"David Hepworth - Deep 70s: Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Jesse Winchester, Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, Sanford Townsend Band, Hall & Oates, Andy Pratt, Michael Franks, Bobby Charles, Hirth Martinez, Gregg Allman, Big Star, Crazy Horse, Tony Joe White, Boz Scaggs, Freddie King, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top, J. Geils Band, Montrose, George Thorogood, Flamin Groovies, Moon Martin, Dox Nix, Tim Buckley, Jerry Williams, Bridget St. John, Paul Butterfield's Better Days, Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance, Family, Murray Head, The Motors, The Records, The Jess Roden Band, Patto, Terry Reid, Robert Palmer, Dave Edmunds, Brinsley Schwarz, Roy Harper, Sandy Denny, Ellen Foley and more (May 2022 UK Edsel 71-Track 4CD Hardback DigiBook Set with a 36-Page Attached Booklet, Four Themed Compilations and Phil Kinrade Mastering) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://amzn.to/4wH1rqO

RATINGS:

Overall: ****

Presentation: ****

Audio: **** to *****

"…Dog Fight in The Parking Lot…"

I loved the re-acquaintances and discoveries on this four-disc Hardback DigiBook from Mojo and Whistle Test main-man DAVID HEPWORTH – but it also frustrated the crap out of me because I felt some of the choices – deep or not – were cack compared to what could have been included.

But I know there are many who saw Deep 70s as a 71-Track revelation in a field of music that has been done to death across three-and-a-half decades of CD reissues – the Seventies. And as you wade through CD3 and CD4 especially – the sheer wallop of so many largely unheard melodies starts to work its way into your brain. Licensing restraints almost certainly came into play here – but what you do get is a journey through albums that are forgotten, overlooked, talked about in hushed voices amongst learned bearded men. For sure, you will find yourself reaching for the skip button - but give it a breather – and the exhales will repay. A lot to unpack, let's have at the details (I have expanded each entry to include info not in the booklet)…

UK released Friday, 27 May 2022 - "David Hepworth - Deep 70s: Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Edsel EDSL0071 (Barcode 740155727130) is a 71-Track 4CD Hardback DigiBook Compilation with a 36-Page Attached Booklet, Four Themed Discs and Phil Kinrade Masters. It plays out as follows:

CD1 Young Americans (74:51 minutes, 21 Tracks):

1. Payday – JESSE WINCHESTER (from his April 1970 US Debut LP "Jesse Winchester" on Ampex Records A-10104 – musicians include David Rea on Guitar with members of The Band - Robbie Robertson on Guitar with Levon Helm on Drums – Also Produced by Robertson and Engineered by Todd Rundgren)

2. Only You Know And I Know – DELANEY & BONNIE [Bramlett] (from their March 1972 US sixth LP "D & B Together" on Columbia KC 31377 – written by Dave Mason of Traffic)

3. Smoke From A Distant Fire – THE SANFORD/TOWNSEND BAND (from their November 1976 US Debut LP "The Sanford/Townsend Band" on Warner Brothers BS 2966 – Lead Vocals by Kenny Loggins, Barry Beckett on Keyboards)

4. Abandoned Luncheonette – HALL & OATES [Daryl Hall and John Oates] (from their November 1973 Second US Studio LP "Abandoned Luncheonette" on Atlantic SD 7269 (delayed until January 1974 in the UK on Atlantic K 40534) – with Richard Tee on Keyboards and Joe Farrell on Alto Sax)

5. Avenging Annie – ANDY PRATT (from the March 1973 US Debut LP "Andy Pratt" on Columbia KC 31722)

6. The Lady Wants To Know – MICHAEL FRANKS (from his January 1977 Third US LP "Sleeping Gypsy" on Warner Brothers BS 3004 – track features Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and Wilton Felder of The Crusaders with Saxophonist Michael Brecker)

7. Small Town Talk – BOBBY CHARLES (from the August 1972 US Debut LP "Bobby Charles" on Bearsville BR 2104 – features Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of The Band)

8. Altogether Alone – HIRTH MARTINEZ (from the June 1975 US Debut LP "Hirth To Earth" on Warner Brothers BS 2867 – features Robbie Robertson on Guitars and Garth Hudson on Keyboards from The Band)

9. Please Call Home – GREGG ALLMAN [of The Allman Brothers Band] (from the November 1973 US Debut Solo LP "Laid Back" on Capricorn Records CP 0116 – guests included Buzzy Feiton on Guitar, Chuck Leavell on Keyboards, David Newman on Saxophone and Paul Hornsby on Clavinet and Organ)

10. The Late John Garfield Blues - JOHN PRINE (from his October 1972 Second US Studio LP "Diamonds In The Rough" on Atlantic SD 7240 – track features David Bromberg and Steve Goodman on Guitars)

11. Interviews – THE ALPHA BAND (from their December 1976 US Debut and Only LP "The Alpha Band" on Arista Records AL 4102 (January 1977 UK on Arista ARTY 143) - featuring T-Bone Burnett and Steve Soles (of Bear and The Children Of Paradise) – song co-written with Bob Neuwirth (of Bob Dylan's band) and Larry Poons and the Vocals of Roscoe West)

12. Be Careful, There's A Baby In The House – LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III (from his July 1971 second US studio LP "Album II" on Atlantic SD 8291 (August 1971 in the UK on Atlantic 2400 142))

13. Back Of A Car – BIG STAR (from their second studio album "Radio City" released January 1974 in the USA on Ardent Records ADS-1501 – song written by Alex Chilton and John Andy Hummel)

14. Downtown – CRAZY HORSE (from their debut album "Crazy Horse" issued on Reprise Records RS 6438 in the USA in February 1971 and Reprise RSLP 6438 in the UK in early 1972 – band featured Danny Whitten, Nils Lofgren, Jack Nitzsche, Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina)

15. Saturday Night In Oak Grove, Louisiana – TONY JOE WHITE (from his sixth studio album (final for Warners) - "Homemade Ice Cream" - released June 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2708 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46229)

16. Runnin' Blue – BOZ SCAGGS & BAND (from his third solo LP "Boz Scaggs & Band" issued December 1971 in the USA on Columbia C 30796 and early 1972 in the UK on CBS S 64431)

