"CSN" by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH – 77-Tracks recorded by David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash between 1968 and 1990 with NEIL YOUNG on 14 songs. Also Features Solo and Dual Collaboration Projects on Atlantic, ABC, Capitol, Columbia and A&M Records. It Has 25 Previously Unreleased Tracks and Two Originally Non-LP 45-Single Sides. Guests include Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, John Sebastian, James Taylor, Dave Mason, Jimmy Page, Rita Coolidge, Art Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Fred Neil, Carole King, Branford Marsalis, Craig Doerge, Members of Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Poco, Joe Walsh's Barnstorm and many more (30 September 1991 US Atlantic Records Original Box Set in LP-Sized Packaging - 13 August 2013 US Atlantic Records Reissue with Same Songs and Mastering but Updated Liner Notes in a 4CD Fat Jewel-Case and Outer Card Slipcase) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

 

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"...Horses Through A Rainstorm..."

 

The liner notes to the 2006 'Expanded & Remastered HDCD Edition' of CSN's monumental 1969 debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" opens with an Introduction from Ahmet Ertegun – founder and owner of the mighty Atlantic Records. It describes the first time Ahmet heard the tapes by ex Hollies man Graham Nash who had linked up with ex Byrd's tunesmith David Crosby and Buffalo Springfield's guitarist and songwriter Stephen Stills.

 

The canny Record Industry Giant was stunned and knew something huge was happening. He quotes, "...Crosby, Stills & Nash immediately became my No. 1 project..." And even now in late May 2023 - a full 54 years after the 29 May 1969 US release date of that LP event - their opening salvo album is so damn good – a melodious masterpiece still casting a harmony-vocal shadow over today's myriad-genre musical landscape. Their follow up studio platter "Déjà vu" was just as good in March 1970 and then after a short live stint – it split into solo work and combos thereof.

 

Which brings us to this "CSN" nugget – a 4CD Box Set Anthology first released 30 September 1991 in the USA in LP-Sized packaging and now shrunk down to a more manageable (and more dinky frankly) 4CD Fat Jewel Case with Card Slipcase for 13 August 2013 Reissue. Encompassing 1968 to 1990 – you get Twenty-Five Previously Unreleased songs and versions, Neil Young on 14 and a guest list that reads like a dream - Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, John Sebastian, James Taylor, James Mason, Jimmy Page, Rita Coolidge, Art Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Fred Neil, Carole King, Branford Marsalis, Craig Doerge, Leland Sklar, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkel, Members of Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Poco, Joe Walsh's Barnstorm and many more. There is so much to document, so here are the helplessly hoping details of three men on a sofa with some other Canadian dude on occasion...

 

UK re-issued 13 August 2013 (original LP-Sized Box Set was 30 September 1991 in the USA) – "CSN" by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH on Atlantic 8122797323 (Barcode 081227973230) offers you 77 Remastered Tracks (done in 1991) across 4CDs and pans out as follows:

 

CD1 (73:36 minutes):

1. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Unreleased Alternate Mix) - CSN

2. Helplessly Hoping (Unreleased Live Studio Version, Rehearsal) - CSNY

3. You Don't Have To Cry (Unreleased First Crosby, Stills & Nash recording)

4. Wooden Ships – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

5. Guinevere (Unreleased Early Demo) – DAVID CROSBY

6. Marrakesh Express – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

7. Long Time Gone – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

8. Blackbird (Unreleased Live Studio Version, Beatles cover) - CSN

9. Lady Of The Island – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

10. Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves) (Unreleased Live Studio Version) – CROSBY & NASH

11. Almost Cut My Hair (Unreleased Unedited Original Version, 8:49 minutes) – CSNY

12. Teach Your Children (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

13. Horses Through A Rainstorm (Unreleased Song) – CSNY

14. Déjà vu – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

15. Helpless – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

16. 4 + 20 (Unreleased Alternate Mix) - CSNY

17. Laughing – DAVID CROSBY (from his debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" US released 22 February 1971 on Atlantic SD-7203)

18. Carry On/Questions – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 4, 6, 7 and 9 are from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" (1969)

Tracks 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18 and Track 4 on CD2 are from their second studio album "Déjà vu" (1970)

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD2 (74:13 minutes):

1. Woodstock (Unreleased 1969 Alternative Mix) – CSNY

2. Ohio – CSNY (4 June 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2740, A-side – first LP appearance (along with the B-side "Find The Cost Of Freedom", Track 19 on CD4) was on the 19 August 1974 Best Of vinyl LP compilation "So Far" on Atlantic SD 18100)

3. Love The One You're With – STEPHEN STILLS (from the 16 November 1970 US Solo debut album "Stephen Stills" on Atlantic SD 7202)

4. Our House – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

5. Old Times Good Times – STEPHEN STILLS (from the 16 November 1970 US Solo debut album "Stephen Stills" on Atlantic SD 7202, features Jimi Hendrix on Guitar)

6. The Lee Shore (Unreleased Studio Version, 5:28 minutes) – CSNY (originally showed up as a new song on the 2LP Live Set "4 Way Street" from 1971 on Atlantic SD 2-902)

7. Music Is Love – DAVID CROSBY (from his debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" US released 22 February 1971 on Atlantic SD-7203 – Vocals and Guitars include Graham Nash and Neil Young)

8. I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here – DAVID CROSBY (from his debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" US released 22 February 1971 on Atlantic SD-7203 – Acapella Vocals only)

9. Man In The Mirror (Unreleased Live Version) – CSNY (originally released on the Graham Nash debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204)

