"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…

"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.

"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...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-But-House-Party-1967-71/dp/B06Y5M39TH?crid=1PMDZLQ98USMO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DsFxjx0Mb1HYGkBF9fM5TQ.0KPjEql3yRp1rKJzHDM4AxIeF_mFDAnuiZ0Ul9lXahU&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667083829&qid=1721146323&sprefix=029667083829%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=7656ef4387cdc82ff6040c5d978b669e&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

This Review Along With 215 Others Is Available in my

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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)

"Jon Savage's The Secret Public: How The LGBTQ+ Aesthetic Shaped Pop Culture 1955-1979" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Little Richard, Esquerita, Billy Fury, Frank D'rone, The Dovells, John Leyton, Joey Dee & The Starliters, The Jaynetts, Lesley Gore, The Velvelettes, Bobby Marchan, The Velvet Underground & Nico, The Elgins, Big Brother & The Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin), Norma Tanega, Al Stewart, The Kinks, Sly & The Family Stone, Abaco Dream, Lou Reed, Polly Perkins, Jobriath, Manu DiBango, The Temptations, The Miracles, Labelle, Grace Jones, Patrick Cowley, Jayne County & The Electric Chairs, Buzzcocks, Space, Tom Robinson Band, Sylvester, Michele and more (May 2024 UK Ace Records 2CD 41-Track Compilation In A Three-Way Fold-Out Card Digipak with Duncan Cowell Remasters – a Companion Audio Set to The Book of the Same Name by Faber & Faber) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Savages-Secret-Aesthetic-Culture-1955-1979/dp/B000008F2X?crid=4MAQHY6WHJ6C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZcteweekzeTE8MwuNT6QRQ.54o79nxVXnWtJH-bJSurBD8l1vCXnbQAnPmUx08ImGs&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667110723&qid=1719852812&sprefix=029667110723%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=d5ee7712084c6a170226742fe629b453&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...Shaved Her Legs And He Was A She..."

Having annotated and compiled nine 2CD sets for Ace Records in their Year-on-Year Single Series (I have reviewed four or five) – author and music-nut Jon Savage is no stranger to the art of how it plays. But with such a huge subject matter to cover and licencing restrictions shutting out obvious choices and gamechanger artists like Queen, David Bowie and Marc Bolan in T.Rex – both has kind of done for this brave and smart 2CD 41-Song attempt at chronicling secret-lifestyles that up until the mid-Seventies were still real-world taboo and probably even dangerous.

You can understand the song choices (CD1 covers 1955 to 1973, CD2 moves on with 1974 to 1979) and the chunky three-way fold-out Digipak Presentation with a 32-page booklet is both classy and substantial, but the listen only half works because some of the music just isn't up to snuff. CD2 suffers from tedious Extended Disco Mixes least not of all being the near 14-minutes of Michele remixed and involving leading light Patrick Cowley. But Savage would argue that left-of-field adventure is key and bold choices very much part of the ethos the LGBTQ community had to employ to just be - albeit under wigs and makeup and nights at the Club or Disco. Still, there is an awful lot to like here, and his journalistic annotation is quietly free of virtual-signalling but big on respect - which is something of a minor miracle in 2024. To the no-longer secret details...

UK released Friday, 31 May 2024 - "Jon Savage's The Secret Public: How The LGBTQ+ Aesthetic Shaped Pop Culture 1955-1979" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP2 1647 (Barcode 029667110723) is a 2CD 41-Track Companion Audio Compilation to a book of the same name – and it plays out as follows (most tracks are US/UK 45s unless otherwise stated):

