"The Singles 1965-1967" [Box 2 of 3] by THE ROLLING STONES – Eleven 60ts UK and US 7" Singles in Repro Picture Sleeves – Three of Which Have 3 Tracks Reflecting The Different B-sides in the UK and USA. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins and Jack Nitzsche (Keyboards), John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin (String Arrangements) and Steve Marriott of Small Faces and later Humble Pie on Backing Vocals (January 2004 UK/EU ABKCO Records 11CD Clamshell Box Set – Steve Rosenthal, Teri Landi and Bob Ludwig Transfers, Audio Restoration and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"…We Love You…"

Ah the glorious bad boys of Rock – The Rolling Stones. The kind of trouser-snake seductive ne'er-do-well pert-bottomed reprobates a concerned mother warned you about (when she wasn't shovelling tranquillisers down her gullet).  We're we (or they) ever so young or indeed so naughty! Hell yes!

This is the second box set in a series of three covering their Satanic Majesties entire 45s output on Decca (UK) and London Records (USA) – this fab little sucker covering their first primo period of non-stop 60ts hipsville - and what a humdinger it is too. There is a mountain of info to wade through, so once more my lysergic listeners unto the nervous breakdowns and girly rainbows…

UK/Europe released 1 January 2004 – "The Singles 1965-1967" by THE ROLLING STONES on Abkco 0602498209851 (Barcode 602498209851) is the Second of Three Box Sets covering their entire Decca/London Records UK and US output on 45s. The Clamshell Box contains 11CDs in Picture Repro Sleeves featuring artwork from many different countries (10 singles by The Rolling Stones and one solo outing by Bassist Bill Wyman), Three Art Cards featuring photos from 1965, 1966 and 1967, a foldout double-sided poster (the Lady Jane single advert with Mick Jagger's face on one side with a band photo on the other) and a 28-Page Fact-Filled Booklet outlined details on each release, reissue credits etc. Its 25-tracks covering eleven 7" singles breaks down as follows…

CD1 "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - 10:29 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 5 June 1965 on London 45-9766

A. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction b/w The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man

UK 45, 20 August 1965 on Decca F 12220

A. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction b/w The Spider And The Fly

CD2: "Get Off Of My Cloud" - 7:41 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 24 September 1965 on London 45-9792

A. Get Off Of My Cloud b/w I'm Free

UK 45, 22 October 1965 on Decca F 12263

A. Get Off Of My Cloud b/w The Singer Not The Song

CD3: "As Tears Go By" - 4:52 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 18 December 1965 on London 45-9808

A. As Tears Go By b/w Gotta Get Away

UK 45, 4 February 1966 on Decca F 12331 (with different A-side, US A-side relegated to the B)

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown By b/w As Tears Go By

CD4: "19th Nervous Breakdown" - 7:00 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 4 February 1966 on Decca F 12331 (see Disc 3 for B-side)

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w As Tears Go By

US 45, 12 February 1966 on London 45-9823

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w Sad Day

CD5: "Paint It Black" - 9:44 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 6 May 1966 on London 45-901

A. Paint It Black b/w Stupid Girl

UK 45, 13 May 1966 on Decca F 12395

A. Paint It Black b/w Long Long While

CD6: "Mother's Little Helper" - 5:57 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 2 July 1966 on London 45-902 (Note: no UK issue)

A. Mother's Little Helper b/w Lady Jane

CD7: "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadows?" - 5:49 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 23 September 1966 on London 45-903

UK 45, 23 September 1966 on Decca F 12497

A. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in The Shadow? b/w Who's Driving Your Plane?

CD8: "Let's Spend The Night Together" - 6:40 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 13 January 1967 on Decca F 12546

US 45, 13 January 1967 on London 45-904

A. Let's Spend The Night Together b/w Ruby Tuesday

CD9: "We Love You" - 8:26 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 18 August 1967 on Decca F 12654

US 45, 2 September 1967 on London 45-905
A. We Love You b/w Dandelion

CD10: "She's A Rainbow" - 8:57 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 23 December 1967 on London 45-906

A. She's A Rainbow b/w 2000 Light Years From Home (Note: no UK issue)

CD11: "In Another Land" by BILL WYMAN/The Lantern by THE ROLLING STONES  - 7:19 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 2 December 1967 on London 45-907

A. In Another Land (by BILL WYMAN) b/w The Lantern (by THE ROLLING STONES) (Note: no UK issue)

The Audio is done to a team of three – STEVE ROSENTHAL for Sound Restoration and Archive Coordination, TERI LANDI for Analogue to Digital Transfers and Tape Archive Research and BOB LUDWIG for Mastering. For instance you can really hear the contributions made by NICKY HOPKINS (Piano) and future Led Zeppelin Bassist JOHN PAUL JONES (who arranged the stings) on one of the better tracks from "Their Satanic Majesties…" LP - "She's A Rainbow". Clearer too is Brian Jones pressing down those Mellotron keys on the swirling hippy-dippy soundscape that is "2000 Light Years From Home".

