"Bakerloo" by BAKERLOO – Debut and Only UK album from November 1969 on Harvest Records SHVL 762 featuring Dave 'Clem' Clempson (later with Colosseum, Humble Pie, Greenslade, Champion and Snafu), Terry Poole (later with Graham Bond and Magick, Colin Blunstone, Paul Brett and more and Keith Baker (later with Uriah Heep) and Producer Gus Dudgeon (October 2014 UK Esoteric Recordings 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue With 5 Bonus Tracks – Rob Keyloch Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...This Worried Feeling..."

Bakerloo made only one album on EMI's Underground label imprint Harvest Records and were in many ways a doomed nag before they even got out of the slots.

Headhunted by Jon Hiseman for his Jazz-Rock outfit Colosseum – Bakerloo's stunning guitarist, keyboardist and singing main-man Dave 'Clem' Clempson left in September 1969 to join Colosseum just two months before the self-titled Bakerloo album was launched, effectively kyboshing the three-piece just when Kentucky Derby fame beckoned.

They all went on to bigger and better things shortly afterward (listed below) – but for many fans left with one vinyl slice of what might have been - this raw Hard Rock Hard Blues Prog Tinted beast was a nice tip to leave on the EMI canteen table. Which brings us to this digital reissue – a brill-sounding brute of a CD foaming at the gills with top audio and bonuses…

UK released 6 October 2014 - "Bakerloo" by BAKERLOO on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2468 (Barcode 5013929456846) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with Five Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (71:00 minutes):

1. Big Bear Ffolly [Side 1]

2. Bring it On Home

3. Drivin' Bachwards

4. Last Blues

5. Gang Bang

6. This Worried Feeling [Side 2]

7. Son Of Moonshine

Tracks 1 to 7 are their debut and only album "Bakerloo" – released November 1969 in the UK on Harvest Records SHVL 762 (no US equivalent). Produced by GUS DUDGEON – it didn’t chart.

BONUS TRACKS:

8. Once Upon A Time (Alternate Take)

9. This Worried Feeling (Alternate Take)

10. Georgia

11. Train

12. Son Of Moonshine Part One (Alternate Take)

There's a picture CD (Poole's striking graphically designed album artwork), a 12-page booklet featuring new liner notes from noted writer MALCOLM DOME that include enlightening reminiscences from Bassist Terry Poole on their formation, touring and the making of their lone album. And there is even a repro of that famous Marquee Club poster (90 Wardour Street, Soho, London W1) where Bakerloo were in the right place at the right time – because on Tuesday the 10th of December 1968 they were the support slot to a newly formed supergroup called LED ZEPPELIN - billed as [Nee The Yardbirds] should punters get confused (they might have gotten their eardrums hurt with both acts, but they weren't going to get confused). That night our trio was known by their full moniker BAKERLOO BLUES LINE, but of course shortened their name thereafter (apparently it wasn't sold out and Poole had known Plant and Bonham from their Band Of Joy days). There are also rare promotional and live shots of the three-piece and the usual reissue credits. The Remaster from Analogue Tapes is care of ROB KEYLOCH – done at Church Walk Studios and manner of heaviness abounds. This sucker is punchy and full of teeth.…

The hard-rocking 3-piece BAKERLOO featured Dave 'Clem' Clempson on Guitar, Harmonica and All Keyboards. Clempson went onto Colosseum heavily featuring on their classic June 1971 "Colosseum Live" double where he met ace keyboardist Dave Greenslade and would later be a part of Greenslade from 1973 on Warner Brothers. He also did stints in Humble Pie, Champion, Snafu and more. Terry Poole played Bass and sang vocals on "Last Blues" and "Son Of Moonshine" – he went on to session for Graham Bond with Magick, Colin Blunstone, Paul Brett and many more - while Keith Baker the drummer would go on to be with Uriah Heep. The original drummer John Hinch went to play with Judas Priest (its Keith Baker who plays on the album) and of course Gus Dudgeon would gain fame as being the defacto Producer for every Elton John album on DJM Records right up to "Blue Moves" in October 1976. The only guest on the Bakerloo LP was Jerry Salisbury who plays Trumpet on the short "Drivin' Bachwards" on Side 1 which at 2:08 minutes is a teeny-weeny revamp of a Bach song.

Despite fairly favourable press reviews towards the tail-end of 1969, for most punters, their first taste of Bakerloo probably came from a cheaply priced sampler album released in June 1970 - in this case Harvest's double "Picnic: A Breath Of Fresh Air" on Harvest SHSS 1/2. The opening instrumental on Side 1 of "Bakerloo" called "Big Bear Ffolly" (deliberate spelling with two f's) was featured on it - and it's easy to hear why. "Big Bear..." and its manic speed guitar is exactly the kind of Rock indulgence Page might have engaged in during a "Dazed And Confused" solo. Immediately that's followed by a cool as school cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's 1966 Chess Records classic "Bring It On Home" where the guitar/harmonica shuffling blues and slightly distorted vocal sounds (shall we say) uncannily like Zep's version on Side 2 of October 1969's "Zeppelin II". Still a winner though. Cute as it may have been with that Harpsichord in 1969, the largely dismissible JS Bach derivative "Drivin' Bachwards" is supposed to have inspired Tull with "Bouree" over on "Stand Up", but who knows.

