"This Is Clarence Carter/The Dynamic Clarence Carter...And More" by CLARENCE CARTER (January 2016 Ace/Kent Soul CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...That Old Time Feeling..." 

Alabama's CLARENCE CARTER has had his Atlantic Records catalogue reissued a number of times before in both the UK and the USA by good labels like Rhino, Sequel and Collectables. I've even got Japanese Atlantic versions from two years back with great sound and a reasonable price. So why buy yet again?

Because this January 2016 CD reissue is by 'Ace Records of the UK' (using their Kent Soul label imprint) and 'best ever audio' hardly even scrapes the surface. This CD reissue sounds truly amazing – presented in crystal clear glorious STEREO. As if that's not enough enticement this new version also offers up something quite rare – five Previously Unreleased album outakes tagged on at the end that are actually worth shelling out for. 
Ho! Ho! Ho! as the visually-impaired Montgomery Soul Singer would say-chuckle. 
Let's get to the 'looking for a fox' details...

UK released Friday, 29 January 2016 (5 February 2016 in the USA) – "This Is Clarence Carter/The Dynamic Clarence Carter...And More" by CLARENCE CARTER on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 444 (Barcode 029667244428) offers 2LPs onto 1CD plus Five Previously Unreleased Outtakes and plays out as follows (76:41 minutes):

1. Do What You Gotta Do [Side 1]

2. Looking For A Fox

3. Slippin' Around

4. I'm Qualified

5. I Can't See Myself

6. Wind It Up

7. Part Time Love [Side 2]

8. Thread The Needle

9. Slip Away

10. Funky Fever

11. She's Ain’t Gonna Do Right

12. Set Me Free

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "This Is Clarence Carter" in Stereo – released December 1968 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8192 and in the UK on Atlantic 588 152

13. I'd Rather Go Blind [Side 1]

14. Think About It

15. The Road Of Love

16. You've Been A Long Time Coming

17. Light My Fire

18. That Old Time Feeling

19. Steal Away [Side 2]

20. Let Me Comfort You

21. Look What I Got

22. Too Weak To Fight

23. Harper Valley PTA

24. Weekend Love

Tracks 13 to 24 are his 2nd album "The Dynamic Clarence Carter" in Stereo – released March 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8199 and in the UK on Atlantic 588 172

BONUS TRACKS Recorded 1966-1967:

25. I'm Happy-Go-Lucky (Mono)

26. She Ain't Gonna Do Right (Mono)

27. Take Me, Use Me (Stereo)

28. There Won't Be Another Sunset (Mono)

29. I'll Be Over After A While (Mono)

The 16-page booklet features full plates of the American artwork front and rear for both LPs – but cleverly Ace have reproduced the 'Original Notes' on the rear of each LP in clear print so fans can actually read the text. There's new liner notes from Soul Expert DEAN RUDLAND that goes into wonderful track-by-track knowledge. The two other Ace CDs they've done for Clarence Carter have been for his Fame Records 7" singles – the vast majority of which were in MONO – so these album in glorious true STEREO are something to behold. The reissue label's long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL handled the transfers and Remasters – and wow is all I can say. I've adored "Looking For A Fox" as one of those sneakily great 60ts Soul groovers that slaughter all in its path when you're out on the dancefloor. The album STEREO cut of "Looking For A Fox" presents subtle differences in that it loses the background singers that were on the Mono single cut – but the upside is that the Audio punch is unbelievable and the thrill factor just as good. This is a fantastic sounding CD and Carter fans will absolutely have to ditch all previous versions...

The debut album had been two years in the making for the blind singer – gathering songs and finally getting into Rick Hall's Fame Studios. His debut opens with the rather schlocky Johnny Rivers and Jimmy Webb vehicle "Do What You Gotta Do" – but by the time you get to his fabulous ballad "I Can't See Myself (Crying About You)" and the funky keyboard groove of "Wind It Up" – you're being hit with a lethal combo – great tunes transferred with rolicking audio. Side 2 opens with the chugging Soul of Clay Hammond's "Part Time Love" – the Fame Gang Session Players laying down a blinder on Guitar, Piano and Horns (wow city). Rudland rightly points out that there's a cymbal on "Thread The Needle" that seems to have been overdubbed onto the Stereo mix – the thing is that this sucker sounds so clear - it threatens to punch a hole in your speaker stack. Clarence's utterly gorgeous "Slip Away" is full and clean - and many people's fave raver "Funky Fever" is surely going to make you shimmy your shammy and not give a monkeys what the neighbours think...

