"Facts Of Life/I Don't Know What The World Is Coming To" by BOBBY WOMACK – July 1973 and May 1975 US LPs on United Artists - September 1973 and May 1975 UK (September 2004 UK-Only Stateside Compilation – 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD - Steve Rooke Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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CAPT. FANTASTIC - 1975

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"...Check It Out..."

Bobby Womack's fab ninth album (eight studio set) "I Don't Know What The World Coming To" from May 1975 rose to the peak of No. 20 on the US R&B LP charts. Perhaps not the dizzying heights of his five-album run that preceded it - from "Communication" in 1971 to "Lookin' For A Love Again" in 1974 – those LPs achieving chart-placing numbers like No. 7, 7, 6, 6 and 5 (impressive stuff for the Seventies when copy numbers sold were large). But despite not breaking the top 10 as he used to do - "...World Is Coming To" was nonetheless a welcome return of a great Soul Man. 

And it's been cleverly coupled here on this UK-EUROPE-only 2LPs-onto-1CD reissue with the "Facts Of Life" album from July 1973 (one of those number-six chart placing LPs named above). There's a lot to wade through, so lets 'Check It Out'...

UK/EUROPE released 24 September 2004 - "Facts Of Life/I Don't Know What The World Is Coming To" by BOBBY WOMACK on Stateside 874 4032 (Barcode 724387440326) offers 2LPs from 1974 and 1975 (originally on United Artists Records) Remastered onto 1CD and plays out as follows (75:10 minutes): 

1. Nobody Wants You When You're Down And Out [Side 1]

2. I'm Through Trying To Prove My Love To You 

3. If You Can't Give Her Love Give Her Up 

4. That's Heaven To Me 

5. Medley: Holding on To My Baby's Love / Nobody 

6. Medley: Fact Of Life / He'll Be There When The Sun Goes Down [Side 2]

7. Can't Stop A Man In Love 

8. The Look Of Love 

9. Natural Man 

10. All Along The Watchtower 

Tracks 1 to 10 are his seventh album (sixth studio set) "Facts Of Life" - released July 1973 in the USA on United Artists UA-LA043-F and September 1973 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29456. Produced by BOBBY WOMACK - it peaked at No. 6 on the US R&B LP charts (No. 37 on the Rock & Pop LP charts) - didn't chart UK. "Facts Of Life" featured Keyboardists Clayton Ivey and Barry Beckett with Guitarists Dave Turner, Jimmy Johnson and Pete Carr, David Hood on Bass and Rodger Hawkins on Drums with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section 

11. Interlude No. 1 / I Don't Know [Side 1]

12. Superstar 

13. (If You Want My Love) Put Something Down On It

14. Git It

15. What's Your World 

16. Check It Out [Side 2]

17. Interlude No. 2

18. Jealous Love 

19. It's All Over Now 

20. Yes, Jesus Loves Me 

Tracks 1 to 10 are his ninth album (eight studio set) "I Don't Know What The World Is Coming To" - released May 1975 in the USA on United Artists UA-LA353-G and May 1975 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29762. Produced by BOBBY WOMACK – it peaked at No. 20 on the US R&B LP charts (No. 126 on the US Pop & Rock LP charts) – didn’t chart UK. "I Don't Know What The World Coming To" featured Keyboardists David Foster, Truman Thomas, Leon Ware with Pedal Steel Guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow with Glen Goins of Parliament/Funkadelic and Bill Withers Guest Vocals on one track and Linda Laurence of The Supremes on another.

The 12-page booklet has some decent shots from the "I Don't Know..." album cover sessions nestled amongst DEAN RUDLAND liner notes that loosely fill out the period details while the last pages line up track-by-track details and reissue credits. But the big news is freshly minted Abbey Road Remasters done by STEVE ROOKE in the famous British Studios. They feel so much better than the neither-here-nor-there audio given to those earlier Charly reissues. This feels like a proper upgrade, and the music on both LPs matches that.  

A sexy bass-line opens "Nobody Wants You When You're Down And Out" where at first BW is taking his friends out for a mighty good time, but as soon as the money is gone - so are his so-called buddies. I love this tune - guitars and Soul and Funk - it feels like Bobby Bland's "Dreamer" or "His California Album" from the same period on Dunhill Records (genius LPs). The smooch starts with a chat from the man about women doing him wrong (who knew). But Bobby soon reconciles his woes with a dirty chuckle as he opens "If You Can't Give Her Love, Give Her Up" - where he pleads with his crew to stop messing with the ladies - a sexy brass and keyboard combo sound lifting it up. Next up is a lovely cover of Sam Cooke's "That's Heaven To Me" - heavy on the strings and the ooh vocals. A two-track medley (first part co-written with George Jackson and Raymond Moore) "Holdin' On To My Baby's Love" segues into "Nobody" - short for snippets of Track 1 "Nobody Wants You When You're Down And Out". 

