"The Singles Volume 11: 1979-1981" by JAMES BROWN (October 2011 US Hip-O Select 2CD Anthology - Seth Foster Remasters) - Vol. 11 in a Series of 11 - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…It's Too Funky in Here…Gimme Some Air!"  

This Review Along With 289 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

HIGHER GROUND 
70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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Having diligently collected all 10 Volumes in this truly incredible series of American CDs (I've reviewed 8, 9 and 10) - I baulked at Volume 11 because of the dates. Bit of a mistake that!

Why? What Volume Eleven's subtitle '1979 to 1981' doesn't tell you is that on Disc 2 there is a far wider range of dates and therefore better stuff - namely the rare and hugely desirable American 12" Promo singles from 1976 to 1981. And in my book that puts this otherwise workmanlike compilation into an altogether different stratosphere. But let's get to the details first...

UK released November 2011 (Oct 2011 USA) - "The Singles Volume 11: 1979-1981" by JAMES BROWN on Hip-O Select B0016037-02 (Barcode 602527814100) is a 2CD set of Remasters and breaks down as follows:

(Release dates and catalogue numbers below are for US 45's unless otherwise stated)

Disc 1 (77:22 minutes):

1 and 2 are "Star Generation" b/w "Women Are Something Else" - released August 1979 on Polydor PD-2005 [A-side was also issued as a Promo 7" on Polydor PRO 100]

3 is "The Original Disco Man - Short Version" - US Promo-Only 7" DJ-single version (no catalogue number)

4 and 5 are "The Original Disco Man" b/w "Let The Boogie Do The Rest" - released November 1979 on Polydor PD-2034

6 and 7 are "Regrets" b/w "Stone Cold Drag" - released January 1980 on Polydor PD-2054

8 and 9 are "Let The Funk Flow" b/w "Sometimes That's All There Is" - released April 1980 on Polydor PD-2078

10 and 11 are "Get Up Offa That Thing (Live)" b/w "It's Too Funky In Here (Live)" - released October 1980 on Polydor PD-2129

12 and 13 are "Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses)" b/w "Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses) (Pt. II)" - released November 1980 on T.K. Records TKX-1039.

[Note: also issued as a 12" single on T.K. Records TK D452 with a playing time of 7:02 minutes - see Disc 2]

14 and 15 are "Stay With Me" b/w "Smokin' & Drinkin'" - released March 1981 on T.K. Records TK 1042

[Note: the A-side was also issued on a 12" single on T.K. Records TK D455 - but is NOT an extended version]

16 and 17 are "Give That Bass Player Some Part I" b/w "Give That Bass Player Some Part II" - April 1981 on Polydor PD-2167

18 and 19 are "I Go Crazy" b/w "World Cycle Inc." - released IN THE UK (No US release) in July 1981 on Polydor POSP 290

Disc 2 (68:18 minutes):

1 is "Get Up Offa That Thing/Release The Pressure (12-Inch Version)" - released June 1976 as a 1-Sided PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 010

[Note: shortened 7" mix is on Volume 10]

2 is "If You Don't Give A Doggone About It (12-inch Version)" - released January 1978 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 038 [credited as James Brown and the J.B.'s]

3 and 4 are "Eyesight (12-inch Version)" b/w "The Spank (12-inch Version)" - released July 1978 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 040

[Note: 7" single mixes are on Volume 10]

5 is "For Goodness Sakes, Look At Those Cakes (12-inch Version)" - released October 1978 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 059

6 is "It's Too Funky In Here (12-inch Version)" - released May 1979 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 086

7 is "Star Generation (12-inch Version)" - released August 1979 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 100

[Note: regarding 5, 6 and 7 - each of the 12" singles are essential the album versions - the shortened 7" single mixes are on Volume 10]

8. "Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses) (12-inch Version)" - released November 1980 on T.K. Records TK D452

[Note: at 7:02 minutes, the A-side is longer than the single mix but is an edit of the full 14-minute album version on "Soul Syndrome".

