"In Search Of Amelia Earhart" by PLAINSONG featuring IAN MATTHEWS and ANDY ROBERTS (2005 Water Records 2CD 'Expanded Edition' Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...First Lady Of The Air..."

Between 1969 and 1972 - both singer-songwriters IAN MATTHEWS (of Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort) and ANDY ROBERTS (of The Scaffold, Liverpool Scene and Everyone) were busy boys. Between them I calculate they'd recorded nearly 20 albums before they finally amalgamated with Keyboard and Bassist Dave Richards (of The Scaffold, P.C. Kent and Everyone) and the American Guitarist Bob Ronga to form the short-lived but hugely revered PLAINSONG (signed to Elektra Records).

Plainsong's tenure lasted a year - 1972 to be exact before differences parted them and Matthews went to the USA again to re-engage his solo career. The four-piece British band formed out of a mutual appreciation for Folk-Rock, Country-Rock and Americana – quickly rehearsing and recording their debut album "In Search Of Amelia Earhart" - finally released in October of 1972 with all those musical genres very much in evidence. Very much in the vein of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young vs. America - two superb lead vocalists in Ian Matthews and Andy Roberts bolstered the band’s largely Wall-Of-Acoustic sound. They also put a second unreleased 13-track album in the can - along with BBC sessions, live shows and one-off singles - a tad over 40 recordings in one year (most are on here, not all). 

And that's where this fabulous 2005 American 2CD reissue on the respected Water Records label comes harmonising in. Here are the airborne details...

US released 2 May 2005 - "In Search Of Amelia Earhart" by PLAINSONG (featuring Ian Matthews and Andy Roberts) on Water Records WATER 149 (Barcode 646315714920) is a 2CD ‘Expanded Edition’ Reissue of their lone 11-Track 1972 album on Elektra Records. It also includes the unreleased 13-track 2nd album entitled "Now We Are 3" along with outtakes, live recordings and stand-alone singles sides. It breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (65:13 minutes):

1. For The Second Time [Side 1]

2. Yo Yo Man

3. Louise

4. Call The Tune

5. Diesel On My Tail

6. Amelia Earhart's Last Flight [Side 2]

7. I'll Fly Away

8. True Story Of Amelia Earhart

9. Even The Guiding Light

10. Side Roads

11. Raider

Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "In Search Of Amelia Earhart" - released October 1972 in the UK on Elektra K 42120 and October 1972 in the USA on Elektra EKS 75044. Produced by SANDY ROBERTSON (Engineer Jerry Boys) - it didn't chart in either country.

RADIO SESSIONS:

12. Seeds And Stems

13. Tigers Will Survive

14. Spanish Guitar

15. Time Between

16. Truck Driving Man

17. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

18. Wreck Of The Old 97

19. I'll Fly Away (Pre-First album Demo - Acapella Version)

PLAINSONG was:

IAN MATTHEWS - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar and Percussion

ANDY ROBERTS - Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Dulcimer and Kriwaczek String Organ

BOB RONGA - 6 and12-String Acoustic Guitars

DAVID RICHARDS - Bass and Piano

with

Timi Donald - Drums (except on "Call The Tune" - Dave Mattacks)

Martin Jenkins - Mandocello on "Diesel On My Tail" and "Raider"

Disc 2 (78:45 minutes):

"Now We Are 3" - Previously Unreleased Second Album

1. Old Man At The Mill [Side 1]

2. Urban Cowboy

3. The Fault

4. Swinging Doors

5. Keep On Sailing

6. Miss The Mississippi

7. Home [Side 2]

8. First Girl I Loved

9. Save Your Sorrows

10. Nobody Eats At Linebaugh's Any More

11. The Goodnight Lovin' Trail

12. All Around My Grandmother's Floor

13. That's All It Could Amount To

Tracks 3, 5, 7, 9 and 13 written by Ian Matthews - Tracks 2 and 12 written by Andy Roberts - all others are cover versions. "Old Man At The Mill" is a Traditional arranged by Plainsong, "Swinging Doors" is a Merle Haggard cover, "Miss The Mississippi" is a Jimmy Rogers cover, "First Girl I Loved" and "Nobody Eats At Linebaugh's Any More" are both John Hartford covers and "The Goodnight Lovin' Trail" is a Bruce Utah Phillips cover.