On Side 2 Bobby tries another talking medley in the album's title track "Facts Of Life" where he picks up a lady giving him vibes after a show but has a hard time convincing her that its her mind he wants and not no-talk just action in the hotel bedroom. Better is "Can't Stop A Man In Love" followed by a slew of covers - Bacharach & David's "The Look Of Love", Carole King's "Natural Woman" (made famous by Aretha Franklin) and Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower". As cool as they are for Soul re-interpretations, the only one I really like is the wah-wah guitar-heavy "Watchtower" where Bobby comes on like The Isley Brothers. 

Album number two opens with sisters and brothers shooting each other in American cities gripped by drugs and out-of-control crime "Interlude/I Don't Know" reflecting the genuine worry he has in the very LP title. Cecil & Bobby penned "Superstar" – a warning song about kids with stars in their eyes and the creeps who will turn that dream into a nightmare. Better is "If You Want My Love, Put Something Down On It" with its Curtis Mayfield groove - familiar string refrain and those hard 'n' ruff tumbles you take when you're in love. "Git It" is a funky keyboard strut co-written with Leon Ware that feels like Dexter Wansel had a baby with The Isley Brothers rhythm section before James Brown and The O'Jays join in for the shouts and oohs at the end (the Remaster is fantastic). 

Keyboardist Leon Ware also contributed "What's Your World" - a soulful guitar-shimmy where Cindy Scott (real name Sundray Tucker) gives Bobby answer-vocals to his every question while the fabulous brass elevates its cool feel (stunning guitar-work too from Glen Goins of Parliament and Funkadelic fame). "Check It Out" - an infectious 'somethin's on yer mind' dancer was the first 45 off the album in March 1975 with "Interlude No. 2" on the flipside (United Artists UA-XW621-X). Everyone's fave singer Bill Withers does duet vocals with Bobby on an update of "It's All Over Now" and it ends with a reaffirmation of his deeply held religious beliefs on "Yes, Jesus Loves Me". 

These are two great albums from Womack – neither a masterpiece really but both chock full of enough goodies to make you want to press replay. And isn't that the best way to remember him...

List of the BOBBY WOMACK Twofer Compilations on 

UK-Only EMI/Stateside CD Reissue and Remaster Series

1. Fly Me To The Moon/My Prescription 

January 1969 and May 1970 US LPs on Minit in Stereo (no UK releases)

August 2004 UK CD on Stateside 866 0592 (Barcode 724386605924)

NOTE: the UK catalogue number is miscredited on the rear inlay as 866 0782 which is the Understanding/Communication set – should read 866 0592

2. The Womack "Live"/Safety Zone 

March 1971 on Liberty and October 1975 US LPs on United Artists 

February 1976 UK LP on United Artists only for Safety Zone (no UK for "Live")

August 2004 UK CD on Stateside 866 0802 (Barcode 724386608024) 

3. Understanding/Communication

September 1971 (Communication) and March 1972 (Understanding) US LPs 

June and September 1972 UK LPs on United Artists 

August 2004 UK CD on Stateside 866 0782 (Barcode 724386607829)

4. Facts Of Life/I Don't Know What The World Is Coming To

July 1973 and May 1975 US LPs on United Artists 

September 1973 and May 1975 UK LPs on United Artists 

24 September 2004 UK CD on Stateside 874 4032 (Barcode 724387440326)

5. Lookin' For A Love Again/B.W. Goes C.W

January 1974 and June 1976 US LP on United Artists 

April 1974 and August 1976 UK LPs on United Artists 

24 September 2004 UK CD on Stateside 874 4062 (Barcode 724387440623)

"Understanding/Communication" by BOBBY WOMACK – September 1971 ("Communication") and March 1972 ("Understanding") Third and Fourth US Studio Albums on United Artists Records (issued June and September 1972 in the UK). Featuring Linda Womack, Barry Beckett, Pam Grier, Joe Hicks with David Hood and Ronnie Hawkins of the Muscle Shoals House Band (September 2004 UK EMI Stateside Compilation – 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD – Steve Rooke and Nigel Reeve Abbey Road Studios Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I Can Understand It... "

A sob Soul story with a happy ending... I'd bought the then newcomer 'Q' Magazine from a shop in Berwick Street on a whim, absolutely loved its contents and funky writing and quickly began collecting them (I think it was only issue 5 or 6 in 1986 or 1987). Damn, I even had two of those Perspex 'Q' holders they sold for £11.99 from their back pages to house my collection in (numbered on the spines with cryptic messages from films and albums). 

