"Feel No Fret" by AVERAGE WHITE BAND (Inside Edsel’s 2014 ‘All The Pieces: Complete Studio Recordings 1971-2003’ 19CD Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...When Will You Be Mine..." 

You can find AWB’s brill “Feel No Fret” LP from 1979 in a few places – most of which are reasonably priced and good to go Audio wise. But I’d argue that Scotland’s AVERAGE WHITE BAND are worth more than a cheap-as-chips flutter and you should consider flogging the silver for this...

A huge 172-tracks across 19 CDs covering 43 years (1971 to 2003) – every one of the official AVERAGE WHITE BAND studio albums represented in cool-looking 5" card repro artwork. And as if that's not enough - you get four exclusive sets - a rejiggered 1st album with a different track, a mock 2nd album with new artwork, a 1980 US-only Atlantic Records compilation LP called "Volume III" where Side 1 was 4 new songs and Side 2 had 5 oldies and finally a 2CD round-up named "All The Pieces" that gathers together Alternate Versions, 12" Single Mixes and other Rarities.

"All The Pieces" is housed in a squat flip-top box with beautiful AWB artwork and has an illustrated 52-Page Booklet that features involvement from the Scottish Rock-Soul boys themselves (Hamish Stuart and Alan Gorrie). There's a lot of cool music on here that isn't in the least bit average (the “Feel No Fret” album is amongst them) - so let's start cruising down Atlantic Avenue...

UK released 14 July 2014 (22 July 2014 in the USA) - "All The Pieces: The Complete Studio Albums 1971-2003" by AVERAGE WHITE BAND on Edsel AWBOX01 (Barcode 5014797890954) is a 19CD Flip-Lid Box Set with a 52-Page Booklet. The 1979 album "Feel No Fret" is Disc 10 and plays out as follows:

Disc 10 (37:38 minutes):

1. When Will You Be Mine

2. Please Don’t Fall In Love

3. Walk On By

4. Feel No Fret

5. Stop The Rain [Side 2]

6. Atlantic Avenue

7. Ace Of Hearts

8. Too Late to Cry

9. Fire Burning

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album “Feel No Fret” – released February 1979 in the UK on RCA Records XL 13063 and in the USA on Atlantic SD 19207. Produced by AVERAGE WHITE BAND and GENE PAUL – it peaked at No. 15 on the UK LP charts and No. 33 in the USA.

Dedicated to their drummer and band founder-member Robbie McIntosh who died in 1974 from a spiked drink just as the 'AWB' album was taking off - the 52-page booklet features JUSTIN M. KANTOR liner notes on every LP - but oddly leaves out the "All The Pieces" double set entirely. Each album is in a 5” card repro sleeve with original artwork front and rear (gatefolds for “Feel No Fret” and the 2CD sets “Person To Person” and “All The Pieces”) - but no inners or inserts (each disc is numbered).

The mastering is by PHIL KINRADE (as it was on the 2009 "Collection" sets) and the material is licensed form Atlantic and Rhino who reissued the bands catalogue in the 90's. Suffice to say that these discs 'Funk' in all the right places and as you wade through them - you remember with huge affection just how good AWB was. This is music that transcends Soul, Funk or Rock – a musical hybrid of all three that hits the mark more times than it misses. That the sporadic later albums maintain that standard is pleasing - 90's and 00's updated variants of their famous 70ts and 80ts sound.

All the charted single are here - "Pick Up The Pieces" (1974), "Cut The Cake" (1975), "Queen Of My Soul" (1976), ""Walk On By" and "When Will You Be Mine" (1979) and "Let's Go Round Again" and "For You For Love" (1980). But in-between the cracks you get forgotten 7" single gems like their UK debut of Joe Sample's ludicrously infectious "Put It Where You Want It" (the keyboardist with The Crusaders) and the stunning "You Got It" which was the B-side of "Pick Up The Pieces" in July 1974 (what a double-sider that was). Other huge fan faves include "School Boy Crush" (November 1975), "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" (August 1975), "A Love Of Your Own" (December 1976) or the Gorrie/Stuart ballad "Cloudy" originally from the "Cut The Cate" LP but brought out and lifted up into the stratosphere for the brill live double "Person To Person". And any variant of the sublime "Let's Go Round Again" is likely to have me wiggling my aged booty in an undignified manner...no matter who's laughing...

But there's also hidden album nuggets like the stunning Brass-Funk shuffle of "Goin' Home" from the overlooked "Soul Searching" LP (they released a 'live' variant of it in March 1977 in the UK on Atlantic K 10192) or the Arif Mardin produced Philly Soulful "A Star in The Ghetto" with Ben E. King from their collaboration album "Benny And Us" - an LP that featured Luther Vandross on Backing Vocals before he brook through himself. Ned Doheny penned the fabulous groove of "Get It Up For Love" - the opening track on "Benny And Us" and from his own "Hard Candy" album from 1976 (see separate review). His songwriting knack would turn up big time with "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me" - a co-write with AWB's Hamish Stuart. Chaka Khan would name her entire 1981 Warner Brothers LP after the song. It should have been released as a single and David Foster admits he made a big mistake on that one (Christine Day does a great version of it on her 2004 CD album "Cover My Soul"). The entire 'AWB' LP is a stone masterpiece to me ("Work To Do" and "There's Always Someone Waiting") – which brings by circuitous route to 1979’s "Feel No Fret"...

With its cool ice-blue gatefold and detailed inner sleeve – I’ve loved this RCA Records LP for decades – bathing in the warmth of summery winners like the irrepressible 'sunlight in my eyes' of "Atlantic Avenue", the drum shuffling heavy-on-the-bass Side 1 funk of "Feel No Fret" and the very AWB 'get back home to you' joy of "Fire Burning" that ends Side 2. From the opening seconds of Hamish Stuart’s Bass and Alan Gorrie’s guitar on the hit single “When Will You Be Mine” – you know you’re in the presence of Funky magic.

Alan Gorrie co-wrote “Please Don’t Fall In Love” with Roger Ball (ex Fusion band Mogul Thrash who managed one album on RCA Records in 1971) – a catchy-as-a-cold Hall & Oates-sounding bopper. They then have a go at Bacharach and David’s Dionne Warwick vehicle “Walk On By” – pumping up those high vocals – anchoring the radio-friendly proceedings with a great Bass line, salsa shuffles and brass jabs. The genius bass run that underlays the Side 2 opener “Stop The Rain” would make Maceo and The JB’s envious. “Ace Of Hearts” gives it some Philly strings while “Too Late To Cry” is good without being great. But as already said the finisher “Fire Burning” is a fab AWB bopper capable of filling dancefloors from a hundred paces...

