"Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround Part : 50th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" by THE KINKS – November 1970 UK Album on Pye Records in Stereo (Reprise Records in the USA) featuring Ray and Dave Davies (December 2020 UK BMG/ABKCO Records "50th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" Featuring 3 x CDs, 2 x Repro Euro 45s, 60-Page Book and 4 x Glossy Photos of The Band All Housed in a 10" x 10" Drawer-Shaped Hard Card Box Set. Tracks feature New Alternate Versions, New Medleys and Mixes, Demos, Film Soundtrack Material, Previously Unreleased, New Interviews with Ray Davies and New 2020 Dan Hersch CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Got To Be Free...Got To Be Free Now..."

 

*** "50^th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" from December 2020 ***

 

Lyrics: "...I see that Union Man walking down the street...

He's the man who decides if I live or I die...if I starve or I eat..."

 

For a band so intrinsically linked with the Sixties, as ever, Ray Davies refused to be pigeonholed by its sentiment and started the new Seventies decade with a musical hand-grenade, something of a kick in the nadge for the souring hippy dream. Yet despite being a bit of a caustic brute (especially lyrically) – November 1970's album "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part 1" also contained huge popular hits like "Lola" and "Apeman" – provocatively charged sexpot songs that felt all grown up and mature and even gender-bender risky.

 

The third album in a row on Pye Records that did not chart for them in the UK The Kinks' 1970 outing "Lola Versus Powerman..." has been receiving legacy reappraisal for decades in myriad amounts of reissues (2014 was the last as a 2CD Deluxe Edition). Well here in December 2020 - it gets Big Daddy treatment on a "50^th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" – a very sexy 10" x 10" presentation with VINYL Singles, Hardback Book...so we can finally put aside all those previous efforts (well almost). Lots to Cherry Cola...to the details...

 

UK released 11 December 2020 - "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround & Percy: 5oth Anniversary Deluxe Box Set" by THE KINKS on BMG/ABKCO Records BMG CAT 434 BOX (Barcode 4050538600193) features 3 x CDs, 2 x Repro Euro 45s, a 60-Page Book and 4 x Glossy Photos in a 10" x 10" Drawer-Shaped Hard Card Box Set with Alternate Versions, New Medleys and Mixes, Demos, Film Soundtracks, Previously Unreleased Material, New Interviews with Ray Davies and New 2020 Dan Hersch CD Remasters that play out as follows:

 

CD1 Original Album (Stereo) 2020 Remaster + Alternate Versions (60:58 minutes):

1. The Contenders [Side 1]

2. Strangers

3. Denmark Street

4. Get Back In Line

5. Lola

6. Top Of The Pops

7. The Moneygoround

8. This Time Tomorrow [Side 2]

9. A Long Way From Home

10. Rats

11. Apeman

12. Powerman

13. Got To Be Free

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One" – their eight album released 27 November 1970 in the UK on Pye Records NSPL 18359 and 2 December 1970 in the USA on Reprise RS 6423, both in Stereo only. It peaked at No. 35 on the US LP charts, no chart in the UK.

 

BONUS TRACKS – ALTERNATE VERSIONS:

14. Lola (Mono Single Mix) - 12 June 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 17961 - 12 June 1970 US 7" single on Reprise 0930 with "cherry cola" lyric

 

15. Apeman (UK Mono Single Mix) - 20 Nov 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 45016, A-side

 

16. Rats (Mono Single Mix)  - 20 Nov 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 45016, B-side of "Apeman" - 16 Dec 1970 US 7" single on Reprise 0979

 

17. Powerman (Mono) – Recorded 4 May 1970, first released 23 May 1998 in the UK on the CD reissue of "Lola Versus Powerman..." on Essential ESM CD 509

 

18. Apeman (Alternate Version, Stereo) - originally appeared on the April 1971 Japanese LP of "Lola Versus Powerman..." on Reprise YS-2456-Y

 

19. The Moneygoround (Alternate Version, Mono) - first issued 13 August 2012 in the UK on the 5CD/1DVD Box Set "The Kinks At The BBC" on Sanctuary/UMC 279 721-8 as part of the DVD, Audio for the first time

 

