"A Perfect Stranger: The Island Anthology" by MARIANNE FAITHFULL - A 2CD-Only Compilation Covering 10 albums on Island Records Between 1979 and 1995 including New Remasters, Compilation and Soundtrack Rarities, A Non-LP B-side and Promo-Only Track (Both First Time on CD) Plus Five Previously Unreleased Outtakes from 1988 Sessions (October 1998 UK Island/Chronicles 35-Track 2-CD Compilation of Kevin Reeves Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Stranger-Island-Anthology/dp/B00000DC4K?crid=25KNYUEVXDR94&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.j0QyfjZaxUKGdzKaCb5tqQ.-ZTVHPu93VQOjQTb8Pv7Vx4A1apJSTg4-W89oSIsvUU&dib_tag=se&keywords=731452457929&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1734032437&sprefix=731452457929%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=86c838e7bfe80fdec022154748449bbb&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall **** to *****

Audio *****

Presentation ****

"…It Is Strange To Sleep Alone In A Place No One Knows…"

Some digital compilations scream class, and you know you must own them. 

Welcome to one such set in Universal's Chronicles Series of the Nineties (1998 in this case). "A Perfect Stranger: The Island Anthology" offered up 35-tracks covering albums between 1979 and 1995 by one of Rock's truly great conduits – the heart-on-her-sleeve 60ts ingenue and survivor Marianne Faithfull.

There is a fantastic range of material on this weighty twofer and all of it Remastered to perfection by one of my fave Audio Engineers KEVIN REEVES – a name you see across huge swaths of upgraded CD reissues covering A&M Records, Mercury, Vertigo, Blue Thumb, Verve, Polydor and Island Records to name but a few (all under the umbrella of Polygram and Universal Music Catalogue aka UMC). 

Faithfull has a career heading all the way back to 1965 with Decca and of course The Rolling Stones. This twofer chronicles her real solo years when she broke out of those constraints and forged a legacy of her own. A working-class hero is indeed something to be – lots to discuss in Broken English – to the details…

UK released 27 October 1998 - "A Perfect Stranger: The Island Anthology" by MARIANNE FAITHFULL on Island/Chronicles 524 579-2 (Barcode 731452457929) is a 35-Track 2CD Compilation covering 1979 to 1995 (17 years). It has new Kevin Reeves remasters and comprises of 26 Album Tracks, one Kurt Weill CD Compilation contribution, one Soundtrack song, one Non-LP B-side and one Promo-Only 12" Single Version (both first time on CD) plus Five Previously Unreleased songs from various Album Sessions. It plays out as follows:

CD1 (76:32 minutes):
1. Broken English
2. Witches' Song
3. Guilt
4. The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan
5. Working Class Hero
6. Why D'Ya Do It
7. Sister Morphine
8. Sweetheart
9. Intrigue
10. For Beauty's Sake
11. So Sad
12. Truth Bitter Truth
13. The Blue Millionaire (Long Version – see Notes)
14. Falling From Grace
15. Running For Our Lives
NOTES on CD1: 
Tracks 1 to 6 are from the album "Broken English" – released October 1979 in the UK on Island Records M1 and in the USA on Island ILPS 9570
Track 7 is the Non-LP B-side of a May 1982 UK 12" Single for "Broken English (Long Version)" on Island Records 12MF 100; the first seven-inch issue of "Broken English" was released January 1980 on Island WIP 6542 with "What's The Hurry?" on the B-side while the 12" version had "Why D'Ya Do It" on its B-side. "Sister Morphine" was only on the 1982 release. Track 7 is Previously Unreleased on CD
Tracks 8 to 12 are from the album "Dangerous Acquaintances" – released October 1981 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9648 (same details for the US issue)
Track 13 is from a 1983 US-Only Promo-Only 12" Single for "The Blue Millionaire" on Island Records DMD 627; Track 13 is Previously Unreleased on CD
Tracks 14 to 15 are from the album "A Childs Adventure" – released February 1983 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9734 and as "A Child's Adventure" in the USA on Island Records 7 90066-1

CD2 (77:48 minutes):
1. Ballad Of The Soldier's Wife
2. Trouble In Mind (The Return)
3. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
4. Yesterdays
5. Strange Weather
6. Gloomy Sunday
7. Hello Stranger
8. As Tears Go By
9. A Perfect Stranger
10. Conversation On A Barstool
11. A Waste Of Time
12. Isolation
13. Blazing Away
14. When I Find My Life (Live)
15. Times Square (Live)
16. Ghost Dance
17. Sleep
18. Love In The Afternoon
19. Bored By Dreams
20. She
NOTES on CD2: 
Track 1 is from the Various Artists compilation LP "Lost In The Stars; The Music Of Kurt Weill" released 1985 on A&M Records AMA 5104 in the UK and A&M Records SP 9-5104 in the USA
Track 2 is from the Mark Isham and Marianne Faithfull Original Motion Picture Soundtrack LP to "Trouble In Mind" released 1986 in the EU-UK on Island Records 208 056 and in the USA on Island Records 7 90501-1-E
Tracks 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are from the July 1987 UK LP "Strange Weather" on Island Records ILPS 9874 (Track 6 is an Outtake from these sessions)
Tracks 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are Previously Unreleased Studio Recordings – Recorded February 1988 in New York
Tracks 13, 14 and 15 are from the April 1990 UK CD album "Blazing Away" on Island CID 9957 – a live album recorded at St. Ann's Church in Brooklyn, NYC. Note: the title song "Blazing Away" is a Studio Recording done February 1988 in New York – the only studio recording on the album
Track 16 is an Exclusive 1994 Recording from the August 1994 CD Compilation Album "Faithfull: A Collection Of Her Best Recordings" on Island CIDX 8023
Tracks 17 to 20 are from the April 1995 CD Album "A Secret Life" on Island CID 8038

Compiled by BILL LEVENSON and JERRY RAPPAPORT and featuring a new essay by ANN POWERS – the 24-page booklet fills out all the Biographical and Discography details from 1979 to 1995 and a few places before. Album artwork and period photos are peppered throughout the text while Powers fills out the song histories – Billie Holiday doing "Yesterdays" – the live performance of "Times Square" in from of an adoring American audience getting a rare chance to see their hero up close and personal. The track-by-track musician and album credits take up the rest of it. But for me the real meat and potatoes comes with the gorgeous, muscular and not overly trembled KEVIN REEVES Remasters. To the music…

It will come as no surprise to any Faithfull fan that a whopping six of the eight tracks of her huge comeback album "Broken English" from October 1979 are represented on CD1. Armed with a stellar crew of musicians – Barry Reynolds of Blodwyn Pig and Pacific Drift on Guitar, Darryl Way on Violin, Frank Collins and Diane Birch of Kokomo on Vocals with Terry Stannard (also of Kokomo) on Drums, Steve York of Manfred Mann, Graham Bond and Vinegar Joe on Bass, Steve Winwood of Traffic and Blind Faith on Keyboards and Vocals with Joe Cuomo of The Global Village Trucking Co. on Saxophone – the album was packed with Grace Jones-type excellence. Expertly Produced by Mark Miller-Mundy - not only are the grooves of cleverly chosen covers like John Lennon's "Working Class Hero" and Shel Silverstein's "The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan" wickedly good – the emotional gut-punch of her own lyrics in Barry Reynold's "Guilt" and the extraordinary viciousness of "Why D'ya Do It" will shock even in 2024. 

There is a fearlessness in these craftily comforting rhythms – subversive like barbed wire or cut glass. To then have those six complimented by a stunning B-side – her non-LP cover of "Sister Morphine" from The Stones' 1971 "Sticky Fingers" album which she co-wrote with Jagger and Richards as far back as 1969 – only makes CD1 tingle even more. Her equally hurting remake of "Sister Morphine" turned up on the flipside of a 1982 12" Single for the Full-Length Version of the LP title track "Broken English" (Island 12MF 100) and it is surely a prize for collectors and Stones fans.

Her second album for Island "Dangerous Acquaintances" turned up September 1981 and I for one was a bit disappointed. CD1 offers up five of its nine cuts – unsurprising to see the better tracks like Steve Winwood's what-are-you-taking "For Beauty's Sake" and the seven-minute-plus mourning of her lost youth in "Truth Bitter Truth" – a fantastic journey song. By now Guitarist Barry Reynolds was provided a lot of the co-writes with Marianne Faithfull and that hugely produced Grace Jones "Warm Launderette" Compass Point Studios sound was on every track. "Sweetheart" and "Intrigue" go for a sort of Reggae Synth Pop feel – bopping to lyrics about sacrificing too much for a relationship. Softer in "Intrigue" - looking for harmony – looking for hope past the fatigue and the big Herb Alpert-type brass breaks. I have grown to appreciate these grooves more as the years have passed – go back to revisit them more. 

