"Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Aretha Franklin, Margie Joseph, Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells, Doris Troy, Mary Wells, Dee Dee Sharp, Baby Washington, Dee Dee Warwick, Irma Thomas, Judy Clay. Esther Phillips, Laura Lee, The Sweet Inspirations and more (June 2006 UK Atlantic/Rhino CD Compilation of Remasters – Companion Volume to "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers") - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS: 

Overall: **** to *****

Audio: ****

Presentation: ****

"…I Ain't That Easy To Lose..."

Like its literal Big Bro companion volume "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers" (also issued in the UK on 19 June 2006) – this "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters" girly variant offers up another 16-nuggets from the deep-dive vaults of Atlantic Records and its primo artist roster.

Stretching from recording and release dates of 1964 to 1973 – we get five of the sixteen as Previously Unreleased anywhere, eight rare 45-singles (six hard-to-find A's, Two Non-LP flipsides with some that are first-time on CD anywhere), one Previously Unissued in the USA, and finally two Sixties recordings only released on 1995 US CD compilations now long since deleted.

Something of a lost CD gem in a veritable sea of Soul Compilations - "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters" has gone largely unnoticed nineteen years after its British and US issue. But with a quietly brilliant winner hit rate of about 10 (maybe even 12) out of 16 - I'm going to argue that there are just too many goodies on here for fans to pass by. So let's get to the newly found discoveries…themselves now nearly two decades old…

UK released 19 June 2006 - "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Atlantic/Rhino 8122-77626-2 (Barcode 081227762629) it plays out as follows (49:53 minutes):

1. My Way – ARETHA FRANKLIN (Recorded March 1970, outtake from the sessions for the "Spirit In The Dark" LP of August 1970 – this Frank Sinatra cover version apparently only ever appeared on an Italian LP and is Previously Unreleased in the USA)

2. It's Growing – MARGIE JOSEPH (Recorded September 1972, a Smokey Robinson cover version originally done by The Temptations in 1965, Previously Unreleased)

3. (1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days – PATTI LaBELLE and THE BLUE BELLES (Recorded January 1969, a Charlie & Inez Foxx cover version, Previously Unreleased)

4. Please Little Angel – DORIS TROY (February 1964 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2222, A-side – written by Doris Troy in conjunction with Producer and Arranger Greg Carroll and in one of their earliest song-credits – Nicholas Ashford & Valerie Simpson)

5. Hands Off My Baby – MARY WELLS (Recorded August 1966, first appeared January 1995 on the US CD compilation "Dear Lover: The Atco Sessions" by Mary Wells on Ichiban/Soul Classics SCL 2509-2)

6. My Best Friend's Man – DEE DEE SHARP (October 1966 USA 7" single on Atco 45-6445, A-side – first time on a CD – written by Kenneth Gamble and Jimmy Bishop)

7. Rescue Me – DEE DEE WARWICK (Recorded October 1970, Fontella Bass cover version (original from 1965) – Previously Unreleased)

8. What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted – BABY WASHINGTON (November 1969 US 45-single on Cotillion 45-44055, B-side of "Breakfast In Bed" – is a Jimmy Ruffin cover)

9. Full Time Woman – IRMA THOMAS (December 1971 USA 7" single on Cotillion 45-44144, A-side – an Alice Stuart song)

10. I Got To Love Somebody's Baby – JUDY CLAY (Recorded May 1969, first appeared on the April 1995 US CD Compilation "Featuring Storybook Children & Greatest Love" by BILLY VERA and JUDY CLAY on Ichiban/Soul Classics SCL-2101-2)

11. Cheater Man – ESTHER PHILLIPS (July 1967 USA 7" single on Atlantic 45-2417, B-side of "I'm Sorry" – a Chips Moman and Dan Penn song)

12. What A Man – LAURA LEE (November 1969 USA 7" single on Cotillion 45-44054, B-side to "Separation Man" – a Dave Crawford song - "What A Man" was also covered by Jackie Moore in a 1972 Atlantic Records session. It first appeared as one of four Previously Unreleased Tracks on the 2005 UK CD and 2LP compilation "Crème De La Crème Two: More Philly Soul Classics And Rarities From The Vaults Of Atlantic, Atco And Warner Bros. Records" – for Jackie Moore see also Track 14

13. Ain't Nothing Gonna Change Me – THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS (Recorded June 1970 and Arranged by Wade Marcus, Previously Unreleased)

14. It Ain't Who You Know – JACKIE MOORE (August 1972 USA 7" single on Atlantic 45-2902, A-side - a Dave Crawford and Brad Shapiro song)

15. I Ain't That Easy To Lose – BETTYE SWANN (Recorded April 1973, Previously Unreleased – a Pam Sawyer and Gloria Jones song)

16. Thankful For What I Got – BARBARA LEWIS (February 1968 USA 7" single on Atlantic 45-2482, B-side of "Sho-Nuff (It's Got To Be Your Love)" – a Barbara Lewis song)

The compilation is produced by DAVID NATHAN who also does the informative and affectionate liner notes - with the remastering done by long-time tape maestro and Rhino associate DAN HERSCH. Being from differing time frames, the sound ranges from very good - a hissy but deeply Soulful Judy Clay doing "I Got To Love Somebody's Baby" in 1969 - to full on fantastic like Irma Thomas sounding mature and yet dignified for "Full Time Woman" or the sexy 1967 chug in Esther Phillips' "Cheater Man" channelling her inner Wilson Pickett. 

