"Thirty Years Of Maximum R&B" by THE WHO – July 1964 to October 1991 Releases on Fontana, Brunswick, Reaction, Track, Decca and MCA Records featuring Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon with Dave Arbus (of East of Eden), Kenny Jones (of The Small Faces and Faces), Nicky Hopkins, John "Rabbit" Bundrick, Tim Gorman, Simon Phillips, Steve Bolton (of Atomic Rooster) and more (July 1994 UK Polydor 4CD 79-Track Cardboard Long Box including 14 Previously Unreleased with Andy MacPhearson, Jon Astley and Tim Young Remixes and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

**** Rating

 

"...Join Together With The Band..."

 

When the unholy triumvirate of "Tommy" (May 1969), "Live At Leeds" (May 1970) and "Who's Next" (August 1971) hammered my squishy Irish noggin with riffage and anarchic lyrics a go-go – I was like most early Seventies teens – gone baby gone. I still have originals of them all on UK vinyl and in best nick possible (I even have the Headhunters Advert inner bag that came with first pressings of "Who's Next" in 1971 – serious nerdsville). In fact, I only have to look at the front sleeve of Next and I will always see wee-weeing on a concrete structure as a thing of unparalleled joy. "Quadrophenia" took our breath away in 1973 (another stunning themed double-album on Track Records) and thereafter (like so many others I suspect) all the Jules and Jims and Slip Kids have held a candle aloft for The Who most of our adult lives...

 

So back in the heady Nineties days of CD Box Set wonder-loads – like many a drooling dolly dimplecheeks, I awaited the July 1994 Box Set "Thirty Years Of Maximum R&B" by The Who with a frankly unnerving amount of physical excitement. And while it made great efforts in prep and sounded great and looked the presentation part too, I honestly found that the need for balancing desired studio tracks with Previously Unreleased live versions of them instead (to satiate fans like me) actually did for the Box (CD4 especially) and not necessarily in a good way.

 

Don't get me wrong - I love this guitar-jumping Moon-Loon gigglefest thing to death (and in July 2024 it will itself celebrate a 30^th Anniversary). But if I am properly honest, it's a 4-star listen with 5-star presentation. Let's see action...

 

UK released 5 July 1995 - "Thirty Years Of Maximum R&B" by THE WHO on Polydor 521 751-2 (Barcode 731452175120) is a 79-Track 4CD Cardboard Long Box Set (including 14 Previously Unreleased) with New Remasters and Remixes that play out as follows:

 

CD1 (75:49 minutes):

1. Pete Townshend Dialogue (Live At Long Beach Arena, 1971, Previously Unreleased)

2. I'm The Face (July 1964 UK Debut 45-single as The High Numbers, Fontana TF 480, A-side – Newly Remixed, B-side is Track 4 on CD1)

3. Here 'Tis (Recorded 1964 in London as The High Numbers, Previously Unreleased, Bo Diddley cover version)

4. Zoot Suit (see Track 2 on CD1)

5. Leaving Here (Recorded 1964 in London as The High Numbers, First Issued on the November 1985 LP compilation "Who's Missing" on MCA Records, Remixed for the Box Set)

6. I Can't Explain (January 1965 UK 45-single on Brunswick 05926, A-side – their debut single as The Who and first song-writing credit on a 45 for PT – also their first 45 to chart as The Who in the USA on Decca 31725, released there in February 1965 and peaked at No. 93 on Billboard)

7. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (May 1965 UK 2^nd 45-single on Brunswick 05935, A-side – also used as the theme to the BBC Pop Music Programme 'Ready Steady Go!' – features unannounced BBC Interview Intro with PT)

8. Daddy Rolling Stone (B-side of "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" – see Track 7 – an Otis Blackwell song)

9. My Generation (October 1965 UK third 45-single on Brunswick 05944, A-side)

10. The Kids Are Alright (from the debut UK LP "My Generation" released December 1965 in the UK on Brunswick LAT 8616, April 1966 in the USA as "The Who Sing My Generation" on Decca DL 4664 – both in Mono)

11. The Ox (as per Track 10, Instrumental with Nicky Hopkins guesting on Piano)

12. A Legal Matter (as per Track 10)

13. Pete Dialogue recorded Live At Leeds University, 14 February 1970 – Previously Unreleased - see Track 14)

14. Substitute (Track 14 from the "Live At Leeds" LP, May 1970, UK on Track Records 2406 001, USA on Decca DL 79175 – for further LAL songs see Track 27 and 28 on CD2)

15. I'm A Boy (August 1966 UK 45-single, Reaction 591004, A-side)

16. Disguises (November 1966 UK 5-Track Extended Play EP "Ready Steady Who" on Reaction 592001, Track 1, Side 1)

17. Happy Jack Jingle (0:31 seconds of studio dialogue)

18. Happy Jack (December 1966 UK 45-single, Reaction 591010, A-side)

19. Boris The Spider (from the second studio album "A Quick One", December 1966 in the UK on Reaction 593 002, issued May 1967 in the USA as "Happy Jack" on Decca DL 4892 (Mono) and Decca DL 74892 (Stereo). Same LP as the UK variant but with the song "Heat Wave" replaced by "Happy Jack" that was only a single in the UK)

20. So Sad About Us (as per Track 19)

21. A Quick One, While He's Away (9:39 minutes, a combination mix of the original LP version with a live version recorded for The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus in December 1968)

22. Pictures Of Lily (April 1967, UK 45-single, Track 604002, A-side)

23. Early Morning Cold Taxi (Recorded October 1967 – Previously Unreleased)

24. Coke 2 (0:48 seconds of guitar-riffage singing Coca Cola)

25. The Last Time (June 1967, UK 45-single, Track 604006, A-side – a Rolling Stones cover done in support of Jagger and Richards being arrested on Drug Charges – the B-side is "Under My Thumb")

26. I Can't Reach You (from their third studio album "The Who Sell Out", December 1967 on Track 612 002 (Mono) and 613 002 (Stereo) – January 1968 USA on Decca DL 4950 (Mono) and DL 74950 (Stereo) – see also Tracks 1 to 10 on CD for more)

27. Girl's Eyes (Recorded in 1967 – Previously Unreleased)

28. Bag O'Nails (0:05 seconds)

29. Call Me Lightning (June 1968, UK 45-single, Track 604023, B-side of "Dogs")

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 3, 23 and 27 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Songs; other tracks are versions as noted

