"She's Like A Swallow" by BONNIE DOBSON (2014 Big Beat CD Reissue - Nick Robbins Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...The River That Never Runs Dry..." 

This mid-priced CD reissue from Ace’s subsidiary label Big Beat sees Bonnie Dobson’s rare US Folk debut album from 1960 remastered for the first time and reissued with it’s original track-by-track liner notes and a new interview with Bonnie conducted in 2014. Here are the wild mountain thyme details...

UK released December 2014 – "She's Like A Swallow And Other Folk Songs" by BONNIE DOBSON on Ace/Big Beat CDWID 324 (Barcode 029667432429) is a straightforward CD transfer and Remaster of her 1960 US album on Prestige International 13021 in Mono (46:09 minutes):

1. The Cruel War Is Raging

2. She’s Like A Swallow

3. The Silkie Of Sule Skerry

4. Across The Blue Mountain

5. The Prickle Holly Bush

6. Mistress Bond

7. Envoyons De L’Avant

8. Will Ye Go Laddie Go [Side 2]

9. Frankie Slide

10. Monsieur Le Cure

11. The Jam At Gerry’s Rock

12. The First Time

13. The Road To Grandmere

14. The Old Maid’s Lament

The 12-page booklet contains the original vinyl album’s track-by-track annotation on the history of the songs and a new interview with Bonnie on recording in Rudy Van Gelder’s then state-of-the-art studio at Englewood Cliffs in New Jersey (he was most closely associated with Blue Note). The album was apparently done in only 4 hours with just Bonnie and Acoustic Guitar – mostly it has to be said first takes. The audio remaster (in Mono) has been done by NICK ROBBINS at London’s Sound Mastering and is very clear. Yet despite Van Gelder’s magical name associated with the production – I’d have to say that the audio is good rather great – clear for sure – but the recordings sound rushed and a little fuzzy at times especially in the air around the guitar.

It’s an album of its time – Folk Traditionals sung by an earnest voice – history and heartbreak (“The Cruel War Is Raging” and “The Old Maid’s Lament”). I’d be the first to admit that its twee lone guitar/high voice Folk absolutely won’t be everyone’s cup of Darjeeling in 2015 - but for fans the remaster does highlight the clarity of her striking voice. Apart from the famous title track (lyrics from it title this review) - the best-known other tune here is probably “Will You Go Laddie Go” more commonly known as “Wild Mountain Thyme” – a Traditional brought to the USA by the McPeake Family of Belfast. Based on words by the Scottish Poet Robert Tannahill – the gorgeous air has been covered by many since the Fifties – Judy Collins and The Byrds in the Sixties – and faves of mine The Silencers in the Nineties and Kate Rusby in the Naughties. 

Note for everyone for sure – but fans will appreciate the presentation and the remaster...

"Odyssey & Oracle" by THE ZOMBIES (1998 Ace/Big Beat Mono & Stereo Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Time Of The Season..."

Talk about iconic. The word 'masterpiece' gets bandied about a lot in this malarkey we call reviewing – but in the case of this 1968 UK period piece which only charted belatedly in the USA on the back of a hit single – the smiles of affection at the mere sight of Terry Quick's wonderful Psych sleeve for "Odyssey & Oracle" by The Zombies is truly warranted. Like Love's "Forever Changes or Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" (see reviews) – "Odyssey & Oracle" seems to throw up new discoveries every time you return to its pretty layers. It’s time for those seasons...

