"Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol.16 – 1980 to 1985" by BOB DYLAN - Features Outtakes and Alternate Versions from the Albums "Shot Of Love", "Infidels" and "Burlesque Empire" and more - Guests Include Mark Knopfler and Alan Clark of Dire Straits, Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Ian McLagan, Clydie King and more (September 2021 UK Columbia/Legacy 2CD Compilation of Outtakes Remastered) - A Review by Mark Barry

 

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LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...I Will Always Be Emotionally Yours..."

 

If I'm being brutally truthful about this latest addition to Columbia's amazing 'Bootleg Series' for all things Big Dill and unreleased - I can't help think that almost all of CD2 slaughters much of the tad underwhelming stuff on CD1. But more of that laterkins.

 

There are two variants of "Springtime In New York: The Bootleg series Vol. 16 - 1980-1985" - the 2CD Highlights Set commonly referred to as a 'Deluxe Edition' and it's 5CD brother - the 'Super Deluxe Edition'. Let's deal with door number one - the 2CD Highlights variant. 

 

Long time fans will know that in 1991, "The Bootleg Series Volumes 1 to 3" caused a sensation with the quality of its unreleased material across its 3CD/5LP haul. I mention this because seven of the alternatives presented to us here in September 2021 were on that 1991 first volume in better outtake form. The seven on this release (Tracks 1, 2, 9 and 10 on CD1 and Tracks 1, 3 and 5 on CD2) are to my ears not nearly as good. And the same unfortunately applies to a lot of the others - especially on CD1. 

 

There are of course amazing versions here and the list of guest musicians is mouth watering - Guitarist Mark Knopfler and Keyboardist Alan Clarke of Dire Straits - Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile On Main Street" period with Sly and Robbie providing Rhythm section. There's Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Ian McLagan of The Small Faces, Faces and The Who, Danny Kortchmar of James Taylor's band, singers Clydie King, Madelyn Quebec and Carolyn Dennis and more. There's a lot to unravel, so let's get into it...

 

UK and EUROPE released 17 September 2021 (16 September 2021 USA) - "Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol.16 - 1980-1985" by Bob DYLAN on Columbia/Legacy 19439868832 (Barcode 194398688329) is a 2CD 25-Track Compilation of Previously Unreleased Studio and Live material. It plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (61:35 minutes):

1. Angelina ("Shot Of Love" outtake, recorded 26 March 1981)

2. Need A Woman (Rehearsal, 20 March 1981) 

3. Let's Keep It Between Us (Rehearsal, 26 Sep 1980)

4. Price Of Love ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 1 May 1981)

5. Don't Ever Take Yourself Away ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 23 April 1981)

6. Fur Slippers ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 2 April 1981)

7. Yes Sir, No Sir ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 2 April 1981)

8. Jokerman ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 14 April 1983)

9. Lord Protect My Child ("Infidels" outtake, 2 May 1983)

10. Blind Willie McTell (Take 5, "Infidels" outtake, 11 April 1983)

11. Don't Fall Apart On Me Tonight (Version 2) ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 12 April 1983)

12. Neighborhood Bully ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 19 April 1983)

13. Too Late (Band Version) ("Infidels" outtake, 23 April 1983)

CD2 (62:44 minutes):

1. Foot Of Pride ("Infidels" outtake, 25 April 1983)

2. Sweetheart Like You ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 18 April 1983) 

3. Someone's Got A Hold On My Heart ("Infidels" outtake, 26 April 1983)

4. I And I ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 27 April 1983)

5. Tell Me ("Infidels" outtake, 21 April 1983)

6. Enough Is Enough (Live at Slane Castle in Ireland, 8 July 1984)

7. Tight Connection To My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love) ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Mix, 15 January 1985, overdubbed March 1985)

8. Seeing The Real You At Last ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 14 February 1985)

9. Emotionally Yours ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 12 February 1985)

10. Clean Cut Kid ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 26 July 1984)

11. New Danville Girl ("Empire Burlesque" outtake, 6 December 1984)

12. Dark Eyes ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 6 March 1985)

 

