"Another Great Record From The Damned: The Best Of The Damned" by THE DAMNED – November 1981 UK Third Album on Ace Records – Also Their First LP Compilation Gathering Together Tracks from 1976 to 1980 on Stiff, Chiswick, Poker and Polydor Records – Band Included Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Brian James and Rat Scabies with Producers Nick Lowe, Roger Armstrong and Hans Zimmer (September 2023 UK Ace Records CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Rating: *****

"...Smash It Up..."

 

To have the accolade of releasing the first UK Punk 45-Single is a nice notch on the old career belt.

 

It happened on the 22nd of October 1976 when The Damned whipped-cream out their debut seven-inch on Stiff Records BUY 6 (only the fledgling label's sixth release) – beating The Sex Pistols by mere weeks when those delightfully woke reprobates bludgeoned British eardrums with the Establishment pants-peeing joy that is "Anarchy In The U.K." on 26 November 1976 (Virgin Records).

 

Such sweet memories... Though I suppose, reaching back to the equally rowdy and snotty sounds of say seven or eight years earlier (The Stooges in 1969 and 1970 for example would be a good starting point) - you could probably argue that historical claim of it was us that issued the first-Punk-Rock single my son until the proverbial cash cows come a hip-swaying home. But here in September 2023 (the time of this reissue) – The Damned are still around and a touring event – which is nothing short of a physical and mental miracle given the larger-than-haystacks characters involved. And that's where this rather tasty reissue-reminder comes a swaggering in – reacquainting us with the bad boys in ripped shirts who got their first.

 

Technically their third album - "Another Great Record From The Damned: The Best Of The Damned" was originally a 12-track Ace Records compilation issued early November 1981. It gathered together singles, album tracks and rarities from 1976 to 1980 (including Non-LP B-sides and one Withdrawn 45). Since then – it has actually become a release fans love – the perfect encapsulation of Punk and New Wave Damned transitioning to a different sounding future on Side 2. Here are the newly remastered old New Roses...

 

UK released Friday, 29 September 2023 - "Another Great Record From The Damned: The Best Of The Damned" by THE DAMNED on Ace Records CDDAM 1 (Barcode 029667030120) is A Straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster (no Bonuses) that plays out as follows (41:25 minutes):

 

Side 1:

1. New Rose (22 October 1976 UK 45-single on Stiff Records BUY 6, A-side)

2. Love Song (20 April 1979 UK 45-single on Chiswick Records CHIS 112, A-side)

3. Neat Neat Neat (25 February 1977 UK 45-single on Stiff BUY 10, A-side)

4. I Just Can't Be Happy Today (16 November 1979 UK 45-single on Chiswick CHIS 120, A-side)

5. Jet Set – Jet Girl [by Captain Sensible & The Softies] (8 April 1978 Dutch 45-single on Poker POS 15077, A-side – and – 1978 German 45-single on Polydor 2040 200, A-side)

6. Hit Or Miss (24 November 1980 UK 45-single on Chiswick Records CHIS 139, Second Track on the A-side of "There Ain't No Sanity Clause") – see also Track 7

7. There Ain't No Sanity Clause (24 November 1980 UK 45-single on Chiswick Records CHIS 139, First Track of Two on the A-side – see also Track 6

 

Side 2:

8. Smash It Up Parts 1 & 2 (LP version from the album "Machine Gun Etiquette" released November 1979 in the UK on Chiswick Records CWK 3011)

9. Plan 9 Channel 7 (from the album "Machine Gun Etiquette" released November 1979 in the UK on Chiswick Records CWK 3011)

10. Rabid (Over You) (June 1980 WITHDRAWN UK 45-single on Chiswick CHIS 130, Would have been the First B-side to "White Rabbit")

11. Wait For The Blackout (from the 2LP set "The Black Album" released November 1980 in the UK on Chiswick CWK 3015)

12. History Of The World Part 1 (22 September 1980 UK 45-single on Chiswick Records CHIS 135, A-side)

 

Tracks 1 to 12 are their third album (first compilation) "Another Great Record From The Damned: The Best Of The Damned" – released 13 November 1981 in the UK on Ace Records DAM 1. It peaked at No. 43 in the UK LP charts. Tracks 1 and 3 produced by NICK LOWE, Track 5 by JAN RIETMAN, Track 12 by HANS ZIMMER – all others by ROGER ARMSTRONG

