"Dust On The Nettles: A Journey Through The British Underground Folk Scene 1967-72" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2015 Grapefruit 3CD Box Set Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...A Branchy Tree..."

I love box sets like this. Brilliantly put together, chock full of forgotten left-of-centre music that’s worth rediscovering (mostly Acid Folk) and all of it presented in fact-filed style by good guys who genuinely care (compiled by David Wells and John Reed). In terms of Audio and Presentation everything about "Dust On The Nettles" on the Grapefruit Label (a part of Cherry Red Records) feels classy and even features some big-time scoops in Previously Unreleased demos for mighty names like Fairport Convention, The Incredible String Band and Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I know my music from the period (or at least I thought I did) – but I’d happily admit that there are obscurities on "Dust On The Nettles" that have completely eluded my decades of scouring racks – and they’re not the kind of musical creations that should be forgotten either. Some of these rarities number 10 copies (The Moths) or 99 copies (Frozen Tear) while others made it unto decent independent labels like Dawn, Pye, Island, Dandelion, Immediate and Decca. It’s also pleasing to say that apart from a few rough tapes here and there and despite the myriad sources – the audio is exceptionally good throughout - and as you can see from the total playing times – each disc is generously chock to the gills. There’s a ton of stuff on here – so once more with our dandelion stalks and joss sticks unto the pagan green altars (ye heathens of England)...

UK released 29 June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) – "Dust On The Nettles: A Journey Through The British Underground Folk Scene 1967-72" is a 63-track 3CD Set in a Clamshell Box on Grapefruit CRESEGBOX 030 (Barcode 5013929183001) with a 36-page booklet and pans out as follows:

Disc 1 (78:34 minutes, 20 tracks):

1. Let No Man Steal Your Thyme – THE PENTANGLE (from their debut UK album "The Pentangle" released June 1968 on Transatlantic TRA 162. Also issued in the USA as a 7" single on Reprise 0794, A)

2. Willow’s Song – MAGNET (Recorded in 1972 for "The Wicker Man" Soundtrack LP but not issued)

3. Come All You Travellers – WIGHT (September 1970 French-Only 7" single on French Festival SPX 147)

4. Love Is A Funny Thing – SPIROGYRA [with Barbara Gaskin on Lead Vocals] (on the UK LP "St. Radigunds" released September 1971 on B&C Records CAS 1042)

5. Images Of Passing Clouds – GARY FARR (recorded 1968, Previously Unreleased Demo Version)

6. Peek Strangely And Worried Evening – SYNANTHESIA (on the LP "Synanthesia" released November 1969 on RCA Victor SF 8058)

7. Glass Of Water – BOG & CAROLE PEGG (on the UK LP "And Now It Is So Early: Songs Of Sydney Carter" on Galliard GAL 4017)

8. Winter Is Blue – VASHTI BUNYAN (on the Various Artists Soundtrack LP "Let's All Make Love In London" released July 1968 in the UK on Instant INLP 002)

9. Winter Is A Coloured Bird – COMUS (from the 3-track 7” Single EP "Diana" first released in the UK January 1971 on Dawn DNX 2506 – non-album track).

10. The Seagulls Scream – CHRISSIE QUAYLE (from the 1970 UK LP "Sounds Like West Cornwall" on Sentinel SENS 1001)

11. Stories Of Jesus – CLIVE PALMER (recorded 1967, not originally issued)

12. Amanda – STEVE PEREGRIN TOOK’S SHAGRAT (Recorded circa November 1969, Not Originally Issued)

13. Curious Crystals Of Unusual Purity – BRIDGET ST. JOHN (from the August 1969 UK LP "Ask Me No Questions" on Dandelion S 63750)

14. Roses For Columbus – MARK FRY (from the June 1972 Italian LP "Dreaming With Alice" on ZSLT 70006)

15. Till The Morning Comes – DANDO SHAFT (from the May 1971 UK LP "Dando Shaft" on RCA Neon NE 5)

16. Black Girl – MARY-ANNE (Paterson) (from the April 1970 UK LP "Me" on Joy Records JOYS 162)

17. The Garden Of Jane Delawney (from the May 1970 UK LP "The Garden Of Jane Delawney" on CBS Records S 63837)

18.  Weirdsong Of Breaking Through At Last – PRINCIPAL EDWARDS MAGIC THEATRE (from the February 1971 UK LP "The Asmoto Running Band" on Dandelion Records DAN 8002)

19. Minas Tirith – OBERON (from the August 1971 UK LP "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Acorn OBE LPS 1)

20. Prisoners, Victims, Strangers, Friends – PAPER BAUBLE (recorded October 1970, Previously Unreleased)

Disc 2 (79:29 minutes, 22 tracks):

1. Pilgrim – GERALD MOORE (recorded 1972, Previously Unissued)

2. River Lane – MELTON CONSTABLE (recorded 1972, Previously Unissued)

3. Way Out Hermit – MOONKYTE (from the November 1971 UK LP "Count Me Out" on Mother SMOT 1)

4. All Things Are Quite Silent – STEELEYE SPAN (from the June 1970 UK LP "Hark! The Village Wait" on RCA Records SF 8113)

