"Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Legend with Mickey Jupp, Eggs Over Easy, Steve Ellis, Brinsley Schwarz, Deep Feeling, Roogalator, Mott The Hoople, Status Quo, Ducks Deluxe, Bees Make Honey, Brewers Droop featuring Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers of Dire Straits, Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers, Ace, Writing On The Wall, Dr. Feelgood, Fumble, Stray, Kursaal Flyers, Byzantium, Stretch, Fox, Sean Tyla & His Gang, Kilburn & The High Roads (featuring Ian Dury), Strapps, Thin Lizzy, Heavy Metal Kids, Supercharge, The Gorillas, Chris Spedding, Cado Belle, Dave Edmunds, The Jam, Darts, Clover, Jess Roden, Philip Rambow, Billy Bremner, Matchbox, The Pirates, Sniff 'N' The Tears, Meal Ticket, Graham Parker & The Rumour, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, The Inmates, The Merton Parkas and many more (July 2022 UK Grapefruit 71-Track 3CD Compilation in a Capacity Wallet with Three Individual Card Sleeves, a 48-Page Booklet and Simon Murphy Masters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surrender-Rhythm-London-Seventies-Capacity/dp/B0882LQZ8R?crid=P7XSNHEPNUXU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HXgBUpYMesnGJn3Wik4YpQ.7OwwWxNZRyhYDXhybiYT8cYHRH1oNLFLXUZ6NoFoHp0&dib_tag=se&keywords=5013929187429&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733754330&sprefix=5013929187429%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_3M_AUTOMATED&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=b40d99d23309a4b48df3d1468774b97a&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall **** to *****

Audio ****

Presentation *****

"…Billy Bentley (Promenades Himself In London)…"

Knickers in a knot and warm beer. Ah the good old days. I was looking forward to this 71-track 3CD beast from those terribly with-it chaps over at Grapefruit Records. And in part – their musical benevolence has delivered once again – even if some of the entries left me a little chilly in the arsenal aperture (so to speak). Nonetheless, so much great stuff to unpack and deeply imbedded good times to rekindle – once more to the Gassy Kegs and Brylcreem Boys…

UK released 17 July 2022 - "Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Grapefruit CRSEG074T (Barcode 5013929187429) is a 3CD 71-Track Remastered Compilation in a Capacity Wallet with Three Mini LP Card Sleeves, a 48-Page Booklet and Sixteen Previously Unreleased Tracks plus Other Rarities. It plays out as follows:

CD1 (78:58 minutes): 

