“The Undertones” by THE UNDERTONES (March 2009 Salvo '30th Anniversary' Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Let's Talk About Girls…"

Ah the mighty Undertones – I only have to look at the cover of this album and I’m mush.

Their blinding debut made the ‘Q’ Magazine’s “100 Greatest British Albums” list – and this super CD overhaul only gives me a good excuse to wax lyrical about its myriad three-minute Pop-Punk wonders once more. So here are the Mars Bars and True Confessions…

UK released March 2009 - "The Undertones" by THE UNDERTONES on Salvo SALVOCD017 (Barcode 698458811721) is an 30th Anniversary 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster of their 1979 Debut LP and breaks down as follows (67:38 minutes):

1. Family Entertainment

2. Girls Don’t Like It

3. Male Model

4. I Gotta Getta

5. Wrong Way

6. Jump Boys

7. Here Comes The Summer

8. Billy’s Third

9. Jimmy Jimmy

10. True Confessions

11. (She’s A) Runaround

12. I Know A Girl

13. Listening In

14. Casbah Rock

Tracks 1 to 14 make up the 1st pressing of their debut LP "The Undertones" on Sire Records SRK 6071 initially released in May 1979 in the UK - January 1980 on Sire Records SRK-6081 in the USA. The 14th track - the 50-second "Casbah Rock" at the end of Side 2 - is listed on the label but not on the album sleeve. The original sleeve had black and white artwork (as used on the card slipcase) with a distinctive red die-cut inner sleeve - the reissue (explained below) had a colour sleeve with a black inner (not featured in the booklet). The album was recorded at Eden Studios in Acton in London in January 1979 and produced by ROGER BECHIRIAN.

Cashing in on the huge renewed response to their anthem "Teenage Kicks" - the album was reissued a second time in the UK as Sire Records SRK 6081 in November 1979 with a different front and inner sleeve and 2 added singles. "Teenage Kicks" was slipped in as Track 5 on Side 1 - in-between "I Gotta Get" and "Wrong Way" - while the 2nd single "Get Over You" was added on as the first track on Side 2 - making a 16-song version of the LP. The Sanctuary issue of 2008 uses the 16-track line-up rather than the original 14. Of course with a little bit of number programming - this new Salvo issue allows fans to program either.

BONUS TRACKS:

Tracks 15 to 18 are the full 4 songs of their debut "Teenage Kicks" EP issued on the privately pressed Good Vibrations Label (GOT 4) in September 1978 - produced by the band themselves (see my review for the "Good Vibrations" Movie on BLU RAY). None of the songs turned up on the debut LP and it has remained a highly sought-after and collectable vinyl piece ever since. Oddly for such an indepth release - this CD actually mistakes the track order - it should read - A1 is "Teenage Kicks" (15), A2 is "Smarter Than You'” (18), B1 is "True Confessions" (16) and B2 is "Emergency Cases" (17) - gotta get those details right.

Tracks 19 to 21 are their 2nd maxi single "Get Over You" (19) - issued on Sire Records SIR 4010 in January 1979 in the UK. "Really Really" (20) and "She Can Only Say No" (21) are the B-sides and again all 3 songs were non-album.

Tracks 22 to 24 are their 4th UK single "Here Comes The Summer" (22) b/w "One Way Love" (23) and "Top Twenty" (24). It was another maxi release (3-tracks) and it's worth noting that the ‘single version' on the A-side differs to the version than ended Side 1 of the LP (the 2 B-sides were again non-album too).

Track 25 is "Mars Bars" - the non-album B-side to their 3rd UK 7" single "Jimmy Jimmy" - issued on Sire Records SIR 4015 in April 1979 (on lime green vinyl).

Tracks 26 and 27 are "You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It)" b/w "Let's Talk About Girls" - non-album tracks and their 5th UK 7" single on Sire Records SIR 4024 issued in September 1979 in the UK.

Tracks 29 to 31 are live John Peel Sessions recorded for the BBC at the Phoenix Studios on 7 May 1979 – “Nine Times Out Of Ten”, “The Way Girls Talk” and “Whiz Kids”

Track 32 is a video track from 1978 of "Teenage Kicks" (filmed in Primrose Hill in London)

As you can see from the lists above this new Salvo issue has 31 audio tracks plus 1 video track tagged on at the end - the 2008 Sanctuary issue has only 26 audio tracks. There's also a new card wrap outside the jewel case using the original LP artwork, a 20-page booklet which pictures ticket stubs, buttons, 7" sleeves and band photos - and there's detailed and witty liner notes by their bass player MICHAEL BRADLEY. 

The remastering has been done by ANDY PIERCE at Masterpiece and is fantastically clear, really clean and in your face. As a downside, it would have been nice to hear more in the booklet from either their great frontman and singer FEARGAL SHARKEY or especially JOHN O'NEILL - the band's principal songwriter.

While the album itself is a blast, what puts this issue into the stellar is the truly brilliant 17 extra tracks - stunning power-pop B-sides like "One Way Love" and "Let's Talk About Girls". And the four Peel Sessions tracks allow you to hear just how piss 'n' vinegar they really were as a live act (I wish I'd seen them). And then of course there's 'that' song - every time I hear The Undertones blistering debut 45 "Teenage Kicks", I can't help but think of the much-loved and sadly missed champion of Punk and New Wave music - the British DJ and Presenter JOHN PEEL. He adored the band with a passion and the hand-written lyrics to "Teenage Kicks" are framed in his home and literally etched above his final resting place (he was the first to air the song in September 1978 - famously playing it twice he liked it so much). Ten seconds into its thrashing riff it's easy to know why - it's thrilling - it's ballsy - it's life itself - and it's as fresh now as is was back then - a full three and half decades ago.

