"Bob Stanley Presents LONDON A To Z: 1962 to 1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 24 Single and Album Tracks by The John Barry Seven, Cat Stevens, Marianne Faithfull, Jethro Tull, Cressida, John and Beverly Martyn, Nick Drake, Linda Lewis, Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, Ralph McTell, Dave Evans, Dana Gillespie, Quintessence, Humble Pie, Al Stewart, Shelagh McDonald and more (September 2023 UK - October 2023 USA Ace Records CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Rating: ****
 

"...Things Are Great In Notting Hill Gate..."

 

I have had a hard time with some Bob Stanley CD compilations for Ace Records – loved a few – hated others. 

 

But this 'A To Z' journey through the Sixties and Seventies folk side of British Music with London themes built into every song is a very clever little road-map indeed. Sure – some songs are here only because they fit the street/borough criteria, but actually, the choices are cool and the easy-going busman's holiday vibe works as a cohesive whole. To your all zones pass...the details...my bedsit commuters of love...

 

UK released Friday, 29 September 2023 (6 October 2023 in the USA) - "Bob Stanley Presents LONDON A To Z: 1962 to 1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP 1638 (Barcode 029667109024) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Single and Album Track Remasters that plays out as follows (72:53 minutes):

 

1. Cutty Sark – THE JOHN BARRY SEVEN and ORCHESTRA (March 1962 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 4806, A-side)

2. Portobello Road – CAT STEVENS (September 1966 UK Debut 45-single on Deram DM 102, B-side of "I Love My Dog")

3. Sunny Goodge Street – MARIANNE FAITHFULL (from her fourth album "North Country Maid" released April 1966 in the UK on Decca LK 4778 in Mono only)

4. Jeffery Goes To Leicester Square – JETHRO TULL (from their second studio album "Stand Up" - released 27 July 1969 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9013)

5. Marcel's - HERMAN'S HERMITS (29 December 1967 UK 45-single on Columbia DB 8327, B-side of "I Can Take Or Leave Your Loving")

6. Goodbye Post Office Tower, Goodbye – CRESSIDA (from their second album "Asylum" released January 1971 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 025)

7. Primrose Hill – JOHN and BEVERLEY MARTYN (from his 4th studio album "The Road To Ruin" issued November 1970 on Island ILPS 9133)

8. Mayfair – NICK DRAKE (from the January 1987 UK Posthumous LP compilation "Time Of No Reply" on Hannibal Records HNBL 1318)

9. London Bridge – CILLA BLACK (7 February 1969 UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5759, B-side of "Surround Yourself With Sorrow")

10. Hampstead Way – LINDA LEWIS (from her debut album "'Say No More...'" issued 1971 in the UK on Reprise Records K 44130)

11. Soho – BERT JANSCH and JOHN RENBOURN (from the September 1966 UK LP "Bert And John" on Transatlantic Records TRA 144)

12. Friday Hill – BULLDOG BREED (on the UK album "Made In England" released January 1970 on Deram Nova DN 5 (Mono) and SDN 5 (Stereo) - Stereo mix is used. Band featured BERNARD JINKS and KEITH CROSS who went on to form T2. Cross also teamed up with Peter Ross and produced a lovely folky type album called "Bored Civilians" released July 1972 on Decca SKL 5129 (see separate review))

13. London Social Degree – DANA GILLESPIE (from her October 1969 UK LP "Foolish Seasons" on Decca SKL 5012)

14. Euston Station – BARBARA RUSKIN (28 April 1967 UK 45-single on Parlophone R 5593, A-side)

15. Kew Gardens – RALPH McTELL (from his third studio album "My Side Of Your Window" released December 1969 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 209)

16. City Road – DAVE EVANS (from his October 1971 UK Debut LP "The Words In Between" on The Village Thing Records VTS 6)

17. Parliament Hill – MAGNA CARTA (from their June 1971 UK Debut album "Songs From Wasties Orchard" on Vertigo Records 6360 040)

18. Edgware Station – EDWARD BEAR (from their fourth US LP "My Side Of Your Window" released January 1973 on Capitol ST-11157)

19. Beckton Dumps – HUMBLE PIE (from the 2LP set "Eat It" released April 1973 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 6004 and March 1973 in the USA on A&M Records SP-3701)

20. Notting Hill Gate – QUINTESSENCE (October 1969 UK Debut 45-single on Island WIP 6075, A-side)

21. Clapham Junction – NORMA TANEGA (from the album "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" released 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8217)

22. Swiss Cottage Manoeuvres – AL STEWART (from his October 1967 UK Debut Album "Bed Sitter Images" on CBS Records S BPG 63087 – reissued June 1970 in the UK as "The First Album" on CBS Records S 64023)

23. Richmond – SHELAGH McDONALD (from her debut LP "Shelagh McDonald Album" released October 1970 in the UK on B&C Records CAS 1019)

24. Vauxhall To Lambeth Bridge – JULIE DRISCOLL, BRIAN AUGER & THE TRINITY (from their third release, the 2LP set "Streetnoise" released May 1969 in the UK on Marmalade 608005/6 and June 1969 in the USA on Atco SD 2-701)