Many have (quite rightly) complained about the flimsy nature of the card sleeve that houses three items inside - two card sleeve holders for CD1 and CD2 and the 58-page booklet that gets slotted in-between. It's eminently crushable and even in shrink-wrap as supposedly new - so many copies are exactly that. So be careful opening the thing. DAMIEN LOVE provides the seriously in-depth liner notes that are peppered with period photos. Dylan disappeared - not seen live or otherwise for nearly two years - found religion - did religous albums whether the world shared his faith transformation or not. And bluntly few cared after "Slow Train Coming" in 1979 - then the CD format was launched too and meant his back-catalogue of genuine brilliance began being re-discovered - a stark contrast with his first four years of the Eighties. 

The audio is handled by MARK WILDER, STEVE ADDABBO and CHRIS SHAW with a further team of seven and the whole shebang feels fantastic - even the live outdoor arena sound to the Slane Castle track is brilliant when it could have been crap. On stuff like "New Danville Girl" and "Dark Eyes" - the audio is release-quality storming. To the content...

A studio version of the unreleased song "Need A Woman" initially showed non The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 in 1991 - you are given the 'rehearsal' here with Steve Ripley and Danny Kortchmer on Guitars, Carl Pickhardt on Keyboards , Tim Drummond and Jim Keltner on Bass and Drums with a bevy of three singers adding muscle - Carolyn Dennis, Madelyn Quebec and Clydie King. 

 

Word that the April 1983 "Infidels" sessions were filled with better songs, slicker production values via Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and great playing are amply born out by "Foot Of Pride" - an outtake recorded 25 April 1983. The killer 5-piece band featuring Knopfler of Dire Straits and Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones on Guitars with Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar on Bass and Drums - while Dylan did hard-edged vocals and played guitar. And again Track 2 on CD2 whomps too - "Sweetheart Like You" - the gorgeous pained ballad from "Infidels" helped by Alan Clark of Dire Straits providing a church-like organ while Clydie King gives it some lone lady backing vocals (Knopfler and Taylor both give it some acoustic - gorgeous audio too - if anything it ends too soon). 

 

Messy yet slightly awkward sounding electric guitars open the Stones slapdash rock of "Someone's Got A Hold Of My Heart" - Dylan in passionate vocal form - Mick Taylor giving it the ramshackle. We settle into a classier guitar shuffle from Knopfler for "I And I" - his playing and Dylan's different and impassioned lyrics both highlights. In what is a rarity on this set, Dylan drags out the harmonica for "Tell Me" - a song that also sways and swims with a Sly and Robbie Caribbean shuffle - Dylan does Calypso. Not sure I like it, but it's interesting. First live track is from Slane Castle in Ireland where the Bobster laughs with the crowd before he rocks it up with "Enough Is Enough". The Irish outdoor crowd is hearing Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones lay his guitar into what could easily have been The Fabulous Thunderbirds getting all message. Ian McLagan of The Small Faces and Faces is on piano while Colin Allen plays huge drums. It's a welcome interlude of 'Watching The River Flow' boogie. 

That's followed by a very poppy perhaps 'too full' "Tight Connection To My Heart..." where the 'Has Anybody Seen My Love' chorus is sung by a group of four ladies - Knopfler and Taylor on Guitars with Alan Clark of Dire Straits on Keyboards. Way better are two different moods of Bob - the angry "Clean Cut Kid" and the hurting for the outlaw "New Danville Girl" - a genuinely amazing outtake from "Burlesque Empire" - his band featuring three of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers - Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein. Co-written with actor and playwright Sam Sheppard - the liner notes quite rightly call it one of his great songs - a filmic epic that has it all - great vocals, lyrics, sympathetic band, his harmonica - wow. Dylan would officially put it out as a re-recorded and re-named "Brownsville Girl" for the much-derided album "Knocked Out Loaded" in 1986. But what a wow - all eleven-minutes and fifty-two seconds of it. 

