"Fever [1983]/Electric Lady [1985]" by CON FUNK SHUN (October 2014 Robinsongs/Cherry Red Reissue - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Can You Feel The Groove Tonight…"

It’s hard to argue with 17 hit singles in a row (1977’s "Ffun" even hit the No. 1 slot) and seven charted albums into the bargain – so Robinsongs of the UK have reissued the lot across 3 CDs (see list below). This 4th title in the series adds CON FUNK SHUN’s 1983 and 1985 efforts on Mercury Records – and does so with style.

Released October 2014 – "Fever/Electric Lady" by CON FUNK SHUN on Cherry Red/Robinsongs Records CDMRED 636 (Barcode 5013939163638) features 2 full albums Remastered onto 1 CD as follows (71:07 minutes):

1. Can You Feel The Groove Tonight

2. Indiscreet Sweet

3. Baby, I’m Hooked (Right Into Your Love)

4. Thinking About You, Baby

5. Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold

6. Lovin’ Fever

7. Hard Lovin’

8. If I’m Your Lover

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 8th album “Fever” released November 1983 in the USA on Mercury 814 447-1 M-1

9. Turn The Music Up

10. Rock It All Night

11. I’m Leaving Baby

12. Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do

13. Electric Lady

14. Don’t Go (I Want You Back)

15. Circle Of Love

16. Pretty Lady

Tracks 9 to 16 are their 9th album “Electric Lady” released May 1985 in the USA on Mercury Records 824 345-1 M-1

The 12-page booklet has detailed (and honest) liner notes by CHARLES WARING of Soul Jazz Records and Mojo Magazine fame with a full-throated remaster by ALAN WILSON. This CD sounds amazing – full of punch – even when the Eighties Drums threaten to deaden everything. The guitar and synth solos in “Turn The Music Up” are in your face.

“Baby, I’m Hooked (Right Into Your Love)” is a sweet ballad with an infectious vocal and slinky radio-friendly beat. A bit of a smoochy standout on the album - it was released in November 1983 as 45 in the USA (Mercury 814 581-7) and not surprisingly rose to Number 5. “Thinking About You Baby” is the first disappointment – very filler. Better is the Side 2 opener “Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold” – again released as a 45 (Mercury 818 369-7) – but its Doobie Brothers “Minute By Minute” feel feels like its four years too late for the party. Its B-side “Lovin’ Fever” opens with that funky synth flicker that seemed to afflict so many songs of the period – it’s good but it lacks the hook to take it out of the ordinary. We get all Brothers Johnson slap bass funky with “Hard Lovin’” while “Fever” ends proceedings on an upbeat “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” Carl Carlton tip. The album “Fever” managed a healthy Number 12 on the Billboard R&B charts. The follow-up album “Electric Lady” did better at Number 9 – helped by catchy hits – the Gap Band infused “Electric Lady” (4), the lovely ballad “I’m Leavin’ Baby” (12) and one that bubbled under in the Discos - “Tell Me (What I’m Gonna Do)”. The album sleeper is the “PYT” Michael Jackson vibe of “Pretty Lady” – another potential single.

A clever reissue and another tick in the copybook of Robinsongs

PS: other CON FUNK SHON titles reissued by Robinsongs:

1. Loveshine (1978) / Candy (1979) – Robinsongs CMDRED 428

2. Touch (1980) / 7 (1981) / To The Max (1982) – Robinsongs CDBRED 519

3. Con Funk Shun (1976) / Secrets (1977) – Robinsongs CDMRED 555

"Touch [1980]/Con Funk Shun 7 [1981]/To The Max [1982]" by CON FUNK SHUN (November 2011 Cherry Red/Robinsongs Reissue - 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs Plus Bonuses) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Lady's Wild..." 

A clever reissue this – 3 primo CON FUNK SHUN albums from their Eighties Soul-Funk stride lumped together onto 2 remastered CDs with 4 x 12” Single Mixes tagged on as Bonus Tracks. Where's my dancing shoes baby. Here are the let's ride and slide details...

UK released November 2011 - "Touch/Con Funk Shun 7/To The Max" by CON FUNK SHUN on Cherry Red/Robinsongs CDBRED 519 (Barcode 5013929151932) offers 3LPs from 1980, 1981 and 1982 Remastered onto 2CDs Plus Bonus Tracks that pans out as follows:

Disc 1 (75:33 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 6th vinyl album “Touch” – released December 1980 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4002 and February 1981 in the UK on Mercury 6337 154

Track 10 is “Lady’s Wild (12 Version)”

Track 11 is “Body Lovers (12 Version”

Tracks 12 to 15 are Side 1 of their 7th vinyl album “Con Funk Shun 7” (aka “7”) – released December 1981 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4030

Disc 2 (72:45 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 4 are Side 2 of their 7th vinyl album “Con Funk Shun 7” (aka “7”) – released December 1981 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4030

Tracks 5 to 13 are their 8th vinyl album “To The Max” – released November 1982 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-4067

Track 14 is “Ms Got The Body (12” Version)”

Track 15 is “Ms Got The Body (Instrumental Version)”

The 8-page inlay pictures rare 7” singles on Mercury, album artwork and has a basic history of the band and the albums by RALPH TEE. Long-standing remaster Engineer ALAN WILSON has done the transfers – and because the albums were superbly produced in the first place – that has passed over to the remasters. “7” and “To The Max” sound incredible – as clear and as muscular as you would want.