The B-side of this 12" is the 7" single version of "Pt. II" - Track 13 on Disc 1]

9. "Give That Bass Player Some (12-inch Version)" - released May 1981 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 157

[Note: at 8:38 minutes, it's exclusive and two minutes longer than the 1981 album version on "Nonstop"]

The gorgeous 28-booklet is the usual superlative liner notes by former manager and keeper-of-the-flame ALAN LEEDS with expert remastering of the 1st generation tapes by SETH FOSTER. But as other reviewers have pointed out - Disc 1 contains some terrible dogs - especially the Brad Shapiro produced stuff like "Star Generation". It's not until you get to Track 5 - the superb B-side "Let The Boogie Do The Rest" do things pick up and restore the faith. The T.K. Records "Rapp Workout" is a return-to-form, but only just - and as bristling as the 'live' versions of "Get Up Offa That Thing" and "It's Too Funky In Here" are - the studio versions trounce them. The guitar work of Troy Seals on "Let The Funk Flow" and the slightly rock-funk of "Sometimes That's All There Is" is a highlight too. The UK-only uncharacteristic instrumental B-side "World Cycle Inc." sounds like Synth Prog meets Funk ala Bob James or Deodato - it's a bit of an eye-opener - and a great inclusion.

But as I've already said Disc 2 is a different beast - absolute funky belters in blisteringly good sound quality. I've played this in the shop and the customer reaction is instant - tapping of feet and wiggling of butts as they browse the old-skool Soul racks. The irrestible sexiness of "The Spank" is fantastic stuff and the 6:35 minutes of "It's Too Funky In Here" is as brill as Seventies Funk gets. I swear if scientists examine James Brown's DNA - there'll be a gene sat on top of all the others marked FUNKYMAN NO.1 - and they'll further find that no other creature in the entire Universe (human or otherwise) has it. What a wow he was!

To sum up - I liked about half of Disc 1 but Disc 2 is chock full of totally killer funk - and for me puts this release into another realm of brilliance.

Take a punt on the twelve-inches of Volume Eleven - I think you'll be glad you did - y'all.

“The Singles Volume 11: 1979-1981” by JAMES BROWN (2011 Hip-O Select 2CD Set Of Seth Foster Remasters - Volume Eleven) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…It's Too Funky in Here…Gimme Some Air!"  

Having diligently collected all 10 Volumes in this truly incredible series of American CDs (I've reviewed 8, 9 and 10) - I baulked at Volume 11 because of the dates. Bit of a mistake that!

Why? What Volume Eleven's subtitle '1979 to 1981' doesn't tell you is that on Disc 2 there is a far wider range of dates and therefore better stuff - namely the rare and hugely desirable American 12" Promo singles from 1976 to 1981. And in my book that puts this otherwise workmanlike compilation into an altogether different stratosphere. But let's get to the details first...

UK released November 2011 (Oct 2011 USA) - "The Singles Volume 11: 1979-1981" by JAMES BROWN on Hip-O Select B0016037-02 (Barcode 602527814100) is a 2CD set of Remasters and breaks down as follows:

(Release dates and catalogue numbers below are for US 45's unless otherwise stated)

Disc 1 (77:22 minutes):

1 and 2 are "Star Generation" b/w "Women Are Something Else" - released August 1979 on Polydor PD-2005 [A-side was also issued as a Promo 7" on Polydor PRO 100]

3 is "The Original Disco Man - Short Version" - US Promo-Only 7" DJ-single version (no catalogue number)

4 and 5 are "The Original Disco Man" b/w "Let The Boogie Do The Rest" - released November 1979 on Polydor PD-2034

6 and 7 are "Regrets" b/w "Stone Cold Drag" - released January 1980 on Polydor PD-2054

8 and 9 are "Let The Funk Flow" b/w "Sometimes That's All There Is" - released April 1980 on Polydor PD-2078

10 and 11 are "Get Up Offa That Thing (Live)" b/w "It's Too Funky In Here (Live)" - released October 1980 on Polydor PD-2129

12 and 13 are "Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses)" b/w "Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses) (Pt. II)" - released November 1980 on T.K. Records TKX-1039.

