"Tattoo You" by THE ROLLING STONES – August 1981 Album on Rolling Stones Records featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Ian Stewart, Billy Preston, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Keyes, Nicky Hopkins, Chris Kimsey, Wayne Perkins, Pete Townshend, Ollie Brown, Jimmy Miller and Simon Kirke (October 2021 UK Rolling Stones/Polydor Deluxe Edition 2CD Reissue with New 2021 Stephen Marcussen and Stewart Whitmore Remasters and a Bonus 9-Track Disc of Lost & Found: Rarities) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"...I Can Hear The People Talking...Troubles A' Comin...In More Ways Than One..."

 

May 1994 with Virgin, June 2009 with Polydor and now October 2021 on Polydor/Rolling Stones Records – yet again.

 

Weary strolling bones fans like moi have been down this endless reissue road before with our fave hornary reprobates and besties THE ROLLING STONES. But this time it is better – way better – and on an album I have adored for over 40 years – slapped together compilation or no. Some info first...

 

As you've no doubt already read - "Tattoo You" was a ragbag of outtakes from previous albums with a few new tunes thrown in - Rockers on the A-side with Ballads on the B. The material stretched back as far as late 1972 and the Exile period – through Some Girls in 1978 and on to new 1981 stuff before it was worldwide released in August of that year (not that the original record ever told you any of that). And it worked - I played "Tattoo You" to death on release - loved it to pieces - especially the shockingly soulful Side 2. To CDs...

 

The 1994 and 2009 1CD variants of "Tattoo You" clocked in at 44:26 minutes – this 2021 new Remaster by the same team of STEPHEN MARCUSSEN and STEWART WHITMORE – transfers done at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, California – clocks in at 44:34 minutes, so is a few seconds longer. And again WOW is the only appropriate response. It is no understatement to say that this sucker ROCKS – there are even times when the clarity is overwhelming for an old fart like me so used to hearing older slightly muddied versions. Disc 2 on the Deluxe Version is called "Lost & Found: Rarities" and offers us 9 new tracks, outtakes and alternate versions including a Reggae-fied take on "Start Me Up" (CD2 clocks in at 39:18 minutes). Personally – and like Disc 2 of the "Goats Head Soup" Deluxe Edition – has been in my player for months. The packaging of the 2CD Deluxe Edition once again lets the side down and is not much to write home about (although the new Jeff Slate liner notes explain things well, especially with regard to the rare stuff) – but the sonic goods are there in spades. To the friends we have been waiting for...

 

UK released 22 October 2021 - "Tattoo You" by THE ROLLING STONES on Rolling Stones/Polydor 383 494-1 (Barcode 602438349418) is a 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD Reissue and New Remaster and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Tattoo You" (44:34 minutes):

Side 1

1. Start Me Up [begun in 1975 during "Black And Blue" sessions, returned to in November 1977 as a "Some Girls" possible]

2. Hang Fire ["Some Girls" outtake returned to in 1979 for lyrics, features IAN STEWART on Piano]

3. Slave [This is an Extended Version - see PS below]

4. Little T&A [Lead Vocals and Bass by Keith Richards, Ian Stewart on Piano - T&A is street slang for certain parts of a woman's anatomy]

5. Black Limousine [the only track on the album co-credited to RONNIE WOOD, it features Mick Jagger on Lead Vocals and Harmonica with Ian Stewart on Piano - backing track dated as far back as "Exile" in 1972]

6. Neighbours [features' both' the legendary SONNY ROLLINS and BOBBY KEYES on Saxophones]

Side 2

7. Worried About You [features BILLY PRESTON on Piano, WAYNE PERKINS on Lead Guitar and SOLO and OLLIE BROWN on Percussion]

8. Tops [features MICK TAYLOR on Guitar with NICKY HOPKINS on Piano; a Mick Taylor "Exile" outtake - wasn't given a writers credit - sued and won]

9. Heaven [co-producer CHRIS KIMSEY plays Piano on this]

10. No Use In Crying [features Nicky Hopkins on Piano]

11. Waiting On A Friend [features Mick Taylor on Guitar, Sonny Rollins on Saxophone and JIMMY MILLER of "Sticky" fame on Percussion]

 

CD2 "Lost & Found: Rarities" (39:18 minutes):