PLAINSONG was:

IAN MATTHEWS - Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar

ANDY ROBERTS - Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars and Dulcimer

DAVID RICHARDS - Bass and Piano 

TIMI DONALD - Drums and Percussion

with

Steve Ashley - Harmonica on "The Goodnight Lovin' Trail"

Ray Warleigh - Tenor Saxophone on "The Fault" and "Keep On Sailing"

B.J. Cole - Pedal Steel Guitar on "Urban Cowboy" and "Keep On Sailing" - Dobro on "Miss The Mississippi" and "Nobody Eats At Linebaugh's Any More"

Harry Robinson - String Arrangements on "First Girl I Loved" 

LIVE RECORDINGS 

14. Amelia Earhart's Last Flight 

15. Any Day Woman

16. Poor Ditching Boy

17. Even The Guiding Light

18. True Story Of Amelia Earhart

19. Raider

20. Miss The Mississippi

PLAINSONG Live was:

Same line-up as "Now We Are 3" LP

Added Bob Ronga on 12-String Acoustic Guitar and Roger Swallow replaced Timi Donald on Drums

SINGLES:

21. Along Comes Mary

22. Even The Guiding Light (Single Version)

Dave Mattacks – Drums on Track 21 – Timi Donald on Track 22

Track 21 is a Tandyn Almer song - a cover of The Association's hit in 1966 on Valiant Records

Track 22 is a radical re-recording of the "Earhart" album track with only Andy Roberts on Lead Vocals and is edited to 3:15 minutes in length.

The louder and more Produced album version has both Ian Matthews and Andy Roberts on combined Harmony Vocals and runs to 4:12 minutes

Although the sepia-tinted 20-page booklet is a pretty thing to look at - when you go deeper - it's actually frustratingly vague on key issues and moments. The interview between Pat Thomas and Ian Matthews that makes up the bulk of the text is enlightening in some places - but you feel it concentrates on what happened to Matthews and Plainsong 'after' the album too much - acrimonious splits only to be re-united in the 90s to a point where there appears to be a Plainsong still technically operating to this day. I say this because the album's release date is not here, catalogue number, no discussion on where it was recorded, how, who did what - no pictures of the sevens Elektra tried in the UK and USA - no discussion of the BBC stuff - the stand-alone singles – no dates as to when they were recorded or by whom. There is zero discussion as to why the superb second album remained unreleased (the title probably reflects Bon Ronga leaving the original four-piece – hence "Now We Are 3"). Without sounding glib here - you'll probably learn more from my review than you will from the booklet. What you do get is the artwork of the gorgeous gatefold sleeve of the original 1972 album with the 'In Search Of Amelia Earhart' Fred Goerner story reproduced - live photos of the boys with Acoustic Guitars - a foreign tour poster for a gig on the 31 March 1972 (I think its Holland) and the usual re-issue credits at the rear (basic info though, no recording dates).

GARY HOBISH carried out the remasters and these CDs sound fab – really lovely - especially the two sweetly produced studio albums. Even though the Live Sessions (BBC shows in 1972) are a little below audio par - don't take that as a turn-off. They're full of atmosphere and actually show what an awesome thing Plainsong was in the live environment and make you wish they'd gotten that second album out because it's clear something special was going on here (and the audience knows it). This 2CD set isn't everything Plainsong recorded and doesn't claim to be (there are exclusives on the Band Of Joy "On Air" CD reissue from 1992 and the Taxim Records CD compilation "And That's That – The Demos" from the same year. But across 41 tracks – this wonderful release hardly puts an audio foot wrong. To the music...

In his interview with Pat Thomas – Matthews is almost like a cranky child as he describes his annoyance that the album and its specific artwork got somehow taken for a ‘concept’. The intriguing 'was she a hero/was she a government spy' story of Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappearing in July 1937 was only sung of in two songs – the rest independent of that theme. Yet people mistook Plainsong which I suspect may have done for it sales wise. With regard to the charismatic Earhart – America’s first lady of the air – the jury is still out. Somewhere between New Guinea and Howland Isle and the 2556 miles in-between - lies the truth.

The album "In Search Of Amelia Earhart" opens its Country-Rock, Folk-Rock and Americana credentials with a Matthews original - the melodic "For The Second Time".  A friend had seen our Ian through the night - twinned guitars humming his pain like America meets The Eagles (the Remaster is gorgeous). "Yo Yo Man" is a Rick Cunha/Martin Cooper song that first appeared on the 1971 Mason Williams album "Sharepickers" credited as "I'm A Yo Yo Man". You notice the Lead Vocals have changed from Ian to Andy Roberts with Ian harmonising when it's needed. Elektra obviously thought the funky wah-wah Tony Joe White guitar might give the song some legs because they issued it in November 1972 on Elektra EK-45821 with Side 2's "Side Roads" on the flipside - but it didn't ignite. Inexplicably - and especially given the sheer array of musicality on display here - it was the only US 45 from the album. In Blighty however Elektra UK tried a Promo 7" Threesome Maxi-Single issuing "Even In The Guiding Light" as the A-side to October 1972's Elektra SAM 8. The other two artists were Mickey Newbury and Harry Chapin and the release was plugging their appearance as a package bill at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall on the 20th of that month. What eagle-eyed collectors noticed from the Butterfly label was that the 7" single variant was 3:15 minutes while the album cuts runs to a full 4:12 minutes. What it didn't say was that the recording was a re-make with Andy Roberts only on Lead Vocals as opposed to the two voices harmonising on the LP cut. Although the album version is better produced - I can more than understand why the re-recording was done - the single voice suddenly giving the song the focus and oomph it needed. It was obviously being lined-up for 45 number 2 - but not officially released. Shame because it's got great guitar work and a hooky nature.

