"Vagabonds Of The Western World: 50th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set" Edition by THIN LIZZY – Sept 1973 Album Remastered with Three Extra LPs of BBC Radio One Sessions and In Concert Shows from 1972 and 1973 – featuring Phil Lynott, Eric Bell and Brian Downey, Jr. with Gary Moore Guesting on LP4 only (November 2023 UK Universal/Decca '50th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set' Reissue with the 1973 Original Album Remastered in 2023 onto LP1 - LP2, LP3 and LP4 BBC Sessions and In Concert Series First-Time on Vinyl [Initially Released on CD in 2011] – A 60-Page Hardback Book and new 2023 Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0CHWMFNV3&asins=B0CHWMFNV3&linkId=840f073545797f99fdd11e7a890500f5&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

 

RATING: ***** (Audio, Content and Presentation)

 

"...Gonna Creep Up On You..."

 

Back in October 2010 - Lizzy's third studio album (and final as a Trio with Eric bell on Lead Guitar) "Vagabonds Of The Western World" got the Universal '2CD Deluxe Edition' treatment - and I for one raved about its audio, presentation and extras. Time to re-rave frankly. 

 

You have to say that Universal has done the absolute dog's you-know-what by their 1973 third studio album for its 50th Anniversary Reissue here in 2023. I love these things so much that I've only gone and committed to all three big formats - the 50^th Anniversary 2-LP Purple Vinyl set with a fantastically complimentary Extras LP (which I've reviewed elsewhere) and the 50^th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set (which I'm reviewing here) that has a 60-page book to drool over with the album on LP1 and LPs 2, 3 and 4 being the 'Radio One In Concert/John Peel/Bob Harris Sessions' from 1972 and 1973 that first appeared on "At The BBC" 6CD Box Set in 2011. Those BBC Sessions are first-issue on vinyl in this 4LP Box. The 'Extras' LP on the 2-LP Purple Vinyl Set does not duplicate anything on the 4LP Box. Door number three, the 4-Disc 50^th Anniversary Super Deluxe variant will also be a thing of '3CD/1BLU RAY/DOLBY ATMOS MIXES' lust - but it's been delayed and is due 1 Dec 2023 with the ATMOS Mixes being first-time-ever for any Lizzy release. At this point in time there appears to be no 2023 single LP, single CD or 2CD sets - just the above 3 variants in the 50th Anniversary Reissues Series.

 

Back to LPs - I've bought great reissue vinyl before - David Sylvian on Virgin, Peter Gabriel on Real World and the stunning Paul Blackmore-Mastered expanded 2LP reissue of Terry Callier's 1968 Debut "The New Folk Sound Of..." on Craft Recordings in 2018 - all these sets have tickled the funny bones, touched the heart and are fabulous owns. But this 2LP set and the 4LP Box Set (reviewed elsewhere) are the business too.

 

Originally released as an album 21 September 1973 in the UK on Decca Records SKL 5170 (May 1974 in the USA on London XPS 636 with a slightly edited version of "Little Girl In Bloom") – the LP "Vagabonds Of The Western World" had huge tunes like the manic guitar-fest of "The Rocker", the slide guitar meets environmental statement song "Mama Nature Said" and the deeply touching and melodious "Little Girl In Bloom" - it was a huge song-writing step forward after "Thin Lizzy" of 1971 and "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" in 1972. Hip British DJ of the moment (1973) - David Kid Jensen narrated the story in "The Hero And The Madman", Jan Schelhass plays Organ on "Mother Nature Said" and Fiachra Trench arranged Strings for "A Song For While I'm Away".   

 

1973's "Vagabonds... " was also the first album to feature their trademark look via Jim Fitzpatrick artwork (more of which is thrillingly used in the book and on the three sleeves) and the first LP that pointed towards a commercial Rock future – a hard-won success that would take them three more albums to arrive at via the worldwide breakthroughs of "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" - both in 1976 (their sixth and seventh studio albums). The ultimate triumph would come in 1978 with the legendary double "Live And Dangerous" which sold in cartloads. But this is where that road really started and arriving here – 50-years down the line at a 2023 four-album VINYL BOX SET of higher heroes and flaming motorcycles. To the details...

