"Frankie Miller…That's Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)" by FRANKIE MILLER – Including the Albums "Once In A Blue Moon" (1973), "High Life" (1974), "The Rock" (1975), "Full House" (1977), "Double Trouble" (1978), "Falling in Love" (1979), "Easy Money" (1980) and more. Features The Band Brinsley Schwarz with Nick Lowe, Ian Gomm and Bob Andrews, Allen Toussaint, Members of Atlanta Rhythm Section and The Classics IV, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, Robin Trower and Gary Brooker of Procol Harum, Andy Fraser of Free, Paul Carrack of Ace, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Terry Britten of Homer, Guitarists Chris Spedding and Reggie Young with Brass from The Memphis Horns (September 2018 EUROPE Chrysalis Records Reissue in a 7CD Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves Using 2011 Remasters by Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"…Be Good To Yourself…Be True To One Another…"

 

Most Frankie Miller fans despaired of seeing their hero’s output on a decent CD retrospective. But all of that pining for the fjords ended with the May 2011 EMI 4CD Fat Jewel Case Anthology "Frankie Miller…That’s Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)". That superb chunky outing slapped together seven whole albums, and as Bonuses - a Previously Unreleased 11-Track Original Mix of the second LP "High Life", three Non-LP single sides and one song exclusive to a US album with a different name. And all of it came with great remastered sound courtesy of two Audio heroes of mine – ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM.

 

What you have here is a September 2018 EURO Reissue that goes down the Clamshell Box Set route. The 4CDs have been turned into 7CDs with all seven albums put into Mini LP Card Sleeve Repro Artwork and the Bonus Material carried over too (full house, nothing lost). It's lovely to look at, boasts that great 2011 Remastered Audio on every album and even has a functional 8-Page booklet that gives track lists, couple of photos etc. There’s a lot on here, so let's be good to ourselves and get to the details…

 

EUROPEAN released 14 September 2018 (originally issued May 2011 in the UK in a Fat Jewel Case with 4CDs under the same title) - "Frankie Miller…That’s Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)" by FRANKIE MILLER on Chrysalis Records CRB1073 (Barcode 5060516091249) is a 7CD Clamshell Box Set Reissue (using 2011 Remasters) that has Seven Albums Worth Plus Bonuses and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Once In A Blue Moon" (32:30 minutes):

1. You Don't Need To Laugh [Side 1]

2. I Can't Change It

3. Candlelight Sonata in F Major

4. Ann Eliza Jane

5. It's All Over

6. In No Resistance [Side 2]

7. After All (Live My Life)

8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

9. Mail Box

10. I’m Ready

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Once In A Blue Moon" - released January 1973 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1036. Backing band on the whole album is BRINSLEY SCHWARZ featuring Bob Andrews, Brinsley Schwarz, Nick Lowe, Ian Gomm and Billy Rankin.

 

CD2 "High Life" (73:38 minutes – see NOTES):

1. High Life [Side 1]

2. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)

3. Trouble

4. A Fool

5. Little Angel

6. With You In Mind

7. The Devil Gun [Side 2]

8. I'll Take A Melody

9. Just A Song

10. Shoo-Rah

11. I'm Falling In Love Again

12. With You In Mind

Tracks 11 to 22 are his second studio album "High Life" released January 1974 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1052 (see also Tracks 13 to 23). Produced by ALLEN TOUSSAINT – Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 written by him with Tracks 3, 5, 7, and 11 written by FRANKIE MILLER. Guest musicians included Barry Bailey of Atlanta Rhythm Section on Guitars, Auburn Burrell and Joe Wilson of The Classics IV on Guitars with Allen Toussaint on Keyboards.

 

BONUS ALBUM VERSION "High Life - The Original Mix"

13. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)

14. Trouble

15. Little Angel

16. With You In Mind

17. I'll Take A Melody

18. High Life (Filler)

19. Shoorah Shoorah

20. Devil's Gun

21. A Day In The Life Of A Fool

22. I'm Falling In Love Again

23. Just A Song

NOTES: Tracks 13 to 23 are "High Life – The Original Mix". This was a previously unreleased version of the album with the running order re-arranged and was first issued May 2011 in the UK on the original 4CD Anthology (Tracks 1 to 12 are the officially released album – remixed without their permission or knowledge).

