"Nothing Has Changed" by DAVID BOWIE – July 1969 to November 2014 'Very Best Of' Career Retrospective With An Emphasis On Single Mixes (November 2014 UK Parlophone 39-Track 2CD Compilation of Remasters with One Previously Unreleased 1972 Demo and One New 2014 Song) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Moonage Daydream..."

 

Here in late 2023, there are probably too many David Bowie compilations on the market (and we are talking four decades now). But one or two stand above the melee. There is an Expanded 3CD variant of "Nothing Has Changed" – but I dig this twofer because it does the business where I want it.

 

As you check out the track lists on CD1 and CD2 below, you will notice that a lot are either 'Single' Edits or Versions and therefore avoid the excess of some longer Album cuts. Throw in an unreleased version of 'All The Young Dudes', those tasty duets with Queen, Mick Jagger, The Pat Metheny Group and Pet Shop Boys - alongside one new epic orchestrated tune worthy of the great man – and it all feels so damn good the whole way through. To the Moonage Daydreams...

 

UK released 14 November 2014 (17 November 2014 in the USA) - "Nothing Has Changed" by DAVID BOWIE on Parlophone 825646205745 (Barcode 825646205745) is a Very Best Of 2CD 39-Track Compilation of Newly Remastered Material Released between July 1969 and November 2014 (with One Previously Unreleased and One New Song) that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (78:56 minutes):

1. Space Oddity (5:14 minutes)

(11 July 1969, UK 45-single, Philips BF 1801, A-side – also on the "David Bowie" album – released 14 November 1969 in the UK on Phillips SBL 7902 and in the USA as "Man Of Words/Man Of Music" on Mercury SR-61246 with different artwork)

 

2. The Man Who Sold The World (3:57 minutes)

(From the "The Man Who Sold The World" album – released 4 November 1970 in the USA on Mercury SR 61325 and 10 April 1971 in the UK on Mercury 6338 041)

 

3. Changes (3:35 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623 – also 14 January 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2160, A-side)

 

4. Oh! You Pretty Things (3:12 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623)

 

5. Life On Mars? (3:49 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623 – also 22 June 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2316, A-side)

 

6. Starman (Original Single Mix) (4:12 minutes)

(April 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2199, A-side – also on the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702)

 

7. Ziggy Stardust (4:39 minutes)

(On the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702 - also 24 November 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2302, B-side of "The Jean Genie")

 

8. Moonage Daydream (4:39 minutes)

(On the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702)

 

9. The Jean Genie (Original Single Mix) (4:05 minutes)

(24 November 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2302, A-side – Full Version on the album "Aladdin Sane" – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852)

 

10. All The Young Dudes (3:08 minutes)

(Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix of the song Bowie gave to the British rock Band Mott The Hoople who released their version on UK 45-single and had a hit with it, thereby reviving their careers)

 

11. Drive-In Saturday (4:30 minutes)

(6 April 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2352, A-side – and on the album "Aladdin Sane" – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852)

 

12. Sorrow (2:53 minutes)

(28 September 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2424, A-side (a Merseybeats song) – also on the album "Pinups" - an entire LP of cover versions released 19 October 1973 in the UK on RCA RS 1003 and in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0291)

 

13. Rebel Rebel (4:30 minutes)

(On the album "Diamond Dogs" - released 31 May 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APL1 0576 and in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1 0576 – an earlier mix was issued 14 February 1973 as a UK 45-single on RCA Victor LPBO 5009, A-side – the album version is used here)

 

14. Young Americans (Original Single Mix) (3:13 minutes)

(21 February 1975, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2523, A-side – Full Version is on the album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998)

 

15. Fame (4:16 minutes)

(On the album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998 – also issued as an edited 3:30 minutes UK 45-single, 18 July 1975 on RCA Victor RCA 2579, A-side)

 

16. Golden Years (Single Version) (3:27 minutes)

(21 November 1975, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2640, A-side – Full Version on the album "Station To Station" - released 23 January 1976 in the UK and USA on RCA Victor APL1 1327 and in the USA)

 

17. Sound And Vision (3:03 minutes)

(On the album "Low" - released January 1977 in the UK on RCA PL 12030 and in the USA on RCA CPL1-2030 – also released 11 February 1977 as a UK 45-single, RCA Victor PB 0905, A-side)

 

18. Heroes (Single Version) (3:33 minutes)

(23 September 1977, UK 45-single, RCA Victor PB 1121, A-side – Full Version on the album "Heroes" - released October 1977 in the UK on RCA PL 12522 and in the USA on RCA AFL1-2522)

 

19. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17 minutes)

(27 April 1979, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 2, A-side – also on the album "Lodger" - released May 1979 in the UK on RCA PL 13254 and in the USA on RCA APL1-3254)

 

20. Fashion (Single Version) (3:26 minutes)

(31 October 1980, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 7, A-side – Full Version on the album "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" - released September 1980 in the UK on RCA BOWLP 2 (PL 13647) and in the USA on RCA AQL1-3647)

 

21. Ashes To Ashes (Single Version) (3:35 minutes)

(8 August 1980, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 6, A-side – Full Version on the album "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" - released September 1980 in the UK on RCA BOWLP 2 (PL 13647) and in the USA on RCA AQL1-3647)

 