Derry's finest are held in huge affection by so many music lovers and not without reason. I loved returning to this album, I really did.

"...I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight...get teenage kicks right through the night..." 

Too Goddamn right!

“Thick As Thieves” aka “The Code”. A Review of the 2008 Film on 2009 Blu Ray.

"Some People Were Born To Write Songs...I Was Born To Steal..."

This is a strange one. The cast is admirable enough; the story is very clever in parts and the director an experienced professional who has delivered very good movies before - yet somehow, "Thick As Thieves" just doesn't fly.

The idea on paper of Banderas and Freeman working together is probably what got this made - the reality of it is that there's very little chemistry between them - they come across as misfits instead of matches.

It does work between Banderas and the lovely/sexy Radha Mitchell and its also fab to see Robert Forster in any movie. But when you think of the sheer electricity that Freeman and Jack Nicholson generated in "The Bucket List", you realise that there's something's seriously amiss here. It's also known as "The Code" in the States - and you know you're in trouble when they can't even settle on a name...

The Blu Ray picture is exceptional in places (when Freeman and Banderas plan the heist in the bar - close up on their faces), but only OK in other places (the NYPD reception in the jewellers). There's a "Making Of" that consists of the crew shooting segments (mostly outdoors) where Freeman looks bored all the time and Banderas gets eyed up by everyone - there's also a few cast interviews that are OK, but hardly great.

Three stars. A rental I'm afraid.

“L.A. Confidential” - A Review of the 1997 Film Reissued on a 2009 BLU RAY.

“And The Dapper Little Gent Does It In Style…”

There's a moment in Curtis Hanson's 1997 peach of a film when Guy Pearce playing good-guy cop Ed Exley enters The Night Owl café to check up on possible multiple homicides in the early hours of the morning... As he does, the camera pans across the Formica counter and the nearby tabletops, the saltcellars, the napkin dispensers, the circular seats, the candy vendors... There's tons of stuff in a few seconds - all of 1950s - the attention to detail is mind-blowing... Hanson had made a $15 million dollar movie look like it cost ten times that and I'm thrilled to say that this BLU RAY version of "L.A. Confidential" does exactly the same.

While it's not "Zulu" or "2001: A Space Odyssey" perfect in terms of print - other people's reckoning of 4.5 out of 5 is accurate. I'd estimate that 80-90% of the time the picture is glorious and even when it's a little soft in places, the rest is `so' good, you hardly notice. Also, as you re-watch it, you realise just how good LAC was and what a superlative job Hanson did in bringing the seedy underbelly of Hollywood and the LAPD of the time to the screen. Everything fits on "L.A. Confidential" - the incredible ensemble cast you couldn't buy for love or money now - the chemistry between them all - the ruthlessly realistic story and spunky adaptation of it, the beautiful night locations, the dapper clothes, the colours - even Jerry Goldsmith's music - mellow brass followed by staccato piano fills - was absolute genius! It all worked - and now it looks the business too.

Watching Crowe and Basinger in the main feature in all their beautifully filmed sizzling glory is a treat for sure - but the list of extras is equally impressive too. Check these out...

1. Commentary by Andrew Sarris [Film Critic], James Ellroy [Novelist], actors Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, David Strathairn, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito and James Cromwell accompanied by Ruth Myers [Casting], Brian Helgeand [co-writer of the screen with Curtis Hanson the Director], Jeannine Opwell [Production Design], Dante Spinotti [Cinematographer]
(with or without SUBTITLES)

2. "Whatever You Desire: The Making Of L.A. Confidential"
All-new interviews with Director/Screen Writer/Producer Curtis Hanson and his cast & crew

3. "Sunlight & Shadow: The Visual Style Of L.A. Confidential". Hanson gives a behind-the-scenes commentary to reveal how they captured 1950's and brought LA Confidential to life.

4. "A True Ensemble: The Cast Of L.A. Confidential". RC, GP, DD, KB and JC all join Hanson to discuss the chemistry they hoped would happen and did

5. "L.A. Confidential: From Book To Screen". Hanson and co-writer Brian Helgeland discuss the difficulty of bringing the film to screen

6. "Off The Record". Behind the scenes featurette with the cast & crew

7. Photo Pitch: Curtis Hanson recreates his original pitch for L.A. Confidential

8. 2000 TV Pilot

9. "The L.A. of L.A. Confidential": and interactive tour of many of the locations used in the movie

10. Music Only Track

11. Trailers [5 Versions]

12. Online interactivity

If like me, you saw this at the flicks, then bought it on DVD, and loved it on both occasions - you will need to upgrade to this version. Like the beautiful looking and endlessly uplifting BR version of "The Shawshank Redemption" - "L.A. Confidential" is a triumph on BLU RAY. There's no "hush, hush" on this one folks - highly recommended.

"The French Connection" - A Review Of The 1971 Film Issued on BLU RAY

“He’s throwing money around like the Russians are gonna land in Jersey…”

I'm afraid I have to agree with other reviewers of this Blu Ray version of William Friedkin's masterpiece. It looks awful a large part of the time, which completely ruins the other times when it shines.

Ironically, the problem lies in the film's strength - its gritty portrayal of New York and the drug culture taking a grip of it in the early Seventies. The Director wanted realism - not just in his actor's performances, but literally how their New York playground looked - so he went for that. Movements are blurry, alleyways are hazy, characters are observed from an out-of-focus distance (aping what Popeye Doyle sees) - everything's grimy and washed out - matching the film's down and dirty feel.

