"Groovin' The Blues" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2016 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Got A Key To The Highway...Goin' Back Home..." 

On Page 34 of this very cool Fifties Rhythm 'n' Blues CD there's the eye-catching cover shot of Atlanta's Zilla May distracting comedian Al Jackson with her 'shapely charms' and 'torso tossing' at the Royal Peacock Club. Full of fun, hip-shaking naughtiness and good time music – it visually sums up this first of two barnstorming CD reissues from Bear Family for RCA's 'Groove' label - "Groovin' The Blues" and "Rockin' The Groove". And I'm lovin' both big time...

RCA Victor's major label response to the dominance of the R&B genre by driven-independents like Atlantic, Modern and King Records was the fondly remembered but unfairly forgotten 'Groove' label inaugurated in February 1954. As a major player in the field - RCA had had a long and prestigious history with their 'Bluebird' imprint - pumping out pre-War Blues 78’s since 1932 that featured huge and influential names like Memphis Minnie, Big Bill Broonzy, Lil Green and Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup (to name but a few) - Groove was their attempt to take a new share of the burgeoning 45 marketplace.

Now with access to their vaults via a deal with SONY – BF have formulated two jam-packed compilations to celebrate Groove Records - "Groovin' The Blues" on Bear Family BCD 17411 (Barcode 5397102174117) and "Rockin' The Groove" on Bear Family BCD 17412 (Barcode 5397102174124). Both are released February 2016 and come stuffed to the gunnels with tasty unreleased tracks, gorgeous 80-minute-plus Remasters from award-winning Audio Engineer MARCUS HEUMANN and 60-page booklets courtesy of one of the best genre chroniclers in the business - BILL DAHL. There's a heap of mess to get through...so...

UK and Europe released February 2016 - "Groovin' The Blues: When Groove Was More Than Just A Habit" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Bear Family BCD 17411 (Barcode 5397102174117) is a 33-track single CD compilation (13 of which are Previously Unreleased) with an attached 59-page booklet and plays out as follows (84:25 minutes, all tracks Mono):

1. SONNY TERRY - Lost Jawbone (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0015, A - see 6 for B-side)

2. COUSIN LEROY (Leroy Rozier) - Goin' Back Home (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0123, A - see 19 for B-side)

3. CHAMPION JACK DUPREE - The Ups (September 1956 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

4. BUDDY LUCAS - No Dice (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0030, A, Instrumental)

5. SUE ALLEN and OSCAR BLACK - Hold Me Baby (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0012, B-side of "I'll Get By")

6. SONNY TERRY - Louise (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0015, B - see 1 for A-side)

7. CLAYTON LOVE - Love Blues (May/June 1956 Recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

8. MAYMIE WATTS - There Goes That Train (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0103, A)

9. BIG TINY KENNEDY - 'Taint Right (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0133, A)

10. LITTLE TOMMY BROWN - Don't Leave Me (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0132, A - see 26 for B-side)

11. COUSIN LEROY (Leroy Rozier) - 41 Highway (July 1955 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

12. SONNY TERRY - Tell Me Baby (September 1955 RCA Victor instrumental recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

13. BUDDY LUCAS - I Got Drunk (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0003, A)

14. ZILLA MAYS - Romance In The Dark (October 1955 recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

15. BIG TINY KENNEDY - I Need A Good Woman (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0106, A)

16. OSCAR BLACK - What Makes Me Love You So (August 1956 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

17. SONNY TERRY - Hootin' Blues No. 2 (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0135, A)

18. THE DU-DROPPERS - You've Been Good To Everybody (March 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

19. COUSIN LEROY (Leroy Rozier) - Catfish (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0123, B-side - see 2 for A)

20. BEATRICE READING - Beantown Boogie (May 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

21. COUSIN LEROY - Lonesome Bedroom (July 1955 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

22. CHAMPION JACK DUPREE - Lonely Road Blues (1956 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0171, A)

23. SONNY TERRY - Throw This Old Dog A Bone (November 1955 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

24. BUDDY LUCAS (Amelia Stewart Lead Vocal) - I Need Help (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0006, A)

25. SONNY TERRY - I Took You In Baby (February 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

26. LITTLE TOMMY BROWN - Won't You Forgive Me (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0132, B-side of "Please Don't Leave" - for A see 10)

