"In The Midnight Hour/The Exciting Wilson Pickett" by WILSON PICKETT (2016 Edsel CD Remasters - Volume 1 of 5) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Land Of 1000 Dances..." 

England's Edsel Records are no strangers to Soul-reissues. Across the decades they've touched on major retrospectives for Philadelphia International (O'Jays, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes), Holland-Dozier-Holland's HDH Label and Invictus Records (Chairmen Of The Board, Freda Payne and The Glass House) as well as anthologies for Ann Peebles, The Chi-Lites and Al Green covering their Hi Records label output.

For 2016 - our Demon Group heroes are tackling the whole of Wilson Pickett's ten-album stay between 1964 and 1972 at the legendary Atlantic Records. This first of five '2on1' sets issued 26 November 2016 in the UK (see full list below) deals with his debut and follow up LPs from 1965 and 1966 – supplementing those two incendiary platters with three relevant bonus tracks to the time period.

Across these five digipak-releases (three come with extras) - you also get exclusive single mixes and many unreleased tracks formerly only available on 2009's "Funky Midnight Mover..." – a 6CD mail-order set from Rhino Handmade – an item that is now long deleted and extremely pricey into the bargain. The booklets also feature new liner notes from noted Soul writer and uber-fan Tony Rounce. Here are the details for Alabama's finest Midnight Mover...

UK released 26 November 2016 (2 December 2016 in the USA) – "In The Midnight Hour/The Exciting Wilson Pickett" by WILSON PICKETT on Edsel EDSA 3059 (Barcode 740155505936) offers 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD with 3 Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (68:03 minutes):

1. In The Midnight Hour

2. Teardrops Will Fall

3. Take A Little Love

4. For Better Or Worse

5. I Found A Love

6. That's A Man's Way

7. I'm Gonna Cry [Side 2]

8. Don't Fight It

9. Take This Love I've Got

10. Come Home Baby

11. I'm Not Tired

12. Let's Kiss And Make Up

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "In The Midnight Hour" - released October 1965 in the USA on Atlantic 8144 (Mono) and Atlantic SD 8144 (Stereo). It was issued December 1965 in the UK on Atlantic ATL 5037 in Mono only. The Mono mix is used on this CD – a Rhino Remaster.

13. Land Of 1000 Dances

14. Something You Got

15. 634-5789

16. Barefootin'

17. Mercy, Mercy

18. You're So Fine

In The Midnight Hour [Side 2] * See NOTES

19. Ninety-Nine And A Half (Won't Do)

20. Danger Zone

21. I'm Drifting

22. It's All Over

23. She's So Good To Me

Tracks 13 to 13 (and Track 1) are his 2nd album "The Exciting Wilson Pickett" - released August 1966 in the USA on Atlantic 8129 (Mono) and Atlantic SD 9129 (Stereo). It was released September 1966 in the UK on Atlantic 587 029 (Mono) and 588 029 (Stereo). The Mono mix is used and is the 1995 Rhino Remaster.

NOTES: the song "In The Midnight Hour" was repeated on the second LP opening Side 2 of "The Exciting Wilson Pickett". If you want to sequence the US and UK LP proper – use Tracks 13 to 18 for Side 1 with Tracks 1 and 19 to 23 to make up Side 2.

BONUS TRACKS:

24. Don't Fight It (Single Edit) – October 1965 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2306, A-side

25. If You Need Me (Live)

26. I'm Gonna Cry (Live) – Tracks 25 and 26 from the 1965 US Various Artists LP "Saturday Night At The Uptown" on Atlantic 8101
Track 24 is Mono, Tracks 25 and 26 are Stereo

Each of these five card digipaks is a gatefold with Volume 1 sporting a comprehensive 16-page booklet in the left flap with new liner notes from legendary Soul writer TONY ROUNCE – a man whose name has graced literally hundreds of quality CD reissues. He goes into all the chart statistics for 1965 and 1966 where he notes 'Pickett couldn't put a foot wrong' and the string of No. 1 US R&B hits prove it. I'd have to say though that the inner flap and the space beneath the see-through CD tray being 'blank' and the nondescript colouring of the CD itself let the visual side down somewhat (could have been filled out with pictures and black/red label memorabilia).

But the kicking music doesn't let anyone down. Mastered by PHIL KINRADE – the tracks are licensed from Warners and are therefore the 1995 Rhino Remasters of old – full and punchy Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters from original tapes.

