"The Singles Volume 7: 1970-1972" by JAMES BROWN [feat Bobby Byrd and Bootsy Collins] (2009 US Hip-O Select 2CD Anthology - Seth Foster Remasters) - No 7 in a Series of 11 - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Feel Like Being A Sex Machine..."

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I've been diligently collecting this series of 11 x 2CD sets of JAMES BROWN 'Singles' since they first started being released Stateside in September 2006.

This 7th instalment is one of six volumes to cover his extraordinary Seventies output – a particular favourite period for me. Volumes 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are the others - featuring every US 7" single released between 1970 and 1979 including all cancelled 45s and promo variants/remixes in both Mono and Stereo. Volumes 1 to 5 cover everything else prior - starting at 1958 on Federal Records through to his King and Bethlehem output in early 1970.

Volume 7 of "The Singles" picks up where Volume 6 left off (Volume 6 covers March 1969 through to early June 1970). Covering three labels - King, People and Polydor Records – we get pairings of every A&B-side released betwixt late June 1970 through to January 1972. It has the same spectacular Audio and beautifully presented 28-page fact-filled booklet that all volumes have - with a feast of fan-pleasing details and memorabilia provided by a team of experts on all things JB Productions. "The Singles" is a superlative CD series and along with the 'Motown' and 'Chess' Book Set Reissues has gone a long way to emblazoning 'Hip-O Select' as a reissue label dear to collector's hearts. Here are the Superbad details...

USA released 26 May 2009 - "The Singles Volume 7: 1970-1972" by JAMES BROWN on Hip-O Select/Polydor B0012728-02 (Barcode 602527001616) offers 39-tracks Remastered onto 2CDs. All catalogue numbers are US 7" singles unless otherwise noted and beneath the discography info are the US R&B and Pop Chart placing (no entry means it didn’t chart). It breaks down as follows...

Disc 1, 18 Tracks, 67:39 minutes:

1. Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine (Part I & 2)

Track 1 is the Promotional Version of King 6318, released June 1970

2. Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine (Part I)

3. Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine (Part 2)

Tracks 2 and 3 are the A&B-sides of King 6318, released June 1970

R&B No. 2 – Pop No. 15

[Note: the version on the 1970 "Sex Machine" vinyl LP is different – re-cut to feature simulated audience applause. The Promotional single is in Mono – the released version in Stereo]

4. Super Bad (Part 1 & Part 2)

Track 4 is the Promotional version of King 6329, released October 1970

5. Super Bad (Part 1 & Part 2)

6. Super Bad (Part 3)

Tracks 6 and 7 are the A&B-sides of King 6329, released October 1970

R&B No. 1 – Pop No. 13

7. Fight Against Drug Abuse

Track 7 is a Public Service Announcement on King PSA-1, released November 1970

8. Hey America (Vocal)

9. Hey America (Sing Along)

Tracks 8 and 9 are the A&B-sides of King 6339, released November 1970

10. Santa Clause Is Definitely Here To Stay (Vocal)

11. Santa Clause Is Definitely Here To Stay (Sing Along)

Tracks 10 and 11 are the A&B-sides of King 6340, released November 1970

12. Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved Pt. 1

13. Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved Pt. 2

14. Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved Pt. 1 (Reverb Version)

15. Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved Pt. 2 (Reverb Version)

Tracks 12 and 13 are the A&B-sides of King 6437, released December 1970. Brown remixed the track shortly after release and added reverb to both sides – these variants are Tracks 14 and 15.

R&B No. 4 – Pop No. 34

16. I Cried

Track 16 is the A-side of King 6363, released January 1971. The B-side was "World Part 2" which is Track 17 on Disc 1 of Volume 5 (originally the B-side for "World Part 1" on King 6258 in August 1969). James Brown and Bobby Byrd originally wrote the A-side "I Cried" in 1963 for Tammy Montgormery who would later become Motown's Tammi Terrell.

R&B No. 15 – Pop No. 50

17. Soul Power Pt. 1

18. Soul Power Pt. 2 & pt. 3

Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of the Promotional Version of King 6368, released February 1971. The Promotional Release only features added-on Reverb – the single proper on Disc 2 does not.

Disc 2, 21 Tracks, 69:56 minutes:

1. Soul Power Pt. 1

2. Soul Power Pt. 2 & pt. 3

Tracks 1 and 2 are stock copy release A&B-sides of King 6368, released February 1971

R&B No. 3 – Pop No. 29

3. Spinning Wheel Pt. 1

4. Spinning Wheel Pt. 2

Tracks 3 and 4 are the A&B-sides of King 6366, released March 1971. "Spinning Wheel" is a cover version of the June 1969 Blood, Sweat & Tears hit single on Columbia Records 44871 – a No. 2 Pop hit written by their lead vocalist David Clayton-Thomas.

5. Escape-Ism (Part 1)

6. Escape-ism (Part 2 & 3)

7. Escape-ism (Part 1) (Second Mix)

8. Escape-ism (Part 1) (Second Mix)

Tracks 3 and 4 are the original issue A&B-sides of People 2500, released May 1971. Tracks 5 and 6 are a 'second mix' on People 2500, released June 1971. The letter of explanation he sent to Radio Stations is reproduced on the inner rear inlay.

