"A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection 1968-1976" by CAROLE KING - Guest Musicians Include The City, James Taylor, Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar, Joni Mitchell, Merry Clayton, Dean Parks, Tom Scott, Harvey Mason, David T. Walker, Tom Horn, Andy Newmark, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkle and many more (April 1998 UK/EUROPE Ode/Epic/Legacy 2CD 36-Track Compilation with Four Previously Unreleased Tracks (Two Studio, Two Live) and Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Home Again…And Feeling Right…"

Statistics are a strange one. 

Technically Carole King hammered the Seventies. When her second solo album came out after a decade writing for other artists and a one-album stint with a group called The City in late 1968 on Lou Adler's Ode Records - "Tapestry" hit the shops in the second week of February 1971 and it was little short of a sensation. Along with Joni Mitchell and her gorgeous "Blue" album in May 1971 on Reprise Records – they blew open singer-songwriting for women. Culturally, music has never been the same since but King's "Tapestry" was also a commercial beast – a No.1 for fifteen weeks – took four Grammys in 1972 and has gone on to near biblical deity status ever since (and rightly so). On re-release in October 2022, Joni's "Blue" finally achieved the No.1 status it had always deserved - a whole new generation digging its heart-on-my-sleeve and stomach-in-the-gutter songs of love gained and lost. 

Back to statistics to Carole King. The follow-up LP should have been another commercial and musical monster and the three after too - and technically they were. "Music" was her third album launched 30 November 1971 which went to No.1 for three weeks, "Rhymes & Reasons" hit the shops 4 October 1972 and charged up to No.2, her fifth "Fantasy" was released 2 May 1973 and hit No. 6 on the US LP charts while "Wrap Around Joy" released 18 July 1974 brought her back to the coveted No.1 slot. 

So why mention these – because I don't remember any of them bar "Tapestry" and to some degree – this strangely short-changing yet occasionally fab twofer seems to agree. "Tapestry" is included in full, but "Writer" gets only 2, "Music" gets 4, "Rhymes & Reasons" gets 3 and so on. And when you look at the playing times – ten minutes short on CD1 and fifteen on CD2. No genius like the "Snow Queen" song and US-45 by The City. 

You see for me, the albums that followed "Tapestry" were nice, good too in places – but somehow that magical cohesion she achieved with "Tapestry" was missing. And I can remember that as each album arrived in Ireland and England – they were met largely with indifference. But although it is too bare - what "A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection 1968-1976" does is hit you on two fronts – the choice cuts and the fact that they're coming out of your speakers with beautifully balanced Remasters (from original tapes) by VIC ANESINI. You throw in serious sessionmen and feel artists like James Taylor, Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar, Joni Mitchell, Merry Clayton, Dean Parks, Tom Scott, Harvey Mason, David T. Walker, Jim Horn, Andy Newmark, Ralph Schukett, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkle, Chuck Findley (and more) – a 42-page booklet that respects and celebrates the mighty lady with style – then this twofer does indeed wrap itself around you with joy. To the Smackwater details…

UK/EU released 6 April 1998 - "A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection 1968-1976" by CAROLE KING on Ode/Epic/Legacy EPC 489321 2 (Barcode 5099748932129) is a 2CD 36-Track Compilation with Four Previously Unreleased Tracks and Vic Anesini Remasters throughout – it plays out as follows:

CD1 (66:36 minutes):
1. Hi-De-Ho (see Notes)
2. Wasn't Born To Follow (see Notes)
3. Up On The Roof
4. Child Of Mine
5. I Feel The Earth Move
6. So Far Away
7. It's Too Late
8. Home Again
9. Beautiful
10. Way Over Yonder
11. You've Got A Friend
12. Where You Lead
13. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
14. Smackwater Jack
15. Tapestry
16. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
17. Music
18. Brother, Brother
NOTES ON CD1:
Tracks 1 and 2 by THE CITY, the band Carole King was in before going solo in 1970. Both tracks from their lone album "Now That Everything's Been Said" released 18 December 1968 in the USA on Ode Records Z12 44012
Tracks 3 and 4 are from her debut solo album "Writer: Carole King" released 21 September 1970 in the USA on Ode Records SP-77006
Tracks 5 to 16 are the entirety of her second solo album "Tapestry" released 10 February 1971 in the USA on Ode Records ODE SP-77009
Tracks 17 and 18 are from her third studio album "Carole King Music" released 30 November 1971 on Ode Records SP-77013

