"Gonna Take A Miracle" by LAURA NYRO and LABELLE – November 1971 US Fifth LP on Columbia Records (Entirely Cover Versions) – Labelle featured Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash – Produced by Kenneth Gambel and Leon Huff with String Arrangements by Tom Bell – All of Philadelphia International fame (June 2002 US Columbia/Legacy Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Four Bonus Tracks – Mark Wilder, Ellen Fitton and Seth Foster Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Soulful And Heartfelt…"

When I worked the counters at Reckless Records in Soho, London and their Islington branch - Laura Nyro and her high-pitched voice was always a Marmite listen for punters – you either loved it or you needed to leave the room. Here in 2026, five and half decades after these albums - Nyro is still something of an unsung hero amongst aficionados.

But I'd argue that her quietly joyous collaboration with the Soul-Trio Labelle in 1971 (under the supervision and production chops of Gamble & Huff and Tom Bell arrangements - all three pre their Philadelphia International Records fame with The O'Jays, Harold Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass and MFSB) produced an all-covers-album corker that deserves reappraisal – an LP that seems to eternally languish in the forgotten racks of yesteryear - and "Gonna Take A Miracle" should not. 

And as if to reinforce her legend, those natty dudes over at Columbia/Sony have only gone and unearthed four previously unreleased and astonishingly good live renditions with Laura at her Piano in front of a rapturous crowd (May 1971 at Fillmore East in the Village Area of New York). Out there on her own, Nyro holds the rockers enrapt with Rock-Soulful covers – impressive. Let's get to the details…

US released 25 June 2002 - "Gonna Take A Miracle" by LAURA NYRO and LABELLE on Columbia/Legacy CK 85762 (Barcode 886977077227) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks (Previously Unreleased Live Recordings) that plays out as follows (41:49 minutes):

1. I Met Him On A Sunday (1:49 minutes) [Side 1]
2. The Bells (2:59 minutes)
3. Monkey Time/Dancing In The Street (4:54 minutes)
4. Desiree (1:50 minutes)
5. You've Really Got A Hold On Me (4:04 minutes)
6. Spanish Harlem (2:51 minutes) [Side 2]
7. Jimmy Mack  (2:55 minutes)
8. The Wind (2:53 minutes)
9. Nowhere To Run (5:02 minutes)
10.It's Gonna Take A Miracle (3:22 minutes)
Tracks 1 to 10 are her fifth studio album "Gonna Take A Miracle" – released November 1971 in the US on Columbia KC 30987 and in the UK on CBS Records S 64770 – Produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff - 

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (0:58 minutes) segues into Track 12
12. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (3:00 minutes)
13. O-o-h Child (1:30 minutes) – segues into Track 14
14. Up On The Roof (3:11 minutes)
Tracks 11 to 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED live recordings recorded 30 May 1971 at the Fillmore East, New York with Laura Nyro unaccompanied on Piano. Track 11 is an Ashford & Simpson song made famous by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1968 on Tamla
Track 12 is a Carole King & Gerry Goffin song made famous by Aretha Franklin in 1967
Track 13 is a Five Stairsteps Soul song from 1970 written by Stan Vincent
Track 14 is a Carole King & Gerry Goffin song made famous by The Drifters in 1964 on Atlantic Records

Musicians:
LAURA NYRO – Lead Vocals and Piano
LABELLE – Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash
ROLAND CHAMBERS and NORMAN HAINES – Guitars
LENNY PAKULA – Organ
RONNIE BAKER – Bass
LARRY WASHINGTON and NYDIA MATA – Congas, Bongos
VINCE MONTANA – Percussion
JIM KELTNER – Drums
TOM BELL, LENNY PAKULA and ROBERT MANN – Strings and Arrangements

A team of three trusted names handled the audio – ELLEN FITTON and SETH FOSTER (Engineering) with MARK WILDER (Mastering) – and having played compromised LPs from 1971 for years – the virtually hiss-less clarity they have achieved is shockingly lovely. The sound is not dead but warm and inviting – not compressed but alive. Suddenly their vocals on the gorgeous Marvin Gaye associated Originals song "The Bells" at 1:52 minutes combined with the strings is breathtaking (Patti letting rip too). The 8-page booklet has a short introduction to the LP and its making by AMY LINDEN explaining Nyro worshiping at the altar of Patti LaBelle's lung power – Gamble & Huff at the controls pre-Philly-fame. There are lovely photos, songwriter credits (no lyrics) and Reissue Credits and even a Previously Unused LP mock-up on the last page that was quite right rejected (hideous stuff). It is odd though that the LP issue date is not mentioned (let alone catalogue number) or which song was originally done by who on a whole album dealing with cover versions, but the real fireworks comes with the sound. Songs...

Her fifth album "Gonna Take A Miracle" from Nov 1971 opens with hand-claps and voices - Nyro and Labelle giving in some Acapella Shirelles for their 1958 '…dated him on Tuesday, kissed him on Thursday, he didn’t come Friday…' tale of teenage woe - "I Met Him On A Sunday". Such a cool scene-setting and at only 1:49 minutes it then segues into the sublime – a soft piano and her impassioned vocals for the Marvin Gaye gem (when he was with The Originals, a January 1970 US 45 for them on Soul Records) "The Bells". Even when it ends and heads out with that quiet passage, the Remaster keeps it sweetly unencumbered. Just a beautiful rendition.

Time to bop y'all with a double dose of Mayfield and Motown magic – the Curtis Mayfield written Major Lance hit vs. a Martha & The Vandellas smash - "Monkey Time/Dancing In The Street" meshed into one frantic bopper. But it's at this point that I think (others disagree) the whole project made a mistake. The double-dancer "Monkey Time/Dancing In The Street" is manic and feels too crowded. But when she goes into the less-than-two minute "Desiree" – another gorgeous slowie – you start to think that slowies is what the entire album should have been – an ultra-mellow display of entirely sweet Soul interpretations. The whole album – variants on ballads. When Gamble and Huff introduce Tom Bell strings arrangements to "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" – it really works – but then towards the end they speed up the song and kind of ruin it for me. 

Side 2 returns to conga and bass sweetness with a cover of the Ben E. King Atlantic Records hit "Spanish Harlem" – brass saunters in towards the fade out but not enough to drown or detract – a fab opening to Side 2. Time to shimmy again, "Jimmy Mack" – and you can feel the four ladies digging it as they ooh and aah their way through the hurry back lyrics (Jimmy needs to get home fast). Stunning is the only word to apply to the lonesome echo of "The Wind" – an obscure 1954 Vocal Group 45 by Nolan Strong & The Diablos on Fortune Records which Nyro and Labelle strip back to just hurting vocals. A great example of injecting Soul into something that was Doo Wop - R&B transformed into something truly beautiful. But just like "Monkey Time…" on Side 1 – the Side 2 manic moment comes with "Nowhere To Hide" – its five minutes of trade-off hollers is too much. Thankfully, they end with another smooching beauty in "It's Gonna Take A Miracle" – a 1965 Soul outing for Sheila Ross and The Royalettes on MGM Records. Then we get something spectacular…

Most Bonus Tracks never feel like bonuses – but here Legacy unearthed four live performances where Nyro and only her Piano enthrals an almost silent audience who react with wild applause in-between songs digging her 'feel so tired' emotional singing. The remaster is lovely and if I am honest, I have returned to "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" far more often than I have the faster cuts on the LP (it takes a special vocalist to take on Aretha Franklin and win). 

