"The Emitt Rhodes Recordings (1969-1973)" by EMITT RHODES (2009 Hip-O Select 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I Was Dying Inside...I Was Hoping You'd Come Along..."

In truth there was a time when you couldn't give away Emitt Rhodes albums here in the UK - but something of a rediscovery of his music has taken place in the last two decades that has brought his LPs out of the bargain bins and into the eBay lists.

Hailing from Hawthorne (a suburb in Los Angeles) - Rhodes first came to prominence with the US sixties group THE MERRY-GO-ROUND who made one self-titled album for A&M Records in 1967.A&M issued a wad of singles to promote the new signing - but neither they nor the album bothered the charts (these releases are quite sought after now). Rhodes then went solo and that’s where this long-overdue 2CD career overhaul comes storming in. Here are the Mirrors and American Dreams…

Released initially in the USA in May 2009 as a 2CD set (belatedly released in the UK January 2010) – "The Emitt Rhodes Recordings (1969-1973)" by EMITT RHODES on Hip-O Select B0012926-02 (Barcode 602527042732) is a worldwide limited edition of 5000 that contains 4 full albums and one rare non-album 7" single. It breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (66:13 minutes):

1. Mother Earth

2. Pardon Me

3. Textile Factory

4. Someone Died

5. Come Ride, Come Ride

6. Let’s All Sing

7. Holly Park

8. Saturday Night

9. You’re A Very Lovely Woman

10. Mary Will You Take My Hand

11. The Man He Was

12. In The Days Of The Old

13. ‘Til The Day After

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The American Dream" recorded in 1969 but released after his debut album (14 to 25 below) in April 1971 in the USA on A&M SP-4254 and May 1971 in the UK on A&M AMLS 64254

14. With My Face On The Door

15. Somebody Made For Me

16. She’s Such A Beauty

17. Long Time No See

18. Lullabye

19. Fresh As A Daisy

20. Live Till You Die

21. Promises I’ve Made

22. You Take The Dark Out Of The Night

23. You Should Be Ashamed

24. Ever Find Yourself Running

25. You Must Have

Tracks 14 to 25 are the album "Emitt Rhodes" first issued December 1970 in the USA on ABC/Dunhill DS 50089 and February 1971 on Probe Records SPBA 6256 in the UK

Disc 2 (70:06 minutes):

1. Birthday Lady

2. Better Side Of Life

3. My Love Is Strong

4. Side We Seldom Show

5. Mirror

6. Really Wanted You

7. Medley: Bubble Gum The Blues/I’m A Cruiser

8. Love Will Stone You

9. Golden Child Of God

10. Take You Far Away

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Mirror" issued on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50111 in the USA in November 1971 and December 1971 n the UK on Probe Records SPBA 6262

11. Warm Self Sacrifice

12. See No Evil

13. Drawn To You

14. Blue Horizon

15. Shoot The Moon

16. Only Lovers Decide

17. Trust Once More

18. Nights Are Lonely

19. Bad Man

20. In Desperate Need

21. Those That Die

22. Farewell To Paradise

Tracks 11 to 22 are the album "Farewell To Paradise" issued September 1972 on Probe Records SPBA 6266 in the UK and on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50122 in the USA.

Track 23 is "Tame The Lion", a non-album A-side. In the UK it was on Probe Records PRO 565 and in the USA on A&M 4315, both issued in 1972. "Golden Child Of God" - an album track off "Mirror" - is its B-side in both countries.

The 3-way fold out card digipak houses a 16-page booklet with an appreciation of the man and his music by SCOTT SCHNIDER. There's also a pictorial album-by-album breakdown with relevant production and instrument credits. It's remastered by PETE DOELL at Universal Mastering and sounds fantastic - and given that most of these tracks are self-recorded by Rhodes himself - it's amazing how good they sound. Equally impressive is his musicianship on every track - so proficient, so talented. 

Vocally Rhodes is a cross between Nilsson on "Nilsson Schmilsson", Todd Rundgren on "Something/Anything?" and Ron Mael of Sparks on "Kimono My House". But there is also the Beach Boys and Dennis Wilson vibe too. With all these cool influences bounding around, his songs and their arrangements have aroused a lot of interest in those who like their Seventies tunes melodic and layered. His first album is probably his most popular and fans will be glad to see it represented here in its entirety. Also - and impressively - most of the songs on here are entirely written, played, arranged and produced by Emitt Rhodes (how every Prince).

Another nice touch is that the 1st issue of "The American Dream" album had the track "Saturday Night" on it - which was replaced with "You're A Very Lovely Woman" when it was reissued later in a different sleeve - Hip-O has included both tracks so you can sequence either version. And while I like his debut - for me his song writing improved immeasurably on "Mirror". I especially love "Better Side Of Life" and "Really Wanted You" (lyrics above) - very Dennis Wilson - and in a really good way.

