"Make Mine Mondo! 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 28-Tracks from 1954 to 1967 of Fuzzed Out Garage Bands - Manic Instrumentals and Wayward Rockabillies on the Dore Label and its Subsidiaries (November 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Mine-Mondo-Various-Artists/dp/B0DKG3595W?crid=2M9A3Q120A5K8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hTVB7TX1BVrdh1fkzJ9QzBIdDm7181qZiTcxQOp6qdxQpt79TGUl2vVx3AbPuBOyYF20EyyGJsXlDXM5kqL7K8iejviFkeVpF0_JiXAZZ_24Q6UsUK3L0n6uMxkE3ZbX.NINVYlTDmSWMyCjErEnyTjZf4a75uonnJ9FYkKZzdjY&dib_tag=se&keywords=make+mind+mondo+2&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732730819&sprefix=make+mine+mondo+2%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1-fkmr2&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=ba98bdb7dbb374bdce16b2573ae64a61&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS: 

Overall ****

Presentation ****

Audio *** to ****

"...Hullee Gullee..."

June 2018's mad as a wine-drinking Euro bureaucrat "Make Mine Mondo!" CD compilation from Ace Records concentrated primarily on the Doré Records label – a US 50ts and 60ts independent with a seriously eclectic roster.

That 2018 Volume 1 offered up nearly 68-minutes of wildly adventurous styles and largely unknown names (part genius, part yeah-baby nuttiness) – lambasting our lavishly creamy and unsuspecting fragilities with Fifties and Sixties Garage, Rockabilly, off-centre Instrumentals, Fuzz Guitar Psych, Doom Girl Groups, the occasional surfing tune and much more (1958 to 1969) - nearly all of which worked and entertained like the beautifully presented liner notes promised it would.

Well, what we get here (a full six years later) is Volume 2 for November 2024 - this time covering 1954 to 1967. "Make Mine Mondo! 2" offers up the same butt-wobbling array of drunken Rock 'n' Rollers, yee-haw Rockabillies, unhinged instrumentals and fuzz-guitar loopers - but this time on an array of different labels orbiting around Doré - Flip, Acree, Era, Mira, Rayjack, Downey, Bamboo, Daytone and more. Only one of these Non-LP As and Bs is a returning name from Volume 1 (The Zanies) – the others are often so obscure, there are barely images for them should you do a Net search. Rare and Rocking indeed. Time for Beaver Patrol, Voodoo Doll and The Outlaw Blues (they got their Mojo working I can tell you) – to the details...

UK released Friday, 29 November 2024 - "Make Mine Mondo! 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Records CDTOP 1642 (Barcode 029667111829) is a 28-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (66:59 minutes):

1. Clap Your Hands – AMBERTONES (December 1965 US 7" single on Rayjack 1001, A-side - Reissued January 1966 on Newman 601, A-side)

2. Slander - TY WAGNER (November 1966 US 7" single on Era 3168, A-side)

3. Viet Nam – BOBBY JAMESON (1965 US 7" single on Mira 208, A-side)

4. By Bye Baby (My Pride) – SHANK And MAYDIEA (August 1962 US 7" single on Flip 45-361, A-side)

5. Beaver Patrol – THE BLAZERS (July 1963 US 7" single on Acree 101, A-side)

6. Café Bohemia – THE ENCHANTERS (1961 US 7" single on Bamboo Records 513, B-side of "Touch of Love")

7. I'm A Blind – THE WIZARD'S (May 1966 US 7" single on Era 3161, B-side of "I Want To Live")

8. The Voodoo Doll – BOBBY PLEASE & THE VOODOO DOLLS (1958 US 7" single on Flip 45-342, A-side)

9. Hurricane – CONRAD and THE HURRICANE STRINGS (December 1963 US 7" single on Daytone G-6401, A-side)

10. I Got My Mojo Working – JOYCE HARRIS & THE DAYLIGHTERS (Originally Unissued Domino Records recording first released on the 1997 UK CD Compilation "The Domino Records Story" on Ace Records CDCHD 506 – a Trailer Version of "I Got My Mojo Working" was also UK 45-single issued February 2024 on Ace Records NW 518 with the 1961 recording "No Way Out" as its B-side)

11. Crab Louie – THE SANDABS (July 1962 US 7" Single on Bamboo 522, B-side to "Beach Ball" by Little Herbie and The Sandabs on the A-side, Little Herbie is Herb Newman – reissued July 1963 on the B-side of Catch 107 credited to Little Herbie And The Wise Guys – A-side was "I Want My Beach Ball")