 

And Vol.16 comes a dignified end with "Dark Eyes" - just Dylan, his guitar and Harmonica - a request by Co-Producer Arthur Baker to Bob for a simple 'acoustic' song for the otherwise heavily produced "Empire Burlesque" LP. Dylan came back the next day and offered up "Dark Eyes" which is again another stunner - like it was already there - having existed for decades.

 

There is a tendency to give all 'unreleased' Bob Dylan a Godlike sheen - but CD1 of this release proves that wrong in my books, but my God the goodies in-between and that CD2...

 

So four-stars instead of five for 1980 to 1985. But if this reissue tells me anything, it's never underestimate the Zim - even his throwaway attempts are often blow you away magic...

"Heartattack And Vine" by TOM WAITS – October 1980 US Seventh Album on Asylum Records featuring Roland Bautista (Guitars), Michael Lang and Ronnie Barren (Keyboards), Plas Johnson (Horns), Jim Hughart, Greg Cohen and Larry Taylor (Bass), "Big John" Thomassie (Drums) with Victor Feldman (Chimes and Percussion) and Strings Conducted and Arranged by Bob Alcivar and Jerry Yester (March 2018 UK Anti Records CD Reissue in Digipak Packaging – Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Karl Derfler and Peter Lyman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

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LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Billy Joe Remarkable Looks On In Disbelief..."

 

Last reissued May 1993 in the UK by Elektra Records in a CD jewel case with reasonable Terry Dunavan Mastering (Elektra 7559-60547-2) – this new March 2018 variant of "Heartattack And Vine" by Tom Waits (originally issued October 1980 on Vinyl) now comes at us on Anti Records with a brand new Waits/Brennan Remaster – Anti Records being home to his music since the much-praised "Mule Variations" album in 1999.

 

You get a matt card digipak, a 16-page booklet and best of all - a new upgraded Remaster (with artist involvement) done at Infrasonic Mastering in California by Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Karl Derfler and Peter Lyman that gives this brilliant album a genuinely improved audio scrub-up. Everything on here is magnificent – structurally and sonicaly. "Heartattack And Vine" is his usual mishmash of ragged guttural vocals with fantastic street-hustler lyrics running alongside pretty ballads that will floor you. I loved to death (and still do) his "Blue Valentine" album on Asylum Records in 1978 – but October 1980's "Heartattack And Vine" was equal to it in every way - his last album for Asylum Records before he went to Island Records for "Swordfishtrombones" in 1981.

 

Of the nine cuts - Bob Alcivar arranged and conducted the strings on two genuine masterpieces - "Saving All My Love For You" (legendary sessionman Victor Feldman adds Chimes and Percussion to this gut-wrenching beauty) and on the Billy Joe Remarkable "On The Nickel" – a song Waits wrote for a movie of the same name done by Ralph Waite. The other arranger on the album is Jerry Yester of The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Association and the much-revered "Farewell Aldebaran" album with Judy Henske in 1969 on Straight Records – he does strings on two as well – the magnificent double-whammy of "Jersey Girl" and "Ruby's Arms".

 

In fact 1980’s "Heartattack And Vine" is probably the album that made Tom Waits more money from famous cover versions than its actual LP sales did. Bruce Springsteen has almost made "Jersey Girl" his own (people believe he wrote it – Soul singer Corrine Bailey Rae also did a version) - while Screaming Jay Hawkins ripped the title track "Heartattack And Vine" that was used in a Levi's advert. Country singers Nancy Griffiths and Patty Griffin have both done "Ruby's Arms" – a song that was also featured on the Asylum Years Best Of CD compilation "Used Songs" from November 1981 on Rhino. Brilliant - let's get to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 23 March 2018 - "Heartattack And Vine" by TOM WAITS on Anti 7571-2 (Barcode 8714092757125) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1980 LP and plays out as follows (44:29 minutes):

