"It Ain't Easy" by JOHN BALDRY – June 1971 US and UK LP on Warner Brothers featuring Rod Stewart, Elton John, Ron Wood, Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne, Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows, Leslie Duncan, Doris Troy and members of Hookfoot and Elton John’s Band (August 2005 UK Warner Brothers 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster Plus Six Bonus Tracks (Five Previously Unreleased Studio Outtakes and One Radio Spot Commercial) - Dan Hersch Remasters by Rhino) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...It Ain't Easy...When You're Going Down..."

 

When Nashville songwriter Ron Davies wrote "It Ain't Easy" for his 1970 LP "Silent Song Through The Land" (A&M SP-4264) - he probably had no idea that huge rock acts would then take his unknown song and name TWO entire albums after it – THREE DOG NIGHT in 1970 and (LONG) JOHN BALDRY in 1971.

 

Many will also be aware of the song through David Bowie's cover on Side 1 of 1972's "Ziggy Stardust". Even Dave Edmunds had a go for his debut album "Rockpile" on Regal Zonophone - also in 1972 (see separate review). "It Ain't Easy" was just one of those cool rock tracks that lent itself to other artists who then somehow made it 'their' song. Baldry (who loved bluesy based acoustic tunes) was also clearly partial to its charms (lyrics above)...

 

The LP "It Ain't Easy" by JOHN BALDRY was released on Warner Brothers WS 1921 in June 1971 in the USA and on Warner Brothers K 46088 in the UK. The British Album sported different artwork to the US Issue (it is not pictured or mentioned on the release) and as this is based on the American album – the US artwork is used throughout.

 

This UK-released 29 August 2005 CD Reissue (September 2005 in the USA) on Warner Brothers 8122784642 (Barcode 081227846428) bolsters up the original 9-track album with 6 bonus outtakes and 1 Radio Spot. The cover uses the US artwork (the UK front and rear sleeve was different, but is unfortunately not featured anywhere on this reissue) while the booklet provides session details for each song (excepting the bonus tracks). The recording of the album also involved a large cast of British rock notables (all listed below) - but first here's a detailed track-by-track breakdown (69:11 minutes):

 

"It Ain't Easy" Album

1. Intro: Conditional Discharge [Side 1]

2. Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie On The King Of Rock And Roll [Jeff Thomas song]

3. Black Girl [Huddie Ledbetter aka Leadbelly cover]

4. It Ain't Easy [Ron Davies song]

5. Morning, Morning [Fugs cover]

6. I'm Ready [Willie Dixon song/Muddy Waters cover]

7. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield [Randy Newman cover] – Side 2

8. Mr. Robin [Leslie Duncan cover]

9. Rock Me When He's Gone [Elton John/Bernie Taupin song - Exclusive Track]

10. Flying [Ronnie Lane-Rod Stewart-Ronnie Wood song/Faces cover]

 

CD BONUS TRACKS

11. Going Down Slow [a St. Louis Jimmy cover - 1941 Blues track - real name Jimmy Burke Oden]

12. Blues (Cornbread, Meat And Molasses) [Sonny Terry/Brownie McGhee cover]

13. Love In Vain [Robert Johnson cover]

14. Midnight Hour Blues [Leroy Carr cover]

15. Black Girl [Alternate Take]

16. It Ain't Easy [Alternate Take]

17. I'm Ready [Alternate Take]

18. Radio Spot [30-Second Spoken Advert for the US Market made in 1971 - it talks about LBJ and Fleetwood Mac leaving the UK to tour and "...storm America"]

 

The band for the ROD STEWART sessions was:

Lead Vocals - LONG JOHN BALDRY (12-String Guitar on "Black Girl")

Guitars - RON WOOD (of Faces, Rolling Stones) [Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 16 and 17]

Guitars and Pedal Steel Guitar - SAM MITCHELL [Tracks 1 to 5, 15 and 16]

Piano - IAN ARMIT

Mandolin - RAY JACKSON (of Lindisfarne) on "Black Girl" and "Morning Morning"

Tenor Sax Solo - ALAN SKIDMORE on "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie..."