 

THE DAMNED were/are:

DAVE VANIAN – Vocals

BRIAN JAMES – Guitars

CAPTAIN SENSIBLE (Ray Burns) – Bass, Guitars and Vocals

RAT SCABIES (Chris Millar) – Drums

 

Regular contributor to Record Collector Magazine IAN SHIRLEY does an absolute bang-up job in the 20-page booklet – the text peppered with period photos, 45-single labels for Chiswick and Stiff, black and coloured vinyl, concert posters, trade adverts, Indie chart lists of the day and much more. Shirley is thorough covering the area the LP touches on – 1976 to 1980. You get an advert for the edited "Smash It Up" (released Friday, 12 October 1979) and taken from the album due 9 November (this CD uses the full LP version). There is even an advert for the Cassette of the album "Another Great Record From The Damned: The Best Of The Damned" released 29 January 1982 (Ace Records DAMC 1) at a cheaper dealer price. Although technically it does not say who mastered what or where – the Audio is huge and ballsy and feels like a new Remaster to me – probably Nick Robbins or Duncan Cowell. To the prime-ribs...

 

Coming after the ill perceived and poorly executed second album "Music For Pleasure" (produced by a disinterested Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and complete with perceived Prog Rock artwork that would have wound up every disciple) – the return to basics savagery of "Another Great Records From The Damned: The Best Of The Damned" lured back in some of the party faithful. And after the no-love pasting the band got from both the press and the public for Platter No.2, there was more than a hint of irony in its compilation title – another great record... But then you play the beast and it Rocks like a Peaky Blinder in a Birmingham bar come closing time.

 

Lining up the explosive statement song "New Rose" with the grungy trashing "Love Song" only to follow that with the Punk-on-Speed "Neat Neat Neat" on Side 1 is a masterstroke and suddenly - "Another Great Record From The Damned..." feels true to its tongue-in-cheek title. Smartly toning the barrage down to the sophisticated Keyboard New Wave of "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" – its 1979 origins fit right in. The Sensible Euro-Single gives it some oh-who-who like he's suddenly Plastic Bertrand – but again it works – like it was always meant to be there. Side 1 ends on restless Rockers aplenty – cream of them being "Hit Or Miss" for me – dig the remaster power in that fantastic geetar solo and the one that follows. Recorded in a bucket looms with "There Ain't No Sanity Clause" – angry lyrics spoken and snarled throughout – a great piece of rage at the machine turned into a take-no-prisoners anthem.

 

Side 2 opens with an LP version - The Damned do 5:11 minutes songs! Just when you think you have them nailed down as a straight-up British Punk Band – The Damned hit you with the LP cut of "Smash It Up Parts 1 & 2" – a tune that could be The Jam or The New York Dolls meets Graham Parker – a very clever choice and a song that showed they could grow but still retain that 1976/1977 fire in the belly. Same applies to the huge guitars of "Plan 9 Channel 7" – another LP cut that works – riffage and counter vocals that work so well. The withdrawn single is a Stranglers-sounding gem few Damned fans would have had access to at the time. And while "Rabid (Over You)" might be a tad under-produced – it still packs a band-unleashed punch. More rocking comes in the shape of "Wait For The Blackout" – our heroes in a basement flat waiting for the night. Sounding a little too close to a bad Toto or The Cars, the LP ends on "History Of The World Part 1" - a pointer to a more musically exploratory future.

 

The road from the kick-the-doors-down and basic-as-buttons debut album "Damned Damned Damned" in February 1977 to an expansive "The Black Album" double-set in November 1980 is documented here – Side 2 veering not surprisingly towards their future and newish slightly Prog-ish sound.

 

But in the meantime what a little gem "Another Great Records From The Damned: The Best Of The Damned" is. And earlier in July 2023 – the Vinyl variant of this Reissued LP on Ace Records DAM 1 (Barcode 029667017114) issued 30 June 2023 made No.19 on the Indie Top 100 charts. Almost 45 years on - and still got it...

