“Black & Blue” by LITTLE SONNY. A Review Of His Rare 1972 Album On The Stax Affiliate Label “Enterprise” Now Reissued And Remastered Onto CD In 1992.

"…I’m Goin’ Home…Where Women Got Some Meat On Their Bones…"

Little Sonny (real name Aaron Willis) is an Alabama born blues harmonica player not surprisingly often confused with Sonny Boy Williamson (the Chess Records harmonica player) because of his chosen instrument and his nickname. Little Sonny is less well known than his more famous mentor from Tennessee, but nonetheless produced some great records that deserve your attention – especially if you like your Blues with a Funky feel.

Just approaching his Forties, Willis started a trio of albums for Stax and its subsidiary label Enterprise in the early Seventies. “New King Of Blues Harmonica” came first in 1970 with “Hard Goin’ Up” being number three in 1973 (it charted Stateside). “Black & Blue” is the one in the middle – released in 1972 on Enterprise ENS 1018 in the USA – and then remastered and reissued onto this now rare US-only CD in 1992.

His backup band for the album was TOMMY WILLIAMS on Tenor And Baritone Saxophones, RON GORDEN on Organ, BOBBY MANUEL and EDDIE WALLIS on Guitars with WILLIAM HALL on Drums. The Horns were arranged and played by THE BAR-KAYS and production handled by ZORN PRODUCTIONS and AL BELL (Tracks 3, 4, 7 and 9). The tapes were remastered by PHIL DE LANCIE at the Fantasy Studios in the USA and the sound quality is great – full, clear and with muscle where it’s needed. There’s no compression and virtually no hiss.

Stax SCD-8575-2 breaks down as follows (37:35 minutes):

Side 1:
1. Hung Up [Little Sonny writer]
2. Sonny's Fever (Instrumental) [Little Sonny writer]
3. You Got A Good Thing [Bettye Crutcher/Bobby Manuel writers]
4. A Woman Named Trouble [Bettye Crutcher/Bobby Manuel writers]
5. Honest I Do [Jimmy Reed cover]
6. Wade In The Water (Instrumental) [Traditional Song cover]
Side 2:
1. Paying Through The Nose [Bettye Crutcher/Bobby Manuel writers]
2. Memphis B-K (Instrumental) [Little Sonny writer]
3. Where Women Got Meat On Their Bones [Bettye Crutcher/Bobby Manuel writers]
4. I Found Love [Arzel Hill writer]
5. They Want Money [Little Sonny writer]

Musically “Black & Blue” in the vein of Albert King blues except that a harmonica and brass are to the fore rather than a guitar – and more Funk-Soul than Blues. Gems include the funky and irresistible opener “Hung Up” and the ABC-Dunhill Bobby Bland 1970-‘s feel of “You Got A Good Thing” which was issued as a 45 on Enterprise ENA-9034 in 1971 in the States with “A Woman Named Trouble” as its B-side.

As you can see from the track list above, there are 3 instrumentals – each of them has been huge on the dancefloor circuit of the UK. “Wade In The Water” is faster and funkier than the Ramsey Lewis Trio and Marlena Shaw versions of 1966 and not surprisingly has become a Mod favourite – turning up on those cool Ace/Kent CD compilations and BGP LP releases (Beats Goes Public). The hand-clapping harmonica funk of “Memphis B-K” has graced Luv N’ Haight compilations – a sure sign of quality – and on top of all this is one of the great unsung lady-heroes of Soul and Funk – BETTYE CRUTCHER – whose song-writing has made many a Stax platter shine with wit and talent (the lyrics to “Where Women Got Meat On Their Bones” title this review).

