"The King Of Soul" by OTIS REDDING – 92-Tracks from 14-Albums Released Between January 1964 and November 1993 Including Posthumous Compilations and Non-LP Single Sides – featuring duets with Carla Thomas and The Stax In-House Backing Band of Isaac Hayes, David Porter and all of Booker T. & The MG's (3 February 2014 UK Rhino/Atlantic '50th Anniversary' 4CD Compilation - Charles Benson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Turn It Loose..."

If you want a big old hunk of Otis funk on CD – there are four ports of call in 2020 – each with varying prices.

The oldest is "The Otis Redding Story" from 1987 with 60 Remastered Tracks – but its small audio beer by today’s standards and sells for as little as four to five quid. That got quickly kicked into touch by the November 1993 set "Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding" – a 4CD 96-Track Book Set with a 100-page booklet that was part of the Rhino/Atlantic & Atco Remasters Series. It's a thing of presentation and audio beauty for sure and even though it has been deleted for decades - secondhand copies can be obtained for as little as £20 to £25. One to bear in mind...

Door Number Four is more recent - October 2015's "Soul Manifesto: 1964-1970" on Rhino/Atlantic 081227951979 (Barcode 081227951979). That mini box offers you all twelve albums from "Pain In My Heart" in January 1964 through to the posthumous compilation "Tell The Truth" in July 1970. At 138-tracks in twelve single Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves - it certainly offers the most bang for your buck - even if there isn't a shred of annotation or any of those single mixes and non-LP cuts (it has a price tag of £34.00). Which brings me to my poison of choice...

"The King Of Soul" by Otis Redding and its sister set "The Queen Of Soul" for Aretha Franklin – are both 3 February 2014 packages celebrating 50th Anniversaries for the King and the Queen of Soul Music. With the Otis instalment, you get 4CDs with a generous 92-tracks, great new remasters from a chap called CHARLES BENSON and a reasonably good 12-page booklet that gives all the factoids you'll need. You even get a pretty card wrap holding in the double jewel-case that gives the whole thing a respectable look. Best of all it ranges between £12 and £14. Let's get to the details and turn it loose...

UK released 3 February 2014 - "The King Of Soul" by OTIS REDDING on Rhino/Atlantic 8122796068 (Barcode 081227960681) is a 4CD '50th Anniversary' Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows:

CD1: (63:42 minutes):

1. These Arms Of Mine (December 1962 US 45 on Volt 103, A)

2. Hey Hey Baby (December 1962 US 45 on Volt 103, B)

3. That's What My Heart Needs (June 1963 US 45 on Volt 109, A)

4. Mary's Little Lamb (June 1963 US 45 on Volt 109, non-LP B-side)

5. Pain In My Heart (September 1963 US 45 on Volt 112, A)

6. Something Is Worrying Me (September 1963 US 45 on Volt 112, B)

7. Come To Me (February 1964 US 45 on Volt 116, A)

8. Don't Leave Me This Way (February 1964 US 45 on Volt 116, non-LP B-side)

9. Security (April 1964 US 45 on Volt 117, A)

10. Chained And Bound (September 1964 US 45 on Volt 121, A)

11. Your One And Only Man (September 1964 US 45 on Volt 121, B)

12. That's How Strong My Love Is (January 1965 US 45 on Volt 124, B)

13. Mr. Pitiful (January 1965 US 45 on Volt 124, A)

14. A Woman, A Lover, A Friend

15. Nothing Can Change This Love

16. It's Too Late 

17. For Your Precious Love

18. Home In Your Heart

19. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) (Mono Version) (April 1965 US 45 on Volt 126, A)

20. I'm Depending On You (April 1965 US 45 on Volt 126, non-LP B-side)

21. Respect (Mono Version) (August 1965 US 45 on Volt 128, A)

22. Ole Man Trouble (Mono Version) (August 1965 US 45 on Volt 128, B)

23. Change Gonna Come 

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 from the January 1964 US LP "Pain In My Heart" on Atlantic 33-161 in Mono

Tracks 7 and 10 to 18 from the March 1965 US LP "The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads" on Volt 411 in Mono

Tracks 19, 21, 22 and 23 on the September 1965 US LP "Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul" on Volt 412 in Mono 

CD2: (73:52 minutes):