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 4, 6, 7, 9 to 12 and 15 to 24 in STEREO

Tracks 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 and 14 in MONO

 

Following on from the reproduction of the colour front page of The Sunday Times Magazine of 1969 on Page 2 that features a gorgeous Julie Driscoll in her best big hat repose – Page 3 starts the 20-pages of song-by-song explanations proper (24 mini notelets). Anyone who knows Ace Records will know that these booklets are fab collages of single and LP labels, rare picture sleeves/album covers, a trade advert (the first Quintessence 45 on Island from October 1969) and so on. Compiler BOB STANLEY gives detailed appraisals of his choices that all act as a musical mooch around a London of yesteryear (and its un-sung suburbs as the back inlay implies). It's a great read – informative too – the overall song choices very much in the Folk, Folk Rock and Hippy Tradition of things (a mellow yellow listen in other words).

 

DUNCAN COWELL – longstanding Audio Engineer for Ace – has handled the transfers and Remasters and almost everything sounds super clean and clear – the noticeable odd-man-out being the Nick Drake demo. I should add that despite the tracks jumping from Mono to Stereo (especially in the first half of the listen) – the segue feels good - and as it moves into the Tracks 15 to 24 Stereo run - is never less than an impressive listen audiowise. To the tunes...

 

After a very cool start with the instrumental "Cutty Sark" – a dapper John Barry Seven giving in some secret agent lounge room before Bond even knew who he was – the Mr. Smoothy flow fades fast with the dreadfully twee Cat Stevens flipside "Portobello Road". Things pick-up with the Harmonica and Acoustic doom of Marianne Faithfull talking about hashish smokers and magicians and other hippy neer-do-wells on her version of Donovan's "Sunny Goodge Street". On Tull's much-anticipated second studio album "Stand Up" in late July 1969 (their first UK No.1) sat Track 2 on Side 1 – the speaker-to-speaker "Jeffery Goes To Leicester Square". It's a clever choice – lead singer and principal songwriter Ian Anderson swirling the production with phasing giving the song that so Tull feel. "Jeffrey..." and his trip to the famous tourist Merry-go-round area of the Capitol City comes complete with observational lyrics about what was on TV at the time while the populous/tourists gleefully took in the local colour - Ian A's insights sounding way too smart for a beggar standing on one leg with a flute in his hand.

 

Herman's Hermits urge you and "Marcel" to go down to his houseboat on the Thames where men with long eyelashes inhabit this East End wonderland – odd creatures with unfamiliar features keeping it groovy man in the London Borough of Wapping. Not so sure whether I like or just admire the darlings of Vertigo Spiral albums Cressida and their piano-plinking "Goodbye Post Office Tower, Goodbye" where they urge the capitols authorities to just blow up the GPO and be done with it. Better (always better) is John and Beverly Martyn giving it some 'sun going down' on "Primrose Hill" – the kind of Saxophone (Ray Warleigh) and Piano (Paul Harris) hippy ditty she must cringe at in 2023 (it was relevant then in 1970). Lovely production values though. The same cannot be said (unfortunately) for the Nick Drake cut "Mayfair" – a clearly demo-ish outtake that featured on the posthumous album "Time Of No Reply" – nice to have him here but the song is weak and the tin-can audio off-putting.

 

Leaping from the outside lavvy to serious EMI production values – we next get Cilla Black getting soulful and affecting on a beloved B-side. Written by her then hubby Bob Willis and Denmark Street songwriter Clive Westlake, "London Bridge" is the kind of pretty ditty that doesn't get aired enough and kudos to Bob Stanley for spotting its rightful place here. Leaping from that into real Soul, we get true vocal acrobatics from Linda Lewis on her fantastic fun-to-funky "Hampstead Way" – a self-penned gem on her 1971 debut album that features fabulous electric guitar picking from Chris Spedding - soft one second - attacking the next as the pace builds up only to mellow out again. The great lady only passed in May 2023, so for me the Linda Lewis cut is one of at least three genius choices on this intriguing compilation (see also Dave Evans and Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger at the end).

 

While the Bert Jansch and John Renbourn song "Soho" rattles around your speakers with their staggering musicality, there is unfortunately more than a touch of the plodding to "Friday Hill" by Bulldog Breed – not quite a doggy doo-doo but not far off it either. "London Social Degree" (a Billy Nicholls song) and "Euston Station" (Ruskin original) see two ladies Dana Gillespie and Barbara Ruskin comment on street life in the capitol – stressed out people in dead-end jobs not paying nearly enough attention to flowers and trees and their world hurtling into the war-machine abyss. They are good but not really great truth be told. Better for me is the gorgeous "Kew Gardens" by Ralph McTell – beautifully supported by the fay-but-too-fay vocals of Ruth and Brian Britain of the obscure British Folk outfit English Tapestry – a plaintive ballad that could only have come from the optimism of the late 60ts. A smart choice then that is in turn followed by my second fave track on the comp – the genuine discovery of Dave Evans and his winding-down song "City Road".

