"Situation Normal" by SNAFU – October 1974 UK Second Studio Album on WWA Records WWA 010 – featuring Bobby Harrison, Micky Moody, Peter Solley, Colin Gibson and Terry Popple (11 February 2013 UK Angel Air Records CD Reissue – Nick Watson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Lock And Key..."

Taking their name from the famous World War II/Vietnam War slang phrase (Situation Normal All F***ed Up) - SNAFU were a five-piece British Rock band that managed three albums between early 1974 and early 1976.

Their first and self-titled debut "Snafu" hit the shops in January 1974 (copyright date is 1973) on WWA Records WWA 003 with its Roger Dean gatefold cover - whilst their last - and sporting a move towards mid-Seventies Funk-Rock - came in January 1976 as "All Funked Up" on Capitol Records E-ST 11473 (copyright date 1975).

Angel Air Records of the UK (with the band's permission) has the exclusive CD reissues on their catalogue. Released January 2013 their debut "Snafu" is on Angel Air SJPCD407 (Barcode 5055011704077) - while released January 2000 "All Funked Up" – their third and last LP - is on Angel Air SJPCD032 (Barcode 5055011700321).

What you have here is a firm fan fave - the one in the middle with the Boeing 737 plane in the middle (of the artwork that is). Their second platter was not surprisingly called "Situation Normal" - released October 1974 in Blighty (and like the debut, again on WWA Records). After that factoid preamble, let’s get to the wind turbulence…

UK released 11 February 2013 - "Situation Normal" by SNAFU on Angel Air Records SJPCD048 (Barcode 5055011704084) is a straightforward transfer of their second studio album from 1974 (no bonus tracks) onto CD reissue and remaster and plays out as follows (37:27 minutes):

1. No More [Side 1]

2. No Bitter Taste

3. Brown Eyed Beauty & The Blue Assed Fly

4. Lock & Key

5. Big Dog Lusty

6. Playboy Blues [Side 2]

7. Jessie Lee

8. Ragtime Roll

Tracks 1 to 8 are their second album "Situation Normal" - released October 1974 in the UK on WWA Records WWA 010 and May 1975 in the USA on Capitol Records ST-11343. Produced by STEVE ROWLAND (of Pretty Things fame) and Engineered by MARTIN RUSHENT - the album didn't chart in either country.

There is a Picture CD using the Gregory Holdal front cover artwork, an 8-page booklet with new liner notes from CLAES JOHANSEN that includes interviews with Bobby Harrison and Micky Moody. It talks of their formation, tours as a support act with The Doobie Brothers, Eagles and War and features a few period photos. It's small but perfectly formed. The Remaster is by NICK WATSON at SRT Studios in Cambridge and its nice and beefy. You can hear its power the second the Bass and Drums of "No More" kicks in.

Vocalist Bobby Harrison hailed from Procol Harum and Freedom (BH was on the "Whiter Shade Of Pale" single) whilst Lead Guitarist Micky Moody started in the Vertigo and Bronze Records rockers Juicy Lucy, passed through Snafu and would eventually end up with Nazareth and Whitesnake. Keyboardist Peter Solley had done stints with Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds, Fox and Paladin to name but a few - whilst Bassist Colin Gibson had played with a huge number of acts including Skip Bifferty, Ginger Baker's Air Force and Heavy Jelly. Drummer Terry Popple had whacked his kit for the obscure Island Records band Tramline, the even more obscure Australian Prog Rock band McPhee in 1971 and would eventually land in Alan Hull’s Lindisfarne offshoot group Radiator in 1977.

With all songs written by the trio of Bobby Harrison, Micky Moody and Peter Solley - together the five-piece SNAFU created a sort of more soulful Savoy Brown meets Juicy Lucy meets the Country-Rock of Brinsley Schwarz kind of sound - with Micky Moody's stunning slide guitar work evident on the standout track "Lock And Key" - while Bobby Harrison could get Paul Rodgers soulful like on funky tunes like "No More" and "Playboy Blues". A trio of guest horn players feature on the Side 2 finisher "Ragtime Roll" - Mel Collins, Bud Beadle and Steve Gregory.

