"Sticky Fingers: Deluxe Edition" by THE ROLLING STONES (June 2015 Polydor 2CD Reissue - Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

AMAZON UK Best Price Link Above - AMAZON USA Best Price Link Below

"...English Blood Runs Hot..." 

There can’t be too many Rolling Stones fans out there in the big wide world that won’t look at the sleeve of "Sticky Fingers" and grin like a schoolboy watching the English Ladies Hockey Team practice their down strokes. And I suppose if us aging reprobates are to suffer yet another reissue of that absolute Classic Rock Album – then this June 2015 two-disc rehash is a great way to massage our hip-replacements - because frankly it’s a bit of belter. In fact fans of the 'Mick Taylor Era' of The Rolling Stones are going to flip for Disc 2. Once more unto the bleach...

First things first – Disc 1 is not a new version in any way – it’s the remaster done by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering in 2009 and runs to exactly the same playing time – 46:25 minutes. Disc 2 presents us with 10 Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks mixed by BOB IRWIN and mastered by STEPHEN MARCUSSEN – five album outtakes and five live cuts from the last date on their UK Tour – Sunday, 14 March 1971 at The Roundhouse in London.

The 8-page basic inlay that accompanied the 4 May 2009 reissue has been upgraded to 24-pages for this 2CD Deluxe Edition (there is a single disc version that keeps the 8-page inlay). The Andy Warhol torso and underpants photo that was hidden under the original ‘zipper’ sleeve is reproduced on Page 3 - with Pages 4 to 7 giving us new black and white portrait photos of each member of the band (all were once considered for the inner artwork). The photo that did grace the inner insert for the original April 1971 LP is reproduced on the left hand flap as you open the gatefold card digipak – but rather tastefully - an outtake I’ve never seen before from the same photo session is on the right flap. Instead of Mick yawning and Keith grinning in side profile – it has Keith and Mick staring forward pensively with the other three doing the same in the rear (Bill Wyman, Mick Taylor and Charlie Watts). You can see why they chose the one that finally came out – its just more funny and a better snap (but what a lovely touch). Beneath each see-through CD tray (yellow lips logo on Disc 1 and green on Disc 2) are pictures of tape boxes. The booklet also has shots of their initial recording sessions at the famed Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama (there’s even a bill for $1009 for the recording of "Wild Horses"), black and whites of the Stargroves Estate in Hampshire where further recording took place, the artwork for the "Brown Sugar" UK 7" single picture sleeve, a repro of the UK Tour 1971 poster, colour shots from the Roundhouse gig in London and even photos of the album launch in France with Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records. Finally there are detailed credits for both discs.

UK released 8 June 2015 (9 June 2015 in the USA) – this reissue of "Sticky Fingers" by THE ROLLING STONES comes in a dizzying TEN FORMATS - including Single and Double Vinyl variants, differing Downloads versions and even a Spanish Cover Version with its famously unique 'Fingers in A Tin Of Treacle' artwork. This review is for the 2CD Deluxe Edition on Polydor/Rolling Stones 376 483-6 (Barcode 602537648368). Here are the details...

Disc 1 (46:25 minutes)

1. Brown Sugar

2. Sway

3. Wild Horses

4. Can’t You Hear Me Knocking

5. You Gotta Move

6. Bitch [Side 2]

7. I Got The Blues

8. Sister Morphine

9. Dead Flowers

10. Moonlight Mile

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Sticky Fingers" - released 23 April 1971 in the UK and USA on Rolling Stones Records COC 59100

Disc 2 (54:02 minutes):

1. Brown Sugar (with Eric Clapton) – 4:05 minutes

2. Wild Horses (Acoustic) – 5:47 minutes

3. Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (Alternate Version) – 3:24 minutes

4. Bitch (Extended Version) – 5:53 minutes

5. Dead Flowers (Alternate Version) – 4:18 minutes

6. Live With Me – 4:22 minutes

7. Stray Cat Blues – 3:48 minutes

8. Love In Vain – 6:42 minutes

9. Midnight Rambler – 11:27 minutes

10. Honky Tonk Women – 4:14 minutes

Tracks 1 to 5 are Outtakes from the original sessions produced by Jimmy Miller. "Brown Sugar" is credited as (with Eric Clapton) when in fact it also has Al Kooper on Guitar (Ian Stewart on Piano and Bobby Keys on Saxophone too). Tracks 6 to 10 are highlights from a show at The Roundhouse in London on Sunday, 14 March 1971 (there is a CD3 only on the Super Deluxe Edition 12" x 12" Box Set which is called "Get Yer Leeds Lungs Out" and was recorded 1971 at Leeds University). The live band for the London show included Bobby Keys on Saxophone, Jim Price on Trumpet and Nicky Hopkins on Piano. All songs are Jagger/Richards originals except "Stray Cat Blues" which is a Robert Johnson cover version.

