"Stone The Crows/Ode To John Law" by STONE THE CROWS [feat Maggie Bell and James Dewar on Vocals] (2015 Air Angel 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Blind Man..." 

Fronted by not one but two stunning Vocalists in Maggie Bell and James Dewar – Scotland's STONE THE CROWS also boasted the guitar talents of Leslie "Les" Harvey (younger brother of Alex Harvey) and the songwriting genius of Keyboardist John McGinnis. I’ve been after their wicked run of four albums on Polydor between 1970 and 1972 on affordable decent CDs for years now – and at long last Air Angel of the UK (and in conjunction with the band) have acquired the tapes and remastered all four back into digital form – and even found space to chuck on four bonus tracks.

This first 2CD reissue gives you their "Stone The Crows" debut and 2nd LP "Ode To John Law" – the 3rd and 4th albums "Teenage Licks" and "'Ontinuous Performance" arrive in October 2015 on another expanded 2CD set (Air Angel SJPCD468). Here are the pious birds of good omen (they’re stoned and all)...

UK released Friday 4 September 2015 – "Stone The Crows/Ode To John Law" by STONE THE CROWS on Air Angel SJPCD463 (Barcode 5055011704633) gives us their first two studio albums onto a 2CD set with four bonus tracks and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (61:31 minutes):
1. The Touch Of Your Loving Hand
2. Raining In Your Heart
3. Blind Man
4. A Fool On The Hill
5. I Saw America [Side 2]
Tracks 1 to 5 are their debut LP "Stone The Crows" – released July 1970 in the UK on Polydor Super 2425 017 and in the USA on Polydor 24-4019

BONUS TRACKS:
6. Freedom Road (Live)
7. Hollis Brown (Live)
Tracks 6 and 7 are from the "Radio Sessions: 1969-72" – released May 2009 as a 2CD Stone The Crows set on Angel Air SJPCD272

Disc 2 (52:03 minutes):
1. Sad Mary
2. Friend
3. Love 74
4. Mads Dogs And Englishmen [Side 2]
5. Things Are Getting Better
6. Ode To John Law
7. Danger Zone
Tracks 1 to 7 are their 2nd studio album "Ode To John Law" – released February 1971 in the UK on Polydor Super 2425 042 (no USA release)

BONUS TRACKS:
8. The Touch Of Your Loving Hand (Live)
9. Raining in Your Heart (Live)
Tracks 6 and 7 are from the "Radio Sessions: 1969-72" – released May 2009 as a 2CD Stone The Crows set on Angel Air SJPCD272

STONE THE CROWS was:
MAGGIE BELL – Lead Vocals
JAMES DEWAR – Lead Vocals and Bass
LESLEY HARVEY – Guitars
JOHN McGINNIS – Keyboards
COLIN ALLEN – Drums and Percussion

Although the 8-page inlay has new liner notes from Malcolm Dome and includes interviews with Maggie Bell and Colin Allen as well as a few photos – it's a disappointingly slight affair that doesn’t even bother to provide catalogue numbers for the LPs. What you do get is a potted history of the Scottish band arising out of the ashes of The Power who were managed by Zeppelin's Peter Grant. Grant had them change their name because an American group had already nabbed it – and it was he who suggested the much cooler moniker of STONE THE CROWS. A nice touch is that each CD is a picture disc of the album front covers - but the inner gatefold artwork in both cases is missing. There is no mention of who remastered the albums but there is a credit that the material is licenced from Maggie Bell and Colin Allen. The audio is a mixed bag of brilliant clarity one moment followed by awful hiss the next (thankfully the later is more in ascendancy).

The bluesy opening track "The Touch Of Your Loving Hand" (written by Bell and Dewar) is covered in dreadful hiss - which is devastating because it's a stunning six-minute keyboard-lead Soulful Blues song highlighting the magnificent set of pipes on both Dewar and Bell. It even features a sweet guitar solo from Harvey. The Fusion of the Harvey/Dewar composition "Raining In Your Heart" comes at you like Brian Auger meets the Latin rhythms of Santana – it’s brilliant and sounds a lot better than the opener. But then you're hit with an absolute stunner – the 5:12 minutes of "Blind Man" – a Josh White cover version doing entirely in Acoustic Blues. Les Harvey rattles those steel strings while zipping up and down the fretboard in impressive runs. But then Maggie Bells comes at you with 'that voice' – and its Janis Joplin look out baby – there's a new queen in town. It's a stunning Bluesy vocal – the kind of thing that makes the hairs on the back on your neck stand up. They finish Side 1 with a sort of Joe Cocker version of "A Fool On The Hill" – giving The Beatles classic a piano-lead rendition that brings out a sweet Soul in the song.

Side 2 is taken up with one piece – the 17:21 minutes of "I Saw America" - written by Leslie Harvey, Colin Allen and the album's Producer Mark London. It opens with almost Buddy Holly acoustic guitars and then builds Yes-like into a keyboard flourish which is brilliant. At about three minutes it calms down into a slow melody with soft guitars, Maggie's vocals and organ – then back into Genesis territory circa "Nursery Cryme" – back into Blues Rock - onto more Jazz - returns to Prog. And then James "Jimmy" Dewar sails in as Vocalist - what a blast it is...

