"The North Star Grassman And The Ravens" by SANDY DENNY (2005 Universal/Island Remasters 'Expanded Edition' CD with a Denis Blackham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...The Depths Of The Waters..."

Having done her high-profile stints with Fairport Convention and Fotheringay - a lot was expected from Sandy Denny with her 'proper' launch into the murky world of fully-fledged 'Solo Artist'. But with its modest peak-placing of No. 31 on the UK LP charts in October 1971 (and for only two weeks) - Denny's debut for Island Records was considered a let down by some – semi-magical by others.

Despite my four-decade love for her – I’m down with both arguments. “Grassman...” is a patchy album in truth with moments of brilliance nestled uncomfortably alongside material that either seems too ordinary for her incredibly expressive voice or is too often an LP proffering songs that just shouldn’t be here.

But this gorgeous CD Remaster by Denis Blackham from 2005 (issued as part of the 'Island Remasters Series' around all things Fairport Convention) has reminded me of what I loved - hammered home the magic bits – and it’s thrown in a few tasty extras as well in the Bonus Tracks. Let’s read those tealeaves and divine the details...

UK released May 2005 - "The North Star Grassman And The Ravens" by SANDY DENNY on Island Remasters IMCD 313 (Barcode 602498280218) offers up the 11-track 1971 album with Four Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (57:05 minutes):

1. Late November

2. Blackwaterside

3. The Sea Captain

4. Down In The Flood

5. John The Gun

6. Next Time Around [Side 2]

7. The Optimist

8. Let's Jump The Broomstick

9. Wretched Wilbur

10. The North Star Grassman And The Ravens

11. Crazy Lady Blues

Tracks 1 to 11 are debut solo album "The North Star Grassman And The Ravens" - released September 1971 on Island ILPS 9165 in the UK and February 1972 in the USA on A & M Records SP 4317.

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Late November (El Pea Version) - Recorded for the unfinished 2nd Fotheringay LP - it was first released on the Island Records 2LP 'Sampler' set called "El Pea" on Island Records IDLP 1 in 1971

13. Walking The Floor Over You - an Ernest Tubb cover version recorded during the 1971 'North Star' sessions but not completed until 1973. First issued in 1985 on the compilation "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" on Island SDSP 100

14. Losing Game - recorded during the 1971 'North Star' sessions but not completed until 1976 (written by Richard Clapton – no relation to EC apparently). First issued in 1995 on 'The Attic Tracks 1972-1984' CD compilation on Raven RVCD 46

15. Next Time Around - An alternate take without the Harry Robinson string arrangement - first released in 2004 on the 4CD "A Boxful Of Treasures" on Fledg'ling Records NEST 5002

The outer card slipcase has lent all four of her Island albums a genuinely classy feel (these card slipcases apply to the Richard Thompson and Fairport Convention Remasters - there's an advert slip for them beside the booklet) - and all four can be had for less than a fiver in most cases. True some better 'Deluxe Edition' versions ("Rendezvous" especially) - but it want the simple direct approach - then this is the one for you. The 12-page booklet has informative and affectionate liner notes from noted writer and folk-compiler DAVID SUFF (of Fledgling Records reissue fame) peppered with photos of a young Sandy, hand-written lyrics to the title track and a quirky trade advert for the LP's release. The only boo-boo is the 'Pink Eye' Island Records label on the CD - that colouring only applied to 1968 and 1969 LPs - by 1971 it was the 'Pink Rim' Palm-Tree Logo on all their UK LPs. The album artwork is pictured beneath the see-through CD tray as well...a nice touch.

The two-word secret weapon for this CD remaster is 'DENIS BLACKHAM'. Now based in Skye Mastering in Scotland, his involvement in restoration, mastering and remastering goes back to the late 1960s and his resume now shows over 680 credits to his name across a huge range of genres (including a lot of Folk and into New Wave). Blackham has handled all 4 of the solo albums in this reissue series and as you've no doubt read from other glowing reviews, each remaster has been endowed with truly wonderful sound quality - frankly because care was taken.

Musicians - all the good Fairport associated people are here - Richard Thompson, Pat Donaldson, Gerry Conway, Trevor Lucas and Ian Whiteman. Polydor Folkmill artists Robin and Barry Dransfield also put in violin and vocals on "John The Gun" while long-time session man Tony Reeves plays bass on the Dylan cover "Down In The Flood" and Roger Powell plays drums on the Brenda Lee cover "Let's Jump The Broomstick". But my personal fave is "The Sea Captain" where Richard Thompson's delicate guitar picking perfectly compliments the beauty of her wayfaring love song. For sure there is a dry-as-stale-bread plodding feel to "The Optimist" – but I do like the same strangeness in "Wretched Wilbur" resplendent with strings that make it feel melodrama-epic in a Nick Cave kind of way.