I must admit that I haven't played the Wyman-penned US-only track "In Another Land" in probably four an half decades, but its now nice to hear (once again) the Remaster bring forth Nicky Hopkins lending his piano while Small Faces giant STEVE MARRIOTT taps those distinctive lungs of his for backing vocals. And 'allegedly' none other than Paul McCartney and John Lennon of The Beatles and poet Allen Ginsberg can be heard giving backing vocals to "We Love You" – a tribute to fans who supported the band during those difficult busted months (Nicky Hopkins also contributed piano).

Fans will not surprisingly adore the sheer wallop that comes of the decidedly fruity "Let's Spend The Night Together" – a song apparently written about the first time Mick and Marianne Faithfull hooked up for something we're reliably informed wasn't a fish supper. Unsung hero Jack Nitzsche plays Keyboards on both "Let's Spend The Night Together” and the Bluesy Harmonica driven B-side "Who's Driving Your Plane?" - whilst also contributing distinctive-sounding Harpsichord to the baroque elegance of "Lady Jane". Nitzsche also plays piano on a true digital obscurity – the US B-side "Sad Day” which only appeared on CD in 1989 on the triple "Singles Collection" set. And although its lyrics are now terribly dated and not the most enlightened on the planet, I've always had a thing for the Aftermath song "Stupid Girl" – way more than the rooster strut of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - a ball-breaker of a song whose fuzzed up guitars and driving rhythm changed the music world forever.

There is of course so much more here, but what you can't deny is the 'on fire' feel to it all. Like The Beatles, The Stones just hit this run of magic that would culminate in Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed and of course on into Stick Fingers and beyond.

Songs about drugs, sex, record company chaperones and grown men dressed in drag for the picture sleeves. Ah the glory. Remember them this way…

"Rock On" by HUMBLE PIE (2007, 2009, 2010, 2016 JAPAN-Only 'SHM-CD" Reissues - 2007, 2009 and 2016 in Mini LP Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 1 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

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"…Jam Tart Lips…"

Humble Pie's ‘rawk’ sound properly emerged with their self-titled July 1970 debut album for Herb Albert’s A&M Records - “Humble Pie”. Step two came with the appropriately titled “Rock On” in March of the following year only to be hammered home with the force of a mallet in November 1971 when they joined the pantheon of huge Rock bands with their storming “Performance – Rockin’ The Fillmore” double live album – the record that broke them everywhere.

Although both the studio albums “Humble Pie” and “Rock On” laid the foundations for their rightly praised live performances – they’re unfairly forgotten now in the mists of receding time. And for such a huge band – their CD reissues from this Classic Rock period seem to be all based overseas – namely Japan.

"Rock On" was originally UK released on A&M Records AMLS 2013 in March 1971 (May 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4301) – their fourth studio album and the British band's first charting in the USA eventually peaking at a decidedly humble No.118. "Rock On" had a straightforward 10-track CD reissue in the USA on A&M/Rebound 314 520 240-2 (Barcode 731452024022) in the Nineties – yet I'd argue that the stunning 24-bit Digital Remaster carried out in Japan in 2007 (and used ever since) is a whole different sonic ballgame.

But in 2018 - I calculate there are now no less four Japanese release dates for SHM-CD reissues – and I’d like to sort out what’s what. "Rock On" by HUMBLE PIE first appeared 14 February 2007 in Japan on Universal/A&M UICY-93220 (Barcode 4988005459749) in a 5" Mini Album Sleeve Repro – part of their 'Paper Sleeve Collection' Series. Like its 1970 "Humble Pie" predecessor (the first in that series) - "Rock On" aped the original UK gatefold sleeve artwork in all its cops-on-motorbikes gatefold glory. It too came with a Japanese worded booklet (dated 25 Dec 2006) and an outer OBI strip (the matt gatefold). Perhaps most importantly though - it had a new 2007 24-bit Remaster. But - as is the habit in Japan with these 'supposed' limited editions – they seem to get reissued every two or three years and that’s what’s happened here.

