“H/Sign Of The Time” by BOB JAMES (2014 Robinsongs CD Reissue - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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"...Dream Until Dawn..."

Robinsongs is a subsidiary label of Cherry Red Records who have picked up on the gaps in late Seventies and Eighties Jazz Fusion and Soul Funk albums. And this is a clever CD reissue....

UK released July 2014 – "H/Sign Of The Times" by BOB JAMES on Robinsongs CDMRED627 (Barcode 5013929162730) features two LPs on 1CD Remaster and plays out as follows (75:38 minutes):

1. Snowbird Fantasy

2. Shepherd's Song

3. Brighton By The Sea

4. The Walkman

5. Thoroughbred

6. Reunited

Tracks 1 to 6 are the album "H" - released 1980 in the USA on Tappan Zee JC 36422

7. Hypnotique

8. The Steamin' Feelin'

9. Enchanted Forest

10. Unicorn

11. Sign Of The Times

12. Love Power

Tracks 7 to 12 are the album "Sign Of The Times" - released 1981 in the USA on Tappan Zee FC 37495

The 12-page booklet gives us informative and detailed liner notes by LOIS WILSON (of the Mojo magazine) and ALAN WILSON at Western Star in Bristol has done the remaster. It's incredibly clean and has sweet muscular audio - reflecting the top quality production values at the time of recording and the great session men like Hiram Bullock, Steve Khan, Bruce Dunlap and Eric Gale all on Guitars, Liberty DeVito on Drums and of course James himself on all manner of keyboards.

Side One of "H" opens with the cheesy "Snowbird Fantasy" (complete with tweeting birdies) but things improve immeasurably with a one two of sweet and funky - the traditional air "Shepherd's Song" done in a moving and truly beautiful keyboard fashion (I'm always putting this instrumental on compilations that make for peaceful listening) followed by "Brighton By The Sea" (written by long time Saxophonist sidekick Grover Washington Jr) providing superb slow Jazz Funk. "The Walkman" is hardly memorable but a cover of the Peaches & Herbs 1979 smoocher "Reunited" ends the album on a Soulful fusion tip.

For me the best of the two albums here is the "Sign Of The Times" set - not least because three of its six Funky Fusion tracks are written by that Boogie genius ROD TEMPERTON of "Thriller" and HEATWAVE fame (his three are "Hypnotique", "The Steamin' Feelin'" and "Sign of The Times"). Bob James penned the other three with "Love Power" (lyrics above) impressing the most featuring Grover Washington Jr, Eric Gale and percussionist Airto. And I've loved the stepper groove and girly backing vocals of the title track "Sign Of The Times" - great stuff.

This is a rather cool little CD reissue of two forgotten BOB JAMES albums that deserve to be noticed again. It's not all genius of course but the goodies like the gorgeous "Shepherd's Song" are worth having...

"If I Could Only Remember My Name" by DAVID CROSBY (November 2006 Rhino CD and DVD-A Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Music Is Love..."

Although slammed by many press types on its 1971 release – David Crosby’s debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" has gone on to become almost mythical amongst its many devotees – including me. Featuring an astonishing line up that included Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Members of The Grateful Dead, Santana and Jefferson Airplane - some have even suggested that in hindsight it's the best solo effort to come out of the mighty Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young camp. I'm not so sure about that but "...Remember..." is certainly up there and somehow its trippy Rock seems to grow and re-captivate new generations as the years pass.

This superb US-released November 2006 2-disc reissue of "If I Could Only Remember My Name" by DAVID CROSBY (a CD and DVD-Audio) on Rhino R2 73204 (Barcode 081227320423) goes back to the original tapes once again and with spectacular effect (the last CD version was in 1990). The new 2006 version gives us a genuine audio overhaul on the CD with an Advanced Resolution Surround Sound Mix for the bonus DVD-A (96K/24-Bit). It also adds on a lone but superlative lengthy outtake – "Kids & Dogs". The 16-page booklet advises that a team of bodies handled the Audio Remixes, Remasters, Surround Sound and DVD-Authoring – STEVE HALL and STEPHAN BARNCARD principal among them.

