"The Smiths" by THE SMITHS - February 1984 UK Debut Album on Rough Trade Records (April 1984 USA on Sire Records) featuring Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce with Guest Keyboardist Paul Carrack of Ace and Mike & The Mechanics on Three Tracks and Vocalist Annalisa Jablonska on Two Tracks (March 2012 UK WEA CD Reissue Using The Smiths Complete Remaster of 2011 Overseen by Johnny Marr)

 

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"...These Charming Men..."
 

I was DJ'ing in Dublin doing a 21^st Birthday Party in the 80ts and it was in a very working class area of the Irish Capitol City. Being a boozy bash and knowing what the punters wanted – you kept it upbeat – you played the hits – the cool new tunes too that made bodies hit the floor (and there was a lot of chart innovation at that time). But you never ever played music that was in any way remotely perceived as a downer. Even in the slow sets, you didn't inflict Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" on the mob or any other "...I'd stick my head in the oven, but I can't afford the gas..." type-whinger for that matter. You learned early on that those were vibe killers and could slash an up night in two in a matter of seconds (a good time is a very fluid thing).

 

But at this gig there were three nerdy types constantly at my double-decks (when they weren't at their table with a sea of Smithwicks refusing to do anything as naff as dance with girls) – "Do ya have any Smiths man! The Smiths man!" Their eyes bulging like Dracula at the Elegant Necks Debutante's Ball.

 

These kids were demanding what they wanted to hear regardless of the cost to the populace and the parents paying for the shindig. But I (ears to the ground and phones in the lugs) knew enough to know that this Smiths group out of England had some whiny mopey elongated twisty eejet out front (Spaz Byron my mate used to call Morrissey) and music that made many want to slash their wrists. 

 

It was good mind – but party – no. Still, they pestered me at least three times more until I eventually had to tell them where the highway and my way was. They shuffled off broodily and daffodil violence was narrowly avoided.

 

This story is true. But I mention it because I also vividly remember thinking that I hadn't seen this kind of hero worship in a long while. The Jam had it of course in the late 70ts – The Clash too – Hell, even Jethro Tull had it and that Prog Rock British institution has remained so cult ever since (even if folks don't want to admit it). 

 

But nothing prepares a body for the sheer fanaticism that accompanies The Smiths. I swear to God that if Morrissey flattulated into an empty bottle of Bulmer's Cider and Diamond Dave of Dagenham put it up for sale on eBay at a starting price of half a million nicker (complete with trampled flowers and a receipt from the Co-Op it was bought in) – then some loon in Smiths-World would say – "That's a deal! I gotta have it!! God wills it!!!"

 

I remember when I worked as Rarities Buyer at Reckless Records in both Islington's Upper Street and Soho's Berwick Street – marvelling at the sheer length of The Smiths discography in the Record Collector Price Guide (absolutely everything they ever issued and more). It was longer than Johanna Lumley's Avengers legs and bigger than Kenny Everett's Rod Stewart bottom. 

 

And even now – in May 2022 – decades after their demise and with subsequently huge solo careers from both singer and wordsmith Morrissey and guitarist and music-man Johnny Marr – Manchester's The Smiths engender a sort of awe among fans that is rare. Which brings us to their extraordinary debut of February 1984 and its digital baby boomer. To the charming men of misery...

 

UK released March 2012 - "The Smiths" by THE SMITHS on WEA 2564660488 (Barcode 825646604883) is a straightforward Single-CD Reissue that uses the 2011 Johnny Marr approved Remaster from The Complete Smiths Box Set of 2011. It plays out as follows (45:40 minutes):

1. Reel Around The Fountain [Side 1]

2. You've Got Everything Now 

3. Miserable Lie 

4. Pretty Girls Make Graves 

5. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle 

6. This Charming Man [Side 2]

7. Still Ill

8. Hand In Glove 

9. What Difference Does It Make?

10. I Don't Owe You Anything 

11. Suffer Little Children 

Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "The Smiths" - released February 1984 in the UK on Rough Trade Records ROUGH 61 and April 1984 in the USA on Sire Records 1-25065. Produced by JOHN PORTER - It peaked at No. 2 in the UK (didn't chart USA). 