12. I Ain't Drunk – LONNIE "THE CAT" (April 1954 US 7" Single on RPM Records 45x410, A-side)

13. Red Hot Rockin' Blues – JESSE JAMES (September 1958 US 7" Single on Kent 45x314, B-side of "South's Gonna Rise Again")

14. The Wild Bird – THE JIVE-A-TONES (1958 US 7" Single on Fraternity F-823, A-side)

15. Jambo – CLAUDE McLIN (1963 US 7" Single on Mac-Jac Records MJR-1208, B-side of "Jacquelyn")

16. Stalled – THE ZANIES (June 1962 US 7" Single on Doré 638, A-side)

17. Hullee Gullee – FRED RICHARDS (April 1959 US 7" Single on Flip 45-344, B-side of "Barricade")

18. Non-Stop Blues – THE OUTLAW BLUES (January 1967 US 7" Single on Era 3171, A-side)

19. Sleepy Hollow – THE LAST WORD (June 1966 US 7" Single on Downey D-137, A-side)

20. Talk To Me Baby – DONNIE BOWSER (June 1961 US 7" Single on Bamboo 508, B-side of "Tomorrow")

21. Mumbles – JOHNNY BACHELOR (March 1959 US 7" Single on Era 1091, A-side – also issued March 1960 in the UK as a 45-single on London HLN 9074, A-side)

22. Soul Serenade – BEAU DOLLAR & THE COINS (1966 US 7" Single on Fraternity F-960, A-side – Produced by LONNIE MACK)

23. No Way Out – JOYCE HARRIS (January 1961 US 7" Single on Domino R-905, A-side – Reissued March 1961 in the USA on Infinity INX-005, A-side)

24. Tell Me Why – KICKS (1964 US 7" Single on X-P-A-N-D-E-D Sound X-102, B-side of "Oh My Baby (Always Be True)")

25. Don't Leave Me Baby – JOE LOVER And THE GAYLADS BAND (1960 US 7" single on Parliament P-1001, A-side – Reissued 1961 in the USA on Paxley P-754, A-side)

26. So What!! – THE LYRICS (November 1965 US 7" Single on Era 3153, B-side of "You Can't Hurt Me" – Reissued May 1968 in the USA on Feather 101, B-side of "Why'd He Go")

27. Church Key Twist – BOB VAUGHT & THE RENEGAIDS with Barbara Atkins (1962 US 7" Single on Impact 24-IM, A-side – Reissued May 1962 in the USA on Bamboo 520, A-side)

28. The Cave (Part1) – GARY 'Spider' WEBB (April 1961 US 7" Single on Bamboo 504, A-side)

NOTES:
All Tracks MONO except Tracks 3, 5, and 19 in STEREO

Volume 1 came with a 26-page booklet – Vol.2 has 20 – and again each page of the ROB FINNIS liner notes is peppered with those rare US 45-single labels, a Forbidden World magazine, trade reviews for the Fred Richards song, pictures of one-time Elvis Presley mentor and friend Jesse Lee Denson (aka Jesse James), Saxophonist Claude McLin (looking like Inspector Clouseau with Hat and Pipe), a Domino Records Promotional black and white for Etta James-soundalike Joyce Walker (there is a recent interview with the lady quoted) and Ohio Rockabilly hero Donnie Bowser getting his two-frantic-minutes of Rock and Roll B-side glory. 

Finnis knows his onions and what listeners want – his superlative liner notes illuminating histories on so many virtual unknowns while Ace's trusted Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS delivers (as best he can) on a huge variety of Mono 7" singles (only 3 are in Stereo). It should be said – Mondo 2 is very far from Audiophile territory – these homemade productions reflecting their manic strung-together nature – but there is no doubting the punch they pack which I can't help think is exactly what Frat Boys like me want from a CD like this. To the music and its wild variety of genres...

Things begin with a manic tambourine-shaking brass-and-guitar blaster calling all hipsters to get their bellbottoms on and party. Not surprisingly called "Clap Your Hands" - The Ambertones were right on the zeitgeist money. An absolute garage monster – party mania slice number two follows with the wavering Hawaiian guitar sounds and screeching organ of Ty Wagner bemoaning his wayward girl and her big mouth in "Slander". Even better is the Bo Diddley-type sonic assault of Harmonica and Rhythm from Bobby Jameson doing his vocal and lyrical worst to "Viet Nam" – a fantastic frantic piece of social-conscious 60ts R&B. Things slinky-on-down with a clever duet vocal from Ed Wells (as Shank) and his sister Maydiea Cole (as Maydiea) – and as the liner notes – it is an oddly endearing performance that stays on the right side of lounge-cool.