5. Upon Reflection – HERON (from the November 1970 UK LP "Heron" on Dawn DNLS 3010)

6. Love Is Come Again – PARCHMENT (from the December 1972 UK LP "Light Up The Fire" on Pye International NSPL 18388)

7. Stargazer – SHELAGH McDONALD (from the September 1971 UK LP "Stargazer" on B&C Records CAS 1043)

8. There Are No Greater Heroes – TONY CARO & JOHN (1972 UK Self-Financed LP "All On The First Day")

9. Visionary Mountain – JOAN ARMATRADING (from the November 1972 UK LP "Whatever's For Us" on Cube Records HIFLY 12)

10. Glow Of The Firelight – TUESDAY (recorded August 1972, Previously Unreleased)

11. Searching For Lambs – WARM GOLD (from the 1972 UK LP "Sounds Like North Cornwall" on Sentinel SENS 1011)

12. Samantha Carol Fragments – BENJAMIN DELANEY LION (from the October 1969 Privately Pressed UK LP "Satori" on Hollick & Taylor, 70 Copies Only)

13. Fotheringay (Demo Version) – FAIRPORT CONVENTION (recorded February 1969, Previously Unreleased)

14. You Know What Has To Be – FROZEN TEAR (Privately Pressed UK 7” single of 99 Copies released September 1969 on RA Records RA 5001. B-side is a cover version of Free's "The Hunter" that was mistakenly credited as the A)

15. Meanwhile Back In The Forest – HUNT, LUNT & CUNNINGHAM (March 1972 UK 7” single on Pye International 7N 45125, A)

16. First Girl I Loved – THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND (recorded early 1969, Previously Unreleased Demo Version)

17. Halfdan’s Daughter – THE MOTHS (July 1970 UK LP "The Moths" available only on a Deroy Sound Service Test Pressing, 10 copies)

18. The Mutant – TRADER HORNE (from the March 1970 UK LP "Morning Way" on Dawn DNLS 3004)

19. Meeting By The Moonlight Mill – DRY HEART (recorded early 1970, Previously Unreleased)

20. Highways (Misty Mist) – TYRANNOSAURUS REX (recorded August 1967, Previously Unreleased)

21. Gabilan – DUNCAN BROWNE (from the August 1968 debut UK LP "Give Me Take You" on Immediate IMSP 018)

22. Sand All Yellow – KEVIN COYNE (from the November 1972 UK LP "Case History" on Dandelion 2310 228)

Disc 3 (78:50 minutes, 21 tracks):

1. Garden Song – BILL FAY (recorded early 1969, Previously Unreleased Demo Version)

2. Music Of The Ages – C.O.B. [Clive’s Own Band] (from the November 1971 UK LP "Spirit Of Love" on CBS Records S 69010)

3. A Song For The System – EVERYONE INVOLVED (from the 1972 Privately Pressed LP (1000 copies) of "Either/Or" on Arcturus ARC 4)

4. The Colour Is Blue – COUNTRY SUN (from the November 1972 UK Label Sampler LP "There Is Some Fun Going Forward" on Dandelion 2485 021)

5. Silent Village – WILD COUNTRY (from the May 1970 UK 7" single on Trafalgar TRAF1, A)

6. Welcome To The Citadel – MARC BRIERLEY (from the February 1969 UK LP "Welcome To The Citadel" on CBS Records S 63478)

7. The Evil Venus Tree – THE OCCASIONAL WORD (from the February 1970 UK LP on "The Year Of The Great Leap Sideways" on Dandelion DAN 63753)

8. Standing On The Shore – ANNE BRIGGS (from the November 1971 UK LP "The Time Has Come" on CBS Records S 64612)

9. Kind Sir – AGINCOURT (from the 1970 UK LP "Fly Away" on Merlin HF 3)

10. Eagle – MICK SOFTLEY (from the November 1970 UK LP "Sunrise" on CBS Records S 64098)

11. Rosemary Hill – FRESH MAGGOTS (from the September 1971 UK LP "Fresh Maggots" on RCASF 8205)

12. The Happy King – MUSIC BOX (from the 1972 UK LP "Songs Of Sunshine" on Westwood MRS 013)

13. Me And My Kite – FUCHSIA (from the October 1971 UK LP "Fuchsia" on Pegasus PEG 8)

14. Wizard Shep – THE SUN ALSO RISES (from the October 1970 UK LP "The Sun Also Rises" on Village Thing VTS 2)

15. Scarborough Fair – FOLKAL POINT (from the 1972 UK LP "Folkal Point" on Midas MR 003, 500 copies only)

16. Prisoner – MARIE CELESTE (from the Privately Pressed April 1971 UK LP "And Then Perhaps" (No label), 200 copies only)

