"Time Hasn’t Changed Us: The Complete CBS Recordings 1967-1971" by THE LOVE AFFAIR and STEVE ELLIS (2015 RPM Records 3CD Mini Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Good Times..." 

Wow - what an incredible haul! You get two albums, the A&B-sides of at least seven non-album 7" singles, three Previously Unreleased BBC Sessions, 16 recently discovered outtakes from the Steve Ellis Solo period (Disc 3), the title track from Acetate (Disc 2) and even two uber-rare Italian language 45s. 67-tracks across 3CDs. There’s a mountain of good musical stuff to get through here – so let me get to the Modtastic details right away...

UK released June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) – "Time Hasn't Changed Us: The Complete CBS Recordings 1967-1971" by THE LOVE AFFAIR and STEVE ELLIS on RPM Records RPMBXM 526 (Barcode 5013929552609) breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 – THE LOVE AFFAIR (77:09 minutes):

1. Everlasting Love – December 1967 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3125, A

2. Gone Are The Songs Of Yesterday - December 1967 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3125, B

3. Rainbow Valley – April 1968 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3366, A

4. Someone Like Me - April 1968 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3366, B

5. A Day Without Love – August 1968 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3674, A

6. I'm Happy - August 1968 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3674, B

7. Hush

8. 60 Minutes (Of Your Love)

9. Could I Be Dreaming

10. First Cut Is The Deepest

11. So Sorry

12. Once Upon A Season

13. Tobacco Road

14. The Tree

15. Handbags And Gladrags

16. Build On Love

17. Please Stay

18. Tale Of Two Bitters

19. One Road – February 1968 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3994, A

20. Let Me Know - – February 1968 UK 7" single on CBS Records 3994, B

21. Bringing On Back The Good Times – July 1969 UK 7" single on CBS Records 4300, A

22. Another Day - July 1969 UK 7" single on CBS Records 4300, B

23. Io Senza Te (Rainbow Valley) - Italian 7" single

The first of their two albums - "The Everlasting Love Affair" was released in December 1968 in the UK on CBS Records 63416 (Mono) and S 63416 (Stereo). The 15-track Stereo LP can be sequenced from CD1 using the following tracks.

Side 1:

1. Everlasting Love [1]

2. Hush [7]

3. 60 Minutes (Of Your Love) [8]

4. Could I Be Dreaming [9]

5. First Cut Is The Deepest [10]

6. So Sorry [11]

7. Once Upon A Season [12]

8. Rainbow Valley [3]

Side 2:

1. A Day Without Love [5]

2. Tobacco Road [13]

3. The Tree [14]

4. Handbags & Gladrags [15]

5. Build On Love [16]

6. Please Stay [17]

7. Tale Of Two Bitters [18]

Disc 2 – THE LOVE AFFAIR (79:41 minutes):

1. Baby I Know – October 1969 UK 7" single on CBS Records 4631, A

2. Accept Me For What I Am - October 1969 UK 7" single on CBS Records 4631, B

3. Time Hasn't Changed Us

4. Un Giorno Senza Amore (A Day Without Love) – 1969 Italian 7" Single on CBS Records 4007, A [English Language Version on the B]

5. All Along The Watchtower (BBC's "Colour Me Pop" Show, 2 August 1969) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

6. A Day In The Life (BBC's "Colour Me Pop" Show, 2 August 1969) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

7. Walk On Gilded Splinters (BBC Session, Dave Lee Travis Show 10 Nov 1969) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

8. Lincoln County – February 1970 UK 7" single on CBS 4780, A

9. Sea Of Tranquillity - February 1970 UK 7" single on CBS 4780, B

10. Speak Of Peace, Sing Of Joy – May 1970 UK 7” single on CBS Records 5017, A

11. Bring My Whole World Tumbling Down - May 1970 UK 7" single on CBS Records 5017, B

12. New Day

13. Walking Down The Road

14. Gee's Whizz

15. Gypsy

16. Goodbye Brother, Farewell Friend

17. Hurt By Love

18. Bad Girl

19. Nine To Five

20. Thank You Bean

The second of their two albums – "New Day" (credited to just L.A.) was released in 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 64109 (Stereo only) and can be sequenced from CD 2 using the following tracks:

Side 1:

1. New Day [12]

2. Walking Down The Road [13]

3. Gee's Whizz [14]

4. Gypsy [15]

5. Goodbye Brother, Farewell Friend [16]

Side 2:

1. Hurt By Love [17]

2. Bad Girl [18]

3. Nine To Five [19]

4. Thank You Bean [20]

5. Speak Of Peace, Sing Of Joy [10]

Disc 3 – STEVE ELLIS (77:11 minutes):

