"Buddah And The Chocolate Box" by CAT STEVENS – March 1974 UK Album on Island Records and April 1974 in the USA on A&M Records – featuring Alun Davies of Sweet Thursday, Mark Warner of Quantum Jump, Jean Roussel of Hanson, Gerry Conway of Fairport Convention, Jim Ryan, Bruce Lynch, Roland Harker and more with Arrangements by Jean Roussel and Del Newman (August 2000 UK Universal/Island 1CD Reissue – Cat Stevens Remasters Series – Ted Jensen Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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1974

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"...Oh Very Young..."

I've always loved March 1974's "Buddah And The Chocolate Box" (or least parts of it), though I can also recall that years later many cited it as the beginning of a Cat Stevens musical decline. 

That slide continued with the silly "Numbers" album in November 1975, "Izitso" in April 1977 and "Back To Earth" in December 1978 – three more adrift Seventies albums that no one really cared about then and it has remained that way ever since (he became Yusef Islam and retired in 1980).

Back to 1974 and definitely time for a reappraisal of the wee sweetie that is "Buddah And The Chocolate Box", especially given the gorgeous and revealing CD Remaster/Transfer. Done by Ted Jensen in New York for Island's 'Cat Stevens Remasters' series (11 titles pictured on the inlay spine, nine studio albums and two hits compilations) – this reissue is an Audio gem and one that is largely forgotten too. Time to unwrap the gold foils and get to the candy dandies underneath...

UK released August 2000 - "Buddah And The Chocolate Box" by CAT STEVENS on Universal/Island Remasters IMCD 273/546 888-2 (Barcode 731454688826) is a straightforward CD transfer and is part of the Cat Stevens Remasters Series that plays out as follows (32:25 minutes): 

1. Music [Side 1]
2. Oh Very Young 
3. Sun/C79 
4. Ghost Town 
5. Jesus 
6. Ready [Side 2]
7. King Of Trees 
8. A Bad Penny 
9. Home In The Sky 
Tracks 1 to 9 are his eighth studio album "Buddah And The Chocolate Box" – released late March 1974 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9274 and early April 1974 in the USA on A&M Records SP 3623. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH and CAT STEVENS – it peaked at No. 3 in the UK and No. 2 in the USA. Note: technically both the front cover and label of all original LPs credited the album title as "Cat Stevens’ Buddah And The Chocolate Box" – but over the years has simply become known as "Buddah And The Chocolate Box". 

Principal Band:
CAT STEVENS – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards and Synth 
ALUN DAVIES (of Sweet Thursday) – Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals 
JEAN ROUSSEL (of Hanson) – Keyboards 
BRUCE LYNCH – Bass 
GERRY CONWAY (of Fairport Convention) – Drums and backing Vocals 

Guests: 
Mark Warner (later of Quantum Jump) with Jim Ryan on Guitars 
Roland Harker on Banjo 
Various Backing Singers (14 first names only)
String Arrangements on "A Bad Penny" by Jean Roussel and "Music" by Del Newman

The 12-page booklet reproduces the original LP's artwork - lyrics, musician credits, the tray of chocolate Buddah figures is beneath the see-through CD tray and so on - but there are no new liner notes (more's the pity). Even if the dark-coloured rear makes reading anything on it virtually impossible, with its 'Cat Stevens Remasters' pictures of album-covers down the see-through spine, this reissue stills makes for a pretty CD jewel case to look at. 

But the real fireworks come in the Remaster - handled by a vastly experienced and long-time Audio Engineer TED JENSEN. By 1974, Cat had his band down tight and the analogue simplicity of say 1970's "Tea For A Tillerman" and 1971's "Teaser And The Firecat" had given way to the studio sophistication of "Foreigner" in 1973. "Buddah..." is a beautifully recorded album and this CD Remaster reflects those original production values. To the music...

You're immediately whomped with a funky piano - Cat being a lover of life amidst a sea of materialistic fools. The Production pours on strings, synths and backing vocals - its neck-jerking Rock strut assuring us that new music can enlighten and save us. Stevens is clearly at war with himself - fame, money and a lack of purpose in God's plan clearly eating him up (did that ending). What follows will surely be one of his fan's faves "Oh Very Young" - as sweet a song as he's ever written about children and growing up in jeans soon full of patches and other compromises. I think the female backing singers make the melody sing - though with only first names in the musician credits - we can't say who does the lead vocal. 

