“Women’s Love Rights/I Can’t Make It Alone/Two Sides Of Laura Lee…Plus” by LAURA LEE. A Review of the 2010 2CD Set on Edsel.

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

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

"…If You Can Beat Me Rockin’ (You Can Have My Chair)…"

This superb 2CD overview of US soul singer Laura Lee was released January 2010 in the UK (February 2010 in the USA) on Edsel EDSD 2050 and is part of a series of reissues Edsel are doing to extensively cover Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus and Hot Wax labels. It features her 3 albums for H-D-H in their entirety, rare single sides as bonus tracks and much improved liner notes too. It breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (71:29 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her entire album 1st album "Women's Love Rights", released November 1971 in the USA on Hot Wax HA 708
Tracks 11 to 16 are 6 of the 8 tracks from her 3rd album "I Can't Make It Alone", released 1974 in the USA on Invictus KZ 33133 (see Note below)
Track 17 is "Since I Fell For You", Mono Promo-Only Single Edit, 1974 on Hot Wax (no catalogue number)
Track 18 is "I Need It Just As Bad As You" (Unedited Version), originally on Deep Beats CD DEEPD 025

Disc 2 (55:07 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her entire 2nd album for the label "Two Sides Of Laura Lee", released 1972 on Hot Wax HA 714
Track 11 is "Crumbs Off The Table", USA 7" Single Re-Edit on Hot Wax HS 7210
Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B sides of a 1973 USA 7" single on Hot Wax HS 7305 (both tracks are non-album)
Track 14 is "Since I Fell For You" (Mono Commercial Single Edit)

Note: Two tracks were duplicated on her 2nd and 3rd albums - they are "Every Little Bit Hurts" and "Crumbs Off The Table". Edsel have put them on Disc 2 in their proper sequence for the "Two Sides Of Laura Lee" album, however, if you want to sequence the 8 tracks of her 3rd album "I Can't Make It Alone" in proper order, then it runs as follows...
Side 1 is tracks 11 to 13 on Disc 1 + Track 3 on Disc 2
Side 2 is track 2 from Disc 2 + tracks 14 to 16 from Disc 1

Using the album cuts and the six bonus tracks across the 2CDs, you can now also sequence her entire US Hot Wax 7" singles output as follows...

1. "Wedlock Is A Padlock" b/w Her Picture Matches Mine", Hot Wax HS 7007, January 1971
2. "Women's Love Rights" b/w "Wedlock Is A Padlock", Hot Wax HS 7105, August 1971
3. "Love And Liberty" b/w "I Don't Want Nothing Old (But Money)", Hot Wax HS 7111, December 1971
4. "Since I Feel For You" b/w "I Don't Want Nothing Old (But Money)", Hot Wax HS 7201, February 1972
5. "Rip Off" b/w "Two Lovely Pillows", Hot Wax HS 7204, June 1972
6. "If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)" b/w "If I'm Good Enough To Love (I'm Good Enough To Marry)", Hot Wax HS 7207, October 1972
7. "Crumbs Off The Table" b/w "You've Got To Save Me", Hot Wax HS 7210, January 1973 [Note: A was originally a hit for The Glass House (another HDH act) in September 1969 on Invictus IS 9071]
8. "(If You Want To Try Love Again) Remember Me" b/w "If I'm Good Enough To Love (I'm Good Enough To Marry)", Hot Wax HS 7302, 1973
9. "I'll Catch You When You Fall" b/w "I Can't Hold Out Much Longer", Hot Wax HS 7305, 1973 [Note: both A&B are non-album tracks]

Remastered by PETER RYNSTON at TALL ORDER, the sound quality is great - alive and jumping out of your speakers. The 20-page booklet has very detailed liner notes by soul expert TONY ROUNCE who also provides photos of those rare 7" singles and LP labels - it's brilliantly informative and researched with both affection and care (his top class work features on most of Edsel's soul releases).

