"Shuggie’s Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays The Blues" [aka "Roots N' Blues" from 1994] by SHUGGIE OTIS (March 2009 SPV/Blue Label 'Expanded Edition' CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...We Had A Cooking Little Band...We Had A Lot Of Fun..."

Like most people I came across this superlative guitar player in a roundabout kind of a way – via The Brothers Johnson and their huge Funk/Soul hit of 1977 "Strawberry Letter No. 23" (which Otis wrote). I remember looking at the A&M Records label credit at the time on the BJ album and wondering - who the hell is the funky-sounding Shuggie Otis?

And while this mid-priced UK reissue doesn’t feature Shuggie’s 1971 original of "Strawberry Letter No. 23" (it’s on his 1971 "Freedom Flight" LP – see my review for the "Original Album Classics" 3CD Mini Box Set) – don't let that put you off for a nanosecond. "Shuggie's Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays The Blues" is a truly stunning CD compilation of his rare and desirable funky blues output in the early Seventies - a proper big daddy bargain at twice the price. There’s a lot to wade through - so let’s get to the jammy details…

UK released March 2009 - "Shuggie's Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays The Blues" by SHUGGIE OTIS on SPV Records/Blue Label SPV 306422 CD (Barcode 693723064222) is a reissue CD of a 1994 USA Columbia "Roots N' Blues" compilation. It uses the same front-cover artwork and name (though this time it’s in a card digipak rather than a jewel case) - but has had its original quota of 12-tracks bumped up by 2 - meaning that Tracks 13 and 14 here are Bonuses on this 'Extended Edition' reissue. It breaks down as follows (65:16 minutes)

1. 12:15 Slow Goonbash Blues

2. Shuggie's Boogie

3. Gospel Groove

4. The Hawks

5. Me And My Woman

6. I Can Stand To See You Die

7. I Got The Walkin' Blues

8. Purple

9. Cold Shot

10. Sweet Thang

11. Bootie Cooler

12. Shuggie's Old Time Slide Boogie

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Shuggie's Shuffle

14. Oxford Gray

Tracks 1, 12 and 13 are from the AL KOOPER LP "Kooper Session – Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis" released January 1970 in the USA on Columbia Records CS 9951 and in the UK on CBS Records S 63797

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 11 and 14 are from Shuggie Otis' debut solo album "Here Comes Shuggie Otis" released February 1970 on Columbia BN 26511 in the USA and in the UK on CBS Records S 63996

Tracks 6 and 7 are from the JOHNNY OTIS LP (credited as The Johnny Otis Show) "Cuttin' Up" released 1970 in the USA on Epic Records BN 26524. "I Can Stand To See You Die" features Shuggie Otis on Guitar, Bass, Harmonica, Organ and Piano with SUGARCANE HARRIS on solo Lead Vocals. "I Got Walkin' Blues" has the same instrumentation but features duet vocals between Johnny Otis and Sugarcane Harris.

Tracks 5, 8 and 10 are from Shuggie’s 2nd solo LP "Freedom Flight" released September 1971 in the USA on Epic Records KE 30572 [produced by Johnny Otis]

Track 9 is an October 1970 recording featuring Johnny & Shuggie Otis and had remained unreleased until the 1994 "Roots N' Blues" CD compilation

Originally mastered for Columbia by Roger Lomax at Ro-Lo Studios in the USA, the sound quality is uniformly excellent and at times 'so' sweet. But it’s the material that blows you away. His debut "Here Comes Shuggie Otis" is the very definition of lost classic and 'cool album' you must hear before you die.

Musically it’s a little instrumental B.B. King ("Purple") meets trippy Albert King on Stax ("Sweet Thang") meets the straight-up blues workout ("12:15 Slow Goonbash Blues") – it’s hugely impressive stuff and strangely diverse too. The fantastic soulful organ shuffle of "Bootie Cooler" – an instrumental I regularly put on a 70’s Fest CD - always brings customers to the counter asking after the 'cool' tune that’s playing. The false 78" crackle put on "Shuggie’s Old Time Slide Boogie" by Al Kooper in 1970 now sounds a tad gimmicky (even if the old-time National Steel blues guitar feel of the track is great), but it’s quickly sorted out by the organ-guitar driven "Shuggie’s Shuffle" – great stuff.

