MICHAEL CHAPMAN - "The Decca Years 1974 To 1977" – Featuring Three Albums on Decca/Deram/Gama Records -"Deal Gone Down" (June 1974), "Savage Amusement" (June 1976), "The Man Who Hated Mornings" (November 1977) PLUS 21 Bonus Tracks, 10 of Which Are Previously Unissued. Guests include Bridget St. John, Andy Latimer of Camel, Keef Hartley of Dog Soldier and The Keef Hartley Band, B.J. Cole of Cochise, Maddy Prior, Rick Kemp and Nigel Pegrum of Steeleye Span, Mick Ronson of Spiders From Mars and David Bowie’s Band, Rod Clements of Lindisfarne, Pete Wingfield of Jellybread, Prelude, Tim Renwick and Peter Wood of Quiver with Leo Le Blanc of The California Poppy Pickers (January 2021 UK Mooncrest/Secret Records 3CD Compilation of Remasters In A Gatefold Card Sleeve) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Journeyman..."

Fans of Folk-Rocker Michael Chapman have been here before. 

In June 2004, the 3-Disc Clamshell Box Set "Dogs Got More Sense: The Decca Years 1974-1977" on Shakedown/Secret Records SHAKEBX124Z (Barcode 828291312431) issued the three albums featured on this January 2021 compilation along with 11 Outtakes and Demos and a 55-minute Interview DVD. 2021's "The Decca Years 1974 To 1977" retains all three of those albums in their entirety and the 11 outtakes/demos - only this time adds on a further 10 Previously Unreleased Bonus Audio Tracks but loses the visual DVD. 

Housed in a very tasty three-way foldout card sleeve pack, it has album picture sleeve die-cut holding pouches for each CD n the inside (see photos) but more importantly it boasts a substantially increased 28-page booklet when the previous box had maybe 5 or 6 skimpy pages as I remember. 

Audio-wise - although it doesn't say anywhere who has mastered what and from what - this Mooncrest Reissue credits 'Secret Records' in its title, so it can be safely presumed that those 2004 Remasters are being re-used here. It sounds spiffing – full and lovely and all those Acoustic-Rock moments shining. Also, as I'm sure both fans and the Folk-Rock curious will have noticed, this 3CD 50-Track bundle is presently less than eleven quid on most websites 'brand new'. 

The guest list across the three LPs is mightily impressive too - Dandelion Records Folk singer Bridget St. John, Guitarist and main-man for Camel, Andy Latimer, Drummer Keef Hartley of Dog Soldier and The Keef Hartley Band, Singer Maddy Prior, Bassist Rick Kemp and Drummer Nigel Pegrum of Steeleye Span, backing vocals from "After The Gold Rush" Prelude, ace axeman Mick Ronson of The Spiders From Mars and David Bowie's Band, folky Rod Clements of Lindisfarne, John McBurnie of Jackson Heights, Guitarist and Keyboardist Tim Renwick and Peter Wood of Quiver with Pedal Steel players B.J. Cole of Cochise and Leo Le Blanc of The California Poppy Pickers. They even have Pete Wingfield of Jellybread and "Eighteen With A Bullet" fame on Keyboards for the 1977 outing "The Man Who Hated Mornings" – an LP that boasted Mick Ronson, Andy Latimer and Michael Chapman all swinging electric guitars while BJ Cole pedalled his steel and Keef Hartley bashed his kit. That's an awful lot on offer for a small price. But what's it like? To the down deal details...

UK released 29 January 2021 - "The Decca Years 1974 To 1977" by MICHAEL CHAPMAN on Mooncrest/Secret Records CRESTBX109 (Barcode 5036436126224) offers 3 Albums Remastered across 3CDs (50-tracks in total) and plays out as follows:

CD1 "Deal Gone Down" (61:25 minutes):

1. The Rock 'n' Roll Jigley [Side 1]

2. Party Pieces 

3. Another Season Song 

4. Stranger Passing By 

5. Used To Be 

6. Deal Gone Down [Side 2]

7. The Banjo Song 

8. Theme From The Movie Of The Same Name 

9. Goodbye Sunny Sky 

10. Journeyman 

Tracks 1 to 10 are his sixth studio album "Deal Gone Down" – released June 1974 in the UK on Deram/Gama SML 1114 – Produced by MICHAEL CHAPMAN  – didn’t chart. Guests include Maddy Prior (Backing Vocals), Rick Kemp (on Bass) and Nigel Pegrum (on Drums) of Steeleye Span with Bridget St. John and Prelude also on Backing Vocals

CD1 BONUS TRACKS:

11. Dumplings (Instrumental from the "Deal Gone Down" sessions, B-side to the "The Banjo Song" Single)

12. Stranger Passing By (Demo) 

13. Theme From The Movie Of The Same Name (Demo)

14. Goodbye Sunny Sky (Demo)

15. Untitled Rag (Demo)

16. Journeyman (Demo)

17. Another Session Song (Demo, Previously Unissued)

18. Deal Gone Down (Demo, Previously Unissued)

19. Party Pieces (Demo, Previously Unissued)

20. Used To Be (Demo, Previously Unissued)

CD2: "Savage Amusement" (60:05 minutes):

1. Shuffleboat River Farewell [Side 1]

2. Secret Of The Locks 

3. Crocky Hill Disaster 

4. Lovin' Dove 

5. Hobo's Lament 

6. Stranger [Side 2]

7. How Can A Poor Man 

8. It Didn't Work Out 

9. Devastation Hotel

Tracks 1 to 9 are his seventh studio album (eight overall) "Savage Amusement" – released June 1976 in the UK on Decca/Gama SKL-R 5242 – Produced by DON NIX – it didn’t chart. Andy Latimer and Ray Fenwick guest on Guitars, Peter Wood on Keyboards, Leo Le Blanc on Pedal Steel Guitar with Rick Kemp on Bass and Keef Hartley on Drums

CD2 BONUS TRACKS:

10. Lovin' Dove (Demo)

11. Just To Keep You (Demo)

12. Devastation Hotel & Crocky Hill Disaster Idea (Demo)

13. Waiting For A Train (All Around The Water Tank) (Demo)

14. Devastation Hotel (Demo, Previously Unissued)

15. Hobo's Lament (Demo, Previously Unissued)

16. Lost Ragtime Piece (Demo, Previously Unissued)

17. Lovin' Dove (Demo, Previously Unissued) 

CD3: "The Man Who Hated Mornings" (49:36 minutes):

1. Northern Lights [Side 1]

2. I'm Sober Now 

3. The Man Who Hated Mornings 

4. Ballad In Plain D

5. Steel Bonnets 

6. Dogs Got More Sense [Side 2]

7. Falling Apart 

8. While Dancing The Pride Of Erin 

9. Dreams Are Dangerous Things 

10. Why Do You Bob Your Hair Girls?

Tracks 1 to 10 are his eight studio-album (ninth overall) "The Man Who Hated Mornings" – released November 1977 in the UK on Decca/Gama SKL-R 5290 – Produced by MAX HOLE and MICHAEL CHAPMAN – it didn't chart. Guests include Rod Clements of Lindisfarne on Bass with Keef Hartley on Drums. 

CD3 BONUS TRACKS:

11. Dogs Got More Sense (Bonus Track, Early Version Recorded For Proposed Single)

12. Expressway In The Rain (Demo, Previously Unissued – from the Millstone Grit Sessions)

13. Steel Bonnets (Instrumental)

The 28-page booklet features new liner notes from MARC HIGGINS with further recollections of making "The Man Who Hated Mornings" by ANDRU CHAPMAN (both October 2020) with all the albums credits following. I picked up my copy of this 3CD set for a ten spot and you have to say that even though "The Decca Years..." isn't all classic - I've seen reissues with a quarter of the care taken here being charged at four times the price. To the tunes...

Highlights on "Deal Gone Down" include the near five minutes of "Party Pieces" - Acoustic Folk Rock where our Mike a little too drunk for wear. His lady is far away in "Another Season Song" - a very pretty Bryn Haworth type ballad with lovely Production values. Acoustic simplicity fills "Stranger Passing By" - a gorgeous tune aching with pathos. But the short instrumentals "The Rock 'n' Roll Jigley" and "Theme From The Movie..." alongside the fay jubilance of "Used To Be" let the side down badly, reducing "Deal... " to an ok LP overall and not a lot else. 

Album number two features the excellent Richard Thompson lilt of "Secret Of The Locks" – a vehicle for some tasty electric guitar. Things continue to improve with "Crocky Hill Disaster" but the Pedal Steel and mock vocals of "Hobo's Lament" give the Jimmie Rogers cover a cheesy feel rather than being a homage. One of the album's great moments is seven and half minutes of "Stranger" - the Keyboard passages of Peter Wood giving the song an epic Roy Harper Prog Folk feel. Last time most folks heard the Blind Alfred Read money-lament "How Can A Poor Man" it was on Ry Cooder's debut LP way back in 1970 – unfortunately Chapman does it no favours. Things chug-Rock ala Clapton with "It Didn't Work Out" even if the heavy on the backing vocals almost drowns any chance of a tune you could actually like. The LP ends well on "Devastation Hotel" – all hope abandoned on this 5:12 minute finisher. 

Album number three is for me the best of the bunch – opening so strongly with 7:23 minutes of "Northern Lights" – his great backing band providing real substance. Chapman goes at the first of two covers – the Danny O'Keefe boozer lament "I'm Sober Now" and Bob Dylan's "Ballad In Plain D" – both expertly produced and full in your speakers. The man who hated mornings faces the nighttime with a smile, Chapman sings on the title track. But I actually prefer the stunning doubled-up guitars of "Steel Bonnets" – a really cool instrumental that ends Side 1. He bops with "Dogs Have More Sense" – illusions weighing him down – then goes EC "Slowhand" commercial with the jaunty Acoustic Rock of "Falling Apart". Have to say that the last three may have felt good in 1977, but in 2021 have a dreadfully dated and even hammy feel. 

Of the outtakes and demos, there is a more rocking version of "Dogs Got More Sense” that almost apes Bowie having a riffage day - while the exact opposite is true of "Stranger Passing By" with just a lonesome Vocal and Guitar – a stripped-back almost Nick Drake moment. The Acoustic Folk-Blues of "Waiting For A Train" is nice too but the recording feels very demo and I'm afraid I felt the same of much of the rest – interesting but never rising much above that. 

There is a lot to like here, but I also felt that the splurge of ordinary demos while appearing to be generous actually bring down the steady quality of the LPs. Still, with the decent audio, huge amount of rare material and superb annotation – "The Decca Years..." is still a great buy and a way to explore Chapman's world-weary whine without breaking the bank...

"Transformer" by LOU REED - November 1972 US and UK LP on RCA Victor Records - Re-Promoted and Charted UK in 1973 when 'Transformer' Producer David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane" Album went to No.1 (October 2002 UK BMG/RCA Expanded 'Original Masters' CD Reissue with Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Plucked Her Eyebrows Along The Way..." 

With both David Bowie and Lou Reed having passed so recently - re-listening to 1972's utterly brilliant "Transformer" is a bittersweet experience. But more than the pain of their loss - you're also struck by just how 'fully-formed' the record is, how lyrically kick-ass it was (and still is) and that it's not just some dismissible showy glam rock period piece either. This sucker has more attitude (and mascara) than the angst-ridden gay spawn of Mary Whitehouse and Eddie Izzard. If anything "Transformer" seems shockingly rad in 2016 - contemporary and emotionally brave (a bit like its creator really). 

Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson (Ronson on Guitars, Bowie on Backing Vocals also) - the whole of Lou Reed's "Transformer" works - and Vic Anesini's wonderful 2002 CD remaster brings the album to life like never before – each track clean yet muscular without ever being over trebled for the sake of it. The audio of the monster smash "Walk On The Wild Side" alone is enough to make the hairs on the back on neck stand up (that Bass line, the Baritone Sax solo). Here are the plucked eyebrows...and shaved legs...

USA released 22 October 2002 (28 October 2002 in the UK) – "Transformer" by LOU REED on BMG/RCA 07863 65132 2 (Barcode 078636513225) is an expanded 'Original Masters' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (45:23 minutes):

1. Vicious [Side 1]
2. Andy's Chest 
3. Perfect Day 
4. Hangin' 'Round 
5. Walk On The Wild Side 
6. Make Up [Side 2]
7. Satellite Of Love
8. Wagon Wheel 
9. New York Telephone Conversation 
10. I'm So Free
11. Goodnight Ladies
Tracks 1 to 11 are his 2nd solo LP "Transformer" – released 8 November 1972 in the USA and UK on RCA Victor LSP-4807 (didn't chart until April 1973 in the UK). All songs by LOU REED – Produced by DAVID BOWIE and MICK RONSON – it peaked at 13 on the UK charts and 29 in the USA. Other guest Musicians included Herbie Flowers on Bass and Tuba, Klaus Voorman on Bass with Barry Desousza, Ronnie Ross on Saxophone, Thunderthighs on Backing Vocals with John Halzey and Richie Dharma on Drums

BONUS TRACKS: 
12. Hangin' 'Round (Previously Unreleased Acoustic Demo)
13. Perfect Day (Previously Unreleased Acoustic Demo)

The 16-page booklet is a pleasingly chubby and substantive affair – rare foreign picture sleeves for "Walk On The Wild Side" (most countries had "Perfect Day" as the B-side but some had "Vicious"), sheet music, RCA Master Tape Boxes, a music press advert for the album and even a picture of the 8-track cartridge on Page 3. The CD is a picture disc and there’s even a “Transformer” photo beneath the see-through tray. 

MICHAEL HILL provides the excellent and informative liner notes that go into song-by-song analysis and general ruminations on drag queens, Nelson Algren novels (where he got the title "Walk On The Wide Side") and how clueless BBC Radio 1 controllers simply didn't get the reference 'giving head' as being frightfully naughty and so played the song on English radio with gusto because it was 'one of those hit things' (much to the delight of the listening British public). But the big news is the truly superb VIC ANESINI Remaster. Anesini is a name I've raved about many times before when it comes to Audio Engineers - a man who seem to lift proceedings without drowning them out. He's worked on the prestigious Elvis Presley catalogue, Simon and Garfunkel. Carole King, Santana, The Jayhawks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Byrds, Nilsson, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Denis Wilson (of The Beach Boys), Hall & Oates, Cab Calloway, Big Maybelle...to name but a few (see reviews for all). His work here is typically on the ball – the album is muscular without being showy and those formerly too-distant bottom-end rhythm pieces now full of subtle punch. A top job done...

The words alone on this record should elicit classrooms full of study – witty, street savvy, butch and snarling – characters are looking for Soul food and a place to eat. Holly from Miami FLA has shaved his/her legs and we’re all taking a walk on the wide side (baby). Any album that opens with a song that counter-culture's with "...You hit me with a flower...oh baby you're so vicious..." is probably not going to be a demo for the Euro Vision Song Contest. Even the soundscape of "Vicious” with that manic treated guitar in the background and the rhythm amplified into the right speaker like some voodoo man tapping out a New York mantra on an empty tin of beans – it has such a 'Lou Reed sound' (helped of course by David Bowie and Mick Ronson understanding what Reed wants). "Andy's Chest" talks of "venom snipers" and "hairy-minded pink bare bear" and "...yesterday Daisy May and Biff were grooving on the street..." So much of the album is about clothing, make up, lipstick traces, torn tights, sex and generally coming out in New York regardless of the consequences. 

You have to say that "Andy's Chest" sounds amazing – especially those drums and backing vocals that used to kind of get lost on my vinyl issue. The beauty and ever so slightly lonely/desolate vibe that permeates the whole of "Perfect Day" was picked up by filmmakers (the druggy sequence in "Trainspotting") and even charity groups (1997 saw it reach No. 1 in the UK for three weeks after the BBC gathered together an all-star cast and used it (with permission) for their Children In Need Appeal). It was of course originally the B-side of "Walk On The Wild Side” when RCA issued that stunning song as a 45 7" single back in November 1972 in the USA (went to No. 10 in the UK in May 1973 after the "Transformer" album charted in April 1973). 

Harry becomes a priest and digs up his recently deceased father in the wicked groove of "Hangin' 'Round" as the guitar-shadow of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and the following year's Aladdin Sane anchors the acidic lyrics. Then we get 'the' tune that defines the LP and for my money easily in the top 5 greatest 45 RPMs ever released bar none – the sensational "Walk On The Wlld Side". Even now it brings a smile to me face and flips a beat in my heart. The liner notes wittily explain that the song's truly iconic and hooky bass line by Herbie Flowers was more of a fluke than a stroke of musical genius. He did it first on an upright bass then added the more subtle electric bass line to underpin it - that way he got paid for two sessions instead of one. Flowers got his £12, RCA got their hit, Reed got to be a lippy Global superstar and we got musical history that literally oozes cool and sex. RCA issued it in the USA as a 3:57 minute edit without the 'oral' reference (to you know what) and it's a shame this CD reissue didn't include that version here as a third bonus track (plenty of room boys – as Candy would say on the streets of New York). By the way it's RONNIE ROSS who plays that brilliant Baritone Saxophone as the song fades out. 

