"The Woodstock Experience - Volunteers" by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE (July 2009 Sony/Legacy 2CD “The Woodstock Experience” Reissue and Bob Irwin Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…It’s A New Dawn…” 

This is a clever reissue - pairing the sixth and much-loved "Volunteers" album by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE with their barnstorming and highly politicized live set at the legendary Woodstock Festival. And boasting top-notch BOB IRWIN audio mastering - it's beautifully presented too. Here are the peace, love and music details...

Released July 2009 - "Volunteers/The Woodstock Experience" by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE on RCA/Legacy 88697 48240 2 (Barcode 886974824022) is a 2CD set celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the legendary Sixties festival (see list of other releases below). Inside a textured-feel outer card slipcase are two oversized 5" hard card replica sleeves - each with sepia-feel inner bags (separate liner notes too).

Disc 1 (75:26 minutes):

1. We Can Be Together

2. Good Shepherd

3. The Farm

4. Hey Frederick

5. Turn My Life Down [Side 2]

6. Wooden Ships

7. Eskimo Blue Day

8. A Song For All Seasons

9. Meadowlands

10. Volunteers

Disc 1 is the 10-track "Volunteers" album released on vinyl in the USA in November 1969 on RCA Victor LSP 4238 and February 1970 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8164.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Introduction

12. The Other Side Of This Life

13. Somebody To Love

14. 3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds

15. Won't You Try/Saturday Afternoon

16. Eskimo Blue Day

Tracks 11 to 16 are "Recorded Live At The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Sunday, August 17, 1969 - Part One".

Disc 2 (68:48 minutes):

1. Plastic Fantastic Lover

2. Wooden Ships

3. Uncle Sam Blues

4. Volunteers

5. The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil

6. Come Back Baby

7. White Rabbit

8. The House At Pooneil Corners

The 2nd CD is "Part Two" of the Woodstock concert and of the total live set - tracks 11, 12 and 14 on Disc 1 with 2, 5, 6 and 8 on Disc 2 are all PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (the others have turned up on various compilations across the decades).

Quite apart from the aesthetically pleasing look of the outer card slipcase - both oversized card repro sleeves for the albums are gorgeous to look at and the recording details/liner notes impressively comprehensive. As with the other 4 releases in this series - the large foldout poster has a colour shot of the Woodstock crowd on one side (with the festival logo at the top) and a black and white quality photograph of JEFFERSON AIRPLANE by Amalie R. Rothschild on the flip. As fans will know some copies of the US gatefold original LP came with an insert - lyrics and the mock "Paz Progress" newspaper clippings - unfortunately it’s not included. There are liner notes on the "Volunteers" inner sleeve (doesn't say who wrote them) that includes comments from Reissue Producer/Mastering Engineer Bob Irwin about the recordings and Kaukonen's emergence as a lead guitar player in the band (he wrote "Turn My Life Down"). The colour shot of Grace on the rear of the card sleeve is also gorgeous...

The bloody and divisive debacle of the Vietnam War loomed heavily over both the record and their impassioned live set. But more than the politics and the fearless lyrics - rehearing the album now what hits you most is a triple whammy - the classiness of the songs, Jorma Kaukonen's superb guitar playing and the soulful trio of Grace Slick's voice with Paul Kantner and Marty Balin (Jack Cassidy on Bass and Spencer Dryden on Drums provide the rhythm section). Throw in superb audio quality (Produced by Al Schmitt onto to a then state-of-the-art 16-track system) and all it combines to pack a serious punch - even if the Sixties ideals may seem far-fetched in the appalling 2014 political landscape we find ourselves in more than 45 years later (when we really should have learned lessons by now).

It opens with the superb people-anthem "We Can Be Together" - but check out the traditional air "Good Shepherd" that follows - turned into the most stunning Rock song by clever funked-up arrangements. And their version of "Wooden Ships" co-written by Paul Kantner with David Crosby and Stephen Stills - famously predates the 1969 Crosby, Stills & Nash debut album version by months. It's just fantastic and to my ears actually better (Stills plays Organ on the song). "Volunteers" was gamely released by RCA as a 45 in October 1969 with its call-to-arms lyrics and frantic pace - "this generation got Soul...start a revolution..." The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia plays Pedal Steel and the distinctive piano runs of Nicky Hopkins add a lot too. Such a great album and one that still stands up...

The live set has the band (with Nicky Hopkins on piano) and opens with Grace greeting the crowd (title above) and then proceeds to rock into a completely wild cover version of Fred Neil's "The Other Side Of This Life". The audio as you can imagine flits between good and great - but even when they let rip on "3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds" (ace drumming from Skip Spence) to my ears Bob Ludwig has completely captured the loose and explosive nature of the band. And die-hard nuts will die for the near sixteen minutes of the Previously Unreleased "The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil" on Disc 2 - all wild guitars and wailing. "Come Back Baby" is an old Blues tune rearranged by Kaukonen into an 8-minute Jefferson Airplane boogie romp.

