"The Platinum Collection" by ARTHUR CONLEY (March 2007 Rhino CD Compilation Of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Down At The Shack…"

Arthur Conley is one of the great unsung-heroes of Atlantic's extraordinary Soul Music roster – unfairly overlooked as a poor man's Otis Redding or Wilson Pickett clone. It's true that vocally and stylistically he was the same (Redding discovered and mentored him) – but what's also true is that his albums and singles contained some blistering Sixties Soul – and this cheap and cheerful compilation is a great way of accessing a fair dollop of them.

He made 4 albums for Atlantic/Atco and issued over a dozen UK and US 7” singles. Unfortunately this compilation sticks with the albums only – a shame that as he had many non-album B-sides (some A’s too) which are unavailable anywhere. But there's so much to love on here and its dirt cheap too. The inlay is a useless gatefold slip of paper but the sound is lovely – very clean and clear - typically excellent Rhino remasters. So here are the details…

UK released March 2007 - "The Platinum Collection" by ARTHUR CONLEY on Warner/Rhino 8122-79994-6 (Barcode 081227999469) is a CD compilation that breaks down as follows (56:47 minutes)

1. Sweet Soul Music

2. Funky Street

3. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

4. Shake, Rattle & Roll

5. Aunt Dora's Love Soul Shack

6. Hear Say

7. People Sure Act Funny

8. Who's Foolin' Who

9. I Got A Feeling

10. I Can't Stop (No, No, No)

11. Something You Got

12. Stuff You Gotta Watch

13. That Can't Be My Baby

14. Run On

15. Shing-A-Ling

16. I'm A Lonely Stranger

17. Is That You Love

18. Speak Her Name

19. Take A Step

20. Take Me (Just As I Am)

21. This Love Of Mine

22. Otis Sleeps On

His four albums were…

"Sweet Soul Music" (Tracks 1, 8, 10, 16 and 20)

1967 USA Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-215 and UK LP on Atlantic 587 069

"Shake, Rattle & Roll" (Track 4)

1967 USA Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-220 and UK LP on Atlantic 587 084

"Soul Directions" (Tracks 2, 6, 7, 21 and 22)

1968 USA Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-243 and UK LP on Atlantic 588 128

"More Sweet Soul" (Tracks 3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19)

1969 USA Stereo LP on Atco SD 33-276 and UK LP on Atco 228 019

There are times when it all goes horribly wrong like the awful soul cover of The Beatles "Ob-La-Di…" and the heavy-handed out-of-place rock guitar in "Speak Her Name" - but these are countered by fantastic brass-chopping workouts like "Funky Street" and "Hear Say". In the UK "Aunt Dora's Love Soul Shack" b/w "Is That Your Love" was issued as a 45 on Atco 584 224 in November 1968 and sank without a trace. But it's a truly superb Sixties Soul 7" single – a perfect funky A-side with a slow meaningful flip (they reversed its running order in the USA on Atco 6622). You get great discoveries like that on here…

For just a few bucks - this 2007 Rhino remaster is a tremendous introduction to the man. For those wanting more his 4 albums and some of his non-album single tracks are out there on other CDs (but often at a cost). In the meantime the budget-priced CD compilation "The Platinum Collection" is highly recommended…

PS: the other Atlantic artists in "The Platinum Collection" series are: LaVern Baker (see REVIEW), Archie Bell & The Drells (see REVIEW), Brook Benton (see REVIEW), Booker T & The M.G.'s, Ruth Brown, Solomon Burke, Clarence Carter (see REVIEW), The Clovers (see REVIEW), Don Covay, The Detroit Spinners, Eddie Floyd, King Curtis, Barbara Lewis (see REVIEW), The Mar-Keys, The Persuasions, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge (see REVIEW), Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, (Big) Joe Turner (see REVIEW) and Betty Wright

“Memorial Collection” by BUDDY HOLLY (February 2009 Universal/MCA 3CD Reissue Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of his Death) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Little Things You Say And Do…Make Me Want To Be With You…"

Released 10 February 2009 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of his loss in 1959 - "Memorial Collection" by BUDDY HOLLY on Geffen/Decca/Universal B0011337-02 (Barcode 602517726529) is a bit of a stunner really. 

