"The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 12B: 1972 (July to December 1972)" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (December 2013 USA - January 2014 UK Hip-O Select 5CD Hardback Digibook Set with Attached 45-Vinyl-Single - Ellen Fitton Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

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70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion

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"...Mama Just Hung Her Head And Said...Papa Was A Rolling Stone..."

There's a photograph on page 125 of this 14th and final box set for "The Complete Motown Singles" Series that will make most Motown aficionados weak at the knees. It shows a lady in the original Motown Tape Library filing master boxes. I don't know if this mythical place has ever been snapped before - but there's a room I'd like to spend an hour or two in. And I mention it because it's typical of the in-depth and lavish nature of this truly amazing series - beautifully presented and full of fan-pleasing goodies.

UK released Monday 6 January 2014 (December 2013 in the USA) - "The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 12B: 1972" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Hip-O Select B0019213-02 (Barcode 602537532193) is a 5CD Hardback Digibook set with Attached 45-Vinyl Single that breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (overall Disc No. 71) has 22 tracks, 69: 26 minutes

Disc 2 (overall Disc No. 72) has 20 tracks, 63:08 minutes

Disc 3 (overall Disc No. 73) has 19 tracks, 70:17 minutes

Disc 4 (overall Disc No. 74) has 18 tracks, 65:11 minutes

Disc 5 (overall Disc No. 75) has 21 tracks, 69:03 minutes

The comprehensively annotated pages give you all the details you'd want - writers, arrangers, exact catalogue numbers, release dates, session and recording details from the official Motown files and a paragraph on each release (some of which are over two pages long). There are also some of the most beautiful photographs of artists’ ever produced - fabulous full-page plates. To top it all off there are 3 very detailed indexes at the rear - Artist, Title and Label (using the Disc numbers provided above).

A word about the sound quality... As with this entire series - the remastering has been done by ELLEN FITTON – an engineer that I've noted before for top quality work (I've tagged many of her releases on Amazon for a pictorial - go to my Profile page and you'll see ELLEN FITTON REMASTERS in the Tags section below). It has to be said that to my ears - this is the very best I've ever heard Seventies Motown sound - absolutely sensational. Take tracks like Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" backed with "You've Got It Bad Girl" - WOW! Even better is the Marvin Gaye double whammy "Trouble Man" backed with "Don't Mess With Mr. T" - beautifully clear and full of presence. But the bomb for me is a B-side I've been after on CD for literally decades. "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" is almost 12-minutes long on the album - the single was edited down to four seconds short of 7 minutes - but it's B-side is the rare "Instrumental" version at 4:48 minutes. Although it's not strictly voiceless (a chorus line sung here and there) - it is unique and it just amazing. To my knowledge it makes a first appearance here - sounding incredible. Right from the opener by The Supremes "Your Wonderful Sweet Sweet Love" - the audio is gorgeous. 

The downside is that it's obvious why so many of the tracks in-between the huge hits didn't make it - most are just too ordinary - some just stylistically out of place. But even the unknowns and less-than-famous tracks have nuggets too - Rare Earth, The Undisputed Truth, The Crusaders, Valerie Simpson and Eddie Kendricks - all of which are ace (and definite discoveries are Puzzle, Lesley Gore, G.C. Cameron and Willie Hutch).

First proposed in casual conversation in 2004 - Hip-O Select issued Volume Number 1 in early 2005 and only now - in January 2014 - does it finish at 12B covering July to December 1972. 9 years, 75 CDs documenting everything from 1959 to 1972, 1849 singles, 435 Billboard Hot 100 Entries, 60 Number One hits etc. I'm missing only the pricey Volume 1 and 6 in the whole series - but I'm so glad I kept up with the purchases. If we get lucky Hip-O Select are working on the 'Los Angeles' years (1973 onwards).