 

THE SMITHS was:

MORRISSEY - Voice and Words 

JOHNNY MARR - Guitars, Harmonica and Music 

ANDY ROURKE - Bass 

MIKE JOYCE - Drums 

Guests: 

PAUL CARRACK (of Ace, Mike & The Mechanics) - Piano on "Reel Around The Fountain", "You've Got Everything Now" and "I Don't Owe You Anything" 

ANNALISA JABLONSKA - Female Voice on "Pretty Girls Make Graves" and "Suffer Little Children"

 

The 8-page booklet has the lyrics, a few photos and album/reissue credits - but is disappointingly slight for such a huge band and their important starting point. The famous cover photo of Joe D'Allesandro from Andy Warhol's Flesh film of 1968 adorns the front sleeve but not much else. 

 

The CD Remaster is the version readied for the 2011 Rhino/WEA Box Set "The Complete Smiths" - original tapes used and all overseen by guitarist and band founder member Johnny Marr. Given the ever-so-slightly down-on-itself mix on LP that we became so used to - this version (when cranked) suddenly gives these intelligent slices of British Inner City Indie Rock a subtle lift - not in yer face - but enough to hear the clarity. There's always been a musicality to the Side 1 finisher "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" - but here you hear those sliding Bass notes, the acoustic strums and Marr's so pretty electric guitar - no wavering shadows looming anymore. To the album...

 

"I would go out tonight, but I haven't got a stitch to wear..." Has to be the most played of Smiths anthems - the jumped-up pantry-boy that is "This Charming Man" - not so secretly disguised longing for someone out there someone else can't have. "Still Ill" has him spitting in the eye of England - it's mine to take - but I actually prefer "Hand In Glove" even if that weedy Harmonica warbling hasn't unfortunately improved with the Remaster. Guitars ahoy for the utterly brilliant "What Difference Does It Make?" - the perfect mixture of Marr and Morrissey doing what they did best - subliminally deep statements wrapped up in an incessant beat (the Devil finding work for idle hands to do). And on it goes to the unbearably sad missing-child song "Suffer Little Children" - Manchester with a lot to answer for.

 

You could argue (big time) that this CD Reissue missed a trick by not including the Non-LP B-sides of the four British 45-singles surrounding the album - "Hand In Glove" (May 1983, Rough Trade RT 131), "This Charming Man" (October 1983, RT 136), "What Difference Does It Make?" (January 1984, RT 146) and the withdrawn "Still Ill" (February 1984, R 61 DJ, Promo Only) - "Handsome Devil (Live)", "Jeanne", "Back To The Old House" and "You've Got Everything Now" in that order. How cool would they have been as Bonuses...

 

"All men have secrets and here is mine..." - Morrissey assured us all those decades ago - a flying bullet for you. "The Smiths" was a mind-meld of an album - a whole new sound that could only have come out of Blighty. 

 

So despite let downs with the basic-bones booklet and AWOL extras (when there was room) - this CD Remaster is still a rasper. Not looking too old tonight boys...not really...

SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES - "The Scream" - November 1978 UK Debut Album on Polydor Records featuring Siouxsie Sioux, John McKay, Steven Severin and Kenny Morris (January 2007 UK/EU Polydor Single-CD Reissue in a Jewel Case with the October 2005 2CD Deluxe Edition Remaster done by Gary Moore at Universal Mastering)

 

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"...Jigsaw Feeling..." 

 

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Music Of 1977 to 1979 

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I don't know so much about Post-Punk as a Genre reference - kick-ass tracks on "The Scream" like "Jigsaw Feeling", "Carcass" and "Switch" were so Punk to me at the time. 

 

Goth Goddess Siouxsie Sioux (Lead Vocals) and her fellow Banshees John McKay (Guitars and Saxophone), Steve Severin (Bass) and Kenny Morris (Drums) with their sympathetic Producer Steve Lilywhite were right up there for me with The Damned and The Pistols as dangerous and dark and just plain unsettling. I mean what the hell is their second British single "The Staircase (Mystery)" or even the LP's genuinely sinister cover of The Beatles' infamous White Album brute "Helter Skelter" if not all of those things combined! 

 

And when McKay brings in that background-creep Saxophone in their Television meets Sparks "Suburban Relapse" - there is most definitely more than a trace of Roxy Music in their Island Records Seventies heyday of Pop Art Rock pomp - nutters taking on all comers regardless of trends. Siouxsie & The Banshees and their uncompromising music have felt like Punk Attitude to me - alternative personified - damn the torpedoes - let's send a metal postcard to No. Downing Street! To its digital incarnations...