CD2 (60:39 minutes):
1. Sweet Seasons
2. Pocket Money
3. It's Gonna Take Some Time
4. Bitter With The Sweet
5. Goodbye Don't Mean I'm Gone
6. At This Time In My Life?
7. Been To Canaan
8. Ties That Bind
9. Corazón
10. Believe In Humanity (Live) 
11. Jazzman
12. Wrap Around Joy
13. Nightingale
14. Really Rosie
15. Alligators All Around
16. There's A Space Between Us
17. Only Love Is Real
18. You've Got A Friend (Live) with James Taylor and String Group
NOTES ON CD2:
Tracks 1 and 3 are from her third studio album "Carole King Music" released 30 November 1971 on Ode Records SP-77013
Track 2 is from the motion picture "Pocket Money" starring Paul Newman and Lee Marvin, also issued 11 January 1972 as the B-side to a US Carole King 45-Single for "Sweet Seasons" on Ode Records ODE-66022
Tracks 4, 5 and 7 are from her fourth studio album "Rhymes & Reasons" released 4 October 1972 on Ode Records SP-77016
Tracks 6 and 8 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED studio outtakes from the "Rhymes & Reasons" LP sessions in July 1972
Track 9 is from her fifth studio album "Fantasy" released 2 May 1973 on Ode Records SP-77018
Tracks 10 and 18 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED live songs; Track 10 recorded live 26 May 1973 in Central Park in New York City with Guests David T. Walker, Charles Larkey, Harvey Mason, Bobbye Hall, Tom Scott, Curtis my and many more; Track 18 recorded live 18 June 1971 at Carnegie Hall in New York City with guests James Taylor on Vocals and Keyboards, Barry Socher on Violin, David Campbell on Viola, Terry King on Cello and Charles Larkey on String Bass (Produced by Lou Adler)
Tracks 11, 12 and 13 are from her sixth studio album "Wrap Around Joy" released 18 July 1974 in the USA on Ode Records SP-77024
Tracks 14 and 15 are from her seventh studio album "Really Rosie" released 31 January 1975 in the USA on Ode Records SP 77027
Tracks 16 and 17 are her eighth studio album "Thoroughbred" released 15 December 1975 in the USA on Ode Records SP 77034

The card wrapround sleeve, fat double jewel case and especially its 42-page booklet lend this release a major feel. Produced and Project Managed by LOU ADLER, BOB IRWIN and PENNY ARMSTRONG for Epic/Legacy - the STEPHEN K. PEOPLES liner notes (dated April 1994) thank a long list of contributors and fact collaborators (and he should). Photos of her and James Taylor, live shots, the Carnegie Hall poster for June 18th that uses the Tapestry artwork and other musician friends pepper the details (singer Merry Clayton, Joni & JT at the microphones) – each album titled and discussed. The musical history building is seriously impressive – Billboard chart details for the eight No.1 singles and three No.1 LPs along with the heroes who musically accompanied her on such a groundbreaking journey – Danny Kortchmar, James Taylor, Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkle never mind the myriad of musicians after. 

There is discussion of the Brill Building/Tin Pan Alley songwriting beginnings with Gerry Goffin – Carol Klein morphing into Carole King. There are six pages alone of track-by-track and LP-by-LP credits at the rear (Pages 33 to 39) – it is impressive and deeply thorough.
And the original tapes were used throughout – the VIC ANESINI Remasters shining with what at times feels like compromised material – especially in 1970 and 1971. There are four rarities (discussed later), but overall the sounds get more audiophile as 1972 becomes 1973 etc. 

While CD1 cannot fail to impress with the entire "Tapestry" album dominating (Tracks 5 to 16) – the other six cuts are no slackers either. While (as I said earlier) the exclusion of the hugely melodious "Snow Queen" is a major dick move – the lovely re-working of her "Up On The Roof" (originally a hit in 1962) and her own "Child Of Mine" are pointing at the mellow and warm style that would flourish during the January 1971 sessions for "Tapestry". Her second album for the tailend of 1971 "Music" is under-represented here – but I will forever associate "Brother, Brother" with The Isley Brothers and their superb Soul-Funk cover of it on their "Brother. Brother. Brother." album on T-Neck Records). 

But things take something of a nose-dive for me when you get to CD2 and its mid-riff. Stuff from "Really Rosie" and "Fantasy" have not worn well at all with even "Jazzman" sounding seriously dated now. And while the two Previously Unreleased 1972 outtakes from the "Rhymes & Reasons" LP sessions are interesting at best – the 1973 live in Central Park previously unreleased song has her vocals wavering badly and is easy to hear why it remained canned. An emotional live rendition of "You’ve Got A Friend" – a hit for James Taylor from his "Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon" also (also 1971) – takes it all home but again you can hear why it was canned – their vocals are off in places - James taking a few moments to get his voice in line with hers (at least the string instruments give it a lovely feel). "Only Love Is Real" is a forgotten melodious gem from the "Thoroughbred" album too.

Classily presented, sounding boss and lickity-split - "A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection 1968-1976" is a looker for sure and a wee treat on the ears into the under five pounds bargain. You just wish it had gone that extra mile on both discs – Carole King is indeed the kind of Legacy Artist who deserves it and more... 

"Nothing Has Changed" by DAVID BOWIE – July 1969 to November 2014 'Very Best Of' Career Retrospective With An Emphasis On Single Mixes (November 2014 UK Parlophone 39-Track 2CD Compilation of Remasters with One Previously Unreleased 1972 Demo and One New 2014 Song) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer 6 Times

 

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"...Moonage Daydream..."

 

Here in late 2023, there are probably too many David Bowie compilations on the market (and we are talking four decades now). But one or two stand above the melee. There is an Expanded 3CD variant of "Nothing Has Changed" – but I dig this twofer because it does the business where I want it.