A cheaper alternative is Edsel's own four-volume "The Collection" series put out April 2009 in 4 card-slip cases that make up an 'AWB' spine. Those four CD reissues contain the first 13 albums in this box set (1973's "Show Your Hand" through to 1982's "Cupid's In Fashion") and can be purchased for about 25 quid secondhand in total. Volume 4 lumps “Feel No Fret” and May 1980’s “Shine” together – a combo many will find appealing.

But I'd advise go to thirty-five quid and get the box with Discs 14 to 18 added on and that gorgeous presentation. The casual buyer should just opt for either the "AWB – Deluxe Edition" or a simple 2CD 'Best Of' that contains both the classic Atlantic and RCA Records periods - of which there are loads for under a fiver. 

When MCA Records talent scouts at an Eric Clapton concert in 1973 got a load of the Scottish support act AVERAGE WHITE BAND - a bunch of hairy white dudes who came on 'funky' like a band of brothers born to it - they were smitten. And thus the AWB legend was born. Clearly aimed at the completist and uber-fan - "All The Pieces" has pride of place on my Soul shelf and I pet it every now and then with affection. I suggest you get that bat crazy too...and check out their duet with Daryl Hall at Daryl's House online doing "Pick Up The Pieces" - wow!

"Tucky Buzzard" by TUCKY BUZZARD (Inside The 2016 Edsel 5CD Box Set ‘The Complete Tucky Buzzard’) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Coming On Again..."

Arising out of the ashes of Decca's late 60ts Psychedelia band THE END - the delightfully-named TUCKY BUZZARD took their feathery moniker from a character in from one of the Uncle Remus books where one of the Br'er Rabbit runners was called 'Br'er Tucky Buzzard'. They managed a whopping five albums across three countries and with three different labels (without too many people noticing either) - Hispavox in Spain for the debut released in late 1971 as well as Capitol in the USA and Deep Purple's 'Purple Records' in the UK for the remaining four released between 1971 and 1973.

As well as that these funky British Rockers received the high profile patronage and hands-on help of Rolling Stone Bassist BILL WYMAN who produced three of their albums (see 2, 3 and 5 below) - one of which also featured the guitar chops of Rolling Stone ace axeman MICK TAYLOR and well as their top session players Bobby Keys and Jim Price on the Horns (Disc 2).

To the matter in hand...

I've been digging Edsel Box Sets for years (some actually let the side down slightly - the T.Rex one jumps to mind) - but like the fabulous Average White Band, Chairmen Of The Board and their recent effort for 60ts cult band The End (see separate reviews) - this one is a goodie if you like your Rock hard and heavy one minute whilst being funky the next. Superbly put together and clearly with Bill Wyman's involvement (a man known to take care of the Stones musical legacy) - this 5CD Box Set offers the very best presentation of Tucky Buzzard's short but productive career and allows Seventies Rock lovers (and the curious) access to much that is impossibly hard to find on original vinyl. There's a wad of info to get through - so if you'll forgive the inflight pun - onwards and upwards...

UK released 15 July 2016 (22 July 2016 in the USA) - "The Complete Tucky Buzzard" by TUCKY BUZZARD on Edsel EDSB 4033 (Barcode 740155403331) is a 5CD Mini Box Set containing their 'complete' recorded output between 1970 and 1973. The American-only album "Tucky Buzzard" from 1971 is Disc 2 and plays out as follows:

Disc 2 "Tucky Buzzard" (39:39 minutes):

1. Time Will Be Your Doctor

2. Stainless Steel Lady

3. Sally Shotgun

4. Gu Gu Gu

5. My Friend

6. Pieces Apple Lady [Side 2]

7. She's Meat

8. Ace The Face

9. Whisky Eyes

10. Rolling Cloud

Tracks 1 to 10 are the second studio album "Tucky Buzzard" - released June 1971 in the USA (only) on Capitol ST-787. Produced by BILL WYMAN at London's Olympia Studios and featuring Rolling Stones players MICK TAYLOR (Guitar on "My Friend") as well as BOBBY KEYS and JIM PRICE (Horns on "Whisky Eyes" and "Rolling Cloud") - it was not released in the UK at the time and saw its first CD release in 2002 on Ripple Records (the master is licensed from them).

The massively in-depth 32-page booklet inside the glossy 5" clamshell mini box set is an impressive affair- new liner notes by noted music writer ALAN ROBINSON featuring new interviews with Guitarist Terry Taylor and Drummer Dave Brown - there's artwork for all five LPs with each CD placed inside a singular 5" card sleeve. The project was overseen by the vastly experienced VAL JENNINGS and PHIL KINRADE did the Remasters at Alchemy Mastering using licensed tapes. I found the sound varied across the albums - good to great. Mostly I'm just impressed with the musicianship and the Funkiness of the Rock - my kind of poison for sure...

Coming at you like England's answer to Steppenwolf meets Three Dog Night - probably because of the Deep Purple Records label tie-in Tucky Buzzard were perceived as 'hard rockers' - but in fact they were far funkier than that. There was a swing and chug to their guitars that made them FUNK like say American Gypsy or After The Fire. At other times they were soulful like Free and Humble Pie could be - while still churning out those riffs and funky grooves.

Never is this more obvious than on the "Tucky Buzzard" album from late 1971 with 9 of the 10 tracks being self-penned originals. Both "There Will Be A Doctor" and "Stainless Steel Lady" give it some ants-in-your-pants Funk-Rock with the best of them. But there's horrible hiss levels on "Sally Shotgun" that put a damper on this rather lovely ballad - sweet Peter Green guitar licks from Terry Taylor with Jimmy Henderson's vocals sounding like Pink Floyd circa "Meddle". Things improve hugely with the fabulous "Gu Gu Gu" - a Funky-As-Coffee-Beans groover that I used to put on 70ts CD-Rs whenever I got the chance. Think Spirit's "Mr. Skin" and you're there - a chunky Nick Graham keyboard groove acts as the backdrop to Taylor's guitar and the 'make a mark in the sky' lyrics about existence and not working. I love this track and it sounds wickedly good here.

Other winners on the "Tucky Buzzard" album include their cover of Leon Russell’s "Pisces Apple Lady" where the boys are encouraged by their American friend to get themselves together in the English countryside (they sound so Three Dog Night on this). "She's Meat" and "Ace The Face" feel like groovy Immediate label Small Faces while the two finishers lay down heavy Paul Francis drum beats before going all Brass Funk Rock with Jim Price and Bobby Keys of The Rolling Stones entourage on "Whisky Eyes" and "Rolling Cloud". I love the gritty guitar sound Taylor gets while Graham's keyboards remind me Snafu on WWA Records in 1973 and 1974. An edit of the 5:18 minutes "Rolling Cloud" could easily have been a great 45...