 

CD3 "The Rock" (49:05 minutes):

1. A Fool In Love [Side 1]

2. The Heartbreak

3. The Rock

4. I Know Why the Sun Don't Shine

5. Hard On The Levee

6. Ain't Got No Money [Side 2]

7. All My Love To You

8. I'm Old Enough

9. Bridgeton

10. Drunken Nights In The City

Tracks 1 to 10 are his third studio album "The Rock" released September 1975 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1088. James Dewar (ex Stone The Crows and at the time with The Robin Trower Band) and The Edwin Hawkins Singers provide Backing Vocals, Mick Weaver aka Wynder K. Frog played Keyboards, Henry McCullough and Chris Stewart (both ex Eire Apparent) played Guitars and Bass with The Memphis Horns providing Brass. Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar by Frankie Miller. All songs by Frankie Miller except "A Fool In Love" written by Andy Fraser of Free.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

12. I'm Old Enough (Edit)

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A & B-side of an August 1976 UK 7" 45-single on Chrysalis CHS 2103 – B-side is an Edit – Both Previously Unavailable on CD in 2011 when first issued

 

CD4 "Full House" (33:34 minutes):

1. Be Good To Yourself [Side 1]

2. The Doodle Song

3. Jealous Guy

4. Searching

5. Love Letters

6. Take Good Care Of Yourself [Side 2]

7. Down The Honky Tonk

8. This Love Of Mine

9. Let The Candlelight Shine

10. (I'll Never) Live In Vain

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fourth studio album "Full House" - released August 1977 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1128 – Produced by CHRIS THOMAS. Musicians included Guitarist Chris Spedding, Guitarist Ray Minhinnett (of Highway and Phoenix), Keyboardists Gary Brooker (of Procol Harum), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (ex Free and Crawler) and Jim Hall (of Highway), Bassist Chris Stewart (ex Eire Apparent) with The Memphis Horns on Brass.

 

CD5 "Double Trouble" (37:47 minutes):

1. Have You Seen Me Lately Joan [Side 1]

2. Double Heart Trouble

3. The Train

4. You'll Be In My Mind

5. Good Time Love

6. Love Waves [Side 2]

7. (I Can't) Break Away

8. Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

9. Love Is All Around

10. Goodnight Sweetheart

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fifth studio album "Double Trouble" - released April 1978 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1174. Guest Musicians include Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, Ian Gomm of Brinsley Schwarz, Ray Russell of Rock Workshop and Chopyn, Chris Mercer of The Keef Hartley Band and Gonzalez and more

 

CD6 "Falling In Love" (38:41 minutes):

1. When I'm Away From You [Side 1]

2. Is This Love

3. If I Can Love Somebody

4. Darlin'

5. And It's Your Love

6. A Woman To Love [Side 2]

7. Falling In Love With You

8. Every Time A Teardrop Falls

9. Pappa Don't Know

10. Good To See You

Tracks 1 to 10 are his sixth studio album "Falling In Love" - released January 1979 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1220. Band featured Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics, Terry Britten of The Twilights and Homer, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Fran Byrne and Ed Deane from Bees Make Honey and more (Fran Byrne was also in Ace).

 

NOTE: With the same artwork, release date and catalogue number as the UK issue (Chrysalis CHR 1220) - the "Falling In Love" album was called "A Perfect Fit" in the USA. However, the song "If I Can Love Somebody" was replaced with "Something About You" (see Track 11) and the running order rejiggered. In order to sequence the US LP - use the following songs on CD6:

Side 1: Tracks 6, 2, 9, 11 and 1

Side 2: Tracks 4, 8, 7, 5 and 10

 

11. Something About You

Track 11 replaced the song "If I Can Love Somebody" on the American version of the "Falling In Love" LP which was called "A Perfect Fit" in the USA - see NOTE

 

CD7 "Easy Money" (37:57 minutes):

1. Easy Money [Side 1]

2. The Woman In You

3. Why Don't You Spend The Night

4. So Young, So Young

5. Forget About Me

6. Heartbreak Radio [Side 2]

7. Cheap...Thrills

8. No Chance

9. Gimme Love

10. Tears

Tracks 1 to 10 are his seventh studio album “Easy Money” - released July 1980 in the UK and the USA on Chrysalis CHR 1268. Musicians included Guitarist (Electric) Reggie Young of The Memphis Boys and Waylon Jennings Band, Guitarist (Acoustic) Bobby Thompson of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry, Bassist Joe Osborn of Michael Nesmith & The First National Band and Session Drummer Larrie Londin

 

11. Sail Away (a Randy Newman cover and a non-album B-side to the November 1977 UK 4-Track 7" EP "Alveric’s Elfland Journey" - Previously Unavailable on CD)

 

It's cool to see the seven card sleeves - I love these things - probably hankers back to my vinyl days - but I can't get enough of a good Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeve. The only one that looks slightly less in CD7 - "Easy Money" - seems to be more blurred than it should be. The 8-page booklet is a fairly functionary affair with a small history of the albums taken from a 1998 Documentary for BBC Scotland (it is the same as the 2011 Fat Jewel Case original). You get a basic track-by-track list (I have provided players and musicians, the booklet does not) and pictures some album covers and rare European 7" picture sleeves. It’s good, but hardly great. But the real deal lies in the AUDIO and some genuinely tasty extras…

 

After years of budget label compilations, the remastered sound quality comes as a genuine shock – done by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at EMI – it’s full, warm and at last the music has the muscle its always deserved. The material itself (mostly self-penned) isn’t all genius of course, but when this Glaswegian was good – he was the absolute business. And like many rockers, he had loveliness in his ballads too, which in turn inspired cover versions from people as diverse as Cher, UFO and Ray Charles.

