"Orbison 1955-1965" by ROY ORBISON (August 2001 GERMAN Bear Family 7CD LP-Sized Box Set with 199 Tracks and (My) Added 7" and LP Discographies for the Entire Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orbison-1955-1965-Roy/dp/B000059ZJO?crid=3FGS1X27MTG39&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qc73DudPjhOh_qMjTNpg5g.CbQy8_qBDn5hNLZit2HX43o6l8xY7apkwME2hJYuwPY&dib_tag=se&keywords=4000127164230&qid=1720864597&sprefix=4000127164230%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=367396c58b630082274768991ded8ca9&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…No One Can Look As Good As You…Mercy!"

The 7CD ROY ORBISON retrospective "Orbison 1955-1965" was first released August 2001 in Germany on Bear Family BCD 16423 GL (Barcode 4000127164230) and contains 199 Remastered tracks (it has recently been restocked at Bear Family as late as July 2024 - their stuff is never truly deleted). 

Included are remastered mono and stereo LP and 7" single cuts, his 1st ever Acetate, Coke adverts from the 1960’s and many previously unreleased outtakes and alternate versions (majority are stereo). It was produced by Howard Cockburn, Richard Weize and John Beecher with Tape Research, Transfers and Mastering by Adam Skeaping, Howard Cockburn, Richard Weize and Boppin' Bob Jones. The details are many, so here goes…

CONTENTS:
Disc 1, 29 Tracks, 62:48 minutes
Disc 2, 26 Tracks, 58:29 minutes
Disc 3, 17 Tracks, 72:48 minutes
Disc 4, 27 Tracks, 68:39 minutes
Disc 5, 28 Tracks, 73:58 minutes
Disc 6, 24 Tracks, 66:58 minutes
Disc 7, 38 Tracks, 79:21 minutes
(28 to 38 on Disc 7 are Coke Adverts, all Previously Unreleased)

This box will allow you to sequence the A&B sides of 34 singles – 1 on Je-Wel, 1 on Imperial by Weldon Rogers (B-side only), 5 on Sun (one of them is a re-issue), 2 on RCA, 1 on Phillips International by Ken Cook (A-side only), 1 on London Germany (both A&B versions are exclusive to this release), 1 on London UK (the A-side version is exclusive to this release), 20 on Monument, 1 on MGM Records (A-side only) and 1 UK-only 4-Track EP on CBS/Monument from 1983.

The Sun and Monument albums from the period are all here too (complete) along with all or parts of relevant subsequent LP/CD releases. In the LP list below, it should also be noted that 1 and 3 to 9 were issued in both Mono and Stereo on original LP – but in all cases Bear Family have used ONLY the STEREO versions (2 was only ever issued in Mono).

1. "Lonely And Blue"
(Monument SM-14002, Stereo, 1961)
2. "Roy Orbison At The Rock House"
(Sun Records SLP-1260, Mono, 1961)
3. "Crying"
(Monument SM-14007, Stereo, May 1961)
4. "Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits"
(Monument SM-14009, Stereo, August 1962)
5. "In Dreams"
(Monument SLP 18003, Stereo, July 1963)
6. "More Of Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits"
(Monument SLP 18024, August 1964)
7. "Early Orbison"
(Monument SLP 18023, Stereo, October 1964)
8. "There Is Only One Roy Orbison"
(MGM Records SE 4308, Stereo, September 1965)
[Note: only the opening track of Side 1 and his 1st single on the label is featured – "Ride Away"]
9. "Orbisongs"
(Monument SLP 18035, Stereo, December 1965)

Other/Subsequent LP releases:
10. "Special Delivery" [by Roy Orbison, Joey Powers & Bobby Bare]
(1964 USA LP on RCA Camden)
11. "The Roy Orbison Collection"
(1983 UK 2LP set on CBS/Monument MNT 10041 with a bonus 4-Track EP (XPS 178))
12. "Problem Child – Sun Sessions 1956-8"
(1988 UK LP on Zu-Zazz Records Z 2006 with 12 Previously Unreleased Sun Sides)
13. "Rare Orbison II"
(1990 USA CD on CBS AK 45404
14. "The Golden Decade"
(Knight Records ROYCD 47002, 1990 UK 3CD Set)
15. "Are You Ready – Previously Unissued 1956 Recordings" [by THE TEEN KINGS]
(2000 UK CD on Rollercoaster RRCD 3012 – all 17 tracks featured)

