"Open Your Heart: The Island Recordings 1972-1976" by JIM CAPALDI [of Traffic] – Features Three Albums "Oh How We Danced" (February 1972 Solo Debut after Traffic), "Whale Meat Again" (June 1974) and "Short Cut Draw Blood" (June 1975) Plus Five Bonus Non-LP 45-single Sides and a DVD with Concert Footage from November 1975 and March 1976 – Features Paul Kossoff of Free, Guitarists Pete Carr and Chris Spedding, Steve Winwood of Traffic and Blind Faith, Dave Mason, Chris Wood and Rebop of Traffic, Barry Beckett, Jimmy Johnson, David Hood and Roger 'The Hawk' Hawkins of The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Backing Singers Sue & Sunny and many more (March 2020 UK Esoteric Recordings 3CD+1DVD Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves and Remasters from Original Island Records Master Tapes by Paschal Byrne) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Open-Heart-Island-Recordings-1972-1976/dp/B083XVYPL4?crid=38YSH4MW2IW5I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FU8ZhyaSUMQbz9bulpBudA.rTGuEsvNRY-O3zlEXz8peAtxqPrkaI59SaCdNTXpd_Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=5013929481282&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1730749172&sprefix=5013929481282%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_3M_AUTOMATED&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=da1f87bc06dc6c891128d1ccaf86dfc1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Material *** to ****

Presentation ****

Audio *****

"…Short Cut Draw Blood…"

In hindsight, so many reviewers in the 00s, 10s and 20s have been kind and generous in their praise to the music of Jim Capaldi. I mention this in late 2024 because when I was growing up and buying these sorts of albums between 1972 and 1975 – the general viewpoint was different. 

Some of his Island records album had good moments – but most were ordinary and even poor despite the stellar line-ups of guest musicians I have outlined below. And he has never had the best of voices either. Most of his Traffic compatriots were on the LPs alongside luminaries like Paul Kossoff of Free, Jess Roden of Bronco, ace axeman Chris Spedding, the Muscles Shoals House Band and even occasional inspiration from Viv Stanshall of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. But one look at auction sites and you will see hundreds of these albums on sale for under a pound and unfortunately even less. 

But – and this is the big but here – since the release of the June 2011 Universal 4CD Book Set "Dear Mr. Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story" (covering his music from 1964 to 2004) and now this - "Open Your Heart: The Island Recordings 1972-1976" – both sets beautifully 24-bit Digitally remastered by PASCHAL BYRNE from original tapes – it is time for me to bury my growing-up prejudice and re-listen. 
There is much to like here – rediscover too. None are masterpieces by any stretch of the imagination – but with that visual element too which I had not seen before – time to buckle up, grab the Bic Razor and draw chin-blood again. Oh How We Danced indeed – here are the heartfelt details…

UK released 27 March 2020 - "Open Your Heart: The Island Recordings 1972-1976" by JIM CAPALDI on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 42712 (Barcode 5013929481282) is a 3CD+1DVD Clamshell Box Set (Three Albums Plus Five Bonus Tracks and Concert Footage from 1975 and 1976 on the DVD) that plays out as follows:

CD1 "Oh How We Danced" (40:57 minutes):
1. Eve [Side 1]
2. Big Thirst
3. Love Is All You Can Try
4. Last Day Of Dawn
5. Don't Be A Hero [Side 2]
6. Open Your Heart
7. How Much Can A Man Really Take
8. Oh How We Danced
Tracks 1 to 8 are his debut solo album (after Traffic) "Oh How We Danced" – released February 1972 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9187. Produced by JIM CAPALDI and CHRIS BLACKWELL – the Band included Steve Winwood of Traffic and Blind Faith on Organ and Guitar, Jimmy Johnson (Guitar), David Hood (Bass) and Roger Hawkins (Drums) of The Muscle Shoals House Band, Dave Mason, Chris Wood and Rebop Kwaku Baah of Traffic, Paul Kossoff of Free on Guitar, Barry Beckett on Keyboards, Rick Grech of Traffic, Blind Faith, Ginger Baker's Airforce and Family, Trevor Burton and Jim Gordon and more

