"Mae McKenna/Everything That Touches Me/Walk On Water plus Bonus Tracks" by MAE McKENNNA [ex Contraband] – August 1975 Debut, June 1976 Second Album and May 1977 Third Studio Albums on Transatlantic Records UK (November 2023 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 3 Solo LPs Plus 2 'Contraband' Single Sides onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Thinking Of You..."

 

MUSIC RATING: *** AUDIO: ***** PRESENTATION: *****

 

Along with George Jackson, Billy Jackson, John Martin, Pete Cairney and Alex Baird – Scottish lass MAE McKENNA had formed CONTRABAND who signed to Transatlantic Records in 1973. As their lead singer, they put out one self-titled album of Irish and Scottish music called "Contraband" on Transatlantic TRA 278 in May 1974. McKenna then went Poptastic solo with her 1975 self-titled debut while Billy and George Jackson along with John Martin formed a full-on Traditional Folk outfit called OSSIAN and they put out their debut in 1977 on a tiny label - Springthyme Records SPR 1004.

 

Back to the case in hand - these Mae McKenna solo LPs are 'not' Folk Records. They were issued August 1975 (TRA 297), June 1976 (TRA 321) and May 1977 (TRA 345) on Transatlantic Records in the UK - but despite its famous-for-it All Things Folk label identity, these albums are far removed from that genre on all three counts. The listen is more mid Seventies Lady Pop and Rock by way of Linda Ronstadt or Helen Reddy or the syrupy acrobatics of Barbra Streisand.

 

Most of the songs across these two crammed CDs are cover versions - pianos mingling with strings and professionally played drums with good session-players putting in quality playing – but not a lot else. It's about as un-Folk as you can get and unfortunately very mid-Seventies nondescript. I recall we could never sell copies of Mae McKenna albums in Reckless because it was not Folk or Folk Rock. However, fans will love the first time availability on CD, the classy presentation and the super clear audio. There is a lot to get through – to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 10 November 2023 - "Mae McKenna/Everything That Touches Me/Walk On Water plus Bonus Tracks" by MAE McKENNA on Beat Goes On BGOCD1499 (Barcode 5017261214997) offers 3LPs and Two 45-Single Sides (by Contraband featuring Mae McKenna) onto 2CDs. It plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (43:56 minutes):

1. Dying To Live [Side 1]

2. Once In The Morning

3. All In Love Is Fair

4. The Other Side Of Me

5. Song For Simon

6. Together We Get By

7. Elderberry Wine [Side 2]

8. How Could We Dare To Be Wrong

9. Imagine

10. Black-Eyed Susan

11. Said The Major

12. Old Man

Tracks 1 to 12 are her debut album "Mae McKenna" – released August 1975 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 297. Produced by PETE SAMES – it featured Martin Briley and Paul Keogh on Guitars, BJ Cole on Pedal Steel Guitar and Graham Prescott on Bass.

 

CD2 (78:44 minutes):

1. For Shame Of Doing Wrong [Side 1]

2. My Town

3. Thinking Of You

4. Crying In The Rain

5. Late For The Sky

6. Love Hurts [Side 2]

7. I Have Waited 

8. (I Ended Up) Losing You 

9. Everything That Touches Me

10. Lady For Today

11. Sixty Seconds Got Together

Tracks 1 to 11 are her second solo album "Everything That Touches Me" - released June 1976 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 321. Produced by RITCHIE GOLD - musicians included Elliott Randall and Isaac Guillory on Guitars with Pat Donaldson of Fotheringay on Bass and Timi Donald of Blue on Drums (String Arrangements by Pete Wingfield). 

12. Driven Away [Side 1]

13. Love Me Tomorrow

14. There's Been A Mistake

15. What Becomes Of The Broken Heart

16. Sailin'

17. Love Struck [Side 2]

18. He's A Man After My Own Heart

19. Love Hangover

20. For You My Love

21. I Want To Believe In You

Tracks 12 to 21 are her third solo album "Walk On Water" - released May 1977 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 345. Produced by RITCHIE GOLD - featuring Elliott Randall, Iassac Guillory Ronnie Leahy, Alan James, Gerry Conway and Pete Willsher.

BONUS TRACKS:

22. Lady For Today

23. On The Road

Tracks 22 and 23 are the A&B-sides of a 1974 UK 45-single by CONTRABAND featuring the voice of Mae McKenna on Transatlantic Records BIG 518

The card slipcase is lovely to look at (they are standard now with all Beat Goes on CD Reissues) - as is the 20-pages of the chock-a-block booklet with new liner notes by one of BGO's longstanding scribes JOHN O'REGAN. The album credits for all three are reproduced and the history is his usual plethora of details and interview segments. ANDREW THOMPSON has done the Remasters and as professionally produced albums from 1975, 1976 and 1977 - the CD Audio is top notch. You just wish the material warranted it. To the songs...

 

The debut has covers of Stevie Wonder's "All In Love Is Fair", Elton John's "Elderberry Wine", Randy Newman's "Old Man", Edgar Winter's "Dying To Live" and John Lennon's "Imagine" but few of them really click. A rare moment of beauty comes in her cover of Gerry Rafferty's "Song For Simon" that first appeared on the Humblebum's third album "Open Up The Door".