Unfortunately when you get outside of the sunny Marseilles sequences and into the seedy bars and restaurants of the Big Apple - the Blu Ray picture resembles worn out videotape - it's really awful. Which is such a shame, because as you watch it again - but this time on the big screen - you realize what a blindingly fabulous film "The French Connection" is - and how it deserved so much better than this (which applies to the equally superb sequel too).

In fairness to Fox, the opening credits are squeaky clean - no lines, no scuffs, nothing - no print remains that clean after 38 years, so some restoration has to have been done. Unfortunately when you get to the street action - instead of enhancing the watch - the Blu Ray only makes the deliberately grainy effect look even worse.

Half way through it - I couldn't stand to look at it anymore - I turned it off...

Unless you absolutely must own this, rent it first before wasting your hard-earned on yet another dog on this increasingly frustrating format...

What a disappointment.

“Tighten Up Volume 2: Deluxe Edition” by VARIOUS ARTISTS (March 2009 Universal/Sanctuary/Trojan CD Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This review and hundreds more like it can also be found in my 
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"...No Matter What The People Say…These Sounds Lead The Day…"

Complete with their risqué sleeves – the iconic "Tighten Up" series of vinyl albums on Trojan Records began in Britain in January 1969 and ended 8 volumes later in early 1973 when sales simply fizzled out. Warmly remembered to this day as fantastic party music - these budget-priced LP compilations introduced wonderfully evocative Jamaican Reggae and Ska to British youngsters ravenous for it. Available in every Woolworths up and down the land - these cheap and cheerful compilations were bought up in truckloads. Time to celebrate the nation in irritation and let the h-action begin…

UK Released 16 March 2009 - "Tighten Up Volume 2: Deluxe Edition" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Universal/Sanctuary/Trojan 1797062 (Barcode 02517970625) is a 2CD set that massively expands the original budget LP. So here are the Long Shots Kicking De Buckets and the Reggae In Your Jeggae (if you know what I'm saying)…

Disc 1 (66:47 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 make up the album “Tighten Up Volume 2” issued on Trojan Records TTL 7 in November 1969. Like Volume 1 from January 1969, the 2nd in the series was made up of the label’s hottest singles from the preceding months  – they’re listed below…

1. Long Shot Kick De Bucket – THE PIONEERS - Trojan 672 [A] (August 1969)

2. John Jones – RUDY MILLS - Big Shot BI 509 [A] (January 1969)

3. Fire Corner – KING STITT - Duke DU 30 [A] (June 1969) [lyrics are the title of this review]

4. Wreck A Buddy – THE SOUL SISTERS - Amalgamated AMG-839 [A] (May 1969)

5. Reggae In Your Jeggae – DANDY - Downtown DT-410 [A] (February 1969)

6. Fatty Fatty – CLANCY ECCLES - Trojan TR-658 [A] (May 1969)

7. Return Of Django – THE UPSETTERS - Upsetter US-301 [A] (May 1969)

8. Sufferer – THE KINGSTONIANS - Big Shot BI-508 [A] (January 1969)

9. Moonlight Lover – JOYA LANDIS - Trojan TR-641 [A] (January 1969)

10. Come Into My Parlour – THE BLEECHERS - Upsetter US-314 [A] (July 1969)

11. Them A Laugh And A Kiki – THE SOULMATES - Amalgamated AMG-836 [A] (March 1969)

12. Live Injection – THE UPSETTERS - Upsetter US-313 [A] (August 1969)

13. Jumping The Gun – RICO & THE RUDIES

14. A Place Called Happiness – RUDY MILLS

15. John Public – THE DYNAMITES

16. Push It In – THE VERSATILES

17. Reggae Shuffle – THE DREAMERS

18. Last Call (Aka Tribute To Drumbaka) – THE DYNAMITES

19. Dollar In My Teeth – THE UPSETTERS

20. Kiss A Finger – THE KINGSTONIANS

21. Love You True – JOY LANDIS

22. Dry Your Tears – THE MELLOTONES

23. The Hippys Are Here – THE HIPPY BOYS

24. Everything For Fun – THE BLEECHERS

The bonus tracks 13 to 24 are the B-sides of 1 to 12 listed above

Disc 2 (67:13 minutes):

Entitled “The Alternatives!” - Tracks 1 to 24 are all singles released on Trojan’s group of labels between January and August 1969…

1. Put Yourself In My Place – DELRO WILSON - High Note HS-011 [A] (January 1969)

2. Cus Cus – LLOYD ROBINSON - Duke 5 [A] (January 1969)

3. Braking Up – ALTON ELLIS with TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS - Trojan TR-642 [A] (February 1969)

4. Biafra – THE CRYSTALITES - Big Shot BI-510 [A] (February 1969)

5. A-Yuh (You Always Hurt Me) – THE UNIQUES - Trojan TR-645 [A] (February 1969)

6. Rocking Sensation – DELANO STEWART - High Note HS-014 [A] (February 1969)

7. Hang 'Em High – RICHARD ACE - Trojan TR-654 [A] (May 1969)

8. Son Of A Preacher Man – THE GAYLETS - Big Shot BI-516 [A] (March 1969)

9. Frying Pan – THE SLICKERS - Blue Cat BS-154 [A] (March 1969)

10. Mama Look Deh – THE REGGAE BOYS - Amalgamated AMG-835 [A] (March 1969)

11. Another Scorcher – JACKIE BERNARD & THE TENNORS - Big Shot BI-517 [A] (April 1969)

12. You’re My Everything – THE TECHNIQUES - Duke DU 22 [A] (May 1969)

13. Night Doctors – THE UPSETTERS - Upsetter US-307 [A] (May 1969)

14. Woman Capture Man – THE ETHOPIANS - Trojan TR-666 [A] (June 1969)

15. On The Move – COUNT MACHUKI & THE DESTROYERS - Amalgamated AMG-842 [A] (June 1969)

16. Everybody Bawlin’ – THE MELODIANS - Trojan TR-660 [A] (June 1969)

17. 2,000 Tons of TNT – THE GG RHYTHM SECTION - Big Shot BS-165 [A] (June 1969)

