"Tea For The Tillerman: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS – November 1970 UK Fourth Studio Album (And Second) on Island Records (January 1971 USA on A&M Records) – Featuring Alun Davies on Guitar, John Ryan on Double Bass, Harvey Burns on Drums, Jack Rostein on Violin, Paul Samwell-Smith on Backing Vocals and Production with Del Newman String Arrangements (4 December 2020 UK Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island Records 50th Anniversary Reissue 2CD Deluxe Edition with 14 Bonus Tracks – Geoff Pesche Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 317 More Like It 

Are Available in my e-Book...

ALL THINGS MUST PASS
1970

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, 45-Singles, Compilations 

ALL GENRES

Over 2,350 E-Pages of Reviews from the discs themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Coming To Win Us..."

 

To date I've purchased two of these 50th Anniversary Reissues - "Mona Bone Jakon" and "Tea For The Tillerman" - both albums originally issued in 1970. 

 

They are part of an ongoing series of reissues entitled The Yusuf / Cat Stevens Cat-O-Log Collection. But in order to get a lay of the land on this new version of "Tea For The Tillerman", we need to backtrack a little. 

 

Not surprisingly and following on from the bare-bones single CD remaster of 2000, Universal subjected both November 1970's "Tea For The Tillerman" and its popular September 1971 follow-up album "Teaser And The Firecat" (UK release dates) to their chunky 2CD DELUXE EDITION Series in November 2008 – another Ted Jensen Remaster with eleven new Previously Unreleased bonus tracks on CD2 of "Tillerman".

 

You would therefore think that they would all turn here in December 2020 on this New 2CD Deluxe Edition Remaster along with more for our audio delectation – but actually – no. Six have survived the transfer - Wild World (Demo Version, Recorded 1969), Miles From Nowhere (Demo Version, Recorded 1969), Longer Boats (Live At The Troubadour, Recorded 1970), Into White (Live At The Troubadour, Recorded 1970), On The Road To Find Out (Live at KCET-TV, Recorded in Los Angeles, 1971) and Tea For The Tillerman (Live At The BBC, Recorded 1970 for BBC Radio 1's "Sounds Of The Seventies" at the Playhouse Theatre). Not even the Super Deluxe Edition 5CD Box Set has the remaining five – one live track recorded in Japan in 1976, two from the Majikat Earth Tour of 1976 and two more recorded 2006 at Yusuf's Café. 

 

So any fan wanting the lot will need to keep that 2008 2CD Deluxe Edition – which frankly seems a bit lax. But given the gorgeous new Audio on this 2020 version, new Unreleased actually worth owning and its rather spiffing presentation, there is still oodles to be gleeful about. Let's deal with what we have...

 

UK released 4 December 2020 - "Tea For The Tillerman: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS on Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island Records 0602508395253 (Barcode 602508395253) is a 2CD Reissue and Remaster with 14 Bonus Tracks (on CD2) that plays out as follows: 

 

CD1 "Tea For The Tillerman, 2020 Remaster" (36:51 minutes):

1. Where Do The Children Play? [Side 1]

2. Hard Headed Woman

3. Wild World

4. Sad Lisa

5. Miles From Nowhere

6. But I Might Die Tonight [Side 2]

7. Longer Boats

8. Into White

9. On The Road To Find Out

10. Father And Son

11. Tea For The Tillerman

Tracks 1 to 11 are his fourth studio album "Tea For The Tillerman" - released November 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9135 and January 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4280. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH - it peaked at No. 20 in the UK and No. 8 in the USA.

 

 

CD2 "Tea For The Tillerman, Demos, Alternate Versions, Bonus Tracks, Live Recordings" (45:21 minutes):

1. Wild World (Demo)

2. Miles From Nowhere (Studio Demo)

3. But I Might Die Tonight (Deep End Movie Version)

4. Can This Be Love? (Album Out-Take)

5. Honey Man (Duet with Elton John recorded October 1967, first issued October 2001 on the "On The Road To Find Out" 4CD Long Box Set, Reissued June 2008 in a smaller Digibook Format as "Cat Stevens")