Plainsong then takes on another obvious musical influence - Elektra's Paul Siebel and his "Louise" - a song covered by a diverse number of artists including Leo Kottke and Willy DeVille. Listening to the truly pretty "Side Roads" - I'm reminded so much of Smith Perkins Smith and their only self-titled album on Island Records from 1972 - those same cool-as-a-breeze CSYN vocals floating over beautifully recorded acoustic instruments. The "Earhart" album ends on another cult tune (Matthews has a knack for picking them) - "Raider" from the 1969 "Farewell Alderbaran" album by Blues Belter Judy Henske and Modern Jazz Quartet's/Lovin' Spoonful's Jerry Yester – an acquired taste over on Zappa's Straight Records. I've heard so many versions of their "Raider" song (the kind of tune that's always being covered) - but Plainsong's nearest comparison would be Fairport Convention circa "Liege & Leaf" with Andy Roberts on Vocals instead of Richard Thompson. Other nuggets include Matthews beautiful and lilting "Call The Tune" (would have chosen this as the lead-off 45) and their cover of the Carter Family associated traditional "I'll Fly Away" (most will probably know the melody from the Coen's movie "O, Brother Where Art Thou?" where it was heavily featured).

The Radio Sessions portion of Disc 1 opens with a George Frayne and Billy Farlow song from the Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen debut album "Lost In The Ozone" on Paramount Records in 1971 - "Seeds And Stems". The wall of acoustic guitars comes with top in-the-studio production values as do the covers of Gene Clark's "Spanish Guitar", Chris Hillman's "Time Between", Terry Fell's "Truck Driving Man" and that old Hank Williams perennial "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". On these 'Radio Sessions" - Plainsong sound like a mellow James Taylor or Matthews Southern Comfort having a chill out and a laugh. And the Acapella version of "I'll Fly Away" is fantastic - showing the band's amazing vocal chops - pure melody and a wonderful end to Disc 1. 

I’m kind of taken aback by the strength of the unreleased album "Now We Are 3" that in my humble opinion was lining up to be better than the revered debut. They’d worked out that the Ian Matthews first song – followed by Andy Roberts on the next one – worked. Even their Country cover of Merle Haggard’s "Swing Doors" rocks – a witty take on the end of a relationship (you can find him with a neon sign, a bar stool and a late closing time). The two John Hartford songs are superb too - "First Girl I Loved" and the nostalgic "Nobody Eats At Linebaugh’s Any More" while B.J. Coles adds hugely to four songs – two with his distinctive Pedal Steel Guitar and the others with cool Dobro picking. Love that Dulcimer sound too on "Old Man At The Mill" – so Lindisfarne in its own way.

I could go on – but enough is enough. This is a superlative 2CD set making available again music that shouldn’t have gotten lost in boxes of tapes and public misconception.

"...All these chiefs...running out of braves..." – the boys sing on "Even The Guided Light". Don’t let this winner get away from you this time... 

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"Sail Away" by RANDY NEWMAN (May 2002 Rhino/Reprise 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue - Dan Hersch Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Drop The Big One Now!"

While Randy Newman is a musical household name in 2017 - especially with his glorious Oscar-winning Soundtrack work on beloved Pixar films like "Toy Story", "Monsters Inc." and more - back in 1972 when he was onto his 4th solo LP for Reprise Records (3rd studio set) - and despite huge industry wide critical acclaim - he couldn't get arrested by the buying public even if he did insult short people or rail against the tyranny of religious zealots.

Originally released in May 1972 - the American vinyl LP of Reprise MS 2064 was not only ignored but even derided in some sectors - something Newman alludes to and smirks at in the caustic liner notes that accompany this stunning 2002 Rhino CD reissue. 

Because of course history tells us a different story to the chart indifference he suffered then - "Sail Away" is a great album - a masterpiece really - and an early jewel in a very large and long career arc. He is also helped by an impressive array of session players - Ry Cooder, Chris Etheridge of The Flying Burrito Brothers, Jimmy Bond, Wilton Felder of The Crusaders and Milt Holland to name but a few (Randy plays piano and sings). It's lonely at the top indeed. Here are the memos from Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Bear...