Next up is the first instrumental of "Make Mind Mondo! 2" – Vern Acree, Jr. giving it some Link Wray Rumble-type guitar rat-a-tat attacks while Saxophonist Larry Robins (both in The Blazers) tries to keep up in their homemade and self-financed "Beaver Patrol. The Enchanters start out in their opening notes as a 50ts Vocal Group would – but suddenly about 20-seconds in "Café Bohemia" turns into a shimmy-shaker with echoed Tablas and lounge-lizard type Saxophones schmoozing the olive-laden martinis. So mid-60ts The Wizards and their "I'm A Blind" – remind me of melodious Kinks while the very funny novelty record "The Voodoo Doll" has our poor lead singer opening a box from his gal - who in a call-and-answer duet vocal assures him that the contents within will take only three days to make him hers (permanently – and is he freaked by that). More instrumental madness only this time with a decided Surf vibe - "Hurricane" by Conrad and His Hurricanes virtually dripping bikinis and beach bums riding the waves man.

A rip-roaring prize here is surely the Wanda Jackson/Judy Henske-like wail of Joyce Harris giving us the fab "I Got My Mojo Working" – an unreleased 60ts Rock and Roller first released in 1997 on an Ace CD. A clever follow comes in the fun-time Sax-driven shout and response what-do-you-want "Crab Louie". Rhythm and Blues comes in the form of a drink-denial Shopping For Clothes tune - "I Ain't Drunk" – Lonnie "The Cat" assuring us the he ain't high – he's just drinking! Another fantastic find for Rockabilly and Rock and Roll fans is the go-for-it-boys beat-basher "Red Hot Rockin' Blues" – a fast and furious B-side from Jesse James. Time for a shuffler that sounds like early Chuck Berry at Chess – only a very cool "The Wild Bird" is a guitar instrumental from The Jive-A-Tones. Sounding like a human Jew's Harp as he literally scats dings and dongs to an Organ and Drums bip-bop beat – Claude McLin is having a blast with "Jambo" – a fabulous inclusion. And the fun continues with the car-not-starting beep-beep of "Stalled" – another great bopping instrumental B-side from The Zanies. Shivering guitars hover a distant beatbox drumbeat in the eerily brill "Hullee Gullee" – Fred Richards earning his place. 

Hurtling towards the end run, we get another fuzz-guitar garage romper in the shape of the driving "Non-Stop Blues" – a head-shaker that has nothing to do with its misleading title. A lone bass note introduces yet another prize on here – the superb Stereo of "Sleepy Hollow" – The Last Word sounding like The Animals and Them combined as they try to convince us there is no headless horseman. Back to Rhythm and Blues Fats Domino rolling rhythm fun - "Talk To Me Baby" by Donnie Bowser - which is followed by the whisper in his ear baby "Mumbles" – dig that echoed Eddie Cochran type vocal. And on it goes with the fantastic Harmonica R&B of "So What!!" to the pleading Vocal Group vibe of "Don't Leave Me Baby" to the Bobby Boris & The Crypt Kickers echoed weirdness of "The Cave (Part 1)" where Jimmy and Julie keep calling out to each other but are lost in the dark.

I had thought that Volume 1 of "Make Mine Mondo!" was going to be a chore – but it wasn't – and to my weary ears – Volume 2 is even better. With so many genres vying for your attention, it's gotta be hard to make it all work and yet – once again – Ace Records have pulled it off. 

In short - "Make Mine Mondo! 2" is another wee nugget CD compilation (November 2024) from the worryingly disturbed minds of men who should know better over at Steele Road, London NW10. Recommended...

"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.

"Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" by JOHN BARRY (September 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Barry-Somethings-Studio-1964-1967/dp/B0DD453226?crid=2SD1UBUXVCDLP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Albjts1XuQtkx3TjgKthIw.ThjrV-39W9yg0gNbLRL1kgDkqFvRbR3hV0IDBW6aOuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667111027&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727867345&sprefix=029667111027%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=5fe7feaa78ac8126262dd1c49e16764c&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…The Man With The Sun In His Hair…"

Being something of a JB trouser-stroking aficionado, lifelong bended-knee bellend and all-round worshiper of all things Baz-like - I had such high hopes for this British CD  compilation of his primo Sixties output. 

But while 85% of "Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" is fabtastic in that so-60Ts way (complete with truly terrific audio) – it just falls short of the magic you'd expect from someone – well – as magical as Soundtrack Composer and all-round suave coolsville champ John Barry.

For starters there is the price and content. Fans will look down through the 25-song track list in September 2024 and know they have many of these obvious choices (a few are B-side rarities but they aren't very good, some Stereo US versions when they were only Mono in Blighty and so on) – and as The Real John Barry 3CD set by Columbia is just £6 or less for nearly 60 tunes (see separate review) – where does Ace get off wanting £14 or more for 1CD?