Another total album winner comes in the shape of the double-song "Sun/C79" - his synth playing and that "...sit you down..." break is genius. On the road again and she was in Seat C79 - a drug-habit woman that took his heart but he still couldn't remember what colour her eyes were. Again the clarity of that nightmarish opening to "Ghost Town" is impressive - that Gallagher and Lyle Drums, Bass and Harmonica opening whacking your speakers with real intent - followed up by piano and pedal steel (a far better song than I remember). Side 1 ends with the very personal "Jesus" where an icon is remembered. And in the dark evening when Cat is lost for inspiration - our hero still turns to the thought that his example and "...love will lead the blind..." 

Huge treated acoustic guitars open Side 2's "Ready" - Cat kept awake with her wide Lily smile - hope in her ways - and again the backing singers and Production values just Rock. "King Of Trees" starts quietly with piano soon to be joined by Band-like organ - a guardian of days in the forest - evergreens coming to take him back to peace. A Clavinet and his hurting vocal gives "A Bad Penny" a power but I think the strings are a tad overdone. It ends on "Home In The Sky" - a wall of Acapella voices giving way to organ and piano - a nice tune but again ever so slightly overdone. 

19 March 2001 would see all three of his final Seventies studio albums also join the Cat Stevens Remasters series in the UK - November 1975's "Numbers (A Pythagorean Theory Tale)" on Universal/Island IMCD 277 (Barcode 731454689021), April 1977's "Izitso" on IMCD 278 (Barcode 731454689120) and December 1978's "Back To Earth" on IMCD 279 (Barcode 731454689229). 

I've also reviewed "Mona Bone Jakon" (1970), "Catch Bull At Four" (1972) and "Foreigner" (1973) in the Cat Stevens Remasters series, as well as the two Deluxe Edition 2CD Reissues of "Tea For A Tillerman" (1970) and "Teaser And The Firecat" (1971) and the "On The Road To Find Out" 4CD Box Set career retrospective from October 2001 - reissued June 2008 as a Book Set (see separate reviews for all). 

"Buddah And The Chocolate Box" is a good Cat Stevens' album rather than a great one, but even in half-measures, I've always loved the positivity and beauty in the man's melodies. There is a lot to rediscover here and it's online for less than a fiver in certain places - now that is sweet...

"Catch Bull At Four" by CAT STEVENS - September 1972 UK 6th Studio Album on Island Records (August 2000 UK Island 'Remasters' 1CD Reissue - Ted Jensen Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I'll Tell You Everything I've Learned...

And Love...Is All He Said..."

Arriving onto a panting public in September 1972 - Steven Georgiou's sixth album (his fourth for Island Records UK, A&M Records USA) has always had something of a poor man's relationship to the two absolute joys that preceded it - "Tea For The Tillerman" (November 1970) and "Teaser And The Firecat" (September 1971). I can recall despite its huge-selling No. 2 and No. 1 status in the UK and USA, it wasn't critically well received and only a few years later - always the Cat Stevens album that got sold in first when cash got tight.

Well in 2019, "Catch Bull At Four" is a whopping 47 years old and I would argue that its one to return to for three good reasons - there are enough great songs to savour, the December 1999 audio transfer is absolutely gorgeous (eventually released globally in August 2000) and its still cheaper than a Nigel Farage milkshake. "Can't Keep It In" indeed - here are the bullish details...

UK released August 2000 - "Catch Bull At Four" by CAT STEVENS on Island IMCD 271/546 886-2 (Barcode 731454688628) is a straightforward transfer of the 1972 album Remastered onto CD and plays out as follows (39:40 minutes):

1. Sitting [Side 1]

2. The Boy With The Moon & Star On His Head

3. Angelsea

4. Silent Sunlight

5. Can't Keep It In

6. 18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare) [Side 2]

7. Freezing Steel

8. O' Caritas

9. Sweet Scarlet

10. Ruins

Tracks 1 to 10 are his sixth studio album "Catch Bull At Four" - released September 1972 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9206 and October 1972 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4365. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 1 on the US LP charts.

