"All Through The City (With Wilko 1974-1977)" by DR. FEELGOOD (April 2012 UK EMI UK 3CD/1DVD Book Set - Peter Mew Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Including The No. 1 UK Live Album "Stupidity" from 1976 

This Review Along With 145 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MORE-THAN-FEELING-All-Guide-Exceptional-ebook/dp/B0BGT69MVZ?crid=1RTTPB6MEK9Y7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aCLqQD_0x4Xc4Kd7CEKllFnbfqhZ11PdMT_72etNzX9uk4_p_dYzE7ix7BD2qIIrl8-pAv90HElKfIB-_ZesIaS7TKJ-pDCFTgEP2k9aFX6a08GeBKgOKqyKHE6gcf0WacJEY4AKfVHlvo1EyZXb-psq6hf7c8WNvfvSSQUcNdP73WQfDavTWOHn5u81XeWCHJ47XMXWJqovt2Cx2c7BHgnvhCDYy23xFnpilpsAe90.T6uf-EhIxX_KJ8LfLu5E7Pk739m39vwP0A9sw0LfGno&dib_tag=se&keywords=more+than+a+feeling+mark&qid=1717663975&sprefix=more+than+a+feeling+mark%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=02abe7807076077061be2311e2d581b1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...All Your Lovin'...Thrills Me So..."  

Frankly (Frank) - "All Through The City" by Canvey Island's finest Pub Rockers is a bit of a box set barnstormer. Covering the Wilko Johnson/Lee Brilleaux/John Sparks/Big Figure years - it features 4 full album's worth and a large haul of previously unreleased studio outtakes and live cuts from the time. There's even a lengthy DVD that (in itself) would make a superb stand-alone release. And it's just dropped in price too to below £15!. Here are the finite details...

Released 16 April 2012 in the UK - and taking its title from a track on their debut LP - "All Through The City (With Wilko 1974-1977)" by DR. FEELGOOD is a 3CD + 1DVD box set on EMI 5099955980524 (Barcode 5099955980524) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (79:11 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 13 are their debut album "Down By The Jetty" - released in the UK in January 1975 on United Artists UAS 29717

Tracks 14 to 24 are their 2nd album "Malpractice" - released in the UK in October 1975 on United Artists UAS 29880

Disc 2 (73:27 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 13 are their 3rd album - the live set "Stupidity" - released in the UK in September 1976 on United Artists UAS 29990

Tracks 14 to 23 are their 4th album "Sneakin' Suspicion" (and last with original guitarist Wilko Johnson) - released in the UK in May 1977 on United Artists UAS 30075

Disc 3 (72:41 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 13 and 18 to 20 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Track 14 is "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" and is the non-album B-side of their 1st UK 7" single "Roxette" released November 1974 on United Artists UP 35760

Tracks 15, 16 and 17 are "I'm A Hog For You Baby", "Stupidity" and "She Said Alright" and are all album outtakes from the "Down By The Jetty" sessions.

They were first issued on the May 2006 2CD 'Collector's Edition' of "Down By The Jetty"

Track 21 is "Keep It Out Of Sight (Live)" and is a non-album B-side of their 4th UK 7" single "Roxette (Live)" released October 1976 on United Artists UP 36171

Original copies of the live set "Stupidity" came with a free collector's 7" single [FEEL 1] - two extra live tracks - "Riot In Cell Block No.9" b/w "Johnny B. Goode".

They are Tracks 22 and 23 on Disc 3.

NOTES - EXCLUSIONS - INCLUSIONS:

Even though the catalogue number for "Down By The Jetty" uses the UA code for Stereo (UAS) - the album was famously recorded and released in MONO - and that MONO remaster is what's included on this box set (the 2006 version). The 'STEREO' mix is on the 2CD "Down By The Jetty - Collector's Edition" released in June 2006 - both versions remastered like this box set by PETER MEW at Abbey Road Studios.

Track 13 on Disc 1 is a duo of cover versions "Bonie Moronie/Tequila" and was recorded live in London's Dingwalls in July 1974. Six more tracks from that concert are on Disc 2 of the 'Collector's Edition' of "Down By The Jetty" and are NOT on this box set.

"Malpractice", "Stupidity" and "Sneakin' Suspicion" have all been available before on CD on Grand Records in the Nineties - but this 2012 box set offers properly remastered versions of them for the first time.