But - there is that Corking Audio and Ace's usual top-notch booklet with liner notes that go deep - instead of a major label skim (none of The Real triples have liner notes but they do have Top Notch Remastered Audio and basic track details beneath each see-through plastic tray). There are also tracks from two very popular 'remakes' compilations - the 1966 set "Great Movie Sounds Of John Barry" and the 1967 UK LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" - both in Stereo - which will please diehards no end.

Even so - it's a four-star offering from Ace when it could have been a five-star double-apéritif in a Soho boozer with an immaculate King Rat schmoozing hotel chambermaids over by the plastic Pineapple Bucket. But - let's give credit where its due - to the Shaken Martinis and Space Capsules with Dr. Kiss-Kiss Bang-Bang giving it a bit of Quiller and Goldfinger up your séance on a wet afternoon (if you catch my patchouli drift)…

UK released Friday, 27 September 2024 - "Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" by JOHN BARRY on Ace CDTOP 1649 (Barcode 029667111027) is a 25-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (66:31 minutes):

1. The Syndicate (October 1965 UK 45-single on CBS 201822, A-side)

2. Oublie Ca (July 1964 UK 45-single on United Artists UP 1060, Mono B-side of "Séance On A Wet Afternoon" (Track 3 is the A-side) - for a Stereo Version of "Séance On A Wet Afternoon" from the LP - see Track 24)

3. Séance On A Wet Afternoon (see Track 2 for details)

4. Troubadour (October 1964 UK 45-single on United Artists UP 1068, Mono B-side of "Goldfinger" - for a Stereo Version of "Goldfinger" from the Soundtrack LP - see Track 7)

5. Chicken Delhi Cold (from the 1964 US STEREO LP "Man In The Middle - Original Soundtrack Album" on 20th Century Fox TFS 4128 - Note: the UK variant of the Soundtrack LP on Stateside SL 10087 was only ever issued in MONO)

6. Barbra's Theme (April 1965 UK MONO 45-single on CBS 201747, B-side of "A Man Alone" - for the A-side see Track 10)

7. Goldfinger (Remake of the 1964 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

8. The Chase (March 1966 US 45-single on Columbia 4-43544, A-side)

9. Theme From King Rat (from the 1965 US STEREO LP "King Rat - Original Soundtrack Recording" on Mainstream S/6061)

10. A Man Alone (see details on Track 6)

11. The Knack (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402 - for more from 'The Knack' Soundtrack Mono LP - see Track 17 "Something's Up!")

12. Thunderball (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

13. Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

14. Four In The Morning (from the 1966 UK MONO LP "Four In The Morning" on Ember NR 5029)

15. The Danny Scipio Theme (October 1966 UK 45-single on CBS 202390, B-side of "Vendetta" - for the A-side see Track 19)

16. Theme From "The Quiller Memorandum" - Wednesday's Child (November 1966 UK 45-single on CBS 202451, A-side)

17. Something's Up! (from the 1965 US MONO LP "The Knack...And How To Get It" on United Artists UAL 5129 - see also Track 11 for a Remake of "The Knack" song)

18. The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068 - written for a Sunsilk Hair Shampoo advert - it was also the UK STEREO 45-single B-side of "You Only Live Twice" in June 1967 on CBS 2825 - see Track 21 for the A-side)

19. Vendetta (see Track 15 for details)

20. The Whisperers (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

21. You Only Live Twice (see Track 18 for details)

22. Space March (Capsule In Space) (Original on the "You Only Live Twice" Soundtrack LP - This Version from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

23. Dutchman (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

24. Séance On A Wet Afternoon (from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

25. Born Free - Main Title (1966 US 45-single on MGM K 13591, A-side)

NOTES: 

Tracks 1 to 4, 6, 10, 14, 15 and 19 in MONO: all others in STEREO

The 20-page booklet curated and penned by affectionate uber-fan BOB STANLEY is a thing of beauty and packed with details ('Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' was the nickname given to Bond in Japan and Italy so Barry was commissioned to pen a song with this dubious moniker by the market-conscious Producers - JB of course delivered with a wry smile). All the entries have mini photos abutting text for their varying UK and US 45s and LPs - for instance there's a full page spread for 'The Quiller Memorandum' on Page 15 and the photograph for the Soundtrack to 'Four In The Morning' features the correct British sleeve art (on Ember Records) because the US variant is different. Page 12 gives the Mono and Stereo artworks for 'The Knack' soundtrack because they differ - Rita Tushingham on the Mono copy and the snapping Fingers entwined with Legs photo on the Stereo - attention to detail in other words. JB himself is pictured across Pages 2 and 3 examining film reels while there is a full-page spread given to 'A Man Alone' - a picture sleeve on Page 10 you just don't see every day of the carboot-sale week. 