6. If You Want To Sing Out Sing out (Demo)

7. Don’t Be Shy (Demo)

8. Wild World (Live At The Troubadour, December 1970)

9. Longer Boats (Live At The Troubadour, December 1970)

10. Into White (Live At The Troubadour, December 1970)

11. On The Road To Find Out (Live at KCET-TV Studios, Los Angeles USA, 8 June 1971)

12. Where Do The Children Play? (Live at KCET-TV Studios, Los Angeles USA, 8 June 1971)

13. Father And Son (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27 November 1971)

14. Tea For The Tillerman (BBC Live Recording, 16 June 1970)

 

The hardback book with embossed front-cover artwork that precisely mimics the original British LPs that comes with these 2CD Deluxe Editions is gorgeous and of course the same generic artwork will make a row of titled spines stretching right up his last album on Island Records "Back To Earth" in December 1978. To date (January 2022), there have been three (see list below). Unfortunately once the shrink-wrap is torn open, the titled sticker has nowhere to go and worse, the credits page on the rear simply falls off (don't know why they can't simply paste these bloody things on).

 

But once inside, those minor niggles fade. There is a newly laid out 28-page booklet with notes from Yusuf, guitarist Alun Davies and Producer Paul Samwell-Smith that replaces the 12-page inlay of the old 2000 CD version. Anyone who had the original UK and US LPs on Island and A&M Records will remember fondly the Gatefold Sleeve with that cauldron photo on the inside and the lyrics in tiny print on the rear. The looking down photo is now on the inside flaps and the lyrics smartly abutting text that deals with every song.

 

There are some tasty touches – the titled US 45-single sleeve for Where Do The Children Play? On A&M Records AM 1291 siding the text for that Side 1 song opener – a French face-profile picture sleeve for Sad Lisa that was backed with Wild World on Island 6014 042 – a rare Dutch picture sleeve for Father And Son with Moonshadow on the flipside on Island 10 485 AT. There are publicity photos, live shots of Cat with his right-hand man Alun Davies on acoustic guitars, two of the British Mastertape Boxes, the album artwork, sheet music and even a rare Dutch split photo issue 45 for Wild World that shows and tells us Jimmy Cliff sings it, while Cat Stevens wrote it (Island 6014 024). It’s very pretty (see photos provided) and well thought out. Let downs (as it is with all these 2CD sets) – those missing tracks - CD2 merely listing its bonuses in the booklet but with no discussion at all – a lazy approach. Also be careful removing the actual CDs (both entirely Pink in colour to reflect the original famous British label on Island Records) – they are tucked in tight into pouches built into the walls of the hardback sleeves so are too damn easy to rip.

 

Ted Jensen - a long-standing Audio Engineer of WEA catalogue renown – mastered both the 2000 single CD reissue series and the 2CD Deluxe Edition in 2008 – and lovely they were too. Here we get technology advanced by 20 years and GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road having another go round in 2020. These '50th Anniversary' Reissues are gorgeous – the liquid watery sound of the piano on "Sad Lisa" (recorded through a Lesley) comes pounding out of your speakers like never before, the acoustic clarity on the opening to "Father And Son" feeling bigger and more spacious. John Ryan and his Double Bass on the flying saucers song "Longer Boats" thumping away like a goodun. All the instruments are in your face and in a clarity-way you would actually want. Impressive...

 

Not surprising that CD2 opens with the Demo of "Wild World" that first appeared in 2008 – it has huge audio presence and even in its purely acoustic state – packs a serious punch. From there we go to piano for "Miles To Nowhere" – his playing just fantastic and featuring different fills to that of the recording version (it also has Acoustic doubled onto it – great). Things dip dramatically with a seriously overwrought "But I Might Die Tonight" done for the "Deep End" movie – a far heavier and uglier version that you can’t help feel has been dubbed from something other than a mastertape.

 

But things kick into the stratosphere with a gorgeous unreleased outtake called "Can This Be Love?" – what a discovery – acoustic, piano and double bass, drums – its fully formed and would have been a stunning B-side to say "Father And Son" in both tone and theme. The duet with Elton John "Honey Man" first showed on the 2001 4CD Box Set "On The Road To Find Out" and is probably best forgotten by both great men. Far better is a 2:59 minute Demo Version of "If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out" – a finished version of which recorded in February 1971 made its way onto the "Harold And Maude" film. Another winner from that film is "Don’t Be Shy" (also recorded proper in February 1971) which again turns up here in crystal clear 2:41 minute Demo form – a beautiful little melody fans will thrill too.

