"Volume Two" by THE SOFT MACHINE – August 1969 Second US Album on Probe/ABC/Command Records in Stereo (November 1969 in the UK on Probe Records, Their First LP released in the UK) – featuring Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge and Hugh Hopper with Guest Brian Hopper on Saxophone (August 2009 UK Polydor/UMC Straightforward CD Reissue – Paschal Byrne Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Dada Was Here..."

Do you remember when weird was good, even beloved and revered? Well, welcome to The Soft Machine's second album – all late 60ts Experimental, Prog Rock, Avant Garde, Jazz Rock, Comedic and at times my post-pandemic brethren of Covid-19 bleary-eyed zombie monsters - just plain batshit. Would we have it any other way...

Following immediately on from an intense and exhausting two-month US tour with Jimi Hendrix and his Band of Gypsys which saw Kevin Ayers up and leave – the new trio of Drummer and Singer Robert Wyatt, Keyboardist Mike Ratledge and Bassist Hugh Hopper joined forces with former Wilde Flowers Saxophonist Brian Hopper (brother of Hugh) to make their second platter in February and March of 1969.

Seventeen cuts were made with the 10-Track seventeen-minutes-ish Side 1 being called "Rivmic Melodies" and the 7-Track sixteen-minute-ish Side 2 wittily entitled "Esther's Nose Job" (well of course it is). Many of the cuts were just snippets really (less than a minute) some including only dialogue (Wyatt reciting the alphabet forward and backwards). And as other reviewers have quite rightly commented – with slot number two, Soft Machine moved into all manner of genre-realms that seemed to leave ordinary song structure in the dust. They really don't make record albums like this any more, and in September 2020, there appears to be little room for them even they did.

By the time the vinyl gatefold LP hit the American shops in early August 1969 on Probe/ABC/Command Records CPLP 4505 (UK fans would see it be the band's first LP release in Blighty in November 1969 on Probe Records SPB 1002 in a single laminate sleeve) – Ayers was already signing to the then emerging Prog-Rock based Harvest Records label for his first solo album. But let's get pataphysical baby and go back to platter numero duo, then on to this rather good 2009 Paschal Byrne Remaster...

UK released 3 August 2009 - "Volume Two" by THE SOFT MACHINE on Polydor/UMC 532 050-6 (Barcode 600753205068) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of their second studio album from 1969 and plays out as follows (33:33 minutes):

RIVMIC MELODIES [Side 1]

1. Pataphysical Introduction - Pt. I

2. A Concise British Alphabet - Pt. I

3. Hibou, Anemone And Bear

4. A Concise British Alphabet - Pt. II

5. Hulloder

6. Dada Was Here

7. Thank You Pierrot Lunaire

8. Have You Ever Bean Green?

9. Pataphysical Introduction - Pt. II

10. Out Of Tunes

ESTHER'S NOSE JOB [Side 2]

11. As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still

12. Dedicated To You But When You Weren't Listening

13. Fire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging

14. Pig

15. Orange Skin Food

16. A Door Opens And Closes

17. 10:30 Returns To The Bedroom

Tracks 1 to 17 are their second studio album "Volume Two" - released August 1969 in the USA on Probe/ABC/Command Records CPLP 4505 and November 1969 in the UK on Probe Records SPB 1002. Produced by THE SOFT MACHINE - it didn't chart in either country.

 

The 16-page booklet is a pleasingly in-depth and pretty affair. It even gives a photo of The Wilde Flowers with three of the Softs looking suitably 'with it' as they ponder Beat Poetry and Dadaism - brothers Hugh and Brian Hopper with Robert Wyatt and drummer Richard Coughlan (who would later join those other Canterbury stalwarts Caravan). There are trade adverts (would you feed your daughter to the soft machine?), Psychedelic posters of the period, a label repro of their ultra-rare February 1967 debut British 45 "Love Makes Sweet Music" on Polydor 56151, the band as a three-piece and then a four-piece and so on. MARK POWELL of Esoteric Recordings fame does the superbly detailed liner notes for both the self-titled "The Soft Machine" debut and "Volume Two" in this 2009 CD Reissue and Remaster series (both discs are dedicated to Hugh Hopper who had passed in June 2009).