27. CHAMPION JACK DUPREE - Story Of My Life (September 1956 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

28. BEATRICE READING - I Wash My Hands (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0022, B-side of "Little Things Mean A Lot")

29. OSCAR BLACK and SUE ALLEN - I'll Live My Life Alone (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0115, A)

30. SONNY TERRY - Juice Head Woman (February 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

31. SONNY BROOKS - Sentimental Blues (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0027, B-side of "Champ Ale")

32. OSCAR BLACK - Into Each Heart (Some Tears Must Fall) (1956 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0168, A)

33. BIG CONNIE - Wait Till Next Year, Baby (1956 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0142, B-side of "Mumble Blues")

NOTES: Tracks 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 30 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Produced by DANNY KESSLER and BOB ROLONTZ - the card digipak for "Groovin' The Blues" has a beautiful 59-page booklet attached to the centre with Artist-By-Artist biographies in Alphabetical Order from renowned genre authority BILL DAHL. As well as a newly researched Discography (Pages 45 to 57) - in-between the wall-to-wall factoids are quality black and white publicity photos of each artist as well as repros of rare trade adverts. It's both visually gorgeous and a great read about lesser-heard names in R 'n' B. A trio of trusted names carried the great-sounding transfers - RON SANTOS and BILL DAHL (Tape Research and Comparison) with final Mastering done by MARCUS HEUMANN - a name I've raved about before. Despite the massive playing time (nearly eighty-five minutes) - it Rocks and Rolls and pleases in every way.

Last time I visited the 'Groove' label was on reissue vinyl - "Groove Jumping" on the UK's De-Tour Records DT 33003 in 1984 and the follow up compilation 'Still Groove Jumping" on De-Tour DT 33006 in 1987. I used to twirl them along with all those Edsel and Charly R&B reissues and theta sense of fun is back. It's hard to imagine why something as witty and catchy as "The Ups" by Champion Jack Dupree could remain unreleased - Champion talking out his daily 'ups and down' while Teddy 'The Bear' McRae answers his protestations about his baby's mean lowdown ways with a growling voice. It's a blast and is typical of this compilation. Instrumentals come at you in the shape of Sonny terry's Harmonica groover "Lost Jawbone" and the guitar driver "No Dice" from Buddy Lucas. Some of the tracks have a very homemade vibe like Sue Allen and Oscar Black's "Hold Me Baby" - a very rare and early 45 on the label - and Clayton Love - where the whole band sound like their literally going to drown in the sea of "Love Blues" they're singing about.

A genius discovery is the rasp and 'meow' of Maymie Watts giving it some seriously great Big Maybelle/Little Esther ache on "There Goes That Train" where some willowy strumpet has stolen her man and bunked on the 12:15. Big Tiny Kennedy sits down and drinks a cup of coffee to ease his aching head and warns that if his baby doesn't start 'treating him right' - this snake might have to bite back (oh dear). The mock weeping of Little Tommy Brown throughout the whole of "Please Don't Leave Me" will probably make you laugh out loud instead of empathise with this clearly deranged sucker (I can't imagine how many takes it took to get this down – it’s bloody funny anyway). Another witty winner is "I Got Drunk" where Buddy Lucas gets loaded and name checks more drink types than there are Juke Joints in Memphis. Sauciness is never far from the surface and the truly fabulous ZILLA MAYS (the gal gracing the cover) gives it some 'touch my lips' on the wonderful piano-stroller "Romance In The Dark" where she urges her man to explore more than rhythms as they dance. Zilla's previously unreleased cover version of Lil Green and Big Bill Broonzy's song was recorded October 1955 at RCA Victor's studios with both Mickey Baker on guitar and Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Saxophone and is one of many highlights on "Groovin' The Blues". The B-side "Right Now" of her officially released lone 45 on Groove (Groove 4G-0127) along with a Previously Unreleased track feature on the companion volume "Rockin' The Groove" (I wish they was more photos of Zilla May - she passed in 1995 after a lifetime in music).