UK released May 2002 - "Sail Away" by RANDY NEWMAN on Rhino/Reprise 8122-78244-2 (Barcode 081227824426) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of the 12-Track 1972 LP with Five Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (41:51 minutes):

1. Sail Away [Side 1]

2. Lonely At The Top

3. He Gives Us All His Love

4. Last Night I Had A Dream

5. Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear

6. Old Man

7. Political Science [Side 2]

8. Burn On

9. Memo To My Son

10. Dayton, Ohio - 1903

11. You Can Leave Your Hat On

12. God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 4th album "Sail Away" (3rd studio set) - released May 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2064 and July 1972 in the UK on Reprise K 44185.

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased):

13. Let It Shine

14. Maybe I'm Doing It Wrong (Studio Version)

15. Dayton, Ohio - 1903 (Early Version)

16. You Can Leave Your Hat On (Demo)

17. Sail Away (Early Version)

The 20-page booklet is a pleasingly in-depth affair with a Page 3 introduction from the great songsmith himself and a further essay/assessment pleasantly called "Of Freaks, Geeks, And God" by Editor of the Rolling Stone – DAVID WILD. There is even some personalized notes on the five Previously Unreleased outtakes and how pleased Randy is with the sound of the new Remaster carried out by long-time Rhino Records Audio Engineer associate - DAN HERSCH. This is a gorgeous sounding CD reissue - warm and full - as this quietly subdued album has always cried out for.

"...In America you get food to eat...Won't have to run through the jungle and scuff up your feet...You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day..." You can't really imagine (even now) the impact those opening lyrics to "Sail Away". Firstly very few artists would have risked them. Newman isn't casually slagging off America or taking a cheap shot - but he is highlighting hypocrisies and attacking homegrown racists and their simplistic crap all in the same song. The fact that he does all this inside a haunting melody (orchestration conducted by Louis Kauffman) is all the more remarkable. Newman then digs at his own supposed Rock Star lifestyle in "Lonely At The Top" - the applause - the money – the after parties. The song was used as a title to a CD Best Of for Warner Brothers in 1987 remastered by Lee Herschberg – a disc I bought back in early days of reissue.

An uncaring God and our blind allegiance to pie-in-the-sky indoctrination crops up in the sly and disturbing "He Gives Us All His Love". The distinctive rattle of Ry Cooder's slide guitar strings comes slinking in on "Last Night I Had A Dream" – a song I only half like actually. Speaking of which - his Alan Price hit "Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear" dates back to the Sixties and put RN on the songwriting map. But again - I've always admired the song more than I actually liked it. "Old Man" is one of the saddest melodies on the album - a tearful farewell by a son to his father - a Dad he clearly dislikes and loves in equal measure.

Side 2 gives us the masterful "Political Science" - a song with lyrics that inspire awe and giggles even now – a full 45 years after they were released. The protagonist singer tells of American Generals and Politicians weary of trying to be nice to the world – why bother man - they hate all Americans anyhow. So to Hell with them all and let's drop the big one now (not on Australia though - don't want to hurt no Kangaroo - besides they've got surfing and good weather too). "Burn On" is one of the album's secret nuggets - a river in Cleveland suddenly containing magical qualities as a red moon of fire rises in the distance. Understated observation number 424 comes in the shape of "Memo To My Son" - as witty and as wise a love letter from a father to a son as you'll ever hear. Like most young Dads - he's struggling with all the joys and terrors a child brings - but there's a simple love in there that's so touching. In the liner notes Newman's fairly dismissive of "Dayton, Ohio - 1903" but I actually think it's beautiful - a mournful 'missus and me' ballad. The ever so slightly perverse "You Can Leave Your Hat On" tickled many people's fancy (Tom Jones even covered it for "The Full Monty" film) - and it's easy to work out why as it plays - the song is witty, acidic and lusty. Buddhists and Hindus join Catholics and Jews on Satellite TV for the seriously harsh "God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)" – a nonchalant even disinterested Almighty poo-pooing his creation Mankind as they beg for mercy from plagues and suffering.

You can't help thinking that the wonderful outtake "Let It Shine" was left off the album precisely because it is so upbeat and uplifting - not in keeping with the album's overall moody demeanour. But it's a treat to hear it and "Maybe I'm Doing It Wrong" - fully formed songs that actually deserve the moniker 'Bonus'. As I already liked "Dayton, Ohio - 1903" - a pretty 'early version' of it is alright by me. And the early version of the title song is radically different and fascinating for it...

"...I hope people like them this time..." - Randy Newman remarks in the new liner notes (the next LP "Good Ole Boys" from 1974 was also reissued in this CD series) - maybe a little mellowed by the years and distance. I'd agree.