CAT STEVENS - Lead Vocals, Piano, Synthesiser, Diamond Organ, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and Mandolin

ALUN DAVIES - Acoustic (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7) and Spanish Guitar (Track 4)

JEAN ROUSSEL - Organ and Piano

ALAN JAMES - Bass (Vocals on Track 3)

GERRY CONWAY - Drums

Guests:

Linda Lewis - Backing Vocals on "Angelsea"

Del Newman - Strings on "Silent Sunlight" and "18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare)"

Andreas Toumazis - Bouzouki on "O' Caritas"

As with all of these 'Island Remasters' CD issues, the 12-page booklet reproduces only the original LP artwork (the lyrics that were on the inner gatefold, the players pictured, Cat Stevens rear photo etc) with no new liner notes - which is a shame. The see-through spine has a cover artwork montage of the nine Island/A&M Records LPs issued between April 1970 through to January 1979 - "Mona Bona Jakon" to "Back To Earth" as well as two Greatest Hits sets (all now part of the 'Island Remasters' series of CDs).

But the big news here is the TED JENSEN Remaster from original two-track analogue master tapes done at Sterling Sound Studios in New York in December 1999. Jensen has managed to instil new life into these recordings – the acoustic led numbers like "Ruins" and particularly "The Boy With A Moon & Star On His Head" sound glorious – clean too – but not supressed – while band-led tunes like the synth-led "Angelsea", the pop single "Can’t Keep It In", the Side 2 opener "18^th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare)" and the house of "Freezing Steel" electric guitar chugger are now bursting with revelatory audio.

For sure Side 2 is weak - "Sweet Scarlet" and "O' Caritas" still underwhelming and even odd – but the I’m on my way song "Sitting" and the album sleeper "Ruins" feels like rediscoveries waiting for you in the digital ether. But for me the album’s masterpiece has always been the moving and beautifully simple acoustic melody of "The Boy With A Moon & Star On His Head" – surely one of prettiest songs and those final lyrics always manage to floor me every time – I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned – and love is all he said – indeed.

Cat Stevens would give us the sophisticated but misunderstood "Foreigner" album in July 1973 that itself would go up to an impressive No. 3 in the USA and UK respectively (check out the stunning Side 1 Foreigner Suite collection of connecting songs). In the meantime check out the gift that someone left, the basket by the door, the man with the cool hat and nice smile on the rear cover urging you get a guiding wheel...(will do Cat)...

"Home In Your Heart: The Best Of..." by SOLOMON BURKE (July 1993 Rhino/Atlantic & Atco Remasters 2CDs - Ted Jensen Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Meet Me In Church..."

For sure in 2019 - and even if they are from original master tapes as stated on the artwork - Remasters from January 1992 are 'old'. But that doesn't stop this barnstorming Solomon Burke twofer anthology (released July 1993 in the UK) from doing exactly what it says on the lame-suit lid – hitting you in the Solar Plexus and making a "Home In Your Heart".

Longstanding Audio Engineer and Associate to US reissue label giant Rhino Records - TED JENSEN did these transfers back in the day as I said and I've always loved the way they sound - full of life and oomph and that storming live-in-the-studio Sixties feel. Then throw in the fact that you get a whoop-ass 41 slices of primo Atlantic Records Soul (34 singles and 7 album tracks to be exact-a-mundo) and I'm Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye). And Burke had 21 children! There's a lot on here, so let's get to the prayer books and have those remorseful tear ducts a-flowing people 'cause I feel a sin coming on (Lord have mercy)...

UK released July 1993 - "Home In Your Heart: The Best Of Solomon Burke" by SOLOMON BURKE on Rhino/Atlantic 8122-70284-2 (Barcode 081227028428) is a 41-Track 2CD Anthology of 1992 Remasters that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (57:35 minutes):

1. Home In Your Heart (February 1963 US 7"single on Atlantic 45-2180, B-side of "Words" - A-side is Track 8 on Disc 1)

2. Down In The Valley (May 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2147, A-side - B-side is Track 4 on Disc 1)

3. Looking For My Baby (July 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2241, B-side of "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" - A-side is Track 18 on Disc 1)

4. I'm Hanging Up My Heart For You (May 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2147, B-side - A-side is Track 2 on Disc 1)

5. Cry To Me (January 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2131, A-side - B-side isn't on this compilation)

6. Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) (August 1961 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2114, A-side - B-side isn't on this compilation)

7. Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (April 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2226, A-side - B-side is Track 15 on Disc 1)

8. Words (February 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2180, A-side - B-side is Track 1 on Disc 1)

9. Stupidity (July 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2196, B-side of "Can't Nobody Love You" - A-side is Track 13 on Disc 1)