The Funk-Rock of "No More" is typical of their sound – mid Seventies Cado Belle (over on Anchor Records) – Moody going into Boogie any chance he gets. Things get Souther-Hillman-Furay Country Rock with the Pedal Steel of "No Bitter Taste" – a postcard with a month-old date – our poor boy is hoping against hope. Slim Chance type Mandolin opens the hoedown of "Brown Eyed Beauty & The Blue Assed Fly" where the album suddenly descends into a Gram Parsons pastiche – a yee haw misstep for me.

But then we hit 2:45 minutes of pure Juicy Lucy "Who Do You Love" slide-guitar magic – the wildly sexy "Lock & Key" where Moody lets rip with fantastic Elmore James slashing. Its here that you realize if Snafu had more of this – they might have made a bigger impact than flitting around between too many styles. In fact they knew the song was so good that they returned to it for album number three, only that version is not Blues Slide but Funk Rock more akin to Mother's Finest (both versions are cool by me). Side One ends on the only-OK "Big Dog Lusty" – a Little Feat funk tune that chugs along but feels like its trying too hard.

We return to Stevie Wonder clavinet Funk-Rock for Side 2's "Playboy Blues" – a look back on my life song that has a great guitar break and double-vocal chorus. "Jessie Lee" is a surprisingly pretty Country-Rock bopper where Snafu sounds like Help Yourself and it all comes to an end with five minutes of "Ragtime Doll" – a piano roller that starts out slow but soon goes into a rather obvious rock and roller romp to the end.

Snafu was like so many bands in the mid 70ts – good – but never really good enough to be anything more than a support-act for the main event that invariably had the hit tunes needed to make it. But those who love "Situation Normal" will need this really great sounding CD reissue to get their fix...

"Phaedra" by TANGERINE DREAM – February 1974 Fifth LP on Virgin Records V 2010 featuring Edgar Froese, Christoph Franke and Peter Baumann (June 2019 UK The Virgin Recordings CD Reissue on Universal/Virgin Records – Album Tracks 1 to 4 Remastered by Ben Wiseman – Bonus Tracks 5 and 6 Remixed and Remastered From Original Tapes by Steven Wilson) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Mysterious Semblance..."

I can vividly remember the early spring of 1974 and seeing the strangely beautiful gatefold sleeve of V 2010 in all the hipper Dublin record shops and wondering what gurgling VCS3 layers lay within its blue-tinted innards? Was it indeed "Music That Melts" as the Virgin adverts cleverly put it in the magazine of the day – phone, radio, and turntable – all slithering off tables in a river of melted New Age plastic?

And when I got it home and slapped on that gorgeous Two Virgins colour label we’d all become so intrigued by since March 1973’s “Tubular Bells” and watched it turn at 33 1/3 on to my trusty Garrard SP 25 (with Dustbuster accompaniment) - indeed the beast that is "Phaedra" was dripping and flanging and generally Kraut Rock bubbling all over our nice middle-class carpet. I hadn’t been exposed to this much knob twiddling since my days with a Meccano Industrial Digger Set…

Like most fans – Tangerine Dream’s fifth LP "Phaedra" and sixth (1975's "Rubycon") were our intro to the German New Age Synth Instrumental Prog Rock Band - our Electronic appetites wetted by Can and Amon Düül II over on United Artists and that laugh-a-minute road-cone mob Kraftwerk over on Vertigo. But does it stand up in 2020? If I'm truthful, what was thrilling back then has slightly faded now – this is for devotees only with (if you’ll forgive the pun) electronic virgins wondering why all the fuss, legend and even the five-star reviews.

But there is no doubt at all in my mind about the Audio - leaps above the vinyl that always felt too lo-fi and the subsequent CD reissues - too underwhelming. This 2019 "The Virgin Recordings" version from "In Search Of Hades" Box Set is ethereal and the Two Bonus Steven Wilson Remixes are a full-on muscular revelation that will surely make many fans weep a wee Proggy tear and love 1974 all over again. Let's get to the Mysterious Semblance man...

UK released 14 June 2019 - "Phaedra" by TANGERINE DREAM on Universal/Virgin 774 695-8 (Barcode 602577469589) is part of The Virgin Recordings CD Reissue Series offering the 4-Track 1974 LP with Two Bonus Tracks (Remixed by Steven Wilson from original tapes in 2019) that plays out as follows (57:53 minutes):

1. Phaedra (17:36 minutes) [Side 1]

2. Mysterious Semblance At The Strand Of Nightmares (9:41 minutes) [Side 2]

3. Movements Of A Visionary (7:55 minutes)

4.  Sequent C' (2:18 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 4 are their fifth album "Phaedra" – released 20 February 1974 in the UK on Virgin V 2010 and June 1974 in the USA on Virgin VR 13-108. Produced by EDGAR FROESE – it peaked at No. 15 on the UK LP charts and No. 196 in the USA.

