"Nashville Skyline" by BOB DYLAN (September 2003 Columbia Hybrid SACD In A Card Digipak and March 2004 Jewel Case Reissue – Greg Calbi Remaster) - A Review of his 1969 LP by Mark Barry...

"...I Reach For You..."

Recorded in haste in February and released April 1969 (he’d only 4 tunes when he started sessions apparently), Dylan's ninth studio album "Nashville Skyline" sort of stumbled out of the artistic blocks like a drunk in the early hours of the morning.

Ten short tunes (the CD runs to a paltry 27:13 minutes) one of which is a throwaway picker instrumental on Side 1 that could have been done by any Country fool to fill up shellac space - and you could be forgiven for thinking that in 2019 - this is yet another lightweight amble from the Bobster - here you go punters and screw you if you don't like it. But "Nashville Skyline" (photo of the same on the rear sleeve) is far from that – in fact I’d argue that the very brevity of NS is what makes it such a great listen – that and some of his most heartfelt and loveliest of tunes.

Following on from the Country-fied "John Wesley Harding" (issued December 1967) - 1969's "Nashville Skyline" seemed to be that album's more relaxed baby brother. Rock was everywhere, Blues Rock, Psych, early Prog and more – not that BD was listening. Indeed its known that Dylan contemplated calling it just that for a while - "John Wesley Harding II" - but sense prevailed. And with Johnny Cash's "At San Quentin" released just a few months later on 4 June 1969 and itself going to the unlikely No. 1 slot on both the Country and Rock charts – it seemed that Bob had been on the Musical Genre money all along.

But why do I love it so. Up alongside the monumental brilliance of "Bringing It All Back Home", the Nashville recorded double game-changer "Blonde On Blonde" and 1975's falling apart at the seems meisterwerk "Blood On The Tracks" - its the records easiness on the brain that makes me come back to it so much. And despite the gatefold slip of paper masquerading as an inlay (some nice colour period photos though) and zero discussion of the LP’s importance or even Johnny Cash’s involvement and poem on the rear sleeve dedicated to Dylan – this CD's upgraded audio made me fall in love with the album all over again.

"Nashville Skyline" is, and never has been, the audiophile recording of the century (many tracks are obviously done live in the studio and have intruding hiss) - but Greg Calbi's masterful transfer to SACD and CD is breathtaking - a genuine case of decades lifted and the beauty underneath allowed to shine. As I say – there is hiss – but the tunes are breathing – a fantastic warmth emanating off of each. These renditions are suddenly even more gorgeous and not weighed down by six to nine minutes of Dylan's Poet-God legend – their soothing nature is even more amplified. Our Bob is happy here, smiling on the cover, clutching George Harrison's guitar and sparring with the mighty Johnny Cash in the studio on their new cover of his "Freewheelin'..." classic "Girl From The North Country". He'd stopped smoking too and his voice was warmer and sexier for it. But it’s the plain and unadorned approach that thrills - songs sung with openness - devoid of endless showy rhyming couplets and slick production. Here Dylan is relaxed and damn it - happy. His crew too - beautifully following in from behind, filling in gaps with guitar licks, pedal steel, organ additions and other classily complimentary moments. Let's get to the Zim done good...

In the UK and Europe - there are two variants of the GREG CALBI REMASTER – the first is Columbia 512346 6 (Barcode 5099751234661) issued 15 September 2003 that is an SACD Hybrid Reissue in a card digipak. For those who don’t have SACD playback features on their machine – these Hybrid versions are playable on all players - standard CD players simply engaging the CD layer with the new Remaster. The second is the more common and still available standard Jewel Case reissue of 29 March 2004 on Columbia 512346 2 (Barcode 5099751234623). It has a gatefold slip of paper as an inlay (both have 27:13 minutes total playing time). The standard version can be purchased for under a fiver and is the one used in The Complete Albums Box Set too.

