"MANNISH BOY" - Blues, Vocal Groups, Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll - A New SOUNDS GOOD Download e-Book For 2021 by Hall of Fame Amazon Reviewer Mark Barry...

"...Hoochie Coochie..." 

SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOK - E-Book on all Amazon sites

205 Independent Reviews - Wide Range of Releases

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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With the 50-year copyright law allowing truckloads of budget compilations to flood the market (especially when it comes to Oldies from the Forties, Fifties and early Sixties) – it’s hard to know what’s audio chaff and what’s aural crème-del-la crème. 

Having worked for over 20 years in one of the best second-hand record shops in the West End as a principal buyer (Reckless Records)  - I've collated together hundreds of detailed reviews on what I feel are exceptional CD remasters – albums and compilations you probably don't own but should. 

BOOK 5 in the SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series covering Blues, Vocal Groups, Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll on CD features 205 in-depth reviews on Exceptional Remasters that runs to over 1,600 E-pages.  

Each entry focuses on decent remasters with indepth info that helps a purchase decision. You get catalogue numbers, barcodes to identify correct issues, track lists including info on original issues like album and 7” single catalogue numbers, total playing times, packaging and liner notes descriptions, what important guests played on what, cover versions highlighted, remaster engineers named and a lot of info on the original album. 

I provide a Discography for Box Sets and these lists also include Imports, some Audiophile Titles and Japanese SHM-CDs too where relevant or exclusive. Enjoy...

MARK BARRY (July 2021)

"Joe Cocker!" by JOE COCKER (1991 A&M 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue - Suha Gur Remaster) A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 500 Others Is Available In My

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CLASSIC 1970s ROCK On CD - Exception Remasters  

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Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
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"…I Get The Feeling…" 

Joe Cocker's first two albums on England's Regal Zonophone Records "With A Little Help From My Friends" (September 1969) and "Joe Cocker!" (January 1970) are two absolute belters (issued on A&M Records in the USA) - and yet their American CD Reissues/Remasters in 1999 seem to have gone largely unnoticed here in good old Blighty. Time to rectify this cruel administrative oversight...here are the details...

USA released October 1999 - "Joe Cocker!" by JOE COCKER on A&M 069 490 420-2 (Barcode 606949042028) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and breaks down as follows (43:14 minutes):

1. Dear Landlord

2. Bird On A Wire

3. Lawdy Miss Clawdy

4. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

5. Hitchcock Railway

6. That’s Your Business

7. Something

8. Delta Lady

9. Hello, Little Friend

10. Darling, Be Home Soon

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Joe Cocker!" - released January 1970 in the UK on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1011 (Stereo only) and A&M Records SP 4224 in the USA

BONUS TRACKS:

11. She's Good To Me (Non-Album Track – B-side of "Delta Lady" released September 1969 in the UK on Regal Zonophone RZ 3024)

12. Let It Be – Previously Unreleased – Recorded during the "Joe Cocker!" sessions

Originally Produced by DENNY CORDELL and LEON RUSSELL - this zippy little CD reissue is Produced by BILL LEVENSON and features the remastering skills of two superb names in Universal's camp - THERESA MALHAM and SUHA GUR. Suha Gur has been involved in large amounts of the much-praised Hip-O Select label (in particular their Motown reissues) - and is a name I actively seek out for great sonic results. The audio quality here is fabulous - punchy, detailed, never too amped up for effect - just really well done. The 8-way foldout inlay has rudimentary liner notes by J.P. BEAN and recording credits with a very cool photo of Cocker with a dog (previously unreleased artwork). His 1969 debut album "With A Little Help From My Friends" was also issued on remastered CD in October 1999 (use Barcode 606949041922 on Amazon to get the right issue) and also features two crucial bonus tracks.

The album opens with a double-whammy of covers - a jaunty Dylan's "Dear Landlord" and a soulful Leonard Cohen's "Bird On A Wire". A cool change of pace brings a Rock-Funky version of Lloyd Price's Rhythm 'n' Blues classic "Lawdy Miss Clawdy". He delivers a superb version of The Beatles "Abbey Road" gem "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" - the first time you also hear the five lady backing vocalists - a sensational line up of MERRY CLAYTON, BONNIE BRAMLETT, RITA COOLIDGE, PATRICE HOLLOWAY and SHIRLEY MATTHEWS. By the time it reaches my fave-rave "Hitchcock Railway" (lyrics above) - I'm grooving like a loon. It's just fabulous stuff - every instrument so clear. The irrepressibly brill "Hitchcock Railway" opens the "Cocker Happy" compilation LP in 1971 (see below). It's a Donald "Duck" Dunn and Tony McCashen song - Jose Feliciano put out a single of it in 1968 on RCA. It’s also at this point that you realize how good the players are...