 

As you check out the track lists on CD1 and CD2 below, you will notice that a lot are either 'Single' Edits or Versions and therefore avoid the excess of some longer Album cuts. Throw in an unreleased version of 'All The Young Dudes', those tasty duets with Queen, Mick Jagger, The Pat Metheny Group and Pet Shop Boys - alongside one new epic orchestrated tune worthy of the great man – and it all feels so damn good the whole way through. To the Moonage Daydreams...

 

UK released 14 November 2014 (17 November 2014 in the USA) - "Nothing Has Changed" by DAVID BOWIE on Parlophone 825646205745 (Barcode 825646205745) is a Very Best Of 2CD 39-Track Compilation of Newly Remastered Material Released between July 1969 and November 2014 (with One Previously Unreleased and One New Song) that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (78:56 minutes):

1. Space Oddity (5:14 minutes)

(11 July 1969, UK 45-single, Philips BF 1801, A-side – also on the "David Bowie" album – released 14 November 1969 in the UK on Phillips SBL 7902 and in the USA as "Man Of Words/Man Of Music" on Mercury SR-61246 with different artwork)

 

2. The Man Who Sold The World (3:57 minutes)

(From the "The Man Who Sold The World" album – released 4 November 1970 in the USA on Mercury SR 61325 and 10 April 1971 in the UK on Mercury 6338 041)

 

3. Changes (3:35 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623 – also 14 January 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2160, A-side)

 

4. Oh! You Pretty Things (3:12 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623)

 

5. Life On Mars? (3:49 minutes)

(On the "Hunky Dory" album – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623 – also 22 June 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2316, A-side)

 

6. Starman (Original Single Mix) (4:12 minutes)

(April 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2199, A-side – also on the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702)

 

7. Ziggy Stardust (4:39 minutes)

(On the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702 - also 24 November 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2302, B-side of "The Jean Genie")

 

8. Moonage Daydream (4:39 minutes)

(On the "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" album – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702)

 

9. The Jean Genie (Original Single Mix) (4:05 minutes)

(24 November 1972, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2302, A-side – Full Version on the album "Aladdin Sane" – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852)

 

10. All The Young Dudes (3:08 minutes)

(Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix of the song Bowie gave to the British rock Band Mott The Hoople who released their version on UK 45-single and had a hit with it, thereby reviving their careers)

 

11. Drive-In Saturday (4:30 minutes)

(6 April 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2352, A-side – and on the album "Aladdin Sane" – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852)

 

12. Sorrow (2:53 minutes)

(28 September 1973, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2424, A-side (a Merseybeats song) – also on the album "Pinups" - an entire LP of cover versions released 19 October 1973 in the UK on RCA RS 1003 and in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0291)

 

13. Rebel Rebel (4:30 minutes)

(On the album "Diamond Dogs" - released 31 May 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APL1 0576 and in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1 0576 – an earlier mix was issued 14 February 1973 as a UK 45-single on RCA Victor LPBO 5009, A-side – the album version is used here)

 

14. Young Americans (Original Single Mix) (3:13 minutes)

(21 February 1975, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2523, A-side – Full Version is on the album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998)

 

15. Fame (4:16 minutes)

(On the album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998 – also issued as an edited 3:30 minutes UK 45-single, 18 July 1975 on RCA Victor RCA 2579, A-side)

 

16. Golden Years (Single Version) (3:27 minutes)

(21 November 1975, UK 45-single, RCA Victor RCA 2640, A-side – Full Version on the album "Station To Station" - released 23 January 1976 in the UK and USA on RCA Victor APL1 1327 and in the USA)

 

17. Sound And Vision (3:03 minutes)

(On the album "Low" - released January 1977 in the UK on RCA PL 12030 and in the USA on RCA CPL1-2030 – also released 11 February 1977 as a UK 45-single, RCA Victor PB 0905, A-side)

 

18. Heroes (Single Version) (3:33 minutes)

(23 September 1977, UK 45-single, RCA Victor PB 1121, A-side – Full Version on the album "Heroes" - released October 1977 in the UK on RCA PL 12522 and in the USA on RCA AFL1-2522)

 

19. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17 minutes)

(27 April 1979, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 2, A-side – also on the album "Lodger" - released May 1979 in the UK on RCA PL 13254 and in the USA on RCA APL1-3254)

 

20. Fashion (Single Version) (3:26 minutes)

(31 October 1980, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 7, A-side – Full Version on the album "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" - released September 1980 in the UK on RCA BOWLP 2 (PL 13647) and in the USA on RCA AQL1-3647)

 

21. Ashes To Ashes (Single Version) (3:35 minutes)

(8 August 1980, UK 45-single, RCA Victor BOW 6, A-side – Full Version on the album "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" - released September 1980 in the UK on RCA BOWLP 2 (PL 13647) and in the USA on RCA AQL1-3647)

 

CD2 (75:19 mnutes):

1. Under Pressure – Queen and David Bowie (2011 Remaster) (4:08 minutes)

(30 October 1981, UK 45-single, EMI Records EMI 5260, A-side)

 

2. Let's Dance (Single Version) (4:08 minutes)

(14 March 1983, UK 45-Single, EMI America EA 135, A-side – Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