[Note: also issued as a 12" single on T.K. Records TK D452 with a playing time of 7:02 minutes - see Disc 2]

14 and 15 are "Stay With Me" b/w "Smokin' & Drinkin'" - released March 1981 on T.K. Records TK 1042

[Note: the A-side was also issued on a 12" single on T.K. Records TK D455 - but is NOT an extended version]

16 and 17 are "Give That Bass Player Some Part I" b/w "Give That Bass Player Some Part II" - April 1981 on Polydor PD-2167

18 and 19 are "I Go Crazy" b/w "World Cycle Inc." - released IN THE UK (No US release) in July 1981 on Polydor POSP 290

Disc 2 (68:18 minutes):

1 is "Get Up Offa That Thing/Release The Pressure (12-Inch Version)" - released June 1976 as a 1-Sided PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 010

[Note: shortened 7" mix is on Volume 10]

2 is "If You Don't Give A Doggone About It (12-inch Version)" - released January 1978 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 038 [credited as James Brown and the J.B.'s]

3 and 4 are "Eyesight (12-inch Version)" b/w "The Spank (12-inch Version)" - released July 1978 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 040

[Note: 7" single mixes are on Volume 10]

5 is "For Goodness Sakes, Look At Those Cakes (12-inch Version)" - released October 1978 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 059

6 is "It's Too Funky In Here (12-inch Version)" - released May 1979 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 086

7 is "Star Generation (12-inch Version)" - released August 1979 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 100

[Note: regarding 5, 6 and 7 - each of the 12" singles are essential the album versions - the shortened 7" single mixes are on Volume 10]

8. "Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses) (12-inch Version)" - released November 1980 on T.K. Records TK D452

[Note: at 7:02 minutes, the A-side is longer than the single mix but is an edit of the full 14-minute album version on "Soul Syndrome".

The B-side of this 12" is the 7" single version of "Pt. II" - Track 13 on Disc 1]

9. "Give That Bass Player Some (12-inch Version)" - released May 1981 as a PROMO 12" single on Polydor PRO 157

[Note: at 8:38 minutes, it's exclusive and two minutes longer than the 1981 album version on "Nonstop"]

The gorgeous 28-booklet is the usual superlative liner notes by former manager and keeper-of-the-flame ALAN LEEDS with expert remastering of the 1st generation tapes by SETH FOSTER. But as other reviewers have pointed out - Disc 1 contains some terrible dogs - especially the Brad Shapiro produced stuff like "Star Generation". It's not until you get to Track 5 - the superb B-side "Let The Boogie Do The Rest" do things pick up and restore the faith. The T.K. Records "Rapp Workout" is a return-to-form, but only just - and as bristling as the 'live' versions of "Get Up Offa That Thing" and "It's Too Funky In Here" are - the studio versions trounce them. The guitar work of Troy Seals on "Let The Funk Flow" and the slightly rock-funk of "Sometimes That's All There Is" is a highlight too. The UK-only uncharacteristic instrumental B-side "World Cycle Inc." sounds like Synth Prog meets Funk ala Bob James or Deodato - it's a bit of an eye-opener - and a great inclusion.

But as I've already said Disc 2 is a different beast - absolute funky belters in blisteringly good sound quality. I've played this in the shop and the customer reaction is instant - tapping of feet and wiggling of butts as they browse the old-skool Soul racks. The irrestible sexiness of "The Spank" is fantastic stuff and the 6:35 minutes of "It's Too Funky In Here" is as brill as Seventies Funk gets. I swear if scientists examine James Brown's DNA - there'll be a gene sat on top of all the others marked FUNKYMAN NO.1 - and they'll further find that no other creature in the entire Universe (human or otherwise) has it. What a wow he was!