However - the track list in the 32-page booklet that accompanies this 60-track 3CD retrospective doesn't give the full picture - so here's a detailed listing so fans can work what's what (all discography details are US):

Disc 1 (43:36 minutes)

1. Down The Line (Previously Unreleased In The USA)

2. Soft Place In My Heart (Previously Unreleased)

3. You And I Are Through (Previously Unreleased In The USA)

4. Midnight Shift (February 1958 LP "That'll Be The Day", Decca DL 8707)

5. Love Me (March 1956 7" single on Decca 29854 [B-side to 7])

6. Don't Come Back Knockin' (as per 4)

7. Blue Days, Black Nights (as per 5, A-side)

8. Baby Won't You Come Out Tonight 

(March 1983 LP, "For The First Time Anywhere", MCA 27059)

9. I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down (as per 8)

10. Changing All Those Changes (as per 8)

11. Rock-A-Bye Rock (as per 8)

12. Rock Around With Ollie Vee (as per 4)

13. Girl On My Mind (as per 4)

14. Ting-A-Ling (as per 4)

15. Modern Don Juan (1956 7" single on Decca 30166 [A])

16. Holly Hop (Previously Unreleased In The USA)

17. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man (as per 8)

18. That'll Be The Day 

(1957 7" single on Brunswick 55009 [A])

(Also on album 'The "Chirping" Crickets', November 1957, Brunswick BL 54038)

19. I'm Looking For Someone Too Love (B-side to 18, also on the LP)

20. Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues 

(1957 7" single on Coral 61852 [B-side to "Words Of Love"])

(Also on the album 'Buddy Holly', February 1958, Coral CRL 57210)

(Tracks 1 to 3 are credited to BUDDY & BOB [Bob Montgomery]; 4 to 17 and 20 are BUDDY HOLLY; 18 and 19 are THE CRICKETS)

Disc 2 (42:03 minutes):

1. Words Of Love 

(1957 7" single on Coral 61852 [A] and 'Buddy Holly' LP)

2. Not Fade Away 

(1957 7" single on Brunswick 55035 [B-side to "Oh, Boy!" and 'The "Chirping" Crickets' LP)

3. Everyday 

(1957 7" single on Coral 61885 [B-side to "Peggy Sue" and 'Buddy Holly' LP)

4. Ready Teddy (on 'Buddy Holly' LP)

5. Tell Me How (on 'The "Chirping" Crickets' LP)

6. Oh, Boy! (as per 2, [A])

7. Listen To Me

(1958 7" single on Coral 61947 [A])

(Also on the 'Buddy Holly' LP)

8. Peggy Sue (as per 3)

9. I'm Gonna Love You Too (as per 7 [B-side])

10. It's Too Late (Chuck Willis cover) (as per 5)

11. Maybe Baby 

(1958 7" single on Brunswick 55053 [A] and the 'The "Chirping" Crickets' LP)

12. You've Got Love (as per 5)

13. Rock Me My Baby (as per 5)

14. Look At Me (as per 4)

15. You're So Square (Baby I Don't Care) (as per 4)

16. Little Baby (as per 4)

17. Rave On (1958 7" single on 61985 [A] and the 'Buddy Holly' LP)

18. Well...All Right (1958 7" single on Coral 62051 [B-side to "Heartbeat"])

19. Take Your Time 

(1958 7" single on Coral 61985 [Non-Album B-side to "Rave On"])

20. Fool's Paradise 

(1958 7" single on Brunswick 55072 [Non-Album B-side to "Think It Over"])

(All Tracks are credited to BUDDY HOLLY)

Disc 3 (41:13 minutes):

1. Think It Over (see 20 on Disc 2)

2. Heartbeat 

3. It's So Easy

4. Lonesome Tears 

5. Love's Made A Fool Of You [1958 Recording with 1964 Overdubs]

(on "Showcase", 1964 USA LP on Coral 57450) 

