“Luther’s Blues” by LUTHER ALLISON (2001 Universal 'Blues Classics - Remastered And Revisited' CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Don’t Know Why She Treats Me So Bad…I’ve Been So Sweet And Kind…"

A follow up to his 1972 debut LP "Bad News Is Coming" – Luther Allison's second album "Luther's Blues" was also released on Motown's Gordy label imprint in the USA - July 1974 on Gordy G 967V1 in this case.

The music is a bit of everything. "Luther's Blues" is a hard-hitting Blues album one moment ala Albert King - then funky as James Brown's DNA the next. And like its even grittier predecessor - because it was on a label the public associated more with Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye - its 9-track mixed bag got somehow lost in the chart stew and remains largely forgotten about today. Which is a damn shame really given the cross-the-genres musical quality on offer here (this CD is part of Universal’s superb "Blues Classics - Remastered & Revisited" CD Series). Let’s get to the details…

USA released in April 2001 – "Luther's Blues" by LUTHER ALLISON on Universal/Motown 440 013 409-2 (Barcode 044001340925) is a Reissue CD of the 1974 album supplemented with three bonus tracks and breaks down as follows (70:32 minutes):

1. Luther's Blues [Luther Allison song]

2. Someday Pretty Baby [co-write between Berry Gordy and James Woodley, a Singin' Sam Ward cover]

3. Easy Baby [written by Willie Dixon, a Magic Sam cover]

4. Part Time Love [co-write between Janie Bradford and Richard Wylie, a Singin' Sam Ward cover]

5. Now You Got It [co-write between Luther Allison, Gene Block, Gary Beam and Kenneth Miles]

6. K.T. [co-write between Luther Allison, Joseph Peraino and Benny Emerson]

7. Let's Have A Little Talk [Luther Allison song]

8. Driving Wheel [Roosevelt Sykes cover]

9. Into My Life [Luther Allison song]

BONUS:

10. San-Ho-Zay [Previously Unreleased Freddie King cover]

11. Bloomington Closing - Early Version [Previously Unreleased]

12. Medley: I'm Gonna Miss My Baby/Bad News/The Thrill Is Gone (Live)

"San-Ho-Zay" and "Bloomington Closing" are previously unreleased outtakes from the sessions while the three-track live medley was recorded at the Arbor Blues Festival in 1973 (also Previously Unreleased).

The Band for the Sessions was:

LUTHER ALLISON - Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Stratocaster & Slide Guitars

BOB GOODMAN and GENE BLOCK - Rhythm Guitars

PAUL WHITE - Piano and Organ [TOM CURRY on "Easy Baby" only]

BOB BABETTE and GARY BEAM - Bass Guitars

K.J. KNIGHT and ANDREW SMITH - Drums

SUHA GUR – one of Universal’s top engineers - has given the remaster a fantastic quality with audio clarity on all of the tracks pumping, muscular and superbly clear.

Half of the songs are straight up blues like "Let's Have A Little Talk" where Allison lets rip his attacking licks and gritty voice in a seven-minute tour-de-force - but then there are very soulful tunes too - like "Now You Got It" and the ultra-funky "K.T.". His guitar work on the chugging Roosevelt Sykes cover of "Driving Wheel" is fabulous - screeching notes out of his plank that few other Blues men get. And like so many of these great guitarists of the genre - his power, prowess and presence is never more evident than when he's slaying the audience on that incredible 19-minute live medley.

Very tasty indeed - “Luther’s Blues” is a hard-to-find vinyl album for Motown collectors and a real discovery for Blues enthusiasts on CD (and it's cheap too). Recommended like grits and groceries...

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

1. Bad News Is Coming - LUTHER ALLISON

(1972 Gordy LP, 2001 Remaster + Four Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks) - Universal 440 013 407-2 (Barcode 044001340727)

2. Luther’s Blues - LUTHER ALLISON

(1974 USA 9-track LP with 3 Previously Unreleased bonuses, 70:28 minutes)

Universal 440 013 409-2 (Barcode 044001340925)

3. Two Steps From The Blues - BOBBY BLAND (1961 USA 12-track Mono Debut LP on Duke Records with 2 Bonus Single Sides, 35:12 minutes)

Released 27 Feb 2011 on MCA 088 112 516-2 (Barcode 008811251628)

4. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - JOHN LEE HOOKER

(October 1966 and September 1991 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 79:44 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 821-2 (Barcode 008811282127)

5. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - HOWLIN' WOLF

(January 1966 on Chess and January 1967 on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 66:45 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 820-2 (Barcode 008811282028)

6. Tell Mama: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions - ETTA JAMES)

(January 1968 US 12-Track LP on Cadet - 13-22 being bonuses, 57:11 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 518-2 (Barcode 008811251826)

7. Live At San Quentin - B.B. KING

(1990 13-Track Compilation on MCA, no extras, 64:11 minutes)

MCA America 088 112 517-2 (Barcode 008811251727)

8. Muddy Waters At Newport 1960 - MUDDY WATERS

(1960 US 9-Track LP on Chess with 10-13 being 4 Mono Studio Tracks from June 1960 as bonus tracks, 44:43 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 515-2 (Barcode 008811251529)

9. Fathers & Sons - MUDDY WATERS & Friends

(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)

MCA/Chess 088 112 648-2 (Barcode 008811264826)

10. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - MUDDY WATERS

MCA/Chess 088 112 822-2 (Barcode 008811282226)

11. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON

(January 1966 and January 1967 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 65:28 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 823-2 (Barcode 008811282325)

1 and 2 remastered by Suha Gur - 3 to 11 by Erick Labson

“The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues” by JOHN LEE HOOKER. A Review of the 2002 Universal CD Reissue.

“Hey Mister Bartender…Come Here…”

This Universal CD out of the USA on MCA-Chess 088 112- 821-2 reissues two stunning albums from the mighty Hook at the height of his blues power. It’s also part of the “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” series of 10 titles and is an absolute blues peach.

Here’s a detailed breakdown first (79:47 minutes):

1. Let’s Go Out Tonight
2. Peace Lovin’ Man
3. Stella Mae
4. I Put My Trust In You
5. I’m In The Mood
6. You Know, I Know
7. I’ll Never Trust Your Love Again
8. On Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
9. The Waterfront

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album “The Real Folk Blues” issued October 1966 in the USA on Chess LP 1508 - all tracks were written by John Lee Hooker except “I’m In The Mood” which was co-written with Bernard Besman.

10. This Land Is Nobody’s Land
11. Deep Blue Sea
12. Nobody Knows
13. Mustang Sally & GTO
14. Lead Me
15. Catfish
16. I Can’t Quit You Baby
17. Want Ad Blues
18. House Rent Blues

Tracks 10 to 18 are the album “More Real Folk Blues” issued September 1991 in the USA on MCA-Chess 9329. All tracks were written by John Lee Hooker except “I Can’t Quit You Baby” which is a Willie Dixon song, 1st issued by OTIS RUSH on Cobra Records 5000 in 1956 (it was also famously covered by Led Zeppelin on their 1969 debut album).

The band on both sessions were:
JOHN LEE HOOKER – Guitar and Vocals
EDDIE BURNS – Guitar
LAFAYETTE LEAKE – Piano and Organ
FRED BELOW - Drums

ERICK LABSON of Universal Mastering (has over 800 mastering credits to his name) remastered the original master tapes and the sound is typically magnificent – fantastically clear. The drums, vocals, the bass and especially the duel guitar chugging of Burns and Hooker – all of it - muscular and in your face - and in all the right ways.

The 12-page booklet has a short essay on the album by CHRIS MORRIS of Billboard fame and then follows that with the album’s original liner notes and reissue credits.

But the big surprise for fans will the 'afterthought' album of 1991 “More Real Folk Blues” – although it’s essentially more of the same, the quality never lets up and it absolutely rocks. It isn’t remotely "folk" in its blues approach - most of the tunes are full band work outs – funky blues – with an almost James Brown 1966 vibe to the rhythms – very, very cool stuff indeed. Check out “Mustang Sally & GTO” on iTunes for a taster - it perfectly compliments “Stella Mae” on the 1966 original. And the solo performance on the love song “The Waterfront” is beautiful – the tune is ‘so’ quiet – yet the hiss level isn’t that bad – a sweet remaster by Labson.

“I’m in the mood…I said the night time is the right time…I’m in the mood for love…” moaned John Lee on the famous sex song. Well if this CD is anything to go by - then yeah baby!

Highly recommended.

PS: This CD is part of the “Blues Classics – Remastered And Revisited” Series – for a list of 10 titles in the Series – see my posting in Blogger

"David Clayton-Thomas" by DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS [of Blood, Sweat & Tears] (2006 Repertoire CD Reissue and Remaster of his 1972 Debut Album) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 500 Others Is Available In My

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"…Why Am I Fighting To Live If I'm Just Living To Fight…"

Surrey-born David Thomsett moved with his Canadian-born father and musical English mum to the suburbs of Toronto when he was just a 6 year-old child. Hot-blooded and driven, he left home at 14, waded through reformatories, farm jobs and bar bands until he finally hit pay dirt with Al Kooper's BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS in 1968. 

By the time he was 30 (and with his surname changed) - David Clayton-Thomas was ready to release his debut. And having fronted the mighty BST as its funky and fantastic Lead Vocalist for "Blood, Sweat & Tears" (1969), "Blood, Sweat & Tears 3" (1970) and "B, S & T: 4" in 1971 – his 1972 solo LP was simply more of the same. Which brings us to the CD reissue of it - too quietly forgotten it seems when I'd argue it shouldn't be...

UK released March 2006 - "David Clayton-Thomas" by DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS [of Blood, Sweat & Tears] on Repertoire RES 2300 (Barcode 400910230022) is a straightforward CD remaster of his 1972 debut solo album on Columbia records and plays out as follows (33:50 minutes):

1. Magnificent Sanctuary Band [Dorsey Burnette cover] - featuring Mike Deasy & David Cohen on Guitars with Clydie King & Vanetta Fields on Backing Vocals

2. We're All Meat From The Same Bone [Gary Zekley song] - featuring Steve Cropper of Booker T & The MG’s on Guitar with Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat & Tears on Tambourine

3. Stealin' In The Name Of The Lord [Paul Kelly cover] - featuring Paul Cannon with Steve Cropper on Guitars, Jay Spell on Keyboards with Clydie King and Vanetta Fields on Backing Vocals

4. Dying To Live [Edgar Winter cover] - arranged & conducted by Klaus Ogerman, it also features Hugh McCracken & Sal DiTroia on Guitars, Frank Owens on Piano with the Strings Arranged by Julie Held

5. Sing A Song [Gary Wright cover (formerly with Spooky Tooth)] - featuring Mike Deasy & David Cohen on Guitars with Clydie King & Vanetta Fields on Backing Vocals

6. She [writers Gram Parsons and Christ Etheridge/Flying Burrito Brothers cover] - featuring Hugh McCracken and Sal DiTroia on Guitars, Frank Owens on Piano and duet vocals with Patricia Holloway

7. Don't Let It Bring You Down [Neil Young cover] -arranged and conducted by Jimmy Guiffre, Various Brass Players with Bobby Colomby on Drums

8. Once Burned [Todd Rundgren cover] - featuring Mike Deasy & David Cohen on Guitars with Clydie King & Vanetta Fields on Backing Vocals

9. North Beach Racetrack [David Clayton-Thomas song] - features guitars by Steve Cropper, Paul Cannon and David Clayton-Thomas with Jay Spell on Piano and Drums by Richie Simpson

10. Caress Me Pretty Music [Anita O’Day cover] - featuring Paul Griffin on Guitar with Bobby Colomby on Drums

Co-produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears buddies BOBBY COLOMBY and JOEL SILL – the original vinyl LP was released April 1972 on Columbia KC 31000 in the USA and in the UK on CBS Records S 64755 (peaked at No. 184 on the US LP charts - didn't chart in the UK). The card digipak mimics the original gatefold sleeve of the vinyl LP and has an 8-page inlay with liner notes by noted British writer CHRIS WELCH.

Highlights are Edgar Winter's post-Woodstock anti-war anthem "Dying To Live" which is given a powerful rendition with strings that strengthen the melody and message rather than drown it (lyrics above). The "After The Gold Rush" classic of "Don't Let It Bring You Down" by Neil Young is also treated to a strange solitary French Horn opening that really works – it takes a good song and moves it to somewhere different – very cool. But the real peach here is his gorgeous vocal to Gram Parson’s much-covered "She". Clayton-Thomas does it more than justice – he almost makes it his own. 

His lone self-penned contribution about his favourite haunt "North Beach Racetrack" is a 'daddy was a junky' song with a funky-as-f**k guitar romp while he roars a trademark B, S & T mannerism "…tell the truth boy!" It's excellent and features slick guitar work from all three - Paul Cannon, Steve Cropper and Thomas himself.

The sound is superb throughout the entire album - punchy and vibrant (Repertoire has always had a good rep for quality audio transfers). There is hiss on some of the quieter songs like "Once Burned" but it's not too much to detract.

A niggle would be that the writers for "Dying To Live" and "Sing A Song" are wrongly credited in the booklet (their corrected above) - but apart from that – this is a great reissue of a criminally forgotten Seventies gem. 

Clayton-Thomas went on to make two more albums during the period - "Tequila Sunrise" in 1973 and "Harmony Junction" in 1974 and they're available elsewhere.

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I’ve always had a soft spot for Blood, Sweat & Tears and anything that sounds like them. Check out CT's funky and righteous cover of Paul Kelly’s "Stealin' In The Name Of The Lord" (it was a minor hit for its originator in 1970 on Happy Tiger Records) or his gorgeous cover of "She". I think you'll be hooked...and telling the truth...