His debut LP "In The Midnight Hour" is chock-full of singles and their equally cool flipsides. Winners include June 1965's classic floor-filler "In The Midnight Hour" b/w "I'm Not Tired" on Atlantic 45-2289 (his first R&B No. 1) – November 1965's "Don't Fight It" b/w "It's All Over" on Atlantic 45-2306 (R&B No. 4) and February 1966's "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)" b/w "That's A Man's Way" on Atlantic 45-2320 (his second R&B No. 1). Before that trio struck gold - Atlantic Records had tried "I'm Gonna Cry" b/w "For Better Or Worse" in June 1964 on Atlantic 45-2233 – following that in January 1965 with "Come Home Baby" b/w "Take A Little Love" on Atlantic 45-2271 – but neither took.

After "In The Midnight Hour" (the third single around the LP) slaughtered all in its path – Pickett's high octane strident Soul mirrored his nickname 'wicked' – and almost everything he released was met with excitement second only to Otis Redding and Solomon Burke – the two other great shouters on Atlantic's classy books. The huge bass and drum opening to "Ninety Nine And A Half (Won't Do)" led the assault for the second LP in early May 1966 - Atlantic 45-2334 stalling at No. 13 with the album cut "Danger Zone" as its B-side. Perhaps it was the slower slinky groove in "Ninety Nine..." that saw it not puncture the Top 10 - no such worries for the album's other monster "Land Of 1000 Dances". Released only weeks later in July 1966 and backed with his cover of the 1959 Falcons ballad "You're So Fine" - Atlantic 45-2348 quickly made mincemeat of the charts and raced to No. 1 - his third chart topper.

Part of a reissue like this is the undiscovered LP cuts that never get the attention they deserve - "It's All Over" was penned by Picket with his pal Steve Cropper - the guitarist in Booker T & The MG's. Everything about it rocks - the slow Soulful groove - the piano playing and Pickett's distinctive growl given full reign as he pleads with the listener to feel his pain. And not for the first time will he reach to Bobby Womack for a stone-cold killer like "She's So Good To Me" (he penned "Midnight Mover" on the next twofer). It's interesting also to note the subtle differences between the LP and edit of "Don't Fight It" - another great hooky brass-driving sanctifier. The "Come Home Baby" duet with Tami Lynn is a bit rough around the edges recording-wise - but its full of emotion and 60ts passion. Better is another Pickett/Cropper composition - the stroller "I'm Not Tired" - in the fact the man had his songwriting hand in 9 of the LPs 12 cuts.

There are other ways to get this music I know (and cheaper). I reviewed the August 2010 "Original Album Series" 5CD Mini Box Set for instance which is available for a ten spot - but I prefer the better presentation and the ever so slightly uplifted audio in evidence here.

And as I groove to Wilson Pickett's version of Chris Kenner's "Something You Got" - I'm glad to say that Edsel have done his huge set of vocal pipes justice. I'm off now to do the Watusi (Lord help me) and lay into the other four digipaks...get me wicked with Wilson Pickett. Dig in and enjoy...

Titles in the 26 Nov 2016 Edsel CD Reissue series for WILSON PICKETT

1. In The Midnight Hour/The Exciting Midnight Mover

(1966 and 1967 Stereo 1st and 2nd LPs plus Three Bonus Tracks

Edsel EDSA 3059 - Barcode 740155505936)

2. The Wicked Pickett/The Sound Of Wilson Pickett

(1966 and 1967 Stereo/Mono 3rd and 4th LPs – no bonus tracks

Edsel EDSA 3060 - Barcode 740155506032)

3. I’m In Love/The Midnight Mover

(1968 for both his 5th and 6th LPs – no bonus tracks

Edsel EDSA 3061 - Barcode 740155506131)

4. Hey Jude/Right On

(1969 and 1970 Stereo 7th & 8th LPs with Three Bonus Tracks

Edsel EDSA 3062 - Barcode 740155506230)

5. In Philadelphia/Don’t Knock My Love

(1970 and 1972 9th & 10th Stereo LPs with Seventeen Bonus Tracks

Edsel EDSK 7112 - Barcode 740155711238)

Edsel have also touched on PERCY SLEDGE in this series and his stay at Atlantic Records (three digipak CD reissues):

1. When A Man Loves A Woman/Warm & Tender Soul

(1966 and 1967 Stereo 1st & 2nd LPs plus Four Bonus Tracks

Edsel EDSA 3063 - Barcode 740155506339)

2. The Percy Sledge Way/Take Time To Know Her

(1967 and 1968 Stereo 3rd & 4th LPs with Eight Bonus Tracks

Edsel EDSK 7116 - Barcode 740155711634)

3. My Special Prayer/Singles And Rarities

(1970 fifth and final Atlantic LP with 27 Bonus Tracks

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Edsel EDSK 7113 - Barcode 740155711337)

"Original Album Series" by AL STEWART - 1967 Debut Album, 1969, 1970, 1976 and 1978 Albums (January 2014 UK Parlophone/Warners ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES - '5CD Capacity Wallet of Remasters' in Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...A Small Fruit Song..."