1. Cheque Book – LEGEND (from the January 1971 UK LP "Legend" on Vertigo 6360 019 – band featured Mickey Jupp)
2. Funky But Clean – EGGS OVER EASY (Not Originally Issued, Recorded January 1971)
3. Time To Kill – WILD ANGELS (April 1971 UK 45-Single on B&C Records CB 145, A-side)
4. You Said It Would Be – SMOOTH LOSER (Previously Unreleased, recorded April 1971)
5. Have You Seen My Baby – STEVE ELLIS (August 1971 UK 45-single on CBS Records 7411, A-side)
6. Nanana – STATUS QUO (from the November 1971 UK LP "Dog Of Two Head" on Pye NSPL 18371)
7. Surrender To The Rhythm – BRINSLEY SCHWARZ (from the October 1972 UK LP "Nervous On The Road" on United Artists UAS 29374)
8. Why, Lady, Why? – DEEP FEELING (October 1972 UK 45-single on Philips 6006 346, A-side)
9. Ride With The Roogalator – ROOGALATOR (Previously Unreleased, recorded February 1971)
10. I Wish I Was Your Mother – MOTT THE HOOPLE (from the April 1974 UK LP "Mott" on CBS Records S 69038)
11. Heart's On My Sleeve (Early Mix) – DUCKS DELUXE (Not Originally Issued, recorded October 1973 – featuring Martin Belmont and Sean Tyla on Guitars)
12. Madman – G.T. MOORE & THE REGGAE GUITARS (Not Originally Issued, recorded November 1973)
13. Where Are You Tonight? – BREWERS DROOP (Nort Originally Issued, recorded November 1973 – band featured Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers later of Dire Straits)
14. Tripsy Lady – WRITING ON THE WALL (Not Originally Issued, recorded December 1973)
15. Sergeant Fury – THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND (August 1974 UK 45-single on Vertigo 6059 106, A-side)
16. My Funny Valentine – BEES MAKE HONEY (Previously Unissued, recorded July 1974)
17. Piggy Back Sue – JONA LEWIE (September 1974 UK 45-single on Sonet SON 2048, A-side – ex Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts)
18. Money Is No Friend Of Mine – STARRY EYED And LAUGHING (October 1974 UK 45-singkle on CBS Records 2686, A-side)
19. You Kept Me Waiting – DAVE EDMUNDS (from the October 1974 2LP Soundtrack Album "Stardust" on Ronco RG 2009/10)
20. We Get Along – CHILLI WILLI & THE RED HOT PEPPERS (from the November 1974 UK LP "Bongos Over Balham" on Mooncrest CREST 21)
21. Rock And Roll Runaway – ACE (from the November 1974 UK Debut LP "Five-A-Side" on Anchor ANCL 2001)
22. Billy Bentley (Promenades Himself In London) – KILBURN & THE HIGH ROADS (November 1974 UK 45-single on Dawn DNS 1090, A-side – featuring Ian Dury and Members of The Blockheads)
23. Nervous – NATIONAL FLAG (November 1974 recording first issued December 1976 on the UK privately pressed LP "Thank You & Goodnight" – no catalogue number)
NOTES on CD1:
Tracks 2, 4, 9, 11 to 14 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD2 (79:44 minutes) 
1. She Does It Right – DR. FEELGOOD (from the January 1975 UK Debut LP "Down By The Jetty" on United Artists UAS 29727 in Mono – Band featuring Wilko Johnson on Guitar and Lee Brilleaux on Vocals)
2. Love Me Real – CHARLIE & THE WIDEBOYS (January 1975 UK 45-Single on Anchor ANCE 1002, A-side)
3. Free The Kids – FUMBLE (from the January 1975 UK LP "Poetry In Lotion" on RCA Victor SF 8403)
4. Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver) – FLIP CITY (Not Originally Issued, recorded January 1975)
5. Blow Me Down – BRENT MARVIN & THE THUNDERBOLTS (April 1975 UK 45-single on Sonet SON 2053, A-side)
6. Baby What You Want Me To Do – JO-ANN KELLY (Not Originally Issued, recorded 1975)
7. As Long As You Feel Good – STRAY (from the May 1975 UK LP "Stand Up And Be Counted" on Dawn DNLS 3066)
8. Yellow Sox – KURSAAL FLYERS (from their July 1975 UK Debut LP "Chocs Away" on UK Records 2330 101)
9. It Could Be Better – BYZANTIUM (Previously Unreleased, recorded July 1975)
10. Midnight Flight – BEARDED LADY (Not Originally Issued, recorded 1975)
11. Jailbreaker – RAZORBACKS (Previously Unreleased, recorded August 1975)
12. One Fing 'n' Anuvver – CHAS & DAVE (from the September 1975 UK LP "One Fing 'n' Anuvver" on Retreat Records RTL 6004)
13. Why Did You Do It – STRETCH (October 1975 UK 45-single on Anchor ANC 1021, A-side)
14. Whatever It's Worth – FOX (from the October 1975 Debut LP "Tales Of Illusion" on GTO Records GTLP 006)
15. I Ain't Got You – THE COUNT BISHOPS (November 1975 UK 45-single on Chiswick SW1, A-side)
16. Midnight Moon – SEAN TYLA & HIS GANG (Recorded 1975, November 1976 Dutch 45-single on Dutch Dynamo DYR 45002, A-side)
17. Writing On The Wall – EDDIE & THE HOT RODS (February 1976 UK 45-single on Island WIP 6270, A-side)
18. You Can Leave Your Hat On – THE JESS RODEN BAND (March 1976 UK 45-single on island WIP 6286, A-side)
19. Schoolgirl Funk – STRAPPS (from the March 1976 UK Debut LP "Strapps" on Harvest SHSP 4055)
20. Romeo And The Lonely Girl – THIN LIZZY (from the March 1976 UK LP "Jailbreak" on Vertigo 9102 008)
21. She's No Angel – HEAVY METAL KIDS (May 1976 UK 45-single on RAK Records RAK 234, A-side)
22. You've Gotta Get Up And Dance – SUPERCHARGE (from the May 1976 UK Debut LP "Local Lads Make Good" on Virgin V 2053)
23. Keys To Your Heart – THE 101'ERS (May 1976 UK 45-single on Chiswick S 3, A-side – featuring Joe Strummer who went on to form The Clash)
24. She's My Gal – THE GORILLAS (July 1976 UK 45-single on Chiswick S 4, A-side)
NOTES on CD2:
Tracks 4, 6, 9, 10 and 11 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD3 (79:43 minutes):
1. Don't Wear It – MOON (from the July 1976 UK Debut LP "Too Close For Comfort" on Epic EPC 81456 – pre-Sniff 'N' The Tears)
2. Bedsit Girl – CHRIS SPEDDING (from the April 1976 UK LP "Chris Spedding" on RAK Records SRAK 519)
3. Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) – GONZALEZ (September 1976 UK 45-Single on EMI Records EMI 2521, A-side - a Looking Glass cover version)
4. Stone's Throw From Nowhere – CADO BELLE (from the October 1976 UK Debut LP "Cado Belle" on Anchor Records ANCL 2015 - featuring Maggie Reilly)
5. Radio Sweetheart – ELVIS COSTELLO (March 1977 UK 45-single on Stiff BUY 11, B-side of "Less Than Zero" – features Nick Lowe of Brinsley Schwarz on Bass and Backing Vocals and two members of Clover – John McFee and Mickey Shore)
6. Back To Schooldays (Live) – GRAHAM PARKER & THE RUMOUR (Not Originally Issued, recorded March 1977)
7. Get It – DAVE EDMUNDS (from the April 1977 UK LP "Get It" on Swan Song SSK 59404)
8. Slow Down – THE JAM (from the May 1977 UK Debut LP "In The City" on Polydor 2383 447 – a Larry Williams cover version – band featured Paul Weller)
9. Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It – DARTS (October 1977 UK 45-single on Magnet MAG 100, A-side – a Medley of early Vocal Groups and Rock & Roll cover versions originally done by The Rays and Little Richard)
10. Ain't Nobody Own Nobody's Soul – CLOVER (from the November 1977 UK LP "Love On The Wire" on Vertigo 6360 155 – band featured Huey Lewis on Vocals)
11. Rock 'n' Roll Radio – THE PLEASERS (Recorded late 1977, Not Originally Issued)
12. Young Lust – PHILIP RAMBOW (Recorded December 1977, Previously Unissued)
13. Fool (If You Think It's Over) – CHRIS REA (March 1978 UK 45-single on Magnet MAG 111, A-side)
14. Come On – IAN GOMM (March 1978 UK 45-single on Albion ION 1, A-side)
15. The Creature From The Black lagoon – BILLY BREMNER (Not Originally Issued, recorded 1978)
16. Gunning For The Dog – MATCHBOX (from the August 1978 UK LP "Setting The Woods On Fire" on Chiswick WIK 10)
17. Shakin' All Right (1978 Studio Version) – THE PIRATES (October 1978 UK 45-single on Warner Brothers K 17231, A-side)
18. Driver's Seat – SNIFF 'N' THE TEARS (October 1978 UK 45-single on Chiswick CHIS 105, A-side)
19. Mirror Star – THE FABULOUS POODLES (October 1978 UK 45-single on Pye International 7N 46118, A-side)
20. The Shape I'm In – MEAL TICKET (from the November 1978 UK LP "Take Away" on Logo Records LOGO 1008 – The Band cover version)
21. Goodbye Girl – SQUEEZE (November 1978 UK 45-single on A&M Records AMS 7398, A-side)
22. Loud Music – STREETBAND (from the November 1978 UK LP "London" on Logo Records LOGO 1012)
23. You Need Wheels – THE MERTON PARKS (July 1979 UK 45-single on Beggars Banquet BEG 22, A-side)
24. Dirty Water – THE INMATES (June 1979 UK 45-single on Soho SH 7, A-side)
NOTES ON CD3:
Tracks 6, 11, 12 and 15 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Compiled and Annotated by Grapefruit's resident brainbox and enthusiast DAVID WELLS - the Capacity Wallet for "Surrender To The Rhythm..." houses three individual card sleeves (as pictured above) sat snuggly alongside a superb 48-page booklet. You get song-by-song info that digs deep - photos for each act and of course Discography details too. I've pictured some of the inside two-page spreads to give you an indication of the efforts put in here. Fab stuff. Mastered by long-standing Cherry Red associate SIMON MURPHY - the Audio (as you can imagine) varies from Top Notch through Great to Acceptable across such a huge range of dates and (in some cases) home-cooked Productions. Mostly though, you're just marvelling at so much music that has been largely forgotten and shouldn't be. To the beer stains...

Unexpected nuggets turn up everywhere on CD1 – try "Have You Seen My Baby" – a Randy Newman cover done by Steve Ellis of Love Affair. Roped into the rollicking tune is Zoot Money on Keyboards, Jimmy McCulloch of Thunderclap Newman on Guitar with ex-Animals John Steel on Drums. And just when you sit prepared for 12-Bar Boogie when you see the name Status Quo next – this compilation pulls a fast one over your eyes by picking the so Chas and Dave piano-and-acoustic barroom amble that is "Nanana" from their second Pye Album "Dog Of Two Head". Clever. Better however is Nick Lowe fronting the deeply popular Brinsley Schwarz and their compilation title song "Surrender To The Rhythm" – the prominent organ and bopping seaside beat very reminiscent of what Springsteen would do on his first two albums in 1973 and 1974 - "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. " and "The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle".

