"The World Of Charlie McCoy/The Nashville Hit Man/Charlie My Boy!/Harpin' The Blues" by CHARLIE McCOY – June 1968 US Debut Album Plus His Seventh (September 1974), Ninth (May 1975) and Tenth Studio Albums (February 1976) all on Monument Records - featuring Members of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry plus sessionmen Mac Gayden, Bobbie Emmons, Reggie Young and more (October 2024 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 4LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…The Nashville Man…"

Award-winning Harmonica virtuoso Charlie McCoy has 50-plus years of Nashville sessions to his name and West Virginia Music Hall of Fame Awards up to the wazoo - let alone his stints with fondly remembered US Country-Rock acts like Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry. Charlie was also quietly enamoured to listeners in Blighty long before they knew his name – the Area Code 615 Harmonica-driven instrumental "Stone Fox Chase" being the theme music to The Old Grey Whistle Test Rock TV programme on BBC hosted of course by Whispering Bob Harris. Every week his chugging harp hit our living rooms – and we did not know him. 

Back to the matter at hand - this is only the second outing in the UK for his American Monument Records studio albums under his own name (May 2018 saw another BGO twofer compilation). 

What you get here is four – the first dating from 1968 (his US Debut not issued in the UK), then his Seventh from 1974 with two from 1975 - his Ninth (not issued in the UK) and Tenth studio sets. In short - buy this and you acquire a quartet of Country Rock, Harmonica Instrumentals and Sung Tunes albums expertly remastered by Andrew Thompson onto two discs - all of it wrapped in a tasty card slipcase with a chunky 20-page booklet inside. Beat Goes On supplies black and white page repros of the front and rear artwork (pre-ambling the text) - followed by new May 2024 liner notes from BGO's resident Folk and Country scribe – JOHN O'REGAN. 

The 2CD Charlie McCoy compilation Beat Goes On BGOCD1527 is a substantial haul – it really is. If only most of it was actually worth listening to. Here's Harpin'…

UK released Friday, 4 October 2024 (delayed from May and September - released 27 September 2024 in the USA) - "The World Of/The Nashville Hit Man/Charlie My Boy!/Harpin' The Blues" by CHARLIE McCOY on Beat Goes On BGOCD1527 (Barcode 5017261215277) is a Compilation that remasters Four Albums onto Two CDs and plays out as follows:

CD1 (64:53 minutes):
1. Jump Back Baby [Side 1]
2. Gimme Some Lovin'
3. Hey Baby
4. Candy Man
5. (Turn On Your) Love Light
6. Harpoon Man
7. Fingertips [Side 2]
8. Up Tight
9. Ode To Billie Joe
10. Shotgun
11. Juke
12. Good Vibrations
Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "The World Of Charlie McCoy" – release June 1968 in the USA on Monument SLP-18097 in Stereo (no UK issue). Produced by Fred Foster.

13. Silver Threads And Golden Needles [Side 1]
14. Help Me
15. Fire Ball Mail
16. The Way We Were
17. Keep On Harpin'
18. You Win Again
19. Boogie Woogie (A/K/A.T.D.'s Boogie Woogie) [Side 2]
20. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
21. Heart Over Mind
22. Ruby
23. Let Me Be There
Tracks 13 to 23 are his seventh studio album "The Nashville Hit Man" – released September 1974 in the USA on Monument KZ 32922 and August 1975 in the UK on Monument MNT 80115

CD2 62:52 minutes): 

1. Old Joe Clark [Side 1]

2. The Twelfth Of Never
3. City Lights
4. I Honestly Love You
5. New River Gorge
6. Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends
7. Everybody Stand Up And Holler For The Union [Side 2]
8. Making Believe
9. Back Home in Indiana
10. Sweet Memories
11. Juke
Tracks 1 to 12 are his ninth studio album "Charlie My Boy!" – released May 1975 in the USA on Monument KZ 33384 (no UK issue)

12. After Hours [Side 1]
13. Lovesick Blues
14. (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle
15. Basin Street Blues
16. A Tribute To Little Walter
17. Columbus Stockade Blues
18. Blue Yodel No.1 (T For Texas) [Side 2]
19. Blues Stay Away From Me
20. St. Louis Blues
21. Night Life
22. Working Man's Blues
Tracks 12 to 22 are his tenth studio album "Harpin' The Blues" – released February 1976 in the USA on Monument KZ 33802 and May 1976 in the UK/Europe on Monument MNT 69204

The pre-Summer 1968 debut was not about originality – almost every song an R&B or 60ts Soul cover version with the occasional nod to Pop Charts popularity  – Rufus Thomas for "Jump Back Baby", England vs. US R&B by The Spencer David Group for "Gimme Some Lovin'", Bobby Bland for "(Turn On You) Love Light", Bruce Chanell and his "Hey Babe", Roy Orbison and Fred Neil for the licking stick of "Candy Man", Stevie Wonder hitting those high Harmonica notes on "Fingertips" and "Up Tight", Bobbie Gentry slink with "Ode to Billie Joe", the summer love of The Beach Boys feeling 1968 "Good Vibrations" – you get the picture. 

McCoy puts in a half-decent effort as principal vocalist (Bergen White and Mac Gayden are the Backing singers) while his up-and-down the scales Harmonica fills anchor every frantic dancefloor-orientated stab at 60ts hip. It is genuinely hard to call the languid acoustic guitar and harmonica wails of "Ode to Billie Joe" a sexy-cool instrumental – but the great audio and speaker-to-speaker production at least give it more than a fighting chance (probably the best cut on the LP, expect to hear it in a Movie or TV show any day soon). But stuff like his rearranged go's at the Jr. Walker And The All-Stars neck-jerking hit "Shotgun" and The Beach Boys intricate "Good Vibrations" will only make you want to run back to the January 1965 Motown original and the October 1966 Capitol 45-masterpiece no matter how hard either of these McCoy pretenders try. The Little Walter Chess classic "Juke" is another tasty moment as is the Mac Gayden, Wayne Moss, Wilburn original song co-write "Harpoon Man".

But while the debut is tolerable – by the time we get to platter number two on offer here - we have reached 1974 – huge production values – massive sessionman list – but everything is saccharine poured on syrup – faux Country-Pop of almost insufferable dimensions. The weepy Barbra Streisand vehicle "The Way We Were" is awful but at least his cover of the Hank Williams classic "You Win Again" gets a slide guitar, piano honky-tonk, harmonica shuffle that works in its own cheesy way. But even the presence of his band Barefoot Jerry cannot save "Boogie Woogie" – a wimp instrumental that opens Side 2. Fiddles, strings and pedal-steel give a barn-dance shuffle to the Mel Tillis song "Heart Over Mind" – but it all ends on a bad vocals version of "Let Me Be There" – cheeseball that is hard to bare in 2024.

