“Everything Must Change / Miss Randy Crawford” by RANDY CRAWFORD – A Review Of Her 1976 and 1977 Warner Brothers Albums - Now Reissued And Remastered Onto 2CDs By Edsel Of The UK In 2013…

This review is part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

"…Sun Lights Up The Sky…" – Everything Must Change and Miss Randy Crawford by RANDY CRAWFORD

When I worked for Reckless Records in Berwick Street in Central London – Randy Crawford albums were pretty much a no-no – they had little value – and few wanted them. But in the last decade or so - as Soul Boys of all colours have started to look back to those heady days of the Seventies and early Eighties – albums by artists like Patrice Rushen and Candi Staton are getting revaluated all the time. Fans are veering away from the obvious hits and seeking out those tunes hidden in the grooves (both funk and ballad) - and Randy Crawford’s Warner Brothers output is the same.

For years her albums have languished unloved by digital reissue companies – well comes Edsel of the UK doing the job with real class and style. This is the first of four 2CD sets covering her entire output with the monster label (Volume 1 has her 1976 debut and its 1977 follow up).

Released October 2013 - here are the Smooth Soul details for Edsel EDSK 7041 (Barcode: 740155704131)…

Disc 1 (38:19 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her debut album “Everything Must Change” – released 1976 on Warner Brothers BS 2975 in the USA. It wasn’t released until November 1980 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56328.

Disc 2 (31:37 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are her 2nd album “Miss Randy Crawford” – released 1977 on Warner Brothers BS 3083 in the USA  - unreleased in the UK until February 1981 on Warner Brothers K 56882.

The outer card wrap gives the whole reissue a quality feel – as does the 20-page booklet which pictures the albums, publicity photos, track by track recording info and exceptionally detailed liner notes by Soul Expert and long-time Edsel Associate TONY ROUNCE.

The remasters by PHIL KINRADE at Alchemy are exceptionally good – but then the original production values of Stewart Levine (Everything) and Bob Montgomery (Miss) were top notch. Both records also used high-class session players like Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, Dean Parks, Jay Graydon, Eric Gale, Ralph McDonald, Don Grusin and Rick Marotta. There’s even a Flugelhorn guest spot for Hugh Masekela on "Only Your Love Lasts".

Her debut opens with a destroyer – one of two ‘live’ tracks done in front of a wildly appreciative Jazz audience and featuring The World Jazz All Star Band. First up is the gorgeous Bernard Ighner ballad “Everything Must Change” which is practically royalty when it comes to cover versions you must do for Soul singers. It’s the kind of hurting haunting melody that virtually screams the word Soul. It first turned up on a Quincy Jones album in 1974 – so Crawford was fast off the mark. The production values are fabulous - warm and tender – and it opens the whole proceedings on a real high (Lyrics from it title this review).

The other live cut is actually the album finisher - a lovely take on Nat Adderley’s “Gonna Give Lovin’ A Try”. In between are a plethora of covers – some like the funked up “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Beatles sort of work - but her take on Paul Simon’s “Something So Right” looses the delicacy that made the CBS original so special. Best of all however is the mid-tempo ballad “I Had To See You One More Time” with lyrics like "Start all your sweet talk...you do so well…" - nice.

The second album is infused with the writing talent of Paul Kelly on “I’m Under The Influence Of You” and “Take It Away From Her (Put It On Me)”. It also features its fair share of covers – Fleetwood Mac’s “Over My Head”, The Eagles’ “Desperado” and best of all – Randy’s gorgeous version of the Harry Warren/Mack Gordon standard “At Last” – spiritually owned by Etta James.

Things went stellar fro Crawford with “Now We May Begin” because The Crusaders came on board after she guested on the huge “Street Life” track in 1979. Then it was onwards to “Secret Combination” - but here is where her success story really started.

I was more than pleasantly surprised at the sheer Soulfulness of these now forgotten albums – which highlight her vocals so well.

