"Now Yearbook '77" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Eighty Single and Album Tracks by Queen, E.L.P., Status Quo, Elvis Presley, E.L.O., Hot Chocolate, Candi Staton, 10cc, Donna Summer, Boney M, Elkie Brooks, Rock Follies, The Boomtown Rats, Elvis Costello, The Stranglers, The Ramones, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Jonathan Richman, Mink DeVille, Tom Robinson Band, Ram Jam, Boston, Boz Scaggs, Santana, Bryan Ferry, Paul Simon, Thin Lizzy, Racing Cars, Yes, The Clash, Donna Summer, The Emotions, Marvin Gaye, The Drifters, Heatwave, The Floaters, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Moments, Billy Ocean, Darts, Belle Epoque, Dead End Kids, Mike Oldfield, Andrew Gold, Rita Coolidge, Denice Williams, Commodores, The Trammps, Baccara, Meri Wilson, Andrew Gold, Smokie, Rah Band, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Manhattan Transfer, Alessi, Olivia Newton-John and more (November 2024 UK Sony Music/EMI 4CD 80-Track Compilation in a Four-Panel Foldout Card Sleeve with Varying Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOW-Yearbook-1977-Various-Artists/dp/B0DHJFXN5K?crid=2RF9UFJSMZ7IT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MDMArNgD2qPd37DGkmQ2dg.C_E0W8idEkrl0wMB0EH9Tbm0Hpg09BQ18e26fWfP5w4&dib_tag=se&keywords=198028303422&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733934004&sprefix=198028303422%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=d1e3c286860d82f8a11083119a8e0c47&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall ***

Audio ****

Presentation ***

"…Chocolate Stains On My Pants…"

I have about ten of these Now Yearbook Compilations (the 4CD variants) – most of which are accompanied by a further Yearbook Extra release of 3CDs - bringing the year haul to well over 140 songs (Friday, 10 January 2025 is the release date for the Extra Set on 1977). 

So a compilation covering a pivotal year in my youth '1977' appealed to me greatly (I bought the 1978 and 1979 4CD issues as well – see separate reviews). 

But the same problem to my listening ears occurs here as it does with all the 80ts titles – you are suckered by quantity (80 Tracks in the case of 1977). Because when you start to play this - especially when you get to CD3 and CD4 – the solid wall of second-rate Pop and Disco cack alongside cringe-inducing ballads starts to seriously mount up. Now Yearbook 1977 does not reflect the overriding theme (for me anyway) of that pivotal year – New Wave, Rock and Punk. I have an open earhole when it comes to all genres – but man is there some dross on here (hence the 3-star rating).

You see, the tendency with these Now Yearbook sets is to go down the less-trodden path - to get songs out there that haven't been on compilations before. So, when you get to most of CD3 and CD4 – the listen in my book takes a nosedive. Few will want to endure weepy turds like Liverpool Express and Julie Covington (tail-ending CD1) bawling her eyes out for shoes and Argentina. The flaw with this 'let's do Top 5 to Top 40-only' is that there was so much you want to forget, and of course other gems they could have chosen but have been left off. 

Year sets are always a pick 'n' mix I know – Hitsville UK vs. rash-inducing horrors. Also, you will also notice from the total playing times for 1977 provided below that CD2 at 69:22 and CD4 at 65:08 minutes are frankly a bit anaemic for a comp like this and could easily have been pumped up with better material to join the better total playing times of CD1 and CD3 at 74:50 and 76:26 minutes.

In their favour, however, these Now Yearbook 4CD Sets start out at about ten quid, but after a few months are quickly reduced to six or seven quid which frankly represents serious value for money. You may not be getting anything packaging-wise, but at least 40 to 50% of the choices will please somebody somewhere and the audio is crackerlackin'. Here be the details for the nineteen seventy-seven…

UK released Friday, 1 November 2024 - "Now Yearbook '77" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW77 / 0198028303422 (Barcode 198028303422) is a 4CD 80-Track Compilation in a Four-Panel Foldout Card Sleeve with Single Edits, Album Versions and Various 1990s and 00s Remasters that plays out as follows:

CD1 (74:50 minutes):
1. We Are The Champions – QUEEN (October 1977, EMI Records EMI 2708, A-side)
2. Fanfare For The Common Man (Single Edit, 2:58 minutes) – EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (May 1977, Manticore K 10946, A-side)
3. Rockin' All Over The World – STATUS QUO (September 1977, Vertigo 6059 184, A-side)
4. Way Down – ELVIS PRESLEY (July 1977, RCA Victor PB 0998, A-side)
5. Good Morning Judge – 10cc (April 1977, Mercury 6008 025, A-side)
6. Telephone Line – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (May 1977, Jet Records UP 36254, A-side)
7. When I Need You – LEO SAYER (January 1977, Chrysalis CHS 2127, A-side)
8. Don't Give Up On Us – DAVID SOUL (December 1976, Private Stock PVT 84, A-side – an Albert Hammond cover version)
9. So You Win Again – HOT CHOCOLATE (June 1977, RAK Records RAK 259, A-side)
10. Nights On Broadway – CANDI STATON (July 1977, Warner Brothers K 16972, A-side – a Bee Gees cover version)
11. From New York To LA – PATSY GALLANT (July 1977, EMI Records EMI 2620, A-side)
12. Love's Unkind – DONNA SUMMMER (December 1977, GTO Records GT 113, A-side)
13. Ma Baker – BONEY M (June 1977, Atlantic K 10965, A-side)
14. The Crunch (Part 1) – THE RAH BAND (February 1977, Good Earth GD 7, A-side - instrumental)
15. Tear Me Apart – SUZI QUATRO (February 1977, RAK Records RAK 248, A-side)
16. OK? – ROCK FOLLIES of '77 [aka Julie Covington, Charlotte Cornwell, Rula Lenska, Sue Jones-Davies] (May 1977, Polydor 2001 714, A-side)
17. Living Next Door To Alice – SMOKIE (November 1976, RAK Records RAK 244, A-side)
18. Pearl's A Singer – ELKIE BROOKS (February 1977, A&M Records AMS 7275, A-side – a Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller co-write song)
19. Every Man Must Have A Dream – LIVERPOOL EXPRESS (December 1976, Warner Brothers K 16854, A-side)
20. Don't Cry For Me Argentina – JULIE COVINGTON, ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and TIM RICE (November 1976, MCA Records MCA 260, A-side – from the Evita Opera)

CD2 (69:22 minutes):
1. No More Heroes – THE STRANGLERS (September 1977, United Artists UP 36300, A-side)
2. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker – RAMONES (May 1977, Sire RAM 001, A-side)
3. White Riot – THE CLASH (March 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5058, A-side)
4. All Around The World – THE JAM (July 1977, Polydor 2058 903, A-side - featuring Paul Weller)
5. Lookin' After No. 1 – THE BOOMTOWN RATS (August 1977, Ensign ENY 4, A-side – featuring Bob Geldof)
6. Do Anything You Wanna Do (Single Edit) – EDDIE & THE HOT RODS (originally credited as RODS) (July 1977, Island WIP 6401, A-side)
7. Roadrunner (Once) – JONATHAN RICHMAN and THE MODERN LOVERS (July 1977, Beserkley BZZ 1, A-side)
8. Spanish Stroll – MINK DeVILLE (June 1977, Capitol CLX 103, A-side – featuring Willy DeVille)
9.  Watching The Detectives (Single Version) – ELVIS COSTELLO (October 1977, Stiff BUY 20, A-side)
10. Peaches (Single Edit) – THE STRANGLERS (May 1977, United Artists UP 36248, A-side)
11. 2-4-6-8 Motorway – TOM ROBINSON BAND (October 1977, EMI Records EMI 2715, A-side – 2013 Remaster)
12. Ram Jam – BLACK BETTY (August 1977, Epic S EPC 5492, A-side)
13. More Than A Feeling (Single Version) – BOSTON (October 1976, Epic S EPC 4658, A-side)
14. Lido Shuffle – BOZ SCAGGS (April 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5136, A-side)
15. She's Not There (Single Version) – SANTANA (September 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5671, A-side – a Zombies cover version)
16. This Is Tomorrow – BRYAN FERRY (January 1977, Polydor 2001 704, A-side – 1999 Bob Ludwig Remaster)
17. Slip Slidin' Away – PAUL SIMON (October 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5770, A-side – 2010 Remaster)
18. Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In Its Spotlight) – THIN LIZZY (July 1977, Vertigo 6059 177, A-side – featuring Phil Lynott)
19. They Shoot Horses Don't They (Single Version) – RACING CARS (December 1976, Chrysalis CHS 2129, A-side – 2020 Remaster)
20. Wondrous Stories – YES (September 1977, Atlantic K 10999, A-side)

