"Tattoo You" by THE ROLLING STONES (June 2009 Rolling Stones/Polydor CD Reissue - Stephen Marcussen and Stewart Whitmore Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Don't Need The Aggravation...I'm A Lazy Slob..." 

With the old May 1994 Virgin remaster and this new June 2009 Polydor version 'both' clocking in at exactly 44:26 minutes - I immediately had my suspicions about this latest rehash of the August 1981 album "Tattoo You" by The Rolling Stones. Another reissue masquerading as something new for soppy Stones fans like me and a million others too...

But this 2009 Polydor CD variant is a fantastic improvement in sound over its 1994 predecessor - it really is...

If I were to nail down what's different - it would be the Bass and Drums. They're suddenly so clear now and in some cases like "Worried About You" - it's truly startling how good they sound. In fact if feels like every single track has been uplifted out of its former rhythm section muddiness. The clarity and punch is great on everything really. 

STEPHEN MARCUSSEN and STEWART WHITMORE at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, California did the transfers and they're to be praised for their work...

As you've no doubt already read - "Tattoo You" was a ragbag of outtakes from previous albums with a few new tunes thrown in - Rockers on the A-side with Ballads on the B. And it worked - I played it to death on release - loved it to pieces - especially the soulful Side 2. Unfortunately the new packaging is a bit of a joke. The 'furry boot' inner sleeve that came with the original LP is reproduced in a paltry gatefold inlay - there are no lyrics when there was a European LP that had a lyric sheet insert (they could have used that). The startling Christian Piper tattooed 'Three Paintings' are reduced to a point where the credits on the green-coloured rear sleeve is barely legible. The inlay beneath the see-through CD tray is blank - wow - push the boat out boys! But much worse - and like so many Stones LPs now - guest musicians who contributed incredible work at the time are now not mentioned on reissues at all. So with all that in mind, here's a detailed track-by-track breakdown to get a better lay of the land…

UK released 8 June 2009 - "Tattoo You" by THE ROLLING STONES on Rolling Stones/Polydor 0602527015699 (Barcode 602527015699) is an 'Extended Version' CD Remaster (see Notes below) and plays out as follows (44:26 minutes):

1. Start Me Up [begun in 1975, returned to in 1978 as a "Some Girls" possible]

2. Hang Fire [another "Some Girls" outtake, features IAN STEWART on Piano]

3. Slave [This is an Extended Version - see PS below]

4. Little T&A [Lead Vocals and Bass by Keith Richards, Ian Stewart on Piano - T&A is street slang for certain parts of a woman's anatomy]

5. Black Limousine [the only track on the album co-credited to RONNIE WOOD, it features Mick Jagger on Lead Vocals and Harmonica with Ian Stewart on Piano - backing track dated as far back as "Exile" in 1972]

6. Neighbours [features' both' the legendary SONNY ROLLINS and BOBBY KEYES on Saxophones]

7. Worried About You [features BILLY PRESTON on Piano, WAYNE PERKINS on Lead Guitar and SOLO and OLLIE BROWN on Percussion]

8. Tops [features MICK TAYLOR on Guitar with NICKY HOPKINS on Piano; a Mick Taylor "Exile" outtake - wasn't given a writers credit - sued and won]

9. Heaven [co-producer CHRIS KIMSEY plays Piano on this]

10. No Use In Crying [features Nicky Hopkins on Piano]

11. Waiting On A Friend [features Mick Taylor on Guitar, Sonny Rollins on Saxophone and JIMMY MILLER of "Sticky" fame on Percussion]

The clarity of the guitar solo on "Slave" is awesome as is the swirling magic of "Heaven", but best of all is the beautiful axework by Wayne Perkins on the Side 2 opener "Worried About You". I think it's the best guitar solo on a Stones album anywhere and its clarity now is fabulous.

To sum up - I know the packaging and presentation leave a lot to be desired, but as I listen to the lovely Piano tinkering of Nicky Hopkins on "No Use In Crying" and the three lads harmonizing on Backing Vocals - I don't care - I love it. The sound is wonderful and a major improvement over what went before.

The buggering truth is that once you hear these remasters, you're screwed - you'll have to have them all... Damn!

Despite niggles - it's recommended for the great new audio and the music - the last Stones album where I played all of it...

PS: there's an anomaly worth noting...

When "Tattoo You" was originally released on Vinyl and Cassette in August 1981 (Rolling Stones CUNS 39114 in the UK and COC 16052 in the USA) - the 3rd track on Side 1 "Slave" clocked in at about 3:20 minutes. So when the first ever CD version of it came out on CBS in 1989 it naturally reflected that timing.

However the May 1994 Virgin remaster put out an anomaly without telling anyone - their CD version was inexplicably extended to 6:31 minutes - that error is repeated here - and very much to the benefit of fans because the "Extended Version" of "Slave" is sensational. With the legendary Sonny Rollins playing on Saxophone and Billy Preston on Keyboards, the lengthy mix now sounds like "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" Part 2 from "Sticky Fingers". A huge chunky guitar riff throughout, great Jagger vocals, Sax wailing - it absolutely rocks (apparently there's a version with Jeff Beck on guitar in the can somewhere too).

What should have happened here of course is that the original LP timing be used on this CD - with both the Jeff Beck mix and the Extended Version put on as bonus tracks at the end, but that's for another day and another reissue...

"Somethin' Else – The Ultimate Collection" by EDDIE COCHRAN (February 2009 GERMAN Bear Family 8CD LP-Sized Box Set of Remasters)...