A sweet lady – take a punt on this classy reissue…

"Charlie Wilson's War" on BLU RAY – A Review Of The 2007 Mike Nichols Film

Here is a link to AMAZON UK to get this BLU RAY at the best price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004JRQ126

"…Three Years Learning Finnish!" – Charlie Wilson's War on BLU RAY

It's 6 April 1980 and Charles Nesbitt Wilson is pruning in the bubbling water of a Las Vegas Hotel Jacuzzi with some naked strippers, cocaine and glasses of champagne (standard procedure for an American Congressmen at the time). But something else other than wet areolas catches Charlie's eagle eye. Up on the mounted television set behind the bar is an unshaven Dan Rather of CBS Evening News reporting from the deserts of Afghanistan. A local woman who speaks English tells a turbaned Dan that "America is asleep..." and that if the Russians invade her country - the Gulf is next - and after that - the USA itself. Charlie (Tom Hanks) politely declines an offer to make a tasteful TV Movie with Playboy of the Month and her naked agent for $29,000 and bids them all farewell...

Back at his office in Texas (which oddly enough is peopled with three large-chested women sporting buttons in their blouses that can't seem to be closed) - Charlie makes enquiries with his assistant Bonnie (Amy McAdams) into the covert ops budget for the dirt-country in the Middle East with no real political friends (America included). He doesn't like what he hears and as a Congressman for the House of Representatives - he determines to change all that nonsense by doubling its budget from five million dollars to ten. And so it begins...

Along the way Charlie meets with the 6th wealthiest woman in Texas - the wildly patriotic and determined sexpot Joanne Herring (a stunning Julia Roberts eating up a proper role) and a Greek CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (another genius portrayal from the greatly missed Philip Seymour Hoffman) who has anger issues with his bosses and hasn't been killed across 4 continents in 24 years by people who know how to (dialogue above). So far so funny...

But then it all changes when Charlie visits Afghanistan itself - and sees up close and personal what the Russian war machine is doing to defenceless Muslims. Men are being stacked in human piles and then run over by tanks as their wives are made to watch - children are dismembered with toy mines - and starving people rush grain trucks ripping open sacks in desperation. And as he walks up a hill and looks back at a Biblical scene of refugee tents with huge expanses of humanity being hammered by bullyboys - Charlie sheds a tear. And then a steely look enters his angry gaze...

What makes "Charlie Wilson's War" so good is a trio of things - the alarming and often ridiculous nature of this true modern-war story - a wickedly funny and yet touching Aaron Sorkin script - and a huge posse of Grade-A actors capable of making you chuckle one moment then shed a tear the next. The three principal leads are exceptional - especially Hanks and Hoffman - but there's also quality support from Emily Blunt, Om Puri, John Slattery, Ned Beatty, Ken Stott and Peter Gerety in small but significant roles.

The characters they portray may at times seem utterly ridiculous, meddlesome and even arrogant - but their convictions and above all their love of democracy and freedom knows no bounds. And anything that threatens that (i.e.: murderous Russians slaughtering easy pickings like peasants with pitchforks and old rifles) - is going to get short shift - and high-tech weaponry if that doesn't work.

The problem with all this 'movie entertainment' is that it clouds an obvious and stinging question - why did the CIA arm the Afghans? To give them their country back  - or out of pure self-interest - they get to defeat the Soviets using another country and another people to do it? The film doesn't shirk this thorn to its credit - offering up the plausible response that it was probably a bit of both. And it also points out that in the mid Nineties the American Government lost interest once the war was won and shamefully left with the goal achieved but the 'people' stranded - not investing - not rebuilding - and thereby giving rise to massive Islamic hated towards the West - which of course has had global consequences ever since.

The BLU RAY picture quality is gorgeous throughout - a major production - and filmed in Full Aspect (1.85:1)  - you get that punch of quality across the whole screen and in every shot. Audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Spanish Surround 5.1. Subtitles are in English SDH, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Korean, Latin American Spanish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Traditional Mandarin.

Directed by Mike Nichols and adapted from George Crile's book by Aaron Sorkin - "Charlie Wilson's War" seems slight at first - but then bites into your heart - and leaves you mightily impressed.