I've loved this whole series of CD reissues (see reviews) but this is a jewel never mind a crown of creation. Recommended big time...

The 5 titles "The Woodstock Experience" Series from July 2009 are:

1. Jefferson Airplane - uses the "Volunteers" album and has an 8-track live album recorded 17 Aug 1969 Catalogue No: RCA/Legacy 88697 48240 2 (Barcode 886974824022)

2. Janis Joplin - uses the "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" debut album and has a 10-track live album recorded 17 Aug 1969. Catalogue No: Columbia/Legacy 88697 48243 2 (Barcode 886974824329)

3. Santana - uses the "Santana" debut album and has an 8-track live album recorded Saturday 16 Aug 1969. Catalogue No: Columbia/Legacy 88697 48242 2 (Barcode 886974824220)

4. Sly & The Family Stone - uses the "Stand!" album and has a 9-track live disc recorded 17 Aug 1969. Catalogue No: Epic/Legacy 88697 48241 2 (Barcode 886974824121)

5. Johnny Winter - uses the "Johnny Winter" album and has an 8-track live disc recorded 17 Aug 1969. Catalogue No: Columbia/Legacy 88697 48244 2 (Barcode 886974824428)

"Love God Murder" by JOHNNY CASH - A Review Of The 2000 3CD Mini Box Set...

“…Are You Counted With The Meek…”

Released May 2000 in the USA and June 2000 on Columbia/American/Legacy COL 498580 2 (Barcode 5099749858022) in the UK as a 3CD-set in a flimsy card wrap - the three 16-track compilations contained within were compiled by Cash himself and make for the most fantastic listen. Handpicking tunes from across his monumental career (concentrating a lot on the Sixties and Seventies) - the Legacy Remasters even include 3 Previously Unreleased tunes. Here are detailed rings of fire, the sweet chariots and the bad Jesse James...

LOVE (39:51 minutes):

1. I Walk The Line (Mono) (1956, A-side of a US 7" single on Sun 241)

2. Oh. What A Dream (recorded 1958, from the album "Johnny Cash - 1958-1986" on Columbia C2 40637)

3. All Over Again (1958, A-side of a US 7" single on Columbia 4-41251)

4. A Little At A Time (1962, B-side of "In The Jailhouse Now" on Columbia 4-42425)

5. My Old Faded Rose (Recorded June 1964, Previously Unreleased in the USA)

6. Happiness Is You (1965, from the album "Happiness Is You" on Columbia CS 9337)

7. Flesh And Blood (1970, from the motion picture "I Walk The Line" on Columbia S 30397)

8. I Tremble For You (recorded October 1967, Previously Unreleased in the USA)

9. I Feel Better All Over (1960, from the album "Now There Was A Song!" on Columbia CS 8254)

10. 'Cause I Love You (as per 7)

11. Ballad Of Barbara (1977, from the album "The Last Gunfighter Battle" on Columbia JC 34314)

12. Ring Of Fire (1963, from the album "Ring Of Fire" on Columbia CS 8853)

13. My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You (as per 9)

14. While I've Got It On My Mind (1974, from the album "The Ragged Old Flag" on Columbia C 32917)

15. I Still Miss Someone (1959, from the album "The Fabulous Johnny Cash" on Columbia CS 8122)

16. The One Rose (That's Left In My Heart) (1996, from the CD album "Unchained" - American Recordings Vol.2)

[Notes: 1 and 16 are MONO all others STEREO; 5 and 8 are Previously Unreleased in the USA]

GOD (46:45 minutes):

1. What On Earth Will You Do (For Heaven's Sake) (1974, from the album "The Ragged Old Flag" on Columbia C 32917)

2. My God Is Real (1961, from the album "Hymns From The Heart" on Columbia CS 8522)

3. It Was Jesus (1959, from the album "Hymns By Johnny Cash" on Columbia CS 8125)

4. Why Me Lord (1993, from the CD album "American Recordings" - Volume 1)

5. The Greatest Cowboy Of Them All (1979, from the album "A Believer Sings The Truth" on Cachet CL3-9001)

6. Redemption (as per 4)

7. The Great Speckled Bird (1959, from the album Songs Of Our Soil" on Columbia CS 8148)

8. The Old Account (as per 3)

9. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (as per 3)

10. When He Comes (as per 5)

11. The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea (1996, from the CD album "Unchained" - American Recordings Vol.2)

12. Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) (1963, from the album "Ring Of Fire" on Columbia CS 8853)