NOTES CD1: Tracks 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 first appeared on the 26 August 2014 UK Sony/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition Reissue on Sony/Legacy 88843089592 – all then as Previously Unreleased: Track 17 first appeared 23 May 1998 in the UK on the "Lola Versus Powerman..." CD reissue, Essential ESM CD 509

 

CD2 Alternate Versions/New Medleys & Mixes/Demos/Film Soundtrack (57:15 minutes):

1. This Time Tomorrow (Alternate Take, 2020 Mix) – Incorporates This Time Tomorrow (Instrumental Version) first issued on the August 2014 Sony/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Lola Versus Powerman..." – this is a Previously Unreleased New Mix

 

2. Top Of The Pops (2020 Mix) – Previously Unreleased New Mix

 

3. Lola/Radio Spot, Edit (Ray's Kitchen Sink) – Previously Unreleased with New Edits, Medley, New Spoken Word by Ray and Davies and excerpts from original master tapes (text is reproduced on the credits page at the back of the book)

 

4. Got To Be Free (Ray's Kitchen Sink) – same set up as Track 3

 

5. The Contenders (Ray's Kitchen Sink) – same set up as Track 3

 

6. The Good Life (2020 Mix) – Previously Unreleased New Mix, original version, first issued on the August 2014 Sony/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Lola Versus Powerman..." – this is an A Previously Unreleased New Mix

 

7. Apeman (Unplugged Live Version) – First released 3 October 1994 on The Kinks album "To The Bone" on Konk/The Grapevine Label KNKLP 1

 

8. Get Back In Line (Live Version) – December 1977 Christmas Concert, first issued 13 August 2012 in the UK on the 5CD/1DVD Box Set "The Kinks At The BBC" on Sanctuary/UMC 279 721-8 – Remastered 2020

 

9. Marathon (Edit, from The Long Distance Piano Player)

10. Got To Be Free (Edit, from The Long Distance Piano Player)

Both 9 and 10 Previously Unreleased, from BBC Play For Today drama starring Ray Davies – first broadcast on BBC1, 15 October 1970 – Remastered 2020

 

11. Lola (Ray Davies & Band with The Danish National Chamber Orchestra & The Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Stereo) – Previously Unreleased Version recorded 21 August 2010 at Castle Park, Ledrebord, Denmark – Remastered 2020

 

12. The Good Life (2012 Alternate Mix) – Recorded September 1970, first appeared on the 26 August 2014 UK Sony/Legacy 2CD ‘Deluxe Edition’ Reissue on Sony/Legacy 88843089592

 

13. Apeman (US Mono Single Mix) – 16 December 1970 US 45-single on Reprise 0979, A-side – 2020 Remaster

 

14. Moments (2020 Mix) – Previously Unreleased New Mix – originally on The Kinks UK soundtrack LP for the Movie "Percy" on Pye NSPL 18365 in Stereo

 

15. This Time Tomorrow & Cassette Demos Medley (Ray‘s Kitchen Sink) – Features Previously Unreleased Versions/New Edits/New Medley Plus Vocal and Instrumental Excerpts, Out-Takes and Studio Chat from various original studio demo tapes and cassettes.

 

CD3 Alternate Versions/New Medleys & Mixes/Demos/Live (50:41 minutes):

1. Get Back In Line (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

2. Rats (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

3. Rats (2020 Mix)

4. Powerman (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

5. Powerman (2020 Mix)

6. The Contenders (Instrumental Demo)

7. Anytime

8. A Long Way From Home (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

9. A Long Way From Home (Live, Austin City Limits, 2006)

10. Strangers (Ray's Kitchen Sink)

11. Strangers (2020 Stereo Mix)

12. The Way Love Used To Be (2020 Monitor Mix)

13. Apeman Morgan Studios Run-Through)

14. Radio Spot/Live, Queens College, Flushing, NY, 1971

15. The Follower – Any Time 2020 (featuring Anytime by The Kinks)

 

THE KINKS were:

RAY DAVIES – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica

DAVE DAVIES – Guitar and Vocals

JOHN GOSLING – Keyboards, Percussion

JOHN DALTON – Bass

MICK AVORY – Drums and Percussion

 

