"The Studio Wizardry of Todd Rundgren" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Tracks from 1968 to 1990 by Nazz, New York Dolls, Fanny, Sparks as Half Nelson, Hall & Oates, Grand Funk Railroad, Utopia, Badfinger, The Psychedelic Furs, Patti Smith Group, XTC, Bourgeois Tagg and more (28 January 2022 UK Ace Records CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Jet Boy... "

 

Everything about this CD should smack of winner and yet in truth I can listen to only five or six of these 22 choices and say they're any good let alone brilliant. First the details...

 

UK released Friday, 28 January 2022 - "The Studio Wizardry Of Todd Rundgren" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP 1609 (Barcode 029667104425) is a 22-Track CD compilation of Tracks Produced by TODD RUNDGREN that stretches from his own band Nazz and their 1968 debut LP through to a Jill Sobule credit in 1990. It plays out as follows (79:13 minutes):

 

1. Open Your Eyes - NAZZ (1968)

2. Jet Boy - NEW YORK DOLLS (1973)

3. Heaven's Falling - CHEAP TRICK (1983)

4. Frederick - PATTI SMITH GROUP (1979)

5. Dear God - XTC (1986)

6. You're Much Too Soon - HALL & OATES (1974)

7. We're An American Band - GRAND FUNK RAILROAD (1973)

8. Long Times Gone - FELIX CAVALIERE (1974)

9. Baby Blue - BADFINGER (1971)

10. So King - JILL SOBULE (1990)

11. L-5 - NEW ENGLAND (1981)

12. The Girl - THE RUBINOOS (1983)

13. One Night Stand (Alternate Version) - JANIS JOPLIN (First Issued 1993 on the "Janis" Box Set for Columbia/Legacy. Recorded 1970 - another take first appeared in 1982 on the "Farewell Song" compilation. Ace has chosen the 1993 version)

14. She's So Young - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS (1988)

15. Long Road Home - FANNY (1973)

16. Fa La Fa Lee - SPARKS as HALF NELSON (1971)

17. Piece By Piece - THE TUBES

18. Something Warm - RICK DERRINGER (1979)

19. I Don't Mind At All - BOURGEOIS TAGG (1987)

20. Midnight Sun - DRAGON (HUNTER) (1986)

21. Goodbye - THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS (1982)

22. Love Is The Answer - UTOPIA (1977)

 

Highlights include "Open My Eyes" by Nazz, their debut 45-single on SCR Records 45-001 in July 1968 (which was in fact flipped to play the more popular "Hello It's Me" B-side by savvy DJs of the day) and the gorgeous almost criminally forgotten "I Don't Mind At All" by Bourgeois Tagg from their "Yoyo" debut album in 1987 on Island Records. "Jet Boy" from the New York Dolls in 1973 is suitably punk and leery, the Hall & Oates cut "You're Much Too Soon" is good rather than killer, Patti Smith and "Frederick" we already know and for sure anything that leads a listener to the 1971 "Straight Up" album by England's Badfinger on Apple Records is good news - Peter Ham's "Baby Blue" a melodic nugget here.

 

But then you hit a long run of mediocre tracks like "Heaven's Falling" from Cheap Trick, "The Girl" by The Rubinoos, "Piece By Piece" by The Tubes and the schlock of "Something Warm" by Rick Derringer from his late 70s LP "Guitars And Women". The XTC (1986), Felix Cavaliere (1974) and The Pursuit of Happiness (1988) offerings all leave me cold. Better uplifts come in the shape of "One Night Stand" by Janis Joplin (a Rock-Soulful outtake from the 1993 Columbia Box Set) and mother would be proud of Fanny's "Long Road Home" (1973), both tunes pretty and memorable.

 

But then the very angle that is supposed to be highlighting his genius as a Producer on this CD is the very thing that dooms so many of these over-wrought slices of 80ts and 90ts dreck - New England and Dragon (Hunter) are prime examples. The Grand Funk and Sparks (as Half Nelson) 70ts cuts are just plodding with some respite to be had in the last two by The Psychedelic Furs ("Goodbye" from 1982) and Todd's own "Love Is The Answer" by Utopia on their 1977 LP "Oop! Wrong Planet!"

 

It also won't go unnoticed either in 2022 that Rundgren's biggest-ever Production hit – Meatloaf and Jim Steinman's mad, deliciously over-the-top debut album "Bat Out Of Hell" from 1977 on Epic Records that topped the US charts and has sold over 40-millions albums since – is not here. 

 

Featuring members of Springsteen's E-Street Band and Rundgren's own Utopia – "Bat..." is literally a beast of a record - up there with "Rumours" and "The Dark Side Of The Moon" in terms of decades-deep chart longevity. I dare say its absence here is due to licensing difficulties or perhaps not wanting to be obvious with that most overplayed of tunes, but instead feature other projects less well-known. Whatever way you look at it - and especially with his passing being literally weeks ago (20 January 2022) – the no-show of Meatloaf's "Bat Out Of Hell" on this compilation feels like a mistake - the wrong side of genuinely unfortunate timing.