17. Patrice – SIMON FINN (from the April 1971 UK LP "Pass The Distance" on Mushroom 100 MR)

18. Girl Of The Cosmos – SHIDE & ACORN (from the June 1971 UK LP "Under The Tree" on Solent SM 011, 99 copies only)

19. Elegy To A Dead King – CHIMERA (recorded circa 1968, Previously Unreleased)

20. Silence Returns – BEAU (from the June 1971 UK LP "Creation" on Dandelion DAN 8006)

21. Orange Days And Purple Nights – MOTHER NATURE (from the October 1971 UK 7" single on B&C Records CB 166, A)

The 36-page booklet is beautifully done – each artist gets a detailed paragraph and in most cases their rare albums pictured – the text is also peppered with memorabilia like concert tickets, trade adverts for eclectic labels like B&C Records and Kingdom, double colour plates for Oberon, Heron and Mark Fry with black and whites of all the others. I know the Anne Briggs, Parchment, Heron and Trader Horne album covers fairly well and I've reviewed the likes of Bridget St. John, Dando Shaft and Marc Brierley on quality reissue CDs - but stuff like the Euro releases of Wight and the privately pressed LPs are new to me. The DAVID WELLS liner notes are fabulous – full of details that amaze with pithy observations that tickle your interest for more - while the whole shebang is dedicated to two heroes of the genre who passed in 2014 and 2015 – Clive Palmer of The Incredible String Band and John Renbourn of Pentangle. The audio is by SIMON MURPHY at Another Planet Music and is superb overall (with the occasional dip depending on the rarity of the source).

Disc 1 opens on an absolute winner – Pentangle mixing Traditional English Folk with trippy Rock thereby creating Folk-Rock (or Acid Folk in this case). As Jacqui McShee sings "...a woman is a branchy tree..." and John Renbourn slaps those chiming six strings - the audio on this sucker is awesome – beautifully in your face like 1967's "London Conversation" by John Martyn. It's followed by a clever choice "Willow's Song" – an acoustic ballad from "The Wicker Man" soundtrack (never released at the time) sung by Linda Mackay who played Daisy in the horror movie (apparently Pentangle were lined up to do the music hence the connection). Gary Farr’s track is gorgeous too and so inventive in its rhythms and vocal arrangements. Unfortunately there’s bad tape wobble on the gorgeous Synanthesia track “Peek Strangely And Worried Evening” – as lovely a Folk Rock melody as I’ve ever heard. Former Mr. Fox couple Bob & Carole Pegg make lovely racket on the very Mike Oldfield sounding “Glass Of Water”. Amongst collectors Vashti Bunyan’s sole album “Just Another Diamond Day on Philips in its pretty stippled gatefold has now become a legend for both its Prog Folk musical beauty and its staggering cost (£1500 + to acquire a copy). Here we get Vashti’s equally heralded earlier work at the hands of Andrew Loog Oldham where he teamed her up with members of Immediate’s Twice As Much to produce the spellbinding “Winter Is Blue” for the 1968 “Let All Make Love In London” soundtrack LP. The 8-minute Comus track (EP only) steps away from their usual doom and gloom “First Utterance” songs to offer up a truly fabulous piece called “Winter Is A Coloured Bird” where they come at you like a cross between Deram’s Mellow Candle and Roy Harper on Harvest (a combo that will send shivers down the spine of many). It’s one of those long songs that doe not overstay its welcome but amazes – not just in terms of the acoustic guitar playing but especially the vocal layers – up and down like waves in the sea – inventive and special.

Disc 2 has a gorgeous Previously Unreleased track in “River Lane” by the delightfully titled MELTON CONSTABLE and you can ‘so’ hear why the fantastic trippy Sitar Folk of MOONKYTE commands some astronomical prices on original vinyl (£400 to £600 in a pop-up Spire sleeve). I’ve never been moved by STEELEYE SPAN but the HERON track is superb (literally recorded in a Berkshire field while smoking Lebanese) – very Matthews Southern Comfort in its English Folk-Rock feel as they sing of “...making daisy chains...” Sung by Sue McClellan - “Love Is Come Again” by PARCHMENT is another Sitar trippy jaunt that makes you want to shake your head from side to side as you exit the city rat race. It’s cleverly followed by the beautiful Robert Kirby string arrangements of “Stargazer” and the Sandy Denny-like vocals of SHELAGH McDONALD. Her two albums on Charisma’s B&C Records have steadily risen in value over the years as people discover their Mellow Candle beauty. I wouldn’t have thought of including JOAN ARMATRADING in this compilation – but it’s another smart choice. “Visionary Mountains” from her overlooked 1972 debut LP “Whatever’s For Us” features piano, acoustic guitars and more importantly a Sitar background that lends the track an Acid Folk hippy feel (Manfred Fred covered the song on their 1975 “Nightingales And Bombers” LP). The Fairport demo is excellent if not a little hissy (Denny’s voice still thrills). With a decidedly dodgy band name like HUNT, LUNT & CUNNINGHAM – their lone Pye single “Meanwhile Back In The Forest” sounds like 1960s Jefferson Airplane meets The Mamas and Papas for a 1972 song (and amazingly there’s a publicity photo for them on Page 24 advertising the single). The 5-minute Acoustic Demo of “First Girl I Loved” by The Incredible String Band is gorgeous – a real find – pure and melodic and a sweet professional recording too. I’ve always thought the Trader Horne album a bit of a masterpiece. Apparently named after John Peel’s Nanny – it sounds like Al Stewart Acoustic Folk mixed with Ian Anderson Flute. Roughest audio cut (clearly dubbed from a disc) goes to “Meeting By The Moonlight Mill” by Dry Heart – which is a damn shame because there’s genius in the guitars and doubled-vocal melodies (I’d love to hear a good tape of this). A highly polished Demo of “Highways (Misty Mist)” has Bolan’s high whine giving the song a huge (bit of a sweet find too). Duncan Browne’s magical classical guitar and top-end vocals imbibe “Gabilan” with a beauty that is quite breathtaking at times. Disc 2 ends with a winner – Kevin Coyne’s Folk Rock “Sand All Yellow” where he sings like a strangulated Captain Beefheart warning about over-zealous Doctors and their helpful pills.