Sandy would go global in November 1971 when her name appeared on the inner sleeve to Zeppelin's "IV" LP – the only person to guest as a vocalist on one of their songs – the beautiful "Battle Of Evermore". But even that, NME poll-topping with Rod Stewart and an American tour in February 1972 – none of it seemed to put a match under the album's sales on either side of the pond. “Grassman” has always been hard to find on original Island or A&M vinyl pressings. In February 1972 to promote the US Tour – A&M Records tried “Crazy Lady Blues” with “Let’s Jump The Broomstick” on the flipside as a 45 on A&M 1331 – but it did no business.

Of the extras – the 'El Pea' version of "Late November" is superb - but the Ernest Tubb cover with its rollicking countrified brass baffles the ear even now. Far better is "Losing Game" – a guitar and horns rocker that would have livened up the duller parts of the album. And her "...it's too fast..." intro to the alternate "Next Time Around" precedes a genuinely interesting alternate version...sans strings - it amplifies the lovely Acoustic guitar and is a Bonus Track actually worth of the moniker.

Of course nowadays "The North Star Grassman..." LP is looked back upon as a flawed masterpiece – good stuff on an album that got lost in massive Rock, Soul and Jazz release schedules of the day. But playing the CD Remaster in 2016 and you keep coming back to the sound quality on those better cuts - a restoration that seems to have lifted the beauty of these folk-rock gems out of their former muddiness. Sweet as...

I once had the privilege of nattering to JOHN WALTERS (John Peel's producer) in a pub in 1994 (I worked for Reckless Records at the time and we were buying his extraordinary record collection - he was even more talkative than I am!) and he relayed to me - his first ever viewing of Sandy Denny.

One of his friends in the music industry had begged him to come see this new English folk singer gigging in some Godforsaken bar somewhere in London - he did - and was duly blown away. I'll never forget the look in John Walter's eyes (who along with Peel must have seen so much stunning talent) - he was misty - like he knew he'd had the chance to glimpse greatness.

On listening to this lovingly restored CD - you can't help but feel that all involved in this project felt exactly the same - and have done this great British lady's memory and musical heritage proud. In flight at last...

PS: see also my reviews for the Various Artists 3CD Island Records Folk-Rock Mini Box Set "Meet On The Ledge" (another Denis Blackham Remaster) – and reviews of three other Sandy Denny CD Reissues - "Sandy Denny", "Rendezvous" and the 2016 Island 2CD Retrospective "I've Always Kept A Unicorn"

"Rendezvous" by SANDY DENNY (2005 Universal/island 'Expanded' CD - Denis Blackham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I'm A Dreamer..."

"Rendezvous" features Steve Winwood of Track, John “Rabbit” Bundrick of Free, 

Jess Roden of Bronco and members of both Fairport Convention and Fotheringay

Her fifth and final solo LP (six including her stay with "Fotheringay" in 1970) was released in the UK in May 1977 to widespread public indifference and press bewilderment and would unfortunately prove to be her swan-song. Because of its deliberately 'modern' sound and the heavy-on-the-sauce productions on some numbers – "Rendezvous" has been applauded and berated in equal measure. But at least this gorgeous CD remaster gives it another chance. And I'd argue too damn right. Because as alway it's the good stuff with Sandy Denny that stays with you and obliterates all the rest. Here are the details for England's finest Lady Singer...

UK released May 2005 (reissued August 2007) – "Rendezvous" by SANDY DENNY on Universal/Island IMCD316 / 982 802-4 (Barcode 602498280249) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (58:40 minutes):

1. I Wish I Was A Fool For You (For Shame Of Doing Wrong)

2. Gold Dust

3. Candle In The Wind

4. Take Me Away

5. One Way Donkey Ride

6. I'm A Dreamer [Side 2]

7. All Our Days

8. Silver Threads And Golden Needles

9. No More Sad Refrains

Tracks 1 to 9 are her fifth and final album "Rendezvous" – released May 1977 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9433. Produced by Trevor Lucas – all songs are Sandy Denny originals except "I Wish I Was A Fool For You (For Shame Of Doing Wrong)" by Richard Thompson, "Candle In The Wind" by Elton John and "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" by Jack Rhodes and Dick Reynolds (covered by The Springfields, Linda Ronstadt and Fotheringay).