PACKAGING:
"Orbison 1955-1965" is housed in a 12" x 12" LP-Sized hard card box with a 104-page 'Hardback Book' of the same dimensions. Pages 4 to 66 are a beautifully written appraisal of his career and legacy by noted musicologist COLIN ESCOTT which is peppered with exclusive black & white and colour photographs. Pages 68 to 83 has a brand new Discography by Bear Family's own RICHARD WEIZE which pictures those lovely Sun labels and between text features Trade Magazine reviews, session photos, record company tape boxes and master sheets, the Beatles and Roy Orbison Tour poster, his first acetate from 1955 etc. But it's finished off in real style by a 6-page array of worldwide releases on 7", EP and LP in eye-catching colour followed by Sheet Music covers and several beautiful full-plate colour photographs of Roy at home. Very, very nice…

Niggles; my biggest gripe is the cover photo which I think is rubbish – and worse it's unfortunately repeated on the book cover and amazingly on every single one of the CD inlays. With so much at their disposal and being such a huge release for a genuinely important artist – you'd think surely better could have been done?
The discography gives every Monument 7" single as having an 'MO' prefix (MO 461, MO 815 etc) when they are all 45-461 and 45-815, the Sun LP isn't referenced at all, the worldwide pictures don't tell you what is from what country (no catalogue numbers either), LPs and CDs referenced in the discography aren't pictured, catalogue numbers turn up without any hint as to what they are (XPS 178 is a 4-track EP in a British-only 2LP release in 1983!).

Also – for the casual buyer - getting all of the Monument albums on separate CDs and the Sun stuff will probably only cost you about £50 – so that's an awful lot of money for deluxe packaging and Coke adverts! But in real terms – these are only niggles…

Bear's "Orbison 1955-1965" is expensive for sure, but as with all of these hugely sumptuous box sets from Bear Family, it has exclusive musical rarities, a very comprehensive newly formed discography and presentation–wise is a genuinely beautiful thing to behold. A legendary amount of work and affection has gone into this release - and it shows. All this - and the sound quality is fabulous too.

Just get a better photo next time Richard!

PS: Below is a full discography of both the 7"s and LPs (referencing the entire box)

PPS: see also my reviews for other BF box sets – Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm, Buddy and Ella Johnson, Julia Lee, Louis Jordan, Slim Harpo, Freddie King and more

****************************************************************************

ROY ORBISON - USA 7" SINGLE DISCOGRAPHY (1955 to 1965)

Referencing the 7-CD Box Set "Orbison 1955-1965" 

Issued in August 2001 on Bear Family BCD 16423 GL

Notes:
1/2 = Disc 1, Track 2
2/14 = Disc 2. Track 14 etc
Excepting 1, 4, 8 and 25 - all tracks are credited to ROY ORBISON
(9 to 19 also feature "Bob Moore's Orchestra & Chorus"; 21 features "Joe Turner's Orchestra and Chorus")

1. Trying To Get To You b/w Ooby Dooby (April 1956, Je-Wel JE-101)
(Credited to THE TEEN KINGS - A is 1/2, B is 1/1
The A is a cover version of a B-side sung by a black vocal group called THE EAGLES on Mercury 70391 in 1954 ("Please, Please" is the A-side) – it was also covered by Elvis Presley who released his version on the RCA LP "Elvis Presley" on 23 March 1956. Roy’s version is more akin to the Presley take.)

2. Ooby Dooby b/w Go! Go! Go! (May 1956, Sun 242)
(A is 1/3, B is 1/4)

3. So Long, Good Luck And Goodbye b/w Trying To Get To You (July 1956, Imperial X5451)
(A is credited to WELDON ROGERS (a Country Artist); THE TEEN KINGS featuring Roy Orbison are on the B-side only)

4. Rockhouse b/w You're My Baby (September 1956, Sun 251)
(A is 1/7, B is 1/6)

5. Devil Doll b/w Sweet And Easy To Love (January 1957, Sun 265)
(Credited to ROY ORBISON And The Roses – A is 1/9, B is 1/8
Both sides are written by SAM PHILLIPS)