A truly amazing series goes out with a sonic blast…

"The Motown Singles Collection" by Hip-O Select 

(14 Released Volumes as of January 2021)

75 x CD Volumes, 1847 CD Tracks Plus 28 Tracks On 14 x 7" Vinyl Singles

1. Volume 1: 1959-1961, Released January 2005, Catalogue No. Hip-O Select B-0003631-02 (Barcode 602517643310), 6CDs, Ltd Edition of 5000 (Non-Numbered), 155 Tracks, CDs are Volumes 1 to 6

2. Volume 2: 1962, May 2005, 4CDs, B-00004402-02 (Barcode 602517807552), Ltd Edition of 8000 (Non Numbered), 112 Tracks, Volumes 7 to 10

3. Volume 3: 1963, October 2005, B-0005352-02 (Barcode 602517845691), 5CDs, Ltd Edition of 7500 (Non-Numbered), 119 Tracks, Volumes 11 to 15

4. Volume 4: 1964, February 2006, B-0005945-02 (Barcode 602517882443), 6CDs, Ltd Edition of 8000 (Non-Numbered), 163 Tracks, Volumes 16 to 21

5. Volume 5: 1965, August 2006, B-0006775-02 (Barcode 602517789414), 6CDs, Ltd Edition of 8000 (Non-Numbered), 166 Tracks, Volumes 22 to 27

6. Volume 6: 1966, November 2006, B-0007872-02 (Barcode 602517092761), 5CDs, Ltd Edition of 6000 (Non-Numbered), 125 Tracks, Volumes 28 to 32

7. Volume 7: 1967, May 2007, B-0008993-02 (Barcode 602517341906), 5CDs, Ltd Edition of 6000 (Non-Numbered), 120 Tracks, Volumes 33 to 37

8. Volume 8: 1968, October 2007, B-0009708-02 (Barcode 602517431775), 6CDs, Ltd Edition of 6000 (Non-Numbered), 144 Tracks, Volumes 38 to 43

9. Volume 9: 1969, December 2007, B-0010270-02 (Barcode 602517507722), 6CDs, Ltd Edition of 6000 (Non-Numbered), 148 Tracks, Volumes 44 to 49

10. Volume 10: 1970, June 2008, B-0011056-02 (Barcode 602517659209), 6CDs, Ltd Edition of 8000 (Non-Numbered), 144 Tracks, Volumes 50 to 55

11. Volume 11A: 1971, February 2009, B-0011579-02 (Barcode 602517776555), 5CDs, Ltd Edition of 8000 (Non-Numbered), 119 Tracks, Volumes 56 to 60

12. Volume 11B: 1971, January 2010, B-0012227-02 (Barcode 602517876903), 5CDs, Ltd Edition of 8000 (Non Numbered), 120 Tracks, Volumes 61 to 65

13. Volume 12A: 1972, May 2013, B-0012935-02 (Barcode 602527044453)), 5CDs, Ltd Edition of 7500 (Non Numbered), 117 Tracks, Volumes 66 to 70

14. Volume 12B: 1972, December 2013, B-0019213-02 (Barcode 602537532193), 5CDs, Ltd Edition of 7500 (Non Numbered), 100 Tracks, Volumes 71 to 75

“Tir na n'Og” by TIR na n’OG (2012 Esoteric Records 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Our Love Will Not Decay..."

Being a Dubliner I instantly knew what "Tir na n'Og" referred to – translated, it's Gaelic for "Land Of The Young" (locally pronounced Tier Nah Nogue). We had the stories rammed down our willing throats in History class in school. It comes from the ancient Irish tales of warrior king Ossian (or Oisin in Gaelic).

I've had this Prog-Folk duo's debut album on vinyl for decades (as well as the other two they did for Chrysalis - "A Tear And A Smile" from 1972 and "Strong In The Sun" in 1973) and loved them all to bits. In truth though - some of the hippy-dippy fay lyrics ("Aberdeen Angus") might make even the strongest constitution cringe 40 years on. So why bother? Because in-between all that mythology are strangely beautiful melodies and tunes wrapped up in strings and acoustic guitars that are fabulous - as sophisticated as Roy Harper on Harvest and just as cleverly constructed. In fact in places they sound like Tyrannosaurus Rex and what they might have become if Bolan hadn't gone completely Rock - or even the acoustic side of early Seventies Jethro Tull with a little Nick Drake string arrangements thrown in for colour. Guitarists and singers Sonny Condell and Leo O'Kelly made a lovely racket. Here are the mushroom and fairy details...

