“Ask Me No Questions” by BRIDGET ST. JOHN [feat John Martyn, Ric Sanders of Fairport Convention and John Peel] (2005 Cherry Red 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…There Are So Many Things That We Have Shared…"

If Nick Drake had a sister or Nico recorded a Folk-Rock album in 1969 - then the lovely "Ask Me No Questions" by Britain's Bridget St. John would be the result.

Signed to John Peel's fledgling Dandelion Records label - Londoner Bridget St. John was just 22 when she recorded this beautiful but criminally forgotten debut LP. St. John was one of the first three acts released by the BBC's most famous DJ on his 'it's all about the artists' record label.

1. To B Without A Hitch [Side 1]

2. Autumn Lullaby

3. Curl Your Toes

4. Like Never Before

5. The Curious Crystals Of Unusual Purity

6. Barefeet And Hot Pavements

7. I Like To Be With You In The Sun [Side 2]

8. Lizard-Long-Tongue Boy

9. Hello Again (Of Course)

10. Many Happy Returns

11. Broken Faith

12. Ask Me No Questions

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Suzanne

14. The Road Was Lonely

Produced by JOHN PEEL - the album "Ask Me No Questions" was released in July 1969 on Dandelion S 63750 in a fetching gatefold sleeve (distributed by CBS at the time). Although it received many favourable music press reviews, it sold poorly. It's now a £70-plus listed vinyl rarity but can easily sell for three figures in tip-top condition.

UK released November 2005 - "Ask Me No Questions" by BRIDGET ST. JOHN on Cherry Red CDM RED 282 (Barcode 5013929128224) – this beautifully remastered CD gives us the album's original self-penned tracks (1 to 12 above) with 2 fantastic rarities as extras. The 20-page booklet also has informative and affectionate liner notes by NIGEL CROSS that include an interview with the great lady in 2005 - colour pictures of her in 1969, lyrics to the songs, a trade paper review, reminiscences on John Peel and John Martyn and much more.

Musically - her gut-string guitar picking sounds like Nick Drake on his debut "Five Leaves Left" and her voice is deep and dark like a more somber version of Sandy Denny. Most of the arrangements are just St. John and her guitar - very quiet, pretty folk songs. The mood isn't dark either, more reflective than that - the songs often sound like the countryside although she's from a capitol city. If I were to nitpick, I'd say the lyrics are sometimes weighed down with too many hippy-dippy ponderings about nature and ‘buttercup sandwiches' that may sound twee to some ears now...others, however, will feel they are very much part of the music's charm.

Two notable contributors are JOHN MARTYN on "Curl Your Toes" and the stunning album title track "Ask Me No Questions" where he plays second guitar on both (no vocals unfortunately). There's also second guitar from RIC SANDERS (of Fairport Convention) on "Lizard-Long-Tongue Boy" and "Many Happy Returns" (on which he also plays some wonderful Bottleneck Guitar). 

Highlights include the forgiving relationship song "Broken Faith" (lyrics are the title of this review), the sweet "Barefeet And Hot Pavements" and Martyn's subtle backing on "Curl Your Toes". But the best is kept until last - the near eight-minute folk work out that is the album's title track - "Ask Me No Questions". The song's lovely guitar refrain fades into bird song and bells about three minutes in - only to come back again to the lilting music to great effect. It's still moving - 40 years after the event.

The bonus tracks are genuinely that - bonuses. "Suzanne" (a Leonard Cohen cover) appeared as a rare non-album B-side on "Fly High", a 3-track maxi 7" single in a picture sleeve issued in 1972 on Dandelion/Polydor 2001 280. "The Road Was Lonely" turned as a non-album B-side to the 7" UK single "Passin' Thru" on MCA Records MUS 1203 in 1973. She went on to make two more albums for the Dandelion label "Songs For The Gentle Man" in 1971 and "Thank You For" in 1972 (they're available elsewhere) and has recorded into the 1990s.

So there you have it - if you like Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" (just him and his guitar) or Sandy Denny's more plaintive songs - then this little folk/rock gem is for you. A lovely thing indeed…

“Paper Moon” – A Review of the 2009 Cherry Red/El Records CD Reissue of the rare 1973 Soundtrack LP on Paramount Records - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five And Ten Cents Store…"

Peter Bogdanovich's 1973 movie "Paper Moon" was based on Joe David Brown's Depression Era novel "Addie Pray".  The character "Addie" Loggins was played in the film by Tatum O’Neal (then only 10-years old) while her very famous dad – Ryan O'Neal – played the bible-selling hustler Moses "Pray" - who is forced to take on this mouthy but winning orphan after her hooker mum has passed away. 

Filmed in Black and White and featuring a wonderfully evocative Soundtrack of Dust Bowl Ballads and Chorus Songs - the movie's old-timey nostalgia appeal tapped into "The Sting" audience and rewarded the irrepressible Tatum O'Neal with an Oscar nomination for best Supporting Role (the youngest actress to ever receive such an accolade - which she won). It also received three other nominations - Madeline Khan as best Supporting Actress, Best adapted screenplay by Alvin Sargent and Best Sound. The soundtrack even troubled the lower regions of the American charts in August 1973 and has become a celebrated piece ever since. And that’s where this little CD peach comes in…

UK released March 2009 - "Paper Moon: Original Recordings Featured In The Soundtrack" on Cherry Red/El Records ACMEM170CD (Barcode 5013929317031) is a CD compilation offering up fans the original 15-track LP with 11 Bonus Cuts from Django Reinhardt and plays out as follows:

1. It's Only A Paper Moon - PAUL WHITEMAN & HIS ORCHESTRA

2. About A Quarter To Nine - OSSIE NELSON & HIS ORCHESTRA

3. (It Will Have To Do) Until The Real Thing Comes Along - LEO REISMAN & HIS ORCHESTRA 

4. Flirtation walk - DICK POWELL

5. Just One More Chance - BING CROSBY

6. One Hour With you - JIMMIE GRIER & HIS ORCHESTRA 

7. I Found A Million Dollar Baby - VICTOR YONG & HIS ORCHESTRA & THE BOSWELL SISTERS 

8. The Object Of My Affection - JIMMIE GRIERE & HIS ORCHESTRA [Side 2]

9. Georgia On My Mind - HOAGY CARMICHAEL & HIS ORCHESTRA 

10. A Picture Of Me Without You - PAUL WHITEMAN & HIS ORCHESTRA 

11. On The Banks Of The Ohio - THE BLUE SKY BOYS 

12. My Mary - JIMMIE DAVIS 

13. After You've Gone - TOMMY DORSEY & HIS ORCHESTRA 

14. Let’s Have Another Cup Of Coffee - ENRIC MADIGUERA & HIS HOTEL BILTMORE ORCHESTRA 

15. Sunnyside Up - JOHNNY HAMP’S KENTUCKY SERENADERS

Tracks 1 to 15 make up the original LP "Paper Moon" released July 1973 on Paramount PAS 1012 in the USA and October 1973 on Paramount SPFL 290 in the UK

BONUS TRACKS:

16. Limehouse Blues

17. Are You In The Mood?

18. You're Driving Me Crazy 

19. When Day Is Done

20. Leieberstraum No. 3

21. Mystery Pacific 

22. Improvisation

23. Minor Swing

24. Swingin’ With Django

25. Echoes Of Spain 

26. I'll See You In My Dreams 

Tracks 16 to 26 are new remasters of DJANGO REINHARDT 78’s (with his group The Quintet of the Hot Club of France) ranging from 1936 to 1939

The 12-page accompanying booklet features affectionate and informative liner notes by CHRISTOPHER EVANS; better still, however, is the song-credits which are now extended to give you more detailed information on the recordings (something you didn’t get on the original LP sleeve). The sound is hardly audiophile (1929 to 1941), but that doesn't matter, because the music is timelessly charming. 

Speaking of genius – when you listen to these postcards of bygone days, you realise that the magic of the songs lay in the brilliant arrangements and words. The orchestra would saunter in with a trumpet and a violin setting up the jaunty melody – this would go on for a minute or even a minute and a half (unheard of nowadays) - until the vocalist and lyrics kicked in to genuinely magical effect. 

The words were so clever and skilfully written that they seemed to just roll off the tongues of the singers like it was the most natural thing in the world. "A Picture Of Me Without You" is a good example – check this out…

"...Picture Henry Ford without a car…picture the firmament without a star…

Picture Paul Revere without a horse…picture a Hollywood marriage without divorce…" – brilliant! 

One of my favourites is "I Found A Million Dollar Baby" which features THE BOSWELL SISTERS on vocals (lyrics are the title of this review). The only clinker for me is the genuinely bizarre and seriously sinister "On The Banks Of The Ohio" sung by THE BLUE SKY BOYS. It's an old-timey murder song where a woman gets her throat slit and then drowned because she won't marry some smuck! It's probably there to offset the relentlessly upbeat wistful feel of the other songs (the dark underbelly etc) - but to me it's out of place… The additional songs (restored 78's) by the two-fingered guitar-playing genius Django Reinhardt compliment the set really well – very clever choices - ending on that most nostalgic of tunes - "I'll See You In My Dreams"... 

So there you have it - "Paper Moon" won't be everyone's cup of Darjeeling for sure - but I suspect if you succumb to its many charms – this rather cool little CD reissue will win its way into your heart big time. Nice one Cherry Red/El Records… 

“Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”. A Review of the 2009 Movie Now On DVD and BLU RAY.

“…Friends With Benefits…”

All cool movies have a secret weapon – and in “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist” - it’s KAT DENNINGS.

Not since Emily Blunt in "The Jane Austen Book Club" have I seen an actress so utterly gobsmacking in every way – a young woman who is just going to be the hugest star.

Possessed of a main of flowing red hair, Dennings is extraordinarily voluptuous - her chest is likely to make most men take a dip in the Volga to cool down – and even that won’t work - her lips are so succulent that it may be detrimental to your heart rhythms to write about them let alone actually experience them - and don’t get me started on her eyes - as vast and as deep and as beautiful as Natasha McElhone – one of the classiest actresses in the entire world.

But none of this would matter if there wasn’t that 'X' factor about Dennings that so many of the other wannabes don’t have – Kat is the kind of actress the camera adores. And on top of this, she engenders genuine affection in her audience - men will fall hopelessly in love with her, while women will want to be her best buddy and pal. It’s very, very rare – it really is – and this young Philadelphia lady has it all in spades.

“Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist” is a 2009 teen romcom adapted by LORENE SCAFARIA from the hip novel by RACHEL COHN and is directed by PETER SOLLETT who had an Indie hit a few years back with “Raising Victor Vargas”.

Another breakthrough performance is that of Norah’s permanently pissed girlfriend Caroline brilliantly played by ARI GRAYNOR - she’s a blast as the ditzy blonde - very funny and very likeable (there’s a scene in a toilet involving puke, a mobile phone and chewing gum that will test your wince factor to the max and make you laugh out loud).