Big production values again for the Banjo and Harp romp that is "Old Joe Clark" – a Traditional McCoy goes on Flying Burrito Bros on. But then its back to schlock with "The Twelfth Of Never" compounded by bippity-boppity fay Country takes "City Lights" immediately followed by more chart wallow in "I Honestly Love You" (Osmonds and Olivia Newton-John for God sake). The only moments of respite are instrumental covers of the Kris Kristofferson song "Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends" and a Mickey Newbury ballad "Sweet Memories" – but again they are overdone with strings and pedal-steel. McCoy revisits Little Walter for the LP closer "Juke" – but this time with a Rockabilly Stray Cats bop that just about crucifies an R&B classic.

The "Harpin' The Blues" album opens with a spoken-word passage on the Blues – oh dear oh dear – and again song after song Countryfies classics with Harmonica and Pedal Steel and overdone Strings and Girl Singers oohing-and-aahing as if they are sincere. Here in 2024, there is a terrible lingering hick-nature to these 70ts LPs. New Orleans gets done too – Rag Time – making for odd bedfellows with the razor-sharp production on the finger-clicking "Columbus Stockade Blues". Again, he talks intros to Little Walter and Jimmie Rogers covers and there is no doubting the Dobro playing expertise on "Blue Yodel…" but his words feel intrusive in the middle of songs rather than enlightening or even entertaining. 

If you are a Charlie McCoy fan then the fantastic audio and presentation will make BGOCD 1527 an essential purchase – but for everyone else, I urge a listen first…

"If You Saw Thro' My Eyes/Tigers Will Survive + Bonus Track" by IAN MATTHEWS – May 1971 UK Debut Solo Album, March 1972 UK Second Solo Album both on Vertigo Plus a May 1973 UK Stand-Alone 45-Single A-side with a B-side from his 1972 Second Album – featuring Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention on Guitars, Sandy Denny, Andy Roberts, Tim Renwick, Pat Donaldson and Gerry Conway of Fotheringay, Keith Tippett (Keyboards), Del Newman (String Arrangements) with Backing Vocalists Doris Troy, Liza Strike and Nanette Workman (July 2024 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 2LPs Plus One Bonus Track Onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

*** Music

***** Presentation

***** Audio

"…No Kind Of Rest…"

Ex-Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort – Ian Matthews was a five-album veteran by the time he signed to Vertigo Records in 1971 to start his voluminous solo career that continues to this day and on into a new tour for 2025. 

Here in the 53-year-and-counting future of July 2024 - England's Beat Goes On Records turn their classy reissue eyes onto his first two platters and typically they have done a stellar job even if the material tappers off a lot on LP number two which consists mostly of cover versions that feel incongruous and out-of-place. 

But both albums were beautifully produced and with new BGO remasters and tasty presentation – fans are getting the full whack. To the Eyes of the Tigers…

UK released Friday, 5 July 2024 - "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes/Tigers Will Survive + Bonus Track" by IAN MATTHEWS on Beat Goes On BGOCD1526 (Barcode 5017261215260) is a Compilation featuring his May 1971 Solo Debut, Feb 1972 Second Studio LP (both on Vertigo Records) Plus One Bonus Track – A Stand Along Single Side from 1973 with a 1972 2nd Album B-side (on Philips Records) - Remastered onto 1CD that plays out as follows (80:43 minutes):

1. Desert Inn [Side 1]
2. Hearts
3. Never Ending
4. Reno Nevada
5. Little Known
6. Hinge (Part 1)
7. Hinge (Part 2) [Side 2]
8. Southern Wind
9. It Came Without Warning
10. You Couldn't Lose
11. Morgan The Pirate
12. Thro' My Eyes
Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut solo album (after two with Fairport Convention and three with Matthews Southern Comfort) "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" – released May 1971 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 034 and Vertigo VEL-1002 in the USA. Produced by IAN MATTHEWS – Guest Musicians included Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Andy Roberts, Tim Renwick, Pat Donaldson and Gerry Conway of Fotheringay, Keith Tippett (Keyboards), Del Newman (String Arrangements) with Backing Vocalists Doris Troy, Liza Strike and Nanette Workman. All songs Ian Matthews originals except "Little Known" and "Morgan The Pirate" by Richard Farina and "It Came Without Warning" written by Allan Jake Jacobs and Jerry Burnham of Jake And The Family Jewels – first issued on the self-titled debut LP in 1970 on Polydor 24-4029; Jerry Burnham was also in The Fifth Avenue Band on Reprise Records (1970) and The Quinaimes Band on Elektra Records (1971)

13. Never Again [Side 1]
14. Close The Door Lightly When You Go
15. Unamerican Activity Dream
16. Morning Show
17. The Only Dancer
18. Tigers Will Survive [Side 2]
19. Midnight On The Water
20. Right Before My Eyes
21. Da Doo Ron Ron
22. Hope You Know
23. Please Be My Friend
Tracks 13 to 23 are his second studio album "Tigers Will Survive" – released March 1972 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 056 and Vertigo VEL-1010 in the USA.
Note: although the US LP sported the same gatefold artwork as the UK issue, the sides were reversed. To sequence the US-LP use the following tracks:
Side 1: Tracks 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23
Side 2: Tracks 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17

BONUS TRACK:
24. Devil In Disguise (a Flying Burrito Brothers cover version, see 45s below)

This 2024 CD compilation will allow fans to sequence his first four UK 45-singles:
"Hearts" b/w "Little Known", April 1971 UK Debut 45 on Vertigo 6059 041
Both tracks from the debut album "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (Tracks 2 and 5)

"Reno Nevada" b/w "Desert Inn", September 1971 UK 2nd 45 on Vertigo 6059 048
Both tracks from the debut album "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (Tracks 4 and 1)

"Da Doo Ron Ron" b/w "Never Again", February 1972, UK 3rd 45 on Philips 6006 197. Both tracks from his second studio album "Tigers Will Survive" (Tracks 21 and 13) 

"Devil In Disguise" b/w "Thro' My Eyes", May 1973, UK 4th 45 on Vertigo 6059 081. A-side was a stand-alone British release (track 24) with the B-side "Thro' My Eyes" being a song from his debut album "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (Track 12)

The card slipcase (wraparound) gives these BGO reissues a classy look and feel and the 16-page booklet reproduces both the gatefold sleeves and their artwork throughout its pages - JOHN O'REGAN doing his usual stellar job of setting the background in the liner-notes - then continuing into the now (he touches on relationships with musicians like Andy Roberts in the 70s (Plainsong) - on to his Iain change of name). But the real fireworks comes in the crystal clear Audio courtesy of another ANDREW THOMPSON Remaster to savour. Even when I feel there is a certain samy dullness to his songs - the Audio here is a huge draw. To the tunes...