The emphasis is on Soul Funk ala Gap Band, Kool & The Gang and Heatwave with smoochy ballads inbetween all that booty shuffling. I’ve been after the EWF Funk of “I’ll Get You Back” from “7” for years now and it sounds just brill here. Another winner is “Too Tight” – even if the mix is a tad weedy for 1981 while “Give Your Love To Me” is a pretty ballad. The slappy bass intro to “Touch” sums up their sound – aimed at the rear and not the head – great fun.

Packing great value for money on both CDs (check the extended playing times) - fans should dive in – especially given the upgraded sound...

PS: Other Robinsongs CD Remasters for CON FUNK SHUN include:

1. Loveshine/Candy (1978 and 1979 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 428)

2. Touch/Con Funk Shun 7/To The Max (1980, 1981 and 1982 3 x LPs + 4 Bonus 12" Single Sides onto 2CDs - Robinsongs CDBRED 519

3. Fever/Electric Lady (1983 and 1985 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 636)

"Loveshine [1978]/Candy [1979]" by CON FUNK SHUN (February 2010 Cherry Red/Robinsongs Reissue - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Shake And Dance..."

Two primo CON FUNK SHUN vinyl albums from the band’s late seventies Soul-Funk stride lumped together onto one remastered CD (fro the first time) – the 2^nd release in Robinsongs complete catalogue reissue series for a band that rivalled Earth Wind & Fire in terms of chart success and affection. Here are the Shake and Dance details...

UK released February 2010 – "Loveshine/Candy" by CON FUNK SHUN Cherry Red/Robinsongs CDMRED 428 (Barcode 5013929142824) offers 2 LPs from 1978 and 1979 Remastered onto 1CD and pans out as follows (66:23 minutes):

1. So Easy [Side 1]

2. Magic Woman

3. Shake & Dance With Me

4. Make It Last

5. Loveshine

6. When The Feeling’s Right [Side 2]

7. I Think I Found The Answer

8. Wanna Be There

9. Can’t Go Away

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 3^rd vinyl album “Loveshine” – released June 1978 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-3725 and in the UK on Mercury 9100 055. The album rose to Number 10 on the USA R&B Album Charts.

10. Fire When Ready [Side 2]

11. Chase Me

12. Not Ready

13. Da Lady

14. Candy [Side 2]

15. (Let me Put) Love On Your Mind

16. Main Slice

17. Images

Tracks 10 to 17 are their 4th vinyl album “Candy” – released May 1979 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-3754 (No UK release). The album rose to Number 7 on the USA R&B Album Charts.

The 8-page inlay pictures rare 7” singles on Mercury, album artwork and has a basic history of the band and the albums by RALPH TEE. Although it doesn’t say outright – it sounds to me that long-standing remaster Engineer ALAN WILSON has done the transfers (as he did with other issues) – and because the albums were superbly produced in the first place – that has passed over to the remasters.

The emphasis is on Soul Funk ala Gap Band, Kool & The Gang, Heatwave and Earth, Wind & Fire with smoochy ballads inbetween all that booty shuffling. Thankfully they didn’t compromise to Disco – so boogie tunes like “So Easy” and “Chase Me” still have that glorious late Seventies Soul/Funk feel (like The Jacksons on a good day). There’s huge punch on tunes like “Shake And Dance With Me” which must have filled so many dancefloors back in the day (the effortlessly cool title track “Loveshine” exudes that same great uptempo vibe). Even when they go a bit Isley-Brothers guitar on the smoocher ballad “(Let Me Put) Love On Your Mind” – they pull it off with style.

Packing great value for money (mid-price, 2 albums on 1CD) - fans should dive in – especially given the really great upgraded sound...

"Con Funk Shun [1976]/Secrets [1977]" by CON FUNK SHUN (March 2013 Cherry Red/Robinsongs Reissue - 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Music Is The Way..."

What you get here is two CON FUNK SHUN vinyl albums from the band's outset plus one 12" single as a bonus track lumped together onto one remastered CD (for the first time). This is the 1st release in Robinsongs complete catalogue reissue series for an American Soul/Funk band that rivalled Earth Wind & Fire in terms of sheer chart success and affection (see below). Here are the Ffun details...