Anyway, back to that early issue of Q. What caught my eye was that it contained a near seven-or-eight page article accompanied by cool photos on the amazing musical life of Bobby Womack. While his albums "The Poet I" and "II" had made impact and reignited interest in 1981 and 1984, few talked of BW in Blighty in the late Eighties let alone acknowledged his contributions to Soul in the Sixties and Seventies on Imperial and United Artists Records. 

And in some respects, in March 2021, it's the same really. Womack always seems to be overlooked for the bigger names, yet he made consistently good albums that at times tipped over into greatness and even brilliance. Case in point here. You get his excellent fourth and third studio albums (the running order is reversed for some reason) from 1971 and 1972 - Remastered in their entirety onto 1CD with a half decent booklet and a not too ludicrous price tag. Time for us to understand it...indeed...here are the communicative details...

UK released September 2004 - "Understanding/Communication" by BOBBY WOMACK on EMI/Stateside 866 0782 (Barcode 724386607829) offers two LPs from 1971 and 1972 Remastered onto 1CD (see below re running order) that plays out as follows (71:41 minutes):

1. I Can Understand It [Side 1]

2. Woman's Gotta Have It 

3. And I Love Her 

4. Got To Get You Back 

5. Simple Man [Side 2]

6. Ruby Dean 

7. Thing Called Love 

8. Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)

9. Harry Hippie 

Tracks 1 to 9 are his fourth studio album "Understanding" (fifth LP overall) - released March 1972 in the USA on United Artists UAS-5577 and September 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAS 29365. It peaked at No. 7 on the US R&B charts (didn't chart UK). 

10. Communication [Side 1]

11. Come L'Amore 

12. Fire And Rain 

13. (If You Don't Want My Love) Give It Back 

14. Monologue / (They Long To Be) Close To You [Side 2]

15. Everything Is Beautiful 

16. That's The Way I Feel About Cha 

17. Yield Not To Temptation

Tracks 10 to 17 are his third studio album "Communication" (fourth overall) - released September 1971 in the USA on United Artists UAS-5539 and June 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAS 29306. It peaked at No. 7 on the US R&B LP charts (didn't chart UK). 

DEAN RUDLAND of Ace Records reissue-fame provides the liner notes in the 12-page booklet. It's nice if not a tad underwhelming – a couple of black and white period photos with BW sporting an open chest, trademark sunglasses and a hanging medallion (no LP artwork). Rudland gives a potted history of the period LPs – but the big news is Remasters done at Abbey Road Studios by STEVE ROOKE and NIGEL REEVE. Rooke was part of the team that handled the much praised Beatles reissues and Apple Artists catalogue – whilst Nigel Reeve has been at the helm of many revered Audiophile reissues including huge swathes of the Universal "Originals" catalogue. Both know their way around a tape box or two in other words and the Audio is fabulous. I had British LP pressings of both albums for years and they never sounded this good. To the music... 

Womack used the same trusted crew on top-flight musicians for both records. Guests included Barry Beckett on Keyboards, Tippy Armstrong and Jimmy Johnson on Guitars, David Hood and Roger Hawkins of the Muscle Shoals inhouse-band on Bass and Drums with Bobby Womack, Ronnie Eads, Harvey Thompson, Dale Quillen and Harrison Calloway, Jr. on Horns. Backing Singers included Blaxploitation star Pam Grier with veteran vocalists Patrice Holloway and Janice Singleton. 

Although released in September 1971 – the "Communication" album turned out to have great legs (a 40-week run) aided by two singles from it – one of which almost clipped the coveted No. 1 spot. United Artists opened the "Communication" LP's onslaught with its title track released a month before the LP – the James Taylor cover "Fire And Rain" on its flipside. Released August 1971, United Artists 50816 entered the US R&B charts in October and eventually settled at a modest No. 40 placing. Although the album used just his name - the American seven-inch singles credited him as '(The Preacher) Bobby Womack And Peace' – a nod in part to the talking-then-singing style that was his trademark. 

But in November 1971, UA hit Radio and Sales paydirt when they issued the irrepressibly catchy "That's The Way I Feel About Cha" with "Come L'Amore" on the B-side. The sexy groove of United Artists 50847 saw the single smash into the Top Ten and eventually peak at No. 2 with a 17-week run. 

Better was to come for the follow-up "Understanding" album when in April 1972, United Artists 50902 coupled the instantly likeable "Woman's Gotta Have It" with another Side 1 LP track "(If You Don't Want My Love) Give It Back". This time the 45 went all the way to Number 1 – an impressive feat back in the day. July 1972 then saw the Neil Diamond cover version of "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)" coupled with "Harry Hippie" on United Artists 50946. The A-side of that 45 stalled at No. 16 in September 1972, but then the flip gained popularity and went to No. 8 in late December 1972. 

