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Showing posts with label Duncan Cowell Remasters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duncan Cowell Remasters. Show all posts

Monday, 27 January 2025

"Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring The Mad Lads, 87th Off Broadway, The Moments, Lee Williams & The Cymbals, Jimmy Conwell, Ramona King, Four Tees, Natural resources, The Exclusive, The Soul Interiors, The San Francisco TKOs, The Diplomats, The Three Reasons, The Performers, Nightchill, Richard Caiton and more (31 January 2025 UK Ace/Kent Soul 24-Track CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters and Previously Unreleased Material) - A Review by Mark Barry...





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RATINGS:

Overall: *** to ****
Audio: ****
Presentation: *****

"…For The Love Of You…"

Probably not the prettiest or the most eye-catching artwork in the long history of CD Soul Compilations it must be said - and four or more were left in the can for obvious reasons too - no matter how much the liner notes may enthuse. But (in the main) this last day of January 2025 CD release from our archival pals over at Ace Records is still a lovely listen – and sees many rarities making their debut on CD. Kent Soul is shimmering for collectors once again.

Ace are celebrating the tradition of Balladry and Harmony Soul here – 24-Tracks scattered across more than two decades (1961 to 1984) – many from rare and deleted CDs of old, 2024 vinyl-only releases and at least a third of the haul – brand new. 

Mucho smooching to be done then and extra bottles of Talcum Powder to be lined up on the drinks trolly by the dancefloor just a backfield motion left of the telly. To the broken hearts and men who may not necessarily be true…

UK released Friday, 31 January 2025 - "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 513 (Barcode 029667111126) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters. It includes Six Previously Unreleased for 2025, Four UK 45-Single issues initially only on Vinyl in 2024 and other Rarities first time on CD - it plays out as follows (73:37 minutes):

1. I've Never Found A Girl – THE MAD LADS (from the August 1969 US LP "The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Lads" on Volt Records VOS-6005 in Stereo – an Eddie Floyd cover version)

2. Instant Replay – 87th OFF BROADWAY (an April 1972 recording first issued on Ace's new reissue label Soul Harmony – the A-side "Instant Replay" is their inaugural release for 25 October 2024 on SH 01 with Larry Sanders and his "I'm In Love" on the flipside – first issue here on CD) 

3. Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You) - MOMENTS (July 1972, US 45-single on Stang ST 5041, A-side – also as The Moments in the UK, 45-single released September 1972 on London HLU 10389, A-side)

4. I'll Be Gone – LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS (April 1966, US 45-single on Carnival Records CAR-521, B-side of "I Love You More")

5. Let It All Out – JIMMY CONWELL (Mid 1967, US 45-single on Gemini 1003, B-side of "Too Much")

6. Mr. Lover Supreme – RAMONA KING (an Alex Palao mix of a Previously Unreleased 1970 Golden State Recording – Previously Unreleased)

7. The Wind Is My Only Friend – THE FOUR TEES (a Previously Unissued 1970 Kent recording – Previously Unreleased)

8. For The Love Of You – NATURAL RESOURCES (a Previously Unissued 1969 Bobby Swayne recording – Previously Unreleased)

9. I Still Love You – THE EXCLUSIVE (1970s Eddie Singleton recording – first issued 25 October 2024 in the UK on 45-single on Soul Harmony SH 02, A-side - first time on CD)

10. My Friend Heartaches – THE SOUL INTERIORS (a 1972 GSF Records written by Thomas Crawford first issued September 2024 in the UK on a 45-single, Kent CITY 096, A-side – first time on CD here)

11. Ooh, Baby, Baby – THE SAN FRANCISCO T.K.O.'s (1972 US 45-single on Golden Soul GS 7112, B-side of "Herm" – Lead Vocalist is Penny Lewis – a cover of The Miracles Tamla song of 1965 with Smokey Robinson)

12. Forever – THE DIPLOMATS (a 1963 recording for Arock Records, recorded by Van McCoy and written by Paul Griffin and Willie Denson – first appears as an unreleased track on the June 2004 Diplomats UK CD compilation "Greatest Recordings" on Ace/Kent CDKEND 232)

13. Moon Out There – THE PUFFS (February 1966, US 45-single on Doré 757, B-side of "I Only Cry Once A Day Now" – Female Vocal Group consisting of Joyce Pinkney, Rose Bell and Mary White - arranged by Gene Page)

14. Ain't That Kinda Sad – THE QUESTION MARKS (1964 US 45-single on Money 105, A-side – A.R.D. Production arranged by Hank Jacobs – Thomas Calhoun song)

15. The Greatest Love – THE FOUR SONICS (May 1968, US 45-single on Sport 111, A-side – featuring Anita Watson)

16. You Still Need Me – JOHNNY WESLEY And THE FOUR TEES (April 1966, US 45-single on Melic Records 4170, B-side of "It's The Talk Of The Town" – Arranged by Arthur Wright)

17. Something In My Eye – THE MUSIC CITY SOUL BROTHERS (1964 US 45-single on Music City 855, A-side – featuring Jimmy Norman on Lead with Freddie Hughes and Ken Pleasants on Backing Vocals)

18. Take Me Back – THE THREE REASONS (1971 US 45-single on Carnival CAR-551, B-side of "Just A Groove In "G"" by Wilbur Bascomb And The Zodiac – written by Kenneth Ruffin)

19. Girl I Tried – THE PERFORMERS (originally a 1973 recording first issued in the USA on the August 2011 Various Artists VINYL LP "The Music City Sessions Volume 3: Soul Show" on Omnivore Recordings OVLP- 38 – an Edit is presented here and is first time on CD in 2025)

20. Love Don't Let Me Down – NIGHTCHILL (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording from 1980 – a Nick Robbins Mix)

21. You Look Like A Flower – RICHARD CAITON (September 1964, US 45-single on GNP Crescendo GNP 327, A-side)

22. Palms Of Paradise – RAY & BOB (September 1961, US 45-single on Ledo 1151, B-side of "Air Travel" – Ray Swayne and Bob Appleberry)

23. Who Do You Love – THE IMPERIALITES (Previously Unissued 1964 George Semper recording – first time on CD)

24. The Story Says – THE TOKAYS (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording)

NOTES:
All Tracks in STEREO except Tracks 5, 10, 12 to 18, 22 to 24 in MONO

The 20-page booklet is the usual Ace Records dream-fest crammed with knowledgeable and well-researched liner notes from Soul aficionado TONY OUNCE – each artist represented by publicity photos if available (The Moments, Ramona King and The Diplomats get whole pages – 5, 8 and 12). There are label repros of hard-to-find US singles in Stock or Demo form and even Trade Adverts alongside the occasional archival Tape Box. Rounce goes deep on facts – names you have never heard of – singers remembered and rightly so. 

The Audio is half-and-half – 12 in STEREO with most of the 45s not surprisingly in MONO. Long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL has once again done a sterling job with the Remasters – only one of two betraying their demo-ish origins. When for instance you are playing the unreleased 1970 cut by The Four Tees – great STEREO Audio – same goes for the 1964 MONO of The Music City Soul Brothers - pleading for you to disregard their tears (singers Ken Hughes and Ken Pleasants are pictured in a Trade Advert for an upcoming gig on Page 15). Great stuff. To the tunes…

"Soul Harmony…" opens on a hip-swaying high – The Mad Lads doing a 1969 cover version the Eddie Floyd Stax hit "I've Never Found A Girl" – an LP deep cut – it hears our harmonizing boys giving it some microphone shuffles while smooth guitar soloing and brass punctuate that lovely song. First issued as an Alec Palao Mix on UK 45 in 2024 on Ace's own label imprint Soul Harmony (their debut release) – 87th Off Broadway smooch the eight-piece voices across your speakers – very, very pretty. Falsetto voices akin to The Stylistics and Chi-Lites – The Moments ad a huge chart history and in 1972 their warning ballad "Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You" was typical of their sound. 
Clever choice and top pick (for me) comes in the shape of the arm-shuffling "I'll Be Gone" by Lee Williams & The Cymbals (misspelled as Symbols on original 1966 US 45s) – a fabulous winner and surefire inclusion on Soul Ballads CD-Rs of future home entertainment (the obscure US 45 goes for serious dosh). 