6. Chicken-Hearted b/w I Like Love (December 1957, Sun 284)
(A is 1/13, B is 1/14)

7. Sweet And Innocent b/w Seems To Me (October 1958, RCA Victor 47-7381)
(A is 2/11, B is 2/12)

8. Jolie b/w Almost Eighteen (January 1959, RCA Victor 47-7447)
(A is 2/14, B is 2/15)

9. I Was A Fool b/w Crazy Baby (1959. Phillips International PI 3534)
(Credited to KEN COOK.
Roy Orbison is uncredited, but plays Guitar and Sings on the A-side; the session also includes CHARLIE RICH on Piano, BILLY RILEY on Guitar and BILL JUSTIS on Tenor Saxophone.
A is on 2/10 – the B-side is not on the Box set)

10. Paper Boy b/w With The Bug (July 1959, Monument 45-409)
(A is on 4/1, B is on 4/3
Note: there are many Previously Unreleased Outtakes of these songs on Disc 7)

11. Uptown b/w Pretty One (November 1959, Monument 45-412)
(A is on 4/4, B is on 4/6)

12. Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel) b/w Here Comes That Song Again (June 1960, Monument 45-421)
(A is on 4/8, B is on 4/9)

13. Blue Angel b/w Today's Teardrops (October 1960, Monument 45-425)
(A is on 4/11, B is on 4/10)

14. Devil Doll b/w Sweet And Easy To Love (November 1960 Reissue, Sun 353)
(Not referenced on the Box Set – presumably the same as Sun 265)

15. I'm Hurtin' b/w I Can't Stop Loving You (December 1960, Monument 45-433)
(A is on Disc 4/19, B is on 4/18)

16. Running Scared b/w Love Hurts (April 1961, Monument 45-438)
(A is on 4/23, B is on 4/22 – B-side is a cover of The Everly Brothers hit)

17. Crying b/w Candy Man (August 1961, Monument 45-447)
(A is on Disc 5/4, B is on 5/7)

18. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) b/w The Actress (February 1962, Monument 45-456)
(A is on 5/19, B is on 5/20)

19. The Crowd b/w Mama (June 1962, Monument 45-461)
(A is on 5/22, B is 5 is on 5/23)

20. Leah b/w Workin' For The Man (October 1962, Monument 45-467)
(A is on 5/25, B is on 5/26)

21. In Dreams b/w Shahdaroba (February 1963, Monument 45-806)
(A is on 6/3, B is on 6/2)

22. Falling b/w Distant Drums (June 1963, Monument 45-815)
(A is on 6/1, B is on 5/28. Note: "Distant Drums" also turned up as a B-side for "Let The Good Times Roll" on Monument MO 906 in 1965)

23. Mean Woman Blues b/w Blue Bayou (September 1963, Monument 45-824)
(A is on 6/9, B is on 5/15)

24. Pretty Paper b/w Beautiful Dreamer (December 1963, Monument 45-830)
(A is on 6/13, B is on 6/7. Note: the A-side is a WILLIE NELSON song while the B-side is also a cover, a version of STEPHEN FOSTER’s famous traditional tune)

25. It's Over b/w Indian Wedding (April 1964, Monument 45-837)
(A is on 6/15, B is on 6/16)

26. Oh' Pretty Woman b/w Ye Te Amo Maria (August 1964, Monument 45-851)
(Credited as ROY ORBISON and THE CANDY MEN. A is on 6/17, B is on 6/18. Note: there is also a Stereo Version of "Oh, Pretty Woman" on 7/1 from the Stereo LP "Orbisongs" on Monument SLP 18035 from 1965)

27. Goodnight b/w Only With You (February 1965, Monument 45-873)
(A is on 6/20, B is on 6/19)

28. (Say) You're My Girl b/w Sleepy Hollow (August 1965, Monument 45-891)
(A is on 6/21, B is on 6/23. Note: the box has two versions of "Sleepy Hollow" 6/21 is the 'Fast' version while 6/22 is the 'Slow' - but confusingly the discography lists BOTH as Monument 891. The 'slow' version is also on the Stereo LP "Orbisongs" from 1965, so I've presumed that the 'Fast' version (6/21) is therefore the single mix?)