David Bowie apparently saw them live in 1971 and was duly impressed (took some of their stage act with him) - but neither his nor Wyman’s peripheral superstardom seem to rub off and the band disbanded in mid 1974 after poor record sales and missed opportunities (they should have been on the 6 April 1974 'California Jam' bill in front of 250,000 fans where Deep Purple set the record for the 'loudest' band in the world - 50,000 record sales from that gig alone would have saved them). Guitarist Terry Taylor ending up on RAK Records with photogenic heartthrobs The Arrows (released his first solo album in 2014 called "Taylor Made") and Nick Graham later penned winning hits in the 90ts for the Goss Brothers in Bros.

So much to discover and thankfully some of it you can actually like - and even though its far from being undiluted genius from top to bottom - Edsel are to be praised for getting the five-disc "Complete Tucky Buzzard" Box Set out there in such style. Fans should not hesitate...

"All The Pieces: The Complete Studio Recordings 1971-2003" by AVERAGE WHITE BAND (2014 Edsel 19CD Box Set with 52-Page Booklet and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

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"...Pick Up The Pieces..."

A huge 172-tracks across 19 CDs covering 43 years (1971 to 2003) – every one of the official AVERAGE WHITE BAND studio albums represented in cool-looking 5" card repro artwork. And as if that's not enough - you get four exclusive sets - a rejiggered 1st album with a different track, a mock 2nd album with new artwork, a 1980 US-only Atlantic Records compilation LP called "Volume III" where Side 1 was 4 new songs and Side 2 had 5 oldies and finally a 2CD round-up named "All The Pieces" that gathers together Alternate Versions, 12" Single Mixes and other Rarities.

"All The Pieces" is housed in a squat flip-top box with beautiful AWB artwork and has an illustrated 52-Page Booklet that features involvement from the Scottish Rock-Soul boys themselves (Hamish Stuart and Alan Gorrie). There's a lot of cool music on here that isn't in the least bit average - so let's start picking up those pieces...

UK released 14 July 2014 (22 July 2014 in the USA) - "All The Pieces: The Complete Studio Albums 1971-2003" by AVERAGE WHITE BAND on Edsel AWBOX01 (Barcode 5014797890954) is a 19CD Flip-Lid Box Set with a 52-Page Booklet and plays out as follows:

1. Show Your Hand (8 tracks, 42:22 minutes) - debut LP released June 1973 in the UK on MCA Records MUPS 486 (reissued 1974 on MCA Records MCF 2514)

2. How Sweet Can You Get? (10 tracks, 39:52 minutes)

First released as 'The Clover Sessions' in January 2004 on CD2 of the “AWB” Deluxe Edition on Columbia 513413 2 (Barcode 5099751341321). Renamed as a 'missing album' in April 2009 for their 2CD reissue of "The Collection Volume 1 - Show Your Hand..." on Edsel EDSD 2030 (Barcode 740155203030).

3. Average White Band [aka "AWB" in the USA] (10 tracks 39:58 minutes)

"Average White Band" (also known as The White Album because of its distinctive plain artwork) was released on Atlantic K 50058 in July 1974 in the UK and as "AWB" in the USA on Atlantic SD-7308 in September 1974 (it reached number 1 in the USA, and number 6 in the UK in early 1975)

4. Put It Where You Want It (8 tracks, 40:35 minutes)

On the back of their "Pick Up The Pieces" 7” single chart success (taken from their famous "Average White Band/AWB" album) – 1973's "Show Your Hand" was reissued April 1975 in the UK and USA on MCA Records MCF 2705 and MCA-475 respectively as "Put It Where You Want It". As well as a different name and new artwork - the 1973 opening song "The Jugglers" was replaced by a session outtake - the 'Pick Up The Pieces' sounding "How Can You Go Home".

5. Cut The Cake (10 tracks, 42:38 minutes) - June 1975 UK LP on Atlantic K 50146

6. Soul Searching (11 tracks, 46:12 minutes) - July 1976 UK LP on Atlantic K 50272

7. Person To Person (Disc 7a, 5 tracks, 44:15 minutes - Disc 7b, 5 tracks, 45:41 minutes)

Live Double-Album released January 1977 in the UK on Atlantic K 60127

8. Benny And Us by AVERAGE WHITE BAND and BEN E. KING - (8 Tracks, 41:47 minutes) – July 1977 UK LP on Atlantic K 50384

9. Warmer Communications (9 tracks, 43:40 minutes) - June 1978 UK LP on RCA Records XL 13053

10. Feel No Fret (9 tracks, 37:38 minutes) - February 1979 UK LP on RCA Records XL 13063

11. Shine (9 tracks, 38:30 minutes) - May 1980 UK LP on RCA Records XL 13123

12. Volume III (9 tracks, 37:48 minutes) - September 1980 USA-only LP compilation on Atlantic SD 19266 where the four cuts on Side 1 were newly finished tracks and the 5 songs of Side 2 were their biggest Atlantic Records hits between 1974 and 1977 (including "Pick Up The Pieces", "Cut The Cake" etc)

13. Cupid's In Fashion (10 tracks, 41:37 minutes) - September 1982 UK LP on RCA Records RCALP 6052

14. Aftershock (9 tracks, 37:51 minutes) - August 1989 UK LP on Polydor 839 466-1

15. Soul Tattoo (13 tracks, 56:35 minutes) - February 1997 CD on Artful ARTFULCD 7

16. Living In Colour (10 tracks, 50:18 minutes) - 2003 CD on The William Morris Agency

17. All The Pieces - Alternate Versions, Rarities And Mixes (new cover artwork by John Pasche)

(Disc 1, Alternate Versions & Rarities, 10 tracks, 42:12 minutes):

1. Reach Out [First Version Recorded 1971]

2. The Jugglers [First Version Recorded 1971]

3. It Didn't Take Me A Minute [Recorded 1971]

4. In The Beginning [Recorded Between 1971 and 1972]

5. Look Out Now [Recorded Between 1971 and 1972]

6. White Water Dreams [Recorded Between 1971 and 1972]

7. Walk Tall (Live) [Recorded Live in 1976 - First Released in 2005]

8. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me [First Released in 2005]

9. Wasn't I Your Friend [First released 2009]

10. Miss Sun [Recorded 1980 - First released 2003]

18. All The Pieces - Alternate Versions, Rarities And Mixes

(Disc 2, The Mixes, 9 tracks, 53:47 minutes)