 

With regard to the remaster, the opening plaintive double of "You Don't Need To Laugh" and "I Can't Change It" from his 1973 debut album "Once In A Blue Moon" are good examples – the backing band is BRINSLEY SCHWARZ featuring Ian Gomm and Nick Lowe - and suddenly the piano, the acoustic guitars and even the backing girly vocals are all clear and alive. It’s not loud for the sake of it - just present – a treat to listen to.

 

His second studio platter "High Life" was originally produced by New Orleans Rhythm 'n' Blues genius ALLEN TOUSSAINT (who also wrote many of the tunes). But without his or Miller's permission, it was remixed before release. Hence it features on CD2 twice – the released mix first and now the previously unreleased original version second (different running order too and eleven tracks instead of twelve). One of my favourites is "A Fool" – the new version brings the guitars, percussion and brass solo to the front more and also lessens the hiss levels that were on the released version. "Trouble" is really clear too – fantastically well done.

 

1975's "The Rock" benefited from the production values of Elliot Mazer (Neil Young and Joni Mitchell) with the songs featuring brass on almost every track with that rock back-beat. Two of my personal craves are the driving boogie of "Hard On The Levee” and the epic Otis Redding type ballad "All My Love To You" (poignant lyrics given his later incapacity and his wife’s devotion to his recovery).

 

A polished production by Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, Pink Floyd) on 1977's "Full House" made the album his most commercial release to date and for me features one his best tracks - the truly fantastic "Be Good To Yourself". Written by Free's Bassist Andy Fraser, it epitomizes what fans love most about Miller - a top tune fronted by a great voice – an uplifting gem that hasn't dated a jot (lyrics above). His cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" is soulful and full on, but his speeding up of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is less successful. "This Love Of Mine" is a soulful brass-driven Stax Records kind of ballad co-written with ace guitarist Robin Trower and is another highlight. Proceedings were also graced with Chris Spedding, Gary Brooker, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick and the brass of The Memphis Horns.

 

1978's "Double Trouble" featured Aerosmith's Steve Tyler playing Harmonica on four and singing Backing Vocals too ("You'll Be In My Mind", "Love Waves", "Love Is All Around" and "Goodnight Sweetheart") as well as songwriting collaborations with Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, Mike & The Mechanics and Solo Career on five songs ("The Train", "You'll Be In My Mind", "Good Time Love", "Love Waves" and "(I Can't) Break Away"). A rocking Free-sounding "Double Heart Trouble" is not surprisingly written by - well - Andy Fraser of Free! Fraser also contributed the cool "Love Is All Around" over on Side 2. Ian Gomm of Brinsley Schwarz and Ray Russell of Rock Workshop and Chopyn provided Guitars while Chris Mercer of The Keef Hartley Band and Gonzalez lent his Saxophone. With two cover versions – the Motown classic "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" originally done by Marvin Gaye and the Spaniels 50t's Doo Wop classic "Goodnight Sweetheart" ending proceedings – it was a typical Frankie Miller album of the late Seventies – originals, contributions and smart song choices.

 

1979's "Falling In Love" (titled "A Perfect Fit" for its American release) features Frankie's biggest hit single "Darlin'", but like 1980's "Easy Money" it all becomes a bit run-of-the-mill – too many average cover versions. The ballad "Good To See You" and the rollicking "Heartbreak Radio" are good though. The LP also featured some great names - Paul Carrack of Ace etc, Terry Britten of The Twilights and Homer, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Fran Byrne and Ed Deane from Bees Make Honey and more (Fran Byrne was also in Ace).

 

1980's "Easy Money" had a distinctly Country Rock Music set of session musicians who are called The Hitmen in the rear sleeve credits. They included the legendary Electric Guitarist Reggie Young of The Memphis Boys and Waylon Jennings Band accompanied by Bobby Thompson of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry on Acoustic. Other Country-Rock names included Bassist Joe Osborn of Michael Nesmith & The First National Band and Session Drummer Larrie Londin who had played with everybody from Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard and would go on to Reba McEntire, Rosanna Cash and loads more. Troy Seals was also listed in the multiple Producers credits.