Seriously great slide-guitar boogie comes in the shapely form of "I Need A Good Woman" from Big Tiny Kennedy - immeasurably improved by the fretwork of McHouston 'Mickey' Baker (pictured in colour in the Discography on Page 54). DJs will dig the brass bopper "What Makes Me Love You So" by Oscar Black where he asks what makes a man do the things he does for his 'little girl' (let me take a year to explain buddy). And they'll also be able to use "Beantown Boogie" by Beatrice Redding - a shuffler with a fun vocal. Rock History has always had a special place for "Catfish" - a version of Robert Petway's "Catfish Blues" done here by Cousin Leroy (Leroy Crozier) and naughtily listed as co-penned by Champion Jack Dupree's wife Lucille (check out the blistering Jimi Hendrix version on the CD compilation "Blues" or Rory Gallagher's Taste from "Live At The Isle Of Wight). Lucille also penned the unreleased "Lonesome Bedroom" for Cousin Leroy - a half-decent bopper with Larry Dale on Guitar and her hubby Champion Jack on Piano.

Sonny Terry begs his lady throughout a Harmonica shuffle to please "Throw This Old Dog A Bone" - but I think she's done cooking our hero breakfast even if he is on his knees howling like a hound towards the end. Almeta Stewart fronts a fabulous vocal for Saxophonist Buddy Lucas as she pleads "I Need Help" and should have received dual credit on the 45-label (she makes the song). Champion Jack Dupree gives us spoken advice on his 'lowdown and dirty' mistreatment by friends who used to turn up in Cadillacs - but now that his spondulicks have gone – so have his so-called friends. The big and sassy Beatrice Reading (great photo of her on Page 37) fairs no better on the B-side "I Wash My Hands" where she cries out convincingly that she's done with all things 'concerning love'. Sonny Brooks does his best Johnny Ray impression with the soppy "Sentimental Blues" - while the CD ends on a bopping winner from Big Connie who finds that the lady friend in his '56 Ford wants him to "Wait Till Next Year, Baby" and having spent all his dough and taken all that lip all night long – the Big C is none too pleased (boo hoo). What a great listen this whole CD is. 

It's a measure of "Groovin' The Blues" that I can't wait to rip open the shrink-wrap of "Rockin' The Groove" which arrived this morning too. 

Beautifully done, superbly presented and sounding as eager as Saturday Night at the Apollo - Bear Family have done it again. A shoe-in for Rhythm 'n' Blues 'Reissue Of The Year' 2016...

"The Complete Columbia Albums Collection" by THE BYRDS (2011 Sony/Legacy 15CD Mini Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960's and 1970's MUSIC ON CD - Exceptional CD Remasters
Volume 1 of 3  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…My Back Pages…"

Talk about a monster. 13 albums across 15 CDs (2 are Deluxe Edition doubles), more unreleased tracks than you can shake a wobbly stick at – a chunky 40-page booklet that literally gives track-by-track annotation - dinky facsimile 5” card sleeves – blindingly good remastered sound - and all of it for under twenty five quid!

Even the first 10 CDs reflect the “360 STEREO Sound” red Columbia labels that came with original American LPs - while the last three are the plain red variant – nice attention to detail. And apart from the very downward slope of the early Seventies sets - the music is pretty much sublime throughout. So here are the musical highs and lows of these American feathery troubadours…

Released November 2011 – "The Complete Columbia Albums Collection" by THE BYRDS on Sony/Columbia/Legacy 88697873802 (Barcode is the same) is a 15CD Box Set with a 40-Page Booklet and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 “Mr. Tambourine Man” in a single sleeve (45:40 minutes):

1. Mr. Tambourine Man

2. I Feel A Whole Lot Better

3. Spanish Harlem Incident

4. You Won’t Have To Cry

5. Here Without You

6. The Bells Of Rhymney

7. All I Really Want To Do [Side 2]

8. I Knew I’d Want You

9. It’s No Use

10. Don’t Doubt Yourself, Babe

11. Chimes Of Freedom

12. We’ll Meet Again

Tracks 1 to 12 are the debut LP “Mr. Tambourine Man” – released June 1965 in the USA on Columbia CL 2372 (Mono) and CS 9172 (Stereo) and August 1965 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62571 (Mono) and CBS S BPG 62571 (Stereo). The Stereo Mix is Used and Stereo Album Artwork for the repro 5” sleeve. This is the same for all discs listed below…

