"Just For A Moment (The Best Of)" RONNIE LANE – Tracks from 1972 to 1989 on GM, Island and Atlantic Records with Guests Ron Wood, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Members of McGuinness Flint and Gallagher & Lyle, Alun Davies, Steve Simpson of Meal Ticket, Billy Nicholls, Carol Grimes, Charlie Watts, Kate Lambert and more (May 2019 UK Universal Musical Operations (UMC) CD Compilation – Jon Astley Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B07P195XTR&asins=B07P195XTR&linkId=ea08af7dc31a15caed12acf175460b0c&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

This Review and Over 220 Others 

Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

PICK UP THE PIECES 

1974

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08CQ7QLV2&asins=B08CQ7QLV2&linkId=12c30e8a630664f9497f4f631e2aa7ce&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...Found My Peace..."

There is a moment as I play 1974's "Roll On Babe" when I well up. It happens every time I play "Debris" by the Faces too from 1971 – both stunning Ronnie Lane ballad moments. I've often wondered why and especially why more so of late. 

Ronnie Lane was like this. There was just something utterly Fab about him. And his songs were often so deceptively simple too, yet the melody and joyous-spirit embedded in the lyrics had that uncanny way of making you feel better - lifting you up above the cruelty of life and city grime. Plonk (his nickname) was Small Faces infectious – rammed to the gunnels with British melodic brilliance - and that almost childlike smile of his somehow seeped into the Acoustic Guitars and Mandolins and Accordions in every one of his songs. Which brings us to this ludicrously cheap and beautiful sounding round up of his Acoustic and Folk Rock softer side. Some factoids first...

16 May 2019 saw the Universal Music Operations motherlode arrive in the shape of "Just For A Moment (Music 1973-1977)" - a 6CD Box Set in 10" x 10" packaging on UMC 675593-9 (Barcode 602567559399). It contained all four of his studio albums from the Seventies and beyond, album outtakes, BBC live stuff and some tasty unreleased. It also had a 72-page booklet and JON ASTLEY Remastering - a name associated with much-praised Remasters of The Who and Pete Townshend solo material. 

Released on the same day (18 May 2019) was this - "Just For A Moment (The Best Of)" by RONNIE LANE - an 18-track 1CD Best Of on UMC 00602577211263 (Barcode 602577211263) - culled from the bigger 6CD Box Set.  

It also has a VINYL 18-Track 2LP variant on UMC 00602577211270 (Barcode 602577211270) that comes with a Download Voucher. 

Best Of CD compilations are often a sort of poor man's exercise in recouping dosh or tapping latent affection towards an artist and his time. But whether you're a Lane fan or not and despite the last two songs from 1989 where his health, voice and even diction was failing him (so they are good rather than inspirational) - "Just For A Moment" may be one of the most perfectly sequenced single-disc Anthologies I've ever heard. Covering late 1973 through to the last two previously unreleased tracks from early 1989 – this Best Of plays so well – a genuinely deft sequencing of what made his music so loveable. Let's roll on babe to the details (62:45 minutes, total playing time)...

1. Just For A Moment
2. The Poacher 
3. Anymore For Anymore
4. How Come? (Single Version) 
5. Tell Everyone 
6. Roll On Babe 
7. Little Piece Of Nothing
8. Anniversary
9. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
10. Don't Try 'n' Change My Mind
11. One For The Road
12. Annie 
13. April Fool
14. Kuschty Rye
15. Barcelona
16. One Step
17. Spiritual Babe 
18. Strongbear's Daughter

NOTES: 
Track 1 by RON WOOD and RONNIE LANE - from the September 1976 UK LP "Mahoney's Last Stand - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" on Atlantic K 50308 – also featuring Bruce Rowlands of The Grease Band on Drums. Recordings made in 1972. 

Tracks 2 and 3 by RONNIE LANE and THE BAND "SLIM CHANCE" - from the July 1974 UK Solo Debut LP "Anymore For Anymore" on GM Records GML 1013

Track 4 by RONNIE LANE Accompanied by the Band "Slim Chance" - December 1973 UK debut solo 45 on GM Records GMS 011, A-side, 3:08 minutes (not on the "Anymore For Anymore" album)

Tracks 5 and 6 by RONNIE LANE and THE BAND "SLIM CHANCE" - from the July 1974 UK LP "Anymore For Anymore" on GM Records GML 1013 – Track 5 also one of two B-sides on the "How Come" single; Track 6 is a Derroll Adams cover version

Tracks 7 and 8 by RONNIE LANE - from the February 1975 UK LP "Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance" on Island ILPS 9321

Track 9 by RONNIE LANE - March 1975 UK Non-Album 7" single on Island WIP 6229, A-side

Tracks 10 and 11 by RONNIE LANE'S SLIM CHANCE - from the January 1976 UK LP "One For The Road" on Island ILPS 9336

Tracks 12 and 13 by PETE TOWNSHEND and RONNIE LANE - from the October 1977 UK LP "Rough Mix" on Polydor 2442 147 - featuring Gallagher & Lyle and Eric Clapton

Track 14 by RONNIE LANE - from the August 1980 UK LP "See Me" on Gem Records GEMLP 107 - featuring Alun Daves of Cat Stevens Band and Sweet Thursday, Steve Simpson of Meal Ticket with Bruce Rowland and Henry McCulloch of The Grease Band

Track 15 by RONNIE LANE - October 1979 UK 45 single on Gem Records GEMS 12, A-side - also on the August 1980 UK LP "See Me" on Gem Records GEMLP 107 - featuring Eric Clapton on Guitar, Carol Grimes on Vocals, Steve Simpson of Meal Ticket with Bruce Rowland and Henry McCulloch of The Grease Band

Track 16 by RONNIE LANE - from the August 1980 UK LP "See Me" on Gem Records GEMLP 107 - featuring Cal Batchelor of Quiver, Charlie Hart of The People Band and Slim Chance, Alun Daves of Cat Stevens' Band and Sweet Thursday with Bruce Rowland of The Grease Band

Tracks 17 and 18 by RONNIE LANE are Arlyn Studio Sessions from January 1989 – exclusive to the May 2019 "Just For A Moment (Music 1973-1977)" 6CD Box Set and this single CD compilation

The 16-page booklet features track-by-track writing credits, but don’t tell you who played on what (as I have done above). And while there are acknowledgements and 'with thanks' credits – there are no new liner notes which is such a damn shame. This is offset by 10 pages of unpublished photos from the 1974 'Passing Show' tour through to his rehabilitation stay in America in the late Eighties where his Multiple Sclerosis had begun to really ravage him (he'd lived with the disease for 20 years and it took his mother before him). 