PACKAGING:

Wilko Johnson had always adored Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and especially their guitar player Mick Green - and tucked away on the B-side of their 1964 hit "Always & Forever" on HMV Records POP 1269 was an obscure cover version of a Piano Red song from 1962 on Okeh Records called "Doctor Feelgood" (Red's group was actually called Dr. Feelgood & The Interns). Wilko chose this apt name for his new rockin' band from Canvey Island in Essex - and a kick ass British Rhythm 'n' Blues legend was born. I mention all of this because the single is pictured on Page 3 of the superb booklet centered in the hardback pack - along with interviews with Wilko (December 2011), liner notes by HUGO WILLIAMS, discography details that picture the albums, comic book strips, trade adverts, 7" singles on United Artists, NME and Melody Maker reviews and all the usual memorabilia associated with a retrospective like this.

A very, very smart move is the inclusion of a non-region-coded 23-track DVD (22 songs and 1 interview). Recorded in England (20 cuts from 1974) and Finland (2 cuts from 1975) - the Concert/TV appearances show the full-on thrill of a Dr. Feelgood live show in their prime. They were little short of sensational and regularly annihilated most other bands in their path. Their manic no-nonsense fast and furious songs were also beloved by Rock 'n' Rollers and even pre-dated Punk by two years. I can't stress enough how the DVD adds so much to the 3CDs of rocking mania - remastered to perfection by PETER MEW at Abbey Road.

MUSIC:

I know people rave about the debut with "She Does It Right", "Roxette" and so many more (and quite rightly so)  - but for me the follow-up "Malpractice" is the absolute balls too. I wore out the 2nd track "Going Back Home" on my original vinyl copy. Co-written with Wilko's guitar hero and mentor Mick Green - it has the most fantastic Lee Brilleaux harmonica solo. I also love the Bo Diddley cover "I Can Tell" and their menacing version of Bobby Parker's "Watch Your Step". Original gems include "Another Man", the sleazy "Don't Let Your Daddy Know" and the chugging "Because You're Mine" (co-written with Big Figure and Nick Lowe). The remastered sound too - what a punch. Love it...

It all came to a frenzied head on the live "Stupidity" set when the British public feel completely for their charms and put it on the Number 1 spot in October 1976. Again - I'd forgotten how good it is - frantic - urgent - "Walking The Dog" and "I'm A Hog For You Baby" sounding so exciting and huge. Following that pinnacle was always going to be difficult and I remember at the time 1977's "Sneakin' Suspicion" was met with disappointment - like the band was threading water - and their sound was now limiting instead of being fresh. But relistening to the cracking title track (the only single off the album), "Walking On The Edge" and especially what should have been the follow up single "Paradise" (all Wilko originals) - they're fantastic (lyrics above). I also so dig their take on the Eddie Fontaine hit "Nothing Shaking (But The Leaves On The Trees)" with Lee's harmonica tearing through your speakers. The Lew Lewis cover "Lucky Seven" and the Willie Dixon/Howlin' Wolf take on "You'll Be Mine" are great fun too.

UNRELEASED:

I had expected the unreleased stuff on Disc 3 to be workmanlike - and some of it is - but there are shockingly good studio outtakes that will get fans animated in the trouser area. It opens with a rough and ready take on Piano Red's "Dr. Feelgood" which is very good - but it ups a whole different notch with "Everybody's Carrying A Gun", "I'm A Hog For You Baby" and "Time And The Devil" studio recordings from January and August 1976. They're brill. Less successful is a weedy demo of "Sneakin' Suspicion" and a limp instrumental called "Malamut" which features Mick Green on guitar. Better by far is a cover of Alvin Johnson's "Casting My Spell On You" which is pure Wilko Feelgoods - it's brilliant. The crudely recorded cover of Chuck Berry's "I'm Talking About You" is good too with a great chucking beat and again they hit you with another nugget - a properly rocking version of "My Girl Josephine" by Fats Domino. The live stuff is very much in the vein of "Stupidity". Very tasty indeed...

To sum up - I've loved working through this sonic blast - this memory fest - and now at a bargain price of twenty-eight pounds new - it's time to don the sharp suit music lovers and do the leg-splits boogie. In fact mention Dr. Feelgood to those who saw the band in their prime and a manic grin will fill their wrinkled visage that no cigarette-smoking scalpel-wielding surgeon will be able to remove.

