"So What" by JOE WALSH (June 2015 US Audio Fidelity SACD Hybrid CD Reissue – Kevin Gray Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry and Comparison to Japanese Remasters...

This Review and 241 More Like It Can Be Found In My AMAZON e-Book 

PICK UP THE PIECES - 1974

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional 

CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45's...

All In-Depth Reviews From The Discs Themselves

Over 2,200 E-Pages

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08CQ7QLV2&asins=B08CQ7QLV2&linkId=4a0921806bfd2d1d5d1a3ee8294a571e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...Open My Eyes Again..."

Originally vinyl released December 1974 in the USA and January 1975 in the UK on Dunhill/ABC Records – Joe Walsh's fabulous "So What" album has had something of a colourful history on CD reissue.

I think this will probably be the fourth time I've reviewed the American guitar hero's third studio album (this issue warrants another go round). But before I get into this lovely-sounding 2015 SACD-Hybrid reissue - some history first with regard to the reissue-audio surrounding this record...

“So What” has been available on a US CD for years but the original issue is an ok-only mid-90's non-remastered bog-standard version with a crap information-less slip of an inlay. And for an audiophile's dream of an album is a huge let down.

Things changed in October 2004 when Japan re-issued "Barnstorm" (1972), "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" (1973) and "So What" (1974) on STANDARD CDs in 24-bit remastered form in full US REPRO MINI LP SLEEVES. As usual with Japanese reissues – the 5” card sleeve repro attention to detail dazzled. The “So What” issue came with its embossed outer and inner sleeves and both Smoker & Barnstorm in their hard-card gatefolds – all very tastefully done. I bought all three at the time and the sound was fabulous - especially on Smoker & So What. 24-bit remastered by HITOSHI TAKIGUCHI in Universal's Mastering Studios - not surprisingly they sold out almost immediately and across the next few years (with no equivalent domestic releases) quickly became very expensive collector's items.

22 April 2009 and all 3 of the above were reissued again in Japan - but now on the SUPER HIGH MATERIALS format (SHM-CD) - "Barnstorm" on Universal UICY-94062 (Barcode 4988005555113), "The Smoker You Get, The Player You Get." on Universal UICY-94063 (Barcode 4988005555120) and "So What" on Universal UICY-94064 (Barcode 4988005555137). There was also an additional title not in the original list - his 4th album - the 1976 live set "You Can't Always Argue With A Sick Mind" on Universal UICY-94065 (Barcode 4988005555144) – it came with 2009 Remastering and Card Outer/Inner Sleeves artwork. The repro artwork on these 2009 reissues (including lyric booklets) is exactly the same as the 2004 issues - as is the mastering - the ONLY difference is that the CD itself is a higher spec SHM-CD and each of the first three has a different catalogue number and Barcode.

3rd issue is the first 3 of the above 2009 SHM-CDs reissued on 23 February 2011. Again they’re Japan-only - same artwork - limited editions – but this time with a different catalogue number for each. "Barnstorm" is Universal UICY-75005 (Barcode 4988005644916), "The Smoker You Get, The Player You Get." is Universal UICY-75006 (Barcode 4988005644923) and "So What" is Universal UICY-75007 (Barcode 4988005644930). I’ve got a copy of that gorgeous reissue too and it was the best audio to that point (see separate review).

Which finally brings us to reissue number four - this 2015 American Audiophile version that I feel may be the best so far...

US released 29 June 2015 - "So What" by JOE WALSH on Audio Fidelity AFZ 214 (Barcode 780014221423) is an SACD HYBRICD-CD Reissue – a Limited Numbered Edition of 5000 Copies newly mastered by KEVIN GRAY at his recently-formed 'Cohearent Audio Studios' in California's San Fernando Valley (36:33 minutes total playing time).

1. Welcome To The Club [Side 1]

2. Falling Down

3. Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty

4. Time Out

5. All Night Laundromat Blues

6. Turn To Stone [Side 2]

7. Help Me Thru The Night

8. County Fair

9. Song For Emma

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 3rd solo album “So What” - released December 1974 in the USA on ABC/Dunhill Records DSD-50171 and January 1975 in the UK on ABC Records ABCL 5055. Produced by JOE WALSH and JOHN STRONACH (except "Song For Emma" by BILL SZYMCZYK) – the album peaked at No 11 in the US LP charts (didn’t chart UK). All songs by Joe Walsh except “Pavane” which is “Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant” from “The Mother Goose Suite” by Maurice RAVEL.

