"Them Changes" by RAMSEY LEWIS [feat Phil Upchurch] (2016 Universal Spain/Cadet/Elemental Music CD Remaster in Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Whatever Sets You Free..."

Following on from his "Ramsey Lewis, The Piano Player" LP in March 1970 (Cadet Records LPS 836) - Illinois Keyboard whiz RAMSEY LEWIS recorded this obscure and forgotten 'live' LP at The Depot in Minneapolis and named it after the Buddy Miles title track "Them Changes" - releasing it on Cadet Records LP 844 in October of that busy year.

This 2016 CD Remaster is part of a European Reissue Series from Universal Spain distributed in the UK by Elemental Music – a reissue label specialising in Soul, Funk, Disco and Fusion LP titles long out of print. With access to the vast back-catalogue of Universal - you get mainly US rarities and obscure albums originally on Polydor, Chess, Cadet, People, Mercury, Capitol Records and of course the huge Motown repertoire including Rare Earth, Soul, Tamla and Gordy (see list below). They’ve been releasing titles steadily since November 2015 and into 2016...

Each CD Reissue is housed in a gatefold LP replica card sleeve with an Inner (a limited edition). It doesn't say anywhere on their glossy packaging (inners or CDs) who or even where these were transferred or remastered despite the claims of such on the stickers on the outer shrink-wrap. Having said that the repro sleeves are accurate - tactile to touch - all coming with a gatefold artwork when most of their original album covers were single sleeves - and best of all have superb Audio care of Universal UMC. If was to hazard a Remaster Engineer guess - it sounds like the work of Gary Moore or Kevin Reeves - both of whom have handled huge numbers of these genre albums for Universal in their extensive 200+ 'Originals' Series. Here are the details...

UK/Europe released 25 August 2016 - "Them Changes" by RAMSEY LEWIS on Universal Spain/Cadet/Elemental 88516 (Barcode 8435395501139) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 1970 7-track LP originally on Cadet Records in the USA and plays out as follows (44:45 minutes):

1. Them Changes

2. Drown In My Own Tears

3. Oh Happy Day

4. Do Whatever Sets You Free [Side 2]

5. Something

6. See The End From The Beginning, Look Afar

7. The Unsilent Minority

Tracks 1 to 7 are the LP "Them Changes" - released October 1970 in the USA on Cadet Records LPS 844 (no UK issue). Arranged and Produced by RAMSEY LEWIS and Recorded by REICE HAMEL - it's a 'live' recording done at The Depot in Minneapolis, Minnesota on the 8th and 9th of May 1970. "Do Whatever Sets You Free" and "The Unsilent Majority" by Ramsey Lewis - "See The End From The Beginning, Look Afar" by Ramsey Lewis and Cleveland Eaton. All others are covers - "Them Changes" by Buddy Miles, "Drown In My Own Tears" by Henry Glover and famously associated with Ray Charles, "Oh Happy Day" by The Edwin Hawkins Singers and "Something" by George Harrison with The Beatles.

RAMSEY LEWIS - Steinway Grand Piano, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano

PHIL UPCHURCH - Fender Electric Guitar

CLEVELAND EATON - Fender Electric Bass

MORRIS JENNINGS - Drums

The inner gatefold is simply a close up of the front sleeve and the Inner Sleeve contains Track Lists and Credits on both sides. The label reflects the pale Blue and White 'Cadet Records' label of old. The LP feels like Donny Hathaway 'Live' circa the same time frame - 1970 intimate and in your face for all the right reasons. And the addition of Phil Upchurch with this Rhythm Section Funks things up into Soul Jazz and Rare Grooves.

The LP opens with applause and a very groovy version of "Them Changes" by Buddy Miles - whose album of the same name had hit the US shelves in July 1970 on Mercury Records and caused a stir both musically and politically. The Lewis Ensemble drops the lyrics and the Brass Funk of Buddy's original - keeping only that tremendous groove (all songs on here are instrumentals). This is a Soul-Jazz-Funk LP – way more in keeping with the sounds of the day that the organ cool Lewis had become known for in the Sixties. You get a slinky Fender Rhodes Piano Funk sound throughout with Upchurch flicking those frets until he comes in on a very tasty solo.

When they do "Them Changes" - as I say it feels like Donny Hathaway 'Live'. Personally I cannot get enough of that sound - the Rhodes magic Hathaway so effortlessly got over on Atlantic Records with his house-band of like-minded musicians is evident all over this album. Lewis switches to Grand Piano for their cover of the Ray Charles 1950's Atlantic hit "Drown In My Own Tears" - but far better is the Fender-Rhodes Funk of "Oh Happy Day" (originally by The Edwin Hawkins Singers) which really lifts the audience out of their seats with whoops of appreciation. At seven and half minutes - Upchurch gets to spread out too - and you forget how lovely the melody to "Oh Happy Day" is.

Side 2 opens with eight-minutes of "Do Whatever Sets You Free" and in keeping with the title - both Drummer Morris Jennings and Cleveland Eaton on Bass get to cut loose as they solo alongside Ramsey tinkering away sexily on those keys. It's a fabulously funky piece where both the band and the whooping audience are clearly digging the groove. There's an unnecessary and poorly recorded distance to the piano sound as "Something" opens - but Ramsey's grand piano playing soon comes into focus. And for such an overdone melody - this feels like one Beatles cover that compliments the beautiful original rather than imitates (Phil plays some tasty licks too). Back to the groove with "See The End From The Beginning, Look Afar" where the band is cooking by now - bringing it all home with a superb Phil Upchurch led "The Unsilent Majority" - probably the sexiest groove on the record.