To sum up - and as other reviewers have pointed out - this is a superb reissue and luckily for us it's been given a January 2010 UK release for just under twelve quid (rare for Hip-O sets). It's not all fab of course - but when he was good - he was sit-up-and-take-notice good. Recommended...

"This Is The Story: The 70's Albums Vol.1, 1970-1973 - The Jean Terrell Years" by THE SUPREMES - A Review Of The 2006 Hip-O Select 3CD Book Set...

This review is part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" 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:

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“…Can’t Make It On My Own…” - This Is The Story: The 70's Albums Vol.1, 1970-1973 - The Jean Terrell Years by THE SUPREMES (2006 Hip-O Select 3CD Book Set)

The full title of this beautifully presented set is - "This Is The Story: The 70's Albums Vol.1, 1970-1973 - The Jean Terrell Years”. It's a limited edition of 5000 and was issued in December 2006 by Universal's premium label in the States - Hip-O Select (Jean Terrell replaced Diana Ross as the new lead after Ross left for her solo career).

It gives you 5 full albums with previously unreleased material and rare sides across 3 picture-disc CDs each of which is in a card leaf at the back of the set. The 44-page booklet that precedes the discs pictures each LP (front and rear), gives detailed track-by-track information, provides liner notes on each release and has interview contributions from all concerned. The whole thing is housed in an over-sized hardback silver book sleeve with three die-cut circles at the front to show the three Supremes of the period underneath - Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson and Cindy Songbird. The words "limited edition' are embossed in gold on the back. As you can imagine, the artwork in itself is a thing of beauty and gives the whole project an air of real class. Here are the song details…

Disc 1 (77:31 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 are the US album "Right On", April 1970, Motown MS-705

Tracks 13 to 22 are the US album "New Ways But Love Stays", October 1970, Motown MS-720

Disc 2 (79:54 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the US album "Touch", June 1971, Motown MS-737

Tracks 11 to 23 are The "Promises Kept" Sessions, 1971.

11 to 23 are previously unreleased and were recorded for an LP release in late 1971 that never materialized

Track 24 is from the Various Artists US album called "Rock Gospel: The Key To The Kingdom", October 1971, Motown M-743L

Disc 3 (75:45 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 9 are the US album "Floy Joy", May 1972, Motown M-751L

Tracks 10 to 20 are the US album "The Supremes Produced & Arranged By Jimmy Webb", November 1972, Motown M-756L

Tracks 21 and 22 are from the US album "At Their Best", June 1978, Motown 904

ELLEN FITTON digitally remastered all tracks from the original Motown master tapes at Universal Studios in the USA and a typically stunning job has been achieved. Hip-O Select releases are consistently praised for their great sound and this peach does not disappoint.

With 68 songs on offer - the material itself is a mixed bag of the great and the ordinary. In truth, I can remember when Motown collectors tended to poo-poo this period of The Supremes story as weak and half-hearted. But that definitely needs re-assessment on the strength of this set. It's fantastic to hear "Stoned Love" and "Nathan Jones" in top sound quality at last. And the whole Smokey Robinson written/produced album "Floy Joy" can be described as a lost Motown masterpiece ignored by way too many soul fans. Their August 1972 chart hit "Your Wonderful Sweet Sweet Love" could easily grace any Northern Soul compilation and take pride of place too. Then there's the fabulous collaboration album with the "Wichita Lineman" author JIMMY WEBB - lush melodies and strings abound - and again - another forgotten sweetheart that deserves rediscovery. "5:30 Plane" for instance - from that album - is a gorgeous song presented here in truly beautiful sound quality - an undiscovered classic if there ever was one (lyrics above). It will appeal to Bacharach fans, Webb lovers and soul boys alike - a rare achievement to nail all three audiences. The anti-racism tune "When Can Brown Begin" could be cheesy, but it's not - it's beautifully handled.

Deemed not fit for release at the time, the quality of the unreleased "Promises Kept" tracks vary. I don't know whether to consider the funked-up version of "Eleanor Rigby" inspired - or a travesty - probably a bit of both! But that's then followed shortly afterwards by "Can't Get You Out Of My Mind" - a superb little number with a genuinely uplifting vibe to it.  And the cover of the Four Tops "Still Water (Love)" is lovely too - it's peppered with lovely brass breaks and lush string arrangements and a superbly soulful lead vocal too - just great.

Five star sound and packaging with three-to-four star material. Even at a price - I had to have it. I'm going to be dipping into this set a lot in the future and I would say you should too. Recommended.

