"Air Cut" by CURVED AIR – Fourth UK Album from April 1973 on Warner Brothers Records – Featuring Sonja Kristina, Mike Wedgwood, Eddie Jobson, Kirby Gregory and Jim Russell with Production by Martin Rushent (26 January 2018 UK Esoteric Recordings CD Reissue in a Card Digipak – Ben Wiseman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Curly-Haired Elfin Boy..."

One of the great Prog crimes of the early Seventies (and I can count a few) was the critical and commercially reaction to Curved Air's fourth album "Air Cut".

Unleashed by Warner Brothers on a largely disinterested UK public in April 1973, it genuinely should have amounted to accolades galore and a tippity-toppity chart position - but misery-guts to all involved - received neither. Thankfully, time has been kinder to its complicated soundscapes and fans have dug deeper, because in my book this is undoubtedly one of the greats of the Prog Rock genre and an overlooked Rock Album gem from the period.

Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of Cherry Red) seem to think so too because this rather brill little CD Reissue and Remaster has done our curly-haired Elfin boy proud. Even without extras, the Audio is fantastic and the presentation pleasingly in-depth (and with enthusiastic band involvement). So if you'll forgive me yet another Vidal Sassoon scissors pun, let's get our 'air cut' (oh dear)...

UK released Friday, 26 January 2018 - "Air Cut" by CURVED AIR on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 2617 (Barcode 5013929471740) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the original 8-Track 1973 LP that plays out as follows (40:06 minutes):

1. The Purple Speed Queen [Side 1]

2. Elfin Boy

3. Metamorphosis

4. World [Side 2]

5. Armin

6. U.H.F.

7. Two-Three-Two

8. Easy

Tracks 1 to 8 are their fourth album "Air Cut" - released April 1973 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46224 (no US equivalent). Produced by MARTIN RUSHENT - it didn't chart. Track 1 written by Kirby Gregory and Sonja Kristina, Tracks 2 and 8 written by Sonja Kristina, Track 3 written by Eddie Jobson and Sonja Kristina, Tracks 4 and 7 written by Mike Wedgwood, Track 5 written by Eddie Jobson, Mike Wedgwood, Kirby Gregory and Jim Russell with Track 6 written by Kirby Gregory

CURVED AIR was:

SONJA KRISTINA – Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar

EDDIE JOBSON – Electric Violin, Piano, Mellotron, Organ, VCS3 Synthesiser and Electric Piano

KIRBY GREGORY – Guitar and Vocals

MIKE WEDGWOOD – Bass Guitar and Harmony Vocals (“Easy”)

JIM RUSSELL – Drums and Percussion

The card digipak is very pretty, its inner spread mimicking the lovely Ian Fink drawing of the band that graced the gatefold of the original 1972 LP – all five sat like cartoon hippy minstrels around harps and flowers and rivers and flitting hummingbirds (yeah baby). Better lies inside the 24-page booklet – concert memorabilia from the period – live photos – Sounds Magazine reviews – the lyrics to all seven singing tunes except the instrumental "Armin" – and even a rare Malvern Winter Gardens gig with the Gary Moore Band as a support act, the stunning Irish guitarist no doubt plugging his similarly Proggish album "Grinding Stone" out around that time on CBS Records. There are contributions from Sonja and Mike – both clearly proud of their accomplished fourth album work and glad it has received reappraisal across the decades – but the AUDIO is the big draw…

Repertoire of Germany did a CD Remaster of "Air Cut" in 2006 in a card digipak but I can’t help but feel that this BEN WISEMAN 2018 version trumps the Audio on that in every way. This transfer is from the first generation tapes and man you can hear it (a first officially). What is also more evident now is the Producer. MARTIN RUSHENT would of course go on to have huge late Seventies fame with Punk, New Wave and Electronica acts like The Stranglers, The Buzzcocks and Human League – but back in the early part of the Seventies his Prog/Folk-Rock pedigree read like a virtual whose-who of names. He’d been involved in two solo albums for Jonathan Swift on CBS Records – T.Rex and "Electric Warrior", Gentle Giant on Vertigo, Badger and Johnny Harris on Atlantic, Darien Spirit on Charisma, Osibisa on MCA and oodles more. Its clear that as the lovely Side 2 finisher "Easy" plinks its little-boy-with-a-troubled-mind piano notes out through your speakers – soon joined by guitars and superbly complimentary harmony vocals from Mike Wedgwood – that Rushent knew how to mix it all into one cohesive sound.

