"Everything Stops For Tea" by JOHN BALDRY [with Rod Stewart & Elton John] (August 2005 UK Warners 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Jubilee Cloud…" 

In June 1964 - Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men released an obscure UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1056. Its B-side - a raucous cover of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's gospel tune "Up Above My Head" featured an uncredited duet vocal with a sensational new singer. It was Rod Stewart's first vinyl appearance.

To repay such incalculable smarts and generosity and at the behest of Joe Smith (then President of Warners) – Rodders stepped up to the plate at the height of his Faces/Solo Career fame (1971) and produced two corking but long forgotten Blues-Rock LP gems for Baldry. Each record used the guts of his own studio band and those of Elton John's backing group – Hookfoot - with both Elton and Rod also having a hand in producing. The albums were "It Ain't Easy" (June 1971) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (May 1972). As well as Rod's and Elton's key players each LP featured a stellar cast of other notable Rock luminaries – all wanting to help out the much-respected and dapper darling of the UK R&B scene – John Baldry. And that's where this second of two Warner Brothers/Rhino expanded CD Remasters comes in. Here are the strange brew details...

UK and Europe released 29 August 2005 (September 2005 in the USA) – "Everything Stops For Tea" by JOHN BALDRY on Warner Brothers 8122784652 (Barcode 081227846527) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (54:19 minutes):

1. Intro: Come Back Again [Ross Wilson cover]

2. Seventh Son [Willie Dixon song – Willie Mabon cover]

3. Wild Mountain Thyme [Traditional Air, McPeake Family]

4. Iko Iko [The Dixie Cups cover]

5. Jubilee Cloud [John Kongos cover]

6. Everything Stops For Tea [Jack Buchanan cover of a 1935 song] - Side 2

7. You Can't Judge A Book [Willie Dixon Song – Muddy Waters cover]

8. Mother Ain't Dead [Traditional]

9. Hambone [Sam Mitchell cover]

10. Lord Remember Me

11. Armit's Trousers [Ian Armit of The Hoochie Coochie Men song]

Tracks 1 to 11 are his album "Everything Stops For Tea" – released May 1972 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46160 and Warner Brothers BS-2614 in the USA. Tracks 1 to 5 (Side 1) produced by ELTON JOHN in February 1972 with Tracks 6 to 11 (Side 2) produced by ROD STEWART between January and February 1972.

CD BONUS TRACKS

12. Radio Spot No. 1 (advertising the album)

13. Bring My Baby Back To Me (Live Mar-Y Sol Festival, Puerto Rico, April 1972) – first appeared on the 2LP set "Mar Y Sol" in 1972 on Atco SD 2-705 – Previously Unreleased on CD

14. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (album outtake, duet vocals with Joyce Eversion, a Neil Young cover) – Previously Unreleased

15. I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy (album outtake, duet vocals with Joyce Eversion, a Ron Davies cover) – Previously Unreleased

16. Radio Spot No. 2 (advertising Joyce Everson's "Crazy Lady" album, 1972)

The band for the ELTON JOHN sessions was (Side 1 – Track 1 to 5):

Lead Vocals - JOHN BALDRY

Vocal Accompaniment - ELTON JOHN (Tracks 1, 3, 4 and 5)

Guitars – DAVEY JOHNSTONE

Bass – KLAUS VOORMAN

Percussion – RAY COOPER

Drums – NIGEL OLSSON

Piano – IAN ARMIT (on "Jubilee Cloud")

Viola – STEFAN DELFT (on "Wild Mountain Thyme")

The band for the ROD STEWART sessions was (Side 2 – Tracks 6 to 11):

Lead Vocals - JOHN BALDRY (Guitar on "Mother Ain't Dead")

Duet Vocals – ROD STEWART (on "Mother Ain't Dead", Rod also plays Banjo)

Guitars – JAMES LITHERLAND and ROBERT WESTON (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Guitars – SAM MITCHELL (on "Hambone")

Piano - IAN ARMIT (on "You Can't Judge A Book", "Lord Remember Me" and "Armit's Trousers")

Bass – BILL SMITH (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Bass – JOHN PORTER (on "Hambone")

Drums – JOHN DENTITH (on "You Can't Judge A Book" and "Lord Remember Me")

Drums – JOHN PORTER (on "Hambone")