Disc 3 has Clive’s Own Band (C.O.B.) giving us the pretty air of “Music Of The Ages” – another massively collectable album and artist. The hippy nonsense of “come little mirror” at the end of “A Song For The System” by Everyone Involved may indeed be a chant too far for many – but better is the Acoustic beauty of Country Sun’s “The Colour Is Blue” where they sound like America or Help Yourself at their most mellow. The audio on the Wild Country track isn’t great (like a bootleg). I’ve reviewed both of the Marc Brierley albums reissued for CD by Esoteric Recordings (see my SOUNDS GOOD Book – Exceptional CD Remasters 1960s and 1970s Volume 2) – and both are lovely. There’s a superb one-two with The Occasional Word and Anne Briggs – two Folk tunes that feel timeless and yet innovative somehow. And on it goes...

Admittedly after a while it can be hard to hear another fay vocal accompanied by a hovering low-breath flute ensconcing lyrics about communing with dandelions, fairies and a set of stones in Bognor Regis – but – and I do mean this - there is so much to discover on here and more importantly – so much to love. Like Blues and Country – Folk Music seems to throw up an unending amount of genius and genuine innovation for a genre that is perceived by many as being locked into only one groove and one sound. The British Underground Folk Scene from those two astonishing decades seems to finally be coming out to play.

Equal in my books to the wonderful Universal 3CD Box Sets covering the Island, Polydor, Decca, Deram and Vertigo Labels of a few years back (I've reviewed them all) – and acting as a sort of complimentary set to the "Love, Poetry & Revolution" 3CD Box Set that mines similar territory (also on Grapefruit) - there is so much to enjoy on "Dust On The Nettles" – there really is.

A dangling conversation indeed... Well done to the boys at Grapefruit for frolicking in the fronds, snorting fennel and dancing naked around the campfire for us (at my age I tend to keep my clothes on)...

This review and many others like it is available in one of my 5 e-books on CD Remasters: 

SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1960s and 1970s Volume 2...

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"Groove With A Feeling: Sounds Of Memphis, Boogie, Soul & Funk 1975-1985" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2015 Ace/Beat Goes Public CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Just A Little Tighters..."

It's rare (and I mean rare) that I wouldn't recommend an Ace Records CD - but this compilation isn't exactly brimming with their usual fare of quality tracks - it really isn't. It's pretty obvious why much of this sub-standard 80's sounding pseudo-funk stayed in the can - it just didn't cut the mustard. It’s not all bad though...

UK released June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) - "Groove With A Feeling: Sounds Of Memphis, Boogie, Soul & Funk 1975-1985" on Ace/Beat Goes Public/Sounds Of Memphis CDTOP 293 (Barcode 029667529327) gives you 19 tracks remastered by NICK ROBBINS and plays to 75:26 minutes. All songs are Stereo except tracks 8, 13 and 14 which are Mono (no indication of which track is from what period). The only track on here that was released is number 10 - "New Lang Syne" by Kannon - issued on XL Records 951 as an American 45 in 1978 - all the others are previously unreleased for 2015.

The 8-page booklet has liner notes by noted writer and Soul aficionado DEAN RUDLAND, publicity photos of The Jacksonians, Louis Williams and Takelia Kelly as well as some music sheets and tape boxes. The audio is amazing - incredibly clean and in your face - most of it recorded in professional circumstances.

I wish I could say the material warranted it. Tracks like Lee Moore's "You Can Bet I Can Get You Yet" and "One On One" by Demetrius sound like Eighties throwaways - the 1976 Stevie Wonder clavinet Funk of "Groove With A Feeling" by Freedom Express is a bit more like it - a wicked groove. The politically loaded "Politics" by Everyday People is full of anger and social commentary with a vicious Sly Stone backbeat and lyrics almost screamed. "New Lang Syne" (the only track on here released as a 7" single) sounds like Funkadelic doing too many drugs at a Christmas office party - it's a wildly Funky instrumental loosely based around that famous Scottish New Year toast (can't decide whether its rubbish or genius) - but it sure Funks like a mother with one too many Babychams.

Better is "Gone" by Vision that sounds very Harold Melvin circa 1975 (the audio is only ok though). "We Need Love" by Donald O'Connor sounds like Ronn Matlock's "Love City" album (vocally and structurally) and I think is a highlight on here. It's back to 80s steppers with Lee Moore's "What's In The Dark" - not bad but not great either. "Attraction" is like some bad synth-dominated 80s movie track where someone wears a sweatband on their forehead as they shimmy across a large loft apartment in very tight legwarmers...eek... It’s followed by more of the same insipid tunes trying to be an uptempo hit but just not making it.

