"The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)" by JONI MITCHELL – Including The Albums "Hejira" (November 1976), "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" (December 1977 2LP Studio Set onto 1CD), "Mingus" (June 1979) and "Shadows And Light" (September 1980 2LP Live Set onto 2CDs) – Guest Musicians include Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Lyle Mays, Bobbye Hall, Don Alias, John Guerin, Victor Feldman, Chuck Findley, Tom Scott, Wayne Shorter, Micheal Brecker, The Persuasions, Michael Gibbs, Airto, Neil Young, Chaka Khan, Glenn Frey, J.D. Souther and more (June 2024 UK/WORLDWIDE Rhino/Asylum Records 5CD Brick-Block Box Set Of Bernie Grundman Remasters with Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves and New Artwork for "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter") - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asylum-Albums-1976-1980-Limited-5CD/dp/B0D2V9WCLR?crid=XOPUM61035YF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LFq42IgpgPKikK35YcfeLg.UvcIdiMLo2ngCq8Tt5VbjP4szZrLLjBneUBuCPBaol8&dib_tag=se&keywords=603497827015&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729140113&sprefix=603497827015+%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=f0ce38c3d72883d99173659d55dd5927&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Audio *****

Material *** to *****

Presentation ****

"…No Regrets Coyote…"

I would imagine that for many Joni fans this box set represents a tremble in every orifice just looking at it - never holding it in your hands – two stunning studio albums – a triumphant live double and even a reappraisal of that misstep into Jazz with the awful "Mingus" LP – a last gasp of the Seventies that for me never worked. 

But the big news is of course the Bernie Grundman Remasters which I can confirm (along with thousands of other commentators) are fabulous – warm and full and not overwrought (Jaco Pastorius pinging Bass notes in your speaker stack like there's a worldwide shortage of them). No regrets Coyote – no false alarms for Amelia here – Icarus ascending. It's time to watch the waitress's legs and the hexagram of the heavens again folks – here are the details…

UK/WORLDWIDE released 21 June 2024 - "The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)" by JONI MITCHELL on Rhino/Asylum R2 726169 – 603497827015 (Barcode 603497827015) is a 5CD Brick-Block Box Set in the Joni Mitchell Archives Series (Third Set for Albums) with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeve Artwork (with relevant inner sleeves, gatefolds etc), Bernie Grundman Remasters and an Appreciation Essay from Actress Meryl Streep. It plays out as follows: 

Disc 1 – 2024 Remaster (51:51 minutes):
1. Coyote [Side 1]
2. Amelia
3. Furry Sings The Blues
4. A Strange Boy
5. Hejira
6. Song For Sharon [Side 2]
7. Black Crow
8. Blue Motel Room
9. Refuge Of The Roads
Tracks 1 to 9 are the LP "Hejira" – released November 1976 in the USA on Asylum 7E-1087 and Asylum K 53053 in the UK. Guest Musicians include Jaco Pastorius and Max Bennett on Bass, Larry Carlton on Guitar, John Guerin on Drums with Bobbye Hall on Percussion. Victor Feldman plays Vibraphone on "Amelia", Neil Young plays Harmonica on "Furry Sings The Blues", Abe Most plays Clarinet on "Hejira", Chuck Domanico plays Bass on "Blue Motel Room" only – Chuck Findley and Tom Scott play Horns on "Refuge Of The Roads"

Disc 2 – 2024 Remaster (59:50 minutes): 
1. Overture - Cotton Avenue [Side 1]
2. Talk To Me
3. Jericho
4. Paprika Plains [Side 2]
5. Otis And Marlena [Side 3]
6. The Tenth World 
7. Dreamland
8. Don Juan's Reckless Daughter [Side 4]
9. Off Night Backstreet
10. The Silky Veils Of Ardor
Tracks 1 to 10 are the 2LP set "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" – released December 1977 in the USA on Asylum BB-701 and Asylum K 63003 in the UK. Guest Musicians include Jaco Pastorius on Bass, Bongos and Cowbells, Larry Carlton on Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Don Guerin on Drums and Don Alias on Percussion Instruments. Wayne Shorter plays Soprano Saxophone on "Jericho" and "Paprika Plains", Michael Colombier plays Piano on "Otis And Marlena", Manolo Badrena (Lead Vocals) with Chaka Khan, Alejandro Acuna and Don Alias on Backing Vocals for "The Tenth World", Airto plays Surdo Bass Drum on "Dreamland", Chaka Khan Vocals on "Dreamland", Michael Gibbs Orchestrations on "Paprika Plains" and "Off Night Backstreet", Glenn Frey of The Eagles with J.D. Souther sing Backing Vocals on "Off Night Backstreet"

Disc 3 – 2024 Remaster (37:26 minutes):
1. Happy Birthday 1975 (Rap) [Side 1]
2. God Must Be A Boogie Man
3. Funeral (Rap)
4. Chair In The Sky
5. The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey
6. I's A Muggin' (Rap) 
7. Sweet Sucker Dance
8. Coin In The Pocket (Rap)
9. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines
10. Lucky (Rap)
11. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 
Tracks 1 to 11 are the LP "Mingus" – released June 1979 in the USA on Asylum 5E-505 and July 1979 in the UK on Asylum K 53091

Discs 4 and 5 – 2024 Remasters
Disc 4 (43:25 minutes):
1. Introduction (includes sample dialogue from a James Dean Movie) [Side 1]
2. In France They Kiss On Main Street (Live)
3. Edith And The Kingpin (Live)
4. Coyote (Live)
5. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Live)
6. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines (Live) [Side 2]
7. Amelia (Live)
8. Pat's Solo (Live)
9. Hejira (Live)

Disc 5 (40:36 minutes):
1. Black Crow (Live) [Side 3]
2. Don's Solo (Live)
3. Dreamland (Live)
4. Free Man In Paris (Live)
5. Band Introduction (Live)
6. Furry Sings The Blues (Live)
7. Why Do Fools Fall In Love (Live) [Side 4]
8. Shadows And Light (Live)
9. God Must Be A Boogie Man (Live)
10. Woodstock (Live)
Tracks 1to 9 and Tracks 1 to 10 are her second live album "Shadows And Light" – a 2LP set released September 1980 in the USA on Asylum BB-704 and Asylum K 62030 in the UK. "Pat's Solo" and "Don's Solo" are by band members Pat Metheny and Don Alias, "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines" are co-writes with Charles Mingus, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" is a Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers cover version (exclusive to this set) – all other tracks by Joni Mitchell. Band included Pat Metheny on Guitar, Jaco Pastorius on Bass, Lyle Mays on Keyboards, Michael Brecker on Sax with Don Alias on Drums and Percussion with The Persuasions on Backing Vocals

For many Mitchell fans who have had to do with the extremely pretty but sonically up-and-down Clamshell Box Set "The Studio Albums 1968-1979" from October 2012 - will know that these JMA sets (Joni Mitchell Archives) have the same sumptuous artwork reproduced in their Mini LP incarnations - but this time come armed with stunning new BERNIE GRUNDMAN masters. And that makes all the difference. But it will also not take a genius to work out that that 2012 Box Set is now the only place to find the original artwork to "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" because Joni has decided to replace the supposedly politically unacceptable front cover. The problem is that the replacement is hideous – apparently an outtake from a later 80s session – and kind of ruins the feel of the whole thing. The photos are buggered about too.

The inner flap-sleeve for "Mingus" is squeaky clean in its gorgeous transfer, the "Hejira" set and "Shadows And Light" have their respective Inner Sleeves too - and the three-way foldout painting insert penned by legendary film-star and Oscar Winner Meryl Streep is not just academic but passionate and gushing (and rightly so) because like so many fans – Joni Music is deeply personal to them (Meryl describes hearing "Hejira" in her car and having to pull over to take it in the magic happening on her radio - she bought the album that day).

But all of that is small beer to the Audio which is gorgeous all around – all four a revelation to me. BERNIE GRUNDMAN has been around decades – this is the Audio Engineer that mastered "Aja" for Steely Dan and smartly (in 1977) kept a first-gen safety copy so that finally Analogue Productions could work from that for their spectacular HQ 2LP and SACD reissues across 2023 and 2024. When you hear the Piano and Strings passage in "Paprika Plains" (about seven minutes in) or the bottom-end punch of "Off Night Backstreet" – it is just great. There is power and majesty in these recordings and Grundman has realised it. 

The only real problem for me (as I feel it is for all these boxes) – the miniaturized lyrics on the Mini LP Card Sleeves are unreadable and there is not booklet reproducing them - which for an artist so famous for her lyrical brilliance is frankly a bit of a reissue travesty. As you listen to the words for the whole of the "Hejira" album for instance – it is arguably even better than Dylan from the year before on his mighty "Blood On The Tracks" LP - which is really saying something. In short, there's no booklet documenting her pinnacle achievement - which is a damn shame given this woman's musical stature in 2024 which borders on Hero Worship.