A very cool CD Reissue and Remaster and here in 2026 it seems inexplicable that Columbia and Legacy did not do "Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat", "First Songs" and "Smile" in 2002 – although 5 November 2025 did see a Remaster of "Smile" (from 1976) with three bonus tracks on Sony International SICP 6721 (Barcode 4547366 766165) and "Nested" (from 1978) with one bonus track on Sony International SICP 6722 (Barcode 4547366766172) as part of their 18-titles strong Hidden Gems In 70s Series. 

Perhaps one day, Laura Nyro will fill the same hipster reverential shoes as Karen Dalton, Judee Sill, Anne Briggs or Jo Ann Kelly – I hope so. In the meantime, check out why devotees speak her name with a thump in the heart and a flush on the cheek…

June 2002 LAURA NYRO CD Remasters

US Columbia/Legacy Expanded Edition CD Reissues & Remasters

1. Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (April 1968 2nd Studio LP) – CD reissue is Columbia/Legacy CK 85763 (Barcode 696998576322) – Three Bonus Tracks

2. New York Tendaberry (September 1969 3rd Studio LP) – CD reissue is Columbia/Legacy CK 85764 (Barcode 886972413822) – Two Bonus Tracks

3. Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat (November 1970, 4th LP) – not issued in this series – Early un-remastered version is CK 30259

4. Gonna Take A Miracle (November 1971, 5th LP) – CD reissue is Columbia/Legacy CK 85762 (Barcode 886977077227) – Four Bonus Tracks

NOTE: More Than A New Discovery (Jan 1967 US Debut LP on Verve Forecast Records - reissued in the 1970s on CBS Records and Columbia as First Songs),  Christmas And the Beads Of Sweat (Nov 1970) and Smile (Feb 1976, 6th LP) were NOT included in this Remaster Series.

"Now Yearbook Extra '71 - 61 More Essential Hits From 1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring John Lennon, T.Rex, Sweet, Hot Chocolate, Marmalade, The Byrds, Paul and Linda McCartney, Simon And Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Gilbert O'Sullivan, The Fantastics, Elton John, Jethro Tull, Bob Dylan (with Leon Russell and Jesse Ed Davis), Georgie Fame and Alan Price, McGuinness Flint, C.C.S (with Alexis Korner), Deep Purple, Atomic Rooster, Medicine Head, East Of Eden, Glen Campbell, Perry Como, Dana, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Honey Cone, Jackson 5, Frankie Valli, The Velvelettes, Marvin Gaye, The Pioneers, Mungo Jerry, Cat Stevens, Scott English, Four Tops, The Delfonics, The Elgins, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Chairmen Of The Board, Greyhound, Dave & Ansel Collins, The Pioneers and more (October 2026 UK Sony Music/EMI 61-Track 3CD Three Way Foldout Six-Panel Card Sleeve with 45-Single and Album Remasters – Companion Volume to the August 2026 "Now Yearbook '71" 4CD Set with 80-Tracks) – A Review by Mark Barry…

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

RATINGS: 

Overall: ****

Presentation: ***

Audio: Mostly **** to ***** (Excellent and Better Throughout)

(But There Is An Awful Mastering Error on Mungo Jerry Song on Disc 3)

"…Life Is A Long Song…"

As ever with these multiple Sony Music/EMI Yearbook releases and especially the companion EXTRA sets – 1971 presents with genius and drivel sat uncomfortably alongside each other on every disc. And this set unfortunately sports a horrible mastering error on Disc 3 when you play the truly lovely "Lady Rose" by Mungo Jerry (Track 18) – it is distorted to unlistenable. Worse, about 2:40 minutes into the song – the audio sort of returns to normal to its 3:09 end just to tease you into hearing how it should sound. It will need to be withdrawn and fixed because this is undoubtedly one of the better highlights of discovery on this 3CD 1971 set.

And thematically (fairly sure I'm not the first person to notice this) these 3-Disc Extra variants almost always feel better than their 4-disc daddies – like they are aimed at the more discerning collector and not the casual browser (28 August 2026 was the 4CD predecessor - see separate review). And this 1971 Extra is no different. Stormingly good tunes here amidst the winces – a lot to cover, on to the details…

UK released Friday, 9 October 2026 - "Now Yearbook Extra '71 – 61 More Essential Hits From 1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW71 / 0199584439228 (Barcode 199584439228) is a 61-Track 3CD Three Way Foldout Six-Panel Card Sleeve that plays out as follows (track timings from the CDs):

CD1: 71:56 minutes (21 Tracks)
1. Power To The People – JOHN LENNON / PLASTIC ONO BAND (March 1971 UK 45-single on Apple Records R 5892, A-side – 3:19 minutes)
2. Jeepster (Album Version) – T.REX (from the LP "Electric Warrior" released 24 September 1971 on Fly Records HIFLY 6 featuring Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn – the November 1971 UK 45-single was on Fly Records BUG 16 and has the same playing time as the LP cut – 4:08 minutes)
3. Alexander Graham Bell – THE SWEET (October 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2121, A-side - 2:57 minutes)
4. You Could've Been A Lady – HOT CHOCOLATE (January 1971 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 110, A-side - 3:40 minutes – featuring Errol Brown, Lead Vocals)
5. My Little One – MARMALADE (February 1971 UK 45-single on Decca Records F 13135, A-side - 3:19 minutes – co-written by Junior Campbell)
6. Chestnut Mare (Album Version) – THE BYRDS (from the November 1970 UK 2LP-set "(Untitled)" on CBS Records 66253 – there was also a January 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records 5322 with a 2:58 minutes edit – this is the full LP version at 5:08 minutes)
7. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey – PAUL and LINDA McCARTNEY (August 1971 US 45-single on Apple Records 1837, A-side – 4:42 minutes – Note: There was no UK single for this track lifted off the "Ram")
8. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) – SIMON & GARFUNKEL (September 1970 UK 45-single on CBS Records S 5172, B-side of "The Sound Of Silence" - a reissue of 1965 and 1966 tracks (1966 for Groovy) – it was issued May 1971 in Germany as the A-side on CBS Records 7169 - 1:54 minutes)
9. Moonshadow – CAT STEVENS (October 1970 UK 45-single on Island Records WIP 6092, B-side of "Father And Son" – the A-side "Father And Son" appeared on the November 1970 UK LP "Tea For The Tillerman" but its B-side (originally credited as "Moon Shadow") would not appear on LP until September 1971 on the "Teaser And The Firecat" album. But the song "Moonshadow" caught DJs and the public attention and first charted in late August 1971 hence its inclusion on this set - 2:50 minutes)
10. If You Could Read My Mind – GORDON LIGHTFOOT (February 1971 UK 45-single on Reprise Records RS 20974, A-side - 3:58 minutes)
11. I Am…I Said (Single Version) – NEIL DIAMOND (April 1971 UK 45-single on Uni Records UN 532, A-side - 3:35 minutes)
12. Rags To Riches – ELVIS PRESLEY (May 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2084, A-side - 1:56 minutes)
13. We Will – GILBERT O'SULLIVAN (July 1971 UK 45-single on MAM Records MAM 30, A-side - 3:54 minutes)
14. Something Old Something New – THE FANTASTICS (February 1971 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1141, A-side - 2:49 minutes)
15. River Deep, Mountains High (Single Version) – FOUR TOPS & THE SUPREMES (June 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 777, A-side - 3:15 minutes)
16. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) – MARVIN GAYE (June 1971 US 45-single on Tamla T 54207F, A-side – the UK 45-single was released February 1972 on Tamla Motown TMG 802 - 3:15 minutes)
17. Ready Or Not, Here I Come (I Can't Hide From Love) – THE DELFONICS (September 1971 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1175, A-side - 1:59 minutes)
18. Maybe Tomorrow – JACKSON 5 (June 1971 US 45-single on Motown M 1186F, A-side – no UK issue – 4:46 minutes)
19. Reach Out I'll Be There (Single Version) – DIANA ROSS (April 1971 US 45-single on Motown M 1184, A-side – no UK issue – 4:05 minutes)
20. Brandy – SCOTT ENGLISH (September 1971 UK 45-single on Horse HOSS 7, A-side - 3:12 minutes)
21. Who Put The Lights Out – DANA (January 1971 UK 45-single on Rex Records R 11062, A-side – 3:14 minutes)