R&B No. 6 – Pop No. 35

9. Hot Pants Pt. 1 (She Got To Use What She Got To Get What She Wants)

10. Hot Pants Pt. 2 & 3 (She Got To Use What She Got To Get What She Wants)

Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of People 2501, released June 1971

R&B No. 1 – Pop No. 15

11. My Brother Pt. 1

12. My Brother Pt. 2

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of People 2502 (as THE J.B.'s), released June 1971

13. Make It Funky (Part 1)

14. Make It Funky (Part 2)

Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B-sides of Polydor 14088, released August 1971. It was his first single with Polydor Records.

R&B No. 1 – Pop No. 22

15. My Part/Make It Funky (Part 3)

16. My Part/Make It Funky (Part 4)

Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B-sides of Polydor 14098, October 1971

17. I'm A Greedy Man-Part I

18. I'm A Greedy Man-Part II

Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of Polydor 14100, released November 1971

R&B No. 7 – Pop No. 35

19. Just Won't Do Right

Track 19 is by LYN COLLINS and was scheduled three times but canceled - as King 6373, People 2503 and People 503 (there are promo copies of King 6373 on the white variant of the label with an A&B-side). It was officially released as Polydor 14107 in December 1971. The "Wheel Of Life" B-side is inexplicably absent from this CD set even though it was produced and arranged by JB. It's available on the LYN COLLINS "Mama Feelgood: The Best Of" CD from 2005 on Polydor.

20. Talking Loud And Saying Nothing – Part I

21. Talking Loud And Saying Nothing – Part II

Tracks 20 and 21 are the A&B-sides of Polydor 14109, released January 1972.

R&B No. 1 – Pop No. 27

Like all 11 Volumes in this Hip-O Select 2CD series - the 28-page booklet by noted JB expert and former tour manager ALAN LEEDS and is a joy to look at — a hugely informative read that's packed to the gills with track histories, concert posters, trade adverts, magazine covers and a thoroughly detailed recording Sessionography. Produced with affection and firsthand knowledge by HARRY WEINGER and ALAN LEEDS - the inlay beneath the see-through CD tray has a typed-letter from JB on James Brown Productions headed paper about the 'too loud guitar' on "Escape-ism" and that DJs and Soul Brothers should dig the new remix and make it an even bigger hit than "Pop Corn"! It's this cool and yet smart attention to detail that shows that both compilers know what fans want (Alan Leeds is pictured on Page 19 with JB on the road to yet another gig).

And again, as in previous issues, SETH FOSTER has transferred the first-generation master tapes for the single mixes and he's done a truly superlative job — warm, clear and fabulously alive. The Mono and Stereo music jumps out of the speakers at you — gorgeous sound. The word "Limited Edition" is embossed in gold lettering on the rear inlay – numbers are not stated but presumably it's a worldwide limited edition of 5000 copies like its predecessor. Now to the amazing music - all killer and no filler as they say...

Even now – 46 years after the event – "Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine" is a monster groove – an utterly amazing groundbreaking piece of wild Funk. A truly clever inclusion is the 'Promotional' version of the song that gives you the full 5:18 minutes instead of the separated 2:57 and 2:31 of Parts 1 & 2. This allows you to hear the full power of the band and the song uninterrupted. Bobby Byrd is the 'Get On Up!' counter vocal – future Parliament wildman Bootsy Collins is the flying Bass player while Phelps "Catfish" Collins plays that deadly flicked guitar. JB anchors and elevates the whole thing with his fabulous piano interludes. Can I take it to the bridge – hit it and quit – legendary stuff baby...

His seasoned band (now known as The J.B.'s) continued their chart-winning steak with the uber-Funk of "Super Bad" - another black consciousness killer with brains and a beat (it went all the way to No. 1 on the US R&B charts - also managing an impressive No. 13 on the Pop charts). Once again the 5:44 minute full version only available on Promo Copies is featured here - and this time it's not just the guitar and bass that feature but the snare drum and slick whacks of 'Jabo' Sharks on Drums and the three horn players - Clayton 'Chicken' Gunnels and Daryl 'Hasaan' Jamison on Trumpets with Robert McCullough on Tenor Saxophone. The 36-second 'Fight Against Drug Abuse' is him advising the youth of America against an instrumental of "Super Bad". You rarely ever hear the excellent "Hey America" where JB gives voice to Nat Jones' anti-war words asking the listeners and those in power to take note of a million peace-signs. Nat Jones also provided "Santa Clause Is Definitely Here To Stay" - a seasonal gospel groove that's not nearly as musically bad or cheesy as its title suggests.

An obvious answer to 'Get On Up' - his "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved" single is described by Alan Leeds in the liner notes as a 'stream of consciousness jam' and that's accurate - a raucous driving rhythm featuring JB and Bobby Byrd sparring on vocal shouts. One of the joys of a compilation like this is a discovery and the ballad "I Cried" is one – a slowly both JB and Byrd wrote for a young Tammi Terrell in 1963. It’s a belter with strings and crooning ladies swaying as JB gives it some tearsome.

Ending Disc 1 and beginning Disc 2 is another fabulous and undeniable winner in "Soul Power" where our Funk Overload assures us that his 'rap is strong' (who are we to argue). A surprising disappointment is his instrumental cover version of Blood, Sweat & Tears’ big 1969 hit "Spinning Wheel" which feels weedy to me compared to the undoubted brilliance of the David Clayton-Thomas original. His instincts were right when he remixed "Escape-ism" - the second version (Tracks 7 and 8 on Disc 2) having that 'groove' that moves (JB was rewarded with a No. 6 R&B slot). But for me this compilation's moment of true mastery is the wonderful "Hot Pants" - a groove so down right enjoyable it may very well be issued on the NHS later this year as an antidote to post-operation recuperation blues (and the Audio is sensational). And on it goes with miniskirts and hot pants and gettin' down with hipster folk to the fabulous instrumental groove of "My Brother"...

