"CADILLAC WALK - The Mink DeVille Collection" by MINK De VILLE [featuring Willy DeVille] (2001 EMI CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This review is part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" 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

"…She’s My Inspiration Dressed In Red…She’s Spinning All My Friends Heads…"

This unassuming and slightly forgotten September 2001 CD compilation is a superb little number - and for two of the best reasons - track choices and sound.

"Cadillac Walk - The Mink DeVille Collection" by MINK DeVILLE on EMI/Capitol 5350162 (Barcode 724353501624) gives us 22 songs taken from Willy DeVille's first three albums for Capitol Records credited as the band MINK DeVILLE - all of which feature truly fantastic 24-Bit Remastering by EVREN GOKNAR. There have been reissues of this stuff before but never sounding this good...it breaks down as follows (70:22 minutes):

1. Spanish Stroll

2. Mixed Up Shook Up Girl

3. She’s So Tough

4. Cadillac Walk

5. Gunslinger

6. Venus Of Avenue D

7. Little Girl

Tracks 1 to 7 are from their debut album "Mink DeVille" [aka "Cabretta"] issued in the US in June 1977 on Capitol ST-11631 and June 1977 in the UK on Capitol E-ST 11631 (7 of its 10 songs are here - produced by JACK NITZSCHE)

8. ‘A' Train Lady

9. Guardian Angel

10. Confidence To Kill

11. Soul Twist

12. Desperate Days

13. I Broke That Promise

14. Just Your Friends

Tracks 8 to 15 are from their second album "Return To Magenta" issued April 1978 in the USA on Capitol ST-11780 and July 1978 in the UK on Capitol E-ST 11780 (7 of its 10 songs are here - also produced by JACK NITZSCHE)

16. This Must Be The Night

17. Savoir Faire

18. Mazurka

19. Turn You Every Way But Loose

20. Bad Boy

21. Just To Walk That Little Girl Home

22. That World Outside

Tracks 16 to 22 are from their third album "Le Chat Bleu" issued in the UK in March 1980 on Capitol E-ST 25390 and in the USA in September 1980 on Capitol ST-11955. Their 3rd album was co-produced by DeVille with legendary saxophonist STEVE DOUGLAS.

NOTE: Both albums in the UK album and USA sported 10 cuts - but the US version had a different track run to the UK variant on Side 2 only. The US version replaced the UK “Mazurka” track with "Turn You Every Way But Loose" – both of these songs are on this compilation (Tracks 18 and 19). This CD therefore offers 7 remastered tracks out of a total of 11 across the UK and US variants.

The 8-page booklet has detailed and very affectionate liner notes by BEN EDMONDS while the inlay beneath the see-through CD tray pictures single and album sleeves from all over the world - a nice touch. While the wonderful "Spanish Stroll" is a great opener, it's not until you reach "The Immortals" singing their doo-wop back up vocals on "Mixed Up Shook Up Girl" that you really start to hear how good the sound quality is - this is a beautifully remastered disc. The cover of John "Moon" Martin's "Cadillac Walk" is punchy as hell too, while the big slide intro for "Venus Of Avenue D" sounds so muscular - a cool street hustle beat that is so Lou Reed it's brilliant (lyrics above).

His 3rd album benefited enormously from a like-minded soul when DeVille co-wrote many of its songs with the legendary DOC POMUS - "Just To Walk That Little Girl Home" and the almost Spector feel to "You Just Keep Me Holding On" are lovely (Steve Douglas who worked with Spector in the Sixties probably made sure of that huge sound).  Another little gem is "Bad Boy" - a typically cool cover; it was a hit for a Rhythm 'n' Blues Vocal Group called THE JIVE BOMBERS in 1957 on Savoy; it was subsequently used on the soundtrack to the 1983 movie "Breathless". 