 

CD2 (75:45 minutes):

1. Rotosound Strings (0:06 seconds)

2. I Can See For Miles (October 1967, UK 45-single, Track 604011, A-side, also on "The Who Sell Out" LP)

3. Mary-Anne With The Shakey Hand (from their third studio album "The Who Sell Out", December 1967 on Track 612 002 (Mono) and 613 002 (Stereo) – January 1968 USA on Decca DL 4950 (Mono) and DL 74950 (Stereo))

4. Armenia City In The Sky (as per Track 3 on CD2)

5. Tattoo (as per Track 3 on CD2)

6. Our Love Was (as per Track 3 on CD2)

7. Rael 1 (as per Track 3 on CD2)

8. Rael 2 (Recorded 5 July 1967 in New York, 0:52 seconds, Previously Unreleased)

9. Track Records/Premier Drums (0:31 seconds)

10. Sunrise (as per Track 3 on CD2)

11. Russell Harty Dialogue (0:21 seconds)

12. Jaguar (Recorded November 1967 in London, Edited Version of a Previously Unreleased Recording)

13. Melancholia (Recorded May 1968 in London – Previously Unreleased)

14. Fortune Teller (Recorded May 1968 in London – Previously Unreleased)

15. Magic Bus (October 1968, UK 45-single, Track 604024, A-side)

16. Little Billy (first appeared on the September 1974 LP compilation "Odds And Sods" on Track Records 2406 116 (UK) and October 1974 in the USA on MCA Records MCA 2126)

17. Dogs (June 1968, 45-single, Track 604023, A-side – for B-side see Track 29 on CD1)

18. Overture (from the 2LP studio set "Tommy", May 1969 UK on Track 613 013/4, May 1969 USA on Decca DXSW 7205)

19. Acid Queen (see Track 18 on CD2)

20. Abbie Hoffman Incident (0:16 seconds, Live At Woodstock, see Track 21)

21. Underture (Version Recorded Live At Woodstock, 17 Aug 1969 and Finally Issued on the 2LP Soundtrack set "The Kids Are Alright" in June 1979 (UK Polydor 2675 179, USA on MCA Records MCA2-11005)

22. Pinball Wizard (see Track 18 on CD2)

23. I'm Free (see Track 18 on CD2)

24. See Me, Feel Me – Live (Tommy track recorded Live At Leeds University, 14 February 1970 – Previously Unreleased)

25. Heaven And Hell – Live (July 1970, UK 45-single, Track 2094 002, a John Entwistle song and B-side to "Summertime Blues")

26. Pete Dialogue (0:36 seconds)

27. Young Man Blues – Live (from the "Live At Leeds" LP, May 1970, UK on Track Records 2406 001, USA on Decca DL 79175 – a Mose Allison cover version - for more LAL songs see also Track 14 on CD1)

28. Summertime Blues – Live (see Track 27 on CD2 – an Eddie Cochran cover version – LP cut)

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 8, 12, 13, 14 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD3 (75:01 minutes):

1. Shakin' All Over – Live (see Track 27 on CD2)

2. Baba O'Riley (from the LP "Who's Next", August 1971 UK on Track 2408 102, August 1971 USA on Decca 79182)

3. Bargain (original studio song on the "Who's Next" LP – this version recorded Live at San Francisco Civic Auditorium, 12 December 1971 and first released on the November 1985 US LP compilation "Who's Missing" on MCA Records MCA-5641)

4. Pure And Easy (first appeared on the September 1974 LP compilation "Odds And Sods" on Track Records 2406 116 (UK) and October 1974 in the USA on MCA Records MCA 2126)

5. The Song Is Over (as per Track 2 on CD3)

6. Studio Dialogue (0:47 seconds)

7. Behind Blue Eyes (as per Track 2 on CD3)

8. Won't Get Fooled Again (as per Track 2 on CD3, for another variant of a "Who's Next" LP song see also "My Wife", Track 11 on CD4)

9. The Seeker (Edit) (March 1970, UK 45-single, Track 604036, A-side)

10. Bony Maronie (Recorded at the Young Vic Theatre, London, 26 April 1971 and first issued on the June 1988 UK 4-Track CD Single for the reissue of "Won't Get Fooled Again" on Polydor POCD 917 – also 12" Single on Polydor POSPX 917)

11. Let's See Action (October 1971, UK 45-single, Track 2094 012, A-side)

12. Join Together (June 1972, UK 45-single, Track 2094 102, A-side)

13. Relay (January 1973, UK 45-single, Track 2094 106, A-side)

14. The Real Me (original version on the double-album "Quadrophenia" – released October 1973 – This Version recorded January 1979 during auditions for Kenney Jones to become the new drummer with The Who – Previously Unreleased)

15. 5:15 (Single Mix) (Full Version on "Quadrophenia" – This Edit released October 1973, UK 45-single, Track 2094 115, A-side)

16. Bell Boy (as per Track 14 on CD3)

17. Love Reign O'er Me (as per Track 14 on CD3)

NOTES on CD3:

Track 14 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD4 (76:17 minutes):

1. Long Live Rock (first appeared on the September 1974 LP compilation "Odds And Sods" on Track Records 2406 116 (UK) and October 1974 in the USA on MCA Records MCA 2126 – also released April 1979 in the UK on a 3-Track Retro Compilation 45-Single on Polydor WHO 2)

2. Life With The Moons (1:43 minutes)

3. University Challenge (0:30 seconds)

4. Slip Kid (from the October 1975 LP "The Who By Numbers" on Polydor 2490 129 in the UK, USA on MCA Records MCA 2161)

5. Poetry Cornered (0:39 seconds)

6. Dreaming From The Waist (studio version on the 1975 LP "The Who By Numbers" – this version recorded live at Swansea Football Grounds, 12 June 1976 – Previously Unreleased)

8. Blue Red And Grey (as per Track 4 on CD4)

9. Life With The Moons 2 (0:46 seconds)

10. Squeeze Box (as per Track 4 on CD 4, also UK 45-single, January 1976, Polydor 2121 275, A-side)

11. My Wife (original studio version on the "Who's Next" – this version recorded live at Swansea Football Grounds, 12 June 1976 – Previously Unreleased)

12. Who Are You (Single Edit, 5:00 minutes, July 1978, Polydor WHO 1, A-side – Full Version on the August 1978 LP "Who Are You" – see Track 13 on CD4)

