mentioned above - his first LP was "Kooper Session…" on Epic and combining that with the rare "Cuttin' Up" album by The Johnny Otis Show (which featured Shuggie) – this could have been a gobsmacking 5CD mini box set, but that would probably have been cost prohibitive. Other than that - like the dinky 3CD Fleetwood Mac box in this series – this is a peach of a release and finally makes music available to the masses that should be heard by the same.

To sum up - part Blues, part Soul, Rock, Acid House and Soulful – Shuggie Otis' music has always been hard to pigeonhole and all the better for it. It's even rumoured he has a long-awaited new album due this year (2012). So - if you haven’t heard his catalogue before, I urge you to take on a chance on this. It’s a genuine voyage of discovery – especially if you like your Blues, R'n'B and Soul poison with a slightly spacey tint.

Fabarooney people. And even though it's only early January 2012 – this is already a 'reissue of the year' for me.

PS: see also separate reviews for two other CDs worth checking out - "Kooper Session: Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis" and "Shuggie's Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays The Blues"

"Elvis Country - Legacy Edition" by ELVIS PRESLEY. A Review Of The January 2012 2CD Reissue.

2012-01-05T12:57:00.004Z

"…How's Your New Love?

Big glasses, big hair, big cape, big ego, big productions - 1970 and 1971 are years that divide Presley fans. Some see it as a renewal period that followed on from the '68 comeback special - while others see these dates as the beginning of the end - a slide into the horrible decline of the Vegas years. This new 'Legacy' issue of two albums from that time frame is of course both good and bad. But here are the issue details first...

Released Monday 2 January 2012 in the UK (3 Jan 2012 in the USA) - "Elvis Country" is on RCA/Legacy 88691 90439 2 and contains 2 whole albums with 6 bonus sides. Its 29 STEREO tracks break down as follows:

Disc 1 (46:17 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 12 are the US LP "I'm 10,000 Years Old - Elvis Country" - released 2 January 1971 on RCA Victor LSP-4460
Track 13 is "I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago" which first appeared on the "Elvis Now" LP in February 1972 (see paragraphs below)
Track 14 is "A Hundred Years From Now (Studio Jam)" is an outtake which first appeared on the 5LP/5CD Box Set "Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70's Masters" in October 1995
Track 15 is "Where Did They Go, Lord" which first appeared on the LP "He Walks Beside Me" in February 1976

Disc 2 (41:49 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 11 are the US LP "Love Letters From Elvis" - released June 1971 on RCA Victor LSP-4530
Track 12 is "The Sound Of Your Cry" - a US 7" single released 21 September 1971
Track 13 is "Sylvia" which first appeared on the "Elvis Now" LP in February 1972
Track 14 is "Rags To Riches" - a US 7" single released 23 February 1971

Both albums came out of sessions recorded at RCA's Studio B in Nashville during June and September 1970. But the really big news in 2012 is a new VIC ANESINI remaster with truly BEAUTIFUL sound quality. Anesini is not new to Elvis reissues; he mastered the 2CD 'Legacy Editions' of "Elvis Presley", "Elvis Is Back", "From Elvis In Memphis" as well as the 4CD set "The Complete '68 Comeback Special" - with unanimous praise heaped on all four.

The packaging is now standard for these Legacy sets. A 3-way card digipak features the famous Elvis aged 2 photo artwork on the front with the "Love Letters From Elvis" LP artwork on the inside flap. The CDs are yellow to reflect the original LP colours while the 24-page booklet has new colour photos, pictures of the US 7" singles for "Life", I'm Leavin'" and "Where Did They Go, Lord" and liner notes by STUART COLMAN. There are full discography details of the sessions and vinyl releases on the last few pages. It's well laid out and lovely to look at.

First up is the layout of the main album "Elvis Country" - as each track ends (and even as some begin) 'segments' of a song called "I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago" segue in and out - whether you like it or not. This happens on 'every' tune and while it probably seemed cool at the time, it's irritating and gimmicky now (the full version of the song is Track 13, one of the bonus cuts). Colman's liner notes rather craftily don't mention the 'segments' at all - or that they ruin good songs both at the beginning and end of play. In fact you can't cue up any song on this album because of it. But for me the worst part of this 'Legacy' issue is that RCA didn't go the full hog and finally offer fans just the 'music' - the songs stripped away of this intrusive crap and allowed to be heard on their own. Now that would have been something truly special - but alas - not to be...

To the music - despite its 'Country' title, the main album is in fact top heavy with ballads. Freed of Colonel Parker's cruddy and ill-advised choices, Elvis picked tunes that both suited and highlighted his deepened voice - Hank Cochran's string-filled "Make The World Go Away" is a typically good choice and there's a truly lovely version of Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" filled with Dobro licks and churchy organ - really nice (lyrics above). The Southern Funk vibe of "The Fool" is a highlight too with James Burton on choppy guitar and Charlie McCoy on Organ and Harmonica. It rocks out a bit on Bob Willis' "Faded Love", but I find the pseudo version of Jerry Lee's "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" less convincing.

The second LP "Love Letters From Elvis" continues on the slow songs tip opening with a deep-throated version of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters". "Life" was released as a single on 27 April 1971 in advance of the album with "Only Believe" as its B-side (RCA 47-9985). But while the sound quality is GORGEOUS - material like "Heart Of Rome" and "This Is Our Dance" feel like second-rate lounge music - and provide a very real reason as to why Presley was ridiculed as well as revered at this time. The syrupy nature of the material simply lets the side down - and it very much feels like RCA milking it again - put out anything by the man - who cares...

To sum up - with the best will in the world, you could not describe these LPs as 'classic' Elvis. "Elvis Country" is the best of the two offerings undoubtedly and is an album that deserves rediscovery - yet it's presentation here is lazy and the follow up LP only highlights how cheesy both he and his music had become. On the upside - for those prepared to give this much-maligned period a chance - there are rewards, especially in the ballads. It also boasts a fabulous new remaster, nice packaging and at mid-price isn't going to break your bank balance.

Finally - I wish I could say that I enjoyed this Legacy issue as much as I have all the others I've bought and reviewed, but I can't. I want to remember the King in a better light than this. I know it's a matter of personal taste, but I just wish RCA had given us the "Elvis Country" songs 'unadorned' so we could actually listen to them for the first time and properly hear the great man's 'legacy'.

For me this release is only good then - when it could have been great - even groundbreaking...

PS: Elvis Presley titles in this 'Legacy' Series so far are:
1. "Elvis Presley" (his "Elvis Presley" debut and follow up album "Elvis" both from 1956 with extra single sides)
2. "Elvis Is Back" (the "Elvis Is Back" LP from 1960 with the "Something For Everybody" follow-up album from 1961 and extra single sides)
3. "Elvis Country" - as above
4. "From Elvis In Memphis" (the "From Elvis In Memphis" 1969 LP with the "Back In Memphis" follow-up album from 1970 with extra single singles and other recordings from the 1969 sessions)
5. "On Stage" - (the 1970 live album with its "Elvis In Person" follow up and 8 extra sides)
6. " The Complete '68 Comeback Special" - 4CD Mini Box Set

PPS: for other Vic Anesini Remasters - see my reviews for "Be What You Want..." the 4CD Box Set by HALL & OATES, the Legacy Edition of "Couldn't Stand The Weather" by STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN and the Legacy Edition of "Tomorrow The Green Grass" by THE JAYHAWKS. He has also done the much-praised Columbia issues of Simon And Garfunkel's back catalogue and the stunning Roy Orbison album "Lonely And Blue"

"Four Lions". A Review Of The 2010 UK Film Now On A 2011 BLU RAY.

2012-01-03T21:51:00.009Z

"…You Can't Do A Jihadi Video With A Box On Your Head!"

Five twenty-something lads from Sheffield wanting to be Afghan terrorists on British soil is not exactly an easy sell for a film - even for the most liberal minded of viewers. This is the kind of material that walks a thin line between black humour and the need to tell the truth - no matter how offensive or uncomfortable it may be.
But "Four Lions" 'so' works. Written and Directed by CHRIS MORRIS - his debut is an edgy risk-taking movie - and absolutely chockers full of laugh-out loud moments - and for all the right reasons...

It goes like this - the constantly babbling, but worldly naïve Waj is easily influenced by the disillusioned but far more radical Omar (Kayvan Novak and Riz Ahmed). Both 'brothers' want to do 'God's will' - which they believe is to become Mujahideen soldiers and start their own Islamic Jihad somewhere in affluent materialistic England. They essentially want to blow something up. Helping them away from Chicken McNuggets to a place of religious nirvana is Barry (a fantastically funny turn by a scene-stealing Nigel Lindsay). Barry rabbits on about ‘surveillance protocols’, eats SIM cards and once planted a ‘twin towers’ cake in a local mosque to incite the faithful. Rolling under garage doors like an SAS commando and sidling up to people's porches likes he's Jason Bourne - Barry is convinced that a passing mother and child is a cop and the American Feds are watching him on satellites in space. Barry is the worst and most boorish of the five. A converted white man and bearded radical, he is full of nice things to say about open-mindedness like "...we've got women talking back bruv! We've got people playing stringed instruments!"
Barry orders silver nitrate from Amazon and wants to "Boom! Fast track to final days! Proper war!"

Thrown into this pool of misguided idiots is the slow and permanently bewildered Faisal (Adeel Akhtar) - a hapless bomb-maker who stashes thousands of bottles of hair peroxide in his lock-up. Fassal wants to attach detonator devices to crows and fly them into Government buildings (hence the poster). Last but not least is Hassan (Arsher Ali) - an on-the-fence believer who wants to go 'proper' Afghan. Hassan talks the lingo about 'a new purpose in life' but Omar suspects that maybe he doesn't have the balls to actually do the dirty deed. None of them do. It's all a big game to the other four and Omar will need to make it 'real' this time. Plots are hatched in the bedsit above the men's shop Bolby Tailoring, rocket launchers go off backwards and Omar's microwave oven gets sacrificed in the name of the ‘cause'. And on the mayhem goes to the London Marathon of 2010 where they're dressed as chickens with something more than lean cuisine beneath their feathers. But of course it stops being funny very, very fast when the consequences and repercussions of what they're doing becomes all too real...and they get more than hurt...

How do you deal with extremism - humour is one weapon - Chaplin knew this. But part of this script's genius is to go deeper into the monster's psyche - to show us how 'religion' seriously screws with a person's moral compass - especially if that belief system has an 'our way is the only way' core mentality. There is also the lure of power - the power of a gun - how it gets you noticed - even respected. And of course that's amplified if you're prepared to have a bomb strapped to you and seek martyrdom.

The danger in all this is that despite the film's best intentions Muslims are tarred with a terrorist brush - but the writing is smart enough to address this - and even deal with racism among their own ranks by slagging both off with real skill. Subtle touches include Omar receiving an e-mail at work (he's a security guard) telling that his trip to the Pakistan is in 2 days time (spy talk for a training camp). He tells his boss he's attending a 'shotgun wedding' and if you look real close you'll see that the e-mail address is hilaryclinton055.

Housed in a fetching book package, the BLU RAY picture quality varies from very good on the indoor sequences (bedrooms, cafes and sheds) to crystal clear and superlative on the outdoors shots (Afghanistan hills, London streets). As the dialogue is all Sheffield in Northern England and comes at you fast and furious, the lone ENGLISH SUBTITLE will probably be more than handy for overseas viewers.
The extras include DELETED SCENES and 2 featurettes. The deleted scenes are short, but wickedly funny, while the 2 featurettes are unrelated to the film itself, but act as background to the project. First is a real-life documentary called "Lost Boys" which follows 4 Pakistani lads in a car as they drive around their hometown of Nelson in Lancashire. They talk of fights, racism and persecution - nothing to do every night. You can just see how they're ripe for recruitment. The 2nd is even stranger - an interview with Ahmad who is a white lad accused of Muslim extremism and arrested under the Terrorist Act. He shows paintings that express what he feels about Islam (deeply loves it). Neither feature makes judgements - but they do give you insights into why stuff happens...

To sum up - with our media and politicians locked into a sort of sickening and stifling political-correctness of late - material like "Four Lions" is refreshing to say the least - and even a bit brave.
And the fact that you're laughing so much for three quarters of the movie, but hurting with sadness at the end - is testament to its heart. It elevates "Four Lions" above clever froth into the realm of something that stays with you - and makes you think - and reassess...

I loved this film. And Film 4, Wild Bunch and Optimum Releasing - and all associated with "Four Lions" - are to be praised to the nines for it.

Bright Star on BLU RAY. A Review Of The Jane Campion Movie Now Issued On A European BLU RAY.

2012-01-01T04:12:00.002Z

"…A Thing Of Beauty…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE DVD and BLU RAY VERSIONS ***

"Bright Star" opens with a close-up of a thread being needled, but the pull and placing of the wool is not methodical nor part of some daily Nineteenth Century drudgery, it's being done carefully - almost as if there's tenderness being sown into each cross-stitch. We then see that the seamstress is a 20-year old lady sat by a window in the early hours of the morning in her bonnet and ribbons - she is Fanny Brawne (played by Abbie Cornish). Her younger sister Toots (Edie Martin) then wakes up in the bed nearby and sighs at Fanny - Toots may only be 6, but she knows exactly who all the 'just so' work is for...

Jane Campion's 2009 re-telling of the mercurial love affair between the struggling English romantic poet John Keats and Fanny Browne has been accused by historians and purists as being historically inaccurate and frankly hogwash. But I feel this is to miss the point. This is a movie - and some artistic allowance is to be expected. But more importantly, Campion absolutely makes it work - and for the whole journey too. You care about these idealistic people - you are enthralled by their short but oh so sweet shot at happiness - and Fanny's destruction at her soulmate's loss is one of the most powerful scenes committed to celluloid in decades.

The setting is Hampstead Village, London in 1818 - and Greig Fraser's Cinematography puts huge amounts of detail on screen. This is a world of Inky Quills, Scullery Maids and Pantaloons - where men smoke cigars, gulp brandy and sing chummy Acapella songs for the gathered Ladies and Gentlemen at society parties. A triple-pleated mushroom collar is a clothing advance and a man who is dying of consumption (Keats' brother) is described as 'diminished'.

Words are all in this society and Campion's script revels in it. Keats' poems "Endymion", "Bright Star" and "When I Have Fears That I May Cease To Be" are all quoted - and the dialogue inbetween is just as elegant and insightful. But of course the movie lives and dies on the dance of love between Cornish and Whishaw - and that courtship and deepening of feeling features so many great moments... a look she gives Keats in the woods as they walk and exchange ideas, her reaction to Tom's death - create something of beauty to remember him by - an embroidered pillow case that she sat up all night making - her feet curling on a bed as she devours one of Keats love letters - her tender kisses on the paper as she posts her reply... It could all have been so terribly corny, but both the actors and the script give it life and a genuine beating heart. Mark Bradshaw's music is also used sparingly and with great effect - and when it isn't there - the silence engenders a terrible feeling of foreboding (sickness, death).

Special mention should also go to Paul Schneider who is exceptional as the arrogant and obsessive Mr. Brown - supposed friend and fellow accomplice in poetry with Keats. Brown does everything to thwart the burgeoning romance between Keats and Brawne - feeling her a distraction from their lofty writing and a danger to his talent - even coveting her as his own. His vehemence forces Keats to step up to the plate and Fanny is well able for him. The core 3 actors here are fabulous together. Special mention should also go to Kerry Fox as Fanny's practical mother and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Liam Neeson's son in "Love Actually") as her younger brother Samuel - also quietly superb.

The extras include (a) Working With Jane Campion Documentary (b) Behind The Scenes Featurette (c) Deleted Scenes (d) Photo Gallery and (e) Trailer
The lone subtitle is 'English For The Hearing Impaired'. My only real gripe is that it's not on BLU RAY - a format that would surely make this beauty shine like a diamond (due in 2011 apparently).

Campion and her exceptionally talented cast are to be congratulated - "Bright Star" is a literate, sensual, beautifully staged and gushingly romantic tale - and proud of it.

They did a great job and I for one was deeply moved...

PS: the BLU RAY Issue…

As you can see from the photo provided by Amazon – this appears to be a GERMAN issue on BLU RAY – but the copy I received this morning (Dec 2011) is in fact a FRENCH Pathe issue with that language used for all cover artwork.

There are 2 audio tracks – ‘both’ FRENCH and ENGLISH DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. It is obviously defaulted to play in French when you start the disc, but a simple flick of the audio button brings in the English version. The extras on the DVD (including the “Working With…” making of) are all intact - but there are also some totally unrelated Australian Black & White shorts tagged on (God knows why).

But the big news is the picture improvement - which at times is simply breathtaking. The outdoor Hampstead scenes, Fanny sowing her garments in her home, Keats lying on top of a tree with its flowering buds beneath him, Fanny walking through a field of bluebells, the child Toots and the cat Topper in her room full of butterflies, the intricate costumes – so many things and scenes are improved - and beautifully so.

A gorgeous film made better by BLU RAY. Seek it out in this form.

"Chuck Berry Rocks" by CHUCK BERRY. A Review Of The 2011 Bear Family CD Compilation.

2011-12-28T12:38:00.014Z

"…Dancin' And Hummin' A Rock 'n' Roll Melody…"

With the US reissue label Hip-O Select having filled the marketplace with 3 x 4CD retrospectives in 2005, 2007 and 2009 covering 'all' of Chuck Berry’s Chess recordings – and with endless cheapo Universal double CD sets that will offer the same material and more - then this 2011 Bear Family single CD might seem superfluous to requirements. But I'm glad to announce that it isn't. The big draw here for collectors will be Bear’s top quality remastered sound and a thoroughly researched booklet. Here are the details…

Released November 2011, Bear Family BCD 17139 AR stretches to a chunky 80:01 minutes and features 32 tracks. All bar one were Chess 7" singles - from his first "Maybelline" on Chess 1604 in 1955 to "Dear Dad" on Chess 1926 in 1965. The only exception here is "Betty Jean" which featured on the 1960 LP "Rockin' At The Hops".
Most of the Fifties recordings are MONO while the Sixties stuff is in STEREO (neither the booklet nor the outer card wrap indicates which is which).

"Chuck Berry Rocks" comes in Bear's now standard packaging for this series – a 3-way foldout card digipak containing a detachable oversized booklet inside (52 pages for this issue). The CD itself repros the "Around & Around" 45 on Chess 1691 with it's famous Blue label. Pages 5 to 40 feature an in-depth essay on the American Rock 'n' Roller by noted writer and musicologist BILL DAHL whose affection and awe of Berry’s influence seem to know no bounds (in a typically scholarly way he cites both book and internet 'sources' for his liner notes). Pages 31 to 49 have a full Discography on all 32 recordings by label boss RICHARD WEIZE with contributions from BILL DAHL and FRED ROTHWELL. The text is peppered with black and white photos of the great man doing his trademark 'duck walk' on Television and Live settings, some Tel-Mar Studio shots of recording sessions and one particularly tasty moment where he shares a 'Love You' card from two female British fans at the Lewisham Odeon in London in the Sixties. While it’s the usual classy act from Bear, I’d have to express extreme disappointment in not seeing any COLOUR photos of either those stunning album sleeves or Berry in action. Apart from one colour photo that begins the Discography – I’d confess that the endless black and white shots give the booklet a rather monotonous look that somehow undermines Dahl’s great written work. But that’s quickly forgotten once you start playing this baby…

I’ve raved about JURGEN CRASSER and his mastering work before (see my TAG for him and reviews for the astonishing "Blowing The Fuse" series (16 compilations) and the "Sweet Soul Music" series (10 discs). The best way to describe the sound here is 'clean' – Berry’s Chess recordings are for the most part notoriously 'lo-fi' – but here there is very little hiss on any of the tracks. The recordings are still suitably ramshackle and even crude, but there’s a power in them now that 'just' pips the otherwise superlative remasters Erick Labson did for those 3 Hip-O Select tomes (and Universal's "Gold" double CD set).

Another nice aspect to the sound achieved here is that Chuck’s in-house musicians gave his records a certain glorious Rock ’n’ Roll feel – and principal among them is the mighty JOHNNIE JOHNSON. His rattling and fabulous piano playing is now a little more to the fore – and what an audio treat that is (he passed away in 2005 – inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 as one the great sidemen).

Highlights – I loved rehearing the lesser-heard "Dear Dad", "Let It Rock" and "Sweet Little Rock And Roll" (lyrics above) which Rod Stewart covered so well on his underrated "Smiler" album in 1973. And the STEREO takes are particularly alive too – the Leroy Davis and James Robinson brass/Johnnie Johnson piano on "You Never Can Tell" and the wonderful "No Particular Place To Go" which still sounds so totally kicking ("…stole a kiss at the turn of a mile…") And on that point – the lyrics – witty, smart, full of cool Americanisms – he really did chronicle the teenage experience (and thankfully no dire "Ding A Ling" to pollute the proceedings).

The incomparable Bear Family folks – class and quality - they may cost you – but the best always does.

PS: The "Rocks" Series by Bear Family features the following artists:

1. Chuck Berry [see REVIEW]
2. Pat Boone
3. Johnny Burnette [see REVIEW]
4. The Cadillacs
5. Eddie Cochran
6. Bobby Darin
7. Fats Domino
8. Connie Francis
9. Don Gibson
10. Glen Glenn
11. Bill Haley
12. Roy Hall
13. Slim Harpo [see REVIEW]
14. Dale Hawkins
15. Ronnie Hawkins
16. Screamin' Jay Hawkins
17. Wanda Jackson [see REVIEW]
18. Sonny James
19. Buddy Knox & Jimmy Bowen with the Rhythm Orchids
20. Sleepy LaBeef
21. Brenda Lee
22. Jerry Lee Lewis
23. Smiley Lewis [see REVIEW]
24. Little Richard
25. Bob Luman
26. Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers
27. Carl Mann
28. Amos Milburn [see REVIEW]
29. Ella Mae Morse [see REVIEW]
30. Ricky Nelson
31. Carl Perkins
32. Roy Orbison
33. Lloyd Price
34. Piano Red (aka Dr. Feelgood) [see REVIEW]
35. Charlie Rich [see REVIEW]
36. Jack Scott
37. Shirley & Lee
38. The Treniers
39. Big Joe Turner [see REVIEW]
40. Conway Twitty
41. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps
42. Rusty York

The Bear Family "Rockin' Rollin'" Series features:

1. Johnny Horton
2. Marvin Rainwater
3. Marty Robbins Vol.1
4. Marty Robbins Vol.2
5. Marty Robbins Vol.3

"Beautiful Girls". A Review Of The 1996 Film Now Reissued On A 2011 BLU RAY.

