"Deja Vu" by CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG with Dallas Taylor and Nigel Reeves (1994 Atlantic CD Reissue – Joe Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Our House Is A Very Fine House..."

January 2006 saw a superlative 'Expanded & Remastered HDCD Edition' of CSN's monumental 1969 debut – "Crosby, Stills & Young" – but no such luck for the follow-up – the No. 1 album – "Deja Vu".

It seems astonishing that in January 2017 – almost 47 years after this masterpiece was released Stateside in March 1970 (May 1970 in the UK) – that we're essentially left with a Standard CD Remaster from the early 90's and a gatefold slip of paper as an inlay. No extras – no celebration – no annotation of any kind. In fact the one piece of info they do give is 'wrong' – quoting the US album's catalogue number as SD-19118 when that was the 1977 re-issue number – the original was Atlantic SD-7200.

I know that doesn't in any way lessen the achievement of both albums – two melodious Americana masterpieces still casting a harmony-vocal shadow over today's myriad of musical landscapes. I just wish there was more for an album that's been a cornerstone of millions of record collections for closing on 50 years now. Still – let's deal with what we do have. Here are the details (for which I almost cut my hair)...

UK released August 1994 (July 1994 in the USA) – "Deja Vu" by CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG on Atlantic 7567-82649-2 (Barcode 075678264924) is a straightforward 'Digitally Remastered' CD version of the 10-track album from 1970 and pans out as follows (36:31 minutes):

1. Carry On

2. Teach Your Children

3. Almost Cut My Hair

4. Helpless

5. Woodstock

6. Déjà Vu [Side 2]

7. Our House

8. 4 + 20

9. Country Girl: (a) Whiskey Boot Hill (b) Down, Down, Down (c) "Country Girl" (I Think You're Pretty)

10. Everybody I Love You

Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Deja Vu" – released March 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD-7200 and May 1970 in the UK on Atlantic 2401001. It rose to No.1 and No.5 respectively on the US and UK charts. It was first reissued in the UK in March 1972 onto Atlantic K 50001 (with the transfer of Atlantic’s catalogue to Kinney Music). 

"Carry On" and "4 + 20" written by Stephen Stills - "Everybody I Love You" written by Stephen Stills and Neil Young - "Teach Your Children" and "Our House" written by Graham Nash - "Almost Cut My Hair" and "Deja Vu" written by David Crosby - "Helpless" and "Country Girl" written by Neil Young with "Woodstock" being a Joni Mitchell cover version.

The gatefold inlay simply recreates the inner gatefold of the original vinyl LP (same both sides of the pond) – there’s a see-through CD tray with the words 'Digitally Remastered' on the spine and that's it. The good news is obvious the moment you play the CD – a JOE GASTWIRT Remaster from original tapes that rocks – warm, punchy and expressive when it needs to be.

I can remember when I first heard Stills' "Carry On" – the twanging acoustics – the hooky lyrics – but most of all those voices harmonising in a way that blew you out of the water. And the clever changes in tempos. Love is coming to us all indeed. Onwards to the code to live by – the feed them on your dreams "Teach Your Children" – a gorgeous Graham Nash ballad. In the UK the look-at-them-and-sigh "Teach Your Children" (with Gerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead on Steel Guitar) became the fourth 45 around the album when Atlantic paired it with "Deja Vu" on Atlantic 2019 039 in November 1970. David Crosby comes storming in like he’s Neil Young’s angrier brother with "Almost Cut My Hair" examining how peer pressure works and eventually deciding to remain individual – true to himself and let his freak flag fly. Neil decides to tells us in his nasal whine about a town in North Ontario where all his changes were – a place that still leaves shadows on his eyes (gorgeous audio as those voices come in on the chorus). They end Side 1 with a rocked-up version of Joni Mitchell’s peace weekend anthem "Woodstock" – Stills makes it more angry than it should be but I prefer the Matthews Southern Comfort 7" single version that went to No. 1 in the UK in 1970.