THE ALBUM:

Right from the opening riffs of "Brown Sugar" (slightly distorted it has to be said) - you know you're in the presence of a different beast. This (2009) thing rocks - the guitars and rhythm section filling your speakers with incredible energy. I can hear the 'loudness wars' naysayers already - sure these things are loud and sure they're hissy in places too - but at least I feel like I'm in the presence of the real master tape. The power and clarity of instruments on say "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" and "Dead Flowers" is astounding. Ry Cooder's Slide Guitar and Jack Nitzsche's Piano on "Sister Morphine" is so good too, Paul Buckmaster's gorgeous Strings on "Moonlight Mile" and Keith's beautiful acoustic playing on "Wild Horses" - all fabulous. But if I was to isolate one track that shows massive improvement on this SHM - it's the Side 2 nugget "I Got The Blues". Everything about it rocks - Keith Richards and Mick Taylor on guitars, Bobby Keys and Jim Price on Horns, Jimmy Miller's Percussion and especially the Billy Preston Organ solo - it sounds truly fabulous. There's just that little more pep in the step of every track on this format - and somehow that amazing Cooder Slide on "Sister Morphine" seems more in your face (but in a good way), the sexy Saxophones on "Bitch" - the guitars on their fantastic bluesy cover of the Mississippi Fred McDowell/Gary Davis dead-and-dying tune "You Gotta Move". There are many who hated the 2009 remaster saying it was too loud or something like that. I think this is crap of the highest order. I bought the Japanese Platinum SHM-CD version with a flat transfer (which is what many of these detractors wanted) and it 'was' awful. It's a matter of Audio taste I know - but I frankly get weary of Audiophile types telling me what I'm hearing is lousy when my ears tell me different.

I had expected Disc 2 to be a disappointment – five lesser versions with a bunch of live stuff that should have stayed in the can – neither let the side down thank God. To hear “Brown Sugar” in ‘any’ variant is a blast - yet you can so hear why Jagger toned down the “get down on your knees...” lyrics and how the twin slide guitar work of Clapton and Kooper is good but still feels too ramshackle. Bobby Keys comes blasting in with that Saxophone solo pretty much intact but the finished album cut is sharper and their decision to go with a cleaner more concise version was the right one. It’s odd ‘not’ to hear the opening acoustic strums of “Wild Horses” be accompanied by that second guitar – this time we get a sort of unplugged original – and what a gorgeous song it is too. Lyrically there’s not much that’s different except that you can you hear the words more clearly on this Alternate. We then get a weird reversal – the finished album masterpiece “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” gets cut down from 7:16 minutes to 3:24 minutes and is really the band ‘feeling’ for something. In fact on the amazing near 12-minute live version of “Midnight Rambler” where Keith and Mick solo like crazy – you can hear the finished licks and solos creep in because it was March 1971 – after they’d recorded this early attempt. 

But then comes an absolute jewel – the extended “Bitch” where Bobby Keys (Saxophone) and Jim Price (Trumpet) add so much to the song. It’s absolutely fantastic and I actually shouted “More” at the Marantz as it finished – not wanting this bad sucker to end. After such excitement the Alternate of “Wild Flowers” isn’t nearly as Country as the finished album version and suffers for it. Fans will be disappointed that the five live cuts don’t actually feature a single “Sticky Fingers” track but that’s not to say that they’re inferior fare – far from it. This is the 1971 band cooking (with Mick Taylor) on 1969 “Let It Bleed” material like “Live With Me” and “Love In Vain”. There is already a huge step forward in the overall sound and impact – a band finding their Rock feet. The Robert Johnson cover of ”Stray Cat Blues” is just fantastic while the huge “Midnight Rambler” sees Mick give it some fabulous harmonica fills inbetween those Bluesy guitar moments (“Spotlight on Keith’s arse...” he say before they launch into the jam). After introductions of the band – Mick tells the crowd to “open your lungs on this one” as The Stones go into a stunning version of “Honky Tonk Women”. Very tasty stuff...