 

After the overly reaching-for-commercialism saccharine nature of the debut – solo album number two tries to Rock it up a bit with only marginally better results. It opens with a good rendition of Richard Thompson's "For Shame Of Doing Wrong". Elliott Randall of Steely Dan "Reeling In The Years" guitar-solo fame plays all the lead guitars aided and abetted by string arrangements from Pete Wingfield of Jellybread and "Eighteen With A Bullet" fame (Ronnie Leahy plays Keyboards). Channeling her inner Emmylou Harris/Country Rock sound, McKenna tackles Kate and Anna McGarrigle's "My Town" – it feels nice but not a whole lot more. Next up is a lovely Wendy Waldman song called "Thinking Of You" – Waldman had contributed "Vaudeville Man" and "Mad Mad Me" to the self-titled "Maria Muldaur" LP in 1973 on Reprise Records (the "Midnight At The Oasis" LP). Unfortunately McKenna ruins the Jackson Browne masterpiece "Late For The Sky" with crappy synth passages and one of the singularly most inappropriate psyched-up guitar solos I've ever heard. Side 2 goes for the love songs big time but only ends up sounding cloying like a bad Neil Diamond album on CBS Records in the late Seventies.

 

Being embedded in the psyche of 1977 dancefloor Soul-Funk – album number three goes full-on Yacht Rock right from the openers "Driven Away" and "Love Me Tomorrow" but the material is weak and her voice not particularly memorable. Barely anyone cares about Pousette-Dart songs and "There's Been A Mistake" sounds as uninspired as its title. And on it goes to hammy Pedal Steel cack like "Love Struck". CD2 ends with a Contraband UK 45-single (Transatlantic BIG 518 featuring the voice of Mae McKenna) from 1974 - "Lady For Today" written by Rosemary Hardman with a Billy Jackson original on the flipside "On The Road". The A is more poppy and less memorable than the lovely Mandolin filled B-side. It ends a hard-work CD2 on a high note.

 

Workmanlike albums like these are forgotten and cluttering up auction sites with 40-copies for two and three quid for a reason – they were never worthy of our affection in the first place. But if you have any love for these Seventies records – this Beat Goes On gorgeous sounding and tastefully presented twofer is the jobby for you. All others should grab a listen first...

"White Light/Roadmaster" by GENE CLARK – August 1971 US/UK Second Solo LP [ex Byrds, Dillard & Clark] on A&M Records and January 1973 Dutch-Only Third LP on A&M Records featuring Guitarists Jesse Ed Davis and John Selk, Keyboards by Ben Sidran and Michael Utley, Bass by Chris Ethridge with Drums and Percussion by Bobbye Hall Porter and Gary Mallaber – Also Featuring David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Clarence White and Bernie Leadon of Eagles and many more (May 2023 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Rating: ****

 

"...Let Your Troubles Fade Into The Sun..."

 

There seems to be a train of thought that places Gene Clark of The Byrds, Dillard and Clark and The Flying Burrito Bros. fame up there with holy men and Godheads when it comes to songwriting genius. I think that's absolute codswallop.

 

Neither of these is his masterpiece "No Other" (from 1974). But it would also be churlish of me not to state the obvious - there is beauty and charm on his second and third solo albums – but just not as much as so many claim. Certain publications assuring us then or now that Gene Clark is among the greatest songwriters of his generation are to me ludicrously over-pushed and over-stated – especially on the strength of what's on offer here.

 

However (and I mean this) - what you do have here is a Quality Reissue CD Compilation that will make many of his Country-Rock and Folk-Rock fans very happy bunnies indeed. In fact – you could say that waiting until May 2023 for this 2LPs-onto-1Disc has seemed a long time coming. 

 

But typical of Beat Goes On Records (BGO of England) – they've done his legacy proud and presented these August 1971 and January 1973 albums (both on A&M Records – the second out of Holland only) with a pretty card slipcase, liner notes that reprouduce all original details and draws on research of old, and sports newly Remastered Audio (care of Andrew Thompson) that finally makes for the best listen of this material that I have ever heard. Here are the Misty Mornings...

 

UK released Friday, 26 May 2023 - "White Light/Roadmaster" by GENE CLARK on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1494 (Barcode 5017261214942) features 2LPs issued 1971 and 1973 Remastered onto 1CD (no Bonuses) that plays out as follows (75:00 minutes):

 

1. The Virgin [Side 1]

2. With Tomorrow

3. White Light

4. Because Of You

5. One in A Hundred

6. For A Spanish Guitar [Side 2]

7. Where My Love Lies Asleep

8. Tears Of Rage

9. 1975

Tracks 1 to 9 are his second solo album (after The Byrds, Dillard & Clark and The Flying Burrito Brothers) "White Light" aka "Gene Clark" – released August 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4292 and A&M Records AMLS 64292. All songs written by Gene Clark except "With Tomorrow" – a co-write with Jesse Davis – and "Tears Of Rage" by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel (of The Band). Produced by JESSE ED DAVIS – the band consisted of Gene Clark on Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar and Harmonica, Electric and Slide Guitars by Jesse Ed Davis, Acoustic Guitar by John Selk, Keyboards by Ben Sidran (Piano) and Michael Utley (Organ), Bass by Chris Ethridge with Drums and Percussion by Gary Mallaber and Bobbye Hall Porter. Both Bed Sidran and Gary Mallaber are from The Steve Miller Band.

