"Full Bloom" by JACKIE ROSS (1998 UK Universal/Chess UMD 'Legendary Masters Series' CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Haste Makes Waste..."

Europe/UK released 1998 - "Full Bloom" by JACKIE ROSS on Universal/Chess UMD 80560 (Barcode 602438056026) is part of The Legendary Master Series of Chess CD Reissues and offers the Stereo Version of the 12-Track 1964 LP "Full Bloom" and a further five bonus tracks - two Chess single A-sides and three previously unreleased 1965 Chess outtakes. It breaks down as follows (50:33 minutes):

1. Selfish One [Side 1]

2. Everything But Love

3. Wasting Time

4. I Had A Talk With My Man

5. Be Sure You Know

6. Summertime

7. I've Got The Skill [Side 2]

8. Change Your Ways

9. Don't Take My Love

10. Haste Makes Waste

11. (I Wanna Hear It) From You

12. Misty

Tracks 1 to 12 are her debut album "Full Bloom" – released June 1964 in the USA on Chess LP-1489 (Mono) and Chess LPS-1489 (Stereo).

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Take Me For A While (July 1965 US 7" single Chess 1938, A)

14. We Can Do It (August 1965 US 7" single Chess 1940, A)

15. It's Going All The Way – Previously Unreleased 1965 Outtake

16. I Dig His Style – Previously Unreleased 1965 Outtake

17. Trust In Me – Previously Unreleased 1965 Outtake

Part of the Legendary Master Series (32-Bit Digital Remasters), the Triple Card gatefold offers a small 8-page inlay that reproduces the sleeves notes from the original "Full Bloom" LP by LOUISE D. STONE - a Jazz Columnist with Chicago Daily Defender. And while this American reissue was done by Richard Ganter – there is no mention of a Transfer or Remaster engineer - though I suspect it is either Kevin Reeves or Erick Labson – both ways the Audio is fabulous.

This 1998 Chess CD is cheap and always has been – about say a fiver - a good disc audio-wise. But its very much been outdone and superseded by the Ace/Kent-Soul issue of December 2012 called "Jerk & Twine: The Complete Chess Recordings" – a UK 24-Track CD compilation Remaster that includes all 17 of the above (including the three outtakes) and offers more Chess singles and two new previously unreleased Chess cuts from 1965 called "Stick To One" and "My Square". It also boasts a proper booklet and real liner notes care of Mick Patrick and Malcolm Baumgar (Catalogue No. Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 385 – Barcode 029667238526). If you've the cash it's about a tenner or often less and I'd plumb for that instead. 

Either way, you're on a musical winner with this criminally forgotten 60ts Soul LP and the lovely vocals of Jackie Ross...

"Smokestack Lightning – The Complete Chess Masters 1951-9160" by HOWLIN' WOLF (2011 Hip-O Select 4CD Book Set - Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Well Don't You Hear Me Cryin’…"

This rather lovely 'book-shaped' set is the first in a series of CD retrospectives documenting Chester Arthur Burnette (his real name) and his stay at the legendary Blues label 'Chess'. There's an awful lot of Howlin' Wolf to document here, so let's get to the details...

Released Monday 21 November 2011 in the UK (September 2011 in the USA) on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2 (Barcode 602527627342) - "Smokestack Lightning - The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960" by HOWLIN’ WOLF is a 97-Track 4CD Book Set and breaks down as follows (Discography follows):

Disc 1, 26 Tracks, 1951 to 1953 (73:08 minutes):

1. Moanin' At Midnight (1951 78”, Chess 1479, A-side)

2. How Many More Years (Alternate)

3. How Many More Years (1951 78”, Chess 1479, B-side)

4. The Wolf's At Your Door (Howlin' For My Baby) (1952 78”, Chess 1497, B-side)

5. California Boogie

6. Smile At Me

7. Howlin’ Wolf Boogie (1952 78”, Chess 1497, A-side)

8. California Blues No. 1

9. Look-A-Here Baby

10. Worried All The Time (1952 78”, Chess 1515, B-side)

11. Getting’ Old And Grey (1952 78”, Chess 1510, B-side)

12. Mr. Highway Man (1952 78”, Chess 1510, A-side)

13. Everybody’s In The Mood

14. Color And Kind

15. Bluebird (Blues)

16. Saddle My Pony (1952 78”, Chess 1515, A-side)

17. Dorothy Mae (Alternate Take)

18. Dorothy Mae

19. Sweet Woman (a/k/a I Got A Woman)

20. Well That’s All Right

21. Decoration Day (Blues)

22. Oh Red (1952 78” and 7” [1st release on 45], Chess 1528, A-side)

23. My Last Affair (1952 78” and 7”, Chess 1528, B-side)

24. I’ve Got A Woman

25. Just My Kind

26. Work For Your Money

[Notes: Tracks 2, 5, 6, 17, Previously Unreleased In The USA

Tracks 8, 9, 13, 14, 18 and 21 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349

