"Spooky/Mamas And Papas-Soul Train/Traces/Song" by CLASSICS IV – March 1968 US Debut Album, December 1968 US Second Album, April 1969 US Third Album and August 1970 US Fourth Album – All On Imperial Records And In Stereo – Featuring Dennis Yost, James R. Cobb, Buddy Buie, Emory Gordy, Lari Goss, Don Tweedy and more (November 2018 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 4LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spooky-Mamas-Papas-Train-Traces/dp/B07HGR7GY5?crid=AZF44948KDFA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WK-YPyrTjFi7mu9i6h5Y5Q.gEZ1sUyq4ez-YO__jflzs4CZWdG_WoXutIXiQ34PdX8&dib_tag=se&keywords=5017261213679&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729521397&sprefix=5017261213679%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=f7fe014bd8a684b4abaa991446a8ff45&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Material ***

Presentation and Audio **** to *****

"…Love Is Kinda Crazy…"

Formed as far back as 1965 and hailing out of Jacksonville, Florida – the all-American Pop & Beat Band CLASSICS IV hit career pay-dirt with their re-arrangement of a 1966 song called "Spooky" and its release on 45 in late September 1967. Imperial 66259 caught the sensual cool of the Summer of Love perfectly and would soon race up to No.3 on the US Billboard charts in early 1968. It even made inroads in good old Blighty who liked it - but were less excited – so "Spooky" made a reasonable but slightly underwhelming No.46 there when released February 1968 on Liberty Records LBF 15051 (none of their four LP platters got an album release in the UK).

The US Imperial Records album of the same name inevitably followed in March 1968 - as did a slew of hipster cover versions stretching forward at least two years – not least of all by our own chanteuse of the airwaves Dusty Springfield. Her September 1970 45-Single on Philips 6006 045 (although relegated to a B-side of "How Can I Be Sure") almost matched the shimmering silk vibe of the original. A double-whammy combo of sides if there was one. 

And that is where our intrepid but spooked reissue heroes over at Beat Goes On Records in Ing-ger-land come a shimmying in. Here are the kinda crazy details…

UK released Friday, 9 November 2018 (December 2018 in the USA) - "Spooky/Mamas And Papas-Soul Train/Traces/Song" by CLASSICS IV on Beat Goes On BGOCD1367 (Barcode 5017261213679) is a Compilation that offers Four Albums Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

CD1 (52:49 minutes):
1. Daydream Believer [Side 1]
2. You Are My Sunshine
3. The Letter
4. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
5. Goin' Out Of My Mind
6. Mary, Mary Row Your Boat [side 2]
7. Bus Stop
8. Just Between You And Me
9. Poor People
10. Book A Trip 
11. Spooky
Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "Spooky" – released March 1968 in the USA on Imperial LP-12371 (Stereo) – no UK release

12. Soul Train [Side 1]
13. Bed Of Roses
14. Strange Changes
15. Ladies Man
16. Waves
17. Stormy [Side 2]
18. Mama's And Papa's
19. Pity The Fool
20. It Ain't Necessarily So
21. 24 Hours Of Loneliness
22. The Girl From Ipanema (Garota De Ipanema)
Tracks 12 to 22 are their second studio album "Mamas And Papas/Soul Train" – released December 1968 in the USA on Imperial LP-12407 (Stereo) – no UK release

CD2 (61:36 minutes):
1. Everyday With You Girl [Side 1]
2. Mr. Blue
3. Sunny
4. Free
5. Traces
6. Something I'll Remember
7. Our Day Will Come [Side 2]
8. Rainy Day
9. Traffic Jam
10. Sentimental Lady
11. Nobody Loves You But Me
Tracks 1 to 11 are their third studio album "Song" – released April 1969 in the USA on Imperial LP-12429 (Stereo) – no UK release

12. Where Did All The Good Times Go [Side 1]
13. The Comic
14. Cherryhill Park
15. Pick Up The Pieces
16. We Miss You
17. God Knows I Loved Her
18. Midnight [Side 2]
19. Most Of All
20. Ain't It The Truth
21. The Funniest Thing
22. Nobody Loves You But Me
Tracks 12 to 22 are their fourth studio album "Song" (credited to Dennis Yost & The Classics IV) – released August 1970 in the USA on Imperial LST-11033 (Stereo) – no UK release

The 22-page booklet within the outer card slipcase offers all front and rear artwork repro'd across the first eleven pages – that memory-fest followed by in-depth CHARLES WARING liner notes (contributor for Mojo) where he valiantly tries to get us to believe that their music was good – most if it was not. But it also involves interviews – internet references – and great ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters that really make these well-produced albums shine. To the tunes…

Their "Spooky" debut album opens on a weedy moment - a cover of the popular Monkees hit "Daydream Believer" but is soon redeemed by a Funky Groove meets Garage Swagger & Lip remodel of an old 1930s standard "You Are My Sunshine" - Dennis Yost channelling his inner James Brown in stage-exiting pain (yow!). Next up is another well produced cover - "The Letter" by The Box Tops. And for sure by now, you have noticed that there are too many covers and therein lies the danger. This is compounded by an awful deep-voiced stab at the Jimmy Webb classic made famous by Glen Campbell "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" - but they slightly redeem themselves with a Frankie Valli type vocal on the Little Anthony & The Imperials soft-Soul gem "Goin' Out Of My Head". At last we get an original song - "Mary, Mary Row Your Boat" closing out Side 1. Written by J.R. Cobb it sounds similar to the "Spooky" groove but with a more upbeat feel. 

Side 2 opens with a stab at The Hollies' 1966 pop hit "Bus Stop" - Classics IV going all Jam 'Start' with their jerky-rhythm interpretation. More originals with "Just Between You And me" and "Poor People" but they are both average - the first plodding - the second la-la-la dippy silly. Love with a pill is their destination in "Book A Trip" - a good tune - and of course the album finishes with the spectacular "Spooky" - here in glorious Stereo and shimmering in all the right kinda-groovy places (let's go to a movie with a spooky little girl like you). 

The second album from 1968 goes a little more Rhythm 'n' Blues - the boys trying to ride that Train to Groovesville. Both "Bed Of Roses" and the opener "Soul Train" try hard to make their brass and strings-charts mark but the Dwayne Eddy guitar twang of "Strange Changes" is better. "Ladies Man" goes on about cheaters and again the Buie/Cobb written "Waves" sounds too much like poor-man's 5th Dimension. The ever-so-slightly-soundalike "Stormy" to "Spooky" was a successful 'you are the sunshine baby' 45. Imperial 63328 paired it with "24 Hours Of Loneliness"  from Side 2 of the album. But the rest of the LP - beautifully produced or no - feels like Lounge Music - and not in a good way. 

Come 1969 and album number three "Traces" the love-you-more-and-more-and-more saccharine is poured on with regrettable tunes like "Everyday With You Girl" and "Mr. Blue" and an elevator-ready "Our Day Will Come". They go back to that-winning 'Spooky' feel by going at "Sunny" - that saxophone solo giving it some serious muscle. Two of the third's albums better tracks follow - the out-of-jail "Free" (chains and sorrow, a thing of the past) and the acoustic-driven title track "Traces" - a soft-soap faded-photographs ballad - the sort of ribbons-from-her-hair gloop that might have ended the credits of a movie that's trying to hard to be sincere. And on it goes - a weedy and avoidable LP. 