I should also mention that this compilation feels like grown-up women - sophisticated Soul that may be emotionally down and out for a while but will soon be up again and back at. Nathan is to be praised for digging out these rarities from disparate years and sources. The audio in short is great even if it dips a tad in places - the listen offsetting any misgivings. Nathan also pours on the details in the four-faces fold-out inlay - but it might have been nice to have seen some of those 45-single labels or tape boxes. To the tunes...

No matter how hard David Nathan tries to convince in his excellent liner notes that her cover version of the ole blues eyes standard "My Way" is a gem (apparently it slipped onto an Italian LP sometime in 1970 but I could never find it) – Aretha has chosen smarter songs to wrap her fab lungs around. But after that slight false start (in my opinion) – we are hit with a double-whammy of period outtakes – a 1972 stunner from Margie Joseph covering Smokey Robinson while Patti LaBelle and her troupe of Blue Belles goes all Northern Soul with her Charlie & Inez Foxx cover from 1969. Both "It's Growing" and "(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days" by Margie and Patti are stunning examples of great singers plying their skills on a great song – Patti especially letting it rip – cross-armed shuffle dancers are going to love this.

Those same UK Northern Soul fans are going to need to own two more crackers from Mary Wells and Dee Dee Sharp – classy singers giving us two slices of 1966 smoocher - "Hands Off My Baby" and "My Best Friend's Man". Poor Dee Dee could not help herself (are you sure Dee) when she looked at pal's beau and thought to herself – yup - he's mine. Irma Thomas and The Sweet Inspirations sing it like it is for their "Full Time Woman" and "Ain't Nothing Gonna Change Me" (my love runs deeper than that). Bring on the Chi-Lites type harmonica opening for "It Ain't Who You Know" - Jackie Moore trusting her man too much - unwelcome info for neighbours and friends cluttering her mind (gorgeous audio). The so feminine warble of Bettye Swann's voice carries the ever-so-pre-Disco feel to "I Ain't That Easy To Lose" - a trembling backbeat telling us of her man-tribulations. "...Soul Sisters" romps home with a hopeful Sixties stepper - the classy pipes of Barbara Lewis being "Thankful For What I Got". Northern Soul nutters will adore it. And there you have it.

On the downside - the playing time is a bit short - and as it is with the 'Soul Brothers' set - you can hear why some of the unearthed tracks were unreleased. But for fans and lovers of Atlantic Records Soul Music - "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters" is a little sweetheart of a CD compilation and after a few listens even the lesser tracks have grown on me.

To sum up – a tasty little set then – and I was so impressed I bought its 16-track companion "Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers" straight after it...see separate review...

"Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" by (LONG) JOHN BALDRY - Includes Two Albums "It Ain't Easy" (June 1971) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (May 1972) on Warner Brothers Records (US and UK) Plus Thirteen Rarities (10 Previously Unreleased Outtakes and Three Radio Spots). His band featured Rod Stewart, Elton John, Members of Hookfoot (Caleb Quaye and Joshua M'bopo) and Elton John's Band (Davey Johnstone, Ray Cooper and Nigel Olsson), Klaus Voorman of Beatles fame, Mick Waller of Steampacket, Ian Armit of Argent, Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne, Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows with Singers Leslie Duncan, Doris Troy, Barry St. John, Madeline Bell, Liza Strike and more (December 2005 USA-Only Rhino Handmade 2CD Compilation with Thirteen Bonus Tracks and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 The Rhino Handmade 2005 Original (Top Two) 

"Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings"

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The Two Albums Issued as Stand-Alone Expanded CD Remasters 

"It Ain't Easy" (1971) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (1972)

CD Re-issued August 2005 by Warner Brothers in the UK

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"…It Ain't Easy...When You're Going Down…"

 

Timing is the thing here. After mid-60ts stints with United Artists and Pye Records in the UK where Baldry tried to go for the Pop Star market (and succeeded in many ways – he had a UK No.1 hit with "Let The Heartaches Begin" in October 1967), beloved British singer Long John Baldry went back to his Blues-Rock first love (combined with R&B and Soul influences) and promptly pumped out two affectionately remembered albums as just plain John Baldry for his new signing to Warner Brothers.

 

"It Ain't Easy" and "Everything Stops For Tea" hit record shops in June 1971 and May 1972 (John hit the touring road) – both with heavy personal/band involvement from Elton John and Rod Stewart – the pair literally on the cusp of international album stardom with "Every Picture Tells A Story" from Rodders in May 1971 (USA) and July 1971 (UK) and "Madman Across The Water" from our Reggie Dwight in November 1971 (neither no longer tiny dancers thereafter).

 

Both John and Stewart were simply repaying an old mucker for his belief in them in the early years and trying to help launch a new phase in his piecemeal recording career that had stalled as he entered the Seventies. And that is where this 2005 2CD roundup doozy from the US's Rhino Handmade comes a rollicking in (later reissued by Wounded Bird as is in 2013). A lot to discuss and splinters off it too – to the details...

 

US released December 2005 (reissued February 2007) - "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" by JOHN BALDRY on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7896 (Barcode 603497789627) is a 2CD 34-Track Compilation where initial copies were limited to 2,500 copies worldwide.