His 2nd album only cemented the building reputation of the debut – it opens with a truly stunning transfer of "I'd Rather Go Blind" – a cover of an Etta James classic on Chess. Don Covay & Otis Redding's "Think About It" sounds fantastic too – but Duane Allman fans will freak out for "The Road To Love" – their hero plays a wild guitar solo half way through (flanged left to right and away) and its never sounded this clear to me (and I've had this track at least five times before on varying compilations). Two great sounding tracks follow – Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil's "You've Been A Long Time Coming" and The Doors classic "Light My Fire" – but despite the quality transfer neither ignite and in fact feel slightly uncomfortable against the rest of the real Soul Music on the album. Things return to kick ass with the wonderful slink-funk of "That Old Time Feeling" – a co-write between Carter and Rick Hall. His lovely cover of the Jimmy Hughes chart winner "Steal Away" comes at you with such clarity as to make you double take. But my itchy fingers immediately flick to my double Side 2 craves – "Too Weak To Fight" and the fabulous guitar-funk of "Weekend Love" - both dancing like Abbot Costello with ants in his pants. Even his cover of Jeannie C Riley's "Harper Valley PTA" rocks – a cautionary tale where we're reliably informed by the nice principals of said educational establishment that "...Mrs. Johnson...you're wearing your dresses too high..." (oh dear).

I had though the Previously Unreleased would be throw away (four in Mono and one in Stereo) – but thankfully they're not. After all that Stereo bliss – the Mono "I'm Happy-Go-Lucky" comes as an audio shock but a minute in and I'm hooked – a great groove that shows his undeniable knack for picking a 'feeling' and nailing it. Both it and "There Won't Be Another Sunset" are from the same 1967 session and Rudland is right to describe them as 'rather wonderful'. Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn's "She Ain't Gonna Do Right" is a demo and despite its 'frail' audio still sounds great - while the Stereo "Take Me, Use Me" features some lady vocalists to great effect (uncredited unfortunately). His own "I'll Be Over After A While" ends the music fest on an upbeat note...

I've loved Ace's commitment to Soul and R&B across the four long decades they been in the Reissue game. But for me - a long time reviewer and passionate lover of both genres – this CD is something of an Audio milestone. Fantastic music accompanied by truly awesome transfers of it. 

I know its only the end of January but for little old fart me - this is already a shoe in for 2016 'Soul CD Reissue Of The Year'...

PS: I also highly recommend "The Fame Singles Volume 1: 1966-70" by Clarence Carter that Ace put out in 2012 – it has 24 Mono Tracks in blistering sound quality and features many non-album cuts too. See my review...

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is SOUL, FUNK & JAZZ FUSION - an E-Book with over 240 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"The Lost Motown Album" by THE FANTASTIC FOUR (June 2015 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review for Mark Barry...

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RATING: *****

 

"...How Sweet He Is..."

Motown lovers/aficionados will be licking their lips in glee on this one – and with damn good reason. Supposed to have been issued on the Motown subsidiary label Soul SS-722 in early 1971 – the vinyl album "How Sweet He Is" by THE FANTASTIC FOUR was cancelled at the last minute and unceremoniously pulled from the schedules – thereafter remaining a sought-after holy grail for label collectors and lovers of quality Soul.

Five of the 12 cuts made it onto American 7" singles and a further three tracks later turned up on various European CD compilations in the Nineties and Naughties (see lists below). But what's so exciting about this 2015 CD reissue is that researchers for Ace Records of the UK went back into the vaults looking for the album and its associated B-sides and found 'dozens' of outtakes of an extremely high quality. Hence this Expanded CD Remaster gives you the whole 12-track album intact at last and in gorgeous remastered audio – along with a whopping 13 Bonus Tracks - 10 of which are Previously Unreleased. It’s a bit of a reissue sensation really. Here are the vaulted details...

