"Live! In Europe" by RORY GALLAGHER - May 1972 UK 3rd Solo Album (First Live) on Polydor Records with Five New Tracks and Two Older Tracks in Live Form (January 2012 UK Sony Music/Capo/Legacy CD Reissue in Restored Digipak Artwork with Two Bonus Tracks – Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Going To My Hometown..."

After two solo studio-albums in the one year (May and November 1971) following his exit from Taste – Ireland's greatest-ever axeman Rory Gallagher nailed it big time. While the self-titled debut hit No. 30 in the UK and his far better second platter "Deuce" oddly only managing No. 39 - "Live! In Europe" was the one that broke down every barrier.

A barnstorming live LP that looked the part too (battered Strat and equally shattered check shirt ahoy courtesy of cool Mick Rock photography) - its beautiful gatefold artwork and incendiary Blues Rock content sent the unassuming working lad guitarist into the Top Ten – settling at a deserved peak of No. 9 in an appreciative Blighty. It even gave him his first solo entry on the American Billboard Rock charts, albeit at a more modest peak of No. 101 (it was called "Rory Gallagher/Live!" there and issued in a single sleeve).

But there's something else, and as I'm 60, I recall it like it was yesterday. In 2019, it's hard to understand (unless you were there) the impact this May 1972 album had on Irish and British teenagers and especially on young budding guitarists (everywhere). There was nothing elitist about him – Gallagher wasn't offish or aloof or a technical show-off – Rory was your guy and an absolute hair-raising joy to watch in the live environment. Add his relentless touring ethos – often playing Northern Ireland when others refused or were just too scared to during the horrors of the Troubles – and the sheer energy his tight three-piece exuded – it wasn't surprising that his first foray into the live LP thing was going to leave his rather underwhelming studio recordings in the dust.

Gallagher had also smartly only retained "Laundromat" from the debut and "In Your Town" from "Deuce" – leaving the other five as new to the listener (four covers and one original song). And what winners they were – stuff like "Going To My Hometown" (the original song) alongside covers of "Messing With The Kid" by Junior Wells, "Pistol Slapper Blues" by Blind Boy Fuller and two Traditionals arranged by RG - "Bullfrog Blues" and “I Could've Had Religion". This lethal combo of Blues Rock, Acoustic Blues and Classic Rock set the grooves alight and due to their huge popularity with fans thereafter regularly featured in his set lists some two to three decades later.

But RG CD reissues haven't always been the happiest of affairs. Under the supervision of Donal Gallagher (his older brother and former tour manager)  - Rory Gallagher had his LP back-catalogue first reissued onto CD between 1998 and 2000. Each of those RCA/Capo releases came in jewel cases and had previously unreleased bonus tracks. The campaign culminated with a tremendous outtakes compilation in 2003 called "Wheels Within Wheels". Those initial discs were 'remixed and remastered' by Tony Arnold at Courthouse Facilities in Dorset - these are 'untampered' versions remastered by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at Wired Masters in the UK in November 2011.

Andy and Matt have been involved in and received praise for remasters of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Frankie Miller, Wishbone Ash, The Kinks, Free, Budgie, ELP, Spooky Tooth and a lot more. For these reissues the original 1/4 master tapes have been returned to and the results are really great. It does seem odd that the Two Bonus Tracks are once again slotted into Side 2 (as it was on the first reissue of this CD) and not flipped to the end so you get the right sequencing, but it's a minor niggle.

This latest version of his third album is the first of 'new' remasters released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary (2012) of his Solo career. So what's different? In a nutshell - cheaper price, upgraded packaging and 2011 mastering from the original tapes by two fantastic Audio Engineers. Here are the Bullfrog details...

Released 16 January 2012 in the UK (31 Jan 2012 in the USA) - "Live! In Europe" by RORY GALLAGHER is on Sony Music/Capo/Legacy 88691917432 (Barcode 886919174328) and offers the original 1972 7-Track LP with Two Bonus Tracks slotted in in Positions 7 and 8. Original January 2012 issues of this CD Remaster come in a card digipak (58:46 minutes) – later pressings feature a standard jewel case:

1. Messin' With The Kid [Side 1]

2. Laundromat

3. I Could've Had Religion

4. Pistol Slapper Blues

5. Going To My Hometown [Side 2]

6. In Your Town

7. What In The World [BONUS TRACK]

8. Hoodoo Man [BONUS TRACK]

9. Bullfrog Blues

Tracks 1 to 6 and 9 are both sides of his third solo album "Live! In Europe" – released May 1972 in the UK on Polydor Super 2383 112 and August 1972 in the USA (as "Rory Gallagher/Live!" on Polydor PD 5513 (it peaked at No. 9 in the UK and No. 101 in the USA). Tracks 1 to 4 made up Side 1 and Tracks 5, 6 and 9 were Side 2.

The card digipak has a new live photo on the inside flap (the photo that adorned the inner gatefold of the original British LP is on Page 3 of the booklet and beneath the see-through CD tray). The 8-page booklet features new liner notes from MICK ROCK who caught the great man on camera all those years ago (47 and counting in 2019). But it’s the AUDIO that thrills – huge sound – real power as the band motors and swings on gigs recorded throughout Europe in February and March 1972. Let's get to the music...

As the speakers hum, Gerry McAvoy plucks his Bass and the crowd roars its approval – Rory launches into "Messin’ With The Kid" – setting the scene. His guitar is over on the left but it’s the soloing that feels so exciting – in his stride right from the get go. He cranks it for the fab "Laundromat" and suddenly this rather ordinary studio riff turns into a kicking romp – craziest place I’ve even been. It’s on to the Blues as we get nearly nine-minutes of "I Could’ve Had Religion" – harmonica wailing at first before he launches into a killer slider lick that’s soon joined by the band giving it oomph. He goes Acoustic for the Blind Boy Fuller 1920s Blues tune "Pistol Slapper Blues" – a very cool piece of Moonshine Whiskey, Blue Murder, Lyin’ Women and Cheatin’ Narky men.