17. Trouble – LITTLE FEAT (from their February 1972 second studio LP in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2600 and May 1972 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46156 – Band featured Lowell George, Bill Payne, Richard Hayward and Roy Estrada with Milt Holland guesting on Percussion on this track)

18. Third Rate Romance – AMAZING RHYTHM ACES (from their October 1975 US LP "Stacked Deck" on ABC Records ABCD-913 and October 1975 in the UK on ABC Records ABCL 5152 – written by Lead Singer Russell Smith)

19. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues – DANNY O'KEEFE (from his September 1972 Third US LP "O'Keefe" on Signpost Records SP 8404 and October 1972 in the UK on Signpost SG 4252 - features Reggie Young on Lead Guitar and Bobby Emmons on Organ)

20. Desperados Under The Eaves – WARREN ZEVON (from his US debut album "Warren Zevon" released June 1976 in the USA on Asylum 7E-1060 and in the UK on Asylum K 53039 – Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys with Jackson Browne sing Backing Vocals on this track and Waddy Watchell plays Guitar)

21. Beyond The Blue Horizon – MICHAEL NESMITH AND THE FIRST NATIONAL BAND (from the July 1970 US Debut solo LP [ex-The Monkees] on RCA Victor LSP-4371 and September 1970 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8136)

CD2: Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers (63:16 minutes, 16 Tracks)

1. Going Down – FREDDIE KING (from his April 1971 US LP "Getting Ready" on  Shelter Records SHE-8905 and A&M Records AMLS 65004 in the UK – song by Don Nix (also Produced) – band features Leon Russell on Piano and Donald "Duck" Dunne of Booker T & The MGs on Bass)

2. Rock And Roll Hootchie Koo – JOHNNY WINTER AND (from his September 1970 US LP "Johnny Winter And" on Columbia C 30221 and November 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 64177 – Written by Rick Derringer who also plays Guitar on the album)

3. Jesus Just Left Chicago – ZZ TOP (from their 3rd studio album "Tres Hombres" released August 1973 in the USA on London XPS 631 and November 1973 in the UK on London SHU 8459 – features Dusty Gibbons on Lead Guitar)

4. Whammer Jammer – THE J. GEILS BAND (from the October 1971 US LP "The Morning After" on Atlantic SD 8297 and Atlantic 2400196 in the UK - band featured John J. Geils on Guitar with Richard 'Magic Dick' Salwitz on Harmonica – a Juke Joint Jimmy cover)

5. Rock Candy – MONTROSE (from their December 1973 US Debut LP on Warner Brothers BS 2740, March 1974 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46276 – Group featured Ronnie Montrose on Guitar with Sammy Hagar (later with Van Halen in 1986) on Lead Vocals)

6. Madison Blues – GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS (from the September 1977 US Debut Album "George Thorogood & The Destroyers" on Rounder 3013)

7. Get Out Of Denver – EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS (from the August 1976 UK 4-Track EP "Live At The Marquee" on Island Records IEP 2 – a Bob Seger cover)

8. Sugar Bee – CANNED HEAT (from their August 1970 US Third Studio LP "Future Blues" on Liberty LST-11002 in Stereo – Alan Wilson on Harmonica – an Eddie Shuler song first recorded 1960 by Cleveland Crochet and Hill Billy Ramblers on his Goldband Records)

9. In My Chair – STATUS QUO (45-Single Version, 23 October 1970 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17998 - A-side – band featured Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt)

10. Shake Some Action – FLAMIN' GROOVIES (from their June 1976 US LP "Shake Some Action" on Sire Records SASD-7521 and Sire Records 9103 251 in the UK – Produced by Dave Edmunds)

11. Cadillac Walk – MOON MARTIN (from the January 1978 US Debut LP "Shots From A Cold Nightmare" on Capitol Records SW 11787 - features Willie Alexander on Piano – covered by Willy DeVille in his band Mink DeVille on their debut LP "Cabretta" in 1977, also on Capitol Records)

12. Going Back To Luka – DON NIX (from the June 1971 US Debut LP "Living By The Days" on Elektra EKS-74101 and in the UK on Elektra K 42096 – Guest Guitarists included Jimmy Johnson and Wayne Perkins)

13. Move With Me – TIM BUCKLEY (from the August 1972 US Seventh LP "Greetings From L.A." on Warner Bros/Straight BS 2631 and in the UK on Elektra K 46176 – Guest Musicians include Kevin Kelly on Piano, Eugene E. Siegel, Paul Ross Novros on Saxophones with Backing Vocalists Clydie King, Vanetta Fields and Lorna Willard)

14. I've Got Dreams To Remember – JERRY WILLIAMS (from the 1979 US LP "Gone" on Warner Bros BSK 3291 – an Otis Redding cover version – guests include The Waters on Backing Vocals with most of Booker T & The MGs including Steve Cropper on Guitar)

15. Dog Days – ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION (from the September 1975 US LP "Dog Days" on Polydor PD-6041 and November 1975 in the UK on Polydor Super 2391 179)

16. It All Comes Back – PAUL BUTTERFIELD'S BETTER DAYS (from the November 1973 US LP "It All Comes Back" on Bearsville BR 2170, January 1974 in the UK on Bearsville K 45517 – song written by Bobby Charles and includes shared Lead Vocals with Paul Butterfield and Geoff Muldaur)

CD3 Blue Boar Blues (75:10 minutes, 17 Tracks)

1. Bye And Bye (Gonna See The King) – RONNIE LANE AND SLIM CHANCE (from the July 1974 UK Solo Debut (after Small Faces and Faces) LP "Anymore For Anymore" on GM Records GML 1013 – was also the B-side of UK 45-single for "The Poacher" on GM Records GMS 024 from May 1974 – the second of only two singles he charted)

2. My Friend The Sun – FAMILY (from their 7th album "Bandstand" - released September 1972 in the UK on Reprise Records K 54006 and October 1972 in the USA on United Artists UAS-5644 – Roger Chapman on Lead Vocals with John Whitney on Guitars)

3. Say It Ain't So Joe – MURRAY HEAD (from the March 1976 UK Debut LP "Say It Ain't So" on Island ILPS 9347 – also October 1975 UK on Island WIP 6252, A-side – Sang as Judas on the October 1970 "Jesus Christ Superstar" double-album)