18. Ali Baba – JOHN HOLT - Trojan TR-661 [A] (June 1969) (mistakenly credited as Island WI-3158)

19. Seven Letters – DERRICK MORGAN - Jackpot JP-700 [A] (July 1969)

20. Dark End Of The Street – PAT KELLY - Jackpot JP-701 [A] (July 1969)

21. Doctor No Go – THE HIPPY BOYS - High Note HS-021 [A] (August 1969)

22. Get On The Right Track – PHYLLIS DILLON & HOPETON LEWIS - Trojan TR-671 [A] (August 1969)

23. Red Ash – KARL BRYAN with TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS - Trojan TR-673 [A] (August 1969)

24. Liquidator – HARRY J ALL STARS - Trojan TR-675 [A] (August 1969)

NICK BOURNE has coordinated the project for Trojan and Universal  - while the hugely detailed 28-page booklet has an essay by LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT on the album and the scene surrounding it. The crammed booklet pictures most of the 7" labels featured alongside rare snaps of the singers and bands. LCH penned the truly fantastic book "Young, Gifted & Black - The Story Of Trojan Records" (see separate review) - so his knowledge goes deep - it's literally track-by-track annotation. The 4-foldout-flaps reproduce adverts and press releases from 1969 - the CDs themselves reflect the original vinyl colouring and there's the now trademark DELUXE EDITION outer plastic wrap - all nice touches.

Again the set is mastered by TIM DEBNEY and the results are fabulous one moment, woeful the next. This is 60's Reggae and it was recorded in Auntie Flo's outside loo - so audiophile is not order of the day here. Although I would quickly add that to my ears - the improvement of sound quality is 'immense' all round - far better that the 2002 set that I've been living with these last few years. That alone is worth it for me...

But then there’s also the clever track choices made – I’ve loved hearing the B-sides again – in fact they’re often better than the A. The instrumental “Last Call” (aka “Tribute To Drumbago”) is typical – a fabulous trumpet led Ska shuffle that’s as infectious as a fit of the giggles. Disc 2 is simply a wad more of the same – I’ll be discovering tracks on this for years to come. Love it – love it – love it. Another triumph is this increasingly superb series…

PROBE RECORDS - LP DISCOGRAPHY - 1969 to 1974 (UK Releases)

PROBE RECORDS - LP DISCOGRAPHY - 1969 to 1974 (UK Releases)
(They were on ABC/Dunhill Records in the USA)
Compiled June 2008 – March 2009 by MARK BARRY - Posted March 2009

The 1st list is in NUMERICAL order; the 2nd in ARTIST NAME order. SPB in the catalogue number is always a single sleeve, SPBA a Gatefold. Those albums I've been unable to find - despite extensive searches - are listed as NOT YET TRACED – most are probably unreleased.
The release dates are from EMI NUMERICAL CATALOGUES of the day.

