"Paladin/Charge!" by PALADIN – May 1971 UK Debut Album and April 1972 Second and Final Studio Album on Bronze Records – featuring Lu Stonebridge, Peter Solley, Derek Foley, Pete Beckett and Keith Webb (October 2023 UK Beat Goes On Records Compilation – 2LPs onto 2CDs with One Bonus Track – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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PROG ROCK, PSYCH, AVANT GARDE...
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RATING: **** 

SOUND: *****

PRESENTATION: *****

 

"...Mix Your Mind With The Moonbeams..."

 

In the liner notes of this excellent but ever so slightly flawed BGO twofer CD reissue from October 2023 – Keyboard Player, Lead Vocalist and founder member of Paladin Lou Stonebridge describes the sexy Prog-Rock meets Funk rhythms of the short lived Paladin as "...a cross between Santana and Osibisa". Well, I'd throw in War too. And frankly anyone else on Vertigo Spiral with Hippity-Hoppity ants in their Rock Lead pants.

 

Although often described as Prog Rock – much of the time the Paladin sound comes at you like a drum-based funky-rhythms five-piece virtuoso hybrid that squeezes in guitar passages and keyboard flourishes aplenty. Imagine Zeppelin's "Moby Dick" drum solo from their epic October 1969 "II" album attached to cool War-like grooves and lyrics by way of hip-shaker crossover acts like say Malo or Mother's Finest or even The Mahavishnu Orchestra - and you get the sonic picture. These guys could play to beat the band (the first album was laid down during power-cuts) – while the second LP is seen by some as a fusion-of-styles masterpiece with definite Progressive leanings. In fact for their 24 November 2023 Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs compilation "Incident At A Free Festival" for Ace Records (part of a long running themed series of compilations – see separate review) – those two manly purveyors of all things eclectic, forgotten and yet tasteful used the very War-sounding "Third World" by Paladin as a highlight on that CD/2LP comp. 

 

But back to what we got - unfortunately, Beat Goes On of the UK (BGO) have left off one crucial song that appeared on the American variant of the debut album and would for me have given this fab reissue a straight five-stars (hence the four rating - see NOTES re the track line-up under the CD1 listing below). Still, there is so much to love here – to the moonbeams and charging horse dreams...in short, details...

 

UK released Friday, 13 October 2023 - "Paladin/Charge!" by PALADIN on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1501 (Barcode 5017261215017) offers their two studio albums from 1971 and 1972 Remastered onto Two CDs with One Non-LP 45-Single Bonus Track on CD2. They plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Paladin" (37:34 minutes):

1. Bad Times [Side 1 UK – see Notes]

2. Carry Me Home

3. Dance Of The Cobra

4. Third World [Side 2 – see Notes]

5. Fill Up Your Heart

6. Flying High

7. The Fakir

Tracks 1 to 7 are the British LP Version of their debut album "Paladin" – released May 1971 in the UK on Bronze Records ILPS 9150 and Epic E 31137 in the USA.

NOTES: The US LP had eight tracks and not seven – two of which were not on the UK debut. "Giving All My Love" at 2:29 minutes began Side 1 whilst the song "Anyway" at 4:18 minutes replaced "Third World" (3:51 minutes) as the opener on Side 2. The US Epic Records single sleeve LP also had photo artwork on both back and front (the five snaps used on the inner gatefold of the British LP) unlike the plain black sleeve gatefold of the UK version. The song "Giving All My Love" was also the B-side of "Anyway" - their first UK 45-single issued July 1971 on Bronze Records WIP 6108. While "Anyway" is on the "Charge!" album (CD2), unfortunately "Giving All My Love" has not been included on this reissue so you cannot sequence the American LP from this release.