13. Man In White (1986, A-side of a US 7" single on Ezra 227)

14. Belshazzar (1957, from the album "Original Sun Sound" on Sun Records LP 1275)

15. Oh, Bury Me Not (Introduction: A Cowboy's Prayer) (as per 4)

16. Oh Come, Angel Band (as per 5)

[Note: 4, 6, 14 and 15 are MONO - all others in STEREO)

MURDER (51:18 minutes):

1. Folsom Prison Blues (1955, A-side of a US 7" single on Sun 232)

2. Delia's Gone (1993, from the CD album "American Recordings" - Volume 1)

3. Mister Garfield (1965, from the album "Johnny Cash Sings The Ballads Of The True West")

4. Orleans Parish Prison (Live) (recorded in Stockholm in 1972, released as a USA 7" single on Columbia 4-45997)

5. When It's Springtime In Alaska (It's Forty Below) (1964, from the album "Orange Blossom Special" on Columbia CS 9109)

6. The Sound Of Laughter (recorded in January 1966, Previously Unreleased in the USA)

7. Cocaine Blues (Live) (1968, from the album "Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison" on Columbia CK 65955)

8. Hardin Wouldn't Run (as per 3)

9. The Long Black Veil (as per 5)

10. Austin Prison (1966, on the album "Everybody Loves A Nut" on Columbia CS 9292)

11. Joe Bean (as per 10)

12. Going To Memphis (1960, from the album "Blood, Sweat And Tears" on Columbia CS 8730)

13. Don't Take Your Guns To Town (1958, from the 7" US EP "Fabulous Johnny Cash" on Columbia B 12532)

14. Highway Patrolman (recorded 1983, from the album "Johnny Cash - 1958-1986" on Columbia C2 40637)

15. Jacob Green (Live) (B-side of 4)

16. The Wall  (as per 5)

[Note: 1, 2, 5 and 8 are MONO - all others STEREO. 5 features JUNE CARTER-CASH on Duet Vocals; 6 is Previously Unreleased]

This is the kind of music when men are "as wild as a buck" for their women - where alcoholic's reach their mother's grave and "I know God in Heaven looked down" - where a pistol went awry and someone now has a "warrant out for my arrest". The different period choices of the songs just mentioned are brilliant - "I Feel Better All Over" (Love), "The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea" (God) and "Austin Prison" (Murder). It makes each themed compilation a fascinating and invigorating listen. It's also cool to see tracks from the genius 2nd American Recordings album - "Unchained" - for me one of the best in the distinguished 6-album series (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers are the backing band). The cover of Springsteen's "Nebraska" nugget "Highway Patrolman" is superb too - tailor made for him and his huge voice.

The flimsy card slipcase on the outside holds the three card digipaks on the inside but it easily falls apart. There are deliberations by JUNE CARTER CASH on Love, BONO on God and QUENTIN TARATINO on Murder but nothing in the way of booklets. Still it's the music you want and the remasters are great.

"Someone got killed 'neat the town hall light..." Johnny testifies on the classic "Long Black Veil". He was a mountain of a man. And these days this triple is often less than a fiver second-hand. Time to get this righteous slayer in your home right soon...

"The Singles 1968-1971" by THE ROLLING STONES - A Review Of The 2005 Abkco 10-Disc Box Set...

AMAZON UK Best-Price Purchase Link Above - AMAZON USA Link Below

"….It's A Gas Gas Gas…"

The last in a series of 3 Singles Boxes by The Stones provides goodies from a period of their history that I just can't get enough of - the late Sixties and early Seventies. They seemed to be dripping magic between "Beggars Banquet" and "Exile On Mail Street" -and this brilliant but sometimes frustrating mini 7" fest only rams home their swagger and musical genius. Here are the big tongues and sticky fingers...

UK released 28 February 2005 - "The Singles 1968-1971" [Volume 3 of 3] by THE ROLLING STONES on ABKCO Records 0602498270752 is a 9CD + 1DVD Mini Box Set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (6:52 minutes):

Jumping Jack Flash b/w Child Of the Moon

UK: 23 May 1968 on Decca F 12782

USA: 24 May 1968 on London 908

Disc 2 (14:39 minutes):

Street Fighting Man b/w No Expectations

USA: August 1968 on London 909 [withdrawn, $10,000 plus rarity with P/S]

Street Fighting Man b/w Surprise Surprise & Everybody Needs Somebody To Love

UK: 25 June 1971 on Decca F 13195 [3-Track Maxi Play at 33 1/3 speed]

Street Fighting Man b/w Surprise Surprise

UK: 20 July 1971 on Decca 13202

Disc 3 (7:51 minutes):

Honky Tonk Woman b/w You Can't Always Get What You Want [Edit]

UK: 11 July 1969 on Decca F 12952

USA: 11 July 1969 on London 910

[Note: The A-side was a non-album track at the time. The B-side is an exclusive single edit at 4:50 minutes which loses the 40-piece choir at the beginning and final portion of the song - the full version at 7:29 minutes is on the 1969 "Let It Bleed" album in Stereo]