John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful contributes a late Harmonica warble to the Side 2 opener "Deja Vu" – another David Crosby winner. As the years pass - I come back to the genius use of guitars, voices and tempo breaks in this superb ‘makes me wonder’ song. And that wall-of-sound that only CSNY make where they sing. “...We have all been here before...” they chant – well yeah – and I’ll want to go back again and again. We go acoustic ethereal with "4 + 20" – a fabulous Stephen Stills tale of troubled souls – why am I so alone. Atlantic put the three-part Neil Young "Country Girl" on the B-side of "Teach The Children" in April 1970 (Atlantic 2091 002) – waitress winking –but the sweet harmony vocals try to warn that there’s no love in the city. What a brilliant song and I love that echoed Harmonica as it crescendos before fading out. The album ends of the Stills/Young rocker "Everybody I Love You" – guitars wailing as they "la la" those harmony vocals. What a record...

We should talk about what’s not here. There's a demo of the "Déjà Vu" classic "Teach Your Children" on the Expanded Edition of "Crosby, Stills & Nash" which would have had an obvious placing here. Fans will know that there is a version of "Almost Cut My Hair" on the 1991 "Carry On" 4CD Box Set by CSNY and a further version on Crosby’s 3CD Anthology from 2006 "Voyage". As well as those there’s the stunning stand-alone 7” single "Ohio" b/w "Find The Cost Of Freedom" – a brilliant two-sider that later turned on the "So Far - Best Of” LP compilation in 1974 – all ideal Bonus Tracks material. Perhaps one day we might get a Deluxe Edition 2CD set covering the event in its entirety – we remain helplessly hoping...

"...A different kind of poverty now upsets my soul... " – Stephen Stills sings on the quietly majestical "4 + 20". I never feel poverty when I listen to them - they've always lifted me up. Embrace the many-coloured beast...as the great man says...

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"Fog On The Tyne" by LINDISFARNE (2004 EMI/Virgin/Charisma 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...We Can Have A Wee-Wee...

We Can Have A Wet On The Wall..."

Before we get into the review - a point of order should you order from any Amazon site. 

Even if you use the right Barcode in the Amazon search bar for the original No. 1 UK LP from 1971 - you're directed to some CD of re-makes with different artwork and 'not' the original band or LP (the usurper artwork has the five of them stood by railings – the original album artwork and CD you need is shown in the pictures provided below). 

The CD Remaster you do want is the official May 2004 CD Reissue on Virgin/Charisma CASCDR 1050 - Barcode 724357990325 only - an 'Expanded Edition' of Lindisfarne's second album "Fog On The Tyne" with two Bonus Tracks added on. You may need to search for it and ask you're online seller to sell you the right issue. 

That said - here are the unclouded technical details for the 2004 Version...

UK released May 2004 - "Fog On The Tyne" by LINDISFARNE on Virgin/Charisma CASCDR 1050 (Barcode 724357990325) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (36:31 minutes):

1. Meet Me On The Corner
2. Alright On The Night
3. Uncle Sam
4. Together Forever
5. January Song
6. Peter Brophy Doesn't Care [Side 2]
7. City Song
8. Passing Ghosts
9. Train In G Major
10. Fog On The Tyne
Tracks 1 to 10 are their 2nd studio album "Fog On The Tyne" - released October 1971 in the UK on Charisma Records CAS 1050 and February 1972 in the USA on Elektra EKS-75021. Produced by BOB JOHNSTON - the album peaked at No. 1 in the UK – didn’t chart USA. "Meet Me On The Corner" and "Train In G Major" written by Rod Clements - "Alright On The Night", "January Song", "Peter Brophy Don't Care" [co-write with Terry Morgan], "City Song", "Passing Ghosts" and "Fog On The Tyne" written by Alan Hull - "Uncle Sam" written by Simon Cowe and "Together Forever" is a Rab Noakes cover version.