His backing group The Grease Band included CHRIS STAINTON on Keyboards/Guitar, HENRY McCULLOUGH on Guitar with CHRIS SPENNER on Bass and BRUCE ROWLAND on Drums. 'Friends' at the sessions were two from The Byrds - SNEAKY PETE KLEINOW and CLARENCE WHITE while LEON RUSSELL is in their too (Keyboards) with MILT HOLLAND on Drums.

The excellent "That's Your Business" is a Joe Cocker/Chris Stainton original which is followed by his lovely version of the George Harrison masterpiece "Something". Your then hit with one of my real loves - "Delta Lady" - a Leon Russell gem. It was of course issued as a single and it rocks to this day. It ends with his knack of turning a good song into a great one on his superb re-working of The Lovin' Spoonful's "Darling Be Home Soon". The two bonus tracks are "She's Good To Me" - originally the non-album B-side to "Delta Lady" when it was released in September 1969. Then there's "Let It Be" - an outtake from the "Joe Cocker!" sessions - this cover of The Beatles classic is Previously Unreleased.

So there you have it - a top album remastered to perfection and released at a budget price. What a voice and what a memory...do the hippy shake baby...

PS: As a by the way - I've always loved the compilation LP "Cocker Happy" (pictured above) which came out in the UK in April 1971 on Fly Records HIFLY 3. If you purchase the 1999 A&M CD of his 1969 debut album "With A Little Help From My Friend" on A&M 069 490 419-2 (which also has two crucial bonus tracks - 45:44 minutes) and a "Best of" containing the Mono Single Mix of "The Letter" - you'll be able to sequence the whole album in remastered form as follows (instead of paying for highly-priced budget issues):

Side 1:

1. Hitchcock Railway (from "Joe Cocker!")

2. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (from "With A Little Help...")

3. Marjorine (from "With A Little Help...")

4. She's Good To Me (bonus track on "Joe Cocker!" CD)

5. Hello, Little Friend (from "Joe Cocker!)"

6. With A Little Help From My Friends (from "With A Little Help...")

Side 2:

1. Delta Lady (from "Joe Cocker!")

2. Darling Be Home Soon (from "Joe Cocker!")

3. Do I Still Figure In Your Life (from "With A Little Help...")

4. Feeling Alright (from "Joe Cocker!")

5. Something's Coming On (bonus track on the "With A Little Help..." CD)

6. The Letter (7" Mono Single Version) (from "Best Of" CD)

"Budgie" by BUDGIE (2013 Belle Records Japan-Only SHM-CD in 5" Mini LP Repro Artwork with 2004 Band-Approved Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman…”

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2013 Japan SHM-CD Reissue ***

I vividly remember getting Budgie’s 2nd album “Squawk” as a Christmas present in 1972 and my love affair with this Welsh power trio has been cemented ever since. Despite its rather plain Roger Dean artwork and bugger all info on the rear sleeve – I played it to death – one of those great Power Rock albums that grows on you and therefore stays. I then naturally ran out and bought this – their self-titled “Budgie” debut – with its grungy hard rock, Sabbath-type dark production and fabulous David Sparling artwork. And lo and behold it was even better than the second outing. Love affair number two…

Back in the 2000’s BUDGIE took control over their own catalogue and rescued it from previous poor CD reissues. This superb Japanese CD on Belle 132168 (use Barcode 4527516601140 in the Amazon search bar to get the right issue) was released 25 October 2013 (along with “Squawk”) on their SHM-CD format in repro 5” card artwork and it uses the 2004 Budgie-sanctioned remaster. A SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player to play it on (compatible on all) nor does it need audiophile kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 15 of them and they're uniformly superb.

1. Guts

2. Everything In My Heart

3. The Author

4. Nude Disintegrating Woman

5. Rape Of The Locks [Side 2]

6. All Night Petrol

7. You And I

8. Homicidal Suicidal

Tracks 1 to 8 are their Debut UK LP "Budgie" by BUDGIE – released July 1971 in the UK on MCA Records MKPS 2018 and 1972 in the USA on Kapp Records KS-3656. 