"Hypnotised" by THE UNDERTONES – April 1980 UK Second Studio Album on Sire Records featuring Feargal Sharkey, Damian and John O'Neill, Michael Bradley and Billy Doherty (June 2009 UK Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music '30th Anniversary Edition' Enhanced And Expanded CD Reissue and Remaster with Bonus Tracks and Computer Accessed Video Content) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Rating ****

"…More Songs About Chocolate And Girls…"

 

The display sticker on the front cover of the card slipcase that accompanies this 30^th Anniversary Edition of the mighty Undertones second studio album "Hypnotised" (April 1980 on Sire Records) declares them as being 'Ireland's Greatest Ever Band'. Not so sure about that - Thin Lizzy, U2, Horslips, Hothouse Flowers, The Bothy Band, Skid Row with a young Gary Moore, The Boomtown Rats, The Cranberries, Planxty, The Corrs, My Bloody Valentine, Clannad, The Frames, De Danaan etc. But then again (and like so many who lived through their fabulous singles history) - I only have to look at their name and album covers – and I'm a mushball.

 

Their blindingly good self-titled debut "The Undertones" made the 'Q' Magazine's "100 Greatest British Albums" list and Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music did the expanded 30^th Anniversary Edition CD reissue and Remaster business by that much-loved album in April 2009 (see separate review).

 

Well here comes round two - "Hypnotised" resplendent in another card slipcase – an Enhanced CD with 21 audio tracks and a Video of the hugely popular single "My Perfect Cousin" tagged on as Track 22 (accessible through your computer). Digitally Remastered by one of my fave Audio Engineers ANDY PEARCE and I am a very happy Wednesday Week Whizz Kid indeed. So here are More Songs About Chocolate And Girls…

 

UK released 8 June 2009 - "Hypnotised" by THE UNDERTONES on Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music SALVOCD026 (Barcode 698458812629) is an 30^th Anniversary Edition Expanded CD Reissue and Remaster of their second studio album from April 1980 that breaks down as follows (52:06 minutes):

 

1. More Songs About Chocolate And Girls [Side 1]

2. There Goes Norman

3. Hypnotised

4. Save That Girl

5. Whizz Kids

6. Under The Boardwalk

7. The Way Girls Talk

8. Hard Luck

9. My Perfect Cousin [Side 2]

10. Boys Will Be Boys

11. Tearproof

12. Wednesday Week

13. Nine Times Out Of Ten

14. Girls That Don't Talk

15. What's With Terry

Tracks 1 to 15 are their second studio album "Hypnotised" – released 19 April 1980 in the UK on Sire Records SRK 6088.

 

BONUS TRACKS

16. Hard Luck (Again)

17. I Don't Wanna See You Again

Tracks 16 and 17 are the two Non-LP B-sides of "My Perfect Cousin", 28 March 1980 UK 45-single on Sire SIR 4038

 

18. I Told You So

Track 18 is the Non-LP B-side of "Wednesday Week", 27 June 1980 UK 45-single on Sire SIR 4042

 

19. The Positive Touch

20. You're Welcome

21. When Saturday Comes

Tracks 19 to 21 were recorded 16 November 1980 at Eden Studio in London for the John Peel Sessions at the BBC (Peel Session No. 5) – first broadcast 9 December 1980. All three also appear on the 2004 UK CD compilation "Listening In (Radio Sessions 1978-1982)" by The Undertones on Sanctuary SANCD179

 

ENHANCED CD (Computer Access Only)

22. My Perfect Cousin – Video Directed by Julien Temple for Jon Roseman Television in Derry, Northern Ireland

 

As you can see from the lists above this Salvo/Ardeck/Union Square Music issue has 21 audio tracks plus 1 video track tagged on at the end. There's also a new card wrap outside the jewel case using the original LP artwork, a 20-page booklet inside which pictures ticket stubs, buttons, 7" sleeves and band photos - and there's detailed and witty liner notes by their bass player MICHAEL BRADLEY. Bradley talks of being in America with Joe Strummer of The Clash and touring with Chess Records legend Bo Diddley. He also gives backgrounds into the song creations of tunes for the difficult second album. Bradley remembers praise from David Byrne of Talking Heads who had their album "Fear Of Music" out at the time (also on Sire Records) and so the jagged-rhythms bopper that opens the LP ("More Songs About Chocolate And Girls") is a word-tribute to a band The Undertones admired. There is discussion on the LP's breakfast photo cover (taken in New York on Tour), the Lobster logo, John and Damian O'Neill running out of songs during the sessions and frantic touring schedules – reaching back to Soul compilations for cover versions they could mold into an Undertones song (The Drifters – "Under The Boardwalk") etc. It is a very entertaining yet factual and lighthearted read – Bradley clearly recalling the excitement with glee and pride.