To sum up - I liked about half of Disc 1 but Disc 2 is chock full of totally killer funk - and for me puts this release into another realm of brilliance.

Take a punt on the twelve-inches of Volume Eleven - I think you'll be glad you did - y'all.

"Not Fade Away - The Complete Studio Recordings And More" by BUDDY HOLLY. A Review of the 2009 Hip-O Select 6CD Box Set.

"…In My Heart…You’re The One…"

First available via Hip-O Select’s own website from 30 October 2009, “Not Fade Away – The Complete Studio Recordings And More” saw its commercial US release on 23 November 2009 (delayed to 2 Dec 2009 in the UK). 203-tracks are housed on 6 label-themed CDs in an oversized hardback book – a worldwide limited edition of 7000 (non-numbered). As well as including almost the entirety of the 57-track “Down The Line Rarities” 2CD set from 2009, a further 8 are ‘Previously Unreleased’ with 14 more ‘Previously Unreleased in the USA’. Here’s a disc-by-disc breakdown first…

Disc 1 features 1949-1956, 35 Tracks, 76:22 minutes:
Tracks 1, 4-12 and 19-22 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (January 2009)
Tracks 2, 3, 14, 16, 24 and 25 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Tracks 13, 15, 17 and 18 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 23, 26, 27 and 28 are from the LP “That’ll Be The Day” (April 1958)
Tracks 29, and 31-35 are from the LP “For The First Time Anywhere” (February 1983)
Track 30 is from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)

Disc 2 features 1956-1957, 36 Tracks, 70:52 minutes:
Tracks 1-5, 7 and 9 are from the LP “That’ll Be The Day” (April 1958)
Track 6 is from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Tracks 8, 10 and 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Tracks 11-13, 16-25, 30 and 34 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (January 2009)
Tracks 26-27 and 31 are from the LP “For The First Time Anywhere” (February 1983)
Tracks 28, 29 and 35 are from the LP “The Chirping Crickets” (November 1957)
Tracks 32, 33 and 36 are from the LP “Buddy Holly” (February 1958)
[NOTE: Track 15 “Have You Ever Been Lonely” is miscredited in the booklet as Track 13 and has no LP reference, but recording details make it from the

Disc 3 features 1957-1958, 34 Tracks, 72:45 minutes:
Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 22-24 and 29 are from the LP “Buddy Holly” (February 1958)
Tracks 3, 4, 6, 9, 30 and 32-34 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (Jan2009)
Tracks 5, 11 and 12 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 13-21 are from the LP “The Chirping Crickets” (November 1957)
Tracks 25-28 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Track 31 is from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. II” (March 1960)

Disc 4 features 1958, 32 Tracks, 67:17 minutes:
Tracks 1-4, 11, 26-27, 30 and 32 are from 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (Jan 2009)
Tracks 5, 14, 17 (Mono “True Love Ways”) and 23 are from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol.11” (March 1960)
Track 6 and 8 are from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Track 7, 9-10, 12, 19 and 21 are from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story” (March 1959)
Track 13 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED in the USA
Track 15 is from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)
Tracks 16, 18 (Stereo “True Love Ways”), 20 (Stereo “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”), 24 (Stereo “Moondreams”) and 28-29 and 31 are from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Track 22 is from the LP “The Best Of Buddy Holly” (April 1966)
*** Track 25 is the 1958 original of “You’re The One” and is miscredited as being from the 1968 overdubbed LP “Giant” (January 1969) ***

Disc 5 features 1958-1963, 33 Tracks, 72:40 minutes:
Tracks 1-9 are from the 2CD set “Down The Line Rarities” (January 2009)
Tracks 10-15 are from the LP “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol.11” (March 1960)
Tracks 16-23 and 33 are from the LP “Reminiscing” (February 1963)
Track 24 is from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Track 25 is from the 2LP set “Buddy Holly – A Rock & Roll Collection” (August 1972)
Tracks 26-30 are from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Track 32 is from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)
[NOTE: Track 31 is “Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie” and is uncredited to an LP]

