"Tupelo Honey" by VAN MORRISON - October 1971 US LP on Warner Brothers Records - November 1971 UK - With Guest Musicians Ronnie Montrose, Marc Jordan, Jack Schroer and Louis Gasca (January 2008 UK Polydor/Exile Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Two Bonus Tracks and Tim Young Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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"...Wild Night…"

This 2008 CD remaster is probably the 3rd or even 4th reissue of Van Morrison's 1971 album "Tupelo Honey" on the new fangled CD format and its by far the best version to date. The extras are tasty and more importantly - the Audio is top notch. Here are the "…sends you flying…" musical minutiae…

UK released 28 January 2008 - "Tupelo Honey" by VAN MORRISON on Polydor/Exile 5305446 (Barcode 600753054468) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows: 

1. Wild Night [Side 1]

2. (Straight To Your Heart) Like A Cannonball 

3. Old Old Woodstock

4. Starting A New Life

5. You're My Woman 

6. Tupelo Honey [Side 2]

7. I Wanna Roo You (Scottish Derivative)

8. When That Evening Sun Goes Down

9. Moonshine Whiskey

Tracks 1 to 9 make up the vinyl album "Tupelo Honey" - released October 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1950 and November 1971 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46114. 

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Wild Night (Alternate Take)

11. Down By The Riverside 

Tracks 10 and 11 are Previously Unreleased - "Down By The Riverside" is a cover version of an old Traditional. I must say that both bonus tracks are excellent and not at all throwaway crap designed to sucker in punters (as some had feared). The upgraded booklet contains all the lyrics, but disappointingly no history of where the album fits in. The photo of Van the Man, his Lady and the Horse that originally featured on the LP inner gatefold is faithfully reproduced as the booklet centrepiece – a nice touch. There’s also band and production credits – and even lyrics for the two bonus tracks. 

But the best bit is the SOUND. The original analogue master tapes have been 96K/24 Bit digitally remastered by TIM YOUNG at Metropolis Mastering in London for this 2008 release – and the sound is just beautiful – and that's for almost every track. I say this because, I've had the 1998 remasters for a while and always thought they were 'too' loud and 'hissy' for comfort. Don't get me wrong, there is unfortunately still audible hiss on the gorgeous "Tupelo Honey" and "You're My Woman" (two of the best on here) but not 'too' much to detract. Those without hiss are just unbelievably good. The punch out of them! 

From the album opener "Wild Night" to "When That Evening Sun Goes Down" - the band might as well be in your living room – it's that vibrant and alive. The session men put in a blinder too - fantastic brass work by Jack Schroer and Luis Gasca on "Wild Night" with equally superb piano touches from Mark Jordan on "When That Evening Sun Goes Down". Ace guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who later formed the US Rock Band Montrose and created one of the hardest and best riffage debuts ever in "Montrose" (1973 on Warner Brothers, also produced by Ted Templeman) plays guitar, mandolin and even throws in some backing vocals too. Not everything on here is genius of course, but there's just something about his Warner Brothers albums (all of them) that's magical. And it’s mid-price too - I picked up my copy for £6 in Central London. 

All in all, a great sounding reissue and one I urge fans and the uninitiated to get stuck into pronto. 

PS: 

Like "Tupelo Honey" - 28 other Van Morrison albums were to be re-issued in remastered form throughout 2008 and into early 2009. Each was to contain upgraded booklets, previously unreleased material and all were at mid-price. They were to be released in 4 batches as follows (29 in total) - but batch 3 and 4 were cancelled indefinitely. "Moondance" has turned up in 2CD and 4CD Deluxe Edition forms in 2013 (see review for the 2CD version) and in 2015 Sony/Legacy have apparently acquired much of his back catalogue but their plans for hard copy CD reissues/remasters remains unclear (possible only downloads). This list is for info purposes:

January 2008 (7 titles)

Tupelo Honey (1971), It's Too Late To Stop Now (2 CD Live Set) (1974), 

Wavelenght (1978), Into The Music (1979), A Sense Of Wonder (1985), 

Avalon Sunset (1989) and Back On Top (1999)

June 2008 (8 titles)

Veedon Fleece (1974), Common One (1980), Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983), Live At The Grand Opera House, Belfast (1984), No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986), Enlightenment (1990), A Night In San Francisco (2CD Live Set) (1994) and The Healing Game (1997)

September 2008 (7 titles) - CANCELLED

Saint Dominic's Preview (1972), A Period Of Transition (1977), Beautiful Vision (1982), Poetic Champions Compose (1987), Hymns To The Silence (2CD Studio Set), How Long Has This Been Going On (Live At Ronnie Scott's) (1995), Tell Me Something – The Songs Of Mose Allison (1996)