By the time we get to album number four - they are now credited as Dennis Yost & The Classic IV and the Production values are full-on professional. Guitarist James R. Cobb and Producer/Arranger Buddy Buie penned most of the "Song" LP - but again it's too many overcooked Donny Osmond 'Puppy Love' type tunes with syrupy lyrics and walls of violins. By the time you get to "God Knows I Loved Her" - you've had enough of the second-rate Frankie Valli soundalikes. 

They of the one-word hit-song wonders ("Spooky", "Stormy" and "Traces") were an American chart phenomenon and yet these albums are available for under a pound on well-known auction sites. Unfortunately when you have to wade through them - you can so understand why. Dennis Host would go on to form and nail more Radio-Friendly success with Atlanta Rhythm Section (no less than seven BGO releases of their catalogue are featured on the rear inlay advert insert - see photos). 

"Spooky/Mamas And Papas-Soul Train/Traces/Song" by CLASSICS IV isn't genius for damn sure - and for my palette - too much of this admittedly beautifully recorded stuff is ordinary and dismissible (very three-star stuff). But fans will need to own it and you must give the nod to BGO who have once again fed our Transatlantic fixation with another quality presentation. Just go easy on that 'they'll all be like the cool and sassy Spooky' thought process...

"Leaving It All Behind/Move Along/Alotta' Mileage Plus Bonus Tracks" by THE GRASS ROOTS – Featuring Their Fifth, Sixth and Seventh US LPs from 1969 (1970 UK), 1972 and 1973 on ABC Dunhill Records in the USA and Stateside and Probe Records in the UK - Plus Bonus Tracks – Fifteen Non-LP 45-Single Sides from 1966 to 1973 (November 2023 UK Beat Goes on (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs Plus Fourteen 45-Single-Sides onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-Behind-Along-Alotta-Mileage/dp/B0CHPQP724?crid=1SAXOA9Z1L925&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uI245PCKZt1ibNdQaKZ2gw.VjMMtkBeTD0r3Zu1ZpdedzTpb9ptKt9cA9UoWR3HBAw&dib_tag=se&keywords=5017261215109&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729363091&sprefix=5017261215109%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=0088a60a3941e2554326d9342ba3409a&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Material *** to ****

Audio **** to *****

Presentation: *****

"…Leaving It All Behind…"

Back in April 2022, reissue specialists Beat Goes On Records (BGO) of the UK put out the first four American albums by popular Billboard chart-act The Grass Roots. The 1966 debut was "Where Were You When I Needed You" followed by "Let's Live For Today" in 1967 - "Feelings" came in 1968 and "Lovin' Things" in early 1969. With 4 whole LPs Remastered onto 2CDs – BGOCD1478 (Barcode 5017261214782) representing serious value for money (and still does – see separate review).

Well, here in November 2023, BGO continues that exploration with another foursome compilation onto two discs – their fifth, sixth and seventh studio platters plus a whopping Fourteen 45-single sides (Non-LP A & B-sides) as Bonuses - all but making up a fourth album. Leaving it all behind indeed.

As with so much of their material, there are reasons why their vinyl does not go for money some 50-plus-years after the events. It is not all genus for damn sure, not by a long shot to my ears, but genre fans will love it and period curious hunters of Pop, Garage and Rock nuggets have much to rediscover. And those rare single-sides are a brilliant move by BGO. Lot to get through, so onwards to the moving along…

UK released 3 November 2023 - "Leaving It All Behind/Move Along/Alotta' Mileage Plus Bonus Tracks" by THE GRASS ROOTS on Beat Goes on BGOCD1510 (Barcode 5017261215109) is a Compilation of 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs Plus 15 Bonus 45-Single A&B Sides (on CD2) that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (68:12 minutes):
1. I'm Livin' For You Girl [Side 1]
2. Back To Dreamin' Again
3. Out Of This World
4. Melinda Love
5. Don’t Remind Me
6. Take Him While You Can
7. Heaven Knows [Side 2]
8. Walking Through The Country
9. Something's Comin' Over Me
10. Truck Drivin' Man
11. Wait A Million Years
Tracks 1 to 11 are their fifth album "Leaving It All Behind" – released December 1969 in the USA on ABC/Dunhill DS 50067 and March 1970 in the UK on Stateside SSL 5012 in Stereo. Produced by STEVE BARRI (Engineered by Roger Nichols, Strings by Jimmie Haskell) – the band featured Warren Entner on Vocals and Guitar, Rob Grill on Bass and Vocals with Guitarist Terry Furlong, Keyboardist Dennis Provisor and Drummer Rick Coonce.

12. The Runway [Side 1]
13. Monday Love
14. Anyway The Wind Blows
15. Runnin' Just To Get Her Home Again
16. Two Divided By Love
17. Someone To Love
18. Face The Music [Side 2]
19. Move Along
20. One Word 
21. Only One
22. Glory Bound
Tracks 12 to 22 are their sixth album "Move Along" – released June 1972 in the USA on Dunhill/ABC Records DSX-50112 – ABC SW-94786 and August 1972 in the UK on Probe SPB 1058. Produced by STEVE BARRI (Engineers Roger Nichols and Phil Kaye, String Arrangements Jimmie Haskell) - the band featured Warren Entner on Vocals and Guitar, "Uncle" Virgil Webber on Keyboards, Reed Kailing on Guitar, Rob Grill on Bass and Vocals with Joel Larson on Drums. 

CD2 (75:59 minutes):
1. Where There's Smoke There's Fire [Side 1]
2. Pick Up Your Feet
3. You've Got To Bend With The Breeze
4. Just A Little Tear
5. Ain't No Way To Go Home
6. Claudia
7. Love Is What You Make It [Side 2]
8. Look But Don't Touch
9. Ballad Of Billy Joe
10. We Almost Made It Together
11. Little Bit Of Love
Tracks 1 to 11 are their seventh album "Alotta' Mileage" – released May 1973 in the USA on Dunhill DSX-50137 (no UK issue). Produced by STEVE BARRI - the band featured Warren Entner on Vocals and Guitar, "Uncle" Virgil Webber on Keyboards, Reed Kailing on Guitar, Rob Grill on Bass and Vocals with Joel Larson on Drums. 

BONUS TRACKS (Exclusive 45-Single Sides): 
12. You're A Lonely Girl – September 1965 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4013, Non-LP B-side to "Mr. Jones (Ballad Of A Thin Man)"

13. (These Are) Bad Times – April 1966 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4029, Non-LP B-side to "Where Were You When I Needed You"

14. Depressed Feeling – April 1967 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4048, Non-LP B-side of "Let's Live For Today"

15. Midnight Confessions – June 1968 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4144, A-side

16. Bella Linda – November 1968 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4162, A-side

17. I'd Wait A Million Years – June 1969 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4198, A

18. Baby Hold On
19. Get It Together – Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of an April 1970 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4237

20. Come On And Say It – September 1970 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4249, A-side ("Something's Comin' Over Me" from the "Leaving It All Behind" album is the B-side)

21. Temptation Eyes
22. Keepin' Me Down – Tracks 21 and 22 are the A&B-sides of a December 1970 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4263

23. Sooner Or Later
24. I Can Turn Off The Rain – Tracks 23 and 24 are the A&B-sides of a May 1971 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4279

25. We Can't Dance To Your Music – September 1973 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4371, A-side ("Look But Don't Touch" from the "Alotta' Mileage" album is the B-side)

As with all these Beat Goes On 2CD compilations – the outer card slipcase looks classy while the 20-page booklet is a properly chunky affair – repro artwork at the start – all those rare US and Euro picture sleeves forming a montage on the back page – and all of it centred by liner notes from Mojo contributor CHARLES WARING that goes deep into the history. UK fans will probably look at these album covers and squint because The Grass Roots were never anything in Blighty – but they charted in the USA. Waring documents 45-by-45, chart positions, the albums, the band personnel that stuck together album-after-album.