 

The 24-page booklet is a masterful display of photos and wildly enthusiastic new liner notes from DAVE BURKE (quality mastering done by the mucho experienced Ace Audio regular NICK ROBBINS). 

 

But even with a ten-out-ten for effort, I just wish the CD compilation "The Studio Wizardry Of Todd Rundgren" had all been in the service of better songs. Fans will have to own it, but for anyone else, I'd advise a listen first...

"Dancin' And Twistin'" by HANK BALLARD And THE MIDNIGHTERS – Tracks from 1959 to 1969 on Federal and King Records (October 2000 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Mary Is Doin' It! 

So Is Sue! 

It's Twistin' Time!"

Now here's a sweetie CD covering Ballard's stay at King and Federal from 1958 to 1969 concentrating on his dance-craze string of American 45's. Here are the hip-swivelling details…

UK released October 2000 – "Dancin'’ And Twistin'" by HANK BALLARD & THE MIDNIGHTERS on Ace Records CHDCD 779 (Barcode 029667177924) is a CD Compilation of Remasters that breaks down as follows (65:40 minutes):

HANK BALLARD & THE MIDNIGHTERS

1. The Twist (1959, King 5171, A)

THE MIDNIGHTERS

2. Rock And Roll Wedding (1955, Federal 12240, A)

3. Henry's Got Flat Feet (Can't Dance No More) (1955, Federal 12224, A)

4. E Basta Cosi (1957, Federal 12293, A)

5. Rock, Granny, Roll (1956, Federal 12260, A)

HANK BALLARD & THE MIDNIGHTERS

6. The Coffee Grind (1960, King 5312, A)

7. Finger Poppin' Time (1960, King 5341, A)

8. Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go ((1960, King 5400, A)

9. The Hoochi Coochi Coo (1960, King 5430, A)

10. The Continental Walk (1961, King 5491, A)

11. Let's Go Again (Where We Went Last Night) (1961, King 5459, A)

12. The Float (1961, King 5510, A)

13. The Switch-A-Roo (1961, King 5510, B)

14. Keep On Dancing (1961, King 5535, A)

15. It's Twistin’ Time (1962, King 5601, A)

16. Good Twistin' Tonight (1962, King 5635, A)

17. Do You Know How To Twist? (1962, King 5593, A)

HANK BALLARD

18. That Low Down Move (1963, King 5719, A)

19. (I'm Going Back To) The House On The Hill (1963, King 5719, A)

20. Poppin' The Whip (1965, King 5996, A)

21. Sleep And Slide (1965, King 6018, A)

22. Dance Till It Hurtcha (1967, King 6092, A)

23. Funky Soul Train (1967, King 6131, A)

24. Butter Your Popcorn (1969, King 6244, A)

Compiled by JOHN BROVEN and PAUL HARRIS – Harris' liner notes in the 12-page booklet are peppered with label repros - pictures of Federal 12224 ("Henry's Got Flat Feet (Can't Dance No More)", Federal 12240 ("Rock And Roll Wedding"), Federal 12260 ("Rock, Granny, Roll"), King 5593 ("Do You Know How To Twist"), the British 45 for his iconic hit "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's GO” on Parlophone 45-R 4707 and a few others. 

The back page has sheet music to "Finger Poppin' Time" (in colour), a photo of the band having a laugh as they do 'The Twist' live, trade adverts for King Records and even a rare 45 picture sleeve that gives typed instructions as to "How To Do The Continental Walk". It's a fun read as you can imagine and all of it complimented by DUNCAN COWELL Remasters from original analogue master tapes.

The audio quality on stuff like "Rock And Roll Wedding" is fantastic ("…there was a boy named Rock and a girl named Roll…") - the same for "The Coffee Grind" with the drums bashing away as the girls sing, "They did the Susie Q!" after each verse.

I've always dug the upbeat dancer "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go" while the faster pace of "The Switch-A-Roo" sounds like a hit and it was (it went to Number 3 on the American R&B charts). Of his solo Hank Ballard sides, he sounds closest to James Brown on "That Low Down Move" and "Poppin' The Whip" while "Funky Soul Train" has a great Stereo remaster complete with brass fills in-between the driving beat. "It's Twistin' Time" is probably the best of his dance craze themed songs ("Mary is doing it…so is Sue…") and again it's here in great sound quality.

Not all genius of course, but the good stuff is great and with that top drawer audio – a must buy for fans…

"If I Have To Wreck L.A. Kent & Modern Records Blues Into The 60s Vol.2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Willie Headen, Smokey Wilson, Big Mama Thornton, Long Gone Miles, Model T Slim, Lowell Fulson and Willie Garland (September 2020 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Remasters – All New To Ace CD with Twelve Tracks Previously Unissued) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Nursing My Aching Head..."