 

UK released Friday, 17 November 2023 - "Vagabonds Of The Western World" by THIN LIZZY on Universal/Decca 5587518 (Barcode 602455875181) is a Limited Edition '50^th Anniversary 4-LP Box Set' with the 8-Track Album on LP1 and LPs 2, 3 and 4 being first time issued on Vinyl of Tracks that first appeared on the 6CD-only Box Set "At The BBC" in 2011. This new 2023 LP-Sized 12" x 12" Box Set also comes a 60-Page Hardback Book with New Sleeve Notes by MARK BLAKE (Rare Memorabilia etc) and Unpublished Artwork by JIM FITZPATRICK – an artist intrinsically linked with the band. It plays out as follows:

 

LP1 "Vagabonds Of The Western World"

Side One

1. Mama Nature Said

2. The Hero And The Madman 

3. Slow Blues

4. The Rocker

Side Two

1. Vagabond Of Western World

2. Little Girl In Bloom

3. Gonna Creep Up On You

4. A Song For While I'm Away

 

LP2 "John Peel Sessions 1972 and 1973"

Side Three (Recorded: 14 Nov 1972, Broadcast 28 Nov 1972)

1. Whisky In The Jar (5:50 minutes)

2. Suicide (4:00 minutes)

3. Black Boys On The Corner (3:07 minutes)

Produced by TONY WILSON

Side Four (Recorded 31 July 1973, Broadcast 7 Aug 1973)

1. Vagabond Of The Western World (4:23 minutes)

2. Little Girl In Bloom (4:45 minutes)

3. Gonna Creep Up On You (3:13 minutes)

Produced by JOHN WALTERS

 

LP3 "John Peel and Bob Harris Sessions 1973"

Side Five (John Peel, Recorded 6 August 1973, Broadcast 16 Aug 1973)

1. Randolph's Tango (3:45 minutes)

2. The Rocker (5:10 minutes)

3. Slow Blues (5:31 minutes)

Produced by BERNIE WINTERS

Side Six (Bob Harris, Recorded 28 Aug 1973, Broadcast 17 Sep 1973)

1. Randolph's Tango (3:40 minutes)

2. Little Girl In Bloom (4:41 minutes)

3. The Rocker (5:12 minutes)

Produced by JEFF GRIFFIN

 

THIN LIZZY for LP2 and LP3 was:

PHILIP LYNOTT – Bass and Vocals

ERIC BELL – Guitars

BRIAN DOWNEY, JR. - Drums

 

LP4 "Radio One In Concert 1973"

Side Seven (Recorded 26 July 1973, Paris Theatre, London)

1. The Rocker (6:00 minutes)

2. Thing's Ain't Working Out Down At The Farm (7:52 minutes)

Side Eight (as per Side Seven)

1. Slow Blues (5:03 minutes)

2. Gonna Creep Up On You (3:47 minutes)

3. Suicide (4:50 minutes)

Produced by JEFF GRIFFIN

 

THIN LIZZY for LP4 was:

PHILIP LYNOTT – Bass & Vocals

GARY MOORE – Guitars

BRIAN DOWNEY, JR. – Drums

 

NOTE re LP4:

The 'BBC Radio 1 In Concert' set that appeared on the October 2010 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" is a different gig. Recorded 31 July 1973 at Golders Green Hippodrome in London - it had the same five songs (and in the same order) - but the 31 July 1973 version of "Suicide" did not feature Gary Moore (26 July 1973 only) - but instead introduced the two lead guitarists of the new four-piece Thin Lizzy line-up – Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson.

 

First things first – those who own the October 2010 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" will need to keep it if they only buy the two vinyl sets of the 50^th Anniversary issues. The 2010 digital-only twofer contains Paschal Byrne Remastering and loads of extras and unreleased that isn't on these issues. The 3CD/BLU RAY Box Set of "Vagabonds Of The Western World" due 1 Dec 2023 didn't have them either – worth noting for completists. To the gorgeous packaging for the 4LP Box...

 

LP1 loses its lyrics/pictures insert (transferred to Pages 51 to 56 of the book), the rest of its artwork exactly the same and all LPs have the famous Blue Boxed Decca Logo labels (a nice touch). The artwork on the front of LPs 2, 3 and 4 are of course new – outtakes from Jim Fitzpatrick's archives (no inserts) with the recording dates on the rear sleeves of the BBC Sessions (I've pictured all the LPs and page-samples of the book).

 

The 60-Page Hardback Book will make most Lizzy fans literally weak at the knees – it is a thing of whole-page beauty. Sided by a full-page Black and White outtake artwork of the LP cover by Jim Fitzpatrick – MARK BLAKE begins his seriously indepth study of Thin Lizzy history from Crumlin schoolyards in 1968 to stints with Gary Moore in Skid Row and a contract with Decca for the 'quite green' Irish Rock Trio to record the self-titled debut in January 1971. It weaves its merry way to Page 31 plastered as it goes with badges, posters, singles, memorabilia and all of it given room to shine on big fat glossy black pages.

 

The inner gatefold has the original album artwork from 1973 on the left side (counters the new 'outtake' Jim Fitzpatrick artwork on the front cover of this double) while the right-side flap has a The Picture Pages and Montage are so good - rare pic sleeve 45s like "The Rocker" from Japan, Germany and Denmark with "Whisky In The Jar" from Denmark and loads more. You get promo pictures of the band from Decca (dig the Guinness stage logo behind the band on Page 58) – messages from the band in October 1973 apologising to Irish fans for delays with physical copies of the album arriving in Irish shops due to production hiccups in England - a full page advert for the LP with quotes from British DJs/Fans John Peel and Kid Jensen along with cartoon adverts for "Whisky In The Jar" and "Randolph's Tango" and oodles more space-hopping and motorcycle roaring.