4. Maid In Heaven – BE BOP DELUXE (from the May 1975 UK LP "Futurama" on Harvest SHSP 4045 – features Bill Nelson on Lead Guitar and Vocals)

5. Dancing The Night Away – THE MOTORS (from the October 1977 UK Debut LP "1" [aka The Motors] on Virgin V 2089 – Includes Guitarists Bram Tchaikovsky and Nick Garvey)

6. Starry Eyes – THE RECORDS (from the June 1979 UK Debut LP "Shades In Bed" on Virgin V 2122 – written by John Wicks (of Kursaal Flyers) and Will Birch)

7. Singing The Blues On Reds – PATTO (from their third and final LP "Roll 'Em Smoke 'Em Put Out Another Line" from October 1972 on Island ILPS 9210 – band featured Vocalist Mike Patto and Guitarist Ollie Halsall)

8. World Park Junkies - SHARKS (from the April 1973 UK Debut LP "First Water" on Island Records ILPS 9233 - band featured Andy Fraser of Free and Bass and Piano with Steve "Snips" Parsons on Lead Vocals, Chris Spedding on Guitar and future Soundtrack Composer Marty Simon on Drums)

9. You Can Leave Your Hat On – THE JESS RODEN BAND (from the March 1976 UK Debut LP "Keep Your Hat On" on Island Records ILPS 9349 - featured Jess Roden on Vocals with Bruce Roberts and Steve Webb on Guitars and Vocals and Chris Gower on Trombone and Sax)

10. Dean – TERRY REID (from his 3rd vinyl LP "River" originally released March 1973 in the USA on Atlantic SD-7259 and April 1973 on Atlantic Records K 40340 in the UK – guests include David Lindley on Varying Guitars)

11. How Much Fun – ROBERT PALMER (ex Dada and Vinegar Joe - from his debut Solo LP "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" released September 1974 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9294 – recorded in New Orleans, USA, features uncredited Little Feat and The Meters as his backing band)

12. I Wish I Was Your Mother – MOTT THE HOOPLE (from their fifth studio album "Mott" (and second for CBS), released July 1973 in the UK on CBS Records S 69038 and August 1973 in the USA on Columbia KC 32425 – band featured Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs – Ralphs later with Bad Company)

13. Polly On The Shore – FAIRPORT CONVENTION (from the September 1973 UK LP "Nine" on Island Records ILPS 9246 - featuring Trevor Lucas on Acoustic and Lead Vocals, Jerry Donahue on Guitars, Dave Swarbrick on Violin, Viola and Mandolin with Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks on Bass and Drums – a Dave Pegg song incorporating Traditional Lyrics and Trevor Lucas Arrangements)

14. The Promised Land – DAVE EDMUNDS (from his debut solo LP (after Love Sculpture) "Rockpile" issued June 1972 in the UK on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1026 and February 1972 in the USA on London/Mam Records MAM-3 – a Chuck Berry cover version – Band included Andy Fairweather-Low on Guitar and Drums, B.J. Cole on Pedal Steel Guitar with John and Terry Williams on Bass and Drums respectively)

15. Choo Choo Ch' Boogie – CHILLI WILLI AND THE RED HOT PEPPERS (from the November 1974 UK Debut LP "Bongos Over Balham" on Mooncrest CREST 21 – a cover of a Louis Jordan Forties R&B hit – band featured Philip "Snakefingers" Lithman on Guitars, Bob Andrews on Keyboards who became a member of Graham Parker's band The Rumour and Pete Thomas who would join Elvis Costello in The Attractions – Backing Vocals by Carol Grimes of Uncle Dog, Jacqui McShee of Pentangle, British Blues singer Jo Ann Kelly and Sophie Israel)

16. Surrender To The Rhythm – BRINSLEY SCHWARZ (from the October 1972 UK LP "Nervous On The Road" on United Artists UAS 29374 – song written by Nick Lowe who was in the band at the time)

17. When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease – ROY HARPER (from his eighth UK album "HQ" released August 1975 in the UK on Harvest Records SHSP 4086 – musicians included Steve Broughton of The Edgar Broughton Band, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Bill Bruford of King Crimson and Chris Spedding)

CD4 The Monstrous Regiment (68:44 minutes, 17 Tracks)

1. Solo – SANDY DENNY (from her 3rd solo album "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz" – released June 1974 in the UK on Island ILPS 9258 and May 1974 in the USA on Island Records SW-9340 – band featured Ian Armit of John Baldry's Hoochie Coochie Men, Dave Pegg of Mr. Fox, Danny Thompson of Pentangle, Alan Skidmore of Centipede and Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath, John "Rabbit" Bundrick of Free, Crawler and The Who, William "Diz" Disley with Jerry Donahue, Pat Donaldson with Trevor Lucas, Dave Mattacks and Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay – String Arrangements by Harry Robinson)

2. The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan – MARIANNE FAITHFULL (from the album "Broken English" – released October 1979 in the UK on Island Records M1 and in the USA on Island ILPS 9570)

3. Love Is A Rose – LINDA RONSTADT (from the September 1975 US LP "Prisoner In Disguise" on Asylum 7E-143 and in the UK on Asylum SYLA 8761 (reissued June 1976 on Asylum K 53015) – written by Neil Young, features Herb Pedersen on Banjo, Herb Connor on Harmonica of The New Kingston Trio with Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon on Shaker)

4. Anticipation – CARLY SIMON (from her second solo studio LP "Anticipation" released November 1971 in the USA on Elektra Records EKS-76015 and December 1971 in the UK on Elektra K 42101 – features Jim Ryan of The Critters on Guitar)

5. Down To Zero – JOAN ARMATRADING (from her third LP "Joan Armatrading" – released August 1976 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64588 and September 1976 in the USA on A&M SP-4588 – Track features Graham Lyle of Gallagher & Lyle on 12-String Guitar, Peter Wood of Natural Gas on Piano, B.J. Cole of Cochise on Pedal Steel Guitar and Kenney Jones of Small Faces, Faces and The Who on Drums)

6. Heart Like A Wheel – KATE and ANNA McGARRIGLE (from their January 1976 US Debut LP "Kate And Anna McGarrigle" on Warner Bros BS 2862 and March 1976 in the UK on Warner Bros K 56218 – all instruments by the McGarrigle’s – song had been covered by Linda Ronstadt in 1974 who named an entire album after the song)

