"Back To The River: More Southern Soul Stories 1961 to 1978" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Tracks by Betty LaVette, Judy Clay, Eddie Floyd, Mabel John, Clarence Carter, The Soul Children, John Fred, Clay Hammond, Don Covay and more (November 2015 UK Ace/Kent Soul 3CD Book Set – Duncan Cowell Remasters – Volume 3 in a Series of 3 – see also Volume 1 "Take Me To The River..." from 2008 and Volume 2 "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973..." from 2011) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review Along With Nearly 200 Others Is Available in my

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RATING: ***** 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

Third KENTSOUL 3CD Box Set in a Series of 3 

Highlighting Rick Hall's Fame Studios in the USA

Audio Between 3 and 5 (mostly 5)

Superb Content and Vastly Improved Packaging Over The Two Previous Sets

 

"...Going Back Home..."

 

Mighty big shoes to fill...

 

When Ace Records of the UK put out the "Take Me To The River" 3CD Book Set in 2008 to universally giddy reviews (England's Mojo Magazine called it "...the greatest Soul compilation ever made...") – it was followed in 2011 by a second gem-filled Southern Soul 3CD overview - "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973". So a 'threequel' to those two much-loved 3CD sets was always going to be a mouth-watering, trouser-trembling event for Soul fans everywhere. And e-by-gum but here it is at last – released late 2015 (delayed from 30 October to 20 November 2015) in all of its knee-knobbling Muscle Shoals glory...

 

"Back To The River: More Southern Stories 1961 to 1978" from England's Kent-Soul gives you 75 Remastered Mono and Stereo Tracks, 10 of which are Previously Unreleased Alternate Versions (including an Otis Redding Take 1 rarity) and with many of these Deep Soul sides making their CD debut for the first time anywhere after decades in the digital wilderness. It's presented once again in sumptuous packaging (and different in style thankfully to the awkward card slipcase and hardback look of the first two that caused so many problems) with liner notes that reflect Ace's knowledge, warmth and decades-long enthusiasm. Content wise - halfway through a second listen and I have to say that I'm thrilled with "Back To The River..." and am already thinking that its surely a shoe-in for Soul Reissue Of the Year 2015. There's a huge amount of info to get through so once more music lovers unto the Memphis Breach...

 

UK released Friday, 20 November 2015 (2016 in the USA) – "Back To The River: More Southern Soul Stories 1961 to 1978" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul KENTBOX 18 (Barcode 029667073523) is a 75-track 3CD set housed in an outer Hard Card Slipcase and plays out as follows (all catalogue numbers are USA 7" singles unless otherwise noted):

 

Disc 1 – "Muscle Shoals Memphis Redux" (79:53 minutes):

1. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) – SOLOMON BURKE (1968, Atlantic 45-2507, A. Written by Billy Taylor – made famous by Nina Simone)

2. Nearer To You – BETTY LaVETTE (Allen Toussaint song - 1969, Silver Fox SF-17, A)

3. Private Number (Extended Version) – JUDY CLAY and WILLIAM BELL (2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a July 1968 US 7" single on Stax STA-0005)

4. Free Me (Take 1) – OTIS REDDING (2015 Previously Unissued Alternate Take of a 1967 US 7" single on Atco 6700, A)

5. A Touch Of The Blues – BOBBY BLAND (1967, Duke 426, B-side of "Shoes". Written by Deadric Malone aka Don Robey. Produced by Willie Mitchell)

6. This Love Won't Run Out –DEE DEE SHARP (1968, Atco 6587, A. Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter)

7. I Got Everything I Need – EDDIE FLOYD

(2015 Previously Unissued Alternate Take of a 1966 Stax Recording that was first issued on the March 1994 Various Artists CD compilation "3000 Volts Of Stax" on Stax CDSXD 102).

8. Please Don't Desert Me Baby – GLORIA WALKER and THE CHIVELLES (1968, Flaming Arrow FA-36, A, Produced & Written by Eugene Davis)

9. Sugarman (Extended Version) – SAM BAKER

(2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a 1968 US 7" single on Sound Stage SS7-2620, A. Kris Kristofferson cover version)

10. Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep – JOE PERKINS (1969, Nugget NR-1029, A – written by Bill Anderson and first recorded by the country artist Charlie Louvin in 1965)

11. Sure As Sin – JEANIE GREEN

(1969, Atco 6619, A. Written by Eddie Hinton and Marlon Greene – Jeanie's husband. She later sang with Elvis Presley in 1969 on the Comeback Sessions)

12. What's That You Got – RUDOLPH TAYLOR

(Previously Unreleased 1966-1967 recording that first appeared on the June 2012 Various Artists CD compilation "Lost Soul Gems From Sound Of Memphis" on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 378)

13. I Found What I Wanted – MARY WELLS (1971, Reprise 1031, A. Written by George Jackson and Raymond Moore)

14. I've Got Memories (Demo) – MELVIN CARTER (2015 Previously Unissued Goldwax Recording – written by Melvin Carter)

15. Message From Maria – JOE SIMON (1968, Sound Stage 7 SS7-2617, A. An Al Reed song - liner notes mistakenly credit it as Back Beat 631 – see 17)

16. Problems – MABLE JOHN (2015 Previously Unreleased Stax Recording. Possibly Isaac Hayes and David Porter song)

17. I've Been Searching – O.V. WRIGHT (1974, Back Beat BB-631, A. An Earl Randle song - Produced by Willie Mitchell)

18. She Ain't Gonna Do Right – CLARENCE CARTER

(2015 Previous Unissued Alternate Version of a 1967 US 7" single on Fame 1016, A. Written by Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn)

19. Give Me Back The Man I Love – BARBARA WEST (1969, Ronn RONN 32, A. Toussaint McCall song)

20. You're Gonna Want Me – BILL CODAY (1970, Crajon 48203, A and 1971, Galaxy 777, B-side of "Get Your Lie Straight". Written by Bill Coday – Produced by Willie Mitchell and Denise LaSalle)

21. I'm Just Living A Lie – BETTYE SWANN (1971, Fame 1479, A. Mickey Buckins and George Jackson song)

22. Home For The Summer – JIMMY BRASWELL

(Marlin Green and Eddie Hinton Song. 1970 USA 7" single on Quinvy Q-7004, B-side of "Hand Shaking". Originally recorded by Don Varner in 1967 on South Camp 7003, A)

23. Too Weak To Fight (Extended Version) – ELLA WASHINGTON

(2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a 1972 US 7" single on Sound Stage ZS7 1507, A. Clarence Carter cover version).

24. Everytime It Rains – NA ALLEN (Nathaniel A. Allen is the brother of Denise LaSalle. It’s a cover of the old 1950 Ruth Brown hit on Atlantic called "Teardrops From My Eyes". 1970, Ronn 47, A)

25. Yesterday – THE SOUL CHILDREN (2015 Previously Unreleased Stax Recording from 1974 of The Beatles 1965 classic from "Help!")