Disc 4 (5:47 minutes):

Memo From Turner b/w Natural Magic

UK: November 1970 on Decca F 13067

[Note: MICK JAGGER Solo single; the B-side is an instrumental from the film "Performance" - written by JACK NITZSCHE, it features RY COODER on Guitar]

Disc 5 (7:26 minutes):

Brown Sugar b/w Bitch

UK: 16 April 1971 on Rolling Stones Records RS 19100

[Note: some British copies came in a rare picture sleeve which is `not' used here. Some copies of the original 7" had a bonus track after "Bitch" called "Let It Rock" - a live cover version of a Chuck Berry song recorded in March 1971 at Leeds University. It's `not' included here but is available on the "Rarities 1971-2003" CD compilation from 2005]

Disc 6 (9:32 minutes):

Wild Horses b/w Sway

USA: 12 June 1971 on Rolling Stones Records RLS 101

[Note: the 1994 Virgin remasters are used for both tracks]

Disc 7 (5:19 minutes):

I Don't Know Why b/w Try A Little Harder

USA: 23 May 1975 on ABKCO Records 4701

[Note: both tracks are taken from the 1975 outtakes compilation "Metamorphosis". The A-side is a Stevie Wonder cover recorded July 1969 (the night Brian Jones died) and is a "Let It Bleed" outtake. The B-side is a Jagger/Richards original from back in June 1964]

Disc 8 (6:42 minutes):

Out Of Time b/w Jiving Sister Fanny

USA: August 1975 on ABKCO Records 4702

UK: 5 September 1975 on Decca F 13597

[Note: the A-side was written by Jagger/Richards for Chris Farlowe who had a Number One hit with it in the UK in June 1966 on Immediate Records. Again from the "Metamorphosis" compilation - it made its first appearance on that album and this single with Jagger's vocal on the track. The B-side "Jiving Sister fanny" is another "Let It Bleed" outtake from July 1969]

Disc 9 (26:12 minutes):

Sympathy For The Devil Remix

1. Sympathy For The Devil (Original Recording)

2. Sympathy For The Devil (Neptunes Remix)

3. Sympathy For The Devil (Fatboy Slim Remix)

4. Sympathy For The Devil (Full Phatt Remix)

UK CD single released September 2003 on Mercury 9810612

Disc 10 "The Rolling Stones Videos 1964-2003" - 4-Track DVD, Region 0:

1. Time Is On My Side (Live on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964)

2. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow (Filmed Live in 1967 - no venue stated)

3. Jumpin' Jack Flash (1968 Promo)

4. Sympathy For The Devil (The Neptunes Remix Video) (Filmed 2003)

The 32-page glossy booklet features some great picture sleeves from around the globe and the liner notes giving a history of every song are pleasingly detailed and to the point. As with the stunning Volume 2 covering 1967 to 1967, this third instalment has had the Tape Transfer, Sound Restoration and Remastering involve a trio of great names - STEVE ROSENTHAL, TERI LANDI and BOB LUDWIG. They've done a great job given the notorious and wildly differing sound sources.

As far as I'm aware this is the only place to get the rare edit of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" while fans will probably have the "Let It Bleed" outakes on their SACD of "Metamorphosis". The less said about the "Sympathy For The Devil" remixes from 2003 - the better. "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Street Fighting Man" and "Honky Tonk Women" still amaze - even after all these years. And those rare picture sleeves most of us of modest means will never be able to afford - how cool is it to have a few - albeit in repro form.

The 4 DVD films are fabulous too (and Region Free so no playback issues) while the foldout colour poster (black and white shot on the flip side) and art-cards give the whole thing a classy feel. And who will complain about those four corkers off "Sticky". Even "Memo From Turner" rocks - as does that rare Ry Cooder instrumental B-side.

"If you try sometimes...you might just get what you need..." Well look no further...

"Initiation" by TODD RUNDGREN (2014 Edsel 'Deluxe Edition' Hardback Book CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

CLASSIC ROCK & POP 1970 to 1974 - Exceptional CD Remasters  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 
(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…I’d Rather Live By A Dream..." 