With four sides known to Joe Public, the "Understanding" LP secured sales to put it (like its popular predecessor) up to No. 7 R&B and No. 43 Rock. Womack would only compound that success in the early months of 1973 with his soundtrack album to "Across 110th Street". The title song to "Across 110th Street" was famously re-used in full by Quentin Tarantino in the opening airport walkway sequence to his "Jackie Brown" film of 1997 - his gangster homage movie featuring Pam Grier who had sung with Womack all those decades ago. 

I love this little release. For sure in 2021, I find some of the cover versions completely superfluous to requirements and the long talked leads-ins a tad testing too – but when Bobby The Preacher got his great lungs around a great tune – I was sold and slaughtered. And there are far more of those on here than filler. Very cool. 

Bobby Womack sang "Yield Not To Temptation" - I'm gonna ignore him and buy as many of these reissues as I can. RIP you pioneer and thanks for all the great memories...

PS: see my review for "Fly Me To The Moon/My Prescription" - his first two albums on Imperial Records also in this EMI-Stateside CD Reissue series

"Fly Me To The Moon/My Prescription" by BOBBY WOMACK (2004 EMI/Stateside CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This CD contains the album "My Prescription" released in 1970

"…Real Soul Pleaser…"

This rather simple but brilliant Stateside CD brings together the late great Bobby Womack’s first two LPs both issued on Minit Records in the USA. It also boasts major label sound quality (EMI) and a less than budget price. In my book – it’s a total winner. Here are the midnight movers and all-night groovers…

UK released August 2004 - "Fly Me To The Moon/My Prescription" by BOBBY WOMACK on on EMI Stateside 866 0782 (Barcode 724386605924) offers 2LPs onto 1CD and breaks down as follows (63:39 minutes):

1. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)

2. Baby! You Oughta Think It Over

3. I’m A Midnight Mover

4. What Is This

5. Somebody Special

6. Take Me

7. Moonlight In Vermont

8. Love, The Timer Is Now

9. I’m In Love

10. California Dreamin’

11. No Money In My Pocket

12. Lillie Mae

Tracks 1 to 12 are “Fly Me To The Moon” released January 1969 in the USA on Minit Records LP-24014

13. How I Miss You Baby

14. More Than I Can Stand

15. It’s Gonna Rain

16. Everyone’s Gone To The Moon

17. I Can’t Take It Like A Man

18. I Left My Heart In San Francisco

19. Arkansas State Prison

20. I’m Gonna Forget About You

21. Don’t Look Back

22. Tried And Convicted

23. Thank You

Tracks 13 to 23 are “My Prescription” released May 1970 in the USA on Minit LP-24027

The 12-page booklet has sleeve notes by DEAN RUDLAND with two photos and snappy trade advert for the “Fly Me To The Moon” LP. STEVE ROOKE did the remasters at Abbey Road and lovely Stereo Sound fills every track. There is hiss on some of the tracks but there’s a wonderful warmth and air around the recordings – kind of goes with the territory.

Wilson Pickett had a 7” smash with Womack’s “I’m A Midnight Mover” in 1968 (called the album “The Midnight Mover” too) but now it was the turn of Cleveland’s finest and ‘The Preacher’ does a barnstormer of a great tune. In fact the first album is full of those unbelievably catchy hooks – the mid-tempo “Somebody Special” and the distant harmonica melody in “Take Me” (also used as the B-side to “Fly Me To The Moon” when it was released as a US 7” on Minit 32048). Wilson Picket plundered Womack’s knack for a ballad with punch too when he recorded “I’m In Love” and released it in early 1968 (also calling the album after the track).

But for me things really take off on “My Prescription” which opens with one of my all-time favourite Soul tunes – “How I Miss You Baby”. Minit coupled it with the album cut “Tried And Convicted” (on Minit 32093). It has a snappy beat, churchy organs, impassioned vocals, touching lyrics and eventually goes into a sort of Burt Bacharach brass bit as he sings – it’s unbelievably good. The same hooky melody of sorts infests “It’s Gonna Rain” where he sings of “bad vibrations” – again brilliantly arranged and the remaster bring out a fabulous rhythm section of bass, drums and rhythm guitars. His “Preacher” side comes out in “Everyone’s Gone To The Moon” and “I Can’t Take It Like A Man” – the latter with lovely brass fills adding so much. And on it goes to the Tony Joe White slink of “Arkansas State Prison” and the bouncy keyboard of “Don’t Look Back” (A Temptations cover) and the equally upbeat “Tried And Convicted”.

