"Smokestack Lightning – The Complete Chess Masters 1951-9160" by HOWLIN' WOLF (2011 Hip-O Select 4CD Book Set - Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Well Don't You Hear Me Cryin’…"

This rather lovely 'book-shaped' set is the first in a series of CD retrospectives documenting Chester Arthur Burnette (his real name) and his stay at the legendary Blues label 'Chess'. There's an awful lot of Howlin' Wolf to document here, so let's get to the details...

Released Monday 21 November 2011 in the UK (September 2011 in the USA) on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2 (Barcode 602527627342) - "Smokestack Lightning - The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960" by HOWLIN’ WOLF is a 97-Track 4CD Book Set and breaks down as follows (Discography follows):

Disc 1, 26 Tracks, 1951 to 1953 (73:08 minutes):

1. Moanin' At Midnight (1951 78”, Chess 1479, A-side)

2. How Many More Years (Alternate)

3. How Many More Years (1951 78”, Chess 1479, B-side)

4. The Wolf's At Your Door (Howlin' For My Baby) (1952 78”, Chess 1497, B-side)

5. California Boogie

6. Smile At Me

7. Howlin’ Wolf Boogie (1952 78”, Chess 1497, A-side)

8. California Blues No. 1

9. Look-A-Here Baby

10. Worried All The Time (1952 78”, Chess 1515, B-side)

11. Getting’ Old And Grey (1952 78”, Chess 1510, B-side)

12. Mr. Highway Man (1952 78”, Chess 1510, A-side)

13. Everybody’s In The Mood

14. Color And Kind

15. Bluebird (Blues)

16. Saddle My Pony (1952 78”, Chess 1515, A-side)

17. Dorothy Mae (Alternate Take)

18. Dorothy Mae

19. Sweet Woman (a/k/a I Got A Woman)

20. Well That’s All Right

21. Decoration Day (Blues)

22. Oh Red (1952 78” and 7” [1st release on 45], Chess 1528, A-side)

23. My Last Affair (1952 78” and 7”, Chess 1528, B-side)

24. I’ve Got A Woman

25. Just My Kind

26. Work For Your Money

[Notes: Tracks 2, 5, 6, 17, Previously Unreleased In The USA

Tracks 8, 9, 13, 14, 18 and 21 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349

Tracks 15 and 20 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332

Tracks 24 to 26 are 1953 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 2, 25 Tracks, 1953 to 1956 (73:42 minutes):

1. I’m Not Joking

2. Mama Died And Left Me

3. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, A-side)

4. I Love My Baby (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, B-side)

5. Highway My Friend

6. Hold Your Money

7. Streamline Woman

8. California Blues No. 2

9. Stay Here Til My Baby Comes Back

10. Crazy About You Baby

11. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, A-side)

12. You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) (1959 7”, Chess 1744, B-side)

13. Neighbors

14. I’m The Wolf

15. Rockin’ Daddy (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, B-side)

16. Baby How Long (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, A-side)

17. Evil (Is Goin’ On) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, B-side)

18. I’ll Be Around (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, A-side)

19. Forty Four (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, B-side)

20. Who Will Be Next (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, A-side)

21. I Have A Little Girl (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, B-side)

22. Come To Me Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, A-side)

23. Don’t Mess With My Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, B-side)

24. Smokestack Lightning (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, A-side)

25. You Can’t Be Beat (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, B-side)

26. I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, A-side)

27. So Glad (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, B-side)

[Notes: Tracks 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349

Tracks 2, 7, 10, and first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332

Tracks 13, 14 and are 1954 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 3, 25 Tracks, 1956 to 1958 (76:41 minutes):

1. Break Of Day

2. The Natchez Burning (1959 7”, Chess 1744, A-side)

3. Going Back Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1648, A-side)

4. Bluebird

5. My Life

6. You Ought To Know

7. Who’s Been Talkin (1960 7”, Chess 1750, A-side)

8. Tell Me (1960 7”, Chess 1750, B-side)

9. Somebody In My Home (Alternate Take)

10. Somebody In My Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, A-side)

11. Nature (Takes 1/4/6)

12. Nature (Alternate Take)

13. Nature (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, B-side)

14. Walk To Camp Hall

15. Poor Boy (Alternate Take)

16. Poor Boy (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, B-side)

17. My Baby Told Me

18. Sittin’ On The Top Of The World (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, A-side)

19. I Didn’t Know

20. I Better Go Now (Howlin’ Blues) (Alternate)

21. Howlin’ Blues (I’m Going Away) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, A-side)

22. I Better Go Now (Multiple Takes) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, B-side)

23. I Didn’t Know (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, B-side)

24. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, A-side)

25. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (Takes 3 & 4)

[Notes: Tracks 1 first released on the 1993 US 4CD Box Set by Various Artists called “Chess Blues” on Chess CHD4-9340

Tracks 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 25 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349

Tracks 9, 11, 19, 20, 22* and 25* Previously Unreleased In The USA

[Tracks 22 except includes Chess single 1726; Track 25 except includes Alternate Take on “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” 2CD set on Chess CHD2-9349]]

Disc 4, 19 Tracks, 1958 to 1960 (68:50 minutes):

1. I’m Leaving You (Alternate Take)

2. I’m Leaving You (Takes 7-10)

3. I’m Leaving You (1959 7”, Chess 1712, A-side)

4. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)

5. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)

6. (You) Can’t Put Me Out (Includes Additional Dialogue)

7. Change My Way (1959 7”, Chess 1712, B-side)

8. Getting Late

9. I’ve Been Abused (Takes 4-12)

10. I’ve Been Abused (1959 7”, Chess 1735, B-side)

11. Howlin’ For My Baby (Takes 1-7)

12. Howlin’ For My Darling (Or Baby) (1960 7”, Chess 1762, B-side)

13. Wolf In The Mood (Instrumental) [Includes Outtakes & Dialogue]

14. My People’s Gone

15. Mr. Airplane Man (Takes 1-2) [Plus Outtakes & Dialogue]

16. Mr. Airplane Man (1959 7”, Chess 1735, A-side)

17. Wang-Dang-Doodle (1961 7”, Chess 1777, A-side)

18. Back Door Man (1961 7” (recorded 1960), Chess 1777, B-side)

19. Spoonful (1960 7”, Chess 1762, A-side)

[Notes: Tracks 1, 2, 5, 9 and 11 Previously Unreleased In The USA

Track 4 first released on the 1982 US 2LP set “Chess Blues Rarities” on Chess CH2-9230

