“Why” by THE CUES. A Review of the 2008 CD Reissue on Bear Family Records.

“…I'm A Prince When You're Near Me...All The World Is My Throne…”

The knowledgeable and detailed PETER GRENDYSA liner notes on this typically superb Bear Family CD are dated ‘July 1988’ – on a 2008 CD? Here’s what happened…

Back in 1988 Bear Family put out one of the first compilations dedicated to this superb Doo Wop and R’n’B Vocal group – the 16-track vinyl LP “Crazy, Crazy Party” on BFX 15309. It contained most of their Capitol Records output and four previously unreleased tracks - “Much Obliged”, “Killer Diller”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mr. Oriole” and “Be My Wife”.

This was then reissued as “Why” on an expanded CD in 1991 with 28 Tracks (a different cover also accompanied the different title). As well as featuring additional early sides on Lamp, Jubilee, Prep and Groove, it added a further five previously unreleased songs from Capitol’s vaults – 2 takes of “Yes Sir”, “Poppa Loves Momma”, “Ladder” and “Warm Spot”.

This 2008 version of “Why” (BCD 15510 AH) is the 1991 CD in exactly the same running order, but again with different artwork and now - new 2008 copyright dates on the digital remasters. The booklet is a sizeable 24-pages and includes detailed liners notes and a discography to 1960, while the CD label and inlay beneath the see-through tray picture “Burn That Candle” – their debut September 1955 single on Capitol Records F 3245 (later made a sizeable hit by Bill Haley & His Comets in November 1955 on Decca).

The Cues were formed by the legendary Producer & Writer JESSE STONE specifically as a backing-group of quality for recording labels of the time – the first time this had ever been done. They’re on Atlantic hits by LaVern Baker in 1954, they’re credited as Joe Turner’s “Blues Kings”, the “Rhythmmakers” for Ruth Brown and “The Ivorytones” for Ivory Joe Hunter.

The Cues had an array of stunning vocalists – OLLIE JONES [Lead Tenor], ABEL DeCOSTA [First Tenor], JIMMY BREEDLOVE [Second Tenor], ROBIE KIRK [Baritone] and EDWARD ‘EDDIE’ BARNES [Bass]. Breedlove later had a solo career with sides on RCA in 1958, but they were far rockier than his smooth vocal work with The Cues (his lone album “Sings Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits” was reissued on Bear Family BFX 15327 in 1989). One the highlights on this CD is Breedlove’s beautiful lead vocals on his ballad “Don’t Make Believe” – the flip of “Destination 2100 And 65”.

The sound quality is fabulous throughout, except for their October 1954 debut 45 on Lamp 8007 (“Forty ‘leven Dozen Ways” b/w “Scoochie Scoochie”) where both sides are dubbed from a scratchy and extremely rare disc. The other selling point is the really great quality of the unreleased tracks – Breedlove’s whistling on “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mr. Oriole” predating Bobby Darin’s “Rockin’ Robin” by a full two years. Another rarity is “So Near And Yet So Far” b/w “Hot Rotten Soda Pop (On My Toe)” which was issued in June 1955 on Groove 4/G-0110 (one of RCA’s subsidiary labels); it’s credited to THE FOUR STUDENTS, but it’s featured on this CD because 4 members of The Cues are on it.

My personal favourites on “Why” are the four sides of two great singles – the 1st on Capitol F 3582 from November 1956 - “Why” b/w “Prince Or Pauper” and the 2nd on Prep 104 from May 1957 - “Crazy, Crazy Party” b/w “I Pretend”. They’re both perfect slices of Fifties greatness – a cool dancer on the A with a beautiful Doo Wop balled on the B. Ollie Jones’ deep pleading vocal on “Prince Or Pauper” is simply irresistible – as lovely a song as you’ve ever heard (lyrics above).

So – for newcomers looking for a bit of Fifties Doo Wop and R’n’B magic - this is a sweetheart of a release and typical of Bear Family’s commitment to excellence – and for those who own the 1991 issue, there’s the new remasters.

Gorgeous stuff - and recommended the most.