1. Back In '67 [First Version] - recorded between 1971 and 1972 - Alternate Version to the "Show Your Hand" LP track

2. The Spirit Of Love [Radio Short Version] - A-Side of the October 1989 UK 7" Single for "The Spirit Of Love" on Polydor PO 56

3. The Spirit Of Love [Dance Mix] - A-Side of the October 1989 UK 12" Single for "The Spirit Of Love" on Polydor PZ 56

4. Let's Go Round Again [The Brothers Mix]

5. Livin' On Borrowed Time [DJ Slok Remix]

6. Things [DJ PHILLY P & Joey M Remix]

7. Stop The Rain [Supreme One Mix]

8. Let's Go Round Again [Cosmic Village Mix]

9. Let's Go Round Again [12" Version]

Dedicated to their drummer and band founder-member Robbie McIntosh who died in 1974 from a spiked drink just as the 'AWB' album was taking off - the 52-page booklet features JUSTIN M. KANTOR liner notes on every LP - but oddly leaves out the "All The Pieces" double set entirely. Each album is in a 5” card repro sleeve with original artwork front and rear (gatefolds for “Feel No Fret” and the 2CD sets “Person To Person” and “All The Pieces”) but no inners or inserts (each disc is numbered). The mastering is by PHIL KINRADE (as it was on the 2009 "Collection" sets) and the material is licensed form Atlantic and Rhino who reissued the bands catalogue in the 90's. Suffice to say that these discs 'Funk' in all the right places and as you wade through them - you remember with huge affection just how good AWB was. This is music that transcends Soul, Funk or Rock – a musical hybrid of all three that hits the mark more times than it misses. That the sporadic later albums maintain that standard is pleasing - 90's and 00's updated variants of their famous 70ts and 80ts sound.

All the charted single are here - "Pick Up The Pieces" (1974), "Cut The Cake" (1975), "Queen Of My Soul" (1976), ""Walk On By" and "When Will You Be Mine" (1979) and "Let's Go Round Again" and "For You For Love" (1980). But in-between the cracks you get forgotten 7" single gems like their UK debut of Joe Sample's ludicrously infectious "Put It Where You Want It" (the keyboardist with The Crusaders) and the stunning "You Got It" which was the B-side of "Pick Up The Pieces" in July 1974 (what a double-sider that was). Other huge fan faves include "School Boy Crush" (November 1975), "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" (August 1975), "A Love Of Your Own" (December 1976) or the Gorrie/Stuart ballad "Cloudy" originally from the "Cut The Cate" LP but brought out and lifted up into the stratosphere for the brill live double "Person To Person". And any variant of the sublime "Let's Go Round Again" is likely to have me wiggling my aged booty in an undignified manner...no matter who's laughing...

But there's also hidden album nuggets like the stunning Brass-Funk shuffle of "Goin' Home" from the overlooked "Soul Searching" LP (they released a 'live' variant of it in March 1977 in the UK on Atlantic K 10192) or the Arif Mardin produced Philly Soulful "A Star in The Ghetto" with Ben E. King from their collaboration album "Benny And Us" - an LP that featured Luther Vandross on Backing Vocals before he brook through himself. Ned Doheny penned the fabulous groove of "Get It Up For Love" - the opening track on "Benny And Us" and from his own "Hard Candy" album from 1976 (see separate review). His songwriting knack would turn up big time with "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me" - a co-write with AWB's Hamish Stuart. Chaka Khan would name her entire 1981 Warner Brothers LP after the song. It should have been released as a single and David Foster admits he made a big mistake on that one (Christine Day does a great version of it on her 2004 CD album "Cover My Soul"). The entire 'AWB' LP is a stone masterpiece to me ("Word To Do" and "There's Always Someone Waiting") and everyone else while the second RCA LP "Feel No Fret" thrills to this day. I've loved that record with its cool gatefold and inner sleeve and winners like the irrepressible 'sunlight in my eyes' of "Atlantic Avenue", the drum shuffling heavy-on-the-bass Side 1 funk of "Feel No Fret" and the very AWB 'get back home to you' joy of "Fire Burning" that ends Side 2.

On 1977's "Warmer Communication" they do a gorgeous cover version of James Taylor's "Daddy's All Gone" from his overlooked 1976 LP "In The Pocket" - a lyrical subject matter a travelling band must have identified with. "Our Time Has Come" from "Shine" is the perfect fusion of Funk and Soul and again should have been monster. "Miss Sun" is one of four new tracks on the 1980 US-only LP compilation "Volume III" and it's so damn good too. The 90's album "Soul Tattoo" was a return to form (if they ever left) - a new set full of JB's "Pick Up The Pieces" 70ts production values and songwriting nods to that sound on "Back To Basics" and "Oh, Maceo". The 1982 set "Cupid's In Fashion" has always been seen as a 4-star blot on a 10-star track jotter but I like the two singles "You're My Number One" and "I Believe" as well as the 'toss and turn every night' sexiness of "Easier Said Than Done".

A cheaper alternative is Edsel's own four-volume "The Collection" series put out April 2009 in 4 card-slip cases that make up an 'AWB' spine. Those four CD reissues contain the first 13 albums (1973's "Show Your Hand" through to 1982's "Cupid's In Fashion") as listed above and can be purchased for about 25 quid secondhand in total. But I'd advise go to thirty-five quid and get the box with Discs 14 to 18 added on and that gorgeous presentation. The casual buyer should just opt for either the "AWB – Deluxe Edition" or a simple 2CD 'Best Of' that contains both the classic Atlantic and RCA Records periods - of which there are loads for under a fiver. 

When MCA Records talent scouts at an Eric Clapton concert in 1973 got a load of the Scottish support act AVERAGE WHITE BAND - a bunch of hairy white dudes who came on 'funky' like a band of brothers born to it - they were smitten. And thus the AWB legend was born. Clearly aimed at the completist and uber-fan - "All The Pieces" has pride of place on my Soul shelf and I pet it every now and then with affection. I suggest you get that bat crazy too...and check out their duet with Daryl Hall at Daryl's House online doing "Pick Up The Pieces" - wow!

"The Complete Tucky Buzzard" by TUCKY BUZZARD (2016 Edsel 5CD Mini Box Set Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Coming On Again..."

Arising out of the ashes of Decca's late 60ts Psychedelia band THE END - the delightfully-named TUCKY BUZZARD took their feathery moniker from a character in from one of the Uncle Remus books where one of the Br'er Rabbit runners was called 'Br'er Tucky Buzzard'. They managed a whopping five albums across three countries and with three different labels (without too many people noticing either) - Hispavox in Spain for the debut released in late 1971 as well as Capitol in the USA and Deep Purple's 'Purple Records' in the UK for the remaining four released between 1971 and 1973.