1. Living In The Heart Of Love (4:13 minutes)

[Begun in the Musicland Studio sessions for the 1974 "It’s Only Rock 'N Roll" LP – features Nicky Hopkins on Piano and Backing Vocals from Keith Richards]

2. Fiji Jam (4:00 minutes)

[Begun and recorded in Paris for the 1978 "Some Girls" LP, features Ian Stewart on Piano with Mick Jagger on Acoustic Guitar]

3. Troubles A’ Coming (4:16 minutes)

[Begun in 1979 in Paris for the 1979 "Emotional Rescue" LP, it is the first of three cover versions on CD2. Originally written by Eugene Record of The Chi-Lites in 1970 and found on their "I Like Your Lovin' (Do You Like Mine)?" on Brunswick Records. There appears to be no recording info as to who plays on it]

4. Shame, Shame, Shame (4:13 minutes)

[Second cover version on CD2, originally a Jimmy Reed R&B classic from 1963 on Vee Jay Records, it features Ian Stewart on Piano with Mick Jagger on Harmonica]

5. Drift Away (4:06 minutes)

[Third and final cover version on CD2, originally a Dobie Gray US Soul and R&B hit in 1973 on Decca Records 33057, it features Nicky Hopkins on Piano with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards n Backing Vocals]

6. It’s A Lie (4:57 minutes)

[Begun during the 1978 "Some Girls" sessions as an instrumental, lyrics were added by Mick Jagger decades later – features Harmonica by Sugar Blue and Ian Stewart on Piano]

7. Come To The Ball (3:40 minutes)

[Begun as "Windfall" during the late 1972 Jamaica sessions for the 1973 LP "Goats Head Soup", further overdubs took place in Los Angeles in 1973 but was shelved until completion now – features Mick Taylor on Guitar with Nicky Hopkins on Piano]

8. Fast Talking, Slow Walking (5:40 minutes)

[Started in 1972, but recorded 1973 at Musicland Studios in Munich for the 1974 LP "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" – features Mick Taylor on Guitar and Billy Preston on Piano]

9. Start Me Up (Early Version) (4:10 minutes)

[The original version was meant to be this take – a more Reggae groove – but Engineer Chris Kimsey ignored Keith Richards who commanded that the Rock version that is used as the opening track on the LP be wiped permanently. He didn’t and thus the Rock Version prevailed]

 

As ever, the three-way foldout gatefold card sleeve is a mixture of good, bad and just lazy. The lyrics are not here again – the three internal flaps are all close-ups of the red and black tattoos when they could have shown picture sleeves from all over the world. The 20-page booklet offers the fur boot inner sleeve photo alongside a few period shots that are new and excellent new liner notes from band expert JEFF SLATE. Jeff gives us a song-by-song history and the detailed reissue credits pages squash in who played on what – guests like Ian Stewart, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins and Chris Kimsey all on Keyboards, Sonny Rollins and Bobby Keyes on Horns, Wayne Perkins of Smith-Perkins-Smith and Crimson Tide on Guitar, Pete Townshend of The Who on Backing Vocals (Slave), Jennifer and Susan McLean on Backing Vocals, Ollie Brown on Percussion, Simon Kirke of Bad Company on Drums. It’s a good stab but not something worth writing home about and it is ridiculous that you cannot read the song titles on the rear so the text can match the artwork (you will get more from my list above). Still the new Audio is magnificent.

 

October 2021 sees "Tattoo You" receive multiple formats too – the single CD variant in a standard jewel case is Rolling Stones/Polydor 382 846-0 (Barcode 602438284603), there is an LP Picture Disc and the obligatory Super Deluxe Edition 4-Disc Box Set too which adds two live CDs onto the 2 studio sets from the DE version I’m reviewing.

 

The clarity of the guitar solo on "Slave" is awesome as is the swirling magic of "Heaven", but best of all is the beautiful axework by Wayne Perkins on the Side 2 opener "Worried About You". I think it's the best guitar solo on a Stones album anywhere and its clarity now is fabulous. Absolutely loving the so Some Girls snotty vibe in "Fiji Jim" and his Internet Age updating of the lyrics in the seriously catchy "It's A Lie". The three covers are very cool – R&B prevailing for Jimmy Reed and his "Shame, Shame, Shame" (grungy guitar and Jagger on Harmonica) but a great Soulful vocal for "Drift Away". It is hard to believe that the not-so-good Reggae Version of "Start Me Up" was seriously considered initially as the only version worth using - what a mistake that would have been (well done Chris).