As a clearly befuddled and out-of-his-depths Emperor Joseph II (played by Jeffrey Jones) tries to reply to Mozart in Milos Forman's "Amadeus" when asked if he liked Wolfgang's new symphony – the Emperor quickly babbles - "...There's too many notes! Yes that's it! Too many notes!" Mozart tries in vein to advise the clearly ignorant European deity that his masterful musical composition has absolute no superfluous notes of any kind (you twat) – but Mozart's pleas for an enlightened audience fall on deaf ears and some seriously caked-on rouge.

Al Stewart is the same. His high-pitched almost effeminate voice and particularly wordy songs (like a college professor who can't stop himself giving you a history lesson - too many syllables Al) has the same effect. He's a Bovril artist - not everyone likes the Glaswegian Folky but if you do you're thinking our Alistair may very well be a misunderstood genius and then some. But what about the icky Bovril you say. I for one am down with both opinions when it comes to Al Stewart (he's good and bad). I find the first two LPs period-fey and at times unbearably hard to take - but the gorgeous Nick Drake vibe of "Zero She Flies" from 1970 has always seemed like a forgotten gem to me - and the last two LPs on RCA are simply quality work from a classy and accomplished songwriter. Here are the Small Fruit Songs...

UK released January 2014 - "Original Album Series" by AL STEWART on Parlophone/Warners 2564636168 (Barcode 825646361687) is a 5CD Mini Box Set of Remasters (four are) that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Bedsitter Images" (41:40 minutes):

1. Bedsitter Images

2. Swiss Cottage Manoeuvres

3. The Carmichaels

4. Scandinavian Girl

5. Pretty Golden Hair

6. Denise At 16

7. Samuel, Oh How You've Changed! [Side 2]

8. Cleave To Me

9. A Long Way Down From Stephanie

10. Ivich

11. Beleeka Doodle Day

Tracks 1 to 11 are his debut LP "Bedsitter Images" (cover has the LP title as "Bed Sitter Images" but the label and song is "Bedsitter Images") - released October 1967 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 63087 (Mono) and CBS Records S BPG 63087 (Stereo) - the STEREO version is used for this CD Remaster which was done in 2007. His debut was also reissued in June 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 64023 with different artwork under the title "The First Album" - the card sleeve here uses the original 1967 artwork (there was no US issue).

Disc 2 "Love Chronicles" (43:09 minutes):

1. In Brooklyn

2. Old Compton Street Blues

3. The Ballad Of Mary Foster

4. Life And Life Only

5. You Should Have Listened To Al [Side 2]

6. Love Chronicles

Tracks 1 to 6 are his second studio album "Love Chronicles" - released January 1969 in the UK on CBS Records S 63460 (Stereo) and June 1970 in the USA on Epic BN 26564. The original British LP was a gatefold sleeve with a profile photo of Al in a fur coat on the front sleeve with a photo of him and his girlfriend wrapped in blanket sat on grass on the rear. The US LP in 1970 on Epic Records dropped the gatefold to a single-sleeve and reversed the cover art (him and the girl on the front and not on the rear). The card sleeve here uses the UK artwork and the 2007 CD Remaster is used.

Disc 3 "Zero She Flies" (37:16 minutes):

1. My Enemies Have Sweet Voices

2. A Small Fruit Song

3. Gethsemane, Again

4. Burbling

5. Electric Los Angeles Sunset

6. Manuscript [Side 2]

7. Black Hill

8. Anna

9. Room Of Boots

10. Zero She Flies

Tracks 1 to 10 are his third studio album "Zero She Flies" - released March 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 63848 (Stereo) - No US Issue. 2007 CD Remaster used.

Disc 4 "Year Of The Cat" (39:14 minutes):

1. Lord Grenville

2. On The Border

3. Midas Shadow

4. Sand In Your Shoes

5. If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It

6. Flying Sorcery [Side 2]

7. Broadway Hotel

8. One Stage Before

9. Year Of The Cat

Tracks 1 to 9 are his seventh studio album "Year Of The Cat" - released October 1976 in the UK on RCA Records RS 1082 and in the USA on Janus Records JXS 7022. Peaked at No. 38 in the UK and No. 5 in the USA.