Things lift off completely when he goes Mandolin strumming with "Going To My Home Town" over on Side 2 – the thump of Wilgar Campbell’s drum pedal and the crowd clapping along. It’s a fantastic shin-kicker of a tune (only got one ticket, just can’t afford two baby). Back to Blues Rock and the fab "In Your Town" – nine and half minutes of boogie with solos that elicit yelps from the audience – Rory zipping up and down the frets. It ends on a classic - "Bullfrog Blues" – bringing on memories of The Grove Dance Hall in Clontarf, Dublin where we got head’s down to this night-finisher every week for years. Pleasing too to know that the two Bonus Tracks "Hoodoo Man" and "What In The World" exude the same raw Slow Blues magnetism as the album – though I suspect the slightly muffled vocal on the first and the similarity to "Religion" excluded both from first choice for the LP. Good to have though...

With You Tube and the Net – Rory Gallagher has seen a massive resurgence in appreciation – so many discovering his playing skills (he only got better as the years passed). This is where that excitement began – dig in and enjoy...

The Eleven Titles in the 2012 RORY GALLAGHER Remasters Series

CD Digipaks, Downloads and 'Music On Vinyl' LPs:

16 January 2012 CD DIGIPAK and DOWNLOAD:

1. "Rory Gallagher" (May 1971 debut) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917352 (Barcode 886919173529)

2. "Deuce" (November 1971 2nd studio LP) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917372 (Barcode 886919173727)

3. "Live! In Europe" (May 1972 1st Live LP) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917432 (Barcode 886919174328)

4. "Blueprint" (February 1973, 3rd studio album) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917452 (Barcode 886919174526)

5. "Tattoo" (November 1973, 4th studio album) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917462 (Barcode 886919174625)

6. "Irish Tour '74" (July 1974, 2nd Live Set, 2LPs onto 1CD) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917472 (Barcode 886919174724)

27 February 2012 VINYL:

1 to 6 above also released 27 February 2012 on Limited Edition 180-gram vinyl versions on the "Music On Vinyl" Label

24 September 2012 CD DIGIPAK and DOWNLOAD:

7. "Against The Grain" (October 1975, 5th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461492 (Barcode 887254614920)

8. "Calling Card" (August 1976, 6th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461472 (Barcode 887254614722)

9. "Photo-Finish" (October 1978, 7th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461462 (Barcode 887254614623)

10. "Top Priority" (September 1979, 8th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461452 (Barcode 88725461452)

11. "Jinx" (April 1982) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461432 (Barcode 887254614326)

22 October 2012 VINYL:

7 to 11 above also released 22 October 2012 on Limited Edition 180-gram vinyl versions on the "Music On Vinyl" Label

PS: Most of the eleven above have been reissued since 2012 in standard jewel cases but have different catalogue numbers and barcodes. The jewel case version of "Live! In Europe" for instance is Barcode 886919370126 and has the restored artwork, picture CD and expanded booklet of the 2012 issue. There has also been a March 2018 further reissue on Universal Music 5797717 (Barcode 602557977172) in a jewel case with the nine tracks in the same order (it’s the 2012 version repackaged). So if you want the 'digipak' repro artwork versions of 2012 – use the Barcodes provided above when ordering...

"Pamela Polland/Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" by PAMELA POLLAND (March 2019 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Records Compilation - 2LPS onto 2CDs with Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Out Of My Hands..."

The music world can be joyous and cruel place - Los Angelino Pamela Polland (born in Hollywood of all things) is a case in point. Originally part of a Sixties Folk-Duo with Rick Stanley called THE GENTLE SOUL - they managed one highly rated self-titled album on Epic Records in October 1968 featuring guest spots from such future luminaries as Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal and Van Dyke Parks. The groovy band imploded and after a stint with Joe Cocker and Leon Russell's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" travelling circus in 1970 and 1971 (Polland is on the double-album and in the film) - it was time for her (inevitable) solo album.

Signing to Columbia Records, Pamela's all-original-material self-titled debut arrived in May 1972 armed with more of the same big-name guests and a few other bands from the period thrown in for good measure (see artists below). But any momentum that initial flurry had was quickly scuppered when the follow-up LP of 1973 was mysteriously scrapped. Recorded in London with Gus Dudgeon of Elton John fame and featuring a guest appearance from Joan Armatrading (the recording her debut on Cube Records) and members of EJ's backing band - it was mixed and made ready for release - even going as far as having a name, artwork and a catalogue number allocated.

Effectively kiboshed by this pull of support at a crucial time, Polland then returned to the civilian world and apart from a foray as an old-timey jazz-singing dame called Melba Rounds in the mid Seventies and a few songs covered by other artists, has been (musically anyway) all but forgotten ever since.

And that's where this typically top-notch 2CD reissue from England's Beat Goes On (BGO) comes swanning in. In conjunction with the artist, this 2CD Reissue and Remaster offers up the 12-tracks of the 1972 debut album alongside the unreleased 11-track second album including two cuts recorded at the 1973 sessions as Bonus Tracks tail-ending Disc 2. Here are the lost and found details...

UK released Friday, 1 March 2019 - "Pamela Polland/Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" by PAMELA POLLAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1369 (Barcode 5017261213693) is a 2CD Reissue and Remaster that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (35:56 minutes):

1. In My Imagination [Side 1]

2. Out Of My Hands (Still In My Heart)

3. Sing-A-Song Man

4. When I Got Home

5. Please Mr. D.J.

6. Abalone Dream

7. The Rescuer [Side 2]

8. Sugar Dad

9. The Teddy Bears' Picnic

10. The Dream (For Karuna)

11. Texas

12. Lighthouse

Tracks 1 to 12 are her debut album "Pamela Polland" – released May 1972 in the USA on Columbia KC 31116 and CBS Records S 64934 in the UK. Produced by GEORGE DALY [ex The Hangmen] – all tracks written by Pamela Polland except the short instrumental cover of "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" (the album didn’t chart in either country).

