"Right On Be Free" by THE VOICES OF EAST HARLEM (October 2007 Rhino 'Expanded & Remastered' CD Reissue - Bill Inglot Remaster) - A Review of their 1970 Debut LP on Elektra Records by Mark Barry...

"…Simple Song of Freedom…"

**** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2007 RHINO REISSUE CD 

WITH 11 BONUS TRACKS ***

I've seen the UK variant of this album in all honesty maybe twice in nearly 45 years of collecting vinyl - it's both genuinely hard-to-find and sought-after by Soul collectors. "Right On Be Free" is a sort of Gospel-Funk Righteous-Soul miss-mash.

And as original vinyl copies don't surface that much - this October 2007 UK released ‘Expanded & Remastered’ CD version of "Right On Be Free" by THE VOICES OF EAST HARLEM on Rhino 8122-76435-2 (Barcode 081227643522) with a tasty 11 Bonus Tracks is more than welcome and a good move from a smart reissue label. And this reissue includes the outside talents of PHIL UPCHURCH, DONNY HATHAWAY and WILLIE WEEKS in the reissue stew. Here's the gritty urban breakdown:

1. Right On Be Free [Side 1]

2. Simple Song Of Freedom

3. Proud Mary

4. Music In The Air

5. Oh Yeah

6. For What It's Worth [Side 2]

7. Let It Be Me

8. No No No

9. Gotta Be A Change

10. Shaker Life

Tracks 1 to 10 are the lone album "Right On Be Free" by THE VOICES OF EAST HARLEM - released October 1970 in the USA on Elektra Records EKS-74080 (with the Butterfly Label Design) and Elektra EKS 74080 in the UK with the Red Label Design (later pressings are Elektra 2469 007) — both original issues donning the luxury of a gatefold sleeve.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Oxford Town (A Bob Dylan cover)

12. Sit Yourself Down (A Stephen Stills cover)

Tracks 11 and 12 are the non-album A&B sides of their 3rd US 7" single issued in mid 1971 on Elektra EKM 45753. The Dylan song first appeared of his 1963 masterpiece "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" and was a powerful protest song then - here it's typically funked up - heavy on the choppy 60's organ with Cynthia Sessions giving impassioned lead vocals. “Oxford Town” was always a strong tune and this is a great version of it.  The Stephen Stills track is from his 1970 debut album "Stephen Stills" and is a very clever choice of song in that the original had a very soulful even churchy feel to it anyway. The TVOEH version keeps to that feel and for me it's definitely one of the highlights here. (The beautifully handled male lead vocal for "Sit Yourself Down" is unknown - so come out wherever you are and claim the glory).

13. Nation Time

14. I Wanna Be Free

15. Hey Brother

16. Love Is The Answer

17. Kind Woman

Tracks 13 to 17 are all from the aborted second album sessions recorded in New York between June and September of 1971 with all songs produced and overseen by soul maestro DONNY HATHAWAY. All are previously unreleased and make their CD debut here - and what a find they are. It's clear that a truly superb 2nd album was in the making and its criminal that it never made it off the blocks. "Nation Time” is a Gamble & Huff song penned in 1968 which was made a hit by THE EBONYS on their self-titled debut LP for Philadelphia International in 1973. It's an excellent funky tune - sort of Ike & Tina Turner guitar-driven righteous soul. "I Wanna Be Free" is a Richie Furay tune with all the right-on musical and lyrical credentials needed. "Hey Brother" contains a version of Hendrix's "Hey Joe" in there and is just superb. "Love Is The Answer" is possibly by Donny Hathaway but the writer is credited as ‘unknown’. “Kind Woman” is another Richie Furay song from his stay with Buffalo Springfield (on their second album "Last Time Around" from 1968) - TVOEH give it a gorgeous slow ballad working.

18. Angry (Tony Davillo cover)

19. (We Are) New York Lightning (Tony Davillo cover)

Tracks 18 and 19 are the non-album A&B sides of their 4th 7" single issued in late 1971 on Elektra EKM 45775. "Angry" features a duet vocal (male & female singers are unidentified) and is excellent - righteous and soulful in all the right ways. The B-side is a slower more soulful song - very nice - a superb extra to have. TONY DAVILLO wrote both the A&B – a session guitarist who also worked with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. 