UK released April 1998 – "Odyssey & Oracle" by THE ZOMBIES on Ace/Big Beat CDWIKM 181 (Barcode 029667418126) is an 'Expanded Edition' offering both the MONO and STEREO versions of the 1968 LP on CD along with 3 alternate versions and rarities from the period. It plays out as follows (79:56 minutes):

1. Care Of Cell 44

2. A Rose For Emily

3. Maybe After He's Gone

4. Beechwood Park

5. Brief Candles

6. Hung Up On A Dream

7. Changes [Side 2]

8. I Want Her She Wants Me

9. This Will Be Our Year

10. Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)

11. Friends Of Mine

12. Time Of The Season

Tracks 1 to 12 are the STEREO version of the album "Odyssey & Oracle" – released April 1968 in the UK on CBS Records S BPG 63280 and November 1968 in the USA on Date Records TES 4013. The album was reissued February 1969 in the USA after "Time Of The Season" became a huge hit and rose to No. 3 on the Pop charts. The new cover art mentions the song name on the sleeve (as opposed to the 1968 version that didn’t) and charted March 1969 – peaking at No. 95. The LP didn’t chart in the UK despite favourable reviews. ROD ARGENT wrote Tracks 1, 2, 6, 8, and 12 – CHRIS WHITE wrote Tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11.

(Note: Track 9, "This Will Be Our Year" is only available in Mono).

Tracks 13 to 24 are as above but in MONO – CBS Records BPG 63280 (UK only).

BONUS TRACKS (All Stereo and Previously Unreleased):

25. A Rose For Emily (Alternate Version 2)

26. Time Of The Season (Alternate Mix)

27. Prison Song aka Care Of Cell 44 (Backing Track)

CBS Records in the UK and COLUMBIA and DATE Records in the USA released several 7" singles around the album. Using the Mono mixes - fans can sequence almost all of them as follows (23 = Track Number):

1. Friends Of Mine (23) b/w Beechwood Park (16)

UK, CBS Records 2960 – released 23 October 1967

USA – Not issued

2. Care Of Cell 44 (13) b/w Maybe After He's Gone (15)

UK, CBS Records 3087 – released 24 November 1967

USA, Columbia Records 4-44363 – released 21 November 1967

Note: UK and USA 7" singles are edits on the A-side – 3:17 to 3:56 minutes

3. Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914) (22) b/w This Will Be Our Year (21)

USA, Date 2-1612 (Promos in Titled Sleeve, Released June 1968)

4. Time Of The Season (24) b/w I’ll Call You Mine (not on this CD) 

UK, CBS Records 3380 (Orange Label), April 1968 – reissued September 1973 with same B-side on Epic S EPC 3380 (Yellow Label)

Time Of The Season (24) b/w Friends Of Mine (23)

USA, Date 2-1628, 1968 – reissued January 1969

The chunky 20-page booklet has perceptive, witty and informative liner notes by noted music historian and major mod fan ALEC PALAO – while the text is peppered with Trade Adverts (Disc and Music Echo), Label Repros (Columbia) and rare Foreign Picture Sleeves as well as the Lyrics (in the last pages). NICK ROBBINS – a long-standing Sound Engineer for Ace and many Reissue labels – has handled the transfers and Remasters and done a bang-up job. Some people prefer the ‘purity’ of the Mono mix – but for me the Stereo is thrilling stuff – all those rhythms and instruments swirling about the place with a real sense of clarity.

The moment "Care Of Cell 44" hits your speakers – you’re struck by a variety of emotions – the great Stereo Audio, the clarity of the instruments and those layered vocals – and of course the uniqueness of Colin Blunstone's voice. In fact with the loveliness of "A Rose For Emily" – the album begins to feel like a British answer to "Pet Sounds" by way of "Sgt. Peppers" – it's more than impressive. But it's the sheer musicality of "Maybe After He's Gone" that blows it out the water for me – a stunner and sounding great here. We get more than a bit Beatles "I Am The Walrus" in terms of the soundscape for the trippy "Beechwood Park" and the pretty piano-led "Brief Candles" by Chris White feels like LOVE at their finest (Rod Argent taking the vocals on the 1st Verse). Side 1 ends with the Mellotron soundscape of "Hung Up On A Dream" – all three alternating the vocals with Blunstone on Lead.