1. Shake

2. Satisfaction (February 1966 US 45 on Volt 132, A)

3. Down In The Valley

4. My Girl

5. Rock Me Baby

6. You Don't Miss Your Water (April 1967 US 45 on Volt 149, B-side of "Shake" (Live))

7. I Can't Turn You Loose (November 1965 US 45 on Volt 130, A)

8. Just One More Day (November 1965 US 45 on Volt 130, B)

9. Any Ole Way (February 1966 US 45 on Volt 132, B)

10. It's Growing

11. Cigarettes And Coffee

12. Chain Gang

13. Nobody Knows You (When You're Down And Out)

14. Good To Me (An Edited Version was on September 1966 US 45 on Volt 138, B - for A, see Track 2 on CD3)

15. Everybody Makes A Difference

16. Just One More Day (Live, 1966)

17. Mr. Pitiful (Live, 1966)

18. (I Can't get No) Satisfaction (live, 1966)

19. These Arms Of Mine (Live, 1966)

20. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Live, 1966) (November 1968 saw an Edited Version US 45 on Atco 6636, A - for B, see Track 17, CD4)

21. Don't Mess With Cupid (May 1966 US 45 on Volt 136, A)

22. My Lover's Prayer (May 1966 US 45 on Volt 136, B)

NOTES:

Tracks 1 to 6 from the September 1965 US LP "Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul" on Volt 412 in Mono 

Tracks 8 to 15 from the April 1966 US LP "The Soul Album" on Volt 413 in Mono

Tracks 16 to 20 on the October 1968 US LP "Otis Redding In Person At The Whisky A Go Go" on Atco SD 33-265 in Stereo

Track 21 from the February 1968 US LP "The Dock Of the Bay" on Volt 419 in Mono

Track 22 from the October 1966 US LP "Complete & Unbelievable...The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul" on Volt 415 in Mono - see also Tracks 1 to 8 on CD3

CD3: (64:44 minutes):

1. Try A Little Tenderness (November 1966 US 45 on Volt 141, A)

2. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) (September 1966 US 45 on Volt 138, A - for B see Track 14 on CD2)

3. I'm Sick Y'all (November 1966 US 45 on Volt 141, B)

4. Tennessee Waltz

5. Sweet Lorraine (January 1968 US 45 on Volt 157, B-side of "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay")

6. Day Tripper

7. You're Still My Baby

8. Hawg For You (Mono Version)

9. I Love You More Than Words Can Say (March 1967 US 45 on Volt 146, A)

10. Let Me Come On Home (March 1967 US 45 on Volt 146, B)

11. Open Your Door (April 1968 US 45 on Volt 163, B)

12. Trap - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (April 1967 US 45 on Stax 216, A)

13. Knock On Wood - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (July 1967 US 45 on Stax 228, A)

14. Let Me Be Good To You - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (July 1967 US 45 on Stax 228, B) 

15. Lovey Dovey - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (January 1968 US 45 on Stax 244, A)

16. New Year's Resolution - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (January 1968 US 45 on Stax 244, B)

17. Ooh Carla, Ooh Otis - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (April 1969 US 45 on Atco 6665, B)

18. White Christmas (November 1968 US 45 on Atco 6631, A)

19. Merry Christmas Baby (November 1968 US 45 on Atco 6631, B)

20. Glory Of Love (June 1967 US 45 on Volt 152, A)

21. The Huckle Buck

22. Tell The Truth
NOTES: 

Tracks 1 to 8 from the October 1966 US LP "Complete & Unbelievable...The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul" on Volt 415 in Mono) - see also Track 22 on CD2

Tracks 9, 10, 11, 20 and 21 from the February 1968 US LP "The Dock Of the Bay" on Volt 419 in Mono (Track 21 in Stereo) - see also Track 21 on CD2

Tracks 12 to 17 from the March 1967 US LP "King & Queen" on Stax 716 in Mono

Tracks 18 and 19 from the November 1968 Various Artists US LP "Soul Christmas" on Atco 33-269 in Mono)

Track 22 from the July 1970 US LP "Tell The Truth" on Atco SD 33-333 in Stereo

CD4: (74:33 minutes):

1. Respect (Live, 1967)

2. Can't Turn You Loose (Live, 1967) (April 1969 US 45 on Atco 6677, B-side of "Love Man", Stereo)

3. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) (Live, 1967)

4. My Girl (Live, 1967)

5. Shake (Live, 1967)

6. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) (Live, 1967)

7. Try A Little Tenderness (Live, 1967)

8. I've Got Dreams To Remember (September 1968 US 45 on Atco 6612, A, Stereo)

9. Nobody's Fault But Mine (September 1968 US 45 on Atco 6612, B, Stereo)

10. Hard To Handle (June 1968 US 45 on Atco 6592, B-side to "Amen", Stereo)

11. Thousand Miles Away

12. The Happy Song (Dum-Dum-De-De-De-Dum-Dum) (April 1968 US 45 on Volt 163, A, Stereo)

13. A Waste Of Time

14. Champagne And Wine

15. A Fool For You

16. I'm A Changed Man

17. Direct Me (November 1968 US 45 on Atco 6636, B-side of "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" - for A, see Track 20, CD2, Stereo)