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Still Waters Run Deep – a Sandy Denny original non-album B-side to "Candle In The Wind" - released May 1977 in the UK on Island WIP 6391 ('DJ Promo' copies only)

11. Full Moon – Previously Unreleased Outtake originally issued on the January 1986 4LP/3CD Box Set "Who Knows Where The Times Goes" on Island SDSP 100

12. I’m A Dreamer (Demo) – recorded at home, Byfield, Northants in March 1976. First issued on the October 2004 5CD Box Set "A Boxful Of Treasures" on Fledg'ling Records NEST 5002

13. Easy To Slip – a Little Feat cover version

14. Moments – a Bryn Haworth cover version

Tracks 13 and 14 first appeared on the 1995 Australian CD compilation "The Attic Tracks 1972-1984" for Sandy Denny and Trevor Lucas on Raven RVCD-46

As with all of these superb Sandy Denny CD reissues on Island's 'mid price' series – the project was researched and co-ordinated by DAVID SUFF and TIM CHACKSFIELD with assistance from JOE BACK at Universal. There’s a very tasteful card slipcase, a Pink Island label on the CD (that should actually be an Orange label to match 1977 and not the 1969 Pink-Eye variant) and hand-written lyrics from "So More Sad Refrains" on the inlay beneath the see-through CD tray. The 12-page booklet features brief but informative liner notes from Fledg'ling Records head honcho and Sandy fan DAVID SUFF - as well as repros of hand-written lyrics and music charts (the lyrics to the songs that were on the vinyl insert are also there too). But the big news is a Remaster by a fave Engineer of mine – DENIS BLACKHAM of Skye Mastering. And what a gorgeous job he's done. This CD sounds superb and is also one of those instances where the BONUS TRACKS tip the purchase into a 'must have'...

From the wind-in-her-hair against a city backdrop artwork and the opening keyboard-rock of Richard Thompson's "I Wish Was A Fool For You..." and the funked-up Miles Davis trumpet of "Gold Dust" – it's clear that this album trying real hard to leave 'Folk' behind – and kind of succeeding. You're also aware of the huge number of instruments and players present. Although it doesn't say who exactly plays on what – the big name luminaries impress - Steve Winwood of Traffic, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick of Free, Jess Roden of Bronco, Jerry Donahue, Richard Thompson, Dave Mattacks and Bob Pegg of Fairport Convention, Billy Lively of Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance, Pat Donaldson of Fotheringay, Bob Weston of Fleetwood Mac and even Reggae artist Junior Murvin. Not to be outdone by these band playing upstarts – the Backing Singers included a neat roll call too - Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle of Gallagher & Lyle, famed session lady Sue Glover, Sunny Wheatman of 6ts female duo act Sue & Sunny, Kay Gardner of The Ladybirds and the wonder-larynx of Claire Torry whose vocals blew everyone away on Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig In The Sky" from 1973's "The Dark Side Of The Moon".

Sandy's dreadful cover of "Candle In The Wind" is an undoubted and much-derided clunker – and one can only wonder what Island was thinking releasing it as a 7" single to represent the album (four years after Elton's original nailed it in 1973). I've only ever seen 'DJ Promo' copies of WIP 6391 (and they're rare) – so I guess it was withdrawn and never made the stock copy stage. Far better is her self-penned non-album B-side "Still Waters Run Deep" (Track 10 in the Bonuses) – a jaunty tune with great female backing vocals that would surely have fitted better on the LP rather than the mawkish "Candle...”. The slow but wonderfully Soulful "Take Me Away" (credited as "Take Me Away The Load" in the booklet for some reason) is one of my poisons – a masterpiece that showcases her warm voice, songwriting talent and yet still manages to modernise her sound (I'd love to know who plays that great lead guitar - doesn’t sound like Richard Thompson). "One Way Donkey Ride" is cited by fans as another nugget and rightly so.

It's not surprising that the lushly-orchestrated "I'm A Dreamer" was chosen as the album's representative track on the 2009 "Meet On The Ledge" 3CD Box Set celebrating the Folk-Rock of Island Records – it's a highlight on here. "All Our Days" has a touch of the Kate Bush in its ambitious orchestration – a forgotten gem. "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" was a minor hit for The Springfields (with Dusty Springfield) way back in September 1962 (No. 20 in the US charts) while Linda Ronstadt covered it too on her April 1969 debut solo LP "Hand Sown...Home Grown". Sandy's own UK folk band Fotheringay would release a version of it on the belated album project "Fotheringay 2" in 2008 – the supposed 2nd LP from 1970 that never was. That 2008 version is similar to the languid feel of the "Rendezvous" take just minus the colliery band backing (some prefer it). The "Rendezvous" LP ends on "No More Sad Refrains" – a sophisticated love song that is perhaps too loaded down with syrupy strings.