PAMELA POLLAND – Vocals and Piano

EDDIE HINTON – Guitars on Tracks 2, 3 and 5

TAJ MAHAL – Silver National Slide Guitar on Track 7

JOHN SHINE – Guitars (unspecified tracks)

NICKY HOPKINS – Piano (unspecified tracks)

DAVID BRIGGS of Area Code 615 – Piano on Tracks 2, 3 and 5

PAUL FAUERSO of The Loading Zone – Organ (unspecified tracks)

NORBERT PUTNAM of Area Code 615 (with TOMMY COGBILL) – Bass on Tracks 2, 3 and 5

BING NATHAN – Bass (unspecified tracks)

KENNY BUTTREY of Area Code 615 – Percussion on Tracks 2, 3 and 5

RICHARD SHLOSSER – Percussion (unspecified tracks)

BOBBY WOOD of Garth Brook’s backing vocal group The Ordinaires – Organ on Tracks 2, 3 and 5

JIMMY SPHEERIS and MARCUS McCALLEN – Vocals on Track 6

RAY SAWYER, DENIS LOCORRIERE and GEORGE CUMMINGS of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show and THE ROWAN BROTHERS – Vocals on Track 8

MARC McCLURE of Joyous Noise – Vocals on Tracks 1 and 8

GEORGE DALY of The Hangmen [LP’s Producer] – Vocals on Track 12

THE HOLIDAY SISTERS – Vocals on Track 2

Disc 2 (50:36 minutes):

1. The Refuge [Side 1]

2. Wild Roses

3. You Stand By Me

4. To Earl

5. Music Music

6. Thank You, Operator

7. Willsdon Manor

8. Untitled (Dusty Rose)

9. The Ship

10. Prelude

11. The Clearing

BONUS TRACKS

12. Didn't Get Enough Of Your Love

13. Take In The Light

Tracks 1 to 11 are her unreleased mixed and ready-for-release second album "Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" scheduled for US issue in 1973 on Columbia Records but withdrawn. Produced by GUS DUDGEON and Engineered by KEN SCOTT. Tracks 12 and 13 were recorded at the Trident Studio sessions in London and are included here as Bonuses.

PAMELA POLLAND - Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano, Guitar and Dulcimer

GEOFF LEVIN - Electric Guitar on Tracks 1, 4, 7 and 9 - Acoustic Guitar on Track 5

RAY FENWICK – Electric Guitars on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13

TAJ MAHAL - National Steel Guitar on Track 6

RONNIE CARYL of Flaming Youth – Acoustic Guitar on Track 13

DAVID HENTSCHEL - ARP Synthesiser on Track 1, Organ and ARP Synthesiser on Track 11

KENDALL KARDT – Piano on Track 6

(Beck’s Dad) DAVID CAMPBELL - Violin and Viola on Track 4

HERBIE FLOWERS of Blue Mink and Sky - Bass on Tracks 2, 3, 8, 11 and 12

LELAND SKLAR - Bass on Tracks 1, 5, 6, 7

LARRY STEELE – Bass on Track 13

RUSS KUNKEL - Drums on Track 1, 5, 6, 7

BARRY De SOUZA - Drums on Tracks 2, 3, 11 and 12

TERRY COX of Pentangle – Drums on Track 13

GUS DUDGEON - Percussion and Bass Backing Vocals on Track 1, Tambourine and Snare on Track 7 and Drums on Track 11

GUS DUDGEON and RAY COOPER (of Elton John's Band) - Percussion on Track 2

RAY COOPER of Elton John's Band - Vibes on Track 3, Water Gong and Tambourine on Track 11 and Tambourine on Track 12

BRUCE JOHNSTON of The Beach Boys and MARC McCLURE of Joyful Noise - Backing Vocals on Tracks 1, 5 and 11

JOAN ARMATRADING - Backing Vocals on Track 2

DEL NEWMAN - Orchestration on Tracks 8 and 9

CHRIS HUGHES – Horn Arrangements on Track 13

The outer card slipcase is classy and so looks the part, but sensing that this release is a bit special for both fans and artist alike, the 28-page booklet is sumptuous even by BGO's standards. It includes high-gloss pages with all the lyrics and album credits for both records and a huge dissection of Polland's career by CHARLES DONOVAN for whom this project has clearly been a lifetime ambition and labour of love. And as you can see from my detailed artist-involvement list above - there are some big-name session players in there along with Bowie's Engineer Ken Scott and Elton's Producer Gus Dudgeon for the unreleased second album. But the really great news is spiffing new audio from BGO's resident Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON - new 2019 Remasters from recently located master tapes. And gorgeous it is too - all those quality original production values now shining through. Let's get to the actual music...

You wouldn't call "Pamela Polland" a "Tapestry" by any stretch, but there's such prettiness in "Out Of My Hands (Still In My Heart)" - a hurt and heartfelt pain pouring out the pounded piano notes ("I think I should go back to my hometown... "). The jaunty "Sing-A-Song Man" is a twinkle-in-his-eye tune about some piano man keeping the punters happy. Columbia tried the Side 1 opener "In My Imagination" as a taster 45 in the USA in June 1972 with the album's "Lighthouse" on the flipside (Columbia 4-45627) - but interest was minimal and stock copies are hard to locate these days (slipped away, just like you always do). "When I Got Home" is a soft-rock ballad of yearning perfectly complimenting "Please Mr. D.J." - a soulful piano plea for a turntable'd happy song so the lady is not alone when she turns the radio on (been working all week). A hippy-sounding bamboo flute and chimes ensemble joins her floating 'down river' on "Abalone Dream" ending Side 1 on a mellow vibe.

Taj Mahal with his National Steel Guitar and organ by Paul Fauerso (of The Loading Zone) lift up the Side 2 opener "The Rescuer" considerably and it seems strange that no one at Columbia saw or heard the upbeat sale angle in the song – especially with Taj Mahal on board. Pamela wants to have a little fun and do her sexy dance for her "Sugar Dad" - or is that a jab at music industry insiders. Forty seconds of "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" probably seemed like a good idea for some between-tracks instrumental back in the day, but now it just feels superfluous. This minor glitch is quickly fixed with a keeping the dream-alive song for her sister K - "The Dream (For Karuna)" being probably the prettiest song on the album. So very West Coast singer-songwriter, "Texas" is a gorgeous piano and acoustic piece of yearning. "Lighthouse" offers ships in darkness a light in the distance - her soulful song hoping all will be saved in the light.