His 'talking about his influences and past' song "Shuggie's Boogie" (lyrics above) features him name-checking every great Blues player and then imitating their licks for about two minutes before the band kicks in. The track sung by Sugarcane Harris “I Can Stand To See You Die” and the unreleased instrumental cover of “Cold Shot” are more indicative of the Fifties/Sixties Rhythm'n'Blues stuff he would play with his Dad in the mid to late Seventies. Those tracks were issued by Johnny Otis on his own US label and featured huge R'n'B and Blues stars of old (that period is covered extensively on another superb CD called "In Session" from 2002 on the Goldenlane label). "Gospel Groove" sounds like Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac on a churchy tip – a slow-paced Blues groove with organ – 'so' good. And we should make special mention of Otis' incredibly accomplished guitar playing throughout which completely belied his 20 to 21 year’s old age when it was all recorded.

"Shuggie’s Boogie: Shuggie Otis Plays The Blues" is the kind of superlative little reissue that might pass you by – don’t let it. It’s a genuine voyage of discovery for lovers of Seventies Blues – especially those who like their particular poison with a slightly soulful tint. 

Recommended like a preacher feeling the groove on a Sunday morning...

"Sweet Inspiration – The Songs Of Dan Penn And Spooner Oldham" by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review Of The 2011 Ace Records CD Compilation.

"…I’m Yours…To Have And To Hold…"

You know you’re in the presence of a great compilation when the compilers put Dionne Warwick and Charlie Rich on a 'soul' CD – clever choices and class acts. And this latest issue in Ace’s 'Songwriters' series is a real class act - a bit of a masterpiece frankly.
But to the details first…

Released Monday 31 January 2011 in the UK (15 February 2011 in the USA), Ace Records CDCHD 1284 breaks down as follows (66:52 minutes):

1. Out Of Left Field by PERCY SLEDGE (1967, Atlantic 2396)
2. I’m Your Puppet by DIONNE WARWICK (1968, Scepter 12352)
3. Sweet Inspiration by THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS
(1968, Atlantic 2476)
4. A Woman Left Lonely by CHARLIE RICH (1971, Epic 10745)
5. I Worship The Ground You Walk On by ETTA JAMES
(1968, Cadet 5606)
6. I’m Living Good by THE OVATIONS (1969, Goldwax 342)
7. Take Me (Just As I Am) by SOLOMON BURKE (1967, Atlantic 2416)
8. Cry Like A Baby by ARTHUR ALEXANDER (1969, Sound Stage 7 2652)
9. It Tears Me Up by JEANNE NEWMAN
(Previously Unreleased Goldwax Recording From 1966)
10. Slippin’ Around With You by ART FREEMAN (1966, Fame 1008)
11. I Met Her In Church by TONY BORDERS (1969, Revue 11040)
12. Are You Never Coming Home by SANDY POSEY (1967, MGM 13824)
13. Let It Happen by JAMES CARR
(Previously Unissued Alternate Version of Goldwax 323)
14. Everything I Am by THE BOX TOPS (1967, Mala 580)
15. Feed The Flame by TED TAYLOR (1967, Atco 6481)
16. Watching The Trains Go by TONY JOE WHITE
(1968, Monument 1053)
17. In The Same Old Way by ARTHUR CONLEY (1966, Fame 1007)
18. Denver by RONNIE MILSAP (1969, Scepter 12246)
19. Dreamer by PATTI LaBELLE And THE BLUEBELLES
(1967, Atlantic 2408)
20. Good Things Don’t Come Easy by IRMA THOMAS
(Originally Unissued Chess Recording From 1967 Put Out In 1988)
21. I Need Someone by THE WALLACE BROTHERS (1968, Jewel 792)
22. He Ain’t Gonna Do Right by BARBARA LYNN (1968, Atlantic 2585)
23. Wish You Didn’t Have To Go by TOMMY ROE (1965, ABC 10706)
24. Let’s Do It Over by JOE SIMON (1965, Vee-Jay 694)

The mastering has been done by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London and the extensive 28-page booklet features a 10,000-word exploration of every track by noted soul aficionados TONY ROUNCE and BOB DUNHAM. I’ve raved about the Bear Family CD compilations “Sweet Soul Music” from 1961 to 1970 (reviewed all 10) and their great sound and packaging (regularly hitting 70 pages and beyond in each booklet) – well Ace are on the same tip here because their booklet is a truly fabulous read – and beautifully laid out. There isn’t a wasted page – photos of the artists, 7” US singles in their label bags (some demos), trade adverts – it’s just a feast of informative and enthusiastic detail that enhances your enjoyment of these deeply Southern Soul sides. Even the inlay under the see-through plastic tray advertises other Ace releases with Penn/Oldham songs on them – and after hearing this peach - imminent purchase of all seven advertised CDs may become a priority – credit-crunch or no…