Bass - RICK BROWN

Drums - MICKIE WALLER (of Steampacket)

Backing Vocals - MAGGIE BELL (of Stone The Crows) on "Black Girl" and "It Ain't Easy"

 

The band for the ELTON JOHN sessions was:

Guitars - CALEB QUAYE and JOSHUA M'BOPO (of Hookfoot)

Piano - ELTON JOHN

Bass - DAVE GLOVER

Drums - ROGER POPE

Backing Vocals - Leslie Duncan, Madelene Bell, Doris Troy, Kay Garner, Liza Strike, Tony Burrows, Tony Hazzard & Roger Cook

 

The original green label of the US and UK vinyl albums is aped on the CD label, the 12-page inlay has affectionate and information June 2005 liner notes by SID GRIFFIN and the expert remastering has been carried out by Rhino's long-time tape associate DAN HERSCH.

 

It sounds just brilliant - analogue warm and in your face for all the right reasons. At times in fact it feels like the FACES unleashed - both acoustically and in full-on band mode. Music wise - this is pre "Every Picture Tells A Story" and "Madman Across The Water" - I mention these albums specifically because Side 1 sounds like "Picture" (produced by Rod and featuring his backing band), while Side 2 sounds like a more rockier version of "Madman" (produced by Elton etc). Couple this with great song selections (fast and folky alike) and Baldry's British toff speaking voice sounding like a guttural fired-up Eric Burden when he sings and the effect is magical...

 

But the real fireworks for me come in the blistering bonus tracks. Faces and Mercury-years Rod Stewart fans will flip for these - 4 are acoustic (11, 12, 14 and 15), while the other 2 are band orientated (16 and 17). In fact it almost sounds like these tracks represent the true spirit of the sessions - an unplugged pure blues album trying desperately to get out - get past all that production. Infuriatingly, it doesn't say who plays the harmonica and acoustic guitar on the fabulous version of "Going Down Slow" or the weird cello intro on the Alternate "Black Girl"?

 

A fabulous little CD reissue then and it compliments his second album for Warners "Everything Stops For Tea" that followed in 1972 which is also now reissued 25 August 2005 by Warner Brothers in the UK (see separate review for "Everything Stops For Tea" by JOHN BALDRY on Warner Brothers 8122784652 - Barcode 081227846527). That CD is also another 'Expanded Edition' Remaster this time with Five Bonus Tracks. Both of these individual CDs were combined into one 2CD compilation called "Boogie Woogie: The Warner Bros. Recordings" on Rhino Handmade for the American market in December 2005 (see separate review for that also).

 

In June 1964, Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men released an obscure UK 7" single on United Artists UP 1056. Its B-side - a raucous cover of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's gospel tune "Up Above My Head" - featured an uncredited duet vocal with a sensational new singer (it was Rod Stewart's first vinyl appearance). You have to say that Rod The Mod certainly repaid the gallant Englishman for this launching pad, when he put together this wicked little album for him in 1971 at the behest of Joe Smith - President of Warners. As Baldry says in an interview in the liner notes – both Elton and Rod were feeling their way at the time – but the feel of the spirit of those Faces type-sounds of 1971 permeates this release and for me anyway that is in itself a special kind of aural Heaven.

 

With Baldry lost to us since July 2005 after a long battle with cancer (aged 64 and living in Canada) - this CD Reissue and its Best Buddy "Everything Stops For Tea" is a lovely way to remember that most Blighty of male singers. And well done to all those involved for finally seeing them reissued. Rest in Peace you British beauty...