I don’t know if I’d plum up the dosh for the Super Deluxe Version – but I have to say that this 2CD Deluxe Edition is a triumph.

In the Jake Gyllenhaal/Dustin Hoffman/Susan Sarandon movie “Moonlight Mile” from 2002 – Jake’s character is in a bar, goes over to a jukebox and puts on the movie’s title track. It starts to play and then as the stunning Paul Buckmaster strings kick in – Jagger sings - “I’m riding down your Moonlight Mile...” And I remember watching it - and not for the first time did a chill go up my arms – reminding me of how much I loved this band and in particular this album that I played to death as a teen in Dublin.

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are more Zimmer-Frame Twins these days than Glimmer Twins – but that doesn’t stop this 2CD reissue from being magical to me. Lick your lips folks...because here we go again...

"The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions by HOWLIN' WOLF [feat Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts] (March 2003 US/UK Universal/MCA/Chess 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Reissue - Erick Labson Remasters - Reissued EU 2012) - A Review by Mark Barry..

US/UK 2003 ORIGINAL DE PACKAGING VERSION ABOVE

EU 2012 REISSUE VERSION in a 2CD JEWEL CASE BELOW

"…Wang Dang Doodle…" 

Like many avid collectors I've felt that Universal's 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' series has had some dubious expansions of popular albums across the reissue decades - forever chasing our battered debit cards with yet another sonic temptation. But sometimes - just sometimes - you get the perfect blend. You get a forgotten album that shouldn't be - extras actually worthy of the moniker 'bonus tracks' - classy and sympathetic presentation and a Remaster Engineer capable of bringing genuine new life back into old recordings. Ladies and Gentlemen (and those of you who aren't sure) - welcome to one of those 'DE' beauties. Here are the little red roosters and the wang dang doodles...

Released March 2003 - "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions: Deluxe Edition" by HOWLIN' WOLF on MCA/Chess 088 112 985-2 (Barcode 008811298524) is a 2CD set of Remasters and breaks down as follows (see below re Single Disc ‘Rarities’ Edition):

Disc 1 (56:52 minutes):

1. Rockin' Daddy (Side 1)

2. A Ain't Superstitious

3. Sittin' On The Top Of The World

4. Worried About My Baby

5. What A Woman!

6. Poor Boy

7. Build For Comfort (Side 2)

8. Who's Been Talking?

9. The Red Rooster (False Start And Dialogue)

10. The Red Rooster

11. Do The Do

12. Highway 49

13. Wang Dang Doodle

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions" - released August 1971 in the UK on Rolling Stones Records COC 47101 and Chess CH-60008 in the USA

14. Goin' Down Slow

15. Killing Floor

16. I Want A Word With You

Tracks 14 to 16 are Bonus Tracks - they originally appeared on the American Muddy Waters & Howlin' Wolf LP "London Revisited" from 1974 on Chess CH 60026. They're Newly Remixed From The Session Multi-Tracks for this reissue

Disc 2 (52:50 minutes):

1. Worried About My Baby (Rehearsal Take)

2. The Red Rooster (Alternate Mix With Alternate Piano)

3. What A Woman (A/K/A/ Commit A Crime) (Alternate Take)

4. Who's Been Talking (Alternate Take With False Start & Dialog)

5. Worried About My Baby (Alternate Take)

6. I Ain't Superstitious (Alternate Take)

7. Highway 49 (Alternate Take)

8. Do The Do (Extended Alternate Take)

9. Poor Boy (Alternate Lyrics Mix)

10. I Ain't Superstitious (Alternate Mix)

11. What A Woman (A/K/A Commit A Crime) (Alternate Mix With Organ Overdub)

12. Rockin' Daddy (Alternate Mix)

(All tracks on Disc 2 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED; Tracks 1 to 8 are newly remixed - Tracks 9 to 12 are the original 1970 mixdown sessions)

It was reissued 2012 in the EU/UK on MCA/Chess 0600753278505 (Barcode 600753278505) in a 2CD jewel case - dropping the 'DE' packaging of a gatefold digipak in a wrap (photos above of the 2003 original and 2012 reissue). 