Maggie Bell's "Freedom Road" (10:32 minutes) and Dylan's "Hollis Brown" (13:05 minutes) are the lengthy 'Live' bonus tracks. Although it doesn't advise where they were recorded – there's no audience response so I'm presuming their BBC recordings. The audio is good – the playing great – and both feel like smartly chosen sonic companions to the album cuts. The dynamic vocal duo of Bell and Dewar rock it out on "Freedom Road" with Harvey tearing up the guitar – but the unwieldy "Hollis Brown" overstays it rumbling welcome.

The second LP opens with a Rocker – "Sad Mary" penned by Keyboardist John McGinnis. It was used as a B-side to the band's first UK 7" single with "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" on the A (Polydor 2066 060, released early 1971). It riffs along in fine form (couple of Zeppelin I touches in there) – but at about 5:25 there's terrible surface noise. That same worn tape background afflicts the beginning of "Friend" until the brilliant keyboard funk kicks in – thereafter the audio is wonderful (bass, drums and vocals). Another keyboard bum-wiggling winner from the pen of John McGinnis is "Love 74" (wrongly credited on the CD sleeve as just "Love"). It ends Side 1 – again the band sounding like a Funk-Rock outfit with American Soulfulness at its AWB core.

Written by Colin Allen and Leslie Harvey – the upbeat "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" is an obvious single – structurally sounding not unlike Dave Mason's “Feeling Alright” as done by Joe Cocker on his "Joe Cocker!" album from early 1970 (see separate review). And again Maggie's vocals are so damn good (I’d forgotten how cool this little song is). The John McGinnis tune "Things Are Getting Better" was chosen as 45 in Germany and Sweden by Polydor with "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" relegated to the flipside – and with its Joe Cocker commercialism you can understand why. Based on the events of 4 May 1970 in the USA - the title track "Ode To John Law" chronicles how the Ohio State Police fired guns into a crowd of longhaired protesting students in Kent State University injuring many but killing four of them. The cops became known as 'pigs' in the USA or in the mind of Colin Allen - 'John Law'. As Maggie Bell sings, "You're a pig...spread your mace in my face..." to a threatening keyboard barrage – the whole song feels deeply uncomfortable throughout (still does). The album ends on the high of "Danger Zone" - a Curtis Mayfield cover version and probably the best song on the album (certainly the most Soulful – huge keyboard chords and tasteful guitar licks). Although it's a set of hugely soulful and accomplished performances from Dewar and Bell – the bonus track BBC Live sessions for "The Touch Of Your Loving Hand" is inflicted with a lot of background noise that dampens this winner (what a shame). But thankfully "Raining In Your Heart" fares a lot better – the band on fire and clearly enjoying boogieing out.

So there you have it – a mixed bag audiowise for sure - but I'm still thrilled these criminally forgotten albums are back on my shelves. Maggie Bell of course went on to a great solo career with Zeppelin's Swan Song label in the mid Seventies and tours to this day while Lead Vocalist James Dewar gave every Robin Trower Chrysalis album a vocal soul they would have been remiss without. After years of genetic medical illness and declining health - he sadly passed away in 2002 aged only 53. I miss him...check out his Rock-Soulful legacy on YouTube.

Stone The Crows – a great band and a wicked legacy. Can't wait for batch Number 2. Even the name makes me tingle...

"With A Little Help From My Friends" by JOE COCKER (1999 A&M 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue - Suha Gur Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Feeling Alright…"

Joe Cocker's first two albums on England's Regal Zonophone Records "With A Little Help From My Friends" (1969) and "Joe Cocker!" (1969 and 1970) are two absolute belters (both issued on A&M Records in the USA) - and yet their 1999 American CD Reissues/Remasters seem to have gone largely unnoticed over here in good old Blighty. His debut album was also festooned with heavy hitters 'friends' of the day like Jimmy Page and Steve Winwood. Here are the helpful details...

USA released October 1999 (April 2000 in the UK) – "With A Little Help From My Friends" by JOE COCKER on A&M 069 490 419-2 (Barcode 606949041922) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of his debut LP and breaks down as follows (45:44 minutes):

1. Feeling Alright
2. Bye Bye Blackbird
3. Change In Louise
4. Marjorine
5. Just Like A Woman
6. Do I Still Figure In Your Life? [Side 2]
7. Sandpaper Cadillac
8. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
9. With A Little Help From My Friends
10. I Shall Be Released
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "With A Little Help From My Friends" - released May 1969 in the USA on A&M SP-4182 (Stereo only) and September 1969 in the UK on Regal Zonophone LRZ 1006 (Mono) and SLRZ 1006 (Stereo). The Stereo mix is used for this CD remaster.