13. Music Must Change (from the August 1978 "Who Are You", UK on Polydor WHOD 5002 and USA on MCA Records MCA 3050)

14. Sister Disco (see Track 13 on CD4)

15. Guitar And Pen (see Track 13 on CD4)

16. You Better You Bet (from the March 1981 LP "Face Dances", UK on Polydor WHOD 5003, US On Warner Brothers WB HS 3516 – also February 1981 UK 45-single on Polydor WHO 4)

17. Eminence Front (from the September 1982 LP "It's Hard" on Polydor WHOD 5066)

18. Twist And Shout – Previously Unreleased

19. I'm A Man – Previously Unreleased

20. Pete Dialogue (0:37 seconds)

21. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) (from 1991 tribute album to Elton John called "Two Rooms")

NOTES on CD4:

Tracks 6, 11, 18 and 19 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

The 72-page long-format colour booklet is comprehensive and pleasingly detailed. Principal songwriter and founder of The Who Pete Townshend starts his 3-page March 1994 notes on Page 5 with a typically self-deprecating analysis of his four-man brawling brat. PT is also unrepentant and rightly so – literally telling his and Keith Moon's detractors to f-off in the last few sentences. But also – deep amidst the post hurt and rancor is a pride that his band broke down so many doors and are beloved for a reason. Following that is a series of essays – Keith Altham on The Who in Britain (fabulous photos, gig flyers, reviews, Moon in a dress) that in turn is followed by a fabulous Chris Charlesworth piece on their broader reach that includes a month-by-month and year-by-year timeline.

 

But my fave piece of scripture is the Dave Marsh piece on The Who in America. Marsh wrote the first book on Springsteen, did loads of Rolling Stone Magazine stuff and a book on The 1001 Great Singles of All Time etc. Marsh explains how the band didn't really mean much there until well into 1966, after the release of their second album (entitled "Happy Jack" in the USA after the single). The live aspect of The Who too is also (not surprisingly) given serious verbiage. They blew people's heads off and still do with only Daltrey and Townshend left of the original four. Last is a track-by-track breakdown (where, when, which album, 45-single etc) that is followed by a full singles and LP discography wisely providing both UK and US releases (debut was 1965 in the UK, 1966 in the USA – the second album had a different title and slightly altered track list and so on). Explanations too – compilers Chris Charlesworth and Jon Astley talk about tapes (or lack of them) for the Previously Unreleased stuff for a whole page - in many cases justifying decisions and putting to bed rumors about better versions. In short (forgive the pun), the long booklet is a visual feast and even now in 2023 as I write this, a seriously great deep dive into every aspect of this fab band. The color photos and endless memorabilia shots, picture sleeves, press hoopla – is fantastic to look at – especially of course the Sixties and Seventies stuff when they along with other huge British exports like Jethro Tull, Humble Pie, Pink Floyd, Yes and The Stones – became among the biggest and most popular bands in the World. Even the title of the Box Set is followed with the moniker 'The Best Rock 'n' Roll Band In The World'.

 

The 1994 Box Set was Remixed, Remastered and Sequenced by ANDY MacPHEARSON and JON ASTLEY with CD Mastering done by JON ASTLEY and TIM YOUNG. You can hear not just the Volume - but Care. They knew this was a prestige release and due diligence has been done. To the music...

 

CD1 opens with anger (of course), Pete giving the crowd some shut up - this is a Rock & Roll concert not a f-in tea-party diatribe before we launch into a truly fantastic sounding "I'm The Face" by The High Numbers. Fans are then treated to a Previously Unreleased Bo Diddley cover "Here Tis" – an all night long shuffler with Harmonica driven R&B rhythms (good but not nearly as exciting as the debut single). The snappiest dresser B-side "Zoot Face" could really have been any British R&B act of 1964 aping the American scene – but what it does have is lovely clarity in the audio – drums, Bass, strummed guitar and picked out notes. Better is "Leaving Here" where The Who shows their love of Motown – an Eddie Holland cover version that had only been released in the USA in early December 1963 (Motown M-1052, A-side). Already that drum and guitar sound they mastered is already there – even if the recording is compromised in its obvious weedy nature.

 

Things return to Who brilliance with "I Can't Explain" – a single that sounded old and new at the same time – a fantastic urgency to it. Without any warning, "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" is preceded by dialogue where Pete is being grilled by a particularly plummy sounding DJ as he introduces their new bash-and-trash sound. The instrumental "The Ox" exemplifies their truly wild side – a thrasher from the My Generation debut album that features Nicky Hopkins equalling the squealing guitar mayhem with his piano playing. You could argue that the Box should have used the original 45-single mix for "Substitute" but here they set up the live single with unheard Pete dialogue from the Live At Leeds concert on 14 Feb 1970 and it so works. In August 1966 there were few bands saying I'm A Boy - I'm a head case - I'm A Boy – And My Ma Won't admit it. Kinda cool too to hear the lesser-appreciated grunge guitar of "Disguises" from the "Ready Steady Who" EP – more thematic cross-dressing references. The audio on "Happy Jack" is fabulously clear – Bass and Drums given clarity. The unreleased "Early Morning Cold Taxi" is OK but far better is the "Dogs" deep dive B-side "Call Me Lightning" which ends CD1 perfectly.

 

The first ten tracks on CD2 are essentially "The Who Sell Out" sessions and album (new in 1994). There is good and superfluous. While "Sunrise" is a gem (Pete on Acoustic) – the supposed Previously Unreleased Rael 2 is a 52-second nonsense – the Russell Harty jokey dialogue is witty for twenty seconds. Both the edited "Jaguar" and "Melancholia" are excellent unreleased outtakes as is the cover version of "Fortune Teller". But if I want real Who magic I go to Track 15 for "Magic Bus" – a piece of 45-single genius that combines Cochran acoustic with riffage towards the end. Do I need Pete telling a political activist to f-off at Woodstock while they launch into a wobbly recording of "Underdog" (eventually issued on the 1979 Kids Are Alright Movie Soundtrack) – not really. At least "Pinball Wizard" sounds amazing as the Tommy tracks begin to kick in. It rollicks home with the excellence of "Dogs" and the emergence of them as a Seventies powerhouse with "Live At Leeds" beginning to make its presence known. I never really liked the flipside "Heaven And Hell" if I am honest but I love that Previously Unreleased Pete Dialogue intro that sets up the Mose Allison and Eddie Cochran covers from "Live At Leeds" – the band tight and on fire even when trashing it.