But what blows you away is the Audio – JON ASTLEY Remasters that are amongst the loveliest I've heard of this material. The other Ronnie Lane set to compare notes with is the March 2014 Universal/Island double-CD anthology called "Ooh La La: An Island Harvest" (see separate review) and I feel the audio is even better here. 

The first thing that hits you as you play song after song is that those looking for Classic Rawk should look away – this is Acoustic Guitar Folk Rock, Mandolins and Accordions aplenty and often at times feeling like McGuinness Flint mated with Gallagher & Lyle and then asked Ronnie lane and his band Slim Chance to join them under the giggling sheets. The only time I feel the audio lags a tad is on the Single Mix of "How Come" but other than that songs like "Tell Everyone", the pastoral charm of "The Poacher" and the beautiful cover of the Derroll Adams Country tune "Roll On Babe" are revelatory. The two from the fabulous "Rough Mix" album with PT of The Who are gorgeous – beautifully produced Dobro notes flying around your speakers with sparkling clarity. People sort of slag off the 1980 LP "See Me" but again, two clever mellow choices from it do that forgotten album proud. And the final two are growing on me but his obvious failing health makes me sad. 

You do wish maybe they had included the gorgeous "Tin And Tambourine" from the February 1975 LP "Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance" (included the melody to "Devotion" on the first Faces LP from 1970) or more of the Pete Townshend, Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones contributions to the "Mahoney's Last Stand" soundtrack recorded in 1972 but not released until 1976. That album features an "Ooh La La" sessions-vibe and was only reissued on CD properly by Real Gone Music of the USA in 2018 - that digital hardcopy already a bloody rarity in Autumn 2020. In short, more Plonk material could have been fitted in especially with only 62 minutes playing time used, but actually sometimes less is more. 

I have seen this compilation on offer for under a fiver, but as October 2020, "Just For A Moment (The Best Of)" by RONNIE LANE is still available for less than seven quid new (including P&P) and what a bargain that is (best I ever had as his buddy Pete would say). 

"...Just for a moment, I found my peace... ", Ronnie sang almost 50 years ago on this compilation's title track. And I hope in your low moments, you find the same on this beautiful CD...

"Who Came First: 45th Anniversary Expanded Edition" by PETE TOWNSHEND (April 2018 Universal UMC/Eel Pie Recording Productions 2CD Set - 2017 Jon Astley Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and Loads More Like It Are In

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

1,990 E-Pages of In-Depth Information

Over 260 Reviews from the discs themselves...

"...I Am Content..." 

After the Who unleashed the barnstorming snot-nosed wee-wee on the wall that was "Who's Next" in August 1971 (the British Rock band on fire in every way) - I can remember both the excitement and confusion that accompanied "Who Came First" when it finally arrived in October 1972. With Pete standing on the front cover glaring out at us like a drill-sergeant with violent intent to his recruits in what appeared to be a car mechanic's freshly-cleaned overalls sporting a badge on his lapel of some grinning moustached Indian Guru geezer whilst standing on a platform of un-hatched chicken eggs in Doc Martens – I was intrigued and frankly a tad suspicious. 

Housed in its glossy gatefold sleeve and sporting a natty foldout 'Wave' poster within that I never truly understood (the artist Mike McInnerney gets Page 18 in the new booklet to unravel what he painted and why) - I can also remember feeling disappointed – musically that is. Essentially a bunch of outtakes from the Lifehouse Project (tracks that had formed the guts of "Who's Next") with some new stuff and cover versions thrown in – Pete's first solo album seemed weirdly low-key almost. But on repeated listens - I realised a readjustment had to take place. This was not a WHO album – but a PT solo record. And its music stood alone – his ideas too. This was also a more leisurely sounding project – Folksy - Country and Americana – more melodic in its approach - and after the riffage of 1971 – actually took some getting used to. 

And then there was the religious content – a Who-related Rock album celebrating the 76th Birthday of Meher Baba. I can remember the press of the day being polite at best about The Who's guitarist and principal songwriter 'standing on his own two feet' re his beliefs as he babbled on about some transcendental Avatar – an Indian man he’d met and adored in the late Sixties. A spiritual Guru and Guide – Meher Baba is referred to in songs like "Parvardigar" as a master and infinite and all wise – unfortunately the kind of subservient surrender mumbo-jumbo cack that Rock Stars spouted and championed in those days to counter their self-inflicted, drugged-up, screwed-up privileged lives. But at least Townshend and his spiritual quest seemed sincere to me and even if many of the Bentley-driving Gurus name-checked by Cream in 1967 were still putting up their prices and ultimately turned out to be the worst charlatans of all – the message of positivity and love from Pete’s first solo album had a powerful resonance with yours truly in 1972. 

Now here we are in April 2018 with another re-issue. This time Universal UMC in conjunction with PT’s Eel Pie Recordings are giving us a belated (should have arrived in 2017) two-disc '45th Anniversary Expanded Edition' in a equally natty looking squished-up book pack. It comes with all artwork restored - new Jon Astley remasters from original tapes - newly updated liner notes from PT himself that include the extras typed in the same script font as the original LP (a nice touch) and even some good previously unreleased on Disc 2 (eight are new). Let’s get to the angels in our midst...