Far better is the seven minutes of "Last Blues" - a slow brooding doomy guitar monster where lyrically Clempson sounds like he needs to get out more and enjoy local ale while he's doing it. Side 1 ends with the unfortunately titled "Gang Bang", six-minutes of proper whig-out guitaring - Baker's drums crashing over that Bass. Side 2's "This Worried Feeling" feels like 1969 Fleetwood Mac where Peter Green gets all moody with his misery guts Blues Guitar aided and abetted by a hurt-mama-hurt echoed vocal. It's properly great stuff as it crashes into that English Rock Band does the Blues thing. That's followed by the huge "Son Of Moonshine" - where elements of Prog are mixed towards the end with wild grungy guitar - fifteen minutes of riffage that doesn't care - Clempson's playing feeling like Gary Moore unleashed – stood grinning as he taps on the shoulder of Stoner Rock (hello boys). You can so hear why original copies of this album command such money…

The Bonuses offer us five including a cover version of Hoagie Carmichael's "Georgia" and a more piano orientated alternate take of "This Worried Feeling" - Clempson sounding like an upset Stan Webb in Chicken Shack concerned that his baby's fidelity might not be entirely intact (a fantastic Blues-Rock find). "Train" is a fascinating three minute slide guitar shuffle - and again this instrumental imbibed with the feeling that you're listening to Jeremy Spencer in Fleetwood Mac discovering Elmore James and Lightning Hopkins at the same time. But even that cool snippet is trumped by the fantastic 8:46 minutes of "Son Of Moonshine Part One" - a heads down Heavy Rock boogie that would impress Mountain fans.

A cracking reissue then of an unfairly forgotten debut bolstered up with Bonus Tracks actually worthy of the name. Want it down and dirty, then Bakerloo and its Blues Line is the train station you need to stop at..

"Looking On" by THE MOVE (2016 Esoteric Recordings 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Show Us Your Lettuce..." 

As someone who's worked a lifetime in record shops - I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually seen a decent-condition Vinyl copy of The Move's third album "Looking On" from either side of the pond. Its like Procol Harum's "Home" (also from 1970) - sank without a trace on release despite its Hard Rock credentials.

Released as the first LP on Fly Records - famously the home of T. Rex, John Kongos and all those 'Twofer' double-albums for Regal Zonophone artists like Procol Harum, Tyrannosaurus Rex and even John Williams - "Looking On" disappeared after its December 1970 release date and has been all but lost to the mists of time ever since. It was belatedly released on Capitol Records in the USA in the spring of 1971 but did bugger all business their either.

Moving forward and away from the "Blackberry Way" Pop-Rock of the April 1968 debut "The Move" and more in keeping with the Rock progression of the "Shazam" album in February of 1970 - the "Looking On" LP was grittier – a far heavier affair - and essentially a new direction for the band. "Looking On" was a deliberate musical-segue into Hard Rock with some Prog leanings - and I'd argue the LP is a bit of a lost gem.

Which brings us to this superb new reissue. Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red of the UK) have whomped MOVE fans with 2016 reissues of "The Move" and "Shazam" in single and multiple-disc 'Deluxe Edition' issues (see separate reviews and list below). Now we get their 3rd platter "Looking On" in a superbly presented 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' boasting a cache of Previously Unreleased BBC Sessions from the band line up that featured Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne, Rick Price and Bev Bevan (later with ELO). Here are the details...

UK released Friday, 27 May 2016 (3 June 2016 in the USA) - "Looking On" by THE MOVE on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 22547 (Barcode 5013929464742) is a 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' with a 2016 Remaster and plays outs as follows:

Disc 1 (47:48 minutes)

1. Looking on

2. Turkish Tram Conductor Blues

3. What?

4. When Alice Came Back To The Farm

5. Open Up Said The World At The Door [Side 2]

6. Brontosaurus

7. Feel Too Good

Tracks 1 to 7 are their 3rd studio album "Looking On" - released December 1970 in the UK on Fly Records FLY 1 and April 1971 in the USA on Capitol Records ST 658. Produced by ROY WOOD and JEFF LYNNE - it didn't chart in either country.

BONUS TRACK:

8. Lightnin' Never Strikes Twice - non-album B-side of "Brontosaurus" released March 1970 in the UK on Regal Zonophone RZ 3026 and in the USA on Deram 1197

Disc 2 (47:06 minutes):

"Looking On" - Outtakes And Rarities

1. The Duke Of Ellington's Lettuce

2. Looking on (Part One - Take 3/Part 2 - Take 12)

3. Brontosaurus (Mono US Radio Promo Edit -

4. Turkish Tram Conductor Blues (Take 5 - Rough Mix)

BBC Sessions - March to July 1970 (All PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

5. She's A Woman

6. Bev Bevan Interview

7. Brontosaurus

8. Falling Forever

9. Lightnin' Never Strikes Twice (Tracks 5 to 9 recorded 23 March 1970)

10. Looking On

11. When Alice Comes Back To The Farm

12. She's A Woman (Tracks 10 to 12 recorded 28 July 1970)

THE MOVE:

ROY WOOD - Oboe, Sitar, Slide Guitar, Cello, Guitar, Bass and All Saxophones

JEFF LYNNE - Guitar, Piano, Vocals Percussion and Drums on "Feel Too Good"