UK released March 2013 - "Con Funk Shun/Secrets" by CON FUNK SHUN on Cherry Red/Robinsongs CDMRED 555 (Barcode 5013929155534) offers 2LPs from 1976 and 1977 Remastered onto 1CD plus One Bonus Track and pans out as follows (76:43 minutes):

1. Music Is The Way [Side 1]

2. Tell Me That You Like Me

3. Never Be The Same

4. Owe It To Myself

5. Foley Park

6. Nothing To Lose By Trying [Side 2]

7. Forever Just Ain't Long Enough

8. Another World

9. Sho' Feels Good To Me

Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut vinyl album "Con Funk Shun" - released 1976 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-1120 (no UK release).

10. DooWhaChaWannaDoo [Side 1]

11. Who Has The Time

12. Indian Summer Love (Interlude)

13. Tears In My Eyes

14. Secrets [Side 2]

15. Ffun

16. ConFunkShunizeYa

17. I'll Set You Out O.K.

18. Indian Summer Love (instrumental)

Tracks 10 to 18 are their 2nd vinyl album "Candy" - released September 1977 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1-1180 and December 1977 in the UK on Mercury 9100 043. The album rose to Number 6 on the USA R&B Album Charts.

BONUS TRACK:

19. Ffun (12" Version) (1977 USA 12" Promo Single on Mercury)

The 16-page booklet pictures rare American 7" singles on Mercury, album artwork, LP label repros and also features a detailed and affectionate history of the band and their first two albums by noted American writer and DJ - RICO WASHINGTON. Long-standing remaster Engineer ALAN WILSON has done the transfers (as he did with other issues) - and because the albums were superbly produced in the first place - that has passed over to the remasters. These things boogie and sound just great.

The emphasis is on Soul Funk ala Earth, Wind & Fire, Graham Central Station, Kool & The Gang and even The Commodores with smoochy ballads inbetween all that booty shuffling. The debut album opens with the slap-bass of "Music Is The Way" - a tune that tries hard but is just a little too fast and busy for its own good (even if the audio is superb). Better is the slinky groove of "Tell Me That You Like It" - a guitar groove that would fill dancefloors today. "Owe It To Myself" is a very Hall & Oates groove while "Nothing To Lose By Trying" is a very AWB and while the smoocher "Another World" is loverman TP - it ends on the way forward - the funkily cool "Sho' Feels Good To Me".

Their persistence paid off as the second album was a massive leap forward - and the public thought so too by putting it up to Number 6 on the American R&B album charts (an impressive position for a new band). It helped that the single "Ffun" went to Number 1 on the R&B charts in November 1977 - giving big funky brassy tracks like "ConFunkShunize Ya" (the second single) a Number 31 showing on the charts. The instrumental "Indian Summer Love" is very George Benson circa "Livin' Inside Your Love". Fans are also going to love the 12" single of "Ffun" which extends the album cut from 4:12 to 6:06 minutes - and in a really good way. To my knowledge the 12" was Promo-Only on Mercury Records and has been a long sought after rarity by DJs - so its appearance here on CD fro the first time as a bonus track is a welcome addition.

Packing great value for money (mid-price, 2 albums on 1CD plus a 12") - fans should dive in - especially given the really great upgraded sound...

PS: Other Robinsongs CD Remasters for CON FUNK SHUN include:

1. Loveshine/Candy (1978 and 1979 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 428)

2. Touch/Con Funk Shun 7/To The Max (1980, 1981 and 1982 3 x LPs + 4 Bonus 12" Single Sides onto 2CDs - Robinsongs CDBRED 519

3. Fever/Electric Lady (1983 and 1985 LPs onto 1CD - Robinsongs CDMRED 636)

"Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" by MICK SOFTLEY (November 2016 Cherry Red/Morello Records CD Reissue - Alan Wilson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 2 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

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"...Traveller's Song..."

Gorgeous at times - bit of a lost classic maybe – in fact why the Hell isn't this huge? Descriptive praiseworthy adjectives and so many questions...

Born to Irish parents, English Singer, renowned traveller and Folk-Club owner MICK SOFTLEY had already clocked up three albums by the time he'd gotten to July 1972's "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" - his third and final LP for CBS Records in a 3-record UK deal. Not that Joe Public noticed. "Time Machine" and "Waterfall" from his September 1970 "Sunrise" album were aggressively promoted on two British CBS sampler albums of the period - the "Rock Buster" double set from 1970 (with Arnie flexing his torso on the cover) and "Together" - a single LP compilation from 1971 - but neither did little to improve sales.

In fact until November 2016 - this beautifully recorded/played obscurity has remained stubbornly off the digital Garden of Delights grass - a strange one in a world where Folk and Folk-Rock rarities are absolutely all the rage. And even with the enticement of having most of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay as his backing band combined with Barry de Souza and Lyn Dobson of Curved Air and Soft Machine fame also adding jazzy flourishes – the album is still 'only' listed at £40 in the 2018 Record Collector Rare Records Price Guide - a wee bit of a fiscal underestimation in my books.