Arguably the prettiest songs on the debut are those involving his fellow muckers in Fairport Convention – Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny and members of the one-album Folk-Rock supergroup Fotheringay. Richard picks beautiful Acoustic Guitar on the plucked-string ballad "You Couldn't Lose" but that is soundly trampled by the genuine beauty of the album's final cut "Thro' My Eyes". It has  Matthews and Sandy Denny duetting on Vocals with Tim Renwick of Quiver on echoed-background Electric Guitar while Sandy tinkers on the piano. Even it only lasts 2:34 minutes – it ends his debut on a beautiful plaintive high. You can't help thinking that Vertigo missed a trick in not issuing it as duet 45-single instead of condemning it to the B-side of a forgotten stand-alone song in May 1973 ("Devil In Disguise", the compilations Bonus Track). 

The debut's "Reno Nevada" and "Morgan The Pirate" are both cover versions of Richard Farina songs while "It Came Without Warning" is an Allan Jacobs and Jeremiah Burnham song they did for Jake And The Family Jewels in 1970. The LP was well-produced and you can 'so' hear that in the transfers of "Hinge", "Never Ending" and the plucky opener "Desert Inn" - Matthews establishing that soft Folk-Rock sound he gets - Plainsong meets Fotheringay - a gorgeous combo of sounds and styles in my book. 

I recall hearing the second album probably a year after it had released back in 1973 and thinking the covers-overload didn't work. Eric Anderson gets done on "Close The Door Lightly When You Go" - another Richard Farina entry comes in the shape of "Unamerican Activity Dream" - Peter Carr has his "The Only Dancer" given a Folky going over while easily the bizarrest and most out of place song is an Acapella cover of Spector's "Da Doo Ron Ron" which Vertigo clearly thought might catch the Rock 'n' Roll Revival marketplace but it didn't. I liked "Midnight On The Water" and the title track "Tigers Will Survive" but I can so understand why these Vertigo Spiral label albums don't go for the big bucks others do. 

Everything about this reissue is classy – two rare albums on Vertigo (Spiral) from 1971 and 1972 plus a Stand-Alone 45 from 1973 (none other than a Flying Burrito Brothers cover backing by a gem) – and all of it sounding truly fantastic and accompanied by quality packaging. But the listen feels laboured at times and ever so slightly uninspired. There are reasons why Ian Matthews albums go for such little dosh on one of the most desirable of British labels more than five decades later – they were good without ever really rising above that – nice but without exciting you (like say a John Martyn album on Island Records would). 

But for those who love the guy and his plaintive Americana Folk-Rock sound, this is a non-brainer purchase and highly recommended...

"It's Alive" by THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS – September 1978 US and UK Sixth Album, First Live Double Album on A&M Records featuring John Dillon, Steve Cash, Larry Lee, Mike Granda. Steve Canaday, Ruell Chappell and Rune Walla (February 2024 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Reissue – 2LPs onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATING:

Material: ***

Audio: *** to ****

Presentation: **** to *****

"…Fly Away Home…"

The live double-album in the Seventies was always an event – a way for a band to take those great studio efforts before it and explode them on stage. Artists usually threw in a few tasty cover versions maybe, a new song or two perhaps to satiate loyal fans while individual musicianship had the room not just to spread out - but seriously impress. So it is with a heavy heart that I inform my beloved readers that after five studio sets with their natural home – A&M Records – The Ozark Mountain Daredevils' first live double from September 1978 (finishing their tenure with A&M) was a downer-ending to their Country Rock journey - and as I recall at the time for devotees like me - a major damp squid.

Complete with retro B-movie style artwork front and rear "It's Alive" was also rather dated and at just over sixty-minutes – not particularly generous either. While the self-titled studio debut from 1973 and its even better 1974 follow-up "It'll Shine When It Shines" felt fresh, melodic, and delivered serious fun (5 of the 16 come from those albums) – by the time you cut to four and five years later – a malaise had crept into their weaker songs and a harder musical landscape made The Ozarks sound lame even silly. Worse – I believe "It's Alive" was recorded on tour with Fleetwood Mac (April 1978) who were "Rumours" monstrous at the time so could only play stadiums. So, instead of intimacy which would have served their homegrown acoustic instruments and yee-haw sound well – you get that horrible huge crowd noise – an in the distance vibe - where the sound is smothered by miles of dead air and any lack of real punch.

The new Remaster here carried out by the experienced Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON of England's Beat Goes On Records (aka BGO Records) tries its best with what is on offer – but only some songs feel fuller while others just sound slightly better and strangely (please forgive the pun) un-alive. I think it was the venues because although the singers try repartee with the audience – it feels like they are in another state. At least the 2024 presentation is top notch – card slipcase – 16-page booklet with new JOHN O'REGAN liner notes – the inner gatefold artwork reproduced etc. Let's get to the Chicken Trains…

UK released Friday, 23 February 2024 - "It's Alive" by THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS on Beat Goes On Records (BGO) BGOCD1511 (Barcode 5017261215116) is a straightforward reissue and remaster of a Double Live Album from 1978 onto 1CD and plays out as follows (60:09 minutes):

1. Walkin' Down The Road [Side 1]
2. Black Sky
3. You Know Like I Know
4. River To The Sun
5. Satisfied Mind [Side 2]
6. Fly Away Home
7. Horse Trader
8. Followin' The Way That I Feel
9. Chicken Train [Side 3]
10. Ooh Boys (It's Hot)
11. Homemade Wine
12. Commercial Success
13. Jackie Blue [Side 4]
14. Noah
15. If You Wanna Get To Heaven
16. It's All Over Now
Tracks 1 to 16 are their sixth album (and first live) "It's Alive" – a Live Double-Album released September 1978 in the USA on A&M Records SP-6006 and September 1978 in the UK on A&M Records AMLM 66006. Produced by THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS - it peaked at No.176 on the US Billboard album charts (didn't chart UK)

THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS were:
LARRY LEE – Drums, Piano, Guitar
JOHN DILLON -Guitars, piano, Fiddle and Mouthbow
MIKE GRANDA – Bass and Guitar
STEVE CASH – Harmonica
RUNE WALLA – Guitar and Banjo
STEVE CANADAY – Guitar, Bass and Drums
RUELL CHAPPELL – Keyboards
JERRY MILLS - Mandolin

The outer card slipcase and glossy 16-page booklet lend the release a classy look and come resplendent with new liner notes from JOHN O'REGAN (dated December 2023). O'Regan is good at these releases and gives a detailed overview not just of the five studio efforts that preceded "It's Alive" - but the Live Double itself, their departure from A&M Records to Columbia Records in 1980 and beyond into the present day and failed/successful solo efforts and even personal loses. The inner gatefold artwork is reproduced in the centre page spread and the valiant Remaster is care of ANDREW THOMPSON which to my ears has improved most of it and even made a fist of that distance that deadend the original issue. To the music…

Of the sixteen-track set – five were new – three originals and two covers. The cover versions consisted of an almost Acapella go at "Satisfied Mind" – the 1963 Porter Wagoner song from his RCA Camden LP "A Satisfied Mind". Written by Guitarist Jack Rhodes and Fiddle Player Red Hayes – it has become something of a Country standard ever since first touched upon by Glen Campbell in 1968 on Capitol Records. While the other fifteen songs are Live – their cover version of "Satisfied Mind" was recorded at "…the men’s shower, McDonald Arena, Springfield, Missouri…" so it (funny enough) feels like a studio outtake and is a bit of a hoot and reminder of their collective vocal power. Far better is the 2LP finisher – the other cover version – a take on the Bobby Womack classic "It's All Over Now" (also made famous by The Rolling Stones) where the electric guitar side of the band gets to Rock out and have some long-needed fun. The three newbies are a Steve Canady song called "Horse Trader" alongside "Commercial Success" (Steve Cash) and "Ooh Boys (It's Hot)" by Mike Granda. They are good-ish but never rise to great - the not-so subtle jab at the record industry in "Commercial Success" addressing A&M constantly begging them for another "Jackie Blue" radio-friendly jangle hit and the band not reciprocating (their drunken performance on a TV show the month of the live double's release seen by a Company man led to their contract not being renewed). 

The self-titled December 1973 debut is represented by three – the get in the Country Mood sway of "Black Sky" and the clucking and mouthbow-ing "Chicken Train" (both by Steve Cash) and the more melodic ballad "If You Wanna Get To Heaven" – a co-write between Cash and John Dillon. Platter number two "It'll Shine When It Shines" from December 1974 strangely only gets two – the big hit that truly put them and their Country Rock sound on the map "Jackie Blue" and the double-album's opener "Walkin' Down The Road". I would have liked 2nd LP nuggets like "E.E. Lawson", "You Make It Right" or even "Look Away". Their third studio set "The Car Over The Lake Album" from September 1975 is ignored entirely but the fourth "Men From Earth" from September 1976 is flush with four - "Fly Away Home" and "Noah" (John Dillon songs) with "You Know Like I Know" and "Homemade Wine" (Larry Lee songs). The final studio set "Don't Look Down" from October 1977 gets a couplet – the Larry Lee penned "Followin' The Way That I Feel" and the Dillon/Cash co-written "River To The Sun".

Ozark Mountain Daredevil fans will love the fact that "It's Alive" is at last out there on CD again and in proper style, but all others should go back to their sexier and more melodic studio basics – BGOCD648 that has the self-titled debut and "It'll Shine When It Shines" on 1CD - while BGOCD737 gives you three and four "The Car Over The Lake Album" and "Men From Earth" also on 1CD – both sets with great Audio. 

Maybe in the future England's Beat Goes On Records (aka BGO Records) will reissue the lone catalogue hole from the A&M years - "Don't Look Down" with some of those rare B-sides from the early years or any other straggler goodies. We shall Fly Away Home then…

"Born To Be/Melanie/Candles In The Rain/Leftover Wine" by MELANIE – November 1968 USA Debut Album [February 1969 UK], October 1969 US Second Studio LP as "Melanie" in the USA but Issued December 1969 in the UK as "Affectionately Melanie", May 1970 US Third Studio Album [August 1970 in the UK] and September 1970 Live Album "Leftover Wine" [December 1970 in the UK] (June 2022 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 4LP Plus One Bonus Track onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS: 

*** to **** Material

**** Audio

***** Presentation

"…If The People Are Buying Tears...I'll Be Rich Someday…"

Hippy warbler and all-round cutie-pie and decent human being Melanie was not for everyone at the time - and some five and half decades later here in the spring of 2024 – even more so. Her voice is fab to some – Marmite to others. But New Yorker songwriter Ms. Safka's popularity and chart successes were not without reason.

This superbly annotated and brilliant-sounding twofer from England's Beat Goes On Records (aka BGO Records) shows why fans like this reissue label so much. As you can see from Total Playing Times of 83:05 for CD1 and 81:32 for CD2 – you are not short of serious value for money. In a nutshell you get her first four albums in full – three studio starters and then a Live Show recorded at Carnegie Hall as platter number Four (all releases originally on Buddah Records and stretching from November 1968 in the USA to December 1970 in the UK) plus a Bonus 45-Single Mix on CD2. As I say, plenty on offer. 

The "Candles In The Rain" set (probably her most popular album) even gets a Single Version of that title song as a lone Bonus. One of only three ladies on the day (Janis Joplin and Joan Baez were the others) Melanie debuted her epic tune "Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)" at the legendary July 1969 Woodstock Festival in the USA where she won over the crowd after filling in for a cancelled Incredible String Band slot (it broke her to a worldwide audience). The LP "Candles In The Rain" followed May 1970 in the USA (August 1970 in the UK) to capitalise on her popularity and the festival's growing influence and legend.

