"Machine Gun Etiquette" by THE DAMNED (2007 Ace/Chiswick 'Hip Pocket' CD Remaster in Card Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Just For You...Here's A Love Song..."

Two albums in ("Damned Damned Damned" in February 1977 and "Music For Pleasure" in November 1977) - and with enough personnel chopping and changing and displaying of frazzled dangly bits to embarrass a British Royal Family orgy - THE DAMNED dropped LP number three in November 1979 on the little but mighty independent Chiswick Records (a UK-only release).

But not many seemed to notice let alone be thrilled by its sheer bleached bravura - peaking at a modest No. 31 in the UK and not charting at all Stateside (an import there) when The Clash were tearing up all and sundry on the 2nd British Invasion - championed by a getting clued-up musical press.

Still snotty and insubordinate and preceded by two storming great 7" singles in "Love Song" and "Smash It Up" - "Machine Gun Etiquette" should have done better in New Wave Britain - never mind a worried and dubious America who barely saw any imports. But the album was and is a tad overlooked - a forgotten gob in the mouth of a grateful nation. Time to rectify the public's myopia and sorry lack of good taste. Here are the noisy bullets...

UK released October 2007 - "Machine Gun Etiquette" by THE DAMNED on Ace Records/Chiswick CDHP 027 (Barcode 029667028523) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 11-track LP and is part of Ace's 'Hip Pocket' Series of CD Reissues sporting 6" Card Repro Artwork (including the album's original inner sleeve) and plays out as follows (36:50 minutes):

1. Love Song

2. Machine Gun Etiquette

3. I Just Can't Be Happy Today

4. Melody Lee

5. Anti-Pope

6. These Hands

7. Plan 9 Channel [Side 2]

8. Noise, Noise, Noise

9. Looking At You

10. Liar

11. Smash It Up Part 1

12. Smash It Up (Part 2)

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 3rd studio album "Machine Gun Etiquette" - released 2 November 1979 in the UK only on Chiswick Records CWK 3009. Produced by ROGER ARMSTRONG and THE DAMNED - the LP peaked at No. 31 on the UK album charts.

THE DAMNED were:

DAVE VANIAN [David Lett] - Vocals

CAPTAIN SENSIBLE [Raymond Burns] - Guitar

ALGY WARD [Alasdair Ward] - Bass

RAT SCABIES [Christopher Millar] - Drums

The 'Hip Pocket' card repro artwork reproduces the original British LP sleeve as was with its 'cartoon' inner sleeve (the CD has all the writing credits). The Remaster was carried out by ADAM SKEAPING at Sound Mastering and like the LP itself - ROCKS like a monster.

"Ladies and Gentleman. How do!" After the dialogue and snarling jeers from the boys - the sheer sonic assault of "Love Song" (2:21 minutes) is followed by the equally short and quarrelsome album title track "Machine Gun Etiquette" where the band sounds not unlike a boozed-up Motorhead wanting to have words in your shelllike. After the pasting the "Music For Pleasure" album received - the sheer power of the reformed band on the two openers literally screams 'we're back!'. And just when you were getting used to another nosebleed - you then get something more sophisticated but just as good - the Stranglers-tight "I Just Can't Be Happy Now" which Chiswick smartly released as a 7" single in the UK on Chiswick CHIS 120 and were rewarded with a No. 46 chart placing. "Melody Lee" is another brilliant album track as is the rhythm-rattling shakedown of "Anti-Pope" Side 1 ends with "These Hands" - a swirling laughing fairground organ song about 'turning blue' - complete with its high-heels on the pavement ending.

Side 2 opens with the riffing and strangely melodic "Plan 9 Channel 7" which at 5:09 minutes feels like Prog Rock after what went before. Chiswick put out "Noise, Noise, Noise" as the B-side to "Love Song" as far back as April 1979 on Chiswick CHIS 112 on red vinyl - a great stomper with echoed vocals about 'noises for heroes' and massive guitar from Sensible. You'd have to argue that their cover of MC5's "Looking At You" (from their 1970 "Back In The USA" LP) is one of those cover versions that rivals and at times exceeds the original and that guitar-playing throughout its 5:08 minutes is absolutely astonishing. The LP then sucker punches the listener with two fantastic Punk groovers - the 'never tell the truth' of "Liar" and the two parts of "Smash It Up". Chiswick used the faster part of "Smash It Up" as an A-side on another red vinyl 45 just before the album arrived - Chiswick CHIS 116 in October 1979 - and were rewarded with a No. 35 chart placing. A great ending to a great album.

I should mention that other issue. The November 2004 '25th Anniversary Edition' Enhanced CD Reissue and Remaster of "Machine Gun Etiquette" on Ace/Chiswick CDWIKD 250 has 9 bonus tracks - the six non-album 7" single B-sides, three new Previously Unreleased Audio Versions of key album tracks and a Previously Unseen Video of "Plan 9, Channel 7" (use Barcode 029667425025 in Amazon's search bar if you want that issue). And of course with those extra goodies - it therefore offers better value for money (still available relatively cheaply too). But I'm a sucker for that repro artwork and the album presented 'as is'. It's true this 'Hip Pocket' CD would have been stronger with killer B-sides like "Burglar" from "Smash It Up" and their rattling cover of The Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz" tucked away on the flip-side of "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" - itself one of their strongest efforts. But you pays your money...and...

Besides you gotta love any band with people named 'Captain Sensible' and Rat Scabies'. You know Prince Phillip would approve...

