"True Blue" by MADONNA – June 1986 Third Studio Album on Sire Records featuring Pat Leonard, Bruce Gaitsch, Brian Elliot, John Putnam, David Williams, Dan Huff, Fred Zarr, Richard Marx, Siedah Garrett and more (May 2001 UK 'Warner Remasters' CD Reissue with Two Bonus Tracks – Ted Jensen Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...I've Learned My Lesson Well..." 

Some albums are absolute juggernauts and I doubt even their creators knew it.

 

When sexpot Madonna burst on the scene in the early Eighties with her first two albums "Madonna" (September 1983) and "Like A Virgin" (November 1984), the hits were calculatedly aimed at the feet and her reviewer detractors could therefore scream about her girly voice, the obvious sexual ploys to garnish controversy and the general lack of what you might call substance in her songs. 

 

All of that changed with June 1986's "True Blue" - a giant album for her that produced a record-breaking 5 No. 1 singles (in varying markets) and Box Office sales for a female artist that were unprecedented. She lowered her vocal range for several tracks, took on subjects that were racy in a socially aware way and most of all – through good songwriter collaborations with the like of Patrick Leonard and Bruce Gaitsch and Brian Elliot – she became admired and adored in the same way Prince and others were.

 

Madonna's "True Blue" hit the top spot in something like 40 countries around the world - a feat that few if any had ever achieved. And when you listen back to this little Remastered raver in 2023 - you can so hear why it caught the zeitgeist of a decade that was kind of in love with itself. And the album was dedicated to 'the coolest guy in the Universe' - her then husband - actor Sean Penn. 

 

Let's get to Papa who mustn't preach and needs to reorder diapers...

 

UK released 22 May 2001 - "True Blue" by MADONNA on Warner Brothers 9362-47902-2 (Barcode 093624790228) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue in their 'Warner Remasters' Series. It has Two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (52:34 minutes): 

 

1. Papa Don't Preach [Side 1]

2. Open Your Heart 

3. White Heat 

4. Live To Tell

5. Where's The Party

6. True Blue

7. La Isla Bonita 

8. Jimmy Jimmy 

9. Love Makes The World Go Round 

Tracks 1 to 9 are her third studio album "True Blue" - released late June 1986 in the USA on Sire 9 25442-1 (LP) -4 (MC) -2 (CD) and July 1986 in the UK on Sire WX54 (925 445-1) LP. Produced by MADONNA, PATRICK LEONARD and STEPHEN BRAY - it peaked at No. 1 in both countries. Guest Musicians and Collaborators include Pat Leonard, Bruce Gaitsch, Brian Elliot, John Putnam, David Williams, Dan Huff, Fred Zarr, Richard Marx, Siedah Garrett and more.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

10. True Blue (The Color Mix) - Shep Pettibone Remix

11. La Isla Bonita (Extended Remix) - Chris Lord-Alge Remix

 

The 'Digitally Remastered' logo along the inlay spine distinguishes these 'Warner Remasters' CD reissues - the ten-leaf foldout inlay faithful to the front cover artwork and lyric inner bag of the original release. As is the same with these Remasters - you don't get any extra liner notes - period photos - memorabilia - fan stuff - just the basics with a note that GREGG GELLAR oversaw the Series and TED JENSEN did the Remaster from original tapes. And man can you hear it - everything is super clear - even the Cagney Film Clip dialogue that starts "White Heat". But it's the synths and that huge Bass that thumps. I must admit that at times the vocals seem to disappear into the background a tad too much as your ears are assaulted with pings and pongs and pumping Disco rhythms - but that opening to "Live To Tell" is now gorgeous.

 

The album whacked out five beasts - all numero uno – the first of which was and still is the best of the bunch. "Live To Tell" was issued March 1986 before the album's arrival - a gorgeous ballad co-write with her mainman songwriting partner - PATRICK LEONARD. The teen pregnancy song "Papa Don't Preach" hit the shops two weeks before the album in the second week of June 1986 - a stunning piece of Pop and Social Conscience written by Brian Elliot from conversations he overheard local schoolgirls having.