January 2009 (8 titles) - CANCELLED

Hard Nose The Highway (1973), Irish Heartbeat (with The Chieftains) (1988), 

Too Long In Exile (1993), Days Like This (1995), The Story Of Them (2CD Set) (1999), The Skiffle Sessions – Live In Belfast (with Lonnie Donegan & Chris Barber) (2000), Down The Road (2002) and What's Wrong With This Picture? (2003)

"Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas And The Papas" by THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS - Featuring Early Bands like The Big Three, The Mugwumps and A Collaboration with Barry McGuire - Mamas and Papas Albums and Compilations from 1966 to 1971 - Plus Solo Tracks by Mama Cass Elliott, John Phillips, Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips and Other rarities (May 1991 US MCA 2CD 43-Track Compilation with Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry…

Amazon UK Purchase Link

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"…I Listen To The Records Sometimes And It Electrifies Me…"

Here in 2026 - there are wads of compilations for California's Mamas & Papas - but I'd like to argue that this long-forgotten first officially issued and curated American stab from 1991 still remains among the best (and luckily for us – none too pricey either). Rare stand-alone 45s with their Non-LP B-sides, key album tracks, rarities, early band incarnations, Solo tracks by Mama Cass Elliott, John Phillips, Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips and more. Taking its compilation title from a track on their February 1967 US album "The Mamas And Papas Deliver" on Dunhill Records - here are the beads, flowers and the Mondays you will like…

US released May 1991 - "Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas And The Papas" by THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS on MCA Records MCLDD 19124 (Barcode 008811912420) is a 2CD 43-Track Anthology including early bands like The Big Three, The Mugwumps and Solo Material too. It breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (65:34 minutes):

1. Wild Women – THE BIG THREE (1963 USA LP "Live In The Recording Studio" on FM Records 311)

2. Winken', Blinken And Nod – THE BIG THREE (1963 USA 7" 45-single on FM Records 3003/Reissued in 1964 in the USA on Tollie 9006)

3. I'll Remember Tonight – THE MUGWUMPS (1964 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 5471)

4. I Don't Wanna Know – THE MUGWUMPS (B-side of 3 – both tracks Previously Unreleased on Album Prior to 1991)

5. This Precious Time – BARRY McGUIRE (1965 USA 7" single on Dunhill 4019 – Backing Vocals by The Mamas and The Papas)

6. John Phillips Dialogue from "A Gathering Of Flowers" – JOHN PHILLIPS (on "A Gathering Of Flowers – The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas" released January 1970 in the USA on Dunhill DSY 50073, 2LPs)

7. California Dreamin' (November 1965 USA 7" single on Dunhill 4020, A)

8. Oh Where You Wanna Go (January 1966 USA debut LP "If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears" on Dunhill 5006. Some discographies also list this as the 45 single Dunhill 4018 but it was never released)

9. Monday, Monday (as per 8 on LP, also released as a USA 45 on Dunhill 4026 in March 1966, A-side)

10. You Baby (as per 8 on LP)

11. Do You Wanna Dance (as per 8 on LP, also turned up as an A-side USA 45 on Dunhill 4171 in October 1968)

12. I Call Your Name (as per 8 on LP, Beatles cover version)

13. Spanish Harlem (as per 8 on LP, Ben E. King cover version)

14. Straight Shooter (as per 8 on LP, also B-side to the USA 45 of "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" on Dunhill 4099 in August 1867

15. Got A Feelin' (as per 8 on LP, also B-side to "Monday, Monday" – see 9)

16. I Saw Her Again (June 1966 USA 7" single on Dunhill 4031, A-side)

17. Look Through My Window (September 1966 USA 7" 45-Single on Dunhill 4050, A-side)

18. Words Of Love (August 1966 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas" on Dunhill DS 50010, also November 1966 USA 7" 45-single on Dunhill 4057, A-side)

19. Dancing In The Street (as per 18 on LP, also B-side of "Words Of Love")

20. Mama Cass dialogue from "A Gathering Of Flowers" - MAMA CASS (as per 6)

21. Once Upon A Time I Thought (with False Start and Studio Chatter) (as per 6 on LP, edited version also released on "The Mamas And The Papas" LP, and also released as the B-side to "Look Through My Window" (see 17))

22. No Salt On Her Tail (as per 18 on LP)

Disc 2 (63:25 minutes):

1. Trip, Stumble & Fall (August 1966 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas" on Dunhill 50010)

2. Dancing Bear (August 1966 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas" on Dunhill DS 50010, also November 1967 A-side of a USA 7" single on Dunhill 4113)

3. Dedicated To The One I Love (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014 and also a February 1967 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4077)

4. Creeque Alley (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014 and also a April 1967 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4083)