CD3 (76:28 minutes):
1. I Feel Love (Edit) – DONNA SUMMER (July 1977, GTO Records GT 100, A-side)
2. Yes Sir, I Can Boogie – BACCARA (July 1977, RCA Victor PB 5526, A-side)
3. Black Is Black – LA BELLE EPOQUE (August 1977, Harvest HAR 5133, A-side)
4. Daddy Cool – BONEY M (October 1976, Atlantic K 10827, A-side)
5. Star Wars Them/Cantina Band (7" Radio Edit) – MECO (August 1977, RCA Victor XB 1028, A-side)
6. Disco Inferno (Single Edit) – THE TRAMMPS (April 1977, Atlantic K 10914, A-side)
7. Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) 7" Edit – CHIC (November 1977, Atlantic K 11038, A-side – 2018 Remaster)
8. Boogie Nights (Single Version) – HEATWAVE (January 1977, GTO Records GT 77, A-side – a Rod Temperton song)
9. Car Wash (Single Version) – ROSE ROYCE (December 1976, MCA Records MCA 267, A-side)
10. Best Of My Love – THE EMOTIONS (August 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5555 A-side)
11. Don't Leave Me This Way (Single Version) – THELMA HOUSTON (January 1977, Tamla Motown TMG 1060, A-side – a Gamble & Huff song)
12. The Shuffle – VAN McCOY (March 1977, H&L Records 6105 766, A-side)
13. Got To Give It Up – Pt.1 – MARVIN GAYE (April 1977, Tamla Motown TMG 1069, A-side)
14. Baby Don't Change Your Mind – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (May 1977, Buddah BDS 458, A-side)
15. You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show) – MARILYN McCOO and BILLY DAVIS, Jr. (October 1976, ABC Records ABC 4147, A-side)
16. You're More Than A Number In My Little Red Book – THE DRIFTERS (December 1976, Arista Records ARISTA 78, A-side)
17. Jack In The Box – THE MOMENTS (January 1977, All Platinum 6146 318, A-side)
18. Free (Single Version) – DENIECE WILLIAMS (February 1977, CBS Records S CBS 4978, A-side)
19. Easy (Album Version) – COMMODORES (from the March 1977 UK LP "Zoom" on Tamla Motown Records STML 12057 – released March 1977 in the USA as "Commodores" on Motown M7-884R1 – written by and featuring Lead Vocals from Lionel Richie)
20. Float On (Single Version) – THE FLOATERS (July 1977, ABC Records ABC 4187, A-side)

CD4 (65:08 minutes):
1. Mull Of Kintyre – WINGS (November 1977, Capitol R 6018, A-side – featuring Paul McCartney – 1993 Remaster)
2. Chanson D'Amour – MANHATTAN TRANSFER (January 1977, Atlantic K 10886, A-side)
3. Silver Lady – DAVID SOUL (August 1977, Private Stock PVT 115, A-side)
4. Sam – OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (May 1977, EMI Records EMI 2616, A-side – 2022 Remaster - a John Farrar song – ex The Shadows)
5. Angelo – BROTHERHOOD OF MAN (June 1977, Pye Records 7N 45699, A-side)
6. You're Moving Out Today – CAROLE BAYER SAGER (May 1977, Elektra K 12257, A-side)
7. Telephone Man – MERI WILSON (August 1977, Pye International 7N 25747, A-side)
8. Oh Lori – ALESSI (May 1977, A&M Records AMS 7289, A-side – aka Alessi Brothers)
9. The Things We Do For Love – 10cc (December 1976, Mercury 6008 022, A-side)
10. We're All Alone – RITA COOLIDGE (June 1977, A&M Records AMS 7295, A-side – a Boz Scaggs cover)
11. Lucille – KENNY ROGERS (April 1977, United Artists UP 36342, A-side – 2006 Remaster)
12. Desiree (Single Version) – NEIL DIAMOND (November 1977, CBS Records S CBS 5869, A-side)
13. Think I'm Gonna Fall In Love With You – THE DOOLEYS (May 1977, GTO Records GT 95, A-side)
14. Red Light Spells Danger – BILLY OCEAN (March 1977, GTO Records GT 85, A-side)
15. Lonely Boy – ANDREW GOLD (February 1977, Elektra K 13076, A-side)
16. Have I The Right (Edit) – DEAD END KIDS (February 1977, CBS Records S CBS 4972, A-side)
17. Dancin' Party – SHOWADDYWADDY (October 1977, Arista Records ARISTA 149, A-side)
18. Daddy Cool/The Girl Can't Help It – DARTS (October 1977, Magnet MAG 100, A-side – a Medley of cover versions – The Rays from 1957 and Little Richard from 1956)
19. Portsmouth – MIKE OLDFIELD (November 1976, Virgin VS 163, A-side – 2009 Remaster)
20. Floral Dance – BRIGHOUSE And RASTRICK BRASS BAND (October 1977, Transatlantic BIG 548, A-side)

Discography: this Basic Edition has a four-panel foldout card sleeve with each CD in a printed-info pouch on the inside (see photos). There is a Limited Edition Hardback DigiBook version that has liner notes on all the songs – Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW77 - 0198028303521 (Barcode 198028303521) – and even a truncated 49-Track 3LP VINYL variant on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW77 (Barcode 198028303613) in BLUE VINYL – both also released 1 November 2024. The further 'Now Yearbook EXTRA '77' compilation arrives Friday, 10 January 2025 as a CD-only 3-Disc 62-Track set.

Odd for these 4CD sets and especially 1977 which has been reissued to death – there are only six mentions of Remaster Dates across the four discs (see lists above). And yet as everyone knows who buys these sets – the audio is uniformly great across the whole shebang. Rarely does the sound dip or duck or dive – mostly it impresses and at times (like say Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Stranglers and The Jam to name but a few) – you may have to turn it down. Fans of 45s will also note the large number of Single Versions, Edits and so forth where many year compilations opt for the Full LP Variants. The info as always is sparse if not non-existent (you get more Discography info in my review than you do on any side of the card flaps) – but you cannot argue sheer value for money. To the loons and the tunes...

I cannot tell you how unbearable it is to hear Boney M doing cod Chicago gangster with "Ma Baker", David Soul and his age-hiding sepia-tinted "Silver Lady", Leo Sayer crooning the Albert Hammond weepie "When I Need You" or Smokie getting all sincere on the cloying and teeth-rotting "Living Next Door To Alice" – yuck central! Pseudo geetar-rawk like the Rock Follies of 77 and Suzi Quatro sit uncomfortably beside crooner schlock like Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond. For sure we get Queen being typically bombastic with "We Are The Champions", a strangely touching and hurtful E.L.O. aching down the "Telephone Line" (a forgotten gem of theirs), a lost Elvis Presley getting funky (while he can) with his final hurrah "Way Down", Status Quo doing the 12-Bar Boogie with a crowd-pleasing cover of John Fogerty's "Rockin' All Over The World" (the song they would open 'Live Aid' with in 1985), Elkie Brooks (ex-Vinegar Joe) getting sentimental about "Pearl" the Singer - and so on - all better moments on CD1. But that is only to lure you into a false sense of security because much of the rest is not good at all.

But then on CD2 you get a near perfect run of 20 New Wave, Punk and better Rock cuts – clever inclusions like Mink DeVille doing a street hustle on "Spanish Stroll" (they say he's crazy on the coast), Paul Simon and one of two new songs included on his 1977 solo-career round-up LP 'Greatest Hits, etc.' called "Slip Slidin' Away" (the other was "Stranded In A Limousene"), Bryan Ferry and his famous warble telling us "This Is Tomorrow" (a single you've forgotten from his overlooked "In Your Mind" album on Polydor Records) or Thin Lizzy disobeying another warning and staying out to 3 a.m. only to come home with chocolate stains on their pants (the on-the-money "Dancin' In The Moonlight…"). A huge pulse pounder from Emerson, Lake & Palmer ("Fanfare For The Common Man") nestles alongside Ram Jam doing the Boogie with "Black Betty" and Boston getting all guitar-layered on the mighty "More Than A Feeling" (a 1976 monster that charted 1977 in the UK) - while Soul acts Commodores (with Lionel Richie on lead vocals) and The Floaters chill with the gorgeous "Easy" and the cheesy-but-nice-talker "Float On". 