18. Love Man (April 1969 US 45 on Atco 6677, A - for B, see Track 2, CD4, Stereo)

19. Look At That Girl (November 1969 US 45 on Atco 6723, A as "Look At The Girl", Stereo)

20. Free Me (July 1969 US 45 on Atco 6700, A, Stereo)

21. The Match Game

22. A Little Time (Mono)

23. Johnny's Heartbreak (March 1970 US 45 on Atco 6592, B-side of "Demonstration", Mono)

24. Amen (June 1968 US 45 on Atco 6592, A - for B, see Track 10, CD4, Stereo)

25. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (January 1968 US 45 on Volt 157, A - for B, see Track 5, CD3, Stereo)

NOTES:

Tracks 1 to 4 and 6 to 7 from the July 1967 US LP "Live In Europe" on Volt S-416 in Stereo

Track 5 originally issued as a Mono 45 in April 1967 on Volt 149: this mix is STEREO first issued on the November 1993 4CD Box Set "Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding" on Atlantic/Rhino R2 71439 

Tracks 8 to 15 and 24 from the June 1968 US LP "The Immortal Otis Redding" on Atlantic SD 33-252 in Stereo

Tracks 16 to 20 from the June 1969 US LP "Love Man" on Atlantic SD 33-289 in Stereo

Tracks 21, 22 and 23 from the July 1970 US LP "Tell The Truth" on Atlantic SD 33-333 in Stereo

The bulk of CD1, CD2 and CD3 are mostly MONO recordings (Stereo tracks are noted) whilst the majority of CD4 is all STEREO baring two songs towards the end (Tracks 22 and 23). The Audio is just superb and as you can see from the detailed lists above – you get a huge number of his singles – both A&B-sides. The balls-to-the-wall classic Soul albums from 1965 "The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads" and "Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul" get a chunky ten and four songs each and there are nuggets in-between like the 45 B-side "Merry Christmas Baby" from October 1968 – as joyous a Soul sound as you're ever likely to hear.

And although Soul Music live can be a precarious thing to capture (especially 60ts recordings) – you have to bow your head in sheer awe to his staggering stage presence and majesty in the two sets presented here - "Live In Europe" (1967) and "Otis Redding In Person At The Whisky A Go Go" (1968). In sky-slicing form, it's not surprising that both are given hefty representations.

But I dig the later compilations that followed after his tragic and horrible passing in December 1967 – the posthumous LPs like "The Immortal Otis Redding" from June 1968 (8 of its 11 tracks are here), "Tell The Truth" from July 1970 and more wicked groovers ahoy on the July 1969 "Love Man" LP too. It's all jut so bloody good and man is there a lot of it...

Get your daily dose of the original "Love Man" here and find out why those who saw him in the UK and Europe when he did those tours have never been the same since. Immortal indeed...

"The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" by THE KINKS – November 1968 UK Sixth Studio Album on Pye in Stereo and February 1969 US LP on Reprise in Stereo – featuring Ray Davies (October 2018 UK BMG/Sanctuary 50th Anniversary 2CD Deluxe Edition – Andrew Sandoval and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Big Sky..."

  

Arguing the merits of this cracking British album is probably something of a mute point 52 years after the November 1968 event. But I would like to shout to the top about the stunning job BMG and its assembly teams have done for the 50th Anniversary celebratory reissue of "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society". Let us break it down first...

Formats: for punters, it can appear that there are a dizzying amount of variants (there are). Yet setting aside Downloads and Vinyl Represses – there are three digital shots worth your spondulicks - all newly Remastered for 2018 in what BMG is calling a first in their 'The Art Of The Album' Series. Here goes...

UK released 26 October 2018 - '1CD Standard Edition' of "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" by THE KINKS is on BMG/Sanctuary BMGAA09CD (Barcode 4050538402179) and that offers you the STEREO version of the 15-Track album on a single CD in limited edition '50th Anniversary' Book packaging and retails for about eight quid or less. There is also a VINYL Variant of the STEREO LP in gatefold repro artwork on BMG/Sanctuary BMGAA09LP (Barcode 4050538402216) retailing for about £22.00.