With Violinist Darryl Way and Keyboardist Francis Monkman having jumped ship after the third album "Phantasmagoria" (released in April 1972) – the remaining three re-grouped and got real lucky. Eddie Jobson's band Fat Grapple had supported Curved Air at a Newcastle Mayfair gig and despite his youth - the 17-year olds playing stunned (a little like Gary Moore in fact). Alternating between Violin and Keyboards – Jobson filled in two gaps. Second up was ace-axeman Kirby Gregory who had been in a band called Armada with future Stretch buddy – Elmer Gantry. Curved Air now had the players and the material…

Musically "Air Cut" feels like this new line-up of Curved Air was channeling Queen, Rush, Genesis, Yes and em - Curved Air - all in the one place. Not only are many of the pieces Gentle Giant-complicated - they are beautifully played. This is a band on its fourth outing and not the naivety of a debut. With the new bloods Eddie Jobson and Kirby Gregory – they hit exceptional-players pay dirt big time. Jobson would go on to Roxy Music after the failure of "Air Cut" (not surprising they wanted him), but what is shocking is that he was only 17 going on 19 when CA got hold of him. And with guitarist Gregory – they were and still are quite rightly proud of the results.

The music quickly switches from Rush guitar-riffage in "U.H.F" to "Foxtrot" piano pretty in the same song. The 10:40 minutes of the Side 1 finisher "Metamorphosis" written by Sonja Kristina and Kirby Gregory is very "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" a year before it happened and contains some of the most accomplished and moving keyboard solos by a staggeringly young Eddie Jobson. For instance at about 3:15 minutes into "Metamorphosis", Sonja and the band's Prog rhythms give way to beautiful grand-piano runs by Jobson - the passage has musicality that would make Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson sit up, fidget and call their therapists in a lather of worry-sweat. As Sonja comes back in with sweetly judged lyrics, it feels "Selling England By The Pound" good. For sure the "Two-Three-Two" tune features lyrics that grate and emotionally upset, but apart from that - the only other real downside is the lack of outtakes - session eavesdrops and alternates fans would now dearly love to hear.

When "Air Cut" failed and the band fizzled out - Gregory left and along with his old band-mucker Elmer Gantry formed Stretch who actually did score a sizeable No. 15 chart hit with their "Why Did You Do It" funkster on Anchor Records in late 1975. But my heart lies (like my sagging waistline) with the air that curved...

A superb reissue and one of so many reasons as to why bands and collectors alike look to Esoteric Recordings of the UK with such affection…

2018 CURVED AIR Reissues on Esoteric Recordings

Francis Monkman and Ben Wiseman Remasters

Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 'Expanded Editions' - No. 4 is album-only

1. Airconditioning (November 1970 UK Debut LP)

2CD Remaster UK released 26 January 2018 on Esoteric Records PECLEC 22616 (Barcode 5013929471641)

2. Second Album (September 1971 UK LP)

CD + DVD Remaster released 24 August 2018 on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 22637 (Barcode 5013929473744)

3. Phantasmagoria (April 1972 UK LP)

CD + DVD Remaster released 27 July 2018 on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 22638 (Barcode 5013929473843)

4. Air Cut (April 1973 UK LP)

CD Remaster (no Bonus material) released 26 January 2018 on Esoteric Recordings PECLEC 2617 (Barcode 5013929471740) First Use of Original Tapes

"Crusaders 1" by THE CRUSADERS – March 1972 US Double-Album on Blue Thumb Records and UK Single LP on Island/Blue Thumb Records – Featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Wilton Felder, Nesbert "Stix" Hooper with guests Arthur Adams, Larry Carlton, David T. Walker and Chuck Rainey (August 2006 Universal/Verve/Blue Thumb 'Originals' CD Reissue – Bob Irwin and Jayme Pieruzzi Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Where You Want It..."