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

13. She Has A Way (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Vocal Track/Take 2)

14. I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better Way (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Lead Guitar Overdub)

15. It’s No Use (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Lead Guitar Overdub)

16. You Won’t Have To Cry Way (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Vocal Track/Take 2)

17. All I Really Want To Do – Mono 7” Single Version (A-side of USA 45 on Columbia 4-43332)

18. You And Me Way (Previously Unissued Instrumental Backing Track/Take 13)

Disc 2 “Turn! Turn! Turn!” in a single sleeve (49:12 minutes):

1. Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season

2. It Won’t Be Wrong

3. Set You Free This Time

4. Lay Down Your Weary Tune

5. He Was A Friend Of Mine

6. The World Turns All Around Her [Side 2]

7. Satisfied Mind

8. If You’re Gone

9. The Times They Are A-Changin’

10. Wait And See

11. Oh! Susannah

Tracks 1 to 11 are the LP “Turn! Turn! Turn!” – released December 1965 in the USA on Columbia CL 2454 (Mono) and CS 9254 (Stereo) and March 1966 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62652 (Mono) and S BPG 62652 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

12. The Day Walk (Never Before) – Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

13. She Don’t Care About Time – Mono 7” Single Version (Non-Album B-side to “Turn! Turn! Turn!” USA 45 on Columbia 4-43424)

14. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Previously Unreleased Version 1/Take 1

15. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue - Previously Unreleased Version 1/Take 1

16. She Don’t Care About Time - Previously Unreleased Version 1/Take 2

17. The World Turns All Around Her - Previously Unissued Alternate Mix/”Bongo Version” 1

18. Stranger In A Strange Land - Previously Unreleased Instrumental Backing Track/Take 10

Disc 3 “Fifth Dimension” in a single sleeve (62:21 minutes):

1. 5D (Fifth Dimension)

2. Wild Mountain Thyme

3. Mr. Spaceman

4. I See You

5. What’s Happening?!?!

6. I Come And Stand At Every Door

7. Eight Miles High [Side 2]

8. Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)

9. Captain Soul

10. John Riley

11. 2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Fifth Dimension” – released August 1966 in the USA on Columbia CL 2549 (Mono) and CS 9349 (Stereo) and September 1966 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62783 (Mono) and S BPG 62783 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used.

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

12. Why – Mono 7” Single Version (Non-Album B-side to “Eight Miles High” – a US 45 on Columbia 4-43578)

13. I Know My Rider (I Know You Rider) - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

14. Psychodrama City - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

15. Eight Miles High - Previously released on the 1987 American compilation “Never Before” on Murray Hill Records

16. Why – as per 15

17. John Riley – Instrumental Version 1

Disc 4 “Younger Than Yesterday” in a single repro sleeve (47:35 minutes):

1. So You Want To Be A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star

2. Have You Seen Her Face

3. C.T.A. – 102

4. Renaissance Fair

5. Time Between

6. Everybody’s Been Burned

7. Thoughts And Words [Side 2]

8. Mind Gardens

9. My Back Pages

10. The Girl With No Name

11. Why

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Younger Than Yesterday” – released March 1967 in the USA on Columbia CL 2642 (Mono) and CS 9442 (Stereo) and April 1967 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62988 (Mono) and S BPG 62988 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used.

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

12. It Happens Each Day – David Crosby song Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

13. Don’t Make Waves – Mono 7” Single Version (Non-Album B-side to “Have You Seen Her Face” – a US 45 on Columbia 4-44157. Also non-album B-side to the UK 45 of “Lady Friend” on CBS 2924 in September 1967)

14. My Back Pages – Previously Unreleased Alternate Version

15. Mind Gardens – David Crosby song – Previously Unreleased Alternate Version

16. Lady Friend – Mono 7” Single Version (A-side of a US 45 on Columbia 4-44230)

17. Old John Robertson – non-album B-side of 16

Disc 5 “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” in a single repro sleeve (58:27 minutes):

1. Artificial Energy

2. Goin’ Back

3. Natural Harmony

4. Draft Morning

5. Wasn’t Born To Follow

6. Get To You

7. Change Is Now [Side 2]

8. Old John Robertson

9. Tribal Gathering

10. Dolphin’s Smile

11. Space Odyssey

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” – released January 1968 in the USA on Columbia CL 2775 (Mono) and CS 9575 (Stereo) and April 1968 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 63169 (mono) and S BPG 63169 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used.