Niggles - it's a damn shame that Cabretta's Side 2 opener "Can't Do Without It" which also features The Immortals isn't on here - and another gem "Steady Drivin' Man" from "Return To Magenta" is missing too, but it's good for UK buyers to have "Turn You Every Way But Loose" which was exclusive to the original US LP (see above). Ok - so eight tracks across the 3 albums are missing and when you check the seventy minute playing time, a couple more could have been thrown in easily - but dirt cheap online - "Cadillac Walk" is still stunning value for (peanuts) money.

DeVille then signed to Atlantic and produced two more albums "Coup De Grace" (1981) and "Where Angels Fear To Tread" (1983). Thereafter releases were sporadic but often brilliant - "Miracle" in 1988 with MARK KNOPFLER jumps to mind - it's long been a unspoken masterpiece in my mind and a hi-fi wet dream - while "Loup Garou" from 1996 saw him return to his more romantic troubadour persona but with honesty about his fatal drug-taking - I play both to this day and love them to bits (see review for "Miracle").

Aged only 56 - Willy De Ville sadly died of Pancreatic Cancer in August 2009 - another one of my heroes from the vinyl-days gone. I only have to hear "Hey Johnny! They lookin' for you man..." in "Spanish Stroll" and I'm beaming. This superb CD is a great way to remember him by… 

“My Feeling For The Blues” by FREDDIE KING. A Review of his US-Only 1970 Album on Cotillion Records Reissued By Repertoire on CD in 1991.

"…One Day We Have Ham And Bacon…And The Next Day…Ain’t Nothin’ Shakin’…"

The mid to late Sixties was a strange and difficult time for many Blues men – most were without contracts, forgotten and under-appreciated - then the Blues boom happened (particularly in the UK) and many had their careers kick-started again. Freddie King was no exception.

His last album had been for Federal in 1964, but with a new lease of life on the mighty Atlantic label, he produced two much revered LPs in rapid succession. The first was “Freddie King Is A Blues Master” released in 1969 on SD 9004 and then this peach - “My Feeling For The Blues” on Cotillion SD 9016 released in early 1970.

This 1991 Repertoire CD (REP 4170-WZ) is a straightforward transfer of that second 11-track album (36:03 minutes).

Ace saxophonist KING CURTIS produced the record - with all arrangements by Atlantic’s newest soul protégé DONNY HATHAWAY (except “Woke Up This Morning” which was Arranged by King Curtis).

The musicians for the sessions were:
Lead Guitar & Vocals – FREDDIE KING
Rhythm Guitar – CORNELL DUPREE
Tenor Saxophones – GEORGE COLEMAN and FRANK WESS
Tenor & Baritone Saxophones – TREVOR LAWRENCE and WILLE BRIDGES
Trumpets – ERNIE ROYAL and MARTIN BANKS
Piano – GEORGE STUBBS
Bass – JERRY JEMMOTT
Drums – KEVIN RICE
“What’d I Say” features Bass Marimba and Sax Solo by KING CURTIS
“You Don’t Have To Go” and “The Things I Used To Do” feature Harmonica by HUGH McCRACKEN

The 3-way foldout inlay has a brief but informative history of King’s career by BERND MATHEJA that is sided on Page 3 by a selected Discography. Although licensed from East West, it doesn’t advise who remastered what – but the sound quality is great nonetheless – clean, muscular and so enjoyable. Repertoire as a label has always had a good reputation when it comes to transfers.

Side 1 opens with the down and dirty “Yonder Wall” which not surprisingly for the date it was recorded name-checks men coming home from the Vietnam War. It’s followed by a cracking Freddie King instrumental called “The Stumble” – the kind of cool boppin’ blues tune that turns up on those hip compilations you read about. “I Wonder Why” and “Stormy Monday” (BB King and Jimmy Witherspoon covers) get the brassy treatment like “Yonder Wall” to great effect, while Side 1 ends with a wonderful take on Willie Mabon’s “I Don’t Know” with the bass really forward and funky in the mix.

