"Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" by LONG JOHN BALDRY – All Tracks from 1967 to 1970 Including Two Albums in Stereo - "Let The Heartaches Begin" (January 1968) and "Wait For Me" (November 1969), Foreign Language 45-Versions, UK Single-Only Sides, Export Issues and Seven Previously Unreleased Songs First Issued in 1998 as "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" on Sequel Records (February 2006 UK Sanctuary/Castle Music 2CD 42-Track Compilation Reissue with 1998 Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

 

2006 Sanctuary 2CD Compilation Reissue

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***

 

"...Setting Fire To The Tail Of A Fox..."

 

What you have here is a reissue of a reissue of a reissue of a... 

Well, let me explain, because it's gonna need some...

 

26 October 1998 saw master-compiler and all-round good guy John Reed of Sanctuary Records release "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" on Sanctuary's label imprint Sequel Records. Sequel NEECD 298 (Barcode 5023224229823) was a 42-Track 2CD Set of Remasters for Long John Baldry and contained seven new songs that were previously unreleased at the time. The period covered is 1967 to 1970 and is widely known as his Pop phase.

 

"The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" sported a white-backdrop artwork with a Paisley-esque pomp and circumstance Baldry leaning into camera in three images where he's giving it some crooner with a possible side order of constipation. To confuse matters ever more, here in August 2023, I can trace at least three reissues of that "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" variant with its posed artwork to September 2002, February 2007 and July 2011 (see photo below).

 

To confuse matters even more, what we here from February 2006 (pictured above) is the same set - but with different artwork, a rejiggered track configuration and now with its title reversed to read "Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" - in short - yet another reissue. This time it's on Castle Music – a budget line subsidiary label for Sanctuary (full details below). 

 

So - now called "Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" - you get the same 42-tracks, the same 1998 remastered songs from original tapes and the same cool and thorough John Reed liner notes – something this brilliant compiler and archivist of music is known for. The foldout inlay even updates its 1998 words to include Baldry's sad loss in July 2005 to cancer. 

 

His Pop Period is not revered like his more Bluesy efforts and in some cases poo–pooed from a height. In fairness to this fantastic British singer (an interpretive singer and showman many have loved to bits) – it was Long John Baldry's six-foot-two reach for mainstream stardom having been about for more years than he cared to remember banging his pretty head against a very high wall. So - JB had sort of ditched his natural playground of White Boy purveyor of Bluesy Soul and American R&B beloved of the Mods and hip types everywhere - for the oh-baby marketplace of 60ts Pop and indeed did score a Number 1 hit with "Let The Heartaches Begin" (hence the title of the compilation).

 

But as I said earlier - there are many who do not rate this slice of his dappled career. And they have a point. There is crud on here for damn sure. But inbetween the cracks, there is also that fantastic voice and Alexis Korner type cool persona that carries through even the most obvious of cover versions. The second LP in particular sees him leaning back into Blues Rock and heading towards the two beloved Warner Brothers albums of 1971 and 1972 (where Elton John and Rod Stewart both lend a hand and their bands). Let's get to the 60ts heart-breaking details...

 

UK released February 2006 - "Let The Heartaches Begin: The Pye Anthology" by LONG JOHN BALDRY on Castle Music CMDDD1277 (Barcode 5050749412775) is a 42-Track 2CD Compilation covering 1967 to 1970 and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (64:28 minutes):

1. Let The Heartaches Begin

2. Annabelle (Who Flies To Me When She's Lonely)

3. Long And Lonely Nights (No Friend Of Mine)

4. Stay With Me Baby

5. Every Time We Save Goodbye

6. For All we Know

7. Better By Far

8. Wise To The Ways Of The World

9. Since I Lost You Baby

10. Smile

11. We're Together

12. I Can't Stop Loving You

13. Hold Back The Daybreak

14. When The Sun Comes Shining Thru'

15. Mexico (Underneath The Sun In)

16. It's Too Late Now

17. Wait For Me

18. Don't Pity Me

19. Lord You Made The Night Too Long

20. Mexico (Spanish Version)

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 1 and 2 are the A&B-sides of an October 1967 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17385 (see also follow two notes below)

Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 1 make up Side 1 of his January 1968 UK LP "Let The Heartaches Begin" on Pye NPL 18208 (Mono) and NSPL 18208 (Stereo) – the Stereo Mix is Used on All Tracks

Tracks 8, 9, 10, 2, 11 and 12 are Side 2 of his January 1968 UK LP "Let The Heartaches Begin" on Pye NPL 18208 (Mono) and NSPL 18208 (Stereo) – the Stereo Mix is Used on All Tracks

Track 13 is the A-side of a February 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17455 – its B-side was Track 9

Track 14 is the A-side of an August 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17593 – its B-side was Track 8