It's not all genius by any means and there are occasional production problems on some of the recordings - but that groove sends me - and the added 'live' element only makes me want more. A smart reissue and I hope they tackle other Cadet Records albums especially involving arranger-genius Charles Stepney...

Titles in the 2015 and 2016 'Universal/Elemental Music' CD Reissue Series are:

1. Hang On In There Baby (1974 LP on MGM Records) - JOHNNY BRISTOL (Universal/Elemental 88518 - 8435395501153)

2. The Original Disco Man (1979 LP on Polydor) - JAMES BROWN (Universal/Elemental 88523 – Barcode 8435395501450)

3. Music To Make Love By (1975 LP on Chess) - SOLOMON BURKE (Universal/Elemental 88528 – Barcode 8435395501627)

4. Hot On The Tracks (1976 LP on Motown) – THE COMMODORES (Universal/Elemental 88511 – Barcode 8435395500965)

5. Breakin' Bread (1974 LP on People) – FRED (WESLEY) & THE NEW JB’S (Universal/Elemental 88522 – Barcode 8435395501252)

6. Doing It To Death (1973 LP on People) - THE JB'S [with James Brown] (Universal/Elemental 88517 – Barcode 8435395501146)

7. People...Hold On (1972 LP on Tamla) – EDDIE KENDRICKS (Universal/Elemental 88501 – Barcode 8435395500569)

8. Mother Nature's Son (1968 LP on Cadet) – RAMSEY LEWIS (Universal/Elemental 88504 – Barcode 8435395500590)

9. Them Changes (1970 LP on Cadet) - RAMSEY LEWIS (Universal/Elemental 88516 – Barcode 8435395501139)

10. Fire (1974 LP on Mercury) - THE OHIO PLAYERS (Universal/Elemental 88506 – Barcode 8435395500973)

11. Skin Tight (1974 LP on Mercury) - THE OHIO PLAYERS (with 1 Bonus Track) (Universal/Elemental 88510 – Barcode 8435395500958)

12. Get Ready (1969 LP on Rare Earth) – RARE EARTH (Universal/Elemental 88505 – Barcode 8435395500866)

13. Soulin' (1966 LP on Capitol) - LOU RAWLS (Universal/Elemental 88515 - 8435395501122)

14. Smokey (1973 LP on Tamla) – SMOKEY ROBINSON (Universal/Elemental 88503 – Barcode 8435395500583)

15. My Whole World Ended (1969 LP on Motown) - DAVID RUFFIN (Universal/Elemental 88527 – Barcode 8435395501542)

16. The Groove Governor (1970 LP on Soul) – JIMMY RUFFIN (Universal/Elemental 88513 – Barcode 8435395501108)

17. Still Waters Run Deep (1970 LP on Tamla) – THE TEMPTATIONS (Universal 88502 – Barcode 8435395500576)

18. Face to Face With... (1971 LP on Gordy) – THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH (Universal/Elemental 88509 – Barcode 8435395500941)

19. Together Brothers O.S.T. (1974 2LPs on 20th Century, Single CD) – BARRY WHITE and THE LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA (Universal/Elemental 88507 – Barcode 8435395500880)

"The Last Puff" by SPOOKY TOOTH feat MIKE HARRISON (2016 Universal/Island 'Expanded Edition' CD - Paschal Byrne and Ben Wiseman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Wrong Time, Wrong Place..." 

Like Mott The Hoople and The Pretty Things - England's SPOOKY TOOTH have never really received the accolades they deserve. Between 1968 and 1974 they produced seven studio albums (six on Island - one on Goodear) as well as a posthumous Island Records 'Best Of' in 1976 - yet I defy even knowledgeable Rock types to name just two of those original LPs.

None of their Rock-Blues albums ever bothered the British LP charts (not even the 'Best Of') and though founder member and songwriter Gary Wright did some commercial welly in the mid Seventies (especially in the USA with his "Dream Weaver" LP) - Luther Grosvenor and Mike Harrison had solo careers also but few noticed. The band is not in Martin C. Strong's stunning 'Great Rock Discography' Books (and almost everyone is in there) and now the final facial slap...

These seven new CD Reissues and Remasters on UMC's Universal/Island resplendent with truly superb Audio and a wad of bonus tracks (only two are the bare album - see list below) have already quietly slipped under the radar only two months after release in September and October 2016. Time to rectify this horrid anomaly on the part of an uncaring and post Christmas flabby public - here are the eerie dental details...

UK released 7 October 2016 - "The Last Puff" by SPOOKY TOOTH featuring MIKE HARRISON on Universal/Island 570 547-5 (Barcode 602557054750) offers the 1970 Island Records album newly Remastered with Six Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (60:59 minutes):

1. I Am The Walrus

2. The Wrong Time

3. Something To Say

4. Nobody There At All [Side 2]

5. Down River

6. Son Of Your Father

7. The Last Puff

Tracks 1 to 7 are their fourth studio album "The Last Puff" - released July 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9117 and August 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4266. Thinking he was going to go solo - Island Records credited the album to SPOOKY TOOTH featuring MIKE HARRISON - the only LP credited as such in their canon of work. Produced by CHRIS BLACKWELL and CHRIS STAINTON - the LP peaked at No. 84 in the USA but didn't chart in the UK.

BONUS TRACKS:

8. Son Of Your Father (Single Version) - 26 Jun 1969 UK 7" single on Island WIP 6060, A-side

9. I Am The Walrus (Single Version)

10. Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree (Single Version)

Tracks 9 and 10 were the A&B-sides of 1970 7" singles in Euro Regions (Norway and Netherlands) on Island 6014 023.