22 April 2009 saw the second Japanese SHM-CD version on Universal/A&M UICY-94067 (Barcode 4988005555168 that also used the 2007 remaster (another paper-sleeve series).

Third came 22 December 2010 using the 2007 Remaster – a SHM-CD in a jewel case on Universal/A&M UICY-22094 (Barcode 4988005638960). There were only four titles in this series -“Humble Pie”, “Rock On”, “Performance” and “Smokin’”.

And now this fourth outing – "Rock On" by HUMBLE PIE reissued 23 November 2016 on Universal/A&M Records UICY-77978 (Barcode 4988031188118) – the latest version again using that HIDEAKI NISHIMURA Remaster from 2007). If you cut and paste any of the above barcodes into Amazon’s search bar – you will get the issue you want (check them because prices can fluctuate wildly – and not in a good way).

A SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player to play it on (compatible on all) nor does it need audiophile kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 25 of them and they're uniformly superb. Let's get to the music (38:48 minutes):

1. Shine On [Side 1]

2. Sour Grain

3. 79th And Sunset

4. Stone Cold Fever

5. Rolling Stone

6. A Song For Jenny [Side 2]

7. The Light

8. Big George

9. Strange Days

10. Red Neck Jump

HUMBLE PIE was:

STEVE MARRIOTT – Guitars, Harmonica and Lead Vocals

PETER FRAMPTON – Guitars, Keyboards and Lead Vocals

GREG RIDLEY – Bass, Guitar and Lead Vocals ("Big George" only)

JERRY SHIRLEY – Drums and Keyboards

Guests:

BOBBY KEYS – Saxophone on "Big George"

BJ COLE – Pedal Steel Guitar on "79th And Sunset" and "A Song For Jenny"

CLAUDIA LENNEAR, DORIS TROY, P.P. ARNOLD and ALEXIS KORNER – Backing Vocals on “Sour Grain” and "A Song For Jenny" (Alexis Korner on "Big George")

Like those other great British bands Free and Led Zeppelin – Humble Pie produced the most brilliant Classic Rock albums in 1970 and 1971 with what seemed like effortless ease. Both their own "Stone Cold Fever" and the Muddy Waters cover of "Rolling Stone" (from "Rock On") would feature prominently on the November 1971 double-live monster “Performance – Rockin' The Fillmore” – the LP that broke them worldwide.

"Rock On" opens with a fantastic Peter Frampton written moment – "Shine On" – with PF on Lead Vocals. Sporting a wicked riff worthy of The Who's "Who's Next" (which would arrive in August 1971) - its organ and guitar pairing is bolstered by a trio of great female vocalists. The Tina Turner luscious Claudia Lennear famously had "Brown Sugar" written about her on The Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" album - Soul Heroine Doris Troy was now over on the prestigious Beatles Apple label and P.P. Arnold of "First Cut Is The Deepest" fame on Immediate Records would have to wait decades for her comeback. Frampton would make a huge feature of the "Shine On" song on his "Frampton Comes Alive" specially priced juggernaut double-album in 1976. Next up is Marriott growling to spectacular effect on the boozy "Sour Grain" – a straight up rocker. "79th And Sunset" is a lewd barroom stroller – Marriott casually discussing red-eyed Ruby in downtown LA with her "...nut-crushing boobs and jam-tart lips..." where he informs us there’s such a lot of good ways to be bad (BJ Cole gets a Pedal Steel Guitar solo towards its end). Swagger boys, swagger.

Side 1 ends on a great double-whammy - the raucous "Stone Cold Fever" – a rocker with a Funky break half way through and you can so hear why it was used as Track 3 on Side 1 of "Performance..." – followed by the Rock Blues of "Rollin' Stone" – English boys paying fitting tribute to their Chess Records hero Muddy Waters. Marriott wrings the emotional neck out of "Rollin' Stone" – singing it with fantastic (echoed) gusto - warbling on the Harmonica in-between licks and that huge Bass line. I don't know if its Frampton or Marriott who provides the final Jimmy Page-esque solo on “Rollin’ Stone” just before they go into that fantastic (and uncredited) rocking break – slipping in the "she's so fine" lyrics and riff to The Righteous Brothers "My Babe" (a forgotten London 45 for the clean-cut American duo issued in November 1963 - written by Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield). Humble Pie takes a snippet of it and nasty-rocks-that-sucker-up - and man does it work! Foghat (more Brit rockers done-good in the USA) would return to "My Babe" on their equally cool "Fool For The City" album in October 1975 on Bearsville Records. Hell - their version might as well have been Humble Pie. Whichever version you dig - "Rollin' Stone" is a highlight on this album.