The goodies continue with "Let It All Out" – not the greatest audio for Jimmy Conwell – but man what an emotional punch its 1967 oohs and sways pack (you're gonna stay, a shoulder to cry on). The Ramona King track may be unreleased, but unfortunately you can hear why its weakness and her cloying delivery of it was canned - "Mr Lover Supreme" is more irritating than good and with lyrics that have not worn well. Full-on Brass and String Arrangements threaten to overwhelm "For The Love Of You" but the classy Harmony Vocals of Nature Resources keep you listening and swaying.

Time for some serious smooching – a low Bass eases in the foolish-man oohs of The Exclusives who are glad (nonetheless) that they held onto her. A fabulous find with a disarmingly lovely trumpet solo amidst the pleading vocal pyro-techniques – it was issued as 45-release number two on Ace's Soul Harmony label in October 2024 (this is its first time on CD and will be a welcome addition to digital). The Soul Interiors cut seems to feature an unknown vocalist on "My Friend Heartaches" – but what a voice – might be the song-writer Thomas Mitchell. Speaking of great singers - I would swear that Linda Ronstadt zapped right into the feel of The San Francisco TKOs cover of The Miracles Tamla hit "Ooh, Baby, Baby" for her version in 1978 on Elektra Records – Ronstadt slowing it down to the same funerial pace which in some way enhances the Soulfulness even more. 

Not that enamoured with The Diplomats cut "Forever" and despite serious effort - The Puffs US 45 flipside "Moon Out There" is let down by muffled and worn audio. Better is The Question Marks who go back to 1964 and feature a very Four Tops Motown vibe with their lovely "Ain't That Kinda Sad". Neither hurt nor humiliation will keep Johnny Wesley & The Four Tees away – their "You Still Need Me" a great weepy. I mentioned the haw-haw melodrama of The Soul Brothers earlier as they crawl from the emotional wreckage of "Something In My Eye" (give that lucky guy a hello from the boys). Much going on with "Take Me Back" – the lead vocalist practically shredding his pipes as his backing singers sway and pray. 

The later sound of Nightchill feels out of place and even with Dave Hamilton involvement is not that good to my ears. We head home with Richard Caiton comparing his lady to a flower – but like Ray & Bob song that follow (the oldest cut here from 1961) – the lyrics are weedy and the Vocal Group tradition is more in evidence rather than Soul (and not in a good way). The Imperialites mix up Doo Wop and Soul with their should-we-raise-a-family smoocher "Who Do You Love" while the compilation ends on the weirdly eerie "The Story Says" – a Tokays demo with a Tambourine and Piano and Voices. I can see why it is included, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be playing it again any time soon.

So, to sum up - 31 January 2025's "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" CD has some gems for sure - plus Rarities on Digital that are welcome too. But a lot of these out-of-work chunes were chancing their arms in the first place and haven't weathered well since – so four stars at the most. But the good stuff in-between – oh yes – and the reason why we love Kent Soul compilations to the max...

Wednesday, 8 January 2025

"American Baroque: Chamber Music And Beyond 1967-1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring The Merry-Go-Round (with Emitt Rhodes), Montage (with Michael Brown of The Left Banke), The Stone Poneys (with Linda Ronstadt), The Association, H.P. Lovecraft, Nico, The Monkees, Bonnie Dobson, Nora Guthrie, The Fun & Games, The Common People, Steve Martin (of The Left Banke), Rosebud with Judy Henske, Jerry Yester and Craig Doerge, The Pleasure Fair, John Randolph Marr, Blades of Grass and more (31 January 2025 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...





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This Review and Over 394 More Like It
Are Available In My E-Book 
 
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RATINGS: 
Overall ****
Audio ****
Presentation *****

"…Satin Slipper…"

American Baroque, Chamber Music and even its side-dishes like 60ts and 70ts Pastoral Folk, Sunshine Pop and Operatic Rock have been done before by Rhino, Sundazed and Ace Records of the UK (four such Ace CD comps are advertised on the rear inlay beneath the see-through disc tray inside – see list below). 

All Harpsichords, Cellos, Woodwinds, layered lush Harmony Vocals and talk of getting it together man with your fellow (well) man – means that some of these entries in late January 2025 could be considered ever so slightly naff. This is a world between 1967 and 1971 where bands were called The Blades Of Grass, Eternity's Children, The Pleasure Fair and The Neon Philharmonic - and mushrooms were not being used for Soup during November (or any other month). But a great reissue label like Ace and compiler Bob Stanley beg to alter our preconceived notions (at the doors of perception you understand) – and on second and a third listen – these men of virtually no potbellies, tasteful hairpieces and Mensa type wisdom have more than a point. 

There is some fantastic stuff on here – names you may not know granted - but still 71:08 minutes and 24-slices of inventive arrangements and complex harmonies that swirl and swoop and impress – and on occasion – even move. Much to discuss, to the smooth and trippy details…

UK released Friday, 31 January 2025 - "American Baroque: Chamber Music And Beyond 1967-1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP 1657 (Barcode 029667112321) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (71:08 minutes):

1. You're A Very Lovely Woman – THE MERRY-GO-ROUND (from the October 1967 US LP "You're A Very Lovely Woman" on A&M Records SP 4132 in STEREO – band featured Emitt Rhodes (later solo career), Bill Reinhart of The Leaves and Joel Larson of The Grass Roots)

2. I Shall Call Her Mary – MONTAGE (April 1968, US 45-single on Laurie LR 3438, A-side – includes Michael Brown of The Left Banke)

3. Raggedy Ann – JOHN RANDOLPH MARR (from the March 1970 US LP "John Randolph Marr" on Warner Bros/Seven Arts WS 1844 in STEREO – once a Guitarist with the Louis Prima band – Produced by Nilsson House Productions)

4. Tulu Rogers – APPALOOSA (from the July 1969 US LP "Appaloosa" on Columbia CS 9819 in STEREO – featuring John Compton)

5. Turnaway – THE PLEASURE FAIR (from the October 1967 US Debut LP "The Pleasure Fair" on Uni Records 73009 in STEREO – songs arranged and produced by David Gates of Bread)

6. Different Drum – STONE PONEYS featuring LINDA RONSTADT (September 1967, US 45-single on Capitol 2004, A-side – a Mike Nesmith song (of The Monkeys) featuring Don Randi on Harpsichord)

7. Emily's Illness – NORA GUTHRIE (November 1967, US 45-single on Mercury 72753, A-side – Nora is Woody Guthrie's Daughter and Arlo Guthrie's Sister – for the B-side "Home Before Dark" – see Track 21)

8. Barefoot Gentleman – THE ASSOCIATION (from the March 1968 US LP "The Association's Birthday" on Warner Bros/Seven Arts WS 1733 in Stereo – A Jerry Yester and Skip Camel song – Jerry Yester would be in Rosebud with Judy Henske – see Track 24)

9. Land Of Sensations & Delights – J.K. & Co. (from the July 1968 US LP "Suddenly One Summer" on White Whale WWS 7117 in STEREO – J.K. is John Kaye of Nuggets fame)

10. Blue Jack Of Diamonds – H.P. LOVECRAFT (from their September 1968 second LP "H.P. Lovecraft II" on Philips PHS-600-279 in STEREO)

11. Time – BONNIE DOBSON (from the August 1969 US Debut LP "Bonnie Dobson" on RCA Victor LSP-4219 in STEREO)

12. Satin Slipper – THE BLADES OF GRASS (from the November 1967 US Debut LP "The Blades Of Grass Are Not For Smoking" on Jubilee JGS 8007 in STEREO)