UK released 20 April 2018 - "Who Came First: 45th Anniversary Expanded Edition" by PETE TOWNSHEND on Universal UMC/Eel Pie Recording Productions PTWCF45 (Barcode 602567302902) is a 2CD Digipak Reissue with 2017 Jon Astley Remasters Housed in an Oversized Card Slipcase that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Who Came First" (37:42 minutes):

1. Pure & Easy [Side 1]

2. Evolution

3. Forever's No Time At All

4. Let's See Action 

5. Time Is Passing [Side 2]

6. There's A Heartache Following Me

7. Sheraton Gibson 

8. Content 

9. Parvardigar

Tracks 1 to 9 are the solo LP "Who Came First" - released October 1972 in the UK on Track 2408 201 and in the USA on Decca/Track DL 79189. Recorded, Engineered, Mixed and Produced by PT – it peaked at No. 30 in the UK and No. 69 in the USA

Disc 2 BONUS TRACKS (73:02 minutes):

1. His Hands 

2. The Seeker (2017 Edit, 4:36 minutes)

3. Day Of Silence 

4. Sleeping Dog

5. Mary Jane (Stage A)

6. I Always Say (2017 Edit, 4:58 minutes)

7. Begin The Beguine (2017 Mix, 4:41 minutes)

8. Baba O'Riley (Instrumental, 9:49 minutes)

9. The Love Man (Stage C) 

10. Content (Stage A) 

11. Day Of Silence (Alternate Version, 4:38 minutes)

12. Parvardigar (Alternate Version), 7:12 minutes)

13. (Nothing is Everything) Let's See Action (Incomplete Take, 3:57 minutes)

14. There's A Fortune In Those Hills 

15. Meher Baba In Italy 

16. Drowned (Live In India, 1976)

17. Evolution (Stone) (Live At The Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert, Royal Albert Hall, London, 8 April 2004) 

Like most I've had the 1992 Rykodisc single CD for years with its six Bonus Tracks - two of which are missing from this new package - "The Seeker (1972 Version)" and "Lantern Cabin". I also bought a 2016 single CD reissue of "Who Came First" on Universal UMC 4780134 (Barcode 602547801340) that just offers the nine-track album in a card digipak and a new Miles Showell/Myles Clarke Remaster done at Abbey Road. It sounds gorgeous and at 38:00 minutes total playing time is oddly 18-seconds longer that the version offered here in 2018. Although the 8-page booklet is woefully ordinary and it’s devoid of extras – I’m keeping it because I like the Audio. This 2018 version is also the first in a new series of 'Expanded Edition' Townshend solo releases from Universal offering forthcoming upgraded versions of "Empty Glass", "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes". "White City" and the "Scoop" series of outtake sets.  

Although it tries to look the part of being something substantial - I find these oversized digipak-within-a-card-slipcase issues flimsy to say the least. On the upside the booklet has PT's most extensive explanation of the album's origins - a sort of composite of two limited edition music sets (about 100 copies of each) given out to Baba followers via a magazine - and also enlightens on each track including the newbies. There are photos of both Townshend and Baba from the period and the new JON ASTLEY Remasters are his usual loud-renditions but this time without being overly bombastic super-fantastic. Take "Evolution" or the simple strumming in "Sheraton Gibson" and the clarity is undeniable - nicely done. To the record first...

It has to be said in all honesty that some of the tracks on "Who Came First" missed the dynamic of the band and especially Roger Daltrey's distinctive vocals that somehow elevated everything PT wrote. But like most fans – I’ve never wanted to part with my original. The opening side 1 piece "Pure And Easy" was written and recorded by The Who for the Lifehouse Project in 1971 and has been a CD Bonus Track for "Who’s Next" reissues in 1995 and the 2003 Deluxe Edition 2CD set. But that version is the New York Record Plant Sessions mix of 4:30 minutes – here PT uses his own Home Demo version at 5:32 minutes. I've always liked it as a song - uplifting and good on the brain. Up next is the thematically fitting, truly lovely and evocative Folk melody of "Evolution" with the mighty Ronnie Lane on Lead Vocals. Here he covers one of his own songs called "Stone" (re-named "Evolution" for the WCF album) that first turned up on Side 1 of the Faces March 1970 debut album "First Step". Its lyrics wittily talk of consciousness evolving over millennia - a spiritual theme central to Baba teachings. Lane and Townshend were not just pals but a singer-songwriter match made in British musical heaven They would do a celebrated duet album together released October 1977 called "Rough Mix" on Polydor Records – fabulous stuff – and an LP that once again returning to both Country and Americana tunes and styles – something that clearly both men loved and were steeped in. Lane was also a BM follower at the same time as PT and the Live Version of "Evolution (Stone)" on Disc 2 at his Memorial Concert in 2004 is seriously charged stuff (sung by PT). You can feel it in the band, the audience and Pete’s awkward but emotional spoken intro about consciousness. Like Marriott, Bowie and Prince - here is a musician that actually hurts people to think is no longer with us – all of them gone too bloody soon.

Even better is vocalist No. 3 - "Forever is No Time At All" written by Billy Nicholls and Katie McInnerary (with Nicholls at the microphone). Both followers of Meher Baba – Ronnie Lane and Billie Nicholls also shared a musical connection between them. Nicholls had done an ultra-rare withdrawn LP for Immediate Records in 1968 called "Would You Believe" (on Immediate IMCP 009). This hallowed and revered beast is presently listed at a whopping £5000 for an original copy in the 2018 Record Collector Price Guide because the players on it are liable to send most collectors into hysteria – John Paul Jones pre Led Zeppelin, Steve Marriott, Ian McLagan, Kenney Jones and of course Ronnie Lane of the Immediate period Small Faces, Caleb Quaye of Elton John’s band and Hookfoot alongside ace piano sessionman Nicky Hopkins (so often associated with The Stones in the late Sixties and Early Seventies). Townshend rated Billie’s opinions and Nicholls also had an extraordinarily expressive voice – something wonderfully British about it – a little like Ronnie Lane. "Forever is No Time At All" is actually one of my faves on the album. 