The one I'd buy is the next grade up, the 2CD Deluxe Edition on BMG/Sanctuary BMGAA09DCD (Barcode 4050538402186). That peach (which I'm reviewing here) offers you the STEREO album on Disc 1 with 9 Bonus Tracks and the MONO Album on Disc 2 with a further 10 Bonus Tracks. Seven of the nineteen Bonuses are Previously Unreleased Mono and Stereo versions while the rest are either stand-alone singles mixes or from rare Kinks compilation LPs from the early Seventies. There is the hard card book sleeve and more in the way of presentation – an attached 20-page booklet, new liner notes, unseen photos and of course those new 2018 HD Remasters. It's about thirteen quid or less secondhand.

The next up is the big daddy and an object of serious lust for KINKs aficionados - the '50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Box Set' on BMG/Sanctuary BMGAA09BOX (Barcode 4050538402049) which BMG allocate a whole page advert to in the 2CD booklet. A 12" x 12" behemoth - it offers the 2CDs of the Deluxe Edition with a further 3CDs, Remastered VINYL LPs in both Mono and Stereo, 3 x Repro 7" singles, 52-page hardback book, memorabilia poster and quite possibly (if they could) - original 1968 underpants signed and authenticated by Ray Davies. In May 2020 Barcode 4050538402049 is technically still available and ranges from £90 to 140 depending on what site you use. Just to annoy fans further, in October 2018 the first 1000 came with an exclusive single and in June 2019, Ray Davies signed 50 copies that were only available on the Kinks website - all of course, sold out now.

Let's get back to the twofer Deluxe Edition we can have...

CD1 Stereo Album 2018 Remaster (65:44 minutes):

1. The Village Green Preservation Society [Side 1]

2. Do You Remember Walter?

3. Picture Book

4. Johnny Thunder

5. Last Of The Steam-Powered Trains

6. Big Sky

7. Sitting By The Riverside

8. Animal Farm [Side 2]

9. Village Green

10. Starstruck

11. Phenomenal Cat

12. All Of My Friends Were There

13. Wicked Annabelle

14. Monica

15. People Take Pictures Of Each Other

Tracks 1 to 15 are their sixth studio album (seventh overall) "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" - released 22 November 1968 in the UK on Pye Records NSPL 18233 in STEREO and February 1969 in the USA on Reprise RS 6327.

BONUS TRACKS:

16. Days (Mono Single Mix) - 28 June 1968 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17573, A-Side

17. She's Got Everything (Original Stereo Mix) - first issued on the 25 March 1972 US 2LP set "The Kinks Kronikles" on Reprise 2XS 6454

18. Mr. Songbird (Stereo Mix) - 2018 Previously Unreleased

19. Wonder Boy (Mono Single Mix) - 5 April 1968 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17468, A-side

20. Polly (Original Stereo Mix) - first issued on the 25 March 1972 US 2LP set "The Kinks Kronikles" on Reprise 2XS 6454

21. Berkeley Mews (Stereo Mix) - 2018 Previously Unreleased

22. Rosemary Rose (Stereo Mix) - 2018 Previously Unreleased

23. Misty Water (Stereo Mix) - 2018 Previously Unreleased

24. Till Death Do Us Part (Mono Mix) - first issued on the 25 January 1972 LP "The Great Lost Kinks Album" on Reprise MS 2127

CD2 - Original MONO Album, 2018 Remaster (66:55 minutes):

1. The Village Green Preservation Society [Side 1]

2. Do You Remember Walter?

3. Picture Book

4. Johnny Thunder

5. Last Of The Steam-Powered Trains

6. Big Sky

7. Sitting By The Riverside

8. Animal Farm [Side 2]

9. Village Green

10. Starstruck

11. Phenomenal Cat

12. All Of My Friends Were There

13. Wicked Annabelle

14. Monica

15. People Take Pictures Of Each Other

Tracks 1 to 15 are their sixth studio album (seventh overall) "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" - released 22 November 1968 in the UK on Pye Records NPL 18233 in MONO and February 1969 in the USA on Reprise RS 6327 (Stereo Only).