 

And yet with uncredited Organ and Brass Section on "The Woman In You" – much of this largely forgotten album has a decidedly Funky and Commercial feel – the kind of songs and production that would not have been amiss on an Atlanta Rhythm Section LP or a Dan Penn album out of Muscle Shoals. With his voice in raspy form - "Why Don't You Spend The Night" and "So Young, So Young" go for radio play as does the sappy "Forget About Me" – but much of it sounds ever so slightly tired and reaching. Side 2 opens with more Funky Brass Muscle Shoals sounding Rock-Soul in the shape of "Heartbreak Radio" – a great tune and imbibed with that magic sway of old - the woman Frankie loves done gone and left him with a big fat hit on – yes you guessed it. "Cheap Thrills" and its sleazy lyrics has not dated well – but the chipper almost Kool & The Gang Rock Funk of "Gimme Love" and the big ballad "Tears" rescue the whole LP (it is also one of the worst repro sleeves, the artwork too dark and slightly blurred).

 

The whole Box set ends on a better note as Frankie gets raspy on the Randy Newman gem "Sail Away" – a near five-minute cover version thrown onto CD7 as a Bonus Track – a version that has all but been lost to time from some obscure vinyl EP you never see. Frankly Frank it is better than much of the "Easy Money" LP that can be found on some auction sites for sale at under 80p. This is how we should love our FM – tearing into a great song – his voice and passion giving it wings.

 

Name-checked by Rod Stewart, Phil Lynott, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Kid Rock and too many others to mention – Frankie Miller was possessed of a voice and a way with a song that literally engendered hero worship – and this huge remastered haul finally does his criminally forgotten recorded legacy proper justice.

 

I know the whole listen lags in places (5-star presentation of 4-star material) and you wish there was one genuine masterpiece of an album in there to rant and rave about. But there are loads of top moments, tons of contributions from names I dig and music that makes me smile – and I like that.

 

Like Terry Reid, Long John Baldry, John Martyn and Maggie Bell – this great singer will always be held in genuine affection...

 

PS: ROBIN TROWER and IAN HUNTER in this EURO Series

See also my review for the February 2019 Robin Trower 10CD Clamshell Box Set called "The Studio Albums 1973-1983". It's another like the Frankie Miller reissue above. In July 2010 - EMI put out 2 x 4CD Fat Jewel Cases for Trower - the first called "A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years 1973-1976" on EMI/Chrysalis 642 1542 (Barcode 50999652154226) – and the second - "Father On Up The Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977-1983" on EMI/Chrysalis 301 3862 (Barcode 5099930138629).

 

The 10CD reissue Box Set for "The Studio Albums 1973-1983" does the same - the 8CDs become a 10CD Clamshell Box Set with Ten Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves though unfortunately loses the "Live!" LP and a small number of Bonus Single Sides. 

 

There is also an IAN HUNTER 4CD Remasters Fat Jewel Case called "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981" issued October 2012 in the UK on EMI/Chrysalis 5099923270121 (Barcode (5099923270121). That too has been Reissued in 2019 in EUROPE as "The Albums 1979-1981" with the same Artwork, Remasters and all Bonuses - but again into a Clamshell Box Set with four repro card sleeves on Chrysalis CRB1074 (Barcode 5060516091256). See my separate review...

"Listen Without Prejudice, Vol.1/MTV Unplugged" by GEORGE MICHAEL – His Second Studio Album from September 1990 on Epic Records with (October 2017 UK Sony Music/Epic/Aegean 2CD Reissue/Compilation Digipak with a 1996 MTV Unplugged Concert on CD2 - Ray Staff, John Webber, Neill Flynn and David Austin Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Waiting For That Day..."

 

"...I won't let you down...so don't give me up..."

 

For me George Michael was a fantastic singer-songwriter first and a conflicted gay man second. Frankly, I wish the British Press hadn't spent all those grubby years picking at the it-sells-newspapers scab that was the second.

 

I liked Michael's better-than-anyone-had-expected debut album "Faith" from October 1987 – most of it anyway. But his second album "Listen Without Prejudice, Vol.1" (a year long in the recording process) blew me away. I loved it. This was next level songmanship – sexy and cool – but it had that rarest of things going for it – commerciality with brains and heart. George even sounded like and gave a nod to his mentor and idol Stevie Wonder on that piano-led cover of "They Won't Go When I Go" on Side 1 (originally done by Stevie Wonder on his "Fulfillingness' First Finale" LP for Motown in 1974). Followed by the magnificence of "Something To Save" – the die was cast for me – our Georgios Panayiotou was hitting a musical stride that would shut up all the naysayers and camera creeps with dollar signs in their eyes.

 

But "Listen Without Prejudice, Vol.1" has been crying out for a celebration for decades now and with this October 2017 twofer (a sort of 2CD Deluxe Edition in all but name) – fans finally get something to get their teeth and broken hearts into. Here are the cowboys and angels...