Our compilation opens with their second album in a busy 1969 - "Leaving It All Behind". Many months prior, Dunhill took a shorter cut of the LP track "Wait A Million Years" (called "I'd Wait A Million Years" on the initial 45) and coupled it with a song that finished Side 2 of the previous album "Lovin' Things" (March 1969) called "Fly Me To Havana". It did well, rising to No.15 on the Billboard charts. A couple of months before the album hit the shops in December – Dunhill tested the US market again but this time with two from the new LP - "Heaven Knows" b/w "Don't Remind Me". It made No.24. 

You could call these Rob Grill-voiced stabs at Motownesque dancefloor sensibility almost White Boys Soul. To that end, Dunhill staff-writer Kenny Nolan (soon to have a career of his own) composed "Back To Dreamin' Again" for The Grass Roots – but his real ear for Soulfulness would show as co-author of two mid-Seventies classics - "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle and "My Eyes Adored You" for Frankie Valli. Another tasty period morsel on the "Leaving It All Behind" album is the Beatle-ish harmonies of "Melinda Love" – a co-write between singer Entner and Producer Barri. Overall - I would call "Leaving..." a 3-star album (Steely Dan nerds might want to note the Roger Nichols credit as Engineer - whilst Arrangement hounds will immediately know the name Jimmie Haskell).

Album number six "Move Along" from June 1972 (number two in the collection) saw the line-up drop Guitarist Terry Furlong, Keyboardist Dennis Provisor and Drummer Rick Coonce - replaced with Reed Kailing (Guitars), 'Uncle' Virgil Webber (Keyboards) with new Drummer Joel Larson (an early member of the band back in 1965-1966). "Move Along" opens with the big and brassy Soul-Rock stomp that is "The Runway" - an airport runway being the only way to get back to his baby. Both Entner and Grill sharing lead vocals. The well-produced Soulified-feel continues with the I'm-in-love "Monday Love" - the whole thing sounding like an updated Sixties vibe with the other foot in the early 70ts. As far back as October 1971, Dunhill paired the Motownesque "Two Divided By Love" with "Let It Go" on Dunhill D-4289 and that managed a respectable No. 15 on the Billboard Pop charts. 

Before the "Move Along" LP appeared in shops in June 1972, two from it were paired - the piano-pounding dancer "Glory Bound" b/w the syrupy ballad "Only One" in January 1972 - but that 45 didn't do as well as its predecessor as it stalled at No.34. As if to hammer home the album as an event - Dunhill took stab number three linking the catchy opener "The Runway" with the LP's title track "Move Along" in June 1972 (Dunhill D-4316) but despite 'Runway' having excellent grooves and radio-friendly vibes - it too failed to meet expectations by falling at No.39. Tracks like "One Word" too are very obvious hit-searchers - the whole shebang ending on the upbeat five-o'clock in the morning but its a sunny day bop of "Glory Bound".

"Alotta' Mileage" used the same line-up as "Move Along" but replaced Veteran Arranger Jimmie Haskell with wunder-kid Michael Omartian - a name many liner-note hounds will know turned up on serious albums in the mid-to-late Seventies - stuff like Billy Joel's "Piano Man", Christopher Cross's debut "Christopher Cross" and mighty-of-mighties - Steely Dan's "Pretzel Logic and "Aja". In fact his class act chops have amassed a staggering 2000-plus credits to date. But as a band that previously shifted product, their number seemed up. "Alotta' Mileage" was just another album in 1973 and didn't break Billboard's top 200. Which is a shame - you can immediately hear the Production and Arrangement values have increased - the jaunty "Where's There's Smoke There's Fire" being a perfectly danceable 45 for '73.

But the supposed vocal sincerity and positivity-lyrics in "Pick Up Your Feet" feel forced and reaching despite the riffing and laidback harmonies. Before the album hit the shops, Dunhill paired "Love Is What You Make It" with "Someone To Love" from the previous LP "Move Along" but again the single failed to break. The album is also notable for some clever cover version choices - the Mann/Weil penned "Just A Little Tear" turned into Pop and Charlie Rich's "Ballad Of Billy Joe" given a very Eagles strummed Acoustic Guitars take. But best of all is the only moment The Grass Roots seem to rock out - their cover of Free's "Little Bit of Love" ending a patch album on a very definite high point. It isn't Free for damn sure (no band gets close to them really) - but it's a great stab at a great song that maintains the riffage and upbeat vibe in Paul Rodgers' lyrics (I do believe Rodger). Crank its fantastic production values and enthusiastic axe chiming and you might just be there (surely a contender for a movie insertion any day now). 

The fourteen single-sides are a ragbag good-and-bad bunch ranging (release date wise) from 1966 to 1973 - a huge number on Non-LP sides. Garage fans will love the fuzzed up broken-heart frenzy of "You're A Lonely Girl" - clear and punching guitar. Cool and Bluesy 60ts comes chopping in with the fab quarrel song "(These Are) Bad Times" - again another film inclusion beckons methinks. The Grass Roots sound starts to emerge with "Depressed Feelings" - another state-of-confusion Garage bopper that hurries along at a frantic pace will distorted guitars express the angst (at ease boys). Production values leap upwards with "Midnight Confessions" - an excellent Pop tune that could easily have been an A. Of the remainder I like the Guitar chugging Funk and Punk of "Get It Together" - everybody in the land reaching out to their fellow man - happy and alive - oh yeah baby. And on it goes...

Grass Roots albums are not what you would call collectable – often available for a pound or less on auction sites – if you can sell them at all. As I recall when I worked at Reckless in Islington and Soho – they were a no-no in terms of sales. 

And yet, there was reasons why they consistently charted in their native America. And a huge slab of them are on offer here. 

"Leaving It All Behind/Move Along/Alotta' Mileage Plus Bonus Tracks" by The Grass Roots is another stellar compilation in all areas from Beat Goes On…

"One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Doing Willie Nelson Cover Versions] – Twenty-Four Single and Album Tracks from 1960 to 2021 by Little Esther, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Doug Sahm, Dionne Warwick, Emmylou Harris, Vikki Carr, Tom Jones, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Spinners, Everly Brothers, The Beautiful South, Trisha Yearwood, Johnny Tillotson, Waylon Jennings, k.d. lang and The Reclines, The Flatliners, Timi Yuro, Bettye LaVette, Tanya Tucker and more (October 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Row-Willie-Nelson-Songbook/dp/B0DGQL45MH?crid=1CARPOAPT4HLY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TkWqU1q2xombHRCcBobp5A.Teg-W31zfudAX-GEq2-VfjrO0ceBLbxAr1zce1H1XAc&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667111720&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729260945&sprefix=029667111720%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=89cebaea8742f876ad66e6417e5a5f37&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground…"

I've had a hard time with some CD entries in the Ace Records Singer-Songwriter Series of cover version compilations – the Paul Williams one of July 2024 for instance had a Kermit The Frog track on it amidst a whole dollop of other Biff Rose, Petula Clark and Seals & Croft schmaltz that does this great reissue label no credit at all (only the opening song "Someday Man" by The Monkees saved that release from the trash can). But I had high hopes for this Willie Nelson set because melody-wise and lyrically – the grizzled old Country Rock buzzard that is WN happens to be (IRS repayment issues aside) one of the great unsung heroes of American songwriting. And I was right. 

