"Cahoots" by THE BAND (2000 Capitol 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Five Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Life Is A Carnival...Take Another Look..."

Forever the ugly child to its older siblings (1968's "Music From Big Pink", 1969's "The Band" and 1970’s "Stage Fright") - on American release in October 1971 The Band’s fourth studio outing "Cahoots" lumbered up to No. 21 on the US charts and was gone by the end of the year. Dismissed by many in the Press at the time as a 'band' already showing signs of being past it and except for sporadic moments of that old magic - running on empty - "Cahoots" was considered by tastemakers as one of those five-out-of-ten LPs that you buy anyway because you’re such a nerdy fan – nay even sucker.

In fact in Blighty - where The Band and their musings had reached almost mythical levels amongst musicians and certain parts of the public - the LP managed a staggeringly bad one single week on the UK LP charts in November when it was released there – unceremoniously excluded from Christmas stockings by Scrooge-faced punters humming and hawing at the mere sight of it. Robbie Robertson would later describe some of the songs as 'bizarre' and not even the presence of Van Morrison (riding high at the time) and Southern Soul gentleman Allen Toussaint on two different tracks (both courtesy of Warner Brothers) funked-up sales or persuaded otherwise.

But time is a healer - and 46 years after the event I feel we should reappraise this awkward and clumsy baby No. 4 – dancing about my living room to "Life Is A Carnival" just wanting to be loved like the other three. Here are the Take Another Look details...

UK released September 2000 (August 2000 in the USA) - "Cahoots" by THE BAND on Capitol 525 3912 (Barcode 724352539123) is an ‘Expanded Edition’ CD Remaster with Five Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (60:44 minutes):

1. Life Is A Carnival [Side 1]

2. When I Paint My Masterpiece

3. Last Of The Blacksmiths

4. Where Do We Go From Here

5. 4% Pantomime

6. Shoot Out In Chinatown [Side 2]

7. The Moon Struck One

8. Thinkin' Out Loud

9. Smoke Signal

10. Volcano

11. The River Hymn

Tracks 1 to 11 are their fourth studio album "Cahoots" - released October 1971 in the USA on Capitol SMAS 651 and November 1971 in the UK on Capitol EA-ST 651 in a Gatefold Sleeve. Produced by THE BAND - it peaked at No. 21 in the US LP charts and No. 41 in the UK. 

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Endless Highway (Early Studio Take)

13. When I Paint My Masterpiece (Alternate Take)

14. Bessie Smith (Outtake)

15. Don't Do It (Outtake-Studio Version)

16. Radio Commercial

THE BAND is: 

Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko

Guests include Van Morrison on "4% Pantomime" and Allen Toussaint on "Life Is A Carnival"

As with each of these September 2000 Capitol CDs (Produced and Compiled by CHERYL PAWELSKI and ANDREW SANDOVAL) - the 16-page booklet is a pleasingly in-depth affair and has new pictorial elements. ROB BOWMAN provides the new liner notes accompanied by photos of the studio, tracking sheets for "When I Paint My Masterpiece" and "Endless Highway", lyrics, reissue credits (the whole issue is 'In Memory of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko') and even a repro of the lone American 45 lifted off the album - September 1971's "Life Is A Carnival" b/w "The Moon Struck One" on Capitol 3199 ("When I Paint My Masterpiece" b/w "Where Do Go From Here" was to be Capitol 3249 in December 1971 but was cancelled and withdrawn).

But the big news is the Audio. "Cahoots" had a more polished and some say 'brittle' sound that the ramshackle Americana feel to the preceding albums - and many have complained that commercialism and radio-friendly needs practically ruined their chemistry-sound - and that rot started in full force here. I don't agree - the Audio here by ROB McMASTER and ANDREW SANDOVAL is very punchy all of a sudden and for all the right reasons. Sandoval was involved in all The Kinks and Small Faces 'Deluxe Editions' on Universal - so he knows his way around a master-tape or two. The only real glitch is the Audio Quality on the Marvin Gaye cover version of "Don't Do It" which they admit has been taken from 'best possible sources' because there are problems with the quality of the original masters on the 'Studio Version' (there's a storming live take of the song on the August 1972 live-double "Rock Of Ages"). Given what they had to work with overall – the team has done well and it all sounds great to me. Let's get to the music... 

I've always been partial to a Rock Band finding its inner Funk and Allen Toussaint's Meters-Brass is all over "Life Is A Carnival" - a tune that's stood more than the test of time for me. I find it a shimmering cool-aid - a wicked rare groove - inspired even - although I can understand how it's Pointer Sisters/Sly & The Family Stone rhythms freaked out hardcore Band fans wanting more tales of Appalachian Mountain Men wailing about their hardships with a dignified wince at on the oncoming winter winds. Bob Dylan's wonderful "When I Paint My Masterpiece" gives us that - a great Americana accordion melody sung with fantastic world-weary pathos by Levon Helm sounding scarily like he's Bob Dylan's older and wiser brother. The Remaster continues to sound fantastic on Robertson's "Last Of The Blacksmiths" - Richard Manuel doing well to remain soulful as those weird 'crying horns' punctuate the tune. The biggest enemy being 'man' - "Where Do We Go From Here" sings the plight of wildlife and railroads - all disappearing under the boot of progress. The liner notes tell us The Band weren't particularly fond of the song - but I've always like it and Rick Danko's great vocal. Van Morrison drops into the sessions - hears Robbie Robertson at the piano doodling on a chord - and suddenly the two are co-writing "4% Pantomime". Apparently done in one take at Bearsville Studios the next day - the lyrics are apparently loosely about the difference between Johnny Walker Black and Johnny Walker Red whiskies. It ends Side 1 on a cool duet vocal of Soulful men enjoying themselves.

I’d admit that the LP starts to suddenly feel ordinary with the wimpy guitar pings in "Shootout In Chinatown" - a song that's trying to be something and not quite getting there. But things improve big time with one of the LP's undeniable highlights - "The Moon Struck One" - a Robbie Robertson song directly inspired by Julie and Little John Tyler - characters Robbie had gleaned from 'Jules Et Jim' - the classic 1962 Francois Truffaut film. Richard Manuel's vocals are so damn good on "The Moon Struck One" as are Rick Danko's on the Piano/Dobro romp that is "Thinkin' Out Loud" - another stunning transfer and a hugely underrated song on the LP. The lyrics "...when they're torn out by the roots...young brothers join in cahoots...' in "Smoke Signal" give the album its name - a funky Robertson piano roller again with great sound and cool Stones guitar strumming. "Volcano" and "The River Hymn" bring the album to a finish - the first a brass funker that's part Little Feat part Stoneground - while the echoed piano of the finisher is classic big-picture Band.

As is the case with so many reissues - you hope for the best with 'Bonus' material - but as others have excitedly noticed - the four extra songs on "Cahoots" offer up some truly great outtake Band numbers - way better than they had any right to be. First up is an early studio take of "Endless Highway" that is all piano and vocals – free and swinging and sounding so fresh (what a great Remaster). We get a more acoustic-based alternate of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" and holy rollers but I must just prefer this to the finished article as I’ve been playing instead for years now. The audio dips admittedly for the Danko/Robertson session outtake "Bessie Smith" – but what a melody this is – full of real Band soul and character and way better than some of the lesser material on the released LP. The Funk of “Don’t Do It” was considered as an album track for ages but eventually dropped in favour of "Life Is A Carnival". Oh man what I would give to hear this is genuinely better studio sound – but there’s at least the live cut on "Rock Of Ages" which is also in this 2000 CD Series.

What we have here is a 5-star CD reissue of a 3 to 4-star album and I for one think "Cahoots" is a bit of an overlooked nugget that deserves serious reappraisal on this superlative reissue/remaster.  

"...We walked back to the house...while the moon struck one..."

Strike two for your household and give this baby-out-of-bathwater album a dry towel and another hug...