The other brill thing about a box like this is the dipping-in and the rediscovering of song nuggets that you'd either forgotten or aren't on those 'Best Of' compilations –the African percussive madness and vocal harmonising in "The Tenth World" - "Pat's Solo" where Metheny lets rip but remains beautiful musical – the rhythmical Dorothy Lamour glass of rum that is "Dreamland" and even "God Must Be A Boogie Man" on the patchy jazz collaboration album "Mingus" which to this day still feels indulgent. I know people say the same of the double "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" but I dig that title track where the band gels into this magical overall strummed guitar sound – snakes along the railroad tracks – kite on a string open giving in to the romance of swooping dangers – wow! During these years Joni also seemed to finally find her springboards in Guitarists Pat Metheny and Larry Carlton whilst super-smooth super-musical Bassist Jaco Pastorius added beautiful texture to every heavily-worded tune. There is a sound to these albums that I adore nearly 50-years on and I doubt that will ever change. 

And the live double has to be one of the great overlooked sets – a stunning band – Joni defiant and brilliant as always doing three from the much-maligned "Mingus" project. There is an 'air' about the live set like the songs that were somehow slightly cluttered on the studio sets are given a breather by a band that is so in sympatico with her music. And those words - "...I'm porous with travel fever yet I'm so glad to be alone...".

If ever an artist deserved lavish and super respect in this sometimes-crazy world of reissues – it's Canada's finest – Joni Mitchell. Don't think – don't dither – dive in and drool. It only remains for me to say what I always say - God bless you our Lady of the Canyon - and stop smoking you silly twit – you're far too precious to lose!

PS: there is also a 21 June 2024 UK/Worldwide 6LP VINYL ALBUM version of "The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)" Box Set by Joni Mitchell on Rhino R1 726169 – 603497827022 (Barcode 603497827022) – both the studio album "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" and the live double "Shadows And Light" are issued here as 2LP sets – hence the six records.

"Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by ISAAC HAYES – Nineteen 45-Single Sides on Enterprise (USA) and Stax Records (UK) in their Edited Form – Musicians Include The Bar-Kays, The Isaac Hayes Movement and a Duet with David Porter (October 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters – Volume 1 of a Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Isaac-Hayes-Buttered-Singles-1969-1972/dp/B0DGQLMR5B?crid=2LG3QTBMLA3BK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SbgnB5-uDMeY98Z1MGy6sQ.v4Gvtcvd_fu2ZqZy73eZPkXqD1L11x5UGYey6jCaF1M&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667024013&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1728920291&sprefix=029667024013%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=0d51ab7bbd6e6c0bdefff33f211ce330&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS: 

Overall ****

Audio **** to ***** (mostly 5)

Presentation: *****

"…Ike's Mood 19…"

Purely on the facial - this is a humdinger of a release from those terribly with-it chappies over at Ace Records in England. But as with so many compilations, it ain't all as yeah-baby as any self-respecting dude/dudette would hope for.

Nine yellow-label Enterprise US singles plus One Bonus Instrumental – 19 tracks. There are 45-single edits galore on here that fans will dig (Non-LP B-sides too) all spliced together in the one place as opposed to the huge meandering Symphonic Soul trips on the expanded albums. The Audio absolutely rocks too (Duncan Cowell Remasters), there's the usual quality booklet that deep dives each release and their convoluted Stax/Enterprise Records Blaxploitation history (16-Pages of Tony Rounce liner notes) and it has a near 79-minute playing time too – all impressive.

But a Seasonal cheeseball twofer towards the start and the last five of the nineteen seriously let the side down including a badly thought-out duet with David Porter and an old instrumental on which Hayes only plays Sax – hence the four – and not the winning five. 

But - as it is also a DOUBLE VINYL-ALBUM issue for 25 October 2024 as well as CD – I can see both formats appealing to a huge part of the Big Man's rabid fanbase. To the gold chainmail baby…damn right…

UK released Friday, 25 October 2024 - "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by ISAAC HAYES on Ace Records CDTOP 1650 (Barcode 029667024013) is a 19-Track Remastered CD Compilation of 45-Single Side Edits And Non-LP Material that plays out as follows – this review provides both US and UK 45-Single Discography details (78:37 minutes):

1. Walk On By (4:32 minutes)
2. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (6:54 minutes)
USA: released July 1969, Enterprise ENA-9003, A&B-sides
UK: released 17 October 1969, Stax Records STAX 133, A&B-sides
Both Tracks edited from their album versions on "Hot Buttered Soul"

3. The Mistletoe And Me (3:55 minutes)
4. Winter Snow (2:57 minutes)
USA: November 1969, Enterprise ENA-9006, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Appears to have been re-issued November 1970 with the same catalogue number in the USA – a Re-Promote – Neither Song on LP – Both are Early 60ts Hayes compositions

5. I Stand Accused (4:04 minutes)
6. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (7:01 minutes)
USA: released August 1970, Enterprise ENA-9017, A&B-sides
UK: released August 1970, Stax Records STAX 154, A&B-sides
Note: A-side is a Jerry and Billy Butler cover version – full length 11:30 minute cut is on the April 1970 US LP "The Isaac Hayes Movement"; B-side is a cover version of the Bacharach and David song made famous by Dusty Springfield and is the same running time as the LP cut

7. The Look Of Love (3:17 minutes)
8. Ike's Mood 1 (5:57 minutes)
USA: released January 1971, Enterprise ENA-9028 (see Note)
UK: no UK issue
Note: Despite Ace's alignment of the tracks – the A-side in the USA was "Ike's Mood 1" with the edit of "The Look Of Love" on the B-side (the album version of the Bacharach and David song popularized by Dusty Springfield is 11:11 minutes). Despite his huge popularity in the States at the time (number 1 albums on the R&B charts) – the meandering/building "Ike's Mood 1" which was a guitar and piano Symphonic Soul instrumental punctuated by lady backing-vocals, but it did not score big on the US Billboard 45-Singles chart (the LP version is 6:31 minutes). The edited sung B-side "The Look Of Love" however made No. 79 on the Hot 100. Both tracks from the December 1970 US LP "…To Be Continued"

9. Never Can Say Goodbye (3:37 minutes)
10. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) (4:22 minutes)
USA: released April 1971, Enterprise ENA-9031, A&B-sides
UK: released 16 July 1971, Stax 2025 029, A&B-sides
Note: initially released as a stand-alone 45 – the A-side (a Clifton Davis song also covered by The Jackson 5 at the time of this release – both versions charted in the USA side-by-side) later appeared on the "Black Moses" 2LP set in December 1971; B-side is a Hank Williams cover version, is Non-LP and in Mono (all others Stereo)

11. Theme From Shaft (3:15 minutes)
12. Café Regio's (2:43 minutes)
USA: released September 1971, Enterprise ENA-9038, A&B-sides
UK: released 26 November 1971, Stax 2025 069, A&B-sides
Note: the UK issue credited the A-side as Theme From "Shaft"; this iconic Soul-Funk song has been reissued at least six times since in Britain; both songs (the B is an instrumental in a Lounge Music style) are from the Blaxploitation 2LP movie Soundtrack "Shaft" (released July 1971) starring Richard Roundtree in the lead role with all music by Isaac Hayes

13. Do Your Thing (3:17 minutes)
14. Ellie's Love Theme (3:16 minutes)
USA: released February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9042, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side is an edit, album version is almost 20-minutes; both tracks on the 2LP Soundtrack to "Shaft"

15. Let's Stay Together (3:46 minutes)
16. Soulsville (3:45 minutes)
USA: released February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9045, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side Instrumental is an Al Green cover on which Hayes plays Saxophone; the B-side is one of the few Vocal Tracks on the "Shaft" Soundtrack

17. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) (4:21 minutes)
18. Baby I'm-A Want You (4:35 minutes)
USA: released April 1972, Enterprise ENA-9049, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue

19. Soul-A-Lujah (2:29 minutes)
USA: released July 1969, Stax STA-0040, B-side only
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side of this 45 is also called "Soul-A-Lujah" – a sung version credited to seven Stax artists – Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Pervis Staples, Carla Thomas, Mavis and Cleotha Staples – the B-side featured here is credited to Isaac Hayes and under the title as (Instrumental featuring Isaac Hayes on Clavinet)

The 16-page booklet features fantastically detailed liner notes from Ace's long-standing Soul Expert and Scribe – TONY ROUNCE – a sure sign of quality. All pages are sided with US, UK and European label repros and rare picture sleeves (dig the Belgium and German Pic Sleeves for "Shaft" and "Let's Stay Together" on Pages 9 and 12). The rare but rather ugly-looking 1969 typed title sleeve for "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" (with "Walk On By") that plugs the forthcoming "Hot Buttered Soul" LP is on Page 5 while British Yellow-Label Stax Demos sit proudly on Page 4. A good read and fabulous Remasters from DUNCAN POWELL even though he cannot do much with the jam-pig's ear that is "Let's Stay Together" or the rough and ready too-frantic "Soul-A-Lujah".