"…No Harm Done…Just Havin' Some Fun…On The Weekend…"

It's astonishing to think that when Ray Edward Cochran was taken from us in a freak car accident while on tour in England in April 1960 - he was only 6 months into his 21st year and had already clocked up over 200 recordings - the bulk of which are presented in this eagerly awaited and sumptuous box set...

"Somethin' Else - The Ultimate Collection" is typical of Bear Family's legendary excellence - released February 2009, 8 CDs are housed in label-themed 2CD jewel cases inside a 12"x12" Box Set offering up a huge 262 tracks. There's a beautifully illustrated album-sized 194-Page Hardback Book that is a truly a thing of beauty.

The set was compiled and prepared across several years by noted expert ANTOON VAN OLDEREN and Bear Family label boss RICHARD WEIZE. But this kind of quality and high-art finish doesn't come cheap - there's little change out of one hundred & fifty pounds - even online.

The remastering was handled by 'BOPPIN' BOB JONES, JAY RANELUCCI and PETER J. REYNOLDS - and being Bear Family - the sound quality is GORGEOUS - first generation tapes used, meticulous transfers - a typically superb job done. It's distributed in the UK by John Beecher's Rollercoaster Records of Chalford, Gloucestershire.

CONTENTS:
Disc 1, 35 Tracks, 74:13 minutes
Disc 2, 35 Tracks, 74:10 minutes
Disc 3, 34 Tracks, 76:45 minutes
Disc 4, 24 Tracks, 50:27 minutes
Disc 5, 24 Tracks, 60:04 minutes
Disc 6, 43 Tracks, 78:17 minutes
Disc 7, 28 Tracks, 62:09 minutes
Disc 8, 39 Tracks, 63:32 minutes

For US fans there's the first 3 singles on Ekko as The Cochran Brothers, the lone 7" on Crest, the 14 that followed on Liberty (A&B for each) and the 3 Liberty albums proper from 1957, 1960 and 1962. For UK fans there's the 13 London singles followed by the 10 Liberty ones and the 4 important albums - "Singin' To My Baby" (1958), "The Eddie Cochran Memorial Album" (1960), "Cherished Memories" (1962) and "My Way" (1964). I've checked and they're ALL on here.

The 70's to 90's gave us major EMI retrospectives - the "Legendary Masters" 2LP set from 1972, the 4LP "20th Anniversary" box from 1980 and the "Eddie Cochran" 6LP/4CD box of 1988 - the bulk of these are here too (with some omissions). On top of that, Tony Martin's ROCKSTAR label of the UK carried the flag for Cochran for years and put out 9 EPs and 9 LPs worth of material (much unreleased) - the bulk (not all) of these reissues are also here.

The songs themselves consist of master versions, alternate takes, stereo mixes, interviews, live tracks, false starts and studio chatter - and as you can imagine, it's a mixture of the great and the un-listenable (the stereo stuff on Disc 5 is thrilling while the live tracks are badly recorded and filled with screaming...)

THE HARDBACK BOOK:
The book is both gobsmacking and problematic. Firstly it's bent and curved when you take it out (other buyers have had the same) because the binding can't take the weight. And while the endless photographs of British, Irish, German, Spanish, Japanese, Dutch and even Israeli 7"s, 78"s, EPs and Albums are a wonder to behold and most are in colour - there's an unforgivable 'lack' of info beneath or beside them. Text should be embellishing all of these snaps - chart positions, B-sides, writers credits, what album it came off - but nothing - there isn't even release dates on them...

Take Page 161 - you're shown his July 1958 UK debut LP on London HA-U 2093 with another sleeve beneath it - Liberty LBY 1158. There's no explanation that LBY 1158 is the May 1963 reissue of HA-U 2093 - there's no track list for either LP - there's no rear sleeves pictured either. All the Rockstar photos are slightly blurred - like their copies of copies. And disappointingly there's no printed US or British discographies for easy reference - numerical pointers as to where the tracks are on this massive box. (I've created my own for fans in the 'Comment' box - both singles and albums).

What is good is the 5000-word essay by Stuart Coleman peppered with rare full-sized photos combined with stunning outtake stills and global posters for his 3 movies "The Girl Can't Help It", "Untamed Youth" and "Go, Johnny Go". My favourite photos are on Page 37 where the beautiful actress Yvonne Lime from "Untamed Youth" holds Eddie's cheeks in her hands with a look of pure affection and then on Page 66 there's Cochran and his flame Sharon Sheeley flicking through records racks in a Hollywood vinyl store - she clearly in love with him and unable to hide her pride.

The Discography between Pages 99 and 118 is more of a jazz-style date-by-date Sessionography compiled by Antoon van Olderen, STUART COLMAN, RUSS WAPENSKY and RICHARD WEIZE. 133 entries start with his earliest stuff in mid 1953 through to his last recordings in February 1960 for the "Boy Meets Girls" UK TV Show - including all session work and collaborations in between. You find out that the June 1961 UK single "Weekend" b/w "Cherished Memories" on London HLG 9362 has exclusive mixes - different to the US versions. And that "Git It" has Bass Vocals by none other than friend and fellow rock 'n' roller EDDIE COCHRAN. Also I count a little under 10 previously unreleased versions exclusive to this box, with the bulk of others having appeared on albums/CDs now long deleted.

Ultimately it's down to the music - and as I sit here listening to "Weekend" and "Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie" in STEREO - tears are in my eyes. God bless you Eddie Cochran wherever you may be...