A mixed bag really - but for me - too many misses to make it any better than three stars...

"Dynamite! The Unsung King Of The Blues" by TAMPA RED featuring Little Willie Johnson, Big Maceo, Big Walter Horton, Sonny Boy Williamson and more (2015 UK Ace Records 2CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters with Four Previously Unissued Sides) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

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

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"...I've Been Your Dog...But I Sure Won't Be Your Clown..."

The phrase 'unsung hero' gets bandied about with alarming regularity in this malarkey we call reviewing – but in the case of Georgia's Blues Pioneer TAMPA RED (real name Hudson Whittaker, 1904-1981) - it is unfortunate to say that 'hero' and 'unsung' are both criminally accurate. As John Broven's lead-in pages rightly point out – Tampa Red put out mountains of US 78"s (and 7" singles) in the Forties and Fifties and was HUGE in his time - but history has forgotten him - and hipper periods of the genre seem to have largely marginalised his early contributions. More importantly Broven argues that he knocked down the Urban Blues door - a shoe-in for all the goodies to come – Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson - and in fact much of what came out of Chicago owe him a debt – and it seems that those terribly (and clearly well educated) nice English boys at Ace Records of the UK are determined to see that debt repaid and acknowledged.

Musically "Dynamite!" feels like a double dose of Amos Milburn or Smiley Lewis but with a Bluesier more gutbucket edge. The 50-tracks across 2CDs cover Tampa Red's years at Bluebird and RCA Victor between 1941 and 1954 and are licensed from Sony Legacy (four cuts are Previously Unreleased). Disc One concentrates on his superb guitar playing and vocals (only a few cuts feature the Kazoo, they’re mostly on Disc Two) - sided by his long-term playing buddies - Lonnie Johnnie Jones on Piano, Big Maceo on Saxophone and the occasional warbling harmonica genius of Walter “Shakey” Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson II. And even as I replay this magnificent 2CD retrospective – there's a feeling of 'major release' seeping out of its every pore. Here are the sail-on lowdown blues...

UK released June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) – "Dynamite! The Unsung King Of Blues" by TAMPA RED is a 50-track 2CD retrospective on Ace Records CDTOP2 1440 (Barcode 029667071727) and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (73:29 minutes):

1. Evalena (2015 Previously Unreleased 'Take A' Recorded 4 December 1953)

2. Big Stars Falling Blues (1954 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5594 and 47-5594, A)

3. Rambling Blues (1965 UK 4-Track EP "Rhythm & Blues Volume 3" on RCA Victor RCX-7160)

4. If I Don’t Find Another True Love (2015, Previously Unreleased)

5. So Crazy About My Baby (1953 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5523 and 47-5523, A)

6. If She Don’t Come Back (1954 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5594 and 47-5594, B-side of "Big Stars Falling Blues")

7. So Much Trouble (1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5523 and 47-5523, B-side of "So Crazy About My Baby")

8. I’ll Never Let You Go (1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5273 and 47-5273, B-side of "Got A Mind To Leave This Town")

9. Too Late Too Long (1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5134 and 47-5134, A)

10. Got A Mind To Leave This Town (2015, Previously Unreleased 'Alternate Take' of a 1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5273 and 47-5273, A)

11. I’m Gonna Put You Down (1952 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4722 and 47-4722, B-side of "But I Forgive You")

12. But I Forgive You (1952 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4722 and 47-4722, A)

13. Look A There Look A There (1952 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4898 and 47-4898, A)

14. She’s A Cool Operator (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4399 and 47-4399, A)

15. I Won’t Let Her Do It (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4275 and 47-4275, B-side of "Boogie Woogie Woman")

16. Green And Lucky Blues (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4399 and 47-4399, B-side of "She's A Cool Operator")

17. Early In The Morning [Vocals on the B-side only by LITTLE JOHNNIE JONES] (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0123 and 50-0123, B-side of "She's Dynamite")

18. She's Dynamite (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0123 and 50-0123, A)

19. Pretty Baby Blues (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0136 and 50-0136, B-side to "Since My Baby's Been Gone")

20. Sweet Little Angel (1950 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0107 and 50-0107, A)

21. Midnight Boogie (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0112 and 50-0112, A)

22. I Miss My Lovin' Blues (1951 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0112 and 50-0112, B-side of "Midnight Boogie")

23. 1950 Blues (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0084 and 50-0084, A)

24. Love Her With A Feelin' (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0084 and 50-0084, B-side of "1950 Blues")

25. It's Good Like That (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0094 and 50-0094, A)

MUSICIANS on Disc 1:

TAMPA RED – Guitar, Vocals - all tracks (Kazoo on Tracks 17 and 18)

LITTLE JOHNNIE JONES plays Piano and sings Second Vocal on Tracks 5 to 25

BILL CASIMER plays Tenor Saxophone on Tracks 11 to 12

SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON II plays Harmonica on Tracks 5 to 7