The fantastically evocative early hours New York locations are peppered with the usual Indie soundtrack (the BLU RAY images shine here) - while Noah’s three friends are an assortment of varying nutjobs in a gay band called “The Jerkoffs”. They drive around in their van all night arguing about their name and will abandon anyone and anything to find out the venue for a secret gig by ‘the’ band of the moment who are called “Where’s Fluff?” (there are rabbit logos all through the credits and movie).

MICHAEL CERA plays Nick (he seems to have cornered the market in dweeb guys), who is broken-hearted about his break-up with the feckless Tris (ALEXIS DZIENA) until he chances on Norah in a nightclub (KAT DENNINGS). His performance is essentially the same as Juno, and while he’s very good at it, it does stretch credibility a tad that babes like Norah and Tris would fancy him at all, let alone sleep with him. That aside – there is a genuine, lovely and undeniable chemistry between Cera and Dennings that carries the whole movie and keeps you watching and hoping to the end that they’ll make it… (no prizes for guessing what happens there).

“Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist” is young, alive, hopeful and warm – and in a way that so many gross-out comedies fail to be nowadays. It’ll wheedle its way into your heart, it really will.

I liked it a lot…and if you’re looking for a nice night in – then look no further.

“Passengers”. A Review of the 2009 Film Now On DVD and BLU RAY.

“…I Know You From Somewhere…”

I've watched so many films this year - and the really good ones you can count on two hands - "Passengers" is one of them.

At first it's a little frustrating as Anne Hathaway struggles with her therapist assignment - five men and women who've survived a crash-landed jet on American soil. They may or may not have acquired powers because of the crash - and people and odd things appear around them? Or perhaps the airline is being less than truthful about its planes and their maintenance records when she confronts them (David Morse)? Why is Patrick Wilson (one of the bloodied survivors who has recovered remarkably quickly) so determined to woe and date Anne? And why do others around Anne now want all manner of things from her - her boss wants a speedy report put in (Andre Braugher) - the suddenly way too friendly neighbor (Dianne Wiest)?

To say too much is to give too much away, and I wouldn't want to spoil it - suffice to say - like many other reviewers, I was strangely moved by this film.

"Passengers" is directed by Rodrigo Garcia - the same man who brought us the brilliant Gabriel Byrne psychiatrist drama "In Treatment".

Hire this movie and bear with it - it's a gem in a sea of mediocrity.



Recommended - big time.

“Chess Blues”, 1993 USA-Only 4CD Box Set on MCA/Chess CHD4-9340. A Review…

“…I Woke Up This Morning…Couldn’t Even Get Out Of Bed…”

Released in early 1993 in the USA, the 101 tracks on this 4CD box represented the first proper overview by MCA of the Chess Blues legacy since their acquisition of its entire catalogue way back in 1985. And even now (in late 2009) with many subsequent compilations and box sets having followed - I estimate there are still at least 20 to 30 tracks exclusive to this set.

Here's a basic breakdown (each CD has a themed label):

Disc 1, 1947-1952, 25 Tracks, Yellow Aristocrat Label (73:31 minutes)
Disc 2, 1952-1954, 25 Tracks, Blue Chess Label (73:01 minutes)
Disc 3, 1954-1960, 26 Tracks, Plum Checker Label (73:08 minutes)
Disc 4, 1960-1967, 25 Tracks, Brown Argo Label (71:30 minutes)

"Chess Blues" was produced and co-compiled by ANDY McKAIE and features a wonderful 64-page booklet detailing track-by-track liner notes by MARY KATHERINE ALDIN of the LIVING BLUES Magazine (she handled the liner notes for many of the early Chess compilations). The text is peppered with classy black & whites photos of Chess giants like MUDDY WATERS, JOHN LEE HOOKER, LITTLE WALTER, HOWLIN' WOLF, WILLIE DIXON, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON, CHUCK BERRY and ETTA JAMES. There are a few reproduced trade adverts and an opening comment by PHIL CHESS. Best of all though is the read - the paragraphs have great insights into the songs and revelatory information on long forgotten artists like LAURA RUCKER, ROBERT NIGHTHAWK and ARBEE STIDHAM. Just like Peter Grendysa's liner notes in the "Chess Rhythm & Roll" box that followed it, the booklet in this is a peach.

Remastered from Aristocrat and Chess master tapes by ERICK LABSON (over 800 credits to his name), the sound is great throughout - excepting a few tracks dubbed from disc ("Memory Of Sonny Boy" by FOREST CITY JOE from 1949 is one of them).

The music is far grittier than the "Rhythm & Roll" box where the Blues morphed into Rhythm 'n' Blues and then into Soul, but it's equally brilliant.

Unreleased gems include the fabulous piano-boogie of "Cryin' The Blues" by LAURA RUCKER sounding like a blues'd up version of Nellie Lutcher (lyrics above) - and a truly electrifying stripped down alternate take of "All Night Long" by Muddy Waters (just Muddy on guitar and Little Walter on harmonica) where he wants his woman to "rock me...all night long...'til my back has no bone..." Great stuff!

Listening to "Chess Blues" a full 16 years after its release is still a fabulous experience - and although it's not nearly as rare as it's follow-up set "Chess Rhythm & Roll", it's just as desirable...

Recommended - big time.