10. Send Me Some Loving (from the 1963 US album "If You Need Me" on Atlantic SD 8085 in Stereo)

11. Go On Back To Him (December 1962 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2170, A-side)

12. Baby (I Wanna Be Loved) (from the 1962 US album "Solomon Burke's Greatest Hits" on Atlantic SD 8067 in Stereo)

13. Can't Nobody Love You (July 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2196, A-side - B-side is Track 9 on Disc 1)

14. Got To Get You Off My Mind (February 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2276, A-side)

15. Someone To Love Me (April 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2226, B-side to "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" - A-side is Track 7 on Disc 1)

16. You're Good For Me (October 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2205, A-side)

17. Dance Dance Dance (August 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2299, B-side of "Someone Is Watching" - A-side is Track 10 on Disc 2)

18. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (July 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2241, A-side - B-side is Track 3 on Disc 1) 

19. Tonight's The Night (May 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2288, A-side)

20. Baby, Come On Home (December 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2314, A-side)

21. If You Need Me (March 1963 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2185, A-side)

22. The Price (October 1964 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2259, A-side)

Disc 2 (57:53 minutes):

1. Get Out Of My Life Woman (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

2. Save It  (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

3. Take Me (Just As I Am) (June 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2416, A-side - B-side is Track 13 on Disc 2)

4. When She Touches Me (October 1966 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2359, A-side - B-side is Track 17 on Disc 2)

5. I Wish I Knew (April 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2507, A-side - B-side is Track 14 on Disc 2)

6. Party People (February 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2483, A-side)

7. Keep A Light In The Window (January 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2378, A-side - B-side is Track 16 on Disc 2)

8. I Feel A Sin Coming On (March 1966 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2327, A-side)

9. Meet Me In Church (June 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2527, B-side of "Save It")

10. Someone Is Watching (August 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2299, A-side - B-side is Track 17 on Disc 1)

11. Detroit City (November 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2459, A-side - B-side is Track 18 on Disc 2)

12. Shame On Me (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

13. I Stayed Away Too Long (June 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2416, B-side of "Take Me (Just As I Am") - A-side is Track 3 on Disc 2)

14. It's Just A Matter Of Time (April 1968 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2507, B-side of "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)" - A-side is Track 5 on Disc 2)

15. Since I Met You Baby (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

16. Time Is A Thief (January 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2378, B-side of "Keep A Light In The Window Until I Get Home" - A-side is Track 7 on Disc 2)

17. Woman, How Do You Make Me Love You Like I Do (October 1966 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2359, B-side of "When She Touches Me" - A-side is Track 4 on Disc 2)

18. It's Been A Change (November 1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2459, B-side of "Detroit City" - A-side is Track 11 on Disc 2)

19. What'd I Say (from the 1968 album "I Wish I Knew" on Atlantic SD 8185 in Stereo)

The 22-page booklet has illuminating and often-hilarious liner notes by GERI HIRSHEY on the larger-than-life Burke of whom it was said could sing to soften or arouse on a dime. The famous Atlantic Records albums "I Wish I Knew" and "Rock 'N Soul" are given full pages and there's a hugely detailed track-by-track Sessionography where you'll spot names like King Curtis and Sam Taylor (Saxophones), Eric Gale, Reggie Young, Billy Butler, Joe South and Jimmy Johnson (Guitars) with Spooner Oldham (Organ) - creamy company indeed. The track list at the rear even gives you Master Tape Numbers and US R&B and Pop chart positions. To the music... 

"...You laughed...you called me my personal clown in front of your friends...you cost me..." - pity poor Solomon as he wails like a man with a nail in his head never mind his shoe on "The Price" - typical melodrama where he does all but weep and ask the Lord for mercy (can't unfortunately help but think that he's heard these calls before from butter-wouldn't-melt in his mouth Solomon). I'd have to say that the Bear Family "Sweet Soul Music - 1961" Remaster for "Just Out Of Reach (For My Two Empty Arms)" is far better than what's on offer here - but that doesn't stop it from being wickedly period. Even better is the sexy shuffle of "Got To Get You Off My Mind" where Solomon's gal has only gone and found someone new and better (so it ain't so papa) - Sam Taylor and Charles Brown punching out those boppin' horns.