Wallet-buster or not - and despite the book niggles - this is a stone 5-star recommended.

PS: this review is dedicated to "Boppin'" Bob Jones who died in April 2009 - he remastered 1000's of recordings for Ace Records, Bear Family and other top reissue labels and brought joy to millions of fans.

- DISCOGRAPHY - USA SINGLES -

Release Date Order USA 7" singles Discography for EDDIE COCHRAN

A-side backed/with B-side, Label and Catalogue Number, Year Of Release

Bear Family "Somethin' Else" 2009 8CD Box Set references are [ ]

(Note: Any other relevant and additional information)

COCHRAN BROTHERS [Eddie and Hank Cochran – not related nor brothers]
1. Mr. Fiddle b/w Two Blue Sing Stars (Ekko 1003, June 1955)
[A is on Disc 1 Track 8 – B is on Disc 1 Track 9]

2. Guilty Conscience b/w Your Tomorrow Never Comes (Ekko 1005, July 1955)
[A is on Disc 1 Track 10 – B is on Disc 1 Track 11]

3. Tired And Sleepy b/w Fool's Paradise (Ekko 3001, May 1956)
[A is on Disc 1 Track 18 – Disc 1 Track 19]

EDDIE COCHRAN
4. Skinny Jim b/w Half Loved (Crest 1026, July 1956)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 1 – B is on Disc 2 Track 2]
(Note: there is another overdubbed version of the A "Skinny Jim" on the 1962 UK LP "Cherished Memories" on Liberty LBY 1109 and there are 4 takes of the B "Half Loved" – all are on this Bear Family Box)

5. Sittin' In The Balcony b/w Dark Lonely Street (Liberty F-55056, February 1957)
[A is Disc 2 Track 7 - B is Disc 1 Track 31]

6. Mean When I'm Mad b/w One Kiss (Liberty F-55070, May 1957)
[A is Disc 2 Track 8 – B is Disc 2 Track 9]
(Note: this is the only Cochran single issued in a picture sleeve during his lifetime; it’s extremely rare and commands $1000+)

7. Drive In Show b/w Am I Blue (Liberty F-55087, July 1957)
[A is Disc 2 Track 12 – B is Disc 2 Track 10]

8. Twenty Flight Rock b/w Cradle Baby (Liberty F-55112, November 1957)
[A is Disc 2 Track 18 – B is Disc 2 Track 11 (missed B in the Sessionography)]
(A is Version 2, Version 1 is on his July 1958 debut British LP "Singin' To My Baby", London HA-U 2093)

9. Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie b/w Pocketful Of Hearts (Liberty F-55123, January 1958)
[A is Disc 2 Track 26 – B is Disc 2 Track 24]

10. Pretty Girl b/w Teresa (Liberty F-55138, May 1958)
[A is Disc 2 Track 25 – B is Disc 2 Track 28]
(Note: A is exclusive mix to the USA; there is a different version on the UK 7" single London HL-G 9464)

11. Summertime Blues b/w Love Again (Liberty F-55144, July 1958)
[A is Disc 2 Track 30 – B is Disc 2 Track 33 (Note British 'A' Differs To US)]

12. C’mon Everybody b/w Don't Ever Let Me Go (Liberty F-55166, October 1958)
[A is Disc 3 Track 6 – B is Disc 3 Track 5]
(Note: A is known as the "Speeded Up" version and appears on both UK/USA 7” singles, but there's a STEREO version with guitar overdub and running at the correct speed on the UK-only 1984 LP "Portrait Of A Legend" on Rockstar RSR LP 1008)

13. Teenage Heaven b/w I Remember (Liberty F-55177, February 1959)
[A is Disc 3 Track 8 – B is Disc 3 Track 9]

14. Somethin' Else b/w Boll Weevil Song (Liberty F-55203, July 1959)
[A is Disc 3 Track 17 – B is Disc 3 Track 18]

15. Hallelujah, I Love Her So b/w Little Angel (Liberty F-55217, November 1959)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 26 – B is on Disc 3 Track 25]
(Note: A is a Ray Charles cover and the spelling of it doesn't use an exclamation mark as his original did at the end of the word Hallelujah, but a comma. There’s two further versions of "Hallelujah…" – an echoed version with strings which first appeared on the UK's 1980 4LP box set "20th Anniversary Album" on United Artists ECSP 20 and a STEREO version on the UK-only 1984 LP “Portrait Of A Legend” on Rockstar RSR LP 1008; both of these versions are on the BF box set. There are 10 versions of the B-side "Little Angel" – the master is an overdubbed version of Take 10. The other versions are Take 1, 3, 5, 6 9 and 2 further version of 10 – all are on this box. Also worthy of note is that the 1st version of Take 10 is exclusive to the Bear Family set – it's a different STEREO cut to the one that appeared on the Rockstar LP of 1984.)

16. Three Steps To Heaven b/w Cut Across Shorty (Liberty F-55242, March 1960)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 32 – B is on Disc 3 Track 33]
(Note: A is Version 2 in Mono - a Version 2 in STEREO and Version 1 in MONO both appeared on the UK's 1980 4LP box set "20th Anniversary Album" on United Artists ECSP 20; all 3 takes are on this Bear Family Box. The B-side master for "Cut Across Shorty" is a 'speeded-up' version of Take 21 – however, the 'correct speed' version of Take 21 appeared on the UK's 1980 2LP set "20th Anniversary Album" on United Artists ECSP 20 while a STEREO version of the take appeared on the UK-only 1984 LP "Portrait Of A Legend" on Rockstar RSR LP 1008; all 3 takes are on this Bear Family box.)