Percussion - MICKIE WALLER (of Steampacket) (on "You Can't Judge A Book")

Backing Vocals – MADELINE BELL, LIZA STRIKE and DORIS TROY (on "You Can't Judge A Book")

Backing Vocals – MADELINE BELL, LIZA STRIKE and BARRY St. JOHN (on "Lord Remember Me")

The original green label of the US and UK vinyl albums is aped on the CD label, the 12-page inlay has affectionate and informative liner notes by SID GRIFFIN. There's a "Dear Boy..." letter to fans from Baldry dated May 2002 on Pages 2 and 3 - while Griffin's notes go into the history of Steampacket, Baldry's solo career (as Long John Baldry) and of course his association with Rod and Elton. It's pretty and all the original album artwork is in place too. But the big news for fans is the quality Audio. Expert remastering has been carried out by Rhino's long-time tape associate DAN HERSH with sound produced by DAN HERSCH. This CD sounds fabulous with that great 70ts Classic Rock sound...

It opens well with an R&B one-two of "Come Back Again" and "Seventh Son" where the album feels like "It Ain't Easy" Part 2 (the LP that preceded it in 1971). But then he attempts a Scottish air – the McPeake Family's beautiful traditional "Wild Mountain Thyme" and along with a wishy-washy take on the Dixie Cups classic "Iko Iko" kills any real momentum the side might have had. Things recover big time with his rocking cover of "Jubilee Cloud" – a track from the 1971 "Kongos" album on Fly Records (by John Kongos). With the band rocking it out – you really wish the whole side was filled with these smart choices. But Side 2 makes the same mistake of including too many styles when really it would have been better to Rock or even Funk.

Preceded by some very silly dialogue about fans seeking signatures as he types a reluctant letter of apology – a hassled Baldry plays up his terribly aristocratic British accent on the intro to "Everything Stops For Tea". Written by Al Goodhart, Al Hoffman and Maurice Sigler – this ode to England's favourite tipple was first a witty vocal vehicle for Jack Buchanan alongside Fay Wray in the 1935 movie "Come Out Of The Pantry". Baldry keeps his version firmly in the music hall shuffle tradition – "...you remember Cleopatra...she had a date to meet Mark Anthony at three...but he came an hour late...she said you'll have to wait...because everything stops for tea..." – you get the audio picture.

There are tongue-in-cheek jabs at the outlandish garbs of Rod Stewart and Elton John in the lyrics of the superb cover of Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge A Book" where the band finally rocks out – Jimmy Horowitz giving in some chunky Hammond chords while Madeline Bell, Liza Strike and Doris Troy give it some Soulful backing vocals. Baldry opens "Mother Ain't Dead" with a spoken intro about how he hadn't sung with Rod sing the Steampacket days back in 1965. They then duet on this rather lovely version of the Blues Traditional with Baldry playing Guitar and Rod doing an impressive Banjo backing. The funky drum-shuffle of "Hambone" turned up in 2002 on the "Right On! Volume 4" CD compilation on Warner Brothers - Soul Boys and Funksters alike digging its sexy groove. Written by guitarist Sam Mitchell – he also plays all guitars on this fantastically catchy tune (one of the album’s highlights). Written by Myrtle Jackson in the Forties and famously covered by Country Music star Hank Snow in 1966 - "But This I Pray, Oh Lord Remember Me" is reduced to "Lord Remember Me" - a slow Soulful Gospel rap that builds into a frantic preacher 'piano and ladies' chant. The album then fizzles out with Ian Armit's "Armit's Trousers" – a two-minute instrumental ditty with him on a lone piano (he was one of The Hoochie Coochie Men back in the 60ts day with Baldry).

The Bonus Tracks are a mixed bag. After a one-minute Radio Spot (No. 1) that uses the dialogue/typewriter gag at the beginning of "Everything Stops For Tea" (not a very convincing sales pitch I'd have to say) – we get something worth celebrating in a hard-hitting Blues Boogie similar to Muddy Waters/Johnny Winter. The self-penned Slow-Blues of "Bring My Baby Back To Me" was first released by Baldry as a British 45 on United Artists UP 1158 in 1966 – the B-side of "Cuckoo". This fantastic 6:25 minute version first appeared on Side 4 of the vinyl double-album "Mar Y Sol – The First International Puerto Rico Pop Festival" in 1972 on Atco SD 2-705. I don't know who's playing guitar – but it's a barnstormer (and first time on CD here too). This is followed by two album outtakes – covers of Neil Young's sorrowful "After The Gold Rush" classic "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and Ron Davies' lesser-known "I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy". Both feature the vocals of Joyce Everson whose album "Crazy Lady" appeared in 1972 on Warner Brothers BS 2604 (the Radio Spot No. 2 advertises it using Baldry's voice). Although she's a good voice – her high pitch doesn't suit him and the Neil Young track comes across as mawkish rather than tuneful. The largely acoustic "I'm Just A Rake & Ramblin' Boy" is far better - but in truth you can see why both were left off an already confusing album.

