"The Albums" by PENTANGLE (October 2017 Cherry Red Records 6-Album/7CD Box Set - Nick Watson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Strange Treasures Passed Me By..."

I'm struck with a thought as I wade through this boatload of musical brilliance - why aren't PENTANGLE monster - I mean absolutely friggin huge?

Celebrating 50 years since their formation in 1967 - Cherry Red's "The Albums" Box Set is a gorgeous thing to have and hold for sure. Superlative brick block presentation with Mini LP Repro sleeves for all six titles, best-ever sound (a new audio source for 1972’s magical "Solomon's Seal") and extras galore (22 Previously Unreleased). Chronologically you get five albums (1968 to 1972) from their initial productive blitz at the UK’s home for all things Folk and weird Transatlantic Records - along with their final on Reprise Records – a supposed comeback that cruelly turned out to be a false new dawn before the horrid and acrimonious spilt in the spring of 1973 (drunken phonecalls ahoy). Alongside all that reissue sexiness is a 20,000-word essay by MICK HOUGHTON (long-time associate with the band and Bert Jansch) in a beautifully laid out 88-page book (concert tickets, UK and US trade adverts and flyers etc). "The Albums" also includes a COLIN HARPER month-by-month band history timeline (worrying amounts of details and tour dates), NICK WATSON Remasters that breath new life into these largely Acoustic songs and a quantity of repro’d memorabilia that would make Bear Family of Germany twitchy in the lederhosen area.

But more than that - as you re-visit record after record here - you're filled with admiration at their originality – musical soundscapes and philosophical themes that still have a lingering influence in Folk-Rock, Acid-Folk, Acoustic Blues and even World Music. And all of it achieved without ever really getting the blue-plaque credit Pentangle so obviously deserve. There's a huge amount of info to slaver over, so let's get to those Reflections and Baskets of Light...

UK released Friday, 6 October 2017 (13 October 2017 in the USA) - "The Albums" by PENTANGLE on Cherry Red Records CRCDBOX41 (Barcode 5013929104105) is a 6-Album/7-Disc Box Set with an Extensive 88-Page Booklet, 22 Previously Unreleased Tracks and Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves. It plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "The Pentangle" 1968 Debut Album (72:12 minutes):

1. Let No Man Steal Away Your Thyme [Side 1]

2. Bells

3. Hear My Call

4. Pentangling

5. Mirage [Side 2]

6. Way Behind The Sun

7. Bruton Town

8. Waltz

Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "The Pentangle" - released May 1968 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 162 and November 1968 in the USA on Reprise Records RS 6315.

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Koan (Take 2)

10. The Wheel

11. The Casbah

12. Bruton Town (Take 3)

13. Hear My Call (Alternate Take)

14. Way Behind The Sun (Alternate Take)

15. Way Behind The Sun (Instrumental)

Tracks 9 to 15 are outtakes from the 1968 sessions and first appeared on the 2001 CD Reissue of "The Pentangle" on Castle Music CMRCD 131

16. Bruton Town (Take 5) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Session Outtake

17. Koan (Take 1) - 1968 Session outtake first appeared on the December 2007 4CD Box Set "The Time Has Come 1967-1973" on Castle Music CMXBX664

18. Travellin' Song - a non-album UK 7" single A-side released May 1968 on Big T Records BIG T 109 (the album track "Mirage" was the B-side)

19. Poison

20. I've Got A Feeling

21. Market Song

Tracks 19 to 21 are from their first sessions in August 1967 - "Poison" was issued on the 2007 Box Set "The Time Has Come 1967-1973" - the other two are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED. A re-recording of "Market Song" opens the "Sweet Child" double-album

Disc 2 "Sweet Child" 1968 Double Album:

CD1 (76:20 minutes):

1. Market Song [Side 1]

2. No More My Lord

3. Turn Your Money Green

4. Haitian Fight Song

5. A Woman Like You

6. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

7. Three Dances - Brentzel Gay/La Rotta/The Earle Of Salisbury [Side 2]

8. Watch The Stars

9. So Early In The Spring

10. No Exit

11. The Time Has Come

12. Bruton Town

Tracks 1 to 12 are Record 1 of 2 for "Sweet Child" - released November 1968 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 170 and February 1969 in the USA on Reprise 2RS 6334. Record 1 was recorded 29 June 1968 LIVE at the Royal Festival Hall in London with "Bruton Town" being the only song from their past catalogue (Record 2 was studio recordings). It didn't chart in either the UK or USA.