Not perfect by any means, but when you peruse the 24-cuts offered on "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" which range from a 1960 45-single by R&B firehouse Little Esther to Tom Jones going Production-naked in his 2015 stark stab, right through Bob Dylan doing a 1983 recording eventually issued in 2021 on one of those 5CD Bootleg Volumes - and all points in-between those hugely disparate dates – you can kind of work out that artists looking for good tunes reach for this songsmith more often than other more lauded luminaries. Honest tunes about real life and its kick-you-in-the-nuts ways. 

There is much to wail and weep over - cheatin' lyin' good-for-nuthin' dirty dogs – male and female – with a smell of cheap whiskey on their breaths and one beady eye on the highway by the barroom door. To the details…

UK released Friday, 25 October 2024 - "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (doing Willie Nelson cover versions) on Ace Records CDTOP 1645 (Barcode 029667111720) is a 24-Track Remastered CD Compilation that plays out as follows (75:58 minutes):

1. Hello Walls – LITTLE ESTHER (March 1964 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2223, B-side of "Double Crossing Blues")

2. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground – BOB DYLAN (1983 recording done during the "Infidel" album sessions - first UK issued September 2021 on the 5CD Variant of "Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Volume 16: 1980-1985" on Columbia/Legacy 19439865802. The Dylan version of this song issued October 1983 as a Non-LP B-side to "Union Sundown" on UK and European 45s is different. Willie Nelson's own original appeared in the movie "Honeysuckle Road" in August 1980)

3. Night Life – B.B. KING (December 1966 US 45-single on ABC Records 45-10889, A-side)

4. Me And Paul – DOUG SAHM And BAND (January 1973 US LP "Doug Sahm And Band" on Atlantic SD 7254 – features Bob Dylan on Blues Harp and Augie Meyer on Piano)

5. He's Not For You – DIONNE WARWICK (October 1976 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WBS 8280, B-side to "I Didn't Mean To Love You")

6. Sister's Coming Home – EMMYLOU HARRIS (from the "Blue Kentucky Girl" album issued April 1979 in the USA on Warner Brothers BSK 3318 – features Tanya Tucker on Backing Vocals)

7. Healing Hands Of Time – VIKKI CARR (from the "The Ways To Love A Man" album issued 1971 in the USA on United Artists UAS 6813)

8. Opportunity To Cry – TOM JONES (from the "Long Lost Suitcase" album issued 2015 in the UK on Virgin V 3141)

9. Family Bible – GEORGE JONES (December 1960 US 45-single on Mercury 71721, A-side)

10. Crazy – PATSY CLINE (October 1961 US 45-single on Decca 31317, A-side)

11. Man With The Blues – DEL McCOURY (from the "A Deeper Shade Of Blue" US CD album issued 1993 on Rounder 0303)

12. Funny How Time Slips Away – SPINNERS (November 1982 US 45-single on Atlantic 7-89922, A-side – Known as The Detroit Spinners in the UK, but the single was not issued there)

13. Good Hearted Woman – THE EVERLY BROTHERS (from the "Pass The Chicken And Listen" album issued 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4781)

14. Valentine – THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH (from the "Golddiggars, Headnodders &  Pholk Songs" CD album issued October 2004 in the UK on Sony Music UK 518632)

15. One In A Row – TRISH YEARWOOD (from "The Song Remembers When" CD album issued 1993 in the USA on MCA Records MCAD-10911)

16. Pretty Paper – JOHNNY TILLOTSON (Unreleased 1966 recording first issued 1995 on the US CD Compilation "The Christmas Touch" on Varese Sarabande VSD-5550)

17. Three Days – k.d. lang & The Reclines (from the "Absolute Torch And Twang" album of 1989, also issued as a US 45-single October 1989 on Sire 7-22734, A-side)

18. I Let My Mind Wander – RAY PRICE (February 1967 US 45-single on Columbia 4-44042, B-side of "Danny Boy")

19. Pretend I Never Happened – WAYLON JENNINGS (September 1972 US 45-single on RCA Victor 74-0808, A-side)

20. You Took My Happy Away – TIMI YURO (July 1966 US 45-single on Mercury 72601, B-side of "Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long")

21. Are You Sure – KACEY MUSGRAVES and WILLIE NELSON (from the Kacey Musgraves CD album "Pageant Material" US issued June 2015 on Mercury Nashville B0022816-02)

22. Somebody Pick Up My Pieces – BETTYE LaVETTE (from the CD album "The Scene Of The Crime" US issued 2007 on Anti Records 6873-2)

23. One Day At A Time – THE FLATLINERS (1972 recording first issued 1980 in the UK on the LP "One More Road" on Charly CR 30189)

24. My Own Peculiar Way – PERRY COMO (March 1965 US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-8533, B-side of "Dream On Little Dreamer")

The 24-page book does the absolute business by Nelson's legacy – typically indepth and inciteful TONY ROUNCE liner notes – observations on melody and chart history that are coming from a Soul Man who admires and rightly lauds singer-songwriter chops. Every song is poured over, naming the myriad cover versions and artists who probably could not be included on this set due to licensing reasons. There is usually the original US 45-single label, or LP/CD cover art, sheet music, industry adverts (like the promo photo by Polydor for Dylan's "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" as used in the "Honeysuckle Road" movie), tour posters and every song gets thorough research. DUNCAN COWELL – Ace's resident Audio Engineer (he did almost all the praised Blue Horizon CD reissues too) does the mastering honours – and quality assaults the senses at every angle. To the cover versions…

The compilation opens with a Bert Barns-produced debut 45-single by 50s R&B firebrand Little Esther for her restart stint with Atlantic Records in 1964 – it was tucked away on the B-side and has a dig-the-city groove. Far, far better however is Bob Dylan with an "Infidels" outtake called "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" that made it on the B-side of some 1983 singles (UK and Europe) in a different form than the one that is used here. A moving ballad/love-song with a typically brilliant lean in the lyric, it is a small wonder that it was not used on the principal album. Whatever way you look at it - "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" is a huge plus and one of many surprises this understated CD offers.

Along with "Crazy" and "Funny How Time Slips By", Nelson's 1959 composition "Night Life" is probably his most famous song creation – over 100 cover versions and counting (it is almost a Jazz Standard in 2024). Here we get 60ts B.B. King with His Orchestra giving it some angst-shouting Blues while a Saxophone punctuates the right speaker like a hustler in a doorway (great audio as Blues Boy does a short guitar solo). The sound modernises and fills out with the shuffling Country Rock of Doug Sahm – his 1972 take on "Me And Paul" where Harmonica is supplied by none other than Bob Dylan is a shuffle you have heard in every retro band). Time for some soft Soul from Dionne Warwick and with it searching for the truth about a cheating man foolish women return to too often (hers is not a rebuke but a warning). More duped gals need to sleep all day long in "Sister's Coming Home" – Emmylou Harris and her flying band giving it pure Country with Pedal Steel and Fiddle – the fast pace hiding the heartache in this horribly honest Willie Nelson observation. But even the mighty Emmylou is given a fantastic run for her I-will-get-over-you broken-heart money by a shockingly lovely Vikki Carr cover of "Healing Hands Of Time" on a long-forgotten 1972 US album on United Artists.