10. Black Queen (Unreleased Live Version) – CSNY (although credited to CSNY it is only Stills and Acoustic Guitar doing a live version of a song that first appeared on his November 1970 debut solo LP "Stephen Stills" on Atlantic SD 7202)

11. Military Madness – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204)

12. Urge For Going (Unreleased Version) – CROSBY & NASH (originally written by Joni Mitchell in 1966, but unrecorded by her until 1972 as a Non-LP flipside to "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio" – first released version was a January 1967 US 45-single be George Hamilton IV on RCA Victor 45-9059, A)

13. I Used To Be A King – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204 – features Neil Young on Piano and Gerry Garcia, Phil Lesh and John Barbata of The Grateful Dead on Pedal Steel Guitar, Bass and Drums)

14. Simple Man (Unreleased Alternate Mix) – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204 – features Rita Coolidge and David Lindley)

15. Southbound Train – DAVID CROSBY & GRAHAM NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220)

16. Change Partners – STEPHEN STILLS (originally released on his second solo LP "Stephen Stills 2" US released 30 June 1971 on Atlantic SD 7206 – line-up includes Fred Neil, David Crosby and much of what would become Manassas)

17. My Love Is A Gentle Thing (Unreleased Song, recorded April 1975) – STEPHEN STILLS

18. Word Game – STEPHEN STILLS (originally released on his second solo LP "Stephen Stills 2" US released 30 June 1971 on Atlantic SD 7206)

19. Johnny's Garden – STEPHEN STILLS & MANASSAS (originally released on the 12 April 1972 US 2LP Studio Album "Manassas" on Atlantic SD 2-903)

20. So Begins The Task – STEPHEN STILLS & MANASSAS (originally released on the 12 April 1972 US 2LP Studio Album "Manassas" on Atlantic SD 2-903)

21. Turn Back The Pages – STEPHEN STILLS (originally released June 1975 on the album "Stills" on Columbia PC 33575 – his debut with the label)

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD3 (71:21 minutes):

1. See The Changes (Unreleased CSNY Version) – CSNY (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104)

2. It Doesn't Matter – MANASSAS (Stephen Stills) (originally released on the 12 April 1972 US 2LP Studio Album "Manassas" on Atlantic SD 2-903)

3. Immigration Man – CROSBY & NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220 – Lead Guitar by Dave Mason of Traffic)

4. Chicago//We Can Change The World – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204 – features Rita Coolidge, Clydie King, Vanetta Fields, Shirley Matthews, Chris Etheridge and John Barbata)

5. Homeward Through The Haze (Unreleased Version) – CSNY (first issued on the 15 September 1975 Crosby & Nash LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902)

6. Where Will I Be? – CROSBY & NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220 – Craig Doerge on Piano and Leland Sklar on Bass)

7. Page 43 – CROSBY & NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220 – Danny Kortchmar on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Piano and Leland Sklar on Bass)

8. Carry Me – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902 – James Taylor on Acoustic, Craig Doerge on Piano, Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

9. Cowboy Of Dreams – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902 – David Lindley on Fiddle, Craig Doerge on Piano, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

10. Bittersweet – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902 – Danny Kortchmar on Electric Guitar, Craig Doerge and Carole King on Piano, Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

11. To The Last Whale...Critical Mass – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 Crosby & Nash LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902)

12. Prison Song – GRAHAM NASH (first issued on the 2 January 1974 LP "Wild Tales" on Atlantic Records SD-7288 – David Crosby on Duet Vocals, David Lindley on Mandolin, Tim Drummond and Jon Barbata on Bass and Drums)

13. Another Sleep Song – GRAHAM NASH (first issued on the 2 January 1974 LP "Wild Tales" on Atlantic Records SD-7288 – Joni Mitchell on Duet Vocals, Joel Bernstein on Acoustic with Ben Keith on Lap Steel Guitar, Tim Drummond and Jon Barbata on Bass and Drums)

14. Taken At All (Unreleased CSNY Version) – CSNY (original version first issued on the 25 June 1976 Crosby & Nash LP "Whistling Down The Wind" on ABC Records ABCD-956)

15. In My Dreams – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Joe Vitale on Vibes, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkle on Drums)

16. Just A Song Before I Go – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Joe Vitale on Vibes, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

17. Shadow Captain – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Craig Doerge on Piano, Joe Vitale on Organ and Flute, George Perry and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

18. Dark Star (Allies LP Version from 1983) – CSN (song first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104, but this re-made version is the one issued on the 6 June 1983 LP "Allies" – James Newton Howard on Keyboards, Joe Vitale on Drums)

19. Cathedral – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – George Perry and Russ Kunkle on Bass and Drums)

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 5 and 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD4 (74:33 minutes):

1. Wasted On The Way – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Craig Doerge on Keyboards, Joe Lala of Manassas on Percussion, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles on Backing Vocals with Wayne Goodwin of the Emmylou Harris Hot Band on Fiddle)

2. Barrel Of Pain (Half-Life) – GRAHAM NASH (first issued on the 15 February 1980 US LP "Earth & Sky" on Capitol SWAK-12014 - David Lindley and Danny Kortchmar on Guitars, Craig Doerge on Organ, Joe Vitale and Russ Kunkel on Drums)

3. Southern Cross – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Richard T. Bear and Mike Finnigan on Keyboards, Joe Lala of Manassas on Percussion, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles on Backing Vocals)