Tracks 15 and 20 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332

Tracks 24 to 26 are 1953 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 2, 25 Tracks, 1953 to 1956 (73:42 minutes):

1. I’m Not Joking

2. Mama Died And Left Me

3. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, A-side)

4. I Love My Baby (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, B-side)

5. Highway My Friend

6. Hold Your Money

7. Streamline Woman

8. California Blues No. 2

9. Stay Here Til My Baby Comes Back

10. Crazy About You Baby

11. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, A-side)

12. You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) (1959 7”, Chess 1744, B-side)

13. Neighbors

14. I’m The Wolf

15. Rockin’ Daddy (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, B-side)

16. Baby How Long (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, A-side)

17. Evil (Is Goin’ On) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, B-side)

18. I’ll Be Around (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, A-side)

19. Forty Four (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, B-side)

20. Who Will Be Next (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, A-side)

21. I Have A Little Girl (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, B-side)

22. Come To Me Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, A-side)

23. Don’t Mess With My Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, B-side)

24. Smokestack Lightning (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, A-side)

25. You Can’t Be Beat (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, B-side)

26. I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, A-side)

27. So Glad (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, B-side)

[Notes: Tracks 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349

Tracks 2, 7, 10, and first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332

Tracks 13, 14 and are 1954 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 3, 25 Tracks, 1956 to 1958 (76:41 minutes):

1. Break Of Day

2. The Natchez Burning (1959 7”, Chess 1744, A-side)

3. Going Back Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1648, A-side)

4. Bluebird

5. My Life

6. You Ought To Know

7. Who’s Been Talkin (1960 7”, Chess 1750, A-side)

8. Tell Me (1960 7”, Chess 1750, B-side)

9. Somebody In My Home (Alternate Take)

10. Somebody In My Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, A-side)

11. Nature (Takes 1/4/6)

12. Nature (Alternate Take)

13. Nature (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, B-side)

14. Walk To Camp Hall

15. Poor Boy (Alternate Take)

16. Poor Boy (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, B-side)

17. My Baby Told Me

18. Sittin’ On The Top Of The World (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, A-side)

19. I Didn’t Know

20. I Better Go Now (Howlin’ Blues) (Alternate)

21. Howlin’ Blues (I’m Going Away) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, A-side)

22. I Better Go Now (Multiple Takes) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, B-side)

23. I Didn’t Know (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, B-side)

24. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, A-side)

25. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (Takes 3 & 4)

[Notes: Tracks 1 first released on the 1993 US 4CD Box Set by Various Artists called “Chess Blues” on Chess CHD4-9340

Tracks 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 25 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349

Tracks 9, 11, 19, 20, 22* and 25* Previously Unreleased In The USA

[Tracks 22 except includes Chess single 1726; Track 25 except includes Alternate Take on “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” 2CD set on Chess CHD2-9349]]

Disc 4, 19 Tracks, 1958 to 1960 (68:50 minutes):

1. I’m Leaving You (Alternate Take)

2. I’m Leaving You (Takes 7-10)

3. I’m Leaving You (1959 7”, Chess 1712, A-side)

4. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)

5. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)

6. (You) Can’t Put Me Out (Includes Additional Dialogue)

7. Change My Way (1959 7”, Chess 1712, B-side)

8. Getting Late

9. I’ve Been Abused (Takes 4-12)

10. I’ve Been Abused (1959 7”, Chess 1735, B-side)

11. Howlin’ For My Baby (Takes 1-7)

12. Howlin’ For My Darling (Or Baby) (1960 7”, Chess 1762, B-side)

13. Wolf In The Mood (Instrumental) [Includes Outtakes & Dialogue]

14. My People’s Gone

15. Mr. Airplane Man (Takes 1-2) [Plus Outtakes & Dialogue]

16. Mr. Airplane Man (1959 7”, Chess 1735, A-side)

17. Wang-Dang-Doodle (1961 7”, Chess 1777, A-side)

18. Back Door Man (1961 7” (recorded 1960), Chess 1777, B-side)

19. Spoonful (1960 7”, Chess 1762, A-side)

[Notes: Tracks 1, 2, 5, 9 and 11 Previously Unreleased In The USA

Track 4 first released on the 1982 US 2LP set “Chess Blues Rarities” on Chess CH2-9230

