"Spread Your Love: The Complete Minit Singles 1966-1970" by JIMMY HOLIDAY(January 2015 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Somebody Special..."

Now here's a CD compilation that will warm the cockerels of even the most jaded Soul listener. In fact in reviewing this gorgeous listen - the word 'class' keeps coming to mind. Kent-Soul have produced some absolute corkers when it comes to Sixties/Seventies Classic Soul CD compilations - but this really is a sweetheart of a release (and to my ears boasts the best audio for JIMMY HOLIDAY material that I've ever heard). Here are micro detailed Minits...

UK released January 2015 - "Spread Your Love: The Complete Minit Singles 1966-1970" by JIMMY HOLIDAY on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 427 (Barcode 029667242721) pans out as follows (73:29 minutes):

1. Baby I Love You (July 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32002, A)
2. You Won't Get Away (July 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32002, B)
3. The Turning Point (September 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32011, A)
4. I'm Gonna Move To The City (September 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32011, B)
5. In The Eyes Of My Girl (1966 US 7" single on Minit 32014, A, scheduled but cancelled)
6. Give Me Your Love (December 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32016, B)
7. Everybody Needs Help (December 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32016, A)
8. Ready, Willing And Able - JIMMY HOLIDAY and CLYDE KING (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32021, A)
9. We Got A Good Thing Goin' - JIMMY HOLIDAY and CLYDE KING (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32021, B)
10. I Wanna Help Hurry My Brother Home (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32023, A)
11. We Forgot About Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32023, A)
12. The Beauty Of A Girl In Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32028, A)
13. Everything Is Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32028, B)
14. Spread Your Love (June 1968 US 7" single on Minit 32040, A)
15. We Got A Good Thing Goin' (June 1968 US 7" single on Minit 32040, B)
16. I'm Gonna Use What I Got (To Get What I Need) (1968 US 7" single on Minit 32053, A)
17. I Don't Want To Hear It (scheduled B-side of 32053, but withdrawn, replaced with 18)
18. I Found A New Love (1968 US 7" single on Minit 32053, B)
19. Baby Boy's In Love (March 1969 US 7" single on Minit 32058, A)
20. If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time (March 1969 US 7" single on Minit 32058, B)
21. Yesterday Died (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32079, A)
22. Would You Like To Love Me (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32079, B)
23. A Man Ain't Nothing With A Woman (1970 USA 7" single on Minit 32097, A)
24. I'm In Love With You (1970 USA 7" single on Minit 32097, B)
25. I've Got Live While I Can (from the 1966 US STEREO LP "Turning Point" on Minit LP-40005)
26. Nobody's Fault But Your Own (from the 1966 US MONO LP "Turning Point" on Minit LP-24005)
Tracks 1, 3 to 5, 7 and 8, 11 and 12, 14 to 17, 21, 23 to 25 are STEREO
Tracks 2, 6, 9 and 10, 13, 18 to 20, 22, and 26 are MONO
By including tracks 25 and 26 from the LP as effectively bonus tracks - this CD will also allow fans to sequence his lone album on the Minit label.

The vinyl album "Turning Point" was issued 1966 in the USA in both Mono (Minit LP-24005) and Stereo (Minit LP-40005)
Side 1:
1. The Turning Point [3]
2. Baby I Love You [1]
3. In The Eyes Of My Girls  [5]
4. I Don't Want To Hear It [17]
5. Everybody Needs Help [7]
6. We Forgot About Love [11]
Side 2:
1. I'm Gonna Move To The City [4]
2. I've Got To Live While I Can [25]
3. Give Me Your Love [6] (Mono)
4. Everything Is Love [13] (Mono)
5. Nobody's Fault But Your Own [26] (Mono)
6. We Got A Good Thing Goin' [15]
Above are all Stereo except where noted

The 12-page booklet pictures the labels of American Minit 45's and some of their UK equivalents on Liberty (including some tasty demos - full colour spread on the back page), both the American and British sleeves of his lone Minit Records album "Turning Point" (called "Spread Your Love" in the UK), trade adverts and press articles. But best of all are the typically fab liner notes from Soul aficionado TONY ROUNCE that flesh out the sequence of hits and misses (three songs charted on the American R&B charts - track 1 at 21, track 7 at 36 and track 14 at 35) with his knowledge and quotes from interviews of the period. But the big news for fans has to be the audio - done by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London - the remasters are fantastic. There's a wonderful clarity on these transfers (Stereo or Mono). Some have hiss for sure - but far more evident than that is the warmth to the voices and the instruments that feel better to me than my "Imperial/Minit" CD set of old (90s EMI CD).

It opens with a belter and one of his most famous songs "Baby I Love You" - which made 21 on the American R&B charts in 1966. The Stereo cut is fantastic - full of that great Sixties Soul feel. His next effort is the title track to the album "Turning Point" where he pleads "...my love went wrong and my heart got burnt...now I stand alone...at the turning point..." As Rounce quite rightly enthuses about his passionate delivery - the slow string-laden melodrama pace and his hiccupping crying singing (ala Jackie Wilson) don't so much labour the point as wring its neck (a fabulous Soul track). It's flip "I'm Gonna Move To The City" is a Northern Soul dancer if ever there was one.