An indication of what was canned and lost in 1973 by Columbia Records comes in the shape of "You Stand By Me" – the string orchestration of Del Newman lifting the pretty song up into an epic territory. And again you can literally hear why Polland was so crest-fallen when the second LP got pulled – there’s a genuine sophistication to the London recordings – David Campbell and his exquisite violin and viola playing on "To Earl" giving the ballad amazing pathos. Everyone can use it "Music Music" is a tad cornball despite Ray Fenwick’s clever guitar licks – but the US recorded "Thank You, Operator" is a very cool piece of Bluesy Funk as Taj Mahal and the rhythm section of Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel anchor the groove.

"Willsdon Manor" would probably have opened Side 2 of "Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" – another sweetly realised acoustic and piano shuffle – Pamela playing some lovely piano fills. Very much in the Lesley Duncan and Kiki Dee mode of 1973, "Untitled (Dusty Rose)" is also lifted by beautiful Del Newman orchestration. The one-minute "Prelude" sees her play every instrument (guitar, piano and vocals) – a sweet observation of how she starts a song every time love looms its tempting head. That segues into an epic called "The Clearing" where Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys and Marc McClure of Joyful Noise bring in backing vocals, her religious beliefs coming to the fore. It seems odd now that the two very upbeat Bonus Tracks with their huge productions and brass-punchy hipness were left off the intended album, but I suspect the overall mellow vibe took over. And therein lies the tragedy – you can't help think that had "Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" been released 'before' the self-titled debut - the name Pamela Polland would be a well known these days and not just a footnote in Rock music's fickle-fingered history.

This twofer isn't all genius for damn sure (despite what Pamela Polland fans may say) - but you can't help smiling at BGO for doing such a sterling job on this reissue – bringing to people's attention music that deserved better all those years ago. Well dig in now and enjoy...

"Rare, Unreleased and Live, 1965-2012" by JACKIE LOMAX (May 2015 UK Angel Air SJPCD466 - 2CD Set Of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I'm The Man You Need..."

JACKIE LOMAX has seen his 60ts output with The Undertakers done by Big Beat of the UK (part of Ace Records), his lone Apple album reissued twice in 1993 and 2010 on Expanded CDs and his duo of Warner Brothers LPs from 1971 and 1972 also Expanded by Rhino – all in fine style. 

Now it’s the turn of England’s Angel Air label to have a go. This is a Lomax fan-orientated 2CD compilation, which generously mops up unreleased tracks, rare live and studio recordings and various other unreleased stragglers. But as is the nature of these kinds of releases - it’s a very mixed bag on both song quality and audio (both good and bad). Here are the Sour Milk Seas...

UK released May 2015 - "Rare, Unreleased and Live, 1965-2012" by JACKIE LOMAX on Angel Air SJPCD466 (Barcode 5055011704664) is a 2CD posthumous retrospective and plays out as follows:

CD1 – Unreleased – 76:20 minutes:

1. Soul Light

2. More (Livin' For Lovin')

3. California

4. Who's Foolin’ Who

Tracks 1 to 4 recorded 1975 at Hollywood Central Studio and features Paul Barrere of Little Feat on Guitars (including Slide).

5. If Only I Could Find A Way

6. She Feels That Way

Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of a 1977 USA 7” single on Pan American PAX 134.

7. The Little Things Of Love

8. Fallen Angel (both recorded 1980, no other details available)

9. I'm Gonna Be There

10. You're So Beautiful

11. Green Eyes

12. Don't Talk To Me (9 to 12 recorded 1985, no other details available)

13. Devil Eyes (a cover version of a Tim Buckley song by Jackie Lomax and Juke Logan. Originally on a 1990 Various Artists CD compilation called "True Voices" on Demon FIEND CD 165)

14. Give Your Heart To Somebody

15. Hold On Tight To What You Got

16. Against All Odds

17. The Edge Of The World (Tracks 14 to 17 recorded 1990, no details)

18. I Can't Hold Out (an Elmore James cover)

19. One Night In Chicago (Tracks 18 and 19 by The Undertakers featuring Jackie Lomax on their 2009 CD “Resurrection” on Meadow Records 3. He sang lead vocals on these two songs)

20. Dead And Gone (from the 2012 CD compilation "Black On Blue: A Tribute To The Black Keys" on Cleopatra CLP 8727)

CD 2 – Rare & Live – 74:59 minutes:

1. Throw Your Love Away (1965 recording first issued on the 1996 "Unearthed" CD compilation by The Undertakers featuring Jackie Lomax on Big Beat CDWIKD 163)

2. You Better Get Going Now (by The Lomax Alliance)

3. Genuine Imitation Life (1968 UK solo 7” single on CBS Records 2554, A)

4. Sour Milk Sea (George Harrison song)

5. The Eagle Laughs At You (Tracks 4 and 5 recorded live at the BBC "Top Of The Pops" in November 1968 with Tim Renwick on Guitar and Chris Hatfield on Piano)

6. So War Das Netz Gewoben (German Version of "How The Web Was Woven". Same backing track as the UK hit - just with German lyrics overdubbed).

7. Too Complicated (by Heavy Jelly and from their self-titled debut album on Island Records which was Promo Only – never released)

8. Sour Milk Sea (Live)

9. More (Livin' For Lovin') (Live)

10. Peace Of Mind (Live)

11. (Put Some) Rhythm In Your Blues (Live)

12. Blue World (Live)

13. Our Love (Live)

14. Hold On To Your Loved One (Live)

15. It Isn't Only Love (Live)

16. On The Road To Be Free (Live)

17. Hellfire, Night Crier (Live)

18. She Took Me Higher (Live)

Tracks 8 to 18 recorded live at "The Savoy" in San Francisco, California, 12 December 1976

The 12-page booklet has short but informative liner notes by compilation producer ALISTAIR HEPBURN and although it doesn’t state who did the Remasters – all material is licensed from the Estate of Jackie Lomax. The Audio is a very mixed bunch indeed – ranging from superb modern day recordings (the reformed Undertakers) to hissy home cassettes and ok live stuff. This is aimed at fans a whole CD of Previously Unreleased is what they want – those looking for hits should perhaps opt for the Apple CD of “Is This What You want?” or the two Rhino 2005 CD reissues of his Warner Brothers LPs “Home Is In My Head” from 1971 and “Three” from 1972.