The music is upbeat floor-filling soul with a message of breaking free, standing up for yourself and street smarts. Track after track is great stuff. One of my all time favourites and a criminally forgotten gem is her declaration to other women about her loving prowess in the brilliantly funky single "If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)" - expect to see it in a movie any day now.

At less than six pounds on-line, this is a whole lot of great Seventies soul for not a whole lot of wedge (even as an import in other countries).

Superb - recommended.

“Inside The Glass House/Thanks I Needed That” by THE GLASS HOUSE. A Review of the 2010 Edsel 2CD set.

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

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

"…Just As Long As You And I Are Together…"

This superlative mid-priced set gathers together two very rare albums by US soul group THE GLASS HOUSE issued on Holland-Dozier-Holland’s “Invictus Records” label in 1971 and 1972.
The 6 bonus tracks (non-album single sides) are just icing on an already very tasty cake. And the remastered sound quality is fabulous too. Here are the details…

Released March 2010 in the UK as a 2CD set, Edsel EDSD 2057 breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (38:25 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut US album “Inside The Glass House” issued June 1971 on Invictus Records ST-7305. Tracks 10 to 12 are single sides

Disc 2 (46:37 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 11 are their second and last US album “Thanks I Needed That” issued October 1972 on Invictus ST-9810. Tracks 12 to 14 are single sides

Using the album cuts and the six bonus tracks across the 2CDs, you can sequence their entire US 7” singles output as follows…

1. “Crumbs Off The Table” b/w “Bad Bill Of Goods”, Invictus IS 9071, September 1969 (B-side is non-album)
2. “I Can’t Be You (You Can’t Be Me)” b/w “He’s In My Life”, Invictus IS 9076, June 1970 (both tracks are non-album)
3. “Stealing Moments From Another Woman’s Life” b/w “If It Ain’t Love (It Don’t Matter)”, 1971, Invictus IS 9082
4. “Touch Me Jesus” b/w “If It Ain’t Love (It Don’t Matter)”, June 1971, Invictus IS 9090
5. “Look What We’ve Done To Love” b/w “Heaven Is There To Guide Us”, September 1971, Invictus IS 9097
6. “Playing Games” b/w “Let It Flow”, January 1972, Invictus IS 9111 (Note: the B-side is Track 14 on Disc 2 – the “Single Version” – track 12 is the “Album” version)
7. “V.I.P.” b/w “It Ain’t The World (It’s The People In It)”, a solo single credited to SCHERRIE PAYNE, 1972, Invictus IS 9114 (B-side is non-album)
8. “Giving Up The Ring” b/w “Let It Flow”, 1972, Invictus IS 9118 (Note: 2nd issue of the “Single Version” of “Let It Flow”)
9. “Thanks I Needed That” b/w “I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore”, October 1972, Invictus IS 9129

Remastered by PETER RYNSTEN at TALL ORDER, the sound quality is blisteringly good – alive and jumping out of your speakers with no real compression. The 20-page booklet has very detailed liner notes by soul expert TONY ROUNCE who also provides photos of those rare 7” singles – it’s brilliantly informative and researched with both affection and care (his top class work features on most of Edsel’s soul releases).

The Glass House had two uniquely great lead singers, Tyrone “Ty” Hunter and Scherrie Payne (sister of Freda Payne and later a member of The Supremes) who often shared duet vocals. The music is catchy H-D-H soul, bright, poppy and aimed squarely at the charts and your feet. Highlights are many as one infectious tune follows another – the lovely “If It Ain’t Love (It Don’t Matter)” is typical – misery in an upbeat way (lyrics above). Even the religious message songs are excellent especially “Heaven Is There To Guide Us” which sounds not unlike The Chi-Lites at their best.

It’s an embarrassment of soul riches really – and Edsel are to be praised for releasing it. Ace stuff and recommended.

"The Ladykillers" on BLU RAY. A Review of the 1955 Ealing Classic Film Now Restored & Reissued on a 2010 BLU RAY by Studio Canal.

