"Three Score & Ten: A Voice To The People – 70 Years Of The Oldest Independent Record Label In Great Britain – Topic Records" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – featuring Nic Jones, The Watersons, Eliza Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy, Bob Pegg, Andrew Cronshaw, John Tams, Richard and Linda Thompson, Anne Briggs, June Tabor, Shirley Collins, William Clancy, The McPeake Family, Ewan MacColl, Seamus Ennis, The Boys Of The Lough, Dick Gaughan, Ron Kavana, John B. Spencer, Bob Davenport, Martin Simpson, Vin Garbutt, The Ian Campbell Folk Group, Kate Rusby (guesting) and many more (October 2009 UK Topic Records 7CD LP-Sized Book Set – Denis Blackham Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and Over 195 Others 

Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

BOTH SIDES NOW

FOLK & COUNTRY 

And Genres Thereabouts

Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

For the 1960s and 1970s

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08FFVZKH7&asins=B08FFVZKH7&linkId=eb23bbcba447d1fd50617da642401b60&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...Down Behind The Gasworks..."

This might seem a bit incongruous on my part, but as a 62-year old lover of Acoustic Folk and Folk Rock for nigh on five decades (and token Irishman), I was expecting so much more from this 7CD Book Set. There is great music on here and discoveries old and new no doubt – I just wish I wanted to play it more. 

As an archival document, Topic Records' 70-year vaults trawl "Three Score & Ten..." is faultless; but as a listen, I found too much of it historically worthy but dreadfully dull and repetitive. I would go as far as saying to anyone considering a purchase to get an earful-in before you fork out lots of wonga on some bonny wee lass nostalgia trip. In the meantime, let's get to the saucy country gardens, tinker's old boots and wasps in the woodwork...

UK released 20 October 2009 - "Three Score & Ten: A Voice To The People" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Topic Records TOPIC70 (Barcode 714822007085) is subtitled '70 Years Of The Oldest Independent Record Label In Great Britain - Topic Records'. 

The album-sized hardback book of 110-pages houses 7CDs (4 in the front leaf and three in the rear) and also comes with an LP-sized 4-Page separate insert - 'Topic Records Complete Catalogue 1939-2009' which lists all releases from the 78's of the Thirties up to the CDs of the 00's. Each CD is themed as follows:

CD1 "...A Selection Of Treasures From The Topic Catalogue" (68:41 minutes, 16 tracks)

CD2 "England Arise!" (67:18 minutes, 20 tracks)

CD3 "Ireland Boys, Hurrah!" (70:27 minutes, 24 tracks) 

CD4 "Scotia The Brave" (70:48 minutes, 22 tracks) 

CD5 "The Singer & The Song" (65:14 minutes, 17 tracks)

CD6 "The People's Flag" (67:40 minutes, 23 tracks)

CD7 "...Even More Treasures From The Topic Catalogue" (66:54 minutes, 22 tracks)

What I will say is that the David Suff/Tony Engle compiled book presentation is a truly beautiful thing to look at and handle (see photos) and the Transfers/Remasters by DENIS BLACKHAM at Skye Mastering are exemplary. Even when your dealing with Fifties and Sixties stuff that is little more than a field recording (I notice one was done in Coolock in Dublin, my old stomping ground) – Blackham somehow manages a clarity and warmth that should be the envy of other Audio Engineers. 

Blackham did the Island Folk Rock mini clamshell box set "Meet Me On The Ledge" in 2008 for Universal and his exceptional remastering of overly familiar material was one of the real reasons as to why that set was so strong. I've reviewed his work with Horslips and Mick Greenwood too. 

The list of old and contemporary artists on "Three Score & Ten..." is impressive – Nic Jones, The Watersons, Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby (guesting on two tracks), Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy, Andrew Cronshaw, John Tams, Richard and Linda Thompson, Anne Briggs, June Tabor, Shirley Collins, William Clancy, The McPeake Family, Ewan MacColl, Seamus Ennis, The Boys Of The Lough, Dick Gaughan, Ron Kavana, John B. Spencer, Bob Davenport, Martin Simpson, Vin Garbutt, The Ian Campbell Folk Group and many, many more. There are a few American acts like Rambling Jack Elliott and Jesse Fuller and some European acts - but mostly its Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English Folk artists many of whom have been forgotten with the passing of time.  