 

Very much in the vein of acoustic Nick Drake, John Martyn and Meic Stevens by way of a Welsh Leonard Cohen (Evans is from Bangor – a few train stops from Hollyhead in North Wales) – the song may make you rush to buy his debut album "The Words In Between" from October 1971 on the UK Folky/World Music label The Village Thing Records. It is seriously rated by Folk and Folk Rock aficionados – reissued by Earth Records here in the UK in 2018 on CD and already hard-to-find. City Road was an industrial district that housed the Gordon’s Gin distillery (G&T with the D&E). The track has sweetly lovely audio quality with second vocals from Adrienne J. Webber who had her own self-titled solo album in 1976 on Anchor Records as AJ Webber – nursery rhymes and ice-cream chimes. 

 

The rare Norma Tanega 1971 album "I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile" on RCA Victor featured instrumentals in-between songs that referenced London hot-spots - "Clapham Junction" being the one that opened Side 2 with a giggle from her and the musicians having an Acoustic-ish Funk-Up. Who doesn't love every second of Steve Marriott's voice even on a lesser Humble Pie song (he could recite the phone-book and make any London boy shed a tear of joy). And on it goes to a cool duo of lady album-enders - "Richmond" by Shelagh McDonald – a sophisticated slice of musicianship from her revered B&C Records Debut Album of 1970 – in turn followed by the glorious near seven-minute passion of Julie Driscoll giving it some I-hope-you-find-what-you're-looking-for searching in the vocals and acoustic guitar duet "Vauxhall To Lambeth Bridge". So sixties, but also looking forward too – a perfect finisher for the compilation.

 

I am certain some punters will look in vain for bigger inclusions like "Richmond" by the Faces from their 1970 second album "Long Player", or pushing the time-frame boundaries a little – maybe the pretty "Portobello Belle" by Dire Straits from their 1979 second album "Communiqué" (probably licensing issues). Or how about "Piccadilly" by the Irish Folk Duo Tir na n'Og from their May 1971 self-titled debut album on Chrysalis Records. I'll bet the list could go on to a Vol.2...

 

So for sure 2023's "Bob Stanley Presents LONDON A To Z: 1962 to 1973" is not all CD compilation genius (there isn't a Vinyl variant either). But there are more than enough discoveries to please old hands and plenty to entice musical newcomers to sit up and take notice and maybe even seek out these lesser-trodden paths. And for any compiler/influencer - that's a job well done.

 

A very cool little compilation – recommended – and contender for the 2023 CD Reissue Lists in someone's December Magazine...

"Feline Groovy: 24 Purrfect Tracks For Kool Kats" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring The Coasters, René Hall, Little Willie John, Tom Jones, Sonny James, Lee Dorsey, Mongo Santamaria, Peggy Lee, Lu Ann Simms, David "Baby" Cortez, Buddy Greco, The Romancers, Norma Tanega and more (March 2008 UK Ace Records - First of Three CD Compilations by VICKI FOX – Duncan Cowell and Rob Shread Audio Restoration and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review and 194 More Like It Available 

In My Amazon e-Book 

"SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE - Volume 2 of 7"

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

All Info Taken From The Discs Themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap) Only £3.95 per Volume 

All seven Volumes same price - Total of 1,365 different reviews

 

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 "...The Love Kitten...Is Lookin' For Me..."

 

Anyone compiling something as wacky and yet sexily brill as "Feline Groovy: 24 Purrfect Tracks For Kool Kats" has to have had some serious music chops allied with good taste and deep pockets, never mind the obsessive nature of being drawn to all things Austin Powers Siamese purring and yeah-baby slinky. Obscure US B-sides, genre hip-hops from Fifties and Sixties Vocal Groups, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, Pop, Folk, Lounge, Latin, Country & Western and even a smidge of World (most of the Jazz are instrumentals) – and all it on the theme of cats. You will ahem – lap it up and go out through the in-flap door, etc.

 

But this is a VICKI FOX CD compilation - a warmly remembered lady associated with the Rock On Record Shop in London's Camden Town when Ace Records was formed back in the mid Seventies. Vicki and label owner/founder Ted Carroll had a 30-year friendship before she lost a six-year battle with cancer in 2016. Vicki had a hand in artwork for some of Ace's compilations (pictured in the lovely 24-page booklet of the "Sounds Of The Unexpected" set - Volume 3 in a series of 3), had a ginormous record collection, consummately great taste and was a huge fan of musical 45s from every odd and off the-beaten track genre (see list of three comps below).

 

There is a purr-fect-ly good explanation for all of it (sorry, couldn't resist the purr er pun oh stop it). To the loves kittens lookin' for love...

