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"...You Got Something I
Can't Live Without..."
**** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE
JAPANESE-ONLY SHM CD REMASTER FROM 2013 ****
Since his tragic loss in
July 2013 renewed interest in J.J. Cale and his wonderfully laid-back
songwriting magic has never been higher - and if you want an example of just
how good he was (and can sound) - then a few bob spent on this fabulous
Japanese CD reissue is going to be money well spent. And more importantly to
long-time fans - this 'actually remastered' reissue has tracks that are longer
than all previous releases. Here are the gory details...
His 4th studio album
"Troubadour" was originally issued on vinyl album in September 1976
on Shelter/Island ISA 5011 in the UK and Shelter SRL-52002 in the USA
(excepting one song, they're all Cale originals). Its first CD appearance was
way back in 1983 on Mercury 800 001-2 (the infancy of CD) - but it was an
OK-sounding CD rather than a great one. Tracks from "Troubadour" were
re-mastered for the 1997 2CD anthology "Any Way The Wind Blows" and
fans got to hear just how good it could sound. But little will prepare them for
the stunning sonic attack of this 2013 remaster - beautifully transferred and
fully realizing the magic that was always there.
Released in Japan 26 June
2013 - "Troubadour"by J.J. CALE on Universal UICY-75630 (Barcode 4988005771612) is a SHM-CD (Super
High Materials) and features Repro LP artwork including the Inner Sleeve - rare
in any of his Seventies albums (includes track-by-track recording info). The
OBI mentions that this disc is part of the "Rock Company '77" Series.
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 10 of them and
they're uniformly superb. But the big news here is that some tracks are
extended over previous issues. It's total playing time is 37:43 minutes as
opposed to the original at 36:27 minutes. I've listed a track-by-track
comparison to show the timing differences...
1. Hey Baby (3:20 new, 3:11 old) [Side 1]
2. Travelin' Light (2:53 new, 2:50 old)
3. You Got Something (4:05 new, 4:00 old)
4. Ride Me High (3:40 new, 3:34 old)
5. Hold On (2:06 new, 1:58 old)
6. Cocaine (2:53 new, 2:49 old)
7. I'm A Gypsy Man (2:46 new, 2:42 old) [Side 2]
8. The Woman That Got Away (2:56 new,
9. Super Blue (2:42 new, 2:41 old)
10. Let Me Do It To You
(3:01 new, 2:59 old)
11. Cherry (3:31 new, 3:21
old)
12. You Got Me On So Bad
(3:19 new, 3:17 old)
As you can see from the list
above - on some tracks the difference is very slight - but on say "Ride Me
High" - the combo of the superb remaster and the extra 10-second extended
ending - make it almost feel like a new song - the version we should always
have been listening to.
On the subject of sound - a
few words first about the remaster (and Cale's remasters in general). Both Amazon
UK and USA list the 5CD mini box set "Classic Album Selection" as
having 2013 remasters ("Troubadour" is among them) - it doesn't.
Although the CDs look exactly like the old issues, closer examination will show
that each has a new catalogue number that reflects the box - but that's all.
They all have the old Mercury designed labels of silver and orange lines and
are precisely the same as the old Eighties and early Nineties reissues. My Mac
even remembered the old track references I'd personally put in. I tried an
outside source - like a desktop CD player - same thing - same old discs -
absolutely not new. So where does this '2013 Remaster' claim come from? I
suspect from these Japanese SHM-CD reissues which are Universal Japan issues
only. The point is that the sound difference between this SHM-CD and the
ordinary 'digitally mastered' disc in the 2013 "Classic" box is
literally like chalk and cheese. Don't get me wrong - the discs in the
"Classic" box set sound good - they do - especially the 3 criminally
underrated Eighties LPs "Shades", "Grasshopper" and
"No. 8" which were beautifully produced anyway. And the box is cheap
too. It's his Seventies classy first five albums that need the remastering. And
if you're a real fan - once you get an earful of this SHM-CD of
"Troubadour" - you'll have to own the lot because the sound upgrade
is so great.
It doesn't say which
engineer has done the remaster and transfer in the booklet but the work is
AWESOME - truly beautiful sound on every track. If I was to nail down two that
show most improvement - it would be
"The Woman Who Got Away" and "Cherry". The opening bass and
drums on "Woman" are so sweet and clear now - as is the slinky piano
playing. I'd also swear that the original CD had a slight glitch/skip in the
mastering - that seems to be now fixed. But the slightly longer
"Cherry" is incredible. The high-hat symbol that runs throughout
sounds like its going to punch out your grandmother - and his vocal hovering in
echo over it all - shimmering and full of eerie presence. I also love the whack
that now comes out of both "Travelin' Light" and the Side 2 opener
"I'm A Gypsy Man" (a Sonny Curtis cover). The shuffling sticks and
pedal steel on "Super Blue" is accentuated too as is the chugging
guitar in the naughty "Let Me Do It To You". I could go on... I've
also reviewed the SHM-CD of "5" from 1979 and its just as amazing.
J.J. Cale was one of my
audio heroes growing up - and his influence on Eric Clapton, Dire Straits and
even John Mayer is undeniable. What a loss and what an artist. And damn the
Japanese for being so good with these bloody things - because I need all 8 of
them now! My long-suffering bank manager will be pleased...
Albums in the June 2013
J. J. CALE
Japan-Only SHM-CD Reissue Series in Mini LP Repro Sleeves are:
1. Naturally (1972 - his debut) on Universal UICY-75627 (Barcode 4988005771582)
2. Really (1973) on Universal UICY-75628 (Barcode 4988005771599)
3. Okie (1974) on Universal UICY-75629 (Barcode 4988005771605)
4. Troubadour (1976) on Universal UICY-75630 (Barcode 4988005771612)
5. "5" (1979) on Universal UICY-75631 (Barcode 4988005771629)
6. Shades (1981) on Universal UICY-75632 (Barcode 4988005771636)
7. Grasshopper (1982) on Universal UICY-75633 (Barcode 4988005771643)
8. No. 8 (1983) on Universal UICY-75634 (Barcode 4988005771650)