On a more personal note - I once glimpsed Lee Brilleaux in 1989 clacking his way down Berwick Street in his steel-heeled leather shoes - looking like a cross between Arthur Daley and a man ready to blow a demonically possessed harmonica no matter what the cost. I wished I'd stopped him, shook his hand and just said thanks. Well this is for you Lee - Wilko - and all the boys in the band.

Bootiful my son...

PS: see also my review of "Taking No Prisoners - The Gypie Mayo Years" 5CD/1DVD Dr. Feelgood box set

“An American Trilogy” by MICKEY NEWBURY (2011 Saint Cecilia Knows/Mountain Retreat 4CD Reissue/Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

                                       

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

CLASSIC ROCK & POP 1970 to 1974 - Exceptional CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…Just Like The Dawn…My Heart Is Silent Breaking…"

Originally issued in Germany (Berlin) in May 2011 as a pricey box set with a 95-page booklet and fold-out map containing the lyrics on the other side (now deleted) – this 'altered' reissue followed only months after (August 2011). As you can imagine - fans that forked out over sixty-five pounds/ninety dollars for the initial import were a tad peeved and felt taken for a ride. However (and there's no meanness intended here) - you'd have to say that their loss is very much our gain - because this scaled-down reissue finally makes Mickey Newbury's extraordinary music available to us all - and at a reasonable price too - eighteen to twenty pounds/thirty dollars for 4CDs worth.

Released 23 August 2011 - "An American Trilogy" by MICKEY NEWBURY on Saint Cecelia Knows/Mountain Retreat CEC001R – this 4CD reissue comes in a 5-way foldout card–pack with cardboard-colored front artwork (instead of the black embossed original) and a curtailed booklet of 24-pages (no map either). The CDs are the same as the initial issue and break down as follows:

Disc 1 (41:31 minutes):

1. Write A Song A Song/Angeline

2. She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye

3. I Don’t Think Much About Her No More

4. T. Total Tommy

5. 33rd Of August/When The Baby In My Lady Gets The Blues

6. San Francisco Mabel Joy

7. Looks Like Baby’s Gone

Tracks 1 to 7 are his debut album "Looks Like Rain" – issued in the USA on Mercury Records SR 61236 in September 1969

Disc 2 (38:53 minutes):

1. An American Trilogy

2. How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)

3. Interlude

4. The Future’s Not What It Used To Be

5. Mobile Blue

6. Frisco Depot

7. You’re Not My Same Sweet Baby

8. Interlude

9. Remember The Good

10. Swiss Cottage Place

11. How I Love Them Old Songs

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 2nd album "'Frisco Mabel Joy" – issued in the USA on Elektra Records EKS-74107 in October 1971

Disc 3 (37:14 minutes):

1. Heaven Help The Child

2. Good Morning Dear

3. Sunshine

4. Sweet Memories

5. Why You Been Gone So Long

6. Contelia Clark

7. Song For Susan

8. San Francis Mabel Joy

Tracks 1 to 8 are his 3rd album "Heaven Help The Child" – issued in the USA on Elektra Records EKS-75055 in January 1973

Disc 4 (44:46 minutes):

1. If You Want Me To I'll Go

2. Sunshine

3. Sad Satin Rhyme

4. Why You Been Gone So Long

5. I Don't Wanna Rock (Publisher Demo)

6. Let Me Stay Awhile

7. Flower Man

8. Good Morning Dear

9. On Top Of Old Smokey

10. Interlude: How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)

11. Better Days

12. How I Love Them Old Songs

13. I Don't Wanna Rock (Live Radio Session)

14. I Don't Want Me No Big City Woman

15. You're Not My Same Sweet Baby

Tracks 1 to 15 are called "Better Days (Demos, Rarities, Unreleased)" and break down as follows:

Tracks 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are PUBLISHER DEMOS

Tracks 2 and 3 are a US 7" single released in 1969 on Mercury 73036. A-side is an Alternate Mono Version to the album cut - which is in Stereo – the B-side is non-album also

Tracks 7 and 9 are HOME DEMOS – "Flower Man" is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Tracks 10 to 15 are a live RADIO SESSION recorded 25 November 1970 for "The Skip Weshner Show" on Radio KRHM-FM in Los Angeles.