The sound quality varies from the merely good (“Out Of Left Field”) to the stupendous (“Take Me (Just As I Am)”, “Dreamer” and “I Need Someone” - and back again. Mostly it just sounds great throughout. These are big American labels and rarely does the quality dip. But what overrides all of that is the awesome material itself and how it’s been sequenced…

Take “I’m Your Puppet” (lyrics above) – the version everyone knows and loves is by James And Bobby Purify – Ace has craftily chosen a lesser-heard but equally sweet Dionne Warwick version from her 1969 US album “Soulful”. When I put this CD in our shop play shuffle on Saturday, this track immediately brought soul customers to the counter asking after it. The intense Percy Sledge version of “It Tears Me Up” is another – the compilers know that as good as it may be, Percy’s version has been heard one too many times – so it’s been replaced with a countrified-soul version by Bobby Gentry soundalike Jeanne Newman – and it’s just brilliant. And a major previously unreleased coup occurs with the James Carr track – Ace have uncovered an alternate take of the slow and majestic “Let It Happen” where the background vocals are removed - it even features him talking a little as the track plays out – wow!

Then there’s the picture on Page 17 of the ultra-rare Tony Borders Fame 7” single “I Met Her In Church” – it’s a Northern Soul monster and will have NS fans weak at the knees and stroking their debit cards with an evil glint in their eye - already forming a great excuse for the wife when she gets to see the bank statements at the end of the month. It all ends of a lethal triple-whammy – Barbara Lynn and Joe Simon versions to die for - even the “Dizzy” Tommy Roe gets a moment to shine on “Wish You Didn’t Have To Go”.

Niggles - I suppose looking at the 66 minute plus playing time - you could argue that more tracks should have been included, but actually I think the lack of overkill is perfect – quality and not quantity.

To sum up - both Penn and Oldham have been underground white-boy songwriters for Black Soul music for decades – and finally this disc does them justice. I’m more than impressed – easily one the hippest and best reissues to date in 2011. Well-done boys and roll on Volume 2…

PS: if you want to hear Dan Penn cover his own huge hits – check out his own solo outing on CD from 1991 called “Do Right Man” – it’s brilliant and he’s possessed of the loveliest Tony Joe White type voice and warmth.

“Stargate The Movie – Ultimate Edition”. A Review Of The 1994 Film Now Reissued On A 2010 BLU RAY.

"…What A Rush!..."

This March 2010 Blu Ray reissue (15th Anniversary) of Roland Emmerich’s 1994 Sci-Fi blockbuster is a bit of a mixed bag.
At least it has 4 hours of NEW extra content (on top of previously released features) and both the Extended Director’s Cut and the Theatrical versions of the film - but its print is gorgeous one moment and awful the next...

There’s a lot on here, so let’s get to the spec details first:
• 1080p High Definition Print in 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
• Opening Menu Offers – German, French and English
• Theatrical Version (121 minutes)
• Director’s Cut (130 minutes)
• New 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio for English
• 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio for both French and German
• Subtitles English, German and French
• New “Deciphering The Gate: Concepts And Casting” Featurette
• New “Opening The Gate: The Making Of The Movie” Featurette
• New “Passing Through The Gate: The Legacy” Featurette
• New “Never-Before-Seen Gag Reel”
• New “Picture-In-Picture STARGATE Ultimate Knowledge” Feature
• “Is There A Stargate?” Featurette
• “The Making Of Stargate” Documentary
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Roland Emmerich and Writer/Producer Dean Devlin
• Original Stargate Previews
• B-Roll Footage
• BD Live

As you can clearly see from the impressive list above, this Optimum Releasing/Studio Canal reissue isn’t blindly throwing the film out there – there’s really great new extras on here – and fan-orientated too. But having said that, the whole shebang is let down somewhat by the actual print itself.

Primarily because of how the movie was originally filmed and the mercilessness of the Blu Ray format – the outdoor sequences are beautiful to look at – but anything ‘indoors’ – inside the secret American site where the circle of stones is held – the Stargate device sequence – arriving at the entrance of the new world – in the slaves sand-filled shacks – in fact anything involving ‘indoors’ is full of bad lighting and blocking. So while you are impressed with the beauty of the opening Indiana Jones 'desert' sequence at the beginning of the Theatrical version and the car pulling to Kurt Russell’s home to get him on board the project – you are sent in the opposite direction by how bad the wedding sequence is between James Spader and the lovely Israeli actress Mili Avital – the spaceship landing on the pyramid when 'Ra' returns and Russell’s soldiers are trapped underneath – and so on. In short, if you’re looking for pristine picture quality all the way through, then this Blu Ray print will disappoint…

Having said that and all things considered – this release is being pitched at less than ten quid, it has great sound and genuinely superb extras – and when the print sparkles, it really does.