I can understand why Minit chose "Everybody Needs Help" as the A with it's "help a blind man...life is rough..." lyrics - but personally one of the best tracks on this compilation for me is its flip - the mid-tempo neck-jerker "Give Me Your Love" that sports a wicked keyboard riff throughout sounding not unlike Clarence Carter on Atlantic circa 1968/1969 (a few years before the event). I bought the bopper "Ready, Willing And Able" on one of those Stateside £3.99 LPs back in 1989 - what a great tune - his voice combining with Clyde King to 'sock it to me' perfection. The other chart hit on here is "Spread Your Love" - a frantic passed dancer once again adopted as a favourite by Northern Soul floor shapers in the mid Seventies. "Baby Boy's In Love" gets all James Brown & The JB's funky while his cover of Lefty Frizzell's "If You Got The Money, I've Got The Time" complete with yodels is probably the weirdest song on here. At the tail end I find "Yesterday Died" is among the best.

He passed away aged only 52 in 1987 having suffered from coronary problems for most of his life (including having open-heart surgery in 1968). With his great voice and heartbreak songs - Jimmy Holiday is remembered with such affection and on the evidence presented so superbly by Ace's Kent-Soul here - it's easy to hear why...

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"Hard To Handle: Black America Sings Otis Redding" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (October 2012 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...These Arms Of Mine..."

In the cleverly compiled and musically uplifting "Black America Sings..." series of CD compilations – so far Ace Records of the UK have done Bob Dylan ("How Many Roads"), The Beatles ("Come Together" and "Let It Be"), Bacharach and David ("Let The Music Play"), Sam Cooke ("Bring It On Home") and Stevie Wonder – mostly with applause from the sceptics beside the nods of the already-converted. 

So it was always going to be the turn of the mighty Otis "Dock Of The Bay" Redding at some point in time – and 2012's "Hard To Handle" doesn't disappoint. It even manages to pull off a bit of a coup by throwing a superb Previously Unreleased Take by the great man himself. Here are the dreams to remember...

UK released October 2012 – "Hard To Handle: Black America Sings Otis Redding" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace CDCHD 1352 (Barcode 029667052627) is a 25-track CD compilation of Various Artists and pans out as follows (71:06 minutes):

1. These Arms Of Mine – ALBERT WASHINGTON & THE KINGS (1968 US 7" single on Fraternity 1002, A - and March 1968 UK 7" single on President PT 182, A)

2. Sister Pitiful – JUDY CLAY (1969 US 7" single on Atlantic 2669, A)

3. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – WILLIAM BELL (1967 US LP "The Soul Of A Man" on Stax S 719)

4. Baby Cakes – MAXINE BROWN (1967 Wand recording first appeared on the 1985 UK LP "Like Never Before" (by Maxine Brown) on Kent 047)

5. Think About It – KING FLOYD (1973 US 7" single on Chimneyville 446, A)

6. Shout Bamalama – MICKEY MURRAY (1967 US 7" single on SSS International 715, A)

7. Security – IRMA THOMAS (Unissued 1968 Chess Recording finally released in July 1990 on the CD compilation "Something Good: The Muscle Shoals Sessions" on Chess CHD-93004)

8. I've Got Dreams To Remember – PERCY SLEDGE (on the "Blue Night" CD album from 1995 on Sky Ranch/Virgin France 7243 8398712 2)

9. Give Away None Of Your Love – BUDDY MILES (1971 US 7" single on Mercury 73261, A and in the UK on Mercury 6052 127)

10. I'm Missing You – MITTY COLLIER (1969 Previously Unissued Chess Recording – First Release Here – 2012)

11. I Can't Turn You Loose – JAMES CARR (1968 unfinished Goldwax Recording finally released on the 1977 Japan-Only LP "Freedom Train" on Vivid Sound VG 3006)

12. Chained And Bound – BETTYE SWANN (1969 US LP "Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me?" on Capitol ST 270)

13. Just One More Day – CLARENCE CARTER (1975 US LP "Loneliness & Temptation" on ABC Records ABCD 896)

14. Wholesome Love – ARTHUR CONLEY (1967 US LP "Shake, Rattle & Roll" on Atco SD 33-215)

15. Hawg For You – TINA BRITT (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32082, A – and – on the 1969 LP "Blue All The Way" on Minit LP 24023)

16. Loving By The Pound (Take 2) – OTIS REDDING (Previously Unissued Volt Recording, 2012)

17. Hard To Handle – PATTI DREW (1968 US 7" single on Capitol 2339, A)

18. A Year, A Month And A day – ARTHUR CONLEY (Previously Unreleased 1968 Atco Recording, 2012)

19. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) – LOU RAWLS (1968 US LP "The Way It Was The Wait It Is" on Capitol ST-215)

20. Monkey On My Back – JACKIE HAIRSTON (1967 US 7" single on Atco 6464, A)

21. Keep Pushing Me – JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY (1966 Bell Recording first issued on the 2009 CD compilation "Shake A Tail Feather! The Best Of" on Sundazed SC 11096)

22. Good To Me – DONALD HEIGHT (1967 US 7" single on Shout 223, A)

23. Respect – ARETHA FRANKLIN (1967 US 7" single on Atlantic 2403, A)

24. (Sittin' On The) Dock Of The Bay – THE STAPLE SINGERS (1969 US 7" single on Stax 0031, A)

25. I Got The Will – ETTA JAMES (on the 1988 LP/CD "Seven Year Itch" issued in the UK on Island ILPS/CID 9923)

NOTES: Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 18, 20, 21 and 22 are MONO
Tracks 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 to 17, 19 and 23 to 25 are STEREO

