"Pandemonium Shadow Show" by NILSSON – October 1967 US Debut Album (March 1968 UK) on RCA Victor Records in Both Mono and Stereo Mixes, Plus June 1971 New Versions and Later Released Rarities from Both LPs – All Inside "The RCA Albums Collection" (July 2013 UK RCA/Legacy 17CD Clamshell Box Set with Vic Anesini Remasters and Mini LP Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

Debut Album from 1967 and Remakes Album from 1971

Inside "The RCA Albums Collection" 17CD Box Set
 

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"…Echoes Of My Mind…."

 

Wow! 17CDs containing 14 full albums (Mono and Stereo variants of the first two LPs on CD for the first time), a whopping 66 Previously Unreleased Tracks, an equal amount of other Rarities from now deleted LP and CD compilations, Foreign Language Versions, Exclusive Single Mixes, Radio Spots and a 1968 Live BBC Recordings Session - and all of it remastered to gorgeous new clarity by Tape Supremo VIC ANESINI (Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, Jayhawks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Janis Joplin etc). There isn't even enough room to picture all the content on the back cover of the small clamshell box!

 

You could in truth argue that NILSSON doesn't actually warrant this kind of lavish treatment, but after hearing and seeing this gorgeous clamshell box set – you'll be rooting for Brooklyn's Harry Edward instead of poo-pooing his later (and admittedly) deeply patchy output. There's so much to love and enjoy on here…there really is.

 

To the debut - the first two albums "Pandemonium Shadow Show" (1967) and "Aerial Ballet" (1968) were issued in Mono and Stereo Mixed LPs and RCA Legacy have included both versions on Discs 1 and 2. Also, looking at the liner notes carefully, you notice that the first slew of RCA singles are listed under the Mono entry for each album and not the Stereo, because that's how they were released back in the day – in Mono. Nice touch.

 

So why have I included his second LP in a review of the debut? 

 

Fans will know that for his June 1971 album "Aerial Pandemonium Ballet" LP, Nilsson returned to the first two records from 1967 and 1968 and did new versions of their tracks. That LP and Bonuses is included in Disc 6 (see list below). On top of all that, there's three comprehensive Bonus Discs gathering up stragglers and Previously Unreleased material, each time themed – see "Nilsson Sessions 1968-1971" for items that cover the debut and remakes (Disc 16). So, let us dive into the shadows, the pandemonium and those Greyhound Bus midnight cowboys...

 

UK released July 2013 – "The RCA Albums Collection" by NILSSON on RCA/Legacy 88697915502 (Barcode 886979155022) is a 17CD Box Set and contains his Debut and Associated-Release material as follows:

 

Disc 1 – "Pandemonium Shadow Show" – 66:33 minutes:

1. Ten Little Indians [Side 1]

2. 1941

3. Cuddly Toy

4. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune

5. You Can't Do That

6. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

7. She's Leaving Home [Side 2]

8. There Will Never Be

9. Without Her

10. Freckles

11. It's Been So Long

12. River Deep - Mountain High

Tracks 1 to 12 are the STEREO version of his debut album - released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7928. Tracks 13 to 24 are the MONO version – released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7928

 

Disc 2 – "Aerial Ballet" – 59:33 minutes:

1. Daddy's Song [Side 1]

2. Good Old Desk

3. Don't Leave Me

4. Mr. Richland's Favorite Song

5. Little Cowboy (1:23 minutes)

6. Together

7. Everybody's Talkin' [Side 2]

8. I Said Goodbye To Me

9. Little Cowboy (00:51 minutes)

10. Mr. Tinker

11. One

12. The Wailing Of The Willow

13. Bath

Tracks 1 to 13 are the STEREO version of his 2nd album - released June 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7973. Tracks 14 to 26 are the MONO version – released July 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7973

Track 27 is a Bonus – "Aerial Ballet Radio Spot" from July 1968 and is Previously Unreleased

 