 

To sum up - I know the packaging and presentation leave a lot to be desired, but as I listen to the lovely Piano tinkering of Nicky Hopkins on "No Use In Crying" and the three lads harmonizing on Backing Vocals - I don't care - I love it. The sound is wonderful and a major improvement over what went before. The buggering truth is that once you hear these huge remasters, you're screwed - and true Stones nuts will absolutely have to own the old/new stuff.

 

Despite niggles - it's recommended for the great new audio and the music - the last Stones album where I played all of it...

 

PS: There's an anomaly worth noting re the track "Slave"...

 

When "Tattoo You" was originally released on Vinyl and Cassette in August 1981 (Rolling Stones CUNS 39114 in the UK and COC 16052 in the USA) - the 3rd track on Side 1 "Slave" clocked in at about 3:20 minutes on the UK LP and 4:59 minutes on the US variant. So when the first ever CD version of it came out in 1983 in Japan and on CBS Records UK in late 1986, it reflected the American timing of 4:59 minutes and stayed that way for years.

 

However the May 1994 Virgin Remaster put out an anomaly without telling anyone - that CD version of "Slave" was inexplicably extended to 6:31 minutes. The error was repeated on the Polydor version of June 2009 and is again here for October 2021 in the latest round of reissues. And it is very much a benefit to fans because the Extended Version of "Slave" is sensational. With the legendary Sonny Rollins playing on Saxophone and Billy Preston on Funky Keyboards, the lengthy mix now sounds like "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" Part 2 from "Sticky Fingers". A huge chunky guitar riff throughout, great Jagger vocals, Sax wailing - it absolutely rocks (apparently there's a version with the late great Jeff Beck on guitar in the can somewhere too).

 

What should have happened here of course is that the original LP timing be used on this CD - with both the Jeff Beck mix and the Extended Version put on as bonus tracks at the end, but that's for another day and another reissue that will probably never happen...

"The Complete Greatest Hits" by EAGLES - Band-Chosen 31-Track Compilation Covering 1972 to 2003 featuring Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit (March 2008 UK Rhino Records Card Sleeve 2CD Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Here In My Heart..." 

 

When I was growing up with this Country Rock music including pulling a few hotties close to the slow dance warmth of "The Best Of My Love" in 1974 - few in 1974, 1975 and 1976 onward could have imagined the commercial and Rock-cultural juggernaut that the EAGLES would become (I'm 64 now). 

 

On Page 11 of the 12-page booklet that accompanies this skinny but pretty twofer gatefold card-sleeve compilation (chosen by the band to include their output from the 1972 self-titled debut to a rare DVD-single track from 2003) is a picture gallery of their albums - their first "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" LP (from 1976) still being among the biggest selling album of 'all time'. Their second "Greatest Hits" set in 1982 did the same. So this March 2008 band-chosen CD-only compilation uses those same artworks as a point of similar-looking reference, updating those phenomenal unit shifters to a 'Complete' version. 

 

Yet I can remember a time when the EAGLES were terminally unhip, even derided for their globe-conquering success. No anymore; these last two decades of Twenties have seen the EAGLES become the very definition of what is Classic Rock. And when you play through their ludicrously catchy melodies, their cocaine and tequila pickled tales of liars with nice eyes, limits that must be taken and sunny hotels you can't check out of (no one panics quite like Americans) - is it any wonder they not only shifted product but have endured despite internal squabbling that the Depp family would be proud of. Another sweet touch is excepting those tracks clearly indicated as a 'single', all the rest are the full album versions - so no cut-off beginning for "One Of These Nights" like there was on that first "Greatest Hits" set all those years ago. To the good old new kids in town...