At least this CD does a sweet job of reissuing his touch-a-nerve Folk and Folk Rock (also available as a Download from Cherry Red's website). Let's get to the lovely days, minstrel songs and stones on the sand...

UK released 11 November 2016 - "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" by MICK SOFTLEY on Cherry Red/Morello Records MRLL 65 (Barcode 5013929896536) is a straightforward transfer of the 12-track 1972 album and plays out as follows (41:18 minutes):

1. The Song That I Sing [Side 1]

2. Hello Little Flower

3. Sing While You Can

4. The Minstrel Song

5. Magdalene's Song

6. Traveller's Song

7. From The Land Of The Crab

8. Lady Willow [Side 2]

9. Great Lady Of Cathay

10. If Wishes Were Horses

11. Have You Ever Really Seen The Stars

12. I'm So Confused

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 4th studio album "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" - released September 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 64841 (no US release). Produced by TONY COX - it didn't chart.

PLAYERS were:

MICK SOFTLEY - Acoustic Guitar and Lead Vocals

JERRY DONAHUE - Electric and Acoustic Guitars

TONY COX - Keyboards

LYN DOBSON - Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute and Harmonica

PAT DONALDSON - Bass

GERRY CONWAY - Drums and Percussion

BARRY de SOUZA - Percussion

The 8-page inlay features the LP's original single-sleeve artwork (front and rear) but unfortunately doesn't think to reprint the unreadable lyrics. Still in its place are superb liner notes from CRAIG BRACKENRIDGE that give a potted-history of his wildly diverse musical career and subsequent 'travelling' life (he now lives in Northern Ireland and turns up at Folk Fairs there). ALAN WILSON has done the transfers and it sounds just wonderful - very clean but still with air around it. "...Doesn't Grumble" was a nicely produced album and featured quality musicians and that shows up in this transfer on every track. 

So why is the album undervalued? The first two LPs he did for CBS Records moved away from the purist Folk of his debut LP "Songs For Swingin' Survivors" on Columbia Records in August 1965. The initial pairing of his CBS trilogy - "Sunrise" from September 1970 and "Street Singer" from September 1971 - introduced cool instrumentation like the Tabla and Tantric Chanting - a magnet for collectors and lovers of Acid-tinged Folk. But CBS Records N. 3 "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" contains only mild flourishes of that - the second half of the brilliant Side 1 opener "The Song I Sing" where Lyn Dobson gets to rip on Flute and Sax. Mostly the rest of the album softens it down - it's pretty - and on songs like "Sing While You Can" and the seven minutes of acoustic hurt in "Have You Ever Really Seen The Stars" - the vibe feels almost naked and raw. Band numbers like "I'm So Confused" and the piano-led "Traveller's Song" feel like Roy Harper being philosophical or Dylan pining in an English pub (Lyn Dobson on Harmonica).

Something called "Hello Little Flower" could of course elicit howls of Jail-That-Hippy - but his delivery is delicate - a very Donavan simplicity as he smiles at nature's garden wonders. Again with the softly-softly on "Sing While You Can" - a lone acoustic guitar and a quivering voice joined by Dobson's complimentary flute - giving the soft melody a Seventies loveliness. Blacksmiths, forges and mills get an airing in the very Ian Anderson acoustic ditty "The Minstrel Song" - gorgeous Audio too. The one and half minute "Magdalene's Song" is full of working girls, spewing factories and empty pews in churches - eventually ending up in some grotty bar with needles in arms. CBS actually tried the ridin' high acoustic "Lady Willow" with the jaunty "From The Land Of The Crab" on its B-side as a UK 45 in July 1972 - but the Promo 7" single for CBS S 8269 didn't get much feedback (looks like stock copies were never pressed). "Great Wall Of Cathay" is almost "Lady Willow" Volume 2 - Confucius knowing why they built it. "if Wishes Were Horses" is probably the most 'Folk-Rock with other stuff going on' song - Softley singing about spaceships as Dobson flits between Flute and Saxophones on a soloing spree.

"Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" isn't an out-and-out 10-star masterpiece - but a re-listen in March 2018 (46 years after the event) confirms for me that someone somewhere along the yearly time-line missed out on a serious trick here. Fans will have to own it and for the genre-curious - there's enough Folk and Folk Rock loveliness on this sweet-sounding reissue to warrant interest and even intense affection.

And well done once more to Cherry Red (and their Morello Records) for getting this lost flower out into the public domain at last. 

"Have You Ever Really Seen The Stars?" - Softley asked back in 1972. 
Well Mick, I'm looking and listening now and that's for damn sure...

"The Works 1969-1971: Albums, Demos, BBC Sessions and Live Recordings" by PRINCIPAL EDWARDS MAGIC THEATRE (April 2017 Cherry Red Records 3CD Mini Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Amused The Magic Throng..."