But the beauty of this vaults-trawl is that it gives you deeper stuff than obvious compilation cuts like "Cry To Me" and the titular "Home In Your Heart" - dig those 1968 shimmy-shaker LP tracks on Disc 2 like "Save It" (when Solomon gets home he’s gonna have needs) and his call-and-response version of the Ray Charles classic "What’d I Say" – an overdone tune that he brings something new to (Bobby Emmons giving it a bit of Ray on the electric piano while Reggie Young (who only passed this year) plays cool guitar licks. He gets preachy and down with Gospel-Soul on fantastic smoochers like "Meet Me In Church", the quarrelling song "Shame On Me" and the pleader "I Stayed Away Too Long". The intro to "Detroit City" might be a tad hissy but those Joe South and Jimmy Johnson guitar flicks keep things interesting, whilst legendary kit-man Roger Hawkins anchors the brass chugging along to the backbeat like they were to the musical manor born. Burke even keeps up with changing times by covering the Staples Singer educational-call-to-arms stomper "It's Been A Change" - pleading with Washington to open their ears.

A fabulous wealth of Soul, Gospel, Boogie and damn it – sexiness! "...All of the time I keep saying, I'm gonna quit you, but, but, but..." - Solomon stammer-sings on "Woman, How Do You Make Me Love You Like I Do" – bemoaning his dreadful and not in the least bit self-inflicted lovelorn fate (easy on that man woman). Grooviest sounds around and then some...

"Thirds" by JAMES GANG [featuring Joe Walsh] - April 1971 US LP on ABC Records and July 1971 UK LP on Probe Records (June 2000 US MCA CD Reissue - Bill Szymczyk and Ted Jensen Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Midnight Man..."

It's not a dyed-in-the-wool five-star classic for sure. And yet I've always stroked and petted (with scary regularity) my British Probe Records copy of the 1971 vinyl LP "Thirds" by The James Gang (mottled sleeve and pink label) - gawking at the poor battering thing with undiminished affection.

Of the nine 1971 tracks maybe only four are gems - but on the last album The James Gang did with the future Eagles axeman Joe Walsh – boys-oh-boys what mighty nuggets those forgotten songs are. And it’s the record that also let Drummer Jim Fox and newcomer Bassist Dale Peters shine as songwriters too. Let's go to the midnight men and dig it (y'all)...

US released June 2000 - "Thirds" by JAMES GANG on MCA Records 088 112 022-2 (Barcode 008811202224) is a straightforward 9-track CD Remaster of the original 1971 LP that plays out as follows (36:14 minutes):

1. Walk Away [Side 1]

2. Yadig?

3. Things I Could Be

4. Dreamin' In The Country

5. It's All The Same

6. Midnight Man [Side 2]

7. Again

8. White Man/Black Man

9. Live My Life Again

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 3rd studio album "Thirds" - released April 1971 in the USA on ABC Records ABCX-721 and July 1971 in the UK on Probe Records SPB 1038. Produced by THE JAMES GANG and BILL SZYMCZYK - it was their final album with Joe Walsh and peaked at No. 27 in the US LP charts (didn't chart UK). Tracks 1, 5, 6 and 7 written by Joe Walsh - Tracks 3 and 9 written by Jim Fox - Tracks 4 and 8 written by Dale Peters and Track 2 written by all three members of the band.

JAMES GANG was:

JOE WALSH - Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar and Electric Piano and Violin Arrangements on "Again"

DALE PETERS – Electric Bass on all Tracks except Upright Bass on "Yadig?” - Lead Vocals on "Dreamin' In The Country" and "White Man/Black Man" and Backing Vocals on "Midnight Man”

JIM FOX – Drums on all tracks, Vibes on the instrumental "Yadig?”, Lead, Backing Vocals and Organ on "Things I Could Be", Track Piano on "Dreamin' In The Country" and Pianos on "Live My Life Again"

Guests:

Mary Sterpka (of Lacewing) - Duet Lead Vocals with Joe Walsh on "Midnight Man"

The Sweet Inspirations (of Atlantic Records) - Backing Vocals on "White Man/Black Man"

Tom Baker - Horns Arranged and Played on "It's All The Same” and "Live My Life Again”

The three-way foldout inlay is hardly the stuff of legend - the picture of the three boys that graced the rear sleeve with the track-by-track session details and on the rear that long list of 'thank you' names that graced the inner record bag - everyone from Groucho Marx and W.C. Fields to Wonderdog, James Bond and The Cookie Monster, from J.S. Bach, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend (a champion of Joe Walsh from the get go - invited on a Who tour as a support act) to Lonnie Mack and Elvis' Back-Up Band. There are some new comments from Dale Peters and Jim Fox (none from Walsh) about the recordings - tracks made with Little Richard that never saw the light of day due to contractual crap - their pride in songs like "Walk Away" and "Midnight Man" - their admiration for Joe's axework and so on.