The Deep Feeling 45 "Why, Lady, Why?" is good rather than great – better is the early Punk of Roogalator - a heavy-and-rough Iggy Pop & The Stooges-type guitar trashing brute (Danny Adler on the axe) called "Ride With The Roogalator" – a great previously unreleased find (even if it doesn't feel too much like Pub Rock per se). Equally impressive is the fabulous vocals of Ian Hunter fronting the mighty Mott The Hoople on their "I Wish I Was Your Mother" – Ian channelling his inner Ronnie Lane melody – all acoustics and mandolin until the very English Rock & Roll chorus comes a dolloping up to the old Johanna in the pub corner. Very cool is the Ron Watts fronted Brewers Droop discovery "Where Are You Tonight" – an ambling, wistful and rather lovely ballad where you can so hear both Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers (pre-Dire Straits) and their playing. Back to rough and ready Rock & Roll with "Tripsy Lady" by Writing On The Wall – lead singer and guitarist Willy Finlayson and Saxophonist Alan Greenhaigh both featured on this boogieing 1973 find. Time for Vaudeville with a Scottish Rock & Roll tuning – up steps the judge and jury of "Sergeant Fury" – Alex Harvey and his Sensational boys having a laugh (not my fave SAHB track it must be said, but I can hear why its boozy-vibe was included here). 

Time to mellow down easy – Barry Richardson of Ireland’s Bees Make Honey pouring on the strings and pain in their cover version of the pining classic "My Funny Valentine" – good but you hear why it was left in the 1974 can. Both the Jona Lewis and Starry Eyed And Laughing cuts complement each other – English Jerry Lee Lewis type Rock & Roll vs. The Byrds. Dave Edmunds channels his Beach Boys fixation for "You Kept Me Waiting" – a stand-alone cut from the Ronco Soundtrack LP to "Stardust" (another clever inclusion aimed at fans looking for those straggler songs). Straight into Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris and Poco Pedal Steel Guitar territory with Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers giving us the jaunty love-is-a-burning-flame "We Get Along" (two nights are never the same). You can literally feel the well-cor-blimey-guv move-along-sunshine fun as Ian Dury fronts Kilburn & The High Roads for "Billy Bentley" – the precursor and template for Ian Dury & The Blockheads that would storm the charts from 1977 onwards. And CD1 rocks out with the Foghat-like baby you make me "Nervous" – National Flag employing Danny Edwardson on Guitar and Seamus Sell on Drums (another clever inclusion).

CD2 opens with a Pub Rock barnstormer by one of my favourite bands in the whole word – Dr. Feelgood making us all feel good with the fabulous "She Does It Right". Taken from their explosive debut "Down By The Jetty" (January 1975) – Wilko Johnson goes manic-man on his axe while one of the truly great leading men Lee Brilleaux snarls into the mike about his best baby. The Feelgoods would give us a 2nd LP in November of 1975 with "Malpractice" and then score big with their first live set in 1976 "Stupidity" which slammed its way to No.1 Fun and teenage memories come fast and furious for me with Charlie & The Wideboys and Fumble – the Fumble cut especially memorable (shame this comp didn't include "Keep On Knockin'" from their second LP "Poetry In Lotion" – a great rocker). The first of three superb unreleased in now unleashed. Flip City were fronted by a young Elvis Costello and his aching vocal is probably the best thing about the ballad "Imagination (Is A Powerful Deceiver)" – the kind of tune that might have sided say "Alison" on his 1977 "My Aim Is True" Debut LP on Stiff. Another smart inclusion is the slide-guitar bop of "Blow Me Down" – future New Waver Jona Lewie fronting Brent Martin & The Thunderbolts. But then we are hit with genuine class and another Previously Unreleased coup for "Surrender To The Rhythm" – the Bessie Smith meets Karen Dalton vocals of British female Blues Hero Jo-Ann Kelly going all Fats Domino rolling piano R&B on "Baby What You Want Me To Do" – great stuff. 

Stray ape the melodiousness of Brinsley Schwarz on their "As Long As You Feel Good" which is in turn followed by the pretty lilt of "Yellow Sox" – the Kursaal Flyers advising a pretty girl to not be so eager to give it away so fast to some schmuck who ain't worth it. Down and dirty and surprisingly tight – Razorback go all Joe Jackson energetic with their live "Jailbreaker" – a very New Wave bopper – shame the recording is obviously rougher that Grapefruit might have wanted – but I think it adds real urgency to the delivery (neat unreleased inclusion). The law has been around again to see me little brother – Chas & Dave laying into Cockney rhyming slang with their tale of a wayward cow-son in "One Fing 'n' Anuvver" (had a bleedin nuff of it). Tremendous, unexpected inclusion comes in the very Average White Band-funk of Stretch doing the superb "Why Did You Do It" – an actual British 45 chart hit about a misunderstanding with Mick Fleetwood. England's Fox were channelling their best America circa-72 on their lovely and hugely commercial "Whatever It's Worth" – an obvious identikit take on "A Horse With No Name" – fronted by Kenny Young instead of Noosha.

Creeping out of Pub Rock and inching towards British New Wave – The Count Bishops, Sean Tyla and Eddie & The Hot Rods start getting grittier with their rhythms – the guitar-and-harmonica manic-side of Dr. Feelgood influencing the lot of them. Salacious and even questionable is what you might call the leery "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (a ribald Randy Newman cover) – The Jess Roden Band letting rip with slide guitar and brass backing (Tom Jones, are you listening). Very much leaning into Funk with a little Punk on the side – Strapps hit us with jive and groove in the brilliant "Schoolgirl Funk" – although the naff lyrics would raise more than eyebrows in 2024. We race to the finish of CD2 with the mighty Phil Lynott and the Thin Lizzy Classic Rock masterpiece "Jailbreak" (March 1976 on Vertigo) – the first of two great LPs for 1976 ("Johnny The Fox" would be the other in November). Always with his way of penning a melody inside the riffage – the lovely and cool "Romeo And The Lonely Boy" features great solos too from Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham. 

Always loved the amazing Rock & Roll larynx of Gary Holton fronting the snot-nosed Boogie Band Heavy Metal Kids – once considered a replacement for Bon Scott after his loss for AC/DC - but drug dependency would eventually get the better of Holton. The Heavies and their "She's No Angel" will not win political-correctness awards any day soon for its less than enlightened lyrical content – but a worthy inclusion it is still. Not so sure though that I need the get-up-and-dance of Supercharge who come on sounding like some horrible hybrid of Kool & The Gang and Boney M (oh dear). Better finishers are the potence of what is to come – two 45s from Chiswick Records – Joe Strummer of The Clash inside The 101'ers (named after the house-number squat they lived in at Walterton Road in Maida Vale) and the hairy-assed boogie of The Gorillas – Pub Rock evolving into something deeper and more effecting than any of us could have known.

CD3 opens with the swagger brass of Moon lusting after a lady who is not leaving much to the poor boy and his imagination in "Don't Wear It". Chris Spedding was an ace axeman and long-time session-player but his "Bedsit Girl" is hardly gripping stuff. Time to go Soulful Rock - twice – Gonzalez doing a smooth cover of the Looking Glass hit "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" from 1972 and Scotland's Cado Belle fronted by the fabulous vocals of Maggie Reilly impressing with their wrong-side-of-despair "Stone's Throw From Nowhere". Cado Belle made only one self-titled album on Anchor Records (1976) and a 4-track EP in 1977 (see my separate review for a Cherry Red CD Remaster of that nugget). Cado Belle were a very popular band in Dublin at the time – the tune and LP sounding not unlike Boz Scaggs meets Average White Band balladry – impressive stuff. But for heart-pounding bliss – I am lost to Graham Parker with The Rumour – represented here with a revved-up Previously Unreleased live version of the fab "Back To Schoolboys" – oh yes baby.