You have to love John Peel. Named after a batty relative of the percussionist Lyn Edwards (Lyn is pictured furthest to the right on the back cover of the "Soundtrack" LP) - Principle Edwards Magic Theatre were the first act signed in early 1969 to the witty DJ's new record label - Dandelion Records. And you have to wonder was Peely (and all 14 of the ensemble for that matter) on mushrooms not necessarily destined for tins of Heinz Soup. Re-listening to this music in April 2017 and it's bleeding obvious that this group stood no chance of chart success. Or maybe that was the point…

Part theatre, part Prog, part Folk Rock – PEMT incorporated all that was counter-culture in those halcyon years - hippy-lore, eastern mysticism, tie-dye shirts and dollops of ancient literature. Their sound was a hybrid of The Incredible String Band and Curved Air – a sort of Prog variant of Folk-Rock with a woman out front singing ponderous lyrics about rhododendrons in your midst while rainbow bridges lead to giants and interlunar caves (don't you just hate that). Musically it's like Traffic, The Amazing Blondel and Quintessence engaged in a summer solstice threesome at the foot of Stonehenge and nine months later (on a full moon of course) – a lovechild is brought forth that none of them know what to do with (yikes).

For sure PEMT will not be for everyone (critics of the time called them naïve at best and pretentious at worst) - but those who do love their mishmash sound married to theatrical visuals will have to get their grubby mitts on this wicked new release from those champions of all things eclectic and awkward - Cherry Red Records. They've done this most British of bands a proper solid and of course for Pink Floyd fans - there's the tie-in of Nick Mason on album No. 2. Here are the enigmatic insomniac machines (and that's just Side 1 of the first album)...

UK released Friday, 14 April 2017 (21 April 2017 in the USA) - "The Works 1969-1971: Albums, Demos, BBC Sessions and Live Recordings" by PRINCIPAL EDWARDS MAGIC THEATRE on Cherry Red Records CDTRED 704 (Barcode 5013929170438) is a Remastered 3CD set housed in a card slipcase (three card sleeves and a booklet) that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 - "Soundtrack" - 53:32 minutes:

1. Enigmatic Insomniac Machine [Side 1]

2. Sacrifice

3. The Death Of Don Quixote

4. Third Sonnet To Sundry Notes Of Music [Side 2]

5. To A Broken Guitar

6. Pinky: A Mystery Cycle

Tracks 1 to 6 are their debut album "Soundtrack" - released August 1969 in the UK on Dandelion Records S 63752 and Elektra Records D9-103 in the USA. The US album featured a 'face' as its artwork - that shot is used as Page 1 of the booklet.

BONUS TRACKS:

7. Ballad (Of The Big Girl Now And The Mere Boy)

8. Lament For The Earth

Tracks 7 and 8 are both non-album tracks - their debut UK 7" single on Dandelion Records 4406 released July 1969

Disc 2 - "The Asmoto Running Band" - 40:24 minutes:

Side Three/The Asmoto Side

1. McAlpine's Dream [Side 1]

2. McAlpine Versus The Asmoto

3. The Asmoto Running Band (Hou'Amih)

4. Asmoto Celebration

5. Further Asmoto Celebration (After The Ball)

Side Four/The Gambini Side

6. Total Glycerol Esther [Side 2]

7. Freef ('R) All

8. Autumn Lady Dancing Song

9. The Kettering Song

10. Weirdsong Of Breaking Through At Last

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 2nd studio album "The Asmoto Running Band" - released January 1971 in the UK on Dandelion Records DAN 8002 (no USA issue). The album was produced by NICK MASON of PINK FLOYD.

Disc 3 - "Hidden Treasure: Sessions, Live and Demos" - 74:06 minutes:

1. The Ballad (Of The Big Girl Now And The Mere Boy) - Top Gear, 1969

2. Third Sonnet To Sundry Notes Of Music - Top Gear, 1969

3. Pinky: A Mystery Cycle - Top Gear, 1969

Tracks 1 to 3 recorded 24 February 1969 at the BBC for the John Peel 'Top Gear' Show - broadcast 3 March 1969. Taken from an off-air recording made by Eddy Duffy

4. King Of The - Top Gear, 1970

5. The Fortieth Day Of Winter - Top Gear, 1970

Tracks 4 and 5 recorded at the BBC 13 January 1970 for John Peel's 'Top Gear' Show - broadcast 17 Jan 1970 - taken from Original Master Tapes

6. Vollabast

7. Two Women

8. Weasel (In The Wardrobe)

9. Scarlett HalfMan

10. The Egg And The Antrobus

Tracks 6 to 10 recorded live at Hampstead Theatre in the UK, September 1971 - tapes transferred and mixed by Richard Jones

11. Rainy Day Anne

12. Dear John & Mary (A State Of Affairs)

13. Ministry Of Madness

Tracks 11 to 13 are demos recorded at Morgan Studios in London, October 1971 - supervised by Nick Mason of Pink Floyd.