Both "Better Days" and "I Don't Want No Big City Woman" are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

PACKAGING:

A fairly obvious and noticeable absence is 'artwork' – none of the three albums are pictured anywhere – even on the CDs themselves. There's a famous picture of Newbury in front of a plate glass Tiffany Lamp – that multi-coloured Tiffany Lamp theme is used for all 4 different picture CDs – but of course without the original artwork to reference it – they make no sense. His second and most famous album "'Frisco Mabel Joy" (the only one of his LPs to be given a UK release in late 1971 on Elektra K 42105) even enjoyed the privilege of a boxed die-cut front with a lovely inner sleeve behind it containing the lyrics – but none of that is reproduced here either. Perhaps there's licensing issues? But if you do want to know what the album covers look like and get a feel for his output – Saint Cecilia Knows re-issued the three records and the fourth "Better Days" rarities set on VINYL in 2011 - and all are pictured on Amazon (and available for sale). 

The shorter 24-page booklet version has liner notes by the Producer and Compiler of the set – CHRIS CAMPION. It also reproduces Kris Kristofferson's original liner notes for Newbury's 1969 debut album "Looks Like Rain" and an article that first appeared in the AllMusic catalogue of 2000 by BEN-FONG-TORRES. There's some photos of Newbury in the early years - his short stint with the Doo Wop group The Embers – a tour with the American Army in 1960 - and a gig poster from November 1970 where his West Coast debut performance is shared with David Steinberg at the newly opened 'The Bitter End' venue in Santa Monica. The last few pages give detailed musician-credits on all albums and extras (Dennis Linde produced and played on "'Frisco Mabel Joy" – Charlie McCoy and Jimmie Haskell are on "Heaven Help The Child" etc). But the big news is the sound… 

SOUND:

All of that slightly underwhelming packaging pales into the background once you start to 'listen' – because not only is the music gorgeous – this set has one the most BEAUTIFUL REMASTERS I've ever heard. Each of the albums is shockingly clean - none-too-trebled for effect – just there in your speakers with truly stunning clarity. JESSICA THOMPSON and STEVE ROSENTHAL did the transfers and they're to be praised for their work with the tapes.

MUSIC:

The first LP famously features segues between the tracks of 'rainfall' lifted off the "One Stormy Night" LP by The Mystic Moods Orchestra – and the reproduction of it here is so good that you may double take on the weather outside. The remaster especially brings out the Dennis Wilson "Pacific Ocean Blue" girly vocals that punctuate so many of the songs with an almost churchlike eeriness. I suppose you'd say that overall his musical style is country – but that's too limiting. Singing one moment then talking the next in that richly tonal Oregon drawl of his - there's a shimmering delicacy about the music that makes it both hurting and deeply beautiful at one and the same time. Girls leave, girls stay, hearts lift, hearts break… It's American country-rock music but with a Nick Drake sensibility. Another very real influence is Kris Kristofferson whose similar languid songwriting-style lingers in the background (Kristofferson championed Newbury at the time and has sung his songwriting genius ever since). There's even the melodrama of The Walker Brothers in there too – but never too mawkish.

Highlights include the beautiful ballad "She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye" (lyrics from it title this review) and "I Don't Think Much About Her No More" (which feature those lovely background vocals I mentioned above). "The Future's Not What It Used To Be" was featured on the massive "Forever Changes" box set covering Elektra Records and it's huge history. The lyrics of "Frisco Debut" feel real - "might as well be the moon when you're as broke as I…" and "when you're cold, there's nothing as welcome as sunshine…"

Writing something as rampantly patriotic and deeply Southern as "An American Trilogy" at a time when America was dying inside (Vietnam, Race Riots) mightn't have occurred to most songwriters of the day – but it did to Newbury - who stunned the Bitter End audience into silence and tears with it in 1970. Hearing it rescued from the very Vegas version Elvis Presley charted in 1972 (No. 8 in the UK) is an unexpected and genuine pleasure. The remastered sound quality is gorgeous – the strings, vocals – fabulous. The near six-minute "How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)" is beautifully arranged with acoustic guitars and that "look away Dixie" vibe to the melody. By the time he got to "Good Morning Dear" and "Song For Susan" on the 3rd album "Heaven Help The Child" - the combo of piano, vocals and strings had become almost an artful signature style of his – and so impressive. A slight remake of "San Francisco Mabel Joy" finishes the album with rainfall, acoustic guitars and wailing steam trains in the distance - and you're reminded so much of England's Nick Drake and his perfect three albums on Island Records - "Five Leaves Left" (1969), "Bryter Layter" (1970) and "Pink Moon" (1972) - Newbury's own "American Trilogy" should be just as revered - and is just as good. 