Its predecessor, the August 2014 2CD Deluxe Edition had a 24-page booklet with analysis by Peter Doggett – here we get a 60-page Hardback 10" x 10" Sized Book with a dual set of liner notes and historical extravaganza from ANDY NEILL with major inclusions from Principal Songwriter RAY DAVIES. The first opened pages offer wallets with CD1 and CD2 on the left (the album front sleeve artwork is used on both, but in a different colours) with a gorgeous repro 45-Vinyl Single in Mono for "Lola" in a pouch on the right (June 1970 Italian issue originally on Pye P67023 – the Non-LP "Berkeley Mews" on the B-side). The rear flaps has "Apeman" as the VINYL 45-Single in Mono (November 1970 Portuguese Issue on Pye PATS 7010) with CD3 (again a colour-variant of the LP sleeve) and a pouch for four pictures cards of the five–piece band – two in colour, two in black and white.

 

The first pages of the Hardback Book offer an equally fab-looking two-page collage of Picture Sleeve releases for "Lola" and "Apeman" ("Rats" was its flipside) 45-singles from around the world – serious rarities like Japan and other foreign language titles. The text begins with The Kinks like so many other huge bands of the Sixties, bogged down in legal quagmires – loaded contracts signed and witnessed back in 1964 by the Mum and Dad because they were still under-21. Neill sets the scene and Ray Davies replies and explains in highlighted bold text. 

 

In-between all these dark ruminations are page after page of period memorabilia, the black and white trade paper clippings, The Kinks on tour in the USA where much of the album was conceived, a Diary of Activities for 1970, repro of the British Pye LP labels for Side 1 and 2 (no US Reprise though strangely enough), concert flyers, full-page shots of the prettier single sleeves, outtake black and photos of them giving it some American Live at The Depot in Minneapolis on 22 May 1970 and so on (there are even shots from an August 1970 Davies family holiday at Gunwalloe Beach in Cornwall in August 1970). The last set of pages give credits – song by song breakdowns – especially on the extras – almost all of which have been released across the years on other CD reissues.

 

This reissue doesn't take the lazy reissue route and simply rehash 2014 versions - all are Newly 2020 Remastered by long-standing Rhino Records Audio Engineer DAN HERSCH from original tapes with the Analogue Transfers handled by another name synonymous with quality transfers – KEVIN GRAY. These are clean – but not clean-clean – they are clear and feel new - and even with his vocals back in the mix for effect on some tracks (those do sound a tad dated) – the album sounds so good. The moment you hear the 40-second Acoustic into to "The Contenders" or the sheer punch to the riffage of "Powerman" or the 'Yes It's No. 1!' "Top Of The Pops" and you can feel the punch. Great stuff. But the big thing for fans on this box set is the input of RAY DAVIES who has compiled his Ray's Kitchen Sink go at the extras where dialogue, snippets of demos, and new mixes are spliced into an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink variant. Works to because the Ray's Kitchen Sink tracks take the listen to extraordinary places for weary fans that have forked out for this material just one too many times before. Very tasty...let's get to the details...

 

All tracks on CD1 appeared on the 2014 Sony/Legacy 2CD DE issue, so if you already own that, nothing new here technically except that all are 2020 remasters. To the album - "...On the verge of a nervous breakdown...I went to see a solicitor..." Ray sings bitterly on "The Moneygoround" as he (like so many musicians of the day) wonder - there's all this fame so why is there so little cash to go with it? No one at the record label is answering the phone. That kind of probing angst imbibes songs like "This Time Tomorrow" and the 'where are you going' cries in "Strangers" - each tune filled with cool music unpinned by a weary pathos. The audio on the Stereo "Lola" and "Apeman" makes them huge - those brilliant and fun lyrics still raising a smile after 46 years. I'd forgotten just how New York Dolls the "Rats" track is (B-side to the "Apeman” 45 in most territories) – a hard-hitting little rocker where slick and aggressive city types are crowding our Ray's personal space. It ends on the brilliant and upbeat "Got To Be Free". The Bonus Tracks line up the Mono Single Mixes and other regional stragglers of interest like the version on the Japanese album.