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Hear My Call

14. Let No Man Steal Your Thyme

15. Bells

16. Travellin' Song

17. Waltz

18. Way Behind The Sun

19. John Donne Song

Tracks 13 to 19 were recorded at the same gig as Disc 1 - first appeared on the 2001 2CD Reissue of "Sweet Child" on Castle Music CMDDD 132

CD2 (78:04 minutes):

1. Sweet Child [Side 3]

2. I Loved A Lass

3. Three Part Thing

4. Sovay

5. In Time

6. In Your Mind [Side 4]

7. I've Got A Feeling

8. The Trees They Do Grow High

9. Moon Dog

10. Hole In The Coal

Tracks 1 to 10 are Record 2 of 2 for "Cruel Sister" (see CD1). The Studio set was recorded August 1968 with Shel Talmy of The Who fame producing.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Hole In The Coal (Alternate Take)

12. The Trees They Do Grow High (Alternate Take)

13. Haitian Fight Song (Studio Take)

14. In Time (Alternate Take)

Tracks 11 to 14 are session outtakes and first appeared on the 2001 2CD Reissue of "Sweet Child" on Castle Music CMDDD 132

15. A Woman Like You

16. I've Got A Woman

17. I Am Lonely

Tracks 15 to 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Mixes from the Bert Jansch January 1969 solo LP "Birthday Blues" on Transatlantic TRA 179

18. Poison

19. Blues

Tracks 18 and 19 are the released versions from the Bert Jansch January 1969 solo LP "Birthday Blues" - "Poison" features DUFFY POWER on Harmonica

20. Sally Go Round The Roses (Alternate Take No. 2)

Track 20 is a session outtake from the 1969 "Basket Of Light" album and first appeared on the July 2001 CD Reissue for that record on Castle Music CMRCD207. Chronologically it's out of order here - but it appears on this CD and not Disc 3 for space reasons only.

21. Moon Dog (Full Band Version) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED. Terry Cox performs the song Solo on the released double-album - here the Full Band joins him (liner notes advise that this is an 'imperfect tape source')

Disc 3 "Basket Of Light" 1969 Album (77:06 minutes):

1. Light Flight [Side 1]

2. Once I Had A Sweetheart

3. Springtime Promises

4. Lyke Wake Dirgs

5. Train Song

6. Hunting Song [Side 2]

7. Sally Go Round The Roses

8. The Cuckoo

9. House Carpenter

Tracks 1 to 9 are their third album "Basket Of Light" - released November 1969 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 205 and December 1969 in the USA on Reprise RS 6372. Produced by SHEL TALMY - it peaked at No. 5 on the UK LP charts (didn't chart USA)

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Sally Go Round The Roses  (Alternate Take No. 1) - first appeared on the July 2001 CD Reissue for that record on Castle Music CMRCD207

11. Cold Mountain - non-album B-side to the October 1969 UK 7" single for "Light Flight (Theme for "Take Three Girls") on Big Tree BIG 128

12. I Saw An Angel - non-album B-side to the May 1969 UK 7" single for "Once I Had A Sweetheart" on Big Tree BIG 124 (Stereo)

13. House Carpenter (Live)

14. Light Flight (Live)

15. Pentangling (Live)

Tracks 13 to 15 recorded March/April 1970 on UK tour - "Pentangling (Live)" released on the December 2007 4CD Box Set "The Time Has Come 1967-1973" on Castle Music CMXBX664 - "House Carpenter (Live)" and "Light Flight (Live)" are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Disc 4 "Cruel Sister" 1969 Album (72:48 minutes):

1. A Maid That's Deep In Love [Side 1]

2. When I Was In My Prime

3. Lord Franklin

4. Cruel Sister

5. Jack Orion [Side 2]

Tracks 1 to 5 are their fourth album "Cruel Sister" - released November 1970 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 228 and February 1971 in the USA on Reprise Records RS 6430. Produced by BILL LEADER - it peaked at No. 51 in the UK (didn't chart USA)

BONUS TRACKS:

6. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Take 1)

7. Rain & Snow (Take 2)

8. Omie wise (Take 2)

9. John's Song [alias "So Clear"] (Take 7)

10. Reflection (Olympic Studios, Take 1)

11. When I Get Home (Alternate Vocal)

Tracks 6 to 11 are all March 1971 session outtakes for the "Reflection" album - all PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Disc 5 "Reflection" 1971 Album (75:54 minutes):

1. Wedding Dress [Side 1]

2. Omie Wise

3. Will The Circle Be Unbroken?

4. When I Get Home

5. Rain & Snow

6. Helping Hand [Side 2]

7. So Clear

8. Reflection

Tracks 1 to 8 are their fifth album "Reflection" - released October 1971 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 240 and December 1971 in the USA on Reprise Records RS 6463. Produced by BILL LEADER - it didn't chart in either country

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Shake Shake Mama

10. Kokomo Blues

11. Faro Annie

12. Back On The Road Again

Tracks 9 to 12 are from the John Renbourn solo album "Faro Annie" (featuring the John, Danny and Terry trio from Pentangle) released January 1972 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 247.