1. Girl From The North Country [Duet Vocals with Johnny Cash] - Side 1
2. Nashville Skyline Rag
3. To Be Alone With You
4. I Threw It All Away
5. Peggy Day
6. Lay Lady Lay - Side 2
7. One More Night
8. Tell Me That It Isn't True
9. Country Pie
10. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
Tracks 1 to 10 are his 9th studio album "Nashville Skyline" - released April 1969 in the USA on Columbia CS 9825 (Stereo Only) and May 1969 in the UK on CBS Records M BGP 63601 (Mono) and S BGP 63601 (Stereo) – only the STEREO MIX is used. The album peaked at No. 3 on the US LP charts, but hit No. 1 in the UK. It was also his last album issued in Mono in the UK but is NOT featured in "The Original Mono Recordings" Box Set of October 2010 probably because it was a false fold-down master – that Box Set ends with the Mono Mix of "John Wesley Harding" from 27 December 1967 (USA).

To the sound – the much-praised and sought-after Audio Engineer GREG CALBI has handled mastering old and new for the catalogues of Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Supertramp, The Allman Brothers, KD Lang, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, James Taylor, Ryan Adams and his first band Whiskytown, Patti Smith, Jim White, Robert Gordon and many more – so he knows his way around a decent tape of two. A beautiful job done...

The album produced three 45s - April 1969 saw "I Threw It All Away" b/w "Drifter's Escape" (from "John Wesley Harding") on Columbia 4-44826 reach No. 85 in the USA (No. 30 in the UK) - July 1969 launched "Lay Lady Lay" b/w Peggy Day" on Columbia 4-44926 that smashed its way up to No. 7 and No. 5 on the US and UK charts respectively - and finally October 1969 produced "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" b/w "Country Pie" on Columbia 4-45004  - its equally sensual feel giving it a No. 50 placing in the States. In fact the album's most famous song "Lay Lady Lay" nearly never made it as a 45; a song that was commissioned for John Schlesinger’s film Midnight Cowboy but didn’t make it because of deadlines (Nilsson nailed it anyway with his cover of Fred Neil’s "Everybody’s Talkin’") - Dylan famously felt "Lay Lady Lay" was not that good - nor representative of his sound. But Columbia’s resident talent-spotting genius Clive Davis begged to disagree and his commercial instinct of course turned out to be spot on - to a point where in 2019 - a Bob Dylan Anthology or Best Of without that song would seem bare and lesser for it and probably elicit howls of derision from fans worldwide.

"To Be Alone With You" has beautiful audio and one of the album's quiet masterpieces surely has to be "I Threw It All Away" - a low-key heartbreak all the way to the chair squeak as it quickly fades out at the end. "Peggy Day" too - revealing audio - while over on Side 2 Bob is as lonesome as he can be on "One More Night", a tune whose stroll had more than a musical nod melody-wise to his Country heroes Hank Williams and Johnny Cash (Charlie Daniels picking some fab guitar). Our hero is left spurned in "Tell Me That It Isn't True" when his girly holds the hand of some handsome no-good - offset by the jovial "Country Pie" with an organ sound that's straight out a Trojan Reggae session over in England. The album ends on a high - "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" - a typical Dylan love song that has his heart in her hand while his free musician's foot is holding open the bedroom door.

Simple, touching, musical manna for the mangled soul - "Nashville Skyline" is a keeper and especially with audio like this for less than a packet of non-carcinogenic cigarettes (pleasurable but killer nonetheless)...

"Blank Generation" by RICHARD HELL & THE VOIDOIDS (November 2017 Rhino '40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' 2CD Reissue - Greg Calbi Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Another World..."

Kentuckian Richard Lester Meyers (Rick Hell to you and I) made the front cover of the NME I remember in April 1977. But British fans of the American New Wave icon would have to wait until October of that year for his Sire Records debut album on vinyl (released the month prior in his own USA).

Despite not charting in any real way in either territory – the album has garnished a hardcore following ever since – a reputation far past four decades of influence (and rightly so methinks). It was famously recorded in March 1977 at New York’s ‘Electric Lady Studios’ – but dissatisfied with the results – the bulk of it was re-recorded three months later at Pizza Studios. To this end Rhino USA have chosen to honour the ex Television and Heartbreakers original and his superb and ballsy account-opener with a '40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition'. It sports a Remaster of the released 10-track album on CD1 and 12 Rare Tracks on CD2 – some of which are those first version discards and live CBGB cuts from an audience cassette (most Previously Unreleased). It really was another world back then - here are the two takes...

