"The Birdcage" on BLU RAY – A Review Of The Hilarious 1996 Mike Nichols Film - Now Reissued Onto A MGM/20th Century Fox BLU RAY In February 2014...

The Birdcage on BLU RAY (2014)

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"…I Hate It When You Get Hysterical!"

The thing about "The Birdcage" is that you forget how funny it is – and not just sporadically either – but all of the time. Maybe "Airplane" or "Some Like It Hot" comes close to it – but Mike Nichols' 1996 United Artists remake is one of those great films – a pick-me-up that will have you howling with helpless and delicious laughter for its entire duration.

Principal in its success are two things - the spot-on casting - and Elaine May’s screenplay. The movie boasts a razor-sharp re-working of an already well-honed play called "La Cage Aux Folles" by Jean Poiret - first staged in 1973 - then made into a celebrated French/Italian film farce in 1978. Nichols simply updates the Euro references to American ones - and adds clever jabs at double standards to spice up the very funny set pieces.

Robin Williams and Nathan Lane play middle-aged gay lovers – the wildly camp Armand and Albert Goldman – flamboyant toasts of the Florida sun, sand and sex set. They wear garish shirts, gold jewellery and foundation trowelled onto their cheeks to look younger. Armand owns the Miami South Beach nightclub "The Birdcage" where Albert is "Starina" – their principal drag queen attraction who comes on after a transvestite troupe has done their best Sister Sledge "We Are Family" mime. Men are called Beatrice and Dante and their live-in South American maid is Agador – a man so camp Liberace would blush – boogieing in the kitchen area to Gloria Estefan’s Spanish rhythms with a sweeping brush, a wig, denim hot pants and a padded bra (a fabulous comedic turn by Hank Azaria). Apart from Starina’s odd hysterical outburst about being "fat and hideous" – most nights in the club are a form of bare-bottomed costume mayhem – where no one is afraid to be open - no matter what their preference may be - or what anyone else thinks.

But twenty years back – when Armand was finding his sexuality – he had an affair with a career-obsessed Katherine Archer (Christine Baranski) and their union produced a divorce and sole custody of their son Val. One evening the 20-year old Val (Dan Futterman) arrives at The Birdcage to inform Pop that he’s getting married to the woman of his dreams – a 19-year old Barbara Keeley (Calista Flockhart) – daughter of Senator Kevin Keeley. Dad is none too pleased because he thinks the lad is too young – but that’s the least of his problems.

Barbara’s father is a twat – a boorish right-wing politician who hates anything that isn’t homely and decent ("It's porno…not pronto…" he says into his Dictaphone). When his equally moralizing television sparring partner Senator Eli Jackson of the 'Committee For Moral Order' dies on him during election time – caught in bed with a minor who is both black and a prostitute – Keeley and his wife Louise (Dianne Wiest) spot that the wedding would be a great way to deflect the press army camped outside their home waiting on a comment from Mr. and Mrs. Family Values. "If necessary – we'll get the Pope's blessing – it's not that hard!" his wife offers helpfully as her husband munches down on chocolate – his chosen way of calming his nerves.

Unfortunately young Barbara has also been economical with the truth and told her Senator parents that her Val's Mum and Dad are 'in the arts'. She's even suggested that Armand is The Cultural Attaché To Greece and Albert his wife. So the Conservative Keeleys head down to Florida in a car (pursued by press hounds looking for a juicy story) – not knowing Armand and Albert’s sexual preferences let alone dress-sense. Armand and Albert have only hours to become fully-fledged straight men to ensure the young couple’s happiness. Cue the toning down of their rampantly gay mannerisms, removal of phallus-shaped furniture, Neptune statues (in fact anything with a willy on it) – and in comes a large crucifix and net curtains.

As you can imagine - the one-liners and double-entendres come fast and furious. When Barbara reveals she’s been sleeping with Val – Dad grimaces and says - "Has he been tested?" When Albert suspects that Armand is having an affair because there’s white wine in the fridge when they both only drink red – he hysterically demands - "I Want A Palimony Agreement! And I Want One Now!" Always suffering for his art – Albert sits at his dresser with a Philishave and a Powder Puff bemoaning his artistic fate "…If it wasn’t for the Pirin tablets – I don’t think I could go on!" Little does he know that they’re really Aspirins Agador has scraped the AS off.

You might think that all this hilarity is at the expense of homosexuality – long the target of many a Hollywood cheap shot. But like "Behind The Candelabra" – this is a film that laughs 'with' the camp – and not 'at' it. And while Robin Williams is his usual brave fabulous self – it’s Nathan Lane who steals every scene – comic and brilliant ever second he’s on camera. The scene in an outdoor Miami restaurant where Armand (Williams) tries to teach Albert (Lane) how to be a 'man' is just ball-breakingly funny – including great observations about sticking out his Pinkie Ring as he sips tea, macho talk about American football and even how John Wayne walks. Albert yelps and screams and constantly acts like a balding short fat woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown ("You look hagard Agador! Take these supplements. I bought them for Armand. But that’s all over now!”) And conveniently – his agony is always someone else's fault (dialogue above). Even when he does finally dress as a hetro for the sake of Val’s future happiness – he can’t help slipping in pink socks under the trousers of a butch suit.