Disc 6 – "Aerial Pandemonium Ballet" – 54:23 minutes:

1. Introduction

2. 1941

3. Daddy's Song

4. Mr. Richland's Favorite Song

5. Good Old desk

6. Everybody's Talkin'

7. Bath

8. River Deep – Mountain High [Side 2]

9. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

10. Don't Leave Me

11. Without Her

12. Together

13. One

14. Closing

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 6th album (remixes/new versions of tracks from the first two albums) – released June 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4543 and in the UK on RCA SF 8326

 

Disc 6 BONUS TRACKS:

15. You Can’t Do That (Remix) - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000

16. It's Been So Long (Italian Version) – Previously Unreleased

17. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

18. Without Her (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

19. Cuddly Toy (Italian Version) (on Italian EP RCA Italiana 45UP 62)

20. You Can't Do That (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

21. BBC Saturday Club Introduction by Brian Matthew - Previously Unreleased

22. 1941 (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

23. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

24. Nilsson Talks With Brian Matthews (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

25. Together (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

26. Good Old Desk (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club

27. Aerial Pandemonium Ballet Radio Spot (recorded July 1971, Previously Unreleased)

 

Disc 16 – "Nilsson Sessions 1968-1971" – 57:27 minutes:

1. You Are Here – Previously Unreleased

2. The Cast And Crew

3. Garbage Can Ballet

4. I Will Take You There (Tracks 2, 3 and 4 from the album "Skidoo – Original Soundtrack", 1968 LP on RCA LSO-1152)

5. Girlfriend (first issued on “Personal Best” CD anthology in 1995)

6. Wasting My Time (Alternate Mix – Previously Unreleased)

7. Rainmaker (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

8. Open Your Window (Alternate Take – Previously Unreleased)

9. Postcard – Previously Unreleased

10. Think About Your Troubles (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

11. Marry Me A Little – Previously Unreleased

12. Ballin' The Jack – Previously Unreleased

13. Gotta Get Up (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

14. Down To The Valley (Single Mix) – non-album version released May 1970 in the USA on RCA Victor 74-0362, A

15. Buy My Album – B-side to 14

16. Joy (Alternate Version) – first issued on the expanded CD to "Aerial Pandemonium Ballet" on RCA in 2000

17. Blackbird (Beatles cover version – Previously Unreleased)

18. Paradise – Previously Unreleased

19. Lucille (Little Richard cover version – Previously Unreleased)

20. Early In The Morning (Alternate Version) (as per 16)

 

Put together by reissue champs ROB SANTOS and ANDREW SANDOVAL (have handled The Band and The Kinks to name but a few) - the chunky 48-page booklet is an informational brute – jammed full of endless details, photos, rare picture sleeves and a brief album-by-album breakdown of Nilsson on RCA by Sandoval. Whenever an album was a gatefold sleeve in the USA – the 5" card Repro Sleeves ape that and are very clearly rendered (they don't have inners or posters – but most of that info is in the booklet anyway).

 

But the best news is most definitely the SOUND – properly fab remasters by VIC ANESINI who has received unanimous praise for his handling of many prestigious catalogues (Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Janis Joplin, The Jayhawks and many more). When you hear for instance the Stereo take of "Cuddly Toy" or "Without Her" – the audio is beautiful. Move onto the smoochy early Seventies LPs with full orchestras and your Hi-Fi Room is filled with warmth and musical quality. To the tunes...

 

The audio punch of "Pandemonium Shadow Show" and "Aerial Ballet" is shocking – even now. Stuff like "Without Her" and "1941" are both lyrically and musically brilliant. Again that lovely delicacy comes into play with “Don’t Leave Me” and the truly classic "Midnight Cowboy" finisher "Everybody's Talkin". I still can’t hear it without thinking about Rizzo on the bus into Miami at the end of "Midnight Cowboy" – a cover of a Fred Neil gem – it's probably my all time favourite song (lyrics above). Nilsson was big-pals with the Fabs, who not only admired him, but championed his music (Lennon would become more than a drinking buddy in the Seventies). His 1967 debut then starting a trend for lesser-trodden Beatles cover versions, and here we get the Sgt. Peppers Side 1 beauty "She's Leaving Home" on an album in October 1967, mere months after 'Peppers' was released worldwide in June 1967.