Side 2 opens with a version of Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say” that builds like the Atlantic original did, which is followed by one of my favourites, a fabulous soulful take on Jimmy Witherspoon’s standard “Ain’t Nobody’s Business What We Do” (lyrics above). It’s followed by a superb harmonica driven shuffle, a cover of Jimmy Reed’s “You Don’t Have To Go” which features Freddie giving it some funky blues – such a cool number. The pace is then expertly changed to another “…my baby is gone…” song, a cover of B.B. King’s “Woke Up This Morning” with punchy brass fills (you can hear Hathaway’s soulfulness in a lot of the arrangements).

This album has been reissued subsequently in 2008 by another company but apparently the sound isn’t the greatest; the only other stop is the July 2009 Bear Family Box Set called “Taking Care Of Business” that covers everything from 1956 through to 1973 across 7 CDs and a Hardback Book - a Christmas treat I feel certain I’m going to allow myself.

Born in 1934, Freddie King suffered a heart attack at a concert in December 1976 and passed away two days later. Name-checked by hosts of luminaries like Eric Clapton and Peter Green, on hearing this totally forgotten peach of an album, it’s easy to see why this bluesman is remembered with such affection.

A nice CD and worth seeking out - next stop the bank-manager and Bear Family’s stupendous box set…

“Later That Same Year” by MATTHEWS SOUTHERN COMFORT [feat Ian Matthews] (2008 Beat Goes On CD 'Expanded Edition' Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Sylvie Don't You Cry No More…”

To my knowledge only a few bands in history have released three studio albums in the same year - Creedence Clearwater Revival and Fairport Convention jump to mind - and both of those managed this feat in 1969. The UK's MATTHEWS SOUTHERN COMFORT (featuring Ian Matthews - formerly of Fairport Convention) threw out three of such things in 1970 with "Later That Same Year" being the last of the trio before Ian Matthews jumped ship and went solo. And that’s where this wonderful Beat Goes On CD Reissue and Remaster comes galloping in…

UK released June 2008 - "Later That Same Year" by MATTHEWS SOUTHERN COMFORT on Beat Goes On BGOCD 807 (Barcode 5017261208071) is an 'Expanded CD Version' of their 3rd and final album and plays out as follows (55:48 minutes):

1. To Love

2. And Me

3. Tell Me Why

4. Jonah

5. My Lady

6. And When She Smiles

7. Mare Take Me Home

8. Sylvie

9. Brand New Tennessee Waltz

10. For Melanie

11. Road To Ronderlin

Tracks 1 to 11 are the British track listing for the album “Later That Same Year” released in the UK in November 1970 on MCA Records MKPS 2015. It was recorded at Morgan Studios in London and produced by Ian Matthews. "Later That Same Year" was belatedly released in the USA (as was the "Woodstock" single) on Decca DL 75264 in April 1971 and had a different 11-track run. If you want to sequence the US LP version from this CD it runs as follows:

Side 1: 12, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Side 2: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

[Note: Track 4 on Side 1 of the UK LP "Jonah" was left off the US LP]

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Woodstock

13. The Struggle

14. Parting

15. Scion

Tracks 12 and 15 ("Woodstock" b/w "Scion") was the band's biggest hit single. Although she famously didn’t attend the August 1969 three-day concert - Joni Mitchell wrote "Woodstock" about the event and initially gave the song to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. They put out a rocking version of “Woodstock” on their 2nd album "Deja Vu" in 1970 which Ian heard and loved. However, Ian Matthews slowed the song down and softened the feel considerably – and in doing so – somehow captured the positive vibe of the time. "Woodstock" was first released in July 1970 in the UK on Uni Records UNS 521 with "Scion" as its B-side - both tracks being non-album at the time. Constant BBC Radio 1 airplay eventually saw it crawl to Number 1 in September 1970. Rather stupidly MCA didn't include it on the UK LP so "Later That Same Year" didn’t even crack the Top 50 album chart – even with a Number 1 single buzzing around it. The US single on Decca 32774 was issued in April 1971 with "Ballad Of Obray Ramsey" as its B-side (see note below) where it reached number 23 on the charts.