1. Loot – May 1970 UK 7" single on CBS Records 4992, A

2. More More More - May 1970 UK 7" single on CBS Records 4992, B

3. Evie – September 1970 UK 7" single on CBS Records S 5199, A

4. Fat Crow - September 1970 UK 7" single on CBS Records S 5199, B

5. Take Your Love – March 1971 UK 7" single on CBS 7037, A

6. Jingle Jangle Jasmine - March 1971 UK 7" single on CBS 7037, B

7. Have You Seen My Baby – August 1971 UK 7” single on CBS S 7411, A

8. Goody Goody Dancing Shoes - August 1971 UK 7" single on CBS S 7411, B

9. Good Time Livin'

10. Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart

11. It's A Man's Man's Man's World

12. Bread And Wine

13. Lean On Me

14. Rainy Night In Georgia

15. Holly Holy

16. Charley Patton Rides The Delta

17. I Don't Know Why

18. Gimme Shelter

19. Pisces Apple Lady

20. Way Up On A Hill

21. I Got A Feelin'

22. Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Lovin'

23. Take Me To The Pilot

24. Sympathy

Tracks 1 and 2 also featured on the Keith Mansfield Original Soundtrack LP "Loot" released 1970 in the UK on CBS Records 70073 on which Keith Ellis sang. Tracks 9 to 24 first appeared in 2003 on the CD "Rolling With The '69 Crew: Steve Ellis The Lost Masters" on Talking Elephant.

It comes in a card slipcase rather like a smaller version of the "Original Album Series" 5CD sets on WEA with 3 card sleeve inserts and a nice 16-page booklet. JOHN REED does the liner notes and his expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm for all things Mod comes shining through. It details the early incarnation of the band as The Soul Survivors, then becoming teenage heartthrobs as The Love Affair, Steve Ellis' involvement in the "Loot" Soundtrack of 1970 – on to the formation of Ellis in the early seventies with Zoot Money (I’ve reviewed both "Riding On The Crest Of A Slump" and "Why Not?") and beyond. You get a rare poster for The Small Faces in the Royal Albert Hall in December 1967 with Cat Stevens and The Soul Survivors as some of the support acts. There are memorabilia photos, UK demos of CBS singles, sheet music and Steve Ellis solo stuff. Their debut single "Everlasting Love" famously hit the Number 1 spot on the UK charts (after a little helpful hype by their publicity agent) in February 1968 having grown steadily in popularity since its release in December 1967.

The first thing that clobbers you as you play the six singles that open Disc 1 is the amazing audio. Remastered by SIMON MURPHY at Another Planet Music – the sonic kick in the goolies this CD packs is truly fantastic. You then notice the quality of the tunes – Soulful Mod outings one moment followed by Small Faces grunge the next. Phillip Goodhand-Tate wrote "Gone Are The Songs Of Yesterday" and the brilliant "A Day Without Love" (which The Sex Pistols rehearsed in 1976 – The Love Affair's attitude to the press was dismissive – that rebel attitude may have drawn the Punk Rockers to the tune).

The debut album "The Everlasting Love Affair" has a very 'Small Faces' feel to it – like a transition album between their Decca Pop and heavier Immediate Label period. It helps of course that Ellis sounds a tad like Steve Marriott and on occasion goes all Humble Pie wild when he rocks out on his axe. Sessionmen Herbie Flowers played Bass, Clem Cattini hit the Drums and Keith Mansfield did the band's trademark arrangements. They tackle Deep Purple's hooky yet heavy "Hush" (wicked guitar), do a Soulful brassy take on Cat Stevens' masterpiece "The First Cut Is The Deepest" (P.P. Arnold made it a hit on Immediate Records) and offer up a radically re-worked "Tobacco Road" (originally by The Nashville Teens) where they sound almost like an embryonic Sabbath. Mike d'Abo's gorgeous "Handbags And Gladrags" gets a very Small Faces madrigal arrangement complete with clavinet. DJM Records artist Phillip Goodhand-Tate supplied two - the bouncy "Build On Love" and one of the record's lighter highlights - "One Road" which feels like The Hollies on a roll. Soul is not very far beneath the Mod surface – Isaac Hayes and David Porter's "60 Minutes Of Your Time" was originally a Homer Banks B-side in 1966 on Minit Records – but The Love Affair's version here is more akin to the revved up Mod interpretation Simon Dupree & The Big Sound did in 1967 on Parlophone. Amidst the flurry of covers - Steve Ellis and Keyboardist Morgan Fisher put up several superb originals – the Monkees/Association feel to "Could I Be Dreaming", a rocking winner in "The Tree" and a Mother Brown knees-up alcohol bar song "Tale Of Two Bitters" where they sound dangerously close to cod Small Faces but in a bad way and definitely without their genuine and effortless charm.

The second LP "New Day" (simply credited to L.A.) is almost three years away from the debut and with Ellis gone towards a Solo career – it's a Progressive Rock album from 1970 and not a Pop/Mod-Soul effort of the Sixties. Not that the period's singles reflected this. There seemed to be two bands at this point battling for musical supremacy. The opening single on CD 2 is "Baby I Know" - a genuine Pop blast with that earlier brassy sound of theirs – but again the B-side is an entirely different band and beast – coming on like Hard Rock is their real crave. The audio takes a dip for the title track which you suspect is dubbed off a rare Acetate while the 'Colour Me Pop' BBC tracks consist of an awful version of "All Along The Watchtower" and a Procol Harum sounding organ instrumental of the Sgt. Peppers closer "A Day In The Life" (can't make my mind up if this is genius or a curio). "...Now all you Top Of The Pops groovers around the world – here's another set of good sounds from Love Affair..." is announced before the band launch into a rather cool version of Dr. John's moocher "Walk On Gilded Splinters" – definitely the best of three Unreleased BBC Sessions.

It's back to Pop/Soul business with "Lincoln County" where Gus Eadon (ex The Elastic Band) takes over the Lead Vocals. The B-side – "Sea Of Tranquillity" feels like early Argent. We even get a little deep with the lengthy "Speak Of Peace, Sing of Joy" where the band tries to say something of substance (it's actually a strong track which they mimed on an early Top Of The Pops appearance). I like Eadon's guttural growl – pleasingly similar to John Baldry on his two Warner Brothers albums "It Ain't Easy" (1971, reissued by Rhino on CD - see review) and "Everything Stops For Tea" (1972). "Gee's Whizz" is a brilliant and interesting instrumental – the flute makes it feel Jethro Tull – the keyboards like ELP on a Rock 'n' Roll tip – while the superb drum solo is John Bonham on Zeppelin II's "Moby Dick".

Disc 3 is dedicated to Steve Ellis - 8 single sides and 16 tracks from the aborted solo album (all 16 are from the 20-track stash discovered in 2013 and issued as the 2CD compilation "Rolling With The '69 Crew: Steve Ellis The Lost Masters" on Talking Elephant). It's the Steve Ellis solo material that never surfaced after he left Love Affair (Gus Eadon took over Lead Vocals and songwriting too). Highlights include the beautifully recorded "Good Time Livin'" where it sounds like Steve Marriott doing a Soul Album instead of hammering down on riffage. He does a tasty take on the James Brown classic "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" with cool Mansfield strings and brass arrangements. Philip Goodhand-Tate provides "Lean On Me" while Ellis trumps up with his own New Orleans blaster "Charley Patton Rides The Delta". I can't resist a cover of "Gimme Shelter" – that Rolling Stones 1969 masterpiece that lends itself to just about everyone. Here Ellis gives it a Merry Clayton Funk-Rock vibe and is surely one of the highlights on CD3. And his cover of Dave Mason's "Can't Stop Worryin' Can't Stop Lovin'" is superbly musical too - like good Terry Reid (and that's the best compliment)...

It’s not all genius for sure and you can literally feel the missed chances as the singles try desperately to ape that first Motownesque magic of "Everlasting Love" – but what came next when they found their musical feet is brilliant in places. And that unreleased Solo stuff is a revelation and finally links the two LPs and their wildly differing styles.

A fantastic reissue and well done to all at RPM (and John Reed) for their hutzpah in getting "Time Hasn't Changed Us" out there in such style. As the singer says...it’s just a kiss away...and I like that...

"The RCA Albums Collection" by NILSSON (2013 RCA/Legacy 17CD Box Set - Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Echoes Of My Mind…." 

Wow! 17CDs containing 14 full albums (Mono and Stereo variants of the first two LPs on CD for the first time), a whopping 66 Previously Unreleased Tracks, an equal amount of other Rarities from now deleted LP and CD compilations, Foreign Language Versions, Exclusive Single Mixes, Radio Spots and a 1968 Live BBC Recordings Session - and all of it remastered to gorgeous new clarity by Tape Supremo VIC ANESINI (Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, Jayhawks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Janis Joplin etc). There isn’t even enough room to picture all the content on the back cover of the small clamshell box!

You could in truth argue that NILSSON doesn’t actually warrant this kind of lavish treatment – but after ‘hearing’ and seeing this gorgeous little box set – you’ll be rooting for Brooklyn’s Harry Edward instead of poo-pooing his later (and admittedly) patchy output. There’s so much to love and enjoy on here…there really is…

In order to give an idea of the level of thought that’s gone into this all encompassing Retrospective – the first two albums “Pandemonium Shadow Show” and “Aerial Ballet” were issued in both Mono and Stereo and RCA Legacy have included ‘both’ on Discs 1 and 2. But looking at the liner notes carefully you notice that the first slew of RCA singles are listed under the ‘Mono’ entry for each album and ‘not’ the Stereo - because that’s how they were released back in the day – in Mono. Nice touch. In order to do this fab box set proper justice – I’ve provided a full discography. So let’s get to the (many) Nilsson Schmilsson details…

Released July 2013 – "The RCA Albums Collection" by NILSSON on RCA/Legacy 88697915502 (Barcode 886979155022) is a 17CD Box Set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 – “Pandemonium Shadow Show” – 66:33 minutes:

1. Ten Little Indians

2. 1941

3. Cuddly Toy

4. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune

5. You Can’t Do That

6. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

7. She’s Leaving Home [Side 2]

8. There Will Never Be

9. Without Her

10. Freckles

11. It’s Been So Long

12. River Deep - Mountain High

Tracks 1 to 12 are the STEREO version of his debut album - released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7928.

Tracks 13 to 24 are the MONO version – released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7928

Disc 2 – “Aerial Ballet” – 59:33 minutes:

1. Daddy’s Song

2. Good Old Desk

3. Don’t Leave Me

4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song

5. Little Cowboy (1:23 minutes)

6. Together

7. Everybody’s Talkin’ [Side 2]

8. I Said Goodbye To Me

9. Little Cowboy (00:51 minutes)

10. Mr. Tinker

11. One

12. The Wailing Of The Willow

13. Bath

Tracks 1 to 13 are the STEREO version of his 2nd album - released June 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7973

Tracks 14 to 26 are the MONO version – released July 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7973

Track 27 is a Bonus – “Aerial Ballet Radio Spot” from July 1968 and is Previously Unreleased

Disc 3 – “Harry” – 49:55 minutes:

1. The Puppy Song

2. Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore

3. Open Your Window

4. Mother Nature’s Son

5. Fairfax Rag

6. City Life

7. Mournin’ Glory Story [Side 2]

8. Maybe

9. Marchin’ Down Broadway

10. I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City

11. Rainmaker

12. Mr. Bojangles

13. Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear

Tracks 1 to 13 are his 3rd album (in Stereo)– released July 1969 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4197 and September 1969 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8046

BONUS TRACKS:

14. I Will Take You There (Single Mix) – (16 and 14 are the A&B-sides of a USA-only 7” single on RCA Victor 47-9675)

15. Waiting (From the Motion Picture “Jenny”, also a March 1970 USA 7” single on RCA Victor 74-0310, B-side of “I’ll Be Home”)

16. Rainmaker (Single Mix) – see 14

17. Mournin’ Glory Story (Single Mix) (credited as “Mourning Glory”, a November 1968 UK 7” single on RCA Victor RCA 1765, Previously Unreleased on CD)

18. Garbage Can Alley (Alternate Version) – Recorded July 1968, Previously Unreleased

19. Harry Radio Spot – Recorded 1969, Previously Unreleased

20. Voice Of Vista Radio Spots – Recorded June 1969, Previously Unreleased

Disc 4 – “Nilsson Sings Newman” – 60:23 minutes:

1. Vine St.

2. Love Story

3. Yellow Man

4. Caroline

5. Cowboy

6. The Beehive State [Side 2]

7. I’ll Be Home

8. Living Without You

9. Dayton, Ohio 1903

10. So Long Dad

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 4th album – released March 1970 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4289 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8166

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Snow

12. Love Story (Alternate Version)

13. Cowboy (Alternate Version)

14. I’ll Be Home (Alternate Version)

15. Living Without You (Alternate Version)

Tracks 11 to 15 first issued on “Nilsson Sings Newman” CD reissue on Buddah 74465 99703 2 in 2000)

Disc 5 – “The Point!” (Animated TV/Film Soundtrack) – 43:25 minutes:

1. Everything’s Got ‘Em

2. The Town

3. Me And My Arrow

4. The Game

5. Poli High

6. The Trial And Banishment

7. Think About Your Troubles

8. The Pointed man (Narration) [Side 2]

9. Life Line

10. The Birds (Narration)

11. P.O.V. Waltz

12. The Clearing In The Woods (Narration)

13. Are You Sleeping

14. Oblio’s Return (Narration)

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 5th album – released January 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSPX-1003 and April 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8166

BONUS TRACKS:

15. Think About Your Troubles (Alternate Version)

16. Life Line (Alternate Version)

17. Down To The Valley (Alternate Mix)

18. I’ll Never Leave You

19. The Point! Travel Brochure Radio Spot With Bill Martin – recorded March 1971, Previously Unreleased

Tracks 15 to 18 first appeared on “The Point!” CD reissue on BMH Heritage in 2002

Disc 6 – “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” – 54:23 minutes:

1. Introduction

2. 1941

3. Daddy’s Song

4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song

5. Good Old desk

6. Everybody’s Talkin’

7. Bath

8. River Deep – Mountain High [Side 2]

9. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

10. Don’t Leave Me

11. Without Her

12. Together

13. One

14. Closing

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 6th album (remixes/new versions of tracks from the first two albums) – released June 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4543 and in the UK on RCA SF 8326

BONUS TRACKS:

15. You Can’t Do That (Remix) - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000

16. It’s Been So Long (Italian Version) – Previously Unreleased

17. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

18. Without Her (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

19. Cuddly Toy (Italian Version) (on Italian EP RCA Italiana 45UP 62)

20. You Can’t Do That (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

21. BBC Saturday Club Introduction by Brian Matthew - Previously Unreleased

22. 1941 (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

23. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

24. Nilsson Talks With Brian Matthews (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

25. Together (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

26. Good Old Desk (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club

27. Aerial Pandemonium Ballet Radio Spot (recorded July 1971, Previously Unreleased)

Disc 7 – “Nilsson Schmilsson” – 54:45 minutes:

1. Gotta Get Up

2. Driving Along

3. Early In The Morning

4. The Moonbeam Song

5. Down

6. Without You [Side 2]

7. Coconut

8. Let The Good Times Roll

9. Jump Into The Fire

10. I’ll Never Leave You

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 7th album – released November 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4515 and January 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8242

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Si No Estas Tu (Spanish Version of “Without You”) – 1971 Spanish 7” single on RCA Victor 3-10693

12. How can I Be Sure Of You

13. The Moonbeam Song (Demo)

14. Lamaze

15. Old Forgotten Soldier (Demo)

16. Gotta Get Up (Alternate Version)

17. Nilsson Schmilsson Radio Spots

Tracks 12 to 17 first issued on the “Nilsson Schmilsson” BMG Heritage CD Reissue in 2004

Disc 8 – “Son Of Schmilsson” – 57:32 minutes:

1. Take 54

2. Remember (Christmas)

3. Joy

4. Turn On Your Radio

5. You’re Breakin’ My Heart

6. Spaceman [Side 2]

7. The Lottery Song

8. At My Front Door

9. Ambush

10. I’d Rather Be Dead

11. The Most Beautiful World In The World

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 8th album – released July 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4717 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8297

BONUS TRACKS:

12. What’s Your Sign?

13. Take 54 (Alternate)

14. Campo De Encino

15. Daybreak (Single Version) – April 1974 USA 7” single on RCA Victor APBO-0246, A-side)

16. It Had To Be You/I’d Rather Be Dead

17. Son Of Schmilsson Radio Spot – Previously Unreleased

Tracks 12, 13, 14 and 16 first issued on the “Son Of Schmilsson” RCA Legacy CD reissue in 2006

Disc 9 – “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night” – 54:29 minutes:

1. Lazy Moon

2. For Me And My Gal

3. It Had To Be You

4. Always

5. Makin’ Whoopee!

6. You Made Me Love You

7. Lullaby In Ragtime [Side 2]

8. I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now

9. What’ll I Do

10. Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You)

11. This Is All I Ask

12. As Time Goes By

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 9th album – released June 1973 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0097 and July 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8371

BONUS TRACKS:

13. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows

14. Make Believe

15. Trust In Me

16. It’s Only A Paper Moon

17. Thanks For The Memory

18. Over The Rainbow

Tracks 13 to 18 first issued on the outtakes LP “A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night” on RCA in 1988

Disc 10 – “Pussy Cats” (with JOHN LENNON) – 62:42 minutes:

1. Many Rivers To Cross

2. Subterranean Homesick Blues

3. Don’t Forget Me

4. All My Life

5. Old Forgotten Soldier

6. Save The Last Dance For Me [Side 2]

7. Munch Mungo/Mt. Elga

8. Loop De Loop

9. Black Sails

10. Rock Around The Clock

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 11th album co-credited to NILSSON and JOHN LENNON – released August 1974 in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1-0570 and September 1974 in the UK on the same catalogue number. Note the album that preceded this was a compilation set called “Son Of Dracula” and was on Rapple Records – part of the Beatles Apple label – and isn’t included in this set

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Down By The Sea

12. The Flying Saucer Song

13. Turn Out The Light

14. Save The Last Dance For Me (Alternate) – tracks 11 to 14 first issued on “Pussy Cats” CD on Buddah Records in 1999

15. Don’t Forget Me (Demo – Previously Unreleased

16. Black Sails (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

17. Pussy Cats Radio Spots with Eddie Lawrence – Previously Unreleased

Disc 11 – “Duit On Mon Dei” – 36:39 minutes:

1. Jesus Christ You’re Tall

2. It’s A Jungle Out There

3. Down By The Sea

4. Kojak Columbo

5. Easier For Me

6. Turn Out The Light

7. Salmon Falls [Side 2]

8. Puget Sound

9. What’s Your Sign?

10. Home

11. Good For God

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 12th album – released March 1975 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0817 and in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1008

BONUS TRACK:

12. Goin’ Down (Alternate) – Previously Unreleased

Disc 12 – “Sandman” – 39:47 minutes:

1. I’ll Take A Tango

2. Something True

3. Pretty Soon There’ll Be Nothing Left For Everybody

4. The Ivy Covered Walls

5. Here’s Why I Did Not Go To Work Today

6. The Flying Saucer Song [Side 2]

7. How To Write A Song

8. Jesus Christ You’re Tall

9. Will She Miss Me?

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 13th album – released January 1976 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-1031; Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 arranged by THE BAND

BONUS TRACK:

10. A Tree Out In The Yard (Central Park) – Previously Unreleased

Disc 13 – “…That’s The Way It Is” – 33:41 minutes:

1. That is All

2. Just One Look/Baby I’m Yours

3. Moonshine Bandit

4. I Need You

5. A Thousand Miles Away

6. Sail Away [Side 2]

7. She Sits Down On Me

8. Daylight Has Caught Me

9. Zombie Jamboree (Back To Back)

10. That Is All

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 14th album – released July 1976 on RCA Victor APL1-1119 and in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1062

BONUS TRACK:

11. …That’s The Way It Is Radio Spot – Recorded 197, Previously Unreleased

Disc 14 – “Knnillssonn” – 60:03 minutes:

1. All I Think About Is You

2. I Never Thought I’d Get This Lonely

3. Who Done It?

4. Lean On Me

5. Goin’ Down

6. Old Bones [Side 2]

7. Sweet Surrender

8. Blanket For A Sail

9. Laughin’ Man

10. Perfect Day

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 15th album – released July 1977 in the USA on RCA Victor AFL1-2276 and in the UK on RCA PL 12276

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Ain’t It Kinda Wonderful (first issued on “The World’s Greatest Love – Original Soundtrack” LP in 1978 on RCA Red Seal ABL1-2709)

12. Sweet Lorraine (with DR. JOHN, Previously Unreleased)

13. Shuffle Off The Buffalo – Previously Unreleased

14. Ballin’ The Jack (with DR. JOHN, Previously Unreleased)

15. All I Think About Is You (Demo) – Previously Unreleased

16. Knnillssonn Radio Spot – Previously Unreleased

Disc 15 – “Nilsson Sessions 1967-1968” – 45:50 minutes:

1. 1941 (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

2. World (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

3. Signs (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

4. Cuddly Toy (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

5. This Could Be The Might (Demo – first issued on “Perfect Day” Promo CD compilation in 2006)

6. As I Wander Lonely (first issued on “Personal Best” CD anthology in 1995)

7. The Family – Previously Unreleased

8. Miss Butter’s Lament (as per 6)

9. Mr. Tinker (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

10. Leggenda (1968 Italian RCA single on N 1658)

11. Sister Marie (Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix)

12. She Wandered Through The Garden Fence – Previously Unreleased

13. One (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

14. I Said Goodbye To Me (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

15. Searchin’ (Lieber/Stoller cover – Previously Unreleased)

16. She’s Just Laughing At Me – Previously Unreleased

17. Together (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

18. Bath (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

Disc 16 – “Nilsson Sessions 1968-1971” – 57:27 minutes:

1. You Are Here – Previously Unreleased

2. The Cast And Crew

3. Garbage Can Ballet

4. I Will Take You There (tracks 2, 3 and 4 from the album “Skidoo – Original Soundtrack”, 1968 LP on RCA LSO-1152)

5. Girlfriend (first issued on “Personal Best” CD anthology in 1995)

6. Wasting My Time (Alternate Mix – Previously Unreleased)

7. Rainmaker (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

8. Open Your Window (Alternate Take – Previously Unreleased)

9. Postcard – Previously Unreleased

10. Think About Your Troubles (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

11. Marry Me A Little – Previously Unreleased

12. Ballin' The Jack – Previously Unreleased

13. Gotta Get Up (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

14. Down To The Valley (Single Mix) – non-album version released May 1970 in the USA on RCA Victor 74-0362, A

15. Buy My Album – B-side to 14

16. Joy (Alternate Version) – first issued on the expanded CD to “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on RCA in 2000

17. Blackbird (Beatles cover version – Previously Unreleased)

18. Paradise – Previously Unreleased

19. Lucille (Little Richard cover version – Previously Unreleased)

20. Early In The Morning (Alternate Version) (as per 16)

Disc 17 – “Nilsson Sessions 1971-1974” – 53:05 minutes:

1. Walk Right Back - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000

2. Jump Into The Fire (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

3. Isolation – (John Lennon song - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000)

4. Without You (Demo)

5. Driving Along (Demo)

6. Gotta Get Up (Demo)

7. Coconut (Demo)

8. Old Forgotten Soldier (Alternate Demo)

9. Down (Demo)

10. The Moonbeam Song (Alternate Demo) – tracks 4 to 10 first issued on the expanded “Nilsson Schmilsson” CD on RCA Camden in 2000

11. Jump Into The Fire (Single version) – released March 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor 74-0673, A-side

12. Per Chi (Italian Version of “Without You”) – Italian single on RCA Victor 74-0673

13. Joy (Guitar Demo)

14. Joy (Piano Demo)  - tracks 13 and 14 first issued on “Son Of Schmilsson” RCA Camden CD reissue in 2000

15. You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It) (Alternate Version)

16. Lullaby In Ragtime (Alternate Version)

17. Always (Alternate Version)

18. It Had To Be You (Alternate Version) – tracks 15 to 18 were first issued on “A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night” RCA LP in 1988

19. I Want You To Sit On My Face – Previously Unreleased

20. A Souvenir – Also Sprach Schmilsson Schmixon – Previously Unreleased

Put together by reissue champs ROB SANTOS and ANDREW SANDOVAL (have handled The Band and The Kinks to name but a few) - the chunky 48-page booklet is a bit of an informational brute – jammed full of endless details, photos, rare picture sleeves and a brief album-by-album breakdown of Nilsson on RCA by Sandoval. Whenever an album was a gatefold sleeve in the USA – the 5” card Repro Sleeves ape that and are very clearly rendered (they don’t have inners or posters – but most of that info is in the booklet anyway). But the best news is most definitely the SOUND – properly fab remasters by VIC ANESINI who has received unanimous praise for his handling of many prestigious catalogues. When you hear for instance the Stereo take of “One”, “Maybe” or “Coconut” – the audio is beautiful. Move onto the smoochy early Seventies LPs with full orchestras and your HI Fi room is full of warmth and musical quality.

Nilsson’s career feels like a tale of two halves – up to “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night” in 1973 – the albums are solidly entertaining – even brilliant. But the second half of the Seventies is hard to stomach – patchy tunes, too many ill-fitting cover versions and whimsy that stopped being fun years back (drugs and parties).

The audio punch of “Pandemonium Shadow Show” and “Aerial Ballet” is shocking – even now. Stuff like “Without Her” and “1941” are both lyrically and musically brilliant. Again that lovely delicacy comes into play with “Don’t Leave Me” and the truly classis “Midnight Cowboy” finisher “Everybody’s Talkin”’. I still can’t hear it without thinking about Rizzo on the bus into Miami at the end of “Midnight Cowboy” – a cover of a Fred Neil gem – it’s probably my all time favourite song (lyrics above).

“Harry” feels like the album he was trying to get on Disc 1 and 2. And even though “I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City” is a near identikit of “Everybody’s Talkin’” style – its still very much Nilsson song. And while he’d dabbled with Beatles covers “You Don’t Have To” and “She’s Leaving Home” on those records – his cover of “Mother’s Natures Son” on “Harry” is truly gorgeous – one of the great unsung heroes of his albums. His interest in Randy Newman’s already brilliant songwriting surfaced on “Harry” when he covered “Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear” (the last track) - so the whole album “Nilsson Sings Newman” doesn’t come as a surprise - but it is a joy. Because most of Newman’s songs were virtual unknowns at the time – the whole record feels like a really great ‘Nilsson’ album rather than the other way round. Badfinger’s “Without You” made him a superstar and to this day – the song has a power not to be messed with. I love everything about the standards album too – genius choices – and if you’ve not heard it in remastered CD form – then you’re in for a treat.

The three compilations of Rarities use outtake Artwork photos from three key albums – Disc 1 “1967-1968” from the “Pandemonium Shadow Show” – Disc 2 “1968-1971” from “Harry” while Disc 3 “1971-1974” has “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night”. I’d half expected the “Sessions” disc to be padded out filler (and some it is) – but there’s amazing stuff on here too. Most of the Alternate Takes find him looser – more natural – and their audio quality is top notch too (“Wasting My Time”). Whether you ever want to hear him singing the cast of “Skidoo” again is debatable (mentions Robert Downey’s dad?) but his brill previously unreleased cover of the White Album’s “Blackbird” is great and I wish the tapes ran longer than its two and a half minutes. “Paradise” was recorded January 1971 and is genuinely moving with a cleverly staged muscle-up-the-emotion double vocal. “Marry Me A Little” is a typically tasty Nilsson slant on a Stephen Sondheim classic but the solo “Ballin’ The Jack” is even better. His Italian version of “Without You” called “Per Chi” still has the same tortured passion of the English language version.

Presently reduced to below forty quid – this beautifully presented box set is a winner on all fronts. Invest a few bob in this flawed but lovely romantic troubadour…

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 260 entries and 2450 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Climbing!" by MOUNTAIN (2003 Columbia/Legacy 'Expanded CD' – Bob Irwin/Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Mississippi Queen..." 

"...His crime was a passion..." - Felix Pappalardi sings on "The Laird" and that kind of sums up this most American of Rock bands for me – loud, proud and ear-splitten-louden-boomer. They couldn't give a rat's ass who out there in radio-land thinks its aural hedonism turned up to 13 on a scale of 12. MOUNTAIN rocked and this cool little CD reissue of their second platter "Climbing!" from 1970 shows why these New York boys with Mississippi in their veins are remembered with such affection and loyalty. And in Leslie West they had an ace axeman - geometrically over-sized for sure but charismatic and great fun too. Here is 'The Great Fatsby' and Rocking Friends...

UK and USA released April 2003 – "Climbing!" by MOUNTAIN on Columbia/Legacy 510719 2 (Barcode 5099751071921) is an 'Expanded CD Remaster' and plays out as follows (36:56 minutes):

1. Mississippi Queen

2. Theme From An Imaginary Western

3. Never In My Life

4. Silver Paper

5. For Yasgur's Farm [Side 2]

6. To My Friend

7. The Laird

8. Sittin' On A Rainbow

9. Boys In The Band

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second album "Climbing!" – released March 1970 in the USA on Windfall 4501 and May 1970 in the UK on Bell Records SBLL 133 (both in Stereo only). Bassist and Studio Wizard Felix Pappalardi Produced – the album rose to No. 17 in the US LP charts (didn’t chart in the UK). All songs are band originals except "Theme From An Imaginary Western" which is a Jack Bruce cover version.