When you hear how good both "Still Waters Run Deep" and the gorgeous ballad "Full Moon" are ("...tonight is like the fist night we met...") – it's pretty damn clear that mistakes were made in choosing "Gold Dust" or "Candle In The Wind" as LP tracks instead. It's arguable that had "Full Moon" been released as a UK 7" single – surely radio would have picked up on its beauty? Her 'Demo' of "I'm A Dreamer" is hissy for sure but that's more than wiped away by the delicacy of the performance – her and a piano – gorgeous. The final two bonuses are cover versions – Little Feat's "Easy To Slip" (from 1973's "Sailin Shoes") and Bryn Haworth's "Moments" (from 1978's "Grand Arrival"). The Little Feat cover just doesn't really work (they had such a unique sound) but the beauty of Haworth's "Moments" makes for a more satisfying listen – a sweet little melody with great guitar-work (I wish someone would pair Haworth's A&M albums "Grand Arrival" from 1978 with 1979's "Keep The Ball Rolling" onto 1CD).

After 1975's "Rising For The Moon" and 1977's "Rendezvous" failed commercially – both her former muckers Fairport Convention and Sandy Denny herself were dropped by Island Records – out in the wilderness so to speak. After a freak accident in a friend's home in the spring of the following year (she fell down some stairs) - Sandy went into a coma and horribly - a brain haemorrhage took her not long after.

Alexandra Elene MacLean Denny passed 21 April 1978 – gone too soon – a voice many considered too beautiful for words. This last stab at commerciality might have offended purists at the time with its cod Reggae and overdone productions in places. But over time – the beauty-moments on "Rendezvous" have revealed themselves to be more than the whole. And it's a cheap too as a Remaster.

"...Miss you more than I can say..." - Sandy sang on the beautiful love song "Full Moon". Set up a meeting with this underrated and forgotten album...because I reckon the good bits are going to improve your listening world big time...

PS: see reviews for "Fotheringay" (1970) and her 1972 debut on Island Records "Sandy"

"Private Practice" by DR. FEELGOOD (2014 Japan-Only SHM-CD 5" Mini LP Artwork with 11 Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Doctor's Orders..."

In 2012 and 2013 – EMI finally got round to doing the Dr. FEELGOOD catalogue of albums on United Artists between 1975 and 1981 – all contained in two tasty Book Sets. The April 2012 "All Through The City" 3CD/1DVD Book Set gave us the WILKO JOHNSON years from 1974 to 1977 - while July 2013's 4CD/1DVD Book Set "Taking No Prisoners" followed through with the GYPIE MAYO years from 1977 to 1981. All contained superlative PETER MEW CD Remasters done at Abbey Road from original master tapes. And that's where this gorgeous Japan-Only repro SHM-CD comes in...

In late March 2014 - Warner Brothers Japan (under the Parlophone label) reissued all 9 of their albums (7 studio and 2 live) on their exclusive SHM-CD format – most with generous amounts of Bonus Tracks (see list below). Super High Materials CDs don't require any special equipment on which to play them – they're just a better variant of the CD format put out by Toshiba Japan in the late 2000s (superior retrieval and sound). Each release comes with fully detailed 5" Mini LP Repro artwork (inner sleeves, booklets etc), a Japanese OBI strip and plastic protective. Here are the details for one the best Gypie Mayo contributions to the mighty Feelgood catalogue...

Released 26 March 2014 in Japan-Only – "Private Practice" by Dr. FEELGOOD on Warner Brothers/Parlophone WPCR-15508 (Barcode 4943674166787) is an 'Extended Edition' SHM-CD in 5” Mini LP Repro Artwork with 11 Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (74:20 minutes):

1. Down At The Doctors

2. Every Kind Of Vice

3. Things Get Better

4. Milk And Alcohol

5. Night Time

6. Let's Have A Party [Side 2]

7. Take A Tip

8. It Wasn't Me

9. Greaseball

10. Sugar Shaker

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 5th studio album "Private Practice" – released September 1978 in the UK on United Artists UAS 30184 (it peaked at No. 41 on the UK LP charts).

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Down At The (Other) Doctors

non-album B-side to "As Long As The Price is Right" – a UK 7” single released April 1979 on United Artists UP 36506

12. Cheque Book – live at The Paddocks, Canvey Island, 10 June 1977

13. Back In The Night – live at The Paddocks, Canvey Island, 10 June 1977

14. Lucky Seven – live at The Paddocks, Canvey Island, 10 June 1977

15. Lights Out – live at The Paddocks, Canvey Island, 10 June 1977

16. Sneakin' Suspicion – live at The Paddocks, Canvey Island, 10 June 1977

17. Great Balls Of Fire – live at The Paddocks, Canvey Island, 10 June 1977

Tracks 12 to 17 first appeared as Previously Unreleased on the July 2013 "Taking No Prisoners (with Gypie 1977-1981)" 4CD/1DVD Book Set