UK released Friday, 24 November 2017 (reissued 16 February 2018 with a ‘Record Store Day Exclusive’ stickered sleeve) - "Blank Generation" by RICHARD HELL & THE VOIDOIDS on Rhino 081227932787 (081227932787) is a '40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' 2CD Reissue (Remastered album on CD1 with Twelve Bonus Tracks on CD2) that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 'ORIGINAL 1977 ALBUM REMASTERED' (33:34 minutes):

1. Love Comes In Spurts [Side 1]

2. Liars Beware

3. New Pleasure

4. Betrayal Takes All

5. Down At The Rock And Roll Club

6. Who Says? [Side 2]

7. Blank Generation

8. Walking On The Water

9. The Plan

10. Another World

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Blank Generation" - released September 1977 in the USA on Sire Records SR 6037 and October 1977 in the UK on Sire Records 9103 327. Produced by RICHARD GOTTEHRER and RICHARD HELL - it didn't chart in either country

Disc 2 'BONUS TRACKS' (35:01 minutes):

1. Love Comes In Spurts (Electric Lady Studios Alternate Version)

2. Blank Generation (Electric Lady Studios Alternate Version)

3. You Gotta Lose (Electric Lady Studios Outtake Version)

4. Who Says? (Pizza Sound Studios Alternate Version)

5. Love Comes In Spurts (Live At CBGB in New York, 19 November 1976)

6. Blank Generation (Live At CBGB in New York, 19 November 1976)

7. Liars Beware (Live At CBGB in New York, 14 April 1977)

8. New Pleasure (Live At CBGB in New York, 14 April 1977)

9. Walking On The Water (Live At CBGB in New York, 14 April 1977)

10. Another World (Ork Records Version from 1976)

11. Oh (Original 2000 Release)

12. 1977 Sire Records Radio Ad (1:03 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 12 are Previously Unreleased

RICHARD HELL & THE VOIDOIDS was:

RICHARD HELL - Bass and Lead Vocals

ROBERT QUINE - Guitars and Background Vocals

IVAN JULIAN - Guitars and Background Vocals

MARC BELL - Drums

The gatefold three-way-foldout card digipak certainly looks the 'You Make Me...' part (close up that shirt pal) - the album's original inner sleeve collage of photos splashed across the inner flap. Disappointingly there are no photos beneath the see-through CD trays (missed a trick there boys) - but the 24-page booklet makes up for it with pictures of master tapes from the two key recording venues - Electric Lady and Pizza Studio - along with period snaps of Richard with Guitarists Bob Quine and Ian Julian, Richard's September 1977 diary pages (CBGB's gigs), period adverts and even a note from fans promising things to the lead singer that no young boy should be promised. The first half of it gives us a personal account of his earlier life including the four years Hell struggled with The Neon Boys and Television and then onwards to a track-by-track explanation (very illuminating). That's in turn followed by an interview with Ivan Julian (20 July 2017) where Hell is queried on Tour Dates, memories of his European and British tours, growing up in Washington and so on. There is a final page of New York reminiscences by Susanne Savage (also one of the reissue’s producers) putting the American Top 10 Singles in 1977 into context. Safe and perfect bands dominated from February to November as opposed to what was going on with New York's noisy boys giving it some angry short-sharp-shocks as they aired the frustrations of a blank generation (take it or leave it each time). You also get the lyrics, reissue credits and so on. My copy also sports a ‘Record Store Day Exclusive’ sticker because it was bought in 2018. Very nice...

While that’s pictorially pleasing – the real deal here for me is a new GREG CALBI Remaster that gives amazing power and clarity to that wall of US Punk and New Wave that keeps coming at you - track after track (he was the original mastering engineer on the 1977 LP). Quine's guitar solo in the Blues Punk Waltz of "Betrayal Takes Two" for instance is even more scuzzy than I remember - and amen to that. Calbi is more famously associated with Supertramp, Paul Simon and Paul McCartney Remasters – but he's also done Television's 1977 masterpiece "Marquee Moon" and that's a total magnet for me...