 

UK released 20 October 2017 - "Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1/MTV Unplugged" by GEORGE MICHAEL on Sony Music/Epic/Aegean 8887518052 (Barcode 88875180527) is a 2CD Reissue/Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 Remastered Album (48:19 minutes):

1. Praying For Time [Side 1]

2. Freedom! '90

3. They Won't Go When I Go

4. Something To Save

5. Cowboys And Angels

6. Waiting For That Day [Side 2]

7. Mothers Pride

8. Heal The Pain

9. Soul Free

10. Waiting (Reprise)

Tracks 1 to 10 are his second studio album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1/MTV Unplugged" – released 3 September 1990 in the UK on Epic Records 467295 1 (LP) 4 (MC) 2 (CD). It peaked at No. 1 in the USA and No. 2 in the UK.

 

CD2 MTV Unplugged Remastered (62:12 minutes):

1. Freedom! '90

2. Fastlove

3. I Can't Make You Love Me

4. Father Figure

5. You Have Been Loved

6. Everything She Wants

7. The Strangest Thing

8. Older

9. Star People

10. Praying For Time

 

BONUS TRACK

11. Fantasy featuring NILE RODGERS of CHIC

 

The trifold card digipak offers you new artwork on the front and rear with the famous people-photograph photo used for the original September 1990 release beneath the see-through CD trays on the inside. Many have complained about the glossy 16-page booklet with its impossible-to-read silver print and new liner notes from John Aizlewood done in 2016 when GM was alive – not upgraded given his passing in December 2016. There's some photos of handwritten lyrics, one or two other blurry sheets of photos and the usual reissue credits. But there isn’t a track-by-track on the album (who played what on what – Phil Palmer on Guitar etc) and CD2 barely proffers up anything except titles, writer credits and musicians in his band (no visual DVD either). It's all a tad underwhelming frankly – but then we get the great new sound.

 

The Remasters on the album was carried out at Air Studios by a team of four – RAY STAFF, JOHN WEBBER, NIALL FLYNN and DAVID AUSTIN. Both CDs sound fabulous – the audio on the live "Freedom '90" with his tight band in perfect unison is going to work your speaker-system big time.

 

Clocking up eight-million sales, the album seemed to be chockers with the most unlikely of singles – the anthemic "Praying For Time" hit the streets in August 1990 almost a month before the album came out on 3 September and did the No. 1 slot business almost everywhere. That gem was quickly followed in the UK by the gorgeous "Waiting For That Day" in October 1990 with America opting for "Freedom '90" instead ("Waiting For That Day" used lyrics from The Rolling Stones 1969 'Let It Bleed' album classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want" so Jagger/Richards got a credit on that one).

 

What I personally thought was one of the most accomplished songs on the record and surely a place for him in the pantheons of great Soul-Rock writers - "Heal The Pain" – became a single in February 1991 with a shortened "Cowboy And Angels" following in March 1991. Down under (Australia) even tried the Funk of "Soul Free" over on Side 2 as a single in July 1991 (good for them).

 

If I were to describe CD2 – the MTV offering – it would be class. It's so good it elicits a longing in to have been there. There is a beautifully arranged and played cover of the Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin song made famous by Bonnie Raitt - "I Can't Make You Love Me" (is on her "Luck Of The Draw" album from 1991). Stunning is the only word you can use for it. George then classes up the MTV proceedings with a nugget of his own – the huge array of backing singers giving real oomph to "Father Figure" – and again the band and the audio tight as a nut (Hugh Burns and Danny Jacob are the Guitarists doing such great complimentary work on Acoustics). Michael introduces the ballad "You Have Been Loved" before it goes into gorgeous Flugel Horn and softly arranged Strings – another clever choice and again reeking of suave.

 

George gives the crowd only one Wham song - "Everything She Wants" – and it swings sexy as lyrics talk about the perfect girl wanting what she cannot get – the backing singers lifting it up into Luther Vandross on fire material. He then brings it home with newer material – the Middle Eastern smooth of "The Strangest Thing" and the deeply autobiographical "Older" – both immaculate in their presentation (did that Trumpet). On a slightly lighter note, he introduces "Star People" and then gets the crowd to clap hands and boogie along (mama gave you up to the Funk of the Average White Band). George uses the funkier '97 version re-recorded for the single rather than the slower album cut. It ends on another winner – a huge orchestra sashaying in "Praying For Time" – so good – so damn classy. Coming after the professionalism of the live set, the Fantasy track with Rodgers feels like studio trickery that does no one any favours. It loud and garish and completely incongruous to what went before. But it is only a minor glitch on an otherwise deeply impressive two-disc listen.

 

George passed Christmas Day 2016 and when you hear his passionate vocal cry in the acoustic 'Reprise' version of "Waiting For That Day" that tail ends the original album, you just wish he had indeed gotten that second chance (God stopped keeping score).

 

A beautiful artist then and even if this twofer CD reissue could have been better presented - where it matters (music and audio) – it gives his considerable musical legacy a nod of a immaculate fedora...