 

CD2 "Charge!" (44:15 minutes):

1. Give Me Your Hand (7:49 minutes) [Side 1]

2. Well We Might (6:02 minutes)

3. Get One Together (2:36 minutes)

4. Anyway (4:17 minutes)

5. Good Lord (6:45 minutes) [Side 2]

6, Mix Your Mind With The Moonbeams (6:00 minutes)

7. Watching The World Pass By (9:33 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 7 are their second and final album "Charge!" – released April 1972 in the UK on Bronze Records ILPS 9190 (no US issue). Some early copies of the British LP had a sticker advising that the song "Anyway" (which had been on the US debut) is an addition to the second British LP at the end of Side 1. For instance even though the German LP on Island Records 86 097 IT has gatefold Roger Dean artwork like the British issue - the song "Anyway" is on the vinyl and Side 1 label as Track 4, but it is not mentioned on the track list of the inner gatefold – so a late addition it was.

 

BONUS TRACK:

8. Sweet Sweet Music

Tracks 8 was the Non-LP stand-alone A-side of a September 1972 UK 45-Single on Bronze Records BRO 3 with "Get One Together" from the "Charge!" LP as its B-side. "Sweet Sweet Music" was also issued in Germany, Spain and France as 45s in picture sleeves - all of which are repro’d on Page 10 of the booklet.

 

PALADIN was (for both albums):

LOU STONEBRIDGE – Lead Vocalist and Electric Piano

PETER SOLLEY – Second Vocalist, Hammond Organ, Piano and Violin

DEREK FOLEY – Lead Guitar and Vocals

PETE BECKETT – Bass and Vocals

KEITH WEBB – Drums and Percussion

 

The card slipcase and 20-page booklet are up to the usual classy Beat Goes On standards – artwork reproduced – new liner notes by MICHAEL HEATLEY that includes interviews with Lou Stonebridge and even Tom McGuinness – McGuinness Flint being the band that Stonebridge migrated too after Paladin imploded. Stonebridge for instance went on to session with many Rock luminaries like the David Byron of Uriah Heep solo LP "Take No Prisoners". Bassist Pete Beckett became a songwriter - went to the States and formed Player who had a huge Yacht Rock No.1 hit with "Baby Come Back" on RSO Records in 1977/1978. Peter Solley made his way into Procol Harum for a while via Blues rockers Snafu and so on. All of these details and more are explored in the booklet. The five photos of the boys that adorned the inner-gatefold of the UK debut and were used as the front cover artwork for the American LP is on Page 2 – pictures of Euro 45s etc.

 

The Audio is from ANDREW THOMPSON – new 2023 Remasters done at Sound Performance and these CDs rock! There is fantastic clarity and power on these albums especially when your speakers are rattling with Osibisa rhythm sections being topped off by impressive keyboard soloing via fusion flourishes close to say Colosseum. To the tunes...

 

From the opening Bass and Cowbell rhythm followed by very Graham Bon Organization organ – the Audio feels great – nice separation of instruments. The first of four Peter Solley compositions on the "Paladin" debut - "Bad Times" warns how easily the good life slips into something less free and far darker. Dig that great guitar break and the speeding up of the keyboards and rhythm section – so "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts" by Santana – the "Abraxsas" album by them from September 1970 having taken the world by storm. From this great Funky-Rock opening, you can only imagine what a fabulous live act Paladin must have been. Lou Stonebridge and Pete Beckett provide "Carry Me Home" – a boozy piano-driven Blues shuffle where the boys beg someone (anyone) to take them away from the sorrow of today. Side 1 ends with a beast of varying colours – cool rhythms, warbling electric piano notes and Funky Osibisa guitar flicks introducing the very War-vibe of "Dance Of The Cobra" by drummer Keith Webb. Soon the chugging Funk is joined by treated Sly Stone guitar where Derek Foley is determined to show everyone he knows a thing or two about the dots on his fretboard. But being the Drummers song – come four minutes in comes the big kit solo by way of "Moby Dick".