 

The title track and obvious love song to her heartthrob hubby "True Blue" made the shops in September 1986 (a co-write with Stephen Bray), then the get-up-on-the-floor Synth-Pop of "Open your Heart" in November 1986. Finally, the Spanish rhythms of "La Isla Bonita" came in February of the following year – 1987 – and was a surprise smash. But whilst the Pettibone and Lord-Alge Bonus Track Remixes of "True Blue" and "La Isla Bonita" are known fan faves, I have to say that neither the overdone mania of "Where's The Party" nor the too-cluttered "Jimmy Jimmy" album tracks have weathered the years very well and "White Heat" is just the sort of curio you skip (four out of five stars then).

 

Madonna would go on to break more box office records and court controversy like it was candy to a child, but "True Blue" is where Ms. Ciccone found her voice and you could even say, her spell-binding skill - her mojo. She had and has learned her lesson indeed and lived to tell the tale...

"Passion: Music From The Last Temptation of Christ - A Film By Martin Scorsese" by PETER GABRIEL - June 1989 Soundtrack Album (2LPs or 1CD) on Real World Records featuring David Bottrill, David Rhodes, Manny Elias, Nathan East, Shankar, Baaba Maal, Youssou N'Dour, Billy Cobham, Jon Hassell, David Sancious and many more (June 2002 UK Real World Records/Virgin 'Limited Edition Mini Vinyl Compact Disc' CD Reissue - Tony Cousins Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...It Is Accomplished..."

 

How do you describe this Soundtrack masterpiece? Art Rock, Eastern Mysticism, Tribal Rhythms, Sand and Synths, World Music with some Folk and Finger Cymbals? 

 

I've loved Peter Gabriel's output since I was a geeky kid in the early Seventies and like most of my adolescent crew, we worshiped at the needs a wipe down feet of all things GENESIS. Albums like "Foxtrot", "Selling England By The Pound" and the glory of the double concept album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" in 1974 wre literally magical to my dandy danglers and I. After a shaky start in 1977 and 1979, his solo career veered into brilliance with 1980's "Peter Gabriel" (III) and 1982's "Peter Gabriel" (IV). And then came the wildly commercial "So" in 1986 that blew everybody away. His "Birdy" Soundtrack was good too (if not all great, truth be told) - but little prepared me for the epic sweep of "Passion". A few years back (2018), I bought the 3LP Remastered 45RPM Reissue just to have it and pet it and stroke it like a man needing medication in a hurry. 

Which brings me to this rather cool if not entirely satisfying CD Remaster from 2002 where PG reissued his catalogue as stand-alone Remasters in cool Mini LP die-cut card sleeves - minus any bonuses (mores the bloody pity), but still looking like a must own to yours truly. There is much to get Surdo, Duduk and Kemenche about (if you know what I'm saying Eastern Instrument hip types). So indeed let's get acquainted and accomplished...

UK released June 2002 - "Passion: Music From The Last Temptation Of Christ - A Film by Martin Scorsese" by PETER GABRIEL on Real World Records RWCDX1 - Virgin 7243 8 11787 2 0 (Barcode 724381178720) is a straightforward transfer of the 1989 2LP/1CD release onto a Series of 'REMASTERED: Limited Edition Mini Vinyl Compact Disc' Artwork that plays out as follows (67:04 minutes):

 

1. The Feeling Begins [Side 1 of 2LP set]

2. Gethsemane 

3. Of These, Hope

4. Lazarus Raised 

5. Of These, Hope (Reprise)

6. In Doubt 

7. A Different Drum

8. Zaar [Side 2]

9. Troubled 

10. Open 

11. Before Night Falls 

12. With This Love

13. Sandstorm [Side 3]

14. Stigmata 

15. Passion

16. With This Love - Choir

17. Wall Of Breath [Side 4]

18. The Promise Of Shadows

19. Disturbed 

20. It Is Accomplished 

21. Bread And Wine

Tracks 1 to 21 are the Soundtrack 2LP set (1CD) to "Passion: Music From The Last Temptation Of Christ (A Film by Martin Scorsese)" - released June 1989 in the UK on Real World Records RWLP 1 (Vinyl) and Real World Records RWCD 1 and Geffen GHS 24206 (2LPs) and Geffen 9 24206-2 on 1CD. Produced, Composed and Mixed by PETER GABRIEL (additional mixing by David Bottrill) - it peaked at No. 29 in the UK and No. 60 in the USA. Track 14 composed by Mahmoud Tribrizi Zadeh and Track 12 composed by Shankar.