The sound is stupendous and clear on CD1. Never is this more evident that the utterly infectious 8:23 minute 'Long Version' of "The Blue Millionaire" exclusive to the A-side of a US Island Records 12" Promotional Single (Island DMD 627) – I know DJs (when I worked at Reckless Records in the West End of London) who scoured racks for this slightly-forgotten almost secret groove that devastated Electronica and Synth Pop dancefloors everywhere when played. But you would also have to say that even with super-slick production values and now great audio remasters – the other two songs from February 1983's "A Child's Adventure" feel somehow lacking compared to the freshness of the "Broken English" release from four years earlier. Keyboardist Wally Badarou had a co-write hand in "Running For Our Lives" and "The Blue Millionaire". 

What was sent from Oslo or the wealth of Amsterdam to the "Soldier's Wife" – all stomping piano and vaudeville sounds - Faithfull starts CD2 by channeling her inner Tom Waits circa "Swordfishtrombones" or "Frank's Wild Years". "Soldier's Wife" is a contribution to the 1985 compilation "Lost In The Stars: The Music Of Kurt Weill". Far better is a genius complete reinterpretation of a song most closely associated with 50ts Big Joe Turner Rhythm 'n' Blues on Atlantic Records – "Trouble In Mind". An inclusion in a soundtrack called "Trouble In Mind" - our Marianne strips it down to a droning keyboard note while Trumpeter Mark Isham adds pathos jabs to the Paris at Night vibe. The cover version is very Barb Jung - flipping the dynamic - gorgeous audio too. The la-da-da-da mellow continues with five tracks from the "Strange Weather" album of 1987 – the downbeat "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" and just plain sad "Yesterdays". Title track "Strange Weather" is a Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan song aided successfully by undercurrents from guests - Bill Frisell on Guitars with Accordion by Garth Hudson of The Band.

Track 6 "Gloomy Sunday" begins a flurry of five Previously Unreleased cuts on CD2 (the other four are Tracks 9, 10, 11 and 12). Dr. John provides piano while Avant Garde artist Michael Gibbs arranged the strings for "Gloomy Sunday" – the first of two outtakes from the "Stormy Weather" album (the other is a remake of her 60ts Rolling Stones-associated hit "As Tears Go By"). But you can understand the "Gloomy Sunday" exclusion – well meaning, but essentially too downbeat and a forced vocal. The acoustic-strings remake of "As Tears Go By" however is a lovely find and a genuine bonus for CD2. 

This compilation takes its name from "A Perfect Stranger" – a beautifully recorded ballad that is shockingly one of the unreleased – someone who knows when to leave and when to stay – and isn't it sad that we never had it that way. Another unreleased and another decent-tune shocker - Singer Bono of U2 contributing "Conversations On A Barstool". A sorrow and sympathy tale of a lonely American Bar lady who does not want to dance for senators anymore – Bill Frisell once again adding understated echoed guitar on this $45 ache. A cover of the John Lennon moody "Isolation" is good but not great despite the efforts of Barry Reynolds on Guitar. With one eye on insanity and the other on the wheel (one turning, one burning) – Marianne is "Blazing Away" – the title song from the 1990 CD album. "Blazing Away" is a weird one – an entirely live album – the title song was however the only studio song on it. The other two representatives here are live versions of "When I Find My Life" and "Times Square" – her very appreciative and quiet audience treated to a band featuring Dr. John Piano on TS and Garth Hudson of The Band with his Accordion on WIFML. And on it goes to a slew of Keyboardist Angelo Badalamenti songs on the 1997 album "A Secret Album" – sweet and mournful. 

I appreciate that not everything here will be for everyone – Marianne Faithfull's strained voice alone is enough to divide listeners. But I have always thought this English singer-songwriter brilliant – a more contemplative Grace Jones. 

Forgotten now in the dying embers of 2024 - this wickedly good sounding 2CD set "A Perfect Stranger" only hammers home a level of greatness worth rediscovering...

"Now Yearbook '77" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Eighty Single and Album Tracks by Queen, E.L.P., Status Quo, Elvis Presley, E.L.O., Hot Chocolate, Candi Staton, 10cc, Donna Summer, Boney M, Elkie Brooks, Rock Follies, The Boomtown Rats, Elvis Costello, The Stranglers, The Ramones, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Jonathan Richman, Mink DeVille, Tom Robinson Band, Ram Jam, Boston, Boz Scaggs, Santana, Bryan Ferry, Paul Simon, Thin Lizzy, Racing Cars, Yes, The Clash, Donna Summer, The Emotions, Marvin Gaye, The Drifters, Heatwave, The Floaters, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Moments, Billy Ocean, Darts, Belle Epoque, Dead End Kids, Mike Oldfield, Andrew Gold, Rita Coolidge, Denice Williams, Commodores, The Trammps, Baccara, Meri Wilson, Andrew Gold, Smokie, Rah Band, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Manhattan Transfer, Alessi, Olivia Newton-John and more (November 2024 UK Sony Music/EMI 4CD 80-Track Compilation in a Four-Panel Foldout Card Sleeve with Varying Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOW-Yearbook-1977-Various-Artists/dp/B0DHJFXN5K?crid=2RF9UFJSMZ7IT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MDMArNgD2qPd37DGkmQ2dg.C_E0W8idEkrl0wMB0EH9Tbm0Hpg09BQ18e26fWfP5w4&dib_tag=se&keywords=198028303422&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733934004&sprefix=198028303422%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=d1e3c286860d82f8a11083119a8e0c47&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall ***

Audio ****

Presentation ***

"…Chocolate Stains On My Pants…"

I have about ten of these Now Yearbook Compilations (the 4CD variants) – most of which are accompanied by a further Yearbook Extra release of 3CDs - bringing the year haul to well over 140 songs (Friday, 10 January 2025 is the release date for the Extra Set on 1977). 

So a compilation covering a pivotal year in my youth '1977' appealed to me greatly (I bought the 1978 and 1979 4CD issues as well – see separate reviews). 

But the same problem to my listening ears occurs here as it does with all the 80ts titles – you are suckered by quantity (80 Tracks in the case of 1977). Because when you start to play this - especially when you get to CD3 and CD4 – the solid wall of second-rate Pop and Disco cack alongside cringe-inducing ballads starts to seriously mount up. Now Yearbook 1977 does not reflect the overriding theme (for me anyway) of that pivotal year – New Wave, Rock and Punk. I have an open earhole when it comes to all genres – but man is there some dross on here (hence the 3-star rating).

You see, the tendency with these Now Yearbook sets is to go down the less-trodden path - to get songs out there that haven't been on compilations before. So, when you get to most of CD3 and CD4 – the listen in my book takes a nosedive. Few will want to endure weepy turds like Liverpool Express and Julie Covington (tail-ending CD1) bawling her eyes out for shoes and Argentina. The flaw with this 'let's do Top 5 to Top 40-only' is that there was so much you want to forget, and of course other gems they could have chosen but have been left off. 

Year sets are always a pick 'n' mix I know – Hitsville UK vs. rash-inducing horrors. Also, you will also notice from the total playing times for 1977 provided below that CD2 at 69:22 and CD4 at 65:08 minutes are frankly a bit anaemic for a comp like this and could easily have been pumped up with better material to join the better total playing times of CD1 and CD3 at 74:50 and 76:26 minutes.

In their favour, however, these Now Yearbook 4CD Sets start out at about ten quid, but after a few months are quickly reduced to six or seven quid which frankly represents serious value for money. You may not be getting anything packaging-wise, but at least 40 to 50% of the choices will please somebody somewhere and the audio is crackerlackin'. Here be the details for the nineteen seventy-seven…

UK released Friday, 1 November 2024 - "Now Yearbook '77" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW77 / 0198028303422 (Barcode 198028303422) is a 4CD 80-Track Compilation in a Four-Panel Foldout Card Sleeve with Single Edits, Album Versions and Various 1990s and 00s Remasters that plays out as follows:

CD1 (74:50 minutes):
1. We Are The Champions – QUEEN (October 1977, EMI Records EMI 2708, A-side)
2. Fanfare For The Common Man (Single Edit, 2:58 minutes) – EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (May 1977, Manticore K 10946, A-side)
3. Rockin' All Over The World – STATUS QUO (September 1977, Vertigo 6059 184, A-side)
4. Way Down – ELVIS PRESLEY (July 1977, RCA Victor PB 0998, A-side)
5. Good Morning Judge – 10cc (April 1977, Mercury 6008 025, A-side)
6. Telephone Line – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (May 1977, Jet Records UP 36254, A-side)
7. When I Need You – LEO SAYER (January 1977, Chrysalis CHS 2127, A-side)
8. Don't Give Up On Us – DAVID SOUL (December 1976, Private Stock PVT 84, A-side – an Albert Hammond cover version)
9. So You Win Again – HOT CHOCOLATE (June 1977, RAK Records RAK 259, A-side)
10. Nights On Broadway – CANDI STATON (July 1977, Warner Brothers K 16972, A-side – a Bee Gees cover version)
11. From New York To LA – PATSY GALLANT (July 1977, EMI Records EMI 2620, A-side)
12. Love's Unkind – DONNA SUMMMER (December 1977, GTO Records GT 113, A-side)
13. Ma Baker – BONEY M (June 1977, Atlantic K 10965, A-side)
14. The Crunch (Part 1) – THE RAH BAND (February 1977, Good Earth GD 7, A-side - instrumental)
15. Tear Me Apart – SUZI QUATRO (February 1977, RAK Records RAK 248, A-side)
16. OK? – ROCK FOLLIES of '77 [aka Julie Covington, Charlotte Cornwell, Rula Lenska, Sue Jones-Davies] (May 1977, Polydor 2001 714, A-side)
17. Living Next Door To Alice – SMOKIE (November 1976, RAK Records RAK 244, A-side)
18. Pearl's A Singer – ELKIE BROOKS (February 1977, A&M Records AMS 7275, A-side – a Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller co-write song)
19. Every Man Must Have A Dream – LIVERPOOL EXPRESS (December 1976, Warner Brothers K 16854, A-side)
20. Don't Cry For Me Argentina – JULIE COVINGTON, ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and TIM RICE (November 1976, MCA Records MCA 260, A-side – from the Evita Opera)