4. Daylight Again (a) Daylight Again (b) Find The Cost Of Freedom – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Art Garfunkel of Simon & Garfunkel on Backing Vocals)

5. Thoroughfare Gap – STEPHEN STILLS (first issued on the September 1978 US LP "Thoroughfare Gap" on Columbia JC 35380 – Al Gould on Fiddle and Paul Harris on Piano)

6. Wild Tales (Unreleased Live Version, 3 Aug 1979) – GRAHAM NASH (original studio version first issued on the 2 January 1974 LP "Wild Tales" on Atlantic Records SD-7288)

7. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Unreleased Version, Recorded 17 Nov 1980, Traffic cover version) – STEPHEN STILLS & GRAHAM NASH

8. Cold Rain – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104)

9. Got It Made (Unreleased Live Version) – CSNY (original version first issued on the 3 November 1988 US LP "American Dream" on Atlantic 81888-1 – this Live Version recorded 25 January 1997 in New York features only Stills & Nash on Acoustic Piano and Sticks)

10. Tracks In The Dust – DAVID CROSBY (first issued on the 23 January 1989 US LP "Oh Yes I Can" on A&M Records 395232-1 – Michael Hedges on Guitar with Backing Vocals from Graham Nash)

11. As I Come Of Age (Unreleased Version) – CSN (original version is on the 1975 US LP "Stills" on Columbia PC 33575 – this version recorded January 1981 – Michael Finnigan and Richard T. Bear on Keyboards, George Perry on Bass with Joe Vitale on Drums)

12. 50/50 – STEPHEN STILLS (first issued on the 30 July 1984 US LP "Right By You" on Atlantic 7 80177-1)

13. Drive My Car – DAVID CROSBY (first issued on the 23 January 1989 US LP "Oh Yes I Can" on A&M Records 395232-1 – Michael Hedges on Guitar with Backing Vocals from Graham Nash)

14. Delta – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Dean Parks on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Keyboards with Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

15. Soldiers Of Piece (Unreleased Version) – CSNY (original version first issued on the 3 November 1988 US LP "American Dream" on Atlantic 81888-1 – this Live Version recorded 25 January 1997 in New York features only Stills & Nash on Acoustic Piano and Sticks)

16. Yours And Mine – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Branford Marsalis on Soprano Saxophone, Craig Doerge on Keyboards)

17. Haven't We Lost Enough? – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Stephen Stills only on Vocals and Acoustic Guitar)

18. After The Dolphin – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Mike Landau on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Keyboards, Uses a President Truman Radio Broadcast mixed into the music)

19. Find The Cost Of Freedom – CSNY (4 June 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2740, B-side of "Ohio" – first LP appearance for both sides on the 19 August 1974 Best Of vinyl LP compilation "So Far" on Atlantic SD 18100 – A-side is Track 2 on CD2)

NOTES:

Tracks 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

As with all of these CSNY-related retrospectives – a team of experts were called upon to do properly real transfers to digital – and the results are gorgeous. In this case 1991 Remixes were carried out by STEPHEN BARNCARD at Sunset Sound along with Analogue-To-Digital by JOE GASTWIRT at Ocean View Digital with both JOE GASTWIRT and JOHN MODELL doing the eventual remastering. Take CD1 for instance- the audio quality on the unreleased "Song With No Words" (Track 10) or the "Déjà vu" title track (Track 14) or the Alternate Mix of "4 + 20" (Track 16) or the Crosby solo piece "Laughing" (with sublime counterpoint vocals from Joni Mitchell) are all little short of breathtaking for us old farts used to hearing our battered LPs of 1969, 1970, 1971 and those early remastered 1990s CDs. The instruments are so clear, their harmonies coming at you like a wall of vocal marshmallow – it’s beautifully clean and not just amped up for the sake of it. Lovely stuff.

 

Staying with presentation for a moment - a really great touch (and smart move) is that the 2013 reissue has an upgraded booklet from the 1991 variant that shows Additional Releases. So the Discography goes from 1969 up to all the big combined and solo sets - up to 'CSN 2012' in July of 2012. The booklet is a crammed 66-pages long, and apart from song-by-song breakdowns (recording dates, musician credits including guests) that also include the boys explaining their history and meaning. Amazingly there is a pictured LP-by-LP Discography (with catalogue numbers) of stuff like Stills and his fab "Manassas" 2LP set (see separate review for the Japanese CD variant in Repro Artwork Mini LP Card Sleeve) to the "Wild Tales" album for Graham Nash in 1974 and so on up to the 2000s. It may be a chubby jewel case, but man both the booklet and the content are loaded with info and musical goodies where you would want it. The card slipcase of course mimics the original LP-Sized photo and is undeniably pretty and frankly more compact than its original big brother.

 

The track placement is clever too – when you go to CD2 it opens with their electric guitar rockier version of the Joni Mitchell song "Woodstock" (an Alternate Mix) which perfectly precedes the same kind of angry sound their stand-alone single "Ohio" exuded – both Neil Young as Lead Vocalist and Crosby as Backing towards the end letting the US political machine know their disgust at University shootings that murdered protestors of the ludicrously poisonous Vietnam war. That in turn is followed by the hugely popular "Love The One You're With" – a 1970 Stephen Stills winner that features Rita Coolidge, Pricilla Jones, John Sebastian propping up Crosby and Nash on Backing Vocals. Then the chipper "Our House" from "Déjà vu" – then Hendrix providing Guitar on the Stills solo track "Old Times Good Times" - you get the picture. In short – someone has paced this set and made each CD a smarter more coherent listen by doing so.