Track 15 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332

Tracks 6, 8, 13 (with Outtakes Dialogue) and 14 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349]

The hardback book packaging matches the look and feel of the MUDDY WATERS "Hoochie Coochie Man..." Hip-O Select 2CD set of 2004 (not as wide, but it's taller). "Smokestack Lightning..." has an embossed matt cardboard effect on the front cover with similarly textured pages within and is a non-numbered worldwide Limited Edition of 5000 copies. The 42-page booklet inside has an essay on Wolf (Pages 3 to 9) by PETER GURALNICK who is the award-winning Author of 2 books on Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley - with a forthcoming Biography on Sam Phillips. In fact Guralnick's entry here is a highly personal interview with SAM PHILLIPS on how the legendary and visionary Producer of Sun Records first tried to record the great bluesman and his band in 1951. Phillips warmly remembers the sheer impact of Wolf's powerhouse of a voice and physical presence (6' 3", 275 Pounds). Sam is full of passion and awe for the man who sang "...with his damn soul..." - bowled over even now - some 60 years after the event.

Not to be outdone, the liner notes on the project itself by DICK SHUMAN on Pages 11 to 19 are equally entertaining as they concentrate on the key musicians and recording dates. I particularly love the page that pictures "The New 708 Club" card invite for the Chicago Blues Club that tells you - you can see Muddy Waters on Mon, Wed and Thurs with Otis Rush on Fri, Sat and Sun but Howlin' Wolf is only available on Tues! Now there's a week of Blues gigs I want to attend! Pages 20 to 42 picture Trade Adverts, Black & White photos of his group, photos of his rare "Moanin' In The Moonlight" album from 1958 (front and rear) and end on a full track-by-track Discography. The 4CDs are held in individual leaves at the back - each disc colour scheme reflecting the original shellac and vinyl labels (Blue and White for the 78's - Blue and Silver for the famous Chess 45's).

As with so much of the enormous Chess catalogue - the remastering has been carried out by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON - a man with over 900 mastering and audio restoration credits to his name. This stuff is ROUGH - brutal even in places - and the remaster brings out that raw power. Some of the alternate takes are very crackly - but he has allowed them to breath and there's huge presence in every track.  Most of the songs on Disc 1 to 3 are self-penned like the staggering "Smoke Stack Lightning" (lyrics above), but by the time we get to the tail end of Disc 4 the catalyst of WILLIE DIXON arrives - sending everything into the stratosphere ("Spoonful" and "Wang Dang Doodle"). The combo of Wolf's voice and Dixon's witty tunes will undoubtedly dominate Volume 2.

Niggles - the packaging is lovely, but it's over too soon. Very few 78's or 45's are pictured and you can't help thinking that if Bear Family or Ace had handled this - it would be twice the size and truly beautiful in every way. And musically - the repetition of tracks and takes is hard to take - so a "Best Of" would suffice for the merely curious (or even a Willie Dixon set with HW tracks on it). Die-hard fans, however, of Howlin' Wolf, Chess Records and the Blues in general will have to own this.

To sum up - despite the slightly disappointing packaging - this is lovely evocation of a genuine force of nature - a singer who shaped so much of what we listen to and adore to this day. And if you want to know why so many white rock guys worshipped at his feet and regularly tried to kiss the hem of his garment - here is the place to start...

Like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters - how I wished I'd seen this giant live...

HOWLIN' WOLF DISCOGRAPHY referencing 

"Smokestack Lightning - The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960"

2011 4CD Book Set on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2

Layout: [1/7] = Disc 1, Track 7 - [2/1] = Disc 2, Track 1 etc

(Year Of Release, Label & Catalogue Number)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS 78"s ONLY:

1. Moanin' At Midnight [1/1] b/w How Many More Years [1/3] (1951, Chess 1479)

2. Howlin' Wolf Boogie [1/7] b/w The Wolf Is At Your Door [1/4] (1952, Chess 1497)

3. Mr. Highway Man [1/12] b/w Getting' Old And Grey [1/11] (1952, Chess 1510)

4. Saddle My Pony [1/16] b/w Worried All The Time [1/10] (1952, Chess 1515)

HOWLING WOLF CHESS 78"s and 7"s:

5. Oh Red [1/22] b/w My Last Affair [1/23] (1952, Chess 1528) – his first US 7” single on Chess

6. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) [2/3] b/w I Love My Baby [2/4] (1953, Chess 1557)

7. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) [2/11] b/w Rockin' Daddy [2/15] (1954, Chess 1566)

8. Baby How Long [2/16] b/w Evil (Is Goin' On) [2/17] (1954, Chess 1575)

9. I'll Be Around [2/18] b/w Forty Four [2/19] (1955, Chess 1584)

10. Who Will Be Next [2/20] b/w I Have A Little Girl [2/21] (1955, Chess 1593)

11. Come To Me Baby [2/22] b/w Don't Mess With My Baby [2/23] (1955, Chess 1607)

12. Smoke Stack Lightning [2/24] b/w You Can't Be Beat [2/25] (1956, Chess 1618)

13. I Asked For Water [2/26] b/w So Glad (1956, Chess 1632) [2/27]

14. Going Back Home [3/3] b/w My Life [3/5] (1957, Chess 1648)

15. Somebody In My Home [3/10] b/w Nature [3/13] (1957, Chess 1668)

16. Sittin' On Top Of The World [3/18] b/w Poor Boy [3/16] (1958, Chess 1679)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS 7"s ONLY:

17. Moaning For My Baby [3/24] b/w I Didn't Know [3/23] (1958, Chess 1695)

18. I'm Leavin' You [4/3] b/w Change My Way [4/7] (1959, Chess 1712)

19. Howlin' Blues (I'm Going Away) [3/21] b/w I Better Go Now [3/22] (1959, Chess 1726)

20. Mr. Airplane Man [4/16] b/w I've Been Abused [4/10] (1959, Chess 1735)

21. The Natchez Burning [3/2] b/w You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) [2/12] (1959, Chess 1744)

22. Spoonful [4/19] b/w Howlin' For My Darling (Or Baby) [4/12] (1960, Chess 1762)

23. Wang-Dang-Doodle [4/17] b/w Back Door Man [4/18] (1961, Chess 1777)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS LPs:

"Moanin' In The Moonlight" - 1958 USA MONO album on Chess LP-1434

Side 1:

1. Moanin' At Midnight [1/1]

2. How Many More Years [1/3]

3. Smokestack Lightning [2/24]

4. Baby How Long [2/15]

5. No Place To Go [2/11]

6. All Night Boogie [2/3]

Side 2:

1. Evil [2/17]

2. I'm Leavin' You [4/3]

3. Moanin' For My Baby [3/24]

4.  I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) [2/26]

5. Forty-Four [2/19]

6. Somebody In My Home [3/10]

"Howlin' Wolf" – January 1962 USA MONO LP on Chess LP 1469

Side 1:

1. Shake For Me

2. The Red Rooster

3. You'll Be Mine

4. Who's Been Talkin' [3/7]

5. Wang Dang Doodle

6. Little Baby

Side 2:

1. Spoonful

2. Goin’ Down Slow

3. Down In The Bottom

4. Back Door Man

5. Howlin’ For My Baby [4/12]

6. Tell Me [3/8]

Tracks 5 on Side 1 and Tracks 1 and 4 on Side 2 recorded June 1960

Tracks 1, 2 and 6 on Side 1 and Track 3 on Side 2 recorded May 1961

Tracks 3 on Side 1 and Track 2 on Side 2 recorded December 1961

The other three cuts are from Fifties sessions as covered by Discs 3 and 4 of this Book Set

"The Real Folk Blues" - January 1966 USA MONO album on Chess LP 1502

Side 1:

1. Killing Floor

2. Louise

3. Poor Boy [3/16]

4. Sittin' On Top Of The World [3/18]

5. Nature [3/13]

6. My Country Sugar Mama

Side 2:

1. Tail Dragger

2. Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy

3. The Natchez Burnin' [3/2]

4. Build For Comfort

5. Ooh Baby Hold Me

6. Tell Me What I've Done

Tracks 1, 2 and 6 on Side 1 were recorded August 1964

Track 1 on Side 2 recorded September 1962

Tracks 2 and 4 on Side2 recorded August 1963

Tracks 5 and 6 on Side 2 recorded August 1965 – the other four songs on the LP are Fifties recordings covered by Disc 3 of this 4CD set as noted above.

"More Real Folk Blues" – January 1967 USA MONO LP on Chess LP 1512

Side 1:

1. Just My Kind [1/25]

2. I've Got A Woman [1/24]

3. Work For Your Money [1/26]

4. I'll Be Around [2/18]

5. You Can't Be Beat [2/25]

6. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) [2/11]

Side 2:

1. I Love My Baby [2/4]

2. Neighbors [2/13]

3. I'm The Wolf [2/14]

4. Rockin' Daddy [2/15]

5. Who Will Be Next [2/20]

6. I Have A Little Girl [2/21]

See also my review for the March 2002 CD reissue that combines the two Real Folk LPs onto 1CD Remaster - "The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues" by HOWLIN’ WOLF on Universal/MCA/Chess 088 122 820-2 (Barcode 008811282028).

"Slim Harpo Rocks" by SLIM HARPO. A Review Of The 2011 Bear Family CD Compilation.

"…I'm A King Bee…Buzzin' 'Round Your Hive…"

Saying that Slim Harpo 'rocks' is probably pushing it a tad – but that doesn’t stop this CD compilation from being another winner in a series that is fast becoming definitive. There’s a lot on here - so let’s the details out of the way first…

Released November 2011, Bear Family BCD 17129 AR breaks down as follows (75:41 minutes):

1. Wild About My Baby (1960 recording 1st issued on a 1978 USA 45 on Blues Unlimited 2015, A-side)
2. I Got Love If You Want It (1957 USA 45 on Excello 2113, B-side)
3. I'm A King Bee (1957 USA 45 on Excello 2113, A-side)
4. You'll Be Sorry One Day (1959 USA 45 on Excello 2162, B-side)
5. That Ain't Your Business (1957 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
6. Buzz Me Babe (1960 USA 45 on Excello 2171, A-side)
7. My Little Queen Bee (Got A Brand New King) (1964 USA 45 on Excello 2246, A-side)
8. I’m Waiting On You Baby (1964 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
9. Something Inside Me (1961 recording 1st issued in 1969 on a US LP called "Rural Blues Vol.2 – Saturday Night Function" on Imperial 94001)
10. Bobby-Sox Baby (from Slim Harpo's 1961 USA LP "Raining In My Heart" on Excello LP 8003)
11. I Need Money (Keep Your Alibis) (1964 USA 45 on Excello 2246, B-side)
12. Yeah Yeah Baby (1960 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
13. Shake Your Hips (1966 USA 45 on Excello 2278, B-side)
14. Harpo's Blues (1965 USA 45 on Excello 2265, B-side)
15. Don't Start Cryin’ Now (1961 USA 45 on Excello 2194, B-side)
16. Boogie Chillun (1964 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
17. Baby, Scratch My Back (1965 USA 45 on Excello 2273, A-side)
18. Buzzin' [Instrumental] (1963 USA 45 on Excello 2239, A-side)
19. Hey Little Lee (1968 USA LP called "Tip On In" on Excello LPS-8008)
20. The Music's Hot (1970 USA LP called "Slim Harpo Knew The Blues" on Excello LPS-8013)
21. Wondering And Worryin' (1958 USA 45 on Excello 2138, A-side)
22. Late Last Night (1959 recording 1st issued on the 1996 CD compilation "The Scratch – Rare And Unissued, Volume 1" on AV/Excello CD 3015)
23. That's Alright (aka "You'll Be Sorry One Day") (1959 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
24. That's Alright Baby (aka "Don't Start Cryin' Now") (1960 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
25. Cigarettes (1959 alternate version 1st issued on a 1986 UK LP called "Baton Rouge Blues – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 42" on Flyright 607)
26. Buzz Me Babe (1959 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
27. I'm A King Bee (1957 alternate recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
28. You Ain't Never Had To Cry (1959 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
29. I Got Love If You Want It (1957 recording 1st issued in 1980 on the UK LP called "Got Love If You Want It – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 20" on Flyright 558)
30. Wondering And Worryin' (1957 recording 1st issued on the 1996 CD compilation "The Scratch – Rare And Unissued, Volume 1" on AV/Excello CD 3015)
31. Rainin' In My Heart (1961 USA 45 on Excello 2194, A-side)

[Note: As you can see from the track list above - there were many unreleased recordings put out on reissue vinyl albums by revered labels like Flyright, Imperial and England’s Ace Records – many of which (not all) are featured here on CD for the first time. Most songs however are Excello Recordings from 1957 to 1970 – American 7" singles and key album tracks.]