And as much of the female singer-songwriter material across these four long-players (not all but most) is a young woman with a warble and powerhouse set of lungs (once she lets rip) accompanied by only an Acoustic Guitar – the clarity of the Remasters is starkly powerful and moving and very much in the listeners favour (if you can take that voice – Marmite - love it, loathe it). Lot to talk about – to the facts…

UK released Friday, 3 June 2022 - "Born To Be/Melanie/Candles In The Rain/Leftover Wine" by MELANIE on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1479 (Barcode 5017261214799) offers 4LPs Plus 1 Bonus Track Remastered onto 2CDs that plays out as follows:

CD1 (83:05 minutes):
1. In The Hour [Side 1]
2. I'm Back In Town
3. Bo Bo's Party
4. Mr. Tambourine Man
5. Momma Momma
6. I Really Loved Harold [Side 2]
7. Animal Crackers
8. Christopher Robin
9. Close To it All
10. Merry Christmas
Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut studio album "Born To Be" – released November 1968 in the USA on Buddah Records BDS 5024 and February 1969 in the UK on Buddah Records 203 019. Produced by PETER SCHEKERYK (her husband) - it didn't chart in either country, but the 45-single for "Bo Bo's Party" on Buddah 610 022 was a No.1 hit in France. All songs on the debut written by Melanie Safka except "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan and "Christopher Robin" has lyrical references to A.A. Milne

11. I'm Back In Town [Side 1]
12. Tuning My Guitar
13. Soul Sister Annie
14. Any Guy 
15. Uptown Down
16. Again 
17. Beautiful People [Side 2]
18. Johnny Boy
19. Baby Guitar
20. Deep Down Love
21. For My Father
22. Take Me Home
Tracks 11 to 22 is her second studio album "Melanie" (USA) – released October 1969 in the USA on Buddah Records BDS 5041 and December 1969 in the UK credited as "Affectionately Melanie" on Buddah Records 203 028. Produced by PETER SCHEKERYK (her husband) - it didn't chart in the UK but peaked at No.196 on the US Billboard charts in November 1969. All songs written by Melanie Safka except "Soul Sister Annie" by Thomas Jefferson Kaye

23. Candles In The Rain (1:42 minutes) [Side 1]
24. Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) (Long Version, 7:37 minutes)
25. Carolina In My Mind
26. Citiest People
Tracks 23 to 26 are the first four of five songs on Side 1 of her third studio album "Candles In The Rain" (US Version) – released May 1970 in the USA on Buddah Records BDS 5060 and August 1970 in the UK on Buddah Records 2318 009. Produced by PETER SCHEKERYK (her husband) – it peaked at No.17 on the US Billboard charts and No.5 in the UK. All songs written by Melanie Safka except "Carolina In My Mind" and "Ruby Tuesday" which are James Taylor and Rolling Stones cover versions. "Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)" features Edwin Hawkins on Piano accompanied by The Edwin Hawkins Singers. For the last song on Side 1 and the rest of Side 2 of "Candles In The Rain" – see CD2.

CD2 (81:32 minutes):
1. What Have They Done To My Song, Ma [Last Song on Side 1]
2. Alexander Beetle [Side 2 of the US LP - see below]
3. The Good Guys
4. Lovin' Baby Girl
5. Ruby Tuesday
6. Leftover Wine
Tracks 1 to 6 are the last song on Side 1 of her third studio album "Candles In The Rain" and the whole of Side 2. However, the UK LP used the song "Close To It All" from the debut album as the opener for Side 2 instead of "Alexander Beetle" which was only ever on the US album version of "Candles In The Rain". To avoid duplication of the song "Close To It All" – BGO has used the US configuration of the LP. Release details etc – see Tracks 23 to 26 on CD1

BONUS TRACK:
7. Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) – Single Version
Track 7 is the Edited to 3:49 minutes UK 45-single version issued 17 April 1970 on Buddah 2011 013, A-side – credited to Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. It used Track 23 on CD1 as its B-side. It was issued March 1970 in the USA on Buddah BDA 167 with the same flipside

8. Close To It All [Side 1]
9. Uptown and Down
10. Momma Momma
11. The Saddest Thing
12. Beautiful People
13. Animal Crackers
14. I Don't Eat Animals [Side 2]
15. Happy Birthday
16. Tuning My Guitar
17. Psychotherapy
18. Leftover Wine
19. Peace Will Come (According To Plan)
Tracks 8 to 19 are her fourth album (first live) "Leftover Wine" – released September 1970 in the USA on Buddah Records BDS 5066 and December 1970 in the UK on Buddah Records 2318 011. Produced by PETER SCHEKERYK (her husband) – it was recorded in one night at Carnegie Hall, New York with Melanie on Acoustic Guitar only. It peaked at No.33 on the US Billboard charts and No.22 in the UK.

The outer card slipcase and substantial 24-page booklet with new liner notes from JOHN O'REGAN (dated January 2022) give an extraordinarily detailed overview not just of the four albums presented here – but her entire career past the No.1 single "Brand New Key" on her own Neighborhood Records (and those who later covered it) right up to inductions in Halls Of Fame in 2015 and 2019. It's impartial and yet affectionate and quite rightly gives a congratulatory nod to her successes and popularity. The front and rear artwork for all the LPs is here too along with any original liner notes like say Margie Joseph for the Carnegie Hall live set "Leftover Wine" (Page 1 to10) - while fans will recognise other photos from the inner sleeves punctuating the remainder of the text.

The New Remasters from licenced tapes are by BGO's resident Audio Engineer and a veteran of such vintage material – ANDREW THOMPSON. These albums were well recorded – there is shockingly little hiss yet enough air and warmth around the songs as they play to keep a personal touch coming out of your speakers. She was young too, full of passion and vim and when Melanie let rip on say "Bo Bo's Party" – the impact is amazing. Coming across like a more manic Bobbie Gentry or even Julie Felix – for her second UK 45 off the debut album in February 1969 – Buddah paired it with another album cut "I'm Back In Town" on the flipside of Buddah 201 028 and the audio on both is warm and everything you would hope for. That great clear sound continues throughout. To the music…

A very Paris-by-the-Seine accordion plays in "In The Hour" soon to be accompanied by an acoustic guitar and her highly affected warble. As other reviewers of the time noted – song-wise Buddah seemed to pitch the music at anything goes – vaudeville at times – hippy upbeat ditties the next – all styles - Nilsson meets Randy Newman in tights. Unfortunately, this means that stuff like "I'm Back In Town" and the ha-ha yuck "Animal Crackers" sound terribly dated – but simple songs like "Bo Bo's Party" and "I Really Loved Harold" feel powerhouse by contrast (like a female Fred Neil at times).  "Bo Bo's Party" even made inroads on European 45-singles charts. Buddah UK made her British debut 45-single "Christopher Robin" b/w her brilliant stripped-back almost-spoken cover of the Dylan Sixties classic "Mr. Tambourine Man" – the A-side all about A.A. Milne and the Hundred Acre Wood (Buddah 201 027, December 1968). Melanie talks to her mother in "Momma Momma" – fears she reared her daughter wrong – longing for something – a place to belong – a huge performance and announcement of a major Folk-Rock talent. 