 

"Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" was not given a UK release, but both the albums it contained - "It Ain't Easy" (CD1) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (CD2) - were reissued 27 August 2005 in the UK as individual Expanded Edition Remastered CDs on Warner Brothers (no mention of Rhino on either disc) – track lists exactly the same (CD1 with 18 tracks, CD2 with 16 tracks). However, the original Rhino Handmade December 2005 configuration (using the same artwork and Remasters) was reissued 16 Nov 2013 in the USA as a 2CD set on Wounded Bird WOU 1921 (Barcode 664140192126). Details...

 

CD1 "It Ain't Easy" (69:11 minutes):

1. Intro: Conditional Discharge – Side 1

2. Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll [Jeff Thomas song]

3. Black Girl [Huddie Ledbetter aka Leadbelly cover]

4. It Ain't Easy [Ron Davies song]

5. Morning, Morning [Fugs cover]

6. I'm Ready [Willie Dixon song/Muddy Waters cover]

7. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield [Randy Newman cover] – Side 2

8. Mr. Robin [Leslie Duncan cover]

9. Rock Me When He's Gone [Elton John/Bernie Taupin song - Exclusive Track]

10. Flying [Ronnie Lane-Rod Stewart-Ronnie Wood song/Faces cover]

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album for Warner Brothers "It Ain't Easy" – released June 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1921 and Warner Brothers K 46088 in the UK.

 

CD1 BONUS TRACKS

11. Going Down Slow [a St. Louis Jimmy cover - 1941 Blues track - real name Jimmy Burke Oden]

12. Blues (Cornbread, Meat And Molasses) [Sonny Terry/Brownie McGhee cover]

13. Love In Vain [Robert Johnson cover]

14. Midnight Hour Blues [Leroy Carr cover]

15. Black Girl [Alternate Take]

16. It Ain't Easy [Alternate Take]

17. I'm Ready [Alternate Take]

18. Radio Spot [30-Second Spoken Advert for the US Market made in 1971 - it talks about LBJ and Fleetwood Mac leaving the UK to tour and "...storm America"]

 

The Band for the ROD STEWART sessions was:

Lead Vocals - LONG JOHN BALDRY (12-String Guitar on "Black Girl")

Guitars - RON WOOD (of Faces, Rolling Stones) [Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 16 and 17]

Guitars and Pedal Steel Guitar - SAM MITCHELL [Tracks 1 to 5, 15 and 16]

Piano - IAN ARMIT (of Argent)

Mandolin - RAY JACKSON (of Lindisfarne) on "Black Girl" and "Morning Morning"

Tenor Sax Solo - ALAN SKIDMORE on "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie..."

Bass - RICK BROWN

Drums - MICKIE WALLER (of Steampacket)

Backing Vocals - MAGGIE BELL (of Stone The Crows) on "Black Girl" and "It Ain't Easy"

 

The band for the ELTON JOHN sessions was:

Guitars - CALEB QUAYE and JOSHUA M'BOPO (of Hookfoot)

Piano - ELTON JOHN

Bass - DAVE GLOVER

Drums - ROGER POPE

Backing Vocals - Leslie Duncan, Madelene Bell, Doris Troy, Kay Garner, Liza Strike, Tony Burrows, Tony Hazzard & Roger Cook

 

CD2 "Everything Stops For Tea" (54:19 minutes):

1. Intro: Come Back Again [Ross Wilson cover] – Side 1

2. Seventh Son [Willie Dixon song – Willie Mabon cover]

3. Wild Mountain Thyme [Traditional Air, McPeake Family]

4. Iko Iko [The Dixie Cups cover]

5. Jubilee Cloud [John Kongos cover]

6. Everything Stops For Tea [Jack Buchanan cover of a 1935 song] - Side 2

7. You Can't Judge A Book [Willie Dixon Song – Muddy Waters cover]

8. Mother Ain't Dead [Traditional]

9. Hambone [Sam Mitchell cover]

10. Lord Remember Me

11. Armit's Trousers [Ian Armit of The Hoochie Coochie Men song]

Tracks 1 to 11 are his album "Everything Stops For Tea" – released May 1972 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46160 and Warner Brothers BS-2614 in the USA. Tracks 1 to 5 (Side 1) produced by ELTON JOHN in February 1972 with Tracks 6 to 11 (Side 2) produced by ROD STEWART between January and February 1972.

 

CD2 BONUS TRACKS:

12. Radio Spot No. 1 (advertising the album)

13. Bring My Baby Back To Me (Live Mar-Y Sol Festival, Puerto Rico, April 1972) – first appeared on the 2LP set "Mar Y Sol" in 1972 on Atco SD 2-705 – Previously Unreleased on CD

14. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (album outtake, duet vocals with Joyce Eversion, a Neil Young cover) – Previously Unreleased

15. I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy (album outtake, duet vocals with Joyce Eversion, a Ron Davies cover) – Previously Unreleased

16. Radio Spot No. 2 (advertising Joyce Everson's "Crazy Lady" album, 1972)

 

The band for the ELTON JOHN sessions was (Side 1 – Track 1 to 5):

Lead Vocals - JOHN BALDRY

Vocal Accompaniment - ELTON JOHN (Tracks 1, 3, 4 and 5)

Guitars – DAVEY JOHNSTONE

Bass – KLAUS VOORMAN

Percussion – RAY COOPER

Drums – NIGEL OLSSON

Piano – IAN ARMIT of Argent (on "Jubilee Cloud")

Viola – STEFAN DELFT (on "Wild Mountain Thyme")

 

The band for the ROD STEWART sessions was (Side 2 – Tracks 6 to 11):

Lead Vocals - JOHN BALDRY (Guitar on "Mother Ain't Dead")