BONUS TRACKS:

16. Lavender Hill (Mono Mix)

17. Rosemary Rose (Mono Mix)

18. Pictures In The Sand (Mono Mix)

19. Where Did My Spring Go? (Mono Mix)

Tracks 16 to 19 first issued on the 25 January 1972 US LP "The Great Lost Kinks Album" on Reprise MS 2127

20. When I Turn Off The Living Room Light (Mono Mix) - first issued in April 1970 on the Promotional-Only Various Artists 2LP Compilation "The Big Ball" on Warner Bros PRO 358. First commercial issue (like tracks 16 to 19) on the 25 January 1972 US LP "The Great Lost Kinks Album" on Reprise MS 2127

21. Did You See His Name (Original Stereo Mix) - first issued on the 25 March 1972 US 2LP set "The Kinks Kronikles" on Reprise 2XS 6454

22. Time Song (Monitor Mix - Stereo) - March 1973 outtake from the "Preservation Act 1" sessions, remixed by Ray Davies in May 2018 - 2018 Previously Unreleased

23. The Village Green Preservation Society (Preservation Version - Stereo Mix) - February 1973 outtake from the "Preservation Act 1" sessions - 2018 Previously Unreleased

24. Medley: Picture Book/People Take Pictures Of Each Other (Preservation Version - Stereo Mix) - February 1973 outtake from the "Preservation Act 1" sessions - 2018 Previously Unreleased

25. Village Green Overture (Preservation Version - Stereo Mix) - February 1973 outtake from the "Preservation Act 1" sessions - 2018 Previously Unreleased

The 20-page attached booklet is beautifully done. As a Rarities Buyer for Reckless Records in London's Islington and Soho branches for nearly 20 years – I saw my fair share of Kinks 45s from all corners of the world (there are two pages of them here). And you would see the Reprise Records double-album "The Kinks Kronikles" turn up because it was a US swap-meet staple. But I've honestly never seen most of the international covers for the LP displayed in a set of nine on Page 16 (Norway and Sweden and even a Mexican reissue). Another nice touch is that both CDs feature the original Pye Records LP colouring (separate card flaps for each at the back of the booklet). There are colour photos of the band on Hampstead Heath in August 1968, trade adverts for the Record Mirror and NME along with a concert poster and more (lovely things). ANDY NEILL provides a superb and knowledgeable appraisal of the album and its out-of-step place in the landscape of November 1968 – Ray Davies hankering not for change (like everyone else) but instead to put a stay of execution on a way of British life that was fast disappearing under the big city wrecking ball of progress (God save strawberry jam and all its different varieties). Pye had in fact vetoed a 20-track double-album, so Ray edited it down to a paltry 15. But as the LP charts show – neither side of the pond seemed particularly interested. Village Green didn't chart in either England or the USA – a famous flop that somehow seems a wee bit myopic on our parts.

A team of four have done the Audio - longtime associate with Kinks 2CD Deluxe Editions ANDREW SANDOVAL did the mixing and audio restoration, tape transfers fell to RICHARD WHITTAKER and KEVIN VANBERGEN while Final Mastering was carried out by Rhino's long standing Audio Engineer - DAN HERSCH. It's all so good - even the unreleased "Misty Walter" in Stereo boogies with power and shocking presence. To the music...

The album opens with Ray wanting Desperate Dan, Donald Duck and the village green saved from progress in the opening title track. The Stereo separation in "Do You Remember Walter?" is fab but my heart went straight to the wicked groove of "Picture Book" which sounds so damn good. Re-hearing its Scooby-dooby-do chipper chorus - you can't help but feel that Pye missed a serious trick here by not issuing it as a lead in single for the album. Reprise USA did just that when they coupled "Picture Book" with "Starstruck" in January 1969 (Reprise 0806) - a month before the album hit the shops there in February. Everyone tried his or her best but "Johnny Thunder" rides the highway - another cracking melody that easily could have been single No. 2. 

I'm sure there are many Kinks fans who have their blood moved by the cool harmonica R 'n' B of "Last Of The Steam-Powered Trains" - a once mighty puffer now gathering dust in a museum (the remaster rocks). The feeling that you're in the middle of a great album continues with the one-day-we'll-be-free "Big Sky" - a fabulous tune with spoken and sung lyrics. The piano-jaunty "Siting By The Riverside" conjures old English bars while at the same time segueing into Psyched-up Guitars and Accordions. Take me where the animals are playing, Ray sings on "Animals" - another 'wanna be back there in the easier past' song. Churches with steeples and a girl called Daisy fill up "Village Green" while another woman is "Starstruck" drinks deep because she can't have what the famous man she wants. Whimsy returns with the fat moggy song "Phenomenal Cat" while "All Of My Friends Were There" begins with a how's-yer-father rhythm only to go into a softer melody. The album races to a close with the rocky "Wicked Annabella", the shuffling Salsa rhythms of "Monica" and the rapido-shaking tambourine of "People Take Pictures Of Each Other".