 

Smartly that’s followed by "Wild World" played live at the Troubadour in LA in December 1970 – a month after the album came out in the UK – its audio almost mimicking that of the "Don’t Be Shy" demo. Very well recorded, "Longer Boats" follows which he announces is about spaceships. He carries on with a thing called "Into White" – as pretty and as delicate as the LP version – and again – well recorded for the day. And on it goes...

 

His first album for Island Records "Mona Bone Jakon" issued in April 1970 was a good start - a three-star effort 'getting' to the genuine five-star greatness of "Tea For The Tillerman". In September 1971 when he issued "Teaser And The Firecat" – there would be no doubt – Cat Stevens became a household name and one of the artists carrying the burgeoning singer-songwriter flag of excellence.

 

So, despite a few minor whinges, anywhere beneath or around a British ten-spot for this new 2020 "Tea For The Tillerman" 2CD Deluxe Edition and it quickly becomes an absolute must buy for fans and unconverted alike.

 

Now, if I could only afford that Super Deluxe Box Set, I’d put the kettle on...again...

 

Titles in The Yusuf/Cat Stevens/Cat-O-Log Collection Series

50th Anniversary Reissues - Geoff Pesche Remasters at Abbey Road

 

1. Mona Bone Jakon (April 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602508820298

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395260

4CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395178

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820304

 

2. Tea For The Tillerman (November 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 06025088203598

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395253

5CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395086

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820311

 

3. Teaser And The Firecat (September 1971 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 19 November 2021

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602435513188

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602435513126

4CD/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 00602435949628

VINYL LP Version is 0602435513218

"Mona Bone Jakon: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS – April 1970 UK Third Studio Album (and first) on Island Records (August 1970 USA on A&M Records) – Guests Include Alun Davies on Guitar, Peter Gabriel on Flute, Paul Samwell-Smith on Backing Vocals and Production with Del Newman String Arrangements (December 2020 UK Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island Records 50th Anniversary Reissue 2CD Deluxe Edition with 10 Bonus Tracks – Geoff Pesche Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 315 More Like It 

Are Available in my e-Book...

ALL THINGS MUST PASS
1970

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, 45-Singles, Compilations 

ALL GENRES

Over 2,350 E-Pages of Reviews from the discs themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...I Think See The Light..."

 

To date I've purchased two of these 50th Anniversary Reissues - "Mona Bone Jakon" and "Tea For The Tillerman" - both albums originally issued in 1970. 

 

They are part of an ongoing series of reissues entitled The Yusuf / Cat Stevens Cat-O-Log Collection. 

 

2021 has also seen September 1971's "Teaser And The Firecat", and 2022 will undoubtedly see September 1972's "Catch Bull At Four" also get a 50th Anniversary makeover, and in multiple formats too.

 

Only ever available as a bare-bones single CD remaster from 2000, this is the first time "Mona Bone Jakon" has been given a proper upgrade (see list of formats below). And like most purchasers/fans I've loved the fabulous new spangly-clean Geoff Pesche Remasters (done at Abbey Road in 2020), and the 2CD Hardback Book Digipaks are certainly presentation lookers. But there are frustrating clunkers across this 2CD set masquerading as 'Bonuses' and irritating omissions that really should have been on here (and this is before we get to the initial vs. now prices of the 'Super Deluxe Box Sets' which started out at £185+ and are now hard to sell at £78 and £75 respectively).

 

Anyway, let's deal with what we have to celebrate and moan about in equal measure...

 

UK released 4 December 2020 - "Mona Bone Jakon: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS on UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island 0602508395260 (Barcode 602508395260) is a 2CD Reissue and Remaster with 10 Bonus Tracks (on CD2) that plays out as follows: 

 

CD1 "Mona Bone Jakon, 2020 Remaster" (35:19 minutes):

1. Lady D'Arbanville [Side 1]

2. Maybe You're Right

3. Pop Star

4. I Think I See The Light

5. Trouble

6. Mona Bone Jakon [Side 2]

7. I Wish, I Wish

8. Katmandu

9. Time

10. Fill My Eyes

11. Lilywhite

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 3rd studio album "Mona Bone Jakon" - released April 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9118 and August 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4260. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH with all songs written by CAT STEVENS - it peaked at No.63 on UK LP charts in June 1970 (didn't chart USA).