18. Don't Take But A Few Minutes

19. Blues Jam

Tracks 18 and 19 are Dr. Feelgood as THE OILY CITY SHEIKS. Both tracks were non-album A&B-sides of a UK-only 7” single released June 1979 on United Artists UP 36514. The A is a Chuck Berry cover - the B-side is a Dr. Feelgood instrumental

20. Milk And Alcohol (New Recipe)

21. She’s Got Eyes On You

Tracks 20 and 21 are the non-album A&B-sides of an April 1989 UK 7" single on EMI Records EMI 89

NOTES: Tracks 11, 18, 19, 20 and 21 first appeared on the September 2001 “Singled Out: U.A//Liberty A’s B’s & Rarities” 3CD set – all tracks Remastered by DENIS BLACKHAM. To my knowledge – outside of that 3CD EMI sweep – this is the only other place The Oil City Sheiks tracks have appeared.

The 5" card artwork is immaculate right down to the colour inner sleeve with the boys loitering with intent on Harley Street with some decidedly dodgy nursing assistant. The 24-page white booklet is the usual thing with these Japanese SHMs – the lyrics in Japanese and English and little else. The CD label is Parlophone in silver so doesn't ape the United Artists original album (shame). But the great news is that the album and most of the extras use the PETER MEW Remasters from 2013 (5 are 2001 DENIS BLACKHAM Remasters). The Audio on this baby is jumping – full of power and clarity. What a hugely enjoyable listen...

Feelgood albums could be patchy (especially later on) but after the "Be Seeing You" album of 1977 – Gypie Mayo had settled in by 1978's "Private Practice" and truly made himself as much a part of that classic Dr. Feelgood sound as their founder Wilko Johnson had between 1975 and 1977. The whole "Private Practice" album works – opening with the hugely enjoyable Mickey Jupp number "Down At The Doctors" (charted at No. 48 in September 1978). That's followed by one of my faves "Every Kind Of Vice" – a fantastically hooky guitar riff leaping out of your speakers courtesy of a kicking Martin Rushent production (Richard Gotteher handled the rest of the album). Their cover of Eddie Floyd's "Thing Get Better" is good rather than great - but you can't say the same of the brilliant "Milk And Alcohol". A genius rocker co-written between Gypie Mayo and that other great pub-rocker of the day – Nick Lowe - it's probably the song their most remembered for. Side 1 ends with the wickedly catchy "Night Time" – a hooky guitar with "...jump in the shower...wash the world off my back...I'm gonna get you baby...that's a natural fact..." lyrics. Look out ladies Lee's on the prowl...

Side 2 opens with the joyous "Let's Have A Party" – an old Phil Baxter tune from the Forties than Wanda Jackson had a hit with in 1960 on Capitol. The Feelgoods keep it handclapping and fun – a perfect start to Side two. Both Mayo and singer Lee Brilleaux trumped up the goods with "Take A Tip" – a fantastic speeding rocker about "Nosebleed Sam" down at the racetrack gritting his teeth as pushes his luck just a little bit more. More wit and fun come with the love-rat-denial song "It Wasn't Me" penned by Mayo and the mighty Nick Lowe. "Greaseball" is a hip instrumental care of guitar man Mayo - but the record and side end on another winner "Sugar Shaker" – a chugger that will give you neck spasms as you boogie along to its charms.

Five of the bonus tracks are from a Previously Unreleased Dr. Feelgood concert from 10 June 1977 with the Gypie Mayo line-up in Canvey Island. Southend boy Mickey Jupp gave them "Cheque Book" - while Wilko's "Back In The Night"whips the crowd into riotous form (raw and gutsy stuff). "Lucky Seven" is a Lew Lewis song and has fantastic audio (Bass, Drums and Guitar) as Brilleaux growls through the microphone. A muscular "Sneakin' Suspicion" and rollicking cover of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls Of Fire" leave the crowd panting. The non-album single sides only add cream to an already tasty bit of Canvey Island pie.

Dr. Feelgood is etched in my heart and this album along with them. As Lee would say to us punters of Pub Rock - "...Take a little tip from Mister Race Track Tony...stick it on the nose and ride your pony..."

Amen to that baby...