Womack would go on to huge success and acclaim with his Seventies material on United Artists and onwards again to “The Poet” and beyond. But I’ve always loved his duo of fabulous Minit LP starters and hope you will too…

Stateside 866 0782 is the kind of CD that gets unwisely ignored and sells for peanuts. But I urge you (if you’ll forgive the primate pun) to shell out on this one…

"Magic Christian Music" by BADFINGER (2010 Apple 'Expanded' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Come And Get It..." 

Like the equally brill Big Star – Badfinger is one of those bands. Given the quality of their music and the wads of writing talent within their ranks - Badfinger should have entered the music charts on a more regular basis (especially in Blighty) - but instead have entered the realms of Music Legend precisely because they didn't succeed commercially. They charted only three singles in the UK (one with the help of McCartney) - but none of their six albums on Apple or Warner Brothers tickled the fancy of the buying public.

Formerly known as THE IVEYS – the half-British, half-Welsh band famously signed to The Beatles Apple Records in 1968 – promptly pushing out two 45s and one hastily withdrawn album. The "Maybe Tomorrow" LP did at least get release in some Europe territories and Japan - but was unissued on Apple SAPCOR 8 in the UK. A quick line-up change (Bassist and Vocalist Ron Griffiths departed to be replaced by Guitarist Joey Molland) and a re-naming to the more funky BADFINGER - their next step was to feature three of their songs ("Come And Get It", "Rock Of All Ages" and "Come On Till Tomorrow") in a 1969 comedy spoof film called "The Magic Christian" (directed by Joseph McGrath). In order to get a 'Badfinger' album out into the market place that wasn't strictly a Soundtrack – seven of the old IVEYS tunes were remixed, edited, mined for a standalone album - "Magic Christian Music". And that's where this dinky little 2010 Apple CD reissue steps in. Here are the core details...

UK released 25 October 2010 - "Magic Christian Music" by BADFINGER on Apple 5099964243825 (Barcode is the same) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (58:50 minutes):

1. Come And Get It

2. Crimson Ship

3. Dear Angie

4. Fisherman

5. Midnight Sun

6. Beautiful And Blue

7. Rock Of All Ages

8. Carry On Till Tomorrow [Side 2]

9. I'm In Love

10. Walk Out In The Rain

11. Angelique

12. Knocking Down Our Home

13. Give It A Try

14. Maybe Tomorrow

Tracks 1 to 14 are the 'British Track Line-Up' for the Stereo LP "Magic Christian Music" by BADFINGER released 8 January 1970 in the UK Apple SAPCOR 12.

"Magic Christian Music" was released 16 February 1970 in the USA on the Stereo LP Apple SW-3364 but with two less songs and a rejiggered 12-track list. To sequence the US LP use the following CD numbers:

Side 1: Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7

Side 2: Tracks 8, 9, 10, 4, 12 and 14

BONUS TRACKS:

15. And Her Daddy's A Millionaire (Previously Unreleased Alternate Version)

16. Mrs. Jones (Remix)

17. Sali Bloo (Previously Unreleased Mono Mix)

18. See-Saw Grandpa (Previously Unreleased Mono Mix)

19. I've Been Waiting (Previously Unreleased Unedited Remix)

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS:

Requiring extra payment - there are also 6 more tracks available via Digital Download from iTunes or Amazon - "Dear Angie (Mono Mix)", "Think About The Good Times (Mono Mix)", "No Escaping Your Love (Mono Mix)", "Arthur (Remix)", "Storm In A Teacup (Mono Mix)" and "Yesterday Ain’t Coming Back (Mono Mix)" (see either site for cost details). Niggles – it won't take real fans moments to notice that the two bonus tracks "Storm In A Teacup" and "Arthur" that accompanied the first CD reissue by Apple of this album way back in November 1991 are now AWOL in physical form from this new reissue – relegated albeit in different form to the Digital Downloads.

BOOKLET/PACKAGING:

The front and rear of the original vinyl LP sleeve is reproduced on the gatefold card sleeve while noted writer and music lover ANDY DAVIS does the new liner notes for the booklet (they're all a disappointingly weedy 12 pages long). But with what little text he has been afforded - Davis does at least fill it with properly informative details. It's cute for sure but you do wish there was more. But the real deal is in the Audio...

SOUND:

The same team that handled the much-praised 09/09/09 Beatles remasters has done this too - GUY MASSEY, STEVE ROOKE and SAM OKELL with SIMON GIBSON. The audio quality is beautiful - a massive improvement – the kind of Remaster that makes you reassess a lot of the music.