 

CD2 "Mona Bone Jakon, Demos and Live Recordings" (31:59 minutes):

1. Maybe You're Right (Studio Demo)

2. I Think I See The Light (Studio Demo)

3. Trouble (Studio Demo)

4. I Wish I Wish (Studio Demo)

5. I Want Some Sun (Studio Demo)

6. Interview - BBC Live Recording 16 June 1970

7. Lady D'Arbanville - BBC Live Recording 16 June 1970

8. Katmandu - BBC Live Recording 16 June 1970

9. Time / Fill My Eyes  - Audience Recording Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival 8 Aug 1970

10. Maybe You're Right - Audience Recording Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival 8 Aug 1970

 

The hardback book with embossed front-cover artwork that precisely mimics the original British LPs that comes with these 2CD Deluxe Editions is gorgeous and of course the same generic artwork will make a row of titled spines stretching right up his last album on Island Records "Back To Earth" in December 1978. To date (January 2022), there have been three (see list below). Unfortunately once the shrink-wrap is torn open, the titled sticker has nowhere to go and worse, the credits page on the rear simply falls off (don't know why they can't simply paste these bloody things on).

 

But once inside, those minor niggles fade. There is a newly laid out 28-page booklet replacing the 12-page inlay of the old 2000 CD version. Anyone who had the original UK and US LPs on Island and A&M Records will remember fondly that the inner holding bags actually had the lyrics to the songs printed out in his handwriting on either side of the bag with little noodle drawings above some of the songs. The 2000 CD booklet repro'd that, but unfortunately this reissue ditches all such slavish devotion to detail in favour of a more elaborate presentation. In-between the period B&W/Colour photos and rare Euro Picture Sleeves, each song gets a detailed liner-notes history of its creation and the lyrics are typed next to them in a clear font. The period snaps are fab - publicity photos, live shots with Alun Davies on Guitar, a repro of the Harold And Maude film that Cat Stevens gave songs to and well as two pages at the rear showing the actual British Mastertapes. Genesis fans will know that an in-between albums 19-year-old Peter Gabriel played flute on "Katmandu" (not much of a contribution truth be told) and we get thankful reminiscence from him on it, but sadly no photos. A huge let down (as it is with all these 2CD sets) is that CD2 is merely listed by tracks in the booklet but has no discussion at all – the lazy approach. There is a sort of apology and acknowledgment that the Audience Tape sound on the two Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival cuts is less than brill - even with Abbey Road audio restoration and remastering. I think they're a joke and CD2 filler of the worst order. But more of that later...

 

Ted Jensen - a long-standing Audio Engineer of WEA catalogue renown – mastered the 2000 single CD reissue series and lovely they were too. Here we get technology advanced by 20 years and GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road having another go round in 2020. These '50th Anniversary' Reissues are gorgeous and even though you can feel the crudity with which "Mona Bone Jakon" was recorded, the audio feels bigger and more spacious. The instruments are in your face and in a clarity-way you would actually want. Impressive...

 

MBJ opens with an obvious single, the lovely mid-paced "Lady D'Arbanville". Actually darker than its pleasant strum would initially suggest - the warmth of that acoustic soundstage is countered with cheery lines like "...in your grave you lie...I'll always be with you...this rose will never die..." A hurting smoocher follows - this time Cat leading with piano on "Maybe You're Right". It’s a rather stunning little song that sounds like it could easily have been on "Tea For A Tillerman". With it's strings and deep melody - I can't help thinking it would have made a great follow up 45 - but Island let "Lady D'Arbanville" be the only 7" single lifted from the album. The rather acidic "Pop Star" whines just a little too much and just seems strangely out of place (a B-side) - but at least as he sings "...going to the cold bank..." the acoustics are crystal (a great transfer this). Side 1 ends with "I Think I See The Light" - a slight return to the Pop sound of the Deram days - and the beautiful "Trouble" - a song that exudes a tangible hurt (superb remastered sound).