BONUS TRACKS:

5. Phaedra (Steven Wilson 2018 Stereo Remix, 17:37 minutes)

6. Sequent C' (Steven Wilson 2018 Stereo Remix, 2:21 minutes)

TANGERINE DREAM was:

EDGAR FROESE – Mellotron, Guitar-Bass, VCS3 Synthesizer and Flute

CHRISTAPH FRANKE – Moog Synthesizer, Keyboards, VCS3 Synthesizer

PETER BAUMANN – Organ, Electric Piano, VSC3 Synthesizer and Flute

The 12-page booklet features the original gorgeous silver gatefold artwork (a wee bit diminished by size it has to be said), period photos, concert tickets and the usual reissue credits. It's a damn shame (despite what the sticker says) there are no illuminating liner notes - but the BEN WISEMAN Remaster of the original album and the STEVE WILSON Remix Bonus Tracks more than make up for any lack of words. And nowadays (April 2020), it can be bought for under six quid.

I'd forgotten how lovely "Sequent C'" is and that pumping rhythm as "Phaedra" gathers pace about five minutes in.  The swish and swirl of "Mysterious Semblance..." floats out of your speakers in waves of Mellotron and VCS3 Synth sounds - our drowning-in-keyboards trio creating huge pallets of mystery. And those echoed twiddles as "Movements Of A Visionary" builds to an electronic rhythm that hypnotizes (always been the best track for me). But I can't quite get over how good the Steve Wilson Remix of the Side 1 "Phaedra" is - more oomph, more meat, utterly brilliant.

As you peruse the concert adverts for artists like Kevin Ayers, Supertramp, Osibisa and Tangerine Dream - you can't help think - them was the days - and this superb CD Remaster will help you revisit them...

"Sacred Hearts And Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology" by GRAM PARSONS featuring The International Submarine Band (Bob Buchanan, Chris Etheridge, Donnie Owens with guest Glen Campbell), The Byrds (with Roger McGuinn, John Hartford and Chris Hillman) and The Flying Burrito Brothers (with Chris Hillman, "Sneeky" Pete Kleinow, Chris Etheridge, Bernie Leadon (of Eagles), Byron Berline, Michael Clarke, Leon Russell) and Solo Album guests Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt (May 2001 UK Warner Strategic Marketing/Rhino 2CD Compilation – 46 Tracks with One Previously Unreleased – Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Luxury Liner..."

Ingram Cecil Connor III (his real name) is a Bovril Artist – you either worship at the lapels of his nudie suit or you view it as barf on an otherwise perfectly clean white tuxedo. People either love or hate Gram Parsons and his honky tonks.

What you won't be, however, is unimpressed by the sheer hard work and effort that went into this obvious reissue labour of love for Rhino Records of the USA (way back in 2001). And if ever a groundbreaking musician deserved accolades for smashing down hither too impenetrable barriers (America's youth and its misunderstanding or even loathing of what they saw as hick Country music) – then Florida's GRAM PARSONS in your boy (brutally taken from us in September 1973 aged only 23). Let's get with the fallen angel...

UK released May 2001 (reissued 21 June 2004) - "Sacred Hearts And Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology" by GRAM PARSONS on Warner Strategic Marketing/Rhino 8122-76780-2 (Barcode 081227678029) is a 46-Track 2CD Compilation of Remasters covering his entire career from 1968 to 1970 with The International Submarine Band, The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Bros through to his two solo albums of 1973 and 1974 (including material with The Fallen Angels and posthumous releases from years later). Newly remastered from original tapes by BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH – it plays out as follows:

CD1 (77:55 minutes):

1. Blue Eyes

2. Luxury Liner

3. Do You Know How It Feels To Be Lonesome

4. I Must Be Somebody Else You've Known

5. Miller's Cove

6. Knee Deep In The Blues

Tracks 1 to 6 by THE INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINE BAND - "Safe At Home" LP released April 1968 in the USA on LHI Records LHI-S-12001.

