"Asides Besides" by TALK TALK – Thirty-Eight-Track 2CD Compilation featuring 45-Singles, Remixes, Extended Versions, Demos and Non-LP B-sides issued between February 1982 and September 1988 on EMI and Parlophone Records (April 1998 UK EMI Records 2CD Compilation with Peter Mew, Denis Blackham and Phil Brown Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asides-Besides-Talk/dp/B00000883W?crid=1BSPR6KH1IY9M&keywords=724385480720&qid=1706982596&sprefix=724385480720%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=1c84e538466f0d3876545bab2e91d756&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…John Cope…"

Although "Asides Besides" is a I-will-expire-without-it purchase for your dyed-in-the-wool double-talk believer (of which there are many and rightly so) – I would admit that this 2CD extracurricular extremities fest for England's Talk Talk will not be for everyone. But I love it to distraction.

EMI 845 8072 is one of those twofers that will always take pride of place on my bulging repertoire shelves. I'd like to argue that you consider diving in too because there is never enough of this fab Art Rock band as far as I'm concerned. They became magnificent and are sorely missed to this day (2024). To the logistics/details by our Synth-Pop wonders…

UK released April 1998 - "Asides Besides" by TALK TALK on EMI 845 8072 (Barcode 724385480720) is a Thirty-Eight Track 2CD Compilation featuring UK and US 45-Single Mixes, Remixes, Extended Versions, Demos and Non-LP B-sides between February 1982 and September 1988 on EMI and Parlophone Records and it plays out as follows:

CD1 The Longer Versions (76:59 minutes):
1. Talk Talk (Extended Version) – October 1982 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5352
2. Today (Extended Version) – June 1982 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5314
3. My Foolish Friend (Extended Version) – March 1983 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5573
4. It's My Life (Extended Version) – January 1983 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5443
5. Such A Shame (Extended Mix) – March 1983 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5433
6. Such A Shame (Dub Mix) – July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480
7. Dum Dum Girl (12" Mix) - July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480, A-side
8. Without You (12" Mix) - July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480, B-side of "Dum Dum Girl"
9. Life's What You Make It (Extended Mix) – February 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMIX 5540 – Remix by Tim Friese-Greene – band chosen mix
10. Living In Another World (Extended Remix) – March 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5551
11. Pictures Of Bernadette (Dance Mix) – May 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12R 6131, B-side of "Give It Up"
12. Happiness Is Easy (12" Mix) – October 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12R 6144, B-side of "I Don't Believe In You"

CD2 The Extra Tracks (66:02 minutes):
1. Talk Talk (Demo Version) – March 1984 UK 7" Single Double-Pack on EMI Records EMID 5433
2. Mirror Man (Demo Version) - March 1984 UK 7" Single Double-Pack on EMI Records EMID 5433
3. Candy (Demo Version) - March 1984 UK 7" Single Double-Pack on EMI Records EMID 5433
4. Strike Up The Band – February 1982 Debut UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5265, Non-LP B-side of "Mirror Man"
5. ? – April 1982 Second UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5284, Non-LP B-side of "Talk Talk"
6. My Foolish Friend – March 1983 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5373, A-side
7. Call In The Night Boy (Piano Version) – March 1983 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5373, Non-LP B-side
8. Why Is It So Hard? – Debut Appearance of a 7" Single Mix of a song written for the 1984 Michael Apted film "First Born" – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD
9. Again A Game…Again – March 1984 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5433, Non-LP B-side of "Such A Shame"
10. Without You – July 1984 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5480, Non-LP B-side of "Dum Dum Girl"
11. Dum Dum Girl (US Mix) - July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480, Non-LP Second B-side to "Dum Dum Girl (12" Mix)"
12. It's Getting Late In The Evening – January 1986 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5540, Non-LP B-side of "Life's What You Make It" – also on the B-side of the twelve-inch single
13. For What It's Worth – March 1986 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5551, Non-LP B-side of "Living In Another World"
14. Pictures Of Bernadette – May 1986 UK 7" Single on Parlophone Records R 6131, Non-LP B-side of "Give It Up"
15. Eden (Edit) – September 1988 UK 12" Single on Parlophone Records 12 R 6189, Non-LP B-side of "I Believe In You" – also a Bonus Track on the CD-single Parlophone CDR 6189 – Edit runs to 4:11 minutes
16. John Cope - September 1988 UK 12" Single on Parlophone Records 12 R 6189, Non-LP B-side of "I Believe In You" – also a Bonus Track on the CD-single Parlophone CDR 6189