Completists will also quickly notice that despite the title-moniker of 1969-1972 – there are missing issues which Ace say will probably turn up in a future Volume – 1972 to 1976 or something like that. February 1971 in the UK saw the pairing of an edited "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" b/w "Our Day Will Come" on Stax 2025 029 (both on the "…To Be Continued" LP) which is absent – as is "Theme From The Men" b/w "Type Thang" issued September 1972 in the States on Enterprise ENA-9058 and November 1972 in the UK on Stax 2025 146. Haye's second 45 from January 1964 originally on Brunswick 55258 with the pairing of "Sweet Temptation" on the A and "Laura (We're On Our Last Go-Round)" on the flipside was licensed and reissued November 1970 on San American Records 950 to cash-in on his huge popularity – AWOL also. To the tunes…

There were few people in 1969 that expected a Soul Titan to tackle a Bacharach and David pop ditty made famous by Dionne Warwick – but Isaac Hayes did just that – he socked it to them – literally. From the opening punch of "Walk On By" – the clear and punchy Remaster is fabulous – those ladies begging our Isaac not to have tears in his eyes (you put a hurt on me baby). But it's the Symphonic Soul combined with fuzzed-up wah-wah guitars and his languid dripping-with-sex voice that grabbed an entire world by the shorts. The talking-for-the-most-part Soulified cover of the Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell Country-Pop classic "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is turned into a sermon – a seven-minute preach about leaving his woman seven times and seven times coming back (maybe he’ll get it right for return number eight, about three-thirty in the morning on the highway to despair) – and then he sings about three and half minutes in – and magic is struck. 

Given the Number 1 R&B LP status of both the double-albums "Shaft" and "Black Moses" in July and December 1971 with sales still hammering all comers in the first two months of 1972 - it is hardly surprising that Enterprise put out two Isaac hayes 45s in February 1972. First up came the killer combo of "Do Your Thing" b/w "Ellie's Love Theme" (both from "Shaft") quickly followed by the slightly odd instrumental version of the Al Green gem "Let's Stay Together" with the last remaining Vocal cut from the Shaft Soundtrack as its flipside – the brilliant and far-better "Soulsville". Even an instrumental with Hayes on it made No.25 on the R&B Billboard charts with a remarkable No.48 on Pop. 

Gorgeous is the only way to describe the stunning audio on "Never Can Say Goodbye" – no pain or heartaches on that front (dig that Flute schmooze – yeah baby). But I suspect it will be the flipside fans make a beeline to – Hayes reacting to a painful and on-going separation in real time and with real emotion. "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" has a melody and those old-time-feeling lyrics that seemed to bring out the best in him – lush and surely worth the price of entry for many IH fans (even if it is the only cut on here in Mono). 

Written by Allen Jones and Homer Banks but made famous by Johnnie Taylor in January 1967 (Stax 209) and Luther Ingrams in March 1970 (KoKo KOA-2105) – the Luther Ingram ballad version of "Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)" is an absolute stomp-on-all-comers go-to favourite of mine when it comes to Seventies Soul – I love it so much. So, imagine my disappointment when two titans like Isaac Hayes and David Porter do a cover that ruins it completely. What was cute in 1969, by the time they have reached 1974, the wah-wah and funk formula not only feels dated, but even badly recorded on the audio front (the vocals just don't sound right or even powerful). Their slowed-down high-hat tapping stab at the David Gates-written Bread classic "Baby I'm-A Want You" is not a whole lot better – feeling too close to elevator music - no surprise that the American listening public did not take to either.

Despite its piddly faults towards the end run of tracks - I keep coming back to "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972". This is a win-compilation for Ace and surprising it has not been done before (all the 45-edits in one place). I find myself playing this suave Symphonic Soul brute like a child rediscovering wonder and disappointment – thankfully, mostly the first. Can you dig it…yes you can my peeps…

PS: there is also a 2LP 19-Track VINYL version (no extra cuts) issued Friday, 25 October 2024 of "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by Isaac Hayes on Ace Records HIQLP2 138 (Barcode 029667023818). It has Inner Sleeves that reproduce all of the liner notes in the CD booklet.

"The World Of Charlie McCoy/The Nashville Hit Man/Charlie My Boy!/Harpin' The Blues" by CHARLIE McCOY – June 1968 US Debut Album Plus His Seventh (September 1974), Ninth (May 1975) and Tenth Studio Albums (February 1976) all on Monument Records - featuring Members of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry plus sessionmen Mac Gayden, Bobbie Emmons, Reggie Young and more (October 2024 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 4LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Charlie-McCoy-Nashville-Harpin/dp/B0D1TPHKTZ?crid=2KBXMGCXU7WP2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xLU6WDy3bmmqjKMKf12jJg.FrhKYghfh5H2kQ_N8uHfQgjwgBVnFMqXiLqL02XfD3c&dib_tag=se&keywords=5017261215277&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1728493031&sprefix=5017261215277%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=354228f55247175f138e58fdbc31da1f&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…The Nashville Man…"

Award-winning Harmonica virtuoso Charlie McCoy has 50-plus years of Nashville sessions to his name and West Virginia Music Hall of Fame Awards up to the wazoo - let alone his stints with fondly remembered US Country-Rock acts like Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry. Charlie was also quietly enamoured to listeners in Blighty long before they knew his name – the Area Code 615 Harmonica-driven instrumental "Stone Fox Chase" being the theme music to The Old Grey Whistle Test Rock TV programme on BBC hosted of course by Whispering Bob Harris. Every week his chugging harp hit our living rooms – and we did not know him. 

Back to the matter at hand - this is only the second outing in the UK for his American Monument Records studio albums under his own name (May 2018 saw another BGO twofer compilation). 

What you get here is four – the first dating from 1968 (his US Debut not issued in the UK), then his Seventh from 1974 with two from 1975 - his Ninth (not issued in the UK) and Tenth studio sets. In short - buy this and you acquire a quartet of Country Rock, Harmonica Instrumentals and Sung Tunes albums expertly remastered by Andrew Thompson onto two discs - all of it wrapped in a tasty card slipcase with a chunky 20-page booklet inside. Beat Goes On supplies black and white page repros of the front and rear artwork (pre-ambling the text) - followed by new May 2024 liner notes from BGO's resident Folk and Country scribe – JOHN O'REGAN. 

The 2CD Charlie McCoy compilation Beat Goes On BGOCD1527 is a substantial haul – it really is. If only most of it was actually worth listening to. Here's Harpin'…

UK released Friday, 4 October 2024 (delayed from May and September - released 27 September 2024 in the USA) - "The World Of/The Nashville Hit Man/Charlie My Boy!/Harpin' The Blues" by CHARLIE McCOY on Beat Goes On BGOCD1527 (Barcode 5017261215277) is a Compilation that remasters Four Albums onto Two CDs and plays out as follows:

CD1 (64:53 minutes):
1. Jump Back Baby [Side 1]
2. Gimme Some Lovin'
3. Hey Baby
4. Candy Man
5. (Turn On Your) Love Light
6. Harpoon Man
7. Fingertips [Side 2]
8. Up Tight
9. Ode To Billie Joe
10. Shotgun
11. Juke
12. Good Vibrations
Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "The World Of Charlie McCoy" – release June 1968 in the USA on Monument SLP-18097 in Stereo (no UK issue). Produced by Fred Foster.

13. Silver Threads And Golden Needles [Side 1]
14. Help Me
15. Fire Ball Mail
16. The Way We Were
17. Keep On Harpin'
18. You Win Again
19. Boogie Woogie (A/K/A.T.D.'s Boogie Woogie) [Side 2]
20. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
21. Heart Over Mind
22. Ruby
23. Let Me Be There
Tracks 13 to 23 are his seventh studio album "The Nashville Hit Man" – released September 1974 in the USA on Monument KZ 32922 and August 1975 in the UK on Monument MNT 80115

CD2 62:52 minutes): 

1. Old Joe Clark [Side 1]

2. The Twelfth Of Never
3. City Lights
4. I Honestly Love You
5. New River Gorge
6. Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends
7. Everybody Stand Up And Holler For The Union [Side 2]
8. Making Believe
9. Back Home in Indiana
10. Sweet Memories
11. Juke
Tracks 1 to 12 are his ninth studio album "Charlie My Boy!" – released May 1975 in the USA on Monument KZ 33384 (no UK issue)

12. After Hours [Side 1]
13. Lovesick Blues
14. (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle
15. Basin Street Blues
16. A Tribute To Little Walter
17. Columbus Stockade Blues
18. Blue Yodel No.1 (T For Texas) [Side 2]
19. Blues Stay Away From Me
20. St. Louis Blues
21. Night Life
22. Working Man's Blues
Tracks 12 to 22 are his tenth studio album "Harpin' The Blues" – released February 1976 in the USA on Monument KZ 33802 and May 1976 in the UK/Europe on Monument MNT 69204

The pre-Summer 1968 debut was not about originality – almost every song an R&B or 60ts Soul cover version with the occasional nod to Pop Charts popularity  – Rufus Thomas for "Jump Back Baby", England vs. US R&B by The Spencer David Group for "Gimme Some Lovin'", Bobby Bland for "(Turn On You) Love Light", Bruce Chanell and his "Hey Babe", Roy Orbison and Fred Neil for the licking stick of "Candy Man", Stevie Wonder hitting those high Harmonica notes on "Fingertips" and "Up Tight", Bobbie Gentry slink with "Ode to Billie Joe", the summer love of The Beach Boys feeling 1968 "Good Vibrations" – you get the picture. 