The beautifully-annotated 20-page booklet peppers the typically brilliant TONY ROUNCE paragraphs with publicity photos of Mickey Murray, Albert Washington, Irma Thomas, Bettye Swann, James Carr, Clarence Carter, Maxine Brown (on the cover of Blues & Soul Magazine in December 1967), Lou Rawls at Fame Studios in 1971, James & Bobby Purify, The Staple Singers, Arthur Conley and Rick Hall at the Fame Studios in the Autumn of 1966 - and so on. There is even a rare 7" picture sleeve of Buddy Miles and his "Give Away None Of Your Love" 45 from 1971 that I’m sure was promo-only (I’ve never seen it before). The audio is particularly strong. Long-standing mastertape engineer NICK ROBBINS has done the Remasters at Sound Mastering in London – and despite the differing sources – each song packs a punch - especially the cuts in Stereo which sound vital and full of that (largely Sixties) energy.

Otis's style of guttural-blast one second and aching-ballad the next - virtually set up a template for Male 60ts Soul and most of these interpretations follow those styles (some slowing down the pace on fast songs or vice versa). While Aretha's "Respect" and The Staples Singers doing "Dock Of The Bay" are probably too overly familiar for most Soul fans - stuff like Tina Britt's fantastic chugger "Hawg For You" screams out to be rediscovered. There's clever choices too using 'later' recordings from the 70’s, 80s and 90s – Clarence Carter's unexpectedly touching version of "Just One More Day" from a 1975 ABC Records LP most people have long forgotten (and clearly shouldn’t have) as well as "I Got The Will" powered through by Etta James in 1988 (on Island Records) and most pleasing of all - a 90's Percy Sledge tackling "I've Got Dreams To Remember" - a rendition that oozes heart and not just well-produced style.

Amongst the 60ts stuff are names that will make most Soul aficionado hearts flutter a little faster - the great James Carr, Maxine Brown and Bettye Swann. Winners include a superb-sounding torch ballad by Mitty Collier on "I'm Missing You" (previously unreleased too) and a 1966 Bell Records recording of "Keep Pushing Me" by James And Bobby Purify (great 60ts guitar Funk). While I’ve already mentioned the driving groove of "Hawg For You" by Tina Britt – the Black Crowes come to mind when I hear Patti Drew's blistering funk of "Hard To Handle" (which the Crowes covered almost verbatim on their 1991 debut to such great effect). 

But one of the prizes on here for Redding collectors will surely be Take 2 of "Loving You By The Pound" which is new and exclusive to this set. As Otis never sang a song the same way twice – his slight vocal variations are fascinating. Although his vocal is storming – it still feels not up to his usual powerhouse performance and was probably why another Take was chosen as the master. Still – it's a real find.
Another winner from Ace and a compilation I keep returning too. I suspect both Otis Redding and Soul Music fans will feel the same...

Titles in the Ace Records Black America Sings CD Compilation Series

(In Release Date Order - September 2010 to March 2026)

1. "How Many Roads: Black America Sings Bob Dylan"
UK released September 2010 on Ace Records CDCHD 1278 (Barcode 029667042420)

2. "Come Together: Black America Sings Lennon & McCartney" 
UK released May 2011 on Ace Records CDCHD 1300 (Barcode 029667045322)

3. "Hard To Handle: Black America Sings Otis Redding"
UK released September 2012 on Ace Records CDCHD 1352 (Barcode 029667052627)

4. "Let The Music Play: Black America Sings Bacharach & David"
UK released March 2014 on Ace Records CDCHD 1398 (Barcode 029667059121)

5. "Bring It On Home: Black America Sings Sam Cooke"
UK released October 2014 on Ace Records CDCHD 1420 (Barcode 029667062725)

6. "Let It Be: Black America Sings Lennon, McCartney & Harrison" 
UK released September 2016 on Ace Records CDCHD 1483 (Barcode 029667077026)

7. "Here, There And Everywhere: Black America Sings John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison"
UK released November 2024 on Ace Records CDTOP 1654 (Barcode 029667111621) 

8. "Black America Sings Stevie Wonder" 

UK released 27 March 2026 on Ace Records CDTOP 1671 (Barcode 029667114622)

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"Behind Closed Doors: Where Country Meets Soul" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Tracks from 1965 to 1993 by Aaron Neville, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, Ann Peebles, Tami Lynn, Esther Phillips, Bettye Swann, Tony Borders and more (June 2010 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...My Love Keeps On Growing..."

A clever one. You wouldn't credit Soul Artists doing Country cover versions – but of course a good song (especially a moaning ballad) is a good song – and Soul Music variants will bring an even deeper groove/feel to it. So before the next teardrop falls – here are the backdoor details…

UK released June 2012 – "Behind Closed Doors: Where Country Meets Soul" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 375 (Barcode 029667237529) breaks downs as follows (76:58 minutes):

1. The Grand Tour – AARON NEVILLE [George Jones cover] (1993, from the CD album "The Grand Tour" on A&M 540 100-2)

2. He'll Have To Go – SOLOMON BURKE [Billy Brown and Jim Reeves covers] (1964, USA 7" single on Atlantic 2218, A)

3. Take Time To Know Her – PERCY SLEDGE [Steve Davis cover] (1968, USA 7" single on Atlantic 2490, A)

4. I Saw Her – ESTHER PHILLIPS [George Jones cover] (1965, USA 7" single on Atlantic 2304, A)

5. My Elusive Dreams – MOSES & JOSHUA DILLARD [Curly Putnam cover] (1967, USA 7" single on Mala 575 and October 1967 UK 7" on Stateside SS 2059, A-side)