13. My Silent Symphony – CHRIS and PETER ALLEN (from the April 1968 US LP "Album Number 1" on Mercury SR-61166 in STEREO – Chris Bell and Peter Allen)

14. Mr. Webster – THE MONKEES (from the January 1990 US CD Compilation "Missing Links Volume 2" on Rhino R2 70903 – Barcode 081227090326 – an earlier 1967 outtake from the "Headquarters" LP sessions featuring Harpsichord and Oboe abandoned for a re-record)

15. Again Again - ETERNITY'S CHILDREN (from the April 1968 US Debut LP "Eternity's Children" on Tower Records ST-5123 in STEREO)

16. My Plan – RUSS GIGUERE (from the April 1971 US LP "Hexagram 16" on Warner Bros WS 1910 in STEREO – ex The Association – track features Vocals by Jerry Yester also ex The Association and partner with vocalist Judy Henske of Rosebud (see Track 24))

17. The Fairest Of The Seasons – NICO (from the October 1967 US Debut Solo LP "Chelsea Girl" on Verve V6-5032 in STEREO – song written by Gregory Copeland and Jackson Browne – band features The Velvet Underground – Lou Reed, John Cale and Stirling Morrison - with Jackson Browne also contributing Keyboards and Guitar before his first solo album of 1972)

18. Other Times – TOM NORTHCOTT (January 1968, US 45-single on Warner Bros 7160, B-side of "1941" – arranged by Leon Russell, Produced by Lenny Waronker and Leon Russell – A-side is a Harry Nilsson cover version - "Other Times" is a Northcott original)

19. You Lied – THE NEON PHILHARMONIC (from the January 1969 US Debut LP "The Neon Philharmonic" on Warner Bros/Seven Arts WS 1804 in STEREO)

20. Close To Carmel – THE FUN AND GAMES (from the December 1968 US Debut LP "Elephant Candy" on Uni Records 73042 in STEREO)

21. Home Before Dark – NORA GUTHRIE (November 1967, US 45-single on Mercury 72753, B-side of "Emily's Illness" – Nora is Woody Guthrie's Daughter and Arlo Guthrie's Sister – for the A-side – see Track 7)

22. I Have Been Alone – THE COMMON PEOPLE (from the August 1969 US Debut LP "Of The People / By The People / For The People by The Common People" on Capitol ST-266 in STEREO – Arranged and Produced by George Hudson Manager of The Seeds and The Lollipop Shoppe)

23. Two By Two (I'm Losing You) – STEVE MARTIN (February 1971, US 45-single on Buddah BDA 219, A-side – Lead Singer with The Left Banke – one of two songs by Steve Martin and Left Banke band members featured in a movie called Hot Parts)

24. Lorelei – ROSEBUD (from the July 1971 US LP "Rosebud" on Reprise/Straight Records RS 6426 in STEREO – featuring Jerry Yester and Judy Henske – also included Craig Doerge on Vocals and Keyboards – longtime collaborator with Jackson Browne)

NOTES: All Tracks in STEREO except Tracks 7, 12, 18, 21 and 23 in MONO

Once again long-time associate to Ace Records – compiler BOB STANLEY – has gone deep and wide for the listen. The visuals are a feast too. Paragraphs on each artist are accompanied by tasty Stereo LP sleeves, rare US 45-single labels, trade advert and more. Page 2 (for instance) of the stuffed-to-the-gunnels 20-page booklet is a montage of four US album sleeves from Bonnie Dobson, J.K. & Co, Appaloosa and The Pleasure Fair – titles that are not exactly growing on UK trees no matter how enlightened the shire might be. That Linda Ronstadt was the Lead Singer for The Stone Poneys and that Nico is accompanied by The Velvet Underground is obvious detail for most of us - but that John Kaye of Nuggets 2LP fame is the J and K in J.K. & Co or that Steve Martin is not the famous comedian or actor - but the singer with The Left Banke is cool revelation. Uber-experienced Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL had handled the transfers and all is tickety-boo – nice too to hear all that Sixties Stereo that gives the harmonies such extra oomph. To the tunes…

While the Emitt Rhodes led Merry-Go-Round track "You're A Very Lovely Woman" is a very pretty opener – it is roundly trounced on the melody front by Montage and their "I Shall Call Her Mary" – a truly gorgeous tune aided by Michael Brown of The Left Banke. I recall seeing the John Randolph Marr US LP when I worked at Reckless Records Rarities in Soho resplendent in its Seven Arts label design from Warner Brothers with that interesting Nilsson House Productions credit on the rear. But Jan and Dean painted cover or not - "John Randolph Marr" never sold probably because no one knew what this 1970 US obscurity sounded like and to be honest -  Nilsson albums interested very few punters back in the Nineties vinyl comeback years. But his "Raggedy Ann" utilises cello strings vs. chamber music arrangements rather beautifully and is an astute inclusion.

John Compton of Appaloosa sings of a lady in love with Sebastian Bach – more plucked strings and Dylan-deep reams of lyrics – another good offering. So clever arrangements for The Pleasure Fair as they go all Mamas and Papas with a Harpsichord on their truly lovely "Turnaway". Time for an actual hit – Linda Ronstadt dominating The Stone Poneys and their classy and still fresh-sounding "Different Drum" (written by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees). Woody Guthrie's Daughter and Arlo Guthrie's Sister – a US Trade review once described Nora Guthrie and her seriously unsettling Nov 1967 45 "Emily's Illness" as a "…touching plaintive ballad…" – and if you want drug addiction, suicide, self-mutilation and societal duplicity all wrapped up in the lyrics then I suppose you're belly-aching all the way. With words that are frankly brutal and done in an unnerving coquettish chanteuse kind of a way (no doubt on purpose) – it is brilliant, timely and a genius inclusion even if I never want to hear its horror story ever again (nice one Nora). The rather fay B-side that ends the comp is more Vashti Bunyan than Lou Reed in a temper.

So much part of the Baroque and Chamber Music scene – The Association and their fourth album "…Birthday" contains the rapturous "Come On In" (I have it on a Rhino CD) – Bob Stanley arguing that it's a God-like 60ts melody and I completely concur (shame it isn't on here actually). So big shoes for their "Barefoot Gentleman" (from the same 1968 album) to live up to and it just about does. Layer after layer of vocals arranged into speaker separation for maximum effect are pumped up by an almost Phil Spector Wall of Sound rhythm section – but make no mistake - parts of "Barefoot Gentleman" are as sublime as The Mamas & The Papas at their best or The Beach Boys tapping into Brian Wilson melodic genius. Slowing down to things outside your mind (and such wonderful sights) – "Land Of Sensations & Delights" by J.K. & Co. (John Kaye of Nuggets fame and his pals) tell us of a land that is cleaner. It has tree-filled mountains and virgin snow peaks as the Harpsichord and Piano combine (very hippie man, but very nice too). 

Chronicling an obsessively fussy teller they saw in a Hollywood Bank they frequented, The Monkees version of "Mr. Webster" offered up here dates from the summer of 1967 during the sessions for the "Headquarters" LP. It has Oboe and Harpsichord predominating - but when they decided to re-record using their own players and instruments – it got left in the can as an outtake until Rhino included it as one of four Bonus Tracks on the January 1990 CD compilation "Missing Links Volume Two" (also issued in the EU/UK on Rhino 0630 14930-2 – Barcode 706301493021). That compilation is long-since deleted (pricy too) so a smart inclusion here by Ace. Formerly known as a Folk group called The Phantoms out of Cleveland, Mississippi – a relocation to California in the mid Sixties saw them add singer Linda Lawley and reinvent themselves as the Sunshine-Psych-Baroque four-piece ensemble Eternity's Birthday – their self-titled debut of 1968 considered a classic (hence the near £200-ish price tags for either Mono or Stereo LP). Produced by genre champions Keith Olsen and Curt Boettcher (groups like Sagittarius, The Millenium, Summer's Children, The Ballroom and The GoldeBriars) – "American Baroque: Chamber Music And Beyond 1967-1971" offers us the Side 1 opener "Again Again" (off the Stereo LP) written by Bob Tinker. And what a strange little brute it is. Stanley describes the song in his notes as uneasy – an apt description and aurally – you can so hear why Psych and Chamber Music nutters want the whole platter- never mind a lonesome entry like this one. 