 

Outtakes – New Mixes - "Anytime" - a 3:30 minute amble that feels epic – was a new find in 2014. Probably the very guitar-based feel excluded it from the LP - but there's no doubt in my mind that it's still a premium find - brilliant and exciting. The Instrumental of "The Contenders" is truly fascinating stuff - half Gary Moore's Skid Row when the guitars dominate - half Chicken Shack when the piano gets a look in. Just when you think it's going to descend into filler - "The Good Life" chugs its Havana Cigar way across your speakers - a wickedly good rocker that makes you wonder why it wasn't used as a B-side. There's Take 11 dialogue before the Alternate Take of "Lola" and a slower intro - and again - it's impressive stuff even for such a familiar song. Fans are going to eat up an instrumental of their LP fave "This Time Tomorrow" - piano and rhythm acting as a backing track as you hum along to the words in your head. The car sounds at the beginning of the Stereo "Apeman" are still intact - but after being used to the Mono Single - the 'nuclear war' instruments and lyrics feel 'massive' - an amazing listen. But the most radically different take is "Got To Be Free" where Ray sounds like he's channelling his inner Alan Price as he plinks away on a childlike piano - shame it's not better recorded and fades out too fast...

 

"This Time Tomorrow" on CD2 is ushered in with a control-booth "Rolling... " - The Alternate Mix incorporating the Instrumental Version first aired in 2014 with vocals and a Previously Unreleased New Mix. And it is a powerful wallop. So does life-is-so-easy when-your-record-is-hot "Top Of The Pops" which goes all Stooges heavy with guitar riffage and panned fay interview passages. My God doe it rock – think I might prefer it to the actual LP version (the 2020 Remix by Ray Davies and Matt Jaggar). The eavesdropping begins with the first of Ray's Kitchen Sink mash-ups where Ray and Dave Davies discuss Lola-referencing cross-dressers like Danny La Rue and Stanley Baxter – fascinating. Inbetween the talking – Davies has mixed in demos from Cassette – conversations on how Ray had to fly back to England to change the lyric from Coke Cola to Cherry Cola for the BBC who did not twig what the song was about. The National Guitar sounding not unlike a Banjo – it is fabulous stuff.

 

Suddenly the perfect Stereo of "This Time Tomorrow" comes sailing out of your speakers for Track 4 but again it morphs into chat between the Davies boys mixed in with Demo tapes – utterly brilliant. They discuss going down to Ronnie Scott's to see Tubby Hayes – then Trad Jazz bands – all of whom influenced the songs. "The Good Life" gets a Bowie/T.Rex harder Rocking versions of the key album cuts – all remixed by Ray Davies and Matt Jaggar – love it – loud and snotty as opposed to the clinical precision say of the LP cut. All of that chat and grunge is cleverly followed by a Konk Studios unplugged Acoustic/Accordian version of "Apeman" (superbly recorded April 1994) – great stuff. The Audio for the 1977 Live Version of "Get Back In Line" is really good – Ray riling against Trade Union bullshit. The first of the two from "The Long Distance Piano Player" is very rough and something you will probably skip in the future. Things improve with "Got To Be Free" – better sound and performance but still very hissy. The orchestral/band version of "Lola" is HUGE and again I might just prefer the 2020 New Mix of "Moments" more than I do the released LP version.

 

Fans will know that CD2 of the 2014 DE version offered the whole of the "Percy" soundtrack by The Kinks from March 1971 (13 songs) plus 10 Bonuses atop that. CD3 here in 2020 may have only 15-Tracks, but many are longer Ray's Kitchen Sink mash-ups and in that respect don't repeat themselves and offer fans genuinely new stuff. After three Ray's Kitchen Sink mash-ups of "Rats", "Powerman" and "Strangers" (Dave and Ray having a natter over a cup of tea intermingled with demo cuts) – you begin very quickly to see why Ray put the 2020 Mix immediately after each – they rock like a mother – very clever sequencing indeed. And on it goes...

 

"...It might even turn into a steady job..." - our Ray roared on "Top Of The Pops" - the life of a Rock Musician becoming his full time job in 1970 – tax breaks or no. It would take a signing to RCA Victor and new material before The Kinks troubled the LP charts again (at least in Blighty). But that is another 50^th Anniversary coming at ya soon.

 

I do not in truth consider "Lola Versus Powerman..." to be the supposed masterpiece many Kinks fans like to claim it is (for me it's a 4-star LP). But after many wearying decades of reissue-upon-reissue – you have to say that this 50^th Anniversary splurge from December 2020 put together by the mainman himself with sympathetic Audio Engineers - finally does that forgotten LP real justice because it is a 5-star celebration. Brilliant and then some...