2011-12-25T19:47:00.015Z

"…Let's Walk This World Together…"

A should-be-doing-more-than-this-with-his-life Willie Conway (Timothy Hutton) takes a wad of crumpled notes out of a beer glass - slurps down his last whiskey of the night and closes the lid on the bar's battered upright piano. With his dollar tips firmly wedged in his pockets, he then trudges through the cold streets of New York heading for the Port Authority building on 6th Avenue.
Onboard the Greyhound bus and bound for his hometown in Massachusetts, he looks out through the neon-reflected glass and ponders what lies ahead. First will be his slightly loony family (Robert Bright and David Arquette play his monosyllabic Dad and simpleton brother) and worse – a high-school reunion full of memories, achievers and awkward questions. The big city boy who left Hicksville in the dust finally returns triumphant...or maybe not…

But while the seasons change in snowbound Knight's Ridge – it seems little else does. Willie is met at the other end by his sorry-assed crew of former college buddies. Paul obsesses over his ex-vegetarian girlfriend Jan who is are now dating a meat-cutter (Michael Rapaport and Martha Plimpton) while his best buddy Tommy pushes a snow plough in suburban driveways which he quickly follows with some pushing of another man’s wife (Matt Dillon and Lauren Holly). Watching all of this from the sidelines is Maz Perlich as the permanently squinting hat-wearing Kev who doesn’t seem to want much from life except maybe a beer with his mates and a good hot meal - while the unexciting but steady Michael (Noah Emmerich) is a genuinely nice guy trying to hold down his job and keep his marriage together. Even Willie’s 13-year neighbour (a cleverly cast Natalie Portman) acts weird towards him – developing an instant crush on the thirtysomething to the point where she asks him to wait 6 years until she's 18 and they can "...walk the world together…" Willie is so confused about his place in life and women in general - at one point - it’s an offer he seriously considers…

Then there are the other side of the relationship coin – the town’s long-suffering women. Michael’s wife is Sarah (a lovely Anne Bobby) - who is ever understanding and supportive. In fact most of the ladies of the town seem to exude stoical patience - they simply sigh and put up with their men’s shortcomings and immaturity. Miro Sorvino’s character Sharon loves Matt Dillon’s character Tommy - but dies inside just once too often as he deposits his cockiness in someone else’s bed. Michael Rapaport’s character Paul festoons his walls with pictures of lingerie models because he is convinced they represent some kind of love nirvana – ladies who can do no wrong and bring only joy into your life simply because they’re "…beautiful girls".
The scene where Rosie O’Donnell bawls out the boys in a supermarket about obsessing over these fake fantasies in glossy magazines – is both brilliant and ball-breakingly funny. She makes a good point too. The boys do need to "...get a grip!"

And into this heady mix is thrown some genuine temptation – a visiting Uma Thurman who effortlessly knocks all the boys for six (even the faithful ones) as she wanders into their regular waterhole Stinky’s bar (Pruitt Taylor Vince). The habitual womaniser Tommy and smooth musician Willie fancy their chances with her – while the less-attractive boys just fancy her but would never have the nerve to do anything about it. There later follows some delicious dialogue moments - Hutton’s character half-heartedly wooing Thurman in the bar and ice-hut afterwards – and especially when Hutton is sparring with Natalie Portman about how she will grow up anyway and have a great life with her own memories to savour (even at 13 she showed extraordinary star quality and acting chops).

But when Willie's classy girlfriend Tracy finally flies in from New York to meet his family – she quietly wows them all. In fact they want to touch Willie to see how in God’s name he got this lucky – she’s a lawyer, she’s warm-hearted, she’s got the ‘boob thing’ going – Tracy is a catch and the clan Conway knows it (a lovely turn from Annabeth Gish). So Willie finally has to be mature now and decide…and on it goes to a wholly satisfying ending…

Directed by TED DEMME and written by SCOTT ROSENBERG - as you can see from the names above – this 1996 movie featured an extraordinarily good ensemble cast – and each of them given real meat to work with. It was popular at the time – effortless hip too – and is a smart choice for reissue on BR.

Transfer-wise - the BLU RAY picture is defaulted to fit the entire screen and is a vast improvement over the DVD (even if the opening credits to David A Stewart’s score contain a few scratches and glitches). Once it gets to the snowbound town – day or night – the clarity is lovely and blemish free and really adds to the film’s homely vibe. The outdoor sequences on the ice-rinks are particularly clear and eye-catching. It’s a damn shame there’s no extras though – a real let down.

To sump up - “Beautiful Girls” doesn’t really seem to be about anything in particular, but nonetheless you enjoy its company immensely. It’s like a good night out with the boys – or girls – or preferably both. “Beautiful Girls” is like life itself – enjoyable one moment – heartbreaking the next. It’s just working out which one to side with…

Recommended.

PS: Blink and you’ll miss it cameo is by JOHN SCURTI as a Greyhound Bus Ticket Dispenser at the beginning of the movie (barely gets 2 lines). He later became the leading character Kenny Shea in Denis Leary’s superlative “Rescue Me” TV series about New York firemen post 9/11.

“Breakfast At Tiffany’s”. A Review Of The 2011 BLU RAY Reissue.

2011-12-19T01:14:00.003Z

Beautiful Blu Ray Picture Quality - But A Dreadfully Dated Film - Even With The Ethereally Beautiful Audrey Hepburn...

If you're a fan of "Breakfast At Tiffany's" then this 2011 BLU RAY reissue will knock your socks off. For the most part, the fully restored print is glorious to look at - even in the scenes where too much sepia shading is placed on the leads for effect. The outdoor sequences with Peppard and Buddy Epstein are faultless, full of colour and incredible detail (clothing, scenery) - and look like they were filmed yesterday. There's decent extras too (interviews with Director Edward Blake, members of the cast) and the dreadfully washed out old stock print used in the "Making Of" segment gives you a very good comparison as to just how improved the restored version really is.

But for me - that's where the good news ends. I watched this with my wife - and even with Audrey Hepburn exquisite throughout (especially on the balcony-outside-her-window scene where she is strumming her guitar and singing Mancini's famous theme song "Moon River") - the film is staggeringly dated - and at times terribly leaden. The party sequence in her New York apartment is awful - with square types trying to be cool. And the amount of times the word "darling" and "baby" is said will make you cringe and not giggle with affection. I can't help but think that Capote's novella about a socialite/hooker got seriously watered down into forced farce because that was an easier sell. And while George Peppard looks the handsome leading-man part - there's little real bite in him. The Chinaman impression by Mickey Rooney (even by Edwards own admission) is a derogatory mistake that rankers even to this day. But it's the vapid pointlessness of it all that leaves you cold. OK - Hepburn could light up any shot - even when she was overdoing the “darling” dialogue. But quite why this Sixties tosh is considered a classic is beyond me - because re-watching “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” in 2011 is a painfully strained experience – and not nearly as loveable or as romantic as you remember it to be.

The bottom-line is this - if you're a fan - or have any love for this 1961 kooky movie - then you NEED to own it on BLU RAY.

But if you're undecided - then I'd say rent it first – before a nostalgia urge costs you a purchase you’ll look at once and never watch again…

"Go For Your Guns" by THE ISLEY BROTHERS. A Review Of The 1977 T-Neck/Epic Records LP Now Reissued On An Expanded Big Break Records CD In The UK 2011.

2011-12-18T11:46:00.005Z

"…Can A Love That Lasted For So Long…Still Endure…"

UK released 24 October 2011 - this expanded CD reissue of The Isley Brothers "Go For Your Guns" album is part of Big Break Records huge reissue catalogue which focuses entirely on quality versions of Seventies and Eighties Soul/Funk/Disco/Fusion albums (see detailed list below). While not all of these 85+ BBR titles would be my cup of Darjeeling I'd have to admit - I've purchased and reviewed 6 of them to date and each has been a revelation in terms of sound quality, presentation and bonuses - all top class. And this overlooked funky gem of an album from 1977 is no exception.

Here are the details for Big Break Records CDBBR 0086 (47:13 minutes):

1. The Pride (Part 1 & 2)
2. Footsteps In The Dark (Part 1 & 2)
3. Tell Me When You Need It Again (Part 1 & 2)
4. Climbin' Up The Ladder (Part 1 & 2)
5. Voyage To Atlantis
6. Livin' In The Life
7. Go For Your Guns

Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "Go For Your Guns" released March 1977 in the USA on T-Neck Records PZ 34432 and April 1977 in the UK on Epic Records EPC 86027. It reached Number 1 on the US R'n'B charts (Number 6 on Pop) and hit Number 46 in the UK albums charts too. 8 to 10 are bonuses…

Track 8 is "Voyage To Atlantis (Alternate Version)"
Tracks 9 and 10 are EDITED SINGLE VERSIONS of "The Pride (Part 1)" and "Voyage To Atlantis"

The album produced 3 singles in the USA (2 in the UK) at the time of release and this CD (along with its predecessor "Harvest For The World") will allow fans to sequence those tracks as follows:

1. The Pride (Part I) b/w The Pride (Part II)
(USA – February 1977, T-Neck ZS8 2262
UK – May 1977, Epic S EPC 5105)
2. Livin' In The Life b/w Go For Your Guns
(USA - May 1977, T-Neck ZS8 2267
UK - March 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2178)
3. Voyage To Atlantis b/w So You Wanna Stay Down
(UK – July 1977, Epic S EPC 5443
USA – October 1977, T-Neck ZS8 2270
Note: USA B-side is "So You Wanna Stay Down" from the "Harvest For The World" album (1976), but the UK B-side is "Tell Me When You Need It Again (Part 1 & 2)" which is on the "Go For Your Guns" album)

The 12-page booklet has an informative interview conducted by SHELLEY NICOLE with Ernie and Ronald Isley featuring recollections by the late Marvin Isley. There is a track-by-track breakdown and the text is peppered with pictures of US 45's on T-Neck, colour photos of the band and a discography/credits section at the rear. It's very well done and the jewel case is one of those new rounded-corner affairs - very tasty. But the really great news is the SOUND...

As with other BBR releases - this remaster uses the 'original tapes' and has been carried out by WAYNE A. DICKSON at the BBR Studios with STUART WEST assisting in the Audio Research. The results are wonderful. Everything on here sounds amazing.

To the album itself... It's predecessor "Harvest For The World" from 1976 was all mellow and Soulful and even Gospel in its overall feel – "Go For Your Guns" basically wanted to boogie – party a bit – and then make its way back to your shagpad afterwards for a serious session between the sheets. So as a long-playing record "Go For Your Guns" has everything fans love about the band – great loverman ballads combined with funky floor fillers.

It opens with the Rock-Soul bass-slapping Funk of "The Pride" and it's irresistible (topped the R&B charts in the USA). Having had your dancing shoes scuffed, they then hit with the real deal – the nugget on this album – the gorgeous slow groove of "Footsteps In The Dark" (lyrics above). "The Pride" opener sounds huge – but its on "Footsteps" that you begin to really notice how good the remaster is – everything so clear – warm and properly soulful. It amazes me to this day that T-Neck didn’t release it as a single at the time – surely a Top 5 if not Number 1 contender? It finally turned up in 45-form in the US and UK - but as a B-side to "Groove With You" in 1978. Speaking of 45s…

As with so many of these expanded BBR editions – the inclusion of the 7" single edits are a genuine bonus. I often feel that too many Seventies Soul LPs had songs on them they knew to be winners – so they’d stretch them to seven, eight, nine, ten minutes…often overstaying their welcome. The single edits gave you the concise version – and delivered a far better punch. Though in honesty with both "The Pride" and "Voyage To Atlantis" – BOTH the album versions and single cuts are superb. You can also hear why the 'Alternate Version' of "Voyage To Atlantis" was canned – it's very good – but the released cut is far better – especially with Ernie's stunning guitar intro more pronounced.

To sum up – this is a superlative release and I can only hope that BBR tackle more on the T-Neck, Philly and CBS labels output – especially when they add on those 7" edits for collectors (exclusive to Big Break Records releases).

Great stuff – now if we just get The Isleys to (a) shave those hairy chests and (b) eBay those funky 70ts stage outfits…perhaps some Bellbottoms…some suede tassels…yum yum…

PS: for info purposes, I've tagged over 85 of the BBR releases to December 2011 (for a pictorial of them, click on the Tag called 'big break records bbr' highlighted above). Below is a printed list of most (some REVIEWED):

1. Street Opera - ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1982, 1st LP on Capitol)
2. High Rise – ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1983, 2nd on Capitol)
3. Brooklyn Dreams - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1977 - features Donna Summer)
4. Sleepless Nights - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1979 - features Donna Summer)
5. Winners - THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (1981)
6. Love Approach - TOM BROWNE (1980 - features "Funkin' For Jamaica")
7. Cerrone’s Paradise – CERRONE (1977)
8. Cerrone 3 – Supernature – CERRONE (1977)
9. Cerrone IV – The Golden Touch – CERRONE (1978)
10. Love In ‘C’ Minor – CERRONE (1979)
11. Sharing Your Love – CHANGE (1982)
12. This Is Your Time – CHANGE (1983)
13. Change Of Heart – CHANGE (1984)
14. Turn On Your Radio – CHANGE (1985)
15. Action Speaks Louder Than Words – CHOCOLATE MILK (1975 on RCA)
16. A.C. (Expanded Edition) – ANDRE CYMONE (1985 on Columbia)
17. Faces - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1980 2LP set on 1CD with bonuses)
18. Don't Look Any Further - DENNIS EDWARDS (1984 - Dennis Lambert production)
19. F.B.I. (Expanded Edition) – F.B.I. [featuring Root Jackson] (1976)
20. Pennye - PENNYE FORD (1984)
21. Gap Band VI - THE GAP BAND (1984)
22. The Gap Band 8 – THE GAP BAND (1986)
23. Never Can Say Goodbye - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
24. Experience Gloria Gaynor - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
25. New Horizon (Expanded Edition) – ISAAC HAYES (1977 on Polydor)
26. Don’t Let Go – ISAAC HAYES (1979 on Polydor) (Jan 2012)
27. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
28. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980) [see REVIEW]
29. Current - HEATWAVE (1982)
30. Harvest For The World (Expanded Edition) – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
31. Go For Your Guns – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
32. Fire Night Dance (Expanded Edition) – PETER JACQUES BAND (1978 on Prelude)
33. Like Gangbusters – JOBOXERS (1983 on RCA) (Jan 2012)
34. The Joneses (Expanded Edition) – THE JONESES (1977 on Epic)
35. Smooth Talk - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1977 debut)
36. I'm In Love - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1981)
37. Get Loose - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1982)
38. Face To Face - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1983) (Jan 2012)
39. About Love - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1980)
40. Open Sesame - KOOL & THE GANG (1976)
41. Patti LaBelle - PATTI LaBELLE (1977 debut solo LP)
42. It's Alright With Me - PATTI LaBELLE (1979)
43. Lark – LINDA LEWIS (1972 on Reprise)
44. Not A Little Girl Anymore - LINDA LEWIS (1975 on Arista)
45. Intuition – LINX (March 1981 1st LP on Chrysalis)
46. Go Ahead – LINX (Oct 1981 2nd LP on Chrysalis) (Jan 2012)
47. Loose Change - LOOSE CHANGE (1979 on Casablanca)
48. I Am Now - JON LUCIEN (1970 debut LP on RCA)
49. Rashida - JON LUCIEN (1973 2nd LP on RCA)
50. Premonition – JON LUCIEN (1976 on Columbia)
51. I Miss You [aka “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes”] - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972 USA debut on Philadelphia International) [see REVIEW]
52. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International - features Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass) [see REVIEW]
53. Melba - MELBA MOORE (1978 - features McFadden & Whitehead)
54. TJM - TOM MOULTON (1979)
55. I Can See Clearly Now [Expanded Edition] – JOHNNY NASH. (1972 on CBS) [see REVIEW]
56. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972) [see REVIEW]
57. Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) - BILLY OCEAN (1981)
58. Inner Feelings - BILLY OCEAN (1982)
59. Odyssey - ODYSSEY (1977)
60. California Sunset - THE ORIGINALS (1975 Motown - Lamont Dozier production)
61. Bonnie Pointer – BONNIE POINTER (1976 Debut LP) (Jan 2012)
62. Baby Sister - JUNE POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1983 debut)
63. Special Things - THE POINTER SISTERS (1980)
64. So Excited - THE POINTER SISTERS (1982, features members of Toto)
65. Break Out – THE POINTER SISTERS (1983 on Planet)
66. Contact - THE POINTER SISTERS (1985, 1st LP on RCA)
67. Flying High – PRIME TIME (1984 on Total Experience)
68. The Garden Of Love – DON RAY (1978)
69. Sweet Beginnings - MARLENA SHAW (1977)
70. Acting Up - MARLENA SHAW (1978)
71. Clean - EDWIN STARR (1978, 2nd LP on 20th Century)
72. Am I Still Your Boyfriend? – SWITCH (1984 on Total Experience)
73. A Taste Of Honey - A TASTE OF HONEY (1978 debut)
74. Another Taste - A TASTE OF HONEY (1979 2nd LP - both debut and this feature Larry and Fonce Mizell)
75. Twice As Sweet – A TASTE OF HONEY (1980 on Capitol)
76. New Directions - TAVARES (1982 Debut)
77. The Three Degrees - THE THREE DEGREES (1974, 1st LP for Philadelphia International - features MFSB)]
78. International - THE THREE DEGREES (1975, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International)
79. New Dimensions - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 1st LP for Ariola)
80. 3D - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 2nd LP for Ariola)
81. Song Bird - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1977 - 2nd LP features Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire)
82. When Love Comes Calling - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1979 - 3rd LP)
83. My Melody - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1981 - Thom Bell Production)
84. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – DENIECE WILLIAMS (1984 on CBS)
85. Be A Winner - YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1984 on RCA)
86. Guilty – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1985 on Total Experience)
87. Love Conquers All – MICHAEL WYCOFF (1982 on RCA)

"The Cider House Rules" - A Review Of The 1999 Film - Now Reissued On A 2011 Studio Canal BLU RAY.

2011-12-13T20:42:00.009Z

"…She Was Killed By Secrecy…She Was Killed By Ignorance…"

Lasse Hallstrom's 1999 adaptation of John Irving's 1985 book (of the same name) is a rather lovely little film - that's genuinely been upgraded by BLU RAY. It's not note-perfect as a transfer by any means (soft focus here and there, a bit of grain and blocking too) - but when it's good (which is a lot of the time) - it's really gorgeous to look at.

You notice the improvements especially when the story gets to the home and lands of Olive Worthington and her son Wally (great casting in Kate Nelligan and Paul Rudd). She’s an estate-owning boss and he’s a dashing young Airforce Pilot who is waiting for overseas action in the Second World War. Even the indoor scenes in the live-in hut where all the apple pickers live (the 'Cider House' mentioned in the title) are very clear and at times amazingly so. The faces and clothing of the actors are razor-sharp too (superb cast choices in Delroy Lindo, Erykah Badu, Evan Park, Heavy D, and K. Todd Freeman). So too when Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire’s character) is out walking with Wally’s beautiful and vivacious fiancé Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron) while Wally’s away at war – the shots by the Sea and the nearby lobster fishing port are beautiful to look at.

Acting-wise - there is so much to savour here. A huge part of the film’s heart has to go to touching performances from children - Erik Per Sullivan as the bronchial Fuzzy, Kieran Culkin as the troubled Buster and Paz De La Huerta as the young teenage girl who fancies Homer way too much for her own good. Throw in Kathy Baker and Jane Alexander as elderly nurses with an abundance of unconditional paternal heart - and it feels good the second it opens. The story then moves as Homer does away from the snowbound hills and rivers of Maine to the sunny fields of working orchards in South Carolina.

But the movie belongs to its two principal leads - Michael Caine as Dr. Wilbur Larch and Tobey Maguire as the emotionally stilted orphan boy – Homer Wells (named after a cat and someone whose deep). First up is Caine who is simply sensational. Moving like a force of benevolent kindness amid the cold wooden rooms of “St. Clouds” (a 1930’s and 1940’s Orphanage he runs) – he is pragmatic and practical to the visiting pregnant women who don’t need judgement (dialogue above) but an operation that is illegal. Describing himself as “…a caretaker to many, father to none…” – he mother hen’s over a lively cast of young children abandoned in the big house with an almost casual cruelty. Each hurt child of course longs to be genuinely wanted – to be taken away by childless parents who occasionally come to visit and adopt. The scene where one pretty girl appeals to a couple - so they take her – but leave the rest behind – is heartbreaking. Caine imbibes so many of these difficult moments with a huge humanity - he’s an actor capable of conveying extraordinary compassion and anger – sometimes one after the other. The film was nominated for 7 Academy Awards and won 2 – one for Caine as Best Supporting Actor and the other for Best Adapted Screenplay by John Irving.

Tobey Maguire excels too – his performance is full of quiet acceptance at first – but then moves into a longing for a more varied life outside of his mentor’s ‘doctoring’ requirements. Homer’s journey to his own ‘purpose in the world’ is long but convincing. Maguire is very, very good here. Charlize Theron too – not just beautiful - but accomplished. Watch out also for John Irving the Author (adapted the Screenplay too) in a tiny cameo as a Station Master at the beginning (doing his Hitchcock).

The “Making Of” interviews all the principal actors - as well as John Irving on adapting his own book, Stephen King (the Author) on Irving’s writing and Lasse Hallstrom the Director on shooting such a huge book. Its default aspect is 1.2:35 so it has bars top and bottom of the screen - but even stretched to full screen – it still looks great.

“The Cider House Rules” is a warm film – and one I thoroughly enjoyed re-watching. But more importantly - if you’re a fan and have love for this movie’s combined cruelties and charms – then you need to see/own it on BLU RAY.

Highly recommended.

ASPECT:
1.2:35:1 Ratio
SUBTITLES:
English for the Hard-Of-Hearing
EXTRAS:
Making Of “An American Classic”
Deleted Scenes
Trailer

"I'm Living Good – The Soul Of Arthur Conley 1964-1974" by ARTHUR CONLEY. A Review Of The 2011 Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation.