 

1. Heartattack And Vine [Side 1]

2. In Shades

3. Saving All My Love For You

4. Downtown

5. Jersey Girl

6. 'Til The Money Runs Out [Side 2]

7. On The Nickel

8. Mr. Siegal

9. Ruby's Arms

Tracks 1 to 9 are his seventh album "Heartattack And Vine" (sixth studio set) - released October 1980 in the USA on Asylum Records 6E-295 and October 1980 in the UK on Asylum K 52252. Produced by BONES HOWE - it peaked at No. 98 in the USA but didn't chart in the UK. Track 7 "On The Nickel" written for the motion picture "On The Nickel" by Ralph Waite.

 

TOM WAITS –Vocals (All Tracks), Piano (Tracks 3 and 9), Electric Rhythm Guitar (Tracks 1, 2 and 4), Electric Guitar (Tracks 5 and 8)

ROLAND BAUTISTA – Electric Lead Guitar (Tracks 2, 4, 6 and 8), 12-String Acoustic (Tracks 5 and 9)

PLAS JOHNSON – Tenor and Baritone Saxophone (Track 1)

HAROLD BATTISTE – Piano (Tracks 7 and 9

RONNIE BARRON – Hammond Organ (Tracks 2, 4 and 6) and Piano (Track 8)

MICHAEL LANG – Piano (Track 7)

LARRY TAYLOR – Bass (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8)

GREG COHEN – Bass (Tracks 5 and 9)

JIM HUGHART – Double Bass (Track 3)

VICTOR FELDMAN – Chimes, Keyboard Glock and Percussion (Tracks 3 and 5)

"Big John" THOMASSIE – Drums (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8)

BOB ALCIVAR – Conducted and Arranged Strings (Tracks 3 and 7)

JERRY YESTER – Conducted and Arranged Strings (Tracks 5 and 9)

 

The 16-page booklet gives you those all-important and all-consuming lyrics as if it’s a newspaper reporting different articles that ends in two pages of musician credits - no new photos or critique unfortunately. But we do get a new Remaster supervised by TOM WAITS, KATHLEEN BRENNAN and KARL DERFLER with mastering done by the award-winning PETER LYMAN at his Infrasonic Mastering Studios in California. In keeping with the lush production values Bones Howe gave the album in the first place - this transfer sounds beautiful in every way. There's very little hiss (if any at all) but loads of presence and body and at times the intimacy is spine tingling - a gorgeous job done...

 

"Liar! Liar! Pants on fire..." he roars as the opening title track comes a mooching in like a cop with a hangover on a murder scene - and then of course you are hit (not for the first time either) with his famously funny turns of phrase - "...don't you know there ain’t no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk..." The audio is tremendous.

 

"Downtown" is typically witty Waits – Americana Rock with a twist. How many artists will have lines like these in their songs "...Montclaire de Havelin doin' the St. Vitus dance, lookin' for someone to chop the lumber in his pants..." But it’s the beauty of "Jersey Girl" where he strips it all down to an ordinary fellow looking forward to seeing his gal on the weekend – no time for the corner boys anymore – it's deeply moving to me. "On The Nickel" goes even further in sparse – just Waits singing, Michael Lang on Piano and Bob Alcivar arranged strings – the effect is balladeer magic at its most poignant.

 

I could rabbit on about Tom Waits till the proverbial cows think – it's time for home boys. Because that's what he's always felt like to me – a weird American home that tingles and thrills and makes you laugh and cry – and I love that about him and his musical legacy. I have reviewed the entire 'Anti Records' Reissue Series because they are all fabulous.

 

Start your journey into his songs – mad, moving and ultimately enriching like a Skinnybone Tree or Hobos in the Freight Yard howling at the moon...