So there you have it, a cool little album that’s short but oh so sweet. And although it’s rare and may cost – it’s absolutely worth you seeking out – especially given the quality of the tunes and the fab remastered sound…

"Slow Flux/Hour Of The Wolf/Skullduggery" by STEPPENWOLF (February 2010 Friday Music 2CD Reissue and Remaster of LPs from 1974, 1975 and 1977) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Time Is Wasting…Gotta Get Into The Wind…"

This superb 2CD set gives you three rare albums on Mums and Epic from the Seventies by STEPPENWOLF after their initial stay at ABC/Dunhill Records (1974, 1975 and 1977) - all of which have been hard to find up until now on any format.

Released February 2010 - "Slow Flux/Hour Of The Wolf/Skullduggery" by STEPPENWOLF on Friday Music FRM 2010 (Barcode 0829421210122) offers 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (45:05 minutes):

1. Gang War Blues

2. Children Of Night

3. Justice Don’t Be Slow

4. Get Into The Wind

5. Jereboah

6. Straight Shootin’ Woman

7. Smokey Factory Blues

8. Morning Blue

9. A Fool’s Fantasy

10. Fishin’ In The Dark

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Slow Flux" issued September 1974 in the USA on Mums PZ 33093 and October 1974 in the UK on Mums S MUMS 80358

Disc 2 (71:51 minutes):

1. Caroline (Are You Ready

2. Annie, Annie Over

3. Two For The Love Of One

4. Just For Tonight

5. Hard Rock Rock

6. Someone Told A Lie

7. Another’s Lifetime

8. Mr. Penny Pincher

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Hour Of The Wolf" issued September 1975 in the USA on Epic PE 33583 and in the UK on Mums SMUMS 69151

9. Skullduggery

10. (I’m A) Road Runner

11. Rock ’n’ Roll Song

12. Train Of Thought

13. Life Is A Gamble

14. Pass It On

15. Sleep

16. Lip Service

Tracks 9 to 16 are the album "Skullduggery" issued May 1977 in the USA on Epic PE 34120 and in the UK on Epic EPC 81328

The original Epic/Sony master tapes have been remastered and the sound is huge (if not a little hissy on the "Slow Flux" album). Overall the sound is far better than I expected it to be - clean, clear and ballsy. The foldout inlay merely reproduces the album sleeves front and rear with a small liner note on the back inlay which is visible through the see-through tray.

Musically - JOHN KAY the lead vocalist still dominated all the albums with his fantastic rasping vocals and heartfelt lyrics. But many fans and outsiders had felt Steppenwolf were way past their prime in the Seventies - I would argue not so. They were just a different kind of band to the trailblazers of "Steppenwolf" and "Steppenwolf The Second" from the late Sixties. These 1970's platters were actually more to do with funky rock than straight up hard rock. Even some of the ballads are excellent - "Just For Tonight" from "Hour Of The Wolf" is particularly good. And I've always loved the pumping "Hard Rock Road" and the funky-as-fuck "Get Into The Wind" from "Slow Flux" (lyrics above).

So there you have it. It's not all genius of course, but for fans this fully featured 2CD set is a long-overdue wish fulfilled - especially given the excellent remastered sound...

“The Complete Chess Recordings” by JIMMY ROGERS. A Review of the 2CD MCA/Chess Compilation From 1997.

"…I Know You’re In Love With Some Other Man…But That’s All Right…"

USA released in April 1997 as part of their 50th Anniversary celebrations “The Complete Chess Recordings” is a 2CD set containing 51 tracks. It gathers up the A&B-sides of 13 singles between 1950 and 1957, 11 songs from the 1976 2LP Chess retrospective “Jimmy Rogers” and then tags on 14 previously unreleased tracks (1 on Disc 1, 13 on Disc 2).