UK LP SLEEVE 

“Rockpile” by DAVE EDMUNDS (2001 Repertoire 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Dancing And Humming…A Rock'n'Roll Melody…"

This September 2001 Expanded CD gives us all 10 tracks of Dave Edmund's rare debut album "Rockpile" from 1972 and bolsters it up with the A&B sides of 3 singles that preceded its release. Repertoire REP 4966 (Barcode 4009910496626) breaks down as follows (50:54 minutes):

1. Down Down Down [written by Trevor Burton of The Move]

2. I Hear You Knocking [Stereo Album Version] [written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King, a Smiley Lewis cover]

3. Hell Of A Pain [written by Dave Edmunds]

4. It Ain't Easy [written by Ron Davies, a Nashville songwriter. It was covered also by Three Dog Night, David Bowie (on "Ziggy") and Long John Baldry. Baldry even named an album after the song in 1971 (UK Warner Brothers K 46088) - his version of the track was produced on that album by Rod Stewart and featured both Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones on Guitar and Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows on Backing Vocals]

5. The Promised Land [written by Chuck Berry]

6. Dance, Dance, Dance [written by Neil Young]

7. (I'm A) Lover Not A Fighter [mistakenly credited to Collier - it was written by Jay D Miller, a Louisiana record producer who first gave the song to Lazy Lester; it was released by Lester in 1958 on Excello Records 2143. The Kinks also covered it on their 1964 debut LP (correctly credited to Miller). Dave Edmunds' cover of the song combines elements of both versions]

8. Egg Or The Hen [written by Willie Dixon, a Koko Taylor cover]

9. Sweet Little Rock & Roller [written by Chuck Berry] (lyrics featured above)

10. Outlaw Blues [written by Bob Dylan]

Tracks 1 to 10 make up the album "Rockpile" issued June 1972 in the UK on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1026 and on London/Mam Records MAM-3 in the USA

11. I Hear You Knocking [7" Single Mix]

12. Black Bill [An Instrumental written by Dave Edmunds]

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B of his first solo single issued October 1970 in the UK on Mam Records MAM 1 [Mono] (reached Number 1 in the charts). Its US issue was on Mam 45-3601.

13. I'm Coming Home [cover of a Traditional Stephen Foster song called "Old Black Joe" reworded and reworked by Jerry Lee Lewis]

14. Country Roll [written by Dave Edmunds]

Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B of his second solo single issued March 1971 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3032 [Stereo]. Its US issue was on Mam 45-3608.

15. Blue Monday [written by Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino]

16. I'll Get Along [written by John Williams, the Bass Player]

Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B of his third solo single issued July 1971 on Regal Zonophone on RZ 3037 [Mono]. Its US issue was on Mam 45-3611.

(NOTE: Tracks 1 and 4, "Down Down Down" b/w "It Ain't Easy", were also issued as a 4th UK 7" single in July 1972 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3059. Tracks 11 to 16 were all non-album at the time of their release)

The musicians on "Rockpile" were:

Lead Guitar, Keyboards & Lead Vocals - DAVE EDMUNDS [Love Sculpture]

Second Guitar & Drums - ANDY FAIRWEATHER-LOW [Amen Corner]

Pedal Steel Guitar - B.J. COLE

Bass & Backing Vocals - JOHN WILLIAMS

Drums - TERRY WILLIAMS

The inner flap of the gatefold card digipak pictures 4 rare 7" picture sleeves while the 8-page liner notes feature an affectionate and expertly written history on the album by long-time Decca associate JOHN TRACY. John has done huge numbers of acclaimed liner notes for early Decca and Deram CDs - Thin Lizzy, Savoy Brown, Ten Years After etc.

The great news is the quality of the remaster - the tracks are wonderfully clear and full; there is some minor hiss on the MONO single mixes, but not too bad to make them a chore to listen to.

As you can see from the detailed track breakdown above, the album is top-heavy on cover versions, particularly those songs that have a rhythm 'n' blues or rock 'n' roll feel to them - Edmunds beloved field of expertise. "The Promised Land" was recorded in the summer of 1966 - and I suspect it wasn't re-recorded precisely because this version has that all-important `feel' to it. His version of Dylan's "Outlaw Blues" (from "Bringing It All Back Home") is a fantastic way to end the album.

In the near two decades that I've been mail-ordering rare records, this album on original UK Regal Zonophone vinyl has turned up maybe twice in decent condition - so it's a blast to have it finally reissued - and sounding so good too.