"So What" by JOE WALSH (June 2015 US Audio Fidelity SACD Hybrid CD Reissue – Kevin Gray Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry and Comparison to Japanese Remasters...

This Review and 241 More Like It Can Be Found In My AMAZON e-Book 

PICK UP THE PIECES - 1974

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional 

CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45's...

All In-Depth Reviews From The Discs Themselves

Over 2,200 E-Pages

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

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"...Open My Eyes Again..."

Originally vinyl released December 1974 in the USA and January 1975 in the UK on Dunhill/ABC Records – Joe Walsh's fabulous "So What" album has had something of a colourful history on CD reissue.

I think this will probably be the fourth time I've reviewed the American guitar hero's third studio album (this issue warrants another go round). But before I get into this lovely-sounding 2015 SACD-Hybrid reissue - some history first with regard to the reissue-audio surrounding this record...

“So What” has been available on a US CD for years but the original issue is an ok-only mid-90's non-remastered bog-standard version with a crap information-less slip of an inlay. And for an audiophile's dream of an album is a huge let down.

Things changed in October 2004 when Japan re-issued "Barnstorm" (1972), "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" (1973) and "So What" (1974) on STANDARD CDs in 24-bit remastered form in full US REPRO MINI LP SLEEVES. As usual with Japanese reissues – the 5” card sleeve repro attention to detail dazzled. The “So What” issue came with its embossed outer and inner sleeves and both Smoker & Barnstorm in their hard-card gatefolds – all very tastefully done. I bought all three at the time and the sound was fabulous - especially on Smoker & So What. 24-bit remastered by HITOSHI TAKIGUCHI in Universal's Mastering Studios - not surprisingly they sold out almost immediately and across the next few years (with no equivalent domestic releases) quickly became very expensive collector's items.

22 April 2009 and all 3 of the above were reissued again in Japan - but now on the SUPER HIGH MATERIALS format (SHM-CD) - "Barnstorm" on Universal UICY-94062 (Barcode 4988005555113), "The Smoker You Get, The Player You Get." on Universal UICY-94063 (Barcode 4988005555120) and "So What" on Universal UICY-94064 (Barcode 4988005555137). There was also an additional title not in the original list - his 4th album - the 1976 live set "You Can't Always Argue With A Sick Mind" on Universal UICY-94065 (Barcode 4988005555144) – it came with 2009 Remastering and Card Outer/Inner Sleeves artwork. The repro artwork on these 2009 reissues (including lyric booklets) is exactly the same as the 2004 issues - as is the mastering - the ONLY difference is that the CD itself is a higher spec SHM-CD and each of the first three has a different catalogue number and Barcode.

3rd issue is the first 3 of the above 2009 SHM-CDs reissued on 23 February 2011. Again they’re Japan-only - same artwork - limited editions – but this time with a different catalogue number for each. "Barnstorm" is Universal UICY-75005 (Barcode 4988005644916), "The Smoker You Get, The Player You Get." is Universal UICY-75006 (Barcode 4988005644923) and "So What" is Universal UICY-75007 (Barcode 4988005644930). I’ve got a copy of that gorgeous reissue too and it was the best audio to that point (see separate review).

Which finally brings us to reissue number four - this 2015 American Audiophile version that I feel may be the best so far...

US released 29 June 2015 - "So What" by JOE WALSH on Audio Fidelity AFZ 214 (Barcode 780014221423) is an SACD HYBRICD-CD Reissue – a Limited Numbered Edition of 5000 Copies newly mastered by KEVIN GRAY at his recently-formed 'Cohearent Audio Studios' in California's San Fernando Valley (36:33 minutes total playing time).

1. Welcome To The Club [Side 1]

2. Falling Down

3. Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty

4. Time Out

5. All Night Laundromat Blues

6. Turn To Stone [Side 2]

7. Help Me Thru The Night

8. County Fair

9. Song For Emma

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 3rd solo album “So What” - released December 1974 in the USA on ABC/Dunhill Records DSD-50171 and January 1975 in the UK on ABC Records ABCL 5055. Produced by JOE WALSH and JOHN STRONACH (except "Song For Emma" by BILL SZYMCZYK) – the album peaked at No 11 in the US LP charts (didn’t chart UK). All songs by Joe Walsh except “Pavane” which is “Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant” from “The Mother Goose Suite” by Maurice RAVEL.