PETER GABRIEL - Vocals, Synths, Bass, Whistle, Shakers, Surdo, Percussion Instruments 

Some of the Guest Musicians include:

ANTHRANIK ASKARIAN and VACHE HOUSEPIAN - Duduk

MUSTAPHA ABDEL AZIZ - Woodwind (Argul) 

DAVID BOTTRILL - Tambourine, Distorted Slide and Mixing 

BILLY COBHAM - Drums and Percussion (Tracks 9, 18 and 20)

COR ANGLAIS (Robin Canter) - Choir (Track 16), Oboe (Track 12)

NATHAN EAST - Bass  

MANNY ELIAS - Surdo and Percussion Instruments (Octabans, Skins) 

RICHARD EVANS - Tin Whistle (Track 21)

FATALA - Percussion  

JON HASSELL - Trumpet (Track 15)

NUSRAT FATAH ALI KHAN - Vocals (Track 15)

MANU  KATCHE - Percussion (Track 13)

BAABA MAAL - Vocals (Tracks 5)

YOUSSOU N'DOUR - Lead Vocals (Tracks 7 and 15)

HOSSAM RAMSY - Finger Cymbals, Tabla and Daf

DAVID RHODES - Guitar

DAVID SANCIOUS - Backing Vocals (Track 9), Sampler Keyboards (Track 12), Organ (Track 20) 

SHANKAR - Violin

 

The artwork for each of these 'Limited Edition Mini Vinyl Compact Disc' sleeves all looked the same, gatefold card sleeves with a CD and inner on one side and the booklet stuck into the other. Each right flap however has a die-cut look that is unique, reflecting the LP in question - a '4' for Peter Gabriel 4, '3' for Peter Gabriel 3 and so on. Here you get two curved semi-circles. The inner sleeve holding the CD shows rows of tape boxes with tempting outtakes and differing variants - none of which are available to us even now in March 2023 as I write this - and the inner sleeve is exactly the same for all issues in this series - frankly a bit of a waste of space and an annoyance (see photos). Of all his albums, I would love to hear outtakes from "Passion" - a surefire cry out for 2CD Deluxe Edition if ever there was one (including the Scorsese film itself on a DVD). The 12-page booklet has pictures from the movie - Willem Defoe as Christ - some words from Gabriel about the album and its sources and musician credits - nothing that wasn't in the June 1989 CD. The gorgeous and innovative artwork isn't expanded upon which is a damn shame. In fact it's more cluttered than it should be when you're trying to work out who played on what and where.

But the great news is a new Remaster by TONY COUSINS who did those fantastic GENESIS Remasters for the now expensive and deleted Box Sets - the best I've ever heard any of those dense LPs of the Seventies sound. Here the effect is revelatory. By the time you get to three minutes into the drums assault that is "The Feeling Begins" - the sheer power of it may have you reaching for the volume control. But it's the punching Eastern Rhythm of "Of These, Hope" and its treated whispering instruments reprise in "Lazarus Raised" where you feel the music's power and majesty. There is real menace in the throbbing soundscape that is "In Doubt" - the whale like wails wafting across your speakers as it segues into a huge Drum and Percussion moment - "A Different Drum". It's here that you hear his arrangement genius - building - building - until the synths and vocals from Youssou N'Dour and Gabriel bring it into a strange but utterly brilliant focus - Shankar's Violin too. 

 

The mesmerizing, disturbing and ultimately uplifting "Zaar" was used as the Passion album's lone representative on the "Shaking The Tree: Sixteen Golden Great" hits set that came out on Real World in 1990 - and you can hear why. It's inventive, moving, thrilling - and so Peter Gabriel. The remaster is HUGE too. And stuff like "Open" where it's only Gabriel and Shankar providing all the swirling synth, violin and vocal treatments - it's just fabulous and moving too. 

"With This Love - Choir" - Richard Canter plays Oboe and has a Choir (Cor Anglais) give it some echoed requiem - you hear them taking breaths and noises around them. And on it goes to piano and church-bell rapture of "It Is Accomplished" - both David Sancious (once part of Bruce Springsteen's Seventies band for "Born To Run") and "Spectrum" Fusion Drummer Billy Cobham playing a big part in its magnificent enrapt closure. Love triumphant.