There are interesting contemporary cover versions of Dylan's "Master Of War" by Martin Carthy while Ireland’s supergroup Patrick Street (Andy Irvine, Kevin Burke, Arty McGlynn, Bill Whelan et al) and their go at the Penguin Café Orchestra instrumental "Music For A Found Harmonium" while the obscure Traditional "Bitter Withy" is reinterpreted by John Tams into a magisterial build-up of Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Dobro and Banjo. There is also Dick Gaughan and his lovely 1981 album "Handful Of Earth" and that Anne Briggs track feels so special you can't even put your finger on it. Though it's a brave man indeed who will sit through nearly eleven minutes of Mike Waterson singing Acapella about "Tamlyn" on Disc 1 no matter how much of a Fairport fan you may be. 

"Three Score & Ten: A Voice To The People" is a mixed bag for me then, saved by those beautiful remasters and occasional disc re-discoveries. Folk of this kind is very much an acquired finger-in-the-ear taste – but you also can’t help thinking – thank God someone recorded all these voices and local singing traditions in all those dirty old towns, diesel engines and dawdle areas behind the gasworks...

"Midnight Dreamer" by MICK GREENWOOD – September 1974 UK Third and Final Album on Warner Brothers featuring guests Pat Donaldson and Gerry Conway of Fotheringay with William Murray of Mellow Candle (June 2001 UK Voiceprint CD Reissue – Denis Blackham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and Over 220 Others 

Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

PICK UP THE PIECES 

1974

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08CQ7QLV2&asins=B08CQ7QLV2&linkId=12c30e8a630664f9497f4f631e2aa7ce&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"…Captain Life…" 

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

June 2001 saw all three reissued on CD on the Voiceprint label of the UK (straightforward transfers for each, no bonus tracks) with "Living Game" dubbed as Part One of 'The Mick Greenwood Teenage Trilogy' - the other two albums being Part Two & Three. The inner booklets each had themed designs and there are slight alterations to the artwork.

"Midnight Dreamer" (34:23 minutes) was issued on Voiceprint VP224CD (Barcode 604388305827), the debut "Living Game" on Voiceprint VP222CD (Barcode 604388305629) and "...To Friends" on Voiceprint VP223CD (Barcode 604388305728). There was also a box set containing all three CDs - 'The Mick Greenwood Teenage Trilogy' on Voiceprint VPBOX99CD. 

1. Black Roses [Side 1] 

2. Captain Life 

3. Writing On The Wall 

4. Easy Street 

5. Miss Morning [Side 2] 

6. Lady Midnight 

7. Diana Demons 

8. Deep Water 

9. Open Road 

Musicians: 

MICK GREENWOOD – Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars 

PAT DONALDSON - Bass Guitar 

GERRY CONWAY – Drums (Tracks 2, 3, 6 and 7) 

WILLIAM A MURRAY – Drums (Tracks 1, 5 and 8) 

BARRY De SOUZA – Drums (Track 4) 

Guests: Kenny Wheeler – Trumpet (Tracks 1 and 5) 

Chris Hughs – Tenor Sax (Track 4) 

Further Brass – Eddie Mordue, Rex Morris, Duncan Lament, Wally Smith, Rick Kennedy, Christ Smith, Creg Bowen and Jonny Huckridge 

Graham Smith – Harmonica (Track 7) 

Barry St. John, Sue Glover, Liza Strike. Barry Hamilton and Kay Garner – Backing Vocals 

Producers – Mick Greenwood and Vic Gamm 

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 Folk Rock offshoot group FOTHERINGAY, so when he went to make his albums, Greenwood was able to call on them. And as you can see from the musician credits above, Pat Donaldson and Gerry Conway of Fotheringay guest while William Murray of that other huge cult Folk Rock act of the Seventies Mellow Candle also drums on three tracks. 

The 12-page booklet reproduces the lyrics from the inner sleeve and the usual musician/production credits (all songs by MG) and there is a black and white photo of our hero beneath the see-through CD tray. With regard to the original artwork – not only is the rear sleeve artwork not here, to the bottom left of the original 1974 UK front album cover is MG standing and waving as the train goes by and the title logo is on the top left – for some reason this CD artwork has removed him and repositioned the title to the bottom right on the wheels of the train. The only way to get original artwork front and rear (pictured above for comparison) is on the 2006 Japanese CD reissues (see Barcode details below). 