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Scotch Mist
12. No Time To Lose
Tracks 11 and 12 are both non-album UK B-sides (B1 and B2) to the February 1972 3-Track 7” Maxi Single for "Meet Me On The Corner" on Charisma CB 173 (peaked at No. 5 on the UK charts). "Scotch Mist" is written by all five band-members - "No Time To Lose" by Alan Hull.

LINDISFARNE was:
RAY JACKSON - Lead Vocals, Mandolin and Harmonica
ALAN HULL - Lead Vocals, Acoustic, 12-String and Electric Guitars and Keyboards
SIMON COWE - Acoustic, 12-String and Electric Guitars, Mandolin and Backing Vocals
ROD CLEMENTS - Bass, Acoustic, 12-String and Electric Guitars and Violin
RAY LAIDLAW - Drums and Percussion

The gatefold slip of paper that acts as an inlay goes no further than offering the original LP artwork - inside and out. The colour photos of our Newcastle heroes lollygagging on a bench outside the salubrious 'Britannia Lodging' are still there - as well as them taking a cuppa inside their 'Tea Rooms'. It's a damn shame Virgin did no more - this was a Number One album fro god's sake and a hugely popular one at that - some hindsight would have been nice - foreign picture sleeves for "Meet Me On The Corner" maybe - but alas. This Virgin/Charisma CD reissue has used the 'Pink Scroll Label' variant of 'The Famous Charisma Label' on the CD aping the appearance of the rare 1st pressing British LP (most copies were represses on the Mad Hatter label variant). Beneath the see-through CD tray is an advert for their debut "Nicely Out Of Tune" from November 1970 and their 3rd album "Dingly Dell" from September 1972 (that CD unfortunately uses different artwork). It's nice to look at but you wish there was more...

By way of compensation however we do get a new KATHY BRYAN CD Remaster done at Abbey Road from real tapes - and man does this thing sound good. Being essentially a Folk-Rock act based around 12-string guitars, mandolins and the occasional sweet Harmonica solo - the music is a dead-ringer for decent remastering and that's indeed what we get. Lindisfarne's sound has echoes of Matthews Southern Comfort, Brinsley Schwarz, Cochise, Fotheringay and even traces of John Martyn and the transfer here is lovely.

As you can see from the detailed credits above - Alan Hull takes the lion's share of songwriting credits - but two of my fave-raves are actually Rod Clements songs - the hugely popular hit single "Meet Me On The Corner" and the Bluesy LP gem "Train In G Major" (he also penned the fabulous "Road To Kingdom Come" on the "Nicely Out Of Tune" LP from 1970). On both tracks Ray Jackson takes lead vocals - Hull laying into stunning piano fills on "Train In G Major" before the band all converge on a boozy barroom rock out. Hull, Jackson and Cowe all share leads on "Alright On The Night" - a take-me-as-I-am Acoustic romp that leads very nicely into Simon Cowe's superb "Uncle Sam" - a strangely pretty song about soldiers press-ganged into fighting. Devious little bugger starts out all strumming sweet - but then jumps into a fantastic band effort anchored by cool piano and harmonica. Their country-comfort-cover of Rab Noakes' "Together Forever" (sung by Jackson) and Hull's own "January Song" (sung by Hull) both feature something that's not praised enough - the England's CSNY sound their harmony vocals added to every track.