 

UK released 17 March 2008 - "The Complete Greatest Hits" by EAGLES on Rhino 8122-79933-7 (Barcode 081227993375) is a 31Track 2CD Compilation in a Mini LP Styled Artwork Gatefold Card Sleeve that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (73:27 minutes):

1.Take It Easy 

2. Witchy Woman 

3. Peaceful Easy Feeling 

4. Desperado 

5. Tequila Sunrise 

6. Doolin-Dalton  

7. Already Gone 

8. The Best Of My Love 

9. James Dean 

10. Ol '55

11. Midnight Flyer 

12. On The Border

13. Lyin' Eyes 

14. One Of These Nights 

15. Take It To The Limit

16. After The Thrill Is Gone

17. Hotel California

Tracks 1 to 3 from their June 1972 debut album "Eagles" 

Tracks 4 to 6 from their April 1973 second studio album "Desperado"

Tracks 7 to 12 from their June 1974 third studio album "On The Border"

Tracks 13 to 16 from their June 1975 fourth studio album "One Of These Nights"

Track 17 from their December 1976 fifth studio album "Hotel California" 

 

CD2 (71:36 minutes): 

1. Life In The Fast Lane 

2. Wasted Time 

3. Victim Of Love 

4. The Last Resort 

5. New Kid In Town 

6. Please Come Home For Christmas

7. Heartache Tonight 

8. The Sad Cafe 

9. I Can't Tell You Why 

10. The Long Run 

11. In The City 

12. Those Shoes

13. Seven Bridges Road (Live) 

14. Love Will Keep Us Alive 

15. Get Over It 

16. Hole In The World

Tracks 1 to 5 also from their December 1976 fifth studio album "Hotel California"

Track 6 is a November 1978 US 45-single A-side 

Tracks 7 to 12 are from their September 1979 sixth studio album "The Long Run"

Track 13 is from their November 1980 first live double-set "Eagles Live"

Tracks 14 and 15 from November 1994 seventh studio album "Hell Freezes Over"

Track 16 is a July 2003 DVD-Single release 

EAGLES were:

DON HENLEY, GLENN FREY, RANDY MEISNER, BERNIE LEADON, DON FELDER, JOE WALSH and TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT

 

Mastering is by long-time producer to the band BILL SZYMCZYK and he's using the gorgeous TED JENSEN CD Remasters from 1999 so the tracks sound utterly stupendous in their clarity. For old-timers like me stuff like the deep album cuts of "Doolin-Dalton", "Midnight Flyer" and the lovely "I Can't Tell You Why" (a huge concert fave amongst fans) sound full at last - it's the same throughout. The 12-page booklet has some very cool colour/black and white photos from different time periods as well as track-by-track personnel/release details using Billboard. The only disappointment would be that although they picture the 2007 double-CD comeback album "Long Walk Out Of Eden" in the booklet, there are no songs from it for contractual reasons. To the chunes...

The band clearly rate 1974's "On The Border" to the more famous "Desperado" from 1973 ("Border" quite rightly gets five selections including the Tom Waits cover version "Ol' 55"). And of course, the beast that is 1976's "Hotel California" sees a whopping six cuts and yet we miss the brilliant "Try And Love Again" - a superb Randy Meisner moment (it would have been cool to see his fantastic instrumental "Journey Of The Sorcerer" from 1975's  "One Of These Nights" make the choices here - but alas). Speaking of cool - those sliding notes that open "One Of These Nights" still thrill. 

 

I thought at first that I'd be all cheesed out by the sappy "Please Come Home For Christmas", but as ever Don Henley could sing the County Jail phonebook and make it sound fab. Speaking of fabulousity - it's good to see guitar-hero Joe Walsh acknowledged with his quietly brilliant "In The City" - whilst the gorgeous and moving "Long Run" album finisher "The Sad Cafe" still whomps after all these decades. Clever inclusion is the exclusive live track "Seven Bridges Road" that came with "Eagles Live" in November 1980 - a Steve Young cover version they virtually do Acapella. "Seven Bridges Road" was actually issued as a seven-inch single in December 1980 on Asylum E-47100 where even something as obscure as that peaked at No. 21 on the US pop charts - because it was new from the Eagles. Steve Young's original song and LP of the same name was first issued 1971 on Reprise Records - see my separate review for an Ace CD that reissued Steve Young's work then and after. 

 

Fans will not be surprised either to see the gorgeous "Love Will Keep Us Alive" be on here - a Timothy B. Schmit sung ballad they co-wrote with Jim Capaldi of Traffic and Paul Carrack of Ace and Squeeze fame. And it ends rather hammily with the Rock guitar riffage of "Get Over It" - Henley having a go at TV victims and poor-me culture in general. But far better is "Hole In The World" - again a Henley/Frey original that uses the band's harmonies to sing about fractious politics and remind of just how good they are when the Eagles hit all the marks. 