UK released June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) – "The Lost Motown Album" by THE FANTASTIC FOUR on Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 434 (Barcode 029667243421) is a 25-track CD compilation and breaks down as follows (77:28 minutes):

1. Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy

2. Just Another Lonely Night

3. If This World Were Mine

4. A Little Too Much

5. We Can Work It Out

6. Keep On Tryin' ('Til You Find Love)

7. On The Brighter Side Of A Blue World

8. Don't Care Why You Want Me (Long As You Want Me)

9. I'm Gonna Carry On

10. I Feel Like I’m Falling In Love Again

11. You Turn Me Around

12. I Just Can't Forget About You Baby

Tracks 1 to 12 are the LP "How Sweet He Is" by The Fantastic Four - reputedly scheduled for American release in early 1971 on Soul SS-722 but cancelled...

"Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy" and "Keep On Tryin' ('Til You Find Love)" were first released in August 2010 on the CD compilation "A Cellarful Of Motown! Volume 4" (Motown 882 4009). The cover version of Marvin Gaye's "If This World Were Mine" first appeared on the September 1998 CD compilation "Motown Sings Motown Treasures" (Motown 530 960 2).

Three US 7" singles on the Soul Label were issued around the aborted album as follows:

1. I Feel Like I'm Falling In Love Again b/w Pin Point It Down

Released 13 March 1969 in the USA on Soul 35058 (No UK equivalent)

The version of "I Feel Like I'm Falling In Love" on the album is Stereo at 3:09 minutes – the Mono Single edit at 2:48 minutes can be found on the 2007 Book Set "The Complete Motown Singles Volume 9: 1969". The B-side was non-album and is track 15 on this CD compilation.

2. Just Another Lonely Night b/w Don't Care Why You Want Me (Long As You Want Me)

Released 23 September 1969 in the USA on Soul 35065 (No UK equivalent)

The versions on the album are Stereo at 3:04 and 3:01 minutes respectively. The Mono single mixes at 2:54 and 3:12 minutes can be found on the 2007 Book Set "The Complete Motown Singles Volume 9: 1969".

3. On The Brighter Side Of A Blue World b/w I'm Gonna Carry On

Released 23 April 1970 in the USA on Soul 35072 (No UK Equivalent)

The versions on the album are Stereo at 3:57 and 2:56 minutes respectively. The Mono single edits at 2:48 and 2:45 minutes respectively are available on the 2008 Book Set "The Complete Motown Singles Volume 10: 1970"

BONUS TRACKS:

13. How Big Is Your Heart

14. It Keeps Raining Down Tears

15. Pin Point It Down

16. Loving You (Is Hurting Me)

17. I've Found My Goal

18. Don't Tell Me I'm Crazy

19. Fan The Flame

20. In A Bad Way

21. I Hate Myself For Loving You

22. I'm Still A Struggling Man

23. Forgive My Jealousy

24. I Shall Not Be Moved

25. The Double Cross

"Loving You (Is Hurting Me)" first appeared on the October 2007 CD compilation "A Cellarful Of Motown! Volume 3" (Motown 530 3228 2). "Don't Tell Me I'm Crazy" first appeared June 2003 on the CD compilation "Tamla Motown Connoisseurs, Volume 2" (Spectrum 067 016 2).

The booklet firstly has 4-pages of detailed track-by-track breakdowns – Producers, Recording Dates, Overdubs etc – followed by 8-pages of new liner notes from Soul Expert and long-time Ace associate TONY ROUNCE (a name that’s graced probably hundreds of reissues). The text is peppered with repros of those rare Soul labels (American white label promos too) along with a few publicity shots of the four lads – (Brothers) Joe and Ralph Pruitt, Toby Childs and lead Vocalist "Sweet" James Epps.