"Stage Fright" by THE BAND (2000 Capitol 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of their 3rd album from 1970) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Turned From The Sun...Saw Everyone...Searching..."

With two hugely influential albums already under their belt (1968's "Music From Big Pink" and 1969's "The Band") – it was time for Americana's pioneers to let the side down.

Some felt they did with "Stage Fright". I didn't. I've always loved this album. In fact it's quite probably biblically blasphemous and goat-sacrificial to say that studio platter number three for THE BAND is 'better' in places than its illustrious predecessors. But as Californication's Hank Moody would say to his agent Charlie the Runkalator as they hide even more scantily clad skanky hookers and a blizzard of cocaine from their long-suffering wives - "...I'm going to rock out with my cock out..."

Again - I love this album and this sweet-sounding 2000 CD Remaster only hammers that affection home all of 47 years later. Here are the details and The Shape It's In...

UK released September 2000 (August 2000 in the USA) - "Stage Fright" by THE BAND on Capitol 525 3952 (Barcode 724352539529) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks and breaks down as follows (71:57 minutes):

1. Strawberry Wine

2. Sleeping

3. Time To Kill

4. Just Another Whistle Stop

5. All La Glory

6. The Shape I'm In [Side 2]

7. The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show

8. Daniel And The Sacred Harp

9. Stage Fright

10. The Rumor

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 3rd studio album "Stage Fright" - released August 1970 in the USA on Capitol Records SW-425 and October 1970 in the UK on Capitol Records EA-SW 425. Produced by DICK HIRTHE and Engineered by TODD RUNDGREN - it peaked at No. 5 in the USA and No. 15 in the UK LP charts.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Daniel And The Sacred Harp (Alternate Take)

12. Time To Kill (Alternate Take)

13. The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show (Alternate Mix)

14. Radio Commercial

THE BAND was:

ROBBIE ROBERTSON – Guitars and Vocals

RICHARD MANUEL - Vocals, Piano, Drums, Baritone Sax & Mouth Harp

GARTH HUDSON – Keyboards and Saxophones

RICK DANKO - Vocals, Bass, Violin & Trombone

LEVON HELM - Vocals, Drums, Mandolin & Guitar

Compiled for CD by Cheryl Pawelski and Andrew Sandoval - the 16-page booklet has fantastically comprehensive liner notes by ROB BOWMAN that feature interviews stretching back twelve years (from 2000), repros of the American Promo 45 for "Time To Kill" and "The Shape I'm In" on Capitol P-2870 as well as two photos of The Band on sofas (one at outtake from the LP shoot). There is discussion on Todd Rundgren's pivotal role as Producer giving the LP the polish their 2nd album "The Band" lacked in 1969. Both Glyn Johns and Rundgren mixed the record and this CD offers the album as it was meant to be – differing from the original Remaster by Capitol in 1990 and the subsequent audiophile issue by DCC in 1994. The new 24-bit remaster by ANDREW SANDOVAL and RON McMASTER gives the album the oomph it's needed. It's a triumph to my ears. Let's get to the music...

"Stage Fright" is a group dealing with and being cudgelled by fame. Recording in June 1970 over only two weeks – the ramshackle looseness (musicians and like minds enjoying themselves) that so warmed up the first two albums was already gone. Some felt the overall LP cold and dark and too bleakly personal in places – and it was short too at 35 odd minutes. But the music for me is key. It opens with "Strawberry Wine" by Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson – a rollicking accordion song about drinking with lyrics about never getting any peace of mine (climbing up the walls and laughing in the dark). "Sleeping" is sad for sure - but it’s beautiful too and the remaster has accentuated that lovely piano and Robertson's distant thinny guitar parts (lyrics from it title this review).

Things slide slightly with Robertson's "Time To Kill" - it's good but its also throwaway for me and the happy-wappy vibe Danko and Manuel try to vocally create feels forced. Nice axe work from Robbie on "Just Another Whistle Stop" and the bass on "All La Glory" is so damn clear now - a hymn from Robbie Robertson to his newly born daughter sung by Levon in that utterly unique voice of his (love that keyboard break - so subtle and pretty). "All La Glory" ends Side 1 on a high.

As I recall the 16-days in the jailhouse tale of monetary woe that is "The Shape I'm In" was relegated to the B-side of "Time To Kill" in the States (October 1970) - when I can't help feeling it was an obvious A with its pounding keyboard funk. In March 1971 the British side of Capitol got it right and issued "The Shape I'm In" with "The Rumor" as its flipside on Capitol CL 15675 - not that the public noticed. "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show" was the kind of tune that would have sounded fresh on "Music From Big Pink" - here for some reason it feels old already. Better is "Daniel And The Sacred Harp" - a religious procession song sung as if its a love song to some in the Old Testament. There's beautiful sound on it - those slides and strummed acoustic. The album's title track "Stage Fright" remained a live staple for the band for years - culminating in 1979's "The Last Waltz" where it seemed to come into its own. Although some think it a downer - I've always found the very Harvest-sounding "The Rumor" to be a huge grower - that piano and guitar duetting and the vocals. And you can so hear today's Americana seeping out its every pore...

"...Should I come in there...with that back beat..." - the boys joke in some studio banter after a false start. Amidst the bonus tracks is a thrill for Band fans - an Alternate Mix of one of the album's strong points "Daniel And The Sacred Heart". The audio is gorgeous - clear Bass and Acoustic Guitar - less clutter than the finished version. I might actually prefer the new Alternate Mix to "Time To Kill" to the released version - and again on here with fabulous audio. Great guitar opens "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show" where the Alternate has more pronounced vocals and brass - and the one-minute po-faced sounding "Radio Commercial" uses snippets from "Stage Fright", "Strawberry Wine" and "The Shape I'm In" to sell 'the third album from The Band on Capitol'...

I know some see it as a four-star record but with that renewed audio and those genuinely cool extras - "Stage Fright" is one of those occasions where you don't have to pay through the CD nose to get that great combo of top music, quality sound and a cheap price (their first two album outings are the same and mots are online for less than a fiver).

"...The storm is past...there's peace at last..." – Richard Manuel sang on the many mood shades of "Sleeping" – lost in his music – lost in the game. Lost or not - I've so enjoyed joining him there once again...

"The Band" by THE BAND (2000 Capitol 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of their 2nd album from 1969) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Ain't No Reason To Hang My Head..."

Sounding like it was recorded in Uncle Bob's Basement and Garage (they used a house in the Hollywood Hills owned by Sammy Davis, Jr and padded it out with blankets and wood) - The Band's self-titled second album delivered on the promise of their 1968 debut "Music From Big Pink" in a huge way. Today it's revered as an Americana classic and this cool little CD Remaster from 2000 hammers that home big time. Here are the rag mama rags...

Released September 2000 - "The Band" by THE BAND on Capitol 525 3892 (Barcode 724352538928) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and breaks down as follows (71:57 minutes):

1. Across The Great Divide

2. Rag Mama Rag

3. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

4. When You Awake

5. Up On Cripple Creek

6. Whispering Pines

7. Jemima Surrender [Side 2]

8. Rockin' Chair

9. Look Out Cleveland

10. Jawbone

11. The Unfaithful Servant

12. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 2nd album "The Band" - released September 1969 in the USA on Capitol Records STAO-132 and January 1970 in the UK on capitol Records E-ST 132.

