"Bananamour" by KEVIN AYERS (2003 EMI/Harvest 'Expanded' CD - Peter Mew Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…So Many Problems…Yet None At All…” 

Ex Soft Machine bassist/songwriting genius KEVIN AYERS had a run of stunningly diverse and eclectic albums on Harvest Records between 1969 and 1973. "Joy Of A Toy" opened proceedings in December 1969, "Shooting At The Moon" followed in October 1970, the much-loved "Whatevershebringswesing" in January 1972 - and then this - the wonderful but hugely under-appreciated "Bananamour" in the spring of 1973. Always somehow in the shadow of its more popular predecessor - the album "Bananamour" deserves a better rap. Time to do so...

UK released June 2003 - "Bananamour" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI 07243-582780-2-6 (Barcode 724358278026) is an 'Expanded' CD Remaster and breaks down as follows (52:34 minutes):

1. Don't Let It Get You Down

2. Shouting In A Bucket Blues

3. When Your Parents Go To Sleep

4. Interview

5. International Anthem

6. Decadence [Side 2]

7. Oh! Wot A Dream

8. Hymn

9. Beware Of The Dog

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Bananamour" released May 1973 in the UK on Harvest SHVL 807 and in the USA on Sire SAS-7406

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Connie On A Rubber Band - non-album track, B-side of "Oh Wot A Dream" - a UK 7" single issued November 1972 on Harvest HAR 5064

11. Decadence - a Previously Unreleased 'Early Mix' - recorded 15 December 1972

12. Take Me To Tahiti - non-album track, B-side of a 7" single released April 1973in the UK on Harvest HAR 5071

13. Caribbean Moon - non-album track, A-side of "Take Me To Tahiti"

The remaster has been carried out with the Artist's approval by PETER MEW at Abbey Road - and what a sonic winner this is. Right from the get go - you're hit with clarity, warmth in the instruments, the dense backing vocals now so sweet and Ayer's voice sailing over it all. It's a properly fabulous job done.

Very rare original issues of the UK LP (£100+) came with an elaborate and beautifully laid out 16-page 'booklet' - which MARK POWELL (who wrote the liner notes) has been smart enough to reproduce in all its glory. There are Robert Crumb-like cartoon-paintings similar to the one of the front sleeve  - pictures of SYD BARRETT, NICO and DORIS TROY - as well as Ayers' own explanations of each song. It gives the 24-page booklet a very substantial feel. Even the CD apes the design of the 'Harvest' label. And then there's the great music...

It opens with "Don't Let It Get You Down" (lyrics above) sounding not unlike The Beatles "Flying" instrumental on 1967's "Magical Mystery Tour". Steve Hillage of GONG gets Lead Electric Guitar on the Acoustic "Shouting In A Bucket Blues" while the organ of MIKE RATLEDGE on the utterly brilliant "Interview" would later become such a huge part of "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream...." sound. The remaster clarity on "Interview" alone is worth the price of admission - but there's better to come.

Album-track genius comes twice - first in the shape "When Your Parents Go To Sleep" - a stunning kind of Ray Charles Soul-Rock chugger with ARCHIE LEGGETT on Lead Vocals. Leggett was the Bass Player in Ayer's touring `Decadence' band and is ably supported here by three great backing vocalists - a giggling Doris Troy (Apple Records), Liza Strike (Soul singer who later joined Roger Glover's band) and Barry St. John (of Dandelion Records fame). But better still is the storming brass section that punctuates the song throughout - HOWARD CASEY on Tenor Sax with DAVE CASWEL on Trumpet. They make "When Your Parents Go To Sleep" something incredible.

And number two stand out is the dreamy and ethereal "Decadence" which at 8 minutes is one of those fantastic plucked-guitar repeats that hooks in early and doesn't let up for the entire duration. When I used to play it at Reckless it always brought customers to the counter asking after it - and brought the quintessentially English magic of KEVIN AYERS into their lives. While it obviously feels very Velvet Underground - at times "Decadence" also feels like fellow label-mate ROY HARPER circa "Stormcock" - long, deep and unique. The silly "Oh! Wot A Dream" is typical Ayers flimsy - Harvest even tried it as a single - probably because of its 3-minute playing time and its Summer time punting on dreamy rivers lyrics. "Hymn" is lovely with a superb Harmony Vocal from Avant Garde hero ROBERT WYATT and the album ends with the short Hovis Advert brass band of "Beware Of The Dog" - sweet as.

