The POP HISTORY Series of Vinyl Double LPs Vol.1 to 30 On Polydor Records from the early 1970’s.

The following “POP HISTORY” Discography is for the GERMAN RELEASES only. Release Dates range from 1972 to 1974 (the dates on the record labels tend to refer to the copyright dates of the material rather than the release date).

They were also issued in other countries in Europe and even in South America [none were issued in the UK or the USA – some of the earlier titles were imported into each]. Each set was a double album and had distinctive generic colour artwork, laminated gatefold sleeves, polylined inner bags and quality pressed European vinyl (Polydor/Cube labels). Collectors have long enjoyed them for their ‘early material’ track lists and top quality mastering.

It isn't all straightforward however when you stray away from the German issues - artists featured in the series differed from country to country - as did the Volume Number they were allocated.
For instance the French version of Booker T & The M.G.’s turns up as Vol.5 instead of 8, while Richie Havens is Vol.11 instead of 13. Uruguay had THE BEE GEES as Volume 5, while there was none in the German issues. THE WHO set in Argentina is a double, while the Brazilian issue ‘appears’ to be a single – it isn’t. The “Pop History” name and same artwork was used in a 10LP German Box Set where the artists are doubled-up on some records or receive a single album on others – many people broke out these single albums and sold them separately – as “Pop History” titles. James Brown is Volume 3 in many countries, but the track list on the Spanish issue is different to the German issue (different hits in different countries). With this cross-country tailoring to their particular marketplace, but often using the same German artwork and even the same overall catalogue number, it's easy to see why some confusion can creep in...

Also - for British and Irish fans alike, the series throws up some quirky anomalies – huge and popular ‘rock’ acts like SLADE, guitarist ROY BUCHANAN and the fabulous Maggie Bell fronted STONE THE CROWS are not represented here, but HARDIN & YORK are? Eddie Hardin and Peter York made 3 albums in the UK on Bell Records (1971’s “For The World” is the 3rd), none of which did any business in Britain. Musically they may have been excellent, but fame-wise, they were and still are absolute obscurities in their own country and their albums are now hard-to-find vinyl rarities clocking in at £25 + (if you can locate them). They were, however, huge in Germany, capable of filling large venues and hence the reason they were afforded the luxury of a “Pop History” double in that country. The same applies to SAVAGE ROSE - huge in Europe - but virtual unknowns in the UK.

Also - FOUR of the doubles are not compilations, but 2 whole albums under another name – see notes on Hardin & York, Mountain, The Grateful Dead and Medicine Head.

I was unable to locate Volume 17 (possibly Jack Bruce), Vol. 24 appears to be unissued and the series ends with Rory Gallagher on Vol.30. The release info and track lists come from a European Polydor catalogue of 1974 I’ve acquired and also from the albums I own. I’ve double-checked the details for accuracy and to my knowledge, this is the first time that all of this info on the series has been put together in the one place.


1. Pop History Vol.1 – CREAM (Polydor 2675 014)
[Featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker]
14 Tracks: N.S.U./White Room/Sitting On Top Of The World/Sunshine Of Your Love/Passing The Time/Lawdy Mama/Deserted Cities Of The Heart/As You Said/I Feel Free/Sweet Wine/Doing That Scrapyard Thing/I’m So Glad/Traintime/Toad


2. Pop History Vol.2 – JIMI HENDRIX (Polydor 2675 013)
16 Tracks: Who Knows/Voodoo Chile/Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)/Rainy Day Dream Away/We Gotta Live Together/All Along The Watchtower/Power Of Soul/And The Gods Made Love/Moon Turn The Tides.../Changes/Foxy Lady/Long Hot Summer Night/Message To Love/House Burning Down/Still Raining Still Dreaming/Come On - Part 1


3. Pop History Vol.3 – JAMES BROWN (Polydor 2625 009)
24 Tracks: Maybe Good-Maybe Bad (Part 1 & 2)/Choo Choo/Stagger Lee/Use For Mother/After You Done It/You’ve Got To Change Your Mind/Soul Pride (Part 1)/Soul Pride (Part 2)/Fever/Is It Yes Or Is It No/World (Part 1 & 2)/Georgia On My Mind/The Chicken/Time After Time/If I Ruled The World/I’m Shock/Prisoner Of Love/Kansas City/Brother Rapp (Part 1 & 2)/Just Plain Funk/I’ll Lose My Mind/Gittin’ A Little Hipper/The Scratch/Here I Go