 

I've seen this 2CD set "The Complete Greatest Hits" for as little as three quid and even in 2023 (as I write) - it's just below seven British pounds brand new from most retail sites. That's a whole lot of dids for just a few quids. Get flappin' birdies... 

"Wrap It Up: Isaac Hayes And David Porter Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (30 September 2022 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Nearly 195 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

Mod, New Breed, Funk, Jazz Dancers, Rare Grooves

Atlantic, Chess, Motown, Stax Labels and many more... 

 

Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

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"...I Thank You..."

 

****

I had a feeling that this Ace CD would be a humdinger and with 24-tracks spanning 1966 to 1985 giving us the cream of STAX Records writing-team ISAAC HAYES and DAVID PORTER - it's a joyful and surprisingly varied listen - all seventy-five minutes and 42 seconds of it. To the bad go-getters...

 

UK released Friday 30 September 2022 - "Wrap It Up: Isaac Hayes and David Porter Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP 1622 (Barcode 029667106924) is a 24-Track CD compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (75:42 minutes):

 

1. 60 Minutes Of Your Love - HOMER BANKS (September 1966 US 45-single on Minit 32008, A-side - January 1967 UK 45-single on Liberty LIB 12047, A-side)

2. As Long As I've Got You - THE EMOTIONS (first appeared on the 2009 Emotions UK CD compilation "Song Of Innocence And Experience...And Then Some" on Stax CDSXD 138)

3. B-A-B-Y - RACHEL SWEET (November 1978 UK 45-single on Stiff BUY 39, A-side - a Carla Thomas cover version)

4. Can't Trust Your Neighbor - FREDDIE KING (from the June 1972 US LP "Texas Cannonball" on Shelter Records SW-8913 - originally done by Johnny Taylor)

5. May I Baby - PETER FRAMPTON (from the 1979 US LP "Where I Should Be" on A&M Records SP3710 - features Tower Of Power horns, Steve Cropper on Guitar and Bob Mayo on duet vocals - was also 45-single B-side of "I Can't Stand It No More" issued May 1979 USA on A&M Records 2148. The song was originally a Sam & Dave B-side to "Soul Man" in 1967)

6. You're Taking Up Another Man's Place - ARETHA FRANKLIN (first issued on the 1986 Aretha Franklin US LP "The Delta Meets Detroit" on Atlantic 81696-1)

7. Hold On, I'm Comin' - THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS (from the 1967 US LP "Sayin' Somethin'" on Verve Records V6-5010 in Stereo - a Sam & Dave cover).

8. I've Got To Love Somebody's Baby - PETER GALLAGHER (from the 2005 CD "7 Days In Memphis" on Epic 8-2796-97753-2 - a Johnnie Taylor cover) 

9. I'll Understand - EDWIN STARR & BLINKY (from the September 1969 US LP "Just We Two" on Gordy Records GS 945 in Stereo)

10. I Take What I Want - THE BISHOPS (April 1978 UK 45-single on Chiswick Records NS 33, A-side - a Sam & Dave cover version from 1965)

11. I Thank You - ZZ TOP (from the 1979 US LP "Deguello" on Warner Brothers HS 3361 - also January 1980 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WBS 49163, A-side)

12. My Baby Specializes - DELANEY and BONNIE (from the October 1969 US LP "Home" on Stax STS 2026, March 1970 UK on Stax SXATS 1029 - a Judy Clay cover version) 

13. Never Like This Before - MARCIA BALL (from her 1985 US LP "Hot Tamale Baby" on Rounder Records 3095)

14. Soul Man - SAM & DAVE (August 1967 US 45-single on Stax S-231, A-side)

15. Left Over Love - RUBY JOHNSON (from the 1993 Ruby Johnson UK CD compilation "I'll Run Your Hurt Away" on Stax CDSXD 049)

16. The Sweeter He Is (Parts 1 & 2) - THE SOUL CHILDREN (from the 1969 US debut album "The Soul Children" on Stax STS 2018 in Stereo) 

17. Toe Hold - JOHNNIE TAYLOR (Previously Unreleased Complete Version of Stax 202 from 1966) 

18. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (from the 1967 duet album "King And Queen" on Stax S-716 in Stereo)