Hailing out of Michigan's Detroit - this Soul Group's history with Motown was a frustrating one. Moving on from the small-time independent of Ric Tic to the now mighty Motown must have seemed like a logical step but it turned out to be one of missed opportunities and a career staler (they had further hits in the mid to late Seventies with Westbound Records). Of the 11 singles The Fantastic Four released on Ric Tic Records between 1966 and 1968 – they charted an impressive five (with "The Whole World Is A Stage" going as high as Number 6). But newly signed to Motown - apart from "I Love You Madly" on Soul 35052 which managed Number 10 on the American R&B charts in May 1969 – the band couldn’t get arrested on Berry Gordy's Mothership. And it wasn’t because they lacked the vocals – out front was one of Soul Music’s truly great (unheralded) voices – "Sweet" JAMES EPPS (he's on the far right of the photo). Weighing in at a sizeable poundage – he looks like Solomon Burke but has the sweet pipes of Eddie Ruffin crossed with Ben E. King. This guy has 'SWEET SOUL' in his vocal chords like James Brown has 'HEAVY FUNK' hotwired into his very DNA. It’s now fairly clear that the album title was going to centre around Epps’ name – How "Sweet" He Is – but compiler TONY ROUNCE speculates that perhaps Motown had intended for him to go Solo. Whatever happened – we’re left with the musical legacy...so let’s get to that...

You’re hit with two pleasing elements on first hearing the Side 1 opener "Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy" – the quality of the NICK ROBBINS Remaster and the gruff edge of Epps fantastic voice. This is classy sophisticated late Sixties Soul (the song traces back as far as April 1967 for its backing track with overdub vocals added in 1969). By the time you get to the warm and lovely strings of "This World Is Mine" (Stereo Version) – the vocals are as touching as Soul singing gets. Heartache and drinking pour out of "A Little Too Much" – once again his voice backed up by "too much" chants from the boys. The cover of The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out" is good rather than great for me but far better is "On The Brighter Side Of A Blue World" which is a typically grieving Motown mid-tempo tune with clever use of a harpsichord. You also notice the omnipresent talents of Producers Al Kent and Bobby Taylor – each of their Productions reeking of that suave Soul sophistication that seemed effortless to the label in the late Sixties. The whole album holds up very well and leaves you wondering why pull such a classy collection...

Of the bonuses there’s a non-album B-side in "Pin Point It Down" – two CD compilation exposures for "Loving You (Is Hurting Me)" and "Don't Tell Me I'm Crazy" in 2003 and 2007 respectively – and the rest are new for 2015. Things get off to a very promising start with "How Big Is Your Heart" – a shoe in surely for some Northern Soul compilation to come – where Epps sounds so like Eddie Kendricks letting rip. But genuinely gorgeous comes in the form of "It Keeps Raining Down Tears" – a smoocher about walking in the park before his baby says goodbye. The B-side is fab too as are so many of the others...

In their 40th Anniversary Year of reissues – "The Lost Motown Album" by The Fantastic Four is a wonderful release from Ace's Kent Soul label imprint – the kind of CD that only reaffirms why this brilliant reissue company has been beloved by collectors for four solid decades. Way to go boys and a Reissue of the Year for 2015...

CD Reissues (to July 2015) by ACE RECORDS covering the MOTOWN label:

1. Dance With The Contours – THE CONTOURS (March 2011, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 350)
2. Just A Little Misunderstanding: Rare And Unissued Motown 1965-68 - THE CONTOURS and DENNIS EDWARDS (June 2014, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 419)
3. The Lost Motown Album – THE FANTASTIC FOUR (June 2015, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 434)
4. It Moves Me: The Complete Recordings 1958-1964 - EDDIE HOLLAND (January 2012 2CD Set, Ace CDTOP2 1331)
5. The Artistry Of Brenda Holloway with Bonus Tracks from The Motown Vaults - BRENDA HOLLOWAY (November 2013, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 406)
6. Love & Desire: The Patrice Holloway Anthology  – PATRICE HOLLOWAY (June 2011, Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 354)
7. I’ll Pick A Rose For My Rose: The Complete Motown Recordings 1964-1971 - MARV JOHNSON (April 2011, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 351)
8. Here Comes...The Complete Motown Stereo Masters - SHORTY LONG (March 2012, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 369)
9. Say You! The Motown Anthology 1963-1968 - THE MONITORS (June 2011, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 355)
10. The Complete Motown and Tamla Singles Plus – THE SATINTONES (April 2010, Ace Deluxe CDLUX 002)
11. Truly Yours: Their First Motown Album With Bonus Tracks 1963-1967 - THE SPINNERS (June 2012, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 371)
12. Finders Keepers: Motown Girls 1961-1967 – VARIOUS ARTISTS (March 2013, Ace CDTOP 1364)
13. Satisfaction Guaranteed: Motown Guys 1961-69 – VARIOUS ARTISTS (October 2014, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 424)
14. The One Who Really Loves You/Two Lovers: Two Classic Motown Albums - MARY WELLS (December 2012, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 387)

“Queen Of Soul with Bonus Tracks” by ETTA JAMES. A Review Of Her 1964 Argo Records LP - Now Reissued And Remastered Onto An Ace Records/Kent Soul CD In 2012 With Bonus Tracks.