Coming over as a snottier version of Television - musically Richard Hell and his Band had that New Wave voice and stance down - making him especially instant NME hero-worship material right from the off. That 'attitude' comes screaming out of "Love Comes In Spurts" as he roars about being fourteen and a half with the innocence of "Love Me Do" and "All You Need Is Love" just not cutting it anymore. Smiling lies, pompous jerks and ridiculous creeps get short shift in "Liars Beware" - the song stretching to unforgivable Prog Rock length of 2:58 minutes. Those opening guitars in "New Pleasure" are seriously good now - the rhythm section feeling like they're in your living room - sublime poses indeed. I absolutely love that guitar sound Quine gets in "Betrayal..." (bit of a mini operatic masterpiece that song) and the sheer uh-huh scotch 'n' soda fun of "Down At The Rock And Roll Club" is still exciting. Both "Blank Generation" (dig those guitar jabs) and a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Walking On The Water" seal the album's greatness for me - making a John Fogerty song sound like it was a Voidoid tune all along. "Another World" gets all Talking Heads guitar wacky while Hell sings in his 'oh baby oh' best Stranglers-sleaze voice. I could live with you in another world, not this one. And you believe him...

What of the Bonus Material? Although its hard now to dislocate myself from album tracks I’ve known and loved for so many years - there is an amateur-hour feel to the Electric Lady recordings of "Love Comes In Spurts" and "Blank Generation" that don’t actually enhance the kick - but somehow lessen it. I can so hear why they were dropped. At least the Pizza Studios Alternate Version of "Who Says?" is a goer equal to its released version. But "You Gotta Lose" has to be surely worth the price of admission alone – an outtake where mum is a pinhead and God is away on holidays. What a find this track is!

The November 1976 CBGB live cuts are crude and rude (an audience cassette) and just a notch above bootleg quality – while the ones from a year later (April 1977) fare only a tab better. The six-minute 1976 US single of "Another World" on Ork Records 81976 (Richard Hell only credit) is another decent Bonus – but amazing that no one thought to repro its rare Picture Sleeve in the booklet. The final Voidoids recording "Oh" from 2000 comes 24-years after the event (same line-up) and yet cleverly reclaims that grungy sloppy feel of the 1977 songs. The 'no matter how you say it' radio advert for the album is cringingly awful but Hell (no pun intended) - it was American Radio in 1977...

Great remaster of the album, about half the Bonus Tracks actually worth owning and a decent presentation/price. Makes me want to...

"Biograph" by BOB DYLAN (March 2011 Sony/Columbia/Legacy 3CD 'Book Pack Edition' Reissue - Greg Calbi Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I Guess It Was Up To Me..."

As much as I find the actual working of these 'book holder' packs with their impossible plastic clip-ins to be a royal pain in the patouche - you can't but help feel that this 2011 reissue of 1985's "Biograph" (Bob Dylan's groundbreaking vaults-haul) is a musical cream cake that screams - damn the calories mama and just eat-me-up. This thing looks great, reads great, plays great and offers a combo of key album and single tracks vs. previous unreleased and rare recordings that is enlightening even if the sequencing is bloody irritating at times. It's not perfect, but it is a must-buy for Dylan fans.

The retrospective compilation "Biograph" was initially released November 1985 as a 3CD/5LP Box Set in Album-Sized 12" x 12" Packaging - 53 digitally remastered tracks covering 1961 to 1981 with 21 of them either rare or Previously Unreleased. The 36-page booklet had liner notes by famed filmmaker and uber fan CAMERON CROWE as well as ruminations by the Bobster on all of his songs - some enlightening - some typically oblique or even downright dismissive. It was downsized and reissued October 1997 into a neater 5" card slipcase with a 3CD ‘fatboy’ jewel case, a 36-page booklet inside and new 'SBM' remastering (Super Bit Mapping). .

And now we get this – a March 2011 'Book Pack' version roughly measuring 6" x 8" with an upgraded 44-page booklet. Although the SBM code is not on the rear of the 2011 packaging, the new liner notes add 'digitally mastered' by Greg Calbi of Supertramp, Television and Paul Simon reissue fame (he did the ‘mastering’ on the original 1985 set). Calbi is a fabulous Audio Engineer – and not surprisingly the sound is great. There's a lot of Subterranean Homesick Blues to document, so let's have at it...