2011-12-13T11:59:00.008Z

"…Everybody Knows…You Got Me…"

UK released 28 November 2011, "I'm Living Good – The Soul Of Arthur Conley 1964-1974” is on Ace Record/Kent Soul CDKEND 358 and breaks down as follows (67:45 minutes):

1. Let’s Go Steady
(1967, USA 7” single on Atco 6463, Non-LP, B-side of "Sweet Soul Music")
2. Take Me (Just As I Am)
(1966, USA 7” single on Fame 1009, A-side)
3. Where You Lead [by Harold Holt And His Band – Vocal Arthur Conley]
(1964, USA 7” single on Ru-Jac 0014, Non-LP, A-side)
4. There’s A Place For Us
(1966, USA 7” single on Jotis 472, B-side of "Who's Foolin' Who")
5. I’m Gonna Forget About You
(1966, USA 7” single on Fame 1009, B-side of "Take Me (Just As I Am)")
6. Love Comes And Goes
(1967, USA 7” single on Atco 6529, B-side of "Whole Lotta Woman")
7. I’m A Stranger [by Harold Holt And His Band – Vocal Arthur Conley]
(1964, USA 7” single on Ru-Jac 0014, Non-LP, B-side of "Where You Lead")
8. I’ll Let Nothing Separate Us
(on "Sweet Soul Music", 1967 USA Stereo LP On Atco SD 33-215)
9. Put Our Love Together
(1968, USA 7” single on Atco 6563, B-side of "Funky Street")
10. Keep On Talking
(on "Shake, Rattle & Roll", 1967 USA Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-220)
11. This Love Of Mine
(on "Soul Directions", 1968 USA Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-243)
12. Take A Step
(on "More Sweet Soul", USA 1969 Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-276)
13. Otis Sleep On
(on "Soul Directions", 1968 USA Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-243)
14. Is That You Love
(1968, USA 7” single on Atco 6662, A-side)
15. That’s How It Feels [by The Soul Clan]
[The Soul Clan was Solomon Burke, Arthur Conley, Don Covay and Joe Tex]
(1968, USA 7” single on Atlantic 2530, Non LP, B-side to "Soul Meeting")
16. God Bless
(1970, USA 7” single on Atco 6747, A-side)
17. All Day Singing
(July 1970, UK 7” single on Atlantic 2091-025, A-side, Non-LP
"God Bless" is its B-side, however, it was the A is the USA on Atco 6747)
18. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
(1970, USA 7” single on Atco 6790, A-side)
19. If He Walked Today
(1976, South-Africa 7" single on Atlantic ATS 6, A-side)
20. I'm Living Good
(1971, USA 7” single on Capricorn 8017, A-side)
21. Walking On Eggs
(1972, USA 7” single on Capricorn CPR 0001, B-side of "More Sweet Soul Music")
22. It's So Nice (When It's Somebody Else's Wife)
(1974, USA 7” single on Capricorn CPR 0047, B-side of "Bless You")
23. I Want Your Love
(on "One More Sweet Soul Music", 1988 Japan-Only LP on P-Vine PJ 122)
24. Stop Knocking
(on "Peaches – Pick Of The Crop", a 1974 USA 2LP Sampler for the Capricorn Records Label on Capricorn PRO 588. "Peaches" was also issued in the UK in November 1974 on Capricorn Records 2476 105 as a single LP – but without the Arthur Conley track.)

Tracks 1 to 7 and 16 are MONO, all others are STEREO
Tracks 1 and 6 are produced by OTIS REDDING

At a packed 20-pages - the booklet is superlative. It features brilliantly informative liner notes by long-time Soul lover and aficionado TONY ROUNCE with the text peppered by pictures of those great US and UK 45s on Atco, Atlantic, Fame, Jotis, Ru-Jac and Capricorn. A clever touch is that Page 2 pictures Arthur sat smiling in a chair with a Coke bottle in hand in 1967 at the Fame studios - while Page 19 shows him in 1972 in London sporting an Afro. In fact there’s an atmospheric snap of Conley joking with Garnet Mimms on London’s Hanway Street from the same time frame. The remaster is by DUNCAN POWELL at Sound Mastering in London and the quality varies wildly depending on the source – sublime one moment, awful the next…

It opens strongly – “Let’s Go Steady” is the non-album B-side of his huge “Sweet Soul Music” single from 1967. It’s a Southern Soul pleader and sets the tone for the mainly slow B-sides presented here (his A’s were usually uptempo dancers). It also reacquaints you with how good a vocalist Conley was – especially when he got his larynx around some misery - “…you left me…for another love…” In fact “Let’s Go Steady” is the side of Arthur Conley collectors really love – properly soulful and not doing misguided covers of “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da”. And it’s here in quality-remastered-sound.

Other clever choices include “Put Our Love Together” which is the superb B-side of “Funky Street” (killer A-side too). “This Love Of Mine” sounds so Otis is moaning-mode – just a great vibe with that killer organ backdrop underpinning the torch vocals. “Is That You Love” has fantastic production values while the B-side to the lone ‘Soul Clan’ 7” single is a ‘talkie’ slow boiler featuring Conley sharing vocals with 3 titans of Soul - Solomon Burke, Don Covay and Joe Tex – and it sounds so good too.

“All Day Singing” from 1970 reflected the Jesus revival that swept every country in the early Seventies – it’s warm, lovely and has gorgeous Stereo sound. The Otis Redding penned “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” livens up the proceedings with its uptempo feel and huge drum sound. But my favourite on here is 1972’s “Walking On Eggs” – a non-LP B-side to a rare US 45 on Capricorn Records. The track is still rooted in the Sixties but with a nice Seventies touch – great brass work too (lyrics above). And a genuine coup is the first-time-on-CD Harold Holt tracks; only a handful of 45s are said to have survived – this version has been dubbed from a lone legitimate copy in the public domain – used by kind permission of a Japanese collector.

Musically it’s not all great though - “God Bless” name-checks some truly cheesy cartoon characters in its Universal prayer lyrics – and while it probably seemed cute at the time, it’s best forgotten now. Funky as it may be - the lyrics to “It’s So Nice (When It’s Somebody’s Else’s Wife)” catalogues the goings-on in Room 25 of the Holiday Inn with ‘somebody else’s’ spouse – and its ludicrously macho/sexist slant wouldn’t last long on today’s turntables. Instead of a tribute to the great Soul Man, “Otis Sleep On” manages to be cloying – even exploitive. “Take A Step” from the “Soul Directions” LP from 1968 is drenched in hiss while the rare 1976 South Africa-only Atlantic 45 Gospel homage “If He Walked Today” is clearly dubbed off a disc. Still on the excessively hissy tip is “I’ll Let Nothing Separate Us” – written by Otis Redding - it’s a lesser-heard torch ballad off the “Sweet Soul Music” album and probably included here for the powerhouse performance.

Niggles and omissions – his 2nd UK 7” single “Shake, Rattle & Roll” had a non-LP B-side “You Don’t Have To See Me” while “Star Revenue” was a non-LP A-side in the States - but both are no-shows when there was room to include them. “Take A Step” is credited as being on the 1968 “Soul Directions” LP when it’s on the “More Sweet Soul Music” album from 1969. “Walking On Eggs” is on Capricorn 0001 and not 8001. But these are personal choices and minor grammatical errors - and neither takes away from the feeling that this CD is a bit of a wee gem really.

To sum up - Conley has somehow always been the poor-man’s Soul legend – never getting the credit he deserves. Hopefully this lovingly put-together and well presented reissue will change all that.

Ace's 'Kent Soul' imprint delivers again. Recommended.

"Black And Blue" by HAROLD MELVIN and THE BLUE NOTES. A Review Of The 1973 Philadelphia LP Now Reissued On An Expanded Big Break Records CD In 2010.

2011-12-11T12:43:00.005Z

"…I Told Myself That I Had To Leave You Alone…But I'm So Weak You…"

I've purchased 6 BBR CD reissues to date - and each has been a revelation - sound quality, presentation and bonuses - all top class (I've reviewed them too). Released September 2010 in the UK - this expanded CD reissue of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 2nd album on Philly from 1973 is no exception. Their debut album "I Miss You" from 1972 has also been reissued as an expanded version by BBR (was called simply "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes" in the UK). Both are properly fabulous Seventies Soul.

Here are the details for Big Break Records CDBBR 0013 (46:56 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Black & Blue" released September 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 32407 and in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 65859

Tracks 9 and 10 are EDITED SINGLE VERSIONS of "The Love I Lost (Part 1)" and "I'm Weak For You (Part 1)"

The album produced 2 singles in the USA and UK at the time of release and a reissue later on – (excepting “Bad Luck”) this CD will allow fans to sequence those tracks as follows:

1. The Love I Lost (Part 1) b/w The Love I Lost (Part 2)
(USA - September 1973, Philadelphia International ZS7 3533
UK - November 1973, Philadelphia International S PIR 1879)
2. Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) b/w I’m Weak For You (Part 1)
(USA - March 1974, Philadelphia International ZS7 3543
UK - March 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2178)
3. The Love I Lost (Part 1) b/w Bad Luck
(UK – January 1977 reissue on Blue Vinyl, Philadelphia International S PIR 4881)

The 12-page booklet has an informative interview conducted by STUART WEST with BOBBY ELI. Eli is the founding member and Lead Guitarist with MFSB (virtually Philadelphia International’s in-house band) and he talks with great affection and knowledge about Gamble & Huff (principal songwriters), Teddy Pendergrass (legendary vocalist) and the evolution of the MFSB sound that Philly was so famous for. In between text are pictures of US 45's, colour plates of rare European 7” picture sleeves, photos of the band in concert and full discography and credits info at the rear. It's very well done and the jewel case is one of those new rounded-corner affairs - very tasty. But the really great news is the SOUND...

As with other BBR releases - this remaster uses the 'original tapes' and has been carried out initially by ALAN WILSON at Western Star Studios with further work done by WAYNE A. DICKSON at the BBR Studios (both in the UK). The results are wonderful.

Once you get past the truly awful opener "Cabaret" (as in "Life is a cabaret…" – what were they thinking!), you’re straight into the full album version (6:26 minutes) of "The Love I Lost" and it's beautifully clear from its opening keyboards and vibes to the funky bass and strings throughout. It sounds GORGEOUS. Another track I love (and a bit of a forgotten soul nugget) is the 'so' soulful message song "Is There A Place For Me" which starts with the delightful lyrics "I’ve been married four times...and today I'm without a wife…"

As with the superbly expanded "I Miss You" CD – the inclusion of the 7” single edits on "Black & Blue" are a genuine bonus. I often felt that too many of these Seventies Soul LPs had songs on them that they knew to be winners – so they would overstay their welcome by stretching them to seven, eight, nine, ten minutes… The single edits gave you the concise version – and delivered a far better punch. The blindingly good B-side short version of "I'm Weak For You" is a perfect example – fades out before it over stays – what a great listen (lyrics above).

To sum up – this is a superlative release and I can only hope that BBR tackle more on the Philly and CBS labels – especially when they add those 7” edits for collectors (exclusive to Big Break Records releases).

Smoochy heaven…and Teddy too.

PS: for info purposes, I've tagged over 85 of the BBR releases to December 2011 (for a pictorial of them, click on the Tag called 'big break records bbr' highlighted above). Below is a printed list of most (some REVIEWED):

1. Street Opera - ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1982, 1st LP on Capitol)
2. High Rise – ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1983, 2nd on Capitol)
3. Brooklyn Dreams - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1977 - features Donna Summer)
4. Sleepless Nights - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1979 - features Donna Summer)
5. Winners - THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (1981)
6. Love Approach - TOM BROWNE (1980 - features "Funkin' For Jamaica")
7. Cerrone’s Paradise – CERRONE (1977)
8. Cerrone 3 – Supernature – CERRONE (1977)
9. Cerrone IV – The Golden Touch – CERRONE (1978)
10. Love In ‘C’ Minor – CERRONE (1979)
11. Sharing Your Love – CHANGE (1982)
12. This Is Your Time – CHANGE (1983)
13. Change Of Heart – CHANGE (1984)
14. Turn On Your Radio – CHANGE (1985)
15. Action Speaks Louder Than Words – CHOCOLATE MILK (1975 on RCA)
16. A.C. (Expanded Edition) – ANDRE CYMONE (1985 on Columbia)
17. Faces - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1980 2LP set on 1CD with bonuses)
18. Don't Look Any Further - DENNIS EDWARDS (1984 - Dennis Lambert production)
19. F.B.I. (Expanded Edition) – F.B.I. [featuring Root Jackson] (1976)
20. Pennye - PENNYE FORD (1984)
21. Gap Band VI - THE GAP BAND (1984)
22. The Gap Band 8 – THE GAP BAND (1986)
23. Never Can Say Goodbye - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
24. Experience Gloria Gaynor - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
25. New Horizon (Expanded Edition) – ISAAC HAYES (1977 on Polydor)
26. Don’t Let Go – ISAAC HAYES (1979 on Polydor) (Jan 2012)
27. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
28. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980) [see REVIEW]
29. Current - HEATWAVE (1982)
30. Harvest For The World (Expanded Edition) – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
31. Go For Your Guns – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
32. Fire Night Dance (Expanded Edition) – PETER JACQUES BAND (1978 on Prelude)
33. Like Gangbusters – JOBOXERS (1983 on RCA) (Jan 2012)
34. The Joneses (Expanded Edition) – THE JONESES (1977 on Epic)
35. Smooth Talk - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1977 debut)
36. I'm In Love - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1981)
37. Get Loose - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1982)
38. Face To Face - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1983) (Jan 2012)
39. About Love - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1980)
40. Open Sesame - KOOL & THE GANG (1976)
41. Patti LaBelle - PATTI LaBELLE (1977 debut solo LP)
42. It's Alright With Me - PATTI LaBELLE (1979)
43. Lark – LINDA LEWIS (1972 on Reprise)
44. Not A Little Girl Anymore - LINDA LEWIS (1975 on Arista)
45. Intuition – LINX (March 1981 1st LP on Chrysalis)
46. Go Ahead – LINX (Oct 1981 2nd LP on Chrysalis) (Jan 2012)
47. Loose Change - LOOSE CHANGE (1979 on Casablanca)
48. I Am Now - JON LUCIEN (1970 debut LP on RCA)
49. Rashida - JON LUCIEN (1973 2nd LP on RCA)
50. Premonition – JON LUCIEN (1976 on Columbia)
51. I Miss You [aka “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes”] - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972 USA debut on Philadelphia International) [see REVIEW]
52. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International - features Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass) [see REVIEW]
53. Melba - MELBA MOORE (1978 - features McFadden & Whitehead)
54. TJM - TOM MOULTON (1979)
55. I Can See Clearly Now [Expanded Edition] – JOHNNY NASH. (1972 on CBS) [see REVIEW]
56. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972) [see REVIEW]
57. Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) - BILLY OCEAN (1981)
58. Inner Feelings - BILLY OCEAN (1982)
59. Odyssey - ODYSSEY (1977)
60. California Sunset - THE ORIGINALS (1975 Motown - Lamont Dozier production)
61. Bonnie Pointer – BONNIE POINTER (1976 Debut LP) (Jan 2012)
62. Baby Sister - JUNE POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1983 debut)
63. Special Things - THE POINTER SISTERS (1980)
64. So Excited - THE POINTER SISTERS (1982, features members of Toto)
65. Break Out – THE POINTER SISTERS (1983 on Planet)
66. Contact - THE POINTER SISTERS (1985, 1st LP on RCA)
67. Flying High – PRIME TIME (1984 on Total Experience)
68. The Garden Of Love – DON RAY (1978)
69. Sweet Beginnings - MARLENA SHAW (1977)
70. Acting Up - MARLENA SHAW (1978)
71. Clean - EDWIN STARR (1978, 2nd LP on 20th Century)
72. Am I Still Your Boyfriend? – SWITCH (1984 on Total Experience)
73. A Taste Of Honey - A TASTE OF HONEY (1978 debut)
74. Another Taste - A TASTE OF HONEY (1979 2nd LP - both debut and this feature Larry and Fonce Mizell)
75. Twice As Sweet – A TASTE OF HONEY (1980 on Capitol)
76. New Directions - TAVARES (1982 Debut)
77. The Three Degrees - THE THREE DEGREES (1974, 1st LP for Philadelphia International - features MFSB)]
78. International - THE THREE DEGREES (1975, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International)
79. New Dimensions - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 1st LP for Ariola)
80. 3D - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 2nd LP for Ariola)
81. Song Bird - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1977 - 2nd LP features Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire)
82. When Love Comes Calling - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1979 - 3rd LP)
83. My Melody - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1981 - Thom Bell Production)
84. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – DENIECE WILLIAMS (1984 on CBS)
85. Be A Winner - YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1984 on RCA)
86. Guilty – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1985 on Total Experience)
87. Love Conquers All – MICHAEL WYCOFF (1982 on RCA)

"Goldmine Standard Catalogue Of American Records 1948-1991 (7th Edition)". A Review Of The 2010 American Reference Source.

2011-12-08T20:52:00.015Z

"…Tramps Like Us…"

The 5th Edition of this massive American publication came out in 2000 and at 1226 pages (A4 size) was an impressive beast. Version 6 turned up in 2008 and had expanded to a gargantuan 1392 pages and even contained a DVD attached to the back cover (both issues covered 1950 to 1975).

Here is the latest and best – the 7th Edition from 2010 with 1344 pages. More importantly, this issue has opened its parameters – giving us American releases between 1948 and 1991 for the first time - and covering many more 'genres' than its predecessors.

The layout is simple – each artist gets their 45’s first - with their LPs following (both in label alphabetical order). A fantastically helpful thing is that the 78" and 7" entries have their A & B-sides listed - while the LPs feature both Mono and Stereo issues where applicable. Some important Promo issues on LP and 12" singles are featured – especially on modern day artists like Madonna where different mixes attract the attention of collectors. The album entries don't list tracks (it would be ten times the size if it did) - but they do include a year of release and a Near Mint value in dollars.

A point worth noting - the LP catalogue numbers in this reference source are not like the US Billboard Chart Books that concentrate only on the central set of numbers as a catalogue number. Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" is not merely 'Columbia 33795' as per Billboard – here it gets the full monty - it’s PC 33795 for the 1975 original, JC 33795 for the 1977 reissue and HC 33795 for the 1981 Half-Speed Mastered version (lyrics from the song "Born To Run" title this review). This of course helps enormously when you're trying to work out what issue is what. But the range of this book doesn’t just stop there…

Take RAY CHARLES for instance – starting on Page 229 with his ABC Label 45’s – his Solo Discography ends on Page 231 with his "Would You Believe?" album from 1990 on Warner Brothers (A to W). But following that are entries for his 'collaborations' with Harry Belafonte, Betty Carter, Joe Hunter, Jimmy Rushing, Milt Jackson, Cleo Laine and finally The Ray Charles Singers (Page 232). The very end pages even provide info on Soundtracks, Stage Shows, Television and Various Artists compilations (Pages 1301 to 1344). As you can imagine the detail is staggering.

Another point about which 'issue' is an original and which is a reissue: on artists like say Lou Donaldson, The Grateful Dead or Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana – their catalogues are small enough to be manageable reading. But when you get to the big boys like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, James Brown, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Bob Dylan and The Who - they have sections that are massive and a bit unwieldy – so you need to look thoroughly for the issue you want. On some artists there are even Audiophile pressings listed on well respected labels – Audio Fidelity, DCC Compact Classics, Mobile Fidelity, Nautilus etc

CONTENT - while you would expect The Beach Boys, The Doors, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Prince, Queen, R.E.M., Simon & Garfunkel, U2 and Neil Young to all be in here – it’s the artists in between the cracks that impress. How about Ryan Adams, Mike Bloomfield, Caravan, Lorraine Ellison, The Fireballs, Rory Gallagher, Richie Havens, Leo Kottke, Barbara Lewis, Laura Nyro, The Pixies, The Replacements, Ravi Shankar, Ten Years After, The Undisputed Truth, Suzanne Vega, Tom Waits, Tony Joe White, XTC, The Yardbirds and Warren Zevon.

In fact the sheer range of artists and genres covered is incredible – here's some more:

BLUES, DOO WOP, R’n’B and R’n’R – Chuck Berry, Johnny Burnette, The Clovers, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Duane Eddy, The Everly Brothers, The Flamingos, Slim Harpo, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Buddy Holly, BB King, Smiley Lewis, Muddy Waters, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Big Joe Turner, Gene Vincent and Jackie Wilson.

COUNTRY – The Ames Brothers, The Carter Family, Johnny Cash, John Denver, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Jim Reeves, Hank Snow and Hank Williams

EASY LISTENING and EXOTICA – Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Percy Faith, Connie Francis, Judy Garland, Burl Ives, Stan Kenton, Peggy Lee, Julie London, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Frank Sinatra, Yma Sumac, Sarah Vaughan, Dionne Warwick, Lawrence Welk and Kitty Wells

JAZZ – Gene Ammons, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Donald Byrd, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Nina Simone, Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, Phil Upchurch and Weather Report

POP, ROCK, PROG, METAL – The Animals, Badfinger, Black Sabbath, Budgie, Joe Cocker, Elvis Costello, Creedence, Deep Purple, Donovan, Echo & The Bunnymen, ELP, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis (and all Solo), Hall & Oates, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Van Morrison (and Them), Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Talking Heads, Traffic (and all Solo), Velvet Underground (and all Solo), Yes, Frank Zappa and The Zombies

SOUL, FUNK, MODERN R’n’B, HIP-HOP – The Beastie Boys, Bobby Bland, Mariah Carey, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, The Isley Brothers, Big Daddy Kane, Otis Redding, Rufus, 2 Live Crew and Stevie Wonder

PUNK and NEW WAVE – Black Flag, The Clash, The Damned, Dead Kennedys, Devo, The Jam, The Sex Pistols, Stiff Little Fingers, The Stooges, Television, The Undertones

INDIE – The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Fall, Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, New Order and The Smiths

Niggles – an artist like CHRIS ISAAK began his career in 1985, but his discography here doesn’t go past 1991 which gives his entries a half-finished feel. You get Tim Buckley but not Jeff Buckley - which just doesn’t seem right?

Apart from those tiny whines – this is an incredible piece of work that has undoubtedly taken decades to collate. Compiler and Author MARTIN POPOFF is to be congratulated.

To sum up - this extraordinary reference source is entirely 'American' based (as its title clearly states) - but if you’ve any passing interest in the history of music – then this peach will serve you well for years to come. A genuine wow.

Recommended – and then some…

"The Great Folk Discography Volume 2 – The Next Generation" by MARTIN C STRONG. A Review Of The 2011 Polygon Music Reference Book (Vol.2 of 3).

