"Dear Mr. Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story" by JIM CAPALDI (2011 Universal/Island 4CD Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…All These Years…”

Compiled with love and care by his wife Aninha Capaldi and friends/admirers Paul Minkkinen and Daryl Easlea – "Dear Mr. Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story" by JIM CAPALDI was released June 2011 on Universal/Island 5333997 (Barcode 600753339978) as a 4CD Book Set spanning his entire musical career. 

67-Tracks include early songs with The Hellions, Revolution and Deep Feeling – then onto his stay with TRAFFIC and collaborations with PAUL KOSSOFF of FREE, GEORGE HARRSION, DAVE MASON of TRAFFIC and ERIC CLAPTON. It includes 11 Previously Unreleased songs and breaks down as follows…

Disc 1 (75:53 minutes):

1. Dreaming Of You – THE HELLIONS (1964 UK 7” Single on Piccadilly 7N 35213, A-side)

2. Hallelujah – REVOLUTION (1966 UK 7” single on Piccadilly 7N 35298, A-side)

3. Pretty Colours – DEEP FEELING (Autumn 1966 recording made in London)

4. Dealer – TRAFFIC

5. Mr. Fantasy – TRAFFIC (4 and 5 from their debut album “Mr. Fantasy”, 1967 on Island ILPS 9061)

6. Light Up Or Leave Me Alone – TRAFFIC

7. Rock And Roll Stew – TRAFFIC (6 and 7 from the LP “Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys”, 1971 on Island ILPS 9180)

8. 40,000 Headmen – TRAFFIC (Previously Unreleased Version)

9. Pearly Queen (Live) – ERIC CLAPTON & FRIENDS (from “Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert”, 1973 LP on RSO 2394 116)

10. Tricky Dicky Rides Again – JIM CAPALDI (1973 UK 7” single on Island WIP 6165, features PAUL KOSSOFF of FREE on Guitar. Later appeared as “Dirty Business” on JC’s “Contender” album)

11. Oh How We Danced

12. Eve

13. Don’t Be A Hero

14. Open Your Heart

15. How Much Can A Man Really Take (11 to 15 are from his debut solo LP “Oh How We Danced”, 1972 on Island ILPS 9187)

16. Low Rider

17. Whale Meat Again (16 and 17 are from his 2nd LP ‘Whale Meat Again”, 1974 on Island ILPS 9254)

Disc 2 (78:07 minutes):

1. It’s All Up To You

2. Love Hurts

3. Short Cut Draw Blood

4. Boy With A Problem

5. Seagull (1 to 5 from his 3rd LP “Short Cut Draw Blood”, 1975 on Island ILPS 9336)

6. You And Me – JIM CAPALDI with PAUL KOSSOFF and The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (first appeared on the “Koss” double-album anthology in 1977 – first appearance on CD here)

7. Game Of Love

8. Elixir Of Life (7 and 8 from the LP “The Contender”, 1978 on Polydor 2383 490)

9. Shoe Shine (Disco Mix) – (a UK 12” Promo Remix on Polydor 2141 164 issued in 1979. Is a track on the “Electric Nights” LP)

10. Hotel Blues

11. Tabitha

12. Electric Nights

13. Wild Geese (10 to 13 are from the LP “Electric Nights”, 1979 on Polydor 2383 534)

14. Every Man Must March To The Beat Of His Own Drum

15. Man With No Country

16. Going Home (14 to 16 are from the LP “The Sweet Smell Of Success”, 1980 on Carrere CAL 116)

Disc 3 (80:33 minutes):

1. Let The Thunder Cry

2. Favella Music

3. Child In the Storm

4. Warm

5. Old Photographs

6. We Don’t Need (1 to 6 are from the LP “Let The Thunder Cry”, 1981 on Carrere CAL 123)

7. Tonight You’re Mine

8. Living On The Edge

9. That’s Love

10. Gifts Of Unknown Things (7 to 10 are from the LP “Fierce Heart”, 1983 on WEA Records U 0057 in the UK/Europe - Atlantic 80059-1 in the USA)