 

The roll call of reissue credits on Page 57 reads like a who's who for Lizzy – Band Managers Ted Carroll of Ace Records and Chris O'Donnell of Morrison O'Donnell Limited (both he and Chris Morrison were closely associated with the band) with contributions from the Belfast Guitarist ERIC BELL and mainman for Lizzy – the Drummer and schoolboy pal of Phil Lynott – BRIAN DOWNEY. Websites are named and the Jim Fitzpatrick artwork outtakes strewn with fantastic punch throughout will make even diehard old farts like me (and many others too) weepy – rekindling our love for this fabulous Rock band. In fact – if this is the 50^th Anniversary effort for 1973 – then we could hope for "Night Life" in 2024, "Fighting" in 2025 and the big boys - "Jailbreak" and "Johnny The Fox" in 2026 - mouth-watering stuff to look forward to.

 

It's all beautifully done and if that isn't enough, the whole shebang is mastered from original tapes by two fave Audio Engineers - ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM. This dynamic duo have handled huge swathes of Universal's Rock and Pop catalogue - Rory Gallagher, Budgie, Free, Spooky Tooth and the DE editions of Thin Lizzy too. The new Remasters are fabulous and GARY MOORE fans will love a chance at getting the 26 July 1973 Radio One In Concert show on vinyl – five songs of that amazing axeman with his childhood friends – all three in blistering form and hammering out material that would leave many a band of the time gasping in awe. The original recording work of great BBC names like Jeff Griffin, Tony Wilson, Bernie Andrews and John Walters ensured that storming singles "Black Boys On The Corner" and "The Rocker" allow stunning warbling guitar solos from Eric Bell while Phil and his Bass sound precise on "Little Girl In Bloom" and confidant on the massively extended EP track "Thing's Ain't Working Out Down At The Farm" stretched out in a live environment to nearly eight minutes. For sure, there is repetition, but bluntly – if the Trio of Thin Lizzy is playing any of this stuff fresh and new – I want it all - again and again.

 

A gorgeous reissue then – cool artwork on LPs 2, 3 and 4 and that book finally affording our heroes the respect and affection they have always warranted and engendered. The single "Whisky In The Jar" from 1972 and the third LP "Vagabonds Of The Western World" from 1973 started the success for real – and this 50^th Anniversary 4LP Box Set Reissue is surely one the best in 2023. I'm going to be canning this on my turntable for months on end.

 

I know this 4LP Box Set is pricey at just over £110 – so those who want "Vagabonds..." without incurring the wrath of the better half and sundry children might opt for the Double Album Reissue Variant on Purple Vinyl which clocks in about £40 or less (see separate review).

 

But then, as this is Thin Lizzy and as an Irishman and Dubliner who once saw Phil Lynott busking on Grafton Street when I was a kid before the first LP was even out – I am a goner. A beautiful thing with great mastering and presentation – buy, treasure and miss our hero/heroes one more time...

"Hypnotised" by THE UNDERTONES – April 1980 UK Second Studio Album on Sire Records featuring Feargal Sharkey, Damian and John O'Neill, Michael Bradley and Billy Doherty (June 2009 UK Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music '30th Anniversary Edition' Enhanced And Expanded CD Reissue and Remaster with Bonus Tracks and Computer Accessed Video Content) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00293586W&asins=B00293586W&linkId=c2a236e931ba74e59a5d19d1345dfee4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B0BZL1MX5Y&asins=B0BZL1MX5Y&linkId=af56fb38e3fc6d43bd49fe788dfb0500&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

This Review and 229 more like it are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON 

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,885 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

Rating ****

"…More Songs About Chocolate And Girls…"

 

The display sticker on the front cover of the card slipcase that accompanies this 30^th Anniversary Edition of the mighty Undertones second studio album "Hypnotised" (April 1980 on Sire Records) declares them as being 'Ireland's Greatest Ever Band'. Not so sure about that - Thin Lizzy, U2, Horslips, Hothouse Flowers, The Bothy Band, Skid Row with a young Gary Moore, The Boomtown Rats, The Cranberries, Planxty, The Corrs, My Bloody Valentine, Clannad, The Frames, De Danaan etc. But then again (and like so many who lived through their fabulous singles history) - I only have to look at their name and album covers – and I'm a mushball.

 

Their blindingly good self-titled debut "The Undertones" made the 'Q' Magazine's "100 Greatest British Albums" list and Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music did the expanded 30^th Anniversary Edition CD reissue and Remaster business by that much-loved album in April 2009 (see separate review).