 

Side 2 opens with the short and echoed title track "Mona Bone Jakon" where he sings 'jack-on' and tells us 'it won't be lonely for long' - whatever that means. A pencilled face with a closed-up mouth stares down at the lyrics for "I Wish, I Wish" in the booklet (his own sketch) - a strange hybrid sound that's somewhere between Deram and Island - and dig that fabulous Acoustic Guitar solo (Alun Davies I'd swear). The catgut strings of a Spanish acoustic guitar squeak throughout "Katmandu" where we hear the occasional Flute flourishes of Genesis' Peter Gabriel making a few bob before stardom on Charisma Records. It's a tad hissy this track but the audio is magnificent – Pesche has wisely let it breath. At 1:26 minutes "Time" is short but wow what a gorgeous little melody - him on acoustic with the occasional piano note nipping in and out like a jet (treated production). It segues into the equally pretty "Fill My Eyes" - a song with a sweet chorus. It finishes on another LP highlight - the ballad "Lilywhite" - Newman's arrangement of those big strings and cello notes elevating the song into something special - especially in that gorgeous fade-out passage.

 

But the lovely new 2020 album audio is as nothing to the five Studio Demos that start CD2, that as far as I'm concerned actually outshine the finished versions on CD1. They are startling in their sonic clarity to say the bloody least – beautiful – acoustic guitar on "Maybe You're Right" and "I Wish I Wish" with pounding piano on "I Think I See The Light". His attack on these Studio Demos is palpable – like he's got something to prove after a yearlong illness with TB and with this stunning audio feel more 'alive' than the rather stilted finished cuts ended up sounding on the LP. The new outtake "I Want Some Sun" is beautifully recorded but awkward, not great either vocally or lyric-wise and easy to see why it remained in the can all these years.

 

As I say, fans are going to love those five Studio Demos. Unfortunately the dairy of them is quickly reduced to rubble by the crappy last five – one of which is a 1:11 second interview with the BBC explaining about Patti D'Arbanville, the actress he was dating at the time who featured in the Andy Warhol movie "Flesh" and whom "Lady D'Arbanville" is based upon. "Katmandu" follows, but both are hissy and only OK sonic-wise. The two Plumpton Jazz and Blues Festival offerings are awful (the poster is repro'd in the booklet) – unlistenable far-away crap. They shouldn't be here and 'historical importance' is a poor excuse. When I think of the Mona outtakes on the Cat Stevens Box Set like "I've Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old" or the lovely Harold And Maude tracks like "Don't Be Shy" and "If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out" – they would have been so much more appropriate and genuine 'bonuses'. As it is, it won't take fans long to work out that the good five could have been tagged onto the 1CD 50th Anniversary version - cheaper for us - less for the morally upright artist.

 

"Mona Bone Jakon" isn't as special as the "Tea For The Tillerman" and "Teaser And The Firecat" LPs that would follow and make his name. Instead it's a three-star effort that's getting to those two stabs of genuine five-star greatness. 

 

I've also watched this 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Mona Bone Jakon" fluctuate wildly in price ever since release, up to a point that as I write this in January 2022, it's less than eight quid new on Amazon with "Tillerman" clocking in at one point a few days ago at a staggering low price of £6.35 for the double!

 

So, to sum up - anywhere under a whinging ten-spot for the 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Mona Bone Jakon" and I say go for it my peeps of taste and cultural refinement, this being upgraded tears from a dustbin truly worth nabbing...

 

Titles in The Yusuf/Cat Stevens/Cat-O-Log Collection Series Of

50th Anniversary Reissues - Geoff Pesche Remasters at Abbey Road

 

1. Mona Bone Jakon (April 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602508820298

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395260

4CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395178

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820304

 

2. Tea For The Tillerman (November 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 06025088203598

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395253

5CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395086

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820311

 

3. Teaser And The Firecat (September 1971 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 19 November 2021

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602435513188

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602435513126

4CD/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 00602435949628

VINYL LP Version is 0602435513218

"Ahead Rings Out/Getting To This: Deluxe Edition" by BLODWYN PIG – July 1969 UK Debut Album on Island Records in Stereo (December 1969 USA on A&M Records with Different Artwork and Tracks on Side 2) and April 1970 UK 2nd Album on Chrysalis Records (June 1970 USA) – Featuring Mick Abrahams [ex Jethro Tull], Jack Lancaster, Andy Pyle and Ron Berg (July 2018 UK Chrysalis 2CD Compilation with Eight Bonus Tracks of New Remasters – Two Previously Unreleased) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 315 More Like It 

Are Available in my e-Book...