Opening platter number two is a snippet Acapella re-record of "I'm Back In Town" from the debut that is a dismissible – far better is "Tuning My Guitar" – her true aching personality coming through even if it is a tad hissy in places before the strings kick in. Thomas Jefferson Kaye would release his own solo albums in 1973 and 1974 on Dunhill USA (Probe Records in the UK) and even secure the talents of Steely Dan as musicians on the self-titled debut (Donald Fagan, Walter Becker, David Palmer and Jeff Baxter are all on there – along with Engineer and Producer Roger Nicholls and Gary Katz). But before all that Thomas Kaye was a songwriter for hire – and Melanie uses his lone contribution "Soul Sister Annie" as a cool rocker that works as it breaks up the Folkie overload. 

Coming on very much like a female Labi Siffre – her "Uptown Down" is brilliant. Buddah used it as the flipside to "Beautiful People" (a more commercial pitter-pattering A-side) for Buddah 201 066 in December 1969 – a British 45-single - but it did no business (maybe they should have flipped it). Accomplished is how the quiet loveliness of "Again" comes over – a lyrical pain too as she searches for meaning and even friends in a business that offers few. The acoustic guitar and voice theme continues with "Johnny Boy" while her pal is gonna be a big star according to those in the know in "Baby Guitar" – a great 60ts groove and lyrically up there too. "Deep Down Low" and "For My Father" show how far her songwriting had gone while the peaceful and simple "Take Me Home" ends platter number two on a lovely note. "Melanie" or "Affectionately Melanie" as it was known in the UK was a big step forward after the style-tentative debut and it sounds gorgeous here. 

Door No.3 "Candles In The Rain" was her "Mud Slide Slim" LP – the album that broke her out into the mainstream. In fact, Melanie covers James Taylor's "Caroline In My Mind" on Side 1 perhaps aligning herself with US singer-songwriters who were smashing down doors everywhere in 1970 and 1971 and 1972. Her choir-version and almost hymnal take for "Lay Down (Candle In The Rain)" may make 2024 ears bleed a little - but back in the day it had that Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar vibe that captured audiences and listeners in their droves. The in-yer-face album cut of "Lay Down (Candle In The Rain)" hammers on with handclaps and walls of choir voices (Edwin Hawkins singers) and tambourines for a full 7:39 minutes (the single is an edit at 3:49 minutes – a Bonus Track on CD2). Her soft and sweet feel-the-sunshine cover of James Taylor's "Caroline In My Mind" fits – while she ends Side 1 with a gem - "Citiest People" – her gentle ballad telling of a harsh tale of a man who was unkind to an un-city girl – turned a maid ugly when there was no need. Lovely audio too.

"…If the people are buying tears...I'll be rich someday…" - Melanie sang on her other famously self deprecating song "What Have They Done To My Song, Ma" - the 45-single B-side of "Ruby Tuesday" in the UK (August 1970, Buddah 2011 038). Her stunning cover version of The Stones' classic "Ruby Tuesday" deconstructs the song and reveals its inherent menace. Can't say that the childish "Alexander Beetle" is something I ever want to hear again (USA-LP exclusive or no) - but both "The Good Guys" and "Lovin' Baby Girl" save the day with their whacking acoustic passion. Melanie brings her "Candles In The Rain" LP to a close with a song she would use to name her next LP by - the live "Leftover Wine". With sparse and in the background instruments - "Leftover Wine" has sugar-plums dancing in her head - bowls of stale vino enticing come the morning after. Fans will dig the 'Single Edit' of "Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)" cleverly placed after the LP has ended. 

The live set is supposed subtitled 'Recorded Live At Margie's Birthyday Party' which turns out to be New York's Carnegie Hall done 'solo' - her and an Acoustic Guitar. Opening with a slightly dreary "Close To It All" - things pick up with a far better "Uptown Down" - her voice and finger-picking echoing ever so reverentially around the famous venue with surprising clarity. The boys in the city couldn't care less if she loves them or not - while she continues to search for God knows what. Another strong song elicits applause - "Momma Momma" starting out politely until she lets go - a brave brute of a performance in front of such an audience with just an acoustic guitar. Someone even shouts 'we love you' inbetween tunes and they did.

Melanie Safka sadly passed in January 2024 - but this BGO twofer documenting her first four albums on Buddah Records (1968 to 1970) does her starting out period a genuine solid - a fabulous release and one I'm sure fans will love. 

What have they done to my song ma - they've treated it right. God Bless...

"We Have Met Together" by MICK MALONEY – February 1973 UK Debut Solo Album [ex The Johnstons] on Transatlantic Records (August 2023 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Records Reissue onto CD with Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review And 225 Others Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

BOTH SIDES NOW - FOLK & COUNTRY 

And Genres Thereabouts

Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

For the 1960s and 1970s

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

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"…Molloy's Favourite And The Earl's Chair…"

Limerickman, Banjo and Mandolin playing Folky Mick Maloney had already done his Irish Traditional Music time with The Johnstons between 1966 and 1972 – a very fondly remembered Folk/Folk Rock act on Transatlantic Records. Apart from lead vocalist Adrienne Johnston, Mick Maloney and the American Chris McCloud - The Johnstons were also the six-album home to one of Ireland's truly great songwriters - Paul Brady. 

Time to go solo - and for his Transatlantic Records debut in early 1973 - Maloney ditched that old crew and roped in a six-piece outfit of International players – Friedemann Witecka from Germany on Guitar, Dave O'Docherty from Dublin on Flute and Whistles, Dave Moses and Mal White from England on Bass Guitar, Recorder and Bodhran respectively with Ian (Jan) Inge Rasmussen from Norway on Guitar and Second Vocals and Scotsman Aly Bain from the Shetland Islands on Fiddle. Maloney played Tenor Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar and sang Lead Vocals on eight of its seventeen tunes. Adam Skeaping (one of the Engineers on the album) plays Synthesiser on the final lament to eerie effect on Side 2. Beat Goes On Records of England (commonly known as BGO Records) has also managed a first time on CD for this forgotten rarity with both beautiful Presentation and clear Audio. Here are the heady traditional details…

UK released Friday, 4 August 2023 (18 August 2023 in the USA) - "We Have Met Together" by MICK MALONEY on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1498 (Barcode 5017261214980) Remasters his 1973 debut solo album onto CD and plays out as follows (45:51 minutes):

