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Thursday 26 May 2011

"He’s So Fine + Lonely Teardrops...Plus" by JACKIE WILSON (2011 Hoodoo Records CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry....



"...It Thrills Me So...I Turn A Back-Over Flip..."


Hoodoo Records is a relatively new label to the reissue marketplace and in the last few years have amassed lots of these releases - 'twofer' sets that mostly concentrate on the first two albums of an artist and then add on some relevant extras (see list below). This excellent reissue puts out Jackie Wilson's first two Fifties Rhythm 'n' Blues/Soul albums for the Decca subsidiary label Brunswick - and adds on six bonus tracks. Here are the ‘so fine’ details…

Released in April 2011 in the UK – "He's So Fine + Lonely Teardrops: The Definitive Remastered Edition" by JACKIE WILSON on Hoodoo Records 263393 (Barcode 8436028698158) offers two LPs Remastered onto 1CD plus Six Bonus Tracks and it breaks down as follows (71:33 minutes):

1. Etcetera
2. To Be Loved
3. Come Back To Me
4. If I Can Have You
5. As Long As I Live
6. Reet Petite
7. It’s Too Bad We Had To Say Goodbye [Side 2]
8. Why Can’t You Be Mine
9. I’m Wanderin’
10. Right Now
11. Danny Boy
12. It’s So Fine
Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "He's So Fine" - released March 1958 on Brunswick Records BL 54042 in the USA and October 1958 on Vogue Coral LVA 9087 in the UK [both MONO]

13. Lonely Teardrops
14. Each Time (I Love You More)
15. That’s Why (I Love You So)
16. In The Blue Of Evening
17. The Joke (Is Not On Me)
18. Someone To Need Me (As I Need You)
19. You Better Know It
20. By The Light Of The Silvery Moon
21. Singing A Song
22. Love Is All
23. We Have Love
24. Hush-A-Bye
Tracks 13 to 24 are his 2nd LP "Lonely Teardrops" - released March 1959 in the USA on Brunswick Records BL 54045 and September 1959 on Coral LVA 9108 in the UK [both MONO]

BONUS TRACKS:
25. I'll Be Satisfied (a non-album track issued in 1959 as the A-side of USA 7" single on Brunswick 55136)
26. The Magic Of Love (issued in April 1960 as the B-side to the UK 7" single "Doggin' Around" on Coral Q 72393 and appears on the "So Much" LP of 1960)
27. Give Me You by BILLY WARD and HIS DOMINOES (which featured Jackie Wilson on Lead Vocals - issued in September 1955 on King Records 1502)
28. Rags To Riches by BILLY WARD and HIS DOMINOES (which featured Jackie Wilson on Lead Vocals - issued in October 1953 on King Records 1280)
29. You Can't Keep A Good Man Down by BILLY WARD and HIS DOMINOES (which featured Jackie Wilson on Lead Vocals) - issued in July 1953 on Federal 12139
30. Never Go Away (a non-album track issued in 1959 as the B-side to "You Better Know It" on USA 7" single Brunswick 55149)

The packaging tells us it’s 'digitally remastered' but craftily doesn't state by who or where and what was used. But it doesn’t take your ears long to work out that these Brunswick masters are in great shape because the sound quality is glorious – most of it is fresh, clean and muscular without being overbearing. It’s very good indeed…

The 16-page booklet has an essay by Vic Westley and it’s peppered with colour photos of 7" singles, trade adverts, concert snaps and even has the original liner notes for the "He's So Fine" LP featured on a separate page – it’s an informative read and very nice to look at.

The songs themselves vary - the magical "Reet Petite" of course and the Grammy winning "Lonely Teardrops" and the jaunty "That's Why (I Love You So)" with its irresistible beat (lyrics above) shine. But then there's the inevitable terrible crooner crud in-between - standards like "In The Blue Of Evening", "Danny Boy" and "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon" – but time hasn't been kind to any of them. Luckily the more mid-paced and ballad R 'n' B numbers fare better – "Each Time (I Love You More)" and "I'm Wanderin'" are all saved by his wonderful operatic vocals. "It's So Fine", "If I Can't Have You" and "Why Can't You Be Mine" are such fun too – a little like the material Presley was drawn to (Wilson was a huge influence on him).