"…And You Live Here…All Alone…”

When I first saw "The Ladykillers" in its supposed 'restored' state a few years back on DVD, I was a little under whelmed. It still seemed very washed out to me. But I'm thrilled to report that this February 2010 Studio Canal Collection BLU RAY completely changes that.

Given what they had to work with (a very corroded print covered in stuck-on hairs, fingerprints, scratch lines, blemishes in the negative, double-imaging of colour) - the result is little short of miraculous. It isn't picture-perfect for sure and some scenes still have corrosion and blocking in them, but mostly it's a massive improvement. Finally the BLU RAY format has brought out all that detailed restoration work - and it's the very best I've ever seen this beloved British classic look. The extras are superlative too - generous and hugely informative.

Details first...

Country choices in set-up are: Australia, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden, UK, USA and Japan

Voice overdubbed Languages: French, German and Castellano [no Subtitles]

The Extras are:
1. Introduction by Terry Gilliam (a short & affectionate appraisal)
2. Commentary by Philip Kemp (a feature-length commentary by this noted expert that is full of superb detail and anecdotes - by far the best extra on here)
3. "Forever Ealing" Documentary (2002, voiced by Daniel Day-Lewis, features contributions from Colin Firth, John Mills, Richard Attenborough, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and many others)
4. Interview With Allan Scott (Screenwriter/Producer, superb comments on MacKendrick's directing techniques, plot structures, uses of colour etc)
5. Cleaning Up "The Ladykillers" (original versus restored split screen shots - no dialogue)
6. Interview with Ronald Harwood (Screenwriter & friend of Alexander "Sandy" Mackendrick the Director)
7. Interview with Terence Davies (Director, Writer - talks of MacKendrick's classes on Filmmaking)
8. Trailer
9. BD Live

The first time you 'really' see the improvement is when Mrs. Wilberforce hands in a basket at the local cop shop run by Jack Warner who placates her with wonderful gentility. And more too when the shadow of Alec Guinness addles up to her front door with 'danger' strings sounding - she opens it - and there he is - all sinister grin and grubby scarf. The colour is superb and hugely improved.

And then of course there's cast you couldn't buy now for love or money - each one a gem - the Classical String Quartet of thieves - Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Cecil Parker and the big lug Danny Green - each one absolutely necessary to the overall state of anarchy. There's even Frankie Howerd as the barrow boy.

But it's the perpetually making-tea old biddy played so brilliantly by Katie Johnson who steels the show. Like some perverse and malicious force of nature, Mrs. Wilberforce sweetly wanders through the entire film causing all sorts of mayhem and death and is blissfully unaware of it all. You find yourself chuckling uncontrollably all through the film and for days afterwards. Half the enjoyment of course is watching all of the boys thinking they're smarter than her and then after-a-while falling for her genuine British goodness - only to find that she kills them all (unintentionally of course)! The film also belongs just as much to Alec Guinness (who stepped in for Alistair Sims) the mastermind of the heist. He is just delicious - creepily brilliant as he slinks around Mrs. 'Lopsided' and her King's Cross St. Pancreas home. With a genuinely evil relish, he's all the time probing the unwitting old lady for holes he can use (dialogue above). Unbelievably good and it hasn't dated a jot either.



Did you know that Peter Sellers also does the voices of all the Parrots, or that Alec Guinness only found his Professor Marcus character through a set of protruding teeth and that because Katie Johnson was 79 when she took the part, Ealing were afraid that the role might actually kill the poor woman, so she had to be insured or she couldn't do the part (she stumped up the money herself). Well you do now - and you'll learn a whole lot more besides about this 1955 gem through this wonderful release.

When Mrs. Wilberforce asks in the local shop at the beginning of the movie "Has there been anything about the advertisement?" - I urge you to answer the call.