"Slim Harpo Rocks" comes in Bear's now standard packaging for this series – a 3-way foldout card digipak containing a detachable oversized booklet inside (32 pages for this issue). Pages 5 to 18 feature an in-depth essay on James Moore (his real name) by noted writer and musicologist JEFF HANNUSCH and Pages 19 to 29 have a full Discography on all 31 recordings by archivist BILL MILLAR. The text is peppered with trade adverts, black and white and colour photos of the great man with his guitar in hand and harmonica in mouth - as well as lovely repros of 3 rare album sleeves. It’s the usual classy act from Bear. And then of course is the great sound courtesy of JURGEN CRASSER. I’ve raved about his work before (see my TAG for him and reviews for the astonishing "Blowing The Fuse" series (16 compilations) and the "Sweet Soul Music" series (10 discs). It's old Blues and R'n'B for sure, but it sounds great - full of atmosphere, echo and life.

Second only to Jimmy Reed, Slim was the most successful Blues and R'n'B artist on the Excello label and a product of JAY MILLER'S legendary studio in Crawley, Louisiana. One of Slim's most famous and beloved songs "I'm A King Bee" defined his witty languid style for decades (lyrics above) – yet as his debut single - it never charted. "King Bee" would later however take on a life of its own – to a point where like Elmore James who found a riff and stuck with it – Slim would repeat the style again and again (both the CD and the inlay beneath the see-through tray picture the 7" of "I'm A King Bee" on Excello 2113). Slim pumped out more soundalikes for years (both Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones covered it).

Highlights include "I Got Love If You Want It" (another signature hit for him) and the rockin' harmonica-driven of "That Ain't Your Business" where sauciness is always close to the surface ("…when I pulled down the shade…and turned out the light…"). The huge drum sound of "Buzz Me Babe" is irresistible foot-tapping stuff – in fact – there’s a great fun vibe about so many of the songs on here. "I'm Waiting On You Baby" first turned up on an Ace CD in 1993 and it's a "did me wrong girl" bopper – misery with a beat. "Shake Your Hips" was famously covered by the Stones on their 1972 2LP masterpiece "Exile On Main St." – it shuffles along like his cover of John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillun". But best of all is the slinky "Baby, Scratch My Back" which I've been featuring on R'n'B compilations for years in the shop shuffle – it now sounds just HUGE. And it all ends on the lovely "Rainin' In My Heart" - a winner from 1961.

Niggles - it’s a shame there isn’t more from the later years – the track "Hey, Little Lee" is from his 1968 LP "Tip On In" and the recording quality is fantastic – chugging along like a cool Sixties R'n'B tune should. "The Music's Hot" from the 1970 LP "Slim Harpo Knows The Blues" is the same – sounding tremendous – and both in STEREO. The song "Tip On In" is excellent too - but again a no-show when there was room. But still, it's a great listen overall and makes you ache for more...as a good compilation should.

The incomparable Bear Family folks – class and quality - they may cost you – but the best always does.

I’m off now to review the Chuck Berry set and hide the bills from the missus…and convince her that the recession is not my fault all in 'her' mind...

SLIM HARPO USA LPs referenced in the Bear Family discography:

"Slim Harpo Sings Raining in My Heart"
USA 1961 LP on Excello LP 8003 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Rainin’ In My Heart [31]
2. Blues Hangover
3. Bobby-Sox Baby [10]
4. I Got Love If You Want It [2]
5. Snoopin’ Around
6. Buzz Me Baby [6]

Side 2:
1. I’m A King Bee [3]
2. What A Dream
3. Don’t Start Cryin’ Now [15]
4. Moody Blues
5. My Home Is A Prison
6. Dream Girl

"Baby Scratch My Back"
USA 1966 on Excello LP 8005 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Shake Your Hips [13]
2. Midnight Blues
3. Harpo’s Blues [14]
4. Buzzin’ [18]
5. My Little Queen Bee [7]
6. I Love The Life (I’m Livin’)

Side 2:
1. Baby, Scratch My Back [17]
2. I’m Gonna Miss You (Like The Devil)
3. Rainin’ In My Heart
4. Wonderin’ Blues
5. We’re Two Of A Kind
6. I Need Money [11]

"Tip On In"
USA 1968 LP on Excello LPS-8008 [Stereo]
Hey Little Lee [19]


"Slim Harpo Knew The Blues"
USA 1970 LP on Excello LPS-8013 [Stereo]
The Music’s Hot [20]

PS: The "Rocks" Series by Bear Family features the following artists:

1. Chuck Berry [see REVIEW}
2. Pat Boone
3. Johnny Burnette [see REVIEW]
4. The Cadillacs
5. Eddie Cochran
6. Bobby Darin
7. Fats Domino
8. Connie Francis
9. Don Gibson
10. Glen Glenn
11. Bill Haley
12. Roy Hall
13. Slim Harpo [see REVIEW]
14. Dale Hawkins
15. Ronnie Hawkins
16. Screamin' Jay Hawkins
17. Wanda Jackson [see REVIEW]
18. Sonny James
19. Buddy Knox & Jimmy Bowen with the Rhythm Orchids
20. Sleepy LaBeef
21. Brenda Lee
22. Jerry Lee Lewis
23. Smiley Lewis [see REVIEW]
24. Little Richard
25. Bob Luman
26. Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers
27. Carl Mann
28. Amos Milburn [see REVIEW]
29. Ella Mae Morse [see REVIEW]
30. Ricky Nelson
31. Carl Perkins
32. Roy Orbison
33. Lloyd Price
34. Piano Red (aka Dr. Feelgood) [see REVIEW]
35. Charlie Rich [see REVIEW]
36. Jack Scott
37. Shirley & Lee
38. The Treniers
39. Big Joe Turner [see REVIEW]
40. Conway Twitty
41. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps
42. Rusty York

The Bear Family "Rockin' Rollin'" Series features:

1. Johnny Horton
2. Marvin Rainwater
3. Marty Robbins Vol.1
4. Marty Robbins Vol.2
5. Marty Robbins Vol.3

"The RCA Albums Collection" by SAM COOKE - Including The Stereo Albums "Cooke's Tour" (1960), "Hits Of The 50's" (1960), "Swing Low" (1961), "My Kind Of Blues" (1961), "Twistin' The Night Away" (1962), "Mr. Soul" (1963), "Night Beat" (1963) and more (November 2011 UK Sony/RCA/Legacy 8CD Clamshell Box Set with Vic Anesini Remasters and Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RCA-Albums-Collection-Sam-Cooke/dp/B005APT72M?crid=212UCA4EWDC27&keywords=886978987020&qid=1706874169&sprefix=886978987020%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=f779bfa65ba781b4a6a4318ae6479fbb&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATING: ****

"…You Can Make Me Weep…You Can Make Me Cry…"

I've had this pre-ordered for months - and when it arrived this morning - I ripped off the shrink wrap with an indecent haste. And I'm thrilled to say that Sony/Legacy has done a very tasty job indeed - tracks and albums that are NEW TO CD. And priced at roughly three quid per disc, this wee beauty is also great value for money. 