Disregarding the 1989 basic-as-chips reissue when CD first began making inroads into the formats war - Siouxsie's debut album from November 1978 has had somewhat of a weird triple-whammy release schedule in Blighty. 

 

First came the impressive 3 October 2005 Universal 2CD Deluxe Edition on Polydor 983 238-8 (Barcode 602498323885) following not surprisingly by a singular-CD Version on 29 May 2006 on Polydor 983 691-1/SIOUX 1 (Barcode 602498369111). That variant came in a Stickered-Digipak sleeve (the SIOUX 1 catalogue number), had two bonus tracks, a foldout-essay/lyrics poster and the same 2005 Remaster carried out by Audio Engineer GARY MOORE for the 2005 2CD DE Version. 

 

What we're dealing with here is version number three of "The Scream" by SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES - the standard Jewel Case reissue UK released 29 January 2007 on Polydor 984 691-1 (Barcode 602498435113). It replaces the Card Digipak with a Standard Jewel Case, the two-sided Essay and Lyrics Poster with an 8-page booklet sporting only the lyrics and the same two Bonus Single Sides and 2005 Gary Moore Remaster (reissued 2009). Here are the details...

 

1. Pure [Side 1]

2. Jigsaw Feeling 

3. Overground 

4. Carcass 

5. Helter Skelter 

6. Mirage [Side 2]

7. Metal Postcard (Mittageisen) 

8. Nicotine Stain 

9. Suburban Relapse 

10. Switch 

Tracks 1 to 10 are their debut album "The Scream" - released November 1978 in the UK on Polydor Records POLD 5009. Produced by STEVE LILYWHITE - it peaked at No. 12 on the UK LP charts (didn't chart USA) 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Hong Kong Garden

August 1978 UK Debut 45-single on Polydor 2059 052, A-side

 

12. The Staircase (Mystery) 

March 1979 UK Second 45-single on Polydor POSP 9, A-side 

It won't take fans long to work out that there are a few lazy let downs here. The Non-LP B-sides of "Hong Kong Garden" and "The Staircase (Mystery)" - "Voices" and their great cover of T.Rex's "20th Century Boy" are not here. Nor is the different version of "Love In A Void" that turned up as the flipside of the album's third 45 "Mittageisen (Metal Postcard)" in September 1979. There was room too. The 8-page booklet is no great shakes either - has the lyrics only and a basic album-credits page - but no history - no memorabilia - no sense of its ground-breaking feel as a debut and how it's grown in stature as the decades have passed. Now that's a disappointment. So to what is good...

The GARY MOORE Remaster is fabulous - full of power and balls. When you crank the guitar and drums opening of "Switch" - the treated guitars and bass at 2:30 - the huge build up and fade as it reaches its near seven-minute ending - it all feels so much better than the compromise my old LP used to offer as the side played out.

 

The only cut I could never quite get along with is the opening "Pure" where the band is announcing things are going to get uncomfortable. And some have complained that the singles distort the overall play - personally I don't subscribe to that. I have always thought of "Hong Kong Garden" as a wee bit of 7" single masterpiece. 

 

In May 2022, "The Scream" with its great audio, so-so booklet and chipper bonuses will set you back less than six or seven quid. Now that's worth venting the suburban nicotine-knackered lungs about...

"Never Like This Before: The Complete 'Blue' Stax Singles 1961-1968" by WILLIAM BELL featuring Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Isaac Hayes and David Porter (27 May 2022 UK Ace/Kent Soul 28-Track CD Compilation - The MONO A&B-sides of Fourteen Singles Remastered - First Time on CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Formula Of Love..."

 

Now here's a humdinger. Using their Kent-Soul label imprint - this is the first of two CD compilations England's Ace Records are doing for William Bells' entire Southern Soul, R 'n' B and Funk output on Stax Records from 1961 up the label giant's crude and undignified crash in 1975.

 

Bell was one of only a handful of artists where much of his entire career encompassed that legendary Soul label (26 releases with them in total). He broke the chain for two years of enforced military service - but otherwise, over a 14-year period, stuck with the circular blues and yellows through thick and thin (he would move on to Mercury Records in 1976 and 1977).

 

This first volume from May 2022 offers you 28-tracks - the A&B-sides of fourteen American 45-singles issued between November 1961 and March 1968 (Bell wouldn't have his first 7" single in Blighty until January 1967 with "Never Like This Before" b/w "Soldier's Good-Bye" put out on Atlantic Records - see list below). 