BONUS TRACKS (1997 CD):

12. Mood Raga - Previously released on the 1987 American compilation “Never Before” on Murray Hill Records

13. Bound To Fall – Previously Unissued Instrumental

14. Triad - David Crosby song Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

15. Goin’ Back – Previously Unissued Version 1

16. Draft Morning – Previously Unissued Version with an Alternate End

17. Universal Mind Decoder (Early Demo Version of “Change Is Now”) – Previously Unreleased Instrumental Version

Disc 6 “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” in a gatefold sleeve – Disc 1 (55:05 minutes):

1. You Ain’t Going Nowhere

2. I Am A Pilgrim

3. The Christian Life

4. You Don’t Miss Your Water

5. You’re Still On My Mind

6. Pretty Boy Floyd

7. Hickory Wind [Side 2]

8. One Hundred Years From Now

9. Blue Canadian Rockies

10. Life In Prison

11. Nothing Was Delivered

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” – released August 1968 in the USA on Columbia CS 9670 (Stereo) and September 1968 in the UK on CBS Records S BPG 63353 (Stereo)

ADDITIONAL MASTER TAKES from the 2003 Legacy 2CD DELUXE EDITION:

12. All I Have Are Memories – Previously Unreleased

13. Reputation - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

14. Pretty Polly – as per 13

15. Lazy Days – as per 13

16. The Christian Life – Master Take with Gram Parsons Vocals - as per 13

17. You Don’t Miss Your Water - Master Take with Gram Parsons Vocals - as per 13

18. One Hundred Years From Now - Master Take with Gram Parsons Vocals - as per 13

19. Radio Spot for “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” Album

Disc 7 “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” – Disc 2 (61:20 minutes):

THE INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINE BAND

1. Sum Up Broke – 7” Single Mono Mix

2. One Day Week – 7” Single Mono Mix (1 and 2 are the A&B-sides of a International Submarine Band US 45 on Columbia 4-43935)

3. Truck Drivin’ Man – 7” Single Mono Mix – A-side of a US 45 on Ascot AS-2218

4. Blue Eyes

5. Luxury Liner

6. Strong Boy – 4, 5 and 6 from the US 1968 LP “Safe At Home” on LHI Records S-12,001

WORKNG DEMOS, OUTTAKES & REHEARSAL VERSIONS – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

7. Lazy Days (Alternate Version)

8. Pretty Polly (Alternate Version)

9. Hickory Wind (Alternate “Nashville” Version/Take 8)

10. The Christian Life (Rehearsal Version/Take 7)

11. The Christian Life (Rehearsal Version/Take 8)

12. Life In Prison (Rehearsal Version Takes 1 & 2 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

13. Life In Prison (Rehearsal Version Takes 3 & 4 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

14. One Hundred Years From Now (Rehearsal Version Takes 12 & 13 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

15. One Hundred Years From Now (Rehearsal Version Takes 14 & 15 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

16. You’re Still On My Mind (Rehearsal Version Takes 13 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

17. You’re Still On My Mind (Rehearsal Version Takes 48 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

18. All I Have Are Memories (Alternate Instrumental Take 17)

19. All I Have Are Memories (Alternate Instrumental Take 21)

20. Blue Canadian Rockies (Rehearsal Version Take 14)

Disc 8 “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” in a single sleeve (51:59 minutes):

1. This Wheel’s On Fire

2. Old Blue

3. Your Gentle Way Of Loving Me

4. Child Of The Universe

5. Nashville West

6. Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man [Side 2]

7. King Apathy III

8. Candy

9. Bad Night At The Whiskey

10. Medley: My Back Pages/B.J. Blues/Baby, What You Want Me To Do

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” – released March 1969 in the USA on Columbia CS 9755 (Stereo) and April 1969 in the UK on CBS Records S 63545 (Stereo)

BONUS TRACKS (1997 CD):