Niggles – some of the bonus tracks make no rhyme nor reason – the inclusion of "I'll Be Satisfied" and "Never Go Away" as non-album songs are right and proper – but "Ask" is the non-album B-side of "I'll Be Satisfied" and it isn't on here? The inclusion of "The Magic Of Love" isn't right either because it's off the next album "So Much" from 1960 - while the three Billy Ward and His Dominoes choices hark back to his material at Federal and King and his output there would take up a whole CD in itself (and has). It's a shame, because had that other B-side been included here, this release would have allowed fans to sequence all 8 of his first solo single releases around the 2 LPs. It's a minor point I know, but one worth making.

Summing up - it doesn’t take particular genius to work out that all of these Fifties issues are proliferating in 2010 and 2011 because of the 50-year Copyright law – but that doesn't stop this CD from being a bit of a peach really. Great music, nice packaging and really clear sound make it a tasty little number indeed. And didn't the mighty "Mr. Entertainment" deserve just that…

Recommended.

April 2011 – other Hoodoo Records releases so far include:
1. La Vern & Rock & Roll – LaVERN BAKER [Two Rare Atlantic LPs from 1956 and 1957 Plus 4 Bonus Tracks]
2. Hank Ballard & The Midnighters + Singin' & Swingin' – HANK BALLARD and THE MIDNIGHTERS [2 LPs on King plus 2 Bonus Tracks]
3. Rollin’ Till The Break Of Dawn – 25 Original Chess Masters - CHUCK BERRY
4. Little Boy Blue – The Duke Sides 1952-1959 – BOBBY BLAND [22 Tracks]
5. Please Please Please & Think! – JAMES BROWN and HIS FAMOUS FLAMES [His First 2 LPs with 4 Bonus Tracks]
6. Rock & Roll & Miss Rhythm – RUTH BROWN [2 Rare LPs From 1957 and 1959 Plus 4 Bonus Tracks]
7. The Fabulous Cadillacs & The Crazy Cadillacs – THE CADILLACS [Two LPs from 1957 and 1959 Plus 6 Bonus Tracks]
8. Dee Clark & How About That – DEE CLARK [His first 2 LPs from 1959 plus 4 bonus tracks]
9. The Coasters & One By One – THE COASTERS [Two Rare LPs from 1958 and 1960 Plus 3 Bonus Tracks]
10. Eddie Cochran & Singin' To My Baby – EDDIE COCHRAN [His 2nd and 1st LPs Plus 9 Bonus Tracks]
11. Rockin’ Robin – BOBBY DAY [features his 11-track 1958 debut LP plus 13 bonus tracks]
12. Esquerita! – The Definitive Edition – ESQUERITA [20 Tracks]
13. Little Bitty Pretty One – THURSTON HARRIS [25 Tracks]
14. Oh! Suzy-Q – DALE HAWKINS [12-track album plus 12 bonus tracks]
15. Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks & Mr. Dynamo – RONNIE HAWKINS and THE HAWKS [Two Rare LPs from 1959 and 1960 Plus 5 Bonus Tracks]
16. At Home With… - The Epic and Okeh Recordings – SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS [12-track album plus 11 bonus tracks]
17. Shout! The Definitive Edition – THE ISLEY BROTHERS [The 1958 “Shout!” LP Plus 8 Bonus Tracks]
18. Little Mister Willie John + Talk To Me – LITTLE WILLIE JOHN
19. No Buts, No Maybes – PROFESSOR LONGHAIR [28 Tracks]
20. Nightless Lover – The Specialty Sides – PERCY MAYFIELD [29 Tracks]
21. Clyde and Rock 'n' Roll – CLYDE McPHATTER
22. Rack 'Em Back – New Orleans R&B Stompers – BOBBY MITCHELL & THE TOPPERS (26 Tracks)
23. Doin' The Hlly Gully & Dance By The Light Of The Moon – THE OLYMPICS [2 Rare LPs Plus 5 Bonus Tracks]
24. The Exciting Lloyd Price + Mr. Personality – LLOYD PRICE
25. Rock With Me Baby – Classic Recordings 1956-1960 - BILLY LEE RILEY [26 Tracks]
26. Gonna Let It Go This Time – RAY SHARPE [20 Tracks]
27. Crazy About You Baby – The Complete 1950-1957 Recordings – RUFUS THOMAS [20 Tracks]
28. Here's Larry Williams – LARRY WILLIAMS
29. Rockin' With The Sheik Of The Blues – The Okeh and Atlantic Recordings (29 Tracks) – CHUCK WILLIS
30. He's So Fine & Lonely Teardrops – JACKIE WILSON (His Rare 1958 and 1959 LPs Plus 6 Bonus Tracks]

Thursday 19 May 2011

“Frankie Miller …That’s Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)” by FRANKIE MILLER (May 2011 EMI/Chrysalis 4CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...