Tracks 4 to 13 are all PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

PRINCIPAL EDWARDS MAGIC THEATRE was:

VIVIENNE McAULIFFE and MARTIN STELLMAN – Lead Vocals and Recorders

ROOT CARTWRIGHT – Guitars, Recorders and Bass Guitar

BELINDA 'BINDY' BOURQUIN – Violin, Recorder, Piano and Organ

JEREMY ENSOR – Bass

DAVID JONES – Percussion (and Lyrics)

LYN EDWARDS - Percussion

ROGER SWALLOW – Drums on "The Asmoto Running Band" only

Associated:

Dan Leatherbarrow - Lyrics (Tracks 3 and 5 on Disc 2)

Monica Nettles – Dancer and Speaking Voice

John McMahon Hill – Dancer

Eva Darlow – Dancer

Gillian Hadlev – Choreography and Writer

Leslie Adley – Lights

Harry Housman – Stage, Road Manager and Designer

Christopher Runciman – Lights

Chrissie Morris – Lightshows and Effects

Terry Budd – Drums on Track 7, Disc 3

Beth Wood – Vocals and Recorder on Track 6, Disc 3 – Violin on Track 9

Joe Read – Bass Guitar and Recorder on Track 7, Disc 3

You get three single card sleeves slotted inside a card slipcase with a 20-page booklet sat alongside them. The first two card sleeves show the front and rear artwork for "Soundtrack" from 1969 and their second studio platter from early 1971 - "The Asmoto Running Band" – both on Dandelion Records. Fans will know they were originally gatefold sleeves on vinyl and carried lyric inserts so Cherry Red have reproduced the lyrics and the booklet's first page carries the different 'face' artwork of the USA issue for "Soundtrack" on Elektra Records – nice touches and attention to detail. The third CD uses a period black and white photo of their stage show as its artwork – while MIKE BARNES provides the in-depth liner notes that include interviews with keeper of the flame – Root Cartwright. And all three CDs are picture discs. It's all very tastefully done.

The audio is down to ALAN WILSON – and it's very pretty indeed. While some passages feature whig-out guitars – a lot of it is Trippy Acoustic veering into Folk-Rock so benefits from a good transfer and that's what you get. Some of the tracks on Disc 3 are ropey for sure but are here for obvious reasons - rarity value (previously unreleased). Let's get to the music...

Their debut album "Soundtrack" had only six tracks - three to either side - each half of the record dominated by one long track. "Enigmatic Insomniac Machine" starts proceedings with a flute, acoustic guitars and light marching percussion - like Tyrannosaurus Rex about to take a tab of acid and want to rock. You immediately notice Vivienne McAuliffe's voice that is akin to Bridget St. John (another Dandelion folky worth checking out – see separate review) or Sonja Christina of Curved Air. She starts rattling off lyrics about a mascara man who doesn't understand that she can't sleep for worry about the world. Things turn decidedly Heavy Prog Rock with the guitar riffage opening of "Sacrifice" - but it soon settles down into a more Folk-Rock amble with the droning voice of the band's other singer - Martin Stellman - soon joined by McAuliffe. Unfortunately its obvious why Vivienne is given the bulk of the singing chores - Stellman's voice is the kind of deadpan hippy drone that might induce a stoning from a less than sympathetic audience. The song is good though and has interesting stoner parts towards the end. The staggeringly wordy "The Death Of Don Quixote" is a near fourteen-minute Folk-Rock tour de force - violin, voice, acoustic guitar and words - pages of them. You could leave – paint the front room – and when you return – Vivienne will still be singing about a pleased witch in a mill in a tone that you suspect says she approves (Peel even gets a line himself).

Shakespeare provides the lyrics for "Third Sonnet To Sundry Notes Of Music” where its duet vocals and generally hippy nature is saving by a wicked rocking guitar break half way through the monk-like chants and ye olde wordage. "To A Broken Guitar" is a short acoustic ode from Cartwright and Leatherbarrow to their instrument of choice. The guitar work in the 10-minute "Pinky: A Mystery Cycle" is superb and will raise a chill amongst collectors – but it's partially negated by a spoken ending from Vivienne that unintentionally verges on the laugh-out-loud. The two non-album single sides are very hippy Folk of the period (pretty and ponderous) and collectors will appreciate their presence here. To sum up - the debut LP is a typically eclectic start – part loveable, part cack.

The second album "The Asmoto Running Band" brought on board two heavyweights in different departments – Hipgnosis did the cover art while Nick Mason of Pink Floyd fame did the Production. The Drummer Roger Swallow - who did stints with Harsh Reality, Matthews Southern Comfort and would later be with The Albion Country Band – also joined the ranks for album number two - even bringing the excellent "Freef ('R) All" track with him as collateral. The moment you play "McAlpine’s Dream" you hear the upgraded sound – Vivienne and Martin voices clear while the recorders get all fairy-lore on our ears. The largely instrumental "McAlpine Versus The Asmoto" shows amazing maturity in their compositions and playing – part Captain Beefheart, part Flock – all crooked pianos and violins one moment – then beauty the next (and the Audio is fantastic too). Other Prog-leaning winners include "Asmoto Celebration" and the undeniably pretty "The Kettering Man" which is heading towards Mellow Candle in its complex beauty. The second album is an unsung hero in their catalogue and its cool to hear it sound so good here.