The LP cut for "I Am The Walrus" is 6:26 minutes in Stereo - the 7" Single Edit is approximately 5:22 minutes in Mono.

France had an issue of "I Am The Walrus" too with the same catalogue number but used the full LP cut and not the edit.

The LP cut for "Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree" is 5:15 minutes in Stereo - the 7" Single Version is extended to 5:40 minutes in Mono.

11. Nobody There At All - July 1970 'Promo Only' UK 7" single on Island WIP 6084 (white labels exist)

12. The Wrong Time (First Mix) - Album Outtake recorded 8 May 1970

13. The Weight

Track 13 is a cover version of The Band classic - it replaced the track "Too Much Of Nothing" on the American reissue of their 1968 debut LP "It's All About". Released June 1971 on A&M Records SP 4300 - the LP was renamed "Tobacco Road" and given a different sleeve (pictured on Page 11 of the booklet).

SPOOKY TOOTH was (Tracks 1 to 7):

MIKE HARRISON - Vocals (also on 8, 10 and 13)

LUTHER GROSVENOR - Guitar (also on 8, 10 and 13)

HENRY McCULLOCH - Guitar

CHRIS STAINTON - Bass Guitar, Piano, Organ and Guitar

ALAN SPENNER - Bass Guitar (also on 8)

MIKE KELLIE - Drums (also on 8, 10 and 13)

Bonus Tracks:

GARY WRIGHT - Vocals, Piano and Organ on "Son Of Your Father", "Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree" and "The Weight"

GREG RIDLEY - Bass Guitar on "Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree" and "The Weight"

The 12-page booklet is really well done - researched, coordinated and produced by MARK POWELL of England's much-revered reissue label Esoteric Recordings (have done wads of quality reissues from the Sixties and Seventies). There are several photos of rare Euro 7" singles for "I Am The Walrus" and "Son Of Your Father" - snaps of Harrison - trade adverts and liner notes from Powell detailing the band's history on Island Records (including stuff about The V.I.P's and Art) and not just the "The Last Puff" album. The CD is coloured Pink like the original Island Records album label and there's a close-up photo of the album artwork beneath the see-through CD tray. But the big news is new PASCHAL BYRNE and BEN WISEMAN Remasters from original tapes - wonderful kicking sound - even on the Mono Single Mixes...

Stainton, Spenner and Kellie were all part of Joe Cocker's Grease Band. The LP opens with a storming cover version of The Beatles "I Am The Walrus" - 6:26 minutes of Heavy Rock interpretation that works. Someone thought it would make a single so they edited it down to a just-about-manageable 5:22 minutes and issued it in several European countries. Combined with a German Tour - the track made them stars in Europe even if Blighty wasn't really listening. Before departing the band - Gary Wright left them "The Wrong Time" - a brill piece of Rocking Blues riffage which also appears here in a 'First Mix' form from May 1970 as a very cool Bonus Track. I love this guitar-soloing song. Mike Harrison sounds Humble Pie's Steve Marriott throughout grinding his larynx about lady shenanigans and being a poor boy in the 'wrong place' at the 'wrong time' (we never do find out who the lady backing singers are). Before Joe Cocker did his own version on the 1972 LP "Something To Say" on Cube Records (a co-write with his Roadie pal Peter Nichols) - Spooky Tooth were the first to have a go at the song "Something To Say" and I have to say after the high of "The Wrong Time" - the 'get back on the road' ballad is given a very heavy-handed rendition. I've never liked it - and even though the girly chorus and funked up end portion are good - it feels plodding and Harrison's vocals struggling.

Side 2 opens with a Mike Post song called "Nobody There At All" - a tune that first turned up on an obscure American album by Bobby Doyle from 1968 called "The Bobby Doyle Introduction" (Warner Brothers WS 1744) - an LP produced by and featuring lots of Mike Post input. In the hands of Spooky Tooth it feels like The Band on "Songs From Big Pink" or Joe Cocker's second LP on Regal Zonophone "Joe Cocker!" from early 1970 (gorgeous remaster too). "Down River" opened Side 2 of David Ackle's self-titled debut LP in 1968 on Elektra Records (EKS 74022) - another 'why didn't you write Rosie' piano melodrama tune that feels more Elton John than rocking Spooky Tooth. Speaking of which - "Son Of Your Father" turned up on Elton's 3rd studio album "Tumbleweed Connection" but not until October 1970 - months after Spooky got to have a go at it. Their four-minute funked-up guitar-driven rendition made it an ideal single choice and it's not surprising that it made it into several Euro territories with "I've Got Enough Heartache" from the 2nd LP as its B-side. The album ends on another fave of mine - a Piano and Guitar instrumental - a stroller from The Grease Band's Chris Stainton that feels as peace-pipe-mellow as the Indians having a "Last Puff' on the front cover (stunning Keyboard work). The classy extras of Edits and Extended 45s and cool outtake only add to the stew giving the Reissue much more depth (I’d give the album only three stars as a stand alone)...

"The Last Puff" by SPOOKY TOOTH is hardly a masterpiece but it has moments I've been returning to for four and a half decades and in my book - that rocks. Like the recent Free CD Remasters (also September 2016) that came with storming Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters - I'm going to have to own the lot of these Paschal Byrne and Ben Wiseman efforts.

Well done to everyone involved for giving ST the late dental polish they've deserved for so long...

