Here is a link to AMAZON UK to get this superb reissue at the best price:
"…Do Right Woman…" – The Windows Of The World…PLUS
by DIONNE WARWICK
Dionne Warwick’s catalogue for Pye International (UK) and
Scepter Records (USA) has been done before – but never with such style – and
dare we say it – such affection. With 4 LPs and a whopping 21 Bonus Tracks -
there’s a huge haul on this 3CD set (No. 3 in a series of 4 multiples). So
let’s get to the details right away…
UK released 20 January 2014 - Edsel EDSK 3017 (Barcode
740155301736) breaks down as follows…
Disc 1 (63:14 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her 9th album "The Windows Of The
World" – released August 1967 in the USA on Scepter SPS 563 and Pye
International NPL 28101 (Mono) in the UK
Tracks 11 to 20 are 10th album “Valley Of The Dolls” –
released March 1968 in the USA on Scepter Records SPS 568 and Pye International
NSPL 28114 (Stereo) in the UK
Disc 2 (62:31 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 3 are BONUSES
Tracks 4 to 13 are her 11th album "Promises, Promises”
– released December 1968 in the USA on Scepter Records SPS 571
Tracks 14 to 19 are BONUSES
Disc 3 (75:27 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her 12th album “Soulful” – released April
1969 in the USA on Scepter SPS 573 and Pye International NSPL 28122 (Stereo) in
the UK
Tracks 11 to 23 are BONUSES
The 4-way foldout digipak gives the whole reissue a quality
feel with each flap used to showcase rare picture sleeves, promo variants and
label bags. The chunky 28-page booklet pictures the album covers, 7” singles,
more foreign picture sleeves, original British Pye International and Wand
labels, publicity photos, track-by-track annotation and exceptionally detailed
liner notes by Soul Expert and long-time Edsel Associate TONY ROUNCE. It’s
beautifully done.
The remastered sound varies wildly depending on the source –
the singles in Mono are invariably hissy but the Stereo album tracks are
glorious – beautifully clear – the “Promises, Promises” album especially. Even
if the punchy Mono tracks are a little on the noisy side though – they have
punch and are full of that great Sixties vibe. And much of this stuff hasn’t
been in print for decades - with some of the bonus tracks (singles sung in
foreign languages) only previously available on very expensive imports.
The shadow of Bacharach and David hangs of so much on here –
but that’s a complaint I’ll gladly countenance. “Do You Know The Way To San
Jose?”, “Windows Of the World”, “I Say A Little Prayer”, “Theme From The Valley
Of The Dolls”…it’s all so bloody good and has ‘so’ stood the test of time. I
love her cover on the “Soulful” LP of the James and Bobby Purify hit “I’m A
Puppet” penned by Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn. And the congregational mood to
Aretha’s “Do Right Woman – Do Right Man” feels just as soulful as the classic
Atlantic Records original. Even the obvious choice of “Hey Jude” feels good.
Among the bonus cuts is an aching version of the Little
Anthony & The Imperials torch ballad “Hurt So Bad” which is superb - as is
the gospel organ of “Young. Gifted & Black” - slowed right down to powerful
effect – a properly great reinterpretation.
It’s not all genius of course (some of the Sly Stone covers
are trying to hard) – but what is good is magical.
A classy lady and an equally classy reissue series. Kudos to
all involved…
PS: This reissue is Volume 3 of 4 – the other titles in the
series are:
1. Presenting
Dionne Warwick /Anyone Who Has A Heart /Make Way For Dionne Warwick /The
Sensitive Sound Of Dionne Warwick (Edsel EDSK 7051)
2. Here I Am –
Dionne Warwick In Paris / Here Where There Is Love / On Stage And In The Movies
(Edsel EDSK 7052)
3. I’ll Never
Fall In Love Again / Very Dionne / Dionne / Just Being Myself (Edsel EDSK 7053)