CD2 (69:22 minutes):
1. No More Heroes – THE STRANGLERS (September 1977, United Artists UP 36300, A-side)
2. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker – RAMONES (May 1977, Sire RAM 001, A-side)
3. White Riot – THE CLASH (March 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5058, A-side)
4. All Around The World – THE JAM (July 1977, Polydor 2058 903, A-side - featuring Paul Weller)
5. Lookin' After No. 1 – THE BOOMTOWN RATS (August 1977, Ensign ENY 4, A-side – featuring Bob Geldof)
6. Do Anything You Wanna Do (Single Edit) – EDDIE & THE HOT RODS (originally credited as RODS) (July 1977, Island WIP 6401, A-side)
7. Roadrunner (Once) – JONATHAN RICHMAN and THE MODERN LOVERS (July 1977, Beserkley BZZ 1, A-side)
8. Spanish Stroll – MINK DeVILLE (June 1977, Capitol CLX 103, A-side – featuring Willy DeVille)
9.  Watching The Detectives (Single Version) – ELVIS COSTELLO (October 1977, Stiff BUY 20, A-side)
10. Peaches (Single Edit) – THE STRANGLERS (May 1977, United Artists UP 36248, A-side)
11. 2-4-6-8 Motorway – TOM ROBINSON BAND (October 1977, EMI Records EMI 2715, A-side – 2013 Remaster)
12. Ram Jam – BLACK BETTY (August 1977, Epic S EPC 5492, A-side)
13. More Than A Feeling (Single Version) – BOSTON (October 1976, Epic S EPC 4658, A-side)
14. Lido Shuffle – BOZ SCAGGS (April 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5136, A-side)
15. She's Not There (Single Version) – SANTANA (September 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5671, A-side – a Zombies cover version)
16. This Is Tomorrow – BRYAN FERRY (January 1977, Polydor 2001 704, A-side – 1999 Bob Ludwig Remaster)
17. Slip Slidin' Away – PAUL SIMON (October 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5770, A-side – 2010 Remaster)
18. Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In Its Spotlight) – THIN LIZZY (July 1977, Vertigo 6059 177, A-side – featuring Phil Lynott)
19. They Shoot Horses Don't They (Single Version) – RACING CARS (December 1976, Chrysalis CHS 2129, A-side – 2020 Remaster)
20. Wondrous Stories – YES (September 1977, Atlantic K 10999, A-side)

CD3 (76:28 minutes):
1. I Feel Love (Edit) – DONNA SUMMER (July 1977, GTO Records GT 100, A-side)
2. Yes Sir, I Can Boogie – BACCARA (July 1977, RCA Victor PB 5526, A-side)
3. Black Is Black – LA BELLE EPOQUE (August 1977, Harvest HAR 5133, A-side)
4. Daddy Cool – BONEY M (October 1976, Atlantic K 10827, A-side)
5. Star Wars Them/Cantina Band (7" Radio Edit) – MECO (August 1977, RCA Victor XB 1028, A-side)
6. Disco Inferno (Single Edit) – THE TRAMMPS (April 1977, Atlantic K 10914, A-side)
7. Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) 7" Edit – CHIC (November 1977, Atlantic K 11038, A-side – 2018 Remaster)
8. Boogie Nights (Single Version) – HEATWAVE (January 1977, GTO Records GT 77, A-side – a Rod Temperton song)
9. Car Wash (Single Version) – ROSE ROYCE (December 1976, MCA Records MCA 267, A-side)
10. Best Of My Love – THE EMOTIONS (August 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5555 A-side)
11. Don't Leave Me This Way (Single Version) – THELMA HOUSTON (January 1977, Tamla Motown TMG 1060, A-side – a Gamble & Huff song)
12. The Shuffle – VAN McCOY (March 1977, H&L Records 6105 766, A-side)
13. Got To Give It Up – Pt.1 – MARVIN GAYE (April 1977, Tamla Motown TMG 1069, A-side)
14. Baby Don't Change Your Mind – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (May 1977, Buddah BDS 458, A-side)
15. You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show) – MARILYN McCOO and BILLY DAVIS, Jr. (October 1976, ABC Records ABC 4147, A-side)
16. You're More Than A Number In My Little Red Book – THE DRIFTERS (December 1976, Arista Records ARISTA 78, A-side)
17. Jack In The Box – THE MOMENTS (January 1977, All Platinum 6146 318, A-side)
18. Free (Single Version) – DENIECE WILLIAMS (February 1977, CBS Records S CBS 4978, A-side)
19. Easy (Album Version) – COMMODORES (from the March 1977 UK LP "Zoom" on Tamla Motown Records STML 12057 – released March 1977 in the USA as "Commodores" on Motown M7-884R1 – written by and featuring Lead Vocals from Lionel Richie)
20. Float On (Single Version) – THE FLOATERS (July 1977, ABC Records ABC 4187, A-side)

CD4 (65:08 minutes):
1. Mull Of Kintyre – WINGS (November 1977, Capitol R 6018, A-side – featuring Paul McCartney – 1993 Remaster)
2. Chanson D'Amour – MANHATTAN TRANSFER (January 1977, Atlantic K 10886, A-side)
3. Silver Lady – DAVID SOUL (August 1977, Private Stock PVT 115, A-side)
4. Sam – OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (May 1977, EMI Records EMI 2616, A-side – 2022 Remaster - a John Farrar song – ex The Shadows)
5. Angelo – BROTHERHOOD OF MAN (June 1977, Pye Records 7N 45699, A-side)
6. You're Moving Out Today – CAROLE BAYER SAGER (May 1977, Elektra K 12257, A-side)
7. Telephone Man – MERI WILSON (August 1977, Pye International 7N 25747, A-side)
8. Oh Lori – ALESSI (May 1977, A&M Records AMS 7289, A-side – aka Alessi Brothers)
9. The Things We Do For Love – 10cc (December 1976, Mercury 6008 022, A-side)
10. We're All Alone – RITA COOLIDGE (June 1977, A&M Records AMS 7295, A-side – a Boz Scaggs cover)
11. Lucille – KENNY ROGERS (April 1977, United Artists UP 36342, A-side – 2006 Remaster)
12. Desiree (Single Version) – NEIL DIAMOND (November 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5869, A-side)
13. Think I'm Gonna Fall In Love With You – THE DOOLEYS (May 1977, GTO Records GT 95, A-side)
14. Red Light Spells Danger – BILLY OCEAN (March 1977, GTO Records GT 85, A-side)
15. Lonely Boy – ANDREW GOLD (February 1977, Elektra K 13076, A-side)
16. Have I The Right (Edit) – DEAD END KIDS (February 1977, CBS Records S CBS 4972, A-side)
17. Dancin' Party – SHOWADDYWADDY (October 1977, Arista Records ARISTA 149, A-side)
18. Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It – DARTS (October 1977, Magnet MAG 100, A-side – a Medley of cover versions – The Rays from 1957 and Little Richard from 1956)
19. Portsmouth – MIKE OLDFIELD (November 1976, Virgin VS 163, A-side – 2009 Remaster)
20. Floral Dance – BRIGHOUSE And RASTRICK BRASS BAND (October 1977, Transatlantic BIG 548, A-side)

Discography: this Basic Edition has a four-panel foldout card sleeve with each CD in a printed-info pouch on the inside (see photos). There is a Limited Edition Hardback DigiBook version that has liner notes on all the songs – Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW77 - 0198028303521 (Barcode 198028303521) – and even a truncated 49-Track 3LP VINYL variant on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW77 (Barcode 198028303613) in BLUE VINYL – both also released 1 November 2024. The further 'Now Yearbook EXTRA '77' compilation arrives Friday, 10 January 2025 as a CD-only 3-Disc 62-Track set.