6. Hangin' On – ANN PEEBLES [Gosdin Brothers cover] (1974, USA 7" single on Hi 2265, A)

7. My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You – BOBBY SHEEN [Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys] (1965, USA 7" single on Dimension D-1043, A)

8. Wings Upon Your Horn – TAMI LYNN [Loretta Lynn cover] (from the 1972 LP "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone" on Cotillion SD 9052 (USA) and Mojo 2916 007 (UK))

9. Before The Next Teardrop Falls – THE LIMELITES [Duane Dee cover] (1975, USA 7" single on Creative Funk 12008, A)

10. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry – AL GREEN [Hank Williams cover] (1973, from the "Call Me" LP on Hi Records XSHL 32077)

11. Life Turned Her That Way – JAMES CARR [Mel Tillis cover] (1968, USA 7" single on Goldwax 335, A)

12. He Called Me Baby – CANDI STATON [Harlan Howard/Patsy Cline cover] (1971, USA 7" single on Fame 1476, A)

13. The Chokin' Kind – Z.Z. HILL [Harlan Howard/Waylon Jennings cover] (1971, USA 7" single on Mankind 12007, A)

14. Yours, Love – JOE SIMON [Harlan Howard/Waylon Jennings song] (1970, USA 7" single on Sound Stage 7 2664, A)

15. Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad – COOKIE JACKSON [Tammy Wynette cover] (1967, USA 7" single on Okeh 4-7279, A)

16. Detroit City – ARTHUR ALEXANDER [Mel Tillis cover - "I Wanna Go Home"] (1965, USA 7" single on Dot 45-16737, A)

17. Gentle On My Mind – TONY BORDERS [John Hartford song/Glen Campbell cover] (September 1969 USA 7" single on Revue R 11054, B-side to "Polly Wolly")

18. Don't Touch Me – BETTYE SWANN [Garland Perry & Hank Cochran song – Jeannie Seeley cover] (January 1969 USA 7" single on Capitol 2382, A)

19. Set Me Free – CLARENCE CARTER [Curly Putnam cover] (1967, from his USA debut album "This Is Clarence Carter" on Atlantic SD 8192)

20. Behind Closed Doors – LITTLE MILTON [Kenny O'Dell song/Charlie Rich cover] (1974, USA 7" single on Stax STA-0210, A)

21. If You're Not Back In Love By Monday (Alternate Vocal) – MILLIE JACKSON [Merle Haggard cover] (first issued as a Bonus Track on the 2007 CD Reissue of "Feelin' Bitchy" (a 1977 album on Spring 6715) on Ace Records/Southbound CDSEWM 242)

22. Skip A Rope – JOE TEX [Henson Cargill cover] (1968, from the USA album "Soul Country" on Dial Records SD 8187)

23. She Even Woke Me Up To Saw Goodbye – BROOK BENTON [Mickey Newbury cover] (1971, from the USA album "Story Teller" on Cotillion SD 9050)

The 20-page booklet has amazingly detailed annotation by long-time Ace associate TONY ROUNCE – a man who’s liner notes have graced a huge number of quality Soul, Funk, Disco and Jazz Funk reissues. DUNCAN COWELL has handled all the remasters and done a typically bang-up job. The audio varies from period to period – but the 'feeling' is never compressed away – these songs breathe and many sound glorious.

"Behind Closed Doors..." opens with the relatively new – Aaron Neville doing a respectful version of "The Grand Tour" by George Jones (complete with pedal steel guitar and Eagles pacing). But things start to get more interesting when Solomon Burke does a Soul take on the classic third-man song "He'll Have To Go". Even better is Percy Sledge's "Take Time To Know Her" with its churchy organ and pleading 'mama says' vocals. Next is a rare Esther Phillips outing – sparse and slow – she puts in a great vocal on a 'picture of a fool' song. Moses and Joshua Dillard do their best Sam & Dave duet with Curly Putnam's "My Elusive Dreams" – a welcome upbeat dancer.

John Hartford's gorgeous and lilting love song "Gentle On My Mind" (made famous by Glen Campbell) gets tapped by Tony Borders – a 1969 US 45 you don’t see nor hear too often on Revue Records. Soul Siren and all-round vocal class act Bettye Swann brings her golden throat to a Hank Cochran tune Jeannie Seeley first aired - "Don’t Touch Me" – a cut from Bettye’s "The New Soul View!" album issued as a 45 in January 1969.  Another very tasty pairing and brilliant compilation choices... 

I raved about the Ann Peebles take on "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On" on Hi Records – totally transforming the Gosdin Brothers classic into something Al Green soulful (lyrics above) – while the amazing vocals of James Carr does the same with "Life Turned Her That Way" by Mel "Don't Be Quick To Condemn Her" Tillis. Tempo picks up with "The Chokin' Kind" as Z.Z. Hill makes Waylon Jennings sound like a pleased-with-himself Bobby Womack. Joe Tex cleverly picks "Skip A Rope" about children playing - but it has marital breakdown lyrics (Mum and Dad fighting at night) and racial overtones about "...hate your neighbour for the colour of his skin..." Millie Jackson Alternate Vocal on "If You're Not Back In Love By Monday" is another heartache highlight.

"Behind Closed Doors" is a very clever Kent-Soul CD compilation from a reissue label (Ace Records) that keeps spotting connections we either missed or need to be woken up to. Woke me up for sure... 

