"A Woman, A Lover, A Friend/Body And Soul" by JACKIE WILSON (1999 Edsel 2LPs on 1CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Sad And Lonely..."

"...Sure I'm crazy in love with you..." - Jackie Wilson croons on "Crazy She Calls Me" - wrapping his amazing voice around lush strings and ever so sweet as mom's apple pie lyrics. And that's what you get here - two albums filled with crooner tunes all wrapped up with orchestration and quality Brunswick Records production values. Those looking for his bopping R&B 'Mr. Excitement' persona should look elsewhere. Worse – no matter how much you may hold him in affection - that first album is dreadfully dated – weighed down with heavy-handed saccharine arrangements. But the second crooner-album "Body And Soul" is a ballads sweetheart - criminally forgotten across the decades. Here are the Blue Moons and the Rivers of Tears...

UK released March 1999 - "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend/Body And Soul" by JACKIE WILSON (subtitled 'Jackie Wilson In New York') on Edsel DIAB 882 (Barcode 740155488222) offers two 60ts LPs onto 1 CD and plays out as follows (66:50 minutes):

1. A Woman, A Lover, A Friend

2. Your One And Only Love

3. You Cried

4. The River

5. When You Add Religion To Love

6. One Kiss

7. Night [Side 2]

8. (You Were Made for) All My Love

9. Am I The Man

10. Behind the Smile Is A Tear

11. We Kissed

12. (So Many) Cute Little Girls

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 5th album "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend" - released November 1960 in the USA on Brunswick BL 54059 (Mono) and BL 754059 (Stereo) - Stereo mix is used.

13. Body And Soul

14. I Don't Know You Anymore

15. I Apologize

16. I Got it Bad (And That Ain't Good)

17. The Greatest Hurt

18. I'll Always Be In Love With You

19. Crazy She Calls Me

20. The Tear Of The Year

21. Blue Moon

22. I'll Be Around

23. There'll Be No Next Time

24. We'll Be Together Again

Tracks 13 to 24 are his 8th album "Body And Soul" - released April 1962 in the USA on Brunswick BL 54105 (Mono) and BL 754105 (Stereo) - Stereo Mix is used

The 12-page booklet has affectionate liner notes from ALAN ROBINSON (including original LP notes) explaining the 'crooner' nature of both albums - DICK JACOBS arranged and conducted on "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend" while BOB MERSEY did the "Body And Soul" album. There are no other mastering notes nor musician credits nor photos - but the Audio is very clean and full.

The first album has some awful slush on it - dramatic strings and a chorus introduce the MOR "Your One And Only Love" and unfortunately that heavy-handed manner continues for almost every song. Whether you love Jackie Wilson or not - its hard to take schlock like "When You Add Religion To Love" where he sounds like Elvis singing MOR for the sake of filling up the grooves. The hits "Night" and "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend" are lovely and "One Kiss" shows some of that old dancing R&B magic but again it’s cluttering up with those incessant backing singers.

Far better is the "Body And Soul" LP where Mersey wisely strips back the singers and clutter and leaves just the strings caressing his voice. This allows Jackie to breath and for the listener to actually hear his singing. It's immediately evident on the lovely "Body And Soul" - his voice soaring in echo - actually Soulful as those final notes fade out. Mid-tempo numbers like "I Don't Know You Anymore" and "I Apologize" are a little samey but you can't deny those great vocals as the drum softly shuffles over his swooping voice. He gets deeply Soulful on "The Tear Of The Year" where he cried buckets last night. Robinson's liner notes are right to point out the vocal gymnastics in his cover of the perennial "Blue Moon" - swooping and swooning like a goodun - very impressive stuff. It ends on the deeply sentimental "We'll Be Together Again" where a lone George Shearing-like piano plinks in the background as Jackie waxes lyrical about 'smiles' and 'begging with your heart'...

You could call this Jackie Wilson's Lounge Room Satin Suit period - but I'd still argue that 1962's "Body And Soul" LP is a very warm reminder of his immense vocal skills...

"Ray Charles and Betty Carter/Dedicated To You" by RAY CHARLES and BETTY CARTER (1998 Rhino 2LPs on 1CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Baby, It's Cold Outside..." 