13. Will The Circle Be Unbroken? (Alternate Vocal)

14. Reflection (Command Studios, Take 1)

15. John's Song [alias "So Clear"] (Take 5 with Fuzz Guitar)

16. Wondrous Love

Tracks 13 to 16 are outtakes from the "Reflection" album sessions recorded March 1971 and are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Disc 6 "Solomon's Seal" 1972 Album (49:17 minutes):

1. Sally Free And Easy [Side 1]

2. The Cherry Tree Carol

3. The Snows

4. High Germany

5. People On The Highway

6. Willy O'Winsbury [Side 2]

7. No Love Is Sorrow

8. Jump, Baby, Jump

9. Lady Of Carlisle

Tracks 1 to 9 are their sixth album "Solomon's Seal" - released September 1972 in the UK on Reprise Records K 44197 and October 1972 in the USA on Reprise Records MS 2100. Produced by PENTANGLE - it didn't chart in either country. The 2003 Castle Music CD reissued used a tape provided by John Renbourn (the originals were thought to be lost) - this issue uses a better alternate source for this 2017 Remaster

BONUS TRACKS:

10. When I Get Home (Live)

11. She Moved Through The Fair (Live)

12. Train Song (Live)

Tracks 10 to 12 are from an audience tape recorded November 1972. Selected by the band for this release - they're PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

PENTANGLE was:

JACQUI McSHEE – Lead Vocals

BERT JANSCH – Lead Vocals and Guitars

JOHN RENBOURN – Lead and Backing Vocals and Guitars

DANNY THOMPSON – Double Bass

TERRY COX – Drums and Percussion

A huge drawn out double-bass note eases in the Traditional "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" - the Side 1 opener for their groundbreaking debut "The Pentangle" - and as Reprise Records was want to tell its sceptical US public - "...it is necessary to talk of "fusions of traditional folk forms"..." First up the audio is fantastic - the instrumental "Bells" sounding positively cathedral-like. The cover of The Staple Singers secular classic "Hear My Call" is given that Pentangle shuffle (no voices sounding). But little prepared May 1968 listeners for the sneakily clever twister "Pentangling" - seven minutes of go-go 60ts Folk with Jacqui McShee's vocals lovely and soothing at first only to be replaced with acoustic-guitar battles, a Double Bass solo and a Bert Jansch counter vocal that underpins the whole mad brilliant thing. Wow - is it any wonder the 'Ling' became such a concert showstopper. Other highlights include the Trad Blues of "Way Behind The Sun" - a song associated with Barbara Dane and her 1964 US Folkways album "Sings The Blues With 6 & 12-String Guitar" (The Byrds recorded a version during the "Sweethearts Of The Rodeo" sessions in 1968). Amazing audio too on the finisher instrumental "Waltz" which is more Guitars-Go-Dancing than Strauss with Thompson's Double Bass solo likely to kick her your speaker's teeth in. Of the Disc 1 Bonus Material my raves are the duo of "The Wheel" and "The Casbah" which sound like Jimmy Page goofing off on an Acoustic Guitar during the recordings of Roy Harper's 1971 Harvest masterpiece "Stormcock". The unreleased Take 5 of "Bruton Town" is getting close to the released version and is beautifully rendered here - while the alarmingly poppy "I've Got A Feeling" and "Market Song" make their debut here (what a blast). 