7. Hickory Wind

8. You're Still On My Mind

Tracks 7 and 8 by THE BYRDS - "Sweethearts Of The Rodeo" LP released July 1968 in the USA on Columbia CS 9670 (Stereo)

9. The Christian Life

10. You Don't Miss Your Water

11. One Hundred Years From Now

Tracks 9 to 11 by THE BYRDS - "Sweethearts Of The Rodeo" outtakes first issued on "The Byrds", October 1990 US 4CD Box Set on Columbia 46773

12. Christine's Tune (Devil In Disguise)

13. Sin City

14. Do Right Woman

15. Dark End Of The Street

16. Wheels

17. Juanita

18. Hot Burrito No. 1

19. Hot Burrito No. 2

Tracks 12 to 19 buy THE FLYING BURRITO BROS. - "The Gilded Palace Of Sin" LP released February 1969 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4175 and April 1969 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 931

20. High Fashion Queen

21. Older Guys

22. Cody, Cody

23. Wild Horses

Tracks 20 to 23 by THE FLYING BURRITO BROS. - "Burrito Deluxe" US LP released May 1970 on A&M Records SP-4258 and A&M Records AMLS 983 in the UK

24. Sing Me Back Home

Track 24 (and Track 1 on CD2) by THE FLYING BURRITO BROS. - first issued as unreleased tracks on the "Close Up The Honky Tonks" 2LP compilation released June 1974 in the USA on A&M Records SP-3631 and July 1974 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 63661

CD2 (78:36 minutes):

1. To Love Somebody (as per Track 24 on CD1)

2. Still Feeling Blue

3. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning

4. A Song For You

5. Streets Of Baltimore

6. She

7. The New Soft Shoe

8. Kiss The Children

9. How Much I've Lied

Tracks 2 to 9 are from his first solo debut LP "GP" as GRAM PARSONS – released January 1973 in the USA on Reprise MS 2123 and March 1973 in the on Reprise K 44228 (reissued April 1976 using the same K 44228 catalogue number but with Warner Brothers corporate logo on the label). 

10. Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man

11. That's All It Took

12. California Cotton Fields

Tracks 1 to 12 by GRAM PARSONS and THE FALLEN ANGELS - Posthumously released LP "Live 1973" issued February 1982 in the USA on Sierra Records GP 1973

13. Return Of The Grievous Angel

14. Hearts On Fire

15. Brass Buttons

16. $1000 Wedding

17. Love Hurts

18. Ooh Las Vegas

19. In My Hour Of Darkness

Tracks 13 to 19 are from his second and last official studio album "Grievous Angel" as GRAM PARSONS – released January 1974 in the USA on Reprise MS 2171 and June 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 54018.

20. Brand New Heartache

21. Sleepless Nights

22. The Angels Rejoiced Last Night

Tracks 20 to 22 are from posthumous GRAM PARSONS and THE FLYING BURRITO BROS. LP "Sleepless Nights" - released April 1976 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4578 and June 1976 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64578.

From the outer card slipcase through to the two individual card digipaks housing two themed label CDs and a fantastic chunky 52-booklet - "Sacred Hearts And Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology" reeks of class and dedication on the part of its compilers. CD1 for instance repros the Lee Hazelwood Industries logo for the February 1968 American "Luxury Liner" 45 on LHI 45-1205 (from the "Safe As Milk" album) - while CD2 goes to the solo career and gives us a tan label of his February 1974 American single for "Love Hurts" on Reprise REP 1192. Beneath each see-through CD trays is memorabilia – an American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Membership Form for a 19 July 1967 engagement (guaranteed by Lee Hazelwood) while CD2 has a handwritten note to Rick Grech. It’s a testament to detail.

The 52-page booklet too is crammed full of GP goodness - an introduction by the first lady of Country Rock Emmylou Harris and Rhino's James Austin – an in-depth career discussion by Holly George-Warren and thereafter a track-by-track breakdown. Throughout there are beautiful photos of all the key players, pictures of the various bands he was in and on to the solo year of 1973, outtakes from album covers and finally massively in-depth reissue credits. Musicians include Glen Campbell guesting on two International Submarine Band tunes - Roger McGuinn, John Hartford and Chris Hillman when GP was with The Byrds - Chris Hillman, "Sneeky" Pete Kleinow, Chris Etheridge, Bernie Leadon (of Eagles), Byron Berline, Michael Clarke when he was with The Flying Burrito Bros. and guests like Leon Russell, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. There is a lot here. The Audio comes courtesy of two long-time Rhino-associated engineers – BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH – and as ever – it all sounds so damn good. Like most fans I've had the Flying Bros twofer on A&M Remasters CD and the GP Warner Brothers one too since the 90s - but this 2001 original master tapes trawl trumps the lot. To the music...