To sum up - this Blu Ray is probably the best were going to get by way of presentation for the hugely entertaining and eminently re-watchable “Stargate – The Movie”. Just be prepared to accept and forgive the less-than-great bits in between…

"Shakespeare In Love". A Review Of The 1998 Film Now Reissued On Blu Ray In 2011.

"…Love Triumphant…And A Bit With A Dog…"

In 2003 (and at considerable expense) I bought the 'Superbit' DVD of this wonderful film to get the best picture quality I could and it was far better than the standard DVD version (even though it didn't have the extras the standard DVD did). But this January 2011 BLU RAY reissue with its superlative picture quality AND nicely complimentary extras - trumps all previous formats. And at less than ten quid, it’s reasonably priced too. But to the details first…

PRINT/FEATURES:
Full 1080p High Definition Widescreen Transfer – 2:35 Aspect
The "My Scenes" function allows the viewer to pinpoint a part of the movie you particularly like by pressing the Green button on your remote for the start and the Blue button to end it (only as it is playing). It will create a library of scenes for you to re-watch later…

BONUS MATERIAL:
• Making Of Documentary: "Shakespeare In Love And On Film"
• Feature Length Commentary by Director John Madden
• Feature Length Commentary by Cast And Crew
• Theatrical Trailer
• 21 TV Spots
• Academy Award Winning Costumes
• Deleted Scenes

AUDIO:
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• French, Italian, German, Spanish (Castellano) and Japanese DTS-HD 5.1

SUBTITLES:
English SDH (Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing), French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Icelandic, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish and Traditional Mandarin

Originally released into cinemas in early 1999, "Shakespeare In Love" was nominated for a whopping 13 Academy Awards and went on to win 7 - Best Picture, Best Leading and Supporting Actress, Screenplay, Set Design, Costumes and Music. So many things came together on this film – the inspired casting of Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes as Viola De Lessops and William Shakespeare, Geoffrey Rush as the permanently living-on-the-edge theatre owner Philip Henslowe (his dialogue titles this review), Colin Firth as the dastardly and arrogant Lord Wessex (wittily refers to life in 1593 as “Dallas in frocks”), right down to the ordinary-people emotion of Imelda Staunton who is superb as Viola’s nurse. In fact the entire ensemble cast (Tom Wilkinson, Martin Clunes, Rupert Everett, Jim Carter and Simon Callow) are all superlative and add hugely to its overall classy feel. There’s John Madden’s assured direction (he did “Mrs. Brown”), the beautifully evocative score by Steven Warbeck, the 17 fully reconstructed buildings and two theatres created by the Production teams and of course the movie’s true ace-in-the-hole – the stunning screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman which successfully emulates the bard's genius while at the same time making him real and human to us. Back in late 2007 I posted a List in Listmania on Amazon UK called “25 Movie Dialogues You Must Hear Before You Die” – and number 6 is the scene where Paltrow talks of love to her nursemaid as she readies for bed ("...love that will overthrow mountains...come ruin or rapture...") – it’s sensational stuff and in modern-day speak equal to the bard himself (no mean feat).

ASPECT/PICTURE QUALITY:
This Blu Ray's default setting is 2:35 aspect (puts borders on the top and bottomof the screen automatically), but I found taking it to full-screen on my Sony didn’t distort or stretch the image too much - if at all. But the real deal here is the picture quality itself - which is never less than brilliant and at times truly beautiful. The most obvious and immediately noticeable thing is the costumes. There’s a scene where the 'players' are finally staging “Romeo And Juliet” in front of a rapt audience at 'The Curtain' – it cuts to Colin Firth hanging from the rafters watching his new wife play Juliet and then cuts to Joseph Fiennes as Romeo on the stage opposite Paltrow – the colours in their clothes is just awesome. Even on the indoor scenes, the lighting is fabulous – little or no blocking – a hugely enjoyable experience.

Niggles – the extras are essentially the same as the DVD - the 20-minute 'Making Of' is particularly good and includes interviews with all the key people behind the camera and in front of it (as well as other actors already mentioned, Judy Dench and Ben Affleck are also included) – but it’s a shame there wasn’t more dug out for his reissue. It deserved it. A minor point, but one worth making…

This BLU RAY reissue of “Shakespeare In Love” is a triumph - a romantic, funny and hugely uplifting film finally given a chance to shine - and with a gorgeous print.

In the words of the great man himself (from Sonnet 18):
“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee…”

“Live And Dangerous” by THIN LIZZY (January 2011 Universal 2CD/1DVD ‘Deluxe Edition’ Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Is There Anyone Out There Would Like A Little More Irish In Them..."