Released only months after the truly innovative opening salvo - the double "Sweet Child" offered more of the same - and yes - more. One LP was live (all songs new except "Bruton Town") and the other studio and it had a Pentagram on the gatefold sleeve. Virtually unrecognisable from their initial 1967 session - "Market Town" opens proceedings in slowed-down mellow mode. Things really start to cook with "No More My Lord" - Jacqui confident and strong as she belts out the secular cry for help. Furey Lewis' "Turn Your Money Green" sounds like Fred Neil and Band live in England whilst the two Mingus covers "Haitian Fight Song" and "Goodbye Pork-Pie Hat" allow Thompson to show off some serious Jazz swing chops. They give an early outing to Anne Briggs on her "The Time Has Come" - a smart choice you wished had produced more interest in her CBS Records album of the same name. Shel Talmy of Who fame produced the Studio LP that opens with the lovely title track "Sweet Child" - Bert and Jacqui sharing vocals. The three Traditional covers "I Loved A Lass", "Sovoy" and "The Trees They Do Grow High" are all transformed into Acid Folk-Rock - each sounding amazing on this new Remaster. I'm loving the Previously Unreleased Mix of "A Woman Like You" - a Jansch "Birthday Blues" solo album track that features the 'trio' - him, Thompson and Cox. Sporting gorgeous audio too is "I've Got A Woman" which comes without Ray Warleigh's saxophone solo that made the released version. And another prize is surely the solo 'Acoustic Guitar and Voice Only' take on "I Am Lonely" - as lovely as you're ever likely to hear English Folk be played. 

"Basket Of Light" would become their most commercially successful album (No.5 in the UK) and when you hear the Jacqui lead ""Once I Had A Sweetheart" and the Jansch lead "Spring Time Promises" - joyful Folk-Rock with that Pentangle rhythm section giving the Acoustic Guitar duelling a swing that's hard to resist – you can hear why the public dug it. You could say the songs are all expanded Acoustic workouts, but the number of musical ideas for instance going on in the 4:47 minutes of "Train Song" is utterly brilliant - Jacqui giving it some bah-bah vocals while Bert sings about burning loins. Church-like Name Of The Rose vocals open the gorgeous ye-olde-England "Lyke Wake Dirg" - the combined voices and quiet Terry Cox hand drum giving the religious mood a subtle bottom end. Lyrics from the brilliant "Light Flight" title this review.

The whole 1971 "Reflections" album takes their sound forward - banjos, sitars, violins and those ever-present Danny Thompson Bass lines - a very accomplished album. "...Prettiest thing you've ever seen..." Jacqui sings on "Wedding Dress". There are the traditional tales of woe and longing - promises of marriage blight the poor gal in "Ornie Wise" while Indian Sitar rhythms make things perkier for the lass with cheeks like a red rose in "Rain And Snow" - a girl who isn't going to be treated this way.

And while the first four LPs will be well-worn territory for fans - how good is it hear "Solomon's Seal" sound this good. Apparently the tale goes that the masters have been missing for decades and in a story that I want to be true - when asked to help with the 2003 Castle Music CD reissue Renbourn only went and found a tape box at home propping up a table somewhere. Well, although they're coy as to what they've found, Cherry Red tells us they're using 'an alternate source' here and it sure sounds fabulous. Of the 9 tracks - five were Traditional Song covers with Cyril Tawney's "Sally Free And Easy" being the sixth. "People On The Highway", "No Love Is Sorrow" and "Jump, Baby, Jump" are band compositions that will delight lovers of Sitar acid-based folk. Jacqui and Bert alternate lead vocals (Jacqui on "The Cherry Tree Carol" while Bert handles "The Snows" and so on) - but on the three band songs they share duet vocals - particularly effective on the gorgeous "People On The Highway". And it all ends on an audience tape recorded at the Guildford Civic Hall in November 1972 - three Previously Unreleased. And while the vocals are distant (the other instruments are good) - there is a lovely ballad vibe to the concert - their playing Joni Mitchell-sweet and you can so hear why the remaining members of the band would have chosen these songs to finish up this fab Box.

"...My own darling jewel sat smiling by me..."- Jacqui McShee sang wistfully on "Once I Had A Sweetheart". I'm going to be smiling and dipping into this amazing box set for years to come – I know it.

Well done to John Reed, Adam Velasco, Dave Timperley and all the other good eggs at Cherry Red Records for giving PENTANGLE the send off they deserved - inside of the 'whimpering' one they got in 1973.

"...Sit thee down and put them own..." we're advised in the 'receive-they-soul' "Lyke-Wake Dirge". Amen to that Acid-Folk advice baby...

"Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" by MICK SOFTLEY (November 2016 Cherry Red/Morello Records CD Reissue - Alan Wilson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 2 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Folk, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Reggae, Punk and New Wave

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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

"...Traveller's Song..."

Gorgeous at times - bit of a lost classic maybe – in fact why the Hell isn't this huge? Descriptive praiseworthy adjectives and so many questions...