2016 Reissue Titles for SPOOKY TOOTH in the Universal/Island CD Remaster Series:

1. It's All About (1968 Debut) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-1 (Barcode 602557054712) with 10 Bonus Tracks

2. Spooky Two (1969 2nd LP) - 7 Oct 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-3 (Barcode 602557054736) with 9 Bonus Tracks

3. Ceremony: An Electronic Mass (1969 3rd LP with Pierre Henry)

- 7 Oct 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-0 (Barcode 602557054705) with 6 Bonus Tracks

4. The Last Puff (1970 4th LP) - 7 Oct 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-5 (Barcode 602557054750) with 6 Bonus Tracks

5. You Broke My Heart...So I Busted Your Jaw (1973 5th LP) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-8 (Barcode 602557054781)

6. Witness (1973 6th LP) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-7 (Barcode 602557054774) with 1 Bonus Track
7. The Mirror (1974 7th LP) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-6 (Barcode 602557054767)

"Far Canal" by JODY GRIND (2016 Esoteric Recordings 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue - Mark Powell Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Sweating Blue Blood..."

Taking their name from Horace Silver's 1967 Jazz album on Blue Note called "The Jody Grind" - England's short-lived but mighty JODY GRIND managed only two Progressive Rock albums on the largely Folk Indie label Transatlantic Records. Their October 1969 debut "One Step On" received favourable press and elicited a devout fan following (especially in Europe) - while their second and last album "Far Canal" from September 1970 massively improved on its predecessor. But neither did any real business sales-wise (check out that dreadful Mechano lettering artwork). Still - that hasn’t stopped good labels like Akarma in Italy and Strange Days in Japan reissuing Jody Grind’s recorded legacy on CD – which brings us to these new and superlative 2016 Remasters out of the UK...

England’s Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) have been building up a huge rep with collectors for a few years now for both quality in Audio and Presentation – and these two CD Reissues for this long forgotten British Prog Rock Trio will only add to that growing list of Reissue accolades.

The first album "One Step On" is really good (also reissued November 2016 with Bonus Material) - a Hammond-Organ and Guitar-Driven Band let loose in the studio with Jethro Tull's arranger David Palmer helping out on Horns and Brass. But the second LP (with a rejiggered line-up) is a bit of an unsung masterpiece for me. 1970's "Far Canal" Progs - it Rocks - it Folks - it Jazzs - it even does Santana-type Latin Rock with a Drum Solo on one of its many fabulous instrumentals ("O Paradiso"). In fact on checking in the new Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide of 2018 - it's easy to hear why both of these albums have a stonking £175 price tag allocated to each.

There's a shed load of details to get through - so here are the peaky grinders...

UK released 26 November 2016 - "Far Canal" by JODY GRIND on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2568 (Barcode 5013929466845) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with One Bonus Track and plays out as follows (49:13 minutes):

1. We've Had It

2. Bath Sister

3. Jump Bed Jed

4. O Paradiso

5. Plastic Shit [Side 2]

6. Vegetable Oblivion

7. Red Worms & Lice

8. Ballad For Bridget

Tracks 1 to 8 are their second and last studio album "Far Canal" - released September 1970 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 221. Produced by HUGH MURPHY - the album was not issued in the USA and didn't chart in the UK. "We've Had It", "Jump Bed Jed", "Vegetable Oblivion" by Bernie Holland - "Bath Sister", "O Paradiso" and "Ballad For Bridget" by Tim Hinkley - "Plastic Shit" and "Red Worms & Lice" co-written by Tim Hinkley and Bernie Holland. "Paint It Black" is a Rolling Stones cover version.

BONUS TRACK:

Paint It Black (Mono Single Version)

JODY GRIND was:

TIM HINKLEY - Hammond Organ, Piano, Electric Piano, Vibraphone and Lead Vocals

BERNIE HOLLAND - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass and Vocals

PETE GAVIN - Drums and Percussion

The 16-page booklet has informative and well-researched liner notes from Esoteric’s own MARK POWELL – who also compiled, co-ordinated and remastered the original tapes. The Audio is fantastic – beefy without being too trebled for the sake of it – very clear and impressive work.

Formed in November 1968 by Keyboardist Tim Hinkley with Guitarist Ivan Zagni and Drummer Martin Harryman. Harryman left to work with Elkie Brooks in Dada (over on Atlantic Records) to be replaced with Drummer Barry Wilson. But after their first album - both Zagni and Wilson exited too to be replaced with Holland and Gavin for album number 2.

Their sound grew in sophistication for the second album – a record that's heavy on Instrumentals of different musical styles – each brilliant in their own way. "Far Canal" even includes an out-and-out lyric rocker in the live track "Plastic Shit" - an environmental protest tune sung in front of an audience earlier in 1970 - the only 'live' output ever officially available by the band. "O Paradiso" may as well be Santana meets Malo - an eight-minute instrumental track with a fantastic groove and a drum solo from Pete Gavin that would impress John Bonham. The opener "We've Had It" fits in with Nat Joseph's largely Folky roster on Transatlantic Records but soon turns into Prog Folk and in a good way. Off we go in another direction - after the utterly brilliant riffage of "Red Worms & Lice" where Jody Grind come on like they're the duelling guitars of Wishbone Ash finding their inner Humble Pie - you get the utterly disconcerting pleasantness of "Ballad For Bridget" – a Tim Hinkley piano-driven Jazz instrumental that's almost easy listening in its mellowness.