4. Pop History Vol.4 – THE WHO (Polydor 2675 012)
20 Tracks: My Generation/Heatwave/Smash The Mirror/Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde/Overture From Tommy/Doctor! Doctor!/In The City/Mary Anne With The Shakey Hand/I Can See For Miles/Sally Simpson/Magic Bus/You See My Way/The Acid Queen/We’re Not Gonna Take It/Summertime Blues/Bucket “T”/Our Love Was/Christmas/Don’t Look Away/Call Me Lightning


5. Pop History Vol.5 – THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL featuring JOHN SEBASTIAN (Polydor 2625 010)
24 Tracks: Daydream/Jug Of Wine/Try A Little Bit/(Till I) Run With You/Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind/Six O’ Clock/Didn’t Want To Have To Do It/Henry Thomas/Younger Girl/Nashville Cats/Only Yesterday/You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice/Revolution/Forever/Rain On The Roof/Voodoo In My Basement/Money/Summer In The City/Do You Believe In Magic/Only Pretty What A Pity/Never Goin’ Back/Blues In The Bottle/Night Owl Blues/She Is Still A Mystery


6. Pop History Vol.6 – ERIC BURDON and THE ANIMALS (Polydor 2625 011)
18 Tracks: St. James Infirmary/A Girl Named Sandoz/The Black Plague/Uppers And Downers/No Self Pity/Cheating/When I Was Young/It's All Meat/Serenade To A Sweat Lady/Orange And Red Beams/Winds Of Change/Help Me Girl/New York 1963 - America 1968 (Full 19:00 Minute Version)/Year Of The Guru/You're On My Mind/She'll Return It/Just The Thought/The Immigrant Land


7. Pop History Vol.7 – FRANK ZAPPA and THE MOTHERS of INVENTION (Polydor 2625 012)
20 Tracks: Help I’m A Rock/I’m Not Satisfied/Motherly Love/Plastic People/The Idiot Bast@#! Son/Brown Shoes Don’t Make It/The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny/Anything/You Didn’t Try To Call Me/Duke Of Prunes/Hungry Freaks Daddy/Uncle Bernie’s Farm/Who Are The Brain Police/Who Needs The Peace Corps/Absolutely Free/Status Back Baby/Invocation & Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin/Go Cry On Somebody Else’s Shoulder/Flower Punk/America Drinks & Goes Home


8. Pop History Vol.8 – BOOKER T. & THE M.G.’s (Polydor 2625 013)
23 Tracks: Mrs. Robinson/This Guy’s In Love With You/Because/Foxy Lady/Hi Ride/Time Is Tight/Heads Or Tails/Michelle/Lady Madonna/Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy/Light My Fire/Eleanor Rigby/Soul Limbo/The Horse/I Want You/Something/Melting Pot/Hang ‘Em High/Johnny, I Love You/Sunny Monday/La La Means I Love You/The End/Over Easy


9. Pop History Vol.9 – ERIC CLAPTON (Polydor 2668 001)
[Features Cream, Derek & The Dominoes and Eric Clapton Solo]
15 Tracks: Bottle Of Red Wine/Bell Bottom Blues/Rollin’ And Tumblin’/Badge/Lawdy Mama/Strange Brew/Let It Rain/Spoonful/Anyday/Wrapping Paper/Little Wing/Sweet Wine/After Midnight/Key To The Highway/Layla (Full Album Version)


10. Pop History Vol.10 – GINGER BAKER (Polydor 2668 002)
[Features Cream and Ginger Baker’s Air Force]
14 Tracks: Sweet Wine/Passing The Time/Sunshine Of Your Love/Twelve Gates Of The City/Doin' It/Man Of Constant Sorrow/Blue Condition/We Free Kings/Today/Toad (Full 13 Minute Version)/What A Bringdown/Let Me Ride/Do What You Like (Full Near 12 Minute Version)/I'm So Glad