Track 15 is the A-side of an October 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17563 credited as "Mexico" – its B-side was Track 11

Track 16 is the A-side of a January 1969 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17664 – its B-side was Track 3

Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of a September 1968 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17815; Track 17 also on the November 1969 LP "Wait For Me" on Pye NSPL 18306 in Stereo (last Track on Side 2) – see also Tracks 1 to 11 on CD2

Track 19 is a 1969 Export Single A-side on Pye 7N 17408

Track 20 is a Spanish language sung 45-single A-side on Pye H-400

 

CD2 (71:20 minutes):

1. Sunshine Of Your Love

2. Spanish Harlem

3. Henry Hannah's 42^nd Street Parking Lot

4. Man Without A Dream

5. Cry Like A Baby

6. River Deep, Mountain High

7. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

8. MacArthur Park

9. When Brigadier McKenzie Comes To Town

10. Lights Of Cincinnati

11. Spinning Wheel

12. Well I Did

13. Setting Fire To The Tail Of A Fox

14. When The War Is Over

15. Where Are My Eyes?

16. Son Of Hickory Hollers Tramp *

17. Goin' Out Of My Head *

18. I Never Shall Marry *

19. I Wish You Love *

20. What Now My Love *

21. Bad Times *

22. Ciao Baby *

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 1 to 11 on CD2 and Track 17 on CD1 are the November 1969 UK LP "Wait For Me" on Pye NSPL 18306 in Stereo (Tracks 1 to 6 are Side 1 inclusive, Side 2 can be sequenced as Tracks 7 to 11 and Track 17 on CD1

Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B-sides to a 27 March 1970 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 17921

Tracks 14 and 15 are the A&B-sides of a withdrawn 20 November 1970 UK 45-single, Pye 7N 45007

Tracks 16 to 22 (*) first issued as seven Previously Unreleased songs on the October 1998 UK 2CD compilation "The Pye Anthology: Let The Heartaches Begin" on Sequel NEECD 298 (Barcode 5023224229823) – see also Track 14 on CD1 for the eighth title

 

Compiled by ROGER DOPSON and JOHN REED - the foldout double-sided inlay with its 6-panels to each side was a feature of these Sanctuary reissues in the Nineties – JOHN REED doing the liner notes honours. Period memorabilia like sheet music, 45-single labels, music-press trade adverts, foreign picture sleeves, in-studio shots and the two album-covers surround Reed's informative and deeply affectionate words. The effect is very tastefully done and packs an info-punch when you look closer (accurate catalogue numbers beneath each song title – 45 and LP). The remasters and restoration has been done by PETER J. REYNOLDS and given the hurried feel to the Stereo tracks – does a great job. If I were to nitpick, I would say CD1 sounds worse for wear, but CD2 makes up for it. Much like the music...

 

This is a tale of two CDs – the first is pretty bad with 3-stars pushing it as far as the material is concerned. But you flip over to CD2 and you clap ears on the lushly orchestrated "Wait For Me" LP from late 1969 and things immediately improve (even if his chart placing didn't). His song choices are snappier – the gorgeous "Man Without A Dream" had turned up on The City album "Now That Everything's Been Said" on Ode Records in January 1969 – The City being a vehicle for Carole King and the band she was in before she went on to solo superstar status in 1970 and 1971. That band also featured players like Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar later with James Taylor and Vocalist David Palmer in pre Steely Dan's debut album "Can't Buy A Thrill" looming in the 1972 distance. "Man Without A Dream" is a plaintive ballad, but a damn good one. His cover of Cream's "Sunshine Of My Love" too stands up more than well – hell – even his deep toned "Spanish Harlem" that borders on copyist parody is pulled off by gorgeous Vocals, Strings and a Herb Albert type Brass that lifts the whole thing right up.

 

Lyrically witty "Henry Hannah's 42^nd Street Parking Lot" tells of Baldry being tricked by a New York scamster (the cops took him home in his shorts, a nervous and a confused man). The Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham penned Cher hit "Cry Like A Baby" gets the thumping Bass and Brass treatment that is perhaps just a little too busy for Northern Soul dancer fans. His huge voice suits the wild melodrama of "River Deep, Mountain High" – do I love you – my oh my. But the Motown Marvin Gaye gem "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" is butchered with overdone arrangements as is "MacArthur Park" – a piece of Jimmy Webb dross I could do without ever hearing again.