 

Well here comes round two - "Hypnotised" resplendent in another card slipcase – an Enhanced CD with 21 audio tracks and a Video of the hugely popular single "My Perfect Cousin" tagged on as Track 22 (accessible through your computer). Digitally Remastered by one of my fave Audio Engineers ANDY PEARCE and I am a very happy Wednesday Week Whizz Kid indeed. So here are More Songs About Chocolate And Girls…

 

UK released 8 June 2009 - "Hypnotised" by THE UNDERTONES on Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music SALVOCD026 (Barcode 698458812629) is an 30^th Anniversary Edition Expanded CD Reissue and Remaster of their second studio album from April 1980 that breaks down as follows (52:06 minutes):

 

1. More Songs About Chocolate And Girls [Side 1]

2. There Goes Norman

3. Hypnotised

4. Save That Girl

5. Whizz Kids

6. Under The Boardwalk

7. The Way Girls Talk

8. Hard Luck

9. My Perfect Cousin [Side 2]

10. Boys Will Be Boys

11. Tearproof

12. Wednesday Week

13. Nine Times Out Of Ten

14. Girls That Don't Talk

15. What's With Terry

Tracks 1 to 15 are their second studio album "Hypnotised" – released 19 April 1980 in the UK on Sire Records SRK 6088.

 

BONUS TRACKS

16. Hard Luck (Again)

17. I Don't Wanna See You Again

Tracks 16 and 17 are the two Non-LP B-sides of "My Perfect Cousin", 28 March 1980 UK 45-single on Sire SIR 4038

 

18. I Told You So

Track 18 is the Non-LP B-side of "Wednesday Week", 27 June 1980 UK 45-single on Sire SIR 4042

 

19. The Positive Touch

20. You're Welcome

21. When Saturday Comes

Tracks 19 to 21 were recorded 16 November 1980 at Eden Studio in London for the John Peel Sessions at the BBC (Peel Session No. 5) – first broadcast 9 December 1980. All three also appear on the 2004 UK CD compilation "Listening In (Radio Sessions 1978-1982)" by The Undertones on Sanctuary SANCD179

 

ENHANCED CD (Computer Access Only)

22. My Perfect Cousin – Video Directed by Julien Temple for Jon Roseman Television in Derry, Northern Ireland

 

As you can see from the lists above this Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music issue has 21 audio tracks plus 1 video track tagged on at the end. There's also a new card wrap outside the jewel case using the original LP artwork, a 20-page booklet inside which pictures ticket stubs, buttons, 7" sleeves and band photos - and there's detailed and witty liner notes by their bass player MICHAEL BRADLEY. Bradley talks of being in America with Joe Strummer of The Clash and touring with Chess Records legend Bo Diddley. He also gives backgrounds into the song creations of tunes for the difficult second album. Bradley remembers praise from David Byrne of Talking Heads who had their album "Fear Of Music" out at the time (also on Sire Records) and so the jagged-rhythms bopper that opens the LP ("More Songs About Chocolate And Girls") is a word-tribute to a band The Undertones admired. There is discussion on the LP's breakfast photo cover (taken in New York on Tour), the Lobster logo, John and Damian O'Neill running out of songs during the sessions and frantic touring schedules – reaching back to Soul compilations for cover versions they could mold into an Undertones song (The Drifters – "Under The Boardwalk") etc. It is a very entertaining yet factual and lighthearted read – Bradley clearly recalling the excitement with glee and pride.

 

The remastering has been done by ANDY PEARCE at Masterpiece and is fantastically clear, really clean and in your face. As a downside, it would have been nice to hear more from either their great frontman and singer FEARGAL SHARKEY or especially JOHN O'NEILL - the band's principal songwriter. Bradley makes quoted reference to them, but their input would have made the whole project better.

 

The self-titled debut had managed a peak UK LP chart position of No.13, so the second LP achieving a No. 6 peak was a clear sign that the band was darlings of both the press and the public. A lot less time and a lot more care, Sharkey and Co sang on the opener "More Songs About Chocolate And Girls" – but better is the racier "There Goes Norman" – a boy busy running after the ladies whilst having the other eye on the valuables in your jacket pockets. Sharkey sounds amazing on the title track "Hypnotised" – and those guitars riffing away as we hear of trances when our hero looks in her eyes. I used to go straight to "Whizz Kids" – a fantastic Undertones crazed rocker – success gone to the heads of big talkers.

 

You would not think a cover of a Drifters classic would suit The Undertones from Derry – but they New Wave it up via Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson – all bass and jagged guitars thrashing about as Fergal sings of falling in love as he and his gal cruise the strip. An album gem comes in the shape of the kiss-shy lad in "The Way Girls Talk" – a typically smart Undertones tune with sharp lyrics about teenage angst. The side romps home with a Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman-type RAK Records drums and guitar riffer called "Hard Luck" (go Suzi Quatro) – a great track.