Side 2 opens with "Peter Brophy Doesn't Care" - a Hull co-write with Terry Morgan about a monocle-faced man with disdain for all ordinary life. "...I've been too long travelling on your train..." - Hull complains on "City Song" - sick of cold metropolis indifference - longing for the warmth of a garden and children and a lady watching over it all (magical harmonies in this forgotten gem of a song). A huge sound emanates from the walls of acoustics on "Passing Ghosts" – a you-don't-have-to-talk song that finishes with a Bass line that threatens to do for your speaker cones. I'm amazed no one has thought to cover the brill Acoustic Blues of "Train In G Major" – perhaps Marc Cohn when he gets round to his 1971 album of cover version (want a man like me – yes you do Marc with a C). It finishes on the brilliance of Hull's wit where our heroes are sitting in some café 'sucking sickly sausage rolls' contemplating the Dole queue while crooked coffin-makers are trying to be their friend. All this and its time for a slash (adapted lyrics from this song title this review).

As if the album isn't enough – we get two genuinely great Bonus Tracks – the rare non-album B-sides to the "Meet Me On The Corner" single. "Scotch Mist" turns out to be a Mandolin instrumental rave-up where Lindisfarne sounds like Fairport Convention or Horslips having a laugh (the Audio is amazing). But better is the 'time is half-past nine' outtake "No Time To Lose" where you can't help but think this song could easily have made the album.

The equally excellent (and way more political) "Dingly Dell" album followed in September 1972 with their fourth "Roll On, Ruby" in December 1973 – but by such time – few were listening. Charisma issued a Best Of vinyl compilation called "Lindisfarne's Finest Hour" in October 1975 (Charisma CAS 1108) that featured four cuts from the popular "Fog On The Tyne" - while on quitting the band Alan Hull released a couple of quality solo albums - the overlooked "Pipedream" in July 1973 on Charisma CAS 1069 and "Squire" in May 1975 on Warner Brothers K 56121.

But when people think of Lindisfarne – they will inevitably grin from ear-to-ear at the thought of 1971's "Fog On The Tyne" that like The Faces "Ooh La La " album in 1973 and Dr. Feelgood's live set "Stupidity" in 1976 – was an unlikely but entirely justified Number 1 chart topper on the British LP charts.

Despite the passing years and the mist closing in - "Fog On The Tyne" is indeed all yours - still there - tugging on your heart strings again. Now if you can only nail down the right friggin CD reissue...elusive little bleeder...wee-weeing on walls somewhere...

"Get A Whiff A This" by JUICY LUCY (2013 Esoteric Recordings Reissue - Paschal Byrne CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…They Say Some Day...I Might Be A Star…" 

Back in August 2010 - England's Esoteric Recordings (part of the Cherry Red umbrella of labels) reissued the blistering September 1969 self-titled debut album of JUICY LUCY (only the second LP on the then blossoming Vertigo Records) – alongside their equally good second platter from October 1970 called "Lie Back And Enjoy It" (also on Vertigo) – both with cool bonus tracks and newly Remastered audio.

But it's taken three more years for fans to see their much-less favoured third album on Bronze Records (distributed by Island hence the ILPS catalogue number) to emerge on a Remastered CD (alas minus bonus tracks) – the pongtastic cartoon-covered "Get A Whiff A This" from June 1971. Here are the Odorono details...

UK released 23 April 2013 – "Get A Whiff A This" by JUICY LUCY on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC2389 (Barcode 5013929438941) is a straightforward CD Remaster of their 9-track 3rd album from June 1971 and plays out as follows (35:18 minutes):

1. Mr. Skin

2. Midnight Sun

3. Midnight Rider

4. Harvest

5. Mr. A. Jones

6. Sunday Morning [Side 2]

7. Big Lil

8. Jessica

9. Future Days

Tracks 1 to 9 are their third studio album "Get A Whiff A This" - released June 1971 in the UK on Bronze Records ILPS 9157 and September 1971 in the USA on Atco Records SD 33-367. Produced by NIGEL THOMAS and JUICY LUCY – it didn't chart in either country.