I love it. I love it. Few artists could have even come close to this brilliance and our PG is one of them. He issues his first new work in 20 years in 2023 and I for one am there with the "Bread And Wine". The kind of album you return to as a friend - a thing of beauty that makes you smile - get this greatness into your living room...

"Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol.16 – 1980 to 1985" by BOB DYLAN - Features Outtakes and Alternate Versions from the Albums "Shot Of Love", "Infidels" and "Burlesque Empire" and more - Guests Include Mark Knopfler and Alan Clark of Dire Straits, Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Ian McLagan, Clydie King and more (September 2021 UK Columbia/Legacy 2CD Compilation of Outtakes Remastered) - A Review by Mark Barry

 

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"...I Will Always Be Emotionally Yours..."

 

If I'm being brutally truthful about this latest addition to Columbia's amazing 'Bootleg Series' for all things Big Dill and unreleased - I can't help think that almost all of CD2 slaughters much of the tad underwhelming stuff on CD1. But more of that laterkins.

 

There are two variants of "Springtime In New York: The Bootleg series Vol. 16 - 1980-1985" - the 2CD Highlights Set commonly referred to as a 'Deluxe Edition' and it's 5CD brother - the 'Super Deluxe Edition'. Let's deal with door number one - the 2CD Highlights variant. 

 

Long time fans will know that in 1991, "The Bootleg Series Volumes 1 to 3" caused a sensation with the quality of its unreleased material across its 3CD/5LP haul. I mention this because seven of the alternatives presented to us here in September 2021 were on that 1991 first volume in better outtake form. The seven on this release (Tracks 1, 2, 9 and 10 on CD1 and Tracks 1, 3 and 5 on CD2) are to my ears not nearly as good. And the same unfortunately applies to a lot of the others - especially on CD1. 

 

There are of course amazing versions here and the list of guest musicians is mouth watering - Guitarist Mark Knopfler and Keyboardist Alan Clarke of Dire Straits - Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile On Main Street" period with Sly and Robbie providing Rhythm section. There's Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Ian McLagan of The Small Faces, Faces and The Who, Danny Kortchmar of James Taylor's band, singers Clydie King, Madelyn Quebec and Carolyn Dennis and more. There's a lot to unravel, so let's get into it...

 

UK and EUROPE released 17 September 2021 (16 September 2021 USA) - "Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol.16 - 1980-1985" by Bob DYLAN on Columbia/Legacy 19439868832 (Barcode 194398688329) is a 2CD 25-Track Compilation of Previously Unreleased Studio and Live material. It plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (61:35 minutes):

1. Angelina ("Shot Of Love" outtake, recorded 26 March 1981)

2. Need A Woman (Rehearsal, 20 March 1981) 

3. Let's Keep It Between Us (Rehearsal, 26 Sep 1980)

4. Price Of Love ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 1 May 1981)

5. Don't Ever Take Yourself Away ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 23 April 1981)

6. Fur Slippers ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 2 April 1981)

7. Yes Sir, No Sir ("Shot Of Love" outtake, 2 April 1981)

8. Jokerman ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 14 April 1983)

9. Lord Protect My Child ("Infidels" outtake, 2 May 1983)

10. Blind Willie McTell (Take 5, "Infidels" outtake, 11 April 1983)

11. Don't Fall Apart On Me Tonight (Version 2) ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 12 April 1983)

12. Neighborhood Bully ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 19 April 1983)

13. Too Late (Band Version) ("Infidels" outtake, 23 April 1983)

CD2 (62:44 minutes):

1. Foot Of Pride ("Infidels" outtake, 25 April 1983)

2. Sweetheart Like You ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 18 April 1983) 

3. Someone's Got A Hold On My Heart ("Infidels" outtake, 26 April 1983)

4. I And I ("Infidels" Alternate Take, 27 April 1983)

5. Tell Me ("Infidels" outtake, 21 April 1983)

6. Enough Is Enough (Live at Slane Castle in Ireland, 8 July 1984)

7. Tight Connection To My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love) ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Mix, 15 January 1985, overdubbed March 1985)

8. Seeing The Real You At Last ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 14 February 1985)

9. Emotionally Yours ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 12 February 1985)

10. Clean Cut Kid ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 26 July 1984)

11. New Danville Girl ("Empire Burlesque" outtake, 6 December 1984)

12. Dark Eyes ("Empire Burlesque" Alternate Take, 6 March 1985)

 