 

For sure when you get to CD4 and the ill-advised Cuban strut of "50/50" by Stills – it is countered by the excellence and beauty of Crosby doing "Tracks In The Dust" from his 1989 "Oh Yes I Can" album. I had genuinely forgotten the gorgeous harmonies and melodies to "Delta" from the 1982 LP "Daylight Again" – another affecting melody that is not thankfully drowned in Eighties production values. And the 7:04 minutes of an unreleased cover version of the 1968 Traffic classic "Dear Mr. Fantasy" recorded in similar slinky Rock mode in November 1980 by Stills & Nash is a genuine discovery – Stills letting rip on distorted guitar ala Neil Young to amazing effect while Nash harmonizes on the chorus. Stills admits in his liner notes to the song to a lifetime admiration of British songwriter Steve Winwood and had intended him to be the keyboard player in the original line-up of CSN (Michael Finnigan adds his trademark Hammond Organ sound to the cover version to get that Traffic vibe). Though well-meaning, the unreleased version of the 1988 "American Dream" track "Soldiers Of Peace" is overwrought with orchestration – and for all its undoubted recording sophistication, the very Sting with Branford Marsalis "Yours And Mine" from the 1990 album "Live It Up" is the same – not touching but ever so slightly insufferable. They end their odyssey on CD4 by putting on the gorgeous and practically Acapella B-side "Find The Cost Of Freedom" – their 1970 plea for an end to war and the politics associated with it – a perfect finish for a spectacular vaults trawl.

 

This 30 September 1991 "CSN" 4CD splurge was by no means to be the end of unreleased material. Stills released his "Carry On" 4CD Hardback Digibook Anthology Set in February 2013, David Crosby had his 3CD "Voyage" back in November 2006, while Graham Nash brought us "Reflections" in February 2009 – another 3CD set with mucho unissued. There has also been a beautiful 50^th Anniversary LP-Sized Book Set for "Déjà vu" in May 2021 (see separate reviews for all of them) and Neil Young has not stopped reissuing unreleased material in his infamous Archive Series of CD and Vinyl.

 

Atlantic Records also put out a 2CD paired down variant of this 4CD "CSN" set for the UK, European and Australian marketplaces on 3 December 1991. Called "Carry On" (reissued 30 June 1998) – it was and still is a great twofer with 36 tracks and can be bought online for relatively piddly sums of money. But I would however advise to opt for this 2013 Reissue of the 4CD Big Daddy instead, because there is just too much to miss out on.

 

Dennis Hopper asked Stephen Stills to pen a tune for the final scene of the Easy Rider movie he was in with Peter Fonda and the fantastic "Find The Cost Of Freedom" was what he offered (even if Hopper was too out of it to get its genius). The band ended every live concert with it – a clarion call to a generation hurting. Well do not leave this amazing overhaul "...buried in the ground...” anywhere near you. I envy you the journey and thanks Coz (passed 18 January 2023 aged 81) for all the beautiful music and memories...

"Can You Dig It? The 70's Soul Experience" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Eight-Track Cassette Shaped Box Set featuring 136 Tracks from US 45-Singles by Sly & The Family Stone, Marvin Gaye, The Stylistics, Bill Withers, The Temptations, James Brown, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Eddie Holman, The Delfonics, Tyrone Davis, The Friends Of Distinction, The Glass House, Joe Tex, Spinners, The Chi-Lites, Malo, The Staple Singers, The 8th Day, Rose Royce, The Soul Children, Labelle, Ohio Players, War, Average White Band, Rick James and many more (October 2001 US Rhino 6CD 136-Track Box Set in Mock-Up 8-Track Cartridge Packaging with a Perspex Lid, A Fold-Out Door That Reveals 6 Inner CD Slots with Individual Period Style Magazine Covers, a 76-Page Separate Glossy Colour Booklet and Dan Hersch/Bill Inglot Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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70ts Soul, R'n'B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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"...Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)..."

 

Here in late May 2023 - almost 22-years since its release - this stunning Rhino Box Set is a King of the World as far as I'm concerned. Loads to talk about so immediately to the fly...

 

Despite the Box Set subtitle of 70's Soul Experience - The Friends of Distinction opening track "Grazing In The Grass" was actually released in February 1969 - as are eight more 1969 tracks on CD1. But of course most took a good few months or longer to gain audience interest and didn’t start to show real chart traction until 1970 – hence their inclusions here. The last title on CD6 "Golden Touch" by Rose Royce has an official release date of May 1981 – but again is rooted in that Norman Whitefield Temptations-type 70s sound and is on his own Whitfield Records. 

 

But the core of the 136-tracks on "Can You Dig It? The 70's Soul Experience" is an array of well-known songs - over 60 of which have been R&B and Pop No.1s on the US Billboard charts. 'Dig It' is also a very clever deep dive into titles you have forgotten or need to rehear like the slick low-rider slide of "Cool Aid" by Paul Humphries, the gorgeous truly soulful smooch of "So Very Hard To Go" by the wonderful brass ensemble Tower Of Power, the pull her close sexiness of "Cruisin'" by Smokey Robinson or the homemade but utterly affecting Timmy Thomas classic "Why Can't We Live Together".