PS:
See also 5 separate reviews - the 1994 4CD box set "Chess Rhythm & Roll", the mammoth 15CD box set "The Chess Story 1947-1975" issued in 2000 and it's 3 separate parts issued as stand-alone 5CD sets in 2003

"Nellie Lutcher And Her Rhythm" by NELLIE LUTCHER and HER RHYTHM (October 1996 GERMANY Bear Family 4CD LP-Sized Box Set of Remasters with 20 Previously Unreleased Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry..1996 Bear Family 4CD Box Set.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Rhythm-Nelli-Lutcher/dp/B0000282R4?crid=E0A7UQVDDYEI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SAcTTXMzBBoqTEyuPLYMisdtdgWAQUDnWQDPtpMtJCxnTwLMWofq3YRXN3Xu1ILJFJozF1o7WLFtTYdz5JAQFtKUfuGx5zG66bU1dn0UhSOx-f3N7o9AxoTZDnZ_dqHJ.VDnNJ2clQuqa5F9g4EX-hVsdgd6UWB5iv7QFNh6vzeg&dib_tag=se&keywords=nellie+lutcher+bear&qid=1709982050&sprefix=nellie+lutcher+bear%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1-fkmr0&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=1badb4b9255b4d9ccfb2defb77dabf2b&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

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"…The Lights Are Low And The Coast Is Clear

…So What Are We Doing With Dominoes Here…"

One of 15 children, Nellie Lutcher was born in 1912 in Lake Charles, Louisiana and died at the age of 95 in 2007 in Los Angeles, California - having lived long enough to see this wonderful October 1996 box set by Bear Family properly celebrate her musical heritage. 

"Nellie Lutcher And Her Rhythm" by NELLIE LUTCHER on Bear Family BCD 15910 D1 (Barcode 4000127159106) contains 4 CDs housed in a 12" x 12" LP-Sized colour box set with 105 tracks culled from the vaults of Capitol, Epic/Okeh, Liberty, Decca, Imperial and Melic (20 of which are previously unreleased).

I've posted a full discography attached to this review which references all 85 of the released tracks (78s/45s/LPs); the info below details the 20 previously unreleased stuff outside of that discography...

Disc 1, 24 Tracks, 1947 to 1951 (68:13 minutes)

There are no previously unreleased tracks

Disc 2, 26 Tracks, 1948 to 1950 (71:05 minutes)

The following seven are previously unreleased - "With A Song" (1), "Life Is Like That" (3), "My Man (Mon Homme)" (6), "I Used To Be Dull" (7), "The Dog Fight Song" (8), "Darktown Strutter's Ball" (20) and ""April In Paris" (23)

Disc 3, 25 Tracks, 1950 to 1954 (66:47 minutes)

The following five are previously unreleased - "Baby, What's You Alibi" (2), "(I Need) Body And Fender Work" (8), "He Couldn't Care Less" (9), "If You Wanna Get T'Goin' (And Come Out Singin')" (10) and ""When They Ask About You"

Disc 4, 30 Tracks, 1954 to 1963 (77:14 minutes)

The following eight are previously unreleased - "Out Of This World" (1), "It's Been Said" (2), "Let Me Tell You 'Bout The Guy" (22), "If Your Face Was As Beautiful As Your Soul" (23), "He's A Real Gone Guy" [Re-recording of her 1947 Capitol hit] (24), "There's A Reason" (25), "Let Me Tell You 'Bout The Guy (Overdub)" (29) and "If Your Face Was As Beautiful As Your Soul (Overdub)" (30)

The 36-page album-sized booklet has a history of the lady's life and music by noted writer BILL MILLAR of England (she was a smash in the UK - packing out theatres in late 1950), newspaper clippings, Juke Box chart listings, black & white studio photos, trade adverts, a section on her fantastically tight backing band BILLY HADNOTT, ULYSSES LIVINGSTONE and LEE YOUNG - all topped off with a very detailed RICHARD WEISZ Sessions Discography stretching from 1947 to 1963. The individual CDs have the same picture on the back and front (a bit boring actually), but other than that this is the usual high-class product that has made Bear Family beloved by collectors and music fans the world over.

Stylistically, Nellie would scat along with the notes as she played her piano (a noted style of hers), so at times she often sounded like a female Nat King Cole in his early Jazz years (she dueted with him on two great sides in early 1950). And while her combo was clearly Jazz orientated, there was also a delicious touch of Louis Jordan swing to her music and lyrics. Her tunes (many self-written) were great fun and saucy with wittily mischievous words (the title of this review is from "Pa's Not Home - Ma's Upstairs"). The quietly contained quartet also kept her vocals and personality to the fore - which allowed you to 'hear' her. Admittedly, some of the bigger band stuff on Disc 3 is too heavy-handed for my taste, but there's still so much more on there to keep you listening...and the unreleased stuff is of a very high standard indeed...

Her fantastic "Real Gone!" USA and UK 10" LP on Capitol H- 232 is great 50ts R&B with a touch of Jazz Vocals - an overlooked period gem (Capitol extended it to 11-track and 12-track 12" LP versions in 1955 on Capitol T-232 using the same title but slightly different artwork). I sequence the 12" LP version as a wicked period listen. If you wanted to get a lay of the land, try the single Capitol CD from 2000 "Real Gone Gal"- if that grabs you, you'll want to go deeper and this box is where to go. It's not cheap, but then real class and quality always costs.

Nellie Lutcher is up there right now in the Celestial Spheres with LaVern Baker, Nat King Cole and Ma Rainey rehearsing for a date in the "Heavenly Inn" Bar And Grill - word is spreading among the angels who are excitedly queuing up for tickets at "The Garden Of Eden" box office - and the Supreme Being 'herself' is rumoured to put in a show at the gig (disguised of course as Ella Fitzgerald)...