5. My Girl (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014 and also a October 1968 USA 7" single B-side to "Do You Wanna Dance" on Dunhill 4171)

6. Twist And Shout (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014)

7. I Call Your Name (Live) (on the USA LP "Historic Performance At The Monterey International Pop Festival" released 1970 on Dunhill DSX 50100)

8. Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon) (on the album "The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas" released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031)

9. Glad To Be Unhappy (October 1967 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4107)

10. For The Love Of Ivy (on the album "The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas" released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031, also, a USA 7" single A-side released July 1968 on Dunhill 4150)

11. Safe In My Garden (on the album "The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas” released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031, also a USA 7” single A-side released May 1968 on Dunhill 4125)

12. Midnight Voyage (on the album “The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas" released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031, also a USA 7" single B-side to Cass Elliott's solo single "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" released June 1968 on Dunhill 4145 – credited as "featuring Mama Cass with The Mamas and The Papas")

13. Dream A Little Dream Of Me – CASS ELLIOTT/MAMA and PAPAS (as per 12 on LP, also A-side of Dunhill 4145)

14. California Earthquake – MAMA CASS (October 1968 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4166)

15. It's Getting Better – MAMA CASS (May 1969 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4195)

16. Make Your Own Kind Of Music – MAMA CASS (September 1969 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4214)

17. Mississippi – JOHN PHILLIPS (on the album "John Philips – John The Wolfking Of L.A." released March 1970 in the USA on Warlok/ABC-Dunhill DS-50077, also a USA 7" single A-side released March 1970 on Dunhill 4214)

18. Whatcha Gonna Do – DENNY DOHERTY (February 1971 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4270)

19. Mama Cass dialogue from "A Gathering Of Flowers" – MAMA CASS (on "A Gathering Of Flowers – The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas" released January 1970 USA 2LP set on Dunhill DSY 50073)

20. Step Out (on the album "People Like Us" released October 1971 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50106, also a USA 7" single A-side released January 1972 on Dunhill 4301)

21. The Achin’ Kind – MICHELLE PHILLIPS (on the album "Victim Of Romance" released 1977 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4651)

NOTES: All tracks Produced by LOU ADLER and all mixes are STEREO LP versions unless otherwise stated

BEST AUDIO: Compiled by CARY MANSFIELD and ANDY McKAIE (people involved in many well-praised compilations) and remastered to perfection by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON – the sound on this early 2CD anthology is superlative (better than the slight harshness that crept into later more pricey retrospectives). The 12-page booklet offers track-by-track details but no liner notes. Still what you want is the music – and in Stereo every time – 'Creeque Alley' sounds amazing. 

All 11 of the hits they placed on America's Billboard charts are here between 1966 and 1970 and Solo wins too (chart positions are in parenthesis) – "California Dreaming" (No.4), "Monday, Monday" (1), "I Saw Her Again" (5), "Look Through My Window" (24), "Words Of Love" (5), "Dedicated To The One I Love" (2), "Creeque Alley" (5), "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" (20), "Glad To Be Unhappy" (26), "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" by Mama Cass & The Mamas & The Papas (12) and "Mississippi" (by John Phillips) . 

The early Mugwumps and Big Three tracks are worth having but things start to really sizzle when you get to those album tracks that get lost amongst the more popular hits – stuff like their Monkees-sounding rocker "Straight Shooter" and the Acapella out-take of "Once Upon A Time I Thought" with its false starts and studio chatter gives a great insight into their vocal harmonies and their internal joy/wit.

And then there's Cass's truly lovely "It's Getting Better" – a sunny tune that will tug on the hardest of hearts (always reminds me of when I became a father). Even their hip cover of The Beatles "Twist & Shout" is given a cool California work over that takes you straight into the surf – running alongside the Sixties paranoia of "California Earthquake" where Cass looks at the ground and worries "...the fault line runs right through here…" It finishes with the pretty "Step Out" preceded by Mama Cass talking about how people came up to her at in parking lots and at gas stations saying how much their music meant to them (dialogue from it titles this review). Nice.

 

You can't help but think that their happy hippy-tunes wouldn't make it in today's more fractured world– but man what a joyous sound The Mamas and Papas made – and this unassuming cheapo double CD set gets that across with sonic aplomb.  

"I don't feel all turned on and starry-eyed…I just feel a sweet contentment deep inside…" Cass Elliott sang on "It's Getting Better". Know what you mean you lovely lady…

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"Los Angeles Soul: Kent-Modern's Black Music Legacy" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Volume 1 of 2 - Covers 1962 to 1971 (March 2015 UK Ace/Kent-Soul 24-Track CD Compilation with Nick Robbins Remasters and Six Previously Unreleased Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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For the SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series (32 Titles in all)

"...You Make My Fever Rise..."