"Live And Dangerous" was the third of three Deluxe Edition sets released Monday 24 January 2011 in the UK (22 February 2011 in the USA) - the other two were March 1976's "Jailbreak" and November 1976's "Johnny The Fox" (both 2CD sets). 

"Live And Dangerous: Deluxe Edition" even gave us the visuals too in an extra DVD. Here are the bad boy details for Universal/Mercury 5332073…

Disc 1 (36:16 minutes):

1. Jailbreak

2. Emerald

3. Southbound

4. Rosalie/Cowgirl’s Song

5. Dancing In The Moonlight (It’s Caught Me In The Spotlight) - Side 2

6. Massacre

7. Still In Love With You

8. Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed

Disc 2 (51:15 minutes):

1. Cowoy Song - Side 3

2. The Boys Are Back In Town

3. Don’t Believe A Word

4. Warrior

5. Are You Ready

6. Suicide - Side 4

7. Sha La La

8. Baby Drives Me Crazy

9. The Rocker

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Opium Trail (Live & Dangerous Outtake)

11.  Bad Reputation (Live & Dangerous Outtake)

Tracks 1 to 8 on Disc 1 are Side 1 and 2 of the double-album "Live And Dangerous” - their 9th album released 2 June 1978 in the UK on Vertigo 6641 807 and July 1978 in the USA on Warner Brothers 2BS-3213 (it peaked at 2 in the UK and 84 in the USA). Tracks 1 to 9 on Disc 2 are Side 3 and 4. The booklet states that ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM have remastered the first generation master tapes in 2010 at Wired Masters in the UK.

DVD:

Filmed live at The Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park in London in late March 1978, this was originally a video released at the time of the album - restored for DVD release in 2007. The 2007 issue had 2 discs (DVD and CD) - 'only' the DVD is presented here, but it does have its full 11-track compliment (no new footage). Audio-wise there's disappointment also - BOTH the rear sleeve of the DE and the DVD itself list two audio settings - 2.0 and 5.1 Surround Sound, but on playing the DVD it offers only the 2.0 Digital Dolby playback - and I think it's only in Mono. The picture quality is hardly state-of-the-art either - very sloppy Seventies it has to be said, but the power of the band is still intact - especially the astonishing guitar solo Brian Robertson pulls out on "Still In Love With You" and the rocking last two tracks where they were arguably the best live band in the world bar none (note: the last track on the DVD is "Me And The Boys" which is NOT on the 2LP live set).

PACKAGING:

The 3-way foldout digipak is the same design as most of Universal's 2010 DE doubles - the outer plastic wrap has now been replaced with a 'Deluxe Edition' bandana around the base of the set and you have to split it to get the package open - bit fiddly, but it's easier to access the discs and the booklet. Unlike "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" which have packed 20-page booklets and original artwork  - this booklet is very disappointing - as is the digipak itself. First up - the impact of the double-live album was made huge by its display of colour photos both on the inner gatefold and the two festooned inner sleeves - NONE of which appears here. Instead there are black and white shots of the boys on each flap with the space beneath the trays wasted on some barely visible 'Thin Lizzy' logo. It amounts to a huge amount of viewing space covered in a whole lot of nothing. The paltry 8-page CD booklet of the 1996 remaster has these photos - so why aren't they here - and enhanced? Also Universal could have used the original vinyl look on the CDs themselves - the UK 'Spaceship' Vertigo label design for Disc 1 with the USA Warner Brothers label design on Disc 2 (something Rhino has been doing on their reissues for years). I know it sounds like a bit of a whinge, but the effect of the original LPs is completely lost here.

Also - the booklet has only 16 pages (the other 2 have 20) with two of those are taken up with the original album credits. The MALCOME DOME essay on the LP lasts bits of 5 pages - much of which is taken with the tedious Tony Visconti versus The Band remembrances that have dogged the album for years - how much of it is 'actually' live... Overdubs to the tune of 75% are quoted by Visconti - disputed vigorously by Gorham and Lynott who say it was a 'lot less' - Downey say the drums weren't touched at all... (the truth probably lies somewhere in between - 25% maybe). Who cares if it was doctored after the event (most live albums were and are to this day), it stills rocks like Godzilla trampling through New York and roaring his head off. But it has to be said - that after the excellent extras on the "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" DE versions (see separate reviews), this is a let down, when it wouldn't have taken a lot to make it a screaming success.

SOUND/EXTRAS:

The remaster is great - it has to be said, and only accentuates the power of them live - and by the time you get to the "Ba-Ba-Ba-Baby..." Phil versus The Audience exchanges on "Baby Drives Me Crazy" - resistance is futile. However, hand on my heart, I would have to say that the sound is very similar to the 1996 version - only ever so slightly more amplified or tweaked. The two bonus tracks are good - especially "Opium Trail", but the sound on "Bad Reputation" is a bit corroded - even if the performance is good.