God bless you wherever you are Nellie Lutcher - you beautiful woman - and big time kudos to those at Bear Family for keeping her flame alive in this superb box set. A fine brown frame indeed…

PS: see also my reviews for other Bear Family box sets (with Discographies) - Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Roy Orbison, Freddie King, Julia Lee, Louis Jordan and Ella Mae Morse

USA Discography with reference to the track placing on the Bear Family Box set – this discography locates all 85 tracks issued during her career (the 20 previously unreleased tracks on the box set are documented in the review itself)

NELLIE LUTCHER and HER RHYTHM Discography

For the Bear Family Box Set

78's and 45's

Hurry On Down [2/1] b/w The Lady's In Love With You [3/1]
June 1947 USA 78" on Capitol Americana 40002

He's A Real Gone Guy [7/1] b/w Let Me Love You Tonight [8/1]
July 1947 USA 78" on Capitol Americana 40017

You Better Watch Yourself, Bub [4/1] b/w My Mother's Eyes [6/1]
September 1947 USA 78" on Capitol Americana 40042

Do You Or Don't You Love [10/1] b/w The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On) [18/1] 
January 1948 USA 78" On Capitol Americana 40063 

Fine Brown Frame [21/1] b/w The Pig-Latin Song [9/1]
March 1948 USA 78" on Capitol 15032

Come And Get It, Honey [17/2] b/w He Sends Me [14/2]
May 1948 USA 78" on Capitol 15064

Imagine You Having Eyes For Me [23/1] b/w (I Took A Trip On The Train And) I Thought About You [15/1]
June 1948 USA 78" on Capitol 15112

Cool Water [11/2] b/w Lake Charles Boogie [20/1] 
July 1948 USA 78" on Capitol 15148 

Alexander’s Ragtime Band [24/1] b/w My Little Boy [15/2]
September 1948 USA 78" on Capitol 15180 

Wish I Was In Walla Walla [2/2] b/w A Maid's Prayer [4/2]
December 1948 USA 78" on Capitol 15279

My New Papa's Got To Have Everything [16/2] b/w Say A Little Prayer For Me [10/1]
January 1949 USA 78" on Capitol 15352

A Chicken Ain't Nothin But A Bird [12/2] b/w Ditto From Me To You [5/2]
March 1949 USA 78" on Capitol 57-70001 

Baby, Please Stop And Think About Me [26/2] b/w Kiss Me Sweet [25/2]
August 1949 USA 78" on Capitol 57-70009

Princess Poo-Poo-Ly Has Plenty Papaya [13/2] b/w Fine And Mellow Blues [13/1]
August 1949 USA 78" on Capitol 57-70026

Glad Rag Doll [22/2] b/w Lutcher's Leap [9/2]
November 1949 USA 78" on Capitol 57-70044

Only You [24/2] b/w Little Sally Walker [18/2]
January 1950 USA 7" single on Capitol F 798

For You My Love [4/3] b/w Can I Come In For A Second [5/3]
February 1950 7" single on Capitol F 847 
[A&B with NAT KING COLE - A-side written by PAUL GAYTEN]

That's A Plenty [1/3] b/w I'll Never Get Tired [3/3]
1950 USA 7” single on Capitol F 878

Loveable [12/1] b/w Kinda Blue & Low [16/1]
1950 USA 7" single on Capitol F 1026

To Be Forgotten [19/2] b/w That Will Just About Knock Me Out [21/2]
1950 USA 7" single on Capitol F 1217

I Really Couldn't Love You [7/3] b/w Pa's Not Home – Ma's Upstairs [6/3]
May 1951 USA 78" single on Capitol F 1420 

Hurry On Down b/w Fine Brown Frame 
1951 USA 7" single on Capitol F 1604 [REISSUE of her 1947 Classics]

The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On) [18/1] b/w Humoresque (Opus No.7) [22/1] 
1951 USA 7" single on Capitol F 1728

The Birth Of The Blues [13/3] b/w I Want To Be Near You [12/3]
1951 USA 7" single on Capitol F 1789 

What A Difference A Day Made [15/3] b/w The Heart Of A Clown [17/3]
February 1952 USA 7" single on Capitol F 1978

Mean To Me [11/3] b/w Let The Worry Bird Worry For You [14/3] 
1952 USA 7" single on Capitol F 1829 
[Note: A-side with Orchestra Conducted by BILLY MAY]

That's How It Goes [16/3] b/w Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now [18/3]
1952 USA 7" single on Capitol F 2038 

The Heart Of A Clown [17/3] b/w My Mother’s Eyes [6/1]
1952 USA 7” single on Capitol 4319 
(Note: B-side is the 1947 original)

Muchly Verily [23/3] b/w How Many More [20/3]
January 1953 USA 78” single on Okeh 6935  
[A-side by NELLIE LUTCHER; B-side by BOUDLEAUX BRYANT]

St. Louis Blues [24/3] b/w Takin' A Chance On Love [23/3]
1953 USA 7" single on Okeh 7030 

Whee Baby [22/3] b/w Blues For Bill Bailey (aka Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home) [25/3] 
1953 USA 7" single on Epic 9005

Blues In The Night [3/4] b/w Breezin' Along With The Breeze [4/4]
1954 USA 7" single on Decca 9-29284

Please Come Back [7/4] b/w It's Been Said [5/4]
1955 USA 7" single on Decca 9-29494