Side 2 opens on an unexpected moment of Acoustic Guitar and Pedal Steel sweetness “A Song For Jenny" – the three ladies giving it some soulful backing vocals too. It's a love letter from on the road that works so well. Frampton gets Funky as he complains of someone stealing his axe in "The Light" – singing about waiting and worrying and living in fear (Marriott does a great counter vocal doing the chorus). Bassist Greg Ridley wrote and sings Lead Vocals on "Big George" - another Faces-sloppy song about dodgy geezers with size ten feet (Bobby Keys of Rolling Stones fame helps out on Saxophone thereby sealing the song's boozy credentials). And I'd swear that's the mighty Alexis Korner from C.C.S. giving it some backing vocals just as the song fades out.

"Strange Days" actually feels like The Doors who of course had an album by the same name – Marriott freaked out by FBI stools mixing with drug dealers – both flogging their wares and slavery. It has a Soulful-Rock feel despite those Bluesy drum whacks, echoed vocals, dirty-sounding guitars and Little Feet funky piano fills. I love it. The album ends of a giggling bop-shoo-waddy boozer of a tune – broken bottles and barroom pianos playing out "Red Neck Jump" – an invite to stomp and hang it all out.

November of 1971 would see the band take flight and destroy all comers with the mighty “Performance – Rockin’ The Fillmore” – the kind of live double you go absolutely nuts about (to this day just looking at its sleeve makes me weak at the knobbly knees). “Smokin’” from 1972 and the underrated double-album "Eat It" from 1973 still had many moments of HP magic - but after that it all seemed to plunge downhill fast in a blizzard of drugs, tantrums and health issues. Best we remember them in their glory moments...and "Rock On" is one of them.

At roughly a twenty-spot or a wee bit more (in the right places) - these 2016 Japanese SHM-CD reissues can be pricey I know. But if you’re a fan – seek them out – both sonically and visually - they’re so worth it…

PS: Titles in the 23 November 2016 Japanese SHM-CD Reissue Series:

1. "Humble Pie" (1970) – Universal/A&M UICY-77977 (Barcode 4988031188101)

2. "Rock On" (1971) – Universal/A&M UICY-77978 (Barcode 4988031188118)

3. "Performance – Rockin' The Fillmore" (1971, Live 2LP Set onto 1CD) – Universal/A&M UICY-77979 (Barcode 4988031188125)

4. "Smokin'" (1972) – Universal/A&M UICY-77980 (Barcode 4988031188132)

5. "Eat It" (1973) – Universal/A&M UICY-77981 (Barcode 4988031188149)

6. "Thunderbox" (1974) – Universal/A&M UICY-77982 (Barcode 4988031188095)

7. "Street Rats" (1975) – Universal/A&M UICY-77983 (Barcode 4988031188156) – 11 Tracks

8. "Street Rats – UK Version" (1975) – Universal/A&M UICY-77984 (Barcode 4988031188163) – 15 Tracks

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"Velvet Mountain: An Anthology 1970-1972" by COCHISE featuring Mick Grabham and BJ Cole with guests Steve Marriott of Humble Pie and Members of Hookfoot (April 2013 UK Esoteric Recordings 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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CLASSIC 1970s ROCK On CD 

Exceptional Remasters - Artists A to L

("Reason To Believe" is M to Z - A Separate Book) 

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"...Past Love..."

This rather beautifully presented 2CD set from reissue champs Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of Cherry Red) puts up the notion that the West-Coast influenced COCHISE (they came out of the Cambridge and Sunderland) are worthy of your attention - a forgotten British Americana Folk-Rock band with Guitarist Mick Grabham and B.J.Cole on Pedal Steel that deserve a second go-round. There are even appearances from Caleb Quaye and Nigel Olsson of Hookfoot and Elton John's Band, Tim Renwick of Junior's Eyes and Quiver and a rare duet with Steve Marriott of Humble Pie on the second LP to draw in collectors...