As well as that these funky British Rockers received the high profile patronage and hands-on help of Rolling Stone Bassist BILL WYMAN who produced three of their albums (see 2, 3 and 5 below) - one of which also featured the guitar chops of Rolling Stone ace axeman MICK TAYLOR and well as their top session players Bobby Keys and Jim Price on the Horns (Disc 2).

To the matter in hand... 

I've been digging Edsel Box Sets for years (some actually let the side down slightly - the T.Rex one jumps to mind) - but like the fabulous Average White Band, Chairmen Of The Board and their recent effort for cult 60ts act The End (see separate reviews) - this one is a goodie if you dig your Rock hard and heavy and occasionally funky. Superbly put together and clearly with Bill Wyman's involvement (a man known to take care of the Stones musical legacy) - this 5CD Box Set offers the very best presentation of Tucky Buzzard's short but productive career and allows Seventies Rock lovers access to much that is impossibly hard to find on original vinyl. There's a wad of info to get through - so if you'll forgive the inflight pun - onwards and upwards...

UK released 15 July 2016 (22 July 2016 in the USA) - "The Complete Tucky Buzzard" by TUCKY BUZZARD on Edsel EDSB 4033 (Barcode 740155403331) is a 5CD Mini Box Set containing their 'complete' recorded output between 1970 and 1973 and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Coming On Again" (31:04 minutes):

1. SUITE

(a) Coming On Again [Part 1]

(b) For Maryse

(c) Over The Hill

(d) Coming on Again [Part 2]

(e) Believe Me

(f) Here I Am

2. You're All Alone [Side 2]

3. You Never Will

4. Free Ticket

5. Lady Fair

Tracks 1 to 5 are the debut LP "Coming On Again" - recorded 1970 and 1971 in Madrid, Spain and released 1971 on Hispavox HHS 11-208. Orchestral accompaniment is by the Madrid Philharmonic Orchestra directed by WALDO DE LOS RIOS. Unreleased in the UK or USA at the time– it received its first CD reissue in 2002 on Ripple Records (this version is licensed from them).

Disc 2 "Tucky Buzzard" (39:39 minutes):

1. Time Will Be Your Doctor

2. Stainless Steel Lady

3. Sally Shotgun

4. Gu Gu Gu

5. My Friend

6. Pieces Apple Lady [Side 2]

7. She's Meat

8. Ace The Face

9. Whisky Eyes

10. Rolling Cloud

Tracks 1 to 10 are the second studio album "Tucky Buzzard" - released June 1971 in the USA (only) on Capitol ST-787. Produced by BILL WYMAN at London's Olympia Studios and featuring Rolling Stones players MICK TAYLOR (Guitar on "My Friend") as well as BOBBY KEYS and JIM PRICE (Horns on "Whisky Eyes" and "Rolling Cloud") - it was not released in the UK at the time and saw its first CD release in 2002 on Ripple Records (the master is licensed from them).

Disc 3 "Warm Slash" (40:31 minutes):

1. Mistreating Woman

2. (She's A) Striker

3. Fill You In

4. Need Your Love

5. Which Way, When For Why

6. Burnin' [Side 2]

7. Heartbreaker

8. Sky Balloon

9. Ain't Too Soon

Tracks 1 to 9 are the third studio album "Warm Slash" - released November 1971 in the USA on Capitol ST-864 and February 1972 in the UK on Capitol E-ST-864. Produced by BILL WYMAN - it was their first of three British released albums.

Disc 4 "Allright On The Night" (33:01 minutes):

1. Can't Live Without It

2. Fast Bluesy Woman

3. Gold Medallions

4. All I Want Is Your Love

5. Rainbow Rider [Side 2]

6. "Rudi" Movie Star

7. Pictures

8. Last War

Tracks 1 to 8 are the fourth studio album "Allright In The Night" - released May 1973 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7510 and October 1973 in the USA on Passport Records PPS 97001. Produced by PHIL CORDELL (of The Prophets) and TUCKY BUZZARD (Executive Producer Bill Wyman) - recorded on The Rolling Stones mobile unit.

Disc 5 "Buzzard" (41:23 minutes):

1. Who Do You Love

2. Run In The Mornin'

3. Hanging On In There (Waiting For You To Come)

4. Superboy Rock n' Roller '73

5. B-Bo's Hampton

6. Wine And Wimmin [Side 2]

7. Superfine Lady

8. Near To Me

9. Shy Boy

Tracks 1 to 9 are their fifth and final studio album "Buzzard" - released November 1973 in the UK on Purple Records TPSA 7503 and January 1974 in the USA on Passport Records PPS 98001. Produced by BILL WYMAN - recorded on The Rolling Stones Mobile Unit at The Villa in the South of France. Tony Ashton of Ashton, Gardner & Dyke plays Hammond Organ and Piano, Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones plays Piano and Paul Kendrick of Czar and Tuesday’s Children is on Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals.

The massively in-depth 32-page booklet inside the glossy 5" clamshell mini box set is an impressive affair- new liner notes by noted music writer ALAN ROBINSON featuring new interviews with Guitarist Terry Taylor and Drummer Dave Brown - there's artwork for all five LPs with each CD placed inside a singular 5" card sleeve. The project was overseen by the vastly experienced VAL JENNINGS and PHIL KINRADE did the Remasters at Alchemy Mastering using licensed tapes. I found the sound varied across the albums - good to great. Mostly I'm just impressed with the musicianship and the Funkiness of the Rock - my kind of poison for sure...

Coming at you like England's answer to Steppenwolf meets Three Dog Night - probably because of the Deep Purple Records label tie-in Tucky Buzzard were perceived as 'hard rockers' - but in fact they were far funkier than that. There was a swing and chug to their guitars that made them FUNK like say American Gypsy or After The Fire. At other times they were soulful like Free and Humble Pie could be - while still churning out those riffs and funky grooves. Never is this more obvious than on the "Tucky Buzzard" album from late 1971 with 9 of the 10 tracks being self-penned originals. Both "There Will Be A Doctor" and "Stainless Steel Lady" give it some ants-in-your-pants Funk-Rock with the best of them. But there's horrible hiss levels on "Sally Shotgun" that put a damper on this rather lovely ballad - sweet Peter Green guitar licks from Terry Taylor with Jimmy Henderson's vocals sounding like Pink Floyd circa "Meddle". 