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This Review and Many Others Like It Are In My E-Book...


"…Be Good To Yourself…Be True To One Another…"

Most Frankie Miller fans have despaired of seeing their hero’s output on a decent CD retrospective – well all of that ends with this superb EMI mini-box set which puts 7 albums (plus 1 remixed version) and 3 single sides onto 4CDs – and all of it with great remastered sound. There’s a lot on here, so let’s get to the details first…

UK released May 2011 (re-issued 14 September 2018) - "Frankie Miller…That's Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)" by FRANKIE MILLER on EMI/Chrysalis 50999909777125 (Barcode 5099909777125) is a 4CD Set of Remasters that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (69:18 minutes):
1. You Don't Need To Laugh
2. I Can't Change It
3. Candlelight Sonata in F Major
4. Ann Eliza Jane
5. It's All Over
6. In No Resistance
7. After All (Live My Life)
8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
9. Mail Box
10. I’m Ready
Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album “Once In A Blue Moon” released January 1973 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1036
11. High Life
12. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)
13. Trouble
14. A Fool
15. Little Angel
16. With You In Mind
17. The Devil Gun
18. I'll Take A Melody
19. Just A Song
20. Shoo-Rah
21. I'm Falling In Love Again
22. With You In Mind
Tracks 11 to 22 are his 2nd studio album “High Life” released January 1974 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1052

Disc 2 (78:52 minutes):
1. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)
2. Trouble
3. Little Angel
4. With You In Mind
5. I'll Take A Melody
6. High Life (Filler)
7. Shoorah Shoorah
8. Devil's Gun
9. A Day In The Life Of A Fool
10. I'm Falling In Love Again
11. Just A Song
Tracks 1 to 11 are “High Life – The Original Mix” – this is a previously unreleased version of the album with the running order re-arranged
12. A Fool In Love
13. The Heartbreak
14. The Rock
15. I Know Why the Sun Don't Shine
16. Hard On The Levee
17. Ain't Got No Money
18. All My Love To You
19. I'm Old Enough
20. Bridgeton
21. Drunken Nights In The City
Tracks 12 to 21 are his 3rd studio album “The Rock” released September 1975 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1088

Disc 3 (78:26 minutes):
Tracks 1 and 2 are “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever” and “I’m Old Enough”, the A & edited B-side of an August 1976 UK 7” single on Chrysalis CHS 2103 [Previously Unavailable on CD]
3. Be Good To Yourself
4. The Doodle Song
5. Jealous Guy
6. Searching
7. Love Letters
8. Take Good Care Of Yourself
9. Down The Honky Tonk
10. This Love Of Mine
11. Let The Candlelight Shine
12. (I'll Never) Live In Vain
Tracks 3 to 12 are his 4th studio album “Full House” released August 1977 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1128
13. Have You Seen Me Lately Joan
14. Double Heart Trouble
15. The Train
16. You'll Be In My Mind
17. Good Time Love
18. Love Waves
19. (I Can't) Break Away
20. Stubborn Kind Of Fellow
21. Love Is All Around
22. Goodnight Sweetheart
Tracks 13 to 22 are his 5th studio album “Double Trouble” released April 1978 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1174