Both of these albums were done 'live-in-the-studio' – no overdubs, no editing, no added on technology. And re-listening to them in 2016 is a jaw-dropping experience. Not only was their timing and vocal phrasing so completely on the money every time they stepped up to the mike – the musicianship of people like Bill Pittman on Guitar, Edgar Willis on Bass and Mel Lewis on Drums is top notch throughout.

The "Ray Charles And Betty Carter" LP has been a fan fave for years – great chemistry with the tune-choices to match. What you get is a Jazz Vocals LP with a little touch of Swing and even Big Band. Two sweet yet deep voices caressing a bunch of standards - making you feel like their singing to only you as you ready to hit that cocktail bar in your finest duds. Rhino has also tagged on another 1961 Ray Charles solo platter “Dedicated To You” - but it feels to me like a burden rather an enhancement after the main dish. Here are the tunesome twosomes...

USA released April 1998 – "Ray Charles And Betty Carter/Dedicated To You" by RAY CHARLES and BETTY CARTER and RAY CHARLES on Rhino R2 75259 (Barcode 081227525927) is part of their 'Ray Charles 50th Anniversary Collectors Series' and offers 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD that plays out as follows (77:58 minutes):

1. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

3. You And I

4. Intro: Goodbye/We'll Be Together Again

5. People Will Say We're In Love

6. Side By Side

7. Baby, It's Cold Outside [Side 2]

8. Together

9. For All We Know

10. Takes Two To Tango

11. Alone Together

12. Just You, Just Me

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Ray Charles And Betty Carter" - released July 1961 in the USA on ABC-Paramount ABC 341 (Mono) and ABCS 341 (Stereo) - the STEREO Mix is used. Produced by SID FELLER and Arranged by MARTY PAICH - the album peaked at 52 on the US LP charts.

13. Hardhearted Hannah

14. Nancy

15. Margie

16. Ruby

17. Rosetta

18. Stella By Starlight

19. Cherry

20. Josephine

21. Candy

22. Marie

23. Diane

24. Sweet Georgia Brown

Tracks 13 to 24 are the album "Dedicated To You" – released July 1961 in the USA on ABC-Paramount ABC 355 (Mono) and ABCS 355 (Stereo) – STEREO Mix is used. Produced by SID FELLER and Arranged by MARTY PAICH - the album peaked at No. 11 on the US LP charts.

The 12-page booklet combines new notes from ALAN SWYER regarding the recordings – the original LP liner notes for both albums and the usual reissue credits along with other Charles stuff on Rhino. But as pretty as the booklet looks – it’s the Sound that blows you away. Love and care went into the Audio restoration – TERRY HOWARD carried out Transfers, Balancing and re-Calibration at RPM International Studios with DOUG SAX joining him on the Remasters. Using first generation tapes - the sound is gorgeous – full of presence and warmth - the Stereo beautifully balanced.

She might take her time arriving in the opening shuffler "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" – but Carter sings towards the end – it's obvious there is magic in this combo of talents. "...Don't throw bouquets at me...don't please my folks too much...' - Betty teases in the high-hat fun of "People Will Say We're In Love". But I prefer the "Come Rain Or Shine" sexiness of "Cocktails For Two" where Brother Ray plinks on those keys like he's had one too many whiskey shots whilst still having an eye for the ladies. The rapid-paced big band bombast of "Side By Side" is pretty awful – an unwelcome change of pace. Thankfully its quickly forgotten when the magical "Baby, It's Cold Outside" shimmies into your living room wearing a negligee that leaves little to the imagination – the two singers playing off those pleading and coy lines. She purrs not to convincingly that "...father will be pacing the floor..." - but an understanding ray counter-coos with "...listen to that fire roar...baby, it's cold outside" – great fun.

The solo LP "Dedicated To You" has a different girl's name in each song title but unfortunately schlock like "Nancy" is all slush-strings and syrupy sentiment (but in a bad way). The whole LP is packed with this and fans of his Atlantic R&B period would find most insipid and even beneath him. The running order varies the theme from big brassy tune ("Margie") to smoocher ("Ruby") – the strings washing around the mix like it's a Nat King Cole album. The instrumental "Josephine" feels like an old-time Jazz Band in a late night bar before they get too sozzled as Ray plinks along to the shuffling rhythm section (amazing audio). Songs like "Marie" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" are big and loud jazz but despite the awesome transfer – they leave me longing for the intimacy of the Betty Carter duets LP.