RICK PRICE - Bass

BEV BEVAN - Drums and Percussion

Guests:

DORIS TROY and P.P. ARNOLD - Backing Vocals on "Feel Too Good"

Each of Esoteric's reissues has come in single disc issues (plain jewel case) or - this - card digipak 'Deluxe Editions'. Here you get a chunky four-flap gatefold card sleeve with a 20-page colour booklet in the right pouch with a foldout two-sided poster in the left pouch and two picture CDs. The double-sided foldout POSTER is fab - a collage of black-and-white press clippings on one side with a full-page colour advert for the album on the opposite. Each flap has MOVE memorabilia (there's even photos beneath the see-through CD trays) and the 20-page booklet has in-depth liner notes from noted writer MARK PAYTRESS (author of many books from the period) with thanks to ROB CAIGER. There are trade adverts, reviews of the album and singles and photos of the hairy men themselves.

But the big news is a 2016 '24-Bit Digital Remaster' from original analogue tapes by the experienced Audio Engineer BEN WISEMAN done at Broadlake Studios in Hertfordshire (Tape Transfers done by ROB KEYLOCH at Church Walk Studios in London). The sound on here is HUGE and not without being overly bombastic for the sake of it. I think the word I'm looking for is 'muscle' - this CD sounds powerful - and as many tracks like "Turkish Tram Conductor Blues" rock out - the benefit is very much 'in your face' and for all the right reasons.

The album's hard-rocking credentials are set in motion with Roy Wood's "Looking On" - a great combo of Move-melody bolstered up some serious riffage - Wood's vocals teasing along with the guitar. The audio on this sucker is huge and I'd say its improved over my 2008 Salvo edition. One of my fave raves on the "Looking On" album is the take-no-prisoners Hard Rock of "Turkish Tram Conductor Blues". Written by Bev Bevan - it’s THE MOVE gone all riffage-mad - the spirit of Leslie West's MOUNTAIN inhabiting both Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne as they hammer down on those heavy guitars. But that's trumped. You can literally feel The Electric Light Orchestra emerging from Jeff Lynne’s "What?" track - gorgeous string arrangements and that strange ELO melody thing that Lynne gets whenever he's at the helm of a song. I love “What?” - both the vocals and guitars treated so that they warble slightly for effect - it's brilliant stuff. Roy Wood ends Side 1 with the slide guitar and ELO cello of a rocker - "When Alice Comes Back To The Farm" - his playing on here is just brilliant and worthy of Juicy Lucy's Glenn Ross-Campbell ("Who Do You Love?"). Fly Records UK tried a 45 in September 1970 featuring Wood's "When Alice Comes Back To The Farm" with Lynne's fab "What?" on the B-side (Fly Records BUG 2) - but no one took interest in this superb double.

Side 2 begins with near eight-minute opus that is Jeff Lynne's "Open Up Said The World At The Door" - an inventive Prog Rock piece that sees Roy Wood use Sitar, Obie and just about any other instrument lying around the studio. The vocal layers are so forthcoming ELO and it even manages some impressive boogie-woogie piano stretches throughout its ambitious duration. Regal Zonophone UK had tried Roy Wood's heavy heavy "Brontosaurus" as a UK 45 as far back as March 1970 (Regal Zonophone RZ 3026) and despite its slightly odd nature was rewarded with a No. 7 chart position. It's non-album B-side "Lightnin' Never Strikes Twice" turns up as a Bonus Track on Disc 1 - and for me was always better than the A-side (sounds awesome too). The album proper ends with Roy Wood's "Feel Too Good" - almost ten minutes of THE MOVE getting Funky-Piano-Rock with a bank of different guitars and the Remaster punching out Rick Price's Bass lines and Bev Bevan's fantastic drumming. Both Apple's Doris Troy and Immediate's P.P. Arnold are credited as providing girly backing vocals but it's hard to hear them with all that's going on. In fact by the time it gets to the "Feel Too Good" vocals and the silly 'show us your lettuce' old geezer talk - the song has probably overstayed its welcome if I'm truthful - but man does the Remaster make it 'rawk'...

For fans Disc 2 represents something worth getting excited about - a bunch of Previously Unreleased BBC Sessions sat alongside three of the rarities that turned up on the December 2008 ‘Salvo’ CD reissue of "Looking On". I just love the Beach Boys Acapella Vocals of "The Duke Of Edinburgh's Lettuce" - the silly Gardener portion of "Feel Too Good" - it only lasts for 1:29 minutes complete with studio dialogue lead in but it's just such great fun. Takes 3 and 12 of "Looking On" were issued as two separate outtakes on the 2008 Salvo CD reissue - here they've been segued into one nine-minute plus version. It sounds great too - much more guitar soloing while the piano tries to get a look in. I've never seen the 'Mono US Radio Promo Edit' of "Brontosaurus" on CD but it's worth having for collectors. Far better is the hard-rocking "Turkish Tram Conductor Blues" - a very cool alternate. "...Here on Top Of The Pops we move back onto the Progressive Rock bit with THE MOVE..." the announcer gets very excited about the new addition to band - ex Idle Race singer Jeff Lynne - as he lays into a great cover of The Beatles "She's A Woman".