 

CD3 is the one I play more than all others (and CD4 the one I ignore). The sheer power of The Who doing their version of the Johnny Kidd & The Pirates classic "Shakin' All Over" (even if it still has that cackle) is liable to punish your speakers (listen to Pete soloing, Entwistle hammering the Bass while Moon anchors it all on his kit). But then another kind of magic starts with Dave Arbus of East of Eden guesting on Violin for the magnificent "Baba O'Riley" – the keyboards and out there in the fields Side 1 opener from the August 1971 "Who's Next" album. I admit to tears on this – I go to mush over it. Daltrey suddenly sounds like the best vocalist ever – and then that riff just sees the song take off. This is a sophisticated-sounding Who – a band finding a sound and a zone where it all meshes into something huge. Teenage wasteland had never sounded like this. I would have much preferred the studio version of "Bargain" – instead we get the December 1971 live version finally issued in 1985 on the "Who's Missing" album. It is powerful, but it does not flow as well as the LP cut would have.

 

The March 1973 recording of "Pure And Easy" follows that is followed by the 1971 Side 1 finisher "The Song Is Over" from "Who's Next" – but despite the date difference – the placing works (sing my heart to the Infinite Sea). The witty studio dialogue ahead of "Behind Blue Eyes" works too – setting up the pain with a laugh. And what can you say about the 8:30 minutes of "Won't Get Fooled Again" – the full LP version given to fans in Remastered Riffage Monster Wallop and not the edited single version (15 June 1971) - Wow! There is a rare Apple Label Acetate of the 45-single displayed as the centrepiece of the credits page ("Won't Get Fooled Again" as an Acetate – yummy). We then get a huge fave of mine and one of their forgotten gems "The Seeker" (1970) – the first of four stand-alone 45s they did in the Seventies. The others are here too - "Let's See Action" (October 1971), "Join Together" (June 1972, Acetate pictured too) and "Relay" (December 1973). CD3 then romps home with an unreleased and a trio from "Quadrophenia" including two fab winners in "5:15" and the majestic "Love Reign O'er Me".

 

CD4 is a bummer for me. I like the singles "Squeeze Box", "Who Are You", "You Better You Bet" and the magnificent "Eminence Front" from the swansong of sorts LP "It's Hard" which was prepped for single release but withdrawn. "Eminence Front" is featured in many Who Live Shows nowadays precisely because (like "The Seeker") - it's one of those songs that deserves reappraisal and thrills the crowd. But the replacement of live tracks for studio versions and the backwards retro of "Twist And Shout" (even if it is previously unreleased) do not come across great. For sure deep LP cuts like "Guitar And Pen" and "Slip Kid" will get any fan-vote, but somehow the sequencing all feels like a let down.

 

In the end, I cannot be rational about The Who nor this "Thirty Years Of Maximum R&B" 4CD Box Set. It rocks like a stone mason with a demonically possessed chisel and a leery look in his one good eye. 

 

Speaking of which - U2, The Rolling Stones, The Who and AC/DC have all laid claim at one point in time to being 'The Best Rock 'n' Roll Band In The World'. 

 

Truth be told – they all are – but The Who in their voluminous prime – Yippie Ki-Yay Mo-Fo's!

"Nuggets (Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968)" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Based on the October 1972 Lenny Kaye Compiled Genre Retrospective 2LP Set issued on Elektra Records in the USA (no UK Release) – Expanded 4CD Version Featuring The Electric Prunes, The Seeds, Count Five, The Shadows Of Knight, The Barbarians, The Standells, The Blues Magoos, The Amboy Dukes, The Outsiders, The Chocolate Watch Band, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Capt. Beefheart, Beau Brummels, The Hombres, New Colony Six, Blue Magoos and many more (September 1998 US Rhino/Elektra 118-Track 4CD Long Box with 100-Page Booklet and Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

September 1998 US-Only Rhino 4CD Box Set 

EXPANDED EDITION of the October 1972 Double-Album on Elektra Records

 

June 2006 UK Rhino Single-CD Reissue and Remaster of the 2LP set only

 

This Review Along With 319 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
CADENCE / CASCADE 

PROG ROCK, PSYCH, AVANT GARDE...
And Others Genres Thereabouts
Exceptional CD Remasters

Covering 1967 to 1977 - It Also Focuses On

Fusion Rock, Acid Folk, Art Rock and Underground 

Just Click Below To Purchase

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

"...Psychotic Reaction..."

 

Whenever we bought in a decent vinyl collection in Reckless in Berwick Street or Islington (and usually from a guy of a certain age), we would get misty-eyed leering down at a copy of "Nuggets" – a fabulous double-album compilation released early October 1972 on Elektra Records in the USA. Compiled by genre enthusiast Lenny Kaye and comprising of 27 slices of Sixties Psych, Garage and all manner of Acid-Infused Fuzz-Guitar Alternative Rock - even three and half decades ago "Nuggets" regularly went for over £50 (back when that was pricey). It had an almost semi-mythical reputation often only ever lasting minutes on our swinging-dick display wall of latest arrivals. So it's rare a CD Reissue does the same.

 

But this 4CD Expanded 118-Track Box Set of "Nuggets (Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968)" has entered legend too since its September 1998 US-only release. It placed the double-album Remastered onto CD1 with 27-Tracks and then blew that up by a whopping 91 more rarities on CDs 2, 3 and 4. A 100-Page Long Booklet, sympathetic remasters for notoriously Lo-Fi material  – all in all – a genuine blast from the good people at Rhino. Hell – in June 2006 – they reissued the double-album onto 1CD in Mini LP Repro Card Sleeve (pictured above also) and just past (April 2023 to be exact) has seen yet another Remaster/Reissue of the original double expanded this time into a 50th Anniversary 5LP version for Record Store Day. But it's Rhino's 1998 4CD Long Box (a first volume of three) that makes fans and collectors weak at the knees. Let's get psyched...