6. Wishing [1958 Recording with 1963 "Fireballs" Overdubs]

7. Early In The Morning

8. Now We're One

9. Reminiscing [King Curtis cover] [1958 Recording with 1962 "Fireballs" Overdubs]

10. True Love Ways [Minus Studio Chatter] 

11. It Doesn't Matter Anymore 

12. Raining In My Heart

13. What To Do [Previously Unreleased In The USA]

14. Peggy Sue Got Married 

[1979 USA 6LP Box Set "The Complete Buddy Holly", MCA MCA6-80,000]

15. That Makes It Tough [as per 14]

16. Crying, Waiting, Hoping [Previously Unreleased In The USA]

17. Learning The Game [as per 14]

18. You're The One [as per 5]

19. Smokey Joe's Café [Coasters cover] [Previously Unreleased In The USA]

20. Dearest [as per 14]

(Tracks 1, 3 and 4 are credited to THE CRICKETS; all others BUDDY HOLLY)

USA issued 10 February 2009 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of his untimely death (delayed until 13 April 2009 in the UK), this 3CD, 60-track retro has divided reviewers on the big three - content, packaging and sound. I feel there's losers and winners on all counts. 

"True Love Ways" isn't in STEREO and is minus the wonderful studio chatter that turned up on Steve Hoffman's "From The Original Master Tapes" of 1987 - disappointing. The sound quality is demo-only on parts of Disc 1 but improves vastly when the studio stuff arrives and is fantastically clear thereafter. CD2 is awesome - content and sound - it could easily act as a stand-alone hits set in it's own right. The stark Buddy/Guitar acoustic performances on Disc 3 are STUNNING ("What To Do") and fans have waited near 30 years to hear them on CD in truly great sound - remaster engineer ERICK LABSON has delivered once again. 

Some have bitched about the card packaging and the CDs do become loose once out of their slots, but the outer card wrap sorts that out and the quality of the colour and black/white shots in the fold-out card digipak is superb. OK - it's not Bear Family beautiful as presentation goes - but I like the 3CD substantial feel of it. For the price, it's as respectful as it can be.

It's also clear now that with "True Love Ways", "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" and Raining in My Heart" and the Apartment demos - Buddy had a truly stunning 3rd album in him - but alas. 

"Memorial Collection" is not perfect for sure - but it is here - and in good shape too - and at reasonable price. I've loved listening to it - I really have. Rave on you beautiful man - rave on.

PS: Buddy and The Crickets played the Granada Theatre in Walthamstow in London in 1958 (Des O’Connor was the warm up comedienne would you believe). It became a cinema and I once met the 70+ doorman on the tube - I took a chance and asked him - lo and behold he was there that night - described Buddy as a gentleman. Isn't that cool - he actually met the great man...wow!

"How To Lose Friends And Alieniate People". A Review of the 2009 Film on BLU RAY.

“…show them a film like this…”

It's hard to imagine a movie that tests your patience more than "How To Lose Friends & Alienate People" does. It's supposed to be a comedy, but you spend most of the time wincing instead of enjoying.

My wife read Toby Jones’ book and loved it - laughed a great deal – and even when he was being a complete prick, it was at least entertaining. But the film version falls flat on its face – time after time after time. And worse – it feels like it actually admires the shallow and cruel celebrity culture it’s supposed to be pillorying. You left wondering why quality people like Jeff Bridges, Gillian Anderson and Kirsten Dunst are in this dog.

Pegg doesn’t help either. He’s not handsome enough to keep women interested and too irritating for men to empathise with or admire. Had it been James McAvoy or Benjamin Chaplin in the lead role, it might have worked – they have the British charm and acting chops to pull off this kind of stunt.

But worse are the alterations to Jones’ story - the set pieces that were so funny in the book are radically changed to supposedly big up the humour, but they either don’t work, strain all believability or you’ve seen them done before - but better. Mostly – the movie just isn't that funny.

Times Square and Manhattan look beautiful on Blu Ray as our hapless hero passes them by in his big yellow taxi – as does Megan Fox in several skimpy outfits – but the film is so bad that any gain is quickly lost as you reach for the stop button and wished you’d bought/hired something else.

A real shame that it hadn’t the balls or conviction of the book - to tell it was – personal warts and all…

One to avoid I’m afraid.