 

TOM WAITS

March 2018 Reissue Series of CDs, LPs and Downloads on Anti Records

All 7 CDs are in Card Digipaks, come with Booklets and Pic CDs, but No Extras

 

"Closing Time" and "The Heart Of Saturday Night" released 9 March 2018 

- The others all released 23 March 2018

 

1. "Closing Time" (1973) - Anti 7565-2 (Barcode 8714092756524) - CD/LP is Anti 7565-1 (Barcode 8714092756517)

2. "The Heart Of Saturday Night" (1974) - Anti 7566-2 (Barcode 8714092756623)/LP due May 2018

3. "Nighthawks At The Diner" (1975 Live Double onto 1CD) - Anti 7567-2 (Barcode 8714092756722)/LP due May 2018

4. "Small Change" (1976) - Anti 7568-2 (Barcode 8714092756821)/LP due May 2018

5. "Foreign Affairs" (1977) - Anti 7569-2 (Barcode 8714092756920)

6. "Blue Valentine" (1978) - Anti 7570-2 (Barcode 8714092757026)

7. "Heartattack And Vine"(1980) - Anti 7571-2 (Barcode 8714092757125)

"Ghost Town/Inamorata" by POCO – December 1982 and May 1984 on Atlantic Records featuring Rusty Young, Timothy B. Schmidt (of The Eagles), Richie Furay (ex Buffalo Springfield), George Grantham (Neil Young's Crazy Horse) and Paul Cotton (November 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs Remastered in High Def onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

"...This Old Flame..."

 

Two long-forgotten US albums by POCO from their 'yacht rock' stay at Atlantic Records in 1982 and 1984 - remastered to perfection onto 1CD by Beat Goes On of the UK. Here are the ghostly post-heartache details...

 

UK released November 2015 – "Ghost Town/Inamorata" by POCO on Beat Goes on BGOCD 1212 (Barcode 5017261212122) in a compilation that offers 2 albums Remastered onto 1CD that plays out as follows (73:52 minutes):

 

1. Ghost Town [Side 1]

2. How Will You Feel Tonight

3. Shoot For The Moon

4. The Midnight Rodeo (In The Lead Tonight)

5. Cry No More

6. Break Of Hearts [Side 2]

7. Love's So Cruel

8. Special Care

9. When Hearts Collide

10. High Sierra

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Ghost Town" – released December 1982 in the USA on Atlantic 80008-1 (no UK issue)

 

11. Days Gone By [Side 1]

12. This Old Flame

13. Daylight

14. Odd Man Out

15. How Many Moons

16. When You Love Someone [Side 2]

17. Brenda X

18. Standing In The Fire

19. Save A Corner Of Your Heart

20. The Storm

Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Inamorata" – released May 1984 in the USA on Atlantic 7 80148-1 and in the UK/Europe on Atlantic 780 148-1

 

There's the usual card slipcase, a 16-page booklet with full-albums credits (lyrics to "Ghost Town" only), artwork, band photos and new liner notes by noted writer JOHN O'REGAN. The ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters were done in 2015 in the UK from WEA licensed tapes – and as the card slipcase says is 'Mastered in high definition – audiophile recording from the Original Master'. This CD sounds amazing – reflecting the original Production values of JOHN MILLS on "Ghost Town" and RUSTY YOUNG with PAUL COTTON on "Inamorata".

 

In truth it's hard for me to say that I love either "Ghost Town" and especially its weedy follow-up "Inamorata" – both are the kind of mid Eighties Schlock Rock that cluttered up radios everywhere at the time. Having said that it's hard to resist the slick strummed guitars of "How Will You Feel, Tonight?" – nor the pretty melody behind "Shoot For The Moon" where Paul Cotton urges his lover to 'take a chance' and 'shoot for the moon'. "Break Of Hearts" is more Radio-friendly Countryish smooch while "Special Care" is pseudo guitar-boogie best forgotten. Better is the raunchy riffage of "High Sierra" – a rare moment when the album shows some Don Henley-like teeth.