20. Run Shaker Life (Live) (Richie Havens cover)

21. Soul To Soul (Live)

Tracks 20 and 21 are exclusive to the Various Artists album called "Soul To Soul" issued in the USA on Atlantic in September 1971 (SD 7207). It was recorded in Ghana on 6 March 1971 at a live concert in the capitol city Accra put together to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the African country's independence from British rule.  At times the group sound like 'live' Santana circa '69/'70 - absolutely on fire and kicking. (For those interested the DVD of the show was made available in 2004.)

The core 10-track album is top-heavy with other people's songs - "Simple Song Of Freedom" is a Bobby Darin cover, "Proud Mary" a Creedence Clearwater Revival song, "For What It's Worth" is the famous Buffalo Springfield track - while "Let It Be Me" is an Everly Brothers slow song all funked up. "Run Shaker Life" is a Richie Havens song that turned up on his 1969 2LP set "Richard P. Havens, 1989". Throw in two traditional songs in the shape of "No No No" and "Music In The Air" and that leaves only 3 original songs; "Right On Be Free" and "Gotta Be A Change" are penned by leading light in the Harlem area of New York, and founder of the group, singer CHUCK GRIFFIN. "Oh Yeah" is written by and features fantastic lead vocals from BERNICE COLE.

Two singles came off the album but did no business; they were "Right On Be Free” b/w “Gotta Be A Change" (Elektra 210013) and "Oh Yeah” b/w “No No No" (Elektra 210018)

Remastered by tape maestro BILL INGLOT - the sound quality on this great CD reissue is typically superb. The Remaster brings out the funky-as-fuck bass playing of Chuck Rainey - while Richard Tee's organ permeates every track with a church/choir feel. The liner notes suggest that the house band for these sessions is that of Hathaway's live ensemble, PHIL UPCHURCH on Funky Guitar, WILLIAM WEEKS on Bass and FRED WHITE on Drums - and they are superb. HATHAWAY fans will simply have to own these - I love that guy - what a loss he was to Soul Music.

But it's the assembled voices that dominate every song - and at times - just a little too much so. I would admit that these blasting righteous tunes may not be everybody's cup of Darjeeling - but for me they and the superb extras make it an essential purchase.

To sum up - this is an exceptional release in any man's language - a rare and sought-after album complete with the A&B's of two ridiculously rare 45s and a wad of great previously unreleased material. Is it any wonder fans love Rhino as a label. Way to go boys…

PS: This release is part of Rhino's "CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED" Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults. The other titles are:

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic" (see REVIEW)

3. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see REVIEW)

4. Leroy Hutson - “Paradise" (see REVIEW)

5. Ronn Matlock - "Love City" (see REVIEW)

6. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

7. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

8. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line” (see REVIEW)

9. Prince Philip Mitchell - "Make It Good” (see REVIEW)

PPS: Please note - the "Right On Be Free" album has been reissued since 2007 (in Japan at a budget price) but without the bonus tracks. Use the Barcode provided above to get the correct 2007 Rhino CD because the extras lift it up properly. Unfortunately it's been deleted years now, so prices will fluctuate up and down…mostly up...

"Masterpieces Of Modern Soul Volume 5" by VARIOUS (May 2019 Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Continue To Love You..."

After a paltry 16-years of releasing rare and collectable Seventies dancefloor shufflers and arm-linking hysterics - Ace's "Masterpieces Of Modern Soul" CD Series on their beloved Kent-Soul label reaches its fifth volume in good old style (see list below for the other four British-released entries).

Amidst the 24-cuts you get four or five unreleased from 2018 and 2019 with the rest primarily focusing on American 45s between 1970 and 1976, a few deep album tracks and compilation stragglers from dates beyond. It's a good ole 'dose of soul' as Chet Ivey would say - here are your collector's top tips...