Did Texas Mascara and a Congressman with etched leather boots (elected to the Ethics Committee when he was clearly a dubious choice for the job) actually bring the Soviet Empire to its knees and defeat Communism? Check out this superb movie and find out...

"Jeopardy / From The Lion’s Mouth / All Fall Down / BBC Live In Concert" by THE SOUND – A Review Of Their 1980, 1981 and 1982 Korova and Warner Brothers Albums - Now Reissued And Remastered Onto 4CDs By Edsel Of The UK In 2014 With A Bonus BBC Live In Concert Disc & Extras…

Here is a link to AMAZON UK to get this remastered 4CD box set at the best price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I6HI7UY

"…Kick Off This Skin…" 

When you think about how Joy Division, New Order and of course The Cure have been literally deified in the last 30+ years – it’s odd that London’s The Sound don’t hold that same pedestal. Well I’d argue that this brilliant 4CD Edsel Box Set reissue is not only going to change that - but is also a 2014 reissue of the year. There's a shed load on here - so let’s get to the Post Punk details…

UK released 28 April 2014 - "Jeopardy / From The Lion’s Mouth / All Fall Down / BBC Live In Concert" by THE SOUND on Edsel EDSB 4012 (Barcode 740155401238) is a 4CD Clamshell Mini Box Set of Remasters and breaks down as follows…

Disc 1 (74:11 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album “Jeopardy” – released November 1980 in the UK on Korova KODE 2

Track 12 is “Physical World” – taken from the “Physical World” EP released independently in the UK on Tortch Records TOR 003 in 1979

Track 13 is “Brute Force” – a 1980 non-album B-side to the UK 7” single for “Heyday” on Korova KOW 10

Tracks 14 to 17 are the “Live Instinct” EP – A Dutch-Only Promo-Only release featuring exclusive live versions of Heartland, Brute Force, Jeopardy and Coldbeat

Tracks 18 to 21 are a BBC Session recorded 26 Sep 1980 for the Mike Read Show broadcast between 6^th and 9^th of October 1980 and featuring exclusive versions of Heartland, Unwritten Law, Jeopardy and I Can’t Escape Myself

Disc 2 (76:39 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 2^nd album “From The Lion’s Mouth” – released November 1981 in the UK on Korova KODE 5

Tracks 11 and 13 – “Point Of No Return” and ”Coldbeat” - are the non-album B-sides to the UK 7” single of “Sense Of Purpose” released 1981 on Korova KOW 21

Tracks 12 and 14 – “Hot House” and “New Dark Age (Live)” – are the A&B-sides to a non-album 7” single released 1981 on Korova KOW 23

Tracks 15 to 18 are BBC Sessions recorded for The John Peel Show in November 1981 and are exclusive live versions of Fatal Flaw, Skeletons, Hot House and New Dark Age

Disc 3 (69:19 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 3^rd album “All Fall Down” – released December 1982 in the UK on WEA 240019-1

Tracks 11 to 14 are BONUSES from the "All Fall Down” Sessions

Tracks 15 to 18 are the “This Cover Keeps Reality Unreal” EP by KEVIN HEWICK & THE SOUND – a 12” single released February 1984 in the UK on Cherry Red Records 12 CHERRY 76

Disc 4 – BBC LIVE IN CONCERT (61:35 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 originally broadcast 21 November 1981

Tracks 9 to 15 originally broadcast 15 June 1985

The mini box set has the 3 original vinyl albums in 5” card repro sleeves with a new card for the fourth BBC set. And the chunky 36-page booklet is fantastically detailed – photos of the albums, inners, 7” singles, record labels, industry adverts, lyrics to all three records and exceptionally good liner notes by TIM PEACOCK (of England’s Record Collector magazine) with contributions from band members. It’s a beautifully presented job.

The remasters by PHIL KINRADE at Alchemy are clean, full of presence and power – and really bring out the original production values of Nick Robbins. It’s edgy and full of menace and angst lyrics – love it. And the BBC live stuff in particular has great gusto - the band in full flight and untethered by studio restrictions. 