CD2: 65:57 minutes (20 Tracks)
1. Levon (Mono Single Version) – ELTON JOHN (November 1971 US 45-single on Uni Records 55314, A-side - 4:45 minutes)
2. Life Is A Long Song – JETHRO TULL (September 1971 UK 45-single EP on Chrysalis Records WIP 6101, A-side, Track 1 of a 5-Track Extended Play EP, Lead Vocals Ian Anderson - 3:19 minutes)
3. Watching The River Flow (Single Version) – BOB DYLAN (June 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records CBS 7329, A-side – taken from the 2LP set "More Bob Dylan Greatest Hits" – 15 Old Tracks Plus Six New Ones – the A-side is one of those – features Jesse Ed Davis on Guitar with Leon Russell on Piano - 3:36 minutes)
4. Rosetta – GERGIE FAME and ALAN PRICE (March 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records S 7108, A-side – both singers are ex-The Animals - 2:46 minutes)
5. Malt And Barley Blues – McGUINNESS FLINT (April 1971 UK 45-single on Capitol Records CL 15682, A-side – Band took their name from Tom McGuinness and Bernie Flint – also in the band was songwriters Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle (who wrote this) and who would become Gallagher & Lyle – a big chart presence in the mid to late Seventies - 2:13 minutes)
6. Walking – C.C.S. (January 1971 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 109, A-side – a Donovan cover version Produced by Mickie Most, Band featuring Alexis Koerner, John Cameron and Peter Thorup – 2013 Remaster - 3:12 minutes)
7. Fireball – DEEP PURPLE (October 1971 UK 45-single on Harvest HAR 5045, A-side – 2018 Remaster - 3:23 minutes)
8. Tomorrow Night – ATOMIC ROOSTER (September 1970 UK 45-single on B&C Records CB 131, A-side – written by Vincent Crane - 3:15 minutes)
9. (And The) Pictures In The Sky – MEDICINE HEAD (May 1971 UK 45-single on Dandelion Records DAN 7003, A-side – written by John Fiddler - 2:34 minutes)
10. Jig-A-Jig – EAST OF EDEN (May 1970 UK 45-single on Deram Records DM 297, A-side – Entered the UK charts in April 1971 (almost a year after release) – Band and song features the Fiddle Playing of Dave Arbus who would go to play on the Who opener "Baba O’Riley" - 3:44 minutes)
11. Tweedle Dum Tweedle Dee – MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (August 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2110, A-side - 3:09 minutes)
12. What Have They Done To My Song Ma – MELANIE (August 1970 UK 45-single on Buddah 2011 038, B-side of "Ruby Tuesday" – 4:04 minutes)
13. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie – GERRY MONROE (April 1971 UK 45-single on Chapter One CH 144, A-side - 2:18 minutes)
14. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) – GLEN CAMPBELL (March 1971 UK 45-single on Capitol Records CL 15674, A-side – a song made famous by Roy Orbison - 2:31 minutes)
15. Candida – DAWN (July 1970 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1118, A-side – finally charted January 1971 – 3:05 minutes)
16. Las Vegas – TONY CHRISTIE (October 1970 UK 45-single on MCA Records MK 5058, A-side – charted early January 1971 - 3:23 minutes)
17. I Think Of You – PERRY COMO (April 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2075, A-side - 3:36 minutes)
18. I Will Drink The Wine (Album Version) – FRANK SINATRA (February 1971 UK 45-single on Reprise Records RS 23487, A-side - 3:28 minutes)
19. There Goes My Everything – ELVIS PRESLEY and THE IMPERIALS QUARTET (March 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2060, A-side - 2:59 minutes)
20. Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K 550 1st Movement (Allegro Molto) - WALDO DE LOS RIOS (March 1971 UK 45-single on A&M Records AMS 836, A-side – 4:25 minutes)

CD3: 61:34 minutes (20 Tracks)
1. Move On Up – CURTIS MAYFIELD (June 1971 UK 45-single on Buddah 2011 080, A-side – 2012 Remaster - 3:55 minutes)
2. We Can Work It Out – STEVIE WONDER (April 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 772, A-side – a Beatles cover version - 3:19 minutes)
3. Nathan Jones (Single Version) – THE SUPREMES (August 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 781, A-side – Lead Vocals by Jean Tyrell and Mary Wilson - 3:02 minutes)
4. Want Ads – THE HONEY CONE (May 1971 UK 45-single on Hot Wax HWX 107, A-side – Edna Wright on Lead Vocals - 2:47 minutes)
5. One Bad Apple (Album Version) – THE OSMONDS (February 1971 UK 45-single on MGM Records 2006 021, A-side – featuring Donny Osmond - 2:44 minutes)
6. Mama's Pearl (Single Version) – THE JACKSON 5 (April 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 769, A-side – Lead Vocals by Michael Jackson - 3:07 minutes)
7. I Don't Blame You At All – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES (May 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 774, A-side – 3:06 minutes)
8. Everything's Tuesday – CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD (February 1971 UK 45-single on Invictus INV 507, A-side – General Johnson on Lead Vocals - 2:49 minutes)
9. You're Ready Now – FRANKIE VALLI (November 1970 UK 45-single on Philips BF 320 226, A-side – Entered Chart December 1970 – rose to No. 11 in 1971 - 2022 Remaster - 2:17 minutes)
10. Put Yourself In My Place (Single Version) – THE ELGINS (June 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 787 – Saundra Mallet on Lead Vocals - 2:41 minutes)
11. Forgot Me Not (Single Version) – MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS (January 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 762, A-side - 2:59 minutes)
12. These Things Will Keep Me Loving You (Stereo Version) – THE VELVETTES (July 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 780, A-side – Reissue of a 1966 song originally issued October 1966 on TMG 580 – Lead Vocals by Carolyn 'Cal' Gil - 2:26 minutes)
13. Surrender – DIANA ROSS (October 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 792, A-side - 2:51 minutes)
14. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (Single Version) – MARVIN GAYE (September 1971 US 45-single on Tamla T 54209F, A-side -  May 1972 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 817, A-side - 2:59 minutes)
15. Monkey Spanner – DAVE & ANSEL COLLINS (June 1971 UK 45-single on Techniques TE 914, A-side - 3:27 minutes)
16. Black And White – GREYHOUND (May 1971 UK 45-single on Trojan Records TR 7820, A-side - 2:55 minutes)
17. Let Your Yeah Be Yeah – THE PIONEERS (July 1971 UK 45-single on Trojan Records TR 7825, A-side - 3:07 minutes)
18. Lady Rose (Single Version) – MUNGO JERRY (May 1971 UK 45-single on Dawn Records 7N 2501, A-side – Also Issued on 21 May 1971 as Track 1 of a 4-Track Lady Rose EP on Dawn Records DNX 2501 - 3:09 minutes) – see AUDIO re Mastering Error on This Track
19. Peace Train – CAT STEVENS (September 1971 US 45-single on A&M 1291-S, A-side – no UK equivalent - 4:09 minutes)
20. The Back Seat Of My Car – PAUL and LINDA McCARTNEY (August 1971 UK 45-single on Apple Records R 5867, A-side - 4:29 minutes)