11. Stanley’s Song - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

12. Lay, Lady, Lay – as per 11

13. This Wheel’s On Fire – Previously Unissued Version 1

14. Medley: My Back Pages/B.J. Blues/Baby, What You Want Me To Do – Previously Unissued Alternate Version Take 1

15. Nashville West - Previously Unissued Alternate/Nashville Version

Disc 9 “Ballad Of Easy Rider” in a single sleeve (56:51 minutes):

1. Ballad Of Easy Rider

2. Fido

3. Oil In My Lamp

4. Tulsa

5. Jack Tarr The Sailor

6. Jesus Is Just Alright [Side 2]

7. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue

8. There Must Be Someone (I Can Turn To)

9. Gunga Din

10. Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos)

11. Armstrong, Aldrin And Collins

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Ballad Of Easy Rider” – released December 1969 in the USA on Columbia CS 9942 (Stereo) and January 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 63795 (Stereo)

BONUS TRACKS (1997 CD):

12. Way Beyond The Sun - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

13. Mae Jean Goes To Hollywood – as per 12

14. Oil In My Lamp – as per 12

15. Tulsa County – Previously Unissued Alternate Version

16. Fiddler A Dram (Moog Experiment) – Previously Unissued

17. Ballad Of Easy Rider – Previously Unissued Long Version

18. Build It Up – Previously Unissued Instrumental

Disc 10 “(Untitled/Unissued)” in Gatefold Sleeve (Disc 1 – 71:24 minutes):

1. Lover Of The Bayou [Side 1 Live]

2. Positively 4th Street

3. Nashville West

4. So You Want To Be A Rock ‘N’ Roll Star

5. Mr. Tambourine Man

6. Mr. Spaceman

7. Eight Miles High [Side 2 Live]

8. Chestnut Mare [Side 3 Studio]

9. Truck Stop Girl

10. All The Things

11. Yesterday’s Train

12. Hungry Planet

13. Just A Season [Side 4 Studio]

14. Take A Whiff On Me

15. You All Look Alike

16. Welcome Back Home

Tracks 1 to 16 are the DOUBLE ALBUM “(Untitled)” – released October 1970 in the USA on Columbia G 30127 and November 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 66253. Sides 1 & 2 of the double-album are ‘live’ – Sides 3 & 4 are studio tracks. The Bonus CD is a mixture of both as noted below…

Disc 11 “Unissued” (Disc 2 – 49:24 minutes):

1. All The Things (Alternate Version)

2. Yesterday’s Train (Alternate Version)

3. Lover Of The Bayou (Studio Recording)

4. Kathleen’s Song (Alternate Version)

5. White’s Lightning, Pt. 2 (Studio Recording)

6. Willin’ (Studio Recording of the Lowell George song)

7. You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (Live Recording from Felt Forum, 1 March 1970)

8. Old Blue (Live Recording as per 7)

9. It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) (Live Recording as per 7)

10. Ballad Of Easy Rider (Live Recording as per 7)

11. My Back Pages (Live Recording as per 7)

12. Take A Whiff On Me (Live Recording from Fillmore East, 23 September 1970)

13. Jesus Is Just Alright (Live Recording as per 12)

14. This Wheel’s On Fire (Live Recording as per 7)

Disc 12 “Byrdmaniax” in a Gatefold Sleeve (46:51 minutes):

1. Glory, Glory

2. Pale Blue

3. I Trust

4. Tunnel Of Love

5. Citizen Kane

6. I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician [Side 2]

7. Absolute Happiness

8. Green Apple Quick Step

9. My Destiny

10. Kathleen’s Song

11. Jamaica Say You Will

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Byrdmaniax” – released July 1971 in the USA on Columbia KC 30640 and August 1971 in the UK on CBS Records S 64389

BONUS TRACKS (2000 CD):

12. Just Like A Woman – Previously Unreleased Bob Dylan cover

13. Pale Blue – Previously Unreleased Alternate Version

14. Think I’m Gonna Feel Better – Previously Unreleased Gene Clark song

Disc 13 “Farther Along” in a Single Repro Sleeve (46:02 minutes):

1. Tiffany Queen

2. Get Down Your Line

3. Farther Along

4. B.B. Class Road

5. Bugler

6. American Great National Pastime [Side 2]

7. Antique Sandy

8. Precious Kate

9. So Fine

10. Lazy Waters

11. Bristol Steam Convention Blues

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Farther Along” – released December 1971 in the USA on Columbia KC 31050 and January 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 64676

