"Rory Gallagher: 50th Anniversary Edition" by RORY GALLAGHER – May 1971 UK Debut Solo Album [ex Taste] on Polydor Records – Guest Musician Vincent Crane of Atomic Rooster on Two Tracks (September 2021 UK UMC/Polydor 50th Anniversary Edition 2CD Reissue in a Three-Way Gatefold Card Digipak With Repro Artwork, 18 Rare Tracks on CD2, 16 of which are Previously Unreleased - Plus a New 2021 Remix and Remaster of the Album by Martin Dubka and Frank Arkwright on CD1 at Abbey Road) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Take Him Home Right Away..."

 

Under the supervision of Donal Gallagher (his older brother and former tour manager)  - Irish guitar hero RORY GALLAGHER had his LP back-catalogue first reissued onto CD in 1998, 2000, 2012, and now into 2021 for a round of 50^th Anniversary Multi-Format reissues. But is the new lot worth it – HELL YES!

 

Everything here has been upped for this outing – least not of all a New Remix and Remaster that leaves all previous attempts pretty much in the dust. Lots to wave at, here are the details for Axe Hero No.1...

 

UK released 3 September 2021 - "Rory Gallagher: 50^th Anniversary Edition" by RORY GALLAGHER on UMC/Polydor 3544487 (Barcode 602435444871) is a 2CD Expanded Reissue with a New 2021 Remix and Remaster of the album on CD1 and 18 Rare Tracks on CD2 (16 are previously Unreleased) that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 - "Rory Gallagher" 2021 Remix and Remaster - (47:50 minutes):

1. Laundromat [Side 1]

2. Just The Smile

3. I Fall Apart

4. Wave Myself Goodbye

5. Hands Up

6. Sinner Boy [Side 2]

7. For The Last Time

8. It's You

9. I'm Not Surprised

10. Can't Believe It's True

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut solo album (after two studio albums with Taste) "Rory Gallagher" – released May 1971 in the UK on Polydor 2383 044 and May 1971 in the USA on Atco Records SD 33-368. Produced by RORY GALLAGHER and Engineered by EDDIE OFFORD – it peaked at No. 32 in the UK, but didn’t chart USA.

 

CD2 - Bonus Tracks (73:21 minutes):

Tangerine Studio Sessions

1. Gypsy Woman

2. It Takes Time

3. I Fall Apart

Tracks 1 and 2 first appeared on the 1999 CD reissue of "Rory Gallagher" as Bonuses and again as Bonuses on the January 2012 Sony/Capo/Legacy reissue too – they are exciting band-version covers of Muddy Waters and Otis Rush songs (respectively). Track 3 is an album outtake and the first of the 16 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED versions on CD2. Tracks 4 to 18 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED.

 

Alternate Takes

4. At The Bottom - Alternate Take 3

5. At The Bottom - Alternate Take 4

6. Advision Jam

7. Laundromat - Alternate Take 1

8. Just The Smile - Alternate Take 1

9. Wave Myself Goodbye - Alternate Take 2

10. Hands Up - Alternate Take 2

11. Sinner Boy - Alternate Take 3

12. For The Last Time - Alternate Take 1

13. It's You - Alternate Take 2

14. I'm Not Surprised – Alternate Take 1

 

Live On The BBC – "Sounds Of The Seventies 1971" – Off-Air Recordings

15. For The Last Time (Live At The BBC)

16. Laundromat (Live At The BBC)

17. It Takes Time (Live At The BBC)

18. I Fall Apart (Live At The BBC)

 

Band was:

RORY GALLAGHER – Lead Guitar and Vocals, Mandolin, Harmonica and Alto Saxophone on the album version of "Can't Believe It's True"

GERRY McAVOY – Bass

WILGAR CAMPBELL – Drums and Percussion

Guest:

Vincent Crane of Atomic Rooster plays Piano on "Wave Myself Goodbye" and "I'm Not Surprised"