 

The second volume (released at some later date) will undoubtedly cover the 'Yellow' label period from July 1968 onwards beginning with "Private Number" - his duet hit with Judy Clay on Stax STA-0005. 

 

Beautifully Remastered by Audio Engineer supremo DUNCAN COWELL (at Sound Mastering) - a man who has been with Ace for decades and did many of the mucho-praised Sony/Blue Horizon CD Reissues in the 2000s - this is an audio and presentation winner. I own and have reviewed in detail the four giant STAX Box Sets covering their entire singles output and these MONO variants are just better - punchy and clear and in 2022, benefiting from decades of Audio Engineering experience. 

 

Besides, just one look at the cover, the title and the contents and I'm getting itchy in the Talcum Powder area. Talk about a formula of love. To the details...

UK released Friday, 27 May 2022 - "Never Like This Before: The Complete 'Blue' Stax Singles 1961-1968" by WILLIAM BELL on Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 510 (Barcode 029667105620) is a 28-Track CD Compilation (all tracks in MONO) that plays out as follows (75:42 minutes): 

1. You Don't Miss Your Water 

2. Formula Of Love

Tracks 1 and 2 are his US debut 45-single released November 1961 on Stax S-116

 

3. Any Other Love

4. Please Help Me I'm Falling 

Tracks 3 and 4 are his second US 45-single released August 1962 on Stax S-128

5. I Told You So 

6. What'cha Gonna' Do 

Tracks 5 and 6 are his third US 45-single released January 1963 on Stax S-132

 

7. Just As I Thought 

8. I'm Waiting On You 

Tracks 7 and 8 are his fourth US 45-single released April 1963 on Stax S-135

 

9. What Can I Do (To Forget) 

10. Somebody Mentioned Your Name 

Tracks 9 and 10 are his fifth US 45-single released July 1963 on Stax S-138

 

11. I'll Show You 

12. Monkeying Around 

Tracks 11 and 12 are his sixth US 45-single released October 1963 on Stax S-141

 

13. Don't Make Something Out Of Nothing 

14. Who Will It Be Tomorrow 

Tracks 13 and 14 are his seventh US 45-single released February 1964 on Stax S-146

 

15. Crying All By Myself 

16. Don't Stop Now 

Tracks 15 and 16 are his eight US 45-single released July 1965 on Stax S-174

 

17. Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need)

18. Marching Off To War 

Tracks 17 and 18 are his ninth US 45-single released May 1966 on Stax 45-191

19. Never Like This Before 

20. Soldier's Good-Bye 

Tracks 19 and 20 are his tenth US 45-single released September 1966 on Stax 45-199

21. Everybody Loves A Winner

22. You're Such A Sweet Thang 

Tracks 21 and 22 are his eleventh US 45-single released March 1967 on Stax 45-212

 

23. Eloise (Hang On in There)

24. One Plus One 

Tracks 23 and 24 are his twelfth US 45-single released July 1967 on Stax 45-227

 

25. Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday 

26. Ain't Got No Girl 

Tracks 25 and 26 are his thirteenth US 45-single released November 1967 on Stax 45-237

27. A Tribute To A King 

28. Every Man Oughta Have A Woman 

Tracks 27 and 28 are his fourteenth US 45-single released March 1968 on Stax 45-248 - the last of his releases with the Stax Records 'blue' label design 

This compilation will also allow British fans to sequence his first three 45-single releases in the UK as follows:

 

"Never Like This Before" b/w "Soldier's Good-Bye"

January 1967 UK debut 45-single n Atlantic 584076

 

"Eloise (Hang On In There)" b/w "One Plus One" 

September 1967 UK second 45-single on Stax 601019

 

"A Tribute To A King" b/w "Every Man Oughta Have A Woman" 

May 1968 UK third 45-single on Stax 601038

The 16-page booklet kicks off with typically brilliant and in-depth liner notes from genre aficionado TONY ROUNCE - a writer whose knowledge and love for Soul Music has been gracing Ace liner notes for years (references seven different articles on the back-page credits). Memphis-born William Yarborough (adopted his grandmother's non-mouthful surname of Bell for career purposes) has his lengthy stay at Stax Records picked apart. 