But CD3 with its overtly Disco/R&B run loses the plot in too many places – the Euro Disco of Baccara is dreadful while La Belle Epoch is not a whole lot better. Boney M rear their ugly head again with Daddy Cool but there must be a special place in Hades for the Meco version of the Star Wars Theme – oh God! Things finally improve around Track 6 with the fabulous groove of The Trammps and their Saturday Night Fever burn-baby-burn anthem "Disco Inferno" – a floor-filler for all the right reasons. Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic fame get all Yowsah with "Dance, Dance, Dance…" while genius Rod Temperton (pre-Thriller songwriting) shows why his band Heatwave always had a stone-to-the-bone dancefloor hit up their sleeves in "Boogie Nights". Rose Royce and The Emotions are both gonna please butt-shaking aficionados with "Car Wash" and the fabulous "Best Of My Love" (surely one of the great Soul-Funk tunes ever and used in hundreds of movies because of it). The dynamic songwriting duo of Gamble & Huff provided Thelma Houston with her Motown Disco hit "Don't Leave Me This Way". A welcome inclusion is the unstoppable Funk of Marvin Gaye – ladies having a ball (or two) throughout Part 1 of "Got To Give You Up" And you have forgotten how good Deniece Williams and her "Free" is and especially Lionel Richie hitting the mark on his gorgeous "Easy" (during his time with the Commodores) – here in its full album version complete with that sensational guitar solo. 

CD4 mixes up Pop with Soul with Nostalgia and a few Rock points inbetween and like CD3 and CD1 – it is a decidedly mixed bag with the emphasis unfortunately on the iffy. If I never hear the whine of "Mull Of Kintyre" ever again – it will be a blessing (and I loved Wings) – while the cod Twenties rat-ta-ta of the Manhattan Transfer doing "Chanson D'Amour" is equally cheesy. More strings and syrup as Olvia Newton-John tells us how she pines for "Sam" but it only gets worse as Brotherhood Of Man try on their ABBA-esque "Angelo". By the time you reach Track 6 the fun of Carole Bayer Sager and "You're Moving Out Today" comes as something of a relief (pack up your rubber duck and mangy cat) as she sends her mistake-of-a-lover out into the world. Finally, we get some actual cleverness with Meri Wilson working the words of "Telephone Man" – her fingers doing the walking. Yacht Rock makes a rare appearance with the Alessi Brothers and their never-say-goodbye 10cc-sounding "Oh Lori" – sounding amazing here. Not surprisingly the compilers have spotted the musical follow-through and literally give us 10cc doing the irritating yet excellent "The Things We Do For Love" (great audio). 

Rita Coolidge goes deep on the smooch with her so-1977 weepy "We're All Alone" – another horrible cringe. Just as you thought it can't get any worse, Kenny Rogers waltzes in with his radio-friendly Country Rock tale "Lucille" – the kind of awful crud that has been mercilessly lampooned over the years with word replacements. Neil Diamond does his reputation no favours with "Desiree" – a long way from his excellent singles for Uni Records back in the early Seventies. A series of dogs follows with The Dooleys and Billy Ocean – saccharine Disco-Pop only to have a terrible CD4 saved by the songwriting talent of Andrew Gold and his superb "Lonely Boy" – a radio staple that still stands up to this day. Dead End Boys sound like a weedy Bay City Rollers with their awful "Have I The Right" and on it goes to other tut – CD4 whimpering out nonsense from Mike Oldfield and the dire Brighouse Brass Band. 

Like its '1978' and '1979' four-disc equivalents - the 4CD compilation "Now Yearbook '77" offers a whole lotta listens, some welcome returns and a slew of familiar spiky-hair-do flashbacks. But unfortunately, '1977' is also seriously weighed down with too many cheese-puff cringes to be (actually) enjoyable. For sure this journey comes at a cheap-as-political-morals price - but just remember to taper those expectations once you're deep into those satin-pants runs of CD3 and 4.

Finally - I wish I could say that 1977 in the Yearbook Series is worth buying - but excepting CD2 - I found it to be a very flaccid and depressing listen despite the great audio. It’s like the Now compilers went out of their way to find as much crud as they could locate and call it a service to us listeners. 

I would counsel a listen first when it comes to '77… and hope they do better for the years they haven't catalogued as yet - 1975, 1976, 1972, 1971 and 1970.

PS: "Don't Leave Me This Way" Thelma Houston implored in January of 1977 – well EMI and Sony won't because the 'EXTRA '77' 3CD set is due in January 2025... 

"Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Elton John, Paul McCartney & Wings, Sparks, Mud, Suzi Quatro, T.Rex, Wizzard, The Sweet, Pilot, John Lennon, Rod Stewart, Faces, 10cc, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Golden Earring, Bryan Ferry, Mike Oldfield, Slade, Roxy Music, Cockney Rebel, Alice Cooper, Cozy Powell, David Essex, The Rubettes, Bay City Rollers, Olivia Newton-John, Cher, Ace (with Paul Carrack), The Hollies, E.L.O., Andy Kim, Barry White, The Stylistics, The Isley Brothers, Limmie & The Family Cookin', Hot Chocolate, Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross, The Intruders, Johnny Bristol, Aretha Franklin, Hues Corporation, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, The Drifters, Ken Boothe, First Class, Charlie Rich, Charles Aznavour and more (May 2024 UK Sony Music/EMI 4CD 82-Track Remastered Compilation in a Special Edition 28-Page Hardback Booklet) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOW-Yearbook-1974-Various-Artists/dp/B0CY3HPWRV?crid=3DQKVVXK25N3Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2UtaYXPgd_Goo4oL5TaZfg.zen_jTpo0CPAk9roTJJIifnEqdce2ffRCxW3t9vpMZQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=196588423925&qid=1719658233&sprefix=196588423925%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=63e577be423f41617df972e24ca4219f&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

This Review and 269 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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"...Whatever Gets You Thru The Night..."

The 'Now Yearbook' Series of Compilations from Sony Music and EMI has touched on three for the Seventies - '1979' in September 2022, '1978' in April 2023 and '1973' in September 2023. Each has the same MO - a 4CD 'Now Yearbook' and a 3CD follow-up issued about a month later called 'Extra'. 

Here in May and June 2024 we get a fourth - '1974' - a 4CD Main with Special Edition 28-Page Hardback Book (this review), a Standard Card Sleeve Edition and a Truncated 3LP GREEN VINYL Set (all released 3 May 2024) - those followed by a 3CD Extra Companion Compilation released 7 June 2024 with 64 more songs to accompany the 82 featured on the 4CD Main (see list below for catalogue numbers and barcode details).

As with all these (mostly) cheap and cheerful releases - they concentrate on a mix of Pop and Rock on one disc while Soul and Rhythm 'n' Blues will dominate another with Discs 3 and 4 mixing it up with everything from Easy Listening to Glam to Country to Teenybopper Pop and Sixties Reissues. Some Singles and Albums were issued late 1973 but only charted in 1974.

The problem with charts in the Seventies (especially in the early years) is that genius abutted some seriously awful crud on a weekly basis and that's what you get here too. But compilers would argue that one man's Trabant is another man's Tesla - so we put the kitchen sink in and let the listener sort out the dirty dishes from the sparkling China.

As I said earlier, come this review, I opted for the more expensive but more expansive Special Edition Hardback Book version for '1974' – and I'm glad I did. Probably the nerdy collector in me, but I also notice that on the cover art you get the title as "Now Yearbook '74" – but on the book-spine it is "Now Yearbook 1974" which looks so much classier (see photo provided). A silly little point I know, but when lined up against say the "Now Yearbook 1973" hardback (which is the same) – it makes sense (why did they apostrophe the year date!). Content: great 45-single mix memories and reminders (album versions are noted) - re-discoveries that delight – awful stuff you hoped you had forgotten schmoozing upside saccharine cringes a-go-go – and spiffing audio throughout even though only eight entries give actual dates for the Remasters.

The standard card sleeve issue is roughly nine-or-ten quid for a 4CD set chocker with 82 songs (including 17 Number Ones), while my Hardback Edition (at least initially) is a pricey £16.99 (prices go down then up after they are deleted). But as I say, I love the way this Hardback Book Edition looks and feels and the info/presentation is great (I have added in catalogue numbers, release dates and chart positions – much of which is not in the standard issues).

