"Back Stabbers/Ship Ahoy/Survival/Family Reunion" by THE O'JAYS – Four US R&B and Soul Albums originally released on Philadelphia International Records in August 1972, November 1973 and April and November 1975 – Featuring Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and William Powell with Production, Arrangements and Songwriting Contributions from Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Thom Bell, Bobby Martin, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurst, Lenny Pakula, Norman Harris and Tony Bell (November 2025 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Records Compilation – Four Albums On Two Discs Series - 20-Page Booklet with Charles Waring Liner Notes – Card Slipcase - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://amzn.to/491FCYI

RATINGS: 

Overall: **** (First Three are Ace But Last Let's The Side Down Somewhat)

Presentation: **** (Charles Waring 20-Page Booklet, Card Slipcase)

Audio: **** to ***** (New 2025 Remasters by Andrew Thompson)

 

"…People, Get On Board The Love Train…"

What a winner. There are few Soul and R&B fans of my ancient demeanour who don't hold a place in their addled soft machine for Ohio's finest – The O'Jays – and who will always be associated with the City of Brotherly Love – Philadelphia.

And here as part of their Four Albums On Two Discs Series (see list below) – November 2025 sees England's Beat Goes On Records (BGO for short) offer us no less than three (count em baby) US No.1 R&B LPs (and a fourth that made No.3) by the get-on-board boys from 1972, 1973 and 1975. 

Well, stab me in the International dorsum humanum (never mind your family metatarsals) - but this journey is so sweet. Details folks - to the ships ahoy and the trains of lurve…

UK released Friday, 21 November 2025 - "Back Stabbers/Ship Ahoy/Survival/Family Reunion" by THE O'JAYS on Beat Goes On BGOCD1563 (Barcode 5017261215635) is a Compilation that offers Four Albums Remastered On Two Discs (originally on Philadelphia International Records and CBS Records in the USA and UK in 1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976) that plays out as follows:

CD1 (84:09 minutes, 17 Tracks):
1. When The World's At Peace [Side 1]
2. Back Stabbers
3. Who Am I
4. (They Call Me) Mr. Lucky
5. Time To Get Down
6. 992 Arguments [Side 2]
7. Listen To The Clock On The Wall
8. Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind Of People
9. Sunshine
10. Love Train
Tracks 1 to 10 are their sixth studio album "Back Stabbers" - originally released August 1972 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 31712 and October 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 65257 (it peaked at Number 3 on the US R&B charts in October 1972). It was reissued March 1973 in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 65932. The album peaked at No.3 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts.

11. Put Your Hands Together [Side 1]
12. Ship Ahoy
13. This Air I Breathe
14. You Got Your Hooks In Me
15. For The Love Of Money
16. Now That We Found Love
17. Don't Call Me Brother
Tracks 1 to 7 on CD1 and Track 1 on CD2 are their seventh album "Ship Ahoy" - originally released November 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408 and in the UK on Philadelphia International Records S PIR 65860. It was a No.1 LP on the US Billboard R&B charts.

CD2 (79:48 minutes, 16 Tracks):
1. People Keep Tellin' Me
Tracks 1 to 7 on CD1 and Track 1 on CD2 are their seventh album "Ship Ahoy" - originally released October 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408 and June 1974 in the UK on Philadelphia International Records S PIR 65860. It was a No.1 LP on the US Billboard R&B charts (no UK chart)

2. Give The People What They Want [Side 1]
3. Let Me Make Love To You
4. Survival
5. Where Did We Do Wrong
6. Rich Get Richer [Side 2]
7. How Time Flies
8. What Am I Waiting For
9. Never Break Us Up
Tracks 2 to 9 are their eight-studio album "Survival" – originally released April 1975 in the USA on Philadelphia International Records KZ 33150 and April 1975 in the UK on Philadelphia International Records S PIR 80765 – it peaked at No.1 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts

10. Unity [Side 1]
11. Family Reunion 
12. You And Me 
13. She's Only A Woman
14. Living For The Weekend [Side 2]
15. Stairway To Heaven 
16. I Love Music
Tracks 10 to 16 are their ninth studio LP "Family Reunion" - released November 1975 in the USA on Philadelphia International Records PZ 33807 and January 1976 in the UK on Philadelphia International Records PIR 69196 – Produced by GAMBLE and HUFF – it peaked at No.1 on US Billboard R&B LP charts

The card slipcase looks well tasty and you cannot argue on the value-for-money front, considering that individual CDs of these albums have been deleted for years and regularly pass the £12 to £15 price-barrier per disc. Beat Goes On and resident Soul/Jazz liner-notes author CHARLES WARING (of Mojo and Record Collector) do their usual bang-up job of repro'ing the front and rear sleeve artwork in the chunky 20-page booklet (albeit much of it in black and white). Waring uses interviews from 2008 where Eddie Levert talks of his amazement about the sheer legs of tunes - "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" amongst them. "Love Train" took The O'Jays to a superstar level of fame - Number 1 on both R&B and the Pop charts (a rare crossover tune) - to the point that Levert jokes - if he asks the crowd do they want to hear it again - they shout yes! The O'Jays can do "Love Train" two or three times and that's all right by the dancing punters who should be at home with a nice cup of cocoa and an Arrowroot biscuit. And - of course - best of all - kicking new Remasters from 2025 by ANDREW THOMPSON. Gamble and Huff produced their Philly boys well and there isn't a moment when hearing this great Soul music on BGOCD1563 doesn't seriously impress. Nice...to the four by the three...

CD1: Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and William Powell had been around for more than a decade as an extended five-piece (formed as far back as 1958 out of college). By the time they took their bruised and unchartable sorry selves to the two visionaries Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1972 - The O'Jay were ready for fame and found the label and teams for just that. For most people like me and even though "Back Stabbers" was on CBS Records in the UK, their seventh platter and first for the Philadelphia International Records label, "Back Stabbers" is the beginning of the Philly Sound - both on 7" single and LP. Now 50-plus years after the event - even its front sleeve portraying the 3 Canton Ohio Soul boys (Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and William Powell) has become iconic and instantly recognizable. Musically this LP was an embarrassment of riches too, featuring a lethal crew of staff writers penning all the ace dancers and ballads - Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurst and of course the dynamic duo themselves - Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff (who also produced). Loaded with hits, 8 of its 10 tracks made it onto 45s:

1. Back Stabbers b/w Sunshine (June 1972 USA, September 1972 UK)
2. 992 Arguments b/w Listen To The Clock On The Wall (October 1972 USA, November 1972 UK)
3. Love Train b/w Who Am I (December 1972 USA, February 1973 UK) 
4. Time To Get Down b/w Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind Of People (April 1973 USA, May 1973 UK)

Other highlights are the funky opener "When The World's At Peace" reflecting the political and social turmoil of the time and the vibes and strings mellowness of the lovely "Sunshine" - boasting an aching heartfelt vocal. But for me my Soul goes with that 45 I played to death in the spring of 1973 – both sides total vibing winners – the get-on-board "Love Train" on the A-side with the gorgeous searching "Who Am I" on the flipside. There are some Soul 45s that are just perfection both ways – A&B. I think of "Pick Up The Pieces" b/w "You Got It" by Average White Band on Atlantic Records UK or Marvin Gaye over on Motown asking, "What's Going On" with the Non-LP spiritually uplifting "God Is Love" on the flipside (and so many more). The "Back Stabbers" LP feels like an array of those and I have loved returning to its warm embrace once again.