 

Side 2 opens with the brilliant (and funny) "My Perfect Cousin" - probably the song that most engendered the whole of Britain to The Undertones. Even now I never tire of it. The perfect Rock-meets-New Wave sound continues twofold with "Boys Will Be Boys" seguing into the not-so-nice-girl haunting "Tearproof" with that Bass in yer face. Apparently the boys predicted the exact chart position of the single "Wednesday Week" after they wrote it – a No.11- and it did just that – went to number eleven. Bradley puts it down to the Summer Strike in 1980 TV (no Top Of The Pops) so that the song made it up the charts on the strength of strong radio play and not what the public saw on telly. One of the first four songs written for the album, "Nine Times Out of Ten" is a slow riffage moocher with a catchy chorus. The side ends strongly with the very cool "Girls That Don't Talk" – a tune The Clash might have been proud of – and then the final hurrah – an acoustic intro that leads into Talking Heads guitars as Feargal worries about Terry and his troubles with his glasses and a dodgy personality behind the motley lot.

 

The great thing about British 45s in 1978 and 1979 was the quality of the B-sides – something bands even thought of as a showcase platform – both sides are good and not just the A. And so the two on the flipside of "My Perfect Cousin" come in after a few seconds delay to signify the end of the album and the beginning of the Bonuses – first up is the largely instrumental "Hard Luck (Again)" - a riffer that is almost too good to be relegated to a B-side had some cool words have been put to it. Even better is the belter "I Told You So" that occupied the B-side of the underrated "Wednesday Week" – a two-minute Rock and Rolling slice of Undertones punkiness – followed by three very well recorded three for John Peel – the best for me being "When Saturday Comes".

 

While "Hypnotised" is no masterpiece in anyone's books (a solid 4-stars) - this is nonetheless a very cool CD Reissue with Extras that genuinely lift up an already good second album into something actually resembling an Anniversary Edition in more than name. 

 

The Undertones may not be Ireland's greatest band (in my opinion) - but Derry's finest are held in huge affection by so many music lovers and not without reason. Them were the days and they were one of the bands that made them so bloody enjoyable...

"Frankie Miller…That's Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)" by FRANKIE MILLER – Including the Albums "Once In A Blue Moon" (1973), "High Life" (1974), "The Rock" (1975), "Full House" (1977), "Double Trouble" (1978), "Falling in Love" (1979), "Easy Money" (1980) and more. Features The Band Brinsley Schwarz with Nick Lowe, Ian Gomm and Bob Andrews, Allen Toussaint, Members of Atlanta Rhythm Section and The Classics IV, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, Robin Trower and Gary Brooker of Procol Harum, Andy Fraser of Free, Paul Carrack of Ace, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Terry Britten of Homer, Guitarists Chris Spedding and Reggie Young with Brass from The Memphis Horns (September 2018 EUROPE Chrysalis Records Reissue in a 7CD Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves Using 2011 Remasters by Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B07D51TYBJ&asins=B07D51TYBJ&linkId=fa2116b5ccbf7870d99bbbbd4748453f&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

****

 

"…Be Good To Yourself…Be True To One Another…"

 

Most Frankie Miller fans despaired of seeing their hero’s output on a decent CD retrospective. But all of that pining for the fjords ended with the May 2011 EMI 4CD Fat Jewel Case Anthology "Frankie Miller…That’s Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)". That superb chunky outing slapped together seven whole albums, and as Bonuses - a Previously Unreleased 11-Track Original Mix of the second LP "High Life", three Non-LP single sides and one song exclusive to a US album with a different name. And all of it came with great remastered sound courtesy of two Audio heroes of mine – ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM.

 

What you have here is a September 2018 EURO Reissue that goes down the Clamshell Box Set route. The 4CDs have been turned into 7CDs with all seven albums put into Mini LP Card Sleeve Repro Artwork and the Bonus Material carried over too (full house, nothing lost). It's lovely to look at, boasts that great 2011 Remastered Audio on every album and even has a functional 8-Page booklet that gives track lists, couple of photos etc. There’s a lot on here, so let's be good to ourselves and get to the details…

 

EUROPEAN released 14 September 2018 (originally issued May 2011 in the UK in a Fat Jewel Case with 4CDs under the same title) - "Frankie Miller…That’s Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)" by FRANKIE MILLER on Chrysalis Records CRB1073 (Barcode 5060516091249) is a 7CD Clamshell Box Set Reissue (using 2011 Remasters) that has Seven Albums Worth Plus Bonuses and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Once In A Blue Moon" (32:30 minutes):

1. You Don't Need To Laugh [Side 1]

2. I Can't Change It

3. Candlelight Sonata in F Major

4. Ann Eliza Jane

5. It's All Over

6. In No Resistance [Side 2]

7. After All (Live My Life)

8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

9. Mail Box

10. I’m Ready

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Once In A Blue Moon" - released January 1973 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1036. Backing band on the whole album is BRINSLEY SCHWARZ featuring Bob Andrews, Brinsley Schwarz, Nick Lowe, Ian Gomm and Billy Rankin.

