"This Was" by JETHRO TULL (April 2008 EMI 'Collector's Edition' 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Won't Somebody Tell Me Where I Lay My Head Last Night…"

This April 2008 40th Anniversary 2CD 'Collector's Edition' of Jethro Tull's explosive 1968 debut album "This Was" on EMI/Chrysalis 206 4972 (Barcode 5099920649722) has been a long time coming - but the wait has been so worth it. 

Sound-wise this peach is simply off the charts good and as a reissue has breathed new life into a long forgotten and largely dismissed album. I suspect that even people who don't like Tull (and they are derided in certain circles) will enjoy this and be duly impressed. There's a lot on here, so here's a detailed breakdown first... 

Disc 1 (71:28 minutes):

1. My Sunday Feeling

2. Someday The Sun Won’t Shine

3. Beggar’s Farm

4. Move On Alone

5. Serenade To A Cuckoo

6. Dharma For One [Side 2]

7. It’s Breaking Me Up

8. Cat’s Squirrel

9. A Song For Jeffrey

10. Round

Tracks 1 to 10 are the MONO VERSION of the album "This Was" released 25 October 1968 in the UK on Island ILP 985. February 1969 saw the album released in the USA on Reprise RS 6336 but in Stereo only - the Stereo mix is on Disc 2.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. So Much Trouble

12. My Sunday Feeling

13. Serenade To A Cuckoo

14. Cat’s Squirrel

15. A Song For Jeffrey

Tracks 11 to 15 are live-in-the-studio recordings made for John Peel's "Top Gear" Radio program on BBC 1, recorded 23 July 1968 in London (broadcast August & September 1968)

16. Love Story

17. Stormy Monday

18. Beggar’s Farm

19. Dharma For One

Tracks 16 to 19 are more live-in-the-studio recordings as per 11 to 15...recorded 5 November 1968 in London (broadcast December 1968)

Disc 2 (55:18 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the STEREO VERSION of the album "This Was" released 25 October 1968 on Island ILPS 9085 [credited here as a "New Stereo Mix"]

BONUS TRACKS: 

Tracks 11 and 12 are ADDITIONAL NEW STEREO MIXES of "Love Story" and "Christmas Song" [New to this set]

Tracks 13 to 16 are ORIGINAL MONO RECORDINGS (UK Singles)

13 is "Sunshine Day", their debut UK 7" single issued 16 February 1968 on MGM Records 1348 [miscredited as Jethro Toe]

14 is "One For John Gee", non-album B-side to "A Song For Jeffrey", 2nd UK 7" single issued September 1968 on Island WIP 6043

15 is "Love Story", November 1968, Non-Album Track, A-side of their 3rd UK 7" single on Island WIP 6048

16 is "Christmas Song", also a non-album track on release, B-side to 15

PETER MEW at Abbey Road has expertly remastered the 1st generation original masters tapes and the results are stupendous - the clarity is now unbelievable on both the old MONO MIX and the newly constructed STEREO MIX. Getting your hands on an original UK MONO vinyl copy of this album has always been an expensive and difficult affair - the STEREO version a little less so. So it's great to finally have both on a good CD.  The 12-page booklet is a little crammed (pictures of 45's you can barely make out due to their tiny size), but it does features new notes from both Ian Anderson and Mick Abrahams.

Highlights - the opening track "My Sunday Feeling" (lyrics above) is classic Tull - rock with a flute jazz tint. Speaking of which - the track "Serenade To A Cuckoo" first appeared on Rahsaah Roland Kirk's 1964 album "I Talk With The Spirits". Kirk's flute technique of humming and mouthing as you play the instrument clearly blew away the young Ian Anderson, because he's been aping that style ever since (it's also the only time a cover version has appeared on a Jethro Tull album).

The bluesy "Beggar's Farm" is so clear now as are Clive Bunker's drums on "Dharma For One". The Stereo Mix of "Some Day The Sun Won't Shine" absolutely leaps out of the speakers, while the harmonica and guitar duo intro on "It's Breaking Me Up" perfectly compliments the slinky bass line by Glenn Cornick. "Cat's Squirrel" just rocks like a monster too.

The additional BBC stuff is very good (the band was still fresh) as are the properly remastered versions of the early Tull singles (most of which were non-album until the 2LP set "Living In The Past" in 1972).

I'd have preferred a far more expanded booklet, but it's the great remaster that makes me come back to this reissue time and time again... Onwards from here to Mick Abraham's Blodwyn Pig and their stunning 1969 debut "Ahead Rings Out" (see separate review).

EMI are to be praised for this - an absolute winner - recommended big time.

