"Oxygene" by JEAN-MICHEL JARRE - December 1976 French Album on Les Disques Motors – Reissued July 1977 in the UK on Polydor Records (May 2014 UK Disques Dreyfus/BMG/Sony Music CD Reissue – Dave Dadwater Remaster) - A Review by MARK BARRY...

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"...A Breath Of Fresh Air..."

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Ooh don't you just love a wee bit of Jean Michel Jam-Jar and his gurgling VCS3's, ARP 6200's and EMS AK5's (synths to you pal) - millions did then and gazillions still do.

In the 8-page liner notes to this BMG/Sony Music 2014 CD Remaster – Phil Alexander of Mojo Magazine quite rightly heralds the LP "Oxygene" as a game-changer – a genuinely iconic piece of work that so many artists since owe a debt to (there is the black and white photo of Jarre taken by Charlotte Rampling on the inner pages and that David Bailey colour shot on the rear but naught else). 

I remember when this dancing-synthesiser vinyl LP hit the UK in July and August of 1977 on Polydor Records - roaring up to No. 4 on the album-charts on the back of the No. 2 placing of the "Part 4" single. "Oxygene" and its six instrumental passages seemed to be everywhere that summer - sat beside the noise and bluster of Punk and New Wave - the charismatic and handsome 28-year old Frenchman ploughing rills in musical fields that the likes of Mike Oldfield had dug into in 1973, 1974 and 1975 with "Tubular Bells", "Hergest Ridge" and "Ommadawn". The Floyd, Yes, ELP, Santana, Greenslade, Colosseum and of course, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and Neu had all been laying down a path too – so too I suppose you could argue that Dr. Who, The Nice even Space and their "Magic Fly" 45 and LP were cut from the same cloth.

So too Jean Michel - Jarre had in fact been around since his experimental noodling in 1969 and by the time he recorded this multi-layered beast in 1976 Paris – his array of keyboard instruments and their myriad wires and knobs probably made Keith Emerson twitchy. But the secret lay in the hook – the Oxygene hook that drew you in and made you like it. 

The album "Oxygene" had been released December 1976 in France on Disques Motors (later to become Disques Dreyfus after Francis Dreyfus who owned the label) and quickly sold out. Something was afoot and a bigger pallet needed. After a signing with the major label Polydor Records in 1977 and a re-launch of the French album in every territory everywhere - Jarre suddenly seemed to make everyone notice what had been around in Germany for years - Electronic Prog. Consolidating the "Oxygene" winner with "Equinox" in late 1978 (most people's other fave album by him) – Jarre quickly became the worlds' biggest and most successful exponent of – well - Electronica. Which brings us to this 2014 Remaster – to the skull-world details...

UK released 26 May 2014 - "Oxygene" by JEAN-MICHEL JARRE on Disques Dreyfus/BMG/Sony Music 88843024682 (Barcode 888430246829) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster from original tapes and plays out as follows (39:42 minutes):

1. Oxygene Part 1 (7:40 minutes) - Side 1

2. Oxygene Part 2 (8:09 minutes)

3. Oxygene Part 3 (2:55 minutes)

4. Oxygene Part 4 (4:15 minutes) - Side 2

5. Oxygene Part 5 (10:24 minutes) 

6. Oxygene Part 6 (6:21 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 6 are the album "Oxygene" – first released December 1976 in France on Les Disques Motors 2933 207 and reissued July 1977 in the UK on Polydor 2310 555. It’s US release on Polydor PD-1-6112 was also July 1977. It peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No 78 in America

JEAN MICHEL JARRE played ARP 2600, VCS3, AKS, RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, Farfisa Organ, Eminent 310, Mellotron, Rythmin' Computer and Korg Mini-Pop. 

New 2014 Mastering from original analogue tapes has been done by DAVE DADWATER for Yakuda Audio – and it sounds trippy-sweet, hypnotic, swirling across your speakers like some 60ts Sci-Fi movie about a civilization that lives underwater. It's also impressive that as Part 2 bounces in, the bank of thump-controlled bass notes and darting synth jabs don't sound too dated, despite the age of the equipment used and the limitations of what was effectively a home studio. 

Even though its under three minutes, Part 3 feels huge, layer after doomy layer building the soundstage. With its drum-machine back beat and an actual musical hook that anchors it, hardly surprising that Part 4 became the hippest unhip tune in that most New Wave of years. There is a warmth and clarity to the biggest piece on the album – Part 5 – its ten and half minutes flitting from speaker to speaker like a drunken special effects technician on Blade Runner. 

For sure you might listen to "Oxygene" in 2020 and wonder at the sum of 14-million albums sold - but re-listening to it has reminded me why so many loved it then and hold it precious still...

"Andrew Gold + What's Wrong With This Picture + All This And Heaven Too + Whirlwind + Bonuses" by ANDREW GOLD – Four US Albums from November 1975 (June 1976 in the UK), May 1976 (January 1977 in the UK), February 1978 and April 1980 on Asylum Records - Plus 20 Bonuses Including Outtakes and Rarities – Guests include Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Warnes, Waddy Watchel, Danny Kootch Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, Russell Kunkel, Kenny Edwards, Peter Asher, Dan Dugmore, Don Grolnick, J.D. Souther, Ernie Watts, Jeff Porcaro of Toto and Brock Walsh (September 2013 UK Edsel/Rhino Anthology - 4LPs and 20 Bonus Tracks Remastered onto 3CDs using 2005 US Rhino Transfers) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Looking For My Love..."

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When Californian multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Andrew Gold passed in June 2011, he was only approaching his 60th birthday – taken way too soon.

Forever associated with the Yacht Rock sound of the West Coast, Gold had clocked up four moderately successful albums on David Geffen's Asylum Records between 1975 and 1980 and two absolutely huge 45-singles in "Lonely Boy" and "Never Let Her Slip Away". Neither of these FM-friendly winners nor his other hit "Thank You Being My Friend" (adapted later for the hugely popular "Golden Girls" US TV programme) has been off Radio Station playlists for pushing on 45 years now. 

And yet Andrew Gold remains something of an unknown and the rest of his great work largely-forgotten - a topflight sessionman whose name turns up on the inner sleeve credits of albums by James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, J.D. Souther, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne and was even feted by 10cc in the 80ts to join their ranks (he would team up with Graham Gouldman in Wax). Or that guy who put an album sleeve in 1976 with 38 deliberate mistakes on it – one where on initial release you could get a mail-order gift if you could correctly locate and name all of them (I think I once got to about 20 on the appropriately titled "What's Wrong With This Picture?" album).  

And that's where this superlative value-for-money 3CD chunky monkey comes bopping in. Licensed from Rhino of the USA, Edsel of the UK do for Andrew Gold what they did for The Doobie Brothers - pour on the numbers, the extras and the remastered sound. All This And Heaven Too - let's get to the details...

UK released 9 September 2013 - "Andrew Gold + What's Wrong With This Picture + All This And Heaven Too + Whirlwind + Bonuses" by ANDREW GOLD on Edsel/Rhino EDSX 3016 (Barcode 740155301637) offers 4LPs Remastered Onto CDs 1 and 2 with a Further 20 Bonus Tracks on CD3. It's housed in a four-way foldout card digipak, has a 26-page booklet, uses Rhino's Remasters on all songs and plays out as follows:

CD1 (76:20 minutes):

1. That's Why I Love You [Side 1]

2. Heartaches In Heartaches 

3. Love Hurts 

4. A Note From You 

5. Resting In Your Arms  

6. I'm A Gambler 

7. Endless Flight 

8. Hang My Picture Straight 

9. Ten Years Behind Me

10. I'm Coming Home 

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Andrew Gold" - released November 1975 in the USA on Asylum 7E-1045 and June 1976 in the UK on Asylum K 53020. Produced by CHARLES PLOTKIN - it peaked at No. 190 in the USA (didn't chart UK). Guests included Backing Vocals from Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Edwards and Gene Garfin (who also co-wrote "That's Why I Love You", all others AG originals). 

11. Hope You Feel Good [Side 1]

12. Passing Thing 

13. Do Wah Diddy 

14. Learning The Game 

15. Angel Woman 

16. Must Be Crazy 

17. Lonely Boy [Side 2]

18. Firefly 

19. Stay 

20. Go Back Home Again 

21. One Of Them Is Me 

Tracks 11 to 21 are his second studio album "What's Wrong With This Picture?" - released May 1976 in the USA on Asylum 7E-1086 and January 1977 in the UK on Asylum K 53052.

CD2 (78:52 minutes):

1. How Can This Be Love? [Side 1]

2. Oh Urania (Take Me Away)

3. Still You Linger On

4. Never Let Her Slip Away 

5. Always For You 

6. Thank You For Being My Friend [Side 2]

7. Looking For My Love 

8. Genevieve 

9. I'm On My Way 

10. You're Free 

Tracks 1 to 10 are his third studio album "All This And Heaven Too" – released February 1978 in the USA on Asylum 6E-116 and March 1978 in the UK on Asylum K 53072. Produced by ANDREW GOLD and BROCK WALSH - guests include Waddy Watchel on Guitars, Ernie Watts on Saxophone, Kenny Edwards on Bass, with Brock Walsh, J.D. Souther and Jennifer Warnes on Backing Vocals

11. Kiss This One Goodbye [Side 1]

12. Whirlwind 

13. Sooner Or Later 

14. Leave Her Alone 

15. Little Company  

16. Brand New Face [Side 2]

17. Nine To Five 

18. Stranded On The Edge

19. Make Up Your Mind

Tracks 11 to 19 are his fourth studio album "Whirlwind" – released April 1980 in the USA on Asylum 6E-264 and May 1980 in the UK on Asylum K 52219. Produced by ANDREW GOLD - guests include Bryan Garofalo on Bass, Waddy Watchel on Guitar, Don Grolnick on Piano and Brock Walsh on Backing Vocals