The audio is good rather than being great it has to be said - but the power of the band is there for all to hear. We get a short interview with Bev Bevan talking about Carl Wayne's departure and Jeff Lynne's introduction and the new 'heavy' direction of the band. "Falling Forever" comes off so well - very cool vocals and a sort of Byrds feel to the melody. The March 1970 session ends with the B-side "Lightnin' Never Strikes Twice" - a fantastically good re-working of the song but unfortunately with that 'buried back in the mix' sound to the whole recording. The July 1970 session has roughly the same sound and features a three-minute cut of the 'heavy' "Looking On" while the slide of "Alice" is great - Wood tearing it up and clearly listening to too much Juicy Lucy. If anything the BBC stuff only goes to show what an exciting proposition The Move was at that time - alive with new material and an exciting new direction...(the second interview talks of ELO's genesis)...

THE MOVE would manage one more album - 1971's excellent and witty "Message From The Country" which EMI/Harvest Remastered into an Expanded Edition in 2005 (see separate review). They would of course then morph into THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA or E.L.O. as they're now more commonly known and The Travelling Wilburys for Jeff Lynne with some of his lifelong musical heroes.

But I'd urge you to go back - way back - back to the days of "Brontosaurus" and his best buddy "Turkish Tram Conductor Blues" - back to a time when 39 schillings and eleven old pence could procure you this tasty platter. THE MOVE had a B-side called "Lightnin' Never Strikes Twice". With this superb reissue I think it has...

PS: UK released 29 April 2016 – THE MOVE CD Editions by Esoteric Recordings are:

1. The Move - 1CD 'Standard Edition' on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2537 (Barcode 5013929463745)

    The Move - 3CD 'Deluxe Edition' on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 32536 (Barcode 5013929463646)

2. Something Else From The Move (June 1968 EP Expanded) - 1CD 'Standard Edition' on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2546 (Barcode 5013929464643)

3. Shazam - 1CD 'Standard Edition' on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2539 (Barcode 5013929463943)

    Shazam - 3CD 'Deluxe Edition' on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 22538 (Barcode 5013929463844)

4. Looking in - 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 22547 (Barcode 5013929464742)

"Home" by PROCOL HARUM (2015 Esoteric Recordings 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Ride That Whisky Train..."

Procol Harum's gloomy' fourth album (and last with Robin Trower as lead guitarist) came out in June 1970 - largely to public indifference. Sure it rose to No. 49 in the UK in its 'snakes and ladders' board-game single sleeve artwork and was even afforded the luxury of a Gatefold Sleeve in the US and a chart placing of 34. But from decades of experience in rare records - original copies of the British Regal Zonophone vinyl LP are notoriously hard to find especially with the lyric insert (reproduced on the rear of the poster in the right hand flap) precisely because it sold so little. It's one of those records that slipped through the net after initial release - like a lot of albums from 1970 actually.

There have been two CD reissue labels that have had a varying go at "Home" – Westside in 1999 (with 8 bonus tracks) and Salvo of the UK in 2009 (with 2 bonus tracks). I had most of the 'Salvo' Procol Harum reissues in their cool card repro artwork - each sporting spangly new Nick Robbins/Rob Keyloch transfers and remasters. Well along comes Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red of the UK) and they’ve returned to the tapes for new 24-bit remasters and thrown in some new Previously Unreleased material. There are two variants on this release - the single disc issue with two bonus tracks (Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2506 - Barcode 5013929460645) - and this - the 2CD ‘Deluxe Edition’ on ECLEC 22505. Here are the Whisky Train details...

UK released Friday, 31 July 2015 (14 August 2015 in the USA) – “Home” by PROCOL HARUM on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 22505 (Barcode 5013929460546) is a 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (39:10 minutes):

1. Whisky Train

2. The Dead Man's Dream

3. Still There'll Be More

4. Nothing That I Didn't Know

5. About To Die

6. Barnyard Story [Side 2]

7. Piggy Pig Pig

8. Whaling Stories

9. Your Own Choice

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 4th album "Home" – released June 1970 in the UK on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1014 and in the USA on A&M Records SP 4261. CHRIS THOMAS produced - all songs written by Gary Brooker and Keith Reid except "Whisky Train" by Robin Trower and Keith Reid.

For "Home" PROCOL HARUM was:

GARY BROOKER - Lead Vocals and Piano

ROBIN TROWER - Lead Guitar

CHRIS COPPING - Bass and Organ

B.J. WILSON - Drums

KEITH REID - Lyrics

Disc 2 (42:50 minutes):