PS: for Peter Mew's work see also Dr. Feelgood's "Down By The Jetty" DELUXE EDITION and Kevin Ayers' "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" – both reviewed in my download book SOUNDS GOOD: 1970’s Rock and Pop… 

“Nazareth/Exercises” by NAZARETH (Their 1st and 2nd Albums from 1971 and 1972 Reissued onto a 2009 Salvo Single CD 'Expanded Edition') - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…I'm Burning Up Inside…”

This is the first title in Salvo's reissue of the entire Nazareth catalogue - the Scottish Seventies hard rock band that took their name from a lyric in "The Weight” - a song on The Band's debut album "Music From Big Pink”. 

Each of these UK issues comes in a Tri-Gatefold card sleeve with the 'Loud, Proud & Remastered' logo on the front cover. When folded out, two of the flaps usually reflect the gatefold artwork of the original UK LP while the third flap gives us a live shot of the period (disc in the right flap, booklet in the left). Here are the hairy-men details…

UK released September 2009 on CD - "Nazareth/Exercises" by NAZARETH on Salvo SALVOCD030 (Barcode 698458813022) features their first two 70ts albums Remastered onto 1CD and plays out as follows (74:21 minutes):

1. Witchdoctor Woman

2. Dear John

3. Empty Arms, Empty Heart

4. I Had A Dream

5. Red Light Lady (Part 1 & 2)

6. Fat Man

7. Country Girl

8. Morning Dew

9. The King Is Dead

Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut album "Nazareth" issued January 1971 in the UK on Pegasus Records PEG 10 and May 1972 on Warner Brothers BS 2615 in the USA (later pressings are on A&M).

10. I Will Not Be Led

11. Cat’s Eye, Apple Pie

12. In My Time

13. Woke Up This Morning

14. Called Your Name

15. Fool About You

16. Love Now You’re Gone

17. Madelaine

18. Sad Song

19. 1692 (Glencoe Massacre)

Tracks 10 to 19 are their 2nd album "Exercises" issued June 1972 in the UK on Pegasus Records PEG 14 and October 1972 on Warner Brothers BS 2639 in the USA (later pressings are on A&M). Note: the band returned to “Woke Up This Morning” for their 3rd album “Razamanaz” - the version on this debut album is therefore commonly known as “Version 1”.

The 16-page colour booklet is superb, liner notes by band expert JOEL McIVER, pictures of rare UK 7" singles, Euro picture sleeves, tour program, promo photos from 1972 - very nicely done (it's missing the rear ‘cards' artwork of "Exercises" though). But the really big news for the fans is the fantastic new SOUND. TIM TURAN at Turan Audio has remastered the original tapes and a truly fabulous job has been done - loud, clear, and ballsy - without being overbearing. To use the vernacular - this rocks...

Downsides - there were 4 singles issued between the 2 LPs - two of them "Dear John" and "Morning Dew" (itself an edit) had non-album B-sides - "Friends" and "Spinning Top" - they're not on here (neither is the edit). If you want those, you'll need the previous issue of both albums - a bit of a pain really. The lovely artwork for the rear sleeve of the US "Exercises" is missing too as I said and someone has double-imaged the first sleeve picture for the rear, which does no one any favours. That said - I actually like the packaging and at least each issue to follow will be uniform...

As you've no doubt read from other reviewers, the songs on these formation albums are viewed as good at best - and in the case of "Exercises" where they veered away from their rock formula - as even less so. But I’d argue that it's not all that bad. I love the quirky Band-feel to "Cat's Eye, Apple Pie" and "Fool About You" from Exercises, while "Empty Arms, Empty Heart" from their debut is as good as anything Wishbone Ash was doing at the time. "Dear John" from the first album (lyrics above) also features excellent bluesy piano work from Pete Wingfield of Britain's Blue Horizon signing "Jellybread" (see separate review of their Complete BH material). But there's no doubt that "Love Now You're Gone" and the weedy "Madeline" is plodding stuff. And their 1st version of "Woke Up This Morning" hadn't quite got there yet. Still, at least all the tracks are now saved by truly great sound quality...

This is probably the 3rd or even 4th reissue of Nazareth's material on CD by varying labels - but Salvo’s gallant attempt is by far the best sounding version [Dan McCafferty has to be one of the most underrated vocalists of the period - Frankie Miller too]. The packaging is also pleasing to the eye and it's pitched at mid-price.

But it would take hunger, Roger Glover of Deep Purple as a Producer and a return to good old rock blues to deliver the real goods next time around - the awesome “Razamanaz" and the album that followed it “Loud ’N’ Proud” (see reviews)…

"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