Titles in Ace Records Mid-Price 'Hip Pocket' CD Series of Card Repro Reissues are:

1. DONALD AUSTIN – Crazy Legs (Ace/Westbound CDHP 016, Dec 2006)

2. THE BISHOPS – Cross Cuts (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 256, June 2005)

3. HADDA BROOKS – Femme Fatale (Ace CDCHM 1129, Nov 2006)

4. THE CHAMPS – Go, Champs, Go! (Ace CDCHM 1126, Sep 2006)

5. THE DAMNED – Machine Gun Etiquette (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 027, July 2007)

6. THE ESCALATORS [ex Meteors] – Moving Staircases (Ace CDHP 017, Dec 2006)

7. THE EVERLY BROTHERS – The Everly Brothers (Ace CDCHM 1127, Sep 2006)

8. FUNKADELIC – Maggot Brain (Ace/Westbound CDHP 030, Aug 2007)

9. CHUCK HIGGINS – Pachucko Hop (Ace CDHP 024, April 2007)

10. B. B. KING – The Jungle (Ace/Kent CDHP 031, Nov 2007)

11. JOHNNY MOPED – Cycledelic (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 029, Oct 2007)

12. JACKIE LEE – The Duck (Ace/Kent CDHP 032, Dec 2010)

13. LONNIE MACK – The Wham Of That Memphis Man! (Ace CDCHM 1134, Nov 2006)

14. MOTORHEAD – Motorhead [1977 Debut LP] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 021, Oct 2007)

15. THE OLYMPICS – Something Old, Something New (Ace/Kent CDHP 018, Dec 2006)

16. THE RADIO STARS – Songs For Swinging Lovers (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 5, June 2006)

17. THE SONICS – Here Are The Sonics! (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 022, Feb 2007)

18. THE SONICS – The Sonics Boom (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 023, April 2007)

19. ROOSEVELT SYKES [aka 'The Honeydripper'] – Sings The Blues (Ace CDCHM 1132, Nov 2006)

20. VARIOUS – For Dancers Only [Kent's 1st Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 019, Feb 2007)

21. VARIOUS – For Dancers Also [Kent's 2nd Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 020, April 2007)

22. VARIOUS – Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll [80ts Rockabilly compilation] (Ace CDHP 026, July 2007)

23. VARIOUS – Fool's Gold [70ts Punk compilation] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 028, August 2007)

24. LINK WRAY – Early Recordings (Ace/Chiswick CDCHM 6, June 2006

25. THE ZOMBIES – Odyssey And Oracle (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 025, June 2007)

"Sings The Blues" by ROOSEVELT SYKES (2006 Ace Hip-Pocket CD Remaster In Repro Card Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Out On A Limb..." 

"Sings The Blues" is part of Ace Records 'HIP POCKET' series - 5" Card Repro sleeves of rare and iconic albums from across many genres (see list below).

This November 2006 CD reissue of "Sings The Blues" by ROOSEVELT SYKES on Ace CDCHM 1132 (Barcode 029667022521) replicates that ultra-rare US-only 1962 album on Crown Records CLP 5287.

1. Slave For Your Love

2. Gone With The Wind

3. Wild Side

4. Out On A Limb

5. Honey Child

6. Never Loved Like This Before [Side 2]

7. Last Chance

8. Casual Friend

9. Your Will Is Mine

10. Hup Dupe Do

It's a proper remaster (doesn't say who remastered it - probably NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering) from the original analogue tapes (25: 45 minutes) and the Audio is SUPERB - loud and clear - a typically brill job done by one of Britain's truly great re-issue labels.

The band for the album consisted of:

ROOSEVELT "The Honeydripper" SYKES on Piano

OETT "Sax" MALLARD on Saxophone

WILLIE DIXON on Upright Bass

ARMAND "Jump" JACKSON on Drums

Playing the Chicago Blues on his Piano since 1929 - Roosevelt Sykes wasn't exactly a spring chicken in the summer of 1962 - but his age imbibed the renditions with a genuine 'real deal' feel. The music is slow piano-based blues with a slight New Orleans twist on some of the tracks - a sort of harder version of Fat Domino. 

"Slave For Love" (1), "Out On A Limb" (4) and "Honey Child" (5) are Roosevelt "The Honeydripper" Sykes originals – while "Gone With The Wind" (2), "Wild Side" (3), "Never Loved Like This Before" (6), "Last Chance" (7), "Casual Friend" (8), "Your Will Is Mine" (9) and "Hupe Dupe Do" (10) are co-written with JOE JOSEA.

It doesn't say who played the excellent guitar work on "Gone With The Wind", "Out On A Limb" and especially "Casual Friend" - but it's all ‘so’ good. And I love that atmospheric 'Beale Street' artwork with its original JOE TAUBLING liner notes on the rear (June 1962).

I picked up my copy from the wonderful independent record shop SISTER RAY on Berwick Street in London for a fiver. A very cool reissue in its skinny-minnie 6" repro card sleeve. 

"Sings The Blues" is great Chicago Piano Blues you will want in your hipster's pocket...

                       Titles in Ace Records Mid-Price 'Hip Pocket' CD Series are:

1. DONALD AUSTIN – Crazy Legs (Ace/Westbound CDHP 016, Dec 2006)

2. THE BISHOPS – Cross Cuts (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 256, June 2005)

3. HADDA BROOKS – Femme Fatale (Ace CDCHM 1129, Nov 2006)

4. THE CHAMPS – Go, Champs, Go! (Ace CDCHM 1126, Sep 2006)

5. THE DAMNED – Machine Gun Etiquette (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 027, July 2007)

6. THE ESCALATORS [ex Meteors] – Moving Staircases (Ace CDHP 017, Dec 2006)

7. THE EVERLY BROTHERS – The Everly Brothers (Ace CDCHM 1127, Sep 2006)

8. FUNKADELIC – Maggot Brain (Ace/Westbound CDHP 030, Aug 2007)

9. CHUCK HIGGINS – Pachucko Hop (Ace CDHP 024, April 2007)

10. B. B. KING – The Jungle (Ace/Kent CDHP 031, Nov 2007)

11. JOHNNY MOPED – Cycledelic (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 029, Oct 2007)

12. JACKIE LEE – The Duck (Ace/Kent CDHP 032, Dec 2010)

13. LONNIE MACK – The Wham Of That Memphis Man! (Ace CDCHM 1134, Nov 2006)

14. MOTORHEAD – Motorhead [1977 Debut LP] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 021, Oct 2007)

15. THE OLYMPICS – Something Old, Something New (Ace/Kent CDHP 018, Dec 2006)

16. THE RADIO STARS – Songs For Swinging Lovers (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 5, June 2006)

17. THE SONICS – Here Are The Sonics! (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 022, Feb 2007)

18. THE SONICS – The Sonics Boom (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 023, April 2007)

19. ROOSEVELT SYKES [aka 'The Honeydripper'] – Sings The Blues (Ace CDCHM 1132, Nov 2006)

20. VARIOUS – For Dancers Only [Kent's 1st Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 019, Feb 2007)

21. VARIOUS – For Dancers Also [Kent's 2nd Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 020, April 2007)

22. VARIOUS – Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll [80ts Rockabilly compilation] (Ace CDHP 026, July 2007)

23. VARIOUS – Fool's Gold [70ts Punk compilation] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 028, August 2007)

24. LINK WRAY – Early Recordings (Ace/Chiswick CDCHM 6, June 2006

25. THE ZOMBIES – Odyssey And Oracle (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 025, June 2007)

"Cross Cuts" by THE (COUNT) BISHOPS (2005 Ace/Chiswick 'Hip Pocket' CD Reissue/Remaster In Card Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Want Candy..." 

I hate the way some great bands just kind of get sidelined - chucked in the pile marked 'interesting' but not quite Carling. The Count Bishops have always seemed to fit that bill. But I'd argue that like The Sex Pistols - they burned 'so' brightly for a short period of time - leaving behind a staggering legacy we're still feeling in (Hot) August 2016. That and they were blindingly great fun...

Riding on the 1975 shirt-tails of other dynamic retro R 'n' B Pub Rock bands like Dr. Feelgood and Ducks Deluxe - THE COUNT BISHOPS inaugurating the wonderful Chiswick Label with their incendiary "Speedball" EP in November of that year (Chiswick SW 1) - four storming cover versions that like the Lee Brilleaux/Wilko Johnson Dr. Feelgood's invasion of out hearts in 1975 and 1976 - felt new and fresh.

For me their April 1977 debut album "The Count Bishops" on Chiswick WIK 1 (the label's first LP) straddles that divide between Punk and New Wave. The Dutch album "Good Gear" followed on the Dynamo label and a further Chiswick 10" Mini-LP now trading as simply The Bishops - "The Bishops Live At The Roundhouse" in April 1978 on Chiswick CH 7. Which brings us to their forgotten and unfairly forlorn (too many f's baby) "Cross Cuts" album from 1979 - their last studio set released just after Zenon De Fleur's horrible loss in a car crash (March 1979) – just when the band was poised to make a real breakthrough with the their fantastic cover of "I Want Candy".

And that's where this fab and dinky Ace records 'Hip Pocket' CD reissue/remaster comes storming in. Here are the speedy details...

UK released June 2005 - "Cross Cuts" by THE BISHOPS on Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 256 (Barcode 029667425629) is part of Ace's 'Hip Pocket' CD Reissue Series (see list below) and is a straightforward CD transfer of their 14-track 1979 album in a Card Sleeve Repro and plays out as follows (37:13 minutes):

1. I Take What I Want

2. Could You Would You

3. What's Your Number

4. Your Daddy Don't Mind

5. Good Times

6. Too Much, Too Soon

7. Rolling Man

8. I Want Candy [Side 2]

9.  Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight

10. Hands On The Wheel

11. Don't Start Me Talking

12. These Arms Of Mine

13. No Lies

14. Mr. Jones

Tracks 1 to 14 are their 4th and final album "Cross Cuts" - released June 1979 in the UK on Chiswick CWK 3009 (no US release).

THE BISHOPS were:

DAVE TICE – Lead Vocals and Harmonica

ZENON DE FLEUR (real name Zenon Hierowski) – Guitars and Backing Vocals

PAT McMULLAN – Bass

PAUL BALBI – Drums

Admittedly the card sleeve isn't much to get your knickers in a knot about – much like the rather dull album artwork of the original LP. In fact the reduced details on the rear cover are nigh on impossible to read – but all that pales once you clap your tired lugs on the NICK ROBBINS Remaster which goes for the ballsack and pretty much stays there. This album sounds alive and fresh again...

Opening with a cover of a Stax hit "I Take What I Want" written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter for Sam and Dave (Stax S-175 in August 1965) – they decide to do with the song what Rory Gallagher did in October 1975 on his first album for Chrysalis Records "Against The Grain" – rock it out. This time they're more Wilko Johnson that Mississippi Delta slide. "Could You Would You" is an old Van Morrison Them song from their second platter "Them Again" in 1968 that American street charmer Willy DeVille covered for his 1988 "Miracle" album. In fact I'd swear naughty Willy lifted the Bishops' slightly Latin treatment of it wholesale for his DDD version with Mark Knopfler on Guitar. After that brief pace let up - we pop some not-fat speed and launch straight into Dave Rice's fantastic rocker "What's Your Number" which sounds like Lee Brilleaux fronting Dr. Feelgood with everything ramped to 13 on a 12-gauge speed dial. Dig that growling vocal, those riffing guitars and cool harmonica. Dave Rice and Zenon De Fleur contributed the wickedly infectious slide guitar boogie of "Your Daddy Don't Mind" where the boys convince us that pops won't mind if his daughter stays out late tonight. Both Cliff Bennett and The Easybeats had a go at Harry Vanda and George Young's bopper "Good Times" in 1968 on United Artists and Parlophone Records respectively. The Bishops keep their cover tight but choppy - piano rolls punctuating a great backbeat whilst having one eye on the single's market. But far better is an original from Dave Rice and Drummer Paul Balbi - the brilliant rocker "Too Much, Too Soon" - the kind of boogie blast that crosses Rock 'n' Roll and New Wave with ease (what a 45 this would have made). Side 1 ends with a superb Zenon De Fleur slide-guitar chugger - "Rolling Man" - the kind of beast that hooks you right from the get go and keeps you there with great guitar and crafty Harmonica hooks.