CONTENT:

Associations - three songs from the Movie have that magic-dust Beatles connection – "Come And Get It", "Rock Of All Ages" and "Carry On Till Tomorrow" - all Produced by PAUL McCARTNEY with Macca having also penned "Come And Get It" (he plays Piano on "Rock Of All Ages' and some Percussion on "Come And Get It"). Beatles Engineer MAL EVANS Produced Tracks 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16 and 18 - while The Beatles Producer GEORGE MARTIN orchestrated the strings on the Pete Ham song "I'm In Love". TONY VISCONTI Produced the remainder of the songs – Tracks 2, 3, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 and NICKY HOPKINS plays piano on "See-Saw Grandpa".

Badfinger’s debut LP has always had a rep for being a tad lightweight – strung together from remnants - a good start and not much else. I suppose the best compliment you can give this CD reissue is that it makes you reassess that overly 'harsh' judgement. It opens with Hitsville UK – Macca's catchy as a Socialistic viewpoint "Come And Get It". Released 5 December 1969 in advance of the album – Badfinger's debut 45 on Apple Records APPLE 20 rose to a very cool No. 4 in January 1970 (had a rare British picture sleeve) and lasted 11 weeks on the UK charts. Its US equivalent on Apple 1815 was issued February 1970 (the album came out later there) with the same B-side "Rock Of All Ages" and did equal business – an impressive No. 7. But what amazes me is that I'd forgotten how good tracks like "Crimson Ship" and "Dear Angie" are. The remaster on "Crimson Ship" is fabulous - that sweet Bass and that huge guitar - while the vocal harmonies on "Dear Angie" are gorgeous and that strummed acoustic guitar so clear. "Fisherman" is one of the 1969 tracks 'remixed' and it feels slightly out of kilter with the two that preceded it - but on rehear - I'm digging it - and that remix has really added a warmth to the song. We rock out for "Midnight Sun" - Pete Ham riffing away like a goodun. Tom Evans contributes what has to be the most Beatlesque sounding song on the album "Beautiful And Blue" - a pretty ditty with strings that could easily have been on "Rubber Soul" albeit in a more stripped down form.

It's a wonder that Apple didn't consider the raucous Slade riffage of "Rock Of All Ages" as the next single from the album - shame that. "Carry On Till Tomorrow" is a song I used to dismiss as fay once - but I'm digging its sweet vocal arrangements here. I can easily live without "I'm In Love" but the Pete Ham ballad "Walk Out In The Rain" is shockingly beautiful - the remaster making it shine like never before. Tom Evan gets in on the love song act with his "Angelique" and does well but Ham's "Knocking Down Our Home" is dreadfully clunky. The album ends on a duo of semi-weepies "Give It A Try" and "Maybe Tomorrow" - big and epic in their own mini-series kind of way (love that orchestration on "Maybe Tomorrow"). A good album rather than a great one you’d have to say - but man those good bits...

I hadn't expected the Bonus Material to be up to much - and unfortunately some of it feels like filler - for fans only. You can so hear where The Hollies comparison comes from when "And Her Daddy's A Millionaire" comes bopping out of your speakers (great remaster though). Sounding like The Move seeking a hit - "Mrs. Jones" is good too as is the Mono Mix of the guitar-boogie tune "Sali Bloo". The audio on "See-Saw Grandpa" is unfortunately the worst on here - but it ends on a blaster - the huge guitars of "I've Been Waiting" - a genuinely great inclusion. I bought the downloads at the time for this review - despite "Arthur" sounding incredible in remastered form - the poor man's Hollies comparison is staggering - complete with whiny identikit vocals. More interesting is the 'Mono' mix of an album fave - "Dear Angie" - it's good but not a patch on the beauty of the Stereo version. For me the best here is "Think About The Good Times" - a strange Funk-Rock hybrid that at least has The Kinks at its heart. And again the shadow of The Beatles hangs over "Yesterday Ain't Coming Back" - a tune that could have been on "Magical Mystery Tour"...nice.

One Star or Five - BADFINGER have always divided people - many calling them one of the great overlooked bands of the period - others calling them lightweight. For sure this record is hardly the crafted-gems of the "No Dice" and "Straight Up" LPs - nonetheless their debut album "Magic Christian Music" deserves reappraisal - especially given the massive improvement in sound quality on offer here and some of those ragbag bonus tracks. There's magic in there folks - just gotta root it out...

PS: Monday 25 October 2010 saw 14 of the 'Apple' label Sixties and Seventies albums remastered and reissued in the UK alongside a first-time-ever label 'Best Of' compilation CD not surprisingly called "Come And Get It" after Badfinger's first hit song (penned by Paul McCartney).