Dropping the Jazz in their name for only the second time since the Fifties and Sixties (the preceding US-only album "Pass The Plate" from May 1971 on Chisa Records showed the band as THE CRUSADERS for the first time on the front cover of the single-LP gatefold sleeve) - our Funky Heroes seemed somehow to sense that the Seventies would be their decade both nationally and internationally - and frankly funky frank – they were damn right.

Originally released March 1972 as a 2LP studio set - "Crusaders 1" by THE CRUSADERS featured the classic four-piece line-up of Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson and "Stix" Hooper augmented by cool friends like Guitarists Arthur Adams, Larry Carlton and David T. Walker all sat on stools alongside Bassist Chuck Rainey - stunning session cats who would regularly feature on Steely Dan albums only a few years later absolutely because of their playing chops and zippy-licks genius. But a bit about this CD reissue first...

Still available in December 2019 as a quality Remaster for only a fiver to UK buyers - "Crusaders I" is part of Universal's ORIGINALS CD Reissue Series. A nice bonus (especially for UK buyers who are used to the 7-track single LP issued by Island Records in Blighty in 1972) is that this US-based CD goes with the American 14-track double-album configuration. So more bang for your buck for us - especially with stunners like their 11-minute cover of Carole King's gorgeous "So Far Away" not being on the British LP. British fans did eventually get the 2LP set but that wasn't until July 1976 when ABC Records of the UK reissued both "Crusaders 1" and the follow-up double "The 2nd Crusade" as double-albums. 

Digitally both "Crusaders 1" and their second double-album for Blue Thumb Records originally issued March 1973 as "The 2nd Crusade" hit the shops in August 2006 as CD Remasters ("The 2nd Crusade" is on Blue Thumb BTS 7000 - Barcode 602517040670). But unfortunately "The 2nd Crusade" CD has been deleted a good few years and subsequently crept up to a £25+ price tag (I'd argue the band was on fire during the 70ts, so acquire that sucker too if you can, cost or not). But let's get to One...

UK released August 2006 - "Crusaders 1" by THE CRUSADERS on Universal/Verve/Blue Thumb Originals BTS 6001 - 0602517040663 (Barcode 602517040663) is a CD Reissue and Remaster of the US 14-Track 1972 Double-Album and plays out as follows (77:41 minutes):  

1. That's How I Feel [Side 1]

2. So Far Away

3. Put It Where You Want It [Side 2]

4. Mystique Blues

5. Full Moon

6. Sweet Revival [Side 3]

7. Mud Hole

8. It's Just Gotta Be That Way

9. Georgia Cottonfield

10. A Shade Of Blues [Side 4]

11. Three Children

12. Mosadi (Woman)

Tracks 1 to 12 are "Crusaders 1" - released March 1972 in the USA on Blue Thumb BTS 6001 as a 12-Track Double-Album and as a Truncated 7-Track Single LP in the UK on Island/Blue Thumb ILPS 9218. The British LP consisted of CD Tracks 3, 1 and 10 making up Side 1 with Tracks 6, 7, 8 and 9 making up Side 2. 

The US 2LP set peaked at No. 29 on the American R'n'B album charts and No. 96 on the Rock charts. In July 1976, ABC Records finally issued "Crusaders 1" as a 2LP set on ABC Records ABCD 609 in the UK (they also issued in the same month the double-album of "The Second Crusade" on ABC Records ABCD 610). Produced by STEWART LEVINE - Tracks 1 and 11 written by Wilton Felder, Track 2 is a Carole King cover version, Tracks 3, 6, 9 and 10 written by Joe Sample with Tracks 4, 7, 8 and 12 written by Wayne Henderson.