A quality CD reissue from Rhino that boasts exceptional Audio, nice presentation and value-for-money playing time – even if all the material doesn't quite live up to the "Ray Charles And Betty Carter" project... 

"Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays" by NAT KING COLE and GEORGE SHEARING QUINTET (2000 Capitol 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"..Let There Be Love..." 

Back when this iconic and classic 1962 Jazz Vocals album was first being transferred onto the new spangled format of CD - George Shearing waxed lyrical about his favourite record collaboration receiving an Audio upgrade in the original 1987 liner notes. Well the piano-playing maestro would absolutely flip for this new August 2000 version - because to say that this CD incarnation is lush and smooth is like saying Leonardo Da Vinci was an alright painter and had the occasional good idea. Put simply - this new CD variant of "Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays" is gorgeous in every Audio way - brilliantly shining a digital light on the meeting of two great talents combined with the right material. Here are the dapper dudes...

UK released August 2000 – "Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays" by NAT KING COLE and THE GEORGE SHEARING QUINTET on EMI/Capitol Jazz 525 2502 (Barcode 724352525027) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (46:57 minutes):

1. September Song
2. Pick Yourself Up
3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)
4. Let There Be Love
5. Azure-Te
6. Lost April
7. A Beautiful Friendship [Side 2]
8. Fly Me To The Moon
9. Serenata
10. I’m Lost
11. There’s A Lull In My Life
12. Don’t Go
Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Nat King Cole Sing/George Shearing Plays" - released April 1962 in the USA on Capitol W 1675 (Mono) and Capitol SW 1675 (Stereo). Produced by LEE GILLETTE and TOM ORGAN - Arranged by GEORGE SHEARING and RALPH CARMICHAEL with the String Choir conducted by Carmichael (STEREO mix is used for CD). The album was recorded 19 to 22 December 1961 in Capitol’s Studios in Los Angeles.

NAT KING COLE – Vocals
GEORGE SHEARING – Piano
AL HENDRICKSON – Guitar
EMIL RICHARDS – Vibes
AL McGIBBON – Bass
SHELLY MANNE – Drums

The 12-page booklet combines liner notes from George Shearing and Pete Welding (1987) with some addition stuff from WILL FRIEDWALD in 2000. There are discussions of his extraordinary career from 1944 right up to his untimely death in 1965 juts a few years after these sublime Jazz Vocal recordings (shame no pictures though). But all of that is naught to the truly beautiful CD Audio you get the second you start playing the expertly crafted songs. RON McMASTER did the 24-bit Super Bit Mapping Remixes and Remasters from first generation tapes and the sound is spotless – clean – full of presence and warmth. The Stereo is beautifully balanced - every string pluck and breathy vocal as clear as a bell – the Jazz Combo set up suiting both men.

The fluidity of Shearing’s piano fills the soft-shuffle "September Song" – a lovely opening salvo for a largely mellow album. The voice and his playing is the stuff of Jazz Vocal album legend – the perfect compliment to Nat's phrasing and those Ralph Carmichael string arrangements. You might think something as cheesy as "Pick Yourself Up" would not work – but the arrangement gives it fresh legs. The lush strings on "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" can only be described as 'sumptuous' and who out there doesn’t feel a tingle of inner glee when that piano intro to the glorious "Let There Be Love" arrives – surely a highlight for the whole record.

The vibe intro to "A Beautiful Friendship" feels like a perfect Martini in your Lounge of choice – his voice stunning and deep. Again he takes an old chestnut and transforms it with a slower arrangement and carefully placed vibes - "Fly Me To The Moon". It sails to a finish with "There’s A Lull In My Life" and the impossibly pretty "Don’t Go" Of the bonus tracks - the Latin rhythms and speed of "Game Of Love" is probably the reason it was excluded – just would have sounded out of place. Better are the two crooning vibe-laden ballads "Everything Happens To Me" and "Guess I’ll Go Back Home" – more in tune with the album’s overall feel.