The October 2011 Apple CD Remasters are (I've reviewed most):

1. Magic Christian Music - BADFINGER (January 1970)

2. No Dice - BADFINGER (November 1970)

3. Straight Up - BADFINGER (1972)

4. Ass - BADFINGER (1974)

5. Postcard - MARY HOPKIN (1969)

6. Earth Song - Ocean Song - MARY HOPKIN (1971)

7. Is That What You Want? - JACKIE LOMAX (1969)

8. Under The Jasmine Tree/Space - THE MODERN JAZZ QUARTET 

(1968 and 1969 - 2LPs on 1CD)

9. That's The Way God Planned It - BILLY PRESTON (1969)

10. Encouraging Words - BILLY PRESTON (1970)

11. The Radha Krishna Temple - THE RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE (1971)

12. The Whale/Celtic Requiem - JOHN TAVENOR (1970 and 1971 - 2LPs on 1CD)

13. James Taylor - JAMES TAYLOR (1968)
14. Doris Troy - DORIS TROY (1970)

"Past Masters" by THE BEATLES - 1962 to 1970 Singles - 33 Tracks - 29 in STEREO - 4 in MONO with Two Sung in German (September 2009 UK EMI/Apple 2CD Reissue with GUY MASSEY, STEVE ROOKE, PAUL HICKS and SEAN MAGEE Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

September 2009 UK EMI/Apple Reissue and Remaster as a 2CD Set

ORIGINAL 1988 SINGLE CD ISSUES

"...Arrive Without Travelling...See All Without Looking..."

After the 13 official British albums by The Beatles were first reissued on CD (February to October of 1987), all the non-album tracks on UK 7" singles, the exclusive 4-songs on the "Long Tall Sally" EP and any other stragglers were then gathered up onto two separate CD compilations called "Past Masters" (Vol. 1 & 2) and issued globally on 8 March 1988 to compliment the main catalogue.

 

This 9 September 2009 reissue of "Past Masters" on EMI 50999 2 43807 2 0 (Barcode is the same number) combines both of those Volumes into one 2CD set. They've been taken out of their clunky jewel cases and given a tri-gatefold card sleeve (black in colour), new 2009 remastering and a vastly upgraded booklet. Of the 33 tracks - 29 are in STEREO with 4 being in MONO - "Love Me Do", "She Loves You", "I'll Get You" on Disc 1 - and "You Know My Name (Look Up My Number)" on Disc 2.

 

However - there are differences between the old and new issues. The 1988 version of Disc 1 had 7 MONO tracks and not 3 (Disc 2 has remained the same) - the 4 now replaced with STEREO versions are "From Me To You", "Thank You Girl", and the two singles sung in German. But therein lies a further anomaly...

 

Beatles chroniclers will know that prior to the issue of "The Ballad Of John & Yoko" in May 1969 - ALL of their UK 7" singles were issued in MONO-ONLY ("The Ballad Of John & Yoko" was their first STEREO single in the UK, while their first STEREO 7" in the US was as late as "Get Back"). So while the vastly improved liner notes talk knowledgably about each British single - this set is in STEREO when they were only ever issued in MONO! Some would therefore say that this whole compilation only compounds the mistake of the 1988 issues and is a further historical travesty. But I'd argue that accuracy's loss is the listener's gain - because these NEW STEREO REMASTERS are simply astonishing soundwise - they really are.

 

GUY MASSEY, STEVE ROOKE, PAUL HICKS and SEAN MAGEE remastered the original masters tapes with the whole project overseen by ALLAN ROUSE - and they've all done a stunning job. Here are the intimate track-by-track details...

 

Disc 1 (42:31 minutes):

1. Love Me Do

5 October 1962 debut UK 7" single on Parlophone R 4949

Track 1 is the A-side - the mix has Ringo on the drums - the album version has sessionman Andy White - it's sometimes referred to as the "Original Single Version"

 

2. From Me To You

3. Thank You Girl

11 April 1963 3rd UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5015

Tracks 2 and 3 are the A & B - both tracks were non-album

 

4. She Loves You

5. I'll Get You

23 August 1963 4th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5055

Tracks 4 and 5 are the A & B - both tracks were non-album

 

6. I Want To Hold Your Hand

7. This Boy

23 November 1963 5th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5084

Tracks 6 and 7 are the A & B - both tracks were non-album

 

8. Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand

9. Sie Liebt Dich

March 1964 German 7" single on Odeon 0 22 671

Tracks 8 and 9 are German sung versions of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You" [A & B]. "I Want To..." is the UK backing track with German vocals simply overdubbed on top, but the "She Loves You" version is an entirely different take. It was recorded in EMI's Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris in late January 1964 - both tracks were then issued in a picture sleeve in March 1964 in Germany on Odeon credited as Die Beatles. "Komm..." later turned up as an album track on the US and German Stereo versions of the "Something New" LP in August and September of 1964 (Capitol ST-2108 and Odeon STO/SMO 83756). "Sie Liebt Dich" was later issued on the October 1979 UK compilation LP "Rarities" on Parlophone PSLP 261.