"Electric Warrior" by T. REX – Second Album as T.Rex from September 1971 on Fly Records (UK) featuring Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn with guests Ian McDonald (of King Crimson), Rick Wakeman (of Yes) with Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman of The Turtles aka Flo & Eddie (January 2012 UK Universal/A&M/Fly Records 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD Reissue with 4 Bonus Tracks On CD1 and 21 Previously Unreleased Bonuses on CD2 - Tony Visconti, Paschal Byrne and Ben Wiseman Remasters)

 

2012 '40th Anniversary' 2CD DELUXE EDITION

 

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2012 '40th Anniversary' 1CD  Standard 'Expanded Edition' 
 

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"...Get It On..."

 

Losing my lovingly kept vinyl copy of the Rex's iconic "Electric Warrior" with the 'sticker' on the front cover (inner and poster inside too) a few years back has remained one of my big LP regrets over the years (needs must at the time and it had to be done). The British album on Fly Records sold loads (sleeve by Hipgnosis) - but for some reasons copies of an original with the sticker still intact (on the front sleeve) are stupidly rare – more than most fans know.

 

Fast forward to a '40th Anniversary' Reissue campaign and we get two variants of "Electric Warrior" for UK issue in April 2012 - a Single Expanded Edition CD with Four Bonus Tracks (Universal 533 780-1 - Barcode 600753378014) and a '2CD Deluxe Edition' with a Second Disc of 21 Previously Unreleased Demos and Outtakes from the 1971 sessions (Catalogue number below). Original Producer Tony Visconti has been involved in the Remaster process for the 11-Track 1971 album on CD1 whilst trusted Audio Engineer names like Paschal Byrne and Ben Wiseman handled the 25-track remastered remainder across both CDs. They sound huge - especially the shockingly good CD2.

 

These 40th Anniversary 2012 reissues have even reached out to fans and knowledgeable types who have provided loads of memorabilia for the lovely 24-page booklet. Both issues have their worth, whilst for me the 2CD DE variant has issues. Time to 'Get It On' and indeed 'Bang A Gong' for the original Jeepsters - T.REX. Here are the Glam Rock details...

 

UK released 17 April 2012 (1 May 2012 in the USA) – "Electric Warrior" by T.REX on Universal/A&M/Fly 533 780-0 (Barcode 600753378007) is an 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD Reissue (40^th Anniversary) that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (55:58 minutes):

The Original Album

1. Mambo Sun (3:36 minutes) [Side 1]

2. Cosmic Dancer (4:26 minutes)

3. Jeepster (4:07 minutes)

4. Monolith (3:45 minutes)

5. Lean Woman Blues (2:59 minutes)

6. Get It On (4:22 minutes) [Side 2]

7. Planet Queen (3:10 minutes)

8. Girl (2:29 minutes)

9. The Motivator (3:56 minutes)

10. Life's A Gas (2:23 minutes)

11. Rip Off (3:39 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 11 are the 2nd album "Electric Warrior" by T. REX (formerly known as Tyrannosaurus Rex for four previous LPs on Regal Zonophone Records) – released 24 September 1971 in the UK on Fly Records HIFLY 6 and in the USA on Reprise RS 6466. It peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 32 in the USA.

 

T. REX was:

MARC BOLAN – Vocals and Guitars

MICKEY FINN – Vocals and Percussion

IAN McDONALD – Saxophones (of King Crimson)

BURT COLLINS - Flugel Horn

STEVE CURRIE – Bass

WILL LEGEND – Drums

 

HOWARD KAYLAN & MARK VOLMAN [aka Flo & Eddie] – Backing Vocals

RICK WAKEMAN (of Yes) – Piano on "Get It On" (uncredited)

STRING SECTION – Uncredited

 

BONUS TRACKS:

Singles 'A' & 'B' Sides

12. There Was A Time/Raw Ramp (B-side of "Get It On" – UK 7" single released 2 July 1971 on Fly Records BUG 10). Although listed as a two-part B-side in the title, it has in fact three distinct musical sections with the uncredited Part 3 sometimes known as "Electric Boogie" because of the lyrics. "Get It On" peaked at No. 1 in the UK charts and was billed as "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" in the USA on Reprise 1032 when it was released December 1971. It entered the US Billboard Singles charts 29 January 1972 and peaked at No. 10 a few weeks later. It was the only chart single in the USA for T.Rex – a stark contrast to his huge chart status in the UK.