 

The info is aided and abetted by photos of every American 7" single label (demos too when possible), US trade adverts, Billboard press reviews ("What'cha Gonna' Do" is described as a thump-a-weeper - love it) and a couple of classy promo photos from the period (much of the memorabilia is provided by Roger Armstrong and Liz Buckley from their own collections - pals of Ace Records). His British releases are here too - the Atlantic 45 pictured in the booklet with the two blue Stax UK 7" singles used as the rear inlay backing photo beneath the see-through CD tray (see pictures provided). To the tunes...

This is without doubt the best I've heard these Mono Sides sound - tracks like the rare B-side dancer "Just As I Thought", the brass-bopper A-side "I'm Waiting For You" or the funeral-march of "Somebody Mentioned Your Name" with its pleading girly background are all remastered back to life. I'd forgotten just how lovely the semi ballad of "Any Other Way" is - or the sheer smooch of the rare flipside "I'll Show You" where William asks the young lady to trust him (now William) - great audio coming off both. 

 

Organ notes lurch in the pleader "Don't Make Something Out Of Nothing" - Bell urging his fine lady to ignore the malicious gossip of a million girls (it's B-side "Who Will It Be Tomorrow" is a far better dancer side with fabulous audio as a guitar shimmers in front of punchy horns). Southern Soul weepies were never far from William Bell's lips and it doesn't come much better than the sensuous "Crying All By Myself" - the kind of gorgeous melodious slowy where you can just visualize dedicated Northern Soul types mooching about the dancefloor in a two a.m. trance - lost in the magic of it all.

 

Otis Redding's arrival and musical style is felt on the flip-side "Don't Stop Now" - a properly cool shuffler (hardly any wonder that Stax S-174 is so sought after with "Crying All By Myself" on the A). Can't quite get into "Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need)" - a begging letter to other men to leave his baby alone. And for the first time, Bell shows his political teeth on the Vietnam flipside "Marching Off To War" - field pack on his back waving off his tearful sweetheart. 

Up next comes the compilation's title track "Never Like This Before" - a great Sam & Dave-like energizer - mash up my mind baby with your love whilst I dig that guitar vs. horns battle over there. His voice is in full-on excellence mode for another Vietnam slowie - the brilliant "Soldier's Good-Bye". Hardly surprising that Atlantic Records UK chose this duo of winners for his debut British 45 - and I think its Steve Cropper playing the brilliant guitar throughout. Speaking of missed opportunities - how did a double-whammy combo like the pleading "Everybody Loves A Winner" paired with the brass-bopper "You're Such A Sweet Thing" not tear people's hearts out and thereafter tear up the savvy British charts. When you lose, you lose alone, he sang on the A-side - so true it seems. 

 

Rounding it all up - the hugely popular dancer "Eloise (Hang On In There)" is a big Northern Soul go-getter - a co-write (like so many of these Stax sides) with Booker T. Jones of Booker T. & The MG's. Isaac Hayes and David Porter provided the big love smooch of "One Plus One" for the B-side - Bell sounding comfortable on this deceptively simply song. There's a mixture of Sam & Dave, Otis Redding and even Clarence Carter in the so-very-Stax shuffler "Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday" - another winner from Bell and Booker T. Jones (never have to worry about sitting by the phone - oh yeah). Bell joined writing forces with Steve Cropper, David Porter and Isaac Hayes for the manly problems presented in "Ain't Got No Girl" (money in a fruit jar ain't gonna help). It all comes to a dignified end with the 1968 listen-people ache of "A Tribute To A King" - Bell's moving memorial to Otis Redding and his horrible loss to a plane crash. And I had completely forgotten its flipside "Every Man Oughta Have A Woman" - a gorgeous ballad where both William Bell and Booker T. Jones create a seriously sexy vibe. 

CD compilations like "Never Like This Before: The Complete 'Blue' Stax Singles 1961-1968" by William Bell is a very real reason why genre fans look to Ace Records of the UK with a heart that beats just a little bit faster. Nailed it once again boys and girls and big-time kudos to all involved...

"Toussaint: The Real Thing 1970-1975" by ALLEN TOUSSAINT - Featuring Three LPs Remastered onto 2CDs Plus Two Bonus Tracks - "Toussaint" [aka "From A Whisper To A Scream"] (1970), "Life, Love And faith" (1972) and "Southern Nights" [1975] - Guests Include The Meters, Dr. John, Merry Clayton, Venetta Fields and more (August 2015 AUSTRALIA Raven Records 2CD Compilation) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review And Many More Like It 

Available In my Kindle e-Book (June 2022 Version)

 

LOOKING AFTER NO. 1 

Volume 2 of 2 - M to Z...