Although Lee Hazlewood had an eye for talent and a love for a tune with a Pop-Country bint as was evidenced in so many of his Pop hits - even Lee probably didn't think The International Submarine Band would amount to much (poor sales kind of proved it). But that doesn't stop a tune like "Luxury Liner" sounding like it had been pedal-steeling around for decades instead of coming out of a bunch of under 20-year olds (Donnie Owens guests on Guitar). GP's talent for a great hooky ballad immediately leaps out at you too when listening to his co-write on "Do You Know How It Feels To Be Lonesome?" Glen Campbell guests on guitar for two - "I Must Be Somebody Else You've Known" and "Miller's Cove" - both with the best audio I've heard for this notoriously bootlegged album.

Guitarist Bob Buchanan co-wrote the mighty "Hickory Wind" with Gram for the Byrds-do-Country 1968 album "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" - tall pines and oak trees in South Carolina. John Hartford plays Banjo and Guitar while Lloyd Green plucks that Pedal Steel. Jukebox Honky Tonk kicks in with "You're Still On My Mind" - an empty bottle and a broken heart sounding 'so' good. Cleverly this Anthology then reaches for three of the then new "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" outtakes on "The Byrds" 1990 4CD Box Set - a lilting cover of William Bell's 1961 Stax hit "You Don't Miss Your Water" alongside a GP original - the nobody knows song "One Hundred Years From Now".

The Flying Burrito Bros open their account with the jaunty "Christine's Tune (Devil In Disguise)" that soon descends into The Everly Brothers doing distorted guitar. Chris Hillman and Gram drag us down to "Sin City" - three years to pay or a stint in the poor house. Both the Chris Moman/Dan Penn Soul covers - "Do Right Woman" and "Dark End Of The Street" now have slow Countrified arrangements that work – while – the two parts of "Hot Burrito" sound like Todd Rundgren on Bearsville. There was an increasing sophistication to "Burrito Deluxe" – it’s tracks feeling like a dry run for the Eagles emerging sound and that Rolling Stones tie-in on "Wild Horses" always blows me away.

CD2 brings us large chunks of the two official albums - eight of the eleven on January 1973's "GP" with eight of the ten on January 1974's "Grievous Angel" and of course those stragglers afterwards ("Sleepless Nights" and the "Live 1973" posthumous compilation). Sticking with "GP" - fans will thrill to the stunning audio on "We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning" - the Pedal Steel of Al Perkins (from Stephen Still's band Manassas) clear as a bell – the song bolstered up by Emmylou Harris giving it some of passion's guilt in her ache. That's followed by the duo-tenderness of "A Song For You" - a superb GP original. Traditional Country infuses the uprooted 'our kin in Tennessee' Tompall Glaser and Harlan Howard song "Streets Of Baltimore" - that Glen Hardin piano so beautifully clear and complimentary.

So many would cover the inherent heartbreak in "She" - a stunning co-write with Chris Etheridge - hallelujah. I'd forgotten how subtle the Byron Berline fiddle is in the quietly gentle mix of "The New Soft Shoes" - beautifully judged harmony vocals too and that perfectly complimentary pedal steel and solo. Rik Grech provided the life ain't easy tune "Kiss The Children" where our sap in on the barroom floor dreaming of whiskey instead of his loved ones. The final cut from "GP" is a co-write with Pam Rifkin on "How Much I've Lied" - a 'losing you was a silly thing to do' tale of dumbass infidelity. It's not the full album, but man what a classic in the Country Rock vein "GP" is.

The live rendition of "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" with Emmylou’s sympatico harmony vocals is fabulous and the burst into flames at the mere mention of her name in "That's All It Took" – another lilting woe-is-me ballad. The pedal-steel band brings it all bopping home with the dad, mom and family relocation hopefulness in "California Cotton Fields".