Of the three songs renowned singer-songwriter Jackson Browne contributed to the Nico debut solo album "Chelsea Girl" of October 1967 on Verve Records (it followed on from "The Velvet Underground & Nico" ground-breaker album in late 1966) – Ace have chosen the opener for Side 1 "The Fairest Of The Seasons" (her album also includes his own 1972 debut LP classic "These Days" which has been covered by loads of artists after Nico). Her band mates from The Velvets (Lou Reed, John Cale and Sterling Morrison) are on their too – the whole album vibe a very Pastoral, Baroque, Chamber Music, Folk Chanteuse affair – her deep German droning vocals fitting right in. Info-wise: Jackson Browne's co-writer on "The Fairest Of The Seasons" song was Greg Copeland who would have to wait for his own solo album "Revenge Will Come Back" in 1982 on Geffen Records which JB produced - 10 years after Jackson had his solo debut in 1972 on Asylum Records – a label David Geffen started and owned (what a web). Canadian Folkie Tom Northcott signed to Warner Brothers as a possible next big thing – the 45-single "1941" being one of two Harry Nilsson covers he did – the other being "Rainmaker". Ace has chosen the Harpsichord and backwards sound effects B-side of "1941" - Tom's own "Other Road" where his vocal style could even be mistaken for a woman or a Monkee with a clamp on his nuts (nice). 

For its first two-minutes-ish of its 3:25 minutes playing time – The Neon Harmonic (Keyboardist Tupper Saussy and Singer Don Gant) give us the brilliantly orchestrated Operatic Rock of "You Lied" – a melodramatic over-the-top Scott Walker-esque pleader complete with oodles of earnest strings interlocked with Piano and Harpsichord. But about 1:50 minutes in – the style veers off into dead stop – then a melodic flourish – then a wildly experimental fast-paced Psych finish that sounds like an embryonic Hawkwind (maybe they sent an Acetate to England). What a trip baby and a fab inclusion! Ace even located a Neon Philharmonic poster (along with a H.P. Lovecraft one) that are so rare – Page 17 for NH. 

Speaking of discoveries – Track 23 gives us Steve Martin – no not the comedian and film star – but the Vocalist with The Left Banke. His "Two By Two (I'm Losing You)" was apparently recorded for a 1971 movie called Hot Parts which featured Andy Warhol ward Ultra Violet. It was a Left Banke recording as the band had reformed and settled differences but for some reason was issued as the A-side of a Steve Martin solo single on Buddah Records BDA 219 which of course sank without a trace despite its gorgeous melodic strength. Sounding like a vocal cross between Emitt Rhodes of The Merry-Go-Round meets Colin Blunstone of The Zombies meets Chris Bell of Big Star – "Two By Two (I'm Losing You)" should have caught a break on some plug list somewhere – but unfortunately not so in a crowded 1971 release schedule (the label is pictured on Page 8). 

"American Baroque..." potters on to its musical end with The Common People and their plaintive "I Have Been Alone" – a 1969 Capitol LP that will put you back over £150. In a I may need to get out more tidbit: The Common People album was produced and arranged by the eccentric George Hudson – aka Lord Tim Hudson – one time Manager of The Seeds and The Lollipop Shoppe - but who was also one of the bird voices in Disney's The Jungle Book where George Sanders (as Sheer Khan) serenades Mowgli with 'That's What Friends Are For' (you see how you needed to know that). Nora Guthrie shows up again with the B-side of Track 7 and Jerry Yester with former floor-stomper singer Judy Henske as the band Rosebud also do plaintive with the lovely but slightly underwhelming "Lorelei". Job done.

As I said earlier – such a compilation (and one that is so genre-specific) – is an acquired taste – but I was shocked and pleased and more importantly – made some lovely discoveries – something that is hard to do in these CD saturation days. And for this old codger indeed Grateful that he isn't Dead – these trailblazers can come to my chamber any day of the week. 

Now let me get those Satin Slippers and commune with nature (wee-wee on a tree in the back garden as I badmouth younger neighbours). Recommended…

Other Titles of Interest by Ace Records 
On the Baroque, Chamber Music and Sunshine Pop Sound
Of The 60ts and 70ts

1. Happy Lovin' Time: Sunshine Pop From The Garpax Vaults
29 June 2015 UK CD on Ace/Big Beat CDWIKD 328 (Barcode 029667432825) – 24 Tracks

2. Tea And Symphony: The English Baroque Sound 1968-1974 
31 January 2020 UK CD on Ace CDCHD 1562 (Barcode 029667096928) – 22 Tracks
31 January 2020 UK 2LPs on Ace XXQLP2 064 (Barcode 029667000864) – 23 Tracks (One Bonus)

3. Trip On Me: Soft Psych & Sunshine 1966-1969
30 September 2020 UK CD on Ace/Big Beat CDWIKD 351 (Barcode 029667105927) – 24 Tracks

4. London A To Z: 1962 to 1973
29 September 2023 UK CD on Ace CDTOP 1638 (Barcode 029667109024) – 24 Tracks

Friday, 18 October 2024

"One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Doing Willie Nelson Cover Versions] – Twenty-Four Single and Album Tracks from 1960 to 2021 by Little Esther, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Doug Sahm, Dionne Warwick, Emmylou Harris, Vikki Carr, Tom Jones, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Spinners, Everly Brothers, The Beautiful South, Trisha Yearwood, Johnny Tillotson, Waylon Jennings, k.d. lang and The Reclines, The Flatliners, Timi Yuro, Bettye LaVette, Tanya Tucker and more (October 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...





https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Row-Willie-Nelson-Songbook/dp/B0DGQL45MH?crid=1CARPOAPT4HLY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TkWqU1q2xombHRCcBobp5A.Teg-W31zfudAX-GEq2-VfjrO0ceBLbxAr1zce1H1XAc&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667111720&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729260945&sprefix=029667111720%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=89cebaea8742f876ad66e6417e5a5f37&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground…"

I've had a hard time with some CD entries in the Ace Records Singer-Songwriter Series of cover version compilations – the Paul Williams one of July 2024 for instance had a Kermit The Frog track on it amidst a whole dollop of other Biff Rose, Petula Clark and Seals & Croft schmaltz that does this great reissue label no credit at all (only the opening song "Someday Man" by The Monkees saved that release from the trash can). But I had high hopes for this Willie Nelson set because melody-wise and lyrically – the grizzled old Country Rock buzzard that is WN happens to be (IRS repayment issues aside) one of the great unsung heroes of American songwriting. And I was right. 

Not perfect by any means, but when you peruse the 24-cuts offered on "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" which range from a 1960 45-single by R&B firehouse Little Esther to Tom Jones going Production-naked in his 2015 stark stab, right through Bob Dylan doing a 1983 recording eventually issued in 2021 on one of those 5CD Bootleg Volumes - and all points in-between those hugely disparate dates – you can kind of work out that artists looking for good tunes reach for this songsmith more often than other more lauded luminaries. Honest tunes about real life and its kick-you-in-the-nuts ways. 