Unfortunately and given the constraints of the early Sixties regarding musical expression for a coloured man daring to take on the commerciality of the American charts, you must hammer home that these albums are not all Soul genius by a long shot kicking any bucket. There is crooner schlock in here a-plenty hustling to be acceptable to nice white picket-fence USA, but then there is the other stuff – the early Soul stuff – and like Presley – that voice. And that is all any real fan will ever want. And man does it sound good. Here are the night beats for a true singing legend...

UK released Monday 14 November 2011 - "The RCA Albums Collection" by SAM COOKE on Sony/RCA/Legacy 88697898702 (Barcode 886978987020) has 8 US Stereo albums on 8CDs and breaks down as follows:

1. "Cooke's Tour" - a 12-track LP originally released April 1960 on RCA Victor LSP-2221 (36:59 minutes)

2. "Hits Of The 50's" - a 12-track LP originally released August 1960 on RCA Victor LSP-2236 (33:57 minutes)

3. "Swing Low" - a 12-track LP originally released March 1961 on RCA Victor LSP-2293 (36:31 minutes)

4. "My Kind Of Blues" - a 12-track LP originally released October 1961 on RCA Victor LSP-2392 (32:52 minutes)

5. "Twistin' The Night Away" - a 12-track LP originally released April 1962 on RCA Victor LSP-2555 (29:18 minutes)

6. "Mr. Soul" - a 12-track LP originally released February 1963 on RCA Victor LSP-2673 (36:06 minutes)

7. "Night Beat" - a 12-track LP originally released September 1963 on RCA Victor LSP-2709 (37:45 minutes)

8. "One Night Stand! Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963" - a 10-track show recorded 12 January 1963, but not released until June 1985 on RCA Victor AFL 1-5181 (38:49 minutes) 

I half expected the booklet to be slight and useless but at 24-pages and with full music credits and discography info on all eight albums - it isn't. There's also a short essay by STUART COLEMAN and great black & white snaps of Sam in the studio. As you can see from the Amazon photo provided above - the outer box is as uninspiring as a bowl of cold mashed potatoes on a Monday morning - but the eight individual card repros contained within are LOVELY - faithfully depicting front and rear sleeves in full colour. Very nicely done. But the big news is the SOUND...

Albums 1 to 6 are remastered by VIC ANESINI with 7 and 8 done by BOB LUDWIG - both highly respected and revered names in the business of transferring old master tapes. The audio quality is 'Living Stereo' BEAUTIFUL - clear, warm and full of great feeling. There's air around each track and yet not overbearingly so - no compression and plenty of room to breathe - always a sign of engineers who respect the original sound and source material. 

Musically - and despite his legend as the greatest vocalist - it's a mixed bag of the awful and the great. It starts out badly with "Cooke's Tour" where he sings songs about different cities around the world - it's cheesy lounge music and largely unlistenable now. The 2nd album "Hits Of The 50's" is more on the suave Crooner tip but with better material like Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa", The Platters standard "The Great Pretender" and Doris Day's "Secret Love" - Cooke gets to stretch out vocally and his control is so sweet. "Swing Low" features "Chain Gang" and the brassy 4th album "My Kind Of Blues" features "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and the Big Joe Turner classic "Trouble In Mind". 

Cooke finally starts to hit his Soulful stride with the "Twistin' The Night Away" LP which features "Movin' And A' Groovin'" and the excellent "Somebody Have Mercy". The "Mr. Soul" LP is even better - "Chains Of Love" and "Smoke Rings" are silky smooth and the truly gorgeous "Nothing Can Change This Love" is my all-time favourite by him (lyrics above). The box culminates in two genuine masterpieces - the bluesy "Night Beat" LP which I reviewed a few months back as an 'obscure album you must own' and the posthumously released live set "One Night Stand!" which shows him in magnificent form. 

Niggles - as you can see from the skimpy playing times noted above - the discs are not exactly chockers with music. And as fans will know, albums 1 to 7 were originally issued in both MONO and STEREO, yet only the STEREO versions have been used here, when there was room for both. If it's an 'RCA Albums' box set, then issue them as they were originally released (most of it would have been first time on CD too). And because this set focuses on 1960 onwards - if you're looking for his huge Fifties hits like "You Send Me", "Cupid" and "Only Sixteen" - they're not on here. For those you should go to the single compilation "Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964" - which has superlative track choices and glorious SACD sound quality. Or if you want a broader view of his entire career including his 1950's Gospel stuff with The Sour Stirrers - the 96-track 4CD Box Set from 2000 called "The Man Who Invented Soul" is the place to go. It was reissued in September 2011 as a mini book version at an incredibly cheap price.   

To sum up - "The RCA Albums Collection" by SAM COOKE is a lovely reissue and about time too. OK – the front cover artwork is awful, and it must be said that a lot of the content on the first 4 discs is hardly soulful in the way that we now know it (too many easy-listening covers and cheesy lounge tunes that haven't dated at all well). But the songs in-between the cracks are a nice rediscovery and the wonderful 4 Cooke albums that follow are must-owns. And that makes it four-stars worth of prime five-star Cooke that I need. 

Recommended. And I must grab me a copy of the Nina Simone box set in this series too...

"The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (November 2011 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul 3CD Book Set in a Card Slipcase with Remasters and Previously Unreleased Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review Along With Nearly 195 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

Mod, New Breed, Funk, Jazz Dancers, Rare Grooves

Atlantic, Chess, Motown, Stax Labels and many more... 

 

Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

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RATING: Presentation **** Content **** to ***** Audio: *****

 

"…You Got My Full Respect…"

When the highly respected MOJO and RECORD COLLECTOR magazines gave the Ace Records/Kent Soul 3CD Book Set "Take Me To The River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977" their Reissue of the Year tag in 2008 (even going as far as saying that it was the 'greatest' soul compilation ever assembled) – many lovers of the genre sat up and took notice. And like me – having loved "Take Me To The River" to death ever since – we've been awaiting VOLUME 2 like a child with a sweet tooth.