The "Grievous Angel" followed his hurtful loss in September 1973 from substance-related issues - gone at 23 with his star rising. Rhino offer a 'Remix' Of "Return Of The Grievous Angel" and it kicks like a mule. Again guitarists James Burton and Al Perkins hit the main spots with guest shots from Herb Pedersen and Bernie Leadon (of Eagles). Faves include "Ooh Las Vegas" which Deacon Blue named a 2CD compilation of rarities after - while the Bryants and The Everly Brothers would have been proud of "Brand New Heartache" - all finished off with a cover of The Louvins' "The Angels Rejoiced Last Night" - a story song of gambling and church with an uncredited advert for the "GP" album as it fades out.

For sure this much Country-Rock in one go might test a young un's patience in 2020 - but my God what a superbly handled tip of the Stetson to Gram Parsons. Rejoice indeed...

"Ashes Are Burning" by RENAISSANCE – October 1973 UK Fourth Studio Album on Sovereign Records (September 1973 in the USA) – featuring Annie Haslam (Lead Vocals), Michael Dunford (Guitars), John Tout (Keyboards and Vocals), Jon Camp (Bass and Vocals) and Terry Sullivan (Drummer) with Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash as Guest Guitarist on the Title Track, Strings by Richard Hewson on Two Tracks and Lyrics by Betty Thatcher on All Songs (22 February 2019 UK Esoteric Recordings Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Three Bonus Tracks – Ben Wiseman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 310 Others Is Available In My

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US AND THEM - 1973
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"...Seeds Of Yesterday..."

There can't be too many Renaissance fans that don't worship at the Hipgnosis-artwork feet of their fourth and most accomplished platter "Ashes Are Burning" – originally issued in Blighty October 1973 on Sovereign Records. It was also the first album that really got them noticed in the USA where Sovereign via Capitol Records managed to chart the LP in late September 1973 for four weeks peaking at No. 171 (Renaissance would enjoy a further eight albums charting in America). But which issue to buy on CD?

Some history as to why you should choose the door marked 2019. Germany's Repertoire was for ages the only go-to place for a digital-version with their June 1995 CD Reissue on Repertoire REP 4575-WY (Barcode 4009910457528) – itself re-launched several times including right up to May 2011. Repertoire also did a separate 2006 variant on REP 5078 (Barcode 4009910507827). All of these versions simply transferred the 6-track LP and threw in a 12-page booklet. Next came Earthwest Recordings EW0093CD (Barcode 803341355194) in 2012 – again another straightforward transfer with bugger all mastering credits. None of these issues offered a new remaster or anything else either...

That all ends with this spectacular February 2019 Esoteric Recordings UK CD Remaster (Esoteric are part of Cherry Red) which not only ups the Audio game immeasurably for the album (Ben Wiseman transfer from original master tapes) but has unearthed three BBC "In Concert" recordings done in January 1974 (back from a US tour and tight as a gnat's chuff) once thought to have been lost forever – now found and sounding utterly superb – shockingly good Previously Unreleased material from their primo period.

Renaissance fans and lovers of Yes and Genesis music (circa 1973) will be lapping it the whole beautifully arranged and melodious Symphonic Rock of it all. There is even a guitar solo from Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash. Seeds of yesterday are indeed breaking through - let’s get to the details…

UK released 22 February 2019 - "Ashes Are Burning" by RENAISSANCE on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2646 (Barcode 5013929474642) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Three Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (69:51 minutes):

1. Can You Understand [Side 1]

2. Let It Grow

3. On The Frontier

4. Carpet Of The Sun [Side 2]

5. At The Harbour

6. Ashes Are Burning

Tracks 1 to 6 are their fourth studio album "Ashes Are Burning" - released September 1973 in the USA on Sovereign/Capitol Records ST-11216 and October 1973 in the UK on Sovereign Records SVNA 7261. Produced and Arranged by RENAISSANCE - it peaked at No. 171 in the USA (didn't chart UK).