I’ve filled in the catalogue numbers below by way of a discography - so MCA/Chess CHD2-9372 breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (74:28 minutes):
1. That's All Right
2. Luedella (Chess 1435, A&B sides)
3. Goin' Away Baby
4. Today, Today Blues (Chess 1442, A&B sides)
5. I Used To Have A Woman (Chess 1506, A-side)
6. The World's In A Tangle
7. She Loves Another Man (Chess 1453, A&B sides)
8. Money, Marbles And Chalk (Chess 1476, A-side)
9. Hard Working Man (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
10. Chance To Love (Chess 1476, B-side)
11. My Little Machine (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
12. Back Door Friend (Chess 1506, B-side)
13. Crying Shame (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
14. Mistreated Baby (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
15. The Last Time (Chess 1519, A-side)
16. What's The Matter (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
17. Out On The Road (Chess 1519, B-side)
18. Left Me With A Broken Heart
19. Act Like You Love Me (Chess 1543, A&B sides)
20. Blues All Day Long (Blues Leave Me Alone) (Chess 1616, B-side)
21. Chicago Bound
22. Sloppy Drunk (Chess 1574, A&B sides)
23. You're The One (First Version) [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
24. You're The One (Chess 1616, A-side)
25. If It Ain't Me (Who Are You Thinking Of) (Chess 1643, A-side)

Disc 2 (70:23 minutes):
1. Walking By Myself (Chess 1643, B-side)
2. I Can't Believe
3. One Kiss (Chess 1659, A&B sides)
4. What Have I Done (Chess 1687, A-side)
5. My Baby Don't Love Me No More (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
6. Trace Of You (Chess 1687, B-side)
7. Don't You Know My Baby (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
8. Don't Turn Me Down [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
9. Looka Here [Previously Unreleased]
10. This Has Never Been (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
11. Rock This House
12. My Last Meal (Chess 1721, A&B sides)
13. You Don't Know (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
14. Can't Keep From Worrying (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
15. Luedella (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
16. Act Like You Love Me (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
17. What Have I Done (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
18. My Baby Don't Love Me Anymore (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased In The USA]
19. Trace Of You (Alternate) (1976 2LP Set “Jimmy Rogers: on Chess 2CHMD-207)
20. Don't You Know My Baby (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
21. Don't Turn Me Down (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
22. This Has Never Been (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
23. Rock This House (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
24. My Last Meal (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
25. You Don't Know (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]
26. Can't Keep From Worrying (Alternate) [Previously Unreleased]

Willie Dixon and/or Leonard and Phil Chess produced the original recordings in Chicago and top engineer ERICK LABSON has remastered the first generation tapes for this release (has over 900 credits to his name and has handled huge swathes of the Chess catalogue). Given the notorious limitations of the original recordings, the sound quality of the remaster is typically excellent - except on “Don’t Turn Me Down” which was dubbed from disc.

The 16-page booklet has liner notes by MARY KATHERINE ALDIN (of the “Living Blues” magazine) who did such great work on the “Spoon So Easy” Jimmy Witherspoon CD and the “Chess Blues” 4CD box set of 1993 (see separate reviews). The bevy of previously unreleased ‘Alternate’ takes are excellent too and the sessions featured big draws for blues collectors - Little Walter, Otis Spann, Walter “Shakey” Horton and even Muddy Waters.

Jimmy Rogers (real name James Lane) died in 1997 at the ripe old age of 73 – the year this set came out. At least he is remembered well by it.

A rare release now – but absolutely worth hunting down.

JIMMY ROGERS Chess Singles Discography (78s and 45s)

1. That’s All Right b/w Luedella (1950, Chess 1435)
2. Goin’ Away Baby b/w Today, Today Blues (1950, Chess 1442)
3. The World’s In A Tangle b/w She Loves Another Man (1951, Chess 1453)
4. Money, Marbles And Chalk b/w Chance To Love (1951, Chess 1476)
5. I Used To Have A Woman b/w Back Door Friend (1951, Chess 1506)
6. The Last Time b/w Out On The Road (1952, Chess 1519)
7. Left Me With A Broken Heart b/w Act Like You Love Me (1953, Chess 1543)
8. Chicago Bound b/w Sloppy Drunk (1954, Chess 1574)
9. You’re The One b/w Blues All Day Long (Blues Leave Me Alone) (1956, Chess 1616)
10. Walking By Myself b/w If It Ain’t Me (Who Are You Thinking Of) (1957, Chess 1643)
11. One Kiss b/w I Can’t Believe (1957, Chess 1659)
12. What Have I Done b/w Trace Of You (1957, Chess 1687)
13. Rock This House b/w My Last Meal (1959, Chess 1721)

1, 2, 4, 11, 12 and 13 credited to JIMMY ROGERS
3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 credited to JIMMY ROGERS and HIS ROCKING FOUR

“The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966” by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review of the 2003 CD Compilation.