BONUS TRACKS:
11. The New Age Of Lily – Non-Album Track – B-side of "Marjorine" released May 1968 in the UK on Regal Zonophone RZ 3006. Peaked at No. 48 on the UK charts.
12. Something’s Coming On – Non-Album Track – B-side of "With A Little Help From My Friends" released September 1968 in the UK on Regal Zonophone RZ 3013. Peaked at No.1 on the UK charts.
[Note: both of the above B-sides feature ALBERT LEE and JIMMY PAGES on Guitars.]

GUESTS:
JIMMY PAGE plays Guitar on "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Solo), "Marjorine", "Just Like A Woman", "Sandpaper Cadillac" and "With A Little Help From My Friends"
STEVE WINWOOD plays Organ on "Do You Still Figure In My Life?" and "I Shall Be Released"
TONY VISCONTI plays Guitar on "Bye Bye Blackbird"
HENRY McCULLOUGH plays Guitar on "Change In Louise", "Do You Still Figure In My Life?", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "I Shall Be Released"
ALBERT LEE plays Guitar on "Marjorine" and on both of the B-sides "The New Age Of Lily" and "Something’s Coming On"
DAVID COHEN plays Guitar on "Feeling Alright"
TOMMY EYRE plays Piano on "Just Like A Woman" and "Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood" and Organ on "With A Little Help From My Friends"
ARTIE BUTLER plays Piano on "Feeling Alright"
CHRIS STAINTON plays Bass only on "Just Like A Woman", "Do You Still Figure In My Life?", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "With A Little Help From My Friends" and "I Shall Be Released"
CHRIS STAINTON plays Bass and Piano on "Change In Louise", "Marjorine" and "Something's Coming On".
CHRIS STAINTON plays Bass, Piano and Organ on "Bye Bye Blackbird", "Sandpaper Cadillac" and "The New Age Of Lily"
MATTHEW FISHER (of Procol Harum) plays Organ on "Just Like A Woman"
PAUL HUMPHRIES, CLEM CATTINI, MIKE KELLIE, B.J. WILSON and KENNY SLADE plays Drums on varying tracks
BRENDA HOLLOWAY, MERRY CLAYTON and PATRICE HOLLOWAY sing Backing Vocals on "Feeling Alright"
MADELEINE BELL, SUNNY WEETMAN and ROSETTA HIGHTOWER sing Backing Vocals on "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "With A Little Help From My Friends"
MADELEINE BELL, SU and SUNNY WEETMAN sing backing Vocals on "Do I Still Figure In Your Life?"
SU and SUNNY WEETMAN sing Backing Vocals on "Change In Louise"

Recorded in London throughout 1968 and originally Produced by DENNY CORDELL (owner of Regal Zonophone Records) - this zippy little CD Reissue is produced by BILL LEVENSON and features the remastering skills of two superb names in Universal's camp - THERESA MALHAM and SUHA GUR. Suha Gur has been involved in large amounts of the much-praised Hip-O Select label (in particular their Motown reissues) - and is a name I actively seek out for great sonic results. The audio quality here is fabulous - punchy, detailed, never too amped up for effect - just really well done. The 8-page inlay has rudimentary liner notes by J.P. BEAN, recording credits and some period of photos of Cocker. His November 1969 (US) and January 1970 (UK) second album "Joe Cocker" was also issued Stateside on remastered CD in October 1999 (use Barcode 606949042028 on Amazon to get the right issue) and also features two crucial bonus tracks.

The album opens with a total barnstormer – a cover of Dave Mason's brilliant Traffic tune "Feeling Alright" - recently used to devastating effect in the 2013 Denzel Washington drunk-pilot movie "Flight". If ever a song summed up the swagger of the swinging 60ts while at the same time honestly chronicling its dark druggy underbelly – then this little beauty is it. You get that irresistible funky piano from Artie Butler – Cocker's amazing voice fronting a trio of Soulful ladies anchoring the whole impossibly cool tune – what a winner. The standard "Bye Bye Blackbird" gets the full-throated Cocker arrangement and suddenly becomes epic. "Change In Louise" is the first original co-written with Grease Band stalwart Chris Stainton who adds Bass, Piano and Organ to almost the whole of the album (and the two non-LP B-sides). "Marjorine" was released as pre-LP single as far back as May 1968 – it hit No. 48 in the UK and marked his chart debut after 8 years of hawking his wares and a failed single in October 1964 on Decca. Side 1 ends with a powerful rendition of Dylan's "Just Like A Woman" - our Brummy's voice hurting like an open wound (he does Bob proud).

Written by Peter Dello of Honeybus "Do I Still Figure In Your Life?" is a genius choice – gritty, real and painful - its searching melody and message suiting Cocker's expressive voice. The second co-written original (again with Chris Stainton) "Sandpaper Cadillac" is an accomplished piece and a nugget in his past catalogue. It ends of a trio of huge cover versions - "Don’t Let Le Me Misunderstood" by The Animals being the kind of tune tailor-made for his gravelly larynx – his epic cover of The Beatles "Sgt. Peppers" classic "With A Little Help From My Friends" hit Number 1 gold in early October 1968 – and Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" became a freedom anthem and is reckoned as one of 'the' great Dylan interpretations. Both of the bonus tracks are Joe Cocker/Christ Stainton compositions – with the non-LP "Something's Coming On" being the prize – a fantastic tune with great Jimmy Page axework throughout.