Not to be outdone in the funny stakes – both Gene Hackman and Diane Wiest are fair game too. The dinner scene has Albert dressed up as Armand’s opinionated wife – all Jackie Kennedy couture jackets and handbags - waltzing with an admiring Gene Hackman to Frank Sinatra’s "I Could Have Danced All Night". In order to avoid detection - Hackman and Wiest later dress up as a woman and a butch dominatrix in the final nightclub scene (joining the enemy and all that). It’s so funny – you may find yourself reaching for the sedative cabinet.

The BLU RAY is defaulted to 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio so the picture fills the entire screen (no bars top or bottom) – and I’m thrilled to say that the print is a major improvement on the DVD. I always felt the DVD had a slight pallor – a hazy lack of definition. But right from the opening credits as the camera pushes in to the Miami coastline and then to The Birdcage club itself (with the Sister Sledge "We Are Family" song playing as it does) - it’s obvious that there’s real improvement in focus and clarity. And it pretty much stays that way for the duration. The scene where Val reveals to Armand that he’s getting married is staggeringly clear. The only slight softness I noticed was inside the club – but even then - that’s natural grain – and how it was filmed. The big let down however is the complete lack of Extras – only a crappy Theatrical Trailer – when this is a film that screamed out for retrospective features.

Audio is DTS-HD Master Audio: English 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 5.1 and Italian DTS 5.1 - while Subtitles are in English For The Hard Of Hearing, Spanish and Italian (it doesn’t say much of this on the outer box - but they are on the menu).

"There’s 150 people out there and half of them are Kennedys…" Armand tells Albert as he tries to convince him to go on stage - one more time.

Convince yourself to own this fabulous and life-affirming comedic gem on BLU RAY.
You’ll be in the pink when you do…

"One Good Well / True Love / Currents" by DON WILLIAMS - A Review Of His 1989, 1990 and 1992 Albums On RCA Records - Now Reissued & Remastered By Beat Goes On Of The UK Onto 2CDs In 2014

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"…You Really Don’t Want Me To Go..." 

– One Good Well / True Love / Currents by DON WILLIAMS

After a long and productive career with MCA – country-legend Don Williams signed to RCA Records in 1989 and quickly produced these 3 revered albums. It’s a smart reissue move on the part of Beat Goes On Records of the UK to gather them all together on this classily presented and beautiful-sounding 2CD set (the deleted “One Good Well” CD was over $300 some years back). Here are the curly straw-hat details…

UK released 19 May 2014 – Beat Goes On BGOCD 1152 (Barcode 5017261211521) breaks downs as follows:

Disc 1 (71:24 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “One Good Well” released May 1989

Tracks 12 to 21 are the album “True Love” released September 1990

Disc 2 (31:50 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album “Currents” released March 1992

The generic card wraps that Beat Goes On uses on their reissues are really lovely – giving the whole package a quality look and feel. The 16-page booklet inside features liner notes by noted musicologist JOHN O’REGAN with full recording details for each album, photos, internet references (no lyrics) and the inlay beneath the see-through tray has adverts for other Don Williams albums in this series

The albums were digitally recorded in the first place – so they would have sounded clean on original CDs – but that doesn’t stop the 2014 Andrew Thompson remaster being superb. There’s genuine warmth to these recordings – lovely clarity – his voice just present in the mix – never overdone. When you play the gorgeous ballad “Cryin’ Eyes” from the excellent “One Good Well” album – Paul Franklin’s Pedal Steel and Charles Cochran’s lovely string arrangements are all crystal clear (lyrics from it title this review).

Oher highlights include a mournful take on Beth Nielsen Chapman’s story-song “Maybe That’s All It Takes” and the cheery pluck of “Come A Little Closer”. He does sweet versions of Jesse Winchester’s “Just ‘Cause I’m In Love With You” and Dan Fogelberg’s “Diamonds To Dust” with complimentary harmonies from “Drift Away” singer Dobie Gray. “Lord Have Mercy On A Country Boy” was a big country hit - even his cover of Harry Belafonte’s “Jamaica Farewell” just about pulls it off. 

But I particularly love the re-working of his old MCA hit “We’re All The Way” on the One Good Turn album – simple – elegant – to the point. In fact if you want to know how good his songs are – especially in the hands of Rock Alumni – check out “We’re All The Way” by Eric Clapton on his 1977 “Slowhand” album (which is where I first heard it) - or the stunning “Till The Rivers All Run Dry” by Pete Townshend & Ronnie Lane on their wickedly good “Rough Mix” album (also 1977). Eric rocked up the chirper “Tulsa Time” on his 1978 “Backless” set – all Don Williams gems.

This is a quality re-issue – great presentation, top quality sound and tunes to match – nice one.

"The Bridges Of Madison County" on BLU RAY – A Review Of The Beautiful 1995 CLINT EASTWOOD Movie - Now Reissued Onto A Warner Brothers (US) BLU RAY In May 2014...