Tracks 13 and 14 are also non-album songs. Track 13 "The Struggle" was the B-side to "Colorado Springs Eternal" a single lifted from their debut album "Matthews Southern Comfort" released early in 1970. The British 45 was issued January 1970 on Uni Records UNS 513 and is said to feature Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention on Guitar.

Track 14 "Parting" was the B-side to "Ballad Of Obray Ramsey" lifted off their 2nd LP "Second Spring" - the 45 was issued May 1970 in the UK on Uni Records UNS 521.

I’d have to say that a downside for US fans is the exclusion of "Ballad Of Obray Ramsey" - the USA B-side to "Woodstock" - but it is available on another BGO release which gathers up the first and second albums in their entirety onto 1 CD – "Matthews Southern Comfort" and "Second Spring" on BGOCD 313 issued back in June 1996.

The original tapes have been remastered by ANDREW THOMPSON at Sound Performance and the transfer is stunningly clean and clear – a really great job done – especially after having to do with budget-label dull-sounding CDs until now. The 8-page booklet has informative and affectionate liner notes by noted compiler DAVID WELLS and there’s a classy card wrap on the outside (a sort of visual trademark for BGO releases in the last few years).

I’ve always thought that “Later That Same Year” was their best album. There’s three superb Matthews originals – “And Me”, “My Lady” and “Road To Ronderlin”. Even better (and a source of consternation within the band) are the three goodies from guitarist CARL BARNWELL – especially the gorgeous “Sylvie” (lyrics above), which practically defines their mellow and laid back sound. Other notables are the last track on Side 1 “And When She Smiles” and the opening track of Side 2 “Mare, Take Me Home” which were both written by Alan C Anderson (“Big” Al) of the US band THE WILDWEEDS who had a lone album appear in early 1970 in the US on Vanguard VSD 6552. He later joined NRBQ and is still active in writing country songs to this day. The Carole King cover “To Love” (off her “Writer” LP) is a jaunty opener while their version of Neil Young’s “Tell Me Why” is as lovely as his “After The Gold Rush” original.

So there you have it – a really good album - a beautiful remaster and it’s all properly presented too. For those who love their Seventies mellow and melodious – this superb little CD is one to bring you peace, love and understanding…

“Blues From Laurel Canyon” by JOHN MAYALL (2007 Decca 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

CLASSIC 1960s MUSIC On CD - Exception Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…A New Magic World…Where I Never Felt So Free…"

Arriving in California in late July 1968 for a 3-week vacation - John Mayall met other like-minded people and it prompted a splurge of songs that musically documented his feelings of elation and finally belonging. 

When he got back to Britain - Mayall took his new stripped-down 4-piece band into Decca's Studios in West Hampstead for a 3-day session - 26 to 28 August 1968 - and out popped what many feel is his best album - "Blues From Laurel Canyon" – the entire record infused with reinvigoration and purpose. Here are the Californian details via E17...

The band for the session was:

JOHN MAYALL – Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards & Vocals

MICK TAYLOR – Guitars

STEPHEN THOMPSON – Bass

COLIN ALLEN – Drums & Tablas

UK released 3 September 2007 - "Blues From Laurel Canyon" by JOHN MAYALL on Decca 984 083-9 (Barcode 0602498408391) is an ‘Expanded Edition’ CD Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that breaks down as follows (61:13 minutes):

1. Vacation [Side 1]

2. Walking on Sunset 

3. Laurel Canyon Home

4. 2401

5. Ready To Ride 

6. Medicine Man 

7. Somebody's Acting Like A Child

8. The Bear [Side 2]

9. Miss James 

10. First Time Alone

11. Long Gone Midnight

12. Fly Tomorrow

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Blues From Laurel Canyon" - released November 1968 in the UK on both MONO and STEREO - Decca LK 4972 and Decca LKS 4972 (Stereo Mix used for CD). The LP peaked in the UK charts at Number 33 in January 1969 and was also issued February 1969 in the USA in STEREO-only on London PS 545 - peaking at No. 68. 