NUMERICAL ORDER - PROBE Records, UK Albums

1. SPB 1001 – The Mystic Number National Bank by THE MYSTIC NUMBER NATIONAL BANK (November 1969)
2. SPB 1002 – The Soft Machine, Volume 2 by SOFT MACHINE (November 1969)
3. SPB 1003 – The Love Song Of A. Wilbur Meshel by BILLY MESHEL (November 1969)
4. SPB 1004 – Emerge by THE LITTER (February 1970)
5. SPB 1005 – Over The Hills/The Bastich by SAINT STEVEN
[aka ST. STEVEN] (February 1970)
6. SPB 1006 – Zephyr by ZEPHYR [feat Tommy Bolin] (May 1970)
7. SPB 1007 – Here To There by FRUMMOX (June 1970)
8. SPB 1008 – Reincarnation by FAT CITY (June 1970)
9. SPB 1009 – The Seven Deadly Sins by PLUS (August 1970)
10. SPB 1010 - White Hot Soul by DICK JENSEN (December 1970)
11. SPB 1011 – NOT YET TRACED
12. SPB 1012 – Bush by BUSH (November 1970)
13. SPB 1013/14 (2LP set)
A Gathering Of Flowers: The Anthology of... by THE MAMA’S & THE PAPA’S (November 1970)
14. SPB 1015 - Love Country Style by RAY CHARLES (November 1970)
15. SPB 1016 – If You Miss ‘Im…I Got ‘Im by JOHN LEE HOOKER and EARL HOOKER (December 1970)
16. SPB 1017 – The Song Of Norway O.S.T. by ANDREW L. STONE (January 1971)
17. SPB 1018 – NOT YET TRACED
18. SPB 1019 – Deaf Dumb Blind by PHARAOH SANDERS (April 1971)
(Re-issue mid 70’s as “Summun Bukmun Umyun”)
19. SPB 1020 – Mama’s Big Ones – Mama Cass: Her Greatest Hits by MAMA CASS (ELLIOTT) (February 1971)
20. SPB 1021 – We Can Make Music by TOMMY ROE (February 1971)
21. SPB 1022 – A Time To Remember – ARTIE KORNFELD TREE (March 1971)
22. SPB 1023 – NOT YET TRACED
23. SPB 1024 – Gulf Coast Bound by BLUES MAGOOS (March 1971)
24. SPB 1025 - Afro Blue by JOHN COLTRANE (April 1971)
25. SPB 1026 – Zachariah O.S.T. by SOUNDTRACK by VARIOUS ARTISTS (March 1971)
26. SPB 1027 – The Last Valley O.S.T. by JOHN BARRY (May 1971)
27. SPB 1028 – NOT YET TRACED
28. SPB 1029 – Watcha Gonna Do by DENNY DOHERTY [of Mama’s & Papa’s] (April 1971)
29. SPB 1030 – Daniel Moore by DANIEL MOORE (May 1971)
30. SPB 1031 - Handbags & Gladrags by JIMMY WITHERSPOON (May 1971)
31. SPB 1032 - Live In Cook County Jail by B.B. KING (June 1971)
32. SPB 1033 – Steppenwolf Gold – Their Great Hits by STEPPENWOLF (June 1971)
33. SPB 1034 - Endless Boogie by JOHN LEE HOOKER (June 1971)
(featuring Steve Miller, Jesse Davis and others)
34. SPB 1035 – Golden Biscuits by THREE DOG NIGHT (June 1971)
(called “Golden Bisquits” in the USA, it’s a 7” singles compilation)
35. SPB 1036 – NOT YET TRACED
36. SPB 1037 – The Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra by CHARLIE HADEN (June 1971) (Jazz Arrangements by CARLA BLEY)
37. SPB 1038 - Thirds by THE JAMES GANG [feat Joe Walsh] (July 1971)
38. SPB 1039 - Volcanic Action Of My Soul by RAY CHARLES (July 1971)
39. SPB 1040 – Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds by HAMILTON, JOE FRANKS & REYNOLDS (October 1971)
(Dan Hamilton, Joe Frank Carollo & Tommy Reynolds)
40. SPB 1041 - In London by B.B. KING (November 1971)
41. SPB 1042 - Find The Sun by CROWFOOT (November 1971)
42. SPB 1043 – NOT YET TRACED
43. SPB 1044 – Best Of The Tams by THE TAMS (December 1971)
44. SPB 1045 - Live In Concert by THE JAMES GANG (December 1971)
45. SPB 1046 – Beginnings by TOMMY ROE (December 1971)
46. SPB 1047 - Harmony by THREE DOG NIGHT (December 1971)
47. SPB 1048 - People Like Us by THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS (December 1971)
48. SPB 1049 – NOT YET TRACED
49. SPB 1050 - Hallway Symphony by HAMILTON, JOE FRANK & REYNOLDS (April 1972)
50. SPB 1051 - L.A. Midnight by B.B. KING (April 1972)
51. SPB 1052 - Cabaret O.S.T. feat LIZA MINNELLI/JOHN KANDER (May 1972)
52. SPB 1053 - Sunshower by THELMA HOUSTON
(re-issue of her 1969 LP on Stateside SSL 5010 - also called “Sunshower”) (June 1972)
53. SPB 1054 – Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes by JOHN KAY [of STEPPENWOLF] (July 1972)
54. SPB 1055 - Applause by ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST [feat LAUREN BACALL] (September 1972)
55. SPB 1056 - Straight Shooter by THE JAMES GANG (July 1972)
56. SPB 1057 - Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive by JOHN LEE HOOKER
(Featuring Van Morrison) (August 1972)
57. SPB 1058 – Move Along by THE GRASS ROOTS (aka GRASSROOTS) (August 1972)
58. SPB 1059 – Rest In Peace by STEPPENWOLF [Compilation, 1967 to 1970] (August 1972)
59. SPB 1060 - A Message From The People by RAY CHARLES (September 1972)
60. SPB 1061 – Soul Bible Chapter One by VARIOUS ARTISTS (October 1972)
61. SPB 1062 – Can’t Buy A Thrill by STEELY DAN (January 1973, USA Sept/72)
62. SPB 1063 - Guess Who by B.B. KING (October 1972)
63. SPB 1064 – Keeper Of The Castle by THE FOUR TOPS (November 1972)
64. SPB 1065 - Passin’ Thru by THE JAMES GANG (January 1973)
65. SPB 1066 - Through The Eyes Of Love by RAY CHARLES (February 1973)
66. SPB 1067 – Nolan by NOLAN PORTER (February 1973)
67. SPB 1068 - Reunion by JOHN HENRY KURTZ (February 1973)
68. SPB 1069 – B.B. King’s Greatest Hits OR The Best Of B.B. King by B.B. KING (April 1973)
69. SPB 1070 – The Best of The James Gang featuring Joe Walsh (April 1973)
70. SPB 1071 – Sixteen Greatest Hits by STEPPENWOLF (April 1973)
71. SPB 1072 - Two Sides Of “Crash” by BILLY “CRASH” CRADDOCK (April 1973)
72. SPB 1073 – True, True Lovin’ by FERLIN HUSKY (April 1973)
73. SPB 1074 – Thomas Jefferson Kaye by THOMAS JEFFERSON KAYE
(Featuring Becker & Fagen of Steely Dan with Rick Derringer, July 1973)
74. SPB 1075 - His Greatest Performances by RICHARD HARRIS (August 1973)
75. SPB 1076 - Looking For A Smile by GLADSTONE (August 1973)
76. SPB 1077 – Shaft In Africa O.S.T. by THE FOUR TOPS (October 1973)
77. SPB 1078 – A White Sport Coat & A Pink Crustacean by JIMMY BUFFETT (November 1973)
78. SPB 1079 – Countdown To Ecstasy by STEELY DAN (September 1973)
79. SPB 1080 – NOT YET TRACED
80. SPB 1081 – NOT YET TRACED
81. SPB 1082 – NOT YET TRACED
82. SPB 1083 - To Know You Is To Love You by B.B. KING (December 1973)
83. SPB 1084 - Through All Times by CHUCK JACKSON (January 1974)
84. SPB 1085 – NOT YET TRACED
85. SPB 1086 – Out Here On My Own by LAMONT DOZIER (May 1974)
86. SPB 1087 - John Verity Band by JOHN VERITY BAND (March 1974)
87. SPB 1088 – His California Album by BOBBY ‘BLUE’ BLAND (May 1974)

