"Livin' On The Fault Line/Minute By Minute" by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS - 1977 and 1978 Albums on Warner Brothers (September 2011 UK Edsel/Rhino Compilation - 2LPs with Rhino Remasters onto 2CDs with Two Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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PROVE IT ALL NIGHT 

Music Of 1977 to 1979 

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Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

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"…No More Loneliness…No More Emptiness..." 

Two fantastic albums from the Michael McDonald years with The Doobie Brothers – beautifully musical and beautifully produced – 1977's overlooked "Livin' On A Fault Line" and the award-winning goliath that was 1978's "Minute By Minute". Both albums are chockfull of musical goodies and Soul-Rock moments. Here are the 'Echoes Of Love'...

UK released Monday 26 September 2011 (4 Oct 2011 in the USA) – "Livin' On A Fault Line/Minute By Minute" by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS on Edsel/Rhino EDSD 2107 (Barcode 740155210731) offers two albums onto 2CDs (with two Bonus Tracks) and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (35:12 minutes):

1. You're Made That Way [Side 1]

2. Echoes Of Love

3. Little Darlin' (I Need You)

4. You Belong To Me

5. Livin' On The Fault Line

6. Nothing But A Heartache [Side 2]

7. Chinatown

8. There's A Light

9. Need A Lady

10. Larry The Logger Two-Step

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 7th studio album "Livin' On The Fault Line" (and 2nd with Michael McDonald in the line-up). It was released September 1977 on Warner Brothers K 56383 in the UK - Warner Brothers BS 3045 in the USA

Disc 2 (45:52 minutes):

1. Here To Love You [Side 2]

2. What A Fool Believes

3. Minute By Minute

4. Dependin' On You

5. Don't Stop To Watch The Wheels

6. Open Your Eyes [Side 2]

7. Sweet Feelin'

8. Steamer Lane Breakdown

9. You Never Change

10. How Do The Fools Survive?

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 8th studio album "Minute By Minute" – a Number 1 record in the USA and a Grammy Winner in several categories. It was released December 1978 on Warner Brothers K 56486 in the UK - Warner Brothers BS 3193 in the USA 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Here To Love You (Single Remix)

12. What A Fool Believes (12" Remix)

The booklet is a great deal more substantial than what’s gone before – 24-pages of original album artwork (including inner sleeves), UK and European labels pictured, the lyrics, musician credits and an informative 6-page history by ALAN ROBINSON on both albums and their impact. It’s superbly done. But the really big news is the fabulous new SOUND...

I've had all 10 of the 2006 Japanese Remasters (in 5" card repro sleeves) to have the music - but here the PHIL KINRADE remaster at ALCHEMY in London is stunning and far better. The clarity is amazing. It helps of course that the original production on each album by Ted Templeman was so razor sharp in the first place (he's long been associated with the band and more famously with Van Halen).

Music - when the Doobies made their tentative steps into change with "Takin' It To The Streets" in 1976 – the old Tom Johnston riffage crowd were appalled (some even riled against the new hybrid Soul/Rock sound with derogatory tee-shirts telling the band where to get off). But by the time the new line-up got to 1977 and their second album with Michael McDonald as lead vocalist (Johnston was gone by then) – the transition was complete and a different chapter truly begun.

While its Number 1 follow-up "Minute By Minute" always gets the lion's share of critical plaudits (and rightly so) - I've always felt that "Livin' On The Fault Line" is a bit of a lost gem frankly – a genuinely classy Rock album with a Soulful heart. It also began the great complimentary template that made "Minute by Minute" such a satisfying listen 'overall' – Michael McDonald melodies sitting sweetly alongside Patrick Simmons and Tiran Porter songs with a bit of Keith Knudsen and Jeff Baxter thrown in for good measure too.

Once again Produced by TED TEMPLEMAN and featuring string and horn arrangements by David Paich of TOTO - "Livin' On The Fault Line” opens with the gorgeous melody of "You're Made That Way" – a song co-written by McDonald with their Drummer Keith Knudsen and one-time Steely Dan guitarist Jeff Baxter. That's followed by the chipper synth-bopper "Echoes Of Love" where band founder member and Lead Guitarist Tom Johnston takes the main vocals – then matches perfectly with McDonald on the choruses. The lovely "You Belong To Me" is one of 3 McDonald songs (this one co-written with Carly Simon) – "Nothin' But A Heartache" and the beautifully mellow "There's A Light" are the other two (Norton Buffalo plays Harmonica on "There’s A Light"). There are fantastically slick-rhythms coming at you in Side 2's "Chinatown" – a Patrick Simmons song that has gorgeous musical breaks and moments. They even have a successful go at Holland-Dozier-Holland's Marvin Gaye hit on "Little Darlin' (I Love You)" – an association with 'Motown' McDonald would turn into two cover-version albums in 2003 and 2004 called (not surprisingly) "Motown" and "Motown Two". The jazzy Patrick Simmons title track "Livin' On The Fault Line" features the Vibes of Steely Dan sessionman Victor Feldman in a very "Aja" kind-of-way and sounds incredible. The LP ends with an acoustic instrumental called "Larry The Logger Two-Step" in crystal clear audio.

Then comes the "Rumours" of 1978 – "Minute By Minute". Even now the opening Michael McDonald track "Here To Love You" sends chills up my arms – fantastically musical. The Grammy-winning "What A Fool Believes" (a co-write with Kenny Loggins) sounds huge and "Dependin' On You" is a brilliant hybrid of the old sound meeting the new. It's an album that still stands up and is an embarrassment of riches really. The 7" remix of "Here To Love You" (tagged on a bonus track) was originally on the "Long Train Runnin': 1970-2000" 4CD Box Set by Rhino in 1999 - while the 12" Remix of "What A Fool Believes" is a travesty best left alone.

There’s no sign in this reissue campaign of 1980s "One Step Closer" (their last studio album before disbanding) or the 1983 live double "Farewell Tour" which had the exclusive "Olana" on it – maybe at a later date.

So there you have it. Doobie Brothers fans have waited decades to see their band’s back catalogue on Warner Brothers be given the right reissue treatment - and England's Edsel label (who have struck a licensing deal with WEA) has done them proud.

To sum up - great music that transitions from Rock to Soulful-Rock, superb remaster audio quality, really good presentation and a dirt-cheap price into the bargain. The Doobie Brothers have always been an Ace Band and the overall quality of their albums from the 70ts still stands up big time. I’d say buy the whole damn lot frankly...

PS: there are 4 releases in this series to date (all with bonus tracks):

1. The Doobie Brothers (1971) / Toulouse Street (1972) on Edsel EDSD 2105

2. The Captain And Me (1973) / What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974) on Edsel EDSD 2015

3. Stampede (1975) / Takin' It To The Streets (1976) on Edsel EDSD 2016

4. Livin' On The Fault Line (1977) / Minute By Minute (1978) on Edsel EDSD 2107

"Stampede/Takin' It To The Streets" by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS - 1975 and 1976 Albums (September 2011 UK Edsel/Rhino Compilation - 2LPs with Rhino Remasters onto 2CDs plus Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 

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"…You Don't Know Me…But I'm Your Brother…"

Now here's a two-bands doozy - the first "Stampede" from 1975 being the last with Lead Guitarist Tom Johnston at the helm - the second with newcomer and ex Steely Dan super-singer Michael McDonald adding a Soul-Rock direction for 1976's "Takin' It To The Streets". There is so much to love in these underrated albums that offer The Doobie Brothers in transition. To the wide-open plains and dirty streets... 

UK released Monday 26 September 2011 as a 2CD set (4 Oct 2011 in the USA) - "Stampede/Takin' It To The Streets" by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS on Edsel/Rhino EDSD 2106 (Barcode 740155210632) is a Compilation that offers Two Studio Albums Remastered onto Two CDs Plus Bonus Tracks (Rhino Remasters). It breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (57:48 minutes):
1. Sweet Maxine [Side 1]
2. Neal's Fandango
3. Texas Lullaby
4. Music Man
5. Slat Key Soquel Rag
6. Take Me In Your Arms [Side 2]
7. I Cheat The Hangman
8. Precis
9. Rainy Day Crossroad Blues
10. I Been Workin' On You
11. Double Dealin' Four Flusher
Tracks 1 to 11 are their 5th studio album "Stampede" - released May 1975 on Warner Brothers K 56094 in the UK - Warner Brothers BS 2835 in the USA

BONUS TRACKS: 

12. Sweet Maxine [single remix]
13. Mambo Waltz
14. Outside Of Barstow
15. Argentine Grape (Sweet Maxine)
16. Shuffle (Double Dealin' Four Flusher)
Tracks 12 to 16 are all are taken from the 4CD Box Set "Long Train Runnin': 1970-2000" released on Rhino in September 1999 in the USA. All were new to CD at the time with 12 being the 'Single Remix' of "Sweet Maxine" and 13 to 16 being Previously Unreleased album 'Outtakes'

Disc 2 (45:40 minutes):
1. Wheels Of Fortune [Side 1]
2. Takin' It To The Streets
3. 8th Avenue Shuffle
4. Losin' End
5. Rio [Side 2]
6. For Someone Special
7. It Keeps You Runnin'
8. Turn It Loose
9. Carry Me Away

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Takin' It To The Streets [Demo]
11. We Would Sail Away (Saint Paul)

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 6th studio album "Takin' It To The Streets" - released March 1976 on Warner Brothers K 56196 in the UK - Warner Brothers BS 2899 in the USA
Tracks 10 and 11 are bonus tracks - both as per 12 to 16 on Disc 1

The 24-page booklet is far more substantial than I had expected - original album artwork including inner gatefolds is shown for both LPs, the lyrics, musician credits, UK LP labels pictured and an informative history on each album by ALAN ROBINSON. The booklet is superbly done. But the big news is the fabulous new SOUND...

I've had all 10 of the 2006 Japanese Remasters (in 5" card repro sleeves) to have the music - but here the remaster by PHIL KINRADE at ALCHEMY in London is stunning and far better. The clarity is amazing. It helps of course that the original production by Ted Templeman was so razor sharp (he's long been associated with the band and more famously with Van Halen).

Some tracks are shockingly better - that great guitar solo in "Neal's Fandango" rocks as does the cover of the Holland-Dozier-Holland Motown classic "Take Me In Your Arms..." One of my favourite 'in-between-tracks' instrumentals (in the entire Doobies catalogue) is "Slat Key Soquel Rag" which only runs to 1:52 minutes. Here it's absolutely transformed - beautifully produced in the first place, it now has gorgeous clarity - fans will flip for this. Another winner (albeit not quite as successful as the liner notes claim) is the 6:36 minutes of "I Cheat The Hangman" which sounds like The Eagles most uncharacteristic song "Journey Of The Sorcerer" which ends Side 2 of the "One Of These Nights" album (also from 1975). The Eagles stretched out instrumentally and with spectacular results - here The Doobies try the same - about 4 minutes into it - the song goes off into swirling vocals, Nick DeCaro arranged strings and Carl Himmie on trumpet fills. It sounds amazing.

"Music Man" features Soul Legend CURTIS MAYFIELD who contributes Strings and Horns that virtually 'make' the uptempo song. Another fan favourite is Tom Johnston's acoustic "Rainy Day Crossroad Blues" - it now sounds fabulous with slide nylon and steel guitar strings rattling around your music room. Although I always found both the album finishers "I Been Workin' On You" and "Double Dealin' Four Flusher" fairly plodding Seventies Rock - if they have admirers out there - then their gonna love the boogie clarity here.

The introduction of Michael McDonald to the band changed everything - and very much for the better in my opinion. Their 1976 transition album is a soulful rock record. "Losin' End" is fabulous and "Wheels Of Fortune" still retains that Tom Johnston's magic, but my heart lies with an obscurity. I've waited 30 years to hear "For Someone Special" in really great sound - and at last it's here. Because it's a Tiran Porter song (the Bass player) and doesn't feature either Johnston or McDonald on Lead Vocals (Porter handles it himself) - it sort of sounds like a slinky Steely Dan song you've missed. Every instrument is clearer - the Bass and Drums - and suddenly there's the lovely lead of Wayne Jackson from The Memphis Horns. I love it. Every time I feature this track on some 70's Fest CD in the shop shuffle - it brings customers to the counter asking after it.

Featuring Michael McDonald's heartfelt lyrics and gorgeous melody, "Takin' It To The Streets" is beautifully clear - and to this day sends chills up my arms (lyrics above). The funky and fun "8th Avenue Shuffle" sounds amazing too. And then you're hit with two knockouts - demos with just old blue eyes and a piano. The "Takin' It To The Streets" demo is mind-blowing stuff; he has the opening lyrics and just ad-libs the chorus - and yet it's still powerful. "We Would Sail Away (Saint Paul)" is excellent too and sounds not unlike a great Randy Newman outtake (high praise indeed).

So there you have it - for some reason I came to this reissue with low expectations and I leave it with exactly the opposite. Doobie Brothers fans have waited decades to see their band's great back catalogue be given the right reissue treatment - and England's Edsel label (who have struck a licensing deal with WEA) - have done them proud.

To sum up - great music, superb remaster, really good presentation and a dirt-cheap price.

Buy all of them with confidence - and roll on Little Feat, Ry Cooder, James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Prince, Tom Waits etc etc...


PS: to date - there are 4 releases for The Doobie Brothers in this series (all with bonus tracks):
1. The Doobie Brothers (1971) / Toulouse Street (1972) on Edsel EDSD 2104
2. The Captain And Me (1973) / What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974) on Edsel EDSD 2105
3. Stampede (1975) / Takin' It To The Streets (1976) on Edsel EDSD 2106
4. Livin' On The Fault Line (1977) / Minute By Minute (1978) on Edsel EDSD 2107


PPS: Edsel have also re-issued most of the Todd Rundgren catalogue is this series of 2011 2CD sets (also with bonus tracks and extended booklets)

"Woman To Woman" by SHIRLEY BROWN - October 1974 US Album on Truth Records, August 1975 in the UK on Stax Records (September 2011 UK Concord Music Group Inc/Universal/Stax 'Stax Remasters' Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Five Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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 "…It Ain't No Fun…When The One You Love...Loves Someone Else…"

I doubt the October 1974 to October 2024 '50th Anniversary' of Shirley Brown's "Woman To Woman" album (originally on Truth Records in the USA - Stax Records in the UK) is being celebrated by many - which is a bit of a damn shame. 

Time has been kind to it - and so will I. Stay with me baby indeed - to the details... 

UK released Monday 13 September 2011 - "Woman To Woman" by SHIRLEY BROWN on Concord Music Group, Inc/Universal Music Group/Stax/Truth Records 0888072331778 (Barcode 888072331778) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue - part of the 2011/2012 newly launched 'Stax Remasters' Series and it breaks down as follows (64:21 minutes):

1. It Ain't No Fun [Side 1]

2. Long As You Love Me

3. Stay With Me Baby

4. I've Got To Go On Without You

5. Woman To Woman [Side 2]

6. So Glad To Have You

7. Passion

8. I Can't Give You Up

9. I Need You Tonight

10. Between You And Me

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Woman To Woman" – released October 1974 in the USA on Truth Records TRS-4206 (a Stax subsidiary label) and August 1975 in the UK on Stax Records STX 1031 (reissued on Stax STX 3005 in May 1978)

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Yes Sir Brother – the non-album B-side to the 7" single of "Woman To Woman" on Truth TRA-3206 (August 1974) and Stax STXS 2019 in the UK (January 1975)

 
12. Ain't No Way

13. Respect

14. Rock Steady – Tracks 12 to 4 all Previously Unreleased in the USA

15. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)
Track 15 is a cover version of the Stevie Wonder classic which is also Previously Unreleased

The 12-page booklet has new liner notes by GAIL MITCHELL of Billboard Magazine (pages 4, 5 and 6) and then repeats the liner notes of LEE HILDEBRAND from the 2008 UK CD reissue immediately after (Pages 6 to 9). Like all the other releases in this series, you get the original artwork on the front & rear of the booklet (repeated beneath the see-through tray and on the CD itself). There are no pictures, which make it a little lacklustre in presentation - but the really big news is the SOUND…

I've reviewed the other titles in this new "Stax Remasters" series (see list below) and duly raved about the fabulous sound quality on all – especially after years of lacklustre reissues in jewel cases and repro digipaks. Well this is the same. 24-bit remastered from the first generation tapes at JOE TARANTINO Mastering in Berkeley, California – the audio quality is FANTASTIC. Those who've owned the "Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles 1968-1971" Box Set (Volume 2 of 3) from 1993 - which has some of these tracks on it - will not know themselves when they hear what’s been sonically achieved in 2011. And of course the new fidelity makes you reassess every song…

While the album is dominated (and overshadowed by) the 'your man done me wrong' tune "Woman To Woman" – there's hidden goodies on here well worth investigating. First up is the wonderful opener "It Ain't No Fun" – the first of two gems penned by fellow Stax label mate Frederick Knight (the other being "I Can't Give You Up"). The slow and soulful "It Ain't No Fun" (lyrics above) reached No. 32 on the R&B charts in May 1975 on Truth TRA-3223. It was actually the B-side of "I've Got To Go On Without You" – a far better song - but DJs preferred "It Ain't No Fun" probably because of its 'talking' end portion which aped the Number 1 hit "Woman To Woman". Both tracks are superb and "It Ain't No Fun" in particular features a powerhouse vocal from Shirley - a lot more hurting and sincere than the slightly cheesy "Woman To Woman". 

Knight also had a hand in writing the slinky "Between You And Me” which is done Aretha style – like a more mellow "Rock Steady". But the record belongs to the monster confessional Southern Soul of "Woman To Woman" where we get the lay of the land in the spoken intro "…Barbara, this is Shirley. You might not know who I am, but the reason I am calling you is because I was going through my man's pockets this morning, and I just happened to find your name and number…" And the sound quality on it is stunning. Great stuff.

The bonus 'previously unreleased in the USA' tracks (12, 13 and 14) turn out to be a sort of audition session found in a long lost tape box. Using the Stax house band on 3 songs more closely associated with Aretha Franklin, Shirley and her guys attack the tunes with gusto. Best among them is a frantically funky version of "Rock Steady" that is part JB's part The Meters part AWB – it's just brilliant and stretches out to an impressive five and a half minutes.

To sum up – the album contains several lost gems and the funky bonuses counter the smoochy feel of the LP. This is a superlative value-for-money reissue highlighting unfairly forgotten Seventies Soul – and all of it topped-off with sound quality that trumps everything that’s gone before. Recommended.

                    STAX REMASTERS Series to 2014 are (all reviewed):

1. Green Onions – BOOKER T & THE M.G.'s (1962)

2. McLemore Avenue - BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'s (1970)

3. Woman To Woman - SHIRLEY BROWN (1975)

4. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get - THE DRAMATICS (1972)

5. Born Under A Bad Sign - ALBERT KING (1967)

6. I'll Play The Blues For You – ALBERT KING (1971)

7. Be Altitude: Respect Yourself - THE STAPLE SINGERS (1972)

8. Taylored In Silk - JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1973)

9. Do The Funky Chicken - RUFUS THOMAS (1970)

"Do The Funky Chicken" by RUFUS THOMAS - June 1969 US LP, July 1970 UK LP on Stax (October 2011 UK Concord Music Group, Inc. "Stax Remasters" Expanded Edition CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

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"…There's A New Dance Going Around…"

I can remember when this album (if you will forgive the poultry analogy) was considered a bit of a turkey – a bit naff – not the sort of platter a serious Soul Fan would be seen showing his mates in his early 70s R&B Den of Iniquity. But that was then, my gibletless featherbrained friends. To a new dawn where we give a cluck…

UK released Monday 10 October 2011 - "Do The Funky Chicken" by RUFUS THOMAS on Concord Music Group Inc/Universal Music Group/Stax 088807233178 (Barcode 888072331785) is part of the 2011/2012 newly launched "Stax Remasters" Series and breaks down as follows (64:36 minutes):

1. Funky Chicken [Side 1]

2. Let The Good Times Roll

3. Sixty Minute Man

4. Lookin' For A Love

5. Bearcat

6. Old McDonald Had A Farm (Part 1) [Side 2] 

7. Old McDonald Had A Farm (Part 2)

8. Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown

9. Soul Food

10. Turn Your Damper Down

11. The Preacher And The Bear
Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Do The Funky Chicken" – released June 1969 in the USA on Stax Records STS-2028 and July 1970 in the UK on Stax Records SX-ATS 1033 (reissued on Stax 2363 001 in 1971)

BONUSES:

Tracks 12 and 13 are "Funky Mississippi" and "So Hard To Get Along With" – the A&B-sides of a USA 45 on Stax STA-0010 (released August 1968)

Tracks 14 and 15 are "Funky Way" and "I Want To Hold You" – the A&B-sides of a USA 45 on Stax STA-0022 (released December 1968)

Tracks 16 and 17 are "Itch And Scratch (Part 1)" and "(Part 2)" – the A&B-sides of a USA 45 on Stax STA-0140 (released August 1972)

Tracks 18 and 19 are "Boogie Ain't Nuthin' (But Getting' Down) (Part 1)" and "(Part 2)" – the A&B-sides of a USA 45 on Stax STN-0219 (released June 1974)

The new 12-page booklet has very knowledgeable and affectionate liner notes by ROB BOWMAN (author of "Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story Of Stax Records"). You get the original artwork on the front & rear of the booklet (repeated beneath the see-through tray and on the CD itself), text on pages 2 to 9 with the musician and session details on Pages 10 and 11. But it's a shame the booklet doesn't go any further. There's no photos, no memorabilia, no tasty Stax 7" singles pictured and it makes the inlay feel workmanlike when it should really have spread out a little. Still – that's a minor point because this reissue delivers where it really matters - the SUPERB SOUND…

I've reviewed the other titles in this new "Stax Remasters" Series (see list below) and duly raved about the fabulous sound quality on all – especially after years of lacklustre reissues in jewel cases and repro digipaks. Well this is the same. 24-bit remastered from the first generation tapes at JOE TARANTINO Mastering in Berkeley, California – the audio quality is FANTASTIC. Those who've owned the "Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles 1968-1971" Box Set (Volume 2 of 3) from 1993 - which has many of these tracks on it - will not know themselves when they hear what's been sonically achieved in 2011. And of course the new fidelity makes you reassess every song…

Musically at the crossroads of the Sixties and Seventies, the whole album is Funky with a capitol 'F' and the 8 excellent single sides tagged-on as bonuses are the same. It opens with the slightly cheesy clucking of the self-penned title track "Do The Funky Chicken" - but by the time the groove kicks in (especially Ronnie Williams on Piano), there's nothing dated about how it sounds. Suddenly this track is HUGE. There follows two old R 'n' B classics funked-up ala Stax style – radically re-worked covers of "Let The Good Times Roll" (originally by the 40s and 50s R&B giant Louis Jordan) and a seven-minute "Sixty Minute Man" (by Billy Ward and His Dominoes). With the great guitar work of Michael Toles to the fore backed up by an incessant Willie Hall drum beat and Wayne Jackson and James Alexander punching everything with brass fills – they both sound incredible. It's mellowed down slightly for a track more associated with Bobby Womack "Lookin' For A Love" featuring lovely backing vocals from Ollie & The Nightingales. Better still are two funky originals "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown" (a rent and money song) and "Turn Your Damper Down" (the B-side of "Funky Chicken" on both sides of the pond).

The single-sides are shockingly good. Double-60ts-brilliance comes in the form of "Funky Mississippi" and "So Hard To Get Along With You" – killer uptempo dancers. The 1972 and 1974 funksters "Itch And Scratch" and "Boogie Ain't Nuthin' But Gettin' Down…" would give James Brown and The JB's a run for their money – and that's really saying something. Very, very good indeed…

Coming to this release cold in 2011 and with naff titles like "Do The Funky Chicken" and "Old McDonald Had A Farm" (a genuine clunker on here) – you'd be tempted to give it a wide berth. That would be a mistake. Honestly - I didn't expect much from this release – but it's been the most revealing of all six I've bought so far - really great Stax Funk-Soul - now combined with truly killer sound.

To sum up – this is as superlative value-for-money reissue highlighting unfairly forgotten Sixties and Seventies Soul – and all of it topped-off with sound quality that trumps everything that's gone before. Recommended - big time.