Following the 1972 and early 1973 success of "Back Stabbers" – "Ship Ahoy" was a Soul consolidating LP monster. A US R&B No.1 album, the platter spawned five singles on both sides of a willing pond:

1. Put Your Hands Together b/w You Got Your Hooks In Me - November 1973 US 7" single on Philadelphia International ZS7 3535
2. For The Love Of Money b/w People Keep Telling Me - March 1974 US 7" single on ZS7 3744
3. Put Your Hands Together b/w This Air I Breathe - November 1973 UK 7" single on S PIR 1905
4. For The Love Of Money b/w People Keep Telling Me - March 1974 UK 7" single on S PIR 2186
5. Now That We Found Love b/w You Got Your Hooks In Me - August 1974 UK 7" single on S PIR 2577

Some of the above singles were 45-edits – so technically they are missing here – but as you can see from 84:09 and 79:48-minute playing times for CD1 and 2 – there simply wasn't room on this BGO compilation. 

Side 1 of their seventh studio album is pretty much flawless - and how good is it to hear the full LP version of "Ship Ahoy" stretch out to nearly nine-minutes with its bells and fog horns and spoken passages. "This Air I Breathe" is an uptempo dancer about suburban pollution that could easily have been another successful hit single while the truly lovely "You Got Your Hooks In Me" is the kind of Bunny Sigler hipsway that defined their lurve side - pull them close and feel that heat people!
Side 2 opens with the full album version of the fabulously perky "For The Love Of Money" - funkifying your speakers for over seven minutes (the remaster is so good on the bass and brass). "Don't Call Me Brother" apes Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" for its opening seconds but then settles into a stunning smoochy vibe about 'getting yourself together' and 'respecting your woman'. A very cool and satisfying Soul LP - "Ship Ahoy" finishes on the almost disco-precursor "People Keep Telling Me" where someone is doing someone wrong - yet again – but somehow baby – it will be awl-right.

CD2: Gamble and Huff open proceedings for the "Survival" album with a thumping messenger - "Give The People What They Want". Huge-sounding drums with panned high-hats and Funky Bass lines start this crowd-pleaser that soon incorporates now-now vocal pyrotechnics accompanied by brass jabs. "Give The People What They Want" fades out its Funky ass at 4:10 minutes only to be replaced with some mid-tempo smooch - "Let Me Make Love To You" – our mainman promising to be ever so gentle – much like the oohs and the aahs of his agreeable compatriots. And when the morning comes – there may even be breakfast – if she makes his wish from last night come true (gorgeous production values). Time to tell it how it is – Huff and Gamble talking of what it is like to be broke in the wilfully funky "Survival" – a father needing to shoe his kids – one step away from the breadline – always at the behest of some other man with a line in less than honest financials. Soft Soul via an array of strings and voices ends Side 1 - "Where Did We Go Wrong" – our hero lonely and hurt inside – trying his best to figure out why separation took the place of togetherness (honestly not my fave on the LP).

Side 2 of "Survival" returns to ghetto struggles in the Huff and Gamble angry of "Rich Get Richer" – the boys wanting those sixteen families that control the whole world to share a little with those many other families that control nothing let alone where the next meal comes from. This Funky message song has punchy audio and they sing with real conviction. Time for lurve baby – yeah – loosen that blouse – while I tell you about how it was back then when we were wee bitty things without a care in the world. But "How Time Flies" and how responsibility replaces carefree (again, lovely audio on this sweet Soul ballad). Ronnie Tyson of the songwriting collective The Harris Machine team up with ace songsmith Bunny Sigler to provide my fave on the LP – the proper Soul Ballad of "What Am I Waiting For". The second last song on 1975's "Survival" album is a pleader that has fantastic vocals from the boys where the words of a woman who is not coming back seems to be genuinely getting to them. Leon Huff soon returns to jaunty Philly territory with the OK-sounding "Never Break Us Up" – rounding off a four-star outing.

"Family Reunion" was the Ohio Vocal Group's 6th studio LP for the famous soul label and along with 1973's "Ship Ahoy" and "Survival" from earlier in 1975 (April to be exact) – it also reached the coveted Number 1 spot on the US R 'n' B album charts. In fact - November and December 1975 were exceptional months for Philly Soul. "Family Reunion" by The O'Jays was immediately replaced at pole position only weeks later by another one of the label's gem albums - "Wake Up Everybody" by Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes). Number ones galore.

Label founders Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff stumped up most of the "Family Reunion" album's seven songs (CD Tracks 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16) and along with Norman Harris and Tony Bell's arrangements, gave the whole record their lush TSOP production values. The other ace writing team of John Whitehead, Gene McFadden and Victor Carstarphen contributed "She's Only A Woman" while Bunny Sigler and Louise Bishop wrote "You And Me". Both "I Love Music" and the brilliantly infectious "Livin' For The Weekend" went to Number 1 on the R 'n' B singles chart too. I also like the big ballads - "Stairway To Heaven" and "She's Only A Woman". Not all great but still riding that chart glory train for The O'Jays.

For sure – "Family Reunion" does not finish this November 2025 Twofer BGO Compilation with another genre masterpiece and the feeling that the songwriting magic of old was on the wane is there. But I know so many Soul fans who consider even second-rate Philly to be better than a stab in the lower abdomen any day of the week.

Big Break Records of the UK did excellent Expanded CD Reissues and Remasters of these albums back in the 2009 and the 2010 day – but this BGO grouping of four quality albums onto two 2CDs with great annotation and toppermost Audio will be a must-own for most. I am emotionally yours - dig in and Travel At The Speed Of Thought brothers and sisters…

Soul/Funk/Disco/Fusion and Jazz Titles in the 

Beat Goes On (BGO) Records 'Four Albums On Two Discs' Series

UK issued 2CD Compilations in a Card Slipcase with Remasters

1. GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS - "Imagination/I Feel A Song/2nd Anniversary/The One And Only…"
Four US Albums originally issued on Buddah Records in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1978
UK released 27 February 2026 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1567 (Barcode 5017261215673)

2. RAMSEY LEWIS - "Funky Serenity/Ramsey Lewis’ Newly Recorded, All-Time, Non-Stop Golden Hits [aka Golden Hits]/Solar Wind/Sun Goddess"
Four US Albums originally issued 1973 (two) and 1974 (two) on Columbia Records
UK released 18 May 2018 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1335 (Barcode 5017261213358)

3. RAMSEY LEWIS - "Legacy/Ramsey/Live At The Savoy/Chance Encounter"
Four US Albums originally issued 1978, 1979 and two in 1982 on Columbia Records
UK released 30 March 2018 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1330 (Barcode 5017261213303)

4. THE MANHATTANS - "There's No Me Without You/That's How Much I Love You/The Manhattans/It Feels So Good"
Four US Albums originally issued on Columbia Records in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977
UK released 21 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1557 (Barcode 5017261215574) 

5. HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (featuring Teddy Pendergrass) – "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Featuring… (aka I Miss You)/Black And Blue/To Be True (Featuring Teddy Pendergrass)/Wake Up Everybody"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1972, 1973 and 1975 (Two)
UK released Friday, 8 May 2026, Beat Goes On BGOCD1572 (Barcode 5017261215727)

6. MFSB - "MFSB/TSOP The Sound Of Philadelphia (aka Love Is The Message)/Universal Love/Philadelphia Freedom"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1973 (Two), and 1975 (Two) – Philly Backing Band feat Dexter Wansel
UK released Friday, 22 May 2026, Beat Goes On BGOCD1575 (Barcode 5017261215758)

7. BUDDY MILES EXPRESS/BUDDY MILES
"Expressway To Your Skull/Electric Church/Them Changes/We Got To Live Together"
Four US Albums originally issued 1968, 1969 and Two in 1970 on Mercury Records
UK released 7 January 2022 (delayed from November 2021), Beat Goes On BGOCD1468 (Barcode 5017261214683)

8. THE O'JAYS - "Back Stabbers/Ship Ahoy/Survival/Family Reunion"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1972, 1973 and 1975
UK released 21 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1563 (Barcode 5017261215635)

9. BILLY PAUL – "Ebony Woman/Going East/360 Degrees Of Billy Paul/War Of The Gods"
Four US Albums originally issued on Neptune and Philadelphia International Records in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973
UK released 7 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1561 (Barcode 5017261215611)