 

10. She's The Kind Of Girl [Side 1]

11. One in A Hundred

12. Here Tonight

13. Full Circle Song

14. In A Misty Morning

15. Rough And Rocky

16. Roadmaster [Side 2]

17. I Really Don't Want To Know

18. Remember The Railroad

19. She Don't Care About Time

20. Shooting Star

Tracks 10 to 20 are his third solo album "Roadmaster" – released January 1973 in Holland-only on A&M Records 87 584 IT. It received its first British VINYL LP release August 1988 on Edsel ED 198 in different artwork and subsequently on CD June 1990 on Edsel ED CD 198 (again with the different artwork – Gene in the front seat of a car).

 

The card slipcase and 20-page booklet certainly lend this release a feel of event and that both albums have transferred in their entirety onto 1 CD (75:00 minutes exactly) is pleasing too. Long-time contributor to BGO liner notes JOHN O’REGAN name-checks web sources and does a full career overview and not just on the two presented. Perusing the notes, I've read some of this stuff before - Clark's life being the stuff of abuse and misuse legend. 

 

Missouri born in November 1941 – Gene Clark was gone by May 1991 - not even making his 50^th birthday – yet he left a musical thumbprint we're still flicking through to this day. One of the Byrds founders – we're told of a hasty departure in 1966 (Roger McGuinn taking over) and thereafter hooking up with Chip Douglas and other Country-fied types. Columbia Records signed Clark as solo act and his 1967 debut with The Gosdin Brothers hit the shops as his first solo album. What you're getting here is solo albums two and three - both studio efforts - the second a sort of half-done patchwork recorded 1971-ish in the USA that was released by A&M Records anyway in early 1973, but only in Europe. And while the music press were generally favorable even fawning, because of its seriously limited nature on Vinyl, the buying public barely got a look in on "Roadmaster" let alone sung its praises.

 

The booklet provides musician credits for both albums (no new photos) and the Remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON accessed original master tapes. The Harmonica and strummed Acoustics on "White Light" is lovely and warm while the Production values on "Because Of You" is gorgeous – those soft Congas by Bobbye Hall Porter and that lingering Mike Utley church organ. Many love "One In A Hundred" – Jesse Ed David and Mike Utley giving it a fantastic one-two on Slide Guitar and complimentary Organ – Clark warbling the vocals. No less than Dylan called "For A Spanish Guitar" a masterpiece he wishes he'd written himself – the laughter of children employed – a very sweet Remaster as the instruments wallow around your speakers. And "Where My Love Lies Asleep" could be whipper-will J.J. Cale on "Magnolia". But I can't say I have much truck with either "Tears Of Rage" or "1975" (there is something lacking in the guitars, even the Remastered sound feels off). Still - totting up what I do like - "White Light" is such a strong album.

 

Clark had left A&M Records in late 1972 for a reunion with the five others in the Byrds. Their self-titled "Byrds" reunion album (of which much was expected and not a lot delivered) was released on Asylum Records in March 1973 – so few even noticed the bits and pieces 1972-recordings solo album by Gene Clark issued in Holland-only in January 1973. In fact "Roadmaster" famously received a release in 1974 in Japan before Reissue Specialists Edsel Records gave it a wallop in the UK in 1988 (and in different artwork). In truth – both albums have remained cult singer-songwriter touchstones ever since and it is well cool of Beat Goes on (BGO) to finally pair both of them on one compilation with quality presentation.

 

Gene Clark sings Lead Vocals on all "Roadmaster" songs and Plays Acoustic Guitar on Tracks 14 to 20. Guest Musicians included Bud Shank playing low-key Flute on the album opener "She's The Kind Of Girl". Guitars from ex Byrds men David Crosby and Roger McGuinn on "She's The Kind Of Girl" and "One In A Hundred" – while Clarence White provides Lead Guitar on tracks 14 to 20 including the remade version of "One In A Hundred" (original version on the "White Light" album). Both Spooner Oldham of Muscle Shoals and Fame Studios and Byron Berline of The Flying Burrito Bros play Keyboards and Fiddle (respectively) on Tracks 14 to 20 - while ex Byrds drummer Michael Clarke plays on all. Rick Roberts of The Flying Burrito Bros and Firefall plays Acoustic Guitar on "Here Tonight" alongside Bernie Leadon of Eagles who plays Electric Guitar on the same song. "Rough And Rocky" is a Flatt & Scruggs cover version while "I Really Don't Want To Know" was popularized in 1953 by Les Paul and Mary Ford and has been covered many times since including by Elvis Presley, Brook Benton and even John Travolta.

 

With Crosby and especially McGuinn playing that pinging guitar sound of the Byrds on "She's The Kind Of Girl" and a more attacking "One in A Hundred" – the LP opens like its an actual next-stage Byrds LP. But we return to a more Country-Rock vibe with the Pedal Steel driven "Here Tonight" – the suitcase is over there – not being used – only want to be with you tonight. Far more moving in my book is the simple yet epic acoustic-strummed forlorn of "In A Misty Morning" – our hero eyeing the tall buildings of the city – police cruisers whizzing by – street lights changing – memories of days left behind – hoping for better times ahead as he walks – lost in reverie.