With no Book versions for these follow-on 3CD sets, the six-panel fold-out card sleeves of the 1971 Extra Edition offers minimal info, a track-by-track list with no catalogue numbers or chart placings (writing credits and naught else) with the CD sat in a yellow Card Pouch. This enables a 3CD set of quality audio to be sold for a tenner. The real meat-and-potatoes however comes in the shape of fab AUDIO throughout – shockingly good – even though Remasters are only mentioned sporadically. But it must be noted that as off now (first week of release, and as already pointed out) – CD3 has an unfortunate mastering mistake on the lovely Mungo Jerry song "Lady Rose" where it is distorted to buggery for most of its Single Mix duration. Bear that in mind…to the other 60 tunes…

CD1: Fist-pumping anthem "Power To The People" by John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band opens proceedings with a Right On wallop, but I prefer a bit of glam as T.Rex get all 'Electric Warrior' on our asses with their 'Universe reclining in your hair' Jaguar grooving "Jeepster". Good but not great, I can live without The Sweet song "Alexander Graham Bell" - but I'd forgotten how sweet Errol Brown and his Hot Chocolate were with the cautionary tale of "You Could've Been A Lady". And again (as with the first 4CD set), for a release that barely mentions Remasters (let alone dates applied) - the audio is uniformly glorious on all of them (and remember, this is 1971). Next up is a genuinely clever inclusion, Junior Campbell's Marmalade getting all America-meets-Matthews Southern Comfort acoustic mellow with "My Little One". Up on the stoney ridge is Roger McGuinn with The Byrds trying to catch a "Chestnut Mare" - great tune and thankfully Yearbook have chosen the full 2LP cut at 5:08 version and not the much-derided single edit at 2:58 minutes. More beautiful audio and melody magic with Macca's superb "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" which was only a 45 in the USA and not his native Blighty (Paul & Linda McCartney chose the similarly arranged "The Back Seat Of My Car" (Track 20 over on CD3). 

Sneaking in the Sixties, Simon & Garfunkel's happiness anthem "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" first appeared in late 1966 on their "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" LP. Now Yearbook have snuck in a 1971 entry by way of it being reissued May 1971 in Germany on CBS Records (the British 1970 issue didn't chart). Whatever you look at it, it makes for a welcome warmth in your speakers. Same applies to chart-latecomer Cat Stevens and his beautiful "Moonshadow" - an October 1970 B-side release that took almost a whole year to finally chart in August 1971 as the more popular side (then came up later on the September 1971 "Teaser And The Firecat" album). Gorgeous is the only word for Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind" - an acoustic guitar, string accompaniment and his voice and lyrics slaughtering all in its path - is it any wonder Bob Dylan rated Lightfoot as a top writer (liner notes in his 1985 'Biograph' box set). I suppose you could call "I Am..I Said..." cheesy and super melodramatic - but I have always loved Neil Diamond's bombast song (leaving me lonely still) - here with gorgeous Erick Labson audio. 

Unfortunately CD1 dives off a cliff with the crock that is "Rag To Riches" by a lost in Vegas Elvis. I love Gilbert O'Sullivan but "We Will" is hard to hear now (though I know there are those who rate all his singles). Soul now starts to turn up with The Fantastics giving it the Pop-Soul of "Something Old, Something Blue" but the Four Tops and Diana Ross don't do "River Deep, Mountain High" a whole lot of good. From the awful to the sublime - Marvin Gaye gets the second of three singles from his legendary "What's Going On" album with an environmental plea - "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology Song)". Huge audio muscle follows with the darlings of Northern Soul  - The Delfonics giving it some 'gonna find you' in their "Ready Or Not Here I Come..." - great inclusion. Can live with Jackson 5's "Maybe Tomorrow" - better is "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" - Diana Ross helping us with lives filled with confusion (bit hissy at the beginning). Scott English is a clever inclusion - his "Brandy" covered by many later on - but the Dana track is awful and leaves a sour taste. 

CD2 is a tale of two cities - five stars to three - Rock first then Cheesy Easy with the Rock stuff easily the best. "Levon" from Elton's 1971 album "Madman Across The Water" was an American 45 (the now more famous song "Tiny Dancer" is on the 4CD set) and coupled with gorgeous audio for Jethro Tull's witty and brilliant "Life Is A Long Song" makes for a very cool double opener. But then I get mushy because I have always loved Bob Dylan's rocking "Watching The River Flow" - one of five new tracks on his Volume 2 'More Bob Dylan Greatest Hits' 2LP set - ably abetted on this rocker by Leon Russell on Piano and Jesse Ed Davis on Electric Slide Guitar. Bet your Mum and Dad remember all the words and catchy chorus to ex-Animals singers Alan Price and Georgie Fame doing "Rosetta" - the kind of singalong that would kick off in a pub after a few scoops. 

We're then hammered with a fantastic run of dreamy 45s - McGuinness Flint following up "When I'm Dead And Gone" with their other chart entry - "Malt And Barley Blues". The amazing C.C.S transforming a Donovan song "Walking" into a super-cool brassy groove while both Deep Purple and Atomic Rooster provide the hairy-men nits of "Fireball" and "Tomorrow Night" - stunner Rockers that amaze 55 years after the event. Two more in East of Eden and John Fiddler's Medicine Head - Dave Arbus giving it some fiddle on "Jig-A-Jig" (he would later grace "Baba O'Riley" for The Who's "Who Next" LP in August 1971) while the slightly weird Folk-Rock rhythms of Medicine Head remind you of a watered-down Gerry Rafferty - but in a good way. But the rest of the disc is inflicted with Easy Listening schlock like Gerry Monroe and Waldo De Los Rios - even the normally reliable Perry Como and Frank Sinatra letting the side down. 

CD3 returns to Soul, R&B and Reggae - opening with the fabulous "Move On Up" from Curtis Mayfield - a tune that has been lighting up clubs and dance-floors with its talcum powder grooves for nearly six decades (Curtom Records in the USA and Buddah in the UK). The Synth Funk sound that would so dominate our hearts and Stevie Wonder LPs from 1971 to 1976 begins with his funky cover of The Beatles soulful sway in "We Can Work It Out". And speaking of Tamla Motown, who is immune to the flange-pedal charm of "Nathan Jones" - The Supremes flourishing without Diana Ross - Lead Vocalists Jean Tyrell and Mary Wilson getting to triumph at last (love that tune). Love the Northern Soul Scene vibe with The Elgins, The Velvelettes and even the Four Seasons crooner Frankie Valli getting in on the act. But then we get the haunting gets-to-your-soul groove of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)" where Rockets have priority over food and homes and people. And on it goes to fab turns from Reggae guys Dave & Ansel Collins, Greyhound and The Pioneers with "Monkey Spanner" (Madness ahoy), the hope of non-segregated children playing together in "Black And White" (what a beautiful sight) and The Pioneers confused by girly signals in "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" (and your No be No now). Yearbook Extra 1971 sneaks in the popular Cat Stevens song "Peace Train" (a Stateside single) and so forth - but all of it marred by that crap Mungo Jerry mastering mistake which (had it been done properly) would have made CD3 the winner of all three. As ever, good with the bad, with good edging...