There is much to wail and weep over - cheatin' lyin' good-for-nuthin' dirty dogs – male and female – with a smell of cheap whiskey on their breaths and one beady eye on the highway by the barroom door. To the details…

UK released Friday, 25 October 2024 - "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (doing Willie Nelson cover versions) on Ace Records CDTOP 1645 (Barcode 029667111720) is a 24-Track Remastered CD Compilation that plays out as follows (75:58 minutes):

1. Hello Walls – LITTLE ESTHER (March 1964 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2223, B-side of "Double Crossing Blues")

2. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground – BOB DYLAN (1983 recording done during the "Infidel" album sessions - first UK issued September 2021 on the 5CD Variant of "Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Volume 16: 1980-1985" on Columbia/Legacy 19439865802. The Dylan version of this song issued October 1983 as a Non-LP B-side to "Union Sundown" on UK and European 45s is different. Willie Nelson's own original appeared in the movie "Honeysuckle Road" in August 1980)

3. Night Life – B.B. KING (December 1966 US 45-single on ABC Records 45-10889, A-side)

4. Me And Paul – DOUG SAHM And BAND (January 1973 US LP "Doug Sahm And Band" on Atlantic SD 7254 – features Bob Dylan on Blues Harp and Augie Meyer on Piano)

5. He's Not For You – DIONNE WARWICK (October 1976 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WBS 8280, B-side to "I Didn't Mean To Love You")

6. Sister's Coming Home – EMMYLOU HARRIS (from the "Blue Kentucky Girl" album issued April 1979 in the USA on Warner Brothers BSK 3318 – features Tanya Tucker on Backing Vocals)

7. Healing Hands Of Time – VIKKI CARR (from the "The Ways To Love A Man" album issued 1971 in the USA on United Artists UAS 6813)

8. Opportunity To Cry – TOM JONES (from the "Long Lost Suitcase" album issued 2015 in the UK on Virgin V 3141)

9. Family Bible – GEORGE JONES (December 1960 US 45-single on Mercury 71721, A-side)

10. Crazy – PATSY CLINE (October 1961 US 45-single on Decca 31317, A-side)

11. Man With The Blues – DEL McCOURY (from the "A Deeper Shade Of Blue" US CD album issued 1993 on Rounder 0303)

12. Funny How Time Slips Away – SPINNERS (November 1982 US 45-single on Atlantic 7-89922, A-side – Known as The Detroit Spinners in the UK, but the single was not issued there)

13. Good Hearted Woman – THE EVERLY BROTHERS (from the "Pass The Chicken And Listen" album issued 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4781)

14. Valentine – THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH (from the "Golddiggars, Headnodders &  Pholk Songs" CD album issued October 2004 in the UK on Sony Music UK 518632)

15. One In A Row – TRISH YEARWOOD (from "The Song Remembers When" CD album issued 1993 in the USA on MCA Records MCAD-10911)

16. Pretty Paper – JOHNNY TILLOTSON (Unreleased 1966 recording first issued 1995 on the US CD Compilation "The Christmas Touch" on Varese Sarabande VSD-5550)

17. Three Days – k.d. lang & The Reclines (from the "Absolute Torch And Twang" album of 1989, also issued as a US 45-single October 1989 on Sire 7-22734, A-side)

18. I Let My Mind Wander – RAY PRICE (February 1967 US 45-single on Columbia 4-44042, B-side of "Danny Boy")

19. Pretend I Never Happened – WAYLON JENNINGS (September 1972 US 45-single on RCA Victor 74-0808, A-side)

20. You Took My Happy Away – TIMI YURO (July 1966 US 45-single on Mercury 72601, B-side of "Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long")

21. Are You Sure – KACEY MUSGRAVES and WILLIE NELSON (from the Kacey Musgraves CD album "Pageant Material" US issued June 2015 on Mercury Nashville B0022816-02)

22. Somebody Pick Up My Pieces – BETTYE LaVETTE (from the CD album "The Scene Of The Crime" US issued 2007 on Anti Records 6873-2)

23. One Day At A Time – THE FLATLINERS (1972 recording first issued 1980 in the UK on the LP "One More Road" on Charly CR 30189)

24. My Own Peculiar Way – PERRY COMO (March 1965 US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-8533, B-side of "Dream On Little Dreamer")

The 24-page book does the absolute business by Nelson's legacy – typically indepth and inciteful TONY ROUNCE liner notes – observations on melody and chart history that are coming from a Soul Man who admires and rightly lauds singer-songwriter chops. Every song is poured over, naming the myriad cover versions and artists who probably could not be included on this set due to licensing reasons. There is usually the original US 45-single label, or LP/CD cover art, sheet music, industry adverts (like the promo photo by Polydor for Dylan's "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" as used in the "Honeysuckle Road" movie), tour posters and every song gets thorough research. DUNCAN COWELL – Ace's resident Audio Engineer (he did almost all the praised Blue Horizon CD reissues too) does the mastering honours – and quality assaults the senses at every angle. To the cover versions…

The compilation opens with a Bert Barns-produced debut 45-single by 50s R&B firebrand Little Esther for her restart stint with Atlantic Records in 1964 – it was tucked away on the B-side and has a dig-the-city groove. Far, far better however is Bob Dylan with an "Infidels" outtake called "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" that made it on the B-side of some 1983 singles (UK and Europe) in a different form than the one that is used here. A moving ballad/love-song with a typically brilliant lean in the lyric, it is a small wonder that it was not used on the principal album. Whatever way you look at it - "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" is a huge plus and one of many surprises this understated CD offers.

Along with "Crazy" and "Funny How Time Slips By", Nelson's 1959 composition "Night Life" is probably his most famous song creation – over 100 cover versions and counting (it is almost a Jazz Standard in 2024). Here we get 60ts B.B. King with His Orchestra giving it some angst-shouting Blues while a Saxophone punctuates the right speaker like a hustler in a doorway (great audio as Blues Boy does a short guitar solo). The sound modernises and fills out with the shuffling Country Rock of Doug Sahm – his 1972 take on "Me And Paul" where Harmonica is supplied by none other than Bob Dylan is a shuffle you have heard in every retro band). Time for some soft Soul from Dionne Warwick and with it searching for the truth about a cheating man foolish women return to too often (hers is not a rebuke but a warning). More duped gals need to sleep all day long in "Sister's Coming Home" – Emmylou Harris and her flying band giving it pure Country with Pedal Steel and Fiddle – the fast pace hiding the heartache in this horribly honest Willie Nelson observation. But even the mighty Emmylou is given a fantastic run for her I-will-get-over-you broken-heart money by a shockingly lovely Vikki Carr cover of "Healing Hands Of Time" on a long-forgotten 1972 US album on United Artists.

Rounce is right about the shockingly sparse gravel-voiced Tom Jones stripping back the bleak "Opportunity To Cry" – TJ using only an acoustic guitar and lonesome organ note and his cracking voice in 2015 – it adds a genuinely unexpected poignancy to the track list. We get the wholesome "Family Bible" from Country Giant and uber-Christian George Jones – a tune I admit and despise as cack at one and the same time. But all that is hammered into a defensive corner cringing for dear life by the stunning Patsy Cline classic "Crazy". Rounce announces that there are said to be over 400 versions of this early Nelson penned-winner but truly only Patsy killed it good and proper. Bluegrass warbler Del McCoury gets all Coen Brothers on "Man With The Blues" sounding not unlike an eager-to-earn hustler with a Banjo and a Yodel-voice at a racecourse working punters like closing time is near.