3. China Girl (Single Version) (4:15 minutes)

(11 June 1983, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 157, A-side - Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

4. Modern Love (Single Version) (3:56 minutes)

(12 September 1983, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 158, A-side - Full Version on the album "Let's Dance" – released 14 April 1983 in the UK on EMI America Records AML 3029 and in the USA on EMI America SO-17093)

 

5. Blue Jean (3:11 minutes)

(14 September 1984, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 181, A-side – also on the album "Tonight" – released 24 September 1984 in the UK on EMI America Records DB 1 and in the USA on EMI America SJ-17138)

 

6. This Is Not America – With The Pat Metheny Group (3:51 minutes)

(January 1985, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 190, A-side – also on the Soundtrack Album "The Falcon And The Snowman" released April 1985 in the UK on EMI America FAL 1)

 

7. Dancing In The Street (Clearmountain Mix) – David Bowie and Mick Jagger (3:07 minutes)

(27 August 1985, UK 45-single, EMI America EA 204, A-side)

 

8. Absolute Beginners (Edit) (4:46 minutes)

(3 March 1986, UK 45-single, Virgin VS 838, A-side – also Full Version on the Motion Picture Soundtrack Album "Absolute Beginners – The Musical" released 7 April 1986 in the UK on Virgin V 2386)

 

9. Jump They Say (Radio Edit aka 7" Version) (3:54 minutes)

(15 March 1993, UK Promo-Only 45-Single, Arista 74321 13942 7 JB, A-side – also March 1993, UK CD-Single on Arista 74321 139422– the Full Version (4:22 minutes) is on the "Black Tie White Noise" album from April 1993)

 

10. Hello Spaceboy (PSB Remix) – with The Pet Shop Boys (4:25 minutes)

(February 1996 UK CD-Single on RCA 74321353842 – Full Version (5:14 minutes) on the CD album "1. Outside (The Nathan Adler Diaries: A Hyper Circle" released 25 September 1995 on Arista 74321303392)

 

11. Little Wonder (Edit) (3:42 minutes)

(January 1997 UK CD-single 1 on RCA 74321452072 – Full Version (6:02 minutes) on the CD album "Earthling" released 3 February 1997 on RCA 7432144944 2)

 

12. I'm Afraid Of Americans (VI) (Radio Edit) (4:25 minutes)

(October 1997 US CD-single on Virgin USA 7243 8 38618 2 8 – Full Version (5:00 minutes) on the CD album "Earthling" released 3 February 1997 on RCA 7432144944 2)

 

13. Thursday's Child (Radio Edit) (4:26 minutes)

(20 September 1999 UK CD-single 2 on Virgin VSCDF 1753 – Full Version (5:24 minutes) on the CD album "Hours..." released 4 October 1999 on Virgin CDVX 2900)

 

14. Everyone Says 'Hi' (Edit) (3:29 minutes)

(September 2002 UK CD-single on Columbia 673134 3 – Full Version (3:58 minutes) on the CD album "Heathen" released 10 June 2002 on Columbia/ISO Records 508222 2)

 

15. New Killer Star (Radio Edit) (3:43 minutes)

(September 2003 UK CD Single, from the CD album "Reality")

 

16. Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy for the DFA Edit) (4:07 minutes)

(October 2013 CD Single – also on the CD album "The Next Day")

 

17. Where Are We Now? (4:09 minutes)

(January 2013 CD Single - also on the CD album "The Next Day" 

 

18. Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime) (7:23 minutes)

(New song released as a November 2014 CD Single, exclusive to the compilation "Nothing Has Changed")

 

Although it doesn't say so on the actual CDs or inlays – the sticker advises this is 'The Very Best Of' David Bowie - and as it contains material to 2014 – that was true at the time. The 16-page booklet has basic track entries and release dates but unfortunately none of them go into personnel or guests – Rick Wakeman of Yes playing Mellotron on "Space Oddity" – Mick Ronson giving it some wild English axe on "The Jean Genie" while co-writer Carlos Alomar does his guitar magic on "Fame" too – and so on. Most of the 2014 Remasters are by RAY STAFF who has been synonymous with Bowie's catalogue (some are 2009) and Mastering is by another venerable engineer VIC ANESINI – a huge name over at BMG with Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, Aerosmith, Mountain, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King and loads more under his Audio belt. So it sounds the part through and through. To the chunes...

 

Even after all these years – the dip and dive thrills. I get so used to his White Boy Soul period being on album tracks from "Young Americans" and "Station To Station" that the brevity and punch-power of Single Versions for "Golden Years" and "Fame" come as a welcome diversion. "Ziggy Stardust", "Sound And Vision", "Heroes" and "Ashes To Ashes" all still amaze – but spare a dime for his brilliant cover of The Merseybeats tune "Sorrow" or the tart-with-a-heart "Boys Keep Swinging".