MUSICIANS:

JOE WALSH – Guitars, Keyboards and Lead Vocals

KENNY PASSERELLI – Bass on "Turn To Stone", "Help Me Thru The Night" and "County Fair"

JOE VITALE – Drums on "Welcome To The Club"

RON GRINEL – Drums on “Falling Down” and “Time Out”

RUSS KUNKEL – Drums on "Song For Emma"

GUILLE GARCIA – Congas on "Turn To Stone"

TOM STEPHENSON – Organ on “Welcome To The Club”, “Turn To Stone” and “County Fair”

LEONARD SOUTHWICK – Harmonica on "All Night Laundry Mat Blues"

JIMMIE HASKELL and BILL SZYMCZYK – Arrangements on "Song For Emma"

JAMES BOND – Acoustic Bass on “Song For Emma”

DON HENLEY, GLENN FREY and RANDY MEISNER of EAGLES – Backing/Harmony Vocals on "Turn To Stone" and "Help Me Thru The Night" (Don Henley also co-wrote the lyrics on "Falling Down" and sings Backing Vocals on "Time Out")

JOHN DAVID SOUTHER – Backing Vocals on "Time Out"

DAN FOGELBERG – Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals on "All Night Laundry Mat Blues"

BRYAN GAROFALO and JODY BOYER – Backing Vocals on "Falling Down"

PACKAGING:

The outer card wrap is numbered on the rear – a limited edition in gold of 5000. Beneath the die-cut card slipcase is a standard jewel case with a functional eight-page booklet that reproduces the artwork of the original LP including that lovely inner sleeve with all the musician credits. Both the Dunhill/ABC Records labels for Side 1 and 2 of the US LP fill up page 7 but disappointingly with all these AF releases – there’s no new liner notes. But the real deal here is the sound...

AUDIO:

So is 2015's AF release worth the spondulicks – yes it is. Kevin Gray's reputation as an Audio Engineer of real class is pretty formidable – 38 years of tape transfer experience with musical giants like Universal and Sony. I've reviewed and sung the praises of CDs sprinkled with his magic touch - “Second Helping” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “12 Songs” by Randy Newman and Walsh's own “The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get”. He's done another fabulous job here and I notice the CD playing time is 10-seconds longer than my 2009 Japanese Remaster (quids in eh!).

To the music... Predating Joe Walsh joining the Eagles band in 1976 for their iconic “Hotel California” album – “So What” famously featured three members of the US Country Rock Vocal Supergroup – Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner. All three sing backing harmonies on Side 2's "Turn To Stone" and "Help Me Thru The Night" - while Don Henley not only sings on Side 1's "Falling Down" – he co-wrote the lyrics. Other notables are Tom Stephenson's Organ sound that adds so much to “Turn To Stone” and Henley and John David Souther's subtle oohing backing vocals to the wicked guitar groove of “Time Out” (Souther is practically an honorary Eagle too).

That slight hiss to the opener “Welcome To The Club” is still there - but the Vitale drum whacks and Passarelli Bass lines are much more evident too. The very audiophile Acoustic Rock of “Falling Down” is just stunning – chewing up my B&W speakers as that gorgeous melodic sound he gets swirls around your listening room like a ballerina enjoying herself. He plays everything on the classical interlude - the huge synths on the Maurice Ravel excerpt "Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty" razor-sharp and full of emotional power. There won’t be many fans that won’t greedily flick to the punch of "Time Out" – only this time they’ll be treated to real muscle. What a thrill to hear this superb little Walsh melodic Rock tune get the balls it’s always deserved. The witty but silly Side 1 ender "All Night Laundry Mat Blues" is a short bit of fun - but beautifully produced nonetheless and it sounds awesome here.

Side 2 begins with the big one - the gorgeous "Turn To Stone". It must have been around February 1975 when I tuned into Bob Harris on the BBC Rock show "The Old Grey Whistle Test" and they ran a film of a clay Don Quixote character on a horse riding away into the animation sunset as those guitars swayed and the organ note kicked in. It was mesmerizing back then and is doubly so here – real punch and clarity to the transfer. "Help Me Thru The Night" was always an audiophile ballad – gorgeous guitar playing on both acoustic and lead electric – those swaying harmony vocals – it’s all so much better now. And "County Fair" surely has his best zippy licks and guitar work ever – that staggering end portion where the drums finally lift off and the guitars leap and moan in slide heaven.