As a long-standing reviewer, it becomes something of a commonplace reflex to award 5-stars to Kent-Soul CD releases - the Soul imprint label of Ace Records of the UK. 

Ace Records celebrate 50 years of reissues in 2025 (1975 to 2025) - fifty whole years of Ted Carroll's baby knocking out quality reissue after quality reissue. And as I sit here listening to the utterly superb "Los Angeles Soul..." CD compilation (six of these suckers are Previously Unreleased) - I'm thinking - I hope these English guys never quit because here we go again...

UK released 24 March 2015 - "Los Angeles Soul: Kent-Modern's Black Music Legacy" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 430 (Barcode 029667243025) pans out as follows (69:05 minutes):

1. I Want Action - JEANETTE JONES (Previously Unreleased, October 1968 recording)

2. You Saved Me From Destruction - DIFOSCO (1971 USA 7" single on Earthquake EQ-28, A)

3. No In-Between - JOHNNY ADAMS (1967 USA 7" single on Modern M 1036, A)

4. I Was Born To Love You - JOHNNY COPELAND (Unissued 1971 recording first appeared Sept 1995 on the UK CD compilation "Serious Shades Of Soul: For Collectors Only" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 119)

5. My Love She's Gone - THE INTENTIONS (1966 USA 7" single on Kent K 455, A)

6. I Only Have Eyes For You - JIMMY BEE (1970 USA 7" single on Kimberly 88101 and then reissued on Kent KS 4531, A)

7. Cherry Pie - LORD CHARLES & THE PROPHETS (1966 USA 7" single on Modern M 1016, A)

8. I Don't Know - EARL WRIGHT (1968 USA 7" single on Virgo VI-101, A)

9. Give Me A Chance - VENETTA FIELDS with the IKETTES (Unissued Kent Recording first appeared on the Sept 1992 UK CD Ikettes compilation "Fine Fine Fine" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 063)

10. You Are My First Love - PAT HUNT (USA 7" single first issued Nov 1961 on Exodus EX-6101 as "First Love" - re-recorded/reissued February 1962 on Kent 374 as "You Are My First Love", A)

11. Sing Me A Love Song - FELICE TAYLOR (Previously Unreleased Kent Recording)

12. All That Shines Is Not Gold - THE WINDJAMMERS (1971 USA 7" single on Kent KS 4548, A)

13. Tear My Love Down - WAYNE BOYKIN (Previously Unreleased 1969 Modern Recording)

14. Push On Jesse Jackson - PACE-SETTERS (Extended Version of USA 7" single on Kent KS 4565 - Previously Unreleased)

15. I Know She's Gonna Leave - WILLIE GAUFF & THE LOVE BROTHERS (Previously Unreleased)

16. Gone On Home - TOMMY YOUNGBLOOD (from the 1969 US LP "The Soul Of Tommy Youngblood" on Kent LP 541)

17. It's Been A Long Time Baby - THE OTHER BROTHERS (1967 USA 7" single on Modern 1027, A)

18. You Are My Sunshine - JACKIE SHANE (1967 USA 7" single on Modern M 1031, A)

19. You're My Girl - LARRY SANDERS (1968 USA 7" single on Modern M 1053, A)

20. Move A Little Closer - MILLIE FOSTER (Previously Unissued Kent recording)

21. I Need Money - RUTH DAVIS (1971 USA 7" single on Kent KS 4543, A)

22. Take A Look In Your Mind - ROBERT RAMSEY (1971 USA 7" single on Kent KS 4552, A)

23. I Need A Love - WALLY COX (1970 Golden State/Kent recording first issued on the April 2000 UK CD compilation "Golden State Soul" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 179)

24. You're Gonna Miss Your Chance - MAURINE WILLIAMS & THE MT. OLIVE 2nd B.C. CHOIR (1971 USA 7" single on Chelsea 102, B-side of "Washed In The Blood")

Tracks 1, 6, 12, 14, 16, 20, 22 and 24 are STEREO

Tracks 2 to 5, 7 to 11, 13, 15, 17 to 19, 21 and 23 are MONO

Tracks 1, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 20 are Previously Unreleased

The knowledgeable and passionate Soul Music lover ADY CROASDELL has compiled, researched and written the 16-page liner notes and as ever with these Kent-Soul CD compilations the text is brought to life by gorgeous US 45 label repros - Kent, Modern, Kimberly, Virgo and Earthquake Records. Each track is talked about in detail with oodles of deep collector info (writers, arrangers, chart histories) and quality black and white publicity photos of unsung heroes like Venetta Fields, Tommy Youngblood and Millie Foster. Gorgeous stuff. But again the NICK ROBBINS remasters elevate proceedings from the ordinary to the sublime with eight of the 24 cuts in glorious Stereo. This CD sounds fabulous - the Sixties Mono cuts sitting nicely alongside the Seventies productions. Top job done yet again...