UK released Friday, 31 May 2009 - "Masterpieces Of Modern Soul Volume 5" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 450 (Barcode 029667094924) is a 24-Track CD Compilation that plays out as follows (75:12 minutes):

1. Given My Life - MIGHTY WHITES (Previously Unreleased 1977 Dwight White recording, an 2019 Alex Palao mix)

2. L-O-V-E - LEON THOMAS (June 1973 US 7" single on Flying Dutchman FD 26025, B-side to "Boom-Boom-Boom")

3. Rainmaker - C.J. & Co. (an unissued Westbound Records recording first released the November 2018 UK CD compilation "Ain't It Amazing: The Unreleased Westbound Masters)" by C.J. & Co. on Ace/Westbound CDSEWD 165 - Barcode 029667093026)

4. How Can I Go On Without You - JOHN EDWARDS (a previously unreleased Phillip Mitchell song first issued on the January 1996 John Edwards UK CD compilation "Careful Man" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 127 - Barcode 029667212724)

5. Your Momma Had A Baby - STREET PEOPLE (unissued Spring Records recording that first appeared January 2016 on the 12-Track VINYL LP "Masterpieces Of Modern Soul" on Ace/Kent-Soul KENT 503 - Barcode 029667004213. This is its first digital debut)

6. Lucky Fellow - THE INDEPENDENTS (from the 1973 US LP "Chuck, Helen, Eric & Maurice" on Wand Records WDS 696 - Chuck and Maurice Jackson with Helen Curry and Eric Thomas)

7. Can We Talk It Over (Edit) - EDDIE FLOYD (previously unissued, a specifically mastered 2019 edit of a 1973 Stax recording first released on the 1998 UK CD compilation "5000 Volts Of Stax" on Stax CDSXD 116 - Barcode 029667911627)

8. What Is Best For Me Is Better For You - WILL HATCHER (May 1975 US 7" single on Wand 11286, B-side of "Who Am I Without You")

9. That's The Story Of My Life - MAJOR LANCE (April 1972 US 7" single on Volt VOA-4079, B-side of "I Wanna Make Up (Before We Break Up)"

10. I'll Continue To Love You - MILLIE JACKSON (Previously Unissued 2019 Edit of a 1976 Spring Records recording)

11. Mrs. So And So's Daughter - LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY (Previously Unissued 2019 Edit of a 1974 Aware Records recording)

12. Franchise On Love - FELICIA JOHNSON & T.S.B. INC. (1980 US 7" single on Top's Records 0001, A)

13. Keep On Doin' Whatcha' Doin' (Part 1) - TY KARIM & GEORGE GRIFFIN (1980 US 7" single on Sheridan House SH-78002, A)

14. Ride The Disco Train - THE MODERATIONS (2019 Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording from 1988)

15. A Star In The Ghetto - FOXFIRE featuring JOHNNY ADAMS (1974 Kent recording first issued on the 2001 UK CD compilation "For Connoisseurs Only - Kent/Modern Soul Collectables" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 196 - Barcode 029667219624)

16. Nobody's Doin' A Doggone Thing - LEE PORTER & PEACEFUL PERSUASION (1974 US 7" single on Select-O-Hit SOH 026, A)

17. Dose Of Soul - CHET IVEY & HIS FABULOUS AVENGERS (1975 USA 7" single on Sylvia S-504, B-side of "Get Down With The Geater, Part 1")

18. I Ain't Givin' Up - RAY GODFREY (2019 Previously Unissued 1971 Spring Records recording)

19. We'll Go On - EON (Previously Unissued 2019 Edit of a 1975 Scepter Recording)

20. I'll Live My Life Loving You - THE HEADLINERS (2019 Previously Unissued 70ts Recording)

21. Gotta Be Loved Pt. 2 - HERMAN DAVIS (unissued Venus V recording that first appeared January 2016 on the 12-Track VINYL LP "Masterpieces Of Modern Soul" on Ace/Kent-Soul KENT 503 - Barcode 029667004213. This is its first digital debut)