NOTES on Disc 1:

Tracks 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 to 22 and 24 and 25 are MONO

Tracks 1 to 5, 9, 12, 13 and 23 are STEREO

Tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 14, 16, 23 and 25 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

Disc 2 – "Southern Routes" (79:30 minutes)

1. The Only Girl (I've Ever Loved) – JOE TEX (1961, Dial 45-3000, A)

2. Rainy Night in Georgia – BROOK BENTON (1970, Cotillion 44057, A. Tony Joe White cover version)

3. Love Comes In Time – JOHN FRED (and his Playboys) (1966, Paula 247, B-side of "Outta My Head")

4. Somebody Done Took My Baby And Gone – JOEY GILMORE (1971, Saadia 7985, A and 1971, Phil L.A. Of Soul 345, A)

5. I Found All These Things – C. P. LOVE (1971, Chimneyville CH-438, A. Joe Broussard song)

6. A Woman Will Do Wrong – HELENE SMITH With the Rockateers (1960, Deep City 2638, A)

7. Depend On Me – STEVE DIXON (1969, Spotlite 101, A)

8. I'm In Love – ESTHER PHILLIPS (1969 Recording first appeared in 1986 on the US 2LP Set "Set Me Free" by Esther Phillips on Atlantic 7 81662-1. A Linda Cooke and Bobby Womack song)

9. Easier To Say Than Do – SAM DEES (1969, Lo Lo L-2306, A)

10. Without Love What Would Life Be – TERRIE & JOY LA ROY with the Bill Parker Show Band (1971, Anla ANLA 119, B-side of "Why I Shed So Many Tears")

11. I've Got To Tell You – COUNT WILLIE with LRL and The Dukes

(1975, Minaret NR6156 and Brown Dog BD-9010, A. Cover of Al Green's "God Blessed Our Soul" credited here as "I've Got To Tell You")

12. You Need Me – JOE WILSON (1972. Avco 4609, A)

13. Nearer To You – JOE MEDWICK (1967, Tear Drop 3197, A)

14. Your Love Is All I Need – DELLA HUMPHREY

(1968, Arctic 144, B-side of "Girls Can’t Do What The Guys Do" - Written by James Corbitt and Clarence Reid)

15. Nothing Takes The Place Of You – TOUSSAINT McCALL (1967, Tear Drop 3197, A. UK May 1967 7" single on Pye International 7N.25420, A)

16. How Sweet It Would Be – GEORGE PERKINS (1972, Soul Power SP-113, A. Tommy Tate and Helen Washington song)

17. Daydreaming – WARREN STORM (1968, Preview 1005, A)

18. No More Ghettos In America – STANLEY WINSTON (1970, Jewel 149, A. There is a later re-recorded version on Golden Records GR 111, A. Written by Stanley Edwards (Stanley Winston’s real name) and Eugene Harris)

19. Do Right Man – LITTLE BEAVER (1970, Saadia 5283, A. Real name William Hale)

20. (Sometimes) A Man Will Shed A Few Tears Too – JOHNNY ADAMS

(1966, Pacemaker PM-249, B-side of “When I’ll Stop Loving You”. Makes its CD debut here)

21. Asking For The Truth – REUBEN BELL (1975, Alarm 107, B-side of "I'll Be Your Woman")

22. I Can't Stand to See You Go – JOE VALENTINE (1967, Val 67119, A and Ronn RONN 14, A)

23. You Got Everything I Need – DON HOLLINGER (1973, Dash 5008, A)

24. A Sad Sad Song – CHARLES CRAWFORD (1973, Hy Sign 2114, A)

25. Tell It Like It Is – AARON NEVILLE (1966, Par Lo 101, A)

NOTES on Disc 2:

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 to 20 and 22 to 25 are MONO

Tracks 2, 8 and 21 are STEREO - No Previously Unreleased

 

Disc 3 - "Going Back Home" (78:45 minutes):

1. Going Back Home – GROUND HOG (1970, Turbo TU-010, A. Written by William Guy and Joseph Richardson.

Features William Guy on Vocals (ex Coasters) and Joseph "Ground Hog" Richardson on Guitar (later with Don Covay's band)

2. Cry To Me –FREDDIE SCOTT (1967, Shout 211, A. Bert Barns song – a Solomon Burke hit in 1962)

3. Lookin' For A Home – LITTLE BUSTER (1964, Jubilee 5491, A. Edward "Little Buster" Forehand)

4. The Girls From Texas (Extended Version) – JIMMY LEWIS

(2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a US 1967 7" single on Minit 32017, A. Written by Clifford Chambers, Jimmy Holliday and James Lewis)

5. Ain't No Way – ARETHA FRANKLIN

(1968, from the Stereo LP "Lady Soul" on Atlantic SD 8176 - a Mono Version appears on the US 7" single Atlantic 2486, B-side to "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone". Features The Sweet Inspirations on Backing Vocals - especially her sister Carolyn Franklin)

6. I Found A Man In My Bed – ROY C (1970, Alaga 1003, A. Roy Charles Hammond)

7. Take Your Time – CLAY HAMMOND (1966, Kent 468, A. Written by Clay Hammond)

8. Just A Touch Of Your Hand – AL GARDNER (1968, Sir-Rah 504, A)

9. You're Good For Me – DON COVAY (1965, Landa 704, A. Different cut to the version on his debut album)

10. I Found The One – BILLY SHA-RAE (1970, Hour Glass 007, B-side of "Do It". Bobby Womack cover version)

11. Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes – Z.Z. HILL (1971, Hill 222, A)

12. What Can You Do When You Ain't Got Nobody – THE SOUL BROTHERS SIX (1967, Atlantic 2456, B-side of "You Better Check Yourself")

13. That's How It Is (When You're In Love) – OTIS CLAY (1967, One-derful 4848, A)

14. Go On Fool (Extended Version) – MARION BLACK (2015 Previous Unreleased Unedited Version of a 1970 US 7" single on Capsoul CS 20, A)

15. I Want Everyone To Know – FONTELLA BASS (1972, Paula 367, A. Don Bryant song – O.V. Wright cover version)

16. You Wants To Play – OSCAR WEATHERS (1970, Top & Bottom 405, B-side of "The Spoiler")

17. (I Want Her) By My Side – THE FULLER BROTHERS (1967, Keymen 110, A and 1971, Soul Clock 1002, B-side to "Stranger At My Door")

18. Shackin' Up – BARBARA MASON (1975, Buddah BDA 459, A. Jackie Avery song)

19. Don’t Blame Me – WILLIE HIGHTOWER (1973, Mercury 73390, A)

20. Stop – LESTER YOUNG (1966, Barry 1009, B-side of "Barefoot Time In New York". Lester Young song)

21. Someone To Take Your Place – BILL LOCKE (1968, Fraternity 1008, A. Joe Tex cover version)

22. If Loving You Is A Crime (I'll Always Be Guilty) – LEE MOSES (1968, Dynamo D-115, A. Written by Swamp Dogg using his wife's name Yvonne Williams)

23. Easy As Saying 1-2-3 – TIMMY WILLIS (1970, Jubilee 5690, A)

24. I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me - Parts 1 & 2 – LITTLE RICHARD (1965, Vee-Jay VJ 698, A. Written by Don Covay)

25. Mary Jane – BOBBY RUSH (1968, Galaxy GAL 778, A)

NOTES on Disc 3:

Tracks 1 to 4, 8 to 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 25 are MONO

Tracks 5, 6, 7, 15, 18, 19 and 24 are STEREO

Tracks 4 and 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

PACKAGING and SOUND:

The mistakes made with the packaging of "Take Me To The River" (if you could call them that) where the flimsy card wrap and book were near impossible to not destroy – have been learned. There's an outer 'hard card' slipcase this time (far sturdier) that contains a foldout card digipak within (all three colour-coded CDs are on see-through plastic trays) alongside a stand-alone booklet. The separate 64-page booklet is an oversized softback and superbly laid out - much like the oversized booklets Soul Jazz Records use on their chunky and brilliant reissues. It contains brilliantly observed and informative liner notes by Soul Aficionados and Lifetime Fans DEAN RUDLAND and TONY ROUNCE (who also compiled the set). Alongside the factoids are copious amounts of photos of those desirable 45s on Sue, Stax, Atco, Sound Stage, Reprise, Monument, Back Beat, Ronn, Fame and all points in-between. Supporting the tens-upon-thousands of words are the usual plethora of beautiful studio publicity shots, Press and Trade Adverts, Biog Pages, In-Studio Session snapshots and even photos of local Record Shops on Beale Street in Memphis. DUNCAN COWELL has carried out the Remasters and an exemplary job has been done – most are none too hissy – and even if they are – the remastering hasn’t sucked the life out of them by compression or silencing techniques. This music feels alive and is a joy to hear in such clarity...and as you can see from the total playing-times of the 3 discs above – each is pushing the 80-minute envelope – so there's no scrimping either on content or value for money.

 

CD1:

It begins with a social-conscience statement from Solomon Burke doing a heartfelt rendition of "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)" – an anthem made famous of course by Nina Simone. It may be slightly hissy – but "Nearer To You" by Betty LaVette is a torch-song stunner (a signed photo adorns Page 9 of the booklet). What is a shock is the 'Extended Version' of "Private Number" by William Bell and Judy Clay – it may only be 20 or 30 seconds longer but man what a difference it makes – turning the song into a more muscular experience. Then you’re hit with a sensation – a Previously Unissued Alternate of Otis Redding's "Free Me" on Atco 6700. Its 'Take 1' and his rendition is little short of magic – the audio beautifully clear too (top job done Mr. Cowell). Torch song versions continue with Eddie Floyd's "Everything I Need" and Gloria Walker's abandonment-anthem "Please Don't Desert Me Baby”. Things finally get slinky with the cool groove of "Sugarman" by Sam Baker (a Kris Kristofferson cover) where he laments how his baby has to sell her body to feed her 'sugar' habit. I love the chugging Soul of "What's That You Got" by Rudolph Taylor and the sophistication of "Sure As Sin" by Jeanie Greene where she tells her man the physical truth - "...I'm not a good woman...but I'm good for you..." The combo of Mary Wells and Rick Hall produced the excellent dancer "I Found What I Wanted" which feels like a great Stax side circa 1971 even though it was actually on Reprise Records. Rounce is right to call Melvin Carter's unadorned demo of "I've Got Memories" 'stunning' – it's raw, alive and deeply Soulful and surely one of the highlights amongst the Previously Unreleased material. Best Audio has to go to the stunning "Problems" by Mable John – an amazing piece of quality unreleased Soul. And as if that isn't enough to impress – Barbara West floors me with her beautiful version of Toussaint McCall's "Give Me Back The Man I Love" – a criminally forgotten 45 on Ronn Records from 1969.

 

CD2:

Early days for Southern Soul comes with Joe Tex's "The Only Girl (I've Ever Loved)" – a 1961 pleader on Dial Records. I've always loved Brook Benton's magisterial version of Tony Joe White's wonderful "Rainy Night In Georgia" – a million seller for Benton and his 7th USA R&B No. 1 (a stunning Arif Mardin production where even the syrupy strings don't ruin the song). When you look at the Paula 45 repro'd on Page 30 of the booklet with a credit to John Fred and his Playboys – you don’t automatically think 'Otis Redding soundalike' – yet that's what you get. With the chops of say Eddie Hinton – the "Judy In Disguise" frontman puts in a Soulful barnstormer on "Love Comes In Time". I don't know Joey Gilmore (shame on me) but his lovely "Somebody Done Took My Baby And Gone" is a sweetie and I’ll look into his Blues albums of late. An intensely Soulful C.P. Love (Carlton Pierre) recorded the aching "I Found All These Things" at Malaco's studios in Jackson, Mississippi and saw it released on Chimneyville in 1971 (what a nugget this track is). Genius choice goes to Helene Smith's version of Paul Kelly's "A Woman Will Do Wrong" – a 'man she loves' tale of caution and woe (so sweet a tune). Uber rarity goes to Steve Dixon's "Depend On Me" – said to exist in only 500 copies on the obscure Spotlite Records – and for me probably the sweetest song on Disc 2 (stunning Eddie Hinton-type vocals).

 

A threesome of Lo-fi and crude recordings (but full of genuine feeling) – first is the duet pleader "Without Love What Would Life Be" by Terrie & Joy La Roy - a real sweetie – second is Joe Medwick's impossibly rare "Nearer To You" and third is the morose (and very hissy) "Nothing Takes The Place Of You" by Toussaint McCall. But then you're hit with a triple-whammy of well-recorded Seventies classy Soul – sky-bound is the beautiful "I've Got To Tell You" by Count Willie (Smith) with LRL and The Dukes – an obscure piano-led wonder from 1975 that steadfastly remains dateless (what a find this is) – and next up is the Mississippi-recorded "You Need Me" by Joe Wilson which Rudland describes as 'exquisite' – and he'd be right. Last is the truly gorgeous strum of "Asking For The Truth" by Rueben Bell – a fabulous and heartfelt vocal performance enhanced by quality arrangements. Discovery-time includes the lovely Tommy Tate/Helen Washington written "How Sweet It Would Be" by George Perkins – an organ led 'love and loneliness' tune. The predominately ballad-driven Disc 2 continues – but with Stanley Winston's gospel-driven "No More Ghettos In America" - things get passionate and real as he speaks and wails of equality. The long run of smoochers and pleaders ends with a genuine classic – "Tell It Like It Is" with the ethereal vocals of Aaron Neville.

 

CD3:

After the ballad-fest of Disc 2 – Ground Hog's "Going Back Home" comes as welcome butt-wiggling delight – it's a mean and cool Funky Al Green Type Groove. Co-written by Ex Coaster's singer William Guy and Joseph Richardson (later with Don Covay's Jefferson Lemon Blues Band) – it features Richardson's Albert King-like guitar licks throughout and is the kind of winner you wish you owned so you could impress your friends with your knowledge and smarts. The boogie is short-lived though – but you don’t mind because Freddie Scott's slow and wailing "Cry To Me" (written by Bert Barns and a hit for Solomon Burke) is a truly fantastic pleader – and here is gorgeous Audio. The 'love them right or leave them alone' words of wisdom in "The Girls From Texas" comes in an 'Extended Version' for Jimmy Lewis - while Aretha's sister and songwriter Carolyn Franklin (from The Sweet Inspirations) threatens to steal the 1968 crown from the Queen Of Soul with Carolyn's operatic backing vocals on the beautiful ballad "Ain't No Way". Marital trouble and shenanigans hit both Roy Charles Hammond (Roy C) in the funky but sore-headed "I Found A Man In My Bed" - while Clay Hammond says that despite his love and a house full of kids – his missus is out on the razzle every night and he should have listened to mama when she advised Clay to "Take Your Time" (oh dear). Z.Z. Hill has it just as bad – another man gave his lady six babies – but he's the one that gives them a home in the slinky stepper "Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes". Of their group's five Atlantic 45s – the pain-dripped B-side "What Can You Do When You Ain't Got Nobody" by The Soul Brothers Six is probably their best cut coming complete with the screeching Bobby Womack-like vocals of John Ellison. The funereal "Go On Fool" by Marion Black mines the same misery territory of Toussaint McColl (see Track 15 on Disc 2) – but is actually far better in my book.