 

The three compilations of Rarities use outtake Artwork photos from three key albums – Disc 1 "1967-1968" from the "Pandemonium Shadow Show" – Disc 2 "1968-1971" from "Harry", while Disc 3 "1971-1974" has "A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night". I'd half expected the "Sessions" discs to be padded out with filler (and some it is), but there's still amazing stuff on here too. Most of the Alternate Takes find him looser – more natural – and their audio quality is top notch too. For the Remix/Remake album "Aerial Pandemonium Ballet", Nilsson returned to "1941", "Sleep Late, My Lady Friend" and the Phil Spector classic "River Deep, Mountain High" with typically lovely results.

 

His career would skyrocket with the Midnight Cowboy movie, his gorgeous take on Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" playing out the credits as the tears flowed in cinemas everywhere. But his "Pandemonium Shadow Show" debut is all but forgotten now. And it sure as Hell shouldn't be.

 

Sometimes reduced to below forty quid in many places (Februay 2022) – this beautifully presented box set for Nilsson is a winner on all fronts. 

 

More importantly, "The RCA Albums Collection" will allow you to rediscover his debut and everything after by this flawed but lovely romantic troubadour…

"Song To A Seagull" aka "Joni Mitchell" by JONI MITCHELL – March 1968 US Debut Album on Reprise Records (June 1968 UK) – Inside "The Studio Albums 1968-1979" - featuring Stephen Stills on Guitar with David Crosby Producing (October 2012 UK Warners/Reprise/Asylum/Rhino 10CD Clamshell Box Set Of Mini LP Repro Artwork Sleeves and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"Song To A Seagull" Debut Album from 1968 

CD Available with Original Gatefold Mini LP Repro Sleeve

Inside "The Studio Albums (1968-1979)" Box Set

 

"…Out Of The City and Down To The Seaside…"

 

The not-so-stellar Production chops brought to Joni Mitchell's 1968 debut album "Song To A Seagull" by ex Byrds songsmith and pal David Crosby has been the subject of none-to appreciative debate for over five decades now. Our Lady Of The Canyon heroine has famously put in her own salty pennyworth with unladylike f-type mutterings amidst cigarette smoke plumes.

 

In fact the Joni Mitchell Archive Series has an official artist-approved remix of "Song To A Seagull" in the June 2021 Box Set "The Reprise Albums (1968-1971)" - a recent seller that reissued her first four studio efforts. But I'm not a fan and I'll stick to this rather lovely repro instead, even if it is obviously a tad audio-compromised. To the music...

 

Along with Little Feat's "Rad Gumbo... " 13-CD Box Set from Rhino - "The Studio Albums 1968-1979" by JONI MITCHELL is probably my favorite Box Set ever issued – evah evah! UK released October 2012 (November in the USA) – the 10CD Clamshell Box Set on Warners/Reprise/Asylum/Rhino 8122797178 (Barcode 081227971786) offers you Mini LP Repro Artwork for each of 10 studio albums and even their relevant inserts. The Audio is superb, most being Remasters and decent transfers. The debut album isn't immaculate, but I likes it. To the details of that...

 

Disc 1 (38:07 minutes):

Side 1 "I Came To The City"

1. I Had A King

2. Michael From The Mountains

3. Night In The City

4. Marcie

5. Nathan La Franeer 

Side 2 "Out Of The City And Down To The Seaside"

6. Sisotowbell Lane

7. The Dawntreader

8. The Pirate Of Penance

9. Song To A Seagull

10. Cactus Tree

Tracks 1 to 10 are her debut LP "Song To A Seagull" aka "Joni Mitchell" – released March 1968 in the USA on Reprise RSLP 6293, June 1968 in the UK with the same catalogue number. Featued Stephen Stills on Bass with David Crosby Producing – Mitchell plays all other instruments.