JUICY LUCY was:

PAUL WILLIAMS - Lead Vocals [ex Zoot Money’s Big Band]

CHRIS MERCER – Saxophone, Piano and Organ [ex John Mayall's Bluesbreakers]

MICKY MOODY – Lead Guitars [ex Tramline, Mike Cotton Sound - later with Snafu, Whitesnake and duet work with Paul Williams]

GLENN (ROSS) CAMPBELL – Steel Guitar [ex The Misunderstood]

JIM LEVERTON – Bass

ROD COOMBES - Drums

The 8-page booklet features new liner notes from noted writer and music-buff MALCOLM DOME (reissue coordinated by Mark Powell) with the text done in the same style handwriting as the original 1973 LP sleeve (a nice touch). Original band member Paul Williams gives insights into the chaos and pressure that surrounded them at the time. There are two trade adverts for the album and reproductions of the Campbell cartoons that made up the single-sleeved original LP. The CD label apes the Juicy Lucy band logo as per the original artwork and beneath the see-through CD tray is an inlay with (not surprisingly) adverts for the two previous CD reissues on Esoteric. But the best news is the spiffing audio...

Boasting a new 24-bit remaster done in 2013 by BEN WISEMAN at Audio Archiving in London - it's also available digitally at www.losttunes.com. Like Esoteric's 2010 CD reissues of "Juicy Lucy" and "Lie Back And Enjoy It" - the audio quality is incredibly clean and crisp, full of power and a massive improvement over what I had before - a really great job done. With its artwork and see-through tray - it's a nice-looking reissue too. To the music...

"Get A Whiff A This" is the kind of difficult third album that's long forgotten - and unfortunately it's very easy to hear why. To start with it's stylistically all over the place. Steve Ellis had just left the line up to join Boxer - replaced by Jim Leverton on Bass from Noel Redding's Fat Mattress. Lead singer Paul Williams was on his 2nd Juicy Lucy LP ("Lie Back And Enjoy It" was his first) – and the presence of ace-axeman Glenn Ross Campbell who did the stunning "Who Do You Love" took a Pedal Steel backseat to the Lead Guitar of Micky Moody – later of course with Snafu, Nazareth and Whitesnake.

Heavily influenced by American bands like The Allman Brothers and Spirit – Juicy Lucy seemed to lose songwriting focus and produced a 9-track mishmash of ok cover versions alongside six all-genre originals. It isn't Blues Rock – it isn't quite Country Rock either – although "Big Lil" has fab Bluesy axework in it and the band's own "Jessica" actually sounds like The Allman Brothers who of course had a song of the same name on their "Brothers And Sisters" LP (the theme music to "Top Gear" for years). Unfortunately Juicy Lucy's "Jessica" isn't a cool instrumental but a sliding Dobro/Electric guitar that thinks its Elvin Bishop. Speaking of iconic American bands - "Midnight Rider" is a cover of The Allman Brothers classic that's good but hardly deviates from the original's sound so what's the point. "Mr. Skin" appeared on Spirit's brilliant "Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus" album in November 1970 on Epic Records and again I can see what drew the British band to it – a funky cool tune with great lyrics. Juicy Lucy's version is spirited (if you'll forgive the pun) but it feels more like an interesting B-side rather than a track that leads off Side 1 on your new album.

At last things start cooking with Paul Williams' hard-hitting "Midnight Sun" - a heartfelt rocker about Vietnam and the appalling waste of life taking place there on both sides of the political divide (how to kill a man a thousand miles away). They then take Bobby Darin's obscure "Harvest" and Funky-Rock its ass producing a very cool groove. The superb acoustic ballad "Mr. A. Jones" feels like Paul Williams has been channeling Rod Stewart's "Gasoline Alley" and "Later That Same Year" by Matthews Southern Comfort from 1970 and winning (lovely audio too). But Side 2's "Sunday Morning" and "Future Days" are countrified ballads that sound like a mellow Frankie Miller chilling in the studio before he gets back to his real job of being a proper Rock 'n' Roll singer. Unlike their signature sound of old – both songs feel like a band at odds with their public identity. You long for these tunes to ignite but like too much of the album - they steadfastly refuse to do so. Williams admits in Malcolm Dome's excellent liner notes that in hindsight the LP needed much more work – but they were under pressure to deliver between tours.