29. Ride Away b/w Wonderin' (September 1965, MGM Records K 13386)
(A is on Disc 6/24, B isn't on the Box set)

30. Let The Good Times Roll b/w Distant Drums (1966, Monument 45-906)
(A is on 5/14, B is on 5/28. Note the same version of “Distant Drums” was used on Monument MO 815 in 1963 – see 21)

31. Lana b/w Summer Song (1966, Monument 45-939)
(A is on Disc 5/1, B is on 4/25)

32. FREE EP
(CBS/Monument XPS 178 – Comes With "The Roy Orbison Collection" from 1983 on CBS/Monument MNT 10041)
Yes [5/13]/How Are Things in Paradise [5/10]/Party Heart [5/16]/Darkness [4/20]

Note: other Non-USA 7" singles referenced in the box are:

1. "San Fernando (Shahdaroba)" b/w "Mama" (1963, Germany, London DL 20 726, 6/11 and 6/12)
2. "Borne On The Wind" b/w "What I'd Say" (UK-only 45, 1964, London HL-U 9845, the A-side only is exclusive – it's 7/6)


********************************************************************************

ROY ORBISON - USA LP DISCOGRAPHY

(Referencing the 7-CD Box Set "Orbison 1955-1965"

Issued August 2001 in Germany on Bear Family BCD 16423 GL)

Notes:
[1/2] = Disc 1, Track 2
[2/14] = Disc 2. Track 14 etc

1. "Lonely And Blue"
1961 USA LP on Monument M-4002 [Mono] and SM-14002 [Stereo]
The box set uses the STEREO version

Side 1:
1. Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel) [4/8]
2. Bye-Bye, Love [4/15]
3. Cry [4/17]
4. Blue Avenue [4/7]
5. I Can't Stop Loving You [4/18]
6. Come Back To Me (My Love) [4/13]

Side 2:
1. Blue Angel [4/11]
2. Raindrops [4/5]
3. (I'd Be) A Legend In My Time [4/14]
4. I'm Hurtin' [4/19]
5. Twenty Two Days [4/16]
6. I'll Say It's My Fault [4/12]
Note: the version of "Twenty Two Days" that appears on the LP "Orbisongs" from 1965 is different to the version above – the "Orbisongs" version is 7/2

2. "Roy Orbison At The Rock House"
1961 USA Mono-Only LP on Sun LP 1260
Info only – the box set references the 7" singles – not the overdubbed LP cuts which are largely different

Side 1:
1. This Kind Of Love
2. Devil Doll
3. You're My Baby
4. Tryin' To Get To You
5. It's Too Late
6. Rock House

Side 2:
1. You're Gonna Cry
2. I Never Knew
3. Sweet And Easy To Love
4. Mean Little Mama
5. Ooby Dooby
6. Problem Child

3. "Crying"
May 1961 USA LP on Monument M-4007 [Mono] and SM-14007 [Stereo]
The box set uses the STEREO version

Side 1:
1. Crying [5/4]
2. The Great Pretender [5/6]
3. Love Hurts [4/22]
4. She Wears My Ring [5/3]
5. Wedding Day [5/12]
6. Summer Song [4/25]

Side 2
1. Dance [4/27]
2. Lana [5/1]
3. Loneliness [4/26]
4. Let's Make A Memory [4/21]
5. Nite Life [4/24]
6. Running Scared [4/23]

4. "Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits"
August 1962 USA LP on Monument M-4009 [Mono] and SM-14009 [Stereo]
(It was re-issued in 1963 as Monument SLP-18000; the box set references this STEREO version)
* = First appearance on this LP
** = Previously only available as a 7" single

Side 1:
1. The Crowd [5/22] **
2. Love Star [5/18] *
3. Crying [5/4]
4. Evergreen [5/17]
5. Running Scared [4/23]
6. Mama [5/23]

Side 2:
1. Candy Man [5/7]
2. Only The Lonely [4/8]
3. Dream Baby [5/19]
4. Blue Angel [4/11]
5. Uptown [4/4]
6. I'm Hurtin' [4/19]

5. "In Dreams"
July 1963 USA LP on Monument MLP 8003 [Mono] and SLP 18003 [Stereo]
The box set uses the STEREO version