The first thing that hits you is the awesome sound - remastered by ERICK LABSON. I've sung this man's praises before on many occasions - he's one of Universal's principal sound engineers and has been involved in excess of 1,100 reissues including the vast majority of the huge Chess catalogue. This guy knows his way around tapes like this - and his work here is fabulous - ballsy, clear and full of power. Once of the outer DELUXE EDITION plastic slipcase - the gatefold card digipak offers up a wide and long booklet that is classily put together. You get a revealing interview with NORMAN DAYRON the original engineer, pictures from the period and sessions and a recording credits roll call of ace British and American musicians lining up to play with their hero - ERIC CLAPTON (Guitars), STEVE WINWOOD (Keyboards), BILL WYMAN and CHARLIE WATTS of THE ROLLING STONES (Bass and Drums), HUBERT SUMLIN (Guitar), JEFFREY M. CARP (Harmonica), PHIL UPCHURCH (Bass) and IAN STEWART with LAFAYETTE LEAKE (Piano) to name but some.

Like "Fathers & Sons" with Muddy Waters and The Paul Butterfield Band blowing up a storm in 1969 - I've always felt this "London Session" was one of the most successful of those Blues-Rock collaboration albums precisely because of who was involved (Clapton in particular was in blinding form). Chester Burnett wasn't in the best of health (he would be lost to us in early 1976) - and at times his voice does seem ever so-slightly uncomfortable with the arrangements and the UK surroundings - but Clapton and his adoring boys broke the ice and brought in a formidable project in the end.

Side 1 opens with the Wolf's own "Rockin' Daddy" followed by Willie Dixon's "I Ain't Superstitious" and the joint is jumping right away. We get mean and gritty with a harmonica and piano-driven "Sittin' On Top Of The World" and the horns of Dennis Lansing, Joe Miller and Jordan Sandke back up the band for "Built For Comfort". Clapton tears into "Red Rooster" - really enjoying himself after giving the master the respect he needed by asking the Wolf to lead on guitar. But if was to single out two killers - it's the rocking "What A Woman!" and the unbelievably good Blues Boogie of "Highway 49" (a Joe Williams cover). I've put them on countless Shop Play CDs in Reckless - and it never failed - kids rushing to the counter wanting to know who `the real deal' is...

The 3 extras on Disc 1 are unbelievable - "Goin' Down Slow" featuring blistering slow bluesy harmonica playing from Jeffrey Carp - then his own "Killing Floor" in boogie style with the band sounding in your face and loving it. As if that's not enough - Disc 1 finishes with another storming version of one of the album's highlights "What A Woman!" Wow!

It's arguable that Disc 2 is actually a better album - meaner and grittier - with versions that are complete but rougher around their frayed edges. The slashing slide guitar on "Red Rooster" and the boogie of "What A Woman!" are fantastic stuff. Love the harmonica and shambolic feel to "Worried About My Baby" - razor sharp bass and vocals too in the remaster. And the piano is far more to the fore for "Highway 49" - his presence exuding out of the speakers ("stop by the whiskey store...and get me a jug of wine...").

Hospitalised in late 1975 with liver failure after an automobile accident - he passed away 10 January 1976 - one of the true greats - a Blues force of nature that wouldn't be tamed.

Hit the Blues Highway 49 children and start your journey to the dark side here...

PS: There is a subsequent American-only 2010 single-disc reissue called "The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions (Rarities Edition) - Essential Collector's Tracks" on MCA/Chess B0013720-02 (Barcode 602527256207). It's 15-tracks gather up Tracks 14, 15 and 16 on Disc 1 and Tracks 1 to 12 on Disc 2 of the DELUXE EDITION and clumps them all onto 1CD. 

I mention this because unfortunately if you use the Barcode for that one-disc version (602527256207) - Amazon will bring to what looks like the 2CD DE version when it's not. If you want the 2CD-DE Version either 2003 original and 2012 reissue - you must use the Barcodes provided above in my review...