Of the Bonus tracks my remote went not to the overplayed "Days" in Mono but the "Kronikles" Stereo Mixes of "She's Got Everything" and (pretty) "Polly" and they're every bit as Kinks-Kool as I remember them including that wild guitar solo in "She's Got Everything" that seems to encompass both 60ts Rock and Psych in one 15-second outburst. I can't believe how cool the Previously Unreleased Stereo Mixes are - the 'you make me happy' Stereo Mix of "Mr. Songbird" and the piano-rolling "Berkeley Mews" - previously unreleased variants fans will have to have. And on it goes on CD2...

Re-listening to the album now, I can hear why a 1968 young audience weren't taken - too much going on in the present and future to be focusing on the old English past. But make no mistake, in 2020 the Kink's past has been brought to life by this exemplary big sky set of reissues. Top marks to all involved...

The SUPER DELUXE BOX SET Edition

"Gordon Giltrap/Portrait" by GORDON GILTRAP – October 1968 and October 1969 UK Debut and Second Studio Albums on Transatlantic Records in Stereo (29 May 2020 UK Beat Goes On Reissue – 2LPs onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Hands Of Fate..."

Originally on Bill Leader's groundbreaking Transatlantic Records, Gordon Giltrap's first two albums of largely instrumental British Folk from October 1968 and October 1969 have been reissued on CD like this twice before. First up was August 1993, then November 1997, and in both cases by Essential Music (part of the Sanctuary Group) as two-albums onto 1CD.

Now it’s the turn of England's Beat Goes On (BGO) with shiny new 2020 remasters courtesy of Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON that make Benchley's best virtuoso guitarist shine anew. This disc sounds gorgeous – those doubled acoustic strings rattling around your speakers with air-bending intent. Here's the Folky beef...

UK released Friday, 29 May 2020 - "Gordon Giltrap/Portrait" by GORDON GILTRAP on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1415 (Barcode 5017261214157) offers his first two albums Newly Remastered onto 1CD that plays out as follows (65:02 minutes):

1. Gospel Song [Side 1]

2. Fast Approaching

3. Don't You Feel Good

4. Birth Of Spring

5. Won't You Stay Awhile Suzanne

6. Wilderness

7. Adolescent Years [Side 2]

8. Saturday Girl

9. Don't You Hear Your Mother's Voice

10. Ives Horizon

11. Blythe Hill

12. Willow Pattern

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "Gordon Giltrap" - released October 1968 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 175 - Produced by BILL LEADER (no US release)

13. Portrait [Side 1]

14. Thoughts In The Rain

15. Never Ending Solitude

16. Tuxedo

17. All Characters Fictitious

18. Lucifer's Cage

19. Careful As You Go [Side 2]

20. Free For All

21. William Taplin

22. Hands Of Fate

23. Confusion

24. Young Love

Tracks 13 to 24 are his second studio album "Portrait" - released October 1969 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 202 in Stereo - Produced by BILL LEADER (no US release)

You get the usual card slipcase on the outside that lends these reissues a wee bit of class while the 16-page booklet features in-depth new liner notes from JOHN O’REGAN. Topics covered are his 18-year old signing to Transatlantic Records in 1968 through to his time with Don Partridge and their band Accolade and on to the commercially successful Prog-instrumental years with The Electric Record Company Label and his 1977 "Perilous Journey" album breakthrough. It even mentions 26 March 2020 when GG played an acoustic gig from his doorstep to benefit Front Line Staff in the NHS during the Coronavirus/Covid 19 lockdown. You also get the album rear sleeve blurbs from Bill Leader (1968) and Don Partridge (1969) and the colour cover artwork for both albums on the front and rear pages of the booklet allowing you to invert the booklet if you want "Portrait" facing out.

However, those expecting the holiday program theme song and hit single "Heartsong" should look elsewhere – these tunes are purely Folk and in some cases feature his vocals which unfortunately wasn’t the greatest of ideas. To the early music of an emerging talent...

The two debut album tracks that highlighted his amazing plectrum picking technique on "The Contemporary Guitar Sampler" budget album of 1969 (Transatlantic TRA SAM 14) are both here - "Fast Approaching" and "Ives Horizon"- the first showing his extraordinary playing talent as the rapid flicks and strums come a screaming out of your speakers in lovely clarity – the second with a wall of doubled guitars. But then comes the voice...

Harmonics ping at the beginning of "Don't You Feel Good" but the lovely song is quickly ruined by his whiny voice that is not the strongest (nor are his lyrics). Again beautiful playing opens "Why Won't You Stay A While, Suzanne?" but his how-I-need-you lyrics and voice render the playing mute – the same for the terribly twee "Adolescent Years". Back to racing up and down the steel strings for the far better "Saturday Night". The debut ends on the short instrumental "Blythe Hill" – another racer full of great ideas but fades out on "Willow Pattern" – more bad singing that really should have been nipped in the bud from the get go.