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Get Up Jake (Outtake - Stereo Mix)

14. Raga Mama Rag (Alternate Vocal Take - Rough Mix)

15. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Alternate Mix)

16. Up On Cripple Creek (Alternate Take)

17. Whispering Pines (Alternate Take)

18. Jemima Surrender (Alternate Take)

19. King Harvest (Has Surely Come) (Alternate Performance)

THE BAND was:

GARTH HUDSON - Organ, Clavinette, Piano, Accordion, Soprano Tenor & Baritone Sax and Slide Trumpet

RICHARD MANUEL - Vocals, Piano, Drums, Baritone Sax & Mouth Harp

LEVON HELM - Vocals, Drums, Mandolin & Guitar

RICK DANKO - Vocals, Bass, Violin & Trombone

ROBBIE ROBERTSON - Guitar

Compiled by Cheryl Pawelski and Andrew Sandoval - the 16-page booklet has fantastically comprehensive liner notes by ROB BOWMAN that feature interviews stretching back twelve years (from 2000), photos of tracking sheets, mix instructions, American 45s and Picture Sleeves, trade adverts, colour snaps from the session in the house - and even a Time Magazine cover from January 1970. It's very well done as befits an album of this stature. But the big news is a great remaster by DAN HERSCH and ANDREW SANDOVAL. Recorded outside of a conventional studio in a loose manner and with `feel' being all-important - the tracks vary in sound quality. And you have to say that this remaster allows the whole lot to `breathe'. On tracks like "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" and the beautiful "Whispering Pines" where hiss is more than evident - the transfers haven't tried to supress it - but given it space to shine - it's properly lovely.

Almost a mission statement as to `this is how we sound - love it or lump it' - the openers "Across The Great Divide" and the single "Raga Mama Rag" establishes that `Band' sound and feel. The joviality abates for the epic "Virgil Cane" Civil War ballad "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" with Levon Helm sounding literally like a beaten soldier from the South. It's one of Robbie Robertson's finest songwriting moments. Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson do a great vocal trade off on "When You Awake" but Manuel's lead on "Whispering Pines" is probably most people's crave - a gorgeous melody with all those croaking voices harmonizing and that organ giving it a church on Sunday backdrop. It ends Side One perfectly.

We go into boogie mode for "Jemima Surrender" - a top-notch chugger with the group sounding like they're enjoying themselves while discovering a special chemistry ("I'll bring over my Fender and play all night for you..."). But the biggies are the two finishers - Rick Danko sings "The Unfaithful Servant" where "that train is comin'..." and the malevolent "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" is handled by Richard Manuel. There's even traces of Little Feat's funky sound in its 1969 grooves. The extra tracks provide a fabulous insight into the recording process - beginning with a real find - an outtake called "Get Up Jake" considered at the time as one too many for the album - its great. Listening to a string of Alternate Takes of songs you've known for decades is a strange and exhilarating experience - the acoustic "Dixie" is unbelievably intimate with its false starts and great sound. A keyboard-funky "Up On Cripple Creek" follows - but the real prize has to be another version of "Whispering Pines" which is just as achingly beautiful as the finished cut (even when it breaks down mid-take because of a `squeaky chair'). The loose guitar jam of "King Harvest" feels like eavesdropping on "union man" Americana. Wicked...

Dirt cheap from most online retailers - this is one of those occasions where you don't have to pay through the CD nose to get that great combo of top music and quality sound. And if ever a group deserved such a sweet outcome - then The Band are it...

"Music From Big Pink" by THE BAND (2000 Capitol 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...To Kingdom Come..."

It's a measure of The Band's musical impact that their debut album hit the shelves of American record stores 1 July 1968 and by the late August issue of the hugely influential Rolling Stone magazine (26 August 1968, Al Kooper's famous article) - they were already on the front cover. There they sat on a park-bench with their backs to us - come to bring us all back to real tunes - looking like ramshackle woodsmen-extras returned from the set of John Boorman's "Deliverance". And it helped of course that the original Americana troubadour Bob Dylan was a pal, painted the cover art and contributed the occasional song classic too...

Capitol took their time with this superbly presented 'Expanded Edition' CD of "Music From Big Pink" and has stoked up the Stereo release with a slew of half-decent extras actually worthy of the moniker 'Bonus Tracks'. Here are the weighty details...

UK released September 2000 (August 2000 in the USA) - "Music From Big Pink" by THE BAND is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue/Remaster on Capitol 525 3902 (Barcode 724352539024) and plays out as follows (74:03 minutes):

1. Tears Of Rage

2. To Kingdom Come

3. In A Station

4. Caledonia Mission

5. The Weight

6. We Can Talk [Side 2]

7. Long Black Veil

8. Chest Fever

9. Lonesome Suzie

10. This Wheel's On Fire

11. I Shall Be Released

Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "Music From Big Pink" - released July 1968 in the USA on Capitol Records SKAO-2955 and November 1968 in the UK on Capitol Records T 2955 (Mono) and Capitol ST 2955 (Stereo). The American STEREO Mix is used. Robbie Robertson wrote "To Kingdom Come", "Caledonia Mission", "The Weight" and "Chest Fever" - Richard Manuel wrote "In A Station", "We Can talk" and "Lonesome Suzie and co-wrote "Tears Of Rage" with BOB DYLAN - Dylan wrote "I Shall Be Released" and co-wrote "This Wheel's On Fire" with Rick Danko. "Long Black Veil" is a Marijohn Wilkin and Danny Dill song made famous by Country Artists Lefty Frizzell and Johnny Cash. JOHN SIMON Produced.

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Yazoo Street Scandal (Outtake)

13. Tears Of Rage (Alternate Take)

14. Katie's Been Gone (Outtake)

15. If I Lose (Outtake)

16. Long Distance Operator (Outtake)

17. Lonesome Suzie (Alternate Take)

18. Orange Juice Blues (Blues For Breakfast) (Outtake – Demo)

19. Key To The Highway (Outtake)

20. Ferdinand The Imposter (Outtake – Demo)

THE BAND was:

GARTH HUDSON – Organ and Vocals

RICHARD MANUEL – Piano and Lead Vocals on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 11

ROBBIE ROBERTSON – Lead Guitar and Duet Vocals with Manuel on Track 2

RICK DANKO – Bass and Lead Vocals on Tracks 4, 7, and 10

LEVON HELM – Drums and Lead Vocals on Track 5 a duet with Danko

Compiled by Cheryl Pawelski and Andrew Sandoval - the 20-page booklet has fantastically comprehensive liner notes by ROB BOWMAN that feature interviews stretching back twelve years (from 2000), photos of tracking sheets, mix instructions, the American 45 of "The Weight" on Capitol 2269, trade adverts, the Rolling Stone cover, outtake photos from the session, a Winterland Poster - and snaps of the home ‘Big Pink’ where most of the music was composed. It's very well done as befits an album of this stature.

But the big news is a great remaster by DAN HERSCH and ANDREW SANDOVAL. Notoriously far removed from 'audiophile' territory – the album was recorded in a real-instruments/naturalistic feel kind of way. So some tunes like "I Shall Be Released" and "Long Black Veil" have audible hiss levels but you’d have to say that this remaster allows the whole lot to 'breathe' – no dampening nor tampering. On tracks like the wicked keyboard extravaganza that is "Chest Fever" or Manuel's old-as-mountains "In A Station" - the natural feel is thrilling - given space to shine.

It opens with the decidedly edgy "Tears Of Rage" - a slow opener that's all treated guitar and croaked vocals about 'Independence Day' and a father not 'getting it'. Even after all these years I still find the brass arrangements and that huge organ sound in the background so moving - while Robertson pings away on those frets as only he can. We up the pace for "To Kingdom Come" - a catchy little mutt that bears repeated listening as he sings of being 'tarred and feathered'. I loved what Karen Dalton did with Manuel's "In A Station" on her "In My Own Time" album of cover version in 1971 on Just Sunshine Records (see separate review). You can hear why she was drawn to its gravel heart - slightly off rhythms and production values - yet still full of heart. Both of Robertson's Side 1 finishers "California Mission" and "The Weight" practically defined The Band sound from the outset. On Side 2 I like the strange funkiness of "This Wheel's On Fire" but my crave is the heavy and wild keyboard soloing throughout “Chest Fever”. It's so at odds with the rest of the record - yet it fits. "Chest Fever" could even be an ELP rehearsal – an Atomic Rooster jam – it's the kind of rock song you don't really expect from The Band - brilliantly hooky yet ramshackle enough to remain real. "Chest..." is followed by Levon's aching set of pipes on "Lonesome Suzie" – a slow drawl of a song – and a tune that cries out to be covered - tap into the melody's innate Soulfulness.