Many have (quite rightly) complained about the flimsy nature of the card sleeve that houses three items inside - two card sleeve holders for CD1 and CD2 and the 58-page booklet that gets slotted in-between. It's eminently crushable and even in shrink-wrap as supposedly new - so many copies are exactly that. So be careful opening the thing. DAMIEN LOVE provides the seriously in-depth liner notes that are peppered with period photos. Dylan disappeared - not seen live or otherwise for nearly two years - found religion - did religous albums whether the world shared his faith transformation or not. And bluntly few cared after "Slow Train Coming" in 1979 - then the CD format was launched too and meant his back-catalogue of genuine brilliance began being re-discovered - a stark contrast with his first four years of the Eighties. 

The audio is handled by MARK WILDER, STEVE ADDABBO and CHRIS SHAW with a further team of seven and the whole shebang feels fantastic - even the live outdoor arena sound to the Slane Castle track is brilliant when it could have been crap. On stuff like "New Danville Girl" and "Dark Eyes" - the audio is release-quality storming. To the content...

A studio version of the unreleased song "Need A Woman" initially showed non The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3 in 1991 - you are given the 'rehearsal' here with Steve Ripley and Danny Kortchmer on Guitars, Carl Pickhardt on Keyboards , Tim Drummond and Jim Keltner on Bass and Drums with a bevy of three singers adding muscle - Carolyn Dennis, Madelyn Quebec and Clydie King. 

 

Word that the April 1983 "Infidels" sessions were filled with better songs, slicker production values via Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and great playing are amply born out by "Foot Of Pride" - an outtake recorded 25 April 1983. The killer 5-piece band featuring Knopfler of Dire Straits and Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones on Guitars with Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar on Bass and Drums - while Dylan did hard-edged vocals and played guitar. And again Track 2 on CD2 whomps too - "Sweetheart Like You" - the gorgeous pained ballad from "Infidels" helped by Alan Clark of Dire Straits providing a church-like organ while Clydie King gives it some lone lady backing vocals (Knopfler and Taylor both give it some acoustic - gorgeous audio too - if anything it ends too soon). 

 

Messy yet slightly awkward sounding electric guitars open the Stones slapdash rock of "Someone's Got A Hold Of My Heart" - Dylan in passionate vocal form - Mick Taylor giving it the ramshackle. We settle into a classier guitar shuffle from Knopfler for "I And I" - his playing and Dylan's different and impassioned lyrics both highlights. In what is a rarity on this set, Dylan drags out the harmonica for "Tell Me" - a song that also sways and swims with a Sly and Robbie Caribbean shuffle - Dylan does Calypso. Not sure I like it, but it's interesting. First live track is from Slane Castle in Ireland where the Bobster laughs with the crowd before he rocks it up with "Enough Is Enough". The Irish outdoor crowd is hearing Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones lay his guitar into what could easily have been The Fabulous Thunderbirds getting all message. Ian McLagan of The Small Faces and Faces is on piano while Colin Allen plays huge drums. It's a welcome interlude of 'Watching The River Flow' boogie. 

That's followed by a very poppy perhaps 'too full' "Tight Connection To My Heart..." where the 'Has Anybody Seen My Love' chorus is sung by a group of four ladies - Knopfler and Taylor on Guitars with Alan Clark of Dire Straits on Keyboards. Way better are two different moods of Bob - the angry "Clean Cut Kid" and the hurting for the outlaw "New Danville Girl" - a genuinely amazing outtake from "Burlesque Empire" - his band featuring three of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers - Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein. Co-written with actor and playwright Sam Sheppard - the liner notes quite rightly call it one of his great songs - a filmic epic that has it all - great vocals, lyrics, sympathetic band, his harmonica - wow. Dylan would officially put it out as a re-recorded and re-named "Brownsville Girl" for the much-derided album "Knocked Out Loaded" in 1986. But what a wow - all eleven-minutes and fifty-two seconds of it. 

 

And Vol.16 comes a dignified end with "Dark Eyes" - just Dylan, his guitar and Harmonica - a request by Co-Producer Arthur Baker to Bob for a simple 'acoustic' song for the otherwise heavily produced "Empire Burlesque" LP. Dylan came back the next day and offered up "Dark Eyes" which is again another stunner - like it was already there - having existed for decades.