The vinyl album of Crosby's debut solo "If I Could Only Remember My Name" was originally released February 1971 on both sides of the pond (Atlantic SD 7203 in the USA and 2401 005 in the UK) and peaked at 12 on the American Billboard Album charts. With DC on Lead Vocals and Guitar – the album also features the aforementioned stellar guest list on its 9 tracks. In order to get a grip on the sheer talent array we're dealing with here's a track-by-track layout:

1. Music Is Love [written by David Crosby, Graham Nash & Neil Young] – features Graham Nash on Guitar and Vocals with Neil Young on Guitar, Bass, Vibraphone and Congas

2. Cowboy Movie [written by David Crosby] – features Gerry Garcia on Guitar, Phil Lesh on Bass, Mickey Hart on Drums and Bill Kreutzmann on Tambourine (all from The Grateful Dead)

3. Tamalpais High (At About 3) [written by David Crosby] – features Graham Nash on Guitar, Gerry Garcia on Guitar, Phil Lesh on Bass and Bill Kreutzmann on Tambourine (all from The Grateful Dead) with Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane on Guitar

4. Laughing [written by David Crosby] – features Gerry Garcia on Pedal-Steel Guitar, Phil Lesh on Bass, Mickey Hart on Drums and Bill Kreutzmann on Tambourine (all from The Grateful Dead) with Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell on Backing Vocals

5. What Are Their Names [written by David Crosby. Gerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Michael Shrieve and Neil Young] – features Neil Young on Electric Guitar, Gerry Garcia and Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead on Guitar and Bass, Michael Shrieve of Santana on Drums with Paul Kantner, Grace Slick and David Freiberg of Jefferson Airplane on Backing Vocals as well as Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell

6. Traction In The Rain [written by David Crosby] – features Laura Allan on Autoharp and Backing Vocals with Graham Nash also on Backing Vocals

7.  Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves) [written by David Crosby] – features Gregg Rolie and Michael Shrieve of Santana on Keyboards and Drums, Jack Cassidy and Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane on Bass and Electric Guitar, Gerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead on Guitar with Graham Nash on backing Vocals

8. Orleans [a Traditional song adapted by David Crosby] – Vocals and Guitars by David Crosby only

9. I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here [written by David Crosby] – All Vocals by DC

Housed in a gatefold card sleeve the remaster is gorgeous and hasn't dampened any of the hiss that is so evident on tracks like "Tamalpais" and "What Are Their Names". It's not been ramped up for effect either – it's just right – full of presence and that extraordinary build of instruments that fills so many of the songs. Wonderful stuff.

Even now it's hard to imagine who the two 45s taken off the record were aimed at – "Music Is Love" b/w "Laughing" in April 1971 on Atlantic 2792 and "Orleans" b/w "Traction In The Rain" in July 1971 on Atlantic 2809. But all 4 tracks are magical to me now. And yet despite all the starry names listed above – one of the biggest contributions to a song comes from the lesser-known musician LAURA ALLAN who plays gorgeous licks on an Autoharp on "Traction In The Rain" (she sadly passed away in 2006). And there's the sublime harmony vocal Joni Mitchell puts in on "Laughing" with Graham Nash (sends me every time). And of course - the two stunning Acapella finishers "Orleans" and "I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here" - with Crosby soloing to ethereal effect – both clocking in at less than two minutes each but with the impact of ten.

The seven-minute outtake "Kids & Dogs" is hissy for sure but what a nugget. Fabulous stuff. I do however think its a damn shame that the live version of "Traction In The Rain" on Disc 3 of the stunning David Crosby "Voyage" Box Set of 2006 – is absent here. It was recorded in 1971 and sounds glorious. Still if that absence steers you towards that amazing overhaul of his career then that's a job well done (the entirely unreleased Disc 3 is unbelievably good).

"If I Could Only Remember My Name" is the kind of album that you turn to – it's peaceful on your brain – lifts your spirit up and evokes a warmth that never fades with time (Carole King's "Tapestry" has the same kind of magic – and again from 1971).

A wonderful album and a top quality Rhino reissue then. Makes me mushy just looking at it…

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"Hand Sown…Home Grown / Silk Purse / Linda Ronstadt” by LINDA RONSTADT (2014 Beat Goes On 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...The Long Way Around..."

This stunning 21 July 2014 (UK released) 2CD set gives us Linda Ronstadt's three albums on Capitol Records between 1969 and 1972. There's a lot to get through so here's the details for Beat Goes on BGOCD 1156 (Barcode 5017261211569)...