MUSICIANS:

JOE WALSH – Guitars, Keyboards and Lead Vocals

KENNY PASSERELLI – Bass on "Turn To Stone", "Help Me Thru The Night" and "County Fair"

JOE VITALE – Drums on "Welcome To The Club"

RON GRINEL – Drums on “Falling Down” and “Time Out”

RUSS KUNKEL – Drums on "Song For Emma"

GUILLE GARCIA – Congas on "Turn To Stone"

TOM STEPHENSON – Organ on “Welcome To The Club”, “Turn To Stone” and “County Fair”

LEONARD SOUTHWICK – Harmonica on "All Night Laundry Mat Blues"

JIMMIE HASKELL and BILL SZYMCZYK – Arrangements on "Song For Emma"

JAMES BOND – Acoustic Bass on “Song For Emma”

DON HENLEY, GLENN FREY and RANDY MEISNER of EAGLES – Backing/Harmony Vocals on "Turn To Stone" and "Help Me Thru The Night" (Don Henley also co-wrote the lyrics on "Falling Down" and sings Backing Vocals on "Time Out")

JOHN DAVID SOUTHER – Backing Vocals on "Time Out"

DAN FOGELBERG – Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals on "All Night Laundry Mat Blues"

BRYAN GAROFALO and JODY BOYER – Backing Vocals on "Falling Down"

PACKAGING:

The outer card wrap is numbered on the rear – a limited edition in gold of 5000. Beneath the die-cut card slipcase is a standard jewel case with a functional eight-page booklet that reproduces the artwork of the original LP including that lovely inner sleeve with all the musician credits. Both the Dunhill/ABC Records labels for Side 1 and 2 of the US LP fill up page 7 but disappointingly with all these AF releases – there’s no new liner notes. But the real deal here is the sound...

AUDIO:

So is 2015's AF release worth the spondulicks – yes it is. Kevin Gray's reputation as an Audio Engineer of real class is pretty formidable – 38 years of tape transfer experience with musical giants like Universal and Sony. I've reviewed and sung the praises of CDs sprinkled with his magic touch - “Second Helping” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “12 Songs” by Randy Newman and Walsh's own “The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get”. He's done another fabulous job here and I notice the CD playing time is 10-seconds longer than my 2009 Japanese Remaster (quids in eh!).

To the music... Predating Joe Walsh joining the Eagles band in 1976 for their iconic “Hotel California” album – “So What” famously featured three members of the US Country Rock Vocal Supergroup – Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner. All three sing backing harmonies on Side 2's "Turn To Stone" and "Help Me Thru The Night" - while Don Henley not only sings on Side 1's "Falling Down" – he co-wrote the lyrics. Other notables are Tom Stephenson's Organ sound that adds so much to “Turn To Stone” and Henley and John David Souther's subtle oohing backing vocals to the wicked guitar groove of “Time Out” (Souther is practically an honorary Eagle too).

That slight hiss to the opener “Welcome To The Club” is still there - but the Vitale drum whacks and Passarelli Bass lines are much more evident too. The very audiophile Acoustic Rock of “Falling Down” is just stunning – chewing up my B&W speakers as that gorgeous melodic sound he gets swirls around your listening room like a ballerina enjoying herself. He plays everything on the classical interlude - the huge synths on the Maurice Ravel excerpt "Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty" razor-sharp and full of emotional power. There won’t be many fans that won’t greedily flick to the punch of "Time Out" – only this time they’ll be treated to real muscle. What a thrill to hear this superb little Walsh melodic Rock tune get the balls it’s always deserved. The witty but silly Side 1 ender "All Night Laundry Mat Blues" is a short bit of fun - but beautifully produced nonetheless and it sounds awesome here.