Track 15 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332

Tracks 6, 8, 13 (with Outtakes Dialogue) and 14 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349]

The hardback book packaging matches the look and feel of the MUDDY WATERS "Hoochie Coochie Man..." Hip-O Select 2CD set of 2004 (not as wide, but it's taller). "Smokestack Lightning..." has an embossed matt cardboard effect on the front cover with similarly textured pages within and is a non-numbered worldwide Limited Edition of 5000 copies. The 42-page booklet inside has an essay on Wolf (Pages 3 to 9) by PETER GURALNICK who is the award-winning Author of 2 books on Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley - with a forthcoming Biography on Sam Phillips. In fact Guralnick's entry here is a highly personal interview with SAM PHILLIPS on how the legendary and visionary Producer of Sun Records first tried to record the great bluesman and his band in 1951. Phillips warmly remembers the sheer impact of Wolf's powerhouse of a voice and physical presence (6' 3", 275 Pounds). Sam is full of passion and awe for the man who sang "...with his damn soul..." - bowled over even now - some 60 years after the event.

Not to be outdone, the liner notes on the project itself by DICK SHUMAN on Pages 11 to 19 are equally entertaining as they concentrate on the key musicians and recording dates. I particularly love the page that pictures "The New 708 Club" card invite for the Chicago Blues Club that tells you - you can see Muddy Waters on Mon, Wed and Thurs with Otis Rush on Fri, Sat and Sun but Howlin' Wolf is only available on Tues! Now there's a week of Blues gigs I want to attend! Pages 20 to 42 picture Trade Adverts, Black & White photos of his group, photos of his rare "Moanin' In The Moonlight" album from 1958 (front and rear) and end on a full track-by-track Discography. The 4CDs are held in individual leaves at the back - each disc colour scheme reflecting the original shellac and vinyl labels (Blue and White for the 78's - Blue and Silver for the famous Chess 45's).

As with so much of the enormous Chess catalogue - the remastering has been carried out by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON - a man with over 900 mastering and audio restoration credits to his name. This stuff is ROUGH - brutal even in places - and the remaster brings out that raw power. Some of the alternate takes are very crackly - but he has allowed them to breath and there's huge presence in every track.  Most of the songs on Disc 1 to 3 are self-penned like the staggering "Smoke Stack Lightning" (lyrics above), but by the time we get to the tail end of Disc 4 the catalyst of WILLIE DIXON arrives - sending everything into the stratosphere ("Spoonful" and "Wang Dang Doodle"). The combo of Wolf's voice and Dixon's witty tunes will undoubtedly dominate Volume 2.

Niggles - the packaging is lovely, but it's over too soon. Very few 78's or 45's are pictured and you can't help thinking that if Bear Family or Ace had handled this - it would be twice the size and truly beautiful in every way. And musically - the repetition of tracks and takes is hard to take - so a "Best Of" would suffice for the merely curious (or even a Willie Dixon set with HW tracks on it). Die-hard fans, however, of Howlin' Wolf, Chess Records and the Blues in general will have to own this.

To sum up - despite the slightly disappointing packaging - this is lovely evocation of a genuine force of nature - a singer who shaped so much of what we listen to and adore to this day. And if you want to know why so many white rock guys worshipped at his feet and regularly tried to kiss the hem of his garment - here is the place to start...

Like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters - how I wished I'd seen this giant live...