CD2 (75:19 mnutes):

1. Under Pressure – Queen and David Bowie (2011 Remaster) (4:08 minutes)

(30 October 1981, UK 45-single, EMI Records EMI 5260, A-side)

 

2. Let's Dance (Single Version) (4:08 minutes)

(14 March 1983, UK 45-Single, EMI America EA 135, A-side – Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

3. China Girl (Single Version) (4:15 minutes)

(11 June 1983, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 157, A-side - Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

4. Modern Love (Single Version) (3:56 minutes)

(12 September 1983, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 158, A-side - Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

5. Blue Jean (3:11 minutes)

(14 September 1984, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 181, A-side – also on the album "Tonight" – released 24 September 1984 in the UK on EMI America Records DB 1 and in the USA on EMI America SJ-17138)

 

6. This Is Not America – With The Pat Metheny Group (3:51 minutes)

(January 1985, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 190, A-side – also on the Soundtrack Album "The Falcon And The Snowman" released April 1985 in the UK on EMI America FAL 1)

 

7. Dancing In The Street (Clearmountain Mix) – David Bowie and Mick Jagger (3:07 minutes)

(27 August 1985, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 204, A-side)

 

8. Absolute Beginners (Edit) (4:46 minutes)

(3 March 1986, UK 45-single, Virgin VS 838, A-side – also Full Version on the Motion Picture Soundtrack Album "Absolute Beginners – The Musical" released 7 April 1986 in the UK on Virgin V 2386)

 

9. Jump They Say (Radio Edit aka 7" Version) (3:54 minutes)

(15 March 1993, UK Promo-Only 45-Single, Arista 74321 13942 7 JB, A-side – also March 1993, UK CD-Single on Arista 74321 139422– the Full Version (4:22 minutes) is on the "Black Tie White Noise" album from April 1993)

 

10. Hello Spaceboy (PSB Remix) – with The Pet Shop Boys (4:25 minutes)

(February 1996 UK CD-Single on RCA 74321353842 – Full Version (5:14 minutes) on the CD album "1. Outside (The Nathan Adler Diaries: A Hyper Circle" released 25 September 1995 on Arista 74321303392)

 

11. Little Wonder (Edit) (3:42 minutes)

(January 1997 UK CD-single 1 on RCA 74321452072 – Full Version (6:02 minutes) on the CD album "Earthling" released 3 February 1997 on RCA 7432144944 2)

 

12. I'm Afraid Of Americans (VI) (Radio Edit) (4:25 minutes)

(October 1997 US CD-single on Virgin USA 7243 8 38618 2 8 – Full Version (5:00 minutes) on the CD album "Earthling" released 3 February 1997 on RCA 7432144944 2)

 

13. Thursday's Child (Radio Edit) (4:26 minutes)

(20 September 1999 UK CD-single 2 on Virgin VSCDF 1753 – Full Version (5:24 minutes) on the CD album "Hours..." released 4 October 1999 on Virgin CDVX 2900)

 

14. Everyone Says 'Hi' (Edit) (3:29 minutes)

(September 2002 UK CD-single on Columbia 673134 3 – Full Version (3:58 minutes) on the CD album "Heathen" released 10 June 2002 on Columbia/ISO Records 508222 2)

 

15. New Killer Star (Radio Edit) (3:43 minutes)

(September 2003 UK CD Single, from the CD album "Reality")

 

16. Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy for the DFA Edit) (4:07 minutes)

(October 2013 CD Single – also on the CD album "The Next Day")

 

17. Where Are We Now? (4:09 minutes)

(January 2013 CD Single - also on the CD album "The Next Day" 

 

18. Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) (7:23 minutes)

(New song released as a November 2014 CD Single, exclusive to the compilation "Nothing Has Changed")

 

Although it doesn't say so on the actual CDs or inlays – the sticker advises this is 'The Very Best Of' David Bowie - and as it contains material to 2014 – that was true at the time. The 16-page booklet has basic track entries and release dates but unfortunately none of them go into personnel or guests – Rick Wakeman of Yes playing Mellotron on "Space Oddity" – Mick Ronson giving it some wild English axe on "The Jean Genie" while co-writer Carlos Alomar does his guitar magic on "Fame" too – and so on. Most of the 2014 Remasters are by RAY STAFF who has been synonymous with Bowie's catalogue (some are 2009) and Mastering is by another venerable engineer VIC ANESINI – a huge name over at BMG with Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, Aerosmith, Mountain, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King and loads more under his Audio belt. So it sounds the part through and through. To the chunes...

 

Even after all these years – the dip and dive thrills. I get so used to his White Boy Soul period being on album tracks from "Young Americans" and "Station To Station" that the brevity and punch-power of Single Versions for "Golden Years" and "Fame" come as a welcome diversion. "Ziggy Stardust", "Sound And Vision", "Heroes" and "Ashes To Ashes" all still amaze – but spare a dime for his brilliant cover of The Merseybeats tune "Sorrow" or the tart-with-a-heart "Boys Keep Swinging".