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"…Making My Way To You…" – The Bridges Of Madison County on BLU RAY (2014)

It's 1985 in Iowa - and Michael and Carolyn Johnson turn off a bumpy road - their modern-day Estate Car heading into the small farm residence of Mr and Mrs Richard Johnson. Inside their childhood home a local lawyer reads out the details of their Italian mother's will - specifically instructions about her burial that leaves both of them utterly flabbergasted. The normally meek and mild-mannered Francesca Johnson wants to be cremated - and have her ashes thrown off the Roseman Bridge in Madison County. "I'm not at all sure it's even Christian!" a profoundly rattled Michael protests.

But there's worse. Opening an envelope - they find a key to a large chest in their mother's bedroom that contains stuff they've never seen - let alone suspected. Dark horse Francesca (Meryl Streep) has had a secret past life - in fact a lifelong torch for someone else other than Richard Johnson - their father who has himself passed in 1982 (played to understated loving perfection by Jim Haynie). It transpires that Francesca had a passionate four-day love affair in the mid Sixties with a photographer from the National Geographic magazine called Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) while her husband and 17 and 16-year old teenagers were away at the Illinois State Fair exhibiting a prize steer. It is Robert Kincaid she wants to give "the rest of me" to.

Now in their mid 40's - both shaken siblings (played with aching delicacy by Victor Slezak and Annie Corley) get out a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey and brace themselves - as they collectively read three handwritten diaries their mother has poured her innermost thoughts and passions into. "What becomes important is 'to be known'..." - she writes. And they slowly but painfully learn why...

We're back in 1965 and a 45-year old Francesca Johnson is beating a dusty rug on her farmstead porch when a pick-up from Bellingham in Washington DC comes trundling towards the house. Out steps a rugged world-travelled man in his early Sixties who is temporarily lost and needs directions to the Roseman Bridge - an assignment he's been sent to photograph (the camera is his chosen art). The beautiful wooden-canopied gap between two separate roads is only two miles from her home - Francesca nervously advises. Robert then smiles in return as she fumbles spoken directions - clearly excited by a handsome male presence. But it's more than that. There is an undercurrent - a meeting of like minds that seem to have been travelling towards each other for decades - an instant spark  - an understanding between them. And so her secret love story begins...

Streep received a 10th Oscar nomination for her work here and perhaps she should have won (yet again). The character dance between her and Eastwood is simply stupendous - giving her frumpy but sensuous Italian woman nervous twitches, all hands on her face and arms, eyes running over his body, catching glimpses of him through gaps in the wood and net curtains, fanning her naked body at night in the cool breeze to calm her thoughts down. Sometimes the talks they have in the kitchen are so good that you feel your eavesdropping on an actual conversation in motion. And when the harsh reality of what they're doing kicks in - the 'morning after sequence' doesn't shirk it either. She riles at him angrily - feeling used - just another notch on his well-travelled gun. Yet the scene manages to be tender, hurting and utterly believable too.

Adapted from Robert James Waller's beloved novel - the screenplay for 1995's "Bridges" by Richard La Gravenese is a masterpiece of understatement and lightness of touch. Combined with Clint Eastwood's keep-it-simple Direction and an amazing on-screen chemistry between two great actors at the top of their game - this is also a movie of rare depth - one that speaks to the Soul on several levels. On the one hand you have the grown-up son and daughter grappling with parental loss - both in marriages that have seen better days (hers in terminal decline). The other theme is the longing for real love - and to have actually lived rather than just coasted through life. Both ooze out of so many scenes - imbibing the film with a truth that is often uncomfortable and sad - yet somehow hopeful. It's a gushingly romantic tale really - a Brief Encounter with an American twist.

I'm thrilled to say that Warner Brothers have put up a fabulous print. The Region Free American BLU RAY is GORGEOUS TO LOOK AT and at times shockingly so. It's defaulted to Full Screen Aspect (so you miss nothing). Principal in all this cinematic glory is Jack Green's sumptuous cinematography and the lighting he catches in Iowa - warm evenings - the daytime air filled with dust and butterflies and pollen particles on the wind - it's just beautiful to look at. Examples are the scene where Robert surprises Francesca on the bridge with blue flowers he's just picked - when they walk in the evening talking about the poetry of W.B. Yeats - when they discuss life at the kitchen table and how she came from the small town of Bari in Southern Italy to Iowa with her Military husband Richard to a life full of dreams not quite realized. Even when her family sits at the dinner table virtually ignoring her cooking and maternal efforts - the textures of their clothes and rural furniture details are absolutely spot on.

Special mention should also go to Eastwood's piano theme "Doe Eyes" that is so exquisitely elegant and moving. It takes a full half-hour to arrive (the first Bridge scene when they get physically close to each other) - but each time it does - it grows and grows in stature - until it has the power of a hammerblow. It's most effective in the penultimate scene towards the end when it's pouring rain and Francesca gets into her husband's truck only to see Robert in his pickup parked opposite on the street (he's come back for her). He exits - stands there exposed and soaked - hoping she'll leave her good husband and family for him - but knows it's a decision that she alone must make. For a moment - Francesca grabs the door handle of her own truck when she sees her name pendant hanging from his rear-view mirror calling her home. The 'will she/won't she go with him' moment of agony lingers. But she crushes down her feelings of longing and love - settling for what has to be done. She must stay with her husband and family who will be `broken in half' if she actually acts on such a delicious but destructive impulse. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful scene - and I can assure you - there isn't going to be a dry eye in any home anywhere when it's watched (keep the Kleenex handy).