 

The remastering has been done by ANDY PEARCE at Masterpiece and is fantastically clear, really clean and in your face. As a downside, it would have been nice to hear more from either their great frontman and singer FEARGAL SHARKEY or especially JOHN O'NEILL - the band's principal songwriter. Bradley makes quoted reference to them, but their input would have made the whole project better.

 

The self-titled debut had managed a peak UK LP chart position of No.13, so the second LP achieving a No. 6 peak was a clear sign that the band was darlings of both the press and the public. A lot less time and a lot more care, Sharkey and Co sang on the opener "More Songs About Chocolate And Girls" – but better is the racier "There Goes Norman" – a boy busy running after the ladies whilst having the other eye on the valuables in your jacket pockets. Sharkey sounds amazing on the title track "Hypnotised" – and those guitars riffing away as we hear of trances when our hero looks in her eyes. I used to go straight to "Whizz Kids" – a fantastic Undertones crazed rocker – success gone to the heads of big talkers.

 

You would not think a cover of a Drifters classic would suit The Undertones from Derry – but they New Wave it up via Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson – all bass and jagged guitars thrashing about as Fergal sings of falling in love as he and his gal cruise the strip. An album gem comes in the shape of the kiss-shy lad in "The Way Girls Talk" – a typically smart Undertones tune with sharp lyrics about teenage angst. The side romps home with a Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman-type RAK Records drums and guitar riffer called "Hard Luck" (go Suzi Quatro) – a great track.

 

Side 2 opens with the brilliant (and funny) "My Perfect Cousin" - probably the song that most engendered the whole of Britain to The Undertones. Even now I never tire of it. The perfect Rock-meets-New Wave sound continues twofold with "Boys Will Be Boys" seguing into the not-so-nice-girl haunting "Tearproof" with that Bass in yer face. Apparently the boys predicted the exact chart position of the single "Wednesday Week" after they wrote it – a No.11- and it did just that – went to number eleven. Bradley puts it down to the Summer Strike in 1980 TV (no Top Of The Pops) so that the song made it up the charts on the strength of strong radio play and not what the public saw on telly. One of the first four songs written for the album, "Nine Times Out of Ten" is a slow riffage moocher with a catchy chorus. The side ends strongly with the very cool "Girls That Don't Talk" – a tune The Clash might have been proud of – and then the final hurrah – an acoustic intro that leads into Talking Heads guitars as Feargal worries about Terry and his troubles with his glasses and a dodgy personality behind the motley lot.

 

The great thing about British 45s in 1978 and 1979 was the quality of the B-sides – something bands even thought of as a showcase platform – both sides are good and not just the A. And so the two on the flipside of "My Perfect Cousin" come in after a few seconds delay to signify the end of the album and the beginning of the Bonuses – first up is the largely instrumental "Hard Luck (Again)" - a riffer that is almost too good to be relegated to a B-side had some cool words have been put to it. Even better is the belter "I Told You So" that occupied the B-side of the underrated "Wednesday Week" – a two-minute Rock and Rolling slice of Undertones punkiness – followed by three very well recorded three for John Peel – the best for me being "When Saturday Comes".

 

While "Hypnotised" is no masterpiece in anyone's books (a solid 4-stars) - this is nonetheless a very cool CD Reissue with Extras that genuinely lift up an already good second album into something actually resembling an Anniversary Edition in more than name. 

 

The Undertones may not be Ireland's greatest band (in my opinion) - but Derry's finest are held in huge affection by so many music lovers and not without reason. Them were the days and they were one of the bands that made them so bloody enjoyable...

"White Light/Roadmaster" by GENE CLARK – August 1971 US/UK Second Solo LP [ex Byrds, Dillard & Clark] on A&M Records and January 1973 Dutch-Only Third LP on A&M Records featuring Guitarists Jesse Ed Davis and John Selk, Keyboards by Ben Sidran and Michael Utley, Bass by Chris Ethridge with Drums and Percussion by Bobbye Hall Porter and Gary Mallaber – Also Featuring David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, Clarence White and Bernie Leadon of Eagles and many more (May 2023 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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Rating: ****

 

"...Let Your Troubles Fade Into The Sun..."