I wish I could say that the Seventies rawk of "Midnight Dreamer" is a forgotten masterpiece – it absolutely isn't. Much of the wildly overproduced music feels like strangulated Elton John circa 1973 and 1974 ("Caribou" and "Philadelphia Freedom"), but without the tunes or hit singles. There are some nice touches in "Captain Life" and "Miss Morning" for sure, but despite that inviting John Pasche front cover train-heading-into-the-distance artwork - mostly it's a pound-fodder album (Warners didn’t even release a 45 from it). And his voice had become that nasal whine that has not travelled well. Former Joe Harriott sidekick and uber-sessionman trumpeter Kenny Wheeler gives tasty solos however on "Black Roses" and "Miss Morning" and the solo finisher "Open Road" has pretty moments. 

What does come out at as truly stunning however is the Remastered Audio from first generation master tapes – another fabulous full-spatial soundstage by DENIS BLACKHAM (of Skye Mastering in Scotland). This CD sounds amazing. There were also Japanese reissues of all three in 2006 on Air Mail Archive using these 2001 Remasters (not SHM-CDs, just Paper Sleeves of the original UK artwork). But all are deleted now and overly expensive ("Midnight Dreamer" was on AIRAC-1253 - Barcode 4571136372522). 

Undoubtedly, Mick Greenwood had run out of ideas by 1974 after the rather good first two albums on MCA Records in 1971 and 1972 – singer-songwriter Seventies stuff actually worth investigating. But if you must have platter number three, this is the variant of "Midnight Dreamer" you want. And I've seen this British CD online for less than two quid in places...

PS: see also my review for his 1971 debut album "Living Game" 

"Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" by SANDY DENNY – October 1973 UK Third Studio LP on Island Records (May 1974 USA on Island) - featuring Ian Armit of John Baldry's Hoochie Coochie Men, Dave Pegg of Mr. Fox, Danny Thompson of Pentangle, Alan Skidmore of Centipede and Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath, John "Rabbit" Bundrick of Free, Crawler and The Who, William "Diz" Disley with Jerry Donahue, Pat Donaldson, Trevor Lucas, Dave Mattacks and Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay (May 2005 UK Island Masters Single-Disc Extended Edition CD Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks - Denis Blackham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"…The Real Thing Comes Along…"

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 gorgeous brand of Folk and Folk-Rock into music-loving hearts like nothing before. A flowing river singer-songwriter masterpiece, that's been revered ever since.

Which brings us to this gorgeous sounding CD of solo album number three – "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" from October 1973 (again on Island Records originally). Part of a whole 2005 'Fairport Convention and their Solo Acts' reissue campaign (Sandy Denny, Richard and Linda Thompson, Fairport Convention etc) – each of these single-disc CDs are on the Island Remasters Series.

And this bad boy features a stellar cast of UK Folk-Rock heroes as well as R&B and Jazz players that could compliment her vision f stretching out musically - Ian Armit of John Baldry's Hoochie Coochie Men, Dave Pegg of Mr. Fox, Danny Thompson of Pentangle, Alan Skidmore of Centipede and Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath, John "Rabbit" Bundrick of Free, Crawler and later The Who, William "Diz" Disley with Jerry Donahue, Pat Donaldson, Trevor Lucas, Dave Mattacks and Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay.

And as the album title indicates, bedded alongside the seven original SD tunes, the ex Fairport Convention and Fotheringay singer even tackles the old Doris Fisher and Sammy Cohen standards "Whispering Grass" and "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" (famously associated with The Inkspots and Fats Waller) with such subtle loveliness that you wish there was a whole album of the same. Here are the friends of old...

UK released 2 May 2005 - "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" by SANDY DENNY on Island Remasters IMCD 315 / 982 802-3 (Barcode 602498280232) is a Single-Disc Expanded Edition CD Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks that breaks down as follows (65:53 minutes):

1. Solo [Side 1]

2. Like An Old Fashioned Waltz

3. Whispering Grass

4. Friends

5. Carnival

6. Dark The Night [Side 2]

7. At The End Of The Day

8. Until The Real Thing Comes Along

9. No End

Tracks 1 to 9 are her 3rd solo album "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" – released October 1973 in the UK on Island ILPS 9258 and May 1974 in the USA on Island Records SW-9340. Engineered and Produced by JOHN WOOD and TREVOR LUCAS (of Nick Drake fame) – it didn’t chart in either country in either year

BONUS TRACKS:

10. At The End Of The Day (Alternate Take Without Strings)

First issued 11 October 2004 in "A Boxful Of Treasures", 5CD Box Set on Fledg'ling Records NEST 5002

11. King & Queen Of England (Home Demo)

Recorded December 1974 by Trevor Lucas, first issued June 1988 in the vinyl-only 7LP Box Set "Island Life: 25 Years Of Island Records" on Island Records IBX 25

12. Like An Old Fashioned Waltz (Live with Fairport Convention)

Recorded by John Wood live at The Troubadour, Los Angeles, February 1974

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

13. No End (Solo Piano Version)

Recorded by John Wood at the Walthamstow Assembly Halls, London, 3 December 1972. First issued January 1986 in the 4LP Sandy Denny UK Vinyl Box Set "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" on Island SDSP 100. 

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 January 2005 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. The only blip is the CD label colouring that sports the black and orange eye Island Records logo from the late 60ts instead of the pink-rim palm-tree variant it was actually released on in 1973. Other than that, it reeks of class...

Broken hearts and the open wounds of love lost are never far from the surface when Sandy sings – and as the stunning crescendo of voices that make up the chorus of the Side One opener "Solo" touches you so deeply – its hard not to be tearful as she aches – I've just gone – Solo. The song also contains the lyric "I've Always Kept A Unicorn" that gave an Acoustic Sandy Denny 2CD set in April 2016 its title (see separate review). Fans are divided on the strings overload laid thick on "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" – orchestral arrangements by Harry Robinson. I've learned to just roll with it, wallow in the old world romance. It's quickly followed by the Doris Fisher standard made famous by The Inkspots - "Whispering Grass" – brass arrangements by Bob Leaper. I love this song and Sandy feels so at home with the piano plinking and high-hat shuffles – whispering grass don't tell the trees because the trees don't need to know (dig that Danny Thompson double-bass long note).

But then comes one of the album's true masterpieces – the and-you-feel-all-right-now but for how long "Friends". And this is one song where the string arrangements feel complimentary and not intrusive – even if that guitar solo stills feels somehow lost in the mix. "Friends" is gorgeous even in its quiet please leave anger (time to leave and you know the way). She'll be just fine now – so long. Side 1 ends with another original, the acoustic lovely "Carnival" – as warm a melody as she ever penned and in my books one of her catalogue's hidden gems (good day to you sweet Autumn, so gently you appear).

After the lush romance/melancholy of Side 1 and its slow songs - "Dark The Night" opens Side 2 with an uneasy upbeat drumbeat. Quickly joined by strings and oboes and layered vocals – I've never really been convinced by its neither here nor there vibe (cool electric keyboard solo though). Far more convincing is the Jackson Browne-sounding piano love song "At The End Of The Day" – a "you're the one I'm thinking of" tune as I bring my love home to you. And again the strings work adding an epic feel to the centre passage of the long song accompanying a Mike Oldfield-sounding guitar solo. Cover number two comes in a fabulous shuffle – the Fats Waller famous "Until The Real Thing Comes Along". You might as well be on the set of Boardwalk Empire as gorgeous gals entertain the well-heeled gentlemen before they get too liquored-up to do any performing of their own (and if that isn't love, it'll have to do).

It comes to an end with 6:37 minutes of "No End" – another hugely moving epic. But what is astonishing is the Bonus Track "Solo" version of "No End" recorded in February 1974 at the Walthamstow Assembly Hall with just Sandy on piano – haunting and mesmerizing. The demo of "King & Queen Of England" is the same – a piano demo recorded by Trevor Lucas at her home in December 1974 with what you can only describe as audiophile skill (stunning remaster). It was tucked away on the scrappy-doo "Island Life" 7LP Box Set in 1988 and how good is it to see it finally a CD release. For many the idea of a Previously Unreleased track by Sandy with Fairport Convention is enough to make them lose what little hair they have left – but while "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" is nice – its live and hissy – but still worth having.

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 bought his extensive record collection) and we were in a pub discussing gigs he'd seen that blew his mind. John was told by Bernie Andrews (another legendary BBC producer) to go see this young girl in a bar that he'd heard about who 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 have been given a Folk Royalty nod by this fab little reissue from The Real Thing…

"Fotheringay" by FOTHERINGAY (August 2004 Fledg’ling Records Expanded Edition CD Reissue - Denis Blackham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 169 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE Volume 2
1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD 

- 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

"…My Friend…"

An offshoot of the mighty Fairport Convention - FOTHERINGAY made one sublime album on Island Records in early 1970 and then dispersed into vapour. And if ever the Folk-Rock genre had a hidden treasure that shouldn't be - then this is it. Here are the misty-eyed details...