11. Lost Inside Your Love

12. Tales Of Power

13. Warriors Of Love (11 to 13 from the LP “One Man Mission”, 1984 on WEA Records 251350-1

14. Something So Strong

15. Oh Lord, Why Lord

16. Love Used To Be A Friend Of Mine

17. Some Come Running (14 to 17 are from the LP “Some Come Running”, 1988 on Island 259 439

18. Living On The Outside (on the CD album “Living On The Outside”, 2001 on SPV Records 085-72512)

Disc 4 (76:38 minutes):

1. Standing In My Light

2. Anna Julia

3. Love You ‘Til The Day I Die (1 to 3 are on the CD album “Living On The Outside”, 2001 on SPV Records 085-72512)

4. State Of Grace (Demo) (from the 1994 TRAFFIC reunion album sessions for “Far From Home” – Previously Unreleased)

5. Tallulah (Demo) (written for his daughter and was one of his last recordings - Previously Unreleased)

6. Humanity (Just Another Checkpoint) (Demo) – Recorded sometime in the 2000s - Previously Unreleased

7. Bright Fighter (from the CD album “Poor Boy Blue”, 2004 on SPV Records 085-70412)

8. Strange Bird (Demo) (no dates provided) - Previously Unreleased

9. How Do I Get To Heaven (Demo) - Previously Unreleased

10. Love’s Got A Hold On Me (with GEORGE HARRISON) (Demo prepared for this Box set) - Previously Unreleased

11. Song For George [aka George’s Song] (Demo) – written after his friend Harrison had passed - Previously Unreleased

12. The Time Of Cholera (Demo)

13. Invaders Of The Heart (Demo) (12 and 13 recorded sometime in the 2000s – Both Previously Unreleased)

14. Getting Stronger (from the CD album “Poor Boy Blue”, 2004 on SPV Records 085-70412)

15. Love Will Keep Us Alive (Live) – DAVE MASON and JIM CAPALDI (from the album “Live 40,000 Headmen Tour”, 1999 on Receiver Records RRCD 270 Z)

16. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Live) – TRAFFIC (recorded at the rehearsals for Traffic’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004 - Previously Unreleased)

The presentation is first class – the pasted-in chunky booklet is crammed with period colour photos, album covers, music press adverts, concert posters, facsimiles of rare Island singles, snaps of him with pals George Harrison and Eric Clapton, hand-written lyrics – and a track-by-track breakdown on each entry.

But for me the real news comes with the fantastic sound – tapes transferred, remastered and mulled over by two names familiar to anyone whose bought the Polydor, Island, Vertigo or Deram 3CD mini box sets – MARK POWELL and PASCHAL BYRNE. Their work here is exemplary – each track exuding warmth and clarity (I’d even swear these TRAFFIC remasters are better than what’s gone before).

Highlights for me are the Funky-Rock of “Low Rider” (not the War tune) and the echoed menace of the title track from “Whale Meat Again”. His writing became far more sophisticated by 1975 – “It’s All Up To You” and “Boy With A Problem” while his chipper cover of “Love Hurts” (first brought to us by The Everly Brothers) saw him break the Top 5 in October 1975. The “You And Me” track from 1977’s “Koss” double is a gem here featuring Kossoff in sly form (the song was later reworked by Capaldi as “The Contender”). The Disco Mix of “Shoe Shine” doesn’t come over as hideous as its title sounds – it funky and has clever synth runs and guitar breaks. The ache in “Every Man Must March To The Sound Of His Own Drum” is real and defies its slick Eighties production. Of the previously unreleased stuff his “Song For George” is very Traveling Wilburys and the song “Tallulah” for his daughter is very pretty. The ‘loose’ “Dear Mr. Fantasy” rehearsal in 2004 that ends Disc 4 is a nine-minute blast – beautifully recorded and played with Winwood sounding stunning. It’s a nice way to bring the whole box set full circle.

Capaldi never had the best of voices or the song-writing chops of say Steve Winwood or even Dave Mason – but there’s much on here to love. And with that top notch sound and trawl of desirable rarities – a real fan pleaser…

"The Singles Collection" by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL (2009 Fantasy/Concord Music Group 2CD/1DVD Remasters) Including US and UK 7" Singles Discography - A Review by Mark Barry...