But best of all is Remasters by NICK ROBBINS - Ace's vastly experienced Audio Engineer and he canes it on all counts. There cannot be any Barry fans who do not adore "Space March..." where the American capsule is swallowed up by another 'foreign' craft orbiting Earth in "You Only Live Twice" or the menace inherent in the "King Rat" theme - both sounding spiffo here. Personally I would have loved the bouncing super-60Ts "Here Comes Nancy Now!" track from 'The Knack' soundtrack rather than the so-so "Something's Up" choice - but that's just me. And the rare B-sides will please hardcore collectors. To the listen...

With a signature Brass and Drums business - "The Syndicate" piano-pounds out of your speakers like the baby brother of 007 shuffling around a Bahama's beach. Crystal clear audio for "Oublie Ca" but I find it silly and dismissible. The overly-fast pace of "Seance On A Wet Afternoon" seems out of kilter too with its title while the Flute and Spanish Acoustic Guitar of the B-side "Troubadour" hints at greatness in his melodies. The plucked harp-strings and plinking tubular bells of "Chicken Delhi Cold" is another strange choice - pleasant enough - but hardly thrilling. 

At last, and six songs in, we get "Barbra's Theme" - another obscure flute-driven B-side (to "A Man Alone")  when his signature slink starts to truly manifest itself. But good as "Barbra's Theme" is, 'tis no match for the gorgeous "Goldfinger" - all 4:22 minutes of it in sophisticated Super Stereo. "The Chase" sounds like its title - secret agents on the run - bad men close behind - a shuffling high-hat giving it edginess until an Acoustic Guitar and Harmonic take it romping home. Fans will adore the brilliant "Theme From King Rat" that virtually oozes prison-camp sweat, menace and even sadness as the titular 'getter' walks clean and untouched amongst the hurt and dirt because he 'knows people' that others consider sworn enemies. 

The familiar piano-plinking makes "A Man Alone" feel like a very British Spy theme - gorgeous audio as the tambourine shakes. But sophistication and playfulness soon return with "The Knack" resplendent here in 2:52 minutes of Stereo glory (yeah baby). Big and brassy comes a thundering in with "Thunderball" - the strings and flutes lifting it up into total classic mode (dig those tasteful piano fills). More brass blasting with "Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" - naughty Bond sashaying across a hotel lobby as the ladies flutter their eyebrows and whatever little else they're wearing. Melancholy and darkness pervades the lonesome "Four In The Morning" taking the listen down a needed notch with style. "The Danny Scipio Theme" could have been any 60Ts TV Spy theme music - our hero up against the odds but still somehow coming out on top with a rubber band and roll of sticky tape as his only weapons. 

A clever downturn in the pace comes with the quiet but effective "Wednesday's Child" from 'The Quiller Memorandum' (an Adam Hall novel adaptation) - the saw warbling Flexatone being the instrument of unusual choice. Very clever sequencing throws "Something's Up" on as a follow-through - organ and ladies voices brought to a crescendo. But this is whomped by blonde nubiles washing their hair in Sunsilk Shampoo as "The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair" plays them (surely there's a waterfall in there Mr. Bond). What a gorgeous and evocative piece of JB magic this is. A reformed Mafioso begins working for the Vatican's anti-Mafia unit - "Vendetta" offering us a so 1966 BBC Spy Show them song (Stelio Candellli was the actor playing Danny Scipio). But good as that is, I'd forgotten how gorgeous the sad and powerful music to "The Whisperers" is - a Bryan Forbes movie about Oldham in 1967. But again all is whacked into touch with the most glorious Bond Theme ever - "You Only Live Twice"  - here in its instrumental magic - all exploding dug-out Japanese volcanoes and Little Nellie suitcases. And I love love (did I say love) "Space March (Capsule In Space)" in all its creeping magnificence - surely the primo example of Barry's genius in setting a film alight whilst making it exotic at one and the same time. And on it goes...

"Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967 could be longer (at least ten more minutes) and could include music that tingles rather than just being rare. But as it's John Barry - and as it's his wonder-years - you can only call this Ace Records CD compilation another world-saving gadget success. Goodbye Mr. Bond! Not so fast Blofeld! Recommended like a night out with Moneypenny..

"Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 18 Album and Single Tracks from 1968 to 1997 by Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Donnie Fritts, J.J. Cale, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Crazy Horse, Ry Cooder, Percy Sledge, Al Green, Thin Lizzy, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Mott The Hoople, Boz Scaggs, The Chi-Lites, Little Feat, Grateful Dead and more (October 2023 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Rating: ****

 

"...You Sweet Thing...You're Driving Me Mad..."