 

UK released 31 March 2008 - "Feline Groovy: 24 Purrfect Tracks For Kool Kats" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1168 (Barcode 029667030229) is a 24-Track CD compilation collated by VICKI FOX that plays out as follows (56:51 minutes):

 

1. Three Cool Cats – THE COASTERS (January 1959 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-6132, B-side to "Charlie Brown")

2. Cleon – RENÉ HALL (August 1958 US 45-single on Specialty 641, B-side to "Frankie And Johnny")

3. Kitty Kat – PAUL OTT (January 1960 US 45-single on Thunder International 1022, B-side to "I Am Yours")

4. El Pussy Cat – MONGO SANTAMARIA (November 1964 US 45-single on Columbia -43171, A-side)

5. Cat Hop – THE DODGERS (February 1955 US 45-single on Aladdin 3271, B-side of "Drip Drop")

6. The Siamese Cat Song – LU ANN SIMMS (March 1955 US 45-single on Columbia 4-40467, B-side of "La La Lu")

7. The Alley Cat Song – DAVID THORNE (September 1962 US 45-single on Riverside R-4530, A-side)

8. Cat Nip – DAVID "Baby" CORTEZ (May 1960 US 45-single on Clock C-1024, A-side)

9. Sweet Pussycat – THE MORGAN JAMES DUO (January 1966 UK 45-single on Phillips BF 1462, A-side)

10. Leave My Kitten Alone – LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (June 1959 US 45-single on King 45-5219, A-side)

11. Sneakin' Up On You – PEGGY LEE (April 1965 US 45-single on Capitol 5404, A-side)

12. The Cat – EDDIE & ERNIE (April 1965 US 45-single on Eastern 45-603, B-side of "Turn Here")

13. What's New Pussycat? – TOM JONES (August 1965 UK 45-single on Decca F 12203, A-side)

14. Walkin' My Cat Named Dog – NORMA TANEGA (February 1966 US 45-single on New Voice 807, A-side)

15. The Cat – JIMMY SMITH (August 1964 US 45-single on Verve VK 10330, A-side)

16. The Cat Came Back – SONNY JAMES (September 1956 US 45-single on Capitol F3542, B-side to "Hello Old Broken Heart")

17. Love Kitten – NOREEN CORCORAN (September 1963 US 45-single on Vee Jay VJ 555, A-side)

18. House Cat – THE ROMANCERS (January 1956 US 45-single on Dootone 381, B-side of "I Still Remember")

19. The Kitty Kat Song – LEE DORSEY (May 1965 US 45-single on Amy 927, B-side of "Ride Your Pony")

20. That Darn Cat – BUDDY GRECO (November 1965 US 45-single On Epic 5-9864, A-side – Issued as That Darned Cat in the UK October 1965 on Columbia DB 7726, A-side)

21. Let's Do The Cat – JAMIE ROSS (1964 US 45-single on Coun-Tree LG-1005, B-side of "Honey Honey" - with KENNY RICE & LEO'S FIVE uncredited)

22. If You Play With Cats – CHARLES BROWN (October 1961 US 45-single on King 45-5570, B-side of "Without A Friend")

23. Tom Cat – THE ROOFTOP SINGERS (March 1963 US 45-single on Vanguard VRS 35019, A-side)

24. Top Cat Theme Song – TOP CAT ORCHESTRA & CHORUS – Jim Timmons (1962 US 45-single on Golden Record FF689, A-side)

NOTES:

Tracks: 4, 11, 15, 19, 22 and 23 in STEREO; all others in MONO

 

Like the other two Vicki Fox compilations that I've reviewed (see list below), the 16-page booklet for "Feline Groovy: 24 Purrfect Tracks For Kool Kats" is a feast for the eyes and a tickler for the brain cells. Given that its entirely Fifties and Sixties entries – the memorabilia is glorious to look at – the Gold British Tri-Centre for The Coasters London 45 "Three Cool Cats", a rare Picture Sleeve for the Jimmy Smith classic "The Cat", a press poster for the raunchy movie "What's New Pussycat?" on United Artists sided by a demo copy of the famous Tom Jones theme music (you swing it Mr. Woodward), a cartoon of a cat standing in a fridge like he's Dean Martin at the Copa with two mice opening the door remarking on how cool he is. And on it goes to adverts for Harmonicas for Harmonicats and 'Purr' Cat Food at one schilling and one pence from your usual Pet Store Stockist (tasty). 

 

The DUNCAN COWELL and ROB SHREAD Audio Restorations/Remasters only compliment the chic selections – six of which are in glorious Stereo. The Lee Dorsey track "The Kitty Kat Song" and Buddy Greco's "That Darn Cat" are typical - clean and full of clarity. Each track is discussed with a sense of almost giddy love for it. There are photos of our furry friends beneath the see-through CD tray, depictions of them in cartoon and photo form everywhere and the artwork is specially done to reflect those Siamese Twins on Bongos – so Sixties – Meow!

 

"Feline Groovy..." opens on a total winner by The Coasters on Atlantic Records sounding the best I've ever heard it. "Three Cool Cats" was the B-side of a No.2 R&B dancefloor bopper called "Charlie Brown" where we get the benefit of Bass Lead Vocalist Will "Dub" Jones and towards its slinky irresistible fade out - the Saxophone of King Curtis. That’s followed by two shuffling funnies – Rene Hall giving it some lowbrow spoken vocals as he searches for his evasive "Cleo" – that followed by the mid-tempo guitar and meows of "Kitty Kat" where Paul Ott tries in vain to bring his meandering moggy to heel. Things up to Latin piano-bop with Mongo Santamaria and his so-Sixties brass-pumping "El Pussy Cat" where you can just see the patrons of some lounge dancefloor giving it some John Travolta and Uma Thurman (great audio too – very Boogaloo in its own way).