 

There is a tendency to give all 'unreleased' Bob Dylan a Godlike sheen - but CD1 of this release proves that wrong in my books, but my God the goodies in-between and that CD2...

 

So four-stars instead of five for 1980 to 1985. But if this reissue tells me anything, it's never underestimate the Zim - even his throwaway attempts are often blow you away magic...

"Heartattack And Vine" by TOM WAITS – October 1980 US Seventh Album on Asylum Records featuring Roland Bautista (Guitars), Michael Lang and Ronnie Barren (Keyboards), Plas Johnson (Horns), Jim Hughart, Greg Cohen and Larry Taylor (Bass), "Big John" Thomassie (Drums) with Victor Feldman (Chimes and Percussion) and Strings Conducted and Arranged by Bob Alcivar and Jerry Yester (March 2018 UK Anti Records CD Reissue in Digipak Packaging – Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Karl Derfler and Peter Lyman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

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LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Billy Joe Remarkable Looks On In Disbelief..."

 

Last reissued May 1993 in the UK by Elektra Records in a CD jewel case with reasonable Terry Dunavan Mastering (Elektra 7559-60547-2) – this new March 2018 variant of "Heartattack And Vine" by Tom Waits (originally issued October 1980 on Vinyl) now comes at us on Anti Records with a brand new Waits/Brennan Remaster – Anti Records being home to his music since the much-praised "Mule Variations" album in 1999.

 

You get a matt card digipak, a 16-page booklet and best of all - a new upgraded Remaster (with artist involvement) done at Infrasonic Mastering in California by Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Karl Derfler and Peter Lyman that gives this brilliant album a genuinely improved audio scrub-up. Everything on here is magnificent – structurally and sonicaly. "Heartattack And Vine" is his usual mishmash of ragged guttural vocals with fantastic street-hustler lyrics running alongside pretty ballads that will floor you. I loved to death (and still do) his "Blue Valentine" album on Asylum Records in 1978 – but October 1980's "Heartattack And Vine" was equal to it in every way - his last album for Asylum Records before he went to Island Records for "Swordfishtrombones" in 1981.

 

Of the nine cuts - Bob Alcivar arranged and conducted the strings on two genuine masterpieces - "Saving All My Love For You" (legendary sessionman Victor Feldman adds Chimes and Percussion to this gut-wrenching beauty) and on the Billy Joe Remarkable "On The Nickel" – a song Waits wrote for a movie of the same name done by Ralph Waite. The other arranger on the album is Jerry Yester of The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Association and the much-revered "Farewell Aldebaran" album with Judy Henske in 1969 on Straight Records – he does strings on two as well – the magnificent double-whammy of "Jersey Girl" and "Ruby's Arms".

 

In fact 1980’s "Heartattack And Vine" is probably the album that made Tom Waits more money from famous cover versions than its actual LP sales did. Bruce Springsteen has almost made "Jersey Girl" his own (people believe he wrote it – Soul singer Corrine Bailey Rae also did a version) - while Screaming Jay Hawkins ripped the title track "Heartattack And Vine" that was used in a Levi's advert. Country singers Nancy Griffiths and Patty Griffin have both done "Ruby's Arms" – a song that was also featured on the Asylum Years Best Of CD compilation "Used Songs" from November 1981 on Rhino. Brilliant - let's get to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 23 March 2018 - "Heartattack And Vine" by TOM WAITS on Anti 7571-2 (Barcode 8714092757125) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1980 LP and plays out as follows (44:29 minutes):

 

1. Heartattack And Vine [Side 1]

2. In Shades

3. Saving All My Love For You

4. Downtown

5. Jersey Girl

6. 'Til The Money Runs Out [Side 2]

7. On The Nickel

8. Mr. Siegal

9. Ruby's Arms

Tracks 1 to 9 are his seventh album "Heartattack And Vine" (sixth studio set) - released October 1980 in the USA on Asylum Records 6E-295 and October 1980 in the UK on Asylum K 52252. Produced by BONES HOWE - it peaked at No. 98 in the USA but didn't chart in the UK. Track 7 "On The Nickel" written for the motion picture "On The Nickel" by Ralph Waite.