The LP’s most famous song has a history all to itself as well. The full 6:15 minute album-version of "Let’s See Action" ending Side 1 now reflects the US spelling of the track by including the words "(Nothing Is Everything)..." plopped in before its title (sung by PT and not Roger Daltrey). I’d agree with most fans by saying that the edited and more punchy single mix of "Let’s See Action" issued a full year prior as a stand alone band 7” single (Track 2094-012, October 1971) with Roger Daltrey on lead vocals - is way better. But any number of variants on this track is all right by me. The Ray Baker cover version is a Country Strum that predates the whole sound achieved on "Rough Mix" six years later and the Audio is gorgeous. Maud Kennedy's poem make up the lyrics to "Content" - clearly one of Pete's faves on the album - a song that is both pretty and somehow sad too - alone with the truth - trying to be brave. With all of its fawning and swooning towards Baba - "Parvardigar" makes me kind of cringe - but if you're a fan - the Audio is fantastic. 

Opening the Bonus Tracks CD is "His Hands" - an instrumental that was recorded for the third and last Meher Baba magazine disc in the Goring-On-Thames converted studio Pete purchased in 1971. Lovely and so apt to this project - that leads into a huge fan-rave "The Seeker". Although its credited as a '2017 Edit' - I can't really hear any difference between it and the 1972 Version that appeared as a Bonus Track on the 1992 Ryko CD (even the playing times at 4:36 minutes are exactly the same). Not as good in any way as the officially released WHO single – it’s still a thrill to have any variant of it over and above. Both "Day Of Silence" and "Sleeping Dog" again were on the Ryko CD - the first track referring to 10 July - a day where Baba followers observe 'silence' all day as he had done every year since 1925.

 

"Sleeping Dog" reflects the domestic bliss he was feeling at the time (wife and kids in bed while he recorded). Can't say any of the Edits impressed but the near 10-minute "Baba O'Riley" is an absolute blast – here the "Who's Next" opener given free reign. Just when you expect "...out here in the fields..." to come roaring in – you get more of the opening and then that riffage. It then layers more and more keyboards until it becomes a Terry Riley soundscape with a WHO twist – fab. And despite the sudden break at the end of "Nothing Is Everything" – the shorter guitar and vocals demo already displays brilliance and I can see why he included it. 

For sure not everything on here is going to thrill (even die-hard fans) but what a fascinating look into the process and how it relates to his on-going journey. "Who Came First" (then and now) is one you can file under chicken and egg. And if you're asking me which came first – I've still no bleeding idea... 

"Kiss Me Quick, Squeeze Me Slow: The Collection" by MICKEY JUPP (October 2014 Repertoire Records 3CD and 1DVD Book Set - Jon Astley Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 2 of 3 

- Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Folk, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Reggae, Punk and New Wave

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

"...Rock 'n' Roller..."

Industry-wise Worthing's Mickey Jupp has always been a cult – a name mentioned with affection and even awe by those in the Rock ‘n’ Roll know and first on the Rolodex when a boppin' British band is in need of a snappy tune. But like most music lovers in the general public, I came across the wit and boogie brilliance of Sussex's finest sideways - through his tunes done by other people on a whole myriad of fairly well known albums.

Anyone who worshipped at the feet of all things British Pub Rock in the mid to late Seventies (Dr. Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe, Dave Edmunds, Kursaal Flyers, Brinsley Schwarz et al) will have spotted Michael Graham Jupp's funny looking surname in the writing credits of their LPs. The fact that he wrote "Cheque Book" on the Feelgood's 1975 debut album "Down By The Jetty" and later penned the killer riffage of "Down At The Doctors" for the Canvey Island boys practically marks him out as God incarnate in my books. Apart from hugely affectionate/knowledgeable liner notes from Will Birch of The Kursaal Flyers - Wilko Johnson also gets a quote in the attached booklet talking about the outset of the Doctors musical career in 1974 - when intimidated a tad – Wilko shook Jupp's hand in genuine admiration (the music of Jupp’s band Legend was a sort of precursor to the Pub Rock sound). Two years later and Lee Brilleaux, Wilko Johnson and their stunning band Dr. Feelgood would see their live belter "Stupidity" hit the No. 1 spot in late 1976 on the UK LP charts.

Jupp unfortunately never enjoyed such commerciality with his any of his own releases whether it was with R 'n' B outfit The Orioles in the Sixties (not featured here unfortunately), the Rock 'n' Roll revivalist band Legend in the early Seventies (17 cuts included from 3 albums) or his own solo career from 1978 onwards with Stiff, Chrysalis, A&M and Line Records. But that doesn't stop me from thinking that this man's joyful English variant of Rock 'n' Roll isn’t some of the most enjoyable listens I've heard in years.

Repertoire Records of the UK feel the same and are determined to rectify our obvious and frankly unforgivable short sightedness by way of producing this humdinger of a Box Set covering his lengthy and productive career. There's a lot to savour here - so let's get out the chequebook and praise the man they call The White Chuck Berry...