 

Muscle Shoals legend and fab-songwriter in his own right Spooner Oldham starts making his complimentary presence felt with Funky Keyboards on the title song – the truck-stop/ladies tale "Roadmaster". But it also Clarence White letting rip with treated Guitar Funk that catches the ear – a travelling picker literally making you feel what it is like to be on the road.

 

"Just to laugh through the columns of trees...to soar like a seagull in the breeze...to stand in the rain if you please...or to never be found..." Clark sang with a mournful longing on "For A Spanish Guitar". 

 

Gene never did find that peace in this world – but fans of his Big Star jangle and Byrds-like Sunshine Country-Rock can console themselves with the melodies and presentation here. Another clever and smartly presented CD compilation from England's BGO...fans will have to own it...

"Buddy Miles Live/A Message To The People" by BUDDY MILES - 2LP Live Set from October 1971 USA (February 1972 UK) Combined With An April 1971 USA Single Studio LP (June 1971 UK) both on Mercury Records - Buddy Miles, Stemsey Hunter and Herbie Rich all ex The Electric Flag, Buddy Miles also ex Jimi Hendrix's Band Of Gypsies. Also featuring Hank Redd, David Hull, Charlie Karp (Karp later with White Chocolate and Dirty Angels), Donnie Beck (later with B & G Rhythm) and more (April 2023 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation - 3LPs onto 2CDs - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review and 317 Others Like It 

Are Available in My Amazon e-Book

GOODY TWO SHOES

2CD Deluxe Editions (Occasional Threesome), Expanded Reissues and Compilations 

All Info From The Discs Themselves 

No Cut and Paste Crap

Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer 6 Times

 

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Rating *****

 

"...Feelin' Alright This Evening..."

 

After decades in the digital wilderness, we of a Rhythm 'n' Blues meets Brassy Rock meets Soul and Funk persuasion finally get the last two pieces of the Buddy Miles Discography put out onto a quality CD reissue - and it's a twofer doozy. The ex Electric Flag and Hendrix's Band Of Gypsies Drummer and Singer has never sounded so good.

 

I have already reviewed the compilation "Expressway To Your Skull/Electric Church/Them Changes/We Got To Live Together" that England's Beat Goes On Records reissued onto 2CDs in January 2022 (Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1468 - Barcode 5017261214683). That Andrew Thompson remastered release contained four studio albums originally issued November 1968, June 1969, July and November 1970 in the USA on Mercury Records featuring Production by Jimi Hendrix on LP No. 2 ("Electric Church"). The first two were credited to Buddy Miles Express and everything after that to plain old Buddy Miles. 

 

Extra info: his 1968 American debut solo album "Expressway To The Skull" (1969 in the UK) is also on a rare mail-order only CD reissue out of the USA. Released December 2006 - "Expressway To The Skull" on Hip-O Select B0002976-2 came in an Oversized Mini LP Repro Artwork Hard Card Gatefold Sleeve and was limited to only 5000 copies worldwide (no Barcode, numbered on the rear - Hip-O Select was the mail-order wing of Universal). That gorgeous sounding version has been deleted years now but costs far more than its worth. I mention this by way of info, because you are frankly going to get far better value for money out of the superb BGO 2CD set highlighted above. Buy that first - then come to door number two...

 

Which brings us in 2023 to this - another 2CD compilation from BGO that rounds up the remainder of his six-album discography for Mercury Records. Lots to yak on about ye pirates of the groove; so once more my Right On Funkadelics to the groin-gyrating details...

 

UK released Friday, 7 April 2023 - "Buddy Miles Live/A Message To The People" by BUDDY MILES on Beat Goes on Records BGOCD1493 (Barcode 5017261214935) offers 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs. The first is a live double-album spread across two CDs (Sides 1 and 2 on CD1 etc), the second a single studio LP entirely on the end of CD2. It plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (43:03 minutes):

1. Introduction (0:42 minutes) [Side 1]

2. Joe Tex  (4:32 minutes)

3. Take It Off Him And Put It On Me (4:54 minutes)

4. Down By The River (12:55 minutes)

5. Wrap It Up (19:03 minutes) [Side 2]

Tracks 1 to 5 are the first LP (Sides 1 and 2) of the double-album "Buddy Miles Live" - released October 1971 in the USA on Mercury Records SRM-2-7500 and February 1972 in the UK on Mercury Records 6641 033. It peaked at No. 10 on the American R&B LP charts in the USA (No. 50 on Pop & Rock) - didn't chart UK.

 

CD2 (77:18 minutes)

1. Place Over There (5:03 minutes) [Side 3]

2. The Segment (12:18 minutes)

3. Them Changes (12:44 minutes) [Side 4]

4. Applause (1:00 minutes)

5. We Got To Live Together (12:18 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 5 are the second LP (Sides 3 and 4) of the double-album "Buddy Miles Live" - released October 1971 in the USA on Mercury Records SRM-2-7500 and February 1972 in the UK on Mercury Records 6641 033. It peaked at No. 10 on the American R&B LP charts in the USA (No. 50 on Pop & Rock) - didn't chart UK. 