Disc 6 features 1962-1968, 33 Tracks, 69:57 minutes:
Tracks 1-2 are from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Tracks 3-4 is from the LP “Reminiscing” (February 1963)
Tracks 5-9, 15 and 21 are from the LP “Holly In The Hills” (January 1965)
Tracks 10-14 and 19 are from the LP “Showcase” (May 1964)
Tracks 16-18, 20 and 22-23 are from the 6LP Box Set “The Complete Buddy Holly” (March 1979)
Tracks 24-33 are from the LP “Giant” (January 1969)

PACKAGING and SOUND:
Worldwide Buddy Holly authority BILL GRIGGS acted as consultant, while long-time R’n’B and Doo Wop champ BILL DAHL does the knowledgeable and hugely affectionate liner notes. ANDY McKAIE was compiler and co-ordinator, while one of Universal’s top engineers ERICK LABSON (nearly 1000 mastering credits to his name - including most of the Chess catalogue) did the remastering. The sound varies as you can imagine from the barely tolerable (demos) to the sublime (official studio tracks). For the most part I found the transfers warm and beautifully rendered throughout – “Little Baby” from “Buddy Holly” sounds just amazing (lyrics above).

Niggles - as you tell from a photograph of it, Hip-O Select knew they’d a prestigious project on their hands and pulled out the stops packaging-wise. It is a lovely thing to behold. Having said that – if Bear Family had done this – the book would have been a work-of-art – and new ‘Buddy’ stuff would festoon every page. The book is lovely don’t get me wrong, but it’s over all too soon. Also – Page 20 has a full-page black and white shot of Buddy alighting the tour bus on 19 Jan 1958 in the snow and it’s just eerily beautiful – I wish they’d used it as the cover art instead of the rather naff and safe choice they did choose.

Summing up – fans have waited years for a CD replacement of their beloved “Complete Buddy Holly” 6LP/6MC Box Set from 1979 by the wonderful JOHN BEECHER and MALCOLM JONES – and this tastily presented homage is the closest they’re going to get to it.

What an artist – and what a legacy. Rave On indeed...

PS: For fans, I’ve created an album-by-album Discography referencing the entire contents of this box (took me a while that) – see separate posting...

"Nils Lofgren" by NILS LOFGREN. A Review Of His Superb 1975 Debut LP On A&M Records Now Reissued And Remastered Onto CD By Hip-O Select In 2007.

This review is part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

"…It’s Got My Heart Inside…The Postage Is My Soul…"

After 3 albums with GRIN on Epic Records, Nils Lofgren finally released his first solo album on A&M Records in March 1975 in the USA (SP-4509) and April 1975 in the UK (AMLH 64509). Lofgren handled all Guitars, Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards and Organ on his self-titled debut, while WORNELL JONES supplied the Bass and AYNSLEY DUNBAR the Drums. And a little Seventies gem it is too…

First up though - be careful you get the right version - Amazon UK wrongly credits this October 2007 American CD reissue as being by RYKODISC – it’s not – it’s a HIP-O SELECT release. Second - neither the title on Amazon nor the outside packaging nor the rear inlay mentions the all-important REMASTER word - and Mark Omann at Universal has remastered the album and to beautiful effect.

"Nils Lofgren" has 12 tracks, 11 originals and a stunning cover of Goffin/King's "Goin' Back" - first unleashed on the world by the BYRDS on their 1968 album "The Notorious Byrd Brothers". Carole King herself did a version of it on her 1970 debut solo album "Writer: Carole King", but Lofgren's take is altogether different - a sort of funky piano version that is fantastic - making it much more up-tempo and positive (for those interested, the expanded piano version on Lofgren's 1977 live double "Night After Night" is also a stunning highlight).