I had expected the Extras to be largely filler - and some are rough ("If I Lose", "Orange Juice Blues" and "Ferdinand The Imposter" are taken from 'best available sources') - but the Outtakes are actually brill. "Yazoo Street Scandal" actually feels like Dylan's force is strong with the Robbie-one-Kenobi  - but even tastier is an 'Alternate Take' of "Tears Of Rage" that emphasises the Piano more. It's a fabulous addition and stands up by itself. Both Robertson and Manuel penned "Katie's Been Gone" and it's another genuinely great discovery. "...This would be Take 400...rolling..." the Engineer wittily intros "Long Distance Operator" - and again it feels like your eavesdropping on creativity in full flow. You can hear why the quicker "Lonesome Suzie" Alternate was dumped in favour of the much slower and more soulful arrangement. "Keys To The Highway" is a cover of a Big Bill Broonzy song with some great fuzzed-up guitar. Impressive stuff...

The Band's debut is often described as patchy - seen as a group getting there - heading towards the undeniable songwriting maturity of 1970's "The Band". But I'd argue that even though you're told other albums are better - "Music From Big Pink" is one of those records you keep returning too - and digging it more and more each time you do.

Dirt cheap from most online retailers - this is one of those occasions where you don't have to pay through the CD nose to get that great combo of top music and quality sound. And if ever a group deserved such a sweet outcome - then The Band are it.

"...I Shall Be Released..." they sang back in the day. And with music in my heart – they were right...

"The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968 (Volume 1)" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (1991 and 2016 Atlantic/Atco/Rhino 9CD Box Set Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

1991 12" x 12" Original 'Jewel Case' Box Set

2003 'Jewel Case' Mini Box Set Reissue

2016 Brick-Block Mini Box Set Reissue with Card Sleeves

For Sale at Amazon UK...

 

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"...Soul Power..."

Initially released as Volume 1 of 3 huge Box Sets covering the entire Stax/Volt singles output between 1959 and 1975 – "The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968" originally came out as a clunky but beautiful 9CD Album-Sized 12" x 12" Box Set way back in the mists of April 1991. It was then reissued as a smaller square box with nine jewel cases in September 2003 (using the same Barcode 7567822182) - and subsequently as nine mid-priced individual volumes. But all have been deleted now for years – some even accumulating massive price tags online. Since that time 'Concord Music Group, Inc.' have acquired the Stax catalogue and that's where this January 2016 reissue comes in...

USA released 19 January 2016 (22 January 2016 in the UK) – "The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Atlantic/Atco/Rhino 081227954666 (Barcode is the same number) is a 9CD 'Mini Box Set' Reissue containing 244-tracks (using 1991 Remasters), an 84-page booklet and plays out as follows:

Disc 1, 29-Tracks (72:48 minutes):

1. Fall In Love – THE VELTONES (September 1959, Satellite 100, A)

2. 'Cause I Love You – CARLA & RUFUS (August 1960, first Satellite 103, A - then Atco 6177, A)

3. Gee Whiz – CARLA THOMAS (November 1960, first Satellite 104, A - then Atlantic 2086, A)

4. You Make Me Feel So Good – THE CHIPS (January 1961, Satellite 105, A)

5. A Love Of My Own – CARLA THOMAS (March 1961, Atlantic 2102, A)

6. Last Night – THE MAR-KEYS (June 1961, first Satellite S107, A - then Stax 107, A)

7. I Didn't Believe – RUFUS and FRIEND (June 1961, Atco 6199, A)

8. I'm Going Home – PRINCE CONLEY (July 1961, Satellite 108, A)

9. (Mama, Mama) Wish Me Good Luck – CARLA THOMAS (August 1961, Atlantic 2113, A)

10. Morning After – THE MAR-KAYS (September 1961, Stax 112, A)

11. The Life I Live – BARBARA STEPHENS (October 1961, Stax 113, A)

12. About Noon – THE MAR-KEYS (October 1961, Stax 114, A)

13. Burnt Biscuits – THE TRIUMPHS (November 1961, Volt 100, A)

14. I Kinda Think He Does – CARLA THOMAS (November 1961, Atlantic 2132, A)

15. Foxy – THE MAR-KEYS (November 1961, Stax 115, A)

16. You Don't Miss Your Water – WILLIAM BELL (November 1961, Stax 116, A)

17. Formula Of Love – WILLIAM BELL (November 1961, Stax 116, B-side to "You Don't Miss Your Water")

18. Goofin' Off – MACY SKIPPER (November 1961, Stax 117, A – some copies list this as Stax 116 in error)

19. Wait A Minute – BARBARA STEPHENS (January 1962, Stax 118, A)

20. Sunday Jealous – NICK CHARLES (February 1962, Stax 119, A)

21. That's The Way It Is With Me – BARBARA STEPHENS (March 1962, Stax 120, A)

22. No Tears – THE TONETTES (March 1962, Volt 101, A)

23. Pop-Eye Stroll - THE MAR-KEYS (March 1962, Stax 121, A)

24. The Three Dogwoods – NICK CHARLES (April 1962, Stax 122, A)

25. Why Should I Suffer With The Blues – THE CANES (April 1962, Stax 123, A)

26. Whot's Happenin'? – THE MAR-KEYS (June 1962, Stax 124, A)

27. Just Across The Street – THE DEL-RIOS (June 1962, Stax 125, A)

28. There's A Love – THE DEL-RIOS (June 1962, Stax 125, B-side to "Just Across The Street")

29. Can't Ever Let You Go – RUFUS THOMAS (July 1962, Stax 126, A)

Disc 2, 27-Tracks (73:07 minutes):

1. Green Onions – BOOKER T & THE MGs (August 1962, Stax 127 and Volt 102, A – the only single to be released on both Stax and Volt)

2. Behave Yourself – BOOKER T & THE MGs (August 1962, Stax 127, B-side to "Green Onions")

3. Any Other Way – WILLIAM BELL (August 1962, Stax 128, A)

4. I'll Bring It Home To You – CARLA THOMAS (October 1962, Atlantic 2163, A)

5. Sack-O-Woe – THE MAR-KEYS (October 1962, Stax 129, A)

6. These Arms Of Mine – OTIS REDDING (October 1962, Volt 103, A)

7. Teardrop Sea – THE TONETTES (November 1962, Volt 104, A)

8. The Dog – RUFUS THOMAS (January 1963, Stax 130, A)

9. Jelly Bread – BOOKER T & THE MGs (January 1963, Stax 131, A)

10. I Told You So – WILLIAM BELL (January 1963, Stax 132, A)

11. Bo-Time – THE MAR-KEYS (January 1963, Stax 133, A)

12. Home Grown – BOOKER T & THE MGs (February 1963, Stax 134, A)

13. My Imaginary Guy – DEANIE PARKER & THE VALADORS (February 1963, Volt 105, A)

14. Just As I Thought – WILLIAM BELL (February 1963, Volt 135, A)

15. What A Fool I've Been – CARLA THOMAS (April 1963, Atlantic 2189, A)

16. The Hawg, Part 1 – EDDIE KIRK (May 1963, Volt 106, A)

17. Don’t Be Afraid Of Love – OSCAR MACK (May 1963, Volt 107, A)

18. That’s My Guy – CHERYL & PAM JOHNSON (June 1963, Stax 136, A)

19. Chinese Crackers – BOOKER T & THE MGs (June 1963, Stax 137, A)

20. Somebody Mentioned Your Name – WILLIAM BELL (June 1963, Stax 138, A)

21. What Can I Do – BOBBY MARCHAN (June 1963, Volt 108, A)

22. That's What My Heart Needs – OTIS REDDING (June 1963, Volt 109, A)

23. What Can It Be – THE ASTORS (July 1963, Stax 139, A)

24. Bango – BILLY & THE KING BEES (September 1963, Volt 110, A)

25. Them Bones – EDDIE KIRK (September 1963, Volt 111, A)

26. Walking The Dog – RUFUS THOMAS (September 1963, Stax 140, A)

27. I'll Show You – WILLIAM BELL (September 1963, Stax 141, A)

Disc 3, 28-Tracks (73:41 minutes):