PROBE Label - GATEFOLD SLEEVES:
1. SPBA 6251 - It Ain’t Easy by THREE DOG NIGHT (October 1970)
2. SPBA 6252 – Freedom by FREEDOM (October 1970)
3. SPBA 6253 – James Gang Rides Again by JAMES GANG [feat Joe Walsh] (October 1970)
4. SPBA 6254 - Steppenwolf 7 by STEPPENWOLF (October 1970)
5. SPBA 6255 - Indianola Mississippi Seeds by BB. KING (October 1970)
6. SPBA 6256 – Emitt Rhodes by EMITT RHODES (February 1971)
7. SPBA 6257 – Naturally by THREE DOG NIGHT (March 1971)
8. SPBA 6258 – Lancelot Link & The Evolution-Revolution By LANCELOT LINK and the EVOLUTION-REVOLUTION (February 1971)
9. SPBA 6259 - Dave Mason & Cass Elliott by DAVE MASON/CASS ELLIOTT (May 1971)
10. SPBA 6260 - For Ladies Only by STEPPENWOLF (November 1971)
11. SPBA 6261 – Gayle McCormick by GAYLE McCORMICK (January 1972)
12. SPBA 6262 – Mirror by EMITT RHODES (December 1971)
13. SPBA 6263 – My Boy by RICHARD HARRIS (February 1972)
14. SPBA 6264 – Gladstone by GLADSTONE (July 1972)
15. SPBA 6265 - Bags & Things by DENNIS LAMBERT (August 1972)
16. SPBA 6266 – Farewell To Paradise by EMITT RHODES (November 1972)
17. SPBA 6267 – Birtha by BIRTHA (October 1972)
18. SPBA 6268 – Barnstorm by JOE WALSH (November 1972)
19. SPBA 6269 - Slides by RICHARD HARRIS (March 1973)
20. SPBA 6270 – A Song Or Two by CASHMAN & WEST [Terry Cashman & Tommy West] (February 1973)
21. SPBA 6271 – NOT YET TRACED
22. SPBA 6272 - Can’t Stop The Madness by BIRTHA (June 1973)
23. SPBA 6273 – A Song For Every Mood by WILLIAM SAINT JAMES (July ‘73)
24. SPBA 6274 – My Sportin’ Life by JOHN KAY of STEPPENWOLF (July 1973)
25. SPBA 6275 – The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get by JOE WALSH (August 73)
26. SPBA 6276 – Moondog Serenade by CASHMAN & WEST (September 1973)
(feats JEFF “SKUNK” BAXTER of STEELY DAN & Jimmie Haskell]
27. SPBA 6277 – Main Street People by THE FOUR TOPS (November 1973)
28. SPBA 6278 - Cyan by THREE DOG NIGHT (December 1973)
29. SPBA 6279 – NOT YET TRACED
30. SPBA 6280 – NOT YET TRACED
31. SPBA 6281 – NOT YET TRACED
32. SPBA 6282 – Pretzel Logic by STEELY DAN (February 1974)
33. SPBA 6283 – Meeting Of The Minds by THE FOUR TOPS (July 1974)

OTHER CATALOGUE Numbers
GTSP series were all specially priced 2LP sets

1. GTSP 200 - 20 Golden Hits by THE MAMAS & PAPAS (May 1973)
2. GTSP 201 – His Early Years With The Impressions by
IMPRESSIONS and CURTIS MAYFIELD (July 1973)
3. GTSP 202 – Moods Of Love by RAY CHARLES SINGERS (June 1973)
4. GTSP 203 – From Broadway To Paris by
COUNT BASIE and BENNY GOODMAN (July 1973)
5. GTSP 204 – Soft Machine Volume 1 & 2 by SOFT MACHINE
(2LP re-Issue of their 1st and 2nd albums from 1968 and 1969
Volume One never received an original UK release – it was US-only) (June 1973)
6. GTSP 205 - Twenty Incredible Performances by FRANKIE LAINE (May 1974)

(PBSP series were all specially priced 2LP sets)
7. PBSP 108 – All Time Great Country & Western Hits by RAY CHARLES
[Re-Issue of 1960’s Tracks]
8. PBSP 109 – NOT YET TRACED
9. PSBP 110 – NOT YET TRACED
10. PBSP 111 – NOT YET TRACED
11. PBSP 112 - NOT YET TRACED
12. PBSP 113 – Around The World With Three Dog Night by THREE DOG NIGHT (2LP Live Set) (May 1973)
13. PBSP 114 – Two Gentlemen Of Verona – A Grand New Musical
Original Broadway Cast with GALT MacDERMOTT (June 1973)

14. SPSS 1 – Handle With Care by VARIOUS ARTISTS
(A budget-priced label sampler - featured groups are: Steppenwolf, Freedom, Bush, James Gang, B.B. King & Three Dog Night - 2 tracks each) (October 1970)

15. SPTC 1 – Seven Separate Fools by THREE DOG NIGHT
(Single LP with Specialist Packaging; It had an Envelope Sleeve, An Inner Sleeve & 7 Separate Insert Cards) (October 1972)

