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US AND THEM - 1973
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"…I
Will Untangle Myself…"
Kiki Dee's (real name Pauline Matthews) debut album
for Elton John's newly formed Rocket Records "Loving & Free" was
originally issued on vinyl LP in November 1973 on Rocket PIGL 5 in the UK.
With
songwriting, Production and band contributions from ELTON JOHN and BERNIE
TAUPIN - the album also housed hugely popular chart hits in the form of two gorgeous
ballads - and Kiki's emotive cover of Veronique Sanson's "Amoureuse"
and the title song "Loving & Free". Let's untangle this reissue and
get to the details...
This UK issued June 2008 'Expanded Edition' CD
Remaster of "Loving & Free" by KIKI DEE on EMI 363 1132 (Barcode 0094636311326) reissues that forgotten nugget
and adds on two rare bonus tracks (47:25 minutes). It’s the 1st of 6 albums she
recorded between 1973 and 1987 – each being given a sonic overhaul by EMI (see
list below) - and a cracker it is too.
1. Loving & Free [Side 1]
2. If It Rains
3. Lonnie & Joseph
4. Travellin In Style
5. You Put Something Better
6. Supercool [Side 2]
7. Rest My Head
8. Amoureuse
9. Song For Adam
10. Sugar On The Floor
BONUS TRACKS:
11. Last Good Man In My Life
12. Six Days On The Road
Two 45s came off the album at the time - with one
other single issued 3 years later as a belated hit. First up was "Lonnie
& Josie" b/w "Last Good Man In My Life" with both tracks
written by ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN. Released in June 1973 on Rocket PIG 2
- it unfortunately went the same as her earlier singles and didn't chart.
Making its debut on this 2008 CD reissue (Track 11) - the B-side “Last Good Man
In My Life” has long been sought after by collectors as a non-album JOHN/TAUPIN
track unavailable anywhere else. Apparently it was an outtake from the
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" sessions. The second and last bonus track
is a Previously Unreleased raucous cover of Dave Dudley's 1963 hit "Six
Days On The Road" – and it's very good too.
The second 7" single finally hit pay dirt.
"Amoureuse" b/w "Rest My Head" (both from the album) hit
the UK shops in October 1973 on Rocket PIG 4 just before the album's release in
late November. A beautiful song - it was an immediate hit with the public.
Written by French singer VERONIQUE SANSON - its plaintive melody had lyrics
added to it by the British composer GARY OSBOURNE. "Rest My Head" is
a Kiki Dee original. "Amoureuse" peaked at Number 13 in the UK and
introduced Kiki's great voice to the public. It really was a career-maker.
The title track "Loving and Free" was
finally released as a 4-track EP in a Picture Sleeve in September 1976 on
Rocket ROKN 515 (sometimes referred to as the "Kiki Dee" EP). It
followed on the back of the huge number 1 success of the "Don't Go
Breaking My Heart" duet with ELTON earlier in June and July of that year.
Its 4 tracks are: "Loving And Free", "Amoureuse",
"I've Got The Music In Me" and "(You Don't Know) How Glad I
Am". Why it wasn't released immediately after "Amoureuse" is
anyone's guess?
The album's 10 tracks were famously produced by ELTON
JOHN with his house band of DAVEY JOHNSTONE on Guitars, DEE MURRAY on Bass and
NIGEL OLSSEN on Drums featuring on many of the songs. Elton himself provided
Keyboards and Backing Vocals on seven out of the album's ten tunes (he's also
on the non-album B-side). GERRY CONWAY and DAVE MATTACKS of FAIRPORT CONVENTION
fame filled in the drums on other tracks with LESLIE DUNCAN of "Love
Song" fame providing backing vocals on the superb Kiki original "If
It Rains". "Travellin' In Style" is a FREE cover, "Song For
Adam" is a JACKSON BROWNE cover introduced to Kiki by Elton, while she
gives a very soulful rendition of "You Put Something Better Inside
Me", a Gerry Rafferty/Joe Egan written STEALER'S WHEEL song.
"Supercool" is the third exclusive JOHN/TAUPIN track - a rocker -
though not as good as the better B-side "Last Good Man In My Life".
The booklet is excellent – they’ve pictured rare
7" single sleeves - photos of Kiki from the time - a knowledgeable CHRIS
WHITE synopsis of the album and details of the sessions (its far more
comprehensive than I thought it would be). Special mention should also be made
of the EMI's remastering done by GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road Studios. The sound
is just gorgeous - and I mean that - really clear and full. "Loving And
Free" and its beautiful guitar work by PAUL KEOGH now sounds astonishing -
a treat to hear it given the respect it deserves. Penned by Kiki - it's a
criminally forgotten classic of the time.
A minor downside to this otherwise excellent reissue
is that both "Lonnie & Josie" and "Amoureuse" were
released in the States on MCA 40095 and 40157 respectively - and as advance
radio promos, both singles sported a mono and stereo mix on either side. It's a
damn shame that the exclusive "US Mono Mix" of each single wasn't
included on here as bonuses when there was plenty of room. Niggles worth
mentioning.
Other than that this is like EMI's superb 2006
reissues of Labi Siffre's 1970's Pye Albums - forgotten goodies given great
remastered-sound, decent liner notes and genuinely excellent bonus tracks.
Thoroughly recommended and a job well done for Britain's Pauline Matthews.
KIKI DEE - June
2008 EMI Records CD Reissues
1. Loving And Free (1973 on Rocket Records)
2. I've Got The Music In Me (1974 on Rocket Records)
3. Kiki Dee (1977 on Rocket Records)
4. Stay With Me (1979 on Rocket records)
5. Angel Eyes (1987 on Columbia Records)
6. Cage The Songbird
Note: Six is an unreleased album recorded during the
Rocket Records period, now aired for the first time - it also features contributions
from ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN.