Side 2 opens with "Make Up" where Lou tells us of a 'slick little girl' and people coming out of their closets. It's followed by another gorgeous "Perfect Day" moment – the very Bowie/Mott The Hoople "Satellite Of Love". Originating from his Velvet days in 1969 – Reed updated the song for "Transformer". A simple piano refrains play as he sings of cars parked on Mars while someone on Earth has been bold with Harry, Mark and John (and that's just on Monday). "Wagon Wheel" slides in like a slick T. Rex knock off – that cleverly treated guitar sound while Lou sings of 'flirting with danger' – Anesini's remaster brings out the clarity of those quite 'heavenly father' passages. Vaudeville rhythm fills "New York Telephone Conversation" with a street gossip bitchiness and you're not really sure he means it when he sings "...I'm glad to hear from you all..." The chugging guitars and backing vocals of the utterly brilliant "I'm So Free" could easily have been another single – and the remaster here gives it incredible clarity and power (you can Bowie's voice just above those harmonies more now – and that Ronson guitar soloing as it fades out). It ends on a Tuba where Herbie Flowers puffs away as Reed gets all Leon Redbone on "Goodnight Ladies" telling us that she's sucked her lemon peel dry...nice. 

I had thought the two demos would be throwaway – but their unplugged acoustic strum (beautifully produced) allows you to focus on the words that feature verses he didn't use in the finished song. Jeannie and her mentholated cigarettes are still in there as is "...you're still hung up on things I gave up years ago..." - but then there's Raymond who had no hair on his head so he didn't use a comb. The bittersweet "Perfect Day" feels even bleaker somehow in Acoustic Demo form as he sings "...it's just a perfect day...I'm glad I spent it with you..." Both are excellent finds. 

What mercurial talents Lou Reed, David Bowie and Mick Ronson were between 1971 and 1973 – everything they touched seemed to have a kind of fairy dust magic about it. Some records grow in stature - get rediscovered and rightly so - Lou Reed's second solo LP "Transformer" is one of those albums. It's still fresh, effortlessly cool and lyrically as snotty as The Sex Pistols - and 44 years after the event – just as relevant. 

All together now – "...And the colour girls go...do...de...do...de...do...de...do..."

"Fully Qualified Survivor" by MICHAEL CHAPMAN (2011 Light In The Attic CD Reissue Of His 1970 LP on Harvest) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Like Jewels In Your Hand…"

Seventies Rock aficionados will no doubt have read gushing reviews telling them to invest their hard-earned in long lost classics - and having been burned a few times before - would view another such review with a certain amount of scepticism. But this is a Light In The Attic Records release - and after 60 peerless reissues of obscurities that truly deserve reappraisal – LITA have done it again. Beautiful presentation, extraordinary sound quality and songs that beggar the question – how the hell did this little gem get lost in the first place? 

MICHAEL CHAPMAN hails from Leeds in England and was 28 when he recorded his second LP "Fully Qualified Survivor" for EMI’s progressive label imprint Harvest. His debut album "Rainmaker" issued in July 1969 was only Harvest’s 5th LP at that time and signalled the arrival of a major Guitar Player and Rock singer-songwriter. 

1. Aviator

2. Naked Ladies And Electric Ragtime 

3. Stranger In The Room

4. Postcards Of Scarborough 

5. Fishbeard Sunset

6. Soulful Lady [Side 2]

7. Rabbit Hills

8. March Rain 

9. Kodak Ghosts 

10. Andru’s Easy Rider

11. Trinkets & Rings

"Fully Qualified Survivor" was released March 1970 on Harvest SHVL 764 in the UK and Capitol/Harvest SW-816 in the USA – and even though it actually charted in the UK at 45 - it’s a rare record on vinyl and UK originals can command upwards of £100. 

This February 2011 CD reissue on Light In The Records LITA 060 (Barcode 0826853006026) is a straightforward transfer of that 1970 album remastered from the 1st generation EMI tapes by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London (46:32 minutes). The sound quality is fabulous - clear, warm and full of presence - and fully realises the original quality production values of GUS DUDGEON (of David Bowie and Elton John fame). 

The original gatefold artwork has been retained but upgraded to a lovely silver effect on the card digipak (they’ve also issued it on a beautiful Vinyl Version using the same silver effect artwork – a future collectable). The booklet is an impressive 32-pages long with liner notes by MICK HOUGHTON that feature new interviews with Chapman in 2010. Photos and archive material provided by the artist himself feature black and white snaps of him and the other musicians in the studio, on tour, reproductions of press releases and reviews and so on.

It opens with the epic "Aviator" – a nine and half-minute long acoustic song that has touches of Tim Buckley and Nick Drake in its languid pace. The cello is by Paul Buckmaster and the Violin by Johnny Van Derek. But – and this is a matter of taste – you’re met with his nasally drone of a voice which you will either embrace or loath. It all sounds a bit effected now, but if you give it time, there’s rewards later. Chapman was also a very accomplished guitar player (Bert Jansch, Stefan Grossman and John Renbourn jump to mind) and there follows the first of the album’s three acoustic-instrumentals "Naked Ladies & Electric Ragtime". With his foot tapping in the background, it’s a very pretty ditty and it also emphasises the superlative NICK ROBBINS remaster. The sheer musicality of "Postcards From Scarborough" is shocking – and the strings added by Dudgeon are lovely. "Fishbeard Sunset" is the second instrumental and is a 40-second introduction to a great song - "Soulful Lady". It also heralds a major playing talent – MICK RONSON on Guitar. He crops up again on "Kodak Ghosts" and his contributions are so exciting – rocking like a madman – loose and inspired ("The Man Who Sold The World", "Ziggy" and "Hunky Dory" with Bowie lay ahead). 