BONUS TRACKS: 

13. 2401 (Single Version)

14. Wish You Were Here (Live)

Track 13 is 'Single Version' of "2401" - the B-side of the "The Bear" which issued on 45 on Decca F 12846 in November 1968 in the UK

Track 14 is a rare eight and half minute live version of "Wish You Were Here" recorded in Sweden in December 1968 with the same band as the album line-up. It was first released on the "Primal Solos" LP in 1977 on London LC 50003 in the USA and then in 1983 in the UK on Decca TAB 66. 

A real let down however is that the MONO mix of the LP didn’t make the CD - but in fairness to the compilers - even if you drop the twelve and half minutes of the two bonus tracks - it would have been a push to get both versions on here intact – and the live track is a great addition – especially for fans of this wonderful band line-up.  

Co-produced by MIKE VERNON (of Blue Horizon fame), the sound quality achieved on the original vinyl albums was famously superb and PASCHAL BYRNE of Audio Archiving has only amplified that in this truly fantastic remaster – ballsy, clean and beautifully clear. The 16-page booklet features the original Mayall liner notes, the lyrics and a detailed and affectionate appraisal of the album by noted writer and project co-ordinator MARK POWELL. There are even outtake photos from the album cover shoot.

The LP itself played like his emotions - tracks segue into each other, which either lifts the mood up or down depending on the tempo of the song – a clever representation of what he was feeling – jumping one moment, mellow the next. Highlights include the blisteringly good "Walking On Sunset" (lyrics above) which itself segues into the slinky and fabulous piano blues of "Laurel Canyon Home" which name-checks Zappa's girl-group signing "The GTO's" - while genuinely lamenting his departure from that Californian suburb in the lyrics "…here's a way of living that I will sorely miss…"  

"The Bear" was a tribute to Canned Heat's lead singer BOB HITE - while the quietly plaintive "First Time Alone" features the echoed licks of PETER GREEN as a guest guitarist. It's followed by superb keyboard work from Mayall on "Long Gone Midnight" which then gives way to the album's big finisher – and what an Outro it is – the stunning nine minutes of "Fly Tomorrow". After Chris Allen's Tabla intro - Mick Taylor finally gets room to stretch out and show how he can play guitar. It's magnificent stuff and when I feature it on a shop play list - it brings customers to the counter asking - "who's this?"

So there you have it – John Mayall's "Blues From Laurel Canyon" is like Blodwyn Pig's "Ahead Ring Out" from 1969 (see review), Fleetwood Mac's "Then Play On" (also from 1969) and Taste's "On The Boards" (January 1970) – a properly great rock album from that extraordinary period of time – and it still stands up some forty years after the event. 

Mick Taylor went on of course to join the Stones and the wow of "Beggars Banquet", "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile On Main St." - and in 2017 aged 83 - John Mayall is still playing the music he loves – the blues – with a little bit of boogie and rock thrown in. 

A fab reissue then with quality remastered sound and annotation. 

Five out of five... 

“The New Folk Sound Of…” by TERRY CALLIER. A Review of his Sixties debut album on Prestige now reissued on a 2003 CD Remaster with Three Bonus Tracks.

"…Better Days Coming…You And Me Brother…We Can Make It So…”

There are now TWO CD issues of this album…

The first was released in 1995 in the UK on one of Ace Records label imprints - Beat Goes Public CDBGPM 101 (second image above). It was a straightforward reissue of the US vinyl album on Prestige PR 7383. It ran to 37:46 minutes and had no mastering or remastering credits. The sound quality was ok, but it has been made redundant by…

This 2nd issue (first image above) – an upgraded 2003 remaster that adds three previously unreleased outtakes from the original session to the album’s eight tracks (55:01 minutes).