 

Side 2 of the "Paladin" debut comes on like Gil Scott Heron with a Funky rhythm behind him as year dates are talked about and predicted – a rant called "Third World". There is even Punk daring and attitude in the highly politicized Pete Solley lyrics and talk of dodgy religious indoctrination being overthrown. By the time the singer gets to 1979 and his boys go "Whoa!" (as they did after year is mentioned) – a Funky Piano solo sexy-shimmies the song to its end lifting "Third World" up into genius Soul-Rock territory. Solley provides tune Number Four with the deeply Funky Rhythms of "Fill Up Your Heart" – a so-Santana groove that it hurts (great guitar work too as they let rip). Solley offers his fourth and final with "Flying High" – a mellow keyboard shimmering love song where some lady is weaving her magical spell around our hapless hero. The only cover on the album ends the LP – a take on a Lalo Schifrin instrumental called "The Fakir" where an Eastern Bizarre complete with baskets of snakes meets with London Prog Rock and Osibisa rhythms. And again, another seriously impressive performance that only grows and grows after repeated listens – much like the whole album. It's such a damn shame BGO didn't include both "Giving All My Love" and "Anyway" as Bonus Tracks so that fans could sequence the 8-track US version of the debut from CD1 (docked a star for that oversight).

 

Although their second album "Charge!" never received a release on Epic in the States – in Blighty and beyond – the second Paladin album holds a High Table placing. Some have called it a masterpiece of Prog Rock meets Fusion meets War meets Osibisa and so on. It was even given the accolade of a gatefold Roger Dean cover (actually one of my favourite futuristic paintings outside Yes and Badger and Budgie). So I might just agree with such lofty aspirations. The Bass line throughout the Peter Solley opener "Give Me Your Hand" anchors another groovy guitar/keyboard funky workout. Slide guitar via Snafu and some kind of Fumble Rock and Roll fills the rollicking "Well We Might" with a simple boogie-joy. It's a smart mood change that makes the music feel more multi-faceted (must have torn up the aisles in a live setting).

 

Drummer Keith Webb brings it back to Funky Prog with the Wah-Wah vs. Hammond "Get One Together" – and again one thinks of Santana having a yeah-yeah lets boogie on the rugs moment as the band cooks. Audio-wise "Get One Together" rocks, those keyboard solos tearing out of your speakers. Many copies of UK and German LPs did not have the Solley-penned "Anyway" listed on the sleeve (but it was on the LP and label) so some copies came with a sticker explaining that it was a late addition. You can hear when it comes to its melodious chorus why someone thought it might stand a chance as a single. Side 2 continues the Funk-a-thon with "Good Lord" written by Foley, Stonebridge and Beckett. A very cool guitar and rhythm-intro builds and builds until it just lets-rip into a full on race. Engines cool down again when the singing starts – but it remains a Funk-Rock-meets-Soul nugget on an LP that shows how the band had progressed so much between records (dig that subtle vibe-sounding keyboard solo - brilliant).

 

Peter Solley throws the wonderfully titled "Mix Your Mind With The Moonbeams" into the stew – a contemplative trippy keyboard soundscape that quickly goes Yes as fast as it can – the kind of 1972 tune that would make Rick Wakeman smile. Stonebridge brings the album to a close with "Watching The World Pass By" – its mellow sixties Harmonica opening sounding like Midnight Cowboy has snook in via the back door. But soon (at 1:25 minutes) it's Family Stone Funking and Uriah Heep Rocking and Greenslade Church-Organ Progging like a goodun and pleasing us aging hippies come. CD2 is tail-ended by their second and last stand-alone 45 - "Sweet Sweet Music" - an obvious Funk-Rock groover akin to say Blackfoot Sue or Jo Jo Gunne or even Grand Funk Railroad. "Sweet Sweet Music" is a damn good groove and surprising its radio-friendly commercialism didn't see it chart big for them.

 

A superb Beat Goes On reissue then for me with great 2023 audio, curvaceous presentation and the feeling of a genuine blast from the past come a knock-knock-knocking on your stereo door (shame about that missing song though). 

 

The two Paladin albums go for money and on the evidence presented here – it's easy to hear why. Invest in this cracking 2CD Remaster from BGO and lose pounds as you dance the cobra, charge the Zimmer-frame and give it some moonbeams en route...(where's my Afro-wig when I need it)...

"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...