 

You might even think that "Under Pressure" (his duet with Queen) followed by a lethal one-two of "Let's Dance" and "China Girl" are too over-played by Hits Radio – but the single edits of the last two keep it fresh and zippy and all three still contain such extraordinary pizzazz – a young energy that does not seem to dissipate with the years but rather grow with them. For sure the musically lean period of "Tonight" in the Eighties where many lost faith in him ("Blue Jean" is too slight by far) is offset by those one-off nuggets - "This Is Not America" (with ace Fusion Guitarist Pat Metheny) and the Live Aid benefit single "Dancing In The Streets" with good old rubber lips (Mick Jagger) still lift the heart and the feet.

 

His 1993 to 2104 phase had its challenging slots too – so "Jump They Say", "Hello Spaceboy" with The Pet Shop Boys and "Little Wonder" may not roll off the tongue as easily as his hits-packed Seventies titles did – but they are still crackers and worthy of rediscovery frankly. And on it goes to the Martin Schneider Orchestra joining Bowie on the new song "Sue (Or in A Season Of Crime)" which has its lyrics on the second last page of the booklet. At seven-minutes plus, its lush orchestration has a humungous roll call of guest Trumpeters, Saxophonists, Flutists and Flugelhorn players as to make the eyes water. The lady Sue is informed by the singer that our boy got a loan so they can buy a house and the doctors have said that his results are good but she left him a note – she exited with a clown and his thoughts are now of crime and gravestones and what kissing her face felt like.

 

Kiss this bride if you get the chance and wonder will we ever see such variety and wit and genius and sheer funk in the one place again. God, I hope so...

"Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" by LONG JOHN BALDRY – All Tracks from 1967 to 1970 Including Two Albums in Stereo - "Let The Heartaches Begin" (January 1968) and "Wait For Me" (November 1969), Foreign Language 45-Versions, UK Single-Only Sides, Export Issues and Seven Previously Unreleased Songs First Issued in 1998 as "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" on Sequel Records (February 2006 UK Sanctuary/Castle Music 2CD 42-Track Compilation Reissue with 1998 Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

 

2006 Sanctuary 2CD Compilation Reissue

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***

 

"...Setting Fire To The Tail Of A Fox..."

 

What you have here is a reissue of a reissue of a reissue of a... 

Well, let me explain, because it's gonna need some...

 

26 October 1998 saw master-compiler and all-round good guy John Reed of Sanctuary Records release "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" on Sanctuary's label imprint Sequel Records. Sequel NEECD 298 (Barcode 5023224229823) was a 42-Track 2CD Set of Remasters for Long John Baldry and contained seven new songs that were previously unreleased at the time. The period covered is 1967 to 1970 and is widely known as his Pop phase.

 

"The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" sported a white-backdrop artwork with a Paisley-esque pomp and circumstance Baldry leaning into camera in three images where he's giving it some crooner with a possible side order of constipation. To confuse matters ever more, here in August 2023, I can trace at least three reissues of that "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" variant with its posed artwork to September 2002, February 2007 and July 2011 (see photo below).

 

To confuse matters even more, what we here from February 2006 (pictured above) is the same set - but with different artwork, a rejiggered track configuration and now with its title reversed to read "Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" - in short - yet another reissue. This time it's on Castle Music – a budget line subsidiary label for Sanctuary (full details below). 

 

So - now called "Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" - you get the same 42-tracks, the same 1998 remastered songs from original tapes and the same cool and thorough John Reed liner notes – something this brilliant compiler and archivist of music is known for. The foldout inlay even updates its 1998 words to include Baldry's sad loss in July 2005 to cancer. 

 

His Pop Period is not revered like his more Bluesy efforts and in some cases poo–pooed from a height. In fairness to this fantastic British singer (an interpretive singer and showman many have loved to bits) – it was Long John Baldry's six-foot-two reach for mainstream stardom having been about for more years than he cared to remember banging his pretty head against a very high wall. So - JB had sort of ditched his natural playground of White Boy purveyor of Bluesy Soul and American R&B beloved of the Mods and hip types everywhere - for the oh-baby marketplace of 60ts Pop and indeed did score a Number 1 hit with "Let The Heartaches Begin" (hence the title of the compilation).

 

But as I said earlier - there are many who do not rate this slice of his dappled career. And they have a point. There is crud on here for damn sure. But inbetween the cracks, there is also that fantastic voice and Alexis Korner type cool persona that carries through even the most obvious of cover versions. The second LP in particular sees him leaning back into Blues Rock and heading towards the two beloved Warner Brothers albums of 1971 and 1972 (where Elton John and Rod Stewart both lend a hand and their bands). Let's get to the 60ts heart-breaking details...

 

UK released February 2006 - "Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" by LONG JOHN BALDRY on Castle Music CMDDD1277 (Barcode 5050749412775) is a 42-Track 2CD Compilation covering 1967 to 1970 and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (64:28 minutes):

1. Let The Heartaches Begin

2. Annabelle (Who Flies To Me When She's Lonely)

3. Long And Lonely Nights (No Friend Of Mine)

4. Stay With Me Baby

5. Every Time We Save Goodbye

6. For All we Know

7. Better By Far

8. Wise To The Ways Of The World

9. Since I Lost You Baby

10. Smile

11. We're Together

12. I Can't Stop Loving You

13. Hold Back The Daybreak

14. When The Sun Comes Shining Thru'

15. Mexico (Underneath The Sun In)

16. It's Too Late Now

17. Wait For Me

18. Don't Pity Me

19. Lord You Made The Night Too Long

20. Mexico (Spanish Version)

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 1 and 2 are the A&B-sides of an October 1967 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17385 (see also follow two notes below)

Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 1 make up Side 1 of his January 1968 UK LP "Let The Heartaches Begin" on Pye NPL 18208 (Mono) and NSPL 18208 (Stereo) – the Stereo Mix is Used on All Tracks

Tracks 8, 9, 10, 2, 11 and 12 are Side 2 of his January 1968 UK LP "Let The Heartaches Begin" on Pye NPL 18208 (Mono) and NSPL 18208 (Stereo) – the Stereo Mix is Used on All Tracks

Track 13 is the A-side of a February 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17455 – its B-side was Track 9

Track 14 is the A-side of an August 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17593 – its B-side was Track 8

Track 15 is the A-side of an October 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17563 credited as "Mexico" – its B-side was Track 11

Track 16 is the A-side of a January 1969 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17664 – its B-side was Track 3

Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of a September 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17815; Track 17 also on the November 1969 LP "Wait For Me" on Pye NSPL 18306 in Stereo (last Track on Side 2) – see also Tracks 1 to 11 on CD2

Track 19 is a 1969 Export Single A-side on Pye 7N 17408

Track 20 is a Spanish language sung 45-single A-side on Pye H-400

 

CD2 (71:20 minutes):

1. Sunshine Of Your Love

2. Spanish Harlem

3. Henry Hannah's 42^nd Street Parking Lot

4. Man Without A Dream

5. Cry Like A Baby

6. River Deep, Mountain High

7. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

8. MacArthur Park

9. When Brigadier McKenzie Comes To Town

10. Lights Of Cincinnati

11. Spinning Wheel

12. Well I Did

13. Setting Fire To The Tail Of A Fox

14. When The War Is Over

15. Where Are My Eyes?

16. Son Of Hickory Hollers Tramp *

17. Goin' Out Of My Head *

18. I Never Shall Marry *

19. I Wish You Love *

20. What Now My Love *

21. Bad Times *

22. Ciao Baby *

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 1 to 11 on CD2 and Track 17 on CD1 are the November 1969 UK LP "Wait For Me" on Pye NSPL 18306 in Stereo (Tracks 1 to 6 are Side 1 inclusive, Side 2 can be sequenced as Tracks 7 to 11 and Track 17 on CD1

Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B-sides to a 27 March 1970 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17921

Tracks 14 and 15 are the A&B-sides of a withdrawn 20 November 1970 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 45007

Tracks 16 to 22 (*) first issued as seven Previously Unreleased songs on the October 1998 UK 2CD compilation "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" on Sequel NEECD 298 (Barcode 5023224229823) – see also Track 14 on CD1 for the eighth title

 

Compiled by ROGER DOPSON and JOHN REED - the foldout double-sided inlay with its 6-panels to each side was a feature of these Sanctuary reissues in the Nineties – JOHN REED doing the liner notes honours. Period memorabilia like sheet music, 45-single labels, music-press trade adverts, foreign picture sleeves, in-studio shots and the two album-covers surround Reed's informative and deeply affectionate words. The effect is very tastefully done and packs an info-punch when you look closer (accurate catalogue numbers beneath each song title – 45 and LP). The remasters and restoration has been done by PETER J. REYNOLDS and given the hurried feel to the Stereo tracks – does a great job. If I were to nitpick, I would say CD1 sounds worse for wear, but CD2 makes up for it. Much like the music...

 

This is a tale of two CDs – the first is pretty bad with 3-stars pushing it as far as the material is concerned. But you flip over to CD2 and you clap ears on the lushly orchestrated "Wait For Me" LP from late 1969 and things immediately improve (even if his chart placing didn't). His song choices are snappier – the gorgeous "Man Without A Dream" had turned up on The City album "Now That Everything's Been Said" on Ode Records in January 1969 – The City being a vehicle for Carole King and the band she was in before she went on to solo superstar status in 1970 and 1971. That band also featured players like Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar later with James Taylor and Vocalist David Palmer in pre Steely Dan's debut album "Can't Buy A Thrill" looming in the 1972 distance. "Man Without A Dream" is a plaintive ballad, but a damn good one. His cover of Cream's "Sunshine Of My Love" too stands up more than well – hell – even his deep toned "Spanish Harlem" that borders on copyist parody is pulled off by gorgeous Vocals, Strings and a Herb Albert type Brass that lifts the whole thing right up.

 

Lyrically witty "Henry Hannah's 42^nd Street Parking Lot" tells of Baldry being tricked by a New York scamster (the cops took him home in his shorts, a nervous and a confused man). The Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham penned Cher hit "Cry Like A Baby" gets the thumping Bass and Brass treatment that is perhaps just a little too busy for Northern Soul dancer fans. His huge voice suits the wild melodrama of "River Deep, Mountain High" – do I love you – my oh my. But the Motown Marvin Gaye gem "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" is butchered with overdone arrangements as is "MacArthur Park" – a piece of Jimmy Webb dross I could do without ever hearing again.