1. Your Own Choice (Demo, Autumn 1969)

2. Barnyard Story (Take 4, Abbey Road 11 February 1970)

3. The Dead Man's Dream (Take 7, Abbey Road 11 February 1970)

4. Still There'll Be More (Take 3 Backing Track, Abbey Road 14 February 1970)

5. Whaling Stories (Initial Backing Track)

6. About To Die (George Martin Mix, Abbey Road 12 March 1970)

7. Your Own Choice (Extended Remix, Abbey Road 22 March 1970)

8. Piggy Pig Pig (Chris Thomas Remix)

9. Whisky Train (US Radio Single Edit - May 1970 US 7" Single A-side of A&M 1218) - Previously Unreleased on CD

10. Your Own Choice (BBC Radio One Session for 'David Symonds Show' - Recorded 12 May 1970) - Previously Unreleased

11. About To Die (BBC Radio One Session for 'David Symonds Show' - Recorded 12 May 1970) - Previously Unreleased

Esoteric's MARK and VICKY POWELL 'conceived, researched and compiled' the reissues and BEN WISEMAN and ROB KEYLOCH carried out the brill new 24-bit Remasters from original tapes. The booklet has trade adverts, US concert tickets, publicity photos for the band and new liner notes from HENRY SCOTT-IRVINE - author of Omnibus biography "Procol Harum: The Ghosts Of A Whiter Shade Of Pale". The gatefold card digipak folds out into four flaps - the 20-page booklet in the left flat and a foldout poster in the left. The 'seated' photo on Page 2 of the booklet is used as the basis to the poster which also has the lyrics in the same colour as the LP insert on the rear (a sort of grey). Discs 1 and 2 reflect the colouring of the original Regal Zonophone issue (also carry the 'Fly Records' logo) and beneath both see-through CD trays are pictures of the rare "Your Own Choice" White-Label Promo-Only UK 7" single LP sampler on Regal Zonophone SPSR 328 with "About To Die" on the flip. You’d have to say that it's all very tastefully done.

You couldn't ask for a more rocking opener to an album than the wicked riffage that is "Whisky River" - Trower's sole writing offering for the LP. This album version at 4:26 minutes was edited down by A&M Records in the USA for single release on A&M 1218 in May 1970 ("About To Die" on the fiipside - a great double sider). The shorter cut weighs in at 3:01 minutes (Track 9 on Disc 2) and is spelt "Whiskey Train" on the label. The mix also seems to accentuate the guitar more (not surprising) where Robin Trower sounds like Budgie's Tony Bourge having a grunge wig-out. The album's 'doomy' reputation comes from tracks like the dreadnaught heavy "The Dead Man's Dream" and the lonesome seven minutes of "Whaling Stories" - both a tad hissy it has to be said. I've always liked the acoustic prettiness of "Nothing That I Didn't Know" - a song about the 26-year old Jenny Drew - a lost soul who starved from anorexia. But my crave has always been the brilliant guitar of Trower on the Side 1 closer "About To Die" - a huge tune in every way - with Brooker letting rip on the vocals ("tear the city down").

The 'demo' of "Your Own Choice" on the Bonus Tracks Disc 2 is a lighter take that might even be considered Americana in the '11s. Take 4 of "Barnyard Story" is a well-recorded 2:51 minutes of Brooker and Piano (very tasty) while he shouts "Good God!" at the beginning of Take 7 for the droning "The Dead Man's Dream". I got a tad excited at the 'George Martin Mix' of "About To Die" which seems to accentuate the bass line and adds more flickering keyboard flourishes - it's good - but the finished version is better. The two Previously Unreleased BBC Sessions are hissy for sure but the performances are properly vintage – and fans will love having them after all these decades.

The droning-doom of Procol Harum have always been an acquired taste for sure and their 1970 platter "Home" doesn't buck that trend. But for money this 2015 Esoteric Recordings 'Deluxe Edition' is the best variant of it by far. Well done to all involved...

"Shazam" by THE MOVE (2016 Esoteric Recordings 'Expanded Edition' STEREO 1CD Remaster) - A Review For Mark Barry...

"…Strange New Ideas Fill The Air..." 

In 2007 and 2008 - Salvo of the UK reissued The Move’s first three albums - "The Move" (April 1968), "Shazam" (March 1970) and "Looking On" (October 1970) with great sound and half-decent extras. Now in 2016 it's the turn of Esoteric Recordings (part of England's Cherry Red) to have a go.

I've nabbed and reviewed the 1CD 'Standard Edition' of the debut album "The Move" newly remastered from original first generation tapes in MONO with five relevant bonus tracks (there's also a 3CD Deluxe Edition). Here comes the 'Standard Edition' of their smashing second platter – the STEREO "Shazam" from early 1970 – again in a 1CD and ‘Deluxe Edition’ set of reissues. Here are the super-hero details...

UK released Friday, 29 April 2016 (6 May 2016 in the USA) - "Shazam" by THE MOVE on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2539 (Barcode 5013929463943) is a 'Standard Edition' Single CD Remaster in STEREO with eight Bonus Tracks. It plays out as follows (68:08 minutes):

1. Hello Susie

2. Beautiful Daughter

3. Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited

4. Fields Of People [Side 2]

5. Don't Make My Baby Blue

6. The Last Thing on My Mind

Tracks 1 to 6 are their second album "Shazam" – released March 1970 on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1012 (Stereo only).