THE CRUSADERS was:

JOE SAMPLE - Keyboards

WILTON FELDER - Tenor Saxophone and Electric Bass

WAYNE HENDERSON - Trombone

NESBERT "Stix" HOOPER - Drums and Percussion

Guests:

Arthur Adams, Larry Carlton and David T. Walker on Guitars with Chuck Rainey on Bass

The gatefold slip of paper that acts as an inlay just about mimics the minimal gatefold double-album of old (that black and white photo of the four boys on the inner and album credits) - but unfortunately naught else – no new assessments or liner notes. But at least the mastering by BOB IRWIN and JAYME PIERUZZI at Sundazed Studios in New York does the business - fab punch out of groovers like "Put It Where You Want It" and "That's How I Feel" - tunes that regularly represent this period on Best Ofs and Anthologies for The Crusaders. To the music...

As the wah-wah guitar combined with electric piano and thumping bass of "That's How I Feel" comes slinking across your speakers only to build into a Beatles "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" instrument-crescendo some five minutes later with Wilton and Wayne letting rip on Sax and Trombone – you release that the sexy cool of Jazz Funk has grabbed these Yanks by the musical cahonies. It's properly fab stuff and even a bit mad Mothers of Invention towards its final moments. But while the Side 1 opener was to get the juices going, the near 12-minutes of "So Far Away" is mellow mid-paced Jazz-Funk-Soul bliss to me. And it seems few in the Soul and Jazz world could resist the undeniably fab melodies on Carole's "Tapestry" album – the Isley Brothers including "It's Too Late" on their June 1972 T-Neck album "Brother, Brother, Brother" (see separate review). It's a little maddening though that we don't know who the guitar soloist is – Arthur or Larry or David – sounds like Arthur?

England's Island Records issued a 2:50 minute edit of "Put It Where You Want It" as a pre-LP 45 in January 1972 on Island/Blue Thumb WIP 6143 with an edit of Henderson's "Mosadi (Woman)" on the B-side. But the irresistibly catchy Joe Sample five-minute funk fest "Put It Where You Want It" that opened original copies of the British LP – soon incurred a slew of eager covers. None other than those smart Rock-Funk lads from Scotland - Average White Band – even added lyrics to their March 1973 UK 7" single on MCA Records MUS 1187. A US group called Southern Fried did a 45 version of it too on their rare Cream 1020 single, Nino and April on A&M Records, Hot Stuff on Bell Records as well...

I will admit that "Full Moon" is a bit more Jazz than Jazz-Funk for my liking and the faster-faster speed of "Sweet Revival" makes me want to reach for the skip button. But Wayne Henderson and his guitar buddies pull some wickedly great flicks and licks out of the fabulously funky "Mud Hole" – a six and half-minute neck jerker you can’t help thinking could have been a very tasty edited 45 too. Things mellow with "It's Just Got To Be That Way" - a Trombone smoocher that stays just about on the right side of Lounge Bar Central. Joe's piano opens the stomp that is "Georgia Cottonfield" and again some scratchy guitar playing adds a bottom end to the classy brass duo. The clavinet funk of "A Shade Of Blues", the Shaft wah-wah slick of "Three Children" and the settle down with a gin and tonic fizz of "Mosadi (Women)" end proceedings on a very impressive note (love that piano solo).

For sure I'm a declared Crusaders nut (Joe Sample's solo material too) - but here is a wee nugget that time has casually forgotten. And for under a fiver, the remastered "Crusaders 1" on CD can (and should be) yours...

"Piledriver" by STATUS QUO – Fifth Album from December 1972 on Vertigo Records (UK) and January 1973 on A&M Records (USA) – Featuring Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan with Guests Rob Young and Jimmy Horowitz (31 January 2005 Universal/Mercury Expanded Edition 'From The Makers Of' CD Reissue - Tim Turan Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...A Year..."