Side 2 opens with the vocally ambitious "Changes" – another ode to strawberry girls walking about in 'buttoned-down clothes' of many colours. Rod Argent sings "I Want Her She Wants Me" – a very cool clavinet-lead pop ditty with a relentlessly upbeat post summer of love vibe. "This Will Be Our Year" was the B-side of "Butcher's Tale" in some territories – the kind of piano melody that sounds so smart now and those "...it took a long time to come..." lyrics tragic in the face of the band's split having just produced a brilliant LP. Chris White talks of the preacher sleeping at night while my arms won't stop shaking in the soldier's post-war song "Butcher's Tale" – the use of that fairground-sounding organ a genius move. It ends on the double-whammy of "Friends Of Mine" and the brilliant "Time Of The Season" – a song that even now sounds so ridiculously ahead of its time.

A wonderful album and thoroughly deserved of its legendary status – even the Previously Unreleased Backing Track to 'thingy' Take 1' as the engineer calls the song at the beginning of "Care Of Cell 44" sounds musically magical in its raw form. "Odyssey & Oracle" by The Zombies is a 60ts epic and this superb Ace/Big Beat CD reissue does its ongoing musical legacy justice...

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is COOL 1960s MUSIC - an E-Book with over 200 entries and 2000 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 Amazing Charlatans" by THE CHARLATANS (1996 Ace/Big Beat CD - Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...See The Undertaker Man..." 

Forever missing the proverbial timing boat and not managing an album until it was too late and most of the music buying public simply didn’t care – THE CHARLATANS nonetheless hold a special place in the hearts of 60ts lovers – an LSD-popping rag-tag bunch of musically brilliant San Francisco dandies who deserved superstardom but have posthumously had to settle for cult status. They were reputedly first with the 'San Francisco Sound'...

Their lone self-titled American album "The Charlatans" issued by Philips in 1969 is not covered by this release - but what "The Amazing Charlatans" does offer is the first legal and decent reissue of 'all' the years that led up to that ignominious one-LP exit. Here are the acidic details for 1965 to 1968...

UK released September 1996 – "The Amazing Charlatans" by THE CHARLATANS on Ace/Big Beat CDWIKD 138 (Barcode 029667413824) is a 23-track CD-only compilation and plays out as follows (67:27 minutes):

1. Codine Blues

2. Alabama Bound [1967 Demo Version, Extended]

3. I Always Wanted A Girl Like You

4. I Saw Her

5. How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away

6. 32-20

7. We're Not On The Same Trip

8. Wallkin'

9. Sweet Sue, Just You

10. East Virginia

11. The Shadow Knows

12. I Got Mine

13. Sleepin' In Society

14. Devil Got My Man

15. By Hook Or By Crook

16. 'Long Come A Viper

17. Sidetrack

18. Alabama Bound (1966 Version)

19. Number One

20. Baby Won't You Tell Me

21. Jack Of Diamonds

22. The Blues Ain't Nothin'

23. Groom 'N' Clean Advert

NOTES:

All tracks Remastered from Original Analogue Tapes except Tracks 14 to 18 and 22 - which have been dubbed from acetate

All tracks are STEREO except tracks 1, 6, 11 and 14 to 18 – which are MONO

Tracks 1, 4, 6, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are from the Kama Sutra Sessions, Recorded Early 1966 in San Francisco

Tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9 are from the Golden State Recorders Sessions, Demos recorded July 1967 in San Francisco

Tracks 10, 12 and 13 are from the Pacific High Recorders Sessions, Early 1968 Demos recorded in Sausalito

Tracks 19 to 22 are from the Coast Recorders Sessions, August 1965 Demos recorded in San Francisco

THE CHARLATANS featured:

MIKE "Slim Pickens" WILHELM – Guitars and Vocals

GEORGE HUNTER – Keyboards

PAT FERGUSON – Keyboards

DARRELL De VORE – Keyboards, Bass, Vocals & Percussion

BYRON "Mike" FERGUSON – Keyboards

RICHARD "Baby Face" OLSEN – Bass, Woodwind & Vocals

TERRY WILSON – Drums

DAN HICKS – Drums and Vocals

The chunky 28-page booklet is a veritable feast for fans – featuring compiler ALEC PALAO stunningly indepth analysis of what happened and to whom. Its peppered with very cool photos from the band’s archives – the aborted first 45 single "Codine" that even got to advert stage in 1966 before Kama Sutra worked out its naughty subject matter – there's stunning colour photos of the boys in their dandy outfits and boater hats looking like a cross between the Eagles playing outlaws and the Byrds wearing rim-hats and round specs. The Remasters are from NICK ROBBINS transferred at London’s Sound Mastering from original tapes. Given their demo and practice nature – the audio is fab – even the Mono cuts sound punchy – especially goodies like the rare B-side "32-20"...