 

Pure class 70ts Soul shows up with Fontella Bass and her cover of O.V. Wright's "I Want Everyone To Know" (penned by Don Bryant) from her "Free" album on Paula Records in 1972 (beautifully arranged and produced by Oliver Sain). Originally issued as the B-side to the Van McCoy written “The Spoiler” – American DJs had other ideas and flipped the Oscar Weathers single to find "You Wants To Play" – giving its simple but heartfelt Blues-Soul the air time instead of the slicker A (I can so hear why). Busybody neighbours gossip during the rap-spoken "Shackin' Up" by Barbara Mason – a cool outside-marriage follow-up to her "From His Woman To You" hit in December 1974 (Made No.3) – "Shackin' Up" rightly made the US R&B Top 10 peaking at No. 9 in April 1975. Next we get a flurry of mid-tempo Southern Soul pleaders – especially enjoyable is the 'Lord have mercy' croaking of Lee Moses on the wonderfully titled "If Loving You Is A Crime (I'll Always Be Guilty)" and a stunning two-part Soul workout from Little Richard on his excellent "I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me" – an overlooked nugget from his years at Vee Jay. It ends on an out-and-out winner – the Funky Blues of "Mary Jane" by Bobby Rush – the kind of groove I eat for breakfast and always want a second helping of...

 

SUMMARY:

With Disc 2 being made up of entirely ballad-like material and Discs 1 and 3 featuring copious amounts of the same Southern Soul ache and plead – those expecting boogie and shuffles should stay away (I think this 3CD set might have been re-named "Kent-Soul Ballads" and be done with it). Best of all though is the discoveries – the wonderful finds - I'm dipping in all the time and loving it more and more – a genuine feast.

 

For sure 2015's "Back To The River..." is not as utterly immediate as 2008's "Take Me To The River" – but its 60ts and 70ts Soul pleasures are so many that I know I’ll be turning to it years from now – petting its wicked 'Fame Gang musicians stood on a bridge' cover like it's a Star Wars toy I'm glad I didn't wreck or throw away when I was young and too stupid to know its true beauty.

 

What a journey...and kudos to all involved for bringing this Soul joy to us in such style...

"The Albums" by SUTHERLAND BROTHERS and QUIVER - Clamshell Box Set Featuring Their Eight Studio Albums Between January 1972 and April 1979 on Island and CBS Records featuring Iain and Gavin Sutherland, Tim Fenwick, Bruce Thomas, Peter Wood and Willie Nelson with Guests Pat Donaldson and Dave Mattacks of Fairport Convention, Steve Winwood of The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith with Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd (September 2019 UK (October 2019 USA) Cherry Red/Lemon Records 103-Track 8CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters That Includes Eight Albums with 20 Bonuses) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS: *** Material ***** Audio **** Presentation

 

"...Because You Gave Me Something..."

 

When I worked at Reckless Records in both London's Berwick Street (Soho) and Upper Street (Islington) branches - Sutherland Brothers and Quiver albums were a sales no-no. They just didn't shift then and (sadly) it's pretty much the same now. Even the at-times gorgeous and wildly underrated Folk-Rock self-titled Island Records debut LP can be bought for just over two quid from loads of sites - not something you can say of any Island Records LP from 1972 – now over fifty years past and counting. Go to another famous site and in October 2023, you can find 182 copies of their "Reach For The Sky" LP with their big hit "Arms Of Mary" on it with a set-sale price tag of 80p.

 

Unfortunately, there are reasons why collectors won't pay up for LPs like "Dream Kid" or "Beat Of The Street" (from 1973 and 1974) - they just feel slight. As far as I'm concerned and despite silly assertions made in the booklet by Brian Mathieson of 'the best Rock music of the Seventies' – The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver went on a very real MOR downward trajectory after that lovely start - to a point where you can't give away the later albums either.

 

But this is not to say that all of their music warrants such low sums - it absolutely doesn't. The "Reach For The Sky" album has tunes and the sophisticated "Down To Earth" LP follow-up in 1977 was actually even better - but despite CBS trying three singles - it seemed few wanted to notice in those Punk and New Wave years. In short - despite the occasional oasis - it is all too often easy to hear as you wade through these eight Seventies slices of America-type songs why they didn't break through like some of their better contemporaries, Gallagher & Lyle jump to mind.

 

But praise where praise is due – there are goodies in here and Lemon Records of the UK (part of the Cherry Red roster of reissue labels) have done the sonic biz by the Scottish brothers and their harmonious legacy. What you get with "The Albums" is 3-star material given 5-star Audio and a 4-star presentation that offers eight remastered albums and twenty bonus tracks for beneath thirty quid from most online sites. Let's get to the details, because we got armloads of it...

 

UK released Friday, 27 September 2019 (4 October 2019 in the USA) - "The Albums" by SUTHERLAND BROTHERS and QUIVER on Cherry Red/Lemon Records CDLEMBOX237 (Barcode 5013929783706) is an 103-Track 8CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters (Six of the albums have 20 Bonuses), Singular Repro Card Sleeve Artwork and a 28-Page Booklet that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "The Sutherland Brothers Band" (43:36 minutes):

1. The Pie [Side 1]

2. Sleeping Dog 

3. Hallelujah

4. I Was In Chains 

5. Medium Wave

6. Big Brother

7. War Of The Roses [Side 2]

8. Midnight Avenue 

9. Sunny Street, W14

10. Where In The World

11. Long Long Day 

Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut studio album "The Sutherland Brothers Band" - released January 1972 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9181 and in the USA on Island Records SW-9315. Reissued 1975 on Island ILPS 9181 (different label) and November 1977 in the UK on CBS Records 82297. Produced by MUFF WINWOOD - it didn't chart in either country

 

CD1 BONUS TRACK:

12. The Pie (7" Version) - Edit at 3:31 minutes

Tracks 12 and 11 are the A&B-sides of their debut UK 45-single released 21 January 1972 on Island WIP 6120. Rare copies came with picture sleeves on the album's artwork (it's pictured on Page 2 of the booklet)

 

CD2 "Lifeboat" (61:12 minutes) - see NOTES below re releases:

1. Lady Like You [Side 1] 

2. Lifeboat

3. Where Do We Go Wrong

4. Ireland

5. All I Got Is You

6. Space Hymn [Side 2]

7. Change The Wind

8. Sorrow 

9. Love Is My Religion

10. Real Love

 

CD2 BONUS TRACKS:

11. Have You Had A Vision 

12. Rock And Roll Show

13. (I Don't Want To Love You) But You Got Me Anyway

14. Not Fade Away 

15. Sailing

16. Who's Crying Now

17. Annie (7" Version)

 

CD2 NOTES:

Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Lifeboat" - first 'UK' released November 1972 on Island ILPS 9212 (also produced by MUFF WINWOOD, also did not chart). The British Folk-Rock band QUIVER (who had had two albums on Warner Brothers in the UK, "Quiver" in 1971 and "Gone In The Morning" in 1972) joined with the Scottish group to become thereafter credited as The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver. This extended line-up recorded four new recordings in the spring of 1973 and along with the stand-alone UK 45-single "Sailing" from 1972 and four of the original British LP's songs - a new album line-up was formed for the summer 1973 'US' release where the LP was launched as "Lifeboat" by SUTHERLAND BROTHERS & QUIVER (using the same artwork). It is also pictured in the booklet.