 

You might even think that "Under Pressure" (his duet with Queen) followed by a lethal one-two of "Let's Dance" and "China Girl" are too over-played by Hits Radio – but the single edits of the last two keep it fresh and zippy and all three still contain such extraordinary pizzazz – a young energy that does not seem to dissipate with the years but rather grow with them. For sure the musically lean period of "Tonight" in the Eighties where many lost faith in him ("Blue Jean" is too slight by far) is offset by those one-off nuggets - "This Is Not America" (with ace Fusion Guitarist Pat Metheny) and the Live Aid benefit single "Dancing In The Streets" with good old rubber lips (Mick Jagger) still lift the heart and the feet.

 

His 1993 to 2104 phase had its challenging slots too – so "Jump They Say", "Hello Spaceboy" with The Pet Shop Boys and "Little Wonder" may not roll off the tongue as easily as his hits-packed Seventies titles did – but they are still crackers and worthy of rediscovery frankly. And on it goes to the Martin Schneider Orchestra joining Bowie on the new song "Sue (Or in A Season Of Crime)" which has its lyrics on the second last page of the booklet. At seven-minutes plus, its lush orchestration has a humungous roll call of guest Trumpeters, Saxophonists, Flutists and Flugelhorn players as to make the eyes water. The lady Sue is informed by the singer that our boy got a loan so they can buy a house and the doctors have said that his results are good but she left him a note – she exited with a clown and his thoughts are now of crime and gravestones and what kissing her face felt like.

 

Kiss this bride if you get the chance and wonder will we ever see such variety and wit and genius and sheer funk in the one place again. God, I hope so...

"Higher!" by SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE – 10" x 10" 4CD Book Set Anthology Covering 1964 to 1977 Recordings, Single Mixes and LP Cuts on Autumn and Epic Records in Mono and Stereo Including Seventeen Previously Unreleased (August 2013 UK Sony Music/Epic/Legacy 4CD Book Set with 77-Tracks, A 104-Booklet, 17 Previously Unreleased and Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Different Strokes For Different Folks..."

 

"Let The Music Take You Higher!" - the sticker blurb heralds on this beautifully laid out 2013 Epic/Legacy 4CD vaults trawl for Prince's Soul Brother from another mother – Sly Stone and his Family of – well – Stoners.

 

"Higher!" encompasses 77-Tracks - those early Mono Mix 45s on Autumn Records and of course Epic – Seventeen Previously Unreleased (primarily 1967 and 1968 sessions) – one of the most lavishly annotated 104-page booklets I have ever seen (nipping at the buds of Bear Family, it's that good) – and all of it Remastered from first generation tapes by a name you can trust – VIC ANESINI. Anesini has handled Presley, Paul Simon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Byrds, Nilsson, Simon & Garfunkel, Mott The Hoople, Santana, Kansas, Nick Lowe, The Jayhawks, Mountain, Jeff Beck and oodles more. There is mucho to document...

 

UK and EUROPE released 23 August 2013 - "Higher!" by SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE on Sony Music/Epic/Legacy 88697536652 (Barcode 886975366521) is a 4CD 10" x 10" Book Set with 77-Tracks recorded between 1964 and 1977 and a 104-Booklet – it plays out as follows (all tracks by Sly & The Family Stone except where stated otherwise):

 

CD1 (64:58 minutes):

1. I Just Learned How To Swim – SLY STEWART

2. Scat Swim – SLY STEWART - Tracks 1 and 2 are August 1964 US 45-single on Autumn Records 3, A&B-sides

3. Buttermilk (Part One) – SLY - August 1965 US 45-single on Autumn Records 14, A-side

4. Dance All Night – SLY & FREDDIE [Sly and Freddie Stewart] - Recorded July 1965, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED VERSION

5. Temptation Walk (Part One) – SLY - December 1965 US 45-single on Autumn 26, A-side

6. I Ain't Got Nobody – SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE

7. I Can't Turn You Loose – SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE (see NOTES for Tracks 6 and 7)

8. Higher (Mono Single Master, Promo-Only First Pressing)

9. Underdog (Mono Single Master)

10. Bad Risk (Mono Single Master) - Tracks 8, 9 and 10 see NOTES)

11. Let Me Hear It From You (Mono Single Master) - November 1967 US 45-single on Epic 5-10256, Unique Mix and B-side to "Dance To The Music"

12. Advice (Mono) - from the October 1967 US LP "A Whole New Thing" on Epic LN 24324 in Mono – there was a Stereo variant of the LP in the States also on Epic BN 26323 – neither received an issue in the UK

13. If This Room Could Talk (Mono) - same as Track 12

14. I Cannot Make It (Mono) - same as Track 12

15. Trip To Your Heart (Mono) - same as Track 12

16. I Hate To Love Her (Mono) - same as Track 12

17. Silent Communication – Recorded July 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

18. I Get High On You (Version One) – recorded August 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

19. I Remember – recorded July 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

20. My Woman's Head – recorded July 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 1 to 5, 8 to 16 in MONO; Tracks 6, 7 and 17 to 20 in STEREO