 

Produced by DAVID McLEES and DAVID GORMAN for Rhino - all the huge labels of the day are on this 6CD Box Set as well as those plucky independents – Atlantic, Motown, Stax, Polydor, Warner Brothers, Epic, RCA Victor, United Artists, Columbia, ABC and ABC-Dunhill, Mercury, London, Brunswick, Hi Records, Invictus, Avco, Hot Wax, Dakar, Stang, Buddah, Alston, Sussex, Glades, Chimneyville, T Neck, Spring, KoKo, Chelsea, K.T. Records, MGM, Rocky Road, Gamble & Huff with Philadelphia International, Curtis Mayfield with Curtom and loads more. The great news is that Rhino have always had the knack of knowing what to re-release and remaster – and disc after disc thrills with those long lost moments and rediscovered memories. And all of it is wrapped up in Top Notch Remastered sound (Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch at Digiprep) with genuinely informative and often witty liner notes and cool period looks. In fact, between this and their August 1997 seven-inch singles 6CD Box Set Magnum Opus "Beg, Scream & Shout! The Big Ol' Box Of '60s Soul" – they are two awkwardly packaged behemoths I cannot be without – and seeing them on my overcrowded genre shelf still brings me joy. To the tunes and the chemists of cool aid...

 

US released 16 October 2001 - "Can You Dig It? The 70's Soul Experience" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino R2 74346 (Barcode 0081227434625) is a 6CD 136-Track Box Set in Mock-Up 8-Track Cartridge Packaging with Six Period Album Titles Underneath A Perspex Lid. Inside is a foldout door that reveals 6 Inner CD Slots with Individual Period Style Magazine Covers and a 76-Page Separate Colour Booklet. The entire set uses American 45-Single Edits and Playing Times and has been remastered from original tapes by DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT at Digiprep for Rhino. It plays out as follows (I have provided US release dates and catalogue numbers for 45s):

 

CD1 Sly & The Family Stone, October 1972 Artwork (79:10 minutes):

1. Grazing In The Grass – THE FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION (February 1969, RCA Victor 74-0107, A)

2. Color Him Father – THE WINSTONS (May 1969, Metromedia MM-107, A)

3. Hey There Lonely Girl – EDDIE HOLMAN (November 1969, ABC Records 45-11240, A)

4. Crumbs Off The Table – THE GLASS HOUSE (August 1969, Invictus IS 9071, A)

5. Rainy Night In Georgia – BROOK BENTON (December 1969, Cotillion 45-44047, A)

6. Everybody Is A Star – SLY & THE FAMILY STONE (December 1969, Epic 5-10555, B-side of "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin")

7. Give Me Just A Little More Time – CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD (December 1969, Invictus IS-9074, A)

8. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – THE DELFONICS (December 1969, Philly Groove 161, A)

9. The Bells – THE ORIGINALS (January 1970, Soul S 35069, A, Produced by Marvin Gaye)

10. Turn Back The Hands Of Time – TYRONE DAVIS (March 1970, Dakar 45-616, A)

11. Love On A Two-Way Street – THE MOMENTS (March 1970, Stang ST 5012, A)

12. Band Of Gold – FREDA PAYNE (February 1970, Invictus IS-9075, A)

13. O-H-H Child – THE 5 STAIRSTEPS (May 1970, Buddah BDA 165, A)

14. Westbound #9 – THE FLAMING EMBER (April 1970, Hot Wax HS 7003, A)

15. Maybe – THE THREE DEGREES (March 1970, Roulette R-7079, A)

16. The Sly, Slick, And The Wicked – THE LOST GENERATION (April 1970, Brunswick 55436, A)

17. War – EDWIN STARR (June 1970, Gordy G 7101, A)

18. Somebody's Been Sleeping - 100 PROOF AGED IN SOUL (July 1970, Hot Wax HS 7004, A)

19. Express Yourself – CHARLES WRIGHT & THE WATTS 103^th STREET RHYTHM BAND (August 1970, Warner Brothers 7417, A)

20. Precious, Precious – JACKIE MOORE (October 1970, Atlantic 45-2681, US B-side of "Willpower" – Issued February 1971 in the UK with the sides reversed on Atlantic 2091 054, "Precious, Precious" on the A-side)

21. Funky Nassau, Pt. 1 – THE BEGINNING OF THE END (March 1971, Alston 4595, A)

22. Groove Me – KING FLOYD (September 1970, Chimneyville CH-435, originally B-side of "What Our Love Needs" until DJs flipped the sides and "Groove Me" became the chart hit)

23. I Love You For All Seasons – THE FUZZ (December 1970, Calla C-174, A)

24. Want Ads – HONEY CONE (March 1971, Hot Wax HS 7011, A)

25. Cool Aid – PAUL HUMPHREY & HIS COOL AID CHEMISTS (January 1971, Lizard X21006, A)

 

CD2 Al Green, November 1973 Artwork (77:17 minutes):

1. Don't Knock My Love, Pt. 1 – WILSON PICKETT (April 1971, Atlantic 45-2797, A)

2. Love Or Let Me Be Lonely – THE FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION (February 1970, RCA Victor 74-0319, A)

3. Deeper And Deeper – FREDA PAYNE (September 1970, Invictus IS-9080, A)

4. Pay To The Piper – CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD (October 1970, Invictus IS-9081, A)

5. Mr. Big Stuff – JEAN KNIGHT (March 1971, Stax STA-0088, A)

6. Women's Love Rights – LAURA LEE (July 1971, Hot Wax HS 7105, A)

7. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get – THE DRAMATICS (April 1971, Volt VOA-4058, A)