 

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 
For Music from 1956 to 1986

Over 1,760 E-Pages of In-Depth Information
240 Reviews From The Discs Themselves

No Cut and Paste Crap...

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"...Soul Brother..." 

 

In November 2009, myself and 'she who must be paid on Fridays' went to see The Blind Boys Of Alabama do a one-off gig at the Barbican Theatre in London.

 

We plonked into our last minute cheap-as-a-politician's-election-promises seats and out came a lone Southern Gentleman who sat down at his beautiful Steinway piano and smiled warmly at the shuffling crowd. Most were there to hear The Blind Boys do The Wire theme song (their wickedly good cover of Tom Waits' "Down In The Hole") - but some in the know were more excited about their support act – ALLEN TOUSSAINT.

 

Toussaint started in on his staggering repertoire that goes back to his days in the Fifties with Fats Domino, Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey and then as a writer with Minit Records from 1960 onwards. After several recognizable classics including the lovely "With You In Mind" which Art Neville made a feature of on his 1991 "Warm Your Heart" album – AT smiled and said - "...here's another song you might know..."

 

A slow buzz began going around the hall - born 1938 in Gert Town, New Orleans - not only does this exceptional dapper looking tune-smith go way back - but he's more than a little bit special (and funky too). Little did we know at the time, but Toussaint would in fact later receive The National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2013 for his contributions to music and community. And he was special. I couldn't believe my luck. Ten British quid for this double dose of genius! Chatty, humble, steeped in decades of musical history - it was magical really. The Blind Boys and him even signed CDs after the gig in the foyer - old school class professionalism. Toussaint sadly passed in November 2015 – one of the great backroom boys of Soul & New Orleans R&B. 

 

And that's where this fabulous Australian-issued Raven Records twofer digital compilation comes a shimmying in. Here are the gentleman-be-funky details...

 

AUSTRALIA released 14 August 2015 – "Toussaint: The Real Thing 1970-1975" by ALLEN TOUSSAINT on Raven Records RVCD-386 (Barcode 9398800038622) offers 3LPs from 1970, 1972 and 1975 Remastered onto 2CDs Plus Two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows:

 

Disc 1 (44:17 minutes):

1. From A Whisper to A Scream – Side 1

2. Chokin' Kind

3. Sweet Touch Of Love

4. What Is Success

5. Working in A Coal Mine

6. Everything I Do Gonna' Be Funky – Side 2

7. Pickles

8. Louie

9. Either

10 Cast Your Fate To The Wind

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Toussaint" – released December 1970 in the USA on Scepter Records SPS 24003 in Stereo (reissued June 1971 with same tracks and title).

 

It is a misconception that DJM 22070 was its first issue in the UK – probably because of the 1970 copyright date on the label. I have original and rare DJM Records catalogues from late 1971 and January 1973 that don't mention the LP at all. I also have a Decca Catalogue for 1973 and a 1979 Music Master retailer's catalogue. Putting it all together you get the following - first issue UK was February 1972 as "Toussaint" on Wand Records WNS 14 in Stereo with ten tracks, reissued on DJM's budget line DJM 22070 in January 1977 with the same tracks (DJM was their Midline range, DJS was full-priced Lps).

 

Adding to all that was a later reissue as "From A Whisper To A Scream" in March 1985 by Ace Records of the UK on their Kent Records imprint - KENT 036 (LP) and CDKENM 036 (CD). That 1985 LP and CD had eleven tracks instead of the original 10 – the extra song on a rejiggered Side 2 being "Number Nine" – one of the two Bonus cuts on this 2CD set. His debut album was once again reissued in the USA, but this time as "Allen Toussaint" in July 2007 on Varese Sarabande 302 066 832 2 (Barcode 030206683226) with Two Previously Unissued Instrumental Tracks that follow next... 

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Number Nine

12. Poor Folks

Tracks 11 and 12 first issued in July 2007 on the American CD compilation "Allen Toussaint" on Varese Sarabande 302 066 832 2 (Barcode 030206683226). In 2007 the instrumental song "Number Nine" was Previously Unissued in the USA (it had turned up in 1985 on Ace's Kent reissue as a Bonus) - while the other near seven-minute instrumental "Poor Folks" was Previously Unreleased (recorded 19 and 20 March 1970).