 

There seems to be a train of thought that places Gene Clark of The Byrds, Dillard and Clark and The Flying Burrito Bros. fame up there with holy men and Godheads when it comes to songwriting genius. I think that's absolute codswallop.

 

Neither of these is his masterpiece "No Other" (from 1974). But it would also be churlish of me not to state the obvious - there is beauty and charm on his second and third solo albums – but just not as much as so many claim. Certain publications assuring us then or now that Gene Clark is among the greatest songwriters of his generation are to me ludicrously over-pushed and over-stated – especially on the strength of what's on offer here.

 

However (and I mean this) - what you do have here is a Quality Reissue CD Compilation that will make many of his Country-Rock and Folk-Rock fans very happy bunnies indeed. In fact – you could say that waiting until May 2023 for this 2LPs-onto-1Disc has seemed a long time coming. 

 

But typical of Beat Goes On Records (BGO of England) – they've done his legacy proud and presented these August 1971 and January 1973 albums (both on A&M Records – the second out of Holland only) with a pretty card slipcase, liner notes that reprouduce all original details and draws on research of old, and sports newly Remastered Audio (care of Andrew Thompson) that finally makes for the best listen of this material that I have ever heard. Here are the Misty Mornings...

 

UK released Friday, 26 May 2023 - "White Light/Roadmaster" by GENE CLARK on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1494 (Barcode 5017261214942) features 2LPs issued 1971 and 1973 Remastered onto 1CD (no Bonuses) that plays out as follows (75:00 minutes):

 

1. The Virgin [Side 1]

2. With Tomorrow

3. White Light

4. Because Of You

5. One in A Hundred

6. For A Spanish Guitar [Side 2]

7. Where My Love Lies Asleep

8. Tears Of Rage

9. 1975

Tracks 1 to 9 are his second solo album (after The Byrds, Dillard & Clark and The Flying Burrito Brothers) "White Light" aka "Gene Clark" – released August 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4292 and A&M Records AMLS 64292. All songs written by Gene Clark except "With Tomorrow" – a co-write with Jesse Davis – and "Tears Of Rage" by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel (of The Band). Produced by JESSE ED DAVIS – the band consisted of Gene Clark on Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar and Harmonica, Electric and Slide Guitars by Jesse Ed Davis, Acoustic Guitar by John Selk, Keyboards by Ben Sidran (Piano) and Michael Utley (Organ), Bass by Chris Ethridge with Drums and Percussion by Gary Mallaber and Bobbye Hall Porter. Both Bed Sidran and Gary Mallaber are from The Steve Miller Band.

 

10. She's The Kind Of Girl [Side 1]

11. One in A Hundred

12. Here Tonight

13. Full Circle Song

14. In A Misty Morning

15. Rough And Rocky

16. Roadmaster [Side 2]

17. I Really Don't Want To Know

18. Remember The Railroad

19. She Don't Care About Time

20. Shooting Star

Tracks 10 to 20 are his third solo album "Roadmaster" – released January 1973 in Holland-only on A&M Records 87 584 IT. It received its first British VINYL LP release August 1988 on Edsel ED 198 in different artwork and subsequently on CD June 1990 on Edsel ED CD 198 (again with the different artwork – Gene in the front seat of a car).

 

The card slipcase and 20-page booklet certainly lend this release a feel of event and that both albums have transferred in their entirety onto 1 CD (75:00 minutes exactly) is pleasing too. Long-time contributor to BGO liner notes JOHN O’REGAN name-checks web sources and does a full career overview and not just on the two presented. Perusing the notes, I've read some of this stuff before - Clark's life being the stuff of abuse and misuse legend. 

 

Missouri born in November 1941 – Gene Clark was gone by May 1991 - not even making his 50^th birthday – yet he left a musical thumbprint we're still flicking through to this day. One of the Byrds founders – we're told of a hasty departure in 1966 (Roger McGuinn taking over) and thereafter hooking up with Chip Douglas and other Country-fied types. Columbia Records signed Clark as solo act and his 1967 debut with The Gosdin Brothers hit the shops as his first solo album. What you're getting here is solo albums two and three - both studio efforts - the second a sort of half-done patchwork recorded 1971-ish in the USA that was released by A&M Records anyway in early 1973, but only in Europe. And while the music press were generally favorable even fawning, because of its seriously limited nature on Vinyl, the buying public barely got a look in on "Roadmaster" let alone sung its praises.