UK and EUROPE re-released 21 March 2011 - "Biograph" by BOB DYLAN on Columbia/Sony Music/Legacy 88697 85648 2 (Barcode 886978564825) is a 3CD 56-Track 'Book Pack Edition' Reissue that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (73:21 minutes):

1. Lay Lady Lay (from the April 1969 album "Nashville Skyline")

2. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down (from the March 1962 debut album "Bob Dylan")

3. If Not For You (from the October 1970 album "New Morning")

4. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (from the December 1967 album "John Wesley Harding")

5. I'll Keep It With Mine (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED recording from 14 January 1965)

6. The Times They Are A-Changin' (from the January 1964 album "The Times They Are A-Changin'")

7. Blowin' In The Wind (from the May 1963 album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan)

8. Masters Of War (from the May 1963 album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan)

9. Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll (from the January 1964 album "The Times They Are A-Changin'")

10. Percy's Song (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED recording from 23 October 1963)

11. Mixed-Up Confusion (Non-Album US 7" single A-side from November 1962)

12. Tombstone Blues (from the August 1965 album "Highway 61 Revisited")

13. Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar (Non-Album US 7" single B-side to "Heart Of Mine" from September 1981)

14. Most Likely You'll Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine (from the May 1974 album "Before The Flood")

15. Like A Rolling Stone (from the August 1965 album "Highway 61 Revisited")

16. Lay Down Your Weary Tune (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED recording from 24 October 1963)

17. Subterranean Homesick Blues (from the March 1965 album "Bringing It All Back Home")

18. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Met) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED live recording from 6 May 1966)

Disc 2 (71:48 minutes):

1. Visions Of Johanna (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED live recording from 26 May 1966)

2. Every Grain Of Sand (from the August 1981 album "Shot Of Love")

3. Quinn The Eskimo (The Might Quinn) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED version recorded July 1967)

4. Mr. Tambourine Man (from the March 1965 album "Bringing It All Back Home")

5. Dear Landlord (from the December 1967 album "John Wesley Harding")

6. It Ain't Me, Babe (from the August 1964 album "Another Side Of Bob Dylan")

7. You Angel You (from the January 1974 album "Planet Waves")

8. Million Dollar Bash (from the July 1975 double-album "The Basement Tapes")

9. To Ramona (from the August 1964 album "Another Side Of Bob Dylan")

10. You're A Big Girl Now (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version - from the "Blood On The Track" sessions recorded 25 September 1974)

11. Abandoned Love (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recording from July 1975)

12. Tangled Up In Blue (from the January 1975 album "Blood On The Tracks")

13. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded 17 May 1966)

14. Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? (Non-Album US 7" Single A-side released December 1965)

15. Positively 4th Street (Non-Album US 7" Single A-side released September 1965)

16. Isis (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded 4 December 1975)

17. Jet Pilot (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded October 1965)

Disc 3 (71:42 minutes):

1. Caribbean Wind (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded 7 April 1981)

2. Up To Me (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song outtake from the "Blood On The Track" sessions recorded 25 September 1974)

3. Baby, I'm In the Mood For You (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded 9 July 1962)

4. I Wanna Be Your Lover (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded October 1965)

5. I Want You (from the May 1966 double-album "Blonde On Blonde")

6. Heart Of Mine (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded August 1981)

7. On A Night Like This (from the January 1974 album "Planet Waves")

8. Just Like A Woman (from the May 1966 double-album "Blonde On Blonde")

9. Romance In Durango (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded 4 December 1975)

10. Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power) (from the June 1978 album "Street Legal")

11. Gotta Serve Somebody (from the August 1979 album "Slow Train Coming")

12. I Believe In You (from the August 1979 album "Slow Train Coming")

13. Time Passes Slowly (from the October 1970 album "New Morning")

14. I Shall Be Released (from the November 1971 double-album "Greatest Hits Volume 2")

15. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (from the July 1973 Soundtrack album "Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid")

16. All Along The Watchtower (from the June 1974 double-live album "Before The Flood")

17. Solid Rock (from the June 1980 album "Saved")

18. Forever Young (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version recorded June 1973)

The 'Book Pack' stands nicely alongside all the others in this format, all the photos from the 1985 booklet are here as are the sheets of Dylan's comments. The GREG CALBI Remasters are gorgeous - even something as frantic as "Baby, I'm In The Mood For You" and the unreleased version of "I Wanna Be Your Lover" sound tight and in your face. Let's get to the music...