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“…I Can Hear The Bullfrog Calling Me…”

Released November 2009 in the USA on Fantasy FAN-31752 (use Barcode 888072317529 in Amazon's search bar to get the right issue) – “The Singles Collection” by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL is a fabulous release and one that’s answered many fan prayers. There’s a wad of stuff to get through so let’s get into the swamp details right away. 

30 tracks across 2CDs (49:47 and 45:55 minutes) will allow you to sequence their 45s as follows…

USA:

1. Porterville b/w Call It Pretending (November 1967, Scorpio 412)

2. Suzie Q. (Part 1) b/w Susie Q. (Part 2) (September 1968, Fantasy 616)

3. I Put A Spell On You b/w Walk On The Water (November 1968, Fantasy 617)

4. Proud Mary b/w Born On The Bayou (January 1969, Fantasy 619)

5. Bad Moon Rising b/w Lodi (May 1969, Fantasy 622)

6. Green River b/w Commotion (July 1969, Fantasy 625)

7. Down On The Corner b/w Fortunate Son (October 1969, Fantasy 634)

8. Travellin’ Band b/w Who’ll Stop The Rain (January 1970, Fantasy 637)

9. Up Around The Bend b/w Run Through The Jungle (April 1970, Fantasy 641)

10. Lookin’ Out My Back Door b/w Long As I Can See The Light (August 1970, Fantasy 645)

11. Have You Ever Seen The Rain b/w Hey Tonight (May 1971, Fantasy 655)

12. Sweet Hitch-Hiker b/w Door To Door (July 1971, Fantasy 665)

13. Someday Never Comes b/w Tearin’ Up The Country (May 1972, Fantasy 676)

14. I Heard It Through The Grapevine [Edit] b/w Good Golly, Miss Molly (March 1976, Fantasy 759)

15. 45 Revolutions Per Minute (Part I) b/w (Part II) (1970 USA PROMO-ONLY US 7” single on Fantasy F-2833

UK:

1. Proud Mary b/w Born On The Bayou (May 1969, Liberty LBF 15223)

2. Bad Moon Rising b/w Lodi (August 1969, Liberty LBF 15230)

3. Green River b/w Commotion (November 1969, Liberty LBF 15250)

4. Down On The Corner b/w Fortunate Son (February 1970, Liberty LBF 15283)

5. Travellin’ Band b/w Who’ll Stop The Rain (March 1970, Liberty LBF 15310)

6. Up Around The Bend b/w Run Through The Jungle (June 1970, Liberty LBF 15354)

7. Long As I Can See The Light b/w Lookin’ Out My Back Door (August 1970, Liberty LBF 16384)

8. Have You Ever Seen The Rain b/w Hey Tonight (March 1971, Liberty LBF 15440)

9. Sweet Hitch-Hiker b/w Door To Door (July 1971, United Artists UP 35261)

10. Someday Never Comes b/w Tearin’ Up The Country (May 1972, Fantasy F 676)

11. Born On The Bayou b/w I Put A Spell On You (December 1972, Fantasy FTC 101)

12. It Came Out Of The Sky b/w Side O’ The Road (February 1973, Fantasy FTC 104)

13. I Heard It Through The Grapevine [Edit] b/w Good Golly Miss Molly (March 1976, Fantasy FTC 142)

14. Bad Moon Rising b/w Proud Mary and Green River (July 1977 3-track EP, Fantasy FTC 142)

15. Who’ll Stop The Rain b/w Proud Mary and Hey Tonight (November 1978 3-track EP, Fantasy FTC 164)

USA Notes: initial pressings of Fantasy 634, 637, 641, 645, 665 and 759 all came in rare Picture Sleeves and are pictured in the foldout poster that accompanies this release along with many other Worldwide rarities. All 28 single-sides are presented in their original 7” single MONO mixes – and are therefore exclusive to this release. Tracks 13 and 14 on Disc 2 are from a Promo-Only 7” single and are in STEREO. This uber-rare Promo has Doug Clifford impersonating an interview with the band – aping the voice of the then famous Bay Area DJ Tom Campbell. There are 4 other CCR single releases in the States on Fantasy 908, 917, 920 and 957 from 1981 but they’re not covered here. And Creedence’s earlier Sixties incarnations as THE BLUE VELVETS and THE GOLLIWOGS are not dealt with on this compilation either.