10. TEDDY PENDERGRASS - "Teddy Pendergrass/Life Is A Song Worth Singing/Teddy/TP"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 – Former Lead Vocalist in Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
UK released Friday, 22 May 2026, Beat Goes On BGOCD1574 (Barcode 5017261215741)

11. LOU RAWLS - "All Things In Time/Unmistakably Lou/When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All/Let Me Be Good To You"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1976, Two in 1977 and One in 1979
UK released 3 October 2025, Beat Goes on BGOCD1560 (Barcode 5017261215604)

12. DEXTER WANSEL - "Life On Mars/What The World Is Coming To/Voyager/Time Is Slipping Away"
Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979
UK released 10 March 2023, BGOCD1490 (Barcode 5017261214904)

"David Hepworth - Deep 70s: Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Jesse Winchester, Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, Sanford Townsend Band, Hall & Oates, Andy Pratt, Michael Franks, Bobby Charles, Hirth Martinez, Gregg Allman, Big Star, Crazy Horse, Tony Joe White, Boz Scaggs, Freddie King, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, J. Geils Band, Montrose, George Thorogood, Flamin Groovies, Moon Martin, Dox Nix, Tim Buckley, Jerry Williams, Bridget St. John, Paul Butterfield's Better Days, Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance, Family, Murray Head, The Motors, The Records, The Jess Roden Band, Patto, Terry Reid, Robert Palmer, Dave Edmunds, Brinsley Schwarz, Roy Harper, Sandy Denny, Ellen Foley and more (May 2022 UK Edsel 71-Track 4CD Hardback DigiBook Set with a 36-Page Attached Booklet, Four Themed Compilations and Phil Kinrade Mastering) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://amzn.to/4wH1rqO

RATINGS:

Overall: ****

Presentation: ****

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

"…Dog Fight in The Parking Lot…"

I loved the re-acquaintances and discoveries on this four-disc Hardback DigiBook from Mojo and Whistle Test main-man DAVID HEPWORTH – but it also frustrated the crap out of me because I felt some of the choices – deep or not – were cack compared to what could have been included.

But I know there are many who saw Deep 70s as a 71-Track revelation in a field of music that has been done to death across three-and-a-half decades of CD reissues – the Seventies. And as you wade through CD3 and CD4 especially – the sheer wallop of so many largely unheard melodies starts to work its way into your brain. Licensing restraints almost certainly came into play here – but what you do get is a journey through albums that are forgotten, overlooked, talked about in hushed voices amongst learned bearded men. For sure, you will find yourself reaching for the skip button - but give it a breather – and the exhales will repay. A lot to unpack, let's have at the details (I have expanded each entry to include info not in the booklet)…

UK released Friday, 27 May 2022 - "David Hepworth - Deep 70s: Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Edsel EDSL0071 (Barcode 740155727130) is a 71-Track 4CD Hardback DigiBook Compilation with a 36-Page Attached Booklet, Four Themed Discs and Phil Kinrade Masters. It plays out as follows:

CD1 Young Americans (74:51 minutes, 21 Tracks):

1. Payday – JESSE WINCHESTER (from his April 1970 US Debut LP "Jesse Winchester" on Ampex Records A-10104 – musicians include David Rea on Guitar with members of The Band - Robbie Robertson on Guitar with Levon Helm on Drums – Also Produced by Robertson and Engineered by Todd Rundgren)

2. Only You Know And I Know – DELANEY & BONNIE [Bramlett] (from their March 1972 US sixth LP "D & B Together" on Columbia KC 31377 – written by Dave Mason of Traffic)

3. Smoke From A Distant Fire – THE SANFORD/TOWNSEND BAND (from their November 1976 US Debut LP "The Sanford/Townsend Band" on Warner Brothers BS 2966 – Lead Vocals by Kenny Loggins, Barry Beckett on Keyboards)

4. Abandoned Luncheonette – HALL & OATES [Daryl Hall and John Oates] (from their November 1973 Second US Studio LP "Abandoned Luncheonette" on Atlantic SD 7269 (delayed until January 1974 in the UK on Atlantic K 40534) – with Richard Tee on Keyboards and Joe Farrell on Alto Sax)

5. Avenging Annie – ANDY PRATT (from the March 1973 US Debut LP "Andy Pratt" on Columbia KC 31722)

6. The Lady Wants To Know – MICHAEL FRANKS (from his January 1977 Third US LP "Sleeping Gypsy" on Warner Brothers BS 3004 – track features Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and Wilton Felder of The Crusaders with Saxophonist Michael Brecker)

7. Small Town Talk – BOBBY CHARLES (from the August 1972 US Debut LP "Bobby Charles" on Bearsville BR 2104 – features Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of The Band)

8. Altogether Alone – HIRTH MARTINEZ (from the June 1975 US Debut LP "Hirth To Earth" on Warner Brothers BS 2867 – features Robbie Robertson on Guitars and Garth Hudson on Keyboards from The Band)

9. Please Call Home – GREGG ALLMAN [of The Allman Brothers Band] (from the November 1973 US Debut Solo LP "Laid Back" on Capricorn Records CP 0116 – guests included Buzzy Feiton on Guitar, Chuck Leavell on Keyboards, David Newman on Saxophone and Paul Hornsby on Clavinet and Organ)

10. The Late John Garfield Blues - JOHN PRINE (from his October 1972 Second US Studio LP "Diamonds In The Rough" on Atlantic SD 7240 – track features David Bromberg and Steve Goodman on Guitars)

11. Interviews – THE ALPHA BAND (from their December 1976 US Debut and Only LP "The Alpha Band" on Arista Records AL 4102 (January 1977 UK on Arista ARTY 143) - featuring T-Bone Burnett and Steve Soles (of Bear and The Children Of Paradise) – song co-written with Bob Neuwirth (of Bob Dylan's band) and Larry Poons and the Vocals of Roscoe West)

12. Be Careful, There's A Baby In The House – LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III (from his July 1971 second US studio LP "Album II" on Atlantic SD 8291 (August 1971 in the UK on Atlantic 2400 142))

13. Back Of A Car – BIG STAR (from their second studio album "Radio City" released January 1974 in the USA on Ardent Records ADS-1501 – song written by Alex Chilton and John Andy Hummel)

14. Downtown – CRAZY HORSE (from their debut album "Crazy Horse" issued on Reprise Records RS 6438 in the USA in February 1971 and Reprise RSLP 6438 in the UK in early 1972 – band featured Danny Whitten, Nils Lofgren, Jack Nitzsche, Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina)

15. Saturday Night In Oak Grove, Louisiana – TONY JOE WHITE (from his sixth studio album (final for Warners) - "Homemade Ice Cream" - released June 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2708 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46229)

16. Runnin' Blue – BOZ SCAGGS & BAND (from his third solo LP "Boz Scaggs & Band" issued December 1971 in the USA on Columbia C 30796 and early 1972 in the UK on CBS S 64431)

17. Trouble – LITTLE FEAT (from their February 1972 second studio LP in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2600 and May 1972 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46156 – Band featured Lowell George, Bill Payne, Richard Hayward and Roy Estrada with Milt Holland guesting on Percussion on this track)

18. Third Rate Romance – AMAZING RHYTHM ACES (from their October 1975 US LP "Stacked Deck" on ABC Records ABCD-913 and October 1975 in the UK on ABC Records ABCL 5152 – written by Lead Singer Russell Smith)

19. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues – DANNY O'KEEFE (from his September 1972 Third US LP "O'Keefe" on Signpost Records SP 8404 and October 1972 in the UK on Signpost SG 4252 - features Reggie Young on Lead Guitar and Bobby Emmons on Organ)

20. Desperados Under The Eaves – WARREN ZEVON (from his US debut album "Warren Zevon" released June 1976 in the USA on Asylum 7E-1060 and in the UK on Asylum K 53039 – Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys with Jackson Browne sing Backing Vocals on this track and Waddy Watchell plays Guitar)