This CD represents the first legitimate reissue of this material and as you can imagine being demos and sessions – it veers from genius - their B-side cover of Robert Johnson's "32-20" (the flip to "The Shadow Knows" which features stunning slide from Wilhelm sounding not unlike Beefheart's Band on a roll) and Dan Hicks jaunty "How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away") to vaudeville crap like "Sweet Sue" and the rather brutal embarrassment of their one released 7" single "The Shadow Knows" with its cod vocals (an admitted embarrassment to the band). Their cowboy-hatted, barroom brawl, dandy inclinations come screaming through on the jiggy "I Got Mine" and "Steppin' In Society".

But better for me is the Byrds-edge to their cover of Skip James classic "Devil Got My Man" and "Sidetrack" both of which feature part-time band-member Lynne Hughes on Lead Vocals. Sounding not unlike Britain’s Jo Ann Kelly in her vocal range - I can't help feel that her great Bluesy feel was what the band really needed? Who knows – perhaps a folksier version of Jefferson Airplane might have emerged? The 1966 version of the Traditional "Alabama Bound" features Dan Hicks on Lead Vocals – who would of course form The Hot Licks Band in the Seventies and go on to considerable success (Wilhelm went on to be with Loose Gravel and The Flamin' Groovies for many years). It ends on a 42-second advert that uses their music for a 'grooming product' – a comb...

It’s not all genius - as some would have you believe – but with that killer look they had (a gang rides into town and takes over) – a couple of better tunes to side the goodies they already had and some half-decent management – San Francisco's THE CHARLATANS might have been so much more that a curious footnote in musical history. Still – there’s this wicked CD to savour...and I find myself playing their melodious jangle more often these days and wondering...

"Hot Hits & Hot Ones: Is This The Way That You Get Your High?" By THE STANDELLS (1993 Ace/Big Beat CD - Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Young Barracudas..." 

Los Angelinos hipsters THE STANDELLS pioneered 60ts Garage and Punk (although they probably didn't see it as such) - and this old (1993) but wickedly to-the-point CD compilation from England's Ace Records (using their Big Beat label imprint) is a near-perfect stab/reminder of that 'so cool' frenzied brilliance. This little sucker rocks - it really does. Here are the White Guys painting it black...

UK released June 1993 – "Hot Hits & Hot Ones: Is This The Way You Get Your High?" by THE STANDELLS is a 21-track CD compilation on Ace/Big Beat CDWIKD 114 (Barcode 029667411424) and plays out as follows (62:49 minutes):

1. Dirty Water (1965 US 7" single on Tower 185, A)

2. Rari (1965 US 7" single on Tower 185, B-side of “Dirty Water”)

3. Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White (1966 US 7" single on Tower 257, A)

4. Medication (from their June 1966 debut LP "Dirty Water" on Tower ST 5027, Stereo)

5. There Is A Storm Comin' (from their June 1966 debut LP "Dirty Water" on Tower ST 5027, Stereo)

6. 19th Nervous Breakdown (from their June 1966 debut LP "Dirty Water" on Tower ST 5027, Stereo)

7. Why Did You Hurt Me (1966 US 7” single on Tower 257, B-side of "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White")

8. Why Pick On Me? (1966 US 7" single on Tower 282, A)

9. Paint It Black (from their December 1966 2nd LP "Why Pick On Me – Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" on Tower ST 5044, Stereo)