19. Wrap It Up - ARCHIE BELL and THE DRELLS (October 1970 US 45-single n Atlantic 45-2768, A-side)

20. You Don't Know Like I Know - KEITH and BILLIE (Keith Powell and Billie Davis) (June 1966 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N.35321, A-side)

21. "You Got Me Hummin' - THE HASSLES (October 1967 US 45-single on United Artists UA 50215, A-side - band featured Billy Joel)

22. Your Good Thing (Is About To End) - MABLE JOHN (May 1966 US 45-single on Stax 192, A-side)

23. Love Is After Me - CHARLIE RICH (1966 Us 45-single on Hi Records 2116)

24. I'm Dedicating My Life - DANNY WHITE (1965 US 45-single on Atlas 1257)

Tracks 1, 22, 23 and 24 are MONO - all others are STEREO

Track 17 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 

 

A 24-page jam-packed booklet gives you typically superb liner notes from Soul expert and genre lover TONY ROUNCE - all of it pumped up with US and UK 7" single labels (stock and promo copies of Stax, Atlantic, Liberty, Sue, Verve etc). There are rare US, UK and European picture sleeves, sheet music and publicity photos from artists you don't see too much of like The Emotions and Edwin Starr and Blinky. With quality mastering from their resident Audio Engineer - the uber experienced DUNCAN COWELL - it has the overall wallop all of these Ace Records CD compilations have - quality. To the chunes... 

 

It's a measure of their class-act status that something as lovely as The Emotions doing "As Long As I've Got You" - a demo probably recorded 1969 in their Stax Records heyday and first unearthed for a 2009 Rarities CD - sisters Sheila, Janette and Wanda Hutchinson shining like Dionne Warwick. Four very clever choices include US actor Peter Gallagher doing a Michael Bolton passionate rendition of "I've Got To Love Somebody's Baby" (originally a Johnnie Taylor cover on Stax), a superbly 1979 Pop-Soulful Peter Frampton version of "May I Baby" that sees the ex Herd and Humble Pie vocalist backed up by Steve Cropper on Guitar, Bob Mayo on Duet Vocals with the Tower of Power horns lifting all ("May I Baby" was originally the B-side of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" 45-single in 1967). Third and fourth choices are Rachel Sweet's forgotten Soul sweetness on "B-A-B-Y" on England's largely Punk and New Wave label in 1979 with The Count Bishops taking a few leaves out of Rory Gallagher's guitar book when he covered Sam & Dave's "I Take What I Want" for his 1975 Chrysalis Records album "Against The Grain" - The Counts mixing in his guitar boogie with their own chugging rhythms to make a great dancer issued on England's Chiswick Records in 1978. 

Then Husband and Wife team Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett do Judy Clay's "My Baby Specializes" from their excellent "Home" album on Stax (1969 USA, 1970 UK) - white people digging the black sounds and then some while South Louisiana's Marcia Ball gets her considerable larynx around "Never Like This Before" - a track that Hayes and Porter gave to William Bell. You could argue that you might never again want to hear Sam and Dave's "Soul Man" it's been so overdone - but once it's working your speakers - resistance will be difficult. A properly Bluesy Soulful duo of tracks comes at you with Ruby Johnson's gorgeous take on "Left Over Love" - a 1967 nugget from this lady cult hero of Soul (I've got to get more of her stuff) - and then The Soul Children lay on the suffering-today for "The Sweeter He Is". What sends it into the stratosphere is that Ace has smartly included the full album cut Parts 1 & 2 of the song (6:17 minutes) where the ladies handle the uh-huh on the first part but lead vocalist John Blackfoot goes ballistic guttural in Part 2 - a gem worth the price of admission alone.

 

Racing to the end we get more guts-for-garters vocals with Johnnie Taylor's "Toe Hold" - it's 1966 rendering restored with the intro edited into the whole so its become a 2022 new cut - very cool indeed. Mable John has been a fave of deep Soul lovers for decades and her piano-and-guitar shuffling take on "Your Good Thing (Is About To End)" from 1966 on Stax is fabulous - you can so hear why Bonnie Raitt and Lou Rawls did covers of it in the 70ts. "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" sees the powerhouses of Otis Redding and Carla Thomas trade vocals in this famous been-through-so-much-together Stax Records smoocher. But for me even that genuine piece of Soul masterclass by Otis and Carla is outdone by the CD's title piece - the fabulous shake-yer-booty brass and tambourine joy of "Wrap It Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells - the kind of dancer gem that makes you believe Soul Music is the greatest!  