21. Beyond The Blue Horizon – MICHAEL NESMITH AND THE FIRST NATIONAL BAND (from the July 1970 US Debut solo LP [ex-The Monkees] on RCA Victor LSP-4371 and September 1970 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8136)

CD2: Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers (63:16 minutes, 16 Tracks)

1. Going Down – FREDDIE KING (from his April 1971 US LP "Getting Ready" on  Shelter Records SHE-8905 and A&M Records AMLS 65004 in the UK – song by Don Nix (also Produced) – band features Leon Russell on Piano and Donald "Duck" Dunne of Booker T & The MGs on Bass)

2. Rock And Roll Hootchie Koo – JOHNNY WINTER AND (from his September 1970 US LP "Johnny Winter And" on Columbia C 30221 and November 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 64177 – Written by Rick Derringer who also plays Guitar on the album)

3. Jesus Just Left Chicago – ZZ TOP (from their 3rd studio album "Tres Hombres" released August 1973 in the USA on London XPS 631 and November 1973 in the UK on London SHU 8459 – features Dusty Gibbons on Lead Guitar)

4. Whammer Jammer – THE J. GEILS BAND (from the October 1971 US LP "The Morning After" on Atlantic SD 8297 and Atlantic 2400196 in the UK - band featured John J. Geils on Guitar with Richard 'Magic Dick' Salwitz on Harmonica – a Juke Joint Jimmy cover)

5. Rock Candy – MONTROSE (from their December 1973 US Debut LP on Warner Brothers BS 2740, March 1974 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46276 – Group featured Ronnie Montrose on Guitar with Sammy Hagar (later with Van Halen in 1986) on Lead Vocals)

6. Madison Blues – GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS (from the September 1977 US Debut Album "George Thorogood & The Destroyers" on Rounder 3013)

7. Get Out Of Denver – EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS (from the August 1976 UK 4-Track EP "Live At The Marquee" on Island Records IEP 2 – a Bob Seger cover)

8. Sugar Bee – CANNED HEAT (from their August 1970 US Third Studio LP "Future Blues" on Liberty LST-11002 in Stereo – Alan Wilson on Harmonica – an Eddie Shuler song first recorded 1960 by Cleveland Crochet and Hill Billy Ramblers on his Goldband Records)

9. In My Chair – STATUS QUO (45-Single Version, 23 October 1970 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17998 - A-side – band featured Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt)

10. Shake Some Action – FLAMIN' GROOVIES (from their June 1976 US LP "Shake Some Action" on Sire Records SASD-7521 and Sire Records 9103 251 in the UK – Produced by Dave Edmunds)

11. Cadillac Walk – MOON MARTIN (from the January 1978 US Debut LP "Shots From A Cold Nightmare" on Capitol Records SW 11787 - features Willie Alexander on Piano – covered by Willy DeVille in his band Mink DeVille on their debut LP "Cabretta" in 1977, also on Capitol Records)

12. Going Back To Luka – DON NIX (from the June 1971 US Debut LP "Living By The Days" on Elektra EKS-74101 and in the UK on Elektra K 42096 – Guest Guitarists included Jimmy Johnson and Wayne Perkins)

13. Move With Me – TIM BUCKLEY (from the August 1972 US Seventh LP "Greetings From L.A." on Warner Bros/Straight BS 2631 and in the UK on Elektra K 46176 – Guest Musicians include Kevin Kelly on Piano, Eugene E. Siegel, Paul Ross Novros on Saxophones with Backing Vocalists Clydie King, Vanetta Fields and Lorna Willard)

14. I've Got Dreams To Remember – JERRY WILLIAMS (from the 1979 US LP "Gone" on Warner Bros BSK 3291 – an Otis Redding cover version – guests include The Waters on Backing Vocals with most of Booker T & The MGs including Steve Cropper on Guitar)

15. Dog Days – ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION (from the September 1975 US LP "Dog Days" on Polydor PD-6041 and November 1975 in the UK on Polydor Super 2391 179)

16. It All Comes Back – PAUL BUTTERFIELD'S BETTER DAYS (from the November 1973 US LP "It All Comes Back" on Bearsville BR 2170, January 1974 in the UK on Bearsville K 45517 – song written by Bobby Charles and includes shared Lead Vocals with Paul Butterfield and Geoff Muldaur)

CD3 Blue Boar Blues (75:10 minutes, 17 Tracks)

1. Bye And Bye (Gonna See The King) – RONNIE LANE AND SLIM CHANCE (from the July 1974 UK Solo Debut (after Small Faces and Faces) LP "Anymore For Anymore" on GM Records GML 1013 – was also the B-side of UK 45-single for "The Poacher" on GM Records GMS 024 from May 1974 – the second of only two singles he charted)

2. My Friend The Sun – FAMILY (from their 7th album "Bandstand" - released September 1972 in the UK on Reprise Records K 54006 and October 1972 in the USA on United Artists UAS-5644 – Roger Chapman on Lead Vocals with John Whitney on Guitars)

3. Say It Ain't So Joe – MURRAY HEAD (from the March 1976 UK Debut LP "Say It Ain't So" on Island ILPS 9347 – also October 1975 UK on Island WIP 6252, A-side – Sang as Judas on the October 1970 "Jesus Christ Superstar" double-album)

4. Maid In Heaven – BE BOP DELUXE (from the May 1975 UK LP "Futurama" on Harvest SHSP 4045 – features Bill Nelson on Lead Guitar and Vocals)

5. Dancing The Night Away – THE MOTORS (from the October 1977 UK Debut LP "1" [aka The Motors] on Virgin V 2089 – Includes Guitarists Bram Tchaikovsky and Nick Garvey)

6. Starry Eyes – THE RECORDS (from the June 1979 UK Debut LP "Shades In Bed" on Virgin V 2122 – written by John Wicks (of Kursaal Flyers) and Will Birch)

7. Singing The Blues On Reds – PATTO (from their third and final LP "Roll 'Em Smoke 'Em Put Out Another Line" from October 1972 on Island ILPS 9210 – band featured Vocalist Mike Patto and Guitarist Ollie Halsall)

8. World Park Junkies - SHARKS (from the April 1973 UK Debut LP "First Water" on Island Records ILPS 9233 - band featured Andy Fraser of Free and Bass and Piano with Steve "Snips" Parsons on Lead Vocals, Chris Spedding on Guitar and future Soundtrack Composer Marty Simon on Drums)

9. You Can Leave Your Hat On – THE JESS RODEN BAND (from the March 1976 UK Debut LP "Keep Your Hat On" on Island Records ILPS 9349 - featured Jess Roden on Vocals with Bruce Roberts and Steve Webb on Guitars and Vocals and Chris Gower on Trombone and Sax)

10. Dean – TERRY REID (from his 3rd vinyl LP "River" originally released March 1973 in the USA on Atlantic SD-7259 and April 1973 on Atlantic Records K 40340 in the UK – guests include David Lindley on Varying Guitars)

11. How Much Fun – ROBERT PALMER (ex Dada and Vinegar Joe - from his debut Solo LP "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" released September 1974 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9294 – recorded in New Orleans, USA, features uncredited Little Feat and The Meters as his backing band)

12. I Wish I Was Your Mother – MOTT THE HOOPLE (from their fifth studio album "Mott" (and second for CBS), released July 1973 in the UK on CBS Records S 69038 and August 1973 in the USA on Columbia KC 32425 – band featured Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs – Ralphs later with Bad Company)

13. Polly On The Shore – FAIRPORT CONVENTION (from the September 1973 UK LP "Nine" on Island Records ILPS 9246 - featuring Trevor Lucas on Acoustic and Lead Vocals, Jerry Donahue on Guitars, Dave Swarbrick on Violin, Viola and Mandolin with Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks on Bass and Drums – a Dave Pegg song incorporating Traditional Lyrics and Trevor Lucas Arrangements)