Although the 2nd LP isn't as good as the first (too many conflicting styles and a couple of choices that simmered rather than sizzled) – I still see "Everything Stops For Tea" as a fabulous little CD reissue. And it perfectly compliments his first album for Warner Brothers "It Ain't Easy" from 1971 which Warners/Rhino 'Expanded' on a 2005 Remaster also (see separate review).

With John Baldry lost to us since 2005 – both CDs are a lovely way to remember him. 
And well done to all those involved for finally seeing it reissued. 
Rest in Peace you British beauty...

 

PS: In December 2005 Rhino Handmade (the mail-order side of US reissue specialist label Rhino Records) released a 2CD set called "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7896 (Barcode 603497789627). It contained the "It Ain't Easy" album and its extras on CD1 (18 tracks) and the "Everything Stops For Tea" album and its extras on CD2 (16 tracks). That release was limited to 2,500 copies worldwide and received no UK issue. 

 

So the two Expanded Albums CD Reissues put out by Rhino in the UK in August 2005 are that 2CD set broken down into separate releases (with no loss of bonus tracks). 16 Nov 2013 USA saw the Rhino Handmade 2CD Set "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" reissued on Wounded Bird WOU 1921 (Barcode 664140192126) with the same artwork and again no loss on Bonus Material...

"Five Guys Walk Into A Bar..". by FACES - A Review Of the 2004 Rhino 4CD Book Set...Featuring Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones...

"...How's That Ron? Very Nice!"

Such is the industry-wide legacy of THE FACES, when Glen Matlock of THE SEX PISTOLS auditioned for the band - he played "Three Button Hand Me Down" and immediately got the job, Slash from GUNS 'N' ROSES, Jeff Tweedy from WILCO, Rich Robertson from THE BLACK CROWES and Gaz Coombes from SUPERGRASS all wax lyrical about the only British Rock 'n' Roll band to seriously rival (and at times beat) The Rolling Stones. 

And this fantastically evocative 4CD Book Set from the mighty reissue label of Rhino only hammers home their legend - offering up a lethal mixture of new and old with a boozy swagger than would make most modern bands blush. Here are the champers...

Released July 2004 - "Fives Guys Walk Into A Bar..." by FACES on Warner Brothers/Rhino 8122-78233-2 (Barcode 081227823320) is a 4CD Book Set of Remasters covering 1970 to 1975 and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (77:41 minutes):
1. Flying - from their debut LP "First Step", also the A-side of a UK 7" single issued February 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 8005
2. On The Beach - from their 2nd LP "Long Player"
3. Too Bad - from their 3rd album "A Nod's As Good As A Wink...To A Blind Horse" - credited in the USA as "A Nod Is As Good As A Wink...To A Blind Horse")
4. If I'm On The Late Side - from their 4th and last studio album "Ooh La La"
5. Debris - as per 3. Also the B-side of "Stay With Me", a 3 December 1971 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16136.
Note the US B-side was the album track "You're So Rude" on Warner Brothers WB 7545
6. Jealous Guy [John Lennon cover] - an "Ooh La La" outtake
7. Evil (Rehearsal) - a Willie Dixon song (done by Howlin' Wolf) - from their first rehearsals recorded in the Summer of 1969
8. As Long As You Tell Him - the non-album B-side to "You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything..."
 - a 7" single released November 1974 on Warner Brothers K 16494 in the UK and May 1975 in the USA on Warner Brothers WBS 8102
9. Maggie May (Live/BBC) - from The BBC Radio 1 Program Top Gear recorded 28 September 1971
10. Cindy Incidentally (Alternate Mix) - an "Ooh La La" outtake
11. Maybe I'm Amazed (Live/BBC) - a Paul McCartney cover recorded for the BBC TV Program "Sounds For Saturday: The Music Of The Faces" on 26 October 1971
12. Insurance - an instrumental "Ooh La La" outtake
13. I Came Looking For You (Rehearsal) - from a quick shag at THE MARIE ANTOINETTE HOTEL in New Orleans, Louisiana recorded 25 July 1971
14. Last Orders Please - as per 3
15. Wyndlesham Bay (Jodie) - an "Ooh La La" outtake
16. I Can Feel The Fire (Live) - from a concert at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino in California recorded 7 March 1975
17. Tonight's Number - from the RONNIE WOOD and RONNIE LANE album "Mahoney's Last Stand", an Original Soundtrack LP released in 1976 on Atlantic.
It was also a 7" single in the UK on Atlantic K 50308
18. Come See Me Baby (The Cheater) - an "Ooh La La" outtake
[Note: 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 18 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