8. Baby Let Me Kiss You – KING FLOYD (March 1971, Chimneyville CH-437, A)

9. Right On The Tip Of My Tongue – BRENDA & THE TABULATIONS (January 1971, Top And Bottom Records 407, A)

10. Thin Line Between Love And Hate – THE PERSUADERS (July 1971, Atco 45-6822, A)

11. Have You Seen Her? – CHI-LITES (October 1971, Brunswick 55462, A)

12. Theme From Shaft – ISAAC HAYES (September 1971, Enterprise ENA-9038, A)

13. Respect Yourself – THE STAPLE SINGERS (September 1971, Stax STA-0104, A)

14. Family Affair – SLY & THE FAMILY STONE (October 1971, Epic 5-10805, A)

15. Let's Stay Together – AL GREEN (November 1971, Hi Records 45-2202, A)

16. Clean Up Woman – BETTY WRIGHT (November 1971, Alston 45-4601, A)

17. One Monkey Don't Stop No Show, Pt. 1 – HONEY CONE (November 1971, Hot Wax HS 7110, A)

18. Drowning In The Sea Of Love – JOE SIMON (October 1971, Spring SPR 120, A)

19. Ain't Understanding Mellow – JERRY BUTLER & BRENDA LEE EAGER (November 1971, Mercury 73255, A)

20. I've Been Lonely For So Long – FREDERICK KNIGHT (February 1972, Stax STA-0117, A)

21. Suavecito – MALO (February 1972, Warner Brothers WB 7559, A)

22. Hearsay – THE SOUL CHILDREN (June 1972, Stax STA-0119, A)

23. She's Not Just Another Woman – THE 8th DAY (March 1971, Invictus IS-9087, A)

 

CD3 - Curtis Mayfield, February 1974 Artwork (77:49 minutes):

1. I'll Take You There – THE STAPLE SINGERS (March 1972, Stax STA-0125, A)

2. In The Rain – THE DRAMATICS (February 1972, Volt VOA 4075, A)

3. Betcha By Golly, Wow – THE STYLISTICS (February 1972, Avco AV-4591, A)

4. Oh Girl – CHI-LITES (March 1972, Brunswick 55471, A)

5. Lean On Me – BILL WITHERS (March 1972, Sussex SUX-235, A)

6. I Gotcha – JOE TEX (December 1971, Dial D-1010, A)

7. Do Your Thing - Isaac Hayes (February 1972, Enterprise ENA-9042, A)

8. I'll Be Around – THE SPINNERS (July 1972, Atlantic 45-2904, B-side of "How Could I Let You Go" – it was the flipside that hit No. 1 R&B)

9. Too Late To Turn Back Now – CORNELIUS BROTHERS & SISTER ROSE (April 1972, United Artists 50910, A)

10. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right – LUTHER INGRAM (April 1972, KoKo KOA-2111, A)

11. Starting All Over Again – MEL & TIM (May 1972, Stax STA-0127, A)

12. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (May 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3517, A)

13. You're Still A Young Man – TOWER OF POWER (June 1972, Warner Brothers WB 7612, A)

14. Everybody Plays The Fool – THE MAIN INGREDIENT (June 1972, RCA Victor 74-0731, A)

15. Freddie's Dead (Theme From "Superfly") – CURTIS MAYFIELD (July 1972, Curtom CR 1975, A)

16. I Can See Clearly Now – JOHNNY NASH (July 1972, Epic 5-10902, A)

17. If You Don't Know Me By Now – HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES (September 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3520, A)

18. Love Jones – BRIGHTER SIDE OF DARKNESS (August 1972, 20^th Century TC-2002, A)

19. Me And Mrs. Jones – BILLY PAUL (September 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3521, A)

20. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (Vocal) – THE TEMPTATIONS (September 1972, Gordy G 7121F, A, 6:58 Minute Vocal Version – B-side was Instrumental)

21. Outa-Space – BILLY PRESTON (January 1972 US Promo-Only 45 on A&M 1320 – May 1972 UK as Officially Released 45-single on A&M AMS 7007, A)

 

CD4 Four Tops, July 1974 Artwork (79:47 minutes):

1. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love - SPINNERS (December 1972, Atlantic 45-2927, A)

2. Use Me – BILL WITHERS (August 1972, Sussex SUX 241, A)

3. Love Train - O'JAYS (December 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3524, A)

4. Why Can't We Live Together – TIMMY THOMAS (October 1972, Glades 1703, A)

5. Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) – FOUR TOPS (January 1973, Dunhill D-4339, A)

6. I'm Doin' Fine Now – NEW YORK CITY (February 1973, Chelsea 78-0113, A)

7. Pillow Talk – SYLVIA (February 1973, Vibration VI-521, A)

8. So Very Hard To Go – TOWER OF POWER (April 1973, Warner Brothers WB 7687, A)

9. Natural High – BLOODSTONE (February 1973, London 45-1046, A)

10. Let's Get It On – MARVIN GAYE (June 1973, Tamla T 54234F, A)

11. That Lady (Part 1) – ISLEY BROTHERS (July 1973, T Neck ZS7 2251, A)

12. Keep On Truckin' (Part 1) – EDDIE KENDRICKS (July 1973, Tamla T 54238F, A)

13. Hurts So Good – MILLIE JACKSON (August 1973, Spring SPR 139, A)

14. Midnight Train To Georgia – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (August 1973, Buddah BDA 383, A)

15. I Can't Stand The Rain – ANN PEEBLES (July 1973, Hi Records HI 2248, A)

16. The World Is A Ghetto – WAR (October 1972, United Artists 50975, A)

17. Tell Her She's Lovely – EL CHICANO (July 1973, MCA Records MCA-40104, A)

18. The Love I Lost (Part 1) – HAROLD MELVIN And THE BLUE NOTES (August 1973, Philadelphia International ZS7 3533, A)

19. Cheaper To Keep Her – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (September 1973, Stax STA-0176, A)

20. Show And Tell – AL WILSON (August 1973, Rocky Road RR 30073, A)

21. Lookin' For A Love – BOBBY WOMACK (December 1973, United Artists UA-XW375-W, A)

22. Be Thankful For What You Got – WILLIAM DeVAUGHN (March 1974, Roxbury BRBO-0236, A)

23. Just Don't Want To Be Lonely – THE MAIN INGREDIENT (January 1974, RCA Victor APBO-0205, A)

 