Even after all these decades, I'm still seriously impressed by Paul Weller inside The Jam trashing their three-piece way through the Larry Williams mod R&B dancer "Slow Down" – God damn but The Jam were amazing right from the get-go - unbelievable energy and commitment. Unfortunately, even with the powerhouse vocals of Huey Lewis fronting Clover their contribution "Ain't Nobody Own Nobody's Soul" is weaker than I would like - while the Darts medley of The Rays (1957) and Little Richard (1956) Vocal Group and Rock & Roll hits "Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It" is an inspired choice - not just as cover versions - but placed here to liven up proceedings. We hit a very cool run of boppers - The Pleasers with their wickedly good "Rock 'n Roll" (what a great Unreleased inclusion) and a never-heard-it-before Demo version of "Young Lust" from Philip Rambow – the Canadian sounding like a anger-shaking Graham Parker (I loved that 1979 "Shooting Gallery" album from Rambow on EMI back in the day). Surprisingly smooth and even a tad out of place, I still nonetheless adore Chris Rea's debut 45 on Magnet "Fool (If You Think It's Over)" – his knack with a great melody screaming through the string-laden smooch. 

Pleasant surprise comes in the shape of ex-Brinsley Schwarz songwriter Ian Gomm doing a shiftily moody re-run of a Chuck Berry Chess Records classic "Come On". Smart audio follow-on comes from Rockpile mainman Billy Bremner doing "Creature From The Black Lagoon" – a very Dave Edmunds song because most of us lads know it from the Edmunds Swan Song Records LP "Repeat When Necessary". Time for some Stray Cats-type Rockabilly as Matchbox go "Gunning For The Dog" – pistol in hand – and revenge on their minds cause some fool ran their baby down. But good as Matchbox are – they get pummelled into the dust by an incendiary studio version of The Pirates doing Mick Green's "Shakin' All Over". I had honestly forgotten just how Punk this rocker was from the autumn of 1978 – wow! Despite their great band names – neither Sniff 'N' The Tears nor The Fabulous Poodles impress that much with two neither-here-nor-there 45s. Meal Ticket take a classic by The Band from 1970 and do a half-decent boogie version of "The Shape I'm In". Back to English eccentricity and musical innovation – Squeeze popping yet another great 45 – sunlight on the lino waking up our hero in the morning – but the "Goodbye Girl" in the hotel room from the night before is gone. Unfortunately, CD3 kind of limps home with two so-so singles from Streetband and The Meron Parkas – saved by a perfect finisher – a snotty head-jerking Dr. Feelgood-type Rocker from The Inmates singing the praises of late Seventies London.

If I am completely honest – I was expecting to be scorched by "Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" - but instead I got burned in some places then only mildly singed in others. But you must hand it to Grapefruit for assembling what I think is some of the best unreleased material on a threesome CD compilation I have ever heard. Throw in the myriad discoveries and fond remembrances of bands long forgotten – and you can understand why so many purchasers have loved this jaunt down dirty streets and into dank and sweaty bars with a stage smaller than a postage stamp. Pub Rock was cheap - it was cheerful and at times – it was fucking magnificent.

For a liberal dose of the vice that's nice – a squeeze or two in the lush backrooms of The Hope & Anchor with Nancy Naturals & Her Nighty Lesses – then "Surrender To The Rhythm: The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies" is the saucy barmaid for you. Recommended…

"I See You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring The Association, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Love, The Monkees, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Factory [pre Little Feat], The Gentle Soul, The Stone Poneys (featuring Linda Ronstadt), The Doors, Clear Light, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Ruthann Friedman, The Holy Mackerel, Barry McGuire, The Mamas And The Papas, The Sunshine Company, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, Dillard & Clark, Captain Beefheart, The Leaves, Stephen Stills, Tim Buckley, Hoyt Axton, Three Dog Night, The Turtles, Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell, Susan Carter, Canned Heat, Steppenwolf, Frank Zappa, Warren Zevon, Kim Fowley, Essra Mohawk, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Grin (with Nils Lofgren), J.D. Souther, Little Feat, Judee Sill, Linda Ronstadt, Nilsson, Carly Simon, Jo Mama, Gram Parsons, Rosebud (featuring Judy Henske and Jerry Yester), Rita Coolidge, Crazy Horse, Leon Russell, Dan Fogelberg, Ned Doheny, Fleetwood Mac and more (March 2024 UK Grapefruit Records 3CD 72-Track Clamshell Box Set Compilation with Simon Murphy Masters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SEE-YOU-LIVE-LOVE-STREET/dp/B0CRVG8ZL3?crid=1Z0DBXWGN8RGY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7haW0eDtk7NVHffHXnY7sA.1FTX1H98ujURJwSj0OX30wRnkfdBmC_KeQ91p7CVNpY&dib_tag=se&keywords=5013929194304&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1731592949&sprefix=5013929194304%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_3M_AUTOMATED&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=738f40a898dd8ba23ad66fdbc4f69489&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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RATINGS:

Overall *****

Presentation *****

Audio **** to *****

"...My Love Still Burns For You..."

Across the last five years and more, Grapefruit Records of the UK (part of the Cherry Red roster of labels) has been whomping aged-and-mellow collectors like moi with comprehensive deep-dives like this. But just sometimes, head honcho David Wells (the leading light at all things Grape) gets it so damn right that they make my weary information-overloaded head and quad bi-pass battered heart flutter just one more time.

"I See You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975" is so friggin' good – covering a huge amount of artistic activity around that community playground known as LAUREL CANYON (running from Scwab's On Sunset to the suburban San Fernando Valley). And even if Wells must admit that musical giants like Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne and The Eagles are not on here due to compilation-exclusion clauses in recent contracts – what is available across every disc is thoroughly excellent and a times revelatory (there are excellent unreleased tracks too and only a few cuts dip here and there). 

LOVE STREET also boasts one of the best 48-page booklets I have ever seen or read – jam-packed with seriously in-depth info, photos, gig posters, trade adverts, etc. So much to float above…here are the communal love seeds man…

UK released Friday, 21 March 2024 - "I See You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Grapefruit Records CRSEG3BOX143 (Barcode 5013929194304) is a 3CD 72-Track Clamshell Box Set with Three Mini LP Card Sleeves, a 48-Page Booklet and Simon Murphy Masters that plays out as follows:

CD1 Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon (1967-1968) (79:52 minutes):
The front cover photo is the band CLEAR LIGHT (see Track 10)
Title of the compilation are lyrics from the Scott McKenzie song, Track 18