Odd for these 4CD sets and especially 1977 which has been reissued to death – there are only six mentions of Remaster Dates across the four discs (see lists above). And yet as everyone knows who buys these sets – the audio is uniformly great across the whole shebang. Rarely does the sound dip or duck or dive – mostly it impresses and at times (like say Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Stranglers and The Jam to name but a few) – you may have to turn it down. Fans of 45s will also note the large number of Single Versions, Edits and so forth where many year compilations opt for the Full LP Variants. The info as always is sparse if not non-existent (you get more Discography info in my review than you do on any side of the card flaps) – but you cannot argue sheer value for money. To the loons and the tunes...

I cannot tell you how unbearable it is to hear Boney M doing cod Chicago gangster with "Ma Baker", David Soul and his age-hiding sepia-tinted "Silver Lady", Leo Sayer crooning the Albert Hammond weepie "When I Need You" or Smokie getting all sincere on the cloying and teeth-rotting "Living Next Door To Alice" – yuck central! Pseudo geetar-rawk like the Rock Follies of 77 and Suzi Quatro sit uncomfortably beside crooner schlock like Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond. For sure we get Queen being typically bombastic with "We Are The Champions", a strangely touching and hurtful E.L.O. aching down the "Telephone Line" (a forgotten gem of theirs), a lost Elvis Presley getting funky (while he can) with his final hurrah "Way Down", Status Quo doing the 12-Bar Boogie with a crowd-pleasing cover of John Fogerty's "Rockin' All Over The World" (the song they would open 'Live Aid' with in 1985), Elkie Brooks (ex-Vinegar Joe) getting sentimental about "Pearl" the Singer - and so on - all better moments on CD1. But that is only to lure you into a false sense of security because much of the rest is not good at all.

But then on CD2 you get a near perfect run of 20 New Wave, Punk and better Rock cuts – clever inclusions like Mink DeVille doing a street hustle on "Spanish Stroll" (they say he's crazy on the coast), Paul Simon and one of two new songs included on his 1977 solo-career round-up LP 'Greatest Hits, etc.' called "Slip Slidin' Away" (the other was "Stranded In A Limousene"), Bryan Ferry and his famous warble telling us "This Is Tomorrow" (a single you've forgotten from his overlooked "In Your Mind" album on Polydor Records) or Thin Lizzy disobeying another warning and staying out to 3 a.m. only to come home with chocolate stains on their pants (the on-the-money "Dancin' In The Moonlight…"). A huge pulse pounder from Emerson, Lake & Palmer ("Fanfare For The Common Man") nestles alongside Ram Jam doing the Boogie with "Black Betty" and Boston getting all guitar-layered on the mighty "More Than A Feeling" (a 1976 monster that charted 1977 in the UK) - while Soul acts Commodores (with Lionel Richie on lead vocals) and The Floaters chill with the gorgeous "Easy" and the cheesy-but-nice-talker "Float On". 

But CD3 with its overtly Disco/R&B run loses the plot in too many places – the Euro Disco of Baccara is dreadful while La Belle Epoch is not a whole lot better. Boney M rear their ugly head again with Daddy Cool but there must be a special place in Hades for the Meco version of the Star Wars Theme – oh God! Things finally improve around Track 6 with the fabulous groove of The Trammps and their Saturday Night Fever burn-baby-burn anthem "Disco Inferno" – a floor-filler for all the right reasons. Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic fame get all Yowsah with "Dance, Dance, Dance…" while genius Rod Temperton (pre-Thriller songwriting) shows why his band Heatwave always had a stone-to-the-bone dancefloor hit up their sleeves in "Boogie Nights". Rose Royce and The Emotions are both gonna please butt-shaking aficionados with "Car Wash" and the fabulous "Best Of My Love" (surely one of the great Soul-Funk tunes ever and used in hundreds of movies because of it). The dynamic songwriting duo of Gamble & Huff provided Thelma Houston with her Motown Disco hit "Don't Leave Me This Way". A welcome inclusion is the unstoppable Funk of Marvin Gaye – ladies having a ball (or two) throughout Part 1 of "Got To Give You Up" And you have forgotten how good Deniece Williams and her "Free" is and especially Lionel Richie hitting the mark on his gorgeous "Easy" (during his time with the Commodores) – here in its full album version complete with that sensational guitar solo. 

CD4 mixes up Pop with Soul with Nostalgia and a few Rock points inbetween and like CD3 and CD1 – it is a decidedly mixed bag with the emphasis unfortunately on the iffy. If I never hear the whine of "Mull Of Kintyre" ever again – it will be a blessing (and I loved Wings) – while the cod Twenties rat-ta-ta of the Manhattan Transfer doing "Chanson D'Amour" is equally cheesy. More strings and syrup as Olvia Newton-John tells us how she pines for "Sam" but it only gets worse as Brotherhood Of Man try on their ABBA-esque "Angelo". By the time you reach Track 6 the fun of Carole Bayer Sager and "You're Moving Out Today" comes as something of a relief (pack up your rubber duck and mangy cat) as she sends her mistake-of-a-lover out into the world. Finally, we get some actual cleverness with Meri Wilson working the words of "Telephone Man" – her fingers doing the walking. Yacht Rock makes a rare appearance with the Alessi Brothers and their never-say-goodbye 10cc-sounding "Oh Lori" – sounding amazing here. Not surprisingly the compilers have spotted the musical follow-through and literally give us 10cc doing the irritating yet excellent "The Things We Do For Love" (great audio). 

Rita Coolidge goes deep on the smooch with her so-1977 weepy "We're All Alone" – another horrible cringe. Just as you thought it can't get any worse, Kenny Rogers waltzes in with his radio-friendly Country Rock tale "Lucille" – the kind of awful crud that has been mercilessly lampooned over the years with word replacements. Neil Diamond does his reputation no favours with "Desiree" – a long way from his excellent singles for Uni Records back in the early Seventies. A series of dogs follows with The Dooleys and Billy Ocean – saccharine Disco-Pop only to have a terrible CD4 saved by the songwriting talent of Andrew Gold and his superb "Lonely Boy" – a radio staple that still stands up to this day. Dead End Boys sound like a weedy Bay City Rollers with their awful "Have I The Right" and on it goes to other tut – CD4 whimpering out nonsense from Mike Oldfield and the dire Brighouse Brass Band. 

Like its '1978' and '1979' four-disc equivalents - the 4CD compilation "Now Yearbook '77" offers a whole lotta listens, some welcome returns and a slew of familiar spiky-hair-do flashbacks. But unfortunately, '1977' is also seriously weighed down with too many cheese-puff cringes to be (actually) enjoyable. For sure this journey comes at a cheap-as-political-morals price - but just remember to taper those expectations once you're deep into those satin-pants runs of CD3 and 4.

Finally - I wish I could say that 1977 in the Yearbook Series is worth buying - but excepting CD2 - I found it to be a very flaccid and depressing listen despite the great audio. It’s like the Now compilers went out of their way to find as much crud as they could locate and call it a service to us listeners. 

I would counsel a listen first when it comes to '77… and hope they do better for the years they haven't catalogued as yet - 1975, 1976, 1972, 1971 and 1970.

PS: "Don't Leave Me This Way" Thelma Houston implored in January of 1977 – well EMI and Sony won't because the 'EXTRA '77' 3CD set is due in January 2025... 

"Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Legend with Mickey Jupp, Eggs Over Easy, Steve Ellis, Brinsley Schwarz, Deep Feeling, Roogalator, Mott The Hoople, Status Quo, Ducks Deluxe, Bees Make Honey, Brewers Droop featuring Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers of Dire Straits, Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers, Ace, Writing On The Wall, Dr. Feelgood, Fumble, Stray, Kursaal Flyers, Byzantium, Stretch, Fox, Sean Tyla & His Gang, Kilburn & The High Roads (featuring Ian Dury), Strapps, Thin Lizzy, Heavy Metal Kids, Supercharge, The Gorillas, Chris Spedding, Cado Belle, Dave Edmunds, The Jam, Darts, Clover, Jess Roden, Philip Rambow, Billy Bremner, Matchbox, The Pirates, Sniff 'N' The Tears, Meal Ticket, Graham Parker & The Rumour, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, The Inmates, The Merton Parkas and many more (July 2022 UK Grapefruit 71-Track 3CD Compilation in a Capacity Wallet with Three Individual Card Sleeves, a 48-Page Booklet and Simon Murphy Masters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surrender-Rhythm-London-Seventies-Capacity/dp/B0882LQZ8R?crid=P7XSNHEPNUXU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HXgBUpYMesnGJn3Wik4YpQ.7OwwWxNZRyhYDXhybiYT8cYHRH1oNLFLXUZ6NoFoHp0&dib_tag=se&keywords=5013929187429&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733754330&sprefix=5013929187429%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_3M_AUTOMATED&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=b40d99d23309a4b48df3d1468774b97a&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall **** to *****

Audio ****

Presentation *****

"…Billy Bentley (Promenades Himself In London)…"