MISSING/IDEAS: fans will spot that there are kind of obvious exclusions across these three CDs for 1971 (the four-CD set that preceded it was no different - see list in that review also). This is most likely due to licensing difficulties or band blocks. Still, for info purposes, here are more missing 1971 gems - "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens, "Hold Your Head Up" by Argent, "It Don't Come Easy" by Ringo Starr, "The Story In Your Eyes" by The Moody Blues, "You've Got A Friend" by James Taylor, "Warming Up The Band" by Heads, Hands & Feet, "Jewel Eyed Judy" (US) by Fleetwood Mac, "The Shape I'm In" by The Band, "One Of These Days" by Pink Floyd, "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison, "Carey" and "California" by Joni Mitchell, "Wild Horses" (US) by The Rolling Stones or "Riders On The Storm" by The Doors. John Barry's "Diamonds Are Forever" as done by Shirley Bassey for the Bond film would have been perfect fodder here as would America and their acoustic anthem "A Horse With No Name". Obscure maybe but brill Soulful nonetheless would have been The Dramatics doing "Watcha See Is Watcha Get" or the domestic pain of "Thin Line Between Love And Hate" by The Persuaders nestled alongside dancefloor neck-jerkers like The Detroit Emeralds "Do Me Right" or Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose explaining why you must "Treat Her Like A Lady". There are loads more. The Soul stuff too seems to ponder far too much on Tamla Motown and not Stax or Atlantic who were label killing it with every 45-release in those years. And on it goes.

For sure Extra looks like crap, but you have to say that the Audio rocks throughout (apart from that horrible mastering Mungo Jerry glitch on CD3 - a great inclusion ruined which should be sorted out pronto), the good stuff is properly great and the surprises cool. 

Just be aware though of the popette schlock that accompanies Now Yearbook Extra 1971 and you will be getting it on, moving it on up and watching those rivers flow in an ecology jiffy (mercy me). Recommended...

NOW YEARBOOK '71 (1971) UK Discography

1. "Now Yearbook '71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW71 / 00199584531922 (Barcode 199584531922) – released Friday, 28 August 2026 as a 4CD 80-Track 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book

2. "Now Yearbook '71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW71 - 0199584531823 (Barcode 199584531823) – released Friday, 28 August 2026 as a 4CD 80-Track Eight-Panel Card Sleeve Standard Edition

3. "Now Yearbook '71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW71 / 0199584531717 (Barcode 099584531717) – release delayed until Friday, 2 October 2026 as a 3LP BRIGHT YELLOW VINYL Edition with 50-Tracks Truncated down from the 80-Track 4CD edition

4. "Now Yearbook Extra '71 - 61 More Essential Hits From 1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW71 / 0199584439228 (Barcode 199584439228) – released 9 October 2026 as a 3CD 61-Track Companion Volume in a Three-Panel-Gatefold Card Sleeve

"Now Yearbook '71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Elton John, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, T.Rex, Cat Stevens, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Tami Lynn, The Delfonics, The Tams, Al Green, Middle Of The Road, The Sweet, The Kinks, Neil Diamond, New Seekers, Judy Collins, Lobo, Marmalade, Olivia Newton-John, Elvis Presley, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Lynn Anderson, John Denver, Peter Noone, Cher, Dawn with Tony Orlando, Titanic, Deep Purple, Badfinger, Curved Air, The Who, Free, Redbone, Janis Joplin, Family, Three Dog Night, Mungo Jerry, Slade, Clive Dunn, C.C.S, Atomic Rooster, Bill Withers, The Elgins and many more (August 2026 UK Sony Music/EMI 80-Track 4CD Deluxe Edition Hardback Book Sleeve Version with 45-Single and Album Remasters) – A Review by Mark Barry…

Amazon UK Purchase Link for the Deluxe Edition Hardback Sleeve Version

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As ever with these 4CD Sony Music/EMI Yearbook releases – 1971 presents genius and drivel sat uncomfortably alongside each other on every disc. 

Thankfully being such a pivotal year for the Seventies – 1971 has way more good than bad - even if the stingy playing times of 58-and-64-minutes and absences on Discs 2 and 4 rancour. Here are the track-by-track details, noting remasters where they're used and playing times from the CDs (the companion volume 'Extra' Set arrives with 61 More 1971 Tracks (3CDs) on Friday, 9 October 2026 which I will also review shortly (for 1971 Now Discography, see list below)…

UK released Friday, 28 August 2026 - "Now Yearbook '71" [aka Now Yearbook 1971] by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW71 / 00199584531922 (Barcode 199584531922 ) is an 80-Track 4CD Deluxe Edition Hardback Book Version that plays out as follows (track timings from the CDs):

CD1: 70:14 minutes (20 Tracks) 
1. Your Song – ELTON JOHN (January 1971 UK 45-single on DJM Records DJS 233, A-side – 4:02 minutes)

2. Another Day – PAUL MCCARTNEY (February 1971 UK Debut Solo 45-single on Apple Records R 5889, A-side - 3:41 minutes - 2001 Remaster)

3. Maggie May (Single Version) – ROD STEWART (July 1971 UK 45-single on Mercury 6052 097, B-side of the Album Version of "Reason To Believe" (a Tim Hardin cover). The song "Maggie Mae" was originally a B-side until UK and US DJs flipped the single and began only playing "MM" which made 'Mae' the undisputed hit (it famously went to No.1 in both the USA and UK). The British single, however, was never officially issued or reissued at the time with "Maggie Mae" as the actual 'A' despite what many claim 55 years later - 3:42 minutes) - for the A-side "Reason To Believe" (Album Version) see Track 1 on CD4

4. Get It On – T. REX (July 1971 UK 45-single on Fly Records BUG 10 - 4:24 minutes)
5. Sweet Caroline – NEIL DIAMOND (February 1971 UK 45-single on Uni Records UNS 531, A-side - 3:21 minutes)
6. Take Me Home, Country Roads – JOHN DENVER with Fat City (September 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2118, A-side 3:10 minutes)
7. Rose Garden – LYNN ANDERSON (January 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records 5360, A-side 2:56 minutes)
8. If Not For You – OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (February 1971 UK 45-single on Pye International 7N 25543, A-side - a Bob Dylan cover - 2:49 minutes)
9. Wild World – CAT STEVENS (January 1971 US 45-single on A&M Records 1231, A-side - "Wild World" and its flipside "Miles From Nowhere" (both tracks from the 1970 LP "Tea For The Tillerman") was not issued as a 7" single in the UK - 3:20 minutes)
10. That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be – CARLY SIMON (June 1971 UK 45-single on Elektra Records Ek 47524, A-side - 4:16 minutes)
11. I'm Still Waiting – DIANA ROSS (July 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 781, A-side - 3:45 minutes)
12. I'll Be There – JACKSON 5 (August 1970 US 45-single on Motown M-1171, A-side - November 1970 UK 45 on Tamla Motown TMG 758, A-side - it went to No. 4 in the UK but hit No.1 in their native USA with Michael Jackson on Lead Vocals - 3:58 minutes)
13. La-La Means I Love You – THE DELFONICS (June 1971 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1165, A-side - it was a reissue of a December 1967 US 45 originally on Philly Groove NS 1001 - also their 60s debut 45 in the UK in September 1968 on Bell BLL 1005 - but didn't chart then. In 1971 the reissue made No. 19 in the UK Pop charts - 3:20 minutes)
14. Tired Of Being Alone – AL GREEN (August 1971 UK 45-single on London HLU 10337, A-side - 2:51 minutes)
15. Indiana Wants Me – R. DEAN TAYLOR (February 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 763, A-side - 3:47 minutes)
16. The Banner Man – BLUE MINK (May 1971 UK 45-single on Regal Zonophone RZ 3034, A-side - 3:29 minutes)
17. Freedom Come, Freedom Go – THE FORTUNES (August 1971 UK 45-single on Capitol CL 15693, A-side - 3:19 minutes)
18. Co-Co – THE SWEET (May 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2087, A-side - 3:10 minutes)
19. Apeman – THE KINKS (November 1970 UK 45-single on Pye International 7N 45016, A-side - hit No 5. in January 1971 - 3:51 minutes - 2014 Remaster)
20. She's A Lady – TOM JONES (January 1971 UK 45-single on Decca F 13113, A-side - 2:50 minutes)