HOWLIN' WOLF DISCOGRAPHY referencing 

"Smokestack Lightning - The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960"

2011 4CD Book Set on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2

Layout: [1/7] = Disc 1, Track 7 - [2/1] = Disc 2, Track 1 etc

(Year Of Release, Label & Catalogue Number)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS 78"s ONLY:

1. Moanin' At Midnight [1/1] b/w How Many More Years [1/3] (1951, Chess 1479)

2. Howlin' Wolf Boogie [1/7] b/w The Wolf Is At Your Door [1/4] (1952, Chess 1497)

3. Mr. Highway Man [1/12] b/w Getting' Old And Grey [1/11] (1952, Chess 1510)

4. Saddle My Pony [1/16] b/w Worried All The Time [1/10] (1952, Chess 1515)

HOWLING WOLF CHESS 78"s and 7"s:

5. Oh Red [1/22] b/w My Last Affair [1/23] (1952, Chess 1528) – his first US 7” single on Chess

6. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) [2/3] b/w I Love My Baby [2/4] (1953, Chess 1557)

7. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) [2/11] b/w Rockin' Daddy [2/15] (1954, Chess 1566)

8. Baby How Long [2/16] b/w Evil (Is Goin' On) [2/17] (1954, Chess 1575)

9. I'll Be Around [2/18] b/w Forty Four [2/19] (1955, Chess 1584)

10. Who Will Be Next [2/20] b/w I Have A Little Girl [2/21] (1955, Chess 1593)

11. Come To Me Baby [2/22] b/w Don't Mess With My Baby [2/23] (1955, Chess 1607)

12. Smoke Stack Lightning [2/24] b/w You Can't Be Beat [2/25] (1956, Chess 1618)

13. I Asked For Water [2/26] b/w So Glad (1956, Chess 1632) [2/27]

14. Going Back Home [3/3] b/w My Life [3/5] (1957, Chess 1648)

15. Somebody In My Home [3/10] b/w Nature [3/13] (1957, Chess 1668)

16. Sittin' On Top Of The World [3/18] b/w Poor Boy [3/16] (1958, Chess 1679)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS 7"s ONLY:

17. Moaning For My Baby [3/24] b/w I Didn't Know [3/23] (1958, Chess 1695)

18. I'm Leavin' You [4/3] b/w Change My Way [4/7] (1959, Chess 1712)

19. Howlin' Blues (I'm Going Away) [3/21] b/w I Better Go Now [3/22] (1959, Chess 1726)

20. Mr. Airplane Man [4/16] b/w I've Been Abused [4/10] (1959, Chess 1735)

21. The Natchez Burning [3/2] b/w You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) [2/12] (1959, Chess 1744)

22. Spoonful [4/19] b/w Howlin' For My Darling (Or Baby) [4/12] (1960, Chess 1762)

23. Wang-Dang-Doodle [4/17] b/w Back Door Man [4/18] (1961, Chess 1777)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS LPs:

"Moanin' In The Moonlight" - 1958 USA MONO album on Chess LP-1434

Side 1:

1. Moanin' At Midnight [1/1]

2. How Many More Years [1/3]

3. Smokestack Lightning [2/24]

4. Baby How Long [2/15]

5. No Place To Go [2/11]

6. All Night Boogie [2/3]

Side 2:

1. Evil [2/17]

2. I'm Leavin' You [4/3]

3. Moanin' For My Baby [3/24]

4.  I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) [2/26]

5. Forty-Four [2/19]

6. Somebody In My Home [3/10]

"Howlin' Wolf" – January 1962 USA MONO LP on Chess LP 1469

Side 1:

1. Shake For Me

2. The Red Rooster

3. You'll Be Mine

4. Who's Been Talkin' [3/7]

5. Wang Dang Doodle

6. Little Baby

Side 2:

1. Spoonful

2. Goin’ Down Slow

3. Down In The Bottom

4. Back Door Man

5. Howlin’ For My Baby [4/12]

6. Tell Me [3/8]

Tracks 5 on Side 1 and Tracks 1 and 4 on Side 2 recorded June 1960

Tracks 1, 2 and 6 on Side 1 and Track 3 on Side 2 recorded May 1961

Tracks 3 on Side 1 and Track 2 on Side 2 recorded December 1961

The other three cuts are from Fifties sessions as covered by Discs 3 and 4 of this Book Set

"The Real Folk Blues" - January 1966 USA MONO album on Chess LP 1502

Side 1:

1. Killing Floor

2. Louise

3. Poor Boy [3/16]

4. Sittin' On Top Of The World [3/18]

5. Nature [3/13]

6. My Country Sugar Mama

Side 2:

1. Tail Dragger

2. Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy

3. The Natchez Burnin' [3/2]

4. Build For Comfort

5. Ooh Baby Hold Me

6. Tell Me What I've Done

Tracks 1, 2 and 6 on Side 1 were recorded August 1964

Track 1 on Side 2 recorded September 1962

Tracks 2 and 4 on Side2 recorded August 1963

Tracks 5 and 6 on Side 2 recorded August 1965 – the other four songs on the LP are Fifties recordings covered by Disc 3 of this 4CD set as noted above.