Knickers in a knot and warm beer. Ah the good old days. I was looking forward to this 71-track 3CD beast from those terribly with-it chaps over at Grapefruit Records. And in part – their musical benevolence has delivered once again – even if some of the entries left me a little chilly in the arsenal aperture (so to speak). Nonetheless, so much great stuff to unpack and deeply imbedded good times to rekindle – once more to the Gassy Kegs and Brylcreem Boys…

UK released 17 July 2022 - "Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Grapefruit CRSEG074T (Barcode 5013929187429) is a 3CD 71-Track Remastered Compilation in a Capacity Wallet with Three Mini LP Card Sleeves, a 48-Page Booklet and Sixteen Previously Unreleased Tracks plus Other Rarities. It plays out as follows:

CD1 (78:58 minutes): 

1. Cheque Book – LEGEND (from the January 1971 UK LP "Legend" on Vertigo 6360 019 – band featured Mickey Jupp)
2. Funky But Clean – EGGS OVER EASY (Not Originally Issued, Recorded January 1971)
3. Time To Kill – WILD ANGELS (April 1971 UK 45-Single on B&C Records CB 145, A-side)
4. You Said It Would Be – SMOOTH LOSER (Previously Unreleased, recorded April 1971)
5. Have You Seen My Baby – STEVE ELLIS (August 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records 7411, A-side)
6. Nanana – STATUS QUO (from the November 1971 UK LP "Dog Of Two Head" on Pye NSPL 18371)
7. Surrender To The Rhythm – BRINSLEY SCHWARZ (from the October 1972 UK LP "Nervous On The Road" on United Artists UAS 29374)
8. Why, Lady, Why? – DEEP FEELING (October 1972 UK 45-single on Philips 6006 346, A-side)
9. Ride With The Roogalator – ROOGALATOR (Previously Unreleased, recorded February 1971)
10. I Wish I Was Your Mother – MOTT THE HOOPLE (from the April 1974 UK LP "Mott" on CBS Records S 69038)
11. Heart's On My Sleeve (Early Mix) – DUCKS DELUXE (Not Originally Issued, recorded October 1973 – featuring Martin Belmont and Sean Tyla on Guitars)
12. Madman – G.T. MOORE & THE REGGAE GUITARS (Not Originally Issued, recorded November 1973)
13. Where Are You Tonight? – BREWERS DROOP (Nort Originally Issued, recorded November 1973 – band featured Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers later of Dire Straits)
14. Tripsy Lady – WRITING ON THE WALL (Not Originally Issued, recorded December 1973)
15. Sergeant Fury – THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND (August 1974 UK 45-single on Vertigo 6059 106, A-side)
16. My Funny Valentine – BEES MAKE HONEY (Previously Unissued, recorded July 1974)
17. Piggy Back Sue – JONA LEWIE (September 1974 UK 45-single on Sonet SON 2048, A-side – ex Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts)
18. Money Is No Friend Of Mine – STARRY EYED And LAUGHING (October 1974 UK 45-singkle on CBS Records 2686, A-side)
19. You Kept Me Waiting – DAVE EDMUNDS (from the October 1974 2LP Soundtrack Album "Stardust" on Ronco RG 2009/10)
20. We Get Along – CHILLI WILLI & THE RED HOT PEPPERS (from the November 1974 UK LP "Bongos Over Balham" on Mooncrest CREST 21)
21. Rock And Roll Runaway – ACE (from the November 1974 UK Debut LP "Five-A-Side" on Anchor ANCL 2001)
22. Billy Bentley (Promenades Himself In London) – KILBURN & THE HIGH ROADS (November 1974 UK 45-single on Dawn DNS 1090, A-side – featuring Ian Dury and Members of The Blockheads)
23. Nervous – NATIONAL FLAG (November 1974 recording first issued December 1976 on the UK privately pressed LP "Thank You & Goodnight" – no catalogue number)
NOTES on CD1:
Tracks 2, 4, 9, 11 to 14 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD2 (79:44 minutes) 
1. She Does It Right – DR. FEELGOOD (from the January 1975 UK Debut LP "Down By The Jetty" on United Artists UAS 29727 in Mono – Band featuring Wilko Johnson on Guitar and Lee Brilleaux on Vocals)
2. Love Me Real – CHARLIE & THE WIDEBOYS (January 1975 UK 45-Single on Anchor ANCE 1002, A-side)
3. Free The Kids – FUMBLE (from the January 1975 UK LP "Poetry In Lotion" on RCA Victor SF 8403)
4. Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) – FLIP CITY (Not Originally Issued, recorded January 1975)
5. Blow Me Down – BRENT MARVIN & THE THUNDERBOLTS (April 1975 UK 45-single on Sonet SON 2053, A-side)
6. Baby What You Want Me To Do – JO-ANN KELLY (Not Originally Issued, recorded 1975)
7. As Long As You Feel Good – STRAY (from the May 1975 UK LP "Stand Up And Be Counted" on Dawn DNLS 3066)
8. Yellow Sox – KURSAAL FLYERS (from their July 1975 UK Debut LP "Chocs Away" on UK Records 2330 101)
9. It Could Be Better – BYZANTIUM (Previously Unreleased, recorded July 1975)
10. Midnight Flight – BEARDED LADY (Not Originally Issued, recorded 1975)
11. Jailbreaker – RAZORBACKS (Previously Unreleased, recorded August 1975)
12. One Fing 'n' Anuvver – CHAS & DAVE (from the September 1975 UK LP "One Fing 'n' Anuvver" on Retreat Records RTL 6004)
13. Why Did You Do It – STRETCH (October 1975 UK 45-single on Anchor ANC 1021, A-side)
14. Whatever It's Worth – FOX (from the October 1975 Debut LP "Tales Of Illusion" on GTO Records GTLP 006)
15. I Ain't Got You – THE COUNT BISHOPS (November 1975 UK 45-single on Chiswick SW1, A-side)
16. Midnight Moon – SEAN TYLA & HIS GANG (Recorded 1975, November 1976 Dutch 45-single on Dutch Dynamo DYR 45002, A-side)
17. Writing On The Wall – EDDIE & THE HOT RODS (February 1976 UK 45-single on Island WIP 6270, A-side)
18. You Can Leave Your Hat On – THE JESS RODEN BAND (March 1976 UK 45-single on island WIP 6286, A-side)
19. Schoolgirl Funk – STRAPPS (from the March 1976 UK Debut LP "Strapps" on Harvest SHSP 4055)
20. Romeo And The Lonely Girl – THIN LIZZY (from the March 1976 UK LP "Jailbreak" on Vertigo 9102 008)
21. She's No Angel – HEAVY METAL KIDS (May 1976 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 234, A-side)
22. You've Gotta Get Up And Dance – SUPERCHARGE (from the May 1976 UK Debut LP "Local Lads Make Good" on Virgin V 2053)
23. Keys To Your Heart – THE 101'ERS (May 1976 UK 45-single on Chiswick S 3, A-side – featuring Joe Strummer who went on to form The Clash)
24. She's My Gal – THE GORILLAS (July 1976 UK 45-single on Chiswick S 4, A-side)
NOTES on CD2:
Tracks 4, 6, 9, 10 and 11 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD3 (79:43 minutes):
1. Don't Wear It – MOON (from the July 1976 UK Debut LP "Too Close For Comfort" on Epic EPC 81456 – pre-Sniff 'N' The Tears)
2. Bedsit Girl – CHRIS SPEDDING (from the April 1976 UK LP "Chris Spedding" on RAK Records SRAK 519)
3. Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) – GONZALEZ (September 1976 UK 45-Single on EMI Records EMI 2521, A-side - a Looking Glass cover version)
4. Stone's Throw From Nowhere – CADO BELLE (from the October 1976 UK Debut LP "Cado Belle" on Anchor Records ANCL 2015 - featuring Maggie Reilly)
5. Radio Sweetheart – ELVIS COSTELLO (March 1977 UK 45-single on Stiff BUY 11, B-side of "Less Than Zero" – features Nick Lowe of Brinsley Schwarz on Bass and Backing Vocals and two members of Clover – John McFee and Mickey Shore)
6. Back To Schooldays (Live) – GRAHAM PARKER & THE RUMOUR (Not Originally Issued, recorded March 1977)
7. Get It – DAVE EDMUNDS (from the April 1977 UK LP "Get It" on Swan Song SSK 59404)
8. Slow Down – THE JAM (from the May 1977 UK Debut LP "In The City" on Polydor 2383 447 – a Larry Williams cover version – band featured Paul Weller)
9. Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It – DARTS (October 1977 UK 45-single on Magnet MAG 100, A-side – a Medley of early Vocal Groups and Rock & Roll cover versions originally done by The Rays and Little Richard)
10. Ain't Nobody Own Nobody's Soul – CLOVER (from the November 1977 UK LP "Love On The Wire" on Vertigo 6360 155 – band featured Huey Lewis on Vocals)
11. Rock 'n' Roll Radio – THE PLEASERS (Recorded late 1977, Not Originally Issued)
12. Young Lust – PHILIP RAMBOW (Recorded December 1977, Previously Unissued)
13. Fool (If You Think It's Over) – CHRIS REA (March 1978 UK 45-single on Magnet MAG 111, A-side)
14. Come On – IAN GOMM (March 1978 UK 45-single on Albion ION 1, A-side)
15. The Creature From The Black lagoon – BILLY BREMNER (Not Originally Issued, recorded 1978)
16. Gunning For The Dog – MATCHBOX (from the August 1978 UK LP "Setting The Woods On Fire" on Chiswick WIK 10)
17. Shakin' All Right (1978 Studio Version) – THE PIRATES (October 1978 UK 45-single on Warner Brothers K 17231, A-side)
18. Driver's Seat – SNIFF 'N' THE TEARS (October 1978 UK 45-single on Chiswick CHIS 105, A-side)
19. Mirror Star – THE FABULOUS POODLES (October 1978 UK 45-single on Pye International 7N 46118, A-side)
20. The Shape I'm In – MEAL TICKET (from the November 1978 UK LP "Take Away" on Logo Records LOGO 1008 – The Band cover version)
21. Goodbye Girl – SQUEEZE (November 1978 UK 45-single on A&M Records AMS 7398, A-side)
22. Loud Music – STREETBAND (from the November 1978 UK LP "London" on Logo Records LOGO 1012)
23. You Need Wheels – THE MERTON PARKS (July 1979 UK 45-single on Beggars Banquet BEG 22, A-side)
24. Dirty Water – THE INMATES (June 1979 UK 45-single on Soho SH 7, A-side)
NOTES ON CD3:
Tracks 6, 11, 12 and 15 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Compiled and Annotated by Grapefruit's resident brainbox and enthusiast DAVID WELLS - the Capacity Wallet for "Surrender To The Rhythm..." houses three individual card sleeves (as pictured above) sat snuggly alongside a superb 48-page booklet. You get song-by-song info that digs deep - photos for each act and of course Discography details too. I've pictured some of the inside two-page spreads to give you an indication of the efforts put in here. Fab stuff. Mastered by long-standing Cherry Red associate SIMON MURPHY - the Audio (as you can imagine) varies from Top Notch through Great to Acceptable across such a huge range of dates and (in some cases) home-cooked Productions. Mostly though, you're just marvelling at so much music that has been largely forgotten and shouldn't be. To the beer stains...