Side 2 opens with the fabulous raucous riffage of "I Want Candy" - originally a hit for The Strangeloves on Bang B-501 in May 1965 - though it's safe to say that most young men remember lusting after Annabella Lwin in Bow Wow Wow when they covered it in 1982 on RCA Records. The Bishops get that 60ts anarchy just right - a superb update of a neglected monster (I still have my 6" sized 45 with its picture sleeve on Chiswick 6 CHIS 101). That's followed by bizarre-covers ahoy - the Bishops going after a totally forgotten Fleetwood Mac song delightfully called "Someone's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight" - a non-album B-side to "Man Of The World" on Immediate IM 080 in April 1969 (written by one of the band's guitarists Jeremy Spencer). It's drunken violence suits their 'get them out of their seats' Pub Rock attack. "Hands On The Wheel" is another quality rocker from Dave Rice and Zenon De Fleur while their signifying cover of the Sonny Boy Williamson Chess nugget "Don't Start Me Talking" has been done by everybody from Etta James, Dr. Feelgood and Mountain's Leslie West. The boys then discover their inner Stax by covering Otis Redding's hurting "These Arms Of Mine" - but things return to normal with Rice and De Fleur's "No Lies" - an almost poppy Nick Lowe tune. This excellent album ends with a cover of John Loudermilk's witty and saucy "Mr. Jones" which Chiswick tried as a British 45 in May 1979 (Chiswick CHIS 1111) but it didn't take.  

Given the strength of their material and especially their formidable live reputation as a band that slaughtered all put before them - it seems inexplicable to me even now that THE BISHOPS never charted anything - 45 or LP - drowned out by Punk and bigger New Wave names. Dull artwork - bad timing - cruel breaks - whatever it was - I think its time to reappraise. Like The Feelgoods, The Clash, The Pistols and The Damned – The Bishops lit up our world and I will always love them for that.

"I Want Candy" they sang in 1979. Well (pun intended) count me in...

Titles in Ace Records Mid-Price 'Hip Pocket' CD Series are:

1. DONALD AUSTIN – Crazy Legs (Ace/Westbound CDHP 016, Dec 2006)

2. THE BISHOPS – Cross Cuts (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 256, June 2005)

3. HADDA BROOKS – Femme Fatale (Ace CDCHM 1129, Nov 2006)

4. THE CHAMPS – Go, Champs, Go! (Ace CDCHM 1126, Sep 2006)

5. THE DAMNED – Machine Gun Etiquette (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 027, July 2007)

6. THE ESCALATORS [ex Meteors] – Moving Staircases (Ace CDHP 017, Dec 2006)

7. THE EVERLY BROTHERS – The Everly Brothers (Ace CDCHM 1127, Sep 2006)

8. FUNKADELIC – Maggot Brain (Ace/Westbound CDHP 030, Aug 2007)

9. CHUCK HIGGINS – Pachucko Hop (Ace CDHP 024, April 2007)

10. B. B. KING – The Jungle (Ace/Kent CDHP 031, Nov 2007)

11. JOHNNY MOPED – Cycledelic (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 029, Oct 2007)

12. JACKIE LEE – The Duck (Ace/Kent CDHP 032, Dec 2010)

13. LONNIE MACK – The Wham Of That Memphis Man! (Ace CDCHM 1134, Nov 2006)

14. MOTORHEAD – Motorhead [1977 Debut LP] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 021, Oct 2007)

15. THE OLYMPICS – Something Old, Something New (Ace/Kent CDHP 018, Dec 2006)

16. THE RADIO STARS – Songs For Swinging Lovers (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 5, June 2006)

17. THE SONICS – Here Are The Sonics! (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 022, Feb 2007)

18. THE SONICS – The Sonics Boom (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 023, April 2007)

19. ROOSEVELT SYKES [aka 'The Honeydripper'] – Sings The Blues (Ace CDCHM 1132, Nov 2006)

20. VARIOUS – For Dancers Only [Kent's 1st Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 019, Feb 2007)

21. VARIOUS – For Dancers Also [Kent's 2nd Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 020, April 2007)

22. VARIOUS – Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll [80ts Rockabilly compilation] (Ace CDHP 026, July 2007)

23. VARIOUS – Fool's Gold [70ts Punk compilation] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 028, August 2007)

24. LINK WRAY – Early Recordings (Ace/Chiswick CDCHM 6, June 2006

25. THE ZOMBIES – Odyssey And Oracle (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 025, June 2007)

"Something Old, Something New" by THE OLYMPICS (2006 Ace/Kent 'Hip Pocket' 5" Card CD Repro and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Earth Breaking...Back Shaking...Do The Philly Dog..."

The fifth album by Californian Vocal Group THE OLYMPICS on Mirwood Records went largely unnoticed in the winter of 1966 despite being a killer mixture of Soul Dancers and Motownesque interpretations of their own Vocal Group/R&B Oldies. Their debut 45 "Western Movies" in August 1958 on Demon 1508 (a No. 8 Pop smash) and the June 1963 minor charting of "The Bounce" at No. 40 (Tri Disc 106) along with four whole albums (three on Arvee Records and one on Tri Disc Records) was long since past. But perhaps that 'Vocal Group' tag simply wouldn't shake off and explains why such a good Soul album saw so little chart action despite Mirwood releasing six singles across 1966 and 1967 to support the LP.