 

TOM WAITS –Vocals (All Tracks), Piano (Tracks 3 and 9), Electric Rhythm Guitar (Tracks 1, 2 and 4), Electric Guitar (Tracks 5 and 8)

ROLAND BAUTISTA – Electric Lead Guitar (Tracks 2, 4, 6 and 8), 12-String Acoustic (Tracks 5 and 9)

PLAS JOHNSON – Tenor and Baritone Saxophone (Track 1)

HAROLD BATTISTE – Piano (Tracks 7 and 9

RONNIE BARRON – Hammond Organ (Tracks 2, 4 and 6) and Piano (Track 8)

MICHAEL LANG – Piano (Track 7)

LARRY TAYLOR – Bass (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8)

GREG COHEN – Bass (Tracks 5 and 9)

JIM HUGHART – Double Bass (Track 3)

VICTOR FELDMAN – Chimes, Keyboard Glock and Percussion (Tracks 3 and 5)

"Big John" THOMASSIE – Drums (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8)

BOB ALCIVAR – Conducted and Arranged Strings (Tracks 3 and 7)

JERRY YESTER – Conducted and Arranged Strings (Tracks 5 and 9)

 

The 16-page booklet gives you those all-important and all-consuming lyrics as if it’s a newspaper reporting different articles that ends in two pages of musician credits - no new photos or critique unfortunately. But we do get a new Remaster supervised by TOM WAITS, KATHLEEN BRENNAN and KARL DERFLER with mastering done by the award-winning PETER LYMAN at his Infrasonic Mastering Studios in California. In keeping with the lush production values Bones Howe gave the album in the first place - this transfer sounds beautiful in every way. There's very little hiss (if any at all) but loads of presence and body and at times the intimacy is spine tingling - a gorgeous job done...

 

"Liar! Liar! Pants on fire..." he roars as the opening title track comes a mooching in like a cop with a hangover on a murder scene - and then of course you are hit (not for the first time either) with his famously funny turns of phrase - "...don't you know there ain’t no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk..." The audio is tremendous.

 

"Downtown" is typically witty Waits – Americana Rock with a twist. How many artists will have lines like these in their songs "...Montclaire de Havelin doin' the St. Vitus dance, lookin' for someone to chop the lumber in his pants..." But it’s the beauty of "Jersey Girl" where he strips it all down to an ordinary fellow looking forward to seeing his gal on the weekend – no time for the corner boys anymore – it's deeply moving to me. "On The Nickel" goes even further in sparse – just Waits singing, Michael Lang on Piano and Bob Alcivar arranged strings – the effect is balladeer magic at its most poignant.

 

I could rabbit on about Tom Waits till the proverbial cows think – it's time for home boys. Because that's what he's always felt like to me – a weird American home that tingles and thrills and makes you laugh and cry – and I love that about him and his musical legacy. I have reviewed the entire 'Anti Records' Reissue Series because they are all fabulous.

 

Start your journey into his songs – mad, moving and ultimately enriching like a Skinnybone Tree or Hobos in the Freight Yard howling at the moon...

 

TOM WAITS

March 2018 Reissue Series of CDs, LPs and Downloads on Anti Records

All 7 CDs are in Card Digipaks, come with Booklets and Pic CDs, but No Extras

 

"Closing Time" and "The Heart Of Saturday Night" released 9 March 2018 

- The others all released 23 March 2018

 

1. "Closing Time" (1973) - Anti 7565-2 (Barcode 8714092756524) - CD/LP is Anti 7565-1 (Barcode 8714092756517)

2. "The Heart Of Saturday Night" (1974) - Anti 7566-2 (Barcode 8714092756623)/LP due May 2018

3. "Nighthawks At The Diner" (1975 Live Double onto 1CD) - Anti 7567-2 (Barcode 8714092756722)/LP due May 2018

4. "Small Change" (1976) - Anti 7568-2 (Barcode 8714092756821)/LP due May 2018

5. "Foreign Affairs" (1977) - Anti 7569-2 (Barcode 8714092756920)

6. "Blue Valentine" (1978) - Anti 7570-2 (Barcode 8714092757026)

7. "Heartattack And Vine"(1980) - Anti 7571-2 (Barcode 8714092757125)

"Ghost Town/Inamorata" by POCO – December 1982 and May 1984 on Atlantic Records featuring Rusty Young, Timothy B. Schmidt (of The Eagles), Richie Furay (ex Buffalo Springfield), George Grantham (Neil Young's Crazy Horse) and Paul Cotton (November 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs Remastered in High Def onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON 

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

 

"...This Old Flame..."