Back in May 2014 - Edsel of the UK began celebrating TODD RUNDGREN albums with ‘Deluxe Edition’ packaging upgrades – hardback book editions of key albums in his extensive back catalogue. The first three were "Something/Anything?"(a double-album from 1972), “A Wizard A True Star” (a single album from 1973) and "Todd" (another double from 1974). So here’s the next batch of three for September 2014 – “Runt” - his debut solo album from December 1970 on Ampex Records now extended into a double-CD edition with bonuses – “Hermit Of Mink Hollow “ from May 1978 on Bearsville Records – and this – “Initiation” from June 1975. Here are the Internal Eyes, Cosmic Treatises and Stellar Fires…

UK released 9 September 2014 (16 September in the USA) - Edsel EDSA 5032 (Barcode 740155503239) is a single-CD reissue of their October 2011 twinning with “Faithful” - only this time it’s in a case bound hardback book (67:40 minutes). The attached 12-page 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 front and rear sleeve artwork of the June 1975 Bearsville vinyl album is here (BS 6957 in the USA and K 55504 in the UK) – as is the inner sleeve that came with original copies. 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 are no extras.

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. And famous at the time as being the longest vinyl album ever made at 67:40 minutes – the original LP was always a dreadful compromise as a listening experience. So the CD remaster alters all of that and so much for the better. The only upgrade here is the cool-looking book packaging – which is a rather lovely thing to behold…

I loved November 1974’s “Todd Rundgren’s Utopia” – for me one of the true Prog masterpieces of the Seventies (with “The Ikon” on Side 2) – so I was frothing at the gash when this album came out. But it’s a tale of two cities – the brilliant and the indulgent. Side 1 is superb - opening with the catchy “Real Man”. It was actually released as a single in September 1975 with “Prana” the cool opening guitar/synth combo bit on Side 2 as its B-side. There’s even a stab at boogie in “The Death Of Rock’n’Roll” and the frantic guitar soloing in “Initiation” is amazing. The lovely vibes of “Eastern Intrigue” are peppering with humorous lyrics but Todd genius comes in the shape of the gorgeous “Fair Warning” – as brill a Rundgren song as he’s ever written (lyrics above).

But then unfortunately you’re hit with the sort of indulgence that only an artist with total control can produce – the 35-minute synth/keyboard extravaganza that is the whole of Side 2 – “A Treatise On Cosmic Fire”. He plays every imaginable keyboard in his own Studio and it’s hard to swallow in one sitting. There are cool parts like the opening “Prana” which is returned to in the dying minutes of the piece – but most of it is endless wailing synth solos that irritate in stead of illuminating. It’s not all un-listenable nonsense of course -but once past the opening eight minutes or so - it’s not far off of it either. Ah the Seventies…

So there you have it – two sides to every story. And yet even now – nearly 40 years after the event – I still get a kick out of just looking at its sleeve… 

‘U’ by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND - A Review Of Their 1970 Double-Album On Elektra Records - Now Remastered In 2014 By Beat Goes On of the UK Onto 2CDs...

“…Ancient Associates And Fellow Wanderers…” 

How do you describe let alone approach 'U' by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND? Grow a beard, dance around the mulberry bushes looking for fairies, join a Sitar class or just down a couple of pinks with your fiddle-loving mates in a real-ale pub and wickedly laugh at the sheer loony-bin joyous knob of it all.

Following on from the even nuttier "I Looked Up" released only months earlier in the spring of 1970 - this October 1970 double-album of Folk Rock Pantomime has always divided fans between those who secretly love it and those who want to pretend they bought it when they were stoned. Well along comes Beat Goes On of the UK in 2014 - and they want your credit card to reappraise this beast on a beautifully newly remastered 2CD edition. And I for one am digging the Astral Plain and sonic Silver Doves man...

UK released September 2014 - 'U' by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1164 (Barcode 5017261211644) is a 2CD set that splits the original UK vinyl double-album onto 2CDs (Side 1 & 2 on Disc 1, Sides 3 & 4 on Disc 2). It comes in BGO's now customary card slipcase with a well-annotated 24-Page booklet.

Disc 1 (53:58 minutes):

1. El Wool Suite

2. The Juggler's Song

3. Time 

4. Bad Sadie Lee

5. Queen Of Love

6. Partial Belated Overture

7. Light In Time Of Darkness/Glad To See You

8. Walking Along With You

9. (a) Hirem's Pawnitof (b) Fairie's Hornpipe

10. Bridge Theme

Disc 2 (53:07 minutes):

1. Bridge Song

2. Astral Plane Them

3. Invocation

4. Robot Blues

5. Puppet Song

6. Cutting The Strings

7. I Know You

8. Rainbow

Discs 1 and 2 are the double-album 'U' - released October 1970 in the UK on Elektra Records 2665 001 and January 1971 in the USA on Elektra 7E 2002. It peaked at No. 34 in the UK LP charts - didn't chart USA. 

Consisting of multi-instrumentalists ROBIN WILLIAMSON and MIKE HERON (Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Flute, Piano, Bass, Various English and European String Instruments and Vocals) - the band also had ROSE SIMPSON on Bass and LICORICE McKECHNIE on Duet Vocals and Guitar. Guest JANET SHANKMAN sang Lead Vocals on "Bad Sadie Lee" and played Harpsichord on "Queen Of Love", GREG HEAT gave a Voice Sitar to "Invocation" and PETER GRANT played Banjo On "Bad Sadie Lee".