Ok - there are absolutely two ways of looking at this reissue - the lapsed buyer and newcomer will see this package, buy it and be sonically and visually pleased, but long-time fans who've bought the two superb Deluxe Editions of "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" will be wondering what the Hell happened here? Packaging that doesn't expand the original, only 2 extra tracks and a DVD we already own - fans are being asked to spend money on this. It won’t take long for them to work out that if they buy the 1996 CD and the 2-disc “Live And Dangerous” DVD/CD set from 2007 – they’ll get more and probably spend less! It seems odd to me that Lizzy's defining moment should be the one DE that lets the side down. Surely - and backtrack to take a look at the playing times for both discs - surely there could have been more? Where’s the audio for "Me And The Boys" for God’s sake – a B-side surrounding the album? And for the DVD to not have a 5.1 mix or more importantly 'anything' new is a huge disappointment.

To sum up – a superb album of course, but a mixed bag on the packaging front and a visual many will already have. Newcomers should just dive in and enjoy - but fans may want to wait until it drops into a sale in a few months...

Phil Lynott has his fist raised up on the front cover of "Live And Dangerous" - and on the 3 to 4-star presentation of this iconic and much loved double album - unfortunately I think I know why...

"Johnny The Fox" by THIN LIZZY. A Review Of Their 1976 Album Now Reissued and Remastered Onto A 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' In 2011.

"…Started Out Playing Hotel Bars…Now He’s Got The Talent To Take Him Far…"

"Johnny The Fox" is the second of three 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD sets released Monday 24 January 2011 in the UK (8 February 2011 in the USA) - the other two are 1976's "Jailbreak" and 1978's "Live And Dangerous" (2CD/1DVD).

Universal/Mercury 5332077 breaks down as follows...

PACKAGING:
The 3-way foldout digipak is the same design as most of Universal's 2010 DE doubles - the outer plastic wrap has now been replaced with a 'Deluxe Edition' bandana around the base of the set and you have to split it to get the package open - bit fiddly, but it's easier to access the discs and the booklet. The short "Vulture" story on the inner sleeve of the original LP is put under the see-through tray that houses Disc 1, while the 4 colour photos of the boys on the back sleeve are now spread across all 4 sides of the two inner flaps - and they look great.

Like "Jailbreak" (reviewed separately) there's a superbly detailed 20-page booklet with a very intensive essay on the album and the band's history - this time by NEIL JEFFRIES. It documents the hepatitis that nearly killed Phil and caused the upcoming US tour to be cancelled (it was felt it would finally break them huge). But the American arena's loss was music's gain because Lizzy were able instead to concentrate on more songwriting and again - for the second time in 1976 - they came up with the goods.

Niggles - like "Jailbreak" I'd have to say that the lack of alternate artwork or works-in-progress from Jim Fitzpatrick - the Dublin artist who's Celtic artwork was such an integral part of the band's image (and the album sleeve) - is a bit of a let down. The non-colour version of his front-cover artwork that was used on the inner sleeve is missing too. Also Universal could have used the original vinyl look on the CDs themselves - the UK 'Spaceship' Vertigo label design for Disc 1 with the USA Mercury label design on Disc 2 - minor points I know, but worth mentioning...

DISCS:
Disc 1 (36:05 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Johnny The Fox", their 7th album released 16 October 1976 in the UK on Vertigo 9102 012 and November 1976 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-1119 (it peaked at 11 in the UK and 52 in the USA). The booklet states it's been remastered by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM in 2010 at Wired Masters Sound In London in the UK.

Disc 2 (38:13 minutes):
Tracks 1 and 2 are 'Remix' Versions of "Don't Believe A Word" (Remix One) and "Johnny". JOE ELLIOTT (of Def Leppard) along with SCOTT GORHAM, BRIAN DOWNEY (guitarist and drummer with the band) and RONAN McHUGH have remixed and re-recorded 'some' parts on these in "Joe's Garage" in Dublin. There's not enough room to detail here what's been done to what track and why, but Joe Elliott's notes explain in full on Pages 18 and 19.
Tracks 3 to 6 are "Don't Believe A Word", "Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed", "Fools Gold" and "Johnny" - all BBC Sessions recorded 11 October 1976 in London for The John Peel Show
[Note: Track 3 confusingly comes up on some CDs as "Don't Believe A Word - Remix Two" and not the "BBC Session". However, the DE rear artwork calls it a BBC Session.]
Tracks 7 and 9 are 'Instrumental Run Through' versions of "Fools Gold" and "Rocky"
Track 8 is an 'Instrumental Run Through & Extended' version of "Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed" featuring a false start and more dialogue at the end
Track 10 is an 'Instrumental Take With Lynott's Directions To The Band' version of "Massacre"
Track 11 is an 'Unreleased Scott Gorham Composition' called "Scott's Tune"