CD2: 58:48 minutes (20 Tracks)
1. Amazing Grace – JUDY COLLINS (November 1970 UK 45-single on Elektra Records 2101 020, A-side - February 1971 at No. 5 - 4:06 minutes)
2. Oh You Pretty Things – PETER NOONE (April 1971 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 114, A-side - Produced by Mickie Most - a David Bowie cover version - 3:05 minutes)
3. Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen Tonight) – CILLA BLACK (November 1971 UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5924, A-side - 2:27 minutes)
4. Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves – CHER (September 1971 UK 45-single on MCA Records MU 1142, A-side - 2:35 minutes)
5. Jack In The Box – CLODAGH RODGERS (March 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2066, A-side - 3:00 minutes)
6. Knock Three Times – DAWN (featuring TONY ORLANDO) (March 1971 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1146, A-side - 2:57 minutes)
7. The Pushbike Song – THE MIXTURES (December 1970 UK 45-single on Polydor 2058 083, A-side - 2:31 minutes)
8. Rupert – JACKIE LEE (November 1970 UK 45-single on Pye International 7N 45003, A-side - Theme Song from the 'Rupert' TV Show - 2:16 minutes)
9. Me And You And A Dog Named Boo – LOBO (May 1971 UK 45-single on Philips 6073 801, A-side - 2:57 minutes)
10. (Where Do I Begin) Love Story – ANDY WILLIAMS (February 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records S 7020, A-side - Theme Music To The 'Love Story' film starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali Mac Graw - 3:08 minutes)
11. It's Impossible – PERRY COMO (January 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2043, A-side - 3:15 minutes)
12. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me – ELVIS PRESLEY (January 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2046, A-side - 2:31 minutes)
13. Till – TOM JONES (October 1971 UK 45-single on Decca FR 13236, A-side - 2:18 minutes)
14. I Did What I Did For Maria – TONY CHRISTIE (April 1971 UK 45-single on MCA Records MK 5064, A-side - 3:29 minutes)
15. Keep On Dancing – BAY CITY ROLLERS (June 1971 UK 450-single on Bell Records BLL 1164, A-side - 2:07 minutes)
16. No Matter How I Try – GILBERT O'SULLIVAN (November 1971 UK 45-single on MAM Records MAM 53, A-side - Non-LP Release - 45-Only - 3:00 minutes)
17. Cousin Norman – THE MARMALADE (August 1971 UK 45-single on Decca F 13214, A-side - 3:11 minutes)
18. Tom-Tom Turnaround – NEW WORLD (June 1971 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 117, A-side - 3:18 minutes)
19. Don't Let It Die – HURRICANE SMITH (May 1971 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8785, A-side - 2:33 minutes)
20. I Believe (In Love) – HOT CHOCOLATE (August 1971 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 118, A-side - 3:52 minutes)

CD3: 71:30 minutes (20 Tracks)
1. What's Going On – MARVIN GAYE (May 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 775, A-side - 3:53 minutes)
2. Theme From "Shaft" (Remastered 1991 Album Version) – ISAAC HAYES (November 1971 UK 45-single on Stax 2025 069, a-side - 3:16 minutes)
3. Proud Mary – IKE & TINA TURNER (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover version, No. 4 US hit, but didn't chart UK (January 1971 US 45-single on Liberty 56216, A-side - January 1971 UK 45-single on Liberty LBF 15432, A-side - 4:56 minutes)
4. Spanish Harlem – ARETHA FRANKLIN (September 1971 UK 45-single on Atlantic 2091 038, A-side - 3:30 minutes)
5. Remember Me – DIANA ROSS (March 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 768, A-side - 3:30 minutes)
6. If I Were Your Woman (Single Version) – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (June 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 765, A-side - 3:15 minutes)
7. Sultana – TITANIC (May 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records 5365, A-side – 4:13 minutes)
8. Strange Kind Of Woman – DEEP PURPLE (February 1971 UK 45-single on Harvest HAR 5033, A-side - 3:51 minutes)
9. No Matter What – BADFINGER (November 1970 UK 45-single on Apple Records APPLE 31, A-side - Peaked at No. 5 in February 1971 - 3:00 minutes)
10. Won't Get Fooled Again – THE WHO (Single Mix Remaster – Doesn't Say On Rear Or In The Booklet – June 1971 UK 45-single on Track Records 2094 009 - 3:38 minutes)
11. Joy To The World (Single Version) – THREE DOG NIGHT (April 1971 UK 45-single on Probe Records PRO 523, A-side - a Hoyt Axton cover version - a USA No.1 for 6-weeks - 3:15 minutes)
12. Back Street Luv – CURVED AIR (July 1971 UK 45-single on Warner Brothers K 16092, A-side - 3:34 minutes)
13. In My Own Time – FAMILY (July 1971 UK 45-single on Reprise K 14090, A-side - 3:34 minutes)
14. Tap Turns The Water – C.C.S. (2013 Remaster) (August 1971 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 119, A-side - John Cameron and Alexis Korner song with Alexis Korner on Lead Vocals - 3:42 minutes)
15. Devil's Answer – ATOMIC ROOSTER (June 1971 UK 45-single on B&C Records CB 157, A-side - 3:27 minutes)
16. The Witch Queen Of New Orleans – REDBONE (August 1971 UK 45-single on Epic Records EPC 7351, A-side - 2:44 minutes)
17. My Brother Jake – FREE (April 1971 UK 45-single on Island WIP 6100, A-side - 2:49 minutes)
18. Soldier Blue – BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE (April 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2081, A-side - 3:18 minutes)
19. The Night They Drove Dixie Down – JOAN BAEZ (September 1971 UK 45-single on Vanguard VRS 35138, A-side - a cover version of The Band classic - 3:24 minutes)
20. Me And Bobby McGhee – JANIS JOPLIN (February 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records CBS S 7019, A-side - a Kris Kristofferson/Fred Foster cover version from her final album "Pearl" in 1971 - 4:31 minutes)