1. Come On In – THE ASSOCIATION (from the April 1968 US LP "Birthday" on Warner Brothers WS 1733 in Stereo)
2. Tighter – PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS (from the August 1967 US LP "Revolution!" on Columbia CS 9521 in Stereo)
3. The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This – LOVE (from the December 1967 US LP "Forever Changes" on Elektra EKS-74013 in Stereo)
4. As We Go Along – THE MONKEES (October 1968 US 45-single on Colgems 66-1031, B-side to "Porpoise Song" – a Carole King cover version)
5. Holding – THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND (from the March 1967 US Debut LP "The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" on Liberty LST-7501 on Stereo)
6.Smile, Let Your Life Begin – THE FACTORY (April 1967 US 45-single on Uni Records 55005, A-side – band featuring Lowell George on Guitar later with Little Feat and Drummer Dallas Taylor later with CSNY and Manassas with Stephen Stills)
7. Our National Anthem – THE GENTLE SOUL (May 1967 US 45-single on Columbia 4-44152, A-side)
8. I've Got To Know – THE STONY PONEYS (from the June 1967 US LP "Evergreen Vol.2" on Capitol ST-2763 in Stereo - band featured Linda Ronstadt)
9. Love Street – THE DOORS (from the July 1968 US LP "Waiting For The Sun" on Elektra EKS-74024 in Stereo)
10. How Many Days Have Passed – CLEAR LIGHT (from the October 1967 US Debut LP "Clear Light" on Elektra EKS-74011 in Stereo)
11. Floating Dream – THE PEANUT BUTTER CONSPIRACY (May 1967 US 45-single on Vault V-933, A-side)
12. Montage Mirror – SMOKEY ROBERDS with ROGER NICHOLS TRIO (Not Originally Released, Recorded 1967
13. Halfway There – RUTHANN FRIEDMAN (Not Originally Released, Recorded October 1967)
14. Wildflowers – THE HOLY MACKEREL (from the November 1968 US Debut LP "The Holy Mackerel" on Reprise RS 6311 in Stereo)
15. Secret Saucer Man – BARRY McGUIRE (from the April 1968 US LP "The World's Last Private Citizen" on Dunhill DS-50033 in Stereo)
16. Mansions – THE MAMAS And THE PAPAS (from the April 1968 US LP "The World's Last Private Citizen" on Dunhill DS-50031 in Stereo)
17. I Need You – THE SUNSHINE COMPANY (from the September 1967 US LP "Happy Is The Sunshine Company" on Imperial LP-12357 in Stereo)
18. Twelve Thirty – SCOTT McKENZIE (from the November 1967 US LP "The Voice Of Scott McKenzie" on Ode Records Z12 44002 in Stereo)
19. A Child's Claim To Fame – BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD (September 1967 US 45-single on Atco 45-6519, B-side of "Rock 'n' Roll Woman" – written by Richie Furay – see also The Souther-Hillman-Furey Band on CD3)
20. Train Leaves Here This Mornin' – DILLARD & CLARK (from the November 1968 US LP "The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark" on A&M Records SP 4158 in Stereo)
21. Blight – THE MILLENIUM (Not Originally Released, Recorded Late 1968)
22. Call On Me – CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND (from the August 1967 US Debut LP "Safe As Milk" on Buddah BDS 5001 in Stereo)
23. Twilight Sanctuary – THE LEAVES (from the January 1967 US LP "All The Good That's Happening" on Capitol ST-2638 in Stereo)
24. You Don't Miss Your Water – THE BYRDS (Not Originally Released Alternate Version of a track from the August 1968 US LP "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" on Columbia CS 9670 in Stereo – This is an Original Version that features Gram Parsons on Lead Vocals rather Roger McGuinn)
25. I Had A Dream Last Night – THE M.F.Q. (Modern Folk Quartet) (June 1968 US 45-single on Dunhill D-1437, A-side – band featured Cyrus Faryar and Jerry Yester – see CD3 entries Cyrus Faryar and Rosebud)
26. Shadow Dream Song – STEVE NOONAN (from the May 1968 US LP "Steve Noonan" on Elektra EKS-74017 in Stereo)
27. Hello, Hooray – JUDY COLLINS (from the December 1968 US LP "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" on Elektra EKS-74033 in Stereo – written by Rolf Kempf of Colonel Popcorn's Butter Band, introduced to Judy Collins by Alan Gerber of Rhinoceros, later covered by Alice Cooper and finally made a hit by him in early 1973 – from his "Billion Dollar Babies" album)
NOTES:
Tracks 12, 13 and 21 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD2 Going Home To California (1969-1971) (79:52 minutes):
The band on the front cover is The Flying Burrito Brothers, see Track 5
Title of the compilation are lyrics from the Rick Nelson song, Track 8

1. Love The One You're With – STEPHEN STILLS (November 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2778, A-side – band features Graham Nash, David Crosby, John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful with Rita and her sister Patricia Coolidge)
2. Pickin' Up The Pieces – POCO (from the May 1969 US LP November 1974 US LP "Pickin' Up The Pieces" on Epic BN 26460 in Stereo – band featured Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, Randy Meisner (of Eagles) and Rusty Young)
3. Buzzin' Fly – TIM BUCKLEY (from the April 1969 US LP "Happy Sad" on Elektra EKS-74045 in Stereo)
4. Kingswood Manor – HOYT AXTON (from the March 1969 US LP "My Griffin Is Gone" on Columbia CS 9766 in Stereo – features David Cohen of Country Joe & The Fish, James Burton and Members of The Wrecking Crew)
5. Christine's Tune (Devil In Disguise) – THE FLYING BURRITO BROS. (from the March 1969 US Debut LP "The Gilded Palace Of Sin" on A&M Records SP-4175 in Stereo – band featuring Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman)
6. Mama Told Me Not Come – THREE DOG NIGHT (May 1970 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4239, A-side – a Randy Newman cover version)
7. Lady-O – THE TURTLES (November 1967 US 45-single on White Whale WW 334, A-side – a Judee Sill cover version, for Judee Sill see CD3, Track 4)
8. California – RICK NELSON (from the September 1970 US LP "Rick Sings Nelson" on Decca DL 75236)
9. P.F. Sloan – JIMMY WEBB (from the September 1970 US LP "Words & Music" on Reprise Records RS 6421 in Stereo)
10. Where's The Playground Susie – GLEN CAMPBELL (from the March 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210 in Stereo - a Jimmy Webb song)
11. Bluebird – SUSAN CARTER (from the February 1970 US LP "Wonderful Deeds And Adventures" on Epic BN 26510 in Stereo – featuring Members of Blood, Sweat & Tears – song is a Buffalo Springfield cover version)
12. I Still Wonder – LOVE (from the November 1969 US 2LP set "Out Here" on Blue Thumb Records BTS-9000 in Stereo – featuring Arthur Lee)
13. Let's Work Together – CANNED HEAT (January 1970 UK 45-single on Liberty LBF 15302, A-side – a Wilbert Harrison cover version)
14. It's Never Too Late – STEPPENWOLF (from the March 1969 US LP "At Your Birthday" on Dunhill DS-50053 in Stereo)
15. Peaches En Regalia – FRANK ZAPPA (from the October 1969 US LP "Hot Rats" on Reprise Records RS 6356 in Stereo – an Instrumental)
16. Wanted Dead Or Alive – ZEVON [Warren Zevon] (from the April 1970 US LP "Wanted Dead Or Alive" on Imperial LP-12456 in Stereo)
17. Born To Make You Cry – KIM FOWLEY (May 1970 US 45-single on Original Sound OS-98, A-side)
18. I Am The Breeze – ESSRA MOHAWK (from the May 1970 US LP "Primordial Lovers" on Reprise RS 6377)
19. White Light – GENE CLARK (from the August 1971 US LP "White Light" on A&M Records SP-4292)
19. Traction In The Rain – DAVID CROSBY (from February 1971 US LP "If I Could Only Remember My Name" on Atlantic SD-7203 – features Laura Allan on Autoharp and Backing Vocals with Graham Nash also on Backing Vocals)
20. Brother Speed – RUSS GIGUERE (from the April 1971 US LP "Hexagram 16" on Warner Brothers WS 1910 in Stereo)
21. Outlaw – GRIN (from the April 1971 US LP "Grin" on Spindizzy Z 30321 – band features Nils Lofgren, went solo, later with The E Street Band)
22. Too Much Truth, Too Much Love – DAVE MASON [of Traffic] and CASS ELLIOT [of The Mamas And The Papas] (from the February 1970 debut album on Blue Thumb BTS-8825 in Stereo)