UK Notes: because this is a US-based release – it unfortunately doesn’t include “It Came Out Of The Sky” British 45.

The presentation is first rate – a gorgeous fold-out colour poster of singles from around the planet, a 20-page colour booklet with tremendous liner notes by BEN FONG-TORRES – the text peppered with rare picture sleeves, USA Top 50 charts and an advert for the limited edition 45’s Box Set version. The DVD called “The Video Collection” has 4 tracks - “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, “Bootleg”, “I Put A Spell On You” and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” and it played perfectly on my UK (non-chipped) Sony BLU RAY player without any Region Coding problems.

The first thing that clobbers you is the sound – MONO! Having spent my life listening to the STEREO album versions – these MONO mixes are a sonic assault of a different kind. In absolute truth I’d say some of the earlier cuts feel weedy to me and I personally prefer the Stereo album cuts – but others have extraordinary punch. The lethal double-whammy of “Up Around The Bend” b/w “Run Through The Jungle” sounds just fantastic while the one-channel aural muscle given to “Sweet Hitch-Hiker” is just amazing. “Green River” – I’ll adore it until I croak and the 7” edit of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” is fascinating. You also have to say that GEORGE HORN - who oversaw the 2009 remasters of the album catalogue – has done another bang-up job here. Great stuff…

To this day – and as you play through each disc – you’re hit with the simplicity – the great songs – that unique CCR sound. And a final thought – what a band!

"Five-A-Side" [aka "An Ace Album"] by ACE [feat Paul Carrack] (2011 Cherry Red 2CD 'Expanded" Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…The Most To Gain…”

After years of crap-sounding budget compilations (most deleted now and ludicrously expensive into the bargain) - along comes Cherry Red Records of the UK finally reissuing the debut album by ACE (featuring Paul Carrack) in proper style. And this time "Five-A-Side" even boasts an extra CD of previously unreleased tracks - including beautifully recorded and produced BBC sessions. Here are the musical scarves, football tackles and studio dribbles...

UK released June 2011 - Cherry Red CDBRED 493 (Barcode 5013929149328) is a 2CD set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (35:52 minutes):

1. Sniffin' About

2. Rock & Roll Runaway

3. How Long

4. The Real Feeling

5. 24 Hours

6. Why

7. Time Ain't Long

8. Know How It Feels

9. Satellite

10. So Sorry Baby

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Five-A-Side" - originally issued on vinyl LP November 1974 in the UK and USA on Anchor Records ANCL 2001 (it was called "An Ace Album" in the USA).

Disc 2 - BONUS TRACKS (32:23 minutes):

1. Taste Like A Fish

2. 24 Hours

3. Ain't Gonna Stand For This No More

4. Rock & Roll Runaway

5. Know How It Feels

6. Why

7. Know How It Feels

8. Satellite

Track 1 is an album outtake - 2 to 5 are all from a BBC Radio 1 John Peel Session recorded 12 November 1974 - while the final three were recorded for a Bob Harris Session at the BBC on 2 December 1974 (all Previously Unreleased)

The 8-page inlay reproduces the LPs liner notes complete with each individual playing football - PAUL CARRACK On Lead Vocals and Keyboards (ex Warm Dust), Phil Harris on Lead Guitar (ex The Action, formed the band as Ace Flash and the Dynamos), Alan 'Bam' King on Rhythm Guitar (ex The Action, Mighty Baby and B.B. Blunder), Terry 'Tex' Comer on Bass (ex Warm Dust) with Dubliner Fran Byrne on Drums (ex Bees Make Honey). MICHAEL HEATLEY'S liner notes give a potted history of the band and their debut while it doesn't say who did the remaster - but it's superb compared to what I've been used to. The sound quality on Disc 2 is awesome also.