It opens with a fabulous unissued Jeanette Jones track in Stereo (she's the classy lady on the front cover) - a version of "I Want Action" (lyrics above) which was a Ruby Winters cut in 1967 on Diamond Records. Page 3 pictures unbelievably rare and pretty looking 8-track 12" acetate on Golden State for a proposed LP. "You Saved Me From Destruction" by Difosco (Big Dee Irwin under another name) on the Earthquake label is the kind of Northern Soul dancer fans going bananas for - complete with a slightly Psych backbeat (apparently the label only managed 3 releases). Both Johnny Adams and Johnny Copeland aim for the feet with "No In-Between" and "I Was Born To Love You" - great dancers the pair of them. But then we're hit a properly gorgeous obscurity - "My Love She's Gone" by The Intentions - it's the kind of sweet vocal nugget you wish you could find in some carboot sale for 50p - then drive all your mates wild with its irrepressible upbeat feel and William Brown's stunning vocals (he sang with the vocal group The Dukes).

Weird yet strangely wonderful is Jimmy Bee's Soulful take on the Flamingo's 1959 End classic - "I Only Have Eyes For You" - he keeps it to the original but adds in organ and brass as it smooches along (very tasty). The compilation then cleverly downgears into a cover version of Marvin & Johnny's "Cherry Pie" where the obscure Lord Charles & The Prophets sound like Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones circa 1966 Decca doing a clever Soul choice - a lovely shuffle and great vocal from some unknown. Genius choice goes to "I Don't Know" by Earl Wright (gorgeous transfer from Nick Robbins) - as sweet a Soul tune as you could ask for. The sweet Motownesque vocals of Felice Taylor (sounding like a young Diana Ross) elevate the bopping "Sing Me A Love Song" - amazing to think that this calibre of Soul gem has been in the can until now (they even produce a 1967 press cutting from the Boss Soul magazine on Page 9 about her).

Stereo blasts its way into your speakers with the excellent "All That Shines Is Not Gold" (a Wally Cox song) by the young-boy vocals of The Windjammers while we get raw funky with "Tear My Love Down" - a stunning previously unreleased find (why wasn't this huge!). But then we hit unchartered territory - a truly fantastic 5:27 minute driving funky extended version of "Push On Jesse Jackson" that comes on like Sly & The Family Stone meets Shaft via Norman Whitfield/Temptations social conscience (wow!). And on it goes to a staggeringly good but obscure B-side - "You're Gonna Miss Your Chance" by Maurine Williams and The Mount Olive 2nd B.C. Choir (has Betty Gouche' on the A-side). It's a Gospel song done with piano and vocals - so Soulful - and I swear to God it would make Aretha in her "Amazing Grace" prime a tad worried. What a finisher...

Break out the wine glasses you sons and daughters of Marvin Gaye - because those talcum-powder tank-top boys at Ace Records have only gone and done it again...

PS: 30 August 2019 also saw the UK issue of Volume 2 in this series - "Los Angeles Soul Volume 2: Kent-Modern's Black Music Legacy 1962-1973" on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 486 (Barcode 029667096225) - another 24-Track CD compilation

"The Complete Stax Singles" by LITTLE MILTON – Twenty US 45-Single Sides from 1971 to 1975 on Stax Records (January 1995 UK Ace/Stax 20-Track CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Amazon UK Purchase Link

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

This Review Along With 378 Others Is Available 

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Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

A HUGE 3,136 e-Pages 

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Just Click Below To Google, Purchase or See My Author Page

For the SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series (32 Titles in all)

"…Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson…"

"The Complete Stax Singles" by LITTLE MILTON probably won't win any 'original title of the year' awards any time soon - but it does what it says on the tin - and in remastered audio style. 

More importantly, it made available to fans (in 1995 that is) of both Little Milton and Stax Records, large chunks of missing catalogue numbers (especially on the flipsides) and a hunk of Soul that's both forgotten and deserves reappraisal. There's so much to enjoy on this CD, there really is - here are the back street details...