CD3 Postcards From Hollywood (1971-1975) (78:39 minutes):
The band on the front cover is Jo Mama, see Track 8
Title of the compilation are lyrics from the Ned Doheny song, Track 17

1. Some People Call It Music – J.D. SOUTHER (from the August 1972 US Debut LP "John David Souther" on Asylum SD 5055 – features Ned Doheny on Backing Vocals)
2. Easy To Slip – LITTLE FEAT (January 1972 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WB 7553, A-side - featuring Lowell George of The Factory, see Track 6 on CD1 – for Lowell George Production Credit - see also Track 21 on CD3 for Howdy Moon)
3. Birds – LINDA RONSTADT (from the January 1972 US LP "Linda Ronstadt" on Capitol SMAS-635 – a Neil Young cover version – a live version on a largely studio album)
4. Crayon Angels – JUDEE SILL (from the October 1971 US Debut LP "Judee Sill" on Asylum SD 5050)
5. Driving Along – NILSSON (from the November 1971 US LP "Nilsson Schmilsson" on RCA Victor Records LSP-4515)
6. We Have No Secrets – CARLY SIMON (from the November 1972 US LP "No Secrets" on Elektra EKS-75049)
7. I Don't Want To Talk About It – CRAZY HORSE (from the March 1971 US LP "Crazy Horse" on Reprise RS 6438 – band featured Danny Whitten, Nils Lofgren, Jack Nitzsche and Ry Cooder)
8. Back On The Street Again – JO MAMA (from the August 1971 US LP "J Is For Jump" on Atlantic SD 8288)
9. Danny's Song – KENNY LOGGINS with JIM MESSINA (from the November 1971 US LP "Sittin' In" on Columbia C 31044)
10. How Much I've Lied – GRAM PARSONS (from the January 1973 US LP "GP" on Reprise MS 2123 – musicians featured James Burton, Al Perkins, Buddy Emmons and Byron Berline)
11. Flying To Morning – ROSEBUD (from the July 1971 US LP "Rosebud" on Reprise RS 6426 – featuring Judy Henske and Jerry Yester)
12. Journey Thru The Past – RITA COOLIDGE (from the November 1971 US LP "Nice Feelin'" on A&M Records SP-4325 – a Neil Young cover – band included The Dixie Flyers, Marc Benno and Nick DeCaro)
13. I Think He's Hiding – CYRUS FARYAR (from the October 1971 US Debut LP "Cyrus" on Elektra EKS-74015, ex The Modern Folk Quartet)
14. Paper To Write On – CRABBY APPLETON (from the October 1971 US Second LP "Rotten To The Core" on Elektra EKS-74106 – features Michael Fennelly)
15. Tight Rope – LEON RUSSELL (from the July 1972 US LP "Carney" on Shelter Records SW-8911)
16. Anyway I Love You – DAN FOGELBERG (from the October 1972 US Debut LP "Home Free" on Columbia KC 31751)
17. Postcards From Hollywood – NED DOHENY (from the June 1973 US Debut LP "Ned Doheny" on Asylum SD 5059)
18. Outlaw Man – DAVID BLUE (January 1973 US 45-single on Asylum AS-11015, A-side)
19. For Free – MORNING (from the November 1971 US LP "Struck Like Silver" on Fantasy 9402 – a Joni Mitchell cover – band featured Jay Donnellan [aka Jay Lewis] of Love)
20. Fallin' In Love – THE SOUTHER-HILLMAN-FUREY BAND (from the July 1974 US Debut LP "The Souther-Hillman-Furey Band" on Asylum 7E-1006 - featuring J.D. Souther, Chris Hillman and (ex-Buffalo Springfield) Richie Furey)
21. Cook With Honey – HOWDY MOON (from the April 1974 US Debut-and-Only LP "Howdy Moon" on A&M Records SP-3628 – band featured Valerie Carter (song written by her), Joe Lind and Richard Hovey – overall album produced by Lowell George of Little Feat – above track Produced by Michael James Jackson, famously the Producer for Kiss – David Paich of Toto arranged the strings and Bill Payne of Little Feat played Piano)
22. Say You Love Me – FLEETWOOD MAC (from the July 1975 US LP "Fleetwood Mac" – band featuring Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks for the first time)

Some authors of liner notes pump up the positivity when reviewing lesser material - and you are there reading – going – really? DAVID WELLS is not one of those. The choices and sequencing is clever and inspired. His notes on every song and artist in the fabulous 48-page colour booklet are chock-full with factoids, other musician associations, setting the backdrop and so. It is smart writing to tell you that the band featured on the magnificent Stephen Stills song "Love The One You're With" had Graham Nash, David Crosby, John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful with Rita and her sister Patricia Coolidge on it. But that info also gives you the feel of the time. Huge numbers of artists and bands would stay and leave - dip in and out of the welcoming houses in sunny Californian Laurel Canyon eating them out of fridge and home whilst exchanging ideas and players – and most of time amidst a haze of smoke that was not pancakes on fire on the stove. Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees explains the LC scene was full of college drop-out stragglers and long-haired weirdos. There is an array of LP sleeves between the paragraphs too – photographs of billboards advertising Love LPs – The Monkees and the film poster for Head – snaps of female heroes like Judee Sill, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Judy Collins, Valerie Carter of Howdy Moon. The back page has a montage of 16-other box sets to choose from. 

And the SIMON MURPHY mastering is superb throughout too – only rarely dipping into hints of muffle - but that would generally be because of crude recordings in the first place. Take the Barry McGuire track "Secret Saucer Man" on CD1, Jimmy Webb wondering where "P.F. Sloan" has disappeared to on CD2 or Ned Doheny explaining about the counter-culture scene on the CD3 track "Postcards From Hollywood" – all sounding spiffo. 

I have lived with this set a few days now and noticed some very clever programming. The obvious big-name big-hit cover versions of Randy Newman and R&B singer Wilbert Harrison by Three Dog Night on "Mama Told Me Not To Come" and Canned Heat doing "Let's Work Together" stick out (both No.1 on the Billboard 45-single charts) – but how about six obscure covers where genuinely radical transformations have taken place that put these interpretations above the run of the mill. Take The Sunshine Company doing the Beatles/George Harrison song on "Help!" called "I Need You" – a fantastic take. Or The Turtles tackling a Judee Sill song "Lady-O", Morning having a go at the Joni Mitchell song "For Free" and winning, Susan Carter taking on the Buffalo Springfield tune "Bluebird" with the aid of Blood, Sweat & Tears as her backing band. You get Linda Ronstadt when she was fronting The Stone Poneys as they went at a Pamela Polland tune called "I've Got To Know" and then in her early solo career – a touching live cut of the Neil Young ballad "Birds". And a potence of what was to come – Judy Collins doing "Hello Hooray" which would be taken by Alice Cooper in 1973 and finally made a hit. 