I had thought the 4th disc would be most filler – but it's not. The publishing demos are mostly Newbury singing at piano with some light band accompaniment and are very pretty. "Good Morning Dear" alone was recorded by huge names like Ray Charles and Roy Orbison. Best of all is the Radio Session for KBHM - which is hissy - but with acoustic guitar and voice to the fore - is so wonderfully intimate. And many of the songs like "Sad Satin Rhyme" and "I Don't Wanna Rock" are not on the other albums. "Better Days" itself is as lovely a song as any penned by more famous luminaries.

To sum up – Mickey Newbury’s brand of melodrama Country Rock may not be everybody’s cup of Darjeeling. But if you’ve an open ear and are willing to try it - "An American Trilogy" is an embarrassment of riches and at last its pitched at a price music-lovers can actually afford. Even if Newbury is an unknown to you – this is one of those times when I’d say you should take a chance - because the quality on here is a joy and worth every penny.

Properly fabulous rediscovery time…and well done to all involved...

-->

“Queen Of Soul with Bonus Tracks” by ETTA JAMES. A Review Of Her 1964 Argo Records LP - Now Reissued And Remastered Onto An Ace Records/Kent Soul CD In 2012 With Bonus Tracks.

This Review is part of my E-Book

"…You Got Me So I Can’t Eat...I'm Loving You More Every Day..."

2011 turned out to be a bumper year for fans of the American Soul legend Etta James. February saw the "Who's Blue" Kent Soul compilation with 24 elusive tracks on Chess and Cadet - while October saw the first official CD release of "Call My Name" - a criminally forgotten Cadet Records LP from 1967. Then came "Losers Weepers" in October - an obscure album from 1970 with 11 bonus tracks (again first time on CD). Continuing that run into 2012 is this - her 1964 "Queen Of Soul" album in Stereo - also bolstered up with a copious amount of relevant bonus tracks. Here are the finite details...

UK released Monday 28 May 2012 (12 June 2012 in the USA) - "Queen Of Soul with Bonus Tracks" by ETTA JAMES on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 377 (Barcode 029667237727) reissues her 1964 10-Track Soul LP "Queen Of Soul" originally on Argo Records and adds on 13 Bonus Tracks. It breaks down as follows (68:22 minutes):

1. Bobby Is His Name [Side 1]
2. I Wish Someone Would Care
3. That Man Belongs Back Here With Me
4. Somewhere Out
5. Breaking Point
6. Flight 101 [Side 2]
7. Loving You More Every Day
8. Do Right
9. I Worry About You
10. Mellow Fellow

Tracks 1 to 10 are the 'Stereo' LP "Queen Of Soul" - released November 1964 in the USA on Argo Records LPS-4040

BONUS TRACKS: 

11. You Got Me Where You Want Me
Track 11 is a 1965 outtake first issued in 2000 on "The Chess Box" - a 3CD box set on MCA/Chess 088 112 288-2 [Disc 1]
12. Only Time Will Tell
13. Pushover
14. You Can't Talk To A Fool
15. Would It Make Any Difference To You
16. Stop The Wedding
17. How Do You Speak To An Angel
18. Be Honest With Me
19. Pay Back
20. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)
21. Two Sides (To Every Story)
22. Tomorrow Night
23. I Can't Hold It In Anymore

Tracks 14, 20 and 22 are all outtakes first released on the 1997 American CD compilation "These Foolish Things - The Classic Balladry Of Etta James" on MCA/Chess MCD 09354. The other bonus tracks are singles as listed below...