In 1973 his 3-year old daughter Emma was tragically killed in a car accident (hit by a drunk-driver) and the resultant "Song For Emma" literally aches with that unimaginable pain. I’ve always found it difficult to listen to - but "Song For Emma" is incredibly mature songwriting - the strings sweeping up and down - a truly beautiful tribute and a crushing moment on an album that had mostly been fun prior. The Remaster here only adds to that dynamic – potent stuff indeed.

Should you opt for the 2009 Japanese SHM-CD with its great sound and beautiful repro artwork – or go for the more accessible 2015 Audio Fidelity issue with equally cool audio? It’s much of a muchness to some I know – but as a lifetime fan of the "So What" album - I find I’m playing the AF version almost exclusively. Open my eyes again indeed...

"Tiptoe Past The Dragon" by MARLIN GREENE (February 2009 Collectors' Choice CD Reissue - Bob Fisher Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 240+ 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)

"...Masquerade Ball..."

Marlin Green's lone album "Tiptoe Past The Dragon" was issued Stateside in the early summer of 1972 and as per their rather over-reaching jewel case sticker - this February 2009 US 'Collectors' Choice' CD would have us believe it's - 'One of 1972's Great Lost Albums!'

"Tiptoe Past The Dragon" is not a lost masterpiece despite what they claim (it has been notorious bargain-bin fodder for decades in second-hand shops – a strict no-no as a buy in) – but it has musical goodies on both sides worth rediscovering – especially if you like your Americana with a touch of Country Rock.

Musically we’re talking a sort of lesser America – or in Britain - a sort of sub Matthews Southern Comfort or Plainsong. There are even traces of Neil Young circa "Gold Rush" and "Harvest" with his backing band Crazy Horse when Greene goes all Country Rock on certain songs. And recorded down South in The Muscle Shoals Studios – the LP features a slew of notable session types like Eddie Hinton, Barry Beckett and Wayne Perkins (of Smith, Perkins, Smith).

For fans of this forgotten album - this rather ordinary CD Reissue does at least offers up two things worth noting - a fairly tasty audio remaster and it's physically cheap too (less than four quid on some sites). Here are the details...

US released 17 February 2009 - "Tiptoe Past The Dragon" by MARLIN GREENE on Collectors' Choice CCM-997 (Barcode 617742099720) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the 11-Track 1972 LP and plays out as follows (34:49 minutes):

1. Grand Illusion [Side 1]
2. Masquerade Ball
3. Jonathan's Dream
4. My Country Breakdown
5. Forest Ranger
6. Gemini Gypsy
7. Ponce de Leon [Side 2]
8. Who's The Captain Of Your Ship Of Dreams
9. Fields Of Clover
10. Good Christian Cowboy
11. Tiptoe Past The Dragon
Tracks 1 to 11 are his debut album "Tiptoe Past The Dragon" - released June 1972 in the USA on Elektra Records EKS 75028 (no UK issue).

MARLIN GREENE - Lead Vocals
EDDIE HINTON, LARRY 'GIMMER' NICHOLSON and WAYNE PERKINS - Guitars
LEON La BLANC - Pedal Steel Guitar
BARRY BECKETT and CHUCK LEAVELL - Keyboards
DAVID HOOD - Bass
FRED PROUTY, LOU MULLINEX and ROGER HAWKINS - Drums

Typical of almost all Collectors' Choice CD Reissues - you get a functional gatefold inlay that at least has a summary of the man's career and the album by noted writer COLIN ESCOTT (done in December 2008). BOB FISHER - their resident Audio Engineer - did the Remaster and it sounds professional, full and at times rather beautiful - the swirling acoustic guitars and 'la la' singing on "Masquerade Ball" - the pedal steel twang of "Good Christian Cowboy" - all good.