10. Black Hearted Woman (1967 US 7" single on Tower 314, B-side of "Riot On Sunset Strip")

11. Mainline (from their December 1966 2nd LP "Why Pick On Me – Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" on Tower ST 5044, Stereo)

12. Mr. Nobody (1966 US 7" single on Tower 282, B-side of "Why Pick On Me?")

13. Wild Thing (from their 3rd LP "The Hot Ones" on Tower ST 5049, Stereo)

14. Riot On Sunset Strip (1967 US 7" single on Tower 314, A)

15. Try It (1967 US 7" single on Tower 310, A)

16. Barracuda (from their 4th and final LP "Try It" in 1967 on Tower ST 5098, Stereo)

17. Poor Shell Of A Man (1967 US 7” single on Tower 310, B-side of "Try It")

18. Can't Help But Love You (1967 US 7" single on Tower 348, A)

19. Ninety-Nine & A Half (1967 US 7" single on Tower 348, B-side of "Can't Help But Love You")

20. Animal Girl (1967 US 7” single on Tower 398, A)

21. Soul Drippin' (1967 US 7” single on Tower 398, B-side to "Animal Girl")

Bar 2-sides (entry No. 4) - the rest of THE STANDELLS US 45s on Tower Records can be sequenced from this CD as follows [8] = Track 8 etc:

1. Dirty Water [1] b/w Rari [2] – December 1965, Tower 185

2. Sometimes Good Guys Wear White [3] b/w Why Did You Hurt Me [7] – August 1966, Tower 257

3. Why Pick On Me [8] b/w Mr. Nobody [12] – October 1966, Tower 282

4. Don't Tell Me What To Do b/w When I Was A Cowboy – January 1967, Tower 312

5. Riot On Sunset Strip [14] b/w Black Hearted Woman [10] – February 1967, Tower 314

6. Try It [15] b/w Poor Shell Of A Man [17] – May 1967, Tower 310

7. Can't Help But Love You [18] b/w Ninety-Nine & A Half [19] – October 1967, Tower 348

8. Animal Girl [20] b/w Soul Drippin' [21] – February 1968, Tower 398

The 8-page inlay features liner notes from noted writer and long-time Ace Records associate and CD compiler ALEC PALAO. There are photos of the four band members Dick Dodd, Tony Valentino, Larry Tamblyn and Dave Burke alongside snaps of them with The Rolling Stones (acted as their opening act). The potted history goes into their formation in the bars of Los Angeles and break-up after album No.4 "Try It" appeared in late 1967 (Lowell George of Little Feat joined them for a brief period as their live guitarist but they never recorded with this line up and he soon split after differences). The snap of the Standells on the rear of the booklet looking dapper with Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Bill Wyman at an airport somewhere is the epitome of 60ts cool but it's a real shame that none of the three gorgeous and rare US pic sleeves to "Riot On Sunset Strip", "Try It" and "Can't Help But Love" aren't reproduced (a booklet upgrade is due methinks)...

The DUNCAN COWELL Stereo Remasters are from original tapes and sound ballsy and full of menace and life. Each of the four Tower Records albums was issued in both MONO and STEREO – Ace has used the STEREO versions. If you wanted the first album "Dirty Water" in its gritty Mono entirety – buy the CD Ace CDWIKD 110 which gives you "Dirty Water" in Mono and the follow up "Why Pick On Me..." in Stereo lumped together onto 1CD (52:15 minutes).

Essentially "Hot Hits & Hot Ones..." offers you the A & B-sides of their eight Tower Records 45s frantically issued between late 1965 and early 1968 (only "Don't Tell Me What To Do" b/w "When I Was A Cowboy" is missing) – along with a smattering of seven LP sides in Stereo. For me every track is a blast - fresh still. The lyrics for the brilliant "Some Times Good Guys Don't Wear White" are radical and articulate - reflecting the changing and turbulent times - "...good guys, bad guys, which is which...the white-collar worker or the digger in the ditch..." Not surprisingly you get sly druggy references in "Medication" – a kind of 1966 love song that is back-dropped by the sinister fuzz-guitar of Tony Valentino. That edgy stabbing nature permeates "There's A Storm Comin'" too – and their cover version of "Paint It Black" may as well be The Stones its so faithful to the sound of the original.