22. Hello Stranger - REGGIE MILNER (November 1970 US 7" single on Volt VOA-4048, B-side of "Soul Machine")

23. I Believe - NEW EXPERIENCE featuring ELAYNE STARR (2019 Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording from late 70ts)

24. I Guess God Wants It This Way - FREDDIE SCOTT (June 1971 US 7" single on Vanguard VSD-35137, A)

All tracks in STEREO except Tracks 14, 16, 20, 21 and 23, which are MONO

The 16-page booklet sports track-by-track liners notes by Soul expert and aficionado ADY CROASDEL with thanks to other long-time Ace Records collaborators - Dean Rudland, Tony Rounce, Kenny Aitchison and more. While Volt and Flying Dutchman 45 labels will be familiar sights to avid collectors - you don't often get to see 7" singles on labels like Sheridan House, Top's Records or SOH (Select-A-Hit) – but they are shown here. There are publicity photos for Brotherhood, C.J. & Co., Eddie Floyd, Will Hatcher, Major Lance, Millie Jackson and more whilst top Audio Engineer DUNCAN POWELL did the Remasters and they're punchy and full of presence.

Highlights for me are the mid-tempo shuffle of Eddie Floyd pleading his case on "Can We Talk It Over", C.J. & Co.'s slightly Disco (but in a good way) cover of The Moods single from 1970 on Wand called "Rainmaker" and a 60ts-sounding belter done by Millie Jackson in 1976 where the girly overdubs assure us that she'll "...Continue To Love..." (well, until the next Mr. Right comes along anyway). The hugely productive Kent Harris penned the sexy rhythms of "Keep On Doin' Whatcha' Doin'" (you get the 45 edit, the 12" version is almost twice as long), while Loleatta Holloway gets a deserved outing with her self-penned and catchy-as-a-cold "Mr. So And So's Daughter". And on it goes to the tenderness and ached-for freedom of silky-voiced Freddie Scott acknowledging that, "I Guess God Wants It This Way".

A cool release in a very hip series - enjoy...

Ace Records/Kent-Soul "Masterpieces Of Modern Soul" CD Series:

1. Masterpieces Of Modern Soul - released October 2003 on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 222 (Barcode 029667222228)

2. Masterpieces Of Modern Soul Volume 2 - released January 2009 on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 310 (Barcode 029667231022)

3. Masterpieces Of Modern Soul Volume 3 - released November 2011 on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 364 (Barcode 029667236423)

4. Masterpieces Of Modern Soul Volume 4 - released August 2015 on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 437 (Barcode 029667243728)

5. Masterpieces Of Modern Soul Volume 5 - released 31 May 2019 on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 450 (Barcode 029667094924) 

In January 2016, a 12-Track VINYL LP was also issued simply called "Masterpieces Of Modern Soul" on Ace/Kent-Soul KENT 503 (Barcode 029667004213). It sported previously unreleased tracks, two of which are featured here on Volume 5 in digital form for the first time (Tracks 5 and 21 of this CD)

"If You're Not Part Of The Solution... Soul, Politics And Spirituality In Jazz 1967 to 1975" by VARIOUS (April 2019 Ace/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Warriors Of Peace..."

I really love a CD compilation like this - clever choices by knowledgeable types - discoveries by still-learning baby-boomers like me.

Using their Beat Goes Public label - Ace Records of the UK has been down this digital road before. But I have to say that this is a superb addition even by their lofty standards - a genuinely thoughtful exploration of why Jazz musicians began embracing and reflecting in both music and words what Soul and Rock musicians had been airing since the mid Sixties. Those staggeringly productive and explosive years saw in an era of huge social change – and what comes screaming off every entry here is the feeling of great players no longer satisfied with the confines of mere Saxophone expertise and phrasing – it was get on board, shout to the rooftops man or forever be that brooding young man in the corner – or worse - the establishment's kicking-boy.