By the end of the Seventies, James Brown wasn’t troubling the national charts too much - but at its outset (as evidenced here) he was blazing a trail like no other – a sound that would inspire and influence generations to come.

"...Play as hard as you want..." he shouted to his super tight band during the recording of "Super Bad". And on the evidence presented on Volume 7 – they did – nailing that downbeat sucker to the studio wall. Soul and Funk Genius - and then some...

"On The Road To Find Out" [aka "Cat Stevens"] by CAT STEVENS (2001 and 2008 Universal/Island 4CD Box Set and Reissue Book Set – Ted Jensen and Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Listen To The Wind Of My Soul…"

Essentially a scaled-down reissue of the 4CD long box "On The Road To Find Out" that originally came out in October 2001 - this June 2008 "Cat Stevens" Book Set repackaging is just as beautifully presented and even more convenient in size. Here are the catty details:

Reissued/Re-Released June 2008 - "Cat Stevens" (aka " On The Road To Find Out") by CAT STEVENS is a 4CD Book Set on Universal/Island/A&M 0600753028032 (Barcode 600753028032) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1  - THE CITY - 65:34 minutes:

1. Back To The Good Old Times (Previously Unreleased First Recording from 1965)

2. I Love My Dog

3. Portobello Road

4. Here Comes My Baby

5. Matthew And Son

6. The Tramp (tracks 2 to 6 are from his debut LP "Matthew And Son" - released March 1967 in the UK on Deram DML 1004 (Mono) and SML 1004 (Stereo) and in the USA on Deram DE 16005 (Mono) and DES 18005 in the USA - Stereo mix used)

7. I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun

8. School Is Out (tracks 7 and 8 are the non-album A&B-sides of his debut 7" single released March 1967 in the UK on Deram DM 118 and Deram 85006 in the USA)

9. A Bad Night

10. The Laughing Apple (tracks 9 and 10 are the non-album A&B-sides of his 2nd single released July 1967 in the UK on Deram DM 140 and on Deram 85015 in the USA)

11. Kitty

12. Blackness Of Night

13. The First Cut Is The Deepest

14. Northern Wind

15. Moonstone

16. Come On Baby (Shift That Log) (tracks 11 to 16 are from his 2nd LP "New Masters" - released December 1967 in the UK on Deram DML 1018 (Mono) and SML 1018 (Stereo) and in the USA on Deram DES 18010 in 1968 (Stereo Only) - Stereo Mix used)

17. Lovely City (When Do You Laugh?) - non-album track, February 1968 UK 7" single on Deram DM 178

18. Here Comes My Wife - non-album track, October 1968 UK 7" single on Deram DM 211

19. The View From The Top - non-album track, B-side to "Where Are You" released June 1969 in the UK on Deram DM 260. Mistakenly credited in the booklet as the B-side of "Kitty" (the A-side of Deram DM 156)

20. Where Are You - non-album track, A-side of “The View From The Top”

21. If Only Mother Could See Me Now (Demo) - previously unreleased recording from 1968 - between "New Masters" and "Mona Bone Jakon")

22. Honey Man (with ELTON JOHN) - previously Unreleased October 1967 recording featuring Elton John on Piano and Duet Vocals - co-written with Ken Cumberbatch

23. The Joke - Previously Unreleased September 1970 recording - features the same group that did the backing on Jimmy Cliff's version of "Wild World" which Steven recorded for "Tea For A Tillerman"

Disc 2 - THE SEARCH - 76:14 minutes:

1. Time/Fill My Eyes

2. Lady D'Arbanville

3. Trouble

4. Pop Star

5. Katmandu

6. Lilywhite (tracks 1 to 6 from his 3rd album "Mona Bone Jakon" (debut with Island) - released April 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9118 and A&M SP-4260 in the USA)

7. I've Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old - Previously Unreleased mix of a "Mona Bone Jakon" outtake- an alternate mix was used for "The Very Best Of Cat Stevens" CD compilation in 2000

8. Where Do The Children Play?

9. Wild World

10. Sad Lisa

11. On The Road To Find Out

12. Father And Son (tracks 8 to 12 are from his 4th album "Tea For The Tillerman" - released November 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9135 and on A&M SP-4280 in the USA)

13. Love Lives In The Sky - Previously Unreleased "Tea For The Tillerman" outtake recorded July 1970 - it's an early version of "Land O' Freelove & Goodbye"

14. Don't Be Shy

15. If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out (tracks 14 and 15 first appeared in the motion picture "Harold & Maude" in 1971)

16. The Day They Make Me A Tsar - Previously Unreleased Demo for the "Teaser And The Firecat" album recorded February 1971

17. The Wind

18. Moonshadow

19. Morning Has Broken

20. How Can I Tell You

21. Peace Train (tracks 17 to 21 are form his 5th album "Teaser And The Firecat" - released September 1971 in the UK on Island ILPS9154 and A&M SP-4313 in the USA)

22. I Want To Live In A Wigwam - non-album track, B-side of "Morning Is Broken" - December 1971 UK 7" single on Island WIP 6121

Disc 3 - THE HURT - 70:26 minutes:

1. Crab Dance - non-album instrumental track, B-side of "Sitting" - a UK 7" single released December 1972 on Island WIP 6152

2. Sitting

3. Silent Sunlight

4. Angelsea

5. Can't Keep It In

6. 18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare) (tracks 2 to 6 are from his 6th album "Catch Bull At Four" - released September 1972 in the UK on Island ILPS 9206 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4365)

7. The Hurt

8. Foreigner Suite (tracks 7 and 8 are from his 7th album "Foreigner" - released July 1973 in the UK on Island ILPS 9240 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4391

9. Oh Very Young

10. Music

11. Sun/C79

12. King Of Trees (tracks 9 to 12 are from his 8th album "Buddah And The Chocolate Box" - released March 1974 in the UK on Island ILPS 9274 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-3623)

13. Bad Penny (Live)

14. Lady D'Arbanville (Live) (tracks 13 and 14 are from the album "Saturnight-Cat Stevens Live In Tokyo"- a Japan-Only single LP album released August 1974 on A&M Records GP-228)

15. Another Saturday Night - first released as a UK 7" single August 1974 on Island WIP 6206 and later included on the "Greatest Hits" album released June 1975 on Island ILPS 9310

Disc 4 - THE LAST - 69:05 minutes:

1. Whistlestar

2. Novim's Nightmare

3. Majik Of Majiks

4. Banapple Gas (tracks 1 to 4 are from his 9th album "Numbers" - released November 1975 in the UK on Island ILPS 9370 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4555)

5. Blue Monday - Previously Unreleased cover version of a Fats Domino classic - recorded November 1975

6. Doves (Majikat Earth Tour Theme Song) - non-album track, B-side to "(Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard" released May 1977 in the UK on Island WIP 6387

7. Hard Headed Woman (Live) - Previously Unreleased - recorded 22 Feb 1978 at the College Of William & Mary, Virginia, USA

8. Tuesday's Dead (Live) - as per 7

9. Ruins (Live) - as per 7

10. (Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard (A-side of 6)

11. Life

12. (I Never Wanted) To Be A Star

13. Child For A Day (tracks 10 to 13 are from his 10th album "Izitso" - released May 1977 in the UK on Island ILPS 9451 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4702)

14. Just Another Night

15. Daytime

16. Last Love Song

17. Never (tracks 14 to 17 are from his 11th album "Back To Earth" - released December 1978 in the UK on Island ILPS 9565 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4735)

18. Father And Son (Live) - Previously Unreleased - recorded at The Year Of The Child Concert in Wembley Arena 22 Nov 1979

19. God Is The Light - from the album "Syuku" (1997) and "Bismallah" (2001)

The presentation is has to be said is gorgeous - a 98-page colour booklet is attached inside the hard back book sleeve - every sepia-page festooned with live photos, publicity shots, a sort of time line of photos across the bottom of each two-page spread cataloguing both his career and personal life, the logos from the early Island albums artwork, stills from the cartoons that surrounded "Tea For The Tillerman" and "Teaser And The Firecat", some lyrics and extensive track-by-track breakdowns. It's beautifully done and a genuine feast for fans.

TED JENSEN and SUHA GUR have handled the superb remasters - mastered from the original analogue two-track master tapes (these are names familiar to those who seek out quality reissues - Jensen and Gur have handled literally hundreds of prestigious catalogues between them). The audio quality is really sweet throughout.

Disc 1 covers his Sixties Deram period - the "Matthew And Son" and "New Masters" albums with some non-album single sides and previously unreleased thrown in. The Stereo impact of stuff like "Here Comes My Baby", the acoustic "Portobello Road" and "Blackness Of The Night" and the lovely "The First Cut is The Deepest" is fantastic - but tunes like "I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun" are insufferable Sixties pap. Disc 1 wisely ends with the beginning of the Island Records period by giving us three rarities in a row. His voice had already changed by 1968 when he recorded the demo of "If Only Mother Could See Me Now" even though it has that Sixties arrangement and not the simplicity of the Seventies stuff. The duet with Elton John "Honey Man" is better than I'd expected but the "The Joke" is the prize here - a strangely 'Rock' tune for Cat Stevens.

Things go stratospheric with Disc 2 when we hit that incredible run of albums in 1970 and 1971 - "Mona Bone Jakon", "Tea For The Tillerman" and "Teaser And The Fire Cat". The audio quality of "Time/Fill My Eyes" is truly gorgeous and what a forgotten nugget it is. The hits start coming with "Lady D'Arbanville" but again its trumped by a forgotten LP ballad - "Trouble". The pretty "Lilywhite" is still hissy (it always was) but it's a gorgeous Nick Drake type melody with those fabulous strings. We're then hit with a cool one - a "Mona Bone Jakon" outtake - the decidedly good "I've Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old". A very clever run of four rarities follows. The first is an outtake from "Tea For A Tillerman" called "Love Lives In The Sky" which turns out to be an early version of "Land O' Freelove & Goodbye" and it's really sweet (beautifully remastered too). But long time fans are going to adore "Don't By Shy" and "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" both from the 1971 movie "Harold & Maude" - gorgeous melodies from his best period (especially "Don't Be Shy").