 

CD2 "High Life" (73:38 minutes – see NOTES):

1. High Life [Side 1]

2. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)

3. Trouble

4. A Fool

5. Little Angel

6. With You In Mind

7. The Devil Gun [Side 2]

8. I'll Take A Melody

9. Just A Song

10. Shoo-Rah

11. I'm Falling In Love Again

12. With You In Mind

Tracks 11 to 22 are his second studio album "High Life" released January 1974 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1052 (see also Tracks 13 to 23). Produced by ALLEN TOUSSAINT – Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 written by him with Tracks 3, 5, 7, and 11 written by FRANKIE MILLER. Guest musicians included Barry Bailey of Atlanta Rhythm Section on Guitars, Auburn Burrell and Joe Wilson of The Classics IV on Guitars with Allen Toussaint on Keyboards.

 

BONUS ALBUM VERSION "High Life - The Original Mix"

13. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)

14. Trouble

15. Little Angel

16. With You In Mind

17. I'll Take A Melody

18. High Life (Filler)

19. Shoorah Shoorah

20. Devil's Gun

21. A Day In The Life Of A Fool

22. I'm Falling In Love Again

23. Just A Song

NOTES: Tracks 13 to 23 are "High Life – The Original Mix". This was a previously unreleased version of the album with the running order re-arranged and was first issued May 2011 in the UK on the original 4CD Anthology (Tracks 1 to 12 are the officially released album – remixed without their permission or knowledge).

 

CD3 "The Rock" (49:05 minutes):

1. A Fool In Love [Side 1]

2. The Heartbreak

3. The Rock

4. I Know Why the Sun Don't Shine

5. Hard On The Levee

6. Ain't Got No Money [Side 2]

7. All My Love To You

8. I'm Old Enough

9. Bridgeton

10. Drunken Nights In The City

Tracks 1 to 10 are his third studio album "The Rock" released September 1975 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1088. James Dewar (ex Stone The Crows and at the time with The Robin Trower Band) and The Edwin Hawkins Singers provide Backing Vocals, Mick Weaver aka Wynder K. Frog played Keyboards, Henry McCullough and Chris Stewart (both ex Eire Apparent) played Guitars and Bass with The Memphis Horns providing Brass. Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar by Frankie Miller. All songs by Frankie Miller except "A Fool In Love" written by Andy Fraser of Free.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

12. I'm Old Enough (Edit)

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A & B-side of an August 1976 UK 7" 45-single on Chrysalis CHS 2103 – B-side is an Edit – Both Previously Unavailable on CD in 2011 when first issued

 

CD4 "Full House" (33:34 minutes):

1. Be Good To Yourself [Side 1]

2. The Doodle Song

3. Jealous Guy

4. Searching

5. Love Letters

6. Take Good Care Of Yourself [Side 2]

7. Down The Honky Tonk

8. This Love Of Mine

9. Let The Candlelight Shine

10. (I'll Never) Live In Vain

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fourth studio album "Full House" - released August 1977 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1128 – Produced by CHRIS THOMAS. Musicians included Guitarist Chris Spedding, Guitarist Ray Minhinnett (of Highway and Phoenix), Keyboardists Gary Brooker (of Procol Harum), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (ex Free and Crawler) and Jim Hall (of Highway), Bassist Chris Stewart (ex Eire Apparent) with The Memphis Horns on Brass.

 

CD5 "Double Trouble" (37:47 minutes):

1. Have You Seen Me Lately Joan [Side 1]

2. Double Heart Trouble

3. The Train

4. You'll Be In My Mind

5. Good Time Love

6. Love Waves [Side 2]

7. (I Can't) Break Away

8. Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

9. Love Is All Around

10. Goodnight Sweetheart

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fifth studio album "Double Trouble" - released April 1978 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1174. Guest Musicians include Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, Ian Gomm of Brinsley Schwarz, Ray Russell of Rock Workshop and Chopyn, Chris Mercer of The Keef Hartley Band and Gonzalez and more

 

CD6 "Falling In Love" (38:41 minutes):

1. When I'm Away From You [Side 1]

2. Is This Love

3. If I Can Love Somebody

4. Darlin'

5. And It's Your Love

6. A Woman To Love [Side 2]

7. Falling In Love With You

8. Every Time A Teardrop Falls

9. Pappa Don't Know

10. Good To See You

Tracks 1 to 10 are his sixth studio album "Falling In Love" - released January 1979 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1220. Band featured Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics, Terry Britten of The Twilights and Homer, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Fran Byrne and Ed Deane from Bees Make Honey and more (Fran Byrne was also in Ace).