 

13. Hot Love (Non-Album A-side – UK 7" single released 19 February 1971 on Fly Records BUG 6) – peaked at No. 1 on the UK singles charts

 

14. Woodland Rock (1 of 2 Non-Album B-sides to "Hot Love" – UK 7" single released 19 February 1971 on Fly Records BUG 6) – peaked at No. 1 on the UK singles charts

 

15. The King Of The Mountain Cometh (2 of 2 Non-Album B-sides to "Hot Love" – UK 7" single released 19 February 1971 on Fly Records BUG 6) – peaked at No. 1 on the UK singles charts

 

CD2 (60:32 minutes):

Demos & Out-Takes: Previously Unreleased

1. Electric Warrior Poem (0:21 minutes)

2. Mambo Sun (3:49 minutes, instrumental only)

3. Cosmic Dancer (4:26 minutes)

4. Jeepster (4:18 minutes)

5. Monolith (2:23 minutes)

6. Lean Woman Blues (3:05 minutes, Take 10)

7. Get It On (5:48 minutes, Extended Version with Different Ending)

8. Planet Queen (2:56 minutes)

9. Girl (2:29 minutes)

10. The Motivator (3:57 minutes)

11. Life's A Gas (3:32 minutes, with studio dialogue and false start)

12. Rip Off (3:18 minutes)

13. Raw Ramp (2:21 minutes)

14. Electric Boogie (2:06 minutes)

15. Untitled Instrumental aka A Lot Of Rubbish (1:35 minutes)

16. Honey Don't (3:23 minutes, Carl Perkins cover version)

17. Planet Queen (2:25 minutes)

18. Girl (0:38 minutes)

19. Jeepster (2:34 minutes)

20. Get It On (3:15 minutes, Acoustic Demo)

21. Electric Warrior Poem and Radio Advert (0:58 minutes)

 

The packaging is a mixed bag for me - great in some ways but infuriating in others and something of a missed opportunity. The original issues by Universal of their 2CD DELUXE EDITION series (as most fans will know) came with outer plastic slipcases that protected and gave shape to the multiple gatefold card digipak contained within. Around the time of the Thin Lizzy 2CD DE Reissues, Universal suddenly decided to ditch those slipcases and just put a 2CD DELUXE EDITION Bandana around the card digipak at the bottom (aping the look of old) and left it at that. What this does essentially is to make them instantly vulnerable to damage and crushing. And as the glossy dark cover of "Electric Warrior" is so stark, it immediately starts creasing and getting finger marks no matter what way you handle it. In short, any genuine visual impact of an event release is lost.

 

Let’s however deal with what we do have – compare the single with the double too. The first thing you notice about the 2CD DE Variant is that the lyrics are reproduced on the inner flaps as you open the DE seal – they are not in the Single Disc variant. The 24-page booklet however is in both – no differences. Cleverly too, CD1 has the Bolan and Finn photo that graced one side of the original LP label - while CD2 has the Fly Records logo that graced the other vinyl label side. On the inner four-way fold-out flaps is the beautiful pencil drawings done by George Underwood that were the inner bag of the original 1971 vinyl LP. Reproduced beneath the see-through plastic CD trays are two black and whites of Bolan – both are in the booklet too.

 

The generously outfitted 24-page booklet is a fan's dream – beautifully and smartly laid out. You get updated (new research especially for this 2012 issue) and in-depth liner notes from noted Bolan expert MARK PAYTRESS – as well Melody Maker, NME, Sounds and Beat Instrumental front page repros, snaps of Bolan in the studio, on stage with T.Rex and relaxing (the poster shot). There is the rare sheet music for "Hot Love" and a picture of Bolan by a bus with his girlfriend as well as the George Underwood pencil drawings that were the inner bag (Bolan on one side, Mickey Finn on the other) – they adorn either side of the centre pages. The black and white fold-out 30" x 20" Poster that came with original British LPs is reproduced on Page 4 - and as you turn to Page 2 – you get to see the actual live photo of T.Rex they used to form the front cover artwork. They simply zeroed in on Bolan, his Guitar stance and Stacked Amps behind him, put a Halo Effect around those whilst excluding the rest of the band. It is nice attention to detail to see that photo.

 

But you would have to say that although the 24-page booklet is chunky for all the right reasons (it is used in both the Single CD Edition and this 2CD Deluxe Edition) – it rather stupidly doesn’t mention anything about the entirety of CD2 and its haul of 21 Previously Unreleased outtakes – not one word – clearly written before they were settled on as extras. For instance when you look at Track 2 on CD2, it simply states "Mambo Sun" and nothing else. You play it and it turns out to be Instrumental Only Version minus any vocals and is a fantastic sounding chug with an extended guitar ending (no Take Numbers either). Back to the booklet - there is discussion of the singles "Hot Love" in February 1971 and "Get It On" in May 1971 – both before the album launch of September 1971 – and their rather good Non-LP B-sides – but naught on CD2. And how cool would it have been that the too-easily-crushed plump card digipak was made instead into a Mini LP Sleeve with a protective case (like those Stones reissues on Virgin) with the Sticker 'Free T.Rex Poster Inside' like the original British LP on the Repro, plus the inner-bag and fold-out poster on the inside. Anything that would have made it look like more than the visual anti-climax this DE is. But alas...let’s get to the audio and songs...