UK released January 1995 - "The Complete Stax Singles" by LITTLE MILTON on Ace/Stax CDSXD 106 (Barcode 029667910620) plays out as follows (74:31 minutes):

1. If That Ain't A Reason (For Your Woman To Leave You) - 1971 USA 7" on Stax STA-100, A

2. Mr. Mailman (I Don't Want No Letter) - 1971, Stax STA-100, B

3. I'm Living Off The Love You Give - 1971 USA 7" on Stax STA-111, B

4. That's What Love Will Make You Do - 1971, Stax STA-111, A

5. Before The Honeymoon - 1973 USA 7" on Stax STA-124, B

6. Walking The Back Streets And Crying - 1971, Stax STA-124, A

7. I'm Gonna Cry A River - 1972 USA 7" on Stax STA-141, A

8. What It is - 1972, Stax STA-141, B

9. Rainy Day (Extended Version) - 1972 USA 7" Stax STA-148, A

10. Lovin' Stick - 1972, Stax STA-148, B

11. Who Can Handle Me Is You - 1973 USA 7" on Stax STA-174, B (A-side was a reissue of "What It Is")

12. Tin Pan Alley - 1973 USA 7" on Stax STA-191, A

13. Sweet Woman Of Mine, 1973, Stax STA-191, B (also B-side to STN-0238 in May 1975, see Track 18)

14. Behind Closed Doors - 1974 USA 7" on Stax STA-210, A

15. Bet You I Win - 1974, Stax STA-210, B

16. Let Me Back In - 1974 USA 7" on Stax STA-229, A

17. Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson - 1974, Stax STA-229, B

18. If You Talk In Your Sleep (Extended Version) – May 1975 USA 7" on Stax STN-238, A ("Sweet Woman Of Mine" was its B-side)

19. How Could You Do It To Me (Extended Version) – November 1975 USA 7" on Stax STA-252, B-side to Track 20

20. Packed Up And Took My Mind (Extended Version) – November 1975, Stax STA-252, A-side (B-side is Track 19)

The 6-page fold-out inlay has details on each single release by JOHN RIDLEY including a few photos of those American yellow Stax labels. NICK ROBBINS did the remasters from original analogue tapes and the Audio is superb - really punchy - well-produced Soul with loads of depth - the usual bang-up job from Ace.

With a moniker that suggested Blues rather than Soul - Mississippi's James Milton Campbell nonetheless saw four of his eleven Stax 45's hit the American Billboard R&B charts - "That's What Love Make You Do" in February 1972 rose to 9, his radical reworking of Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors" made 31 in May 1974, "Let Me Back In " rose to 38 in December 1974 while his final Stax showing was a version of Elvis Presley's "If You Talk In Your Sleep" which stalled at 34 in July 1975. Not that he was a stranger to chart success prior to 1972  - Little Milton had managed a huge 16-track hit run at Checkers Records from 1962 right up until 1971 when he signed to Stax. A further lone hit "Friend Of Mine" followed after his Stax run on Glades Records 1734 in March 1976.

Musically his Stax period is part Albert King (talking beginnings followed by Soulful tunes with guitar), pleading loverman Johnnie Taylor and part dancefloor boogie like Rufus Thomas. Winners include the very Bluesy "Walking The Back Streets And Crying", two wicked flips in the Clarence Carter feel to "What It Is" and the slink-funk of "Lovin' Stick". The languid "Packed Up And Took My Mind" sees him so close in Stax style to Albert King its scary - while the funky "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" reminds me of Bobby Bland circa "Dreamer" and "His California Album". Most of it is pleasingly cool too.

"The Complete Stax Singles" has been deleted years now and unfortunately acquired a price tag that often hurts. But if you can get a copy and until something better comes along - don't hesitate - jump in and enjoy...

"When The Day Is Done - The Orchestrations of Robert Kirby " by ROBERT KIRBY [VARIOUS ARTISTS] - Including 1970 to 1978 Songs by Nick Drake, Audience, Vashti Bunyan, Sandy Denny, John Cale (of The Velvet Underground), Shelagh McDonald, Steve Ashley, Ralph McTell, Richard and Linda Thompson, Keith Christmas, Ian Matthews, Maddy Pryor and Tim Hart (of Steeleye Span), Dana Gillespie, Shirley Collins, Gary Shearston and more (February 2018 UK Ace Records CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Autumn Leaves..."

Blame it on the Beatles I say – "The Summer Of Love" to be precise.

Bishop Stortford's Robert Kirby was seeking a choral scholarship when he first met an equally bright-eyed and bushy-tailed 18-year old student at Caius College in Cambridge in the autumn of 1966. The pair bonded over Footlights audition failures (both of them) - but in June of 1967 - the two 19-year old English lads (along with everyone else on the planet for that matter) were quietly blown away by the sheer cinematic majesty of "She's Leaving Home" on Side 1 of the Beatles 1967 musical A-bomb - "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

Typically ahead of their time and always pushing Rock's boundaries – the Fabs had shown these young hopefuls how to marry Autumnal melody and soundscapes to guitars and simplified instruments. The melancholia-mad young new arranger was ROBERT KIRBY, and his first client was the much-missed and beloved singer-songwriter NICK DRAKE - who would sign to Island Records two years later aged only 20. In fact, eagle-eye collectors will notice the subtle homage to Drake's ethereal September 1969 debut album "Five Leaves Left" in the green colour scheme to the artwork of this fiendishly clever reissue.