Duet Vocals – ROD STEWART (on "Mother Ain't Dead", Rod also plays Banjo)

Guitars – JAMES LITHERLAND and ROBERT WESTON (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Guitars – SAM MITCHELL (on "Hambone")

Piano - IAN ARMIT of Argent (on "You Can't Judge A Book", "Lord Remember Me" and "Armit's Trousers")

Bass – BILL SMITH (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Bass – JOHN PORTER (on "Hambone")

Drums – JOHN DENTITH (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Drums – JOHN PORTER (on "Hambone")

Percussion - MICKIE WALLER of Steampacket (on "You Can't Judge A Book")

Backing Vocals – MADELINE BELL, LIZA STRIKE and DORIS TROY (on "You Can't Judge A Book")

Backing Vocals – MADELINE BELL, LIZA STRIKE and BARRY ST. JOHN (on "Lord Remember Me")

 

The great news here is expert remastering carried out by Rhino's long-time tape associate DAN HERSCH; these CDs sounds just brilliant - analogue warm and in your face for all the right reasons. At times in fact it feels like the FACES unleashed - both acoustically and in full-on band mode. Music wise - this is pre "Every Picture Tells A Story" and "Madman Across The Water" - I mention these albums again because proceedings come on like "Picture" (produced by Rod and featuring his backing band), while Side 2 sounds like a more rockier version of "Madman" (produced by Elton etc). Couple this with great song selections (fast and folky alike) and Baldry's British toff speaking voice sounding like a guttural fired-up Eric Burden when he sings and the effect is magical. Let's do each...

 

The "It Ain't Easy" album...

 

When Nashville songwriter Ron Davies wrote "It Ain't Easy" for his 1970 LP "Silent Song Through The Land" (A&M SP-4264) - he probably had no idea that huge rock acts would then take his unknown song and name TWO entire albums after it – THREE DOG NIGHT in 1970 and (LONG) JOHN BALDRY in 1971.

 

Many will also be aware of the song through David Bowie's cover on Side 1 of 1972's "Ziggy Stardust". Even Dave Edmunds had a go at the tune for his debut album "Rockpile" on Regal Zonophone also in 1972 (see separate review). "It Ain't Easy" was just one of those cool rock tracks that lent itself to other artists who then somehow made it 'their' song. Baldry (who loved bluesy based acoustic tunes) was also clearly partial to its charms (lyrics from it title this review).

 

After a witty introduction, we get the first Side 1 song "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll" (Ron Wood on Guitar) which Warner Bros tried as a US 45-single in July 1971 with the album cut "Mr. Rubin" on the flipside (penned by the lovely female singer Lesley Duncan) – but Warner Brothers 7506 did little chart business. In England, WB waited until 20 August 1971 for a British 45-single and used "Rock Me When He's Gone" on the A-side with the Faces tune "Flying" on the B-side. The thinking was probably that "Rock Me When He's Gone" was an exclusive Elton John and Bernie Taupin song not on any of Elt's LPs at the time and would therefore be a collector's draw – but again it stalled. Other corkers include a fab cover of the Randy Newman menace-inducing "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield" and the so cool near seven-minutes of "Flying" (they put the full album cut on the British 45 and not an edit). The stunning pipes of Maggie Bell bring huge bellows to both "Black Girl" (don't you lie to me - where did you sleep last night) and the aforementioned "It Ain't Easy". She seemed like the perfect foil for Baldry who call-and-responses with her as they both let rip with those Bluesy - just check out on Spotify how they belt it out on "It Ain't Easy" - fab!

 

But the real fireworks for me come in the blistering bonus tracks. Faces and Mercury-years Rod Stewart fans will flip for these - 4 are acoustic (11, 12, 14 and 15), while the other 2 are band orientated (16 and 17). In fact it almost sounds like these tracks represent the true spirit of the sessions - an unplugged pure blues album trying desperately to get out - get past all that production.

 

Infuriatingly, it doesn't say who plays the harmonica and acoustic guitar on the fabulous version of "Going Down Slow" or the weird cello intro on the Alternate "Black Girl" There is also the Robert Johnson classic "Love In Vain" which will be of interest to those who want their Baldry all Bluesy and how. By way of splinters, Warners decided to issue both albums as individual CDs in the UK - "It Ain't Easy" being released 29 August 2005 on Warner Brothers 8122784642 (Barcode 081227846428) complete with the 7 bonus outtakes and 1 Radio Spot.

 

The "Everything Stops For Tea" album...

 

"Everything Stops For Tea" opens well with an R&B one-two of "Come Back Again" and "Seventh Son" where the album feels like "It Ain't Easy" Part 2 (the LP that preceded it in 1971). But then Baldry attempts a Scottish air – the McPeake Family's beautiful traditional "Wild Mountain Thyme" and along with a wishy-washy take on the Dixie Cups classic "Iko Iko" kills any real momentum the side might have had. In fact, Warner Bros. UK tried what they presumed was the catchy "Iko Iko" as a pre-LP British 45-single - 27 April 1972 on Warner Brothers K 16175 with the Bluesy Traditional song "Mother Ain't Dead" on the B-side (presumably to catch both sides of his core audience) – but it did not take.

 

Things recover big time with his rocking cover of "Jubilee Cloud" – a track from the 1971 "Kongos" album on Fly Records by South African John Kongos. With the band rocking it out – you really wish the whole side was filled with these smart choices. But Side 2 makes the same mistake of including too many styles when really it would have been better to Rock or even Funk.