For sure a few choices don't really work - The Hassles with a very young and inexperienced Billy Joel, Charlie Rich not quite silver-foxing it or the supposed white boy soul of The Righteous Brothers. But overall this is another great installment from Ace Records amongst so many celebrating heroes. Recommended...

"Where Soul Begins... KENT/MODERN - For Dancers Forty" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - a 24-Track '40th Anniversary' CD Compilation That Celebrates Ace Records first Kent Records LP Compilation Issued August 1982 (October 2022 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Nearly 195 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

Mod, New Breed, Funk, Jazz Dancers, Rare Grooves

Atlantic, Chess, Motown, Stax Labels and many more... 

 

Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

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"...That's It!..."

 

*** 3 Stars 

I've had "...For Dancers Forty" for over two months now since its release in late October 2022 of last year, but in truth (and despite being a self-confessed Kent compilation loon) - I've struggled with this release big time. 

 

Without saying that much of it isn't actually any good - for me there are maybe only five tracks out of twenty-four on the CD variant that I'd play at any further time - the rest feel like second rate R&B, out of place Blues, Seventies Funk that feels just wrong and four uninspired unreleased that were clearly canned for very obvious reasons. Hence this is the first time I've slapped 3-stars review on a Kent-Soul CD compilation in decades. But let's get to what we do have...details...

 

UK released Friday, 28 October 2022 - "Where Soul Begins... KENT/MODERN For Dancers Forty" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent-Soul-40 CDKEND 514 (Barcode 029667107327) is a 24-Track CD compilation that plays out as follows (62:53 minutes):

 

1. Satisfied Feeling - MARY LOVE (January 1967 US 45-single on Modern M 1033, B-side of "Baby I'll Come")

2. You'd Be Good For Me - JEANETTE JONES (Originally an Unissued Golden State recording in Stereo, first released on the 2007 UK CD compilation "Super-Funk Is Back - Rare And Classic Funk 1968-1977" on Beat Goes Public CDBGPD 183)

3. Gonna Put It On Your Mind - ARTHUR ADAMS (Previously Unissued 1966 Modern recording, 2022)

4. Tobacco Road North - TOMMY YOUNGBLOOD (from the 1970 US LP "The Soul Of Tommy Youngblood" on Kent Records KST-541 in Stereo)

5. Jealous Woman - T-BONE WALKER (Originally Unissued 1964 Modern recording first issued in 1992 UK 3CD Compilation "60 Great Blues Recordings" on Cascade CBOXCD 3)

6. Walk The Chalk Line - AARON COLLINS & THE TEEN QUEENS (Previously Unreleased 1966 Modern recording, 2022)

7. I've Got Papers On You Baby - B.B. KING (from the 1959 US LP "B.B. King Wails" on Crown CLP 5115) 

8. You Changed Me - TEDDY REYNOLDS & THE TWISTERS (from the 1961 US LP "The Twist" on Crown Records CLP 5245)

9. Wanting You - JIMMY BEE (Originally unissued version of Kent 5431 from 1969: an Alec Paolo Remix from 2019)

10. That's It - Z.Z. HILL (1965 US 45-single on Kent K 432, B-side of "What More")

11. Push Me - LOWELL FULSON (November 1967 US 45-single on Kent K 479, A)

12. Here Comes The Judge - LARRY & TOMMY (Originally Unissued Modern recording first released on the 2007 UK CD compilation "Super-Funk Is Back - Rare And Classic Funk 1968-1977" on Beat Goes Public CDBGPD 183)

13. Tramp - FOXFIRE featuring JOHNNY ADAMS (1972 US 45-single on Kent 4578)

14. Freedom And Justice - PACE-SETTERS (1972 US 45-single on Kent 4565)

15. Jimmy's Special - LITTLE JOE BLUE (Originally Unissued 1967 Kent recording, first released on the March 1999 Japanese CD "West Coast Modern Blues 1960s" on P-Vine PCD-3060)