Clever choice is the Brass and Strings Spinners slink of "Funny How Time Slips Away" – a very smooth slice of Soft Soul from 1982 on Atlantic Records. A co-write with Waylon Jennings, Nelson's "Good Hearted Woman" is given a Flying Burrito Bros treatment by The Everly Brothers – another tale of tears and laughter – staying the distance despite promises that will never be kept. But again – another stunner – Paul Heaton and The Beautiful South slaying the gorgeous "Valentine" – such a pretty and moving rendition. While Canadian icon k.d. lang (with her Reclines) paints her fabulous vocal honey all over a bopping "Three Days" – a yesterday, today and tomorrow misery gem from the "Absolute Torch And Twang" album of 1989. Trisha Yearwood too – a beautiful Judds-like delivery on the title track "One In A Row". And on it goes – more discoveries – more surprises…

I would admit that I don't need nor love Johnny Tillotson giving it oohs-and-aahs on the yucky Festive "Pretty Paper" – but the hits far outweigh the misses. "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTIST is a winner. Investigate and once again, congrats to the nerds over at Ace Records…

Monday, 14 October 2024

"Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by ISAAC HAYES – Nineteen 45-Single Sides on Enterprise (USA) and Stax Records (UK) in their Edited Form – Musicians Include The Bar-Kays, The Isaac Hayes Movement and a Duet with David Porter (October 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters – Volume 1 of a Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...





https://www.amazon.co.uk/Isaac-Hayes-Buttered-Singles-1969-1972/dp/B0DGQLMR5B?crid=2LG3QTBMLA3BK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SbgnB5-uDMeY98Z1MGy6sQ.v4Gvtcvd_fu2ZqZy73eZPkXqD1L11x5UGYey6jCaF1M&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667024013&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1728920291&sprefix=029667024013%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=0d51ab7bbd6e6c0bdefff33f211ce330&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS: 
Overall ****
Audio **** to ***** (mostly 5)
Presentation: *****

"…Ike's Mood 19…"

Purely on the facial - this is a humdinger of a release from those terribly with-it chappies over at Ace Records in England. But as with so many compilations, it ain't all as yeah-baby as any self-respecting dude/dudette would hope for.

Nine yellow-label Enterprise US singles plus One Bonus Instrumental – 19 tracks. There are 45-single edits galore on here that fans will dig (Non-LP B-sides too) all spliced together in the one place as opposed to the huge meandering Symphonic Soul trips on the expanded albums. The Audio absolutely rocks too (Duncan Cowell Remasters), there's the usual quality booklet that deep dives each release and their convoluted Stax/Enterprise Records Blaxploitation history (16-Pages of Tony Rounce liner notes) and it has a near 79-minute playing time too – all impressive.

But a Seasonal cheeseball twofer towards the start and the last five of the nineteen seriously let the side down including a badly thought-out duet with David Porter and an old instrumental on which Hayes only plays Sax – hence the four – and not the winning five. 

But - as it is also a DOUBLE VINYL-ALBUM issue for 25 October 2024 as well as CD – I can see both formats appealing to a huge part of the Big Man's rabid fanbase. To the gold chainmail baby…damn right…

UK released Friday, 25 October 2024 - "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by ISAAC HAYES on Ace Records CDTOP 1650 (Barcode 029667024013) is a 19-Track Remastered CD Compilation of 45-Single Side Edits And Non-LP Material that plays out as follows – this review provides both US and UK 45-Single Discography details (78:37 minutes):

1. Walk On By (4:32 minutes)
2. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (6:54 minutes)
USA: released July 1969, Enterprise ENA-9003, A&B-sides
UK: released 17 October 1969, Stax Records STAX 133, A&B-sides
Both Tracks edited from their album versions on "Hot Buttered Soul"

3. The Mistletoe And Me (3:55 minutes)
4. Winter Snow (2:57 minutes)
USA: November 1969, Enterprise ENA-9006, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Appears to have been re-issued November 1970 with the same catalogue number in the USA – a Re-Promote – Neither Song on LP – Both are Early 60ts Hayes compositions

5. I Stand Accused (4:04 minutes)
6. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (7:01 minutes)
USA: released August 1970, Enterprise ENA-9017, A&B-sides
UK: released August 1970, Stax Records STAX 154, A&B-sides
Note: A-side is a Jerry and Billy Butler cover version – full length 11:30 minute cut is on the April 1970 US LP "The Isaac Hayes Movement"; B-side is a cover version of the Bacharach and David song made famous by Dusty Springfield and is the same running time as the LP cut

7. The Look Of Love (3:17 minutes)
8. Ike's Mood 1 (5:57 minutes)
USA: released January 1971, Enterprise ENA-9028 (see Note)
UK: no UK issue
Note: Despite Ace's alignment of the tracks – the A-side in the USA was "Ike's Mood 1" with the edit of "The Look Of Love" on the B-side (the album version of the Bacharach and David song popularized by Dusty Springfield is 11:11 minutes). Despite his huge popularity in the States at the time (number 1 albums on the R&B charts) – the meandering/building "Ike's Mood 1" which was a guitar and piano Symphonic Soul instrumental punctuated by lady backing-vocals, but it did not score big on the US Billboard 45-Singles chart (the LP version is 6:31 minutes). The edited sung B-side "The Look Of Love" however made No. 79 on the Hot 100. Both tracks from the December 1970 US LP "…To Be Continued"

9. Never Can Say Goodbye (3:37 minutes)
10. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) (4:22 minutes)
USA: released April 1971, Enterprise ENA-9031, A&B-sides
UK: released 16 July 1971, Stax 2025 029, A&B-sides
Note: initially released as a stand-alone 45 – the A-side (a Clifton Davis song also covered by The Jackson 5 at the time of this release – both versions charted in the USA side-by-side) later appeared on the "Black Moses" 2LP set in December 1971; B-side is a Hank Williams cover version, is Non-LP and in Mono (all others Stereo)

11. Theme From Shaft (3:15 minutes)
12. Café Regio's (2:43 minutes)
USA: released September 1971, Enterprise ENA-9038, A&B-sides
UK: released 26 November 1971, Stax 2025 069, A&B-sides
Note: the UK issue credited the A-side as Theme From "Shaft"; this iconic Soul-Funk song has been reissued at least six times since in Britain; both songs (the B is an instrumental in a Lounge Music style) are from the Blaxploitation 2LP movie Soundtrack "Shaft" (released July 1971) starring Richard Roundtree in the lead role with all music by Isaac Hayes

13. Do Your Thing (3:17 minutes)
14. Ellie's Love Theme (3:16 minutes)
USA: released February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9042, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side is an edit, album version is almost 20-minutes; both tracks on the 2LP Soundtrack to "Shaft"

15. Let's Stay Together (3:46 minutes)
16. Soulsville (3:45 minutes)
USA: released February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9045, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side Instrumental is an Al Green cover on which Hayes plays Saxophone; the B-side is one of the few Vocal Tracks on the "Shaft" Soundtrack

17. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) (4:21 minutes)
18. Baby I'm-A Want You (4:35 minutes)
USA: released April 1972, Enterprise ENA-9049, A&B-sides
UK: no UK issue

19. Soul-A-Lujah (2:29 minutes)
USA: released July 1969, Stax STA-0040, B-side only
UK: no UK issue
Note: the A-side of this 45 is also called "Soul-A-Lujah" – a sung version credited to seven Stax artists – Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Pervis Staples, Carla Thomas, Mavis and Cleotha Staples – the B-side featured here is credited to Isaac Hayes and under the title as (Instrumental featuring Isaac Hayes on Clavinet)

The 16-page booklet features fantastically detailed liner notes from Ace's long-standing Soul Expert and Scribe – TONY ROUNCE – a sure sign of quality. All pages are sided with US, UK and European label repros and rare picture sleeves (dig the Belgium and German Pic Sleeves for "Shaft" and "Let's Stay Together" on Pages 9 and 12). The rare but rather ugly-looking 1969 typed title sleeve for "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" (with "Walk On By") that plugs the forthcoming "Hot Buttered Soul" LP is on Page 5 while British Yellow-Label Stax Demos sit proudly on Page 4. A good read and fabulous Remasters from DUNCAN POWELL even though he cannot do much with the jam-pig's ear that is "Let's Stay Together" or the rough and ready too-frantic "Soul-A-Lujah".