 

A fave Audio Engineer of mine PASCHAL BYRNE has done the remaster - 24-bit transfers from original tapes and it sounds amazing to my ears. I had the British LP for decades and it was good, but not like this. We're not talking audiophile here, but the upgrade is palatable and to my ears, properly improved. To the experimental artefacts of earnest men and their questionable choice of trouser patterns...

 

RIVMIC MELODIES opens proceedings with a throwaway pairing - Robert Wyatt introducing the 'British Alphabet' behind a one-minute piano refrain while his actual ABCs that follow lasts only 10 seconds. The first song-proper is actually "Hibou, Anemone And Bear" - nearly six minutes of Prog Jazz Rock - Ratledge giving it some wildman on the organ while the rhythm section tries to keep up with his soloing. More alphabet musings but this time Pt. 2 of the alphabet is 'backwards' - which is in turn followed by "Hulloder" – a 60-second pondering on FBI surveillance of humanoid counter-culture threats (pesky things called people – or students – depending on which Communist you talk to). The manic and cluttered "Dada Was Here" has always felt to me like something special is going on – a vibe almost – a lingering in that rhythm section that exudes period cool. Wyatt’s voice floats in "Have You Ever Bean Green?" over the instruments searching for a groove whilst the Side 1 finisher "Out Of Tunes" is just insufferable tuneless nonsense.

 

The Softs go Crimson before-the-debut-jagged with "As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still" while "Dedicated To You..." is uncharacteristically pretty sporting a whole heap of great lyrics about Chicken Pox and Oxygen and Geophysics and advise not to use magnets (it also has probably the best Production values of the whole album). "Fire Engine..." is once again a discordant nonsense too far but Wyatt goes on about time wasted in the rapido "Pig". The final three see the band jag and jab in full-on Prog Jazz Rock fashion – taking no prisoners as they break down musical boundaries and live up to that freaky front-sleeve artwork.

 

"...Everyone's heads are more together. After hearing this album, yours will be also..." read the original LP sleeve in 1969.

 

In September 2020 those rather embellishing liner notes may not exactly ring true for today's musical journeyman (Soft Machine's second will absolutely not be for everyone). But in you are up for a bit of a whig out accompanied by the falsetto voice of a Radio 1 presenter doing drugs – then lie perfectly still man and embrace the weird baby (you know you want to)...

"Whatevershebringswesing" by KEVIN AYERS (2003 EMI 'Expanded' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…No Eggsplanation…"

I’ve still no idea what the nonsensical title means and frankly who gives a rat's ass. Part genius - part hard work – Kevin Ayers has had a solo career to envy and his third solo album "Whatevershebringswesing" from 1971 was the beginning of an astonishing run of albums that ran into the later Seventies with Island Records. As brilliant and as prolific as his fellow Harvest Records label mate Roy Harper – he’s also as eclectic and infuriating as say Robert Wyatt or even Ivor Cutler. But would we have our heroes any other way… Here are those funny smelling cigarettes…

Released June 2003 - "Whatevershebringswesing" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI 07243-582778-2-1 (Barcode 724358277821) is an 'Expanded CD Remaster' and plays out as follows (51:26 minutes):

1. There Is Loving/Among Us/There Is Loving
2. Margaret
3. Oh My
4. Song From The Bottom Of A Well
5. Whatevershebringswesing [Side 2]
6. Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes
7. Champagne Cowboy Blues
8. Lullaby
Tracks 1 to 8 are his 3rd album "Whatevershebringswesing" by KEVIN AYERS released January 1972 in the UK on Harvest Records SHVL 800 in a textured gatefold sleeve