Rounce is right about the shockingly sparse gravel-voiced Tom Jones stripping back the bleak "Opportunity To Cry" – TJ using only an acoustic guitar and lonesome organ note and his cracking voice in 2015 – it adds a genuinely unexpected poignancy to the track list. We get the wholesome "Family Bible" from Country Giant and uber-Christian George Jones – a tune I admit and despise as cack at one and the same time. But all that is hammered into a defensive corner cringing for dear life by the stunning Patsy Cline classic "Crazy". Rounce announces that there are said to be over 400 versions of this early Nelson penned-winner but truly only Patsy killed it good and proper. Bluegrass warbler Del McCoury gets all Coen Brothers on "Man With The Blues" sounding not unlike an eager-to-earn hustler with a Banjo and a Yodel-voice at a racecourse working punters like closing time is near.

Clever choice is the Brass and Strings Spinners slink of "Funny How Time Slips Away" – a very smooth slice of Soft Soul from 1982 on Atlantic Records. A co-write with Waylon Jennings, Nelson's "Good Hearted Woman" is given a Flying Burrito Bros treatment by The Everly Brothers – another tale of tears and laughter – staying the distance despite promises that will never be kept. But again – another stunner – Paul Heaton and The Beautiful South slaying the gorgeous "Valentine" – such a pretty and moving rendition. While Canadian icon k.d. lang (with her Reclines) paints her fabulous vocal honey all over a bopping "Three Days" – a yesterday, today and tomorrow misery gem from the "Absolute Torch And Twang" album of 1989. Trisha Yearwood too – a beautiful Judds-like delivery on the title track "One In A Row". And on it goes – more discoveries – more surprises…

I would admit that I don't need nor love Johnny Tillotson giving it oohs-and-aahs on the yucky Festive "Pretty Paper" – but the hits far outweigh the misses. "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTIST is a winner. Investigate and once again, congrats to the nerds over at Ace Records…

"The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)" by JONI MITCHELL – Including The Albums "Hejira" (November 1976), "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" (December 1977 2LP Studio Set onto 1CD), "Mingus" (June 1979) and "Shadows And Light" (September 1980 2LP Live Set onto 2CDs) – Guest Musicians include Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Lyle Mays, Bobbye Hall, Don Alias, John Guerin, Victor Feldman, Chuck Findley, Tom Scott, Wayne Shorter, Micheal Brecker, The Persuasions, Michael Gibbs, Airto, Neil Young, Chaka Khan, Glenn Frey, J.D. Souther and more (June 2024 UK/WORLDWIDE Rhino/Asylum Records 5CD Brick-Block Box Set Of Bernie Grundman Remasters with Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves and New Artwork for "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter") - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asylum-Albums-1976-1980-Limited-5CD/dp/B0D2V9WCLR?crid=XOPUM61035YF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LFq42IgpgPKikK35YcfeLg.UvcIdiMLo2ngCq8Tt5VbjP4szZrLLjBneUBuCPBaol8&dib_tag=se&keywords=603497827015&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729140113&sprefix=603497827015+%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=f0ce38c3d72883d99173659d55dd5927&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Audio *****

Material *** to *****

Presentation ****

"…No Regrets Coyote…"

I would imagine that for many Joni fans this box set represents a tremble in every orifice just looking at it - never holding it in your hands – two stunning studio albums – a triumphant live double and even a reappraisal of that misstep into Jazz with the awful "Mingus" LP – a last gasp of the Seventies that for me never worked. 

But the big news is of course the Bernie Grundman Remasters which I can confirm (along with thousands of other commentators) are fabulous – warm and full and not overwrought (Jaco Pastorius pinging Bass notes in your speaker stack like there's a worldwide shortage of them). No regrets Coyote – no false alarms for Amelia here – Icarus ascending. It's time to watch the waitress's legs and the hexagram of the heavens again folks – here are the details…

UK/WORLDWIDE released 21 June 2024 - "The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)" by JONI MITCHELL on Rhino/Asylum R2 726169 – 603497827015 (Barcode 603497827015) is a 5CD Brick-Block Box Set in the Joni Mitchell Archives Series (Third Set for Albums) with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeve Artwork (with relevant inner sleeves, gatefolds etc), Bernie Grundman Remasters and an Appreciation Essay from Actress Meryl Streep. It plays out as follows: 

Disc 1 – 2024 Remaster (51:51 minutes):
1. Coyote [Side 1]
2. Amelia
3. Furry Sings The Blues
4. A Strange Boy
5. Hejira
6. Song For Sharon [Side 2]
7. Black Crow
8. Blue Motel Room
9. Refuge Of The Roads
Tracks 1 to 9 are the LP "Hejira" – released November 1976 in the USA on Asylum 7E-1087 and Asylum K 53053 in the UK. Guest Musicians include Jaco Pastorius and Max Bennett on Bass, Larry Carlton on Guitar, John Guerin on Drums with Bobbye Hall on Percussion. Victor Feldman plays Vibraphone on "Amelia", Neil Young plays Harmonica on "Furry Sings The Blues", Abe Most plays Clarinet on "Hejira", Chuck Domanico plays Bass on "Blue Motel Room" only – Chuck Findley and Tom Scott play Horns on "Refuge Of The Roads"

Disc 2 – 2024 Remaster (59:50 minutes): 
1. Overture - Cotton Avenue [Side 1]
2. Talk To Me
3. Jericho
4. Paprika Plains [Side 2]
5. Otis And Marlena [Side 3]
6. The Tenth World 
7. Dreamland
8. Don Juan's Reckless Daughter [Side 4]
9. Off Night Backstreet
10. The Silky Veils Of Ardor
Tracks 1 to 10 are the 2LP set "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" – released December 1977 in the USA on Asylum BB-701 and Asylum K 63003 in the UK. Guest Musicians include Jaco Pastorius on Bass, Bongos and Cowbells, Larry Carlton on Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Don Guerin on Drums and Don Alias on Percussion Instruments. Wayne Shorter plays Soprano Saxophone on "Jericho" and "Paprika Plains", Michael Colombier plays Piano on "Otis And Marlena", Manolo Badrena (Lead Vocals) with Chaka Khan, Alejandro Acuna and Don Alias on Backing Vocals for "The Tenth World", Airto plays Surdo Bass Drum on "Dreamland", Chaka Khan Vocals on "Dreamland", Michael Gibbs Orchestrations on "Paprika Plains" and "Off Night Backstreet", Glenn Frey of The Eagles with J.D. Souther sing Backing Vocals on "Off Night Backstreet"

Disc 3 – 2024 Remaster (37:26 minutes):
1. Happy Birthday 1975 (Rap) [Side 1]
2. God Must Be A Boogie Man
3. Funeral (Rap)
4. Chair In The Sky
5. The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey
6. I's A Muggin' (Rap) 
7. Sweet Sucker Dance
8. Coin In The Pocket (Rap)
9. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines
10. Lucky (Rap)
11. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 
Tracks 1 to 11 are the LP "Mingus" – released June 1979 in the USA on Asylum 5E-505 and July 1979 in the UK on Asylum K 53091

Discs 4 and 5 – 2024 Remasters
Disc 4 (43:25 minutes):
1. Introduction (includes sample dialogue from a James Dean Movie) [Side 1]
2. In France They Kiss On Main Street (Live)
3. Edith And The Kingpin (Live)
4. Coyote (Live)
5. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Live)
6. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines (Live) [Side 2]
7. Amelia (Live)
8. Pat's Solo (Live)
9. Hejira (Live)