CD1 (78:53 minutes):
1. I Hear A New World – JOE MEEK & THE BLUE MEN (from the cancelled UK 1960 album "I Hear A New World" on Triumph TRX ST 9000 in Stereo – finally UK issued in 1991 on RPM Records RPM 103)
2. Tutti-Frutti – LITTLE RICHARD And His Band (US October 1955, Specialty SP-561, A-side; issued UK as the B-side of "Long Tall Sally" on London HLO 8366 in January 1957, credited as Little Richard and without a hyphen in the song title)
3. Esquerita And The Voola – ESQUERITA (US September 1958, Capitol F4058, B-side of his second US single "Rockin' The Joint")
4. Wondrous Place – BILLY FURY (UK September 1960, Decca F 11267, A-side)
5. Strawberry Blonde (The Band Rocked On) – FRANK D'RONE (US October 1960, Mercury Records 71720, A-side)
6. Foot Stompin' – THE DOVELLS (from the 1961 US Album "Bristol Stomp" on Parkway P 7006)
7. Johnny Remember Me – JOHN LEYTON (UK July 1961, Top Rank JAR 577, A-side)
8. Peppermint Twist - Part 1 – JOEY DEE And THE STARLITERS (October 1961, Roulette R-4401, A)
9. Sally, Go 'Round The Roses  – THE JAYNETTS (from the US 1963 Album "Sally, Go 'Round The Roses" on Tuff TU-5559)
10. You Don't Own Me – LESLEY GORE (from the US 1963 Album "Mixed-Up Hearts" on Mercury Records MG-20849)
11. Needle In A Haystack – THE VELVELETTES (US September 1964, V.I.P. Records V.I.P.-25007, A-side)
12. Get Down With It – BOBBY MARCHAN (US January 1965, Dial Records 45-4002, A-side)
13. I'll Be Your Mirror – THE VELVET UNDERGROUND featuring NICO (US July 1966, Verve Records VK-10472, B-side of "All Tomorrow's Parties")
14. Heaven Must Have Sent You – THE ELGINS (US August 1966, V.I.P. Records V.I.P.-25037, A-side)
15. Stand Up Straight And Tall – JACKIE SHANE (US April 1967, Modern 45xM 1031, B-side of "You Are My Sunshine")
16. Women Is Losers – BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY (US December 1967, Mainstream 675, A-side – featuring JANIS JOPLIN on Lead Vocals)
17. No Stranger Am I – NORMA TANEGA (US March 1967, New Voice 821, B-side of "Run, On The Run" – also on the US Album "Walkin' My Cat Named Dog" on New Voice 2001)
18. Pretty Golden Hair – AL STEWART (from the UK 1967 Album "Bed Sitter Images" on CBS Records S BPG 63087 in Stereo)
19. David Watts – THE KINKS (opening track on Side 1 of the April 1968 UK Extended Play 4-Track EP "The Kinks" on Pye Records NEP 24296)
20. Nothing But A Heartache – THE FLIRTATIONS (UK November 1968, Deram DM 216, A-side)
21. Stand! – SLY & THE FAMILY STONE (US March 1969, Epic 5-10450, A-side – see also Track 22 written by Sly Stone)
22.Life And Death In G & A – ABACO DREAM (US August 1969, A&M Records 1081, A-side, song written by Sylvester Stewart aka Sly Stone, he is not featured in this recoding by a US Rock Group from New York)
23.Nathan Jones – THE SUPREMES (US April 1971, Motown M 1182, A-side – Lead Vocalist Jean Tyrell, Diana Ross had left at this stage)
24. Walk On The Wild Side (Album Version) – LOU REED (from the November 1972 US and UK Album "Transformer" on RCA Victor LSP-4807. The LP version is 4:24 minutes with the verse censored for the US 45 at 3:57 minutes about Candy and giving head. The British UK 45 however had the full version with the naughty verse included and became a hit in April 1973 after it was re-promoted because David Bowie sang with the backing vocalists Thunderthighs as they sing Do De Do before the Ronnie Ross saxophone solo. Herbie Flowers on Double-Bass, Mick Ronson Strings, David Bowie Production)
25. Coochi-Coo – POLLY PERKINS (UK May 1973, Chapter One SCH-R 183, A-side)
26. I'maman – JOBRIATH (US May 1974, Elektra EK-45888, A-side – the title credit is run together as one word) 
27. Soul Makossa – MANU DIBANGO (French 1972 45, African Records 90.571 A, 4:24 minutes, B-side of "Hymne De La 8e Coupe D'Afrique Des Nation")
28. Law Of The Land – THE TEMPTATIONS (UK August 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 866, A-side, 4:45 minutes)