His songwriting capabilities took a leap into space with "Tea" and "Teaser"(probably everybody's favourite albums) and they dominate the rest of this stunning disc. I can remember as a 12-year old first hearing "Sad Lisa" at a friend's house in Clontarf in Dublin - I stood there stunned - the beautiful piano melody washing over me (its doing so again this day). And even with five tracks from "Teaser" - if you think about brilliance like "If I Laugh" and "How Can I Tell You?" being absent - you could add the other five and still not have enough. "I Want To Live In A Wigwam" was always a dodgy B-side - but "Love Lives In The Sky" is a wonderful "Tillerman" outtake - simple, pretty and affecting. I nailed my first kiss dancing to "Moonshadow" - so she and it are seared into my (slightly battered) heart and immortalised in a poem I wrote called "Debs" which was published in the Eighties in a book called "Hard Lines 2" (oh dear).

Disc 3 is probably where people loose interest - but they shouldn't because again its chock full of choice picks. The superb instrumental "Crab Dance" has long been absent from CD for Cat Stevens fans - so it's a properly great opener. Fans will notice that the acoustic masterpiece "The Boy With A Moon And A Star On His Head" from "Bull" is AWOL (mores the pity) but the fantastic groove of acoustic and synth of "Angelsea" makes up for it. But for me the unsung masterpiece in his entire canon of work is "The Foreigner Suite" that took up the whole of Side 1 and weighed in at a whopping 18-minutes. It was essentially three songs linked together with musical interludes and it's going to be great surprise to those to stopped buying his albums after 1972. It's commonly thought that Stevens was running on empty almost from "Numbers" onwards - yet when you cherry pick the goodies out - the tracks here tell a different story. Stuff like "Sun/C79", "Majik Of Majiks" and the lovely instrumental "Whistlestar" are full of great melody and clever funky breaks. I can live without hearing "Schoolyard" or "Another Saturday Night" even again - but tunes like "Child For A Day" and "Never" show some of that early Seventies magic - lovely songs.

Amongst the Previously Unreleased - the properly recorded cover of Fats Domino's "Blue Monday" is shockingly good - his voice suiting the R'n'B classic far better than you would think. Fans will appreciate having the "Doves" B-side on CD at last - it feels like one of the funky piano stretches in the middle of "Foreigner Suite" - a cool little instrumental. His voice is in fantastic form for the three live takes of "Hard Headed Woman", "Tuesday's Dead" and Catch Bull At Four's "Ruins" recorded in 1978 (you can hear the crowd loving it) - his female backing singers adding a lot to the power of the performance.

For most a 2CD set like "Gold" will probably suffice - but this 4-disc retrospective is a winner on all the right fronts - sound, song choice, listener surprises and beautiful presentation.

"I left my happy home to see what I could find out..." - Cat Stevens sang on the gorgeous "On The Road To Find Out". Take time out to fill your mind with this journeyman's musical and spiritual travels...

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"Tea For The Tillerman: Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS - November 1970 UK Fourth Studio Album on Island Records (November 2008 UK Universal/Island '2CD DELUXE EDITION' Reissue - Ted Jensen Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 480 Others Is Available in my

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                                         "...Longer Boats Are Coming To Win Us..."

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2008 'DELUXE EDITION' 2CD REMASTER ***

Some artists have a golden period - a stretch of albums that define them for decades to come.

CAT STEVENS had such a spell with Island Records in the Seventies - starting at the lovely and underrated "Mona Bone Jakon" LP in July 1970 - right through to November 1978's "Back To Earth" when the public had long since stopped listening. In-between this eight-year splurge - London's Steven Demetre Georgiou popped out a series of singer-songwriter albums that found their way into every bedsit and bedroom around the world (a girlfriend in collage had remarked that our Steven had eyes like a cat – hence the stage name).

After a pop start with Deram and Decca in the late Sixties - Cat Stevens switched to Island Records in early 1970 - acoustic-folk-souled his songwriting and the handsome troubadour and across the next five years in particular became huge with the public. Albums like 1972's "Catch Bull At Four", 1973's “Foreigner” and 1974's "Buddah And The Chocolate Box" are still remembered with real affection now in 2016 and charted big at the time – part of the James Taylor, Elton John and Carole King singer-songwriter movement sweeping the world in the early part of that fantastic decade. 

But it was the duo of 1970's "Tea For A Tillerman" and the 1971 follow-up "Teaser And The Firecat" (Island Records in the UK and A&M in the USA) that seared him into the hearts of millions. These two beautifully written and well-recorded albums have always been the jewels in his catalogue crown. It's therefore hardly surprising that both have become recipients of a 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Remaster from Universal - "Tillerman" in November 2008 with "Teaser" following in May 2009. Here are the Longer Boats coming to win us...

UK released November 2008 - "Tea For The Tillerman: Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS on Universal/Island 00602517870888 (Barcode 602517870888) is a 2CD Expanded and Newly Remastered 'Deluxe Edition' with Eleven Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (36:46 minutes):
1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I Might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father And Son
11. Tea For The Tillerman
Tracks 1 to 11 are his fourth studio album "Tea For The Tillerman" - released November 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9135 and January 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4280. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH - it peaked at No. 20 in the UK and No. 8 in the USA.