The American LP had “Crash Course” (a non-album 45 in the UK) tagged on as an extra – track 5 on Side 1 – track 9 on this CD.

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Crash Course Brain Surgery – Single Edit

10. Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman – Single Edit

11. Crash Course Brain Surgery – Alternate Mix

As with all these Japanese 5” repro versions – the card artwork is beautifully faithful to the laminate original though it’s a shame they couldn’t have reproduced the lovely red and pink MCA label on the CD of the original vinyl LP (replaced here with the same pink as the Obi strip). Eagle-eyed collectors will also notice that of the four bonus tracks that supplemented the 2004 remaster – the 2003 re-recorded versions of “Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman” and “Guts” have been dropped – keeping only three tracks relevant to the release – the Alternate Mix of “Crash Course In Brain Surgery” and the 7” single edits of “Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman” and “Crash Course Brain Surgery” (that 45 was released September 1971 in the UK on MCA Records MKS 5072 and in the USA on Kapp Records K-2152).

BUDGIE consisted of TONY BOURGE on Guitar and Vocals, BURKE SHELLEY on Bass, Mellotron and Lead Vocals with RAY PHILLIPS on Drums and Percussion. “Budgie” the album was released in the UK July 1971 on MCA Records MKPS 2018 - Produced by ROGER BAIN of BLACK SABBATH fame. It’s 8 tracks open with “Guts” and immediately the dirty hard rock hits right between the teeth (it was the B-side of their second single – “Whiskey River” – March 1972 on MCA Records MKS 5085). You’re then serenaded with a slightly disconcerting one-minute acoustic bit of loveliness called “Everything In My Heart” but its soon back to thrashing your speakers with Rock. Only this time we get the double-paced genius of “The Author” – surely one of their best tracks. It saunters in with highlighted bass at first then halfway in launches into a stunning riff. The side 1 finisher is delightfully called “Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman” and at 8:40 minutes is a monster. There’s a fantastic guitar battle in the middle vying with a rattling bass line that just won’t quit. Someone even edited it down to a 7” single but of course in sank without trace and is now a genuine collectable.

“Rape Of The Locks” openings with Deep Purple’s “Speed King” moment from Tony Bourge where he just lets rip but it settles into a clever funky hook and an echoed vocal – great stuff. The dirty guitar continues on “All Night Petrol” and then the album true surprise – a gorgeous acoustic ditty called “You And I” – as pretty as a ballad as you’ve every heard (“…on a night like this…”). It ends on the near seven-minute grunge riff of “Homicidal Suicidal”.

I love what the SHM-CD gives the audio – real power and muscle. I’m going to have to have “Squawk” too...

PS: see my review for the Universal UMC/MCA 3CD Box Set ‘The MCA Albums 1973-1975’ released Friday, 3 June 2016 with new Andy Pearce Remasters for “Never Turn Your Back On A Friend” (June 1973), “In For The Kill” (June 1974) and “Bandolier” (September 1975)

"Blue River/Stages: The Lost Album" by ERIC ANDERSEN - A Review Of His 1971 (and lost 1973) Columbia Albums - Now Remastered Onto 2CDs By Beat Goes On of the UK In 2014...

“…Candles At The Feet Of The Compassionate Patron Saint Of Youth…” 

Pennsylvania born folky musician/poet ERIC ANDERSEN has a recorded history that reads like some tragi-comedy that really shouldn’t be that funny. After a seven-album run between 1965 and 1970 (5 with Vanguard and 2 with Warner Bothers) – he signed to Columbia Records and finally saw limited chart action with “Blue River” in 1972. It reached the unfairly low placing of 169. But then his record company ‘lost’ his follow-up LP (see story below). A virtual unknown outside of certain circles even to this day – I can only hope that this stunning double CD reissue alters that run of bad breaks because this is a doozy of a release – it really is. Here are the longhaired tape-box mix-ups…

UK released September 2014 – Beat Goes On BGOCD 1159 (Barcode 5017261211590) offers up two albums onto 2CDs as follows:

Disc 1 (46:55 minutes):

1. Is It Really Love After All

2. Pearl’s Goodtime Blues

3. Wind And Sand

4. Faithful

5. Blue River

6. Florentine

7. Sheila

8. More Often Than Not

9. Round The Bend

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 8th solo album – “Blue River” was first released July 1972 in the USA on Columbia Records KC 31062 and February 1973 in the UK on CBS Records S 65145