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased):

7. Can You Understand

8. Let it Grow

9. Ashes Are Burning

Tracks 7 to 9 are BBC Radio 1 "In Concert" Recordings from 3 January 1974, Compared by Alan Black 

RENAISSANCE was:

Annie Haslam (Lead Vocals)

Michael Dunford (Guitars)

John Tout (Keyboards and Vocals)

Jon Camp (Bass and Vocals)

Terry Sullivan (Drummer)

All Lyrics by Betty Thatcher, Music by Michael Dunford - except "On The Frontier" by Jim McCarty and Betty Thatcher

Guests:

Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash - Guitar on "Ashes Are Burning"

Strings by Richard Hewson on "Can You Understand" and "Carpet Of The Sun"

The gatefold card digipak repro's the UK artwork (the US variant used different photos) and a 16-page booklet with new Annie Haslam and Terry Sullivan interviews. The inner sleeve with the lyrics is here too and superb new MALCOLM DOME liner notes. Clearly both Haslam and Sullivan are aware that LP4 struck the right chord at last - the Richard Hewson string arrangements framing their sound - pretty melodies - good lyrics - and now gorgeous Audio care of a BEN WISEMAN Remaster from original tapes. When the Acoustic Guitar/Haslam Vocal break comes in at about 1:55 in "At The Harbour" - the Audio is just beautiful. It's like that throughout and shockingly the three BBC sessions are amongst the best I've ever heard come out of the Beeb.

Fans will love the Prog Rock and Symphonic Rock of Side 1's "Can You Understand" - very similar to the best parts of "Selling England By The Pound" - also issued late 1973. "Let It Grow" feels like a lovelorn love song that has stayed so sweet.

The Acoustic/Vocals opening of "On The Frontier" feels like the 5th Dimension meets Mellow Candle - that piano underpinning the combo voices. It's the same for "Carpet Of The Sun" but I'm blown away by the BBC renditions - near perfect and you can clearly hear the audience sharp intake of breath as Renaissance sounds like a super-slick Greenslade or Supertramp - up to the point that there are several shouts for 'more' after the epic "Ashes Are Burning".

Mark and Vicky Powell's Esoteric Recordings have done some humdingers in the last five years, but this little sweetie is a very real Audio jewel in their heavily laden reissue crown. Well done to all involved...

"Ummagumma" by PINK FLOYD – 7 November 1969 USA Half-Live, Half-Studio 2LP set on Harvest Records (8 November 1969 in the UK also on Harvest Records) featuring David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright and Nick Mason (26 September 2011 and 15 January 2016 UK 2CD Reissues – 2011 on EMI Records and 2016 on Warner Music Group/Pink Floyd Records – Both Using The 2011 James Guthrie and Joel Plante Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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PROG ROCK, PSYCH, AVANT GARDE...
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Covering 1967 to 1977 - It Also Focuses On

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"...Grooving With A Pict..."

CD-wise - what we have here is a reissue of a reissue.

26 September 2011 saw the JAMES GUTHRIE and JOEL PLANTE CD Remasters of the Pink Floyd catalogue hit the shops to pretty much universal praise (they were transferred at Das Boot Studios and all single issues were known as 'Discovery Editions'). These have been superseded by the 15 January 2016 'Pink Floyd Records' Reissues – in most cases featuring upgraded artwork but still using the 2011 Remaster.

The August 1967 debut album "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" is PFR1, June 1968's second album "A Saucerful Of Secrets" is PFR2 while June 1969's Soundtrack From The Film "More" is PFR3 (all Stereo) and so on. Their fourth release, the half-live, half-studio October 1969 double-album "Ummagumma" is PFR4.

So what's new (if anything)? The 2011 2CD set had specially commissioned artwork for the CDs (most of which I personally thought were meaningless rubbish images) - these 2016 replacements have swapped out those with a picture CD for each – usually always album artwork. PRF4 also has a tri-gatefold card sleeve, title sticker (on the shrink-warp) and although the colour booklet is still 16-pages long, it is newly laid out. You get the striking and iconic original Hipgnosis gatefold artwork (the equipment shot on the back cover is the past page of the booklet in near perfect quality), lyrics to all the songs (including live) and new band images from the period. A very cool inclusion is a proof set of photographs of each band member - going some way towards showing how they were spliced to make that 'window within a window' effect. I'd call it more coherent even if it does lack an essay enlightening the listener as to the history of the band and these new 1969 studio tracks.

But the real deal here is the AUDIO - and for those of us who remember our crackly SHDW 1/2 vinyls all too well - the sonic upgrade in the 2011 Remasters is massive. The Live Set is fantastically clear - the trippy drums and keyboard sound stage so much more centered - and that scream during "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" launches out of your speakers with frightening reality (as it was no doubt originally intended to do). Same too on the studio side - big improvements. Let's get to the Grantchester Meadows...