BONUS TRACKS:

7. Wild Tiger Woman

8. Omnibus

Tracks 7 and 8 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released August 1968 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3012

9. Blackberry Way

10. A Certain Something

Tracks 9 and 10 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released November 1968 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3015

11. Curly

12.This Time Tomorrow

Tracks 11 and 12 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released July 1969 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3021

13. Hello Susie (abridged US Single version

14. Second Class (She's Too Good For Me)

Recorded at Olympic Studios on 23 September 1968 – Stereo Mix prepared by Rob Keyloch in 2007

Tracks 1 to 6 and 11, 12 and 13 - THE MOVE was:

CARL WAYNE – Vocals

ROY WOOD – Guitar, Keyboards and Vocals

RICK PRICE – Bass and Vocals

BEV BEVAN – Drums and Vocals

Tracks 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14 - THE MOVE was:

CARL WAYNE – Vocals

TREVOR BURTON – Bass, Guitars and Vocals – Drums on "Second Class (She's Too Good For Me)"

BEV BEVAN – Drums and Vocals

NOTE: there is also an April 2016 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' of "Shazam" on Esoteric ECLEC 22538 (Barcode 5013929463844)

Like the 'standard edition' single CD of "The Move" – the 16-page booklet has fab period photos and the usual reissue credits – but it feels lacking that there's no liner notes. These notes are massively extended on the 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' of course - as is the track list – but a few choice lines wouldn't have gone amiss on this 1CD 'standard edition'. MARK and VICKY POWELL of Esoteric have compiled and coordinated the reissues (press clippings, trade adverts for singles, the CD label looks like the old Regal Zonophone typeface) – nicely done. But it's about the audio here...

ROB KEYLOCH transferred the tapes and BEN WISEMAN did the 24-Bit Digital Remaster at Broadlake Studios - and a brill job has been done. I’d have to be blunt about this – the Salvo issue I've had all these years has fantastic sound on it. Yet it was to single out one thing with this new Esoteric transfer (the same for the first LP) – it’s the overall impact – the speaker punch. It hits you on every song. For instance I went straight to my crave – The Move's ubercool take on Tom Paxton's anthem to love’s cackhanded mistakes "The Last Thing On My Mind". As the Byrds-type groove works its way towards the seven-minute ending – Roy Wood starts soloing and harmonizing with Carl Wayne when he comes out of it. Wow is the only response I can give. There's huge power in this transfer while still retaining clarity (my cup of tea).

"Shazam" opens the full album version of "Hello Susie" and immediately it's a different band to the Pop singles of old. Almost Humble Pie or Robin Trower's version of Procol Harum circa 1970's "Home" – the sound is far more 'rawk' that Radio Luxembourg 'pop'. The band goes a little LOVE with the layered vocals and plucked strings of "Beautiful Daughter". The 'going off my mind' revisit to "Cherry Blossom Clinic..." (a track that ended Side 2 of "The Move" debut album in 1968) is now stretched to nearly eight minutes and comes complete with witty dialogue, nursery rhymes and hard rock. But that's as nothing to the one of the LP's centrepieces – the near 11-minute "Fields Of People" – a fantastic piece of recorded mayhem that fuses 60ts Harpsichords with Small Faces tomfoolery (lyrics from it title this review). By the time you get to the sitar-sounding guitar wig-out that finishes the song – you’re probably in need of fresh Joss sticks on the mantelpiece. Then just at the end you get mock 'Great Portland Street' comments recorded as a giggle - old ladies – taxi drivers – the put out city gent who comments "...catches one a bit off balance to be suddenly interrupted in the street..."

The pantomime ending of "Fields Of People" is immediately followed by an almost-Black Sabbath heaviness in the sledgehammer "Don't Make My Baby Blue" – a Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil song first sung by Frankie Laine on American Columbia 4-42767 in 1963 and The Shadows on Columbia DB 7650 in 1965 back in good old Blighty. Needless to say The Move take a two-minute bubblegum pop song and stretch it out into a 6:17 minute barrage of rock riffage – huge guitars and even bigger vocals. It’s possibly the heaviest the band’s ever sounded – like Cactus or Grand Funk Railroad given a day-pass to a speaker stack pilled up with too many orange buttons turned up to eleven. If you think that’s good – you’ll absolutely love their clever yet complimentary rearrangement of Tom Paxton's Folk song "The Last Time On My Mind" (1964 on Elektra Records) which The Move transmogrify into 7:38 minutes of Byrds-type guitar-jangle beauty. I love it when Carl Wayne harmonizes with Roy Wood on their nasal vocals (his best ever guitar work?) and the remaster is glorious too. I had the eight extras on other reissues – but they bolster up this 2016 CD newbee with the right kind of stuff.

Fans might ask what's the point? If you already own the Salvo issue – then why buy this or even release it? I suspect that Esoteric have sourced a better tape than Salvo used – although I could stand corrected on that. But if you're all about the best sound – then I think this singular CD remaster is going to have to be in your bank-holiday basket right away. Or if your wallet can take it - go for the 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' with a huge wad of extras including Previously Unreleased...

"...Lock me in and throw the key away..." – Carl Wayne advises on the brilliant "Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited" - the band running through the childhood nursery rhyme 'better not go down to the woods today' as he sings. Well I'd say you should listen to your inner nutter and purchase this fantastic sounding Remaster right away...

"The Move" by THE MOVE (2016 Esoteric Recordings 'Standard Edition' MONO 1CD - Ben Wiseman and Rob Keyloch Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Mist On A Monday Morning…" 

In 2007 and 2008 - Salvo of the UK reissued The Move’s first three albums - "The Move" (April 1968), "Shazam" (March 1970) and "Looking On" (October 1970) with great sound and half-decent extras. Their debut was even given a 2CD variant.

Now it's the turn of Esoteric Recordings (part of England's Cherry Red) to have a go – this time concentrating on the rare MONO mix of the debut album "The Move" – newly remastered from original first generation tapes. And this reissue throws in five relevant bonus tracks into the bargain (4 single sides and one withdrawn B-side/outtake). Here are the 'Flowers In The Rain' details...