 

Each of the 5" card repro sleeves inside reflects the original AMERICAN artwork and so every one of the 10 has a gatefold sleeve (the first two albums were single sleeves only in the UK). CDs 1 to 4 (including "Song To A Seagull") even have the tan colour Reprise label. Most of the gatefolds open from the inside in order to get at the CD – so I put mine in a Japanese plastic protective (which you can buy online) to avoid scuffing. It has to be said that the uber clean Mini LP Gatefold Repro Artworks are beautifully done and for an old album's nut like me – aesthetically pleasing – even if you will need a microscope to actually read any of the lyrics or recording info. There's no booklet which is a damn shame given this woman's musical stature. The "Song To A Seagull" gatefold opens to the lyrics and that lovely photo of her – hair blowing in the wind.

 

The best bit for many will be the GORGEOUS QUALITY SOUND. From what I can hear every one of these has used the upgraded HDCD remasters and the audio warmth and presence is mind-blowingly good. Which brings us to the music itself…

 

Even the title of her 1968 debut album seemed in slight dispute originally. Unintentionally one suspects, her own artwork drawing on the front cover kind of hides the "Song To A Seagull" title and the original Side 1 and Side 2 LP labels on both sides of the pond didn't have that name as its moniker, but instead put in the Side titles given above – "I Came To The City" and "Out Of The City And Down To The Seaside". The 2021 Reissued Remasters put "Song To A Seagull" in pride of place as the album's title this time around.

 

First admission would be that her debut isn't the incredible song-runs of "Clouds" (1969), "Ladies Of The Canyon" (1970) or the magical "Blue" (1971) to come. But there are still nuggets, simplicity to the tunes - her bright-eyed and bushy-tailed youthful delivery that delights. Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield fame and his old Byrds sparring partner contributed – Stills on Bass and Crosby Producing. Joni player, guitar, piano and sang – all titles originals.

 

A tenement castle sets the scene for "I Had A King" – a place she can't return to because all of her keys won't fit the door. There is a faint hiss as the acoustics sail across your speakers, but the performance is gorgeous. Even now the cascade of words on the inner gatefold impress – a poetess letting it rip, thumb nailing a dog-eared Thesaurus. "Michael From Mountains" is such a pretty melody – taffeta patterns and coloured arrangements hanging from the sky – her guitar sound even then being so "Hejira" from 1976.

 

Gorgeous feel and sound to "Night in The City", the first song on the album that shows how adventurous in composition she would become – barrelhouse piano and counter voices cleverly placed in the mix. Back to candy store flower curtain prettiness for "Marcie" – soft acoustics telling us that delicate Marcie's faucet needs a plumber while her sorrow needs a man. Lyrically it's a spellbinding tale – her storytelling magic wafting around your room as she sings of the Hudson River and Dusty Magazines. Ghostly gardens grow in the grumpy traveling song "Nathan La Franeer" – Lee Keefer providing what is described as a Banshee Sound in the liner notes (actually sounds like a treated Harmonica).

 

Jovial neighbours come down from the hills in "Sisotowbell Lane" – an acoustic softy that goes through the seasons – admittedly with a bit of that hiss that afflicted some of the Side 1 songs. Gilded galleons spill across the ocean floor in "The Dawntreader" – rigging creaking, mermaids and bounty, dolphins playing in sunlight – the sea has it all. The final three offer more of the same – harbour towns and cellars and dreams of seagulls flying free.

 

For sure, her debut has such a basic sound that in 2022, it might not appeal to those who thrill to her later more complicated songs. But this is bare and brilliant - track after track simply flooring you – melodious, witty, heartfelt, articulate – Joni Mitchell with melodies and words that oozed a rare intelligence. She's an artist who was (and is) bound to engender true hero worship.