Ayers would sign to Island Records and go on to the wonderfully druggy (and at times desperately dark) "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" in May 1974. There other greats albums like "Sweet Deceiver" in 1975 and "Yes We Have No Mananas" in 1976 - but like fellow Harvest Records label mate Roy Harper - Ayers would remain cruelly outside commercial success.

You could argue that no proper rock collection is complete without the trio of "Whatevershebringswesing", "Bananamour" and "Confessions Od Dr. Dream...". I would. 

An overlooked and stunning-sounding reissue - get this CD remaster into your stereo rack right away...

This review and hundreds more like it can be found in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series - 1960's and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 - Exceptional CD Remasters. 

It contains over 210 in-depth reviews (a whopping 2400+ e-Pages) and is available to buy/download at Amazon at the following link...

"Encouraging Words" by BILLY PRESTON - September 1970 UK Album on Apple Records featuring George Harrison (October 2010 UK Apple 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster)

This Review Along With 336 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R 'n' B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £6.95 (2024 Update)

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

(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=B00MTCDTWS&asins=B00MTCDTWS&linkId=f95dca2244c8856012cccc3c6c25fff6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"…Learn To Live The Golden Rule…Don't You Go Through Life Being A Fool…"

Monday 25 October 2010 has seen 14 of the 'Apple' label albums remastered and reissued alongside "Come And Get It" - a first-time-ever label 'Best Of'. This reissue is one of them.

"Encouraging Words" was the second and last album on Apple Records for long-time friend and sometimes collaborator with The Beatles - American keyboardist and Soul Singer Billy Preston. And along with his excellent debut LP the year before (1969's "That's The Way God Planned It") – it's not just one of the labels better offerings, it's a criminally forgotten Seventies Soul gem and arguably the best album of his long career.

UK released 25 Oct 2010 - "Encouraging Words" by BILLY PRESTON on Apple 5099990823923 (Barcode is the same as catalogue number) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster that breaks down as follows (54:44 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 13 are the LP "Encouraging Words" released 11 September 1970 in the UK on Apple SAPCOR 14 (Stereo only) and on Apple ST-3370 in the USA.

BONUSES:

Tracks 14 and 15 are the 2 bonus tracks given with the 1993 reissue - "As Long As I Got My Baby" (a Preston original) and "All That I Got (I'm Gonna Give It To You)" (a co-wrote with Doris Troy).

"As Long As I Got My Baby" was intended to be the B-side of Preston's version of "My Sweet Lord" on Apple 29 (scheduled for September 1970 release in the UK) but withdrawn.

"All That I Got (I'm Gonna Give It To You)" was co-produced with GEORGE HARRISON and released as a 7" single on 30 January 1970 in the UK on Apple 21. It's B-side "As I Get Older" is on the "That's The Way God Planned It" CD reissue as a bonus (Track 14) – both songs were non-album at the time of release.

Track 16 is a new bonus for this 2010 issue - the previously unreleased fully formed song - "How Long Has the Train Been Gone". It was co-written with Bruce Fisher, recorded in January 1970 and then later re-recorded for Preston’s 1973 album on A&M Records – "Everybody Loves Some Kind Of Music" (he would also re-record "When You Were Mine" for his 1976 A&M album “Billy Preston”).

BOOKLET/PACKAGING:
Noted writer and music lover ANDY DAVIS does the new liner notes for the disappointingly weedy 12-page booklet (EMI pushes the boat out again people). But with what little text he has been afforded, Davis does at least fill it with properly informative details - and it's peppered with some very tasty full-page colour photos of Preston from the time. No UK singles were issued around the record (possibly why it disappeared so quick), but there is a full-page reproduction of an advert for the American single of "My Sweet Lord" on Apple 1826 (it also names Radio Stations supporting the song).

PLAYERS:
The cast is impressive (if not a little vague) – GEORGE HARRISON co-produced the entire album with Preston, ERIC CLAPTON played guitar on 3 tracks – “Right Now”, “Use What You Got” and “Encouraging Words”. RINGO STARR and KLAUS VOORMAN are said to be on Drums and Bass respectively, while DELANEY BRAMLETT also plays guitar on “Encouraging Words” with Eric. The Rhythm Section for THE TEMPTATIONS are on there (Bass, Guitarist, Drums) while members of SAM and DAVE’S band played Drums and Bass too. Both MADELINE BELL and DORIS TROY provided beautiful soulful backing vocals (Doris Troy’s lone album on Apple “Doris Troy” was released the week earlier – 4 September 1970) while the EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS are on “My Sweet Lord” and “Sing One For The Lord”.