Tracks 4 and 17 to 20 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

Tracks 6 and 7 – Track 6 "I Ain't Got Nobody" was initially known as "For Real" and is the first recording made as a Demo in January 1967 where the band is credited Sly And The Family Stone – Track 7 "I Can't Turn You Loose" is from the same January 1967 session. A later re-recording of "I Ain't Got Nobody" is on the "Dance To The Music" LP in 1967. But when the band became chart-toppers in America and around the world, the 1967 Demo Versions of both Tracks 6 and 7 surfaced as a semi-bootlegs twice – 1970 in France on BYG Records 129 018 credited as "Good For Real" – the B-side to "I Can't Turn You Loose" (an Otis Redding cover version) in a picture sleeve – and September 1972 in the USA as the A&B-sides of Loadstone 3951. The label sides of Loadstone 3951 are on Page 37 of the booklet

Tracks 8, 9 and 10 - August 1967 saw a US-only Promo-only 45-single on Epic 5-10229 with "Higher" as the B-side to "Underdog". It was quickly withdrawn and September 1967 saw Epic 5-10229 repressed with "Bad Risk" as the flipside to "Underdog" on the A. All three tracks are included here

 

CD2 (67:16 minutes):

1. What's That Got To Do With Me – recorded July 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

2. Fortune And Fame recorded July 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

3. What Would I Do – August 1967 recording unissued until it was used as a Bonus Track on the 1997 Expanded Edition CD of "A Whole New Thing" on Epic/Legacy 82796 90277-2

4. Only One Way Out Of This Mess (same as Track 3)

5. I Know What You Came To Say – recorded July 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

6. Dance To The Music (Mono Single Master) – November 1967 US 45-single on Epic 5-10256, A-side)

7. Ride The Rhythm – from the April 1968 US 2^nd studio album "Dance To The Music" on Epic BN 26371 in Stereo (see also NOTES)

8. Color Me True (Colour Me True in the UK) (see NOTES)

9. Are You Ready - from the April 1968 US 2^nd studio album "Dance To The Music" on Epic BN 26371 in Stereo

10. Don't Burn Baby - from the April 1968 US 2^nd studio album "Dance To The Music" on Epic BN 26371 in Stereo

11. We Love All – recorded September 1967, first appeared 2007 on the Expanded Edition CD reissue of "Dance To The Music" on Epic/Legacy 82796 90274-2

12. Danse A La Musique (Mono Single Master) – THE FRENCH FRIES – March 1968 US 45-single on Epic 5-10313, A-side

13. Small Fries (Mono Single Master) – THE FRENCH FRIES – Side B of Track 12 (both Tracks Sly Stone originals)

14. Chicken (Mono Single Master) – Cancelled before release US 45-single would have been Epic 5-10333

15. Into My Own Thing – from the album "Life" released November 1968 in the USA on Epic BN 26397 (Stereo only) and January 1969 in the UK as "M'lady" on Direction 8-63461 (Stereo only)

16. Life (Mono Single Master) – June 1968 US 45-single on Epic 5-10353, A-side – different Lead Vocal to the Stereo version on the LP

17. Love City (Mono) – recorded May 1968, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED MONO MIX

18. M'lady (Mono Single Master) – June 1968 US 45-single on Epic 5-10353, as B-side, then flipped as Promoted as the A-side

19. Dynamite! – recorded April 1968, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

20. Undercat (Instrumental) – recorded August 1967, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED (see NOTES)

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 6, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18 in MONO; all others in STEREO

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 17, 19 and 20 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

Tracks 7 and 8 also appeared as Tracks 1 and 2 on Side 2 of a 45-single 4-Track Free Mini LP play played at 33 1/3 album speed (Epic S EPC 3048) that came with January 1972 UK copies of the LP "There's A Riot Goin' On" (Epic 64613)

Track 20 would see elements of "Undercat" develop and evolve into the song "Plastic John" that appeared on the "Life" album of 1968

 

CD3 (77:36 minutes):

1. Everyday People (Mono Single Master) - see Track 2

2. Sing A Simple Song (Mono Single Master) – Tracks 1 and 2 are the A&B-sides of a November 1968 US 45-single on Epic 5-10407

3. I Get High On You (Version 2) – recorded February 1968, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED (see NOTES)

4. Wonderful World Of Color – recorded May 1968, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

5. Pressure – recorded August 1968, unissued outtake that first appeared on the 2007 Expanded Edition CD reissue of "Life" on Epic/Legacy 82876 83945-2

6. I Want To Take You Higher (Mono Single Master) – March 1969 US 45-single on Epic 5-10450, B-side of "Stand!"

7. Seven More Days – as per Track 5

8. Feathers (Instrumental) – recorded September 1968, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

9. Somebody's Watching You – from the album "Stand!" released April 1969 in the USA on Epic BN 26456 (Stereo only) and July 1969 in the UK on Direction 8-63655 (stereo only)

10. Sex Machine – as per Track 9

11. Hot In The Summertime (Mono Single Master) – July 1969 US 45-single on Epic 5-10497, A-side

12. Everybody Is A Star (Mono Single Master)

13. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Tracks 12 and 13 are the B&A-sides of a December 1969 US 45-single on Epic 5-10555

14. Stand! (Live) – see NOTES

15. You Can Make It If You Try (Live) – see NOTES

16. Dance To The Music (Live) – Tracks 16 and 17 see NOTES

17. Medley: Music Lover/I Want To Take You Higher/Music Lover (Live)

NOTES on CD3:

Tracks 1, 2, 6, 11 and 13 in MONO; all others in STEREO

Tracks 3, 4, 8, 16 and 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

Tracks 14 and 15 were from the 1971 US 3LP Various Artists set "The First Great Rock Festivals Of The Seventies – Isle Of Wight – Atlanta Pop Festival" on Columbia G3X 30807. On the original triple, the Isle of Wight Medley was run as one 10:14 minute track; here it is divided into two. Tracks 16 and 17 were recorded on the same day also at the Isle of Wight Festival, 30 August 1970, but left off the 3LP set. They are issued here for the first time

 

CD4 (72:39 minutes):

1. Luv N' Haight (Single Master, 4:02 minutes)

2. Family Affair – Tracks 1 and 2 are the B&A-sides of an October 1971 US 45-single on Epic 5-10805

3. Brave And Strong (Mono Single Master)

4. Runnin' Away (Mono Single Master) - Tracks 3 and 4 are the B&A-sides of a January 1972 US 45-single on Epic 5-10829

5. (You Caught Me) Smilin' (Single Master) – March 1972 US 45-single on Epic 5-10850, A-side

6. Spaced Cowboy – from the album "There's A Riot Goin' On" released November 1971 in the USA on Epic KC 30986 and January 1972 in the UK on Epic S EPC 64613

7. You're The One (Live) – recorded September 1975 in Mono at Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

8. In Time – from the August 1973 LP "Fresh" on Epic KE 32134

9. If You Want Me To Stay (Single Master) – June 1973 US 45-single on Epic 5-11017, A-side

10. Frisky (Mono Single Master) – October 1973 US Promo-Only 45-single on Epic 5-11060, A-Side

11. Skin I'm In - from the August 1973 LP "Fresh" on Epic KE 32134

12. If It Were Left Up To Me (Mono Single Master) - October 1973 US Promo-Only 45-single on Epic 5-11060, A-Side

13. Time For Livin' (Mono Single Master) – June 1974 US 45-single on Epic 5-11140, A-side

14. Can't Stain My Brain (Single Master) – October 1974 US 45-single on Epic 8-50033, B-side of "Loose Booty"

15. Loose Booty – from the album "Small Talk" released July 1974 in the USA on Epic PE 32930 and August 1974 in the UK on Epic S EPC 69070

16. Le Lo Li (Single Master) – SLY STONE - December 1975 US 45-single on Epic 8-50175, A-side

17. Crossword Puzzle (Single Master) – SLY STONE - February 1976 US 45-single on Epic 8-50201, A-side

18. Family Again – January 1977 US 45-single on Epic 8-50331, A-side - featuring Johnny Colla, later Saxophonist with Huey Lewis and The News

19. Hoboken – SLY STONE - recorded October 1975 and April 1977, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

20. High – SLY STONE – recorded October 1975, PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

NOTES on CD4:

Tracks 3, 4, 7, 10, 12 and 13 in MONO; all others in STEREO

Track 3 would eventually be re-recorded by Sly for inclusion on his 1975 album "High On You"

Tracks 7, 19 and 20 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

 

The Deluxe 10 x 10 Packaging is a visual assault and in all the best ways. The rear title-sheet on the rear lips beneath the box set but of course once the shrink-wrap is removed is left dangling as stand-alone card. I had to put the entire package in a LP heavy gauge sleeve to protect the damn thing. But what will get to you as you remove the 104-page booklet from its slipcase slot is the content. I cannot imagine the amount of months it must have taken to collate together this amount of period memorabilia into coherent pages. It is gorgeous. The time line from March 1943 (his birth) to 2013 (aged 70) begins on Page 77 with a full-page colour shot of the band in full 1967 dude-apparel. The text is by EDWIN and ARNO KONINGS and edited by ALEX PALAO. However, there are a few annoying niggles. You just wish the track-by-track details actually went deeper – I have provided the release dates and catalogue numbers and which is an A-side or B – the pages here kind of half do that. But the colour and black and white photos are many and stunning. – Pages 24 and 25 mixing in a 1971 concert poster (Rare Earth and Ruth Copeland on the same bill) with on-stage photos of a band finally arriving. VIC ANESINI did the Remasters - typically clean, clear and muscular. CD3 and CD4 are fabulous sounding – primarily Stereo.

 

CD1 opens with the yeah-yeah-yeah mid 60ts R&B dancer "I Just Learned How To Swim" – Sly neglecting his homework in favour of things more youthful and picturesque. The B-side sees Sly scat words and sounds – "Ugh! And Come On Now!" shouted out every few moments (surprisingly good audio). Sly don’t want a steady woman as he sings "Dance All Night" – his non-daylight brain focused on the Philly and The Watusi come the sun going down (punchy Mono on this one too). Speaking of that sound - I would have to say though and despite their rarity on digital - the Mono Single Mixes of "Underdog" and "Bad Risk" disappoint somewhat. I go back the LP Stereo cuts all day long. I am super impressed however at how good the two French Fries tracks sound - even in that super-silly distorted voice like he is Mickey Mouse (him under another name). And the withdrawn "Chicken" 45 seems like a mistake because it was surely Funky and cluck-cluck catchy enough to have been a hit. Got to love that spacey feel to "Silent Communication" too.