Released 31 July 2020 in the UK, "Dirty Work Going On: Kent & Modern Records - Blues Into The 60s Vol.1" was the first in this Ace Records CD Series. Here is the next instalment that followed in late September 2020 - "If I Have To Wreck L.A.: Kent & Modern Records - Blues Into The 60s Vol.2". And it's just as enjoyable as numero uno... 

By the end of the 50ts, hard-hitting gutbucket Blues had morphed into a more commercial type of shuffling R&B which quickly then became the softer and more upbeat edge of early Soul. These compilations want in their hearts to go back to basics. And mostly they do – especially here. Like the first volume of these two CD compilations dealing with the 60s output of the US Kent & Modern labels (reviewed separately), Volume 2 is a hugely enjoyable listen with a lot of nifty Guitars and shimmering Harmonica warbles. 

And even if you don’t know names like Willie Headen and Long Gone Miles – you should. There is caustic humour too with the blame-game on both sides of the gender-divide being strong with this one. So here are the Black Widow Spiders, Hoodooing Hoodoo Men and Miss Nella Belle with rocks in her pillows and an inability to let her man play with her poodle (that’s just mean)...

UK released Friday, 25 September 2020 - "If I Have To Wreck L.A.: Kent & Modern Records - Blues Into The 60s Vol.2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1577 (Barcode 029667099929) offers 24 Remastered Tracks, All New to Ace CD compilations (Twelve are Previously Unissued) and it plays out as follows (78:51 minutes):

1. If I Have To Wreck L.A. – WILLIE HEADEN (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1968 Kent recording, Take 1)

2. Mama Said – WILLIE HEADEN (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1967 Kent recording, Take 3)

3. If I Can Ever Make Up My Mind - WILLIE HEADEN (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1968 Kent recording, Take 5)

4. Hey Baby - WILLIE HEADEN (1968 recording that first appeared on the 1999 Japan-Only Various Artists CD Compilation "West Coast Modern Blues 1960's Vol.3" on P-Vine PCD-3065)

5. You Told Me A Lie - SMOKEY WILSON (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1976 Kent recording)

6. Before Day (Big Mama's Blues) - BIG MAMA THORNTON (1965 US 45-single on Kent 45x424, A-side)

7. War Time Blues (Take 1) - LONG GONE MILES (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1968 Kent recording)

8. Gotta Find My Baby – LONG GONE MILES (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1968 Kent recording)

9. Little Sweet Thing (Take 4) – LONG GONE MILES (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Take of Kent 45x500, 1968 US 45-single A-side)

10. Black Widow Spider (Underdub With Alternate Vocal) – WILLIE GARLAND (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Take of Kent 45x461, 1968 US 45-single A-side – for B-side see Track 12)

11. Address In My Hand – WILLIE GARLAND (1967 recording first issued in March 1999 on the Japan-Only Various Artists CD compilation "West Coast Modern Blues 1960's" on P-Vine PCD 3060)

12. Soul Blues – WILLIE GARLAND (1967 US 45-single on Kent 45x461, Instrumental, B-side of "Black Widow Spider" – see Track 10 for an Alternate of the A-side)

13. You’re Too Cold – WILLIE HEADEN (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1968 Kent recording, Take 1)

14. Hot Wire Baby – WILLIE HEADEN (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1968 Kent recording, Take 2)

15. Baby You’re Wrong (Take 6) - WILLIE HEADEN (1968 recording that first appeared on the 1999 Japan-Only Various Artists CD Compilation "West Coast Modern Blues 1960's Vol.3" on P-Vine PCD-3065)

16. If I Have To Wreck L.A. (Take 5) – WILLIE HEADEN (1968 recording that first appeared on the 1999 Japan-Only Various Artists CD Compilation "West Coast Modern Blues 1960's Vol.3" on P-Vine PCD-3065)

17. Somebody’s Done Hoodooed The Hoodoo Man – MODEL T SLIM (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1967 Kent recording)

18. Christine – MODEL T SLIM (January 1969 US 45-single on Kent K-504, A-side – for B-side see Track 19)

19. Baby Don’t Tear My Clothes – MODEL T SLIM (January 1969 US 45-single on Kent K-504, B-side – for A-side see Track 18)

20. Rocks In My Pillow (Take 4) - LONG GONE MILES (1968 US Kent recording first appeared on the 1999 Japan-Only Various Artists CD Compilation "Juke Joint Blues 1950s -1960s" on P-Vine PCD-3058)

21. Let Me Play With Your Poodle (Take 2) - LONG GONE MILES (PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED, 1968 Kent recording)

22. Low Down Dirty Shame (Take 4) - LONG GONE MILES (1968 US Kent recording first appeared on the 1999 Japan-Only Various Artists CD Compilation "Juke Joint Blues 1950s -1960s" on P-Vine PCD-3058)

23. Miss Nella Belle - LONG GONE MILES (1968 US Kent recording first appeared on the 1999 Japan-Only Various Artists CD Compilation "Juke Joint Blues 1950s -1960s" on P-Vine PCD-3058)

24. Blues Pain - LOWELL FULSON (Originally Unissued Take of Kent 489, appeared also on the September 2001 Japan-Only 4CD compilation "The Complete Kent Recordings 1964-1968" on P-Vine PCD-3066-9)

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17 and 21 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

(Like Volume 1) the 16-page booklet features informative liner notes courtesy of DICK SHURMAN sat alongside photos of those rare US 45-labels and rare publicity shots of heroes like Little Joe Blue, B.B. King and Big Jay McNeely (dig T-Bone Walker looking cool with a cigarette in his mouth and that huge guitar in hand) while DUNCAN COWELL does his usual spectacular best - the Audio kicking ass on every tune. The fidelity (despite the age) is at times eerily brill. To the listen...