 

NOTE: With the same artwork, release date and catalogue number as the UK issue (Chrysalis CHR 1220) - the "Falling In Love" album was called "A Perfect Fit" in the USA. However, the song "If I Can Love Somebody" was replaced with "Something About You" (see Track 11) and the running order rejiggered. In order to sequence the US LP - use the following songs on CD6:

Side 1: Tracks 6, 2, 9, 11 and 1

Side 2: Tracks 4, 8, 7, 5 and 10

 

11. Something About You

Track 11 replaced the song "If I Can Love Somebody" on the American version of the "Falling In Love" LP which was called "A Perfect Fit" in the USA - see NOTE

 

CD7 "Easy Money" (37:57 minutes):

1. Easy Money [Side 1]

2. The Woman In You

3. Why Don't You Spend The Night

4. So Young, So Young

5. Forget About Me

6. Heartbreak Radio [Side 2]

7. Cheap...Thrills

8. No Chance

9. Gimme Love

10. Tears

Tracks 1 to 10 are his seventh studio album “Easy Money” - released July 1980 in the UK and the USA on Chrysalis CHR 1268. Musicians included Guitarist (Electric) Reggie Young of The Memphis Boys and Waylon Jennings Band, Guitarist (Acoustic) Bobby Thompson of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry, Bassist Joe Osborn of Michael Nesmith & The First National Band and Session Drummer Larrie Londin

 

11. Sail Away (a Randy Newman cover and a non-album B-side to the November 1977 UK 4-Track 7" EP "Alveric’s Elfland Journey" - Previously Unavailable on CD)

 

It's cool to see the seven card sleeves - I love these things - probably hankers back to my vinyl days - but I can't get enough of a good Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeve. The only one that looks slightly less in CD7 - "Easy Money" - seems to be more blurred than it should be. The 8-page booklet is a fairly functionary affair with a small history of the albums taken from a 1998 Documentary for BBC Scotland (it is the same as the 2011 Fat Jewel Case original). You get a basic track-by-track list (I have provided players and musicians, the booklet does not) and pictures some album covers and rare European 7" picture sleeves. It’s good, but hardly great. But the real deal lies in the AUDIO and some genuinely tasty extras…

 

After years of budget label compilations, the remastered sound quality comes as a genuine shock – done by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at EMI – it’s full, warm and at last the music has the muscle its always deserved. The material itself (mostly self-penned) isn’t all genius of course, but when this Glaswegian was good – he was the absolute business. And like many rockers, he had loveliness in his ballads too, which in turn inspired cover versions from people as diverse as Cher, UFO and Ray Charles.

 

With regard to the remaster, the opening plaintive double of "You Don't Need To Laugh" and "I Can't Change It" from his 1973 debut album "Once In A Blue Moon" are good examples – the backing band is BRINSLEY SCHWARZ featuring Ian Gomm and Nick Lowe - and suddenly the piano, the acoustic guitars and even the backing girly vocals are all clear and alive. It’s not loud for the sake of it - just present – a treat to listen to.

 

His second studio platter "High Life" was originally produced by New Orleans Rhythm 'n' Blues genius ALLEN TOUSSAINT (who also wrote many of the tunes). But without his or Miller's permission, it was remixed before release. Hence it features on CD2 twice – the released mix first and now the previously unreleased original version second (different running order too and eleven tracks instead of twelve). One of my favourites is "A Fool" – the new version brings the guitars, percussion and brass solo to the front more and also lessens the hiss levels that were on the released version. "Trouble" is really clear too – fantastically well done.

 

1975's "The Rock" benefited from the production values of Elliot Mazer (Neil Young and Joni Mitchell) with the songs featuring brass on almost every track with that rock back-beat. Two of my personal craves are the driving boogie of "Hard On The Levee” and the epic Otis Redding type ballad "All My Love To You" (poignant lyrics given his later incapacity and his wife’s devotion to his recovery).

 

A polished production by Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, Pink Floyd) on 1977's "Full House" made the album his most commercial release to date and for me features one his best tracks - the truly fantastic "Be Good To Yourself". Written by Free's Bassist Andy Fraser, it epitomizes what fans love most about Miller - a top tune fronted by a great voice – an uplifting gem that hasn't dated a jot (lyrics above). His cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" is soulful and full on, but his speeding up of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is less successful. "This Love Of Mine" is a soulful brass-driven Stax Records kind of ballad co-written with ace guitarist Robin Trower and is another highlight. Proceedings were also graced with Chris Spedding, Gary Brooker, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick and the brass of The Memphis Horns.