This Review is part of my E-Book

"…You Got Me So I Can’t Eat...I'm Loving You More Every Day..."

2011 turned out to be a bumper year for fans of the American Soul legend Etta James. February saw the "Who's Blue" Kent Soul compilation with 24 elusive tracks on Chess and Cadet - while October saw the first official CD release of "Call My Name" - a criminally forgotten Cadet Records LP from 1967. Then came "Losers Weepers" in October - an obscure album from 1970 with 11 bonus tracks (again first time on CD). Continuing that run into 2012 is this - her 1964 "Queen Of Soul" album in Stereo - also bolstered up with a copious amount of relevant bonus tracks. Here are the finite details...

UK released Monday 28 May 2012 (12 June 2012 in the USA) - "Queen Of Soul with Bonus Tracks" by ETTA JAMES on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 377 (Barcode 029667237727) reissues her 1964 10-Track Soul LP "Queen Of Soul" originally on Argo Records and adds on 13 Bonus Tracks. It breaks down as follows (68:22 minutes):

1. Bobby Is His Name [Side 1]
2. I Wish Someone Would Care
3. That Man Belongs Back Here With Me
4. Somewhere Out
5. Breaking Point
6. Flight 101 [Side 2]
7. Loving You More Every Day
8. Do Right
9. I Worry About You
10. Mellow Fellow

Tracks 1 to 10 are the 'Stereo' LP "Queen Of Soul" - released November 1964 in the USA on Argo Records LPS-4040

BONUS TRACKS: 

11. You Got Me Where You Want Me
Track 11 is a 1965 outtake first issued in 2000 on "The Chess Box" - a 3CD box set on MCA/Chess 088 112 288-2 [Disc 1]
12. Only Time Will Tell
13. Pushover
14. You Can't Talk To A Fool
15. Would It Make Any Difference To You
16. Stop The Wedding
17. How Do You Speak To An Angel
18. Be Honest With Me
19. Pay Back
20. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)
21. Two Sides (To Every Story)
22. Tomorrow Night
23. I Can't Hold It In Anymore

Tracks 14, 20 and 22 are all outtakes first released on the 1997 American CD compilation "These Foolish Things - The Classic Balladry Of Etta James" on MCA/Chess MCD 09354. The other bonus tracks are singles as listed below...

This CD will also allow fans to sequence almost 10 of her US 45's released off and around the album [track number after the title - exclusions noted]:

1. Stop The Wedding [16] b/w Street Of Tears [not included] on Argo 5418 (1962)

2. How Do You Speak To An Angel [17] b/w Would It Make Any Difference To You [15] on Argo 5430 (1962)

3. Pushover [13] b/w I Can't Hold It In Any More [23] on Argo 5437 (1963)

4. Be Honest With Me [18] b/w Pay Back [[19] on Argo 5445 (1963)

5. Two Sides (To Every Story) [21] b/w I Worry Bout You [9] on Argo 5452 (1963)

6. Baby What You Want Me To Do b/w What I Say on Argo 5459 (1964) [neither included]

7. Look Who's Blue [not included] b/w Loving You More Every Day [7] on Argo 5465 (1964)

8. Breaking Point [5] b/w That Man Belongs Here With Me [3] on Argo 5477 (1964)

9. Mellow Fellow [10] b/w Bobby Is His Name [1] on Argo 5485 (1964)

10. Only Time Will Tell [12] b/w I'm Sorry For You [not included] on Cadet 5526 (1966)

[Note: Tracks 11, 13, 16, 18 and 23 are MONO - all others are STEREO]

The first thing that hits you is the HUGE STEREO SOUND. Remastered by DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering in London - I've sung this engineer's praises before (I reviewed all the Blue Horizon CDs he handled) - and again - it's a bang-up job. There's amazing clarity on every song - clean Stereo separation too and a huge presence on instruments - especially the brass and percussion. It is hissy in places - "Bobby Is His Name" and "Somewhere In Time" - but that's a plus because it hasn't been noise-reduced or cleaned - just left alone and allowed to breath. It's a great listen and hugely evocative of the period. The MONO variant of the LP isn't on here I know - but the large number of bonus tracks (including rarities) more than makes up for that.