 

US released 15 September 1998 – "Nuggets (Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968)" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino R2 75466 (Barcode 0 8122-75466-2 5) is a 4CD Long Box with Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot Remasters (Based on the December 1972 Lenny Kaye Compiled Genre Retrospective 2LP Set issued on Elektra Records in the US) that plays out as follows (all tracks are US 45-singles unless otherwise stated):

 

CD1 – The Original Nuggets - (76:29 minutes):

1. I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) - THE ELECTRIC PRUNES (November 1966, Reprise 0532, A-side)

2. Dirty Water - THE STANDELLS (November 1965, Tower 185, A-side)

3. Night Time - THE STRANGELOVES (January 1966, Bang Records B-514, A-side)

4. Lies - THE KNICKERBOCKERS (November 1965, Challenge 59321, A-side)

5. Respect - THE VAGRANTS (Mono) (March 1967, Atco 45-6473, B-side of "I Love, Love You (Yes I Do)")

6. A Public Execution - MOUSE (Mono) (February 1966, Fraternity F-956, A-side)

7. No Time Like The Right Time - THE BLUES PROJECT (February 1967, Verve Forecast KF 5040, A-side - written by and featuring Al Kooper)

8. Oh Yeah! - THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (May 1966, Dunwich DX 122, A-side)

9. Pushin' Too Hard - THE SEEDS featuring Sky Saxon (July 1966, G.N.P. Crescendo GNP 372, A-side)

10. Moulty - THE BARBARIANS (Mono) (January 1966, Laurie LR 3326, A-side)

11. Don't Look Back - THE REMAINS (Mono) (August 1966, Epic 5-10060, A-side)

12. An Invitation To Cry - THE MAGICIANS (Mono) (November 1965, Columbia 4-43435, A-side, featuring Allan Jacobs of Jake & The Family Jewels and Gary Bonner)

13. Liar, Liar - THE CASTAWAYS (June 1965, Soma 1433, A-side)

14. You're Gonna Miss Me - THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR ELEVATORS (Mono) (May 1966, International Artists IA-107, A-side, featuring Roky Erickson)

15. Psychotic Reaction - COUNT FIVE (July 1966, Double Shot 104, A-side)

16. Hey Joe - THE LEAVES (Mono) (April 1966, Mira 222, A-side)

17. Romeo And Juliet - MICHAEL & THE MESSENGERS (Mono) (June 1967, U.S.A. Records 874, A-side)

18. Sugar And Spice - THE CRYAN SHAMES (Mono) (June 1966, Destination 624, A-side)

19. Baby Please Don't Go - THE AMBOY DUKES (January 1968, Mainstream 676, A-side, featuring Ted Nugent)

20. Tobacco Road - BLUES MAGOOS (June 1966, Mercury 72590, A-side)

21. Let's Talk About Girls - THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (from the 1967 LP "No Way Out" on Tower Records ST-5096 in Stereo)

22. Sit Down, I Think I Love You - THE MOJO MEN (Mono) (December 1966, Reprise 0539, A-side, Arranged by Van Dyke Parks, Buffalo Springfield cover, song written by Stephen Stills)

23. Run, Run, Run - THE THIRD RAIL (Mono) (June 1967, Epic 5-10191, A-side)

24. My World Fell Down - SAGITTARIUS (Mono) (May 1967, Columbia 4-44163, A-side, featuring Lead Vocals by Glen Campbell with Backing Vocals from Bruce Johnston, Gary Usher and Terry Melcher and Larry Knechtel of Bread on Keyboards)

25. Open My Eyes - NAZZ (July 1968, SGC Records 45-001, A-side, featuring Todd Rundgren)

26. Farmer John - THE PREMIERS (May 1964, Warner Brothers 5443, A-side)

27. It's-A-Happening - THE MAGIC MUSHROOMS (Mono) (September 1966, A&M Records 815, A-side)

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 27 in MONO

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25 and 26 in STEREO

VINYL SETS:

Tracks 1 to 27 are the original genre retrospective 2LP compilation "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" - released early October 1972 in the USA on Elektra Records 7E-2006 (no UK release).

 

A Remastered 2LP VINYL Reissue came out June 2006 on Rhino/Elektra 5101-12419-1 (Barcode 5051011241918), a January 2021 2LP VINYL Reissue was on Rhino/Elektra R1 2006 (081227971113) and most recently, an April 2023 Record Store Day 5oth Anniversary 5LP Expanded Box Set came out on Rhino/Elektra R1 695185 (603497838332).

 

CD2 – Volume 2 - (77:13 minutes):

1. Talk Talk – THE MUSIC MACHINE (July 1966, Original Sound OS-61, B-side of "Come On In")

2. Last Time Around – THE DEL-VETTS (June 1966, Dunwich D-125, A-side)

3. Nobody But Me – THE HUMAN BEINZ (August 1967, Capitol 5990, A-side – Isley Brothers cover)

4. Journey To Tyme – KENNY & THE KASUALS (August 1966, Mark MR 1006, A-side – Reissued November 1966, United Artists UA 50085, A-side)

5. No Friend Of Mine – THE SPARKLES (March 1967, Hickory 45-1443, A-side)

6. Outside Chance – THE TURTLES (July 1967, White Whale WW 234, A-side, co-write credit by Lyme which was Warren Zevon)

7. Action Woman – THE LITTER (January 1967, Scotty 803G-6710, A-side with "Legal Matter" on the B-side – re-released September 1967, Warwick 944S-6712 with "Whatcha Gonna Do About It?" on the B-side)

8. Spazz – THE ELASTIK BAND (November 1967, Atco 45-6537, A-side)

9. Sweet Young Thing – THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (January 1967, Uptown 740, A-side – Written and Produced by Ed Cobb)

10. Incense And Peppermints – STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK (May 1967, Uni 55018, A-side)

11. I Ain't No Miracle Worker – THE BROGUES (September 1965, Challenge 59311, B-side of "Don't Shoot Me Down")

12. 7 And 7 Is – LOVE (July 1966, Elektra EK-45605, A-side – Both A&B Sides featuring and written by Arthur Lee)

13. Time Won't Let Me – THE OUTSIDERS (January 1966, Capitol 5573, A-side)

14. Going All The Way – THE SQUIRES (September 1966, Atco 45-6442, A-side)

15. I'm Gonna Make You Mine – THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (November 1966, Dunwich 45-141, A-side)