Unfortunately even with my penchant for all things Bronco, Matthews Southern Comfort and Brinsley Schwarz (see reviews) - there are only sporadic moments of greatness on offer here and its easy to hear why the slightly plodding Cochise sank without a trace despite popping out three albums at the beginning of that most receptive of decades - the Seventies (1970, 1971 and 1972 and a rare stand-alone 45). Still - if you're a fan of them and like-minded Americana music (The Band, Poco, The Flying Burrito Brothers and even America) - the presentation is superlative and the audio absolutely top notch (from original master tapes). There's a lot to get through so let's get to the nitty gritty...

UK released 29 April 2013 (7 May 2013 in the USA) - "Velvet Mountain: An Anthology 1970-1972" by COCHISE on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 22388 (Barcode 5013929438842) is a 2CD Remastered Retrospective with 30-tracks and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (58:41 minutes):

1. Velvet Mountain [Side 1]

2. China

3. Trafalgar Day

4. Moment And The End

5. Watch This Space [Side 2]

6. 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

7. Past Loves

8. Painted Lady

9. Black Is The Colour

Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut LP "Cochise" - released July 1970 in the UK on United Artists UAS 29117. Produced by DICK TAYLOR

10. Love's Made A Fool Of You - November 1970 UK 7" single on Liberty LBF 15425 (A-side - a Buddy Holly cover version)

11. Jed Collder

12. Down Country Girls

13. Home Again

14. Lost Hearts

15. Strange Images

16. Why I Sing The Blues

Tracks 11 to 16 are Side 1 of their 2nd studio album "Swallow Tales" - released April 1971 in the UK on Liberty Records LBG 83428.

Disc 2 (60:22 minutes):

1. Another Day

2. Axiom Of Maria

3. Can I Break Your Heart

4. O Come All Ye Faithful

Tracks 1 to 4 are Side 2 of their 2nd studio album "Swallow Tales" - released April 1971 in the UK on Liberty Records LBG 83428.

5. Words Of A Dying Man - November 1970 UK 7" single on Liberty LBF 15425 (B-side of the Buddy Holly cover version "Love's Made A Fool Of You" on Disc 1)

6. Cajun Girl [Side 1]

7. Blind Love

8. Dance, Dance, Dance

9. So Many Times

10. Diamonds

11. Thunder in The Crib [Side 2]

12. Up And Down

13. Wishing Well

14. Midnight Moonshine

Tracks 6 to 14 are their 3rd and final studio album "So Far" - released May 1972 on United Artists UAS 29286 (not 28286 as is mistakenly credited on the back cover). The track "Dance, Dance, Dance" (a Neil Young cover) was recorded 'live' at Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1971.

COCHISE was:

STEWART BROWN - Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar on the "Cochise" album only

JOHN GILBERT - Lead Vocals on "Swallow Tales" and "So Far" albums

B.J. COLE - Pedal Steel Guitar and Dobro on all albums (Cello also on "Cochise") 

MICK GRABHAM - Lead and Acoustic Guitars, Piano, Organ and Vocals on all albums (Lead Vocals on "Dance, Dance, Dance" on "So Far")

RICKY WILLS - Bass on all albums

JOHN WILSON - Drums, Percussion and Vocals on "Cochise" album

"WILLIE" WILSON - Drums, Percussion and Vocals on "Swallow Tales" album

ROY O'TEMRO - Drums and Percussion on "So Far" album

The three-way foldout card digipak has two picture CDs - photos beneath the see-through trays - LP artwork for the three albums on the flaps and a quality 16-page booklet with new liner notes from MICHAEL HEATLEY (with thanks to founder member Mick Grabham). It comes with the usual plethora of trade adverts, publicity photos and discography info and is very nicely done. But the big news is the stunning audio care of PASCHAL BYRNE (done at Audio Archiving) that lifts the original master tapes off the ground in a big way. I had the first two LPs on original British vinyl back in the day and they sounded o.k. - here they are full of beans - great clarity and without ever overdoing the treble knob. Onto to the music...