 

The BUDDY MILES Live Band was:

BUDDY MILES – Drums and Lead Vocals

CHARLIE KARP – Lead Guitar and Vocals

DAVID HULL – Bass and Vocals

DONNIE BECK – Organ

HANK REDD – Tenor Saxophone

STEMSY HUNTER – Alto Saxophone

TOM HALL – Trumpet

BOB HOGINS – Trombone & Organ

 

6. Joe Tex [Side 1]

7. The Way I Feel Tonight

8. Place Over There

9. The Segment

10. Don't Keep Wondering [Side 2]

11. Midnight Rider

12. Sudden Stop

13. Wholesale Love

14. That's The Way Life Is

Tracks 6 to 13 are his fifth studio album "A Message To The People" – released April 1971 in the USA on Mercury SRM-1 608 and June 1971 in the UK on Mercury 6338 028. It peaked at No. 12 on the American R&B LP charts (No. 60 in the Pop & Rock LP charts) - didn't chart UK.

 

The BUDDY MILES Band for the Studio LP was:

BUDDY MILES – Lead and background Vocals, Guitar, Organ and Drums

ANDRE LEWIS – Organ, Clavinet, Piano and Background Vocals

CHARLIE KARP – Lead Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and Backing Vocals

MARLO HENDERSON – Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Uni-Vibe, Backing Vocals

DAVID HULL – Bass and Backing Vocals

FRED ALLEN – Drums and Percussion

MICHAEL FUGATE – Lead Trumpet and Flugelhorn

TOM HALL – Second Trumpet and Flugelhorn

HANK REDD – Tenor and Baritone Saxophones

STEMSY HUNTER – Alto Saxophone and Backing Vocals

 

The card slipcase is classy (as always), the original artwork for both LPs reproduced in the 16-page booklet with new liner notes from noted Music Historian and Regular Mojo Magazine contributor CHARLES WARING – whilst the Remasters are by BGO's resident Audio Engineer – ANDREW THOMPSON. You will probably have noticed that the order of the albums is reversed for this CD – the studio set should be first and the live double second. But probably because of timing issues, they are the other way around.

 

Audio-wise, they are a tale of two cities. The live set is good, at times great, but at other times showing its age and crudity of recording. The studio album just leaps out of your speakers and sounds frankly Funkily amazing. Live is 3 to 4-stars – Studio is five-alive. Waring does his usual thorough exploratory when it comes to the history of the songs and notes, that although forgotten now – back in the Seventies day, Buddy Miles was a voice and a chart presence to be reckoned with. After the funky one-two sucker-punch of the "Them Changes" and "A Message To My People" studio sets – it was time to give the public the incendiary live performances he had become rather well known for. In late 1971 his double "Buddy Miles Live" went up to No. 10 on the US R&B LP charts and had a 22-week run – impressive for such a release. The audio on the studio LP is HUGE (all that instrumentation going on) but in a good way. There are tracks on this album (those two Allmans covers especially) that I've been after for Funky-Funky Cover Version CD compilations for years. Good job done - to the big guns...

 

Side 1 offers a devastating live trio that must have pretty much knocked the crowd for six. He urges the gang to boogie in their seats, then the band launches into a sort of Manic Blues Brothers Brass-Band assault that segues from Track 2 into Track 3. "Take It Off Him And Put It On Me" had been a January 1970 US 45-single for American Soul Singer Clarence Carter on Atlantic 2702 (A-side). For his live-and-in-yer-face take, Buddy Miles takes the tune's inherent funkiness and throws in loads more brass and hip-shakin' mama-ness to a point where you can feel the audience getting lewd with the row of seats in front of them.

 

Quieting down the pace and mellowing out the mood comes with "Down By The River" - the Neil Young classic from his debut solo album "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" after leaving Buffalo Springfield. Miles smartly hooks into its deeply adaptable nature by turning what was a Guitar-Rock workout on the Young Reprise LP into a Soulful church organ and brass soloing showcase. Slow at first, the band cleverly melts its harmony vocals and begins building to a place where varying horn instruments do battle with a Church Organ (Donnie Beck) like a cool Miles Davis workout. Charles Warring quite rightly praises its astonishing transformation from Rock murder creep into a Soul Aria. Tom Hall on Trumpet and Bob Hogins on Trombone blow the thing out of the water while Donnie Beck gets all testifying Georgie Fame on the organ. Overall it is a fantastic near-thirteen minute crowd-winner and is the first tune on Live to cement the double's greatness in your mind.

 

Miles seriously funks things it with a cover of the Isaac Hayes and David Porter penned "Wrap It Up". About 7:40 minutes in after what seems like the Guitarist going all Hendrix on the night – the band stops – only to have a incessant beat return only this allowing Donnie Beck to go nuts on the organ – soon joined by Brass. Then of course you have to get through the obligatory drum solo. This is the whole Brass-Soul-Rock genre in a live nutshell and even if it does overstay its endless boogie stay at nineteen minutes – hard not to be impressed with the virtuosity of a band this hot whipping the crowd up into frenzy with their sheer showmanship.