BONUS TRACKS:
9. Stars - the non-album B-side to "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" - a UK 7" single released 27 August 1971 on Harvest HAR 5042
10. Don't Sing No More Sad Songs
11. Fake Mexican Tourist Blues – 9 and 10 recorded 1972 - finally released on the UK compilation LP "Odd Ditties" released February 1976 on Harvest Heritage SHSM 2005
12. Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes - an Early Mix/9 July 1971 - Previously Unreleased

The 16-page booklet has superb liner notes by fan and musicologist MARK POWELL - a name many will know well from his stellar work on the Esoteric Label and the Underground/Prog 3CD Box Sets covering the Polydor, Vertigo, Deram and Decca labels for Universal. But the big news is a fabulous remaster by the album's original engineer PETER MEW. It was done at Abbey Road in February 2003 from original tapes and the audio quality is amazing.

When the opening 3-part string-laden "There Is Loving/Among Us/There Is Loving" exits your speakers - your hit with a sonic clarity that is wonderful and the real beauty of David Bedford's wonderfully lush string arrangements. Ayers made special mention of it on the album's inner gatefold. Both "Margaret" and "Oh My" come on as dainty old English ditties after the complex opener - but are lovely in their melodies - evocative of a vaudeville England long since past. I've always hated the dark and suffocating noisescapes of the Side 1 closer "Song From The Bottom Of A Well" - a song that does exactly what it says on the tin. It can stay down there...

Side 2 opens with the title song - the curiously titled "Whatevershebringswesing" which after the drubbing of 'well' comes as a blessed relief - bolstered so subtly by girly 'oohs' and a fantastically complimentary twin vocal half way through from ROBERT WYATT. Everyone's favourite spliff song follows - the wonderful and funny "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" - a song with lyrics that make me laugh to this day. MIKE OLDFIELD and his distinctive guitar style add much to "Champagne Cowboy Blues" while babbling water gurgles throughout the melodious finisher "Lullaby" - a gorgeous little ditty and a great way to finish the album. The four extras are worthy of the moniker 'bonus' - especially the 'early mix' of "Stranger" which is fascinating to hear.

Like his first LP for Island Records in 1974 - the brilliant and druggy dark "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" - "Whatevershebringswesing" is the very definition of a 'cult' album. You either love it or dismiss it as one of 'those' Seventies records. I've always thought it genius - a bit like the man himself - and this superb EMI remaster does that defiantly English oddity a solid. As Kevin says on the "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" track during the fade out - "...thank you very much..."

PS: see also my reviews for "Bananamour" (1973), "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" (1974), "Sweet Deceiver" (1975) and "Yes We Have No Mananas" (1976)

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

This review and hundreds more like it can also be found in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book: 1960s and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 - Exceptional CD Remasters. 

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"Bananamour" by KEVIN AYERS (2003 EMI/Harvest 'Expanded' CD - Peter Mew Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…So Many Problems…Yet None At All…” 

Ex Soft Machine bassist/songwriting genius KEVIN AYERS had a run of stunningly diverse and eclectic albums on Harvest Records between 1969 and 1973. "Joy Of A Toy" opened proceedings in December 1969, "Shooting At The Moon" followed in October 1970, the much-loved "Whatevershebringswesing" in January 1972 - and then this - the wonderful but hugely under-appreciated "Bananamour" in the spring of 1973. Always somehow in the shadow of its more popular predecessor - the album "Bananamour" deserves a better rap. Time to do so...

UK released June 2003 - "Bananamour" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI 07243-582780-2-6 (Barcode 724358278026) is an 'Expanded' CD Remaster and breaks down as follows (52:34 minutes):

1. Don't Let It Get You Down

2. Shouting In A Bucket Blues

3. When Your Parents Go To Sleep

4. Interview

5. International Anthem

6. Decadence [Side 2]

7. Oh! Wot A Dream

8. Hymn

9. Beware Of The Dog

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Bananamour" released May 1973 in the UK on Harvest SHVL 807 and in the USA on Sire SAS-7406