Unexpected nuggets turn up everywhere on CD1 – try "Have You Seen My Baby" – a Randy Newman cover done by Steve Ellis of Love Affair. Roped into the rollicking tune is Zoot Money on Keyboards, Jimmy McCulloch of Thunderclap Newman on Guitar with ex-Animals John Steel on Drums. And just when you sit prepared for 12-Bar Boogie when you see the name Status Quo next – this compilation pulls a fast one over your eyes by picking the so Chas and Dave piano-and-acoustic barroom amble that is "Nanana" from their second Pye Album "Dog Of Two Head". Clever. Better however is Nick Lowe fronting the deeply popular Brinsley Schwarz and their compilation title song "Surrender To The Rhythm" – the prominent organ and bopping seaside beat very reminiscent of what Springsteen would do on his first two albums in 1973 and 1974 - "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. " and "The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle".

The Deep Feeling 45 "Why, Lady, Why?" is good rather than great – better is the early Punk of Roogalator - a heavy-and-rough Iggy Pop & The Stooges-type guitar trashing brute (Danny Adler on the axe) called "Ride With The Roogalator" – a great previously unreleased find (even if it doesn't feel too much like Pub Rock per se). Equally impressive is the fabulous vocals of Ian Hunter fronting the mighty Mott The Hoople on their "I Wish I Was Your Mother" – Ian channelling his inner Ronnie Lane melody – all acoustics and mandolin until the very English Rock & Roll chorus comes a dolloping up to the old Johanna in the pub corner. Very cool is the Ron Watts fronted Brewers Droop discovery "Where Are You Tonight" – an ambling, wistful and rather lovely ballad where you can so hear both Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers (pre-Dire Straits) and their playing. Back to rough and ready Rock & Roll with "Tripsy Lady" by Writing On The Wall – lead singer and guitarist Willy Finlayson and Saxophonist Alan Greenhaigh both featured on this boogieing 1973 find. Time for Vaudeville with a Scottish Rock & Roll tuning – up steps the judge and jury of "Sergeant Fury" – Alex Harvey and his Sensational boys having a laugh (not my fave SAHB track it must be said, but I can hear why its boozy-vibe was included here). 

Time to mellow down easy – Barry Richardson of Ireland’s Bees Make Honey pouring on the strings and pain in their cover version of the pining classic "My Funny Valentine" – good but you hear why it was left in the 1974 can. Both the Jona Lewis and Starry Eyed And Laughing cuts complement each other – English Jerry Lee Lewis type Rock & Roll vs. The Byrds. Dave Edmunds channels his Beach Boys fixation for "You Kept Me Waiting" – a stand-alone cut from the Ronco Soundtrack LP to "Stardust" (another clever inclusion aimed at fans looking for those straggler songs). Straight into Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris and Poco Pedal Steel Guitar territory with Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers giving us the jaunty love-is-a-burning-flame "We Get Along" (two nights are never the same). You can literally feel the well-cor-blimey-guv move-along-sunshine fun as Ian Dury fronts Kilburn & The High Roads for "Billy Bentley" – the precursor and template for Ian Dury & The Blockheads that would storm the charts from 1977 onwards. And CD1 rocks out with the Foghat-like baby you make me "Nervous" – National Flag employing Danny Edwardson on Guitar and Seamus Sell on Drums (another clever inclusion).

CD2 opens with a Pub Rock barnstormer by one of my favourite bands in the whole word – Dr. Feelgood making us all feel good with the fabulous "She Does It Right". Taken from their explosive debut "Down By The Jetty" (January 1975) – Wilko Johnson goes manic-man on his axe while one of the truly great leading men Lee Brilleaux snarls into the mike about his best baby. The Feelgoods would give us a 2nd LP in November of 1975 with "Malpractice" and then score big with their first live set in 1976 "Stupidity" which slammed its way to No.1 Fun and teenage memories come fast and furious for me with Charlie & The Wideboys and Fumble – the Fumble cut especially memorable (shame this comp didn't include "Keep On Knockin'" from their second LP "Poetry In Lotion" – a great rocker). The first of three superb unreleased in now unleashed. Flip City were fronted by a young Elvis Costello and his aching vocal is probably the best thing about the ballad "Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver)" – the kind of tune that might have sided say "Alison" on his 1977 "My Aim Is True" Debut LP on Stiff. Another smart inclusion is the slide-guitar bop of "Blow Me Down" – future New Waver Jona Lewie fronting Brent Martin & The Thunderbolts. But then we are hit with genuine class and another Previously Unreleased coup for "Surrender To The Rhythm" – the Bessie Smith meets Karen Dalton vocals of British female Blues Hero Jo-Ann Kelly going all Fats Domino rolling piano R&B on "Baby What You Want Me To Do" – great stuff. 

Stray ape the melodiousness of Brinsley Schwarz on their "As Long As You Feel Good" which is in turn followed by the pretty lilt of "Yellow Sox" – the Kursaal Flyers advising a pretty girl to not be so eager to give it away so fast to some schmuck who ain't worth it. Down and dirty and surprisingly tight – Razorback go all Joe Jackson energetic with their live "Jailbreaker" – a very New Wave bopper – shame the recording is obviously rougher that Grapefruit might have wanted – but I think it adds real urgency to the delivery (neat unreleased inclusion). The law has been around again to see me little brother – Chas & Dave laying into Cockney rhyming slang with their tale of a wayward cow-son in "One Fing 'n' Anuvver" (had a bleedin nuff of it). Tremendous, unexpected inclusion comes in the very Average White Band-funk of Stretch doing the superb "Why Did You Do It" – an actual British 45 chart hit about a misunderstanding with Mick Fleetwood. England's Fox were channelling their best America circa-72 on their lovely and hugely commercial "Whatever It's Worth" – an obvious identikit take on "A Horse With No Name" – fronted by Kenny Young instead of Noosha.

Creeping out of Pub Rock and inching towards British New Wave – The Count Bishops, Sean Tyla and Eddie & The Hot Rods start getting grittier with their rhythms – the guitar-and-harmonica manic-side of Dr. Feelgood influencing the lot of them. Salacious and even questionable is what you might call the leery "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (a ribald Randy Newman cover) – The Jess Roden Band letting rip with slide guitar and brass backing (Tom Jones, are you listening). Very much leaning into Funk with a little Punk on the side – Strapps hit us with jive and groove in the brilliant "Schoolgirl Funk" – although the naff lyrics would raise more than eyebrows in 2024. We race to the finish of CD2 with the mighty Phil Lynott and the Thin Lizzy Classic Rock masterpiece "Jailbreak" (March 1976 on Vertigo) – the first of two great LPs for 1976 ("Johnny The Fox" would be the other in November). Always with his way of penning a melody inside the riffage – the lovely and cool "Romeo And The Lonely Boy" features great solos too from Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham. 