The debut sported some typically provocative but strangely off-putting nipple artwork from Hipgnosis – then beginning their long association with Pink Floyd and all things oblique yet cool. Problem is that the artwork doesn’t reflect in any way the music contained within. From the outset you can hear how heavily influenced the five-piece was by the emerging Americana scene across the pond - so "Velvet Mountain" is sub Band territory while "China" is so America. Some of the tunes are stuff like "Past Loves" is a grower. But a dreadful cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "59th Street Bridge Song" and Stewart Brown's frankly dead vocals do for so many. BJ Cole makes his Dobro presence known on his own "Trafalgar Day" where our heroes liken their lovelorn loins to that of Nelson but it descends after a promising opening into dreadful guitar wailing. Stewart Brown wails on "Moment And The End" and you wish he wouldn't.

But things get better with "Swallow Tales" which is way more Country than the debut - PJ Cole's Pedal Steel to the fore and John Gilbert sounding like the enthusiastic vocalist this kind of music needs sing of 'hound dogs' that need to 'scratch an itch'. The song quality picks up with Mick Grabham's "Home Again" - his jangling guitar sound akin to the Byrds and serious dollops of Gene Clark and Gram Parsons. "Lost Hearts" gets all Spanish in its rhythms and begins a duo of BJ Cole songs - the second being "Strange Images" - far better than the lame first (it features Caleb Quaye and Nigel Olsson of Hookfoot). Over on Side 2 "Another Day" continues Mick Grabham's melancholic songs underpinned by Cole's lovely playing. It comes as blessed relief to hear the unmistakable larynx of Steve Marriott on "Why I Sing The Blues" (plays Piano on the track also). After a very Ozark Mountain Daredevils "Can I Break Your Heart?" (sweet vocals and production values) - the album ends on a short but slightly pointless Pedal Steel instrumental of that Gospel Traditional "O Come All Ye Faithful".  

Things funk up with the opener "Cajun Girl" on album number three - a great slinky guitar groove supplied by new drummer Roy O'Temro. Dave Elliott provides "Blind Love" - a lovely song that feels like early Seventies Hollies (Gilbert's voice is akin to Allan Clarke). Quite why a live cover version of Neil Young's "Dance, Dance, Dance" is slapped into the middle of Side 1 is anyone's guess - but after an inaudible spoken intro - you can partially hear why - they rocked in a Country way when live. Back to the Pedal Steel and Country Rock for "So Many Times" - a sweetheart of a melody penned by the band's permanent Bassist Ricky Wills. They rock with "Diamonds" - Grabham finding his inner Crazy Horse even if BJ Cole accompanies him too much. That Country rocking continues with "Wishing Well" and the LP ends on the decidedly funky "Midnight Moonshine".

Of the three albums - "So Far" is probably the most accomplished - but in truth none of them light up in a way that would have had punters take notice. With the great presentation and audio - fans should dive in - I'd advise others to nab a listen first...

"Humble Pie" by HUMBLE PIE (2007, 2009, 2010 and 2016 JAPAN-Only Universal/A&M SHM-CD Reissue and Remaster - 2007, 2009 and 2016 in Repro Mini LP Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 1 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Blues Rock, Prog Rock, Rock-Fusion, Psychedelic and Underground

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs
(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…Won't You Live With Me…"

Although I personally love their first two studio albums to bits (“As Safe As Yesterday” and “Town And Country” from July and December 1969 on Immediate Records) – their signing to A&M Records in 1970 saw their self-titled album released in the summer of that explosive year and their ‘rawk’ sound that we all know and love properly emerge. 

“Humble Pie” was originally UK released on A&M Records AMLS 986 in July 1970 (September 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4270) – their third studio album and the British band’s first for Herb Albert’s burgeoning Rock label. “Humble Pie” had a good straightforward 8-track CD reissue on Germany’s Repertoire label in 2005 in a digipak (Repertoire REPUK 1080 - Barcode 4009910108024). But I’d argue that the stunning 24-bit Digital Remaster carried out in Japan in 2007 (and used ever since) is a whole different sonic ballgame.

But in 2018 - I calculate there are now no less four Japanese release dates for SHM-CD reissues – and I’d like to sort out what’s what. “Humble Pie” by HUMBLE PIE first appeared 14 February 2007 in Japan on Universal/A&M UICY-93219 (Barcode 4988005459732) in a 5” Mini Album Sleeve Repro which even aped the stippled effect of the original A&M 1970 album and its gorgeous gatefold artwork. It came with a Japanese worded booklet, an outer OBI strip – but most importantly it had a new 2007 24-bit remaster. But - as is the habit in Japan with these ‘supposed’ limited editions – they seem to get reissued every two or three years and that’s what’s happened here.