1. Two Jigs [Side 1]

2. The Invisible Man

3. The Pipe On The Hob

4. Belfast Town

5. Bodhrán Solo

6. Don't Cry In Your Sleep

7. Reel On Mandolin

8. Farewell To The Rhondda

9. Vi Skal Ikkje Sova Burt Sumar Natta

10. Bean Pháidín [Side 2]

11. Bodhrán Solo

12. Molloy's Favourite And The Earl's Chair

13. Avondale

14. The Leitrim Fancy

15. An Gaoth Andheas

16. Flute Solo

17. The Fields Of Vietnam

Tracks 1 to 17 are his debut solo LP "We Have Met Together" – released February 1973 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 263. Produced by MICK MALONEY – it is first time on CD

NOTES: 

"The Invisible Man" is a Leon Rosselson song and features Friedemann Witecka on Second Guitar with Dave Moses on Bass

"Belfast Town" features Ian Inge Rasmussen on Second Guitar

Mal White plays the Bodhran on "Bodhrán Solo"

"Bean Pháidín" is Irish for Paddy's Wife

"Don't Cry In Your Sleep" features Ian Inge Rasmussen on Second Guitar and Vocal with Dave O'Docherty on Flute

"Reel On Mandolin" features Ian Inge Rasmussen duetting on Guitar

"Farewell To Rhondda" is a Frank Hennessy song about the Welsh mining strikes in 1972 and features Friedemann Witecka and Ian Inge Rasmussen on Guitars with Dave Moses on Bass

"Vi Skal Ikkje Sova Burt Sumar Natta" is a 1960s Norwegian Song (and not Traditional Folk as misdescribed in the original LP liner notes) and features Friedemann Witecka on Second Guitar with Dave Moses on Bass and Recorder

"Molloy's Favourite And The Earl's Chair" features Ian Inge Rasmussen on Guitar with Dave O'Docherty on Flute and Mal White on Bodhrán (the Molloy in the title refers to Irish Flutist legend Matt Malloy of Planxty and The Bothy Band)

"Avondale" is a Dominic Behan song about Charles Stewart Parnell and features Second Guitar by Friedemann Witecka and Dave Moses on Bass

"An Gaoth Andheas" translates as The South Wind and features Aly Bain on Fiddle (Late with The Boys of the Lough)

"Flute Solo" features Dave O'Docherty on Flute only

"The Fields Of Vietnam" is a Ewan MacColl song with Adam Skeaping on Synthesiser

Quite apart from the lovely card slipcase that lends these stand-alone album reissues a real sense of visual class – the 20-page accompanying booklet with new JOHN O'REGAN liner notes goes deep on Maloney’s history with Folk, the album and beyond. Many Net sources are quoted – the original LP's liner notes are reproduced as is its artwork. O'Regan and Musician friends of Maloney note how he made the layout of the album tracks something of a template for future releases – Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh, Euro and American Roots tunes sat alongside instrumentals on the Bodhrán, Flute or Banjo. 

Subject matters included the dread emigration, labour woes once in cheap work, unemployment hunger once out of casual jobs, occupying armies and alienation at home and all roads to and from similar socially aware themes. Maloney sings with his very nasal Tĩr na n'Óg vocals on eight songs (all others are instrumentals) – Tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 17. Audio is a New Remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON and it is clean, warm and a lovely listen – the real simple instruments given space to shine.

Some will find the barricades and gelignite lyrics in "Belfast Town" an open-wound – a brave and horribly realistic song about the Northern Ireland troubles – its author wanting to remain anonymous in 1973 no doubt fearing reprisals from both side of the paramilitary divide. The same anchor's away to a better place doom permeates "Don't Cry In Your Sleep" while a jolly-roger lilt fills the colliery pit-men song "Farewell To The Rhondda" – the mines all closing and the population falling – all heading towards the big smoke of London to get work. Side 1 ends with a 60ts Norwegian song sung in the native tongue – it's pretty and features floating recorder, accented Bass and lovely acoustic soloing from guest Guitarist Friedemann Witecka. It's contemporary Folk and not Traditional at all.

A Traditional does open Side 2 – sung in Gaelic, "Bean Pháidín" is Irish for Paddy's Wife and Maloney makes light-work of the speedily sung impenetrable lyrics as the Mandolin and Acoustics strum and pick. After a short Bodhrán solo, the band gets to show its instrumental chops on "Molloy's Favourite And The Earl's Chair" – a Banjo, Whistle and Bodhrán tapping set of reels learned from Flutist Matt Molloy. Things return to plaintive ballad with the lovely "Avondale" – Dominic Behan singing of tall trees and ancient glory in the vales – Maloney sounding completely at home with the lead only to be joined on the second chorus by the other lads (very nicely done, Parnell would have approved). 

Two instrumentals highlight Acoustic Guitars, Banjo, Fiddle and Flute whilst "An Gaoth Andheas" is about a Southern Winter where Aly Bain of Boys of the Lough plays a binder on plaintive fiddle. The album ends of probably its best shot at greatness – a cover of the Ewan MacColl political ballad "The Fields Of Vietnam". It opens with lonesome solo vocals but is soon joined by an ominous synth drone (Adam Skeaping) – the Vietnamese taken on by the invading armies of the French and the Americans – none of them succeeding. "The Fields Of Vietnam" brings to an end a strong debut – not a masterpiece by any means – but superbly presented here for those who have waited decades for it to show on decent digital.

Having toured since the Sixties and been involved in nearly forty albums – Mick Maloney made the USA his home and sadly passed in July 2022 aged 77 – a lifetime given over to all forms of Folk music and its rich history, academia and philanthropy. Although his name may not reverberate around the annals of Music Fame outside of the Traditional genres – inside it – Maloney was beloved and spread the gospel far and wide – some saying he chronicled and championed all forms of Roots Music with a passion and warmth that was infectious. Much like this rather lovely CD Reissue and Remaster…

"Mae McKenna/Everything That Touches Me/Walk On Water plus Bonus Tracks" by MAE McKENNNA [ex Contraband] – August 1975 Debut, June 1976 Second Album and May 1977 Third Studio Albums on Transatlantic Records UK (November 2023 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 3 Solo LPs Plus 2 'Contraband' Single Sides onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Thinking Of You..."

 

MUSIC RATING: *** AUDIO: ***** PRESENTATION: *****

 

Along with George Jackson, Billy Jackson, John Martin, Pete Cairney and Alex Baird – Scottish lass MAE McKENNA had formed CONTRABAND who signed to Transatlantic Records in 1973. As their lead singer, they put out one self-titled album of Irish and Scottish music called "Contraband" on Transatlantic TRA 278 in May 1974. McKenna then went Poptastic solo with her 1975 self-titled debut while Billy and George Jackson along with John Martin formed a full-on Traditional Folk outfit called OSSIAN and they put out their debut in 1977 on a tiny label - Springthyme Records SPR 1004.