ALL THINGS MUST PASS
1970

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, 45-Singles, Compilations 

ALL GENRES

Over 2,350 E-Pages of Reviews from the discs themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...The Squirreling Must Go On..."

 

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Jethro Tull's first album "This Was" was released on the now legendary Island label in October of 1968 with Mick Abrahams on lead guitar. Dissatisfied with the result, Abrahams left and was replaced by the brilliant Martin Barrie. Abrahams then roped in Jack Lancaster on Sax, Flute & Violin, Andy Pyle on Bass and Ron Berg on Drums and formed the delightfully named and much revered BLODWYN PIG (Abrahams himself handling lead guitar, vocals and all the principal song writing).

 

In the middle of 1969, they popped into Morden Studios in Willesden in London and with Producer Andy Johns (brother of the famous Glyn Johns) promptly produced their much-loved debut "Ahead Rings Out", released late July 1969 on Island Records (December 1969 on A&M Records in the USA with a different Track List on Side 2 and a slightly altered cover). The "Blods" or The "Pig" as they're affectionately known over here in Blighty, made only two albums before Abrahams finally went solo - the second being on the then emerging Chrysalis Records - "Getting To This".

 

Which brings by a circuitous route to this fantastic 2CD firecracker of a compilation from July 2018 that lumps both their album releases together and throws in 8 Bonus Tracks – 4 to each CD with 1 track on each disc being Previously Unreleased. There is much Blodness to squirrel away at, so once more my porky friends to The Pig sporting a pair of Headphones and The Girl with a Bra made of eyes...

 

UK released, Friday 27 July 2018 - "Ahead Rings Out/Getting To This: Deluxe Edition" by BLODWYN PIG on Chrysalis CRCX 1087 (Barcode 5060516091423) is a 2CD Expanded Edition Compilation of their first two albums from 1969 ("Ahead Rings Out") and 1970 )"Getting To This") that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Ahead Rings Out" (58:21 minutes):

1. It's Only Love [Side 1]

2. Dear Jill

3. Sing Me A Song That I Know

4. The Modern Alchemist

5. Up And Coming [Side 2]

6. Leave It With Me

7. Change Song

8. Backwash

9. Ain't Ya Comin' Home, Babe?

Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut album "Ahead Rings Out" – released late July 1969 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9101 (Stereo Only). Produced by ANDY JOHNS – peaked at No. 9 in the UK and No. 149 in the USA.

 

The equivalent American album went out in December 1969 on A&M SP-4210 on their famous Tan label, but with a different track line up on Side 2. It dropped two of the British LP tracks in favour of two others. To sequence the US debut LP for "Ahead Rings Out" from this CD, use the following tracks:

 

Side 1: It's Only Love (1), Dear Jill (2), Sing Me A Song That I Know (3), The Modern Alchemist (4)

Side 2: See My Way (3 on CD2), Summer Day (12), Change Song (7), Backwash (8), Ain't Ya Comin' Home, Babe? (9)

Note: "See My Way" was first released in the UK on their 2nd album "Getting To This" in April 1970 (see CD2)

 

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Sweet Caroline (16 May 1969 UK 45-single on Island WIP 6059, Non-LP B-side of "Dear Jill" – also their first recording)

11. Walk On The Water

12. Summer Day (Tracks 12 and 11 are the Non-LP A&B-sides of a UK 45-single released September 1969 on Island WIP 6069 – Note running order)

13. McGregor Muckabout (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Outtake)

 

CD2 "Getting To This" (54:17 minutes):