 

Things dip a bit with the slightly out-of-place "Cat Hop" – a Vocal Group novelty hit that is very hissy probably due to its extreme rarity (Nice Sax solo though, the boys accompanying with bop-bop). Straight into great Far East fun and in perfect Mono audio – Lu Ann Simms doing "The Siamese Cat Song" recognizable from the tune being in Disney's "Lady And The Tramp" (as done by Peggy Lee in the film). Lu keeps the accent by way of the Orient while David Thorne takes his fabulous Charlie Rich-meets-Bobby Darin drawl vocals to the shuffling Lounge Lizard extreme for "The Alley Cat Song" which describes a 1962 male predator on the prowl for his next unladylike conquest. We get organ instrumental frantic for "Cat Nip" where Dave "Baby" Cortez takes his band through the hi-hat shuffle while the lead singer of The Morgan James Trio tells of us of eyes that shine like ember – because she’s a "Sweet Pussycat" (he longs to hold her, but Cruella just leaves him flat).

 

We go Fifties King Records R&B shuffle with "Leave My Kitten Alone" where Little Willie John warns that all bulldogs had better know who is the main-man. And if the Beatles covered it - then the Saxophone bopping original is good enough for all of us. As she purrs and vocally slouches through "Sneakin' Up On You" – you are instantly reminded why Peggy Lee stood head and shoulders above so many – that sexy delivery backed up by a great Chip Taylor and Ted Daryll tune – what a winner. I don't know Edgar Campbell or Ernie Johnson credited as Edgar & Ernie and their very early Motownish R&B shuffler "The Cat" – but it's a goodun. In roars the powerhouse that is Tom Jones in that huge sex-comedy "What's New Pussycat?" Warbling harmonica and drifting tufts move across the very 60ts Folk Rock of "Walkin' My Cat Named Dog" where Norma Tanega comes cross like The Mamas and Papas meets Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid – very cool actually. But speaking of actual cool – you then get Jimmy Smith smashing it with his Organ and Guitar chugging "The Cat" from 1964 on Verve – and what a racket his brass band and him made – great stuff. 

 

Coming on all Ann Margret coquettish, Noreen Corcoran tells us she's a "Love Kitten" lookin' for love while the deep tenor male answers yeah! Sounding like a great Fifties Vocal Group night out, "House Cat" by The Romancers is a fantastic dancer that must have slayed them in the Saturday Night Fish Fry aisles (could be first time on CD too). Some city slicker, no one is quicker than "That Darn Cat" - Buddy Greco getting all Las Vegas schmooze as he eggs on the brass like Sinatra might (look out!). Frantic organ and drums fill "Let's Do The Cat" - an obscure 1964 maniacal moment from Jamie Ross while 'Baby Doll' can play with Charles Brown if she comes on home to his place for a discussion on philosophy (or whatever else pops up over by the drinks globe). "Feline Groovy..." saunters home with the Folksy acoustic guitar-strummed 'ring-tail' "Tom Cat" - a tale of a struttin' heat-bound stalkin' his neighborhood. It ends with the indisputable leader of the gang - "Top Cat Theme Song" - a ditty that is so familiar to us all and bound to summon up many afternoons after school seeing it on daytime TV. 

 

For sure not all of it is undiluted genius (4-stars), but there's a wonderful sense of fun about this CD and the Audio/Presentation both rock. Time to re-purr-puss the stereo lads (oh dear)...

 

 

Vicki Fox CD Compilations for Ace Records

 

1. "Feline Groovy: 24 Purrfect Tracks For Kool Kats"

24-Track CD compilation released 31 March 2008 on Ace Records CDCHD 1168 (Barcode 029667030229)

 

2. "All Aboard! 25 Train Tracks Calling At All Musical Stations"

24-Track CD compilation released 28 August 2015 on Ace Records CDCHD 1450 (Barcode 029667073721)

 

3. "Sounds Of The Unexpected: Weird & Wacky Instrumentals From Pop's Final Frontiers"

24-Track CD compilation released 25 August 2017 on Ace Records CDTOP 1505 (Barcode 029667084024)

"The Man In The Street: The Complete 'Yellow' Stax Solo Singles 1968-1974" by WILLIAM BELL - A&B-sides of Twelve American 45-RPM 7" Singles featuring Booker T. Jones, Eddie Hinton, Al Jackson Jr. and more (February 2023 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...All God's Children Got Soul..." 

Always somehow second-tier to the likes of Marvin, Aretha and his own label mates Eddie Floyd and Isaac Hayes - William Bell's seriously classy output on Stax Records is due for ripe rediscovery. 

 

I own and reviewed Ace's Volume 1 in this probable 3-parter series covering his 45-single stay at Stax - May 2020's "Never Like This Before: The Complete 'Blue' Stax Singles 1961-1968" - Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 510 (Barcode 029667105620) being a 28-Track all Mono CD Compilation running to just under 76-minutes. 