Disc 2 (79:10 minutes):
1. Pool Hall Richard - a non-album 7" single first released 30 November 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 16341 as the A-side
2. You're My Girl (I Don't Want To Discuss It) (Live/BBC) - recorded 1 April 1973 for the BBC Radio 1 Program 'In Concert'
3. Glad And Sorry - from "Ooh La La" album
4. Shake, Shudder, Shiver (Rehearsal) - as per 7 on Disc 1
5. Miss Judy's Farm (Live/BBC) - as per 2 on Disc 2
6. Richmond - from "Long Player" album
7. That's All You Need - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album
8. Rear Wheel Skid - the non-album B-side to the 7" single of "Had Me A Real Good Time"
 - released 13 November 1970 in the UK on Warner Brothers WB 8018 and 21 October 1970 in the USA on Warner Brothers WB 7442
9. Maybe I'm Amazed - a 6 April 1971 US 7" single on Warner Brothers WB 7483. It's a non-album edit of the full album version which is on "Long Player"
10. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right - a Homer Banks cover and an "Ooh La La" outtake
11. Take A Look At The Guy (Live) - as per 16 on Disc 1
12. Flags And Banners - from "Ooh La La" album
13. Bad 'n' Ruin (Live/BBC) - recorded 19 April 1971 for the BBC TV Program 'Disco 2'
14. Around The Plynth [Album Version at 5:56 minutes] - from the "Long Player" album. Note: in the USA there was a 7" single edit at 4:02 minutes released 29 April 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 7393 with "Wicked Messenger" from the album as its B-side (a Bob Dylan cover). It was also credited to the SMALL FACES and is unfortunately not on this box set.
15. Sweet Lady Mary - from the "Long Player" album
16. Had Me A Real Good Time [Album Version 5:53 minutes] - from the "Long Player" album. Note: the US 7" single released 21 October 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 7442 and 13 November 1970 in the UK on Warner Brothers WB 8018 both used `edits'. If you program this track on your PC or Mac to end at 2:53 minutes - you will get that 7" single edit. Its non-album instrumental B-side "Real Wheel Skid" is Track 8 on Disc 2.
17. Cut Across Shorty (Live/BBC) - an Edie Cochran cover version recorded 13 May 1971 for the BBC Radio 1 Program 'John Peel's Sunday Concert'
[Note: 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13 and 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

Disc 3 (74:24 minutes):
1. You're So Rude - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album. Also the American B-side to "Stay With Me" (see Track 5 on Disc 1)
2. (I Know) I'm Losing You (Live/BBC) - as per Track 11 on Disc 1
3. Love Lives Here - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album
4. I'd Rather Go Blind (Live) - an Etta James/Chicken Shack cover - as per Track 16 on Disc 1
5. Hi-Heel Sneakers/Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - studio outtake from the FACES last recording session at Air Studios in London, 27 January 1975
6. Getting' Hungry - A Beach Boys cover - as per Track 5 on Disc 3
7. Silicone Grown - from "Ooh La La" album
8. Oh Lord I'm Browned Off - non-album B-side to the 7" single of "Maybe I'm Amazed" - see Track 9 on Disc 2
9. Just Another Honky - from "Ooh La La" album
10. Open To Ideas - as per Track 5 on Disc 3. First appeared as a new song on the 1999 Best Of CD compilation "Good Boys...When They're Asleep"
11. Skewiff (Mend The Fuse) - the non-album instrumental B-side to "Cindy Incidentally"
- released 5 February 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers WB 7681 and 9 February 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 16247
12. Too Bad (Live) - from a concert at Tampa Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida recorded 30 April 1972
13. Rock Me - as per Track 5 on Disc 3
14. Angel (Live/BBC) - a Jimi Hendrix cover - as per Track 2 on Disc 2
15. Stay With Me (Live/BBC) - as per Track 11 on Disc 1
16. Ooh La La - from "Ooh La La" album. Also issued as a 7" single 6 June 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers WB 7711 with the album track "Borstal Boys" as its B-side
[Note: 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14 and 15 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