Disc 5 "Time Passages" (44:38 minutes):

1. Time Passages

2. Valentina Way

3. Life In dark Water

4. A Man For All Seasons

5. Almost Lucy [Side 2]

6. Palace Of Versailles

7. Timeless Skies

8. Song On The Radio

9. End Of The Day

Tracks 1 to 9 are his eight studio album "Time Passages" - released September 1978 in the UK on RCA PL 25173 and in the USA on Arista AB-4190 - peaked at No. 39 in the UK and No. 10 in the USA.

By now most know the gig with these 'Original Album Series' Mini Box Sets - five CD albums in single card sleeves with front and rear cover repro artwork that looks nice but is impossible to read. There's no booklet and the only real info is the track lists on the CD labels. The original gatefold sleeves of "Love Chronicles", "Zero She Flies", "Year Of The Cat" and the inner sleeve of "Time Passages" are all AWOL. The repro sleeves are best described as adequate at best and you do need to be careful of the easily crushed flimsy card slipcase that scuffs easily too.

But there's good news where it matters - on the Audio front. Other reviewers have noted that the first three albums presented here - his 1967 debut "Bedsitter Images" - its follow-up "Love Chronicles" from 1969 - and the wonderful 1970 effort "Zero She Flies" are all 2007 Remasters - so the Audio is toppermost of the poppermost. His huge 1976 chart breakthrough LP "Year Of The Cat" is a 2001 Remaster - but no-one seems to know when 1978's equally melodious "Time Passages" was mastered (or remastered for that matter). As all three of the 2007 versions are deleted and costing a pretty penny ever since and the other two not easy to nail down either - this 5CD Mini Box Set with repro art card sleeves for all 5 LPs represents good value for money and a reasonable way to explore a singer well worth checking out.

The first album is a victim of dates – despite great lyrics about 'panelled patterns on the door' the title track for "Bedsitter Images" is given strings and heavy-handed drums to make it bop – the results are ham-fisted. The same applies to "Pretty Golden Hair" – a forced happy-wappy vibe trying to make the song CBS chart material - while a clavinet gives "A Long Way Down From Stephanie" a sort of Simon & Garfunkel feel but not in a good way. His second studio outing pulls back on the musical clutter but goes nuts with the words. "The Ballad Of Mary Foster" is 8:02 and almost all of Side 2 is taken up with the 18:04 minutes of "Love Chronicles" - but at least that feyness that blighted the first LP is gone. Christine gets kissed at ten - joints come in in his late teens - and "Love Chronicles" does well to retain your interest for such a time. But my fave on here is the simple, sad and 'don't get things for nothing' weariness of  "Old Compton Street Blues" where an impressionistic girl smiles - sadly slipping off her dress for the sailor or the clerk in one of London's most notorious haunts. The "Love Chronicles" LP was a huge leap forward but I think his next was even better.

"...I was playing brag in Bedlam and the doctor would not deal..." he sings on the brilliant "My Enemies Have Sweet Voices" - a funky little opener for the fab "Zero She Flies" LP from 1970. For the beginning of the decade Al Stewart seemed to have discovered his inner Funky South Kensington Donovan as the Harmonica and Georgie Fame organ Funk-Folk their way throughout the astute lyrics of "My Enemies Have Sweet Voices". As the bent-notes of a high-string acoustic chug along to an Old Grey Whistle Test Theme harmonica - Stewart sings "...I was blindside to the gutter...and Merlin happened by...asking me why do you lie down there bleeding...I answered him magician as a matter of fact...I was jumping to conclusions and one of them jumped back..." The audio on opener and the lovely follow on "A Small Fruit Song" are utterly stunning - clean and full - as the strings rattle around your speakers. In fact CBS used "A Small Fruit Song" as one of the tracks on the famous 1970 2LP label sampler "Fill Your Head With Rock" - it's acoustic simplicity as pretty as any song they had over on Nick Drake's and Cat Stevens' Island Records. An affectionate rumination on the soppiness and humanity of Jesus ("Gethsemane, Again") is followed by a gorgeous acoustic instrumental called "Burbling" which sounds like its playful-water title. "...Waiting for the ambulance and the cops to come..." come the world-weary lyrics to "Electric Los Angeles Sunset" chronicling the end of the hippy-dream as Cadillacs move snakelike through the haze of smoke from once hip cafes.