Clever inclusions are eight tracks from those desirable but long-deleted 'P-Vine' CD compilations out of Japan (limited editions of 3000 or less apparently) as well as Alternates of Kent 45s that feel just as good as the released versions. "If I Have To Wreck L.A." opens with a triple-whammy of Previously Unreleased guitar soloing Blues from Willie Headen who comes on like an excited Albert King ripping up and down the frets while he sings of mistreating women. They're damn good, but they're whomped by an Elmore James slashing Smokey Wilson whose 1976 "You Told Me A Lie" is a real find (cool and clear audio). The fantastic continues with great Little Walter-type Harmonica warbling from George Smith guesting on the anti-draft song "War Time Blues" by Luke "Long Gone" Miles. Two more cuts from him hammer home more slices of early-in-the-morning mean and dirty Harp Blues – brilliant inclusions.

Pity poor Willie Garland, his baby is a "Black Widow Spider" who done bit him and then up and left. Willie called the Doctor but the man with the leather bag just shook his head and went into a Harmonica solo in sympathy. Willie Headen returns too and he has his own problems – he wants to stop being a fool for his "Hot Wire Baby" who has returned from California with attitudes and some Mississippi missing (he bought her first shoes at the age of 22). A great guitar-shuffler. And on it goes - a great listen, Bluesy, Shufflers when you need them, Fun moments and those superb unreleased lifting up everything to winner status. 

"Well, look here mama, listen to my song, let me play with your poodle, I mean him no harm... " Luke "Long Gone" Miles saucily implores on "Let Me Play With Your Poodle" - a raucous Tampa Red cover version blessed with fabulous Harmonica from George Smith and the deep suggestive voice of Luke Miles. 

Well, I suggest you get jiggy-jiggy with "If I Have To Wreck L.A.: Kent & Modern Records - Blues Into The 60s Vol.2" too, because it's a winner that deserves your loving ham (if you know what I'm saying)...

See also Review for Volume 1

"Soul Voices: 60s Big Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Walter Jackson, Freddy Butler, Roy Hamilton, Chuck Jackson, Kenny Carter, Ben E. King, Clyde McPhatter, Lou Johnson, Brooks O’Dell, Garnet Mimms, Tommy Hunt, Clarence Pinckney, James Carr and more (May 2020 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

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60ts Soul, R'n'B, Mod, Northern Soul, New Breed and More
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"...Reach Out For Me..."

This is the kind of CD compilation you just know is going to be dripping class and quality – its swaying anthems of lad heartbreak and misery awash with a big old hunk of churning-burning lurve gone wrong (or just plain gone) - all of which, apparently, is entirely the woman's fault (no honestly). 

Ace's 'Kent Soul' roster of CD compilations clocks up catalogue number 490 here and even after all these decades, we still get a wee flutter in the groin area at the mere mention of one. And so it is with "Soul Voices: 60s Big Ballads" – you pretty much get what it says on the tin - majestic male vocalists from the heyday of that swinging decade giving it some vocal silk and sophistication ably abetted by girly backing singers and heavy-on-the-mascara string arrangements where via US 45s words like 'cry' and 'gloomy' and 'wrong' and 'losing you' populate each and every mini opera. 

And if that's not enough, five of these twenty-four pleaders are in the kind of jaw-dropping STEREO that only bigger studios like RCA and Columbia could provide – whilst another five are Previously Unreleased – even these with some genuinely great finds amongst them. Let's get to the river of tears, which is just outside the town of lonely, across the border from...etc.