A lovely album and a CD reissue that boasts exceptional Audio. "Let There Be Love" indeed...

"Roy Orbison Sings Lonely And Blue" by ROY ORBISON (2006 Monument/Legacy 'Extended' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Only The Lonely Know How I Feel Tonight..."

Helmsman for The Everly Brothers (one of the best vocal harmony groups ever) and a prolific songwriter himself – Boudleaux Bryant is not surprisingly genuinely enamoured with the golden larynx of Roy Orbison – bigging-up the 'O' in his liner notes adorning the rear sleeve (Roy covers their Cadence 50ts hit "Bye Bye Love" on this LP). But if you look close enough at the repro of that cover art on the last leaf of the 8-page booklet – you will notice the very stuff of Audio Legend. 

The original December 1960 LP had a dedicated box on the right side given over 'Technical Data' – almost as if it was a matter of pride. Listed are microphones (Telefunken and U&M) and types of tape machines (Ampex Two and Three-track Stereo). And one minute into this gorgeous VIC ANESINI remaster of Roy Orbison's classy December 1960 debut album – you understand instantly why collectors have frothed at the gills over clean copies of the Monument Records original vinyl - especially in 'Living Stereo'. This record sounds awesome - as well as fronting three genuine monsters of early 60ts Pop – "Only The Lonely", "Blue Angel" and "I'm Hurtin'". Let's look under those tinted shades... 

UK and Europe released October 2006 (reissued May 2010 in the USA) – "Roy Orbison Sings Lonely And Blue" by ROY ORBISON on Monument/Legacy/Sony BMG 82876 85572 2 (Barcode 828768557228) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (40:55 minutes):

1. Only The Lonely
2. Bye Bye Love
3. Cry
4. Blue Avenue
5. I Can't Stop Loving You
6. Come Back To Me (My Love)
7. Blue Angel [Side 2]
8. Raindrops
9. (I'd Be) A Legend In My Time
10. I'm Hurtin'
11. Twenty-Two Days 
12. I'll Say It's My Fault
Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "Roy Orbison Sings Lonely And Blue" - released December 1960 in the USA on Monument M 4002 (Mono) and Monument SM 14002 (Stereo) and June 1961 in the UK on London HA-U 2342 (Mono only). Produced by FRED FOSTER – the STEREO Mix is used for the CD. 

BONUS TRACKS: 
13. Uptown
14. Pretty One
Tracks 13 and 14 are the non-album A&B-sides of a November 1959 USA 7" single on Monument MO 412

15. Here Comes That Song Again
Track 15 is the non-album B-side to the 7" single for "Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel)" released June 1960 in the USA on Monument MO 421. It was also the B-side to the single for "Only The Lonely..." in the UK on London HLU 9149 - also released June 1960 (his debut British 45). 

16. Today's Teardrops 
Track 16 is the non-album B-side to the 7" single for "Blue Angel" released October 1960 in the USA on Monument MO 425 and in the UK on London HLU 9207. It's a Gene Pitney cover version. 

MUSICIANS: 
GUITARS – Harold Bradley, Hank Garland and Grady martin
STEEL GUITAR – Jerry Byrd 
SAXOPHONE – Boots Randolph 
PIANO – Floyd Cramer and Martin Hughes
BASS – Bob Moore
DRUMS Buddy Harman 
VIOLA - Howard Carpenter 
VIOLINS – Brenton banks, George Binkley III, Aileen Fentress, Solie Fott, Lillian Hunt, Jane Norris, Vernal Richardson and Wilda Tinsley
BACKING VOCALS – Joe Melson and The Anita Kerr Singers 

Although it has a sepia photo of Roy discussing music with Producer Fred Foster and two other page-sized period photos – apart from the repro of Boudleaux Bryant’s liner notes – there is naught else by way of history or discussion (more’s the pity). It’s pretty to look at admittedly but such a shame Sony didn’t stretch out a tad with the info. There’s also a photo of Roy beneath the see-through CD tray. 