BONUS TRACKS (2000 CD):

12. Lost My Drivin’ Wheel – Previously Unreleased

13. Born To Rock And Roll – Previously Unreleased Roger McGuinn song

14. Bag Full Of Money - Previously Unreleased Roger McGuinn song

Like the SIMON & GARFUNKEL and ELVIS PRESLEY catalogues – THE BYRDS have had the magic touch of remaster/remix engineer VIC ANESINI. I’ve sung his praises many times before (Hall & Oates, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jayhawks to name but a few) – and yet again – the STEREO quality on these recordings is gorgeous. When you get to the fabulous “Younger Than Yesterday” album with nuggets like “Goin’ Back” and “Draft Morning” – the sonic power of the remaster combined with the beauty of the tunes is a pretty overwhelming thing. To hear their beautiful version of Dylan’s “My Back Pages” sound this good is a joy.

And while there are tracks like “Glory, Glory” and “Pale Blue” on “Byrdmaniax” – I’d prefer “Just A Season” from the underrated “Untitled” double and “Get Down Your Line” from the patchy “Farther Along”. Also check out the David Crosby outtake “It Happens Each Day” from late 1966 which first appeared on the 1990 4CD retrospective “The Byrds” – unbelievably good. The Gram Parsons outtakes on “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” are amazing too. And of course throughout the duration is the guiding hand and voices of GENE CLARK and ROGER McGUINN – pumping out singles like “I Feel A Whole Lot Better”, “Eight Miles High” and “it Won’t Be Wrong”.

"...I opened my heart to the whole universe…and found it was loving…" - Roger McGuinn sings on "5D (Fifth Dimension)". 

Open your soft machine to this groovy BYRDS box set and I’m sure you’ll be feeling the love decades from now…

"The Notorious Byrd Brothers" by THE BYRDS (1997 Columbia/Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Think I'm Goin' Back..."

Gorgeous - forgotten classic - overlooked - ignored like a 'remain' flyer in a British mud-puddle - the Byrds' fifth platter is the kind of album that gives the 60ts a good name. But which version of it do you buy?

In the unnervingly hot summer of July 2016 you can nail this criminally forgotten nugget in two ways – the standalone March 1997 CD reissue on Columbia/Legacy – or as Disc 5 inside the gorgeous and still reasonably priced 13CD Box set from November 2011 – "The Complete Columbia Albums Collection". To locate the standalone CD on Amazon use Barcode 5099748675125 in the Search Line and Barcode 88697873802 for the Box set (see separate review). Frankly frank - you’re quids in either way. I’ll deal with the standalone issue for this review...

UK released March 1997 – "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" by THE BYRDS on Columbia/Legacy 486751 2 (Barcode 5099748675125) is an ‘Expanded Edition’ CD Remaster of the 11-track 1968 album with seven Bonus Tracks (one hidden) and plays out as follows (58:28 minutes):

1. Artificial Energy

2. Goin’ Back

3. Natural Harmony

4. Draft Morning

5. Wasn’t Born To Follow

6. Get To You

7. Change Is Now [Side 2]

8. Old John Robertson

9. Tribal Gathering

10. Dolphin’s Smile

11. Space Odyssey

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” – released 3 January 1968 in the USA on Columbia CL 2775 (Mono) and Columbia CS 9575 (Stereo) and April 1968 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 63169 (Mono) and CBS Records S BPG 63169 (Stereo). The STEREO MIX is used. Produced by GARY USHER and Engineered by ROY HALEE and DON THOMPSON - it peaked at No. 47 on the US LP charts and No. 12 in the UK.