Musically this is a London white boy's Rock band with a Soulful twist - not unlike Cado Belle who would join Anchor in 1976. There's a lovely J.J. Cale lilt to the rhythms too and Carrack's voice has always been one of the band's strong points (not to mention his quality songwriting). The only British single off the album was of course the fabulous Carrack original "How Long" - UK issued as a 45 in October 1974 on Anchor ANC 1002 with "Sniffin' About" on the flip. It hit a respectable peak of 20 in the British single charts in November (just as the album came out) - but its US equivalent issued in March 1975 on Anchor ANC-21000 went Top 5 eventually gaining Number 3. It was a huge radio hit Stateside and saw the LP (known as "An Ace Album" over there) push its way up to Number 11 in March 1975 (it didn't even dent the top 50 in the UK). Despite the warmth given "How Long" in good old Blighty - oddly the newly established Anchor Records didn't release a follow up single that surely cost the album momentum. Anchor did try "Rock & Roll Runaway" b/w "Know How It Feels" in the USA on Anchor ANC-21002 - but it stalled at Number 71. A further 7" came out March 1975 in the UK ahead of the second album "Time For Another" - it was "I Ain't Gonna Stand For This No More' with Five-A-Side's "Rock And Roll Runaway" as it's B-side (Anchor ANC 1014) - but again despite a strong A - it went nowhere. Let's get to the album...

Produced so sweetly by JOHN ANTHONY (of Queen, Genesis, Rare Bird and Van Der Graaf Generator fame) - "Five-A-Side" opens with the catchy "Sniffin' About" and gets even better with the piano funky jaunt of "Rock & Roll Runaway". But then you're hit with absolute magic - the standout "How Long". To this day it sends me and to hear it sound this good is a proper blast. We're back to Katy Lied Steely Dan keyboard Funk with "The Real Feeling" (nice guitar too) and the superb "24 Hours" (both Carrack tunes).

Side 2 opens with what should have been the 2nd single - the killer groove of "Why?" - sounding like the Average White Band on a Rock tip. "Time Ain't Long" is about family, parents and their passing - and to this day its lyrics don't seem to sit comfortably with the upbeat soulful melody. Things slow down and get better with the Soulful "Know How It Feels". The TV song "Satellite" gets piano funky again while the finisher "So Sorry, Baby" could also have been a great single (a Paul Harris original). You wouldn't call the album a lost masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination but I've always loved its Rock Soulfulness and this remaster really brings that out.

The good news is that the lone "Tastes Like A Fish" is an outtake gem - the bad news is that it's minus an obvious vocal - so what you get is a Funky Instrumental of about 3 minutes. But the 7 that follow are truly excellent - studio-quality live BBC sessions with the band sounding so tight and fresh. There's a killer version of "24 Hours" (the keyboards are particularly brill) while the cool continues with "It Ain't Gonna Stand For This No More" - again sounding so sweet. We get a near note-perfect "Rock & Roll Runaway" with superb harmonizing vocals (man were they rehearsed!). "Know How It Feels" has lovely Soulfulness while the Bob Harris Session version of "Why?" is just so damn groovy (lyrics above).

It's probably going to come as a shock to fans to find that Disc 2 - which cherry picks the albums best tracks - is almost better than the album itself (even if "How Long" isn't on here). In summing up - a good Seventies Soul/Rock album given a quality CD reissue/remaster at last. And for me that's one to shout from the terraces about...

PS: Cherry Red has also put out ACE's 2nd and 3rd albums on Anchor - "Time For Another" (November 1975) and "No Strings" (January 1977). Released June 2011 the 3CD set also features more Previously Unreleased BBC Sessions (CDTRED 494).

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 250 entries and 2100 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). 

"Bananamour" by KEVIN AYERS (2003 EMI/Harvest 'Expanded' CD - Peter Mew Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…So Many Problems…Yet None At All…” 

Ex Soft Machine bassist/songwriting genius KEVIN AYERS had a run of stunningly diverse and eclectic albums on Harvest Records between 1969 and 1973. "Joy Of A Toy" opened proceedings in December 1969, "Shooting At The Moon" followed in October 1970, the much-loved "Whatevershebringswesing" in January 1972 - and then this - the wonderful but hugely under-appreciated "Bananamour" in the spring of 1973. Always somehow in the shadow of its more popular predecessor - the album "Bananamour" deserves a better rap. Time to do so...