"More Real Folk Blues" – January 1967 USA MONO LP on Chess LP 1512

Side 1:

1. Just My Kind [1/25]

2. I've Got A Woman [1/24]

3. Work For Your Money [1/26]

4. I'll Be Around [2/18]

5. You Can't Be Beat [2/25]

6. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) [2/11]

Side 2:

1. I Love My Baby [2/4]

2. Neighbors [2/13]

3. I'm The Wolf [2/14]

4. Rockin' Daddy [2/15]

5. Who Will Be Next [2/20]

6. I Have A Little Girl [2/21]

See also my review for the March 2002 CD reissue that combines the two Real Folk LPs onto 1CD Remaster - "The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues" by HOWLIN’ WOLF on Universal/MCA/Chess 088 122 820-2 (Barcode 008811282028).

“The Complete Chess Recordings” by JIMMY ROGERS. A Review of the 2CD MCA/Chess Compilation From 1997.

"…I Know You’re In Love With Some Other Man…But That’s All Right…"

USA released in April 1997 as part of their 50th Anniversary celebrations “The Complete Chess Recordings” is a 2CD set containing 51 tracks. It gathers up the A&B-sides of 13 singles between 1950 and 1957, 11 songs from the 1976 2LP Chess retrospective “Jimmy Rogers” and then tags on 14 previously unreleased tracks (1 on Disc 1, 13 on Disc 2).

I’ve filled in the catalogue numbers below by way of a discography - so MCA/Chess CHD2-9372 breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (74:28 minutes):
1. That's All Right
2. Luedella (Chess 1435, A&B sides)
3. Goin' Away Baby
4. Today, Today Blues (Chess 1442, A&B sides)
5. I Used To Have A Woman (Chess 1506, A-side)
6. The World's In A Tangle
7. She Loves Another Man (Chess 1453, A&B sides)
8. Money, Marbles And Chalk (Chess 1476, A-side)
9. Hard Working Man (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
10. Chance To Love (Chess 1476, B-side)
11. My Little Machine (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
12. Back Door Friend (Chess 1506, B-side)
13. Crying Shame (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
14. Mistreated Baby (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
15. The Last Time (Chess 1519, A-side)
16. What's The Matter (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
17. Out On The Road (Chess 1519, B-side)
18. Left Me With A Broken Heart
19. Act Like You Love Me (Chess 1543, A&B sides)
20. Blues All Day Long (Blues Leave Me Alone) (Chess 1616, B-side)
21. Chicago Bound
22. Sloppy Drunk (Chess 1574, A&B sides)
23. You're The One (First Version) [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
24. You're The One (Chess 1616, A-side)
25. If It Ain't Me (Who Are You Thinking Of) (Chess 1643, A-side)

Disc 2 (70:23 minutes):
1. Walking By Myself (Chess 1643, B-side)
2. I Can't Believe
3. One Kiss (Chess 1659, A&B sides)
4. What Have I Done (Chess 1687, A-side)
5. My Baby Don't Love Me No More (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
6. Trace Of You (Chess 1687, B-side)
7. Don't You Know My Baby (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
8. Don't Turn Me Down [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
9. Looka Here [Previously Unreleased]
10. This Has Never Been (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
11. Rock This House
12. My Last Meal (Chess 1721, A&B sides)
13. You Don't Know (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
14. Can't Keep From Worrying (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
15. Luedella (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
16. Act Like You Love Me (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
17. What Have I Done (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
18. My Baby Don't Love Me Anymore (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
19. Trace Of You (Alternate) (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
20. Don't You Know My Baby (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
21. Don't Turn Me Down (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
22. This Has Never Been (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
23. Rock This House (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
24. My Last Meal (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
25. You Don't Know (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
26. Can't Keep From Worrying (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]

Willie Dixon and/or Leonard and Phil Chess produced the original recordings in Chicago and top engineer ERICK LABSON has remastered the first generation tapes for this release (has over 900 credits to his name and has handled huge swathes of the Chess catalogue). Given the notorious limitations of the original recordings, the sound quality of the remaster is typically excellent - except on “Don’t Turn Me Down” which was dubbed from disc.