BONUS TRACKS (All Stereo):

12. Mood Raga - Previously released on the 1987 American compilation "Never Before" on Murray Hill Records

13. Bound To Fall – Previously Unissued Instrumental

14. Triad - David Crosby song previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

15. Goin’ Back – Previously Unissued Version 1

16. Draft Morning – Previously Unissued Version with an Alternate End

17. Universal Mind Decoder (Early Demo Version of “Change Is Now”) – Previously Unreleased Instrumental Version)

THE BYRDS were:

ROGER McGUINN

CHRIS HILLMAN

DAVID CROSBY

MICHAEL CLARKE

The 12-page booklet is a pleasingly in-depth affair with properly knowledgeable liner notes from noted BYRDS authority JOHNNY ROGAN who authored "Timeless Flight: The Definitive Biography Of The Byrds". Amidst the black and white photos of the foursome looking all mean and moody (when the recordings started there was four - months later – Clarke left and Crosby was fired leaving only the core duo of McGuinn and Hillman) are publicity photos, a concert poster with The Doors and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band as well as repros of a few US Columbia 45s. These are sat alongside track-by-track examinations by Rogan on how such a varied and at times 'beautiful' album could have been be produced amidst the personal and musical toss 'n' tumble that surrounded the band (these notes are reproduced in the 40-page booklet inside the 'Complete' Box set - so you won't loose out on that count).

But the big news is the Audio – a remaster by BOB IRWIN and VIC ANESINI. Using the Stereo Masters (for all tracks) -these top engineers did the transfers and mixing at Sony’s Studios in New York and VIC ANESINI in particular is a name I've sung the praises of before. He’s handled very prestigious SONY catalogue – Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Janis Joplin, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Nilsson, Paul Simon, Mountain, Lou Reed, Roy Orbison, Santana, Mott The Hoople and The Jayhawks to name but a few. Clean – full of presence and warmth – this thing is a joy to listen too – and when songs like "Goin' Back", "Draft Morning" and "Tribal Gathering" kick in - there's unlikely to be a dry Byrds eye in the house...

"Notorious" opens with "Artificial Energy" - a warning song about overdoing 'speed' - and I'm not talking about going fast on a Penny Farthing. It's slightly camp brass gives it a far more upbeat vibe and at 2:18 minutes is short and breathy. But that cool opener is trounced into absolute chemical submission by something so sublime that mere adjectives fail me - their truly breathtaking cover of Goffin and King's "Goin' Back". A hit penned by the mighty songwriting duo of Gerry and Carole for Dusty Springfield - The Byrds take this beautiful melody and literally make it soar - a pun I hate to use when it comes to this band of all bands - but in the case of this rendition - aptly fits. "Goin' Back" is beautiful stuff with sessionman Jim Gordon providing the drum roll at the end of the tune. Next up is Paul Beaver's Moog and Red Rhodes' Steel Guitar on Chris Hillman's equally musical "Natural Harmony" - another song with slightly drugged-up lyrics like "...head thrown back...arms open wide..." (reminds me of driving in my soft-top Porsche in Walthamstow in December).

Again another segue into a masterwork - the stunning "Draft Morning" which Rogan quiet rightly describes as 'one of the greatest and most bitter moments in the Byrds song catalogue'. Originally penned by David Crosby before he was unceremoniously chucked out of the band - both Hillman and McGuinn added more and therefore take the threesome songwriting credit (apparently its The Firesign Theatre who supply the gunshots in this anti-Vietnam winner). Another gem penned by Goffin and King - "Wasn't Born To Follow" turned up a year later as "I Wasn't Born To Follow" in January 1969 on the lone Carole King/Danny Kortchmar project LP "Now That Everything's Been Said" by THE CITY. It's also famous for its inclusion in the cult movie "Easy Rider" (The City version show sits prettiness - se separate review).

Other classics include "Get To You" where Roger McGuinn waxes lyrical about the mellowness of the English after a trip to Blighty and "Tribal Gathering" where David Crosby sings affectionately about hippies in San Francisco's Golden gate Park in January 1967 where the ensemble 'human be in' was taking all manner of trips (and not necessarily one needing a passport). I also love the clearly grumpy Crosby on 'Version 1' of "Goin' Back" in the Bonus Tracks with what sounds like a Mike Oldfield type Glockenspiel in the mix not present in the released version...and "Triad" is fantastic stuff.

The Byrds left behind a sizeable back catalogue where ridiculously shiny jewels like "Notorious" can get 'overlooked'. Remove that inner bummer and began your 'space odyssey' here. And remember kids – take a tip from a speckled Byrd and stay away from that 'Artificial Energy' speeding stuff (Red Bull, Snickers Bars and the like)...