Disc 1 (61:35 minutes):

1. Baby You've Been On My Mind

2. Silver Threads And Golden Needles

3. Bet No One Ever Hurt This Bad

4. A Number And A Name

5. The Only Mama That'll Walk The Line

6. The Long Way Around

7. Break My Mind

8. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

9. It's About Time

10. We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus (And A Lot Less Rock `n' Roll

11. The Dolphins

Tracks 1 to 11 are her debut solo album "Hand Sown...Home Grown" - released March 1969 in the USA on Capitol ST-208 and September 1969 in the UK on Capitol E-ST 208

12. Lovesick Blues

13. Are My Thoughts With You?

14. Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

15. Nobody's

16. Louise

17. Long Long Time

18. Mental Revenge

19. I'm Leavin' It All Up To You

20. He Dark The Sun

21. Like Is Like A Mountain Railway

Tracks 12 to 21 are her 2nd album "Silk Purse" - released March 1970 in the USA on Capitol ST-407 and August 1970 on Capitol E-ST 407 in the UK

Disc 2 (31:47 minutes):

1. Rock Me On The Water

2. Crazy Arms

3. I Won't Be Hangin' Round

4. I Still Miss Someone

5. In My Reply

6. I Fall To Pieces

7. Ramblin' Round

8. Birds

9. Faithful

10. Rescue Me

Tracks 1 to 10 are her 3rd album "Linda Ronstadt" - released January 1972 in the USA on Capital SMAS-635 and April 1972 on Capitol EA-ST 635 in the UK

The outer card wrap is now a feature for Beat Goes On and gives the whole shebang a very classy feel. The chockers 24-page booklet features detailed histories by noted musicologist JOHN TOBLER with reproductions of the original liner notes, period photos and musician credits. The sound quality is truly superlative (Andrew Thompson 2014 remasters - tapes licensed from Universal) - incredibly clean and alive. Fans will love this.

The first two LPs have the feel of an artist trying to hit that sweet spot somewhere between Traditional Country and Country-Rock and not quite getting there. Her voice is fabulous on Randy Newman's "Bet No One Ever Hurt This Bad" and Mickey Newbury's "Are My Thoughts With You" - the same on Paul Siebel's "Louise". She goes full fiddle country with the bitter Mel Tillis post relationship classic "Mental Revenge" and vocal Americana on "Life Is Like A Mountain Railway". The sound quality is superb throughout - vocal, Dobro and mandolin.

"Rock Me On The Water" opens her 1972 album and this Jackson Browne cover (from his "Saturate Before Use" 1972 debut album) is the first real sight of a template that would serve her for decades to come - covers of great Rock songs by quality songwriters known and unknown. I love the keyboard slink of "I Won't Be Hangin' Round" (an Eric Kaz song) and "In My Reply" is a rare take on a Livingston Taylor song (James Taylor's brother). The whole album is everything the first two should have been.

But better than that - her 3rd self-titled album is famous for being an early Country-Rock classic and for bringing together THE EAGLES who were at the time dispersed between the bands SHILOH and LONGBRANCH PENNYWHISTLE while doubling -up as Ronstadt's touring band. Randy Meisner, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon play and harmonize of six of the tracks and would release their debut album later that year with Ronstadt's blessings. Other notable contributions to the record are Herb Pedersen on Banjo and National Steel with Sneaky Pete on Steel Guitar. Three of the songs on Side 2 are `live' - the Hank Cochran classic "I Fall To Pieces", a truly beautiful cover of Neil Young's "Birds" and a boppin version of Fontella Bass's 1965 Checker Records Soul Classic "Rescue Me" (which finishes the album on a high).

I've really enjoyed re-hearing these records - and especially in such wonderful clarity and with liner notes by someone who knows what's what.

Yet another top quality remaster/reissue by Beat Goes On - and I can only hope they can get access to her Asylum Records catalogue and deliver it with the same sonic results.