The BLU RAY carries over the DVD Commentary and 'Making Of' called "An Old Fashioned Love Story..." that has interviews with DOP Jack Green, Writer Richard La Gravenese, Producer Kathleen Kennedy, Editor Joel Cox, Actors Eastwood, Streep, Slezak, Corley and Haynie and features location footage of Winterset in Ohio where it was shot.

Audio is DTS-HD Master Audio: English 5.1, Dolby Digital, French 5.1, Spanish 5.1 (Castilian) and Spanish 2.0 (Latin) - while Subtitles are in English SDH, French and Spanish.

Why is this movie so effecting? The lifetime our parents have given us - the debt we can't repay them - the love we can't have - the passion we didn't grab when we had the chance? I don't know if I want the answer.

"This kind of certainty comes along but once in a lifetime..." - Robert tells Francesca in a moment of clarity that will stay with them until their ashes are scattered to the four winds. Well now you can savour its magic over and over again. "The Bridges Of Madison County" is that kind of cinematic masterpiece.

PS: I dedicate this review to my wife Mary Ann and our three kids - Dean, Julia and Sean who saw me through a recent medical nightmare...

"Rolling Stones Gear/All The Stones Instruments From Stage To Studio" by THE ROLLING STONES - A Review Of The BACKBEAT BOOK

THE ROLLING STONES are part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" 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:

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"...Can't You Hear Me Knocking..." 

- Rolling Stones Gear/All The Stones Instruments From Stage To Studio - BACKBEAT BOOK

When the courier handed me this sucker in its 'fragile' cardboard wrap - I almost felt my wrist snap. This book is big, beautiful and HEAVY. And at under £25 brand new – it’s a perfect present for the Stones nutter in your home.

Released in March 2014 on Backbeat Books (Barcode 884088554453) – "Rolling Stones Gear – All The Stones Instruments From The Stage To Studio" does exactly what it says on the tin – and in drop-dead gorgeous eye-popping detail.

First up is Amazon’s assessment of 500 pages – it has 672. It’s coffee table large and has a US Dollar price of 60. There are 30 chapters beginning with “Britain Gets The Blues” which shows the 1954-1961 influences on our boys by picturing stuff from Lonnie Donegan’s Skiffle LPs to Chuck Berry, Little Walter and Muddy Waters Chess albums. Chapter 2 moves into the extraordinary catalyst that was CCS’s front man and singer Alexis Korner and his influence on the band. But what hits time and time again are the huge amount of stunning pictures…

Every available square around the copious amount of text is filled with gorgeous repro’s of Sixties adverts, Stones gig posters and concert tickets, Bush Record Players, London Record Stores, Harmony Amplifiers, Reslo Microphones, StratoTone guitars, MXR Phase Pedals and so on. By the time you get to the late Sixties – the in-concert photos of guitar wielding Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Mick Taylor are coming out you in full colour and glorious black and white – beautifully cleaned and massively evocative of the times. Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts get their basses and drum kits, Jagger his Mikes, while the fabulous Seventies stuff and beyond features Tour posters, the saxophones used by Bobby Keys and even the letter Mick Jagger wrote to Andy Warhol commissioning the cover of "Sticky Fingers". It’s properly indepth and thrilling to look at.

There’s adverts galore - Hofner Guitars, Gibson Electric and Les Paul Acoustics, Jesselli Guitars, Synthi Multi Hi-Fi Guitar Processors, Ronnie Wood’s custom made Zemaitis Metal Plate and so on. The advert photos are beautiful throughout all the decades - as are the period shots of Alexis Korner, Ronnie with Bo Diddley and a young Ian ‘Stu’ Stewart on piano.

It took New York authors Andy Babiuk and Greg Prevost 10 years to accumulate and narrate this incredible story and they surely must be up for some sort of Book Oscar. Andy Baiuk did a similar tome for The Beatles in 2001 "Beatles Gear" while Greg Prevost is a staff writer for the acclaimed “Ugly Things” magazine. Both are collectors of guitars and music memorabilia and they clearly know their stuff.

Wonderful memories and surely one of the great Rock Books.

Tattoo You and your flabby bottom with this beauty right now...

"Something/Anything?" by TODD RUNDGREN (2014 Edsel 'Deluxe Edition' Book Pack CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Saw The Light..."