 

1984's "Inamorata" saw both Young and Cotton stay in POCO, but joining them was a virtual supergroup of Country Rock – Timothy B. Schmidt (of The Eagles), Richie Furay (ex Buffalo Springfield) and George Grantham (Neil Young's Crazy Horse). With the bulk of songwriting shared between Rusty Young ("Daylight", "When You Love Someone", "Save A Corner Of Your Heart" and "The Storm") and Paul Cotton ("Days Gone By", "Odd Man Out", "How Many Moons", "Brenda X" and "Standing In The Fire") – it was down to Reed Nielsen to provide the odd man out song – "This Old Flame". The same quality production values that made "Ghost Town" such an Audio winner followed the band into "Inamorata" – this time with band stalwarts Rusty Young and Paul Cotton at the helm. Not that all this musical talent produced a winner - it didn't.

 

It opens promisingly enough with the catchy "Days Gone By" which is followed by the mellow "This Old Flame". But those are rare moments. The awful and tuneless "Daylight" is a victim of its own over-produced cleverness - better is Cotton's "Odd Man Out" and the chipper "How Many Moons". The duo of "Brenda X" and "Standing In The Fire" are again in desperate need of an actual tune - while the hooky "Save A Corner Of Your Heart" just about saves a patchy album.

 

A very long way from Poco's Seventies Country-Rock heyday – these Eighties uber-productions have all the gloss but lack those killer tunes - especially on that rightly forgotten 2nd Atlantic Records LP. Still POCO fans will love the Quality Audio and Presentation...and if they have any passion for the band - this is the reissue to buy...

"Blow Up Your Video" by AC/DC - February 1988 Album on Atlantic Records featuring Angus and Malcolm Young (Guitars), Brian Johnson (Vocals), Cliff Williams (Bass) and Simon Wright (Drums) (February 2003 UK Epic/Albert Productions CD Reissue with Access To Extra Online Material via 'ConnecteD Technology' - Part of The AC/DC Remasters Series - Repro Artwork Card Digipak Presentation with New Booklet, Picture CD and George Marino Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

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LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

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"...That's The Way I Want My Rock 'n' Roll..."

 

I'd admit that at the time and as a self-professed AC/DC nut deeply invested in everything about the Bon Scott line-up of this fantastic Australian Rock Band - his loss in 1980 and back-to-business immediately replacement hammered me. 

 

I don't care how many copies "Back In Black" subsequently sold or how good Brian Johnson's vocals were (a near perfect fit that maybe only Gary Holton of the Heavy Metal Kids could have fitted if he'd have been able to stay away from the drugs) - I hated the "Back In Black" album with a nuclear vengeance. I thought it cold and trite and knew how much better it would have been had Bon been at the lyrics helm. 

 

So much of the AC/DC output for the entirety of the 80ts passed me by in a blur of 'they used to be good' oblivion. Until this snotty little number from early 1988 made me rethink and (partially) re-love (4 stars). Let's get to the kissing of the dynamite...

 

UK released 18 February 2003 - "Blow Up Your Video" by AC/DC on Epic/Albert Productions 510770 2 (Barcode 5099751077022) is a CD Reissue and Remaster that utilizes 'ConnecteD Technology' to access extra material via Online Sources (acdcrocks.com). It plays out as follows (42:57 minutes):

 

1. Heatseeker [Side 1]

2. That's The Way I Wanna My Rock N Roll 

3. Meanstreak

4. Go Zone

5. Kissin' Dynamite 

6. Nick Of Time [Side 2]

7. Some Sin For Nuthin' 

8. Ruff Stuff 

9. Two's Up 

10. This Means War 

Tracks 1 to 10 are their studio album "Blow Up Your Video" - released early February 1988 in the USA on Atlantic 7 81828-1 and Atlantic WX 144 in the UK. Produced by HARRY VANDA and GEORGE YOUNG - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 12 in the USA. 