CD5 The Pointer Sisters, May 1975 Artwork (79:51 minutes):

1. The Payback (Part 1) – JAMES BROWN (February 1974, Polydor PD-14223, A)

2. Hollywood Swinging – KOOL & THE GANG (April 1974, De-Lite DEP 561, A)

3. Sideshow – BLUE MAGIC (March 1974, Atco 45-6961, A)

4. Rock The Boat – THE HUES CORPORATION (February 1974, RCA Victor APBO-0232, A)

5. Finally Got Myself Together (I'm A Changed Man) – THE IMPRESSIONS (March 1974, Curtom CR 1997, A)

6. Rock Your Baby – GEORGE McCRAE (April 1974, T.K. Records 1004, A)

7. Tell Me Something Good – RUFUS (June 1974, ABC Records ABC-11427, A)

8. Yes We Can Can – THE POINTER SISTERS (August 1973, Blue Thumb BTA 229, A – Allen Toussaint song)

9. Hang On In There Baby – JOHNNY BRISTOL (June 1974, MGM Records M 14715, A)

10. Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) - B.T. EXPRESS (July 1974, Scepter SCE 12395, A)

11. You Little Trustmaker – THE TYMES (July 1974, RCA Victor PB-10022, A)

12. Lovin' You – MINNIE RIPERTON (November 1974, Epic 8-50057, A)

13. Woman To Woman – SHIRLEY BROWN (August 1974, Truth TRA-3206, A)

14. Everlasting Love – CARL CARLTON (July 1974, Back Beat BB 27001, A)

15. When Will I See You Again – THE THREE DEGREES (September 1974, Philadelphia International ZS8 3550, A)

16. Pick Up The Pieces – AVERAGE WHITE BAND (October 1974, Atlantic 45-3229, A)

17. Lady Marmalade – LABELLE (November 1974, Epic 8-50048, A)

18. Walking In Rhythm – THE BLACKBYRDS (January 1975, Fantasy F-736, A)

19. Supernatural Thing - Part 1 - BEN E. KING (January 1975, Atlantic 45-3241, A)

20. Reasons – EARTH, WIND & FIRE (July 1975 US Promo-Only, Columbia AS 131, A – May 1976 UK 45-single on CBS Records S CBS 4240, A)

21. Rockin' Chair – GWEN McCRAE (March 1975, Cat Records 1996, A)

22. I Wanna Get Next To You – ROSE ROYCE (February 1977, MCA Records MCA-40662, A)

23. Love Won't Let Me Wait – MAJOR HARRIS (February 1975, Atlantic 45-3248, A)

 

CD6 Earth, Wind & Fire, August 1975 Artwork (77:47 minutes):

1. Shining Star – EARTH, WIND & FIRE (January 1975, Columbia 3-10090, A)

2. Express - B.T. EXPRESS (January 1975, Roadshow RD 7001, A)

3. Cut The Cake – AVERAGE WHITE BAND (March 1975, Atlantic 45-3261, A)

4. Why Can't We Be Friends – WAR (April 1975, United Artists UA-XW629-W, A)

5. So In Love – CURTIS MAYFIELD (August 1975, Curtom CMS 0105, A)

6. Love Rollercoaster – OHIO PLAYERS (November 1975, Mercury 73734, A)

7. It Only Takes A Minute – TAVARES (July 1975, Capitol/Haven 4111, A)

8. Movin' – BRASS CONSTRUCTION (March 1976, United Artists UA-XW775-Y, A)

9. Kiss And Say Goodbye – MANHATTANS (March 1976, Columbia 3-10310, A)

10. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine – LOU RAWLS (April 1976, Philadelphia International ZS8 3592, A)

11. Dazz – BRICK (September 1976, Bang B-727, A – 5:35 minutes)

12. Best Of My Love – EMOTIONS (May 1977, Columbia 3-10544, A)

13. Strawberry Letter 23 – THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (June 1977, A&M Records 1949-S, A – Shuggie Otis cover/song, Quincy Jones Producer)

14. Float On – THE FLOATERS (June 1977, ABC Records AB-12284, A)

15. Always And Forever – HEATWAVE (December 1977, Epic 8-50490, A)

16. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again - L.T.D. (August 1977, A&M Records 1974-S, A)

17. You And I – RICK JAMES (March 1978, Gordy G 7156F, A)

18. What You Won't Do For Love – BOBBY CALDWELL (September 1978, Clouds 11, A)

19. Reunited – PEACHES & HERB (March 1979, Polydor PD 14547, A)

20. Cruisin' – SMOKEY ROBINSON (August 1979, Tamla T 54306F, A)

21. Golden Touch – ROSE ROYCE (February 1981, Whitfield WHI 49681, A)

 

PACKAGING/AUDIO:

This shaped Box Sets stands up as if it's a tower of six eight-track cartridges for a car – a fat and slightly clunky 70ts format that was the precursor for cassette tape (they stopped being made around 1977 when the music-cassette took over, MC). The song titles are (from the top down) "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" by Spinners, "Betcha By Golly Wow" by The Stylistics, "Family Affair" by Sly & The Family Stone, "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" by The Temptations and "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers. Atop the Box is a title sticker and on the front is a Perspex canopy which is many cases has either discoloured with the decades or gotten brittle and broken at the corners (sealed copies are both prized and pricey).