This CD will also allow fans to sequence almost 10 of her US 45's released off and around the album [track number after the title - exclusions noted]:

1. Stop The Wedding [16] b/w Street Of Tears [not included] on Argo 5418 (1962)

2. How Do You Speak To An Angel [17] b/w Would It Make Any Difference To You [15] on Argo 5430 (1962)

3. Pushover [13] b/w I Can't Hold It In Any More [23] on Argo 5437 (1963)

4. Be Honest With Me [18] b/w Pay Back [[19] on Argo 5445 (1963)

5. Two Sides (To Every Story) [21] b/w I Worry Bout You [9] on Argo 5452 (1963)

6. Baby What You Want Me To Do b/w What I Say on Argo 5459 (1964) [neither included]

7. Look Who's Blue [not included] b/w Loving You More Every Day [7] on Argo 5465 (1964)

8. Breaking Point [5] b/w That Man Belongs Here With Me [3] on Argo 5477 (1964)

9. Mellow Fellow [10] b/w Bobby Is His Name [1] on Argo 5485 (1964)

10. Only Time Will Tell [12] b/w I'm Sorry For You [not included] on Cadet 5526 (1966)

[Note: Tracks 11, 13, 16, 18 and 23 are MONO - all others are STEREO]

The first thing that hits you is the HUGE STEREO SOUND. Remastered by DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering in London - I've sung this engineer's praises before (I reviewed all the Blue Horizon CDs he handled) - and again - it's a bang-up job. There's amazing clarity on every song - clean Stereo separation too and a huge presence on instruments - especially the brass and percussion. It is hissy in places - "Bobby Is His Name" and "Somewhere In Time" - but that's a plus because it hasn't been noise-reduced or cleaned - just left alone and allowed to breath. It's a great listen and hugely evocative of the period. The MONO variant of the LP isn't on here I know - but the large number of bonus tracks (including rarities) more than makes up for that.

The 12-page colour booklet is crammed with photos of 7" singles (most of the titles listed above), Billboard and Cash Box magazine adverts from 1962, 1963 and 1964 - as well as a set of deeply personal liner notes by GARTH CARTWRIGHT (who wrote her obituary for England's Guardian newspaper). Contributions to the compilation also came from Rudy Calvo, Mickey McGill (of The Dells), David Yeats and Mick Patrick. Like its three CD predecessors - it's a typically classy effort from Ace...

Highlights for me are her cover of the Irma Thomas slow burner "I Wish Someone Would Care" and the brass/organ funk of "Breaking Point" where she sounds not unlike a female Ray Charles. The languid "Flight 101" informs us that "the ring, the rice, the shoes, will be waiting there..." while a real powerhouse performance comes in the shape of "Loving You More Every Day" (lyrics above). It's surely the reason why so many lovers of Sixties Soul rate Etta so - no need for sheet music - like Otis she just punches out the passion with her gut-wrenching voice. The pace is upped on "Do Right" and there's a Dinah Washington feel to "I Worry About You". 

The singles are a mixed bag - the cheesy "Stop The Wedding" mixes with the girly pop of "Two Sides (To Every Story)" and neither is particularly memorable. But things get better with the ballad "Only Time Will Tell" and what's shocking too is the quality of the three outtakes - especially her lovely cover of LaVern Baker's 1955 Atlantic classic "Tomorrow Night" - great production and nicely arranged strings.

Etta James sadly passed away in January 2012 after a lifetime of well-documented illnesses and addictions - eliciting an outpouring of affection from fans, industry insiders and singers alike.

This excellent CD will prolong her legacy. And once again Ace has championed someone worth remembering...and delivered the goods.

“Just As I Am” by BILL WITHERS (2012 Big Break Records (BBR) '40th Anniversary' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION On CD - Exception Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands and thousands of E-Pages
All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs
(No Cut and Paste Crap) 

"...Sooth The Local Unwed Mother..."

This is one of my favourite albums of the early Seventies - and at last - in 2012 - a mere 40 years after the event - "Just As I Am" by Bill Withers is finally getting the sound quality its always deserved and needed.

As a "Hall Of Fame" reviewer and long-time contributor to Amazon - I've raved about Britain's BIG BREAK RECORDS before and have bought and reviewed over 40 of their reissue titles. Each has been uniformly superb - especially for those of us looking for great sound quality rather than the half-hearted efforts thrown at us by the majors (when they can be bothered). But BBR has excelled in every way on this lovely and timely reissue. The remaster on this sucker is TRULY GORGEOUS - and after decades of the occasional track on a compilation in only-ok sound - fans of this great songwriter will be duly taken aback by the clarity on offer here. Here are the details...