Disc 5 (40:36 minutes):
1. Black Crow (Live) [Side 3]
2. Don's Solo (Live)
3. Dreamland (Live)
4. Free Man In Paris (Live)
5. Band Introduction (Live)
6. Furry Sings The Blues (Live)
7. Why Do Fools Fall In Love (Live) [Side 4]
8. Shadows And Light (Live)
9. God Must Be A Boogie Man (Live)
10. Woodstock (Live)
Tracks 1to 9 and Tracks 1 to 10 are her second live album "Shadows And Light" – a 2LP set released September 1980 in the USA on Asylum BB-704 and Asylum K 62030 in the UK. "Pat's Solo" and "Don's Solo" are by band members Pat Metheny and Don Alias, "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines" are co-writes with Charles Mingus, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" is a Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers cover version (exclusive to this set) – all other tracks by Joni Mitchell. Band included Pat Metheny on Guitar, Jaco Pastorius on Bass, Lyle Mays on Keyboards, Michael Brecker on Sax with Don Alias on Drums and Percussion with The Persuasions on Backing Vocals

For many Mitchell fans who have had to do with the extremely pretty but sonically up-and-down Clamshell Box Set "The Studio Albums 1968-1979" from October 2012 - will know that these JMA sets (Joni Mitchell Archives) have the same sumptuous artwork reproduced in their Mini LP incarnations - but this time come armed with stunning new BERNIE GRUNDMAN masters. And that makes all the difference. But it will also not take a genius to work out that that 2012 Box Set is now the only place to find the original artwork to "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" because Joni has decided to replace the supposedly politically unacceptable front cover. The problem is that the replacement is hideous – apparently an outtake from a later 80s session – and kind of ruins the feel of the whole thing. The photos are buggered about too.

The inner flap-sleeve for "Mingus" is squeaky clean in its gorgeous transfer, the "Hejira" set and "Shadows And Light" have their respective Inner Sleeves too - and the three-way foldout painting insert penned by legendary film-star and Oscar Winner Meryl Streep is not just academic but passionate and gushing (and rightly so) because like so many fans – Joni Music is deeply personal to them (Meryl describes hearing "Hejira" in her car and having to pull over to take it in the magic happening on her radio - she bought the album that day).

But all of that is small beer to the Audio which is gorgeous all around – all four a revelation to me. BERNIE GRUNDMAN has been around decades – this is the Audio Engineer that mastered "Aja" for Steely Dan and smartly (in 1977) kept a first-gen safety copy so that finally Analogue Productions could work from that for their spectacular HQ 2LP and SACD reissues across 2023 and 2024. When you hear the Piano and Strings passage in "Paprika Plains" (about seven minutes in) or the bottom-end punch of "Off Night Backstreet" – it is just great. There is power and majesty in these recordings and Grundman has realised it. 

The only real problem for me (as I feel it is for all these boxes) – the miniaturized lyrics on the Mini LP Card Sleeves are unreadable and there is not booklet reproducing them - which for an artist so famous for her lyrical brilliance is frankly a bit of a reissue travesty. As you listen to the words for the whole of the "Hejira" album for instance – it is arguably even better than Dylan from the year before on his mighty "Blood On The Tracks" LP - which is really saying something. In short, there's no booklet documenting her pinnacle achievement - which is a damn shame given this woman's musical stature in 2024 which borders on Hero Worship.

The other brill thing about a box like this is the dipping-in and the rediscovering of song nuggets that you'd either forgotten or aren't on those 'Best Of' compilations –the African percussive madness and vocal harmonising in "The Tenth World" - "Pat's Solo" where Metheny lets rip but remains beautiful musical – the rhythmical Dorothy Lamour glass of rum that is "Dreamland" and even "God Must Be A Boogie Man" on the patchy jazz collaboration album "Mingus" which to this day still feels indulgent. I know people say the same of the double "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" but I dig that title track where the band gels into this magical overall strummed guitar sound – snakes along the railroad tracks – kite on a string open giving in to the romance of swooping dangers – wow! During these years Joni also seemed to finally find her springboards in Guitarists Pat Metheny and Larry Carlton whilst super-smooth super-musical Bassist Jaco Pastorius added beautiful texture to every heavily-worded tune. There is a sound to these albums that I adore nearly 50-years on and I doubt that will ever change. 

And the live double has to be one of the great overlooked sets – a stunning band – Joni defiant and brilliant as always doing three from the much-maligned "Mingus" project. There is an 'air' about the live set like the songs that were somehow slightly cluttered on the studio sets are given a breather by a band that is so in sympatico with her music. And those words - "...I'm porous with travel fever yet I'm so glad to be alone...".

If ever an artist deserved lavish and super respect in this sometimes-crazy world of reissues – it's Canada's finest – Joni Mitchell. Don't think – don't dither – dive in and drool. It only remains for me to say what I always say - God bless you our Lady of the Canyon - and stop smoking you silly twit – you're far too precious to lose!

PS: there is also a 21 June 2024 UK/Worldwide 6LP VINYL ALBUM version of "The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)" Box Set by Joni Mitchell on Rhino R1 726169 – 603497827022 (Barcode 603497827022) – both the studio album "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" and the live double "Shadows And Light" are issued here as 2LP sets – hence the six records.

JONI MITCHELL ARCHIVES Series (30 October 2020 to 4 October 2024)

UK & EU CD and VINYL Issues - Release Date Order

Bernie Grundman Masters on All

1. Archives – Volume 1: The Early Years 1963-1967

30 October 2020 on Rhino R2 604555 – 603497849963 (Barcode 603497849963)

5CD Box Set with FM Broadcasts, Live Shows, Early Demos – All Unreleased

2. Live At Canterbury House - 1967

30 October 2020 on Rhino 643343 – 603497846672 (Barcode 603497846672)

3LP VINYL Set with 3 Different Music Sets recorded 27 October 1967 – Limited Edition of 10,000 - Includes Nine Previously Unreleased Songs not on her first album

3. Early Joni – 1963

30 October 2020 on Rhino 643344 – 603497846665 (Barcode 603497846665)

Single 180-Grams VINYL LP – First Known Recordings Aged 19 – Previously Unreleased

Copies in both Black and Crystal-Clear Vinyl with the same catalogue numbers

4. Archives – Volume 1: The Early Years (1963-1967): Highlights

12 June 2021 on Rhino R1 645871 – 603497844982

UK/EU Record Store Day Exclusive Release – 180-Grams Limited Edition Single VINYL LP – Limited Edition of 15,000

5. The Reprise Albums (1968-1971)

New Remasters of the albums "Song To A Seagull", "Clouds", "Ladies Of The Canyon" and "Blue"

25 June 2021 on Rhino R2 653984 – 603497844548 (Barcode 0603497844548)

4CD Brick-Block Box Set with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves faithful to the US first editions

2 July 2021 on Rhino R1 653984 – 603497844531 (Barcode 603497844531)

Limited Edition to 10,000 Copies 4LP VINYL BOX Set

Originally produced by David Crosby but felt to be sonically inferior, both sets debut a New Mix of her first LP "Song To A Seagull" (aka "Joni Mitchell") overseen by Mitchell

6. Archives – Volume 2: The Reprise Years 1968-1971

5 November 2021 on Rhino R2 653989 – 603497844524

5CD Box Set with Previously Unreleased Material covering her first four studio albums "Song To A Seagull", "Clouds", "Ladies Of The Canyon" and "Blue"

18 February 2022 in the USA saw a 10LP Box Set Version on Rhino R1 653989 – 603497844555 (Barcode 603497844555) – A Limited Edition of 3,000 Copies