 

Once the door beneath is opened – it reveals a long 76-page booklet atop six individual gatefold card digipaks slotted in below. The front cover artwork for each is done to look like a period magazine – Disc 1 for instance is dated October 1972 at 75c and features Sly & The Family Stone, Disc 2 has Al Green for October 1973 and so on until August 1975 on Disc 6 with Earth, Wind & Fire. All text for the actual songs and artists and scene is in the gorgeous long book (the CDs are simply gatefold card sleeves with the titles on the rear). Collectors and fans of the genre therefore are hit with a trio of flirtatious goodies - the gorgeous packaging and booklet, the exceptional song choices and most of all - the top quality Remasters of Single Mixes done from real tapes by long-standing Audio Engineers for Rhino – DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT. Time after time you are hit with transfers done with care - and they are the versions you remember from the radio and store purchases.

 

The glossy booklet features a collage photo of popular eight-track albums on the front and a huge display of 70ts album covers on the rear – everything from Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" (oddly not featured in the play list) to The Chi-Lites giving it a bit of "For God's Sake Give More Power To The People". There is a boxed text paragraph on every song including chart positions, period photos, full page colour snaps of genre heroes like Curtis Mayfield and tons more. A genuine hoot is the 'Jive Glossary' for ill-informed Honkies explaining what Blaxploitation Slang is what (Pages 72 and 73)! While the Fuzz are not surprisingly and derogatorily described at Pigs or The Man, a Sucka is a Fool or a Jive-Ass Punk and Booty is an especially Tight, Round, Plump and Voluminous Posterior. Or try Love Jones for when you absolutely gots'ta gots'ta get'cha thang on! As I say – them boys at Rhino are in the know!

 

The cool songs choices are everywhere too – the fabulous Quincy Jones production values given to The Brothers Johnson doing a cover version of the Shuggie Otis song "Strawberry Letter 23" (on his 1970 solo debut LP "Here Comes Shuggie Otis" – see separate review), the sheer makes-you-wanna dance vibe to The Tymes and their "You Little Trustmaker", the so-70ts groove William DeVaughn got on his fabulous "Be Thankful For What You Got" (Ben E. King doing his "Supernatural Thing" is the same). Can there be any instrumental more brilliant or stood-the-test-of-time funky than "Pick Up The Pieces" by Scotland's Average White Band? The Invictus and Hot Wax labels – The 8^th Day, Freda Payne and Chairmen Of The Board all bringing back floods of memories - the blue world on his shoulders label bags, remember those? 

 

There is also vibe-genius in the Latin Rock-Soul feel to Malo, War and El Chicano. The entire CD2 comes close to perfection as a listen – you are whomped with a track run that features The Chi-Lites, Bill Withers, Al Green, The Staple Singers, Jean Knight, Isaac Hayes and so many more. You forget the swoon in "Hey There Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman, the hit-that-dancefloor uplift in "Best Of My Love" by The Emotions, the mellow loveliness of Brook Benton covering the Tony Joe White gem "Rainy Night In Georgia" and the radio sass of absolutely anything on Philadelphia – The O'Jays, Harold Melvin, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls – all slamming it in their own Soulful way. And I dig the forgotten stuff like The Winstons, The Fuzz, The Pointer Sisters giving it some can-can (nice to see them pictured on CD5) and right on up to Bobby Caldwell. And do not get me started on the brilliance of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" – the finest moment amongst many for The Temptations (under Norman Whitefield) where even the single mix weighs in at just under seven-minutes – wow!

 

Niggles – for sure CD6 tapers off a tad into slick productions instead of moving songs from the earlier Seventies. And I would love to have seen this set go even a little deeper – B-sides like "You're So Young But You're So True" on the flip of The Lost Generation Sly & Wicked 45 from 1970 – or even "The Edge Of A Dream" by Minnie Riperton from 1974 that was the flipside to the stunning but the over-compilation-used "Lovin' You". But those are for maybe Part 2 one day (apparently over 300 songs were amassed as a preliminary playlist). Licensing difficulties also denied Rhino a few artists – people like Barry White and The Unlimited Orchestra who were a big part of the early 70ts on 20^th Century Records. Faves of mine like The Undisputed Truth is not here – neither is Donny Hathaway, Rotary Connection, Terry Callier, Rare Earth or even commercial successes like The Commodores making it Easy or Gwen McCrae doing it on her Rocking Chair. But you do get cool discoveries like Luther Ingram, The Soul Children and Cornelius Brothers. You could of course be at these exclusions lists for years. But these are minor hiccups if you could even call them that.

 

I know a UK collector pal of mine of old (with deep pockets as well as a deep passion) who has one sealed copy of "Can You Dig It? The 70’s Soul Experience" and one used version to play! And if that isn’t the ultimate accolade – then I don't know what is. 

 

Dig in, dig it out, just dig it in general – but get this Rhino Records triumph into your digital emporium like it was papa who needs to lay his hat-thang on a rolling stone...