 

1978's "Double Trouble" featured Aerosmith's Steve Tyler playing Harmonica on four and singing Backing Vocals too ("You'll Be In My Mind", "Love Waves", "Love Is All Around" and "Goodnight Sweetheart") as well as songwriting collaborations with Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, Mike & The Mechanics and Solo Career on five songs ("The Train", "You'll Be In My Mind", "Good Time Love", "Love Waves" and "(I Can't) Break Away"). A rocking Free-sounding "Double Heart Trouble" is not surprisingly written by - well - Andy Fraser of Free! Fraser also contributed the cool "Love Is All Around" over on Side 2. Ian Gomm of Brinsley Schwarz and Ray Russell of Rock Workshop and Chopyn provided Guitars while Chris Mercer of The Keef Hartley Band and Gonzalez lent his Saxophone. With two cover versions – the Motown classic "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" originally done by Marvin Gaye and the Spaniels 50t's Doo Wop classic "Goodnight Sweetheart" ending proceedings – it was a typical Frankie Miller album of the late Seventies – originals, contributions and smart song choices.

 

1979's "Falling In Love" (titled "A Perfect Fit" for its American release) features Frankie's biggest hit single "Darlin'", but like 1980's "Easy Money" it all becomes a bit run-of-the-mill – too many average cover versions. The ballad "Good To See You" and the rollicking "Heartbreak Radio" are good though. The LP also featured some great names - Paul Carrack of Ace etc, Terry Britten of The Twilights and Homer, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Fran Byrne and Ed Deane from Bees Make Honey and more (Fran Byrne was also in Ace).

 

1980's "Easy Money" had a distinctly Country Rock Music set of session musicians who are called The Hitmen in the rear sleeve credits. They included the legendary Electric Guitarist Reggie Young of The Memphis Boys and Waylon Jennings Band accompanied by Bobby Thompson of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry on Acoustic. Other Country-Rock names included Bassist Joe Osborn of Michael Nesmith & The First National Band and Session Drummer Larrie Londin who had played with everybody from Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard and would go on to Reba McEntire, Rosanna Cash and loads more. Troy Seals was also listed in the multiple Producers credits.

 

And yet with uncredited Organ and Brass Section on "The Woman In You" – much of this largely forgotten album has a decidedly Funky and Commercial feel – the kind of songs and production that would not have been amiss on an Atlanta Rhythm Section LP or a Dan Penn album out of Muscle Shoals. With his voice in raspy form - "Why Don't You Spend The Night" and "So Young, So Young" go for radio play as does the sappy "Forget About Me" – but much of it sounds ever so slightly tired and reaching. Side 2 opens with more Funky Brass Muscle Shoals sounding Rock-Soul in the shape of "Heartbreak Radio" – a great tune and imbibed with that magic sway of old - the woman Frankie loves done gone and left him with a big fat hit on – yes you guessed it. "Cheap Thrills" and its sleazy lyrics has not dated well – but the chipper almost Kool & The Gang Rock Funk of "Gimme Love" and the big ballad "Tears" rescue the whole LP (it is also one of the worst repro sleeves, the artwork too dark and slightly blurred).

 

The whole Box set ends on a better note as Frankie gets raspy on the Randy Newman gem "Sail Away" – a near five-minute cover version thrown onto CD7 as a Bonus Track – a version that has all but been lost to time from some obscure vinyl EP you never see. Frankly Frank it is better than much of the "Easy Money" LP that can be found on some auction sites for sale at under 80p. This is how we should love our FM – tearing into a great song – his voice and passion giving it wings.

 

Name-checked by Rod Stewart, Phil Lynott, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Kid Rock and too many others to mention – Frankie Miller was possessed of a voice and a way with a song that literally engendered hero worship – and this huge remastered haul finally does his criminally forgotten recorded legacy proper justice.

 

I know the whole listen lags in places (5-star presentation of 4-star material) and you wish there was one genuine masterpiece of an album in there to rant and rave about. But there are loads of top moments, tons of contributions from names I dig and music that makes me smile – and I like that.

 

Like Terry Reid, Long John Baldry, John Martyn and Maggie Bell – this great singer will always be held in genuine affection...

 

PS: ROBIN TROWER and IAN HUNTER in this EURO Series

See also my review for the February 2019 Robin Trower 10CD Clamshell Box Set called "The Studio Albums 1973-1983". It's another like the Frankie Miller reissue above. In July 2010 - EMI put out 2 x 4CD Fat Jewel Cases for Trower - the first called "A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years 1973-1976" on EMI/Chrysalis 642 1542 (Barcode 50999652154226) – and the second - "Father On Up The Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977-1983" on EMI/Chrysalis 301 3862 (Barcode 5099930138629).

 

The 10CD reissue Box Set for "The Studio Albums 1973-1983" does the same - the 8CDs become a 10CD Clamshell Box Set with Ten Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves though unfortunately loses the "Live!" LP and a small number of Bonus Single Sides. 

 

There is also an IAN HUNTER 4CD Remasters Fat Jewel Case called "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981" issued October 2012 in the UK on EMI/Chrysalis 5099923270121 (Barcode (5099923270121). That too has been Reissued in 2019 in EUROPE with the same Title, Artwork, Remasters and all Bonuses, but again into a Clamshell Box Set with four repro card sleeves - Chrysalis CRB1074 - Barcode 5060516091256. I will review soonest...