NOTES on CD1: All Tracks MONO 

Except Tracks 1, 7, 10, 15, 16, 18, 20-21 and 23-28 which are in STEREO

CD2 (77:36 minutes):
1. Get Dancin' (Single Version) – DISCO TEX AND THE SEX-O-LETTES Featuring SIR MONTI ROCK III (US September 1974, Chelsea CH 3004, A-side, 3:56 minutes)
2. Lady Marmalade (Album Version, 3:57 minutes) – LABELLE (from the November 1974 US LP "Nightbirds" on Epic KE 33075 – Produced and Arranged by Allen Toussaint)
3. Nobody's Gonna Change Me – THE DYNAMIC SUPERIORS (US July 1975, Motown M 1359F, A-side – an Ashford & Simpson song)
4. Ain't Nobody Straight In L.A. – THE MIRACLES (from the September 1975 US LP "City Of Angels" on Tamla T6-339 S1)
5. I Need A Man (12" Disco Mix, 7:30 minutes) – GRACE JONES (US 1977 12" Single, Beam Junction 12-BJ 1004, A-side – Produced/Mixed by Tom Moulton)
6. I Feel Love – PATRICK COWLEY (cover version of the Donna Summer song recorded 1977 in New York and clocking in at 9:48 minutes; first issued October 2020 on the US Patrick Cowley CD Compilation "Some Funkettes" on Dark Entries DE-283CD – see also Tracks 12 and 13 for Patrick Cowley)
7. Orgasm Addict – BUZZCOCKS (UK November 1977, United Artists UP 36316, A-side)
8. F*** Off – ELECTRIC CHAIRS (UK November 1977, Sweet FA WC 1, A-side, featuring Jayne County as Lead Vocalist (credited as Wayne County), Jools Holland on keyboards)
9. Glad To Be Gay – TOM ROBINSON BAND aka TRB (from the UK January 1978 4-Track EP "Rising Free" on EMI Records EMI 2749, Track 2 on Side 1 as "Sing If You're Glad To Be Gay")
10. I Was Born This Way (12" Disco Mix, Vocal, 6:31 minutes) – CARL BEAN (US 1977 12" Single, Motown M 00008D1, A-side (Vocal))
11. Prison (12" Version, 6:25 minutes) – SPACE (Canada 1978 12" Single, Vogue VO-302, A-side)
12. Disco Dance (12" Mega Mix, Vocal, 13:40 minutes) – MICHELE (US 1978 12" Single, West End Records WES 12100, A-side – song written by Patrick Cowley, Remixed by Tom Moulton, Michele was a pseudonym for French Singer Chantal Curtis – for Patrick Cowley see also Tracks 6 and 13)
13. I Need To Love Somebody Tonight (12" Version) – SYLVESTER (US 1979 12" Single, Fantasy 12 XFTC 171, A-side - a co-write between Patrick Cowley and Sylvester James, for Patrick Cowley see also Tracks 6 and 12)

NOTES on CD2: All Tracks are STEREO

The three-flap fold-out Digipak uses every surface (including beneath the see-through CD trays) to show either rare picture sleeves or 45-single label repros and coupled with a chunky 32-page booklet makes for something of a looker. The opening 4-page preamble sets the historical scene – walking a tightrope between declared orientations and the biggest open-secret in Music and the Arts. The text is festooned with images – trade adverts for Little Richard and 'Smash Pop Hit' "Tutti-Frutti", Lesley Gore's '4th Hit In A Row' or a smiling Sly Stone as he and his gang make a "Stand!" with parapet-preaching paragraphs from Epic Records about setting yourself free. Inbetween are sheet music repros for Lou Reed, The Jaynetts and Labelle sided by rare Demo 60ts labels for The Elgins and Joey Dee abutting hard-to-find picture sleeves for The Velvet Underground, Space, The Flirtations and loads more.