1. Pain In My Heart – OTIS REDDING (September 1963, Volt 112, A)

2. Gee Whizz, It's Christmas – CARLA THOMAS (November 1963, Atlantic 2212, A)

3. Mo' Onions – BOOKER T & THE MGs (December 1963, Stax 142, A)

4. Frog Stomp – FLOYD NEWMAN (December 1963, Stax 143, A)

5. Can Your Monkey Do The Dog – RUFUS THOMAS (January 1964, Stax 144, A)

6. You Won't Do Right – BOBBY MARCHAN (January 1964, Volt 113, A)

7. Wondering (When My Love Is Coming Home) – THE DRAPELS (January 1964, Volt 114, A – some copies mistakenly credit this as Volt 113)

8. Each Step I Take – DEANIE PARKER (January 1964, Volt 115, A)

9. The Honeydripper – THE VAN-DELLS (January 1964, Stax 145, A)

10. Who Will It Be Tomorrow – WILLIAM BELL (February 1964, Stax 146, A)

11. Come To Me – OTIS REDDING (February 1964, Volt 116, A)

12. Don't Leave Me This Way – OTIS REDDING (February 1964, Volt 116, B-side of "Come To Me")

13. I Don't Want You Anymore – EDDIE JEFFERSON (February 1964, Stax 147, A)

14. Restless – THE COBRAS (March 1964, Stax 148, A)

15. Somebody Stole My Dog – RUFUS THOMAS (March 1964, Stax 149, A)

16. Big Party – BARBARA & THE BROWNS (March 1964, Stax 150, A)

17. That's Really Some Good – RUFUS and CARLA (April 1964, Stax 151, A)

18. Night Time Is The Right Time – RUFUS and CARLA (April 1964, Stax 151, B-side of "That's Really Some Good")

19. Security – OTIS REDDING (April 1964, Volt 117, A)

20. Dream Girl – OSCAR MACK (May 1964, Stax 152, A)

21. Closer To My Baby – DOROTHY WILLIAMS (June 1964, Volt 118, A)

22. I've Got No Time To Lose – CARLA THOMAS (July 1964, Atlantic 2238, A)

23. Young Man – THE DRAPELS (July 1964, Volt 119, A)

24. Soul Dressing – BOOKER T & THE MGs (July 1964, Stax 153, A)

25. After Laughter (Comes Tears) – WENDY RENE (August 1964, Stax 154, A)

26. Can't Explain How It Happened – IVORY JOE HUNTER (August 1964, Stax 155, A)

27. Bush Bash – THE MAR-KEYS (August 1964, Stax 156, A)

28. Please Return To Me – THE FLEETS (August 1964, Volt 120, A)

Disc 4, 27-Tracks (70:51 minutes):

1. Jump Back – RUFUS THOMAS (September 1964, Stax 157, A)

2. Chained And Bound – OTIS REDDING (September 1964, Volt 121, A)

3. In My Heart – BARBARA & THE BROWNS (September 1964, Stax 158, A)

4. Spunky – JOHNNY JENKINS (October 1964, Volt 122, A)

5. Bar B-Q – WENDY RENE (November 1964, Stax 159, A)

6.  The Sidewalk Surf – THE MAD LADS (November 1964, Stax 160, A)

7. Can't Be Still – BOOKER T & THE MGs (November 1964, Stax 161, A)

8. A Woman's Love – CARLA THOMAS (November 1964, Atlantic 2258, A)

9. Yank Me – THE BARACUDAS (December 1964, Volt 123, A)

10. That's How Strong My Love Is – OTIS REDDING (December 1964, Volt 124, A)

11. Mr. Pitiful – OTIS REDDING (December 1964, Volt 124, B-side of "That's How Strong My Love Is")

12. Don't Let Her Be Your Baby – THE DEL-RAYS (January 1965, Stax 162, A)

13. Can't See You When I Want To – DAVID PORTER (January 1965, Stax 163, A)

14. My Lover – BARBARA & THE BROWNS (January 1965, Stax 164, A)

15. Got You On My Mind – THE ADMIRALS (February 1965, Volt 125, A)

16. How Do You Quit (Someone You Love) – CARLA THOMAS (February 1965, Atlantic 2272, A)

17. Biggest Fool In Town – GORGEOUS GEORGE (February 1965, Stax 165, A)

18. Banana Juice – THE MAR-KEYS (February 1965, Stax 166, A)

19. Little Sally Walker – RUFUS THOMAS (February 1965, Stax 167, A)

20. A Place Nobody Can Find – SAM & DAVE (March 1965, Stax 168, A)

21. Goodnight Baby – SAM & DAVE (March 1965, Stax 168, B-side to "A Place Nobody Can Find")

22. Boot-Leg – BOOKER T & THE MGs (April 1965, Stax 169, A)

23. Outrage – BOOKER T & THE MGs (April 1965, Stax 169, B-side of "Boot-Leg")

24. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – OTIS REDDING (April 1965, Volt 126, A)

25. I'm Depending On You – OTIS REDDING (April 1965, Volt 126, B-side of "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)")

26. Candy – THE ASTORS (May 1965, Stax 170, A)

27. Give What You Got – WENDY RENE (May 1965, Stax 171, A)

Disc 5, 27-Tracks (72:30 minutes):

1. Stop! Look What You’re Doing – CARLA THOMAS (May 1965, Stax 172, A)

2. Willy Nilly – RUFUS THOMAS (June 1965, Stax 173, A)

3. Don't Have To Shop Around – THE MAD LADS (July 1965, Volt 127, A)

4. Crying All By Myself – WILLIAM BELL (July 1965, Stax 174, A)

5. I Take What I Want – SAM & DAVE (August 1965, Stax 175, A)

6. When You Move You Lose – RUFUS and CARLA (August 1965, Stax 176, A)

7. Respect – OTIS REDDING (August 1965, Volt 128, A)

8. Make It Me – THE PREMIERS (September 1965, Stax 177, A)

9. The World Is Round – RUFUS THOMAS (September 1965, Stax 178, A)

10. In The Twilight Zone – THE ASTORS (September 1965, Stax 179, A)

11. Blue Groove – SIR ISAAC & THE DO-DADS (November 1965, Volt 129, A)

12. You Don’t Know Like I Know – SAM & DAVE (November 1965, Stax 180, A)

13. Grab This Thing (Part 1) – THE MAR-KEYS (November 1965, Stax 181, A)

14. Be My Lady – BOOKER T & THE MGs (November 1965, Stax 182, A)

15. Comfort Me – CARLA THOMAS (December 1965, Stax 183, A)

16. I Can't Turn You Loose – OTIS REDDING (December 1965, Volt 130, A)

17. Just One More Day – OTIS REDDING (December 1965, Volt 130, B-side to "I Can't Turn You Loose")

18. I Want Someone – THE MAD LADS (January 1966, Volt 131, A)

19. Birds & Bees – RUFUS and CARLA (January 1966, Stax 184, A)

20. Philly Dog – THE MAR-KEYS (January 1966, Stax 185, A)

21. I Had A Dream – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (February 1966, Stax 186, A)

22. Satisfaction – OTIS REDDING (February 1966, Volt 132, A)

23. Things Get Better – EDDIE FLOYD (March 1966, Stax 187, A)

24. I'll Run Your Hurt Away – RUBY JOHNSON (March 1966, Volt 133, A)

25. Hot Dog – THE FOUR SHELLS (March 1966, Volt 134, A)

26. Let Me Be Good To You – CARLA THOMAS (March 1966, Stax 188, A)

27. Hold On I'm Comin' – SAM & DAVE (March 1966, Stax 189, A)

Disc 6, 25-Tracks (71:23 minutes):