UK released June 2003 - "Bananamour" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI 07243-582780-2-6 (Barcode 724358278026) is an 'Expanded' CD Remaster and breaks down as follows (52:34 minutes):

1. Don't Let It Get You Down

2. Shouting In A Bucket Blues

3. When Your Parents Go To Sleep

4. Interview

5. International Anthem

6. Decadence [Side 2]

7. Oh! Wot A Dream

8. Hymn

9. Beware Of The Dog

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Bananamour" released May 1973 in the UK on Harvest SHVL 807 and in the USA on Sire SAS-7406

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Connie On A Rubber Band - non-album track, B-side of "Oh Wot A Dream" - a UK 7" single issued November 1972 on Harvest HAR 5064

11. Decadence - a Previously Unreleased 'Early Mix' - recorded 15 December 1972

12. Take Me To Tahiti - non-album track, B-side of a 7" single released April 1973in the UK on Harvest HAR 5071

13. Caribbean Moon - non-album track, A-side of "Take Me To Tahiti"

The remaster has been carried out with the Artist's approval by PETER MEW at Abbey Road - and what a sonic winner this is. Right from the get go - you're hit with clarity, warmth in the instruments, the dense backing vocals now so sweet and Ayer's voice sailing over it all. It's a properly fabulous job done.

Very rare original issues of the UK LP (£100+) came with an elaborate and beautifully laid out 16-page 'booklet' - which MARK POWELL (who wrote the liner notes) has been smart enough to reproduce in all its glory. There are Robert Crumb-like cartoon-paintings similar to the one of the front sleeve  - pictures of SYD BARRETT, NICO and DORIS TROY - as well as Ayers' own explanations of each song. It gives the 24-page booklet a very substantial feel. Even the CD apes the design of the 'Harvest' label. And then there's the great music...

It opens with "Don't Let It Get You Down" (lyrics above) sounding not unlike The Beatles "Flying" instrumental on 1967's "Magical Mystery Tour". Steve Hillage of GONG gets Lead Electric Guitar on the Acoustic "Shouting In A Bucket Blues" while the organ of MIKE RATLEDGE on the utterly brilliant "Interview" would later become such a huge part of "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream...." sound. The remaster clarity on "Interview" alone is worth the price of admission - but there's better to come.

Album-track genius comes twice - first in the shape "When Your Parents Go To Sleep" - a stunning kind of Ray Charles Soul-Rock chugger with ARCHIE LEGGETT on Lead Vocals. Leggett was the Bass Player in Ayer's touring `Decadence' band and is ably supported here by three great backing vocalists - a giggling Doris Troy (Apple Records), Liza Strike (Soul singer who later joined Roger Glover's band) and Barry St. John (of Dandelion Records fame). But better still is the storming brass section that punctuates the song throughout - HOWARD CASEY on Tenor Sax with DAVE CASWEL on Trumpet. They make "When Your Parents Go To Sleep" something incredible.

And number two stand out is the dreamy and ethereal "Decadence" which at 8 minutes is one of those fantastic plucked-guitar repeats that hooks in early and doesn't let up for the entire duration. When I used to play it at Reckless it always brought customers to the counter asking after it - and brought the quintessentially English magic of KEVIN AYERS into their lives. While it obviously feels very Velvet Underground - at times "Decadence" also feels like fellow label-mate ROY HARPER circa "Stormcock" - long, deep and unique. The silly "Oh! Wot A Dream" is typical Ayers flimsy - Harvest even tried it as a single - probably because of its 3-minute playing time and its Summer time punting on dreamy rivers lyrics. "Hymn" is lovely with a superb Harmony Vocal from Avant Garde hero ROBERT WYATT and the album ends with the short Hovis Advert brass band of "Beware Of The Dog" - sweet as.

Ayers would sign to Island Records and go on to the wonderfully druggy (and at times desperately dark) "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" in May 1974. There other greats albums like "Sweet Deceiver" in 1975 and "Yes We Have No Mananas" in 1976 - but like fellow Harvest Records label mate Roy Harper - Ayers would remain cruelly outside commercial success.

You could argue that no proper rock collection is complete without the trio of "Whatevershebringswesing", "Bananamour" and "Confessions Od Dr. Dream...". I would. 

An overlooked and stunning-sounding reissue - get this CD remaster into your stereo rack right away...

This review and hundreds more like it can be found in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series - 1960's and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 - Exceptional CD Remasters. 

It contains over 210 in-depth reviews (a whopping 2400+ e-Pages) and is available to buy/download at Amazon at the following link...