UK released 27 October 2014 (11 November 2014 in the USA) - "Kiss Me Quick, Squeeze Me Slow: The Collection" by MICKEY JUPP on Repertoire Records REPUK 1173 (Barcode 4009910117323) is a 70-Song 3CD and 1DVD 'Book Pack' Box Set of Remasters that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 CD (79:09 minutes):

1. You Know What I Mean (B-side to "You Made A Fool Out Of Me", a November 1979 UK 7" single on Chrysalis CHR 2384, for A-side see Track 5 on CD2)

2. You'll Never Get Me Up In One Of Those (from the October 1978 UK LP "Juppanese" on Stiff Records SEEZ 10)

3. Switchboard Susan (from the November 1979 UK LP "Long Distance Romancer" on Chrysalis Records CHR 1261)

4. Short List (from the October 1978 UK LP "Juppanese" on Stiff Records SEEZ 10)

5. Cheque Book [by LEGEND] (from their 2nd UK LP "Legend" [aka "Red Boot"] released November 1970 on Vertigo 6360 019)

6. Brother Doctor, Sister Nurse (from the October 1978 UK LP "Juppanese" on Stiff Records SEEZ 10)

7. Old Rock 'n' Roller (A-side to a September 1978 UK 7" single on Stiff Records BUY 36, B-side is Track 11 on CD1)

8. Taxi Driver (non-album B-side to "Modern Life", a March 1982 UK 7" single on A&M Records AMS 8208)

9. Don't Talk To Me (non-album A-side, April 1981 UK 7" single on Stiff GFR 001 - originally released Feb 1981 on Good Foot Records G.F.R. 001)

10. Make It Fly (from the November 1979 UK LP "Long Distance Romancer" on Chrysalis Records CHR 1261)

11. S.P.Y. (B-side to "Old Rock 'n' Roller", October 1978 UK 7" single on Stiff Records BUY 36)

12. Politics (from the November 1979 UK LP "Long Distance Romancer" on Chrysalis Records CHR 1261)

13. Shine On My Shoes [by LEGEND] (from their 3rd album "Moonshine", January 1972 UK LP on Vertigo 6360 036)

14. Making Friends (B-side to "Down In New Orleans", a 1978 Australian 7" single on Stiff K-7444 - version also on "Juppanese")

15. Hole In My Pocket [by LEGEND] (from their 2nd UK LP "Legend" [aka "Red Boot"] released November 1970 on Vertigo 6360 019)

16. Joggin' (A-side of a 1981 German 7" single on Line Records 6.13 532)

17. Junk In My Trunk (B-side of "Don't Talk To Me", April 1981 UK 7" single on Stiff GFR 001 - A-side is Track 9 on CD1)

18. Cross Country [by LEGEND] (A-side of a 1970 French 7" Promo single on Vertigo 6832 957)

19. Nature's Radio (non-album A-side to a September 1977 UK 7" single on Arista ARISTA 136 - B-side of the April 1978 UK Promo-Only 7" single on Stiff Records UPP 1 - A-side is "My Typewriter")

20. Pilot (from the October 1978 UK LP "Juppanese" on Stiff Records SEEZ 10)

21. Chevrolet (from the November 1979 UK LP "Long Distance Romancer" on Chrysalis Records CHR 1261)

22. Rooms In Your Roof (non-album A-side of an April 1980 UK 7" single on Chrysalis CHS 2388)

23. Down At The Doctors (non-album B-side to "Nature's Radio, a September 1977 UK 7" single on Arista ARISTA 136 - for A see Track 19 on CD1)

24. Down At The Doctors (Mono - Alternate Version) (from the 1979 UK Sampler LP "Southend Rock" on Sonet Records SNTF 806)

Tracks 5, 13, 15 and 18 by LEGEND - All Other Tracks by MICKEY JUPP

Disc 2 CD (77:44 minutes):

1. Down In Old New Orleans (A-side of a 1978 Australian 7" single on Stiff K-7444 - B-side is "Making Friends" - Track 14 on CD1)

2. Boxes And Tins (A-side to a September 1983 UK 7"single on A&M Records AM 145)

3. Georgia George (Part 1) [by LEGEND] (A-side of an October 1969 UK 7" single on Bell Records BLL 1082 in Mono - Produced by Robin Trower)

4. Blues On Their Own (from the 1980 German LP "Oxford" on Line Records 6.24531)

5. You Made A Fool Out Of Me Do You Know What I Mean (A-side of a November 1979 UK 7" single on Chrysalis CHR 2384, for B-side see Track 1 on CD1)

6. Virginia Weed (B-side of "Some People Can't Dance", a Dutch 1982 7" single On A&M Records AMS 9209)

7. Oxford Dick And The Words (from the 1980 German LP "Oxford" on Line Records 6.24531)

8. Monty Bronte And The Sisters (from the 1980 German LP "Oxford" on Line Records 6.24531)

9. Another Guy [by LEGEND] (from their 3rd album "Moonshine", January 1972 UK LP on Vertigo 6360 036)

10. Lorraine (Part 2) [by LEGEND] (B-side of as 1970 German 7" single on Vertigo 6832 957)

11. Switchboard Susan (A-side Track 1 on a 1983 German 12" single on Line Records 6. 20 094)

12. My Typewriter [by LEGEND] (A-side of a 1978 UK 7" single on Stiff Records UPP 1)

13. Some People Can't Dance (A-side of a Dutch 1982 7" single On A&M Records AMS 9209 - for B-side see Track 6 on CD2)

14. Orlando Fla (from the October 1983 UK LP "Shampoo Haircut And Shave" on A&M Records AMLH 68559)

15. Barbara (from the November 1979 UK LP "Long Distance Romancer" on Chrysalis Records CHR 1261)

16. Poison Girls (B-side of "Don't Talk To Me", a 1980 German 7" single on Line Records 6. 12 939)

17. If Only Mother (from the October 1978 UK LP "Juppanese" on Stiff Records SEEZ 10)

18. Superman (from the April 1982 UK LP "Some People Can't Dance" on A&M Records AMLH 68535)

19. School (from the October 1978 UK LP "Juppanese" on Stiff Records SEEZ 10)

20. True Love (A-side of a 1979 German 7" single on Chrysalis 6155 266)

21. Modern Music (A-side of a March 1982 UK 7" single on A&M Records AM 8208)

22. Standing At The Crossroads Again (from the LP "As The Yeahs Go By" released 1991 by On The Beach Recordings FOAM 2)

23. Brother Doctor, Sister Nurse (Alternate Version) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Tracks 3, 9, 10 and 12 by LEGEND - All Others by MICKEY JUPP