BONUS TRACKS:

10. More Often Than Not (Outtake from the “Blue River” Sessions)

11. Round The Bend (first issued on the 1999 Sony/Legacy CD reissue of “Blue River”)

Disc 2 (58:17 minutes):

1. Baby, I’m Lonesome

2. Moonchild River Song

3. Can’t Get You Out Of My Life

4. Woman, She Was Gentle

5. Time Run Like A Freight Train

6. It’s Been A Long Time

7. Wild Crow Blues

8. Be True To You

9. I Love To Sing My Ballad, Mama (But They Only Wanna Hear Rock And Roll)

10. Dream To Rimbaud

11. Make It Last (Angel In The Wind)

12. Lie With Me

13. Soul Of My Song

Tracks 1 to 13 are his ‘lost’ 9th album “Stages” - supposed to appear on Columbia Records in 1973. There’s a history to the album that needs explanation. Meant to be the spiritual follow-up to “Blue River” – tracks were recorded in Nashville in late 1972 and early 1973 and the sessions went well – using pretty much the same crew as the first album and the same delicate vibes and arrangements. But then disaster struck. In Columbia’s transitional confusion - they lost all the tapes (even the artwork) and Andersen was left stranded without career momentum and no answers. Amazingly they remained ‘lost’ until a diligent lady at Columbia called Amy Herot sent out a system-wide search only to be told in October 1989 that 40 boxes of tapes had been ‘found’ in the New York vaults. Columbia brought in mastering geniuses DENNY PURCELL and GREGG CALBI to deal with Tracks 1 to 10 - the usable ‘vintage’ recordings on his lost masterpiece “Stages”. Tracks 11, 12 and 13 were re-recorded by a virtual Country Rock supergroup in late 1990 featuring RICK DANKO on Bass/Backing Vocals with GARTH HUDSON on Accordion (both of course from THE BAND) with SHAWN COLVIN on Backing Vocals.  WILLIE NILE also played Guitar on “Soul Of My Song”. The Sony/Legacy CD of “Stages: The Lost Album” finally appeared in 1991 to widespread critical acclaim. Which brings us back to this Beat Goes On set…

The 24-page booklet has a superb essay on Andersen’s musical career/troubles/vindication by noted writer JOHN O’REGAN and full session details. There are photos of him with Baez and Dylan in 1975, Patti Smith in 1971 and even Shawn Colin and Rick Danko at the 1990 re-recording sessions. There’s also an outer card slipcase – it’s the usual classy affair from BGO. But best of all is a sparkling new remaster from ANDREW THOMPSON – each album shining like a diamond. The audio quality is beautiful – clarity and warmth.

Musically this is singer-songwriter territory with a Country twist. “Blue River” is a lovely album – very plaintive and soft on the ear. His Gram Parsons voice may not appeal to everyone – but the melodies are classy and work their way into your heart. The classy opener sets the pace and style – “Is It Really Love At All” – sounding not unlike James Taylor’s “Mud Slide Slim…” album from 1971. Piano introduces the perky “Pearl’s Goodtime Blues” feeling not unlike a “Stage Fright” outtake by The Band. The gorgeous title track “Blue River” features a rare backing vocal on the chorus from none other than JONI MITCHELL and another lady song “Sheila” is just as pretty. It gets a little Leonard Cohen on “Come To My Bedside, My Darlin’” with its bedroom lyrics and rolling acoustic guitar. He ends with an accordion romp through the old Hank Williams nugget “Why Don’t You Love Me?” sounding not unlike mid 90’s Steve Earle. The whole album feels like a lost classic – and on re-hearing – it is.

It’s clear from the 1991 results that 1973’s “Stages” would surely have broken the charts for him. It opens with the plaintive “Baby, I’m Lonesome” with backing vocal from his ex wife DEBBIE GREEN ANDERSEN (she’s also on the ending of “Can’t Get You Out Of My Life”. The truly lovely “Moonchild River Song” features a delicate backing vocal from DAN FOGELBERG that so compliments the country melody. But then you’re hit the album’s undeniable masterpiece – the sublime eight and half minutes of “Time Run Like A Freight Train” which is part Tim Buckley, part James Taylor and part Nick Drake. It’s just gorgeous – acoustic guitars and pretty melody searing their way into your heart (“..she asked for a symphony…I only gave her a song…”). Special mention should go to GLEN SPREEN on Hammond B3 organ and DAN FOGELBERG adding so much to the layered vocals on the lovely chorus (his explanation of the song titles this review).