 

Writer Tony Macaulay provides two in a row – the best of which is the very Glen Campbell "Lights Of Cincinnati" given it a sort of follow up to Galveston. Better though is a Blood, Sweat & Tears cover – the fabulous ride-a-painted-pony shug-a-thon "Spinning Wheel" – the kind of hip swinger that suits Baldry – and you wish the album contained more of this – his voice almost identical to David Clayton-Thomas as he takes it home towards its brassy exiting moments. Another stab at chart fame in "Well I Did" again could have done without over-cluttering girly vocals after every verse. Faring better is his own "Setting The Tail Of A Fox On Fire" – a dancer that this benefits from the lady backing singers and clever lyrics (the album would have been better with this on it). The final pairing of "When The War Is Over" and "Where Are My Eyes?" seems to be a bit of a mystery. Supposed issued 17 November 1970, Pye 7N 45007 has yet to surface as an actual 45 in the UK (or anywhere for that matter). Probably an export pairing that never got out of the stocks because Baldry was done with Pye and they with him (just as well as both are saccharin that don't do him any favours).

 

We are then hit with Seven Previously Unreleased songs – a couple of which are shockingly good given some of the schmaltz that preceded them. The first is a hip-shaking get-with-it-people bopper called "Son Of Hickory Hollers Tramp" that sounds like Baldry has become Bobbie Gentry and wants to put y'all right. JB then takes on the Little Anthony & The Imperials 60ts Doo Wop Smooth Pop classic "Goin' Out Of My Head" and makes a good job of it too. Things unfortunately then dip into serious yuck territory again with drips like "I Never Shall Marry" and "I Wish You Love" where our hero goes all Nat 'King' Cole with mostly deeply unsuited to this results. Even Tom Jones would probably disown the remaining two.

 

You could argue that this twofer compilation covering his Pye Records period is superfluous to anyone’s requirements and a body should go to directly to the 2CD delights of "The UA Years 1964-1966" on EMI Records from 2006 and even better the "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" 2CD set put out by Rhino Handmade in 2005 that covers his June 1971 and May 1972 albums "It Ain't Easy" and "Everything Stops For Tea" – both of which are far better (I have reviewed "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" and its UK equivalents).

 

But I am a sucker for all things JOHN BALDRY and even if it is 3-stars for material, I want them in my house. Take a tumble with the "Son Of Hickory Hollers Tramp" – you will get the itch that needs more scratching... 

 

 

October 1998 UK Sequel Records 2CD Original Issue

With Original Title and Artwork

"Optimism/Reject: UK D-I-Y Punk And Post-Punk 1977-1981" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Eater, Patrik Fitzgerald, Swell Maps, The Fall, The Ruts, Alternative TV, Essential Logic, Subway Sect, The Monochrome Set, Vice Creems, The Dodgems, John Cooper Clarke, The Raincoats, The Sisters Of Mercy, The Associates, The Freshies, Punishment Of Luxury, The Jerks, Spizzoil, The Molesters, Frantic Elevators, The Raincoats, Josef K, The Membranes, 23 Skidoo, Fatal Microbes, Au Pairs and more (July 2019 UK Cherry Red Records 4CD Genre Anthology - Compiled by John Reed and Presented in a DigiBook Set with Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Rating: *****

 

"...Nobody's Scared... "

 

Disturbed, swelling, outsiders in the supermarket looking for love or cheap cider (whichever is easiest) – you have to big it up for compilations like this.

 

Compiler JOHN REED in my opinion has more genuine musical knowledge in his undoubtedly impressive Manchurian Pinky than most of us so-called experts do in entire suburban limbs. The insider knowledge required to compile something like this is formidable. And man you will need it for "Optimism/Reject: UK D-I-Y Punk And Post-Punk 1977-1981" – another superb Cherry Red 4CD DigiBook Set for your not-so-minimalist lo-fi shelves.

 

UK released July 2019 - I like to think I know a song or two having worked as a rarities buyer in Reckless Records in London for 20 years. But I will confess right now to not having actually heard at least half of the 101 tracks presented here - spiky little brutes that just don't show up that often - from one-off privately pressed EPs to lesser-traveled B-sides, Flexidisc turns, Cassette only inclusions and contributions to Brighton Band Samplers and Rock-Against-Racism LPs. There are also the musical debuts of Richard Jobson of The Skids, Vic Goddard of Subway Sect, Pete Burns of Dead or Alive, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red and Billy Mackenzie of The Associates in their Punk Bands of the day. Here you will learn that Devo covered a Tagmemics flipside (ex Art Attacks) in their live shows and find a DigiBook compilation that highlights cool Indie labels like Red Rhino, Attrix and Small Wonder.

 

There is a serious amount of anger, suspended sentences and unwillingness to be anywhere near British Airways angst to wade through here – so once more my rejected disciples unto the proletariat breach...