Originally released in the Spring of 1972 as a double-album on Bearsville Records - "Something/Anything?" proved what many had already known – after 3 albums with Sixties songsters NAZZ and two fine solo efforts in 1970 and 1971 – singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Todd Rundgren was ready to drop the artistic motherlode. And he did it with style. Even now – 42 years after I first held its wondrous gatefold in my grubby Dublin paws – It still gives me a buzz just to look at it. Much like this lovely packaging upgrade. Here are the faithful details…

UK released 19 May 2014 (27 May in the USA) - "Something/Anything?" by TODD RUNDGREN on Edsel EDSK 7070 (Barcode 740155707033) is a 2CD reissue of their October 2011 Expanded Version - only this time it’s in a case bound Hardback Book:

Disc 1 – Parts 1 and 2 (43:13 minutes):

1. I Saw The Light

2. It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference

3. Wolfman Jack

4. Cold Morning Light

5. It Takes Two To Tango (This Is For The Girls)

6. Sweeter Memories

7. Intro [Part 2]

8. Breathless

9. The Night The Carousel Burnt Down

10. Saving Grace Marlene

11. Song Of The Viking

12. I Went To The Mirror

Disc 2 – Parts 3 and 4 (52:03 minutes):

1. Black Maria

2. One More Day (No Word)

3. Couldn’t I Just Tell You

4. Torch Song

5. Little Red Lights

6. Overture – My Roots [Part 4]

7. Dust In The Wind

8. Piss Aaron

9. Hello, It’s Me

10. Some Folks Is even Whiter Than Me

11. You Left Me Sore

12. Slut

”Something/Anything?” by TODD RUNDGREN was released as a 2LP set February 1972 in the USA on Bearsville 2BX 2066 and May 1972 in the UK on Bearsville K 65501

13. It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference (Bearsville Sound Studio B)

14. Something/Anything Promos 1-6

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES

The 36-page attached booklet within has liner notes by Paul Myers from his superb tome "A Wizard, A True Star – Todd Rundgren In The Studio" and is an excellent read. The gatefold sleeve to the Bearsville vinyl album is here (inside and out) – as are the insert photos and lyrics. The hard card case bound book has a details sticker on the outer shrink-wrap that easily peels off (if you want to attach it to the book cover).

There is no new remaster that I can hear – this is the Edsel October 2011 version - that in itself was a Peter Rynston UK master using the 1993 American Rhino remasters. The sound is superb throughout with some tracks like "It Takes Two To Tango" and the Side 2 instrumental "Breathless" sounding amazing. The two extras are actually worth having – a studio demo of the lovely ballad "It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference" while the Promo clips turn out to be fab Acapella snippets of tracks especially recorded for advert purposes. While the cool-looking book packaging is a rather lovely thing to behold…

The huge hit was of course "I Saw The Light" – but just as good is "Cold Morning Light" (a B-side to "Hello It's Me" in the UK in January 1974) and "Torch Song" with its pianos somehow aching like tears. There are some turkeys – the crappy metal of "Little Red Lights" and the demo mess that is "Overture…" is unlistenable to me now. But my overriding feeling is that the whole shebang is just so musical – proper songs – fast or slow – he hit the nail more often than not. Rundgren would follow this with the equally brill but different single LP "A Wizard, A True Star" in 1973.

If you’ve been on the fence about this man and his music – this is where to start the journey to your inner Runt...

PS: see also my reviews for "Runt", "A Wizard, A True Star", "Todd", "Todd Rundgren's Utopia", "Initiation" and "Hermit of Mink Hollow" 

"A Wizard, A True Star" by TODD RUNDGREN - June 1973 US Album on Bearsville Records (May 2014 UK Edsel Deluxe Edition Book Pack Reissue/Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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CADENCE /CASCADE 

PROG ROCK, PSYCH, AVANT GARDE...
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Exceptional CD Remasters

Covering 1967 to 1977 - It Also Focuses On

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"…Le Feel Internacionale..."

Coming after the double-album artistic high of "Something/Anything?" in March 1972 – in the eyes of most fans June 1973’s single LP "A Wizard, A True Star" only cemented Rundgren’s genius even more. It was psychedelic, fun, melodic and more adventurous than the double that preceded it – and it was cool too. It’s hardly surprising therefore that Edsel have chosen it as one of many Todd Rundgren albums worth celebrating with a packaging (book pack) upgrade. Here are the Zen Archer details…

UK released 19 May 2014 (27 May in the USA) - "A Wizard, A true Star" by TODD RUNDGREN on Edsel EDSA 5028 (Barcode 740155502836) is a single CD reissue of their October 2011 Expanded Version - only this time it’s in a limited edition Hardback Book cover (56:00 minutes).

1. International Feel [Side 1]

2. Never Never Land

3. Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off

4. You Need Your Head

5. Rock And Roll Pussy

6. Dogfight Giggle

7. You Don't Have To Camp Around

8. Flamingo

9. Zen Archer

10. Just Another Onion Head - Da Da Dali

11. When The Shit Hits The Fan - Sunset Blvd.

12. La Feel Internacionale

13. Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel [Side 2]

14. Does Anybody Love You

15. Medley: (a) I'm So Proud (b) Ooh Baby Baby (c) La La Means I Love You (d) Cool Jerk [Impressions, Miracles, Delfonics and The Capitols]

16. Hungry For Love

17. I Don't Want To Tie You Down

18. Is It My Name?

19. Just One Victory

Tracks 1 to 19 are the vinyl album "A Wizard, A True Star" – released June 1973 in the USA on Bearsville BR 2133 and in the UK on Bearsville K 45513.