CD3 (73:40 minutes) - all tracks Previously Unreleased at the time:

1. Within A Word 

2. Sometime When A Man's On His Own

3. Broken Pin Ball Machine 

4. To Be Someone 

5. Ten Years Behind Me (Demo)

6. Hang My Picture Straight (Live At The Santa Monica Auditorium, 1975)

Tracks 1 to 6 first appeared as Six Bonus Tracks on the 2005 US CD reissue of "Andrew Gold" on Collector's Choice Music CCM-527 (Barcode 617742052725)

7. Lonely Boy (Original Version)

8. Firefly (Early Unfinished Version)

9. Gorilla jam 

10. Feel It 

11. Hope You Feel Good (Live at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, 1976)

Tracks 7 to 11 first appeared as Five Bonus Tracks on the 2005 US CD reissue of "What's Wrong With This Picture?" on Collector's Choice Music CCM-528 (Barcode 617742052824)

12. Gambler (Version No. 1)

13. Thank You For Being A Friend (Outtake)

14. Dr. Robert (Live, Beatles cover)

15. Genevieve (Original Version)

16. Still You Linger On (Alternate Take)

Tracks 12 to 16 first appeared as Five Bonus Tracks on the 2005 US CD reissue of "All This And Heaven Too" on Collector's Choice Music CCM-529 (Barcode 617742052923)

17. Gambler (Version No. 2)

18. Endless Flight (Live At The Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida, 1978)

19. The 'In' Crowd 

20. Traffic Jam 

Tracks 12 to 16 first appeared as Four Bonus Tracks on the 2005 US CD reissue of "All This And Heaven Too" on Collector's Choice Music CCM-530 (Barcode 617742053029)

As you can see from the track lists provided above, CD3 essentially gathers up all 20 of the Previously Unreleased tracks that appeared across the four 2005 Collector's Choice Music CD reissues and lumps them onto one disc. The multiple-flap digipak houses a very pretty and informative 28-page booklet that fleshes out the new ALAN ROBINSON liner notes (June 2013) with track-by-track musician credits. Each album is pictured, the Elektra labels for Side 1 and 2, rare 45-single foreign picture sleeves for "Lonely Boy", "How Can This Be Love", "Never Let Her Slip Away" and "Kiss This One Goodbye" and each album front sleeve given a whole page each to shine. 

The original Remasters date from 2005 (Rhino via Collector's Choice Music) with the 3CD 2013 reissue mastered in the UK by Edsel’s longstanding Audio Engineer – PHIL KINRADE of Alchemy Mastering. This set sounds fab – the huge synth chords of "Never Let Her Slip Away" punching out of yours speakers with lovely clarity. You also notice with tracks like "That's Why I Love You" on the self-titled debut how almost every instrument is him - but as the LPs moved on – Gold regularly called on James Taylor/Jackson Browne sessionmen like Waddy Watchel, Danny Kootch Kortchmar, Leland Sklar and Russell Kunkel to beef up proceedings with expert fills. When the wall of voices hits you – it has power too – big names like Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Warnes and sometime co-Producer and writer Brock Walsh. 

The thing about an Anthology like this is that it allows to dig deeper than the stuff the Radio schedulers only ever want to play – songs like "Stay" with Linda Ronstadt yet again adding beautifully subtle backing vocals - "I'm On My Way" with Jeff Porcaro of Toto whacking the kit - "Learning The Game" with Dan Dugmore playing Steel Guitar (long time member of James Taylor’s backing back) – the beautiful simplicity and almost hymnal "Looking For My Love" so reminiscent of Stephen "On And On" Bishop as Andrew (all on his own as a single man) plays every instrument for lonely hearts everywhere - "Little Company" on the "Whirlwind" album where Jazzer Don Grolnick of the fusion outfit Dreams plays gorgeous piano – the acoustic loveliness of the I miss you "Still You Linger On" - and on it goes. Some of the bonuses are short and feel superfluous to requirements and the lone cover of the Revolver belter "Dr. Robert" shows his rockier side in a rare slice of live Seventies. 

If you want deeper still, Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of Cherry Red) issued a Clamshell Box Set in July 2020 not surprisingly called "Lonely Boy: The Asylum Years" and its 7CDs offers even more. 

I look on this singer-songwriter with huge affection and remember being in lurve with some dark-haired wild-eyed Irish beauty when the March 1978 UK 45 for "Never Let Her Slip Away" was released (with the Yacht Rock salsa rhythms of "Genevieve" on the flipside). 

Asylum K 13112 took British and Irish airwaves by quiet storm – jumping all the way up to No. 5 in the UK singles chart and putting its parent album "All This And Heaven Too" into the Top 40 (No. 31 in April 1978). Its wildly soppy only-met-her-a-week-ago romantic shuffle and those Ernie Watts Saxophone runs tugged on those heartstrings then and still does now - it moved me. Remember him like this and enjoy...

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..."

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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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"...Flaming Heart..."

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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...

"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..."

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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...