It opens with a winner – a four-song session from 1975 with Paul Barrere of Little Feat guesting on Guitars. The audio quality on Tracks 9 to 12 is very bad – clearly dubbed from discs or knackered tapes. It’s a hissy shame because “You’re So Beautiful” is very AWB territory with a sexy Soulful groove and great playing. More funky Rock comes with the 1990 recordings of “Give Your Heart To Somebody” – but again “Hold On Tight”, “Against All Odds” and “The Edge Of The World” are covered in noticeable hiss. Far better is a great Boogie version of Elmore James’ classic “I Can’t Hold Out” by Jackie as part of The Undertakers in properly great audio. His own “One Night In Chicago” isn’t great but a wicked and kicking “Dead And Gone” is fantastic 60ts Freakbeat. The live set on Disc 2 gives the fans what they want by opening with his Apple hit “Sour Milk Sea” and then going into his latest Capitol Records material – the audio on the whole set is only ok.

A mixed bag for sure (especially on the audio front) – but one that fans will love and need to own...

"The Best Of Everything: The Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection 1976-2016" by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS (March 2019 UK Geffen/Universal 2CD Set - Chris Bellman and Ryan Uylate Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 145 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

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"...American Dream..."

You could argue that we need another Tom Petty 'Anthology' or multiple-disc 'Best Of' like we need another loss of an artist we adore, another slice of our musical past and joy taken too soon. But sentiment aside, what's important to remember with this March 2019 Geffen/Universal 2CD set is what’s new - the 2018 Chris Bellman and Ryan Ulyate Masters taken from first generation tapes. This twofer CD set looks and sounds stunning...

Including tracks from albums that aren't generally available as remasters, not only is the audio good on "The Best Of Everything" but real thought has gone into the play - clever sequencing that slips Soundtrack songs and lesser-heard exclusive cuts in-between all those album reference points we know so well ("Breakdown", "Free Fallin'" and so on). The line up on each disc makes the listen feel fresh. And for us 'have it all' types, we also get two rarities - an Alternate Version of "The Best Of Everything" from the "Southern Accents" sessions in 1985 and an August 2000 unreleased track called "For Real" - each tail-ending Discs 1 and 2.

And frankly this fantastic American Artist and his ace band deserve no less. Let's get to Indiana Girls on those Indiana Nights...

UK released Friday, 1 March 2019 - "The Best Of Everything: The Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection 1976-2016" by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS on Geffen/Universal 00602567934394 (Barcode 602567934394) is a 38-Track 2CD set of Remasters (Two Unreleased) that breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (72:17 minutes):

1. Free Fallin' (from "Full Moon Fever", 1989)

2. Mary Jane's Last Dance (from "Greatest Hits", 1993)

3. You Wreck Me (from "Wildflowers", 1994)

4. I Won't Back Down ("Full Moon Fever", 1989)

5. Saving Grace (from "Highway Companion", 2006)

6. You Don't Know How It Feels (from "Wildflowers", 1994)

7. Don't Do Me Like That (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)

8. Listen To Her Heart (from "You're Gonna Get It", 1978)

9. Breakdown (from the debut album "Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers", 1976)

10. Walls (Circus) (from the Motion Picture Soundtrack to "She's The One", 1996, featuring Lindsey Buckingham on Backing Vocals)

11. The Waiting (from "Hard Promises", 1981)

12. Don't Come Around Here No More (from "Southern Accents", 1985)

13. Southern Accents (from "Southern Accents", 1985)

14. Angel Dream (No. 2) (from the Motion Picture Soundtrack to "She's The One", 1996)

15. Dreamville (from "The Last DJ", 2002)

16. I Should Have Known It (from "Mojo", 2010)

17. Refugee (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)

18. American Girl (from "Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers", 1976)

19. The Best Of Everything (Alternate Version) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (original version on "Southern Accents", 1985)

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 by TOM PETTY - all others by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS

Disc 2 (74:08 minutes):

1. Wildflowers (from "Wildflowers", 1994)

2. Learning To Fly (from "Into The Great Wide Open", 1991)

3. Here Comes My Girl (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)

4. The Last DJ (from "The Last DJ", 2002)

5. I Need To Know (from "You're Gonna Get It", 1978)

6. Scare Easy (from "Mudcrutch", 2008)

7. You Got Lucky (from "Long After Dark", 1982)

8. Runnin' Down A Dream (from "Full Moon Fever", 1989)

9. American Dream Plan B (from "Hypnotic Eye", 2014)

10. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (a Top Petty and Mike Campbell song from the Stevie Nicks solo album "Bella Donna", 1981)

11. Trailer (from "Mudcrutch 2", 2016)

12. Into The Great Wide Open (from "Into The Great Wide Open", 1991)

13. Room At The Top (from "Echo", 1999)

14. Square One (from "Highway Companion", 2006)

15. Jammin' Me (from "Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)", 1987)

16. Even The Losers (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)

17. Hungry No More (from "Mudcrutch 2", 2016)

18. I Forgive It All (from "Mudcrutch 2", 2016)

19. For Real - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (recorded 23 August 2000)

Tracks 1, 8 and 14 by TOM PETTY

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 19 by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS

Tracks 6, 11, 17 and 18 by MUDCRUTCH

Track 10 by STEVIE NICKS featuring Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

When looking at the cover on a small shot - I had initially thought the cover photo/artwork was a bit naff actually, but when you open out the three-way gatefold card sleeve, it’s gorgeous to look at inside. They’ve put mini shots of all 18 different album covers across the two CD-holding sleeves (1976 to 2016) - whilst the 20-page attached booklet has three pages worth of single picture sleeves from all over the world (an impressive display). The liner notes are provided by TP’s champion and regular user of his material in his films, Director CAMERON CROWE – giving a potted history of what’s been picked and why. The artwork at the rear has '2018' as the Copyright date for a compilation released in March '2019' - I suspect this has to do with the fact that these transfers were done for the "American Treasure" 4CD Deluxe Retrospective released September 2018. 