 

For Volume 2, we move from the 'Blue' label of Stax USA onto 'Yellow' and get just below 78-minutes this time (Volume 3 will probably deal with his duets with Judy Clay, Mavis Staples, Carla Thomas and Johnnie Taylor). For this CD release, I've provided both US and UK catalogue numbers for collectors. All of God's children got Soul, got no colour y'all. Let's get to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 24 February 2023 - "The Man In The Street: The Complete 'Yellow' Stax Solo Singles 1968-1974" by WILLIAM BELL on Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 515 (Barcode 029667107426) is a 24-Track CD Compilation (21 in Stereo, 3 in Mono) that plays out as follows (77:38 minutes): 

 

1. I Forgot To Be Your Lover 

2. Bring The Curtain Down

November 1968 US 45-single on Stax STA-0015, A&B-sides

February 1969 UK 45-single on Stax STAX 110, A&B-sides (same)

6 February 1976 UK 45-single on Stax STXS 2038 reissued and paired "Happy" on the A-side (see Track 5) with "Bring The Curtain Down" on the B-side

 

3. My Whole World Is Falling Down

4. All God's Children Got Soul

April 1969 US 45-single on Stax STA-0032, A&B-sides

30 May 1969 UK 45-single on Stax 121, A&B-sides (same)

Note: In the UK "Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday" b/w "Ain't Got No Girl" was issued prior to "My Whole World..." as a British 45-single 21 March 1969 on Atlantic 584259 - both tracks are on Volume 1 "Never Like This Before" 

 

5. Happy 

6. My Kind Of Girl 

June 1969 US 45-single on Stax STA-0038, A&B-sides 

22 August 1969 UK 45-single on Stax STAX 128 with "Johnny, I Love You" on the B-side (not on either CD compilation)

 

7. Born Under A Bad Sign

8. A Smile Can't Hide (A Broken Heart)

October 1969 US 45-single on Stax STA-0054, A&B-sides 

13 February 1970 UK 45-single with "Bring The Curtain Down" on the A-side (see Track 2) and "Born Under A Bad Sign" on the B-side. "A Smile Can't Hide (A Broken Heart) possibly contains Lead Guitar by Eddie Hinton

 

9. Lonely Soldier 

10. Let Me Ride 

July 1970 US 45-single on Stax STA-0070, A&B-sides 

No UK release for either side

 

11. A Penny For Your Thoughts 

12. 'Till My Back Ain't Got No Bone

May 1971 US 45-single on Stax STA-0092, A&B-sides

No UK release for either side - however, Stax Records UK issued "Winding, Winding Road" b/w "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" instead, 30 April 1971 on Stax 2025 025 ("I Forgot To Be Your Lover" is Track 1 on this CD, "Winding..." not on either CD volume)

13. All For The Love Of A Woman

14. I'll Be Home 

September 1971 US 45-single n Stax STA-0106, A&B-sides 

No UK release for either side 

15. Save Us

16. If You Really Love Him

April 1972 US 45-single on Stax STA-0123, A&B-sides

21 July 1972 UK 45-single on Stax 2025 123 with "Lonely For Your Love" on the A-side with "Save Us" as the B-side

17. Lovin' On Borrowed Time

18. The Man In The Street

March 1973 US 45-single on Stax STA-0157, A&B-sides

No UK release for either side (for all further releases)

19. I've Got To Go On Without You

20. You've Got The Kind Of Love I Need

August 1973 US 45-single on Stax STA-0175

21. Gettin' What You Want (Losin' What You Got)

22. All I Need Is Your Love 

February 1974 US 45-single on Stax STA-0198

23. Get It While It's Hot 

24. Nobody Walks Away From Love Unhurt 

July 1974 US 45-single on Stax STA-0221

NOTES: 

All Tracks in STEREO except Tracks 7, 10 and 24

Compiled and annotated by Soul aficionado TONY ROUNCE (a long-time writer for Ace compilations), our Tone does his usual brilliantly informative track-by-track explanation in the 16-page booklet itself festooned with all those American 'yellow' label Stax 45s that collectors so adore. Fans will notice that Stax catalogue numbers featuring Judy Clay ("Private Number" and "My Baby Specialises"), Mavis Staples ("Love's Sweet Sensation"), Carla Thomas ("I Need You Woman") and multiple-artist releases with Johnnie Taylor and more are 'not' here - they're probably being lined up for a future-date Volume 3. The Audio is superlative right from the super-clean but full-sounding audio to the gorgeous 1968 Southern Soul feel to "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" on to the inner-city wah-wah funk of "Save Us" from 1972 - Remasters by expert Remaster maestro DUNCAN COWELL.

For me this compilation is all about one of my favourite subjects - B-sides that are better or just plain whomp the A. The sheer cultural joy of "All Of God's Children", the sexy Bluesy Soul of "A Smile Can't Hide (A Broken Heart)" where I think it's Eddie Hinton that rips out the most fantastic and unexpected guitar solo half way through and then the far better Presley-melodrama ballad "'Till My Back Ain't Got No Bone" (a co-write with Eddie Floyd) - walking through the city asking everyone have they seen his baby. The shimmering guitar and brass Funk of "I'll Be Home" is another good example - this time the legendary Eddie Hinton confirmed as the guitarist (shame he didn't share vocals). And while I can understand the social motivation of "Save Us" in 1972 as the A Plug Side - whole cities being drowned in drugs - I still prefer the impassioned straight-up Slow Soul of its flipside "If You Really Love Him".