So there you have it - a top album remastered to perfection and released at a budget price. Joe Cocker sadly passed away Christmas 2014 – music lovers everywhere genuinely hurt by his loss (check out his performance in the stunning "Across The Universe" movie). But this is a reminder of his extraordinary set of pipes and his way of arranging a tune.

"Feeling alright..." Check this CD remaster out and you will be. Yeah Baby!

PS: As a by the way - I've always loved the compilation LP "Cocker Happy" (pictured above) which came out in the UK in April 1971 on Fly Records HIFLY 3. If you purchase the 1999 A&M CD of his 1969 2nd album "Joe Cocker!" on A&M 069 490 420-2 Barcode 606949042028 (which also has two crucial bonus tracks - 45:44 minutes) and a "Best of" containing the Mono Single Mix of "The Letter" - you'll be able to sequence the whole album in remastered form as follows (instead of paying for highly-priced budget issues):

Side 1:
1. Hitchcock Railway (from "Joe Cocker!")
2. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (from "With A Little Help...")
3. Marjorine (from "With A Little Help...")
4. She's Good To Me (bonus track on "Joe Cocker!" CD)
5. Hello, Little Friend (from "Joe Cocker!)"
6. With A Little Help From My Friends (from "With A Little Help...")

Side 2:
1. Delta Lady (from "Joe Cocker!")
2. Darling Be Home Soon (from "Joe Cocker!")
3. Do I Still Figure In Your Life (from "With A Little Help...")
4. Feeling Alright (from "Joe Cocker!")
5. Something's Coming On (bonus track on the "With A Little Help..." CD)
6. The Letter (7" Mono Single Version) (from "Best Of" CD)

"Five Leaves Left" by NICK DRAKE (2000 Universal/Island CD – John Wood/Simon Heyworth Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...A Very Rare Find..."

The very stuff of legend – 1969 British vinyl LP first pressings of Nick Drake's beautiful Island Records debut album "Five Leaves Left" have been attaining as much as a grand on the open auction market in the right condition. 

Said to have sold less than 500 copies – genuine 1st issues on the fabled 'pink' Island label are notoriously rare. But its one of those occasions where the money is warranted because when you hear this (now cheap as chips) CD remaster of that magnificent beginning – you wonder how in God's name did something this beautiful and brilliant go largely unnoticed?  

Whatever you look at it - 'masterpiece' is a liberally overused phrase in reviewing – but in this case it may even be inadequate. 'Time Has Told Us' indeed - here are the 'Way To Blue' details:

UK released June 2000 – "Five Leaves Left" by NICK DRAKE on Island IMCD 8 (Barcode 042284291521) plays out as follows (41:45 minutes)

1. Time Has Told Me

2. River Man

3. Three Hours

4. Way To Blue

5. Day Is Done

6. 'Cello Song [Side 2]

7. The Thoughts Of Mary Jane

8. Man In A Shed

9. Fruit Tree

10. Saturday Sun

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Five Leaves Left" - his debut vinyl album released 1 September 1969 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9105. Its first US issue came in 1976 on Antilles Records AN-7010.

The 12-page booklet produces the lyrics for all the songs, track-by-track credits, has some photos of master tape boxes and a photograph of hand-written lyrics. It’s a shame though that there aren’t any explanatory liner notes – especially for such a beautiful record – but all that goes out the window once you lay your tired lugs on the masterful Audio...

Originally Produced by JOE BOYD – JOHN WOOD and SIMON HEYWORTH have handled the 24-bit CD remaster at Chop-Em-Out in London and they've done a truly beautiful job. There have been other reissues since 2000 (especially the 5CD "Tuck Box" from 2013 which I've reviewed extensively) but all have used these remasters and with such sweetly crisp and warm audio – why not. A gorgeous sounding CD – now to the music...

Taking its title from a message you receive in a packet of Rizlas for roll-your-own cigarettes (you've "Five Leaves Left") – it opens with Danny Thompson of Pentangle on Double Bass supporting Drake on Acoustic guitar for the beautiful "Time Has Told Me". He's joined on Piano by future Manassas keyboardist Paul Harris (Stephen Stills' band) and equally nice guitar licks from Fairport Convention's Richard Thompson. The primarily acoustic "River Man" shows up the remaster - rolling Spanish acoustic guitar – stunning String arrangements by Harry Robinson – it's the kind of melancholy song that will stop you in your tracks – both touching and magisterial at one and the same time. Danny Thompson returns on Bass but this time with the added percussion of Rocki Dzidzornu on Congas (he turns up again on "'Cello Song") for the stunning "Three Hours". The song is a kind of Jazz-Folk trip – like John Martyn at his Folk-Soul best. It's at this point that you have to double-take – how could something as utterly brilliant as "Three Hours" have gone unnoticed in September 1969? Then you’re hammered with more gorgeous String arrangements for "Way To Blue" but this time courtesy of Richard Kirby. Side One ends on the lovely "Day Is Done" again with exquisite String Arrangements from Kirby.