16. MFP 50046 – Spirit Of Rock – The Probe Family Sampler
(Probe/MFP Budget Label Compilation)


ARTIST ALPHABETICAL LIST - Probe Records LPs - UK Issues
(SPB is a single sleeve, SPBA is a gatefold)

1. LAUREN BACALL – see Applause (Original Broadway Cast) (1972, Probe SPB 1055)
JOHN BARRY – see Original Soundtrack
2. COUNT BASIE and BENNY GOODMAN – From Broadway To Paris (2LP set, 1973, Probe GTSP 203)
3. BIRTHA - Birtha (1972, Probe SPBA 6267)
4. BIRTHA – Can’t Stop The Madness (June 1973, Probe SPBA 6272)
5. BOBBY ‘BLUE’ BLAND - His California Album (October 1973, Probe SPB 1088)
CARLA BLEY – see CHARLIE HADEN
6. BLUES MAGOOS – Gulf Coast Bound (1970, Probe SPB 1024)
7. JIMMY BUFFETT – A White Sport Coat & A Pink Crustacean (1973, Probe SPB 1078)
8. BUSH – Bush (1970, Probe SPB 1012)
9. CASHMAN & WEST - A Song Or Two (October 1972, Probe SPBA 6270)
10. CASHMAN & WEST - Moondog Serenade (1973, Probe SPBA 6276)
11. RAY CHARLES – A Message From The People (Sept 1972, Probe SPB 1060)
12. RAY CHARLES – All The Country & Western Hits (1971, Probe PBSP 108)
13. RAY CHARLES – Love Country Style (1970, Probe SPB 1015)
14. RAY CHARLES - Through The Eyes Of Love (Feb 1973, Probe SPB 1066)
15. RAY CHARLES - Volcanic Action Of My Soul (1971, Probe SPB 1039)
16. RAY CHARLES SINGERS - Moods Of Love (2LP set, 1973, Probe GTSP 202)
17. JOHN COLTRANE - Afro-Blue (1972, Probe SPB 1025) (1960s Recordings)
18. BILLY ‘CRASH’ CRADDOCK - Two Sides Of Crash (1973, Probe SPB 1072)
19. CROWFOOT – Find The Sun (1971, Probe SPB 1042)
20. LAMONT DOZIER - Out Here On My Own (1973, Probe SPB 1086)
21. MAMA CASS [ELLIOTT] – Mama’s Big Ones (1971, Probe SPB 1020)
22. FAT CITY – Reincarnation (1969, Probe SPB 1008)
23. FOUR TOPS - Keeper Of The Castle (1973, Probe SPB 1064)
24. FOUR TOPS - Main Street People (1973, Probe SPBA 6277)
25. FOUR TOPS - Meeting Of The Minds (1974, Probe SPBA 6283)
26. FOUR TOPS - Shaft In Africa O.S.T. (1973, Probe SPB 1077)
27. FREEDOM – Freedom (1970, Probe SPBA 6252)
28. FRUMMOX – Here To Be There (1969, Probe SPB 1007)
29. GLADSTONE - Looking For A Smile (1973, Probe SPB 1076)
30. GLADSTONE – Gladstone (aka “From Down Home In Tyler Texas”) (1972, Probe SPBA 6264)
31. THE GRASS ROOTS [aka GRASSROOTS] - Move Along (1972, Probe SPB 1058)
32. CHARLIE HADEN [Arrangements by CARLA BLEY] Liberation Music Orchestra (1971, Probe SPB 1037)
33. HAMILTON FRANK REYNOLDS – Hallway Symphony (1972, Probe SPB 1050)
34. HAMILTON, JOE FRANKS & REYNOLDS – Hamilton, Joe Franks… (1971, Probe SPB 1040)
35. RICHARD HARRIS - His Greatest Performances (1973, Probe SPB 1075)
36. RICHARD HARRIS – My Boy (1972, Probe SPBA 6263)
37. RICHARD HARRIS – Slides (1973, Probe SPBA 6269)
38. JOHN LEE HOOKER Endless Boogie (1971, Probe SPB 1034)
39. JOHN LEE HOOKER with EARL HOOKER If You Miss ‘Im…I Got ‘Im (1971, Probe SPB 1016)
40. JOHN LEE HOOKER Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive (1972, Probe SPB 1057)
41. THELMA HOUSTON – Sunflower (1972, Probe SPB 1053)
42. FERLIN HUSKY – True True Love (1973, Probe SPB 1073)
43. CHUCK JACKSON – Through All Times (1973, Probe SPB 1084)
44. THE JAMES GANG – The Best Of The James Gang featuring Joe Walsh (April 1973, Probe SPB 1070)
45. THE JAMES GANG – Live In Concert (1971, Probe SPB 1045)
46. THE JAMES GANG – Passin’ Through (1972, Probe SPB 1065)
47. THE JAMES GANG - Rides Again (1970, Probe SPBA 6253)
48. THE JAMES GANG – Straight Shooter (1972, Probe SPB 1056)
49. THE JAMES GANG - Thirds (1971, Probe SPB 1038)
50. DICK JENSEN – White Hot Soul (1969, Probe SPB 1010)
51. JOHN KAY [of STEPPENWOLF] – Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes (1972, Probe SPB 1054)
52. JOHN KAY [of STEPPENWOLF] – My Sportin’ Life (1973, Probe SPBA 6274)
53. THOMAS JEFFERSON KAYE – Thomas Jefferson Kaye
(features members of Steely Dan, 1973, Probe SPB 1074)
54. B.B. KING – The Best Of (1973, Probe SPB 1069)
55. B.B. KING – Guess Who (1972, Probe SPB 1063)
56. B.B. KING – Indianola Mississippi Seeds ((1970, Probe SPBA 6255)
57. B.B. KING – In London (1971, Probe SPB 1041)