 

Writer Tony Macaulay provides two in a row – the best of which is the very Glen Campbell "Lights Of Cincinnati" given it a sort of follow up to Galveston. Better though is a Blood, Sweat & Tears cover – the fabulous ride-a-painted-pony shug-a-thon "Spinning Wheel" – the kind of hip swinger that suits Baldry – and you wish the album contained more of this – his voice almost identical to David Clayton-Thomas as he takes it home towards its brassy exiting moments. Another stab at chart fame in "Well I Did" again could have done without over-cluttering girly vocals after every verse. Faring better is his own "Setting The Tail Of A Fox On Fire" – a dancer that this benefits from the lady backing singers and clever lyrics (the album would have been better with this on it). The final pairing of "When The War Is Over" and "Where Are My Eyes?" seems to be a bit of a mystery. Supposed issued 17 November 1970, Pye 7N 45007 has yet to surface as an actual 45 in the UK (or anywhere for that matter). Probably an export pairing that never got out of the stocks because Baldry was done with Pye and they with him (just as well as both are saccharin that don't do him any favours).

 

We are then hit with Seven Previously Unreleased songs – a couple of which are shockingly good given some of the schmaltz that preceded them. The first is a hip-shaking get-with-it-people bopper called "Son Of Hickory Hollers Tramp" that sounds like Baldry has become Bobbie Gentry and wants to put y'all right. JB then takes on the Little Anthony & The Imperials 60ts Doo Wop Smooth Pop classic "Goin' Out Of My Head" and makes a good job of it too. Things unfortunately then dip into serious yuck territory again with drips like "I Never Shall Marry" and "I Wish You Love" where our hero goes all Nat 'King' Cole with mostly deeply unsuited to this results. Even Tom Jones would probably disown the remaining two.

 

You could argue that this twofer compilation covering his Pye Records period is superfluous to anyone’s requirements and a body should go to directly to the 2CD delights of "The UA Years 1964-1966" on EMI Records from 2006 and even better the "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" 2CD set put out by Rhino Handmade in 2005 that covers his June 1971 and May 1972 albums "It Ain't Easy" and "Everything Stops For Tea" – both of which are far better (I have reviewed "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" and its UK equivalents).

 

But I am a sucker for all things JOHN BALDRY and even if it is 3-stars for material, I want them in my house. Take a tumble with the "Son Of Hickory Hollers Tramp" – you will get the itch that needs more scratching... 

 

 

October 1998 UK Sequel Records 2CD Original Issue

With Original Title and Artwork

"Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" by (LONG) JOHN BALDRY - Includes Two Albums "It Ain't Easy" (June 1971) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (May 1972) on Warner Brothers Records (US and UK) Plus Thirteen Rarities (10 Previously Unreleased Outtakes and Three Radio Spots). His band featured Rod Stewart, Elton John, Members of Hookfoot (Caleb Quaye and Joshua M'bopo) and Elton John's Band (Davey Johnstone, Ray Cooper and Nigel Olsson), Klaus Voorman of Beatles fame, Mick Waller of Steampacket, Ian Armit of Argent, Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne, Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows with Singers Leslie Duncan, Doris Troy, Barry St. John, Madeline Bell, Liza Strike and more (December 2005 USA-Only Rhino Handmade 2CD Compilation with Thirteen Bonus Tracks and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 The Rhino Handmade 2005 Original (Top Two) 

"Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings"

- The 2013 Wounded Bird Reissue (third Photo)

The Two Albums Issued as Stand-Alone Expanded CD Remasters 

"It Ain't Easy" (1971) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (1972)

CD Re-issued August 2005 by Warner Brothers in the UK

This Review and 317 Others Like It 

Are Available in My Amazon e-Book

GOODY TWO SHOES

2CD Deluxe Editions (Occasional Threesome), Expanded Reissues and Compilations 

All Info From The Discs Themselves 

No Cut and Paste Crap

Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer 6 Times

 

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"…It Ain't Easy...When You're Going Down…"

 

Timing is the thing here. After mid-60ts stints with United Artists and Pye Records in the UK where Baldry tried to go for the Pop Star market (and succeeded in many ways – he had a UK No.1 hit with "Let The Heartaches Begin" in October 1967), beloved British singer Long John Baldry went back to his Blues-Rock first love (combined with R&B and Soul influences) and promptly pumped out two affectionately remembered albums as just plain John Baldry for his new signing to Warner Brothers.

 

"It Ain't Easy" and "Everything Stops For Tea" hit record shops in June 1971 and May 1972 (John hit the touring road) – both with heavy personal/band involvement from Elton John and Rod Stewart – the pair literally on the cusp of international album stardom with "Every Picture Tells A Story" from Rodders in May 1971 (USA) and July 1971 (UK) and "Madman Across The Water" from our Reggie Dwight in November 1971 (neither no longer tiny dancers thereafter).

 

Both John and Stewart were simply repaying an old mucker for his belief in them in the early years and trying to help launch a new phase in his piecemeal recording career that had stalled as he entered the Seventies. And that is where this 2005 2CD roundup doozy from the US's Rhino Handmade comes a rollicking in (later reissued by Wounded Bird as is in 2013). A lot to discuss and splinters off it too – to the details...

 

US released December 2005 (reissued February 2007) - "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" by JOHN BALDRY on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7896 (Barcode 603497789627) is a 2CD 34-Track Compilation where initial copies were limited to 2,500 copies worldwide.