BONUS TRACK:
9. Going Down Slow All The Way (March 1972 UK 7" 45-single on Island Records WIP 6127, Non-LP B-side to "Eve")

CD2 "Whale Meat Again" (47:13 minutes):
1. It's Alright [Side 1]
2. Whale Meat Again
3. Yellow Sun
4. I've Got So Much Lovin'
5. Low Rider [Side 2]
6. My Brother
7. Summer Is Fading
8. We'll Meet Again
Tracks 1 to 8 are his second studio album "Whale Meat Again" – released June 1974 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9254. Produced by JIM CAPALDI – the band included Pete Carr, Jimmie Johnson and Bubs White on Guitars, Barry Beckett and John "Rabbit" Bundrick on Keyboards, Chris Stainton of The Grease Band, Steve Winwood and Rebop Kwaku Baah of Traffic with the Muscles Shoals House Band

BONUS TRACK:
9. Tricky Dicky Rides Again (June 1973 UK 7" 45-single on Island Records WIP 6165, A-side (Non-LP). The B-side in the UK was the album track "Whale Meat Again", however, in the USA it was issued and credited (March 1973) as "Tricky Dickie Rides Again" on Island Records USA IS 1216 with "Love Is All You Can Try" from the debut album as its flipside

CD3 "Short Cut Draw Blood" (56:21 minutes):
1 Goodbye Love[Side 1]
2. It's All Up To You
3. Love Hurts
4. Johnny Too Bad
5. Short Cut, Draw Blood
6. Living On A Marble [Side 2]
7. Boy With A Problem
8. Keep On Trying
9. Seagull
Tracks 1 to 9 are his third solo album "Short Cut Draw Blood" – released June 1975 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9336. Produced by JIM CAPALDI, CHRIS BLACKWELL and STEVE SMITH – the band featured Jess Roden of Bronco, Chris Spedding, Pete Carr, Paul Kossoff of Free, Pete Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary and Jimmy Johnson on Guitars, Barry Beckett on Keyboards, Ray Allen on Saxophone, Chris Stainton of The Grease Band, Steve Winwood, Gerry Conway of Fotheringay, Chris Wood and Rebop Kwaku Baah of Traffic, the Muscles Shoals House Band and more

BONUS TRACKS:
10. Sugar Honey (October 1975 UK 7" 45-single on Island Records WIP 6246, Non-LP B-side to "Love Hurts")
1

1. Talkin' About My Baby 
12. Still Talkin'
Tracks 11 and 12 are the Non-LP A&B-sides on an April 1976 UK 7" 45-single on Island Records WIP 6299 (no US issue)

DVD (NTSC, All Regions)
Jim Capaldi Band 
18 November 1975 - BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test

Intro by Bob Harris
1. Short Cut, Draw Blood
2. Goodbye Love

Band featured:
Jim Capaldi on Guitar and Lead Vocals, Steve Winwood on Piano, Pete Bonas on Lead Guitar, Kiki Gyan on Organ, Ray Allen on Saxophone, Rosko Gee on Bass, Remi Kabaka on Drums and Percussion with Phil Capaldi on Percussion and Backing Vocals

Jim Capaldi and the Space Cadets
10 March 1976 – Live at the BBC Television Theatre in London
For the BBC TV programme – The Old Grey Whistle Test

Intro by Bob Harris
1. Low Rider
2. Love Hurts
3. Goodbye Love
4. Elixir Of Love
5. Boy With A Problem
6. Short Ends
7. Talkin' About My Baby
8. Keep On Trying
Band featured:
Jim Capaldi on Guitar and Lead Vocals, Pete Bonas on Lead Guitar, Kiki Gyan on Organ, Ray Allen on Saxophone, Rosko Gee on Bass, Remi Kabaka on Drums and Percussion, Phil Capaldi on Percussion and Backing Vocals with Ralph Richardson on Steel Drums