The 16-page booklet has liner notes by MARY KATHERINE ALDIN (of the “Living Blues” magazine) who did such great work on the “Spoon So Easy” Jimmy Witherspoon CD and the “Chess Blues” 4CD box set of 1993 (see separate reviews). The bevy of previously unreleased ‘Alternate’ takes are excellent too and the sessions featured big draws for blues collectors - Little Walter, Otis Spann, Walter “Shakey” Horton and even Muddy Waters.

Jimmy Rogers (real name James Lane) died in 1997 at the ripe old age of 73 – the year this set came out. At least he is remembered well by it.

A rare release now – but absolutely worth hunting down.

JIMMY ROGERS Chess Singles Discography (78s and 45s)

1. That’s All Right b/w Luedella (1950, Chess 1435)
2. Goin’ Away Baby b/w Today, Today Blues (1950, Chess 1442)
3. The World’s In A Tangle b/w She Loves Another Man (1951, Chess 1453)
4. Money, Marbles And Chalk b/w Chance To Love (1951, Chess 1476)
5. I Used To Have A Woman b/w Back Door Friend (1951, Chess 1506)
6. The Last Time b/w Out On The Road (1952, Chess 1519)
7. Left Me With A Broken Heart b/w Act Like You Love Me (1953, Chess 1543)
8. Chicago Bound b/w Sloppy Drunk (1954, Chess 1574)
9. You’re The One b/w Blues All Day Long (Blues Leave Me Alone) (1956, Chess 1616)
10. Walking By Myself b/w If It Ain’t Me (Who Are You Thinking Of) (1957, Chess 1643)
11. One Kiss b/w I Can’t Believe (1957, Chess 1659)
12. What Have I Done b/w Trace Of You (1957, Chess 1687)
13. Rock This House b/w My Last Meal (1959, Chess 1721)

1, 2, 4, 11, 12 and 13 credited to JIMMY ROGERS
3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 credited to JIMMY ROGERS and HIS ROCKING FOUR

“The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966” by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review of the 2003 CD Compilation.

"….When You Hear Me Moanin’ And A Groanin’…”

There are no less than 3 companies attributed to this release - Hip-O Records, Reelin’ In The Years Productions and Experience Hendrix – because each was involved in their own way. I’ve bought The Temptations “Get Ready” and the Muddy Waters “Classic Concerts” DVDs by Reelin’ In The Years Productions which are truly fantastic things – so I’m not surprised that their audio version here is just as good.

Hip-O Records B000103002 has 16 live tracks and runs to 59:17 minutes (now more commonly known as Hip-O Select). The 24-page booklet has affectionate and informative liner notes by ROB BOWMAN with a forward by BILL WYMAN of The Rolling Stones. Concert posters, black & white and colour publicity photos and intimate moments are all featured - as is a snap of HORST LIPPMANN who along with FRITZ RAU - are the two German enthusiasts who started it all. There’s even a snap of a row of Little Walter’s many harmonicas laid out on a table! A colour picture of the mighty Willie Dixon graces the rear of the booklet with T-Bone Walker featured on the CD’s back inlay. The pictures of the boys are from the tour as well - and not overused shots we’ve all seen before – so they’ve a very cool vibe about them. The booklet is substantial and very tastefully done.

SOUND varies from sublime to very rough (the nature of the recordings). The audio restoration and transfers are by Eddie Kramer and Mark Wong while the mastering is handled by ace-engineer GAVIN LURSSEN (see the Gavin Lurssen ‘tag’ for his superb work elsewhere). The musicians featured in each group read like a who’s who of Blues luminaries and they’re captured at their absolute mojo best. Favourites include Lonnie Johnson’s plaintive “Another Night To Cry” and the opening vocal wail of Otis Rush’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby” (lyrics above). “My Younger Days” by Sonny Boy Williamson has wonderful rolling piano work by Sunnyland Slim while Lightnin’ Hopkins loses none of his menace on “Mojo Hand”.

It’s great stuff – different voices and styles. Sippie Wallace and Victoria Spivey break up the all-male proceedings with some ladylike advice about keeping good men and ditching the snakelike ones.
And preciously because it’s 'all' live - each song is filled with a power and presence that the studio stuff just can’t capture.