 

The other brill thing about the box set "The Studio Albums 1968-1979" is the dipping-in and the rediscovering of song nuggets that you'd either forgotten or aren't on those "Best Of" compilations – "That Song About The Midway" (from Clouds), "Conversation" (from Ladies Of The Canyon), "California" (from Blue), "Electricity" (from For The Roses), "People's Parties" (from Court And Spark), "The Boho Dance" (from The Hissing Of Summer Lawns), "Furry Sings The Blues" (from Hejira) and "Off Night Backstreet" (from Don Juan's Reckless Daughter). The only real clunker for me is the patchy jazz album "Mingus" which to this day still feels indulgent. Other than that this is a peerless and incredible body of work (for not a lot of wedge).

 

On 1975's song "The Boho Dance" she would sing about bands and artists and the road they take and not for her the glamour gowns (from the LP "The Hissing of Summer Lawns"). "I was a hopeful in rooms like this, when I was working cheap..." Joni reminiscing back to 1967 and 1968 and this fresh-faced 'Seagull' beginning. 

 

If ever an artist deserved lavish, its Canada's finest – Joni Mitchell. Don't think – don't dither – dive in and drool.

 

God bless you our Lady of the Canyon and stop smoking you silly twit – you're far too precious to lose…

"Freddy King Sings" by FREDDIE KING – September 1961 US Debut Album on King Records in Mono – Inside "Taking Care Of Business: 1956 - 1973" (May 2009 GERMAN Bear Family 7CD Box Set Compilation of Remasters – Jurgen Crasser Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

1961 US Debut Album on King Records 

Remastered Inside "Taking Care Of Business" CD Box Set

 

"…I Swim The Deepest River…”

 

Bear Family box sets are famous for their sumptuousness, but I would venture to say that this absolute peach is one of the best tomes they've ever produced - and given their ludicrously high standards with content, sound and presentation - that's really saying something. I'm properly blown away - I really am.

 

"Taking Care Of Business 1956-1973" by FRED
DIE KING was released May 2009 on Bear Family BCD 16979 GK in Germany and contains 167 remastered tracks across 7 fully featured CDs.

 

Inside is a 106-page LP-Sized HARDBACK BOOK (shrink-wrapped for protection, a nice touch) and as you can imagine is a thing of beauty in itself.  Rare photos, trade adverts, concert posters, singles on Federal and King, albums on Cotillion and Shelter punctuate a huge essay on King's life and music by noted expert BILL DAHL. The updated Discography by BILL DAHL and RICHARD WEIZE is presented in a far-clearer manner than before (even if there are a few mistakes and omissions) and there's also a track-by-track alphabetical list that follows it. The whole set reeks of care and affection.

 

Track Mixing and Remastering is by BILL INGLOT (of Rhino fame) and JURGEN CRASSER (of Bear Family) and the quality is GORGEOUS throughout - especially on the last three discs. Each jewel case carries a different photo-inlay and each label reflects the recording period - Federal on 1 to 3, King on 4, Cotillion on 5 and Shelter on 6 and 7.  And as you can see from the list below, there's some eye-catching extended playing times...

 

Disc 1, 25 Tracks, 70:46 minutes, Disc 2, 26 Tracks, 77:15 minutes

Disc 3, 22 Tracks, 70:56 minutes, Disc 4, 32 Tracks, 87:16 minutes

Disc 5, 25 Tracks, 84:46 minutes, Disc 6, 17 Tracks, 77:35 minutes

Disc 7, 20 Tracks, 77:49 minutes

SINGLES:

"Taking Care Of Business" will also allow you to sequence the A&B sides of 36 x 7" singles - every one from his rare debut "Country Boy" in 1956 on El-Bee 157 right up to "Woman Across The River" on Leon Russell's Shelter label in 1973 (Shelter 7333). The six-tracks of his 1961 "Bossa Nova And Blues" EP on King KSS-7 821 are here too.