UK released 29 May 2020 (delayed from April 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic) - "Soul Voices: 60s Big Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 490 (Barcode 029667098120) is a CD compilation of 24-tracks that plays out as follows (68:59 minutes):

1. Forget The Girl - WALTER JACKSON (originally unissued 1968 Okeh recording, first appeared on the 2007 CD compilation "Speak Her Name: The Okeh Recordings, Vol. 3" by Walter Jackson on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 273)

2. They Say I'm Afraid (Of Losing You) - FREDDY BUTLER (from the 1967 US Mono LP "With A Dab Of Soul" on Kapp KL-1519)

3. Heartache (Hurry On By) - ROY HAMILTON (July 1965 US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-8641, A-side)

4. Like A Big Bad Rain - KENNY CARTER (2020, Previously Unissued 1966 RCA recording in STEREO)

5. (There's) No Place To Hide - BEN E. KING (August 1965 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-6371, A-side)

6. Lonely People Can't Afford To Cry - CLYDE McPHATTER (July 1967 US 45-single on Amy 993, B-side of "I Dreamt I Died")

7. Gloomy Day - HERB JOHNSON (August 1965 US 45-single on Arctic 109, A-side, co-write with Kenneth Gamble)

8. Just Outside Of Lonely - CLARENCE PINCKNEY (2020, Previously unissued Brass Parrot recording from 1973)

9. Seeing Is Believing - TONY MASON (February 1967 US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-9104, B-side of "Take Good Care"

10. Don't Make Me Over - TOMMY HUNT (originally unissued 1963 Scepter recording, first appeared on the October 1986 UK compilation LP "Your Man" by Tommy Hunt on Kent Records KENT 059)

11. Reach Out For Me - LOU JOHNSON (July 1963 US 45-single on Big Top 45-3153, A-side)

12. Now You Are Gone - BROOKS O'DELL (1968 US 45-single on Valentine VAL 104, A-side)

13. You Got Too Much Going For You - JIMMY BEAUMONT (June 1966 US 45-single on Bang B-525, A-side - Joe Simmons song)

14. A Day Or Two - GARRETT SAUNDERS (October 1962 US 45-single on Serock SR 2001, A-side)

15. Where Does Love Go - FREDDIE SCOTT (February 1964 US 45-single on Colpix CP-724, A-side)

16. I Can't Stand To See You Cry - CHUCK JACKSON (Originally Unissued 1965 Wand recording, first released on the September 1987 UK compilation LP "A Powerful Soul" by Chuck Jackson on Kent Records KENT 073)

17. Anytime You Want Me - GARNET MIMMS (February 1964 US 45-single on United Artists UA 694, A-side)

18. Can't Stand Your Fooling Around - GENE BURKS (October 1963 US 45-single on Arock AR-1001, B-side of "Monkey Man")

19. I Want To Be Loved - BILLY WATKINS (2020, Previously Unissued 1964 Kent recording)

20. Lover's Competition - JAMES CARR (February 1965 US 45-single on Goldwax GW-112, B-side of "I Can't Make It")

21. You Are A Lucky So And So - SAMMY SEVENS (July 1963 US 45-single on Swan 4146, A-side)

22. Good For A Lifetime - AL HIBBLER (January 1966 US 45-single on Satin S-401, A-side)  

23. Through A Long And Sleepless Night - JIMMY RADCLIFFE (2020, Previously Unreleased 'Alternate Vocal' of a September 1963 US-issued 45-single on Musicor 1033, A-side)

24. I Love You So Much - JUNIOR LEWIS (2020, Previously Unreleased 1962 Arock recording)

Tracks 1, 4, 15, 16 and 17 in STEREO - all others in MONO

Tracks 4, 8, 19, 23 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

Part of the joy of 'Kent Soul/Dance' CD compilations is the research and how classily Ace Records present it - always championing names that are criminally forgotten like Brooks O'Dell and Clarence Pinckney alongside others that are seriously sought-after like James Carr, Chuck Jackson and Garnet Mimms. And so it is with the 24-pages presented here - compiled and annotated by long-time Ace Records associate and genre lover ADY CROASDEL. Cool photos abound - an ageing ex Drifters and Atlantic Records vocal legend Clyde McPhatter still finding time to smile alongside Fame Records Studio hero Jim Hall - a suited and booted Freddy Butler looking dapper in a publicity black and white - trade adverts for Roy Hamilton and Freddie Scott 45s on RCA Victor and Colpix - Garnett Mimms letting it rip live at the Whisky A Go Go in 1967 - and even Gene Burks displaying more bling on his bejewelled fingers and shirt cufflinks than Fats Domino in his Aladdin Records prime. Every song gets a paragraph, facts and details unfurled and all of it alongside rare 45-labels repro'd between the texts. It's a typically classy job. 

Ace's trusted Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS amps up the Remasters to truly lovely clarity. For sure one or two of the Mono singles feel like the tapes might not have survived as well as one would have hoped - but those stunning Stereo cuts, quality unreleased and seriously popular dancers (Clyde McPhatter) in this kind of audio quality is going to be a huge draw for Northern Soul fans galore. To the music...

"Soul Voices..." smartly opens with a Stereo winner where Walter Jackson realises that "...this time she's gone..." - if only he could "Forget The Girl". Amongst his final recordings for Columbia, it has beautiful production values and sets up the predominantly funereal pace of all to come. On the contrary, Freddy Butler doesn't feel ominous in any way as his girl could never be that cruel - flat out denying emotional catastrophe on the horizon in his gloriously camp LP cut "They Say I'm Afraid (Of Losing You)". Sweet as honey and deep as walnut, Roy Hamilton's fantastically expressive voice soars up and down in "Heartache (Hurry On By)" - a classic cross your arms across your heart dancefloor shuffler. Despite the hammy thunder and rain beginning, the first of five Previously Unreleased sides turns out to be a Stereo stunner from Kenny Carter - its top-notch RCA Victor production telling us that she's ready to move on again (what a find). 