I'd admit that the track sequencing on Disc 1 feels odd to my ears – until about half through when it settles down. "Baby, Let Me Follow You Down" and the George Harrison/Olivia Newton John famous "If Not For You" don't really follow after the distinctive vibe of "Lay Lady Lay". I'd have opened with the fabulous "I'll Keep It With Mine" - the first of the unreleased studio and live songs - Bobster on the old Johanna tapping his foot as he keeps time. It's a confident rendition (fully formed) and yet delicate ("people like it..." he says in the liner notes sounding a little bewildered). Judy Collins famously took it and made a November 1965 Elektra Records single out of it (on London in the UK in 1966). The Audio on both "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and the iconic "Blowin' In The Wind" is hair-raisingly clean - amplifying the pretty melodies in both. The rhyming couplets in "Masters Of War" and the lonesome harmonica wail in "...Hattie Carroll" are the same – both lyrically carrying the power of a mallet (51 years old and ten children - amazing stuff).

Next up is unreleased goody number two - this time from the autumn of 1963 – a truly gorgeous acoustic cover of Paul Clayton's turn-turn-turn-again "Percy's Song". How did this beauty not make it onto an LP or even a 45 B-side? Fans will probably play this sucker into the ground (I feel the same about Simon & Garfunkel's "Blues Run The Game" which first showed on the "Old Friends" 3CD retrospective). The raucous "Mixed-Up Confusion" follows, as does another swinging non-album single track – the brutally brilliant "Groom’s Still Waiting At The Altar". Its slide guitars feel like "Blonde On Blonde" and that band revisited – Bob's voice just the right side of gnarly. With Ringo Starr on the drums - the non-album B was played on radio a lot at the time – Rock of Gibraltar baby. The live version of "Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine" feels out of place, as does the 1966 unreleased version of "I Don't Believe You...” A hundred times better is "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" – unreleased acoustic tune number three (again - an amazing find). What can you say about the lyrically thrilling "Subterranean Homesick Blues" as it rollicks out of your speakers with the hutzpah of a poet having a right-old rave-up on Speaker's Corner (throw down those cue cards Bob – don't follow leaders and watch out for parking meters).

Disc 2 offers a beautifully intimate and almost eerie "Visions Of Johanna" - an unreleased 7:32 minute live version from May 1966. Just acoustic guitar, echoed vocals, some harmonica punches and an almost reverent-silent audience listening enrapt. It's also so well recorded - the transfer making jelly-faced women, jewels and binoculars sound like they're in your living room. It's superbly followed by a forgotten 1981 gem few paid any attention to at the time - "Every Grain Of Sand" from his second religious album "Shot Of Love". The master's hand in the fury of the moment, in every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand... Bizarrely that's followed with a wobbly unreleased take of "Quinn The Eskimo" that won't be sugaring-me-sweet any day soon. Would have been better to follow "Every Grain Of Sand" with "Mr. Tambourine Man" - sounding utterly glorious here, fresh again despite its wildly overplayed history. Warm bass lines come at you with Harding's "Dear Landlord" and The Band sounding "You Angel You" - one of the better cuts on 1974's "Planet Waves" – is lifted up too with the mastering. But the second real fave-rave on CD2 is a spine-tingling alternate of "You're A Big Girl Now" from 1975's mighty "Blood On The Tracks" - exclusive here and still yet to make it to a 2-Disc 'Legacy Edition' of that astonishing album. Soft acoustic guitar, intimate vocals, pedal steel and sweet keyboards - you on dry land, you made in there somehow, you're a big girl now (what a tune). With girly backing vocals and violin strokes throughout - "Abandoned Love" sounds like a "Desire" outtake and is sweetly placed prior to "Tangled Up In Blue" – the magnificent Side 1 opener of "Blood On The Tracks". It comes roaring to a satisfying finish with the singles "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" and the genius of "Positively 4th Street" – a song so smart it doesn’t have its title in the lyrics anywhere and few to this day know what its about. She’s got "...Jet Pilot eyes and carries a Monkey Wrench – got all the downtown boys at her command..." the Big Dill warns on the gender-bender "Jet Pilot" from 1966 – an unreleased snippet that's still worth owning - even if it is criminally short.