Born to Irish parents, English Singer, renowned traveller and Folk-Club owner MICK SOFTLEY had already clocked up three albums by the time he'd gotten to July 1972's "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" - his third and final LP for CBS Records in a 3-record UK deal. Not that Joe Public noticed. "Time Machine" and "Waterfall" from his September 1970 "Sunrise" album were aggressively promoted on two British CBS sampler albums of the period - the "Rock Buster" double set from 1970 (with Arnie flexing his torso on the cover) and "Together" - a single LP compilation from 1971 - but neither did little to improve sales.

In fact until November 2016 - this beautifully recorded/played obscurity has remained stubbornly off the digital Garden of Delights grass - a strange one in a world where Folk and Folk-Rock rarities are absolutely all the rage. And even with the enticement of having most of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay as his backing band combined with Barry de Souza and Lyn Dobson of Curved Air and Soft Machine fame also adding jazzy flourishes – the album is still 'only' listed at £40 in the 2018 Record Collector Rare Records Price Guide - a wee bit of a fiscal underestimation in my books.

At least this CD does a sweet job of reissuing his touch-a-nerve Folk and Folk Rock (also available as a Download from Cherry Red's website). Let's get to the lovely days, minstrel songs and stones on the sand...

UK released 11 November 2016 - "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" by MICK SOFTLEY on Cherry Red/Morello Records MRLL 65 (Barcode 5013929896536) is a straightforward transfer of the 12-track 1972 album and plays out as follows (41:18 minutes):

1. The Song That I Sing [Side 1]

2. Hello Little Flower

3. Sing While You Can

4. The Minstrel Song

5. Magdalene's Song

6. Traveller's Song

7. From The Land Of The Crab

8. Lady Willow [Side 2]

9. Great Lady Of Cathay

10. If Wishes Were Horses

11. Have You Ever Really Seen The Stars

12. I'm So Confused

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 4th studio album "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" - released September 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 64841 (no US release). Produced by TONY COX - it didn't chart.

PLAYERS were:

MICK SOFTLEY - Acoustic Guitar and Lead Vocals

JERRY DONAHUE - Electric and Acoustic Guitars

TONY COX - Keyboards

LYN DOBSON - Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute and Harmonica

PAT DONALDSON - Bass

GERRY CONWAY - Drums and Percussion

BARRY de SOUZA - Percussion

The 8-page inlay features the LP's original single-sleeve artwork (front and rear) but unfortunately doesn't think to reprint the unreadable lyrics. Still in its place are superb liner notes from CRAIG BRACKENRIDGE that give a potted-history of his wildly diverse musical career and subsequent 'travelling' life (he now lives in Northern Ireland and turns up at Folk Fairs there). ALAN WILSON has done the transfers and it sounds just wonderful - very clean but still with air around it. "...Doesn't Grumble" was a nicely produced album and featured quality musicians and that shows up in this transfer on every track. 

So why is the album undervalued? The first two LPs he did for CBS Records moved away from the purist Folk of his debut LP "Songs For Swingin' Survivors" on Columbia Records in August 1965. The initial pairing of his CBS trilogy - "Sunrise" from September 1970 and "Street Singer" from September 1971 - introduced cool instrumentation like the Tabla and Tantric Chanting - a magnet for collectors and lovers of Acid-tinged Folk. But CBS Records N. 3 "Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" contains only mild flourishes of that - the second half of the brilliant Side 1 opener "The Song I Sing" where Lyn Dobson gets to rip on Flute and Sax. Mostly the rest of the album softens it down - it's pretty - and on songs like "Sing While You Can" and the seven minutes of acoustic hurt in "Have You Ever Really Seen The Stars" - the vibe feels almost naked and raw. Band numbers like "I'm So Confused" and the piano-led "Traveller's Song" feel like Roy Harper being philosophical or Dylan pining in an English pub (Lyn Dobson on Harmonica).

Something called "Hello Little Flower" could of course elicit howls of Jail-That-Hippy - but his delivery is delicate - a very Donavan simplicity as he smiles at nature's garden wonders. Again with the softly-softly on "Sing While You Can" - a lone acoustic guitar and a quivering voice joined by Dobson's complimentary flute - giving the soft melody a Seventies loveliness. Blacksmiths, forges and mills get an airing in the very Ian Anderson acoustic ditty "The Minstrel Song" - gorgeous Audio too. The one and half minute "Magdalene's Song" is full of working girls, spewing factories and empty pews in churches - eventually ending up in some grotty bar with needles in arms. CBS actually tried the ridin' high acoustic "Lady Willow" with the jaunty "From The Land Of The Crab" on its B-side as a UK 45 in July 1972 - but the Promo 7" single for CBS S 8269 didn't get much feedback (looks like stock copies were never pressed). "Great Wall Of Cathay" is almost "Lady Willow" Volume 2 - Confucius knowing why they built it. "if Wishes Were Horses" is probably the most 'Folk-Rock with other stuff going on' song - Softley singing about spaceships as Dobson flits between Flute and Saxophones on a soloing spree.