- BELOW IS A DISCOGRAPHY WITH REGARD TO THIS RELEASE -

*** THE CUES *** A 45/LP Discography referencing “Why” the 28-track 1991/2008 Bear Family CD compilation:

1. “Forty ‘eleven Dozen Ways” b/w “Scoochie Scoochie” are the A&B of Lamp 8007 issued in October 1954 (tracks 25 and 26 on the CD)

2. “Only You” b/w “I Fell For Your Loving” are the A&B of Jubilee 5201 issued in May 1955 (tracks 21 and 22 on the CD)
Note: The A is NOT a cover version of the famous Platters song, which happened to be issued in that same month

3. “So Near And Yet So Far” b/w “Hot Rotten Soda Pop (On My Toe)” are the A&B of Groove 4/G-0110 issued in June 1955 (an RCA subsidiary label) – it’s credited as THE FOUR STUDENTS but is included on the CD because it contains Jones, DeCosta, Barnes and Kirk of THE CUES (tracks 24 and 23 on the CD)

4. “Burn That Candle” b/w “Oh My Darlin’” are the A&B of Capitol F 3245 (their debut for Capitol) issued in September 1955 (tracks 4 and 16 on the CD)

5. “Charlie Brown” b/w “You’re On My Mind” are the A&B of Capitol F 3310 issued in January 1956 (tracks 7 and 9 on the CD)
Note: The A is NOT a cover of the hit by The Coasters (1959 on Atlantic), but an Ollie Jones rocking original (in a similar vein to The Coasters famous hit)

6. “Destination 2100 And 65” b/w “Don’t Make Believe” are the A&B of Capitol F 3400 in April 1956 (tracks 11 and 20 on the CD)

7. “Crackerjack” b/w “The Girl I Love” are the A&B of Capitol F 3482 issued in July 1956 (tracks 3 and 15 on the CD)

8. “Why” b/w “Prince Or Pauper” are the A&B of Capitol F 3582 issued in November 1956 (tracks 2 and 12 on the CD)

9. “Crazy, Crazy Party” b/w “I Pretend” are the A&B of Prep 104 issued in May 1957 (a Capitol subsidiary label) (tracks 8 and 18 on the CD)

10. “Ol’ Man River” is the A of Jubilee JB 5395 issued in (its B-side “Always Remember (not To Forget)” is not included on the compilation because its thought not to contain any members of The Cues in the recording

11. “Rock n’ Roll Mr. Oriole”, “Killer Diller”, “Much Obliged” and “Be My Wife” are FOUR previously unreleased tracks which first appeared on the 1988 Bear Family LP “Crazy, Crazy Party” on BFX 15309 (tracks 13, 17, 5 and 19 on the CD)

12. “Yes Sir” (two takes), “Poppa Loves Momma”, “Ladder” and “Warm Spot” are FIVE previously unreleased tracks which first appeared on the expanded 1991 Bear Family CD “Why” – their placing is repeated on this 2008 reissue (tracks 1 and 27, 6, 10 and 14 on the CD)

“Angels & Demons” – A Review of the 2009 Movie on BLU RAY.

“…Of Course God Sent You…”

There’s probably millions of physicists, theologians and hugely academic types out there who can’t wait to poo poo “Angels & Demons” - the sequel to Dan Brown’s ludicrously successful book and movie - “The Da Vinci Code” – I’m not going to be one of them.

While you wouldn’t call it a “Bourne-like” masterpiece in terms of non-stop plot and thrills, A&D gets damn close – and almost all of the time. Sequel or stand alone – it’s a brilliantly executed movie – and far, far better than its predecessor ever was, entertaining the weary pants off of you with real style, skill and panache.

To start with - “Angels & Demons” has the magic triple whammy – a really great cast who can bring gravitas to any part they play, a fantastically well-adapted screenplay from great source material (AKIVA GOLDSMAN and DAVID KOEPP who are both Oscar winners and nominees) and the best entertainment Director in the movie business today - RON HOWARD. I mean the guy just delivers time after time after time - “Frost/Nixon”, “Cinderella Man” and “Apollo 13” are among his superb former credits.

It goes like this (and every word of the following is Gospel)… There’s a plot to bring down the Catholic Church and replace it with an order based on science rather than faith, which may or may not have something to do with the ancient and mysterious cult of THE ILLUMINATI. Despite being purged centuries back by scared zealots in the Catholic Church, these are powerful people still in high places who have remained undetected down through the ages by the modern world – patiently waiting for their time of revenge. And an experiment in Switzerland has given them that chance.

TOM HANKS is back as the permanently po-faced Professor Langdon summoned by a devout priest (EWAN McGREGOR) to the holy city of the Vatican in Rome to protect the Catholic Church at a time of Papal re-election. A slick assassin who is prepared to carry out grizzly acts of torture (played chillingly by NIKOLAJ LIE KAAS) is killing off high-ranking Catholic cardinals in a countdown to an apocalyptical ‘light’ that will consume the throne of Christ’s church on Earth. And wouldn’t you know it, but poor old butter-brains Langdon has only 4 hours to work it all out and stop the end of…well the world frankly… Luckily he is ably aided by a particle-analyst in the shape of the leggy AYELET ZURER (it's a scientific fact that all lab scientists look like this woman – I swear). And on it goes….