Side 2 is far better than Side 1 in my book – giving a run of truly superb tunes. "Rabbit Hills" is my favourite on here – a beautifully realised acoustic song with warm words and a haunting melody that still sounds sweet four decades on (lyrics above). "March Rain" with its Cello, Strings and Acoustic guitar arrangement could be Nick Drake circa "Bryter Layter" – so impressive. Mick Ronson adds lovely electric guitar licks to the treated Chapman acoustic guitars on the mid-tempo "Kodak Ghosts". The fantastically bluesy "Andru's Easy Rider" starts out with him on Piano but then goes into this huge John Fahey 12-string slide-guitar blues-boogie that you wish would overstay its mere two-minute duration. It segues into a funky Tabla and Guitar album finisher called "Trinkets & Rings" which features his trademark nonchalant vocals and electric guitar licks in the background. It’s impressive stuff, it really is…

To sum up - like his fellow Harvest Label mate Roy Harper (and nearest musical comparison), Chapman remains a bit of an unknown even in deep rock circles (Keef Hartley, Bryn Haworth, Mick Greenwood, Judee Sill, Karen Dalton and Fred Neil are others).  But you have to say that this is a smart reissue on the part of Light In The Attic Records in a long line of them (Lou Bond, Kris Kristofferson and Rodriguez come to mind - see reviews) and I’m glad I took a chance on it. I’ve subsequently bought the 2006 remaster of his "Millstone Grit" album from 1973 on Deram and it’s a cracker too. 

In 2015 at the age of 74 - it probably seems slightly odd to Michael Chapman now to be the subject of adoration and rediscovery for Folk/Rock he penned 45-years ago – but better late than never. A top job done boys and a major reissue for 2011…

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"[Five Years 1969-1973]" by DAVID BOWIE [featuring Mick Ronson, Marc Bolan and Tony Visconti] (September 2015 UK Parlophone 12CD Box Set – Ray Staff and John Webber Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Twig The Wonder Kid..."

I suspect David Bowie fans will be elated and peeved at this release at one and the same time. I've lived with "Five Years" for a full day now and I must say immediately that the AUDIO absolutely rocks for starters - in fact it may even be a little 'too' clean for certain palettes. That good news aside - there's precious little by way of 'unreleased' or outtakes when there was room on both of the new "Re:Call" CD compilations for plenty of it - only 4 of the album titles are 2015 Remasters ("David Bowie", "The Man Who Sold The World", "Hunky Dory" and "Pinups") - most of the rest are from previous Anniversary Editions except the 2015 Remasters on the new "Re:Call" CD compilations (see list below) - and there are piffling packaging anomalies that are bugging the crap out of me. And that's before we talk about the hefty price tag that hurt my Debit Card this a.m. - way more than it should have done. There’s a Hell of a lot to get through so once more unto the Spacemen floating around in Tin Cans...

UK and USA released Friday, 25 September 2015 - "[Five Years 1969-1973]" by DAVID BOWIE on Parlophone DBX 1 (Barcode 0825646284085) is a 12CD Box Set with a 128-Page Hardback Book and pans out as follows (there is a Vinyl version, but no Auto-Rip or Download):

Disc 1, DBX1-1 - "David Bowie" [aka "Space Oddity"] 2015 REMASTER (46:18 minutes):

1. Space Oddity

2. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed

3. Letter To Hermione

4. Cygnet Committee

5. Janine [Side 2]

6. An Occasional Dream

7. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud

8. God Only Knows

9. Memory Of A Free Festival

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "David Bowie" – released 14 November 1969 in the UK on Phillips SBL 7902 and in the USA as "Man Of Words/Man Of Music" on Mercury SR-61246 but with slightly altered artwork. It was reissued in the UK in November 1972 - again with altered artwork. Photos of the original US LP and the British repress are featured on Page 6 of the Hardback Book. Each of the CDs in this Box Set comes in a rounded protective plastic housed inside an exact repro of the British LP sleeve. "David Bowie" has a matt gatefold card sleeve and even sports a paper repro of the Inner Mercury Records protective LP Bag. The CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 2, DBX1-2 - "The Man Who Sold The World" 2015 REMASTER (41:16 minutes):

1. The Width Of A Circle

2. All The Madmen

3. Black Country Rock

4. After All

5. Running Gun Blues [Side 2]

6. Saviour Machine

7. She Shook Me Cold

8. The Man Who Sold The World

9. The Supermen

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "The Man Who Sold The World" – released 4 November 1970 in the USA on Mercury SR 61325 and 10 April 1971 in the UK on Mercury 6338 041. The US, UK and GERMAN releases all famously sported different artwork. The single-sleeve British issue is housed in what's commonly known as the 'Dress Sleeve' - which is what the CD here uses (complete with its textured feel). The Cartoon Drawing of the US original and the 'Flying Bowie Face' artwork of the German LP are reproduced in the booklet - as is the British October 1972 UK LP reissue on RCA Victor LSP 4816 – again with different artwork (the black and white photo of Bowie kicking his leg in the air). The CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 3, DBX1-3  – "Hunky Dory" 2015 REMASTER – 38:37 minutes:

1. Changes

2. Oh! You Pretty Things

3. Eight Line Poem

4. Life On Mars?

5. Kooks

6. Quicksand

7. Fill Your Heart [Side 2]

8. Andy Warhol

9. Song For Bob Dylan

10. Queen Bitch

11. The Bewlay Brothers

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Hunky Dory" – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623. The CD cover artwork for some reason has a 'Parlophone' logo in the top left corner when it should read RCA on the left with VICTOR on the right. The correct artwork is pictured in the booklet with a rare alternate rear sleeve where Bowie has hand-written all the credits including the musicians. The lyric insert that came with all original LP copies is also reproduced and the CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 4, DBX1-4 - "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" 2012 REMASTER (38:37 minutes):

1. Five Years

2. Soul Love

3. Moonage Daydream

4. Starman

5. It Ain't Easy

6. Lady Stardust [Side 2]

7. Star

8. Hang On To Yourself

9. Ziggy Stardust

10. Suffragette City

11. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702. This CD is the 2012 Digital Remaster.