McCoy puts in a half-decent effort as principal vocalist (Bergen White and Mac Gayden are the Backing singers) while his up-and-down the scales Harmonica fills anchor every frantic dancefloor-orientated stab at 60ts hip. It is genuinely hard to call the languid acoustic guitar and harmonica wails of "Ode to Billie Joe" a sexy-cool instrumental – but the great audio and speaker-to-speaker production at least give it more than a fighting chance (probably the best cut on the LP, expect to hear it in a Movie or TV show any day soon). But stuff like his rearranged go's at the Jr. Walker And The All-Stars neck-jerking hit "Shotgun" and The Beach Boys intricate "Good Vibrations" will only make you want to run back to the January 1965 Motown original and the October 1966 Capitol 45-masterpiece no matter how hard either of these McCoy pretenders try. The Little Walter Chess classic "Juke" is another tasty moment as is the Mac Gayden, Wayne Moss, Wilburn original song co-write "Harpoon Man".

But while the debut is tolerable – by the time we get to platter number two on offer here - we have reached 1974 – huge production values – massive sessionman list – but everything is saccharine poured on syrup – faux Country-Pop of almost insufferable dimensions. The weepy Barbra Streisand vehicle "The Way We Were" is awful but at least his cover of the Hank Williams classic "You Win Again" gets a slide guitar, piano honky-tonk, harmonica shuffle that works in its own cheesy way. But even the presence of his band Barefoot Jerry cannot save "Boogie Woogie" – a wimp instrumental that opens Side 2. Fiddles, strings and pedal-steel give a barn-dance shuffle to the Mel Tillis song "Heart Over Mind" – but it all ends on a bad vocals version of "Let Me Be There" – cheeseball that is hard to bare in 2024.

Big production values again for the Banjo and Harp romp that is "Old Joe Clark" – a Traditional McCoy goes on Flying Burrito Bros on. But then its back to schlock with "The Twelfth Of Never" compounded by bippity-boppity fay Country takes "City Lights" immediately followed by more chart wallow in "I Honestly Love You" (Osmonds and Olivia Newton-John for God sake). The only moments of respite are instrumental covers of the Kris Kristofferson song "Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends" and a Mickey Newbury ballad "Sweet Memories" – but again they are overdone with strings and pedal-steel. McCoy revisits Little Walter for the LP closer "Juke" – but this time with a Rockabilly Stray Cats bop that just about crucifies an R&B classic.

The "Harpin' The Blues" album opens with a spoken-word passage on the Blues – oh dear oh dear – and again song after song Countryfies classics with Harmonica and Pedal Steel and overdone Strings and Girl Singers oohing-and-aahing as if they are sincere. Here in 2024, there is a terrible lingering hick-nature to these 70ts LPs. New Orleans gets done too – Rag Time – making for odd bedfellows with the razor-sharp production on the finger-clicking "Columbus Stockade Blues". Again, he talks intros to Little Walter and Jimmie Rogers covers and there is no doubting the Dobro playing expertise on "Blue Yodel…" but his words feel intrusive in the middle of songs rather than enlightening or even entertaining. 

If you are a Charlie McCoy fan then the fantastic audio and presentation will make BGOCD 1527 an essential purchase – but for everyone else, I urge a listen first…

"If You Saw Thro' My Eyes/Tigers Will Survive + Bonus Track" by IAN MATTHEWS – May 1971 UK Debut Solo Album, March 1972 UK Second Solo Album both on Vertigo Plus a May 1973 UK Stand-Alone 45-Single A-side with a B-side from his 1972 Second Album – featuring Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention on Guitars, Sandy Denny, Andy Roberts, Tim Renwick, Pat Donaldson and Gerry Conway of Fotheringay, Keith Tippett (Keyboards), Del Newman (String Arrangements) with Backing Vocalists Doris Troy, Liza Strike and Nanette Workman (July 2024 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 2LPs Plus One Bonus Track Onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thro-Tigers-Survive-bonus-track/dp/B0D1T38MR7?crid=J8S72DAVW98N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.290g56cXICGnrYp26yJ2Nw.ZIgCH2ZP0YCpnl_Is_XO52QZxJ82PfCXRuyeuQdQpd0&dib_tag=se&keywords=5017261215260&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1728218666&sprefix=5017261215260%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=24f430af334f6d180ed211ce3f4c29ff&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

*** Music

***** Presentation

***** Audio

"…No Kind Of Rest…"

Ex-Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort – Ian Matthews was a five-album veteran by the time he signed to Vertigo Records in 1971 to start his voluminous solo career that continues to this day and on into a new tour for 2025. 

Here in the 53-year-and-counting future of July 2024 - England's Beat Goes On Records turn their classy reissue eyes onto his first two platters and typically they have done a stellar job even if the material tappers off a lot on LP number two which consists mostly of cover versions that feel incongruous and out-of-place. 

But both albums were beautifully produced and with new BGO remasters and tasty presentation – fans are getting the full whack. To the Eyes of the Tigers…

UK released Friday, 5 July 2024 - "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes/Tigers Will Survive + Bonus Track" by IAN MATTHEWS on Beat Goes On BGOCD1526 (Barcode 5017261215260) is a Compilation featuring his May 1971 Solo Debut, Feb 1972 Second Studio LP (both on Vertigo Records) Plus One Bonus Track – A Stand Along Single Side from 1973 with a 1972 2nd Album B-side (on Philips Records) - Remastered onto 1CD that plays out as follows (80:43 minutes):

1. Desert Inn [Side 1]
2. Hearts
3. Never Ending
4. Reno Nevada
5. Little Known
6. Hinge (Part 1)
7. Hinge (Part 2) [Side 2]
8. Southern Wind
9. It Came Without Warning
10. You Couldn't Lose
11. Morgan The Pirate
12. Thro' My Eyes
Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut solo album (after two with Fairport Convention and three with Matthews Southern Comfort) "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" – released May 1971 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 034 and Vertigo VEL-1002 in the USA. Produced by IAN MATTHEWS – Guest Musicians included Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Andy Roberts, Tim Renwick, Pat Donaldson and Gerry Conway of Fotheringay, Keith Tippett (Keyboards), Del Newman (String Arrangements) with Backing Vocalists Doris Troy, Liza Strike and Nanette Workman. All songs Ian Matthews originals except "Little Known" and "Morgan The Pirate" by Richard Farina and "It Came Without Warning" written by Allan Jake Jacobs and Jerry Burnham of Jake And The Family Jewels – first issued on the self-titled debut LP in 1970 on Polydor 24-4029; Jerry Burnham was also in The Fifth Avenue Band on Reprise Records (1970) and The Quinaimes Band on Elektra Records (1971)

13. Never Again [Side 1]
14. Close The Door Lightly When You Go
15. Unamerican Activity Dream
16. Morning Show
17. The Only Dancer
18. Tigers Will Survive [Side 2]
19. Midnight On The Water
20. Right Before My Eyes
21. Da Doo Ron Ron
22. Hope You Know
23. Please Be My Friend
Tracks 13 to 23 are his second studio album "Tigers Will Survive" – released March 1972 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 056 and Vertigo VEL-1010 in the USA.
Note: although the US LP sported the same gatefold artwork as the UK issue, the sides were reversed. To sequence the US-LP use the following tracks:
Side 1: Tracks 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23
Side 2: Tracks 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17

BONUS TRACK:
24. Devil In Disguise (a Flying Burrito Brothers cover version, see 45s below)

This 2024 CD compilation will allow fans to sequence his first four UK 45-singles:
"Hearts" b/w "Little Known", April 1971 UK Debut 45 on Vertigo 6059 041
Both tracks from the debut album "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (Tracks 2 and 5)

"Reno Nevada" b/w "Desert Inn", September 1971 UK 2nd 45 on Vertigo 6059 048
Both tracks from the debut album "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (Tracks 4 and 1)

"Da Doo Ron Ron" b/w "Never Again", February 1972, UK 3rd 45 on Philips 6006 197. Both tracks from his second studio album "Tigers Will Survive" (Tracks 21 and 13) 

"Devil In Disguise" b/w "Thro' My Eyes", May 1973, UK 4th 45 on Vertigo 6059 081. A-side was a stand-alone British release (track 24) with the B-side "Thro' My Eyes" being a song from his debut album "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (Track 12)

The card slipcase (wraparound) gives these BGO reissues a classy look and feel and the 16-page booklet reproduces both the gatefold sleeves and their artwork throughout its pages - JOHN O'REGAN doing his usual stellar job of setting the background in the liner-notes - then continuing into the now (he touches on relationships with musicians like Andy Roberts in the 70s (Plainsong) - on to his Iain change of name). But the real fireworks comes in the crystal clear Audio courtesy of another ANDREW THOMPSON Remaster to savour. Even when I feel there is a certain samy dullness to his songs - the Audio here is a huge draw. To the tunes...