The hard-hitting Standells trademark sound is never far away - the bright lights, the pretty girls, the long-haired dudes and scared parents all clashing with the 'heat' make "Riot On Sunset Strip" feel well - riotous. The thrashing drums of Dick Dodd, that Doors organ of Larry Tamblyn lingering in the background and the raging vocals in "Black Hearted Woman" still thrills as does the irresistible 'get my kicks' on the old "Mainline" (stunning sound quality). But my crave on here is the brilliant "Barracuda" where we were told that our excitable boy is "...a mean Barracuda...don't you mess with me...I'm lonely and I'm starved for some of your love...ah sweet thing...you're just what I've been thinking of..." (look out ladies). Even their cover of "Wild Thing" by The Troggs from the much derided "Hot Ones" album has the groovy edge of the original and pre-dates Hendrix's incendiary version. I also love those brilliant B-sides like "Poor Shell Of A Man" and "Ninety-Nine & A Half" (great brass fills) - both rocking like The Stones and melodic like The Byrds...

A fantastic sounding CD with uber-cool 60ts music...genius baby yeah...and that’s just the left leg...

"Dear Companion" by BONNIE DOBSON (2015 Ace/Big Beat CD Reissue - Duncan Cowell Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Dreaming On Some Sweet Repose..."

As simple and as plain a Folk album as you can get – Bonnie Dobson's 2nd album on Prestige Records was part of the American Folk boom in 1961 – and here it sees a beautiful New Remaster in 2015 by Ace Records of the UK. Here is the Maid of Constant Sorrow details...

UK released August 2015 – "Dear Companion" by BONNIE DOBSON on Ace/Big Beat CDWID 325 (Barcode 029667432528) plays out as follows (37:17 minutes):

1. Dear Companion

2. My Mother Chose My Husband

3. Girl Of Constant Sorrow

4. Vranyanka

5. Ben's Lullaby

6. The Bonnie Lass Of Kenmore Town

7. When I Was In My Prime

8. Ah! Si Mon Moine

9. Blues Jumped A Rabbit

10. Dink's Song

11. Vertsa Dievcha

12. The Cruel Mother

Tracks 1 to 12 are her 2nd US Folk LP "Dear Companion" – released 1961 in Stereo in the USA on Prestige International Records PR-INT 13031. The Stereo LP (only "Ben's Lullaby" is in Mono) was Produced by Rudy Van Gelder – Bonnie Dobson plays Guitar and Lead Vocals on all tracks, Hennie Kubik does Duet Vocals on "The Bonnie Lass Of Kenmore Town", Isabel Gardiner plays Flute and Arranged "Vranyanka" and "When I Was In My Prime", Peter Gardner plays Second Guitar on "My Mother Chose My Husband" and "Blues Jumped A Rabbit".

The 12-page booklet reproduces the albums original song-by-song details and adds on new liner notes by KRIS NEEDS which includes interviews Bonnie a paltry 50 years after the event - its informative and fun. Ace’s long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL has transferred the Van Gelder recordings with care and skill. There is a faint level of hiss – but only faint – and it's not been squashed out by Pro Tools to get it cleaner  - hence the recordings breath and sound startlingly clear - in your face for all the right reasons.

Her high-pitched vocals are the very epitome of American Folk in the early Sixties. This is purist stuff – girl, guitar and voice combining American Traditionals with Serbian, French-Canadian and Czech Folk songs while occasionally throwing in her own originals that compliment the bulk. Both “Dear Companion” and “My Mother Chose My Husband” are very sweet but her remaking of “Man Of Constant Sorrow” into a female “Girl Of Constant Sorrow” adds a seamless verse of her own at the end to great effect. The Acapella “Ben’s Lullaby” is her own compilation and was inspired by a friend’s 14-month old baby. The double-guitars greatly help the Bob Coltman ballad “The Bonnie Lass Of Kenmore” – a song about a man worshiping Jeanie as he drinks deep in a tavern. Isabel Gardner’s Flute and Arrangements help the lovely “When I Was In My Prime” and the Yugoslavian love song “Vranyanka”. The lyrics to “The Cruel Mother” tell of a disturbed unwed mum who kills both of her children and is visited by their ghosts who promise her a scorching time in the flames when she gets there (nice)...