The attached booklet within has liner notes by Paul Myers from his superb tome "A Wizard, A True Star – Todd Rundgren In The Studio" and is an excellent read. The gatefold sleeve to the Bearsville vinyl album is here – as is the lyric insert that came with original copies. Unfortunately the barely legible hand-written details and lyrics on that page insert are now shrunk – and even more unreadable. The hard card case bound book has a details sticker on the outer shrink-wrap that easily peels off (if you want to attach it to the book cover).

There is no new remaster that I can hear – this is the Edsel October 2011 version - that in itself was a PETER RYNSTON UK master using the 1993 American Rhino remasters. Don’t get me wrong – the sound is superb – but the only real upgrade here is the packaging - which is a rather lovely thing to behold…

Producing and playing every instrument whilst being (admittedly) stoned out of his tiny fuzzed-up mind – "Wizard's" various 19 tracks sound like a splurge – but a good one at that. "Zen Archer", "Le Feel Internacionale", "Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel", "I Don't Want To Tie You Down" and the fabulous upbeat glory to "Just One Victory" – it's all so melodic and trippy cool. Tracks like "You Don't Have To Camp Around" and "Rock And Roll Pussy" with their one-minute madness can admittedly irritate and the four-cover-versions medley of 10 minutes may overstay its welcome somewhat especially when it gets into the mad "Cool Jerk" end piece (David Sanborn, Mike & Randy Brecker guest on Horns) - but the melodies are all gorgeous. 

And at a playing time of 56 minutes – the original vinyl LP was always a compromise as a listening experience – so the remaster alters all of that – and so much for the better. The "...gimme gimme gimme..." piano and guitar of "Hungry For Love" segues into the gorgeous piano warmth of "I Don't Want To Let You Down" – one of the albums true masterpieces of melody. It ends on a song that is somehow now synonymous with Rundgren - the anthemic hope of "Just One Victory" – a tune that would melt the hardest of hearts – especially in a live setting.

Rundgren would release the massively disappointing double album "Todd" next in May 1974 - but would regain his crown with November 1974's "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" which was an entirely Prog Rock album - and is a masterpiece of the genre in my eyes – especially the astonishing 30-minute Side 2 opus "The Ikon".

"A Wizard, A True Star" won't be everyone's cup of Darjeeling for sure and some may feel that in 2015 it's rather dated now. But for me this is a very cool reissue indeed – and from here its jump back Jack to "Something/Anything?" for more of the Toddster's glory daze… 

"Todd" by TODD RUNDGREN (May 2014 Edsel 'Deluxe Book Edition Reissue' CD using 2011 Master) - A Review Of His 1974 Double LP on Bearsville Records by Mark Barry...

"...Join Me Within My Dream..."

Coming after the artistic high of "Something/Anything?" in 1972 (a double album) and "A Wizard, A True Star" in 1973 - March 1974's further 2LP effort "Todd" on Bearsville Records promised so much. But despite its size (written, played, engineered and produced by TR) - the two Elpee's worth of tunes delivered precious little of them. "Todd" landed with a huge disappointing thud - and in my mind has stayed there ever since. Here are the reissue details...

UK released 19 May 2014 (27 May in the USA) - "Todd" by TODD RUNDGREN on Edsel EDSA 5029 (Barcode 740155502935) is a 'Casebound Book Edition' single CD Reissue (and Remaster) of the March 1974 Double-Album originally on Bearsville Records with an additional Three Bonus Tracks. It plays out as follows (76:41 minutes)...

1. How About A Little Fanfare? [Side 1]

2. I Think You Know 

3. The Spark Of Life 

4. An Elpee's Worth of Tunes 

5. A Dream Goes On Forever 

6. Lord Chancellor's Nightmare Song 

7. Drunken Blue Rooster [Side 2]

8. The Last Ride 

9. Everybody's Going To Heaven/King Kong Reggae 

10. No. 1 Lowest Common Denominator [Side 3] 

11. Useless Begging 

12. Sidewalk Cafe 

13. Izzat Love?

14. Heavy Metal Kids 

15. In And Out The Chakras We Go (Formerly: Shaft Goes To Outer Space) [Side 4]

16. Don't You Ever Learn 

17. Sons Of 1984  

Tracks 1 to 17 are the double-album "Todd" - released March 1974 in the USA on Bearsville 2 BR 6592 and in the UK on Bearsville K 85501. 

BONUS TRACKS:

18. Ooh Baby Baby [Live Broadcast On WMMR-FM, 30 June 1971]

19. A Dream Goes On Forever [Live In St. Louis, 9 November 1974]

20. Do Ya [Live In St. Louis, 9 November 1974]

The expanded booklet within has liner notes by PAUL MYERS from his superb tome "A Wizard, A True Star – Todd Rundgren In The Studio" and is an excellent read. Lyrics are provided – but unfortunately the poster that accompanied the original vinyl double with a massive collage of fan names is AWOL (probably due to licensing reasons).