It has of course garnished the interest of collectors subsequently when they hear its superb string of club killers. The fabulous dancer "Baby, Do The Philly Dog" released October 1966 on Mirwood 5523 has subsequently become something of a Northern Soul monster - and Jon Savage included "Secret Agents" from the album on his October 2015 double-CD thesis "1966: The Year The Decade Exploded" – another cool talcum powder shaker. The three guys on the cover are WALTER WARD, EDDIE LEWIS and MACK STARR. Original band member Charles Fizer had been killed during a race riot in August 1965 aged only 25. "Something Old, Something New" does what it says on the tin – it’s a mixture of old hits like "Hully Gully" and "The Bounce" re-recorded for the 1966 marketplace. The whole damn thing is good too - and I'm not the only one to think so (apart from Ace). KGFJ Radio Disc Jockey JIM RANDOLPH wants the 'happening listener' to 'groove on' in his excitable liner notes on the rear cover – and frankly who are we to go dim on Jim. Here are the Western Movies baby...

UK and Europe released December 2006 - "Something Old, Something New" by THE OLYMPICS on Ace/Kent CDHP 018 (Barcode 029667025126) is a straightforward reissue of their 1966 LP onto CD. This Remaster is part of Ace Records 'Hip Pocket Series' of CD Reissues (see list below) and plays outs as follows (28:13 minutes)

1. Western Movies

2. Hully Gully

3. Big Boy Pete

4. Shimmy Like Kate

5. Dance By The Light Of The Moon

6. The Bounce

7. Mine Exclusively [Side 2]

8. Baby, Do The Philly Dog

9. The Duck

10. Secret Agents

11. We Go Together, Pretty Baby

12. I'll Do A Little Bit More

Tracks 1 to 12 are their fifth album "Something Old, Something New" - released December 1966 in the USA on Mirwood MW 7003 (Mono) and Mirwood MWS-7003 (Stereo) – the STEREO mix is used for the CD.

The 5" card sleeve repros the original and rare American Mirwood Records LP with some basic (boxed) reissue notes on the rear sleeve. There's also an inner sleeve (unusual for these 'Hip Pocket' reissues which shows the Stereo Label of Mirwood MWS 7003). It looks and feels nice. NICK ROBBINS – a long time Audio Engineer associated with Ace, Edsel and Esoteric - did the remastering. Ace always use the real tapes and the Audio here is fabulous – full of that Sixties atmosphere – the instruments and production kept so sweet. The CD label lists tracks and writer credits and it's mid-price - so available for less than six quid in most places.

The whole 'Hip Pocket' series is designed to ape those 4" multi-track mini records (played at 33 1/3) put out in the USA between 1967 and 1969 as a way for fans to get the music in a 'handy and portable' way (they issued about 60 titles). As you can see from the list below – most of these albums are either obscurities - or overlooked classics Ace feel you should pay attention to. Genres stretch from 50ts Jazz (Chuck Higgins) to Blues Piano and Vocals (Roosevelt Sykes and Hadda Brooks) to 70ts Metal (Motorhead) to Punk (Radio Stars) and 60ts Garage & Psych (Sonics and Zombies) and beyond...

They give it the gunshot beginning too on the remake of 1958's "Western Movies" - a cool mid-tempo beginning (not quite as good as the original some might say but close). We get almost New Orleans R&B with "(Baby Hully Gully)" - another well-recorded driving remake that feels very 'now'. Someone sings a deep 'yeah' throughout the catchy "Big Boy Pete" while "Shimmy Like Kate" feels like 'Voo it, Voo it' R&B shimmy-shaker. The upbeat and be-stringed "Dance By The Light Of The Moon" is a first slip-up - a cheesy version with a vocal you can barely make out. Better is the Ray Charles pumping piano of "The Bounce" - a great dancer that Mirwood put out as an A-side (Mirwood 5525) with "The Duck" on the flip-side. Amazing it didn't chart.

If you jump immediately to Side 2 and play "Mine Exclusively", "Baby, Do The Philly Dog" and "The Duck" in a row - you'd think you'd stumbled on a great Soulful Motown album - handclaps - driving drums - girly backing vocals complimenting that guttural lead vocal. "Secret Agents" name-checks some of the day's obsessions - spies, agents, the FBI and Walter Cronkite - and is another Motownesque driver (it was the B-side to "Mine Exclusively" on Mirwood 5513). You'd swear H-D-H was conducting Marvin Gaye for "Baby Don't You Do It" as you listen to the relentless dance groove of the fab "We Go Together (Pretty Baby)". Mirwood thought it such a winner that they used it for the first 45 from the LP (Mirwood 5504) with the superb "Secret Agents" on the flip - what a winner - but again no chart action. It ends on another dancefloor pacer - "I'll Do A Little Bit More" - a tune where the singer worries about a 'muscle bound man holding your hand in the back seat of a car' so he's going to have to up his game and do a little bit more...

A fabulous little Soul/Dancer album then and a very cool CD reissue.

"...Gotta have it! Got to have your love!" - The Olympics declare on "I'll Do A Little Bit More". Got to have it - I agree...

Titles in Ace Records Mid-Price 'Hip Pocket' CD Series are:

1. DONALD AUSTIN – Crazy Legs (Ace/Westbound CDHP 016, Dec 2006)

2. THE BISHOPS – Cross Cuts (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 256, June 2005)

3. HADDA BROOKS – Femme Fatale (Ace CDCHM 1129, Nov 2006)

4. THE CHAMPS – Go, Champs, Go! (Ace CDCHM 1126, Sep 2006)

5. THE DAMNED – Machine Gun Etiquette (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 027, July 2007)

6. THE ESCALATORS [ex Meteors] – Moving Staircases (Ace CDHP 017, Dec 2006)

7. THE EVERLY BROTHERS – The Everly Brothers (Ace CDCHM 1127, Sep 2006)

8. FUNKADELIC – Maggot Brain (Ace/Westbound CDHP 030, Aug 2007)

9. CHUCK HIGGINS – Pachucko Hop (Ace CDHP 024, April 2007)

10. B. B. KING – The Jungle (Ace/Kent CDHP 031, Nov 2007)

11. JOHNNY MOPED – Cycledelic (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 029, Oct 2007)

12. JACKIE LEE – The Duck (Ace/Kent CDHP 032, Dec 2010)

13. LONNIE MACK – The Wham Of That Memphis Man! (Ace CDCHM 1134, Nov 2006)

14. MOTORHEAD – Motorhead [1977 Debut LP] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 021, Oct 2007)

15. THE OLYMPICS – Something Old, Something New (Ace/Kent CDHP 018, Dec 2006)

16. THE RADIO STARS – Songs For Swinging Lovers (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 5, June 2006)

17. THE SONICS – Here Are The Sonics! (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 022, Feb 2007)

18. THE SONICS – The Sonics Boom (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 023, April 2007)

19. ROOSEVELT SYKES [aka 'The Honeydripper'] – Sings The Blues (Ace CDCHM 1132, Nov 2006)

20. VARIOUS – For Dancers Only [Kent's 1st Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 019, Feb 2007)

21. VARIOUS – For Dancers Also [Kent's 2nd Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 020, April 2007)

22. VARIOUS – Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll [80ts Rockabilly compilation] (Ace CDHP 026, July 2007)

23. VARIOUS – Fool's Gold [70ts Punk compilation] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 028, August 2007)

24. LINK WRAY – Early Recordings (Ace/Chiswick CDCHM 6, June 2006

25. THE ZOMBIES – Odyssey And Oracle (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 025, June 2007)

"Go, Champs, Go!" By THE CHAMPS (2006 Ace 'Hip Pocket' 5" Card CD Repro & Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...New Sounds In Music Have No Limit!" 

Forever labelled as a 'one hit wonder' – Los Angeles Tex Mex instrumental group The Champs scored huge with the utterly infectious "Tequila" – a monster No. 1 hit on both the Pop and R&B charts in March 1958 (Challenge Records 1016). Their follow up was an unlikely cover of a 1939 Bing Crosby hit called "El Roncho Rock" (Track 2 on Side 1) - but it stalled at No. 30 in June 1958. And apart from a few other minor chart-flourishes ("Too Much Tequila" in February 1960 and "Limbo Rock" in July 1962 which made 30 and 40 respectively) – they faded into musical history.

And that's where this wickedly good repro reissue steps in – those hip chaps over at Ace Records of the UK clearly feeling that The Champs' debut album from June 1958 warrants your attention again. And I'd agree - because almost 60 years after the event – it's still bops like a goodun and feels amazingly fresh. Here are the motorvatin' details...

UK and Europe released September 2006 - "Go, Champs, Go!" by THE CHAMPS on Ace Records CDCHM 1126 (Barcode 029667021722) is a straightforward reissue of their 1958 debut LP onto CD. This Remaster is part of Ace's 'Hip Pocket Series' of CD Reissues (see list below) and plays outs as follows (27:23 minutes)

1. Go Champ Go

2. El Rancho Rock

3. I’ll Be There

4. Sky High

5. What's Up, Buttercup?

6. Lollipop

7. Tequila [Side 2]

8. Train To Nowhere

9. Midnighter

10. Robot Walk

11. Just Walking In The Rain

12. Night Beat

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut album "Go, Champs, Go!" - released June 1958 in the USA on Challenge CHL 601 and March 1959 in the UK on London HA-H 2152 (Mono only). It didn't chart in either country.

The 5" card sleeve repros the original and rare American Challenge Records LP with some basic (boxed) reissue notes on the rear sleeve (the album is a listed rarity at $250.00 – with the famous 'Blue' vinyl variant clocking in a whopping $2,500). And dig that artwork – what a joy – I want one of those red velvet suits. Although it doesn’t say who did the mastering (probably Nick Robbins or Duncan Cowell) – Ace always use real tapes and the Audio here is fabulous – full of that Fifties atmosphere – the instruments and production kept so sweet. The CD label lists tracks and writer credits - the rear sleeve has the original Irwin Zucker liner notes (which typical of the time tell you nothing about the music or the group members) but there is no inner-sleeve or any assessment of the album (which is a shame). It's mid-price too - so available for less than six quid in most places.

The whole 'Hip Pocket' series is designed to ape those 4" multi-track mini records (played at 33 1/3) put out in the USA between 1967 and 1969 as a way for fans to get the music in a 'handy and portable' way (they issued about 60 titles). As you can see from the list below – most of these albums are either obscurities - or overlooked classics Ace feel you should pay attention to. Genres stretch from 50ts Jazz (Chuck Higgins) to Blues Piano and Vocals (Roosevelt Sykes and Hadda Brooks) to 70ts Metal (Motorhead) to Punk (Radio Stars) and 60ts Garage & Psych (Sonics and Zombies) and beyond...

The band was CHUCK RIO on Saxophone, BUDDY BRUCE and DAVE BURGESS on Lead and Rhythm Guitar, CLIFF HILL on Bass and GENE ALDEN on Drums. It's pretty obvious to me that the fantastic bopper "Go Champ Go" should have been 45 number two because it's just a brill piece of dancing Rock 'n' Roll - all Saxophone fills, piano rolls and the boys occasionally chanting "Go, Champ, Go!" with a sense of teenage excitement. It's easy to hear why the rather tame "El Rancho Rock" didn't have the same impact as its predecessor "Tequila" - it's really good but not 'huge' like the cha-cha drinks song was (Rio's saxophone is so clear). We get a ballad next from the pen of Rhythm Guitar player Dave Burgess - the almost easy listening "I'll Be There" - but far better is the chipper Mexican-rhythms of "Sky High" where the boys even try to sound like Mariachis as they chant the chorus "...aye...aye...sky high!" Dave Burgess penned the cool "What's Up, Buttercup" - a kind of Coasters shuffle where the rhythm stops while someone gives it his best girly voice as he shouts "What's Up! Buttercup!" Side 1 ends on a fairly faithful Saxophone cover of The Chordettes hit "Lollipop" - a No. 2 hit in March 1958 - tearing up the US Pop charts as they were recording it.