Arguably the prettiest songs on the debut are those involving his fellow muckers in Fairport Convention – Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny and members of the one-album Folk-Rock supergroup Fotheringay. Richard picks beautiful Acoustic Guitar on the plucked-string ballad "You Couldn't Lose" but that is soundly trampled by the genuine beauty of the album's final cut "Thro' My Eyes". It has  Matthews and Sandy Denny duetting on Vocals with Tim Renwick of Quiver on echoed-background Electric Guitar while Sandy tinkers on the piano. Even it only lasts 2:34 minutes – it ends his debut on a beautiful plaintive high. You can't help thinking that Vertigo missed a trick in not issuing it as duet 45-single instead of condemning it to the B-side of a forgotten stand-alone song in May 1973 ("Devil In Disguise", the compilations Bonus Track). 

The debut's "Reno Nevada" and "Morgan The Pirate" are both cover versions of Richard Farina songs while "It Came Without Warning" is an Allan Jacobs and Jeremiah Burnham song they did for Jake And The Family Jewels in 1970. The LP was well-produced and you can 'so' hear that in the transfers of "Hinge", "Never Ending" and the plucky opener "Desert Inn" - Matthews establishing that soft Folk-Rock sound he gets - Plainsong meets Fotheringay - a gorgeous combo of sounds and styles in my book. 

I recall hearing the second album probably a year after it had released back in 1973 and thinking the covers-overload didn't work. Eric Anderson gets done on "Close The Door Lightly When You Go" - another Richard Farina entry comes in the shape of "Unamerican Activity Dream" - Peter Carr has his "The Only Dancer" given a Folky going over while easily the bizarrest and most out of place song is an Acapella cover of Spector's "Da Doo Ron Ron" which Vertigo clearly thought might catch the Rock 'n' Roll Revival marketplace but it didn't. I liked "Midnight On The Water" and the title track "Tigers Will Survive" but I can so understand why these Vertigo Spiral label albums don't go for the big bucks others do. 

Everything about this reissue is classy – two rare albums on Vertigo (Spiral) from 1971 and 1972 plus a Stand-Alone 45 from 1973 (none other than a Flying Burrito Brothers cover backing by a gem) – and all of it sounding truly fantastic and accompanied by quality packaging. But the listen feels laboured at times and ever so slightly uninspired. There are reasons why Ian Matthews albums go for such little dosh on one of the most desirable of British labels more than five decades later – they were good without ever really rising above that – nice but without exciting you (like say a John Martyn album on Island Records would). 

But for those who love the guy and his plaintive Americana Folk-Rock sound, this is a non-brainer purchase and highly recommended...

"Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" by JOHN BARRY (September 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Barry-Somethings-Studio-1964-1967/dp/B0DD453226?crid=2SD1UBUXVCDLP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Albjts1XuQtkx3TjgKthIw.ThjrV-39W9yg0gNbLRL1kgDkqFvRbR3hV0IDBW6aOuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667111027&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727867345&sprefix=029667111027%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=5fe7feaa78ac8126262dd1c49e16764c&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…The Man With The Sun In His Hair…"

Being something of a JB trouser-stroking aficionado, lifelong bended-knee bellend and all-round worshiper of all things Baz-like - I had such high hopes for this British CD  compilation of his primo Sixties output. 

But while 85% of "Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" is fabtastic in that so-60Ts way (complete with truly terrific audio) – it just falls short of the magic you'd expect from someone – well – as magical as Soundtrack Composer and all-round suave coolsville champ John Barry.

For starters there is the price and content. Fans will look down through the 25-song track list in September 2024 and know they have many of these obvious choices (a few are B-side rarities but they aren't very good, some Stereo US versions when they were only Mono in Blighty and so on) – and as The Real John Barry 3CD set by Columbia is just £6 or less for nearly 60 tunes (see separate review) – where does Ace get off wanting £14 or more for 1CD?

But - there is that Corking Audio and Ace's usual top-notch booklet with liner notes that go deep - instead of a major label skim (none of The Real triples have liner notes but they do have Top Notch Remastered Audio and basic track details beneath each see-through plastic tray). There are also tracks from two very popular 'remakes' compilations - the 1966 set "Great Movie Sounds Of John Barry" and the 1967 UK LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" - both in Stereo - which will please diehards no end.

Even so - it's a four-star offering from Ace when it could have been a five-star double-apéritif in a Soho boozer with an immaculate King Rat schmoozing hotel chambermaids over by the plastic Pineapple Bucket. But - let's give credit where its due - to the Shaken Martinis and Space Capsules with Dr. Kiss-Kiss Bang-Bang giving it a bit of Quiller and Goldfinger up your séance on a wet afternoon (if you catch my patchouli drift)…

UK released Friday, 27 September 2024 - "Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" by JOHN BARRY on Ace CDTOP 1649 (Barcode 029667111027) is a 25-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (66:31 minutes):

1. The Syndicate (October 1965 UK 45-single on CBS 201822, A-side)

2. Oublie Ca (July 1964 UK 45-single on United Artists UP 1060, Mono B-side of "Séance On A Wet Afternoon" (Track 3 is the A-side) - for a Stereo Version of "Séance On A Wet Afternoon" from the LP - see Track 24)

3. Séance On A Wet Afternoon (see Track 2 for details)

4. Troubadour (October 1964 UK 45-single on United Artists UP 1068, Mono B-side of "Goldfinger" - for a Stereo Version of "Goldfinger" from the Soundtrack LP - see Track 7)

5. Chicken Delhi Cold (from the 1964 US STEREO LP "Man In The Middle - Original Soundtrack Album" on 20th Century Fox TFS 4128 - Note: the UK variant of the Soundtrack LP on Stateside SL 10087 was only ever issued in MONO)

6. Barbra's Theme (April 1965 UK MONO 45-single on CBS 201747, B-side of "A Man Alone" - for the A-side see Track 10)

7. Goldfinger (Remake of the 1964 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

8. The Chase (March 1966 US 45-single on Columbia 4-43544, A-side)

9. Theme From King Rat (from the 1965 US STEREO LP "King Rat - Original Soundtrack Recording" on Mainstream S/6061)

10. A Man Alone (see details on Track 6)

11. The Knack (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402 - for more from 'The Knack' Soundtrack Mono LP - see Track 17 "Something's Up!")

12. Thunderball (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

13. Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

14. Four In The Morning (from the 1966 UK MONO LP "Four In The Morning" on Ember NR 5029)

15. The Danny Scipio Theme (October 1966 UK 45-single on CBS 202390, B-side of "Vendetta" - for the A-side see Track 19)

16. Theme From "The Quiller Memorandum" - Wednesday's Child (November 1966 UK 45-single on CBS 202451, A-side)

17. Something's Up! (from the 1965 US MONO LP "The Knack...And How To Get It" on United Artists UAL 5129 - see also Track 11 for a Remake of "The Knack" song)

18. The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068 - written for a Sunsilk Hair Shampoo advert - it was also the UK STEREO 45-single B-side of "You Only Live Twice" in June 1967 on CBS 2825 - see Track 21 for the A-side)

19. Vendetta (see Track 15 for details)

20. The Whisperers (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

21. You Only Live Twice (see Track 18 for details)

22. Space March (Capsule In Space) (Original on the "You Only Live Twice" Soundtrack LP - This Version from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

23. Dutchman (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

24. Séance On A Wet Afternoon (from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

25. Born Free - Main Title (1966 US 45-single on MGM K 13591, A-side)

NOTES: 

Tracks 1 to 4, 6, 10, 14, 15 and 19 in MONO: all others in STEREO

The 20-page booklet curated and penned by affectionate uber-fan BOB STANLEY is a thing of beauty and packed with details ('Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' was the nickname given to Bond in Japan and Italy so Barry was commissioned to pen a song with this dubious moniker by the market-conscious Producers - JB of course delivered with a wry smile). All the entries have mini photos abutting text for their varying UK and US 45s and LPs - for instance there's a full page spread for 'The Quiller Memorandum' on Page 15 and the photograph for the Soundtrack to 'Four In The Morning' features the correct British sleeve art (on Ember Records) because the US variant is different. Page 12 gives the Mono and Stereo artworks for 'The Knack' soundtrack because they differ - Rita Tushingham on the Mono copy and the snapping Fingers entwined with Legs photo on the Stereo - attention to detail in other words. JB himself is pictured across Pages 2 and 3 examining film reels while there is a full-page spread given to 'A Man Alone' - a picture sleeve on Page 10 you just don't see every day of the carboot-sale week. 