The three Top Gear tracks from 1969 are acoustic and live - the audio good rather than being great - a few clicks and pops here and there. "Ballad..." is introduced as the new single and they sound like Sandy Denny doing a Demo. The Shakespeare poem 'Third Sonnet' is given an acoustic going over too with both vocalists. Far better sonically is "King Of The" and "The Fortieth Day Of Winter" from 1970 - taken from real tapes - Martin Stellman (unfortunately) taking lead vocals on both where PEMT sound like a lighter version of "This Was" Jethro Tull. "Vollabast" turns out to be six minutes of Funky keyboards against a very Prog backdrop. But the big prize here is the 13-minute "Weasel (In The Wardrobe)" - Duncan Browne sounding Spanish acoustic guitar carrying Vivienne McAuliffe and more pages of words. Best amongst the demos is "Rainy Day Anne" which shows a more Steeleye Span direction.

Principal Edwards Magic Theatre will not be for everyone by any stretch of the imagination and some of those early hippy incantations might bring some rockers out in a rash that not even real ale will cure. But amidst all of that loopy ensemble Folk Rock and somewhere in those Prog theatrical flourishes lies beauty and daring. And reissue hero Cherry Red is to be praised for putting all that Kettering quackery back out there and in such style too...

"The Complete Atlantic Recordings" by BETTYE SWANN (January 2014 US Real Gone Music/Rhino CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Wanting To Hold You…"

Relative newcomer label REAL GONE MUSIC (out of the States) have been impressing of late with their clever selections for reissue CDs - and this Bettye Swann overhaul (in conjunction with Rhino and Soul Music) is part of their ongoing series of Atlantic Records retrospectives. And what an out-and-out winner it is. You get great Seventies Soul music from a lesser-heard voice, updated and best ever remasters, five previously unreleased tracks and quality liner notes. There's even a duet with one of the giants - Sam Dees. I have to say I'm more than impressed.

The tracks are presented in recording date order on this CD - so it can be confusing working out what's what. In order to break it down into more manageable chunks - I'm provided a track list and a Discography beneath that. Here are the intricate details...

US released January 2014 - "The Complete Atlantic Recordings" by BETTYE SWANN on Real Gone Music/Rhino Custom Products/Soul Music Records RGM-0213 OPCD-8817 (Barcode 848064002130) pans out as follows (77:36 minutes):

1. Victim Of A Foolish Heart

2. Cold Day (In Hell)

3. I'd Rather Go Blind

4. Today I Started Loving You Again

5. Yours Until Tomorrow

6. I'm Not That Easy To Lose

7. Till I Get It Right

8. The Boy Next Door

9. Kiss My Love Goodbye

10. Time To Say Goodbye

11. When The Game Is Played On You

12. All The Way In Or All The Way Out

13. Doing For The One I Love

14. I Feel The Feeling

15. Either You Love Me Or You Leave Me

16. This Old Heart of Mine

17. Suspicious Minds

18. I Want Sunday Back Again

19. The Jealous Kind

20. Heading In The Right Direction

21. Be Strong Enough To Hold On

22. Storybook Children (with SAM DEES)

23. Just As Sure (with SAM DEES)

NOTES:

Track 6 first appeared in 2006 on the CD compilation "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters" credited as "I Ain't That Easy To Lose"

Tracks 14 to 17 and 19 are Previously Unreleased - recorded in Nashville in 1975

Track 18 "I Want Sunday Back Again" first appeared in 2005 on the UK Warners CD compilation "You Better Believe It! Vol.2"

Track 20 "Heading In The Right Direction" is miscredited in the booklet and rear inlay as "Heading In The Wrong Direction"]

USA and UK SINGLES:

Her eight 45s were issued in the USA and UK as follows - [9] = Track Number etc

1. Victim Of A Foolish Heart [1] b/w Cold Day (In Hell) [2]

May 1972, US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2869

June 1972, UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10174

2. Today I Started Loving You Again [4] b/w I'd Rather Go Blind [3]

December 1972, US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2921

February 1973, UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10273

3. Till I Get It Right [7] b/w Yours Until Tomorrow [5]

August 1973, US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2950

4. The Boy Next Door [8] b/w Kiss My Love Goodbye [9]

May 1974, US 7" single on Atlantic 45-3019

5. Time To Say Goodbye [10] b/w When The Game Is Played On You [11]

August 1974, USA 7" single Atlantic 45-3211

6. All The Way In Or All The Way Out [12] b/w Doing For The I Love [13]

May 1975, USA 7" single Atlantic 45-3262

June 1975, UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10622

[Notes: in the UK the A&B-sides were reversed and "Doing" is miscredited in the booklet and on the inlay as "Doin'"]