 

UK released 26 July 2019 - "Optimism/Reject: UK D-I-Y Punk And Post-Punk 1977-1981" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Cherry Red CRCDBOX74 (Barcode 5013929107403) is a 4CD 105-Track DigiBook Anthology that plays out as follows (most tracks are UK 45-single A-sides unless otherwise stated):

 

CD1 (79:32 minutes):

1. Michael's Monetary System – EATER (May 1977, The Label TLR 003)

2. You'll Lose – THE DRONES (July 1977 EP "Temptations Of A White Collar Work", O.H.M.S. GOODMIX 1)

3. Love Lies Limp – ALTERNATIVE TV (October 1977, SG Flexi Disc SG 75 RPS)

4. Freeway – THE OUTSIDERS (November 1977 EP "One To Infinity", Raw Edge RER 002)

5. Suspended Sentence – JOHN COOPER CLARKE (November 1977 EP "Innocents", Rabid TOSH 103)

6. O Levels – 'O' LEVEL (November 1977, Psycho PSYCHO 1)

7. Black Velvet – SWELL MAPS (December 1977, Rather GEAR ONE)

8. Optimism/Reject – PATRIK FITZGERALD (January 1978 EP "Safety-Pin Stuck In My Heart", Small Wonder SMALL 4)

9. Hard Times – ATTRIX (February 1978, Attrix RB 01)

10. Nobody's Scared – SUBWAY SECT (March 1978, Bralk BRS 01)

11. Washed Up – THE FRESHIES (March 1978 EP "Chris Sievy", Razz EP 1)

12. Charles – SKIDS (April 1978, No Bad NB 1)

13. Police Oppression – ANGELIC UPSTARTS (May 1978, Angelic Upstarts IS/AU 1024)

14. Neutron Bomb – THE ART ATTACKS (May 1978, Albatross TIT 1)

15. Mixed Up World – VICTIM (May 1978, Good Vibrations GOT 2)

16. Aerosol Burns – ESSENTIAL LOGIC (May 1978, Rough Trade SELL ONE)

17. It – THE TIGHTS (June 1978, Cherry Red CHERRY 1, Second B-side of "Bad Hearts")

18. The Demon – PUNISHMENT OF LUXURY (July 1978, Small Wonder SMALL 8, B-side of "Puppet Life")

19. Bingo-Master – THE FALL (August 1978. Step Forward SF 7)

20. Situations Vacant – THE CRAVATS (September 1978, Small Wonder CH 004, B-side of "Gordon")

21. Is And Ought The Western World – SCRITTI POLITTI (October 1978 EP "Skank Bloc Bologna" on St. Pancras SCRIT 1)

22. Wolf – pragVEC (October 1978 EP "Bits" on Spec SP 001)

23. Cool – THE JERKS (November 1978, Lightning GIL 549)

24. He's Frank – THE MONOCHROME SET (November 1978, Rough Trade RT 005)

25. International – THOMAS LEER (November 1978, Company Oblique OBCO 001)

26. Fruitless - DEVIL'S DYKES (from December 1978 UK LP "Vaultage 78; Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/03 LP)

27. 01-01-212 – VICE CREEMS (December 1978, Tiger Grrr 1, B-side of "Won't You Be My Girl")

28. Times Encounter – NIGEL SIMPKINS (December 1978 3-Track EP "X. ENC." on Waldo's SWING SERIES 002)

 

CD2 (79:43 minutes):

1. H-Eyes – THE RUTS (January 1979, People Unite SJP 795, B-side of "In A Rut")

2. Lord Lucan Is Missing – THE DODGEMS (from December 1978 UK LP "Vaultage 78; Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/03 LP, also June 1980 UK 45 on Criminal SWAG 12)

3. The Competition – PASSAGE (December 1978 EP "New Love Songs" on Object Music OM 02)

4. Girl Gets Nervous – NICKY & THE DOTS (from December 1978 UK LP "Vaultage 78; Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/03 LP)

5. I Don't Want To Work For British Airways – SCISSOR FITS (January 1979 EP "Taut? Tense? Angular? And Other British Rail Sandwiches" on Dubious Dub 1)

6. Cold City – SPIZZOIL (February 1979, Rough Trade RTSO 2)

7. (I Saw) Batman (In The Laundrette) – THE SHAPES (June 1980 EP "Wot's For Lunch Mum?" on Sofa SEAT 1)