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"Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring The Mad Lads, 87th Off Broadway, The Moments, Lee Williams & The Cymbals, Jimmy Conwell, Ramona King, Four Tees, Natural resources, The Exclusive, The Soul Interiors, The San Francisco TKOs, The Diplomats, The Three Reasons, The Performers, Nightchill, Richard Caiton and more (31 January 2025 UK Ace/Kent Soul 24-Track CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters and Previously Unreleased Material) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall: *** to ****

Audio: ****

Presentation: *****

"…For The Love Of You…"

Probably not the prettiest or the most eye-catching artwork in the long history of CD Soul Compilations it must be said - and four or more were left in the can for obvious reasons too - no matter how much the liner notes may enthuse. But (in the main) this last day of January 2025 CD release from our archival pals over at Ace Records is still a lovely listen – and sees many rarities making their debut on CD. Kent Soul is shimmering for collectors once again.

Ace are celebrating the tradition of Balladry and Harmony Soul here – 24-Tracks scattered across more than two decades (1961 to 1984) – many from rare and deleted CDs of old, 2024 vinyl-only releases and at least a third of the haul – brand new. 

Mucho smooching to be done then and extra bottles of Talcum Powder to be lined up on the drinks trolly by the dancefloor just a backfield motion left of the telly. To the broken hearts and men who may not necessarily be true…

UK released Friday, 31 January 2025 - "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 513 (Barcode 029667111126) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters. It includes Six Previously Unreleased for 2025, Four UK 45-Single issues initially only on Vinyl in 2024 and other Rarities first time on CD - it plays out as follows (73:37 minutes):

1. I've Never Found A Girl – THE MAD LADS (from the August 1969 US LP "The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Lads" on Volt Records VOS-6005 in Stereo – an Eddie Floyd cover version)

2. Instant Replay – 87th OFF BROADWAY (an April 1972 recording first issued on Ace's new reissue label Soul Harmony – the A-side "Instant Replay" is their inaugural release for 25 October 2024 on SH 01 with Larry Sanders and his "I'm In Love" on the flipside – first issue here on CD) 

3. Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You) - MOMENTS (July 1972, US 45-single on Stang ST 5041, A-side – also as The Moments in the UK, 45-single released September 1972 on London HLU 10389, A-side)

4. I'll Be Gone – LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS (April 1966, US 45-single on Carnival Records CAR-521, B-side of "I Love You More")

5. Let It All Out – JIMMY CONWELL (Mid 1967, US 45-single on Gemini 1003, B-side of "Too Much")

6. Mr. Lover Supreme – RAMONA KING (an Alex Palao mix of a Previously Unreleased 1970 Golden State Recording – Previously Unreleased)

7. The Wind Is My Only Friend – THE FOUR TEES (a Previously Unissued 1970 Kent recording – Previously Unreleased)

8. For The Love Of You – NATURAL RESOURCES (a Previously Unissued 1969 Bobby Swayne recording – Previously Unreleased)

9. I Still Love You – THE EXCLUSIVE (1970s Eddie Singleton recording – first issued 25 October 2024 in the UK on 45-single on Soul Harmony SH 02, A-side - first time on CD)

10. My Friend Heartaches – THE SOUL INTERIORS (a 1972 GSF Records written by Thomas Crawford first issued September 2024 in the UK on a 45-single, Kent CITY 096, A-side – first time on CD here)

11. Ooh, Baby, Baby – THE SAN FRANCISCO T.K.O.'s (1972 US 45-single on Golden Soul GS 7112, B-side of "Herm" – Lead Vocalist is Penny Lewis – a cover of The Miracles Tamla song of 1965 with Smokey Robinson)

12. Forever – THE DIPLOMATS (a 1963 recording for Arock Records, recorded by Van McCoy and written by Paul Griffin and Willie Denson – first appears as an unreleased track on the June 2004 Diplomats UK CD compilation "Greatest Recordings" on Ace/Kent CDKEND 232)

13. Moon Out There – THE PUFFS (February 1966, US 45-single on Doré 757, B-side of "I Only Cry Once A Day Now" – Female Vocal Group consisting of Joyce Pinkney, Rose Bell and Mary White - arranged by Gene Page)

14. Ain't That Kinda Sad – THE QUESTION MARKS (1964 US 45-single on Money 105, A-side – A.R.D. Production arranged by Hank Jacobs – Thomas Calhoun song)

15. The Greatest Love – THE FOUR SONICS (May 1968, US 45-single on Sport 111, A-side – featuring Anita Watson)

16. You Still Need Me – JOHNNY WESLEY And THE FOUR TEES (April 1966, US 45-single on Melic Records 4170, B-side of "It's The Talk Of The Town" – Arranged by Arthur Wright)

17. Something In My Eye – THE MUSIC CITY SOUL BROTHERS (1964 US 45-single on Music City 855, A-side – featuring Jimmy Norman on Lead with Freddie Hughes and Ken Pleasants on Backing Vocals)

18. Take Me Back – THE THREE REASONS (1971 US 45-single on Carnival CAR-551, B-side of "Just A Groove In "G"" by Wilbur Bascomb And The Zodiac – written by Kenneth Ruffin)

19. Girl I Tried – THE PERFORMERS (originally a 1973 recording first issued in the USA on the August 2011 Various Artists VINYL LP "The Music City Sessions Volume 3: Soul Show" on Omnivore Recordings OVLP- 38 – an Edit is presented here and is first time on CD in 2025)