UK released November 2012 - "Tir na n'Og" by TIR na n'OG on Esoteric Records ECLEC2357 (Barcode 5013929435742) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (51:54 minutes):

1. Time Is Like A Promise

2. Mariner Blues

3. Daisy Lady

4. Tir Na Nog

5. Aberdeen Angus

6. Looking Up

7. Boat Song

8. Our Love Will Not Decay

9. Hey Friend

10. Dance Of Years

11. Live A Day

12. Piccadilly

13. Dante

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "Tir na n'Og" UK released May 1971 on Chrysalis/Island ILPS 9153. 

BONUS TRACKS: 

14. I'm Happy To Be (On This Mountain) 

15. Let My Love Grow

Tracks 14 and 15 are a UK 7" single on Chrysalis/Island WIP 6090 issued in 1970 (both non-album tracks at the time). The 16-page booklet features liner notes by noted writer TREVOR BOYD and reproduces the lovely gatefold sleeve of the original LP, pictures that rare 7" picture sleeve (out of Europe) - features music mag reviews and even sheet music.

A word about the sound - the remaster handled by MARK POWELL and PASCHAL BYRNE is truly gorgeous - clear instruments, warmth on every track with the top quality original production values of Bill Leader now fully on display. It really is a fantastic job done. I've done tags on both of these guys before (pictorial lists of their work).

SONNY CONDELL plays Guitar, Mandolin, Moroccan Pottery, Drums, Tabla, Jews Harp and sings while LEO O'KELLY plays Guitar, Electric Bass, Dulcimer, Tin Whistle and alternates lead vocals with Condell. All songs excepting "Hey Friend" (by Dolan) are original compositions.

It opens with the mid Sixties Simon & Garfunkel folk of "Time Is Like A Promise" (features ANNIE CROZIER on Psaltry) and progresses very nicely into "Mariner Blues" which is where Condell's quirky chord changes first come into focus. The title track even has UK Folk hero BARRY DRANSFIELD on Fiddle. "Looking Up" is superb because it leaves much of the mythology behind and becomes sophisticated Acoustic Rock. But Side 2 opens with probably the most haunting song on the album - O'Kelly's "The Boat Song". It sounds beautiful with its Nick Drake string arrangements (done by Nick Harrison who later did work on The Rolling Stones "Angie") and stories about leaving (lyrics from it title this review). Harrison's work also turns up on the pretty "Piccadilly". The album finisher is another wonderfully off-the-cuff Condell melody "Dante". But you can see why the A of the single failed (nice to finally see it on CD). But its B-side is a gem - a lovely air by Condell called "Let My Love Grow".

They morphed in the late Seventies in the affectionately remembered SCULLION who made 5 albums in Ireland (none are on CD to my knowledge) including the fab "Balance And Control" in 1980 produced by the mighty JOHN MARTYN. Condell even made a CD album in 2013.

TIR NA NOG would definitely be an acquired taste for some. But for me there was always something magical in those hooks and songs - and now their albums have the properly beautiful sounding remasters their catalogue has always deserved.

"Home Free/Souvenirs" by DAN FOGELBERG - 1972 and 1974 Debut and Second Studio Albums featuring Guests Joe Walsh, Eagles (Henley, Meisner and Frey), Graham Nash, Members of Stephen Stills' Manassas and more (May 2006 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation - 2LPs onto 2CDs - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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TUMBLING DICE - 1972
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"...When Faced With The Past...The Strongest Man Cries…"

Dan Fogelberg’s particular way with a melody has always tugged at my heart strings – and this genuinely classy Beat Goes On 2CD reissue of his first two albums from the early Seventies – only hammers home that great way he had with words about hurt and love – and all of it wrapped up in a fiendishly hooky Eagles-like Country Rock tune. Here are the hickory groves, changing horses and songs from half mountain…

UK released May 2006 - "Home Free/Souvenirs" by DAN FOGELBERG on Beat Goes On BGOCD 709 (Barcode 5017261207098) offers two albums from 1972 and 1974 (USA) remastered onto two CDs and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (46:58 minutes):

1. To The Morning

2. Stars

3. More Than Ever

4. Be On Your Way

5. Hickory Grove

6. Long Way Home ((Live In The Country) [Side 2]

7. Looking For A Lady

8. Anyway I Love You

9. Wysteria

10. The River

Tracks 1 to 9 are his debut album “Home Free” issued in the USA in October 1972 on Columbia KC 31751 and 1974 in the UK on Epic S EPC 31847 (re-issued in July 1976 on Epic 80697 in the UK).