Produced by Greene himself – the album hit the shops in 1972 hoping no doubt to catch the singer-songwriter craze sweeping everything in the early Seventies. Vocally he's close to say Ian Matthews and wrote all the songs except "Fields Of Clover" and "Good Christian Cowboy" which were penned by Wayne Perkins (later with Smith, Perkins, Smith over on Island Records in 1972 – an album that I hope to one day see on CD). But despite the strength of material like "Masquerade Ball" alas few noticed - and is now confirmed by Green in the liner notes that little promotion of the LP took place at Elektra. The label more closely associated with the Doors, Bread and Carly Simon did try a Radio Promo 45 for the jaunty Eagles-sounding Country-Rock of Side1's "Forest Ranger" on Elektra EK-45790 - but it didn't raise any interest and apparently stock copies were never pressed or pursued. 

The album opens with a gentle acoustic ballad "Grand Illusion" where dreamers find their own reality (could have been a single too). It then trumps up the rather excellent "Masquerade Ball" - a highly produced 12-string acoustic tune that is instantly likeable. Clearly reading 'Jonathan Livingstone Seagull' (like everyone else at the time - that book was huge) - "Jonathan's Dream" is a rather aimless instrumental that starts with gulls and ocean waves lapping and doodles around on the guitar for about a minute and a half only to jump right into Flying Burrito Brothers territory with "My Country Breakdown" - not a particularly strong track either. I much prefer the Side 1 finisher "Gemini Gypsy" - so very Plainsong - and in a good way.

Over on Side 2 Greene rocks it up with the Dobro and Piano of "Ponce De Leon" and gets melodic Ian Matthews on "Who's The Captain Of Your Ship Of Dreams" - another potential single. Wayne Perkins of Smith, Perkins, Smith (and later two albums with Crimson Tide on Capitol Records) provides the two Country-Rock tunes - the very Neil Young ballad-feel to "Fields Of Clover" and the holy-roller of "Good Christian Cowboy" - both rather good. It ends on the short but Judy Henske/Jerry Yester strange title track - "Tiptoe Past The Dragon".

Not a masterpiece for sure but there is moments that impress hugely and on repeated listens - the music grows on you like crazy.

"...Why don't you look around..." - Greene sings in the hypnotic  "Fields Of Clover". 
I'd agree – worth a punt...

"Pieces Of A Man" by GIL SCOTT-HERON (November 2001 RCA Victor Gold Series CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception 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)

"…I Can't Breathe!"

"...The revolution will not be televised…" Uttered originally as a poem in 1970 and finally put to music for his 2nd Flying Dutchman Records album in 1971  – these are quite possibly the most famous anti-establishment words sung in a Soul song – ever.

And yet in 2014 with the NET and 24-hour NEWS TV – the hurt and rage that led to that satirical and acidic piece has never been more pertinent. Much of that crap is still with us and we’re still purging it out of our lands and lives. Post Eric Garner's loss (killed in July 2014 by a NYPD chokehold while being arrested for the piffling crime of selling loose cigarettes) - I listen to this fabulous album today and I’m still moved - a genius slice of Seventies Soul Conscience. Here are the socially spot-on details from the mighty Gil Scott-Heron…

Euro released November 2001 – "Pieces Of A Man" by GIL SCOTT-HERON on RCA Victor Gold Series 74321851632 (Barcode 743218516320) is a straightforward CD remaster of the 1971 LP and plays out as follows (48:00 minutes).

1. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [Side 1]

2. Save The Children

3. Lady Day And John Coltrane

4. Home Is Where The Hatred Is

5. When You Are Who You Are

6. I Think I’ll Call It Morning

7. Pieces Of A Man [Side 2]

8. A Sign Of The Ages

9. Or Down You Fall

10. The Needle’s Eye

11. The Prisoner

Tracks 1 to 11 are his second album “Pieces Of A Man” released December 1971 in the USA on Flying Dutchman FD 10143 (Correct release date Billboard).

“Pieces Of A Man” was belatedly released in the UK on Philips 6369 415 in April 1973 with a different running order as follows (use tracks 1 to 11 above):

Side 1:

1. Lady Day And John Coltrane

2. Where You Are Who You Are

3. I Think I’ll Call It Morning

4. Home Is Where The Hatred Is

5. Save The Children

6. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Side 2:

1. Pieces Of A Man

2. A Sign Of The Ages

3. Or Down You Fall

4. The Needle’s Eye

5. The Prisoner

Coming out of BMG France - the simple gatefold card digipak offers basic recording info on the inner flap (no booklet). Recorded over two days in April 1971 (19th and 20th) and Produced by BOB THIELE – the album has been remastered from original master tapes in 24-bit by JEAN-PIERRE CHALBOS – and he’s done a lovely job. The delicate and moving “Pieces Of A Man” features Heron on Piano with Ron Carter on Electric Bass – it’s a tiny bit hissy (as was the original recording – all feel and emotion) – but the remaster lets it breath and is so much the better for it.