The 12-page colour booklet is crammed with photos of 7" singles (most of the titles listed above), Billboard and Cash Box magazine adverts from 1962, 1963 and 1964 - as well as a set of deeply personal liner notes by GARTH CARTWRIGHT (who wrote her obituary for England's Guardian newspaper). Contributions to the compilation also came from Rudy Calvo, Mickey McGill (of The Dells), David Yeats and Mick Patrick. Like its three CD predecessors - it's a typically classy effort from Ace...

Highlights for me are her cover of the Irma Thomas slow burner "I Wish Someone Would Care" and the brass/organ funk of "Breaking Point" where she sounds not unlike a female Ray Charles. The languid "Flight 101" informs us that "the ring, the rice, the shoes, will be waiting there..." while a real powerhouse performance comes in the shape of "Loving You More Every Day" (lyrics above). It's surely the reason why so many lovers of Sixties Soul rate Etta so - no need for sheet music - like Otis she just punches out the passion with her gut-wrenching voice. The pace is upped on "Do Right" and there's a Dinah Washington feel to "I Worry About You". 

The singles are a mixed bag - the cheesy "Stop The Wedding" mixes with the girly pop of "Two Sides (To Every Story)" and neither is particularly memorable. But things get better with the ballad "Only Time Will Tell" and what's shocking too is the quality of the three outtakes - especially her lovely cover of LaVern Baker's 1955 Atlantic classic "Tomorrow Night" - great production and nicely arranged strings.

Etta James sadly passed away in January 2012 after a lifetime of well-documented illnesses and addictions - eliciting an outpouring of affection from fans, industry insiders and singers alike.

This excellent CD will prolong her legacy. And once again Ace has championed someone worth remembering...and delivered the goods.

"Losers Weepers" by ETTA JAMES (October 2011 Ace/Kent-Soul 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Let Wisdom Be Your Hammer…Let Progress Be Your Aim…" 

2011 has turned out to be a bumper year for fans of the American Soul legend Etta James. February saw the "Who's Blue" Kent Soul compilation give us 24 elusive tracks on Chess and Cadet Records spanning 1961 to 1976 - whilst 31 October saw the first official release on CD of "Call My Name" - a criminally forgotten Cadet Records LP from 1967. I’ve reviewed both of them.

And now this - another exclusive - a first-time-on-CD outing for a rare vinyl LP from 1970 on Cadet records – and imbued with copious amounts of bonus tracks relevant to the period. Here are the weepy details…

UK released Monday 31 Oct 2011 (15 Nov 2011 in the USA) - "Losers Weepers" by ETTA JAMES on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 361 (Barcode 029667236126) breaks down as follows (74:57 minutes):

1. Take Out Some Insurance

2. I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good

3. I Think It’s You

4. Someone

5. Losers Weepers

6. Weepers

7. You’re The Fool

8. Hold Back The Tears

9. For All We Know

10. Look At The Rain

11. Ease Away A Little Bit At A Time

Tracks 1 to 11 are the Stereo LP "Losers Weepers" - released December 1970 in the USA on Cadet Records LPS-847

Track 12 is "The Love Of My Man" – a 1970 USA 7" single on Chess 2100 [A]

Tracks 13 to 17 are "Tighten Up Your Own Thing", "Quick Reaction And Satisfied", "Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing", "Sound Of Love" and "The Man I Love" are all from the album "Funk" – released January 1970 in the USA on Cadet Records LPS-847

Track 18 is "I Found A Love" – a 1972 USA 7" single on Chess 2125 [A]

Tracks 19 and 20 are "W.O.M.A.N." and "Tell It Like It Is" - are the A&B Sides of a 1972 USA 7" single on Chess 2128