Disc 4 (76:28 minutes):
1. The Stealer (Live/BBC) - a Free cover - as per track 2 on Disc 2
2. Around The Plynth/Gasoline Alley (Live/BBC) - from the BBC Radio Program `Top Gear' recorded 15 September 1970
3. You Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything (Even Take The Dog For A Walk, Mend A Fuse, Fold Away The Ironing Board, Or Any Other Domestic Short Comings)
- a non-album 7" single released 11 November 1974 in the UK on warner Brothers K 16499 and 28 May 1975 in the USA (as an edit) on Warner Brothers WBS 8102
4. I Wish It Would Rain (Live) - a Temptations cover - non-album B-side of "Pool Hall Richard" released 30 November 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 16341
5. Miss Judy's Farm (Live/BBC) - as per Track 11 on Disc 1
6. Love In Vain (Live/BBC) - as per Track 17 on Disc 2
7. My Fault (Live/BBC) - from the BBC Radio 1 Program 'Radio 1 Club' recorded 12 February 1973
8. I Feel So Good (Rehearsal) - as per Track 7 on Disc 1
9. Miss Judy's Farm - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album
10. Three Button Hand Me Down - from "First Step" album. It was also the B-side of their debut British single "Flying" released February 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 7150
11. Cindy Incidentally - from "Ooh La La" album. Also issued as a 7" single - see Track 11 on Disc 3
12. Borstal Boys - from "Ooh La La". Also issued a 7" single - see Track 16 on Disc 3
13. Flying (Live/BBC) - from the BBC Radio 1 Program `Dave Lee Travis' recorded 10 March 1970
14. Bad 'n' Ruin - from "Long Player" album
15. Dishevelment Blues - a non-album exclusive track recorded for the UK 'NME Magazine April 1973' issue - recorded 5 April 1973
16. Stay With Me - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album. Also issued as a 7" single - see Track 5 on Disc 1
[Note: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

The attached 62-page colour booklet is a fabulous fan-fest - loads of foreign picture sleeves, press clippings, live photos and all manner of boozy tour shenanigans. There's a FACES towel with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones embroidered beneath the 'Faces' logo. Testimonials come from all the luminaries mentioned above as well as witty remembrances from the boys and a great set of liner notes by noted writer DAVID FRICKE. It really captures the fun of the band and the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of their 4 studio albums. No domestic shortcomings here.

The DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT remasters are just 'so' good. These two long-time in-house tape engineers have handled so much primo WEA material across the years for Rhino - Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding to name but a few legends - but I bet they got their jollies transferring and digitally preserving this catalogue. The audio is wonderful - muscular, clear and full of that 'live-in-the-studio' feel original Producers Glyn Johns, Mike Bobak and Ron Nevison got for the Faces at the time.

The Box Set mentions the "Coast To Coast" American Live album in 1973 on Mercury Records but doesn't feature any tracks from it. You get three tracks out of 10 from the debut LP "First Step", five out of 9 from the 2nd LP "Long Player", 8 out of 9 from "Nod" ("Memphis" is the missing song) and 8 from the 10 from "Ooh La La" ("Fly In The Ointment" and "My Fault" are the missing cuts). The rest are non-album singles, B-sides, a Flexi Disc exclusive and a whopping 32 Previously Unreleased.

The first thing you notice (and appreciate) about the actual songs is that IAN McLAGAN wisely hasn't sequenced the set chronologically (which he felt would have been boring). Instead he jumbles it up and the result is a play list on each CD that flits from one LP to another with an array of top quality PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED material bolstering up the rowdy proceedings in-between. It makes each disc feel like you're hearing the band anew - a thrill at every turn.