It’s all utter knob of course, but the historical linking of actual statues, churches and symbols all over the city make you believe every cleverly preposterous word of it. Throw in the brilliance of actors like ARMIN-MUELLER-STALH as a Cardinal who may become the next Fisherman and STELLAN SKARSGARD as the head of the Vatican Police who trusts no-one including his employers – and you have enough diversions, red herrings and word-like genius to make the men who make up the British Government’s balance of payments forecasts positively blush with envy. It’s brilliant stuff – it really is - and every scene is filled with it.

Locations are all ace - the catacombs under the streets, the reproduced airtight Vatican Archives and the ornate rooms in sumptuous buildings all help the stew too - and the BLU RAY picture (no pun intended) is immaculate throughout. The extras are extensive too and add to the experience nicely (a huge amount of effort involved).

Whether or not you consider all organised religion to be a corrupting force or the very bedrock on which civilized society is based is not going to get talked about too much in “Angels & Demons” – the film is far too busy entertaining you for all that stuff ‘n nonsense…

But even the Dan Brown doubters out there will get up from their comfy chairs, brush the crisps and curry off their shirts and say, “…that was damn good!”

Recommended.

"Gladiator" on BLU RAY. One For The Arena Or The Skip??

“…Are You Not Entertained?”

I have to admit to being befuddled by current reviews (Sept 2009) saying that the picture quality on this BLU RAY reissue of "Gladiator" is rubbish - that's just not true.

I would admit that the opening credits are not exactly crystal, but there are absolutely loads of scenes after that where everything is gorgeous - revelatory even. There's the battle uniform of Richard Harris astride his horse, the sheets of paper he's writing on in his candlelit tent, a deeper scar on the lip of Joaquin Phoenix, the more pronounced pock marks on the tip of Oliver Reed's nose, more sweat on Russell Crowe's brow, even the facial close-ups of Connie Nielsen towards the end now reveal just a little too much make-up on the cheeks etc ... The picture is beautiful at least 95% of the time?

There are both versions of the film too (Extended & Theatrical) and the extras disc has the full compliment.

I loved it - and watching "Gladiator" for the 10th time, I'm still blown away at how good the film is - a genuine modern-day classic filled with heart, story and balls. And Ridley Scott's mind-blowing attention to detail and fearless production values are now more evident than ever on this superb BLU RAY reissue.

I'm going on what I saw this afternoon - it rocked.

What I saw today on a Sony 42" LCD screen using a reasonable Sony Blu Ray player looked and sounded fabulous.

You should of course see it for yourself if you can - and then judge.

PS: it's available as a 2-Disc CARD-WRAP version or a STEEL TIN version - both are pictured above

“Revolver” by THE BEATLES. A Review of their 1966 Masterpiece Now Ressiued On A 2009 Enhanced Remastered CD.

"…The Day Breaks…Your Mind Aches…"

Did you know that the Beatles don't actually play an instrument on "Eleanor Rigby" (it's a six string ensemble with Paul's vocals)? Or that George Martin plays the piano on "Good Day Sunshine"? Or that George Harrison doesn't play Sitar on "Love You To" (it was a session man) but does on "Tomorrow Never Knows? Did you know that the stereo catalogue number for the original British LP of "Revolver" on which this CD is based is Parlophone PCS 7009?

Well you do now!

All insufferable smartarse remarks aside - why do I mention this - because you're not going to learn any of these interesting and relevant facts from the woefully weak booklet that accompanies this CD...

Let's get this straight from the start – THE SOUND ON THIS 9 Sept 2009 REMASTER OF "REVOLVER" IS MAGNIFICENT - it really is - and for many people that will be enough. But for fans that have waited 22 years for EMI to get this right, the description of this CD reissue as being endowed with 'deluxe packaging' is frankly laughable.

I mean only EMI could forget to include the album's original catalogue number! Or how about supplying the lyrics (too much like hard work boys) or an interview with the Producer George Martin, the engineer Geoff Emerick? Or how about picturing the differing worldwide picture sleeves that accompanied the singles that came off the album? Or even adhering to the original issue of the LP for God's sake! With a playing time of 34:47 minutes and plenty of room, where's the MONO mix as it was originally released? The laughable "historical notes" last 2 whole pages - the recording notes a page and a half - the rest is pointless pictures of the boys that give absolutely no sense of event or any knowledge of the album and its monumental impact. The three-way card digipak is pretty - it is - but it has a matt cover and the second you get it out of the shrink-wrap it starts to mark and pick up grease. Infuriatingly, the BEATLES in MONO box set has the REPRO BRITISH LP SLEEVE in all its laminated hard-card flip-back rear-sleeve glory - a far sturdier and prettier effort - but it's £200 to acquire such a privilege (if you can find one)!