The small Clamshell Box Set contains four Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves with Picture CDs inside – three albums and a DVD. The card sleeves are named after the Box set and therefore don’t really reflect the original artwork as it was (as per the photos provided), and their rears have other photos than the original releases (none are gatefolds and any inners plus info is now in the booklet). The 28-page booklet helmed by PAUL MINKKINEN is a pleasingly in-depth affair – colour photos – repros of those lovely cartoons on the inner sleeve of "Whale Meat Again" that reflected each song title – the band-photos of "Oh How We Danced" (Paul Kossoff either asleep or stoned) - album-by-album credits in the closing pages alongside reissue credits (no lyrics though). Capaldi would go on to eleven more albums, but as Minkkinen points out, most fans gravitate towards these Seventies Funk-Rock and Soft-Rock moments accompanied by many buddies from Traffic, The Grease Band and even Fotheringay. A lovely inclusion too is the Bonus 45-single sides. 

But for me – re-hearing records I never really rated – the best news is the amazing Audio clarity on offer here. PASCHAL BYRNE has had his Engineer name on wads of Cherry Red UK reissues especially for their Esoteric Recordings label offshoot. I made immediately not for the obvious hit "Love Hurts" but for a Funk Rock gem I have loved for nearly fifty years - "Low Rider" – and wowser is the response. These were well-crafted and well-recorded albums and the sheer Funkiness of The Muscle Shoals House Band that he used - Jimmy Johnson on Guitar, David Hood on Bass with Roger "The Hawk" Hawkins on Drums and Barry Beckett on Keyboards – made the rhythm section feel like they were in the pocket - on Average White band tablets. The strings are admittedly overdone in places, but overall – the Audio is first class – clear and alive like you would want it. To the music…

His February 1972 debut album (after Traffic) "Oh How We Danced" opens on the slightly-weedy "Eve" – a mid-tempo woman-child tune. Far better is the slow ballad blues of "Big Thirst" – a co-write with Dave Mason - everyone hoping for a miracle to drive away the pain. Barry Beckett provides Soulful Organ, Sue and Sunny lady backing vocals, Dave Mason a Harmonica solo while Paul Kossoff of Free makes a first appearance on Guitar. Things turn to Piano Bop (Barry Beckett) with "Love Is All We Can Try" where both vocally and musically Capaldi sounds another Island Records fave – Bryn Haworth (Steve Winwood picks electric guitar in your left speaker). Side 1 ends with the acoustic-frantic "Last Day of Dawn" – Kossoff getting guitar funky while Rebop of Traffic and Roger Hawkins with David hood of The Muscle Shoals House Band give the backbeat a Funk.

The six-minute "Don't Be A Hero" opens Side 2 – again a mellow Capaldi telling us not to be sad – and while the musicians do him proud (both Kossoff and Mason on Guitar with Mason soloing) – his weak vocals kind of sink its epic build up and sway (sounds so good though). The song that entitles the Box Set "Open Your Heart" reunited Steve Winwood (Organ and Vocals) with fellow Traffic pal Chris Wood on Electric Sax which Rick Grech hits those soft Bass notes. Wood plays Flute on "How Much Can A Man Take" while sessionman legend Trevor Burton plays Bass and again Kossoff staying in the Rhythm Section background throughout. A good tune but again his voice kind of does for any impact. The LP finishes with a fast one – the Piano and Bass pulsating beat of "Oh How We Danced" where (finally) Kossoff gets to let rip on a guitar solo while The Muscle Shoals Horns get brassy in the mix. A good album then, rather than great. The piano-ballad Non-LP B-side "Going Down Slow All The Way" is excellent and you wonder why it did not get on the LP instead of the weaker "Eve".