UK released Friday, 29 April 2016 (6 May 2016 in the USA) - "The Move" by THE MOVE on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2537 (Barcode 5013929463745) is an 'Expanded Edition' Single CD Remaster of the 'MONO' LP with five Bonus Tracks (Standard Edition). It plays out as follows (49:45 minutes):

1. Yellow Rainbow
2. Kilroy Was Here
3. (Here We Go Round) The Lemon Tree
4. Weekend
5. Walk Upon The Water
6. Flowers In The Rain
7. Hey Grandma
8. Useless Information
9. Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart
10. The Girl Outside
11. Fire Brigade
12. Mist On A Monday Morning
13. Cherry Blossom Clinic
Tracks 1 to 13 are their debut album "The Move" – released April 1968 on Regal Zonophone LRZ 1002 (Mono) and Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1002 (Stereo). This CD remasters only the 'MONO' mix.

BONUS TRACKS:
14. Night Of Fear
15. Disturbance
Tracks 14 and 15 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released December 1966 on Deram DM 109

16. I Can Hear The Grass Grow
17. Wave The Flag And Stop The Train
Tracks 16 and 17 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released March 1967 on Deram DM 117

18. Vote For Me
Track 18 was recorded at Advision Studios in April 1967 and was meant to be the non-album B-side of a UK Regal Zonophone 7" single with "Cherry Blossom Clinic" on the A-side (no catalogue number allocated). The single was withdrawn. It first appeared as a rarity on CD in 1998 on the "Movements: 30th Anniversary Anthology" 3-Disc set on Westside WESX 302.

NOTE: there is also a April 2016 3CD 'Deluxe Edition' of "The Move" on Esoteric ECLEC 32536 (Barcode 5013929463646)

THE MOVE was:
CARL WAYNE – Vocals
ROY WOOD – Guitar and Vocals
TREVOR BURTON – Guitar and Vocals
CHRIS "Ace" KEFFORD – Bass and Vocals
BEV BEVAN – Drums, Percussion and Vocals

ROB KEYLOCH transferred the tapes and BEN WISEMAN did the 24-Bit Digital Remaster at Broadlake Studios - and a brill job has been done - definite improvement. When I play Disc 1 of my old Salvo issue – the Mono is good – but here there's clarity and most especially - a singular punch as each song plays. When you first spin "Yellow Rainbow" - the manic opening is a barrage of backwards tapes and double-tracked voices – but now I can that sitar-sounding guitar way back in the mix (it's more prevalent somehow). The solar plexus kick from "Kilroy Was Here" is huge – those drums and tambourine-rattles threatening my speakers with a rowdy-boy attitude. Tracks like their speeded-up cover of Eddie Cochran's "Weekend" and the 'watch their minds drift away' druggy feel to "Walk Upon The Water" all sound better too. By the time you get to the pied-piper clavinet and cellos of the hugely 60ts atmospheric "Mist On A Monday Morning" – you’re won over – all instruments to the fore and beautifully clear.

I had the five extras on other reissues – but they bolster up this 2016 CD newbee with the right kind of stuff. "Night Of Fear" was always such a crude recording to me – that grungy guitar sound and heavy bass thump. But both it and "I Can Hear The Grass Grow" have huge kahunas here – those drum rolls jumping out of my speakers. The Kinks or The Who would have been proud of the withdrawn flipside "Vote For Me" - and its aggressiveness matches the photos in the booklet of the band wrecking things on stage (naughty boys).

Fans might ask what's the point? If you already own the Salvo double – then why buy this or even release it? I suspect that Esoteric have sourced a better tape than Salvo used – although I could stand corrected on that. But if you're all about the best sound – then I think this singular CD remaster is going to have to be in your bank-holiday basket right away. 

Or if your wallet can take it - go for the 3CD 'Deluxe Edition' (Barcode number supplied above) which comes armed with the 'Stereo' mix and a huge wad of extras including some Previously Unreleased...

"Gonna Make You An Offer: The Complete Cube Recordings 1972-1975" by JIMMY HELMS (2015 Cherry Red Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Lady Blue..." 

Essentially a one-hit wonder in the UK in late February 1973 – Florida Soul Singer Jimmy Helms didn't seem to be able to capitalise on his No. 8 hit – but man what a tune. Even now that opening falsetto (any higher and we might worry about the tightness on his spandex trousers) is pure Seventies Soul joy. And while the rest of this jam-packed CD doesn't quite climb those lofty heights – it still has much to enjoy and recommend (including two previously unreleased songs – one a very cool unheard Biddu cover). So - with its title inspired by the persuasive words of Don Vito Corleone in "The Godfather" movie of 1972 ("...I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse...) - here is a great mumbling mouthful of reissue details...

UK released Friday, 25 September 2015 (October 2015 in the USA) – "Gonna Make You An Offer...The Complete Cube Recordings 1972-1975" by JIMMY HELMS on Cherry Red Records CDMRED667 (Barcode 5013929166738) breaks down as follows (78:35 minutes);

1. So Long Love

2. Dream Merchant – tracks 1 & 2 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Cube Records BUG 21 in July 1972

3. Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse

4. Words And Music – tracks 3 & 4 are the A&B-sides of the original UK 7" single on Cube Records BUG 27 released 2 February 1973 (peaked at No. 8 on the UK charts in late February). It was issued on MGM Records K 14540 in the USA with the same B.