11. Pop History Vol.11 – TASTE (Polydor 2668 003) [featuring Rory Gallagher]
[Features Studio and Live Material]
19 Tracks: Sugar Mama/I’m Movin’ On/What’s Going On/Born On The Wrong Side Of Time/ Same Old Story/Eat My Words/Gamblin’ Blues/Railway And Gun/If I Don’t Sing, I’ll Cry/Feel So Good – Part 2/On The Boards/Hail/See Here/Dual Carriageway Pain/I’ll Remember/Blister On The Moon/It’s Happened Before, It’ll Happen Again/Leaving Blues/Catfish (Full 10 Minute Live Version)


12. Pop History Vol.12 – THE SPOTNICKS (Polydor 2676 016)
23 Tracks: Amapola/One Has My Name/Green Eyes/Ku’damm Promenade/Muddy Mississippi Line/Walk Right In/Last Date/Diamonds/I’m Coming Home/Steel Guitar Rag/Bye Bye Birdie/Habanera/Everybody’s Talkin’/In The Mood/Busted/Say Mama/Walking Back To Happiness/Havah Nagila/Wildwood Flower/Recado/I’ll Remember You/Hot Toddy/Space Walk


13. Pop History Vol.13 – RICHIE HAVENS (Polydor 2625 015)
18 Tracks: Indian Rope Man/Baby Blue/Wear Your Love Like Heaven/Run Shaker Life – Do You Feel Good/I Started A Joke/Shouldn’t All The World Be Dancing/From The Prison/Open Your Eyes/Strawberry Fields Forever/A Little Help From My Friends/Priests/I Pity The Poor Immigrant/Prayer/She’s Leaving Home/Lady Madonna/For Haven’s Sake/Don’t Listen To Me/The Parable Of Roman


14. Pop History Vol.14 – JOHN MAYALL (Polydor 2675 017)
13 Tracks: The Laws Must Change/Nature’s Disappearing/Waiting For The Right Time/To A Princess/I’m Gonna Fight For J.B./Lying By My Bed/Night Flyer/Counting The Days/Took The Cat/Saw Mill Gulch Road/California/Many Miles Apart/People Cling Together/You Must Be Crazy/Thoughts About Roxanne/Thinking Of My Woman


15. Pop History Vol.15 – SAVAGE ROSE (Polydor 2675 018)
21 Tracks: Savage Rose/Look Out/You’ll Be Alright/I’m Walking Through The Door/White Swans’ Marriage Clothes/Everybody Must Know/Her Story/Sailing Away/Your Sign – My Sign/His Own Happiness – God’s Little Hand/Oh Baby Where Have You Gone?/Open Air Shop/You Be Free/A Trial In Our Native Town/Sleep/The Shepherd And Sally/The Castle/Ride My Mountain/A Girl I Know/Life’s Other Side/I’m Satisfied Mr. Captain


16. Pop History Vol.16 – GOLDEN EARRING (Polydor 2625 018)
21 Tracks: Back Home/Everyday's Torture/Gipsy Rhapsody/Born A Second Time/Song Of A Devil's Servant/Big Tree Blue Sea/One Huge Road/The Truth About Arthur/Magnificent Magistral/I'm Going To Send My Pigeons To The Sky/Yellow & Blue/Landing/Crystal Heaven/Must I Cry?/God Bless The Day/See See/The Wall Of Dolls/Who Cares?/Nothing Can Change This World Of Mine/The Loner/The Sad Story Of Sam Stone/This Is The Time Of the Year

17. Pop History Vol.17 – NOT YET TRACED


18. Pop History Vol.18 – AIR FORCE [Ginger Baker's Air Force] (Polydor 2668 005)


19. Pop History Vol.19 – THE VELVET UNDERGROUND and NICO (Polydor 2625 019)
17 Tracks: Lady Godiva's Operation/Eulogy To Lenny Bruce/What Goes On/Winter Song/Some Kind Of Love/The Gift/Chelsea Girl/I’m Set Free/The Murder Mystery/Little Sister/I'll Be Your Mirror/Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams/Jesus/The Fairest Of The Seasons/After Hours/It Was A Pleasure Then/ That's The Story Of My Life