 

The 12-Page booklet in broken into two informational conversations by folks who were there in 1970 and 1971 – the first with Rory's brother, Manager and long-time keeper of his reissue flame – DONAL GALLAGHER. The second comes from Bassist GERRY McAVOY – a familiar sight on Rory's legendary live gigs – stood solid – hammering away with gusto and joy. McAvoy was touring with a band called Deep Joy while Rory also knew Wilgar Campbell from a group called The Method. They met – rehearsed and fused. McAvoy talks on his joining the band and the order of songs - it's a nice read but one that weirdly leaves out the album release date or catalogue numbers? A nice touch though is the array of Rock Newspaper clippings from the period that are spread beneath the two see-through CD tracks and the colour photos of Rory clearly young and enjoying himself as a free solo artist.

 

Still that minor 2CD booklet glitch is firmly kicked out to touch when you clap ears on what has to be the definitive Remaster of this obscure album – it is balls-to-the-wall stunning done by (FRANK ARKWRIGHT at Abbey Road Studios). Two Remaster heroes of mine Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham did the 2012 reissue which was fab – but even that is bettered by this beautiful 2021 Remix and Remaster. When I play the last two tracks on Side 2 – the criminally forgotten piano/guitar of "I'm Not Surprised" or the blistering Rock-Jazz of "Can't Believe It's True" where he plays Alto Sax behind great lead guitar soloing – so very Ten Years After actually – the Audio is fantastic.This is a HUGE upgrade and deserves all the 5-star ratings its been receiving.

 

If I was to use one word to describe this remaster it would be 'fresh' - everything somehow sounds new - clean, present, none too trebled up the nines - and it's easy to hear why Donal and Daniel Gallagher (Rory's nephew) would want these new versions in the marketplace.  While the guitars of the opener are in your face (and for all the right reasons) - the harmonica in the background of "Laundromat" is still part of the mix - it's not rammed out front for effect - nicely handled - don't mess with the original. The Bass is so sweet now on "Sinner Boy" as the guitar pans from speaker to speaker in the solo (lyrics above). In fact his backing band of GERRY McAVOY on Bass and WILGAR CAMPBELL on Drums and Percussion can be heard 'so' clearly on every track - very impressively transferred. VINCENT CRANE of Atomic Rooster and Arthur Brown fame puts in superb keyboard work on two tracks - "Wave Myself Goodbye" and "I'm Not Surprised".

 

The long mid-tempo Blues of "For The Last Time" has been a huge favourite of mine for decades now - I've put in on loads of 70's Fest compilations as an example of an unfairly forgotten nugget. The guitar solo at the end of the track is beautifully clear. The witty and languid "Wave Myself Goodbye" sounds fabulous too. But the sonic-best has to be the last two album cuts - the acoustic Fats Domino R 'n' B of "I'm Not Surprised" and the John Coltrane jazz-influenced seven-minutes of "Can't Believe It's True" where Rory puts in rare Alto Sax playing (double-tracked). The last in particular makes for an odd Gallagher listening experience (he was experimenting) - but a great one nonetheless - and I'd forgotten how good his guitar work is towards the end as he harmonics his way to the final fade.

 

At 73:21 minutes, you cannot accuse CD2 of scrimping and saving. 2021 divides the 18 into three distinct sections, three Tangerine Studio Sessions two of which have turned up before, eleven Alternate Takes and four live-in-the-studio BBC Sessions that were off-air recordings. Wow-city goes to the two exciting cover versions – his guitar playing on the Otis Rush track "It Takes Time" is arguably better than anything on the actual LP – and the audio is HUGE. Track 3 appears to be a band run-through of the album cut "I Fall Apart" and again it is great – well recorded and featuring a more fluid solo that rivals the guitar on the actual LP track. He speeds up the chorus bit which doesn’t quite work and that’s probably why he changed it to the released version. An all right dialogue introduces two takes of "At The Bottom" – an acoustic and harmonica romp that will thrill fans – gorgeous audio quality – the song would eventually show in 1975 on his first Chrysalis Records album "Against The Grain" (the second Alternate uses electric guitar instead of acoustic).