Side 1:
1. In Dreams [6/3]
2. Lonely Wine [6/6]
3. Shahdaroba [6/2]
4. No One Will Ever Know [5/21]
5. Sunset [5/5]
6. House Without Windows [5/8]

Side 2:
1. Dream [6/4]
2. Blue Bayou [5/15]
3. (They Call You) Gigolette [5/11]
4. All I Have To Do Is Dream [6/8]
5. Beautiful Dreamer [6/7]
6. My Prayer [6/5]

6. "More Of Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits"
July 1964 USA LP on Monument MLP 8024 [Mono] and SLP 18024 [Stereo]
The box set uses the STEREO version
* = First appearance on this LP
** = Previously only available as a 7” single

Side1:
1. Blue Bayou [5/15]
2. Borne On The Wind [5/27] *
3. Falling [6/1] *
4. In Dreams [6/3]
5. Indian Wedding [6/16] *
6. It's Over [6/15] **

Side 2:
1. Lana [5/1]
2. Leah [5/25] **
3. Mean Woman Blues [6/9] **
4. Pretty Paper [6/13] **
5. What'd I Say [6/10] *
6. Working For The Man [5/26] **

7. "Early Orbison"
October 1964 USA LP on Monument MLP 8023 [Mono] and SLP 18023 [Stereo]
The box set uses the STEREO version

Side 1:
1. The Great Pretender [5/6]
2. Cry [4/17]
3. I Can't Stop Loving You [4/18]
4. I'll Say It's My Fault [4/12]
5. She Wears My Ring [5/3]
6. Love Hurts [4/22]

Side 2:
1. Bye Bye Love [4/15]
2. Blue Avenue [4/7]
3. Raindrops [4/5]
4. Come Back To Me (My Love) [4/13]
5. Summer Song [4/25]
6. Pretty One [4/6]

8. "There Is Only One Roy Orbison"
September 1965 USA LP on MGM Records E 4379 [Mono] and SE 4308 [Stereo]
The box set only has one song off this album, the opening track on Side 1 "Ride Away" (also his debut 7" single for MGM [6/24])

9. "Orbisongs"
December 1965 USA LP on Monument MLP 8035 [Mono] and SLP 18035 [Stereo]
The box set uses the STEREO version
* = First appearance on this LP
** = Previously only available as a 7" single

Side 1:
1. Oh, Pretty Woman [7/1] (the 7" single mix on Monument 45-851 is on 6/17)
2. Dance [5/2] (the version on the "Crying" LP is 4/27)
3. (Say) You're My Girl [6/22] (there is also a 'Fast' version of this track on 6/21)
4. Goodnight [6/20] **
5. Nite Life [7/4] *
6. Let The Good Times Roll [5/14] **

Side 2:
1. (I Get So) Sentimental [5/24] *
2. Yo Te Amo Maria [6/18] **
3. Wedding Day [5/12]
4. Sleepy Hollow [6/23] **
5. Twenty Two Days [7/2] * (the version on the "Lonely And Blue" LP is on 4/16)
6. (I'd Be) A Legend In My Time [4/14]

Other LPs/CDs referenced…

10. "Special Delivery" [by Roy Orbison, Joey Powers & Bobby Bare]
1964 USA LP on RCA Camden CAL 820 [Mono] and CAS 820 [Stereo]
Several of the Mono tracks are referenced

11. "The Roy Orbison Collection"
1983 UK 2LP set on CBS/Monument MNT 10041 (includes a free 4-track EP, CBS/Monument XPS 178 – these 4 tracks are referenced on the box – see singles list)

11. "Problem Child! – Sun Sessions 1956-8"
1988 UK LP on Zu-Zazz Z 2006
(12 previously unreleased tracks)

13. "The Big O – The Early Years"
1989 UK 23-Track CD on Pickwick PWK 107

14. "Rare Orbison II"
1990 USA CD on CBS AK 45404

15. "The Golden Decade"
1990 UK 3CD set on Knight Records ROYCD 47002 (re-issued in 1993 on Sequel NXTCD 246)

16. "Are You Ready – Previously Unissued 1956 Recordings" by THE TEEN KINGS
2000 UK CD on Rollercoaster RRCD 3012 (all 17 tracks are referenced)