 

Two long-forgotten US albums by POCO from their 'yacht rock' stay at Atlantic Records in 1982 and 1984 - remastered to perfection onto 1CD by Beat Goes On of the UK. Here are the ghostly post-heartache details...

 

UK released November 2015 – "Ghost Town/Inamorata" by POCO on Beat Goes on BGOCD 1212 (Barcode 5017261212122) in a compilation that offers 2 albums Remastered onto 1CD that plays out as follows (73:52 minutes):

 

1. Ghost Town [Side 1]

2. How Will You Feel Tonight

3. Shoot For The Moon

4. The Midnight Rodeo (In The Lead Tonight)

5. Cry No More

6. Break Of Hearts [Side 2]

7. Love's So Cruel

8. Special Care

9. When Hearts Collide

10. High Sierra

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Ghost Town" – released December 1982 in the USA on Atlantic 80008-1 (no UK issue)

 

11. Days Gone By [Side 1]

12. This Old Flame

13. Daylight

14. Odd Man Out

15. How Many Moons

16. When You Love Someone [Side 2]

17. Brenda X

18. Standing In The Fire

19. Save A Corner Of Your Heart

20. The Storm

Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Inamorata" – released May 1984 in the USA on Atlantic 7 80148-1 and in the UK/Europe on Atlantic 780 148-1

 

There's the usual card slipcase, a 16-page booklet with full-albums credits (lyrics to "Ghost Town" only), artwork, band photos and new liner notes by noted writer JOHN O'REGAN. The ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters were done in 2015 in the UK from WEA licensed tapes – and as the card slipcase says is 'Mastered in high definition – audiophile recording from the Original Master'. This CD sounds amazing – reflecting the original Production values of JOHN MILLS on "Ghost Town" and RUSTY YOUNG with PAUL COTTON on "Inamorata".

 

In truth it's hard for me to say that I love either "Ghost Town" and especially its weedy follow-up "Inamorata" – both are the kind of mid Eighties Schlock Rock that cluttered up radios everywhere at the time. Having said that it's hard to resist the slick strummed guitars of "How Will You Feel, Tonight?" – nor the pretty melody behind "Shoot For The Moon" where Paul Cotton urges his lover to 'take a chance' and 'shoot for the moon'. "Break Of Hearts" is more Radio-friendly Countryish smooch while "Special Care" is pseudo guitar-boogie best forgotten. Better is the raunchy riffage of "High Sierra" – a rare moment when the album shows some Don Henley-like teeth.

 

1984's "Inamorata" saw both Young and Cotton stay in POCO, but joining them was a virtual supergroup of Country Rock – Timothy B. Schmidt (of The Eagles), Richie Furay (ex Buffalo Springfield) and George Grantham (Neil Young's Crazy Horse). With the bulk of songwriting shared between Rusty Young ("Daylight", "When You Love Someone", "Save A Corner Of Your Heart" and "The Storm") and Paul Cotton ("Days Gone By", "Odd Man Out", "How Many Moons", "Brenda X" and "Standing In The Fire") – it was down to Reed Nielsen to provide the odd man out song – "This Old Flame". The same quality production values that made "Ghost Town" such an Audio winner followed the band into "Inamorata" – this time with band stalwarts Rusty Young and Paul Cotton at the helm. Not that all this musical talent produced a winner - it didn't.

 

It opens promisingly enough with the catchy "Days Gone By" which is followed by the mellow "This Old Flame". But those are rare moments. The awful and tuneless "Daylight" is a victim of its own over-produced cleverness - better is Cotton's "Odd Man Out" and the chipper "How Many Moons". The duo of "Brenda X" and "Standing In The Fire" are again in desperate need of an actual tune - while the hooky "Save A Corner Of Your Heart" just about saves a patchy album.

 

A very long way from Poco's Seventies Country-Rock heyday – these Eighties uber-productions have all the gloss but lack those killer tunes - especially on that rightly forgotten 2nd Atlantic Records LP. Still POCO fans will love the Quality Audio and Presentation...and if they have any passion for the band - this is the reissue to buy...