Of a time and viewed by many as insufferable wailing – this kind of US Folk and Americana is an acquired taste for sure. But if you’re a fan – you will need this gorgeous-sounding reissue in your collection. And it’s mid-price too...

PS: see also my review for her 1960 debut album "She's Like A Swallow"...

"A Scene In-Between" by THE STAINED GLASS [featuring The Trolls] (2015 Ace CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry....

Amazon UK Link Above - Amazon USA Link Below

"...If I Needed Someone..." 

Echoplex guitars, tinkling keyboards, swinging backbeat and layered vocals - snapping at the Psych boot heels of The Byrds and the sheer happy pop of The Mamas & The Papas - The Stained Glass (originally to be called The Stained Glass Window but someone made a typo on a letterhead and the short name stuck) are something of a genuine discovery. And although they managed only four US 45s (one as their former incarnation as The Trolls) - they are thoroughly deserved of this fabulous first-time-on-CD reissue.

Using their Big Beat Records label imprint - Ace Records of The UK have gone deep into the Nuggets From The Golden State on this South Bay Area one and come up with a doozy. You sit there listening to these 24 slices of Sunshine Music (San Jose in this case) and wonder just how the California State produced so much of this `should have made it big' quality with apparent effortless ease. Here are the things in-between details...

UK released December 2013 - "A Scene In-Between 1965-1967" by THE STAINED GLASS (featuring The Trolls) is a first-time CD compilation (limited edition of 1500 copies) on Ace/Big Beat Records CDLUX 014 (Barcode 029667057226) and pans out as follows (64:44 minutes):

THE TROLLS
1. Walkin' Shoes (January 1966 USA 7" single on Peatlore P-V 23267, A)
2. She's Not Right (2013, Previously Unreleased)
3. How Do You Expect Me To Trust You? (January 1966 USA 7" single on Peatlore P-V 23267, B-side of "Walkin' Shoes")
4. No Rhyme Or Reason (2013, Previously Unreleased)
5. Sweeter Than Life (2013, Previously Unreleased)
6. Such Good Friends (2013, Previously Unreleased)
THE STAINED GLASS
7. Broken Man (2013, Previously Unreleased)
8. Lonely Am I (2013, Previously Unreleased)
9. If I Needed Someone (July 1966 USA 7" single n RCA Victor 47-8889, A)
10. My Buddy Sin (September 1966 USA 7" single on RCA Victor 47-8952, A)
11. Vanity Fair (September 1966 USA 7" single on RCA Victor 47-8952, B-side of "My Buddy Sin")
12. Revenge Is Sweet (2013, Previously Unreleased)
13. We Got A Long Way To Go (April 1967 USA 7" single on RCA Victor 47-9166, A - Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil song - it's B-side "Corduroy Joy" is not on this CD)
14.Inside Ouch (1 February 1967 RCA Recording UPA3-4225 - 2013, Previously Unreleased)
15. Too Fit To Be Tied (Demo) (2013, Previously Unreleased)
16. Dollar Sign Friends (Demo) (2013, Previously Unreleased)
17. Second Day (Demo) (2013, Previously Unreleased)
18. Bubble Machine (5 September 1967 RCA Recording UPA3-7536 - 2013, Previously Unreleased)
19. Mediocre Me (October 1967 USA 7" single on RCA Victor 47-9354, A)
20. A Scene In-Between (October 1967 USA 7" single on RCA Victor 47-9354, B-side of "Mediocre Me")
21. Mr. Martyr (5 September 1967 RCA Recording UPA3-7536 - 2013, Previously Unreleased)
22. You Keep Me Hangin' On (Live) recorded end of 1966 in the San Francisco area, a cover of The Supremes hit written by Holland-Dozier-Holland
23. My Flash On You (Live) - recorded end of 1966 in the San Francisco area, a cover of an Arthur Lee song on Love's 1966 self-titled debut album
24. 2120 S. Michigan Avenue (Live) - recorded end of 1966 in the San Francisco area, a Rolling Stones cover version
[Notes: Tracks 2, 4 to 8, 12, 14 to 18 and 21 to 24 are 2013, Previously Unreleased. "No Rhyme Or Reason" is a Roger Hedge song, "Lonely Am I" and "Dollar Sign Friends" are Bob Rominger songs - all others except the noted cover versions are by Jim McPherson.