TALK TALK were:

MARK HOLLIS - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards 

TIM FRIESE-GREENE - Keyboards, Wind Instruments

TIM HARRIS - Drums and Percussion

The 20-page booklet doesn't have liner notes per say, but it does feature those all-important James Marsh picture sleeves – his gorgeous paintings-artwork synonymous with the band. Beside each entry is a basic discography (which I've expanded on above) and the usual reissue credits. The discs are themed – The Longer Versions on CD1 and The B-sides as The Extra Tracks on CD2 – both making for a surprisingly satisfying listen because they do feel like two sides of a single-coin. CD2 also boasts an exclusive on Track 8 – the digital-debut appearance of "Why Is It So Hard? " in 7" Single Mix form - a song written for the 1984 Michael Apted film "First Born". Fans will know that there is a 12" mix of this song on the vinyl compilation called "It's My Mix", but that is AWOL here – the band clearly opting for the more to-the-point single variant.  

The AUDIO is care-of three great names in Remastering – DENIS BLACKHAM who handled the four album Remasters for Talk Talk (1982's "It's My Party" to 1988's "Spirit Of Eden") and PETER MEW with PHIL BROWN - no strangers to EMI or Abbey Road Studios when it comes to Rock transfers (Hollies, Kevin Ayers, Deep Purple, Robin Trower etc). Talk Talk's material was always well recorded, but on "Asides Besides" you get that subtle oomph. To hear one of my fave-rave B-sides of all time "John Cope" in this quality is fantastic – my twelve-inch having been battered for decades now. All good really – to the music…

I would imagine it is only diehard Talkies who would endure the 6:30 minutes of the Dub Mix for "Such A Shame" – it ain’t for me – but the 5:54-minute piano-funk synth-pop of the extended "Without You" is wickedly good – another punchy Tim Friese-Greene production. By the time we get to Track 9 we are into the magical "The Colour Of Eden" album from 1986 where the band became something otherworldly. Everything about that LP and its splinters do my collector head in – fantastical stuff. There is another mix of "Life's What You Make It" from another twelve-inch (12EMI 5540) remixed by Denis Weinreich that runs to almost eight-and-half-minutes – but the band have chosen the more guitar/piano funky cut on the American twelve (12EMIX 5540) remixed by their own Tim Friese-Greene that sexes its way across your living room for 6:58 minutes on CD1 (there are more versions of the song when it was reissued in 1990 to support the "Natural History" Best-Of album, but they are not dealt with by this compilation). 

Not to be outdone in brilliance, next up is the radically and brilliantly re-worked "Living In Another World" that slips tasty Harmonica and Synth fills alongside echoed vocal bits – and I love all its madly 80ts 8:57 minutes. Children giggling and playing open the Dance Mix of "Pictures Of Bernadette" after which it settles into a guitar-Indie groove where the boys allow the axes to distort and contort to a backdrop of drums and percussion. Then that huge organ comes roaring in – Hollis again letting it rip with that other-place voice of his before we return to mad Smiths-like electric and acoustic guitar fills. The Dance Mix of "Pictures Of Bernadette" is brilliant and a genius inclusion in all its 8:05 minute glory. And CD1 ends on another huge fan-fave - the Twelve Mix of "Happiness Is Easy" – the 7:02 minute Remix turning it into a more Acoustic-and-Bass Chic-Funky spacious beast (all this and the magnificent "I Don't Believe In You" on the A-side – what a 12 single-buy that was back in the day).

You might think that opening CD2 with three demos in row (turned on a seven-inch double-pack) that got their EMI contract would mean an interesting listen rather than an essential one – but this is Talk Talk – and they are far better than you would assume. Recorded June 1981, the synth-pop vibe and sound is there but somehow the "Mirror Man" version captures something even more angst that the released mix. And there is a soulfulness to "Candy" – Hollis sounding every bit like the ground-trembling sets of pipes he was and would become. Fantastic stuff and you can so hear why the band would want punters to be re-reminded of these early-years accomplishments. 