The 1969 second album opens on the title track "Portrait" – two and half minutes of lovely playing with pretty cascading runs up and down the fretboard. The second song "Thoughts In The Rain" is about jealousy but again his deadpan vocal delivery makes the song hard to listen to – the same for "Never Ending Solitude" and "All Characters Fictitious". The big chunky chords instrumental "Lucifer’s Cage" would be returned to years later for his 1976 "Visionary" album on The Electric Record Company – here it gets a gimmicky flanging from speaker-to-speaker treatment that kind of ruins the track had it been left alone to play out. And on it goes...

All the virtuoso guitar playing in the world doesn’t help if you don’t have the tunes or in this case – the voice. For his formative years, Giltrap hadn’t really got either. There are undeniably beautiful instrumentals on both records, but suffering the others may prove a step too far for the uninitiated. Fans will love it for sure – especially the great audio – but others should grab a listen first before purchase...

"Derrick Morgan And His Friends" by DERRICK MORGAN and VARIOUS ARTISTS – 1968 UK LP on Island Records featuring The Viceroys, Pauline Morgan and The Loveletts, The Consumates, The Groovers, Alva Lewis, Neremiah Reid, The Black Brothers, The Inventors, The King Twins, Dawn Penn, Frank Brown, Zanda Ferron, Tony King and more (July 2019 UK Doctor Bird 2CD Expanded Edition Reissue – Andy Pearce Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Food Of Love..."

I've been raving for some time now about how good these Doctor Bird CD Reissues are and DBCDD-039 is another belter.

Listed in Record Collector Price Guides at between £150 to £200 for an original British-pressed LP in Mono (that sum in no way reflects just how rare and desirable this fab album is) – this massively expanded 2CD reissue is centered around his second album outing - the 1968 Island Records 12-track LP "Derrick Morgan And His Friends" as pictured on the cover.

With a whopping 24 Bonus Tracks on top of the 12-track album - many rare Island and Unity single-sides from the spring of 1968 make their digital debut here. And along with a seminal genre album that has been off-radar for over 52 years, you even get a few Previously Unreleased Tracks too. There's a lotta Rock Steady to get steady to, so let's have at it...

UK released Friday 12 July 2019 - "Derrick Morgan And His Friends" by DERRICK MORGAN and VARIOUS ARTISTS on Doctor Bird DBCDD-039 (Barcode 5013929273931) is a 36-Track 2CD Reissue/Remaster than plays out as follows:

CD1 (47:03 Minutes):

1. Bad Luck On Me - DERRICK MORGAN [Side 1]

2. Father Killam - DERRICK MORGAN

3. Tears On My Pillow - DERRICK MORGAN

4. Ain't That Crazy - DERRICK MORGAN

5. Lagga Head - DERRICK MORGN

6. Stumbling Block - DERRICK MORGAN and THE VICEROYS

7. I've Been Searching - PAULINE MORGAN and THE LOVELETTS [Side 2]

8. Stop The Wedding - PAULINE MORGAN and THE LOVELETTS

9. Give Me A Chance - PAULINE MORGAN and THE CONSUMATES

10. The More They Get - PAULINE MORGAN and THE CONSUMATES

11. You've Been Saying Things - THE BLACK BROTHERS

12. Music Be The Food Of Love - THE INVENTORS

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Derrick Morgan And His Friends" - released spring 1968 in the UK on Island Records ILP 990 in Mono.

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Conquering Ruler - DERRICK MORGAN & THE VICEROYS (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3094, A - for B-side see Track 16, Disc 2)

14. You've Got To Cry - THE GROOVERS (January 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3080, A - for B-side see Track 16)

15. Lip & Tongue - THE VICEROYS (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3095, A - for B-side see Track 4, Disc 2)

16. I'm Indebted - ALVA LEWIS  (January 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3080, B - for A-side see Track 14)

17. Family War - NEREMIAH REID (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3102, A - for B-side see Track 3, Disc 2)

18. Someone - DERRICK MORGAN & PAULINE (December 1967 UK 45 on Island WI-3079, A - for B-side see Track 7, Disc 2)

CD2 (47:52 minutes):

1. Gimme Back - DERRICK MORGAN (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3101, A)

2. Send Requests - THE VICEROYS (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3101, B)

3. Give Me That Love - NEREMIAH REID (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3102, B - for A-side see Track 17, Disc 1)