This new version on Beat Goes Public CDBGPM 156 has been transferred by JOE TARANTINO at the Fantasy Studios in California – and if I was to describe what’s better - it’s the vocals – they’re far more amplified and to beautiful effect. Unfortunately, it’s still a gatefold slip of paper that provides no history of the record (the original May 1965 liner notes are reproduced, but it’s the usual vague Sixties babble that doesn’t actually inform you of anything).

Aged only 23, “New Folk Sound Of…” was recorded by SAMUEL CHARTERS in the Webb Recording Studios in Chicago in just one day – 29 July 1964 – and released in the late summer of the following year. There are only 3 musicians – TERRY CALLIER on Guitar and Vocals, TERBOUR ATTENBOROUGH on Bass and JOHN TWEEDLE also on Bass. Another surprise is that all the songs are covers – five being Public Domain Traditionals while the other three were from songwriter catalogues of the time.

Side 1 opens with the lovely and lonesome “900 Miles” which sets up his style and the album’s overall feel. Although it’s just him on Acoustic Guitar with his voice high up in the mix and the other instruments behind him, the effect is more FOLK-SOUL than just Folk or Roots. It’s beautifully atmospheric – the kind of album you’d play on a quiet Sunday morning when you just want something soothing on the ear and brain.

Some tracks work better than others. It’s difficult to hear “Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be” now without thinking of a schoolyard song we used to sing which rudely rhymed a “Lavatory” with “Matter Be”. But things get better with the quietly lovely “Johnny Be Gay If You Can Be” and “Cotton Eyed Joe”. The difference on the remaster of “Cotton Eyed Joe” is stark – the vocals soar out of the speakers.

One of the album’s true masterpieces is Side 2’s opener - the plea for racial equality and an end to all war - “It’s About Time” (lyrics above). Written by a beat poet and a female US songwriter (Kent Foreman and Lydia Wood) and running to a mere 3:33 minutes, it features a lovely guitar strum, but this time it has the added double bass of TERBOUR ATTENBOROUGH which lifts the song out of it’s folk-roots feel into something so much more powerful and substantial. It still sounds awesome to this day – as meltingly relevant then as it is now. It’s followed by “Promenade In Green” which is a Negro song from Alabama copyrighted by Robert Kaufman and Len Chandler in 1961 (a year before Callier started singing) – it’s heart-meltingly lovely. “I’m A Drifter” is excellent too, but probably overstays its welcome at just short of nine minutes.

The extras are a revelation. It’s easy to see why they were left off the album – it’s not that they’re sub-standard it’s just that they were more of the same and something had to give. Which is good news for us some 45 years later because the gambling song “Jack O’ Diamonds” is superb, but the real winner is his cover of the Judy Collins song “The Golden Apples Of The Sun” which incorporated the poetry of William Butler Yates into the words. It’s gorgeous. What a find!

As you’ve no doubt gathered, I’ve been soppy about Terence Orlando Callier for years, so perhaps my review is overly gushing – but once your weary lugs actually hear this criminally forgotten gem, you’ll understand why…

Despite the lack of notes and an appreciation of the man’s legacy – this is a great reissue of a soft and graceful start – and a philosophy to life that continues to inspire to this day.

I strongly urge you to get this superb CD reissue into your life.

PS: see also my reviews for the two albums he followed “Folk Sound” with - “Occasional Rain” (1972 on Cadet) and “What Color Is Love” (1973 on Cadet).

“Trailer Park” by BETH ORTON. A Review of the 2009 2CD “Legacy Edition” Reissue of her 1996 Debut Album.

"…Sometimes I Wonder…Do You Ever Think Of Me…"

This 9 March 2009 2CD remaster (HVNLP17CD-LE) of Beth Orton’s lovely 1996 debut album is a clever choice for a Legacy Edition. But with the original CD of “Trailer Park” languishing on many internet retailer sites for under eighty pence and the 5 CD singles that effectively make up Disc 2 costing as little as two pounds, then a person honestly has to be asking – why buy this? The answer for fans is the superlative remaster on Disc 1 - and for newcomers, the musical revelations on Disc 2.