Side 2 opens with my favourite Nick Drake song – a swaying Folk-Rock-Soul tune that’s liable to send me into rapture – "'Cello Song". Everything that's fantastical about his music is contained in this peach. Those acoustic rhythms he builds like England's answer to Tim Buckley – complimented by brilliant players like Danny Thompson on Double Bass and Dzidzornu on Congas. But giving the melody a spine-tingling beauty and sailing over the song's shuffle is a gorgeous drawn Cello note played by Claire Lowther. Surely this was the single Island should have released? Both "The Thoughts Of Mary Jane" and "Man In A Shed" feel like the Folk-Rock of "Stormbringer" by John Martyn – with Paul Harris and Danny Thompson playing Piano and Bass on "Man In A Shed". The 4LP set put out by Island in 1979 and reissued on CD by Hannibal Records in 1986 was called "Fruit Tree" after the album's second last song – another gorgeous string-laden melody (Richard Kirby arrangements). It finishes on the piano-beauty of "Saturday Sun" which Alexis Korner covered on his self-titled Rak Records album in July 1971 (SRAK 501) – I believe he was the first musician to officially cover a Drake song. Tristam Fry plays the Drums and provides those sweet Vibes (he's sessioned for huge swathes of legendary artists including The Beatles and Frank Sinatra).

You could go all the way and purchase the 5CD set "Tuck Box" which has now been reduced in 2015 to a more affordable price. His only other two LPs "Bryter Layter" and "Pink Moon" followed in 1970 and 1972 and made up the perfect triumvirate before he sadly left us in 1974.

"...When I remember those people and places...they were really too good in their way..." – Nick Drake sang on "Saturday Sun". Was he too good for this world? How can something as ethereal and gorgeous as this have gone largely unnoticed in his short life span? It’s hard to know.

Do yourself and your Soul a solid and get this man’s beauty into your life and onto your sound system as soon as possible - because time 'has' told us - Nick Drake is a very rare find indeed...

"Crosby, Stills & Nash: Expanded & Remastered HDCD Edition" by CROSBY. STILLS & NASH (2005 Atlantic/Rhino HDCD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Ruby Throated..." 

The liner notes to this 2006 'Expanded & Remastered HDCD Edition' of CSN's monumental 1969 debut album opens with an Introduction from Ahmet Ertegun – founder and owner of the mighty Atlantic Records. It describes the first time he heard the tapes by ex Hollies man Graham Nash who had linked up with ex Byrd's tunesmith David Crosby and Buffalo Springfield's guitarist and songwriter Stephen Stills. The canny Record Man was stunned and knew something huge was happening. He quotes "Crosby, Stills & Nash immediately became my No. 1 project..." And even now - in the twilight months of 2015 – a full 46 years after the event – their opening salvo is 'so' damn good – a melodious masterpiece still casting a harmony-vocal shadow over today's myriad musical landscape. Here are the helplessly hoping details of three men on a sofa...

UK released January 2006 – "Crosby, Stills & Young: Expanded & Remastered HDCD Edition" by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH on Atlantic/Rhino-8122-73290-2 (Barcode 081227329020) offers you the 10-track album newly remastered and with 4 bonus tracks. It pans out as follows (53:17 minutes):

1. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
2. Marrakesh Express
3. Guinnevere
4. You Don't Have To Cry
5. Pre-Road Downs
6. Wooden Ships [Side 2]
7. Lady Of The Island
8. Helplessly Hoping
9. Long Time Gone
10. 49 Bye-Byes
Tracks 1 to 10 are their debut studio album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" – released June 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD-8229 and in the UK on Atlantic 588 189. It rose to No. 6 and No. 25 on the US and UK charts. David Crosby wrote 3 and 9 - Stephen Stills wrote 1, 4, 8, and 10 – Graham Nash wrote 2, 5 and 7. "Wooden Ships" is a co-write between David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Paul Kantner (of Jefferson Airplane).

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Do For The Others [Stephen Stills song]
12. Song With No Words (New Remix) [David Crosby song]
13. Everybody's Talkin' [cover version of a Fred Neil song]
14. Teach Your Children [Graham Nash song]

The 16-page booklet is tastefully substantial – the gatefold lyric insert that came with original 1969 vinyl albums has been fully reproduced, there’s a detailed and informed essay on the album by DAVID WILD which includes quotes from the trio and reissue credits. They’ve even included the lyrics to the four bonuses. The centre pages have a gorgeous colour photo the harmonious trio wrapped up in furs. But the big news is the fantastic new Remaster. JOHN NOWLAND (who was involved in the highly praised first four Neil Young remasters) has used the original 2-and-8 track analogue master tapes and transferred them to HDCD (High Density Compatible Digital). It’s a better form of Remaster and HDCD do not require any kind of special player. STANLEY JOHNSON and GREG HAYES were also involved in the transfers with the Mastering done by the vastly experienced BERNIE GRUNDMAN. The results are the best I’ve ever heard this album sound (odd they haven’t followed this release up with a similar HDCD version of "Déjà Vu"?)