 

Pre-ambled by some very silly dialogue about fans seeking signatures as he types a reluctant letter of apology – a hassled Baldry plays up his terribly aristocratic British accent on the intro to "Everything Stops For Tea". Written by Al Goodhart, Al Hoffman and Maurice Sigler – this ode to England's favourite tipple was first a witty vocal vehicle for Jack Buchanan alongside Fay Wray in the 1935 movie "Come Out Of The Pantry". Baldry keeps his version firmly in the music hall shuffle tradition – "...you remember Cleopatra...she had a date to meet Mark Anthony at three...but he came an hour late...she said you'll have to wait...because everything stops for tea..." – you get the audio picture.

 

There are tongue-in-cheek jabs at the outlandish garbs of Rod Stewart and Elton John in the lyrics of the superb cover of Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge A Book" where the band finally rocks out – Jimmy Horowitz giving in some chunky Hammond chords while Madeline Bell, Liza Strike and Doris Troy give it some Soulful backing vocals. Baldry opens "Mother Ain't Dead" with a spoken intro about how he hadn't sung with Rod sing the Steampacket days back in 1965. They then duet on this rather lovely version of the Blues Traditional with Baldry playing Guitar and Rod doing an impressive Banjo backing. "Hambone" – a very funky drum-shuffler - turned up on a Warner Brothers CD compilation called "Right On! Volume 4" in 2002 - Soul Boys and Rock-Soul Funksters alike digging its sexy groove. Written by guitarist Sam Mitchell – he also plays all guitars on the fantastically catchy "Hambone" (definitely one of the album's highlights). 

 

Written by Myrtle Jackson in the Forties and famously covered by Country Music star Hank Snow in 1966 - "But This I Pray, Oh Lord Remember Me" is reduced to "Lord Remember Me" - a slow Soulful Gospel rap that builds into a frantic preacher 'piano and ladies' chant. The album then fizzles out with Ian Armit's "Armit's Trousers" – a two-minute instrumental ditty with him on a lone piano (he was one of The Hoochie Coochie Men back in the 60ts day with Baldry).

 

The Bonus Tracks on "Everything..." are a mixed bag. After a one-minute Radio Spot (No. 1) that uses the dialogue/typewriter gag at the beginning of "Everything Stops For Tea" (not a very convincing sales pitch I'd have to say) – we get something worth celebrating in a hard-hitting Blues Boogie similar to Muddy Waters/Johnny Winter. The self-penned Slow-Blues of "Bring My Baby Back To Me" was first released by Baldry as a British 45 on United Artists UP 1158 in 1966 – the B-side of "Cuckoo". The fantastic 6:25 minute live version of "Bring My Baby Back To Me" presented on this CD first appeared on Side 4 of the vinyl double-album "Mar Y Sol – The First International Puerto Rico Pop Festival" in 1972 on Atco SD 2-705. I don't know who's playing guitar – but it's a barnstormer (and first time on CD here too). This is followed by two album outtakes – covers of Neil Young's sorrowful "After The Gold Rush" classic "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and Ron Davies' lesser-known "I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy". Both feature the vocals of Joyce Everson whose album "Crazy Lady" appeared in 1972 on Warner Brothers BS 2604 (the Radio Spot No. 2 advertises it using Baldry's voice). Although she's a good voice – her high pitch doesn't suit him and the Neil Young track comes across as mawkish rather than tuneful. The largely acoustic "I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy" is far better - but in truth you can see why both were left off an already confusing album.

 

Although the 2nd LP isn't as good as the first (too many conflicting styles and a couple of choices that simmered rather than sizzled) – I still see "Everything Stops For Tea" as a must have for me. Warner Brothers UK and Europe released it 29 August 2005 as a single CD on Warner Brothers 8122784652 (Barcode 081227846527) complete with bonus tracks and new liner notes from Sid Griffin that were clearly written before Baldry passed in June 2005. That "Everything Stops For Tea" and its "It Ain't Easy" companion release are also unfortunately deleted, but available (at a price) on auction sites and second hand hubs.

 

In June 1964, Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men released an obscure UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1056. Its B-side - a raucous cover of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's gospel tune "Up Above My Head" - featured an uncredited duet vocal with a sensational new singer (it was Rod Stewart's first vinyl appearance). You have to say that Rod The Mod and Elton certainly repaid the gallant Englishman for that launching pad, when they put together this wicked twosome at the behest of Joe Smith - President of Warners.

 

With Baldry lost to us since July 2005 after a long battle with cancer (aged 64 and living in Canada), this and/or its splinter releases is a lovely way to remember that most Blighty of male singers.

 

And well done to all those involved for finally seeing the whole kit and caboodle reissued in such stomping audio. Rest in Peace you British beauty...

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"Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround Part : 50th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" by THE KINKS – November 1970 UK Album on Pye Records in Stereo (Reprise Records in the USA) featuring Ray and Dave Davies (December 2020 UK BMG/ABKCO Records "50th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" Featuring 3 x CDs, 2 x Repro Euro 45s, 60-Page Book and 4 x Glossy Photos of The Band All Housed in a 10" x 10" Drawer-Shaped Hard Card Box Set. Tracks feature New Alternate Versions, New Medleys and Mixes, Demos, Film Soundtrack Material, Previously Unreleased, New Interviews with Ray Davies and New 2020 Dan Hersch CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Got To Be Free...Got To Be Free Now..."