20. Pop History Vol.20 – THE BLUES PROJECT featuring AL KOOPER and STEVE KATZ (Polydor 2625 020)
18 Tracks: Fly Away/Steve’s Song/Dakota Recollection/Two Trains Running/When There’s Smoke, There’s…/I Want To Be Your Driver/If You Got To Make A Fool Of/No Time Like The Right Time/Endless Sleep/Wake Me-Shake Me/Niartae’s Hornpipe/Cheryl’s Going Home/Calypso/I Can’t Keep From Crying Some/Violets Of Dawn/Mojo Hannah/The Flute Thing/Catch The Wind


21. Pop History Vol.21 – HARDIN & YORK (Polydor 2625 021)
[2 whole albums; their debut LP from 1969 on Bell Records called “Tomorrow Today” (Tracks 1 to 9) and their 2nd LP also on Bell Records from 1970 called “The World’s Smallest Big Band (aka Hardin & York)” (Tracks 10 to 15)]
15 Tracks: Tomorrow Today/100 Years From Now/I'm Lost/Drinking My Wine/Candlelight/Beautiful Day/Mountains Of Sand/Can't Keep A Good Man Down/Listen Everyone/Just A Case Of Time/I Can't Find My Way Home/Love, A Song For You/Rock & Roll Medley (a) Jailhouse Rock (b) Mean Woman Blues (c) Rip It Up!/The Pike/”Northern Medley" (a) Lady Madonna (b) Norwegian Wood


22. Pop History Vol.22 – MOUNTAIN (Polydor 2625 022)
[2 whole albums, their 1969 US-Only debut LP on Bell Records by Leslie West called “Mountain” (Tracks 1 to 11) with their 2nd LP from 1970 [1st in the UK] also on Bell Records called “Mountain Climbing” (Tracks 12 to 20)]
20 Tracks: Blood Of The Sun/Long Red/Better Watch Out/Blind Man, Baby, I’m Down/Dreams Of Milk & Honey/Storyteller Man/This Wheel’s On Fire/Look To The Wind/Southbound Train/Because You Are My Friend/Mississippi Queen/Theme For Imaginary Western/Never In My Life/Silver Paper/Yasgur’s Farm/To My Friend/The Laird/Sittin’ On A Rainbow/Boys In The Band


23. Pop History Vol.23 – THE GRATEFUL DEAD (Polydor 2679 003)
[2 whole albums - “Vintage Dead” (Tracks 1 to 4) and “Historic Dead” (Tracks 5 to 9). Although the material was recorded in the mid Sixties, both albums only received official release in the UK on Polydor in 1972]
Tracks: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/Lindy/Stealin'/The Same Thing /I Know You Rider/It Hurts Me Too/It's All Over Now, Baby Blue/Dancin' In The Streets/In The Midnight Hour

24. Pop History Vol.24 – NOT YET TRACED


24. Pop History Vol.25 – MEDICINE HEAD (Polydor 2625 026)
[2 whole albums; their 1971 2nd LP on Dandelion Records called “Heavy On The Drum” (Tracks 1 to 11) and their 1969 debut LP also on Dandelion Records called “New Bottles And Old Medicine” (Tracks 12 to 25)]
25 Tracks: There's Always A Light /Any Day Now/Medicine Pony/Thou Shalt Not Pass/Expectation Blues/To Train Time/Call On Your Saviour/Have No Fear/You Got Me Rockin' And Rollin'/Once There Was A Day/(Sometimes) Even The Moon Has No Face/When Night Falls/Ooee Baby/Next Time The Sun Comes Round/This Love Of Old/Home's Odyssey/Oh My Heart To Peace/Do It Now/Be It As We Are/Fire Under Mountain/Two Men Now/Crazy 'Bout You Baby/Goin' Home/His Guiding Hand/Walkin' Blues

26. Pop History Vol.26 – JULIE DRISCOLL and BRIAN AUGER (Polydor 2668 007)
18 Tracks: This Wheel’s On Fire/Tramp/Day In The Life/Save The Country/Save Me (Part 1)/Indian Rope Man/Black Cat/Take Me To The Water/A Kind Of Love In/Goodbye Jungle Telegraph/Season Of The Witch/I’ve Got Life/Light My Fire/Maria’s Wedding/Let The Sunshine In/Red Beans And Rice/Truth/Road To Cairo