SOUND/EXTRAS:
Joe Elliott of Def Leppard comments in the liner notes that he thinks "Johnny The Fox" is even better than "Jailbreak" - I don't know about that - but he does have a point when you re-listen to the fab rock riffage of "Rocky" (lyrics above) and the bluesy feel of "Borderline" which is almost as good as "I'm Still In Love With You". There didn't seem to be anything Phil Lynott couldn't turn his knack for penning a winner to - both musically and lyrically. And the two boys - Scott Gorham and Brian "Robbo" Robertson - played their guitars off each other like they telepathically linked. It's a shame though that the writer credit on "Don't Believe A Word" is still only 'Lynott' when it was known then and more so now that it was 'both' Robertson and Downey who wrote it after the first aborted attempts. "Fool's Gold" sounds great too - big and chunky. There was (like most Irish songwriters) a Van Morrison desperately trying to get out of Phil Lynott and "Old Flame" and "Sweet Marie" (like "Running Back" on the "Jailbreak" LP) are his Van The Man moments - and I love them both. Soundwise, it's good, but if I'm honest, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between this and the 1996 remaster - slightly better I'd say.

Like the "Jailbreak" bonus tracks on Disc 2, the extras here are far better than I thought they would be. In fact I'd go as far as saying that they may even be better than the album. First up are two fantastic 'Remixes'. They don't trump the originals - but man - are they good! The four John Peel BBC Sessions show just how unbelievably tight the band was - and how their material was sit-up-and-take-notice good. Downey's drums are huge too.

But the best is left to last - a set of incredibly personal in-the-studio outtakes. The run-through of "Fools Gold" cuts out the spoken 'Famine' intro and is just great riffing - fascinating stuff. "Johnny The Fox..." has a false start, studio dialogue and sounds like the band is rehearsing in your living room (incredibly personal) - and when the twin guitars kick in with that great riff at one minute in - it's a blast. The "Rocky" run through simply sounds like the finished backing track minus the vocals - but "Massacre" is more like it - rough and raw - with Phil's guide vocal barely audible. You can hear him instruct "now the chord...the riff fours times and stop..." The breakneck speed of "Scott's Tune" features Phil's bass upfront while Scott boogies like a madman - great stuff.

To sum up - a muscular remaster of the album, properly expanded packaging, shockingly good bonus tracks - and all at a reasonable price. I was afraid that this would be just a cheap cash-in one of their big albums, but it's not. Lizzy nuts will eat it alive...

Recommended like midnight in the big city...

PS: see also my reviews for the 2010 Extended Remasters of "Thin Lizzy" (1971), "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" (1972) and the 2CD Deluxe Editions of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" (1973), "Jailbreak" and "Live And Dangerous".

“Jailbreak” by THIN LIZZY. A Review Of Their 1976 Breakthrough Album Now Reissued and Remastered Onto A 2011 2CD ‘Deluxe Edition’.

"…And I Come Running…Running Back To You Again…"

“Jailbreak” is the first of three 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD sets released Monday 24 January 2011 in the UK (8 February 2011 in the USA) - the other two are 1976’s “Johnny The Fox” and 1978’s “Live And Dangerous” (2CD/1DVD).

Universal/Mercury 5332052 breaks down as follows…

PACKAGING:
The 3-way foldout digipak is the same design as most of Universal’s 2010 DE doubles - the outer plastic wrap has now been replaced with a ‘Deluxe Edition’ bandana around the base of the set and you have to split it to get the package open – bit fiddly, but it easier to access the discs and the booklet.
Phil Lynott and Jim Fitzpatricks’ “Overmaster” concept story on the rear sleeve of the original LP is put on the first inner flap to the left, while the 4 colour photos of the boys on the back sleeve are now spread across the two inner flaps – and they look great.