Right from opening Acoustic Guitars of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (written about Judy Collins) and when those magical three voices blend – you realise you’re in the presence of something very special. Although the song is 7:24 minutes long and even includes a Spanish chant-and-dance break – it never seems to overstay its welcome. Having listening to this opener for over four and half decades on various vinyl originals (UK plum labels included) – the Audio achieved here is truly breathtaking. Graham Nash's chipper "Marrakesh Express" was the first 45 off the album coupled with "Helplessly Hoping" on both sides of the pond in July 1969 (Atlantic 584 283 in the UK, Atlantic 2652 in the USA) - it hit 28 in the USA and 17 in the UK. It's followed by the stunning ethereal beauty of "Guinnevere" sashaying into your living room with a softly plucked Acoustic. Then you get hit with the full harmonious power and beauty of those three voices as a wall of one. When the trio first got together in Joni Mitchell's house – they noticed the 'timber' of the combo – and this song more than any highlights that magic. As if that's not good enough - you get the 'life on the road' cautionary tale of "You Don't Have To Cry" where that Stephen Stills tuneful song magic kicks you in the nuts. Fabulous guitar pings, their voices and those words – "...you are living a reality I left years ago...it quite nearly killed me..." Side 1 ends with Graham Nash's "Pre-Road Downs" – a treated guitar gives us another touring-is-miserable song about missing the touch and presence of his ladylove.

"Wooden Ships" would turn up on the Jefferson Airplane album "Volunteers" in November of 1969 (it was a co-write with Paul Kantner) and I’ve always loved both versions – a strange hybrid of Soulful Rock that seemed to belong to California in 1969. CSN's original take is shorter and amps up the Guitar and Organ and once again the Remaster is gorgeous. The bass and rhythm section is so warm and sweet but it’s the Stills vocal followed by Crosby and back again that impresses – beautifully handled in the transfer. "Lady Of The Island" is tender and quiet and Nash's vocals almost aching with his love (written for Joni Mitchell). "...Letting myself wander through the world in your eyes..." he sings – and it's beautifully poignant. That harmony magic comes marauding through your speakers once again (but in the best possible way) with "Helplessly Hoping" – a stunning three-part harmony and probably the best Audio on the disc. Although from the pen of David Crosby - the slinky "Long Time Gone" nonetheless has Still's arrangement and production magic all over it – lifting the song into a CSN recording rather than a solo stab. It ends on "49 Bye-Byes" which always seems to get overlooked – but it has magic in it too – especially in that centre passage where all those melodies on the guitars and vocals build up.

The album was recorded straight (what you see is what you get) so technically there are no outtakes from the sessions per say - but the group continued recording that year and the four bonus tracks come from those sessions. "Do For The Others" would eventually show on "Stephen Stills" - his debut solo album from late 1970. The second it opens – you can hear why its been included on this Expanded CD Edition – not only is this song gorgeous to listen too – it’s beautifully recorded – essentially a Demo with Stills on Lead Guitar while the other two harmonise. It’s a genuine wow. Second up is another harmony winner in "Song With No Words" where they "dah dah" the melody that would eventually appear on David Crosby's magnificent "If I Could Only Remember My Name" debut solo album in 1971. Truly beautiful is the only way to describe the Trio doing Fred Neil's classic "Everybody's Talkin'" made famous by Nilsson's cover as used in the movie "Midnight Cowboy". Crosby describes it in the liner notes as "Stills at his best..." There's a demo of the "Déjà Vu" classic "Teach Your Children" which is nice but nothing as good as the magical trio that preceded it. Fans will know that there are five other 'outtakes' from the period on the "Carry On" 4CD Box Set (1991) - one day we might get a Deluxe Edition 2CD set covering the event in its entirety...helplessly hoping...

So there you have – an established 60ts nugget – cool and beautiful like a summer breeze and given a truly beautiful audio makeover. It’s even furnished and burnished in Aldershot Sun with Bonus Tracks actually worthy of the moniker.

"...Going to where the sun keeps shining... " – Stephen Stills sings on their gorgeous harmony vocal cover of "Everybody's Talkin'". 

I'd gravitate towards this ray of California gold if I were you...warm on your soul and on your mind...and then some...

This review is part of my COOL 1960s MUSIC e-Book available as one of the SOUNDS GOOD Series - Exceptional CD Remasters...

"The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues" by HOWLIN' WOLF [featuring Hubert Sumlin and Buddy Guy] (March 2002 (US) April 2002 (UK) Universal/MCA/Chess CD Compilation – 2LPs onto 1CD - Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Three Hundred Pounds Of Heavenly Joy..."