FOTHERINGAY were:

SANDY DENNY - Lead Vocals, Piano And Guitar

TREVOR LUCAS - Lead Vocals and Guitar

JERRY DONAHUE - Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals

GERRY CONWAY - Drums and Backing Vocals

PAT DONALDSON - Bass and Backing Vocals

UK released August 2004 - "Fotheringay" by FOTHERINGAY on Fledg'ling Records FLED 3044 (Barcode 5020393304429) is an 'Expanded Edition" CD Remaster that breaks down as follows (60:51 minutes):

1. Nothing More

2. The Sea

3. The Ballad Of Ned Kelly

4. Winter Winds

5. Peace In The End

6. The Way I Feel

7. The Pond And The Stream

8. Too Much Of Nothing

9. Banks Of The Nile

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Fotheringay" - released June 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9125 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4269. Tracks 1, 2, 4, and 7 are Sandy Denny originals. Track 5 is a co-write between Denny and Lucas, while 6 and 8 are Gordon Lightfoot and Bob Dylan covers respectively. Track 9 is a Traditional Song arranged by the band.

10. Two Weeks Last Summer [Live]

11. Nothing More [Live]

12. Banks Of The Nile [Live]

13. Memphis Tennessee [Live]

Tracks 10 to 13 recorded live at The Holland Pop Festival in Rotterdam, 28 June 1970. "Two Weeks Last Summer" is a Dave Cousins song (Strawbs) while "Memphis Tennessee" is a Chuck Berry cover.

The 8-page inlay is a fairly basic affair but it does have lovely pictures of rare foreign picture sleeves like "The Ballad Of Ned Kelly" b/w "Nothing More" and "Peace In The End" b/w "Winter Winds" from Germany, Holland and Japan. There's also rare gig posters for Fotheringay, The Humblebums and Nick Drake in Birmingham and Leicester (now there's a gig I want to see), a shared bill at The Roundhouse "Pop Proms" between 20 and 25 April 1970 and a 'supergroup' show in March 1970 at The Royal Festival Hall. But the big news is the sound - a fantastic DENIS BLACKHAM remaster. His gift with tapes turned many of the tracks on the "Meet on The Ledge" Island Folk-Rock 3CD Box into a rehear treat (see detailed separate review) and he's done the same here.

The two powerhouse forces within the group were England's Sandy Denny and the Australian Trevor Lucas. Denny sings Lead Vocals on "Nothing More", "The Sea", "Winter Winds", "The Pond And The Stream" and the gorgeous album finisher "Banks Of The Nile" while Lucas handles the other four (3, 5, 6 and 8 above). The first thing that hits you is the great songs moving effortlessly from Folk to Folk-Rock and covering a few Traditionals in between - then the quality of the JOE BOYD Production and finally the beautifully sensitive DENIS BLACKHAM remaster.

There's stunning warmth to this album - the masterpiece Fairport didn't make to follow their meisterwork "Liege & Lief" in December 1969. Remaster engineer Blackham has made the combo vocals on "Peace In The End" sound glorious while Lucas sounds not unlike Gordon Lightfoot on the inspired cover version choice of "The Way I Feel". But for me the album is dominated by two truly beautiful Denny moments - her own composition "The Sea" and her loving arrangement of the Traditional Air "Banks Of The Nile". I'd rate "The Sea" up there with "Where Does The Time Go?" from 1969's "Unhalfbricking" - it's beautiful lilt and lyrics somehow evoking a longing in its listener that is rare. The eight-minutes of "The Banks Of The Nile" featured on the aforementioned "Meet On The Ledge" box set - and not surprising either - as gorgeous a tune as you've ever heard.

The first live track - the Dave Cousins song "Two Weeks Last Summer" has great audio quality and presents the band in exactly that laid-back feel the album has. But it takes a bit of a sonic nosedive come "Nothing More". Luckily the version of "Banks" is way better with Sandy sounding so good. We then get Fotheringay going on all Rock & Roll sounding not unlike the Faces with a raucous female singer - what a blast...