"….When You Hear Me Moanin’ And A Groanin’…”

There are no less than 3 companies attributed to this release - Hip-O Records, Reelin’ In The Years Productions and Experience Hendrix – because each was involved in their own way. I’ve bought The Temptations “Get Ready” and the Muddy Waters “Classic Concerts” DVDs by Reelin’ In The Years Productions which are truly fantastic things – so I’m not surprised that their audio version here is just as good.

Hip-O Records B000103002 has 16 live tracks and runs to 59:17 minutes (now more commonly known as Hip-O Select). The 24-page booklet has affectionate and informative liner notes by ROB BOWMAN with a forward by BILL WYMAN of The Rolling Stones. Concert posters, black & white and colour publicity photos and intimate moments are all featured - as is a snap of HORST LIPPMANN who along with FRITZ RAU - are the two German enthusiasts who started it all. There’s even a snap of a row of Little Walter’s many harmonicas laid out on a table! A colour picture of the mighty Willie Dixon graces the rear of the booklet with T-Bone Walker featured on the CD’s back inlay. The pictures of the boys are from the tour as well - and not overused shots we’ve all seen before – so they’ve a very cool vibe about them. The booklet is substantial and very tastefully done.

SOUND varies from sublime to very rough (the nature of the recordings). The audio restoration and transfers are by Eddie Kramer and Mark Wong while the mastering is handled by ace-engineer GAVIN LURSSEN (see the Gavin Lurssen ‘tag’ for his superb work elsewhere). The musicians featured in each group read like a who’s who of Blues luminaries and they’re captured at their absolute mojo best. Favourites include Lonnie Johnson’s plaintive “Another Night To Cry” and the opening vocal wail of Otis Rush’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby” (lyrics above). “My Younger Days” by Sonny Boy Williamson has wonderful rolling piano work by Sunnyland Slim while Lightnin’ Hopkins loses none of his menace on “Mojo Hand”.

It’s great stuff – different voices and styles. Sippie Wallace and Victoria Spivey break up the all-male proceedings with some ladylike advice about keeping good men and ditching the snakelike ones.
And preciously because it’s 'all' live - each song is filled with a power and presence that the studio stuff just can’t capture.

A job well done and a thoroughly recommended CD purchase.

“Rotary Connection” by ROTARY CONNECTION (November 1996 MCA/Chess CD Reissue Of Their 1968 Debut Album - Michael Omann Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Turn Me On…I Want To Know What It's All About…"

No less than six vocalists made up the American vocal group ROTARY CONNECTION - Bobby Simms, Sidney Barnes, Judy Hauff, Mitch Aliotta, Kenny Venagas and Minnie Riperton (Simms, Barnes and Riperton being the most well known). This - their debut album from 1968 - has often been cited as a Psychedelic or even Progressive record - but to me it's more 5th Dimension with a Pop-Soulful bent with some Psych seasoning on top.

Recorded in Chicago in October 1967 by Marshall Chess and Charles Stepney for Chess Records new label Cadet, “Rotary Connection” was released in early 1968 on Cadet Concept LPS-312 in the USA and sold well regionally - even picking up a Number 37 placing on the Billboard Album charts in March 1968. It also received a mid-1968 limited release on LP in the UK on Chess CRL 4538.