PS: The nine Dr. FEELGOOD March 2014 Japan-only Warner Brothers/Parlophone SHM-CD Reissues are:

1. Down At The Jetty (January 1975) – WPCR-15503 (Barcode 4943674166718) + 11 Bonus Tracks

2. Malpractice (October 1975) – WPCR-15504 (Barcode 4943674166732) + 9 Bonus Tracks

3. Stupidity (Live) (September 1976) – WPCR-15505 (Barcode 4943674166749) + 11 Bonus Tracks

4. Sneakin’ Suspicion (May 1977) – WPCR-15506 (Barcode 4943674166756) + 12 Bonus Tracks

5. Be Seeing You (September 1977) – WPCR-15507 (Barcode 4943674166763) + 3 Bonus Tracks

6. Private Practice (September 1978) – WPCR-15508 (Barcode 4943674166787) + 11 Bonus Tracks

7. As It Happens (Live) (May 1979) – WPCR-15509 (Barcode 4943674166794) + 11 Bonus Tracks

8. Let It Roll (September 1979) – WPCR-15510 (Barcode 4943674166800) + 2 Bonus Tracks

9. A Case Of The Shakes (September 1980) – WPCR-15511 (Barcode 4943674166817) + 2 Bonus Tracks

Note: 1 to 4 feature Wilko Johnson on Guitar - 5 to 9 feature Gypie Mayo

"Living Game" by MICK GREENWOOD (June 2001 UK Voiceprint CD Remaster in Jewel Case with Altered Artwork - September 2006 JAPAN Air Mail Recordings ARCHIVE CD Remaster in Mini LP Repro Sleeve with Original Artwork - Denis Blackham and Yoshiro Kuzimaki Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 199 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 2 of 7 

- Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Folk, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Reggae, Punk and New Wave

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

RATING: *** to **** (Album) ***** (Audio)

"…Truth Seeker…"

Mick Greenwood's debut album "Living Game" was released in the UK in September 1971 on MCA Records MDKS 8003 (November 1971 in the USA on Decca DL 75318) and was the 1st of his 3 albums in the early Seventies. 

The other two are "...To Friends" from October 1972 on MCA MKPS 2026 (March 1973 in the USA on MCA Records MCA-307) and "Midnight Dreamer" from September 1974 on Warner Brothers K 56059 (no USA release).

June 2001 saw all three reissued on CD (straightforward transfers in all cases) by the Voiceprint Label here in the UK with "Living Game" dubbed as Part One of 'The Mick Greenwood Teenage Trilogy' - the other two albums being Part Two & Three. Those 2001 Remasters pan out as follows - "Living Game" is Voiceprint VP222CD (Barcode 604388305629) - "...To Friends" is Voiceprint VP223CD (Barcode 604388305728) and "Midnight Dreamer" is Voiceprint VP224CD (Barcode 604388305827). There was also a box set containing all three CDs - 'The Mick Greenwood Teenage Trilogy' on Voiceprint VPBOX99CD.

As a further addendum – 20 September 2006 saw all three albums reissued again but this time in Repro Mini LP Original Artwork in JAPAN by Air Mail Recordings ARCHIVE – each with an OBI-Band and that 'Paper Sleeve' artwork (they are not SHMs). The "Living Game" Japan edition is a gatefold sleeve and even has the same colouring as the original British LP on the CD label and like the LP - the CD label calls the album "The Living Game" (attention to detail). NOTE: the UK Voiceprint Edition of his second album "...To Friends" features different artwork to the original UK LP while the third LP "Midnight Dreamer" features the original artwork albeit in an altered form. The only way to get the original UK/US album artwork is on these Japanese 2006 reissues - "Living Game" is AIRAC-1251 (Barcode 4571136372508) - "...To Friends" is AIRAC-1252 (Barcode 4571136372515) and "Midnight Dreamer" is AIRAC-1253 (Barcode 4571136372522). 

This review will focus on the September 2006 JAPAN CD Reissue on Air Mail Recordings Archive AIRAC-1251 (Barcode 4571136372508) – 39:20 minutes: 

1. Taxi [Side 1]

2. Friend Of Mine

3. Living Game

4. My Life

5. To The Sea

6. After The First World War [Side 2]

7. To The Farside

8. Truth Seeker

9. Situation Number Four

10. Keep Coming Back

11. Sight

MICK GREENWOOD - Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

JERRY DONAHUE - Electric Guitar

PAT DONALDSON - Bass Guitar

GERRY CONWAY - Drums, Percussion

TONY COX - Piano & Harmonium

(Tony Cox and Martin Cook produced the album with all songs written by Mick Greenwood)

Born in the UK but raised in the States from the age of 12 - Greenwood returned to London in 1970 in his early 20s to make music. He knew members of the FAIRPORT CONVENTION offshoot Folk Rock group FOTHERINGAY so when he went to make "Living Game" he was able to call on three of them - and along with keyboardist/producer Tony Cox - made up the band that feature on the album. 