1. Laundromat Blues – ALBERT KING (April 1966, Stax 190, A)

2. Sugar Sugar – THE MAD LADS (April 1966, Volt 135, A)

3. Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need) – WILLIAM BELL (May 1966, Stax 191, A)

4. Marching Off To War – WILLIAM BELL (May 1966, Stax 191, B-side to "Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need)")

5. My Lover's Prayer – OTIS REDDING (May 1966, Volt 136, A)

6.Your Good Thing (It's About To End) – MABLE JOHN (May 1966, Stax 192, A)

7. I Got To Love Somebody's Baby – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (June 1966, Stax 193, A)

8. I Want A Girl – THE MAD LADS (June 1966, Volt 137, A)

9. Knock On Wood – EDDIE FLOYD (July 1966, Stax 194, A)

10. B-A-B-Y – CARLA THOMAS (July 1966, Stax 195, A)

11. My Sweet Potato – BOOKER T & THE MGs (July 1966, Stax 196, A)

12. Booker-Loo – BOOKER T & THE MGs (July 1966, Stax 196, B-side of "My Sweet Potato")

13. Oh, Pretty Woman – ALBERT KING (August 1966, Stax 197, A)

14. Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody – SAM & DAVE (August 1966, Stax 198, A)

15. Never Like This Before – WILLIAM BELL (September 1966, Stax 199, A)

16. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) – OTIS REDDING (September 1966, Volt 138, A)

17. Patch My Heart – THE MAD LADS (September 1966, Volt 139, A)

18. Sister’s Got A Boyfriend – RUFUS THOMAS (September 1966, Stax 200, A)

19. Come To Me My Darling – RUBY JOHNSON (October 1966, Volt 140, A)

20. When My Love Comes Down – RUBY JOHNSON (October 1966, Volt 140, B-side to "Come To Me My Darling")

21. Try A Little Tenderness – OTIS REDDING (November 1966, Volt 141, A)

22. Crosscut Saw – ALBERT KING (November 1966, Stax 201, A)

23. Little Bluebird – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (November 1966, Stax 202, A)

24. Toe Hold – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (November 1966, Stax 202, B-side to "Little Bluebird")

25. Jingle Bells – BOOKER T & THE MGs (November 1966, Stax 203, A)

Disc 7, 26-Tracks (69:54 minutes):

1. You Got Me Hummin' – SAM & DAVE (November 1966, Stax 204, A)

2. You're Taking up Another Man's Place – MABLE JOHN (November 1966, Stax 205, A)

3. All I Want For Christmas Is You – CARLA THOMAS (November 1966, Stax 206, A)

4. Please Uncle Sam (Send Back My Man) – THE CHARMELS (November 1966, Volt 142, A)

5. Something Good (Is Gong To Happen To You) – CARLA THOMAS (January 1967, Stax 207, A)

6. Raise Your Hand – EDDIE FLOYD (January 1967, Stax 208, A)

7. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (January 1967, Stax 209, A)

8. I Don't Want To Lose Your Love – THE MAD LADS (January 1967, Volt 143, A)

9. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby – SAM & DAVE (January 1967, Stax 210, A)

10. Let Me Down Slow – BOBBY WILSON (January 1967, Volt 144, A)

11. Hip Hug-Her – BOOKER T & THE MGs (February 1967, Stax 211, A)

12. Everybody Loves A Winner – WILLIAM BELL (March 1967, Stax 212, A)

13. Mini-Skirt Minnie – SIR MACK RICE (March 1967, Stax 213, A)

14. When Tomorrow Comes – CARLA THOMAS (March 1967, Stax 214, A)

15. The Spoiler – EDDIE PURRELL (April 1967, Volt 145, A)

16. I Love You More Than Words Can Say – OTIS REDDING (March 1967, Volt 146, A)

17. If I Ever Needed Love (I Sure Do Need It Now) – RUBY JOHNSON (April 1967, Volt 147, A)

18. Same Time, Same Place – MABLE JOHN (April 1967, Stax 215, A)

19. Tramp – OTIS and CARLA (April 1967, Stax 216, A)

20. Soul Finger – THE BAR-KEYS (April 1967, Volt 148, A)

21. Knucklehead – THE BAR-KEYS (April 1967, Volt 148, B-side to "Soul Finger")

22. Shake – OTIS REDDING (April 1967, Volt 149, A)

23. Born Under A Bad Sign – ALBERT KING (May 1967, Stax 217, A)

24. Soothe Me – SAM & DAVE (May 1967, Stax 218, A)

25. I Can't Stand Up – SAM & DAVE (May 1967, Stax 218, B-side to "Soothe Me")

26. Don’t Rock The Boat – EDDIE FLOYD (May 1967, Stax 219, A)

Disc 8, 28-Tracks (76:03 minutes):

1. My Inspiration – THE MAD LADS (June 1967, Volt 150, A)

2. Love Sickness – SIR MACK RICE (June 1967, Stax 220, A)

3. Sophisticated Sissy – RUFUS THOMAS (June 1967, Stax 221, A)

4. I'll Always Have Faith In You – CARLA THOMAS (May 1967, Stax 222, A)

5. How Can You Mistreat The One You Love – JEANNE & THE DARLINGS (June 1967, Volt 151, A)

6. Love Is A Doggone Good Thing – EDDIE FLOYD (June 1967, Stax 223, A)

7. Groovin' – BOOKER T & THE MGs (June 1967, Stax 224, A)

8. Slim Jenkin's Place - BOOKER T & THE MGs (June 1967, Stax 224, B-side to "Groovin'")

9. Glory Of Love – OTIS REDDING (June 1967, Volt 152, A)

10. I'm A Big Girl Now – MABLE JOHN (July 1968, Stax 225, A)

11. Wait You Dog - MABLE JOHN (July 1968, Stax 225, B-side to "I'm A Big Girl Now")

12. You Can't Get Away From It – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (July 1967, Stax 226, A)

13. Eloise (Hang On In There) – WILLIAM BELL (July 1967, Stax 227, A)

14. Knock On Wood – OTIS and CARLA (July 1968, Stax 228, A)

15. I'm Glad To Do It – C.L. BLAST (July 1967, Stax 229, A)

16. Double Up - C.L. BLAST (July 1967, Stax 229, B-side to "I'm Glad To Do It")

17. You Can't Run Away From Your Heart – JUDY CLAY (August 1967, Stax 230, A)

18. I’ll Gladly Take You Back – THE CHARMELS (August 1967, Volt 153, A)

19. Soul Man – SAM & DAVE (August 1967, Stax 231, A)

20. Daddy Didn't Tell Me – THE ASTORS (September 1967, Stax 232, A)

21. Give Everybody Some – THE BAR-KEYS (September 1967, Volt 154, A)

22. On A Saturday Night – EDDIE FLOYD (September 1967, Stax 233, A)

23. Don't Hit Me No More – MABLE JOHN (September 1967, Stax 234, A)

24. Somebody's Sleeping In My Bed – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (November 1967, Stax 235, A)

25. Winter Snow – BOOKER T & THE MGs (December 1967, Stax 236, A)

26. Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday – WILLIAM BELL (November 1967, Stax 237, A)

27. What'll I Do For Satisfaction – JOHNNY DAYE (November 1967, Stax 238, A)

28. Pick Up The Pieces – CARLA THOMAS (December 1967, Stax 239, A)

Disc 9, 27-Tracks (71:55 minutes):