In March 1972, any self-respecting Rock-la-dyte like me had his gatefold copy of Rory Gallagher's "Live! In Europe" snuggled under his arm on the way into school (an LP known to have medicinal qualities like curing cider hangovers and late night kebab blindness). And come April and May of 1972 - "Machine Head", "Exile On Main St." and "Stephen Stills and Manassas" had replaced the Taste guitarist as the go-to pride of underarm-pit credentials.

Hell, with our gorgeous long hair and nit-spreading headbanger capabilities, in order to impress the lasses even more, some of us with a more sensitive and perhaps even girly disposition had their copy of Colin Blunstone's "Ennismore" to hand at all times. This could be craftily swapped with Sandy Denny's second solo LP "Sandy" or Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" or Lesley Duncan's "Earth Mother" or Cat Stevens' "Catch Bull At Four" or even (going all thoughtful like) with Randy Newman's "Sail Away". But by the time we hit the last three months of 1972 – the call of the lounge room tennis racket, Elfin paperback and one-consciousness cheesecloth shirt could no longer be denied - and we were back Rockin' and Progin' and doing the chanting Sri Chinmoy like a goodun to the likes of "Focus 3", "Close To The Edge", "Foxtrot", "Squawk" and "Caravanserai". Yeah baby...

Which brings us to December 1972. On the 8th of that Christmas month, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band released their debut album "Framed" on Vertigo 6360 081 with its Buff's Bar Blues and Midnight Moses - while Leonard and Marshall reminded us from whence all the Rock and Roll came - Chuck Berry and his "Golden Decade Volume 2" double-album set on Chess 6641 058. Amongst them was the no-nonsense "Piledriver" on Vertigo 6360 082 (the band had just signed to Vertigo) - delayed from the 8th until the 15th of December - Status Quo's genuine breakthrough Hard Rock moment...

The hairy foursome's album had also been preceded by an equally storming single in "Paper Plane" b/w "Softer Ride" in November 1972 on Vertigo 6059 071 (although non-album at the time of 45-release, "Softer Ride" would eventually emerge on the November 1973 "Hello" LP). With the combination of strong reaction from fans to its straight-up Blues Boogie feel, Vertigo Records promotion that allied the Quo with another popular British Heavy Metal band Black Sabbath and DJ-canny radio-play for what they knew was a catchy tune - both the 45 and LP rightly saw big chart action in January 1973 (No. 7 for the single and No. 5 for the LP on a 37-week run). 

So it was after years of touring, studio graft and ditching the Psychedelic 60ts sound for the Hard Rock of the new decade (begun on 1970's "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" on Pye Records) - at last Status Quo were on their way. They thereafter clocked up an astonishing 34 consecutive chart entries and a tribe of collectors known for their fanatical loyalty. And that's where this 2005 'From The Makers Of' CD Reissue and Remaster comes boogieing in...

UK released 31 January 2005 – "Piledriver" by STATUS QUO on Universal/Mercury 982 597-7 (Barcode 602498259771) is an Expanded Edition ‘From The Makers Of’ CD Reissue and Remaster with One Bonus Live Track that plays out as follows (44:26 minutes):

1. Don't Waste My Time [Side 1]

2. Oh Baby

3. A Year

4. Unspoken Words

5. Big Fat Mama [Side 2]

6. Paper Plane

7. All The Reasons

8. Roadhouse Blues

Tracks 1 to 8 are their fifth studio album "Piledriver" - released 15 December 1972 in the UK on Vertigo 6362 080 and January 1973 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4381.