“Jeopardy” is surely a lost Post Punk classic - opening in high form with “I Can’t Escape Myself” where songwriter Adrian Borland has clearly been listening to Television’s “Marquee Moon” just a little too often (lyrics above).  “Missiles” lets the anger rip and the trashy “Heyday” was an obvious if unsuccessful single – but “Unwritten Law” is brilliant and closest to that Joy Division comparison. Fans will love the non-album B-side “Brute Force” on CD at last – kicking like a mule too.

The remaster of “Winning” sees the bass pop out of the speakers as the Echo & The Bunnymen melody works its way into your subconscious (its even a little like early Icehouse). The drums and gangling guitars of “Skeletons” have muscle now - as does the rattling percussion intro to “New Dark Age” sounding like a jungle clarion call. I’m so reminded of Joe Jackson’s anger on “Possession” (“There’s a devil in me trying to show its face…”) and the sheer gloom of “Silent Air” haunts even now.

By the time it got to “All Fall Down” the misery had only slightly abated to allow something as poppy as “Party Of My Mind” – a great Eighties sound and there’s even tenderness in the moody guitar-chug of “Where The Love Is” (“I want to put that smile on your face…”). Side 2 opens with the delicacy of Max Mayers’ Keyboards on “Song And Dance” while the sophisticated “Calling The New Tune” shows real song maturity and a very definite nod towards Depeche Mode. “We Could Go Far” is superb – Indie yet Mainstream.

The live stuff is so much more powerful and exciting – the band lets rip – full of piss and vinegar – with the BBC boffins taping it properly and well. Pete Drummond introduces both sets to a wildly enthusiastic crowd – “Unwritten Law”, “Winning” and “Golden Soldiers” being highlights.

So why didn’t The Sound make it – too doomy – too bleeding miserable – probably. But its because they stuck to their ‘sound’ that they’ve engendered such cult status and real affection. And although the Joy Division comparisons are obvious - they deserve credit 'cause there’s a lot on here to love.

This is a genius reissue and a fan-pleasing offering – well done to all involved…

"Corman’s World – Exploits Of A Hollywood Rebel" on BLU RAY – A Review Of The 2011 Alex Stapleton Documentary Film...

Here is a link to AMAZON UK to get this great BLU RAY at the best price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005ZD5Q6U

"…Hassled By The Man!" – Corman's World on BLU RAY

Take a look at this list of Actors – Jack Nicholson, Tommy Lee Jones, Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Bruce Dern, William Shatner, Lee Van Cleef, Dick Miller, Charles Bronson, Vincent Price, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Harvey Keitel, David Carradine, Pam Grier and Mamie Van Doren… 

Or this list of Directors, Writers and Producers – Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, John Sayles, Joe Dante, Paul W.S. Anderson, Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd and Francis Ford Coppola…

What have they all got in common? The answer is Producer, Writer, Director, Mentor, Career-Break Giver, Cheapskate and Sordid Exploitation B-Movie Legend - ROGER CORMAN. So why don’t you know this? Well that’s what Alex Stapleton’s 2011 documentary film "Corman's World" is about.

It begins in the late Forties with two horrid years in the American Navy where Cadet Roger William Corman from Detroit, Michigan wilfully goes up against every order and gets a ludicrously high amount of demerits. He cannot stand authority of any kind. Roger then takes a job for 8 weeks reading crappy scripts at 20th Century Fox – says screw this – and decides in 1954 to make a film of his own – a black and white called "Monster From The Ocean". He does everything himself and on a budget of nothing minus zero (they show hilarious footage of his glowing one-eyed monster) and our boy’s off and running. Some decades later and at the sprightly age of 82 - there’s a staggering 384 more films where they came from (and he’s Directed 55 of them). And in between all that our heros has managed to procure a loving and talented wife Julie and four kids…and millions of movie-going admirers (many of whom are now Industry giants).