Conway, Donaldson and Donahue along with Drummer Tony Cox, Flute player Lynn Dobson and Jazzman Dudu Pukwana would make "Living Game" with Mick Greenwood in late 1971 on MCA Records (see separate review). Sandy would go Solo of course and Lucas went back to the Fairports. A second album was planned but never released. But Donaldson and Conway (remaining members of the band) returned to those tapes and put out "Fotheringay 2" on CD in September 2008 giving us that old material updated but in the spirit of the original. I loved it too.

Sometimes a year lodges in your brain - like 1970 - "On The Boards" by Taste, "Pendulum" by CCR, "Kiln House" by Fleetwood Mac, "Humble Pie" by Humble Pie, "Bryter Layter" by Nick Drake, "Encouraging Words" by Billy Preston, "Rides Again" by The James Gang, "Gasoline Alley" by Rod Stewart - and "Fotheringay".I've adored this album for over 40 years and as time passes its magic only grows.

As a footnote - I can remember vividly a pub conversation when I was with the late great JOHN WALTERS - John Peel's Producer at the BBC. I was buying his astonishing record collection on behalf of Reckless. He sat there misty-eyed telling me about a friend of his who'd come running into his control room in 1969 raving about this 'girl' singer he'd seen in a bar in London the night previous. A 'folky' his pal enthused with the voice of an angel. It was of course Sandy Denny. Ever scouting artists for Peel and his radio show - Walters went along and said the hairs stood up on the back of his neck when she began singing. I can still see John's face in that bar as we sat talking - remembering that great musical moment. God bless you both wherever you may be...

"I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" by RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON (2004 Island Remasters 'Expanded Edition' CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...A Butterfly For A Day..."

There's an argument that 'anything' on Island Records (no matter which decade) has musical value and should be in your collection as a matter of necessity - and a real man (that's me) would shed a big girl's blouse full of puffy Laura Ashley tears if this were not the case (I’m baring my gorilla-like chest as I type this). Sat proudly amidst those wise musical decisions would of course be the first two albums from 1971 and 1972 by Fairport Convention and Fotheringay's vocalist Sandy Denny - and Richard Thompson's own "Henry The Fly" from 1972.

But somehow the three albums this staggeringly good British guitarist and songwriter made in the mid Seventies with his then wife Linda (nee Peters) - "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" (1974), "Hokey Pokey" and "Pour Down Like Silver" (both from 1975) – weren't so much publicly overlooked at the time of release - but as I recall - almost outright ignored - and on both sides of the pond. As with the two LPs that followed "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" - the critics raved about them but the public just stayed away...

But time has changed all that - seeing both the influential and terminally hip Mojo and Rolling Stone magazines including "Bright Lights" in their '100 Greatest Albums Ever Made' lists. And returning to it and Island Records in general in the sunny halls of 2016 - a full 42 years after the event - I'm down with those retro-periodical assessments. I'd truly forgotten just how good "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" is as an album. And it has to be said this 2004 'Island Remasters' CD Reissue has done that criminally overlooked LP a proper solid on all fronts (a big audio improvement too on the March 1993 version).

Let's wipe away the condensation - here are the details...

UK released April 2004 - "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" by RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON on Island Remasters IMCD 304 / 981 790-7 (Barcode 602498179079) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of the 1974 10-track LP with Three Bonus Tracks added on and plays out as follows (53:24 minutes):

1. When I Get To The Border

2. The Calvary Cross

3. Withered And Died

4. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

5. Down Where The Drunkard's Roll

6. We Sing Hallelujah [Side 2]

7. Has He Got A Friend For Me

8. The Little Beggar Girl

9. The End Of The Rainbow

10. The Great Valerio

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 2nd solo LP "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" - released April 1974 in the UK and USA on Island Records ILPS 9266. Produced by RICHARD THOMPSON and JOHN WOOD - it failed to chart in either country.

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased):

11. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight (Live)

12. Together Again (Live)

13. The Calvary Cross (Live)

Tracks 11 to 13 recorded live at The Roundhouse, London on 7 September 1975. As well as Richard & Linda Thompson - the band included John Kirkpatrick, Pat Donaldson and Dave Mattacks.