And while the Ben E. King B-side "(There's) No Place To Hide" is aided by Bert Barns arrangements - most NS fans will leap to Track 6 and Clyde McPhatter's "Lonely People Can't Afford To Cry" - another B-side discovered through crate trawls that became expensive in the 80ts collecting scene (very tasty my dear). Personally though, the Clarence Pinckney discovery "Just Outside Of Lonely" from 1973 is far more exciting in my book - a pleader to not break his heart that features Gwen Guthrie amidst its three backing singers (another bonus worthy of the moniker). Rounding out the first eleven cuts, you then get a sort of Soul Men take on Lounge Music perpetrators double-whammy. Tommy Hunts brings genuine class to his cover of Bacharach and David's "Don't Make Me Over" (originally their first 45 for Dionne Warwick) - while Lou Johnson also elevates B&D's "Reach Out For Me" (an original song for him). Bacharach provided the arrangements (and piano I think) on the sweet Lou Johnson session and it is as lovely as crossover Pop vs. Soul can get (both Tracks 10 and 11 with fabulous audio too).

Making melodrama sound so good, another clever choice comes in the shape of Brooks O'Dell whose "Now You Are Gone" is a 'you were my symphony' crier - whilst Jimmy Beaumont (another drama merchant) is clearly channelling Phil Spector is his production of Joe Simmons' "You Got Too Much Going For You". You will recognise Beaumont's superb voice from The Skyliner's huge 1958 Vocal Group hit "Since I Don't Have You" - he was the lead vocalist and melodist on that gorgeous Calico Records ballad. Speaking of misery adverted - Garrett Saunders could avoid it too if only the memories didn't linger on in his 48-hours pleader "A Day Or Two". And amongst the final run is breathtaking Stereo for Garnet Mimms on his "Anytime You Want" while gorgeous is the only word I can use to describe the Van McCoy-written Chuck Jackson offering "I Can't Stand To See You Cry" - a rarity only available on a long-deleted Kent Records LP from 1987. And on it goes, tune after tune... 

As beautifully done and as swish as the photograph of Junior Lewis on the front cover of the booklet is - I also know that 24-cuts of this variety of shuffling 60s ballad might be someone's else idea of water-boarding. But I'm not one of them and I'm sure there will be legions more like me. 

Tony Mason saw his girl '...kissing his best friend the night before...' so had to hide his face, shed a grievous tear and walk on by. Thank God Producer Richard Tee was on hand to record his vocal response the next day, is all I can say. Buy and behold baby...and shame on all those ladies who were entirely at fault...no honestly...

"Bob Stanley Presents: 76 In The Shade" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977 Tracks by Lynsey De Paul, Jefferson Starship, Smokey Robinson, David Ruffin, 10cc, Barclay James Harvest, Liverpool Express, Steve Miller Band, Simon Park, Cliff Richard, Blue Mink, The Emotions, Azimuth, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Hollywood Freeway, Sylvia, Carmen McRae and more (August 2020 UK Ace Records CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Sugar Shuffle..."

I am not really sure who this compilation is aimed at, but it sure ain't me. 

For the most part, I found it a painful listen - music that hasn't travelled the decades well no matter how smartly you present it (the 20-page Bob Stanley annotated liner notes and booklet are the usual classy affair from British reissue diamonds Ace Records). 

Loosely themed around the hottest summer then on record (1976) which many of a certain age (moi included) remember all too well - this Bob Stanley Presents "76 In The Shade" Various Artists 20-track CD on Ace CDCHD 1580 (Barcode 029667099424) is supposed to bring me back to that hot and sweaty musical maelstrom (release date: 28 August 2020, 74:53 minutes). 

But despite really great NICK ROBBINS Remastered sound - many of the tracks put up here as worthy of rediscovery are that awful middle-of-the-road mid-Seventies Pop cack – unmemorable fluff that made the breath-of-fresh-air Punk and New Wave music so necessary and so welcome. 

Then there are the dates. Many of these songs are from 1973, 1972 and 1975- so don't really fit in either. The only real 1976 gems on here are tracks I already own – the full version of 10cc's utterly brilliant "I'm Mandy Fly Me" from their "How Dare You" album, Steve Miller's beautiful and spacey "Wild Mountain Honey" from "Fly Like An Eagle" and the lovely Charles Stepney/Maurice White sexy Soul of "Flowers" by The Emotions. 