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 260 entries and 2450 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"In My Own Time" by KAREN DALTON (2006 Light In The Attic CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Any Way You Made It Was Just Fine…"

Some artists carry the weight of legend – voice, talent, mercurial – segueing immediately into drugs, heartbreak and destruction. They shone brightly for a while and then imploded – forgotten now – except by the few who were around the flames at the time. Karen Dalton is one of those artists. And this astonishing Light in The Attic Records reissue is determined to rectify that crappy oversight…

US released November 2006 – "In My Own Time" by KAREN DALTON on Light In The Attic Records LITA 022 (Barcode 826853002226) is a straightforward 10-track CD reissue of her second and last vinyl album and plays out as follows (34:35 minutes):

1. Something On Your Mind

2. When A Man Loves A Woman

3. In My Own Dream

4. Katie Cruel

5. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

6. In A Station [Side 2]

7. Take Me

8. Same Old Man

9. One Night Of Love

10. Are You Leaving For The Country

Tracks 1 to 10 are her 2nd and last studio album "In My Own Time" - originally released May 1971 on Paramount Records PAS 6008 in the USA and June 1971 in the UK on Paramount SPFL 271 (it didn't chart in either country). 

Guest musicians included pianists Richard Bell and John Simon, Steel Player Bill Keith with Amos Garrett and John Hall adding Guitars. The CD is housed in a gatefold card sleeve and having loved the Kris Kristofferson, Rodriguez and Michael Chapman reissues on LITA – the lavish booklet on this beauty is no different. It's a joy to look at featuring contributions from fans like Lenny Kaye, Nick Cave and Devendra Banhart.

The album’s short 10 tracks are entirely cover versions and give full reign to her utterly unique guttural voice and sloppy-as The Rolling Stones interpretations of them. Dalton had a Billie Holiday 'gargling gravel for breakfast' kind of beauty when she sang – like she was about to collapse any second – a sort of Bette Midler drunk at the microphone with laryngitis (you get the audio picture).

It opens with a Dino Valente original (not on his lone 1968 Epic LP) called "Something On Your Mind" – a ballad that aches in the loveliest of ways. And of course you're then that hit with that voice – wow! It's followed by Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman" which you would think would work but it’s a tad forced and my least favourite take on here. Better is her cut of Paul Butterfield's "In My Own Dream" (from his 1968 LP of the same name) that takes the original and adds on sweet pedal steel languidness to it (very cool). We enter Americana banjo territory on the gorgeous Traditional of "Katie Cruel". It's the kind of song that raises chills (people have even featured in You Tube for just that reason) and LITA actually issued it as a limited edition 45" in the States. Side 1 ends with an upbeat version of Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" - a Holland-Dozier-Holland classic - but it's good rather than being great.

Side 2 kicks off with a winner - "In A Station" - a Richard Manuel song from The Band's brilliant 1968 debut album "Music From Big Pink". It somehow makes the song warmer whilst still retaining that reminiscing-beauty it always had ("...wonder could you ever know me…"). She goes country with George Jones' "Take Me" – a fabulous smoocher – and again with that pedal-steel ache and a gripping vocal. We return to Banjo for "Same Old Man" while Joe Tate's "One Night Of Love" gets a bit of funky guitar and rolling piano. It ends on my all time fave – "Are You Leaving For The Country" by Robert Tucker – a song I've placed on CD-R compilations which have had people regularly ask – who the hell is this!

I love the way 'Light In The Attic' go the full-throated whole hog on their reissues – gorgeous fat booklets – original tapes remastered – and a pride in their release that oozes out of every nook and cranny. The album itself isn’t all genius by any means and five-star ravings are probably a little over the top – but (and this is the big but) – there is genuine magic on here and so much that screams out to be rediscovered (I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen a UK pressing on Paramount Records across 45 years of collecting).

Her only other studio LP was her debut "It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best" on Capitol Records ST-271 in 1969. Harvey Brooks (featured bassist on Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" and Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew") produced the record - which also boasted liner notes by New York Village folk-hero Fred Neil - author of "Dolphins” and Midnight Cowboy's closing theme song "Everybody's Talkin’” sung in the film by Nilsson.

Karen Dalton died in 1993 after years of drug-related problems aged 55 – largely forgotten and massively under-appreciated. Well this superlative LITA reissue does her voice, talent and magic justice at last. Beautifully dishevelled and then some...

PS: A 2009 LITA reissue offers a 4-track bonus CD with alternate takes of Something On Your Mind, In My Own Dream. Katie Cruel and Are You Leaving for The Country