20. Love Don't Let Me Down – NIGHTCHILL (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording from 1980 – a Nick Robbins Mix)

21. You Look Like A Flower – RICHARD CAITON (September 1964, US 45-single on GNP Crescendo GNP 327, A-side)

22. Palms Of Paradise – RAY & BOB (September 1961, US 45-single on Ledo 1151, B-side of "Air Travel" – Ray Swayne and Bob Appleberry)

23. Who Do You Love – THE IMPERIALITES (Previously Unissued 1964 George Semper recording – first time on CD)

24. The Story Says – THE TOKAYS (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording)

NOTES:
All Tracks in STEREO except Tracks 5, 10, 12 to 18, 22 to 24 in MONO

The 20-page booklet is the usual Ace Records dream-fest crammed with knowledgeable and well-researched liner notes from Soul aficionado TONY OUNCE – each artist represented by publicity photos if available (The Moments, Ramona King and The Diplomats get whole pages – 5, 8 and 12). There are label repros of hard-to-find US singles in Stock or Demo form and even Trade Adverts alongside the occasional archival Tape Box. Rounce goes deep on facts – names you have never heard of – singers remembered and rightly so. 

The Audio is half-and-half – 12 in STEREO with most of the 45s not surprisingly in MONO. Long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL has once again done a sterling job with the Remasters – only one of two betraying their demo-ish origins. When for instance you are playing the unreleased 1970 cut by The Four Tees – great STEREO Audio – same goes for the 1964 MONO of The Music City Soul Brothers - pleading for you to disregard their tears (singers Ken Hughes and Ken Pleasants are pictured in a Trade Advert for an upcoming gig on Page 15). Great stuff. To the tunes…

"Soul Harmony…" opens on a hip-swaying high – The Mad Lads doing a 1969 cover version the Eddie Floyd Stax hit "I've Never Found A Girl" – an LP deep cut – it hears our harmonizing boys giving it some microphone shuffles while smooth guitar soloing and brass punctuate that lovely song. First issued as an Alec Palao Mix on UK 45 in 2024 on Ace's own label imprint Soul Harmony (their debut release) – 87th Off Broadway smooch the eight-piece voices across your speakers – very, very pretty. Falsetto voices akin to The Stylistics and Chi-Lites – The Moments ad a huge chart history and in 1972 their warning ballad "Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You" was typical of their sound. 
Clever choice and top pick (for me) comes in the shape of the arm-shuffling "I'll Be Gone" by Lee Williams & The Cymbals (misspelled as Symbols on original 1966 US 45s) – a fabulous winner and surefire inclusion on Soul Ballads CD-Rs of future home entertainment (the obscure US 45 goes for serious dosh). 

The goodies continue with "Let It All Out" – not the greatest audio for Jimmy Conwell – but man what an emotional punch its 1967 oohs and sways pack (you're gonna stay, a shoulder to cry on). The Ramona King track may be unreleased, but unfortunately you can hear why its weakness and her cloying delivery of it was canned - "Mr Lover Supreme" is more irritating than good and with lyrics that have not worn well. Full-on Brass and String Arrangements threaten to overwhelm "For The Love Of You" but the classy Harmony Vocals of Nature Resources keep you listening and swaying.

Time for some serious smooching – a low Bass eases in the foolish-man oohs of The Exclusives who are glad (nonetheless) that they held onto her. A fabulous find with a disarmingly lovely trumpet solo amidst the pleading vocal pyro-techniques – it was issued as 45-release number two on Ace's Soul Harmony label in October 2024 (this is its first time on CD and will be a welcome addition to digital). The Soul Interiors cut seems to feature an unknown vocalist on "My Friend Heartaches" – but what a voice – might be the song-writer Thomas Mitchell. Speaking of great singers - I would swear that Linda Ronstadt zapped right into the feel of The San Francisco TKOs cover of The Miracles Tamla hit "Ooh, Baby, Baby" for her version in 1978 on Elektra Records – Ronstadt slowing it down to the same funerial pace which in some way enhances the Soulfulness even more. 

Not that enamoured with The Diplomats cut "Forever" and despite serious effort - The Puffs US 45 flipside "Moon Out There" is let down by muffled and worn audio. Better is The Question Marks who go back to 1964 and feature a very Four Tops Motown vibe with their lovely "Ain't That Kinda Sad". Neither hurt nor humiliation will keep Johnny Wesley & The Four Tees away – their "You Still Need Me" a great weepy. I mentioned the haw-haw melodrama of The Soul Brothers earlier as they crawl from the emotional wreckage of "Something In My Eye" (give that lucky guy a hello from the boys). Much going on with "Take Me Back" – the lead vocalist practically shredding his pipes as his backing singers sway and pray. 

The later sound of Nightchill feels out of place and even with Dave Hamilton involvement is not that good to my ears. We head home with Richard Caiton comparing his lady to a flower – but like Ray & Bob song that follow (the oldest cut here from 1961) – the lyrics are weedy and the Vocal Group tradition is more in evidence rather than Soul (and not in a good way). The Imperialites mix up Doo Wop and Soul with their should-we-raise-a-family smoocher "Who Do You Love" while the compilation ends on the weirdly eerie "The Story Says" – a Tokays demo with a Tambourine and Piano and Voices. I can see why it is included, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be playing it again any time soon.