There’s a superbly detailed 20-page booklet with a very intensive essay on the album and the band’s history by DEREK OLIVER. It refers back to interviews with Phil and Brian Robertson and the text is peppered with live photos and a collage of trade adverts and gold disc awards. To counter that though, I’d add that the lack of alternate artwork or works in progress from Jim Fitzpatrick – the Dublin artist who’s Celtic artwork was such an integral part of the band’s image – is a bit of a let down on the packaging front. Also they could have used the original vinyl look on the CDs themselves – the UK ‘Spaceship’ Vertigo label design for Disc 1 with the USA Mercury label design on Disc 2 - minor niggles, but worth mentioning…

DISCS:
Disc 1 (36:07 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 9 are the album “Jailbreak”, their 6th album released 14 March 1976 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-1081 and 26 March 1976 in the UK on Vertigo 9102 008 (it peaked at 18 in the USA and 10 in the UK). ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM have remastered the first generation master tapes in 2010 at Wire Masters in the UK.

Disc 2 (51:35 minutes):
Tracks 1, 2 and 4 are ‘Remix’ Versions of “The Boys Are Back In Town”, “Jailbreak” and “Emerald”. JOE ELLIOTT (of Def Leppard) along with SCOTT GORHAM, BRIAN DOWNEY (guitarist and drummer with the band) and RONAN McHUGH have remixed and re-recorded ‘some’ parts on these in “Joe’s Garage” in Dublin. There’s isn’t enough room to detail here what’s been done to what track and why, but Elliott’s notes explain in full on Page 19.
Track 3 is an 'Alternate Vocal Remix' of “The Boys Are Back In Town” which features different verses in the latter half of the song
Tracks 5 to 8 are “Jailbreak”, “Emerald”, “Cowboy Song” and “Warriors” - all BBC Sessions recorded 12 February 1976 in London for The John Peel Show
Track 9 is an 'Extended Version' of “Fight Or Fall” (5:21 minutes)
Track 10 is a 'Previously Unreleased Studio Track' called “Blues Boy”
Track 11 is “Derby Blues” - an 'Early Live Version Of Cowboy Song' recorded at The Derby College Of Technology in the UK on the 2 November 1975.
NOTE - EXTRA TRACK DISC 2: the outer packaging lists only 10 tracks on Disc 2 - but there is 11 as documented above

SOUND/EXTRAS:
The remaster on Disc 1 is fantastic – bringing out Phil Alcock’s original production values on every track. There is hiss on some songs (like "Fight Or Fall"), but it’s minimal and hasn’t been ‘Protooled’ out of existence – presence and power haven’t been sacrificed - just amplified. Downey’s drumming is suddenly a force to be reckoned with too rather than being something that was muddled in the back of the mix somewhere. The rockers like “The Warrior” and “Emerald” now sound just HUGE (Gorham and Robertson’s solos still make the hairs stand up), while the more plaintive tunes are great too. You can hear Tim Hinckley’s keyboards on the lovely “Running Back” (lyrics above), the ultra-tight acoustic guitars on "Romeo And The Lonely Girl" and when the twin electric guitars kick-in on “Cowboy Song” after the lonesome harmonica intro – the effect is magical.

The extras are far better than I thought they would be – they really are. The ‘Remixes’ are very good, but don’t trump the originals. You can hear why the lyrics were changed in the ‘Alternate’ “Boys Are Back In Town” – and frankly how he improved it so much (what a perfect little song it is). The already polished versions of “Cowboy Song” and “The Warrior” in the BBC Session of February 1976 are absolutely extraordinary and beautifully captured by in-house Producer Tony Wilson – Lizzy were ‘so’ good – you can just ‘hear’ how the new material was on fire…

The extended “Fight Or Fall” features countrified slide guitars – it sounds like a Vagabond’s outtake or The Allman Brothers doing a loose jam – it’s fabulous and for me a genuine surprise. But then comes the real deal for starved fans - a new Lynott song called “Blues Boy” – and as its title suggests, it’s a slinky Blues riff. Musically it’s very similar to the opening slink of “Pretzel Logic” by Steely Dan but with guitars instead of keyboards. It’s just great and would have made a superb B-side. Chunky guitar work too…bit of dialogue at the end…what a treat!

To sum up – a superb remaster of the album, properly expanded packaging, genuine bonus tracks and all at a reasonable price. I was afraid that this would be just a cheap cash-in on their big album, but I’m over the moon with it.

Reading Joe Elliott’s page on the handling of the ‘remixes’, you sense his enthusiasm and especially his affection for this great band and it’s enigmatic front man. I saw Lizzy several times live in Dublin during those incredible years and they were an awesome thing to behold. This reissue has only reminded me of that. Praise indeed…

Recommended like a large neat whiskey in Dino’s Bar 'n' Grill…

PS: see also my reviews for the 2010 Extended Remasters of “Thin Lizzy” (1971), “Shades Of A Blue Orphanage” (1972) and the 2CD Deluxe Editions of “Vagabonds Of The Western World” (1973), “Johnny The Fox” and “Live And Dangerous”.