14. The Promised Land – DAVE EDMUNDS (from his debut solo LP (after Love Sculpture) "Rockpile" issued June 1972 in the UK on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1026 and February 1972 in the USA on London/Mam Records MAM-3 – a Chuck Berry cover version – Band included Andy Fairweather-Low on Guitar and Drums, B.J. Cole on Pedal Steel Guitar with John and Terry Williams on Bass and Drums respectively)

15. Choo Choo Ch' Boogie – CHILLI WILLI AND THE RED HOT PEPPERS (from the November 1974 UK Debut LP "Bongos Over Balham" on Mooncrest CREST 21 – a cover of a Louis Jordan Forties R&B hit – band featured Philip "Snakefingers" Lithman on Guitars, Bob Andrews on Keyboards who became a member of Graham Parker's band The Rumour and Pete Thomas who would join Elvis Costello in The Attractions – Backing Vocals by Carol Grimes of Uncle Dog, Jacqui McShee of Pentangle, British Blues singer Jo Ann Kelly and Sophie Israel)

16. Surrender To The Rhythm – BRINSLEY SCHWARZ (from the October 1972 UK LP "Nervous On The Road" on United Artists UAS 29374 – song written by Nick Lowe who was in the band at the time)

17. When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease – ROY HARPER (from his eighth UK album "HQ" released August 1975 in the UK on Harvest Records SHSP 4086 – musicians included Steve Broughton of The Edgar Broughton Band, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Bill Bruford of King Crimson and Chris Spedding)

CD4 The Monstrous Regiment (68:44 minutes, 17 Tracks)

1. Solo – SANDY DENNY (from her 3rd solo album "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" – released June 1974 in the UK on Island ILPS 9258 and May 1974 in the USA on Island Records SW-9340 – band featured Ian Armit of John Baldry's Hoochie Coochie Men, Dave Pegg of Mr. Fox, Danny Thompson of Pentangle, Alan Skidmore of Centipede and Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath, John "Rabbit" Bundrick of Free, Crawler and The Who, William "Diz" Disley with Jerry Donahue, Pat Donaldson with Trevor Lucas, Dave Mattacks and Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay – String Arrangements by Harry Robinson)

2. The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan – MARIANNE FAITHFULL (from the album "Broken English" – released October 1979 in the UK on Island Records M1 and in the USA on Island ILPS 9570)

3. Love Is A Rose – LINDA RONSTADT (from the September 1975 US LP "Prisoner In Disguise" on Asylum 7E-143 and in the UK on Asylum SYLA 8761 (reissued June 1976 on Asylum K 53015) – written by Neil Young, features Herb Pedersen on Banjo, Herb Connor on Harmonica of The New Kingston Trio with Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon on Shaker)

4. Anticipation – CARLY SIMON (from her second solo studio LP "Anticipation" released November 1971 in the USA on Elektra Records EKS-76015 and December 1971 in the UK on Elektra K 42101 – features Jim Ryan of The Critters on Guitar)

5. Down To Zero – JOAN ARMATRADING (from her third LP "Joan Armatrading" – released August 1976 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64588 and September 1976 in the USA on A&M SP-4588 – Track features Graham Lyle of Gallagher & Lyle on 12-String Guitar, Peter Wood of Natural Gas on Piano, B.J. Cole of Cochise on Pedal Steel Guitar and Kenney Jones of Small Faces, Faces and The Who on Drums)

6. Heart Like A Wheel – KATE and ANNA McGARRIGLE (from their January 1976 US Debut LP "Kate And Anna McGarrigle" on Warner Bros BS 2862 and March 1976 in the UK on Warner Bros K 56218 – all instruments by the McGarrigle’s – song had been covered by Linda Ronstadt in 1974 who named an entire album after the song)

7. Gringo En Mexico – MARIA MULDAUR (from her November 1974 US Second Studio LP "Waitress In A Doughnut Shop" on Reprise Records MS 2194 and November 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 54025 – song written by Wendy Waldman – Guitar by Lowell George of Little Feat with Tommy Tedesco and Dennis Budmir of The Wrecking Crew on Requinto Guitar and Guitar respectively)

8. Mad Mad Me – WENDY WALDMAN (from her June 1974 second studio LP "Gypsy Symphony" on Warner Bros BS 2792 – Wendy on Solo Piano)

9. Love Woke Me Up This Morning – VALERIE SIMPSON 

10. Night Out – ELLEN FOLEY (from her June 1979 US debut LP "Nightout" on Epic/Cleveland International Records JE 36052 and Epic S EPC 83718 – ex-Meat Loaf band - written by Philip Rambow – tracks features Mick Ronson on Guitar with Ian Hunter on Backing Vocals)

11. Two Fisted Love – PHOEBE SNOW (from her March 1976 US second studio LP "Second Childhood" on Columbia PC 33952 and March 1976 in the UK on CBS Records S 81162 – track includes Hugh McCracken on Acoustic Guitar, John Tropea on Electric Guitar with a Sax Solo by David Sanbourn)

12. Gladly Give You My Hand – LINDA LEWIS (from her October 1972 US Second LP "Lark" on Reprise Records MS 2120 and on Reprise Records K 44208 in the UK – LP co-produced by Jim Creagan)

13. Face Of Appalachia – VALERIE CARTER (from her May 1977 US Debut LP "Just A Stone's Throw Away" on Columbia PC 34155, June 1977 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 81958 – song written by Lowell George of Little Feat and John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful – much of Little Feat play on the album as does Jackson Browne as does Jeff Porcaro of Toto and John Hall of Orleans along with many others)

14. Hammond Song – THE ROCHES (from their June 1979 US LP "The Roches" on Warner Bros BSK 3298, Warner Bros K 56683 in the UK – the three harmonizing ladies are Maggie, Suzzy and Terre Roche - Robert Fripp of King Crimson plays Guitar and Produces with Tony Levin on Bass(long-time member of Peter Gabriel's band) and former member of Colosseum)

15. Early Morning Song – BRIDGET ST. JOHN  (from her second studio LP "Songs For The Gentle Man" released in the UK February 1971 on Dandelion Records S DAN 8007 and 1971 in the USA on Elektra EKS-74104 – Produced by Ron Geesin)

16. The Kiss – JUDEE SILL (from her second studio LP "Heart Food" released March 1973 in the USA on Asylum SD 5063 and April 1973 in the UK on Asylum SYL 9006)

17. The Dimming Of The Day/Dargai – RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON (from their third album (Richard Thompson's fourth) "Pour Down Like Silver" - released November 1975 in the UK and USA on Island Records ILPS 9348)

The Hardback DigiBook look and feel is a format I like - even if the built-in pouches that contain the CDs in each leaf (front and back) make it impossible to extract the disc without finger-marking it or scuffing the bugger. The attached booklet is smart – the album sleeves pictured by themselves on one page to the left with his text on each song to the right. There are songwriter credits, year of release, but no catalogue numbers or more importantly – musician personnel. His comments are often personal and not to do with what studio equipment was better than what. At times he illuminates on the details (the Robert Palmer album had both The Meters and Little Feat uncredited as his backing band in New Orleans) – but there are other times on say the Valerie Carter and Phoebe Snow tracks wher we have an array of playing talent that I feel punters would want to know about (so I put them in – each entry – one by one). But - despite Hepworth's sometimes frustratingly oblique notes – you then read the Roy Harper entry at the end of CD3 and the Sandy Denny one that opens CD4 – and our Dave nails it. Emotional singers touching their listeners – not necessarily with dexterity or prowess but with heart – singing about themes that are deeply personal – and therefore it comes across - you feel it and the day/your heart is won.