For such a famously fluid guitar player capable of making the hairs on your arms stand up with his flourishes and deft touch, there’s surprisingly little guitar pyrotechnics on the album (“Keith Don’t Go” (lyrics above) and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Crook” are notable exceptions).
It’s more about the songs. The total playing time is only 35:07 minutes, so the songs are short and sweet – but man are they good…

The slightly fuzzed-up guitar opener "Be Good Tonight" gives way to the band kicking in on "Back It Up". And it’s then that you begin to notice the sonic upgrade. Tracks like "I Don’t Want To Know", "The Sun Hasn’t Set On This Boy Yet" and the pre Mink DeVille street-hustle of "Two By Two" now sound full and clear – the remaster imbibing them with real muscle.

On the downside, it’s a damn shame that the inlay is merely a gatefold slip of paper with the most rudimentary details (the original album artwork was pretty much a bare-bones affair too) - and worse – there’s no tasty outtakes or bonus tracks. An opportunity missed there.

Still - I love this album - I played it to death then and I’ll do so again now.

"Nils Lofgren" is a great Seventies LP finally given the sonic upgrade on CD it’s needed for decades. Buy this US import with confidence.

PS: see also my separate reviews for his 2nd and 3rd solo albums - "Cry Tough" (1976) and "I Came To Dance" (1977) – now also reissued by Hip-O Select on remasters

"Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection" by TAMMI TERRELL [feat Marvin Gaye] (2010 Motown/Hip-O Select 2CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…Memory Chest…" 

Motown released a 52-track 2CD compilation called "The Complete Duets" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell back in 2001. A full nine-years later and on the 40th anniversary of her untimely death in 1970 - we finally get the Tammi Terrell solo material. And like its predecessor (and indeed herself) it's a thing of beauty - it really is.

"Come And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection" contains 50 tracks across 2CDs and was originally released on Hip-O's own website and then commercially to the USA in the same month - October 2010 - and now has a belated UK release in December 2010. There's a lot on here, so let's get to the details...

"Come And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection" by TAMMI TERRELL on Motown/Hip-O Select B0014792-02 (Barcode 602527499475) breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (72:49 minutes):

1. If You See Bill

2. It’s Mines (tracks 1 and 2 are her 1961 debut USA 7" single on Scepter 1224)

3. Voice Of Experience

4. I Wancha To Be Sure (tracks 3 and 4 are her 2nd single on Wand 123 from 1962)

5. Sinner’s Devotion

6. Make The Night A Little Longer

7. Big John (tracks 5, 6 and 7 are from the album "The Early Show" on Wand WDS 682 in 1967. Tracks 1 to 4 are also on the album - Side 2 of the LP has Chuck Jackson recordings)

8. I Cried

9. If You Don’t Think (tracks 8 and 9 are a USA 7" single on Try Me Records 28001 from 1963 - both sides written and produced by James Brown)

10. If I Would Marry You

11. This Time Tomorrow

12. I’ve Got Nothing To Say But Goodbye

13. I Can’t Hold It On Anymore

14. If I Would Marry You [Duet Version with Jimmy Radcliffe] (Tracks 10 to 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, 10 and 11 are Stereo versions. Tracks were originally issued as a Mono single on Checker 1072 in 1964)

15. I Can’t Believe You Love Me

16. That’s What Boys Are Made For

17. Come On And See Me

18. What A Good Man He Is

19. Tears At The End Of A Love Affair

20. This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)

21. He’s The One I Love

22. Can’t Stop Now (Love Is Calling)

23. Just Too Much To Hope For

24. Hold Me Oh My Darling

25. I Can’t Go On Without You

Tracks 15 to 25 are the Stereo version of her debut LP "Irresistible" issued on Motown MS652 in January 1969 in the USA and on Tamla Motown STML 11103 in May 1969 in the UK

26. Baby Don’t Cha Worry

27. There Are Things (tracks 26 and 27 are Stereo versions of 2 Non-LP tracks which first appeared on the 1991 Motown CD for "Irresistible")

1 to 14 credited to TAMMY MONTGOMERY - all others to TAMMI TERRELL

Disc 2 (64:57 minutes):

1. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Mono, from "The Complete Duets" 2CDs, 2001)

2. All I Do Is Think About You (from "A Cellarful Of Motown", 2CDs, 2003)

3. Slow Down (from "The Essential Collection", CD, 2001)

4. I Gotta Find A Way To get You Back (from the Various Artists compilation "The Complete Motown Anthology", 2CDs, 1997)

5. Oh How I’d Miss You (Mono, from "The Complete Duets" 2CD set, 2001)

6. Lone, Lonely Town (from the UK-only compilation "Tamla Motown Connoisseurs", CD, 2001)

7. You Ain’t Livin' 'Till You’re Lovin'

8. Give In, You Just Can’t Win

9. When Love Comes Knocking At Your Heart

10. Memory Chest

11. That’s How It Is (Since You’ve Been Gone)

12. More, More, More (tracks 7 to 12 first appeared on "The Complete Duets" 2CD set from 2001 but in MONO only - 7 to 12 here are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED STEREO versions)

13. Two Can Have A Party (from the UK-only Various Artists compilation "This Is Northern Soul Vol.2", 2CDs, 1998)

14. My Heart (from the UK-only Various Artists 2CD "A Cellarful Of Motown, Vol.2", 2CDs, 2005)

15. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely (from the UK-only Various Artists 2CD "A Cellarful Of Motown, Vol.4", 2CDs, 2010)

16. Kissing In The Shadows

17. Beware Of A Stranger

18. It’s Been A Long Time Happenin’ (tracks 16 to 18 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 1966, 1967 and 1967 recordings)

19. Almost Like Being In Love (Live)

20. Stage Dialogue With Emcee Scott Regan

21. I Can’t Believe You Love Me (Live)

22. Medley: What A Difference A Day Makes/Runnin’ Out Of Fools/Tell Me The Truth/Baby Love (Live)

23. Come On And See Me (Live) (tracks 19 to 23 are "Live At The Roostertail", Detroit, Michigan on 19 September 1966 and are all PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Mono Recordings)

The packaging is gorgeous - a 3-way foldout card digipak which sports truly lovely colour photos of her - while the exceptionally well put-together 36-page oversized booklet has a detailed retrospective of her life by African-American cultural expert DAPHNE BROOKS. There's a track-by-track breakdown, promo shots of Tammi with Marvin, album artwork and full colour plates of the gorgeous Thomasina Winifred Montgormery that literally make you double-take (the one on Page 28 in particular is a strong contender for the most beautiful woman in the world).

The sound quality is great - clean and vibrant. The first generation tapes have been handled with real class by one of Universal's top engineers - ELLEN FITTON. I've raved about her work before - she did all 12 of "The Complete Motown Singles" box sets and many other great Motown releases for Hip-O Select. I've created a TAG (see above) for both - one for her remasters and the other for Hip-O Select releases worth noting.

Some would argue that Tammi's solo material is good rather than great - the Motown machine giving her song after song that was workmanlike but never quite magic. Perhaps she needed the catalyst of a partner, because it wasn't until she dueted with Marvin that the real sparks started to fly. There was just something about them - their youth, their affection for each other, their combined voices - absolutely thrilling stuff. However, there are real solo gems on here too - the new STEREO versions of 7 to 12 on Disc 2 are 'so' good - "Memory Chest" (lyrics above) and "That's How It is (Since You've Been Gone)" in particular. And the "Roostertail" stuff shows how cool she was and that she could cut it live.

There is a poignancy to this release - because I suspect like most ardent Motown fans, I still find it shocking that she was taken away from us at only 24 in March 1970 - it seems so cruel - and just when things were about to start cooking for her. She was also in Marvin's thoughts as he wrote his Soul masterpiece "What's Going On" - and when you think of the incalculable influence of that album across the decades...

To sum up - as a complimentary issue to the "Duets" double CD of 2001 - "Come On And See Me" is pretty much faultless. A really lovely reissue for a really classy lady…