As well as Drake's (delayed) March 1971 follow-up LP "Bryter Layter" (Kirby was integral to the sound of both) – shortly after Drake's debut Richard orchestrated Vashti Bunyan's Folk-Rock LP "Just Another Diamond Day" on Phillips (a cult record from 1970 worth four-figures today) and from thereon found himself a career in helping other artists realize the potential in their songs. And that's where this very cool 20-Track CD compilation from those right-on erect-nippled chappies at England's Ace Records comes a-lollygagging in. Let's get all Laura Ashley (our Laura approves you know) on the details…

UK released Friday, 23 February 2018 (9 March 2018 in the USA) - "When The Day Is Done - The Orchestrations Of Robert Kirby" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [ROBERT KIRBY] on Ace Records CDTOP 1517 (Barcode 029667088022) is a 20-track CD compilation that plays out as follows (78:52 minutes):

1. Introduction - NICK DRAKE (from the March 1971 UK Second LP "Bryter Layter" on Island Records ILPS 9134)

2. Forest And The Shore - KEITH CHRISTMAS (from the 1971 UK LP "Pigmy" on B&C Records CAS 1041)

3. Ophelia's Song - SHELAGH McDONALD (from the 1970 UK LP "Album" on B&C Records CAS 1019)

4. I Keep A Close Watch - JOHN CALE [of The Velvet Underground] (from the 1975 UK LP "Helen Of Troy" on Island Records ILPS 9350)

5. Dancing At Whitsun - TIM HART and MADDY PRYOR [of Steeleye Span] (from the 1971 UK LP "Summer Solstice" on B&C Records CAS 1035)

6. Rainbow River - VASHTI BUNYAN (from the November 1970 UK LP "Just Another Diamond Day" on Phillips 6308 019)

7. I've Seen The Movie - ANDY ROBERTS (from the 1971 UK LP "Nina And The Dream Tree" on Pegasus Records PEG 5)

8. White Witch - SPRIGUNS (from the 1977 UK LP "Time Will Pass" on Decca SKL 5286)

9. It's My Own Way - GILLIAN McPHERSON (from the September 1971 UK LP "Poets And Painters And Performers Of Blues" on RCA Victor SF 8220)

10. Follow On - STEVE ASHLEY (from the 1974 UK LP [recorded 1971] "Stroll on” on Gull Records GULP 1003)

11. Silver Threads And Golden Needles - SANDY DENNY (from the 1977 UK LP "Rendezvous" on Island Records ILPS 9433)

12. Love Is A Funny Thing - SPIROGYRA (from the 1971 UK LP "St. Radigunds" on B&C Records CAS 1042)

13. Friend To Me - GARY SHEARSTON (from the 1975 UK LP "The Greatest Stone On Earth And Other Two-Bob Wonders" on Charisma CAS 1042)

14. Honour Bright - SHIRLEY COLLINS (Unreleased track that first appeared on "Within Sound", a 2002 CD Box Set on Fledg'ling Records CDNEST 5001)

15. First Light - RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON (from the 1978 UK LP "First Light" on Chrysalis CHR 1177)

16. Raviole - AUDIENCE (from the 1971 UK LP "The House On The Hill" on Charisma CA 1032)

17. Madonna Blue - ILLUSION [Jane Relf, Jim McCarty and others from Renaissance] (from the 1978 UK LP "Illusion" on Island ILPS 9519)

18. Gimme An Inch Girl - IAN MATTHEWS (a Robert Palmer song from the 1978 UK LP "Stealin' Home" on Rockburgh ROC 106)

19.  What Memories We Make - DANA GILLESPIE (from the 1973 UK LP "Weren't Born A Man" on RCA Victor APL 1-0354)

20. Pick Up The Gun - RALPH McTELL (from the 1971 UK LP "You Well-Meaning Brought Me Here" on Famous SFMA 5753)

Your eyes are immediately drawn to a Trade Advert repro'd on Page 3 of the booklet - what a trio - Island Records advising that on 3 July 1969 the public can buy Nick Drake's "Five Leaves Left" (his debut arranged by Kirby), the latest advancement in Folk-Rock by Fairport Convention with the bonkers-titled "Unhalfbricking" and just to rub salt into those confused wounds - "Kip Of The Serenes" by Dr. Strangely Strange (my God was them the days). Spread across 20-pages festooned with album sleeves you rarely see and their equally obscure trade adverts - St. Etienne leading light and all-round good-egg BOB STANLEY provides some of the most entertaining, informative and properly affectionate liner notes I've ever read. Kirby's track record is impressive - not just arrangements for tasteful strings but for the Mellotron, Recorder and Harp. The listen is mostly Folk-Rock on a mellow tip with the feeling of Autumn Leaves falling outside your bedsit window as the cat yawns in the corner. And even if a few of the songs aren’t nearly as gorgeous as the Bobster would have us believe (hence the four stars) – make no mistake – this is an impressive listen and superbly presented release.