Five of the 17-songs are meandering instrumentals, two are vaudeville Gilbert & Sullivan pastiches and it ends on a live track (“Sons Of 1984”) that should have been a studio recording. The rest are a very mixed bag – the cod New York Dolls rock of "Heavy Metal Kids" irritates rather than pleases – but "I Think You Know" and "Do You Ever Learn" are good ballads. In truth the only real light in the tunnel is the gorgeous "A Dream Goes On Forever" which hankers back to the glory of the 1972 double "Something/Anything?" It was an obvious choice for a lead off 7" single (March 1974 USA on Bearsville BSV 0020 and May 1974 in the UK on Bearsville K 15515) - both countries sporting the unpleasant "Heavy Metal Kids" as its flipside. 

It's not all bad news though - the 3 bonus tracks are shockingly good. First up is a 30 June 1971 Live Broadcast for WMMR-FM in the USA – a cover of Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Motown classic "Ooh Baby Baby". It's properly gorgeous and makes me think of Rundgren's recent sessions with Daryl Hall on his Live From Daryl's House Internet broadcasts (and the arrangement Linda Ronstadt used when she covered it in 1978 for her "Back In The USA" album. That's followed by two more live cuts from a concert at St. Louis on 9 November 1974. He covers "Do Ya" by The Move - an obscure rocking Jeff Lynne B-side to "California Man" on Harvest Records in 1972.  And he plays a lovely keyboard version of "A Dream Lives On Forever" – complete with a witty intro about hit singles…

Rundgren would regain his crown with November 1974's "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" which was an entirely Prog Rock album and is a masterpiece of the genre in my eyes – especially the astonishing 30-minute Side 2 opus "The Ikon".

There are other releases using this Deluxe 'Casebound Book Edition' packaging – "Runt" (1970), "Something/Anything?" (1972), "A Wizard, A True Star" (1973), "Initiation" (1975) and "Hermit of Mink Hollow" (1978). 

As a double-album, you'd think that 1974's "Todd" would be ripe for reappraisal - but re-listening to it in May 2014 (in this admittedly gorgeous Deluxe Edition Book Pack upgrade) doesn't change my mind about it. Better to start with the aforementioned two and work towards the dream…

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"The Slider" by T.REX [feat Marc Bolan] (2002 Edsel 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Remaster - Reissued 2014) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 500 Others Is Available In My

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"...Eagle On The Wind..."

Having had their appetites whetted in May 1972 with the compilation album on Fly Records "Bolan Boogie" (which hit Number 1) – by July 1972 the wait was over. And on the 23rd of the month T.Rex and Marc Bolan fans got what they wanted - "The Slider" album hit the record shops and burnt its way into UK consciousness. Even now in 2014 (42 years later) it still gives me a thrill just to look at it (the same applies to "Electric Warrior" from 1971). And this stunning May 2002 2CD DELUXE EDITION from Edsel (reissued in 2014) gives me the same tingles. Here are the Golden Nose Slim and Jungle Face Jakes…

Originally released May 2002 – "The Slider" by T. REX on Edsel MEDCD 715 (Barcode 740155171520) is a 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Reissue and Remaster and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (53:54 minutes):

1. Metal Guru

2. Mystic Lady

3. Rock On

4. The Slider

5. Baby Boomerang

6. Spaceball Ricochet

7. Buick Mackane

8. Telegram Sam

9. Rabbit Fighter

10. Baby Strange

11. Ballrooms Of Mars

12. Chariot Choogle

13. Main Man

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The Slider" – originally released on vinyl in the UK on 23 July 1972 on EMI BLN 5001

Tracks 14, 15 and 16 are Extended Play – "Cadillac" (14) is a non-album track - it was one of the B-sides to "Telegram Sam" (January 1972 on EMI/T.Rex Wax Co. Label T-REX 101). The other B-side was album track "Baby Strange".  "Thunderwing" and "Lady" (15 and 16) were both non-album track B-sides to the UK 7” single of "Metal Guru" (May 1972 on EMI/T.Rex Wax Co. Label MARC 1).

Disc 2 (53:00 minutes):

1. Metal Guru

2. Mystic Lady

3. Rock On

4. The Slider

5. Thunderwing

6. Spaceball Ricochet

7. Buick Mackane

8. Telegram Sam

9. Rabbit Fighter

10. Baby Strange

11. Ballrooms Of Mars

12. Cadilac

13. Main Man

Tracks 1 to 13 are "The Alternate Slider ("Rabbit Fighter")" – alternate versions of almost every track with similar sounding tracks where alternates could not be found (the initial album title was going to be "Rabbit Fighter").

Tracks 14 and 15 are Extended Play – "Lady" and "Sunken Rags" - both of which are Outtake Versions of 1972 B-sides ("Sunken Rags" was one of the two B-sides to "Children Of The Revolution').

It opens up with two winners "Metal Guru" and the acoustic strum of "Mystic Lady" then barely lets up. "Buick Mackane" is his Led Zeppelin T.Rex and rocks like a monster. "Telegram Sam" was the second number 1 single ("Metal Guru" was the other) and is followed by the song that might have titled the album – the cool "Rabbit Fighter". It’s so quintessentially T.Rex with its acoustic guitars backing lead electric guitars and his "Moondog's a prophet to the end…" lyrics. I’ve always loved "Baby Boomerang" – it was used as a B-side for the infectious "I Love To Boogie" in June 1976 – and its words oozed that Bolan confidence (lyrics from it title this review). More Rex rockers appear in the guise of "Baby Strange" and "Chariot Choogle" and it ends on the languid "Main Man" – job done.