Treat yourself to "The Ladykillers" on BLU RAY - and then sit there with a big mug of tea and a digestive - tittering uncontrollably every few minutes at its sheer genius.

“3 Original Album Classics” by ARETHA FRANKLIN. A Review of the 2010 Columbia/Legacy 3CD Mini Box Set.

"…It Should Have Ended Long Ago…"

Released February 2010 in the UK and Europe “3 Original Album Classics” is a mini CD box set with 3 x 5” LP card repro sleeves inside it - Columbia/Legacy 88697618262 breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 is the album “The Electrifying Aretha Franklin” released May 1962 in the USA on Columbia Records CL 1761 (Mono) and CS 8561 (Stereo). The Stereo version is used here (12 Tracks, 31:36 minutes). The back of the box wrongly lists 13 tracks.

Disc 2 is the album “The Tender, The Moving, The Swinging Aretha Franklin” released November 1962 in the USA on Columbia Records CL 1876 (Mono) and CS 8676. (Stereo). The Stereo version is used here (70:11 minutes)

(Note: as you can see from the playing time above - a mastering error has put 22 tracks on Disc 2 – it features an uncredited whole album - Tracks 13 to 22 are the LP “Soft & Beautiful” issued April 1969 on Columbia Records CS 9776 in Stereo).

Disc 3 is the album “Soul Sister” released July 1966 in the USA on Columbia Records CL 2521 (Mono) and CS 9321 (Stereo). The Stereo version is used here (11 tracks, 30:23 minutes).

The sound quality is truly gorgeous – exceptional really – and the credits can be downloaded from Sony’s website at www.musicmadesimple.info. But that’s where the good news ends...

The music is mostly awful. This was her stay at the straight-laced Columbia label and not the entirely creative and sympathetic Atlantic Records. Columbia tried to put her across as a female Nat King Cole – so each song either starts with violin strings or features them somewhere in the middle – to a point where you end up getting tune after tune with these soulless crooner arrangements. The mediocrity of the song choices too is hard to believe – “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody” and “Swanee” for God’s sake! A woman with a godlike voice like this! Even Ray Charles’ mighty “Just For A Thrill” - which cannot be wrecked as a song - is reduced to saccharine.

It’s not all bad of course - “Only The Lonely” is lovely and features great vocal work, while her version of “Try A Little Tenderness” (later made famous by Otis Redding in 1967 on Atlantic) shows some of that magic touch. “Without The One You Love” is pretty too, even when it’s drowning in syrupy strings. And you’re constantly aware of that ‘sound’ – these are the remastered Legacy issues of a few years back and audio quality is truly breathtaking. But if you really want Aretha Franklin at her soulful best, then start with her Atlantic debut album “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You” from 1967 and prepare to be properly blown away. Unfortunately, track after track here only convinces you that this is not Sixties Soul, but Soulless Sixties Pap.

I picked this up in a London store a few days ago – only released 3 months ago and it’s already reduced to £5.

Cheap or not, uncredited extra album or no, I’d advise you to hear this set first, before you buy it.

One to avoid I’m afraid…

"Exile On Main St.: Deluxe Edition" by THE ROLLING STONES (May 2010 Polydor 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…It's My Heart That You Stole…"

Following an album like 1971's magnificent "Sticky Fingers" was always going to be a tall order - but The Stones did it with swagger and panache. "Exile On Main St" was released 12 May 1972 as a 2LP set on Rolling Stones Records COC 69100 in the UK and on COC 2-2900 in the USA. It reached the coveted number 1 spot on both sides of the pond - and like The Beatles "White Album" before it - is a flawed and sprawling thing but considered by most to be a masterpiece nonetheless. And this fabulous Expanded 2CD Reissue/Remaster is only going to cement that legendary reputation even more. Here are the big red rubber lips, double entendres and three balls in a man’s mouth…

Released 17 May 2010 – "Exile On Main St.: Deluxe Edition" by THE ROLLING STONES on Rolling Stones/Polydor 273 429-5 (Barcode 602527342955) is a 2CD Deluxe Edition and breaks down as follows:

Disc (67:18 minutes):

1. Rocks Off

2. Rip This Joint

3. Shake Your Hips

4. Casino Boogie

5. Tumbling Dice

6. Sweet Virginia [Side 2]

7. Torn And Frayed

8. Sweet Black Angel

9. Loving Cup

10. Happy [Side 3]

11. Turd On The Run

12. Ventilator Blues

13. I Just Want To See His Face

14. Let It Loose

15. All Down The Line [Side 4]

16. Stop Breaking Down

17. Shine A Light

18. Soul Survivor

Disc 2 (41:12 minutes):

1. Pass The Wine (Sophia Loren)

2. Plundered My Soul

3. I’m Not Signifying

4. Following The River

5. Dancing In The Light

6. So Divine (Aladdin Story)

7. Loving Cup – Alternate Take

8. Soul Survivor – Alternate Take

9. Good Time Women

10. Title 5

Disc 1 has the full double-album compliment of 18 tracks while Disc 2 is a new 10-track mixture of previously unreleased outtakes and alternate versions. All songs are by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards except "Ventilator Blues" which is co-written with Mick Taylor, while "Shake Your Hips" and "Stop Breaking Down" are Slim Harpo and Robert Johnson cover versions. As with "Sticky Fingers", the additional musicians and producer (Jimmy Miller) added hugely to the power of almost every song and should be noted for it - Bobby Keys on Saxophone, Jim Price on Trumpet, Nicky Hopkins, Ian Stewart and Billy Preston on Piano and Organ with lady-soul veterans Clydie King and Vanetta Fields on Backing Vocals. Dr. John also sang backup on "Let It Loose".

SOUND:

As with the 2009 reissues STEPHEN MARCUSSEN (over 1000 mastering credits to his name including the “Alfie” soundtrack with Mick Jagger) and STEWART WHITMORE of Marcussen Mastering have remastered the original tapes and the sound is glorious throughout. "Loving Cup" followed by "Happy" are beautifully clear and "Tumbling Dice" is at last full and in your face. Most every track is improved - the instrumentation in your speakers with a fabulous live and shambolic feel. The acoustic and harmonica opening of "Sweet Virginia" and the drums of "All Down The Line" are superb. To me it's a huge improvement, a balls-to-the-wall triumph. Downsides - the hiss level on "Shine A Light" that was there in the first place is now more accented as it is on the frantic "Rip This Joint". Some despised the 2009 remasters, so this will be more of the same for them, but most I suspect will absolutely love it. Wish I could say the same about the presentation...

PACKAGING:

Very poor I'm afraid. The front flap and rear of the original 2LP cover are produced on the outside of the digipak (as they should be) with the inner LP photo spread reproduced on the inside of the digipak, BUT the original vinyl double also had two fantastic inner sleeves and a set of fold-out postcards. Only 1 side of the two inners is reproduced! That the idiots would not bother picturing the 'postcards' seems to be par for the course for Stones reissues these days, but that great shot of Mick & Keith at the mike with whiskey bottle in hand is missing - as is the "I Don't Want To Talk About Jesus I Just Want To See His face" quote on the other side - unbelievable! The supposedly exclusive 12-page booklet is different to all other issues, but turns out to be just black and white photos of the session and no liner notes whatsoever - none! The track-by-track details are now only bland black and white printed listings, which lose all of the inner sleeves magical artwork. It's an insult that this supposedly 'deluxe' reissue cavalierly misses out on crucial visual elements of the original release - it's hugely unimaginative and workmanlike at best.

BONUS DISC:

Although the 10 bonus tracks have the same original backing band - and despite what the track-by-track credits 'don't' tell you - it's obvious that the first 5 have had 'treatment' of some kind - vocal tracks added on/redone recently. 