 

I was kind of excited at the idea of the first Bobby Gillespie compilation in this series "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" - but truth be my mistress - the actual listen drove me nuts and had one too many disappointments in song choices (it was released 27 November 2015 in the UK on Ace Records CDCHD 1453 – Barcode 029667074124). I did like a few cuts for sure (mostly in the second half of the listen) - but not enough to get in a fidgety lather about.

 

Well – it seems that the Scottish Primal Scream lead singer and songwriter has gone all I-hear-you-pal psychic on my sorry Irish posterior and eardrums - because his second outing in the series "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" (27 Oct 2023 in the UK and 3 Nov 2023 in the USA) is much better - and frankly in its own self-lacerating way - a bit of a doozy. It also feels actually personal (and revealing) if not a tad too boo-hoo for its own good as the black and white poor-me cover-art photo implies.

 

The journey consists of 18 tracks on CD (15 album cuts and 3 single sides) ranging from professional two-timer Lee Hazelwood on Reprise Records in 1968 all the way up to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds going native on a clever Jimmy Webb cover version in 1986 while Bob Dylan professes to be truly sick of love in 1997 (the further outpost here and the darkest actually). The 2LP Vinyl Variant of "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" even has a 19^th Bonus as Track 5 on Side 1 - "In The Rain" by The Dramatics (Ace Records XXQLP2 098 – Barcode 0029667015417).

 

"I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" is about love on the road being tested, betrayed, lost, longed-for or maybe even formed in-between tourbus stops and Honky Tonks and the untenable nomad existence that is the life of all working musicians. Most of the cautionary tales are from Folk, Country, Country Rock, Soul and Rock journeyman and women feeling emotionally bummed out between 1970 and 1975. Because many are ballads – the jumps don't feel so severe – and work more often than not. I personally sequenced the CD to start at Track 6 - the stunning Crazy Horse song "I Don't Want To Talk About It" that Rod Stewart later covered and turned into a global smash - play down to 18 and then bring in Tracks 1 to 5 (a better listen for me). Discoveries, re-acquaintances, tugs on a fast receding memory lane - this comp is indeed a "Heart Like A Wheel". Let's get to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 27 October 2023 (3 November 2023 in the USA) - "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1605 (Barcode 029667106122) is an 18-Track CD Compilation (19-Track 2LP set) ranging from 1968 to 1997 that plays out as follows (76:52 minutes):

 

1. I Still Can't Believe You're Gone – WILLIE NELSON (from the March 1974 US LP "Phases And Stages" on Atlantic Records SD 7291)

 

2. Love Sick – BOB DYLAN (from the September 1997 US CD Album "Time Out Of Mind" on Columbia Records CK 68556)

 

3. We Had It All – DONNIE FRITTS (from the June 1974 US LP "Prone To Lean" on Atlantic SD 18117)

 

4. Magnolia – J. J. CALE (from his debut LP "Naturally" released November 1971 in the USA on Shelter SW-8908 and January 1972 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 68105)

 

5. By The Time I Get To Phoenix – NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS (from the August 1986 UK LP "Kicking Against The Pricks" on Mute STUMM 28)

 

6. I Don't Want To Talk About It – CRAZY HORSE (from their debut album "Crazy Horse" issued on Reprise Records RS 6438 in the USA in February 1971 and April 1971 in the UK on Reprise RSLP 6438)

 

7. Dark End Of The Street – RY COODER (from his 3rd album "Boomer's Story" released November 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2117 and in the UK on Reprise K 44224 – a James Carr cover version done as an instrumental)

 

8. Kind Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (July 1969 USA 45-single on Atlantic 45-2646, A-side – also on the 1969 South African-only LP "Wanted" on Atlantic ATC 9210)

 

9. Wait And See – LEE HAZELWOOD (from his June 1968 US LP "Love And Other Crimes" on Reprise RS 6297 in Stereo)

 

10. Strong As Death (Sweet As Love) – AL GREEN (June 1975 US 45-single on Hi Records 5N-2288, B-side of "Oh Me Oh My (Dreams In My Arms)" – also July 1975 UK 45-single on London HLU 10493 – same tracks)

 

11. Shades Of A Blue Orphanage – THIN LIZZY (from their second studio album "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" issued 10 March 1972 in the UK on Decca TXS 108 – no US release)

 

12. Heart Like A Wheel – KATE & ANNA McGARRIGLE (from their November 1975 US Debut LP "Kate & Anna McGarrigle" on Warner Brothers BS 2862, March 1976 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56218)