Disc 3 CD (78:25 minutes)

1. National Gas (Mono Single Mix) [by LEGEND] (A-side of a French February 1969 7" single on Bell Records 2C 006-90.305)

2. Wouldn't You (Single Mix) [by LEGEND] (B-side of "National Gas", an October 1969 UK 7"single on Bell Records BLL 1048)

3. Heather On The Hill (Mono Single Mix) [by LEGEND] (B-side of "National Gas", a French February 1969 7" single on Bell 2C 006-90.305)

4. July (Mono Single Mix) [by LEGEND] (A-side of an October 1969 UK 7" single on Bell Records BLL 1048 - for B-side see Track 2 on CD3)

5. Life (Mono Single Mix) [by LEGEND] (A-side of a 1970 German 7" single on Vertigo 6059 021)

6. Late Last Night [by LEGEND] (B-side of a 1970 German 7" single on Vertigo 6059 021)

7. Don't You Never [by LEGEND] (A-side of a 1971 German 7" single on Vertigo 6059 036)

8. Someday (B-side of a 1971 German 7" single on Vertigo 6059 036)

9. Feel Free (non-album B-side of "Joggin'", a May 1982 UK 7" single on A&M Records AMS 8222)

10. Anything You Do (A-side Track 2 of 2 on a 1983 German 12" single on Line Records 6. 20 094 - for Track 1 see 11 on CD2)

11. Cheque Book (B-side Track 1 of 2 on a 1983 German 12" single on Line Records 6. 20 094 - for others see 11 on CD2 and 10 and 12 on CD3)

12. Daisy Mayes (B-side Track 2 of 2 on a 1983 German 12" single on Line Records 6. 20 094 - for others see 11 on CD2 and 10 and 11 on CD3)

13. Stormy Sunday Lunchtime (A-side of a July 1983 UK 7" single on A&M Records AM 128)

14. Reading Glasses (B-side of "Boxes And Tins", a September 1983 UK 7" single on A&M Records AM 145)

15. Only For Life (A-side of an August 1984 UK 7" single on Towerbell Records TOW55)

16. Animal Crackers (B-side of "Only For Life", an August 1984 UK 7" single on Towerbell Records TOW55)

17. Claggin' On (A-side of a March 1988 UK 7" single on Waterfront Records WFS 40)

18. Driving On Your Lights (B-side of "Claggin' On", a March 1988 UK 7" single on Waterfront Records WFS 40)

19. Be Stiff (1979 6-Track UK-Only Promo-Only 12" single on Stiff Records ODD 2 - Six Stiff acts do a cover of Devo's "Be Stiff)

20. Anything You Say (1994 Swedish CD-single on Gazell Records GAZSI-100)

21. Joggin' (A-side of a May 1982 UK 7" single on A&M Records AMS 8222)

22. I Feel Like Sleeping [by LEGEND] (from their 2nd UK LP "Legend" [aka "Red Boot"] released November 1970 on Vertigo 6360 019)

23. Mother Of My Child [by LEGEND] (from their 3rd album "Moonshine", January 1972 UK LP on Vertigo 6360 036)

Tracks 1 to 8, 22 and 23 by LEGEND - All Others by MICKEY JUPP

Disc 4 DVD (24:31 minutes, Stereo PCM, Aspect Ratio 4:3, NTSC: Region Free, Exempt from Classification):

The Marquee Documentary "Long Distance Romancer" was transmitted by ITV-Anglia on 22 December 1994. Produced and Directed by Roger Deakin

The outer hard-card slipcase offers real protection to the digipak book while the 48-page attached booklet is a lovely thing to behold filled with rare picture sleeves, trade adverts, the Stiff Records Tour of 1978, photos of Legend and even a Vertigo Records Promo Page telling the world the good news. As you wade through the band and session players listed on the final credits Pages (1969 to1994) – the guest list is mighty impressive stuff - Robin Trower, Matthew Fisher, Gary Brooker and BJ Wilson of Procol Harum, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Rory Bremner and Terry Williams of Rockpile, Kevin Godley and Lol Crème of 10cc, Francis Rossi of Status Quo, Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, Tim Renwick of Quiver, Iain and Gavin Sutherland of Sutherland Brothers & Quiver, Micky Moody of Nazareth and Snafu, Jimmy Jewel of Jake & The Family Jewels, Dave Mattacks of Fairport Convention, Dave Bronze of Dr. Feelgood, Chris Spedding and Production from Mike Vernon of Blue Horizon Records (as well as Robin Trower, Tony Visconti and Francis Rossi).

JON ASTLEY of Who Reissue fame has done the wickedly punchy Remasters – each track feeling beefed up and rearing to go – and not just trebled for the sake of it. It’s a testament too to the original Producers that boogies from 1970 and 1971 can sit safely alongside 1978 and 1979 songs and not sound wildly out of place. Great work done. Let’s get to the music...

Fans will be pleased to see that 10 of the 12 tracks from his brilliant solo debut album "Juppanese" on Stiff Records are featured here (only "The Ballad Of Billy Bonney" and "Partir C’est Mourir Un Peu" are missing) as well as a tasty extra on CD2 – a Previously Unreleased Alternate of the LP’s final track "Brother Doctor, Sister Nurse". 1979’s follow-up album "Long Distance Romancer" on Chrysalis does equally as well with 8 of its 10 songs represented (only "Hard Times" and "I'm In Control" are missing). From there we get 6 of the 11 on 1980’s underrated "Oxford" LP on Germany’s Line Records – 7 out of 10 for his 1982 album "Some People Can’t Dance" (with an extra remix of "Joggin'" on CD3) and 4 of 11 from 1983’s "Shampoo Haircut And Shave" – both on A&M Records UK. And so on...