The debut album "Rotary Connection" by ROTARY CONNECTION has been something of a sought-after vinyl piece ever since and this equally desirable CD reissue of it put out Stateside in 19 November 1996 on Chess/MCA CHD-9365 (Barcode 076732936528) is in itself something of an expensive rarity too. Here's a breakdown (36:32 minutes):

1. Amen [Side 1]

2. Rapid Transit

3. Turn Me On

4. Pink Noise

5. Lady Jane

6. Like A Rolling Stone

7. Soul Man [Side 2]

8. Sursum Mentes

9. Didn’t Want To Have To Do It

10. Black Noise

11. Memory Band

12. Ruby Tuesday

13. Rotary Connection

Andy McKaie produced the reissue, the 6-page foldout inlay has affectionate and informative liner notes by Robert Pruter (author of the book "Chicago Soul") and MARK OMANN at MCA Music Studios handled the remastering. He did a fabulous job - superb sound quality - very clear and muscular - absolutely one of the highlights of this reissue. The clarity of piano, organ and bass on "Didn't Want To Have To Do It" is outstanding.

Musically - the album is a mixture of the great and the not so great. Of the 13 tracks, "Rapid Transit", "Pink Noise", "Sursum Mentes" and "Black Noise" are just 25 to 40 second musical 'mind-trip' snippets between songs ("Black Noise" rather naughtily uses the vocal refrain from the end of The Beatles "Hello Goodbye" without referencing McCartney/Lennon in the credits). Six songs are cover versions - radically reworked takes on the old Traditional "Amen", "Lady Jane" and "Ruby Tuesday" by The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone", Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" (written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter) and The Lovin' Spoonful's "Didn't Want To Have To Do It" (written by John Sebastian). Of the three originals "Turn Me On" (lyrics above) is probably the best. It was often misconstrued as being about drugs when it was about a man talking to God. "Memory Band" is an instrumental peppered with irritating childish vocals - it's good rather than great. While the last track "Rotary Connection" spends most of its three-minute running time segueing bits of the songs that went before together with a tune eventually emerging about half way through it. It probably seemed like a cool idea at the time, but it makes for a very awkward listen now.

Another bit of a disappointment too is that you really don't get to 'hear' Barnes or Riperton to proper effect except in backing vocals, but you do get to marvel at Stepney's string arrangements (the largely instrumental take on "Like A Rolling Stone" is a brilliant interpretation of an overly familiar tune while "Soul Man" is completely changed into something far edgier). Alongside such noted talents as guitar player Bryce Robertson and ace bassist Phil Upchurch, Stepney also played keyboards. It's a strange and wonderfully eclectic record with Side One called "Trip I" and Side Two "Trip II" - and you can hear why it has such a cult status now.

Rotary Connection would go on to make 4 more albums (a Hip-O Select box set surely beckons) and one - "Hey, Love" from 1971 - is a balls-to-the-wall masterpiece. For those not sure - or put off by the high prices - I thoroughly recommend the 1999 "Black Gold" 2CD retrospective for a taster and a more rounded picture or the Ace/Beat Goes Public CD that clumps together “Songs” and “Hey, Love”.

But this is where it all that gorgeous vocal Soul with a dash of Sixties Psych started - and a lovely thing it is too…

“Koko Taylor” by KOKO TAYLOR. A Review Of Her Debut LP From 1969 Now Reissued on Universal’s “Blues Classics - Remastered & Revisited” Series of CDs.

Koko Taylor 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

"…We’re Gonna Pitch A Wang Dang Doodle…All Night Long…"

In late 2009, Hip-O Select finally put out a decent Koko Taylor compilation in the USA called “What It Takes – The Chess Years” which gave fans 19 tracks in superlative remastered form (see separate review). But it featured only 6 songs from this - “Koko Taylor” - her debut album. They were “Don’t Mess With The Messer”, "Wang Dang Doodle" (lyrics above), “Whatever I Am, You Made Me”, “I’m A Little Mixed Up”, “Insane Asylum” and “Twenty Nine Ways” (To My Baby’s Door)”. Which means that the other 6 are only available in remastered form on this disc – still making it a worthwhile purchase.