Beneath discography info, each paragraph ties in the song, artist or scene the tune featured in – some songs adopted by gay men and women because of lyrics that struck a chord or a perceived secret message. Details come thick and fast – Polly Perkins and her very Suzi Quatro 1973 woman-liberating camp-rocker "Coochi-Coo" entry tells us she was with Dusty Springfield's set and once compared 'Ready Steady Go!' Or the woman who got arrested in Liverpool for the heinous act of wearing a Promo Button on the  lapel of her jacket advertising the Jayne County & The Electric Chairs single. The US burlesque shock-rocker Jayne County from Atlanta had relocated to Blighty for the Punk Revolution and called her song the ever-so-slightly out-of-jointing "(If You Don't Want To Fuck Me) Fuck Off" - her Promo button simply stated, 'FUCK OFF'. But even now, closing in on 45-years after the event, the terribly-spiff British Bobby arresting her seems shockingly reactionary for all the wrong reasons. AUDIO is by long-standing Engineer DUNCAN COWELL and apart from the dreadful Joe Meek opener – songs like the magnificent duo of "Walk On The Wild Side" and "Lady Marmalade" are punching like a mule and sporting equal clarity as they do it. To the tunes and the overall listen…

Although arriving in from another planet (Savage argues that this is how gay men must have felt) – the withdrawn Joe Meek track "I Hear A New World" with its Pinky & Perky backing vocals and acetate production values is an awful start and it is painfully obvious that this compilation should have opened with the explosive Little Richard and his stunning "Tutti-Frutti". Flamboyant and considering himself beautiful – the photo on the front cover of the cool Digipak shows an adoring male fan staring in at Richard Penniman as he fixes his hair in his car with a brush – bare-chested of course. Nicking his style wholesale – Little Richard took liberally from the Esquerita look (Eskew Reeder) whose shrieking vocals and manic piano plinks on the B-side "Rockin' The Joint" is unfortunately another irritation rather than thrill. Far better is the sly world referred to in Billy Fury's Elvis-cool "Wondrous Place" – I want to stay and never go away. Lesbians in the Kings Road of London adopted the Frank D'rone big-band bopper "Strawberry Blond (And The Band Rocked On)" probably because of the lyrics "…waltz across the floor with the chick he adored…" – a very clever choice. 

The Andy Warhol-David Bowie connection to "Foot Stompin'" by The Dovells in 1961 is a longshot but still half a decent tune and I kind of agree with the hostile reaction given by the 1961 Juke Box Jury on John Leyton and his "Johnny Remember Me" – the public thought different though and with its galloping Joe Meek production leapt to No.1. A playlist regular in the Peppermint Lounge, a 45ft Street Gay Bar in New York, we can imagine one of its patrons Andy Warhol giving it some to "Peppermint Twist" by Joey Dee & The Starliters. A big fave for American gay men was the girl-group slink in "Sally, Go 'Round The Roses" where they won't tell your secret and you can let your hair down (and anything else for that matter). British Gay Men longing for love and a deeper connection in the La Duce Mod Club bopped to The Velvelettes connecting to the lyrics about how hard it is to find a good man – a "Needle In A Haystack". But much better for me is New Orleans veteran Bobby Marchan pointing his Jackie Wilson-type vocals at the fingersnappin' dancefloor – his superb dancer "Get Down With It" feeling like joy and not a bottled despair.

The arrival of the kick-the-walls-down changes of the mid 60ts are signalled by the lyrics and subtle subversion of Nico fronting The Velvet Underground. The B-side "I'll Be Your Mirror" is a tender Lou Reed love song that begs a different person to see themselves as beautiful too (Savage writes eloquently on this entry). But even that genius is whomped by the sheer in-yer-face bravery and cool in "Stand Up Straight And Tall" – Jackie Shane described as a Black American woman in a man's body – the song, an organ-grinding nightclub shuffler that is a fabulous choice for CD1. Fronting Big Brother & The Holding Company on Columbia Records and a short-stop from Woodstock fame, Janis Joplin hid her bisexuality but not her anger in "Women Is Losers" – even now it is an uncomfortable listen but Savage wants to show a full emotional-landscape. Although not very well recorded (more's the pity), the Joni Mitchell-influenced acoustic of Norma Tanega feels like the first genuine I'm-In-Love-With-You moment on the 2CD set – one woman blown away by another – it is lovely and almost naked in its intensity (I'll leave the Norma Tanega and Dusty Springfield story unfolded in the liner notes for your enjoyment).