STAX REMASTERS Series to 2014 are (all reviewed):

1. Green Onions – BOOKER T & THE M.G.'s (1962)

2. McLemore Avenue - BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'s (1970)

3. Woman To Woman - SHIRLEY BROWN (1975)

4. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get - THE DRAMATICS (1972)

5. Born Under A Bad Sign - ALBERT KING (1967)

6. I'll Play The Blues For You – ALBERT KING (1971)

7. Be Altitude: Respect Yourself - THE STAPLE SINGERS (1972)

8. Taylored In Silk - JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1973)

9. Do The Funky Chicken - RUFUS THOMAS (1970)

"Taylored In Silk" by JOHNNIE TAYLOR. A Review Of His 1973 Soul Album Now Remastered And Expanded Onto A 2011 "Stax Remasters" CD.

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

"…I've Got Someone I Can Call My Very Own…"

Released Monday 16 May 2011 in the UK, Concord Music Group, Inc 0888072328754 breaks down as follows (55:58 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Taylored In Silk" – released June 1973 in the USA on Stax Records STS-3014 and July 1975 in the UK on Stax Records STX 1012

Tracks 9 and 10 are "Hijackin' Love" and "Love In The Streets (Ain’t Good As The Love At Home)" – the A&B-sides of a USA 45 on Stax STA-0096 (released August 1971)

Tracks 11 and 12 are "Standing In For Jody" and "Shackin' Up" – the A&B-sides of a USA 45 on Stax STA-0114 (released January 1972)

Tracks 13 and 14 are "Doing My Own Thing (Part 1)" and "(Part 2)" – the A&B-sides of a USA 45 on Stax STA-0122 (released April 1972)

The new 12-page booklet has very knowledgeable and affectionate liner notes by BILL DAHL who did the exceptional liner notes on Bear Family’s 1961-1970 "Sweet Soul Music" CDs (10 volumes) and their 1945-1960 "Blowing The Fuse" series on R'n'B music (16 volumes).
I’ve reviewed nearly all of them. You also get the original artwork on the front and rear of the booklet, musician and session details etc. But it's a shame the booklet doesn’t go any further. There’s no new photos, no memorabilia - and it makes the inlay feel workmanlike at best – even a little dull – when it should have spread its wings a little. But the big news is the SOUND…

I’ve reviewed the other titles in this new "Stax Remasters" series (see list below) and duly raved about the fabulous sound quality on all – especially after years of lacklustre reissues in jewel cases and repro digipaks. Well this is the same. 24-bit remastered from the first generation tapes at JOE TARANTINO Mastering in Berkeley, California – the audio quality is fantastic – which of course makes you reassess every song – and here it gives incredible clarity to these hugely underrated slices of Seventies Soul.

The whole album is good and very much in a smoochy mode – songs about lovin' and cheatin' and not getting' caught cheatin' etc. "I Believe In You (You Believe In Me)" made the top spot on the US R'n'B charts in June 1973 (lyrics above) while the lovely cover of Prince Phillip Mitchell's "Starting All Over Again" is superlative Stax Soul. The witty lyrics of Mack Rice' "Cheaper To Keep Her" still bring a smile to a face and a tap to a foot - while the sound quality on the mid-tempo "I Can Read Between The Lines" is gorgeous.

And the funkier singles are a huge treat – off-setting the slightly loverman feel of the album. "Hijackin' Love" made Number 10 on the US R'n'B charts – and with its fantastically punchy funk rhythm – it's easy to hear why. The "…using me for a spare…" choppy Soul of "Standing In For Jody" is great - as is the JB funk of its wicked B-side "Shackin' Up" (another song about another woman's husband).
The guitar opening of "Doing My Own Thing" makes you think you’ve stumbled on a John Lee Hooker Blues session, but it then settles into a great Soulful groove which brings the guitar back later. "Part 2" feels like a great James Brown B-side you’re glad you’ve rediscovered. Very, very good indeed…

To sum up – this is as superlative value-for-money reissue with top-notch Seventies Soul and sound quality that trumps everything that’s gone before.

Recommended.

PS: titles in the "STAX REMASTERS" series are (all reviewed):
1. McLemore Avenue - BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'S (1970)
2. Woman To Woman - SHIRLEY BROWN (1975)
3. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get - THE DRAMATICS (1972)
4. Be Altitude: Respect Yourself - THE STAPLE SINGERS (1972)
5. Taylored In Silk - JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1973)
6. Do The Funky Chicken - RUFUS THOMAS (1970)