But all of that is naught to the truly beautiful CD Audio you get the second you start playing the expertly crafted songs. VIC ANESINI did the Remasters at Sony Studios in New York – and he's a name I've sung the praises of before. Anesini has handled very prestigious SONY catalogue – Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, Nilsson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Janis Joplin, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Santana, Paul Simon and The Jayhawks to name but a few. Clean – full of presence and warmth – this thing is a joy to listen too. And even if the strings and Anita Kerr Singers do tend to over dramatize some of the songs – Orbison's voice is a thing of wonder throughout. It's also one of those reissues that become vastly enhanced by the addition of four smartly chosen and apt bonus tracks (the chipper "Uptown" and the Dick Flood ballad B-side "Here Come's That Song Again" alone are fabulous Big O tunes).  

It opens with the biggest heartbreak song of all time – our boy bemoaning his bachelor fate in "Only The Lonely..." – the audio on this baby is (if you'll forgive the pun) – monumental. Churchill Kohlman penned the goodbye letter song "Cry" while "Blue Avenue" was co-penned by Roy with one of his backing singers singer Joe Melson. Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You" gives Roy an ideal vehicle for weepy melodrama - our hero hoping that time will heal a broken heart (don't hold your breath pal). Similar to "Only The Lonely..." - Orbison and Melson again co-penned "Come Back To Me (My Love)" - a good song that doesn't quiet get past its cutesy arrangement. Side 2 opens with a song that's been covered by so many - "Blue bayou. A fave of mine is Linda Ronstadt's version on her "Simple Dreams" album in 1977. Joe Melson solo penned "Raindrops" while another Don Gibson classic "I'd Be) A Legend In My Time" gets a Roy going over to great effect. "I'm Hurtin'" is surely one the great tracks on the record though I'm kind of indifferent to the Gene Pitney cover "Twenty Two Days". It ends on "I'll Say It's My Fault" - a song Roy teamed up with Producer Fred Foster on.   

A sweetheart of a release and one that boasts exceptional Audio - classy like the great man himself - and all of it done in conjunction with the Roy Orbison Estate. 

"...There goes my baby...there goes my heart..." - Roy sang on "Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel)". I think he took our hearts too...

NOTE: There is a Hallmark CD reissue from 2010 on Hallmark/Pickwick 711742 (Barcode 5050457117429) that has the 12-track album only. I bought it in error - there are no mastering credits of any kind, a gatefold inlay that advertises other CDs by the label and even though it says 'Original Recording' on the altered front sleeve - the Audio is good rather than great. I'd advise buy the official Sony issue using the Barcode provided above to locate the right issue. Sony has also done 'Expanded Edition' Vic Anesini CD Remasters of Roy Orbison's "In Dreams" and "Crying" with equally beautiful Audio.

"The Complete Okeh Sessions 1952-55" by BIG MAYBELLE (1994 USA Epic/Legacy/Okeh CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Don't Run My Business…" 

One of the original big-framed shouters and reared on Sunday services where singing for the Lord meant reaching the people in the back seats as well as in the Heavens - Tennessee's Mabel Louise Smith (Big Maybelle) could probably floor a male suitor by just opening her mouth from a mile away. Yet beneath that huge brassy voice and sassy stage persona (backed by saxophones and a blistering rhythm section) beat the heart of a big softie and a habitual substance abuser. Perhaps it was a combination of all these things that imbibed her driving R'n'B with such pathos, fun and pain - all at the same time. Here are the 'just want your love' details...

USA released August 1994 on CD - "The Complete Okeh Sessions 1952-55" by BIG MAYBELLE on Epic/Legacy/Okeh EK 53417 (Barcode 886972504322) CD breaks down as follows (73:48 minutes):