PHIL KINRADE has done the Mastering and apart from say the Dave Edmunds track that sounds like its tape-wobbling (deliberately recorded that way to ape the old R&R sound) – the Audio is great – clean and clear – and in the case of stuff licensed from Universal – remastered and kicking (there is also a 73-Track Volume 2 from February 2025 called More Deep 70s…). This is a nice-looking set – but it’s all about the lesser-trodden tunes…

CD1 and CD2: The theme of Young Americans promises a lot but for me CD1 is the weakest of the four. Edsel asked Hepworth to look at the off-the-beaten and leave common choices alone – he agreed. But too much of Disc 1 is second-rate Yacht Rock and LP choices that are good rather than great. To the good stuff - highlights include the fantastic Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett cover of the Dave Mason solo track "Only You Know And I Know" which is set up by the drunk and dirty stomach-rumbling workingman angst of "Payday" by Jesse Winchester (Robbie Roberston of The Band producing with Todd Rundgren (still with Nazz) as the Producer). Gorgeous is the only word to use for "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" by Danny O'Keefe (and beautifully produced too – fab audio). But yuck like Andy Pratt, Michael Franks, Amazing Rhythm Aces, and The Sanford-Townsend Band are non-nos for me. I also thought regarding Big Star, Little Feat, Warren Zevon and Hall & Oates - there were better choices like say "September Gurls", "Easy To Slip", "Tenderness On The Block" and "When The Morning Comes". I found the Loudon Wainwright track downright creepy and the Nesmith finisher laughably bad, but I loved the T-Bone Burnett lyrics-sinister in The Alpha Band song "Interviews" - a genius choice and an LP that was literally ignored when I worked the counters for 20-years (no one gave a shit about that album).

CD2 goes the Blues route and I loved the mixture of Moon Martin's "Cadillac Walk" (done by Willy DeVille as MinkDeville on his "Carbretta" debut LP) followed by the fabulous slide guitar Confederate boogie of Don Nix which is turn is followed by a horny Tim Buckley in stunning form on his "Move With Me". ZZ Top, Geils, Thorogood and Johnny Winter all keep the Blues modernised but respectful - while Montrose goes serious riffage with "Rock Candy". But the Atlanta Ryhtm Section and Paul Butterfield's Better Days selections are weedy at best - saved only the neck-jerking boogie of Canned Heat and Status Quo finding their groove. I know the Eddie & The Hot Rods variant of Bob Seger's fab commie-bashing quickie "Get Out Of Denver" is full of piss 'n' vinegar and reminds our Dave of Dingwalls - but I still feel Bob Seger's original is way better. And why only 16-tracks and a sub 70-minutes playing time? 

CD3: Disc Three opens with a killer four-in-a-row – Ronnie Lane beguiling as always with the Slim Chance gem "Bye And Bye (Gonna See The King)" – also a B-side to the fab "Poacher" on GM Records (I wish DH had put "Tin And Tambourine" on CD4 in lieu of lesser tracks). That is followed by the most beautiful Family ballad that still makes me mush - "My Friend The Sun" – and the fantastic Judas Iscariot vocals of Murray Head on his "Say It Ain’t So Joe". Then to rockers Be Bop Deluxe as a preliminary to the change over from Rock into Prog into New Wave. Clever also to include the huge shadow The Byrds and their jangle cast over every jingly-jangly power-pop act – The Records and their breezy "Starry Eyes" offers up lightness after the riffage of The Motors and their Rock-staddles-Prog "Dancing The Night Away" – a million miles away from their "Airport" pop hit that would put them on the chart maps forever. Genius choice too must go to Mike Patto and his Ollie Halsall guitar-led band Patto. Hepworth finds "Singing The Blues On Reds" from their forgotten 1972 Island Records album "Roll 'Em Smoke 'Em Put Out Another Line" – a jerky vibe number that accurately reflects the nerve jitters of the road – stopping by roadhouse cafes – tea and sachets and ketchup on chips - sleeping in stained hotel beds. I was never sure about the two Sharks albums – but the druggy "World Park Junkies" is a Be Bop Deluxe almost Naughty Rhythms weary tune – the hi-hat speed beat feeling like an arm itch as Chris Spedding flicks that guitar while frontman Snips sounds like Joe Cocker in need of rehab real soon. The sleaze continues with Jess Roden getting almost illegally fruity with "You Can Leave Your Hat On" – a fantastic chugger that sounds like a more brassed-up Sensational Alex Harvey band as Jess explains how his ladies attributes make wrong things right. 

Cannot be rational about Terry Reid and his third album "River" – supposed to have been his big Atlantic Records break out. The funky slide-guitar of "Dean" is so cool (David Lindley sexily on the restrained money) – and then there is the voice of Terry Reid that could have fronted Led Zeppelin – wow. Not surprisingly Hepworth follows the Rock-Funk of Reid in 1973 with Robert Palmer in 1974 ably supported by The Meters and Little Feat on the ooh-ooh "How Much Fun" (the signature Lowell George slide comes sliding in over the ladies singing the title and ooh-ooh). Time to slow things down with another smart choice – an Ian Hunter strummed mid-tempo ballad (instead of a rocker) from their best 1973 album "Mott" – Hunter articulating young love that I so strong the young chap wants to join or be her family in "I Wish I Was Your Mother" (dig that lonesome Springsteen-ish Harmonica). The watery grave of "Polly On The Shore" by Fairport Convention is the kind of Folk-Rock attempt that did naught for me then – same now. Time to old-time boogie – Dave Edmunds purposely recording his cover of the Chuck Berry Chess Records classic "The Promised Land" like it’s in a watery closet (good but not great). A functional Louis Jordan cover comes in from Chili Willi And The Red Hot Peppers that again feels out-of-place. Far better is Nick Lowe and that fantastic sound he gets – this time with Brinsley Schwarz. Cherry Red literally named a 3CD Clamshell Box Set on Pub Rock after the song - "Surrender To The Rhythm" (see separate review). CD3 finishes on a magisterial note – Roy Harper singing the praises of day-is-done willow-wood sportsmen in his 7:23 minute-long "When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease". There is something about English singers – Ronnie Lane – Terry Reid – Joe Cocker – they get this gorgeous melody going and you are soon in floods – the moment that the Colliery band kicks in – you will be the same. 

"Nine" was Fairport Convention's second album to feature Trevor Lucas as the main singer instead of Richard Thompson who had jumped ship for a solo career that would ignite properly the following year with his and his wife's fab album "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" (see Track 17 on Disc 4). "Polly On The Shore" is a Dave Pegg tune that incorporates Traditional Lyrics and an arrangement from Trevor Lucas. Again, it seems like a lacklustre choice – I recall their ninth platter coming and going in 1973 without so much as a howdy-doody – not helped by its extraordinarily dull artwork and the feeling that something was missing with both the leading warmth of Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny have gone the solo route (also on Island Records). 

CD4: Sandy Denny's third album after Fairport and Fotheringay was recorded in August 1973 and scheduled for an October release in that year but due to contractual issues – it didn't show until June of 1974. And instead of Folk or Folk Rock or genres thereabouts – its contents surprised. Different tones or not (old timey tunes) – her emotional turmoil and relationship hardships came aching through the plaintive and heart-raw "Solo" which opened the LP on Side 1. Complete with Harry Robinson String Arrangements – you could fry eggs on its heartbreak. Like John Martyn, Sandy would elicit hero-worship for this kind of honesty and her gift of connection with the enthralled listener (Joni and Dylan did the same on their best stuff in 1973, 1974 and especially 1975). Another singer with her heart on a ship out in the ocean is Anna McGarrigle of the McGarrigle sisters – her "Heart Like A Wheel" shimmering by the docks – a human being wrecked on the docks as the ship of love sails away. Linda Ronstadt had brought it world attention in 1974 for her last album for Capitol Records – naming the entire LP after the song. You can’t help thinking that more of that earthy Kate and Anna McGarrigle 1976 debut album should have been used on other discs. 