8. Stereo Love – PROLES (March 1979, Rock Against Racism T.RAR 1)

9. Commuter Man – THE MOLESTERS (April 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 14, B-side of "Disco Man")

10. Heathen – THE PACK (April 1979, SS PAK 1)

11. In Love – THE RAINCOATS (April 1979, Rough Trade RT 013, B-side of "Fairytale In The Supermarket")

12. Sing Song – THE TEA SET (May 1979 EP "Cups 'N Saucers" on Waldo's BEAT SERIES 003)

13. Mother Moon – ARTERY (June 1979, Limited Edition TAKE 1)

14. The Ultimate System – MURDER THE DISTURBED (June 1979 EP "Genetic Disruption" on Small Wonder SMALL 17)

15. Playing Golf (With My Flesh Crawling) – THE FAMILY FODDER (June 1979, Parole/Fresh PURL 4/FRESH 1)

16. Every Day I Die – FRANTIC ELEVATORS (June 1979, TJM Records TJM 5, B-side of "Voice in The Dark")

17. Nagasaki's Children – THEY MUST BE RUSSIANS (June 1979, White label Lyntone RYS 001 LYN 6714)

18. Metal Sheet – SECOND LAYER (July 1979 EP "Flesh As Property" on Tortch-R TOR 001)

19. Cold Rebellion – METROPHASE (July 1979 EP "Phrase One EP" on Neolondon MS 01)

20. I Don't Believe – DISTURBED (July 1979, Parole PURL 3)

21. Subculture Fashion Slaves – THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW (July 1979 EP "Subculture" on N.B. Records N.B. 1)

22. God's Got Religion – THE STEPPES (July 1979, South Circular SGS 108, B-side of "The Beat Drill")

23. Christine Keeler – GL*XO BABIES (August 1979, Heartbeat PULSE 5)

24. Boys Keep Swinging – THE ASSOCIATES (August 1979, Double Hip DHR 1, a David Bowie cover, band featured Billy Mackenzie and Allan Rankine)

25. Beautiful Pictures – FATAL MICROBES (August 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 20, B-side of "Violence Grows")

26. Top Of The Pops – DISCO ZOMBIES (September 1979 Lead EP Track on "The Invisible EP", Wizzo WIZZ 1)

27. Exhibition – PNUEMANIA (October 1979, Plastic Records PLAS001)

 

CD3 (75:47 minutes):

1. Domestic Departure – AU PAIRS (September 1979, 021 Records OT02, B-side of "You")

2. Reconstruction – ENGLISH SUBTITLES (October 1979, Small Wonder SMALL 22, B-side of "Time Tunnel")

3. Them Or Me – MEDIUM MEDIUM (November 1979, Apt Music SAP01)

4. Choreography – MODERN EON (November 1979 EP "Pieces" on Eon Records EON 001)

5. Chance Meeting – JOSEF K (November 1979, Absolute Records ABS1)

6. On The Air – THE LINES (November 1979, Red Records RS001)

7. Masochistic Opposite – MO-DETTES (December 1979, Mode Records MODE1, B-side of "White Mice")

8. Minstrel Radio Yoghurt – DEEP FREEZE MICE (from the November 1979 UK LP "My Geraniums Are Bulletproof" on Mole Embalming Records MOLE 1)

9. You Get Everywhere – THE CHEFS (from the "Vaultage 79: Another Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/08 LP)

10. Bloody – THE GOLINKSKI BROTHERS (from the "Vaultage 79: Another Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/08 LP)

11. Key Operator – THE LILLETTES (from the "Vaultage 79: Another Two Sides Of Brighton" on Attrix Records RB/08 LP)

12. Art Nouveau – THE BODIES (January 1980, Waldo's Records HS007)

13. Shangri-La – NIGHTMARES IN WAX (February 1980 EP "Birth Of A Nation" on Inevitable Records INEV002 – band featured Pete Burns of Dead Or Alive)

14. Oscar Automobile – WEIRD STRINGS (February 1980, Velvet Moon Records VM1)

15. Self Employed – AGAIN AGAIN (March 1980, Do It Records DUN-IT-7)

16. Fashionable Junkies – THE MEMBRANES (March 1980 Flexidisc, Drip Records VD005)

17. Autophagous – MANIC JABS (March 1980, Waldo's Records MS009)

18. Modichy In Aneration – BLANCMANGE (April 1980 EP "Irene And Mavis" on Blaah Music MFT 1/2)

19. No Message – MYSTERE V’S (April 1980, Flicknife Records FL1)

20. The Feeling's Mutual – EYELESS IN GAZA (May 1980, Ambivalent Scale Recordings ASR002, B-side of "Kodak Ghosts Run Amok")

21. Lean On Me – DISTRIBUTORS (May 1980, Red Rhino Records RED5)

22. Chimneys – TAGMEMICS (May 1980, Index 45003)

23. Short Time – RHYTHM CLICKS (June 1980, Red Rhino Records RED6)

24. Get – BLURT (August 1980, Test Pressings TPB1, B-side of "My Mother Was A Friend Of An Enemy Of The People")

 

CD4 (76:29 minutes):