 

10. Long Tall Sally

11. I Call Your Name

12. Slow Down

13. Matchbox

Tracks 10 to 13 are the 4-track British EP "Long Tall Sally" issued 19 June 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8913. "Long Tall Sally" is a Little Richard cover, "I Call Your Name" a Lennon/McCartney original while "Slow Down" and "Matchbox" are Larry Williams and Carl Perkins cover versions. All tracks were non-album at the time.

 

14. I Feel Fine

15. She's A Woman

27 November 1964 8th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5200

Tracks 14 and 15 are the A & B - both tracks were non-album

 

16. Bad Boy

Track 16 is another Larry Williams cover version; this stereo version first appeared in the USA on "Beatles VI" in May 1965 on Capitol ST-2358; it's UK debut was on the December 1966 compilation LP "A Collection Of Beatles Oldies" on Parlophone PCS 7016.

 

17. Yes It Is

9 April 1965 9th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5265

Track 17 is the non-album B-side to the UK single "Ticket To Ride"

 

18. I'm Down

23 July 1965 10th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5305

Track 18 is the non-album B-side to the UK single "Help!"

 

Disc 2 (51:00 minutes):

1. Day Tripper

2. We Can Work It Out

2 December 1965 11th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5389

Tracks 1 and 2 were a Double A-side; both tracks were non-album

 

3. Paperback Writer

4. Rain

10 June 1966 12th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5452

Tracks 3 and 4 are the A&B - both tracks were non-album

 

5. Lady Madonna

6. The Inner Light

15 March 1968 17th UK 7" single on Parlophone R 5675

Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B - both tracks were non-album

 

7. Hey Jude

8. Revolution

30 August 1968 18th UK 7" single on Apple R 5722 (1st on Apple)

Tracks 7 and 8 are the A & B - both were non-album

(The tracks "Revolution 1" and "Revolution 9" on "The Beatles" double-album (The White Album) are different versions)

 

9. Get Back [with Billy Preston]

10. Don't Let Me Down [with Billy Preston]

11 April 1969 19th UK single on Apple R 5777

Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B credited to THE BEATLES with BILLY PRESTON - A is a different version to the LP cut; B is non-album

 

11. The Ballad Of John And Yoko

12. Old Brown Shoe

30 May 1969 20th UK 7" single on Apple R 5786 [1st UK 7" in STEREO]

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B - A features vocal lead by John Lennon with backup from Paul; B-side is a George Harrison song with him on Lead vocals; both tracks were non-album

 

13. Across The Universe

This is the version that preceded the more famous "Let It Be" LP cut (released May 1970); this "birds & nature" version was given to a charity album for the World Wildlife Fund called "No One's Gonna Change Our World" released 12 December 1969 in the UK on one of EMI's budget labels - Regal Starline SRS 5018. It has none of the strings or choir added by Phil Spector to the LP cut...and was said to be the take favoured by John Lennon who wrote the song

 

14. Let It Be

15. You Know My Name (Look Up My Number)

6 March 1970 22nd UK 7" single on Apple R5833 (Last Release as a Band)

Tracks 14 and 15 are the A&B - A is in STEREO; B is in MONO; A-side is credited to THE BEATLES with Billy Preston and features a different guitar solo by George Harrison than the album cut - both tracks were non-album

 

Regarding the astonishing Audio. George Harrison's B-side "The Inner Light" ("Lady Madonna" was the A) is a good example of the sound improvement - it's just beautifully clear. It's loud yes, but not amplified to a point where hiss drowns out the song (there's none). And listening to Disc 2 especially - you're struck with awe at how good they were. Most of these tracks were only SINGLES back in the day - yet most bands these days would kill a beloved granny for 10% of such craft and talent. Double whammies like "Hey Jude" and "Revolution", "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down", "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work It Out" are just amazing.

 

Of the earlier stuff - the three part harmonies of "This Boy" and "Yes It Is" sound so young and fresh - while the Rock 'n' Roll stuff exudes their passion for the music. And that guitar on "Paperback Writer" packs a mean left hook. By the time you get to "Let It Be" and "Across The Universe" - the 'best band ever in the history of the world' doesn't seem like an accolade too far. Soundwise literally everything seems up for grabs here - and in a thrilling new way...

 

For me this rather dull looking double "Past Masters" is one of the best 09/09/09 releases. The song quality is incredible from start to finish and it also rather eloquently shows The Beatles extraordinary development from pop ditty songsters in 1963 to pure rock genius by 1969. 

 

OK - so "Past Masters" is not historically accurate - but I suspect for the average listener this will not matter - they'll be too busy enjoying the brilliance coming out of their speakers to care about chronology...and isn't that exactly how the boys would have wanted it...