"Spirit Of The Century" by THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA - A Review Of Their 2001 Album (CD) On Peter Gabriel's Real World Records (with Tom Waits, Hen Harper and John Hammond)...

“…I’m Gonna Leave This Place Better…” 

The first thing that hammers you about “Spirit Of The Century” is the truly fabulous sound quality – ‘so’ extraordinarily good. Second - your stroked by the ancient black voices – graveled and wise like Mount Rushmore. Next are the fabulous accompanying musicians classing up every single tune with Bluesy Harmonica (Charlie Musselwhite), Double Bass (Danny Thompson), live Drums (Michael Jerome), Electric and Slide Guitar (David Lindley) and tightly strung Dobro (John Hammond). And then there’s the song choices – Tom Waits, Ben Harper and The Rolling Stones sit easy alongside Gospel songs that go back centuries (never mind this one). The effect is immediate, spirit lifting and effortless cool all at the same time. Not bad for a bunch of visually impaired Octogenarians…

The Blind Boys Of Alabama of today are Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter, George Scott and Joey Williams (they alternate lead vocals) and “Spirit Of The Century” was their first album for Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records released April 2001 on CDRW95. Of its 12-tracks (47:14 minutes) Tom Waits contributes “Jesus Gonna Be Here” (Clarence sings lead) and his stunning “Way Down In The Hole” (Jimmy Carter sings lead) which of course famously became the theme song to the critically acclaimed TV Series “The Wire”. Ben Harper stumps up the beautiful and moving “Give A Man A Home” (Clarence sings lead) while “Just Wanna See His Face” was on The Rolling Stones 1972 double-album masterpiece “Exile On Main St.”. The other 8 are Traditional Tunes of varying age.

Amongst the oldies are stunning rocking versions of “Soldier” (“I’m a soldier in the army of the Lord…”) and a slinky slow Dobro Blues on “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”. Danny Thompson’s Double Bass and George Scott’s canyon’s deep bass vocal make “Run On For A Long Time” a funky Gospel gem. And it ends on a gorgeous Acapella take on “The Last Time” (“this may be the last time children…I don’t know…”). They went on to make “Higher Ground” in 2002, “Go Tell It To The Mountain” in 2003 (with even more stellar guests like Mavis Staples, Shelby Lynne, Tom Waits, Aaron Neville and Me’Shell NdegeOcello) and “There Will Be A Light” (with Ben Harper) in 2004. But for me this is the best of a great run.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama have been singing Gospel Music since they were formed in the Talladega Institute For The Blind in 1939 (yes 1939). That they should get such a joyful and creative renaissance at the hands of white boys paying rightful homage is icing on a very lovely cake.

Bluesy, Soulful, Righteous – and in 2015 – “Spirit Of The Century” on CD is dirt cheap to buy. Get this gem in your Spiritual armory and right soon…

"The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by CHAMPION JACK DUPREE – Including The Albums "When You Feel The Feeling You Was Feeling” (1968) and "Scoobydoobydoo” (August 1969) - featuring guests Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke of Free, Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones, Stan Webb and Johnny Almond of Chicken Shack and Duster Bennett (September 2005 UK Sony/Blue Horizon 2CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell and Mike Vernon Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...When You Feel The Feeling You Was Feeling..."

UK released September 2005 – "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by CHAMPION JACK DUPREE on Sony/Blue Horizon 518516 2 (Barcode 5099751851622) is a 2CD set of Remasters housed in a card-wrap slipcase that finally makes available for the first time on the format both of Champion Jack Dupree's notoriously rare UK albums on the cult Blue Horizon Label. 

These sessions also featured hidden musical contributions from members of FREE and THE ROLLING STONES as well as more visible BH label mates like Duster Bennett and members of Chicken Shack. Here's how the discs are laid out:

CD1 (76:13 minutes):

1. See My Milk Cow

2. Mr. Dupree Blues

3. Yellow Pocahontas (Extended Version)

4. Gutbucket Blues/Ugly Woman

5. Street Walking Woman

6. Income Tax

7. Roll On

8. I've Been Mistreated (Extended Version)

9. A Race Horse Called Mae

10. My Home's In Hell

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "When You Feel The Feeling You Was Feeling” - released 1968 on Blue Horizon Records 7-63206 in the UK