7. Gringo En Mexico – MARIA MULDAUR (from her November 1974 US Second Studio LP "Waitress In A Doughnut Shop" on Reprise Records MS 2194 and November 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 54025 – song written by Wendy Waldman – Guitar by Lowell George of Little Feat with Tommy Tedesco and Dennis Budmir of The Wrecking Crew on Requinto Guitar and Guitar respectively)

8. Mad Mad Me – WENDY WALDMAN (from her June 1974 second studio LP "Gypsy Symphony" on Warner Bros BS 2792 – Wendy on Solo Piano)

9. Love Woke Me Up This Morning – VALERIE SIMPSON 

10. Night Out – ELLEN FOLEY (from her June 1979 US debut LP "Nightout" on Epic/Cleveland International Records JE 36052 and Epic S EPC 83718 – ex-Meat Loaf band - written by Philip Rambow – tracks features Mick Ronson on Guitar with Ian Hunter on Backing Vocals)

11. Two Fisted Love – PHOEBE SNOW (from her March 1976 US second studio LP "Second Childhood" on Columbia PC 33952 and March 1976 in the UK on CBS Records S 81162 – track includes Hugh McCracken on Acoustic Guitar, John Tropea on Electric Guitar with a Sax Solo by David Sanbourn)

12. Gladly Give You My Hand – LINDA LEWIS (from her October 1972 US Second LP "Lark" on Reprise Records MS 2120 and on Reprise Records K 44208 in the UK – LP co-produced by Jim Creagan)

13. Face Of Appalachia – VALERIE CARTER (from her May 1977 US Debut LP "Just A Stone's Throw Away" on Columbia PC 34155, June 1977 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 81958 – song written by Lowell George of Little Feat and John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful – much of Little Feat play on the album as does Jackson Browne as does Jeff Porcaro of Toto and John Hall of Orleans along with many others)

14. Hammond Song – THE ROCHES (from their June 1979 US LP "The Roches" on Warner Bros BSK 3298, Warner Bros K 56683 in the UK – the three harmonizing ladies are Maggie, Suzzy and Terre Roche - Robert Fripp of King Crimson plays Guitar and Produces with Tony Levin on Bass(long-time member of Peter Gabriel's band) and former member of Colosseum)

15. Early Morning Song – BRIDGET ST. JOHN  (from her second studio LP "Songs For The Gentle Man" released in the UK February 1971 on Dandelion Records S DAN 8007 and 1971 in the USA on Elektra EKS-74104 – Produced by Ron Geesin)

16. The Kiss – JUDEE SILL (from her second studio LP "Heart Food" released March 1973 in the USA on Asylum SD 5063 and April 1973 in the UK on Asylum SYL 9006)

17. The Dimming Of The Day/Dargai – RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON (from their third album (Richard Thompson's fourth) "Pour Down Like Silver" - released November 1975 in the UK and USA on Island Records ILPS 9348)

The Hardback DigiBook look and feel is a format I like - even if the built-in pouches that contain the CDs in each leaf (front and back) make it impossible to extract the disc without finger-marking it or scuffing the bugger. The attached booklet is smart – the album sleeves pictured by themselves on one page to the left with his text on each song to the right. There are songwriter credits, year of release, but no catalogue numbers or more importantly – musician personnel. His comments are often personal and not to do with what studio equipment was better than what. At times he illuminates on the details (the Robert Palmer album had both The Meters and Little Feat uncredited as his backing band in New Orleans) – but there are other times on say the Valerie Carter and Phoebe Snow tracks wher we have an array of playing talent that I feel punters would want to know about (so I put them in – each entry – one by one). But - despite Hepworth's sometimes frustratingly oblique notes – you then read the Roy Harper entry at the end of CD3 and the Sandy Denny one that opens CD4 – and our Dave nails it. Emotional singers touching their listeners – not necessarily with dexterity or prowess but with heart – singing about themes that are deeply personal – and therefore it comes across - you feel it and the day/your heart is won.

PHIL KINRADE has done the Mastering and apart from say the Dave Edmunds track that sounds like its tape-wobbling (deliberately recorded that way to ape the old R&R sound) – the Audio is great – clean and clear – and in the case of stuff licensed from Universal – remastered and kicking (there is also a 73-Track Volume 2 from February 2025 called More Deep 70s…). This is a nice-looking set – but it’s all about the lesser-trodden tunes…

CD1 and CD2: The theme of Young Americans promises a lot but for me CD1 is the weakest of the four. Edsel asked Hepworth to look at the off-the-beaten and leave common choices alone – he agreed. But too much of Disc 1 is second-rate Yacht Rock and LP choices that are good rather than great. To the good stuff - highlights include the fantastic Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett cover of the Dave Mason solo track "Only You Know And I Know" which is set up by the drunk and dirty stomach-rumbling workingman angst of "Payday" by Jesse Winchester (Robbie Roberston of The Band producing with Todd Rundgren (still with Nazz) as the Producer). Gorgeous is the only word to use for "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" by Danny O'Keefe (and beautifully produced too – fab audio). But yuck like Andy Pratt, Michael Franks, Amazing Rhythm Aces, and The Sanford-Townsend Band are non-nos for me. I also thought regarding Big Star, Little Feat, Warren Zevon and Hall & Oates - there were better choices like say "September Gurls", "Easy To Slip", "Tenderness On The Block" and "When The Morning Comes". I found the Loudon Wainwright track downright creepy and the Nesmith finisher laughably bad, but I loved the T-Bone Burnett lyrics-sinister in The Alpha Band song "Interviews" - a genius choice and an LP that was literally ignored when I worked the counters for 20-years (no one gave a shit about that album).

CD2 goes the Blues route and I loved the mixture of Moon Martin's "Cadillac Walk" (done by Willy DeVille as MinkDeville on his "Carbretta" debut LP) followed by the fabulous slide guitar Confederate boogie of Don Nix which is turn is followed by a horny Tim Buckley in stunning form on his "Move With Me". ZZ Top, Geils, Thorogood and Johnny Winter all keep the Blues modernised but respectful - while Montrose goes serious riffage with "Rock Candy". But the Atlanta Ryhtm Section and Paul Butterfield's Better Days selections are weedy at best - saved only the neck-jerking boogie of Canned Heat and Status Quo finding their groove. I know the Eddie & The Hot Rods variant of Bob Seger's fab commie-bashing quickie "Get Out Of Denver" is full of piss 'n' vinegar and reminds our Dave of Dingwalls - but I still feel Bob Seger's original is way better. And why only 16-tracks and a sub 70-minutes playing time? 