I've always loved Dave Edmunds and his particular slant on Rock 'n' Roll - a modern version of an old sound - filtered by a soul still enamoured with those glorious old 45s. A great little CD set really and heartily recommended…

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

“Snatch” on BLU RAY. A Review of the 2000 film now on a 2009 BLU RAY.

BULLET-TOOTH TONY: "…Open Him Up! He Ain’t A Tin Of Baked Beans You Know!”

AVI: "England?
Yeah! You Know! England! The Queen, Fish & Chips, Mary Fu**ing Poppins..."

BRICK-TOP: "In the words of the Virgin Mary, come again..."

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE "BLU RAY" VERSION ***

Watching "Snatch" again - but this time on BLU RAY - I'm left reeling - I really am. It's clever, it's ballsy and frankly Frank - it's just so bleeding entertaining!

But most of all - it's riotously funny. I mean if you're not laughing out loud, you're giggling like a fool most of the time. It's warm, confident - it's like an updated Ealing Comedy - so good and so irresistibly English. "Snatch" reminds me of the 1969 original of "The Italian Job" - another gem that works its way into your heart and stays there. This is seriously impressive stuff - and especially as it was only Guy Ritchie's second movie.

But the really great news is the PRINT; it's restored - and for about 95% of the time it looks immaculate in every frame. Very occasionally there's some blurring, maybe a few lines, but that's just the rough and tumble way it was filmed. And it’s very, very few...

The extras are there too, which is great - and it's very reasonably priced. But mostly it's just such a blast to see again - and looking this good - the transfer is a real pleasure to behold.

You also forget about the sheer size and quality of the cast - Benicio Del Toro as the mumbling gambler Frankie Four-Fingers - Alan Ford as the fantastically crass and violent Brick Top - Rade Shelbedgia as the unkillable Russian Boris The Blade - Vinnie Jones as the man hunter Bullet-Tooth Tony - Dennis Farina as the Jewish American Diamond broker, Mike Reid as his English equivalent - Stephen Graham as the hapless sidekick Tommy who thinks too much about dairy products and what they do to the digestive system - and of course, the movie's trump cards - the pairing of Jason Stratham as Turkish and Brad Pitt as Mickey the bare-knuckle Irish boxing champion. Great stuff. Throw in hip music, choppy editing, apt locations and a dictionary of slang to work out what everyone is saying - and it's as chipper as a bulldog who's just swallowed a squeaky toy...

Having recently seen "Sherlock Holmes" at the cinema (and been seriously impressed too), I can feel the need for a Guy Ritchie spending purge coming on...

"Snatch" on BLU RAY is brilliant fun - a winner to look at - and reasonably priced too.

Way to go guys. Recommended - big time.

"History Of Rhythm And Blues 1925-1942, The" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 97 Tracks Across 4 CDs including Blind Willie Johnson, Jessie May Hill, Frank Stokes, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Memphis Minnie, Jimmy Rodgers, Sleepy John Estes, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Skip James, Lonnie Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Washboard Slim, Big Joe Turner, Jay McShann, Champion Jack Dupree, Leroy Carr, Roosevelt Sykes, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Louis Jordan and many more (March 2008 UK Rhythm And Blues Records 4CD Card Digibook Box Set – Volume 1 of 4) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Blues Done Called Me...Packed My Things And Go... "

 

Released in March 2008 - "The History Of Rhythm & Blues 1925-42" by VARIOUS ARTISTS is the first issue from Rhythm And Blues Records - a new label out of the UK specializing in quality reissues of R&B music from way, way back. Volume 1 in this 4CD Box Set/Book Pack Series has been followed by Volume 2 (1942-52), Volume 3 (1952-1957) and Volume 4 (1957-1962) - all with heavily annotated booklets. I've collected the lot and love them. Here are the debut set's details...

 

Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB001 (Barcode 5065001126000) breaks down as follows...