 

*** "50^th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" from December 2020 ***

 

Lyrics: "...I see that Union Man walking down the street...

He's the man who decides if I live or I die...if I starve or I eat..."

 

For a band so intrinsically linked with the Sixties, as ever, Ray Davies refused to be pigeonholed by its sentiment and started the new Seventies decade with a musical hand-grenade, something of a kick in the nadge for the souring hippy dream. Yet despite being a bit of a caustic brute (especially lyrically) – November 1970's album "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part 1" also contained huge popular hits like "Lola" and "Apeman" – provocatively charged sexpot songs that felt all grown up and mature and even gender-bender risky.

 

The third album in a row on Pye Records that did not chart for them in the UK The Kinks' 1970 outing "Lola Versus Powerman..." has been receiving legacy reappraisal for decades in myriad amounts of reissues (2014 was the last as a 2CD Deluxe Edition). Well here in December 2020 - it gets Big Daddy treatment on a "50^th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" – a very sexy 10" x 10" presentation with VINYL Singles, Hardback Book...so we can finally put aside all those previous efforts (well almost). Lots to Cherry Cola...to the details...

 

UK released 11 December 2020 - "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround & Percy: 5oth Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" by THE KINKS on BMG/ABKCO Records BMG CAT 434 BOX (Barcode 4050538600193) features 3 x CDs, 2 x Repro Euro 45s, a 60-Page Book and 4 x Glossy Photos in a 10" x 10" Drawer-Shaped Hard Card Box Set with Alternate Versions, New Medleys and Mixes, Demos, Film Soundtracks, Previously Unreleased Material, New Interviews with Ray Davies and New 2020 Dan Hersch CD Remasters that play out as follows:

 

CD1 Original Album (Stereo) 2020 Remaster + Alternate Versions (60:58 minutes):

1. The Contenders [Side 1]

2. Strangers

3. Denmark Street

4. Get Back In Line

5. Lola

6. Top Of The Pops

7. The Moneygoround

8. This Time Tomorrow [Side 2]

9. A Long Way From Home

10. Rats

11. Apeman

12. Powerman

13. Got To Be Free

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One" – their eight album released 27 November 1970 in the UK on Pye Records NSPL 18359 and 2 December 1970 in the USA on Reprise RS 6423, both in Stereo only. It peaked at No. 35 on the US LP charts, no chart in the UK.

 

BONUS TRACKS – ALTERNATE VERSIONS:

14. Lola (Mono Single Mix) - 12 June 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 17961 - 12 June 1970 US 7" single on Reprise 0930 with "cherry cola" lyric

 

15. Apeman (UK Mono Single Mix) - 20 Nov 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 45016, A-side

 

16. Rats (Mono Single Mix)  - 20 Nov 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 45016, B-side of "Apeman" - 16 Dec 1970 US 7" single on Reprise 0979

 

17. Powerman (Mono) – Recorded 4 May 1970, first released 23 May 1998 in the UK on the CD reissue of "Lola Versus Powerman..." on Essential ESM CD 509

 

18. Apeman (Alternate Version, Stereo) - originally appeared on the April 1971 Japanese LP of "Lola Versus Powerman..." on Reprise YS-2456-Y

 

19. The Moneygoround (Alternate Version, Mono) - first issued 13 August 2012 in the UK on the 5CD/1DVD Box Set "The Kinks At The BBC" on Sanctuary/UMC 279 721-8 as part of the DVD, Audio for the first time

 

NOTES CD1: Tracks 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 first appeared on the 26 August 2014 UK Sony/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition Reissue on Sony/Legacy 88843089592 – all then as Previously Unreleased: Track 17 first appeared 23 May 1998 in the UK on the "Lola Versus Powerman..." CD reissue, Essential ESM CD 509

 

CD2 Alternate Versions/New Medleys & Mixes/Demos/Film Soundtrack (57:15 minutes):

1. This Time Tomorrow (Alternate Take, 2020 Mix) – Incorporates This Time Tomorrow (Instrumental Version) first issued on the August 2014 Sony/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Lola Versus Powerman..." – this is a Previously Unreleased New Mix

 

2. Top Of The Pops (2020 Mix) – Previously Unreleased New Mix

 

3. Lola/Radio Spot, Edit (Ray's Kitchen Sink) – Previously Unreleased with New Edits, Medley, New Spoken Word by Ray and Davies and excerpts from original master tapes (text is reproduced on the credits page at the back of the book)

 

4. Got To Be Free (Ray's Kitchen Sink) – same set up as Track 3

 

5. The Contenders (Ray's Kitchen Sink) – same set up as Track 3

 

6. The Good Life (2020 Mix) – Previously Unreleased New Mix, original version, first issued on the August 2014 Sony/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Lola Versus Powerman..." – this is an A Previously Unreleased New Mix

 

7. Apeman (Unplugged Live Version) – First released 3 October 1994 on The Kinks album "To The Bone" on Konk/The Grapevine Label KNKLP 1

 

8. Get Back In Line (Live Version) – December 1977 Christmas Concert, first issued 13 August 2012 in the UK on the 5CD/1DVD Box Set "The Kinks At The BBC" on Sanctuary/UMC 279 721-8 – Remastered 2020

 

9. Marathon (Edit, from The Long Distance Piano Player)

10. Got To Be Free (Edit, from The Long Distance Piano Player)

Both 9 and 10 Previously Unreleased, from BBC Play For Today drama starring Ray Davies – first broadcast on BBC1, 15 October 1970 – Remastered 2020