 

Disc 2 (74:13 minutes):

1. Victims Of The Darkness – Side 1

2. Am I Expecting Too Much?

3. My Baby Is The Real Thing

4. Goin' Down

5. She Once Belonged To Me

6. Out Of The City (Into Country Life)

7. Soul Sister – Side 2

8. Fingers And Toes

9. I've Got To Convince Myself

10. On My Way Down

11. Gone Too Far

12. Electricity

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 2nd album "Life, Love And Faith" – released July 1972 in the USA on Reprise Records MS 2060 and in the UK on Reprise K 44202.

 

13. Last Train [Side 1]

14. World Wide World Wide

15. Back In Baby's Arms

16. Country John

17. Basic Lady

18. Southern Nights [Side 2]

19. You Will Not Lose

20. What Do You Want The Girl To Do?

21. What The Party's Over

22. Cruel Way To Go Down

Tracks 13 to 22 are his 3rd album "Southern Nights" – released May 1975 in the USA on Reprise MS 2186 and in the UK on Reprise K 54021

 

Fans will know that November 2015 saw a further Allen Toussaint compilation come out in Soul-mad England touching on two LPs in this period of time – Beat Goes On's "Life, Love And Faith/Southern Nights/Motion" on BGOCD 1211 (Barcode 5017261212115). That set offered 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs also – but while it dropped the debut – it did contain his fourth LP "Motion" from July 1978 on Reprise BSK 3142 (UK on Reprise K 56473). I actually own both because the Raven issue we're dealing with here has not only got the debut - but those two stunning Bonuses (talk later).

 

This August 2015 Raven Records 2CD set comes with a nicely laid-out 12-page booklet with new liner notes from TERRY REILLY and even a mention of his accolades by the US President in 2013. There are period photos – a label shot of the US Demo 45 to "From A Whisper To A Scream" – a Lee Dorsey sheet music for "Working in A Coal Mind" (which Toussaint wrote for him). There is also a smiling Allen on the rear inlay sheet that's a very cool shot. Reilly gives a potted history of the LPs, but the only pictures of the actual artwork is on the front page of the booklet – at least there are musician credits on Pages 10 and 11. All the material is licensed properly (Gusto for the debut and Warners for the other two) and the Remastered Audio BY WARREN BARNET is properly fantastic throughout.

 

A bit of history first. Toussaint has always been around; it's just that you probably didn't notice him. Others – especially in the industry - did. That knack for penning a melody/groove got his songs covered by a huge array of musical luminaries with New Orleans and R&B tingling in their souls. British vocalist Frankie Miller gave a whole album over to his songs in "High Life" from 1974 on Chrysalis. Robert Palmer did "Night People" on his "Double Fun" LP in 1974 – Bonnie Raitt covered "What Do You Want The Girl To Do?" on her "Home Plate" album in 1975 as did Lowell George for his March 1979 debut solo LP "Thanks I'll Eat It Here". Speaking of that funky band, one of the outtakes that turned up on the 2CD Rhino reissue of Little Feat's magnificent live album "Waiting For Columbus" was Toussaint's "On My Way Down" - and as recent as 2000, Mavis Staples did "Last Train" on her gorgeous "You Are Not Alone" album with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Smart kids chasing down Rare Grooves noticed too. The strutting Guitar-Funk-Fest that is "Goin' Down" has turned up on no less than three hip WEA compilations for Rare Groove track – "Right On! Volume 3" (2001), "Funk Drops 2" (2002) and the wickedly good "What It Is!" 4CD Rhino box set from 2006 (see my detailed review). To the music...the debut first...

 

December 1970 USA saw the first 45-single flourish from the album on the rare Tiffany Records label (distributed by Scepter in NYC). They issued "Sweet Touch Of Love" on the A-side of Tiffany TIF-9015 with a lethal pairing of the opening LP track "From A Whisper To A Scream" on the B-side. And when the album was repressed for June 1971 – they reversed the sides for Scepter SCE 12317 giving the popular "From A Whisper To A Scream" priority. Amazingly – and given the calibre of both songs – neither did any real chart action. A second 45-single in October 1971 trying the Lee Dorsey-Toussaint written classic "Working In A Goldmine" paired with a way cooler though then unknown "What Is Success" on Scepter 12334 suffered a similar fate. Even though Wand issued the LP in England in January 1972 – they didn't try any singles thus condemning his debut to a curiosity in chart shops.