4. When Am I Gonna Be Free - DAWN PENN (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3095, B - for A-side see Track 15, Disc 1)

5. Give It To Him - THE VICEROYS (as THE HOT TOPS) - Not Originally Released In The UK

6. Every Day (True, True, True) - ZANDA FERRON - Not Originally Released In The UK

7. Do You Love Me - DERRICK & PAULINE (December 1967 UK 45 on Island WI-3079, B - for A-side see Track 18, Disc 1)

8. Some Come, Some Go - FRANK BROWN (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3103, B - for A-side see Track 14, Disc 2)

9. Give Me Loving - THE BLACK BROTHERS - Not Originally Released In The UK

10. Let Him Go - THE VICEROYS - Not Originally Released In The UK

11. A Prisoner In Love - DERRICK MORGAN - Not Originally Released

12. Lonely World - ZANDA FERRON - Not Originally Released In The UK

13. Treat Me Right (Trying To Keep Me Down) THE KING TWINS (Errol Dunkley) - Not Originally Released In The UK

14. Do It Now - THE CONSUMATES (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3103, A - for B-side see Track 8, Disc 2)

15. Bedweight - DERRICK MORGAN (1970 UK 45 on Unity UN 569, B-side to "The Conqueror")

16. Red Rum Ball - LLOYD & DEVON (March 1968 UK 45 on Island WI-3094, B - for A-side see Track 13, Disc 1)

17. Bum Ball (Chapter II) - TONY KING (December 1970 UK 45 on Smash SMA-2302, A and 1970 UK 45 on Unity UN 565, B – for A see Track 18)

18. More Balls - MARC ANTHONY & THE JETS (December 1970 UK 45 on Smash SMA-2302, A and 1970 UK 45 on Unity UN 565, A)

Compiled by Reggae and Ska historian and aficionado LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT (Author of "Young Gifted And Black: The Story Of Trojan Records" – see my Review) – the 16-page booklet offers up two pages of those uber-rare single labels (nine on each) – Island, Unity, Morgan's own Hop Records, Jamaican white labels as well as black and white snaps on DM in his trademark Pork Pie hat. There are interviews conducted across the decades with the great man that include contributions from Bunny Lee. The distinctive orange and black eye Island Records label for "Derrick Morgan And Friends" is repro'd on Page 7 while the album's rear sleeve (advertising all those tasty 1967 impossible to find Island and Sue LPs) is on the last page of the booklet.

You get track by track credits and mastering is by one of my fave Audio Engineers – ANDY PEARCE – a name Universal has used for Budgie, Free, Rory Gallagher, ELP, Spooky Tooth, Wishbone Ash and loads of these difficult to get right Reggae compilations (him and his audio partner Matt Wortham have mastered over 50 of these sets so they know their way around a few tape boxes and vinyl dubs). Given the recordings vintage and notorious made-in-a-bucket origins – the audio here is once again kicking. I'll never be able to afford these sevens or the LP and to have it here in such cool Audio is – well, cool. To the music...

Unusual for the time, all 12 tracks on the LP were not singles and their flipsides, but exclusive to it. That irresistible chug-rhythms kick in straight away with "Bad Luck On Me" - will someone hear my plea - Derrick asks - yes we will mate. "Tears On My Pillow" would be covered by so many - here its simple Rock Steady beat also features a neat guitar solo. There's a new bird across the street that's making Derrick take notice in "Ain't That Crazy" while he riles against stupidity in local youths in "Lagga Head". Other faves on the album are "Stop The Wedding" where Pauline Morgan sounds like Reggae Girl Group and the fantastic vocalist in The Consumates commenting on greed with "The More They Get".

Island Records enthusiasts will look down those WI catalogue numbers and beam. Derrick's "Conquering Ruler" starts a run of ten rarities - each with that identikit chug-rhythm. Highlights include the mind your "Lip & Tongue" walkie-talkie song by The Viceroys, the soft and pretty "I'm Indebted" by Alva Lewis and "Family War" by Neremiah Reid - a co-write between Derrick and Duke Reid. CD2 opens with a 1968 version of "Gimme Back" while Neremiah Reid tackles another co-write with Duke on the "Give Me That Love" love song. Of the songs not previously released in the UK - "A Prisoner In Love" feels like a real find (lovely audio). This is no time to relax Derrick demands in the rather cool "Bedweight". And on it goes...

For sure hearing 36 songs with essentially the same Rock Steady rhythms and sound can be trying after a while, but this is a typically great Doctor Bird reissue - making available once again music that shouldn't be condemned to the Brixton Market of over 50 years ago. Big red bum ball and a smile...