Disc 2 (36:49 minutes):
1. Wild World (Demo Version, Recorded 1969)
2. Longer Boats (Live At The Troubadour, Recorded 1970)
3. Into White (Live At The Troubadour, Recorded 1970)
4. Miles From Nowhere (Demo Version, Recorded 1969)
5. Hard Headed Woman (Live in Japan, Recorded 1976)
6. Where Do The Children Play? (From the Majikat Earth Tour, Recorded 1976)
7. Sad Lisa (from the Majikat Earth Tour, Recorded 1976)
8. On The Road To Find Out (Live at KCET-TV, Recorded in Los Angeles, 1971)
9. Father And Son (from Yusef's Cafe, Recorded 2006)
10. Wild World (from Yusef's Cafe, Recorded 2006)
11. Tea For The Tillerman (Live At The BBC, Recorded 1970 for BBC Radio 1's "Sounds Of The Seventies" at the Playhouse Theatre)

This 'Deluxe Edition' had a plastic wrap (before Universal decided unwisely to ditch them) with 'Classic '70s Album Digitally Remastered...' sticker on the outside and a four-way foldout card digipak within - itself housed a beautifully laid-out 28-page oversized booklet. The inner gatefold photo of the original LP is spread across the flaps of the digipak with sepia photos adorning the other flaps (it's hardly great visually). The booklet is gorgeous. Page 3 has Cat's own ruminations on the album and its life/career changing effect on him - Pages 4 to 6 feature superb in-depth track-by-track explanations by original LP Producer PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH while principal band member and Guitarist ALUN DAVIES gives his eclectic take on the songs (Pages 8 and 9). 

The rest of the booklet reprints the lyrics alongside live photos and finally track-by-track breakdowns of the Bonus Material. The eleven-track Bonus Disc includes Previously Unreleased - two demos being the real prizes - almost as lovely as the finished articles. Songs from the 'Majikat' Tour have been released on an Eagle Vision DVD and the KCET Concert piece was out on a Weinerworld DVD "Tea For The Tillerman Live" - the rest are Previously Unreleased.

But the big news is a new June 2008 TED JENSEN Remaster done at Sterling Sound Studios in New York from the original two-track analogue master tapes - superseding the version he did on the May 2000 single disc Remaster series. This version is beautiful to listen too - a real Audio treat. Typically the bonus tracks are a mixture of the essential vs. the superfluous. His voice is gone on "Sad Lisa" while the Live At The BBC "Tea For The Tillerman" that ends the disc is less than a minute long and very hissy. The two live 'Yusef's Cafe' tracks are beautifully recorded and feature "Wild World" in both English and a different langue (original album player Alan Davies is part of the band for these sessions). 

But the real prize here for collectors and uber-fans is the two demos - both sweetly recorded and hugely impressive. There’s a warmth and magic coming off of them and you wish there was a whole album of these. The Troubadour live cuts are good too (just him and Alun Davies on guitars) - very clear and way better than say bootleg quality. As I write this (Thursday, 10 November 2016) - the Sci-Fi movie "Arrival" is opening today about twelve banana-shaped spaceships suddenly turning up on our capitol city lawns itching to communicate in squiggles. I mention this because in his first Troubadour song he announces that "Longer Boats" is about spaceships 'coming to win us' - 46 years before the film event! What a clever boy. But onto to the album...

"...Well I think it's fine building Jumbo planes...switch on Summer from a slot machine...but tell me...where do the children play?" Cat opens the album with an environmental plea and in his May 2008 liner notes he comments that those passionate cries are still falling on 'tone-deaf ears' and unfortunately all present day evidence proves him right. What's not in dispute is the 'Audio'. My 'Pink Island' label 1970 Vinyl LP original and subsequent 1970's 'Pink-Rim Palm Tree Label' reissues always had low audio on "Where Do The Children Play?" - but this CD Remaster has gorgeous clarity and that acoustic bottom end when it kicks in is impressive. The strings on "Hard Headed Woman" are clearer and Harvey Burn's drums are almost 'too' good - a beautiful transfer. That huge piano on "Sad Lisa" fills your room and you forget just how passionate his vocals could be until you re-hear "Miles From Nowhere". Side 2's "Longer Boats" and the anthemic "Father And Son" will leave many tingling - both musically and lyrically.

"...Mary dropped her pants by the sand...and let the parson...come and take her hand...But the soul of nobody knows...where the parson goes..." I don’t know where he's gone either.

"Tea For A Tillerman" is a gorgeous album and the Audio on this 2008 'Deluxe Edition' Remaster has only hammered that home with knobs on. I don't how many times I'll return to Disc 2 in truth - but there are nuggets to be had there as well – period songs that fans will need and enjoy.

If you're not prepared to pay the extra - then simply plum for the May 2000 single CD remaster which has great audio too and can be found for less than three or four pounds in many places.

If however you're after the very best Audio and the fanboy in you wants that tasty presentation and those extras on Disc 2 (some of which are actually worth owning) - then this 2CD 'DE' version of Cat Stevens' "Tea For The Tillerman" is the Father and Son for you...

"Little Queen" by HEART - May 1977 US Second Studio Album (June 2004 UK Epic/Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue with Joseph Palmaccio Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Beauty Take Us..." 

"...Beauty Take Us..." they etched into the run-out groove of Portrait JC 34799 - their second album in early May 1977. And Heart's sophisticated Seattle Rock has been doing just that for decades ever since.

After a blistering debut in the shape of "Dreamboat Annie" on Mushroom Records the year prior (Arista in the UK) - the dynamic songwriting duo of Nancy and Ann Wilson at the core of the band (the caped sisters on the front cover with their band of intrepid gypsies behind them) stumped up yet another radio-friendly tennis-racket wielding winner in "Little Queen" - housing as it does huge fan-faves to this day like "Barracuda" and "Love Alive".

And this superbly remastered Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD even adds on a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" as one of two bonus tracks - a near ten-minute live version from 1976 that might have its Jimmy Page & Robert Plant originators nodding in tearful appreciation. Here are the heart-shaped teeshirts and era-changing dreams...