What’s fascinating about this fabulous story is the huge number of genuine stars Corman knew and gave a break too – and who take time out to acknowledge this. Jack Nicholson in particular - who seems to owe his stunning career to the man – is so witty and self-deprecating that he’s worth the price of admission alone. Ron Howard is characteristically generous too (got his first Director’s spot under Corman) and has hilarious anecdotes about dangerous stunts in borrowed cars. Genius Writers and Directors John Sayles and Peter Bogdanovich give insightful glimpses into Corman’s sometimes cavalier yet utterly driven personality – always sticking it to 'the man'. While "Boxcar Bertha" gave Martin Scorsese and his troop of stunning actors an outing and the maestro his first Director’s Chair.

But what really tickles the funny bones is the endless parade of film clips - exploitation movies you haven’t seen in decades – or not at all. Most were made without safety or permits - where an explosion is pretty much mandatory – where crass is good – and if it can be made for less than the dollar price of Scrooge’s underwear – then that’s even better. Blood spatters, cleavage pops, hoodlums do what hoodlums do, monsters invade from outer space (Lee Van Cleef sorts out a mutant bug with a canister blowtorch), crocodiles chomp on limbs, massively endowed ladies ponce about on the planet Venus with telepathy but very few clothes…and cars eat people…all of it thoroughly delightful.

But in between all this B-Movie/Drive-In fodder are moments of breakthrough – 1962's "The Intruder" – a serious film about racism down South starring a first part for William Shatner that nearly got all involved killed. And while his flicks might have been the wrong side of pump-action nudity drivel – his tastes were for proper art-house films of the European and World schools. So Corman used his distribution company ‘New World Pictures’ to give Fellini, Bergman, Truffaut and Akira Kurosawa movies their only American releases.

Corman also made eight Edgar Allen Poe films with Vincent Price including "The Pit And The Pendulum", "The Masque Of The Red Death" and "The House Of Usher" which are now revered as classics of the Horror genre. He used genuine Hells Angels in the biker movie "The Wild Angels" (the character Heavenly Blues gives the quote that titles this review), spoke to the teenagers of America with the Sixties culture flick "The Trip" (popped LSD to be authentic) and followed that nugget with the biggest independent cult film hit of all time – "Easy Rider" - which made global superstars of Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper.

But not to leave crass behind - for the Seventies - we get the Downton Abbey pleasant "Women In Cages", the University Challenge brain-teaser "Death Race 2000", the very nice boy clean-haircuts of The Ramones in "Rock & Roll High School" and vein nibbling fishy in the artistically fulfilling "Piranha". What a man and what a life!

The 30-minutes of Bonus Features have extended interviews and special messages to the great man. Aspect ratio is Full Screen and of course varies with the Source while Audio is a Basic 2.0. There are no subtitles.

In some respects - to blab and reveal more - is to do you the viewer - an injustice. Suffice to say that "Corman's World" is one of those cool insider peeks at the history of 'alternate' movies and the independent side of Hollywood. But perhaps like the chipper curmudgeon himself – this wonderfully uplifting and funny documentary is largely unknown and criminally under-appreciated.

Juts don’t let this BLU RAY gem go unacknowledged in your household…or we may have to send some killer vixens around with chainsaws and open blouses…

"Candi/Young Hearts Run Free" by CANDI STATON – A Review Of Her 1974 and 1976 Albums on Warner Brothers - Now Reissued And Remastered Onto 2CDs By Edsel Of The UK In 2013 With 5 BONUS TRACKS…A Review by Mark Barry...

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

"…Young Hearts…" 

 

"Candi +  Young Hearts Run Free" by CANDI STATON

After 3 albums with Fame Records - "I'm Just A Prisoner" (1970), "Stand By Your Man" (1971) and "Candi Staton" (1973) – Alabama Southern Soul Diva Candi Staton signed a career rejuvenating contract with Warner Brothers that saw her move out of cult worship to global fame. 