 

Disc 1 (73:54 minutes):

"From The Delta To The City - Country Blues And Spirituals, Jug Bands And Hokum"

1. My Soul is A Witness - AUSTEN COLEMAN (1934, Library Of Congress 1)

2. It's Nobody's Fault But Mine - BLIND WILLIE JOHNSON (1927, Columbia 14303)

3. The Crucifixion Of Christ - JESSIE MAY HILL (1927, Okeh 8490)

4. Shake That Thing - PAPA CHARLIE JACKSON (1925, Paramount 12281)

5. Outside Woman Blues - BLIND JOE REYNOLDS (1929, Paramount 12927)

6. It's A Good Thing - FRANK STOKES (1927, Paramount 12518)

7. Minglewood Blues - GUS CANNON'S JUG STOMPERS (1928,Victor 21267)

8. Match Box Blues - BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON (1927, Okeh 8455)

9. Diddie Wah Diddie - BLIND BLAKE (1929, Paramount 12888)

10. Milk Cow Blues - SLEEPY JOHN ESTES (1930, Victor 38614)

11. Ease It To Me Blues - BARBEQUE BOB (1928, Columbia 14614)

12. No No Blues - CURLEY WEAVER (1928, Columbia 14388)

13. Apaloosa Blues - BOBBY LEECAN and ROBERT COOKSEY (1927, Victor 20853)

14. Little Rock Blues - PEARL DICKSON (1927, Columbia 14286)

15. Kansas City Blues - JIM JACKSON (1927, Vocalion 1144)

16. Train Whistle Blues - JIMMIE RODGERS (1929, Victor 22379)

17. Goin' Back To Texas - MEMPHIS MINNIE (1929, Columbia 14455)

18. Roll And Tumble Blues - WILLIE "HAMBONE" NEWBERN (1929, Okeh 8679)

19. If You Haven't Any Hay - SKIP JAMES (1931, Paramount 13066)

20. Kokomo Blues - SCRAPPER BLACKWELL (1928, Vocalion 1192)

21. It's Tight Like That - GEORGIA TOM and TAMPA RED (1928, Vocalion 1216)

22. Didn't It Rain - BRYANT'S JUBILEE QUARTET (1931, Banner 32175)

23. Beale Street Breakdown - JED DAVENPORT (1930, Vocalion 1478)

24. Milk Cow Blues - KOKOMO ARNOLD (1934, Decca 7026)

 

Disc 2 (72:38 minutes):

"The Rhythm - Piano Boogie-Woogie, Ragtime And Jazz"

1. Get Low-Down Blues - BERNIE MOTEN'S KANSAS CITY ORCHESTRA (1928, Victor 21693)

2. Mr. Johnson's Blues - LONNIE JOHNSON (1925, Okeh 8253)

3. Backwater Blues - BESSIE SMITH (1927, Columbia 14195)

4. Knockin' A Jug - LOUIS ARMSTRONG (1929, Okeh 8703)

5. Bullfrog Blues - CHARLES PIERCE ORCHESTRA (1928, Paramount 12619)

6. Pinetop's Boogie Woogie - PINETOP SMITH (1928, Vocalion 1245)

7. Cow Cow Blues - COW COW DAVENPORT (1928, Vocalion 1198)

8. Guitar Boogie - BLIND ROOSEVELT GRAVES and BROTHER (1929, Paramount 12855)

9. How Long How Long Blues - LEROY CARR & SCRAPPER BLACKWELL (1928, Vocalion 1191)

10. The Dirty Dozen No.1 - SPECKLED HEN (1929, Brunswick 7116)

11. Vicksburg Blues - LITTLE BROTHER MONTGORMERY (1930, Paramount 13006)

12. Sweet Miss Stella Blues - BLU HARMONY BOYS (1929, Paramount 12901)

13. Minnie The Moocher - CAB CALLOWAY & HIS COTTON CLUB ORCHESTRA (1931, Brunswick 6074)

14. St. Louis Blues - MILLS BROTHERS (1932, Brunswick 6330)

15. Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn - THREE KEYS (1932, Vocalion 1703)