1. Final Day – YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS (October 1980, Rough Trade RT043)

2. You What You Deserve – CHARGE (October 1980, YCAFO Records, Privately Pressed, Rare)

3. The Damage Done – THE SISTERS OF MERCY (November 1980, Merciful Release MR7)

4. Politics! – GIRLS AT OUR BEST (November 1980, Record Records RR2)

5. Justice Not Vengeance – A POPULAR HISTORY OF SIGNS (November 1980, Melodia Records M1)

6. Could Be Her, Could Be You – THOMPSON TWINS (November 1980, Dirty Disks RANK 1)

7. Everything's Roses – FIRE ENGINES (December 1980, Codex Communications CDX01, B-side of "Get Up And Use Me")

8. Motorway – EMMA SHARPE (from the December 1980 UK LP "Vaultage 80: A Vinyl Chapter" on Attrix Records RB11)

9. The Russians Are Coming – THE RED SQUARES (from the December 1980 UK LP "Vaultage 80: A Vinyl Chapter" on Attrix Records RB11)

10. Motion – THE ROOM (September 1980, Box Records BOX 001)

11. Should Be More Ideal – THE 49 AMERICANS (from the 1980 UK Mini LP "Too Young To Be Ideal" on Choo Choo Train Records CHUG2)

12. I Remember – CULT FIGURES (June 1981 EP "In Love EP" on Rather Records GEAR EIGHT, features Members of Swell Maps)

13. Insect Love – THE HIGSONS (October 1981, Romans In Britain Records HIG2, B-side of "I Don’t Want To Live With Monkeys")

14. Chips For Tea – THE LAUGHING APPLE (March 1981 EP "Ha Ha Hee Hee!" on Autonomy Records AUT001)

15. Defeated – THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS (from the 1980 Cassette of "Klein Krieg" on Mirrordot MD04)

16. Holiday Girl – MARINE GIRLS (from the 1981 Cassette "Beach Party" on In Phaze Records 002 ½)

17. The Return – NORMIL HAWAIIANS (from the 1981 12-inch single "Gala Failed" on Red Rhino Records RED8)

18. Zigzagging – THE REFLECTIONS (from the 1981 LP "Slugs And Toads" on Cherry Red Records BRED22)

19. When I See You – SAD LOVERS AND GIANTS (May 1981 EP "Che" on Lost Movement LM003)

20. Domino Theory – TO THE FINLAND STATION (January 1982, Melodia Records M3)

21. Launderette – VIVIEN GOLDMAN (August 1981, Window WIN1)

22. Ethics – 23 SKIDOO (March 1981, Pineapple Products PULP23)

23. Shades Of Black - SCREEN 3 (from the 1981 LP "Norwich: A Fine City" on Romans In Britain Records NERO 1)

24. Plan 9 From Outer Space – THE HAPPY FEW (from the 1981 LP "Norwich: A Fine City" on Romans In Britain Records NERO 1)

25. Break The Ice At Parties – THE TESCO BOMBERS (January 1982, Y Records Y14)

26. I Wanna Be Around (Paul) - ...AND THE NATIVE HIPSTERS (October 1980, Heater Volume Records HVR003, B-side of "There Goes Concorde Again")

I too remember the LP on the turntable suddenly giving way in 1977 to the 'Singles' Box on the counter of our favorite record shops (especially second-hand ones) where (suddenly) droves of small labels and unknown names began to appear - all of these 'small wonders' tempting our lunch money. Anger and a certain sense of dislocation - optimism gone - permeated these releases almost all of which were short-sharp-shocks to the solar plexus and unrepentant for being so. I say all this because as you wade through the astonishingly detailed 64-page A5-szed booklet that's attached to the Digibook - you are assaulted with handmade picture sleeves, rust-edged buttons, boiled-in-a-bag posters in a Punkette stylee all topped off with letters of complaint, establishment outrage and more black and white photos of earnest young men and women than you can shake a Pogo Stick at. 

"Optimism/Reject..." is a gorgeous thing to look at (even if it is a tad awkward to read) and compiler John Reed's insider knowledge and enthusiasm abounds. Given that the sources are literally all over the place, it's a Remastered Edition, but offers no mastering credits - so tighten your aural seat-belts is very much the order of the day. No patience - maximum power. To the chunes...

Slightly bemused, Michael goes to his mother's button-box in her bedroom in Eater's sedated yet sinister opener "Michael's Monetary System". But that's quickly usurped by the fantastic 'fight for the right to be different' Drones single "You'll Lose" - the kind of Punk-snarler that you imagine would have made John Peel grin from ear to ear. Mark Perry of Alternative TV doesn't want to hear about who's doing who in the failed bedroom posturing Punk-Reggae of "Love Lies Limp" - a very smart choice. The Outsiders put out the first self-released Punk LP in the UK - "Calling on Youth" in May 1977 - but O/R concentrates on one of the November 1977 tracks from their "One To Infinity" EP on Raw Edge Records - the superb Television gritty "Freeway". 