27. Pop History Vol.27 – T. REX (Cube 2635 005)
24 Tracks: Hot Love/Jewel/The Visit/Childe/Ride A White Swan/Summertime Blues/Get It On/Is It Love?/One Inch Rock/Summer Deep/Warlord Of The Royal Crocodilee/Seagull Woman/Jeepster/Hot Rod Mama/Mustang Ford/Chariots Of Silk/Cat Black/She Was Born To Be My Unicorn/Debora/Iscariot/Nijinsky Aind/Organ Blues/By The Light Of A Magical Moon/Dragon’s Ear


28. Pop History Vol.28 – PROCOL HARUM (Cube 2635 006)
22 Tracks: A Whiter Shade Of Pale/She Wandered Through The Garden Fence/Something Following Me/A Christmas Camel/Homburg/Conquistador/Quite Rightly So/Skip Softly (My Moonbeams)/Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone)/Rambling On/Wish Me Well/Shine On Brightly/A Salty Dog/The Milk Of Human Kindness/Crucifiction Lane/The Devil Came From Kansas/Boredom/Whisky Train/Your Own Choice/Still There Be More/About To Die/The Dead Man’s Dream


29. Pop History Vol.29 – THE MOVE (Cube 2635 007)
17 Tracks: I Can Hear The Grass Grow/Helloh Susie/(Here We Go Round) The Lemon Tree/Don’t Make My Baby Blue/Flowers In The Rain/Fire Brigade/Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited/Wild Tiger Woman/Night Of Fear/Blackberry Way/When Alice Comes Back To The Farm/The Last Thing On My Mind/Curly/Hey Grandma/Walk Upon The Water/Brontosaurus/Fields Of People/Omnibus


30. Pop History Vol.30 – RORY GALLAGHER (Polydor 2679 006) [see also Taste]
[Tracks 1 to 5 are by TASTE; 6 to 17 are RORY GALLAGHER solo]
17 Tracks: Blister On The Moon/Born On The Wrong Side Of Time/Leaving Blues/Railway & Gun/Eat My Words/Hands Up/Just A Smile/Wave Myself Goodbye/Can’t Believe It’s True/Used To Be/I’m Not Awake Yet/Don’t Know Where I’m Going/Should’ve Learned My Lesson/Going To My Hometown (Live)/Messing With The Kid (Live)/In Your Town (Live)/Bullfrog Blues (Live)

“Black Narcissus”. A Review of the 2008 BLU-RAY reissue of the 1947 Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger film classic.

“He Seems A Difficult Man…You Won’t Get Much Help From Him…”

As the muscle-bound-creep whacks the iconic "J. Arthur Rank" gong in the opening credits of "Black Narcissus" - your heart sinks. The print is truly awful. But that soon disappears when you lay eyes on the restored palette of the actual film itself. The remaining credits are steady, clean and amazingly free of scratches and grain. It's a relief to say that this odd - and still strangely unsettling film (based on Rumer Godden's book) - is a triumph on Blu-Ray.

The effect of seeing the painted studio backdrops doubling as the Himalayan mountains and the nun's make up on their supposed unadorned angelic faces is slightly disconcerting at first, but once you get used to it - scene after scene impresses you with the lovely detail - especially if you've a large screen to do the thing justice. I used the 'Smart' mode on my Sony to get it out of its 'square' mode and fill the screen and it wasn't in the least bit stretched or out of place.

Highlights include when the camera first settles on the young and flirtatious Kanchi (played superbly by Jean Simmons) sat on her suitcase outside Sister Cloddagh's mountain convent (played by Deborah Kerr) in her racy Indian attire, you actually see' how beautiful and striking Simmons was. Or when Kathleen Byron as the lusting Sister Ruth (pictured below) keeps flicking her eyes and thoughts at the semi naked David Farrar as Mr. Dean - you see both of their faces and expressions - and for the first time you actually 'feel' the wild spark coursing through their reserved but tempted British veins. You can imagine how bold this must have been at the cinema in May 1947. Then Byron's beautiful yet deadly face as she emerges wild-eyed at the end of the movie from the convent doors in her civilian clothes - Deborah Kerr on the bell...pretty potent stuff still...


Admittedly, some parts of the scenery seem weak - the washed-out blue of the palace walls, the now obvious matt drawings doubling as the sheer mountain drop by the famous bell... But with the wind and the superb scale of the set, you're almost completely fooled into believing that these out-of-place nuns actually are in sweaty and difficult India - absolutely all of it filmed in Pinewood without every leaving England (except one outside shot).