Things improve hugely with the fabulous "Gu Gu Gu" - a Funky-As-Coffee-Beans groover that I used to put on 70ts CD-Rs whenever I got the chance. Think Spirit's "Mr. Skin" and you're there - a chunky Nick Graham keyboard groove acts as the backdrop to Taylor's guitar and the 'make a mark in the sky' lyrics about existence and not working. I love this track and it sounds wickedly good here. Other winners on the "Tucky Buzzard" album include their cover of Leon Russell’s "Pisces Apple Lady" where the boys are encouraged by their American friend to get themselves together in the English countryside (they sound so Three Dog Night on this). "She's Meat" and "Ace The Face" feel like groovy Immediate label Small Faces while the two finishers lay down heavy Paul Francis drum beats before going all Brass Funk Rock with Jim Price and Bobby Keys of The Rolling Stones entourage on "Whisky Eyes" and "Rolling Cloud". I love the gritty guitar sound Taylor gets while Graham's keyboards remind me Snafu on WWA Records in 1973 and 1974. An edit of the 5:18 minutes "Rolling Cloud" could easily have been a great 45...

The tastefully entitled third album "Warm Slash" sees the five boys looking all manly on the front cover (hairy chests ahoy) while one of them communes with nature on the rear sleeve (helping a tree out you understand). Unfortunately the music looses a lot of the funky nature of "Tucky Buzzard" and opts instead for a harder edged Rock that is plodding at best. Keyboard moments in the eight-minute "Which Way, When For Why" are very cool and the riffage of "Mistreating Woman" has plenty of snake-guitar in its tight-trousered heart - but stuff like "Heartbreaker" and "Sky Balloon" just sound like bad Prog or Grand Funk Railroad on an off day. The "All Right On The Night" LP picked things up considerably with the great British Rock 'n' Roll of "Can't Live Without You" - the kind of Humble Pie swagger song (with Brass) that should have been a hit. It's hardly surprising that Purple Records chose "Gold Medallions" as a UK 7" single in March 1973 (Purple PUR 113) with the equally pleasing "Fast Bluesy Woman" on the flip-side. Rhythm Guitarist Paul Kendrick wrote ""Rudi" Movie Star" and the album ends on some nice slide within "Last War"...

David Bowie apparently saw them live in 1971 and was duly impressed (took some of their stage act with him) - but neither his nor Wyman’s peripheral superstardom seem to rub off and the band disbanded in mid 1974 after poor record sales and missed opportunities (they should have been on the 6 April 1974 'California Jam' bill in front of 250,000 fans where Deep Purple set the record for the 'loudest' band in the world - 50,000 LP sales from that gig wold have rescued them). Guitarist Terry Taylor ending up on RAK Records with photogenic heartthrobs The Arrows (released his first solo album in 2014 called "Taylor Made") and Nick Graham later penned winning hits in the 90ts for the Goss Brothers in Bros.

So much to discover and thankfully some of it you can actually like - and even though its far from being undiluted genius from top to bottom - Edsel are to be praised for getting the five-disc "Complete Tucky Buzzard" Box Set out there in such style. Fans should not hesitate...

"Number 5" by STEVE MILLER BAND (2012 Edsel 'Special Edition' CD Remaster in Digipak) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"...Industrial Military Complex Hex..."

For many worshippers of 70ts Rock and Steve Miller's LP output from that revered period – our home collections would probably have consisted of 1973's "The Joker" on Capitol Records (in a natty gatefold), 1976's "Fly Like An Eagle" and the wonderful but sorely overlooked "Book Of Dreams" from 1977 (with Inner Sleeve) – both on Mercury Records.

Well here's another 'overlooked' nugget in his voluminous back catalogue - 1970's "Number 5" - loaded down with the talent of Boz Scaggs, Ben Sidran, Nicky Hopkins, Lee Michaels and members of Charlie McCoy's Area Code 615 (who did the 'Old Grey Whistle Test' theme "Stone Fox Chase" on their 1970 LP "Trip In The Country").

Edsel of the UK have been steadily feeding Steve Miller Band fans a diet of these tastefully presented CD reissues in foldout card digipaks - all newly mastered with superb Audio and featuring upgraded booklets with the artists’ involvement (photos from his own collection, reminiscences) - but sadly minus any outtakes (see full list of titles in the series below). Here are the details for five alive...

UK released 17 September 2012 (25 September 2012 in the USA) - "Number 5" by STEVE MILLER BAND on Edsel EDSA 5007 (Barcode 740155500733) is a straightforward 'Special Edition' Remaster of the 1970 US 10-Track LP with CD Digipak Packaging/Expanded Liner Notes and plays out as follows (36:20 minutes):

1. Good Morning

2. I Love You

3. Going To The Country

4. Hot Chili

5. Tokin's

6. Going To Mexico [Side 2]

7. Steve Miller's Midnight Tango

8. Industrial Military Complex Hex

9. Jackson-Kent Blues

10. Never Kill Another Man

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 5th studio album "Number 5" - released July 1970 in the USA on Capital SKAO-436 and November 1970 in the UK on Capitol EA-ST 436. Produced by STEVE MILLER - it peaked at No. 23 in the USA but didn't chart in the UK.

As you can see from the list of reissues provided below - Edsel of the UK have had a go at a huge swath of his entire recorded out (excepting a few albums from 1971, 1972 and 1973). The card-digipak is a three-way foldout affair with a picture CD and a new 12-page booklet. JOEL SLEVIN of the Soul Francisco Chronicle fanzine and all-round Music Consultant has done the short but informative liner notes which includes photos from Steve's collection, lyrics, original recording credits/reissue details and some label repro's of American 45s ("Going To The Country" on Capitol 2878 and "Going To Mexico" on Capitol 2945) and the British LP on Capitol Records EA-ST 436. It's nicely done. PHIL KINRADE did the new CD Master at Alchemy in London and it sounds amazing - really lovely warmth on the instruments - none too hissy - but too dry either where NR has been excessively used.

"Number 5" was Steve Miller's best selling American album to date (over 350,000 copies on release in 1970) and featured the songwriting talent of BOZ SCAGGS, Fusion Keyboardist BEN SIDRAN, his Bassist BOBBY WINKELMAN and his Drummer TIM DAVIS as well as great STEVE MILLER originals. The players included England's ace Keyboardist NICKY HOPKINS and members of AREA CODE 615 - Charlie McCoy, Bobby Thompson, Buddy Spicher and Wayne Moss along with ex Family Tree Guitarist LEE MICHAELS. It opens on a song from their soon-to-depart bassist Bob Winkelman called "Good Morning". Winkelman takes Lead Vocals on the song while Steve's younger brother Jimmy Miller plays Lead Guitar - it's tippy wind-swirling entrance is almost Todd Rundgren in its feel and Winkelman's voice could easily be mistaken fro Steve's. Jimmy Miller plays a lead guitar blinder on it too.