Time for a giggle and a bit of late Seventies social commentary into the bargain with the much loved John Cooper Clarke starting his poetry rave with a drum-machine for "Suspended Sentence". There are funeral bells - the Sun newspaper sells a big bum on Page 3 - lunatics with a loaded gun - bring back hanging for everyone... What a stacked gem it is. Straight into genuinely snotty D-I-Y territory with "O Levels" - a rant at the hated school system - it's singer none too enamored with the job-for-life mentality peddled by every one of them. There's more than the Bass-Speed sound of The Jam meets the tear-the-building New York Dolls vibe about "Black Velvet" by Swell Maps - a double-vocal piece of brilliance that was the B-side of their "Read About Seymour" debut 45. A label I loved 'Small Wonder' starts to make itself known with Patrik Fitzgerald's "Optimism/Reject" which of course gives this 4CD haul its name. 

 

Vic Goddard and Subway Sect and their "Nobody's Scared" delight with lyrics like "Everyone is a prostitute...singing a song in prison..." Sounding like it was recorded in Auntie Ada's broom closet, their is still power in The Freshies "Washed Up" itself cleverly followed by the neck-jerking Skids telling us about "Charles" and his job in a factory - Richard Jobson sounding socially on the money. Great discoveries for me are the Clash-angry rattle of "Mixed Up World" by Victim, the giggling angel-of-change in "The Demon" by Punishment Of Luxury and the Kris Needs' band Vice Creems doing phone-distance love on "01-01-212".

 

For sure wading through all 101 slices of mayhem and drool may not be everyone's idea of Tea and Crumpet at the Ritz - but that's the point. Punk and Post Punk compilations are out there touching on all the obvious charted stuff - but this beast - "Optimism/Reject..." goes to the beginnings and the underbellies and forgotten compilations that will never see the CD light of day. And for that it's a totally bangin' 5-star masterpiece. I can't imagine the hundreds of hours it must have taken to collate this, but kudos to all involved...

"The Northern Soul Scene" by VARIOUS (December 1998 UK Deram 'Decca Originals - On The Scene' CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Baby, You Got It!"

The nine titles in this 'Decca Originals' CD Series (listed below) are each worth an essay alone - 'On The Scene' compilations pitched as I recall at less than a fiver and in some cases a mere four quid - representing amazing value for money in any man's language (then and now).

Originally released in late 1998 and early 1999 in the UK, each generously proportioned genre-themed CD gives unsuspecting punters a 25-track access to ultra-rare music that would cost a Euro Sceptic's bar tab to acquire the originals on 60ts vinyl. Each is aimed at the discerning collector for sure, but there is also a clever commercialism at work here – the ludicrously well-informed compiler JOHN REED having lined up the goodies to please the ear of the old hand and newbee alike. And of course, all those images of bodies throwing shapes on talcum-powdered floors...let’s get to our worlds turned upside down...

UK released December 1998 - "The Northern Soul Scene" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Deram 844 805-2 (Barcode 042284480529) is a 25-Track CD compilation of 'Decca Originals - On The Scene' Remasters (all British released 7" singles) that plays out as follows (66:55 minutes):

1. I'll Hold You – FRANKIE and JOHNNY (April 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.22376, B-side to "(I'm) Never Gonna Leave You")

2. So-Called Loving – DAVID ESSEX (1969 recording first issued on the 2LP set "Lost & Found" on Decca DPA 3083/4 in April 1980)

3. Nothing But A Heartache – THE FLIRTATIONS (November 1968 UK 7" single on Deram DM 216, A-side)

4. Don't Change It – FEARNS BRASS FOUNDRY (September 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12721, A-side)

5. Baby You've Got It – CLYDE McPHATTER (January 1969 UK 7" single on Deram DM 223, A-side)

6. Name It You Got It – MICKY MOONSHINE (October 1974 UK 7" single on Decca F.13335, B-side of "Baby Blue")

7. My Love – RONNIE JONES (January 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12066, A-side)

8. Ask The Lonely - THE FANTASTICS (January 1970 UK 7" single on Deram DM 283, B-side of "Waiting Around For Heartaches")

9. Stop Breaking My Heart – TOM JONES (January 1970 UK 7" single on Decca F.13061, B-side of "I (Who Have Nothing)")

10. Billy Sunshine – BILLIE DAVIS (1969 SPANISH 7" single on Decca MO 720, A-side - also on the 1970 UK LP "Billie Davis" on Decca SKL 5029)

11. Our Love (Is In The Pocket) – AMEN CORNER (on the 1968 UK LP "Round Amen Corner" on Deram SML 1021)

12. Whose Little Girl Are You – DANNY WILLIAMS (September 1967 UK 7" single on Deram DM 149, B-side of "Never My Love")

13. Heart Trouble – THE EYES OF BLUE (November 1966 UK 7" single on Deram DM 106, B-side of "Up And Down")

14. Everybody Needs Love – BOBBY HANNA (May 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12783, B-side of "Written On The Wind")