Long time associate to Ace - DEAN RUDLAND has penned some killer liner notes before, but he's excelled with this musically angry yet hopeful little brute of 75 and half minutes featuring often lengthy tracks culled from three beloved labels - Milestone, Prestige and Muse Records. There's a lot worth tooting your horn about here, so let's get to those warriors of peace, Hard Bop, Modal and Jazz Fusion and the righteous moments their inspired celestial bodies brought to us, most over 50-years ago...

UK released 26 April 2019 - "If You're Not Part Of The Solution... Soul, Politics And Spirituality In Jazz 1967 to 1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CDBGPD 308 (Barcode 029667084123) is a 10-Track CD compilation that plays out as follows (75:30 minutes):

1. If You're Not Part Of The Solution, You're Part Of The Problem - JOE HENDERSON QUARTET (from the 1970 US live LP "At The Lighthouse" on Milestone Records MSP 9028)

2.  Black Feeling - JOHNNY HAMMOND SMITH (from the 1970 US LP "Black Feeling" on Prestige PR 7736)

3. Celestial Bodies - CATALYST (from the 1973 US LP "Perception" on Muse Records MR 5025)

4. John Coltrane - CLIFFORD JORDAN QUARTET (from the 1975 US LP "Night Of The Mark VII" on Muse Records MR 5076)

5. H.N.I.C. (Head Ni**er In Charge) - HAROLD VICK (from the 1974 US LP "Commitment" on Muse Records MR 5054 - a 1967 recording)

6. Towhid - JOHNNY LYTLE (from the 1973 US LP "People & Love" on Milestone MSP 9043)

7. Bitches Brew - EDDIE JEFFERSON (from the 1974 US LP "Things Are Getting Better" on Muse Records MR 5043 - a MIles Davis cover)

8. Africans Unite - GARY BARTZ NTU TROOP (from the 1973 US LP "Juju Street Songs" on Prestige 10057)

9. Warriors Of Peace - AZAR LAWRENCE (from the 1974 US LP "Bridges Into The New Age" on Prestige 10086)

10. Let's Make Peace, Stop The War - FUNK, INC. (from the 1972 US LP "Chicken Lickin'" on Prestige 10043)

The 20-page booklet with DEAN RUDLAND liner notes gives pride of picture place to the ten rare and sought-after LP sleeves as well as musician breakdowns for each cut – huge names like Victor Feldman playing vibes with Harold Vick, Bernard Purdie playing drums for Johnny Hammond Smith whilst also highlighting hidden heroes like Steve Weakley and his guitar work on the “What’s Going On” vibe to Funk, Inc.’s “Let’s Make Peace, Stop The War”.  Long-time Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS has handled the Remasters and every track is kicking reflecting their original quality production values.

It opens with a winding monster – former Blue Note Records stalwart Joe Henderson and his 11 and half-minute live version of the compilation's title track "If You're Not Part Of The Solution, You're Part Of The Problem". Recorded at The Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, California in September 1970, Ron McClure provides the funky bass-line ably abetted by pianist George Cable and trumpeter Woody Shaw punching in sexy solos as the night's groove took them. Philly legends Norman Harris and Pat Gleeson provide guitar and synths for the Weather Report-ish feel to "Celestial Bodies" from Catalyst while Harold Vick gets radical and street with his "H.N.I.C." - head brothers in charge - or words to that affect.

From his duo of socially conscious platters - 1972's "The Soulful Rebel" and 1973's "People & Love" - Rudland picks the Islam-themed "Tawhid" from the latter where producer Orrin Keepnews brings out the best in the five players involved including Marvin Cobell on Tenor Sax and Betty Glamann on Harp. The murderous, sickening and farcical communist conflict far away and ripping both countries apart (Vietnam and the USA) permeates into the final duo - Azar Lawrence's "Warriors Of Peace" and Funk, Inc.'s "Let's Make Peace, Stop The War". It's kind of disturbing that half a century on, it feels like there's been some change for sure, but the message is still disturbingly relevant.

A great listen and an eye-opener, well done (as ever) to all involved... 

"The Gilded Palace Of Sin/Burrito Deluxe" by THE FLYING BURRITO BROS (March 1997 A&M ReMasterPieces CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Wild Horses..."

