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"…Won't You Live With Me…"
Although I personally love
their first two studio albums to bits (“As Safe As Yesterday” and “Town And
Country” from July and December 1969 on Immediate Records) – their signing to
A&M Records in 1970 saw their self-titled album released in the summer of
that explosive year and their ‘rawk’ sound that we all know and love properly
emerge.
“Humble Pie” was originally
UK released on A&M Records AMLS 986 in July 1970 (September 1970 in the USA
on A&M Records SP 4270) – their third studio album and the British band’s
first for Herb Albert’s burgeoning Rock label. “Humble Pie” had a good
straightforward 8-track CD reissue on Germany’s Repertoire label in 2005 in a
digipak (Repertoire REPUK 1080 - Barcode 4009910108024). But I’d argue that the stunning 24-bit Digital
Remaster carried out in Japan in 2007 (and used ever since) is a whole
different sonic ballgame.
But in 2018 - I calculate
there are now no less four Japanese release dates for SHM-CD reissues – and I’d
like to sort out what’s what. “Humble Pie” by HUMBLE PIE first appeared 14
February 2007 in Japan on Universal/A&M UICY-93219 (Barcode 4988005459732)
in a 5” Mini Album Sleeve Repro which even aped the stippled effect of the
original A&M 1970 album and its gorgeous gatefold artwork. It came with a
Japanese worded booklet, an outer OBI strip – but most importantly it had a new
2007 24-bit remaster. But - as is the habit in Japan with these ‘supposed’
limited editions – they seem to get reissued every two or three years and that’s
what’s happened here.
22 April 2009 saw the second
Japanese SHM-CD version on Universal/A&M UICY-94066 (Barcode 4988005555151)
that also used the 2007 remaster.
Third came 22 December 2010
using the 2007 Remaster – a SHM-CD in a jewel case only on Universal/A&M
UICY-22093 (Barcode 4988005638953). There were
only four titles in this series -"Humble Pie", "Rock On", "Performance - Rockin' The Fillmore" and "Smokin'".
And now this fourth outing – "Humble Pie" by HUMBLE PIE reissued 23 November 2016 on Universal/A&M
Records UICY-77977 (Barcode 4988031188101) – the latest version again using
that 2007 Remaster). If you cut and paste any of the above barcodes into
Amazon’s search bar – you will get the issue you want (check them because
prices can fluctuate wildly – and not in a good way).
A SHM-CD doesn't require a
special CD player to play it on (compatible on all) nor does it need audiophile
kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the format that picks up the
nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 15 of them and
they're uniformly superb. Let’s get to the music (42:40 minutes):
1. Live With Me [Side 1]
2. Only A Roach
3. One Eyed Trouser-Snake
Rumba
4. Earth And Water Song
5. I’m Ready [Side 2]
6. Them from Skint – See You
Later Liquidator
7. Red Light Mamma, Red Hot!
8. Sucking On The Sweet Vine
HUMBLE PIE – like those
other great British bands FREE and LED ZEPPELIN – produced the most brilliant
Rock albums in 1970 and 1971 with what seemed like effortless ease - and their
3rd LP “Humble Pie” is no different. Right from the opening seconds
of the eight-minute “Live With Me” – the lonesome organ and drum rolls seem in
your face – and when that great guitar kicks in – along with Marriott’s
distinctive wail - the power of it is fabulous. We get all acoustic dainty with
the Jerry Shirley spliff-song “Only A Roach” (guitarist with the band) –
returning to proper riffage with the cocky rocker “One-Eyed Trouser Snake”.
Side 1 of the 8-track LP ends with the pretty Peter Frampton “Earth And Water
Song”.
Side 2 opens with a great
hard-rock cover of the Willie Dixon penned Muddy Waters classic “I’m Ready” and
once again Marriott just sounds so damn cool – it’s sick (“smoking TNT and
Dynamite…”) Back to Pedal Steel whimsy with “Theme From Skint (See You Later
Liquidator)” where Steve bemoans his lack of ‘bread’. The remaster really lifts
up the instruments – tambourine and acoustic guitars especially. We’re then
back to one of the album’s collective songwriting highlights – the fantastic
Boogie Rock of “Red Light Momma, Red Hot”. It ends on the pretty Peter Frampton
ballad “Sucking On The Sweet Vine” with rich chord changes that stay with you…
They would release the
forgotten “Rock On” album in March of 1971 (their second studio platter for
A&M) and then in November of that huge year for Rock destroy all comers
with the mighty “Performance – Rockin’ The Fillmore” – the kind of live double
you go absolutely nuts about (to this day just looking at its sleeve makes me
weak at the knobbly knees). “Smokin’” from 1972 and the underrated double-album
“Eat It” from 1973 still had their moments of HP magic - but after that it all seemed
to plunge downhill fast in a blizzard of drugs, tantrums and health issues. Best
we remember them in their glory years.
At roughly a twenty-spot or
a wee bit more (in the right places) - these 2016 Japanese SHM-CD reissues can
be pricey I know. But if you’re a fan – seek them out – both sonically and
visually - they’re so worth it…
PS: Titles in the 23
November 2016 Japanese SHM-CD Reissue Series:
1. “Humble Pie” (1970) –
Universal/A&M UICY-77977 (Barcode 4988031188101)
2. Rock On” (1971) –
Universal/A&M UICY-77978 (Barcode 4988031188118)
3. “Performance – Rockin’
The Fillmore” (1971, Live 2LP Set onto 1CD) – Universal/A&M UICY-77979
(Barcode 4988031188125)
4.“Smokin’” (1972) –
Universal/A&M UICY-77980 (Barcode 4988031188132)
5. “Eat It” (1973) –
Universal/A&M UICY-77981 (Barcode 4988031188149)
6.“Thunderbox” (1974) –
Universal/A&M UICY-77982 (Barcode 4988031188095)
7.“Street Rats” (1975) –
Universal/A&M UICY-77983 (Barcode 4988031188156) – 11 Tracks
8. “Street Rats – UK
Version” (1975) – Universal/A&M UICY-77984 (Barcode 4988031188163) – 15
Tracks
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