Musicians:

RICHARD THOMPSON - All Guitars and Lead Vocals (Backing and Duet Vocals on "Down Where The Drunkards Roll" and "The Little Beggar Girl")

LINDA THOMPSON - Lead Vocals on "Withered And Died", "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight", "Down Where The Drunkards Roll", "Has He Got A Friend For Me?", "The Great Valerio" and Duet Vocals with Richard on "The Little Beggar Girl"

SIMON NICOL - Dulcimer

JOHN KIRKPATRICK - Anglo Concertina and Accordion

BRIAN GULLAND and RICHARD HARVEY - Klummhorn

PAT DONALDSON - Bass

DAVE MATTACKS - Drums

ROYSTON WOOD, TREVOR LUCAS and CWS (Manchester) SILVER BAND - Backing Vocals

Original April 2004 issues of this CD came in a natty-looking card slipcase (reissues just have the jewel case) - both issues have a 12-page booklet with the lyrics from the original LP's inner sleeve, musician credits and short but heartfelt and informative set of liner notes by DAVID SUFF of Fledg'ling Records - a reissue label with a long Fairport Convention history. The only slightly stupid and obvious glitch is the Pink Island label with the Black and Orange ‘Eye’ logo on the CD itself – a label variant that's only found on late Sixties Island LPs in the UK - it should be the Pink-Rim Palm-Tree Island records logo to repro the original 1974 LP. It doesn't say who did the remaster (maybe Denis Blackham at Skye Mastering) or where - but my God is it good. Every track on this Folk-Rock masterpiece feels new and in your face for all the right reasons. Tons of presence and a huge sound...

It opens with the upbeat Folk-Rock of "When I Get To The Border" - Thompson's guitar chopping and chiming like a goodun as the melody ambles on. The magnificent "Calvary Cross" has the most amazing warbling electric lead guitar - a sort of tremulous English Blues Folk-Rock chug that feels so heavy as it plays - ten-ton bricks in its hurting guts (hardly surprising to see a live cut of this fan-fave included as a Bonus Track). "Withered And Died" is beautiful and sad - a butterfly for a day tale. Not surprisingly this lilting song was chosen as the album's representative on the 2006 Island Records Folk-Rock 3CD Box Set "Meet Me On The Ledge". Those Klummhorns provided by Royston Wood and Trevor Lucas on the title-track "I Want To See The Bright Lights" gives it a colliery brass band feel – it’s rhythm playfulness - like it’s a debutante at a ball itching to dance. It's also at this point that you notice the lyrics - earthy, fun, working man observant - they floor you. Side 1 ends with such a feeling as the gorgeous "Down Where The Drunkards Roll" with Linda on Lead Vocals. I’ve always thought it a masterpiece – lonely yet moving.

Thompson opens Side 2 starts with a very Fairport vocal on "We Sing Hallelujah" - a rowdy-dowdy old-fashioned melody that feels hundreds of years old (very clever doubled voices). In direct contrast comes the 'Saturday night and I'm all alone' sadness of "Has He Got A Friend For Me" where Linda sounds like a lost teenager rather a happily married woman. With big acoustic guitars and a concertina as its base - the song has a sound Paul Brady would get on his magnificent Irish Folk LP "Welcome Here Kind Stranger" (September 1978 on Mulligan Records) - another winner when it comes to melodies. "The Little Beggar" At times BL feels like the great album Fairport Convention should have made in 1974 but never did. Taking money off snobs sings "The Little Beggar Girl" - the most Traditional Folk song on the album - mandolins and jaunt abound. Another one of the album secret gems is the desperately bleak social commentary of "The End Of The Rainbow" - a song sung by Richard about a child subject to a brutish father - only half protected by a mother who is trying her hardest - but Richard only sees an inevitable hurting future for the kid. The album ends with Linda doing the ballad "The Great Valerio" - a high-wire walker - we the people watching from below as this balancing hero keeps his eye on the target of the other side.

Amidst the three Bonus Tracks is a sharply recorded ten-minute version of "Calvary Cross" – the live band in fine form as Richard stretches out on those solos to the clear delight of the crowd. But even better is Linda's lusty vocal on the Buck Owens Country classic "Together Again" – her Patsy Cline vocals followed by great guitar playing from RT - these two alone making the extras feeling like real bonuses and not just reissue filler...

I've always thought that Richard and Linda Thompson's "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" was part Fairport Convention on top form combined with that second album Fotheringay never made - and that's a combo I'll take any day of any week. 

And at under a fiver online in 2016 - "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" by RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON is a big old classic for very small change...