The entire campaign of 20 or so titles in The AC/DC Remasters series comes in a card digipak that mimics the 'US' artwork (gold title stickers on the front). "Blow Up Your Video" sports a new 16-page booklet with wildly appreciative and enthusiastic histories from uber-fan ALAN Di PERNA alongside new photos, memorabilia from the 1988 US Tour and of course it sports that all-important GEORGE MARINO Remaster from original tapes that absolutely ROCKS. The 'ConnecteD' Technology angle means that when your computer is 'connected' to the Internet, you can access extra material (music and videos) from their website acdcrocks.com.

The album comes roaring in with one of its genuine rawkin' highlights - "Heatseeker" - the band and Johnson rearing to go. It's the kind of perfect Hard Rock winner AC/DC seem to conjure up in their sleep and not surprisingly Atlantic Records gave it first dibs in January 1988 - the 7" single Atlantic 7-89136 paired with another album winner "Go Zone" on the flipside. With a very definite avoidance of big-hair solos - AC/DC go after the happy with each rocker - of which there are many - saucy lyrics ahoy "Two's Up" "Kissin' Dynamite" and so on. 

 

Re-uniting with the Scott-era AC/DC-sound Producers of old - Harry Vanda and George Young - Johnson let rip. When you hear "This Mean's War" - his vocals are throat shredding while the riffage and drums smash all around you. "Nick Of Time" opens Side 2 with more of the same. And titling this review is the fabulous fun rawk of "That's The Way I Wanna Rock N Roll" - party time at the union hall - glory hallelujah - roll roll roll - blow up my video - tell the boss man where to go. Oh yeah - great stuff. 

 

The only problem with forking out on this snotty little brute is obvious - you'll want the rest of them because your soul knows - you can never have enough AC/DC in your life and on the stereo terrifying the neighbours...

"Steve McQueen: Legacy Edition 2CD Reisue" by PREFAB SPROUT - June 1985 UK Second Studio Album on Kitchenware Records featuring Paddy and Martin McAloon, Neil Conti and Wendy Smith with Guests Thomas Dolby (Production and Keyboards), Phil Thornally (Production), Mark Lockheart (Saxophone) and Kevin Armstrong (Guitar) (June 2007 UK Sony/BMG/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition Reissue with a Thomas Dolby Remaster of the Album on CD1 with Nine New 'Acoustic Version' Interpretations of the Album Tracks by Paddy McAloon on CD2) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 "...The Things You Do To Stop The Truth From Hurting You..."

 

I was living in Dublin when this giant-leap-ahead album hit the shops in June 1985 on the eclectically named Kitchenware Records - quietly blowing Prefab Sprout's debut album "Swoon" from March 1984 out of the proverbial musical water. While the account starter was interesting (as they say in reviewer parlance) - its follow-up "Steve McQueen" from only a year later was an altogether better beast in every possible way.

 

"Steve McQueen" wowed (Side 1 especially). Most of my mates were in awe of emo-inducing songs like "Bonny" and "When Love Breaks Down" never mind the brilliant lyrics and crafty riffage and synth fills in tunes like "Faron Young" (on the TV at four in the morning), "Goodbye Lucille No. 1" (give it a rest Johnny, Johnny) and "Moving The River" (a truly gifted kid, only as good as the last great thing you did) - the kind of Eighties Rock sophistication so many bands and serious artists of the time allured to but seldom achieved. And I've been in love with Steve McQueen's gorgeous panorama ever since. 

 

Called "Two Wheels Good" in the USA when it was issued on Epic Records (the estate of the famous actor took umbrage to the name 'Steve McQueen' being used as the album title) - it had slick Production values supplied by THOMAS DOLBY - but probably because of its 45-minutes plus total playing time, always sounded like a slightly muted audio letdown because of the limitations of vinyl. So we waited for CD to catch up and in early April 2007 - Sony-BMG did so with this fantastic 'Legacy Edition' 2CD reissue. To the six things on Paddy's mind (my review's not one of them)...