CD4: 64:50 minutes (20 Tracks)
1. Reason To Believe (Album Version) – ROD STEWART (A-side, Tim Hardin cover, Dick Powell on Violin - for Catalogue Number, "Maggie Mae" History and Details, see Track 3 on CD1 - 4:07 minutes)
2. Hot Love (Album Version) – T. REX (February 1971 UK 45-single on Fly Records BUG 6, A-side (Edited to 3:20 minutes) - First LP appearance on the May 1972 compilation album "Bolan Boogie" on Fly Records HIFLY 8 - 4:57 minutes)
3. Funny Funny – THE SWEET (January 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2051, A-side - 2:45 minutes)
4. Coz I Luv You – SLADE (October 1971 UK 45-single on Polydor 2058 155, A-side - 3:24 minutes)
5. Baby Jump – MUNGO JERRY (January 1971 UK 45-single on Dawn Records 7N 2505, A-side - 4:12 minutes)
6. Double Barrel – DAVE AND ANSEL COLLINS (August 1970 UK 45-single on Techniques TE 901, A-side - Reggae No.1 in May 1971 - 2:45 minutes)
7. Hey Girl Don't Bother Me – THE TAMS (July 1971 UK 45-single on Probe Records PRO 532, A-side - Originally Issued 1964 in the USA and a No.1 Soul hit there - Reissued in England during 1971 to meet demand by UK fans for Northern Soul dancers - This Reissue reached No.1 in the UK - 2:29 minutes)
8. A Simple Game (Single Version) – THE FOUR TOPS (September 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 7865, A-side - 2:58 minutes)
9. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) – THE TEMPTATIONS (May 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 773, A-side - 3:52 minutes)
10. Ain't No Sunshine – BILL WITHERS (September 1971 UK 45-single on A&M Records AMLS AMS 858, B-side of "Harlem". While the British 45 for this famous B-side didn't chart in the UK, DJs flipped to play the B-side "Ain't No Sunshine" which when released in June 1971 on Sussex SUX 219, it reached No. 4 on the Billboard R&B charts - 2:05 minutes)
11. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – THE DELFONICS (March 1970 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1099, A-side - charted May 1971 and rose to No. 22 - was first issued December 1969 in the USA on Philly Groove 161 - 3:22 minutes)
12. Never Can Say Goodbye (Single Version) – JACKSON 5 (July 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 778, A-side - Michael Jackson Lead Vocals - 2:58 minutes)
13. Stoned Love (Single Version) – THE SUPREMES (January 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 760, A-side - 2:55 minutes)
14. Heaven Must Have Sent You (Album Version) – THE ELGINS (April 1971 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 771, A-side - 3:08 minutes)
15. I'm Gonna Run Away From You – TAMI LYNN (April 1971 UK 45-single reissued on Atlantic 2092 001, A-side (Issued for Northern Soul Music Fans) - originally released February 1966 in the UK as a 45 on Atlantic AT 4071 - 2:47 minutes)
16. Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep – MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (January 1971 UK 45-single on RCA Victor RCA 2047, A-side - 2:58 minutes)
17. What Are You Doing Sunday – DAWN (featuring TONY ORLANDO) (July 1971 UK 45-single on Bell Records BLL 1169, A-side - 2:32 minutes)
18. Never Ending Song Of Love – THE NEW SEEKERS (June 1971 UK 45-single on Philips 6006 125, A-side - Delaney Bramlett song of Delaney & Bonnie - 3:10 minutes)
19. Grandad – CLIVE DUNNE (October 1970 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8726, A-side - January 1971 chart entry - Clive Dunne was an elderly actor in the popular TV show "Dad's Army" and this half-spoken/half-sung song was a one-off novelty that went to No. 1 - 3:24 minutes)
20. Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) – BENNY HILL (October 1971 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8833, A-side - Another TV Comic with a novelty hit that went to No. 1 also - 3:51 minutes)

The fold-out card sleeves of the Basic Editions offer zip, so I suspect like many audio-and-presentation fans, I opted for the Deluxe Edition Hardback Book set and I'm glad I did. MICHAEL MULLIGAN (with a nod to The Official Charts) is the man who does the Text which offers about four of five lines to each entry - pictures of 45s or Artists and even a Pop Quiz at the end of the 24-page booklet (with Answers) to test your chart-placing mettle. It's very pretty to look at, tactile to the touch and heavy on the chart details - connections later up the Eighties line - and so on. Retailing initially at about eighteen to nineteen quid - it's usually almost a tenner more than the standard card version at ten or eleven quid - but worth it. Tunes...

CD1: For a release that barely mentions Remasters (let alone dates applied) - the audio is uniformly glorious (and remember, this is 1971). Take the opening "Your Song" by Elton John - give it a bit of volume welly and the audio sings - strings, piano, vocals - just gorgeous presence. Paul McCartney's "Another Day" and The Kinks witty muscle-bound anthem "Apeman" are the only tracks that mention Remasters on CD1 (2001 and 2014). But you move to Rod Stewart's "Maggie Mae" Bolan's Bang A Gong magic of "Get It On" (T.Rex with the teeth of the hydra upon them never mind your HubCap Diamond Star Halo) and again the audio whomps. There is a small amount of hiss at the opening of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline", but again, you're in doubt that you're in the presence of an Erick Labson Remaster that is full and in yer face (probably from the fab "Play Me: The Complete Uni Recordings" 3CD set on MCA - see separate review). 

After the cool opening five we get Country and Pop cheeseball with John Denver's cloying "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson. Gorgeous audio quality though on Olivia Newton-John's slide-acoustic cover of the Dylan classic "If Not For You" (his fabulous "Watching The River Flow" graces CD2 of the 'Extra' 3CD set for 1971). Clever and timely inclusion comes in the shape of a gorgeous-sounding "Wild World" from Cat Stevens' breakthrough album "Tea For The Tillerman" in late 1970 (on Island Records). You can so hear why so many covered this 'hope you make a lot of nice friends out there' song - touching and catchy. In sails Carly Simon singing of cigarettes glowing in the dark and her mother reading magazines on the still moving "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" - a stunning tale of Simon observing her parents while her lover asks her to move in and start a family of their own (again I'd swear this is a Remaster from the "Clouds In My Coffee" 3CD Book Set - lovely sound). A nice segue into the 'shy' growing up song - Diana Ross giving advice to that little girl in "I'm Still Waiting". Better is the first of Blighty's Northern Soul obsessions - The Delfonics giving it the velvet-suit-shuffle as they croon through a gorgeous "La-La Means I Love You" - a 1967 Soul nugget getting an airing in 1971 after the success of "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" which is in itself featured on Disc 4 (Track 11). 

But now we enter the sublime, Al Green slinking into your speaker den with his sexy loneliness - "Tired Of Being Alone" sounding the moaning bomb 55-years after its release on Hi and London (US and UK) - dig those complimentary backing vocals. Could really do without hearing R. Dean Taylor's "Indiana Wants Me" ever again and the mock thumping of "The Banner Man" by Blue Mink is the same. I would imagine the Roger Greenaway, Albert Hammond and Roger Cook penned "Freedom Come, Freedom Go" by The Fortunes is the kind of irrepressibly upbeat 1971 Pop hit that will tickle memories of Pubs and Tele and The Beano Comic down at your local Newsagent. "Co Co" is not The Sweet's finest hour (even if it does sound amazing here) - but the dual finishers of "Apeman" and "She's A Lady" by two hip Brits - The Kinks and Tom Jones - rock. Ray Davies worries about Homo Sapiens and doesn't want to die in a Nuclear War so he wants to swing in trees while Tom just wants to take a winner to dinner (what a set of lungs on both of these fine specimens of humanity). 

CD2 opens with a Rock Gospel anthem in Judy Collins having a ladylike go at "Amazing Grace" - a superb 45-single lift from her "Whales & Nightingales" album on Elektra Records (such was its power that apparently it recharted seven different times over the course of fifteen months). Sneaking in Bowie via Peter Noone with his RAK Records cover version of the Hunky Dory winner "Oh You Pretty Things" which famously featured the mighty DB guesting on Piano (Mickey Most producer). Two popstrel legends show up in the guise of Cilla Black and Cher - Gemini people making it in Cilla's happy-wappy "Something Tells Me (Something Gonna Happen Tonight)" while unhappy residents spit at "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" (born in the wagon of a travelling-show) - both cracking songs remastered to perfection. Unfortunately "Jack In The Box" by Clodagh Rodgers was the kind of jaunty insufferable Euro entry while "Knock Three Times" brings me out in an overdone rash (body swaying or not). Sounding like a Kazoo-wired Mungo Jerry, you could be forgiven for confusing Australia's Mixtures with Ray Dorset - their catchy-as-flu Pop ditty "The Pushbike Song" being an identikit take on MJ's "In The Summertime". 