 

"Advision Jam" is an instrumental guitar piece with both boys in attendance – Advision referring to the studio where they were recording – and again as something new – it feels very Rory unleashed and cool. Take 1 of "Laundromat" feels a little too weedy compared to the finished track, but the acoustic "Just The Smile" is magic – his soling going in a different searching direction – trying to find what to use and what to drop. But it is so damn good, and again with just gorgeous clean audio. Acoustic and Vincent Crane on Piano combine in another super-clean take – this time a rollicking "Wave Myself Goodbye". Three electric rockers follow – a rough and grungy "Hands Up" – a quite-at-first "Sinner Boy" that quickly takes off into a riffing vehicle with wicked slide towards the final part.

 

Things go mellow even Bluesy with Take 1 of "For The Last Time" - an acidic attack on the bad management breakup of Taste – I love the guitar feel – his playing fluid and inspired. I was never convinced by the jaunty "It's You" on Side 2 of the album, but somehow this almost poppier version rescues it. There is some dialogue between the booth and Rory before "I'm Not Surprised", but he quickly gets down to business with Vincent Crane again helping out on piano –a nice addition to this casual but wickedly good take where the band almost feels Faces in its ramshackle. As was the way of BBC studio shows, the audio is good but compromised, so it is a pleasant surprise that Rory keeps it live, simple and down so you can hear his guitar.

 

Originally released May 1971 on Polydor in the UK and Atco in the USA (with all tracks self-penned and also self-produced) - his unflashy deliberately softer debut didn't do huge chart business in either country for the 23-year old - and has always been hard to find on original vinyl ever since. The British Polydor Super original in particular has become increasingly expensive in Auctions (much like the TASTE studio albums from 1969 and 1970). So this double CD-set for under a tenner with nice packaging and toppermost sound is a great way of acquiring a rarity at a very reasonable cost.

 

Like most Irishmen, I can't be rational about Rory Gallagher. I saw him and his band as a teenager live in Dublin in the early Seventies and the experience was mind-blowing. I then bought every album he put out after that for years to come and always looked forward to hearing where his flying fingers would go to next. But what I was not expecting is that this release could be so damn good – especially CD2 which is brilliant and revelatory.

 

Rory was sadly lost to us in 1995 through liver failure - and it still hurts to think that this most unassuming and brilliant of guitar heroes is gone. He's up there now as far as I'm concerned - talking the Blues with all the greats. And I for one will be buying the rest of these reissues with a sense of excitement and affection.

"If I Could Only Remember My Name" by DAVID CROSBY – February 1971 US and UK Debut Solo Album on Atlantic Records featuring Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Members of The Grateful Dead, Santana and Jefferson Airplane (October 2021 UK Rhino '50th Anniversary Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue and New Remaster with 14 Bonuses, 11 of which are Unreleased) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"...Music Is Love..."

 

*** 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition 2CD Version ****

 

Although slammed by many press types on its 1971 release – David Crosby's debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" has gone on to become almost mythical among its many devotees – including me.

 

Featuring an astonishing line up that included Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Members of The Grateful Dead, Santana and Jefferson Airplane - some have even suggested that in hindsight it's the best solo effort to come out of the mighty Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young camp. I'm not so sure about that, but "...Remember..." is certainly up there, and somehow its trippy-Rock soundscapes seem to grow and re-captivate new generations as the years pass.

 

The last decent Remaster go-round was a November 2006 issue by Rhino that featured a CD and a DVD-A (Rhino R2 73204 - Barcode 081227320423) - itself replacing the basic 1990 remaster single-disc issue. Well at last (and not before its Deluxe Edition time), Crosby's Psychedelic Folk debut solo LP gets a 2CD treatment in the form of a '50th Anniversary Expanded Edition'. Disc 1 retains the extra outtake of "Kids And Dogs" the 2006 issue had, while Disc 2 has over one-hour of new 'Bonus Tracks' - most of which are Previously Unreleased. There's a lot to go through, so let's get laughing...