Re-listening to "Get A Whiff A This" now in 2017 (46 years after the event) – it's hardly surprising that despite its tactile stippled-effect cover and its schoolboy title (a joke Glenn Ross Campbell came up with it) – the 1971 album made no commercial impact at the time (or subsequently) and that’s because it just didn’t have memorable enough tunes to bother anyone (let alone a hooky single).

After the resounding commercial failure of LP No. 3 - the line-up would fracture yet again (four exited) with only Paul Williams and Micky Moody left to record 1972’s "Pieces" on Polydor Records – their fourth and last studio album. But – and I stress this - there are some Seventies bands I go dolally over and JUICY LUCY is one of them. And although some of the tracks on here don't quite live up to the image and promise of the elaborate sleeve - there's still magic in them dar slides – and the Audio is toppermost.

So despite the album's shortcomings - I'll return to this underrated band and record more often than not. I won't be getting sniffy about this one...

PS: I've also reviewed the 2010 Esoteric Recordings CD Remasters of their debut "Juicy Lucy" from 1969 and the follow-up from 1970 "Lie Back And Enjoy It" – both 'Expanded Editions' with new annotation (see separate reviews)...

"Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow - A Creamed Cage In August" by T.REX (2002 Edsel 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Change Is Coming..."

The typically space cadet entitled "Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow - A Creamed Cage In August" is not one of Marc Bolan's most popular T.REX albums for sure (it peaked at No. 12 in March 1974 on release). It isn't even that well remembered as a classic either truth be told (except amongst fans).

But as ever - Edsel of the UK have done his recorded legacy proud with this 2CD overhaul. You get the original 1974 LP Remastered, important non-album singles that surrounded it and a slew of worthy Bonus Tracks in the shape of an 'Alternative' album called 'Change' (all 13 cuts), working versions of all the single sides and solo Acoustic Demos too. All in all – the whole caboodle is very good value for money. Here are the unhidden details...

UK released August 2002 (reissued in 2007 and 2014) – "Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow – A Creamed Cage In August" by T.REX on Edsel MEDCD 717 (Barcode 740155171728) is a 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' of Remasters and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (60:58 minutes):

1. Venus Loon

2. Sound Pit

3. Explosive Mouth

4. Galaxy

5. Change

6. Nameless Wildness

7. Teenage Dream

8. Liquid Gang

9. Carsmile Smith And The Old One

10. You've Got To Jive To Stay Alive – Spanish Midnight

11. Interstellar Soul

12. Painless Persuasion v. The Meathawk Immaculate

13. The Avengers (Superbad)

14. The Leopards Featuring Gardenia & The Mighty Slug

Tracks 1 to 14 are the album "Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow - A Creamed Cage In August" – originally released 1 February 1974 in the UK on EMI Records BLN 7751.

EXTENDED PLAY (five non-album single sides):

15. The Groover

16. Midnight – Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B-sides of a June 1973 UK 7" single on EMI/T.Rex Wax Co. Label MARC 5

17. Truck On (Tyke)

18. Sitting Here – Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of a November 1973 UK 7" single on EMI/T.Rex Wax Co. Label MARC 6

19. Satisfaction Pony – Track 19 is a January 1974 UK 7" single on EMI/T.Rex Wax Co. Label MARC 7 – the non-album B-side to "Teenage Dream"

Disc 2 (61:52 minutes):

1. Venus Loon

2. Sound Pit (Parts 1 & 2)

3. Explosive Mouth

4. Galaxy

5. Change (Signs)

6. Nameless Wildness

7. Teenage Dream

8. Liquid Gang

9. Carsmile Smith And The Old One

10. Spanish Midnight

11. Painless Persuasion v. The Meathawk Immaculate

12. The Avengers (Superbad)

13. The Leopards Featuring Gardenia & The Mighty Slug

Tracks 1 to 13 are "The Alternate Zinc Alloy ('Change')" – studio rough mixes of every track.