The bonus track has a history all of its own. Their debut album has a 4-part 20-minute long Suite on Side 1 called "One Step On" (title of the LP also) of which the five-minute rocking "Paint It Black" portion is Part 4. Someone turned it into a 7" single in both Germany and Portugal - giving it a Mono Single Mix. The German single from 1970 on Metronome M 25 201 had "Little Message" from the first LP as its B-side and came in a wicked picture sleeve (Tim Hinkley giving some Keith Emerson on his Hammond) but the booklet unfortunately doesn't picture it – while the Portuguese 45 on Zip Zip Records 30 011 had a Single mix of "Rock n' Roll Man" from the first album on its flipside – that mix now being one of two Bonus Tracks on the “One Step On” CD Reissue (Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2567 – Barcode 5013929466746).

Following the collapse of Paul Korda's Dada after only one LP - Hinkley joined Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer for the first Vinegar Joe LP – later starring in Mike Patto's offshoot band Boxer too. He subsequently played on stage with Chapman & Whitney's Streetwalkers (ex Family), Dr. Feelgood, Bad Company, Snafu, Thin Lizzy and has done session work on solo LPs for The Who's Roger Daltrey and Vinegar Joe's Elkie Brooks. Bernie Holland split his time between Prog Rock bands like Back Door and Fusion Artist Stomu Yamashta and UK Folkies like The Humblebums, Stealers Wheel, Harvey Andrews and Joan Armatrading. In-demand session Drummer Pete Gavin did stints with Poet And The One Man Band, Heads, Hands & Feet and Vinegar Joe and has played on solo LPs for Albert Lee, Don Everly, Isaac Guillory, Linda Lewis, Steve York and many more. Formidable musicians in a once formidable group....

British Prog Rock Trio JODY GRIND are a footnote in Rock's History now – but I can so understand why their two albums garnish such fever in collector’s circle – especially the brilliant "Far Canal". Well done to all involved for getting their legacy out there and in such good shape too...

"Nuthin' Fancy" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD (1999 MCA 'Expanded Edition' CD - Doug Schwartz Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Mister Saturday Night Special..."

I can recall that at the time Lynyrd Skynyrd's 3rd studio album "Nuthin' Fancy" was greeted with favourable press reviews all round (Billboard called it their best and most mature work) - but after the absolute Southern Rock 'Sounds Of The South' highs of "Pronounced" in 1973 and especially 1974's brilliant "Second Helping" - fans initially felt the new album was a let down.

On first listen it wasn't as immediate as the previous two - lacked that first-flush sparkle (years honing the material) and had that very obvious hurried done-on-the-hoof feel with an equally humdrum front sleeve and screw you message on the rear (Keyboard Player Billy Powell giving two fingers to the camera). A body might have gotten the impression that Alabama's finest triple-guitar band really didn't give a skunk's turd for what was on the record and were already showing signs of being burnt out after years of relentless touring. As Ron O'Brien's superb liner notes tell us - "Nuthin' Fancy" initially charted big at No. 9 with a bullet (went Gold) but had no legs and left the charts a mere 20 weeks later. After the top-ten 7" single peak of "Sweet Home Alabama" at No. 8 the year prior - the album's lone 45 "Saturday Night Special" stalled at No. 23 Stateside in July and didn't chart at all in the UK. By autumn 1975 the LP was all but forgotten and only years later became a permanent bargain bin fodder item in secondhand record shops everywhere…

But time and fans have warmed to this 'unadorned' little gem – this simple man and his stories LP - and I personally prefer it to the over-praised debut with "Freebird" (a sacrilegious and scurrilous statement I know). It also helps that Doug Schwartz's 1999 CD Remaster is just right - punchy and alive – and beautifully clear without ever being overdone or over trebled. Here are the Made In The Shade details...

UK released November 1999 (August 1999 in the USA) - "Nuthin' Fancy" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD on MCA 112 024-2 (Barcode 008811202422) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of their 3rd album from 1975 with Two Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (49:12 minutes):

1. Saturday Night Special

2. Cheatin' Woman

3. Railroad Song

4. I'm A Country Boy

5. On The Hunt [Side 2]

6. Am I Losin'

7. Made In The Shade

8. Whiskey Rock-A Roller

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 3rd studio album "Nuthin' Fancy" - released 24 March 1975 in the USA on MCA Records MCA-2137 and May 1975 in the UK on MCA Records MCF 2700. Produced by AL KOOPER - the LP peaked at No. 9 and No. 43 in the US and UK album charts.

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Railroad Song (Live)

10. On The Hunt (Live)

Tracks 9 and 10 are Previously Unreleased - recorded 27 April 1975 live at Bill Graham's Winterland in San Francisco, California

LYNYRD SKYNYRD were:

RONNIE VAN ZANT - Lead Vocals, Lyrics and More

ED KING - Lead Guitars (Fender Stratocaster and Gibson SG)

ALLEN COLLINS - Guitars (Gibson Firebird) and Backing Vocals

GARY ROSSINGTON - Lead Guitar (Gibson Les Paul)

BILLY POWELL - Keyboards

LEON WILKESON - Bass (Fender) and Backing Vocals on "Saturday Night Special", "Railroad Song" and "I'm A Country Boy"

ARTIMUS PYLE - Drums and Percussion

GUESTS:

AL KOOPER - Keyboards, Backing Vocals and Percussion

Moog Synths on "Saturday Night Special", Organ on "Cheatin' Woman" and Piano on "Made In The Shade"

Backing Vocals on "Railroad Song", "Am I Losin' and "Whiskey Rock-A Roller"

Percussion on "I'm A Country Boy"

JIMMY HALL - Harmonica on "Railroad Song" and "Made In The Shade"

BARRY HARWOOD - Mandolins & Dobro on "Made In The Shade"

DAVID FOSTER - Backing Vocals on "Whiskey Rock-A Roller"

The 12-page booklet is nicely laid out - very in-depth and accurate liner notes and photo contributions from RON O'BRIEN - the usual reissue credits (good names like Andy McKaie and Beth Stempel coordinated the reissue) - but it drops the ball just a little. Fans will know that American copies of the LP had an inner sleeve with a photo-collage on one side and lyrics/credits on the other (British issues had an insert with the same). The photos turn up on Page 3 but the lyrics are AWOL - a bit of a dumb oversight really and especially on an album where the songs are so Van Zant personal. And frankly the two supposed Bonus Tracks feel very substandard to me in audio quality despite being recorded literally one month after the LP's release and Ronnie's praise of the Bill Graham audience. But all of that goes out the window when you return to the music of the album proper - now fitted out with wickedly good new audio courtesy of restoration and transfer from DOUG SCHWARTZ (he did two of the huge Stax Box Sets and a lot of work for Capitol Records).