 

The booklet provides musician credits for both albums (no new photos) and the Remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON accessed original master tapes. The Harmonica and strummed Acoustics on "White Light" is lovely and warm while the Production values on "Because Of You" is gorgeous – those soft Congas by Bobbye Hall Porter and that lingering Mike Utley church organ. Many love "One In A Hundred" – Jesse Ed David and Mike Utley giving it a fantastic one-two on Slide Guitar and complimentary Organ – Clark warbling the vocals. No less than Dylan called "For A Spanish Guitar" a masterpiece he wishes he'd written himself – the laughter of children employed – a very sweet Remaster as the instruments wallow around your speakers. And "Where My Love Lies Asleep" could be whipper-will J.J. Cale on "Magnolia". But I can't say I have much truck with either "Tears Of Rage" or "1975" (there is something lacking in the guitars, even the Remastered sound feels off). Still - totting up what I do like - "White Light" is such a strong album.

 

Clark had left A&M Records in late 1972 for a reunion with the five others in the Byrds. Their self-titled "Byrds" reunion album (of which much was expected and not a lot delivered) was released on Asylum Records in March 1973 – so few even noticed the bits and pieces 1972-recordings solo album by Gene Clark issued in Holland-only in January 1973. In fact "Roadmaster" famously received a release in 1974 in Japan before Reissue Specialists Edsel Records gave it a wallop in the UK in 1988 (and in different artwork). In truth – both albums have remained cult singer-songwriter touchstones ever since and it is well cool of Beat Goes on (BGO) to finally pair both of them on one compilation with quality presentation.

 

Gene Clark sings Lead Vocals on all "Roadmaster" songs and Plays Acoustic Guitar on Tracks 14 to 20. Guest Musicians included Bud Shank playing low-key Flute on the album opener "She's The Kind Of Girl". Guitars from ex Byrds men David Crosby and Roger McGuinn on "She's The Kind Of Girl" and "One In A Hundred" – while Clarence White provides Lead Guitar on tracks 14 to 20 including the remade version of "One In A Hundred" (original version on the "White Light" album). Both Spooner Oldham of Muscle Shoals and Fame Studios and Byron Berline of The Flying Burrito Bros play Keyboards and Fiddle (respectively) on Tracks 14 to 20 - while ex Byrds drummer Michael Clarke plays on all. Rick Roberts of The Flying Burrito Bros and Firefall plays Acoustic Guitar on "Here Tonight" alongside Bernie Leadon of Eagles who plays Electric Guitar on the same song. "Rough And Rocky" is a Flatt & Scruggs cover version while "I Really Don't Want To Know" was popularized in 1953 by Les Paul and Mary Ford and has been covered many times since including by Elvis Presley, Brook Benton and even John Travolta.

 

With Crosby and especially McGuinn playing that pinging guitar sound of the Byrds on "She's The Kind Of Girl" and a more attacking "One in A Hundred" – the LP opens like its an actual next-stage Byrds LP. But we return to a more Country-Rock vibe with the Pedal Steel driven "Here Tonight" – the suitcase is over there – not being used – only want to be with you tonight. Far more moving in my book is the simple yet epic acoustic-strummed forlorn of "In A Misty Morning" – our hero eyeing the tall buildings of the city – police cruisers whizzing by – street lights changing – memories of days left behind – hoping for better times ahead as he walks – lost in reverie.

 

Muscle Shoals legend and fab-songwriter in his own right Spooner Oldham starts making his complimentary presence felt with Funky Keyboards on the title song – the truck-stop/ladies tale "Roadmaster". But it also Clarence White letting rip with treated Guitar Funk that catches the ear – a travelling picker literally making you feel what it is like to be on the road.

 

"Just to laugh through the columns of trees...to soar like a seagull in the breeze...to stand in the rain if you please...or to never be found..." Clark sang with a mournful longing on "For A Spanish Guitar". 

 

Gene never did find that peace in this world – but fans of his Big Star jangle and Byrds-like Sunshine Country-Rock can console themselves with the melodies and presentation here. Another clever and smartly presented CD compilation from England's BGO...fans will have to own it...