EXTENDED PLAY (All Working Versions of the Five Single-Sides on Disc 1):

14. The Groover

15. Midnight

16. Truck On (Tyke)

17. Sitting There (Sitting Here)

18. Satisfaction Pony

BONUS ACOUSTIC DEMOS:

19. Nameless Wildness

20. Carsmile Smith & The Old One (Solo)

21. Carsmile Smith & The Old One (with Organ)

22. Painless Persuasion v. The Meathawk Immaculate

23. The Avengers (Superbad)

24. The Leopards Featuring Geraldine & The Mighty Slug

The three-way fold-out digipak is pretty – alternate artwork on the inner flaps – press adverts and promo stuff beneath the two see-through CD trays - detailed 16-page liner notes by T.Rex/Marc Bolan expert MARK PAYTRESS – lyrics – and both CDs carrying the T.Rex Wax Co. 7" single Logo which on this reissue is blackened to resemble the sleeve instead of the usual blue and red colouring (I remember for all those 45s we used to grab in Woolworths with the excitement of buying the next Beatles seven). The remasters are fabulous too – full of power and muscle – giving tracks like the electric strum of "Change" and the chugging rock boogie/drums of "Explosive Mouth" huge presence. But in truth I wish I could get more excited about the album in general…

I remember to this day the disappointment of "Truck On (Tyke)" – the first T.REX 7" single to sound average – like Bolan was treading water. And for me the LP “Zinc Alloy…” that followed amounted to the same. What was so exciting between 1971 and 1973 now sounded so utterly dated and forced by 1974. There are magic moments for sure like the funky boogie of "Nameless Wildness" and the opening guitar chug of "Venus Loon" where the groove is still good – but much of the rest sounds forced and massively over-produced with screaming girly voices and strings. There's a general feeling of 'uninspired' about the whole record I thought. Having said that the extras are more than just interesting - giving you a fascinating insight into his work process (there's a lovely intimacy to those Acoustic Demos especially).

Not one of his greatest albums for me then but if you're a fan there's the beefy remastered sound – quality presentation - and a reasonable price tag for a 2CD Deluxe Edition. Meathawk Immaculate indeed...

"Gold" by TRAFFIC [feat Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Dave Mason] (2005 Universal 2CD Definitive Collection Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…If You See Something That Looks Like A Star…"

At last count - I numbered way over 50 artists across Universal’s vast catalogue given the 2CD “Gold” treatment (sometimes also known as a “Definitive Edition”). But with the artwork for these digitally remastered two-disc retrospective sets being so uninspiring and uninformative (a track list on the rear with bugger all else by way of detail) – many simply go unnoticed – languishing around in digital warehouses unwashed and unloved. But that isn’t to say there isn’t a deal for a buyer to be had…

Amidst their hidden gems - STEPPENWOLF and THE CRUSADERS are two "Gold" editions that jump to mind (I’ve reviewed and raved about both - amazing content as well as quality remastered sound). Well here comes another – the TRAFFIC instalment.

As you can see from the detailed lists below – you get great choices (and lots of them) and best of all (only credited on the inside booklet) - superb ELLEN FITTON mastering. Fitton is a name I’ve sung the praises of before – she mastered all of the extraordinary “Complete Tamla Motown Singles” book collections (75 discs across 14 volumes, 1847 tracks) and has also had a hand in large swaths of Hip-O Select reissues. Her work here is the same. So here are the smiling phases, paper suns and high-heeled boys with low sparks…

Released September 2005 – "Gold" by TRAFFIC on Universal/Island 0602498312070 (Barcode 602498312070) is a 2CD retrospective that breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (79:49 minutes):

1. Paper Sun

2. Dealer

3. Coloured Rain

4. Hole In My Shoe

5. No Face, No Name, No Number

6. Heaven Is In Your Mind

7. Smiling Phases

8. Dear Mr. Fantasy

Tracks 1 to 8 are from their debut album “Mr. Fantasy” – released December 1967 in the UK on Island ILPS 9061 [Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the British LP] and April 1968 in the USA as “Heaven Is In Your Mind” on United Artists UAS 6651 (Stereo) [Tracks 1 to 8 on the US LP – retitled “Mr. Fantasy on 2nd pressings].