Other highlights are the gorgeous ballad “Or Down You Fall” and the Curtis Mayfield funky “When You Are Who You Are” with its “you can be so very beautiful when you are who you are…” lyrics about his lady. “Save The Children” features the distinctive flute of HUBERT LAWS while “Home Is Where The Hatred Is” best shows his stunning band – BRIAN JACKSON on Keyboards, BURT JONES on Guitar, RON CARTER on Bass with superb drumming from BERNARD “PRETTY” PURDIE. It ends on a duo of socially conscious tunes – the upbeat “The Needle’s Eye” and the 9 ½ minute masterpiece “The Prisoner”. Both are lyrically stunning but it’s the closer “Prisoner” that stays with you – beginning with creepy scraping strings and drum whacks that then segue into piano rolls and words of pain – masterful stuff.

A beautiful album – proud, unique and yet eternally current – "Pieces Of A Man" is up there with the best Soul from the early Seventies has to offer

"...Pigs shooting down brothers…" (Revolution) and "...Leave the hate and fear behind" (The Needle’s Eye). Scott-Heron sang these lyrics in 1971. 

How depressing that in December 2014 with the "...I can't breathe…" protests in the USA – the first set of words are so sickeningly relevant still and the second set - a lesson we're still learning…

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised...Plus" by GIL SCOTT-HERON (2017 Ace Records/Beat Goes Public (BGP) 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with Nine Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

SOUL, FUNK and JAZZ FUSION - Exception 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)

"...Ghetto Blaster..."

For most British music fans - GIL SCOTT-HERON and his fabulous Jazz-Funk-Poetry and Social-Consciousness-Soul became a physical vinyl reality with this December 1974 US compilation LP. An amalgam of eight tracks from his second and third US studio releases on Bob Thiele's Flying Dutchman Records ("Pieces Of A Man" from December 1971 and "Free Will" from August 1972) - it also came with three newly mixed Scat Intros thrown in. Hell the 11-song record was even belatedly released June 1975 in Blighty on RCA Records - named of course after his most famous and controversial song - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".

For their June 2017 UK CD Reissue and Remaster – Ace Records' Beat Goes Public label (BGP) has decided to bolster up the original 11-track compilation with Nine Bonus Tracks from the first three platters - making CDBGPD 305 a very tasty purchase indeed. Here are the Lady Days, John Coltranes and Whiteys On The Moon...

UK released Friday, 30 June 2017 (7 July 2017 in the USA) - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised...Plus" by GIL-SCOTT HERON on Ace Records/Beat Goes Public CDBGPD 305 (Barcode 029667077927) offers the 11-Track US LP with Nine Bonus Tracks added on and plays out as follows (63:44 minutes):

1. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [Side 1]

2. Sex Education: Ghetto Style

3. The Get Out Of The Ghetto Blues

4. No Knock [without intro]

5. Lady Day And John Coltrane

6. Pieces Of A Man

7. Home Is Where The Hatred Is [Side 2]

8. Brother [without intro]

9. Save The Children

10. Whitey On The Moon [without intro]

11. Did You Hear What They Said?

Tracks 1 to 11 are the US-based compilation "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" - released December 1974 in the USA on Flying Dutchman Records BDL1-0613 and June 1975 in the UK on RCA Records SF 8428 (US copies came in a gatefold sleeve - UK copies were single covers).