WALTER HORTON plays Harmonica on Tracks 1 to 4

WILLIE LACEY plays Guitar on Tracks 5 to 7

RANSOM KNOWLING plays Bass on Tracks 5 to 25

ODIE PAYNE plays Drums on Tracks 5 to 25

Disc 2 (73:54 minutes):

1. New Deal Blues (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0094 and 50-0094, B-side of "It's Good Like That")

2. That's Her Own Business (1949 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0057, B-side of "I'll Find My Way" – Issued 1950 on USA 45 on RCA Victor 50-0041, B)

3. It's Too Late Now (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0071 and 55-0071, A)

4. It's A Brand New Boogey (1949 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0043, B-side to "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" and 1950 USA 45 on RCA Victor 55-0027, B)

5. When Things Go Wrong With You (1949 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0035, A and 1950 USA 45 on RCA Victor 50-0019, B)

6. Please Try To See It My Way (1950 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0071, B-side to "It's Too Late Now" and 1950 USA 45 on RCA Victor 50-0071, B)

7. Keep Jumping (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0009, A)

8. I'll Dig You Sooner Or Later (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-3160, B-side of "Grieving Blues")

9. Roaming And Rambling (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-3008, B-side of "I Know My Baby Loves Me")

10. I Know My Baby Loves Me 1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-3008, A)

11. You Better Woo Your Baby (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2849, A)

12. Let's Try It Again (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2597, A)

13. Crying Won't Help You (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-1988, A)

14. Play Proof Woman (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2249, A)

15. Corrine Blues (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2432, A)

16. Detroit Blues (1945 USA 78" on Bluebird 34-0731, A)

17. I Got My Habits On (2015, Previously Unreleased)

18. Mary Lou Blues (2015, Previously Unreleased)

19. Let Me Play With Your Poodle (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird 34-0700, A)

20. My First Love Blues (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird 34-0700, B-side of "Let Me Play With Your Poodle")

21. She Want To Sell My Monkey (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird B-9024, A)

22. Mean And Evil Woman (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird B-9024, B-side of "She Want To Sell My Monkey")

23. Don't Deal With The Devil (1941 USA 78" on Bluebird B-8991, B-side "I Got A Right To Be Blue")

24. You Better Be Ready To Go (1941 USA 78" on Bluebird B-8890, A)

25. Texas Stomp by BIG MACEO (1945 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2028, B-side of "Maceo's 32-20")

MUSICIANS on Disc 2:

TAMPA RED – Guitar, Vocals and Kazoo – all tracks (Kazoo on many songs)

BIG MACEO (Merriweather) plays Piano on Tracks 12 to 15, 17 to 22 and 25

LITTLE JOHNNIE JONES plays Piano and sings Second Vocal on Tracks 1 and 4 to 6

BLIND JOHN DAVIS plays Piano on Tracks 10, 11 and 16

BOB CALL plays Piano on Tracks 7 to 9

JOHN GARDNER plays Alto Saxophone on Tracks 10 and 11

OETT "Sax" MALLARD plays Alto Saxophone on Tracks 7 to 9

BILL CASIMER plays Tenor Saxophone on Tracks 7 to 9

EDDIE "Sugarman" PENIGAR plays Tenor Saxophone on Tracks 2 and 3

WALTER WILLIAMS plays Trumpet on Tracks 10 and 11

RANSOM KNOWLING plays Bass on Tracks 1, 4 to 11, 16 and 23 to 24

ALFRED ELKINS plays Bass on Tracks 12 and 13

CLIFFORD "Snags" JONES plays Drums on Track 17 to 22

TYRELL "T" DIXON plays Drums on Track 25

CHARLES "Chick" SANDERS plays Drums on Tracks 14 and 15

JUDGE RILEY plays Drums on Tracks 7 to 11

ODIE PAYNE plays Drums on Tracks 1 and 4 to 6

The chunky fact-filled 28-page booklet is a feast of American 78" and 7" single labels – most of course being Bluebird and RCA Victor (there’s even Preview/Disc Jockey Copies). There’s a Discography by JOHN BROVEN on Pages 22 to 27, an extensive essay on Pages 4 to 21 by JIM O'NEAL that consulted major-name authorities like MIKE ROWE, ALAN BALFOUR and ROBERT PUTER (to name but a few) as well as RON SANTOS at Sony. Good guys like Roger Armstrong and Tony Rounce (there are many more) provided the illustrations and labels, trade adverts from 1951 Billboard newspapers, gig posters for Chicago's The Flame in 1945 and publicity photos of Tampa's main players – Little Johnnie Jones (Piano), Ransom Knowland (Bass) and Odie Payne (Drums). 

There are also photos of famous contributors like the piano-player Big Maceo and Harmonica legends Big Walter Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson II. It impressive stuff and done with affection and fervour you can actually feel. Being the later material first (1950 to 1954) - Disc 1 fares best in the AUDIO department with the experienced DUNCAN COWELL handling the transfers and remasters (he did huge swathes of the superb Blue Horizon CDs to much acclaim - I've reviewed most of them). Disc 2 feels more laborious as it counts down from 1950 to 1941 and the dreaded washboard sound of the Kazoo starts to permeate almost every track – not that they aren’t wonderful Blues on here anyway.