16. Midnight Hour Blues - LEROY CARR (1932, Vocalion 1703)

17. Lafayette - BERNIE MOTEN'S KANSAS CITY ORCHESTRA (1932,Camden Victor 24216)

18. Flaming Reeds And Screaming Brass - JIMMIE LANCEFORD and HIS ORCHESTRA (1933)

19. Strut That Thing - CRIPPLE CLARENCE LOFTON (1935, Vocalion 02951)

20. Dirty Mother For You - ROOSEVELT SYKES (1936, Decca 7160)

21. Weed Smoker's Dream - HARLEM HAMFATS (1936, Decca 7234)

22. Press My Button - LIL JOHNSON (1936, Vocalion 3199)

23. Night Time Is The Right Time - ROOSEVELT SYKES (1937, Decca 7324)

24. The Blues Ain't Nothin' But - GEORGIA WHITE (1938, Decca 7562)

 

Disc 3 (72:59 minutes):

"Up River To Chicago - Urban Blues And Gospel"

1. Teasin' Brown Blues - LOUIE LASKY (1935, Vocalion 2955)

2. Barrelhouse Woman - LEROY CARR & SCRAPPER BLACKWELL (1934, Vocalion 2791)

3. Lead Pencil Blues - JOHNNY TEMPLE (1935, Vocalion 03068)

4. Policy Dream Blues - BUMBLE BEE SLIM (1935, Vocalion 03090)

5. Naptown Stomp - BILL GAITHER (1935, Decca 7179)

6. Sloppy Drunk Again - WALTER DAVIS (1935, Bluebird 5879)

7. Jockey Blues - JAZZ GILLUM (1936, Bluebird B6409)

8. Holy Mountain - ELDER OTIS JONES (1936, Bluebird 6626)

9. Standing By The Bedside Of A Neighbour - GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET (1937, Bluebird 7278)

10. Louise Louise Blues - JOHNNY TEMPLE (1936, Decca 7244)

11. Barrelhouse When It Rains - BIG BILL BRONZY (1937, Arc 70764)

12. Good Morning Schoolgirl - JOHN LEE `SONNY BOY' WILLIAMSON (1937, Bluebird 7059)

13. Preachin' Blues (1936, Vocalion 04630)

14. Number Runner Blues - JIMMIE GORDON (1938, Decca 7536)

15. Tell Me Baby - JOHN LEE `SONNY BOY' WILLIAMSON (1939, Bluebird 8474)

16. Rockin' Chair Blues - BIG BILL BROONZY (1940, Okeh 06116)

17. Diggin' My Potatoes - WASHBOARD SAM (1939, Bluebird 8211)

18. This Train - SISTER ROSETTA THARPE (1939, Decca 2558)

19. Don't You Lie To Me - TAMPA RED (1940, Bluebird 8654)

20. Jivin' The Blues - JOHN LEE `SONNY BOY' WILLIAMSON (1940, Bluebird 8674)

21. I Feel So Good - BIG BILL BROONZY (1941, Okeh 6688)

22. Worried Life Blues - BIG MACEO (1941, Bluebird 8827)

23. Junker Blues - CHAMPION JACK DUPREE (1941, Okeh 06152)

24. Ain't No Business We Can Do - COCTOR CLAYTON (1942, Bluebird B9021)

25. Mean Ol' Frisco - ARTHUR "BIG BOY" CRUDUP (1942)

 

Disc 4 (72:49 minutes):

"Jazzin' The Blues - After Hours Swing, Boogie And Jive"

1. Boogie Woogie Stomp - ALBERT AMMONS and HIS RHYTHM KINGS (1936, Decca 749)

2. Boogie Woogie - COUNT BASIE as JONES-SMITH INC (1936, Vocalion 3459)

3. One-O-Clock Jump - COUNT BASIE (1937, Decca 1363)

4. Sing Sing Sing - BENNY GOODMAN (1937, Victor 25796)

5. Keep-A-Knockin' - LOUIS JORDAN's ELKS RENDEZVOUS BAND (1939, Decca 7609)

6. T'Ain't What You Do - JIMMIE LUNCEFORD and HIS ORCHESTRA (1939, Vocalion 4582)

7. Jumpin Jive - CAB CALLOWAY (1939, Vocalion 5005)

8. I Like To Riff - NAT COLE TRIO (1941, Decca 8592)

9. That's The Rhythm - THREE SHARPS AND A FLAT (1940, Okeh 05971)

10. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water - THE CATS and THE FIDDLE (1939, Bluebird 8402)