1. Drive Me [Side 1]

2. Variations On Nainos

3. See My Way

4. Long Bomb Blues

5. The Squirreling Must Go On

6. San Francisco Sketches [Side 2]

(a) Beach Scape

(b) Fisherman's Wharf

(c) Telegraph Hill

(d) Close The Door, I'm Falling Out Of The Room

7. Worry

8. Toys

9. To Rassman

10. Send Your Son To Die

Tracks 1 to 10 are their second and last studio album "Getting To This" –released April 1970 in the UK on Chrysalis ILPS 9122 and June 1970 in the USA on A&M SP-4243 (same tracks). Produced by ANDY JOHNS – it peaked at No. 96 on the US Billboard Rock LP charts.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Same Old Story

12. Slow Down

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of a Non-LP 45-single released 30 January 1970 in the UK on Chrysalis WIP 6078

13. Meanie Mornay (outtake, first issued June 2006 by EMI on their Remaster of "Ahead Rings Out"- EMI 357 6852 (Barcode 094635768527))

14. One Thing Leads To Another ("Getting To This" LP Outtake, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

 

 

PACKAGING: Inside a card wrap with a four-way fold-out digipak interior, the 2006 booklet of old has been replaced with a double-sided foldout sheet sporting new 2018 ruminations by Mick Abrahams – ever witty, humble and very informative (oddly he deals only with the debut and not the second LP). The UK artwork of the original two albums is faithfully reproduced across the inner flaps, colour pictures of the band from the same featured beneath each respective see-through CD tray, track lists on the flaps etc. But those tasty European picture sleeves of rare 7" singles in the 2006 issue are gone and there is no mention of the US album with its different Track list on Side 2 and slightly altered artwork. Each CD has cool BP logos too – the smoking pig for Ahead and a Draw By Numbers Pig for Getting - a nice touch. My issue of the 2CD set is a corrected version (some original copies had track errors). To the reissue and the music...

 

The 2006 remaster by Peter Mew was glorious (done at Abbey Road) and it doesn't ever say who Remastered this version, but again, it has huge sound and clarity without ever being overbearing - just in your face and rocking like a madman.

 

If I were to categorize how they sound, it would be early Tull but with a jazzier feel provided by Lancaster's superb sax playing. As a gangly teenager in Dublin, I was suckered into buying the album by the bluesy feel of their initial single "Dear Jill", but that song doesn't actually reflect what most of the album sounds like - rocking Tull with a jazz tint. I was a bit disappointed at first, but on replays their unique sound grew on me - to a point where I wore the record out - and would replace it sporadically through the years with VG copies - just to have a copy to play. Further Slow Blues Rock comes in the shape of "Up And Coming", but mostly the album is defined by Flute, Saxophone and Guitar – the punchy instrumental "Leave It To Me" sounding so Tull, while "The Modern Alchemist" goes very Prog in its wild soloing passages. 

 

The hilarious "Change Song" gives us dialogue in mock Cockney as our hero dedicates his tune to all his mates in Wormwood Scrubs and his sister in prison too for nicking handbags – but not to worry cause he's a millionaire now from singing the Blues (the Remaster is clear as a bell). Same stunning clarity opens the Flute, Acoustic Guitar and Water sounds of the 52-second "Backwash" before the Blods launch into a seriously heavy piece of Tull-type riffage with "Ain't Ya Comin' Home, Babe?" A great Rock album and number two is a corker too...

 

Album two "Getting To This" opens with "Drive Me" – a Rock and Brass rollicking tune with a push that gas and put your foot down demand from Abrahams. The audio is fabulous for this blinding little bit of fun and for those of us who have had the ancient BGOCD 81 from 1990 as a go-to CD – the full-bodied power of the Remaster is going to shock. With track 2 "Variations Of Nainos", it's like we're listening to a different band as we go back to the very Jethro Tull Flute and Rock rhythm – bloody good though and that slinky Abrahams guitar solo still thrills and those treated dribbling vocals.

 

Surely one of the fan faves has to be "See My Way" which could so easily have been on Tull's "Stand Up" or the Blods debut "Ahead Rings Out" (both 1969) – Guitar and Flute giving it some welly and the Remaster lending that guitar and rapid drums break a real kickass power. I have always longed for "Long Bomb Blues" to be longer than one minute and eight seconds – this fabulous acoustic Blues telling a witty tale of cops and beers and a missus giving him a bunch of fives for being a naughty boy. Side 1 ends with a proper 4:22 minute Rock whigout instrumental - "The Squirreling Must Go On" roaring out of your speakers with multiple guitars soloing without apology – fantastic stuff (even those fading in and out guitar parts towards the end sound more meaty).