 

The US LP "Lifeboat" released July 1973 on Island SW-9326 can be sequenced as follows from CD2: 

Side 1:

1. (I Don't Want To Love You) But You Got Me Anyway (CD Track 13)

2. Sailing (CD Track 15)

3. Where Do We Go Wrong (CD Track 3)

4. Space Hymn (CD Track 6)

5. Real Love (CD Track 10)

Side 2:

1. Have You Had A Vision (CD Track 11)

2. Lifeboat (CD Track 2)

3. Not Fade Away (CD Track 14)

4. Change The Wind (CD Track 7)

5. Rock And Roll Show (CD Track 12)

 

After Rod Stewart had made a worldwide hit of "Sailing" as a cover version on his 1975 album "Atlantic Crossing" and "Arms Of Mary" became a hit for The Sutherland Brothers & Quiver when it charted 10 April 1976 in the UK and rose to a peak position of No.5 on the British 7" singles chart (exited the Top 40 in June 1976) - CBS Records reissued all of their catalogue to date including another British version of the "Lifeboat" album in November 1977 on CBS Records 82298 which replaced "Sorrow" as track 3 on Side 2 with the hit "Sailing". That 1977 variant can also be sequenced from CD2.

 

SINGLES:

24 November 1972 saw Island Records UK issue "Lady Like You" as the band's third UK 45 7" single (Island WIP 6147) with an Edit of "Annie" as its B-side (featured here as a Bonus Track on CD2 – the edit is 3:59 minutes, the re-made LP version of "Annie" can be found on the "Beat Of The Street" album on CD4 where it runs to 4:06 minutes). Their second UK 45-single "Sailing" b/w "Who's Crying Now" was issued July 1972 on Island WIP 6136 (both tracks featured here as Bonuses on CD2). Their fifth UK 45 was "(I Don't Want To Love You) But You Got Me Anyway" b/w "Not Fade Away" issued 23 February 1973 on Island WIP 6157 - both tracks from the American version of the "Lifeboat" album but Non-LP in the UK ("Not Fade Away" is a Buddy Holly cover version).

 

CD3 "Dream Kid" (40:41 minutes):

1. You And Me [Side 1]

2. I Hear Thunder

3. Flying Down To Rio

4. Seagull/Lonely Love

5. Champion The Underdog

6. Bluesy World [Side 2]

7. Bad Loser 

8. Dream Kid

9. Maker

10. Rollin' Away/Rocky Road/Saved By The Angel

Tracks 1 to 10 are their third studio album "Dream Kid" and first credited to SUTHERLAND BROTHERS & QUIVER in Britain - released December 1973 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9259 and in the USA on Island SW 9341 (produced by MUFF WINWOOD - it didn't chart in either country). Reissued November 1977 in the UK on CBS Records 82299.

 

CD3 BONUS TRACK:

11. Don't Mess Up 

Track 11 is the Non-LP B-side to "Dream Kid" released 25 January 1974 in the UK as a 45-single on Island WIP 6182

 

CD4 "Beat Of The Street" (43:46 minutes):

1. World In Action [Side 1]

2. Saviour In The Rain

3. Devil, Are You Satisfied?

4. Bone Dry

5. Beat On The Street

6. Laid Back In Anger [Side 2]

7. His Life Music

8. Living In Love

9. Annie

10. Last Boy Over The Moon

Tracks 1 to 10 are their fourth studio album "Beat Of The Street" - released October 1974 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9288 (no US release). It was reissued November 1977 in the UK on CBS Records 82230.

 

CD4 BONUS TRACKS:

11. Saviour In The Rain (7" Version)

12. Silver Sister

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of an October 1974 UK 45-single on Island WIP 6209. Although it doesn’t say so on the label, the A-side is an edit at 2:34 minutes – the full album version of "Saviour In The Rain" runs to 4:13 minutes – the B-side "Silver Sister" was a Non-LP song

 

CD5 "Reach For The Sky" (44:37 minutes):

1. When The Train Comes [Side 1]

2. Dirty City

3. Arms Of Mary

4. Something Special

5. Love On The Moon

6. Ain't Too Proud [Side 2]

7. Dr. Dancer

8. Reach For The Sky

9. Moonlight Lady

10. Mad Trail

Tracks 1 to 10 are their fifth studio album "Reach For The Sky" – released June 1975 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 69191 – reissued May 1976 in the UK with the same catalogue number after the 45-single "Arms Of Mary" became a Top 5 chart hit. US album on Columbia PC 33982.

 

CD5 BONUS TRACKS:

11. We Get Along

12. When The Train Comes (7" Version)

Track 11 is the Non-LP B-side to "Arms Of Mary" released 6 February 1976 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 4001. Track 12 is the 3:32 minutes edited A-side of their seventh UK 45-single released 2 July 1976 on CBS Records S CBS 4336.

 

CD6 "Slipstream" (40:54 minutes):

1. Slipstream [Side 1]

2. Wild Love

3. Saturday Night

4. If I Could Have Your Loving

5. Love On The Side

6. Secrets

7. Dark Powers [Side 2]

8. Something's Burning

9. Sweet Cousin

10. Midnight Rendezvous

11. The Prisoner

12. High Nights

Tracks 1 to 12 are their sixth studio album "Slipstream" – released September 1976 in the UK on CBS Records S 81593 and Columbia PC 34376 in the USA. Produced by HOWIE and RON ALBERT (Fat Albert Production)

 

CD7 "Down To Earth" – see NOTES (67:15 minutes):

1. Ice In The Fire [Side 1]

2. Dark Ship

3. Harbour Light

4. Somebody's Fool

5. Fun On The Farm

6. Every Tear I Cry [Side 2]

7. Situations

8. Oh Woman

9. Rock 'N' People

10. Where Lies Your Soul

Tracks 1 to 10 are their seventh studio album "Down To Earth" (British version) – released September 1977 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 82255 (see below re USA issue).