The audio is old though - and sounds it - but it's acceptable. There's also a 30-minute plus making of called "The Profile Of..." which features interviews and insightful stuff from Kathleen Byron on the abrasive directing ways of Powell and the strong yet serene Kerr, who knew just how to handle him and his bullying.

Having watched a few dogs on Blu-Ray of old films, it's nice to see one that actually benefits from the format. It's absolutely not as good as the BR versions of "Cool Hand Luke", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Zulu" or the early Bond films like "Dr. No" or "From Russia With Love" (where truly exceptional restoration work has taken place), but it's the best this film has ever looked - and for fans of "Black Narcissus" - it's a must buy.

"Margie Joseph" by MARGIE JOSEPH (2007 Japanese Vivid Sound Label CD Reissue of her 1973 Atlantic Records Soul Album) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I've Been Chained So Long...Getting Free Just Don't Seem Real..."

Having made two albums for Volt in the USA - "Margie Joseph Makes A New Impression" in 1971 " on VOS-6012 and then "Phase II" in 1972 on VOS-6016 - both of which bubbled under the US R&B charts (but many felt could have done better) - big things were expected of the Mississippi singer on her 3rd album and new signing to the legendary home of Soul music - Atlantic Records.

The album "Margie Joseph" was recorded in June and September 1972 at the Atlantic studios in New York and produced by keyboardist and legendary arranger ARIF MARDIN and released February 1973.

This Japan-only February 2007 CD reissue on Vivid Sound VSCD 320 of "Margie Joseph" by MARGIE JOSEPH (Barcode 4540399003207) is a 5" hard-card repro of the American sleeve and is limited to 3000 copies worldwide (46:11 minutes):

1. I Been Down [Ron Galbraith/Marty Keener song]

2. Make Me Believe You’ll Stay [John W. Anderson song]

3. Let's Stay Together [Al Green/Willie Mitchell/Al Jackson song - Al Green cover]

4. Turn Around And Love You [Donna Weiss song - Rita Coolidge cover]

5. I'm Only A Woman [Ben Peters song]

6. Let’s Go Somewhere And Love [Kenny O’Dell/Larry Henley song - Sandy Posey cover]

7. You Better Know It [David Williams/Calvin White song]

8. Touch Your Woman [Dolly Parton song]

9. I’ll Take Care Of You [Brook Benton song]

10. I’m So Glad I’m Your Woman [Margie Joseph/Arif Mardin song]

11. How Do You Spell Love [Marshall Boxley, Jerry Strickland and Bobby Patterson song]

12. I’d Rather Go Blind [Ellington Jordan and Bill Foster song - Etta James/Chicken Shack cover]

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Margie Joseph" – released February 1973 in the USA on Atlantic SD-7248 and Atlantic K 40462 in the UK.

The musicians involved were:

MARGIE JOSEPH – All Vocals

CORNELL DUPREE and HUGH McCRACKEN – Guitars on 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 12

DAVID SPINNOZA – Guitar on 1, 5, 6, 9 and 11

RICHARD TEE – Keyboards on all

ARIF MARDEN – Additional Keyboards on 10

DAVID NEWMAN – Saxophone & Flute

JERRY GEMMOTT – Bass on 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 12

CHUCK RAINEY – Bass on 1, 5, 6, 9 and 11

CISSY HOUSTON, DEIRDRE TUCK, RENELIE STAFFORD, MYRNA SMITH, SYLVIA SHEMWELL, SAMMY TURNER and RONALD BRIGHT – Backing Vocals

RALPH McDONALD – Percussion on all except 3

NORMAN PRIDE – Percussion on 3 only

7" singles off the album were:

1. Let's Go Somewhere And Love b/w Born To Wander - issued in 1972 on Atlantic 2907 in the USA

2. Touch Your Woman b/w I'm So Glad I'm Your Woman - issued in 1973 on Atlantic 2933 in the USA

3. Let's Stay Together b/w I'd Rather Go Blind - issued in 1973 on Atlantic 2954 in the USA

4. How Do You Spell Love b/w Let's Stay Together - issued in 1973 on Atlantic K 10313 in the UK

NOTE: "Born To Wander" is a Rare Earth cover version and is non-album

The CD itself is housed in a gauze inner bag (does anyone sell these?) while the foldout page insert is entirely in Japanese on one side and blank on the other! If it weren't for the credits on the pasted-on back sleeve on the card replica (complete with Obi), you wouldn’t have any idea of who did what and where. There's no reissue liner notes, but it's obvious from the stunning funky opener "I Been Down" (lyrics above) that remastering has taken place – and a very sweet job has been done too. The sound is warm, full and sweetly clear.