16. The Trip – KIM FOWLEY (1965, Corby CR-206, A-side)

17. Can't Seem To Make You Mine – THE SEEDS (August 1965, GNP Crescendo GNP 354, A-side, featuring Sky Saxon)

18. Why Do I Cry – THE REMAINS (March 1965, Epic 5-9783, A-side)

19. Laugh Laugh – BEAU BRUMMELS (April 1967, Vault V-O-1, A-side)

20. The Little Black Egg – THE NIGHTCRAWLERS (August 1965, Lee 1012, A-side, featuring Ric Ocasek later with The Cars)

21. I Wonder – THE GANTS (January 1967, Liberty 55940, B-side of "Greener Days")

22. I See The Light – THE FIVE AMERICANS (November 1965, ABNAK A-109, A-side – reissued November 1965, HBR Records HBR 454, A-side, featuring Dale Hawkins as Producer)

23. Who Do You Love – THE WOOLIES (November 1966, Dunhill 45-D-4052, A-side)

24. Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) - SWINGIN' MEDALLIONS (February 1966, 4 Sale 6-6230, B-side of "Here It Comes Again" – reissued March 1966, Smash S-2033 as the A-side (Plug Side) with "Here It Comes Again" on the flip)

25. Live – THE MERRY-GO-ROUND (January 1967, A&M Records 834, A-side, written by and featuring Emitt Rhodes)

26. Steppin' Out – PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS (August 1965, Columbia 4-43375, A-side, Produced by Terry Melcher)

27. Diddy Wah Diddy – CAPTAIN BEEFHEART and HIS MAGIC BAND (April 1966, A&M Records 794, A-side – Bo Diddley cover version, Writer Willie Dixon of Chess Records fame)

28. Strychnine – THE SONICS (from the March 1965 US Debut LP "Here Are The Sonics!!!" on Etiquette Records ET-LPS-024 in Stereo, featuring Rob Lind on Vocals and Saxophone)

29. Little Girl – SYNDICATE OF SOUND (February 1966, Hush G-228, A-side – Reissued April 1966, Bell 640, A-side)

30. (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet – BLUES MAGOOS (October 1966, Mercury 72622, A-side)

31. Shape Of Things To Come – MAX FROST & THE TROOPERS (May 1968, Tower 419, A-side – a Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil song that featured in the 1968 Movie "Wild In The Streets")

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24 to 26, 29, 30 and 31 in STEREO

Tracks 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 to 17, 21, 23, 27 and 28 in MONO

 

CD3 – Volume 3 - (76:40 minutes):

1. Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) – THE HOMBRES (July 1967, Verve Forecast KF 5058, A-side)

2. Fight Fire – THE GOLLIWOGS (March 1966, Scorpio 405, A-side, John and Tom Fogerty pre Creedence Clearwater Revival)

3. At The River's Edge – NEW COLONY SIX (April 1966, Sentaur 1202, A-side)

4. Jack Of Diamonds – THE DAILY FLASH (August 1966, Parrot 45-PAR 308, B-side of "Queen Jane Approximately")

5. Follow Me – LYME & CYBELLE (February 1966, White Whale WW 228, A-side, featuring Warren Zevon)

6. It's Cold Outside – THE CHOIR (April 1967, Roulette R-4738, A-side)

7. Beg, Borrow And Steel – THE RARE BREED (April 1966, Attack AR 1401, A-side – Relaunched using same recording as OHIO EXPRESS on Cameo C-483 in June 1967 and that charted, peaking at No.28)

8. She's About A Mover – SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET (February 1965, Tribe 45-8308, A-side, featuring Doug Sahm)

9. Little Bit O' Soul – THE MUSIC EXPLOSION (March 1967, Laurie LR 3380, A-side, cover version of a March 1965 UK 45 by The Little Darlings on Fontana TF 359)

10. Put The Clock Back On The Wall – THE "E" TYPES (March 1967, Tower 325, A-side, Written by Alan Gordon and Gary Bonner who were both in The Magicians in 1965 and 1966 on Columbia Records – they did not record this song with The Magicians)

11. Falling Sugar – THE PALACE GUARD (February 1966, Orange Empire OE-400, A-side, group featured Emitt Rhodes of The Merry-Go-Round and Solo fame)

12. Run, Run, Run – THE GESTURES (October 1964, Soma 1417, A-side)

13. I Need You – THE RATIONALS (January 1968, A2 Records A2-107, A-side, Goffin & King song, Kinks cover from their "Kinda Kinks" album in 1965)

14. Knock, Knock – THE HUMANE SOCIETY (April 1967, Liberty 55968, B-side to "Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me")

15. Primitive – THE GROUPIES (January 1966, Atco 45-6393, A-side)

16. Psycho – THE SONICS (January 1965, Etiquette ET-11, B—side of "The Witch" – for the A-side see Track 16 on CD4 and a debut album track called "Strychnine", Track 28 on CD2)

17. So What!! – THE LYRICS (November 1965, Era 3153, B-side of "They Can't Hurt Me")

18. You Must Be A Witch – THE LOLLIPOP SHOPPE (March 1968, Uni 55050, A-side)

19. A Question Of Temperature – THE BALLOON FARM (September 1967, Laurie LR 3405, A-side – band-members Mike Appel and Don Henry later with The Huck Finn)

20. Maid Of Sugar–Maid Of Spice – MOUSE AND THE TRAPS (April 1966, Fraternity F-966, A-side)

21. You Ain't Tuff – THE UNIQUES (December 1965, Paula 231, A-side, featuring Joe Stampley)

22. Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White – THE STANDELLS (July 1966, Tower 257, A-side, featuring Ed Cobb)

23. She's My Baby – THE MOJO MEN (December 1965, Autumn 27, A-side with "Fire In My Heart" as the B-side – Reissued and Remixed, June 1966, Reprise 0486, A-side, with "Do The Hanky Panky" on the flipside – Reprise Version used)

24. Story Of My Life – UNRELATED SEGMENTS (January 1967, HBR Records HBR-514, A-side)

25. I'm Five Years Ahead Of My Time – THE THIRD BARDO (May 1967, Roulette R-4742, A-side, Teddy Randazzo Production and Arrangements)

26. Mirror Of Your Mind – WE THE PEOPLE (July 1966, Challenge 59333, A-side)

27. Bad Little Woman – THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT (August 1966, Dunwich 45-128, A-side)

28. Double Yellow Line – THE MUSIC MACHINE (April 1967, Original Sound OS-71, A-side, featuring Sean Bonniwell)

29. Optical Sound – THE HUMAN EXPRESSION (May 1967, Accent AC 1226, A-side)

30.Journey To The Center Of The Mind – THE AMBOY DUKES (May 1968, Mainstream 684, A-side, featuring Ted Nugent)