The end of 1972 would see two more huge singles – the non-album "Children Of The Revolution" in September and "Solid Gold Easy Action" in December (themselves heavy with unique non-LP B-sides). In fact in the Summer of 1972 and by year’s end - Marc Bolan seemed to own the world – he really was flying.

The three-way fold-out digipak is pretty – alternate artwork on the inner flaps – press adverts and promo stuff beneath the two see-through CD trays - detailed liner notes by T.Rex/Marc Bolan expert MARK PAYTRESS – lyrics – track-by-track annotation (with Bolan’s own recollections) and both CDs carrying the T.Rex Wax Co 7” single Logo (I remember for all those 45s we ought in Woolworths with the excitement of buying the next Beatles seven).  The remasters are fabulous too – full of power and muscle – giving the alternate acoustic versions of "Metal Guru" and the spoken '1, 2, 3 and a 4' leads in to "Rock On" and "The Slider" an eerie feel of being close to genius.

What a blast...and what a loss. I miss him...

" First / Never Let Her Go /Goodbye Girl / Falling In Love Again " by DAVID GATES (of BREAD) – A Review Of His First 4 SOLO Albums On Elektra Records Between 1973 and 1980 – Now Reissued in 2013 By Edsel Of the UK On A 2CD Remastered Set…

"…Always Been Simple…"

As the principal songwriter and voice of BREAD – singer DAVID GATES won legions of fans with his beautifully melodic tunes. This cool-looking British 2CD reissue gives us his first four Solo albums for Elektra Records between 1973 and 1980 - and as you can imagine – it’s a mixed bag of the inspired and insipid. Here are the singer-songwriter details…

UK released September 2013 (October in the USA) – "First/Never Let Her Go/Goodbye Girl/Falling In Love Again" by DAVID GATES on Edsel EDSK 7034 (Barcode 740155703431) is a 2CD set offering 4 Remastered LPs and breaks down as follows…

Disc 1 (64:52 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 9 are his debut solo album "First" – released October 1973 in the USA on Elektra EKS-75066 and K 42150 in the UK

Tracks 10 to 19 are his 2nd album "Never Let Her Go" – released February 1975 on Elektra 7E-1028 in the USA and May 1975 on Elektra K 52012 in the UK

Disc 2 (52:33 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 6 are the album "Goodbye Girl" – released July 1978 on Elektra 6E-148 in the USA and K 52091 in the UK

Tracks 7 to 16 are the album "Falling In Love Again" – released June 1980 on Elektra 6E-251 in the USA and K 52206 in the UK

The generic card wraps that Edsel now uses on their reissues are lovely – classy looking too. The chunky 36-page booklet inside is jam-packed with details – album sleeves, 7” singles, Quad album labels, lyrics to the songs and informative liner notes by noted writer Alan Robinson. It’s beautifully done.

Sound – these albums were remastered by Rhino initially and Phil Kinrade at Alchemy has clearly used those versions because this is sonically brilliant stuff. The audio is amazing – well produced – not overdone – muscle and clarity on every track.

Musical proceedings open with a peach – "Sail Around The World" – and two things immediately hit you - the stunning sound quality and the prettiness of the melody (lyrics above). It was put out as a 7” in the UK in November 1973 (K 12126) but only charted in the USA (peaking at 50). Speaking of lost singles - the brilliant nine-minute epic of "Suite: Clouds, Rain" was edited down to the piano opening of "Clouds" (very Bread) and put out as a 7” in the UK in July 1973 with “Soap (I Use The)” as its B-side (K 12114). I mention this because its rare edited version is a no-show here - which is a bit of a missed opportunity. The debut album ends strongly with "Sight & Sound" (very Eagles) - while "Lorilee" gets a bit "Countdown To Ecstasy" Steely Dan slinky with Jim Horn on Alto Sax (tasty).

The second album picks up where the first left off (even with the two-year gap). "Never Let You Go" gets straight into "Baby I'm-A Want You" territory and it’s easy to see why it was chosen as the lead off single (the rocky "Watch Out" graced the flipside). The acoustic ballad "Part Time Love" was the second and last 45 from the LP (June 1975 in the UK on K 12157) – a lovely tune. “Strangers” ends the album well – but even at this stage – there’s a feeling of ordinariness about most of the record.

By the time we reach 1978’s “Goodbye Girl” and 1980’s sluggish “Falling in Love Again” – the muse seems to have abandoned him entirely. There are moments like the lightweight radio funk of “Took The Last Train” and the schmaltz of “Where Does The Loving Go” which is clearly trying to emulate the glory days of early Seventies Bread. But these albums have been dollar-bin fodder for years – and with reason.

So there you have it – a very mixed bag. But then there is that fabulous sound - and those melodic nuggets on the first two albums especially that make the purchase worthwhile.

David Gates could always pen a melody that would get to you...and that's what I like most about this excellent value-for-money Edsel double...