BONUS TRACK:

9. Don't Waste My Time (Live) - Exclusive Track on the February 1974 UK-released compilation LP "Reading Festival '73" on GM Records GML 1008

STATUS QUO was:

FRANCIS ROSSI - Lead Guitar, 12-String and Acoustic Guitars and Lead Vocals

RICHARD PARFITT - 2nd Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Organ and Vocals

ALAN LANCASTER - Bass Guitar, 12-String Acoustic Guitar and Vocals

JOHN COUGHLAN - Drums and Percussion

Guests:

ROB YOUNG - Harmonica

JIMMY HOROWITZ - Additional Piano

The 14-page booklet is a surprisingly pretty affair, the original LP's gatefold artwork on the centre-pages, the lyrics to all eight of the album tracks, rare Japanese and two Euro picture sleeves for the "Paper Plane" single as well as customer-friendly liner notes from GARRY FIELDING. There are also live photos and the gorilla-holding-a-torpedo logo that adorned the rear cover. And the TIM TURAN Remaster is huge and punchy - he did the Nazareth catalogue and I loved the sound on those too. Might have been nice though to acknowledge Rob Young and his huge presence in the Quo universe by way of a photo. Young would of course become a future member of the heads down band and co-wrote “Don’t Waste My Time”, “Unspoken Words” and the hit “Paper Plane” with Francis Rossi.

As if to reflect the front cover's declaration of we're here to boogie - Side 1 opens with the crunching guitar-chug of "Don't Waste My Time" - itself compounded by one of my fave Quo gems - "Oh Baby" - a fabulous piece of riffage. There then follows two surprisingly sophisticated and pretty Quo tunes - the lovely "A Year" and the wistful strum of "Unspoken Words" - loving those almost Fleetwood Mac guitar fills and Bluesy solo as he sings "...hold your hand high..." 

Side 2 opens with a biggie for SQ nuts - "Big Fat Mama" – a first rate Rocker that encapsulates their sound – say you need me – say you need me - yes I do - Parfitt's piano fills as they riff onwards to the six-minute end. The single "Paper Plane" was actually never a fave of mine (we all make mistakes, please forgive me) - but it changed everything for Status Quo - a slice of simple guitar Rock - the band's playing tight as they give it a bit of three grand Deutsche car. Sappy as the Lancaster/Parfitt song "All The Reasons" is - I've always loved it - full of that great Quo combo of melody and guitar - hell even that solo is kinda cute. But its trashed by a fantastic 1-2-3-4 cover of The Doors winner "Roadhouse Blues" - a hunker-down Canned Heat type of boogie juggernaut from their 1970 "Morrison Hotel" LP. Its eight minutes of in and out rocking is immeasurably aided by great Harmonica wailing from Rob Young. And I love the way Morrison and Quo make the lyrics "I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer..." sound like the most coolly defiant thing in the world. "...This is a track on that "Piledriver" album..." Rossi announces to a clearly turned on Reading Festival audience on the bonus track – the band sounding exactly like the LP opener – unbelievably tight - the addition an actual bonus in both name and deed.

For sure there are those who in December 2019 (forty-seven years after their hair and sanity has long since disappeared) will say that this is good Classic Seventies Rock for sure - but it's also dated and a tad samey. And of course, in some ways, they'd be right. But man when the Quo was good, they were the piledriving best (and tis only a fiver). 

RIP Rick Parfitt and thanks for the glorious memories...

"Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" by ARETHA FRANKLIN with JAMES CLEVELAND and THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR – The 14-Track Live Double Album of Gospel Music from June 1972 (USA) and September 1971 in the UK - Available As An Expanded Complete Recordings Version - Inside "The Atlantic Albums Collection" (November 2015 Rhino/Atlantic 16-Album/19CD Clamshell Box Set - Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...So Sweet The Sound..."

In 2019 there are a few ways to purchase hard copy CDs of Aretha Franklin's groundbreaking live Gospel double-album "Amazing Grace" (originally issued in June 1972 on Atlantic Records). Personally, I'd suggest going the long way round because the rewards are so much greater...

August 1993 saw a straightforward remaster onto 2CDs, then Rhino of the USA went the whole hog in May 1999 and issued "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" with 13 Bonus Tracks (27 altogether) in die-cut card digipak packaging. Further to this, November 2015 saw that extended 2CD version slipped quietly into the humungous 16-Album/19-CD Box Set "The Atlantic Albums Collection" (without really advertising it).