Tracks 1, 5, 6, 7 and 9 are from his 2nd US album "Pieces Of A Man" - released December 1971 on Flying Dutchman Records FD 10143

Tracks 2, 3 and 11 are from his 3rd US album "Free Will" - released August 1972 on Flying Dutchman Records FD 10153

Tracks 4, 8 and 10 are newly-mixed and edited 1974 creations

BONUS TRACKS: 

12. When You Are Who You Are

13. I Think I'll Call It Morning

14. Or Down You

15. Free Will

16. The Middle Of Your Day

17. Speed Kills

18. Paint It Black

19. Who'll Pay Reparation On My Soul?

20. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Tracks 12, 13 and 14 are from his second US LP "Pieces Of A Man" - released December 1971 on Flying Dutchman Records FD 10143

Tracks 15, 16 and 17 are from his 3rd US LP "Free Will" - released August 1972 on Flying Dutchman Records FD 10153

Tracks 18, 19 and 20 are from his US debut LP "Small Talk At 125th And Lenox" - released January/February 1971 on Flying Dutchman Records FDS-131 (recorded live in 1970)

The 16-page booklet pictures rare American 45s – the Side 1 and Side 2 labels of the US original Flying Dutchman LP as well as providing full colour plates of the three albums this CD reissue takes from. DEAN RUDLAND provides the info – entertaining and insightful as ever – while long-standing Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS provides the beautiful Remasters. The sound on this reissue is wonderful.

It's easy to hear why Brits fell head over heels for Scott-Heron when you listen to the whole compilation - eight of his best tracks mixed in with three rapped intros that feel like they could always have been there. The way the songs run - it feels like a major album release in the same vein as say Marvin's "What's Going On" or Mayfield's "Curtis" or Donny Hathaway's "Extension Of A Man" or even Stevie's "Innervisions" - the overall listen is just fantastic. And you have to say that the Remaster is just gorgeous – kicking with power and detail. You hear Purdie’s drums – everything. Just check out the superlatively concise guitar solo by Burt Jones on the get-it song "When You Are Who You Are" complimented throughout by Hubert Laws on Saxophone. That’s followed by crystal clear Brian Jackson piano on "I Think I'll Call It Morning" held up by sweet Bass plucks from Ron Carter – gorgeous stuff and joyful music too. This LP worked too because not everything is a rant against the white oppressors - songs like "Sex Education: Ghetto Style" is funny - "Brother" is cutting when it comes to his own colour's shortcomings and both "The Get Out Of The Ghetto" and "Save The Children" songs feel sexy and soulful in that Marvin way.

Back when the second album "Pieces Of A Man" was issued in August 1972 in the USA and credited as Gil Scott-Heron with Pretty Purdie and The Playboys (Drummer Bernard Purdie) – Flying Dutchman tried "Lady Day And John Coltrane" as a lead off US 7” single with "Save The Children" on the flipside (FD 26015) – both tracks on this compilation of course. Because the "Pieces Of A Man" album was delayed until 1973 – the British 45 on Philips 6073 705 didn’t arrive until April 1973 and had the first bonus track on this CD as its B-side - "When You Are Who You Are". It’s modest Record Collector Price Guide price of under a tenner doesn’t reflect the difficulty you would have of locating a copy (I’ve never actually seen one). The other US 45 represented on here is his 1971 debut - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" b/w "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" on Flying Dutchman FD 26011 (again credited to Gil Scott-Heron with Pretty Purdie and The Playboys). That B-side is one of the albums other gems – drugs at home instead of family and love – Gil’s lyrics hard-hitting, real and humane – like the whole album.

The CD then cleverly lines up nine more from the three LPs - the Bonus cuts themselves feeling like another overlooked album nugget. By the time you get to the spoken poem "Paint It Black" and you're in love with the man. The first LP only had a few music tracks on it (see my separate review for "Small Talk At 125th And Lenox") and "Who'll Pay Reparation On My Soul?" was one of them - the White House reading out platitudes to beleaguered ghetto families from cue cards. And it ends with his 'first version' of "The Revolution Will Not To Be Televised" where he raps his poem to a Tabla beat - the crowd stunned as he speaks of stolen TVs and pigs shooting innocent bystanders and black people in the street looking for a brighter tomorrow...  

"...A rat done bit my sister Nell...and whitey's on the moon..." - Gil sings on his most famous song - raging against ghetto poverty while NASA spends billions back in a time when the word billions was truly a gargantuan amount.

A truly superlative reissue of a huge Soul-Funk-Jazz album from that golden Seventies period – "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". And not for the first time has Ace Records of the UK pulled off an absolute winner. 

Put this high on your shopping list and hope Gil returns in spirit form to guide us for when man goes to Mars for a few quid more than billions...