Track List:
1. Love You Like A Woman
2. I Love A Lover Like You
3. Don't Mess With The Messer
4. I Don't Care Who Knows
5. Wang Dang Doodle
6. I'm A Little Mixed Up
7. Nitty Gritty
8. Fire
9. Whatever I Am, You Made Me
10. Twenty-Nine Ways (To My Baby's Door)
11. Insane Asylum
12. Yes, It's Good For You

13. Love Sick Tears
14. He Always Knocks Me Out

Released in the USA in April 2001, MCA/Chess 088 112 519-2 breaks down as follows (39:53 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 are the Stereo LP “Koko Taylor” issued October 1969 in the USA on Chess LPS-1532

Tracks 13 and 14 are “Love Sick Tears” and “He Always Knocks Me Out” – two previously unreleased outtakes from the LP sessions

ERICK LABSON – who has over 850 audio credits to his name including the vast majority of the huge Chess, Checker, Cadet catalogue – has remastered this set to typically superlative standards. The sound quality is wonderful - clear, full and a genuine blast to listen to.
The 8-page foldout inlay has affectionate and informative liner notes by noted writer and soul enthusiast BILL DAHL and pictures Koko’s mentor, producer and friend – the Chess Giant WILLIE DIXON.

“Koko Taylor” was in fact a ragbag of an album – singles from 1965 and 1967 fleshed out with newly recorded 1969 tracks – yet it all worked so well. The two previously unreleased tracks are good rather than great and it’s easy to see why they were canned at the time. Still, it’s nice to have anything new from the period.

The sessions also featured the cream of Chicago bluesmen – Buddy Guy, Matt Murphy and Johnny Shines on Guitar, Walter “Shakey” Horton on Harmonica, Lafayette Leake and Albert “Sunnyland Slim” Luandrew on Piano and Organ, Jack Myers on Bass, Clifton James and Fred Bellow on Drums – with of course Willie Dixon on Upright Bass and helming the overall Production.

Although you can’t see it from the picture provided, this release is also part of Universal’s “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” Series. It's a generic title displayed upright on the spine of the back inlay on each release, which is visible through the see-through tray to the left. I mention this because it differentiates this release and other titles in the series from older versions which weren’t mastered as well. If you click the label provided to the right, you will be able to see all 12 titles in this fantastic 2001 series.

A superb version then of a forgotten classic – get this in your life, you’ll not regret it…

PS: for more of Bill Dahl’s incredible work in liner notes, see also the Bear Family “Sweet Soul Music” CDs from 1961 to 1970 – 70 to 95 page booklets – 10 titles - all reviewed. Unbelievably good stuff…

“Shades Of Mitty Collier – The Chess Singles 1961– 1968” by MITTY COLLIER. A Review of the UK 2008 Kent Soul CD Compilation.

"…I Gotta Get Away From It All…"

Released in June 2008 on Kent Soul CDKEND 301, "Shades Of Mitty Collier" is a 24-track UK CD compilation which will finally allow fans to sequence all 15 of US Chess 7" singles as follows (69:07 minutes):