THE STAINED GLASS (formerly known as The Trolls) was:
JIM McPHERSON - Vocals, Harmonica, Keyboards and Bass
BOB ROMINGER - Lead Guitar and Vocals
ROGER HEDGE - Rhythm Guitar and Vocals (Except on Tracks 18 to 21)
DENNIS CARRASCO - Drums and Vocals

Don Peake - Guitar on "If I Needed Someone"
Billy Mure - Harmonica on "My Buddy Sin"

Quality names like ALEX PAULO and WALLY SOUND produced the compilation in conjunction with surviving band members and relatives - hence the chockers 28-page booklet is festooned with personal detail and fab colour snaps of the boys in action at Fraternity gigs and the Coconut Grove, Santa Cruz in 1966, outside RCA Hollywood, in the studio at the microphones, those rare 45 labels on Peatlore and RCA Victor, Acetates, handmade flyers and even a photo of Jim McPherson and Dennis Carrasco with their enormous man-sized homemade bass cabinet. It's beautifully done and features a dedication from Eve McPherson on her song-writing hubby that brims with pride and affection. Jim McPherson died in 1985 after a long illness - he'd gone on to be with Copperhead and contributed material to Quicksilver Messenger Service's debut album on Capitol. NICK ROBBINS - long-time Engineer for Ace Records has done a stunning job with the largely Stereo tapes - all spangly and new - sounding so full of life and promise. There are times for sure that the channel separation is very one-sided - but I suspect that's to do with the original masters. That this stuff is back out there at all is a minor miracle...

It opens with their debut 45 as The Trolls - a driving Harmonica bopper called "Walkin' Shoes" which is superb. Its B-side "How Do You Expect Me To Trust You?" is a pleading ballad that shows McPherson's knack for a warm melody (he was their principal songwriter). The 4 other Trolls cuts on here are previously unreleased and sound so like Arthur Lee's early Love albums ("Sweeter Than Life").

George Harrison's "If I Needed Someone" from The Beatles "Rubber Soul" LP had yet to see light of day in the USA (eventually showed on the American "Yesterday And Today" LP) even though it had surfaced in the UK in the winter of 1965. By the summer of 1966 - there was an opportunity to release their Beatles-esque soundalike version of it on RCA Victor and it did business in places like Rochester, New York. Its impossibly hip and Sixties cool with wonderful layered vocals and McPherson's harmonica playing giving it such a commercial edge. Speaking of that mouth instruments - Billy Mure plays fabulous Harmonica wails on the upbeat "My Buddy Sin". But what gets you is the excellence of the stuff that's been in the can for nearly five decades - McPherson's "Lonely Am I" is very impressive while there's choppy pop rhythm in "Revenge Is Sweet" which reminds me of The Monkees on a roll. The silly-titled "Inside Ouch" is excellent too with lovely shaking guitars and `groovin' vocals. The closest they get to The Byrds and that Roger McGuinn jangle comes with Rominger's excellent "Dollar Sign Friends" and "Mediocre Man" is surely going to make someone's day as a cool long-lost single that deserves re-airing.

Another fab release from Ace Records and surely one the reasons why this British reissue label (celebrating 40 years in the game in 2015) are held in such affection...