A scan across the disc details listed above will show that there's a large haul of outtakes from "Ooh La La" ("Come See Me Baby..." is great) but disappointingly zip from their undisputed masterpiece "Nod". Still the slide-fest that is "Around The Plynth" seguing into "Gasoline Alley" is a belter - properly produced BBC quality. And the Soulfulness of the band kicks in when covering the Homer Banks classic "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" at their first rehearsals (the boy's witter banter in the run out moments titles this review). The shadow of Ronnie Lane lingers everywhere (the set is dedicated to him) - and I don't care how many times I hear either "Debris" of "Glad And Sorry" - they make me weak at the knees. And is it any wonder The Stones had to have Ronnie Wood - his axework throughout is just brill. On the downside you can actually hear Rodders' disinterest on the final 1975 sessions covering songs they used to once die for. But it all ends on the glory of "Stay With Me" and who could ask for more...

Raise a glass of Dom Perignon to this sensational British band and prepare the neighbours in advance...because things are going to get a bit rowdy 'round your house...

"It Ain't Easy" by JOHN BALDRY – June 1971 US and UK LP on Warner Brothers featuring Rod Stewart, Elton John, Ron Wood, Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne, Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows, Leslie Duncan, Doris Troy and members of Hookfoot and Elton John’s Band (August 2005 UK Warner Brothers 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster Plus Six Bonus Tracks (Five Previously Unreleased Studio Outtakes and One Radio Spot Commercial) - Dan Hersch Remasters by Rhino) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available In My

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Exceptional Remasters - Artists A to L

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"...It Ain't Easy...When You're Going Down..."

 

When Nashville songwriter Ron Davies wrote "It Ain't Easy" for his 1970 LP "Silent Song Through The Land" (A&M SP-4264) - he probably had no idea that huge rock acts would then take his unknown song and name TWO entire albums after it – THREE DOG NIGHT in 1970 and (LONG) JOHN BALDRY in 1971.

 

Many will also be aware of the song through David Bowie's cover on Side 1 of 1972's "Ziggy Stardust". Even Dave Edmunds had a go for his debut album "Rockpile" on Regal Zonophone - also in 1972 (see separate review). "It Ain't Easy" was just one of those cool rock tracks that lent itself to other artists who then somehow made it 'their' song. Baldry (who loved bluesy based acoustic tunes) was also clearly partial to its charms (lyrics above)...

 

The LP "It Ain't Easy" by JOHN BALDRY was released on Warner Brothers WS 1921 in June 1971 in the USA and on Warner Brothers K 46088 in the UK. The British Album sported different artwork to the US Issue (it is not pictured or mentioned on the release) and as this is based on the American album – the US artwork is used throughout.

 

This UK-released 29 August 2005 CD Reissue (September 2005 in the USA) on Warner Brothers 8122784642 (Barcode 081227846428) bolsters up the original 9-track album with 6 bonus outtakes and 1 Radio Spot. The cover uses the US artwork (the UK front and rear sleeve was different, but is unfortunately not featured anywhere on this reissue) while the booklet provides session details for each song (excepting the bonus tracks). The recording of the album also involved a large cast of British rock notables (all listed below) - but first here's a detailed track-by-track breakdown (69:11 minutes):

 

"It Ain't Easy" Album

1. Intro: Conditional Discharge [Side 1]

2. Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll [Jeff Thomas song]

3. Black Girl [Huddie Ledbetter aka Leadbelly cover]

4. It Ain't Easy [Ron Davies song]

5. Morning, Morning [Fugs cover]

6. I'm Ready [Willie Dixon song/Muddy Waters cover]

7. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield [Randy Newman cover] – Side 2

8. Mr. Robin [Leslie Duncan cover]

9. Rock Me When He's Gone [Elton John/Bernie Taupin song - Exclusive Track]

10. Flying [Ronnie Lane-Rod Stewart-Ronnie Wood song/Faces cover]

 

CD BONUS TRACKS

11. Going Down Slow [a St. Louis Jimmy cover - 1941 Blues track - real name Jimmy Burke Oden]

12. Blues (Cornbread, Meat And Molasses) [Sonny Terry/Brownie McGhee cover]

13. Love In Vain [Robert Johnson cover]

14. Midnight Hour Blues [Leroy Carr cover]

15. Black Girl [Alternate Take]

16. It Ain't Easy [Alternate Take]

17. I'm Ready [Alternate Take]

18. Radio Spot [30-Second Spoken Advert for the US Market made in 1971 - it talks about LBJ and Fleetwood Mac leaving the UK to tour and "...storm America"]