Cleverly follow up that song with a follow-up. After the smash of "Midnight At The Oasis" on her debut album in 1973, Maria Muldaur saw her second album in 1974 – the wittily entitled "Waitress In A Doughnut Shop" - not receive nearly the same love. But others have raved – tis a grower. Lowell George is credited as playing Guitar on the Wendy Waldman song but you can barely notice. Hepworth follows the Muldaur song with the second Waldman Song "Mad Mad Me" that Muldaur had recorded on the Doughnut LP – here in her own sparse and emotionally loaded piano-only version from her lesser-seen "Gypsy Symphony" album from 1974. Another quietly magisterial ballad comes surprisingly from Valerie Carter – her countrified cover of "Face Of Appalachia" by Lowell George (Little Feat) and John Sebastian (Lovin Spoonful) a fabulous choice. The Roches ladies had done their backing-vocals time with Paul Simon on his magnificent third solo album as far back as 1973 - "There Goes Rhymin' Simon". The cooly different yet strangely unsettling vocal harmonizing of "The Roches" mesmerizes for 5:45 minutes. 

We are then hit with two lady stunners on CD4 – one British and one American. Bridget St. John and Judee Sill feel like the softer sisters of John Martin and Tim Buckley – Bridget giving us the plaintive acoustic "Early Morning Song" which at only 1:57 minutes is over way too soon. No such melodrama restraint for the heroic Judee Sill who turns on the piano and string arrangements power with her gorgeous song "The Kiss". There is footage of her at a Grand Piano on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1973 plugging the 1973 Asylum Records second album "Heart Food" that no one bought. Like Nick Drake, it is shocking with over 50-years distance that such obvious brilliance was not taken to heart by the public, but as Hepworth rightly states, Sill was just one of many women releasing so many belter-albums in the Seventies that it was easy to get lost in the stampede for bigger names like Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Melanie. CD4 ends in Linda Thompson singing of a house, falling-down around her ears in the plaintive etched-out-of-traditional-songs "Dimming Of The Day/Dargai" - drowning in a river of tears - needing you at the dimming of the day. I've loved this love song and ballad for near-50 years now and it still makes me shiver. And about four minutes in - it suddenly ends and goes into the three-minute-plus acoustic instrumental "Dargai" - magical stuff.

It's so easy I know to slag off someone else's choices and come up with paradise-bound alternatives (I tried an Alternate CD1 of my own and it was way too hard) - I acknowledge that. But in the main - "Deep 70s...Volume 1" peep into the bowels and pant-girth passages of yesteryear yields way more goodies that Thomas Crapper blockers. David Hepworth's "Deep 70s..." has way more going for it than many a multi-disc Box Set that I own that I don't play anymore (I do this one). 

So, given everybody's eclectic pennyworth of demands regarding must-have inclusions - it's a minor miracle the compiler pleased so many. And you have tip-a-hat at Dave for bringing our attention to names and songs that deserved better.

Dig in deep indeed and enjoy...now to baggy trousers door number two...

"Imagination/I Feel A Song/2nd Anniversary/The One And Only…" by GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS – October 1973, November 1974, October 1975 and August 1978 US LPs on Buddah Records (November 2025 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 4LPs Digitally Remastered onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…I'm Leaving On A Midnight Train To Georgia…"

Sales-wise, Soft Soul in the Seventies did well. But who remembers even half of it? Dopes like me maybe!?

It is amazing to think in 2026 that few people would even know US Soul giants Gladys Knight & The Pips – or that they clocked up no less than six number one albums on the US R&B LP charts. Not two – not four – but six. And this is back in a day when real sales numbers were needed to achieve anything above Top Ten.

Two of the four platters on offer here hit that top stop - "Imagination" in late 1973 (armed with the huge Jim Weatherly-penned Countryfied crossover hit "Midnight Train To Georgia") and "I Feel A Song" in the winter of 1974 - also armed with another 45 numero uno - "I Feel A Song (In My Heart)". The talking tale of down-south goings-on Georgia also hit No.1 on the Pop charts. Their first LP for Buddah Records stayed on chart for over a year (53 weeks). The other two studio albums had to settle for a mere No.4 and No.30 chart placing in 1975 and 1978 (GK & The Pips were made Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees in 1996 – 30 years back).

And yet - when I worked the second-hand counters at Reckless Records in Islington and Soho for over twenty years – Soft Soul Seventies groups like The Manhattans or The Detroit Spinners or The Stylistics and Gladys Knight on either Motown or Buddah were notorious sales no-no's for us. Records like these were strictly pound fodder and one quick glance at Discogs LP offerings and you will see that not a lot has changed some fifty-plus years later. 

But – that is not to say that there's no class nor gems here – there is and a few cool surprises too - quality folks like Carole King, Bill Withers, Burt Bacharach, Eugene McDaniels and Van McCoy as guests. And that's where this fab-sounding stacked twofer CD compilation comes in (4LPs Remastered onto 2CDs) – part of BGO's exploration of Philly Soul, Funk and Jazz Funk (see list of 9 below). To the details…

UK released Friday, 27 February 2026 - "Imagination/I Feel A Song/2nd Anniversary/The One And Only…" by GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS on Beat Goes On BGOCD1567 (Barcode 5017261215673) is a 37-Track Compilation that offers Four Seventies Albums Remastered across 2CDs and plays out as follows:

CD1 (76:44 minutes, 19 Tracks):

1. Midnight Train To Georgia [Side 1]

2. I've Got To Use My Imagination

3. Storms Of Troubled Times

4. Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

5. Once In A Lifetime Thing

6. Where Peaceful Waters Flow [Side 2]

7. I Can See Clearly Now

8. Perfect Love

9. Window Raisin' Granny

Tracks 1 to 9 are their studio album "Imagination" – released October 1973 in the USA on Buddah BDS 5141 and August 1974 in the UK on Buddah 2318 013. Produced by RICHIE WISE, TONY CAMILLO and KENNY KERNER – it peaked at No.1 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts in late 1973 (no chart UK)

10. I Feel A Song (In My Heart) [Side 1]

11. Love Finds Its Own Way

12. Seconds

13. The Goings Up And The Coming Down

14. The Way We Were/Try To Remember

15. Better You Go Your Way [Side 2]

16. Don't Burn Down The Bridge

17. The Need To Be

18. Tenderness Is His Way

Tracks 10 to 18 are their studio album "I Feel A Song" – released November 1974 in the USA on Buddah BDS 5612 and May 1975 in the UK on Buddah BDLP 4030. Produced by RICHIE WISE, TONY CAMILLO, BILL WITHERS, BURT BACHARACH, GLADYS KNIGHT and more – it peaked at No.1 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts in late 1974 and No.20 in the UK LP charts. 

19. Money [Track 1 on Side 1]

Track 19 is the first song on Side 1 of the album "2nd Anniversary" (see CD2 Tracks 1 to 8 for details)

CD2 (79:12 minutes, 18 Tracks):

1. Street Brother [Track 2 on Side 1]

2. Part Time Love

3. At The End There's A Beginning

4. Georgia On My Mind

5. You And Me Against The World [Side 2]

6. Where Do I Put His Memory

7. Summer Sun

8. Feel Like Makin' Love 

Tracks 19 on CD1 and Tracks 1 to 8 on CD2 are their studio album "2nd Anniversary" – released October 1975 in the USA on Buddah BDS 5639 and October 1975 in the UK on Buddah BDLP 4038. Produced by EUGENE McDANIELS, KENNY KERNER and RICHIE WISE – it peaked at No.4 on the US Billboard R&B LP charts (no chart UK). 

9. Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right [Side 1]

10. Come Back And Finish What You Started

11. All The Time

12. It's A Better Than Good Time

13. Butterfly

14. The One And Only [Side 2]

15. Saved By The Grace Of Your Love

16. Don't Say No To Me Tonight

17. Be Yourself

18. What If I Should Ever Need You

Tracks 9 to 18 are their studio-album "The One And Only…" – released August 1978 in the USA on Buddah BDS 5701 and May 1978 in the UK on Buddah Records BDLP 4051 (their eighth and final album for Buddah Records). Produced by RICHIE WISE, TONY CAMILLO, VAN McCOY, MICHAEL MASSER and more – it peaked at No.30 in the US Billboard R&B LP charts (didn't chart UK). Note: the British LP reversed sides – Tracks 14 to 18 are Side, Tracks 9 to 13 are Side 2

The audio you get is TOP NOTCH – Remasters by long-time Sound Engineer for Beat Goes On/BGO – ANDREW THOMPSON. The 24-page booklet inside the card slipcase features all original artwork and a new info-jam-packed history/appraisal of the Motown escapees by admired Jazz & Soul writer CHARLES WARING. Waring smartly lets the lady do the talking in-between the multitude of factoids – quoting extensively from an Autobiography and online accounts (referenced). Gladys states in a 1997 interview that leaving Tamla and Berry Gordy (despite assurances from many that it was a commercially suicidal move) turned out to be the making of her and her gang of four. And on the evidence of the lurve on display here that touched a chord with Soul and R&B lovers around the globe, she was right. To the music…

Whether their albums are worth anything now, back in the mid-Seventies day, England had a thing about Gladys Knight & The Pips on Buddah Records (even when their releases were up to a year after their American counterparts). They landed a lot of seven-inch 45-singles on the UK Pop charts (and past 1977 too). Here are just seven - up first (as far as this set is concerned) is a cover of the Barbra Streisand film tearjerker "The Way We Were – Try To Remember" – it went to No.4 in April 1975 (Buddah BDS 428). The upbeat "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me" hit a very groovy No.7 in August 1975 (Buddah BDS 432) - but "Part Time Love" stalled at No.30 (Buddah BDS 438). Seems odd now too that such a huge Stateside smash as "Midnight Train To Georgia" (Number 1 on both the R&B and Pop charts) should only make No.10 in Blighty (May 1976 on Buddah BDS 444). Apparently, the Jim Weatherly song originally referenced the city of Houston and a plane instead of railways. Gladys liked neither and after a call to him, Jim kindly changed the lyrics to suit city and mode of transport - and a Soul classic was born. 

"The One And Only…" album arrived in English shops in May 1978 – three months before its US release. To pre-empt that - Buddah put out the title track one month before and were rewarded with an April 1978 No.32 on Buddah BDS 470. Two more from the record followed - "Come Back And Finish What You Started" in June 1978 on Buddah BDS 473 that broke the top twenty, finally landing at No.15, while "It's A Better Than Good Time" would become her last UK chart entry of that decade – Buddah BDS 478 managing only 59 in September 1978.

The "I Feel A Song" LP has a barmaid array of sexy names attached to it – big in my books is Bill Withers writing and producing two exclusives - "Better You Go Your Way" and "Tenderness Is His Way". They are as sweet as you would expect from the Lovely Day balladeer. The mighty Sundance smoocher himself Burt Bacharach provides an unreleased tune he wrote with screenplay genius Neil Simon (dropped from a solo project) in the shape of "Seasons" – very tasty. Both Bubba Knight and William Guest (two of The Pips) get to shine too vocally and are co-producers on an array of tunes. The "2nd Anniversary" album (named after two years with believers Buddah) features a stellar guest list - musicians include George Duke on Synths, Hugh McCracken, Richard Resnicoff and Rusty Young (Pedal Steel on Track 6) on Guitars, Kenny Asher on Keyboards with Ralph MacDonald and Steve Gadd on Percussion and Drums. 

Country songwriter Jim Weatherly provides the lion-share of songs for their 1973 US Buddah Records debut "Imagination" (after a breakaway from an unappreciative Motown). Gladys is quoted extensively from her autobiography regarding Motown in the liner notes and their unseemly Supreme habit of not pushing her or her band. In fact, Bubblegum Pop and Novelty tunes Buddah Records was not seen as anyone's first choice – Rock or otherwise - so the Art Kass and Artie Ripp's-formed indie label Buddah signing a known class act like Gladys Knight was a big deal (they came out of Kama Sutra Records in the late Sixties). And Knight enthuses - Buddah treated her right – allowing artistic freedom. The hits soon started piling up and from what Gladys states – the warmth was reciprocal (Cars, Tours financed, TV spots arranged, constant profiling in the industry). Their "Imagination" LP turned up in Blighty almost a whole year later and with the "Midnight Train To Georgia" song leading the charge as its opener on Side 1 - made an impact in England too.

Her cover of the Johnny Nash classic "I Can See Clearly Now" is excellent as is the Barry Goldberg/Gerry Goffin exclusive contribution "I've Got To Use My Imagination". It was meant for Carole King apparently - but got to Gladys instead – and (no pun intended) the song had legs and turned up in 1994 as a very popular choice on the Forrest Gump soundtrack. Soul and Disco guru Van McCoy turns up on "The One And Only…" album in production credits, but he also arranged and contributed the song "Be Yourself" and co-wrote the popular hit "Come Back And Finish What You Started". GK was indeed "Saved By The Grace Of Your Love".

This kind of smooth sultry Seventies Soul might be out-of-fashion a tad – but her voice, the great backing, the tunes and upbeat messaging – all still hold sway with so many lovers. Like The Manhattans twofer in this Series, I enjoyed this Gladys Knight & The Pips 4LPs-onto-2CDs compilation way more than I had anticipated and for fans there is the dense annotation and great audio to look forward to.

Another winner amongst nine listed below for England's BGO...

Soul/Funk/Disco/Fusion and Jazz Titles in the 

Beat Goes On (BGO) Records 'Four Albums On Two Discs' Series

UK issued 2CD Compilations in a Card Slipcase with Remasters

1. GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS - "Imagination/I Feel A Song/2nd Anniversary/The One And Only…"

Four US Albums originally issued on Buddah Records in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1978

UK released 27 February 2026 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1567 (Barcode 5017261215673)

2. RAMSEY LEWIS - "Funky Serenity/Ramsey Lewis’ Newly Recorded, Al-Time, Non-Stop Golden Hits/Solar Wind/Sun Goddess"

Four US Albums originally issued 1973 (two) and 1974 (two) on Columbia Records

UK released 18 May 2018 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1335 (Barcode 5017261213358)

3. RAMSEY LEWIS - "Legacy/Ramsey/Live At The Savoy/Chance Encounter"

Four US Albums originally issued 1978, 1979 and two in 1982 on Columbia Records

UK released 30 March 2018 on Beat Goes On BGOCD1330 (Barcode 5017261213303)

4. THE MANHATTANS - "There's No Me Without You/That's How Much I Love You/The Manhattans/It Feels So Good"

Four US Albums originally issued on Columbia Records in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977

UK released 21 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1557 (Barcode 5017261215574) 

5. BUDDY MILES EXPRESS/BUDDY MILES

"Expressway To Your Skull/Electric Church/Them Changes/We Got To Live Together"

Four US Albums originally issued 1968, 1969 and Two in 1970 on Mercury Records

UK released 7 January 2022 (delayed from November 2021), Beat Goes On BGOCD1468 (Barcode 5017261214683)

6. THE O'JAYS - "Back Stabbers/Ship Ahoy/Survival/Family Reunion"

Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1972, 1973 and 1975

UK released 21 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1563 (Barcode 5017261215635)

7. BILLY PAUL – "Ebony Woman/Going East/360 Degrees Of Billy Paul/War Of The Gods"

Four US Albums originally issued on Neptune and Philadelphia International Records in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973

UK released 7 November 2025, Beat Goes On BGOCD1561 (Barcode 5017261215611)

8. LOU RAWLS - "All Things In Time/Unmistakably Lou/When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All/Let Me Be Good To You"

Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1976, Two in 1977 and One in 1979

UK released 3 October 2025, Beat Goes on BGOCD1560 (Barcode 5017261215604)

9. DEXTER WANSEL - "Life On Mars/What The World Is Coming To/Voyager/Time Is Slipping Away"

Four US Albums originally issued on Philadelphia International Records in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979

UK released 10 March 2023, BGOCD1490 (Barcode 5017261214904)