Things take a British turn with Al Stewart celebrating more than hair that is fair in colour, The Kinks waxing lyrical about the boy's own private-school hedonism in "David Watts" (The Jam would of course memorably cover it in 1978 on their fab "All Mod Cons" album on Polydor). The US meets the UK occurs when the girly trio The Flirtations from South Carolina found they had a monster Northern Soul and Gay Anthem in Blighty – sinful loving of bad boys in their lyrics appealing. We then enter US Soul Vs. Hard Funk when Sly Stone turns up twice – first with the Family Stone (admittedly over familiar but mightily relevant to the theme) and the superb inclusion of the Hard-Funkin Abaco Dream and their "Life And Death In G & A". Written by Stone, the Abaco Dream turned out to be a New York Rock act who managed two US 45s and this one is a nugget. CD1 now sails into the sublime - "Nathan Jones" by The Supremes (Jean Tyrell fronting) flanging its way into our hearts and wiggle-butts while "Walk On The Wild Side" is just straight up genius and along with say "Green Onions" by Booker T. & The MGs practically owns the word cool and then some. But Savage goes out with a foursome bang – the Pink-and-Proud of it Polly Perkins and Jobriath songs raised their heads in 1973 above the sanctimonious media pulpits, aided by sexy gyrations from Manu DiBango and a socially-aware Temptations - Soul and Funk dominating but with African Rhythms and Norman Whitfield arrangements ("Law Of The Land" by The Temps has long been a fave-rave of mine and is a total winner). 

If I am truthful, I struggled a little with CD2. As I remember, even back in 1974, I found the Disco Tex track gimmicky and too in yer face for comfort. Far better to have opened with a genuine blast – Patti LaBelle and her band Labelle giving it some "…Voulez-vous coucher aver moi!" in the lyrics (French for I want to crochet, or should that be a word ending in k). Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash benefit from great Allen Toussaint production in "Lady Marmalade" and the Bob Crewe/Kenny Nolan song is still a huge radio play a full 50 years on, when everyone I know would rather forget the embarrassing Sex-O-Lettes crud. Motown in 1975 were supporting Gay Acts – the defiant lyrics to The Dynamic Superiors song (supplied by Ashford & Simpson) screaming about convictions and feeling strong in the face of another morning facing the detractors. Clever choice comes in the shape of The Miracles engaging in Miami Latino Rhythms with their lyrically unambiguous "Ain't Nobody Straight In L.A." (homosexuality is a part of society). More relentless Disco beats comes in the guise of ex-model Grace Jones hamming it up with "I Need A Man" – jugular-chasing a marketplace that she knows loves her. The next is an outtake of "I Feel Love" – a 10-minute cover of the Donna Summer anthem that again overstays its synth welcome. 

Although, it still packs a kick-in-the-teeth quality, "Orgasm Addict" feels weird following such a 10-minute Disco bopper, but it does line up the truly brilliant Electric Chairs "F*** Off" – a down and dirty piece of Rock & Roll with lyrics that still make me laugh (hot shit and cold turd). Wayne County sounding like he/she means it! I still find the Tom Robinson depressing – a well-meaning effort that somehow alienates its listeners – and of course the prig BBC banned it. The Carn Bean twelve-inch "I Was Born This Way" is joyous stuff – holding his head high to a lush Philly-based arrangement. Madeline Bell lays into the Vocals for Space on their slow burner "Prison" – a tune that soon gets dancefloor-bootalicious as the synths solos and bass plucks build. The near 14-minutes of Michele giving it orgasmic "Disco Dance" would test the patience of a saint - the final CD2 track "I Need Somebody To Love Tonight" by Sylvester as least feeling honest in his personal pride as the backbeats drive on and on. 

"Jon Savage's The Secret Public: How The LGBTQ+ Aesthetic Shaped Pop Culture 1955-1979" will delight some (great choices) but bore others (too many long-winded Disco workouts on CD2). 

But whatever way you take your sugar in a tee-pee, Savage has done enough to open our eyes and ears and maybe even on occasion, our hearts, and minds. I liked this compilation a whole bunch. And for that I salute him and his Tutti-Frutti on a Rooty…

"Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" by THOM BELL [Various Artists] - Featuring The Delfonics, The Chargers, Spinners, Eloise Laws, The Stylistics, Ronnie Dyson, Elton John, New York City, Deniece Williams, Lou Rawls, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Butler and more (May 2024 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Everything He Does Seems To Come Out Right..."

"Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" is entry number two in Ace's compilation appraisals of Philadelphia Sound legend THOM BELL (the first was "Ready Or Not..." in 2020, see CD list below) - a hugely influential and commercially successful Soul and R&B Producer and Songwriter.

In his sweet-thang travels, Bell roped in the talents of other hip arranger-names like Tony Randazzo and Burt Bacharach and along with songwriters like Linda Creed, Deniece Williams, Norman Harris, Kenneth Gamble and others - Bell poured on the lush strings, subtle horn charts, plaintive oboes and tinkling chimes - matching them with expressive singers and lurve lyrics. The results across 20-songs and almost eighty-minutes playing time is a lovely listen that only ever slightly falters in a few places. Mostly, you're whomped with a wall of classy tunes presented in that Philly Sound way. To the kissin' details...

UK released Friday, 31 May 2024 - "Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" by THOM BELL (through Various Artists) on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDTOP 522 (Barcode 029667110624) is a 20-Track CD compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (79:47 minutes, all tracks US 45s unless otherwise stated):

1. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - THE DELFONICS (December 1969, Philly Groove 161, A-side)

2. You Gotta Be A Lady - THE CHARGERS (December 1971, Vanguard VRS 35146, A-side)

3. The Rubberband Man - SPINNERS (August 1976, Atlantic 45-3355, A-side)

4. Got You Into My Life - ELOISE LAWS (from the 1980 US-LP "Eloise Laws" on Liberty Records LT-1063)

5. You Are Everything - THE STYLISTICS (October 1971, Avco AV-4581, A-side)

6. Give In To Love - RONNIE DYSON (from the 1973 US LP "One Man Band" on Columbia Records KC 32211 - CBS Records S 65551 in the UK)

7. Nice And Slow - ELTON JOHN (from the 1989 US LP "The Complete Thom Bell Sessions" on MCA Records MCA-39115)

8. Take My Hand - NEW YORK CITY (October 1975, Chelsea CH 3031, A-side)

9. Silly - DENIECE WILLIAMS (July 1981, ARC Records 18-02406, A-side - November 1981 UK on CBS Records A1535)

10. Then You Came - DIONNE WARWICKE & SPINNERS (July 1974 as Atlantic 45-3029 - re-released August 1974 as Atlantic 45-3202, A-side)

11. Will You Kiss Me One More Time - LOU RAWLS (June 1982, Epic 14-02999, A)

12. Lazy Susan - LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS (from the 1973 US LP "On A New Street" on Avco AV-11012-598)

13. Betcha By Golly, Wow - THE STYLISTICS featuring Russell Thompkins Jr. (February 1972, Avco AV-4591, A-side)

14. Joe - NANCY WILSON (from the 1970 US LP "Now I'm A Woman" on Capitol ST-451 in Stereo)

15. Loving You-Losing You - JOHNNY MATHIS (February 1977, Columbia 3-10496, A-side)

16. Walking Around In Teardrops - JERRY BUTLER (from the 1969 US LP "Ice On Ice"on Mercury SR-61234 in Stereo)

17. Nobody Knows It - BELL & JAMES [LeRoy Bell and Casey James] (from the 1979 US LP "Only Make Believe" on A&M Records SP-4784)

18. Let Somebody Love Me - PHYLLIS HYMAN (from the 1983 US LP "Goddess Of Love" on Arista AL 9619)

19. One In A Million (Guy) - DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER (from the 1980 US LP "Dee Dee Bridgewater" on Elektra 6E-306)

20. Brandy - THE O'JAYS (August 1978, Philadelphia International ZS8 3652, A-side)

The 16-page colour booklet offers liner notes from BOB STANLEY that includes a 2020 interview with THOM BELL. Each artist and song are discussed in detail, the single label repros and LP covers displayed on the left and right of the text along with other memorabilia like sheet music and trade paper adverts (there's a lovely photo of Bell smiling beside Dionne Warwicke as side-by-side heroes grace the front cover of the 'Blues & Soul' magazine - yours at the time for the princely sum of one dollar or 30 new pence UK). It's the usual classy affair from Ace - and the fantastic audio from long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL only sweetens a very cool listen. To the chunes...