Long-standing Audio Engineer and long-time associate to Ace Records NICK ROBBINS has handled the mastering and what a job he's done. I've not heard the Ian Matthews pop of Robert Palmer's "Gimme An Inch Girl" or the brilliant but completely forgotten "Friend To Me" by Gary Shearston sound so good. This is a compilation where you 'want' the audio to be top-notch on every song and it is (I've the Spinney reissue of the Vashti Bunyan album and I'd swear the sound on the key track provided here is better than the 2000 master). On to the pastoral music...

It begins with an absolute humdinger - the entirely orchestral "Introduction" by Nick Drake - the opening track on Side 1 of his second studio album "Bryter Layter" from 1970. Surely one of Kirby's most sublime moments – the gorgeous mood it creates is cleverly followed by seven-minutes of a Folk-Rock song that few of us know - "Forest And The Shore" by Keith Christmas. Kirby makes the Mellotron on this completely overlooked melodic adventure sound like a choir and adds an almost "Nursery Cryme/Foxtrot" Genesis-sound to the long song elevating it into something special. His girlfriend and fellow Folky Shelagh McDonald is up next with the poignant "Ophelia's Song" where she sings of daisy chains and Christmas pinewood lanes and her backing band is most of Sandy Denny's vagabond pals Fotheringay (impressive company to say the least).

Unfortunately we next get what I feel is one of several clunkers – the kill-me-soon drone of John Cale. I know people worship at the altar of all things velvety and throw petals at the feet of every VU solo project – but the man's voice is surely on a CIA interrogation list somewhere along with waterboarding and Anne Widdecombe sermons. However that rare wrong foot is quickly blown away by the beautiful "Dancing At Whitsun" brought to us by Steeleye Span's guitar-player Tim Hart and singer Maddy Pryor. Kirby makes the 'Recorder' sing. Mike Oldfield must have been listening to this particularly English instrument because his first three albums "Tubular Bells", "Hergest Ridge" and "Ommadawn" are steeped in its distinct pastoral sound (Clifford T. Ward and Al Stewart).

Vashti Bunyan has a very clean vocal on the warbling finger-in-the-ear Folk of "Rainbow River" and Kirby's string arrangement arriving a few minutes into the long Andy Roberts break-up song "I've See The Movie" virtually saves the thing from itself. Other goodies include the Gillian McPherson track "It's My Own Way" which features Pentangle's Danny Thompson, Dave Cousins of The Strawbs and jazzman Johnny Almond - while Steve Ashley's "Follow On" was actually recorded in 1971 (unreleased until 1974) and its high-strung acoustic guitar has more than a touch of Duncan Browne's self-titled LP on RAK Records in 1973 (good news in my book). Another amazing production can be found in "Friend To Me" by Gary Shearston and how good is it to hear the Richard and Linda Thompson "First Light" on the digital format anywhere.

With a stonking seventy-eight minutes of overall excellence to choose from there was always going to be a few dribbles on the sonic bib and for me the clunky John Cale and Dana Gillespie/Ralph McTell songs towards the end let the collective side down somewhat. And even if I'm hung from a Cotswold yard-iron and prodded repeatedly in the Irish unmentionables with a pastoral pitchfork by the cloth-capped Mafia of musical taste – no matter how hip and collectable they are I find the Spriguns track just the wrong side of musically twee - and along with other three keep "When The Day Is Done" a hair's breadth away from greatness (many may disagree).

Yet apart from those debatable blips - there's magic here and you can't but help feel a huge well of genuine affection for this gorgeous, timely and very smartly compiled CD. For me "When The Days Is Done – The Orchestrations of Robert Kirby" is already one of the 'Reissues of the Year' 2018 and I can only suspect that Paul Buckmaster's equally extraordinary work with Bowie, Elton John, Nilsson, Carly Simon and so many others is hopefully next in this series.

Another peach from England's Ace Records then and master-compiler/musical-hero Bob Stanley – a Romantic Englishman who is now to be kissed gently on his Sweet Afton by a lacily-clad Lady Chatterley and thereafter forced to lap dance nightly in a Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley three-way. Hell, I'll join in - if my Pilates schedule allows of course.

"…Time has told me…you're a rare, rare find…" – Nick Drake sang on the truly beautiful song "Time Has Told Me". When it comes to arranger Robert Kirby - never were truer words spoken. Well done boys and roll on the next chapter...