1. I've Got Love b/w I Got To Get Away From It All
(Chess 1791 from June 1961, Tracks 24 and 23, A & B-sides)
2. Don't Let Her Take My Baby b/w I Dedicate My Life To You
(Chess 1814 from March 1962, Track 21, A-side only)
3. Miss Loneliness b/w My Babe
(Chess 1856 from June 1963, Tracks 20 and 22, A & B-sides)
4. I'm Your Part Time Love b/w Don’t You Forget It
(Chess 1871 from October 1963, Track 17, A-side only)
5. Pain b/w Let Them Talk
(Chess 1889 from March 1964, Track 19, B-side only)
6. I Had A Talk With My Man b/w Free Girl (In The Morning)
(Chess 1907 from October 1964, Track 18, A-side only)
7. No Faith, No Love b/w Together
(Chess 1918 from January 1965, Track 16, A-side only)
8. Come Back Baby b/w Ain't That Love
(Chess 1934 from March 1965, Track 15, B-side only)
9. Help Me b/w For My Man
(Chess 1942 from July 1965, Tracks 13 and 14, A & B-sides)
10. Sharing You b//w Walk Away
(Chess 1953 from March 1966, Tracks 11 and 12, A & B-sides)
11. My Party b/w I'm Satisfied
(Chess 1964 from July 1966, Tracks 9 and 10, A & B-sides)
12. (Looking' Out The Window) Watching And Waiting b/w Like Only Yesterday
(Chess 1987 from December 1966, Tracks 7 and 8, A & B-sides)
13. Do It With Confidence b/w You're The Only One
(Chess 2015 from July 1967, Tracks 5 and 6, A & B-sides)
14. Git Out b/w That'll Be Good Enough For Me
(Chess 2035 from December 1967, Tracks 3 and 4, A & B-sides)
15. Gotta Get Away From It All b/w Everybody Makes A Mistake Sometimes
(Chess 2050 from 1968, Tracks 1 and 2, A & B-sides)

This release will also allow you to sequence almost all of her lone album on the famous label entitled "Shades Of A Genius" which was issued in 1966 on Chess LP 1492.


Side 1:
1. Come Back Baby
2. I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night [18]
3. Would You Have Listened
4. Gotta Get Away From It All [23]
5. My Babe [20]
6. Hallelujah (I Love Him So)
Side 2:
1. Drown In My Own Tears
2. No Faith, No Love [16]
3. Together
4. Let Them Talk [19]
5. Little Miss Loneliness [22]
6. Ain't That Love [15]

Notes:
1. "I Got To Get Away From It All" on Chess 1791 is Version 1 (Track 23) while "Gotta Get Away From It All" is a remake on Chess 2050 which is Version 2 (Track 1)
2. Excepting "I'm Your Part Time Love", "I Had A Talk With My Man" and "Don't Let Her Take My Baby" (which are in MONO), all other tracks are in STEREO
3. As you can see from the two lists above there are 8 singles complete, but six sides are missing and 5 of the album tracks aren’t on here either. However, 4 of those single sides and 3 of the missing LP tracks are available elsewhere - on the 1999 Chess CD compilation called "Shades Of A Genius".

The booklet is the usual classy affair from Ace Records of the UK, a 16-page info-packed break down of her legacy by noted expert and soul lover TONY ROUNCE. Each single is pictured with label bags, there's the withdrawn sleeve of her lone album "Shades Of Mitty Collier" (featured another woman!) along with US trade magazine adverts. The CD itself apes the front page of the colour booklet while the inlay beneath the see-through tray features snaps of Pye International 7" demos and Chess Records adverts - all of it very nice touches.

Sound - it's been mastered by NICK ROBBINS and has had audio restoration work done by ROB SHREAD at Sound Mastering in the UK. The audio quality is superb given the vintage - the usual top job done by Ace.

Track highlights for me are the extraordinary torch ballad "Everybody Makes A Mistake Sometimes" (written by Lloyd Reese) - a B-side with the balls of an A. The cover of Ray Charles' "Ain't That Love" sounds like Barbara Lewis at her Atlantic best while the Northern Soul dancefloor favourite "My Babe" (a Little Walter cover) is a belter.

History tells us that like Florence Ballard at Motown (looked over for Diana Ross), Mitty Collier felt her releases were second fiddle in the promotion department to Chess's other killer singer - Etta James. Collier charted only 4 titles out of 15 across a near 8-year period, but Rounce also quite rightly notes that this also showed Leonard and Phil Chess' commitment to their artists - they stood by them - even in the dry patches. In the end perhaps Mitty Collier was too soulful for the public to take ("Like Only Yesterday") or the songs just weren't catchy enough for the charts to go crazy over ("My Party").

Still, at least we are left with this legacy of superb powerhouse soul tracks to enjoy. Ace is to be congratulated for this release – because once again, they deliver the goodies.