I know RN is not everyone's cup of Darjeeling - but his songmanship and affecting melodies/lyrics warrant your attention – yes even deserve it. And 1972's forgotten and overlooked "Sail Away" album is the perfect starting point...

"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" by AC/DC - 1976 Third Australian Album, 1976 Second UK Album on Atlantic Records (May 2003 UK Epic/Albert Productions 'ConnecteD Technology' Digipak CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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1976

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"...Problem Child..."

Ah the alliterative naughtiness of it all. AC/DC's second British/International LP from late 1976 – the wonderfully titled and delightfully un-PC "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" – has always been something of a guilty pleasure – a record you hid from your conservative parents and unenlightened school pals – a rude and crude immoral little brute of a thing that you boogied to under cover of darkness. You would then carefully dispose of the beer bottles and promptly pray for your sins...neither of which would stop you from doing it all over again at your next earliest convenience...

First however some discography history on the LP and CD's strange musical journey in a whole smorgasbord of territories...

The first two Australian AC/DC albums were released on Albert Productions - "High Voltage" in February 1975 (Albert Productions APLP.009) and "T.N.T." in December 1975 (Albert Productions APLPA.016) – and had radically different track lists to their UK, USA and International issues (and different artwork too). "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" became their third studio album on Albert Productions APLP.020 in their native Oz – released late September 1976 with different artwork and a longer different 9-track track list to its UK and International counterparts. The Australian issue of the LP reads...

1. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap [Side 1]

2. Ain't No Fun (Waiting Around To Be A Millionaire)

3. There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’

4. Problem Child

5. Squealer [Side 2]

6. Big Balls

7. R.I.P. (Rock In Peace)

8. Ride On

9. Jailbreak

The Australian album was not just reconfigured in terms of song-placing – some of the tunes were longer - "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "Big Balls" and "Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to Be A Millionaire)" to be specific. If you want those they’re digitally available in two sources – the 1994 CD remaster of the album and the 2009 Box Set "Backtracks". This 2003 Epic CD reissue is based however on the US, UK and International LP configuration and reverts to the ‘shorter’ versions of the above with only "Big Balls" remaining as the long version (confusing I know).

Duplicates across countries and issues - "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" was their second British LP with the classic Bon Scott line-up (December 1976, Atlantic K 50323) and the only song to be duplicated with the first two Oz albums was "The Rocker" which had originally turned up as Track 2 on Side 2 of "T.N.T.". It’s worth noting that the Oz version of "The Rocker" differs to the UK and International version most of us have grown up with. Fans will also know that the 1976-recorded "Problem Child" from "Dirty Deeds..." was somehow inexplicably slotted in as Track 2 on Side 2 of the American version of the "Let There Be Rock" LP as late as 1977 on Atlantic SD 36151 (we were used to "Crabsody In Blue"). The 2003 CD therefore follows that US line-up - so to this day the track "Crabsody In Blue" remains an LP and CD rarity.

Then there’s the American LP variant of "Dirty Deeds..." It was passed over entirely by Atlantic and remained initially unreleased over there. But after Bon Scott's tragic loss in February 1980 – AC/DC's 1980 platter "Back In Black" with new vocalist Brian Johnson at the helm (ex England's GEIRDIE on EMI Records) became a sales juggernaut shifting five million copies and peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Imports of the 1976 Australian and British LPs of "Dirty Deeds..." began to circulate widely. Coupled with the rabid demand for AC/DC product - April 1981 finally saw "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" released as an LP in America on Atlantic SD 16033 and it rapidly peaked even higher than its more famous chart predecessor - at No. 3. This 2003 Epic CD reissue of "Dirty Deeds..." is based on that release. Now let's get down to this CD's actual digital nitty gritty...

UK released May 2003 - "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" by AC/DC on Epic/Albert Productions 510760 2 (Barcode 5099751076025) is a 9-Track CD reissue and new remaster of the 1981 US and 1976 British LP and plays out as follows (39:59 minutes):

1. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap [Side 1]

2. Love At First Feel

3. Big Balls

4. Rocker

5. Problem Child

6. There's Gonna Be Some Rockin' [Side 2]

7. Ain't No Fun (Waiting Around To Be A Millionaire)

8. Ride On

9. Squealer

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second British album "'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" – released December 1976 in the UK on Atlantic K 50323 and April 1981 in the USA on Atlantic SD 16033.