Completists will also quickly notice that despite the title-moniker of 1969-1972 – there are missing issues which Ace say will probably turn up in a future Volume – 1972 to 1976 or something like that. February 1971 in the UK saw the pairing of an edited "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" b/w "Our Day Will Come" on Stax 2025 029 (both on the "…To Be Continued" LP) which is absent – as is "Theme From The Men" b/w "Type Thang" issued September 1972 in the States on Enterprise ENA-9058 and November 1972 in the UK on Stax 2025 146. Haye's second 45 from January 1964 originally on Brunswick 55258 with the pairing of "Sweet Temptation" on the A and "Laura (We're On Our Last Go-Round)" on the flipside was licensed and reissued November 1970 on San American Records 950 to cash-in on his huge popularity – AWOL also. To the tunes…

There were few people in 1969 that expected a Soul Titan to tackle a Bacharach and David pop ditty made famous by Dionne Warwick – but Isaac Hayes did just that – he socked it to them – literally. From the opening punch of "Walk On By" – the clear and punchy Remaster is fabulous – those ladies begging our Isaac not to have tears in his eyes (you put a hurt on me baby). But it's the Symphonic Soul combined with fuzzed-up wah-wah guitars and his languid dripping-with-sex voice that grabbed an entire world by the shorts. The talking-for-the-most-part Soulified cover of the Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell Country-Pop classic "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is turned into a sermon – a seven-minute preach about leaving his woman seven times and seven times coming back (maybe he’ll get it right for return number eight, about three-thirty in the morning on the highway to despair) – and then he sings about three and half minutes in – and magic is struck. 

Given the Number 1 R&B LP status of both the double-albums "Shaft" and "Black Moses" in July and December 1971 with sales still hammering all comers in the first two months of 1972 - it is hardly surprising that Enterprise put out two Isaac hayes 45s in February 1972. First up came the killer combo of "Do Your Thing" b/w "Ellie's Love Theme" (both from "Shaft") quickly followed by the slightly odd instrumental version of the Al Green gem "Let's Stay Together" with the last remaining Vocal cut from the Shaft Soundtrack as its flipside – the brilliant and far-better "Soulsville". Even an instrumental with Hayes on it made No.25 on the R&B Billboard charts with a remarkable No.48 on Pop. 

Gorgeous is the only way to describe the stunning audio on "Never Can Say Goodbye" – no pain or heartaches on that front (dig that Flute schmooze – yeah baby). But I suspect it will be the flipside fans make a beeline to – Hayes reacting to a painful and on-going separation in real time and with real emotion. "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" has a melody and those old-time-feeling lyrics that seemed to bring out the best in him – lush and surely worth the price of entry for many IH fans (even if it is the only cut on here in Mono). 

Written by Allen Jones and Homer Banks but made famous by Johnnie Taylor in January 1967 (Stax 209) and Luther Ingrams in March 1970 (KoKo KOA-2105) – the Luther Ingram ballad version of "Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)" is an absolute stomp-on-all-comers go-to favourite of mine when it comes to Seventies Soul – I love it so much. So, imagine my disappointment when two titans like Isaac Hayes and David Porter do a cover that ruins it completely. What was cute in 1969, by the time they have reached 1974, the wah-wah and funk formula not only feels dated, but even badly recorded on the audio front (the vocals just don't sound right or even powerful). Their slowed-down high-hat tapping stab at the David Gates-written Bread classic "Baby I'm-A Want You" is not a whole lot better – feeling too close to elevator music - no surprise that the American listening public did not take to either.

Despite its piddly faults towards the end run of tracks - I keep coming back to "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972". This is a win-compilation for Ace and surprising it has not been done before (all the 45-edits in one place). I find myself playing this suave Symphonic Soul brute like a child rediscovering wonder and disappointment – thankfully, mostly the first. Can you dig it…yes you can my peeps…

PS: there is also a 2LP 19-Track VINYL version (no extra cuts) issued Friday, 25 October 2024 of "Hot Buttered Singles: 1969-1972" by Isaac Hayes on Ace Records HIQLP2 138 (Barcode 029667023818). It has Inner Sleeves that reproduce all of the liner notes in the CD booklet.

Tuesday, 16 July 2024

"Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring The Show Stoppers, The Delfonics, George Tindley, Jerry Butler, Honey & The Bees, Executive Suite, Cliff Nobles, The Ambassadors, Lou Jackson, Brenda & The Tabulations, Moses Smith, Sonny Boss, The Intruders, Barbara Mason, Peaches & Herb, Winfield Parker, The Ethics and more (May 2017 UK Ace/Kent Soul 24-Track CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...





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This Review Along With 215 Others Is Available in my
SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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"...Don't You Understand What You're Doing To The Man..."

Having thoroughly enjoyed the Thom Bell Ace Records/Kent Soul CD compilation "Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" issued 31 May 2024 – I decided to root back further and unearthed this wee peach (from seven years back) dealing with early Philly pointers.

A typically cool release from Kent Soul of the UK in May 2017 and heralded on their rear inlay as 'Classic 60s and 70s soul from the City of Brotherly Love, recorded before the Philadelphia Sound went International' - "Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-71" has the usual Mono and Stereo 24-track MO, a beautifully annotated 20-page booklet festooned with label repros (TONY ROUNCE liner notes), promo photos and period memorabilia and corking Remastered Audio from their longstanding sound-engineer DUNCAN COWELL. 

It's All Over But The Shouting, and as they say, let's get to the detailed nitty-gritty…

UK released 26 May 2017 - "Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 466 (Barcode 029667083829) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of US 45-Single Remasters that plays out as follows (65:22 minutes):

1. Ain't Nothing But A House Party – THE SHOW STOPPERS (USA 1967 1st issue on Party Time PT-1002, A-side, 2nd issue March 1967 on Showtime STR-101, 3rd US issue October 1967 on Guyden 2131 – also UK March 1968 on Beacon 3-100, January 1971 UK on Beacon BEA 100 and others)

2. You're Been Untrue – THE DELFONICS (April 1967, Cameo C-472, A-side, Thom Bell co-writer and Producer)

3. It's All Over But The Shouting – GEORGE TINDLEY (July 1969, Wand WND 11205, B-side of "Ain't That Peculiar" - a Gulliver cover version, song by Len Barry and Tim Moore)

4. Never Give You Up – JERRY BUTLER (April 1968, Mercury 72798, A-side, written by Gamble & Huff and Butler)

5. Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) – HONEY AND THE BEES (April 1970, Josie 45-1020, A-side)

6. Christine – EXECUTIVE SUITE (October 1970, Jubilee 45-5705, A-side – Gulliver cover version – song written by Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates), Len Barry and Tom Sellers)

7. Love Is All Right – CLIFF NOBLES (February 1968, Phil-L.A. Of Soul 313, A-side)

8. Ain't Got The Love Of One Girl (On My Mind) – THE AMBASSADORS (March 1969, Arctic 150, A-side, written by Barbara Mason)

9. Peace To You Brother – LOU JACKSON (January 1971, Spring 110, A-side)

10. My Balloon's Going Up – ARCHIE BELL And THE DRELLS (August 1969, Atlantic 45-2663, A-side – a Gamble & Huff Song and Production)

11. That's The Price You Have To Pay – BRENDA And THE TABULATIONS (March 1969, Dionn 512, A-side – Bobby Martin and Thom Bell Production)

12. Rainmaker – THE MOODS (August 1970, Wand WND 11224, A-side – written by Tim Moore during his stint with the Rock Band Gulliver (that also featured Daryl Hall) but first issued by The Moods who would later evolve into the Disco Inferno famous Trammps)

13. Keep On Striving – MOSES SMITH (July 1970, Cotillion 45-44075, A-side)

14. Piper Must Be Paid – SONNY ROSS (March 1971, Event EV 202, B-side of "Alakazam" – also July 1971 in the UK on Mojo 2093 001, A-side – written by George Tindley (see Track 3) and Gerald Smith)

15. You Better Stop It – BARBARA MASON (June 1969, Arctic 154, B-side of  "Happy Girl" – both sides written by Barbara Mason)

16. Goin' Home To An Empty House – SUNSHINE (1972, Phil-L.A. Of Soul 359, A-side – song written in 1969 by Northern Soul fave Herb Ward but only released in 1972 under another name (Sunshine) without his permission, Produced by Thom Bell)

17. Every Day Is A Holiday – THE INTRUDERS (December 1969, Gamble G 240, B-side of "Old Love" – both sides written by Gamble & Huff and Produced by Thom Bell)