 

And this timely reissue from Edsel of the UK (released 30 September 2013) touches on her first two albums for the mega label in 1974 and 1976 – adding on 5 tasty bonus tracks into the bargain. Here are the wiggle-bottom details for CANDI STATON and Edsel EDSK 7032 (Barcode 740155703233)…

Disc 1 (38:53 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 11 are her 4^th album "Candi" – released December 1974 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2830 (No UK release)

 

Track 12 is a BONUS – "As Long As He Takes Care Of Home (Without Rap)" – a Promo-Only B-side to the 1974 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers WBS 8038 (the A is the Rap Version).

Disc 2 (60:04 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 are her 5^th album "Young Hearts Run Free" – released June 1976 on Warner Brothers BS 2948 in the USA and July 1976 on Warner Brothers K 56259 in the UK. It peaked at 14 in the American R&B charts and became her first charted LP in the UK at Number 34 (the single "Young Hearts Run Free" reached No. 2).

 

Tracks 9 to 12 are BONUSES – "Young Hearts Run Free (Original Single Edit)", "Run To Me (Extended Version)", "Young Hearts Run Free (12 Extended M&M Mix Eighty Six)" and an "Instrumental" version of the same.

The outer card wrap gives the whole reissue a quality feel – as does the 20-page booklet which pictures album artwork, publicity photos, American and British Warner Brothers labels, rare foreign picture sleeves, track by track recording info and exceptionally detailed liner notes by Soul Expert and long-time Edsel Associate TONY ROUNCE.

The remasters by PHIL KINRADE at Alchemy are exceptionally good – clear and full of presence – bringing out Rick Hall’s deeply churchy Soul production on the first LP and Rick Crawford’s uber-pronounced strings and backbeat on the second.

“Candi” is a Soft Soul album – romantic and mushball. It opens with a take-me-back pleader – a cover of Philip Mitchell’s “Here I Am Again” which features superb backing vocals from The Joint Ventures and The Collettes. It gets mid-tempo with “Your Opening Night” (a George Jackson cover) and relationship reflective with “Going Through the Motions”. Things get Travis Wammack guitar-funky with “A Little Taste Of Love” and Mac Davis commercial with the radio-friendly happy Soul of “Stop And Smell The Roses”. But my poison is the slink of the second Philip Mitchell track on here - “As Long As He Takes Care Of Home” (an obvious 7” single). What a great groove it is.

She gives it some social consciousness on “Clean Up America” with her “Get it together” and “pitch in” clarion calls and finishes up with the brass stepper “Six Nights And 8 Days” by Earl Wright and George Jackson (the last single released off the album Stateside). “Candi” is a good Soul album – old fashioned in many ways - but in truth it lacked that absolute slaughter-the-punters track needed to break down the barriers for her as an artist. That would all change with Candi Staton’s 1976 outing…  

“Young Hearts Run Free” was a monster hit – riding the Disco boom globally and making Staton a household name. The first thing that hits you about the album is the Production values – massively upped and aimed directly at city dancefloors with a vengeance. The man behind this is Producer and Principal songwriter for the whole album – Dave Crawford. "Run To Me" and "Destiny" set the boogie pace while the lovely "You Bet Your Sweet Love" takes it down a notch before the big title track.

I can remember my sister and her friends dancing around the handbags at the nightclub – not just digging the beat of "Young Hearts Run Free" – but chomping down on every word – really feeling that bittersweet pain. "Living For You" is fairly forgettable but "Summer Time With You" gets all bedroom Barry White and is largely successful at it. The LP ends with another commercial funky beat – Dave Crawford's "I Know".

And to hear the "Without Rap" version of the killer "As Long As He Takes Care Of Home" is an absolute blast – even if the sound isn't the greatest - a genius inclusion. The long version of "Run To Me" is a Disco nugget and DJ's will love it. But I found the "Young Hearts Run Free…" 12" Remixes that mix in "I Know" are largely superfluous to requirements…

As Soul Boys of all colours look back to those heady days of the Seventies and early Eighties – albums by artists like Patrice Rushen, Randy Crawford and Candi Staton are getting revaluated all the time. It's not all genius for sure, but a sweet lady with tunes worth re-visiting. Take a punt on this classy reissue…