1. Down Ta My House – RUFUS THOMAS (December 1967, Stax 240, A)

2. As Long As I've Got You – THE CHARMELS (December 1967, Volt 155, A)

3. Soul Girl – JEANNE & THE DARLINGS (December 1967, Volt 156, A)

4. Cold Feet – ALBERT KING (December 1967, Stax 241, A)

5. I Thank You – SAM & DAVE (January 1968, Stax 242, A)

6. Wrap It Up – SAM & DAVE (January 1968, Stax 242, B-side to "I Thank You")

7. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay – OTIS REDDING (January 1968, Volt 157, A)

8. Don't Pass Your Judgement – MEMPHIS NOMADS (January 1968, Stax 243, A)

9. Lovey Dovey – OTIS and CARLA (January 1968, Stax 244, A)

10. I Got A Sure Thing – OLLIE & THE NIGHTINGALES (February 1968, Stax 245, A)

11. Big Bird – EDDIE FLOYD (February 1968, Stax 246, A)

12. A Hard Day's Night – THE BAR-KAYS (February 1968, Volt 158, A)

13. Next Time – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (February 1968, Stax 247, A)

14. A Tribute To A King – WILLIAM BELL (March 1968, Stax 248, A)

15. Every Man Oughta Have A Woman – WILLIAM BELL (March 1968, Stax 248, B-side to "A Tribute To A King")

16. Able Mable – MABLE JOHN (March 1968, Stax 249, A)

17. The Memphis Train – RUFUS THOMAS (March 1968, Stax 250, A)

18. I Think I Made A Boo Boo – RUFUS THOMAS (March 1968, Stax 250, B-side to "The Memphis Train")

19. What Will Later On Be Like – JEANNE & THE DARLINGS (March 1968, Volt 159, A)

20. Hang Me Now - JEANNE & THE DARLINGS (March 1968, Volt 159, B-side to "What Will Later Be Like")

21. Soul Power – DEREK MARTIN (March 1968, Volt 160, A)

22. Bring Your Love Back To Me – LINDA LYNDELL (March 1968, Volt 161, A)

23. A Dime A Dozen – CARLA THOMAS March 1968, Stax 251, A)

24. Whatever Hurts You – THE MAD LADS (April 1968, Volt 162, A)

25. The Happy Song (Dum-Dum) – OTIS REDDING (April 1968, Volt 163, A)

26. (I Love) Lucy – ALBERT KING (April 1968, Stax 252, A)

27. I Ain't Particular – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (April 1968, Stax 253, A)

TOTAL NUMBER OF SINGLES ON EACH LABEL:

Atco and Atlantic 12, Satellite 7, Stax 158 and Volt 71

NOTE: Although there are 244 songs on this box set there were 248 singles released because 4 appeared on two labels - "Green Onions" on both Stax and Volt Records and the first three Satellite 7" single releases (Disc 1) also came out on Atco, Atlantic and Stax 45s.

Crazy as it sounds – this 2016 'Brick Block' reissue is so much prettier and easier to handle/shelf than its two bulky predecessors. Admittedly the 'reduced' print in the 84-page mini booklet can be hard to read at times and clearly looks like an acceptable copy (with the Discography between Pages 49 and 80 looking particularly anaemic). But its all here and that's cool by me. In fact compiler ROB BOWMAN's essay on the formative years of Stax (Pages 1 to 47) still remains a crucial read for fans of Soul Music. The cool-looking Black & Silver artwork on the cover of the box is on each CD and that lovely pale blue and red 'Stax/Volt' logo is carried over onto the box beneath that holds the CD and booklet (a nice touch)...

The AUDIO REMASTERS done in 1991 at DigiPrep by Rhino's most trusted Engineers BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH still stand up and don’t appear to have been touched or enhanced. I'd have to admit that In 2016 I've heard 'better' on many other compilations (Ace, Bear family) - so it's a shame that a newer polish wasn't given - but I'd still say that what you do get is great...

Disc 1 opens with the Vocal Group and Guitars of The Veltones followed by Staxs earliest superstars – Rufus and Carla Thomas – both sounding clean as a whistle. Hits begin with Carla's "Gee Whiz" and the stunning instrumental "Last Night" by The Mar-Keys – easily one of the coolest tunes of the early 60ts. But rarity and deep Soul fans will dig the three entries from Barbara Stephens who wrote all her own songs (even if she did sing a tad off key). Speaking of obscure – The Tonettes, Macy Skipper, The Triumphs and The Canes are not exactly names that roll off even the most experienced musical tongue – but each is superb in its own way (why wasn't the utterly cool instrumental "Burnt Biscuits" by The Triumphs (penned by Mort Shuman) a huge hit?). Speaking of things inexplicable - the Memphis blues singer Prince Conley (not to be confused with Arthur) puts in a blinding original on "I'm Going Home" - which is also the first session in the summer of 1961 that Steve Cropper remembers playing on as Stax's go-to session guitarist. Even the Vocal Group double entry from The Del-Rios (one smoocher, one bopper) is wickedly good. The Nick Charles entry "The Three Dogwoods" is holy-roller schlock of the worst kind and best forgotten...better is the brilliantly clever "Goofin' Off" by Macy Skipper where two hip dudes speed-rattle off venues, adverts and street jive. You may not be able to make much of the hipster rhymes out as they fly past - but its both very funny and very cool...

Disc 2 sees some Stax monsters – Booker T’s instrumental masterpiece and the coolest song in the known Universe "Green Onions" (the only tune in their catalogue that was released on both Stax and Volt and the label's first R&B No. 1), Otis Redding's tear-your-heart-out torch ballad "These Arms Of Mine" and the witty canine yelp of Rufus Thomas' dancefloor shuffler "Walking The Dog". Carla Thomas also hit decent chart placing with "I'll Bring It Home To You" (R&B 9, Pop 41) and "What A Fool I've Been" (R&B 28, Pop 91). Rarities include the Pop/Soul of Deanie Parker & The Valadors, the identikit Otis Redding vibe of Oscar Mack's "Don't Be Afraid Of Love" and the vocal group smooch of The Astors on the lovely "What Can It Be" (their first Stax 45 and a listed rarity at $100+). Personal poison goes to the jerky "Them Bones" by Eddie Kirk (wicked harmonica solo half way through) and the sweet girly Northern Soul vibe to "Teardrop Sea" by The Tonettes.

Disc 3 sees the first appearance of the ultra rare and obscure Wendy Rene sides that only appeared on the digital format in 2012 on Light In The Attic's superb CD compilation "After Laughter Comes Tears: Complete Stax Singles 1964-65..." Other hidden gems on Volume 3 also include cool instrumentals like the footpoundin' keyboard chug of "Frog Stomp” by Floyd Newman, The Van-Dells doing a saxophone version of the Joe Liggins R&B classic "The Honeydripper" and Cobra getting all Ike & Tina Turner funky on "Restless". The 'you can't be true' Albert King-style pleader "You Won't Do Right" by Bobby Marchan is excellent and I've a soft spot for the slow piano blues of "Can't Explain How It Happened" by Atlantic's 50ts R&B star Ivory Joe Hunter.

Disc 4 is the first showing for Sam & Dave with the superb double-whammy of "A Place Nobody Can Find" b/w "Goodnight Baby" (February 1965 on Stax 168) and April 1965 gave Stax their highest chart placing with Otis Redding's sublime "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" at No. 2 on the R&B charts since "Green Onions" way back in 1961 hit the top. More nuggets on Volume 4 include the slick groove of "Jump Back" by Rufus Thomas where he's hitting an intruder on the head with a rolling pin - while Johnny Jenkins goes all Link Wray guitar-mad on the aptly titled "Spunky". While the audio on Jenkins might be a bit rough – there's no such problem on the Slo Soul of "A Woman's Love" by Carla Thomas or Otis Redding's monumental "That's How Strong My Love Is". The ultra rare "Got You On My Mind" by The Admirals is clearly dubbed from a disc but the heartbreaker "Biggest Fool In Town" by Gorgeous George boasts fabulous presence as he croaks his way through his 'being used' misery. "Candy" by The Astors will be a truly lovely discovery for most too. Brill also to have those rare non-album danceable B-sides - "Outrage" by Booker T & The MGs and "I'm Depending On You" by Otis Redding...what winners...