58. B.B. KING – L.A. Midnight (April 1972, Probe SPB 1051)
59. B.B. KING – Live In Cook County Jail (1971, Probe SPB 1032)
60. B.B. KING – To Know You Is To Love You (1973, Probe SPB 1083)
61. ARTIE KORNFELD’S TREE – A Time To Remember (1970, Probe SPB 1022)
62. FRANKIE LAINE – Twenty Incredible Performances (2LP set, 1973, Probe GTSP 205)
63. LINK LANCELOT and the EVOLUTION-REVOLUTION (1971, Probe SPBA 6258)
64. THE LITTER – Emerge (1969, Probe SPB 1004)
MAMA CASS – see MAMA CASS [ELLIOTT]
65. THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS – A Gathering of Flowers – Anthology (1970, 2LP set, Probe SPB 1013/14)
66. THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS – People Like Us (1971, Probe SPB 1048)
67. THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS – 20 Golden Hits (1972, 2LPs, Probe GTSP 200)
68. DAVE MASON and CASS ELLIOTT – Dave Mason & Cass Elliott (1971, Probe SPBA 6259)
69. CURTIS MAYFIELD/IMPRESSIONS – Early Years With The Impressions (1973, 2LP set, Probe GTSP 201)
70. GAYLE McCORMICK – Gayle McCormick (1972, Probe SPBA 6261)
71. GALT McDERMOTT – see Two Gentlemen Of Verona – A Grand New Musical (1972, 2LP set, Probe PBSP 114)
72. BILLY MESHEL – The Love Song Of A. Wilber Meshel (1969, Probe SPB 1003)
LIZA MINNELLI – see ORGINAL SOUNDTRACK
73. THE MYSTIC NUMBER NATIONAL BANK – The Mystic Number National bank (1969, Probe SPB 1001)
ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST – see Two Gentlemen Of Verna
74. ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK – Cabaret [Liza Minnelli/John Kander] (1972, Probe SPB 1052)
75. ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK – The Last Valley [John Barry] (1971, Probe SPB 1027)
76. ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK – The Song Of Norway [Andrew L. Stone] (1970, Probe SPB 1017)
77. ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK – Zachariah [Various Artists] (1971, Probe SPB 1026)
78. PLUS – Seven Deadly Sins (1970, Probe SPB 1009)
79. EMITT RHODES – Emitt Rhodes (1971, Probe SPBA 6256)
80. EMITT RHODES – Farewell To Paradise (1973, Probe SPBA 6266)
81. EMITT RHODES – Mirror (1972, Probe SPBA 6262)
82. TOMMY ROE – We Can Make Music (1971, Probe SPB 1021)
83. WILLIAM SAINT JAMES – A Song For Every Mood (1973, Probe SPBA 6273)
84. PHARAOH SANDERS – Deaf Dumb Blind (1971, Probe SPB 1019)
85. SOFT MACHINE – Soft Machine Volume Two (1969, Probe SPB 1002)
86. SOFT MACHINE – Soft Machine & Soft Machine Volume Two (1973, UK 2LP Re-Issue of 1st & 2nd Albums (‘68/’69), Probe GTSP 204)
87. STEELY DAN – Can’t Buy A Thrill (January 1973, Probe SPB 1062)
88. STEELY DAN – Countdown To Ecstasy (September 1973, Probe SPB 1079)
89. STEELY DAN – Pretzel Logic (February 1974, Probe SPBA 6282)
STEELY DAN – see also THOMAS JEFFERSON KAYE
STEPPENWOLF – see also JOHN KAY
90. STEPPENWOLF – For Ladies Only (November 1972, Probe SPBA 6260)
91. STEPPENWOLF – Steppenwolf 7 (1970, Probe SPBA 6254)
92. STEPPENWOLF – Steppenwolf Gold–Their Great Hits (July 1971, Probe SPB 1033)
93. THE TAMS – Best Of (1971, Probe SPB 1044)
94. THREE DOG NGHT – Around The World With Three Dog Night (2LP live set, April 1973, Probe PBSP 113)
95. THREE DOG NIGHT – Cyan (1973, Probe SPBA 6278)
96. THREE DOG NIGHT – Golden Biscuits (June 1971, Probe SPB 1035)
97. THREE DOG NIGHT – Harmony (1971, Probe SPB 1047)
98. THREE DOG NIGHT – It Ain’t Easy (1970, Probe SPBA 6251)
99. THREE DOG NIGHT – Naturally (1971, Probe SPBA 6257)
100. THREE DOG NIGHT – Seven Separate Fools (1972, Probe SPTC 1)
101. VARIOUS ARTISTS – Handle With Care (Probe Label Sampler) (1970, Probe SPSS 1)
102. VARIOUS ARTISTS – Spirit Of Rock – The Probe Family Sampler (1972, Probe/MFP 50046)
103. JOHN VERITY BAND – John Verity Band (1973, Probe SPB 1087)
104. JOE WALSH - Barnstorm (November 1972, Probe SPBA 6268)
105. JOE WALSH - The Smoker You Drink…The Player You Get (August 1973, Probe SPBA 6275)
106. JIMMY WITHERSPOON – Handbags & Gladrags (1971, Probe SPB 1031)
107. ZEPHYR [feat Tommy Bolin] – Zephyr (1970, Probe SPB 1006)