11. How Am I Doing It

12. I Haven't Done No One No Harm 

Tracks 11 and 12 are the non-album B and A-sides of his 1st UK 7" single - released 1968 on Blue Horizon 57-3140

13. Street Walking Woman (Alternate Version)

14. Big Fat Woman 

15. Whiskey, Look What You Done To Me

16. Going Down To The Blue Horizon

17. Juke Box Jump 

18. Black Cat Shuffle

Tracks 13 to 18 are previously unreleased studio out-takes from the April 1968 "When You Feel The Feeling You Was Feeling" album sessions

CD2 (75:33 minutes):

1. I Want To Be A Hippy

2. Grandma (You're A Bit Too Slow)

3. Puff Puff

4. Blues Before Sunrise

5. I'll Try 

6. Going Back To Louisiana 

7. Ain't That A Shame 

8. Stumbling Block 

9. Old And Grey 

10. Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well

11. Postman Blues

12. Lawdy, Lawdy

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "ScoobyDoobyDoo" - released August 1969 on Blue Horizon Records 7-63214 in the UK in Stereo. Issued USA 1972 as "Blues Masters Volume 10" with different artwork on Blue Horizon BM 4610.

13. Kansas City

14. Ba' La Fouche

Tracks 13 and 14 are the non-album A & B-sides of his 2nd UK 7" single - released 1969 in the UK on Blue Horizon 57-3512

15. Rub A Little Boogie (Live)

16. Black And White Blues (Live)

17. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee

18. The Sheik Of Araby 

19. You Make Me Feel Alright (Live)

20. Do The Boogie Woogie (Live)

Tracks 15 to 20 are previously unreleased 'live' tracks from a June 1969 gig in the UK 

 

The original analogue tapes were transferred and remastered by DUNCAN COWELL and MIKE VERNON and the sound quality is just gorgeous - lively, warm and clear. The booklet features both albums' artwork, full session discography, knowledgeable liner notes and even has a classy card wrap on the outside. 

Champion Jack Dupree's style was boogie-woogie, his rolling piano licks accompanied by witty lyrics - often spoken before being sung (he wrote all tracks on Disc 1). You can just tell by looking at a photograph of his mischievous face - and the huge chomper of a cigar hanging out of the side of his mouth - that this man and his music are going to be infectious and endearing - and they are. Even when the recordings are just Dupree and his piano, the sound he makes is huge - and so entertaining - almost as if there's more going on than there is. And as if this wasn't good enough, both albums are bolstered up with heavy-hitter musicians from the British Rock, Blues and Jazz scene of the late Sixties. Four of the "When You Feel The Feeling..." tracks feature Paul Kossoff on Guitar and Simon Kirke on Drums of FREE. The songs are "Income Tax", "Roll On", "A Racehorse Called Mae" and "My Home's In Hell". 

STAN WEBB of CHICKEN SHACK contributes guitar on "I've Been Mistreated". Webb is also featured on the A-side of Dupree's 1st BH 7" single and Kossoff/Kirke on the B - the single being sought after for years for these reasons. The really cool news for FREE fans is the last two songs on Disc 1 which are previously unreleased - both contain Kossoff & Kirke in unheard songs. The takes are a bit rough and ready, but still fascinating to hear - even then with that 'Free' feel they brought to everything.  One of those last two tracks, "Black Cat Shuffle", also features fellow label mate DUSTER BENNETT on Guitar and a Deram label favourite, JOHNNY ALMOND on Sax - this is on top of the FREE types - bit of a Supergroup going there!

Moving on to Disc 2, the "Scoobydoobydoo" album featured MICK TAYLOR of THE ROLLING STONES on guitar on every track (including the A&B-sides of the 2nd Blue Horizon 7" single) - and the album also features turns from drummers KEEF HARTLEY and AYNSLEY DUNBAR. The last six live tracks were recorded 1 June 1969 in The Angel Hotel in Goldaming in Surrey, England. My heart always sinks when I see live tracks, but these are great and the quality of the recordings is excellent - capturing the crowd singing along to his cover of Sticks McGhee's "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee". 

A great release then that I urge you to take a chance on. And top marks to all the good people involved. Long may the Champion reign! And my God - when you think of the debt Rock owes to Black music and Black musicians…