AC/DC was:

BON SCOTT – Vocals

ANGUS YOUNG – Lead Guitar

MALCOLM YOUNG – Rhythm Guitar

MARK EVANS - Bass

PHIL RUDD – Drums

So what do you get here? This Epic CD 5-track reissue has what they call 'ConnecteD Technology' which allows you to access online content via your computer but I'm buggered if I've ever bothered. The card digipak is the same for all of these reissues - very tasty and tactile. There’s a picture CD to the right (the cover art of blacked out faces) and a 16-page booklet housed on the left in a pocket pouch.

The booklet It's crammed full of period colour photos – fantastic live shots of a hungry 1976 AC/DC line-up wearily suffering another TV interview when they’d rather be lusting after the schoolgirls outside the studio who’d appalled their mums with unladylike tattoos of their favourite band on their nether bits. There’s an advert in Spunky magazine where you can have a chance to ‘win’ an Angus jacket – a rare ticket stub for the Hurtsville Civic Centre in Sydney on their final Oz date before departing for Europe and a two page centre spread of the unique Australian LP cartoon artwork with Angus giving two fingers to the world (his contribution to world peace) while Bon gyrates his crotch over a pool table (nice).

The lyrics to Dirty Deeds are on the inner gatefold beneath a fab set of live black and white shots supplemented beneath the CD see-through tray by a colour snap of Bon facing Angus (both sweating and rocking). The whole thing (along with the famous Hipgnosis artwork) is a bit of a looker and then there’s the monster riffage. The GEORGE MARINO Remaster (done in the USA in conjunction with Mike Fraser, Al Quaglieri and UE Nastas) is from 'original master tapes' and sounds HUGE - fuller than the 1990 remaster I've had for years. Despite their age - tracks like "There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’" and "Ain’t No Fun..." have lost none of their rocking Rock 'n' Roll power. You could argue that the earlier CD remaster with its longer versions should have been fused with bonus tracks like say "Jailbreak" and "R.I.P (Rock In Peace)" from the Australian incarnation of the album – but that’s another reissue battle. Let’s deal with what we do have...

All thoughts of cuddly koalas, environmentally non-violent boomerangs (AC/DC ones are naturally decked out with razor blades) and lyrically warming Laura Ashley quotes on your daily positive-thoughts calendar go out the window with the incredibly filthy riffage and words of the panting title track - "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" followed quickly by the barely legal "Love At First Feel". This is what I never liked about the 80s Johnson line-up of AC/DC – they had lost that impish Rock fun and become a cold Metal band. And of course a lot of that wit is down to the leery wonder that was lead singer Bon Scott – a Scottish reprobate with a bottle of Malt Whiskey in one hand, a Rock voice to die for and a girl’s brazier of dubious vintage in the other. Talking of an opportunist teacher in her high school - Boniface warns “...You want to graduate...but not in his bed...” and then offers a solution to her slighting by proffering his headmaster ‘removal services’ for a reasonable fee (given the circumstances).

"Big Balls" is probably one of their worst moments for me – silly and slightly embarrassing actually. But that minor blip is followed by two absolute barnstormers - the stunning "Rocker" and "Problem Child" – songs that still bring a grin to my mush 41 years after the event. There can’t be too many AC/DC fans that don’t return to these kick-ass moments and they remain staples of the live show to this day. I prefer the Aussie versions in both cases – especially the longer cut of "Problem Child" where it kicks back into that killer riff just when you think the song is done.  The album’s other two secret weapons have to be the fabulous boozy swagger of "There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’" and a rare jaunt into slow Rock Blues with the underrated "Ride On". A great little album then in its own right – "Dirty Deeds..." was also a sonic stepping stone that would be followed in 1977 by the fearsome "Let There Be Rock" LP (see separate review).

It was a long to the top if you wanted to Rock 'n' Roll - but man their climb was filled with magnificence. Break some rocks with the original chain gang folks and bring this saucy little bust-out into your home...

PS: For what it's worth – the following is my ideal 1976 9-track "Dirty Deeds..." LP that mixes up the Aussie and International releases:

Side 1:

1. There's Gonna Be Some Rockin'

2. Love At First Feel

3. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap [Aussie Longer Version]

4. Rocker [Aussie Mix]

5. Problem Child [Aussie Longer Version]

Side 2:

1. Jailbreak

2. Ain't No Fun (Waiting Around To Be A Millionaire) [Aussie Longer Version]

8. R.I.P. (Rock In Peace)

9. Ride On

"The Atlantic Recordings" by LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III (June 2016 Real Gone Music CD Reissue – 2LPs from 1970 and 1971 Remastered onto 1CD Plus One Previously Unreleased Outtake – Dan Hersch Remasters) featuring Kate McGarrigle and Saul Broudy - A Review by Mark Barry...

 This Review Along With 230+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Museum All The Blues Away..."