Let's get to the Killer Queens, the Towns That Ain't Big Enough for any of us, Carl and his Kung Fu Fighting, Pool Hall Richards, Shuffling on Wall Street, Men Who Sold The World to The Most Beautiful Girl in the world whilst Emma, Annie and Mr. Soft let their respective hair blow and feet tiger in the Summer Breeze. To details...

UK released 3 May 2024 - "Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW74 - 0196588423925 (Barcode 196588423925) is a 4CD 82-song Compilation in a 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book Version that plays out as follows:

CD1 (72:12 minutes):
1. Killer Queen - QUEEN (October 1974 UK 45-Single on EMI Records EMI 2229, A-side, UK No.2 - 2011 Remaster)
2. Jet – PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS (February 1974, Apple R 5996, A-side, UK No.7 - 2010 Remaster)
3. This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us – SPARKS (April 1974, Island WIP 6193, A-side, UK No.2)
4. Teenage Rampage – THE SWEET (January 1974, RCA Victor LPBO-5004, A-side, UK No.2)
5. Devil Gate Drive – SUZI QUATRO (February 1974, RAK Records RAK 167, A-side, Non-LP single on release, UK No.1)
6. Tiger Feet – MUD (January 1974, RAK Records RAK 166, A-side, UK No.1)
7. Far Far Away - SLADE (October 1974, Polydor 2058 522, A-side, UK No.2 – from the Movie and Album "Slade In Flame")
8. Magic – PILOT (January 1974, Warner Brothers K 16345, A)
9. Gonna Make You A Star – DAVID ESSEX (September 1974, CBS Records S CBS 2492, A-side, UK No.1)
10. Jealous Mind – ALVIN STARDUST (February 1974, Magnet MAG 5, A-side, UK. No.1) 
11. Sugar Baby Love – THE RUBETTES (March 1974, Polydor 2058 442, A-side, UK No.1)
12. Shang-A-Lang – BAY CITY ROLLERS (April 1974, Bell Records BELL 1355, A-side, UK No.2)
13. Billy, Don't Be A Hero – PAPER LACE (January 1974, Bus Stop Records BUS 1014, A-side, UK No. 1)
14. The Show Must Go On – LEO SAYER (November 1973, Chrysalis CGS 2023, A-side, UK No.2)
15. The Wombling Song – THE WOMBLES (October 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1794, A-side, UK No.4)
16. Kung Fu Fighting – CARL DOUGLAS (June 1974, Pye International 7N 45377, A-side, UK No.1)
17. Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – BARRY WHITE (August 1974, Pye International 7N 25661, A-side, UK No.8)
18. You Are Everything – DIANA ROSS & MARVIN GAYE (March 1974, Tamla Motown TMG 890, A-side, UK No.5)
19. You Make Me Feel Brand New (Let's Put It All Together Version) – THE STYLISTICS (April 1974, Avco 6105 028, Originally The B-side of "Only The Children", was then flipped and the A-side became a UK No.2)
20. When Will I See You Again (Single Version) – THE THREE DEGREES (June 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2155, A-side, UK No.1)
21. Sad Sweet Dreamer – SWEET SENSATION (July 1974, Pye International 7N 45385, A-side, UK No.1)

CD2 (77:06 minutes):
1. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me – ELTON JOHN (May 1974, DJM Records DJS 302, A-side, UK No.16 – 2017 Remaster)
2. Whatever Gets You Thru The Night – JOHN LENNON (October 1974, Apple R 5998, A-side, UK No. 36 – 2010 Remaster)
3. You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet – BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE (October 1974, Mercury 6167 025, A-side, UK No.2)
4. Radar Love (UK Single Version, 3:45 minutes) – GOLDEN EARRING (November 1973, Track 2094 116, A-side, UK No.7 - see Paragraphs Below on Single Edits)
5. Dance With The Devil – COZY POWELL (October 1973, RAK Records RAK 164, A-side, UK No.3)
6. Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (Single Edit at 3:38 minutes, LP version is 3:52) – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (January 1974, Warner Brothers K 16349, A-side, UK No.22)
7. Pool Hall Richard (Single Version, 4:24 minutes) – FACES (November 1973, Warner Brothers K 16341, A-side, UK No.8 – featuring Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Ronnie Lane – 2006 Remaster)
8. Mike Oldfield's Single (Theme From Tubular Bells) – MIKE OLDFIELD (June 1974, Virgin VS 101, A-side, UK No.31 - 2009 Remaster)
9. Dark Lady – CHER (January 1974, MCA Records MCA 101, A-side, UK No.36)
10. The Man Who Sold The World – LULU (January 1974, Polydor 2001 490, A-side, UK No.3 – A David Bowie cover of his 1970 song, Lulu’s version is also produced by Bowie and features his guitarist Mick Ronson too)
11. The 'In Crowd' (Single Version, 4:16 Minutes Edit) – BRYAN FERRY (May 1974, Island WIP 6196, A-side, UK No.13 – a cover of a 1965 US RnB hit for Dobie Gray)
12. Touch Too Much – ARROWS (April 1974, RAK Records RAK 171, A-side, UK No.8 – a Chinn and Chapman production)
13. Tell Him – HELLO (August 1974, Bell Records BELL 1377, A-side, UK No.8 – also a Chinn and Chapman production)
14. The Cat Crept In – MUD (April 1974, RAK Records RAK 174, A-side, UK No.2 – a Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn production)
15. The Wall Street Shuffle – 10cc (May 1974, UK Records UK 69, A-side, UK No.10)
16. Farewell (Album Version, 4:31 minutes) – ROD STEWART (from the 1974 UK Album "Smiler" on Mercury 9104 001, No.1 LP, 45 went to No.7 – Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne plays Mandolin)
17. Everyday – SLADE (March 1974, Polydor 2058 453, A-side, UK No.3)
18. Rock Me Gently (original Version) – ANDY KIM (June 1974, Capitol CL 15787, A-side, UK No.2)
19. How Long - ACE (September 1974, Anchor Records ANC 1002, A-side, UK No.20 – song written by and featuring vocalist Paul Carrack, went on to play with Roxy Music, be in Squeeze and ex Genesis group Mike & The Mechanics and has had a huge Solo career still going in 2024)
20. The Air That Breathe – THE HOLLIES (January 1974, Polydor 2058 435, A-side, UK No.2 – an Albert Hammond song and cover version)

CD3 (73:07 minutes):
1. You're The First, The Last, My Everything (Edit, 3:25 minutes) – BARRY WHITE (October 1974, 20th Century BTC 2133, A-side, UK Chart Position No.1)
2. Get Dancin' – Part 1 – DISCO TEX and THE SEX-O-LETTES (October 1974, Chelsea 2005 013, A-side, UK No.8)
3. Rock Your Baby – GEORGE McCRAE (June 1974, Jay Boy Records BOY 85, A-side, UK No.1 - written by Harry KC Casey and Richard Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band)
4. Rock The Boat – THE HUES CORPORATION (July 1974, RCA Victor APBO-0123, A-side, UK No.6)
5. The Love I Lost (Part 1) (Single Version) – HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (November 1973, Philadelphia International S PIR 1879, A-side, UK No.21 – Blue Notes featured Teddy Prendergast – a Gamble & Huff song)
6. Hang On In There Baby – JOHNNY BRISTOL (July 1974, MGM 2006 443, A-side, UK No.3)
7. Kissin' In The Back Row Of The Movies – THE DRIFTERS (May 1974, Bell Records BELL 1358, A-side, UK No.2)
8. Love On A Mountain Top – ROBERT KNIGHT (October 1973, Monument S MNT 1875, A-side Reissue, UK No.10 – originally issued as a B-side of his May 1968 UK 45-single "The Power Of Lover" on Monument MON 1017 – re-entered charts in 1974 – charted on the back of Northern Soul interest)
9. (Win, Lose or Show) She's A Winner (Single Version) – THE INTRUDERS (June 1974 Reissue, Philadelphia International S PIR 2212, A-side, UK No.14 – originally issued November 1972 in the UK on Epic S EPC 8476 which did not chart)
10. A Walkin' Miracle – LIMMIE and FAMILY COOKIN' (March 1973, Avco 6105 027, A-side, UK No.6 – arrangement by Van McCoy)
11. Emma – HOT CHOCOLATE (February 1974, RAK Records RAK 168, A-side, UK No.3)
12. (Hey There) Lonely Girl – EDDIE HOLMAN (October 1974 Reissue, ABC Records ABC 4012, A-side, UK No.4 – originally UK issued by Eddie Holman January 1970 on Stateside SS 2160, A-side, but the original was by American Girl Teen act Ruby And The Romantic as "Hey There Lonely Boy" on Kapp Records (USA) K-544 in August 1963)
13. Summer Breeze (Part 1) – ISLEY BROTHERS (April 1974, Epic S EPC 2244, A-side, UK No.16)
14. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) – ARETHA FRANKLIN (January 1974, Atlantic K 10399, A-side, UK No.26)
15. Everything I Own (7" Mix) – KEN BOOTHE (May 1974, Trojan TR 7920, A-side, UK No.1)
16. Beach Baby – THE FIRST CLASS (May 1974, UK Records UK R 66, A-side, UK No.13 – featuring Tony Burrows of The Flowerpot Men, Edison Lighthouse, The Pipkins and White Plains)
17. Juke Box Jive – THE RUBETTES (November 1974, Polydor 2058 529, A-side, UK No.3)
18. Hey Rock And Roll – SHOWADDYWADDY (April 1973, Bell Records BELL 1357, A-side, UK No.2)
19. Rock N' Roll Winter (Loony's Tune) – WIZZARD (April 1974, Warner Brothers K 16357, A-side, UK No.6 – featuring Roy Wood of The Move and Electric Light Orchestra – Early Production in Mono by Steve Lilywhite of U2 and Simple Minds fame)
20. You You You – ALVIN STARDUST (August 1974, Magnet MAG 13, A-side, UK No.6 – featured Big Jim Sullivan on Guitar)
21. Teenage Dream – T.REX (January 1974, T.Rex MARC 7, A-side, UK No.13)