Side 2 opens with the album's defining moment - the fabulous "Tequila" written by Saxophone maestro Chuck Rio. What a winner and guaranteed floor filler - the whole band sounding so tight and hip with the Latin beat. Duane Eddy and Link Wray devotees will go straight for the cool guitar-lead Rock 'n' Roll of "Train To Nowhere" - a Dave Burgess creation that threatens to start a fight at any moment or at least razor the local cinema seats (fab stuff and worth the price of admission alone). Continuing on that bopper tip - Burgess stumps up two LP faves - a fantastic instrumental rocker called "Midnighter" that is all churning guitars, driving rhythms on piano and drums and that ever-present funky Sax as well the jerky "Robot Walk". Unfortunately their too faithful cover of Johnnie Ray's 1956 weepy ballad "Just Walking In The Rain" is hardly the stuff of instrumental Rockabilly bliss - but it ends well on "Night Beat" - another cool composition from Kay Thompson who provided the wonderful "Go Champ Go" that opened proceedings.

A fabulous little album then and a very cool CD reissue (the only one to my knowledge). Don your shades, hop on your motorcycle and ride baby ride...

Titles in Ace Records Mid-Price 'Hip Pocket' CD Series are:

1. DONALD AUSTIN – Crazy Legs (Ace/Westbound CDHP 016, Dec 2006)

2. THE BISHOPS – Cross Cuts (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 256, June 2005)

3. HADDA BROOKS – Femme Fatale (Ace CDCHM 1129, Nov 2006)

4. THE CHAMPS – Go, Champs, Go! (Ace CDCHM 1126, Sep 2006)

5. THE DAMNED – Machine Gun Etiquette (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 027, July 2007)

6. THE ESCALATORS [ex Meteors] – Moving Staircases (Ace CDHP 017, Dec 2006)

7. THE EVERLY BROTHERS – The Everly Brothers (Ace CDCHM 1127, Sep 2006)

8. FUNKADELIC – Maggot Brain (Ace/Westbound CDHP 030, Aug 2007)

9. CHUCK HIGGINS – Pachucko Hop (Ace CDHP 024, April 2007)

10. B. B. KING – The Jungle (Ace/Kent CDHP 031, Nov 2007)

11. JOHNNY MOPED – Cycledelic (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 029, Oct 2007)

12. JACKIE LEE – The Duck (Ace/Kent CDHP 032, Dec 2010)

13. LONNIE MACK – The Wham Of That Memphis Man! (Ace CDCHM 1134, Nov 2006)

14. MOTORHEAD – Motorhead [1977 Debut LP] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 021, Oct 2007)

15. THE OLYMPICS – Something Old, Something New (Ace/Kent CDHP 018, Dec 2006)

16. THE RADIO STARS – Songs For Swinging Lovers (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 5, June 2006)

17. THE SONICS – Here Are The Sonics! (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 022, Feb 2007)

18. THE SONICS – The Sonics Boom (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 023, April 2007)

19. ROOSEVELT SYKES [aka 'The Honeydripper'] – Sings The Blues (Ace CDCHM 1132, Nov 2006)

20. VARIOUS – For Dancers Only [Kent's 1st Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 019, Feb 2007)

21. VARIOUS – For Dancers Also [Kent's 2nd Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 020, April 2007)

22. VARIOUS – Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll [80ts Rockabilly compilation] (Ace CDHP 026, July 2007)

23. VARIOUS – Fool's Gold [70ts Punk compilation] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 028, August 2007)

24. LINK WRAY – Early Recordings (Ace/Chiswick CDCHM 6, June 2006

25. THE ZOMBIES – Odyssey And Oracle (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 025, June 2007)

"The Everly Brothers" by THE EVERLY BROTHERS (2006 Ace Records 'Hip Pocket' 5" Card CD Repro and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...They’re Off And Rolling..."

God Bless their little Steele Road cotton socks - but Ace Records of the UK probably thought the 'Hip Pocket' Series of card facsimiles/CD reissues was a good idea. But in truth - some of them have ended up looking every so slightly naff and inconsequential when that was clearly never the intention (this issue is a case in point). Not that the January 1958 Cadence Records Mono LP debut of The Everly Brothers is a dismissible platter - nothing could be further from the truth. In fact re-listening to its sub 28-minutes in 2016 (with just shy of 60 years distance) and its genuine brilliance and classiness is all the more remarkable. The Ev's first album is one of Rock's great debuts and a starter point for both harmony Rock 'n' Roll and (what we now call) Country Rock. Shame the card sleeve of it just ends up looking ordinary when you would have wanted more for this most brilliant of beginnings. That said let's get to the factoids and music...

UK and Europe released September 2006 - "The Everly Brothers" by THE EVERLY BROTHERS on Ace Records CDCHM 1127 (Barcode 029667021425) is part of Ace Records 'Hip Pocket Series' of CD Reissues (see list below) and plays outs as follows (27:03 minutes)

1. This Little Girl Of Mine
2. Maybe Tomorrow
3. Bye-Bye Love
4. Brand New Heartache
5. Keep A Knockin'
6. Be Bop A-Lula
7. Rip It Up [Side 2]
8. I Wonder If I Care
9. Wake Up Little Susie
10. Leave My Woman Alone
11. Should We Tell Him
12. Hey Doll Baby
Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut album "The Everly Brothers" (aka "They're Off And Rolling...") - released January 1958 in the USA on Cadence CLP-3003 and March 1958 in the UK on London HA-A 2081 (Mono only). It peaked at No. 16 in the US LP charts.