Things go decidedly 'Steve Miller' with the wickedly good "I Love You" - the first of four solo-penned songs on the album. While the Acoustic Guitars strum and cascading vocals swoon over your speakers like The Beach Boys circa "Sunflower" and "Surf's Up" - the song is anchored by brilliant Charlie McCoy Harmonica playing. Along with his fellow Area Code 615 band mate Buddy Spicher on Fiddle - McCoy's Harmonica presence is felt again on the first single released from the album in August 1970 - "Going To The Country" - an unconvincing Country-Rock song that's busy but not particularly memorable. Drummer Tim Davis offers up the first of two songs "Hot Chili" (with one 'l') - the other being "Tokin's". Bud Billings provides the multi-layered Trumpet on the Herb Alpert 'Tijuana' vibe to "Hot Chili" while three members of Area Code 615 countrified the hometown "Tokin's" with McCoy's Harp and Bobby Thompson's Banjo.

Side 2 opens strongly with the 2nd 45 single issued by Capitol from the album - a Funky-Blues co-write with Boz Scaggs by Miller on "Going To Mexico". I've always been a sucker for this groovy little tune that features Lee Michaels on Organ and Curley Cooke on Rhythm Guitar while Steve lets rip on some rather excellent lead Guitar. Benefitting from an expert remix from famed Audio Engineer Glyn Johns - "Going To Mexico" was paired on the rarely seen Capitol 2945 7" single in the USA with "Steve Miller's Midnight Tango" - the first of Ben Sidran's compositions on the album (his second was a co-write with Miller on "Going To The Country"). Love it. With Sidran providing cool keyboard tinkles - "Steve Miller’s Midnight Tango" is the kind of SM song that stays with you.

Jon Savage who compiled the superb "1966" double-CD and accompanying book - put together a CD compilation I loved called "Meridian 1970". On it he chose Miller’s sick-of-it anti-war song "Industrial Military Complex Hex" where he wearily sings "...from Sunday to Sunday...all I hear is bad news..." as the mood chugs along feeling like The Who on a melodic song tip. Just as good is the album’s final showings – two more SM originals – the trippy seven-minute guitar and voices of "Jackson-Kent Blues" - another song raging at the 'four shot down by the National Guards' because they didn't agree with Nixon's views on Vietnam. I've always loved it's echoed space guitars and manic voices - like a nation stoned - a nation that doesn't want to be. The album bows out on "Never Kill Another Man" with Lonnie Turner on Fretless Bass and Nicky Hopkins on Piano - both they and Keith Spicher (on Strings) give the ballad a majesty as Miller wishes "...if I can make it through through this life...I'll never kill another man..."

For sure the grittier 'trying times' Side 2 of the "Number 5" LP feels far better than the slightly ditzy Country jigs of Side 1 - but its once again one of those Steve Miller albums that has great moments criminally overlooked with the passage of four and half decades. Time to brings the numbers back into your home...

The 2011 and 2012 STEVE MILLER BAND 'Special Edition' 

CD Reissue Series from Edsel Records of the UK

1. Children Of The Future (April 1968) - released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5003 - Barcode 0740155500337

2. Sailor (October 1968) – released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5004 - Barcode 740155500733

3. Brave New World (June 1969) - released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5005 - Barcode 740155500535

4. Your Saving Grace (November 1969) - released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5006 - Barcode 740155500634

5. Number 5 (July 1970) – released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5007 – Barcode 740155500733

6. Fly Like An Eagle (July 1976) – released 11 October 2010 on Edsel EDSX 3010 (with Bonus DVD) – Barcode 740155301033 – see REVIEW

7. Book Of Dreams (May 1977) - released 7 February 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1051 – Barcode 740155105136 – see REVIEW

8. Circle Of Love (October 1981) – released 7 February 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1052 – Barcode 740155105235

9. Abracadabra (June 1982) - released 7 March 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1053 – Barcode 740155105334

10. The Steve Miller Band Live! (April 1983) - released 4 April 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1056 – Barcode 740155105631

11. Italian X-Rays (November 1984) - released 7 March 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1054 – Barcode 740155105433

12. Wide River (July 1993) - released 7 March 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1055 – Barcode 740155105532

PPS: Could someone please get to Remastering long-standing holes in the Steve Miller back catalogue - October 1971's "Rock Love", March 1972's "Recall The Beginning...A Journey From Eden" and especially October 1973's "The Joker" – that way fans and the curious would have access to a 'near' complete run in decent Audio... 

"The Complete Willy And The Poor Boys" [featuring Bill Wyman, Paul Rodgers, Jimmy Page, Garry Brooker, Chris Rea, Ringo Starr and Andy Fairweather Low] (2015 Edsel 2CD/1DVD Reissue/Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Let Me Love...You All Night Long..."

Tribute albums are always tricky – let alone ones that rely on old Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rhythm ‘n’ Blues tunes as its backbeat. Yet Bill Wyman’s 1985 fund-raiser LP for a terminally ill Ronnie Lane (of Small Faces, Faces and Slim Chance fame) works because its fun and doesn’t let the big name celebrities swamp proceedings - but add to them in a very real way.

Taking its name from a schoolyard nickname and an LP by his favourite American band (1969's "Willy And The Poor Boys" by Creedence Clearwater Revival) – Rolling Stones Bassist BILL WYMAN gathered together a formidable array of big musical names to record an album of favourites that would benefit ARMS (Action For Research Into Multiple Sclerosis). His core band consisted of Andy Fairweather Low on Guitar and Vocals, Mickey Gee of Love Sculpture and Joe Cocker’s Grease Band on Lead Guitar, his Rhythm Kings Rock ‘n’ Roll Pianist Geraint Watkins, Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones on Drums, himself on Bass and the Horn Section (on some tracks) brought up by Willie Garnett and Steve Gregory. Inbetween we get guest appearances by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin on Guitar, Paul Rodgers of Free on Lead Vocals, drummers Terry Williams of Brinsley Schwarz and Henry Spinetti of The Herd and Climax Blues Band, Ray Cooper of Elton John’s Band on Percussion and one appearance of Ronnie’s old band mate Kenney Jones of The Who and Small Faces on Drums (“Sugar Bee”).