Side 2 begins with the big one - the gorgeous "Turn To Stone". It must have been around February 1975 when I tuned into Bob Harris on the BBC Rock show "The Old Grey Whistle Test" and they ran a film of a clay Don Quixote character on a horse riding away into the animation sunset as those guitars swayed and the organ note kicked in. It was mesmerizing back then and is doubly so here – real punch and clarity to the transfer. "Help Me Thru The Night" was always an audiophile ballad – gorgeous guitar playing on both acoustic and lead electric – those swaying harmony vocals – it’s all so much better now. And "County Fair" surely has his best zippy licks and guitar work ever – that staggering end portion where the drums finally lift off and the guitars leap and moan in slide heaven.

In 1973 his 3-year old daughter Emma was tragically killed in a car accident (hit by a drunk-driver) and the resultant "Song For Emma" literally aches with that unimaginable pain. I’ve always found it difficult to listen to - but "Song For Emma" is incredibly mature songwriting - the strings sweeping up and down - a truly beautiful tribute and a crushing moment on an album that had mostly been fun prior. The Remaster here only adds to that dynamic – potent stuff indeed.

Should you opt for the 2009 Japanese SHM-CD with its great sound and beautiful repro artwork – or go for the more accessible 2015 Audio Fidelity issue with equally cool audio? It’s much of a muchness to some I know – but as a lifetime fan of the "So What" album - I find I’m playing the AF version almost exclusively. Open my eyes again indeed...

"Second Helping" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD (2009 US Audio Fidelity 24KT Gold Audiophile HDCD - Kevin Gray Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 241 More Like It Can Be Found In My AMAZON e-Book 

PICK UP THE PIECES - 1974

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional 

CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45's...

All In-Depth Reviews From The Discs Themselves

Over 2,200 E-Pages

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

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"...Dig You Georgia Peaches..."

Containing the epoch-making 9-minute "Freebird" - it's hardly surprising that Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1973 debut album "Pronounced..." usually gets all the plaudits when it comes to appraising their Seventies catalogue. But for me their next platter "Second Helping" has always been their Southern Rock masterpiece and a far better album overall. If anything the years have been more than kind to those 'Sounds Of The South' - up to a point where the album's legend continues to grow and regularly gets rediscovered as people dig out Classic 1970s Rock albums. I bought "Second Helping" in 1974 along with Joe Walsh's "So What" and Todd Rundgren's "Utopia" and all have been firmly wedged in my soft machine ever since.

There are three versions of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Second Helping" on CD of note – one cheap and the other two pricey (but worth it).

The star in a reasonably priced car is the American 'Expanded' CD Remaster on MCA Records B001171902 (Barcode 602517805125) issued in November 1997 (sells for as little as four quid at times - us the Barcode to get that issue). It was remastered by DOUG SCHWARTZ from the original two-track master tapes, features a nicely featured 16-page booklet and three bonus tracks worth having (53:55 minutes). I own this version and the Remaster is ballsy if not a little overly loud. The three bonus cuts however are a real treat for Skynyrd fans – "Don't Ask Me No Questions (Single Version)", "Was I Right Or Wrong (Sounds Of The South Demo)" (5:33 minutes) and "Take Your Time (Sounds Of The South Demo)" (7:29 minutes). The last two are barroom boogie outtakes and feature some tremendous slide and piano bolstered up here with fabulous audio ("...take my time and love 'em slow...") Ronnie assures the ladies. "Take Your Time" was also a non-album B-side in the USA to the 45 of "Don't Ask Me No Questions".

There's a 2014 Hybrid SACD reissue by the American company Analogue Productions on CAPP 413 SA (Barcode 753088041365) remastered by a Sound Engineer of real repute - KEVIN GRAY (see Joe Walsh's "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" and Randy Newman's "12 Songs" both on Audio Fidelity). The Analogue Productions issue features the straightforward 8-track LP in one of those round-corner jewel cases, restored artwork, wonderfully clear sound quality and doesn't require SACD playback to get the CD Remaster. However it regularly clocks in at thirty quid or more.

But my personal poison is the 2009 HDCD Audiophile straightforward transfer of the eight track album on Audio Fidelity AFZ 054 (Barcode 780014205423) – a limited Numbered Edition of 3000 (No'd on the rear) which is again a KEVIN GRAY remaster (37:16 minutes). Initial pressings of the HDCD had a glitch just ahead of the "Call Me The Breeze" track where it was mastered with a false start. Mistakes were quickly admitted – it was withdrawn and replaced with the AFZ 054 X suffix (same Barcode) and all was well. The die-cut black and gold card slipcase and the foldout inlay (reproduced artwork, Sounds Of The South logo etc) are both very pretty and the 24KT Gold CD itself looks and feels impressive.