7. Live At Carnegie Hall - 1969

12 November 2021 on Rhino R1 654024 – 603497844517 (Barcode 603497844517)

Limited Edition of 15,000 Copies 3LP BLACK VINYL Set with all tracks unreleased except "My American Skirt" and "Spoony's Wonderful Adventure" which were first released 1969 on the US 2LP set "The 1969 Warner/Reprise Record Show" on Warner Brothers PRO 336

Also issued as a 3LP WHITE VINYL Version issued 12 Nov 2021 on Rhino RCV1 654024 – 603497844517 (Barcode 081227890940) – Limited Edition of 3,000 Copies

8. The Asylum Years (1972-1975)

New Remasters of the albums "For The Roses", "Court And Spark", "Miles Of Aisles (Live)" and "The Hissing Of Summer Lawns"

23 September 2022 on Rhino R2 680935 – 603497840960 (Barcode 603497840960)

4CD Brick-Block Box Set with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves faithful to the US first editions including embossed sleeves for "Court And Spark" and "The Hissing Of Summer Lawns". Note: the CD of "Court And Spark" (Disc 3) contained a mastering error that played the song "The Same Situation" twice in error. In April 2023 Rhino offered correctly mastered CDs as replacements. With identical catalogue numbers and label facias, the replacement CD is only identifiable by the matrix number on the playing side which reads -2-2 21 at the end of the number when the faulty disc read -2 21.

There is also a 23 Sep 2022 5LP VINYL BOX SET on Rhino R1 680935 – 603497841356 (Barcode 603497841356) – a Limited Edition of 20,000 copies. The live album "Miles Of Aisles" was a 2LP set with Two New Songs On It - "Jericho" and "Love Or Money" – it fits entirely onto 1CD hence the 4CD and 5LP Box Sets number variants.

9. Joni Mitchell featuring The Joni Jam – At Newport

28 July 2023 CD Album on Rhino R2 725115 – 603497832071 (Barcode 603497832071)

2LP VINYL set on Rhino R1 725115 – 603497832088 (Barcode 603497832088)

NOTE: in the USA only, 28 July 2023 also saw the release of Rhino RCV1 725115 – 603497832088 (Barcode 081227820817) – a 2LP VINYL Set on CRYSTAL-CLEAR VINYL – a Limited Edition of Undetermined Number

10. Archives – Volume 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975)

6 October 2023 on Rhino R2 717547 – 603497834303 (Barcode 603497834303)

5CD Box Set covering the albums "For The Roses", "Court And Spark", "Miles Of Aisles (Live)" and "The Hissing Of Summer Lawns"

4LP VINYL Set on Rhino 603497834310 (Barcode 603497834310) – 180-Grams LPs – Limited Edition of Undetermined Number

11. The Court And Spark Demos

24 November 2023 on Rhino R1 712517 – 603497834686 (Barcode 603497834686)

Record Store Day Black Friday VINYL LP Exclusive pressed on 180-Grams Vinyl – Limited Edition of 6,300 Copies – Demos from her 1973 classic album 

12. The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)

New Remasters of the albums "Hejira", "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter", "Mingus" and "Shadows And Light (Live)"

21 June 2024 on Rhino R2 726169 – 603497827015 (Barcode 603497827015)

4CD Brick-Block Box Set with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves. The artwork to the 2LP set "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" has been changed at the artists behest. 

The 21 June 2024 6LP Box Set variant is US-only on Rhino R1 726169 – 603497827022 – both "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" and "Shadows And Light" are 2LP sets – the first a studio set, the second a Live set.

13. Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980)

Previously Unreleased material covering the albums "Hejira", "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter", "Mingus" and "Shadows And Light (Live)"

4 October 2024 on Rhino 0603497823680 (Barcode 0603497823680)

6CD Box Set with Previously Unreleased

4LP VINYL Set on Rhino 0603497823697 (Barcode 0603497823697)

"Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by ISAAC HAYES – Nineteen 45-Single Sides on Enterprise (USA) and Stax Records (UK) in their Edited Form – Musicians Include The Bar-Kays, The Isaac Hayes Movement and a Duet with David Porter (October 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters – Volume 1 of a Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Isaac-Hayes-Buttered-Singles-1969-1972/dp/B0DGQLMR5B?crid=2LG3QTBMLA3BK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SbgnB5-uDMeY98Z1MGy6sQ.v4Gvtcvd_fu2ZqZy73eZPkXqD1L11x5UGYey6jCaF1M&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667024013&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1728920291&sprefix=029667024013%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=0d51ab7bbd6e6c0bdefff33f211ce330&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS: 

Overall ****

Audio **** to ***** (mostly 5)

Presentation: *****

"…Ike's Mood 19…"

Purely on the facial - this is a humdinger of a release from those terribly with-it chappies over at Ace Records in England. But as with so many compilations, it ain't all as yeah-baby as any self-respecting dude/dudette would hope for.

Nine yellow-label Enterprise US singles plus One Bonus Instrumental – 19 tracks. There are 45-single edits galore on here that fans will dig (Non-LP B-sides too) all spliced together in the one place as opposed to the huge meandering Symphonic Soul trips on the expanded albums. The Audio absolutely rocks too (Duncan Cowell Remasters), there's the usual quality booklet that deep dives each release and their convoluted Stax/Enterprise Records Blaxploitation history (16-Pages of Tony Rounce liner notes) and it has a near 79-minute playing time too – all impressive.

But a Seasonal cheeseball twofer towards the start and the last five of the nineteen seriously let the side down including a badly thought-out duet with David Porter and an old instrumental on which Hayes only plays Sax – hence the four – and not the winning five. 

But - as it is also a DOUBLE VINYL-ALBUM issue for 25 October 2024 as well as CD – I can see both formats appealing to a huge part of the Big Man's rabid fanbase. To the gold chainmail baby…damn right…

UK released Friday, 25 October 2024 - "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by ISAAC HAYES on Ace Records CDTOP 1650 (Barcode 029667024013) is a 19-Track Remastered CD Compilation of 45-Single Side Edits And Non-LP Material that plays out as follows – this review provides both US and UK 45-Single Discography details (78:37 minutes):

1. Walk On By (4:32 minutes)
2. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (6:54 minutes)
USA: released July 1969, Enterprise ENA-9003, A&B-sides
UK: released 17 October 1969, Stax Records STAX 133, A&B-sides
Both Tracks edited from their album versions on "Hot Buttered Soul"

3. The Mistletoe And Me (3:55 minutes)
4. Winter Snow (2:57 minutes)
USA: November 1969, Enterprise ENA-9006, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Appears to have been re-issued November 1970 with the same catalogue number in the USA – a Re-Promote – Neither Song on LP – Both are Early 60ts Hayes compositions

5. I Stand Accused (4:04 minutes)
6. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (7:01 minutes)
USA: released August 1970, Enterprise ENA-9017, A&B-sides
UK: released August 1970, Stax Records STAX 154, A&B-sides
Note: A-side is a Jerry and Billy Butler cover version – full length 11:30 minute cut is on the April 1970 US LP "The Isaac Hayes Movement"; B-side is a cover version of the Bacharach and David song made famous by Dusty Springfield and is the same running time as the LP cut