"Saturday Night Special" was recorded April 1974 and was the only song in the can for the new LP – so the other seven had to be written as the band arrived in the studio in January 1975 – only days after a near yearlong touring gruel. "Saturday..." kicks off the album in high boozy bar-brawlin' style – a hooky riff with that distinctive Lynyrd Skynyrd sound. "Cheatin' Woman" is the first of the new stuff and is the kind of LP nugget that gets overlooked – a fabulous slinky guitar groove anchored but a superb Al Kooper keyboard funk as Ronnie gets all angst-in-his-pants about his woman's less than angelic ways. Jimmy Hall gives it some Harmonica as "Railroad Song" chugs into life like a freight train carrying our hero – cold, tired and dirty – a hobo being run out of town by the hoi polloi of Hicksville who want their town respectable. Ronnie rages against concrete in "I'm A Country Boy" song - and as he sings "...Big city town don't bother me...don't like smoke chokin' up my head..." - it goes into a very cool middle eight.

Side 2 opens with another rocker - the attacking guitar riffage of "On The Hunt" - and again the Remaster is amazing - the band sounding like Free at their Seventies best. The Acoustic Rock of "Am I Losin'" is a 'drinking wine with one of my friends' song and feels very "Mardi Gras" Creedence in its style and longing. The coke-crates Jug Band Americana sound to "Made In The Shade" is deliberate and works so well. "Whiskey Rock-A Roller" is just a good old boys raunch - the kind of 'suitcase by my side' boogie tune Lynyrd Skynyrd gargled for breakfast.

It's funny how some albums grow into something great despite the circumstance that surrounded their making. It's said the band thought "Nuthin' Fancy" only 'ok' - lacklustre even compared to what had gone before. But fans have taken its warm-hearted personality and simplicity to heart and over the decades it’s become the fave for many. And on this cool sounding Remaster - it's easy to hear why...

"Leon Russell" by LEON RUSSELL (1995 The Right Stuff CD Reissue - Steve Hoffman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...He Sang A Dixie Lullaby..." 

Oklahoma's Claude Russell Bridges (Leon Russell to you and I) had already built up enough insider clout as a jobbing musician (stints with Phil Spector, The Byrds, Delaney and Bramlett, Ron Davies and Joe Cocker's first two LPs on Regal Zonophone) to form Shelter Records in 1970 with Producer Phil Cordell and use that platform to launch his own self-titled debut LP.

This beautifully-transferred 1995 CD Remaster from America's 'The Right Stuff' label is a cheap but audiophile-sounding Reissue of that mighty beginning. And with Leon Russell's sad loss in November 2016 aged 74 – I think it's high time we revisited this blindingly good debut and tip our collective fedoras to the original Big Top Hat songwriter beloved of so many in and out of the music business. Here are the Delta Ladies...

US released 4 July 1995 - "Leon Russell" by LEON RUSSELL on The Right Stuff T2-34028 (Barcode 724383402823) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the original 12-track version of his 1970 debut LP and plays out as follows (38:55 minutes):

1. A Song For You
2. Dixie Lullaby
3. I Put A Spell On You
4. Shoot Out On The Plantation
5. Hummingbird
6. Delta Lady [Side 2]
7. Prince Of Peace
8. Give Peace A Chance
9. Pisces Apple Lady
11. Roll Away The Stone

BONUS TRACK:
12. Masters Of War (Old Masters)
All songs are Leon Russell originals except "Old Masters" which is "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan. "Dixie Lullaby" is a co-write with Christ Stainton of The Grease Band and Boxer, "Prince Of Peace" and "Roll Away The Stone" are co-writes with Greg Dempsey and "Give Peace A Chance" is a co-write with Bonnie Bramlett.

First thing you notice is that the rear sleeve credits "Masters Of War (Old Masters)" as a 'Bonus Track' - which is both right and wrong and needs some explanation. Recorded across five sessions stretching between September 1969 and January 1970 - original pressings of the "Leon Russell" LP hit US shops 23 March 1970 on Shelter SHE 1001. American First-Issue 'Monarch Pressings' and British A&M issues (June 1970 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 935) had 12-tracks - 5 on Side 1 and 7 on Side 2. But later reissues on Shelter SHE 8901 (probably pressed around Autumn 1970) had only 11 tracks - withdrawing the 1:20 minutes of Bob Dylan's "Old Masters" originally slotted in-between "Prince Of Peace" and "Give Peace A Chance" as Track 3 on Side 2. The album stayed as an 11-track version thereafter. It's said that because Russell did the short Dylan cover in the style of the American Star-Spangled Banner - it caused offence in certain quarters and was given the axe. Hence TRS can technically call it a Bonus Track.