 

Original Producer TONY VISCONTI has remastered the album for this issue while the hugely experienced Audio Engineers PASCHAL BYRNE and BEN WISEMAN handled the Bonus Tracks on CD1 and the whole of CD2. All of it sounds renewed and incredibly alive. There are hissy passages for sure but no tampering with the original sound has taken place to my ears - it's just breathing better now. A job sensitively done...

 

Right from the opening guitar chug of "Mambo Sun" – the vocals, the strings and backing singers and those cool swinging guitars – all of it sleeks out of your speakers with the swagger of a man on the up. There is a lot of hiss as "Cosmic Dancer" opens with the Acoustic and Strings – but there's no denying the loveliness of the song. The whack off "Jeepster" is shocking – that foot-stomping guitar boogie still gets me too (another effortless No. 1 single dashed off in his sleep). That lone guitar rip at the beginning of "Monolith" threatens to punch a hole in your speaker cones on this ballsy remaster – the lurching slugger beat somehow now even more epic than I remember it ("...shallow are the actions of the children of the men...oh yeah!") Side 1 ends with "Lean Woman Blues" – a one two and buckle my shoe set of Bolan Blues where he bemoans his lady's 'lean love' while those guitars riff and groan ("...you're the love of my life...then you gorge me with a knife...")

 

What can you say about "Get It On" - a winner to this day. I was a kid in Dublin 1971 and we'd gone with the scouts to Todd Vale Camp Site near Liverpool in England for a summer outing. On the site someone had a portable singles deck and the rare picture sleeve of "Get It On". Sun shining down – campfires nearby cooking dinner - bopping to that infectious beat - man we must played that sucker nine times in a row (the memory still sends chills up my arms). And here it is again with that fabulous Visconti production only better – bang a gong baby! Many peoples other fave is the slinky Acoustic Rock of "Planet Queen" – a great Bolan groove. Burt Collins provides the Flugel Horn for the pretty "Girl" – a song where Marc sounds most like Bowie - who would of course release "Hunky Dory" in December of that great year (1971). More cool Bolan riffage with the "...love the way you walk..." groove of "The Motivator" – while both 'Life's A Gas" and the angry live-in-the-studio "Rip Off" have healthy amounts of hiss for sure but still sound like they've been given a right old dust off - unleashed even.

 

What I also love about this reissue is that the Bonus Tracks provide you with four truly great non-album single sides – “Woodland Rock” and "The King of The Woodland Cometh" like some Tyrannosaurus Rex boogie outtakes, the so sexy sway of "Hot Love" and that amazing 3-part B-side to "Get It On". I’ve even isolated "Electric Boogie" as a track by itself (begins at 3:23 minutes) – what a blast. But those are blow out of the water by two truly fantastic additions to the album’s legend – a raucous dirty-dirty "Lean Woman Blues" and an extended 5:48 minute version of "Get It On". Much of the stunning hubcap diamond star halo version of "Get It On" that we know and love is all here - but there are other bits – guitars and vocals that amaze – yelps and those strings – and we finally get to hear where the fade-out ending guitar notes goes – so damn cool. And again – the Audio is fabulous.

 

CD2 offers up a fabulous and at times shockingly good/cool insight into the whole song-building process – Bolan dancing himself into the tomb on the early version of "Cosmic Dancer" – all acoustic guitars and drums – alive like early Bowie circa Hunky Dory. "Jeepster" has a slightly rougher vocal and you can really hear those foot stamps (upon your frozen cheeks) and a sexy breakdown ending full of raw power. When you hear the rough and ready guitar wallop of "Rip Off" in its instrumental form – you realize that the album was perhaps going to be more Bowie goes Rock than Bolan goes Beltane (love that guitar ending where he just feeds back the notes). Take 2 of "Electric Boogie" (third part of  single B-side, see CD1) is preceded by some studio vocals but isn't as good as the final single mix. Speaking of "Electric Boogie" - the version here soon descends into that fantastic riffage which only makes me think that "Electric Boogie" would have ended a great album even better. The unreleased instrumental is a kind of meaningless ramble (disappointing) and the cover of the Carl Perkins classic "Honey Don't" feels like a Stray Cats outtake with someone sounding like Ringo Starr giving it some backing vocals. And again to hear an early acoustic demo of "Get It On" – you can hear the hit it would become already there with its sexy sway and great lyrics. Bang a gong indeed...

 

Marc Bolan would go on to "The Slider" and "Tanx" albums in 1972 and 1973 in the height of Seventies Bolanmania (and so much more) until his sad loss in London in 1977 in a car accident. But "Electric Warrior" is the one in the hearts of his original fans – that otherworld creature with his wild hair, beautiful face, affected vocals and fabulous guitar hooks.

 

As Bolan sang in the irrepressible Jeepster - "...I'll call you a jaguar if I may be so bold..." Amen to that you slinky mother...