16. Remove My Doubts - STACY JOHNSON (1963 US 45-single on Sony 113) 

17. You Brought It All On Yourself - CLAY HAMMOND (1967 US 45-single on Kent 472)

18. It's Crazy Baby - IKE & TINA TURNER (from the 1967 US LP "The Soul Of Ike & Tina" on Kent LP 5019)

19. On My Way Back Home - FLASH HARRY (1958 US 45-single on Kent 310)

20. Mr. Bad Luck - KING SOLOMON (1966 US 45-single on Kent 446)

21. Mr. Bus Driver - THE TEEN QUEENS (Previous Unreleased 1966 Modern recording, 2022)

22. No More Tears - THE SWEETHEARTS (1966 US 45-single on Kent 442)

23. Help Me - BEATRICE LEE (1962 US 45-single on Kent 385)

24. I'll Let Nothing Come Between Us - BILLY WATKINS (Previously Unreleased 1965 Kent recording, 2022)

NOTES: 

Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6 to 11, 13, 15, 16 and 18 to 24 are MONO

Tracks 2, 12, 14 and 17 are STEREO

Tracks 3, 6, 21 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

There is a 20-page fact-filled booklet (superb ADY CROASDEL liner notes) and the usual great Remasters from DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering – the Mono single sides in particular having real punch. There is 8-disc advert inlay visible through the see-through CD tray at the rear showing New Breed Jazz, Northern Soul comps – all on the Kent Soul/Kent Dance imprints belonging to Ace Records of the UK. To the music...

 

Things start well with two lady boppers, "Satisfied Feeling" by Mary Love (she's featured in the cover photo stood alongside Z.Z. Hill) and "You'd Be Good For Me" by Jeanette Jones - an unreleased recording first issued in 2007. The first of four unreleased appears, the pretty good Arthur Adams funk of "Gonna Put it On Your Mind" but the audio wavers in and out a bit as does his voice. Things start to go wrong for me with Tracks 4 through to 9 where a series of out-of-place grooves occur - some are OK - but that's all. The first real 'Soul' vibe appears when Track 10 offers the fabulous chugger that is "That's It" by Z.Z. Hill - a 1965 hip-shaker that's followed by Lowell Fulson giving it some "Push Me" - tremendous remaster as the steppin' R&B pushes across your speakers all nite long.  

 

But stuff like Larry & Tommy doing "Here Comes The Judge" or the wildly out of place 70s Funk of "Tramp" by Foxfire featuring Johnny Adams are awful. The instrumental Funk Groove of "Freedom And Justice" by Pace-Setters feels like it some be on a another compilation while "Jimmy's Special" is just manic and all over the place - trying too hard. I have to wait until Track 16 to get a bite at last with the brassy confident vocals of "Remove My Doubts" by Stacy Johnson - a great groover with the ladies pleading while Johnson goes all wicked-Pickett on the snarled warning vocals. Clay Hammond's "You Brought It On Yourself" is great too but both Tracks 20 and 21 left me cold, and on it goes. 

 

I'd advise a listen on this one - way too disappointing for me... 

 

PS: Ace have also issued a single LP called "For Dancers Forty - Kent Records 1982-2022" on Ace/Kent Soul HIQLP 103 (Barcode 029667015219) in October 2022. However as you can see from the track list provided below - only three of its fourteen songs (Tommy Youngblood, Aaron Collins and The Teen Queens and Z.Z. Hill on Side 2) are on the 24-cut CD compilation (those marked with * are exclusive to the LP variant). The LP also has different artwork front and rear:

 

Side 1:

1. Long As I Got My Baby - JACKIE DAY *

2. Down In The City - THE MARVELLOS *

3. I Got Love - THE OTHER BROTHERS *

4. I've Got To Win Your Love For Me - SIMS TWINS *

5. My Love She's Gone - THE INTENTIONS *

6. This Couldn't Be Me - THE SWEETHEARTS *

7. The Sun Don't Shine (Everyday) - THE SAINTS *

 

Side 2:

1. Tobacco Road - TOMMY YOUNGBLOOD 

2. Stand Up Straight And Tall - JACKIE SHANE *

3. Walk The Chalk Line - AARON COLLINS and THE TEEN QUEENS 

4. I'm Tired aka Love Line - BILLY WATKINS *

5. Tired Of Walkin' - JOE HINTON *

6. That's It - Z.Z. HILL 

7. I Was Born To Love You - JOHNNY COPELAND *