 

Back to the case in hand - these Mae McKenna solo LPs are 'not' Folk Records. They were issued August 1975 (TRA 297), June 1976 (TRA 321) and May 1977 (TRA 345) on Transatlantic Records in the UK - but despite its famous-for-it All Things Folk label identity, these albums are far removed from that genre on all three counts. The listen is more mid Seventies Lady Pop and Rock by way of Linda Ronstadt or Helen Reddy or the syrupy acrobatics of Barbra Streisand.

 

Most of the songs across these two crammed CDs are cover versions - pianos mingling with strings and professionally played drums with good session-players putting in quality playing – but not a lot else. It's about as un-Folk as you can get and unfortunately very mid-Seventies nondescript. I recall we could never sell copies of Mae McKenna albums in Reckless because it was not Folk or Folk Rock. However, fans will love the first time availability on CD, the classy presentation and the super clear audio. There is a lot to get through – to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 10 November 2023 - "Mae McKenna/Everything That Touches Me/Walk On Water plus Bonus Tracks" by MAE McKENNA on Beat Goes On BGOCD1499 (Barcode 5017261214997) offers 3LPs and Two 45-Single Sides (by Contraband featuring Mae McKenna) onto 2CDs. It plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (43:56 minutes):

1. Dying To Live [Side 1]

2. Once In The Morning

3. All In Love Is Fair

4. The Other Side Of Me

5. Song For Simon

6. Together We Get By

7. Elderberry Wine [Side 2]

8. How Could We Dare To Be Wrong

9. Imagine

10. Black-Eyed Susan

11. Said The Major

12. Old Man

Tracks 1 to 12 are her debut album "Mae McKenna" – released August 1975 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 297. Produced by PETE SAMES – it featured Martin Briley and Paul Keogh on Guitars, BJ Cole on Pedal Steel Guitar and Graham Prescott on Bass.

 

CD2 (78:44 minutes):

1. For Shame Of Doing Wrong [Side 1]

2. My Town

3. Thinking Of You

4. Crying In The Rain

5. Late For The Sky

6. Love Hurts [Side 2]

7. I Have Waited 

8. (I Ended Up) Losing You 

9. Everything That Touches Me

10. Lady For Today

11. Sixty Seconds Got Together

Tracks 1 to 11 are her second solo album "Everything That Touches Me" - released June 1976 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 321. Produced by RITCHIE GOLD - musicians included Elliott Randall and Isaac Guillory on Guitars with Pat Donaldson of Fotheringay on Bass and Timi Donald of Blue on Drums (String Arrangements by Pete Wingfield). 

12. Driven Away [Side 1]

13. Love Me Tomorrow

14. There's Been A Mistake

15. What Becomes Of The Broken Heart

16. Sailin'

17. Love Struck [Side 2]

18. He's A Man After My Own Heart

19. Love Hangover

20. For You My Love

21. I Want To Believe In You

Tracks 12 to 21 are her third solo album "Walk On Water" - released May 1977 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 345. Produced by RITCHIE GOLD - featuring Elliott Randall, Iassac Guillory Ronnie Leahy, Alan James, Gerry Conway and Pete Willsher.

BONUS TRACKS:

22. Lady For Today

23. On The Road

Tracks 22 and 23 are the A&B-sides of a 1974 UK 45-single by CONTRABAND featuring the voice of Mae McKenna on Transatlantic Records BIG 518

The card slipcase is lovely to look at (they are standard now with all Beat Goes on CD Reissues) - as is the 20-pages of the chock-a-block booklet with new liner notes by one of BGO's longstanding scribes JOHN O'REGAN. The album credits for all three are reproduced and the history is his usual plethora of details and interview segments. ANDREW THOMPSON has done the Remasters and as professionally produced albums from 1975, 1976 and 1977 - the CD Audio is top notch. You just wish the material warranted it. To the songs...

 

The debut has covers of Stevie Wonder's "All In Love Is Fair", Elton John's "Elderberry Wine", Randy Newman's "Old Man", Edgar Winter's "Dying To Live" and John Lennon's "Imagine" but few of them really click. A rare moment of beauty comes in her cover of Gerry Rafferty's "Song For Simon" that first appeared on the Humblebum's third album "Open Up The Door".

 

After the overly reaching-for-commercialism saccharine nature of the debut – solo album number two tries to Rock it up a bit with only marginally better results. It opens with a good rendition of Richard Thompson's "For Shame Of Doing Wrong". Elliott Randall of Steely Dan "Reeling In The Years" guitar-solo fame plays all the lead guitars aided and abetted by string arrangements from Pete Wingfield of Jellybread and "Eighteen With A Bullet" fame (Ronnie Leahy plays Keyboards). Channeling her inner Emmylou Harris/Country Rock sound, McKenna tackles Kate and Anna McGarrigle's "My Town" – it feels nice but not a whole lot more. Next up is a lovely Wendy Waldman song called "Thinking Of You" – Waldman had contributed "Vaudeville Man" and "Mad Mad Me" to the self-titled "Maria Muldaur" LP in 1973 on Reprise Records (the "Midnight At The Oasis" LP). Unfortunately McKenna ruins the Jackson Browne masterpiece "Late For The Sky" with crappy synth passages and one of the singularly most inappropriate psyched-up guitar solos I've ever heard. Side 2 goes for the love songs big time but only ends up sounding cloying like a bad Neil Diamond album on CBS Records in the late Seventies.

 

Being embedded in the psyche of 1977 dancefloor Soul-Funk – album number three goes full-on Yacht Rock right from the openers "Driven Away" and "Love Me Tomorrow" but the material is weak and her voice not particularly memorable. Barely anyone cares about Pousette-Dart songs and "There's Been A Mistake" sounds as uninspired as its title. And on it goes to hammy Pedal Steel cack like "Love Struck". CD2 ends with a Contraband UK 45-single (Transatlantic BIG 518 featuring the voice of Mae McKenna) from 1974 - "Lady For Today" written by Rosemary Hardman with a Billy Jackson original on the flipside "On The Road". The A is more poppy and less memorable than the lovely Mandolin filled B-side. It ends a hard-work CD2 on a high note.

 

Workmanlike albums like these are forgotten and cluttering up auction sites with 40-copies for two and three quid for a reason – they were never worthy of our affection in the first place. But if you have any love for these Seventies records – this Beat Goes On gorgeous sounding and tastefully presented twofer is the jobby for you. All others should grab a listen first...