"Any Mother Doesn't Grumble" isn't an out-and-out 10-star masterpiece - but a re-listen in March 2018 (46 years after the event) confirms for me that someone somewhere along the yearly time-line missed out on a serious trick here. Fans will have to own it and for the genre-curious - there's enough Folk and Folk Rock loveliness on this sweet-sounding reissue to warrant interest and even intense affection.

And well done once more to Cherry Red (and their Morello Records) for getting this lost flower out into the public domain at last. 

"Have You Ever Really Seen The Stars?" - Softley asked back in 1972. 
Well Mick, I'm looking and listening now and that's for damn sure...

"Biograph" by BOB DYLAN (March 2011 Sony/Columbia/Legacy 3CD 'Book Pack Edition' Reissue - Greg Calbi Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I Guess It Was Up To Me..."

As much as I find the actual working of these 'book holder' packs with their impossible plastic clip-ins to be a royal pain in the patouche - you can't but help feel that this 2011 reissue of 1985's "Biograph" (Bob Dylan's groundbreaking vaults-haul) is a musical cream cake that screams - damn the calories mama and just eat-me-up. This thing looks great, reads great, plays great and offers a combo of key album and single tracks vs. previous unreleased and rare recordings that is enlightening even if the sequencing is bloody irritating at times. It's not perfect, but it is a must-buy for Dylan fans.

The retrospective compilation "Biograph" was initially released November 1985 as a 3CD/5LP Box Set in Album-Sized 12" x 12" Packaging - 53 digitally remastered tracks covering 1961 to 1981 with 21 of them either rare or Previously Unreleased. The 36-page booklet had liner notes by famed filmmaker and uber fan CAMERON CROWE as well as ruminations by the Bobster on all of his songs - some enlightening - some typically oblique or even downright dismissive. It was downsized and reissued October 1997 into a neater 5" card slipcase with a 3CD ‘fatboy’ jewel case, a 36-page booklet inside and new 'SBM' remastering (Super Bit Mapping). .

And now we get this – a March 2011 'Book Pack' version roughly measuring 6" x 8" with an upgraded 44-page booklet. Although the SBM code is not on the rear of the 2011 packaging, the new liner notes add 'digitally mastered' by Greg Calbi of Supertramp, Television and Paul Simon reissue fame (he did the ‘mastering’ on the original 1985 set). Calbi is a fabulous Audio Engineer – and not surprisingly the sound is great. There's a lot of Subterranean Homesick Blues to document, so let's have at it...

UK and EUROPE re-released 21 March 2011 - "Biograph" by BOB DYLAN on Columbia/Sony Music/Legacy 88697 85648 2 (Barcode 886978564825) is a 3CD 56-Track 'Book Pack Edition' Reissue that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (73:21 minutes):

1. Lay Lady Lay (from the April 1969 album "Nashville Skyline")

2. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down (from the March 1962 debut album "Bob Dylan")

3. If Not For You (from the October 1970 album "New Morning")

4. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (from the December 1967 album "John Wesley Harding")

5. I'll Keep It With Mine (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED recording from 14 January 1965)

6. The Times They Are A-Changin' (from the January 1964 album "The Times They Are A-Changin'")

7. Blowin' In The Wind (from the May 1963 album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan)

8. Masters Of War (from the May 1963 album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan)

9. Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll (from the January 1964 album "The Times They Are A-Changin'")

10. Percy's Song (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED recording from 23 October 1963)

11. Mixed-Up Confusion (Non-Album US 7" single A-side from November 1962)

12. Tombstone Blues (from the August 1965 album "Highway 61 Revisited")

13. Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar (Non-Album US 7" single B-side to "Heart Of Mine" from September 1981)

14. Most Likely You'll Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine (from the May 1974 album "Before The Flood")

15. Like A Rolling Stone (from the August 1965 album "Highway 61 Revisited")

16. Lay Down Your Weary Tune (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED recording from 24 October 1963)

17. Subterranean Homesick Blues (from the March 1965 album "Bringing It All Back Home")

18. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Met) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED live recording from 6 May 1966)