Album number two - the wittily entitled "Whale Meat Again" arrived June 1974 – a full two-years after the debut – but the band remained roughly the same. I rate it much more than the starter album. Side 1 opens with a sort of happy-go-lucky Caribbean Island vibe in "It's Alright" that nicks some of its Acoustic moments from a famous George Harrison song on Abbey Road. Both Pete Carr (on Lead) and Jimmy Johnson have loads of guitar moments on the Blues Rock swagger of the album title track "Whale Meat Again" – a destruction of the environment angry song anchored by Ian "Rabbit" Bundrick on Keyboards while The Muscle Shoals Horns get classy halfway through. "Yellow Sun" is the big seven-minute ballad for Side 1 that sees Pete Carr switch to Dobro Slide while Jimmy Johnson handles the Guitars and Chris Stainton of The Grease Band plays mellow Organ. Barry Beckett on piano (comes in about the three-minute mark) rounds off a classy line-up on the undoubted LP highlight. The band gets Funky with the backbeat for "I've Got So Much Lovin'" – a downtown LA bopper that is abided by Lady Singers echoing most lines. Could have been a good single too but Island UK chose "It's All Up To You" b/w "Whale Meat Again" for the July 1974 45-single (which did not chart). 

Side 2 of "Whale Meat Again" opens with the brilliant Rock-Funk of "Low Rider" – a shadow man with lightning in his satchel designed to meet your needs. Harry Robinson arranged the cool strings as the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section get deep into the groove – Pete Carr making the Lead Guitar Solo count for every second. "Low Rider" runs to 5:40 minutes - but you can’t help think that Island missed a trick here with an Edited Down 45-single that might have caught the AWB-crowd neck-jerking to "Pick Up The Pieces" over on Atlantic Records. "My Brother" comes sailing out of your speakers with fab clarity but his echoed strangulated vocals are more irritating than effective – shame because the band achieves a sexy groove (Barry Beckett puts in a rare Synth solo). The second album ends with a two-parter – 8:30 minutes of "Summer Is Fading" that segue into a one and half-minute orchestrated strings cover of the old WWII Vera Lynn classic "We'll Meet Again". Starting out slow like a Traffic groove – Bub White takes Lead Guitar on "Summer Is Fading" that soon gets soloing frantic to only return to slow. The Vera Lynn thing has gorgeous string arrangements but is ruined by silly shouting.

Coming before the 1974 "Whale Meat Again" album hit the shops, the 45-single "Tricky Dicky Rides Again" from June 1973 on Island WIP 6165 whetted appetites. Fans want it because it features PAUL KOSSOFF of FREE on Guitar (it later appeared as "Dirty Business" – a remake on JC’s "Contender" album in February 1978 on Polydor Records) – but you might have difficulty actually hearing him through the rowdy proceedings until the end (great solo). Speaking of ace axeman Kossoff, unfortunately, the track "You And Me" which was also recorded with Capaldi and The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section in the 1975 sessions for "Short Cut Draw Blood" is not here. "You And Me" first appeared on the "Koss" double-album anthology in 1977 on Island Records, but its digital appearance is exclusive to the June 2011 4CD Book Set "Dear Mr. Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story" (probably not here for licensing reasons).