“Wild Crow Blues” is dedicated to his early Seventies pal and neighbour PATTI SMITH and it features LEON RUSSELL on Electric Wurlitzer, EDDIE HINTON on Acoustic Guitar and TROY SEALS (brother of Jim from Seals and Crofts) on Electric Guitar. “Woman She Was Gentle” has a duet vocal with JOAN BAEZ. He evens goes a bit Country Rock on “I Love To Sing My Ballad, Mama” but it’s the least convincing of the tunes on here. It ends with the Folk of “Dream To Rimbaud” which maintains an acoustic rhythm throughout punctured by eerie Pedal Steel from veteran player WELDON MYRICK. The three new recordings are superb too – so impressive - especially “Lie With Me” and “Soul Of My Song” with gorgeous work from SHAWN COLVIN in complimenting his (by now) deeper 1990 vocals.

There’s a photograph of Andersen with Tom Paxton and Phil Ochs circa 1964 on the last page of the booklet – you can’t but think that all these heroes of Americana are only now been fully appreciated.

A gorgeous reissue – beautifully presented and sounding just amazing – well done to all at BGO and a definite reissue of 2014 for me…

"Child Is Father To The Man" by BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS (2000 Sony/Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of their 1968 Debut LP) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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GROOVIEST SOUNDS AROUND!
CLASSIC 1960s MUSIC On CD 
- Exceptional Reissues and Remasters  

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"…You Can Say I Told You So…" 

Arising out of the ashes of THE BLUES PROJECT - both AL KOOPER (Guitars, Organ and Lead Vocals) and STEVE KATZ (Guitars, Lute and Lead Vocals) joined forces with Bassist JIM FIELDER and Saxophonist FRED LIPSIUS and formed Mark 1 of BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS. And what a debut album they produced - "Child Is Father To The Man". Here are the sweaty details...  

UK released September 2000 - "Child Is Father To The Man" by BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS on Sony/Legacy 499823 2 (Columbia/Legacy CK 63987 Barcode 074646398722 in the USA)) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Three Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (64:00 minutes):

1. Overture

2. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know

3. Morning Glory

4. My Days Are Numbered

5. Without Her

6. Just One Smile

7. I Can’t Quit Her

8. Meegan’s Gypsy Eyes

9. Somethin’ Goin’ On

10. House In The Country

11. The Modern Adventures Of Plato, Diogenes And Freud

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Refugee From Yuhupitz

13. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know (Mono Demo)

14. The Modern Adventures Of Plato, Diogenes And Freud (Mono Demo)

Recorded and Produced by JOHN SIMON in late 1967 - the LP “Child Is Father To The Man” (tracks 1 to 11) first appeared in the USA in February 1968 on Columbia CS 9619 (on their famous 360 Sound label) while it showed up later in the UK - June 1968 on CBS Records S 63296. 

I’m thrilled to say that their debut masterpiece has been given a stunning VIC ANESINI remaster – gorgeous sound quality that hammers you – track after superb track. You can hear RANDY BRECKER’s Trumpet, ALAN SCHULMAN’s Cello and the sweetness of Jim Fielder’s Bass –a top job done.

Once you get past the superfluous "Overture" with it's manic giggling - you're hit immediately with Bluesy Rock genius - "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" (lyrics above). It's the kind of great drama love song that lends itself to cover versions. Tina Britt did her take on the 1968 Minit Records LP "Blue All The Way" while one of my fave versions is Donny Hathaway's Soulful variant on his stunning 1973 Atlantic album "Extension Of A Man". Even legendary guitarist Les Paul revisited it in 2005 on his "& Friends" CD project with Mick Hucknell on Vocals and Joe Perry of Aerosmith on Guitar.

You're then hit with a brass/keyboard cover of Tim Buckley's "Morning Glory" sung sweetly by Steve Katz. "My Days Are Numbered" is another superb Kooper original - this time in a funky vein. Things go almost Lounge Lizard with their cover of Nilsson's "Without Her" - another album highlight (Producer John Simon plays Piano on “Without Her” and Organ on “Just One Smile”). The tempo's changed again to something more solemn - Randy Newman's "Just One Smile" which leads it into another gem "I Can't Quit Her". After all that brass and rock - the beautiful acoustic opening of "Meagan's Gypsy Eyes" comes as a welcome surprise (a Steve Katz original) - the remaster really shining here. And on it goes to the cover of Goffin/King's "So Much Love". The three bonuses are interesting - especially the simple piano basis to "The Modern Adventures..." - it gives you an idea of how advanced the arrangements on the finished track are.