But best of all is Remasters by NICK ROBBINS - Ace's vastly experienced Audio Engineer and he canes it on all counts. There cannot be any Barry fans who do not adore "Space March..." where the American capsule is swallowed up by another 'foreign' craft orbiting Earth in "You Only Live Twice" or the menace inherent in the "King Rat" theme - both sounding spiffo here. Personally I would have loved the bouncing super-60Ts "Here Comes Nancy Now!" track from 'The Knack' soundtrack rather than the so-so "Something's Up" choice - but that's just me. And the rare B-sides will please hardcore collectors. To the listen...

With a signature Brass and Drums business - "The Syndicate" piano-pounds out of your speakers like the baby brother of 007 shuffling around a Bahama's beach. Crystal clear audio for "Oublie Ca" but I find it silly and dismissible. The overly-fast pace of "Seance On A Wet Afternoon" seems out of kilter too with its title while the Flute and Spanish Acoustic Guitar of the B-side "Troubadour" hints at greatness in his melodies. The plucked harp-strings and plinking tubular bells of "Chicken Delhi Cold" is another strange choice - pleasant enough - but hardly thrilling. 

At last, and six songs in, we get "Barbra's Theme" - another obscure flute-driven B-side (to "A Man Alone")  when his signature slink starts to truly manifest itself. But good as "Barbra's Theme" is, 'tis no match for the gorgeous "Goldfinger" - all 4:22 minutes of it in sophisticated Super Stereo. "The Chase" sounds like its title - secret agents on the run - bad men close behind - a shuffling high-hat giving it edginess until an Acoustic Guitar and Harmonic take it romping home. Fans will adore the brilliant "Theme From King Rat" that virtually oozes prison-camp sweat, menace and even sadness as the titular 'getter' walks clean and untouched amongst the hurt and dirt because he 'knows people' that others consider sworn enemies. 

The familiar piano-plinking makes "A Man Alone" feel like a very British Spy theme - gorgeous audio as the tambourine shakes. But sophistication and playfulness soon return with "The Knack" resplendent here in 2:52 minutes of Stereo glory (yeah baby). Big and brassy comes a thundering in with "Thunderball" - the strings and flutes lifting it up into total classic mode (dig those tasteful piano fills). More brass blasting with "Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" - naughty Bond sashaying across a hotel lobby as the ladies flutter their eyebrows and whatever little else they're wearing. Melancholy and darkness pervades the lonesome "Four In The Morning" taking the listen down a needed notch with style. "The Danny Scipio Theme" could have been any 60Ts TV Spy theme music - our hero up against the odds but still somehow coming out on top with a rubber band and roll of sticky tape as his only weapons. 

A clever downturn in the pace comes with the quiet but effective "Wednesday's Child" from 'The Quiller Memorandum' (an Adam Hall novel adaptation) - the saw warbling Flexatone being the instrument of unusual choice. Very clever sequencing throws "Something's Up" on as a follow-through - organ and ladies voices brought to a crescendo. But this is whomped by blonde nubiles washing their hair in Sunsilk Shampoo as "The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair" plays them (surely there's a waterfall in there Mr. Bond). What a gorgeous and evocative piece of JB magic this is. A reformed Mafioso begins working for the Vatican's anti-Mafia unit - "Vendetta" offering us a so 1966 BBC Spy Show them song (Stelio Candellli was the actor playing Danny Scipio). But good as that is, I'd forgotten how gorgeous the sad and powerful music to "The Whisperers" is - a Bryan Forbes movie about Oldham in 1967. But again all is whacked into touch with the most glorious Bond Theme ever - "You Only Live Twice"  - here in its instrumental magic - all exploding dug-out Japanese volcanoes and Little Nellie suitcases. And I love love (did I say love) "Space March (Capsule In Space)" in all its creeping magnificence - surely the primo example of Barry's genius in setting a film alight whilst making it exotic at one and the same time. And on it goes...

"Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967 could be longer (at least ten more minutes) and could include music that tingles rather than just being rare. But as it's John Barry - and as it's his wonder-years - you can only call this Ace Records CD compilation another world-saving gadget success. Goodbye Mr. Bond! Not so fast Blofeld! Recommended like a night out with Moneypenny..

"The Reprise Years 1970-1973" by FANNY – Includes Four Studio Albums Plus Bonuses – Features "Fanny" (December 1970 US Debut), "Charity Ball" (July 1971 US Second Album), "Fanny Hill" (February 1972 Third Album) and "Mothers Pride" (February 1973 Fourth Album) – Band Included June and Jean Millington, Nickey Barclay and Alice De Buhr (August 2024 UK Cherry Red 4CD Clamshell Box Set of 82-Tracks on 4CDs – Reissue Based on a September 2002 US-Only Rhino-Handmade Remastered 4CD 90-Track Box Set called "First Time In A Long Time: The Reprise Recordings") - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/REPRISE-YEARS-1970-1973-4CD-CLAMSHELL/dp/B0D63LG6TR?crid=1OU3IKFZRPEA4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J5jPow9mtVSTzINrKfTBXAwo7IHmochPxqLaVAZdLpVloysxLH7Nwc3qkSMPTAO2IMXvPr7tDATmQ9V1SKTAJiAE_ObpUsUd7UusGdqXXJX7rjynN7Ircb6k4qBtKE7YA7LbYqwAzII8fcxQbOSNta5bftFxUfwnlfzlVaqChuEdy5N5I6SdPECEaFDCKT0wPNg22o9lgAWKd56NN7XHA7G74eYUb8MYE4ti8L0Y-5w.X2_3wIKMJEhOowGF5p2rijEJacAl8j3r1KZOWcrHwoA&dib_tag=se&keywords=fanny+reprise&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727383758&sprefix=fanny+reprise%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=e26e6904f622ffb82ff0d56424fa9ce1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Rock 'Til The Break Of Dawn…"

RATING: 

Overall: **** to *****

Audio: **** to *****

Presentation: *****

Back in September 2002 Rhino Handmade of the USA issued the 4CD 90-Track compilation "First Time In A Long Time: The Reprise Recordings" by FANNY which gave fans of the Classic 70s All-Girl Rock Band a mighty haul. It covered four US studio albums from December 1970 through to February 1973 – each of those Reprise Records LPs bolstered up with wads of rare singles-side edits, studio outtakes, live recordings and previously unreleased (including recordings made by Todd Rundgren in 1973 for the "Mothers Pride" set not heard in nearly 40 years). 

That rare out-of-the-USA-only compilation on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7734 (Barcode 6034977342) was a numbered limited edition of 5000 copies and quickly sold out – and has not surprisingly acquired huge price tags on secondhand auction sites ever since – sometimes up to £150 and more. There were individual album Remasters and Reissues in 2013 and 2016 by Real Gone Music of the USA (close ties to Rhino) but they too have largely disappeared to the mists of the Net and if they are available – all four will cost ya.

Here in late August 2024, reissue heroes Cherry Red Records of the UK come to the shagpad rescue with a re-run and re-name of that 4-Disc 90-Track beast minus just eight cuts (four of which were promotional spots anyway – so not a lot wasted or dropped). At 82 tracks, 4 albums and with some seriously great stragglers on each disc (check out those playing times) – "The Reprise Years  1970-1973" also comes in a Clamshell Box Set with four of those natty Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves we collectors love and a decent chunky booklet with band input (the Millington sisters and Alice de Buhr) from 2024. At a retail push of about £25 or less – we get Mothers Pride indeed. Even sweeter - and as is evidenced by the play when you plough through the discs - this 2024 Cherry Red reissue (officially licensed from WEA) has retained the clear and muscular Rhino Remasters - a shockingly clear and ballsy listen for old material recorded by famed Producer Richard Perry in a hurry (first three LPs and Todd Rundgren for the fourth). 

Fanny were well liked – and when you hear live cuts from 1972 and 1973 – they absolutely rocked when on stage. The albums in fact may feel a tad tame when someone suggests Rawk or Psych – Fanny were a fun Pop and Rock group and wrote some decent tunes. This all-girl four-piece Rock Band out of the USA also set the template for so many to follow - Heart, The Runaways, The Go-Go's, The Bangles and suchlike buddies in Rock and Roll crime.

If Fanny were so good you might say, then how come they were such a commercial failure with five whole studio albums that barely charted ("Charity Ball" made No. 150 on the Billboard US Album charts in October 1971 while its follow-up "Fanny Hill" made No. 135 in October 1972 - their fifth and last "Rock And Roll Survivors" was on Casablanca Records in 1974 but did not register and none of their LPs charted in the UK). As I recall when I worked the counters at Reckless Records for 20 whole years – Fanny albums were notorious four-to-five-pound fodder. 