 

UK released 15 October 2021 - "If I Could Only Remember My Name" by DAVID CROSBY on Rhino/Atlantic 603497843398 - R2 659054 (Barcode 603497843398) is a '50th Anniversary Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue and Remaster with 14 Bonus Tracks (11 of which are Previously Unreleased - 3 are from previous rarity compilation sets) that plays out as follows:

 

Disc 1 'Original Album' (51:43 minutes):

Side 1:

1. Music Is Love [written by David Crosby, Graham Nash & Neil Young] – features Graham Nash on Guitar and Vocals with Neil Young on Guitar, Bass, Vibraphone and Congas

2. Cowboy Movie [written by David Crosby] – features Gerry Garcia on Guitar, Phil Lesh on Bass, Mickey Hart on Drums and Bill Kreutzmann on Tambourine (all from The Grateful Dead)

3. Tamalpais High (At About 3) [written by David Crosby] – features Graham Nash on Guitar, Gerry Garcia on Guitar, Phil Lesh on Bass and Bill Kreutzmann on Tambourine (all from The Grateful Dead) with Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane on Guitar

4. Laughing [written by David Crosby] – features Gerry Garcia on Pedal-Steel Guitar, Phil Lesh on Bass, Mickey Hart on Drums and Bill Kreutzmann on Tambourine (all from The Grateful Dead) with Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell on Backing Vocals

Side 2

5. What Are Their Names [written by David Crosby. Gerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Michael Shrieve and Neil Young] – features Neil Young on Electric Guitar, Gerry Garcia and Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead on Guitar and Bass, Michael Shrieve of Santana on Drums with Paul Kantner, Grace Slick and David Freiberg of Jefferson Airplane on Backing Vocals as well as Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell

6. Traction In The Rain [written by David Crosby] – features Laura Allan on Autoharp and Backing Vocals with Graham Nash also on Backing Vocals

7.  Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves) [written by David Crosby] – features Gregg Rolie and Michael Shrieve of Santana on Keyboards and Drums, Jack Cassidy and Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane on Bass and Electric Guitar, Gerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead on Guitar with Graham Nash on backing Vocals

8. Orleans [a Traditional song adapted by David Crosby] – Vocals and Guitars by David Crosby only

9. I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here [written by David Crosby] – All Vocals by DC

Tracks 1 to 9 are his debut solo albums (after The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) "If I Could Only Remember My Name" - released 22 February 1971 in the USA on Atlantic Records SD 7203 and Atlantic 2401 005 in the UK. Produced by DAVID CROSBY - it peaked at No. 12 on the US Billboard charts.

 

BONUS TRACK

10. Kids And Dogs (Unreleased David Crosby Outtake first issued 6 November 2006 on the US 2-Disc Deluxe Edition reissue of "If I Could Only Remember My Name" on Rhino R2 73204) - the Demo Version of this outtake is on Disc 2 and is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

Disc 2 'Bonus Tracks' (51:08 minutes):

Demos:

1. Riff 1 (Recorded March 1968)

2. Tampalas High (at About 3)

3. Kids And Dogs

4. Games (Tracks 2 to 4 produced by Paul A. Rothchild, Recorded 28 March 1968)

5. Laughing (Recorded 31 May 1968 at Western Recorders, Hollywood, California)

6. Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves) - Recorded 1969, first appeared September 1991 on the US 4CD Box Set 'CSN' on Atlantic 82319 - features Graham Nash and Crosby only on Guitars and Scat Vocals

7. The Wall Song

8. Where Will I Be? (Tracks 7 and 8 recorded 1970, no other details provided)

Sessions:

9. Cowboy Movie (Alternate Version) - first appeared on the November 2006 US 3CD Book Set "Voyage" on Rhino/Atlantic R2 77628 - features NEIL YOUNG on Lead Guitar, plus JERRY GARCIA on Second Guitar with PHIL LESH and MICKEY HART all of THE GRATEFUL DEAD)

10. Bach Mode (Pre-Critical Mass)

11. Coast Road

12. Dancer

13. Fugue 

All Tracks on Disc 2 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED except Tracks 6 and 9 noted above

 

Housed in a three-way foldout card sleeve, the pretty gold sticker (pictured) advises us that Crosby's Genre Defining Debut Solo Album is being given the bells and whistles its always deserved. There are unreleased photos on the inner flaps, a page of handwritten lyrics and a new 20-page booklet with updated liner notes from STEVE SILBERMAN. The album credits/reissue details are on Pages 18 and 19 and as you can see from the track list above features a huge array of famous types all contributing.

 

A posse of names have been involved in the Tape Transfers and Remasters - Mastered by DAVE COLLINS at his studios in Los Angeles with Plangent Processes Tape Restoration & Speed Corrections carried out by JAMIE HOWARTH and JOHN CHESTER. The very quiet Demos on Disc 2 are a teeny-weeny bit hissy, but not so it would put you off - the clarity and warmth of them is lovely. The remaster on the album is gorgeous and hasn't dampened any of the hiss that is so evident on tracks like "Tamalpais" and "What Are Their Names". It's not been ramped up for effect either – it's just right – full of presence and that extraordinary build of instruments that fills so many of the songs. Wonderful stuff.

 

Even now it's hard to imagine who the two 45s taken off the record were aimed at – "Music Is Love" b/w "Laughing" in April 1971 on Atlantic 2792 and "Orleans" b/w "Traction In The Rain" in July 1971 on Atlantic 2809. But all 4 tracks are magical to me now. And yet despite all the starry names listed above – one of the biggest contributions to a song comes from the lesser-known musician LAURA ALLAN who plays gorgeous licks on an Autoharp on "Traction In The Rain" (she sadly passed away in 2006). And there's the sublime harmony vocal Joni Mitchell puts in on "Laughing" with Graham Nash (sends me every time). Two stunning Acapella finishers "Orleans" and "I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here" have Crosby soloing to ethereal effect – both clocking in at less than two minutes each - but with the impact of ten.

 

The seven-minute outtake "Kids & Dogs" is hissy for sure but what a nugget. Fabulous stuff. I do however think its a damn shame that the live version of "Traction In The Rain" on Disc 3 of the stunning David Crosby "Voyage" Box Set of 2006 – is absent here. It was recorded in 1971 and sounds glorious. Still if that absence steers you towards that amazing overhaul of his career then that's a job well done (the entirely unreleased Disc 3 is unbelievably good). And it's still astonishing to hear the down and dirty guitar battle that takes place between Neil young and Jerry Garcia on that Alternate Version of "Cowboy Movie" - absolutely astonishing stuff that runs to 10:57 minutes. Fans will also love the echoed Acapella vocals of "Bach Mode (Pre-Critical Mass)" which at 1:59 minutes is short, but oh so sweet. "Coast Road" is so pretty - a fully formed band number that just goofs initially on the acoustics (like much of the album) - but then becomes this gorgeous vibe song about driving into California in the sunshine - what a find. "Dancer" is the same – 5:03 minutes of doubled-vocals humming around an acoustic guitar that has Joni Mitchell just about audible in the background (weird the liner notes do not note this). And on it goes...

 

"If I Could Only Remember My Name" is the kind of album that you turn to – it's peaceful on your brain – lifts your spirit up and evokes a warmth that never fades with time (Carole King's "Tapestry" has the same kind of magic – and again from 1971). Now it's bolstered up with extras in 2021 that are worth the forking out. A wonderful album and a top quality Rhino reissue then. Makes me mushy just looking at it…

"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...