2011-12-08T10:20:00.007Z

"…Just Remember Darling…All The While…You Belong To Me…”

The latest in a long run of "Great" Discography books (Rock, Metal, Alternative & Indie) - this SECOND Volume of THREE by Martin C. Strong on 'Folk' is as superlative as its predecessor. Volume 1 came out in June 2010 and covered the old school of Folk in "Pioneers And Early Legends" and ran to a whopping 620 pages (see separate detailed review). This 2nd instalment concentrates entirely on 'NEW' artists – roughly covering 1977 to 2011. Volume 3 will arrive in 2012 or 2013…

Published by Polygon Books in October 2011, "The Great Folk Discography Volume 2 – The New Generation" has 346 large-sized pages and a 'Foreword' by the acclaimed Scottish Folk guitarist and singer ALASDAIR ROBERTS.

Like Volume 1 (with its 3 distinct sections) - Strong has given his 2nd tome 2 divides:
1. Britain And Beyond (Pages 1 to 188) [UK, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and European Artists]
2. North America (Pages 189 to 346) [US and Canadian Artists]

The overall layout is the same as his other books - a hugely detailed and fact-heavy Biog heads up the artist section (with albums mentioned and rated) followed by an ascending Year-by-Year discography. You then get Date Of Release, Format (7", 12" and LPs included), Title, Catalogue numbers, track list for the original vinyl followed by details of subsequent vinyl reissues, followed by CD reissues (noting bonus tracks where applicable) - even providing line-up changes in-between the entries. It's a huge amount of genuine information and makes for fascinating reading.

As you can imagine the net that encompasses 'Folk' is wide – so Strong has included Folk/Rock, Pop, Blues (some) and even Country crossover artists like KT Tunstall, Shawn Colvin, Nancy Griffith, Seasick Steve, The Proclaimers, Indigo Girls, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, The Levellers, Tanita Tikaram, Swan Arcade, The Waterboys, The Lilac Time, The Pogues, Sufjan Stevens, 10,000 Maniacs, Steve Forbert, Iron & Wine, Josh Ritter, Mumford & Sons, Phranc and The Saw Doctors. Going deeper it’s amazing to see lists for Butch Hancock, The Kitchen Cynics even Sonja Kristina (vocalist with Curved Air).

While you would expect discographies on famous 'new' Folk artists like Eddi Reader, Martyn Joseph, Billy Bragg, Eliza Carthy, Lucinda Williams, Boo Hewerdine (of The Bible), Cara Dillon, Seth Lakeman, Beth Orton, Jackie Leven, The Oyster Band, Kate Rusby, The Unthanks, Clive Gregson, Bon Iver and Joanna Newsome – there’s so many 'unheard of' artists in here. Who the Hell are Cosmothek, Nyah Fearties or the wonderfully named Woodenbox With A Fistful Of Fivers?

And I never thought I’d see a Discography in print for Irishman Barry Moore (Christy Moore’s brother) who then took the Rock/Folk pseudonym of LUKA BLOOM (James Joyce reference) and has been a cult artist ever since. I saw him in his 20’s at the first Lisdoonvarna Folk Festival in 1978 in Western Ireland where I bought his debut album "Treaty Stone" on Mulligan Records on site. He sang a cover of "Black Is The Colour" which literally moved me to tears. I swear it touched my very soul. His lovely version of Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love" from his 1992 CD "The Acoustic Motorbike" wowed radio listeners in the UK and has been featured on compilations that sooth our hectic and stressed lives. And this of course is where a book like "The Great Folk Discography" scores – introducing you to artists and music that deserve your attention.

To sum up - like Country – Folk is all about the tunes – and too often it’s associated with bearded Lefties swilling on real ale and rebel-rousing nitwits - which sees the public miss out on some truly gorgeous and touching music. Take Kate Rusby – a Yorkshire lass who now has an illustrious recording career that few outside of certain circles know anything about. She has the voice of an angel and her version of Pee Wee King’s 1940's classic "You Belong To Me" (covered by Jo Stafford and many others since) on her "The Girl Who Couldn’t Fly" CD from 2005 is about as beautiful and haunting as a song can get. If this book brings people to that musical and spiritual beauty – then it’s a job well done (lyrics from it title this review).

Like it's predecessor – this is a fabulous piece of work – a labour of love that took thousands of dedicated hours to compile and annotate properly. Amazing stuff.

I’m off now to listen to the Uilleann Pipes of The Bothy Band and get all 'Celtic' on the hard rock butts of my International workmates…

"I Miss You” by HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES. A Review Of Their 1972 Philadelphia International Debut LP Now Reissued Onto An Expanded UK CD in 2010

2011-11-29T15:21:00.007Z

"…Yesterday I Had The Blues…I Couldn't Win…All I Did Was Lose…But Now…"

I’ve purchased 6 BBR CD reissues to date – and each has been a revelation - sound quality, presentation and bonuses - all top class (I’ve reviewed them too). Released October 2010 in the UK - this expanded CD reissue of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 1972 classic debut album on Philly is no exception. It’s properly fabulous Seventies Soul.

Here are the details for Big Break Records CDBBR0018 (51:49 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 7 are the album “I Miss You” released September 1972 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 31648 and February 1973 in the UK on CBS Records S 65350. The UK title is “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes” and was reissued in 1974 on Philadelphia International S PIR 65934

Tracks 8, 9 and 10 are EDITED ‘Single Versions’ of “I Miss You (Part 1)”, “Yesterday I Had The Blues” and “Be For Real”
Track 11 is “If You Don’t Know Me By Now (Live In San Francisco, 1973)” – this version (featuring Teddy Pendergrass) first appeared on the 2004 Legacy reissue of the album as a previously unreleased bonus track

At the time of release the album produced 3 singles in the USA and 2 in the UK with an album track edit of “Be For Real” later used as a B-side in 1975. There were also reissues of the two big hits “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and “I Miss You (Part 1)” in 1974 and 1975 on both sides of the pond. This reissue will allow fans to sequence on CD all of these 7” single tracks for the first time:

USA:
1. I Miss You (Part 1) b/w (Part 2)
(May 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3516)
2. If You Don’t Know Me By Now b/w Let Me Into Your World
(September 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3520
– also issued on Epic 8453 with a Picture Sleeve)
3. Yesterday I Had The Blues b/w Ebony Woman
(March 1973, Philadelphia International KS7 3525)
4. Hope That We Can Be Together Soon b/w Be For Real
(October 1975, Philadelphia International ZS8 3569)
5. If You Don’t Know Me By Now b/w I Miss You (Part 1)
(1975 Reissue on Philadelphia International ZS8 3752)

UK:
1. If You Don’t Know Me By Now b/w Le Me Into Your World
(January 1973, CBS Records CBS S 8496)
2. I Miss You (Part One) b/w (Part Two)
(April 1973, CBS Records S CBS 8291)
3. If You Don’t Know Me By Now b/w Let Me Into Your World
(1974 reissue on Philadelphia International S PIR 2210)

Some history on the original LP is needed. The title of this release and its artwork will seem unusual even to the most ardent of soul fans – that’s because this BBR CD reissue cleverly uses the original US album artwork for the first time. The story goes like this – released in August 1972 as "I Miss You" with the smiley faces cover presented here - the breakthrough single "If You Don't Know Me By Now" finally charted big in October of that year and was essentially the beginning of success for Gamble and Huff’s heavily subsidized Philadelphia International label. The torch ballad’s classy soulful feel caught the public’s attention and affections immediately – eventually rising to Number 1 on the US R’n’B charts (it reached No 9 in the UK Pop charts in January 1973 also). On the back of this success both nationally and internationally – and to present a more sophisticated front – the album’s name was changed to simply "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes". The reissue however (released November 1972 using the same US catalogue number) came in a new sleeve - the now familiar 'blue' photo artwork where the boys stand in classier suits and stare out at us in a more sombre and soulful way. The 'blue' sleeve artwork (which the British issue only ever used) is featured on the inside flap of the booklet. It’s a nice touch…spot-checking the original….

The 12-page booklet has an informative and detailed essay on the album and the beginning of the Philadelphia International label by STUART WEST. In between text is pictures of US 45’s, band photos and full discography info. It’s very well done and the jewel case is one of those new rounded-corner affairs – very tasty. But the really great news is the SOUND…

As with other BBR releases - this remaster uses the ‘original tapes’ and has been carried out by WAYNE A. DICKSON at the BBR Studios. The results are wonderful. I’ve had the 2004 Legacy issue to have the music – but this transfer is ‘so’ much better. There is slight hiss on the opener “I Miss You” but it’s absolutely negligible because once into the lengthy ballad - the AUDIO IS GORGEOUS. And of course the virtually uncredited presence of TEDDY PENDERGRASS on Lead Vocals lifts the Gamble & Huff songs and lush production values into the stratosphere (six of the 7 songs are penned by them). His monologue on “Be For Real” about social inequality and inner city divides - feels very Marvin Gaye circa “What’s Going On” - but with that Philly string sound thrown in.

In fact it should be mentioned that two of the 3 songs on Side 1 - the big smoochers “I Miss You” and “Yesterday I Had The Blues” (lyrics above) - are ‘Full Album Versions’ which stretch to 8:39 and 7:33 minutes respectively. For me, they’ve always overstayed their welcome a bit too much - so it’s a blast to get their 7” single edits for the first time as bonus tracks. They are so lovely – and without the overkill of the LP versions.

So there you have it – another winner in an impressive cannon of reissues for Big Break Records. Fans of the band and the Philly Sound will need to own this. And from here, they should go straight to the albums "Black And Blue" (1973) and "Wake Up Everybody" (1975) – two more gems from that extraordinarily creative team and period of time (see reviews).

I’m glad to say that the dedication in the liner notes by BBR staff to their Soul heroes - Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass – is genuine – and they’ve honoured their musical legacy with this excellent CD.

Recommended.

PS: for info purposes, I've tagged over 75 of the BBR releases to October 2011 (for a pictorial of them, click on the Tag called 'big break records bbr' highlighted above). Below is a printed list of most:

1. Street Opera - ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1982, 1st LP on Capitol)
2. High Rise – ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1983, 2nd on Capitol)
3. Brooklyn Dreams - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1977 - features Donna Summer)
4. Sleepless Nights - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1979 - features Donna Summer)
5. Winners - THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (1981)
6. Love Approach - TOM BROWNE (1980 - features "Funkin' For Jamaica")
7. Cerrone’s Paradise – CERRONE (1977)
8. Love In ‘C’ Minor – CERRONE (1979)
9. Sharing Your Love – CHANGE (1982)
10. This Is Your Time – CHANGE (1983)
11. Change Of Heart – CHANGE (1984)
12. Turn On Your Radio – CHANGE (1985)
13. Action Speaks Louder Than Words – CHOCOLATE MILK (1975 on RCA)
14. A.C. (Expanded Edition) – ANDRE CYMONE (1985 on Columbia)
15. Faces - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1980 2LP set on 1CD with bonuses)
16. Don't Look Any Further - DENNIS EDWARDS (1984 - Dennis Lambert production)
17. F.B.I. (Expanded Edition) – F.B.I. [featuring Root Jackson] (1976)
18. Pennye - PENNYE FORD (1984)
19. Gap Band VI - THE GAP BAND (1984)
20. The Gap Band 8 – THE GAP BAND (1986)
21. Never Can Say Goodbye - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
22. Experience Gloria Gaynor - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
23. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
24. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980) [see REVIEW]
25. Current - HEATWAVE (1982)
26. Harvest For The World – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
27. Go For Your Guns – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
28. Fire Night Dance (Expanded Edition) – PETER JACQUES BAND (1978 on Prelude)
29. The Joneses (Expanded Edition) – THE JONESES (1977 on Epic)
30. Smooth Talk - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1977 debut)
31. I'm In Love - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1981)
32. Get Loose - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1982)
33. About Love - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1980)
34. Open Sesame - KOOL & THE GANG (1976)
35. Patti LaBelle - PATTI LaBELLE (1977 debut solo LP)
36. It's Alright With Me - PATTI LaBELLE (1979)
37. Not A Little Girl Anymore - LINDA LEWIS (1975 on Arista)
38. Loose Change - LOOSE CHANGE (1979 on Casablanca)
39. I Am Now - JON LUCIEN (1970 debut LP on RCA)
40. Rashida - JON LUCIEN (1973 2nd LP on RCA)
41. Premonition – JON LUCIEN (1976 on Columbia)
42. I Miss You [aka “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes”] - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972 USA debut on Philadelphia International) [see REVIEW]
43. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International - features Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass) [see REVIEW]
44. Melba - MELBA MOORE (1978 - features McFadden & Whitehead)
45. TJM - TOM MOULTON (1979)
46. I Can See Clearly Now – JOHNNY NASH (1972 on CBS) [see REVIEW]
47. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972) [see REVIEW]
48. Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) - BILLY OCEAN (1981)
49. Inner Feelings - BILLY OCEAN (1982)
50. Odyssey - ODYSSEY (1977)
51. California Sunset - THE ORIGINALS (1975 Motown - Lamont Dozier production)
52. Special Things - THE POINTER SISTERS (1980)
53. So Excited - THE POINTER SISTERS (1982, features members of Toto)
54. Contact - THE POINTER SISTERS (1985, 1st LP on RCA)
55. Break Out – THE POINTER SISTERS (1983 on Planet)
56. Baby Sister - JUNE POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1983 debut)
57. Flying High – PRIME TIME (1984 on Total Experience)
58. Sweet Beginnings - MARLENA SHAW (1977)
59. Acting Up - MARLENA SHAW (1978)
60. Clean - EDWIN STARR (1978, 2nd LP on 20th Century)
61. Am I Still Your Boyfriend? – SWITCH
62. A Taste Of Honey - A TASTE OF HONEY (1978 debut)
63. Another Taste - A TASTE OF HONEY (1979 2nd LP - both debut and this feature Larry and Fonce Mizell)
64. Twice As Sweet – A TASTE OF HONEY (1980 on Capitol)
65. New Directions - TAVARES (1982 Debut)
66. The Three Degrees - THE THREE DEGREES (1974, 1st LP for Philadelphia International - features MFSB)]
67. International - THE THREE DEGREES (1975, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International)
68. New Dimensions - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 1st LP for Ariola)
69. 3D - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 2nd LP for Ariola)
70. Song Bird - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1977 - 2nd LP features Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire)
71. When Love Comes Calling - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1979 - 3rd LP)
72. My Melody - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1981 - Thom Bell Production)
73. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – DENIECE WILLIAMS (1984 on CBS)
74. Be A Winner - YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1984 on RCA)
75. Guilty – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1985 on Total Experience)
76. Love Conquers All – MICHAEL WYCOFF (1982 on RCA)

“Third Star”. A Review Of The 2011 Film Now On DVD.

2011-11-24T17:00:00.004Z

"...Third Star On The Left...Straight On 'Til Morning..."

The affection afforded this British movie by other UK reviewers is absolutely on the money - "Third Star" is a superbly realised little film with a huge beating heart. I was very moved...

The story goes like this - James' lifelong but hapless pals decide that one last adventure will be a hoot and morale booster for their mate who is dying from an incurable disease - so they drag his three-wheeler chair loaded up with tents, drug suplies and a potted tree they will plant at journey's end - across fields, forest and coastal terrain. Their destination is Barafundle Bay - a stunning, secluded inlet in Wales that James adores. And you can see it in James' face too. He thinks that if he can just get there 'intact' - everything will be all right somehow. But of course nothing goes to plan and despite the odd belly-laugh along the way, the journey tests their friendship and loyalties to the absolute limit...

First up - praise has to go to HATTIE DALTON for her warmth and steady Direction in what could have been awfully cheesy material that's been done to bits too many times before. She's given this buddy-buddy story a lightness of touch that feels real and isn't forced. In fact, the constant wit and pranks reflect just how guys are when they're in real emotional turmoil - downright childish even. Kudos should also go to the four male leads who had to gel together convincingly, muck in on the arduous trek and physically brave the coastal weather - none of which can have been easy - or in the case of the freezing Irish sea - deeply unpleasant. And when the reality of their friend's terminal illness slowly begins to kick in and intrude on their 'fun' - they're skills as good actors make you 'feel' the heaviness of what their characters are all trying to block out.

Principal lead Benedict Cumberbatch has many fans - and on the strength of his acting chops both here and on "Sherlock" (the UK TV series) - it's easy to see why. His James is a demanding lead-role - a frustrated 29-year old who is being eaten-alive by cancer. His longing to live - to have more time - to realise at least some of his dreams - are always at the surface - and you ache for him as he slips in and out of a morphine-induced stupor that is numbing his escalating physical agony. As well as the pain - James has to also contend with his squabbling, tetchy pals - who are trying to be cool about it all but are freaked out inside and increasingly awkward with his now impending loss.

His fellow travellers consist of Adam Robertson as the witty and yet dependable Bill, Tom Burke as the needy but sincere Davy and JJ Feild as the handsome devil-may-care Miles (surely a new Jude Law in the making). They will even encounter Hugh Bonneville (of Downton Abbey fame) as a nutty Beachcomber looking for rare Star Wars toys. The dialogue is playful, smart and confrontational when it's needed. And then they're faced with the ultimate true-friendship decision - but can any or all of them - actually go through with it? Even with this much sadness at its core and end, "Third Star" remains hopeful - a sign of a great film rather than just a good one.

EXTRAS include a brief 'Making Of' and two shorts by Hattie Dalton called "The Banker" and "One Of Those Days". The only real let down for me is that it's on DVD only - and not BLU RAY - where all that great camera work would surely shine even more.

There are moments in "Third Star" when you genuinely ache for James' loss - when you hurt at the arbitrary cruelty of life - snubbing out one person, but letting another live. This is a very good movie - one that celebrates life and makes you think about it too.

Put it high on your rental/to buy list...

"Smokestack Lightning – The Complete Chess Masters 1951-9160" by HOWLIN' WOLF. A Review Of The 2011 4CD Hip-O Select Book Set.

2011-11-22T12:09:00.014Z

"…Well Don't You Hear Me Cryin'…"

This rather lovely 'book-shaped' set is the first in a series of CD retrospectives documenting Chester Arthur Burnette (his real name) and his stay at the legendary Blues label 'Chess'. There's an awful lot of Howlin' Wolf to document here, so let's get to the details…

Released Monday 21 November 2011 in the UK (September 2011 in the USA) on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2 – "Smokestack Lightning – The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960" is a 97-Track 4CD Book Set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, 26 Tracks, 1951 to 1953 (73:08 minutes):
1. Moanin' At Midnight (1951 78”, Chess 1479, A-side)
2. How Many More Years (Alternate)
3. How Many More Years (1951 78”, Chess 1479, B-side)
4. The Wolf's At Your Door (Howlin' For My Baby) (1952 78”, Chess 1497, B-side)
5. California Boogie
6. Smile At Me
7. Howlin’ Wolf Boogie (1952 78”, Chess 1497, A-side)
8. California Blues No. 1
9. Look-A-Here Baby
10. Worried All The Time (1952 78”, Chess 1515, B-side)
11. Getting’ Old And Grey (1952 78”, Chess 1510, B-side)
12. Mr. Highway Man (1952 78”, Chess 1510, A-side)
13. Everybody’s In The Mood
14. Color And Kind
15. Bluebird (Blues)
16. Saddle My Pony (1952 78”, Chess 1515, A-side)
17. Dorothy Mae (Alternate Take)
18. Dorothy Mae
19. Sweet Woman (a/k/a I Got A Woman)
20. Well That’s All Right
21. Decoration Day (Blues)
22. Oh Red (1952 78” and 7” [1st release on 45], Chess 1528, A-side)
23. My Last Affair (1952 78” and 7”, Chess 1528, B-side)
24. I’ve Got A Woman
25. Just My Kind
26. Work For Your Money
[Notes: Tracks 2, 5, 6, 17, Previously Unreleased In The USA
Tracks 8, 9, 13, 14, 18 and 21 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 15 and 20 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 24 to 26 are 1953 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 2, 25 Tracks, 1953 to 1956 (73:42 minutes):
1. I’m Not Joking
2. Mama Died And Left Me
3. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, A-side)
4. I Love My Baby (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, B-side)
5. Highway My Friend
6. Hold Your Money
7. Streamline Woman
8. California Blues No. 2
9. Stay Here Til My Baby Comes Back
10. Crazy About You Baby
11. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, A-side)
12. You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) (1959 7”, Chess 1744, B-side)
13. Neighbors
14. I’m The Wolf
15. Rockin’ Daddy (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, B-side)
16. Baby How Long (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, A-side)
17. Evil (Is Goin’ On) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, B-side)
18. I’ll Be Around (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, A-side)
19. Forty Four (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, B-side)
20. Who Will Be Next (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, A-side)
21. I Have A Little Girl (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, B-side)
22. Come To Me Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, A-side)
23. Don’t Mess With My Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, B-side)
24. Smokestack Lightning (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, A-side)
25. You Can’t Be Beat (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, B-side)
26. I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, A-side)
27. So Glad (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, B-side)
[Notes: Tracks 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 2, 7, 10, and first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 13, 14 and are 1954 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 3, 25 Tracks, 1956 to 1958 (76:41 minutes):
1. Break Of Day
2. The Natchez Burning (1959 7”, Chess 1744, A-side)
3. Going Back Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1648, A-side)
4. Bluebird
5. My Life
6. You Ought To Know
7. Who’s Been Talkin (1960 7”, Chess 1750, A-side)
8. Tell Me (1960 7”, Chess 1750, B-side)
9. Somebody In My Home (Alternate Take)
10. Somebody In My Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, A-side)
11. Nature (Takes 1/4/6)
12. Nature (Alternate Take)
13. Nature (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, B-side)
14. Walk To Camp Hall
15. Poor Boy (Alternate Take)
16. Poor Boy (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, B-side)
17. My Baby Told Me
18. Sittin’ On The Top Of The World (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, A-side)
19. I Didn’t Know
20. I Better Go Now (Howlin’ Blues) (Alternate)
21. Howlin’ Blues (I’m Going Away) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, A-side)
22. I Better Go Now (Multiple Takes) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, B-side)
23. I Didn’t Know (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, B-side)
24. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, A-side)
25. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (Takes 3 & 4)
[Notes: Tracks 1 first released on the 1993 US 4CD Box Set by Various Artists called “Chess Blues” on Chess CHD4-9340
Tracks 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 25 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 9, 11, 19, 20, 22* and 25* Previously Unreleased In The USA
[Tracks 22 except includes Chess single 1726; Track 25 except includes Alternate Take on “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” 2CD set on Chess CHD2-9349]]

Disc 4, 19 Tracks, 1958 to 1960 (68:50 minutes):
1. I’m Leaving You (Alternate Take)
2. I’m Leaving You (Takes 7-10)
3. I’m Leaving You (1959 7”, Chess 1712, A-side)
4. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)
5. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)
6. (You) Can’t Put Me Out (Includes Additional Dialogue)
7. Change My Way (1959 7”, Chess 1712, B-side)
8. Getting Late
9. I’ve Been Abused (Takes 4-12)
10. I’ve Been Abused (1959 7”, Chess 1735, B-side)
11. Howlin’ For My Baby (Takes 1-7)
12. Howlin’ For My Darling (Or Baby) (1960 7”, Chess 1762, B-side)
13. Wolf In The Mood (Instrumental) [Includes Outtakes & Dialogue]
14. My People’s Gone
15. Mr. Airplane Man (Takes 1-2) [Plus Outtakes & Dialogue]
16. Mr. Airplane Man (1959 7”, Chess 1735, A-side)
17. Wang-Dang-Doodle (1961 7”, Chess 1777, A-side)
18. Back Door Man (1961 7” (recorded 1960), Chess 1777, B-side)
19. Spoonful (1960 7”, Chess 1762, A-side)
[Notes: Tracks 1, 2, 5, 9 and 11 Previously Unreleased In The USA
Track 4 first released on the 1982 US 2LP set “Chess Blues Rarities” on Chess CH2-9230
Track 15 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 6, 8, 13 (with Outtakes Dialogue) and 14 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349]

The hardback book packaging matches the look and feel of the MUDDY WATERS "Hoochie Coochie Man…" Hip-O Select 2CD set of 2004 (not as wide, but it’s taller). "Smokestack Lightning..." has an embossed matt cardboard effect on the front cover with similarly textured pages within and is a non-numbered worldwide Limited Edition of 5000 copies. The 42-page booklet inside has an essay on Wolf (Pages 3 to 9) by PETER GURALNICK who is the noted Author of 2 books on Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley - with a forthcoming Biography on Sam Phillips. In fact Guralnick’s entry here is a recent interview with SAM PHILLIPS on how the legendary and visionary Producer of Sun Records first tried to record the great bluesman and his band in 1951. It’s a personal account – and warmly remembers the sheer impact of Wolf’s powerhouse of a voice and physical presence (6’ 3”, 275 Pounds). Phillips is full of passion and awe for the man who sang “…with his damn soul…” - even now - some 60 years after the event.