AUDIO – everything has been mastered from original stereo master tapes (and some digital files) by CHRIS BELLMAN working at Bernie Grundman Mastering – mastering supervised by RYAN ULYATE. I’d argue that everything after 1994 and the award-winning audio of "Wildflowers", (especially anything with Rick Rubin producing) has absolutely no need for remasters and their sonic power here is awesome. But the 1976 debut through to 1991’s "Into The Great Wide Open" is another matter. A perfect example is the "Southern Accents" LP issued in April 1985 – never remastered fully as an album except in Japan some years ago on an expensive SHM-CD – my crappy sounding MCA CD is a joke on the title track "The Best Of Everything" – a sort of four-minute non-event on an album that many felt underwhelmed. Here the Previously Unreleased (Alternate Version) that ends Disc 1 is 5:25 minutes long instead of four and the audio is staggeringly good. But more importantly this new version makes you feel like someone somewhere missed a trick with this gorgeous ballad. The brass and keyboards is more out there now and the power of the melody is suddenly screaming at you – a lost masterpiece in my books and I can so see why it was chosen for this set.

Other revelations include "Don't Come Around Here No More" and "Southern Accents" – those once-buried sitars with power in the first and those distant strings now beautiful in the second. The sequencing too – take this trio - "Angel Dream (No. 2)" from 1996 (with Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac on very apparent backing vocals) slots in perfectly before "Dreamville", an overlooked cut from the 2002 album "The Last DJ", and then followed by a groovy rocker "I Should Have Known It" from 2010 – all of it works so damn well. The only slight disappointment to me is "The Waiting" where the guitars still sound like they were recorded in another room down the hall – strangely lacking - especially when it comes to that solo – but I suspect that has more to do with the original production.

Over on Disc 2 we get Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, Mudcrutch and that new song. Amazingly 1991’s "Learning To Fly" sits sweetly before a huge remaster of "Here Comes My Girl" from the breakthrough third album - "Damn The Torpedoes" from 1979. The second album Side 2 opener/rocker "I Need To Know" now feels punchy while the Mudcrutch mobile-home song "Trailer" and the acoustic higher-ground of "Square One" are typically deceptive TP songs – tunes that eat their way into heart. It’s fantastic stuff to hear anything from the undervalued "Let Me Up..." album – and here we're given the name-checking "Jammin' Me" song where none-other than Bob Dylan gets a co-credit alongside TP and Mike Campbell as they all vent their spleen about people they don't like (look out Vanessa Redgrave and Joe Piscopo). It sails to a 40-years down-the-line finish with two excellent Mudcrutch melodies from 2016 – his voice in "I Forgive It All" sounding like he was ill - producer and band friend Ryan Ulyate amidst the credits. The new song is good rather than being great - "For Real" - TP doing it his way and keeping it real...

Problems – It should probably have included something from The Traveling Wilburys albums and for some reason Disc 1 offers three track options when put in your computer with the first being all Japanese language (choose option three – Disc 1 of 2 in English). And I’d have put the genius of "Too Good To Be True" onto Disc 1 (from "Into The Great Wide Open") before "Refugee" and featured something better than "You Got Lucky" from the vastly underrated 1982 album "Long After Dark" – but that's just me.

When I think about how ordinary and lazy the 3CD retrospective "Don't Stop: 50 Years Of" for Fleetwood Mac was - you can't help but admire the keepers of TP's flame when it comes to "The Best Of Everything". They’ve not just done him proud, but given us a timely reminder of his four decades.

I miss Tom Petty and his great band. Travel into those fields of musical wildflowers our good friend and thanks for all the memories...

"Strangers In The Room: A Journey Through The British Folk-Rock Scene 1967-73" by VARIOUS (March 2019 UK Grapefruit Records 3CD Clamshell Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 259 more like it are available 

In my e-Book "There's Something About 1970..."

Your All-Genres Guide To The Best CD Remasters 

(No Cut and Paste Crap - All Reviews from the Actual Discs) 

"...Gathering Wild Roses..."

Grapefruit Records have been slowly winning the pickled hearts of collectors these last few years with a steady stream of these 3CD clamshell-type Box Sets - and I suspect they'll be avalanched with quite a few saucy Valentine Cards (even in late March) for this wee buxom beauty.

Sixty genre-bending Folk and Folk-Rock tracks from 1967 to 1973 across three CDs (four Previously Unreleased with many others not stated as being Alternate or Rare Versions) and a Billy Bunter sized 40-page booklet to scoff it all down with. It's off to the Tuck Shop my wassailing lads and lassies of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and any other shire we may drag our non-European musical ruin stones and shillelaghs through. Put your finger-in-the-ear people and hope for the best. Here goes...

UK released Friday, 29 March 2019 (5 April 2019 in the USA) - "Strangers In The Room: A Journey Through The British Folk-Rock Scene 1967-1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Grapefruit CRSEGBOX054 (Barcode 5013929185401) is a 60-Track 3CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Raise Your Voice And Sing Sweetly" (79:15 minutes):

1. Stranger In The Room - MICHAEL CHAPMAN (from the March 1970 UK LP "Fully Qualified Survivor" on Harvest SHVL 764)

2. The Blacksmith - STEELEYE SPAN (from the March 1971 UK LP "Please To See The King" on B&C Records CAS 1029)

3. Dangerous Dave (Alternative Version) - SPIROGYRA (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, Recorded February 1972) *

4. Murdoch - TREES (from the February 1971 UK LP "On The Shore" on CBS Records S 64168)

5. Sad Song For Winter - CHIMERA (Recorded November 1970 with a Wil Malone arrangement, not originally issued) +

6. Shoeshine Boy - THE HUMBLEBUMS (March 1970 UK 7" single on Big T Records BIG 130, A-side. Featured the comedian Billy Connolly and singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty later with Stealer's Wheel and a solo career)

7. Martha - HARVEY ANDREWS (from the May 1972 UK LP "Writer Of Songs" on Cube Records HIFLY 10)

8. Hanging Tree - OO BANG JIGGLY JANG (November 1971 UK 7" single on President PT 356, A-side - featuring Peter Bramall and James Roper of The Motors)

9. She's Getting Married In August - ALAN JAMES EASTWOOD [of The Exception] (from the February 1971 UK LP "Seeds" on President PTLS 1037)