Disc 5, DBX1-5 - "Pinups" 2015 REMASTER (34:01 minutes):

1. Rosalyn [The Pretty Things cover]

2. Here Comes The Night [Them cover]

3. I Wish You Would [Billy Boy Arnold cover]

4. See Emily Play [Pink Floyd cover]

5. Everything’s Alright [The Mojos cover]

6. I Can't Explain [The Who cover]

7. Friday On My Mind [The Easybeats cover] - [Side 2]

8. Sorrow [The Merseybeats cover]

9. Don’t Bring Me Down [Johnnie Dee cover]

10. Shapes Of Things [The Yardbirds cover]

11. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere [The Who cover]

12. Where Have All The Good Times Gone [The Kinks cover]

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Pinups" – an entire LP of cover versions released November 1973 in the UK on RCA RS 1003 and in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0291. The CD repro has the insert that came with original LPs and the CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 6, DBX1-6 – "Aladdin Sane" 2013 REMASTER (41:47 minutes):

1. Watch That Man (New York)

2. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (R.H.M.S. "Ellinis")

3. Drive-In Saturday (Seattle - Phoenix)

4. Panic In Detroit (Detroit)

5. Cracked Actor (Los Angeles)

6. Time (New Orleans) – [Side 2]

7. The Prettiest Star (Gloucester Road)

8. Let’s Spend The Night Together

9. The Jean Genie (Detroit and New York)

10. Lady Grinning Soul (London)

Tracks 1 to 10 are the studio album "Aladdin Sane" – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852. The card repro has the original gatefold sleeve, inner lyric card and the 'Fan-Club Invite' that came with some original copies of the vinyl LP. The CD is the 40th Anniversary RAY STAFF REMASTER issued in 2013.

Disc 7, DBX1-7 – "Live Santa Monica '72" 2008 REMASTER (74:20 minutes):

1. Introduction

2. Hang On To Yourself

3. Ziggy Stardust

4. Changes

5. The Supermen

6. Life On Mars?

7. Five Years

8. Space Oddity

9. Andy Warhol

10. My Death

11. The Width Of A Circle

12. Queen Bitch

13. Moonage Daydream

14. John, I'm Only Dancing

15. Waiting For The Man

16. The Jean Genie

17. Suffragette City

18. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Tracks 1 to 18 were recorded at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles, 20 October 1972 – officially released worldwide 30 July 2008 as "Live Santa Monica '72" on EMI BOWLIVE 201702. The Inner sleeve is reproduced and this CD is the 2008 Remaster.

Disc 8, DBX1 - "Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars – The Motion Picture Soundtrack" 2003 REMASTER

CD1 (40:34 minutes):

1. Introduction

2. Hang On To Yourself

3. Ziggy Stardust

4. Watch That Man

5. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud

6. All The Young Dudes

7. Oh! You Pretty Things

8. Moonage Daydream

9. Changes

10. Space Oddity

11. My Death

CD2 (42:57 minutes):

1. Introduction

2. Cracked Actor

3. Time

4. The Width Of A Circle

5. Let’s Spend The Night Together

6. Suffragette City

7. White Light / White Heat

8. Farewell Speech

9. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Recorded 3 July 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London - original mix UK released October 1983 as a double-album on RCA Victor PL 84862(2). This version is the 2003 "30th Anniversary" Remaster released 1 April 2003 on EMI ZIGGYRIP 3773.

Disc 9, DBX1-10 – "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (2003 Mix)" (38:29 minutes):

1. Five Years

2. Soul Love

3. Moonage Daydream

4. Starman

5. It Ain’t Easy

6. Lady Stardust [Side 2]

7. Star

8. Hang On To Yourself

9. Ziggy Stardust

10. Suffragette City

11. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Tracks 1 to 11 first released in 29 September 2003 in 5.1 on the SACD of "Ziggy Stardust" on EMI 521 9002. First released in Stereo at 48Hz/24bit on 4 June 2012 on the EMI 40th Anniversary DVD/LP Edition of "Ziggy Stardust". First time on CD outside of those two previous versions. 2003 Remaster.

Disc 10, DBX1-10 – "Re:Call 1" (Non Album Singles, Single Versions & B-Sides)

CD1 (40:09 minutes):

1. Space Oddity (Original UK Mono Single Edit)

A-side of a UK 7" single released 11 July 1969 in Mono on Phillips BF 1801

2. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (Original UK Mono Single Version)

B-side of "Space Oddity" – it's a different earlier version to the one re-recorded for the LP

3. Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola

An Italian Version of "Space Oddity" recorded in the UK in December 1969 (after the release of the album) and released February 1970 in Italy on Philips 704 208. It came in a very rare Picture Sleeve that is reproduced in the hardback book. The title translates into English as "Lonely Boy, Lonely Girl".

4. The Prettiest Star (Original Mono Single Version)

Rrecorded in London in early January 1970, it was released 6 March 1970 in the UK as the Mono A-side to Philips MF 1135. Tony Visconti plays Bass and Marc Bolan of T.Rex plays second guitar.

5. Conversation Piece

Non-album B-side to "The Prettiest Star" (as per Track 4) - features Mick Wayne on Guitar, John Lodge on Bass and John Cambridge on Drums (all from the band Junior's Eyes) 

6. Memory Of A Free Festival Part 1

March 1970 re-recorded 'electric' version of the album track from the "Space Oddity" LP – released 26 June 1970 as the Stereo A-side to a UK 7" single on Mercury 6052 028

7. Memory Of A Free Festival Part 2

Stereo B-side of Track 6. Song features Mick Ronson on Guitar and Solo backing Vocals, Tony Visconti on Bass, Ralph Mace on Piano and John Cambridge of Junior's Eyes on Drums.

8. All The Madmen (Mono Single Edit) –

9. Janine (Mono)

Tracks 8 and 9 were a planned US 45 on Mercury 73173 but was cancelled (demos exist on Mercury DJ-311 with the mono edit of "All The Madmen" on 'both' sides). The A-side (track 8) is a Mono Edit of the longer Stereo cut on the LP and "Janine" is a Mono version of the full Stereo LP cut.