 

CD7 BONUS TRACKS:

11. Ice In The Fire (7" Version) – 19 Aug 1977 UK 45-single edit on CBS Records S CBS 5563, A-side – the LP-track "Where Lies Your Soul" was its B-side. The A-side edit is 3:37 minutes; the LP cut is 4:18 mnutes

12. Every Tear I Cry (7" Version) – 11 Nov 1977 UK 45-single edit on CBS Records S CBS 5818 – the LP-track "Rock 'N' People" was its B-side. The A-side edit is 3:27 minutes; the LP cut is 4:09 minutes

13. Somebody's Fool (7" Version) – 28 July 1978 UK 45-single edit on CBS Records S CBS 6453 (as The Sutherland Brothers) – the 1972 UK 45-single "Sailing" was its B-side. The LP version of the A-side is 4:33 minutes; the single edit is 3:32 minutes

14. One More Night With You

15. Sunbird

16. When I Say I Love You (The Pie) – Remake of their first single "The Pie" from 1972 on their debut album; Tracks 14, 15 and 16 on the American LP – see Notes below

 

CD7 NOTES:

Although it had the same front sleeve artwork, the US album for "Down To Earth" had three additional tracks not on the UK variant and a different track-running order too. Released on Columbia JC 35293 and using the six Bonus Tracks provided on CD7 – it can be sequenced as follows:

 

Side 1:

1. One More Night With You (Track 14 on CD7)

2. Ice In The Fire (Track 1 on CD7)

3. Sunbird (Track 15 on CD7)

4. Harbour Light (Track 3 on CD7)

5. Dark Ship (Track 2 on CD7)

Side 2:

1. Situations (Track 7 on CD7)

2. Somebody's Fool (Track 4 on CD7)

3. Every Tear I Cry (Track 6 on CD7)

4. Fun Of The Farm (Track 5 on CD7)

5. When I Say I Love You (The Pie) (Track 16 on CD7)

 

CD8 "When The Night Comes Down" (41:29 minutes):

1. Natural Thing [Side 1]

2. Have You Ever Been Hurt?

3. First Love

4. Easy Come, Easy Go

5. As Long As I've Got You

6. I'm Going Home

7. When The Night Comes Down [Side 2]

8. Dreams Of You

9. Cruisin'

10. On The Rocks

11. Crazy Town

Tracks 1 to 11 are their eight and final studio album "When The Night Comes Down" (credited as The Sutherland Brothers) – released April 1979 in the UK on CBS Records 83427 and Columbia PC 35703 in the USA

 

Quiver had consisted of Tim Renwick on Guitars, Flute and Vocals, Cal Batchelor on Guitars, Keyboards and Vocals with Bruce Thomas on Bass and Vocals and Willie Nelson on Drums and Vocals. Barney Bubbles had even designed both of their album sleeves for their duo of Warner Brothers albums in 1971 and 1972 – something he would bring to the debut for The Sutherland Brothers Band in January 1972 (he would go on to famously design New Wave albums).

 

Minus Cal Batchelor - the other three - Tim Renwick, Bruce Thomas and Willie Nelson – joined with the Sutherland Brothers in 1972 – in fact that second album featured a plethora of great session-players – Dave Mattacks and Pat Donaldson from Fairport Convention, Bob Ronga on Bass, John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick and Steve Winwood from Traffic with John ‘Hawk’ Hawken all hawking Keyboards. Tex Comer from Ace (Paul Carrack’s band) joined them too on Bass for the "Beat Of The Street" album.

 

The Clamshell Box offers eight individual single card sleeves and a 28-page booklet (all pictured above) with new liner notes by BRIAN MATHIESON who draws from interviews with the core four-piece of Sutherlands, Renwick and Willie Nelson. There are tour posters with Elton John, Island Records promo photos (two), Zig Zag magazine covers and various Trade Adverts. Each card sleeve is a single with a picture CD inside that reflects the album artwork and not the original labels. Any original inner bags or lyric inserts are left out – so the gatefold of "Beat Of The Street" is missing – the inner sleeves of "Dream Kid" and "Down To Earth" are not here – the lyric inserts for "Reach For The Sky" and "Slipstream" are AWOL too. Some of the artwork to those inners is in the booklet along with a collage of singles, picture sleeves and other period material too, but sadly no lyrics.

 

It’s a perfectly acceptable visual on all fronts – but the fireworks are really clean and upfront remasters (the overall set is mastered by JAMES BRAGG). The extras are all very smart moves too – fans will know that for instance the CBS Rewind Remaster of "Reach For The Sky" (their breakthrough album from 1975 and 1976) had only the UK LP tracks – here Lemon provide the full US picture too – the same for "Down To Earth" from 1977. To the tunes...

 

The early 1972 debut LP on Island Records has at least three or four great moments least not of all is Track 4 "I Was In Chains". Both Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows and Paul Young of The Q-tips spotted its lovely Folk-Traditional melodious magic when Maggie covered it in 1975 on her "Suicide Sal" for Polydor - while Young put it as the last track on his 2^nd solo album "The Secret Of Association" ten years later in 1985. Other cool grooves come with the stay-together-comrades chug of "Big Brother" and the other whopper on the LP – the oddly happy let-down-off-the-family obsessed "Where In The World". But the LP is dominated by many fans firm fave – the beautiful lilt in "The Pie" that opens Side 1 (here in two forms, full album and edited single). British jocks played it a lot, but for some reason, it just didn’t take with the general public enough to chart it (the saccharine syrupy/string remake version on the otherwise excellent "Down To Earth" album is to be avoided – ruin a perfectly lovely memory).

 

Their second outing "Lifeboat" comes in two forms – the British original from November 1972 which is only OK – but then three members of Quiver joined The Sutherland Brothers and injected some much need oomph. Sessions ensued with four new songs. So July 1973 sees the LP re-launched in the US (same artwork) credited as "Lifeboat" by The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver (the UK LP is TSB only). When you sequence the US variant from CD2 (see Notes above) – it makes for a much more coherent and enjoyable listen – better songs and the killer "Sailing" included too. The only pointless moment is a cover of the Buddy Holly classic "Not Fade Away" that instantly feels like filler and superfluous to requirements.

 

Although a considerable audio notch up in Production values, for me the two from 1973 and 1974 "Dream Child" and "Beat Of The Street" are just plain boring and lightweight (the second did not get a US release). And you can just so hear why bands like America and especially Eagles shifted such huge numbers of albums – they always had tunes – whole albums full of them. But things change with a signing to CBS Records. Unfortunately (and as is discussed in the booklet) – TSB and Quiver could not have known of the Epic Records signing CBS Records UK was really interested in – ABBA.

 

Abba had removed the mighty "Bohemian Rhapsody" by QUEEN from the No.1 spot of several weeks in late 1975 and early 1976 by putting their "Mamma Mia" at No. 1. They would put "Fernando" and "Dancing Queen" both at further No.1 spots in May and September 1976 – just when TSB and Quiver were getting lucky with "Arms Of Mary". As a charting band – the Scandi ABBA were huge. I mention this because the "Reach For The Sky" album came out in June 1975, yet CBS had not even bothered prepping a teaser 45. The band would have to wait until November 1975 for the not-so-good "Ain't Too Proud" for a UK 45-single and that was only because Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd played barely-perceptible Steel Guitar on the track and that other mega band was riding high after "Wish You Were Here" had become one of the monster albums of 1975. Someone thought maybe fans of Pink Floyd would seek out anything DG was on. 

 

Then came the 1976 relaunch of the LP after "Arms Of Mary" broke the lean streak by charting April 1976 and rising eventually to No.5. in England. Willie Nelson describes the song in the booklet as a throwaway that came back from America with overdubs and commercialized sound – a melody that did catch the British public's attention. Other goodies on their most famous album include "When The Train Comes" and "Something Special" while the Side 2 ender "Mad Trail" is a refreshingly funky belter.