Wanting to impress right from the off – Disc 1 opens with a sensation – a rollicking Previously Unreleased Blues romp on Piano with none other than Walter "Shakey" Horton on Harmonica. "Evalena" is the kind of track you'd expect on an early Chess Records compilation – all boogie and lyrics about "...great big lies..." – fab stuff. 

It's followed by another hard-hitter and another genuine winner called "Big Stars Falling Blues (Take 2)" where Horton warbles in the background on the Harp, but you notice Willie Lacey's guitar and Little Johnnie Jones doubled vocals more. 

A genuine rarity in the UK – his lone UK EP "Rhythm & Blues Vol.3" on RCA first came out in 1965 and we get "Rambler Blues" – but this time Horton is very much the star with a fab Harp solo. The 2nd Previously Unreleased track from that 4 December 1953 session now surfaces as "If I Don't Find Another True Love (Take 2)". 

Again you get a wicked double vocal with Jones and the Audio quality incredibly clear and in your face for all the right reasons. The Kazoo doesn't appear until "Early In The Morning" (Track 17) where it kind of ruins a great Blues shuffler. The pace picks up with the wonderful R&B bopper "She's Dynamite" where the boys sing, "...she’s tight like that!" as Tampa sings the title refrain (even the Kazoo solo feels good). Another aspect to Disc 2 is the Guitar – Tampa's playing is effective and slick on "1950 Blues" (Take 2) as he moans about being his woman's dog since 1934 (and that's a mighty long time).

After the high of Disc 1 (1954 to 1950) - I'd have to admit that Disc 2 slows down a lot and with so many of the tracks featuring the dreaded Kazoo instrument (6 of the first 7 cuts for instance) – the CD feels like a lesser brother of Disc 1. That's not to say there isn't greatness on here. "Crying Won't Help You" and the much-covered "When Things Go Wrong With You" are great R&B tunes as is "Mary Lou Blues". The audio can be a bit rough on some of the 78"s but that 'feel' is still a wondrous thing on stuff like "Mean And Evil Woman".

Despite the slight dip in excitement on CD2 – for me this is a major reissue – and one that's been done with class by people who care. And shouldn't musical heroes be remembered that way, unsung or not...

"Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2015 Ace CD Remasters) – A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Papa Lou And Gran Are At It…"

With this quality CD release - the "By The Bayou" series from one of England's premier reissue labels Ace Records now reaches double-digits (10th in the series) - and typically their latest edition is a classy inclusion in every way. Greats tunes (7 previously unreleased), rocking sound and annotation that both informs and touches the old heartstrings. Here are pretty baby swoons and mad dog howls...

UK released January 2015 - "Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies" on Ace Records CDCHD 1422 (Barcode 029667063425) fills out as follows (64:33 minutes):

1. Papa Lou And Gran - LITTLE VICTOR & HIS ORCHESTRA (1961 USA 7" single on Richland 23, A)

2. Hoo Wee, Sweet Daddy - KATIE WEBSTER (1959 USA 7" single on Zynn 505, A)

3. I'd Love To Tell - TABBY THOMAS (first appeared on the 1989 compilation LP "Hoodoo Party" on Flyright Records FLY LP 621)

4. Pretty Woman (Take It Home To Grandma) - LESTER ROBERTSON - Previously Unreleased

5. Long Way From Home - GUITAR GABLE (first appeared on the 1984 UK LP compilation "Cool Calm Collected" on Flyright Records FLY LP 599)

6. I Called You Daddy - ANNA MAE ROGERS (1954 USA 78" on Feature 3004, B-side of "If I Keep On Worrying" by Clarence Garlow)

7. I Got Fever (Wicked Fever) - MAD DOG SHEFFIELD (first appeared on the UK 1987 Various Artists LP compilation "Rockin' Jumpin' Shoutin'" on Goldband GCL-112)

8. Knock Knock - CAROL FRAN - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of Excello 2156

9. Sally Lou - LEROY WASHINGTON - Previously Unreleased

10. Rooty Tooty - LIONEL TORRENCE (1962 USA 7" single on Zynn 1023, A)

11. A Merry Christmas - SAD LEROY WHITE (first appeared on the UK 1981 Various Artists compilation LP "Too Hot To Handle: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 21" on Flyright Records FLY LP 570)

12. You Know Yeah - WONDER BOY TRAVIS (first appeared on the UK 1976 Various Artists Compilation LP "Tag Along: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 1" on Flyright Records FLY LP 516)

13. Tell Me Pretty Baby - LAZY LESTER - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of Excello 2129, A)

14. Hey Ma Ma - CLIFTON CHENIER (1961 USA 7" single on Zynn 1004, A)

15. Ain't Nothing Shaking (But The Leaves On The Tree) - EDDIE WILLIAMS - Previously Unreleased

16. Mad Dog - MAD DOG SHEFFIELD (1956 USA 7" single on Goldband 1045, A)

17. Mary Lou - KING KARL & GUITAR GABLE (first appeared on the 1984 UK LP compilation "Cool Calm Collected" on Flyright Records FLY LP 599)