“I’ve Got So Much To Give” by BARRY WHITE (2010 Hip-O Select CD - Kevin Reeves Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…It's Such A Groove…"

This May 2010 Expanded CD reissue of "I've Got So Much To Give" by BARRY WHITE on Hip-O Select B0014038-02 (Barcode 0602527329314) takes the 5 lengthy tracks of Barry White's debut solo album and adds on two rare 7" single B-sides. It breaks down as follows (45:38 minutes):

1. Standing In The Shadows Of Love

2. Bring Back My Yesterday

3. I’ve Found Someone

4. I’ve Got So Much To Give

5. I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby

Tracks 1 to 5 are the album "I've Got So Much To Give" released April 1973 on 20th Century T-407 in the USA and on Pye International NSPL 28175 in the UK (it reached Number 1 on the US R'n'B charts).

BONUS TRACKS:

Track 6 is "Just A Little More Baby" - a non-album instrumental version - it's edited down from its full album length of 7:11 minutes to 4:21 minutes; it's the B-side to "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" and was released April 1973 on 20th Century TC-2018 in the USA and June 1973 on Pye International 7N.25610 in the UK.

Track 7 is "I've Got So Much To Give", a non-album instrumental version, B-side to "I've Got So Much To Give", released August 1973 on 20th Century TC-2042 in the USA.  

Downsides - there's an awful lot of 7" mixes missing - the 7" edited single version of "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" isn't on here (3:58 minutes), nor is the slightly longer version that's on the American promo 7". The "I've Got So Much To Give" 7" single was not issued in the UK, but the American A-side is again an edit and no show. There was a further British 7" for "Bring Back My Yesterday" (Pye International 7N.25622), which also had an edited A-Side - but again - no show. With the playing time so short, it's sloppy not to have had these exclusive cuts on here.

The 3-way foldout inlay is unfortunately like so many Hip-O Select releases for their single discs - adequate and no more. There's credits for each track, but no appraisal of Barry White and his music, no liner notes, nothing on the back page, the inlay under the see-through tray is blank, there's no singles pictured etc. Just a little more effort would have made such a difference. But there is, however, a huge compensation - the SOUND...

The 1st generation master tapes have been remastered by KEVIN REEVES at Universal Mastering Studios-East and it's a truly fantastic job done. The sound is HUGE - really clear and clean - amazing punch to all of the tracks. And it's not trebled up nor compressed down - just full - the music is better than you've ever heard it before. It's especially good on those fantastic B-sides, which I've been after for years on CD.

Highlights include the Full Album Version of "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" which is a monster sexy workout (lyrics above), but is of course lyrically naff. Which brings me to a point. I can vividly remember 1973 when a Barry White 45 was the soul single your 'sister' bought - and even though you secretly enjoyed the sly and wicked back-groove that punctuated his every release - you couldn't actually admit this to any of your mates lest you get a thick lip. Thirty-five years on and in all honesty, the lover-man routine is even more difficult to listen to now than it was back then...

Still – this release is saved by its beautiful sound quality. If you’re into BW and the Love Unlimited Orchestra and their unique Seventies Soul sound – then this is essential purchase. Casual buyers will probably only want it for Full Album Version of “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby” and those cool instrumental B-sides though…

“Sometime World – An MCA Travelogue” by WISHBONE ASH. A Review of the May 2010 Remastered 2CD Set Issued In Advance Of Their Entire Catalogue.

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

"…Hello Friend…"

Many Wishbone Ash fans will feel they’ve had to wait the guts of 30 years for a half-decent CD remaster of their favourite British band’s huge back-catalogue. Well at last - it’s here – and “…MCA Travelogue” is a humdinger, it really is. To the details first…

“Sometime World” takes its name from the 2nd track on Side 1 of their most beloved album “Argus” and features newly remastered songs from 12 LPs – 26 tracks across two fully-featured CDs. Proceedings open with their rare 1970 debut album “Wishbone Ash” and carry on right through to 1981’s “Number The Brave” – the only LP exclusion being any tracks from 1980’s “Live Dates Volume 2”.