Track 21 is "Never My Love" – a 1973 recording Previously Unreleased until the 2000 3CD set "The Chess Box"

Track 22 is "I Never Meant To Love Him" – a 1973 recording Previously Unreleased until the 1993 2CD set "The Essential Etta James"

[Note: Tracks 12, 14, 17 to 20 are MONO - all others are STEREO]

This CD release will allow fans to sequence almost all of the 7 x 7" singles released off and around the 2 x 1970 albums - "Losers Weepers" and "Funk":

1. Tighten Up Your Own Thing [13] b/w What Fools We Mortals Be [Not on here] on Cadet 5664 (1970)

2. Sound Of Love [16] b/w When I Stop Dreaming [Not on here] on Cadet 5671 (1970)

3. Losers Weepers [5] b/w Weepers [6] on Cadet 5676 (November 1970)

4. The Love Of My Man [12] b/w Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing [15] on Chess CH 2100 (1971)

5. I Think It’s You [3] b/w Take Out Some Insurance [1] on Chess CH 2112 (1971)

6. I Found A Love [18] b/w Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing [15] on Chess CH 2125 (May 1972)

7. W.O.M.A.N. [19] b/w Tell It Like It Is [20] on Chess CH 2128 (1972)

The first thing that hits you is the GORGEOUS SOUND QUALITY. Remastered by DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering in London - I've sung this engineer's praises before - but again - he's outdone himself here. There's amazing clarity on every song - clean Stereo separation too and a huge presence on instruments - especially the brass and percussion. It's a blast from start to finish. The 12-page colour booklet is crammed with photos of 7" singles (most of the titles listed above), Cash Box magazine adverts and reviews from December 1970 - as well as a superbly detailed set of liner notes by noted writer and Soul lover DENNIS GARVEY. Like it’s predecessor ("Call My Name" on CDKEND 360) – this is a typically classy effort...

Highlights for me are the slow Soul of "I Think It's You" and the cover of the Jackie Edwards nugget "Look At The Rain". It’s also cool to get 5 tracks off the rare "Funk" album – especially the zippy 'message' soul of "Tighten Up Your Own Thing" (lyrics above). The bluesy "Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing" is hardly 'funk', but it’s a proper Soul gem. An organ-led slowy, it's a pleader written by Johnny Morrisette and hardly surprising it got used as a 45-side - twice. The cover of The Bee Gees "Sound Of Love" is the only real clunker for me - it feels a little forced and too melodramatic – a little too pop for Etta. But the non-album single "W.O.M.A.N." is fab sexy Soul – even in Mono. At seventy-five minutes, there are loads of goodies on here...plenty to satisfy.

To sum up - once again Ace Records have delivered on all fronts - keeping the great lady's recorded legacy alive for future generations to savour and enjoy. A job well done...

"Call My Name with Bonus Tracks" [1967 Cadet Records in Stereo] by ETTA JAMES (October 2011 Ace/Kent-Soul CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review is part of my e-Book

"…You Know Where It's At…"

2011 has turned out to be a bumper year for fans of the American Soul legend Etta James. February saw the "Who's Blue" compilation give us 24 elusive tracks on Chess and Cadet Records spanning 1961 to 1976 – whilst 31 October will see her even rarer 1970 album "Losers Weepers" get a long overdue sonic update (with bonus tracks too). And sandwiched between those is this little peach – the first official release on CD of "Call My Name" – a criminally forgotten Cadet Records LP from 1967. Yum yum. But here are the finite details first…

UK released Monday 3 October 2011 - "Call My Name with Bonus Tracks" by ETTA JAMES on Ace Records/Kent-Soul CDKEND 360 (Barcode 029667236237) reissues her 1967 12-Track Soul Music LP originally on Cadet Records (in Stereo) and adds on 12 Bonus Tracks. It breaks down as follows (67:59 minutes):

1. Happiness
2. That's All I Want From You
3. Have Faith In Me
4. I'm So Glad (I Found Love In You)
5. You Are My Sunshine
6. It Must Be Your Love
7. 842-3089 (Call My Name)
8. Don't Pick Me For Your Fool
9. I Prefer You
10. Nobody Loves Me
11. It's All Right
12. Nobody Like You