15. Picture Me Gone – DAVE BERRY (November 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12513, A-side)

16. I Wanna Know – JOHN E. PAUL (October 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F.12685, B-side of "Prince Of Players")

17. The Way You Do The Things You Do – ELKIE BROOKS (January 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12061, A-side)

18. I Just Made Up My Mind – JON GUNN (June 1967 UK 7" single on Deram DM 133, A-side)

19. Something Beautiful – ADRIENNE POSTER (February 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12329, A-side)

20. Reach Out Your Hand – THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN (March 1971 UK 7" single on Deram DM 327, A-side)

21. Giving Up On Love – SONNY CHILDE (September 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F.12218, A-side)

22. My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down – TRULY SMITH (March 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12373, B-side of "Love Is Me Love Is You")

23. All The Time In The World – STEVIE KIMBLE (April 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.12378, B-side of "Some Things Take A Little Time")

24. Let The Good Times Roll – TONY NEWMAN (June 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F.12795, B-side of "Soul Thing")

25. Listen To My Heart - THE BATS (December 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F.22534, A-side)

NOTES:

Track 1 – Frankie is a pseudonym for Maggie Bell who would later front Stone The Crows; Johnny is Bobby Kerr

Track 6 - Micky Moonshine is Chris Rainbow

Track 22 – a Smokey Robinson song originally played by Carolyn Crawford

The pleasingly nice-looking 12-page colour booklet has JOHN REED extend an informed paragraph to each artist – The Flirtations jumping up in the air in their cardigans on some runway somewhere as the tuba-festooned Fearns Brass Foundry accompany a happening black couple through the painted archway of love - while Andy Fairweather-Lowe dreams of a solo career posing with Amen Corner (the inset pictured ticket stub for a Spring Bank Holiday Monday gig shows a mouth-watering line-up of Inez & Charlie Foxx, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Geno Washington and The Fantastics). There are no mastering credits, but it does state on the see-through spine 'digitally remastered from the original master tapes' for all of these sets and I’ve found that to be uniformly true. Take the stunning tambourine and strum Soul of "Ask The Lonely" by The Fantastics whose 45s elicit frenzy amongst collectors - gorgeous arrangements and a lead singer with a voice to die for. The huge attack of a throat-wrenching Tom Jones, hits home loud and clear on his typically melodramatic "Stop Breaking My Heart".

Northern Soul Scene opens on a glorious note - Maggie Bell who would of course become the front vocalist for Scottish rockers Stone The Crows - gives it some powerhouse Soul under the non-de-plume of Frankie on "I'll Hold You" - a mere 1965 B-side that will set you back £250 if you can find a copy. Speaking of spunky flipsides, Wiggan Scene dancers would have chewed up Mickey Moonshine and his wah-wah need-in-me guitar anthem "Name It You Got It" while Billie Davis earns her huge collectability with the Euro Decca 45 "Billy Sunshine" (I've never actually seen her lone self-titled "Billie Davis" LP that also contains this deep grooves treasure).  

Welsh boyo's Amen Corner give it some oh yeah baby as they inform us that love is in the pocket (thank God for that - don't want it dangling about boys) while The Eyes Of Blue tried a sort of Small Faces Mod groove with "Heart Trouble" (successfully too). John E. Paul taps the spirit of Jackie Wilson for his frantic "I Wanna Know" while the classy Truly Smith lifts things up with a cross-armed smoocher "My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down" (why wasn't this gorgeous song not a hit). And on it goes. Billie Davis stares wistfully over a railing onto a misty Thames on the back inlay, that stripy suit oh so very 60ts. What a decade...

  

Titles in Deram's 'Decca Originals - On The Scene' UK CD Series

1. The Beat Scene (released December 1998 on Deram 844 799-2 - Barcode 042284479929)

2. The Blues Scene (released February 1999 on Deram 844 801-2 - Barcode 042284480123)

3. The Freakbeat Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 879-2 – Barcode 042284487924)

4. The Girls Scene (released February 1999 on Deram 844 897-2 - Barcode 042284489720)

5. The Mod Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 549-2 - Barcode 042284454926)

6. The Northern Soul Scene (released December 1998 on Deram 844 805-2 - Barcode 042284480529)

7. The Psychedelic Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 797-2 - Barcode 042284479721)

8. The R&B Scene (released September 1998 on Deram 844 798-2 - Barcode 042284479820)

9. The Rock 'n' Roll Scene (released March 1999 on Deram 844 892-2 - Barcode 042284489225)

Please note that some of these titles were reissued August 2007 on the budget label 'Spectrum' and "The Northern Soul Scene" has been reissued as a Digipak CD and 2LP Orange Vinyl set (45s wording centred on its front artwork) in March 2024 - Decca 5876826 (Barcode 602458768268) for CD and Decca 5876822 (Barcode 602458768220) for VINYL.