"After School Session" by CHUCK BERRY (2004 Geffen/Chess 'ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION' CD Remaster with Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD   

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Roll Over Beethoven..."

This 2004 USA-Only Universal CD is part of their "Rock 'n' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition" Reissue Series (see list below) and gives us all 12-tracks of Chuck Berry's much-loved debut album on Chess Records. This mighty start was released in the USA in May of 1957 on Chess LP 1426 in Mono - when we here in Blighty had to wait until November 1958 for an album debut in the shape of "One Dozen Berrys" on Chess HA 2132.

"After School Session" was like a lot of albums in those early pioneering days of Rock 'n' Roll - a cluster of market-tested seven-inch singles (A's and B's) with some new tracks thrown in to tempt fans and newcomers alike. All 12 tracks of the original MONO LP have been remastered for this new reissue - upgraded to their best-ever sound quality from the 1st generation master tapes by head Engineer ERICK LABSON of Universal. This man has handled hundreds of reissues and has remastered most of the vast Chess Records catalogue – so he knows his way around a reel or two. And a typically bang-up job has been done here. By way of extras – this Expanded Edition gives us three Bonus Tracks – singles issued around the release of the American LP. Here’s why Beethoven rolled over and the details you need to tell Tchaikovsky...

US released March 2004 – "After School Session: Rock 'n' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition" by CHUCK BERRY on Geffen/Chess B0001685-02 (Barcode 602498613504) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Three Bonus Tracks and pans out as follows (40:51 minutes):

1. School Day (Ring Ding Goes The Bell)

2. Deep Feeling

3. Too Much Monkey Business

4. Wee Wee Hours

5. Roly Poly

6. No Money Down

7. Brown Eyed Handsome Man [Side 2]

8. Berry Pickin'

9. Together (We'll Always Be)

10. Havana Moon

11. Down Bound Train

12. Drifting Heart

BONUS TRACKS:

13. You Can't Catch Me

14. Thirty Days (To Come Back Home)

15. Maybelline

The exclusion of "Roll Over Beethoven" as a bonus track is a damn shame especially as there was ample room to include it. Still, with sequencing, the bonus tracks and album now allow you to line up and play both sides of his first six 7" singles on Chess as follows (excluding "Roll Over Beethoven" of course):

1. Maybellene b/w Wee Wee Hours (1955, Chess 1604)

2. Thirty Days (To Come Back Home) b/w Together (We'll Always Be) (1955, Chess 1610)

3. No Money Down b/w Down Bound Train (1956, Chess 1615)

4. Roll Over Beethoven b/w Drifting Heart (1956, Chess 1626)

5. Too Much Monkey Business b/w Brown Eyed Handsome Man (1956, Chess 1635)

6. You Can't Catch Me b/w Havana Moon (1956, Chess 1645)

The booklet exactly reproduces its famous front sleeve on Page 1 with its rear sleeve on the last page of the inlay - a nice touch. In between is a new essay on the album by ANDY McKAIE with the original liner notes also reproduced on Page 9, sessions details etc

The house band for most cuts reads like a roll call of Rhythm 'n' Blues giants - JOHNNIE JOHNSON on Piano, WILLIE DIXON on Bass with FRED BELOW and EBBY HARDY alternating on Drums. OTIS SPANN contributed piano work on "Roly Poly", "No Money Down", "Berry Pickin'" and "You Can't Catch Me". JIMMY ROGERS played chugging-on-the- train-tracks guitar on "Down Bound Train" and there are three instrumentals on the album - "Deep Feeling", "Roly Poly" and "Berry Pickin'".

With regard to the MONO Audio - it should be noted that even with an ERICK LABSON Remaster this notoriously lo-fi album is not exactly an audiophile's wet dream. Produced in Chicago - Leonard and Phil Chess laid down these tracks rough and ready - done live in the studio and proceedings were more about ‘feel' than precision.

What is wonderful though is to hear these songs again in their original inspiring form and realise what an astonishing influence for good Chuck Berry and his music has been. When you think of every garage band, every bedroom poser, every guitar maestro on the planet and how they all cut their teeth on Chuck Berry songs at some point in their careers - his influence has been little short of World changing. The brevity, the wit and the cleverness of the lyrics - the infectiousness of the beat - its all here. Take "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" for instance - utterly irresistible - 52 years on and its being blasted out through speaker stacks in some dime pub somewhere - still bringing a smile to punter’s faces – hitting that dancefloor - unable to help themselves...

Rough around the edges for sure – but Chuck Berry's debut album "After School Session" is a fantastic listen - and this - an important and timely reissue. Start your journey to the dark side here children - and remember - best not tell your parents the reason for said joy - ROCK 'N' ROLL!!

PS: A few words on the "ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION" Series in general:

It should also be noted that this issue is part of the above named series issued in 2004 by Universal. 'Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition' is a secondary series title and is displayed vertically on the side inlay beneath the see-through tray of each release, but unfortunately, if you try to search the Amazon database for ANY titles under this moniker, it doesn't recognize the 'name' at all.

For those interested in a visual, I've placed a full list of all seven titles in LISTMANIA called "Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition Series". The other six titles are - all Reviewed:

1.  "Buddy Holly" by BUDDY HOLLY (1958 1st solo LP on Coral)

2.  "Rock Around The Clock" by BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS (Ground-breaking 1955 LP on Decca)

3.  "The Chirping Crickets" by THE CRICKETS (their 1957 Coral Records debut LP featuring BUDDY HOLLY)

4.  "St. Louis To Liverpool" by CHUCK BERRY (1964 STEREO LP on Chess)

5.  "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" by BO DIDDLEY (1960 STEREO Chess LP)

6.  "Rock, Rock, Rock! - Original Soundtrack" by VARIOUS (Chuck Berry, The Flamingos and The Moonglows) (1956 Chess Records 1st Rock'n'Roll Movie Soundtrack LP)

I bought all 7 of these titles and I can't recommend them enough - each album remastered to superb sound quality, colour artwork lovingly restored and each bolstered up with 3 or 4 relevant single releases from the time (some previously unreleased). Fans of Haley, Holly, The Crickets, Berry, Diddley and Rock 'n' Roll in general should quickly acquire all of these exemplary CDs. They make for the best basis of a collection in a minefield of lesser compilations...

"Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" by BO DIDDLEY (April 2004 Universal/Geffen/Chess 'Rock 'n' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This review and hundreds more like it are part of my 

SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series:

Check out the e-Book for Blues, Vocals Groups, R'n'B and R'n'R 

Available from my Author's Page at...

"...Go Bo Diddey..." 

In 1979 - fresh off the EI 105 from Dublin to JFK - I arrived for the first time into New York City. That evening I was desperate to christen my visit to the great city by seeing a killer gig. So I opened The Village Voice and saw an advert for "Bo Diddley - Chess Records Legend" who was playing in a small bar off 6th Avenue - blocks away from where I was staying in WEST 16th Street. I wandered down - paid in - and almost immediately a huge man passed me on route to the stage. He was wearing a black leather hat with silver buckles around the rim and a matching black leather suit. Diddley was at least 6 foot tall and was carrying his trademark and truly beautiful red coloured box-shaped Gretsch guitar. He plugged it in and launched into "Gunslinger".

About 5 seconds into that chugging Rumba-meets-Rock 'n' Roll rhythm - the place went absolutely bananas - chairs thrown back - party time - him singing "...Bo Diddley don't stand no mess - Bo Diddley is a gunslinger...". It sends chills up my spine just thinking about it now. I’m sure Bo Diddley had done this a thousand times before and I'm sure every time it was magic. It was like witnessing Muddy Waters with his Mojo in full swing - sexy, fun and utterly mesmerizing. I went out and bought a vinyl re-issue of this album the next day in Crazy Eddie's and it's been my pal ever since.

Elias McDaniel was born in 1928 in Mississippi - inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame in 1987 as a true crossover innovator and sadly passed away in June 2008 with his self-made legend intact and still beloved.

"Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" was his 5th album for the Chess umbrella of labels and this lovely April 2004 CD reissue (part of Universal's 'Rock 'n' Roll 50th Anniversary' Series) does that 1960 Checker Records album nugget a solid. Here are the Crawdaddy details…

1. Gunslinger [Side 1]

2. Ride On Josephine

3. Doing The Crawdaddy

4. Cadillac

5. Somewhere

6. Cheyenne [Side 2]

7. Sixteen Tons

8. Whoa Mule (Shine)

9. No More Lovin'

10. Diddling

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" - released 15 September 1960 in the USA on Checker LP 2977 (Mono)

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Working Man - first issued as Previously Unreleased bonus tracks on the 1989 CD

12. Do What I Say first issued as Previously Unreleased bonus tracks on the 1989 CD

13. Prisoner Of Love - Previously Unreleased in the USA

14. Googlia Moo - Previously Unreleased in the USA

15. Better Watch Yourself - Previously Unreleased in the USA

This American CD reissue from April 2004 on Universal/Geffen B-0001761-02 (Barcode 602498614471) bolsters up the LP's original 10 tracks with 5 bonuses (38:56 minutes). Tracks 11 and 12 initially appeared on the first CD outing in 1989 as two previously unreleased tracks at that time - while "Prisoner Of Love", "Googlia Moo" and "Better Watch Yourself" are new to this issue and are previously unreleased in the USA. The reason I concentrate on the bonuses is that they're not just filler - they really are so good and could well be Side 1 of a far better sixth LP. They were recorded in January and February of 1960 and ERICK LABSON's remastering of them (and the whole album) is typically superlative (he's handled almost exclusively the whole of the Chess Label re-issues - over 1000 re-master/mastering credits to his name).

The 12-page booklet reproduces the gorgeous full colour front sleeve, a colour outtake from the shoot, the album's original rear sleeve (LP 2977), full session details, new liner notes by noted reviewer BUD SCOPPA and the original blue and white Checker label for 2977 is pictured beneath the see-through tray as well - all very nice touches.

As an album I’d admit it’s both short and patchy in places - but the good stuff like "Ride On Josephine" (a George Thorogood stage regular) and the chugging "Cadillac" are everything you’d expect of him - rhythm and fun. His cover of the Merle Travis/Tennessee Ernie Ford perennial "Sixteen Tons" is fab with its "...yeah yeah..." backing vocals - but my real poison is the fabulous "Whao Mule (Shine)" - the kind of neck-jerking tune you’d expect to turn up in Mad Men or The Sopranos. It’s about a frisky beast "...pappy's mule who’d run down the road and look back…" and I love it! The LP finisher is the wonderfully-titled instrumental "Piddling" - it's loud and rough and feels like it would have been better with some lyrics actually. But with those tasty five bonuses - the album and this CD reissue become an altogether different/better beast.

Bo Diddley has never really received the recognition he's deserved because many have viewed him as a one-trick, one-sound pony - which is a shame, because he was so much better than that. It's not all genius by any means but like so many of the greats - he created his own sound, image and penned most of his own tunes. Hopefully this lovely reissue will make people reassess the Diddley Daddy...

PS: There are seven releases in the Rock 'n' Roll "50th Anniversary Series" and eleven in their "Blues Classics Remastered & Revisited" Series and I've loved the lot - great sound, clever title choices and all bumped up with bonus tracks and decent booklets (I'm reviewed almost all of them).

Fans of Holly, Haley, Berry, Diddley and Rock'n'Roll in general should quickly acquire all of these exemplary CDs (use the Barcode numbers provided below to locate the right issue). They make for the best basis of a collection in a minefield of lesser compilations...and Buddy Holly deserved nothing less...

Universal's 'Rock 'n' Roll 50th Anniversary' CD Reissue Series:

1. After School Session by CHUCK BERRY (1958 Chess debut LP)

2. St. Louis To Liverpool by CHUCK BERRY (1964 STEREO LP on Chess)

3. The Chirping Crickets by THE CRICKETS (1957 Debut LP on Decca)

4. Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger by BO DIDDLEY (1960 STEREO Chess LP)

5. Rock Around The Clock by BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS (1955 Decca LP)

6. Buddy Holly by BUDDY HOLLY (1958 1st solo LP on Coral)

7. Rock, Rock, Rock! - Original Soundtrack by VARIOUS (Chuck Berry, The Flamingos and The Moonglows) (1956 Chess 'Rock'n'Roll Movie Soundtrack LP)

Universal's 'Blues Classics Remastered & Revisited' CD Reissue Series:

1. Bad News Is Coming - LUTHER ALLISON (1972 USA LP with 4 Previously Unreleased bonuses, 56:10 minutes) (Barcode 044001340727)

2. Luther's Blues - LUTHER ALLISON (SUHA GUR Remaster) (1974 USA 9-track LP with 3 Previously Unreleased bonuses, 70:28 minutes) (Barcode 044001340925)

3. Two Steps From The Blues - BOBBY BLAND (ERICK LABSON Remaster) (1961 USA 12-track LP on Duke with 2 bonuses, 35:12 minutes)  (Barcode 008811251628)

4. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - JOHN LEE HOOKER (ERICK LABSON Remaster) (October 1966 and September 1991 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 79:44 minutes) (Barcode 008811282127)

5. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - HOWLIN' WOLF (ERICK LABSON Remaster) (January 1966 on Chess and January 1967 on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 66:45 minutes) (Barcode 008811282028)

6. Tell Mama: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions - ETTA JAMES (ERICK LABSON Remaster) (January 1968 US 12-Track LP on Cadet - Tracks 13-22 being bonuses, 57:11 minutes) (Barcode 008811251826)

7. Live At San Quentin - B.B. KING (ERICK LABSON Remaster) (1990 13-Track Compilation on MCA, no extras, 64:11 minutes) (Barcode 008811251727)

8. At Newport 1960 - MUDDY WATERS (ERICK LABSON Remaster) (1960 US 9-Track LP on Chess with 10-13 being 4 Mono Studio Tracks from June 1960 as bonus tracks, 44:43 minutes) (Barcode 008811251529)

9. Fathers & Sons - MUDDY WATERS & Friends (ERICK LABSON Remaster)

(Tracks 1-10 and 15-20 is the August 1969 2LP set on Chess in Full with Tracks 11, 12, 13 being previously unreleased - and 14 previously unreleased in the USA). (77:38 minutes) (Barcode 008811264826)

10. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - MUDDY WATERS (ERICK LABSON Remasters - 2LPs on 1CD) (Barcode 008811282226)

11. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (ERICK LABSON Remaster) (January 1966 and January 1967 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 65:28 minutes) (Barcode 008811282325)

"Buddy Holly' by BUDDY HOLLY. His debut album re-issued on CD in 2004 as part of the ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY SERIES

Holly fans have lambasted MCA (who've had charge of his catalogue) for decades now - both here in the UK and elsewhere. Why? Well, back in the day, they released two seminal compact discs when CDs were completely new. They were both called "From The Original Master Tapes" - one for Buddy Holly and the other for Bill Haley & His Comets. And they weren't just good - they were outstanding! An absolute wow - both of them! Stereo tracks in some cases, studio chatter, and sound quality that was mind-blowing. These issues in the UK single-handedly went a long way to convincing music lovers that there really was something in this new format other than hype by the industry. Remastered by STEVE HOFFMAN, they featured sound that for 1985 was a sensation. So why mention this now - because having had their appetites whetted, fans expected more - and then - well nothing. For nearly 20 years - zip. No follow ups of the same calibre - nothing. No sign of the magnificent 1979 6LP Box Set "The Complete Buddy Holly" - which to this day is still unreleased - one of the last great box sets to be so on CD.

However, everything changes with this gorgeous 2004 re-issue. It reproduces the original US album artwork on both front and back of the booklet. There's a repro of the beautiful original label on the inlay beneath the see-through tray, a nice booklet with detailed notes - and best of all - stunning remastered sound quality care of Erick Labson. Tracks 1-12 are the original US album supplemented by 3 non-album relevant bonus tracks, "Take Your Time", "Now We're One" and "Early In The Morning". The 3 bonus tracks allow you to sequence his first five 7" singles on Coral Records.

1. Words Of Love/Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues (1957 Coral 61852)
2. Peggy Sue/Everyday (1957 Coral 61885)
3. I'm Gonna Love You Too/Listen To Me (1958 Coral 61947)
4. Rave On/Take Your Time (1958 Coral 61985) (B-side Non-Album)
5. Early In The Morning/Now We're One (1958 Coral 62006) (Non-Album A&B)

There were only two albums really in his short but mighty career, the debut album, "The Chirping Crickets" (1957 USA, 1958 UK) and this - his first solo album, "Buddy Holly" (released in Feb 1958 just one year prior to his untimely death in February 1959 at only 22). So Universal have re-issued both of these and not the subsequent compilation albums that made up all of his 60's output.

PS: A few words on the "ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION" Series in general:
It should also be noted that this issue is part of the above named series issued in 2004 by Universal.
'Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition' is a secondary series title and is displayed vertically on the side inlay beneath the see-through tray of each release, but unfortunately, if you try to search databases for ANY titles under this moniker, it doesn't recognize the 'name' at all.

For those interested - the other six titles are:

1. "After School Session" by CHUCK BERRY (His Chess Debut LP In The States, see REVIEW)
2. "Rock Around The Clock" by BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS (ground-breaking 1956 LP, see REVIEW)
3. "The Chirping Crickets" by THE CRICKETS (their debut LP featuring BUDDY HOLLY, see REVIEW)
4. "St. Louis To Liverpool" by CHUCK BERRY (1964 STEREO LP on Chess, see REVIEW)
5. "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" by BO DIDDLEY (1960 STEREO Chess LP, see REVIEW)
6. "Rock, Rock, Rock! - Original Soundtrack" by VARIOUS (Chuck Berry, The Flamingos and The Moonglows) (1956 Chess 'Rock'n'Roll Movie Soundtrack LP, see REVIEW)

I bought all 7 of these titles and I can't recommend them enough - each album remastered to superb sound quality, colour artwork lovingly restored and each bolstered up with 3 or 4 relevant single releases from the time (some previously unreleased). Fans of Haley, Holly, The Crickets, Berry, Diddley and Rock'n'Roll in general should quickly acquire all of these exemplary CDs. They make for the best basis of a collection in a minefield of lesser compilations. Enjoy!

"The Chirping Crickets" by THE CRICKETS. 27 November 1957 to 27 November 2007. 50 Years On and His Stunning Debut Album Still Shines!

A full half century ago, "The Chirping Crickets" by The Crickets was released in the USA on Brunswick Records (BL 54038) and it stands to this day as one of the great debuts of all time. (It was released March 1958 in the UK on Vogue Coral LVA 9081 - both sleeves are pictured above). Holly had had several 7" single releases on Decca throughout 1956 and 1957, but this was his first album proper. His group `The Crickets' (in a not-very-Rock'n'Roll manner) are credited on the back of the album sleeve as a `Vocal Group With Orchestra'! Yikes!!

This 2004 Universal CD reissue gives us all 12-tracks of the original Mono album remastered to gorgeous sound quality from the 1st generation master tapes by Erick Labson and then tags on 4 bonus tracks at the end. The extra tracks are the A&B sides of two singles in and around the release of the album. So this allows the listener to sequence The Crickets' first five US 7" singles as follows (all featuring Buddy Holly):

1. That'll Be The Day/I'm Looking For Someone To Love (Brunswick 55009, 1957)
2. Oh, Boy!/Not Fade Away (Brunswick 55035, 1957)
3. Maybe Baby/It's Too Late (Brunswick 55053, 1957)
4. Think It Over/Fool's Paradise (Non-Album A&B sides) (Brunswick 55072, 1958)
5. It's So Easy/Lonesome Tears (Non-Album A&B sides) (Brunswick 55094, 1958)

(Note: the version of "That'll Be The Day" put out on a Decca 7" single in June 1957 credited to Buddy Holly as a solo artist is different to the version featured on The Crickets album above. The 1st issue is more rockabilly and is rarely heard above the more familiar re-issued version. The song only became a hit second time around - a number 1).

The albums' iconic colour shot of the Lubbock young bucks is reproduced in gorgeous colour on the front page of the booklet with the liner notes of the rear sleeve on the last page. The other 12 pages are given over to a brief history of the album, discography information and re-issue production credits. Very tastefully done. Another nice touch is that beneath the see-through tray holding the CD is a gorgeous reproduction of the original album's chocolate brown label (an original of the album is $800 + if you can find one!).

There were only two albums really in his short but mighty career, this his debut, followed quickly by his first proper solo album, "Buddy Holly" (released in Feb 1958 just one year prior to his untimely death in February 1959 at only 22). Universal have re-issued both of these and not the subsequent compilation albums that made up all of his 60's output (see my review of "Buddy Holly" also). Listening to them again, you're struck even now by the brilliance of his song writing - and what a crime it was that the world was robbed of him at such a young age. There's a classy feel to these CD reissues and I recommend both albums without hesitation.

PS: A few words on the "ROCK 'N' ROLL 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION" Series in general:
It should also be noted that this issue is part of the above named series issued in 2004 by Universal. 'Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition' is a secondary series title and is displayed vertically on the side inlay beneath the see-through tray of each release, but unfortunately, if you try to search most databases for ANY titles under this moniker, it doesn't recognize the 'name' at all.

For those interested in the "Rock 'N' Roll 50th Anniversary Edition Series". The other six titles are:

1. "Buddy Holly" by BUDDY HOLLY (1958 1st solo LP on Coral, see REVIEW)
2. "Rock Around The Clock" by BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS (ground-breaking 1956 LP, see REVIEW)
2. "After School Session" by CHUCK BERRY (1958 Chess debut LP, see REVIEW)
3. "St. Louis To Liverpool" by CHUCK BERRY (1964 STEREO LP on Chess, see REVIEW)
4. "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" by BO DIDDLEY (1960 STEREO Chess LP, see REVIEW)
5. "Rock, Rock, Rock! - Original Soundtrack" by VARIOUS (Chuck Berry, The Flamingos and The Moonglows) (1956 Chess 'Rock'n'Roll Movie Soundtrack LP, see REVIEW)

I bought all 7 of these titles and I can't recommend them enough - each album remastered to superb sound quality, colour artwork lovingly restored and each bolstered up with 3 or 4 relevant single releases from the time (some previously unreleased). Fans of Haley, Holly, The Crickets, Berry, Diddley and Rock'n'Roll in general should quickly acquire all of these exemplary CDs. They make for the best basis of a collection in a minefield of lesser compilations. Enjoy!

"Any Road Up" and "Rollin' On" Albums by STEVE GIBBONS Reissued Across 2CDs by The UK's Road Goes On Forever Label

This is part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" 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 to clarify. Some sites have suggested that's there's nearly 40 songs on this 2CD set - there isn't - there's 28 across the 2 discs. Here's the breakdown:

CD 1 contains the full album "Any Road Up" originally released on Polydor in 1976 (Tracks 1-9)
10 and 11 are bonus tracks: "Back Street Cat" and "Dick Malone"

CD 2 contains the full album "Rollin' On" originally released on Polydor in 1977 (Tracks 1-14)
(Note that tracks 10 and 14 are 57 and 20 second long acapella songs - snippets really)
15, 16 and 17 are bonus tracks; "Gave His Life To Rock'n'Roll", "Make Things Last" and "Dick Leaps In"

All are remastered to superlative quality by re-issue label Road Goes On Forever and the whole project clearly had Gibbons involvement. The booklet has all the lyrics and a biog on him and full production credits - an exemplary issue.

"Rollin' On" contains their lone chart hit [A & B], a great cover version of Chuck Berry's "Tulane" issued as a 7" in August 1977 (backed up by the gorgeous "Now You Know Me"). As another reviewer has quite rightly pointed out, many tracks like "Light Up Your Face", "Speed Kills", "Rollin'" and "Tulane" of course turn up on the superb live set "Caught In The Act" from late 1977 also on Polydor Records - an album I had on my turntable for years! That set along with his other live album "On The Loose" (1986) are available on a separate Road Goes On Forever release - again each album bolstered up with bonus tracks (Road Goes On Forever RBF/SGDCD 050).

The Road Goes On Forever sets have gained something of a cult status - they're not cheap nor easy to find like major label stuff, but in these instances, they are the business. I'd admit that not every song on these two studio albums is a balls-to-the-wall classic, but if you're a fan, you've got to have them - especially given their sound and presentation.

Fans of the man should also check out his "Bob Dylan Project" covers album from 1998 - Gibbons and his fab set of lungs pumping out tasty interpretations of old and new Dylan songs - all of them filled with the grace and power his vocals can deliver. Gibbons is like Frankie Miller and Dan McCafferty [of Nazareth] - surely one of the most underrated and overlooked treasures British Rock'n'Roll has.

Buy with confidence.

"The Works" by CHRIS REA (2007 Rhino 3CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Almost 300 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 3 of 3

- Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Blues Rock, Prog Rock, Psych, Avant Garde, Underground

Folk-Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Country Rock and more

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...I Will Light A Candle For You..."

Rhino's re-issues have been a favourite of mine since 1987 and are among the best in the world (just like Ace and Sanctuary in the UK, Bear Family in Germany, Raven in Australia, Rev-ola out of Europe etc). But this 2007 3CD retro on Rhino 5144-23735-2 has its faults. I feel it's a missed opportunity because of what's "not" on here.

I was looking forward to remasters of his Magnet label years from his debut UK album "Whatever Happened To Benny Santini" in 1978 right through to "Dancing With Strangers" from 1987 - all of which have been languishing on thinny sounding non-remastered 80's CDs for over 20 years. But this 3CD retro set touches on that period on Disc 1 only. Discs 2 and 3 are his WEA/East West labels output from 1988 to 2000 and have been available with good sound on their original issues for years. It's the tracks from the 1978-1987 period that need better representation - and because they're given only 1 disc, there are some amazing omissions.

Anyway, what is on this retrospective is good and sounds great. Speaking of sound, while it doesn't say "remastered" anywhere on the discs or labels, the sound on Disc 1 in particular is far superior to the old issues I mentioned earlier. I would say the real tapes have been used here - and from that point of view, they are to be welcomed. Also, as one reviewer has already mentioned, there are no details on the piss-poor 3-page slip inlay provided - not even the album each track is from! And there's snakes in the grass too on the 1st disc (remakes instead of originals, when they're not indicated as so on the sleeve). So here's a list of what's what on each disc. The UK album title and year of release follow after the track title and except where noted, all tracks are original versions. I've also listed an album discography first so you get a better lay of the land:

UK LPs on the Magnet Label:
1. Whatever Happened To Benny Santini? (1978 debut album)
2. Deltics (1979)
3. Tennis (1980)
4. Chris Rea (1982)
5. Water Sign (1983)
6. Wired To The Moon (1984)
7. Shamrock Diaries (1985)
8. On The Beach (1986)
9. Dancing With Strangers (1987)

Signed to WEA/East West label in 1988, WEA/East West Label LPs:

9. New Light Though Old Windows - The Best Of, 1988 (re-recordings of earlier material with some new tracks)
10. The Road To Hell, 1989
11. Auberge, 1991
12. God's Great Banana Skin, 1992
13. Very Best Of (9-12 material with some new tracks), 1994
14. La Passione O.S.T., 1996
15. The Blue Cafe, 1998
16. The Road To Hell, Vol.2, 1999
17. King Of The Beach, 2000

He's had other albums after 2000 but they're not included on this set.

Disc 1.
1. Fool (If You Think It's Over) (a 1988 Re-Recording for WEA and not the far better 1978 original) (New Light Through Old Windows - The Best Of, 1988)
2. Josephine (a 1988 Re-Recording for WEA and not the far better 1985 original) (New Light Through Old Windows - The Best Of)
3. Stainsby Girls (Shamrock Diaries, 1985)
4. On The Beach (On The Beach, 1986)
5. Diamonds (Deltics, 1979)
6. I Can Hear Your Heartbeat (a 1988 Re-Recording for WEA and not the far better 1983 original) (New Light Through Old Windows - The Best Of, 1988)
7. I Don't Know What It Is But I Love It (Wired To The Moon, 1984)
8. No Qualifications (Deltics, 1979)
9. Sweet Kiss (Tennis, 1980)
10. Runaway (Chris Rea, 1982)
11. Every Beat Of My Heart (Chris Rea, 1982)
12. Love's Strange Ways (Water Sign, 1983)
13. The Things Lovers Should Do (Deltics, 1979)
14. Nothings Happening By The Sea (Water Sign, 1983)
15. Ace Of Hearts (Wired To The Moon, 1984)
16. Touché D'Amour (Wired To The Moon, 1984)
17. Stone (Shamrock Diaries, 1985)
18. Love Turns To Lies (Shamrock Diaries, 1985)
19. One Golden Rule (Shamrock Diaries, 1985)

As you can see superb tracks like "Candles" and "Texas" from his brilliant break-though album "Water Sign" from 1983 are missing, as are "Reasons", "Wired To The Moon" and "Shine, Shine, Shine" from the equally great "Wired To The Moon" from 1984. I adore "Shamrock Diaries" as a track and "Steel River" from the album of the same name - but again - not on here! And the b-sides of his early singles are missing too, as are the originals of "Fool" and "I Can Hear..." arguably his biggest hits. Odd.

Disc 2.

1. The Road To Hell (Part 2) (The Road To Hell, 1989)
2. Let's Dance (Dancing With Strangers, 1987)
3. Loving You Again (Dancing With Strangers, 1987)
4. Tell Me There's A Heaven (The Road To Hell, 1989)
5. Little Blonde Plaits (On The Beach, 1986)
6. Lucky Day (On The Beach, 1986)
7. Bless Them All (On The Beach, 1986)
8. Two Roads (On The Beach, 1986)
9. I Can't Dance To That (Dancing With Strangers, 1987)
10. I Don't Care Anymore (Dancing With Strangers, 1987)
11. Windy Town (Dancing With Strangers, 1987)
12. Working On It (a new track and CD single, exclusive to New Light Through Old Windows...)
13. You Must Be Evil (The Road To Hell, 1989)
14. I Just Wanna Be With You (The Road To Hell, 1989)
15. That's What They Always Say (The Road To Hell, 1989)
16. Winter Song (November 1991 CD single)
17. Gone Fishing (Auberge, 1991)
18. Driving Home For Christmas (1987 originally, but this sounds like a re-recording)

Disc 3:
1. Julia (Espresso Logic, 1993)
2. Auberge (Full Album Version) (Auberge, 1991)
3. Looking For The Summer (Auberge, 1991)
4. Nothing To Fear (God's Great Banana Skin, 1992)
5. God's Great Banana Skin (God's Great Banana Skin, 1992)
6. Heaven (Auberge, 1991)
7. The Mention Of Your Name (Auberge, 1991)
8. Soft Top, Hard Shoulder (God's Great Banana Skin, 1992)
9. I Ain't The Fool (God's Great Banana Skin, 1992)
10. You Can Go Your Own Way (Very Best Of, 1994, New Track)
11. La Passione (Film Theme) (La Passione O.S.T., 1996)
12. Horses (La Passione O.S.T., 1996)
13. Square Peg, Round Hole (The Blue Cafe, 1998)
14. The Blue Cafe (The Blue Cafe, 1998)
15. God Gave Me An Angel (King Of The Beach, 2000)
16. New Times Square (The Road To Hell Vol.2, 1999)
17. Keep On Dancing (The Road To Hell Vol.2, 1999)

Hopefully Rhino will release his 1978 to 1987 albums on Remastered & Expanded versions - there are enough B-sides and rarities to yet see CD issue on either side of the pond.

If you wanted a reasonable way of exploring his catalogue, then "The Works" is a good - if not flawed - place to start.

PS: Other artists in "The Works" 3CD series are Morcheeba, The Corrs, Everything But The Girl, Bananarama, The Everly Brothers, Bread, The Wildhearts, The Monkees, The Pogues and Echo And  The Bunnymen

"Essential" by EDDIE MONEY. Criminally short track list, but at least what's on here is superbly remastered!

I've owned and loved "Eddie Money" (1977) and "Life For The Taking" (1978) since they were released on Epic back in the day. I bought the US-only crappy 80's CDs of these titles years ago (Eddie Money CK 34909 and Life For The Taking CK 35598 - pictured above) and have been waiting for remasters ever since - in vain.

The reason I say this is that Columbia/Legacy's "Essential" series are all re-masters - as is this - it's just that it misses out badly on his first 2 and most beloved albums. Some in the series are double CDs for a budget price, so why oh why did they scrimp it on this - especially when fans have been bombarded with inferior 'Best Ofs' for years??

I've listed the tracks below and the albums they're off to show you what I mean and also help potential purchasers in knowing what's what:

1. Two Tickets To Paradise (Eddie Money, 1977)
2. Baby Hold On (Eddie Money, 1977)
3. Wanna be A Rock "N' Star (Eddie Money, 1977)
4. Gimme Some Water (Life For The Taking, 1978)
5. Get A Move On (Playing For Keeps, 1980)
6. Trinidad (Playing For Keeps, 1980)
7. Shakin' (No Control, 1982)
8. Think I'm In Love (No Control, 1982)
9. No Control (No Control, 1982)
10. Take Me Home Tonight (Can't Hold Back, 1986)
11. I Wanna Go Back (Can't Hold Back, 1986)
12. Walk On Water (Nothing To Lose, 1988)
13. I'll Get By (Right Here, 1991)
14. Peace In Our Time (Sound Of Mercy, 1989)
15. There Will Never Be Another You (Love & Money, 1995)

As you can see, the 2nd album is ill served with 1 track represented - when there was clearly room for 3 or 4 more! After his 3rd album "Playing For Keeps", I thought his writing went well off the boil. So we get 11 tracks from albums we don't really want, but only 4 from the first two that we do!

Still, what is to treasure on here is the sound - remastered in 2003 - these tracks sound 2 or 3 times better than the original CDs still being sold to this day.

I do wish Legacy would do expanded versions of "Eddie Money" and "Life For The Taking" - US fans in particular have been clamouring for them for years. They really do deserve Rock'n'Roll rediscovery.

To sum up, this is a great sounding re-mastered set for sure, but it's just such a shame that the disc wasn't filled up more fully.