Disc 5 features more monsters of the genre – "Respect" by Otis Redding (a No. 4 R&B hit in August 1965) and the sophisticated Vocal Group Soul of The Mad Lads on their beautiful "Don't Have To Shop Around" (No. 11 R&B). It's amazing to think that something as sweet as Carla Thomas' "Stop! Look What You're Doin'" didn't score higher than No. 30 R&B for the first lady of Soul. Equally as affecting is "Crying All By Myself" from William Bell – here in powerfully emotive clarity. Hidden nuggets include the trumpet slick of George Hudson on the wickedly cool "Blue Groove" (The Do-Dads were part of Sir Isaac Hayes' backing band) and I've always loved Sam & Dave's infectious "I Take What I Want" covered to amazing affect by Rory Gallagher in a Rock-Soul mode on his 1975 album "Against The Grain" (a regular show-stopper at 'The Grove' dance I used to frequent in 1970s Dublin). Northern Soul fans will spread the talcum powder for "In The Twilight Zone" from The Astors, "Philly Dog" by The Mar-Keys and the decidedly groovy "Things Get Better" by Eddie Floyd – then swoon during the slow sets to the wonderful "Comfort Me" by Carla Thomas and tremble along with the quivering vocals of "I Want Someone" by The Mad Lads...

Disc 6 opens with the heavy-hitting guitar of Albert King on "Laundromat Blues" only to flow into the Pop/Soul of "Sugar Sugar" by The Mad Lads – a rare sickly-sweet miss for this classy act. The William Bell double entry puts his relationship advice of "Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need)" on the A-side with a plea to the youth to not be dumb and go "Marching Off To War" on the flip (Stax flexing its social conscience in May 1966 when the Draft and Vietnam loomed large over the young population). I've always loved Mable John's torch song "Your Good Thing (It's About To End)" on Stax 192 from May 1966 which Bonnie Raitt did a superlative version of on her 1979 Warner Brothers LP "The Glow" (a total winner written by Stax's secret songwriting weapons - Isaac Hayes and David Porter). Another lesser-heard slugger on here is Johnnie Taylor's excellent rasp on "Little Bluebird" - while the disc ends on Booker T's derivative and cheesy “Jingle Bells” – a merry jangle best left in the stocking...

Disc 7 opens with one of many Sam & Dave hits – where one minute their bopping with excitement on "You Got Me Hummin'" then they're worried deep about their gals on the fab "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" – surely the very definition of a Soul Torch Ballad. Bobby Wilson gets a rare outing on the corking mid-tempo "Let Me Down Slow". Booker T and his merry band of MGs once again show their uncanny knack for penning an utterly brill/cool instrumental - and even give the groovy little sucker a catchy name like "Hip Hug-Her". The same cool applies to the wonderfully titled "Mini-Skirt Minnie" – where Miss Minster is driving the boys wild with some very short apparel. Rarity collectors will love "The Spoiler" – a very 60ts Soul bopper by Eddie Purrell (written by the MGs Booker T. Jones and Donald "Duck" Dunn) while Southern Soul nuts will warm to Mabel John's smoocher "Same Time Same Place". And what can you say about the fabulous boogie of "Born Under A Bad Sign" – Albert King with hard luck and trouble as his only friends. I've also loved Sam & Dave's cover of Sam Cooke's "Soothe Me" on the A with the incendiary "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" on the B (another gem from the pens of Homer Banks and Allen Jones – hell I even like the Elvis Costello cover version of it on his 1980 "Get Happy!" LP). I'd admit though that the Duncan Cowell remaster of "I Can't Stand Up..." on the 2008 Ace Records 3CD Box Set "Take Me To The River..." is infinitely better than what's on offer here. Disc 7 sleeks out with "Don't Rock The Boat" – a guitar Soul bopper that deserved better that a No. 98 Pop chart position...

Disc 8 throws up an impressive array of hits as Stax opened up their release throttle. Otis and Carla shared vocal jabs on their cover of Eddie Floyd's "Knock On Wood" while Sam & Dave hit the No. 1 R&B spot with the irrepressible "Soul Man" in August 1967. Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" made for a belated No. 1 after his awful loss (a body blow to Stax and the Soul World). In-between we get lesser-known gems like the Motown dancer "How Can You Mistreat The One You Love" from Jeanne & The Darlings, the "...I wanna share..." smooch of "I'm Glad To Do It" by C.L. Blast and the 60ts Rock-Soul of "What'll I Do For Satisfaction" – a fabulous Doors-like groover from Johnny Daye where he wonders what happens when his baby is finally gone (my heart bleeds for the chap). By June 1967 (the exact week The Beatles release "Sgt. Peppers" around the world) - Rufus Thomas is already talking of 'Discotheques' that contain 'groovy chicks' in "Sophisticated Sissy" - while Booker T only wants to piano-boogie down at "Slim Jenkin's Place" (another instrumental winner from the kings of dancefloor filling). Northern Soul enthusiasts will love the genuinely infectious dancers "How Can You Mistreat The One You Love" by Jeanne & The Darlings and "Eloise (Hang On In There)" by William Bell...and women's emergence from the shadows of bad relationships in "I'm A Big Girl Now" sung by a genuinely moved Mable John. Love the pure Soul of Judy Clay's "You Can't Run Away From Your Heart" – a fantastic 'done me wrong' song that she sings like her sanity depends on it...and the piano-led seasonal instrumental "Winter Snow" by Booker T & The MGs will shock most with its beauty...

NIGGLES versus PLUSES:

There’s a central weak point that applies to all three of these mammoth sets. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that of the 244 tracks on here – almost all are 'A-SIDES'. Huge wads of the B-sides were non-album tracks and in the age of the 45's dominance - Stax's quality control machine tried their damnedest to keep the standard of the flip-side up to the highs of the Radio-Plug on the A. So it’s a damn shame there aren’t more of those precious flips on this box (or Volume 2 and 3 for that matter). Also when you think of an obscure group like say THE ASTORS who produced only four 45s on Stax between 1963 and 1967 (139, 170, 179 and 232) – each is a nugget and beloved of collectors. There was in my opinion room on these sets for the flip-sides to a group that will probably never get a CD all to their own. You could of course argue this for so many acts on here (it's a hole worth mentioning in an otherwise wall of pure class - another set of 3 box sets beckons methinks). And on the AUDIO FRONT - I'd admit that some of these 1991 transfers have been much bettered on subsequent compilations – especially in the last ten years which has seen an explosion of Soul CD reissues from quality labels like Ace, Edsel, Raven, Rhino, Big Break Records, Light in The Attic and Hip-O Select (to name but a few). But I’d still argue that what you get here on Volume 1 for your three ten-spots is little short of astonishing – and may indeed be the best value Soul Box set 'ever'.

Volume 2 and 3 in the ‘Complete Stax Singles’ series (9 and 10CDs for each) originally turned up in 1993 and 1994 – and I’ve reviewed in detail their ‘mini box set’ reissues by Concord Music in December 2014 and March 2015. How cool is it in January 2016 to finally add the ‘granddaddy’ of them all 'Volume 1' to those other two on my fat and funky Soul shelves (yum yum).

Influential, sexy and hard-hitting Real Soul – 'Stax Records' was all of these things and more. And in truth I’ve loved this blinding little groover of a mini box set far more than is legal. Genius y’all...and then some...

PS: See also my in-depth reviews of Volume 2 and 3 - reissued in December 2014 and March 2015...

This review (and Volume 2 and 3) are part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those reference source titles is SOUL, FUNK & JAZZ FUSION - an E-Book with over 240 entries and 2200 e-Pages on Exceptional CD Remasters you need to know about. Purchase it on Amazon at the link below and search any artist or song - label - catalogue number - huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap).