"You're Gonna Get! It!" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS (2002 Gone Gator/Warner Brothers CD – Joe Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Please Stand By Me..." 

Tom Petty’s astonishing self-titled debut album was released November 1976 in the USA (40 years ago this year) – but would take until September of 1977 to register with the buying public. Even then it only managed No. 55 on the US LP charts despite its now iconic status as a genuine 70ts Rock Classic. But for my money his better-recorded and ludicrously hooky follow-up "You're Gonna Get It!" from two years later has always been an equal-to unsung hero for me – the sort of album that got lost – especially in good old Blighty which was in the throws of Punk and all things 'New Wave'.

Which brings us to this rather excellent - if not a little threadbare - 2002 CD reissue/remaster - finally ridding us of a naff 80ts MCA CD with the all the aural and aesthetic appeal of a gone-off banana. Here are the details you need to know...

UK and Europe released May 2002 - "You’re Gonna Get It!" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS on Gone Gator/Warner Brothers 8122-78178-2 (Barcode 081227817824) is a straightforward CD transfer of the original LP and plays out as follows (29:30 minutes):

1. When The Time Comes

2. You're Gonna Get It

3. Hurt

4. Magnolia

5. Too Much Ain't Enough

6. I Need To Know [Side 2]

7. Listen To Her Heart

8. No Second Thoughts

9. Restless

10. Baby's A Rock 'n' Roller

Tracks 1 to 10 are his second studio album "You’re Gonna Get It!" - released May 1978 in the USA on Shelter/ABC DA-52029 and in the UK on Island/Shelter ISA 5017. DENNY CORDELL, NOAH SHARK and TOM PETTY produced. The album reached No. 22 in the States and No. 34 in the UK.

TOM PETTY – Lead Vocals, 6 and 12-string Guitars and Piano

MIKE CAMPBELL – 6 and 12-string Guitars (Solos)

BENMONT TENCH – Piano, Organ and Vocals

RON BLAIR - Bass and Acoustic Guitar

STAN LYNCH - Drums and Vocals

GREGG GELLER has produced the reissue and the gatefold slip of paper that passed as the MCA inlay is now upgraded to a 16-page booklet with new liner notes from BILL FLANAGAN. Inside are details of how 1974's Mudcrutch from Gainesville, Florida (Petty's original band) became 1976's Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers with a new sound, new songs and a razor's edge. There's also discussion as to why Radio didn't take to the new record like they did the old - angry lyrics, drug references and heavier riffs. The booklet provides lyrics for the first time (didn't come with the original LP) with its Inner Sleeve is reproduced in varying places and there are period photos followed finally by detailed recording/CD reissue details.

But the big news for all fans is new JOE GASTWIRT Remasters carried out at OceanView Mastering in California. This CD sounds awesome - full and punchy - alive without being too over-trebled - I love it. The guitars - the drums - the overall aural wallop is something to behold (as it is with the debut album "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" - also released in a 2002 Gastwirt Remaster – see review).

Compared to the rough and tumble of the debut two years earlier - right from the off you can so hear how the Production values were upped dramatically. Each of the predominantly rocking tunes packs a huge sonic punch and the remaster accentuates that big time. Side 1 opens with the brilliant almost Byrds-jangle of "When The Time Comes" - and man can you hear those chugging guitars and that keyboard underpinning. "You're Gonna Get It" feels like a track from his 1982 LP "Long After Dark" - lyrically hard-hitting but with that great hooky riff. As "Hurt" floats in on a sea of pings, acoustic strums and drum beats - it then goes into a tremendous guitar jangle. But that's nothing to the clarity on "Magnolia" which sounds amazing - a song about a girl he never did give his name too - but her ways stayed within memory. Side One ends on the fantastic rolling slide of "Too Much Ain't Enough" - an out-and-out rocker that jabs at a precocious someone who just can't be pleased.

Side 2 opens with the fantastic rocker "I Need To Know" - an irresistible chuck of riffage complete with an economic Chuck Berry-like solo. Perhaps the most Byrds jangle on the album and probably most people's go-to track - "Listen To Her Heart" is fabulous Petty and The Heartbreakers. The lyrics "...You think you're gonna take her away with your money and cocaine..." probably kept this - the album's most catchy song - off A&M Radio and lost the whole album momentum. The acoustic moment arrives in the tabla and 12-string shuffle of "No Second Thoughts" - a song I've always found strangely positive even though it takes about darkness. The LP ends on two punchy neck-jerking rockers - "Restless" and "Baby's A Rock 'n' Roller" - although I wished he hadn't featured that false audience noise all the way through "Baby's..." Other than that - the whole album is satisfying. And from here it would be through to the breakthrough record "Damn The Torpedoes" in 1979.

I played this 1978 album side-to-side when I lived in bedsits back in the day and loved every satisfying inch of it. Petty's "You're Gonna Get It" is one of 'the' great lost-albums of the 70ts in my books - and presently selling for fewer than six miserly squid - this brill 2002 remaster is the one to own.

"When The Time Comes" - TP sings on the opening song. I'd argue it has...

"Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS - November 1976 US Debut Album, May 1977 UK Debut Album on Shelter and Island Records featuring Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench (May 2002 UK Gone Gator/Warner Brothers CD Reissue with Joe Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Raised On Promises..." 

A great debut album is the stuff of musical legend - and it doesn't get a lot better than Tom Petty's self-titled opening salvo. "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" is an astonishing 40 years old in November 2016 and still sounding as fresh as a Florida daisy.

Yet despite huge radio-friendly hits like "Breakdown", "American Girl" and "Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll" - the LP took its sweet time. It didn't gain US album chart entry until September of 1977 (almost a year after release) whereupon it crawled up to the lofty heights of No. 55 despite being viewed nowadays as a balls-to-the-wall 70ts Rock Classic. 

Which brings us to this rather excellent - if not a little threadbare - 2002 CD reissue/remaster on Gone Gator - finally ridding us of a naff 80ts MCA CD with the all the aural and aesthetic appeal of a gone-off banana.  Here are the details to take us (baby baby) through the night...

USA, UK and Europe released May 2002 - "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS on Gone Gator/Warner Brothers 8122-78177-2 (Barcode 081227817725) is a straightforward CD transfer of the original LP and plays out as follows (30:54 minutes):

1. Rockin' Around With You [Side 1]

2. Breakdown

3. Hometown Blues

4. The Wild One, Forever

5. Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll

6. Strangered In The Night [Side 2]

7. Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)

8. Mystery Man

9. Luna

10. American Girl

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" - released November 1976 in the USA on Shelter SRL-52006 and May 1977 in the UK on Island/Shelter ISA 5014. DENNY CORDELL produced.

TOM PETTY - Vocals, Guitars and Keyboards

MIKE CAMPBELL - Guitars

BENMONT TENCH - Piano and Organ

RON BLAIR - Bass and Cello

STAN LYNCH - Drums (Keyboards on "Luna")

GREGG GELLER has produced the reissue and the gatefold slip of paper that passed as the old MCA inlay is now upgraded to a 16-page booklet with new liner notes from BILL FLANAGAN. Inside are details of how 1974's Mudcrutch from Gainesville, Florida (Petty's original band) became 1976's Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers with a new sound, new songs and a razor's edge. 

There are lyrics for the first time (didn't come with the original LP), period photos and detailed recording/CD reissue details. But the big news for all fans is new JOE GASTWIRT Remasters carried out at OceanView Mastering in California. This CD sounds awesome - full and punchy - alive without being too over-trebled - I love it. The guitars - the drums - the overall aural wallop is something to behold (as it is with the 2nd album "You're Gonna Get It" - also released by Gone Gator in a 2002 Gastwirt Remaster).

Petty's self-titled Debut Album opens with the jaunty almost Rockabilly "Rockin' Around With You" and you can hear those subtle guitar bits, the floating synth note and those driving drums. Hissy for sure but uber-slick - "Breakdown" is Rock magic - an irresistible hook allied with snarling vocals and that brilliant guitar giving it just enough over the keyboards. Originally issued Stateside in November 1976 as a debut 45 on Shelter SR-62006 - it didn't take until a reissue in October 1977 on Shelter SR-62009 saw it make No. 40 on the Pop charts. Even now it's such a winner and a US Radio perennial. 

Back to that Petty shuffle with "Hometown Blues" - but my crave has always been the epic Americana feel to "The Wild One, Forever" (a B-side to "Breakdown" in November 1976). "...I knew right away I'd never get over how good it felt when you finally kissed me..." - the lyrics tell us as the beautifully simple guitar plays it out - wonderful stuff – so simple and direct. He ends Side 1 on the Rock Boogie anthem "Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll" - a tune he's used to open concerts. It's snotty and full of attitude - don't need her - don't need school - don't need rules - what's not to love...

Side 2 opens one of the most underrated Petty song - the genius groove of "Strangered In The Night". Forty years I'm playing this sucker and still digging its huge dirty guitars - those paranoid lyrics - and that brilliant Campbell soloing. Second stroke of fab comes with everyone's fave from the early years - "Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)" - a massive grinding riff that just seems to float as he squeals "...strange voice on the telephone...telling me I better leave you alone..." That synth note now has more power too. We trot to the finish with a trio of goodies - the almost Eagles "Mystery Man" (hissy at the beginning, but beautifully clear after that) - the slightly sinister yet strangely touching "Luna" - and of course the biggie - "American Girl" - an anthem he plays to this day.

What a brilliant beginning and I think the follow-up "You're Gonna Get It" from May 1978 is equally droolsome - one of 'the' great lost-albums of the 70ts. Presently selling for fewer than four squid - this brill remaster of "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" needs to be in your home. Make it last all night indeed...

"Kinked! Kinks Songs & Sessions 1964-1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2016 Ace Records CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Strange Effect On Me..."

You can tell you're in the presence of something nifty when only three tracks in and you're already thinking - 'cool reissue'. The premise here is simple and smart – 26 long-forgotten tunes written by Ray Davies of The Kinks in the hands of others (one by Dave Davies). 

Ace Records of the UK are offering a CD compilation full of stragglers and rarities that they think deserve another go round (five in Stereo and four Previously Unreleased). Here are the Kinky details...

UK released 26 March 2016 (8 April 2016 in the USA) – "Kinked! Kinks Songs & Sessions 1964-1971" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1463 (Barcode 029667075022) is a 26-track CD compilation and plays out as follows (64:59 minutes):

1. This Strange Effect - DAVE BERRY (July 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F 12188, A)

2. Look For Me Baby - GOLDIE & THE GINGERBREADS (2016, Previously Unissued May 1965 Decca Recording)

3. I Bet You Won't Stay - THE CASCADES (September 1965 UK 7" single on Liberty LIB 55822, A)

4. King Of The Whole Wide World - LEAPY LEE (March 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12369, A)

5. I Go To Sleep - PEGGY LEE (August 1965 USA 7" single on Capitol 5488, A - STEREO)

6. All Night Stand - THE THOUGHTS (2016, Alternate Version of Planet PLF 118, a September 1966 UK 7" single, A)

7. So Mystifying - THE OLYMPICS (2016, Previously Unissued 1964 & 1965 Loma Recording)

8. Un Jeune Homme Bien - PETULA CLARK (1996 French-only 4-Track EP on Vogue EPL 8379)

9. One Fine Day - SHEL NAYLOR (March 1964 UK 7" single on Decca F 11856, A)

10. Oh What A Day It's Going To Be - MO & STEVE (September 1966 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17175, A)

11. Little Man In A Little Box - BARRY FANTONI (May 1966 UK 7" single on Fontana TF 707, A)

12. A House In The Country - THE PRETTY THINGS (July 1966 UK 7" single on Fontana TF 722, A)

13. When I See That Girl Of Mine - BOBBY RYDELL (October 1965 USA 7" single on Capitol 5513, A)

14. Nobody's Fool - COLD TURKEY (May 1972 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 45142, A - STEREO)

15. Act Nice And Gentle - DUSTER BENNETT (October 1970 UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3179, A - STEREO)

16. I've Got That Feeling - THE ORCHIDS (March 1964 UK 7" single on Decca F 11861, A)

17. Emptiness - THE HONEYCOMBS (from the 1965 UK LP "All Systems Go!" on Pye NPL 18132 - STEREO)

18. Rosy, Won't You Please Come Home [aka Rosie Rosie] - MARIANNE FAITHFULL

(1966 recording first released in 1988 on the reissue CD for "Loveinamist" on London 820 632 - STEREO)

19. I'm Not Like Everybody Else - THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND (2016, Alternate Mono Mix of a song from their 1968 Stereo LP "The Inner Mystique" on Tower ST 5106)

20. Who'll Be The Next In Line - THE KNACK (September 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F 12234, A)

21. Dandy - HERMAN'S HERMITS (September 1966 USA 7" single on MGM Records K 13603, A)

22. The Virgin Soldier's March - THE JOHN SCHROEDER ORCHESTRA (November 1969 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17862, A)

23. A Little Bit Of Sunlight - THE MAJORITY (October 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F 12271, A)

24. Big Black Smoke - MICK & MALCOLM (March 1967 UK 7" single on Piccadilly 7N 35372, A)

25. NICKY HOPKINS & THE WHISTLING PIANO (1967 USA Promo-only 7" single on Decca 9-34466, A)

26. End Of The Season - THE UGLY'S (September 1966 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17178, A)

NOTES: All songs are in MONO except Tracks 5, 14, 15, 17 and 18 - which are STEREO. Tracks 2, 6, 7 and 19 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

The 20-page booklet is the usual award-winning fan-fest wet dream - knowledgeable paragraphs by Compiler and genre lover ALEC PALAO - every page prettified with sheet music, record company promotional photos, label repros for 7" single on Pye, Piccadilly, Capitol and Liberty Records, rare EP sleeves and trade adverts. It's beautifully done. But NICK ROBBINS - one of Ace's long-time Audio Engineers - has again outdone himself - bringing fab audio to a huge number of sources.

It opens strongly with Dave Barry's "This Strange Effect" - a tune Ray wrote in Melbourne on The Kinks first World Tour and with Dave specifically in mind. Sonically - it's a total Mono winner - beautiful clarity and a wickedly good tune that almost feels Bacharach in places (it was Ray's first chart success outside of The Kinks hitting No. 37 in the UK singles charts). Neck-jerking and dancing Northern Soul - "Look For Me Baby" is a groover from Goldie & The Gingerbreads that should have done better chartwise (Genya "Goldie" Zelkowitz is Genya in Polydor's Ten Wheel Drive). The Cascades track is a bit more cluttered in the transfer than I'd like while Leapy Lee's "King Of The Whole Wide World" is a 'when she kisses me' pop ditty that's good rather than being great.

On the 2CD Deluxe Edition of "The Kink Kontroversy" from 2011 - one of the bonus track son Disc 2 has Ray Davies discussing with a BBC interviewer being tickled pink that one of his audio heroes Peggy Lee had received an acetate of his "I Go To Sleep" - and promptly recorded it. Well in glorious Stereo - here it is. Chrissie Hinde would fall under its spell too and record a cover of it for The Pretenders. I can't profess to knowing the obscure and rare "All Night Stand" by The Thoughts - but I can say that this 'Alternate Version' of that Ray Davies A-side is superb and in great audio too. And I'd swear he sings "...rest all night...then shag some more..." (nice). Just as good is the grungy chugger "So Mystifying" by The Olympics (of "Western Movies" fame) - a track The Kinks had released on their American Reprise Records debut album "You Really Got Me" in 1965. Just as cool is the French language version of "Well Respected Man" from Petula Clark's rare French Vogue EP (pictured on Page 10) called "Un Jeune Homme Bein".

Groovers and Freakbeat fans will love the Shel Naylor take on "One Fine Day". Nicknamed 'The Midlands Powerhouse' - Naylor got the October 1963 song (The Kinks were then The Boll-Weevils) from Shel Talmy's people and he goes for it (there's a picture of the uber-rare sheet music to it on Page 5).  No one seems to know who Manchester duo Mo & Steve actually are – but their ballad “Oh What A Day It’s Going To Be” is a pleasant enough valley Sunday. Two 70ts entries come at us in Stereo - TV studio band Cold Turkey's "Nobody's Fool" was the theme to the second series of "Budgie" with Adam Faith in the title role while Blue Horizon artist Duster Bennett does "Act Nice And Gentle" (there a rare foreign picture sleeve of it on Page 18). There are moments when this CD goes from cloying (Herman's Hermits) to dead interesting (John Schroeder Orchestra) on to very cool stuff like the Previously Unreleased mono mix of the angry young man anthem "I'm Not Like Everybody Else" by The Chocolate Watch Band.  On the homeward stretch I like "Big Black Smoke" best by another obscure duo Malcolm & Mo where our girl is walking the streets, sat in coffee bars and spending her cash on purple hearts and cigarettes. The Nicky Hopkins instrumental effort is best forgotten but the twittering birds of The Uglys ends proceedings on a typically upbeat and erratic note.

You wouldn't say everything on here is unmitigated genius - it just isn't. But the good stuff is great - and collectors will love the obscurities and superlative booklet and audio. Another winner from those Kinky folks at Ace Records...

"Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" by FRANK SINATRA (1998 US Capitol 'Entertainer Of The Century' Expanded CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" by FRANK SINATRA 

(1998 US Capitol 'Entertainer Of The Century' Expanded CD Remaster)

"...Set 'Em Up Joe..."

It doesn't take a particular genius to work out that Frank Sinatra's career at Capitol Records produced some serious musical magic - and I'd argue that his third torch-song album "...Only The Lonely" from September 1958 is one of them.

Biographical types and crazed aficionados would be right to point novices in the direction of 1955's "In The Wee Small Hours" and 1957's "Where Are You?" - the other two 'whinging for my gal' LPs in Ole Blue Eyes Fifties canon of work. But there's something deeply brill about the track run on "Only The Lonely" and allied with that painted clown artwork – does it for me.

First up - there are two official Capitol CDs for "Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" - a November 1987 issue with a Larry Walsh remaster and the same 14-tracks (Barcode 077774847124) - and this - my preferred tipple - the May 1998 'Entertainer Of The Century' CD Remaster by BOB NORBERG (59:43 minutes) on Capitol 72434 94756 2 5 (Barcode the same - 724349475625). When the album was released it came in MONO and STEREO (10 and 12-track variants) - this CD uses the 12-track MONO variant and includes the two extras "Sleep Warm" and the Previously Unreleased (on CD) "Where Or When" that were included on the original November 1987 CD reissue.

1. Only The Lonely

2. Angel Eyes

3. What's New

4. It's A Lonely Old Town

5. Willow Weep For Me

6. Good-Bye [Side 2 of the 10-track LP]

7. Blues In The Night [Side 2 of the 12-track LP]

8. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry

9. Ebb Tide

10. Spring Is Here

11. Gone With The Wind

12. One For My Baby

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" - released September 1958 in the USA on Capitol W 1050 (Mono) and SW 1050 (Stereo). The MONO mix is used for this CD - 20/24-bit Remaster by BOB NERBERG.

Track 4 recorded 25 May 1958

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9 recorded, 29 May 1958

Tracks 3, 7 and 11 recorded, 24 June 1958

Tracks 6 and 12 recorded, 25 June 1958

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Sleep Warm

14. Where Or When

Tracks 13 and 14, recorded 11 September 1958 - Track 14 previously unreleased on CD in 1987

Originally produced to perfection by VOYCE GILMORE - the audio on this CD is truly gorgeous and comes with an 'Entertainer Of The Century' spine visible through the see-through jewel case and artwork that is different to the 1987 edition on the rear (also a small but informative set of liner notes).

This is the kind of album/CD reissue that makes you want run out and shout to the rooftops. Essentially head-to-toe with Sinatra effortlessly caressing words and melodies - his voice aligned with Nelson Riddle string arrangements and a set of matchless session players. Highlights include "Angel Eyes" (made even more famous by Jack Jones in 1963 on his  "Wives & Lovers" LP) and the aching "It's A Lonesome Old Town" where Frankie bemoans "...I never knew how much I missed you...” The lone oboe opening of "Willow Weep For Me" is beautifully transferred - that soft shuffle on the drums - it's gorgeous stuff. But the best audio has to go to "Blues In The Night". Everything about this screams class - the opening salvo of double-bass and lone voice as he sings "...my mama done told me...a woman will give you the big eye...but when the sweet talk is done...she'll leave you to sing..." Even prettier is the acoustic guitar on "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" - so sweet too as the strings carry it home. And it feels like Howard Arlen and Johnny Mercer practically invented the barroom slouch with "One For My Baby..." - our hero slumped over yet another bourbon - singing to whomever will listen - the barman wearily drying a shot glass as he casts a jaundiced eye over 'love sucker' Numero Uno. I can almost see Frank crying by the lamppost out in the street - chucked out in the wee small hours - wailing for his baby just a little too much.

The "Sleep Warm" bonus track offered here initially turned up on the vinyl compilation album "All The Way" in 1961 - while "Where Or When" first saw LP action in 1978 on another Capitol compilation - "The Rare Sinatra". Accompanied by Bill Mercer on Piano with some strings towards its finish - "Where Or When" is a perfect ending to proceedings. Even if the piano is a tad under-produced - there's no doubt that Frank's voice is sublime...and Pete Welding's liner notes rightly name-check it as a highlight amongst many.

Old fashioned - yes - even a little corny and overplayed - yes. But what a sound - and sometimes - when you need a moment of reflective boo hoo - a snuffled sniffle for the one that got away - then like a pint of plain - Frank Sinatra's "...Only The Lonely" is the man for the job...

PS: Titles in the FRANK SINATRA 'Entertainer Of The Century' USA CD Remaster Series are:

1. In The Wee Small Hours (April 1955 LP) - May 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475526

2. Songs For Young Lovers/Swing Easy! (May 1955 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349608924

3. Songs For Swingin' Lovers (March 1956 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349622623

4. Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems Of Colour (July 1956 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353373825

5. Close To You (January 1957 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374327

6. A Swingin' Affair! (May 1957 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349608825

7. Where Are You? (September 1957 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374624

8. A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra (December 1957 LP) – October 1999 CD is Barcode 724352138128

9. Come Fly With Me (January 1958 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349608726

10. Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely (September 1958 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475625

11. Come Dance With Me! (January 1959 LP) – May 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475427

12. No One Cares (August 1959 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374129

13. Nice 'n' Easy (August 1960 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374525

14. Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!! (February 1961 LP) – May 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475328

15. Come Swing With Me (August 1961 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353373924

16. Point Of No Return (April 1962 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374020
NOTE: Catalogue numbers and Barcodes are the same digits – use Barcode however to locate the right issue on sites like Amazon.

"Nicolette/In The Nick Of Time/Radioland" by NICOLETTE LARSON - 1978, 1979 and 1981 Albums (April 2016 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation - 3LPs onto 2CD - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...In The Nick Of Time..."

All three of these 'yacht rock' Warner Brothers albums from Montana's NICOLETTE LARSON charted in the USA - her debut "Nicolette" in November 1978 (No. 15), "In The Nick Of Time" in November 1979 (No. 47) and "Radioland" in January 1981 (No. 62). All three also came loaded down with Ted Templeman production values and a huge/impressive array of guest musicians that reads like a virtual who's who of cool West Coast session types. Then there's exclusive songs by Glenn Frey of The Eagles and John David Souther coupled with smooth-as-a-baby's-posterior covers of good people like Allen Toussaint, Jesse Winchester, Little Feat, Holland-Dozier-Holland and Sam Cooke.

A typically classy release from England's Beat Goes On - you get her first three commercially available albums remastered in high def from original tapes onto two CDs by BGO's resident audio expert ANDREW THOMPSON, a chunky 24-page booklet with full album credits, photos and new liner notes from noted writer JOHN TOBLER - all wrapped with a pretty outer card slipcase. The Audio on this sucker is gorgeous - tracks like her cover of The Louvin Brothers Country hit "Angels Rejoiced" where she duets on vocals with Herb Pedersen (Mandolin from Albert Lee) is just beautiful to listen too. A top job done. Here are the details...

UK released April 2016 - "Nicolette/In The Nick Of Time/Radioland" by NICOLETTE LARSON on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1231 (Barcode 5017261212313) offers 3LPs remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (38:14 minutes):

1. Lotta Love

2. Rhumba Girl

3. You Send Me

4. Can't Get Away From You

5. Mexican Divorce

6. Baby, Don't Do It [Side 2]

7. Give A Little

8. Angels Rejoiced

9. French Waltz

10. Come Early Mornin'

11. Last In Love

Tracks 1 to 11 are her debut album "Nicolette" - released November 1978 in the USA on Warner Brothers BSK 3243 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56569

Disc 2 (64:42 minutes):

1. Dancin' Jones

2. Just In The Nick Of Time

3. Let Me Go, Love

4. Rio De Janeiro Blue

5. Breaking Too Many Hearts

6. Back In My Arms [Side 2]

7. Fallen

8. Daddy

9. Isn't It Always Love

10. Trouble

Tracks 1 to 10 are her 2nd album "In The Nick Of Time" - released November 1979 in the USA on Warner Brothers HS 3370 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56750

11. Radioland

12. Ooo-Eee

13. How Can We Go On

14. When You Come Around

15. Tears, Tears and More Tears

16. Straight From The Heart

17. Been Gone Too Long

18. Fool For Love

19. Long Distance Love

Tracks 11 to 19 are her 3rd studio album "Radioland" - released January 1981 in the USA on Warner Brothers BSK 3502 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56878

As I said earlier - when you read through the luminaries on these albums - it's not surprising that American Radio liked Nicolette Larson and her famous musical friends. While she handled all lead vocals - you get guest singers like Michael McDonald, Linda Ronstadt and Rosemary Butler - Keyboardists Bill Payne of Little Feat, Michael Omartian and Mark Jordan - Guitarists Fred Tackett, Albert Lee, James Burton, Ronnie Montrose (of Montrose) and Patrick Simmons of The Doobie Brothers - Bass Players Klaus Voorman (of Beatles fame) and Tiran Porter of The Doobie Brothers - Percussionists and Drummers Victor Feldman, Keith Knudsen and Bobby LaKind - as well as stragglers like Herb Pedersen, Van Dyke Parks and arranger Jimmie Haskell. The debut opens with a surprisingly chipper Neil Young cover "Lotta Love". No surprise then that the US 45 of it on Warner Brothers WBS 8664 with "Angels Rejoiced" on the flipside made No. 8 on the Pop charts in late December 1978. With its Jimmie Haskell arranged strings, boppy keyboard beat and floating Saxophone - it was a big hit. 

Before that Warner Brothers tried the Jesse Winchester penned "Rhumba Girl" as her debut 7" single on Warner Brothers BBS 8795 (with "Lost In Love" on the B-side) that Larson gives a Doobie Brothers "Minute By Minute" funky shuffle - but it failed to ignite interest. The HD Audio on "Give A Little" is fabulous - penned by Bill and Fran Payne (Bill Payne of Little Feat) - it's a slick slice of West Coast 'lurve' - ably abetted by a trio of great backing vocalists - Linda Ronstadt, Nicolas Ashford and producer Ted Templeman. Her two Soul covers - Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" and Marvin Gaye's "Baby, Don't You Do It" (a H-D-H song) - break up the slightly schlocky pop songs. For better feel collectors will dig "Last In Love" - a Glenn Fry song penned with John David Souther that features only Larson singing, Billy Payne on Keyboards and the strings arranged by Jimmie Haskell (concertmaster Sid Sharp). A very Linda Ronstadt arrangement - Larson gives it some ache in her rendition. The remaster is beautiful too...

The 2nd LP produced another single that charted - "Let Me Go, Love" - her duet with Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers on Warner Brothers 49130 that rose to 35 in February 1980. Her own song (co-penned with Ted Templeman) "Just In The Nick Of Time" is a cool little rocker with great guitar from Little Feat's Paul Barrere and a wicked solo from Ronnie Montrose. Michael McDonald contributes his trademark funky keyboard backdrop to the upbeat "Back In My Arms" - a Holland-Dozier-Holland hit for The Supremes way back in 1965 - another potential hit with top sessionman Jim Horn giving it a great Saxophone solo. Van Dyke Parks counts in the 1-2-3-4 of "Trouble" and plays the Keyboards. Just her voice and his piano - she does a girly variant of Lowell George's "Sailin' Shoes" classic and it ends the album well.

By the time we get to studio set number 3 - the public and radio had moved up. Despite the presence of Patrick Simmons, Tiran Porter, Keith Knudsen of The Doobie Brothers and Billy Payne of Little Feat - the opening "Radioland" fails to really ignite - sounding tired and forced. Clover's John McFee and Little Feat's Paul Barrere combine on Guitars to lift "Ooo-Eee" - but stuff like "How Can We Go On" and "When You Come Around" sound weak and weedy. Much of the rest of the album feels the same with only the finisher - a cover of "Long Distance Love" lifts proceedings. But even then it's not a patch on the hurting 1975 Lowell George original on Little Feat's "The Last Record Album"...

To sum up - two good albums followed by one patchy effort. But with that superior presentation and the new 2016 glorious sound - fans will need this. Another reissue winner from BGO...

"Shazam" by THE MOVE (2016 Esoteric Recordings 'Expanded Edition' STEREO 1CD Remaster) - A Review For Mark Barry...

"…Strange New Ideas Fill The Air..." 

In 2007 and 2008 - Salvo of the UK reissued The Move’s first three albums - "The Move" (April 1968), "Shazam" (March 1970) and "Looking On" (October 1970) with great sound and half-decent extras. Now in 2016 it's the turn of Esoteric Recordings (part of England's Cherry Red) to have a go.

I've nabbed and reviewed the 1CD 'Standard Edition' of the debut album "The Move" newly remastered from original first generation tapes in MONO with five relevant bonus tracks (there's also a 3CD Deluxe Edition). Here comes the 'Standard Edition' of their smashing second platter – the STEREO "Shazam" from early 1970 – again in a 1CD and ‘Deluxe Edition’ set of reissues. Here are the super-hero details...

UK released Friday, 29 April 2016 (6 May 2016 in the USA) - "Shazam" by THE MOVE on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2539 (Barcode 5013929463943) is a 'Standard Edition' Single CD Remaster in STEREO with eight Bonus Tracks. It plays out as follows (68:08 minutes):

1. Hello Susie

2. Beautiful Daughter

3. Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited

4. Fields Of People [Side 2]

5. Don't Make My Baby Blue

6. The Last Thing on My Mind

Tracks 1 to 6 are their second album "Shazam" – released March 1970 on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1012 (Stereo only).

BONUS TRACKS:

7. Wild Tiger Woman

8. Omnibus

Tracks 7 and 8 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released August 1968 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3012

9. Blackberry Way

10. A Certain Something

Tracks 9 and 10 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released November 1968 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3015

11. Curly

12.This Time Tomorrow

Tracks 11 and 12 are the Mono A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released July 1969 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3021

13. Hello Susie (abridged US Single version

14. Second Class (She's Too Good For Me)

Recorded at Olympic Studios on 23 September 1968 – Stereo Mix prepared by Rob Keyloch in 2007

Tracks 1 to 6 and 11, 12 and 13 - THE MOVE was:

CARL WAYNE – Vocals

ROY WOOD – Guitar, Keyboards and Vocals

RICK PRICE – Bass and Vocals

BEV BEVAN – Drums and Vocals

Tracks 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14 - THE MOVE was:

CARL WAYNE – Vocals

TREVOR BURTON – Bass, Guitars and Vocals – Drums on "Second Class (She's Too Good For Me)"

BEV BEVAN – Drums and Vocals

NOTE: there is also an April 2016 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' of "Shazam" on Esoteric ECLEC 22538 (Barcode 5013929463844)

Like the 'standard edition' single CD of "The Move" – the 16-page booklet has fab period photos and the usual reissue credits – but it feels lacking that there's no liner notes. These notes are massively extended on the 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' of course - as is the track list – but a few choice lines wouldn't have gone amiss on this 1CD 'standard edition'. MARK and VICKY POWELL of Esoteric have compiled and coordinated the reissues (press clippings, trade adverts for singles, the CD label looks like the old Regal Zonophone typeface) – nicely done. But it's about the audio here...

ROB KEYLOCH transferred the tapes and BEN WISEMAN did the 24-Bit Digital Remaster at Broadlake Studios - and a brill job has been done. I’d have to be blunt about this – the Salvo issue I've had all these years has fantastic sound on it. Yet it was to single out one thing with this new Esoteric transfer (the same for the first LP) – it’s the overall impact – the speaker punch. It hits you on every song. For instance I went straight to my crave – The Move's ubercool take on Tom Paxton's anthem to love’s cackhanded mistakes "The Last Thing On My Mind". As the Byrds-type groove works its way towards the seven-minute ending – Roy Wood starts soloing and harmonizing with Carl Wayne when he comes out of it. Wow is the only response I can give. There's huge power in this transfer while still retaining clarity (my cup of tea).

"Shazam" opens the full album version of "Hello Susie" and immediately it's a different band to the Pop singles of old. Almost Humble Pie or Robin Trower's version of Procol Harum circa 1970's "Home" – the sound is far more 'rawk' that Radio Luxembourg 'pop'. The band goes a little LOVE with the layered vocals and plucked strings of "Beautiful Daughter". The 'going off my mind' revisit to "Cherry Blossom Clinic..." (a track that ended Side 2 of "The Move" debut album in 1968) is now stretched to nearly eight minutes and comes complete with witty dialogue, nursery rhymes and hard rock. But that's as nothing to the one of the LP's centrepieces – the near 11-minute "Fields Of People" – a fantastic piece of recorded mayhem that fuses 60ts Harpsichords with Small Faces tomfoolery (lyrics from it title this review). By the time you get to the sitar-sounding guitar wig-out that finishes the song – you’re probably in need of fresh Joss sticks on the mantelpiece. Then just at the end you get mock 'Great Portland Street' comments recorded as a giggle - old ladies – taxi drivers – the put out city gent who comments "...catches one a bit off balance to be suddenly interrupted in the street..."

The pantomime ending of "Fields Of People" is immediately followed by an almost-Black Sabbath heaviness in the sledgehammer "Don't Make My Baby Blue" – a Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil song first sung by Frankie Laine on American Columbia 4-42767 in 1963 and The Shadows on Columbia DB 7650 in 1965 back in good old Blighty. Needless to say The Move take a two-minute bubblegum pop song and stretch it out into a 6:17 minute barrage of rock riffage – huge guitars and even bigger vocals. It’s possibly the heaviest the band’s ever sounded – like Cactus or Grand Funk Railroad given a day-pass to a speaker stack pilled up with too many orange buttons turned up to eleven. If you think that’s good – you’ll absolutely love their clever yet complimentary rearrangement of Tom Paxton's Folk song "The Last Time On My Mind" (1964 on Elektra Records) which The Move transmogrify into 7:38 minutes of Byrds-type guitar-jangle beauty. I love it when Carl Wayne harmonizes with Roy Wood on their nasal vocals (his best ever guitar work?) and the remaster is glorious too. I had the eight extras on other reissues – but they bolster up this 2016 CD newbee with the right kind of stuff.

Fans might ask what's the point? If you already own the Salvo issue – then why buy this or even release it? I suspect that Esoteric have sourced a better tape than Salvo used – although I could stand corrected on that. But if you're all about the best sound – then I think this singular CD remaster is going to have to be in your bank-holiday basket right away. Or if your wallet can take it - go for the 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' with a huge wad of extras including Previously Unreleased...

"...Lock me in and throw the key away..." – Carl Wayne advises on the brilliant "Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited" - the band running through the childhood nursery rhyme 'better not go down to the woods today' as he sings. Well I'd say you should listen to your inner nutter and purchase this fantastic sounding Remaster right away...

"Ennismore/Journey" by COLIN BLUNSTONE (2014 Voiceprint 2LPs on 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Something To Warm Me On A Lonely Winter's Night..."

A clever reissue this – the former Zombie's singer COLIN BLUNSTONE gets his 2nd and 3rd Solo albums on Epic Records from 1972 and 1974 reissued onto 1CD – both unavailable digitally since 2003 when the Sony Legacy issues were deleted.

Well licensed from Sony Music and featuring the talents of Chris White and Rod Argent of The Zombies and Argent and a guest appearance by Duncan Browne – they’re back via Floating World Music & Voiceprint – and sounding damn good (just as I remembered). Here are the miracles...

UK released July 2014 – "Ennismore/Journey" by COLIN BLUNSTONE on Floating World/Voiceprint VP604CD (Barcode 0805772060425) offers 2LPs on 1CD and plays out as follows (73:24 minutes):

1. I Don't Believe In Miracles

2. Exclusively For Me

3. A Sign From Me To You

4. Every Sound I Heard

5. How Wrong Can One Man Be

6. I Want Some More

7. Pay Me Later

8. Andorra

9. I've Always Had You

10. Time's Running Out

11. How Could We Dare To Be Wrong

Tracks 1 to 11 are his second Solo LP "Ennismore" – released November 1972 in the UK on Epic Records EPC 65278 and in the USA on Epic KE 31994. NOTE: Tracks 2 to 5 on Side 1 of the original LP are listed as a 'Quartet' with (a), (b), (c) and (d) parts. Rod Argent and Chris White of The Zombies (& Argent) produced the album.

12. Wonderful

13. Beginning

14. Keep The Curtains Closed Today

15. Weak For You

16. Smooth Operator

17. You Who Are Lonely [Side 2]

18. It's Magical

19. Something Happens When You Touch Me

20. Setting Yourself Up

21. Shadow Of A Doubt

22. This Is Your Captain Calling

Tracks 12 to 22 are his 3rd solo album "Journey" - released March 1974 in the UK on Epic Records EPC 65287 and in the USA on Epic KE 32962. CHRIS WHITE of The Zombies and Argent produced it. ROD ARGENT and PETE WINGFIELD play Keyboards, Guitars by Colin Blunstone and DEREK GRIFFITHS, Bass by TERRY POOLE, Piano by RICHARD KERR, Classical Guitar on "Keep The Curtains Closed Today" by DUNCAN BROWNE, Backing Vocals by THE KING SINGERS.

The 8-page booklet has new liner notes from noted writer ALAN ROBINSON and pictures cool stuff like the Dutch 7" single picture sleeve for "I Want Some More" which had "Pay Me Later" on the B (not released in the UK). "Andorra" and "Weak For You" also came out in Euro territories and they're here as well. There are old interview quotes from Blunstone discussing his association with Duncan Browne of Immediate and Rak Records fame (his "Journey" single is one of 'the' 70ts sublime moments). AUDIO - apart from a 'licensed from Sony Music' credit - there are no mastering/remastering credits at all - but one has to assume the audio is the Sony Legacy issues of old. This CD sounds amazing for the "Journey" album - whilst merely good to great for "Ennismore" (a tad hissy on some tunes)...

Named after a 'state-of-mind' and a beloved flat in Ennismore Gardens in London - "Ennismore" the album opens with the single and a firm fan fave - "I Don't Believe In Miracles". Epic UK put it out a month before the LP hit the shops - October 1972 on Epic EPC S 8434 with the album cut "I've Always Had You" on the flipside. Radio and the public liked it and rewarded the catchy falsetto chorus with a Number 31 placing on the UK charts (odd then that the album didn't follow suit). "Exclusively For Me", "A Sign For Me", "Every Sound I Heard" and "How Wrong Can A Man Be" made up the 'quartet' of songs on Side 1 - an arc-of-a-love-affair foursome - that like relationships blows hot and cold - my fave being the pastoral cellos of "Every Sound I Heard" where our Col hears his girl's name everywhere he turns his lugs. Side 1 ends with the zippy acoustic guitars and funky keyboards of "I Want Some More" - another potential hit 45. 

Side 2 opens with the happy/sarcastic "Pay Me Later" which features some great slide on the acoustic. One of the mysteries surrounding the album is that Epic didn't pick the cool/funk "Andorra" as a next single - nice beat and pace - and would have built momentum for the album. The audio on the quiet "I've Always Had You" is gorgeous - nice air around those high cat strings - his voice so clear as well. The beautiful "Time's Running Out" has always had that excessive hiss problem and this mastered version is no different - such a lovely song - but you do have to tolerate the transfer (doesn't stop the song from being a highlight on the LP). Epic tried "How Could We Dare To Be Wrong" as a 45 in the UK on Epic EPC 1197 in February 1973 achieving a modest 45 placing and staying on the charts for only two weeks.

The "Journey" album opens with the slightly bombastic "Wonderful" that ends in a sort of Beach Boys "Smile" vocal refrain by a choir. The voices cleverly segue into the altogether more adventurous and lulling "Beginning" and in its own way - very Beach Boys. But when that classical guitar of Duncan Browne comes sailing in on "Keep The Curtains Closed Today" - the chills go up my arms. It all comes together - gorgeous song - voice - the accompanying backing vocals The King Singers. But then we get the super-produced but slightly overdone "Weak For You" and "Smooth Operator". Side 2 opens with "You Who Are Lonely" - a plaintive song about being 'in the hands of fate' - nice melody and gorgeous production values. My other fave on that side is the big acoustic strums of "Setting Yourself Up"...

Although more polished in every way - album No. 3 "Journey" is missing something that his 1971 debut "One Day" and its 1972 follow-up "Ennismore" possessed in spades. Still - it's a blast to have these forgotten 70ts singer-songwriter slices of magic back on my shelves - and in decent sound too...