The 24-page booklet features photos of their infamous stage show packed with puppets, theatre mime and mind-expanding visuals, lyrics, recording info and detailed liner notes by noted writer JOHN O'REGAN. But the big news is a lovely new remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON. Many of these tracks are essentially acoustic guitars, mandolins and high vocals - the remaster has hiss on some tracks but great clarity too.

It opens with the 8-minute instrumental "El Wool Suite" lulling you into a false of hippy security with its gorgeous Sitar vibes - but that's quickly kyboshed by the silly English Folk of "The Juggler's Song" - a Madrigal too far for most. "Time" has lovely acoustic and mandolin while "Bad Sadie Lee" is deliberately comical - Wild West Vaudeville where someone's about to say `varmit" any minute. The production quality on "Queen Of Love" is superb (if you can handle Williamson's discordant voice). Speaking of childlike lady voices - Licorice gives it some welly on the lovely Side 3 opener "Bridge Song". But like Yoko Ono's larynx voice - its a love it or loathe it situation. But to me "Bridge Song" has always had some gorgeous chord-changes - there's a beautiful tune in there somewhere trying desperately to get out.

The audio quality continues on "The Puppet Song" (warm and clear) - the same on the delicate "I Know You" - even if it's a tad hissy. It may go nowhere but the extraordinary Acoustic Guitar workout that is "Astral Plane Theme" has always sounded amazing to me. "Invocation" has hippy lyrics that would make witches blush (lyrics above) and yet is strangely cool too. And then the musical stage show ends on the epic near 16-minute "Rainbow" - a chop-and-change mix of Folk, Rock, Pop and Flute Baroque. It's self-indulgent for sure but those Vocal and Piano play offs at seven minutes have greatness and vision in them.

The Incredible String Band would go on to the altogether better "Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air" album when they signed to Island in 1971. To sum up - the unwieldy and slightly fay 'U' won't be everyone's cup of Darjeeling for sure - but for others it's a "sweet song of love" from a more innocent time...

PS: see also my review for their undoubted masterpiece "Wee Tam & The Big Huge" - a double-album from 1968 reissued by BGO in 2015 on a new 2CD Remaster...and "I Looked Up" (also from 1970)...

"Five Guys Walk Into A Bar..". by FACES - A Review Of the 2004 Rhino 4CD Book Set...Featuring Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones...

"...How's That Ron? Very Nice!"

Such is the industry-wide legacy of THE FACES, when Glen Matlock of THE SEX PISTOLS auditioned for the band - he played "Three Button Hand Me Down" and immediately got the job, Slash from GUNS 'N' ROSES, Jeff Tweedy from WILCO, Rich Robertson from THE BLACK CROWES and Gaz Coombes from SUPERGRASS all wax lyrical about the only British Rock 'n' Roll band to seriously rival (and at times beat) The Rolling Stones. 

And this fantastically evocative 4CD Book Set from the mighty reissue label of Rhino only hammers home their legend - offering up a lethal mixture of new and old with a boozy swagger than would make most modern bands blush. Here are the champers...

Released July 2004 - "Fives Guys Walk Into A Bar..." by FACES on Warner Brothers/Rhino 8122-78233-2 (Barcode 081227823320) is a 4CD Book Set of Remasters covering 1970 to 1975 and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (77:41 minutes):
1. Flying - from their debut LP "First Step", also the A-side of a UK 7" single issued February 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 8005
2. On The Beach - from their 2nd LP "Long Player"
3. Too Bad - from their 3rd album "A Nod's As Good As A Wink...To A Blind Horse" - credited in the USA as "A Nod Is As Good As A Wink...To A Blind Horse")
4. If I'm On The Late Side - from their 4th and last studio album "Ooh La La"
5. Debris - as per 3. Also the B-side of "Stay With Me", a 3 December 1971 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16136.
Note the US B-side was the album track "You're So Rude" on Warner Brothers WB 7545
6. Jealous Guy [John Lennon cover] - an "Ooh La La" outtake
7. Evil (Rehearsal) - a Willie Dixon song (done by Howlin' Wolf) - from their first rehearsals recorded in the Summer of 1969
8. As Long As You Tell Him - the non-album B-side to "You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything..."
 - a 7" single released November 1974 on Warner Brothers K 16494 in the UK and May 1975 in the USA on Warner Brothers WBS 8102
9. Maggie May (Live/BBC) - from The BBC Radio 1 Program Top Gear recorded 28 September 1971
10. Cindy Incidentally (Alternate Mix) - an "Ooh La La" outtake
11. Maybe I'm Amazed (Live/BBC) - a Paul McCartney cover recorded for the BBC TV Program "Sounds For Saturday: The Music Of The Faces" on 26 October 1971
12. Insurance - an instrumental "Ooh La La" outtake
13. I Came Looking For You (Rehearsal) - from a quick shag at THE MARIE ANTOINETTE HOTEL in New Orleans, Louisiana recorded 25 July 1971
14. Last Orders Please - as per 3
15. Wyndlesham Bay (Jodie) - an "Ooh La La" outtake
16. I Can Feel The Fire (Live) - from a concert at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino in California recorded 7 March 1975
17. Tonight's Number - from the RONNIE WOOD and RONNIE LANE album "Mahoney's Last Stand", an Original Soundtrack LP released in 1976 on Atlantic.
It was also a 7" single in the UK on Atlantic K 50308
18. Come See Me Baby (The Cheater) - an "Ooh La La" outtake
[Note: 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 18 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