 

Featuring a cast of known and not-so-well-known greats – the debut had Dr. John on Backing Vocals and Organ, Terry Kellman on Guitar with Eddie Hohner on Bass and super-session-ladies Merry Clayton and Venetta Fields on Backing Vocals (Clayton fresh from her duet vocals with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter"). The Brass came in the shape of Earl Turbington of the New Orleans Funk Band The Gators (brother of Willie Tee) and Frederick Kemp who had been with Fats Domino for years.

 

The debut album is really a tale of two sides – Side 1 with lyric-tunes one and all – while Side 2 has one lyric song as a starter and then an odd run of four instrumentals in a row – like they were tagged on to flesh it out for a full LP.

 

But don't let that fool you for a second – take "Pickles" – the second cut on Side 2. It's a fantastic four-and-half minute Funky Brass and Harmonica instrumental that settles in the centre (and again later on) into an almost Rick Wakeman grand piano flourish (so pretty) – before returning to the groove. "Louie" is a mid-tempo two-stepper that again allows him to stretch out on the old Johanna and show his effortless feel for sexy playing. Even better is a very Crusaders/James Brown sexy groove created with the Brass boys on "Either" – Terry Kellman playing some tasty licks on the Guitar while Earl Turbington and Frederick Kemp solo on the Saxophones too. It's 1970 but sounds like Brown in 1972 or 1973 – ahead of its time.

 

There are two cover versions of the album – the sung Harland Howard song "Chokin' Kind" on Side 1 (the ladies back him on this) while the old Jazz chestnut "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" on Side 2 ends the LP on a more mellow instrumental note. But for me the total shocker is the utterly brilliant unreleased instrumental "Poor Folks" which at 6:51 minutes veers into Funk and Rock and feels like New Orleans meets Steely Dan as Toussaint gets all kinds of shades out of the fast bits that slink into the slow parts. What a discovery, and that's just the debut.

 

As is witnessed by the credits on the rear of the 1972 vinyl LP – "Life, Love And Faith" featured a huge ensemble of musicians – members of his family and most especially members of the New Orleans Funk band The Meters (George Porter, Jr., Joseph Modeliste and Leo Nocentelli). Toussaint sang, played keyboards, acoustic guitar, harmonica and wrote/arranged all the songs. Reprise tried the slinky 'bad boots' Side 2 opener "Soul Sister" b/w "She Once Belonged To Me" as a 7" single in September 1975 on both sides of the pond (Reprise REP 1109, USA – Reprise K 14200, UK) – but it didn't make too much of an impact (good but not memorable enough for either pallet). They made the big mistake of not choosing the relentless funk of "Goin' Down" as the lead off single (now a darling of Rare Groove CD compilations), but alas. Apparently "Am I Expecting Too Much" made promo-stage on 7" in the States (Reprise REP 1132) but despite the fantastic funk in the tune – it didn't take either.

 

His 3rd album 1975's "Southern Nights" is probably his most popular. The productions values certainly shot through the roof – "Last Train" feeling a little the Average White Band with a different vocalist - while the mid-tempo Sax strut of "Worldwide" has more than a shade of The Meters. "Back In My Baby's Arms" is properly lovely – a sweet lilt that soothes - Arthur Neville on Organ with Deborah Paul, Joan Harmon and Sharon Neborn tearing up the backing vocals with some Soulful harmonising. The title track has always been a barnstormer whenever he did it live – a very pretty melody – and I'd swear John Lennon nicked that treated vocal sound for "Beautiful Boy" on his "Double Fantasy" album in 1980. 

 

So you say to me, if Toussaint was so good - why wasn't he huge? Like Bill Withers or Al Green - Toussaint could pen the tunes and get those grooves, but unlike them - he arguably hadn't the greatest of voices (good rather than being memorable). Perhaps that's why he always seemed on the fringes...other people and their top voices making his great songs shine.

 

Whatever way you look at it - this is a fantastic release. So whichever 2CD reissue you buy (I say buy both) - you're quid's in – wonderful music and presentation in both instances. 

 

The great man deserved to be remembered this well and both Raven of Australia and Beat Goes On of the UK have done so. A seriously classy dude remembered beautifully...