 

Bell really does bring down the pace with the smooch of "Lovin' On Borrowed Time" - a love-trap captured-by-your-charms pleader where poor Will can't stay away from the arms of another man's wife (we're there for you Bill - stay strong - even if you have to sneak around). A co-write with Horace Shipp, Jr. - "The Man On The Street" is literally Bacharach-Soul - a song that remains moving because of its lyrics - broken folks signing-on-the-dotted-line - pushing forward those repayments to hopefully better days ahead. Stax made the right choice for 'A' with "I've Got To Go Without You" - a gorgeous slow-set song that's backed up with the rather aimless "You've Got The Kind Of Love I Need". By the time we reach 1974, the audio is amazing and William wants to warn us that your woman is looking good to other men on the street and if you're not on the emotional ball, you maybe gettin' what you want elsewhere, but you're "Losin' What You Got". In a nice twofer, the flip is equally good - sweet ladies backing up Bell's vocals for "All I Need Is Your Love" - a co-write with James McDuffe. And it comes to a close with more late-night smooch sides - "Get It While It's Hot" (Bill has been saving up his love) and "Nobody Walks Away From Love Unhurt" - both sides more-than-influenced by Marvin Gaye's 1973 bedroom rummages with "Let's Get It On" (the previous year). 

 

"The Man In The Street: The Complete 'Yellow' Stax Singles 1968-1974" by William Bell isn't all magisterial for sure, but there's some fabulous and largely forgotten sides on this wickedly good CD compilation. Ace Records of the UK do these kinds of retrospectives so good and they have done it again here.

 

I've stashed it alongside 2022's Volume 1 "Never Like This Before" and will cast an affectionate eye on both in the years before the cataracts take over...

"Wrap It Up: Isaac Hayes And David Porter Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (30 September 2022 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Nearly 195 Others Is Available in my

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"...I Thank You..."

 

****

I had a feeling that this Ace CD would be a humdinger and with 24-tracks spanning 1966 to 1985 giving us the cream of STAX Records writing-team ISAAC HAYES and DAVID PORTER - it's a joyful and surprisingly varied listen - all seventy-five minutes and 42 seconds of it. To the bad go-getters...

 

UK released Friday 30 September 2022 - "Wrap It Up: Isaac Hayes and David Porter Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP 1622 (Barcode 029667106924) is a 24-Track CD compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (75:42 minutes):

 

1. 60 Minutes Of Your Love - HOMER BANKS (September 1966 US 45-single on Minit 32008, A-side - January 1967 UK 45-single on Liberty LIB 12047, A-side)

2. As Long As I've Got You - THE EMOTIONS (first appeared on the 2009 Emotions UK CD compilation "Song Of Innocence And Experience...And Then Some" on Stax CDSXD 138)

3. B-A-B-Y - RACHEL SWEET (November 1978 UK 45-single on Stiff BUY 39, A-side - a Carla Thomas cover version)

4. Can't Trust Your Neighbor - FREDDIE KING (from the June 1972 US LP "Texas Cannonball" on Shelter Records SW-8913 - originally done by Johnny Taylor)

5. May I Baby - PETER FRAMPTON (from the 1979 US LP "Where I Should Be" on A&M Records SP3710 - features Tower Of Power horns, Steve Cropper on Guitar and Bob Mayo on duet vocals - was also 45-single B-side of "I Can't Stand It No More" issued May 1979 USA on A&M Records 2148. The song was originally a Sam & Dave B-side to "Soul Man" in 1967)

6. You're Taking Up Another Man's Place - ARETHA FRANKLIN (first issued on the 1986 Aretha Franklin US LP "The Delta Meets Detroit" on Atlantic 81696-1)

7. Hold On, I'm Comin' - THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS (from the 1967 US LP "Sayin' Somethin'" on Verve Records V6-5010 in Stereo - a Sam & Dave cover).

8. I've Got To Love Somebody's Baby - PETER GALLAGHER (from the 2005 CD "7 Days In Memphis" on Epic 8-2796-97753-2 - a Johnnie Taylor cover) 

9. I'll Understand - EDWIN STARR & BLINKY (from the September 1969 US LP "Just We Two" on Gordy Records GS 945 in Stereo)

10. I Take What I Want - THE BISHOPS (April 1978 UK 45-single on Chiswick Records NS 33, A-side - a Sam & Dave cover version from 1965)

11. I Thank You - ZZ TOP (from the 1979 US LP "Deguello" on Warner Brothers HS 3361 - also January 1980 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WBS 49163, A-side)

12. My Baby Specializes - DELANEY and BONNIE (from the October 1969 US LP "Home" on Stax STS 2026, March 1970 UK on Stax SXATS 1029 - a Judy Clay cover version) 

13. Never Like This Before - MARCIA BALL (from her 1985 US LP "Hot Tamale Baby" on Rounder Records 3095)

14. Soul Man - SAM & DAVE (August 1967 US 45-single on Stax S-231, A-side)

15. Left Over Love - RUBY JOHNSON (from the 1993 Ruby Johnson UK CD compilation "I'll Run Your Hurt Away" on Stax CDSXD 049)