Not to be outdone, the liner notes on the project itself by DICK SHUMAN on Pages 11 to 19 are equally entertaining as they concentrate on the key musicians and recording dates. I particularly love the page that pictures “The New 708 Club” card invite for the Chicago Blues Club that tells you - you can see Muddy Waters on Mon, Wed and Thurs with Otis Rush on Fri, Sat and Sun but Howlin’ Wolf is only available on Tues! Now there’s a week of Blues gigs I want to attend! Pages 20 to 42 picture Trade Adverts, Black & White photos of his group, photos of his rare "Moanin' In The Moonlight" album from 1958 (front and rear) and end on a full track-by-track Discography. The 4CDs are held in individual leaves at the back – each disc colour scheme reflecting the original shellac and vinyl labels (Blue and White for the 78’s - Blue and Silver for the famous Chess 45’s).

As with so much of the enormous Chess catalogue – the remastering has been carried out by one of Universal’s top engineers ERICK LABSON – a man with over 900 mastering and audio restoration credits to his name. This stuff is ROUGH – brutal even in places – and the remaster brings out that raw power. Some of the alternate takes are very crackly – but he has allowed them to breath and there’s huge presence in every track. Most of the songs on Disc 1 to 3 are self-penned like the staggering "Smoke Stack Lightning" (lyrics above), but by the time we get to the tail end of Disc 4 the catalyst of WILLIE DIXON arrives – sending everything into the stratosphere ("Spoonful" and "Wang Dang Doodle"). The combo of Wolf’s voice and Dixon’s witty tunes will undoubtedly dominate Volume 2.

Niggles - the packaging is lovely, but it's over too soon. Very few 78's or 45's are pictured and you can't help thinking that if Bear Family or Ace had handled this - it would be twice the size and truly beautiful in every way. And musically - the repetition of tracks and takes is hard to take - so a "Best Of" would suffice for the merely curious (or even a Willie Dixon set with HW tracks on it). Die-hard fans, however, of Howlin' Wolf, Chess Records and the Blues in general will have to own this.

To sum up - despite the slightly disappointing packaging - this is lovely evocation of a genuine force of nature - a singer who shaped so much of what we listen to and adore to this day. And if you want to know why so many white rock guys worshipped at his feet and regularly tried to kiss the hem of his garment - here is the place to start...

Like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters - how I wished I'd seen this giant live...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

HOWLIN’ WOLF DISCOGRAPHY Referencing
"Smokestack Lightning – The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960"
2011 4CD Book Set on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2

Layout: [1/7] = Disc 1, Track 7 – [2/1] = Disc 2, Track 1 etc
(Year Of Release, Label & Catalogue Number)

HOWLIN’ WOLF CHESS 78”s ONLY:
1. Moanin’ At Midnight [1/1] b/w How Many More Years [1/3] (1951, Chess 1479)
2. Howlin’ Wolf Boogie [1/7] b/w The Wolf Is At Your Door [1/4] (1952, Chess 1497)
3. Mr. Highway Man [1/12] b/w Getting’ Old And Grey [1/11] (1952, Chess 1510)
4. Saddle My Pony [1/16] b/w Worried All The Time [1/10] (1952, Chess 1515)

HOWLING WOLF CHESS 78”s and 7”s:
5. Oh Red [1/22] b/w My Last Affair [1/23] (1952, Chess 1528)
6. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) [2/3] b/w I Love My Baby [2/4] (1953, Chess 1557)
7. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) [2/11] b/w Rockin’ Daddy [2/15] (1954, Chess 1566)
8. Baby How Long [2/16] b/w Evil (Is Goin’ On) [2/17] (1954, Chess 1575)
9. I’ll Be Around [2/18] b/w Forty Four [2/19] (1955, Chess 1584)
10. Who Will Be Next [2/20] b/w I Have A Little Girl [2/21] (1955, Chess 1593)
11. Come To Me Baby [2/22] b/w Don’t Mess With My Baby [2/23] (1955, Chess 1607)
12. Smoke Stack Lightning [2/24] b/w You Can’t Be Beat [2/25] (1956, Chess 1618)
13. I Asked For Water b/w So Glad (1956, Chess 1632) MISSING
14. Going Back Home [3/3] b/w My Life [3/5] (1957, Chess 1648)
15. Somebody In My Home [3/10] b/w Nature [3/13] (1957, Chess 1668)
16. Sittin’ On Top Of The World [3/18] b/w Poor Boy [3/16] (1958, Chess 1679)

HOWLIN’ WOLF CHESS 7”s ONLY:
17. Moaning For My Baby [3/24] b/w I Didn’t Know [3/23] (1958, Chess 1695)
18. I’m Leavin’ You [4/3] b/w Change My Way [4/7] (1959, Chess 1712)
19. Howlin’ Blues (I’m Going Away) [3/21] b/w I Better Go Now [3/22] (1959, Chess 1726)
20. Mr. Airplane Man [4/16] b/w I’ve Been Abused [4/10] (1959, Chess 1735)
21. The Natchez Burning [3/2] b/w You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) [2/12] (1959, Chess 1744)
22. Spoonful [4/19] b/w Howlin’ For My Darling (Or Baby) [4/12] (1960, Chess 1762)
23. Wang-Dang-Doodle [4/17] b/w Back Door Man [4/18] (1961, Chess 1777)

HOWLIN’ WOLF CHESS LP:
“Moanin’ In The Moonlight”
1958 USA MONO album on Chess LP-1434

Side 1;
1. Moanin’ At Midnight [1/1]
2. How Many More Years [1/3]
3. Smokestack Lightning [2/24]
4. Baby How Long [2/15]
5. No Place To Go [2/11]
6. All Night Boogie [2/3]

Side 2:
1. Evil [2/17]
2. I’m Leavin’ You [4/3]
3. Moanin’ For My Baby [3/24]
4. I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) [MISSING]
5. Forty-Four [2/19]
6. Somebody In My Home [3/10]

"Slim Harpo Rocks" by SLIM HARPO. A Review Of The 2011 Bear Family CD Compilation.

2011-11-20T12:16:00.008Z

"…I'm A King Bee…Buzzin' 'Round Your Hive…"

Saying that Slim Harpo 'rocks' is probably pushing it a tad – but that doesn’t stop this CD compilation from being another winner in a series that is fast becoming definitive. There’s a lot on here - so let’s the details out of the way first…

Released November 2011, Bear Family BCD 17129 AR breaks down as follows (75:41 minutes):

1. Wild About My Baby (1960 recording 1st issued on a 1978 USA 45 on Blues Unlimited 2015, A-side)
2. I Got Love If You Want It (1957 USA 45 on Excello 2113, B-side)
3. I'm A King Bee (1957 USA 45 on Excello 2113, A-side)
4. You'll Be Sorry One Day (1959 USA 45 on Excello 2162, B-side)
5. That Ain't Your Business (1957 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
6. Buzz Me Babe (1960 USA 45 on Excello 2171, A-side)
7. My Little Queen Bee (Got A Brand New King) (1964 USA 45 on Excello 2246, A-side)
8. I’m Waiting On You Baby (1964 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
9. Something Inside Me (1961 recording 1st issued in 1969 on a US LP called "Rural Blues Vol.2 – Saturday Night Function" on Imperial 94001)
10. Bobby-Sox Baby (from Slim Harpo's 1961 USA LP "Raining In My Heart" on Excello LP 8003)
11. I Need Money (Keep Your Alibis) (1964 USA 45 on Excello 2246, B-side)
12. Yeah Yeah Baby (1960 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
13. Shake Your Hips (1966 USA 45 on Excello 2278, B-side)
14. Harpo's Blues (1965 USA 45 on Excello 2265, B-side)
15. Don't Start Cryin’ Now (1961 USA 45 on Excello 2194, B-side)
16. Boogie Chillun (1964 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
17. Baby, Scratch My Back (1965 USA 45 on Excello 2273, A-side)
18. Buzzin' [Instrumental] (1963 USA 45 on Excello 2239, A-side)
19. Hey Little Lee (1968 USA LP called "Tip On In" on Excello LPS-8008)
20. The Music's Hot (1970 USA LP called "Slim Harpo Knew The Blues" on Excello LPS-8013)
21. Wondering And Worryin' (1958 USA 45 on Excello 2138, A-side)
22. Late Last Night (1959 recording 1st issued on the 1996 CD compilation "The Scratch – Rare And Unissued, Volume 1" on AV/Excello CD 3015)
23. That's Alright (aka "You'll Be Sorry One Day") (1959 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
24. That's Alright Baby (aka "Don't Start Cryin' Now") (1960 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
25. Cigarettes (1959 alternate version 1st issued on a 1986 UK LP called "Baton Rouge Blues – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 42" on Flyright 607)
26. Buzz Me Babe (1959 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
27. I'm A King Bee (1957 alternate recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
28. You Ain't Never Had To Cry (1959 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
29. I Got Love If You Want It (1957 recording 1st issued in 1980 on the UK LP called "Got Love If You Want It – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 20" on Flyright 558)
30. Wondering And Worryin' (1957 recording 1st issued on the 1996 CD compilation "The Scratch – Rare And Unissued, Volume 1" on AV/Excello CD 3015)
31. Rainin' In My Heart (1961 USA 45 on Excello 2194, A-side)

[Note: As you can see from the track list above - there were many unreleased recordings put out on reissue vinyl albums by revered labels like Flyright, Imperial and England’s Ace Records – many of which (not all) are featured here on CD for the first time. Most songs however are Excello Recordings from 1957 to 1970 – American 7" singles and key album tracks.]

"Slim Harpo Rocks" comes in Bear's now standard packaging for this series – a 3-way foldout card digipak containing a detachable oversized booklet inside (32 pages for this issue). Pages 5 to 18 feature an in-depth essay on James Moore (his real name) by noted writer and musicologist JEFF HANNUSCH and Pages 19 to 29 have a full Discography on all 31 recordings by archivist BILL MILLAR. The text is peppered with trade adverts, black and white and colour photos of the great man with his guitar in hand and harmonica in mouth - as well as lovely repros of 3 rare album sleeves. It’s the usual classy act from Bear. And then of course is the great sound courtesy of JURGEN CRASSER. I’ve raved about his work before (see my TAG for him and reviews for the astonishing "Blowing The Fuse" series (16 compilations) and the "Sweet Soul Music" series (10 discs). It's old Blues and R'n'B for sure, but it sounds great - full of atmosphere, echo and life.

Second only to Jimmy Reed, Slim was the most successful Blues and R'n'B artist on the Excello label and a product of JAY MILLER'S legendary studio in Crawley, Louisiana. One of Slim's most famous and beloved songs "I'm A King Bee" defined his witty languid style for decades (lyrics above) – yet as his debut single - it never charted. "King Bee" would later however take on a life of its own – to a point where like Elmore James who found a riff and stuck with it – Slim would repeat the style again and again (both the CD and the inlay beneath the see-through tray picture the 7" of "I'm A King Bee" on Excello 2113). Slim pumped out more soundalikes for years (both Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones covered it).

Highlights include "I Got Love If You Want It" (another signature hit for him) and the rockin' harmonica-driven of "That Ain't Your Business" where sauciness is always close to the surface ("…when I pulled down the shade…and turned out the light…"). The huge drum sound of "Buzz Me Babe" is irresistible foot-tapping stuff – in fact – there’s a great fun vibe about so many of the songs on here. "I'm Waiting On You Baby" first turned up on an Ace CD in 1993 and it's a "did me wrong girl" bopper – misery with a beat. "Shake Your Hips" was famously covered by the Stones on their 1972 2LP masterpiece "Exile On Main St." – it shuffles along like his cover of John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillun". But best of all is the slinky "Baby, Scratch My Back" which I've been featuring on R'n'B compilations for years in the shop shuffle – it now sounds just HUGE. And it all ends on the lovely "Rainin' In My Heart" - a winner from 1961.

Niggles - it’s a shame there isn’t more from the later years – the track "Hey, Little Lee" is from his 1968 LP "Tip On In" and the recording quality is fantastic – chugging along like a cool Sixties R'n'B tune should. "The Music's Hot" from the 1970 LP "Slim Harpo Knows The Blues" is the same – sounding tremendous – and both in STEREO. The song "Tip On In" is excellent too - but again a no-show when there was room. But still, it's a great listen overall and makes you ache for more...as a good compilation should.

The incomparable Bear Family folks – class and quality - they may cost you – but the best always does.

I’m off now to review the Chuck Berry set and hide the bills from the missus…and convince her that the recession is not my fault all in 'her' mind...

SLIM HARPO USA LPs referenced in the Bear Family discography:

"Slim Harpo Sings Raining in My Heart"
USA 1961 LP on Excello LP 8003 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Rainin’ In My Heart [31]
2. Blues Hangover
3. Bobby-Sox Baby [10]
4. I Got Love If You Want It [2]
5. Snoopin’ Around
6. Buzz Me Baby [6]

Side 2:
1. I’m A King Bee [3]
2. What A Dream
3. Don’t Start Cryin’ Now [15]
4. Moody Blues
5. My Home Is A Prison
6. Dream Girl

"Baby Scratch My Back"
USA 1966 on Excello LP 8005 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Shake Your Hips [13]
2. Midnight Blues
3. Harpo’s Blues [14]
4. Buzzin’ [18]
5. My Little Queen Bee [7]
6. I Love The Life (I’m Livin’)

Side 2:
1. Baby, Scratch My Back [17]
2. I’m Gonna Miss You (Like The Devil)
3. Rainin’ In My Heart
4. Wonderin’ Blues
5. We’re Two Of A Kind
6. I Need Money [11]

"Tip On In"
USA 1968 LP on Excello LPS-8008 [Stereo]
Hey Little Lee [19]

"Slim Harpo Knew The Blues"
USA 1970 LP on Excello LPS-8013 [Stereo]
The Music’s Hot [20]

PS: The "Rocks" Series by Bear Family features the following artists:

1. Chuck Berry [see REVIEW}
2. Pat Boone
3. Johnny Burnette [see REVIEW]
4. The Cadillacs
5. Eddie Cochran
6. Bobby Darin
7. Fats Domino
8. Connie Francis
9. Don Gibson
10. Glen Glenn
11. Bill Haley
12. Roy Hall
13. Slim Harpo [see REVIEW]
14. Dale Hawkins
15. Ronnie Hawkins
16. Screamin' Jay Hawkins
17. Wanda Jackson [see REVIEW]
18. Sonny James
19. Buddy Knox & Jimmy Bowen with the Rhythm Orchids
20. Sleepy LaBeef
21. Brenda Lee
22. Jerry Lee Lewis
23. Smiley Lewis [see REVIEW]
24. Little Richard
25. Bob Luman
26. Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers
27. Carl Mann
28. Amos Milburn [see REVIEW]
29. Ella Mae Morse [see REVIEW]
30. Ricky Nelson
31. Carl Perkins
32. Roy Orbison
33. Lloyd Price
34. Piano Red (aka Dr. Feelgood) [see REVIEW]
35. Charlie Rich [see REVIEW]
36. Jack Scott
37. Shirley & Lee
38. The Treniers
39. Big Joe Turner [see REVIEW]
40. Conway Twitty
41. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps
42. Rusty York

The Bear Family "Rockin' Rollin'" Series features:

1. Johnny Horton
2. Marvin Rainwater
3. Marty Robbins Vol.1
4. Marty Robbins Vol.2
5. Marty Robbins Vol.3

"The RCA Albums Collection" by SAM COOKE. A Review Of The 2011 RCA-Sony/Legacy 8CD Mini Box Set.

2011-11-17T10:31:00.008Z

"…You Can Make Me Weep…You Can Make Me Cry…"

I've had this pre-ordered for months - and when it arrived this morning - I ripped off the shrink rap with an indecent haste. And I'm thrilled to say that Sony/Legacy has done a very tasty job indeed - tracks and albums that are NEW TO CD. And priced at roughly three quid per disc, this wee beauty is also great value for money.

Here are the details: UK released Monday 14 November 2011 - "The RCA Albums Collection" on RCA Records-Sony/Legacy 88697898702 has 8 US albums on 8CDs and breaks down as follows:

1. "Cooke's Tour" – a 12-track LP originally released April 1960 on RCA Victor LSP-2221 (36:59 minutes)
2. "Hits Of The 50's" – a 12-track LP originally released August 1960 on RCA Victor LSP-2236 (33:57 minutes)
3. "Swing Low" – a 12-track LP originally released March 1961 on RCA Victor LSP-2293 (36:31 minutes)
4. "My Kind Of Blues" – a 12-track LP originally released October 1961 on RCA Victor LSP-2392 (32:52 minutes)
5. "Twistin' The Night Away" – a 12-track LP originally released April 1962 on RCA Victor LSP-2555 (29:18 minutes)
6. "Mr. Soul" – a 12-track LP originally released February 1963 on RCA Victor LSP-2673 (36:06 minutes)
7. "Night Beat" – a 12-track LP originally released September 1963 on RCA Victor LSP-2709 (37:45 minutes)
8. "One Night Stand! Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963" – a 10-track show recorded 12 January 1963, but not released until June 1985 on RCA Victor AFL 1-5181 (38:49 minutes)

I half expected the booklet to be slight and useless, but at 24-pages and with full music credits and discography info on all eight albums – it isn’t. There’s also a short essay by STUART COLEMAN and great black & white snaps of Sam in the studio. As you can see from the Amazon photo provided above - the outer box is as uninspiring as a bowl of cold mashed potatoes on a Monday morning – but the eight individual card repros contained within are LOVELY - faithfully depicting front and rear sleeves in full colour. Very nicely done. But the big news is the SOUND…

Albums 1 to 6 are remastered by VIC ANESINI with 7 and 8 done by BOB LUDWIG – both highly respected and revered names in the business of transferring old master tapes. The audio quality is 'Living Stereo' BEAUTIFUL – clear, warm and full of great feeling. There’s air around each track and yet not overbearingly so – no compression and plenty of room to breath – always a sign of engineers who respect the original sound and source material.

Musically – and despite his legend as the greatest vocalist - it’s a mixed bag of the awful and the great. It starts out badly with "Cooke's Tour" where he sings songs about different cities around the world – it’s cheesy lounge music and largely unlistenable now. The 2nd album "Hits Of The 50's" is more on the suave Crooner tip but with better material like Nat King Cole’s "Mona Lisa", The Platters standard "The Great Pretender" and Doris Day's "Secret Love" – Cooke gets to stretch out vocally and his control is so sweet. "Swing Low" features "Chain Gang" and the brassy 4th album "My Kind Of Blues" features "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and the Big Joe Turner classic "Trouble In Mind". He finally starts to hit his Soulful stride with the "Twistin' The Night Away" LP which features "Movin' And A' Groovin'" and the excellent "Somebody Have Mercy". The "Mr. Soul" LP is even better – "Chains Of Love" and "Smoke Rings" are silky smooth and the truly gorgeous "Nothing Can Change This Love" is my all-time favourite by him (lyrics above). The box culminates in two genuine masterpieces – the bluesy "Night Beat" LP which I reviewed a few months back as an 'obscure album you must own' and the posthumously released live set "One Night Stand!" which shows him in magnificent form.

Niggles – as you can see from the skimpy playing times noted above - the discs are not exactly chockers with music. And as fans will know, albums 1 to 7 were originally issued in both MONO and STEREO, yet only the STEREO versions have been used here, when there was room for both. If it’s an 'RCA Albums' box set, then issue them as they were originally released (most of it would have been first time on CD too). And because this set focuses on 1960 onwards - if you’re looking for his huge Fifties hits like "You Send Me", "Cupid" and "Only Sixteen" – they’re not on here. For those you should go to the single compilation "Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964" - which has superlative track choices and glorious SACD sound quality. Or if you want a broader view of his entire career including his 1950's Gospel stuff with The Sour Stirrers - the 96-track 4CD Box Set from 2000 called "The Man Who Invented Soul" is the place to go. It was reissued in September 2011 as a mini book version at an incredibly cheap price.

To sum up – this is a lovely reissue – and about time too. OK – it has to be said that a lot of the content on the first 4 discs is hardly 'soulful' in the way we now know it (too many crappy covers and cheesy lounge tunes that haven’t dated at all well), but the songs in between the cracks are a nice rediscovery - and the wonderful 4 albums that follow are must owns.