7. The Look Of Love (3:17 minutes)
8. Ike's Mood 1 (5:57 minutes)
USA: released January 1971, Enterprise ENA-9028 (see Note)
UK: no UK issue
Note: Despite Ace's alignment of the tracks – the A-side in the USA was "Ike's Mood 1" with the edit of "The Look Of Love" on the B-side (the album version of the Bacharach and David song popularized by Dusty Springfield is 11:11 minutes). Despite his huge popularity in the States at the time (number 1 albums on the R&B charts) – the meandering/building "Ike's Mood 1" which was a guitar and piano Symphonic Soul instrumental punctuated by lady backing-vocals, but it did not score big on the US Billboard 45-Singles chart (the LP version is 6:31 minutes). The edited sung B-side "The Look Of Love" however made No. 79 on the Hot 100. Both tracks from the December 1970 US LP "…To Be Continued"

9. Never Can Say Goodbye (3:37 minutes)
10. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) (4:22 minutes)
USA: released April 1971, Enterprise ENA-9031, A&B-sides
UK: released 16 July 1971, Stax 2025 029, A&B-sides
Note: initially released as a stand-alone 45 – the A-side (a Clifton Davis song also covered by The Jackson 5 at the time of this release – both versions charted in the USA side-by-side) later appeared on the "Black Moses" 2LP set in December 1971; B-side is a Hank Williams cover version, is Non-LP and in Mono (all others Stereo)

11. Theme From Shaft (3:15 minutes)
12. Café Regio's (2:43 minutes)
USA: released September 1971, Enterprise ENA-9038, A&B-sides
UK: released 26 November 1971, Stax 2025 069, A&B-sides
Note: the UK issue credited the A-side as Theme From "Shaft"; this iconic Soul-Funk song has been reissued at least six times since in Britain; both songs (the B is an instrumental in a Lounge Music style) are from the Blaxploitation 2LP movie Soundtrack "Shaft" (released July 1971) starring Richard Roundtree in the lead role with all music by Isaac Hayes

13. Do Your Thing (3:17 minutes)
14. Ellie's Love Theme (3:16 minutes)
USA: released February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9042, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side is an edit, album version is almost 20-minutes; both tracks on the 2LP Soundtrack to "Shaft"

15. Let's Stay Together (3:46 minutes)
16. Soulsville (3:45 minutes)
USA: released February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9045, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side Instrumental is an Al Green cover on which Hayes plays Saxophone; the B-side is one of the few Vocal Tracks on the "Shaft" Soundtrack

17. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) (4:21 minutes)
18. Baby I'm-A Want You (4:35 minutes)
USA: released April 1972, Enterprise ENA-9049, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue

19. Soul-A-Lujah (2:29 minutes)
USA: released July 1969, Stax STA-0040, B-side only
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side of this 45 is also called "Soul-A-Lujah" – a sung version credited to seven Stax artists – Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Pervis Staples, Carla Thomas, Mavis and Cleotha Staples – the B-side featured here is credited to Isaac Hayes and under the title as (Instrumental featuring Isaac Hayes on Clavinet)

The 16-page booklet features fantastically detailed liner notes from Ace's long-standing Soul Expert and Scribe – TONY ROUNCE – a sure sign of quality. All pages are sided with US, UK and European label repros and rare picture sleeves (dig the Belgium and German Pic Sleeves for "Shaft" and "Let's Stay Together" on Pages 9 and 12). The rare but rather ugly-looking 1969 typed title sleeve for "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" (with "Walk On By") that plugs the forthcoming "Hot Buttered Soul" LP is on Page 5 while British Yellow-Label Stax Demos sit proudly on Page 4. A good read and fabulous Remasters from DUNCAN POWELL even though he cannot do much with the jam-pig's ear that is "Let's Stay Together" or the rough and ready too-frantic "Soul-A-Lujah".

Completists will also quickly notice that despite the title-moniker of 1969-1972 – there are missing issues which Ace say will probably turn up in a future Volume – 1972 to 1976 or something like that. February 1971 in the UK saw the pairing of an edited "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" b/w "Our Day Will Come" on Stax 2025 029 (both on the "…To Be Continued" LP) which is absent – as is "Theme From The Men" b/w "Type Thang" issued September 1972 in the States on Enterprise ENA-9058 and November 1972 in the UK on Stax 2025 146. Haye's second 45 from January 1964 originally on Brunswick 55258 with the pairing of "Sweet Temptation" on the A and "Laura (We're On Our Last Go-Round)" on the flipside was licensed and reissued November 1970 on San American Records 950 to cash-in on his huge popularity – AWOL also. To the tunes…

There were few people in 1969 that expected a Soul Titan to tackle a Bacharach and David pop ditty made famous by Dionne Warwick – but Isaac Hayes did just that – he socked it to them – literally. From the opening punch of "Walk On By" – the clear and punchy Remaster is fabulous – those ladies begging our Isaac not to have tears in his eyes (you put a hurt on me baby). But it's the Symphonic Soul combined with fuzzed-up wah-wah guitars and his languid dripping-with-sex voice that grabbed an entire world by the shorts. The talking-for-the-most-part Soulified cover of the Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell Country-Pop classic "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is turned into a sermon – a seven-minute preach about leaving his woman seven times and seven times coming back (maybe he’ll get it right for return number eight, about three-thirty in the morning on the highway to despair) – and then he sings about three and half minutes in – and magic is struck. 

Given the Number 1 R&B LP status of both the double-albums "Shaft" and "Black Moses" in July and December 1971 with sales still hammering all comers in the first two months of 1972 - it is hardly surprising that Enterprise put out two Isaac hayes 45s in February 1972. First up came the killer combo of "Do Your Thing" b/w "Ellie's Love Theme" (both from "Shaft") quickly followed by the slightly odd instrumental version of the Al Green gem "Let's Stay Together" with the last remaining Vocal cut from the Shaft Soundtrack as its flipside – the brilliant and far-better "Soulsville". Even an instrumental with Hayes on it made No.25 on the R&B Billboard charts with a remarkable No.48 on Pop. 

Gorgeous is the only way to describe the stunning audio on "Never Can Say Goodbye" – no pain or heartaches on that front (dig that Flute schmooze – yeah baby). But I suspect it will be the flipside fans make a beeline to – Hayes reacting to a painful and on-going separation in real time and with real emotion. "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" has a melody and those old-time-feeling lyrics that seemed to bring out the best in him – lush and surely worth the price of entry for many IH fans (even if it is the only cut on here in Mono). 

Written by Allen Jones and Homer Banks but made famous by Johnnie Taylor in January 1967 (Stax 209) and Luther Ingrams in March 1970 (KoKo KOA-2105) – the Luther Ingram ballad version of "Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)" is an absolute stomp-on-all-comers go-to favourite of mine when it comes to Seventies Soul – I love it so much. So, imagine my disappointment when two titans like Isaac Hayes and David Porter do a cover that ruins it completely. What was cute in 1969, by the time they have reached 1974, the wah-wah and funk formula not only feels dated, but even badly recorded on the audio front (the vocals just don't sound right or even powerful). Their slowed-down high-hat tapping stab at the David Gates-written Bread classic "Baby I'm-A Want You" is not a whole lot better – feeling too close to elevator music - no surprise that the American listening public did not take to either.

Despite its piddly faults towards the end run of tracks - I keep coming back to "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972". This is a win-compilation for Ace and surprising it has not been done before (all the 45-edits in one place). I find myself playing this suave Symphonic Soul brute like a child rediscovering wonder and disappointment – thankfully, mostly the first. Can you dig it…yes you can my peeps…

PS: there is also a 2LP 19-Track VINYL version (no extra cuts) issued Friday, 25 October 2024 of "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by Isaac Hayes on Ace Records HIQLP2 138 (Barcode 029667023818). It has Inner Sleeves that reproduce all of the liner notes in the CD booklet.