 

"Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" was not given a UK release, but both the albums it contained - "It Ain't Easy" (CD1) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (CD2) - were reissued 27 August 2005 in the UK as individual Expanded Edition Remastered CDs on Warner Brothers (no mention of Rhino on either disc) – track lists exactly the same (CD1 with 18 tracks, CD2 with 16 tracks). However, the original Rhino Handmade December 2005 configuration (using the same artwork and Remasters) was reissued 16 Nov 2013 in the USA as a 2CD set on Wounded Bird WOU 1921 (Barcode 664140192126). Details...

 

CD1 "It Ain't Easy" (69:11 minutes):

1. Intro: Conditional Discharge – Side 1

2. Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll [Jeff Thomas song]

3. Black Girl [Huddie Ledbetter aka Leadbelly cover]

4. It Ain't Easy [Ron Davies song]

5. Morning, Morning [Fugs cover]

6. I'm Ready [Willie Dixon song/Muddy Waters cover]

7. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield [Randy Newman cover] – Side 2

8. Mr. Robin [Leslie Duncan cover]

9. Rock Me When He's Gone [Elton John/Bernie Taupin song - Exclusive Track]

10. Flying [Ronnie Lane-Rod Stewart-Ronnie Wood song/Faces cover]

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album for Warner Brothers "It Ain't Easy" – released June 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1921 and Warner Brothers K 46088 in the UK.

 

CD1 BONUS TRACKS

11. Going Down Slow [a St. Louis Jimmy cover - 1941 Blues track - real name Jimmy Burke Oden]

12. Blues (Cornbread, Meat And Molasses) [Sonny Terry/Brownie McGhee cover]

13. Love In Vain [Robert Johnson cover]

14. Midnight Hour Blues [Leroy Carr cover]

15. Black Girl [Alternate Take]

16. It Ain't Easy [Alternate Take]

17. I'm Ready [Alternate Take]

18. Radio Spot [30-Second Spoken Advert for the US Market made in 1971 - it talks about LBJ and Fleetwood Mac leaving the UK to tour and "...storm America"]

 

The Band for the ROD STEWART sessions was:

Lead Vocals - LONG JOHN BALDRY (12-String Guitar on "Black Girl")

Guitars - RON WOOD (of Faces, Rolling Stones) [Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 16 and 17]

Guitars and Pedal Steel Guitar - SAM MITCHELL [Tracks 1 to 5, 15 and 16]

Piano - IAN ARMIT (of Argent)

Mandolin - RAY JACKSON (of Lindisfarne) on "Black Girl" and "Morning Morning"

Tenor Sax Solo - ALAN SKIDMORE on "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie..."

Bass - RICK BROWN

Drums - MICKIE WALLER (of Steampacket)

Backing Vocals - MAGGIE BELL (of Stone The Crows) on "Black Girl" and "It Ain't Easy"

 

The band for the ELTON JOHN sessions was:

Guitars - CALEB QUAYE and JOSHUA M'BOPO (of Hookfoot)

Piano - ELTON JOHN

Bass - DAVE GLOVER

Drums - ROGER POPE

Backing Vocals - Leslie Duncan, Madelene Bell, Doris Troy, Kay Garner, Liza Strike, Tony Burrows, Tony Hazzard & Roger Cook

 

CD2 "Everything Stops For Tea" (54:19 minutes):

1. Intro: Come Back Again [Ross Wilson cover] – Side 1

2. Seventh Son [Willie Dixon song – Willie Mabon cover]

3. Wild Mountain Thyme [Traditional Air, McPeake Family]

4. Iko Iko [The Dixie Cups cover]

5. Jubilee Cloud [John Kongos cover]

6. Everything Stops For Tea [Jack Buchanan cover of a 1935 song] - Side 2

7. You Can't Judge A Book [Willie Dixon Song – Muddy Waters cover]

8. Mother Ain't Dead [Traditional]

9. Hambone [Sam Mitchell cover]

10. Lord Remember Me

11. Armit's Trousers [Ian Armit of The Hoochie Coochie Men song]

Tracks 1 to 11 are his album "Everything Stops For Tea" – released May 1972 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46160 and Warner Brothers BS-2614 in the USA. Tracks 1 to 5 (Side 1) produced by ELTON JOHN in February 1972 with Tracks 6 to 11 (Side 2) produced by ROD STEWART between January and February 1972.

 

CD2 BONUS TRACKS:

12. Radio Spot No. 1 (advertising the album)

13. Bring My Baby Back To Me (Live Mar-Y Sol Festival, Puerto Rico, April 1972) – first appeared on the 2LP set "Mar Y Sol" in 1972 on Atco SD 2-705 – Previously Unreleased on CD

14. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (album outtake, duet vocals with Joyce Eversion, a Neil Young cover) – Previously Unreleased

15. I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy (album outtake, duet vocals with Joyce Eversion, a Ron Davies cover) – Previously Unreleased

16. Radio Spot No. 2 (advertising Joyce Everson's "Crazy Lady" album, 1972)

 

The band for the ELTON JOHN sessions was (Side 1 – Track 1 to 5):

Lead Vocals - JOHN BALDRY

Vocal Accompaniment - ELTON JOHN (Tracks 1, 3, 4 and 5)

Guitars – DAVEY JOHNSTONE

Bass – KLAUS VOORMAN

Percussion – RAY COOPER

Drums – NIGEL OLSSON

Piano – IAN ARMIT of Argent (on "Jubilee Cloud")