His storytelling brilliance can often floor you - take the words to the Eleanor Rigby elegant "Manuscript" as he recalls an old lady remembering - "...And my grandmother sits on the beach in the days before the war...a young girl writing her diary...while time seems to pause...watching the waves as they come one by one to die on the shore...kissing the feet of England..." More acoustic dexterity comes in the shape of "Black Hill" which quickly turns into a mandolin ballad with a few short lines and then it's gone. Beautiful and sad are words to describe "Anna" - a lady listening for the echo of his foot on the stair - the sound of a man who only took flesh from her bones and left little else. It ends on a duo of accomplished acoustic songs - like Leo Kottke with words - "Room Of Boots" and "Zero She Flies" - small wonder the album made No. 40 on the UK LP charts (he wouldn't taste chart success until 1976).

We then skip three albums on CBS ("Orange" in 1972, "Past, Present & Future" in 1973 and "Modern Times" in 1975) to when he signed to RCA Victor and saw his biggest chart success and the album/song he's most remembered for - 1976's "Year Of The Cat". It opens with the slow but majestic "Lord Grenville" with its 'voices on the wind' - followed by the equally sweeping piano-frantic "On The Border" with those acoustic-guitar flourishes sounding so sweet. The electric keyboard shimmer of "Midas Shadow" sounds sweet too as does the almost seaside vibe to "Sand In Your Shoes" where Al sings goodbye to his lady of the island. Side 1 ends with "It Doesn’t Come Naturally, Leave It" where some lady bends his back and many other things too. The Audio for "Flying Sorcery" is pleasingly full as he sings of a lady on the tarmac waiting for another shot at wind-in-her-hair. And then we get the big one – the full album cut of "Year Of The Cat" at 6:48 minutes with its extended piano intro – as sophisticated now as it was then.

The follow-up album "Time Passages" yielded more class in the almost Pink Floyd guitar swirl of "Like In Dark Water" and that catchy title track. It's true that tracks like "A Man For All Seasons" and that other saxophone hit "Song On The Radio" could do with an Audio brush up - but the sound here is still more than acceptable. The combo of Acoustic Guitars and Strings on "End Of The Day" is impressive too.

Sure the Sixties Hippy-Dip first two albums are hard to swallow nowadays - but the other three are worth the price of admission alone - especially the brilliant and unfairly forgotten "Zero She Flies" from 1970 - one for Nick Drake lovers out there.

"...You're on my mind...like a song on the radio..." Bovril or no - Al Stewart is a melody taste worth acquiring. Get this songsmith in your home...

"Just For Love" by QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE [feat Dino Valenti, John Cipollina and Nicky Hopkins] (December 1992 Beat Goes On CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...It's Alright With Me..."

Recorded in and around the beautiful at-one-with-nature Opaelua Lodge in Hawaii in May and June of 1970 - Quicksilver Messenger Service's 4th album certainly looked the part with its tasty Capitol Records gatefold cover and colour collage of the boys on the inner gatefold giving in some live aloha homage to the Goddess Pele.

I’ve always thought "Just For Love" to be bloody genius - but with the album’s space-filling meandering instrumentals that seemed to be in search of a song amidst the drugs and grass skirts – and those ever-so-slightly irritating echoed vocals by someone clearly just about holding it together - not everyone was so 'peaced out' when it was released. I've always thought "Just For Love" a product of the times – something that must be taken on face value (the Sixties still hanging on in a haze of mind altering substances). But me - I adore that sloppy feel - like QMS has suddenly morphed into a melodic Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young having way too much fun in the studio and not caring about the placing of the microphones (juts play and feel it boys). Here is the world's most reasonable non-druggy review...

UK released December 1992 (reissued many times since including the latest December 2008) - "Just For Love" by QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE on Beat Goes On BGOCD 141 (Barcode 5017261201416) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1970 US LP and plays out as follows (39:31 minutes):

1. Wolf Run (Part 1)

2. Just For Love (Part 1)

3. Cobra

4. The Hat

5. Freeway Flyer [Side 2]

6. Gone Again

7. Fresh Air

8. Just For Love (Part 2)

9. Wolf Run (Part 2)

Tracks 1 to 9 are their fourth album "Just For Love" - released August 1970 in the USA on Capitol SMAS-498 and November 1970 in the UK on Capitol EA-ST 498. Produced by JOHN SELBY - it peaked at No. 27 in the USA (didn't chart UK)