 

Both the "Slipstream" album from 1976 and especially the more accomplished follow-up "Down To Earth" from 1977 deserved better sales – tracks like "Secrets" and "Situations" showing they could still touch a heart. But the last set here "When The Night Comes Down" is a step too far into soulless Yacht Rock and is mostly unlistenible for me.

 

Iain Sutherland sadly passed in late November 2019 aged 71 – only a couple of months after the release of this Box Set. At least Lemon Records of the UK did him and his band pals a solid. If you are a fan, it is a must own, and for the Seventies-curious there are discoveries enough worth seeking out...

"Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 18 Album and Single Tracks from 1968 to 1997 by Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Donnie Fritts, J.J. Cale, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Crazy Horse, Ry Cooder, Percy Sledge, Al Green, Thin Lizzy, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Mott The Hoople, Boz Scaggs, The Chi-Lites, Little Feat, Grateful Dead and more (October 2023 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Rating: ****

 

"...You Sweet Thing...You're Driving Me Mad..."

 

I was kind of excited at the idea of the first Bobby Gillespie compilation in this series "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" - but truth be my mistress - the actual listen drove me nuts and had one too many disappointments in song choices (it was released 27 November 2015 in the UK on Ace Records CDCHD 1453 – Barcode 029667074124). I did like a few cuts for sure (mostly in the second half of the listen) - but not enough to get in a fidgety lather about.

 

Well – it seems that the Scottish Primal Scream lead singer and songwriter has gone all I-hear-you-pal psychic on my sorry Irish posterior and eardrums - because his second outing in the series "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" (27 Oct 2023 in the UK and 3 Nov 2023 in the USA) is much better - and frankly in its own self-lacerating way - a bit of a doozy. It also feels actually personal (and revealing) if not a tad too boo-hoo for its own good as the black and white poor-me cover-art photo implies.

 

The journey consists of 18 tracks on CD (15 album cuts and 3 single sides) ranging from professional two-timer Lee Hazelwood on Reprise Records in 1968 all the way up to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds going native on a clever Jimmy Webb cover version in 1986 while Bob Dylan professes to be truly sick of love in 1997 (the further outpost here and the darkest actually). The 2LP Vinyl Variant of "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" even has a 19^th Bonus as Track 5 on Side 1 - "In The Rain" by The Dramatics (Ace Records XXQLP2 098 – Barcode 0029667015417).

 

"I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" is about love on the road being tested, betrayed, lost, longed-for or maybe even formed in-between tourbus stops and Honky Tonks and the untenable nomad existence that is the life of all working musicians. Most of the cautionary tales are from Folk, Country, Country Rock, Soul and Rock journeyman and women feeling emotionally bummed out between 1970 and 1975. Because many are ballads – the jumps don't feel so severe – and work more often than not. I personally sequenced the CD to start at Track 6 - the stunning Crazy Horse song "I Don't Want To Talk About It" that Rod Stewart later covered and turned into a global smash - play down to 18 and then bring in Tracks 1 to 5 (a better listen for me). Discoveries, re-acquaintances, tugs on a fast receding memory lane - this comp is indeed a "Heart Like A Wheel". Let's get to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 27 October 2023 (3 November 2023 in the USA) - "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1605 (Barcode 029667106122) is an 18-Track CD Compilation (19-Track 2LP set) ranging from 1968 to 1997 that plays out as follows (76:52 minutes):

 

1. I Still Can't Believe You're Gone – WILLIE NELSON (from the March 1974 US LP "Phases And Stages" on Atlantic Records SD 7291)

 

2. Love Sick – BOB DYLAN (from the September 1997 US CD Album "Time Out Of Mind" on Columbia Records CK 68556)

 

3. We Had It All – DONNIE FRITTS (from the June 1974 US LP "Prone To Lean" on Atlantic SD 18117)

 

4. Magnolia – J. J. CALE (from his debut LP "Naturally" released November 1971 in the USA on Shelter SW-8908 and January 1972 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 68105)

 

5. By The Time I Get To Phoenix – NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS (from the August 1986 UK LP "Kicking Against The Pricks" on Mute STUMM 28)

 

6. I Don't Want To Talk About It – CRAZY HORSE (from their debut album "Crazy Horse" issued on Reprise Records RS 6438 in the USA in February 1971 and April 1971 in the UK on Reprise RSLP 6438)

 

7. Dark End Of The Street – RY COODER (from his 3rd album "Boomer's Story" released November 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2117 and in the UK on Reprise K 44224 – a James Carr cover version done as an instrumental)

 

8. Kind Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (July 1969 USA 45-single on Atlantic 45-2646, A-side – also on the 1969 South African-only LP "Wanted" on Atlantic ATC 9210)

 

9. Wait And See – LEE HAZELWOOD (from his June 1968 US LP "Love And Other Crimes" on Reprise RS 6297 in Stereo)

 

10. Strong As Death (Sweet As Love) – AL GREEN (June 1975 US 45-single on Hi Records 5N-2288, B-side of "Oh Me Oh My (Dreams In My Arms)" – also July 1975 UK 45-single on London HLU 10493 – same tracks)

 

11. Shades Of A Blue Orphanage – THIN LIZZY (from their second studio album "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" issued 10 March 1972 in the UK on Decca TXS 108 – no US release)

 

12. Heart Like A Wheel – KATE & ANNA McGARRIGLE (from their November 1975 US Debut LP "Kate & Anna McGarrigle" on Warner Brothers BS 2862, March 1976 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56218)

 

13. When My Mind's Gone – MOTT THE HOOPLE (from their second studio album "Mad Shadows" released September 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9119 and October 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8272)

 

14. I'll Be Long Gone – BOZ SCAGGS (from his debut album "Boz Scaggs" released August 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8239, September 1969 in the UK on Atlantic 588 205)

 

15. The Coldest Days Of My Life Part 1 – THE CHI-LITES (July 1972 USA 45-single on Brunswick 55478, A-side)

 

16. Roll Um Easy – LITTLE FEAT (from their third US studio album "Dixie Chicken" released January 1973 on Warrner Brothers BS 2686)

 

17. Brokedown Palace – GRATEFUL DEAD (from their 5th studio album "American Beauty" released November 1970 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1893)

 

18. I Feel Like Going Home – CHARLIE RICH (August 1973 US 45-single on Epic Records 5-11040, B-side of "The Most Beautiful Girl" – November 1973 UK 45-single on Epic Records S EPC 1897, as per US release)

 

Following on from a Track List on Page 2 that details album titles, catalogue numbers and year of release (three of the 18 are single-sides) – Page 3 starts the 24-pages of song-by-song explanations proper (I have elaborated on those in the list above). Anyone who knows Ace Records will know that these booklets are fab collages of single and LP labels, rare picture sleeves/album covers, a trade advert here and here etc. This time however is a bit more basic. Here we just get the album sleeves and occasional British 45 label instead of American issues (Al Green on London and The Chi-Lites on MCA).

 

Not that this is a bad thing - instead of photos, Gillespie waxes lyrical in huge amounts of text about every choice – paragraphs recalling the magical effect that Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott in their 1976 gig awesomeness had on young lads like him and Alan McGee – a lifetime love that will never die. Bobby talks about Richie Furay assembling the last Buffalo Springfield album and including what was essentially an outtake – his own song "Kind Woman" – that Percy Sledge then took to another level in his mournful Soul version. There's stuff about touring and the emotional toll it takes on every relationship a body enters into. It's a great read – personal yet informative and articulate. Genre-wise, the overall song choices are very much in the Country Rock meets edgy Sixties and Seventies Outlaw Rock and Soul veins – much of it dark for sure - but mellow also - and sometimes moving when you least expect it.