I know it's a bit of a cliché to whine on about packaging, but can you imagine what Ace Records of the UK, Bear Family of Germany, Rhino of the USA or Raven of Australia (proper reissue labels) would have done to a catalogue of this importance and stature? They would have shown this extraordinary band and one of its greatest recorded achievements the respect and affection it deserves - instead you get the distinct feeling of a corporate organisation just doing what it can get away with (there's no download variant of it available as yet either). Four years prepping this! Four years doing what? Picking their noses!

But let's get back to the music.

"Revolver" (their 7th album) was originally released 5 August 1966 in the UK on both Parlophone PMC 7009 Mono and PCS 7009 Stereo. The American issue followed 3 days later on Capitol T-2576 Mono and ST-2576 Stereo. The UK issue had 14 tracks, the US had 11 - the three missing from the American issue were "And Your Bird Can Sing", I'm Only Sleeping" and "Dr. Robert" which had appeared on the June 1966 US album "Yesterday And Today". This issue follows the UK release with the full compliment of 14. The CD label also reflects the black and yellow lettering of the original British LP, as does the rear cover artwork, which advertises the use of an "Emitex" record cleaning cloth! The enhanced CD track called "Mini Documentary" (broadcast last weekend on the BBC preceding the worldwide release of their catalogue) is largely black & white in-studio shots featuring the voices of the Fabs and George Martin discussing songs and techniques on the album - it's directed by BOB SMEATON and is nice, but disappears way too fast (and we've already seen it). There's a link to the official website, but naught else of any real worth... So the supposed bonus track turns out to be two and half minutes of video footage we've already seen and something EMI has blatantly used as a sales device!

Sound - hearing this 2009 remaster is a SONIC BLAST from start to finish. Both GUY MASSEY and STEVE ROOKE have remastered the first generation stereo master tapes and to say they've done a good job is like saying the Great Wall of China is an o.k. building project! Their work here is fabulous – monumental almost - it really is. The sound quality is glorious throughout - clear, warm, detailed - every single track a revelation. My only complaint would be that some songs are very loud - "Got To Get You Into My Life" and "Here, and There & Everywhere" in particular, but George Martin produced them that way. The hiss level is barely audible on any of the songs, but what is subtly audible now is the new instrument flourishes you can hear almost everywhere. The brilliant Harrison guitar playing on the New York Drug Pusher song "Dr. Robert" is at last to the fore, the lone horn work of ALAN CIVIL on "For No One" is suddenly so pretty, while Ringo's superlative drumming on "Tomorrow Never Knows" is now absolutely huge to a point where the clarity and sheer whack of the remaster brought me to tears. If you love this record, you're in for a treat.

So there you have it - an absolute wow 10-out-of-10 on the sound front - but could have done so much better on the rest.

But my God - what a band - and what a recorded legacy they left behind. Float downstream indeed folks...

Recommended - despite little old pacifist me wanting to threaten the pencil pushers at EMI with physical violence...

I need to get out more...

“Spoon So Easy - The Chess Years” by JIMMY WITHERSPOON - A Review of the 1990 USA-Only CD Compilation.

“…One Day We’ve Got Ham And Bacon…The Next Day Ain't Nothin' Shakin'…”

Transferred from the original analogue mono tapes by DOUG SCHWARTZ, “Spoon So Easy” was released in 1990 in the USA on CHD-93003. It was a 12-track LP and 14-track CD (with the two CD bonus tracks being “Mack & Jay” and “Just To Prove My Love To You”). This early Chess compilation is a mix of 7” singles, an LP track and several previously unreleased outtakes. The period is 1954 and 1955 on Chess’ subsidiary label CHECKER.

“It Ain’t No Secret” is Checker 826, “When The Lights Go Out” and “I Can Make It With You” are the A & B of Checker 798 and “I Don’t Know Why (Why Do I Love You Like I Do)” is Checker 826. “Goin Down Slow” is off the Anthology LP “Blues: Shoutin’ Swingin’ And Makin’ Love” (Chess LP 412) while the other 8 tracks are all previously unreleased. Willie Dixon composed the excellent “Live So Easy” (previously unreleased), “I Can Make It With You” and the sexed-up single that should have charted “When The Lights Go Out”.

Soundwise – it’s good – rather than great – but in 2009, the transfer quality of 1990 is really showing its age – especially in the light of Erick Labson’s stunning remasters of almost all the Chess catalogue in 1998 and onwards in the 2000s. The short but affectionate liner notes are by MARY KATHERINE ALDIN of the LIVING BLUES Magazine.

Slow blues – a couple of shouters - it’s a good set, and cheap too - but like so many of the Chess compilations of the period, it’s in real need of an upgrade.