7. Storybook Children [22] b/w Just As Sure [23]

February 1976, US 7" single on Big Tree Records BT-16054 [credited to SAM DEES and BETTYE SWANN]

March 1976, UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10719

8. Heading In The Right Direction [20] b/w Be Strong Enough To Hold On [21]

February 1976, US 7" single on Atlantic 45-3352

October 1976, UK 7" single on Atlantic K 10851

Produced by DAVID NATHAN - the well-appointed 16-page booklet pictures lots of those Atlantic 45s (and the lone Big Tree Records entry with Sam Dees) - has detailed liner notes from noted writer and Mojo contributor CHARLES WARING and gives us recording details/writer credits. ALAN WILSON has carried out the digital remasters from original tapes (he's worked with BGO, Edsel and Cherry Red) and the audio quality is fabulous throughout - amazing clarity. It's hardly surprising when you read the credits - Bettye had quality Seventies productions from Rick Hall's Fame Studios (tracks 1 to 7) with the rest being split between The Young Professionals in Philadelphia and Brad Shapiro in Nashville. Song after song is full of presence and warmth - bolstered by musicians able to get with the groove. Couple this with her wonderful vocals and the result is pretty remarkable...

It's hard to describe the impact of Bettye Swann's voice - it's part Dionne Warwick - part Etta James - with a wobble in the vocal that gives each rendition a sort of aching. Swann could take a song like "Yours Until Tomorrow" (a Goffin-King hit for fellow label mate Dee Dee Warwick in 1965 and later for Gene Pitney in 1968) and imbibe it with a sort of croaky passion that elevated the tune into genuine Soul. The same applies to Pop like "Till I Get It Right" - and even when she went Funk and Disco in Nashville for stuff like her talking-take on "This Old Heart Of Mine" (a Previously Unreleased version of The Isley Brothers classic) - she manages to turn a cheesy arrangement into Soul gold. What Bettye Swann lacks in sheer lungpower (say Aretha Franklin) - she more than makes up for with delivery - that constant hurt in her tone imbibing her singing with real beauty (like say Mavis Staples).

Northern Soul fans have been digging the B-side "Kiss My Love Goodbye" since it turned on the WEA CD compilation "You Better Believe It!" in 2004. Another Philly-sounding Funkathon with strings is "When The Game Is Played On You" which WEA featured on the 2005 CD compilation "Crème De La Soul Vol. II - More Philly Soul Classics..." I also love her big and brassy version of the Etta James/Chicken Shack classic "I'd Rather Go Blind" that gives the hurter a sweeter edge (gorgeous remaster too - wow!). But even prettier is the Homer Banks/Carl Hampton song "Either You Love Me Or Leave Me" where her man keeps turning away - such a great smooching groove (lyrics from it title this review).

Bettye then morphs Country into Sweet Soul on her cover of Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again". She even goes Blaxploitation on the Shaft-like and uber funky "The Boy Next Door" (sounding not unlike Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead") - another winner with amazing production values courtesy of LeBaron Taylor, Phil Hurtt and Bunny Sigler (aka The Young Professionals). By the time we get to "Heading In The Right Direction" and it's flipside "Be Strong Enough To Hold On" - she's gone over to the sound taking the world and charts by storm - Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International. And again the remaster for both tunes is simply gorgeous...

Touching on Northern Soul dancers, swooning Philly, boogie Funk and even a bit of tortured Southern Soul heartbreak and infidelity - I cannot recommend this reissue enough. And in June 2013 at the tender age of 68 - Bettye Swann came out of retirement and performed for the first time in decades at a Cleethorpes Soul Weekender in the UK (it's pictured on the inlay beneath the see-through tray). She was greeted with a hero's welcome by British Soul nutters tearfully appreciating one of the unsung greats of Soul Music. Let's hope that's not the last we hear from lovely Bettye. In the meantime - we at least have this fab CD compilation to savour...

Similar 'Real Gone Music' titles to date are:

1. LINDA JONES - The Complete Atco-Loma-Warner Brothers Recordings

2. PATTI LaBELLE and THE BLUEBELLES - The Complete Atlantic Sides (2CDs)

3. BARBARA LEWIS - The Complete Atlantic Singles (2CDs)

4. BARBARA LYNN - The Complete Atlantic Recordings [REVIEWED]

5. JACKIE MOORE - The Complete Atlantic Recordings (Jan 2015)

6. BETTYE SWANN - The Complete Atlantic Recordings [REVIEWED]

7. THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS - The Complete Atlantic Singles (2CDs)

8. IRMA THOMAS - Full Time Woman: The Lost Cotillion Album

9. DEE DEE WARWICK - The Complete Atlantic Recordings (2CDs) [REVIEWED]