The album has a quietly impressive list of guests from the Folk and Avant Jazz circuits of the time. Jazz session man and multi-instrumentalist LYNN DOBSON of THIRD EAR BAND adds flute to "Taxi", tenor sax to "Keep Coming Back" and plays sitar on "Sight".  CHRISTINE QUAYLE of the deeply underground DAYLIGHT adds lovely backing vocals to both "Situation Number Four" and "My Life". ANDY SMITH of THE IAN CAMPBELL FOLK GROUP also plays Banjo on "Situation Number Four". DAVE PEGG of FAIRPORT CONVENTION plays bass on "Situation Number Four" and "Sight". Later to appear with ASSAGAI on Vertigo and SPEAR on Virgin - South African avant-garde jazzman DUDU PUKWANA adds alto sax to "Keep Coming Back". KARL JENKINS of CENTIPEDE (would later form NUCLEUS) and his pals DEREK WADSWORTH (GINGER BAKER’S AIRFORCE) and BUD PARKES also play horns on the off-center "Keep Coming Back". 

The artwork on the Voiceprint CD has been altered slightly; the original front cover of the gatefold LP had the name and title of the album in script writing centered in the top window - Mick Greenwood Living Game – on the 2001 Voiceprint version it's been shortened to Living Game with his name removed entirely. The full-face photo that graced the rear of the gatefold sleeve is reproduced under the see-through tray and the same typo style used on the inner gatefold is also used to reproduce the lyrics and band credits in the booklet - nice touches on both counts. But the JAPANESE issue (being sticklers for detail) have gone back to the British LP and Reproduced it exactly as was – including the lyrics on the inside and even the original MCA vinyl catalogue numbers. The extra foldout glossy paper insert is one-sided and has only Japanese writing although it does advise that a 24-Bit Remaster was done in 2006 by YOSHIRO KUZUMAKI at CM Punch in Japan. And it sounds as spectacularly clean as the DENIS BLACKHAM one does for the 2001 UK variant. 

MCA/Decca released no less than three hard-to-find 7" singles in the USA and UK to promote the album, but none did any chart business:

1. "Living Game" b/w "To The Sea" was on Decca 32922 in the USA and MCA MKS 5074 in the UK (November 1971)

2. "Friend Of Mine" b/w "Situation Number Four" was on MCA MKS 5082 in the UK (February 1972)

 3. "After The First World War" b/w "Nobody Knows Me" on Decca 32962 in the USA and MCA MKS 5092 in the UK (May 1972)

As you can see from the album track list and my seven-inch singles discography provided above - "Nobody Knows Me" is a non-album B-side. Unfortunately, it's not featured as a bonus track on either CD variant - a damn shame that.

But the big revelation is the superb sound quality. DENIS BLACKHAM (of Skye Mastering in Scotland) has digitally remastered the first-generation tapes and he's achieved a beautiful job - warm, clean and full - far clearer than the cackles coming off my battered old vinyl copy. The JAPANESE issue is the same – super clean and clear – amazing audio for 1971. To the tunes…

If you were to describe the music, it would be a cross between Matthews Southern Comfort and Elton John circa "Madman Across The Water".  It isn't a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination and the hammy hippy-lifestyle lyrics on some of the songs irritated me then and may make many cringe now - but there's also a lot to love on here and isn't as dated as I feared it might be. 

The flute driven rock of the opener "Taxi" is excellent, the plaintive "Friend Of Mine" very Clifford T Ward, while the opening piano chords of "Living Game" are "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" three years before it was recorded.  For me "My Life" is gorgeous and will be gracing a 70's Fest CD-R somewhere near you soon. It's a truly lovely song and to hear the clarity of Pat Donaldson's bass playing on this excellent remaster is a genuine blast.

Then two lost classics appear, the strange yet funky "To The Farside" and the lovely string-driven ballad "Truth Seeker" - gems awaiting rediscovery for sure. The funky five-piece brass section on "Keep Coming Back" is superb and may even appeal to soul boys who like the funky side of rock, while Lynn Dobson's sitar combined with Ned Balen's Tablas on "Sight" will have you running for the joss sticks on Sunday morning. It ends the album on a lovely trippy up-note. Pretty impressive stuff really - 45 years on and it still sounds good.

To sum up, Mick Greenwood's 1971 Debut Album "Living Game" is a three to four-star Folk Rock album given a five star remaster and is well worth your checking out. 

Recommended to those looking to explore an underrated and forgotten songsmith from the Seventies...and I've also reviewed "Midnight Dreamer" on this Blog...

"Sandy" by SANDY DENNY (May 2005 UK Island Remasters 'Expanded Edition' Single-Disc Version - Denis Blackham CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...It Suits Me Well..."