Interesting picks. The Simon Park (of "Eye Level" fame) track from a Music De Wolfe library LP is a clever instrumental choice and Gilbert O’Sullivan’s last album for Mam Records "Southpaw" in 1977 with his simple but lovely "Miss My Love Today" is another forgotten LP that deserves a light shone on it again. The Brazilian Jazz-Funk of Azimuth livens up "Montreal City" and 76 In The Shade finishes with Carmen McRae channelling her inner Amy Winehouse as she covers James Taylor’s "Music" taken from her forgotten 1976 Blue Note album "Can't Hide Love". 

But the David Ruffin song is just so bloody ordinary. Middle of the Road fare too like Liverpool Express' "You Are My Love" and the pseudo cool summer breeze of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds and their "Fallin' In Love" are truly cringeworthy 1976 lurve tunes that in 2020 might actually make your skin crawl. It also begins on a run that is frankly embarrassing - a Beach Boys harmonies unreleased track from 1973 followed by insipid tunes from the keyboard slinky Lynsey De Paul, a sold-out Jefferson Starship and a running-on-empty Smokey Robinson - none of which make you think 1976 was a year of genius. 

But it's also the omissions. There is no Stephen Bishop and his fabulous "Careless" debut LP from December 1976 with "On And On" and "Little Italy", or how about the sexy Rock-Funk groove of "Hot Stuff" that opened "Black And Blue" by The Rolling Stones, or Scotland's Cado Belle and their great self-titled debut on Anchor ("Stone's Throw From Nowhere") or even say "Boogie Pilgrim" from Elton's second double-album splurge "Blue Moves". 

As I recall also, that hot year was dominated by American bands - Boston's amazing debut, Billy Joel and his "Turnstiles", Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and their electrifying debut, the Isley Brothers giving us a "Harvest For The World", Hall & Oates and their "Bigger Than Both Of Us", Stevie Wonder doubling-up on "Songs In The Key Of Life". Rock bands and Artists like Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak", Al Stewart's "Year Of The Cat", Jeff Beck's "Wired", Joni Mitchell's "Hejira", Patti Smith's "Radio Ethiopia" or Graham Parker's "Heat Treatment". None represented. 

I realise that some of these huge acts may have represented a licensing issue for Ace but to be peddled crud like Cliff Richard, Hollywood Freeway and the pap that is "Rock 'N' Roll Star" by Barclay James Harvest as 'smooth' or 'good' is just plain ridiculous. 

"Stay With Me" - Blue Mink pleaded in September 1972 on Regal Zonophone (all my tomorrows, yesterday's sorrows etc) – but in truth I wish that even half of this offering did just that – stay with me. I would advise a listen first before purchase...

PS: there is also a 28 August 2020 VINYL 21-Track 2LP variant on Ace Records XXQLP2 073 (Barcode 029667011914) with One Bonus Track - "Inspiration Information" by Shuggie Otis (Fourth Track, Side 2 of LP1)....

"Face The Music: The Complete Singles 1967-1984" by HELEN SHAPIRO - Including Foreign Language Only Issues and Many Other First-Time-On-CD Rarities (28 August 2020 UK Ace Records CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Threads So Sharp..."

A strong compilation for Shapiro fans with a generous playing time too and best of all – superb Audio on many rarities seeing the 2020 digital light-of-day for the first time anywhere. Hell, there are even a few Northern Soul dancefloor shufflers in here for those inclined. Threads so sharp and with all the latest fashion (lyrics from "She Needs Company") – let's face the music and dance...

UK released Friday, 28 August 2020 - "Face The Music: The Complete Singles 1967-1984" by HELEN SHAPIRO on Ace Records CDCHD 1573 (Barcode 029667098427) is a 25-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (77:20 minutes):

1. Stop And You Will Become Aware

2. She Needs Company

Tracks 1 and 2 are the B and A-side of a 25 August 1967 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8256

3. Make Me Belong To You

4. The Way Of The World

Tracks 3 and 4 are the A&B-sides of a 10 March 1967 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8148

5. You'll Get Me Loving You

6. Silly Boy (I Love You)

Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of a 13 September 1968 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17600

7. Today Has Been Cancelled

8. Face The Music

Tracks 7 and 8 are the A&B-sides of a 21 March 1969 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17714

9. You've Guessed

10. Take Me For A While

Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of an 18 July 1969 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17785

11. Take Down A Note Miss Smith

12. Couldn't You See

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of a 13 February 1970 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17893 (see also Track 25)

13. Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere

14. A Glass Of Wine

Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B-sides of a 24 July 1970 UK 45-single on Pye 7N 17975

15. You're A Love Child

16. That's The Reason I Love You

Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B-sides of a 11 April 1975 UK 45-single on DJM Records DJS 363

17. Can't Break The Habit

18. For All The Wrong Reasons

Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of an August 1977 UK 45-single on Arista ARISTA 131

19. Every Little Bit Hurts

20. Touchin' Wood

Tracks 19 and 20 are the A&B-sides of a March 1978 UK 45-single on Arista ARISTA 178

21. Let Yourself Go

22. Funny

Tracks 21 and 22 are the A&B-sides of an April 1983 UK 45-single on Oval HELEN 25

23. Brickyard Blues

24. Just Another Weekend

Tracks 23 and 24 are the A&B-sides of a January 1984 UK 45-single on Oval OVAL 26

25. Das Ist Nicht Die Feine Englische Art

Track 25 is the A-side of a March 1970 GERMAN 45-single on Pye DV 11005. Its B-side "Take Down A Note Miss Smith" was issued as the A-side in the 'UK' (see Tracks 11 and 12). "Das Ist Nicht..." is a German Language song with no English equivalent and was exclusive to the country. It is included on this CD as a Bonus Track. 