17. Lonely b/w Sweetie Pie (Liberty F-55278, August 1960)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 32 – B is on Disc 2 Track 23]
(Note: there is a second version of A with overdubs available on the 1962 USA LP "Never To Be Forgotten" on Liberty LRP 3220; both takes are on this BF box.)

18. Weekend b/w Lonely [Liberty F-55389, December 1961]
[A is on Disc 3 Track 14 – B is on Disc 2 Track 32]
(Note: there is a STEREO version of “Weekend” on the UK-only 1984 LP “Portrait Of A Legend” on Rockstar RSR LP 1008 – both takes are on this BF box. “Lonely” is as per the A entry for number 17.)

- DISCOGRAPHY - UK SINGLES -

EDDIE COCHRAN - Release Date Order UK 7" SINGLES discography
With reference to where the tracks can be located on the Bear Family 2009 8CD Box Set "Somethin' Else – The Ultimate Collection"

1. 20 Flight Rock b/w Dark Lonely Street, London HLU 8386 (April 1957)
[A is Disc 1 Track 28 - B is Disc 1 Track 31]

2. Sittin' In The Balcony b/w Completely Sweet, London HL-U 8433 (June 1957)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 7 – B is on Disc 1 Track 29]
(Note: B is Version 1, Version 2 is on the British LP "Singin' To My Baby")

3. Summertime Blues b/w Love Again, London HL-U 8702 (September 1958)
[A is on Disc 4 Track 1 - B is on Disc 2 Track 33]
(Note: the A "Summertime Blues" is a different mix to the US version and exclusive to the UK single – the US version has reverb and fading at the end, the UK version is without reverb and has an ending. The B is the same for both UK and US singles, but there is a different overdubbed vocal version on the 1962 USA LP "Never To Be Forgotten" on Liberty LRP 3220)

4. C'mon Everybody b/w Don't Ever Let Me Go, London HL-U 8792 (January 1959)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 6 – Disc 3 Track 5]

5. Teenage Heaven b/w I Remember, London HL-U 8880 (June 1959)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 8 – B is on Disc 3 Track 9]

6. Somethin' Else b/w Boll Weevil Song, London HL-U 8944 (September 1959)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 17 – B is on Disc 3 Track 18]

7. Hallelujah, I Love Her So b/w Little Angel, London HL-W 9022 (January 1960)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 26 – B is on Disc 3 Track 25]

8. Three Steps To Heaven b/w Cut Across Shorty, London HLG 9115 (May 1960)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 32 – B is on Disc 3 Track 33]

9. Sweetie Pie b/w Lonely, London HLG 9196 (September 1960)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 23 – B is on Disc 2 Track 32]
(Same Takes but the A & B are reversed to the USA issue on Liberty F-55278)

10. Weekend b/w Cherished Memories, London HLG 9362 (June 1961)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 14 – B is on Disc 3 Track 34]
(Both A & B-side takes were exclusive to this UK release)

11. Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie b/w Pocketful Of Hearts, London HL-G 9460 (November 1961)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 26 – B is on Disc 2 Track 24]

12. Pretty Girl b/w Teresa, London HLG 9464 (November 1961)
[A is Disc 4 Track 6 - B is Disc 2 Track 28]
(Note: the A is an exclusive mix to the UK release; there is a different version on the USA 7” single on Liberty F-55138 – it’s also on the BF box)

13. Undying Love b/w Stockin's 'N' Shoes, London HLG 9467 (November 1961)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 14 – B is on Disc 2 Track 19]

14. Never b/w Think Of Me, Liberty LIB 10049 (October 1962)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 22 – B is on Disc 3 Track 15]

15. My Way B/w Rock 'n' Roll Blues, Liberty LIB 10088 (April 1963)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 10 – B is on Disc 3 Track 11]

16. Drive In Show b/w I Almost Lost My Mind, Liberty LIB 10108 (August 1963)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 12 – B is on Disc 4 Track 20]

17. Skinny Jim b/w Nervous Breakdown, Liberty LIB 10151 (April 1964)
[A is on Disc 2 Track 1 – B is on Disc 3 Track 3]

18. C'mon Everybody b/w Summertime Blues, Liberty LIB 10233 (April 1966)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 6 – Disc 4 Track 1]
(Note: see 3 for Notes on “Summertime Blues”)

19. Three Stars b/w Somethin' Else, Liberty LIB 10249 (December 1966)
[A is On Disc 3 Track 13 – B is on Disc 3 Track 17]
(A is exclusive to the UK single)

20. Three Steps To Heaven b/w Eddie's Blues, Liberty LIB 10276 (May 1967)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 32 – B is on Disc 3 Track 20]

21. Summertime Blues b/w Let's Get Together, Liberty LBF 15071 (June 1968)
[A is on Disc 4 Track 1 – B is on Disc 3 Track 4]
(Note: see 3 for Notes on “Summertime Blues”)

22. Somethin' Else b/w Milk Cow Blues, Liberty LBF 15109 (1968)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 17 – B is on Disc 3 Track 21]

23. C'mon Everybody b/w Mean When I'm Mad, Liberty LBF 15366 (June 1970)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 6 – B is on Disc 2 Track 8]

24. Somethin' Else b/w Three Steps To Heaven, United Artists UP 35361 (April 1972)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 17 – Disc 3 Track 32]