NOTES on CD3:

Tracks 1, 9, 16, 27 and 30 are STEREO – all others in MONO

 

CD4 – Volume 4 (75:23 minutes):

1. Are You Gonna Be There (At The Love-In) – THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (October 1967, Tower 373, A-side)

2. Too Many People – THE LEAVES (July 1965, Mira 202, A-side)

3. (Would I Still Be) Her Big Man – THE BRIGANDS (April 1966, Epic 5-10011, B-side of "I'm A Patient Man")

4. Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl – THE BARBARIANS (July 1965, Laurie LR 3308, A-side)

5. Wooly Bully – SAM THE SHAM And THE PHARAOHS (February 1965, MGM K13322, A-side)

6. I Want Candy – THE STRANGELOVES (May 1965, Bang B-501, A-side)

7. Louie Louie – THE KINGSMEN (June 1963, Jerden 712, A-side – Reissued October 1963, Wand 143, A-side)

8. One Track Mind – THE KNICKERBOCKERS (February 1966, Challenge 59326, A-side)

9. Out Of Our Tree – THE WAILERS (October 1965, Etiquette ET-21, A-side)

10. I Think I'm Down – HARBINGER COMPLEX (August 1966, Brent 7056, A-side)

11. What Am I Going To Do – THE DOVERS (September 1965, Miramar 118, B-side of "She's Gone")

12. Codine – THE CHARLATANS (Unreleased 1966 US 45-Single on Kama Sutra)

13. Johnny Was A Good Boy – THE MYSTERY TREND (March 1967, Verve VK-10499, A-side)

14. Stop – Get A Ticket – CLEFS OF LAVENDER HILL (July 1966, Date 2-1510, A-side)

15. Complication – THE MONKS (April 1966, German 45-Single on Polydor International 52 951, B-side of "Oh, How Do Now")

16. The Witch – THE SONICS (January 1965, Etiquette ET-11, A-side, for the B-side "Psycho", see Track 16 on CD3 and a debut album track called "Strychnine", Track 28 on CD2)

17. Get Me To The World On Time – THE ELECTRIC PRUNES (March 1967, Reprise 0564, A-side)

18. Mr. Pharmacist – THE OTHER HALF (November 1966, GNP Crescendo GNP 378, A-side)

19. Open Up Your Door – RICHARD AND THE YOUNG LIONS (July 1966, Philips 40381, A-side)

20. Just Like Me – PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS (November 1965, Columbia 4-43461, A-side, Produced by Terry Melcher, cover version of a 1965 US 45 by The Wilde Knights originally on Star Bright 3052, A-side)

21. You Burn Me Up And Down – WE THE PEOPLE (September 1966, Challenge 59340, B-side of "He Doesn't Go About It Right")

22. I Live In The Springtime – THE LEMON DROPS (August 1967, Rembrandt 5009, A-side)

23. Mindrocker – FENWYCK (June 1967, Challenge 59369, A-side)

24. Hold Me Now – THE RUMORS (June 1965, Gemcor 5002, A-side)

25. Love's Gone Bad – THE UNDERDOGS (January 1967, V.I.P. Records V.I.P.-25040, A-side, a cover version of a 1965 45-single by Chris Clark also on the Motown label imprint V.I.P. Records)

26. Why Pick On Me – THE STANDELLS (October 1966, Tower 282, A-side, featuring Ed Cobb)

27. Bad Girl – THE ZAKARY THAKS (July 1966, J-Beck J-1006, A-side – Reissued November 1966, Mercury 72633, A-side)

28. Blackout Of Gretely – GONN (January 1967, Emir SS-9217-01, A-side)

29. Voices Green And Purple – THE BEES (November 1966, Liverpool 45LIV-62225, A-side)

30. Blues' Theme – THE ARROWS Featuring DAVIE ALLAN (November 1966, Tower 295, A-side, Instrumental)

NOTES ON CD4:

Tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 14, 15, 17, 20, 22, 23 are STEREO – all others in MONO

 

October 1972 was only three years after the Swinging Decade had ended and referenced by Kaye as a 60ts Retro Compilation (which was highly unusual at the time) - Elektra Records' 2LP set "Nuggets..." was sort of a Punk Rocker in all but name and snotty artwork. Arguably the first Punk Rock Origins anthology. 

 

Remastered by Rhino stalwarts BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH at Digiprep using Mono and Stereo Masters (where available), this September 1998 reinterpretation sports Audio that in truth flits from great to grunge via the closet and the school bathroom (as you might expect from largely homegrown recordings). The big label tracks are of course professionally done as Engineers undoubtedly struggled to contain kids of a trip man. But Audiophile lovers need to look away now. Having said that, anyone buying the "Nuggets..." Box can still expect an across-the-board decency of transfer. It's all about the musical journey and discovery and the sheer bravura of it all. Also, Rhino have had a long thematic history with the famous 2LP set as they reissued no less than fifteen "Nuggets" VINYL LPs throughout the Eighties before the CD format ousted Vinyl from their schedules completely.

 

The 100-page booklet beneath the lid and atop the two-deep jewel case bays is a thing of absolute wonder and a fact-fest for nerds/chroniclers like me. I cannot imagine the thousands of hours it took to collate this. Any collector will know that these US 45s are so damn rare and valuable that accumulating even half of these would require a bank heist of considerable planning (The Bees track alone tail-ending CD4 is said to be closing in on £3000, but at that auction-only level, all bets are off). So it’s pretty thrilling to see those Independent Labels reproduced in all their hero-like snotty have-a-go glory - with the occasional big boy like Atco or Capitol or United Artists or Epic or Liberty who you suspect stumbled on these progressive chappies with their far-out sounds more by accident than commercial design.

 

The front and rear cover has a colour collage of record sleeves (The Sonic Booms, The Gants etc) while the 4CDs continue with variants of the famous front cover design – cartoon guitar-playing guys and gals - very Crumb and very cool. Each song gets an individual analysis (Title, Personnel, Chart Position if any etc) and as you turn the pages, you see (usually) a promo photo of the artists and any other trade magazine advert or period poster Rhino could find. Have to love pictures sleeves for The Lollipop Shoppe, The Magicians, Richard And The Young Lions, The Strangeloves, The Electric Prunes, Max Frost And The Troopers on Tower whilst the occasional British LP and UK 45 show up too. And Rhino have even reproduced the 'Something Out Of The Ordinary' Elektra Records inner bag that came with late 1972 original 2LP set – nice attention to detail and respect to LENNY KAYE and his rather brill little double-bubble of 60ts trouble. To the happening music...

