"Down By The Jetty" by DR. FEELGOOD (June 2006 EMI 'Collector's Edition' 2CD Edition - Peter Mew Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 1 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

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"...They Did It Right..."

The Feelgood’s original Lead Guitarist Wilko Johnson had always adored Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and especially their guitar player Mick Green. And tucked away on the B-side of their 1964 hit "Always & Forever" (HMV POP 1269) was an obscure cover version of a Piano Red song from 1962 on Okeh Records called "Doctor Feelgood" (Red's group was actually called Dr. Feelgood & The Interns). Wilko chose this apt name for his new rockin' band - and a kick ass British Rhythm 'n' Blues legend was born.

The line up for their 1975 debut was:

LEE BRILLEAUX on Lead Vocals and Harmonica

WILKO JOHNSON on Lead Guitar and Vocals

JOHN B. SPARKS on Bass

THE BIG FIGURE on Drums and Vocals (real name John Martin)

This June 2006 UK COLLECTORS EDITION of "Down By The Jetty" by DR. FEELGOOD on EMI 363 9512 (Barcode 094636395128) is a 2CD Remasters celebration of their explosive 1975 debut album "Down By The Jetty" - and is an absolute peach of a reissue - it really is. There's a lot on offer here so let's get to the dark-glasses and zoot-suit shuffle right away:

Disc 1 (56:33 minutes):

1. She Does It Right

2. Boom Boom

3. The More I Give

4. Roxette

5. One Weekend

6. That Ain't The Way To Behave

7. I Don't Mind

8. Twenty Yards Behind

9. Keep It Out Of Sight

10. All Through The City

11. Cheque Book

12. Oyeh!

13. Bonie Moronie/Tequila [Live]

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "Down By The Jetty" issued in January 1975 on United Artists UAS 29727. It was deliberately recorded and issued in MONO. 11 of the 13 tracks are Wilko Johnson originals complimented by two covers - "Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker and the Larry Williams and The Champs duo of "Bonie Moronie/Tequila" ("Bonie Moronie/Tequila" ends the album and was recorded live at Dingwalls in 1974 - some of the rest of that live set now turns up on Disc 2 - see below).

14. (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 - a Bobby Troup/Nat King Cole/Chuck Berry cover version and the non-album B-side to their debut 7" single in the UK "She Does It Right" issued November 1974 on United Artists UP 35760. The A-side opens Side 1 of the album.

15. I'm A Hog For You Baby [Studio Version, Mono]

16. Stupidity [Studio Version, Mono]

17. She Said Alright [Studio Version, Mono]

18. Oyeh! [Studio Version, Mono]

NOTES: Tracks 15 to 18 are Previously Unreleased MONO Studio Outtakes from the sessions. Tracks 15 and 16 later turned up on their third LP in 'live' form - the Number 1 album "Stupidity" issued in September 1976.

Disc 2 (76:23 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 (same as Disc 1) are the "Down By The Jetty" studio album issued for the first time in STEREO minus the last track - the duo of live covers.

13. I'm A Hog For You Baby [Stereo]

14. Stupidity [Stereo]

15. She Said Alright [Stereo]

16. Oyeh! (Earlier Version) [Stereo]

Tracks 13 to 16 are studio outtakes from the sessions in STEREO

17. Tore Down

18. Don't You Just Know It

19. My Babe

20. The More I Give

21. It's My Own Fault Darlin'

22. Bonie Moronie/Tequila

23. Rock Me Baby
NOTES: All 23 tracks on Disc 2 are Previously Unreleased. Tracks 17 to 23 were recorded live in Dingwalls in Camden Lock, London, 8 July 1974 - the same date as "Boney Moronie/Tequila (Live)" – the last track on the LP.

Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth in the Wye Valley of Wales in August 1974, "Jetty" was produced `live in the studio' by Vic Maile of The Who's "Live At Leeds" fame. The 2CDs are housed in a 4-way foldout digipak with an outer plastic wrap and the 12-page booklet has liner notes by WILL BIRCH, a repro of the United Artists press release and colour outtakes from the album cover sessions. There's also a brief interview with Wilko Johnson, Bob Geldof (the Rats were huge fans), track-by-track details, reissue credits etc. They abandoned the colour cover and eventually used photos on the front and back that deliberately aped the black and white pose and look of the MC5 album "Back In The USA" (the Feelgoods were big fans).

Remastered from the 1st generation tapes by PETER MEW at Abbey Road - the sound quality is FANTASTIC - everything you would have hoped for - really clean, muscular and live in your living room. Some of the stereo tracks do have a slightly lop-sided two-channel feel to them, but it's still a thrill to hear them in this form - their menace and almost punk excitement undiminished by decades. Megastore prices for the hard copy can be as high as £22, online it's about £15 and from iTunes at only £10 - the complete 2CD download is fabulous value for money.

To sum up - this is a great reissue of an album that thoroughly deserves the Deluxe Edition treatment. The Feelgoods are beloved in the UK and way beyond - and a version of the original British band is still gigging to this day - 40 years after the event. In 2014 original band founder-member Wilko Johnson blasted his way back into the charts and R’n’B hearts everywhere with his collaboration album “Going Back Home” fronted to blistering effect by The Who’s Roger Daltrey. There's talk of a second LP sometime in 2016...

In fact I once saw Frontman and Lead Singer Lee Brilleaux clacking his way down Berwick Street in Central London in 1989 in his steel-capped loafers and sharp suit looking like a mobster with a bit between his teeth. He was gone by so fast I hadn't time to stop him and tell him how much I loved him and every incarnation of the band since. It's a slight memory I know - but one I cherish.

The 'Feelgoods' sent shivers down my backbone...they did it right. Get this rocking sucker in your life as soon as is humanly possible. And God bless you mate wherever you may be...

For further knowledge/info - the book "Down By The Jetty" pictured below is recommended.


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"Steve McQueen" by PREFAB SPROUT. Their Stunning 1985 Album Is Given A Beautiful New Remaster & Brilliantly Reinterpreted Acoustic Versions On A 'Legacy Edition' 2CD Reissue in 2007 - A Review by Mark Barry....

"...You Surely Are...A Truly Gifted Kid..." 

Following on from their hugely promising February 1984 debut “Swoon" - England's PREFAB SPROUT took many English and Irish hearts by storm in the summer and autumn of 1985 with their stunning 2nd album "Steve McQueen".

Rated by many as being in the Top 50 albums of all time - this 2 April 2007 'Legacy Edition' Reissue of "Steve McQueen" by PREFAB SPROUT on Sony BMG/Legacy/Kitchenware 88697072442 is a long overdue 2CD celebration of that bedsit staple - the album Remastered on Disc 1 with brand new Paddy McAloon interpretations on Disc 2 of 8 songs (beautifully recorded and done). Here’s the layout…

Disc 1 "Steve McQueen – Original Album Remastered" (45:13 minutes):

1. Faron Young [Side 1]

2. Bonny

3. Appetite

4. When Love Breaks Down

5. Goodbye Lucille No. 1

6. Hallelujah

7. Moving The River [Side 2]

8. Horsin’ Around

9. Desire As

10. Blueberry Pies

11. When The Angels

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Steve McQueen " - issued June 1985 in the UK on Kitchenware Records KW 3 (Vinyl, Cassette and CD). The US version was called "Two Wheels Good" for contractual reasons and was issued on Epic 40100.  The US CD version contained 3 bonus tracks - "Faron Young (Truckin' Mix)", "The Yearning Loins" and "He'll Have To Go" - they were not included on the UK version - nor unfortunately included here on this reissue either. This Legacy reissue is remastered by original producer THOMAS DOLBY at The Mastering Lab in Los Angeles  - he also contributes recollections to the liner notes.

Disc 2 – "New Acoustic Versions by Paddy McAloon" (35:00 minutes):

1. Appetite

2. Bonny

3. Desire As

4. When Love Breaks Down

5. Goodbye Lucille No. 1

6. Moving The River

7. Faron Young

8. When The Angels

Tracks 1 to 8 are brand new acoustic re-interpretations by Paddy McAloon (band's principal songwriter) of 8 tracks from the original 11 - they were recorded across the summer of 2006.

The 2CDs are housed in a card gatefold digipak (where's the Legacy Edition Protective Plastic outer wrap?), have motorbike logos on the CDs and a scant 12-page booklet with liner notes by PAUL LESTER. There are some new photos - outtakes from the album cover shoot, but bizarrely the original inner sleeve of the LP depicting the members of the band and giving recording details - is missing. But worse is the lack of musical extras. Between October 1984 and as late as February 1986, no less than 6 singles came off the album in the UK - When Love Breaks Down was put out 3 times  - Faron Young, Appetite and Johnny Johnny were issued also - between them and their multiple formats, they produced as many as 12 unreleased B-sides and mixes. As you can see from the playing time on both discs, there was plenty of room for remasters of these rarities. They will probably never see the light of day now - which is maddening - especially on a supposed collector's edition. However, the other way of looking at it is this - presented as is - this reissue forces you to focus 'only' on the album proper - and the new acoustic tracks - and as they stand - they make for a truly sensational listen. So I can see why McAloon would want the album presented in this way, it's just disappointing not to see those non-album tracks that are not on CD anywhere...

Which brings us to the 1st part of the good news - THE SOUND. Like many who've loved this wonderful record, I've had the cramped vinyl LP and dull sounding original CD for over 20 years now - hoping for a good reissue of it at some point. Well this Thomas Dolby remaster is just BEAUTIFUL - clean, muscular and full of presence. Hearing the sublime "Bonny" in this sound quality is a treat no music lover should be without - and that synth solo - wow! And when you think of how awful a lot of Eighties music sounds now - so dated and over-produced - musically the whole album still holds it own. So many great tracks "Moving The River", "Desire As" and the Johnny Johnny song "Goodbye Lucille No.1" A really sweet remaster by Dolby. But the real fireworks and good news number two start on Disc 2...

Few would have expected that Acoustic Reinterpretations would be this good - or even rival and better the originals - but here they do. It's hard to understate just how stunning these beautifully recorded remakes are - I've been playing them to buggery for over 18 months now and still don't tire of them. I made up a shop-play disc of 7 tracks from Ryan Adams' "Easy Tiger" album from 2007 with 7 from this - and every time I play it, it never fails to bring customers to the counter with looks of `discovery' on theirs faces wanting to know "Who is this!!!"

To sum up - despite the ok-only packaging and lack of those b-sides - this is a 5-star reissue of a 6-star album - a must buy. I will go weak at the knees if the same treatment is planned for the equally magnificent "Jordon: The Comeback"...

“The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions” by SUNNYLAND SLIM and JOHNNY SHINES [Featuring Their Rare 1969 Albums “Midnight Jump” and “Last Night’s Dream”] - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…Got A Lean On My Body…Mortgage On My Soul…” 

 The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions by SUNNYLAND SLIM and JOHNNY SHINES (2008 Sony/Blue Horizon CD Remasters)

This February 2008 UK released 23-track CD features two very rare blues albums from 1969 in their entirety along with three previously unreleased outtakes from the original sessions - and all of it in top quality digitally remastered form. Here are sunny details...

"The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by SUNNYLAND SLIM and JOHNNY SHINES on Sony/Blue Horizon 88697192172 (Barcode 886971921724) offers 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD that comes with Three Bonus Tracks. It plays out as follows (78:36 minutes):

1. Layin’ In My Cell, Sleepin’

2. I Am The Blues

3. Sunnyland Special

4. Heartache

5. Lowland Blues

6. Stepmother

7. Get To My Baby (Take 2)

8. Get To My Baby (Take 3)

9. Stella Mae

10. Midnight Jump (Take 3)

11. Midnight Jump

12. Depression Blues

13. Heartache (Alternative Version)

Tracks 1 to 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 are the 10-track SUNNYLAND SLIM album "Midnight Jump" issued in January 1969 on Blue Horizon S 7-63213 in the UK. It wasn't issued initially in the USA - but was re-issued in 1972 with a different cover and name - "Blues Masters Vol.8" on Blue Horizon BM 4608.

Track 7, 10 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED – new to this CD

All tracks were recorded at Chess's "Ter-Mar Recording Studios" in Chicago on 10 June 1968 - corrected from the album's sleeve notes that mistakenly credited the recording date as May 1968.

14. Solid Gold

15. From Dark ‘Til Dawn

16. I Will Be Kind To You

17. Last Night’s Dream

18. Baby Don’t You Think I Know

19. Pipeline Blues

20. I Don’t Know

21. Black Panther

22. I Had A Good Home

23. Mean Fisherman

Tracks 14 to 23 are the 10-track JOHNNY SHINES album "Last Night's Dream" issued in January 1969 on Blue Horizon S 7-63212 in the UK; like the Sunnyland Slim album, it was also re-issued only in 1972 in the USA with a different cover and name - "Blues Masters Vol.8" on Blue Horizon BM 4607

The band for both sessions were:

SUNNYLAND SLIM (Albert Luandrew) on Piano & Vocals (Tracks 1 to 13 only)

JOHNNY SHINES on Guitar (All tracks except 3, 5 and 13)

WALTER "SHAKEY" HORTON on Harmonica (All tracks except 3 and 13)

OTIS SPANN on Piano (Track 19 only)

WILLIE DIXON on Upright Bass (All tracks except 13 to 17, 20, 22 and 23)

CLIFTON JAMES on Drums (All tracks except 13, 14, 17 and 22)

The original master tapes were transferred and remastered by SEAN LYNCH at Torch Music in Berkshire and SIMON WOOD at Dubmaster Studios in Hampshire and while Sunnyland Slim's album is clean, clear and ballsy sounding - the Johnny Shines album is very hissy on a good few of the tracks. Don't get me wrong - his music is very good - eerie almost - but the hiss level and tape glitches on "I Don't Know" and "I Had A Good Home" do detract a little (four session reels are missing).

The 16-page booklet is written by label boss MIKE VERNON and features detailed biographies on the two main men and each of the session players, album recording details, photos of the original LP covers - all of it in the usual card wrap on the outside - superbly presented as ever.

Musically, this is a deceptive release - at first I honestly thought it was all a little dull - merely workmanlike - but after a few listens - it's eaten into me - especially the Shines tracks. Badly recorded or not - they're wonderfully evocative of lone-guitar-blues - the ghost of Robert Johnson hanging over every long-fingered string bend. And even more enticing is that 17 of the 23 tracks are self-penned by both artists (the other 6 are covers) - which is impressive indeed given their overall quality. 

Both men had great voices and are complimented to the ninth degree by both DIXON and HORTON. Highlights include the Harmonica Driven instrumental "Lowland Blues" and a mighty Johnny Shines version of Robert Johnson's "Baby Don't You Think I Know (aka Sweet Home Chicago)" with Horton again blowing up some great Harmonica fills. The shuffle of "I Will Be Kind To You" is as infectious as blues gets - just lovely. Can't stop playing it. The three outtakes are complete versions too and it's hard to know why Take 3 was used and not Take 2 - they're equal to each other.

To sum up – this is yet another classy release from the Blue Horizon camp in a long line of them. Give this superb CD a chance - it has rewards aplenty, it really does…

“Bringing It All Back Home” by IAN CLAYTON (2007 Debut Book) A Review by Mark Barry...

"...People Try To Put Us Down…Talking About My Generation…"

As I cycle into work from the Hawaiian splendiferousness of sunny Walthamstow in East London to the sheer glamour fest of wee-wee-in-doorways that is Berwick Street in Central London, I’m constantly reminiscing - and I mean almost all of the time. In September 2008 I turned 50 - so it’s probably the age.

Moments just keep coming back to me – and bits of music too. Like “Diamonds Are Forever” by John Barry, a film I mitched school 5 times to see. Walking proudly across the schoolyard with a copy of Rory Gallagher’s “Live In Europe” under my arms knowing it to be an object of unbridled lust for other kids in my class. Meeting August Darnell of Kid Creole & The Coconuts at Dublin Airport the day after their National Stadium gig where the crowd went absolutely bananas and invaded the stage in a salsa train (“You guys can party!”). The Celtic folk-rock of Horslips on the back of a truck at a Sunday Fair in 1971, Phil Lynott busking at the bottom of Grafton Street again in 1971 with his fantastically wild hair and other-worldly exoticness, The Specials supporting the John 'Gypie’ Mayo line-up of Dr. Feelgood in 1978 (best gig ever), the awesome Bon Scott line-up of AC/DC on a cold Monday night in the Camden Ballroom in Dublin on the “Highway To Hell” tour – all of it mind-blowing…

Why mention all of these precious memories – because this book is full of that – moments in time – and most of them related to music. Ian Clayton is from Yorkshire in England - and although many of his vignettes and anecdotes are British-based - the appeal is Universal. “Bringing It All Back Home” (pictured above is the hardback below and paperback edition above it) isn't a story as such - it's chapter after chapter of great musical remembrances that will tickle pink anyone of my generation. It chronicles the years - the floor cushions and lava lamps of the Sixties segue into the cheesecloth shirts and Oxford bags of the Seventies. It quickly moves on up to the blue Mohican haircuts of Punk, onwards to hissing purists in the audiences of Left-Wing operas in the Eighties and Nineties and finally arrives at the new Portishead offering lodged in a CD player for weeks on end. And it's bloody funny too. There’s flashbacks to Sergeant Tommy Chapman of the West Riding Constabulary who arrested Hendrix in the tiny town of Ilkley for being too loud – onwards to an in-depth discussion about harnessing aggression with the drummer in The Gang of Four in the frankly award-winning toilets of the Pontefract Town Hall. It lovingly recalls Hamish Imlach’s room-clearing farts and a best friend’s mother passing judgement on the Beatles who were decamped in her hotel, “Their shoes were perfect – every mother looks at shoes…”
As you've already guessed - it's wonderful stuff - and there's lots of it to savour.

And I also love Clayton’s use of nouns as a powerful evoker. Paul Simon won a Grammy for a song called “Rene & Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After The War” on his hugely underrated “Hearts & Bones” LP in 1983. The beautifully crafted chorus talks of an immigrant couple that find a keepsake in a drawer that reminds them of “…The Moonglows, The Orioles and The Five Satins”. Simon doesn’t say ‘Vocal Groups’ or ‘Doo Wop Music‘ like a lazy writer would – he uses their names – he uses the power of nouns. Clayton does this in almost every line. Names of bars, streets, relations, friends, places he’s been too, nick names given to candy and food – album titles, label colours on 45’s, gigs, characters at those gigs - the effect is to make you remember stuff and places and people you’d long forgotten – and love every second of it. His tastes are varied and eclectic too - waxing lyrical about the ethereal beauty of singers like Kate Rusby and Dwight Yoakham, Iris deMent and John Lydon, Buddy Holly and Bessie Smith, Chris Farlowe and Mary Coughlan, John Martyn and Elmore James, Louis Jordon and Buffy Sainte-Marie. This is a book about a man who holds up the different picture sleeves of “Anarchy In The UK” and literally trembles at the sight of them. This is my kind of guy. I sat down to read a chapter a night and came to it like a conversation with a good friend about a subject you both love.

But then towards the end comes an unexpected hammering – he and his long-time partner suffer a crushing personal blow – and you then realize why the remembrances that preceded this are so full of warmth and humanity – they’ve been written by a man who has suffered horrible personal loss and it has imbibed his writing with a quiet thankfulness for moments that seemed almost inconsequential then but are huge now. Details matter - and music that moved and shaped you – does too.

Which brings us to music in general…what is it about men and their music? Be it Soul, Reggae, Rock, Jazz, Folk, Blues, Punk, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Dance, Hip-Hop – or all of it combined? I think it’s that it keeps us young – a buzz you never get over – its forever discovering something new and brill. You see I’m the kind of soppy git who works in a record shop all day and goes out at lunchtime and goes into another record shop. 
My better half says it’s a disease – she pats me on the head like a child and hands me “Sticky Fingers” to placate the poor eejet.
”There you go dear…I’ll be back in forty-five minutes with “Who’s Next”…”
“Yum! Yum!” comes the response.

If you’re the kind of person who gets moist in the trouser area about the bits revealed under the die-cut holes as you turn the cardboard wheel on the sleeve Led Zeppelin III, if you’re the kind of moo who tingles as you open out the rare poster in the Dead Kennedys “Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables” or smiles wildly at any photograph of the wonderful and sorely missed John Peel – then this homage to music and its wondrous effect on the very soul of a person is the bedside buddy for you.

I loved this book – a life well remembered and a lovely read.
Rave On John Dunne…you seeker of truth and inner peace…

"Songs For Beginners" by GRAHAM NASH (October 2008 Rhino CD and DVD AUDIO 2-Disc Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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CLASSIC ROCK & POP 1970 to 1974 - Exceptional CD Remasters  

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"…I Watched You Go Through Changes That No Man Should Face Alone…"

With Stephen Stills and David Crosby having produced absolute storming debut albums in November 1970 and March 1971, Graham Nash's quietly lovely opener didn't disappoint either. In fact in the early Seventies - it seemed like everything the combined and individual talents of CSYN did was magical.

This October 2008 2-Disc DELUXE EDITION of "Songs For Beginners" by GRAHAM NASH on Rhino/Atlantic 8122-79949-3 (Barcode 081227994938) celebrates his June 1971 debut album with a Remastered Stereo Remix of the stand alone first disc - while the second disc is a 5.1 DVD Audio Mix. You need a DVD player to hear the second disc that contains a DVD Interview about his Photography featuring a Gallery of Stills, Photo-Backed Lyrics & Web Links.

"Songs For Beginners" was released in June 1971 on Atlantic SD 7204 in the USA and Atlantic 2401 011 in the UK. The album featured many famous guests (one is uncredited), so here's a detailed breakdown (33:47 minutes):

1. Military Madness 

[DAVE MASON of Traffic on Guitar with RITA COOLIDGE on Backing Vocals]

2. Better Days 

[NEIL YOUNG (credited as Joe Yankee) on Piano, SEEMON POSTHUMA of THE FOOL on Clarinet, RITA COOLIDGE on Backing Vocals with DALLAS TAYLOR of CSYN and MANASSAS on Drums]

3. Wounded Bird 

[GN all instruments and voices]

4. I Used To Be A King 

[NEIL YOUNG (credited as Joe Yankee) on Piano, JERRY GARCIA on Steel Guitar with PHIL LESH on Bass (both of THE GRATEFUL DEAD) and DAVID CROSBY on Electric Guitar]

5. Be Yourself 

[RITA COOLIDGE on Piano, Electric Piano and Backing Vocals]

6. Simple Man 

[DAVID LINDLEY on Fiddle, DORIAN RUDNYTSKY of THE NEW YORK ROCK & ROLL ENSEMBLE on Cello with RITA COOLIDGE on backing Vocals]

7. Man In The Mirror 

[NEIL YOUNG [credited as Joe Yankee] on Piano, JERRY GARCIA of THE GRATEFUL DEAD on Steel Guitar, CHRIS ETHERIDGE of THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS on Bass]

8. There's Only One 

[RITA COOLIDGE on Piano & Backing Vocals, CHRIS ETHERIDGE on Bass, BOBBY KEYS on Saxophone with VANETTA FIELDS, SHIRLEY MATTHEWS, CLYDIE KING & DOROTHY MORRISON on Backing Vocals (The Blackberries)]

9. Sleep Song 

[DAVE MASON on Guitar with RITA COOLIDGE on Backing Vocals]

10. Chicago 

[DORIAN RUDNYTSKY on Cello]

11. We Can Change The World 

[RITA COOLIDGE, VANETTA FIELDS...DOROTHY MORRISON on Backing Vocals]

The 20-page booklet has an essay on the album and its star-studded background by noted writer DAVID FRICKE - it features Session Photos, Lyrics, Detailed recording and reissue credits - and even a picture of the master tapes.

But for fans the big news is the SOUND. The CD album has been Stereo Remixed & Remastered and the quality isn't just good - it's fabulous - BREATHTAKING.  "Better Days" has a very quiet Piano and Vocal Intro - it's spotlessly clean - and when the band kicks in - it's an absolute wow! The mastering is credited to DOUG SAX and SANGWOOK NAM at The Mastering Lab, Ojai - and they should both be Grammy nominated for it. "Days" is followed by the Acoustic and Vocal-only of "Wounded Bird" (a song for Stephen Stills and Judy Collins and their troubled relationship) and it's a lovely as it gets - BEAUTIFULLY restored. The delicately aching Cello work of Dorian Rudnytsky combines with Rita Coolidge's Backing Vocals on "Simple Man" to genuinely touching effect, while Jerry Garcia's Steel Guitar on "Man In the Mirror" adds a lot from an instrument you wouldn't expect from him. And on three tracks there's Neil Young - plinking away - putting in genuinely superb Piano work (he was credited as Joe Yankee for legal reasons). 

I find the 2nd disc, however, problematic. I don't have a DVD AUDIO player and 99% of the planet doesn't either - it's a dead format. Disc 2 features the entire album in Advanced Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Digital & DTS - wonderful stuff guys - if I could play it! But the really disappointing part is the complete lack of anything new - no outtakes, no demos - not even a live recording. However - and although it's completely unrelated to the album - things improve on the DVD part of the disc - it contains an interview with Nash about his lifetime obsession with black and white photography - and its fascinating - a lovely man, intelligent, sensitive - and you suspect a real peacekeeper among huge egos that often got out of hand. Then there's the gallery of images (he explains many of them in the interview) - I won't spoil it too much for those who are going to buy this except to say that there are captured moments on here of Joni, Neil, Stills and especially his lifetime pal David Crosby that will reduce some people to tears.

To sum up - a beautifully realized first disc - with a slightly odd and unrepresentative 2nd. Still - for fans of the album - this is a no brainer - the gorgeous remaster means you simply have to own it...

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