Released Monday 31 May 2010 on Island/Universal 5326131, “Sometime World – An MCA Travelogue” breaks down as follows (full album versions used)…

Disc 1 (79:55 minutes):
1. Blind Eye
2. Error Of My Ways
3. Phoenix
4. Vas Dis
5. The Pilgrim
6. Jail Bait
7. Sometime World
8. Blowin’ Free
9. Warrior
10. Throw Down The Sword
11. Everybody Needs A Friend
12. The King Will Come [Live]

1 to 3 from “Wishbone Ash”, December 1970 UK LP on MCA Records MKPS 2014
4 to 6 from “Pilgrimage”, September 1971 UK LP on MCA Records MDKS 8004
7 to 10 from “Argus”, April 1972 UK LP on MCA Records MDKS 8006
11 from “Wishbone Four”, December 1973 UK LP on MCA Records MDKS 8011
12 from “Live Dates”, December 1973 UK 2LP Live Set on MCA Records ULD 1-2

Disc 2 (79:06 minutes):
1. Persephone
2. F.U.B.B.
3. Moonshine
4. Mother Of Pearl
5. Lorelei
6. Front Page News
7. Goodbye Baby Hello Friend
8. Come In From The Rain
9. You See Red
10. The Way Of The World (Parts 1 & 2)
11. Living Proof
12. Lifeline
13. That’s That
14. Open Road

1 and 2 from “There’s The Rub”, November 1974 UK LP on MCA Records MCF 2585
3 from “Locked In”. March 1976 UK LP on MCA Records MCF 2750
4 and 5 from “New England”, November 1976 UK LP on MCA Records MCG 3523
6 to 8 from “Front Page News”, October 1977 UK LP on MCA Records MCG 3524
9 and 10 from “No Smoke Without Fire”, October 1978 UK LP on MCA Records MCG 3528
11 and 12 from “Just Testing”, January 1980 UK LP on MCA Records MCF 3052
13 and 14 from “Number The Brave”, April 1981 UK LP on MCA Records MCF 3013

The 16-page booklet features an album-by-album appraisal by DAVE LING of “Classic Rock” and “Metal Hammer” magazines, various line-up photos and a pictorial discography of the albums featured. And the release has clearly been made with band involvement (40th anniversary). But the big news is the sound…

Remastered by ANDY PEARCE, the sound is stupendous – at last these tracks are breathing – and to use that old cliché “they’re live and in your living room”. The instruments are wonderfully clear and full, each track a ballsy revelation. I’ve waited decades to hear the wicked “Front Page News” album from 1977 with Laurie Wisefield’s awesome guitar playing in decent sound (ex CBS act “Home”) – and here it is. There is hiss on the earlier albums, but it’s neither compressed down nor trebled up – and as you listen to each song – you can’t help but feel that real care went into the working of every song. They are as they were – just sounding new – like a visit from an old friend…

Track choices – this may irritate some – “Time Was” is the fabulous opening track on “Argus” and virtually defined their ‘sound’ for 4 decades to come, but it’s missing. And speaking of that fab 3rd album - with the 2005 Erick Labson remaster and 2009 Paschal Byrne 2CD Deluxe Edition remaster (both wonderful), do we really need 4 more versions from that same LP? Those inclusions mean that the massively underrated “Wishbone Four” has only one track featured (albeit a really good one), while I would also loved to have heard the brilliantly funky “Outward Bound” from “New England” too. Having said that, it’s quietly satisfying to hear that Disc 2 is just as good as Disc 1 (and in some cases better – “Lorelei”, “Come In From The Rain” and “You See Red”).

So there you have it - if this is a taster for the individual album remasters to come – then it works. Fans will absolutely love the new and superlative remastered sound quality, while newcomers will dig some classic twin-guitar rock with tunes.

And about bloody time too.

Recommended.

PS: fans should also note that 19 May 2010 sees the CD reissue of 13 classic Wishbone Ash albums in Japan - from “Wishbone Ash” to “Number The Brave” (included the 2disc set “Live Dates Volume 2”). All feature new 2010 remastering, 5” Mini LP card repro sleeves (textured sleeves, gatefolds and inserts where applicable) and are on the superior SHM-CD format (Super High Materials). They’re available to order through the excellent www.cdjapan.co.jp website

“Women’s Love Rights/I Can’t Make It Alone/Two Sides Of Laura Lee…Plus” by LAURA LEE. A Review of the 2010 2CD Set on Edsel.