"Sweet Deceiver" by KEVIN AYERS - March 1975 UK Album on Island Records with Ollie Halsall of Patto and Elton John as Guests - Bonuses Include Zoot Money and Tony Newman (March 2009 UK EMI/Harvest 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue with Peter Mew Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Do Not Disturb...Do Not Do Anything Wild…"

It’s probably true that by 1975 few people were listening out for Kevin Ayers albums - especially in the wake of the difficult (but brilliant) 1974 outing "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" - his debut album for England’s Island Records. But that didn’t mean the quality dropped - far from it. 

Rehearing "Sweet Deceiver" on this stunning 30 March 2009 UK released Peter Mew CD Remaster (EMI/Harvest 268 2692 - Barcode 5099926829623) only confirms my good memories of its 1975 charms - a beautifully produced album that's even (dare we say it) a bit more poppy than its much-loved drug-addled predecessor. And with five half-decent BBC bonus cuts thrown in featuring his rocking band in genuinely top form - this CD reissue is actually a bit of a sweet deal (the album even features Elton John on three tracks). Here are the deceptive details (61:12 minutes):

1. Observations

2. Guru Banana

3. City Waltz

4. Toujours La Voyage

5. Diminished But Not Finished

6. Sweet Deceiver [Side 2]

7. Circular Letter

8. Once Upon An Ocean 

9. Farewell Again (Another Dawn)

Tracks 1 to 9 make up the album "Sweet Deceiver" issued on Island ILPS 9322 in the UK in March 1975 (no US release). Kevin Ayers & Halsall (credited as Ollie Haircut) produced the original LP with all songs written by Ayers.

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Didn't Feel Lonely 'Til I Thought Of You 

11. Observations 

12. Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes 

13. Interview

14. Farewell Again

Tracks 10 to 14 are live recordings taped at The BBC's Paris Theatre in London on 27 March 1975 (transmitted on Radio One’s "In Concert" program 19 April 1975). JEFF GRIFFIN and CHRIS LYCETT of the BBC engineered and produced the concert - the Band used was KEVIN AYERS on Vocals & Guitar, OLLIE HALSALL [of Patto] on Lead Guitar; GEORGE 'ZOOT' MONEY on Keyboards, RICK WILLS on Bass and TONY NEWMAN on Drums.

The Musicians:

KEVIN AYERS - Vocals, Fuzz Bass, Mandolin, Acoustic & Electric Guitars

OLLIE HALSALL [of Patto] - Lead & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Piano, Vibes & Vocals

JACOB MAGNUSSON - Organ, Accordion, Piano, Clavinet & Vocals

FREDDIE SMITH - Drums & Percussion

JOHN ALTMAN - Clarinet on "Guru Banana"

ELTON JOHN - Piano on "Guru Banana", "Toujours La Voyage" and "Circular Letter"

BIAS BOSHELL - Piano on "Sweet Deceiver"

FUZZY SAMUELS on Bass with CHILLI CHARLES on Drums

and THE MUSCLE SHOALS HORNS [Ronnie Eades, Charles Ross, Harrison Calloway Jnr. and Harvey Thompson] - all featured on "Once Upon An Ocean" only

The superlative 8-page liners notes are once again written by noted expert MARK POWELL and the original master tapes remastered by PETER MEW at Abbey Road. Mew has done a typically stunning job (as he has on all of Ayers' albums) - beautiful Audio quality. Ayers gave Mew permission to be the Remaster Engineer on his entire Harvest and Island Records catalogue. 

Ayers' 2nd LP for Island turned out to be a bit of a strange one - some even saying that he was trying to be a 'rock star' (the pretty boy cover) with more overtly catchy tunes and even cod reggae rhythms. That didn't stop the eight-minute long lullaby of "Toujours La Voyage" being brilliant and blessed with truly superb piano tinkling from Elton John. I've always loved this track and now with this 2009 remaster it sounds just gorgeous (lyrics are the title of this review). "Diminished But Not Finished" was also pretty, but the swirling effect put on "Circular Letter" ruined the feel of the tune. The Calypso structure used by the Muscle Shoals Horns on "Once Upon An Ocean" couldn't rescue it from sounding like some white guy trying to do reggae - and badly. Better is the guitar jangle of “Observations” and the high-strung acoustic guitars of “City Waltz” is typical Ayers “…living in the city fills me with trepidation…” where he longs for the country and a few bevvies in a quite local. The title track “Sweet Deceiver” again chugs along nicely with great treated guitar from Halsall.  