A job well done and a thoroughly recommended CD purchase.

“Rotary Connection” by ROTARY CONNECTION (November 1996 MCA/Chess CD Reissue Of Their 1968 Debut Album - Michael Omann Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Turn Me On…I Want To Know What It's All About…"

No less than six vocalists made up the American vocal group ROTARY CONNECTION - Bobby Simms, Sidney Barnes, Judy Hauff, Mitch Aliotta, Kenny Venagas and Minnie Riperton (Simms, Barnes and Riperton being the most well known). This - their debut album from 1968 - has often been cited as a Psychedelic or even Progressive record - but to me it's more 5th Dimension with a Pop-Soulful bent with some Psych seasoning on top.

Recorded in Chicago in October 1967 by Marshall Chess and Charles Stepney for Chess Records new label Cadet, “Rotary Connection” was released in early 1968 on Cadet Concept LPS-312 in the USA and sold well regionally - even picking up a Number 37 placing on the Billboard Album charts in March 1968. It also received a mid-1968 limited release on LP in the UK on Chess CRL 4538.

The debut album "Rotary Connection" by ROTARY CONNECTION has been something of a sought-after vinyl piece ever since and this equally desirable CD reissue of it put out Stateside in 19 November 1996 on Chess/MCA CHD-9365 (Barcode 076732936528) is in itself something of an expensive rarity too. Here's a breakdown (36:32 minutes):

1. Amen [Side 1]

2. Rapid Transit

3. Turn Me On

4. Pink Noise

5. Lady Jane

6. Like A Rolling Stone

7. Soul Man [Side 2]

8. Sursum Mentes

9. Didn’t Want To Have To Do It

10. Black Noise

11. Memory Band

12. Ruby Tuesday

13. Rotary Connection

Andy McKaie produced the reissue, the 6-page foldout inlay has affectionate and informative liner notes by Robert Pruter (author of the book "Chicago Soul") and MARK OMANN at MCA Music Studios handled the remastering. He did a fabulous job - superb sound quality - very clear and muscular - absolutely one of the highlights of this reissue. The clarity of piano, organ and bass on "Didn't Want To Have To Do It" is outstanding.

Musically - the album is a mixture of the great and the not so great. Of the 13 tracks, "Rapid Transit", "Pink Noise", "Sursum Mentes" and "Black Noise" are just 25 to 40 second musical 'mind-trip' snippets between songs ("Black Noise" rather naughtily uses the vocal refrain from the end of The Beatles "Hello Goodbye" without referencing McCartney/Lennon in the credits). Six songs are cover versions - radically reworked takes on the old Traditional "Amen", "Lady Jane" and "Ruby Tuesday" by The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone", Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" (written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter) and The Lovin' Spoonful's "Didn't Want To Have To Do It" (written by John Sebastian). Of the three originals "Turn Me On" (lyrics above) is probably the best. It was often misconstrued as being about drugs when it was about a man talking to God. "Memory Band" is an instrumental peppered with irritating childish vocals - it's good rather than great. While the last track "Rotary Connection" spends most of its three-minute running time segueing bits of the songs that went before together with a tune eventually emerging about half way through it. It probably seemed like a cool idea at the time, but it makes for a very awkward listen now.

Another bit of a disappointment too is that you really don't get to 'hear' Barnes or Riperton to proper effect except in backing vocals, but you do get to marvel at Stepney's string arrangements (the largely instrumental take on "Like A Rolling Stone" is a brilliant interpretation of an overly familiar tune while "Soul Man" is completely changed into something far edgier). Alongside such noted talents as guitar player Bryce Robertson and ace bassist Phil Upchurch, Stepney also played keyboards. It's a strange and wonderfully eclectic record with Side One called "Trip I" and Side Two "Trip II" - and you can hear why it has such a cult status now.

Rotary Connection would go on to make 4 more albums (a Hip-O Select box set surely beckons) and one - "Hey, Love" from 1971 - is a balls-to-the-wall masterpiece. For those not sure - or put off by the high prices - I thoroughly recommend the 1999 "Black Gold" 2CD retrospective for a taster and a more rounded picture or the Ace/Beat Goes Public CD that clumps together “Songs” and “Hey, Love”.

But this is where it all that gorgeous vocal Soul with a dash of Sixties Psych started - and a lovely thing it is too…