"The Windows Of The World / Valley Of The Dolls / Promises, Promises / Soulful…Plus" by DIONNE WARWICK – A Review Of Her Four Albums Between 1967 and 1969 On Pye International and Scepter Records - Now Reissued And Remastered Onto 2CDs By Edsel Of The UK In 2014 With 21 Bonus Tracks…

Here is a link to AMAZON UK to get this superb reissue at the best price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00H3WQUKM

"…Do Right Woman…" – The Windows Of The World…PLUS by DIONNE WARWICK

Dionne Warwick’s catalogue for Pye International (UK) and Scepter Records (USA) has been done before – but never with such style – and dare we say it – such affection. With 4 LPs and a whopping 21 Bonus Tracks - there’s a huge haul on this 3CD set (No. 3 in a series of 4 multiples). So let’s get to the details right away…

UK released 20 January 2014 - Edsel EDSK 3017 (Barcode 740155301736) breaks down as follows…

Disc 1 (63:14 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are her 9th album "The Windows Of The World" – released August 1967 in the USA on Scepter SPS 563 and Pye International NPL 28101 (Mono) in the UK

Tracks 11 to 20 are 10th album “Valley Of The Dolls” – released March 1968 in the USA on Scepter Records SPS 568 and Pye International NSPL 28114 (Stereo) in the UK

Disc 2 (62:31 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 3 are BONUSES

Tracks 4 to 13 are her 11th album "Promises, Promises” – released December 1968 in the USA on Scepter Records SPS 571

Tracks 14 to 19 are BONUSES

Disc 3 (75:27 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are her 12th album “Soulful” – released April 1969 in the USA on Scepter SPS 573 and Pye International NSPL 28122 (Stereo) in the UK

Tracks 11 to 23 are BONUSES

The 4-way foldout digipak gives the whole reissue a quality feel with each flap used to showcase rare picture sleeves, promo variants and label bags. The chunky 28-page booklet pictures the album covers, 7” singles, more foreign picture sleeves, original British Pye International and Wand labels, publicity photos, track-by-track annotation and exceptionally detailed liner notes by Soul Expert and long-time Edsel Associate TONY ROUNCE. It’s beautifully done.

The remastered sound varies wildly depending on the source – the singles in Mono are invariably hissy but the Stereo album tracks are glorious – beautifully clear – the “Promises, Promises” album especially. Even if the punchy Mono tracks are a little on the noisy side though – they have punch and are full of that great Sixties vibe. And much of this stuff hasn’t been in print for decades - with some of the bonus tracks (singles sung in foreign languages) only previously available on very expensive imports. 

The shadow of Bacharach and David hangs of so much on here – but that’s a complaint I’ll gladly countenance. “Do You Know The Way To San Jose?”, “Windows Of the World”, “I Say A Little Prayer”, “Theme From The Valley Of The Dolls”…it’s all so bloody good and has ‘so’ stood the test of time. I love her cover on the “Soulful” LP of the James and Bobby Purify hit “I’m A Puppet” penned by Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn. And the congregational mood to Aretha’s “Do Right Woman – Do Right Man” feels just as soulful as the classic Atlantic Records original. Even the obvious choice of “Hey Jude” feels good.

Among the bonus cuts is an aching version of the Little Anthony & The Imperials torch ballad “Hurt So Bad” which is superb - as is the gospel organ of “Young. Gifted & Black” - slowed right down to powerful effect – a properly great reinterpretation.

It’s not all genius of course (some of the Sly Stone covers are trying to hard) – but what is good is magical.

A classy lady and an equally classy reissue series. Kudos to all involved…

PS: This reissue is Volume 3 of 4 – the other titles in the series are:

1.         Presenting Dionne Warwick /Anyone Who Has A Heart /Make Way For Dionne Warwick /The Sensitive Sound Of Dionne Warwick (Edsel EDSK 7051)

2.         Here I Am – Dionne Warwick In Paris / Here Where There Is Love / On Stage And In The Movies (Edsel EDSK 7052)

3.         I’ll Never Fall In Love Again / Very Dionne / Dionne / Just Being Myself  (Edsel EDSK 7053)