This CD Reissue contains the two albums 

"Loudon Wainwright III" (August 1970)

and "Album II" (July 1971)

Plus One Bonus Track

Loudon Wainright III's first two bare-bones LPs from 1970 and 1971 made very little impact sales-wise (especially in the UK) - but have ever since remained a cool pool of refreshing water for those who thirst after honest contemporary US Folk with brains, emotional courage and an acidic tongue. But their availability on CD has been problematic for decades…until now…

This stunning relaunch from America's 'Real Gone Music' is a June 2016 single-CD reissue of a mail-order-only website-CD Rhino Handmade put out Stateside in December 1999 - itself a limited edition of 5000 numbered copies. That initial CD pressing sold out almost immediately – as did a short-lived reissue in November 2003 - and both versions have been hard to locate ever since – garnishing high prices in some places too.

Well now along comes Real Gone Music to the rescue of fans by reissuing that collectable at a reasonable cost and still with the great Dan Hersch Remastered Audio and decent liner notes (including the lyrics). Packaging-wise the only difference is that 1999's Rhino Handmade RHM2-7709 (Barcode 081227770921) came in a numbered card-sleeve while this is your basic jewel case (non-numbered).

Essentially what you're getting are his debut LP "Loudon Wainwright III" from August 1970 (USA) and the follow-up "Album II" from July 1971 (both originally on Atlantic Records) - as well as one Previously Unreleased Bonus Track from the "Album II" sessions left off the original LP due to time restrictions. With his razor-sharp wit, strangulated vocal delivery and obvious lyrical prowess - it's hardly surprising too that these 1970 and 1971 recordings of one-man-and-his guitar have been favourably compared to 1962 and 1963 Bob Dylan - LW III simply updating the scenarios to his own Delaware days of sin and redemption. And with a playing time of 78-minutes-plus - you can't argue that "Atlantic Recordings" isn't great value for money too. There's a lot to wade through - so here are the Uptown details and it's time to cook that dinner Dora...

US released 3 June 2016  - "The Atlantic Recordings" by LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III on Real Gone Music RGM-0461 (Barcode 848064004615) offers 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD with One Previously Unreleased Bonus Track that plays outs as follows (78:27 minutes):

1. School Days [Side 1]

2. Hospital Lady

3. Ode To A Pittsburgh

4. Glad To See You've Got Religion

5. Uptown

6. Black Uncle Remus [Side 2]

7. Four Is A Magic Number

8. I Don't Care

9. Central Square Song

10. Movies Are A Mother To Me

11. Bruno's Place

Tracks 1 to 11 are his debut album "Loudon Wainwright III" - released 17 August 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8260 and October 1970 in the UK on Atlantic 2400 103 (reissued in 1973 on Atlantic K 40107). All songs by LW III - produced by LW III and MILTON KRAMER.

12. Me And My Friend The Cat [Side 1]

13. Motel Blues

14. Nice Jewish Girls

15. Be Careful There's A Baby In The House

16. (a) I Know I'm Unhappy (b) Suicide Song (c) Genville Reel

17. Saw Your Name In The Paper

18. Samson And The Warden [Side 2]

19. Plane, Too

20. Cook That Dinner, Dora

21. Old Friend

22. Old Paint

23. Winter Song

Tracks 12 to 23 are his second studio album "Album II" - released 5 July 1971 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8291 and August 1971 in the UK on Atlantic 2400 142 (reissued in 1973 on Atlantic K 40272). All songs by LW III - produced by LW III and MILTON KRAMER. Guests - Kate McGarrigle sings Backing Vocal and Saul Broudy plays Harmonica on "Old Paint" only.

24. Drinking Song

Recorded February 1971 – it was intended to be placed on Side 2 (Track 3) but there was enough room Previously Unreleased Studio Recording Outtake.

The substantial 20-page booklet is entirely US-based with new (November 1999) liner notes entitled "An Unflinching Stare" are a 'reflection' by PETER FALLON on Wainwright's melodic style and blunt-as-a-mallet skill with words. Pages 4 and 5 with Pages 11 and 12 offer full-page plates of both album covers (back and front) - whilst the all-important lyrics are reproduced for both albums (and the lone outtake) for the first time. DAN HERSCH of Rhino fame has handled the tapes and the Remasters are gorgeous - one man and his guitar - clean, atmospheric, vibrant and filling up your room with that air analogue has.

I'm no fool about Wainwright. I saw him live at Ireland's second 'Lisdoonvarna Folk Festival' in 1979 (a headliner) where he promptly slaughtered the crowd one sunny beautiful day. They loved his honesty, sense of humour and 'Rufus The Tit Man' tunes. Wainwright was dragged back to the stage for more - more – more – beaming to the encores that were genuine. But I also had a mate of mine who in early Seventies Dublin couldn't abide the nasal whine of his voice - never mind the often barren-nature of his song-subjects. So instead of guffawing - he'd come out in a rash at the mere mention of LW III's name. Therefore in my book musically both albums would be an acquired taste. But if you do get into his acoustic tales of woe and love (and I know many who have) - you may find yourself studying every chord change and memorising those brilliant lyrics to impress your mates next time you're in that village pub with a roaring fire and a few pints of Dutch courage.