CD4 (68:24 minutes):
1. Band On The Run – PAUL McCARTNEY and WINGS (June 1974, Apple R 5997, A-side, UK Chart Position No.3, String Arrangements Tony Visconti – 2010 Remaster)
2. Candle In The Wind – ELTON JOHN (February 1974, DJM Records DJS 297, A-side, UK No.11 – 2014 Remaster - B-side was "Bennie And The Jets" in the UK which was used as the A-side in the USA - "Candle In The Wind" was not issued as an A-side in the USA originally, it would take until 1992 when Collectables COL 4901 was issued with the track "Levon" from the 1971 album "Madman Across The Water" on its flipside)
3. I Honestly Love You – OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (September 1974, EMI Records EMI 2216, A-side, UK No.22 – was issued in other territories (Australia, USA, Canada) as "I Love You, I Honestly Love You" – won a Grammy for Best Record of the Year and Best Female Vocal of the Year)
4. Seasons In The Sun – TERRY JACKS (March 1974, Bell Records BELL 1344, A-side, UK No.1)
5. Summerlove Sensation – BAY CITY ROLLERS (July 1974, Bell Records BELL 1369, A-side, UK No.3)
6. Honey Honey – SWEET DREAMS (May 1974, Bradleys BRAD 7408, A-side, UK No.10 – an Abba cover version (the first) and featuring Polly Brown on Lead Vocals formerly of Pickettywitch)
7. Born With A Smile On My Face – STEPHANIE De SYKES (with Rain) (June 1974, Bradleys BRAD 7409, A-side, UK No.2 – the song was written by Roger Holman and Simon May of her backing group Rain)
8. You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me – THE NEW SEEKERS (November 1973, Polydor 2058 421, UK No.1 – their second UK No.1 and the first No.1 of 1974 – group featured lead-singer Lyn Paul)
9. I See A Star – MOUTH & MacNEAL (March 1974, Decca FR 13504, A-side, UK No.8)
10. Long Tall Glasses – LEO SAYER (September 1974, Chrysalis CHS 2052, A-side, UK No.4)
11. Amateur Hour – SPARKS (July 1974, Island WIP 6203, A-side, UK No.7)
12. Mr. Soft – COCKNEY REBEL (July 1974, EMI Records EMI 2191, A-side, UK No.8, 2012 Remaster – featuring Steve Harley)
13. All I Want Is You – ROXY MUSIC (October 1974, Island WIP 6208, A-side, UK No.12, 2012 Remaster – featuring Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera and Production from Brian Eno)
14. The Six Teens – SWEET (July 1974, RCA Victor LPBO-5037, A-side, UK No.9 – a Chinn/Chapman Production)
15. Vado Via – DRUPI (September 1973, A&M Records AMS 7082, A-side, UK No.17 – Italian Singer Giampiero Anelli)
16. Go (Before You Break My Heart) – GIGLIOLA CINQUETTI (April 1974, CBS Records S CBS 2294, A-side, UK No.8 – Eurovision Song Contest entry)
17. Annie's Song - JOHN DENVER (July 1974, RCA Victor APB0 0295, A-side, UK No.1 – UK picture sleeve repro on Page 19)
18. The Most Beautiful Girl – CHARLIE RICH (November 1973, Epic S EPC 1897, A-side, UK No.2 – a No.1 in the USA)
19. She – CHARLES AZNAVOUR (May 1974, Barclay BAR 26, A-side, UK No.1 – subtitled (Theme from the TV Series "Seven Faces Of Woman")
20. Lonely This Christmas – MUD (November 1974, RAK Records RAK 187, A-side, UK No.1 – a Chinn/Chapman Production)

The booklet inside the Hardback Special Edition is a feast and has juicy fan-boy titbits like David Paton of Pilot was in a pre-fame line-up of teen sensations Bay City Rollers but redeemed that life of screaming girlies in Tartan by playing Acoustic Guitar on Kate Bush's No.1 "Wuthering Heights" in 1978. How about that ace-axeman Chris Spedding played guitar on the David Essex original "Gonna Make You A Star" or that the now classic 1973 album "Band On The Run" by Paul McCartney and Wings took seven months to rise to No.1 - initially entering the UK charts at a lowly placing of No. 45 in December 1973 (which now seems unimaginable) but classic single releases like "Jet" and the brilliant three-parter title track (String Arrangements by Tony Visconti of Bowie and T.Rex fame) made short shift of that. Speaking of Marc Bolan, the Get It On star adds extra guitar to "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" from ELO's third album "On The Third Day", their first without founder member Roy Wood who had departed for Wizzard (Jeff Lynne took over completely from this album onwards).

Or how about the rare picture sleeve to Virgin VS 101 pictured on Page 9, the future-airline's first 45 for Mike Oldfield from the all-conquering "Tubular Bells". Collectors of Serious Rock Music will also notice from the onslaught of details how staggeringly successful labels like Bell Records and RAK were – so often tapping into the teen zeitgeist by doing angst-ridden mush or cod Rock and Roll dashed with a little fay rebellion and even (dare we say it) sex. Bell Records especially – the home of the Bay City Rollers, David Cassidy, Terry Jacks, Hello and The Rubettes – smashed it chartwise and yet (in truth) have little collectability in 2024 (I was and still am a secret David Cassidy admirer – wrote a poem about him and his effect on my sisters in the early Seventies). The Chinn and Chapman reign of hits on RAK Records is quite astonishing – regular chart toppers or if not, in at No. 2 or No.3. In fact I can see a Box Set being due for the songs and production chops of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman.

MICHAEL MULLIGAN provided the liner notes for all releases and thanks The Official Charts for dates and highest poll positions. The AUDIO is uniformly fab throughout with specific Remaster dates noted in the track list pages at the rear. This compilation sounds great and at times – startling. To the music…

CD1 opens with a great run from Queen, Paul McCartney & Wings, Sparks, Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Slade and hell – even Pilot pleases. The clarity is seriously impressive right across the board and as you travel into David Essex and his big moment "Gonna Make You A Star" – a notoriously difficult tune to get good audio on – but here it shines (those huge synths). Things start to spiral down with the Echoed Cod R and R of "Jealous Mind" and the wailing vocals of The Rubettes. They get into cringe territory with Bay City Rollers and Paper Lace while Leo Sayer does well with a gutsy vocal on "The Show Must Go On". The less said about The Wombles the better. Soul, Disco and R&B start to show with Carl Douglas, Barry White and the Diana Ross/Mavin Gaye duet. But while Marvin and Diana get seriously swoonsome with their popular "You Are Everything", it is The Stylistics who own my ticker with their lovely "You Make Me Feel Brand New" featuring two lead vocals – Airrion Love and Russell Thompkins. Jr. (initially a B-side flipped to the A after DJ reactions). CD1 closes with soppy Soul – The Three Degrees giving it Philly ah and ooh while Sweet Sensation doing Sad Sweet Dreamer put it down to experience.