[Note: In certain European territories "Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse" had the non-album "Lady Blue" [19] as its B-side – it was also used in Europe as the B-side to 1974's "There'll Be Another Night". The song "Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse" was reissued twice in the UK on Cube Records after 1973. October 1975 on Cube Records BUG 60 with 2 tracks on its B-side – "So Long Love" [1] and "There'll Be Another Night" [10] – and January 1984 on Cube Records BUG 98 with "Words And Music" [4] on the flip.]

5. Jack Horner's Birthday

6. What'll I Do With My Mind - tracks 5 & 6 are the A&B-sides of his 3rd UK 7" single on Cube Records BUG 30 in May 1973

7. I'll Take Good Care Of You

8. Fly Away - tracks 7 & 8 are the A&B-sides of his 4th UK 7" single on Cube Records BUG 33 in October 1973

9. When Can Brown Begin

10. There'll Be Another Night - tracks 9 & 10 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Cube Records BUG 36 in February 1974

Fans can sequence his 1975 UK album "Gonna Make You An Offer!" on Cube Records HIFLY 21 (reissued in March 1978 with the same catalogue number) using the following CD track numbers (including 11 to 18):

Side 1

1. Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse [3]

2. Brother Sunshine [11]

3. It Don't Matter To Me [12]

4. Could It Be Love [13]

5. And I Don't Wanna Lose You [14]

6. Jack Horner's Holiday [5]

Side 2

1. When Can Brown Begin [9]

2. Live My Life [15]

3. Like Sister And Brother [16]

4. Pretty Faces [17]

5. Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer [18]

19. Lady Blue – non-album B-side to "Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse" in many European territories in 1973.

20. The Poor Side Of Town

21. Come On Down – tracks 19 and 20 are Previously Unreleased - 20 is a Biddu cover, 21 is writer unknown

ANDY DAVIS takes a good stab at the career of this lesser appreciated Soul singer in the pleasingly indepth 12-page booklet – bolstered up by recent interviews with both the artist and his Writer/Producer – John Worth. There are photos of chart placing and DJ notes, various European picture sleeves and even a fetching Cube Records publicity still. The Audio is fabulous – digital transfers handled by ROB KEYLOCH and Remasters by SIMON MURPHY at Another Planet Music. Every song sounds wonderful – full of life and properly good Production values.

Throughout this compilation you hear the songwriting hand of JOHN WORTH who not only penned the mighty "Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse" (inspired by Marlon Brando's mumbled line in "The Godfather" movie) but also stumped up Tracks 1, 5, 10, and 19. Helms wrote Tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 and 13 and co-wrote tracks 14, 15 and 17 with MIKE MORAN. The others are covers – "I'll Take Good Care Of You" written by Jerry Ragovoy & Bert Berns for Garnet Mimms, "When Can Brown Begin" written by Jimmy Webb, "It Don't Matter To You" written by David Gates of Bread, "Like Brother And Sister" written by Geoffrey Stephens, Roger Greenaway & Roger Cook for The Drifters while "Never Dreamed You'd Leave Me In Summer" is a Stevie Wonder cover. Interesting amongst their number is "The Poor Side Of Town" – an unheard Biddu Appiah song.

The melodrama of "So Long Love" is a little too close to Tony Orlando schmaltz for comfort – better is the Helms penned flipside "Dream Merchant". Even now the truly gorgeous "Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse" sends a chill up my spine – the kind of song that instantly transports you back to Saturday Nights in sweaty dancehalls - looking and longing on the sideline for that girl that's just out of reach. The lyrics still amazingly poignant - "...Now I'm putting about the fevered word...what must be must be...didn't you know you belong to me..." – genius. It's rarely heard British B-side “Words And Music" is good but left in the dust by the A. Better is the Euro flip "Lady Blue". His fabulous falsetto vocals lift "Jack Horner's Holiday" into something really sweet while the Funky flip "What'll I Do With My Mind" is a bit of a discovery. His cover of Garnet Mimms' "I'll Take Good Care Of You" is a very clever choice – the kind of torch ballad that suits his pleading vocals - while equally surprisingly is the top quality of his own "Fly Away" on the flipside.

"When Can Brown Begin" finally sees him inject something of his true self into a tune – a Jimmy Webb plea for racial equality. Helms' vocals are heartfelt and beautiful – the lovely remaster highlighting the soft guitars and piano accompaniment. "...If white is right and black is beautiful...tell me people...when can brown begin..." Of the album tracks the keyboard funk of "Could It Be Love" impresses while the Stevie Wonder cover of "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer" is a gorgeous song anyway. But I wasn't expecting the Soulful strings of "The Poor Side Of Town" to be so good – a Previously Unreleased studio recording of a Biddu song – something that may indeed end up on a Northern Soul compilation soon.

It's not all Soul genius for sure – but those JIMMY HELMS nuggets inbetween the cracks are worth seeking out. And well done to all at Cherry Red for getting these forgotten Soul sides out there once again...

This review and hundreds more like it are available in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series available to download (over 2000 e-Pages worth) in my SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION Book at the following link...