The 8-leaf foldout inlay with liner notes from TODD EVERETT gives us a good overview of his career and the formation of the album (the LPs artwork isn't here as its single sleeve wasn't much to look at in the first place) - but it's the sound that's the star here. Originally produced by PHIL CORDELL and GLYN JOHNS – this STEVE HOFFMAN Remaster uses the original Shelter Master Mixes and has done this largely forgotten beginning a proper solid. The sound is gorgeous…warm and clear and none too pushed…lovely…

Even though there are no official musician credits on the LP (Russell dedicated the music on the rear sleeve to members of The Beatles, The Stones and many others) time has unfolded a huge uncredited array of stellar performers including Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Delaney Bramlett on Guitars – Steve Winwood and Chris Stainton on Keyboards – Jim Horn on Saxophone – Klaus Voorman, Alan Spenner and Bill Wyman on Bass – Buddy Harman, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, BJ Wilson and Jim Gordon on Drums with Joe Cocker, Mick Jagger, Bonnie Bramlett and Merry Clayton on Vocals. Although no one seems to know who plays on what track – it’s a line-up most debut artists would gladly lose a limb for.

The LP first hit the US charts 11 April 1970 eventually rising to No. 60 with a stay of 18 weeks. His connections with Joe Cocker's Grease Band and the live extravaganza of "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" had served Russell well. Cocker took the then unrecorded Leon Russell "Delta Lady" composition and made a UK No. 10 hit out of it in September 1969 (Regal Zonophone RZ 3024) - even making something of a splash Stateside on the singles chart at a lesser No. 69. Leon does his own version here - and cool it is too – funking it up even more. The other two winners on the album picked up by other bands and singers in their droves are "A Song For You" and "Hummingbird". It’s said that as many as 100 artists have covered "A Song For You" in every genre - Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin in Soul with The Carpenters, Willie Nelson and Simply Red to name but a few in Easy Listening, Country and Rock. Blues giant B.B. King had a Rock-Blues hit with "Hummingbird" taken from his superb 1970 LP "Indiana Mississippi Seeds” on which Russell plays with Carole King and Joe Walsh (see separate review) and the covers of the song go right up to Bonnie Prince Billy in 2012.

A co-write with Christ Stainton of The Grease Band - "Dixie Lullaby" opens with a Dylan-like Harmonica intro before the band gets all Little Feat Dixie Chicken funky on this tune about penniless Willie down on Beale Street smiling as he sings his tunes. There's messing around at the beginning of the reluctant bachelor song "I Put A Spell On You" with studio stops and starts - but when the song does kick in - you can feel that good-ole-boy Lynyrd Skynyrd vibe as the band takes off - Derek & The Dominoes type lead guitar backed up by righteous tambourine slapping ladies and a furious piano speed from Russell  ("...come quickly mama...") Apparently based on a true story of two men (Junior and the Drummer) fighting over a woman - "Shoot Out On The Plantation" is a "Watching The River Flow" rocker. His much-covered "Hummingbird" starts out as Funky Acoustic ditty but quickly settles into a lovely melody - his lady soothing - gets him where he lives - the audio on this baby is fabulous.

Over on Side 2 "Prince Of Peace" (not the Lennon song) is given a 'huge' Production - the boogieing guitars leaping out of your speakers accompanied by those complimentary backing singers - a sound that's akin to the Derek & The Dominoes "Layla" double (also from 1970). The 1:21 minutes of "Old Masters" is Bob Dylan's "Masters Of War" done on a lone piano to the melody of the Star Spangled Banner is a genuine unnerving oddity as he sings "...I can see through your mask..." You can so hear the fab rasp of Bonnie Bramlett on "Give Peace A Chance" which feels like a Hair rave up as loads of voices get all holy-roller, piano-banging, hand-clapping righteous about 'peace'. The gorgeous audio transfer continues on a crystal clear "Hurtsome Body" - a massive guitar rocker with a sound akin to Bobby Whitlock's debut LP. "Pisces Apple Lady" would be covered by England's Tucky Buzzard on their self-titled second LP "Tucky Buzzard" in June 1971 on Capitol Records - a jerk-funky little bopper about English gals that would equally have been at home on Little Feat's "Sailin' Shoes". It ends on the rollicking piano-boogie of "Roll Away The Stone" which bears a striking resemblance to the Mott The Hoople hit of same-name three years later in 1973 (naughty Ian).

Russell would follow his Shelter Records American debut LP with "Leon Russell And The Shelter People" in May 1971, "Carney" in July 1972 and the triple "Leon Live" in July 1973 - all of which charted well (Right Stuff have also reissued "Shelter People" and "Carney" with Steve Hoffman Remasters). But there's just something a bit special about this celebratory and raucous beginning. 

"...That Louisiana man's gonna get you yet with his Dixie lullaby..." – Leon Russell sang on the jaunty "Dixie Lullaby". Let him in and get to you...

"Who's next: Deluxe Edition" by THE WHO (April 2003 MCA/Chronicles 2CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

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"…Sing My Song Out To The Infinite Sea…"

I can remember as a teenager seeing the album cover to "Who's Next" in a record shop on Talbot Street in Dublin in the late summer of 1971. I laughed out loud. There was our favourite Rock Reprobates pissing up against a concrete monolith in the middle of some slag heap somewhere (only The Who!) I knew I had to own it. And like so many other fans of Seventies Classic Rock - I've been in love with this deceptively deep album for over 40 years - to a point where I've something like 7 different pressings of it on vinyl alone.

Which brings us by swift of shore and bend of bay to this fabulous 2CD DELUXE EDITION celebration of "Who's Next" - which only makes me want to wee-wee my initials on even bigger walls. So here are the new bosses, marital bargains and the Baba O'Riley behind those blue eyes...