Nicking a Carole King Tapestry piano intro - "Goodbye Love" comes Funky-shimmying into your living room and production values are higher than ever. Steve Winwood contributes to the slinky backbeat with Organ, Guitar, Bass and Piano whilst Ray Allen pops in those Saxophone jabs. Commerciality comes screaming through the lovely catchy-chorus of "It's All Up To You" (a minor hit single) – Clavinet and Keyboards by John "Rabbit" Bundrick with Jess Roden on Guitar (ex-Bronco, on a solo career in 1975). I doubt either Keyboardists Steve Winwood or Jean Roussel thought that a cover version of an Everly Brothers hit "Love Hurts" would go Top 5 for Capaldi was conspicuously absent from either single or LP charts. Legendary session Drummer Jerry Conway (of Fotheringay) and licks-for-hire turning-solo-artist the following year Chris Spedding plays guitar. Jamaican Reggae act The Slicker would see his 1971 UK 45-single on Punch Records PH 59 "Johnny (Too) Bad" be taken by both Jim Capaldi and John Martyn into superb cover versions. While the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Horns keep the shuffling Reggae-Rock beat tight in the pocket – listen (real) close and you will just about catch Pete Yarrow of 60ts Folkies Peter, Paul & Mary playing Acoustic Guitar. Side 1 of "Short Cut Draw Blood" ends with the title song – a good guitar-chugging builder that features both Pete Carr and Chris Spedding on Guitars (Rebop of Traffic is in their too doing his Percussion thing).

Side 2 of "Short Cut Draw Blood" opens with the decentralization-needed angry "Love On A Marble" – both Jimmy Johnson and Chris Spedding contributing electric guitars, Chris on Lead (Pete Carr on Acoustic) while Steve Winwood quietly plucks a Bass. An impressive Rock-Romp, Capaldi sparts rapping politico statements towards the frantic ending. "Boy With A Problem" boasts another impressive line-up – Kossoff gets Lead Guitar while Jimmy Johnson does Rhythm with Steve Winwood on Synth. The slink and strings are strong with this one – a tune where a mother worries about her son who is too often away with the clouds. This excellent number is once again anchored by superlative Soulful piano fills from Barry Beckett giving the song an edgy Rock-Funkiness. Trombonist Ray Rodriguez joins in the falsely joyful giggling and voices of "Keep On Trying" – an attempt at Rock-Calypso that involves Steve Winwood, Rebop and Saxophonist Ray Allen that feels forced today. A good album ends of the quietly pretty "Seagull" – Capaldi singing with only three people – Steve Winwood on all Keyboards, fellow Traffic pal Chris Wood on Flute with Drummer Remi Kabaka of Third World keeping a rhythm going to the sea-and-surf sounds. And of the three single-sides, the very Simon & Garfunkel guitar-funky "Sugar Honey" is excellent but the overly poppy "Talkin’ About My Baby" is weak and its useless B-side not a whole lot better.

For true JP aficionados the All-Regions DVD is going to be a real treat. After an Esoteric Recordings logo, you get a two-concert menu – both Old Grey Whistle Test shows introduced by Bob Harris. The first in 1975 is in their studio and the big band are not just tight and sounding great – but seriously well-rehearsed. Both shows are in TV Box Format so there is no getting away from that and the footage has that faded look – but the audio is shockingly good. With Capaldi on Acoustic and in fine voice, "Short Cut Draw Blood" draws to a suitably frantic finish – guitarist Pete Bonas impressing. But things really start to light up when you see Steve Winwood on Piano introduce "Goodbye Love" as a sort of Low Spark of The High-Heeled Boys Part 2 (in other words it feels like Traffic circa 1972). Its Carole King piano intro leads to a sexy funky sinewy groove – very cool. 

The TV Theatre show is much longer and again the footage Boxed and flitting between worn and clear depending on how close the cameraman gets. The audio does the same – one minute ok – the next fantastic – usually as the sound people get the measure of the show as the amps warm. It is essentially the same band, Ghana percussionists and drummer, Rosko Gee with his top hat and cool Bass Guitar looking like that villain from Jamaica in the Bond film "Live And Let Die". When Capaldi sits at the piano alone for "Short Ends", his voice lets him down somewhat. In short, it is a mellow-ish gig – good but low on any real excitement for me. But to have 40-minutes of Capaldi and his band in their prime is a plus. A very nice find. 

Jim Capaldi was not Steve Winwood – did not have his voice or writing chops – but I now realize after a re-listen that when JC hit that mark and his band was cooking – reappraisal is very much in order…