TED JENSEN and original LP producer BILL SZYMCZYK (later produced Joe Walsh’s solo work and The Eagles) did the Digital Remasters from original tapes at Sterling Sound in New York and it sounds fantastic. Those formerly muddied horns by Tom Baker on "It's All The Same", the Soulful vocals of The Sweet Inspirations on "Midnight Man" and those Jim Fox Vibes on the slinky instrumental "Yadig?" all now in your face and for all the right reasons.

The album opens on a slice of axe-wielding Rock joy and a track Walsh would play regularly as a Solo Artist – the fab riffage of  "Walk Away". Describing himself (wittily) in the track-by-track breakdown as a 'Train Wreck - it featured as the opening song on his April 1976 live set "You Can't Argue With A Sick Mind" with ABC Records UK even putting it on the 99p-selling 4-Track 12" single "Plus Four EP" in July 1977. Like the swagger of "Funk 49" - "Walk Away" is the 'All Right Now' of Joe Walsh's catalogue - dig that soloing as it fades out. There then follows a startling segue moment as we slide slinkily into the Jazz Instrumental "Yadig?" where Drummer Jim Fox plays a blinder on the Vibes as Joe shuffles his electric piano keys and Dale Peters compliments on an upright Bass (towards the end of the track Joe sneaks in a sexy solo too). Diversions done, we're back to Rock with Jim Fox's excellent "Things I Could Be" where he plays Drums, Organ and sings Lead Vocals - but it's Joe's guitar contributions that give it such a great feel. "Dreamin' In The Country" sounds like its title - a rather lame countrified doodle where JW has a go at a Pedal Steel. Way better is the fabulous "It's All The Same" - a Joe Walsh tune lifted up above its lonesome solo piano opening by Tom Baker's Horns that come sailing in and lend the Side 1 closer a truly epic feel. As the years have passed I've grown to adore "It's All The Same" - the Bacharach type brass interludes playing off against those high-strung acoustic guitars (and he mentions 'meadows' which would of course become a hit song for JW in its own right on his second solo LP "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" in 1973).

Side 2 opens with the magisterial "Midnight Man" - a song both Peters and Fox clearly rate as Joe Walsh's finest moment to that point because they both namecheck it in the new liner notes. And his solo too – superb. Band 7 "Again" may be the album's sleeper - another seductive JW melody this time bolstered up with violins (which he arranged) and not brass. Half way through it goes into an America-type shuffle - the remaster bringing out those strums and subtle electric piano notes. But despite my adoration of all things JW - I will openly admit that my heart belongs to Dale Peters on the "Thirds" album because of his magnificent song "White Man/Black Man" tucked away as Track 3 on Side 2. ABC Records in the USA slapped it on the B-side of the more commercial "Midnight Man" in October 1971 (ABC Records 11312) and were rewarded with a minor single hit at No.80. The UK saw never saw that release and so is a bit of a rarity on our side of the pond ("Walk Away" paired with "Yadig?" on the flipside was issued as Blighty's only 45 from the album in April 1971 on Probe Records PRO 533). I used to feature Dale Peters singing "White Man/Black Man" on so many CD-R compilations that I’d made as shuffle plays in Reckless Records in Berwick Street. Not recognising the vocalist but maybe the guitar playing - it was the kind of Soulful slow-marching Rock song that always elicited excited punter enquiries (who is this!) – the gorgeous singing of The Sweet Inspirations (one of Atlantic Records premier backing vocalist groups who had albums in their own right), Joe's fabulous guitar soloing and its racial equality lyrics – all would combine - bringing it on home every time it was played. And the album ends on another JW sleeper – the slow and epic "Live My Life Again" where he employs both The Sweet Inspirations and Tom Baker’s horns to huge effect. A great end to a great but underrated album...

Walsh would jump ship and the James Gang continued with other guitarists – namely Dominic Troiano and of course the mercurial Tommy Bolin. Joe would start his amazing solo career with the fabulous "Barnstorm" in 1972 – an album I might even be buried with. But if you want to know why Pete Townshend raved about him then and Daryl Hall had him over to Daryl’s House for a session now, then check out "Thirds", cheap as chips and sounding just as mouth-watering on this June 2000 CD Remaster.

The James Gang were always a solid little rocking American Band – the kind of group you couldn’t help loving and like The Faces or Humble Pie or Grand Funk Railroad - miss 45 years after the event...