If I Didn't Love Like I Do [8/4] b/w Whose Honey Are You? [6/4]
1955 USA 7" single on Decca 9-29642

Blue Skies [9/4] b/w You Made Me Love You [11/4]
February 1956 USA 7" single on Liberty 55018 

(All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings [17/4] b/w Have You Ever Been Lonely [20/4]
1956 USA 7" single on Liberty 55027
 
Hurry On Down [21/4] b/w I Never Get Tired [26/4] 
1957 USA 7" single on Imperial 5436 
(Note: the A-side is a Re-recording of her 1947 hit on Capitol)

Heart Of A Clown [27/4] b/w Reaching For The Moon [28/4]
1963 USA 7" single on Melic 4131 

- LPS -

"Nellie Lutcher" – Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm

3 x 78" LP Package issued March 1948 as an 'Album' on Capitol CC-70 (Mono)

(The individual catalogue numbers for each 78" follow the A and B sides listed below)

1. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else) [1/1] b/w Chi-Chi-Chi-Chicago [11/1]
(Capitol 10108)

2. Reaching For The Moon [17/1] b/w There's Another Mule In Your Stall [14/1]
(Capitol 10109)

3. Sleepy Lagoon [5/1] b/w Lake Charles Boogie [20/1] 
(Capitol 10110)

"Real Gone!"

1950 USA 8-Track Version 10" LP on Capitol H-232 (Mono)

Side 1: 

He's A Real Gone Guy [7/1]; Fine Brown Frame [21/1]; Hurry On Down [2/1]; Come And Get It, Honey [17/2]

Side 2: Do You Or Don't You Love Me 10/1]; Let Me Love You Tonight [8/1]; The Lady's In Love With You [3/1]; My Mother's Eyes [6/1]

(Note: the 10" LP listed above was then extended to two variants of a 12" LP in 1955 and was issued as Capitol T-232. One has eleven tracks – the other twelve. Although they've the same catalogue number – their track runs vary. Tracks marked ** are the extras over the 10" version)

"Real Gone!" 

1955 USA 11-Track Version 12" LP on Capitol T-232 (Mono) [Differing Artwork to the 10” LP]

Side 1:

He's A Real Gone Guy [7/1]; Fine Brown Frame [21/1]; Come And Get It, Honey [17/2]; Alexander’s Ragtime Band ** [24/1]

Side 2:

Do You Or Don't You Love Me [10/1]; Let Me Love You Tonight [8/1]; The Lady's In Love With You [3/1]; My Mother’s Eyes [6/1]; That’s A Plenty ** [1/3]; So Nice To See You Baby ** [19/1]

"Real Gone!" 

1955 USA 12-Track Version 12" LP on Capitol T-232 (Mono) [Differing Artwork to the 10” LP]

Side 1:

He's A Real Gone Guy [7/1]; Fine Brown Frame [21/1]; Hurry On Down [2/1]; Do You Or Don’t You Love Me [10/1]; Let Me Love You Tonight [8/1] The Lady’s In Love With You [3/1]

Side 2:

So Nice To See You Baby ** [19/1]; That’s A Plenty ** [1/3]; My Little Boy ** [15/2]; Alexander’s Ragtime Band ** [24/1]; Come And Get It, Honey [17/2]; My Mother’s Eyes [6/1]

"Whee! Nellie!"

1955 USA 6-Track 10" LP on Epic LN 1108 (Mono)

Side 1:

Whee, Baby! [22/3]; Taking A Chance On Love [23/3/]; Muchly Verily [23/3]

Side 2:

St. Louis Blues [24/3]; How Many More [20/3]; Blues For Bill Bailey [aka Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home] [25/3]

"Our New Nellie" [with Russ Garcia and His Orchestra]

1956 USA 12-Track 12" LP on Liberty LRP 3104 (Mono)

Side 1: 

Have You Ever Been Lonely [20/4]; You Made Me Love You [11/4]; (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings [17/4]; Someone To Watch Over Me [16/4]; This Can't Be Love [12/4]; Blue Skies [9/4]

Side 2: 

Rose Colored Glasses [18/4]; It Had To Be You [14/4]; The Nearness Of You [13/4]; On The Sunny Side Of The Street [15/4]; Ole Buttermilk Sky [19/4]; Three Little Words [10/4]

"Delightfully Yours"

1966 USA 10-track 12" LP on Sunset SUM-1124 [Mono]/SUS-5124 [Stereo]

Side 1: (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings [17/4]; The Nearness Of You [13/4]; Have You Ever Been Lonely [20/4]; On The Sunny Side Of The Street [15/4]; You Made Me Love You [11/4]

Side 2: 

Rose Colored Glasses [18/4]; This Can’t Be Love [12/4]; Someone To Watch Over Me [16/4]; Blue Skies [9/4]; Three Little Words [10/4]

[The 10-tracks used on “Delightfully Yours” are culled from the “Our New Nellie” album sessions which were only ever recorded in MONO – however, as you can see above, this Sunset LP was issued in both MONO and STEREO – the Bear Family box doesn’t reference EITHER - probably because this was false re-channelled stereo and the MONO tracks are already referenced on the Liberty LRP 3104 LP]

"The Best Of"

1995 USA Capitol Compilation on CD – Capitol CDP 7243 8 35039

(Track 15 and 22 are referenced on the Box set because they were previously unreleased at the time)

1. Hurry On Down

2. One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)

3. You Better Watch Yourself, Bub

5. My Mother's Eyes

6. He's A Real Gone Guy

7. Let Me Love You Tonight

8. Chi Chi Chi Chicago

9. Fine And Mellow

10. I Thought About You

11. Kinda Blue And Low

12. The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)

13. Lake Charles Boogie

14. Fine Brown Frame

15. My Man (Mon Homme) [6/2]

16. Chicken Ain't Nothin' But A Bird

17. He Sends Me

18. My New Papa's Got To Have Everything

19. Come And Get It

20. Honey Honey

21. That Will Just About Knock Me Out Baby

22. Baby What's Your Alibi [2/3]

23. Pa's Not Home

“Why” by THE CUES. A Review of the 2008 CD Reissue on Bear Family Records.