1. Sweet Home Alabama

2. I Need You

3. Don't Ask Me No Questions

4. Workin' For MCA

5. The Ballad Of Curtis Loew [Side 2]

6. Swamp Music

7. The Needle And The Spoon

8. Call Me The Breeze

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 2nd studio album "Second Helping" – released 15 April 1974 in the USA on MCA/Sounds Of The South MCA-413 and June 1974 in the UK on MCA Records MCF 2547. It peaked at No. 12 on the US Album charts.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD were:

RONNIE VAN ZANT – Lead Vocals

GARY ROSSINGTON – Lead Guitar (Gibson Les Paul) and Acoustic Guitar

ALLEN COLLINS – Lead Guitar (Gibson Firebird)

ED KING – Guitars (Bass on "I Need You" and "Don't Ask Me No Questions")

BILLY POWELL – Keyboards

LEON WILKINSON – Bass

BOB BURNS – Drums

CLYDIE KING, SHIRLEY MATTHEWS and MERRY CLAYTON – Backing Vocals on "Sweet Home Alabama"

BOBBY KEYS, TREVOR LAWRENCE and STEVE MADIAO – Horns on "Don't Ask Me No Questions" and "Call Me The Breeze"

AL KOOPER – Producer - also Backing Vocals and Piano on "Don't Ask Me No Questions" and "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew"

But what gets you about this remaster is the clarity on all the instruments. You may have to give "Sweet Home Alabama" a bit of welly on your amp for sure – but when you do - the results are thrilling. This simple, funky and cool tune leaps out of the speakers at you rocking and ready to kick your teeth in (even old Neil would be proud of this). Listen close enough too and you’ll hear the dulcet tones of Merry Clayton who did that duet vocal with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter" back in 1969. Their very best Blues song ever "I Need You" follows. I suspect many die-hard fans see "I Need You" as their penultimate track in truth – a gritty slow burning guitar Blues that captures their truly unique sound - Gary Rossington and Allen Collins battling it out on their Gibson Les Paul and Firebird. It's also a tune fans have had not heard in the live environment for over 45 years - check out the YouTube footage of the new band with Johnny Van Zant on Lead Vocals doing the song in Calgary in March of 2015 for the first time. 

The take-no-prisoners lyrics and boogie of "Don't Ask Me No Questions" still sounds so spiky – "...I don't ask you about your business...don't ask me about mine..." as those huge brass punches from Bobby Keys, Trevor Lawrence and Steve Madiao add real power. They issued a 7" 'Single Version' of "Don't Ask Me No Questions" April 1974 in the USA on MCA 40231 with the seven-minute non-album "Take Your Time" on the B-side. Ronnie warns of dodgy contracts and fast bucks "...Along comes some city slicker sayin'...you what I want!" on the staggeringly hard-hitting "Workin' For MCA". I remember thinking - kudos to the label for letting the band vent like that...

Side 2 opens with the life affirming and touching "Ballad Of Curtis Loew" – a young Ronnie enamoured with a black man who'd "...tune up his Dobro..." and play the Blues for a fistful of wine. His mama would whoop him –but Ronnie would go see him again – stunning stuff - and it still gets to me. "Swamp Music" is a down-home 'hound dog' rocker featuring zippy guitar pings and 'fills' from Ed King that will have you doing your best air guitar. The druggy cautionary tale of "The Needle And The Spoon" sounds so close to real life as to be frightening – a band fuelled by Bourbon and other upbeat substances. It ends on their truly fantastic cover version of J. J. Cale's "Call Me The Breeze" (originally on his 1972 Shelter Records debut album "Naturally") – a rollicking barnstormer that sees the trio of brass players come in half way through like a cool breeze. It romps this great Rock LP home in proper gobsmacking style (lyrics from it title this review).

The AF release has been deleted years now and acquired something of a price tag accordingly (as does much of the Audio Fidelity catalogue) – but if you can go the few extra quid – this is one 70ts Classic Rock LP that’s worth the few extra doubloons me hearties...