Always loved the amazing Rock & Roll larynx of Gary Holton fronting the snot-nosed Boogie Band Heavy Metal Kids – once considered a replacement for Bon Scott after his loss for AC/DC - but drug dependency would eventually get the better of Holton. The Heavies and their "She's No Angel" will not win political-correctness awards any day soon for its less than enlightened lyrical content – but a worthy inclusion it is still. Not so sure though that I need the get-up-and-dance of Supercharge who come on sounding like some horrible hybrid of Kool & The Gang and Boney M (oh dear). Better finishers are the potence of what is to come – two 45s from Chiswick Records – Joe Strummer of The Clash inside The 101'ers (named after the house-number squat they lived in at Walterton Road in Maida Vale) and the hairy-assed boogie of The Gorillas – Pub Rock evolving into something deeper and more effecting than any of us could have known.

CD3 opens with the swagger brass of Moon lusting after a lady who is not leaving much to the poor boy and his imagination in "Don't Wear It". Chris Spedding was an ace axeman and long-time session-player but his "Bedsit Girl" is hardly gripping stuff. Time to go Soulful Rock - twice – Gonzalez doing a smooth cover of the Looking Glass hit "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" from 1972 and Scotland's Cado Belle fronted by the fabulous vocals of Maggie Reilly impressing with their wrong-side-of-despair "Stone's Throw From Nowhere". Cado Belle made only one self-titled album on Anchor Records (1976) and a 4-track EP in 1977 (see my separate review for a Cherry Red CD Remaster of that nugget). Cado Belle were a very popular band in Dublin at the time – the tune and LP sounding not unlike Boz Scaggs meets Average White Band balladry – impressive stuff. But for heart-pounding bliss – I am lost to Graham Parker with The Rumour – represented here with a revved-up Previously Unreleased live version of the fab "Back To Schoolboys" – oh yes baby.

Even after all these decades, I'm still seriously impressed by Paul Weller inside The Jam trashing their three-piece way through the Larry Williams mod R&B dancer "Slow Down" – God damn but The Jam were amazing right from the get-go - unbelievable energy and commitment. Unfortunately, even with the powerhouse vocals of Huey Lewis fronting Clover their contribution "Ain't Nobody Own Nobody's Soul" is weaker than I would like - while the Darts medley of The Rays (1957) and Little Richard (1956) Vocal Group and Rock & Roll hits "Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It" is an inspired choice - not just as cover versions - but placed here to liven up proceedings. We hit a very cool run of boppers - The Pleasers with their wickedly good "Rock 'n Roll" (what a great Unreleased inclusion) and a never-heard-it-before Demo version of "Young Lust" from Philip Rambow – the Canadian sounding like a anger-shaking Graham Parker (I loved that 1979 "Shooting Gallery" album from Rambow on EMI back in the day). Surprisingly smooth and even a tad out of place, I still nonetheless adore Chris Rea's debut 45 on Magnet "Fool (If You Think It's Over)" – his knack with a great melody screaming through the string-laden smooch. 

Pleasant surprise comes in the shape of ex-Brinsley Schwarz songwriter Ian Gomm doing a shiftily moody re-run of a Chuck Berry Chess Records classic "Come On". Smart audio follow-on comes from Rockpile mainman Billy Bremner doing "Creature From The Black Lagoon" – a very Dave Edmunds song because most of us lads know it from the Edmunds Swan Song Records LP "Repeat When Necessary". Time for some Stray Cats-type Rockabilly as Matchbox go "Gunning For The Dog" – pistol in hand – and revenge on their minds cause some fool ran their baby down. But good as Matchbox are – they get pummelled into the dust by an incendiary studio version of The Pirates doing Mick Green's "Shakin' All Over". I had honestly forgotten just how Punk this rocker was from the autumn of 1978 – wow! Despite their great band names – neither Sniff 'N' The Tears nor The Fabulous Poodles impress that much with two neither-here-nor-there 45s. Meal Ticket take a classic by The Band from 1970 and do a half-decent boogie version of "The Shape I'm In". Back to English eccentricity and musical innovation – Squeeze popping yet another great 45 – sunlight on the lino waking up our hero in the morning – but the "Goodbye Girl" in the hotel room from the night before is gone. Unfortunately, CD3 kind of limps home with two so-so singles from Streetband and The Meron Parkas – saved by a perfect finisher – a snotty head-jerking Dr. Feelgood-type Rocker from The Inmates singing the praises of late Seventies London.

If I am completely honest – I was expecting to be scorched by "Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" - but instead I got burned in some places then only mildly singed in others. But you must hand it to Grapefruit for assembling what I think is some of the best unreleased material on a threesome CD compilation I have ever heard. Throw in the myriad discoveries and fond remembrances of bands long forgotten – and you can understand why so many purchasers have loved this jaunt down dirty streets and into dank and sweaty bars with a stage smaller than a postage stamp. Pub Rock was cheap - it was cheerful and at times – it was fucking magnificent.

For a liberal dose of the vice that's nice – a squeeze or two in the lush backrooms of The Hope & Anchor with Nancy Naturals & Her Nighty Lesses – then "Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" is the saucy barmaid for you. Recommended…

"Desolation Angels" by BAD COMPANY – March 1979 Fifth Studio Album on Atlantic Records featuring Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell and Simon Kirke (January 2020 UK Swan Song/Rhino 40th Anniversary '2-CD Expanded Edition' Reissue with 19 Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks and New Jon Astley Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desolation-Angels-40th-Anniversary-Company/dp/B081WW8RKT?crid=1AH4NWA5WQ7ZF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.p3TYHuX9KAbYlXM5JIHRTg.Bh40EbMokb8X17EhVaxrm21oUWaDMawWGY9bgRzga7A&dib_tag=se&keywords=603497849345&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733487207&sprefix=603497849345%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=0b7cc5fa189454dbf1c4e38c4c772783&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall **** to *****

Presentation *****

Audio *****

"…Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy…"

45-years ago (in March 1979 when this album was released) - I was a dapper 20-year-old Hippie/New Wave musical hybrid. I would be 21 in September 1979 and much partying was had and hangovers acquired.

Picture the scene. Me and my head-shaking teen-tribe had grown-up on 1970 to 1974 sounds - and at heart were Rock Band enthusiasts. Sure, we got into Prog and Reggae and Soul and even Jazz Funk and we embraced the hedonistic explosion of ideas and sounds and Two-Tone genres that took place across 1977, 1978 and 1979 with hair-flying gusto. But deep down inside our Desert Boots, Scandi Clogs, Cheese Cloth Shirts and patch-sewn Wranglers (thanks gals) - I remained (like many) a Zep, Deep Purple, Free, Status Quo, Montrose kind of guy with some Doobie Brothers, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Jethro Tull, Cockney Rebel and Lou Reed thrown in to spice up the stew. And of course, we worshiped at the babe-laden feet of the no-nonsense crotch-stroking feel-like-making-lurve Rawk of England's Bad Company - a band millions loved back in the day and for good reason. 

So, after two initial wham-bam-thank-you-mam corkers in "Bad Co." and "Straight Shooter" in 1974 and 1975 followed unfortunately by two dismissible efforts in "Run With The Pack" and "Burnin' Sky" in 1976 and 1977 – the flash very-with-it Hipgnosis gatefold artwork of "Desolation Angels" caught my ravenous eye in March 1979. For most of us rockers, Bad Co. had been away and not in a good way. So, maybe this one would return us to the party-faithful – even be good in places – God forbid! And lo – in parts at least - "Desolation Angels" was a peach.