CONTENT:
Six of the 13 are Billy Preston originals with "My Sweet Lord" and "All Things (Must) Pass" being George Harrison compositions. "Let The Music Play", "The Same Thing Again" and "Sing One For The Lord" are co-writes with Jesse Kirkland, James Herndon and George Harrison respectively. Which leaves two cover versions – The Beatles' "I've Got A Feeling" (from "Let It Be") and "You've Been Acting Strange" written by Ronnie Lee Williams (also covered by Merry Clayton on her 1970 "Gimme Shelter" album). Unlike some of the other Apple issues, there are no extra tracks via download. But the really big news is the SOUND...

SOUND:
The same team that handled the much-praised 09/09/09 Beatles remasters have done this - GUY MASSEY, STEVE ROOKES, PHIL HICKS and SIMON GIBSON. I always thought the initial 1993 reissue was dull-as-dishwater soundwise - well not so now because the audio quality here is BEAUTIFUL - a massive improvement. It also makes you reassess a lot of the songs and appreciate more Harrison's excellent production contributions.

"Right On" is a superb opener and sets the tone for the overall funky feel of the album (surely it would have been a hit single). "When You Are Mine" is a sweetheart too as is "Use What You Got" (with great wah-wah guitar from Clapton). Very cool stuff. Conversely - the two most famous 'early versions' of Harrison classics "My Sweet Lord" and "All Things (Must) Pass" are the ones that work the least well for me. Not so the stunning blues-soul of "The Same Thing Again" co-written with the noted Gospel singer James Herndon – it's a monster. It had customers coming to the counter in our shop wanting to know which Ray Charles tune we were playing (praise indeed).

"Encouraging Words" is a brilliantly brassy dancer with a message for the kids to be kind, stay in school and don't get suckered (lyrics above). It really is so good. The brass, the great production and the remaster combine to fill your room with superlative soul-funk. But for me the absolute dog's undercarriage is the fabulous Beatles-meets-Gospel "Sing One For The Lord" - Preston's huge organ playing combines with the choir feel of the backing vocals, George's meaty guitar riff and a lingering Sitar-sounding instrument called the Indian Tamboura which floats over the whole thing – it’s a stunning cross-pollination of cultures and music and as close to post-Beatles magic as you can get.

Although a little hissy - the new song "How Long Has The Train Been Gone" is a slow soulful gem – it's fantastic and I can't believe its been lingering in vaults all these years. And like the new bonus track "Something's Got To Change" on the "That's The Way God Planned It" CD reissue (see separate review) - it's that rarest thing, a genuine must-have bonus track.

Niggles - the gatefold card sleeve is nice to look at for sure, but the booklet and overall packaging feel lightweight (what EMI could get away with). The CD should have one of those gauze inner bags to protect it - a problem that no record company seems to want to acknowledge (scuffing and damage). But these are truly minor points…

To sum up – I've loved rehearing this forgotten peach of an album in this hugely improved sound quality - Seventies Soul lovers need to discover this great record. I’m also reminded of crying uncontrollably when I saw Preston play "Isn't It A Pity" live with Clapton and that fantastic band at the "Concert For George" in 2002 in The Royal Albert Hall - magical. Too many losses man…remember his this way.

A brilliant reissue and recommended big time...

“Is This What You Want?” by JACKIE LOMAX (October 2010 Apple 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Rolls Royce...Does It Make You Happy?"

Despite "Sour Milk Sea" being written by George Harrison at a time when all-things-Beatles was at an-all-time fever pitch – Jackie Lomax's debut album on their Apple Label has never really raised the goose bumps on collector’s arms (or the public’s interest - his next albums on Warner Brothers were the same despite some quality tracks). But on rehearing this 1969 opening salvo – there is much to enjoy here. One of 14 Apple Label albums Remastered and Reissued on 20 October 2010 - here are the questionable details...

Using the Stereo Mix of the album – the October 2010 Expanded Edition CD Remaster of "Is That What You Want?" by JACKIE LOMAX [featuring Eric Clapton, Nick Hopkins, Tony Newman, Madeline Bell and Doris Troy] on Apple 5099990825521 (Barcode the same) breaks down as follows (60:09 minutes):

1. Speak To Me

2. Is This What You Want?

3. How Can You Say Goodbye

4. Sunset

5. Sour Milk Sea

6. Fall Inside Your Eyes

7. Little Yellow Pills [Side 2]

8. Take My Word

9. The Eagle Laughs At You

10. Baby You’re A Lover

11. You’ve Got Me Thinking

12. I Just Don’t know

Tracks 1 to 12 are the LP "Is That What You Want?" released 14 March 1969 on Apple APCOR 6 (Mono) and Apple SAPCOR 6 (Stereo) in the UK and on Apple ST-3354 in the USA (Stereo only).