[Note: earlier CD issues of this album have tended to use a ‘remixed’ version of the album that was done in the Eighties. This CD uses the original master tape - so is the album as heard on release].

Disc 2 (43:29 minutes):

1. Part Of The Plan

2. Illinois

3. Changing Horses

4. Better Change

5. Souvenirs

6. The Long Way

7. As The Raven Flies [Side 2]

8. Song From Half Mountain

9. Morning Sky

10. (Someone’s Been) Telling You Stories

11. There’s A Place In The World For A Gambler

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 2nd LP released December 1974 in the USA on Full Moon Records PC 35872 and March 1975 in the UK on Epic EPC 80623.

His debut is good rather than being great but already had his melody strengths on show - a sort of singer-songwriter lone Eagles persona. Tracks like the piano opener “To The Morning” and the largely acoustic “Be On Your Way” are melancholic but also beautiful in their way. It’s been years since I first heard these songs (now sounding crystal clear) and a full forty years plus - it’s impressive stuff (like a male Judee Sill). But things took a quantum leap with LP number two...

With guest appearances on illustrious albums like “So What” by Joe Walsh, “Late For The Sky” by Jackson Browne and “Peace On You” by Roger McGuinn of The Byrds – Dan Fogelberg was already moving in elevated circles when he went to make the gorgeous “Souvenirs” album. Packed with catchy tunes and even a chart hit or two - this hugely polished effort put the album into the Top 50 charts in late 1974. “Part Of The Plan” was even lifted as a 7” single and did reasonably well.

Produced by JOE WALSH - “Souvenirs” featuring most of the Eagles (Henley, Meisner, Frey), Graham Nash, Kenny Passarelli, Russ Kunkel, Joe Lala and Al Perkins - the musician credits reads like a whose who of what was hot at the time. In the USA it was issued as a gatefold sleeve but in the UK as a single sleeve with a lyric insert. This CD reproduces the inner American artwork (a painting of his) and the lyrics for both LPs. The John Tobler liner notes are excellent (features an interview with Joe Walsh).

But the big news for me is the sound. I had “Souvenirs” on a 2007 Japanese remaster and 5” card repro sleeve - and that was good - this remaster is light years better. ANDREW THOMPSON did the remaster at Sound Mastering in London (he handles large numbers of BGO’s reissues) and his transfer here has brought out Walsh’s accomplished original production values. You can hear the squeaking of strings, air around the instruments - even the normally muddied “Part Of The Plan” sounds more open. There are so many goodies on here - a plaintive “The Long Way” and the gorgeous title track “Souvenirs” (lyrics from it title this review). “Song From Half Mountain” where he plays all the instruments himself is so pretty and the chugging Eagles Rock of “Someone’s Been telling You Stories”. “Changing Horses” and “Better Change” still stand up as great melodies - only the countrified “Morning Sky” lets the side down. All in all - moving stuff.

I posted a note on Fogelberg’s website when he sadly succumbed to cancer in December 2007 - yet another teenage hero of mine gone to the great gig in the sky.

“There’s a song in the heart of a woman...that only the truest of loves can release. Set it free...” These lyrics from the album finisher “There’s A Place In The World For A Gambler” get me to this day - nearly 40 years after the event. My younger sister Cathy even described him once as ‘beautiful’.

Well - now Dan is free - and this beautiful-sounded 2CD does his memory proud...

“Taking No Prisoners (With Gypie 1977-1981)” by DR. FEELGOOD (July 2013 EMI 4CD and 1DVD Book Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Night Club...I Paid In...Got A Stamp On My Skin..."

I'm in Hog Heaven - I really am. I know fan affection lies firmly with the original Wilko Johnson line-up of the mighty Dr. Feelgood (Britain's best Pub Rock and R'n'B band) - but for me the John 'Gypie' Mayo line-up was even more mind-blowing than its superlative predecessor. And this truly fantastic jam-packed 5-disc EMI Box Set only hammers that home in spades. Here's the soiled beer mats...