 

The band for the ROD STEWART sessions was:

Lead Vocals - LONG JOHN BALDRY (12-String Guitar on "Black Girl")

Guitars - RON WOOD (of Faces, Rolling Stones) [Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 16 and 17]

Guitars and Pedal Steel Guitar - SAM MITCHELL [Tracks 1 to 5, 15 and 16]

Piano - IAN ARMIT

Mandolin - RAY JACKSON (of Lindisfarne) on "Black Girl" and "Morning Morning"

Tenor Sax Solo - ALAN SKIDMORE on "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie..."

Bass - RICK BROWN

Drums - MICKIE WALLER (of Steampacket)

Backing Vocals - MAGGIE BELL (of Stone The Crows) on "Black Girl" and "It Ain't Easy"

 

The band for the ELTON JOHN sessions was:

Guitars - CALEB QUAYE and JOSHUA M'BOPO (of Hookfoot)

Piano - ELTON JOHN

Bass - DAVE GLOVER

Drums - ROGER POPE

Backing Vocals - Leslie Duncan, Madelene Bell, Doris Troy, Kay Garner, Liza Strike, Tony Burrows, Tony Hazzard & Roger Cook

 

The original green label of the US and UK vinyl albums is aped on the CD label, the 12-page inlay has affectionate and information June 2005 liner notes by SID GRIFFIN and the expert remastering has been carried out by Rhino's long-time tape associate DAN HERSCH.

 

It sounds just brilliant - analogue warm and in your face for all the right reasons. At times in fact it feels like the FACES unleashed - both acoustically and in full-on band mode. Music wise - this is pre "Every Picture Tells A Story" and "Madman Across The Water" - I mention these albums specifically because Side 1 sounds like "Picture" (produced by Rod and featuring his backing band), while Side 2 sounds like a more rockier version of "Madman" (produced by Elton etc). Couple this with great song selections (fast and folky alike) and Baldry's British toff speaking voice sounding like a guttural fired-up Eric Burden when he sings and the effect is magical...

 

But the real fireworks for me come in the blistering bonus tracks. Faces and Mercury-years Rod Stewart fans will flip for these - 4 are acoustic (11, 12, 14 and 15), while the other 2 are band orientated (16 and 17). In fact it almost sounds like these tracks represent the true spirit of the sessions - an unplugged pure blues album trying desperately to get out - get past all that production. Infuriatingly, it doesn't say who plays the harmonica and acoustic guitar on the fabulous version of "Going Down Slow" or the weird cello intro on the Alternate "Black Girl"?

 

A fabulous little CD reissue then and it compliments his second album for Warners "Everything Stops For Tea" that followed in 1972 which is also now reissued 25 August 2005 by Warner Brothers in the UK (see separate review for "Everything Stops For Tea" by JOHN BALDRY on Warner Brothers 8122784652 - Barcode 081227846527). That CD is also another 'Expanded Edition' Remaster this time with Five Bonus Tracks. Both of these individual CDs were combined into one 2CD compilation called "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" on Rhino Handmade for the American market in December 2005 (see separate review for that also).

 

In June 1964, Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men released an obscure UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1056. Its B-side - a raucous cover of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's gospel tune "Up Above My Head" - featured an uncredited duet vocal with a sensational new singer (it was Rod Stewart's first vinyl appearance). You have to say that Rod The Mod certainly repaid the gallant Englishman for this launching pad, when he put together this wicked little album for him in 1971 at the behest of Joe Smith - President of Warners. As Baldry says in an interview in the liner notes – both Elton and Rod were feeling their way at the time – but the feel of the spirit of those Faces type-sounds of 1971 permeates this release and for me anyway that is in itself a special kind of aural Heaven.

 

With Baldry lost to us since July 2005 after a long battle with cancer (aged 64 and living in Canada) - this CD Reissue and its Best Buddy "Everything Stops For Tea" is a lovely way to remember that most Blighty of male singers. And well done to all those involved for finally seeing them reissued. Rest in Peace you British beauty...

UK LP SLEEVE