CD2 ups the game considerably with seven corkers in a row – the huge riffage of "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" by Electric Light Orchestra here in its single-edit form, Jeff Lynne roaring brill with help from Marc Bolan on Guitar, John Lennon getting funky with "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" from the excellent "Walls And Bridges" album and Elton going George Michael-soulful with "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". But fun comes in the shape of the best-boozy-boys Faces giving it some on "Poolhall Richard" (watch those broken bottles lads) and Cozy Powell whack that kit for "Dance With The Devil" – both rockers hugely enjoyable and sounding super-duper. But for collectors there is the excitement of a quiet coup: as far back as five years ago I bemoaned the lack of a decent overhaul of Golden Earring's hugely popular album "Moontan" from 1973 on Track Records that sports the fabulous "Radar Love". Then came Red Bullet out of the Netherlands who did a Deluxe and Expanded 2CD version in September 2021 with both the LP version of "Radar Love" at 6:21 minutes and a single edit at 3:45 minutes. But there are American Edits at 2:52 and 5:02 minutes – the longer one has been used on 80s British reissues. Well Now Yearbook 1974 is making the UK Single Edit at 3:45 minutes more widely available here and it's licensed from RB in Remastered form so it sounds great – a cleaner leap from those early 80s MCA versions that used that horrible reissue artwork. Note: the rear artwork of Now 1974 does not advise "Radar Love" is a Single Edit but the pages inside and CD itself credit UK Single Edit at 3:45 minutes.

Cher might have gone to No.1 in the USA with "Dark Lady" but it sounds a tad dated to me, better is Lulu becoming impossibly hip with Bowie and Ronson (who both play, sing and produce) as she does David's "The Man Who Sold The World". But good as that is, in terms of sheer Art-Rock-Cool, it doesn't get better than Bryan Ferry's inspired and ever-so-slightly unhinged cover version of the Dobie Gray 1965 R & B classic "The 'In Crowd'" presented to us as a 4:16 minutes edit. Dressing fine, making time, out of sight – the Virgin Remaster is huge and when those geetars and brass come at you – you will know (show us a real good time). Shaking from my head to the bottom of my toes – The Arrows are concerned with fevers of 90-above on their Eddie Cochran-esque "Touch Too Much" – a far better listen than I remember – like cool Sweet. Continuing the cover version tack, glamsters Hello give us a guitar-crunching very Bell Records meets RAK Records stab at "Tell Him" – the 1963 R&B anthem by The Exciters. 

A clever follow comes in the shape of Mud giving it loads of dual-guitars on "The Cat Crept In". But that is whomped by evolving 10cc brilliance in "The Wall Street Shuffle" – a crucial cut from their second album "Sheet Music" in 1974 – fabulous lyrics, production and big muscle from the Remaster. Very clever follow with Rod Stewart and that huge acoustic/mandolin sound he got on Mercury Records – the gorgeous "Farewell" feeling like world-class Faces or Slim Chance – surely one of the gems waiting for you on this 1974 hodgepodge. Ballads play out CD2 with Slade getting mellow for "Everyday", a gorgeously clear Remaster for Andy Kim discovering his inner Neil Diamond with "Rock Me Gently" – but again as good as they once were – they are floor-wiped by Paul Carrack as Lead Vocalist in Ace as they produce what must be one of the top ten greatest singles of the Seventies - "How Long". What a tune! And the Remaster is so sweet. CD2 comes to a satisfying end with another slice of British ballad genius in "The Air That I Breathe" by The Hollies – Alan Clark smartly revamping the 1973 Albert Hammond song into a strings and melody-based gem that the public everywhere still adores 50 years after the event.

CDs3 and CD4 offer up Soul and R &B with Barry White, Harold Melvin, The Drifters, The Intruders and the gorgeous Isley Brothers tune "Summer Breeze". It then morphs into Glam and Pop-Rock – T.Rex sounding ever so slightly unconvincing with "Teenage Dream" while Alvin Stardust already sounds like he’s going through the Pop Star motions. Particularly sweet are Eddie Holman and a later Aretha flourish. Disc 4 ahs four genuine stormers in Paul McCartney, Elton John, Roxy Music and Sparks but too much of the rest is saccharine with only Charlie Rich and maybe Charles Aznavour lifting proceedings. Speaking of replacements... 

MISSING IN ACTION: We should also mention some biggies that aren't on Now Yearbook 1974 or 1974 Extra and could/should have been (probably because of licensing problems) - "Pick Up The Pieces" by Average White Band, "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton, "Boogie Down" by Eddie Kendricks, "Dreamer" by Supertramp, "Let's Straighten It Out" by Latimer, "Photograph" or "You're Sixteen" by Ringo Starr, "It's Only Rock & Roll" by The Rolling Stones, the fantastic "Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie. And where is "I Can Help" by Billy Swan or "Angie Baby" by Anne Murray – both US No.1s - or Abba's Eurovision beginning with "Waterloo" which became their first UK No.1 and began a Blighty love affair with the group that has lasted half a century?

Deep dive cuts could also have included a few roasty-toasties in the shape of "Pinball" by Brian Protheroe, "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" by Yvonne Fair, "Jarrow Song" by Alan Price, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" by Steely Dan, "Homely Girl" by The Chi-Lites, "Amoureuse" by Kiki Dee, "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love" by Bad Company, "Living For The City", "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" or "You Ain't Done Nothin'" by Stevie Wonder, "Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot, "Roll Away The Stone" by Mott The Hoople or even "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. How about "Best Of My Love" by Eagles – a November 1974 US hit that took until January 1975 for a UK 45-release – but what a tune. And I know it didn't officially chart in Blighty or their native USA until re-promotion in 1976, but I would have had the magnificent "She's Gone" by Hall & Oates – issued November 1974 in the UK and USA but to no takers (rules be-damned - it's too glorious to exclude).

As I say – these Now Yearbook sets infuriate as much as they enliven but with so many tracks (part cool, part cliff-sheer nostalgia), great audio and a reasonable price tag that will probably drop even further as time goes on - "Now Yearbook '74" is to be recommended to even the most sceptical…

NOW YEARBOOK '74 UK Discography

"Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW74 - 0196588423925 (Barcode 196588423925) – released 3 May 2024 as a 4CD 82-Track 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book

"Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW74 - 0196588423826 (Barcode 196588423826) – released 3 May 2024 as a 4CD 82-Track Eight-Panel Card Sleeve Standard Edition

"Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW74 - 01965884240141 (Barcode 1965884240141) – released 3 May 2024 as a 3LP GREEN VINYL Edition with 48-Tracks Truncated down from the 4CD edition.

"Now Yearbook Extra '74 - 64 More Essential Hits From 1974" on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW74 - 0196588903021 (Barcode 196588903021) – released 7 June 2024 as a 3CD 64-Track Companion Volume in a Tri-Gatefold Card Sleeve

"Now Yearbook Extra '74 - 64 More Essential Hits From 1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Elton John, Queen, Mud, Suzi Quatro, Sparks, T.Rex, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Slade, Mott The Hoople, Alice Cooper, Mungo Jerry, Cozy Powell, The Rubettes, Gary Shearston, Jim Stafford, Roberta Flack, Barry White, The Stylistics, The Tymes, Bryan Ferry, David Essex, Roy Wood, Clifford T. Ward, Lobo, Bay City Rollers, Commodores, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, MFSB, The Intruders, Prelude, Maria Muldaur, Faces, Love Unlimited Orchestra and many more (June 2024 UK Sony Music/EMI 3CD 64-Track Remastered Compilation in a Trifold Card Sleeve - No Booklet) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yearbook-Extra-1974-Various-Artists/dp/B0D2QKPVCG?crid=3PRUL1R4WPUGF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PtRm3B7H3UZSFGU3M0bZYfdrFn7q3MLM_i4J9fi45fBRaOpTA3pDzzCZwqk37Ma9xBffcfK3gjL4UO_ZWVvmV79R5ZjKf23h_8K8dhm3DJdFYcI3QfCu5-j5EX8Luhe5Lz4hU5pVSkg3e4hBoH-__Kj2_UgyVASsLoGkTD9aae8ActpzH69IxAgi0tSK2jyb.8F-0W3WckRcAqvW1OD3-StyfuEIxCcOgktK1bXRRgdU&dib_tag=se&keywords=now+yearbook+74+extra&qid=1718131611&sprefix=now+yearbook+74extra%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=779346601a7e39f0f1807cf585017889&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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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RATING:

Content: ***

Audio: ****

Presentation: ***

"...Judy Teen..."