Tracks 1 to 14 and 25 are MONO - all others are in STEREO

As with all of these archival releases from Ace Records of the UK - the 20-page colour booklet is a feast for the eyes and brain - TONY ROUNCE laying into the factoids aided and abetted by Helen and her husband of 30-years John Judd. Page 17 has the picture sleeve to the excellent "Brickyard Blues" (an Allen Toussaint song) whilst the other leaves are littered with Columbia and Pye Demo labels, foreign picture sleeves and even a trade advert for 1970's classy "Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere" - HS starring out at the water wondering when that English git she'd been promised by Mummy is going to turn up and get down to some much-needed lovin'. You could argue that Tony is overly generous in his assessments of singles that were good but never really great and hence the lack of chart action for a star who'd been on the go since early 1961. Still, it's a great read, his affection for what he clearly sees as a class act palpable – so fans and newcomers alike will chew it up.

NICK ROBBINS once again excels himself in the transfers and Audio department - the opening double-bass notes of the Northern-Soul B-side "Stop And You Will Become Aware" come floating crystal clear into your living room and the CD remains that way until the end - the only slightly compromised Audio being the German Song "Das Ist Nicht..." from 1970 that I suspect is dubbed from a disc. The song quality may not always hold up, but the Remasters are really great. To the music...

A Northern Soul dancer if ever there was one, the CD opens on a B-side instead of an A - the irrepressibly upbeat talcum powder shuffler that is "Stop And You Will Become Aware". The Mono Audio rocks whilst the equally drama-laden brassy A-side "She Needs Company" has our Helen eyeing up the sharp-dressed dudes of 1967 resplendent in all the latest Modtastic gear. Beggar or Queen, the darling "Make Me Belong To You" pleader continues the strong songs on her short stay at Columbia. That bopping A-side is offset by a lounge-lizard piano-tinkling schmoozer flipside called "The Way Of The World" - a very Dusty Springfield moment and again with cracking audio.

1968 saw her opening an account with Pye Records and the making-my-life-worthwhile "You'll Get Me Loving You" was a good start even if the rather throwaway B-side "Silly Boy (I Love You) " is a little too girl-group for its own good. Due to the cloudy condition of her mind, Helen finds "Today Has Been Cancelled" - the cold exchange of words with her beau the previous evening, still stinging like a wet kipper in a Billingsgate cafe. Unfortunately, you can so hear why middle-of-the-road pop material like "Face The Music" and "Take Me For A While" elicited a yawn amongst record buyers. Better is "Take Down A Note Miss Smith" - a very Bobby Gentry "Ode To Billie Joe" groove that even has traces of Dusty's sexy "Son Of A Preacher Man" too.

"Couldn't You See" feels like Pye is trying to make Helen fit into Tom Jones material that was already out-dated by 1970. Way more classy is the cautionary tale of "Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere" where her concerned Pater advises an anxious Helen that she may have to bide her time - sit patiently and wait for that lurve boat to slip into Shapiro Bay with a big rocking Daddy handsome at the tiller. "A Glass Of Wine" feels like languid Bacharach and David - piano accompanied by 'oohs' and 'aahs' from her backing singers as they croon about his 'magic' prowess. By the time we reach Track 15, we're into 1975 and a rather good standalone Stereo 45 on DJM Records called "You're A Love Child". An inquisitive but obviously hurting kid is reassured that they are not a burden but an 'answer to my dreams' while its 'Philadelphia Freedom' sounding B-side "That's The Reason I Love You" is clearly trying to find that Kiki Dee market.

From there on in, it goes from one ok tune to the next - best of which by a country mile is the Allen Toussaint cover of "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)" which is shortened to "Brickyard Blues". Shapiro wasn't the first great lady to notice the Funky-Rock grooves in Toussaint's New Orleans songs - Maria Muldaur having covered Brickyard on her 1974 Reprise Records LP "Waitress In A Donut Shop" (Frankie Miller, James Montgomery and Three Dog Night also had a go at the tune in 1974). And on it goes to the rather odd Mono 1970 German single at the end...

For sure not everything on here is genius and at times you can so hear why the British charts success of old eluded her during this period. But fans are going to love the presentation, the affection, the audio and the general classiness that Ace affords her legacy. "What you're playing just can't make it...play something sweet...play something mellow...play me something I can get my teeth into...like Jell-O..." she sang on the Toussaint cover of "Brickyard Blues". I suspect fans that have waited decades for these Remasters will do just that...