  

I know real downhome Country Music and its bratty sibling Country Rock is actually not everybody’s fave rave if the honest-to-God truth is told – but rehearing these seminal albums from 1969 and 1970 has been a blast for me. In September 2019 (half-a-century later) - the GRAM PARSONS legend only continues to grow and with good reason

I mean for God's sake, the last track on this amazing twofer is "Wild Horses" – the Jagger/Richards ballad masterpiece most of us know from April 1971's "Sticky Fingers" by The Stones. But it was GP with The Flying Burrito Bros. nearly a year earlier in May 1970 on the "Burrito Deluxe" LP who (it could be argued) actually shaped what made The Stones cut so great when it first appeared on that album. The Stones took from that FBB mixture of Country Rock and laced it with a smattering of their own Acoustic Blues thereby giving their gorgeous 1971 version such an ache and damn it – let's say it – beauty (Leon Russell guested as the piano man on the FBB version while legendary sessionman Jim Dickinson did the keys on the Stones take).

And although this 'gatefold-slip of paper as an inlay' cheap and cheerful remaster from 1997 is truly beginning to show its age (docked a star for sheer ordinariness - both albums deserve Universal DE 2CD sets) - as I say - for under three quid in certain corners of the digital schmidgital domain - you can get a whole lot of Country Rock hoo-ha here for a pittance. And these are seminal albums you need in your musical boudoir. Let's get's the whip-crack-away...

UK released 24 March 1997 - "The Gilded Palace Of Sin/Burrito Deluxe" by THE FLYING BURRITO BROS (featuring GRAM PARSONS) on A&M ReMasterPieces 540 704-2 (Barcode 731454070423) offers their Debut and Second Albums from February 1969 and May 1970 in their entirety and plays out as follows (70:49 minutes):

1. Christine's Tune [Side 1]

2. Sin City

3. Do Right Woman

4. Dark End Of The Street

5. My Uncle

6. Wheels [Side 2]

7. Juanita

8. Hot Burrito No. 1

9. Hot Burrito No. 2

10. Do You Know How It Feels

11. Hippie Boy

Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "The Gilded Palace Of Sin" - released February 1969 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4175 and April 1969 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 931 in Stereo.

THE FLYING BURRITO BROS were:

GRAM PARSONS - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar and Keyboards

CHRIS HILLMAN - Lead Vocals and Guitar (Mandolin on "My Uncle")

"SNEEKY" PETE KLEINOW - Pedal Steel Guitar

CHRIS ETHRIDGE - Bass and Backing Vocals (Piano on "Hot Burrito No. 1" and "Hot Burrito No. 2")

Guests:

Eddie Hoh (Drums on Tracks 2 and 10) - Jon Corneal (Drums on Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7)

Popeye Phillips (Drums on Tracks 8, 9 and 11) - Sam Goldstein (Drums on Track 6)

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 11 written and sung by Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons except 11 sung by CH alone

Track 3 is a Chips Moman and Dan Penn song covered by The Sweet Inspirations, Otis Clay and Aretha Franklin

Track 4 is a Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn song covered by James Carr

Tracks 8 and 9 written by Chris Ethridge and Gram Parsons, lead vocal sung by GP, backing vocals by CE and GP

Track 10 is written by Barry Goldberg and Gram Parsons, lead vocals sung by CH and GP

12. Lazy Days [Side 1]

13. Image Of Me

14. High Fashion Queen

15. If You Gotta Go

16. Man In The Fog

17. Farther Along

18. Older Guys [Side 2]

19. Cody, Cody

20. God's Own Singer

21. Down In The Churchyard

22. Wild Horses

Tracks 12 to 24 are their second studio album "Burrito Deluxe" - released May 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4258 and May 1970 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 983.