UK released June 2004 - "Little Queen" by HEART on Epic/Legacy 508342 2 (Barcode 5099750834220) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (52:06 minutes):

1. Barracuda

2. Love Alive

3. Sylvan Song

4. Dream Of The Archer

5. Kick It Out

6. Little Queen

7. Treat Me Well

8. Say Hello

9. Cry To Me

10. Go On Cry

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 2nd studio album "Little Queen" - released May 1977 in the USA on Portrait Records JC 34799 and July 1977 in the UK on Portrait PRT 82075. Produced by MIKE FLICKER - it peaked at No. 9 on the US album charts and No. 36 in the UK.

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased):

11. Too Long A Time (Early Demo Version of "Love Alive")

12. Stairway To Heaven (Live at the Aquarius Tavern in Seattle, WA, 1976)

The 5-square double-sided foldout inlay has witty and affection liner notes from NANCY WILSON remembering an era when they genuinely felt that music (including theirs) had "...an eye towards enlightening and changing the world..." I can remember that feeling - everything up for grabs - when music seemed so important you couldn't breath with excitement. There's also a 'track by track' overview of the songs by both sisters that tells us of their pride in stunners like "Love Alive". There are the usual reissue credits and several beautiful colour photos of the girls and the band clearly enjoying the spoils of years grafting. But the big news is a new JOSEPH M. PALMACCIO Remaster done at Sony Music's New York Studios in 2004. This album has always needed that extra 'oomph' a good remaster can give a record and Palmaccio has done the business here. The truly gorgeous acoustic guitars of "Treat Me Well" rattle around your living room with warmth and presence - then that Bass and Ann's aching pleading voice (will you treat me well) - that lonesome Harmonica mixing with the strings - Mike Flicker's original production values shining like never before. It’s hugely impressive stuff...

"Little Queen" opens with a huge 'rawk' anthem and a produced one at that - flanged guitars and whacking drums thundering through your speakers as "Barracuda" nibbles at your legs with Jaws-like teeth (the audio is fantastic on this sucker). But even that's roundly trumped by the brilliance and sheer melody of "Love Alive" - an Acoustic/Rock tune that so apes Led Zeppelin's style that its hairy (a compliment to the boys in the best possible way). I dare say the girls are proud of this song - co-written with guitarist Roger Fisher. Zeppelin III's mandolin influence rears its melodic head on "Sylvan Song" where the instrumental passage channels its inner Jimmy Page with beautiful effect (a Nancy Wilson and Roger Fisher co-write) before launching into gorgeous duet-vocals on "Dream Of The Archer". Re-listening to this beautiful song - you can so hear why they were both able to tackle soundtracks later in their careers – melody is at the core of their songwriting. The Side 1 Rock 'n' Roll finisher "Kick It Out" turned up at the B-side to the October 1977 UK 7" single of "Love Alive" on Portrait PRT 5570 – but despite its strength as a double-sider - Heart would have to wait unto 1986's "These Dreams" for chart success in Blighty.

The album's ambitious title track "Little Queen" opens Side 2 where Ann sings of a 'gypsy band' - a five-minute guitar chugger co-written with Bassist Steve Fossen and Drummer Michael Derosier. But that's kicked firmly into touch by the stunning "Treat Me Well" - a Nancy Wilson hurt that's 40 years old in 2017 and yet still feels like an open-wound you can't cauterise (its the only song on the album featuring her Lead Vocals). Hand-claps, falling coins and giggling voices open "Say Hello" quickly followed by layers of Fleetwood Mac type vocals as the band has fun and feels lighter than usual (bit of an album-sleeper this one). There's an underlying pain in "Cry To Me" crackling through Ann Wilson's vocals - asking someone to trust and 'set it free' even if it’s emotionally dangerous. The near six-minute "Go On Cry" is another co-write with Guitarist Fisher and feels like the album's overlooked masterpiece. I've always loved the way those 'ooh' vocals come sailing in and those building guitar flicks like Roger Gilmour letting rip in the studio (Palmaccio's Remaster breathes life into this track).

I wasn't expecting much of the two bonus tracks but they are shockingly good. Different 'mama' lyrics fill "Too Long A Time" – an early demo version of "Love Alive" that has fabulous layered vocals but a guitar solo that feels intrusive instead of adding to the song and you can so hear why it was dropped. But even in this early form – it's amazing stuff. The live version of "Stairway To Heaven" is preceded by a witty introduction about Canadians and 'people in lurve' and is amazingly faithful to the original – difficult passages and all. They would of course play the song in front Of Page and Plant four decades later – see YouTube footage of that amazing tribute with both of its creators properly moved.

In October 1978 they would follow 1977's "Little Queen" with another fan fave - "Dog & Butterfly" - which along with March 1980's "Bebe Le Strange” is also part of Epic/Legacy's 'Expanded Edition' Series of CD Remasters.

Although it's forgotten now "Little Queen" is a great HEART album. And languishing in a warehouse near you for under four English poundlike small ones - it doesn't take a tarot card or a gypsy's crystal ball to work out that ye minstrels of Seventies Rock need this little CD belter in your travelling caravan - and right soon...

"My Aim Is True: Originals Series" by ELVIS COSTELLO (2007 Hip-O/UMC 'Originals' CD Remaster In A Digipak With Booklet and Obi - Dan Hersch Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I'm Not Going To Get Too Sentimental..."