Recommended (and I must grab me a copy of the Nina Simone set in this series too)…

PS: this is one in a series of 'Complete' album box sets – for 16 or 17 more - see a pictorial list I did on Listmania on Amazon UK called "Sony/Legacy "Complete Collection" Box Set Series"

"The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review Of The 2011 3CD Mini Box Set On Ace/Kent Soul.

2011-11-15T16:48:00.012Z

"…You Got My Full Respect…"

When the highly respected MOJO and RECORD COLLECTOR magazines gave the Ace Records/Kent Soul 3CD Book Set "Take Me To The River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977" their 'Reissue of the Year' tag in 2008 (even going as far as saying that it was the 'greatest' soul compilation ever assembled) – many lovers of the genre sat up and took notice. And like me – having loved "Take Me To The River" to death ever since – we've been awaiting VOLUME 2 like a child with a sweet tooth.

Well here it is - and I'm thrilled to say that "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973" doesn’t disappoint…and will easily be up there as one of 'the' Soul reissues of 2011.

Here are the details: UK released Monday 14 November 2011 - Ace/Kent SOUL KENT BOX 12 is a 75-track 3CD Card-Wrapped Hardback Book Set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, "Steal Away", 25 Tracks from 1961 to 1966 (61:08 minutes):
The following are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Track 5 "I Hope They Get Their Eyes Full" – ARTHUR ALEXANDER
Track 9 "A Man Is A Mean, Mean Thing (Alternate)" – BARBARA PERRY
Track 19 "Feed The Flame" – BILLY YOUNG
Track 24 "Why Not Tonight" – JAMES GILREATH

Disc 2, "Slippin' Around", 25 Tracks from 1966 to 1969 (67:25 minutes):
The following are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Track 1 "You Left The Water Running (Unedited Demo Version)" – OTIS REDDING
Track 6 "Thread The Needle" - CLARENCE & CALVIN [Clarence Carter & Calvin Scott]
Track 13 "Don't Make Me Hate Loving You" – JEANIE GREENE
Track 18 "Slip Away" – CLARENCE CARTER
Track 20 "Once In A While (Is Better Than Never At All)" – SPENCER WIGGINS
Track 21 "Thief In The Night" – BEN & SPENCE [Ben Moore & Spencer James]
Track 34 "Search Your Heart" – GEORGE JACKSON

Disc 3, "Get Involved", 25 Tracks from 1969 to 1973 (77:42 minutes):
Track 3 "Another Man's Woman, Another Woman's Man" – UNKNOWN FEMALE
Track 16 "Double Lovin'" – GEORGE JACKSON

Subtitled "Fame – Home Of The Muscle Shoals Sound" – the compilation, notes and archive research on this Southern Soul retrospective has been carried out by an experienced team of three - ALEC PALAO, TONY ROUNCE and DEAN RUDLAND. Soul buyers will have seen their names across a myriad of top-quality reissues – especially throughout the 00’s. And like its predecessor – the hardback book is housed in a flimsy card-wrap that has to be opened carefully to get the book out without tearing it – but when you do – WOW! The 84 colour pages are jaw-droppingly GORGEOUS. Each song is given paragraphs of detailed information (liner notes shared by the 3 compilers), colour photos of the artists are featured, US and UK 7" singles pictured (stock and demo), trade adverts, in-studio shots never seen before... The 3 CDs are housed in different card slots at the rear and the hardback leaves (front & rear) picture those rare DEMO labels in full colour. Droolsome – and that's before we even get to the content and the great SOUND…

SOUND - even the more familiar songs like "I'm Your Puppet", "Steal Away" and "Sweet Soul Music" – tracks I know many fans will have heard too many times – have their audio improved here to an exceptional clarity. The Aretha Franklin gem "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" for instance has been drenched in emotion for decades we all know, but its CD version has also been drenched in overbearing hiss in some transfers. Well on this Ace set its clearer than on any other CD I have – which is saying something. The aural whack coming off Otis Clay's stunning rendition of "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" is just incredible. Song after song - it's all warm and clear throughout...

CONTENT - genius choices go to the fabulous Mod instrumental "Night Rumble, Part 1" by The Mark 5 while the Soul Doo-Wop vibe of "Too Much" by The Entertainers sounds like Jackie Wilson as his joyful Sixties best – lovely stuff. "Keep On Talking" by James Barnett and "I Can't Stop (No, No, No)” by Arthur Conley (lyrics above) are the kind of floor-dancers that Northern Soul aficionados go nuts for – while the intro to Spooner Oldham's "Two In The Morning" is very cleverly done – a man walks up to a door where there's a Booker T & The MG's "Green Onions" type tune going on inside. The door opens – and the cool Soul instrumental suddenly hits you with a wallop – brilliant. Even Tommy Roe's "Everybody" and Bobbie Gentry's "Fancy" are far more soulful than you would credit. The high falsetto of Ted Taylor on "Miss You So" is brilliantly transferred – and the talking slink of "Keep Your Cool" by TERRY & THE CHAIN REACTION is surely going to turn up in a "Mad Men" episode soon (has crystal clear sound too). "I Stayed Away Too Long" by The Wallace Brothers is stunning Sixties Soul – full of pleading and passion. There's so much more too…

The unreleased stuff is a mixed bag of the fantastic and the merely great – first up in the champion's corner is an astonishing acoustic driven 'Unedited Demo Version' of "You Left The Water Running" by OTIS REDDING. The 'edited' version has been on compilations before – but this is the full 4:09 minute take with him counting in the song – available for the first time. What a voice, what a presence – its spine-tingling stuff. Another sweetie is the ballad "Why Not Tonight" by James Gilreath – great melodrama and feeling - as is the torch song "Don't Make Me Hate Loving You" by Jeanie Green. A personal joy for me is to find an unreleased 1967 recording by CLARENCE CARTER with his songwriting partner CALVIN SCOTT on here; it’s the beautiful sounding "Thread The Needle" – which descends into laughter half way through it - really great stuff. It's off the 4-track EP "The Stars Of Fame" issued in May 2011 for Record Store Day (1000 copies only). And it’s a shame Ace couldn't find out who 'Unknown Female' is on "Another Man's Woman, Another Woman's Man" because it's a fantastically Soulful vocal.

Niggles – the card-wrap is irritating no matter how good it looks – and there’s some unnecessary crap on Disc 3 – the two terrible covers of The Beatles' "Hey Jude" and Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe" by Wilson Pickett and Etta James are best forgotten, while Clarence Carter's "Patches" is surely his weakest outing. The awful saccharine pap of The Osmonds "One Bad Apple" may make many Soul fans look twice at the sleeve to see if they’ve bought the right compilation. But these are minor glitches in what is an overall feast of greatness…

To sum up - is it as good as "Take Me To The River" – absolutely. The combination of the better sounding familiar tracks, the cool lesser-heard gems and a smattering of excellent outtakes and the truly gorgeous packaging - all combine to make it a sonic and visual thrill. In fact I’d swear that if Disc 2 "Slippin' Around" was released as a stand-alone CD compilation – it would cause a sensation all by itself.

I can't imagine the hundreds of hours, days, weeks and months that went into making this beautiful affirmation of American Soul music – but it’s been worth it.

Way to go boys - way to go.

_________________________________________________________________________________

DETAILED BREAKDOWN:

Disc 1 – "Steal Away" (61:08 minutes):
1. You Better Move On – ARTHUR ALEXANDER (1961, Dot 16309)
2. Laugh It Off – THE TAMS (1963, ABC-Paramount 10502)
3. Night Rumble, Part 1 – THE MARK 5 (1963, ABC Paramount 10433)
4. Everybody – TOMMY ROE (1963, ABC Paramount 10478)
5. I Hope They Get Their Eyes Full – ARTHUR ALEXANDER
(Unissued 1962 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
6. Steal Away – JIMMY HUGHES (1964, Fame 6401)
7. Let Them Talk – DAN PENN (1964, Fame 6402)
8. Hold What You’ve Got – JOE TEX (1964, Dial 4001)
9. A Man Is A Mean, Mean Thing (Alternate) – BARBARA PERRY
(Unissued 1965 Goldwax Recording – Previously Unreleased)
10. Fortune Teller – THE DEL-RAYS (1965, R and H 1005)
11. Funny Style – BOBBY MARCHAN (1965, Dial 4007)
12. Almost Persuaded – JUNE CONQUEST (1964, Fame 6406)
13. Too Much – THE ENTERTAINERS (1966, Chess 1951)
14. Keep On Talking – JAMES BARNETT (1966, Fame 1001)
15. Searching For My Love – BOOBY MOORE and THE RYHTHM ACES (1966, Checker 1129)
16. I Wish I Didn’t Have To Go – SPOONER & THE SPOONS
[featuring Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham] (1964, Fame 6405)
17. Let’s Do It Over – JOE SIMON (1965, Vee-Jay 694)
18. Neighbor, Neighbor – JIMMY HUGHES (1966, Fame 1003)
19. Feed The Flame – BILLY YOUNG
(Unissued 1966 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
20. I’m Your Puppet – JAMES and BOBBY PURIFY (1966, Bell 608)
21. I Can’t Stop (No, No, No) – ARTHUR CONLEY (1966, Fame 1007)
22. Gonna Make You Say Yeah – TERRY WOODFORD (1966, Fame 1002)
23. Two In The Morning – SPOONER'S CROWD (1966, Cadet 5533)
24. Why Not Tonight – JAMES GILREATH
(Unissued 1966 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
25. Land Of 1000 Dances – WILSON PICKETT (1966, Atlantic 2348)

Disc 2 – "Slippin' Around" (67:25 minutes):
1. You Left The Water Running [Unedited Demo Version] – OTIS REDDING
(An Unedited 4:09 Minute Demo Recorded 1967 of the US 45 on Stone 209
– Previously Unreleased In This Form]
2. A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues – CLYDE McPHATTER (1966, Amy 968)
3. Slippin’ Around With You – ART FREEMAN (1966, Fame 1008)
4. Without A Woman – KIP ANDERSON (1966, Checker 1145)
5. Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY (1967, Atco 6463)
6. Thread The Needle - CLARENCE & CALVIN [Clarence Carter & Calvin Scott] (A 1968 Fame Recording – First Released On “The Stars Of Fame” 7” 4-Track EP on Kent Records LTDEP 009 in April 2011 – Previously Unreleased on CD)
7. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) – ARETHA FRANKLIN (1967, Atlantic 2386)
8. Miss You So – TED TAYLOR (1967, Ronn 15)
9. You Put Something On Me – DON COVAY THE GOOD TIMERS (1966, Atlantic 2340)
10. Tell Mama – ETTA JAMES (1967, Cadet 5578)
11. Keep Your Cool – TERRY & THE CHAIN REACTION (1967, United Artists 50199)
12. Cheater Man – IRMA THOMAS (1967, Chess 2010)
13. Don’t Make Me Hate Loving You – JEANIE GREENE (Unissued 1966 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
14. Everytime – LINDA CARR (1967, Bell 658)
15. I Stayed Away Too Long – THE WALLACE BROTHERS (1969, Jewel 800)
16. As Long As I Got You – LAURA LEE (1968, Chess 2041)
17. Don’t Lose Your Good Thing – THE BLUES BROTHERS (1968, Shout 235)
18. Slip Away – CLARENCE CARTER (Unissued 1967 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased]
19. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man – OTIS CLAY (1968, Cotillion 44009)
20. Once In A While (Is Better Than Never At All) – SPENCER WIGGINS (Unedited Version Of A 1968 USA 45 on Goldwax 337 – Previously Unreleased)
21. Thief In The Night – BEN & SPENCE [Ben Moore & Spencer James] (A 1967 Fame Recording – First Released On “The Stars Of Fame” 7” 4-Track EP on Kent Records LTDEP 009 in April 2011 – Previously Unreleased on CD)
22. Take Me Just As I Am – MITTY COLLIER (Unissued 1968 Chess Recording – Previously Unreleased)
23. Why Don’t You Try Me – MAURICE & MAC [Maurice McAlister and Green McLauren] (1968, Checker 1206)
24. Search Your Heart – GEORGE JACKSON (A 1968 Fame Recording – First Released On “The Stars Of Fame” 7” 4-Track EP on Kent Records LTDEP 009 in April 2011 – Previously Unreleased on CD)
25. Ten Miles High – DAVID & THE GIANTS (1968, Crazy Horse 1300)

Disc 3 – "Get Involved" (77:42 minutes):
1. Lady In The Rain – LOWELL FULSON (1969, Jewel 801)
2. Hey Jude – WILSON PICKETT
[Beatles cover featuring Duane Allman on Guitar] (1968, Atlantic 2591)
3. Another Man’s Woman, Another Woman’s Man – UNKNOWN FEMALE
(A 1972 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
4. Snatching It back – CLARENCE CARTER (1969, Atlantic 2605)
5. I Got You Babe – ETTA JAMES [Sonny & Cher cover] (1968, Cadet 5606)
6. Wanted Lover (No Experience Necessary) – JAMES GOVAN (1969, Fame 1461)
7. Find ‘Em, Fool ‘Em And Forget ‘Em – GEORGE JACKSON (1969, Fame 1457)
8. I’m Just A Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin’) – CANDI STANTON (1969, Fame 1460)
9. Grits And Gravy – THE FAME GANG (1969, Fame 1458)
10. One Bad Apple – THE OSMONDS (1970, MGM 14193)
11. I’d Rather Go Blind – SPENCER WIGGINS (1970, Fame 1470)
12. Take Me Back – BROTHERS UNLIMITED
(1970 USA LP called "Who's For The Young" on Capitol ST-600)
13. Walk A Mile In My Shoes – WILLIE HIGHTOWER (1970, Fame 1465)
14. Patches – CLARENCE CARTER (170, Atlantic 2748)
15. Fancy – BOBBIE GENTRY (1969, Capitol 2675)
16. Double Lovin’ – GEORGE JACKSON
(Unissued 1971 Fame Recordings 'Demo' – Previously Unreleased)
17. Greenwood, Mississippi – LITTLE RICHARD (1970, Reprise 0942)
18. What Color Is Love – ROSCOE ROBINSON (1970, Fame 1469)
19. Bring It On Home To Me – LOU RAWLS [Sam Cooke cover] (1970, Capitol 2856)
20. I Can’t Let You Break My Heart – BETTYE SWANN (1971, Fame 1479)
21. Back Road Into Town – WILLIE HIGHTOWER (1971, Fame 1477)
22. The Thanks I Get For Loving You – CANDI STANTON (1972, Fame 91009)
23. Get Involved – GEORGE SOULE (1973, Fame XW 302)
24. Put On Your Shoes And Walk – CLARENCE CARTER (1973, Fame XW 179)
25. You Better Move On – TRAVIS WAMMACK
(1972 USA LP called "Travis Wammack" on Fame FAS 1801)

"Amelie". A Review Of The 2001 Film Now Reissued In 2011 On BLU RAY.

2011-11-13T15:19:00.007Z

"…The Thrill Of This Rare Contact… Made Her Heart Beat Like A Drum…"

Jean-Pierre Jeunet's delicious "Amelie" wowed many hearts back in 2001 and has remained a warmly remembered favourite ever since. Now in October 2011 - to celebrate its 10th Anniversary - "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain" (its full French title) - finally makes its way onto BLU RAY - and I'm thrilled to say it's a peach.

First up - lovers off the film who already own the 2DVD Special Edition set from 2002 - will be glad to see that all of its extras have made the transfer to this Momentum Pictures Blu Ray reissue (see list below). The card-wrap on the outside of the keep case gives it a classy feel (and it's cheap too). But of course the best news is the picture quality, which is rarely anything less than BEAUTIFUL.

Some words on this because it's such a huge part of the movie. Jeunet was bitterly disappointed at how his 1991 film "Delicatessen" translated to screen - it seemed that none of the work he put in showed on the actual print. He took no chances with the densely populated and complicated "Amelie" - it was filmed entirely in digital - which meant that post-production could add or detract whatever he wanted with precision. The film therefore has a very deliberate pallet of colours - particularly GREEN and RED. It gives the whole look a treated feel - almost a glow - but it's exquisite - and subtle too. It's gorgeous to look at and was deliberately rendered to be so. The scene where Amelie walks in the attaching tunnels of the Paris Subway sees the walls look 'lime green' and the effect is beautiful (digitally changed).

There are so many great visual moments too - unplugging the aerial of a male neighbour who tricked her as he tries to watch football, her mother examining her puckered fingertips in the bathtub, explaining the sights and sounds of the market as she rushes a blind man down a street, skimming stones on the canal outside her home, her father examining her as a child and mistaking her excitement as a defective murmur (dialogue above), stealing the garden gnome, Blubber the suicidal goldfish, the book of discarded passport photos made by her equally odd male fancy (a wonderfully cast Mathieu Kassovitz) - all are realized and framed with a warmth that fills the entire film. BRUNO DELBONNEL received many nominations for Cinematography and won some too.
[Note: The natural default for the print is 2.35:1 - which means lines at the top and bottom of the screen - but even if you stretch it to 16:9 aspect (full screen) - the subtitles are still visible on the bottom of the screen (just about).]

Then there's the script. Co-written by the Director and GUILLAUME LAURANT - and told almost entirely in narration - right from the off its quirky, imaginative and on many occasions - ball-breakingly funny (a sex scene in the toilet of the Windmill Café between a jealous patron and hypochondriac woman is fantastically good). Being spoken in French too only adds to "The Big Lebowski" madness of it all as random events pepper the story of Amelie - a kindly yet mischievous dreamer who works as a waitress in a Paris cafe. The place is emotional central - peopled by a boss with half a leg and a man who bursts plastic bubbles under his table as he spies on a woman who spurned him.

There are two particular scenes of cinematic genius - first is when Amelie finds a tin box of toys hidden behind a tile in her bathroom wall put there by a little boy 40 years back. She then tracks down the now older Dominic Bretodeau (masterful acting by Maurice Benichou) and lures him to a phone booth where he finds this lost treasure. His tears and look of childlike wonder is cinema at its very best. He then talks about it at a bar afterwards with Amelie listening close by. His dialogue is full of heartbreak and wisdom.

Second - there's the elderly frail painter Raymond Dufayel (a superb turn by Serge Merlin) who hasn't ventured out of his apartment for decades (nicknamed `The Glass Man' because of his supposed frail bones). Raymond continually paints and repaints a Renoir classic - but never seems to get it just so. A local grocer's boy called Lucien who is belittled by his bully Dad - brings Raymond his groceries and goodies. There is a scene between Lucien (great casting in Jamel Debbouze) and the wiser Raymond where the older observer of life helps the young put-upon boy to vent his rage with humour - it's touching, inspiring and poignant.

But the movie belongs to AUDREY TAUTOU who quite effortlessly made millions of men fall in love with her - and pine helplessly for her presence ever since. There's that touch of Audrey Hepburn beauty and class about her - a very rare thing in cinema these days. She could boil an egg and guys would stand there drooling. It was her breakthrough role and rightly so.

Rewatching "Amelie" on BLU RAY has been a delight - and I'd forgotten how funny, charming and deliciously inventive it is - all the way through.

Do yourself a favour and crack-open this Crème Boulez of a film...it has layer after layer of flavour - and I for one loved every soppy calorie-filled minute of it.

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9 (Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1)
REGION CODE: B
AUDIO: DTS-HD French 5.1
SUBTITLES: English

EXTRAS:
Commentary with Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Making Of Amelie
Director's Interview
Q&A with Director and Cast
The Look Of Amelie (including interviews with Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Bruno Delbonnel)
Audrey Tautou's Funny Faces
Screen Tests
Photo Gallery
Storyboards
Trailers

"Himself" by GILBERT O’SULLIVAN. A Review Of His 1971 Debut Album Now Expanded And Remastered By Salvo Of The UK In 2011.

2011-11-10T09:59:00.007Z

"…Allow Me To Present Myself To You…"

Dubliners and Irish people of a certain age (as well as admirers from many other countries) will look at the sleeve of this early Seventies album by Waterford born singer-songwriter Raymond Gilbert O'Sullivan with huge affection – the music and lyrics having wedged themselves into their hearts. And at last – in 2011 - we finally get to see Gilbert's MAM Records catalogue receive a decent reissue campaign – and it’s artist-approved too.

Here are the details - UK released Monday 7 November 2011 Salvo SALVOXCD1001 breaks down as follows (63:19 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 'UK' debut album "Himself" – released August 1971 on Mam Records MAM-SS 501. The American LP variant "Gilbert O’Sullivan Himself" on Mam/London MAM-4 was released a year later with a different cover and track list on Side 2. "Susan Van Heusen" and "Doing The Best I Can" from the UK LP were replaced with two hits singles - "Alone Again (Naturally)" and "We Will". Famously "Alone Again (Naturally)" went to Number 1 in the USA and stayed there for 6 weeks in July 1972. The "Himself" album itself reached Number 5 and 9 on the UK and US LP charts respectively.

Tracks 15 and 16 are "Disappear" and "What Can I Do" – Previously Unreleased 'Original Demo' versions of his first 2 singles on CBS Records from 1967 and 1968 (credited as GILBERT)
Track 17 is "Mr. Moody's Garden" – the non-album B-side to the UK 7" single "I Wish I Could Cry" – released August 1971 on Columbia Records DB 8779
Track 18 is "Everybody Knows" – the non-album B-side to the UK 7" single "Nothing Rhymed" – released October 1970 on Mam Records MAM 3 (his 1st 45 on the label)
Track 19 is "Underneath The Blanket Go" – a non-album track issued as a UK 7" single A-Side on Mam Records MAM 13 in February 1971 with the "Himself" album track "Doing The Best I Can" as its B-side
Tracks 20 and 21 are "We Will" and "I Didn’t Know What To Do" – a non-album UK 7" single released July 1971 on Mam Records MAM 30
Track 22 is "No Matter How I Try" – a non-album UK 7" single released November 1971 on Mam Records MAM 53 (its B-side was the "Himself" album track "If I Don't Get You (Back Again)"

The original UK LP had a laminated gatefold sleeve with an inner lyric bag – both it and the 'car collage' inner gatefold shot are faithfully reproduced in high quality on the card digipak. There's a 'Gilbert O'Sullivan – A Singer And His Songs' logo sticker on the front which will undoubtedly accompany all of these expanded reissues. The 20-page booklet is gorgeous - tastefully laid out lyrics to all the songs (including the bonuses), photos from his own archives, trade adverts and a detailed paragraph on each single with reminiscences from Gilbert on the album's creation. There's glossy photos in here I’ve never seen. Even the CD is a pictured one. But the really big news for fans is the SOUND…

Remastered from original master tapes – the sound quality is a vast improvement on what went before (compilations and expensive Japanese imports). The album it has to be said is 'hissy' in many places and that's been accentuated a bit – but then so has the clarity of all the instruments. The sound quality for instance on the 2 singles "We Will" and the joyful "No Matter How I Try" is superlative (and without hiss). The "Intro" snippet (lyrics above) leads into the witty "January Git" and the sound improvement is very obvious. The jaunty "Matrimony" and "Houdini Said" are firm fan favourites and the Drum and flute combo in "Too Much Attention" has even been used by Dance DJs for a few years now. I also love the lesser-heard "Independent Air" track with its slinky beginning and big brassy finish.