If I was to single out just one track that shows his talent with a zippy tune and funny lyrics it would be "Politics" - a Chuck Berry Rock 'n' Roll beat chugs along as he churns out "...when I've used up all my guitar licks and got my house out in the sticks - I'm gonna dabble in politics..." He always seemed to get so close but never the cigar - the fantastic Bo Diddley shimmering guitar of "Joggin'" (I called my buddy and told my mate...I'm gonna lose my baby if I don't lose weight...) was chosen as a single in 1982 and received loads of radio play around the London Marathon of that year - but it didn't translate into sales. In fact the booklet tells us that the Mike Vernon Produced "Oxford" album it came off (which he rated highly) didn't sell jack despite the quality of tunes like the radio-friendly boogie of "Taxi Driver" and the witty "Modern Music". Again and again his wit hammers you - In "Old Rock 'n' Roller" Jupp sings from bittersweet experience - "...I'll do it 'til I'm blue in the face...sing and play guitar and jump all over the place...sing some heavy lyrics and the chords to fit...trouble is I don't know when to quit..." You can 'hear' Chuck Berry jump off these songs like he's channelling the great man and his inherent fun.

He can’t give up smoking in "Virginia Weed" – becomes a nerd musician in the testing-testing one-two-three of "Oxford Dick And The Words" and he can’t take whiskey with his water and gravy on his greens but when its come to Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker – Jupp loves the "Blues On Their Own". Even when he was with Legend in 1970 singing "Hole In My Pocket" - you know he's been there, endlessly wisecracking his way through another hangover. "...You buy the drinks...I'll just sit here looking pretty..." she says in the song and you just know that this lovestruck schmuck is gonna pay all night long. In "Making Friends" he sings of weariness with a twist - "...I've had enough of love and all that stuff...don't want you to miscomprehend...just making friends baby...not looking for love..." Jerry Lee Lewis gets tapped for the piano-rolling "Monty Bronte And The Sisters" – a crazy Rock ‘n’ Roll band made up of that bookish family. It’s also impossible not to hear Jupp sing "Cross Country" and wonder did Nick Lowe half-inch his entire solo career and singing style from this man (and I mean that in a nice way). Speaking of imitation and flattery - the treated old-world guitar of "Chevrolet" with its sexy 60ts Chess Records sound haunting every shimmering nuance - could be Dave Edmunds on Swan Song Records reincarnated.

"Switchboard Susan" gets two outings – the first from 1979 on CD1 and then the Line Records remake from 1983 on CD2 (she's got Michael's extension you know). He then goes all "Monster Mash" with the Bobby Boris Pickett and The Crypt Kickers pastiche of "My Typewriter" – a machine that doesn't feel pain and only tells fretful MJ what he wants to be told. "Orlando Fla" is wickedly good Berry Rock 'n' Roll while the Feelgoods would take "Standing At The Crossroads Again" on their 1991 "Primo" album and practically make it sound like it was a Doctor tune all along (Robert Johnson and Elmore James would approve). Jupp then hits you with something like "Pilot" - a rare and shattering hurt song that drips of real loss – a sailor sunk without trace – a pilot without a plane since she walked away – last time he saw her face. Listening to the utterly brilliant slink of “Down At The Doctors” - Jupp urges his listeners to embrace the sleaze of the East Side of town and invites patrons to "...come here sunny...ain’t gonna do you no harm...I'm just gonna shoot some Rock 'n' Roll in your arm!” OK boss - if you insist...

What good advice. Take mine – invest in this peach while you can and prepare to want everything he’s ever released thereafter. I’ve got a cure...gonna fix all your ills...I’m on my bike now mate...

"Montrose" by MONTROSE [feat Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose] (October 2009 Rock Candy 'Remastered and Reloaded Collector's Edition' CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

CLASSIC ROCK & POP 1970 to 1974 - Exceptional CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Good Rockin' Tonight..."

A full-page advert in the 1 December 1973 issue of the Billboard Trade Magazine announces to the USA and an unsuspecting world that MONTROSE is a new band on Warner Brothers Records and 'you'll be hearing from them...' Well the 'new' part was right at least...

"Montrose" took over half a year to register and even when the debut album did chart Stateside – it was with a whimper rather than a scream – a reaction that belies its monster reputation for being the real beginning of American Heavy Metal. With a staggeringly naff front and back cover depicting our heroes in naked torso pose (the second album "Paper Money" later in 1974 takes first prize for possibly the worst cover ever made – the next two that followed weren't much better either) - the blistering Ted Templeman-produced Hard Rock sonic assault of the self-titled "Montrose" on Warner Brothers BS 2740 has influenced Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Motorhead and every uber-polished American Rock Band ever since – Van Halen especially.

So why did it tank initially? Talk was that not only did Warner Brothers not know what to do with Montrose or how to market them – they didn’t care because they had all the Rock Gods they needed in The Doobie Brothers and Deep Purple who were selling product in cartloads. And despite touring with huge acts like Humble Pie, The Who and Lynyrd Skynyrd where Montrose would invariably slaughter all in their path when they played (there's a centre page double-photo spread of them at the UK's Charlton Athletic Football Stadium supporting the likes of Bad Company and The Who in May 1974) – the band struggled to translate that excitement into actual record sales. The LP wouldn't arrive in the UK until March 1974 on Warner Brothers K 46276 – and despite its audiophile Production values and two singles that most other Rock Bands would chop up Granny for ("Rock The Nation" and "Bad Motor Scooter") – it didn't chart.

In hindsight the LPs initial damp-squid reaction was strange especially given that the amazing hard-hitting radio-friendly riffage of "Montrose" had arrived in a world where Led Zeppelin's "Houses Of The Holy" had gone to No. 1 and ZZ Top, Joe Walsh, Uriah Heep, Edgar Winter, The Allman Brothers Band, Spooky Tooth, The Rolling Stones and Mott The Hoople (all kick-ass Rock acts) largely dominated the album charts. It would take until the 11th of May 1974 for the album to hit the US Top 200 and then it only managed a peak of No. 133 and an overall 12-week run.