UK released 7 May 2012 as a '40th Anniversary' issue (15 May 2012 in the USA) – "Just As I Am" by BILL WITHERS on Big Break Records CDBBR 0143 (Barcode 5013929044333) is a straightforward CD Remaster of his debut album and plays out as follows (35:41 minutes):

1. Harlem

2. Ain’t No Sunshine

3. Grandma’s hands

4. Sweet Wanomi

5. Everybody’s Talkin'

6. Do It Good

7. Hope She’ll Be Happier – [Side 2]

8. Let It Be Me

9. I’m Her Daddy

10. In My Heart

11. Moanin' And Groanin'

12. Better Off Dead

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "Just As I Am" - released May 1971 in the USA on Sussex Records SXBS-7006 and June 1971 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 65002.

SINGLES: Although there are no bonus tracks or outtakes - this release will allow fans to sequence the two USA 7" singles that were released around the album - "Ain't No Sunshine" b/w "Harlem" on Sussex 219 (June 1971 - originally issued in April 1971 with the same catalogue number - but with the tracks reversed) - and "Grandma's Hands" b/w "Sweet Wanomi" on Sussex 227 (October 1971). Britain had slightly different configurations - "Everybody's Talkin'" b/w "Harlem" on A&M Records AMS 845 (May 1971), "Ain't No Sunshine" b/w "Harlem" on A&M Records AMS 858 (September 1971) and "Lean On Me" b/w "Better Off Dead" on A&M Records AMS 7004 (August 1972) [the A-side is on the Sony Legacy CD of his 2nd album "Still Bill"].

This reissue comes in one of those rounded-corner jewel cases and has a jam-packed 16-page booklet with liner notes by Washington-born Soul aficionado RICO "SUPERBIZZAE" WASHINGTON (Editor of the US magazine "Free"). There's a history of the West Virginia Soulman's humble beginnings, label repros of the two Sussex singles off the album and collected colour photos from various TV appearances at the time. The front sleeve was actually shot on a lunch-break from his job at the airlines - lunch-pail in hand. And there's even an interview with the great man (recently featured on a superb BBC documentary film). It's really nicely done and features recording details and album discography on the last pages. But the real news is the SOUND...

Remastered from 1st generation tapes by both NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London and BBR's own WAYNE A DICKSON at their own studios - the clarity is beautiful. "Just As I Am" is not so much Funky-Soul but more Folk-Soul - so a lot of the tracks have just acoustic guitars and lots of air around them. I went through so many copies of the (frankly dodgy) US Sussex LP and even the British A&M tan label original - and they were always good rather than great - and in some instances hissy as Hell. Not so here. It hasn't been trebled to the nines for the sake of it - it's just breathing.

Right from the off the acoustic guitars and drums on "Harlem" are amazing - as are the strings, soft bass and vocals on his masterful "Ain't No Sunshine" - all so sweet. The fantastically personal and socially aware "Grandma's Hands" still has the power to move (lyrics above) and it's a blast to finally get unheard gems like "Hope She'll Be Happier", "I'm Her Daddy" and "Moanin' And Groanin'" in top-notch sound quality. In fact of the 12 tracks - Withers impressively wrote 10 - the two covers being Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" (made famous by Nilsson in "Midnight Cowboy") and a very nice uptempo soul take on The Beatles' "Let It Be". Favourites - I particularly love "Do It Good" where the MG's play a blinder in terms of sheer slinky feel. And even though the gunshot at the end of "Better Off Dead" is still too abrupt - it's such a great tune. Yes folks. Love it. Love it. Love it.

If ever an artist deserved praise and rediscovery from this classic Soul period - then it's Bill Withers. For me this is 'Soul Reissue Of The Year' with a bullet.

Buy it and enjoy. And remember - "it's not warm when she's away...only darkness every day..."

PS: Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed to 2015:

1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)

2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)

3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)

4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)

5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)

6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)

7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)

8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)

9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)

10. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)

11.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]

12. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)

13. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)

14. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)

15. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)

16. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)

17. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)

18. In Philadelphia - O'JAYS (1969)

19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)

20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)

21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)

22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)

23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)

24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)

25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)

26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)

27. Live: Stompin’ At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)

28. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)

29. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)

30. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)

31. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)

32. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)

33. Switch - SWITCH (1978)

34 Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)

35. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971 Debut LP on Sussex/A&M Records)

36. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

PPS: see also my in-depth review for "The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums" 9CD Box Set also from 2012...