 

ALBUMS:

All of the following LPs are complete too (relevant tracks only on 3, 4, 8 and 15):

 

1. "Freddy King Sings" (King 762, Mono, 1961)

2. "Let's Hide Away And Dance Away With Freddy King" (King 773, Mono, 1961)

3. "Boy-Girl-Boy" (King 777, Mono, 1962)

[Credited to Freddy King, Lula Reed & Sonny Thompson with 4 tracks featuring Lula Reed with Freddy King]

4. A Carnival Of Songs" (King 819, 1963, A Various Artists compilation featuring 1 exclusive track - "Closed Door")

5. "Bossa Nova And Blues" (King 821, Mono, 1962)

6. "Freddy King...Gives You A Bonanza Of Instrumentals" (King 928, Mono, 1965)

7. "Freddy King Sings Again" (King 931, Mono, 1965, see LP Discography)

8. "All His Hits" (King 5012, 1965 Compilation LP featuring "Christmas Tears")

9. "24 Vocals And Instrumentals" (King 964, Mono, 1966)

10. "Freddie King Is A Blues Master" (Cotillion SD-9004, Stereo, 1969)

11. "My Feeling For The Blues" (Cotillion SD-9016, 1970)

12. "Getting Ready" (Shelter SHE-8905. 1971)

13. "Texas Cannonball" (Shelter SW-8913, 1972)

14. "Woman Across The River" (Shelter SW-8919, 1973)

15. "Ann Arbor Blues And Jazz Festival" (Atlantic SD2-502, 1973 2LP set featuring 1 exclusive track "Goin' Down")

 

Debut Album

"Freddy King Sings", 1961, King Records 762 [Mono]

Side 1:

1. See See Baby [1/4]

2. Lonesome Whistle Blues [1/9]

3. Takin' Care Of Business [2/5]

4. Have You Ever Loved A Woman [1/6]

5. You Know That You Love Me (But You Never Tell Me So) [1/19]

6. I'm Tore Down [1/12]

 

Side 2:

1. I Love The Woman [1/8]

2. Let Me Be (Stay Away From Me) [2/4]

3. It's Too Bad (Things Are Going So Tough) [1/11]

4. You've Got To Love Her With A Feeling [1/5]

5. If You Believe (In What You Do) [1/10]

6. You Mean, Mean Woman (How Can Your Love Be True) [2/6]

 

The debut has stuff that goes back to 1956 and contains the Box Set’s title tune "Takin' Care Of Business" as well as great Blues Standards like "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" and "I'm Tore Down". But those deep album cuts like "You've Got To Love Her With A Feeling" and "Lonesome Whistle Blues" that thrill precisely because they don’t surface that often. Most of the outtakes and unreleased concentrate on the later albums, but this is a fantastic beginning for a Bluesman many feel never got the accolades so due to him.

 

This kind of quality and class doesn't come cheap though - there's little change out of one hundred and fifty sterling or three hundred dollars - but it is BEAUTIFUL.

 

Freddie King died 28 December 1976 aged only 42. But at least this truly stunning box set celebrates his musical legacy in real style. Roll on Lightnin' Hopkins, Albert King, Big Joe Turner...

"Little Feat" by LITTLE FEAT – December 1970 US Debut Album on Warner Brothers Records (Reissued with Different Rear Sleeve Artwork in January 1971), Unissued on Warner Brothers In The UK Until January 1975 – Inside "Rad Gumbo: The Complete Warner Bros. Years 1971 to 1990" – Debut LP featuring Lowell George, Bill Payne, Roy Estrada and Richie Hayward with Ry Cooder and Sneaky Pete Kleinow as Guest Guitarists (February 2014 UK Warner Brothers 13CD Mini Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 December 1970 US Debut LP "Little Feat" on Warner Brothers WS 1890

Reissued January 1971 with Different Rear Sleeve Artwork (Printed Lyrics)

Unissued in the UK until January 1975 on Warner Brothers K 46072

 

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"…Snakes On Everything…"

 

Here's how to get the "Little Feat" debut LP in its best digital shape. 