CD3: Disc Three opens with a killer four-in-a-row – Ronnie Lane beguiling as always with the Slim Chance gem "Bye And Bye (Gonna See The King)" – also a B-side to the fab "Poacher" on GM Records (I wish DH had put "Tin And Tambourine" on CD4 in lieu of lesser tracks). That is followed by the most beautiful Family ballad that still makes me mush - "My Friend The Sun" – and the fantastic Judas Iscariot vocals of Murray Head on his "Say It Ain’t So Joe". Then to rockers Be Bop Deluxe as a preliminary to the change over from Rock into Prog into New Wave. Clever also to include the huge shadow The Byrds and their jangle cast over every jingly-jangly power-pop act – The Records and their breezy "Starry Eyes" offers up lightness after the riffage of The Motors and their Rock-staddles-Prog "Dancing The Night Away" – a million miles away from their "Airport" pop hit that would put them on the chart maps forever. Genius choice too must go to Mike Patto and his Ollie Halsall guitar-led band Patto. Hepworth finds "Singing The Blues On Reds" from their forgotten 1972 Island Records album "Roll 'Em Smoke 'Em Put Out Another Line" – a jerky vibe number that accurately reflects the nerve jitters of the road – stopping by roadhouse cafes – tea and sachets and ketchup on chips - sleeping in stained hotel beds. I was never sure about the two Sharks albums – but the druggy "World Park Junkies" is a Be Bop Deluxe almost Naughty Rhythms weary tune – the hi-hat speed beat feeling like an arm itch as Chris Spedding flicks that guitar while frontman Snips sounds like Joe Cocker in need of rehab real soon. The sleaze continues with Jess Roden getting almost illegally fruity with "You Can Leave Your Hat On" – a fantastic chugger that sounds like a more brassed-up Sensational Alex Harvey band as Jess explains how his ladies attributes make wrong things right. 

Cannot be rational about Terry Reid and his third album "River" – supposed to have been his big Atlantic Records break out. The funky slide-guitar of "Dean" is so cool (David Lindley sexily on the restrained money) – and then there is the voice of Terry Reid that could have fronted Led Zeppelin – wow. Not surprisingly Hepworth follows the Rock-Funk of Reid in 1973 with Robert Palmer in 1974 ably supported by The Meters and Little Feat on the ooh-ooh "How Much Fun" (the signature Lowell George slide comes sliding in over the ladies singing the title and ooh-ooh). Time to slow things down with another smart choice – an Ian Hunter strummed mid-tempo ballad (instead of a rocker) from their best 1973 album "Mott" – Hunter articulating young love that I so strong the young chap wants to join or be her family in "I Wish I Was Your Mother" (dig that lonesome Springsteen-ish Harmonica). The watery grave of "Polly On The Shore" by Fairport Convention is the kind of Folk-Rock attempt that did naught for me then – same now. Time to old-time boogie – Dave Edmunds purposely recording his cover of the Chuck Berry Chess Records classic "The Promised Land" like it’s in a watery closet (good but not great). A functional Louis Jordan cover comes in from Chili Willi And The Red Hot Peppers that again feels out-of-place. Far better is Nick Lowe and that fantastic sound he gets – this time with Brinsley Schwarz. Cherry Red literally named a 3CD Clamshell Box Set on Pub Rock after the song - "Surrender To The Rhythm" (see separate review). CD3 finishes on a magisterial note – Roy Harper singing the praises of day-is-done willow-wood sportsmen in his 7:23 minute-long "When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease". There is something about English singers – Ronnie Lane – Terry Reid – Joe Cocker – they get this gorgeous melody going and you are soon in floods – the moment that the Colliery band kicks in – you will be the same. 

"Nine" was Fairport Convention's second album to feature Trevor Lucas as the main singer instead of Richard Thompson who had jumped ship for a solo career that would ignite properly the following year with his and his wife's fab album "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" (see Track 17 on Disc 4). "Polly On The Shore" is a Dave Pegg tune that incorporates Traditional Lyrics and an arrangement from Trevor Lucas. Again, it seems like a lacklustre choice – I recall their ninth platter coming and going in 1973 without so much as a howdy-doody – not helped by its extraordinarily dull artwork and the feeling that something was missing with both the leading warmth of Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny have gone the solo route (also on Island Records). 

CD4: Sandy Denny's third album after Fairport and Fotheringay was recorded in August 1973 and scheduled for an October release in that year but due to contractual issues – it didn't show until June of 1974. And instead of Folk or Folk Rock or genres thereabouts – its contents surprised. Different tones or not (old timey tunes) – her emotional turmoil and relationship hardships came aching through the plaintive and heart-raw "Solo" which opened the LP on Side 1. Complete with Harry Robinson String Arrangements – you could fry eggs on its heartbreak. Like John Martyn, Sandy would elicit hero-worship for this kind of honesty and her gift of connection with the enthralled listener (Joni and Dylan did the same on their best stuff in 1973, 1974 and especially 1975). Another singer with her heart on a ship out in the ocean is Anna McGarrigle of the McGarrigle sisters – her "Heart Like A Wheel" shimmering by the docks – a human being wrecked on the docks as the ship of love sails away. Linda Ronstadt had brought it world attention in 1974 for her last album for Capitol Records – naming the entire LP after the song. You can’t help thinking that more of that earthy Kate and Anna McGarrigle 1976 debut album should have been used on other discs. 

Cleverly follow up that song with a follow-up. After the smash of "Midnight At The Oasis" on her debut album in 1973, Maria Muldaur saw her second album in 1974 – the wittily entitled "Waitress In A Doughnut Shop" - not receive nearly the same love. But others have raved – tis a grower. Lowell George is credited as playing Guitar on the Wendy Waldman song but you can barely notice. Hepworth follows the Muldaur song with the second Waldman Song "Mad Mad Me" that Muldaur had recorded on the Doughnut LP – here in her own sparse and emotionally loaded piano-only version from her lesser-seen "Gypsy Symphony" album from 1974. Another quietly magisterial ballad comes surprisingly from Valerie Carter – her countrified cover of "Face Of Appalachia" by Lowell George (Little Feat) and John Sebastian (Lovin Spoonful) a fabulous choice. The Roches ladies had done their backing-vocals time with Paul Simon on his magnificent third solo album as far back as 1973 - "There Goes Rhymin' Simon". The cooly different yet strangely unsettling vocal harmonizing of "The Roches" mesmerizes for 5:45 minutes. 