Disc 2 (79:10 minutes):
1. Pool Hall Richard - a non-album 7" single first released 30 November 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 16341 as the A-side
2. You're My Girl (I Don't Want To Discuss It) (Live/BBC) - recorded 1 April 1973 for the BBC Radio 1 Program 'In Concert'
3. Glad And Sorry - from "Ooh La La" album
4. Shake, Shudder, Shiver (Rehearsal) - as per 7 on Disc 1
5. Miss Judy's Farm (Live/BBC) - as per 2 on Disc 2
6. Richmond - from "Long Player" album
7. That's All You Need - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album
8. Rear Wheel Skid - the non-album B-side to the 7" single of "Had Me A Real Good Time"
 - released 13 November 1970 in the UK on Warner Brothers WB 8018 and 21 October 1970 in the USA on Warner Brothers WB 7442
9. Maybe I'm Amazed - a 6 April 1971 US 7" single on Warner Brothers WB 7483. It's a non-album edit of the full album version which is on "Long Player"
10. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right - a Homer Banks cover and an "Ooh La La" outtake
11. Take A Look At The Guy (Live) - as per 16 on Disc 1
12. Flags And Banners - from "Ooh La La" album
13. Bad 'n' Ruin (Live/BBC) - recorded 19 April 1971 for the BBC TV Program 'Disco 2'
14. Around The Plynth [Album Version at 5:56 minutes] - from the "Long Player" album. Note: in the USA there was a 7" single edit at 4:02 minutes released 29 April 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 7393 with "Wicked Messenger" from the album as its B-side (a Bob Dylan cover). It was also credited to the SMALL FACES and is unfortunately not on this box set.
15. Sweet Lady Mary - from the "Long Player" album
16. Had Me A Real Good Time [Album Version 5:53 minutes] - from the "Long Player" album. Note: the US 7" single released 21 October 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 7442 and 13 November 1970 in the UK on Warner Brothers WB 8018 both used `edits'. If you program this track on your PC or Mac to end at 2:53 minutes - you will get that 7" single edit. Its non-album instrumental B-side "Real Wheel Skid" is Track 8 on Disc 2.
17. Cut Across Shorty (Live/BBC) - an Edie Cochran cover version recorded 13 May 1971 for the BBC Radio 1 Program 'John Peel's Sunday Concert'
[Note: 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13 and 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

Disc 3 (74:24 minutes):
1. You're So Rude - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album. Also the American B-side to "Stay With Me" (see Track 5 on Disc 1)
2. (I Know) I'm Losing You (Live/BBC) - as per Track 11 on Disc 1
3. Love Lives Here - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album
4. I'd Rather Go Blind (Live) - an Etta James/Chicken Shack cover - as per Track 16 on Disc 1
5. Hi-Heel Sneakers/Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - studio outtake from the FACES last recording session at Air Studios in London, 27 January 1975
6. Getting' Hungry - A Beach Boys cover - as per Track 5 on Disc 3
7. Silicone Grown - from "Ooh La La" album
8. Oh Lord I'm Browned Off - non-album B-side to the 7" single of "Maybe I'm Amazed" - see Track 9 on Disc 2
9. Just Another Honky - from "Ooh La La" album
10. Open To Ideas - as per Track 5 on Disc 3. First appeared as a new song on the 1999 Best Of CD compilation "Good Boys...When They're Asleep"
11. Skewiff (Mend The Fuse) - the non-album instrumental B-side to "Cindy Incidentally"
- released 5 February 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers WB 7681 and 9 February 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 16247
12. Too Bad (Live) - from a concert at Tampa Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida recorded 30 April 1972
13. Rock Me - as per Track 5 on Disc 3
14. Angel (Live/BBC) - a Jimi Hendrix cover - as per Track 2 on Disc 2
15. Stay With Me (Live/BBC) - as per Track 11 on Disc 1
16. Ooh La La - from "Ooh La La" album. Also issued as a 7" single 6 June 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers WB 7711 with the album track "Borstal Boys" as its B-side
[Note: 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14 and 15 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