The house band is virtually Aretha's – and the album is sequenced as her releases were at the time – a funky soulful tune followed by a torch ballad and back again. On the quieter songs like "Turn Around And Love You" and "I'll Take Care Of You" a tad of hiss is audible – but because you're too busy enjoying the top session work and Stevie Wonder/Donny Hathaway vibes of the songs – it's not enough to detract.

If I was to point out one niggle it’s this - in the USA the album was preceded by a single, the superb Kenny O’Dell song "Let's Go Somewhere And Love" (a minor hit for Sandy Posey as "Why Don't We Go Somewhere And Love" on Columbia in 1972). Put out on Atlantic 2907 in late 1972 - its B-side was Margie's non-album cover version of Rare Earth's "Born To Wander" and it's a genuine sought-after soul rarity – a fantastically funky tune. It's a damn shame "Born To Wander" wasn't tagged on here as a bonus track. But maybe that's for Rhino to look into - in fact they could do with making all 4 of her Atlantic/Cotillion albums from the 1970s available domestically.

Fab stuff really – and even if it is pricey (as the Japanese imports are) – worth every bent penny & red cent you’ll need to acquire it.

PS: the other two titles in this 5" card sleeve repro series issued in February 2007 were:

1. "Sweet Surrender" on Vivid Sound VSCD-321 (Her 2nd LP for the label issued in August 1974 on Atlantic SD-7277 in the USA)

2. "Margie" is on Vivid Sound VSCD-322 (Her 3rd LP for the label issued in 1975 on Atlantic SD-18126 in the USA)

“Piece Of My Heart – The Best Of 1969-1978” by BONNIE BRAMLETT [feat Delaney, Eric Clapton] (2008 Raven CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Your Guitar Sounded So Sweet…"

Born Bonnie Lynn O’Farrell in Acton in Illinois, she met and married Delaney Bramlett from Pontotoc Count in Missouri in 1967 and thereafter the two Americans became professionally known as DELANEY and BONNIE. Separating in 1972, she pursued a solo career that’s still going to this day. This truly excellent 2008 CD compilation on Australia’s RAVEN label gives us 19 REMASTERED tracks across 5 labels and 9 albums – and it’s a peach.

There’s a lot on RVCD-290 – so let’s break in down (74:59 minutes):

1. Piece Of My Heart [a Bert Berns/Jerry Ragovoy song/Erma Franklin cover]
2. When The Battle Is Over [Traditional Song cover, arranged by Dr. John & Jesse Hill]
3. The Love Of My Man [An Ed Townshend song, Etta James cover]
4. Come On In My Kitchen [a Robert Johnson cover]
5. Groupie (Superstar) [a Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett/Leon Russell song]
6. Only You Know And I Know [Dave Mason cover (of Traffic)]
7. Able, Qualified And Ready [Leon Ware/Bonnie Bramlett song]
8. Crazy ‘Bout My Baby [Robert Mosley song]
9. Rollin’ [Marc Benno/Rita Coolidge/Tommy McClure/Dan Penn song]
10. The Sorrow Of Love [Daniel Moore cover]
11. (You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am [Jimmy Williams/Larry Harrison song]
12. Your Kind Of Kindness [D & B Bramlett/Jerry Allison/Dale Gilmore song]
13. Your Love Has Brought Me (A Mighty Long Way)
[Jackie Avery/Earl Simms/Carlton McWilliams writers]
14. Oncoming Traffic [Gregg Allman song]
15. Two Steps From The Blues
[John Riley Brown/Deadric Malone writers/a Bobby “Blue” Bland cover]
16. Forever Young [Bob Dylan cover]
17. Can’t Find My Way Home [Steve Winwood writer/Blind Faith cover]
18. The Flame Blinds The Moth [R A Martin song]
19. Memories [Bonnie Bramlett song]