For "Just For Love" QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE was:

DINO VALENTI - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Congas and Flute

GARY DUNCAN - Lead Electric and Acoustic Guitars and Maracas

JOHN CIPOLLINA - Lead Electric and Slide Guitar

DAVID FREIBERG - Bass Guitar, Guitar and Vocals

GREGORY ELMORE - Drums and Percussion

NICKY HOPKINS (Guest) - Piano

The 8-page inlay doesn't feature liners notes (bummer that) but it does reproduce that beautifully laid out Capitol Records gatefold cover art of 1970. The colour-collage is spread across the centre-pages whilst the 'world's most magical brat' and 'world's most rhythmic mystic' annotation is reproduced on the other pages (Dan Healy is the 'wired wizard' Engineer etc). Truth be told – BGO could do with upgrading the presentation of this reissue – I for one think the music deserves such a treat (big booklet, card slipcase etc).

It doesn't say which engineer Remastered the album at Sound Engineering Technology in Cambridge in 1992 (sounds like Duncan Cowell?) – but they did a stomping good job. Always a sloppy recording and perhaps not to everyone's taste – it's this very element that I love most about "Just For Love" and that's been kept in tact sweetly by this tasty transfer.

The re-introduction of the volatile Valenti into the ranks along with the guitar magic of Cipollina (would later form Copperhead) trading off against Gary Duncan while England's Nicky Hopkins adds the whole sound stage a classiness on his old piano - added up to a powerhouse unit.

A Flute and Tabla open Part 1 of the short instrumental "Wolf Run" – a sort of precursor to the who-gives-a-monkeys stuff to come. Then Part 1 of the title track "Just For Love" features Valenti who seems to wander up to and away from the microphone as he warbles on about being "touched softly" and being "free as the wind" (yeah baby). Huge drums introduce the wickedly good slightly country-ish "Cobra" which sounds like Gram Parsons is about to rock out – guitars flicking as a funky piano anchors proceedings. The ten-minute Side1 finisher "The Hat" is the kind of Stephen Stills-Band-Van Morrison acoustic-guitar sloppy work out that I adore. It's loose and feels improvised for sure and of course it overstays its welcome in places - but actually I quite like that and the band's chemistry is incredible as Gary Duncan proves his 'world's most funky saint' moniker in the liner notes while Valenti moans the vocals and Nicky Hopkins earns his stunning piano-playing sessionman reputation.

"...Let's try one more..." comes the count in for the band on the rollicking Side 2 opener "Freeway Flyer" where QMS sound like a drugged out Band letting rip on lyrics like 'dangerous stranger' rhyming with 'Psychedelic stranger'. Freiberg and Elmore keep the Bass and Drums rhythm section tight yet loose as Cipollina wigs out of Electric Guitar (I'm reminded of that in-house-jam feel guitarists Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer got to their "Kiln House" LP for Fleetwood Mac also in 1970). That's followed by the lovely and very Hawaiian-peaceful seven minutes of "Gone Again" - the strummed guitar - the echoed vocals - the distant piano plinking as he sings "...my mind gets lonely...my crazy heart starts to gambling..." - I've always thought this one of this inexplicably gorgeous blissed out songs that feels right on a Sunday morning coming down ("...letting go feels so groovy now..."). There’s an almost Beach Boys quality to the band’s harmony vocal work on the ‘have another hit’ of "Fresh Air" – and dig the stunning piano work from Nicky Hopkins and Valenti’s impassioned ‘take me home with you’ vocals. It ends on two short snippets – Valenti singing of masquerades and the end of charades in the wildly echoed Part 2 of "Just For Love" while Part 2 of "Wolf Run" sounds cool and all hippyish if not a little pointless.

There are many (and will be many) who think much of "Just For Love" is a band faffing about and producing genius amidst the knob with perhaps too much emphasis on the whimsy. But I for one dig it the most.

"...Whatever you're doing...it's alright with me..." - Dino Valenti sings as the mighty ten-minutes of "The Hat" starts to fade out. Amen to that man...

"Crying Song/Afro-Classic/The Rite Of Spring" by HUBERT LAWS (August 2014 Beat Goes On Reissue - 3LPs onto 2CD - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Love Is Blue…" 

In their on-going trawl through the Charles Taylor Inc catalogue of primo Jazz albums from the late Sixties and into the late Seventies (CTI Records) - Beat Goes On of the UK (BGO) gives us 3 albums by Jazz Flutist HUBERT LAWS onto 2CDs.