'Look what you get' indeed. Don't let that big smiling face fool you. Standing at six foot three inches and with a neck as big as a tree trunk – Chester Burnett could scare the crap out of Beelzebub and out-sing his nastier brother too. But Howlin' Wolf was not just a musical force of nature (the real deal as Sam Phillips said when he first heard his famous vocal growl) – he was a mischievous and often very funny Blues Man. And never is that more evident than on this fabulous twofer that brings together two rare albums in the "Real Folk Blues" series Chess Records put out in the Sixties (1966 and 1967 to be exact). Both are studio sets and contain classics like "Killing Floor" (covered by Zeppelin on "II") and the 'look what you get' song "Built For Comfort". Here are the three hundred pounds of heavenly joy...

US released March 2002 (April 2002 in the UK) – "The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues" by HOWLIN' WOLF on Universal/MCA/Chess 088 122 820-2 (Barcode 008811282028) is part of Universal's "Blues Classics: Remastered & Revisited" CD Series and pans out as follows (66:43 minutes):

1. Killing Floor [Side 1]
2. Louise
3. Poor Boy
4. Sittin' On Top Of The World
5. Nature
6. My Country Sugar Mama
7. Tail Dragger [ Side 2]
8. Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy
9. The Natchez Burnin'
10. Build For Comfort
11. Ooh Baby Hold Me
12. Tell Me What I've Done
Tracks 1 to 12 are the LP "The Real Folk Blues" – released January 1966 in the USA on Chess LP 1502. Tracks 1, 2 and 6 were recorded August 1964 – Track 7 September 1962 – Tracks 8 and 10 are August 1963 – Tracks 11 and 12 are from August 1965 while the remainder are various Fifties recordings.

13. Just My Kind
14. I've Got A Woman
15. Work For Your Money
16. I'll Be Around
17. You Can't Be Beat
18. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life)
19. I Love My Baby
20. Neighbors
21. I'm The Wolf
22. Rockin' Daddy
23. Who Will Be Next
24. I Have A Little Girl
Tracks 13 to 24 are the album "More Real Folk Blues" – released January 1967 in the USA on Chess LP 1512

The 12-page booklet features a short essay of The Wolf by the noted Blues Historian Mary Katherine Aldin who did Hip-O Select’s annotation for their magnificent Volume 2 of Muddy Waters' complete Chess recordings "Hoochie Coochie Man..." in 2004. Pages 6, 7 and 8 reproduced the original liner notes to both LPs from Willie Dixon and Paul Williams (of Crawdaddy Magazine) respectively while the rest is taken up with reissue credits. Good names like ANDY McKAIE and BETH STEMPEL have coordinated the series – but the big news is new Remastering by ERICK LABSON at Universal. His credits list runs like a who's who of Chess artists (Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Etta James, The Dells, Rotary Connection) as well as many prestigious Rock catalogues (Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night, Mamas and Papas, Neil Diamond, Wishbone Ash and The Who) to name but a few. The Audio on the first album which is mainly in Stereo rocks throughout - but the second LP which features 1953 to 1956 Mono material is only as good as the recordings were – lively and full of rough Blues - but not the sonic blast the first record is. Considering what he had to work with – the Audio overall is great – full of presence.

As you can see from the details beneath the track listing – "The Real Folk Blues” album is made up of tracks from 1963, 1964 and 1965 with a smattering of older Fifties cuts (almost all were American Chess 45s) and it opens with a double from an August 1964 session. "Killing Floor" is a Blues tune probably more famous to Rock fans through Led Zeppelin who naughtily tried to rename it "The Lemon Song" on certain copies of "Zeppelin II" in 1969 (other copies correctly credit it as "Killing Floor" by Chester Burnett). In some ways they were both at it. It's arguable that Wolf's version is a radical update of "Hard Times Killing Floor" by Skip James that dates back to the Thirties. In 1969 Jimmy Page and Robert Plant over in England then take Wolf's re-working and do exactly the same – reshape it into yet another beast called "The Lemon Song". Either way what you do hear in Wolf's opening salvo is the fantastic band. Both Hubert Sumlin and Buddy Guy are on the Guitars, Lafayette Leak plays Piano, Arnold Rogers and Donald Hankins play the Saxophones with Andrew McMahon on Bass and Sam Lay on Drums. "Louise" has wicked guitar work too and a fantastic vocal and Wolf lyrics like "...Louise you'd better come home...somebody's been fishing in your pond...baby since you've been gone..."

"Poor Boy" is an oldie from 1957 where you get to hear the Wolf's underrated Harmonica playing while his cover of "Sittin' On Top Of The World" from the same session gives The Mississippi Sheiks Okeh 78" a run for its 1930 money. The jaunty CB original "Nature" again opens with his shockingly good Harp playing and from there we're back to a 1964 winner "My Country Sugar Mama" (often shortened by future copyists to just "Sugar Mama"). The fab "Sugar Mama" is one of those gem B-sides (Chess 1911 in 1964 with “Love Me Darlin’” was on the A) that once again offers his sneaky Bluesy brilliance - the kind of 'look-out-ladies' hoochie-coochie Blues he was so effortlessly good at. The moaning guitar of "Tail Dragger" was put out as a 45 on Chess 1890 in 1964 (with "Hidden Charms" on its flipside) and features prominent axework from another Chess Records hero Hubert Sumlin. With Johnny Jones on the Piano and J.T. Brown on Tenor Sax, "Ooh Baby, Hold Me" has fantastic Audio - every instrument in your face - and for all the right reasons.