So, to sum up - 31 January 2025's "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" CD has some gems for sure - plus Rarities on Digital that are welcome too. But a lot of these out-of-work chunes were chancing their arms in the first place and haven't weathered well since – so four stars at the most. But the good stuff in-between – oh yes – and the reason why we love Kent Soul compilations to the max...

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"One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Doing Willie Nelson Cover Versions] – Twenty-Four Single and Album Tracks from 1960 to 2021 by Little Esther, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Doug Sahm, Dionne Warwick, Emmylou Harris, Vikki Carr, Tom Jones, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Spinners, Everly Brothers, The Beautiful South, Trisha Yearwood, Johnny Tillotson, Waylon Jennings, k.d. lang and The Reclines, The Flatliners, Timi Yuro, Bettye LaVette, Tanya Tucker and more (October 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Row-Willie-Nelson-Songbook/dp/B0DGQL45MH?crid=1CARPOAPT4HLY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TkWqU1q2xombHRCcBobp5A.Teg-W31zfudAX-GEq2-VfjrO0ceBLbxAr1zce1H1XAc&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667111720&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729260945&sprefix=029667111720%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=89cebaea8742f876ad66e6417e5a5f37&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground…"

I've had a hard time with some CD entries in the Ace Records Singer-Songwriter Series of cover version compilations – the Paul Williams one of July 2024 for instance had a Kermit The Frog track on it amidst a whole dollop of other Biff Rose, Petula Clark and Seals & Croft schmaltz that does this great reissue label no credit at all (only the opening song "Someday Man" by The Monkees saved that release from the trash can). But I had high hopes for this Willie Nelson set because melody-wise and lyrically – the grizzled old Country Rock buzzard that is WN happens to be (IRS repayment issues aside) one of the great unsung heroes of American songwriting. And I was right. 

Not perfect by any means, but when you peruse the 24-cuts offered on "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" which range from a 1960 45-single by R&B firehouse Little Esther to Tom Jones going Production-naked in his 2015 stark stab, right through Bob Dylan doing a 1983 recording eventually issued in 2021 on one of those 5CD Bootleg Volumes - and all points in-between those hugely disparate dates – you can kind of work out that artists looking for good tunes reach for this songsmith more often than other more lauded luminaries. Honest tunes about real life and its kick-you-in-the-nuts ways. 

There is much to wail and weep over - cheatin' lyin' good-for-nuthin' dirty dogs – male and female – with a smell of cheap whiskey on their breaths and one beady eye on the highway by the barroom door. To the details…

UK released Friday, 25 October 2024 - "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (doing Willie Nelson cover versions) on Ace Records CDTOP 1645 (Barcode 029667111720) is a 24-Track Remastered CD Compilation that plays out as follows (75:58 minutes):

1. Hello Walls – LITTLE ESTHER (March 1964 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2223, B-side of "Double Crossing Blues")

2. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground – BOB DYLAN (1983 recording done during the "Infidel" album sessions - first UK issued September 2021 on the 5CD Variant of "Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Volume 16: 1980-1985" on Columbia/Legacy 19439865802. The Dylan version of this song issued October 1983 as a Non-LP B-side to "Union Sundown" on UK and European 45s is different. Willie Nelson's own original appeared in the movie "Honeysuckle Road" in August 1980)

3. Night Life – B.B. KING (December 1966 US 45-single on ABC Records 45-10889, A-side)

4. Me And Paul – DOUG SAHM And BAND (January 1973 US LP "Doug Sahm And Band" on Atlantic SD 7254 – features Bob Dylan on Blues Harp and Augie Meyer on Piano)

5. He's Not For You – DIONNE WARWICK (October 1976 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WBS 8280, B-side to "I Didn't Mean To Love You")

6. Sister's Coming Home – EMMYLOU HARRIS (from the "Blue Kentucky Girl" album issued April 1979 in the USA on Warner Brothers BSK 3318 – features Tanya Tucker on Backing Vocals)

7. Healing Hands Of Time – VIKKI CARR (from the "The Ways To Love A Man" album issued 1971 in the USA on United Artists UAS 6813)

8. Opportunity To Cry – TOM JONES (from the "Long Lost Suitcase" album issued 2015 in the UK on Virgin V 3141)

9. Family Bible – GEORGE JONES (December 1960 US 45-single on Mercury 71721, A-side)

10. Crazy – PATSY CLINE (October 1961 US 45-single on Decca 31317, A-side)

11. Man With The Blues – DEL McCOURY (from the "A Deeper Shade Of Blue" US CD album issued 1993 on Rounder 0303)

12. Funny How Time Slips Away – SPINNERS (November 1982 US 45-single on Atlantic 7-89922, A-side – Known as The Detroit Spinners in the UK, but the single was not issued there)

13. Good Hearted Woman – THE EVERLY BROTHERS (from the "Pass The Chicken And Listen" album issued 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4781)

14. Valentine – THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH (from the "Golddiggars, Headnodders &  Pholk Songs" CD album issued October 2004 in the UK on Sony Music UK 518632)

15. One In A Row – TRISH YEARWOOD (from "The Song Remembers When" CD album issued 1993 in the USA on MCA Records MCAD-10911)

16. Pretty Paper – JOHNNY TILLOTSON (Unreleased 1966 recording first issued 1995 on the US CD Compilation "The Christmas Touch" on Varese Sarabande VSD-5550)

17. Three Days – k.d. lang & The Reclines (from the "Absolute Torch And Twang" album of 1989, also issued as a US 45-single October 1989 on Sire 7-22734, A-side)