Track 1 is from their debut album “Home”, issued March 1969 on Stax STS 2026 in the USA and Stax SXATS 1029 in the UK (pictured below)


Track 2 is from “Accept No Substitute - The Original Delaney & Bonnie”, issued July 1969 on Elektra EKS 74039 in both the USA and the UK (the UK issue is simply credited as “The Original Delaney & Bonnie”) (pictured below)



Track 3 is from “To Bonnie From Delaney”, issued in October 1970 on Atco SD33-341 in the USA and Atlantic 2400 029 in the UK (pictured below)


Track 4 is from “Motel Shot”, issued March 1971 on Atco SD33-358 in the USA and on Atlantic 2400 119 in the UK (pictured below)


Tracks 5 and 6 are from “D & B Together”, issued April 1972 on Columbia KC 31377 in the USA and CBS S 64959 in the UK (pictured below)


Tracks 7 to 11 are from “Sweet Bonnie Bramlett”, issued 1973 on Columbia KC 31786 in the USA and CBS S 65001 in the UK (pictured below)


Tracks 12 to 14 are from “It’s Time”, issued February 1975 on Capricorn CP 0148 in the USA and Capricorn 2429 125 in the UK (pictured below)


Tracks 15 to 16 are from “Lady’s Choice”, issued 1976 on Capricorn CP 0169 in the USA and Capricorn 2429 145 in the UK (pictured below)


Tracks 17 to 19 are from “Memories”, issued 1978 on Capricorn CP 0199 in the USA and Capricorn 2429 162 in the UK

[TRACKS 1 to 3 are credited to DELANEY and BONNIE; Tracks 4 to 6 are credited to DELANEY and BONNIE and FRIENDS; Tracks 7 to 19 are credited to BONNIE BRAMLETT]

Formerly one of Ike Turner’s Ikettes, Bonnie Bramlett had a Janis Joplin voice and an equal love of blues, R’n’B and soul. With Delaney Bramlett (a member of the 60’s group The Shindogs), they met, married and then recorded that vibe live in the studio to keep it real. This fused their love of black music with white man’s rock producing what is arguably a hugely influential variant which we now take for granted – a sort of white boy’s soul. Along the way, they amassed a huge number of high-profile rock alumni referred to on the albums as “& FRIENDS” – they included Eric Clapton, Duane and Gregg Allman, Bobby Charles, Bobby Keys of The Stones, Rita Coolidge, Leon Russell, Bobby Whitlock, Little Richard, Eddie Hinton, Dave Mason of Traffic, Dickie Betts and many more – even the Average White Band and Lowell George of Little Feat played on her funky 1973 solo debut “Sweet Bonnie Bramlett” (both are uncredited).

The set‘s been compiled by KEITH GLASS and PETER SHILLITO and the 12-page liner notes have photos, album details and reminiscences from the great lady herself. But the really good news is the SUPERB SOUND – far better than any of the former issues of their material (some of the earlier tracks do have high hiss levels – undoubtedly on the tapes – but the rest are fabulous). It really is a genuine blast to finally hear these great tunes given the sonic makeover they’ve always deserved (remastered by WARREN BARNETT at Raven).

The music veers from fast to slow – and as a listen – the compilation is blindingly good. Highlights include the 60’s sounding “Able, Qualified & Ready” coming over like a more ballsy Staple Singers and the truly fantastic sound quality on the funky “Crazy ‘Bout My Baby”. Keeping it uptempo is the fab Jack Avery 1970 gem on Capricorn “Your Love Has Brought Me (A Mighty Long Way)”, which was made famous by Wilson Pickett on his 1971 Atlantic album “Don’t Knock My Love”. Gregg Allman puts in a career-best soulful duet vocal on “Two Steps From The Blues”, while Dave Mason’s “Only You Know And I Know” is a fantastic mid tempo rocker too (covered to superb effect by Joan Osbourne in 2002). “Groupie (Superstar)” has been done by loads of people including most memorably by The Carpenters as “Superstar” in 1971. There’s so much more too…

It’s rare that you come to a compilation and enjoy “all” of it – and could easily chew up Volume Two – but “Piece Of My Heart…” is such a collection. I’ve been listening to it for weeks now - a great job done. Buy with confidence - and big time recommended.