We are then hit with two lady stunners on CD4 – one British and one American. Bridget St. John and Judee Sill feel like the softer sisters of John Martin and Tim Buckley – Bridget giving us the plaintive acoustic "Early Morning Song" which at only 1:57 minutes is over way too soon. No such melodrama restraint for the heroic Judee Sill who turns on the piano and string arrangements power with her gorgeous song "The Kiss". There is footage of her at a Grand Piano on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1973 plugging the 1973 Asylum Records second album "Heart Food" that no one bought. Like Nick Drake, it is shocking with over 50-years distance that such obvious brilliance was not taken to heart by the public, but as Hepworth rightly states, Sill was just one of many women releasing so many belter-albums in the Seventies that it was easy to get lost in the stampede for bigger names like Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Melanie. CD4 ends in Linda Thompson singing of a house, falling-down around her ears in the plaintive etched-out-of-traditional-songs "Dimming Of The Day/Dargai" - drowning in a river of tears - needing you at the dimming of the day. I've loved this love song and ballad for near-50 years now and it still makes me shiver. And about four minutes in - it suddenly ends and goes into the three-minute-plus acoustic instrumental "Dargai" - magical stuff.

It's so easy I know to slag off someone else's choices and come up with paradise-bound alternatives (I tried an Alternate CD1 of my own and it was way too hard) - I acknowledge that. But in the main - "Deep 70s...Volume 1" peep into the bowels and pant-girth passages of yesteryear yields way more goodies that Thomas Crapper blockers. David Hepworth's "Deep 70s..." has way more going for it than many a multi-disc Box Set that I own that I don't play anymore (I do this one). 

So, given everybody's eclectic pennyworth of demands regarding must-have inclusions - it's a minor miracle the compiler pleased so many. And you have tip-a-hat at Dave for bringing our attention to names and songs that deserved better.

Dig in deep indeed and enjoy...now to baggy trousers door number two...

"When A Man Loves A Woman + Warm And Tender Love" by PERCY SLEDGE - June and November 1966 US Debut and Second Studio Albums on Atlantic Records in Stereo (November 2016 UK Edsel Compilation - 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD with Four Bonus Tracks - Number 1 in a Series of 3 CD Compilations) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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June 1966 US Debut Album "When A Man Loves A Woman" on Atlantic Records

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"...Loving Eyes Can Never See..."

The first in an series of three Edsel CD compilations for that great Southern Soul Man – Percy Sledge - and his immaculately coiffured stay at Atlantic Records (see list below for the other two titles).

 

This leanly priced card-digipak offers up his June 1966 debut album "When A Man Loves A Woman" followed by the November 1966 second studio platter "Warm And Tender Soul" plus four appropriate stragglers – two Non-LP B-sides and two later-released alternate version rarities. Lots to warm your soul and the woman you love (put your best friend down). To the details...

 

UK released 11 November 2016 - "When A Man Loves A Woman + Warm And Tender Soul" by PERCY SLEDGE on Edsel EDSA 5063 (Barcode 740155506339) is a Compilation offering 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD with Four Bonus Tracks. It plays out as follows (73:33 minutes):

 

1. When A Man Loves A Woman [Side 1]

2. My Adorable One 

3. Put A Little Lovin' On Me

4. Love Me All The Way 

5. When She Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters)

6. Pouring Water On A Drowning Man 

7. Thief in The Night [Side 2]

8. You Fooled Me

9. Love Makes The World Go Round 

10. Success 

11. Love Me Like You Mean It 

Tracks 1 to 11 are his debut album "When A Man Loves A Woman" - released June 1966 in the USA on Atlantic 8125 (Mono) and Atlantic SD 8125 (Stereo) - in the UK on Atlantic 587015 (Mono) and Atlantic 588015 (Stereo). The STEREO Mix is used for this CD. 

 

12. It Tears Me Up [Side 1]

13. I'm Hanging Up My Heart For You 

14. You Really Got A Hold On Me 

15. That's How Strong My Love Is 

16. A Sweet Woman Like You 

17. Love Me Tender

18. Warm And Tender Love [Side 2]

19. Try A Little Tenderness 

20. So Much Love 

21. I Stand Accused 

22. Heart Of A Child 

23. Oh How Happy 

Tracks 12 to 23 are his second studio album "Warm And Tender Love" - released November 1966 in the USA on Atlantic 8132 (Mono) and Atlantic SD 8132 (Stereo) - in the UK on Atlantic 587048 (Mono) and Atlantic 588048 (Stereo). The STEREO Mix is used for this CD.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

24. When A Man Loves A Woman - Remake recorded in 1966, but unreleased until 1998 as an 'Alternate Take' on the CD compilation "The Very Best Of..." on Rhino R2 72969

 

25. Sugar Puddin' (July 1966 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2341, Non-LP B-side of "Warm And Tender Love")

 

26. You've Got That Something Wonderful (February 1967 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2383, Non-LP B-side of "Baby, Help Me")

 

27. (With) Every Beat Of My Heart (First Appeared on the 1981 UK LP "The Golden Voice Of Soul" on Atlantic K 20085)

 

PACKAGING - the card digipak opens to offer a superb 16-page booklet with properly in-depth and affectionate liner notes from Soul Expert TONY ROUNCE (October 2016). Our Tone is a name Sixties Soul and Southern Soul fans trust implicitly - a man whose vast knowledge on the subject has penned loads of booklets for England's Ace Records and other champions of the genre. You get pictures of both albums, their rare UK plum-coloured Atlantic labels, some rare 7" 45-single picture sleeves for "When A Man Loves A Woman", "It Tears Me Up" and "Warm And Tender Love". The booklet even reproduces the original LP's rear sleeve liner notes (both) alongside full track-by-track annotation. The last page pictures the threesome of generous CD compilations in the series (see list below). 