 

Sandy Denny’s 1971 debut album “The North Star Grassman And The Ravens” was a patchy start (moments of brilliance with others that just didn't work) – but her second outing simply called "Sandy" emblazoned her lovely music into music-loving hearts like nothing before. A Folk-Rock masterpiece – it’s been revered ever since. Which brings us to this gorgeous sounding CD - part of a whole 2005 'Fairport Convention and their Solo Acts' reissue campaign from Island Records through Universal (Sandy Denny, Richard and Linda Thompson, Fairport Convention etc). Here are the lonesome details...

UK released May 2005 - "Sandy" by SANDY DENNY on Island Remasters IMCD 314 (Barcode 602498280225) is a Single-Disc Expanded Edition CD Remaster that comes with five Bonus Tracks and breaks down as follows (64:49 minutes):

1. It'll Take A Long Time

2. Sweet Rosemary

3. For Nobody To Hear

4. Tomorrow Is A Long Time

5. Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood

6. Listen, Listen [Side 2]

7. The Lady

8. Bushes And Briars

9. It Suits Me Well

10. The Music Weaver

Tracks 1 to 10 are her 2nd solo album "Sandy" – released September 1972 in the UK on Island ILPS 9207 and in the USA on A&M Records SP 4371.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Here Is Silence

12. Man Of Iron

Tracks 11 ands 12 were the A&B-sides of a rare UK 7" single on Island WIP 6141 issued in September 1972 (both tracks from the film "Pass Of Arms"). The uber rare picture sleeve that British original copies came in is pictured on Page 5 of the booklet (I've never seen one in over 50 years).  

 

13. Sweet Rosemary (Demo) - first issued on the "A Boxful of Treasures" Box Set in 2004

 

14. Ecoute, Ecoute - a French language version of "Listen, Listen" prepared for single release – its first CD appearance came on the "The Attic Tracks 1972-1984" compilation in 1995

 

15. I'll Take A Long Time - a live version with Fairport Convention recorded February 1974 in Los Angeles – first appeared on "A Boxful Of Treasures"

As do all four of the albums in this Sandy Denny Island Records output - it comes in a fetching outer card wrap (slipcase) and the 12-page booklet features original artwork, lyrics, photographs and liner notes by expert and long-time devotee DAVID SUFF (of Fledgling Records). It’s tastefully done and the DENIS BLACKHAM remaster from original master tapes is truly gorgeous – warm, atmospheric and full of presence.

It opens on a double-whammy of lovely British Folk-Rock – "It'll Take A Long Time" and "Rosemary" – both sweet as a nut. A clunker for me has always been the ill-advised rock of "For Nobody To Hear" but that gives way to the Dylan classic “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” with a country lilt. Side 1 of the original album ends on pure magic – an Acapella version of a Traditional made famous by American Folk troubadour Richard Farina called "Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood". It's just gorgeous and the remaster clarity is truly startling – ending with the most beautiful Dave Swarbrick violin solo that comes at you like a mist rolling in from the sea in the morning.

Side 2 opens with a personal favourite – the wonderful Denny original "Listen, Listen". It’s a swirling ballad that never ceases to reduce me to mush. Island UK even issued it as a 7" single in September 1972 on WIP 6142 with "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" as its flip-side, but it didn't bother the charts (neither did the album). "The Lady" is also gorgeous – contrasting starkly with what preceded by virtue of its melancholy piano and elegant strings (arranged by harry Robinson). 

 

"Bushes And Briars" was chosen to represent the album on the stunning 2009 3CD Box Set "Meet On The Ledge: Island Folk-Rock" and it's easy to hear why – Richard Thompson's lovely electric guitar swirling like a dance behind the vocals. The album ends on two sweet ballads – homages to the sea and wandering – "It Suits Me Well" and "The Music Weaver" - the second being another title that lends itself to compilations about her recorded legacy.The piano and string arrangements on "Weaver" give it an epic quality – breathlessly beautiful stuff.

We would lose her in 1978 aged only 31. I remember meeting John Walters when I was working at Reckless (he was John Peel's legendary producer) and we were in a pub discussing gigs he'd seen that blew his mind (and Peel’s). John was told by Bernie Andrews (another legendary BBC producer) to go see this young girl in a bar he'd heard about that was causing a stir – it was Sandy Denny before she'd joined the ranks of Fairport Convention. The purity of her English Folk voice left him shaking and stunned. I can still see his smile to this day and the memory of it etched into his face.

It's nice to know that all their memories are given a Royal Folk Rock Icon nod by this fab little reissue…

PS: There's a subsequent 2012 2-CD Deluxe Edition of "Sandy" with a second 18-track disc of Demos and Live Stuff