THE FLYING BURRITO BROS was:

GRAM PARSONS - Lead Vocals and Piano

CHRIS HILLMAN - Lead Vocal, Bass and Mandolin

BERNIE LEADON - Lead Guitar and Dobro

"SNEEKY" PETE KLEINOW - Pedal Steel Guitar

BYRON BERLINE - Fiddle

MICHAEL CLARKE - Drums

Guests:

Leon Russell - Piano on "Man in The Fog" and "Wild Horses"

Leopoldo C. Carbajal - Accordion and Tommy Johnson - Tube

Track 13 is a Harlan Howard cover, Track 15 is a Bob Dylan cover and Track 22 is a Rolling Stones cover

Track 20 written by Bernie Leadon (later with Eagles), Track 16 is co-written by Leadon with GP

Track 18 is co-written with Leadon, Hillman and GP

The gatefold slip of paper that acts as an inlay (same for most of these A&M ReMasterPieces CD Reissues) has a functional liner note from SID GRIFFIN (January 1997) that outlines their genesis, poor sales and subsequent deification as creators of the Country-Rock sound. The Remaster is by ROGER WAKE and is very clean and full of detail although if I'm honest I prefer the Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot remasters on the Rhino Gram Parsons 2CD Anthology set "Sacred Hearts & Fallen Angels" in 2001 (features five tracks from the debut and four from the second).

The band's pedigree was incredible - Hillman and Parsons with The International Submarine Band for their legendary "Safe At Home" LP from April 1968 on LHI Records and then a stint with The Byrds for "Sweethearts Of The Rodeo" in July 1968 on Columbia Records. Bernie Leadon would be poached eventually to join Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Don Felder in The Eagles, Hillman and Michael Clarke had been in the Byrds too and Sneaky Pete Kleinow has a sessionman rap sheet longer than Bob Dylan's lyrics in 1965. Let's get to the nudie suits...

"She's a devil in disguise...telling dirty lies..." - the lyrics tell us as the album opens happily with "Christine's Tune" - a pedal-steel shuffler punctured with wild guitar - a sort of Everly Brothers meets Link Wray moment. Better is the fabulous "Sin City" - a Country moaner apparently inspired by Gram's manager Larry Spector who relieved GP of his money and dignity on the 31st floor of a gold-plated office block. We're then hit with two covers - the late 60ts Soul classics "Do Right Woman" and "Dark End Of The Street" (Aretha Franklin and James Carr) where the duet vocals are not just complimentary but gorgeous. Of the other albums classics, I've always loved "Hot Burrito No. 1" - in fact check out Raul Malo's beautiful vocal take on it on the 1999 tribute CD compilation "Return Of The Grievous Angel" on Almo Sounds. Another cold-dirty-room winner from the debut turned up on that 1999 tribute - "Juanita" - done by the mouth-watering duo of Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris. The 'come on wheels, take this boy away’ song "Wheels" sees Parsons in one speaker while Hillman fills the other - very tasty.

After the miserable 50,000 sales attributed to "The Gilded Palace Of Sin" debut (it peaked at No. 164 in the US charts and didn't register at all in the UK) - better things were expected of "Burrito Deluxe" with its edgier more Rock 'n' Roll feel. It also sported an exclusive Jagger/Richards ballad "Wild Horses" before The Stones did their own version and new blood in the line up with Bernie Leadon (soon to be an Eagle in 1972). After the 'I got a thing I wanna try with you' barbecue boogie of "Lazy Day" - other Tex Mex faves include the accordion-flavoured "Man In The Fog" and the jangling guitars of "Older Guys" while elements of Bernie Leadon's "God's Own Singer" sport a similar melody to "Train Leaves Here This Morning" on the 1972 "Eagles" debut (credited to him and Gene Clark on that LP). And it all ends on "Wild Horses" - a song that is still emotionally loaded for me 50 years on - a tune I never tire of hearing...

Michael Clarke migrated to Firefall on Atlantic Records; Hillman to The Desert Rose Band and Florida boy Gram Parsons (not nicknamed the "Waycross Waif" for no reason) got lost of course in drugs and stardom and was tragically already gone by 1973. Parsons put out two wildly brilliant solo sets - "GP" in January 1973 and the posthumous January 1974 LP - "Grievous Angel" – another chapter for those. 

But these two platters with The Burritos are where that amazing journey really started to cook. Take a trip into this particular Sin City...