10. Holy Holy (Original Mono Single Version)

Non-album single – the Stereo A-side was recorded November 1970 and UK released 15 January 1971 on Mercury 6052 049. Its flipside was "Black Country Rock" from "The Man Who Sold The World" LP. Alan Parker from Blue Mink, Rumplestiltskin, CCS and Ugly Custard played Guitar, Herbie Flowers (later with Sky) played Bass and Barry Morgan from Blue Mink played Drums.

11. Moonage Daydream (The Arnold Corns Single Version)

12. Hang On To Yourself (The Arnold Corns Single Version)

Tracks 11 and 12 are credited to THE ARNOLD CORNS and are early versions of two tracks that would be on the 1972 "Ziggy Stardust" album. They were recorded February 1971 in London and UK released 7 May 1971 on B&C Records CB 149.

NOTES: Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are MONO while 3, 6 and 7 are STEREO - all 2015 REMASTERS.

CD2 (40:43 minutes):

1. Changes (Mono Single Version)

2. Andy Warhol (Mono Single Version)

Tracks 1 and 2 are a USA 7" single released 7 December 1971 on RCA Victor 74-065 - 7 January 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor RCA 2160.

The B-side "Any Warhol" is in Mono and edits out the studio chatter that's on the "Hunky Dory" LP version

3. Starman (Original Single Mix)

Remixed by he original Producer Ken Scott in London in March 1972 - released 28 April 1972 with the "Ziggy Stardust" album version of "Suffragette City" as its B-side

4. John, I'm Only Dancing (Original Single Version)

Recorded in London with Mick Ronson on Guitar and Mick Woodmansey on Drums on the 26th of June 1972 - it was released 1 September 1972 as a UK (and European) 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2263 with the "Ziggy Stardust" album version of "Hang On To Yourself" as its B-side. It was considered 'too risque' for the American market (oh dear)

5. The Jean Genie (Original Single Mix)

Recorded and Mixed in October 1972 in New York and Nashville - it was UK and US released 24 November 1972 on RCA Victor RCA 2302 in the UK and RCA 74-0838 in the USA. Ken Scott later remixed it again for inclusion on the 1973 album "Aladdin Sane"

6. Drive-In Saturday (German Single Edit)

Released 6 April 1973 around the world as a 7" single - however - the German version on RCA Victor 74-16321 was a unique 'edit'

7. Round And Round

A Chuck Berry cover version originally recorded during the "Ziggy Stardust" album sessions - turned up as the non-album B-side to "Drive-In Saturday" released 6 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RCA 2352. Features Mick Ronson on Guitar and Mick Woodmansey on Drums

8. John, I'm Only Dancing (Sax Version)

Recorded in London on the 20th of January 1973 - this 'Saxophone' Version eventually replaced the first pressings of RCA Victor RCA 2263. Ken Fordham plays the Saxophone.

9. Time (U.S. Single Edit)

A unique 'edit' of the longer album version - issued in two territories - 1 June 1973 in the USA on RCA APBO-0001 with "The Prettiest Star" as its flipside - and with "Panic In Detroit" as its B-side in Japan on RCA SS-2299

10. Amsterdam

A Jacque Brel cover version with English translation lyrics by Mort Shuman. It was recorded during the "Ziggy Stardust" album sessions and considered for release on that album - but eventually showed up 12 October 1973 in the UK as a non-album 7" single B-side to "Sorrow" (from the "Pinups" LP)

11. Holy Holy (Spiders Version)

A re-recording of a 1971 single - turned up 14 June 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APBO 0283 as the non-album 7" single B-side to "Diamond Dogs"

12. Velvet Goldmine

A "Ziggy Stardust" outtake finally released 26 September 1975 on RCA Victor RCA 2593 in the UK along with "Changes" as a B-side on the 3-track 'Maximillion' single for the reissue of the album version of "Space Oddity"

NOTES: Tracks 1 and 2 are MONO while all others are STEREO. All tracks are 2015 REMASTERS except 3, 4, 5 and 8 which are 2014 REMASTERS that first turned up on the 2014 "Nothing Has Changed" 2CD and 3CD sets.

PACKAGING:

I don’t know why they attach a page to the back of these glossy boxes that will obviously fall off the second you remove the shrinkwrap and leave you with no info but the bare sleeve – but once again that's what you get here. On first opening the set I was underwhelmed by its 6-inch Cube size (weighty though) – but once inside the pull out glossy tray reveals a perfectly lined-up set of 5" Card Repro Sleeves nestled beside a chunky Hardback book. Aesthetically – the look is classy.

Each album comes in its own card repro sleeve (most based on the British releases) – all sporting their various original vinyl accompaniments – the inserts for "Hunky Dory" and "Pinups" – the inner sleeves for "Ziggy" and "Aladdin Sane" – the gatefold sleeve for "David Bowie" – the stippled effect on the withdrawn dress sleeve of "The Man Who Sold The World" – the inner bags for the later albums etc. And the (non-numbered) 128-page hardback book is beautiful to look at and dip into – festooned with a lifetime of fan collected items – concert tickets, rare picture sleeves, posters, trade adverts from the USA and UK as well as NME and New Musical Express reviews of the albums, handwritten lyrics, tape boxes galore, photo shoots in black and white and colour etc. There’s a Ray Davies (of The Kinks) Intro and replacing conventional liner notes - each album credit is followed by a detailed recalling of the recording process by the original album Producers KEN SCOTT and TONY VISCONTI. It's a brilliant and genuinely informative way to enlighten each record – words from those who actually made them. Parlophone have even used Mick Rock photos to create the new "Re:Call" compilations (this is '1' - the next will be '2' as the forthcoming box sets ascend in numbers) – it’s all very classy. But...