 

DUNCAN COWELL – longstanding Audio Engineer for Ace – has handled the transfers and Remasters and almost everything sounds super clean and clear – the noticeable odd-man-out being a wee bit of hiss on the J.J. Cale song – those debut album Shelter Records recordings notorious for being that way. All are in STEREO - so for almost all of it "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" is never less than an impressive listen audio-wise (at times beautiful). To the tunes...

 

It opens with Willie Nelson red-raw the morning after she done left him for the final time - "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" - and the Big Nell knows who is to blame on that fine 1974 dawn. His vocal bottom-of-the-barrel shivering hurt is helped by top musicians like Keyboardist Barry Beckett and most of the Fame Gang bringing up the rear (guitarist Pete Carr, Bassist David Hood and legendary drummer Rodger Hawkins). But I feel that the sparse Bob Dylan leap to 1997 for the "Time Out Of Mind" track "Love Sick" feels too jarring to me (I adore the album like most Zimmer fans but I would have gone with something else like the "Up To Me" outttake from "Blood On The Tracks" say). But things pick up instantly when we get a great lip-quiver pairing - "Magnolia" from J.J. Cale's staggeringly influential debut album on Shelter Records in 1971 (lyrics from it title this review) up to Nick Cave with his bad Seeds in 1986 doing Jimmy Webb via Glen Campbell on a oddly touching cover of "By The Time Get To Phoenix" – smart choices both.

 

Complimenting the Outlaw Country Music vide to the Willie Nelson song that gives the compilation its title – the seldom-seen let alone discussed Donnie Fritts album "Prone To Lean" from 1974 on Atlantic Records featured an astonishing line-up of talent – Billy Swann, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, Jerry Wexler as well as ace singer and guitarist Eddie Hinton and keyboardist Barry Beckett (I know folks who scour albums for anything Eddie Hinton touched – a white guy who had a voice similar to Otis Redding). The Fritts entry "We Had It All" is a co-write with Troy Seals of Seals and Croft fame and with Wexler and Kristofferson at the Production buttons - sounds warm and glorious.

 

Essentially to become the backing band for Neil Young – Crazy Horse featured a huge array of talent on their first platter – Danny Whitten on Lead Guitar and Vocals with Nils Lofgren sharing the same – Jack Nitzsche on Piano and Vocals with Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina bringing up the Rhythm Section (Bass and Drums). The Crazy Horse self-titled debut album produced three US 45s using six sides from the 11-track LP - but bizarrely Reprise Records did not use nor seem to see what Rod Stewart clearly saw in the gorgeous "I Don't Want To Talk About It" – a Danny Whitten breakup-song winner nestled at the end of Side 1. Had Reprise aired this as a single – their fate might not have been so like Big Star – another great US melody band on a label that could not or would not break them nationally. My God even Ry Cooder plays slide on it. The sound for "I Don't Want To Talk About It" is glorious, the emotion real and the solar plexus hurt-wallop just about bearable – a very smart choice for a compilation like this.

 

Tapping into the Ry Cooder connection, Gillespie follows with a beautiful acoustic slide guitar instrumental version of the James Carr 60ts Soul classic "Dark End Of The Street" – just one of many gems on the third Ry Cooder album "Boomer's Story" from November 1972. Personally, I would also have tapped "Maria Elena" – another stunner instrumental from the "Boomer's Story" album that would have slotted in just nicely (see my review of the forgotten 2CD set "The Ry Cooder Anthology: The UFO Has Landed" on Rhino from 2008 which contains both songs in glorious Bernie Grundman Remastered form). Keeping it soulful – Gillespie now offers a Percy Sledge cover version of "Kind Woman" – the Richie Furay song on the third and final Buffalo Springfield album "Last Time Around" (July 1968, Atco SD 33-256). Sledge and Atlantic Records issued "Kind Woman" as a stand-alone 45-single A-side in July 1969 – a slow-cooking gurgling-under barnstormer.

 

The self-titled and deeply unassuming debut album for French-Canadian sisters Kate & Anna McGarrigle was received in late 1975 on Warner Brothers by the press (and musicians) as some sort of genius platter carved out of melody gold. A whole year earlier – American vocalist and song-interpreter Linda Ronstadt took one of Anna's then un-issued songs "Heart Like A Wheel" and named her entire album after it (November 1974 on Capitol Records). But you cannot deny the McGarrigle version here from 1975 that slays all in its path – their vocal power in full force from a very clean and clear remaster – those lyrics about a sinking ship out in mid ocean – only love can reduce us to such tears and hurt. That is followed by a deeply sombre Ian Hunter in full-throated Mott The Hoople glory - "Mad Shadows" flying away – just him on a piano with a lingering organ building in the minds-gone background. Relief comes in the slightly Burt Bacharach feel to Boz Scaggs doing "I'll Be Long Gone" – good but not really great and seriously showing its age. Far better is Eugene Record wrenching tears from us white blokes with his lush fabulous Chi-Lites sound on Part 1 of "The Coldest Days Of My Life..." – waves and gulls easing in the reminiscences of a day our hero made the big mistake of letting his lady walk away (I never tire of their Chicago Soul – me and my sis bought the singles on Brunswick with religious regularity).

 

It rolls home with a very tasty triple whammy – Little Feat, Grateful Dead and Charlie Rich – Lowell George achingly brilliant for "Roll Um Easy" – the Dead weary of the grinding road, longing for the river to rock their soul in the tuneful "Brokedown Palace" - while the Silver Fox closes out proceedings with the seriously sad yet resigned piano ballad "I Feel Like Going Home" – everything he done turned out wrong (Epic Records relegated the song to the flipside of the huge hit "The Most Beautiful Girl" on both sides of the pond).

 

I would have considered "Looking For Angeline" by Love And Money – a 1988 nugget on Fontana from 1988 – James Grant playing a National Steel blinder with echoed Harmonica bringing up the longing in the background. Maybe the moving Shawn Colvin cover version of the Judee Sill gem "There's A Rugged Road" from SC's 1994 compilation album of favourites "Cover Girl". On to Chris Smither doing a stunning reinterpretation of the Tim Hardin song "Don't Make Promises" from his 1999 CD album "Drive You Home Again". There must be hundreds more out there. Volume 2 anyone - "I Still Can't Believe You're Still Here".

 

Like so many of these compilations, it's a crapshoot. But "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" wins on more entries than not (the Vinyl variant with its extra track is a tempting gift and a proper looker too). There are also more than enough discoveries here to please old hands and plenty to entice musical newcomers to sit up and take notice - maybe even visit those musical truck-stops that moved so many of us back in the suburban day.

 

On the long and lonely road to Kingdom Come – the Screamadelica Bobster has compiled a mix-tape worthy of your hard-earned Sovereigns and Petro-Dollars.

 

Dig in and pine no more ye Vagabonds of the Western World. Or as the mighty Rocker Phil Lynott of the much-missed Thin Lizzy used to sing "...Got my cycle outside...wanna ride!"