“…I'm A Prince When You're Near Me...All The World Is My Throne…”

The knowledgeable and detailed PETER GRENDYSA liner notes on this typically superb Bear Family CD are dated ‘July 1988’ – on a 2008 CD? Here’s what happened…

Back in 1988 Bear Family put out one of the first compilations dedicated to this superb Doo Wop and R’n’B Vocal group – the 16-track vinyl LP “Crazy, Crazy Party” on BFX 15309. It contained most of their Capitol Records output and four previously unreleased tracks - “Much Obliged”, “Killer Diller”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mr. Oriole” and “Be My Wife”.

This was then reissued as “Why” on an expanded CD in 1991 with 28 Tracks (a different cover also accompanied the different title). As well as featuring additional early sides on Lamp, Jubilee, Prep and Groove, it added a further five previously unreleased songs from Capitol’s vaults – 2 takes of “Yes Sir”, “Poppa Loves Momma”, “Ladder” and “Warm Spot”.

This 2008 version of “Why” (BCD 15510 AH) is the 1991 CD in exactly the same running order, but again with different artwork and now - new 2008 copyright dates on the digital remasters. The booklet is a sizeable 24-pages and includes detailed liners notes and a discography to 1960, while the CD label and inlay beneath the see-through tray picture “Burn That Candle” – their debut September 1955 single on Capitol Records F 3245 (later made a sizeable hit by Bill Haley & His Comets in November 1955 on Decca).

The Cues were formed by the legendary Producer & Writer JESSE STONE specifically as a backing-group of quality for recording labels of the time – the first time this had ever been done. They’re on Atlantic hits by LaVern Baker in 1954, they’re credited as Joe Turner’s “Blues Kings”, the “Rhythmmakers” for Ruth Brown and “The Ivorytones” for Ivory Joe Hunter.

The Cues had an array of stunning vocalists – OLLIE JONES [Lead Tenor], ABEL DeCOSTA [First Tenor], JIMMY BREEDLOVE [Second Tenor], ROBIE KIRK [Baritone] and EDWARD ‘EDDIE’ BARNES [Bass]. Breedlove later had a solo career with sides on RCA in 1958, but they were far rockier than his smooth vocal work with The Cues (his lone album “Sings Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits” was reissued on Bear Family BFX 15327 in 1989). One the highlights on this CD is Breedlove’s beautiful lead vocals on his ballad “Don’t Make Believe” – the flip of “Destination 2100 And 65”.

The sound quality is fabulous throughout, except for their October 1954 debut 45 on Lamp 8007 (“Forty ‘leven Dozen Ways” b/w “Scoochie Scoochie”) where both sides are dubbed from a scratchy and extremely rare disc. The other selling point is the really great quality of the unreleased tracks – Breedlove’s whistling on “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mr. Oriole” predating Bobby Darin’s “Rockin’ Robin” by a full two years. Another rarity is “So Near And Yet So Far” b/w “Hot Rotten Soda Pop (On My Toe)” which was issued in June 1955 on Groove 4/G-0110 (one of RCA’s subsidiary labels); it’s credited to THE FOUR STUDENTS, but it’s featured on this CD because 4 members of The Cues are on it.

My personal favourites on “Why” are the four sides of two great singles – the 1st on Capitol F 3582 from November 1956 - “Why” b/w “Prince Or Pauper” and the 2nd on Prep 104 from May 1957 - “Crazy, Crazy Party” b/w “I Pretend”. They’re both perfect slices of Fifties greatness – a cool dancer on the A with a beautiful Doo Wop balled on the B. Ollie Jones’ deep pleading vocal on “Prince Or Pauper” is simply irresistible – as lovely a song as you’ve ever heard (lyrics above).

So – for newcomers looking for a bit of Fifties Doo Wop and R’n’B magic - this is a sweetheart of a release and typical of Bear Family’s commitment to excellence – and for those who own the 1991 issue, there’s the new remasters.

Gorgeous stuff - and recommended the most.

- BELOW IS A DISCOGRAPHY WITH REGARD TO THIS RELEASE -

*** THE CUES *** A 45/LP Discography referencing “Why” the 28-track 1991/2008 Bear Family CD compilation:

1. “Forty ‘eleven Dozen Ways” b/w “Scoochie Scoochie” are the A&B of Lamp 8007 issued in October 1954 (tracks 25 and 26 on the CD)

2. “Only You” b/w “I Fell For Your Loving” are the A&B of Jubilee 5201 issued in May 1955 (tracks 21 and 22 on the CD)
Note: The A is NOT a cover version of the famous Platters song, which happened to be issued in that same month

3. “So Near And Yet So Far” b/w “Hot Rotten Soda Pop (On My Toe)” are the A&B of Groove 4/G-0110 issued in June 1955 (an RCA subsidiary label) – it’s credited as THE FOUR STUDENTS but is included on the CD because it contains Jones, DeCosta, Barnes and Kirk of THE CUES (tracks 24 and 23 on the CD)