Disc 3 opens with another one of the set's unreleased prizes - "Caribbean Wind" from 1981 - where the long arm of the law cannot reach (where does he get all the words). But that's trumped by the real "Biograph" prize - an outtake from the "Blood On The Tracks" sessions - the wonderful "Up To Me". A variant of the album's "Shelter From The Storm" - despite the familiar structure and some duplicated lines - hearing the song anew like this is a thrill (someone had to reach for the rising star and I guess it was up to me...). The alternate "I Wanna Be Your Lover" has the studio band letting rip as 'Rasputin remains dignified' while the live cut of the single "Heart Of Mine" is surprisingly sweet - don't let her know - don't be a fool he warns and of course doesn't listen. I've always had a love-hate relationship with his religious outpouring 1979's "Slow Train Coming" - but the duo chosen are "Gotta Serve Somebody" and the beautiful ballad "I Believe In You" - the kind of song that elicits hero-worship amidst singers who have covered it proudly. They drive me from this town - they don't want me around - because I believe in you - Knopfler's subtle guitar adding another layer of class to his passionate vocals. While I can live without "Solid Rock" where Bob tries to sound like a bad Dire Straits - I absolutely love the rough 'n' ready unreleased demo version of "Forever Young" - another one of his best compositions. Despite its hissy nature, you can hear why the compilers knew it had to be included – there’s something in its voice and acoustic guitar simplicity that is quite magical. And like "I Believe In You" – it’s a tune that means so much to so many people.

The Bootleg Series started in 1991 and is still ongoing into 2018 - compilation after compilation of unreleased swag. But this officially released precursor to that series still feels like a 5-star nugget to me.

"...May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong..." he sang on "Forever Young"  - and isn't that what every parent would want for their kids. 

Thank you sincerely Mr. Zimmerman for all the Biographs across the decades - and long may your song always be sung...

"Machine Head: Anniversary 2CD Edition" by DEEP PURPLE - April 1972 Studio LP (September 1997 EMI 2CD Reissue - Remixes and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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All Detailed Reviews Taken From The Discs Themselves 

(No Cut and Paste Crap) 

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"...All right...hold tight...I'm a highway star..." - Ian Gillan sings on the explosive opener. OK boys - I'm holding tight and I'm liking what I'm hearing – even if it is digitally sozzled and recomboozalated.

The Purp's classic "Machine Head" hit the streets of both Blighty and Big City USA in April 1972 and we've been in love with its non-nonsense Rawk ever since (a No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 over there). Followed later in the year with the stunning double-live set "Made In Japan" - and with "Fireball" from 1971 and "Deep Purple In Rock" from 1970 already under their hard-rocking belt - it seemed like a slam-dunk.

And like Jethro Tull's catalogue with its endless but hugely pleasing book sets - EMI seem to have a CD thing for this most British of hairy-men bands - always giving their reissues more than a half-decent outing and not just what they can get away with. So it is with head-banging pleasure that I come to the September 1997 'Anniversary 2CD Edition' of the wunderbar "Machine Head" and announce with glee that it’s no different. Bit of a barnstormer in fact. Let's get to the space truckin' and the smoke on the water...

UK released 8 September 1997 - "Machine Head: Anniversary 2CD Edition' by DEEP PURPLE on EMI CDDEEPP 3 (Barcode 724385950629) is an 'Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue with 1997 Remixes on Disc 1 while Disc 2 comprises of the album Remastered and Three Bonus Tracks. It plays out as follows...

Disc 1 - 1997 Remixes - 43:42 minutes:

1. Highway Star

2. Maybe I'm A Leo

3. Pictures Of Home

4. Never Before

5. Smoke On The Water

6. Lazy

7. Space Truckin'

8. When A Blind Man Cries

Disc 2 - Remastered - 53:12 minutes:

1. Highway Star [Side 1]

2. Maybe I'm A Leo

3. Pictures Of Home

4. Never Before  

5. Smoke On The Water [Side 2]

6. Lazy

7. Space Truckin'

Tracks 1 to 7 are their sixth studio album "Machine Head" - released April 1972 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7504 and in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2607. Produced by DEEP PURPLE (Engineered by Martin Birch) - it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 in the USA.