16. The Sweeter He Is (Parts 1 & 2) - THE SOUL CHILDREN (from the 1969 US debut album "The Soul Children" on Stax STS 2018 in Stereo) 

17. Toe Hold - JOHNNIE TAYLOR (Previously Unreleased Complete Version of Stax 202 from 1966) 

18. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (from the 1967 duet album "King And Queen" on Stax S-716 in Stereo)

19. Wrap It Up - ARCHIE BELL and THE DRELLS (October 1970 US 45-single n Atlantic 45-2768, A-side)

20. You Don't Know Like I Know - KEITH and BILLIE (Keith Powell and Billie Davis) (June 1966 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N.35321, A-side)

21. "You Got Me Hummin' - THE HASSLES (October 1967 US 45-single on United Artists UA 50215, A-side - band featured Billy Joel)

22. Your Good Thing (Is About To End) - MABLE JOHN (May 1966 US 45-single on Stax 192, A-side)

23. Love Is After Me - CHARLIE RICH (1966 Us 45-single on Hi Records 2116)

24. I'm Dedicating My Life - DANNY WHITE (1965 US 45-single on Atlas 1257)

Tracks 1, 22, 23 and 24 are MONO - all others are STEREO

Track 17 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 

 

A 24-page jam-packed booklet gives you typically superb liner notes from Soul expert and genre lover TONY ROUNCE - all of it pumped up with US and UK 7" single labels (stock and promo copies of Stax, Atlantic, Liberty, Sue, Verve etc). There are rare US, UK and European picture sleeves, sheet music and publicity photos from artists you don't see too much of like The Emotions and Edwin Starr and Blinky. With quality mastering from their resident Audio Engineer - the uber experienced DUNCAN COWELL - it has the overall wallop all of these Ace Records CD compilations have - quality. To the chunes... 

 

It's a measure of their class-act status that something as lovely as The Emotions doing "As Long As I've Got You" - a demo probably recorded 1969 in their Stax Records heyday and first unearthed for a 2009 Rarities CD - sisters Sheila, Janette and Wanda Hutchinson shining like Dionne Warwick. Four very clever choices include US actor Peter Gallagher doing a Michael Bolton passionate rendition of "I've Got To Love Somebody's Baby" (originally a Johnnie Taylor cover on Stax), a superbly 1979 Pop-Soulful Peter Frampton version of "May I Baby" that sees the ex Herd and Humble Pie vocalist backed up by Steve Cropper on Guitar, Bob Mayo on Duet Vocals with the Tower of Power horns lifting all ("May I Baby" was originally the B-side of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" 45-single in 1967). Third and fourth choices are Rachel Sweet's forgotten Soul sweetness on "B-A-B-Y" on England's largely Punk and New Wave label in 1979 with The Count Bishops taking a few leaves out of Rory Gallagher's guitar book when he covered Sam & Dave's "I Take What I Want" for his 1975 Chrysalis Records album "Against The Grain" - The Counts mixing in his guitar boogie with their own chugging rhythms to make a great dancer issued on England's Chiswick Records in 1978. 

Then Husband and Wife team Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett do Judy Clay's "My Baby Specializes" from their excellent "Home" album on Stax (1969 USA, 1970 UK) - white people digging the black sounds and then some while South Louisiana's Marcia Ball gets her considerable larynx around "Never Like This Before" - a track that Hayes and Porter gave to William Bell. You could argue that you might never again want to hear Sam and Dave's "Soul Man" it's been so overdone - but once it's working your speakers - resistance will be difficult. A properly Bluesy Soulful duo of tracks comes at you with Ruby Johnson's gorgeous take on "Left Over Love" - a 1967 nugget from this lady cult hero of Soul (I've got to get more of her stuff) - and then The Soul Children lay on the suffering-today for "The Sweeter He Is". What sends it into the stratosphere is that Ace has smartly included the full album cut Parts 1 & 2 of the song (6:17 minutes) where the ladies handle the uh-huh on the first part but lead vocalist John Blackfoot goes ballistic guttural in Part 2 - a gem worth the price of admission alone.

 

Racing to the end we get more guts-for-garters vocals with Johnnie Taylor's "Toe Hold" - it's 1966 rendering restored with the intro edited into the whole so its become a 2022 new cut - very cool indeed. Mable John has been a fave of deep Soul lovers for decades and her piano-and-guitar shuffling take on "Your Good Thing (Is About To End)" from 1966 on Stax is fabulous - you can so hear why Bonnie Raitt and Lou Rawls did covers of it in the 70ts. "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" sees the powerhouses of Otis Redding and Carla Thomas trade vocals in this famous been-through-so-much-together Stax Records smoocher. But for me even that genuine piece of Soul masterclass by Otis and Carla is outdone by the CD's title piece - the fabulous shake-yer-booty brass and tambourine joy of "Wrap It Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells - the kind of dancer gem that makes you believe Soul Music is the greatest!  

For sure a few choices don't really work - The Hassles with a very young and inexperienced Billy Joel, Charlie Rich not quite silver-foxing it or the supposed white boy soul of The Righteous Brothers. But overall this is another great installment from Ace Records amongst so many celebrating heroes. Recommended...