This review is 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

"…If You Can Beat Me Rockin’ (You Can Have My Chair)…"

This superb 2CD overview of US soul singer Laura Lee was released January 2010 in the UK (February 2010 in the USA) on Edsel EDSD 2050 and is part of a series of reissues Edsel are doing to extensively cover Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus and Hot Wax labels. It features her 3 albums for H-D-H in their entirety, rare single sides as bonus tracks and much improved liner notes too. It breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (71:29 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her entire album 1st album "Women's Love Rights", released November 1971 in the USA on Hot Wax HA 708
Tracks 11 to 16 are 6 of the 8 tracks from her 3rd album "I Can't Make It Alone", released 1974 in the USA on Invictus KZ 33133 (see Note below)
Track 17 is "Since I Fell For You", Mono Promo-Only Single Edit, 1974 on Hot Wax (no catalogue number)
Track 18 is "I Need It Just As Bad As You" (Unedited Version), originally on Deep Beats CD DEEPD 025

Disc 2 (55:07 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her entire 2nd album for the label "Two Sides Of Laura Lee", released 1972 on Hot Wax HA 714
Track 11 is "Crumbs Off The Table", USA 7" Single Re-Edit on Hot Wax HS 7210
Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B sides of a 1973 USA 7" single on Hot Wax HS 7305 (both tracks are non-album)
Track 14 is "Since I Fell For You" (Mono Commercial Single Edit)

Note: Two tracks were duplicated on her 2nd and 3rd albums - they are "Every Little Bit Hurts" and "Crumbs Off The Table". Edsel have put them on Disc 2 in their proper sequence for the "Two Sides Of Laura Lee" album, however, if you want to sequence the 8 tracks of her 3rd album "I Can't Make It Alone" in proper order, then it runs as follows...
Side 1 is tracks 11 to 13 on Disc 1 + Track 3 on Disc 2
Side 2 is track 2 from Disc 2 + tracks 14 to 16 from Disc 1

Using the album cuts and the six bonus tracks across the 2CDs, you can now also sequence her entire US Hot Wax 7" singles output as follows...

1. "Wedlock Is A Padlock" b/w Her Picture Matches Mine", Hot Wax HS 7007, January 1971
2. "Women's Love Rights" b/w "Wedlock Is A Padlock", Hot Wax HS 7105, August 1971
3. "Love And Liberty" b/w "I Don't Want Nothing Old (But Money)", Hot Wax HS 7111, December 1971
4. "Since I Feel For You" b/w "I Don't Want Nothing Old (But Money)", Hot Wax HS 7201, February 1972
5. "Rip Off" b/w "Two Lovely Pillows", Hot Wax HS 7204, June 1972
6. "If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)" b/w "If I'm Good Enough To Love (I'm Good Enough To Marry)", Hot Wax HS 7207, October 1972
7. "Crumbs Off The Table" b/w "You've Got To Save Me", Hot Wax HS 7210, January 1973 [Note: A was originally a hit for The Glass House (another HDH act) in September 1969 on Invictus IS 9071]
8. "(If You Want To Try Love Again) Remember Me" b/w "If I'm Good Enough To Love (I'm Good Enough To Marry)", Hot Wax HS 7302, 1973
9. "I'll Catch You When You Fall" b/w "I Can't Hold Out Much Longer", Hot Wax HS 7305, 1973 [Note: both A&B are non-album tracks]

Remastered by PETER RYNSTON at TALL ORDER, the sound quality is great - alive and jumping out of your speakers. The 20-page booklet has very detailed liner notes by soul expert TONY ROUNCE who also provides photos of those rare 7" singles and LP labels - it's brilliantly informative and researched with both affection and care (his top class work features on most of Edsel's soul releases).

The music is upbeat floor-filling soul with a message of breaking free, standing up for yourself and street smarts. Track after track is great stuff. One of my all time favourites and a criminally forgotten gem is her declaration to other women about her loving prowess in the brilliantly funky single "If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)" - expect to see it in a movie any day now.

At less than six pounds on-line, this is a whole lot of great Seventies soul for not a whole lot of wedge (even as an import in other countries).

Superb - recommended.