But what makes these '2-CD Extended Edition' reissues so damn good (this is No.5 in the series – see list below) is that you are not just getting the album raw as a new Remaster – you get the process that led to it. And man are some of these Outtakes and Alternate Versions good. The band is looser, the Rock rawks and Hell – it's even fun in places. And the final let down of the "Rough Diamonds" last LP in 1982 was years away and not yet in our minds. Bad Company were back and sounding snotty. To the details and the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasies…

UK released 10 January 2020 - "Desolation Angels" by BAD COMPANY on Swan Song/Rhino R2 607224 – 603497849345 (Barcode 603497849345) is a '40th Anniversary 2-CD Expanded Edition' Reissue and Remaster of their 5th studio Album from March 1979 on Swan Song Records. It comes with upgraded Digipak packaging, a 16-page colour booklet with new interviews, 19 Previously Unreleased Tracks and it plays out as follows:

CD1 Original Album Remastered (69:44 minutes): 
1. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy [Side 1]
2. Crazy Circles
3. Gone, Gone, Gone
4. Evil Wind
5. Early In The Morning
6. Lonely For Your Love [Side 2]
7. Oh, Atlanta
8. Take The Time
9. Rhythm Machine
10. She Brings Me Love
Tracks 1 to 10 are their fifth studio album "Desolation Angels" – released March 1979 in the UK on Swan Song SSK 59408 and March 1979 in the USA on Swan Song SS 8506. Produced by BAD COMPANY – it peaked at No.10 in the UK and No.3 in the USA on the LP charts

Bonus Tracks, Outtakes and Alternative Takes
11. Smokin' 45 (Alternative Version 1)
12. Smokin' 45 (Alternative Version 2)
13. Rock Fever (Outtake)
14. Oh, Atlanta (Slow Version with Fender Rhodes)
15. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (Alternative Version 1)
16. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (Alternative Version 2)
17. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (Alternative Version 3)
18. Crazy Circles (Alternative Version)

CD2 Bonus Tracks (45:16 minutes):
1. Gone, Gone, Gone (Alternative Version)
2. Early In The Morning (Alternative Version)
3. Lonely For Your Love (Alternative Version 1)
4. Take The Time (Alternative Version 1)
5. Evil Wind (Alternative Version)
6. Take The Time (Alternative Version 2)
7. Lonely For Your Love (Alternative Version 2)
8. She Brings Me Love (Alternative Version)
9. What Does It Matter (Blues Jam)
10. Rhythm Machine (Alternative Version)
11. Amen (A Capella)

The foldout card Digipak is pretty enough using those bleached white Hipgnosis photos the original LP gatefold did. But fans will prefer the four inside flaps all used to show rare 45-Single Picture Sleeves ("Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" and "Gone, Gone, Gone" from the USA and Japan) while the 16-page colour booklet has outtake photos, a two-page period-memorabilia collage shot plus 2019 liner-notes from fan and band-admirer DAVID CLAYTON who co-authored the book 'Heavy Load: The Story Of Free'. Drummer Kirke and Guitarist Ralphs contribute memories of the mammoth 86-show American Tour that began in April 1979 where the album and its two singles were well received. And even though Bad Co. had done only four shows in years in the UK – new gigs to support the 1979 album were met with Sold Out concerts and a huge resurgence in interest. Clayton also rightly praises the quality of the work-in-progress unreleased stuff that bolster up both CDs.

Audio Engineer JON ASTLEY of Who-fame has done the Remasters from original tapes and like all his transfers – muscle and clarity emanates from even the hookiest of things like the Gospel chant of Amen. Particularly digging the Smokin' 45 and Rock Fever outtakes and the Rough and Ready Blues Jam on CD2. To the bad boys and their mirror shades…

"Desolation Angels" opens with a treated guitar of "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" rolling across your speakers and here comes the jesters (one-two-three). It's a good start if not quite a great one. The Remaster pumps out that great guitar solo - all economy and doing the business. Acoustic guitars introduces the merry-go-round of life in 
"Crazy Circles" - a surprisingly uplifting song with more than a touch of Gordon Giltarp's 'Heartsong' in its structure. But proper riffage swagger arrives with the wickedly catchy "Gone, Gone, Gone" (better get the boys around and do some drinkin' fast). "Evil Wind" sounds amazingly clear and as it goes into that neck-jerking rhythm when the lyrics start - the extra oomph in the Remaster has upped its game - so Very Bad Co. The big ballad "Early In The Morning" ends Side 1 - sounding good if not entirely convincing - "Shooting Star" it ain't. 

Side 2 opens with "Lonely For Your Love" - an album highlight - a rollicking tune that could be AC/Dc-lite as Paul Rodgers stretches those high notes with his fantastic croaking voice. A hugely enjoyable tune. Harmonica and Rhythm combine for "Oh, Atlanta" - Rodgers an old hound dog roaming around Georgia's finest city. "Take The Time" is the kind of Bad Co. melody song I love - not rocking by any means - but just so good on the ear and head - the kind of hooky catchall that Free used to do so often. "Rhythm Machine" punches the Bass and Keyboards above a Funky Rock beat - the music man playing the Blues in his own fat-man way. Side 2 closes with what could have been single number three - the excellent mid-tempo ballad "She Brings Me Love" - another Paul Rodgers winner. The Remaster on this is gorgeous - warm and powerful. 

We now start in on the Alternates and Unreleased – and for me anyway - "Smokin' 45" is way better than some on the actual album. I like the lighter Take 1 but also dig the grittier Take 2 – very cool inclusions. Then comes another great outtake that I feel is better than "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" – I would have opened the album on "Rock Fever" – Ralphs doing the guitar parts with precision and heart while the organ gives it a joy that could be Humble Pie on a good day. Rodgers starts a Harmonica Blues with a shimmering electric piano note – the alternate version of "Oh, Atlanta" coming as a shock and a treat after being used the more rocking version on the released album. Then comes Takes 1, 2 and 3 of "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" which alter the finished version in small ways. CD1 ends with Supertramp-type walls of Acoustic Guitars on an Alternate of the rather good "Crazy Circles" (lovely gut-string guitar solo). 

For my own amusement, I programmed a new "Desolation Angels" running order for Side 1 & 2 that incorporates Album Tracks, Outtakes and Alternates and it rocks for me:

Side 1 Alternate

1. Gone, Gone, Gone (Alternate Version)

2. Smokin' 45 (Alternate Version 1)

3. Rock Fever (Outtake)

4. Evil Wind 

5. Crazy Circles

6. Early In The Morning  

Side 2 Alternate

1. Lonely For Your Love

2. Oh, Atlanta

3. Take The Time

4. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy 

5. She Brings Me Love

CD2 gives you a real feel of the evolvement process - an 11-track 45-minute romp through the riffs and melodies. Not surprisingly it opens with the 'stealing all my booze' swagger of "Gone, Gone, Gone" - the piano boogie up there with the guitars and harmony vocals to mighty effect. The melodious Side 1 closer "Early In The Morning" gets a softer approach on the 'Alternate Version' - cool to hear but the LP cut is better. "Lonely For Your Love" is a lot heavier on Version 1 - a bit ham-fisted and you can so hear why they settled on the warmer approach of the released version. There are two Alternates for "Take The Time" where it feels that Ralphs is working out what's best for his guitar approach - Rock with a Funky flick - I like both and their raw feel. The Alternate "Evil Wind" seems to have a recording fuzzy glitch as it starts which is a shame because it grooves with real power when it gets going. 

But my faves here are the very Free-meets Bad Co of "Lonely For Your Love" and the ballad "She Brings Me Love". I never really liked "Rhythm Machine" on the album - but I dig the rawness and great Production values of 'Alternative' on CD2 (Fats Domino got our boy interested - not The Beach Boys). The Blues Jam "What Does It Matter" is a studio goof where the band are having fun - working out ideas and grooves - and yet you can hear Bad Co. magic in their even when they're goofing around. "Amen" is what you think it is - an all-vocal A Capella version of the Gospel Traditional - interesting but slightly out of place really. 

I have enjoyed these Bad Company '2-CD Expanded Edition' splurges because like Free or The Faces or Humble Pie - they are a British band that fill me with joy and great memories. 

I know that not everything on the twofer "Desolation Angels" is Primo or Grade A - but man when Bad Company were good - they were the best and that's good enough for me to press the Basket Purchase button. Recommended...

Albums in the BAD COMPANY 2-CD Expanded Edition Series

1. Bad. Co [June 1974 Debut] 
April 2015 UK Swan Song/Rhino 081227955540 (Barcode is the same number)
13 Bonus Tracks – 10 Previously Unreleased Tracks Plus 3 Others First Issued in March 1999

2. Straight Shooter [April 1975 Second Album]
April 2015 UK on Swan Song/Rhino 081227955533 (Barcode is the same)
14 Bonus Tracks including Alternative Takes and Unreleased

3. Run With The Pack [January 1976 Third Studio Album]
May 2017 UK on Swan Song/Rhino 081227953645 (Barcode is the same)
14 Bonus Tracks including Alternative Takes, Demos and Previously Unreleased Outtakes

4. Burnin' Sky [March 1977 Fourth Studio Album]
May 2017 UK on Swan Song/Rhino 081227953676 (Barcode is the same)
14 Bonus Tracks including Alternative Versions, Outtakes, Rough Mixes

5. Desolation Angels [March 1979 Fifth Studio Album]
January 2020 UK Swan Song/Rhino R2 607224 – 603497849345 (Barcode 603497849345) 
19 Bonus Tracks including Previously Unreleased (all), Outtakes, Alternative Versions

NOTE:
Issued 2 August 2019 in the UK-EU - Bad Company's 'The Swan Song Years 1974-1982' on Swan Song/Rhino R2 584500 - 603497854592 (Barcode 603497854592) is a 6CD Box Set that contains 2015, 2017 and 2019 Remasters of their first five studio albums (as listed above) - but also has a new 2019 Remaster of their final studio album "Rough Diamonds" originally issued August 1982. 

There was/is a September 1994 UK CD Reissue of "Rough Diamonds" on Swan Song 7567-92452-2 (Barcode 075679245229) available singularly with a Ted Jensen Remaster – but the new 2019 Jon Astley Remaster version is only available in this Box Set.