 

13. When My Mind's Gone – MOTT THE HOOPLE (from their second studio album "Mad Shadows" released September 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9119 and October 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8272)

 

14. I'll Be Long Gone – BOZ SCAGGS (from his debut album "Boz Scaggs" released August 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8239, September 1969 in the UK on Atlantic 588 205)

 

15. The Coldest Days Of My Life Part 1 – THE CHI-LITES (July 1972 USA 45-single on Brunswick 55478, A-side)

 

16. Roll Um Easy – LITTLE FEAT (from their third US studio album "Dixie Chicken" released January 1973 on Warrner Brothers BS 2686)

 

17. Brokedown Palace – GRATEFUL DEAD (from their 5th studio album "American Beauty" released November 1970 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1893)

 

18. I Feel Like Going Home – CHARLIE RICH (August 1973 US 45-single on Epic Records 5-11040, B-side of "The Most Beautiful Girl" – November 1973 UK 45-single on Epic Records S EPC 1897, as per US release)

 

Following on from a Track List on Page 2 that details album titles, catalogue numbers and year of release (three of the 18 are single-sides) – Page 3 starts the 24-pages of song-by-song explanations proper (I have elaborated on those in the list above). Anyone who knows Ace Records will know that these booklets are fab collages of single and LP labels, rare picture sleeves/album covers, a trade advert here and here etc. This time however is a bit more basic. Here we just get the album sleeves and occasional British 45 label instead of American issues (Al Green on London and The Chi-Lites on MCA).

 

Not that this is a bad thing - instead of photos, Gillespie waxes lyrical in huge amounts of text about every choice – paragraphs recalling the magical effect that Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott in their 1976 gig awesomeness had on young lads like him and Alan McGee – a lifetime love that will never die. Bobby talks about Richie Furay assembling the last Buffalo Springfield album and including what was essentially an outtake – his own song "Kind Woman" – that Percy Sledge then took to another level in his mournful Soul version. There's stuff about touring and the emotional toll it takes on every relationship a body enters into. It's a great read – personal yet informative and articulate. Genre-wise, the overall song choices are very much in the Country Rock meets edgy Sixties and Seventies Outlaw Rock and Soul veins – much of it dark for sure - but mellow also - and sometimes moving when you least expect it.

 

DUNCAN COWELL – longstanding Audio Engineer for Ace – has handled the transfers and Remasters and almost everything sounds super clean and clear – the noticeable odd-man-out being a wee bit of hiss on the J.J. Cale song – those debut album Shelter Records recordings notorious for being that way. All are in STEREO - so for almost all of it "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" is never less than an impressive listen audio-wise (at times beautiful). To the tunes...

 

It opens with Willie Nelson red-raw the morning after she done left him for the final time - "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" - and the Big Nell knows who is to blame on that fine 1974 dawn. His vocal bottom-of-the-barrel shivering hurt is helped by top musicians like Keyboardist Barry Beckett and most of the Fame Gang bringing up the rear (guitarist Pete Carr, Bassist David Hood and legendary drummer Rodger Hawkins). But I feel that the sparse Bob Dylan leap to 1997 for the "Time Out Of Mind" track "Love Sick" feels too jarring to me (I adore the album like most Zimmer fans but I would have gone with something else like the "Up To Me" outttake from "Blood On The Tracks" say). But things pick up instantly when we get a great lip-quiver pairing - "Magnolia" from J.J. Cale's staggeringly influential debut album on Shelter Records in 1971 (lyrics from it title this review) up to Nick Cave with his bad Seeds in 1986 doing Jimmy Webb via Glen Campbell on a oddly touching cover of "By The Time Get To Phoenix" – smart choices both.

 

Complimenting the Outlaw Country Music vide to the Willie Nelson song that gives the compilation its title – the seldom-seen let alone discussed Donnie Fritts album "Prone To Lean" from 1974 on Atlantic Records featured an astonishing line-up of talent – Billy Swann, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, Jerry Wexler as well as ace singer and guitarist Eddie Hinton and keyboardist Barry Beckett (I know folks who scour albums for anything Eddie Hinton touched – a white guy who had a voice similar to Otis Redding). The Fritts entry "We Had It All" is a co-write with Troy Seals of Seals and Croft fame and with Wexler and Kristofferson at the Production buttons - sounds warm and glorious.