 

Side 2 of "Getting To This" opens with a four-parter called "San Francisco Sketches" penned by Jack Lancaster regaling the band's adventures Stateside. The ocean washing up on shore with a Flute and Acoustic guitar ushers in "Beach Scape" (a) only to go into a Bass and Guitar driving rhythm for "Fisherman's Wharf" (b) – very Tull, very Blodwyn Pig. Adam Pyle gives us the excellent rocker "Worry" – a stop-your-moaning plea. My other favourite cut is "Toys" – a co-write between Mick Abrahams and Andy Pyle – an acoustic hymn to beloved childhood things. The Remaster is beautiful on this – those slide acoustic pings rattling around your speakers like a memory you’re fond of. The LP then falls off a rock big time with the terrible Reggae Rasta pastiche "To Rassman" by Ron Berg – must have seemed like fun at the time but now sounds decidedly clunky and even mildly offensive. But all is retrieved with the 4:26 minutes of "Send Your Son To Die" – the band's conscience disgusted by that war over there far away that made sense to no-one.

 

BONUSES: They made three 45s in the UK leading off with the Bluesy "Dear Jill" and five of their Non-LP sides are all here (as listed above). I have always thought they were as good as the album tracks if not better. Abrahams talks of rehearsing "Summer Day" backstage at the Isle Of Wight Festival and because it went down a storm on stage, it was recorded for their 2nd album, but ended up being a 7" single B-side. "Slow Down" is a Saxophone Rock Out of a Larry Williams cover version (not unlike John Lennon and his "Rock N' Roll" album in 1975, the Blods having fun. "Meanie Mornay" - a fantastic inclusion – first showed as a Bonus Track on the single CD Remaster for "Ahead Rings Out" in June 2006 (a Peter Mew Remaster). And on top of that, we get two new outtakes for 2018 – the very silly and dismissible heavy bonds "McGregor Muckabout" and the far better "One Thing Leads To Another".

 

At a patience-testing 10:31 minutes, "McGregor Muckabout" appears to be the oldest outtake for the band and one Abrahams jokingly dismisses. One long ramble of voice madness, think the Goons and Hamish McMad and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band let loose in a studio with a late 60ts Rock Band as backup (actually its very funny in places) and there is no explanation in the new notes accompanying the second. But after the nonsense of McGregor, "One Thing Leads To Another" is a good one – a 3:39 minute see all your problems, don't look for trouble tune with clever guitar mood-changes throughout. I know it isn’t quite there and you can feel why it was left in the can, but to me, it's shockingly good as well as showing how inventive the band was in their song constructions. With regard to the EXTRAS - bluntly (or Blodly as Mick might imbibe), I'd have to say that the bulk of the bonus tracks are just that - genuine bonuses - and for collectors, a thrill to hear after all these years languishing in obscurity.

 

Abrahams made 3 solo albums immediately after Blodwyn Pig folded - first up was "A Musical Evening With Mick Abrahams" on Chrysalis Records ILPS 9147, UK released 7 May 1971 (it is often just referred to as "Mick Abrahams" because of the label while "An Evening With Mick Abrahams" is on the front sleeve). He followed that solo debut with "At Last" by The Mick Abrahams Band in 1972 on Chrysalis CHR 1005 and finally "Have Fun Learning" The Guitar With Mick Abrahams" on the privately pressed SRT Productions SRT 73313 in the spring of 1975 (February/March). "Evening" and "At Last" are available on CD as are subsequent releases through the years. Of note to this re-issue is the excellent 2CD mini box set in 2004 which is called "All Said & Done" where he re-visits several tracks on "Ahead" with superb rocking results, including the great "Dear Jill".

 

Like Taste's "On The Boards" (1970), Free's "Fire And Water" (1970) and Fleetwood Mac's "Then Play On" (1969) - "Ahead Rings Out" is a classically great Rock album of the period with tints of blues and jazz thrown in for good measure. I only have to see the cover and I get mushy.

 

Coupled with the equally cool "Getting To This" from 1970 and those tasty Bonus Cuts covering both albums – this is a fab compilation for a band that are remembered with great affection for a reason...