Released 25 August 2014 – "Crying Song/Afro-Classic/The Rite Of Spring" by HUBERT LAWS on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1149 (Barcode 5017261211491) offers 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (71:32 minutes):

1. La Jean

2. Love Is Blue/Sing A Rainbow

3. Crying Song (from the motion picture “More”)

4. Listen To The Band

5. I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You

6. Feelin' Alright

7. Cymbaline

8. How Long Will It Be?

9. Let It Be

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album “Crying Song” – released 1969 in the USA on CTI Records CTI 1002

10. Fire And Rain

11. Allegro From Concerto No. 3 In D

12. Theme From Love Story

13. Passacaglia In C Minor

14. Flute Sonata In F

Tracks 10 to 14 are the album “Afro-Classic” – released 1970 in the USA on CTI Records CTI 6006

Disc 2 (30:53 minutes):

1. Pavane

2. The Rite Of Spring

3. Syrinx

4. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (First Movement)

5. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (Second Movement)

Tracks 1 to 5 are the album “The Rite Of Spring” – released 1972 in the USA on CTI Records CTI 6012

The chunky 20-page booklet has superb liner notes by noted musical expert CHARLES WARING with reminiscences from the great player himself - while the 2014 ANDREW THOMPSON remasters are typically lovely – the rhythm and vibes so complimentary – allowing Laws to solo over them without drowning them out. It also comes with a card slipcase.

Even with the best will in the world – it’s hard to get excited about someone doing a Flute interpretation of “Sing A Rainbow”- (Track 2 on “Crying Song”) - awful stuff that would embarrass elevator music. But then you’re suddenly hit with two unexpected hypnotic gems – his covers of Pink Floyd’s “Crying Song” and “Cymabaline” – both from their 1969 Soundtrack “More”. They’re trippy and very cool. Funk dudes on a Jazz tip will dig the hip version of a hip tune – “Feelin’ Alright” - Dave Mason’s Traffic hit – a song that’s been covered to buggery ever since because it’s just so damn good.

1970’s “Afro-Classic” opens with a great organ-flute Jazz interpretation of James Taylor’s “Fire And Rain” clocking in at just eight minutes with Dave Friedman giving it some fuzz-pedal vibes. The rest of the album’s mainly orchestral takes of Bach and Mozart seem wildly out of place after the tuned-in and turned-on opener.

Debussy, Bach and Stravinsky dominate 1972’s “The Rite Of Spring” this time upping the acoustic guitars in tandem with the vibes and flute. Both “Pavane” and the title track feature fusion centre passages while the second half of the album is taken up by orchestral versions the “Brandenburg Concerto No.3”.

Beautifully presented and sounding wonderful – it’s an acquired taste for sure – but if you’re a fan – then this BGO remaster is another quality buy…

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"Time And A Word" by YES (2003 Elektra/Rhino 'Expanded Edition' CD -Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Life Will Be Even Bolder..."

Produced by TONY COLTON (a close friend of Jon Anderson and the lead singer with Heads, Hand & Feet - another Atlantic Records act on the up) - Yes' second platter "Time And A Word" from July 1970 saw our British Prog Heroes take on an 'orchestra' to mixed results - good and bad. 

Personally I've always thought their first two albums wildly underrated and under appreciated (most fans want to begin their catalogue with 1971's brilliant "The Yes Album" and i can understand that) - but I'd argue that the four 'Bonus Tracks' on this 2003 Elektra/Rhino CD Remaster of "Time And A Word" lift proceedings into the realms of essential purchase for fan and newcomer alike. Here are the timely details...

UK released February 2003 (reissued April 2013) - "Time And A Word" by YES on Elektra/Rhino 8122-73787-2 (Barcode 081227378721) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (60:15 minutes):

1. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed

2. Then 

3. Everydays 

4. Sweet Dreams 

5. The Prophet [Side 2]

6. Clear days 

7. Astral Traveller 

8. Time And A Word 

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 2nd studio album "Time And A Word" - released June 1970 in the UK on Atlantic Records 2400 006 (reissued December 1971 on Atlantic K 40085) and November 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8273. The US issue had different artwork to the UK original - the first page of the booklet uses the UK artwork (naked lady in black and white) whilst the last page of the booklet uses the US cover (a colour photo of the 5-piece band). 