25. Summertime Blues b/w Cotton Picker, United Artists UP 35408 (July 1972)
[A is on Disc 4 Track 1 – B is on Disc 2 Track 6]
(B is on the United Artists 2LP set UAS 9959 "Legendary Masters No.4")

26. Summertime Blues b/w C'mon Everybody, United Artists UP 35796 (March 1975)
[A is on Disc 4 Track 1 – B is on Disc 3 Track 6]
(Note: see 3 for Notes on “Summertime Blues”)

27. C'mon Everybody b/w Milk Cow Blues, United Artists UP 36121 (June 1976)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 6 – B is on Disc 3 Track 21]

28. C'mon Everybody b/w Don’t Ever Let Me Go, United Artists Silver Spotlight Series UP 603 (June 1979)
[A is on Disc 3 Track 6 – B is on Disc 3 Track 5]

"Teaser And The Firecat: Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS (2009 Universal/Island 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 480 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

CLASSIC 1970s ROCK On CD - Exception Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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All Details and In-depth Reviews From The Discs

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"...Listen To The Wind Of My Soul..."

Already a four-album veteran by the time he reached 1971 (2 Sixties efforts for Decca and two more mature outings for Island Records) – Cat Stevens launched "Teaser And The Firecat" in September of 1971 in its tactile matt gatefold sleeve. As lovely as albums get – "Peace Train", "Moonshadow" and the almost Gospel-ancient "Morning Has Broken" number only three of its many charms.

And like the albums "Mona Bone Jakon" and "Tea For The Tillerman" from 1970 that preceded it (April and November) – the new LP from the handsome Greek Troubadour only cemented what many already knew in bedsits all around the world – here was a singer-songwriter with massive crossover appeal hitting his stride. "Jakon" was good with moments of brilliance (a step away from the sheer Pop of "Matthew And Son") while only six months later "Tillerman" showed huge progress in "Sad Lisa", "Longer Boats", "On The Road To Find Out" and the cross-generational song "Father And Son". But you could argue that "Teaser" is his first 'perfect' album - it's all good - and much of it way better than you remember.

The single CD remaster came in 2000 as a bare-bones 10-track reissue and that was sweet too – but given their huge and acknowledged popularity - it's hardly surprising then that Universal has chosen both 1970's “Tea For The Tillerman" and 1971's "Teaser And The Firecat" as Cat Stevens catalogue candidates for 'Deluxe Edition' superstardom. And they've done a sweet job on the pair. Here are the Moonshadows...

UK released 25 May 2009 – "Teaser And The Firecat: Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS on Universal/Island 060251 7870918 (Barcode 602517870918) is a 2CD Remaster with 10 Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Teaser And The Firecat" Album (32:56 minutes):

1. The Wind

2. Rubylove

3. If I Laugh

4. Changes IV

5. How Can I Tell You

6. Tuesday's Dead [Side 2]

7. Morning Has Broken

8. Bitterblue

9. Moonshadow

10. Peace Train

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 4th studio album "Teaser And The Firecat" – released September 1971 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9154 and October 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4313 – it peaked at No. 3 and No. 2 on the UK and US album charts.

Disc 2 "Deluxe Extras" (34:36 minutes)

1. Moonshadow (Live At The Troubadour)

2. Rubylove (Live At The Troubadour)

3. If I Laugh – Demo Version

4. Changes IV – Demo Version

5. How Can I Tell You – Demo Version)

6. Morning Has Broken – Demo Version

7. Bitterblue (Live At The Royal Albert Hall)

8. Tuesday's Dead (From The Majikat Earth Tour)

9. Peace Train (Live At The Royal Albert Hall 2003)

10. The Wind (From Yusef's Café)

Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith - the LP featured his house band of Alun Davies on Second Guitar, Larry Steele on Bass and Congas and Gerry Conway on Drums – Andreas Toumazis provides the Greek Bouzouki.

The gatefold inner flaps have stills from the "Teaser" cartoon and live shots of Cat from the period while the beautifully rendered 24-page long booklet reproduces reminiscences from producer Paul Samwell-Smith, guitarist Alun Davies and of course Cat Stevens himself - all nestled within lots of full colour stills from the Teaser animation film and lyrics to the songs. The colour stills give it an almost childlike feel - very nicely done.

The Remaster by TED JENSEN is analogue warm and full of presence. This is a gorgeous sounding album on any format and one of the finest examples of singer-songwriter you can get your grubby mitts on. Check out the beautiful fidelity on "The Wind" as he sings “...I listen to the wind...the wind of my soul...” – it feels a friend calling to your door just when you need it the most. Soothing music from a heart wanting to spread solace through song. Other examples include the wonderfully uplifting "Rubylove", the aching "If I Laugh", the flick-strum "Bitterblue" and the real longing in "How Can I Tell You" - all album secrets you need on your Hi Fi hub.

The good news for rabid fans is that Disc 2 (34:36 minutes) has some genuinely stunning tracks on it actually worthy of the title 'bonus'. "Rubylove", "If I Laugh", "Changes IV", "How Can I Tell You" and "Morning Has Broken" are all Vocals/Acoustic demo versions recorded in Morgan Studios in London in February 1971 (a month before the album was recorded) and they're beautiful. Stripped down and bare, the almost fully formed melodies come shining through. The famously superb piano work by Rick Wakeman of Yes on the finished version of "Morning Has Broken" is replaced here with an acoustic guitar, which makes for a fascinating listen.