UK released 2 April 2007 - "Steve McQueen: Legacy Edition" by PREFAB SPROUT on Sony/BMG/Legacy KWCD3-25 - 82876731592 (Barcode 828767315928) is a 25th Anniversary 2CD Reissue with a Thomas Dolby Remaster of the 1985 album on CD1 and Eight 'New Acoustic Versions by Paddy McAloon' of key album tracks on CD2. It breaks down as follows:

CD1 "Steve McQueen" Original Album Remastered by Thomas Dolby (45:11 minutes):

1. Faron Young [Side 1]

2. Bonny 

3. Appetite

4. When Love Breaks Down 

5. Goodbye Lucille No. 1

6. Hallelujah

7. Moving The River [Side 2]

8. Horsin' Around 

9. Desire As 

10. Blueberry Pies

11. When The Angels

Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Steve McQueen" - released June 1985 in the UK on Kitchenware Records KWLP 3 and as "Two Wheels Good" in the USa on Epic Records BFE 40100. Produced by THOMAS DOLBY (except "When Love Breaks Down" by PHIL THORNALLY) - it peaked at No. 21 in the UK (didn't chart USA).

PREFAB SPROUT was Paddy McAloon (Lead Singer, Songwriter on all Songs, Guitars etc), Martin McAloon, Wendy Smith and Neil Conti. Guests included Kevin Armstrong who contributed Guitar to "Halleujah" and "Desire As" - while Mark Lockhart also proffered Saxophone on "Desire As". But the big name on "Steve McQueen" was THOMAS DOLBY who Produced the whole album (except "When Love Breaks Down" which was initially done by Phil Thornally and then Remixed by Dolby) and did the keyboards for nine of its eleven tracks - "Hallelujah" and "Desire As" being the two exclusions.

CD2 "New Acoustic Versions by Paddy McAloon" - Recorded Summer 2006 (34:58 minutes):

1. Appetite 

2. Bonny

3. Desire As 

4. When Love Breaks Down

5. Goodbye Lucille No. 1

6. Moving The River 

7. Faron Young 

8. When The Angels 

The foldout card digipak is pretty if not a little underwhelming and insubstantial. There is a 12-page oversized booklet with new liner notes from PAUL LESTER done in December 2006. They give a potted history of the album's impact on both us and the band and does go into the new songs and their wildly different interpretations - the guitar riffage of "Faron Young" replaced with melodies you don't expect but so work. And the Thomas Dolby Remaster of the principal album is just 'so' beautifully subtle - muscular, clean but never antiseptic or polished to within an inch of its Supertramp life. He's kept the audio histrionics down - you just get gorgeous clarity and when that solo kicks in in "Bonny" - I'm in floods (check out the cover version Tom Smith of The Editors did of "Bonny" - stunning - McAloon would be proud to call it pal).

 

What's missing? For years fans of "Steve McQueen" have had to do with the US CD version called "Two Wheels Good" which while not remastered contained 3 bonus tracks not on the UK CD - "Faron Young (Truckin' Mix)", "The Yearning Loins" and "He'll Have To Go". 

 

Between October 1984 and as late as February 1986, no less than 6 singles came off the album in the UK - "When Love Breaks Down" was put out 3 times  - "Faron Young", "Appetite" and "Goodbye Lucille No. 1" were also issued and between them and their multiple formats, they produced as many as 12 unreleased B-sides and mixes. Shame none are here. But all of that disappears once you hear the audiophile-sounding 'acoustic' reinterpretations on CD2 which are unbelievably good. Wow. Here's hoping band main-man Paddy McAloon will consider doing the same for 1988's "From Langley Park To Memphis" or 1990's "Jordan: The Comeback" - too mouth watering a thought to even comprehend!

 

"...Wishing she could call him heartache, but it's not a boy's name..." 

 

Smart lyrics, smart man - get this fantastic CD twofer in your life like you're Robin Hood and you've spotted a good tree up ahead with the best arrows in the forest...