The 'Now Yearbook' Series of Compilations from Sony Music and EMI has touched on three for the Seventies - '1979' in September 2022, '1978' in April 2023 and '1973' in September and October 2023. Each has the same MO - a 4CD 'Now Yearbook' and a 3CD follow-up called 'Extra'. 

Here in May and June 2024 we get a fourth - '1974' - a 4CD Main with Hardback Book and Standard Card Sleeve Editions and a Truncated 3LP GREEN VINYL Set (all released 3 May 2024) - and now this - a 3CD Extra companion compilation released 7 June 2024 with 64 more songs to accompany the 82 featured on the 4CD Main (see list below for catalogue number/barcode details).

As with all these cheap and cheerful releases - they concentrate on a mix of Pop and Rock on one disc while Soul and R 'n' B will dominate another with Discs 3 and 4 mixing it up with everything from Easy Listening to Glam to Country to Teenybopper Pop. Some songs were issued late 1973 but only charted in 1974. The problem with charts in the Seventies (especially in the early years) is that genius abutted crud on a weekly basis and that's what you get here. But compilers would argue that one man's Trabant is another man's Tesla - so we put the kitchen sink in and let the listener sort out the dirty dishes from the sparkling China. 

And so it is with the Extra set for '1974' - great 45-single mix memories and reminders (album versions are noted) - re-discoveries that delight – awful stuff you hoped you had forgotten abutting saccharine cringes a-go-go - spiffing audio throughout despite the fact that only four give actual dates for the Remasters - and the bolshy brute is cheap too - roughly nine-quid for a 3CD set chocker with 64 songs.

Let's get to the Judy Teens, the Long Legged Women Dressed In Black, the Liverpool Lou's, The Bangin' Men and the Little Trustmakers floating on the Seven Seas of Rhye whilst always remembering you are a Womble. To the details...

UK released 7 June 2024 - "Now Yearbook Extra '74 - 64 More Essential Hits From 1974" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW74 - 0196588903021 (Barcode 196588903021) is a 3CD Companion Compilation to the 4CD set 'Now Yearbook '74' issued May 2024 and plays out as follows:

CD1 (76:44 minutes):

1. Seven Seas Of Rhye - QUEEN (February 1974 UK 45-Single on EMI Records EMI 2121, A - 2011 Remaster)

2. The Bitch Is Back - ELTON JOHN (August 1974, DJM Records DJS 322, A - 2017 Remaster)

3. The Wild One (Single Version) - SUZI QUATRO (November 1974, RAK Records RAK 185, A)

4. Rocket - MUD (July 1974, RAK Records RAK 178, A)

5. The Bangin' Man - SLADE (June 1974, Polydor 2058 492 A - Non-LP Single on Release)

6. The Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll - MOTT THE HOOPLE (March 1974, CBS Records S CBS 2177, A – featuring Ian Hunter)

7. Forever - ROY WOOD (November 1973, Harvest HAR 5078, A)

8. Teenage Lament '74 – ALICE COOPER (January 1974, Warner Brothers K 16345, A)

9. Spiders And Snakes – JIM STAFFORD (March 1974, MGM 2006 374 – was issued September 1973 in the USA)

10. You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything – FACES (November 1974, Warner Brothers K 16494, A – 2010 Remaster) 

11. Break The Rules – STATUS QUO (April 1974, Vertigo 6059 101, A)

12. Na Na Na – COZY POWELL (July 1974, RAK Records RAK 180, A)

13, Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black – MUNGO JERRY (March 1974, Dawn Records DNS 1061, A)

14. The Night Chicago Died (Album Version) – PAPER LACE (from the July 1974 UK LP "…And Other Bits Of Material" on Bus Stop Records BUSLP 8001)

15. Light Of Love – T.REX (July 1974, T.Rex MARC 8, A)

16. America – DAVID ESSEX (April 1974, CBS Records S CBS 2176, A)

17. Judy Teen – COCKNEY REBEL (March 1974, EMI Records EMI 2128, A – featuring Steve Harley)

18. Red Dress – ALVIN STARDUST (April 1974, Magnet MAG 8, A)

19. Tonight – THE RUBETTES (July 1974, Polydor 2058 499, A)

20. All Of Me Loves All Of You – BAY CITY ROLLERS (October 1974, Bell Records BELL 1382, A)

21. I Get A Kick Out Of You – GARY SHEARSTON (September 1974, Charisma CB 234, A)

22. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – BRYAN FERRY (August 1974, Island WIP 6205, A – 1999 Remaster)

CD2 (67:52 minutes):

1. Love's Theme – THE LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA (January 1974 Debut 45, Pye International 7N 25635, A-side - US Debut Single was October 1973 on 20th Century Records TC-2069)

2. TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia) – MFSB featuring THE THREE DEGREES (March 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2139, A – a Leon Huff and Kenneth Gamble song)

3. Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) – HAROLD MELVIN and THE BLUE NOTES (March 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2187, A – a Leon Huff and Kenneth Gamble song)

4. You Little Trustmaker – THE TYMES (August 1974, RCA Victor RCA 2546, A)

5. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) – DIANA ROSS and MARVIN GAYE (June 1974, Tamla Motown TMG 906, A)

6. Then Came You - DIONNE WARWICK and THE SPINNERS (September 1974, Atlantic K 10495, A – a Thom Bell Production)

7. Down On The Beach Tonight – THE DRIFTERS (September 1974, Bell Records BELL 1381, A)

8. Rockin' Roll Baby – THE STYLISTICS (December 1973, Avco 6105 026, A)

9. I've Got The Music In Me – THE KIKI DEE BAND (July 1974, Pig Records PIG 12, A)

10. Queen Of Clubs – KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND (August 1974, Jay Boy Records BOY 88, A)

11. Machine Gun – COMMODORES (June 1974, Tamla Motown TMG 972, A)

12. There's A Ghost In My House – R. DEAN TAYLOR (May 1974, Tamla Motown TMG 876, A – originally issued 1966)

13. Everlasting Love – ROBERT KNIGHT (February 1974, Monument S MNT 2106, A – originally a 1967 hit)

14. Guilty – THE PEARLS (May 1974, Bell Records BELL 1352, A)

15. Year Of Decision – THE THREE DEGREES (March 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2073, A – a Gamble and Huff song)

16. I'll Always Love My Mama (Part 1) – THE INTRUDERS (March 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2149, A – originally issued June 1973 in the UK on Epic S EPC 1623 also with (Part 2) on the B-side)

17. Midnight At The Oasis – MARIA MULDAUR (June 1974, Reprise K 14331, A)

18. Be Thankful For What You Got (Part 1) – WILLIAM DeVAUGHN (May 1974, Chelsea 2005 002, A)

19. Feel Like Making Love - ROBERTA FLACK (June 1974, Atlantic K 10467, A)

20. Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up (Single Version) – BARRY WHITE (January 1974, Pye International 7N 25633, A)

CD3 (70:18 minutes):

1. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (Edit) – ELTON JOHN (November 1974, DJM Records DJS 340, A – a Beatles cover)

2. Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth – SPARKS (October 1974, Island WIP 6211, A – a Ron Mael song)