1. Just Want Your Love (1953 USA 7" single Okeh 6955, B-side to "Way Back Home")

2. So Good To My Baby (first appeared 1983 USA 2LP set "The Okeh Sessions" on Epic EG 38456)

3. Gabbin' Blues (Don't Run My Business) (1953 USA 7" single Okeh 6931, A - reissued on Okeh 7069 - see 22 for B-side)

4. My Country Man (1953 USA 7"single on Okeh 7009, A)

5. Rain Down Rain (1953 USA 7" single Okeh 6931, B-side of "Gabbin' Blues (Don't Run My Business)")

6. Way Back Home (1953 USA 7" single Okeh 6955, A)

7. Please Stay Away From My Sam (first appeared 1983 USA 2LP set "The Okeh Sessions" on Epic EG 38456)

8. Jinny Mule (1953 USA 7"single on Okeh 6998, B-side to "Send For Me")

9. Send For Me (1953 USA 7"single on Okeh 6998, A)

10. Maybelle's Blues (1953 USA 7"single on Okeh 7009, B-side of "My Country Man")

11. I've Got A Feelin' (1954 USA 7"single on Okeh 7026, A)

12. You'll Never Know (1954 USA 7"single on Okeh 7026, B-side of "I've Got A Feelin'")

13. No More Trouble Out Of Me (first appeared 1983 USA 2LP set "The Okeh Sessions" on Epic EG 38456)

14. My Big Mistake (1954 USA 7"single on Okeh 7042, A)

15. Ain't No Use (1955 USA 7"single on Okeh 7053, A)

16. I'm Getting `Long Alright (1954 USA 7"single on Okeh 7042, B-side of "My Big Mistake")

17. You'll Be Sorry (first appeared 1983 USA 2LP set "The Okeh Sessions" on Epic EG 38456)

18. Hair Dressin' Women (first appeared 1983 USA 2LP set "The Okeh Sessions" on Epic EG 38456)

19. One Monkey Don't Stop No Show (1955 USA 7"single on Okeh 7060, B-side of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On")

20. Don't Leave Poor Me (1955 USA 7"single on Okeh 7053, B-side of "Ain't No Use")

21. Ain't To Be Played With (first appeared 1983 USA 2LP set "The Okeh Sessions" on Epic EG 38456)

22. New Kind Of Mambo (1956 USA 7" single on Okeh 7069, B-side of "Gabbin' Blues" reissue)

23. Ocean Of Tears (first appeared on the July 1993 Various Artists 3CD Box Set "The Okeh Rhythm And Blues Story 1949-1957" on Epic/Legacy/Okeh E3K 48912)

24. Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin' On (1955 USA 7"single on Okeh 7060, A)

25. The Other Night (1956 USA 7"single on Okeh 7066, B-side of "Such A Cutie")

26. Such A Cutie (1956 USA 7"single on Okeh 7066, A)

The 12-page booklet has excellent liner notes from PETER GRENDYSA (who did both of The Chess Blues and Rhythm and Roll 4CD Box Sets) with the text peppered by Columbia/Okeh trade adverts ("Gabbin' Blues b/w Rain Down Man") and a photo of her live on a Detroit stage in 1956 mid rapture (a great snap). But the big news is stunning VIC ANESINI/WARREN BEBERG remasters and transfers - clean, clear and full of amazing Fifties echo and presence. This CD is gorgeous audio-wise (the same goes for the whole series really) and that's hammered home as you go from track-to-track.

Love - the lack of it, the throws of it, the sex of it - is not far from the surface of every song. "When it comes to lovin'...he really knows how..." Maybelle enthuses on "Country Man" - while a few minutes later she weeps and wails on "Maybelle's Blues" that "My baby up and left me around about midnight...have mercy...I'm in so much misery..." The bopping R'n'B dancer "So Good To My Baby" first turned up on the 1983 American double-album "The Okeh Sessions" - but better are the flurry of mid-tempo and slow bluesy workouts that came off that double-platter - "Please Stay Away From My Sam", "No More Trouble Out Of Me" and "You'll Be Sorry". There's cautionary advice in "Hair Dressin' Women" who apparently "love to run their mouth all day..." and she does a storming lead rasp on the moaning "Ain't To Be Played With" (quite possibly the best vocal on here).

There's incredibly rare studio chatter at the beginning of "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin On" (essentially a False Start with Take 2 being the master) while her formula of a slow A-side backed with a bopping flip is probably best sampled on the fab duo of "Ain't No Use" and "Don't Leave Poor Me" (Okeh 7053). The audio quality is amazing on these cuts - live and in your living room. As it is on the lively "just can't miss..." dancer "New Kind Of Mambo" with Sam "The Man" Taylor blowing up a fabulous Saxophone solo. A special mention should also go the great quality of "Ocean Of Tears" - the lone entry from "The Okeh Story" 3CD Box Set from 1993 (then previously unreleased) which features Mickey Baker putting in tasty licks on Guitar.