Viola – STEFAN DELFT (on "Wild Mountain Thyme")

 

The band for the ROD STEWART sessions was (Side 2 – Tracks 6 to 11):

Lead Vocals - JOHN BALDRY (Guitar on "Mother Ain't Dead")

Duet Vocals – ROD STEWART (on "Mother Ain't Dead", Rod also plays Banjo)

Guitars – JAMES LITHERLAND and ROBERT WESTON (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Guitars – SAM MITCHELL (on "Hambone")

Piano - IAN ARMIT of Argent (on "You Can't Judge A Book", "Lord Remember Me" and "Armit's Trousers")

Bass – BILL SMITH (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Bass – JOHN PORTER (on "Hambone")

Drums – JOHN DENTITH (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Drums – JOHN PORTER (on "Hambone")

Percussion - MICKIE WALLER of Steampacket (on "You Can't Judge A Book")

Backing Vocals – MADELINE BELL, LIZA STRIKE and DORIS TROY (on "You Can't Judge A Book")

Backing Vocals – MADELINE BELL, LIZA STRIKE and BARRY ST. JOHN (on "Lord Remember Me")

 

The great news here is expert remastering carried out by Rhino's long-time tape associate DAN HERSCH; these CDs sounds just brilliant - analogue warm and in your face for all the right reasons. At times in fact it feels like the FACES unleashed - both acoustically and in full-on band mode. Music wise - this is pre "Every Picture Tells A Story" and "Madman Across The Water" - I mention these albums again because proceedings come on like "Picture" (produced by Rod and featuring his backing band), while Side 2 sounds like a more rockier version of "Madman" (produced by Elton etc). Couple this with great song selections (fast and folky alike) and Baldry's British toff speaking voice sounding like a guttural fired-up Eric Burden when he sings and the effect is magical. Let's do each...

 

The "It Ain't Easy" album...

 

When Nashville songwriter Ron Davies wrote "It Ain't Easy" for his 1970 LP "Silent Song Through The Land" (A&M SP-4264) - he probably had no idea that huge rock acts would then take his unknown song and name TWO entire albums after it – THREE DOG NIGHT in 1970 and (LONG) JOHN BALDRY in 1971.

 

Many will also be aware of the song through David Bowie's cover on Side 1 of 1972's "Ziggy Stardust". Even Dave Edmunds had a go at the tune for his debut album "Rockpile" on Regal Zonophone also in 1972 (see separate review). "It Ain't Easy" was just one of those cool rock tracks that lent itself to other artists who then somehow made it 'their' song. Baldry (who loved bluesy based acoustic tunes) was also clearly partial to its charms (lyrics from it title this review).

 

After a witty introduction, we get the first Side 1 song "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll" (Ron Wood on Guitar) which Warner Bros tried as a US 45-single in July 1971 with the album cut "Mr. Rubin" on the flipside (penned by the lovely female singer Lesley Duncan) – but Warner Brothers 7506 did little chart business. In England, WB waited until 20 August 1971 for a British 45-single and used "Rock Me When He's Gone" on the A-side with the Faces tune "Flying" on the B-side. The thinking was probably that "Rock Me When He's Gone" was an exclusive Elton John and Bernie Taupin song not on any of Elt's LPs at the time and would therefore be a collector's draw – but again it stalled. Other corkers include a fab cover of the Randy Newman menace-inducing "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield" and the so cool near seven-minutes of "Flying" (they put the full album cut on the British 45 and not an edit). The stunning pipes of Maggie Bell bring huge bellows to both "Black Girl" (don't you lie to me - where did you sleep last night) and the aforementioned "It Ain't Easy". She seemed like the perfect foil for Baldry who call-and-responses with her as they both let rip with those Bluesy - just check out on Spotify how they belt it out on "It Ain't Easy" - fab!

 

But the real fireworks for me come in the blistering bonus tracks. Faces and Mercury-years Rod Stewart fans will flip for these - 4 are acoustic (11, 12, 14 and 15), while the other 2 are band orientated (16 and 17). In fact it almost sounds like these tracks represent the true spirit of the sessions - an unplugged pure blues album trying desperately to get out - get past all that production.

 

Infuriatingly, it doesn't say who plays the harmonica and acoustic guitar on the fabulous version of "Going Down Slow" or the weird cello intro on the Alternate "Black Girl" There is also the Robert Johnson classic "Love In Vain" which will be of interest to those who want their Baldry all Bluesy and how. By way of splinters, Warners decided to issue both albums as individual CDs in the UK - "It Ain't Easy" being released 29 August 2005 on Warner Brothers 8122784642 (Barcode 081227846428) complete with the 7 bonus outtakes and 1 Radio Spot.

 

The "Everything Stops For Tea" album...

 

"Everything Stops For Tea" opens well with an R&B one-two of "Come Back Again" and "Seventh Son" where the album feels like "It Ain't Easy" Part 2 (the LP that preceded it in 1971). But then Baldry attempts a Scottish air – the McPeake Family's beautiful traditional "Wild Mountain Thyme" and along with a wishy-washy take on the Dixie Cups classic "Iko Iko" kills any real momentum the side might have had. In fact, Warner Bros. UK tried what they presumed was the catchy "Iko Iko" as a pre-LP British 45-single - 27 April 1972 on Warner Brothers K 16175 with the Bluesy Traditional song "Mother Ain't Dead" on the B-side (presumably to catch both sides of his core audience) – but it did not take.