While there's tasteful attention to detail on the repros and in the hardback book (the CD labels for the Mercury albums are black to reflect the original LP label look, orange for RCA, "Aladdin Sane" has its Fan-club insert and so on) – there's also some dreadful howlers. The card artwork for "Hunky Dory" and both of the "Ziggy Stardust" card sleeves now have very obvious 'PARLOPHONE Records' logos on their sleeves when it should of course read 'RCA Victor'. To a fan that’s grown up with these classics all three repros look stupid and odd. "Hunky Dory" also has a 'gloss cover' when it was always plain matt on British LPs. The "David Bowie" and "The Man Who Sold The World" repro 'spines' suddenly have 'PARLOPHONE' on them as catalogue numbers (none of the others do) as well. So much for 'painstaking original issue detail'. The otherwise beautifully laid out hardback book inside the box lists both "Aladdin Sane" and "Pinups" as being released April 1973 when it should read April 1973 and November 1973 respectively. 

There are also sloppy exclusions. Parlophone went to the trouble of repro'ing pointless white inner bags for "Pinups" and "The Man Who Sold The World" – but then didn’t reproduce the foldout poster that came with the 1972 reissue of "Space Oddity" as a tasty foldout addition. The lyrics are reproduced on card sleeves, inner sleeves and so on but because they're small - it’s hard to read them. As they're 'not' included in the hardback book - I would have put a separate booklet inside each card sleeve with the words so you can read them properly - lyrics being such an integral part of Bowie's mystique and allure. That booklet could have featured all three cover-variants of "Space Oddity" for instance (UK, USA and German) as a feature. And as you can see from the list above – the box set's own internal numbering system of DBX1-1 to DBX1-10 is all screwed up with "Ziggy Stardust 2003 Mix" and "Re:Call 1" 'both' having a DBX1-10 catalogue number while the Motion Picture double of "Ziggy Stardust" has no extension number at all (just says DBX1). My gripes may be a bit piddly I know – but when you’re paying close to one hundred quid for this sucker (or one twenty dollars) – someone should really have gotten it right. Those 'Parlophone' logos on the two biggies ("Hunky Dory" and "Ziggy Stardust") just grate and definitely feel like the makers of this set are hijacking history to suit their corporate acquisition. Docked a star for sloppiness and an excessive price too...

SOUND:

But all of that small change stuff goes out the window once you clap ears on the new RAY STAFF Remasters - beautifully clean and full of genuine presence. Ray Staff handled the stunning 40th Anniversary Remaster of "Aladdin Sane" in 2013 (see separate review) – and has clearly made his mark with Bowie because he's been asked back to cover the Transfers and Remasters on this prestigious release (with some Mastering help from JOHN WEBBER). Playing "Hunky Dory" for instance is a revelation – the whimsy of "Kooks" – the ballsy kick out of "Queen Bitch" - the huge Acoustic sound on "The Bewlay Brothers" and so on. Comparing it with the 2003 Mix – you’d have to say that the Bass and Drums now have amazing clarity and sweetness too. I'm probably going to be shot with a shovel for this but I've always thought 1972's "Ziggy Stardust" was a lesser album than 1971's "Hunky Dory" – but personal opinions aside - you can't argue that the 2012 Remaster isn’t anything but a wonder. I cranked his fantastic cover version of Ron Davies "It Ain’t Easy" (covered by Three Dog Night and John Baldry also) and did the same for the sheer hutzpah of "Suffragette City' - and both knocked my Aural earmuffs off. But as ever – for some reason that guitar riff in the "Ziggy Stardust" track itself always still seems to lack any 'real' punch – it's good – just never 'great'. 

But if I’m honest I think the best sonic improvement is with the underrated covers album "Pinups" – every track seems hugely improved on this 2015 Version - especially his take on "Rosalyn" by The Pretty Things or The Who's "I Can't Explain" and Johnnie Dee's obscure "Don't Bring Me Down" both thumping way above their previous CD weight. Staff has also done wonders with the 2015 remaster of "The Man Who Sold The World" album which now sounds both utterly amazing and like some forgotten masterpiece everyone's let slip by. The guitars on "The Width Of A Circle" are mindblowingly good - as are David's upfront vocals on "Black Country Rock" - and those layered voices on the title track are so cleverly arranged (I'd honestly forgotten how good this album is). And although its pure speculation on my part and without saying so anywhere on the packaging – I can’t help feel that these gold-layered CDs are actually Japanese-pressed SHMs (Super High Materials) used to get the best Fidelity (they play on all machines) – but I'm open to correction on that...

SUMMARY:
Minor packaging rants aside (and I take on board the high cost issue) – the bottom line is this – these 2015 Ray Staff Remasters are the best that Bowie’s catalogue has ever sounded and I’m certain that as I wade through this set in the next week, months and years that I’ll keep returning to these new Audios with a sense of glee and not weariness. And in its high gloss heavy box - it's also beautiful to look at and classily presented - and 'if' they are SHM-CDs in those individual protective plastics - then that will save fans a ton of money when the inevitable Japanese 5" mini LP repros turn up end of the year or in early 2016.

Fans will have to have it of course – but casual buyers should wait until the individual releases are released (probably in jewel cases rather than repro artwork) and pick off what they really want - disregarding the rest. Me – frankly I'm already lusting after the 1974 to 1980 period stuff and the "Re:Call 2" set when it turns up in the next lavish and expensive Space Captain splurge. Twig the wonder kid indeed...

FOOTNOTE (February 2016):
Since his death there's been the inevitable plethora of tributes and assessments but only one has really touched me. In the February 2016 issue of the RECORD COLLECTOR magazine (No. 450 with Black Sabbath on the cover) is a tribute by KRIS NEEDS that gives us 30 reasons as to "What David Did For Us All" (Pages 56 to 61). Articulate, sensitive and heartfelt - the piece eschews the academic and goes straight to the nub of why his death has affected so many and has been felt so deeply. It’s beautifully written, insightful and above all does Bowie’s brilliance the solid it so deserves. If you're a fan or even curious as to what all the fuss is about - you 'must' read it. And as something of a writer and long-time reviewer myself - I humbly nod my cap to Kris for nailing it. We loved this musical and cultural innovator and it hurts way too much that David Bowie is gone leaving us with such a giant-sized hole in our musical lives...