 

The fabulous "An Invitation to Cry" by The Magicians is a gem - the band containing Allan Jacobs who would become Bunky and later Jake & The Family Jewels. I've raved about their melodic brilliance and reviewed a superb Sundazed CD compilation named after their song here which also contains "I'll Tell the World About You" - covered beautifully by Joe Walsh on his 1972 debt solo album "Barnstorm" - a Magicians ballad. Texan Rocky Ericson headed up The Thirteen Floor Elevators and penned the cool inclusion here of "You're Gonna Miss Me". The legendary first album on International Artists has been bootlegged so many times because originals are so scarce and valuable - Rhino reproducing the yeah-man "...look closely at the cube of sugar I have clutched in my hand..." liner notes to that LP on Page 14 of the packed booklet. But surely everyone's crave has to be the snot-nosed groovy brilliance of "Psychotic Reaction" by Count Five who boasted future editor Greg Shaw of "Who Put The Bomp" and whose classic raver even got a release on Pye International in Blighty (7N.25393 being a £75+ 45 rpm rarity).

 

Dino Valenti's "Hey Joe" gets probably the best 60ts version from The Leaves (Bobby Arlin would go on to be in Hook while Jim Pons would join The Turtles and later the Mothers). Michael & The Messengers took a cover of The Reflections song "(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet" (a 1964 hit for the Detroit group on Golden World Records GW 9), dropping the bracketed beginning, and made a fair fist of it too. The cool-but-gimmick named Chicago group The Cryan Shames took an old English toast and marmalade Searchers pop-hit "Sugar And Spice" and gave it some US razzle - first issued on the independent Destination Records label only to see the mighty Columbia thereafter take the Shames baton. And no doubt that Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes were listening to Van Morrison's THEM for "Baby Please Don't Go" rather than the Joe Williams original - a right raver in 1967.

 

John Loudermilk gave Blues Magoos another Greenwich Village cafe yeah-yeah moment in their cover of his famous rocker "Tobacco Road" - very cool stuff on Mercury Records in June 1966. Artie Resnick co-wrote "Good Lovin'" with Rudy Clark and gifted a monster hit to The Young Rascals - for his own band The Third Rail he came up with "Run, Run, Run" - co-penned with his wife and that bubblegum pop purveyor Joey Levine. And while it feels more Sunshine Pop than Psych, I'd argue its a cool inclusion - rounded off at the end of the compilation by Todd Rundgren's Nazz doing the brill "Open My Eyes" and Gary Usher's Sagittarius - another with-it yeah-baby band that was getting all Zodiac and Horse-Man with a bow-and-arrow on us in the summer of 1967.

 

The Outsiders debut single "Time Won't Let Me" from January 1966 is seminal in that its often cited as the beginning of Horn Rock – not just a Saxophone or a lone Trumpet – but a fuller Brass sound of its own standing. The bigger band concept of course led to purveyors of Horn Rock in 1968 and 1969 – Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago Transit Authority especially (as they were originally known) – all though you could argue that James Brown had been doing Horn Soul with the JBs for years (on stage and off). It may have seemed cool or even revolutionary in late 1966, but the less than enlightened girl-you-will-do-what-ever-I-demand lyrics in The Shadows Of Knight track "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" would not pass a Woke-O-Meter nowadays (and perhaps rightly so) – but you gotta dig that Fuzz Guitar! The audio quality on the dangerous and inciting Kim Fowley track "The Trip" is admittedly the wrong side of gruff, but as a scene changer and zeitgeist moment, you can understand its place here. I remember I once sold a UK Demo Variant of The Seeds second British 45 "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" (it came out on Vocalion in Blighty, GNP Crescendo in the US as their debut) in a very VG state for over six times the Record Collector Price Guide guesstimate and the punter was practically shaking in his boots. Ugly Things USA repro’d the Bees US 45 in late 2012 complete with its rare picture sleeve – as the original in any state is a four-figure record, even the limited edition repro goes for dosh.

 

Speaking of rare...Ace Records of the UK put out the hard-to-find-intact Debut LP "Here Are The Sonics!!!" by The Sonics on their Hip Pocket CD Reissue Series in February 2007 - Ace/Big Beat Records CDHP 022 coming in a dinky little Mini LP Card Sleeve Repro. You can still locate the CD easy and it’s a budget way of getting digital on a Vinyl Album that easily pushed $300 or more for decades – an album even Kurt Cobain cited re its drums sound. It will not come as a surprise to collectors and fans that Rhino were smart enough to include both sides of The Sonics monster 45 on Etiquette – with "The Witch" on the A-side and an equally wild slice of proto Punk on the flipside called "Psycho". And another strong contender for both sides great (goody two shoes, I call them) goes to the Blues Magoos and their October 1966 outing on Mercury Records - "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" with the more Garage R&B "Gotta Get Away" on the flipside. In fact and in general - B-sides figure large in this collection – San Diego band The Lyrics and The Humane Society saving us all from their A-side cover version of a Tiny Tim horror. And on it goes...

 

I suspect that this 1998 Box Set Beast will still be picking up cool-aid accolades decades from now (2023) and way past my passing. Rhino have always been a favourite Reissue Label of mine, but with "Nuggets..." they took an already great original and expanded it twenty fold (and with class).

 

Rhino went on to make a follow-up 4CD extravaganza in "Nuggets II" released 2001 on Rhino R2 76787 that dealt with the Rest of the World Psych and Garage (UK, Europe, Japan, Australia etc) and followed that in turn with door number three called "Children Of Nuggets" in 2005 covering bands from 1976 to 1995 who were influenced by the original (Bow Wow Wow doing I Want Candy by The Strangeloves and The Fall doing Mr. Pharmacist by The Other Half) – another 4CD Box on Rhino R2 74639. Again both of those are beautifully collated and presented whilst true die-hards go after the fifteen vinyl LPs Rhino reissued in the "Nuggets" series during the 1980s. But somehow (although all good of course) – they were and are not - the one.

 

Get your Original Artyfacts here folks and remember people (as The Thirteenth Floor Elevators liner notes wisely inform us) - "...take on the superficial aspects of the quest..." I do man! I do!