Kooper left almost immediately after the LP was released - replaced with the superb vocalist DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS who brought the band proper chart success with their self-titled 2nd album in 1969 - spawning hits like "You've Made Me So Very Happy" and "Spinning Wheel". I'd argue in fact that “Blood, Sweat & Tears” is just as good as the debut – albeit in a slightly different musical way.

But that starter album - "Child Is Father To The Man" - just had something special about it – cool, funky and wonderfully new - and this dinky CD remaster of it recaptures that vibe in spades...

"Boston" by BOSTON - August 1976 Debut Album on Epic Records (June 2006 UK Epic/Legacy '30th Anniversary Edition' CD Reissue - Remastered by Guitarist Tom Scholz) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boston-Rmst-Reis/dp/B000EQ47GS?crid=22526ITDK8C0K&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A00evUiC810IBsb72BCwzw.-f8Sb5PIs-TDsypSxdrOI4iz37TgOySTZ2GGzmc0mh4&dib_tag=se&keywords=696998632226&qid=1717664283&sprefix=696998632226%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=1398848e58ee68ce5a11da4c690b6f30&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

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"…More Than A Feeling…"

When you look at the recording duration of Boston's debut album – October 1975 to April 1976 – it almost seems indulgent for a starting point. But when you play this Seventies Rock behemoth – you immediately hear where all those months (and as it transpires years leading up to the recording) went. "Boston" is dense, brilliant and packed with ludicrously hooky guitar rock. I remember first hearing it and being amazed (like 17 million other Americans and many millions more worldwide).

Well here comes the inevitable '30th Anniversary CD' Remaster done by Band founder member and Lead guitarist Tom Scholz - and despite its lack of any extras – "Boston" by BOSTON is a sonic doozy. Here are the smokin' details...

1. More Than A Feeling [Side 1]

2. Peace Of Mind

3. Foreplay/Long Time

4. Rock & Roll Band [Side 2]

5. Smokin'

6. Hitch A Ride

7. Something About You

8. Let Me Take You Home Tonight

Band leader and guitarist TOM SCHOLZ had built a studio in his Massachusetts home – fooled Epic into thinking he was recording at some bigwig recording plant somewhere – and gingerly gotten on with his Boston sound. Released in August 1976 in the USA on Epic JE 34188 and December 1976 on Epic S EPC 81611 in the UK – it was an instant hit – propelled by a stunning lead off single "More Than A Feeling". While the album reached 3 in the USA charts (no 11 in the UK in February 1977) – the "More Than A Feeling" single went to Number 5 and along with further 45s "Long Time" and "Peace Of Mind" gave the album sales power that burned and burned for over a year and a half - until the follow up "Don't Look Back" in August 1978. In 1980 it received the ultimate audiophile accolade at the time by being part of CBS's Half Speed Mastersound series of vinyl LPs.

Schulze has returned to the tapes and reportedly done an exhaustive and painstaking remaster – and when you play boogie like "Smokin'" and the lovely Rock ballad of "Hitch A Ride" - it sounds just huge and ballsy – and not just trebled up for the sake of it. You're also reminded of Scholz's virtuosity as a musician – every instrument on both tracks is him – guitars, keyboards, bass (bar the drums which were put on by Sib Hashian). The musicality of the multi-layered soloing at the end of "Hitch A Ride" is wildly brilliant.

UK and USA re-released June 2006 on CD – "Boston" by BOSTON on Sony/Epic/Legacy 69699863222 (Barcode 696998632226) comes in card digipak packaging with a 12-page booklet. It’s peddled as a 'Collector's Limited Edition' but it's widely available for sale – and at a pittance of a price too (37:44 minutes). There are liner notes from Scholz and uber-fan David Wild that elaborate on the tortuous process of getting it made at all (years of gestation).

But if I was to single out one track that exemplifies aural improvement – it would be the astonished Side 1 double-closer "Foreplay/Long Time". It's an almost Prog Classical piece of Guitar Rock that is breathtaking in its complexity - and yet melodically accessible to.

Re-listening to "Boston" in 2017 – its easy to hear why this kind of Rock caught the attention and hearts of millions – and this superb remaster does that feeling more than proud...