The debut opens with a tale of his Delaware younger days ("School Days") where LW was the James Dean tearaway begged by girls to join them in their boudoirs. Afterward he would pencil his pimple parables riling against those who tried to force their religious moralising down his throat. In "Hospital Song" he is touched by a dying old lady whom he knows was once a pretty young thing in 1953 - but now her new lover is the Reaper waiting with a stone face at the end of the bed (gorgeously simple acoustic melody). Both "Ode To A Pittsburgh" and "Glad To See You Got Religion" start feeling bitter and angry - strumming hard with his machine that kills fascists – raging against people who don’t discharge their creative juices while old LW can’t wait too. All the freaks are freaking him out in "Uptown" - hailing a cab – reading the Allied Chemical News en route – head into the Garden in the rain for some Basketball or maybe Boxing. Many will know the brilliant "Black Uncle Remus" – it’s death-letter-blues, catfish catches and rusted banjo strings turning up on CD compilations that want to impress with their cool.

"Four Is A Magic Number" opens Side 2 of "Loudon Wainwright III" with more acoustic guitar and his desperate Willie Nile voice regaling about a sinking sinner in the gutter. "I Don't Care" has the slow melancholy of say Leo Kottke or even Tim Buckley on a purely Folk tip - bidding his girl goodbye as she heads off to San Francisco for sand-in-the-hair nights on the beach with someone else. Mary McGuire and Big Frank Clark get drunk in "Central Square Song" - their six-pack passion making them act like teenagers – and petulant ones at that. Loudon's love of escape comes roaring out of "Movies Are A Mother To Me" - films on a rainy Tuesday giving him back some sort of recovered sanity. The debut ends on the jaunty "Bruno's Place" where yoga-girls and Swamii-pearls hang out in Bruno's meat-less apartment down on Seventh Street (he trashes his guitar like Richie Havens getting carried away on stage). In truth I don't think Side 2 is as good as Side 1 on the starter album - but LP2 is another matter…

If his undeniable songwriting and social commentary brilliance was gestating on the debut – then for me it explodes into proper magic on "Album II". I like almost every song on it. "Me And My Friend The Cat" and "Motel Blues" open the second LP in grand style - very cool melodies and words. The second Atlantic Records sampler LP "The New Age Of Atlantic" from March 1972 (the British LP was on Atlantic K 20024) gave the song "Motel Blues" from "Album II" a rare plug. The compilers no doubt hoped that lyrics like "...the Styrofoam bucket's full of ice...Come up to my motel room...treat me nice..." would tickle the public's buying fancy (not to be unfortunately). Even better song-wise is "Nice Jewish Girls" where his Episcopalian schooling isn't helping as LW stares at those ladies with surnames like Pearlstein - his Yiddish young-man juices starting to bubble uncontrollably (and not for their skills with a bagel). A newborn bundle of joy is jarring his nerves in "Be Careful There's A Baby In The House" - or is the kid's parents and their smug remarks that are getting on his trupenny bits. More misery follows in the weary and inebriated three-parter "I Know I'm Unhappy..." where our hero rarely makes love but regularly gets laid. Wainwright ends a masterful Side 1 with "Saw Your Name In The Paper" where he's happy for a talented friend from the past but warns that their heroics might induce slavery to something else – becoming a limelight chaser – a junky for fame.

There is a superb simplicity and therefore power to Side 2's "Plane, Too" where he lists the people and things on his flight. They can't get away - can't get out - and as he looks in the 747’s toilet mirror - realises that neither can he. "...Set that place for me...Arm me with utensils..." Wainwright asks of Dora in "Cook That Dinner..." where you suspect that his mealtime might contain something else baked into his cottage pie other than mincemeat.  You wish Wainwright had let both Kate McGarrigle and Saul Broudy onto other tracks – they add hugely to "Old Paint". It ends on a brilliant acoustic melody "Winter Song" and you can so hear why he thought the equally good "Drinking Song" should have been on the album.

In all honesty I'd forgotten about these Loudon Wainwright III records – especially that deeply satisfying second LP. I'm also left with more than a feeling that these 1970 and 1971 Atlantic Records recordings contain overlooked gems that deserve a second-go-round - even if they are a bit misery-guts. And typical of many musicians with a penchant for the neurotic muddle of life and loving – Loudon is a damn good actor too…