We must talk about sequencing – I am not in the least bit surprised to see CD1 open with the fantastic Sunshine Pop/Mamas & Papas vibe of "Come On In" by The Association. As joyful as 60ts music gets, I use it myself on home play CDs. That is followed by the swirling ebullience of Paul Revere & The Raiders getting "Tighter". Hummingbirds and pigtails in the morning see Love stamp that adventurous 60ts West Coast sound. Clever B-sides like "As We Go Along" by The Monkees – a sublime moment from them perfectly in keeping with the peace, love and understanding lyrics of 1968 (another cover version too – a Carole King song). Then there are the discoveries – The Gentle Soul and their gorgeous "Our National Anthem" – Clear Light getting Acoustic Poppy with their "How Many Nights Have Passed" riling against a lady who broke their fuzz-guitar hearts and then moved on. I am shocked at how good the unreleased "Montage Mirror" is by Smokey Roberds with Roger Nichols (Nichols no doubt dreaming of recording perfection when he teams up with Steely Dan in 1972 for the rest of that decade). Great hippie-sounding Sitar, flanged vocals and Cello string-pulls on the period-groovy "Wildflowers" – The Holy Mackerel living up to their trippy-fishy name (fab audio too). Eagles fans will recognize Dillard & Clark doing "Train Leaves Here This Mornin'" (a gorgeous Bernie Leadon melodious ballad) because they covered it on their "Eagles" debut in 1972 when Leadon had joined Glenn Frey, Don Henley and the gang. The Beefheart song feels out of place actually and has a messy sound. 

Over on CD2 – you get a fab triple-bill in Stephen Stills, Tim Buckley and Hoyt Axton - "Love The One You're With" practically laying down the love-in ethos that dominated those years – Buckley and his "Buzzin' Fly" - all swirling and trippy and Acoustic Folk-Soul (check out the Terry Reid cover of it – was in the running for vocalist to Led Zeppelin) while a seriously drugged up Hoyt Axton (author of "The Pusher" for Steppenwolf and "Joy To the World" for Three Dog Night) warns of "Kingswood Manor" and the perils that lay within (I have reviewed his eclectic 1969 platter "My Griffin Is Gone" from which "Kingswood Manor" is taken). Amazing clarity on "I Still Wonder" by Love - same for the only instrumental on the 3CD Box - "Peaches En Regalia" by Frank Zappa. You can already hear the outlaw/loony tunes mania in the early Warren Zevon cut "Wanted Dead Or Alive" (credited as merely Zevon) and to top off a great run of tracks – you get toppermost melodies from Gene Clark, David Crosby (his "Traction In The Rain" is Godlike to me as is the whole of his debut solo LP "If I Could Only Remember My Name") and Dave Mason (of Traffic) teaming up with Mama Cass of The Mamas & The Papas for their lone duet LP on 1971 (Blue Thumb Records in the USA and Harvest in the UK).

CD3 opens with sometimes-Eagles-collaborator J.D. Souther and a Country-Rock moment of his called "Some People Call It Music" while Little Feat's "Easy To Slip" always thrills. You don't expect the enthusiastic audience reaction at the end of Linda Ronstadt's heartfelt rendition of Neil Young's 'After The Gold Rush' gem "Birds" - a live track on a studio album. Songwriter/Doomed heroes follow in the shape of Judee Sill and Harry Nilsson while the gorgeous Carly Simon and Danny Whitten's Crazy Horse hit you with two fab ballads - "We Have No Secrets" and "I Don't Want To Talk About It" - the latter being a song so many have covered - Rod Stewart being one of the more memorable ones. Genuine discoveries - I knew of the Rosebud album because I've already reviewed Judy Henske and Jerry Yester's "Farewell To Alderbaran" album from 1969 on Zappa's Straight Records (Rosebud the band is essentially them) - but it's so cool to hear a track from it here. Even better is the Howdy Moon self-titled album that has most of Little Feat as the backing band and Lowell George as Producer - Wells quite rightly pointing out that lead singer Valerie Carter is the hero 'Love Street' is focusing on. What a gorgeous tune - and I will have to own that CD. And on it goes with Dan Fogelberg, Ned Doheny, David Blue and Morning doing that wickedly-good cover of Joni's "For Free".

This is the kind of 3CD Clamshell Box Set compilation that might pass you by in a long line of adverts for similar-ish product and even the same subject matter. 

But "I Hear You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon (1967-1975)" is a winner on all fronts. When you think that there are three double-albums worth of songs on these 3CDs for about £24 - purchase becomes a no-brainer as well as a reminiscence and rediscovery journey you want to embark on. Top banana to all involved...

"The Complete de Wolfe Sessions" by THE ELECTRIC BANANA [The Pretty Things under a pseudonym] – Including Six UK Library Music Albums from 1967, 1968, 1969 (two), 1973 and 1978 on the Music de Wolfe label – featuring Richard Taylor, Phil May, John Povey, John Alder and Alan (Wally) Waller of The Pretty Things (September 2019 UK Grapefruit Records 3CD Clamshell Mini Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Free Love..."

Imagine you're a hip and happening dapper dude filmmaker walking down the King's Road in 1967 London with an afghan coat in one hand and a lysergic tablet in the other. You've just left the Tangerine Tandem Purple Ship Bicycles Bar with your copy of Oz that contains a fascinating article on the use of macrobiotic yoghurt in Himalayan yacks. 

But before that, you engaged in a very disturbing A/B-Button payphone phonecall to your moneyman (i.e. Producer). He has broken the bad news. If you want actual groovy cool music originals from the hipster bands of the Swinging Sixties in your film about nubiles mating with aliens from the planet EggNog at the Stonehenge Summer Solstice - the cost is prohibitive man. Drat - you think. You pop that tab from your right hand into your mouth and wallah! Suddenly, the fog of the hassling man has dissipated and all has become translucently and metaphysically clear baby. I need Library Music...

When I worked as the Rarities buyer in Reckless Records in Islington and Soho - the three big Library Music makers - KPM, Chappell and Music de Wolfe - would present themselves in collections at your counter in the form of albums with the same artwork - just different catalogue numbers. You would have song titles on the back sleeves like "Love Dance And Sing" or "A Thousand Ages From The Sun" - and have no earthly idea who was playing on what LP – or which one of these samey-looking buggers was worth the dosh. 

The dark arts of Library Music always elicited two reactions amongst collectors in my experience - frenzy or a yawn. There were those who adored the Psych and Film Music instrumentals you could stumble upon hidden inside these obscure LPs that turned up like musical thieves in the night in secondhand record shops. But there were also those who had forked out £20 for an LP that contained only insipid incidental interludes – none of which were interesting or cool (burned once, never again). And that’s where this superbly done 3CD Clamshell Mini Box set comes a bopping in.