UK released April 2003 - "Who's Next: Deluxe Edition" by THE WHO on MCA/Chronicles 088 113 056-2 (Barcode 008811305628) is a 2CD Reissue and Remaster that breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (79:30 minutes):

1. Baba O'Riley

2. Bargain

3. Love Ain't For Keeping

4. My Wife

5. The Song Is Over

6. Getting In Tune [Side 2]

7. Gong Mobile

8. Behind Blue Eyes

9. Won't Get Fooled Again

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Who's Next" - their 6th album released August 1971 in the UK on Track Records 2408 102 and Decca DL 79182 in the USA (CD Disc 1 uses the Track logo while Disc 2 uses Decca)

NEW YORK RECORD PLANT SESSIONS - BONUS TRACKS

10. Baby Don't You Do It

A band fave - a cover version of Marvin Gaye's Tamla Hit recorded 16 March 1971 with LESLIE WEST of MOUNTAIN guesting on Guitar - runs to 8:20 minutes

11. Getting in Tune [Previously Unreleased Alternate Version]

12. Pure And Easy

The 'Original Version' recorded 17 and 18 March 1971. A later different version turned up on the 1974 compilation LP "Odds And Sods"

13. Love Ain't For Keeping [Alternate Version recorded 17 March 1971. First appearance was on the extended CD of "Odds And Sods" in 1998

14. Behind Blue Eyes - this 'Original Version' recorded 17 and 18 March 1971 features AL KOOPER on Organ

15. Won't Get Fooled Again [Previously Unreleased] - an early version of the full album version at 8:46 minutes - it features a different synth pattern to the released version

Disc 2 (74:51 minutes):

1. Love Ain't For Keeping

2. Pure And Easy

3. Young Man Blues

4. Time Is Passing

5. Behind Blue Eyes

6. I Don't Even Know Myself

7. Too Much Of Anything

8. Getting in Tune

9. Bargain

10. Water

11. My Generation

12. Road Runner

13. Naked Eye

14. Won't Get Fooled Again

Tracks 1 to 14 are all PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED except for "Naked Eye" which appeared on the 1974 compilation LP "Odds And Sods". All tracks were recorded live 26 April 1971 in front of an invited audience at The Young Vic Theatre in South London. "Young Man Blues" and "Road Runner" are Mose Allison and Bo Diddley cover versions. "I Don't Even Know Myself" turned up in studio form as the non-album B-side to the UK and US 7" single edit of "Won't Get Fooled Again". A studio version of "Water" was eventually released as the non-album B-side to the "Quadrophenia" single "5:15".

The oversized 28-page booklet has an introduction from Pete Townshend about his beloved "Lifehouse" project that eventually became the album, a poster from their concert at London's Rainbow Theatre, period photos of the band in full on-stage flight, an in-depth history by Who expert JOHN ATKINS, track-by-track details and even a photo of KEITH MOON in ladies underwear (an alternate album cover). ANDY MacPHERSON and JON ASTLEY have carried out the remixes and remasters at Close To The Edge and they rock - full of muscle - perfectly capturing the sheer sonic power of the band. Two examples of where this is most evident is the amazing rocking work outs of "Baby Don't You Do It" on Disc 1 and "Water (Live)" on Disc 2 - wow!

While plaudits always go to the cool "Baba O'Riley" opener on Side 1 bookended by the monster Who anthem "Won't Get Fooled Again" playing out Side 2 - I've always loved those album tracks in-between. "Love Ain't For Keeping" and "The Song Is Over" both showed the depth of Townshend's writing and Roger Daltrey's raspy vocals. That same Rock soulfulness permeates both "Getting In Tune" and the ache/anger that runs through "Behind Blue Eyes". And the brass break in John Entwistle's acidic "My Wife" still kicks you in the teeth. Can't really resist the "beep beep!" and brilliant treated guitar on "Going Mobile" either - what an album.

The Live Disc opens with an incendiary take of "Love Ain't For Keeping" with the band sounding confident - ripping into great new material. I like the plaintive "Too Much Of Anything" which features NICKY HOPKINS on piano and the jangly "Naked Eye". It ends on a barnstorming "Won't Get Fooled Again" with the audience left in shock and awe.

"I sing my heart out to the infinite sea..." - Roger Daltrey wails on "The Song Is Over". There's a scene in "The Greater Fool" - Episode 10 in Series One of Aaron Sorkin's brilliant TV Show "The Newsroom". I wrote about it in a book of poems I put out this year called "My Broken Heart (75 Days In The NHS)" about a Quad Bypass I had that took a tad longer than I would have liked. The News Anchorman Will McAvoy (played brilliantly by Jeff Daniels) has tried to commit suicide after a public drubbing and a series of bad events - and he's laid low in a hospital. But his crew from the TV station are with him trying to talk him back to work to report on a story of the Democrats shafting elderly voters out of their voting rights by using 'voter fraud' as an excuse. The opening chords and riff of "Baba O'Riley" by THE WHO begins to play in the background - Will leaps out bed - gotta go back to work - gotta report on this...he's back. I cried my sappy Irish eyes out in my own side room in Whipps Cross Hospital. What other band can elicit this? When you're back's against the wall - can you always rely on The Who?

What is it about this Rock Band that makes so many of us weak at the knees? The sheer British balls-to-the-wall of it all - the life force coursing through their tunes - or is it the uplifting centre that brings you back - again and again. I don't know - but God bless 'em anyway. And here's to 40 more years of naughty boys whizzing all over public structures in our politically correct straightjacket world...

PS: you should buy this reissue...

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