"Taking No Prisoners (With Gypie 1977-1981)" by DR. FEELGOOD is a 4CD/1DVD hardback book-shaped box set issued July 2013 in the UK on EMI 5099901954029 (Barcode 5099901954029) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 - STUDIO (77:45 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Be Seeing You" - UK released in September 1977 on United Artists UAS 30123

Tracks 13 to 22 are the album "Private Practice" - UK released in September 1978 on United Artists UAS 30184

Tracks 23 and 24 are the non-album single "As Long As The Price Is Right" and "Down At The (Other) Doctors".

The A is a 'Second Version' and was issued as a UK 7" single in April 1979 on United Artists UP 36506 (the original mix is on the "Be Seeing You" LP).

Track 25 is "Riding On The L&N (Demo Version)" and is Previously Unreleased.

Disc 2 - STUDIO (76:25 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Let It Roll" - UK released September 1979 on United Artists UAG 30269

Tracks 11 to 22 are the album "A Case Of The Shakes" - UK released September 1980 on United Artists UAG 30311

Tracks 23 and 24 are their final 7" single on UA - "Waiting For Saturday Night" and "Eileen"  - UK released October 1981 on EMI/Liberty BP 404 (with Johnny Guitar).

Disc 3 - LIVE (77:51 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 are Previously Unreleased - recorded live "The Paddocks" in Canvey Island on 10 June 1977.

Tracks 13 to 25 are the live album "As It Happens" - UK released June 1979 on United Artist UAK 30239 (with a Free EP - see Disc 4)

Disc 4 - LIVE (68:59 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 4 are the FREE EP given with initial copies of the "As It Happens" LP

Tracks 5 to 11 are Previously Unreleased - recorded live at The Pavilion in Hemel Hempstead 18 October 1978

Tracks 12 to 23 are the live album "On The Job" - UK released August 1981 on Liberty LBG 30328

DVD:

BBC Sight And Sound Concert Recorded and Broadcast December 1977 (Tracks 1 to 11)

Top Of The Pops Broadcasts - 5 songs from 1977 to 1979

6 Video Clips for 6 songs

Tyne Tees Television clip from "Alright Now" Program July 1980

The South Bank Show recorded June 1981 - Interviews etc

PETER MEW has done the peerless remasters - a man I've raved about on many occasions and an engineer whose handled hundreds of reissue projects. The sound quality here is FABULOUS - punchy, great power and never too amped up to be over trebled. And the full colour 72-page booklet is incredible - full of adverts, single sleeves, live shots, memorabilia, outtakes from album covers - even the 4 discs ape the band-member Toby Jugs on the front cover of "Let It Roll".

Niggles

For such a beautifully laid out and annotated booklet - it's a little sloppy in places. There's mistaken credits - two same catalogue numbers to "Be Seeing You" and "Private Practice" and a wrong catalogue number to "On The Job" (the right one is supplied above). And the mechanism for getting the disc in and out of their clip positions is more than awkward. They even provide you with a page to tell you how - but I almost broke one or two trying to get them out - so I put them in separate paper CD bags for ease of use - and I advise you to do the same. But these are only minor irritations (worth pointing out though).

I saw this line up in Dublin with The Specials on the same bill - both at the height of their live power. It's a gig I rave about to this day. And I've lost count of the number of "Private Practice" copies I have on vinyl. How good is it to finally hear these superlative albums in truly great sound. I'd admit that the live stuff can become tedious after a while (as it did back in the day when we bought them) - but the unreleased tracks are fantastic - the band clearly relishing a second coming. And the DVD stuff brought tears to my eyes - so many great memories of a band I loved.

As Number 2 said to Number 6 in "The Prisoner" TV Series - "Be Seeing You".

You're too damn right.

The absolute business folks - buy it and enjoy. (I've also reviewed the Wilko Johnson Box Set "All Through The City")

PS: There's an obituary in the Christmas 2013 issue of The Record Collector Magazine for John Mayo who sadly died (aged 62) in October 2013. RIP you rockin' genius.