BONUS TRACKS:

8. When A Blind Man Cries - non-album B-side to "Never Before" - written by the whole band it was released March 1972 in the UK on Purple Records PUR 102 and the same month in the USA on Warner Brothers WB 7572 (charted at No. 35 in the UK but didn’t chart USA).

9. Maybe I'm A Leo (Quadrophonic Mix)

10. Lazy (Quadrophonic Mix)

Tracks 9 and 10 first issued May 1972 in the UK on the 'Quadrophonic' LP issue of "Machine Head" on Purple Records Q4TPSA 7504. Note: many guides list this as issued in 1974 but I've EMI catalogues dated from June 1972 onwards through to late 1974 that list it as 06/72.

DEEP PURPLE was:

IAN GILLAN – Lead Vocals

RITCHIE BLACKMORE – Guitars

JON LORD – Keyboards

ROGER GLOVER – Bass

IAN PAICE – Drums

A card slipcase contains a slim-line double-CD jewel case – The 1997 Remixes CD has a picture of the blurred faces artwork while the Remastered album and bonuses on Disc 2 sports the Purple label. Nice as all that is – the 28-page booklet is a proper feast both with band involvement and superb visuals. Page 2 has an intro from ROGER GLOVER, a row of four rare foreign picture sleeves for the “Never Before” single from around the world and on Page 3 – a black and white photo of a cloud of smoke billowing from the Casino Studio building in Montreaux – the scene that of course inspired the classic “Smoke On The Water” song. There's even a snap of The Rolling Stones mobile parked outside the hotel and further shots of the boys inside during sessions. A major essay on the making of the album by SIMON ROBINSON fills pages 4 to 17 only to be taken over by Roger Glover's own notes called "Machine Head remembered..." from Pages 17 to 25. There's alternate artwork, trade adverts for singles and the LP and one page even has the handwritten lyrics for their most famous riff – "Smoke On The Water". It's impressive stuff...

But all that is nobbled by the fabulous new audio supplied. The vastly experienced Audio Engineer PETER MEW has remastered the Album at Abbey Road from real tapes and its way better than what I had before. But I must admit I’m drooling over the new remix versions – handled by a team of four - PETER DENENBERG, ROGER GLOVER, and JOE DiGIORGI with mastering by the supreme GREG CALBI (Paul McCartney's “Band On The Run”, Supertramp's “Crime Of The Century” and Paul Simon's “Graceland” to name but a few). Even Glover in his liner notes seemed amazed by the 1997 Remixes which he clearly felt gave the album the extra oomph it seemed to lack on original vinyl – especially given the truly explosive live versions of the songs that would come later that year on the monster double-album "Made In Japan". At last that live power is evident everywhere on these studio recordings - "Highway Star" and the hooky "Maybe I’m A Leo" alone enough to make even the most ardent unbeliever double take.

It’s hard now to play the studio version of the opener "Highway Star" without thinking of its live nemesis on "Made In Japan" - quite possibly the single most exciting opening to a live double 'ever'. But man had I forgotten how good this little sucker is. Following hot on the heels is the hugely hooky "Maybe I'm A Leo" has always been a poison for me while the drum opening of "Pictures Of Home" is now huge. The obvious 7" single "Never Again" arrived in UK shops 21 March 1972 on Purple Records PUR 502 with the non-album "When A Blind Man Cries" on the B-side - a ballad that was good enough in my books to be on the album although "Machine Head" the album was never about mellow or 'my world is pale' sorrow. I love the audio on both. Both "Lazy" and "Space Truckin'" sound big and ballsy - especially the keyboards and drums on "Space Truckin'" – and when Gillian lets rip on those chorus screams towards the end - dancing with Alice and the stars indeed.

It's now nearly twenty years since this 1997 2CD Reissue of Deep Purple’s "Machine Head" and a 45th Anniversary of the original vinyl LP looms this month (April 2017) - so no doubt another variant will wing its way into our living rooms right soon. In the meantime - come on - let's go space truckin' – burn down your speaker stacks with rockin' beast...