But – and this is the big but – circling back to our reissue – it’s the Bonuses on each CD that elevate the listen into a better-than-most feast. A lot of these outtakes and single edits are so damn good and at times brilliant (the 1973 cover version of The Supremes Motown No.1 hit "Back In My Arms Again" is quite possibly the best thing on here). The same I'm afraid could not be said of The Steve Gibbons Band Box set put out by Esoteric Recordings in January 2022 (a division of Cherry Red) where seriously lacklustre supposed Bonus material dragged the whole kaboodle down. Here the extras are a celebration and even an indication of what could have been had they been allowed to simply ROCK. A lot to take in, so time to attend the Charity Ball with our My Fair Lady gals once more. To the details…

UK released 28 August 2024 - "The Reprise Years  1970-1973" by FANNY on Cherry Red QCRCD4BOX173 (Barcode 5013929117396) is a 4CD 82-Track Reissued Compilation Based on a September 2002 US set and it plays out as follows:

CD1 "Fanny" + Bonus Tracks (72:41 minutes):
1. Come And Hold Me [Side 1]
2. I Just Realised
3. Candlelighter Man
4. Conversation With A Cop
5. Badge
6. Changing Horses [Side 2]
7. Bitter Wine
8. Take A Message To The Captain
9. It Takes A Lot Of Good Lovin'
10. Shade Me
11. Seven Roads (see NOTES)
Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "Fanny" – released December 1970 in the USA on Reprise RS 6416 (no UK issue). Produced by RICHARD PERRY

CD1 BONUS TRACKS:
12. Ladie's Choice
13. New Day
14. Nowhere To Run
15. One Step At A Time
16. Changing Horses (Single Version)
17. Seven Roads (German Single Edit)
18. Shade Me (B-side Edit)
19. Badge (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)
20. Candlelighter Man (The Kitchen Tapes)
21. Seven Roads (Second Version)

NOTES on CD1: 
Track 11 "Seven Roads" at the end of Side 2 of the released album is a First Version – Fanny re-did the song and that Second Version is in the Bonus Tracks along with a German Single Edit too (see Track 17); Track 21 is a Second version of "Seven Roads" and at 3:46 minutes is shorter than Version 1 on the LP playing to 4:17 minutes
Tracks 12 and 13 "Ladie's Choice" and "New Day" are the A&B-side of their debut US 45-single released March 1970 on Reprise 0901 (no UK equivalent)
Tracks 15 and 14 (note the sequence) are the A&B-side of their second US 45-single released August 1970 on Reprise 0938; both tracks are covers, "Nowhere Man" is a cover version of the Martha & The Vandellas 60ts Motown hit and "One Step At A Time" by Maxine Brown in 1965 on Wand Records
Track 16 is an 2:15 minute edit of "Changing Horses" (LP runs to 3:44 minutes); it was their third US 45-single released November 1970 (a month before the album) on Reprise 0963 with the LP cut "Conversation With A Cop" as its flipside; it was also their first UK 45 issued July 1971 on Reprise K 14086 with the same edit on the A and the same B-side but put in a rare Picture Sleeve (pictured in the Discography towards the end of the booklet)
Track 17 "Seven Roads" was not issued in the USA, but it was released March 1971 in Germany on Reprise 14 080 as their second 45-single there with "Shade Me" on the flipside. Both were edited for that release – the LP cut of "Seven Roads" (First Version) is 4:17 minutes while the German A-side 45-Edit is 3:03 minutes – the LP cut of "Shade Me" is 4:36 minutes while the German Single Edit B-side is 3:55 minutes
Tracks 5 and 19 are "Badge" – a cover version of the 1969 Cream song written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison; Track 19 recorded live in Philadelphia 21 April 1973 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set

CD2 "Charity Ball" + Bonus Tracks (69:53 minutes):
1. Charity Ball [Side 1]
2. What Kind Of Lover
3. Cat Fever
4. A Person Like You
5. Special Care
6. What's Wrong With Me?
7. Soul Child [Side 2]
8. You're The One
9. Thinking Of You
10. Place In The Country (Second Version)
11. A Little While Later
Tracks 1 to 11 are their second studio album "Charity Ball" – released July 1971 in the USA on Reprise RS 6456 and November 1971 in the UK on Reprise K 44144. Produced by RICHARD PERRY.

CD2 BONUS TRACKS:
12. Charity Ball (Single Version)
13. Charity Ball (Live in Cleveland)
14. Place In The Country (Live in Cleveland)
15. Back In My Arms Again (Studio Outtake)
16. Lonesome Pine (Mothers Pride Demo Session)
17. Old Milwaukee (Mothers Pride Demo Session)
18. Place In The Country (First Version)
19. Queen Aretha (The Band Wild Honey, Demo Session)

NOTES on CD2:
Track 12 is "Charity Ball" – their third US 45-single released August 1971 on Reprise 1033 with the LP cut (Second Version) of "Place In The Country" on the flipside; it was also their second UK 45-single issued with the same tracks November 1971 on Reprise K 14109
Tracks 13 and 14 recorded live in Cleveland 11 April 1972 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set
Track 15 "Back In My Arms Again" was recorded in 1973 with Todd Rundgren and is a studio outtake first issued in 2002 on the Rhino Handmade 4CD set; it is a cover version of The Supremes fifth number one hit on Motown from 1965
Tracks 16 and 17 are Demo Sessions from the fourth LP "Mothers Pride" recorded in New York in January 1973 and first issued in 2002
Track 19 "Queen Aretha" is by the band Wild Honey (Fanny in their first incarnation) from a Demo Session

CD3 "Fanny Hill" + Bonus Tracks (79:18 minutes):
1. Ain't That Peculiar [Side 1]
2. Knock On My Door
3. Blind Alley
4. You've Got A Home
5. Wonderful Feeling 
6. Borrowed Time
7. Hey Bulldog [Side 2]
8. Think About The Children
9. Rock Bottom Blues
10. Sound And The Fury
11. The First Time
Tracks 1 to 11 are their third studio album "Fanny Hill" – released February 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2058 and Reprise K 44147 in the UK. Produced by RICHARD PERRY – Guest Musicians included Bobby Keys on Tenor Saxophone (Tracks 1, 6 and 9) with Jim Price on Trumpet and Trombone (Tracks 6 and 9). Recorded in London – Fanny cover The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' song "Hey Bulldog" in which they add a verse, The Fabs gave their OK on this.

CD3 BONUS TRACKS:
12. Ain't That Peculiar (Single Version)
13. Young And Dumb
14. Knock On My Door (B-side Edit)
15. Tomorrow
16. No Deposit, No Return
17. Ain't That Peculiar (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)
18. Borrowed Time (Live in Cleveland)
19. Hey Bulldog (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)
20. Knock On My Door (Live in Cleveland)
21. Young And Dumb (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)

NOTES ON CD3:
Tracks 5 and 9 "Wonderful Feeling" b/w "Rock Bottom Blues" was their fourth 45-single issued June 1972 in the USA on Reprise REP 1097 (no UK equivalent)
Track 12 "Ain't That Peculiar" is a Single Edit at 3:39 minutes while the LP cut runs to 4:05 minutes; it was issued March 1972 in the USA as their third 45 on Reprise REP 1080 with the LP cut "Think About The Children" on the flipside; it was also their third UK 45-single with the same tracks issued April 1972 on Reprise K 14165
Track 13 "Young And Dumb" (3:33 minutes) is a stand-alone 45-single (an Ike Turner cover version, their fifth US 45) with an 2:56 minute edit of the LP cut "Knock On My Door" on the flipside (the LP cut is 3:20 minutes); it was released September 1972 in the USA on Reprise REP 1119 and October 1972 in the UK on Reprise K 14207
Track 15 "Tomorrow" is a studio outtake from the "Fanny Hill" sessions recorded in London at Apple Studios in December 1971 – first issued in 2002 on the Rhino Handmade set
Track 16 "No Deposit, No Return" is an early 1971 recording first issued 2002 on the Rhino Handmade set; some copies of their December 1970 debut album listed this song on the rear cover but it was never issued
Tracks 17, 19 and 21 recorded live in Philadelphia 21 April 1973 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set
Tracks 18 and 20 recorded live in Cleveland 11 April 1972 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set

CD4 "Mothers Pride" + Bonus Tracks (75:45 minutes):
1. Last Night I Had A Dream [Side 1]
2. Long Road Home
3. Old Hat
4. Solid Gold
5. Is It Really You?
6. All Mine
7. Summer Song [Side 2]
8. Polecat Blues
9. Beside Myself
10. Regular Guy
11. I Need You Need Me
12. Feelings
13. I'm Satisfied
Tracks 1 to 13 are their fourth studio album "Mothers Pride" – released February 1973 in the USA on Reprise MS 2137 and Reprise K 44233 in the UK. Produced by TODD RUNDGREN (sings backing vocals on the last Track on Side 1) – Track 1 is a Randy Newman cover version – all others are originals

CD4 BONUS TRACKS:
14. Summer Song (Single Version)
15. Wonderful Feeling (Single Version)
16. Rock Bottom Blues (Original Version)
17. I Need You Need Me (Single Version)
18. Last Night I Had A Dream (Single Edit)
19. Rock Bottom Blues (Backing Track)
20. All Mine (Mothers Pride Demo Session)
21. Last Night I Had A Dream (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)