 

AUDIO is licensed from WEA (the 90s Rhino Remasters) and has been mastered for these compilations for Edsel by PHIL KINRADE at Alchemy Mastering. The debut album ranges from great to just good while the second LP is fabulous - and something of a missing masterpiece of slow torch-song Southern Soul. For sure some of the cuts rattle at the edge of obviously worn tapes, but most all of it feels alive and in your face for all the right smooching reasons. To the tunes...

Climbing to an impressive No. 2 slot on the Billboard LP charts, the debut album is of course dominated by the monster that is "When A Man Loves A Woman". A slow starter single in March 1966 yet still a sure fire hit, this stunning slice of sexy Southern Soul eventually nabbed the No. 1 slot months later on both US R&B and Pop - a huge feat for a male Soul Singer starting out. In fact (as Rounce quite rightly points out), the practice of placing a picture of a pretty white lady on the front cover of the album with the darker than dark singer on the rear was commonplace then (it actually affected shop sales) - but even now it grates big time.

 

The smooch of "When A Man Loves A Woman" is carried through with tracks like the soft-shuffling "My Adorable One" and take my cold hands and warm them of "Love Me All The Way" and "You Fooled Me". Upside the neck-breathers are a few dancefloor boppers like "Put A Little Lovin' On Me" and the makes the tree grow tall of "Love Makes The World Go Round". Forgotten nuggets come in the shape of the don't-come-easy organ grind of "Success" and the very Otis Redding bottom-wiggle of "Love Me Like You Mean It" - the B-side to the March 1966 classic "When A Man Loves A Woman". Speaking of which, I can hear why the 'brass' additions to that song were dropped (Bonus - Track 24) - it's a nice listen but one that clutters the mix up too much, thereby diluting the song's staggering hurt-power. Still, a fascinating listen to my ears after all these decades knowing the original...

 

The "Warm And Tender" album is even more amazing and in my book, a genuinely lost classic on the vast Atlantic Records catalogue. 

 

These Edsel sets are unfortunately deleted now in 2022, but if you get a chance to pick them up cheapish, then take the advice given in "You Really Got A Hold On Me" where Percy pleads "I don't want you, but I need you..." You do need it peeps...

 

PERCY SLEDGE Edsel Series of CD Compilations (November 2016)

 

1. When A Man Loves A Woman + Warm And Tender Love (Edsel EDSA 5063 - Barcode 740155506339) - 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD with Four Bonuses

 

2. The Percy Sledge Way + Take Time To Know Her (Edsel EDSK 7116 - Barcode 740155711634) - 2LPs Remastered onto 2CDs with Eight Bonuses)

 

3. My Special Prayer + Singles And Rarites (Edsel EDSK 7113 (Barcode 740155711337) - Final LP Remastered onto 2CDs with 27 Bonuses)

"The Studio Album Collection" by JIM CROCE (March 2015 UK Edsel 7CD Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Photographs And Memories..."

South Philly singer-songwriter JIM CROCE was a strange one in Blighty. A massive star in the USA when his first solo album proper "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" hit the racks in May 1972 on ABC Records - within a year and a half he'd had two No. 1 singles and one number one album.

Yet in England (where most of his catalogue was carried by Vertigo Records) - his music meant little and saw bugger all chart action. Even a killer single like "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" with the equally impressive and touching ballad "Photographs And Memories" on the flipside (issued August 1972 on Philips 6000 069 in the UK) did zip despite the incredibly radio-friendly hooky A-side that American DJs sent all the way to the top (and back in the days when those 45 sales figures were huge).

Tragedy struck too. In late September 1973, Croce and other band mates were on their way from Louisiana to a gig in Sherman, Texas when their light aircraft crashed on take off killing all six inside (including the pilot). Croce was only 30 and it was already over. Yet his way with a melody, his raconteur wit and his great lyrical songs stayed with people and saw a Greatest Hits set grab an impressive No. 2 spot on the Stateside Rock LP charts in October 1974 (even then there was still nothing in the UK by way of chart action). And that's where this rather cool little CD Box set comes swaggering in.

UK released 16 March 2015 - "The Studio Album Collection" by JIM CROCE [featuring Ingrid Croce] on Edsel CROCEBOX01 (Barcode 5014797891036) is a 7CD Box Set with Card Repro LP sleeves and Booklet that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Facets", 26:39 minutes, 11 Tracks

1. Steel Rail Blues [Side 1]

2. Coal Tattoo

3. Texas Rodeo

4. Charley Green, Play That Slide Trombone

5. The Ballad Of Gunga Din

6. Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp From Savannah) [Side 2]

7. Sun Come Up

8. The Blizzard

9. Running Maggie

10. Until It's Time For Me To Go

11. Big Fat Woman

Tracks 1 to 11 are the privately financed and issued "Facets" LP - released August 1966 in the USA on CROCE-101 (No Label), 500 copies only, most sold by JC at gigs

Disc 2 "Jim And Ingrid Too", 17:39 minutes, 7 Tracks

1. Child Of Midnight

2. Marianne

3. Railroads And Riverboats

4. Hard Times Are Over

5. The Railroad Song

6. Maybe Tomorrow

7. Pa (Song For A Grandfather)

Seven Studio Outtakes first issued March 2004 in the USA as Disc 2 in the 2CD Deluxe Edition reissue of "Facets" (Shout! Factory D2K 34724 - Barcode 826663472424). No recording dates or musician credits provided then or now. The recordings are probably 1967 and 1968 and are far better recorded quality than the bootleg feel of the original 1966 privately made "Facets" LP

Disc 3 "Croce" by Jim and Ingrid Croce, 27:23 minutes, 11 Tracks

1. Age [Side 1]

2. Spin, Spin, Spin

3. I Am Who I Am

4. What Do People Do

5. Another Day, Another Town

6. Vespers

7. Big Wheel [Side 2]

8. Just Another Day

9. The Next Man I Marry

10. What The Hell

11. The Man That Is Me

Tracks 1 to 11 are the US LP "Croce" originally issued September 1969 on Capitol ST-315 in Stereo and credited to JIM and INGRID CROCE. It was reissued 1974 in the USA and Canada as "Another Day, Another Town" on Pickwick SPC-3332 in different LP artwork (railway tracks sleeve) with nine rearranged tracks (the two dropped were "The Next Man That I Marry" and "I Am Who I Am"). That 1974 LP variant can be sequenced by using the following CD tracks – Side 1: 5, 6, 7, 4 and 2 / Side 2: 1, 8, 10 and 11. It was reissued yet again by Pickwick with the same catalogue number and nine tracks sometime in 1976 (Pickwick SPC-3332), but again with different artwork (painting/cartoon side profile face sleeve).