But here’s a detailed breakdown first…

Disc 1 (59:41 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 11 are her debut album “Trailer Park” issued October 1996 on Heavenly Recordings on LP, Cassette and CD (HVNLP 17, HMVMC 17 and HVNCD 17).

Disc 2 (57:49 minutes):
1. Safety
2. It’s Not The Spotlight
1 and 2 are on the CD single of “She Calls Your Name” issued May 1977 on Heavenly HVN60CD. 1 is an Orton original, while 2 is a cover version of a song written by BARRY GOLDBERG with lyrics by GERRY GOFFIN (of Goffin & King fame). It turned up as a cover on Bobby Bland’s 1973 album “Dreamer” and then two years later Rod Stewart more famously covered it on his “Atlantic Crossing” album.
3. Galaxy Of Emptiness [Live at the Sheppard’s Bush Empire, 26 Nov 1996]
4. Pedestal
5. Touch Me With Your Love [Instrumental]
3 to 5 are non-album tracks on the CD single of “Touch Me With Your Love” issued January 1997 on Heaven HVN64CD.
6. It’s This I Am Find
6 is a non-album track on the CD single of “Someone’s Daughter” issued March 1997 on Heaven HVN65CD.
7. Bullet
8. Best Bit (Early Version)
7 and 8 are non-album tracks on the reissued CD single of “She Calls Your Name” issued June 1997 on Heavenly HVN68CD.
9. Best Bit
10. Skimming Stone
11. Dolphins
12. Lean On Me
Tracks 9 to 12 are the “Best Bit EP” issued in December 1997 on Heavenly HVN72CD. All songs were non-album. “Dolphins” is a FRED NEIL cover (lyrics above), while “Lean On Me” first appeared on an album called “Occasional Rain” from 1972 on Cadet Records. 11 and 12 features American soul icon TERRY CALLIER on duet vocals - 12 is Callier doing his own song.
13. I Love How You Love Me
13 is a cover version of a PARIS SISTERS song from 1961 written by BARRY MANN and LARRY KOLBER (produced by Phil Spector).

MILES SHOWELL at METROPOLIS did the remaster in August 2008 and it’s a beautiful job. If I was to say what’s better – it’s the rhythm section – suddenly the bass and drums are there – and with more muscle than before. This isn’t a loud remaster for the sake of it because when I play the old version against this, the difference is much more subtle than that – but it is better. Highlights for me are “Don’t Need A Reason” and the wonderful clarity of “Sugar Boy”.

But the real shock is the quality of Disc 2. Putting all the non-album sides and EP tracks together on one disc is an obvious approach for a reissue, but man - the results! Played all the way through, the coherence of the tracks makes it sound some long lost beautiful album – it just so works. The “Best Bit EP” with the two Terry Callier duets have long been fan favourites – “Lean On Me" is more soul-bliss than an average soul can stand – it still floors me as to how good their two beautiful voices matched. And while I might risk an assassination attempt on my life here (such is the affection the album is held in), I’m tempted to say that Disc 2 is arguably far better than Disc 1? Whatever way you look at it, the listener is on a musical winner here.

So there you have it - for fans there’s the beautiful new sound quality, and for newcomers there’s a superb debut on Disc 1 with a fantastically complimentary album’s worth on Disc 2.

A great little reissue - and at under seven coins from most online retailers - this is stunning value for money.

"+ FOURS" - The 12-Inch Single Series (PLUS FOURS). A Discography of the ABC Records Series of 12" Singles Issued 1977 in the UK only by Mark Barry...

A Discography of the ABC Records 12” single series from 1977 in the UK. They were distributed by ANCHOR Records, each had 4 Tracks per release (well known hits - some rarities), they played at 45 RPM and usually retailed at 99p. They were referred to as "+ Fours" or "Plus Fours" or simply "Four Tracks From..." The track lists are taken from the 12" singles themselves and the release dates (after the catalogue numbers) are from a Music Master 1979 Industry Catalogue.