Well here it is and I'm thrilled to say that "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973" (despite some irritations) doesn't disappoint and will easily be up there as one of 'the' Soul reissues of 2011. Here are the details: 

 

UK released Monday 14 November 2011 - "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Soul KENT BOX 12 (Barcode 029667010009) is a 75-track 3CD Hardback Book Set in a Card Wrap Outer that breaks down as follows (full list below):

Disc 1, "Steal Away", 25 Tracks from 1961 to 1966 (61:08 minutes):
The following are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Track 5 "I Hope They Get Their Eyes Full" – ARTHUR ALEXANDER
Track 9 "A Man Is A Mean, Mean Thing (Alternate)" – BARBARA PERRY
Track 19 "Feed The Flame" – BILLY YOUNG
Track 24 "Why Not Tonight" – JAMES GILREATH

Disc 2, "Slippin' Around", 25 Tracks from 1966 to 1969 (67:25 minutes):
The following are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Track 1 "You Left The Water Running (Unedited Demo Version)" – OTIS REDDING
Track 6 "Thread The Needle" - CLARENCE & CALVIN [Clarence Carter & Calvin Scott]
Track 13 "Don't Make Me Hate Loving You" – JEANIE GREENE
Track 18 "Slip Away" – CLARENCE CARTER
Track 20 "Once In A While (Is Better Than Never At All)" – SPENCER WIGGINS
Track 21 "Thief In The Night" – BEN & SPENCE [Ben Moore & Spencer James]
Track 34 "Search Your Heart" – GEORGE JACKSON

Disc 3, "Get Involved", 25 Tracks from 1969 to 1973 (77:42 minutes):
Track 3 "Another Man's Woman, Another Woman's Man" – UNKNOWN FEMALE
Track 16 "Double Lovin'" – GEORGE JACKSON

Subtitled "Fame – Home Of The Muscle Shoals Sound" – the compilation, notes and archive research on this Southern Soul retrospective has been carried out by an experienced team of three - ALEC PALAO, TONY ROUNCE and DEAN RUDLAND. Soul buyers will have seen their names across a myriad of top-quality reissues – especially throughout the 00’s. And like its predecessor – the hardback book is housed in a flimsy card-wrap that has to be opened carefully to get the book out without tearing it – but when you do – WOW! The 84 colour pages are jaw-droppingly GORGEOUS. Each song is given paragraphs of detailed information (liner notes shared by the 3 compilers), colour photos of the artists are featured, US and UK 7" singles pictured (stock and demo), trade adverts, in-studio shots never seen before... The 3 CDs are housed in different card slots at the rear and the hardback leaves (front & rear) picture those rare DEMO labels in full colour. Droolsome – and that's before we even get to the content and the great SOUND…

SOUND - even the more familiar songs like "I'm Your Puppet", "Steal Away" and "Sweet Soul Music" – tracks I know many fans will have heard too many times – have their audio improved here to an exceptional clarity. The Aretha Franklin gem "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" for instance has been drenched in emotion for decades we all know, but its CD version has also been drenched in overbearing hiss in some transfers. Well on this Ace set its clearer than on any other CD I have – which is saying something. The aural whack coming off Otis Clay's stunning rendition of "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" is just incredible. Song after song - it's all warm and clear throughout...

CONTENT - genius choices go to the fabulous Mod instrumental "Night Rumble, Part 1" by The Mark 5 while the Soul Doo-Wop vibe of "Too Much" by The Entertainers sounds like Jackie Wilson as his joyful Sixties best – lovely stuff. "Keep On Talking" by James Barnett and "I Can't Stop (No, No, No)" by Arthur Conley (lyrics above) are the kind of floor-dancers that Northern Soul aficionados go nuts for – while the intro to Spooner Oldham's "Two In The Morning" is very cleverly done – a man walks up to a door where there's a Booker T & The MG's "Green Onions" type tune going on inside. The door opens – and the cool Soul instrumental suddenly hits you with a wallop – brilliant. Even Tommy Roe's "Everybody" and Bobbie Gentry's "Fancy" are far more soulful than you would credit. The high falsetto of Ted Taylor on "Miss You So" is brilliantly transferred – and the talking slink of "Keep Your Cool" by TERRY & THE CHAIN REACTION is surely going to turn up in a "Mad Men" episode soon (has crystal clear sound too). "I Stayed Away Too Long" by The Wallace Brothers is stunning Sixties Soul – full of pleading and passion. There's so much more too…

The unreleased stuff is a mixed bag of the fantastic and the merely great – first up in the champion's corner is an astonishing acoustic driven 'Unedited Demo Version' of "You Left The Water Running" by OTIS REDDING. The 'edited' version has been on compilations before – but this is the full 4:09 minute take with him counting in the song – available for the first time. What a voice, what a presence – its spine-tingling stuff. Another sweetie is the ballad "Why Not Tonight" by James Gilreath – great melodrama and feeling - as is the torch song "Don't Make Me Hate Loving You" by Jeanie Green. A personal joy for me is to find an unreleased 1967 recording by CLARENCE CARTER with his songwriting partner CALVIN SCOTT on here; it’s the beautiful sounding "Thread The Needle" – which descends into laughter half way through it - really great stuff. It's off the 4-track EP "The Stars Of Fame" issued in May 2011 for Record Store Day (1000 copies only). And it's a shame Ace couldn't find out who 'Unknown Female' is on "Another Man's Woman, Another Woman's Man" because it's a fantastically Soulful vocal.

Niggles – the card-wrap is irritating no matter how good it looks (to avoid tearing, you have to open the spine end to get the book out it's so tightly squeezed) and the book will and has detached from its glued backing. And there's some unnecessary crap on Disc 3 – the two terrible covers of The Beatles' "Hey Jude" and Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe" by Wilson Pickett and Etta James are best forgotten, while Clarence Carter's "Patches" is surely his weakest outing. The awful saccharine pap of The Osmonds "One Bad Apple" may make many Soul fans look twice at the sleeve to see if they've bought the right compilation. But these are thankfully minor glitches in what is an overall feast of greatness…

To sum up - is it as good as "Take Me To The River" – absolutely. The combination of the better sounding familiar tracks, the cool lesser-heard gems and a smattering of excellent outtakes and the truly gorgeous packaging - all combine to make it a sonic and visual thrill. In fact I'd swear that if Disc 2 "Slippin' Around" was released as a stand-alone CD compilation – it would cause a sensation all by itself. Docked a star though for that stupid choice of packaging that does for your listening pleasure ever time you try to access it. 