 

11. Lola (Ray Davies & Band with The Danish National Chamber Orchestra & The Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Stereo) – Previously Unreleased Version recorded 21 August 2010 at Castle Park, Ledrebord, Denmark – Remastered 2020

 

12. The Good Life (2012 Alternate Mix) – Recorded September 1970, first appeared on the 26 August 2014 UK Sony/Legacy 2CD ‘Deluxe Edition’ Reissue on Sony/Legacy 88843089592

 

13. Apeman (US Mono Single Mix) – 16 December 1970 US 45-single on Reprise 0979, A-side – 2020 Remaster

 

14. Moments (2020 Mix) – Previously Unreleased New Mix – originally on The Kinks UK soundtrack LP for the Movie "Percy" on Pye NSPL 18365 in Stereo

 

15. This Time Tomorrow & Cassette Demos Medley (Ray‘s Kitchen Sink) – Features Previously Unreleased Versions/New Edits/New Medley Plus Vocal and Instrumental Excerpts, Out-Takes and Studio Chat from various original studio demo tapes and cassettes.

 

CD3 Alternate Versions/New Medleys & Mixes/Demos/Live (50:41 minutes):

1. Get Back In Line (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

2. Rats (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

3. Rats (2020 Mix)

4. Powerman (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

5. Powerman (2020 Mix)

6. The Contenders (Instrumental Demo)

7. Anytime

8. A Long Way From Home (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

9. A Long Way From Home (Live, Austin City Limits, 2006)

10. Strangers (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

11. Strangers (2020 Stereo Mix)

12. The Way Love Used To Be (2020 Monitor Mix)

13. Apeman Morgan Studios Run-Through)

14. Radio Spot/Live, Queens College, Flushing, NY, 1971

15. The Follower – Any Time 2020 (featuring Anytime by The Kinks)

 

THE KINKS were:

RAY DAVIES – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica

DAVE DAVIES – Guitar and Vocals

JOHN GOSLING – Keyboards, Percussion

JOHN DALTON – Bass

MICK AVORY – Drums and Percussion

 

Its predecessor, the August 2014 2CD Deluxe Edition had a 24-page booklet with analysis by Peter Doggett – here we get a 60-page Hardback 10" x 10" Sized Book with a dual set of liner notes and historical extravaganza from ANDY NEILL with major inclusions from Principal Songwriter RAY DAVIES. The first opened pages offer wallets with CD1 and CD2 on the left (the album front sleeve artwork is used on both, but in a different colours) with a gorgeous repro 45-Vinyl Single in Mono for "Lola" in a pouch on the right (June 1970 Italian issue originally on Pye P67023 – the Non-LP "Berkeley Mews" on the B-side). The rear flaps has "Apeman" as the VINYL 45-Single in Mono (November 1970 Portuguese Issue on Pye PATS 7010) with CD3 (again a colour-variant of the LP sleeve) and a pouch for four pictures cards of the five–piece band – two in colour, two in black and white.

 

The first pages of the Hardback Book offer an equally fab-looking two-page collage of Picture Sleeve releases for "Lola" and "Apeman" ("Rats" was its flipside) 45-singles from around the world – serious rarities like Japan and other foreign language titles. The text begins with The Kinks like so many other huge bands of the Sixties, bogged down in legal quagmires – loaded contracts signed and witnessed back in 1964 by the Mum and Dad because they were still under-21. Neill sets the scene and Ray Davies replies and explains in highlighted bold text. 

 

In-between all these dark ruminations are page after page of period memorabilia, the black and white trade paper clippings, The Kinks on tour in the USA where much of the album was conceived, a Diary of Activities for 1970, repro of the British Pye LP labels for Side 1 and 2 (no US Reprise though strangely enough), concert flyers, full-page shots of the prettier single sleeves, outtake black and photos of them giving it some American Live at The Depot in Minneapolis on 22 May 1970 and so on (there are even shots from an August 1970 Davies family holiday at Gunwalloe Beach in Cornwall in August 1970). The last set of pages give credits – song by song breakdowns – especially on the extras – almost all of which have been released across the years on other CD reissues.

 

This reissue doesn't take the lazy reissue route and simply rehash 2014 versions - all are Newly 2020 Remastered by long-standing Rhino Records Audio Engineer DAN HERSCH from original tapes with the Analogue Transfers handled by another name synonymous with quality transfers – KEVIN GRAY. These are clean – but not clean-clean – they are clear and feel new - and even with his vocals back in the mix for effect on some tracks (those do sound a tad dated) – the album sounds so good. The moment you hear the 40-second Acoustic into to "The Contenders" or the sheer punch to the riffage of "Powerman" or the 'Yes It's No. 1!' "Top Of The Pops" and you can feel the punch. Great stuff. But the big thing for fans on this box set is the input of RAY DAVIES who has compiled his Ray's Kitchen Sink go at the extras where dialogue, snippets of demos, and new mixes are spliced into an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink variant. Works to because the Ray's Kitchen Sink tracks take the listen to extraordinary places for weary fans that have forked out for this material just one too many times before. Very tasty...let's get to the details...