"Moonshadow" was recorded live at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles in 1971 and features album session-man ALUN DAVIES on Guitar and Vocals - it's well recorded and a lovely version. "Bitterblue" is a Royal Albert Hall performance from 1972, but it's not great because the sound quality is rubbish. Better is the World-Music Meets-Acapella version of "Peace Train" from 2003, which throws a new slant on an overly familiar song. 

He'd return in 1972 and 1973 with equally superb "Catch Bull At Four” and "Foreigner" stretching his songmanship to a whole side on the latter – but for many the sheer simplicity and warmth of "Teaser" feels like the kid within – laughing – heading home to a better place.

"...Leaping and hopping on a moon shadow..." – let this one follow you home.

PS: I've also reviewed the 2CD Deluxe Edition of “Tea For The Tillerman", the single discs of "Mona Bone Jakon" and "Foreigner" and the 4CD Box Set "On The Road To Find Out" (aka "Cat Stevens")...

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“The Italian Job” on BLU RAY. A Review of the 40th Anniversary reissue of the Iconic 1969 British Film Classic.

“…I’m Glad You’re Out Sir…I Mean Back…”

I ripped the shrink-wrap off this little gem this morning with the glee of a six-year old delinquent given a day pass to Cadburys. I then sat down to watch it and emerged two hours later with the grin of a 51-year old Cheshire cat on Viagra.

We all know “The Italian Job” is a Sixties classic, but what you don’t know is that this 40th Anniversary reissue of it (issued today 15 June 2009) is simply off the charts good…

First up is the print - which is GLORIOUS – as pristine as you could hope for and a joy from start to finish. And although it doesn’t state it on the outer box, this is the fully restored British Film Institute version, which has been cleaned up frame-by-frame (and those clean shots are used in the “Making Of” extras too). One of those features is the 30th Anniversary reissue trailer from 10 years ago, which uses the famous “…doors off…” van sequence. Untouched - it’s covered in scratches and has no definition whatsoever – it allows you see what the film stock did look like as opposed to how beautiful it looks now after restoration.

There are so many scenes that now stand out – as Matt Monro’s cheesy song “On Days Like These” plays and the car drives through the Alps in the opening credits - when Charlie comes out of prison as he walks through the gates and Maggie Blye greets him in a stolen car from the Pakistani Embassy – when the three Mini Coopers climb the roof of the football stadium with the Italian cops in pursuit – it’s just all BEAUTIFUL. The BFI have also done “Zulu”, “The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner” and “Saturday Night And Sunday Morning” and this is up to the same stunning standard as they are (see my reviews).

The extras are generous too (nearly two hours worth):
1. Commentary with Screenwriter Tony Kennedy Martin and Author Matthew Field
2. Commentary by Producers Michael Deeley and Author Matthew Field
3. Mini Adventures (in HD)
4. “Self Preservation Society: The Making Off The Italian Job” (in HD) – features new interviews with the cast, writers, producers including Michel Caine, Maggie Blye, Troy Kennedy Martin, Michael Deeley, reminiscences on Noel Coward, the Director Peter Collinson, Quincy Jones on the cool score etc…
5. Music Video (in HD)
6. The Deleted Scene With Commentary by Author Matthew Field
7. Theatrical Trailer
8. Re-release Trailer

The casting of course was a mixture of luck, fate and genius – Caine perfect as Charlie Croker the likely lad, Benny Hill as the groping computer boffin, the suave yet deadly Raf Vallone as the Turin Mafia boss and Tony Beckley as the dandily dressed Camp Freddy. But the biggest coup of all was Noel Coward as Mr. Bridger - the master-criminal doing time in her Majesty’s prison service. He has tea and scones, worries about the British economy and has his cell plastered with pictures of the Queen. Coward is just priceless as he lords about the decking of the prison block, “Rule Britannia” played behind him by a string quartet – it’s enough to make you howl with laughter…

You see you forget how funny The Italian Job is – the catty gay tailor saying Charlie's pre-prison clothes could now be part of a museum exhibit, Coward standing beside two prison guards as they hand him his two newspapers and a toilet roll. Prison Governor John Le Mesurier’s look of astonishment as Coward complains that ‘his’ toilet has been invaded by Michael Caine (pitching the heist to him) – a man’s toilet is his castle… The snooty garage manager played beautifully by John Clive counting the money Michael Caine has just given him for looking after his Aston Martin DB – it’s been in his garage for two years while Caine was away in ‘India’. “I was shooting tigers old boy…” Garage owner counting the fifties, ” …there must have been an awful lot of tigers sir…”

The Turin locations are wonderfully colourful, the mountain scenes as crisp as those in the James Bond reissues and Caine’s freckles clearer than ever - all of it - what a peach!

I’ve reviewed a lot of oldies on the new BLU RAY format of late – some successful, some woeful – but this is up there with the very best. In fact, as a man who adores the medium and believes in its possibilities, I suspect it’ll tickle Michael Caine pink that his films “Zulu” and “The Italian Job” are both going a long way towards establishing BLU RAY as 'the' format to restore old movies to and preserve them properly. Onwards to David Lean boys…

As you can tell – and if you’ll forgive the pun – I was blown away.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Recommended - big time.

“Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers” by VARIOUS ARTISTS - A Review of the 2006 Atlantic/Rhino CD Compilation.