I can't imagine the hundreds of hours, days, weeks and months that went into making this beautiful affirmation of American Soul music – but it's been worth it.

Way to go boys - way to go.

_________________________________________________________________________________

DETAILED BREAKDOWN of "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973"

Disc 1 – "Steal Away" (61:08 minutes):
1. You Better Move On – ARTHUR ALEXANDER (1961, Dot 16309)
2. Laugh It Off – THE TAMS (1963, ABC-Paramount 10502)
3. Night Rumble, Part 1 – THE MARK 5 (1963, ABC Paramount 10433)
4. Everybody – TOMMY ROE (1963, ABC Paramount 10478)
5. I Hope They Get Their Eyes Full – ARTHUR ALEXANDER
(Unissued 1962 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
6. Steal Away – JIMMY HUGHES (1964, Fame 6401)
7. Let Them Talk – DAN PENN (1964, Fame 6402)
8. Hold What You've Got – JOE TEX (1964, Dial 4001)
9. A Man Is A Mean, Mean Thing (Alternate) – BARBARA PERRY
(Unissued 1965 Goldwax Recording – Previously Unreleased)
10. Fortune Teller – THE DEL-RAYS (1965, R and H 1005)
11. Funny Style – BOBBY MARCHAN (1965, Dial 4007)
12. Almost Persuaded – JUNE CONQUEST (1964, Fame 6406)
13. Too Much – THE ENTERTAINERS (1966, Chess 1951)
14. Keep On Talking – JAMES BARNETT (1966, Fame 1001)
15. Searching For My Love – BOOBY MOORE and THE RYHTHM ACES (1966, Checker 1129)
16. I Wish I Didn't Have To Go – SPOONER & THE SPOONS
[featuring Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham] (1964, Fame 6405)
17. Let's Do It Over – JOE SIMON (1965, Vee-Jay 694)
18. Neighbor, Neighbor – JIMMY HUGHES (1966, Fame 1003)
19. Feed The Flame – BILLY YOUNG
(Unissued 1966 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
20. I'm Your Puppet – JAMES and BOBBY PURIFY (1966, Bell 608)
21. I Can't Stop (No, No, No) – ARTHUR CONLEY (1966, Fame 1007)
22. Gonna Make You Say Yeah – TERRY WOODFORD (1966, Fame 1002)
23. Two In The Morning – SPOONER'S CROWD (1966, Cadet 5533)
24. Why Not Tonight – JAMES GILREATH
(Unissued 1966 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
25. Land Of 1000 Dances – WILSON PICKETT (1966, Atlantic 2348)

Disc 2 – "Slippin' Around" (67:25 minutes):
1. You Left The Water Running [Unedited Demo Version] – OTIS REDDING
(An Unedited 4:09 Minute Demo Recorded 1967 of the US 45 on Stone 209
– Previously Unreleased In This Form)
2. A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues – CLYDE McPHATTER (1966, Amy 968)
3. Slippin' Around With You – ART FREEMAN (1966, Fame 1008)
4. Without A Woman – KIP ANDERSON (1966, Checker 1145)
5. Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY (1967, Atco 6463)
6. Thread The Needle - CLARENCE & CALVIN [Clarence Carter & Calvin Scott] (A 1968 Fame Recording – First Released On "The Stars Of Fame" 4-Track UK 7" Single EP on Kent Records LTDEP 009 in April 2011 – Previously Unreleased on CD)
7. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) – ARETHA FRANKLIN (1967, Atlantic 2386)
8. Miss You So – TED TAYLOR (1967, Ronn 15)
9. You Put Something On Me – DON COVAY THE GOOD TIMERS (1966, Atlantic 2340)
10. Tell Mama – ETTA JAMES (1967, Cadet 5578)
11. Keep Your Cool – TERRY & THE CHAIN REACTION (1967, United Artists 50199)
12. Cheater Man – IRMA THOMAS (1967, Chess 2010)
13. Don't Make Me Hate Loving You – JEANIE GREENE (Unissued 1966 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
14. Everytime – LINDA CARR (1967, Bell 658)
15. I Stayed Away Too Long – THE WALLACE BROTHERS (1969, Jewel 800)
16. As Long As I Got You – LAURA LEE (1968, Chess 2041)
17. Don't Lose Your Good Thing – THE BLUES BROTHERS (1968, Shout 235)
18. Slip Away – CLARENCE CARTER (Unissued 1967 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased]
19. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man – OTIS CLAY (1968, Cotillion 44009)
20. Once In A While (Is Better Than Never At All) – SPENCER WIGGINS (Unedited Version Of A 1968 USA 45 on Goldwax 337 – Previously Unreleased)
21. Thief In The Night – BEN & SPENCE [Ben Moore & Spencer James] (A 1967 Fame Recording – First Released On "The Stars Of Fame" UK 4-Track 7" single EP on Kent Records LTDEP 009 in April 2011 – Previously Unreleased on CD)
22. Take Me Just As I Am – MITTY COLLIER (Unissued 1968 Chess Recording – Previously Unreleased)
23. Why Don't You Try Me – MAURICE & MAC [Maurice McAlister and Green McLauren] (1968, Checker 1206)
24. Search Your Heart – GEORGE JACKSON (A 1968 Fame Recording – First Released On "The Stars Of Fame" UK 4-Track 7" single EP on Kent Records LTDEP 009 in April 2011 – Previously Unreleased on CD)
25. Ten Miles High – DAVID & THE GIANTS (1968, Crazy Horse 1300)