 

All tracks on CD1 appeared on the 2014 Sony/Legacy 2CD DE issue, so if you already own that, nothing new here technically except that all are 2020 remasters. To the album - "...On the verge of a nervous breakdown...I went to see a solicitor..." Ray sings bitterly on "The Moneygoround" as he (like so many musicians of the day) wonder - there's all this fame so why is there so little cash to go with it? No one at the record label is answering the phone. That kind of probing angst imbibes songs like "This Time Tomorrow" and the 'where are you going' cries in "Strangers" - each tune filled with cool music unpinned by a weary pathos. The audio on the Stereo "Lola" and "Apeman" makes them huge - those brilliant and fun lyrics still raising a smile after 46 years. I'd forgotten just how New York Dolls the "Rats" track is (B-side to the "Apeman” 45 in most territories) – a hard-hitting little rocker where slick and aggressive city types are crowding our Ray's personal space. It ends on the brilliant and upbeat "Got To Be Free". The Bonus Tracks line up the Mono Single Mixes and other regional stragglers of interest like the version on the Japanese album.

 

Outtakes – New Mixes - "Anytime" - a 3:30 minute amble that feels epic – was a new find in 2014. Probably the very guitar-based feel excluded it from the LP - but there's no doubt in my mind that it's still a premium find - brilliant and exciting. The Instrumental of "The Contenders" is truly fascinating stuff - half Gary Moore's Skid Row when the guitars dominate - half Chicken Shack when the piano gets a look in. Just when you think it's going to descend into filler - "The Good Life" chugs its Havana Cigar way across your speakers - a wickedly good rocker that makes you wonder why it wasn't used as a B-side. There's Take 11 dialogue before the Alternate Take of "Lola" and a slower intro - and again - it's impressive stuff even for such a familiar song. Fans are going to eat up an instrumental of their LP fave "This Time Tomorrow" - piano and rhythm acting as a backing track as you hum along to the words in your head. The car sounds at the beginning of the Stereo "Apeman" are still intact - but after being used to the Mono Single - the 'nuclear war' instruments and lyrics feel 'massive' - an amazing listen. But the most radically different take is "Got To Be Free" where Ray sounds like he's channelling his inner Alan Price as he plinks away on a childlike piano - shame it's not better recorded and fades out too fast...

 

"This Time Tomorrow" on CD2 is ushered in with a control-booth "Rolling... " - The Alternate Mix incorporating the Instrumental Version first aired in 2014 with vocals and a Previously Unreleased New Mix. And it is a powerful wallop. So does life-is-so-easy when-your-record-is-hot "Top Of The Pops" which goes all Stooges heavy with guitar riffage and panned fay interview passages. My God doe it rock – think I might prefer it to the actual LP version (the 2020 Remix by Ray Davies and Matt Jaggar). The eavesdropping begins with the first of Ray's Kitchen Sink mash-ups where Ray and Dave Davies discuss Lola-referencing cross-dressers like Danny La Rue and Stanley Baxter – fascinating. Inbetween the talking – Davies has mixed in demos from Cassette – conversations on how Ray had to fly back to England to change the lyric from Coke Cola to Cherry Cola for the BBC who did not twig what the song was about. The National Guitar sounding not unlike a Banjo – it is fabulous stuff.

 

Suddenly the perfect Stereo of "This Time Tomorrow" comes sailing out of your speakers for Track 4 but again it morphs into chat between the Davies boys mixed in with Demo tapes – utterly brilliant. They discuss going down to Ronnie Scott's to see Tubby Hayes – then Trad Jazz bands – all of whom influenced the songs. "The Good Life" gets a Bowie/T.Rex harder Rocking versions of the key album cuts – all remixed by Ray Davies and Matt Jaggar – love it – loud and snotty as opposed to the clinical precision say of the LP cut. All of that chat and grunge is cleverly followed by a Konk Studios unplugged Acoustic/Accordian version of "Apeman" (superbly recorded April 1994) – great stuff. The Audio for the 1977 Live Version of "Get Back In Line" is really good – Ray riling against Trade Union bullshit. The first of the two from "The Long Distance Piano Player" is very rough and something you will probably skip in the future. Things improve with "Got To Be Free" – better sound and performance but still very hissy. The orchestral/band version of "Lola" is HUGE and again I might just prefer the 2020 New Mix of "Moments" more than I do the released LP version.

 

Fans will know that CD2 of the 2014 DE version offered the whole of the "Percy" soundtrack by The Kinks from March 1971 (13 songs) plus 10 Bonuses atop that. CD3 here in 2020 may have only 15-Tracks, but many are longer Ray's Kitchen Sink mash-ups and in that respect don't repeat themselves and offer fans genuinely new stuff. After three Ray's Kitchen Sink mash-ups of "Rats", "Powerman" and "Strangers" (Dave and Ray having a natter over a cup of tea intermingled with demo cuts) – you begin very quickly to see why Ray put the 2020 Mix immediately after each – they rock like a mother – very clever sequencing indeed. And on it goes...

 

"...It might even turn into a steady job..." - our Ray roared on "Top Of The Pops" - the life of a Rock Musician becoming his full time job in 1970 – tax breaks or no. It would take a signing to RCA Victor and new material before The Kinks troubled the LP charts again (at least in Blighty). But that is another 50^th Anniversary coming at ya soon.

 

I do not in truth consider "Lola Versus Powerman..." to be the supposed masterpiece many Kinks fans like to claim it is (for me it's a 4-star LP). But after many wearying decades of reissue-upon-reissue – you have to say that this 50^th Anniversary splurge from December 2020 put together by the mainman himself with sympathetic Audio Engineers - finally does that forgotten LP real justice because it is a 5-star celebration. Brilliant and then some...