But history has proven our deaf ears wrong and Kerrang Magazine right (No. 4 in their Top 10 list of best Metal albums ever) because the record has now taken on an almost mythical air - some even suggesting that its the greatest Hard Rock album ever made (I don't know about that but it's up there). Which brings us to this 'Rock Candy' CD reissue of 2009 (the label literally taking its name from their song on Side 2) that is a first CD reissue for the UK and Europe. Here are the bad motor scooters...

UK and Europe released 19 October 2009 (re-issued July 2011) - "Montrose" by MONTROSE on Rock Candy CANDY062 (Barcode 827565000289) is a straightforward transfer of the 1973 eight-track album on a 'Remastered & Reloaded Collector's Edition' CD that plays out as follows (32:16 minutes):

1. Rock The Nation [Side 1]

2. Bad Motor Scooter

3. Space Station No. 5

4. I Don't Want It

5. Good Rockin' Tonight [Side 2]

6. Rock Candy

7. One Thing On My Mind

8. Make It Last

Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "Montrose" - released December 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2740 and March 1974 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46276. Produced by TED TEMPLEMAN and Engineered by DONN LANDEE - it peaked at No. 133 in the USA (didn't chart UK). "Rock The Nation" written by Ronnie Montrose, "Bad Motor Scooter" and "Make It Last" by Sammy Hagar, "Space Station No. 5" and "I Don't Want It" by Ronnie Montrose and Sammy Hagar, "Rock Candy" by Montrose, "One Thing On My Mind" by Hagar, Montrose and J. Sanchez and finally a cover version of the Roy Brown hit "Good Rockin' Tonight".

MONTROSE was:

SAMMY HAGAR – Lead Vocals

RONNIE MONTROSE – All Guitars

BILL 'THE ELECTRIC' CHURCH – Bass

DENNY CARMASSI – Drums

The 16-page booklet features an enthusiastic and hugely entertaining 4000-word essay on the band and the album's history by BRIAN BRINKERHOFF (Ronnie's stints with Van Morrison) that’s peppered with live photos and contributions from founder members Ronnie Montrose and Bassist Bill Church. Not surprisingly both musicians sing the praises of and hold huge affection for the dynamic audio duo of Ted Templeman and Donn Landee (Producer and Engineer) with tales of clever pre-digital multiple-microphone placing, letting the band rip live in the studio and crawling around rooms with blankets to get that 'sound' the LP is famous for.

Speaking of audio - I've had the July 2005 American-only 24-Karat Gold "Montrose" HDCD for years to have the album in its best form - a Steve Hoffman Remaster on Audio Fidelity AFZ 028 (Barcode 780014202828) and it's a belter as you can imagine. There are also tracks from the LP on a Rhino "Best Of" CD in Remastered form that sound awesome too. The latest Rock Candy version from 2009 offers a new JON ASTLEY Remaster which is described as 'sound shaped from 24-bit digital tools via POW-r technology' - whatever that means. All I can say is that it this mother 'rocks' with the lewdness and swagger of Dave Lee Roth on steroids and the visceral punch of an irate mule with daddy issues. The album was always loud - but here it has power too - and not just trebled for the sake of it either - I love it.

Warner Brothers UK took the opener "Rock The Nation" and tagged on "One Thing On My Mind" onto the B-side in July 1974 (Warner Brothers K 16428) - but like the equally ass-kicking "Bad Motor Scooter" from April 1974 on Warner Brothers K 16382 (with the same flipside) - both 45s tanked.  Maybe they were just too much at the time - but re-listening to them now followed by that astounding power-riff in "Space Station No. 5" - it makes you wonder was it that truly cruddy artwork that put people off? Unsung album heroes come in the shape of "I Don't Want It" (just quit my job making tooth-picks out of logs) - the great fun-rock of "Good Rockin' Tonight" where Montrose take Roy Brown's 1949 "Rockin' At Midnight" and update it into a fantastic Rock raver. And while you could understand why they used the huge riff of "Rock Candy" in the movie "The Rose" as the helicopter flies over the concert crowd below - my real poison has always been the brilliant but simple Rock of "One Thing On My Mind" and the big-mickey swagger of "Make It Last".

Montrose managed three more albums on Warner Brothers (Ronnie did a solo record also in 1978) - their second platter "Paper Money" in particular having some decent tracks like "Underground" and "Connection" - but mostly the rest of their output felt like that initial album magic was gone. The debut would also lead maestro Producer Ted Templeman and genius Engineer Donn Landee to Eddie Van Halen and Dave Lee Roth and their band VAN HALEN where they collaborated to amazing effect on VH's first six albums - especially their equally explosive self-titled debut in 1978 (also on Warner Brothers). Montrose's original vocalist Sammy Hagar would of course join Van Halen's ranks in 1986 for "5150" and three other No. 1 albums after whilst Drummer Denny Carmassi would swell the pirate crews within Heart, Whitesnake and Coverdale/Page. Ronnie would helm his band Montrose for years - then join with Edgar Winter and Gamma - and in 2004 and 2005 he would bring the whole story full circle by joining the original four-piece of Montrose on stage with Sammy Hagar.

"The Pretenders", "Dire Straits", "The Clash", "The Cars", "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" - just some of the debut albums that took us all by storm. 

Well, 1973's "Montrose" is up there with the best of them and this Rock Candy CD reissue of it has done their huge and influential legacy proud...

CD Remasters of MONTROSE on Rock Candy Records

1. Montrose (December 1973 Debut LP) – 2009 CD on Rock Candy CANDY062 (Barcode 827565000289)

2. Paper Money (November 1974 2nd LP) – 2015 CD on Rock Candy CANDY278 (Barcode 5055300387462)

3. Warner Bros. Presents Montrose! (October 1975 3rd LP) – 2015 CD on Rock Candy CANDY279 (Barcode 5055300387479)
4. Jump On It (September 1976 4th LP) - 2015 CD on Rock Candy CANDY280 (Barcode 5055300387486)