 

The second LP "Life" from 1968 did not proffer those all-important hit singles – so despite the Mono 45 sides for both "Life" and "M'lady" being plugged by Columbia as A-sides – they did not do the business and the album stalled the group (there is a lovely full-page Promo Ad for the album reproduced on Page 46 of the beautiful booklet). CD2 opens with three Previously Unissued cuts made in the summer of 1967 that first appeared on Epic/Legacy CD reissues - "What's That Got To Do With Me" and the smoocher come lounge-room-lizard vibe to "Fame And Fortune". The third and best is the slow sexy Soul of "What Would I Do" – a tune that surely would have made a great Non-LP B-side. "Dance To The Music" sees the band hit their Funky stride – still such a tune. Clever choice is the frantic boogie of "Ride The Rhythm" from 1968 that British fans got on a 4-track Free Mini LP 45-single that played at LP-speed (it was given away as a bonus when they bought copies of the "There's A Riot Goin' On" LP in the UK in January 1972). Do you know how to avoid becoming sick they asked in "Color Me True" – another brassy funk workout – and again a track on the Free Mini LP bonus EP. You can hear why they left off "We Love All", too many radical and challenging lyrics maybe and that stop-start trippy construction - but I think it more interesting and positive than some of the released stuff – and a real find.

 

Magic opens CD3 with a double-whammy – the double A-side 45 Mono Mixes of the racially joyous "Everyday People" and the do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do Funk of "Sing A Simple Song" (1 November 1968, the picture sleeve and its 45 are pictured on Page 48 of the booklet). The unreleased "Wonderful World Of Color" is Fuzz Guitar and Organ instrumental that is mostly awful to my ears – though I dare some might find it compelling enough because of its off-kilter sound. Back on boogie-track for "Pressure" – another outtake that is worthy of rediscovery – all right now. The full-blown Funk-a-thon 13:46 minutes of "Sex Machine" from the 1973 platter "Fresh" can either be seen as indulgence or pre-Prince-like genius – or somewhere planter firmly between both. It sure packs an aural punch here. Lightening things up considerably is the throwback to the Soft 60ts sound of "Hot Fun In The Summertime" – here in its Mono form as is the 45-version of "Everybody Is A Star" – good songs but hardly great. Straight into Isley Brothers slap-Bass funk with the brilliant "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" – a sound so ludicrously ahead of everything to come in the Seventies. The disc ends in four live shots in a row – all taped 30 August 1970 at the Isle of Wight Festival in England – Sly in full preacher mode before he grabs the crow with Soul and Funk they did not know they needed.

 

After a near two-year hiatus as far as the public was concerned - CD4 starts out with the big one for fans of Seventies Funk and Social Consciousness – the "There's A Riot Goin' On" LP with its seriously messed-up muddied tapes. Anesini has clearly done the best with what he had at hand – legendarily dubbed on dubbed on dubbed homemade edits. So I am amazed at the sonic whack off of "Luv N' Haight" – here in its 4:02 minute single variant. Quickly followed of course by the big Daddy of his hits - "Family Affair" – a duet vocal with Rose Stone and Billy Preston on the Fender Piano that did so much to define the song’s iconic sound. Bobby Womack was also in there on Rhythm Guitar. I never liked the Poppy Herb Alpert sound of "Runnin' Away" – however fans are going to dig the great audio on display here. Better for me is the slinky Bass and Keyboard swizz of "(You Caught Me) Smilin'" – Sly distorting those vocal lines while Brass pumps up the tight backbeat. "Spaced Cowboy" was typical of the Beatbox-distortion that greeted buyers of the LP "There's A Riot Goin' On" – a Soul yodel song! The live track "You're The One" is not great audio wise and if it is unreleased – I would not want to hear it ever again.

 

The "Fresh" album from 1973 was worth the wait, the seriously funky and wildly unusual rhythms Sly wanted on "In Time" for instance provided by England's Andy Newmark after many other Drummers had been auditioned and failed. Huge Bass greets you with "If You Want Me To Stay" – a badass hook with Rhythms and Brass that makes you think of Blaxsploitation movies where gangsters treat their molls with unenlightened attitudes. Larry Graham left the band to form Graham Central Station – his replacement Rustee Allen makes his presence known with the brilliantly Funky "Frisky" (Allen would actually play Bass on Robin Trower albums for Chrysalis Records in the 80ts). There is great musicality in "Loose Booty" – and again a Robin Trower Band tie-in with Drummer Bill Lordan sharing both stools. The "High On You" LP sessions of 1975 produced the Bass-driven "Le Lo Li" – his new reassembled band then featuring the vocals of Dawn Silva, who would later become part of the George Clinton collective The Brides Of Funkenstein. And on it goes...

 

I would not say that everything on this lavishly presented Book Set is genius – I find CD1 and 2 with their heavy-on-the-Mono leans a hard listen if I am truthful. But I hit the CD player with CD3 and 4 often to get those LP cuts in top Funky Audio. Booty for you indeed...