10. Amongst Anemones - JADE (from the July 1970 UK LP "Fly On Strangewings" on DJM Records DJLPS 407)

11. I Don't Know Why - KNOCKER JUNGLE (November 1970 UK 7" single on Ember EMBS 293, A-side. Were Tony Coup and Keith Jones of Mandragon)

12. The Sailor - ROBIN SCOTT (August 1969 UK 7" single on Head HDS 4003, A-side - members of Mighty Baby featuring as the backing band)

13. Here Comes The Rain - TRADER HORNE (February 1970 UK 7" single on Dawn DNS 1003, A-side. Featured Judy Dyble of Fairport Convention and Jackie McAuley of Them)

14. My Delicate Skin - DAVE CARTWRIGHT (May 1973 UK 7" single on Transatlantic BIG 510, A-side and the May 1973 UK LP "Back To The Garden")

15. Almost Liverpool 8 - MIKE HART (from the February 1970 UK LP "Mike Hart Bleeds" on Dandelion S 63756)

16. Candy Dora - RICHMOND (January 1973 UK 7" single on D'Art ART 2008, A-side - featuring Chas Seward and Steve Hall)

17. Don't Know Why You Bother Child - GARY FARR (from the December 1969 UK LP "Take Something With You" on Marmalade 608 013)

18. 1917 Revolution - BEAU (August 1969 UK 7" single on Dandelion 4403, A-side)

19. Jesus Was A Carpenter - THE JOHNSTONS (from the November 1969 UK LP "Bitter Green" on Transatlantic Records TRA 211 featuring Paul Brady and Paddy Maloney - Ewan MacColl song)

20. We Can Swing Together - ALAN HULL (December 1969 UK 7" single on Big T Records BIG 129, A-side - later lead singer and songwriter in Lindisfarne)

Disc 2 "Back To The Garden" (78:31 minutes):

1. Woodstock - MATTHEWS SOUTHERN COMFORT (original 8-Track mix but not finally issued version, recorded July 1970) +

2. The Man Who Called Himself Jesus - THE STRAWBS (not originally issued alternative mix, Recorded July 1968) +

3. As I Roved Out - THE WOODS BAND (from the December 1971 UK LP "The Woods Band" on Greenwich Records GSLP 1004 - featuring Gay and Terry Woods - Terry later with The Pogues, Gay with Auto Da Fe)

4. Sir Patrick Spens - FAIRPORT CONVENTION (not originally issued, recorded October 1969 during "Liege & Lief" sessions) +

5. Be Not So Fearful (Demo Version) - BILL FAY (not originally issued demo version, recorded early 1969) +

6. I Loved Her So Long - UNICORN (from the June 1971 UK LP "Uphill All The Way" on Transatlantic TRA 238)

7. Sarah In The Isle Of Wight - AL JONES (from the September 1969 UK LP "Alun Ashworth-Jones" on Parlophone PCS 7081 in Stereo)

8. Song For A Dead Mole - LEA NICHOLSON and STAN ELLISON (from the June 1972 UK LP "God Bless The Unemployed" on Transatlantic TRA 254)

9. There's A Place I Know - BRIDGET ST. JOHN (February 1972 UK 3-Track 7" single on Dandelion 2001, Track 1 of 2 on the B-side of "Fly Away")

10. People Smile With Ghosts In The Land Of Make-Believe - JEREMY HARMER (from the privately pressed 1968 UK LP "Idiosyncratics And Swallow's Wings" on JH Records JH 001 - features David Costa of Trees and Celia Humphris sister Sue) +

11. Pucka-Ri - URBAN CLEARWAY (not originally issued, recorded circa August 1972) +

12. Scranky Black Farmer - C.O.B. [Clive's Own Band - Clive Palmer of The Incredible String Band] (from the November 1971 UK LP "Spirit Of Love" on CBS Records 69010)

13. Lady Of St. Clare - DAYLIGHT (August 1971 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2106, A-side)

14. Love Has Gone - MARY-ANNE [Mary-Anne Patterson] (from the April 1970 UK LP "Me" on Joy Records JOYS 162)

15. Time Machine - MICK SOFTLEY (August 1970 UK 7" single on CBS Records S 5130, B-side of "Can You Hear Me Now" - features Mike Vickers of Manfred Mann on Keyboards)

16. Fleance - THIRD EAR BAND (from the March 1972 UK LP "Music From Macbeth" on Harvest Records SHSP 4019)

17. Morning Glow - STORYTELLER (from the May 1970 UK LP "Storyteller" on Transatlantic Records TRA 220)

18. Riverboat - DANDO SHAFT (from the May 1971 UK LP "Dando Shaft" on RCA/Neon NE 5)

19. What I Am - FRESH MAGGOTS (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, recorded circa October 1970) *

20. Like A Rolling Stone - CANTICLE (November 1970 USA 7" single on Century Records 36685, A-side)

Disc 3 "Down Into The Moonlight World" (77:21 minutes):

1. Queen Of The Moonlight World - ANDY ROBERTS (from the March 1970 UK LP "Home Grown" on RCA Victor SF 8086 - ex Liverpool Scene, later with Everyone, also with Iain Matthews in Plainsong)

2. The Cuckoo - THE PENTANGLE (from the October 1969 UK LP "Basket Of Light" on Transatlantic TRA 205)

3. Little Woman (Single Version) - MR.FOX (November 1970 UK 7" single on Big T Records BIG 135, A-side - featuring Bob and Caroline Pegg - different mix from the LP, first appearance on CD since release) +

4. Father Forgive Them - RALPH McTELL (from the November 1970 UK LP "Ralph McTell Revisited" on Transatlantic TRA 227)

5. Just As The Tide Was A Flowing - SHIRLEY COLLINS and THE ALBION COUNTRY BAND (from the November 1971 UK LP "No Roses" on Pegasus PEG 7)

6. Oh Did I Love A Dream - THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND (not originally issued, recorded circa mid-1972) +

7. Strange Days - PAPER BUBBLE (not originally issued, recorded October 1970) +

8. Dahlia - PAULK BRETT'S SAGE (March 1973 UK 7" single on Dawn Records DNS 1021, A-side – possibly withdrawn and never released) +