22 April 2009 saw the second Japanese SHM-CD version on Universal/A&M UICY-94066 (Barcode 4988005555151) that also used the 2007 remaster. 

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Third came 22 December 2010 using the 2007 Remaster – a SHM-CD in a jewel case only on Universal/A&M UICY-22093 (Barcode 4988005638953). There were only four titles in this series -"Humble Pie", "Rock On", "Performance - Rockin' The Fillmore" and "Smokin'".

And now this fourth outing – "Humble Pie" by HUMBLE PIE reissued 23 November 2016 on Universal/A&M Records UICY-77977 (Barcode 4988031188101) – the latest version again using that 2007 Remaster). If you cut and paste any of the above barcodes into Amazon’s search bar – you will get the issue you want (check them because prices can fluctuate wildly – and not in a good way).

A SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player to play it on (compatible on all) nor does it need audiophile kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 15 of them and they're uniformly superb. Let’s get to the music (42:40 minutes):

1. Live With Me [Side 1]

2. Only A Roach

3. One Eyed Trouser-Snake Rumba

4. Earth And Water Song

5. I’m Ready [Side 2]

6. Them from Skint – See You Later Liquidator

7. Red Light Mamma, Red Hot!

8. Sucking On The Sweet Vine

HUMBLE PIE – like those other great British bands FREE and LED ZEPPELIN – produced the most brilliant Rock albums in 1970 and 1971 with what seemed like effortless ease - and their 3^rd LP “Humble Pie” is no different. Right from the opening seconds of the eight-minute “Live With Me” – the lonesome organ and drum rolls seem in your face – and when that great guitar kicks in – along with Marriott’s distinctive wail - the power of it is fabulous. We get all acoustic dainty with the Jerry Shirley spliff-song “Only A Roach” (guitarist with the band) – returning to proper riffage with the cocky rocker “One-Eyed Trouser Snake”. Side 1 of the 8-track LP ends with the pretty Peter Frampton “Earth And Water Song”.

Side 2 opens with a great hard-rock cover of the Willie Dixon penned Muddy Waters classic “I’m Ready” and once again Marriott just sounds so damn cool – it’s sick (“smoking TNT and Dynamite…”) Back to Pedal Steel whimsy with “Theme From Skint (See You Later Liquidator)” where Steve bemoans his lack of ‘bread’. The remaster really lifts up the instruments – tambourine and acoustic guitars especially. We’re then back to one of the album’s collective songwriting highlights – the fantastic Boogie Rock of “Red Light Momma, Red Hot”. It ends on the pretty Peter Frampton ballad “Sucking On The Sweet Vine” with rich chord changes that stay with you…

They would release the forgotten “Rock On” album in March of 1971 (their second studio platter for A&M) and then in November of that huge year for Rock destroy all comers with the mighty “Performance – Rockin’ The Fillmore” – the kind of live double you go absolutely nuts about (to this day just looking at its sleeve makes me weak at the knobbly knees). “Smokin’” from 1972 and the underrated double-album “Eat It” from 1973 still had their moments of HP magic - but after that it all seemed to plunge downhill fast in a blizzard of drugs, tantrums and health issues. Best we remember them in their glory years.

At roughly a twenty-spot or a wee bit more (in the right places) - these 2016 Japanese SHM-CD reissues can be pricey I know. But if you’re a fan – seek them out – both sonically and visually - they’re so worth it…

PS: Titles in the 23 November 2016 Japanese SHM-CD Reissue Series:

1. “Humble Pie” (1970) – Universal/A&M UICY-77977 (Barcode 4988031188101)

2. Rock On” (1971) – Universal/A&M UICY-77978 (Barcode 4988031188118)

3. “Performance – Rockin’ The Fillmore” (1971, Live 2LP Set onto 1CD) – Universal/A&M UICY-77979 (Barcode 4988031188125)

4.“Smokin’” (1972) – Universal/A&M UICY-77980 (Barcode 4988031188132)

5. “Eat It” (1973) – Universal/A&M UICY-77981 (Barcode 4988031188149)

6.“Thunderbox” (1974) – Universal/A&M UICY-77982 (Barcode 4988031188095)

7.“Street Rats” (1975) – Universal/A&M UICY-77983 (Barcode 4988031188156) – 11 Tracks

8. “Street Rats – UK Version” (1975) – Universal/A&M UICY-77984 (Barcode 4988031188163) – 15 Tracks

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