BONUS TRACK

10. For Yasgur's Farm [Live] – recorded prior to 1972

MOUNTAIN was:

LESLIE WEST – Guitars and Vocals

FELIX PAPPALARDI – Bass on all Tracks except 6 and 7, Keyboards on Track 1, 2 and 9 and Rhythm Guitar on Track 7

CORKY LAING – Drums and Percussion

STEVE KNIGHT – Keyboards (Mellotron on Tracks 2 and 9, Organ on Tracks 2 to 5)

The 12-page booklet has new liner notes from CORKY LAING and LESLIE WEST (dated November 2002) - and as well as band photos (supplied by the group) features reminiscences on the making of their 'loud' 2nd album with the line-up most feel had that classic hard-rocking Mountain sound, their former band Energy, songwriting/lyric collaborations between Laing and West and more. The CD reflects the original Windfall Records label logo and there's even a Leslie West photo beneath the see-through tray. But the big news is the new BOB IRWIN/VIC ANESINI Remaster from original tapes done at Sony Music Studios in New York. The last time "Climbing!" saw CD reissue was in 1993 as part of Sony's 'Rewind' Series – it was a good stab at the record but this variant is a whole lot better and features a live track as a bonus. As the line on the rear cover famously announced 'This Record Was Meant To Be Played Loud' - you quickly find out that none of the band's players are joking. This mother rocks – vibrato, fuzzy, grunge guitar noises emanate from Leslie West's speaker stacks and threaten to cause a public disturbance with your docile Laura Ashley stereo. The album was never an Audiophile event – so expect some hiss on cuts like the slowish "The Laird" and the gorgeous "To My Friend" – but also expect presence and 'in-the-moment' feel. After my battered copy on Windfall – this CD sounds revelatory to me...

It opens on a rasper – the brilliant snotty Boogie Rock of "Mississippi Queen" – co-written by West, Laing, Pappalardi and Ohio songwriter David Rea. Huge riffage accompanies soloing guitars as Leslie West roars on about a Cajun gal from Vicksburg in Louisiana who isn't exactly unfamiliar with the ways of the world. At 2:32 minutes it was an obvious single and popular too. Released March 1970 with the album - Windfall 45-532 climbed to a respectable No. 21 in the US singles charts with the album cut "The Laird" on the flipside. After two failed sevens from the first album "Mountain" in September 1969 – it became Mountain's first real 45-impression on the charts and remains a huge fan fave to this day. Blighty tried the same combo of tracks on Bell BLL 1113 in May 1970 - but it sold naught and was deleted quickly. "Theme From An Imaginary Western" is a cover of a track from Jack Bruce's debut solo LP after Cream - 1969's "Song For A Tailor" on Polydor (UK)/Atco Records (USA). Bruce co-wrote the tune with Avant Garde British artist Pete Brown (Harvest Records). Mountain take the song's Soulful-Rock feel and layer it with more guitars and organs so that it sounds very Cream in ways – or even Derek & The Dominoes.

Both Laing and West agree that "Never In My Life" is probably the best track on the album – a great riff played at almost "Fireball" speed (they slowed it down in concert because it adds more muscle to it). It's a fantastic piece of American 'Rawk' and odd that Windfall Records went instead to the less catchy "For Yasgur's Farm" for the next single (Windfall 45-533) – a tune that isn't nearly as immediate as "Never..." They paired it with the fabulous Leslie West solo instrumental "To My Friend" - an Acoustic tour de force that shows off West's considerable playing chops and is almost Indian Sitar in some passages. But despite both sides being strong in their own right – "Yasgur's..." didn't follow "Mississippi Queen" into the charts (no British release either). "Silver Paper" is basic rock and similar in vibe to "Theme From An Imaginary Western" in its assembly. Far more interesting is "The Laird" that is co-written with Gail Collins (did the artwork, wrote lyrics) that has touches of the more melodic acoustic side of Uriah Heep and Led Zeppelin (circa 3) – sweet little tune that I couldn't stop playing at the time. How cool is it to hear it with such clarity - even if it is hissy. Massive Corky Laing drums open the driving-down-the-highway riffage of "Sittin' On A Rainbow" – a very Mountain good time rocker that stills sounds beer-belly-rowdy after 45 years on camomile tea. It ends on the piano melody of "Boys In The Band" - pretty hissy it has to be said and probably my least favourite song on the album (the vocal is all over the mix)...

The live version of "For Yasgur's Farm" runs to 4:19 minutes and is plucked from the band's own archive (bit hazy on exact dates). In truth I'd say it's good rather than being great (much like the song itself) and you can't help thinking that at four seconds short of 37-minutes – this entire CD reissue could have done with a few more choice bonus cuts in the live vein to bolster up matters...

Still - what you do get with "Climbing!" is fabarooney – a ballsy American Rock Band in the same vein as Cactus and Grand Funk Railroad – groups that somehow never seemed to gain the recognition they deserved beyond fanatical fan circles. In some ways Mountain's loose 'rawk' feel and gutbucket style recordings remind me of that fabulous sloppiness FREE used to get - effortlessly cool too. And isn't that the best compliment. So lodge your grappling hook and throw out your musical rope...because it's time to abseil bare-bottomed down the barroom underpants of this particularly boozy digital rock face. And I mean in that in the nicest possible way...