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Connie On A Rubber Band - non-album track, B-side of "Oh Wot A Dream" - a UK 7" single issued November 1972 on Harvest HAR 5064

11. Decadence - a Previously Unreleased 'Early Mix' - recorded 15 December 1972

12. Take Me To Tahiti - non-album track, B-side of a 7" single released April 1973in the UK on Harvest HAR 5071

13. Caribbean Moon - non-album track, A-side of "Take Me To Tahiti"

The remaster has been carried out with the Artist's approval by PETER MEW at Abbey Road - and what a sonic winner this is. Right from the get go - you're hit with clarity, warmth in the instruments, the dense backing vocals now so sweet and Ayer's voice sailing over it all. It's a properly fabulous job done.

Very rare original issues of the UK LP (£100+) came with an elaborate and beautifully laid out 16-page 'booklet' - which MARK POWELL (who wrote the liner notes) has been smart enough to reproduce in all its glory. There are Robert Crumb-like cartoon-paintings similar to the one of the front sleeve  - pictures of SYD BARRETT, NICO and DORIS TROY - as well as Ayers' own explanations of each song. It gives the 24-page booklet a very substantial feel. Even the CD apes the design of the 'Harvest' label. And then there's the great music...

It opens with "Don't Let It Get You Down" (lyrics above) sounding not unlike The Beatles "Flying" instrumental on 1967's "Magical Mystery Tour". Steve Hillage of GONG gets Lead Electric Guitar on the Acoustic "Shouting In A Bucket Blues" while the organ of MIKE RATLEDGE on the utterly brilliant "Interview" would later become such a huge part of "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream...." sound. The remaster clarity on "Interview" alone is worth the price of admission - but there's better to come.

Album-track genius comes twice - first in the shape "When Your Parents Go To Sleep" - a stunning kind of Ray Charles Soul-Rock chugger with ARCHIE LEGGETT on Lead Vocals. Leggett was the Bass Player in Ayer's touring `Decadence' band and is ably supported here by three great backing vocalists - a giggling Doris Troy (Apple Records), Liza Strike (Soul singer who later joined Roger Glover's band) and Barry St. John (of Dandelion Records fame). But better still is the storming brass section that punctuates the song throughout - HOWARD CASEY on Tenor Sax with DAVE CASWEL on Trumpet. They make "When Your Parents Go To Sleep" something incredible.

And number two stand out is the dreamy and ethereal "Decadence" which at 8 minutes is one of those fantastic plucked-guitar repeats that hooks in early and doesn't let up for the entire duration. When I used to play it at Reckless it always brought customers to the counter asking after it - and brought the quintessentially English magic of KEVIN AYERS into their lives. While it obviously feels very Velvet Underground - at times "Decadence" also feels like fellow label-mate ROY HARPER circa "Stormcock" - long, deep and unique. The silly "Oh! Wot A Dream" is typical Ayers flimsy - Harvest even tried it as a single - probably because of its 3-minute playing time and its Summer time punting on dreamy rivers lyrics. "Hymn" is lovely with a superb Harmony Vocal from Avant Garde hero ROBERT WYATT and the album ends with the short Hovis Advert brass band of "Beware Of The Dog" - sweet as.

Ayers would sign to Island Records and go on to the wonderfully druggy (and at times desperately dark) "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" in May 1974. There other greats albums like "Sweet Deceiver" in 1975 and "Yes We Have No Mananas" in 1976 - but like fellow Harvest Records label mate Roy Harper - Ayers would remain cruelly outside commercial success.

You could argue that no proper rock collection is complete without the trio of "Whatevershebringswesing", "Bananamour" and "Confessions Od Dr. Dream...". I would. 

An overlooked and stunning-sounding reissue - get this CD remaster into your stereo rack right away...

This review and hundreds more like it can be found in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series - 1960's and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 - Exceptional CD Remasters. 

It contains over 210 in-depth reviews (a whopping 2400+ e-Pages) and is available to buy/download at Amazon at the following link...