Disc 2 (71:48 minutes):

1. Visions Of Johanna (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED live recording from 26 May 1966)

2. Every Grain Of Sand (from the August 1981 album "Shot Of Love")

3. Quinn The Eskimo (The Might Quinn) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED version recorded July 1967)

4. Mr. Tambourine Man (from the March 1965 album "Bringing It All Back Home")

5. Dear Landlord (from the December 1967 album "John Wesley Harding")

6. It Ain't Me, Babe (from the August 1964 album "Another Side Of Bob Dylan")

7. You Angel You (from the January 1974 album "Planet Waves")

8. Million Dollar Bash (from the July 1975 double-album "The Basement Tapes")

9. To Ramona (from the August 1964 album "Another Side Of Bob Dylan")

10. You're A Big Girl Now (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version - from the "Blood On The Track" sessions recorded 25 September 1974)

11. Abandoned Love (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recording from July 1975)

12. Tangled Up In Blue (from the January 1975 album "Blood On The Tracks")

13. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded 17 May 1966)

14. Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? (Non-Album US 7" Single A-side released December 1965)

15. Positively 4th Street (Non-Album US 7" Single A-side released September 1965)

16. Isis (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded 4 December 1975)

17. Jet Pilot (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded October 1965)

Disc 3 (71:42 minutes):

1. Caribbean Wind (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded 7 April 1981)

2. Up To Me (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song outtake from the "Blood On The Track" sessions recorded 25 September 1974)

3. Baby, I'm In the Mood For You (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded 9 July 1962)

4. I Wanna Be Your Lover (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Song recorded October 1965)

5. I Want You (from the May 1966 double-album "Blonde On Blonde")

6. Heart Of Mine (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded August 1981)

7. On A Night Like This (from the January 1974 album "Planet Waves")

8. Just Like A Woman (from the May 1966 double-album "Blonde On Blonde")

9. Romance In Durango (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Live Version recorded 4 December 1975)

10. Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power) (from the June 1978 album "Street Legal")

11. Gotta Serve Somebody (from the August 1979 album "Slow Train Coming")

12. I Believe In You (from the August 1979 album "Slow Train Coming")

13. Time Passes Slowly (from the October 1970 album "New Morning")

14. I Shall Be Released (from the November 1971 double-album "Greatest Hits Volume 2")

15. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (from the July 1973 Soundtrack album "Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid")

16. All Along The Watchtower (from the June 1974 double-live album "Before The Flood")

17. Solid Rock (from the June 1980 album "Saved")

18. Forever Young (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Version recorded June 1973)

The 'Book Pack' stands nicely alongside all the others in this format, all the photos from the 1985 booklet are here as are the sheets of Dylan's comments. The GREG CALBI Remasters are gorgeous - even something as frantic as "Baby, I'm In The Mood For You" and the unreleased version of "I Wanna Be Your Lover" sound tight and in your face. Let's get to the music...

I'd admit that the track sequencing on Disc 1 feels odd to my ears – until about half through when it settles down. "Baby, Let Me Follow You Down" and the George Harrison/Olivia Newton John famous "If Not For You" don't really follow after the distinctive vibe of "Lay Lady Lay". I'd have opened with the fabulous "I'll Keep It With Mine" - the first of the unreleased studio and live songs - Bobster on the old Johanna tapping his foot as he keeps time. It's a confident rendition (fully formed) and yet delicate ("people like it..." he says in the liner notes sounding a little bewildered). Judy Collins famously took it and made a November 1965 Elektra Records single out of it (on London in the UK in 1966). The Audio on both "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and the iconic "Blowin' In The Wind" is hair-raisingly clean - amplifying the pretty melodies in both. The rhyming couplets in "Masters Of War" and the lonesome harmonica wail in "...Hattie Carroll" are the same – both lyrically carrying the power of a mallet (51 years old and ten children - amazing stuff).