4. “Burn That Candle” b/w “Oh My Darlin’” are the A&B of Capitol F 3245 (their debut for Capitol) issued in September 1955 (tracks 4 and 16 on the CD)

5. “Charlie Brown” b/w “You’re On My Mind” are the A&B of Capitol F 3310 issued in January 1956 (tracks 7 and 9 on the CD)
Note: The A is NOT a cover of the hit by The Coasters (1959 on Atlantic), but an Ollie Jones rocking original (in a similar vein to The Coasters famous hit)

6. “Destination 2100 And 65” b/w “Don’t Make Believe” are the A&B of Capitol F 3400 in April 1956 (tracks 11 and 20 on the CD)

7. “Crackerjack” b/w “The Girl I Love” are the A&B of Capitol F 3482 issued in July 1956 (tracks 3 and 15 on the CD)

8. “Why” b/w “Prince Or Pauper” are the A&B of Capitol F 3582 issued in November 1956 (tracks 2 and 12 on the CD)

9. “Crazy, Crazy Party” b/w “I Pretend” are the A&B of Prep 104 issued in May 1957 (a Capitol subsidiary label) (tracks 8 and 18 on the CD)

10. “Ol’ Man River” is the A of Jubilee JB 5395 issued in (its B-side “Always Remember (not To Forget)” is not included on the compilation because its thought not to contain any members of The Cues in the recording

11. “Rock n’ Roll Mr. Oriole”, “Killer Diller”, “Much Obliged” and “Be My Wife” are FOUR previously unreleased tracks which first appeared on the 1988 Bear Family LP “Crazy, Crazy Party” on BFX 15309 (tracks 13, 17, 5 and 19 on the CD)

12. “Yes Sir” (two takes), “Poppa Loves Momma”, “Ladder” and “Warm Spot” are FIVE previously unreleased tracks which first appeared on the expanded 1991 Bear Family CD “Why” – their placing is repeated on this 2008 reissue (tracks 1 and 27, 6, 10 and 14 on the CD)

“Angels & Demons” – A Review of the 2009 Movie on BLU RAY.

“…Of Course God Sent You…”

There’s probably millions of physicists, theologians and hugely academic types out there who can’t wait to poo poo “Angels & Demons” - the sequel to Dan Brown’s ludicrously successful book and movie - “The Da Vinci Code” – I’m not going to be one of them.

While you wouldn’t call it a “Bourne-like” masterpiece in terms of non-stop plot and thrills, A&D gets damn close – and almost all of the time. Sequel or stand alone – it’s a brilliantly executed movie – and far, far better than its predecessor ever was, entertaining the weary pants off of you with real style, skill and panache.

To start with - “Angels & Demons” has the magic triple whammy – a really great cast who can bring gravitas to any part they play, a fantastically well-adapted screenplay from great source material (AKIVA GOLDSMAN and DAVID KOEPP who are both Oscar winners and nominees) and the best entertainment Director in the movie business today - RON HOWARD. I mean the guy just delivers time after time after time - “Frost/Nixon”, “Cinderella Man” and “Apollo 13” are among his superb former credits.

It goes like this (and every word of the following is Gospel)… There’s a plot to bring down the Catholic Church and replace it with an order based on science rather than faith, which may or may not have something to do with the ancient and mysterious cult of THE ILLUMINATI. Despite being purged centuries back by scared zealots in the Catholic Church, these are powerful people still in high places who have remained undetected down through the ages by the modern world – patiently waiting for their time of revenge. And an experiment in Switzerland has given them that chance.

TOM HANKS is back as the permanently po-faced Professor Langdon summoned by a devout priest (EWAN McGREGOR) to the holy city of the Vatican in Rome to protect the Catholic Church at a time of Papal re-election. A slick assassin who is prepared to carry out grizzly acts of torture (played chillingly by NIKOLAJ LIE KAAS) is killing off high-ranking Catholic cardinals in a countdown to an apocalyptical ‘light’ that will consume the throne of Christ’s church on Earth. And wouldn’t you know it, but poor old butter-brains Langdon has only 4 hours to work it all out and stop the end of…well the world frankly… Luckily he is ably aided by a particle-analyst in the shape of the leggy AYELET ZURER (it's a scientific fact that all lab scientists look like this woman – I swear). And on it goes….

It’s all utter knob of course, but the historical linking of actual statues, churches and symbols all over the city make you believe every cleverly preposterous word of it. Throw in the brilliance of actors like ARMIN-MUELLER-STALH as a Cardinal who may become the next Fisherman and STELLAN SKARSGARD as the head of the Vatican Police who trusts no-one including his employers – and you have enough diversions, red herrings and word-like genius to make the men who make up the British Government’s balance of payments forecasts positively blush with envy. It’s brilliant stuff – it really is - and every scene is filled with it.

Locations are all ace - the catacombs under the streets, the reproduced airtight Vatican Archives and the ornate rooms in sumptuous buildings all help the stew too - and the BLU RAY picture (no pun intended) is immaculate throughout. The extras are extensive too and add to the experience nicely (a huge amount of effort involved).

Whether or not you consider all organised religion to be a corrupting force or the very bedrock on which civilized society is based is not going to get talked about too much in “Angels & Demons” – the film is far too busy entertaining you for all that stuff ‘n nonsense…

But even the Dan Brown doubters out there will get up from their comfy chairs, brush the crisps and curry off their shirts and say, “…that was damn good!”

Recommended.