 

The studio LP "A Message To The People" was an R&B album smash on release in April 1971 - certainly in the USA where it hit No. 12 before the live double came on the back of that tour in October 1971 and went two chart places further to No. 10 (neither album barely made any headway in the UK - in fact the live 2LP set wasn't released in Blighty until February of 1972 where it promptly died). As Buddy Miles did with the 1970 "Them Changes" LP and The Allman Brothers Band song "Dreams" from their "Idlewild South" album of 1969 - Miles tapped two more from the same platter for his "A Message To The People" set - the fabulous "Midnight Rider" and "Don't Keep Me Wondering". I don't quite know why such a marriage works - but Buddy Miles rearranging and doing Allman Brothers Southern Rock songs with a Soul-Funk twist worked - like say Leon Russell doing a Tony Joe White tune. 

 

The 'Message' album also worked that other Funky-Funky seam - Stax stalwart Otis Redding for his "Wholesale Love" - all those Brass and guitars. The instrumental (which turned up on the live set) "The Segment" is a co-write between Miles and his Saxophone player Hank Redd. Even the Bobby Russell-penned "Sudden Stop" which had been a hit for Percy Sledge on Atlantic Records in July 1968 gets a good old working over. All in all - a very cool album with huge audio from the Remaster.

 

It seems unfair in 2023 that Buddy Miles is such a footnote in Soul and Funk Music History. Because this crossover dude with his great hair, his soulful voice, his hammer-down sticks and even his knack for penning a tune or picking the greats of others - should be remembered with more genuine respect for bringing crossover music to his peeps. 

 

Fans will absolutely have to have to it and newcomers are eagerly advised to give the rather cool double-header (Beat Goes On BGOCD1493) a whirl - immerse yourself in the heady 1971 of it all - all over again. "Feelin' alright this evening..." Indeed I am...

"Lonesome, On'ry & Mean/Honky Tonk Heroes/This Time/Waylon The Ramblin' Man" by WAYLON JENNINGS – Four 'Country/Country Rock/Outlaw Country' American Albums from March 1973, July 1973, July 1974 and September 1974 on RCA Records – Guests Featuring Fred Carter, Billy Joe Shaver, Randy Scruggs, Charley McCoy and Members of Area Code 615, Pete Drake and Ralph Mooney, Tompall Glaser, Willie Nelson and more (August 2023 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 4LPs onto 2CDs Plus Six Bonus Tracks – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review And 225 Others Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

BOTH SIDES NOW - FOLK & COUNTRY 

And Genres Thereabouts

Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

For the 1960s and 1970s

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

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"...Moving Is The Closest Thing To Being Free..."

 

In what chart history has dubbed his Outlaw Country Music years, England's Beat Goes On Records (or BGO for short) continues their legacy exploration of the hugely successful and much-missed WAYLON JENNINGS - a serious Texan Duderino who clocked up a huge fifteen No.1 hits whilst at the same time kick-muling against sterile old ways when it came to presenting the music he loved and championed. This is BGO's fourth CD compilation for the Littlefield Highwayman (see list below).

 

What you get here are four albums issued on RCA Records in the USA (some in the UK) in rapid succession – March and July 1973 for the first two and July and September 1974 for three and four (all were Country LP chart hits in America). This twofer compilation however goes further though than just putting 4LPs onto 2CDs – it has also been smart enough to include three bonus tracks from the first LP and three more from the fourth that were previously issued on individual RCA Nashville/BMG Heritage CD Remasters out of the USA in 2003 and 2000.

 

And when you consider the huge guest name list – Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, Billy Joe Shaver, Randy Scruggs, Charley McCoy and Members of Area Code 615, legendary Pedal Steel players like Ralph Mooney and Pete Drake – you're getting a whole lot of value for your money and all dressed up in cool duds too (sounds mighty fine as well). To the Honky Tonk Heroes...

 

UK released Friday, 11 August 2023 – "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean/Honky Tonk Heroes/This Time/Waylon The Ramblin' Man" by WAYLON JENNINGS on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1496 (Barcode 5017261214966) features 4 LPs Remastered onto 2CDs with Six Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (69:36 minutes):

1. Lonesome, On'ry & Mean [Side 1]

2. Freedom To Stay

3. Lay It Down

4. Gone To Denver

5. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues

6. You Can Have Her [Side 2]

7. Pretend I Never Happened

8. San Francisco Mabel Joy

9. Sandy Sends Her Best

10. Me And Bobby McGee

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean" – released March 1973 in the USA on RCA Records LSP-4854. Produced by DANNY DAVIS and RONNY LIGHT – it peaked at No. 8 on the US Country LP charts

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Laid Back Country Picker

12. The Last One To Leave Seattle

13. Big, Big Love

Three Previously Unreleased Studio Outtakes first released digitally 2003 on the CD Reissue/Remaster for "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean" on RCA Nashville/BMG Heritage 82876 53229 2. The first two came from the late 1972 sessions for the LP, while the third was from the album sessions for "Ladies Love Outlaws" (released September 1972, also on RCA).