Next up is unreleased goody number two - this time from the autumn of 1963 – a truly gorgeous acoustic cover of Paul Clayton's turn-turn-turn-again "Percy's Song". How did this beauty not make it onto an LP or even a 45 B-side? Fans will probably play this sucker into the ground (I feel the same about Simon & Garfunkel's "Blues Run The Game" which first showed on the "Old Friends" 3CD retrospective). The raucous "Mixed-Up Confusion" follows, as does another swinging non-album single track – the brutally brilliant "Groom’s Still Waiting At The Altar". Its slide guitars feel like "Blonde On Blonde" and that band revisited – Bob's voice just the right side of gnarly. With Ringo Starr on the drums - the non-album B was played on radio a lot at the time – Rock of Gibraltar baby. The live version of "Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine" feels out of place, as does the 1966 unreleased version of "I Don't Believe You...” A hundred times better is "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" – unreleased acoustic tune number three (again - an amazing find). What can you say about the lyrically thrilling "Subterranean Homesick Blues" as it rollicks out of your speakers with the hutzpah of a poet having a right-old rave-up on Speaker's Corner (throw down those cue cards Bob – don't follow leaders and watch out for parking meters).

Disc 2 offers a beautifully intimate and almost eerie "Visions Of Johanna" - an unreleased 7:32 minute live version from May 1966. Just acoustic guitar, echoed vocals, some harmonica punches and an almost reverent-silent audience listening enrapt. It's also so well recorded - the transfer making jelly-faced women, jewels and binoculars sound like they're in your living room. It's superbly followed by a forgotten 1981 gem few paid any attention to at the time - "Every Grain Of Sand" from his second religious album "Shot Of Love". The master's hand in the fury of the moment, in every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand... Bizarrely that's followed with a wobbly unreleased take of "Quinn The Eskimo" that won't be sugaring-me-sweet any day soon. Would have been better to follow "Every Grain Of Sand" with "Mr. Tambourine Man" - sounding utterly glorious here, fresh again despite its wildly overplayed history. Warm bass lines come at you with Harding's "Dear Landlord" and The Band sounding "You Angel You" - one of the better cuts on 1974's "Planet Waves" – is lifted up too with the mastering. But the second real fave-rave on CD2 is a spine-tingling alternate of "You're A Big Girl Now" from 1975's mighty "Blood On The Tracks" - exclusive here and still yet to make it to a 2-Disc 'Legacy Edition' of that astonishing album. Soft acoustic guitar, intimate vocals, pedal steel and sweet keyboards - you on dry land, you made in there somehow, you're a big girl now (what a tune). With girly backing vocals and violin strokes throughout - "Abandoned Love" sounds like a "Desire" outtake and is sweetly placed prior to "Tangled Up In Blue" – the magnificent Side 1 opener of "Blood On The Tracks". It comes roaring to a satisfying finish with the singles "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" and the genius of "Positively 4th Street" – a song so smart it doesn’t have its title in the lyrics anywhere and few to this day know what its about. She’s got "...Jet Pilot eyes and carries a Monkey Wrench – got all the downtown boys at her command..." the Big Dill warns on the gender-bender "Jet Pilot" from 1966 – an unreleased snippet that's still worth owning - even if it is criminally short.

Disc 3 opens with another one of the set's unreleased prizes - "Caribbean Wind" from 1981 - where the long arm of the law cannot reach (where does he get all the words). But that's trumped by the real "Biograph" prize - an outtake from the "Blood On The Tracks" sessions - the wonderful "Up To Me". A variant of the album's "Shelter From The Storm" - despite the familiar structure and some duplicated lines - hearing the song anew like this is a thrill (someone had to reach for the rising star and I guess it was up to me...). The alternate "I Wanna Be Your Lover" has the studio band letting rip as 'Rasputin remains dignified' while the live cut of the single "Heart Of Mine" is surprisingly sweet - don't let her know - don't be a fool he warns and of course doesn't listen. I've always had a love-hate relationship with his religious outpouring 1979's "Slow Train Coming" - but the duo chosen are "Gotta Serve Somebody" and the beautiful ballad "I Believe In You" - the kind of song that elicits hero-worship amidst singers who have covered it proudly. They drive me from this town - they don't want me around - because I believe in you - Knopfler's subtle guitar adding another layer of class to his passionate vocals. While I can live without "Solid Rock" where Bob tries to sound like a bad Dire Straits - I absolutely love the rough 'n' ready unreleased demo version of "Forever Young" - another one of his best compositions. Despite its hissy nature, you can hear why the compilers knew it had to be included – there’s something in its voice and acoustic guitar simplicity that is quite magical. And like "I Believe In You" – it’s a tune that means so much to so many people.

The Bootleg Series started in 1991 and is still ongoing into 2018 - compilation after compilation of unreleased swag. But this officially released precursor to that series still feels like a 5-star nugget to me.

"...May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong..." he sang on "Forever Young"  - and isn't that what every parent would want for their kids. 

Thank you sincerely Mr. Zimmerman for all the Biographs across the decades - and long may your song always be sung...