18. I Let My Mind Wander – RAY PRICE (February 1967 US 45-single on Columbia 4-44042, B-side of "Danny Boy")

19. Pretend I Never Happened – WAYLON JENNINGS (September 1972 US 45-single on RCA Victor 74-0808, A-side)

20. You Took My Happy Away – TIMI YURO (July 1966 US 45-single on Mercury 72601, B-side of "Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long")

21. Are You Sure – KACEY MUSGRAVES and WILLIE NELSON (from the Kacey Musgraves CD album "Pageant Material" US issued June 2015 on Mercury Nashville B0022816-02)

22. Somebody Pick Up My Pieces – BETTYE LaVETTE (from the CD album "The Scene Of The Crime" US issued 2007 on Anti Records 6873-2)

23. One Day At A Time – THE FLATLINERS (1972 recording first issued 1980 in the UK on the LP "One More Road" on Charly CR 30189)

24. My Own Peculiar Way – PERRY COMO (March 1965 US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-8533, B-side of "Dream On Little Dreamer")

The 24-page book does the absolute business by Nelson's legacy – typically indepth and inciteful TONY ROUNCE liner notes – observations on melody and chart history that are coming from a Soul Man who admires and rightly lauds singer-songwriter chops. Every song is poured over, naming the myriad cover versions and artists who probably could not be included on this set due to licensing reasons. There is usually the original US 45-single label, or LP/CD cover art, sheet music, industry adverts (like the promo photo by Polydor for Dylan's "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" as used in the "Honeysuckle Road" movie), tour posters and every song gets thorough research. DUNCAN COWELL – Ace's resident Audio Engineer (he did almost all the praised Blue Horizon CD reissues too) does the mastering honours – and quality assaults the senses at every angle. To the cover versions…

The compilation opens with a Bert Barns-produced debut 45-single by 50s R&B firebrand Little Esther for her restart stint with Atlantic Records in 1964 – it was tucked away on the B-side and has a dig-the-city groove. Far, far better however is Bob Dylan with an "Infidels" outtake called "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" that made it on the B-side of some 1983 singles (UK and Europe) in a different form than the one that is used here. A moving ballad/love-song with a typically brilliant lean in the lyric, it is a small wonder that it was not used on the principal album. Whatever way you look at it - "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" is a huge plus and one of many surprises this understated CD offers.

Along with "Crazy" and "Funny How Time Slips By", Nelson's 1959 composition "Night Life" is probably his most famous song creation – over 100 cover versions and counting (it is almost a Jazz Standard in 2024). Here we get 60ts B.B. King with His Orchestra giving it some angst-shouting Blues while a Saxophone punctuates the right speaker like a hustler in a doorway (great audio as Blues Boy does a short guitar solo). The sound modernises and fills out with the shuffling Country Rock of Doug Sahm – his 1972 take on "Me And Paul" where Harmonica is supplied by none other than Bob Dylan is a shuffle you have heard in every retro band). Time for some soft Soul from Dionne Warwick and with it searching for the truth about a cheating man foolish women return to too often (hers is not a rebuke but a warning). More duped gals need to sleep all day long in "Sister's Coming Home" – Emmylou Harris and her flying band giving it pure Country with Pedal Steel and Fiddle – the fast pace hiding the heartache in this horribly honest Willie Nelson observation. But even the mighty Emmylou is given a fantastic run for her I-will-get-over-you broken-heart money by a shockingly lovely Vikki Carr cover of "Healing Hands Of Time" on a long-forgotten 1972 US album on United Artists.

Rounce is right about the shockingly sparse gravel-voiced Tom Jones stripping back the bleak "Opportunity To Cry" – TJ using only an acoustic guitar and lonesome organ note and his cracking voice in 2015 – it adds a genuinely unexpected poignancy to the track list. We get the wholesome "Family Bible" from Country Giant and uber-Christian George Jones – a tune I admit and despise as cack at one and the same time. But all that is hammered into a defensive corner cringing for dear life by the stunning Patsy Cline classic "Crazy". Rounce announces that there are said to be over 400 versions of this early Nelson penned-winner but truly only Patsy killed it good and proper. Bluegrass warbler Del McCoury gets all Coen Brothers on "Man With The Blues" sounding not unlike an eager-to-earn hustler with a Banjo and a Yodel-voice at a racecourse working punters like closing time is near.

Clever choice is the Brass and Strings Spinners slink of "Funny How Time Slips Away" – a very smooth slice of Soft Soul from 1982 on Atlantic Records. A co-write with Waylon Jennings, Nelson's "Good Hearted Woman" is given a Flying Burrito Bros treatment by The Everly Brothers – another tale of tears and laughter – staying the distance despite promises that will never be kept. But again – another stunner – Paul Heaton and The Beautiful South slaying the gorgeous "Valentine" – such a pretty and moving rendition. While Canadian icon k.d. lang (with her Reclines) paints her fabulous vocal honey all over a bopping "Three Days" – a yesterday, today and tomorrow misery gem from the "Absolute Torch And Twang" album of 1989. Trisha Yearwood too – a beautiful Judds-like delivery on the title track "One In A Row". And on it goes – more discoveries – more surprises…

I would admit that I don't need nor love Johnny Tillotson giving it oohs-and-aahs on the yucky Festive "Pretty Paper" – but the hits far outweigh the misses. "One In A Row: The Willie Nelson Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTIST is a winner. Investigate and once again, congrats to the nerds over at Ace Records…