3. Hooked On A Feeling – BLUE SWEDE (March 1974, EMI Records EMI 2149 A, featuring BJORN SKIFS)

4. Remember You're A Womble – THE WOMBLES (March 1974, CBS Records S CBS 2241, A – a Mike Batt song)

5. Remember – BAY CITY ROLLERS (January 1974, Bell Records BELL 1338, A)

6. One Man Band – LEO SAYER (May 1974, Chrysalis CHS 2045, A)

7. Liverpool Lou (Single Version) – SCAFFOLD (May 1974, Warner Brothers K 16400, A)

8. I Get A Little Sentimental Over You – THE NEW SEEKERS (March 1974, Polydor 2058 439, A)

9. Laughter In The Rain – NEIL SEDAKA (June 1975, Polydor 2058 494, A)

10. After The Goldrush – PRELUDE (November 1973, Dawn DNS 1052, A)

11. Scullery – CLIFFORD T. WARD (November 1973, Charisma CB 221, A)

12. If You Go Away – TERRY JACKS (June 1974, Bell Records BELL 1362, A)

13. I'd Love You To Want Me – LOBO (May 1974, UK Records UK R 68, A)

14. Let's Put It All Together – THE SPINNERS (October 1974, Avco 6105 032, A)

15. All Of My Life (Album Version) – DIANA ROSS (November 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 880, A)

16. Behind Closed Doors – CHARLIE RICH (June 1973, Epic S EPC 1539, A)

17. My Boy – ELVIS PRESLEY (January 1975, RCA Victor PB-10191, A)

18. Solitaire – ANDY WILLIAMS (October 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1824, A)

19. Don't Stay Away Too Long – PETERS & LEE (April 1974, Phillips 6006 388, A)

20. Long Live Love – OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (March 1974, Pye International 7N 25638, A)

21. Y Viva Espana – SYLVIA (January 1974, Sonet SON 2037, A)

22. Galloping Home – THE LONDON STRING CHORALE (September 1972, Polydor 2058 270, A – charted 1974)

There is no liner notes nor booklet with the Tri-Gatefold Card Sleeve, just track by track credits without any real info including chart positions. The Audio however is uniformly fab throughout with only the Scaffold cut sounding odd to me but I think that is the way it was recording. To the music…

CD1 opens with a great run from Queen, Elton John, Quatro, Mud, Slade and Mott The Hoople. The opening very Nazareth slide guitar of the Slade track is punchy and full of clarity. Roy Wood (of The Move and Wizzard) and Jim Stafford please too with their happy-go-lucky tunes. 'even take the dog for a walk, mend a fuse, fold away the ironing board, or any other domestic short comings' was the witty brackets subtitle for the Faces 1974 final original song throw of the 45-single dice - "You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything". Rod Stewart was already a bona-fide Seventies Superstar (like Elton) by 1973 when he left the Faces but it’s this kind of good time jaunt that shows why people loved him and his former band so much. A low-down lady with a honky tonk car seduces the helpless lads of Status Quo on the pleasing guitar and harmonica boogie of "Break The Rules". The man with the physical hammer – drummer Cozy Powell – packs a rebellious punch on the far-better-than-you-remember-it "Na Na Na" – another RAK Records anthem gifted to Powell by John Cameron who had close associations with a RAK band I loved - C.C.S. (with Alexis Korner). The cod Rock and Roll continues with the fun Mungo Jerry tune "Long Legged Woman In Black" – another gal not prepared to put out for Ray Dorset. 

Some have claimed that the Paper Lace song "The Night Chicago Died" is a re-recording but I don’t think so – it’s just the Album Version which differed from the Single Mix. Unfortunately, the long run of T.Rex moments of greatness was clearly coming to an end with "The Light Of Love" while amazingly clear audio will greet David Essex fans for the echoed menace of the cleverly arranged "America". Can never get me enough Cockney Rebel and I remember absolutely everyone discovering Steve Harley and his smarmy acidic that year with the brilliant "Judy Teen" – a song that manages to be both sweetness personified and razor blade at the same time (clean audio too). Alvin Stardust did well with the weirdly irritating "Red Dress" – the kind of Pop fodder that regularly topped the charts then while The Rubettes and the Bay City Rollers bring me out in hives. CD1 ends though on two clever nostalgia winners – Gary Shearston giving Charisma Records a rare chart entry with his take on the Cole Porter drug-addled oldie "I Get A Kick Out Of You" and Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music carving out a solo career with his take on the Jerome Kern songbook classic "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes".

CD2 goes Soul big time (mostly). Opening with Barry White's band The Love Unlimited Orchestra - "Love's Theme" sets the lush dancefloor scene (BW also gets the last song on the disc). Folks get down with the Soul Train as MFSB, Harold Melvin and The Three Degrees stamp that Philadelphia International sound on our consciousness (we still haven't recovered, nor do we want too). But I have to say that I loved rediscovering "You Little Trustmaker" by The Tymes – the kind of doobie-doobie bopper that just lifts the spirits like only US Soul Music can. Diana Ross got the lead name on the label (of course) but it is the glory of Marvin Gaye that you remember – their duet remake of "Stop, Look And Listen (To You Heart)" (a hit The Stylistics had in March 1971 in the USA) slinking out your speakers (the Ross/Gaye single was a UK-only release). Another excellent duet "Then Came You", offers the forgotten lone hook-up of Dionne Warwick with The Spinners – gorgeous Seventies Soul. The Drifters tune is too cheesy for my taste, but The Stylistics show why they were such hitmakers in those years - "Rockin' Roll Baby" as catchy as it gets. But then we get a true winner – Kiki Dee getting Rock-Funky with her fantastic "I've Got The Music In Me" – an Elton John and Band production that includes great string and brass arrangements too courtesy of Richard Hewson. And the Audio is clearly the EMI Remaster of about 2005 even if it doesn't say so (what a belter of a vocalist she was). 

Skip the decidedly unimpressive KC & The Sunshine Band offering and go directly to the genius of the Commodores doing the Clavinet and Synth Funky instrumental "Machine Gun" – a monster back in the day in the clubs and used ever since in countless movies when an Afro shows up (banging audio too). Two 60ts tunes follow that were reissued to more success in 1974 - more skipping for me unfortunately with R. Dean Taylor on Motown (a 1966 song originally) – better the August 1967 Northern Soul gem "Everlasting Love" by Robert Knight – the kind of perennial that never seems to date (issued once again on Monument Records). Completely forgotten goes to the pretty "Guilty" by The Pearls – the man stole her heart and needs to pay for his sins. The Three Degrees were hugely popular, and you can hear why with "Year Of Decision" – another catchy Gamble & Huff song on Philly. Skipping The Intruders, we are hit with three top-audio total winners that still sound amazingly current - "Midnight At The Oasis" by Maria Muldaur, "Be Thankful For You Got" by William DeVaughn (I am indeed 'diggin' the scene with a gangster lean') and Roberta Flack's sexy "Feel Like Making Love". CD2 closes on oldies radio staple - Barry 'The Walrus of Love' White getting bedroom breathy with "Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up" – keeping his lady pleased in every way that he can.

Unfortunately, CD3 on this Extra compilation is weighed down with Pop Pap. The good stuff first – it opens promisingly enough with Elton doing his Beatles Sgt. Peppers cover of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (Single Edit) which is followed by Sparks giving us "Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth" – their Queen-like drama sounding amazingly clear. But then we get awful dollops of The Wombles and Bay City Rollers broken periodically by Leo Sayer and his Acoustic "One Man Band" anthem (Roger Daltrey of The Who covered it on his "Daltrey" solo debut album in 1973). The cod football anthem "Liverpool Lou" of Scaffold is followed by the cheesy golden oldies jaunt of The New Seekers. Neil Sedaka saves the moment with his Carpenters-melodious "Laughter In The Rain". Great discovery is the Prelude Acapella cover version of the Neil Young 1970 classic "After The Gold Rush" followed by "Scullery" from English teacher Clifford T. Ward (his other hit on Charisma "Wherewithal" is on the 1973 set). Schlock quickly returns with Terry Jacks and Lobo – The Stylistics triumphing with their big chorus brand. Diana Ross offers us the weedy Motown ballad "All Of My Life" but she is blown out of the water by the welcome pipes of Charlie Rich in his signature silver-fox moment - "Behind Closed Doors". Got help us all but I enjoyed re-hearing Andy Williams doing "Solitaire" – an easy listening ballad with half-a-heart. But the last run is just awful with Y Viva Espana making me reach for the barf bag. 

As I say – these Now Yearbook sets infuriate as much as they enliven – but with so many tracks, great audio and a reasonable price tag that will probably drop even further as time goes on – "Now Yearbook Extra '74 - 64 More Essential Hits From 1974" is recommended…

NOW YEARBOOK '74 UK Discography

"Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW74 - 0196588423925 (Barcode 196588423925) – released 3 May 2024 as a 4CD 82-Track 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book

"Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW74 - 0196588423826 (Barcode 196588423826) – released 3 May 2024 as a 4CD 82-Track Eight-Panel Card Sleeve Standard Edition

"Now Yearbook '74" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW74 - 01965884240141 (Barcode 1965884240141) – released 3 May 2024 as a 3LP GREEN VINYL Edition with 48-Tracks Truncated down from the 4CD edition.

"Now Yearbook Extra '74 - 64 More Essential Hits From 1974" on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW74 - 0196588903021 (Barcode 196588903021) – released 7 June 2024 as a 3CD 64-Track Companion Volume in a Tri-Gatefold Card Sleeve