The UK LP appeared in May 1985 on Decca/Ripple BILL 1, the 30-minute film/video at Fulham Town Hall came also in 1985 with a further Willy And The Poor Boys ‘Live’ set in 1994 (recorded in Sweden in 1992 – known as “Tear It Up’ in the USA). This is the first time that all 3 have been brought together in one remastered package – and a thoroughly enjoyable Rock ‘n’ Roll romp it makes too. Here are the rowdy details...

UK released 7 August 2015 – "The Complete Willy And The Poor Boys" by BILL WYMAN on Edsel EDSG 8062 (Barcode 740155806231) is a 2CD/1DVD Digipak Set and pans out as follows:

CD 1 (36:35 minutes):

1. Baby Please Don’t Go [Big Joe Williams cover]

Features Chris Rea on Lead Vocals

2. Can You Hear Me [Allen Toussaint song/Lee Dorsey cover]

Features Andy Fairweather Low on Lead Vocals

3. These Arms Of Mine [Otis Redding cover]

Features Paul Rodgers of Free and bad Company on Lead Vocals with Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin on Guitars

4. Revenue Man (White Lightning) [Big Bopper cover]

Features Andy Fairweather Low on Lead Vocals

5. You Never Can Tell [Chuck Berry cover]

Features Bill Wyman on Lead Vocals

6. Slippin’ And Slidin’ [Little Richard cover]

Features Paul Rodgers of Free and bad Company on Lead Vocals with Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin on Guitars

7. Saturday Night [Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King song/Roy Brown cover]

Featuring Geraint Watkins on Lead Vocals and Keyboards

8. Let’s Talk It Over [Tampa Red cover]

Features Andy Fairweather Low on Lead Vocals

9. All Night Long [Clifton Chenier cover]

Features Bill Wyman on Lead Vocals

10. Chicken Shack Boogie [Amos Milburn cover]

Featuring Geraint Watkins on Lead Vocals and Keyboards

11. Sugar Bee [Eddie Shuler song/Cleveland Crochet cover]

Features Bill Wyman on Lead Vocals and Kenney Jones on Drums

12. Poor Boy Boogie [Bill Wyman and Andy Fairweather Low song]

Features Andy Fairweather Low on Lead Vocals

CD 2 – Live (54:40 minutes):

1. High School Confidential

2. Tear It Up

3.Baby Please Don’t Go

4. Medley: Ooh Poo Pah Doo/Rockin’ Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu

5. Mystery Train

6. Chicken Shack Boogie

7. Stagger Lee

8. What’d I Say

9. Red Hot

10. Lovin’ Up A Storm

11. Medley: Poor Boy Boogie/Hound Dog/Shake, Rattle & Roll/Looking For Someone To Love

12. Land Of 1000 Dances

Recorded 31 July 1992 at the Hotel Tylosand in Halmstad, Sweden

BAND was:

Bill Wyman – Bass and Vocals

Terry Taylor – Guitar and backing Vocals

Jimmy Henderson – Vocals and Harmonica

Andy Fairweather Low – Guitar and Vocals

Gary Brooker – Keyboards and Vocals

Graham Broad – Drums

Maria, Annica, Maggie Ryder & Miriam Stockley – Backing Vocals

Ollie Niklasson – Saxophone

DVD (NTSC/No Regional Restrictions):

1. Poor Boy Boogie

2. You Never Can Tell

3. Chicken Shack Boogie

4. Let’s Talk It Over

5. All Night Long

6. Saturday Night

7. Baby Please Don’t Go

8. These Arms Of Mine

Bonus Documentary – The Making Of Willie And The Poor Boys

Bonus Video – These Arms Of Mine (with Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page)

WILLY AND THE POOR BOYS BAND was:

Bill Wyman – Bass and Vocals

Charlie Watts – Drums

Andy Fairweather Low – Guitar and Vocals

Geraint Watkins – Keyboards and Vocals

Mickey Gee – Guitar and Vocals

GUESTS: 

Chris Rea – Vocals

Ronnie Wood – Saxophone

Raf Ravenscroft – Saxophone

Mel Collins – Saxophone

Kenney Jones – Drums and Percussion

Henry Spinetti - Percussion

Terry Taylor – Percussion

Ringo Starr – Guest Appearance

The chunky gatefold digipak is a four-flap foldout affair festooned with photos of the band dressed up as Mods and Rockers with a fact-filled 20-page booklet sporting detailed liner notes by DAVID WELLS. Scans and photos come from the Bill Wyman archives, Val Jennings co-ordinated the project and the mastering was done by PHIL KINRADE at Alchemy Mastering. Both CDs sound great – full of vim and vigour – but then so did the original recordings.

It opens with the guttural vocals of Chris Rea laying into “Baby Please Don’t Go” and the album immediately states its Rock ‘n’ Roll and Boogie Woogie credentials – we’re here to party and have some fun. The track choices are clever too – avoiding the huge songs of the genre and favouring forgotten nuggets like Lee Dorsey’s “Can You Hear Me” and the Bip Bopper’s “Revenue Man”. The production is old school – full of warmth and a little echo or sloppiness on those guitar parts to give a more natural feel. Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page have a Soulful Rock go at Otis Redding’s “These Arms Of Mine” – what a great voice he has – Page’s guitar way back in the mix as the Piano and Brass take centre stage. On the two tracks that Wyman sings (Chuck Berry’s wonderful “You Never Can Tell” and Clifton Chenier’s “All Night Long”) - he’s actually similar to Wilko Johnson in his nasal delivery and in some respects is better than Low or Watkins at the mike (though both exude their love for the music).

Rodgers and Page return for a raucous version of Little Richard’s “Slippin’ & Slidin’” but its actually the piano playing of Watkins that you notice. “Sugar Bee” and their own “Poor Boy Boogie” finish off proceedings in suitable style.

If the retro album was good – the live set saw the project explode into life in front of a small but wildly enthusiastic audience. Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker comes out on lead vocals and tears up the piano too on the Jerry Lee Lewis classic “High School Confidential”. They really start to cook on “Tear It Up” with all the vocals working and that great Rock ‘n’ Roll vibe seeping into the room. It also sounds brilliant – professionally recorded too. The wicked duo guitar opening to “Baby Please Don’t Go” is fantastic and how good is to hear anyone do Elvis’ “Mystery Train”. By the time it gets to “Red Hot” and the rollicking medleys that finish the Tim Young mastered disc – its job done.

Eagle-eyed collectors will note that the DVD sees the first time members of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who have played/joined together for a film project (it was filmed 11 and 12 March at the Fulham Town Hall in London). Smartly its also Region Free.

To sum up – the album by itself would be a solid 4-stars, but the Live CD and the Guest Heavy DVD give it a huge boost. Well done to all at Edsel for doing such a great job...