 

Essentially to become the backing band for Neil Young – Crazy Horse featured a huge array of talent on their first platter – Danny Whitten on Lead Guitar and Vocals with Nils Lofgren sharing the same – Jack Nitzsche on Piano and Vocals with Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina bringing up the Rhythm Section (Bass and Drums). The Crazy Horse self-titled debut album produced three US 45s using six sides from the 11-track LP - but bizarrely Reprise Records did not use nor seem to see what Rod Stewart clearly saw in the gorgeous "I Don't Want To Talk About It" – a Danny Whitten breakup-song winner nestled at the end of Side 1. Had Reprise aired this as a single – their fate might not have been so like Big Star – another great US melody band on a label that could not or would not break them nationally. My God even Ry Cooder plays slide on it. The sound for "I Don't Want To Talk About It" is glorious, the emotion real and the solar plexus hurt-wallop just about bearable – a very smart choice for a compilation like this.

 

Tapping into the Ry Cooder connection, Gillespie follows with a beautiful acoustic slide guitar instrumental version of the James Carr 60ts Soul classic "Dark End Of The Street" – just one of many gems on the third Ry Cooder album "Boomer's Story" from November 1972. Personally, I would also have tapped "Maria Elena" – another stunner instrumental from the "Boomer's Story" album that would have slotted in just nicely (see my review of the forgotten 2CD set "The Ry Cooder Anthology: The UFO Has Landed" on Rhino from 2008 which contains both songs in glorious Bernie Grundman Remastered form). Keeping it soulful – Gillespie now offers a Percy Sledge cover version of "Kind Woman" – the Richie Furay song on the third and final Buffalo Springfield album "Last Time Around" (July 1968, Atco SD 33-256). Sledge and Atlantic Records issued "Kind Woman" as a stand-alone 45-single A-side in July 1969 – a slow-cooking gurgling-under barnstormer.

 

The self-titled and deeply unassuming debut album for French-Canadian sisters Kate & Anna McGarrigle was received in late 1975 on Warner Brothers by the press (and musicians) as some sort of genius platter carved out of melody gold. A whole year earlier – American vocalist and song-interpreter Linda Ronstadt took one of Anna's then un-issued songs "Heart Like A Wheel" and named her entire album after it (November 1974 on Capitol Records). But you cannot deny the McGarrigle version here from 1975 that slays all in its path – their vocal power in full force from a very clean and clear remaster – those lyrics about a sinking ship out in mid ocean – only love can reduce us to such tears and hurt. That is followed by a deeply sombre Ian Hunter in full-throated Mott The Hoople glory - "Mad Shadows" flying away – just him on a piano with a lingering organ building in the minds-gone background. Relief comes in the slightly Burt Bacharach feel to Boz Scaggs doing "I'll Be Long Gone" – good but not really great and seriously showing its age. Far better is Eugene Record wrenching tears from us white blokes with his lush fabulous Chi-Lites sound on Part 1 of "The Coldest Days Of My Life..." – waves and gulls easing in the reminiscences of a day our hero made the big mistake of letting his lady walk away (I never tire of their Chicago Soul – me and my sis bought the singles on Brunswick with religious regularity).

 

It rolls home with a very tasty triple whammy – Little Feat, Grateful Dead and Charlie Rich – Lowell George achingly brilliant for "Roll Um Easy" – the Dead weary of the grinding road, longing for the river to rock their soul in the tuneful "Brokedown Palace" - while the Silver Fox closes out proceedings with the seriously sad yet resigned piano ballad "I Feel Like Going Home" – everything he done turned out wrong (Epic Records relegated the song to the flipside of the huge hit "The Most Beautiful Girl" on both sides of the pond).

 

I would have considered "Looking For Angeline" by Love And Money – a 1988 nugget on Fontana from 1988 – James Grant playing a National Steel blinder with echoed Harmonica bringing up the longing in the background. Maybe the moving Shawn Colvin cover version of the Judee Sill gem "There's A Rugged Road" from SC's 1994 compilation album of favourites "Cover Girl". On to Chris Smither doing a stunning reinterpretation of the Tim Hardin song "Don't Make Promises" from his 1999 CD album "Drive You Home Again". There must be hundreds more out there. Volume 2 anyone - "I Still Can't Believe You're Still Here".

 

Like so many of these compilations, it's a crapshoot. But "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" wins on more entries than not (the Vinyl variant with its extra track is a tempting gift and a proper looker too). There are also more than enough discoveries here to please old hands and plenty to entice musical newcomers to sit up and take notice - maybe even visit those musical truck-stops that moved so many of us back in the suburban day.

 

On the long and lonely road to Kingdom Come – the Screamadelica Bobster has compiled a mix-tape worthy of your hard-earned Sovereigns and Petro-Dollars.

 

Dig in and pine no more ye Vagabonds of the Western World. Or as the mighty Rocker Phil Lynott of the much-missed Thin Lizzy used to sing "...Got my cycle outside...wanna ride!"