 

14. Honky Tonk Heroes [Side 1]

15. Old Five And Dimers (Like Me)

16. Willy The Wandering Gypsy And Me

17. Low Down Freedom

18. Omaha

19. You Asked Me To [Side 2]

20. Ride Me Down Easy

21. Ain’t No God In Mexico

22. Black Rose

23. We Had It All

Tracks 14 to 23 are the album "Honky Tonk Heroes" – released July 1973 in the USA on RCA Records APL1-0240 and in the UK on RCA Records AFL1-0240. Produced by TOMPALL GLASSER and WAYLON JENNINGS (except "Low Down Freedom" and "Black Rose" produced by RONNIE LIGHT and "We Had It All" produced by KEN MANSFIELD and WAYLON JENNINGS) – the LP peaked at No. 14 on the US Country Music Charts

 

CD2 (71:01 minutes):

1. This Time [Side 1]

2. Louisiana Women

3. Pick Up The Tempo

4. Slow Rollin’ Low

5. Heaven Or Hell

6. It’s Not Supposed To Be That Way [Side 2]

7. Slow Movin’ Outlaw

8. Mona

9. Walkin’

10. If You Could Touch Her At All

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "This Time" – released June 1974 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0539 and in the UK on RCA Victor AFL1-0539. Produced by WAYLON JENNINGS and WILLIE NELSON – it peaked at No. 4

 

11. I’m A Ramblin’ Man [Side 1]

12. Rainy Day Woman

13. Cloudy Days

14. Midnight Rider

15. Oklahoma Sunshine

16. The Hunger [Side 2]

17. I Can’t Keep My Hands Off Of You

18. Memories Of You And I

19. It’ll Be Her

20. Amanda

Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Waylon The Ramblin' Man" – released September 1974 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0734 and in the UK on RCA Victor LSA 3196 (APL1 0734). Produced by WAYLON JENNINGS and RAY PENNINGTON - it peaked at No.3 on the US Country Music Album Charts

 

BONUS TRACKS:

21. Got A Lot Going For Me

22. The Last Letter

23. The One I Sing My Love Songs To

Tracks 21 to 23 are outtakes from the sessions first released on the 2000 CD Reissue of the "Waylon The Ramblin' Man" album on Buddah 74465 99699 2

 

There's an outer card slipcase that lends the release a classy feel, the substantial 24-page booklet has liner notes from noted writer and Folk/Country Music aficionado JOHN O'REGAN and the artwork for all four albums, the musician credits and a long potted history on Jennings  that names Net Sources. It's a deep read that refers to Jennings' interviews done around the LPs - hands-on info from the man himself. But most will want to know about the audio.

I'm aware that some have said these albums (this period in general) was not really served well by Producers and RCA - yet there are others who swear by the naturality of the sound. In short you're probably getting that fans are often divided. To my ears the sonic improvement in ANDREW THOMPSON's New Remasters is considerable - the clarity of acoustic guitars - clean bass - very little traceable hiss - but yes the vocals are somewhat in the back of the mix on some songs, but it rarely gets in the way of his roadside performance. And those six Bonuses are actually worth having - putting an already tasty haul of Primo period albums over the edge. I love it, and as usual a quality release from BGO. To the tunes...

 

 

Recorded in late 1972 and determined not to fall back on tried and tested Country songs of old, Jennings fully embraced the new contemporary Country Rock sound of the early Seventies for his began to feel "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean" album. Sometimes referred to as Outlaw Country Music – the songs were still real but sometimes more macho and brutal in their subject matters. You get Danny O'Keefe and his 1971 ache-song "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" (check out the Harry Manx cover of this), the huge Kris Kristofferson crossover hit "Me And Bobby McGee", Johnny Cash and Waylon between marriages as they don their broken hearts and scuffed black coats and be "Gone to Denver" - while the cult artist Steve Young has his feeling uppity song used as the title track to the LP - "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean". As the harmonica wails and the guitars pluck and slide – I like the fullness of the Remaster - a title track no one but a bandit would use. More hit me with a sledgehammer lonesome comes a smoking out of your speakers with "Freedom To Stay" – a rambler who had walked alone too long finally finding the lady eyes he wants to settle down for. Lovely gut-string acoustic is remastered so nicely for "Lay It Down" – a lovely Gene Thomas song that Waylon lays into with real vocal power.

 

His vocal gets a tad lost in "Gone To Denver" even if the rest of the instruments are so clear. A nod too goes to the magnificence of Mickey Newbury over on Elektra Records in his cover of "San Francisco Mabel Joy"). But if I am completely truthful here – I turn away from the flashy chart-bound cover versions and go far more for the three stripped down laid-bare bonus tracks – very cool stuff and somehow imbibed with honesty that is more touching. But I have to say that while the ladies that join him for the backing on "Pretend I Never Happened" – the in-your-face vocals by them in You Can Have Her" has not weathered the years well.