Disc 4 (76:28 minutes):
1. The Stealer (Live/BBC) - a Free cover - as per track 2 on Disc 2
2. Around The Plynth/Gasoline Alley (Live/BBC) - from the BBC Radio Program `Top Gear' recorded 15 September 1970
3. You Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything (Even Take The Dog For A Walk, Mend A Fuse, Fold Away The Ironing Board, Or Any Other Domestic Short Comings)
- a non-album 7" single released 11 November 1974 in the UK on warner Brothers K 16499 and 28 May 1975 in the USA (as an edit) on Warner Brothers WBS 8102
4. I Wish It Would Rain (Live) - a Temptations cover - non-album B-side of "Pool Hall Richard" released 30 November 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 16341
5. Miss Judy's Farm (Live/BBC) - as per Track 11 on Disc 1
6. Love In Vain (Live/BBC) - as per Track 17 on Disc 2
7. My Fault (Live/BBC) - from the BBC Radio 1 Program 'Radio 1 Club' recorded 12 February 1973
8. I Feel So Good (Rehearsal) - as per Track 7 on Disc 1
9. Miss Judy's Farm - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album
10. Three Button Hand Me Down - from "First Step" album. It was also the B-side of their debut British single "Flying" released February 1970 on Warner Brothers WB 7150
11. Cindy Incidentally - from "Ooh La La" album. Also issued as a 7" single - see Track 11 on Disc 3
12. Borstal Boys - from "Ooh La La". Also issued a 7" single - see Track 16 on Disc 3
13. Flying (Live/BBC) - from the BBC Radio 1 Program `Dave Lee Travis' recorded 10 March 1970
14. Bad 'n' Ruin - from "Long Player" album
15. Dishevelment Blues - a non-album exclusive track recorded for the UK 'NME Magazine April 1973' issue - recorded 5 April 1973
16. Stay With Me - from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink..." album. Also issued as a 7" single - see Track 5 on Disc 1
[Note: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

The attached 62-page colour booklet is a fabulous fan-fest - loads of foreign picture sleeves, press clippings, live photos and all manner of boozy tour shenanigans. There's a FACES towel with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones embroidered beneath the 'Faces' logo. Testimonials come from all the luminaries mentioned above as well as witty remembrances from the boys and a great set of liner notes by noted writer DAVID FRICKE. It really captures the fun of the band and the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of their 4 studio albums. No domestic shortcomings here.

The DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT remasters are just 'so' good. These two long-time in-house tape engineers have handled so much primo WEA material across the years for Rhino - Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding to name but a few legends - but I bet they got their jollies transferring and digitally preserving this catalogue. The audio is wonderful - muscular, clear and full of that 'live-in-the-studio' feel original Producers Glyn Johns, Mike Bobak and Ron Nevison got for the Faces at the time.

The Box Set mentions the "Coast To Coast" American Live album in 1973 on Mercury Records but doesn't feature any tracks from it. You get three tracks out of 10 from the debut LP "First Step", five out of 9 from the 2nd LP "Long Player", 8 out of 9 from "Nod" ("Memphis" is the missing song) and 8 from the 10 from "Ooh La La" ("Fly In The Ointment" and "My Fault" are the missing cuts). The rest are non-album singles, B-sides, a Flexi Disc exclusive and a whopping 32 Previously Unreleased.

The first thing you notice (and appreciate) about the actual songs is that IAN McLAGAN wisely hasn't sequenced the set chronologically (which he felt would have been boring). Instead he jumbles it up and the result is a play list on each CD that flits from one LP to another with an array of top quality PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED material bolstering up the rowdy proceedings in-between. It makes each disc feel like you're hearing the band anew - a thrill at every turn.

A scan across the disc details listed above will show that there's a large haul of outtakes from "Ooh La La" ("Come See Me Baby..." is great) but disappointingly zip from their undisputed masterpiece "Nod". Still the slide-fest that is "Around The Plynth" seguing into "Gasoline Alley" is a belter - properly produced BBC quality. And the Soulfulness of the band kicks in when covering the Homer Banks classic "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" at their first rehearsals (the boy's witter banter in the run out moments titles this review). The shadow of Ronnie Lane lingers everywhere (the set is dedicated to him) - and I don't care how many times I hear either "Debris" of "Glad And Sorry" - they make me weak at the knees. And is it any wonder The Stones had to have Ronnie Wood - his axework throughout is just brill. On the downside you can actually hear Rodders' disinterest on the final 1975 sessions covering songs they used to once die for. But it all ends on the glory of "Stay With Me" and who could ask for more...

Raise a glass of Dom Perignon to this sensational British band and prepare the neighbours in advance...because things are going to get a bit rowdy 'round your house...