Arthur Conley, Otis Redding and Donny Hathaway are part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

“…Just A Page In Your Book Of Memories…”

Subtitled “16 Lost Classics By The Greatest Soul Men Ever”, this 2006 Atlantic/Rhino compilation (8122-77625-2) is something of a lost gem in itself - as it seems to have gone largely unnoticed…

Here’s a detailed breakdown (49:56 minutes):
1. Can’t Stop A Man In Love – WILSON PICKETT (Recorded February 1972, Previously Unreleased)
2. How Does It Feel – BOBBY WOMACK (February 1967, B-side of the USA 7” single “Find Me Somebody” on Atlantic 2388)
3. You Left The Water Running – SAM & DAVE (Recorded July 1969, a Previously Unreleased track 1st issued on the “Sweat ‘N’ Soul Anthology” CD set in 1993)
4. Rome (Wasn’t Built In A Day) – ARTHUR CONLEY (Recorded June 1967, Previously Unreleased)
5. Book Of Memories – PERCY WIGGINS (1967 USA 7” single on Atco 6479) [A?]
6. That’s How It Feels – THE SOUL CLAN [feat Arthur Conley, Ben E. King, Solomon Burke, Don Covay and Joe Tex] (June 1968 USA 7” single, B-side to “Soul Meeting” on Atco 2530)
7. I Love You More Than Words Can Say – OTIS REDDING (March 1967 USA 7” single on Volt 146 [A])
8. Baby, Baby, Baby – PERCY SLEDGE (Recorded September 1969, Previously Unreleased cover of the Aretha Franklin song)
9. Hold On – JAMES CARR (May 1971 USA 7” single on Atlantic 2803 [A]) (His lone single on Atlantic)
10. Pouring Water On A Drowning Man – OTIS CLAY (April 1970 USA 7” single on Cotillion 44068 [A])
11. Lovebones – MIGHTY SAM (January 1970 USA 7” single, B-side of “I’ve Got Enough Heartaches”)
12. The Love Of My Woman – DARRELL BANKS (1968 USA 7” single on Cotillion 44006, B-side to “I Wanna Go Home”)
13. Coldest Days Of My Life – WALTER JACKSON (1970 USA 7” single on Cotillion 44077, B-side to “Bless You”)
14. Whiter Shade Of Pale – R.B. GREAVES (November 1970 USA 7” single on Atco 6789 [A])
15. Change With The Seasons – CARL HALL (1972 USA 7” single on Atlantic 2856, B-side to “Need Somebody To Love”)
16. What A Woman Really Means – DONNY HATHAWAY (Recorded January 1973, “Extension Of A Man” Album Outtake, Previously Unreleased)

The compilation is produced by DAVID NATHAN who also does the informative and affectionate liner notes - with the remastering done by long-time tape maestro and Rhino associate DAN HERSCH. Being from differing time frames, the sound ranges from very good (R.B. Greaves’ rare cover of the Procol Harum classic “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”) to full on fantastic (Otis Redding’s lovely ballad “I Love You More Than Words Can say” is beautifully clear).

As you see from the track list above, there are some previously unreleased songs, rare non-album B-sides and rarities like the one-off single James Carr did for the label. The choices are clever (many first time on CD) and heavy on ballads, which I personally like. “Book Of Memories” is a lovely organ-driven slow song (lyrics above) while The Chi-Lites would redo Eugene Record’s “The Coldest Days Of My Life” to great effect on Brunswick in 1972. Besides – any hint of a new Donny Hathaway track and I have to own it…

On the downside, the playing time is a bit short and you can hear why some of the unearthed tracks were unreleased – they’re good, just not great. But, for Atlantic fans and lovers of soul, this is a little sweetheart of a compilation – and after a few listens, even the lesser tracks have grown on me.

To sum up – a tasty little set then – and I was so impressed, I bought it’s 16-track companion “Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters” straight after it…

Recommended.

“Fargo” on BLU RAY. A Review of the 1996 Film Now Transferred to BLU RAY in 2009.

“…You Should See The Other Guy!…”

Rewatching 1996's "Fargo" on Blu Ray is an odd experience - a bit like the film itself. It's both better and worse...

First - the Blu Ray print - I'd estimate that about 50% of the time, the picture is much, much better and the close-up shots in police cars in particular are beautifully clear. But unfortunately it's worse in other areas - there's a lot of blocking in the blizzard scenes, fuzziness indoors and the feeling of a low-budget Indie film is now accentuated rather than subdued...and although people will argue that's the nature of this independent movie, I'm not so sure it's such a good thing with the merciless exposure Blu Ray gives film stock.

The Special Features is a lone commentary by cameraman and photographer ROGER DEAKINS and it's funny and informative, but there was surely room for so much more...cast interviews?

Speaking of which...the casting is inspired. Both Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare (turned up as Satan in Constantine) are fabulous as the hapless and deranged kidnappers - a perfect foil to the bumbling William H Macy character Jerry. Macy is astonishing in Fargo - so brilliant that mere adjectives fail me. But he's matched in subtlety by Frances McDormand who plays the lovely, decent and upbeat highway copper Marge - pottering about in her huge comfy coat saying "Ya" and "Jeez" all the time, threatening to barf and chomping away on burgers and huge meals to keep herself and her advanced pregnancy stoked up... The dialogue is ball-breakingly funny, the slightly oddball characters surely drawn from real life and the violence arbitrary and a lot more ugly than you remember it. You have to love the Coens - you really do!

If you have affection for this grotesque, compelling and strangely human film - then the Blu Ray with it's improved depiction of sheet of paper attached to Steve Buscemi's gunshot cheek - is a good buy. And that look on Marge's face at the end as she tries to comprehend what psycho in the back seat did to his partner in the famous woodchopper scene...is priceless.