But the album belongs to the song that made him – and the tune that made the public sit up and take notice. "Nothing Rhymed" is an extraordinary melody. Even now – more than 4 decades after the event – the lyrics are sung back to him word-for-word at concerts by the audience – and unfortunately their poignant message is still relevant too "…will I glance at my screen and see real human beings…starve to death in front of my eyes…"

This is a lovely reissue really – and properly well done. He would of course wisely move on from the terrible 'pudding bowl' image of 1970 and 1971 to the success of his 2nd album "Back To Front" and the wonderful "Along Again (Naturally)" in 1972 (the next reissue in this series). But this is where his songwriting career started and Salvo are to be praised for handling it so well.

Recommended.

"Losers Weepers" by ETTA JAMES. A Review Of The 1970 Cadet Records LP Now Reissued Onto An Ace Records/Kent Soul CD In 2011 With Bonus Tracks.

2011-11-07T23:31:00.006Z

"…Let Wisdom Be Your Hammer…Let Progress Be Your Aim…"

2011 has turned out to be a bumper year for fans of the American Soul legend Etta James. February saw the "Who's Blue" Kent Soul compilation give us 24 elusive tracks on Chess and Cadet Records spanning 1961 to 1976 - whilst 31 October saw the first official release on CD of "Call My Name" - a criminally forgotten Cadet Records LP from 1967. I’ve reviewed both of them. And now this - another exclusive! A first-time-on-CD outing for a rare vinyl LP from 1970 with copious amounts of bonus tracks relevant to the period. Here are the details…

UK released Monday 31 Oct 2011 (15 Nov 2011 in the USA) - Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 361 breaks down as follows (74:57 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 11 are the Stereo LP "Losers Weepers" - released December 1970 in the USA on Cadet Records LPS-847

Track 12 is "The Love Of My Man" – a 1970 USA 7" single on Chess 2100 [A]
Tracks 13 to 17 are "Tighten Up Your Own Thing", "Quick Reaction And Satisfied", "Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing", "Sound Of Love" and "The Man I Love" are all from the album "Funk" – released January 1970 in the USA on Cadet Records LPS-847
Track 18 is "I Found A Love" – a 1972 USA 7" single on Chess 2125 [A]
Tracks 19 and 20 are "W.O.M.A.N." and "Tell It Like It Is" - are the A&B Sides of a 1972 USA 7" single on Chess 2128
Track 21 is "Never My Love" – a 1973 recording Previously Unreleased until the 2000 3CD set "The Chess Box"
Track 22 is "I Never Meant To Love Him" – a 1973 recording Previously Unreleased until the 1993 2CD set "The Essential Etta James"
[Note: Tracks 12, 14, 17 to 20 are MONO - all others are STEREO]

This CD release will allow fans to sequence almost all of the 7 x 7" singles released off and around the 2 x 1970 albums - "Losers Weepers" and "Funk":
1. Tighten Up Your Own Thing [13] b/w What Fools We Mortals Be [Not on here] on Cadet 5664 (1970)
2. Sound Of Love [16] b/w When I Stop Dreaming [Not on here] on Cadet 5671 (1970)
3. Losers Weepers [5] b/w Weepers [6] on Cadet 5676 (November 1970)
4. The Love Of My Man [12] b/w Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing [15] on Chess CH 2100 (1971)
5. I Think It’s You [3] b/w Take Out Some Insurance [1] on Chess CH 2112 (1971)
6. I Found A Love [18] b/w Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing [15] on Chess CH 2125 (May 1972)
7. W.O.M.A.N. [19] b/w Tell It Like It Is [20] on Chess CH 2128 (1972)

The first thing that hits you is the GORGEOUS SOUND QUALITY. Remastered by DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering in London - I've sung this engineer's praises before - but again - he's outdone himself here. There's amazing clarity on every song - clean Stereo separation too and a huge presence on instruments - especially the brass and percussion. It's a blast from start to finish. The 12-page colour booklet is crammed with photos of 7" singles (most of the titles listed above), Cash Box magazine adverts and reviews from December 1970 - as well as a superbly detailed set of liner notes by noted writer and Soul lover DENNIS GARVEY. Like it’s predecessor ("Call My Name" on CDKEND 360) – this is a typically classy effort...

Highlights for me are the slow Soul of "I Think It's You" and the cover of the Jackie Edwards nugget "Look At The Rain". It’s also cool to get 5 tracks off the rare "Funk" album – especially the zippy 'message' soul of "Tighten Up Your Own Thing" (lyrics above). The bluesy "Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing" is hardly 'funk', but it’s a proper Soul gem. An organ-led slowy, it's a pleader written by Johnny Morrisette and hardly surprising it got used as a 45-side - twice. The cover of The Bee Gees "Sound Of Love" is the only real clunker for me - it feels a little forced and too melodramatic – a little too pop for Etta. But the non-album single "W.O.M.A.N." is fab sexy Soul – even in Mono. At seventy-five minutes, there are loads of goodies on here...plenty to satisfy.

To sum up - once again Ace Records have delivered on all fronts - keeping the great lady's recorded legacy alive for future generations to savour and enjoy. A job well done.

"Aqualung" by JETHRO TULL. A Review Of Their 1971 Album Now Remastered Onto A 40th Anniversary 2CD Set.

2011-11-06T15:11:00.006Z

"…He's Not The Kind You Have To Wind Up On Sunday…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2CD VERSION ***

Little will prepare Tull fans for this. The sonic improvement and clarity on this 2CD remix/remaster is off-the-charts good - a truly fantastic improvement.

A little history is needed to explain this - the CD reissues of this acknowledge gem have been fraught with so-so versions - a duffer bare-bones 1st outing in 1987, a 25th Anniversary attempt in 1996 (which to my ears is one of the worst remasters I've ever heard) and a much better shot at it by the audiophile company DCC in the States a year later. Good rather than great. We'll at last - for it's 40th anniversary in 2011 - EMI UK finally gets it right.

Here are the details first - UK released Monday 31 Oct 2011, "Aqualung 40th Anniversary Special Edition" is a 2CD set on EMI/Chrysalis AQUAS 1 (5099908799920) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (43:25 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 11 are their 4th album "Aqualung" - released 19 March 1971 in the UK on Chrysalis ILPS 9145 and 3 May 1971 in the USA on Reprise MS 2035. It reached number 4 and 7 on the UK and US LP charts. No 45's were released to support the album in the UK, but "Hymn 43" was put out as a 7" single in the USA with "Mother Goose" as its B-side on Reprise 1024.

Disc 2 (44:51 minutes):
Track 1 is "Lick Your Fingers Clean" - an album outtake that first appeared on the 1996 25th Anniversary reissue - this is a 2011 'New Mix'. It was supposed to be released as a single in 1971 on Chrysalis WIP 6098 in the UK, but was withdrawn
Track 2 is "Just Trying To Be" - first appeared as the last track on Side 2 of the July 1972 double album "Living In The Past". This is a 2011 'New Mix' at 1:37 minutes
Track 3 is "My God (Early Version)" - a 9:42 minute outtake complete with studio dialogue at the beginning
Track 4 is "Wond'ring Aloud" - a 1:51 minute outtake recorded 13 Dec 1970
Track 5 is "Wind Up" - an 'Early Version' at 5:21 minutes with Ian Anderson on piano. This is a 2011 'New Mix'
Track 6 is "Slipstream (Take 2)" - a 54-second outtake
Track 7 is "Up The 'Pool" - an 'Early Version' at 1:12 minutes (released version is Track 10)
Track 8 is "Wond'ring Aloud, Again" - a 7:07 minute 'Full Morgan Version' with the band and extra verses
Tracks 9 to 13 are "Life Is A Long Song", "Up The Pool", "Dr Bogenbroom", "From Later" and "Nursie". 11 to 13 are new 2011 remasters. All 5 tracks were recorded in May 1971 and made up the "Life Is A Long Song" 7" EP released September 1971 on Chrysalis WIP 6106 in the UK (the picture sleeve is featured in the booklet). They reappeared as Tracks 3 to 7 on Side 4 of the "Living In The Past" double LP in 1972.
Track 14 is a 52-second "US Radio Spot" featuring Ian Anderson talking about the album and God with music snippets from several tracks
Note: Tracks 3, 4, 6 7 and 8 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

The 2CDs are housed in a 3-way foldout card digipak with a 32-page booklet. Nice touches include the painting-artwork of Burton Silverman reproduced beneath the 2 see-through trays (the inner gatefold of the original vinyl LP), the CDs are green in colour as per the original Chrysalis labels and the booklet numbers the pages in Roman numerals in keeping with the original album artwork. There are knowledgeable and detailed liner notes by DOM WILSON featuring new interviews with principal songwriter and lead vocalist IAN ANDERSON. The booklet is peppered with new colour photos from the period and a nice collage shot of trade adverts, foreign pictures sleeves and promo-related stuff. But the really big news is the NEW SOUND...

Pages 26 and 27 give a detailed description by STEVEN WILSON on the lengths he went to in the remixing/remastering process to get the best possible sound out of the 8 and 16-track master tapes without compromising the integrity of the original recordings. Multi-track Transfers were done by KRIS BURTON and Mastering carried out by PETER MEW at Abbey Road (a name long associated with quality reissues - see Listmania and tags). The results are amazing.

Even as the opening riff of "Aqualung" rattles around your speakers accompanied by the sleazy "...sitting on a park bench..." lyrics - the audio quality is in your face, but not in a forced way. Suddenly the track has real muscle and the details leap out at you. It's breathing for the first time. "Cross-Eyed Mary" has superlative bass end now and the treated guitar 'so' good. But for me the real fireworks start with the double combo of the acoustic "Cheap Day Return" with the acoustic/rock of "Mother Goose". The improvement is GLORIOUS - and when the guitar kicked in half way through "Mother Goose" - I'll confess to blubbing out a little proggy tear. "Up To Me" is fantastically good too. The improvement continues on Side 2 - but even more so. The riff in "Hymn 43" is just huge now and the quiet lead into "Locomotive Breath" is not drenched in hiss - but clean and powerful. The album ends with "Wind Up" which has the best lyrics Anderson ever wrote about personal beliefs and it sounds just wonderful (lyrics above).

I had thought after the blast of the album that Disc 2 would be throwaway - not so. A truly lovely gem tucked away on the "Living In The Past" 1972 double is "Just Trying To Be" which I had on a 1999 Mobile Fidelity remaster (see review) - well here the sound quality is beautiful and far better. I was also taken aback by the full 7-minute band version of "Wond'ring Aloud, Again" which properly stretches out - it's a superb bonus. It takes the "Wond'ring Aloud" album track from "Aqualung" at 1:53 minutes length and adds on the "Wond'ring Again" outtake at 4:15 minutes length that turned up on the 1972 "Living In The Past" double and segues way them together with an extra bridge in the song and more lyrics (hence its new title here is a make up of both song titles). It's very cleverly done and because there's new bits in it - it's been called 'Previously Unreleased'. The roughest sounding outtake here is the 'Early Version' of "My God", but again his passion in the vocals is the reason for inclusion. And again the clarity on the 5-track "Life Is A Long Song" EP is far better than that on the MF release. Great stuff...

Niggles - the original album had an inner sleeve with lyrics - no show. This is a sloppy exclusion especially given the importance of words on this album.

I bought "Aqualung" when it came out in March 1971 as a spotty 12-year old and have loved it ever since. Finally this reissue does it justice. And the "Super Deluxe" box set has further 5.1 mixes that have received rave reviews too.

I suspect that Steven Wilson (of Porcupine Tree), Kris Burton and Peter Mew will be up for awards for their mastering skills on this reissue - a top job done and one of 'the' reissues of 2011.

Roll on "Living In The Past" the 1972 Double Album - it deserves the same lavish treatment...

"I Can See Clearly Now" by JOHNNY NASH. A Review Of His 1972 Album On CBS/Epic Now Expanded And Remastered BY Big Break Records In 2011.

2011-10-27T11:45:00.014+01:00

"…Gone Are The Dark Clouds That Had Me Blind…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2011 CD REISSUE ***

Some confusion surrounds "I Can See Clearly Now" because it has the same name as a 1989 CBS 'Best Of' compilation, which naughtily contained some unannounced re-recordings. This 2011 Big Break Records CD is NOT that compilation – it's a reissue of THE 'ORIGINAL' 1972 ALBUM with two bonus tracks added on. Here are the details…

UK released 1 August 2011, Big Break Records CDBBR 0064 remasters and expands "I Can See Clearly Now" – an album originally released July 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 64840 and on Epic Records KE 31607 in the USA. It peaked at number 39 and 23 on the Pop Charts in the UK and USA.
[Note: Tracks 1 to 12 are the UK track list - the original US LP replaced “The Fish And The Alley Of Destruction” on Side 2 with “Cream Puff”]

Track 13 is "Cream Puff" – the non-album B-side of "Stir It Up" – originally the first 45 lifted off the album

Track 14 is "Stir It Up (Single Mix)" – a 2:18 minute remix and edit of the album version (Track 1 - 3:06 minutes)

There were 4 x 7" singles issued in the UK and USA off the album at the time – this release will allow you to sequence all of them as follows:

1. Stir It Up [14] b/w Cream Puff [13] – released March 1972 in the UK on CBS Records CBS 7800 and May 1972 in the USA on Epic Records 5-10973
2. I Can See Clearly Now [7] b/w How Good It Is [10] – released 2 June 1972 in the UK on CBS Records CBS S 8113 and July 1972 in the USA on Epic 5-10902
3. There Are More Questions Than Answers [12] b/w Guava Jelly [3] – released September 1972 in the UK on CBS Records CBS S 8351 (unreleased in the USA)
4. Stir It Up [14] b/w Ooh Baby You’ve Been Good To Me [5] – reissue issued in the USA-only in January 1973 on Epic 5-10949

The 12-page booklet has thoroughly detailed and affectionate liner notes by CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANNE with pictures of UK, US and European singles. A clever inclusion is the original Marty Pekar liner notes that appeared only on the back of the 'US' LP. Because the UK sleeve had neither credits nor an insert – it didn’t highlight the extraordinary musician contributions that lay within – and some of these names went on to become huge (see below). But the very best news is the truly stunning SOUND. Remastered by ALAN WILSON at Western Star Studios from the 1st generation tapes with help from BBR’s own WAYNE A. DICKSON – the audio quality is truly gorgeous and hits you straight in the solar-plexus the second the drum-whack of "Stir It Up" exits your speakers. Having had to endure years of lacklustre compilations – this is at last the real deal.

As already mentioned above, the album featured uncredited session-men and lesser-known writers. BOB MARLEY was one of them – he features in no less than five writing credits - "Stir It Up", "Guava Jelly", "Comma Comma", "Cream Puff" and a co-wrote with Nash on "You Poured Sugar On Me". Marley hadn’t signed to Island Records just yet and was still being hawked around London by Nash as someone people should notice. In fact insiders and journalists of the time cited Johnny Nash as a major catalyst in Marley's global success which eventually came 3 years later in 1975 with his legendary "Live! At The Lyceum" set. It is also widely accepted that members of the backing band at the album sessions were THE WAILERS and even future members of the AVERAGE WHITE BAND. Marley would feature his own version of “Stir It Up” on his Island Records debut album “Catch A Fire” in April of the next year - 1973. Another contributor was sessionman and keyboardist JOHN 'RABBIT' BUNDRICK (had solo albums on Island in the mid Seventies) who wrote three tracks - "That's The Way We Get By", "We're All Alike" and "The Fish And The Alley Of Destruction". Unfortunately they’re the weakest songs on here with "Fish" containing some truly cringing lyrics too.

If you think the heavyweight contributions would somehow overshadow Nash's own work – the exact opposite is the truth. Some of the best songs on the album are his. There’s "(It Was) So Nice While It Lasted" - a bittersweet ballad with a superb vocal from him - "Ooh Baby You’ve Been Good To Me" - a chipper and fantastic dancer with great backing-group vocals and the Mellotron-laden "How Good It Is" - probably the most Seventies-Reggae sounding track of them all. Then there are the two huge singles - "I Can See Clearly Now" and "There Are More Questions Than Answers". While the Marley cover "Stir It Up" had aroused interest in Nash's new musical direction when it was released in March 1972, "I Can See Clearly Now" took the summer of that year by storm reaching Number 1 in the USA and 5 in the UK (lyrics above). Neither Reggae nor Soul – it was a strange hybrid of both and the public loved it. And I cannot stress enough how good the sound quality is on both of these gems – especially after years of naff compilations. If you have any love for these songs – then you need to hear them on this CD.

I’ve bought and reviewed a few BBR reissues and I’ve been more than impressed with their presentation and especially their sound quality (see REVIEW in the list provided below).

To sum up – it’s not all genius for sure, but this a great reissue of a criminally forgotten and ignored Reggae/Soul LP from the early Seventies and a timely nod to an artist that thoroughly deserves accolades galore.

Buy it and enjoy.

PS: for info purposes, I've tagged over 75 of the BBR releases to October 2011 (for a pictorial of them, click on the Tag called 'big break records bbr' highlighted above). Below is a printed list of most:

1. Street Opera - ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1982, 1st LP on Capitol)
2. High Rise – ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1983, 2nd on Capitol)
3. Brooklyn Dreams - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1977 - features Donna Summer)
4. Sleepless Nights - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1979 - features Donna Summer)
5. Winners - THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (1981)
6. Love Approach - TOM BROWNE (1980 - features "Funkin' For Jamaica")
7. Cerrone’s Paradise – CERRONE (1977)
8. Love In ‘C’ Minor – CERRONE (1979)
9. Sharing Your Love – CHANGE (1982)
10. This Is Your Time – CHANGE (1983)
11. Change Of Heart – CHANGE (1984)
12. Turn On Your Radio – CHANGE (1985)
13. Action Speaks Louder Than Words – CHOCOLATE MILK (1975 on RCA)
14. A.C. (Expanded Edition) – ANDRE CYMONE (1985 on Columbia)
15. Faces - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1980 2LP set on 1CD with bonuses)
16. Don't Look Any Further - DENNIS EDWARDS (1984 - Dennis Lambert production)
17. F.B.I. (Expanded Edition) – F.B.I. [featuring Root Jackson] (1976)
18. Pennye - PENNYE FORD (1984)
19. Gap Band VI - THE GAP BAND (1984)
20. The Gap Band 8 – THE GAP BAND (1986)
21. Never Can Say Goodbye - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
22. Experience Gloria Gaynor - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
23. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
24. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)
25. Current - HEATWAVE (1982)
26. Harvest For The World – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976 on T-Neck)
27. Go For Your Guns – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977 on T-Neck)
28. Fire Night Dance (Expanded Edition) – PETER JACQUES BAND (1978 on Prelude)
29. The Joneses (Expanded Edition) – THE JONESES (1977 on Epic)
30. Smooth Talk - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1977 debut)
31. I'm In Love - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1981)
32. Get Loose - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1982)
33. About Love - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1980)
34. Open Sesame - KOOL & THE GANG (1976)
35. Patti LaBelle - PATTI LaBELLE (1977 debut solo LP)
36. It's Alright With Me - PATTI LaBELLE (1979)
37. Not A Little Girl Anymore - LINDA LEWIS (1975 on Arista)
38. Loose Change - LOOSE CHANGE (1979 on Casablanca)
39. I Am Now - JON LUCIEN (1970 debut LP on RCA)
40. Rashida - JON LUCIEN (1973 2nd LP on RCA)
41. Premonition – JON LUCIEN (1976 on Columbia)
42. I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES
(1972 debut on Philadelphia International, UK title “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes”)
43. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES
(1973, 2nd LP for Philly - features Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass)
44. Melba - MELBA MOORE (1978 - features McFadden & Whitehead)
45. TJM - TOM MOULTON (1979)
46. I Can See Clearly Now [Expanded Edition] – JOHNNY NASH. (1972 on CBS)
47. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972) [see REVIEW]
48. Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) - BILLY OCEAN (1981)
49. Inner Feelings - BILLY OCEAN (1982)
50. Odyssey - ODYSSEY (1977)
51. California Sunset - THE ORIGINALS (1975 Motown - Lamont Dozier production)
52. Special Things - THE POINTER SISTERS (1980)
53. So Excited - THE POINTER SISTERS (1982, features members of Toto)
54. Contact - THE POINTER SISTERS (1985, 1st LP on RCA)
55. Break Out – THE POINTER SISTERS (1983 on Planet)
56. Baby Sister - JUNE POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1983 debut)
57. Flying High – PRIME TIME (1984 on Total Experience)
58. Sweet Beginnings - MARLENA SHAW (1977)
59. Acting Up - MARLENA SHAW (1978)
60. Clean - EDWIN STARR (1978, 2nd LP on 20th Century)
61. Am I Still Your Boyfriend? – SWITCH
62. A Taste Of Honey - A TASTE OF HONEY (1978 debut)
63. Another Taste - A TASTE OF HONEY (1979 2nd LP - both debut and this feature Larry and Fonce Mizell)
64. Twice As Sweet – A TASTE OF HONEY (1980 on Capitol)
65. New Directions - TAVARES (1982 Debut)
66. The Three Degrees - THE THREE DEGREES (1974, 1st LP for Philadelphia International - features MFSB)]
67. International - THE THREE DEGREES (1975, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International)
68. New Dimensions - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 1st LP for Ariola)
69. 3D - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 2nd LP for Ariola)
70. Song Bird - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1977 - 2nd LP features Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire)
71. When Love Comes Calling - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1979 - 3rd LP)
72. My Melody - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1981 - Thom Bell Production)
73. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – DENIECE WILLIAMS (1984 on CBS)
74. Be A Winner - YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1984 on RCA)
75. Guilty – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1985 on Total Experience)
76. Love Conquers All – MICHAEL WYCOFF (1982 on RCA)

"Harvest For The World" by THE ISLEY BROTHERS. A Review Of Their 1976 Soul/Funk Album On T-Neck and Epic Records – Now Reissued And Expanded In 2011.