The 5 live bonus tracks are a strange mixture of the dull and the great. The stunning guitar work-out song "Didn't Feel Lonely ’Til I Thought Of You" from "Confessions..." features Ollie Halsall's amazing guitar work - cook like an oven come the end. "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" is probably every fan's favourite, but it just doesn't work live and sounds silly and forced here. "Observations" and "Interview" however see the band kick in - great stuff. "Farewell Again" is better live than on the original LP as Zoot Money and Halsall stretch out on the keyboards and guitar - wicked jamming. 

So there you have it - weak in some parts, but masterful in others - as it's Kevin Ayers - I still had to own it. For fans it’s yet another top job done by EMI and Peter Mew - and a quality audio tribute to an artist who deserved better than never charting a single album…

PS: see also separate reviews for the 2009 remasters of "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" (Island, 1974), "Yes We Have No Mananas" (Harvest, 1976) and the 2003 Remasters of "Joy Of A Toy" (Harvrest, 1969) and "Whatevershebringswesing" (Harvest, 1972) 

This review and hundreds more like it can be found in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series - 1960s and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 - Exceptional CD Remasters. 

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"Yes We Have No Mananas, So Get Your Mananas Today" by KEVIN AYERS - June 1976 UK Album on Harvest Records featuring Ollie Halsall, Tony Newman, Zoot Money, Members of Hookfoot, Andy Roberts, David Bedford and more (March 2009 UK EMI/Harvest 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

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"…Genuine Smoked Salmon…" 

Blessed with a typically cryptic and witty title - 1976's "Yes We Have No Mananas, So Get Your Mananas Today" was the seventh album ex Soft Machine Bassist/Songwriter KEVIN AYERS had pumped out in the Sixties and Seventies (following on from 4 others for EMI's Harvest between 1969 and 1973 and two on Island Records in 1974 and 1975).

The many charms of “Yes We Have No Mananas...” have been forgotten now for eons - but like every album our Kev made in those most special duo of decades - deserves another poke/go-round from fans and newcomers alike. And this 2009 EMI/Harvest CD Remaster is 'Expanded' with some genuinely quality bonus tracks. Here are the yummy banana-boat details...

UK released March 2009 (April 2009 in the USA) – "Yes We Have No Mananas, So Get Your Mananas Today" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI/Harvest 268 2972 (Barcode 5099926829722) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (73:14 minutes):

1. Star (4:21) - Side 1

2. Mr. Cool (3:03)

3. The Owl (3:17)

4. Love's Gonna Turn You Round (4:52)

5. Falling In Love Again (2:38)

6. Help Me (2:42) – Side 2

7. Ballad Of Mr. Snake (2:07)

8. Everyone Knows The Song (2:34)

9. Yes I Do (3:13)

10.Blue (6:32)

Tracks 1 to 10 make up the album "Yes We Have No Mananas. So Get Your Mananas Today" issued June 1976 on Harvest SHSP 4057 in the UK and August 1976 on ABC Records AB-1021 in the USA. MUFF WINWOOD produced the original LP with all songs (excepting the 1930's cover of "Falling in Love Again") written by KEVIN AYERS.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Mr. Cool (3:01)

12. Love's Gonna Turn You Round (4:44)

13. Star (4:42)

14. Ballad Of Mr. Snake (2:23)

Tracks 11 to 14 are Studio Recordings made for the BBC's JOHN PEEL SHOW in Maida Vale Studios, London on 13 July 1976 (transmitted 27 July 1976). The band consisted of Ayers on Vocals and Guitar, ANDY SUMMERS of THE POLICE on Guitar, ZOOT MONEY on Keyboards with Charley McCracken and Rod Townshend from the album sessions on Bass and Drums.