Tracks 1 to 12 are the US album "Call Your Name" – released 27 January 1967 on Cadet Records LP-4055 [Mono] and LPS-4055 [Stereo] – the STEREO Mix Is Used

Bonus Tracks (13 to 20 are MONO, 21 to 24 are STEREO):

13. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
14. I Got You Babe
15. You Took It
16. I Worship The Ground You Walk On
17. I've Gone Too Far
18. You Got It
19. Misty
20. Almost Persuaded
21. Slow And Easy
22. The Soul Of A Man
23. Light My Fire
24. Miss Pitiful

Track 13 is a cover of the Aretha Franklin hit "Do Right Man, Do Right Woman" (written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham) – unreleased until "The Essential Etta James" 2CD set on Chess CHD2-9341 in 1993

Tracks 14 and 16 are "I Got You Babe" (a cover of the Sonny & Cher hit) and "I Worship The Ground You Walk On" (written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham) – released as the A&B-side of a 7” single on Cadet 5606 in May 1968 (CD as per 17)

Tracks 17 and 19 are "I've Gone Too Far" and "Misty" – unreleased until "Tell Mama – The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions" CD on Chess 088 112 518-2 in 2001

Track 18 is "You Got It" – issued as the A-side of a 7” single on Cadet 5620 in September 1968 (CD as per 17)

Track 20 is a cover of the David Houston Number 1 Country hit "Almost Persuaded" – the A-side of a 7” single issued on Cadet 5630 in December 1968 (CD as per 17)

Tracks 15, 21, 22, 23 are "You Took It" [Disc 2], "Slow And Easy" [Disc 3], "The Soul Of A Man" [Disc 3] and "Light My Fire" [Disc 2] – all previously unreleased until the 3CD set "The Chess Box" on Chess 088 112 288-2 in 2000

Track 24 is a cover of the Otis Redding/Steve Cropper song "Mr. Pitiful" reworked as "Miss Pitiful" – released as the A-side of a 7” single on Cadet 5655 in 1970 (CD as per 15)

Apart from the brassy Northern Soul feel to almost all of the tracks, the first thing that hits you full-in-the-face is the truly GORGEOUS SOUND QUALITY. Remastered by DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering in London – I’ve sung this engineer’s praises before – but he’s outdone himself here. There’s amazing clarity on every song – clean Stereo separation too and a huge presence on instruments - especially the brass and percussion. It’s a blast from start to finish. The 12-page colour booklet is crammed with photos of 7” singles, Cash Box magazine adverts and reviews as well as superbly detailed and affectionate liner notes by noted writers and Soul lovers MALCOLM BAUMGART and MICK PATRICK. A typically classy effort…

CONTENT - die-hard Etta James fans may be slightly disappointed to see that 'all' the bonus tracks (though many are rare) have turned up on previous CD compilations as noted above. However – this is the first commercial CD release for the entire "Call My Name" album – and it’s a worthwhile investment for just that alone.

Produced by legendary writers and musicians MONK HIGGINS and RALPH PARIS at the Chess Tel-Mar studios in late 1966 - highlights include "I Prefer You" and "I'm So Glad (I Found Love In You)" which were paired as a 45 in December 1967 (Chess 5552). Along with the other great writers like MAURICE DOLLISON (aka Cash McCall) and JOYCE WRENCHER, Higgins provided the lion’s share of the songs – and tunes like the torch ballad "Have Faith In Me" and the mid-tempo album finisher "Nobody Loves Me" are so much better for it (lyrics above). Another player in the sessions was BILLY FOSTER whom Etta married and had a son with – he gets a co-write on the jaunty "It Must Be Your Love" and "842-3089 (Call My Name)". Cult hero and song arranger CHARLES STEPNEY is in the band too on Vibes. The cover of Curtis Mayfield's Impressions' classic "It's All Right" is perhaps too fast and a bit heavy-handed, but that’s countered by the warm church Soul feel of "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" - a highlight among the bonus tracks.

To sum up – once again Ace Records have delivered on all fronts – keeping the great lady’s recorded legacy alive for future generations to savour and enjoy. A job well done.

Jamesetta Hawkins folks – accept no less.