2011-10-25T16:44:00.008+01:00

"…Gather Every Man…Gather Every Women…"

I’ve reviewed the "Original Classic Albums" mini box set from 2008 containing the first 5 albums by The Isleys on T-Neck between 1970 and 1973 (gems like "Brother, Brother, Brother" and "Givin' It Back") – so I got a little hot under my white soul boy's collar when I opened this pre-order this morning. And it’s absolutely been worth waiting for. Here are the details…

Released Monday 24 Oct 2011, Big Break Records CDBBR 0083 breaks down as follows (47:43 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Harvest For The World" released May 1976 in the USA on T-Neck Records PZ 33809 and June 1976 in the UK on Epic Records S EPC 81268. It reached No. 1 and No. 9 on the US R'n'B and Pop charts.

Track 9 is "Harvest For The World (Instrumental)" – the B-side to the US 45 for “Harvest For The World” on T-Neck ZS8 2261 released in July 1976 (the UK B-side on Epic S EPC 4368 had the album cut "Let Me Down Easy")

Track 10 is "Who Loves You Better – Part 1" – a 3:30 minute edit of the album track (5:31 minutes) issued as a 45 in the USA on T-Neck ZS8 2260 in April 1976 (Part 2 is the B)

Track 11 is "Harvest For The World (Single Version)" – a 3:30 minute edit of the album track (3:53 minutes) issued as a 45 in the UK and USA (see 9 above)

The 12-page inlay has detailed and knowledgeable liner notes by SHELLEY NICOLE featuring interviews with band members. There are repros of American and UK 7” singles and promo shots of the band - but the best news is a new and superlative remaster by WAYNE DICKSON. I’ve had some of the tracks on the "It's Your Thing" 3CD box set for years to have the music, but I’ve always found the early Legacy issues a little dead – like they’ve been compressed or had the life sucked out of them somehow. Here is not the case – there is air and a slight hiss around the gorgeous opener – the "Prelude" version of "Harvest For The World" – it sounds amazing. And then of course – the real deal – the title track. To this day it puts hairs up on my arms. What a song and what a message (lyrics above).

Other gems include the powerful Sly Stone funk of "People Of Today" where social words meet the dancefloor ("…frustration is all you feel…"). Side 1 ends with the 1st single off the album in the States – "Who Loves You Better" which has an almost identikit guitar sound to "That Lady" from 1973 – great stuff and a bit of a forgotten goody. Side 2 mellows it down with loverman smoochers like "(At Your Best) You Are Love" and "Let Me Down Easy" – seductive to the point where you might find you reaching for the switch that turns on your bedroom mirrorball. Then it's on to the Doobie Brothers acoustic blast of "So You Wanna Stay Down" – very, very good indeed. It ends on a funky-as-mouldy-parsnips hip-gyrator called "You Still Feel The Need" which heralds how the next few LPs were going to go – Part 1 and 2 workouts – similar to "Pride" from 1977’s "Go For Your Guns". The single sides are a very cool inclusion too especially the rarely heard melody lines added to the "Instrumental" of the title track - "Harvest For The World".

So there you have it - great album, superb new remaster, presented well like all these BBR reissues are - and at a zippy price too.

Like the Average White Band or even Hall & Oates – The Isley Brothers always seem to me to be on the verge of rediscovery by legions of Soul and Funk fans who have forgotten how good they all were. Well this is a great place to start reminding yourself.

Recommended.

PS: for info purposes, I've tagged over 75 of the BBR releases to October 2011 (for a pictorial of them, click on the Tag called 'big break records bbr' highlighted above). Below is a printed list of most:

1. Street Opera - ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1982, 1st LP on Capitol)
2. High Rise – ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1983, 2nd on Capitol)
3. Brooklyn Dreams - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1977 - features Donna Summer)
4. Sleepless Nights - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1979 - features Donna Summer)
5. Winners - THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (1981)
6. Love Approach - TOM BROWNE (1980 - features "Funkin' For Jamaica")
7. Cerrone’s Paradise – CERRONE (1977)
8. Love In ‘C’ Minor – CERRONE (1979)
9. Sharing Your Love – CHANGE (1982)
10. This Is Your Time – CHANGE (1983)
11. Change Of Heart – CHANGE (1984)
12. Turn On Your Radio – CHANGE (1985)
13. Action Speaks Louder Than Words – CHOCOLATE MILK (1975 on RCA)
14. A.C. (Expanded Edition) – ANDRE CYMONE (1985 on Columbia)
15. Faces - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1980 2LP set on 1CD with bonuses)
16. Don't Look Any Further - DENNIS EDWARDS (1984 - Dennis Lambert production)
17. F.B.I. (Expanded Edition) – F.B.I. [featuring Root Jackson] (1976)
18. Pennye - PENNYE FORD (1984)
19. Gap Band VI - THE GAP BAND (1984)
20. The Gap Band 8 – THE GAP BAND (1986)
21. Never Can Say Goodbye - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
22. Experience Gloria Gaynor - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
23. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
24. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)
25. Current - HEATWAVE (1982)
26. Harvest For The World – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976 on T-Neck)
27. Go For Your Guns – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977 on T-Neck)
28. Fire Night Dance (Expanded Edition) – PETER JACQUES BAND (1978 on Prelude)
29. The Joneses (Expanded Edition) – THE JONESES (1977 on Epic)
30. Smooth Talk - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1977 debut)
31. I'm In Love - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1981)
32. Get Loose - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1982)
33. About Love - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1980)
34. Open Sesame - KOOL & THE GANG (1976)
35. Patti LaBelle - PATTI LaBELLE (1977 debut solo LP)
36. It's Alright With Me - PATTI LaBELLE (1979)
37. Not A Little Girl Anymore - LINDA LEWIS (1975 on Arista)
38. Loose Change - LOOSE CHANGE (1979 on Casablanca)
39. I Am Now - JON LUCIEN (1970 debut LP on RCA)
40. Rashida - JON LUCIEN (1973 2nd LP on RCA)
41. Premonition – JON LUCIEN (1976 on Columbia)
42. I Miss You [aka “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes”] - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972 USA debut on Philadelphia International)
43. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International - features Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass)
44. Melba - MELBA MOORE (1978 - features McFadden & Whitehead)
45. TJM - TOM MOULTON (1979)
46. I Can See Clearly Now [Expanded Edition] – JOHNNY NASH. (1972 on CBS)
47. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972) [see REVIEW]
48. Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) - BILLY OCEAN (1981)
49. Inner Feelings - BILLY OCEAN (1982)
50. Odyssey - ODYSSEY (1977)
51. California Sunset - THE ORIGINALS (1975 Motown - Lamont Dozier production)
52. Special Things - THE POINTER SISTERS (1980)
53. So Excited - THE POINTER SISTERS (1982, features members of Toto)
54. Contact - THE POINTER SISTERS (1985, 1st LP on RCA)
55. Break Out – THE POINTER SISTERS (1983 on Planet)
56. Baby Sister - JUNE POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1983 debut)
57. Flying High – PRIME TIME (1984 on Total Experience)
58. Sweet Beginnings - MARLENA SHAW (1977)
59. Acting Up - MARLENA SHAW (1978)
60. Clean - EDWIN STARR (1978, 2nd LP on 20th Century)
61. Am I Still Your Boyfriend? – SWITCH
62. A Taste Of Honey - A TASTE OF HONEY (1978 debut)
63. Another Taste - A TASTE OF HONEY (1979 2nd LP - both debut and this feature Larry and Fonce Mizell)
64. Twice As Sweet – A TASTE OF HONEY (1980 on Capitol)
65. New Directions - TAVARES (1982 Debut)
66. The Three Degrees - THE THREE DEGREES (1974, 1st LP for Philadelphia International - features MFSB)]
67. International - THE THREE DEGREES (1975, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International)
68. New Dimensions - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 1st LP for Ariola)
69. 3D - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 2nd LP for Ariola)
70. Song Bird - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1977 - 2nd LP features Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire)
71. When Love Comes Calling - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1979 - 3rd LP)
72. My Melody - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1981 - Thom Bell Production)
73. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – DENIECE WILLIAMS (1984 on CBS)
74. Be A Winner - YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1984 on RCA)
75. Guilty – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1985 on Total Experience)
76. Love Conquers All – MICHAEL WYCOFF (1982 on RCA)

“TEENAGE – Teenagers & Youth In Music 1951-1960 (Compiled by JON SAVAGE)” by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review Of The Nov 2011 CD Compilation on Bear Family.

2011-10-25T13:21:00.005+01:00

"…She's A Boogie Woogie Teenage…Boogie Woogie All Night Long…"

Released November 2011, Bear Family BCD 17242 AH breaks down as follows (I’ve added US 45 release dates and catalogue numbers – except where noted):

1. Too Young - NAT 'KING' COLE (1951, Capitol 1448)
2. Wild, Wild Young Women - RUTH BROWN (1953, Atlantic 993)
3. Seventeen – BOYD BENNETT & HIS ROCKETS (1955, King 1470)
4. A Teenage Prayer – GALE STORM (1955, Dot 15436)
5. Boogie Woogie Teenager – DON JULIAN & THE MEADOWLARKS
(1956, Dootone 405 [B-side of "I'm A Believer"]
6. Teenage Mambo – THE GAYLARKS (1956, Music City 805)
7. Teenage Partner – GENE VINCENT
(1957 USA LP, "Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps" LP on Capitol T 811,
1958 UK LP "A Gene Vincent Record Date" on Capitol T 1059)
8. Teenage Crush – TOMMY SANDS (1957, Capitol 3639)
9. I’m Not A Juvenile Delinquent – FRANKIE LYMON & THE TEENAGERS (1957, Gee 1026)
10. Teenage Party – TOMMY STEELE
(1957 UK 7" on Decca F 10849, B-side of "Knee Deep In The Blues")
11. A Teenager’s Romance – RICKY NELSON (1957, Verve V 10047)
12. Young Blood – THE COASTERS (1957, Atco 6087)
13. The Eighteen Year Old Blues – STEVE CARL with THE JAGS (1958, Meteor 5046)
14. Teen Age Riot – PORTUGUESE JOE with THE TENNESSEE ROCKABILLYS
(1957, Surf SR 5018-45)
15. Sweet Little Sixteen – CHUCK BERRY (1958, Chess 1683)
16. Teenage Cutie – EDDIE COCHRAN
(1972 UK 2LP set "The Legendary Masters Series" on United Artists UAD 60017/18)
17. Ballad Of A Teenage Queen – JOHNNY CASH (1958, Sun 283)
18. School Of Rock 'n' Roll – GENE SUMMERS (1958, Jan 11-100)
19. (Got The) Teen-Age Blues – AL CASEY and THE BATS (1958, Highland 1002)
20. High School Confidential – JERRY LEE LEWIS (1958, Sun 296)
21. A Teenager Sings The Blues – DEAN EDWARDS (1959, Hanover 4501)
22. Teenage Love – THE FIVE CHESTERNUTS (1958 UK 7" on Columbia DB 4165)
23. I Was A Teenage Creature – LORD LUTHER (1958, Frantic F-107)
24. Sixteen Candles – THE CRESTS (1958, Coed 506)
25. A Teenager’s Letter Of Promises –
JUANITA ROGERS & LYN HOLLINGS with MR. V’S FIVE JOYS (1959, Pink Clouds 333)
26. High School U.S.A. – TOMMY FACENDA (1958, Legrand 1001/Atlantic 51-78)
27. A Teenager In Love – DION and THE BELMONTS (1959, Laurie 3027)
28. The Beat Generation – BOB McFADDEN and DOR [DOR is Rod McKuen]
(1959, Brunswick 9-55140)
29. Teen Beat – SANDY NELSON (1959, Original Sound 5)
30. High School Caesar – REGGIE PERKINS (1959, Ray Note S-9)
31. Ballad Of A Juvenile Delinquent – PHIL JOHNS and THE LONELY ONES (1960, River 2012)
32. Because They’re Young – DUANE EDDY and THE REBELS (1960, Jamie 1156)
33. Teen Street – JANIS MARTIN (1961, Palette PZ 5071)
34. Teen Angel – MARK DINNING (1960, MGM K 12845)

"Teenage…" is housed in Bear's now standard packaging – a 3-way foldout card digipak with an attached booklet. In this case we get 66 stunning pages worth of liner notes by compiler and music-lover JON SAVAGE. I've reviewed a compilation he did a few years back called "Meridian 1970" which was brilliant too. Like Bill Dahl, his paragraphs on each song are full of facts, wit and personal opinions. There’s a warmth and affection here that's just so enjoyable. The booklet is a joy - peppered with colour photos of US Teen magazines like "Dig", "Teen" and "Records Magazine", full-page colour covers of lurid paperbacks like "The Young Punks", "Savage Streets" and "Teenage Gangs" which we're reliably told are full of 'shocking stories' and 'frightening portraits' - yum yum! In fact as you sit there and ogle the superbly evocative presentation and listen to track-after-track of how 'teenagers' eventually took over the world – you’re struck by the deliciousness of it all – the possibility and the hope. The music sounds 'boss' too…

Mastered by JURGEN CRASSER, I’ve raved about his great transfers before – the 16 "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960 and the 10 "Sweet Soul Music" compilations from 1961 to 1970 (see reviews for nearly all of them). Given the hugely differing sources, the sound quality is uniformly SUPERB – and in some cases I'd swear it's better than what went before.

It opens badly. Whether it was Number 1 or not in 1951, few will say that the soothing vocals of Nat 'King' Cole had anything to do with teenagers and rebellion. But it improves immeasurably with the irrepressible "Wild, Wild Young Men" by Ruth Brown - you can literally 'feel' the sex and danger emanating from her every saucy line.

Genius comes in the shape of "Boogie Woogie Teenage" by Don Julian and The Meadowlarks – a sensational dancing rocker relegated to a 1956 B-side on Dootone (lyrics above) and the stark exciting rockabilly vibe of "Teenage Cutie" by Eddie Cochran – an outtake that finally saw the light of day on the 1972 2LP retrospective set "The Legendary Masters Series" – absolute winners both of them and very clever choices. Speaking of the wonderful Eddie – "(Got The) The Teen-Age Blues" by Al Casey & The Bats could easily be a re-run of "Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie" by Cochran and the "…don’t know what to do with my future…" misery of "The Eighteen Year Old Blues" by Steve Carl vocalized the thoughts of so many. The utterly bizarre comes in the shape of the 'werewolf' lyrics of "I Was A Teenage Creature" and the spookily spoken "A Teenager's Letter Of Promises" sounding not unlike Screaming Jay Hawkins meets Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & The Crypt Kickers (it sounds a little rough, but has been included for rarity value).

Then there are the 'themes' - the classroom in "High School Confidential" by Jerry Lee Lewis and the superb "School Of Rock 'n' Roll" by Gene Summers (both imbibed with genuine wildness and parent-filling fear) - "Teenage Crush" by Tommy Sands and "High School Caesar" by Reggie Perkins cover TV and films - while bullish behaviour and its consequences is everywhere in the constant pairing of the words 'teenagers' and 'delinquents'. Longing, necking and romance is handled by Gael Storm in "A Teenage Prayer", "A Teenager Sings The Blues" by Dean Edwards and Ricky Nelson's sappy "A Teenage Romance". Much more fun though is the naughty cockiness of "Young Blood" by The Coasters and the pre-surf instrumentals of Sandy Nelson's wonderful "Teen Beat" and Duane Eddy’s biggest hit "Because You're Young". There’s drive-in doo-wop and melodrama - George Lucas featured the extraordinarily evocative "Sixteen Candles" by The Crests in his 1973 masterpiece "American Graffiti" while the morbid "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinning hit the collective nerve and went to No. 1. Young lust and angst are covered by Boyd Bennett and his "Seventeen" with happier thoughts in "Teenage Party" by Tommy Steele. Perhaps conspicuous by his absence - is the biggest corrupter of them all and surely a close relative of Beelzebub – Elvis Presley. I bet he’s giggling at this compilation right now…and admiring his female counterpart – Janis Martin as she rock’n’roll’s "Teen Street".

Niggles - while Savage’s brief is to chronicle the youth phenomenon that swept the USA and then the world in the mid to late Fifties - long-time Collectors will probably sigh at the overly familiar here – Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Dion & The Belmonts and Frankie Lymon – tracks they probably have two or three times over. But looking deeper into the generous 34 tracks (and its huge playing time of 83:04 minutes), there are rarities and first-time-on-CD gems here well worth the purchase. "Ballad Of A Juvenile Delinquent" by Phil Johns is a musical find with lyrics that go from the Malls to the Jailhouse in 2 minutes 50. Tommy Facenda's "High School U.S.A." is said to have had 28 versions recorded by Atlantic – each name-checking specific high-schools in different States - a trick that worked because it garnished a No. 28 placing on the National charts in 1959.

This CD is fun and beautifully presented. And best of all it captures what it was like to be young in the Fifties and poppin' coins into a jukebox to hear the soundtrack to your life…

Great stuff.

"The Doobie Brothers/Toulouse Street" by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS. A Review Of Their 1971 Debut And 1972 Follow Up LPs Now Reissued By Edsel (UK) in 2011.

2011-10-17T12:52:00.007+01:00

"…We Got To Let The Music Play…"

UK released 29 August 2011 as a 2CD set (6 September 2011 in the USA) - Edsel EDSD 2104 breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (71:41 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut studio album "The Doobie Brothers" - released April 1971 on Warner Brothers BS 1919 in the USA and on Warner Brothers K 46090 in the UK
Tracks 12 to 21 are bonus tracks that first appeared on the 1999 4CD Rhino Box Set "Long Train Runnin': 1970-2000". Track 12 is the 'Single Remix' of their April 1971 debut 45 "Nobody" on Warner Brothers WB 7495. Tracks 13 to 16 and 17 to 21 are studio outtakes from the first album recorded 9 July 1971 and 6 October 1971 respectively

Disc 2 (48:16 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are their 2nd studio album "Toulouse Street" - released July 1972 on Warner Brothers BS 2634 in the USA and Warner Brothers K 46183 in the UK (reached number 21 on the US album charts)
Tracks 11 to 13 are bonus tracks; 11 and 12 are the US 'Single Remix' of "Listen To The Music" released August 1972 on Warner Brothers WB 7619 and "Rockin' Down The Highway" released December 1972 on Warner Brothers WB 7661 (B-side of "Jesus Is Just Alright"). Track 13 is "Listen To The Music (Steve Rodway Extended Remix)" released April 1994 in the UK on Warner Brothers W0228T (12”) and W0228CD (CD single)

The booklet apes the others in this series (a great deal more substantial than what's gone before) - 24-pages feature original album artwork (including the inner gatefold sleeve of "Toulouse Street"), the lyrics (a first for both LPs), musician credits and an informative 6-page history by ALAN ROBINSON on both albums and their impact. It's superbly done. A small mistake is that both albums were originally on the 'Tan' Warner Brothers label in both countries - they've pictured the late Seventies cream label for "The Doobie Brothers" and the 'Burbank' label for "Toulouse Street" (which is a mid-Seventies). But aside from these niggles, the really big news is the fabulous new SOUND...

I've had all of the 2006 Japanese Remasters (in 5" card repro sleeves) to have the music - but here the remaster by PHIL KINRADE at ALCHEMY in London is stunning and far better. The clarity is amazing. The first LP is a little hissy in places fro sure, but by the time you get to “Toulouse Street” Ted Templeman’s production values are amazing and fully realized in the transfer. His name has long been associated with the band (and later on with Van Halen).

Their debut album is a mixture of the ordinary and the inspired – a band launching itself – a group getting there. Their debut US 7" single "Nobody" is a great starting point for any career and set up their "Doobie' sound for the first half of the Seventies. The wonderfully slinky acoustics of "Slippery St. Paul" is another firm fan favourite. Their cover of Randy Newman's "Beehive State" hints at the Rock of the 1973 album masterpiece "The Captain And Me", but better is the two finishers by Patrick Simmons – "Closer Every Day" and "Chicago". The extras were all on the 4CD Rhino box of 1999 so if you couldn’t afford that – they are a clever addition here. "Daughters Of The Sea" finally surfaced on their 4th album "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" in 1974 while "Osborne" is an early version of their most famous song – "Long Train Runnin'" that would eventually turn on their 3rd album "The Captain And Me".

If their debut promised much then "Toulouse Street" delivered. It was rewarded with an album chart placing of 21 on the strength of two hugely commercial singles - "Listen To The Music" (lyrics above) and "Jesus Is Just Alright" (a 1966 gospel song written by Albert Reid Reynolds that was a minor single for The Byrds in 1969). These incredibly catchy songs charted at 11 and 35 respectively and established the Doobies as Adult Rock Radio staples. Their cover of the Seals and Crofts song "Cotton Mouth" is excellent while they just about pull off a version of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Don’t Start Me Talking". Better still is the lovely Jamaica shuffle of "Mamaloi" and the truly excellent "Toulouse Street" (both Patrick Simmons songs). The title track has graced many a 70’s Fest CD I’ve made. The acoustic blues feel of "Snake Man" finishes the album in style – and sounds incredible. The two bonus 'Single Remixes' are helpful inclusions, but the truly awful 90's Remix of "Listen To The Music" may evoke murderous tendencies in even the most pacifistic of fans – a travesty best forgotten. The "Jesus Is Just Alright" 7" single was a shorter edit than the full album version – and that would have been a more appropriate last track.

So there you have it. Doobie Brothers fans have waited decades to see their band's back catalogue on Warner Brothers be given the right reissue treatment - and England's Edsel label (who have struck a licensing deal with WEA) has done them proud.

To sum up – albums that deserves a second chance, superb remastering, tasteful presentation and all topped off with a dirt-cheap price. Buy the lot in confidence.

PS: there are 4 releases in this series to date (all with bonus tracks):
1. The Doobie Brothers (1971) / Toulouse Street (1972) on Edsel EDSD 2104
2. The Captain And Me (1973) / What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974) on Edsel EDSD 2105
3. Stampede (1975) / Takin' It To The Streets (1976) on Edsel EDSD 2106
4. Livin' On The Fault Line (1977) / Minute By Minute (1978) on Edsel EDSD 2107

PPS: Edsel have also re-issued most of the Todd Rundgren catalogue is this series of 2011 2CD sets (also with bonus tracks and extended booklets). And on the strength of these excellent remasters - hopefully they will be able to fill in massive untouched holes in the catalogues of giants like Little Feat, Ry Cooder, James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Prince, Tom Waits etc. We live in hope - and with the credit card at the ready...