His funniest tune "300 Pounds Of Joy" was issued as a masterpiece double-sided 45 by Chess in 1963 with the equally brill "Built For Comfort" on the flipside (Chess 1870). Both were wickedly hip at the time and remain so to this day – so much so that one or both will surely be flogging some luxury car in the next five years - as it comes sailing out of some wind-tunnel in a slick as snake oil TV advert. Dark and dangerous describes "The Natchez Burnin'" which comes at you with a hurt meanness. But my real crave is the album finisher - the properly Bluesy "Tell Me What I've Done" with Buddy Guy's accomplished guitar playing enriching everything – a fabulous A-side to Chess 1928 in late 1965.

You would have to say that the follow-up album released exactly one year after the first is not nearly as good – but still has moments that warrant purchase. It features old material recorded between 1953 and 1956 with Otis Spann at the Piano and a combo of Hubert Sumlin, Jody Williams and Lee Cooper on the guitars (Willie Dixon on Bass). The whole album is rough and grungy with his huge set of pipes almost distorting the tapes. And once again with tracks like "I'll Be Around" you hear his wicked Harp playing while the keyboard prowess of Otis Spann puts a boogie into "Neighbors". Axeman Lee Cooper gives "I'm The Wolf" and "Neighbors" some chugging riffs and shuffling guitar respectively (what a band they must have been live). "Rockin' Daddy" is barroom boogie too as he growls "...I can rock you all night long..." and means it. The LP ends on the salacious "I Have A Little Girl" where his latest lady love is 18-years old - but you can't help thinking that she isn't as innocent now as she was when she left momma's house...

Born in the Mississippi Delta in June 1910 and finally lost to us too soon in January 1976 – I can only tremble at the thought of Howlin' Wolf in the live environment – wailing like a cross between an alligator and a mad dog – whooping it up as the band tears into "Built For Comfort" (and 'not for speed') - literally climbing the onstage curtains at one infamous gig and driving the audience wild. Wow!

"...I got everything that a good girl need..." he sang. I don't doubt that for a nanosecond Mister Burnett...be with the angels...

Titles in the Universal US-Only 

"Blues Classics - Remastered & Revisited" CD Series are:

(1 and 2 are SUHA GUR remasters, 

3 to 11 are ERICK LABSON remasters and I've reviewed most)

1. Bad News Is Coming - LUTHER ALLISON
(1972 Gordy LP, 2001 CD Remaster + Four Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks) - Universal 440 013 407-2 (Barcode 044001340727)

2. Luther's Blues - LUTHER ALLISON
(1974 USA 9-track LP with 3 Previously Unreleased bonuses, 70:28 minutes)
Universal 440 013 409-2 (Barcode 044001340925)

3. Two Steps From The Blues - BOBBY BLAND
(1961 USA 12-track LP on Duke with 2 bonuses, 35:12 minutes)
MCA 088 112 516-2 (Barcode 008811251628)

4. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - JOHN LEE HOOKER
(October 1966 and September 1991 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 79:44 minutes)
MCA/Chess 088 112 821-2 (Barcode 008811282127)

5. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - HOWLIN' WOLF
(January 1966 on Chess and January 1967 on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 66:45 minutes)
MCA/Chess 088 112 820-2 (Barcode 008811282028)

6. Tell Mama: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions - ETTA JAMES
(January 1968 US 12-Track LP on Cadet - 13-22 being bonuses, 57:11 minutes)
MCA/Chess 088 112 518-2 (Barcode 008811251826)

7. Live At San Quentin - B.B. KING
(1990 13-Track Compilation on MCA, no extras, 64:09 minutes)
MCA America 088 112 517-2 (Barcode 008811251727)

8. At Newport 1960 - MUDDY WATERS
(1960 US 9-Track LP on Chess with 10-13 being 4 Mono Studio Tracks from June 1960 as bonus tracks, 44:41 minutes)
MCA/Chess 088 112 515-2 (Barcode 008811251529)

9. Fathers & Sons - MUDDY WATERS (with Paul Butterfield, Otis Spann, Mike Bloomfield, Donald 'Duck' Dunn and Buddy Miles)
(Tracks 1-10 and 15-20 is the August 1969 2LP set on Chess in Full with Tracks 11, 12, 13 being previously unreleased - and 14 previously unreleased in the USA). (77:38 minutes)
MCA/Chess 088 112 648-2 (Barcode 008811264826)

10. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - MUDDY WATERS
MCA/Chess 088 112 822-2 (Barcode 008811282226)

11. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
(January 1966 and January 1967 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 65:28 minutes)
MCA/Chess 088 112 823-2 (Barcode 008811282325)