NOTES on CD4:
Track 14 "Summer Song" was issued in the UK January 1973 on Reprise K 14220 with LP cut "Borrow Time" on the B-side (no US equivalent)
Track 15 "Wonderful Feeling" was issued as their fifth US-45 single June 1972 on Reprise REP 1097 with the LP cut of "Rock Bottom Blues" as its B-side
Track 17 "I Need You Need Me" was issued as a B-side 4:53 Minute Edit to their seventh US-45 single released March 1973 on Reprise REP 1148; the A-side was the LP cut "All Mine" – in the UK the song "I Need You Need Me" was issued as the A-side April 1973 on Reprise K 14250 with "Beside Myself" as its B-side
Track 18 "Last Night I Had A Dream" was issued as their eight US-45 single June 1973 on Reprise REP 1162 with the LP cut of "Beside Myself" as its B-side
Tracks 19 and 20 first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set
Track 21 recorded live in Philadelphia 21 April 1973 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set

FANNY was: 
JUNE MILLINGTON on Lead Guitar and Vocals
NICKEY BARCLAY on Keyboards
JEAN MILLINGTON on Bass and Vocals
ALICE De BUHR on Drums

The Clamshell Box offers four Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves (no Lyric Inserts, no Lyrics in the booklet) with a 28-page booklet featuring updated 2024 input from the surviving members of the band. After a few credits pages and track lists – the remainder of the booklet breaks down the June, Jean and Alice reminiscences into discussions on each album – one by one. You get their start as Wild Honey sporting Addie Clement as Lead Guitarist (replaced by Nickey Barclay on Keyboards before recording their first album) stretching right through to weird experiences with Todd Rundgren on a bit of a Producer ego-trip for the fourth studio album "Mothers Pride" (Bernie Taupin of Elton John fame and Denny Cordell who started Shelter Records that featured J.J. Cale and Leon Russell were in the Producer running too). 

Black and White photos abound(one or two colour) of the gals in the studio and on stage, Reprise Records promo shots and even a picture Discography of Albums and Singles across Pages 26 and 27. Jean is particularly vivid when recalling how the band evolved – getting better and better – tapping into cover versions too amidst all the originals. DAVE TURNER did the Mastering and as its Rhino Remasters of old (2002) – the audio is exceptionally good – certainly better than I remember the original LPs sounding.

Disc 3 of the September 2002 Rhino Handmade set "First Time In A Long Time: The Reprise Recordings" introduced eleven live cuts as Previously Unreleased tracks – lucky for us nine are present and accounted for here but have been spread across all four CDs into the Bonuses. They comprise of four in Cleveland recorded April 1972 and five in Philadelphia recorded April 1973 (the two dropped are "Summer Song" and "It Takes A Lot Of Good Lovin'"). And you can hear why they are featured.

Take "Ain't That Peculiar" for instance – Jean Millington is in total blistering form - attacking her axe like she’s Johnny Winter on Slide Guitar speed – fantastic stuff – but then the vocals are off to the side - if at all. It ruins what would have been a fantastic live album. But I can so hear why Rhino and the band included them – to show what a great live act Fanny were when given room to let loose. The four Cleveland cuts have better vocals so Cherry Red mix one after the other – clever. In fact, you cannot help but think that had someone like legendary Producer Ted Templeman been around and miked the band up live – there might have been more to grab the listener on LP. They needed someone to go all Montrose on their sound – but alas. To the LPs…

After building and honing repertoire and settling the line-up from more than a year, the debut album "Fanny" hit the shops in December 1970. There are great Rock Song cuts to enjoy which I am sure would-be mandatory placings on any Best Of - "Candlelighter Man", "Shade Me", "Conversation With A Cop" and their smart covering of the Cream classic "Badge". There is a definite sense of a group finding its feet on songs like "Bitter Wine" juxtapositioned beside the knowing street-sassiness of "I Just Realised" where any man had better watch out. The debut is good – a lost gem even some would say and those extras really make a difference - but the second album is better and more accomplished. 

Both the title track "Charity Ball" and major-fan-fave "Place In The Country" (the more chunky-second-version) were smart choices as a lead off Reprise 45-single – their brand of almost Soulful Funk-Rock helping US Radio use both tracks. It might have lasted only 1 week, but at least "Charity Ball" hit No. 40 on the Billboard US singles chart. Fanny would have to wait until March of 1975 to chart again with Casablanca Records where "Butter Boy" from their final album "Rock And Roll Survivor" did better by going to No.29 and lasting 3 weeks. "What Kind Of A Lover" and "Cat Fever" rank highly by the girls in their "Charity Ball" album liner-notes – and on the money they are too. 

Over on Side 2 both "Soul Child" and "You're The One" show huge leaps had been made in songwriting prowess and it must have peeved Reprise Records UK that the "Charity Ball" LP just didn't take – laminate sleeve and lyric insert or no. The girls also fondly remember the cover artwork shoot - Candice Bergman (yes the actress) taking the photographs - period dresses and costumes from the 'My Fair Lady' film (lent by Warner Brothers) while Nickey (not very comfortable with the whole 'not very Rock 'n' Roll' vibe) hid in a closet (Candice called it unprofessional!). And as already discussed - the Bonuses on "Charity Ball" (CD2) are well tasty - so a forgotten LP with a wad of goodies tacked on - that'll do nicely thank you kindly sir. 

The "Fanny Hill" album did five numbers better on the US Billboard LP charts (No. 135) but at times feels like a band struggling to come up with winners – the pallor of tired and worn out. Still, it opens strongly with a slide-guitar gunslinger version of the Motown classic "Ain't That Peculiar" – an obvious single Reprise threw at the charts in March 1972 with the slow funk LP cut "Think About The Children" on the B-side. How can love grow from pain? A very-Sparks plinking piano introduces "Knock On My Door" – the lady waiting for that tap on wood. Time to Rock with "Blind Alley" – great combo of Guitar and Funky Keys – lyrics about someone getting burned. Acoustic ballad in "You've Got A Home" tells of a story of a single-parent Mom who must tell her unplanned son why Daddy is not around – and why - even if he isn't - at least this beautiful child has a home and love and views of a prettier world outside. Beautiful production, playing, arrangement, it's an unexpectedly poignant moment on an album. 

They were clearly trying for that big chorus winner with "Wonderful Feeling" but it feels like New Seekers Top of the Pops pap – better is the slide-guitar Slade-sounding grunge rocker "Borrowed Time" pumped up with Brass Arrangements. Their cover of The Beatles less-heard classic "Hey Bulldog" was a smart choice for 1972 (the fabs gave the OK and allowed them to add an extra verse) – Fanny giving it their version of Funk-Rock. Are you ready to think about the future they ask in "Think About The Children" – check that mountain beyond the horizon – see that its view remains clear and uncluttered – smart talk for over 50-years hence. Back to fuzzed-up guitar-boogie with "Rock Bottom Blues" – the ladies bemoaning their fate since sweet sixteen – victims of a windy storm – the men letting the gals down. The album kind of peters out with two mid-tempo drips - "Sound And The Fury" and "The First Time". Of the extras "Young And Dumb" feels like a big bad butch retro mistake, but "Tomorrow" is an acoustic winner that could have replaced one of the lesser tracks on Side 2 . CD3 then ends (as already discussed) in a fury of five live tracks that make much of the album output feel tame by comparison even if they are in slightly compromised audio. 

Recorded in England and named after Mothers Pride bread - their experience with Todd Rundgren as a Producer for album number four turned out to be a weird one. But there is no weird in his actual skill behind the console – you can hear an audio lift right away for "Last Night I Had A Dream" – instruments are clear – the vocals layered and cleverly placed. When the pretty acoustic ballad "Long Road Home" floats out of your speakers – it is the best you have ever heard a Fanny album sound. Gorgeous layering of the vocals, a lone floating synth note, warm Bass – all of it giving the overall feel a gentle muscle. "Old Hat" is another mellow slab – a floating organ note anchors wads of acoustic guitars and voices – but you wish there was more of a song amidst all the clarity and melodrama. A parody on chasing chart hits - "Solid Gold" has a weary and sneering vocal with lyrics about the industry they both loath and yet must live with. Better is the piano-soft "Is It Really You?" – a song full of relationship longing vs. the next cheap lay. 

"All Mine" is again beautifully produced but like so many of the others on the album feels like its searching for an actual song. Finally, time to Rock with "Summer Song" – laughing and making out at the picture show – at least this feels like Fanny the band and not Fanny searching for hits. A strangely hissy "Beside Myself" is a poor-me whiner while "Regular Guy" is another plinky-plonky non-event song. Towards the album end, they try one more rocker with "I Need You Need Me" but it is ham-fisted with its echoed screamed lead vocal. A patchy album ends with the upbeat Badfinger vibe of "I'm Satisfied". But again, the extras have goodies that save the day.

Truth be naughtily told, there will undoubtedly be casual observers and listeners in 2024 who will drop any of "The Reprise Years 1970-1973" by FANNY into a CD player and hear great, hear it drop to good, down to plodding, forward to ordinary and flirting around all points in-between. But there will also be those who remember them with affection – and under twenty-five quid – this Cherry Red Clamshell is the Solid Gold they need…