The 5" card sleeve repros the original American Cadence Records LP with some basic (boxed) reissue notes on the rear sleeve. Although it doesn’t say who did the mastering (probably Nick Robbins or Duncan Cowell) – Ace always use real tapes and the Audio here is fabulous – full of that Fifties atmosphere – the instruments and production kept so sweet. The CD label mimics the maroon colour of the rare original American LP – but there is no inner-sleeve or any assessment of the album - and it makes the reissue feel unnecessarily bare. It's also mid-price so available for less than six quid in most places. 

The whole 'Hip Pocket' series is designed to ape those 4" multi-track mini records (played at 33 1/3) put out in the USA between 1967 and 1969 as a way for fans to get the music in a 'handy and portable' way (they issued about 60 titles). As you can see from the list below – most of these albums are either obscurities - or overlooked classics Ace feel you should pay attention to. Genres stretch from 50ts Jazz (Chuck Higgins) to Blues Piano and Vocals (Roosevelt Sykes and Hadda Brooks) to 70ts Metal (Motorhead) to Punk (Radio Stars) and 60ts Garage & Psych (Sonics and Zombies) and beyond...

"The Everly Brothers" (sometimes called "They're Off And Rolling..." because of the liner notes on the front cover) is essentially a compilation of their first three US 7" singles (both sides) – two of which sold millions of copies - with six other tracks added on. The self-titled debut LP for Kentucky's DON and PHIL EVERLY may be short on playing time but is chock-full of hits and quality songs. "Bye Bye Love" b/w "I Wonder If I Care As Much" made No. 2 in the USA and No. 6 in the UK on Cadence 1315 and London HLA 8440 respectively - while the irresistible "Wake Up Little Susie" b/w "Maybe Tomorrow" went one better and hit No. 1 in the USA on Cadence 1337 (No. 2 UK on London HLA 8498). The third 78"/45 "This Little Girl Of Mine" b/w "Should We Tell Him" stalled at No. 26 in the USA (Cadence 1342) but didn't chart in the UK (London HLA 8554).

Of the other tracks "Rip It Up" and "Keep A Knockin'" are of course Little Richard covers while the UK's primo wildman Gene Vincent gets a look in with their Side 1 ender of the Screaming End's signature tune "Be Bop A-Lula". The two Ray Charles cuts "This Little Girl Of Mine" and "Should We Tell Him" suited their stunning Brotherly Harmonies so well as did the Titus Turner cover of "Hey Doll Baby" that ends Side 2. But impressively the album is dominated by the songwriting talents of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant – a husband-and-wife songwriting duo from Georgia who would become synonymous with both The Everly Brothers and that other great era crooner - Roy Orbison. They penned "Bye Bye Love", "Brand New Heartache" (beautiful Audio on this track) and "Wake Up Little Susie". Not to be outdone the boys penned "I Wonder If I Care As Much" and "Should We Tell Him" in very much the same vein - boppy catchy hits.

If you want to go the whole hog I'd recommend the truly gorgeous "Classic Everly Brothers" - a 3CD Box Set by Bear Family from 1992 and their stunning "Studio Outtakes" single-disc mini box set from February 2006 that offers fans 34 previously unreleased outakes complete with studio patter and Audio that defies its age.

Simon & Garfunkel covered "Bye Bye Love" on their "Bridge Over Troubled Water" 1970 LP masterpiece - singing "...I'm through with romance...I'm through with love..." Sixty years on and we're still not through with this fantastic start and the incomparable Everly Brothers...

Titles in Ace Records Mid-Price 'Hip Pocket' CD Series are:

1. DONALD AUSTIN – Crazy Legs (Ace/Westbound CDHP 016, Dec 2006)

2. THE BISHOPS – Cross Cuts (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 256, June 2005)

3. HADDA BROOKS – Femme Fatale (Ace CDCHM 1129, Nov 2006)

4. THE CHAMPS – Go, Champs, Go! (Ace CDCHM 1126, Sep 2006)

5. THE DAMNED – Machine Gun Etiquette (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 027, July 2007)

6. THE ESCALATORS [ex Meteors] – Moving Staircases (Ace CDHP 017, Dec 2006)

7. THE EVERLY BROTHERS – The Everly Brothers (Ace CDCHM 1127, Sep 2006)

8. FUNKADELIC – Maggot Brain (Ace/Westbound CDHP 030, Aug 2007)

9. CHUCK HIGGINS – Pachucko Hop (Ace CDHP 024, April 2007)

10. B. B. KING – The Jungle (Ace/Kent CDHP 031, Nov 2007)

11. JOHNNY MOPED – Cycledelic (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 029, Oct 2007)

12. JACKIE LEE – The Duck (Ace/Kent CDHP 032, Dec 2010)

13. LONNIE MACK – The Wham Of That Memphis Man! (Ace CDCHM 1134, Nov 2006)

14. MOTORHEAD – Motorhead [1977 Debut LP] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 021, Oct 2007)

15. THE OLYMPICS – Something Old, Something New (Ace/Kent CDHP 018, Dec 2006)

16. THE RADIO STARS – Songs For Swinging Lovers (Ace/Chiswick CDWIKM 5, June 2006)

17. THE SONICS – Here Are The Sonics! (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 022, Feb 2007)

18. THE SONICS – The Sonics Boom (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 023, April 2007)

19. ROOSEVELT SYKES [aka 'The Honeydripper'] – Sings The Blues (Ace CDCHM 1132, Nov 2006)

20. VARIOUS – For Dancers Only [Kent's 1st Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 019, Feb 2007)

21. VARIOUS – For Dancers Also [Kent's 2nd Reissue LP compilation] (Ace/Kent CDHP 020, April 2007)

22. VARIOUS – Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll [80ts Rockabilly compilation] (Ace CDHP 026, July 2007)

23. VARIOUS – Fool's Gold [70ts Punk compilation] (Ace/Chiswick CDHP 028, August 2007)

24. LINK WRAY – Early Recordings (Ace/Chiswick CDCHM 6, June 2006

25. THE ZOMBIES – Odyssey And Oracle (Ace/Big Beat CDHP 025, June 2007)