Disc 3 – "Get Involved" (77:42 minutes):
1. Lady In The Rain – LOWELL FULSON (1969, Jewel 801)
2. Hey Jude – WILSON PICKETT
[Beatles cover featuring Duane Allman on Guitar] (1968, Atlantic 2591)
3. Another Man’s Woman, Another Woman's Man – UNKNOWN FEMALE
(A 1972 Fame Recording – Previously Unreleased)
4. Snatching It back – CLARENCE CARTER (1969, Atlantic 2605)
5. I Got You Babe – ETTA JAMES [Sonny & Cher cover] (1968, Cadet 5606)
6. Wanted Lover (No Experience Necessary) – JAMES GOVAN (1969, Fame 1461)
7. Find 'Em, Fool 'Em And Forget 'Em – GEORGE JACKSON (1969, Fame 1457)
8. I'm Just A Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin') – CANDI STANTON (1969, Fame 1460)
9. Grits And Gravy – THE FAME GANG (1969, Fame 1458)
10. One Bad Apple – THE OSMONDS (1970, MGM 14193)
11. I'd Rather Go Blind – SPENCER WIGGINS (1970, Fame 1470)
12. Take Me Back – BROTHERS UNLIMITED
(1970 USA LP called "Who's For The Young" on Capitol ST-600)
13. Walk A Mile In My Shoes – WILLIE HIGHTOWER (1970, Fame 1465)
14. Patches – CLARENCE CARTER (170, Atlantic 2748)
15. Fancy – BOBBIE GENTRY (1969, Capitol 2675)
16. Double Lovin' – GEORGE JACKSON
(Unissued 1971 Fame Recordings 'Demo' – Previously Unreleased)
17. Greenwood, Mississippi – LITTLE RICHARD (1970, Reprise 0942)
18. What Color Is Love – ROSCOE ROBINSON (1970, Fame 1469)
19. Bring It On Home To Me – LOU RAWLS [Sam Cooke cover] (1970, Capitol 2856)
20. I Can't Let You Break My Heart – BETTYE SWANN (1971, Fame 1479)
21. Back Road Into Town – WILLIE HIGHTOWER (1971, Fame 1477)
22. The Thanks I Get For Loving You – CANDI STANTON (1972, Fame 91009)
23. Get Involved – GEORGE SOULE (1973, Fame XW 302)
24. Put On Your Shoes And Walk – CLARENCE CARTER (1973, Fame XW 179)
25. You Better Move On – TRAVIS WAMMACK
(1972 USA LP called "Travis Wammack" on Fame FAS 1801)

"Amelie". A Review Of The 2001 Film Now Reissued In 2011 On BLU RAY.

"…The Thrill Of This Rare Contact… Made Her Heart Beat Like A Drum…"

Jean-Pierre Jeunet's delicious "Amelie" wowed many hearts back in 2001 and has remained a warmly remembered favourite ever since. Now in October 2011 - to celebrate its 10th Anniversary - "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain" (its full French title) - finally makes its way onto BLU RAY - and I'm thrilled to say it's a peach.

First up - lovers off the film who already own the 2DVD Special Edition set from 2002 - will be glad to see that all of its extras have made the transfer to this Momentum Pictures Blu Ray reissue (see list below). The card-wrap on the outside of the keep case gives it a classy feel (and it's cheap too). But of course the best news is the picture quality, which is rarely anything less than BEAUTIFUL.

Some words on this because it's such a huge part of the movie. Jeunet was bitterly disappointed at how his 1991 film "Delicatessen" translated to screen - it seemed that none of the work he put in showed on the actual print. He took no chances with the densely populated and complicated "Amelie" - it was filmed entirely in digital - which meant that post-production could add or detract whatever he wanted with precision. The film therefore has a very deliberate pallet of colours - particularly GREEN and RED. It gives the whole look a treated feel - almost a glow - but it's exquisite - and subtle too. It's gorgeous to look at and was deliberately rendered to be so. The scene where Amelie walks in the attaching tunnels of the Paris Subway sees the walls look 'lime green' and the effect is beautiful (digitally changed).

There are so many great visual moments too - unplugging the aerial of a male neighbour who tricked her as he tries to watch football, her mother examining her puckered fingertips in the bathtub, explaining the sights and sounds of the market as she rushes a blind man down a street, skimming stones on the canal outside her home, her father examining her as a child and mistaking her excitement as a defective murmur (dialogue above), stealing the garden gnome, Blubber the suicidal goldfish, the book of discarded passport photos made by her equally odd male fancy (a wonderfully cast Mathieu Kassovitz) - all are realized and framed with a warmth that fills the entire film. BRUNO DELBONNEL received many nominations for Cinematography and won some too.
[Note: The natural default for the print is 2.35:1 - which means lines at the top and bottom of the screen - but even if you stretch it to 16:9 aspect (full screen) - the subtitles are still visible on the bottom of the screen (just about).]

Then there's the script. Co-written by the Director and GUILLAUME LAURANT - and told almost entirely in narration - right from the off its quirky, imaginative and on many occasions - ball-breakingly funny (a sex scene in the toilet of the Windmill Café between a jealous patron and hypochondriac woman is fantastically good). Being spoken in French too only adds to "The Big Lebowski" madness of it all as random events pepper the story of Amelie - a kindly yet mischievous dreamer who works as a waitress in a Paris cafe. The place is emotional central - peopled by a boss with half a leg and a man who bursts plastic bubbles under his table as he spies on a woman who spurned him.

There are two particular scenes of cinematic genius - first is when Amelie finds a tin box of toys hidden behind a tile in her bathroom wall put there by a little boy 40 years back. She then tracks down the now older Dominic Bretodeau (masterful acting by Maurice Benichou) and lures him to a phone booth where he finds this lost treasure. His tears and look of childlike wonder is cinema at its very best. He then talks about it at a bar afterwards with Amelie listening close by. His dialogue is full of heartbreak and wisdom.

Second - there's the elderly frail painter Raymond Dufayel (a superb turn by Serge Merlin) who hasn't ventured out of his apartment for decades (nicknamed `The Glass Man' because of his supposed frail bones). Raymond continually paints and repaints a Renoir classic - but never seems to get it just so. A local grocer's boy called Lucien who is belittled by his bully Dad - brings Raymond his groceries and goodies. There is a scene between Lucien (great casting in Jamel Debbouze) and the wiser Raymond where the older observer of life helps the young put-upon boy to vent his rage with humour - it's touching, inspiring and poignant.

But the movie belongs to AUDREY TAUTOU who quite effortlessly made millions of men fall in love with her - and pine helplessly for her presence ever since. There's that touch of Audrey Hepburn beauty and class about her - a very rare thing in cinema these days. She could boil an egg and guys would stand there drooling. It was her breakthrough role and rightly so.

Rewatching "Amelie" on BLU RAY has been a delight - and I'd forgotten how funny, charming and deliciously inventive it is - all the way through.

Do yourself a favour and crack-open this Crème Boulez of a film...it has layer after layer of flavour - and I for one loved every soppy calorie-filled minute of it.

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9 (Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1)
REGION CODE: B
AUDIO: DTS-HD French 5.1
SUBTITLES: English

EXTRAS:
Commentary with Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Making Of Amelie
Director's Interview
Q&A with Director and Cast
The Look Of Amelie (including interviews with Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Bruno Delbonnel)
Audrey Tautou's Funny Faces
Screen Tests
Photo Gallery
Storyboards
Trailers