Sounds Good, Looks Good...

Welcome to Mark Barry's Review Blog - SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD... It features in-depth reviews for Quality CD Reissues and Remasters - all with Discography Info (six times Amazon 'Hall of Fame' Reviewer). With over 2,700 posts - genres covered include Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Blues, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Doo Wop, Vocal Groups, 1960s and 1970s, Prog, Psych, Folk, Blues-Rock, Goth, Punk, New Wave, 1980s, Reggae and more. I also review FILMS, TV Shows, BLU RAYS and BOOKS. Enjoy the reads...

Thursday, 10 December 2020

JOURNEY - "Infinity" – January 1978 Fourth US LP on Columbia Records (May 1978 UK on CBS Records) featuring Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Greg Rolie, Ross Valory and Aynsley Dunbar (August 2006 UK Columbia/Legacy CD Reissue in Enhanced Eco-Friendly Digipak Packaging – The Journey Reissues Series – feat Bob Ludwig and Brian Lee Remaster from 1996) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Wheel In The Sky..."

American and Canadian bands like Journey, Kansas, Boston and Rush (even Blue Oyster Cult jumps to mind) – issued albums that had great parts padded out with obvious space filler. But then these Seventies behemoths had their "Infinity" moment - where the whole damn 33 1/3 platter was ‘all good’. And as four whole decades have since stonewashed our slightly soiled elephant-flared denims to threadbare buggery, its "Winds Of March" rep has only grown in stature.

Now in the all-genre-comers 2020s - "Infinity" is being picked up by those revisiting a Prog/AOR/Classic Rock past – a more adventurous long-ago time when guitar pyrotechnics, banks of keyboards and even bigger banks of hair-dos were all a-blazing, all the rage and hell - even trendy. Grown men bared their chests beneath flowery jackets and grew moustaches without the slightest fear of the fashion police arresting their sorry mid-American asses. Man you could even forgive those leaning-back ha-ha-ha poses on the rear sleeve. We’re so brill aren’t we Steve – yes Neal – you’re so right - in fact - you’re always right...

Part of 'The Journey Reissues' series of Remasters from Columbia/Legacy USA - unfortunately and rather disappointingly - even though this 2006 upgraded presentation reissue has a cutesy digipak, a 16-page booklet with new photos and repro's of period memorabilia - it doesn't have anything new. There are no bonuses in other words and it sports a Remaster over a decade old (the Bob Ludwig and Brian Lee Remaster version from 1996). Still what you do get rocks like the proverbial "Wheel In The Sky". Here are the long-lasting details...

UK released 28 August 2006 (1 August 2006 in the USA) - "Infinity" by JOURNEY on Columbia/Legacy 82876858902 (Barcode 828768589021) is a straightforward transfer of the 10-track 1978 US album onto Remastered CD in a Card Digipak that plays out as follows (36:28 minutes):

1. Lights [Side 1]
2. Feeling That Way
3. Anytime
4. La Do Da
5. Patiently
6. Wheel In The Sky [Side 2]
7. Somethin' To Hide
8. Winds Of March
9. Can Do
10. Opened The Door
Tracks 1 to 10 are their fourth studio album "Infinity" - released January 1978 in the USA on Columbia PC 34912 and May 1978 in the UK on CBS Records S 82244. Produced by RAY THOMAS BAKER - it peaked at No. 21 in the USA (didn't chart UK).

JOURNEY was:
STEVE PERRY - Lead Vocals
NEAL SCHON - Lead Guitar and Vocals
GREG ROLIE - Keyboards and Vocals
ROSS VALORY - Bass and Vocals
AYNSLEY DUNBAR - Drums and Percussion

The last time this Journey album was released on CD in November 1996 - the Audio Engineers were the legendary BOB LUDWIG with his assistant BRIAN LEE – that transfer and Remaster done at Gateway Mastering in Portland, Maine. That variant rocked and so it still is - Columbia Legacy clearly deeming it unnecessary to do the album again.

The upgrade is supposedly in the packaging – a snazzy looking stickered card digipak with a 16-page booklet – a sort of photo-scrapbook of memorabilia from the extensive yearlong 1978 American Tour (posters, billboards, tour passes, trade adverts). Clearly not gun shy when it came to night-after-night gigging, like Thin Lizzy and others bands of the time, Journey worked their new album into the dirt. Dates listed in full begin 20 January 1978 in Chicago and go on for three pages, all the way up to New Year's Eve in San Francisco.

The original liner notes that expressed such sorrow to what had befallen Lynyrd Skynyrd in their devastating plane crash (half the band was killed outright), is reproduced too - but there is no history, musical references, input from old-timers who were there - which is a real let down. It's nice to look at for sure and great to listen to, but if it heralded a new launch of the often-maligned Journey, a little more background and group participation would have pleased fans and enlightened newcomers. To the music...

The big change was of course Steve Perry - whose voice and writing chops aligned with Neal Schon and between them they penned most of the album with Drummer Aynsley Dunbar throwing in their penny's worth on tunes like "Anytime" and "Can Do". The band's other twin weaponry out front was the technical guitar wizardry of Schon backed up the keys of Greg Rolie. Five of them sang too, so that when Perry pines for his city by the bay in "Lights" and the boys join in for the chorus - the effect is alarmingly radio friendly. Written by Perry, Rolie and Dunbar - "Feeling That Way" is a typical Journey rawk-ballad - smooch then riffage.

Irresistibly hooky is how you'd describe "Anytime" - those walls of guitars and that flanged-up solo - sexy as baby oil - great stuff. Straight into a Rock bopper and my least fave on the record - "La Do Da". Better is the time-goes-by ballad of "Patiently" - a piano and guitar pleader that goes on about light shining on just as the distorted guitars come roaring in. Side 2's biggie is "Wheel In The Sky" - guitars keep on turning - Perry trying to make it home through the sleet and rain. And of the remaining layered material - the I covered you in roses "Winds Of March" gets tearful just enough to convince while the Aerosmith rawk of "Can Do" feels like its flying at ten thousand miles an hour out of your speakers with just as many guitar overdubs in tow.

I know there are people who hate this over-produced American Radio Rawk with a passion (Prog elements or no). But this album has plenty worth recommending it to make your 'journey' back to this 2006 remaster-revisit worthwhile. Can do, have done...

"The Soundtrack From The Film The Song Remains The Same" aka "The Song Remains The Same" by LED ZEPPELIN - September 1976 US LIVE Double-Album (October 1976 in the UK) on Swan Song Records featuring Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham (September 2018 US Swan Song Expanded Edition 2CD-Set Reissue with Six Bonus Tracks in Repro Embossed Gatefold Card Sleeve Packaging – John Davis Remastering Supervised by Jimmy Page) - A Review to Mark Barry...

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MORE THAN A FEELING

1976

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/MORE-THAN-FEELING-All-Guide-Exceptional-ebook/dp/B0BGT69MVZ?crid=1RTTPB6MEK9Y7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aCLqQD_0x4Xc4Kd7CEKllFnbfqhZ11PdMT_72etNzX9uk4_p_dYzE7ix7BD2qIIrl8-pAv90HElKfIB-_ZesIaS7TKJ-pDCFTgEP2k9aFX6a08GeBKgOKqyKHE6gcf0WacJEY4AKfVHlvo1EyZXb-psq6hf7c8WNvfvSSQUcNdP73WQfDavTWOHn5u81XeWCHJ47XMXWJqovt2Cx2c7BHgnvhCDYy23xFnpilpsAe90.T6uf-EhIxX_KJ8LfLu5E7Pk739m39vwP0A9sw0LfGno&dib_tag=se&keywords=more+than+a+feeling+mark&qid=1717663975&sprefix=more+than+a+feeling+mark%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=02abe7807076077061be2311e2d581b1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...Flaming Heart..."

I'm gonna put a spanner in the works here and say that for me anyway (especially at the time), both 1976's single studio album "Presence" and the ludicrous indulgence of the film "The Song Remains The Same" were two nails in a very unwilling coffin. I thought the first piss-poor and the second - supposedly a representation of my most rave Rock Band in the world in their natural live habitat - a huge disappointment and frankly pretentious to the point of walk out (many of us did as I recall).

Like most Zeppelites of my age, I worshipped at the altar of all things Led. But for me, the unbelievable run of genius from "Led Zeppelin" in January 1969 to the legendary twofer "Physical Graffiti" in February 1975, stopped abruptly in 1976, first with the obvious mediocrity of "Presence" only to be compounded by "The Song Remains..." film and its underwhelming vinyl companion.

To that - I was 18 on the day of US release, Tuesday, 28 September 1976 (we would have to wait until late October in Ireland and England) and just so invested in them. But crappy sound at a mega arena and using concerts that were three years old (the end of a US tour) which featured zilch from the mighty Graffiti - wasn’t my idea of magic or brilliance. Coming after the truly lacklustre "Presence" with its garish and pointless Hipgnosis artwork – it was all too much.

But here’s the rub - having vented all that personal horror and disappointment of old – bizarrely I cannot get enough of the Extended Edition of "The Song Remains The Same" because of its new inclusions - six genuinely fantastic bonus tracks slotted into the play list rather than just tagged on at the end. They have turned Song into an entirely different beast of live burden. As well as that, the Remaster upgrade by JOHN DAVIS on the latest 2018 variant – the man who made the Mothership Remasters of 2009 sound so utterly stunning – has taken a pig's ear and whipped it into a proper peacock strutter. Let's get bare chested and shake it on down...to the details...

20 November 2007 had seen "Song" appear in the USA as a 2CD Expanded Edition set on Swan Song/Rhino R2 328252 (Barcode 081227996116) with Six Bonus Tracks mastered by BOB LUDWIG (there was also a 4LP Expanded variant). This is essentially a 2018 reissue of that 2007 set with a different Remastering Engineer at the helm – JOHN DAVIS (supervised by Jimmy Page). Here are the 2018 details...

US released Friday, 7 September 2018 - "The Soundtrack From The Film The Song Remains The Same" aka "The Song Remains The Same" by LED ZEPPELIN on Swan Song/Rhino R2-565219 (Barcode 603497862757) is a 2CD-Set Expanded Deluxe Edition Reissue and Remaster of Their 1976 Soundtrack and Live Double-Album with Six Bonus Tracks in a Six-Panel Foldout Card Sleeve that plays out as follows:

CD1 (60:33 minutes):
1. Rock And Roll
2. Celebration Day
3. Black Dog (featuring a portion of "Bring It On Home") *
4. Over The Hills And Far Away *
5. Misty Mountain Hop *
6. Since I've Been Loving You *
7. No Quarter
8. The Song Remains The Same
9. The Rain Song
10. The Ocean *

CD2 (71:25 minutes):
1. Dazed And Confused
2. Stairway To Heaven
3. Moby Dick
4. Heartbreaker *
5. Whole Lotta Love
Tracks 1, 2, 8 and 9 on CD1 were the original Side 1
Track 1 on CD2 (nearly 27 minutes) was the original Side 2
Tracks 7 on CD1 and 2 on CD2 were the original Side 3
Tracks 3 and 5 on CD2 were the original Side 4
* Previously Unreleased; first issued November 2007, same placing for the September 2018 re-release

The 9-track 2LP-Set "The Soundtrack From The Film The Song Remains The Same" aka "The Song Remains The Same" was originally released 28 September 1976 in the USA on Swan Song SS 2-201 and 22 October 1976 in the UK on Swan Song SSK 89402. Produced by JIMMY PAGE and Recorded Live at Madison Square Gardens in New York across the 27th, 28th and 29th of July 1973 – it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the States.

The 6-panel card-sleeve for this 2018 Reissue that repro's the look and feel of the original vinyl double (mottled sleeve, raised lettering etc) is beautifully done and the 24-page booklet the same - all those colour photos and stills from the fantasy sequences in the movie. American Filmmaker CAMERON CROWE and Director/Writer helmsman of the hugely underrated "Roadies" TV Series (a massive Zep fan who has used their music in many of his films) does the gushing gussets liner notes that include reminiscences from Plant and Page too.

But it's the JOHN DAVIS Remaster (supervised by Jimmy Page) that really lifts things up so much. Their is a barnstorming kick to these transfers and especially the slotted-in extras. To the music...

The opening double salvo of running IV's "Rock And Roll" into III's "Celebration Day" kicks things off well although I never really liked it. But then you're hit with a stunning double of IV's "Black Dog" and "Over The Hills And Far Away" from "Houses Of The Holy" and suddenly this is the gig I wanted to hear let alone see. Page's playing in both is fantastic and when that Rock punch kicks in for "Hills" - it's so good. It astonishes too just how these songs seem to have always been there. Next up is another IV fave - the Side 2 opener "Misty Mountain Hop" introducing Jones on keyboards whilst allowing Plant to sing his guts out. What a front man he was as he sang "...really don't know what time it was..." There is a swagger and swing to Zeppelin here that is thrilling and felt absent to me when I first bought the platter in 1976.

And again another peach, the slow Blues from Side 1 of III that is "Since I've Been Loving You" - and again you're left wondering why this winner was left off the original - another string to their bow. Plant's echoed 'drag drag drag' vocals are fantastic but it's Page's show - his playing on fire as the canvas allows him to slow-fast and back again for eight and half minutes of what is essentially one long solo. There is great Bass and play between Bonham too. We now return to one that actually appeared on the original, House's "No Quarter" stretched into 10:38 minutes of swirling keyboard from John Paul Jones and was one of the occasions where the live reinterpret outdoes the studio cut.

Like many I can't help thinking that "The Rain Song" from Houses like say "Ten Years Gone" from Graffiti is an arrow-point to their greatness – pretty – powerful – beautiful – and so Zeppelin. The Remaster of that delicate guitar intro is superb, then as the keyboard floats in – oh yes. Down and dirty and gritty comes another Bonus – the riffage of "The Ocean" that sees them looser (I can hear why it was left off, but here it feels just right). Never could suffer out the full Side long "Dazed And Confused" and the fantastic opening riffage of the instrumental "Moby Dick" quickly gives way to the insufferable drum solo that accompanied all concerts like this in those hedonistic days. Far better is another inclusion – "Heartbreaker" – another riffage winner from 1969's II. And it all ends on a near fourteen minute whig-out on "Whole Lotta Love" – a worthy violin-bow stretch-out or an aural indulgence – I think it's a bit of both actually - you re-decide.

To sum up – this reissue is a triumph – turning an initial disappointment into a viable goer for the 00's. You probably could and should argue that if official live Zep is yer crave, then the far better thought-out triple-live-CD set "How The West Was Won" from 2003 is better - showing the power and the subtlety of the band in full flight with real aplomb and blistering audio – Rock and Acoustic sides too.

"...You've been learning...I've been yearning...gonna give you every inch of my love..." – Plant sang on the iconic "Whole Lotta Love" (now thankfully with its Willie Dixon songwriting credit sat alongside the foursome).

Well maybe not every inch – but with a flaming heart that can't get my fill - I'll take the few extra feet boys to make up for that midnight movie horror-show all those years ago...

Wednesday, 9 December 2020

"Point Of Know Return" by KANSAS – October 1977 Fifth US Album on Kirshner Records featuring Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh, Rich Williams, Robby Steinhardt, Dave Hope and Phil Ehart (February 2002 US Epic/Legacy Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Two Bonus Tracks - Darcy M. Proper, Suha Gur and Jeff Glixman Remixes and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Lightning's Hand..."

As per the hugely informative fold-out inlay and new liner notes from original producer Jeff Glixman - Kansas' 5th album "Point Of Know Return" released in early October 1977 was rushed in every way - especially the final mixing.

The band had scored huge with "Leftoverture" in October of the previous year (a breakthrough LP and a US No. 5) and the new platter was going to be just as big, buoyant and script typeface Progtastic as its much loved little brother ("Point Of Know Return" went one notch higher in fact, up to No. 4). There is discussion of 70-hour marathon mixing and finishing-up sessions that left the original makers and recording crew deeply unhappy. But with release and another tour imminent - there was no time to fix it. Flying from L.A. to NYC, they walked into a New York Radio Station with a lacquer cut only that afternoon at Sterling Sound for them to play immediately - plugging a band performance that evening.

So it appears that with some relief the Jeffster, alongside renowned Audio Engineers Darcy M. Proper and Universal's Suha Gur, were all well pleased in 2001 to get their grubby hands on a second chance to properly remaster this dense album. They could now give it the breathing space the CD format allows and even throw it a couple of apt Previously Unreleased Bonuses too.

Which brings us here – the Epic/Legacy Remaster Series for Kansas. Let's get ship shape, tame this musical tempest and float back over that newly visible horizon...

US released 12 February 2002 - "Point Of Know Return" by KANSAS on Epic/Legacy EK 85387 (Barcode 888837145428) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (54:35 minutes):

1. Point of Know Return [Side 1]
2. Paradox
3. The Spider
4. Portrait (He Knew)
5. Closet Chronicles
6. Lightning's Hand [Side 2]
7. Dust In The Wind
8. Sparks Of The Tempest
9. Nobody's Home
10. Hopelessly Human
Tracks 1 to 10 are their fifth album "Point Of Know Return" - released October 1977 in the USA on Kirshner Records JZ 34929 and November 1977 in the UK on Kirshner KIR 82234. Produced by JEFF GLIXMAN - it peaked at No. 4 in the US LP charts (didn't chart UK).

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased):
11. Sparks Of The Tempest (Live at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, Maryland, Columbia)
12. Portrait (He Knew) (Remix)

KANSAS was:
KERRY LIVGREN - Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards & Percussion
STEVE WALSH - Keyboards and Lead Vocals
RICH WILLIAMS – Acoustic & Electric Guitars
ROBBY STEINHARDT – Violin, Cello, Vocals
DAVE HOPE – Bass
PHIL EHART – Drums and Percussion

The twelve-leaf foldout inlay repro's in full that elaborate Peter Lloyd cover art and the beautiful Bob Maile calligraphy lyrics/credits that has always been such an identity point for this huge album. The new DAVID WILD Liner notes also feature reminiscences from band main-man Kerry Livgren whilst the big prize is of course brand new DARCY M. PROPER, SUHA GUR and JEFF GLIXMAN Remixes and Remasters – the album now absolutely jumping. There isn't too much dust left on these tapes...to the Prog...

Kirshner opened the album's account with the title song "Point Of Know Return" b/w "Closet Chronicles" released as an October 1977 US 45-single - Kirshner ZS8 4273 achieving No. 28 on the Top 100 in the USA whilst its British December 1977 release on KIR 5820 was ignored.

But it was "Dust In The Wind" b/w "Paradox" that really blew the album sales up. Released in January 1978 - Kirshner ZS8 4274 entered the US singles chart in mid February where it began a steady rise - eventually securing a No. 6 slot in the Top 10. This fantastically hooky tune that seemed to slot into so many genre-categories (bet Epic loved that) explains the album's 51-week chart run. It also saw the struggling bands near 10-year stretch of existence suddenly become moneyed. Kansas was now one of the 'huge' bands on Epic's roster - Boston, Journey and Kansas - they have always been inextricably linked as American Rock Bands that give it some guitar and more guitar and larrup on the keyboards (even strings) for good measure.

In May 1978, a third US 45-single would appear coupling "Portrait (He Knew)" with Side 2's opener "Lightning's Hand" on the flipside - but it hadn't the legs of its predecessor and failed to make the Top 100. Still - this Remaster has made one of my album faves sing - command the "Lightning's Hand" - while its interesting to hear the (not surprisingly) unreleased 'live' version of "Sparks In The Tempest" where the band begins to fall apart at the end. Love that Prog rip-through in the instrumental "The Spider" too.

Outside of the hugely catchy "Carry On Wayward Son" single in early 1977 - Kansas never did mean much in Blighty - but the boys from Topeka were superstars in the USA then and remain so to this day - fans tearful just looking at the artwork for "Point of Know Return". Now they can hear it properly too and buy it for under six quid or even less. Nice one...

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

"Maximum Darkness" by MAN – September 1975 UK Tenth LP on United Artists (a 5-Track LIVE Set) featuring Deke Leonard, Micky Jones, John Cipollina (ex Quicksilver Messenger Service), Terry Williams and Martin Ace (May 2008 UK Esoteric Recordings Expanded Edition CD Reissue – Paschal Byrne Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Many Are Called..."

It seems that suddenly (if you could call it that) - MAN had begun to gain actual notice from the buying public when the critical and commercial success of "Rhinos, Winos + Lunatics" in May 1974 was rapidly followed by "Slow Motion" in November of that productive year. Their 9th and 10th studio sets had finally struck a chord and their weird Welsh Rock rhythms were even beginning to sound – dare we say it – kinda cool.

Time therefore of course to stop, take stock and release yet another live one. Time maybe too, to even take in a third axeman of repute to stand out front alongside the twin lead guitars of Deke Leonard and Micky Jones - John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service. The Welsh and The American – what could go wrong?

And that's where the beautifully realised "Maximum Darkness" live album with its laminated gatefold sleeve and foldout poster came a Prog-rocking in...

Between 2008 and 2014, Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of Cherry Red) colluded and canoodled with remaining band members, relaunching their entire album catalogue from 1969 through to 1977 in real CD-reissue style (see detailed list below). Here are the details for entry number ten...

UK released 26 May 2008 (9 June 2008 in the USA) – "Maximum Darkness" by MAN on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2061 (Barcode 5013929716124) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that pans out as follows (79:42 minutes):

1. 7171 551 [Side 1]
2. Codine
3. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You
4. Many Are Called, But Few Get Up [Side 2]
5. Bananas
Tracks 1 to 5 are their 10th album – the live set "Maximum Darkness" – released July 1975 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29872 and in the USA on United Artists UA-LA345-G. It was recorded at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm in London on 26 May 1975 by VIC MAILE and Produced by MAN.

BONUS TRACKS:
6. C'mon (Live) – Previously Unreleased
7. Romain (Live) – Previously Unreleased
Both tracks recorded live at The Keystone, Berkeley, California in April 1975

For "Maximum Darkness" MAN was:
DEKE LEONARD – Lead Guitars, Keyboards and Vocals
MICKY JONES – Lead Guitars and Vocals
JOHN CIPOLLINA – Lead Guitars
MARTIN ACE – Bass and Vocals
TERRY WILLIAMS – Drums and Percussion

As well as reproducing Deke's copious original liner notes to the September 1975 UK LP (Pages 16 to 19, albeit in tiny print) - the 20-page booklet features new liner notes by band guitarist DEKE LEONARD recalling how the collaboration with Cipollina came about and their musical meetings of minds. And like all of the booklets in this exemplary reissue series, the text is peppered with period memorabilia like stage passes, trade adverts, gig flyers, the LP artwork and poster and the press buzz around Cipollina joining the band for their tour dates. All is tastefully laid out as Deke recalls hotel room shenanigans when JC first came to meet them (they shoot the door in his face thinking he was some imposter – nice).
But the really big news is a superb new remaster handled by PASCHAL BYRNE at Audio Archiving using original master tapes. And that pair of Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks are actually that – bonuses - especially "Romain" – a slide-guitar chugger that had opened Side 1 of their third album "Man" way back in the spring of 1971.

While "7171 551" was new, Quicksilver aficionados would recognize two of their songs in "Codine" and "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" – tunes that had turned up on the 1968 Psych Soundtrack album "Revolution" (again on United Artists). In the new liner notes, Deke Leonard explains that Cipollina leaving the band to return to America after the British Tour left a musical hole in Man. And you can so hear why on the two Side 2 live works outs - "Bananas" and "Many Are Called, But Few Get Up" (originally on the albums "Do You Like It Here Now? Are You Settling In?" and "Be Good to Yourself At Least Once A Day" from 1971 and 1972). They go to eleven and half minutes and nearly fourteen – the blend of musicianship being exactly what you would imagine it to be – a hybrid of Man vs. QMS amalgamated – such sympatico in the playing and ideas. The combined sound is one of both Classic Seventies Rock sidling up to Prog Rock elements and both winning in the antler rut.

Bonuses - the eleven-minute studio version of "C'mon" originated on the "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day" LP in November 1972, while "Romain” had been on the "Man" album that preceded it in March 1971. "C'mon" scoots along with typical Man guitars until it reaches about four minutes in and slows to a Blues pace where the introduction of Brian Auger/Graham Bond type organ give it a very mellow Prog/Jazz feel. "Romain" is a guitar vehicle where the band gets to stretch out. Great extras and cleverly chosen too.

So there you have it – a largely forgotten 70s live set that should be rediscovered - reissued by a label that cares...

Deke Leonard put out three Solo LPs in 1973, 1974 and 1981 (also on UA), Terry Williams later joined Dire Straits and Guitarist Micky Jones passed away in 2010.
Esoteric have reissued and remastered the entire MAN catalogue in the same upgraded manner with full co-operation from the band (see list below) and I’ve reviewed 4, 6, 9 and 10 and now 11 to date.

MAN DISCOGRAPHY for Esoteric Recordings CD Reissues

1. Revelation (January 1969 debut) – Esoteric ECLEC 2127 (2009 Remaster with 4 Bonus Tracks)

2. 2 Ozs Of Plastic With A Hole In The Middle (September 1969) – Esoteric ECLEC 2128 (2009 Remaster with 3 Bonus Tracks)

3. Man (March 1971) – Esoteric ECLEC 2012 (2007 Remaster with 2 Bonus Tracks)

4. Do You Like It Here Now, Are You Settling In? (November 1971) – Esoteric ECLEC 2013 (2007 Remaster with 3 Bonus Tracks)

5. Live At The Padget Rooms, Penarth (September 1972) – Esoteric ECLEC 2014 (2007 Remaster with the original 3-track album expanded onto 6 tracks across 2CDs)

6. Be Good To Yourself A Least Once A Day (November 1972) – Esoteric ECLEC 2019 (2007 Remaster In Card Digipak with "Map Of Wales" insert and 2 Bonus Tracks)

7. Christmas At The Patti by MAN and FRIENDS (July 1973) – Esoteric ECLEC 2018 (2007 Remaster. The original vinyl was a live double 10” Record that featured FLYING ACES, DUCKS DELUXE, THE JETS, PLUM CRAZY with DAVE EDMUNDS, HELP YOURSELF with DEKE LEONARD and B.J. COLE and finally MAN with DAVE EDMUNDS and STAN PHIFER. The CD contains the full double with no extras)

8. Back Into The Future (September 1973 – Half Live/Half Studio Double-Album) – Esoteric ECLEC 2060 (2008 3CD Remaster with the 2LP set on CD1 whilst CD2 (June 1973) and CD3 (August 1973) have 10 Bonus Tracks)

9. Rhinos, Winos + Lunatics (May 1974) – Esoteric ECLEC 2020 (2007 Remaster with a Bonus 7” single cut on Disc 1 and a Previously Unreleased 5-Track Live Concert at The Whiskey A Go Go in LA on Disc 2)

10. Slow Motion (November 1974) – Esoteric ECLEC 2062 (2008 Remaster 6 Bonus Tracks)

11. Maximum Darkness [Live] (September 1975) – Esoteric ECLEC 2061 (2008 Remaster with two Live Bonus tracks)

12. The Welsh Connection (March 1976) – Esoteric ECLEC 22403 (2013 Remaster with a Bonus 7” single B-side ad 5 live tracks on CD1 and a 2nd CD of 9 tracks)

13. All's Well That Ends Well [Live] (November 1977) – Esoteric ECLEC 32431 (2014 Remaster of the album on CD1 with 2 Previously Unreleased CDs of the entire show from December 1976 (Discs 2 and 3) newly mixed from the 24-track tapes. There is also a repro of the "History Of Man" insert that came with the first 5000 copies of the original vinyl album)

"The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" by MUDDY WATERS – April 1975 US LP on Chess Records featuring Pinetop Perkins, Paul Butterfield, Bob Margolin, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of The Band, Fred Carter and Howard Johnson with Producer Henry Glover (October 1995 UK/EUROPE MCA/Chess Expanded Edition CD Reissue with One Bonus Track – Part of The Original Chess Masters Reissue Series - Erick Labson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Music Of 1975 to 1979

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"...Deep As The Ocean... "

After 27 years recording for Chess Records, this April 1975 American album was Muddy's last for the label (never got a UK release) and I think it's a bit of a forgotten gem.

"The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" is also one of those CDs that actually received an official British and European release by MCA as part of 'The Original Chess Masters' Series. Here is the love, deep as an ocean...

UK/EUROPE originally released 24 October 1995 - "The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" by MUDDY WATERS on Chess/MCA MCD 09359 (Barcode 076732935927) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue with One Bonus Track and is part of The Original Chess Masters Reissue Series. It plays out as follows (43:54 minutes):

1. Why Are People Like That [Side 1]

2. Going Down To Main Street

3. Born With Nothing

4. Caldonia

5. Funny Sounds [Side 2]

6. Love, Deep As The Ocean

7. Let The Good Times Roll

8. Kansas City

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" – released April 1975 in the USA on Chess Records CH 60035 and was produced by HENRY GLOVER.

BONUS TRACK:

9. Fox Squirrel – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CD-Only Bonus Track

MUSICIANS:

MUDDY WATERS – Vocals and Guitar

PINETOP PERKINS – Piano and Additional Vocals on "Kansas City" and "Caldonia"

PAUL BUTTERFIELD – Harmonica

BOB MARGOLIN – Guitar

HOWARD JOHNSON – Saxophone

GARTH HUDSON (of The Band) – Organ, Accordion and Saxophone

FRED CARTER – Bass and Guitar

LEVON HELM (of The Band) – Drums and Bass

As you can see from the list provided above, an impressive array of musicians were involved in the sessions recorded across two days in February 1975 at Bearsville's Studios in Turtle Creek, New York (the 6th and 7th). Paul Butterfield of Elektra Records' The Butterfield Blues Band provides fabulous bluesy Harmonica throughout; the legendary (Joe Willie) Pinetop Perkins tinkles the ivories and guest vocals on "Kansas City" and "Caldonia" with both Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of those Americana champions The Band throwing in Keyboards/Accordion and Drums/Bass respectively.

While "The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" is a straight-up blues record for the most part, Hudson's Accordion playing gives some of the tracks a slightly Swing/Cajun feel - and is a genuine surprise and treat for it too. Special mention should also go to Butterfield's harp warbling which is typically fantastic throughout - clearly enthused by the mere proximity of the great blues man. In fact you can 'feel' the love of each musician towards Muddy in each and every recording.

Five of its eight tracks are Muddy Waters originals topped up with three cover versions - Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller's peach "Kansas City", made famous by Wilbert Harrison and done by hundreds of others since, with the other two being Louis Jordan R 'n' B classics, "Let The Good Times Roll" and "Caldonia" - penned by his wife Fleecie Moore. The original vinyl album was afforded the luxury of a colour gatefold sleeve picturing the famous Blues and Rock World guests on the inside - the 12-page booklet reproduces those photos (smiles all around) and adds new liner notes from CHRIS MORRIS of Billboard Magazine.

Producer-Songwriter Henry Glover had cut albums on King Records in the Fifties and Sixties with some amazing names – James Brown, Little Willie John and Hank Ballard - whilst Drummer and full-on Muddy enthusiast Levon Helm had been the catalyst for the Rock-Blues album – emulating what Howlin Wolf had done with The Rolling Stones on their label for the stunning 'London Sessions' series of albums (Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and so on). I have reviewed "The Howlin Wolf London Sessions: 2CD Deluxe Edition" reissue (check that out).

This 1995 ERICK LABSON remaster has typically ace sound from one of Universal's primo engineers (over a thousand transfer credits to his name including huge swathes of the Chess, Cadet and Checker catalogues). What is cool too is that "Fox Squirrel" - a CD-only bonus track – is just that - a genuine discovery and bonus (astonishing that this McKinley Morganfield original was left off the record nor ever used as a B-side?).

"The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" divides some fans, but I feel it's a forgotten gem from a golden age that deserves a rethink. For sure it isn't the hard-hitting Chicago Blues-Rock that the later Johnny Winter/Muddy Waters collaborations on Blue Sky Records would produce - "Hard Again" in 1977, "I'm Ready" in 1978 and the "Live" Album in 1979 - stuff that revitalised the great man's career. But it is good, just in a different way, criminally overlooked and like almost all of his 70's recordings - I have always loved it to bits.

I know there are those who would say that his 40ts, 50ts and 60ts Aristocrat and Chess sides are the only Holy Grail worth sipping from - but I say knob to that.

Test out "Going Down To Main Street" on iTunes or any streamer service and you'll get to a deeper part of an ocean you will want to swim/drown in...

"Black And Blue" by THE ROLLING STONES – April 1976 UK and US Album on Rolling Stones Records featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins on Guitars, Billy Preston and Nicky Hopkins on Keyboards and Backing Vocals with Ian Stewart with Ollie Brown on Percussion (June 1994 UK Virgin CD Remaster by Bob Ludwig vs. May 2009 Polydor CD Remaster by Stephen Marcussen) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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MORE THAN A FEELING

1976

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"...Shake Your Body...Work It Right Now..."

If it weren't for the abomination that is their cover version of Eric Donaldson's Reggae song "Cherry Oh Baby" on Side 1 (a serious pet hate for me in the entirety of their formidable catalogue) - I would actually consider April 1976's "Black And Blue" to be as close to perfect a Rolling Stones 70ts album as you can get.

For sure it's not the mighty "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" or "Exile On Main St." - but then what is. But "Black And Blue" is an album that had taken the Funk and Soul influences that had crept into 1973's "Goats Head Soup" and even elements of 1974's "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" and given it full flourish. Stuff like "Hey Negrita" and "Hot Stuff" were a revelation to me when I heard them first - the Stones smartly catching the Funk, Soul and Jazz Funk vibes of the time and stretching their sound out to accommodate them. And "Melody" had a sass and sway about it too. But white boys doing Reggae never did quite work for me outside of say the Ska rhythms of Two Tone that would come at the end of that fantastic decade.

Plus the non-crammed vinyl record sounded 'brilliant' - produced like a kicking mule - which is not something you could ever have accused "Goat's Head Soup" of. And I thought the ballad "Fool To Cry" to be magical (and still do). But what CD variant of this 8-track genre-melt do you buy?

1. Hot Stuff [Side 1]
2. Hand Of Fate
3. Cherry Oh Baby
4. Memory Hotel
5. Hey Negrita [Side 2]
6. Melody
7. Fool To Cry
8. Crazy Mama
Tracks 1 to 8 are their album "Black And Blue" – released 20 April 1976 in the UK and USA on Rolling Stones Records COC 59106 and COC 79104 respectively. Produced by The Glimmer Twins – it peaked at No. 1 in the USA and No. 2 in the UK.

Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts - were joined by Guests included guitarists Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins with Keyboardist and Vocalist Billy Preston, Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart with Ollie Brown on Percussion.

There are maybe four or even five remasters in total, but two I think worth it and easy to access. The first is the 1999 Virgin issue and the second – he more commonly available 2009 Polydor variant.

June 1994 saw two reissues using the UK original master tapes – the Standard CD Edition on Virgin CDV 2736 (Barcode 724383952021) and a Collector’s Edition on Virgin CDVX 2736 (Barcode 724383949922) issued in a stickered outer plastic slipcase with Original Album Packaging repro’d in Mini LP form on the inside – the 1976 gatefold and its track-by-track credits inner sleeve (41:25 minutes). Renowned Audio Engineer BOB LUDWIG carried out the Remaster at Gateway Mastering using the UV22 Super CD Encoding Process (created by Apogee Electronics in California).

The second came with the May 2009 Remaster on Polydor/Rolling Stones Records 0602527015613 (Barcode 602527015613) housed in a Super Jewel Case with a CD booklet. Part of The Rolling Stones Remasters Series (all done by STEPHEN MARCUSSEN), it plays to 41:21 minutes, has a Lips Sticker on the case and there is no Collector’s Edition.

The Virgin issues are both deleted and not surprisingly the Collector’s Edition garnishes a cost – none too unreasonable though as it regularly sells for somewhere between twelve and sixteen UK pounds. The Polydor issues (part of The Rolling Stones Remasters Series) have sold for as little as a fiver or somewhere below seven quid and are easily available. Japan has weighed in with SACD issues, Flat Transfer SHM-CD and Platinum SHM-CDs in presentation boxes and on it goes (I hated the Platinum variant of Sticky Fingers that used a flat transfer so I avoided the rest).

The Virgin issue has extraordinary vitality – the rhythms and flicks and vocals shouts leaping out of your speakers. As guest guitarist Harvey Mandel takes the sole Lead Guitar on the Side 1 opener "Hot Stuff" (a young virtuoso, he had played slide with Blues artists like Canned Heat and Charlie Musselwhite before starting a solo career in 1968) – the power is undeniably huge. He flicks sexy rhythms as a back beat then overlaying that with funky Jeff Beck Blow By Blow moments. Jagger sings he can't get enough and neither can I. Back to proper Stones fare with the superb "Hand Of Fate" - Keith back at the guitar reins with help from Manassas whizz-kid Wayne Perkins on the solo (a stunner). I love this kind of Stones swagger (watched him die, watch out boy) - they seem to make something out of nothing and it somehow comes up peaches and cream.

Long-time sessionman Nicky Hopkins provides the keyboards for "Cherry Oh Baby" but I quickly skip to the oddly touching "Memory Hotel" - it's seven-minutes and ten seconds feeling epic in all the best Stones way. Billy Preston plays String Synthesizer; Wayne Perkins plays Acoustic with Harvey Mandel on Electric - while Billy, Keith, Ronnie Wood and Mick all provide backing vocals. Sang a song to me - Jagger remembers - stuck right in my brain. I also love that 'she got a mind of her own and she uses it well...' off the cuff line from Keith as a counter melody. The audio is superb. Used to mean so much to me – it still does.

The sloppy Joe signature sound of Ronnie Wood combined with Keef gives the fantastic "Hey Negrita" (apparently a nickname for Jagger's wife) - Billy Preston dropping in those off-the-cuff piano fills that just so work. Stevie Wonder's percussionist Ollie Brown is in their too shuffling with Charlie Watts. But its Wood who slots in like a glove - catching the groove - as Jagger hollers just a momentita - one last dollar - then we go - fantastic stuff. Mick Jagger is credited with 'foot stomp' on the jazzy New Orleans sleaze that is the Saturday Night of "Melody" - Arif Mardin arranging a genius horn section towards the finish while Billy Preston slips in superb second vocals.

We race to the finish with a double-whammy of greatness that puts the album up there for me - the poor-me tear-fest "Fool To Cry" and the boozy riffage of "Crazy Mama". Even today, I can still recall the chills that went up my arms when I first heard "Fool To Cry" - the Nicky Hopkins and Mick Jagger synth and piano combo - its words nailing me to some lonesome mast or other - the Stones are like that. The ball and chain sawn-off shotgun pound of "Crazy Mama" is still a mule kicker and easily as good as say "Start Me Up" – just not as famous.

The 2009 Polydor Remaster (which I also own) is fantastically clear and fulsome, but somehow there's a softer naturality to the 1994 version that keeps bringing me back to it. But if you are on a budget, either will do in truth.

"Black And Blue" is a great Seventies Stones album for me. "It makes me wonder why...daddy you're a fool to cry..." Well, I don't care if I do look like a nit after all these decades of Glimmer Twins & Co worship, because this is one I want to cry about...

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order

INTENTS and PURPOSES (Book of Poems - No.5 of 6)

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BEATLES - "Let It Be: Super Deluxe" Fabulous Underdog Album Box Set - Best Price!

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BEATLES - Abbey Road (50th Anniversary Remaster from 2019) - Beautiful! SEE MY REVIEW

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Thursday, 10 December 2020

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INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order

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B&W Speakers - I Have Black Variants of These and they are stunning!

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More Fantastic 60ts 70ts Soul Than You Can Shake A Stick At - SEE MY REVIEW

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Followers

BEATLES - "Let It Be: Super Deluxe" Fabulous Underdog Album Box Set - Best Price!

BEATLES - Abbey Road (50th Anniversary Remaster from 2019) - Beautiful! SEE MY REVIEW

Superb Socially-Conscious Soul/Funk from 1971 to 1974 - See Review

BEATLES - "White Album" - Amazing 2018 Remaster and Unplugged Demos - SEE REVIEW

Breakdown/Protection for SOUNDBARS for 2 Years

ALLMANS Forgotten But Brilliant Double from 1972 - SEE MY REVIEW...

BILL WITHERS Truly Great Multi-Disc Soul Box - SEE MY REVIEW

Great Deal on a great book