BONUS TRACKS: 

9. Dear Father - UK-only 7" single on Atlantic 2091 004 released 15 June 1970 - B-side to "Sweet Dreams" (album track No. 3)

10. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (Original Mix) 

11. Sweet Dreams (Original Mix) 

Tracks 9 to 11 also first appeared on an early German pressing of the "Time And A Word LP" in April 1970

12. The Prophet - UK-only 7" single on Atlantic 584 323 released 27 March 1970 - B-side to "Time And A Word" (album track No. 8)

For "Time And A Word" YES was:

JON ANDERSON - Leads Vocals

PETER BANKS - Lead Guitars 

TONY KAYE - Keyboards 

CHRIS SQUIRE - Bass

BILL BRUFORD - Drums

The first remaster of this album in November 1994 simply presented fans with the 8-track album and as it was a US based reissue - it used the American colour artwork. This new 2004 stab at it goes back to the British artwork and design of Laurence Sackman (the US variant is on the last page of the booklet) and adds on four tasty Bonus tracks Previously Unissued in the USA. The 16-page booklet detailed and informative liner notes from MIKE TIANO and the text is peppered with colour/black and white period photos of the band. The rare lyric insert that came with original vinyl issues is also reproduced - there's a photo f the band beneath the see-through CD tray and the only tiny glitch that I can see is that Rhino used the December 1971 reissue artwork for Atlantic K 40085 on Page 2 (the rear of the UK sleeve) with the WEA credit when it should have been Atlantic 2400 006 - the 1970 original when WEA didn't exist. Other than that the booklet is very tastefully done - Rhino's quality shining through. But the big news here is a new DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT CD Remaster at Digiprep from original master tapes and they've done a sterling job - full, alive and coming at you with real presence. 

The album opens with a Richie Havens cover version lifted from his second album on Verve Forecast "Somethin' Else" called "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed". YES take the 1968 Folk-Soul song and its inherent funky beat and add their Prog Classical slant and actually it works. Driven by Squire's huge Bass notes and Kaye's frantic Organ - it could actually be a Yes song - in fact you can hear "Yours In No Disgrace" in its structures. But it's "Then" and the fabulous "Everydays" that brings the LP to life - brilliant rhythms as Jon sings "...love is the only answer..." and that gorgeous languid Blues-feel to "Everydays". I know you could argue that "Then" in particular could have done without the strings - but the combo of strings and Kaye's slinky organ notes on "Everydays" along with that cool cymbals and guitar Prog break actually make the song. 

Atlantic figured the ever-so-slightly commercial feel to "Sweet Dreams" would make a great 45 - so they give it pride of place as an A-side in mid June 1970 with the none-album "Dear Father" on the flipside - but despite the strength of both sides - it sank without a trace presently clocking in at £45 in the latest 2018 RC Price Guide. But that's as naught to the rarity of the album's first single - the non-album mix of "The Prophet" b/w the album’s version of the title track "Time And A Word". No one seems to know how many stocks copies of Atlantic 584 323 were released in March 1970 in their native Britain - but it wasn't a lot and has subsequently become a notorious YES collectable clocking in at £175.00 - if you can actually find a copy. Both of those rare non-album 45 versions are included here as Bonus Tracks and welcome additions they are too. 

The album version of "The Prophet" opens Side 2 (different to the single mix) and at 6:40 minutes gives you the full Jon Anderson/Chris Squire penned gamut of Yes sounds. Again I think the when the strings come in - it adds rather than detracts (others would disagree). The remaster has great power when the band finally kicks in - that Peter Banks guitar passage particularly clear as Jon starts to sing "...a tale of yesterday..." Lead vocalist and founder member Jon Anderson penned "Clear Days" - a song that goes all "Eleanor Rigby" on the string additions to the point where it's difficult to hear any other instrument. But along with the piano - it feels epic and clever. The near six-minute "Astral Traveller" is more like "The Yes Album" Yes people love - Anderson warbling about "...wandering where lights go..." and leaving out the body load (know what you mean man). The opening acoustic guitars of “Time And A Word” are beautifully clear and I’d forgotten how good parts of the song is - similar musical themes that turned up on parts of "Tales From Topographic Oceans". 

The 1969 debut is better for sure and the next LP in 1971 "The Yes Album" is a masterpiece - a band finally arriving and unleashing their potential. "...And the word is love..." - Jon Anderson sings on "Time And A Word" - "...and it's right for me..." I feel the same way about this forgotten part of their mighty catalogue.

PS: This 2003 Remaster variant of "Time And A Word" including the Bonus Tracks also turns up inside "The Studio Albums 1969-1987" Box Set which is amazing value for money and includes repro artwork but not the booklet...