Disc 4 "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", 33:12 minutes, 12 Tracks

1. You Don't Mess Around With Jim [Side 1]

2. Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day

3. New York's Not My Home

4. Hard Time Losin' Man

5. Photographs And Memories

6. Walkin' Back To Georgia

7. Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels) [Side 2]

8. Time In A Bottle

9. Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy)

10. Box No. 10

11. A Long Time Ago

12. Hey Tomorrow

Tracks 1 to 12 are the US LP "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" issued May 1972 in the USA on ABC Records ABCX-756 - July 1972 in the UK on Vertigo Records 6360 700 (peaked at No. 1 on the US LP charts, didn't chart UK)

Disc 5 "Life And Times", 29:51 minutes, 11 Tracks

1. One Less Set Of Footsteps [Side 1]

2. Roller Derby Queen

3. Dreamin' Again

4. Careful Man

5. Alabama Rain

6. A Good Time Man Like Me Ain't Got No Business (Singin' The Blues)

7. Next Time, This Time [Side 2]

8. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown

9. These Dreams

10. Speedball Tucker

11. It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way

Tracks 1 to 11 are the LP "Life And Times" - released January 1973 in the USA on ABC Records ABCX-769 - June 1973 UK LP on Vertigo Records 6360 7011 (peaked at No. 7 on the US LP charts, didn't chart UK)

Disc 6 "I Got A Name" , 31:47 minutes, 11 Tracks

1. I Got A Name [Side 1]

2. Lover's Cross

3. Five Short Minutes

4. Age

5. Workin' At The Car Wash Blues

6. I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song [Side 2]

7. Salon And Saloon

8. Thursday

9. Top Hat Bar And Grille

10. Recently

11. The Hard Way Every Time

Tracks 1 to 11 are the LP "I Got A Name" - released December 1973 in the USA on ABC Records ABCX-797 - April 1974 UK LP on Vertigo Records 6360 702 (peaked at No. 2 in the US LP charts, didn't chart UK)

Disc 7 "The Lost Recordings", 31:46 minutes, 12 Tracks

1. You Don't Mess Around With Jim

2. New York's Not My Home

3. Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day

5. Walkin' Back To Georgia

6. Operator

7. Time In A Bottle

8. Seems Like Such A Long Time Ago

9. Mississippi Lady

10. These Dreams

11. A Good Time Man Like Me Ain't Got No Business (Singin' The Blues)

12. Lover's Cross

Tracks 1 to 12 are early home studio recordings for the 1972 LP "You Don't Mess Around With Jim". Edsel have reissued that 1972 album as a standalone CD in 2015 on Edsel EDSA 5025 (Barcode 740155502539) with the above 12 tracks - 1972 Home Demo Recordings for the "You Don't Mess Around With jim" Album added on as Bonuses.

Each of the 7CDs listed above are in individual singular card sleeves that repro the front and rear of their original vinyl albums - excepting of course the two specially created compilations - "Jim and Ingrid Too" and "The Lost Recordings" (both with newly made up artwork). All seven slide into a hard card slipcase box sided by a very tastefully laid out 36-page accompanying booklet featuring lyrics, recording credits (if known) and a new essay on Croce's life and legacy by ALAN ROBINSON written in December 2014. As with so many Edsel reissues, although the titles are licensed from the majors, there is precious little by way of Remastering credits except that their long-time Audio Engineer - PHIL KINRADE – has mastered this compilation.

The "Facets" album from 1966 reflects its privately pressed and recorded origins and has what can generously be described as bootleg quality - good but never great. The rest are thankfully a whole lot better - especially the core trio of solo LPs "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", "Life And Times" and the album that was recorded before he was tragically taken and released after his passing "I Got A Name". And I'd swear they're the Rhino Remasters. All the instruments are clear and clean. The second CD called "Jim & Ingrid Too" (Disc 2 in the Shout! Factory 2004 Deluxe Edition reissue of "Facets") has shockingly good audio for all of its seven cuts. But that 2004 Shout! Factory reissue unfortunately gives absolutely no indication of when, where or who played on these songs (not elaborated on here either). But given their audio, it might be enough to surmise that they were recorded circa 1967 to 1968 in a professional studio – put down no doubt before the husband and wife "Croce" set on Capitol Records in 1969. Although neither the booklet nor the rear sleeve of the other rarities set here (CD7 entitled "The Lost Recordings") gives any info on those 12 tracks - they're 1972 home demos for the "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" album and their audio quality reflects that. The real studio albums however sound great.

The first bare bones album is OK, the outtakes second CD far, far better despite its short playing time, but whilst the husband and wife Sonny & Cher routine of "Croce" has some pretty and funny moments – mostly it comes over as twee 60ts and is terribly dated (Ingrid hasn’t the best of voices either). The leap to May 1972 and the first solo album proper "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" on ABC Records in terms of audio and quality songs is enormous. It's as if Croce had been crafting and saving up for years because the songs on "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" are fantastic. While the radio-grabber title track gets all the hooky plaudits, to this day there are people who can’t listen to the emotive ballad "Time In A Bottle" without getting soppy. It’s a truly affecting song and the great audio feels like that of Steve Hoffman when DCC reissued and remastered his material. Terry Cashman and Tommy West (trading as Cashman and West on ABC Records in the USA and Probe Records in the UK) aided and abetted on all three of the proper solo albums and with smashes like "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown", "Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels)", "One Less Set Of Footsteps" and "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song)"– Croce found himself up there with the likes of Don McLean, Gordon Lightfoot and even James Taylor as being beloved by the public and admired by music critics at one and the same time.

This is a nice set and a reminder of his sad loss – a legacy that shows (some say) that Jim Croce might have taken on the singer-songwriter big boys had his wit and charm been given a chance. In the meantime, try to seek this out rather elusive box set and enjoy those musical photographs of simpler times...