Disc 4 (76:40 minutes):
1. When I'm Away From You
2. Is This Love
3. If I Can Love Somebody
4. Darlin'
5. And It's Your Love
6. A Woman To Love
7. Falling In Love With You
8. Every Time A Teardrop Falls
9. Papa Don't Know
10. Good To See You
11. Something About You
Tracks 1 to 11 are his 6th studio album “Falling In Love” released January 1979 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1220 (it was called “A Perfect Fit” in the USA)
12. Easy Money
13. The Woman In You
14. Why Don't You Spend The Night
15. So Young, So Young
16. Forget About Me
17. Heartbreak Radio
18. Cheap...Thrills
19. No Chance
20. Gimme Love
21. Tears
Tracks 12 to 21 are his 7th studio album “Easy Money” released July 1980 in the UK and the USA on Chrysalis CHR 1268
Track 22 is “Sail Away” (a Randy Newman cover) and a non-album B-side to the November 1977 UK 4-Track 7” EP “Alveric’s Elfland Journey” [Previously Unavailable on CD]

The 8-page booklet is a fairly functionary affair with a small history of the albums taken from a 1998 Documentary for BBC Scotland. It gives a track-by-track list and pictures some album covers and rare European 7” picture sleeves. A nice touch is that Discs 1 and 2 are coloured with the Green Chrysalis label while 3 and 4 are Blue - reflecting the original vinyl issues. Beneath the two see-through CD trays are pictures of each album with the production credits below the picture. It’s good, but hardly great. But the real deal lies in the AUDIO…

After years of budget label compilations, the remastered sound quality comes as a genuine shock – done by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at EMI – it’s full, warm and at last the music has the muscle its always deserved. The material itself (mostly self-penned) isn’t all genius of course, but when this Glaswegian was good – he was the absolute business. And like many rockers, he had loveliness in his ballads too, which in turn inspired cover versions from people as diverse as Cher, UFO and Ray Charles.

With regard to the remaster the opening plaintive double of “You Don’t Need To Laugh” and “I Can’t Change It” from “Once In A Blue Moon” are good examples – the backing band is BRINSLEY SCHWARZ featuring Ian Gomm and Nick Lowe - and suddenly the piano, the acoustic guitars and even the backing girly vocals are all clear and alive. It’s not loud for the sake of it - just present – a treat to listen to.

His 2nd album “High Life” was originally produced by New Orleans R’n’B genius ALLEN TOUSSAINT (who also wrote many of the tunes), but without his or Miller’s permission it was remixed before release – hence it’s on here twice – the released mix and now the previously unreleased original version. One of my favourites is “A Fool” – the new version brings the guitars, percussion and brass solo to the front more and also lessens the hiss levels that were on the released version. “Trouble” is really clear too – it’s fantastically well done.

1975’s “The Rock” benefited from the production values of Elliot Mazer (Neil Young and Joni Mitchell) with the songs featuring brass on almost every track with that rock backbeat. Two of my personal favourites are the driving boogie of “Hard On The Levee” and the epic Otis Redding type ballad “All My Love To You” (poignant lyrics given his later incapacity and his wife’s devotion to his recovery).

A polished production by Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, Pink Floyd) on 1977’s “Full House” made it his most commercial release and for me features one his best tracks - the truly fantastic “Be Good To Yourself”. Written by Free’s Andy Fraser, it epitomises what fans love most about Miller - a top tune fronted by a great voice – an uplifting gem that hasn’t dated a jot (lyrics above). His cover of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” is soulful and full on, but his speeding up of Ketty Lester’s “Love Letters” is less successful. “This Love Of Mine” is a soulful brass-driven Stax Records kind of ballad co-written with ace guitarist Robin Trower and is another highlight. Proceedings were also graced with Chris Spedding, Gary Brooker, John “Rabbit” Bundrick and the brass of The Memphis Horns.

1978’s “Double Trouble” featured a guest backing vocals from Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler as well as songwriting collaborations with Paul Carrack on 5 songs (Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, solo career) and a rocking Free-sounding “Double Heart Trouble” not surprisingly written by Andy Fraser. 1979’s “Falling In Love” (titled “A Perfect Fit” for its American release) features Frankie’s biggest hit single “Darlin’”, but like 1980’s “Easy Money” it all becomes a bit run-of-the-mill – too many average cover versions. The ballad “Good To See You” and the rollicking “Heartbreak Radio” are good though.

Name-checked by Rod Stewart, Phil Lynott, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Kid Rock and too many others to mention – Frankie Miller was possessed of a voice and a way with a song that literally engendered hero worship – and this huge remastered haul finally does his criminally forgotten recorded legacy proper justice.

Like Terry Reid, Long John Baldry, John Martyn and Maggie Bell – this great singer will always be held in genuine affection...

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order