18. (You) Got What I Need – FREDDIE SCOTT (July 1968, Shout S-233, A-side – a Gamble & Huff song also Produced)

19. Girl You're Too Young – LEN BARRY (2005, That Philly Sound TPS-R101, A-side – written and recorded 1968 – writers Archie Bell, Thom Bell and Kenny Gamble – Len Barry is ex The Dovells - "Girl You're Too Young" was recorded by Archie Bell & The Drells, their May 1969 issued US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2644 made No.13 on US Billboard R&B charts)

20. Your Fool Still Loves You – OSCAR WEATHERS (February 1970, Top And Bottom 402, A-side – Written and Produced by Van McCoy)

21. What You Gave Up – THE CONTINENTAL 4 (May 1971, Jay Walking JW-011, B-side of "Day By Day (Every Minute Of The Hour)" – Written by Norman Harris and Albert Felder and Produced by Bobby Martin) 

22. Let's Make A Promise – PEACHES  & HERB (October 1968, Date 2-1623, A-side, also issued November 1968 in the UK on Direction 58-3829, A-side – Written by Thom Bell, Mikki Farrow and Kenny Gamble – Arranged and Produced Gamble & Huff and Tommy Martin)

23. I'm On My Way – WINFIELD PARKER – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Take of Spring 116 recorded in 1971 - Arranged by Bobby Martin)

24. Standing In The Darkness – THE ETHICS (March 1970, Vent V-1008, A-side - Written by Norman Harris, Arranged by Thom Bell and Norman Harris)

NOTES: 
All Tracks are MONO except STEREO on Tracks 5, 8, 14, 17, 18, and 24

The floorfiller-song this CD compilation derives its name from - "Ain't Nothing But A House Party" - came out three times in one year in the USA (and on three 1967 different labels) and saw almost as many British reissues follow suit too. The Show Stoppers were brothers Alex and Laddie Burke (siblings of Solomon Burke over on the equally mighty Atlantic Records) – the foursome completed by another set of brothers Earl and Timmy Smith. Penned in part by future Jazz-Funk hero Joe Thomas - "Ain't Nothing But A House Party" seemed ready made for British Northern Soul and Mod Clubs – thereby reaching No. 11 on reissue in 1971 on Beacon Records when NS was exploding all over Blighty. Prior to their breakthrough "La-La-Means I Love You" hit in 1968 (an R&B No.2) and in the dying bankruptcy throws of Cameo Parkway – The Delfonics pushed out the Thom Bell and William Hurt gem "You've Been Untrue" – the same duo who penned the infectious "La-La…". Stylistically close to the (well) Stylistics – the criminally unsuccessful "You've Been Untrue" is the Sound of Philly Soul fans tingle to and it sounds just juicy here. 

In the superb TONY ROUNCE liner notes, he clumps the George Tindley and Sonny Ross entries together (Tracks 3 and 14) – Tindley singing his own 45 of course whilst producing the latter. Philly singer Tindley went all the way back to the 1953 Vocal Group The Dreams and Kenny Esquire & The Starlites. Written by Len Barry and Tim Moore (later with US Rock group Gulliver which also housed an uppercoming Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates) – the Soulful B-side "It's All Over But The Shouting" is a corker while "Piper Must Be Paid" is another flip that in another world could have been an A-side. Class (and that is the right word) oozes out of every note in the Jerry Butler caress that is "Never Give You Up" – a co-write by the silken-voiced Butler with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff – the main men for Philadelphia International Records and a whole other 20-CD Box Set of hits. 

The four gorgeous gals of Honey & The Bees are pictured on Page 7 in silver dresses that amplify more than their pearly whites – lead vocalist Nadine Felder being the Honey in the Beehive (Gwen Oliver and Cassandra Wooten would go on to become a part of The Ritchie Family who had a No.1 Dance Chart hit in 1976 with "The Best Disco In Town"). Their Honey & The Bees contribution here is the oh-so-hip "Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover)" – an infectious bopper from 1970 on Josie Records. Rounce pairs the 1970 entries for Executive Suite and The Moods again because of songwriters – this time with Tom Sellers, Len Barry (ex Dovells) and John Madara. Along with Tim Moore and Daryl Hall, Tom Sellers had been in Gulliver – a Rock Group mostly remembered because of the Hall & Oates connection (before they started their career with Atlantic Records). Rounce calls "Christine" by Executive Suite top-tier Vocal Group Soul (Vincent Unto is the lead Tenor, sharing lines with Hall) even if it failed to make waves past New Jersey and Philadelphia on initial release. The Moods and their "Rainmaker" is a joyful discovery for me – one of the hidden gems here that features ex Volcanos singers who would later morph into The Trammps come the Saturday Night Fever explosion in the late Seventies.

The Cliff Nobles A-side "Love Is All Right" has a reverse-face history – DJs ignoring it for the vocal-less backing track on the flipside which the Phil L.A. of Soul Records label had dubbed "The Horse". Played as a throwaway lead-in to News Reports and Traffic Bulletins and essentially featuring MFSB of Philly Fame in all but name, "The Horse" nonetheless elicited huge public interest and before Phil L.A. of Soul knew it, the B-side went to No.2 on the US Billboard R&B charts. Ace and Kent-Soul have decided to give us the brassy what-your-love-has-done-to-me A-side instead (Cliff Nobles is pictured on Page 9 of the booklet) – the path less travelled and a bopping dancer sweetie it is too. Soul heroine Barbara Mason is the connection between Tracks 8 and 11 – The Ambassadors and Barbara Mason – her "You Better Stop It" a seriously prized US 45 amongst Blighty aficionados. Lou Jackson wants to get rid of shame and hate is his Slow Soul message march song "Peace To You Brother" – got to be a brighter day. We move to Atlantic Records for Archie Bell and The Drells and the strings-and-bop sound of "My Balloon's Going Up" a - joyous Gamble & Huff concoction that made Northern Soul fans tingle and mingle. 

But even that mirth is whomped into pure Soul submission with the gorgeous Brenda & The Tabulations 1969 gem "That's The Price You Have To Pay" – a Gamble & Huff production that has become legendary amongst lovers of the genre. Moses Smith is earnest enough in his "Keep On Striving" but followed shortly after by Barbara Mason, her invitation to arm-folding "You Better Stop It" is so Northern Soul it hurts. Deep-Soul legend Herb Ward does not want to go home where only loneliness and solemnity await – his mellow-drama overload "Goin' Home To An Empty House" put out by his record label without his permission and under the pseudonym Sunshine to hide their dodgy deed. The Intruders dancer "Every Day Is A Holiday" is so late-60ts Philly Sound – Freddie Scott the same – not surprising with Gamble & Huff behind both. Len Barry worries what her parents might think – his girl too young to hold his hand – mama not going to allow it. And on it goes to The Ethics getting all Stereo with their "Standing In This Darkness". 

Ace Records of the UK know their audience and punters know what to expect when they buy one of their CD compilations. But every now and then, you have dip your cloth-cap to their genius at listens like this. 

Great choices, tasty packaging and quality audio into the mushy bargain - bit of a belter frankly...

THOM BELL and some PHILLY SOUND CD Compilations
From Ace Records and Kent Soul of the UK (all reviewed)

1. Thom Bell by Various Artists - "Ready Or Not: Philly Soul Arrangements & Productions 1965-1978" 
UK released 25 June 2020, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 488 (Barcode 029667098021)

2. Thom Bell by Various Artists - "Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983"
UK released 31 May 2024, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 522 
(Barcode 029667110624)

3. Various Artists - "Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-1971"
UK released 26 May 2017, Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 466 (Barcode 029667083829)

4. Various Artists - "Psychedelic Soul Produced by Norman Whitfield" 
UK released 27 August 2021, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 504 (Barcode 029667103121)

5. Earl Young - "Groove Machine: The Earl Young Drum Sessions"
UK released 24 February 2024, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 1629 (Barcode 029667109925)

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order