Elvis Costello's debut (like much of his catalogue for the Seventies and Eighties) has been reissued to a point where fans will yawn and newcomers turn their eyes and ears elsewhere.

For this review I'm concentrating on the American 'Originals' CD Series put out by Universal's Hip-O Records in May 2007 (aka Hip-O Select) where eleven albums were Remastered to CD and presented in Artwork-Repro Digipaks with new booklets (most sans any bonus material – just the LP). The series started with the 1977 debut "My Aim Is True" and ran through to 1986's "Blood And Chocolate" (see list below). Here are the sneaky details and the original sins...

US released 1 May 2007 - "My Aim Is True: Originals Series" by ELVIS COSTELLO on Hip-O Records/Universal Music Company (UMC) B0008635-02 (Barcode 602517260863) is a 13-Track CD Remaster of the 1977 American LP on Columbia Records. The UK LP on Stiff Records had only 12-tracks ("Watching The Detectives" was originally only a 7" single in the UK) but was added to the end of Side 1 of the US LP (hence the 13-tracks). This CD Remaster plays out as follows (36:48 minutes):

1. Welcome To My Working Work

2. Miracle Man

3. No Dancing

4. Blame It On Cain

5. Alison

6. Sneaky Feelings

7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes [Side 2]

8. Less Than Zero

9. Mystery Dance

10. Pay It Back

11. I'm Not Angry

12. Waiting For The End Of The World

13. Watching The Detectives

Tracks 1 to 12 are the UK debut LP "My Aim Is True" - released July 1977 in the UK on Stiff Records SEEZ 3. "Watching The Detectives" was issued October 1977 in the UK as a 7" single only (A-side) but was added on as an extra track (end of Side 1 after "Sneaky Feelings") on the March 1978 US reissue LP on Columbia Records JC 35037. Produced by NICK LOWE.

The Band for Tracks 1 to 12 were:

ELVIS COSTELLO - Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitars, Piano and Drumsticks on "Mystery Dance"

JOHN McFEE - Guitar and Pedal Steel

SEAN HOPPER - Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals

JOHNNY CIAMBOTTI - Bass and Backing Vocals

MICKEY SHINE - Drums

NICK LOWE - Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums and Drumsticks on "Mystery Dance"

Band for "Watching The Detectives" was:

ELVIS COSTELLO - Vocals and Guitar

STEVE NIEVE - Organ and Piano Overdubs

ANDREW BODNAR - Bass

STEVE GOULDING - Drums

The 'Originals' card digipak is hardly anything to write home about and its glued-on Obi even obscures the track list on the rear cover (and the inner gatefold is simply all yellow - a bad waste of space). The 12-page booklet has all the lyrics - original album recording credits and reissue details - it's good but without any history of the album and its making it's hardly great. The Remaster was carried out by Rhino's longtime Audio Engineer DAN HERSCH and is a mixed bag of brill and brash.

Production wise "My Aim Is True" the LP has always felt a bit 'all over the place'. The Remaster reflects the source material. Some tracks have stunning clarity while others just feel wrong and I'd have to say that this Remaster has only highlighted 'both'. From the moment "Working Week" hits the speakers - you can hear the taught band but the deliberately distanced vocals take away from the impact. Some tracks though are absolutely stunning - the sheer drum wallop coming from "Waiting For The End Of The World" is amazing and yet that guitar feels even more disconnected. Even though it's brash "Blame It On The Cain" feels incredible - that fantastic staccato beat as Elvis sings about Government burglars taking away his dosh.

Three in a row with great sound are the beautiful ballad "Alison" with the LP's title amidst its lyrics - the catchy "Sneaky Feelings" (can't let them show) and the lyrically acidic "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" where EC used to be disgusted but now he's just amused. "Less Than Zero" is absolutely huge on this remaster - amazing clarity (as is "Watching The Detectives") - and I hear South America is coming into style. There is a 2007 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' with shed loads more on offer and flashier presentation (outtakes, B-sides, live material) - but I like the simplicity of just the album.

I'm constantly amazed at how good Costello's first foray was and still is - a stunning debut album that announced the arrival of a major songwriting talent (coming up on its 40th Anniversary in November 2017).

I will get sentimental about "My Aim Is True" – warts and all - I f***ing love it...

May 2007 ELVIS COSTELLO 'Originals' CD Series of Reissues:

1. My Aim Is True (1977) - Hip-O Records B0008635-02 (Barcode 602517260863)

2. This Year’s Model (1978) – Hip-O Records B0008638-02 (Barcode 602517260894)

3. Armed Forces (1978) – Hip-O Records B0008630-02 (Barcode 602517260818)

4. Get Happy!! (1980) - Hip-O Records B0008632-02 (Barcode 602517260832)

5. Almost Blue (1981) - Hip-O Records B0008628-02 (Barcode 602517260573)

6. Trust (1981) - Hip-O Records B0008639-02 (Barcode 602517260900)

7. Imperial Bedroom (1982) – Hip-O Records B0008634-02 (Barcode 602517260856)

8. Punch The Clock (1983) – Hip-O Records B0008636-02 (Barcode ?)

9. Goodbye Cruel World (1984) – Hip-O Records B0008633-02 (Barcode 602517260849)

10. King Of America (1986) – Hip-O Records B0008637-02 (Barcode 602517260887)

11. Blood and Chocolate (1986) – Hip-O Records B0008631-02 (Barcode 602517260825)

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