9. Your Lovely Ways (Part One) - MIKE COOPER (May 1970 UK 7" single on Dawn Records DNX 2501, A-side) +

10. River Of Fortune – HERON (not originally issued, recorded July 1970) +

11. Beverley Market Meeting – JUDE (not originally issued, recorded February 1971 – Judith Willie) +

12. All In A Dream - STEVE TILSTON (from the May 1972 UK LP "The Collection" on Transatlantic Records TRA 252)

13. Carry Me – PRELUDE (from the October 1973 UK LP "How Long Is Forever" on Dawn Records DNLS 3052 – Irene Hume on Lead Vocals)

14. City Girl - JOAN ARMATRADING (from the November 1972 UK LP "Whatever’s For Us" on Cube Records HIFLY 12)

15. Furniture – HORSLIPS (from the January 1973 Ireland and UK debut album "Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part" on Oats Records MOO 3)

16. Who Cares - GERRY RAFFERTY (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, recorded mid 1971) *

17. Young Waters - JSD BAND (from the June 1973 UK LP "Travelling Days" on Cube Records HIFLY 14)

18. September - 9.30 FLY (from the June 1972 UK LP "9:30 Fly" on Ember NR 5062)

19. Waxing Of The Moon - LIFEBLUD (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, recorded circa January 1970) *

20. Who Knows Where The Time Goes - SANDY DENNY (not originally issued, recorded July 1967) +

* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

+ ALTERNATE or RARE VERSION

Put together by the uber-knowledgeable and Baby Driver with-it JOHN REED – his equally sexy co-compiler DAVID WELLS pours on the facts in the multitudinous 40-page booklet – each artist and song given a full appraisal usually sided by period photos, ticket stubs, flyers, trade adverts and those impossibly rare single and LPs pictured throughout. Take the Steve Tilston entry for his "All In A Dream" song on Disc 3. It advises that in late 1972 after the album's release in May, Steve did an interview with Zig Zag magazine ruminating on how fame and fortune might affect his songwriting. None other than John Lennon replied in writing (to his worries) and that was the basis for the rather insipid Al Pacino film vehicle "Danny Collins" – or that Prelude who had a huge hit with their truly gorgeous Acapella version of Neil Young's "After The Gold Rush" sang backing vocals on another huge Folk-ish hit - "Streets Of London" by Ralph McTell. I didn’t know either of those things and I dare say, neither did you. Each entry is full of great name-checks like that. Beautifully laid out and aimed at collectors and novices alike – when I think of the recent miserable 8-page inlay given to Fleetwood Mac and their supposed '50 Years – Don’t Stop' 3CD celebration, it really does show how independents light the way, when the majors seem content with what they can get away with.

Audio is by ALAN WILSON and with so many sources is a mixed bag of the astonishing vs. the muffled with most being way better than that. For sure the audio dips on each of the CDs when it comes to those fast and loose demos and alternate mixes, but the rest of it is impressively presented and in some cases (as I say) will blow your socks off for recordings that are mostly 50+ years old. To the garden of delights...

Across 60 tracks there are those fabulous discoveries - the debut Unicorn LP on Transatlantic Records where the chosen debut album song "I Loved Her So Long" is the link between Matthews Southern Comfort and Plainsong (much of their better material in the mid 70ts on Harvest Records had the same hooky gorgeous melodies) - the beautiful ethereal harmony vocals of Fairport Convention's Judy Dyble and Them's Jackie McAuley in their Trader Horne incarnation for "Here Comes The Rain" (see my separate review of that album reissued by Earth Records on CD). Some of it (as already mentioned) is unfortunately ropey Audio wise - the hissy Billy Fay demo and The Woods Band is disappointingly muddied but on the other hand Dave Cartwright's McGuinness Flint-sounding "My Delicate Skin", Michael Chapman's box-set title song "Stranger In A Room" (see my review for Light In The Attic's stunning reissue of his second album "Fully Qualified Survivor" and Storyteller's early Genesis-like "Morning Glow" all sound superlative - huge acoustic guitars, voices and clever string arrangements.

Only winners are the fabulous Folk-meets-Pastoral union in Dando Shaft's flute-and-acoustic shuffle "Riverboat" - the jolly acoustic jostle of my "Lady Of St. Clair" by the staggeringly collectable Daylight - and even if Jeremy Harmer's self-recorded "People Smile With Ghosts In The Land Of Make-Believe" gives us some 'ships in squalls that change to gurgling laughter' might be a hippy lyric too far - the 99-only copies LP contained David Costa from Trees with their singer Celia Humphris' sister Sue doing harmony vocals (just about as cultish and collectable as it can get). Paul Brady and Paddy Maloney newly attached to The Johnstons transform the Ewan MacColl song "Jesus Was A Carpenter" into a "Woodstock" beautiful moment while Mick Softley gets fully-fledged Audio quality on his impressive "Time Machine" where he sings 'who will they be in 5000 AD' - indeed – a star tripper maybe. Speaking of that famous Joni song, I love the 8-Track Tape Version of the Matthews Southern Comfort UK No. 1 - it's a version that unlike the single has the acoustic and pedal steel guitars much more to the fore. And although it doesn't say it anywhere in the box, I think it's the version that turned up on the "Three's A Charm" privately-pressed CD from Iain Matthews in 1999 for his fans – the mix that was remastered by Bradley Kopp in Boulder, Colorado and is featured in his forthcoming "Orphans And Outcasts" 4CD Box Set. Anyway – it's a keeper, much like this fabulously inventive little box set...

A companion piece to Grapefruit's much praised duo of threesomes - "Milk Of The Tree: An Anthology Of Female Vocal Folk & Singer-Songwriters 1966-73" from June 2017 (see review) and "Gathered From Coincidence: The British Folk-Pop Sound Of 1965-1966" from June 2018 (review to follow) – March 2019’s "Strangers In The Room: A Journey Through The British Folk-Rock Scene 1967-1973" is a deserved Amazon No 1 in the Folk-Rock genre section.

Cadburys Easter Eggs on every desk and big-time kudos to the compilers and everyone else involved...