A good Blu Ray release then - but docked a star for not putting more extras on here (which will undoubtedly turn up on the "Ultimate" Edition a few years down the line)...

“I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.” by SINEAD O’CONNOR. A Review of the Limited Edition April 2009 2CD Reissue of her 1990 Number 1 Album.

"…God Grant Me The Serenity To Accept The Things I Cannot Change…Courage To Change The Things I Can…"

There's a lot on here - and not on here - so let's get to the details...

The 10 tracks of Disc 1 (51:13 minutes) are the LP "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got." originally released on Ensign Records CHEN 14 in March 1990 in the UK and Ensign 21759 in the USA (it reached Number 1 on the charts in both countries). Produced by Sinead and Nellie Hooper and Engineered by Chris Birkett, unfortunately the original CD was always a lacklustre affair sound-wise - but this April 2009 Limited Edition 2CD remaster by ADAM NUNN at Abbey Road Studios is 'so' much better - warm and clear - and huge in places.

Listening to the now upfront drums and bass of "I Am Stretched On Your Grave" is wonderful (Steve Wickham of The Waterboys plays Fiddle on it). The very quiet "Three Babies" is now beautiful too - the strings arranged by Sinead and Nick Ingman acting as a powerful backdrop to the melody - her vocals emotional and real. "The Emperor's New Clothes" features ANDY ROURKE of THE SMITHS on Bass (he's also on "You Cause As Much Sorrow") with blistering guitar work from MARCO PIRRONI of Adam Ant's backing band - it's a punky little number that still rocks. "Black Boys On Mopeds" was arranged by KARL WALLINGER of WORLD PARTY (ex Waterboys) and ends Side 1 of the original LP in acoustic style - the remaster bringing out its quiet power and heartfelt lyrics about "...police who kill black boys on mopeds..."

The opener of Side 2 - Prince's stunning "Nothing Compares 2 U" changed her life. I remember the video to this day - like a fist in the solar plexus - and here it still has that same visceral punch - great stuff and an undeniable masterpiece. Pirroni co-wrote "Jump In The River" and while it rocks, it suffers a little from too much clever-clever production that now sounds a little dated. No such problems though with the spiked "You Cause As Much Sorrow" - it sounds fantastic now - huge when the band kicks in after the acoustic opening - and the album finisher is the same - drenched echoed vocals...

The packaging is only ok. As you open the digipak your met with the photo and the "God's place..." quote that centred the inner sleeve of the original LP - it was of the Roach family standing by a photo placard of their murdered son Colin, but some twat has reversed the way it faced so now spells their boy's name backwards - sloppy. The booklet isn't any great shakes either - it's a paltry 8-pages - there is new notes by JOHN REYNOLDS her drummer and flatmate of the time - his reminiscences are interesting and informative. There are session details for the album and the extras - and on the rear page there's reproductions of the pictures sleeves from the six singles that came off and surrounded the album. Better is the truly lovely photos of Sinead - the one that fronts the inlay in particular is a contender for the most beautiful woman in the world category - exquisite. There's more under the see-through trays that house each CD. But neither the digipak nor the inlay reproduce the lyrics that came with the original LP inner and CD booklet, which is again really slapdash because her words have always been brave and true and sometimes uncomfortable - they should be here, but they're not...

The "Bonus Disc" (46:23 minutes) opens with a genuine sensation - one of two album outtakes and they're both cover versions. "Night Nurse" is a Gregory Isaacs song - it's a funky reggae version given a Sly and Robbie groove - it had customers come to the counter in our shop asking who it was... The second is a big-guitars version of John Lennon's underrated "Mind Games" from his album of the same name (1974). It's excellent. Speaking of womanly excellence, Etta James had put out a great return-to-form album on Island Records in 1989 called "Seven Year Itch" - from it Sinead took "Damn Your Eyes" written by Steve Bogard and Barbara Wyrick and it became a non-album B-side to "Three Babies" in October 1990 - it's rare on CD and is a genuine bonus in remastered sound here.

"My Special Child" was released as a stand-alone single around the album in May 1991 (it was in aid of "The Simple Truth" foundation trying to help Kurdish refugees) - it's gorgeous and features LIAM O'FLYNN of THE CHIEFTAINS on Uillean Pipes with DONAL LUNNY of PLANXTY and THE BOTHY BAND arranging the strings of THE IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA. But even more lovely is the non-album "Silent Night" - it was released as a single in December 1991, but this is the "Long Version" from "The Ghosts Of Oxford Street" soundtrack of the same year - it's also produced by and features PETER GABRIEL on Keyboards. Previously unreleased or not, the two final live tracks are badly recorded and are disappointing - and as you can see from the playing time, there were plenty of room for other 12"/CD single tracks - the "Live Video Version" of "Nothing Compares 2 U" - or the "Night Until Morning Dub/Earthapella" mix of "I Am Stretched..." with the sample of The Smiths "How Soon Is Now" guitar part - or the excellent "Value Of Ignorance" non-album track from the CD single of "Three Babies"...

So there you have it - an album that still stands the test of time - now given a great sonic upgrade and a bonus disc with some half-decent nuggets on it. And even if the packaging is a little lacklustre and the bonuses not fleshed out enough - it's still a thoroughly recommended purchase.

Sinead O'Connor has always been beautiful and brave - inside and out - and here's where that searcher of spirit really started her journey...