The 1999 version has been deleted years now and in some places, greedy sellers are asking over a hundred quid. Pretty packaging and liner notes aside, I say if you want the 1972 album (and more) – go for the motherlode – the box set – currently about forty-six pounds new in December 2019 and delivered to your door next day for Christmas. Talk about more bang for your buck, let me sales-rep you the box set for a moment...

Although it doesn't advertise it on the front of the box or indeed on the shrink-wrap description sticker for that matter - the albums contained within "The Atlantic Albums Collection" (released November 2015 in the UK on Rhino Records 081227951993 - Barcode 081227951993) are the Rhino/Atco CD Reissues released across the Nineties. Ably Remastered by Rhino's longstanding engineering duo of tape experts DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT - fans will know that some were 'Expanded Editions' - and deck the halls with holistic holly - Rhino has been smart enough in its digital dotage to include the whole dang lot - including "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" from 1999 and not the bare-bones 1993 issue.

The bounty on offer here is staggering – 336 tracks in total including 30 Bonuses across the fourteen Stereo albums Aretha released between 1967 and 1976, massively expanded versions of both Aretha Live At Fillmore West and Amazing Grace while the final two 2007 CD compilations offer up a further 14-track live set from 1972 (her vocals in blistering form) and 35 primo studio outtakes, rarities and single-sides from 1967 to 1976 in a stunning 2CD anthology. Amazing Grace, so sweet the sound - indeed.

Let's now get to that heavenly double...and how to unravel the convoluted presentation of it on "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings"...

Disc 1, Thursday Night Show, 13 January 1972 (78:27 minutes):

1. Organ Introduction (Our Own Way) - KEN LUPPER

2. Opening Remarks - REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

3. On Our Way – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR

4. Aretha's Introduction - REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

5. Wholy Holy – ARETHA FRANKLIN

6. You'll Never Walk Alone – ARETHA FRANKLIN

7. What A Friend We Have In Jesus – ARETHA FRANKLIN

8. Precious Memories – ARETHA FRANKLIN with REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

9. How I Got Over – ARETHA FRANKLIN

10. (a) Precious Lord, Take My Hand (b) You've Got A Friend – ARETHA FRANKLIN

11. Climbing Higher Mountains – ARETHA FRANKLIN

12. Amazing Grace – ARETHA FRANKLIN

13. My Sweet Lord (Instrumental) – ARETHA FRANKLIN

13. Give Yourself To Jesus – ARETHA FRANKLIN

Disc 2, Friday Show, 14 January 1972, 14 January 1972 (78:11 minutes):

1. Organ Introduction (On Our Way)/Opening Remarks – KEN LUPPER & REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

2. On Our Way – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR

3. Aretha's Introduction – REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

4. What A Friend We Have In Jesus – ARETHA FRANKLIN

5. Wholy Holy – ARETHA FRANKLIN

6. Climbing Higher Mountains – ARETHA FRANKLIN

7. God Will Take Care Of You – ARETHA FRANKLIN

8. Old Landmark – ARETHA FRANKLIN

9. Mary, Don't You Weep – ARETHA FRANKLIN

10. Never Grow Old – ARETHA FRANKLIN

11. Remarks By Reverend C.L. FRANKLIN – C.L. FRANKLIN

12. Precious Memories – ARETHA FRANKLIN with REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

13. My Sweet Lord (Instrumental) – ARETHA FRANKLIN

The original 14-Track 2LP vinyl set credited to ARETHA FRANKLIN with JAMES CLEVELAND and THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR was issued June 1972 in the USA on Atlantic SD-2 906 and September 1972 in the UK on Atlantic K 60023 (peaked at No. 7 on the US LP charts) was pieced together from performances across both nights. But this reissue presents both shows as they were in strict unedited play-list order with no nod towards the original we’ve been used to all these decades. Here is the way to acquire the original playlist from the 27-tracks listed above:

Side 1: Use Track 9 on CD2, 10 on CD 1, 8 on CD2 and 14 on CD1

Side 2: Use Tracks 9, 7 and 12 on CD1

Side 3: Use Tracks 8 on CD1, 11 on CD1, 11 on CD2 and 7 on CD2

Side 4: Use Tracks 5 on CD1, 6 on CD1 and 10 on CD2

Credits:

As well as Lead Vocals where noted above, Aretha also plays piano on "Wholly Holy" and "Never Grow Old" and the Celeste on "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Reverend James Cleveland plays piano throughout (except on "Wholly Holy" and "Never Grow Old") and has duet vocals with Aretha on "Precious Memories". CORNELL DUPREE plays Guitar, KEN LUPPER on Organ, CHUCK RAINEY on Bass, BERNARD PURDIE on Drums, PANCHO MORALES on Congas with THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR, Directed by Reverend James Cleveland with Assistance from Alexander Hamilton. Produced by JERRY WEXLER, ARIF MARDIN and ARETHA FRANKLIN. The front and rear of the MINI LP gatefold card sleeve are exactly the same as the original 1972 double-album – but the inner gatefold reflects the extended 27 tracks listing.

It is a little disconcerting to hear a different opening with casual (almost unaffected) chatting taking place in the background. But then that gorgeous soft organ playing comes floating in – setting the scene. Then the applause as Reverend Cleveland announces the first religious session for Aretha - urging the crowd to get involved and give into the spirit. He praises the band but as the Southern California Community Choir kicks into "On Our Way" with that organ pumped – the Audio is stupendous (glory be indeed) and you so get why Rhino wanted the whole thing out. Doing it live – he wants the small audience to sound like two thousand. But then – and again the audio wallops you – you get that piano intro to Marvin Gaye's gorgeous "Wholly Holy" – one of the highlights on his masterpiece "What's Going On" issued on Motown less than nine months prior to these 1972 recordings. Atlantic USA issued an edit of "Wholly Holy" as a 45 on Atlantic 2901 with "Give Yourself To Jesus" on the flipside – and even that made No. 41 on the US charts.

Inspiration is everywhere on this double-album. The doubling up of the Thomas Dorsey classic "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" with the inherent Soulfulness already in Carole King’s "Tapestry" gem "You've Got A Friend" feels so natural and right – a genius inclusion. Another contemporary nugget "My Sweet Lord" by Hari Krishna Beatles George Harrison is given an instrumental finisher. Trying to get home, the choir joins Aretha as they go "Climbing Higher Mountains". Her version of the Rogers and Hammerstein anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" is transformed into a magisterial follow-your-dreams powerhouse – the crowd shouting her name as she lets the vocal chords rip on every teased out lyric.

Of the new stuff, the 2:57 minute footstomping piano-bashing amen rabble-rouser "Old Landmark" was left off the original probably because, although its joyous, it feels out of place and frankly reminds me of that scene in The Blues Brothers movie when Jake shouts have you seen the light and Belushi goes cartwheeling down the aisle. Sixteen minutes of the title cut "Amazing Grace" is given a preamble by a clearly grateful and moved Reverend Cleveland – Aretha humming before she goes into that awesome piano and vocal opening line. How sweet the sound barely describes it...

"The Atlantic Albums Collection" by Aretha Franklin is a beautiful little thing and like Rhino's similarly well-endowed 2012 Joni Mitchell box set "The Studio Albums 1969-1979" is frankly an embarrassment of classy musical riches (with aesthetically pleasing matt card sleeves repro'ing the original period-gorgeous artwork and quality mastering - both look and sound cool too).

But that it contains "The Complete Recordings" of "Amazing Grace" puts this big old lummox into the stratosphere. Treat yourself to this passion – and remember - while you were once blind – now you can see...

PS: 22 March 2019 also saw a 4LP VINYL variant of "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" reissued on Rhino R1 75627 (Barcode 603497854196). It comes in a slightly altered configuration to the 2CD set.