11. After Hours - ERSKIN HAWKINS (1940, Bluebird 10879)

12. Floyd's Guitar Blues - ANDY KIRK & HIS CLOUDS OF JOY (1939, Decca 2483)

13. Gangster Blues - PEETIE WHEATSTRAW (1940, Decca 8592)

14. Roll `Em Pete - BIG JOE TURNER with PETE JOHNSON (1938, Vocalion 4607)

15. Down The Road A-Piece - WILL BRADLEY TRIO (1940, Columbia 35707)

16. Central Avenue Breakdown - LIONEL HAMPTON and HIS ORCHESTRA (1940, Victor 26652)

17. Death Ray Boogie - PETE JOHNSON (1941, Decca 3830)

18. Natchez Mississippi Blues - LEWIS BRONZEVILLE FIVE (1940, Bluebird 8445)

19. Confessin' The Blues - JAY McSHANN (1941, Decca 8559)

20. What's The Use Of Getting' Sober - LOUIS JORDAN and HIS TYMPANY FIVE (1942, Decca 8645)

21. Take It And Git - ANDY KIRK & HIS CLOUDS OF JOY (1942, Decca 4366)

22. Cow Cow Boogie - FREDDIE SLACK and HIS PORCHESTRA with ELLA MAE MORSE (1942, Capitol 102)

23. Flying Home - LIONEL HAMPTON and HIS ORCHESTRA (1942, Decca 18394)

24. Mean Old World - T-BONE WALKER (1942, Capitol 10033)

 

There's an outer card wrap that houses a 3-way fold out 4-disc clip holder. The 32-page booklet (attached to the centre inner sleeve) gives detailed track-by-track analysis of each song - when it was recorded, players if known, USA 78" catalogue numbers, chart positions etc... Between the texts are trade adverts, some artist publicity photos and small colour pictures of those beautiful Vocalion, Bluebird, Okeh, Decca and Brunswick 78" labels. The read for each entry is fabulous - great detail and clear affection for his subject matter. Some of these artists like Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan and Amos Easton (Bumble Bee Slim) were huge and had massive recording careers. There's a very cool advert for Cab Calloway 'world famous orchestra leader' endorsing Schenley Whiskey because it 'tastes better'.

 

Downsides - although the set looks nice, the discs are hard to get out of the clips and the attached booklet is difficult to read because it's attached. The 2nd volume from 2009 in this series rectified all that - different inner holder and a pouch for a separate booklet (see separate review). If you want a full printed out version, the same detailed text is available from their website in colour.

 

Expertly and lovingly compiled by NICK DUCKETT and remastered by PR INTERNATIONAL - given the vintage of the recordings (1925 to 1942), the sound quality obviously varies enormously - some are awful, but others are superlative. It's amazing how good some of the Thirties Blues sounds - "Knockin' A Jug" by Louis Armstrong is stunning and the amazingly lewd "Lead Pencil Blues" by Johnnie Temple (a man not troubled by Viagra problems) sounds so good - it's eerie.

 

But what doesn't vary is the sheer charm of the recordings themselves - the ballsy nature of the lyrics - the poverty and despair of an entire part of society on the move (lyrics from Bessie Smith's "Backwater Blues" - Track 3 on Disc 2 - give this review it's title). It's like eavesdropping on history - and it's a feel that is both funny and heartbreaking at the same time. I also found that around the centre of Disc 2, the track choices 'so' begin to work - flowing into each other - it weaves a magical listen that had many customers coming to the counter in our shop asking, "who's this?"

 

Retailing at under twenty quid (and often less) from most online retailers, and despite its packaging niggles, this box set of 97 remastered classics and obscurities is both revelatory and great value for money - and it's music you'll find yourself loving and wanting more of. A rather lovely reissue really - recommended...