UK re-released 15 January 2016 - "Ummagumma" by PINK FLOYD on Warner Music Group/Pink Floyd Records PFR4 (Barcode 5099902893723) is a 2CD Remaster of the October 1969 double-album. This 2016 reissue has the same Barcode and International Catalogue Number as the 26 September 2011 'Discovery Edition' on EMI 50999 028937 2 3 but has the addition of 'Pink Floyd Records' catalogue numbers (PRF1, PRF2 etc) and upgraded artwork. As both releases have the same barcode, if you want 2011 rather than 2016, then you may have to specify this when purchasing. It plays out as follows:

CD1 "Live Album" (39:40 minutes):

1. Astronomy Domine [Side 1]

2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene

3. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun [Side 2]

4. A Saucerful Of Secrets

Recorded at Mothers Club, Birmingham, 27 April 1969 and Manchester College Of Commerce, 2 May 1969

CD2 "Studio Album" (47:02 minutes):

1. Sysyphus - Part One [Side 3]

2. Sysyphus - Part Two

3. Sysyphus - Part Three

4. Sysyphus - Part Four

5. Grantchester Meadows

6. Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict

7. The Narrow Way - Part One [Side 4]

8. The Narrow Way - Part Two

9. The Narrow Way - Part Three

10. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party - Part One - Entrance

11. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party - Part Two - Entertainment

12. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party - Part Three – Exit

The double-album "Ummagumma" was released 7 November 1969 in the UK on Harvest SHDW 1 / 2 and in the USA on Harvest SKBB 388 (8 November 1969). Produced by PINK FLOYD (Live) and NORMAN SMITH (Studio) – it peaked at No. 5 in the UK LP charts and No. 74 in the USA. On CD2 - Richard Wright wrote all of "Sysyphus", Roger Waters wrote "Grantchester Meadows" and "Several Species..." - David Gilmour wrote all of "The Narrow Way" and Nick Mason wrote all of "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party".

The Live Set was a clever way (in some respects) for the four piece Pink Floyd to close the Syd Barrett chapter while the studio set showed they were moving on. And I'm amazed at how good the transfer is - "A Saucerful Of Secrets" giving it some Sixties Psych. The crescendo Part One of "Sysyphus" sounds good but not as clean as the piano solo Part Two. And those organ notes that lead in Part Four give way to vibes and bird noises that used to sound so far away they were irritating. Can't say I'm a fan of the doomy organ later on - hasn't aged well.

But if I was to pick out one track that astonishes - it's the Waters written "Grantchester Meadows" where bird tweeting slips the song in - the acoustic guitar and kingfisher lyrics clear as a bell - such an amazing clarity to the solo too. The five-minute "Several Species..." once again features percussion noises mixed up with animal tweets and chirps and by the time the indecipherable echoed lyrics come in - it may sound good but it's insufferable.

Guitarist David Gilmour's "The Narrow Way" comes as a Roy Harper-type blessed relief - gorgeous acoustic guitars swirling around your speakers as they mix with way-up-the-fretboard slide guitar notes - all of it filling up an ethereal vibe. It's one of my fave tracks on the album and to hear it sound this good is an absolute blast (I can also sequence fade-out that crude segue into Part Two at the end). The heavy-heavy grunge guitars of Part Two just sounds like period noodle to me now - but its rescued by the seven minutes of lyrics and very-Floyd Part Three.

Mason chooses a flute to open his three-parter "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" but it’s soon abandoned for experimental drum sounds and percussion noises – again great audio – but noodle that may have been interesting then but only feels ludicrously self-indulgent now. And it ends on fifty seconds or so of flute.

My problem with "Ummagumma" is that even when I struggled with it back in the day, I liked Pink Floyd. But five decades haven't been kind to the worst early excesses of the band - this sort of Experimental knob constantly pawned off on us as some kind of genius because it bears the PF moniker.

Fans will adore it for sure and Hell, probably bought it back in September 2011 (especially given the fantastic Das Boot Studios audio upgrade). But the uninitiated need to hear first, because 1970's "Atom Heart Mother", 1971's "Meddle" and 1972's "Obscured By Clouds" were so much better musically...