A lack of real world love, the needle fix and subsequent diabetes from a lifetime of substance abuse finally did for her in 1972 when she passed away aged only 48. At least this cool little American CD does her Legacy proud - a bit of a cutie frankly...

"Atlanta Twelve String: Blues Originals Vol. 1" by BLIND WILLIE McTELL (2012 Japanese 'Atlantic 1000 R&B Best Collection' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Broke Down Engine Blues…"

Back in the early Seventies Atlantic Records began reissuing a lot of Blues and old time R’n’B on vinyl – one such string of tastily presented albums was the “Blues Originals” series – historic names given a new airing in lavish gatefold sleeves. Apart from the occasional track on the “Atlantic Blues” 4CD Box Set from 2007 on Rhino Handmade – many of these albums have remained elusive on CD. Blind Willie McTell had two tracks on that 4CD retrospective but this is to my knowledge the first time the entire album has been made available on CD. Here are dying crapshooter details…

Released November 2012 – "Atlanta Twelve String: Blues Originals Vol.1" by BLIND WILLIE McTELL on Warner Brothers Japan/Atlantic 1000 R&B Best Collection WPCR-27595 (Barcode 4943674126972) pans out as follows (44:49 minutes):

1. Kill It Kid

2. The Razor Ball

3. Little Delia

4. Broke Down Engine Blues

5. Dying Crapshooter’s Blues

6. Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie

7. Blues Around Midnight

8. Last Dime Blues

9. On The Cooling Board  [Side 2]

10. Motherless Children Have A Hard Time

11. I Got To Cross The River Jordan

12. You Got To Die

13. Ain’t It Grand To Live A Christian

14. Pearly Gates

15. Soon This Morning

Tracks 1 to 15 are the album “Atlanta Twelve String: Blues Originals Vol.1” – released 1972 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7224

When the LP was released Stateside in 1972 – all but two tracks were Previously Unreleased at the time. The two that weren’t were “Kill It Kid” and “Broke Down Engine Blues” - originally issued in 1949 as the A & B-sides of a 78” on Atlantic 891 credited to Barrelhouse Sammy The Country Kid.

Just a word about the Japanese CD Series "Atlantic 1000 R&B Best Collection" – it first appeared in October and November 2012 and has been ongoing ever since (there's now a whopping 250+ titles across every WEA label, genre and time frame). The '1000' in the title refers to their price code - each features a budget price tag of 952 Yen which (depending on exchange rates) is roughly $9 to $11 for US customers, £5.50 to £7.50 for UK buyers and 8 to 9.20 Euros for Europeans (with P&P added on of course). As of early 2015 - roughly speaking they weigh in between £5 to £10 sterling per title including post - which is the cheapest I've seen quality Japanese CDs ever go for.

And what's really enticing is that most issues feature 2012, 2013 and 2014 Digital Remastering (DSD) with many titles reissued that are either entirely new to CD or have been long out of print and due sonic upgrades. Each release comes in a standard jewel case (not mini repro sleeves nor SHMs) with an inner booklet (16-pages on this one) containing the English lyrics. There's the usual outer Obi strip and an essay in Japanese (no liner notes nor other details). The CD label design will usually mimic the original release too (the Atlantic Black & Red logo here). These ancient Mono recordings have been digitally remastered (says so on the obi but doesn’t say who did it) and given the vintage they’re incredibly clean and clear.

Musically this is one man and his 12-string guitar singing songs about dying, gambling, cheating women and God (what’s new). This is the kind of album Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin must have swooned over – there’s an eerie edge to the recordings – “On The Cooling Board” and “Broke Down Engine Blues” being amongst the best. Lyrically “Dying Crapshooter’s Blues” has some howling lines like – “Jessie was a wild reckless gambler…police walked up and shot my friend Jessie down…at his bedside…how you wanna go Jessie…eight crapshooters to be my pallbearers…a crooked card put on my hearse…dig my grave with the ace of spades…” I like it…

Blind William McTell is a footnote in Blues history now - but on the evidence of this cool little CD - what an imprint he left…

PS: I've posted a full list of all 255 titles in the Series to January 2015 - just Google "Atlantic 1000 R&B Best Collection"...