1. ACE (ABC Records ABE 12005) [August 1977]
Side 1: How Long/Sniffin’ About
Side 2: No Future In Your Eyes/You’re All That I Need

2. ALICE COOPER (Anchor Records ANE 12001) [June 1977]
Side 1: Welcome To My Nightmare/Department Of Youth
Side 2: Black Widow/Only Women Bleed

3. THE CRUSADERS (ABC Records ABE 12013) [November 1977]
Side 1: Put It Where You Want It/Stomp & Buck Dance
Side 2: Keep That Same Old Feeling/Chain Reaction

4. ISAAC HAYES (ABC Records ABE 12007) [August 1977]
Side 1: Disco Connection/Chocolate Chip
Side 2: Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak)/Groove-A-Thon

5. JAMES GANG featuring JOE WALSH (ABC Records ABE 12010) [October 1977]
Side 1: Funk 48/The Bomber (a) Closet Queen (b) Cast Your Fate To The Wind
Side 2: Woman/Funk 49

6. MAMAS and PAPAS (ABC Records ABE 12006) [June 1977]
Side 1: Monday Monday/Dedicated To The One I Love
Side 2: California Dreaming/Creeque Alley

7. DAVE MASON (ABC Records ABE 12009) [October 1977]
Side 1: Only You Know And I Know/Can’t Stop Worrying, Can’t Stop Loving
Side 2: Pearly Queen/World In Changes

8. THE POINTER SISTERS (ABC Records ABE 12012) [November 1977]
Side 1: How Long/Going Down Slowly
Side 2: Yes We Can Can/You’ve Gotta Believe

9. POCO (ABC Records ABE 12011) [November 1977]
Side 1: Rose Of Cimarron/Keep On Tryin’
Side 2: Indian Summer/Staring At The Sky

10. LLOYD PRICE (ABC Records ABE 12015) [December 1977]
Side 1: Stagger Lee (1958)/Personality (1960)
Side 2: Just Because (1957)/Where Were You On Our Wedding Day

11. RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN (ABC Records ABE 12004) [October 1977]
Side 1: Tell Me Something Good/Once You Get Started
Side 2: You Got The Love/Dance With Me

12. STEELY DAN (ABC Records ABE 12003) [December 1977]
Side 1: Do It Again/Dallas
Side 2: Haitian Divorce/Sail The Waterway
["Dallas" and "Sail The Waterway" was the 1st UK 7" single for STEELY DAN on Probe Records PRO 562 in September 1972. It preceded the UK release of their debut album "Can't Buy A Thrill" (released Sept 1972 in the USA, January 1973 in the UK).
However, neither track appeared on the debut when it was released and neither has been on any album since. With no official CD release of either song (as of Jan 2011), and outside of the original 7" single which is hard to find, this UK vinyl 12” single is one of the few places to find these two rare tracks.

13. STEPPENWOLF (ABC Records ABE 12008) [August 1977]
Side 1: Born To Be Wild/Sookie Sookie
Side 2: Magic Carpet Ride/The Pusher

14. JOE WALSH (ABC Records ABE 12002) [June 1977]
Side 1: Rocky Mountain Way/Turn To Stone [1974 “So What” Version]
Side 2: Meadows/Walk Away [Live]

15. DON WILLIAMS (ABC Records ABE 12014) [December 1977]
Side 1: Amanda/I Recall A Gypsy Woman
Side 2: You're My Best Friend/In The Shelter Of Your Eyes

+ FOURS - Numerical Order
12001 – see ALICE COOPER
12002 – see JOE WALSH
12003 – see STEELY DAN
12004 – see RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN
12005 – see ACE
12006 – see MAMAS and PAPAS
12007 – see ISAAC HAYES
12008 – see STEPPENWOLF
12009 – see DAVE MASON
12010 – see JAMES GANG featuring JOE WALSH
12011 – see POCO
12012 – see THE POINTER SISTERS
12013 – see THE CRUSADERS
12014 - see DON WILLIAMS
12015 - see LLOYD PRICE