The CD opens with an acknowledged classic of the Philly genre - "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" by The Delfonics lending the compilation its recognisable title. Not so sure The Chargers (from 1971) would pass much muster with 2024 women by singing their "You Gotta Be A Lady" - more likely to get cancelled for an opinion way too outdated. The Spinners (known at The Detroit Spinners in the UK) do their thing - lyrics from "The Rubberband Man" titling this review. The Disco-Soul-Funk of "Got You Into My Life" has Eloise Laws milking that Philly Disco rhythm for all its worth - a relentlessly upbeat dancer. But if I'm honest I prefer the swoon of The Stylistics - such memories of that girl that whomped your senses - their "You Are Everything" being one of those 'each face that I see brings back memories of being with you' songs - the Remaster may be a teeny bit hissy in places, but for 1971 Avco Soul it's pretty much definitive. This is followed by another slice of 'lurve' gorgeousness with Ronnie Dyson wrenching emotion out of every line in the string-laden "Give In To Love" - the Ronster asking his gal to have faith (sweet Remastered audio).  

There's an unfortunate repetitiveness to Elton John's "Nice And Slow" - better is the Bop Soul of "Take My Hand" - a great Remaster giving New York City's moment a quietly luscious oomph - ex Five Satins, Cadillacs and Moonglows members giving their vocals fabulous expressiveness. Deniece Williams puts in a sweetly delicate vocal on the clear-as-a-bell "Silly" - a plea for love to stop making her do foolish things - a deserved No. 11 Billboard R&B chart placing (check out those staggeringly skilful arrangements). Genius is what you would call the pairing of Dionne Warwick with the perfect-match of lead vocalist Philippe Wynne of The Stylistics where he shadows her powerhouse voice rather than outdo the lady - like a match to Diana Ross and Marvin at their duet best. 

But while I normally can't get enough of the cavernous vocals of Lou Rawls, his "Will You Kiss Me One More Time" is too cheesy by far – and Little Anthony with his Imperials sound uncomfortable with the song and themes of "Lazy Susan". Better by a long oar is a tasty twosome from The Stylistics doing the lovely Prince-covered "Betcha By Golly, Wow" followed by a breathy Nancy Wilson doing a classy number on "Joe" - a man she pleads with the public to find saspo. Chasing that Disco dollar, one-time crooner and LGBTQ-icon Johnny Mathis makes a good fist of the ache in "Loving You, Losing You". Another huge persona in the history of Soul, Jerry Butler blasts your speakers with primo 1969 Soul lushness – his typically dramatic delivery in "Walking Around In Teardrops" making you feel like the man might die any second now. Clever follow and comp genius-choice comes with the 1979 uber-smooch of "Nobody Knows It" from Bell & James (ex-Special Blend songwriters LeRoy Bell and Casey James). From the second of three albums "Only Make Believe" - this is surely the discovery on this CD for fans like me – a beautifully produced winner. "Nobody Knows It" by Bell & James is a Ronn Mattlock "Love City" moment for me (check out that stunning album also from 1979 on Atlantic Records reissued on CD by Rhino).

The compilation romps home with a pleasing trio – Eighties times two with Phyliss Hyman and Dee Dee Bridgewater – but culminates with bona fide class from The O'Jays and their fabulous "Brandy" – the kind of emotive memory-jogging Seventies Soul that me reaching for the tissue box – "...played a few bars of a melody and it sounded so sweet to me..." indeed.

"Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" by Thom Bell comes close to perfect, but I personally could have done without some of those 80ts cheesy offerings (so four stars). But make no mistake, if you ever wanted proof of Philly Sound classiness and what a warm-sounding legacy Thom Bell has left us – then look no further my Afro Lovers than this. Gotta shimmy in babycakes…my lurve can't wait (oh dear)…

Other THOM BELL CD Compilations from Ace Records/Kent Soul of the UK

And Philly Soul Sound recommendations (all reviewed):

1. Thom Bell - "Ready Or Not: Philly Soul Arrangements & Productions 1965-1978" 

UK released 25 June 2020, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 488 (Barcode 029667098021)

2. 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)

3. Various Artists - "Psychedelic Soul Produced by Norman Whitfield" 

UK released 27 August 2021, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 504 (Barcode 029667103121)

4. Earl Young - "Groove Machine: The Earl Young Drum Sessions"

UK released 24 February 2024, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 1629 (Barcode 029667109925)