Our Psych-rocking heroes moonlighting in the latter part of the 60ts as 'The Electric Banana' turned out to be none other than members of The Pretty Things (a quick perusal of the DW/LP credits beneath the titles showed that the songs were written by Richard Taylor, Phil May, John Povey and Alan Waller). A 60ts supergroup in their own right, but also an integral part of that underground scene which had its toes in eclectic films and TV programs - these records have always been touch stones for fans of the PT's. And they are rare in original form. 

The moniker 'The Electric Banana' never did get out an album on a major label, but as this box shows, managed six LPs on the British Library music label Music de Wolfe in 1967, 1968, 1969 (two), 1973 and 1978. And typically, Grapefruit Records of the UK have done a stunning job of shining a torch on a very dimly lit part of the counterculture. To the goose, the street girls, the orphan ladies and oodles of free love...

UK released Friday, 27 September 2019 - "The Complete de Wolfe Sessions" by THE ELECTRIC BANANA on Grapefruit Records CRSEGBOX058 (Barcode 5013929185807) is a 3CD Clamshell Mini Box Set that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (61:51 minutes):
1. Walking Down The Street [Side 1]
2. If I Needed Somebody 
3. Free Love 
4. 'Cause I'm A Man 
5. Danger Signs 
6. Walking Down The Street (Instrumental) [Side 2]
7. If I Needed Somebody (Instrumental)
8. Free Love (Instrumental)
9. 'Cause I'm A Man (Instrumental)
10. Danger Signs (Instrumental)
Tracks 1 to 10 are the UK Library Music album "Electric Banana" released 1967 on Music de Wolfe DW/LP 3040 in Mono - credited to ELECTRIC BANANA with TILSLEY ORCHESTRAL 

11. I See You [Side 1] 
12. Street Girl 
13. Grey Skies 
14. I Love You
15. Love Dance And Sing
16. A Thousand Ages From The Sun 
17. I See You (Instrumental) [Side 2]
18. Street Girl (Instrumental) 
19. Grey Skies (Instrumental) 
20. I Love You (Instrumental) 
21. Love Dance And Sing (Instrumental)
22. A Thousand Ages From The Sun (Instrumental)
Tracks 11 to 22 are the album "More Electric Banana" UK released 1968 on Music de Wolfe DW/LP 3069 in Mono

CD2 (77:35 minutes):

1. Alexander [Side 1]

2. It'll Never Be Me 

3. Eagle's Son 

4. Blow Your Mind

5. What's Good For The Goose

6. Rave Up 

7. Alexander (Instrumental) [Side 2]

8. It'll Never Be Me (Instrumental)

9. Eagle's Son (Instrumental)

10. Blow Your Mind (Instrumental)

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Even More Electric Banana" - released 1969 in the UK on Music de Wolfe DW/LP 3123 in Mono [NOTE: see also Track 11, CD3]

11. Sweet Orphan Lady [Side 1]

12. I Could Not Believe My Eyes

13. Good Times 

14. Walk Away 

15. The Loser 

16. Easily Done 

17. Sweet Orphan Lady (Instrumental) [Side 2]

18. I Could Not Believe My Eyes (Instrumental)

19. Good Times (Instrumental)

20. Walk Away (Instrumental)

21. The Loser (Instrumental)

22. Easily Done (Instrumental)

Tracks 11 to 22 are the album "Hot Licks" - released 1973 in the UK on Music de Wolfe DW/LP 3284 in Stereo

CD3 (46:28 minutes):

1. Do My Stuff [Side 1]

2. Take Me Home 

3. James Marshall 

4. Maze Song 

5. Whiskey Song 

6. Do My Stuff (Instrumental) [Side 2]

7. Take Me Home (Instrumental)

8. James Marshall (Instrumental)

9. Maze Song (Instrumental)

10. Whiskey Song (Instrumental)

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "The Return On The Electric Banana" - released 1978 in the UK on Music de Wolfe DW/LP 3381

11. The Dark Theme (Instrumental) 

Track 11 is from the album "Even More Electric Banana" - released 1969 in the UK on Music de Wolfe DW/LP 3123 in Mono [NOTE: see Tracks 1 to 10 on CD2 for the rest of the album]

These Clamshell Mini Box Sets always feel classy to the touch while three individual card sleeves do their back-and-front best to picture the five albums artwork in varying ways. DAVID WELLS has done the serious sleuthing liner notes to unravel the secrets for the 30-page booklet. Packed with period photos and snaps - you get stills from TV programs like Dr. Who, Monique, Edna The Inebriate Woman, Private Eye, The Sweeney and Dawn Of The Dead - all of whom used Electric Banana music. There is also a wonderful collage page of publicity stuff for the April 1969 movie "What's Good For The Goose" with Norman Wisdom and Sally Geeson - one that shows the band in period clobber looking very right on. The distinctive 'Pop Sound' LP artwork is there too as are repro's of those rare orange and white Music de Wolfe LP labels. 

Sound – the very essence of these recordings is Mono Grunge – so those looking for Abbey Road type Stereo magnificence and perfection should collect theirs at the kiosk now and leave. Not surprisingly there are no audio transfer credits, but the remastered sound is uniformly excellent even given the limitations of these late 60ts recordings. It feels like your eavesdropping on The Small Faces having an extra curricular or in the case of Side 2 of the LPs where you got instrumental versions of the five or six sung-songs on Side A – it feels like you’re listening to backing tracks by The Kinks or The Who - in all their hooky gonzo-bashing power. 

In fact even though the lyrics on Side 1 of the debut about "Street Girls" waiting for customers under the lamplight and self-centred men who sleep all day and come home late at night in "'Cause I'm A Man" are actually way better than most Sixties observations by other bands (excluding The Kinks) – it's the instrumentals and their naked backbeats that have always intrigued me. Striped of the loaded so-60ts references and words, you lock into the mostly guitar-driven Rock-Psych groove they got and I love that (Mods have always had a thing for their Small Faces sound too). And of course no commercially released LP would ever do this configuration – so the song/instrumental side-by-side dynamic was exclusive to Library Music LPs. 
People stare as they pass you by, knowing somehow that you've seen the promised land, says our likely lad in "Walking Down The Street" - whilst the Pretty Things cheeky bugger singer wants to forego foreplay down-payments directed at a woman's affection altogether and go directly to the free love bit in, well "Free Love". 

By the time you get to the genuinely improved excellence of album two, John Povey and Peter Reno have begun to contribute to the songs (alongside Phil May, Richard Taylor and Allan Waller) – examples being the superb Who-meets-The Charlatans vibe of "Grey Skies" and the "...give your soul to the wind...be free... " mantra of "Love Dance And Sing" – a song that eloquently sums up the very essence of breaking down emotional barriers – the stuff that indeed make the Sixties swing. And on it goes to the last LP that features a token PT presence but not a lot of anything else. 

For sure if you are a Pretty Things aficionado then "The Complete de Wolfe Sessions" is a must-own. But it also a way for others to get a crack at side projects – fringe listening that still stands up – songs and their instrumental counterparts. 
"Loving you was my first mistake..." our hero worries in "Danger Signs" – missing out on this will be our mistake now...