 

But in my not-so-humble opinion, his second LP here trounces the first - "Honky Tonk Heroes" from June 1973 almost entirely dominated by the songwriting chops of Billy Joe Shaver who provides and is involved in a whopping nine of its ten tracks. With most of the LP Produced by Country Legend Tompall Glaser (Ronnie Light produced two) - man is it good - talk about dudes suiting each other musically. The acoustic is quiet and airy – his vocals sweet and the violin and Dobro both sail in nicely for "Honky Tonk Heroes" – and then that electric geetar too. Jennings just goes straight up Country Ballad with the lovely "Old Five And Dimers (Like Me)" – songwriter Shaver talking of fence yards and weary bones that think too much needing a place to belong. Nice vocals and a clean remaster for "Willy The Wandering Gypsy And Me" – the Bass, Fiddle and Harmonica all holding up the strumming. Waylon does not want to risk love making a fool of him in "Low Down Freedom" – so he is a confused soul having to leave town when he does not really want to go (quality Remaster on this wildly underrated album).

 

CD2 opens with Waylon wanting his woman to walk the mark and toe the line – but despite his doomy threats as he sings "This Time" - you can’t help think the schmuck is setting himself up once again (Don Brooks on Harmonica). Produced by Willie Nelson, the no-nonsense back to business "This Time" album had been his best charting LP for nearly seven years – it hit No. 4. The title track was in fact put out by RCA in April 1974 ahead of the album and its warmth took it to No.1 – another in his huge tally of fourteen poll toppers. Willie Nelson also plays some lead guitar on "This Time" tunes supplemented by real pickers like Reggie Young and Fred Newell. The cover of "Louisiana Woman" (a J.J. Cale song) sounds lovely on Remaster even if the instruments like the Pedal Steel of Ralph Mooney sounds like its off in the distance by a (forgive me) a country mile. More walls of acoustic guitars and Pedal Steel to the left on the WN-penned "Pick Up The Tempo" – Waylon sounding like – well, Willie Nelson. Very good sound to the Acoustic and Harmonica driven "Slow Rollin' Low" – another poor-me tune set to a dancing beat – superlative Dobro moment from Ralph Mooney (WN also contributes Rhythm and Lead Guitar).

 

Willie joins Waylon for the jauntily odd "Heaven Or Hell" – a treated Trumpet not quite working on this one. Gorgeous Acoustic, Harmonica and Vocals on "It's Not Supposed To Be That Way" – a father pining for his estranged wife and child – regretting the distance imposed by bad decisions and the grind of separation. That same ache permeates every nuance of "Slow Movin' Outlaw" – a-once-quick-draw old-timer bemoaning the state of all around him (a Dee Moeller song, also plays Piano and Organ on the album). It ends on the pure Country of "If You Can Touch Her At All" – a Lee Miller-written smoocher that swirls and shuffles its sneaky way into your heart. Deep inside the album too was another fruitful collaboration – the "Mona" song on Side 2 of the LP being written by Miriam Eddy, the ex wife of Duane Eddy who would go on to change her name to JESSI COLTER. Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter because a commercial duet – a force to be reckoned with (see my BGO Reissue list below for two albums they did in 1971 and 1980).

 

You would think that album number four in such a recording rush might let the ball drop – think again. Jennings cleverly picked up again on Country Rock and mixing it with genuinely touching ballads – the "The Ramblin' Man" filled with both hipswayers and heartbreakers. Dig that fantastic Outlaw-Vibing guitar-shuffling cover version of The Allman Brother Band 1971 gem "Midnight Rider" – bound to be on some themed compilation soon. Gorgeous remastered audio on "The Hunger" – a woman aging fast and longing for a connection that will satisfy her fears and the reflections in too many mirrors. More ballad in "I Can’t Keep My Hands Off Of You" – but for me the album highlight is the guitar-swinging lilt in the brilliant "Memories Of You And I" – a prisoner with lines on his face that grow deeper. All the guitars – electric, pedal steel and acoustic – all collide into a sort of hugely produced Gram Parsons moment – all tune and emotions (the song was written by Lee Clayton). Fab...

 

I dare say most Waylon Jennings enthusiasts will need little persuasion here - they will press their battered purchase buttons and await the wife with a bill in one hand and a rolling pin in the other. Heartache hasn't sounded this good in five decades...

 

 

WAYLON JENNINGS CD compilations as of August 2023

On Beat Goes on Records (BGO) of the UK

In Album Release Date Order

 

1. JESSI COLTER and WAYLON JENNINGS

"A Country Star Is Born/Leather And Lace" (1971 and 1980 albums)

CD compilation offering 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD released 14 February 2020 on Beat Goes on BGOCD1300 (Barcode 5017261213006)

 

WAYLON JENNINGS

2. "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean/Honky Tonk Heroes/This Time/The Ramblin' Man" (2 x 1973 and 2 x 1974 albums)

CD compilation offering 4LPs and Six Bonus Tracks Remastered onto 2CDs, released 4 August 2023 on Beat Goes On Records GOCD1496 (Barcode 5017261214966)

 

3. WAYLON JENNINGS

"What Goes Around Comes Around/Music Man/Black On Black/Waylon And Company" (1979, 1980, 1982 and 1983 albums)

CD compilation offering 4LPs Remastered onto 2CDs released 8 October 2021 on Beat Goes on Records BGOCD1462 (Barcode 5017261214621)

 

WAYLON JENNINGS

4. "It's Only Rock & Roll/Never Could Toe The Mark/Turn The Page/Sweet Mother Texas" (1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986 albums)

CD compilation offering 4LPs Remastered onto 2CDs released August 2021 on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1454 (Barcode 5017261214546)