But there has to be a special place in Hades for "Rupert" by Jackie Lee - a theme to a kid's programme that is yuck-central. America's Lobo had a one-hit wonder with his love-and-wanderlust song "Me And You And A Dog Named Boo". The schlock assault continues with the Love Story film theme - Andy Williams bawling into his cardigan at Ryan O'Neal and Ali Mac Graw and their preppy affair (that movie and this song was huge). At least the velveteen Perry Como makes good use of the strings on a cocaine bender of "It's Impossible" - a song that for many is (indeed) impossible to not go to mush to (ask me to get the Moon and somehow I'd get it). Elvis unfortunately sounds sappy on the leaden "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me". The mush-inducing horror continues with Tom Jones, Tony Christie and worst of all - the Bay City Rollers. At last - a brief moment of reprieve - Gilbert O'Sullivan's lovely "No Matter How I Try" sounding amazing and lyrically cool. Junior Campbell's band Marmalade surprise with a rather good "Cousin Norman" (a No.5) and he would nab some great 45s on Deram in 1973 and 1974 when he launched his solo LP "Second Time Around". Those brief slices of goodness is then drowned by the saccharine "Tom-Tom Turnaround" from New World. Hurricane Smith and Errol Brown's Hot Chocolate bring CD2 to a close with "I Believe (In Love) being the better of the pair. To sum up CD2 - some may find the nostalgia Easy Listening trip fun, but I found most of it painful with only patches of light. Not so the next disc...

CD3 comes close to being the best of 1971 in terms of spread genres - for sublime openers you get the majestic Marvin Gaye anthem "What's Going On" followed by Blaxploitation's beginning - Isaac Hayes getting all John Shaft on yo ass (damn right!) - gorgeous Remastered audio on both. Two Motown winners from Diana Ross and the classy Gladys Knight follow Aretha going all castanets in the night for "Spanish Harlem" while Ike & Tina Turner take on the slow roll of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary" - a hit in the States but not in Blighty. Disc 3 now throws up a surprise - a long forgotten clever inclusion being "Sultana" by Titanic - an instrumental with some vocals towards the end. "Sultana" is sort of a mix of Osibisa jamming with Carlos Santana via a French Euro-Port Tabla/Organ Convention (Nice, and I don't mean the city). From Tracks 8 to 17, you're properly hammered with a very welcome wall of Rock Goodies - Family, Free, Badfinger, The Who (rare single edit that isn't credited as such), Three Dog Night's ebullient take on the Hoyt Axton "Joy To The World" song which managed a six-week stint at the top slot in the States - never mind Atomic Rooster and Curved Air (oh Sonja do call) giving it a bit of Prog with their Rawk. Unfortunately the Buffy Sainte-Marie song from the movie of the same name "Soldier Blue" is incredibly hissy and detracts from the listen a lot. But as it tapers out CD3 is saved by some Country Rock from Joan Baez and Janis Joplin doing covers by The Band and Kris Kristofferson - driving old Dixie down while we get hippie with Bobby McGhee. 

CD4 dips back into Soul and Easy Listening by way of Brixton Market rhythms. The Reggae explosion that had begun with the first two volumes of the "Tighten Up" Sampler LPs on Trojan Records (January and November) had been setting the scene for Skinheads and Dancers alike. Part of those vanguard artists, Dave and Ansel Collins might have had to wait many months for their Techniques 7" single to eventually get to No.1 in Blighty - but the immortality of the fabulous "Double Barrel" was set in stone (as the booklet liner notes quite rightly point out) when the hugely popular Ska-Rock band Madness stole its opening line for their "One Step Beyond" debut single in October 1979 on Stiff - "This is the heavy, heavy monster sound!"

Sixties and Seventies Soul rub shoulders for a stretch - The Tams delightful 1964 vibes of "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" thrilling Northern Soul aficionados once again and I will be in the dirt before I ever get over my love for the truly gorgeous groove in The Temptations "Just My Imagination(Running Away With Me)" - what a song. Not to be outdone, Philly Groove turns up in the shape of The Delfonics and their much-used-in-movies high-vocals moment of Soul genius - "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)". Even the twin finishing moments of saccharine despair that is "Grandad" by Clive Dunne and "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)" by Benny Hill cannot dampen my spirits (admittedly the Benny Hill tune about a randy brew deliverer is a bawdry laugh needed in these horribly woke times). 

MISSING/IDEAS: Fans will spot that there are kind of obvious exclusions across these seven CDs for 1971 - most likely due to licensing difficulties or band blocks - "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones, "It's Too Late" by Carole King ("Tapestry" was one of the biggest albums of 1971 or any year), "Stay With Me" by Faces, "Oye Como Va" by Santana, "Get It On" by T.Rex, "Dragonfly" by Fleetwood Mac, either of the John Kongos storming singles "He's Gonna Step On You Again" and "Tokoloshe Man" from May and November 1971, John Lennon's "Imagine" which was a US No.1 on Apple even though it never did get a release as a UK 7" single in 1971 - a fact that still amazes people. John Barry's "Theme From The Persuaders" would have been perfect fodder here never mind there being no David Bowie ("Changes" was issued December 1971 in the States). How about The Staple Singers doing Soul righteousness with their magnificent "Respect Yourself" groove - The Undisputed Truth hitting that same personal exploration vein with their fab "Smiling Faces Sometimes". Jean Knight's hugely popular Stax hit "Mr. Big Stuff" is not here, nor is Eugene Record's Chi-Lites getting lonesome-mellow with "Have You Seen Her" or Betty Wright and Aretha Franklin's funky duo - "Clean Up Woman" and "Rock Steady". And on it goes (you get the picture).

Also, when I think of classic singles in the Seventies where the B-side was often easily as good as the more famous A (maybe even non-album) – perhaps one day the 'Now Yearbook Series' will tackle Seventies Flipsides in two 3CD outings - say 1970 to 1975 and 1976 to 1979. Check out the B-side of "Devil's Answer" by Atomic Rooster - a stunning instrumental called "The Rock" - same goes for "Samba Pa Ti" by Santana, flipside of "Oye Como Va" or the funky boogie of "The Purple Dancer" by Fleetwood Mac, non-LP B-side of "Dragonfly" or Ronnie Lane, Rodders and Ron Wood at their melodic collaborative best with "Debris" by Faces - flipside of "Stay With Me". There are probably a hundred more. Just a thought...

Still - you have to say that Audio/Presentation-wise - Now Yearbook 1971 Deluxe Edition is a winner. You may reach for the skip button more often than you like on CD2 - but those songs in-between have lasted 55 years (here in 2026) - burnt their melodious way into our hearts and are still amazeballs to millions of us. 

"Now Yearbook 1971" may not all be a 'Stairway To Heaven' (Zeppelin IV hit the shops in November 1971) - but I dig it When The Levee Breaks. Recommended...

NOW YEARBOOK '71 (1971) UK Discography

"Now Yearbook '71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW71 / 00199584531922 (Barcode 199584531922) – released Friday, 28 August 2026 as a 4CD 80-Track 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book

"Now Yearbook '71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW71 - 0199584531823 (Barcode 199584531823) – released Friday, 28 August 2026 as a 4CD 80-Track Eight-Panel Card Sleeve Standard Edition

"Now Yearbook '71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW71 / 0199584531717 (Barcode 099584531717) – release delayed until Friday, 2 October 2026 as a 3LP BRIGHT YELLOW VINYL Edition with 50-Tracks Truncated down from the 80-Track 4CD edition

"Now Yearbook Extra '71 - 61 More Essential Hits From 1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW71 / 0199584439228 (Barcode 199584439228) – released 9 October 2026 as a 3CD 61-Track Companion Volume in a Three-Panel-Gatefold Card Sleeve