18. How Wee Pretty Baby - LESTER ROBERTSON - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of a track that first appeared on 1984 UK Various Artists compilation LP "Going To New Orleans" on Flyright FLY LP 601)

19. One More Chance - CAROL FRAN - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of Excello 2175)

20. Don't Le Me Down - FRANK SIMIEN (1959 USA 7" single on Rod 1001, A)

21. Hello Baby, What You Know - LEROY WASHINGTON (first appeared on the 1976 UK Various Artists Compilation LP "Rock Me All Night Long" on Flyright Records FLY LP 606)

22. I Want Her To Love Me - KATE WEBSTER & ASHTON CONROY (1958 USA 7" single on Kry 100)

23. Hey Mr. Love - KATIE WEBSTER & BOBBY JAY (first appeared on the 1988 UK compilation LP "Katie Webster" on Flyright FLY LP 613)

24. I Need Your Love - JIMMY DOTSON (1960 USA 7" single on Rocko 516)

25. When It Rains It Really Pours - CHARLES MORRIS - Previously Unreleased

26. Baby Please Come Home - LEROY WASHINGTON (first appeared on the 1981 UK compilation LP "Wild Cherry: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 25" on Flyright FLY LP 574)

27. I'll Never Hold It Against You - CLARENCE GARLOW (1954 USA 78" on Feature F-3003, A)

28. Take It Home To Grandma - LESTER ROBERTSON &THE UPSETTERS (1958 USA 7" single on Montel 1001, A)

Tracks 4, 8, 9, 13, 18, 19 and 25 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (all tracks in Mono)

The 16-page booklet has liner notes by Series compiler and leading light IAN SADDLER and brilliant they are too. His comments on both CAROL FRAN and LIONEL TORRENCE are full of affection and insights that will tickle collectors everywhere. Once again resident tape-wizard/Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS has handled the transfers and for the most part - they are great. However on the Fifties sides especially - there's no doubt that were not in Audiophile Heaven here - many of these recordings are rough and tumble even if the tapes are in good shape - so be prepared for crude recordings with a whole lot of heart and passion.

This latest volume in the "By The Bayou" series opens with an absolute R'n'B belter - the Little Richard wild pace feel of "Papa Lou And Gran" by Little Victor on the obscure Richland label - a tune guaranteed to make grandma boogie that Zimmer-frame. More fun comes in the Fats Domino roll of "Hoo Wee, Sweet Daddy" complete with a brill Sax solo about a minute in. The audio quality dips into 78"/Acetate territory for "I Called You Daddy" by Anna Mae Rogers - a pianist in Clarence Garlow's band. But I can see why Ace chose to include it - not only is it ludicrously rare - it's a great boppin' R'n'B tune that sounds like vintage Joe Turner in his Fifties Atlantic Records heyday. "Sally Lou" gets caught "in the alley" but Leroy Washington doesn't seem to mind in this excellent Fats Domino type piano-roller. Back to Saxophone boppin' in the superb call-and-answer "Rooty Tooty" - the band playing a blinder - the kind of infectious instrumental (with Vocal jabs) that would bring a morgue to life.

Your then hit with two wicked dancers - "You Know Yeah" by Wonder Boy Travis and Lazy Lester's "Tell Me Pretty Baby" (with Nathan Abshire blowing some nice Slim Harpo like Harmonica). I must admit that the poor production values of "Ain't Nothing Shakin' (But The Leaves On The Tree)" do for the song (not surprised it remained in the can) - better is the growl of Mad Dog Sheffield on "Mad Dog" where our singer is "...with two-ton Tilly...a glamour girl..."  - is it any wonder he's howling at the moon. Another wicked dancer is "Mary Lou" which starts out so Fats Domino its embarrassing but then rocks into a guitar middle-eight that is brilliant. For me one the best songs on here is a Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of "One More Chance" with the fantastic voice of Carol Fran - as lovely and lilting as R'n'B gets. Vocal genius kicks in with "When It Rains It Really Pours" - Charles Morris with a fantastic Bluesy delivery (aka Left-Hand Charlie). It ends a little like it started only this time "Take It On Home To Grandma" has a Cajun/Bayou shuffle against a bopping Little Richard Rock'n'Roll shuffle - nice.

Another winner from Ace (celebrating 40 years with 1975 to 2015) and kudos to Ian Saddler for doing such a good job...

PS: Titles to July 2015 in the Ace Records "By The Bayou" CD Series are:

1. Boppin' By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1345)

2. Boppin' By The Bayou Again - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1355)

3. Boppin' By The Bayou: More Dynamite - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1380)

4. Boppin' By The Bayou: Made In The Shade - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1415)

5. Boppin’ By The Bayou: Rock Me, Mama! - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1443)

6. Bluesin' By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1358)

7. Bluesin' By The Bayou: Rough 'n' Tough - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1403)

8. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1363)

9. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies – VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1422)

10. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Rompin' & Stompin' - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1388)

11. Swamp Pop By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1397)