“Get It While You Can – The Complete Legendary Verve Sessions” by HOWARD TATE (March 2007 USA Hip-O Select CD - Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Yes They Told Me To Watch Out For You…"

Some Soul singers garnish a reputation that borders on the hysterical – Luther Ingram, James Carr and even white boy Eddie Hinton spring to mind – and Macon Georgia’s Howard Tate is one of them. His album came into existence in 1967 – was reissued in 1969 with a slightly different track running order and then (like him) disappeared into virtual obscurity for nearly 30 years. But luckily for us – up steps Harvey Weinger at Hip-O Select who has saved the day and these fabulous torch-Soul sides for posterity. Here are the coiffured down-home details…

US released March 2007 as a numbered limited edition CD of 5000 – "Get It While You Can – The Complete Legendary Verve Sessions" by HOWARD TATE is on Hip-O Select B0002210-02 and its 29-tracks break down as follows (74:55 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album “Get It While You Can” – it was released April 1967 on Verve V-5022 (Mono) and Verve V6-5022 (Stereo). The STEREO mix is used here (all the singles are the Mono variant).

1. Ain’t Nobody Home 2. Part-Time Love 3. Glad I Knew Better 4. How Blue Can You Get 5. Get It While You Can 6. Baby, I Love You 7. I Learned It All The Hard Way 8. Everyday Have The Blues 9. How Come My Bulldog Don’t Bark 10. Look At Granny Run Run

Tracks 11 and 12 are "Stop" and "Sweet Love Child" - two STEREO tracks that were added onto the February 1969 reissue LP on Verve Records V6-5072 (it also had different artwork which is on the first page of the booklet).

Tracks 13 and 14 are "Ain't Nobody Home" and "How Come My Bulldog Don't Bark" – the A&B sides of a June 1966 USA 7" single on Verve VK 10420 (Mono)

Tracks 15 and 16 are "Look At Granny Run Run" and "Half A Man" – the A&B sides of a December 1966 USA 7" single on Verve VK 10464 (Mono)

Tracks 17 and 18 are “Get It While You Can” and “Glad I Knew Better” – the A&B sides of a March 1967 USA 7” single on Verve VK 10496 (Mono)

Tracks 19 and 20 are "Baby, I Love You" and "How Blue Can You Get" – the A&B sides of a May 1967 USA 7" single on Verve VK 10525 (Mono)

Tracks 21 and 22 are "I Learned It All The Hard Way" and "Part-Time Love" – the A&B sides of an August 1967 USA 7" single on Verve VK 10567 (Mono)

Tracks 23 and 24 are "Stop" and "Shoot 'Em All Down" – the A&B sides of a December 1967 USA 7" single on Verve VK 10573 (Mono)

Tracks 25 and 26 are "Everyday I Have The Blues" and "Night Owl" – the A&B sides of a June 1968 7" single on Verve VK 10604 (Mono)

Tracks 27 and 28 are “Sweet Love Child” and “I’m Your Servant” – the A&B sides of a November 1968 USA 7” single on Verve VK 10625 (Mono)

(Bonus) Track 29 "Give Me Some Courage" is an alternate mix first issued in 1995 on the Mercury Chronicles CD set “Get It While You Can: The Legendary Sessions”. It is freshly mixed for this CD.

Hip-O Select have used a favorite remaster engineer of mine – SUHA GUR. He’s had his hand in many great Soul reissues (especially on the Motown front) and received unanimous praise for them all. The sound is fantastic – punchy, present and full of sock-it-to-em emotion. It’s housed in a three-way foldout card digipak and is numbered in Gold to 5000 on the rear. The 20-page booklet has contributions from long time fan Harvey Weinger and musical associate, mentor and album Producer Jerry Ragovoy. It also reproduces the original liner notes from both issues of the album and well as track-by-track annotation.  

Most white boys like me will know “Get It While You Can” and “Look At Granny Run Run” from Janis Joplin and Ry Cooder (both songs penned by the dynamic duo of Jerry Ragovoy and Mort Shuman). “Get It While You Can” got soul-rocked on Janis’ Joplin’s sublime “Pearl” album in 1971 while Ry Cooder did a furiously funny version of “Look At Granny Run Run” on his fabulous Americana “Bop Til You Drop” album in 1979. Even Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills covered “Stop” on their wicked Blues Rock album “Super Session” in 1968.

I love the huge feel of the STEREO album – tracks like “Glad I Knew Better” sound just amazing – instruments and his aching Little Richardesque vocals leaping out of the speakers (lyrics from it title this review). Both “Stop” and “Sweet Love Child” added on in 1969 only made an already perfect album even better.

I have the “Howard Tate” album he made on Atlantic in 1972 on the "Atlantic Soul Legends" 20CD Mini Box Set issued in 2012 (see separate review) that is a cracker as well. Unfortunately this CD quickly sold out and in 2014 has built up a hefty price tag – but this is one of those occasions where spending the wedge is worth it.

Beautiful stuff and one of the reasons why Hip-O Select is held in such affection by Soul fans and collectors…