BONUS TRACKS:

13. New Day

14. Thumbin’ A Ride

15. How The Web Was Woven

16. You’ve Got To Be Strong

17. You Make It With Me

18. Can You Hear Me

Tracks 13 to 15 were the 3 bonus tracks given with the 1991 reissue while 16 to 18 are previously unreleased and exclusive to this 2010 version. There are also 5 more extra tracks available via Digital Download from iTunes or Amazon as an extra payment (see either site for details).

Using both album and bonus tracks, this CD will allow fans to sequence his 3 Apple UK 7" singles as follows: 

1. "Sour Milk Sea" b/w "The Eagle Laughs At You" [Tracks 5 and 9]

(Released 31 August 1968 in the UK on Apple APPLE 3)

2. "New Day" b/w "Fall Inside Your Eyes" [Tracks 13 and 6]

(Released 2 May 1969 in the UK on Apple APPLE 11; the A-side is a non-album track and is a MONO mix)

3. "How The Web Was Woven" b/w Thumbin' A Ride [Tracks 15 and 14]

(Released 6 February 1970 in the UK on Apple APPLE 23. Both sides are cover versions, the A-side by Clive Westlake and David Most while the B is a Coasters song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It is also the only single on the Apple catalogue produced by a Beatle on each side - George Harrison on the A and Paul McCartney on the B. Both songs were non-album at the time of release)

BOOKLET/PACKAGING:

Noted writer and music lover ANDY DAVIS does the new liner notes for the disappointingly weedy booklet (they all appear to be this generic length - 12 pages - EMI pushes the boat out again people). But with what little text he has been afforded, Davis does at least fill it with properly informative details - and it's peppered with some very tasty black and white photos of Lomax in Hyde Park in 1969 (two more adorn the inner gatefold) - and colour portraits of Jackie with George Harrison and Paul McCartney in the studio.  It's cute, but you do wish there was more...

PLAYERS/CONTENT:

Like so many of the sessions of the time, the recordings included three of The Beatles and many famous and talented friends - George played Guitar, Ringo was on Drums, Paul McCartney and Klaus Voormann contributed Bass - others musicians included ERIC CLAPTON on Guitar, NICKY HOPKINS on Keyboards and TONY NEWMAN of Sounds Incorporated on Drums. Although the liner notes don't state it - the backing vocals are probably DORIS TROY and MADELINE BELL. Excepting "Sour Milk Sea" (written by George Harrison) - the other 11 tracks on the album are Jackie Lomax originals.

SOUND:

The same team that handled the much-praised 09/09/09 Beatles remasters has done this - GUY MASSEY, STEVE ROOKES, PHIL HICKS and SIMON GIBSON. The audio quality is BEAUTIFUL - a massive improvement. It also makes you reassess a lot of the songs and especially the musicianship involved.

The album opens strongly with "Speak To Me" - strings, vocals, guitars - all sounding great. It's followed by the 'possessions are corrupting' title song (lyrics above) with a lovely Oboe floating over the loaded lyrics. In fact a lot of the album reflects a thinking-man's Rock 'n' Roller - "Little Yellow Pills" warning against doctor's helpful prescriptions and the plaintive album finisher "I Just Don't Know" ruminating about chasing dreams and girls - neither of which appear attainable to the dapper Jackie. Some of the slower songs don't work for me - a little forced and even twee in places - "Fall Inside Your Eyes" and "Baby You're A Lover"

But like the other issues in this series, the best is kept until last. What the 3 new bonus tracks lack in recorded finesse are more than made up for with heart and raw talent - "You Got To Be Strong" and "Can You Hear Me" are co-written with fellow label mate DORIS TROY - and they're excellent. Sort of hybrid Soul-meets-Rock songs, they suit his guttural vocals so well.  "Can You Hear Me" is even moving in a slightly Northern Soul way - a truly lovely melody.

Niggles - the gatefold card sleeve is nice to look at for sure, but the booklet and overall packaging feel lightweight (what EMI could get away with). The CD should have one of those gauze inner bags to protect it - a problem that no record company seems to want to acknowledge (scuffing and damage). These are minor points I know but worth making...

Lomax went on to make "Home Is In My Head" and "Three" for Warner Brothers in 1971 and 1972 (both of which featured ace UK slide-guitarist Bryn Haworth - they've been reissued by Rhino with extra tracks) - but this forgotten and underrated album is where it all started proper.

Recommended - especially given the massive improvement in sound quality and those excellent bonus tracks…