9. You Can All Join In

10. Pearly Queen

11. Feelin’ Alright

12. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring

13. Forty Thousand Headmen

Tracks 9 to 13 are from their 2nd album “Traffic” – released October 1968 in the UK on Island ILPS 9081 and in the USA on United Artists UAS 6676 (Stereo)

14. Shanghai Noodle Factory

15. Medicated Goo

Tracks 14 and 15 are form their 3rd album “Last Exit” – released May 1969 in the UK on Island ILPS 9097 and in the USA on United Artists UAS 6702 (Stereo)

16. Glad

17. Freedom Rider

18. Empty Pages

19. John Barleycorn

Tracks 16 to 19 are from their 4th album “John Barleycorn Must Die” – released July 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9116 and in the USA on United Artists UAS 5504 (Stereo)

Disc (78:44 minutes):

1. Gimme Some Lovin’ (Live) – from the live album “Welcome To The Canteen” - released September 1971 in the UK on Island ILPS 9166 and in the USA on United Artists UAS 5550

2. Low Spark Of The High-Heeled Boys

3. Light Up And Leave Me Alone

4. Rock & Roll Stew

5. Rainmaker

Tracks 2 to 5 are from their 5th studio album “The Low Spark Of The High-Heeled Boys” – released November 1971 in the UK on Island ILPS 9180 and in the USA on Island SW 9306

6. Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory

7. (Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired

Tracks 6 and 7 are from their 6th studio album “Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory” – released January 1973 in the UK on Island ILPS 9224 and in the USA on Island SW 9323

8. Something New

9. Dream Gerrard

10. Walking In The Wind

11. When The Eagle Flies

Tracks 8 to 11 are from their 7th and last studio album “When The Eagle Flies” – released November 1973 in the UK on Island ILPS 9273 and in the USA on Asylum 7E-1020

The 20-page booklet is unexpectedly substantial – cool photos, an essay on the band by SCOTT SCHNIDER and detailed reissue credits at the rear. And that superb remastered sound too…

To this day tracks like “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and Dave Mason’s wonderful “Feelin’ Alright” (covered by Joe Cocker, Grand Funk Railroad, Lulu and Three Dog Night within a few years of its release) still send me. There’s fantastic audio punch on “Medicated Goo” ("freaky Freddie!”) and Island Records literally named their budget label sampler LP after the “You Can All Join In” track on the 2nd LP. The opening instrumental “Glad” on “John Barleycorn Must Die” always sounded to me like Soul Rock or even Fusion before such a phrase was even coined – brilliant stuff.

The stunning eleven and half minutes of “Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys” where Winwood cruises through this almost hypnotic groove still sounds unbelievably modern – I love it (lyrics above). For sure things began to taper off towards the bands last few albums - but I still feel there’s soulfulness in the Winwood/Capaldi slowy “(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired”. The eleven-minute “Dream Gerrard” (a co-write with Vivian Stanshall) has a good groove too - as does “Walking In The Wind” (another Capaldi co-write with Steve Winwood). All this and “Paper Sun”, “Smiling Phases” and the hippy sitar of “Hole In My Shoe”! Will we ever see their like again? I doubt it…

With generous playing times on both discs (a half-decent booklet too), top quality sound and an online price tag that is often below three pounds (three quid for God's sake!) - you’re getting a whole lot of bang for your buck here. Way to go…