"Pass The Wine (Sophia Loren)" is an ok opener, but the track that sounds most like a genuine outtake peach is "Plundered My Soul" which is fantastic (it was issued in April 2010 as a limited edition Record Shop Day 7" single in the USA and UK). Best approximation is that it sounds like the B-side "Tumbling Dice" should always have had (lyrics above). "I'm Not Signifying" is ok, but hardly great, but there then follows a genuinely lovely ballad "Following The River" complete with the new girls giving it some soulful backing vocals (Lisa Fischer and Cindy Mizelle). It's far better than you think. "Dancing In The Light" is a jaunty mid-tempo song similar to "Hide Your Love" off "Goat's Head Soup". The opening of "So Divine (Aladdin Story) is closer to Brian Jones Rolling Stones circa "Dandelion" and its really interesting - Jim Price on vibes and Bobby Keys on some kind-of treated saxophone sound. There follows two "Alternate Takes" of "Loving Cup" and "Soul Survivor". Now these are far closer to what we want - "Loving Cup" opens with a lovely Nicky Hopkins piano refrain and suddenly it's "there" - that shambolic feel to everything - especially the guitars of Richards and Taylor dueling to the end yet complimenting each other so perfectly. Now this I will love.  And then another gem - Keith carrying the vocals and sloppy stuff on "Soul Survivor" instead of Mick - and it works - and when that riffing guitar kicks in, I'm balling my eyes out and there are chills on my arms. "Good Time Women" is a forerunner for "Tumbling Dice" and is fab - rough and tumble as well. "Title 5" opens with studio chatter of "Take 1" and is a strange little rocking instrumental which kind of peters out, interesting but that's all...

Ok - so there's no live stuff and there should be (legendarily good), the "All Down The Line" Alternate Take that's on the B-side of the "Plundering My Soul" 7" single isn't on here either, which is just stupid - and the 4-track Excerpts 7" Flexi single from the April 1972 NME in the UK with song edits and an exclusive "Exile On Main Street Blues" track is nowhere to be seen let alone pictured either. But overall - I'm kind of shocked at how good Disc 2 is. I'll ignore some of these newer makeovers for sure, but those Alternate Takes are thrilling.

In May 2012, "Exile" will be 40 years old and Mick and Keef will be more Zimmer Frames than Glimmer Twins. But that won't stop this coolest of double-albums from being the absolutely business. I suspect the real truth about this 2CD reissue is far simpler - men around the world will see this digital temptress pouting on the shelf of their local megastore, feel a quickening of the pulse and a movement in their trouser area - and be unable to resist.

And you know - you can't help but feel that these two canny English lads already know this…

PS:

HMV in the UK have issued "Exile" with the digipak inside an exclusive card slipcase (Polydor 274 102-3). I've pictured both sides of it for fans.

The Japanese, however, have not surprisingly got the most desirable version of them all; it’s inside a 14-disc box set called “From The 70’s To 00’s” which contains all their albums from “Sticky Fingers” through to “A Bigger Bang”. They are all on the SHM-CD format (Super High Materials) and each has the original album artwork repro’d on one of those 5” Mini LP sleeves we so love (UICY-91558). “Exile” is included - being the 2010 Remaster version – and is in a gatefold card sleeve complete with its original foldout postcards and two inner sleeves. 

PS:
HMV in the UK have issued “Exile” with the digipak inside an exclusive card slipcase (Polydor 274 102-3). I’ve pictured both sides of it for fans.



The Japanese, however, have not surprisingly got the most desirable version of them all; it’s inside a 14-disc box set called “From The 70’s To 00’s” which contains all their albums from “Sticky Fingers” through to “A Bigger Bang”. They are all on the SHM-CD format (Super High Materials) and each has the original album artwork repro’d on one of those 5” Mini LP sleeves we so love (UICY-91558). “Exile” is included - being the 2010 Remaster version – and is in a gatefold card sleeve complete with its original fold-out postcards and two inner sleeves.