 

Taking its title from a New Orleans bopper on 1990's "Representing The Mambo" LP - "Rad Gumbo: The Complete Warner Bros. Years 1971 to 1990" by LITTLE FEAT is a 13CD Mini Box Set that many fans will say has been a long-time coming. As usual it's a mixture of highs and lows (with way more ups than downs thankfully).

UK released Monday 24 February 2014 (4 March 2014 in the USA) – "Rad Gumbo: The Complete Warner Bros. Years 1971 to 1990" by LITTLE FEAT on Rhino/Warner Brothers 8122796057 (Barcode 081227960575) is a 13CD Mini Box Set. 

 

I would argue that getting the wildly underrated "Little Feat" debut album in its very best form (both content-wise and audio), then Discs 1 and 13 in this very sexy Box Set offers the punter a double-headed sweetie. Time for snakes on everything...

 

Disc 1 (33:16 minutes):

1. Snakes On Everything [Side 1]

2. Strawberry Flats

3. Truck Stop Girl

4. Brides Of Jesus

5. Willing

6. Hamburger Midnight

7. Forty-Four Blues/How Many More Years [Side 2]

8. Crack In Your Door

9. I've Been The One

10. Crazy Captain Gunboat Willie

Tracks 1 to 10 are their debut studio album "Little Feat" – released December 1970 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1890 – reissued January 1971 with the same catalogue number but lyrics rear sleeve artwork. It remained un-issued in the UK until January 1975 on Warner Brothers K 46072 using the Burbank Colouring label. Produced by RUSS TITELMAN – it didn't chart in either country. Ry Cooder plays Bottleneck Guitar on Tracks 5 and 7, whilst Sneaky Pete Kleinow plays Pedal Steel Guitar on Track 9. Three Outtakes from the sessions appear on Disc 13 of the "Rad Gumbo: The Complete Warner Bros. Years 1971 to 1990" Box Set (see below).

 

CD13 of the Box Set is a 24-Track BONUS DISC entitled "Outtakes From Hotcakes" which features all the previously unreleased versions from the much-loved and long deleted 4CD Rhino Box Set "Hotcakes & Outtakes..." issued in 2000 (78:29 minutes):

 

1. Jazz Thing In 10

2. Rat Faced Dog ("Little Feat" Outtake)

3. Doglines (("Little Feat" Outtake)

4. Wait Till The Shit Hits The Fan ("Little Feat" Outtake)

5. Easy To Fall (Easy To Slip) (Demo Made For The Doobie Brothers)

6. Texas Rose Café (Demo Made For The Doobie Brothers)

7. Doriville ("Salin' Shoes" Outtake)

8. Boogie (became "Tripe Face Boogie") (as per 7)

9. Two Trains (Lowell George Demo)

10. Roto/Tone (as per 7)

11. Ace In The Hole (later became "Hi Roller") ("Dixie Chicken" Outtake)

12. Eldorado Slim (as per 11)

13. Feats Don't Fail Me Now ("Feat Don't Fail Me Now" Outtake)

14. Brickyard Blues (as per 13)

15. All That You Dream [Outtake featuring Linda Ronstadt]

16. Spanish Moon (7" Single Version)

17. Down Below The Borderline (Lowell George Demo)

18. Rockin' Shoes I & II (Lowell George Demo)

19. Front Page News ("The Last Record Album" Outtake)

20. High Roller (as per 19)

21. All That You Dream [with Linda Ronstadt] - 7" Single Version

22. Roll 'Em Easy ("Thanks I'll Eat It Here" Lowell George Solo LP Outtake)

23. Boogie Wigwam (Short Jazz Piece) ("PZM" Pressure Mic Demo)

24. Teenage Nervous Breakdown (Previously Unreleased Live Version)

 

SOUND:

Fans will know that the Expanded Edition of "Waiting For Columbus" and the "Hotcakes & Outtakes..." tracks are remasters from the 00's and the last two "Let It Roll" and "Representing The Mambo" were well recorded anyway. It's the Seventies output that has need upgrading for years and the Big News is that although there's no mention of mastering anywhere on the box or on the discs - some of these are REMASTERS and they sound glorious. Fans should also notice the subtle timing differences between these CDs and the ones in the disappointing "Original Album Classics" 5CD set from 2010 which simply repackaged crap Eighties sounding CDs. They're all different. Two huge improvements come in the shape of "Little Feat" and "Sailin' Shoes" - great audio. To the self-titled debut...

 

Fans will know that "Little Feat" was preceded by a 16 September 1970 US-only 45-single - "Hamburger Midnight" b/w "Strawberry Flats" on Warner Brothers 7431. White label promos exist, but I've never seen a stock copy, so response must have been lame, as it was to the LP itself, said to have sold as little as 11,000 copies. Billboard Magazine first reviewed "Little Feat" in their 5 December 1970 issue giving it a special merit, but no picture nor was their even an advert from WB. 

 

Rolling Stone Magazine wouldn't get to "Little Feat" until early February 1971 after its rear-sleeve artwork re-release. Fans will also know that the original 1970 rear sleeve artwork came with just photos and some credits for the songs, but then went through about three more variants in 1971 most featuring the lyrics on the rear sleeve. The Mini LP Card Sleeve in this box set faithfully uses the first original artwork with only band-photos and no lyrics on the rear. To the music...

 

The debut opens with "Snakes On Everything" and "Strawberry Flats" – Billy Payne and Lowell George delivering two great starter stings (bill sings the first, Lowell the second) – huge power in the guitars and the strangulated vocals. There is also stunning muscular clarity on the churning Rock-Funk of "Hamburger Midnight" (dig that Harmonica too), but I have to say (hand on heart) that the remake of "Willing" on "Sailin’ Shoes" is the better version. The debut first go-round plays it quicker and the snatching pace kind of does for the loveliness of the melody even if his slide guitar playing is fabulous.

 

Same old crowd is hanging out for "Truck Stop Girl", Little Feat feeling like a funked-up Allman Brothers while there is noticeable hiss on "Bride Of Jesus" – the Kirby Johnson string arrangements sweet as they bolster up this sad tale of loss. Album gems come in the shape of the double-headed Howlin' Wolf Blues of "Forty Four Blues/How Many More Years" (the only cover on the album) and the rocking don’t let the wind in through the "Crack In Your Door". And on it goes, rediscovering melody and swinging guitar.

 

For the uninitiated, the mixed bag that is Disc 13 will be an eye-opener because even their outtakes and throwaways had magic in them. The "Jazz Thing in 10" is an instrumental with Lowell George on Saxophone (unusually) with Bill Charlton on Bass and is about as far removed from Little Feat as it can get (and thank God, it isn’t very good). The 1970-recorded debut proper is represented with three actual outtakes – two penned by Lowell George and Bill Payne - "Rat Faced Dog" (Take 1) and "Wait Till The Shit Hits The Fan" whilst "Doglines" is a Bill Payne tune. George complains (not for the first time) of being a smoking fool in the excellent and rocking "Rat Faced Dog" (4:54 minutes) – the keyboards supplemented by some fantastic and mean guitar from him (Lowell also plays Dulcimer). The shorter beers in the icebox, throw on some records "Doglines" (2:47 minutes) has Bill taking Lead Vocals while the slide-shuffler LF backbeat is backed up by George – another genuinely great archive find. George takes Lead Vocals on "Wait Till The Shit Hits The Fan" - a cheerleader song that is trying to find a tune but not quite getting there. 

 

The "Little Feat" 1970/1971 debut is a clear opening account to the brilliance that would quickly follow and is something of a lost 70ts gem really. And those extras only add to your admiration. God Bless you Lowell George wherever you are...