15. Shouting In A Bucket Blues (5:26)

16. Star (4:40)

17. Mr. Cool (3:44)

18. Ballad Of Mr. Snake (2:39)

19. Blue (6:24)

Tracks 16 to 19 are 5 live recordings taped at The BBC's Paris Theatre in London on 30 September 1976 (transmitted on the "In Concert" program 23 October 1976). The live set added BILL EVANS on Flute to the same band line up (the witty title to this review is spoken by Ayers before "Ballad..."), while ace BBC engineer JEFF GRIFFIN produced both Peel Sessions.

The Band:

KEVIN AYERS - Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitars

OLLIE HALSALL [of Patto] - Lead Guitar

ROGER SAUNDERS - Rhythm Guitar

BILL LIVESEY - Keyboards

CHARLIE McCRACKEN - Bass

ROB TOWNSHEND - Drums

The Guests:

B.J. COLE - Steel Guitar on "The Owl" and "Falling In Love Again"

PIP WILLIAMS - String Arrangements on "Falling In Love Again"

TONY NEWMAN - Drums on "Help Me"

RICK WILLS - Bass on "Help Me"

GEORGE 'ZOOT' MONEY - Keyboards on "Help Me"

ROGER POPE [of Elton John's Band] - Drums on "Everyone Knows This Song"

MICK FEAT - Bass on "Everyone..."

ANDY ROBERTS - Guitar on "Everyone..."

NICK ROWLEY - Keyboards on "Everyone..." and Solo Piano on "Yes I Can"

DAVID BEDFORD - Choral Arrangement on "Blue"

The superlative 8-page liners notes are written by noted expert MARK POWELL and the original master tapes remastered by PETER MEW at Abbey Road.  Mew has done a typically stunning job – Beautiful Sound Quality. He’s handled hundreds of reissues including Dr. Feelgood, Davie Bowie, Deep Purple, Donovan, Blodwyn Pig, Electric Light Orchestra, Free, Jethro Tull, Duncan Browne, Horslips, Man, Robin Trower (and more) – I’ve reviewed all of the ones mentioned. His work here is amongst his best and Ayers asked for Mew specifically to carry out the transfers.

After his 'difficult' but brilliant two albums at Island Records ("The Confessions Of Dr. Dream..." in 1974 and "Sweet Deceiver" in 1975) - "Mananas" was supposed to be a better and more mature work but it only partially works. It's like a John Martyn album, half of it is good - but my God that good half is stunning. The whimsy of several tracks threatens to drown the record in quirkiness that's amusing at first, but doesn't bear repeated listening. But better tracks like "Help Me" and the Roxy sounding "Love's Gonna Turn You Round" have stood the test of time.

But all is saved by the album's fantastic finishing double-whammy - "Yes I Do" and "Blue". With only Ayers on Lead Vocal and Kevin Rowley on Solo Piano, "Yes I Do" is an achingly stark love song and regarded by many as one of his best works - honest and lovely. Special mention should also go to Rowley's keyboard work - it's beautifully done - and in keeping other instrumentation out of the mix, Muff Winwood added extraordinary power to the song. Now with its 2009 remaster it's just gorgeous. "Yes I Do" is followed by the six-and-a-half minute epic "Blue" - with the band in full 'Ayers' mode. "Blue" contains truly stunning Ollie Halsall guitar work pumped up by David Bedford's arrangement of the choral accompaniment. Really brilliant stuff...

The nine Peel Sessions tracks are 4 in a studio and 5 live. Produced by long-standing BBC engineer JEFF GRIFFIN - the studio cuts are amazingly accomplished and sound like really good alternate album versions. The live tracks are less convincing - a slightly weedy audience - but welcome additions nonetheless. Fans will absolutely have to have those in-the-studio versions though. Besides - any album that has the lyrics "…in case you're wondering about the trousers I'm wearing…they're genuine smoked salmon…" gets my vote. His next stop for Harvest Records would be “Rainbow Takeaway” in 1978.

So there you have it - weak in some parts, but masterful in others - this is still an essential Kevin Ayers purchase for me. Another top job done by EMI - and a sound tribute to an artist who deserved better than never charting a single album...

PS: see also my reviews for his other EMI/Harvest 'expanded' CD remasters - "Joy Of A Toy" (1969), "Shooting At The Moon" (1970), "Whatevershebringswesing" (1972), "Bananamour" (1973), "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" (1974) and "Sweet Deceiver" (1975)