 

Things recover big time with his rocking cover of "Jubilee Cloud" – a track from the 1971 "Kongos" album on Fly Records by South African John Kongos. With the band rocking it out – you really wish the whole side was filled with these smart choices. But Side 2 makes the same mistake of including too many styles when really it would have been better to Rock or even Funk.

 

Pre-ambled by some very silly dialogue about fans seeking signatures as he types a reluctant letter of apology – a hassled Baldry plays up his terribly aristocratic British accent on the intro to "Everything Stops For Tea". Written by Al Goodhart, Al Hoffman and Maurice Sigler – this ode to England's favourite tipple was first a witty vocal vehicle for Jack Buchanan alongside Fay Wray in the 1935 movie "Come Out Of The Pantry". Baldry keeps his version firmly in the music hall shuffle tradition – "...you remember Cleopatra...she had a date to meet Mark Anthony at three...but he came an hour late...she said you'll have to wait...because everything stops for tea..." – you get the audio picture.

 

There are tongue-in-cheek jabs at the outlandish garbs of Rod Stewart and Elton John in the lyrics of the superb cover of Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge A Book" where the band finally rocks out – Jimmy Horowitz giving in some chunky Hammond chords while Madeline Bell, Liza Strike and Doris Troy give it some Soulful backing vocals. Baldry opens "Mother Ain't Dead" with a spoken intro about how he hadn't sung with Rod sing the Steampacket days back in 1965. They then duet on this rather lovely version of the Blues Traditional with Baldry playing Guitar and Rod doing an impressive Banjo backing. "Hambone" – a very funky drum-shuffler - turned up on a Warner Brothers CD compilation called "Right On! Volume 4" in 2002 - Soul Boys and Rock-Soul Funksters alike digging its sexy groove. Written by guitarist Sam Mitchell – he also plays all guitars on the fantastically catchy "Hambone" (definitely one of the album's highlights). 

 

Written by Myrtle Jackson in the Forties and famously covered by Country Music star Hank Snow in 1966 - "But This I Pray, Oh Lord Remember Me" is reduced to "Lord Remember Me" - a slow Soulful Gospel rap that builds into a frantic preacher 'piano and ladies' chant. The album then fizzles out with Ian Armit's "Armit's Trousers" – a two-minute instrumental ditty with him on a lone piano (he was one of The Hoochie Coochie Men back in the 60ts day with Baldry).

 

The Bonus Tracks on "Everything..." are a mixed bag. After a one-minute Radio Spot (No. 1) that uses the dialogue/typewriter gag at the beginning of "Everything Stops For Tea" (not a very convincing sales pitch I'd have to say) – we get something worth celebrating in a hard-hitting Blues Boogie similar to Muddy Waters/Johnny Winter. The self-penned Slow-Blues of "Bring My Baby Back To Me" was first released by Baldry as a British 45 on United Artists UP 1158 in 1966 – the B-side of "Cuckoo". The fantastic 6:25 minute live version of "Bring My Baby Back To Me" presented on this CD first appeared on Side 4 of the vinyl double-album "Mar Y Sol – The First International Puerto Rico Pop Festival" in 1972 on Atco SD 2-705. I don't know who's playing guitar – but it's a barnstormer (and first time on CD here too). This is followed by two album outtakes – covers of Neil Young's sorrowful "After The Gold Rush" classic "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and Ron Davies' lesser-known "I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy". Both feature the vocals of Joyce Everson whose album "Crazy Lady" appeared in 1972 on Warner Brothers BS 2604 (the Radio Spot No. 2 advertises it using Baldry's voice). Although she's a good voice – her high pitch doesn't suit him and the Neil Young track comes across as mawkish rather than tuneful. The largely acoustic "I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy" is far better - but in truth you can see why both were left off an already confusing album.

 

Although the 2nd LP isn't as good as the first (too many conflicting styles and a couple of choices that simmered rather than sizzled) – I still see "Everything Stops For Tea" as a must have for me. Warner Brothers UK and Europe released it 29 August 2005 as a single CD on Warner Brothers 8122784652 (Barcode 081227846527) complete with bonus tracks and new liner notes from Sid Griffin that were clearly written before Baldry passed in June 2005. That "Everything Stops For Tea" and its "It Ain't Easy" companion release are also unfortunately deleted, but available (at a price) on auction sites and second hand hubs.

 

In June 1964, Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men released an obscure UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1056. Its B-side - a raucous cover of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's gospel tune "Up Above My Head" - featured an uncredited duet vocal with a sensational new singer (it was Rod Stewart's first vinyl appearance). You have to say that Rod The Mod and Elton certainly repaid the gallant Englishman for that launching pad, when they put together this wicked twosome at the behest of Joe Smith - President of Warners.

 

With Baldry lost to us since July 2005 after a long battle with cancer (aged 64 and living in Canada), this and/or its splinter releases is a lovely way to remember that most Blighty of male singers.

 

And well done to all those involved for finally seeing the whole kit and caboodle reissued in such stomping audio. Rest in Peace you British beauty...