Things start to B-side the Seaside hot up with "?" and "My Foolish Friend" - two great Non-LP tracks with "My Foolish Friend" sounding like UK 80ts Synth-Pop at its hooky best. Fans will salivate at a clean Remastered version of the gorgeous "Call In The Night Boy (Piano Version)" - so Japan, so David Sylvian, so Peter Gabriel while the compilation offers up something new to CD - the 7" version of the film song "Why Is It So Hard?" - a tune that could easily have been an album inclusion (great audio to as those keyboards swoon and pop). The "Such A Shame" B-side "Again A Game...Again" could be the little brother of "Why Is It So Hard?" - another Synth-Pop Funkathon that sounds huge here. I'm no boy stealing pennies - Hollis sings on the slyly sinister "Dum Dum Girl" - presented to here in its US 7" Mix which I must admit doesn't feel 'that' different. Heading into the homeward strait with the deeply cool "It's Getting Late In The Evening" - a B-side let-it-all-hang-out indication of their musical direction as they hurtled towards disbandment in 1991 (1988's "Spirit Of Eden" and 1991's final "Laughing Stock") - weird, spacial and wonderfully evocative. Swirling beautiful comes in the shape of "For What It's Worth" (tiger butterfly artwork gets me every time) while guitars fuzz-funk up "Pictures Of Bernadette" - another fab discovery. 

"Asides Besides" ends with the Edit of "Eden" where jagged guitar-notes introduce Hollis' trademark warble, sparse drum whacks and huge keyboards (mesmerizing stuff) only to be whomped by my go-to-poison - the out-there-in-the-stars "John Cope" - the kind of cool few bands ever achieve (apparently Hollis used it as an alias at times). And it was a B-side!

(Mark David) Hollis would make that slightly disappointing self-titled solo LP in 1998 on Polydor Records before he disappeared out of the music business entirely only to lose him in 2017 - a genius gone too soon. "Asides Besides" always makes me think of him and the fans who obsess over the band the way Smiths or Cure fans do. God bless 'em. Be no foolish friend and get this twofer in your rig - soonest...

"The Best of Cult Fiction" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 55 Of The Finest Cult TV & Movie Themes - Including James Bond 007, The Ipcress File, Captain Scarlet, Midnight Cowboy, The Saint, The Avengers, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Danger Man, A Fistful Of Dollars, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, The Magnificent Seven, Pink Panther, Dr. Who, The Champions, M.A.S.H., Van Der Valk, Lovejoy, The Sweeney, Taxi Driver, Blake's 7, Starsky & Hutch, Tales Of The Unexpected, Hill Street Blues, Minder, Budgie, Taxi, Animal Magic, Vision On, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill and many more – Most In Stereo – Barry Gray, BBC Radiophonic Workshop, John Barry, Henri Mancini, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Hermann, Laurie Johnson, Ron Grainer, Tony Hatch, KPM Music Library and more (February 2004 UK Virgin 2CD 55-Track Compilation of Sixties, Seventies and Eighties Remasters)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Cult-Fiction-Various-Artists/dp/B0001DD3RI?crid=2DAH49CNFB7Y9&keywords=724357670128&qid=1706619113&sprefix=724357670128%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=ffa452667d7f27e45029a484841e45d1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)…"

Admittedly the gatefold slip-of-paper that acts as an insert is laughable – print so tiny it practically screams magnifying glass. No knowledgeable appreciation liner notes by a maniacal Film and TV buff who needs to get out more – no photos – no posters – no cast stills - no memorabilia that would evoke such great memories and make this twofer so rock. Even the rear inlay on the inside is completely blank for Gawd sake – zero effort. But – and as they say in a Sumo bathhouse - that's a big butt – there is the fun listen and the alarmingly great audio.

These Virgin catchall compilations can be blinding one minute and so-so the next or a raggle-taggle combo of both (this the same). But here it's like someone went out of their way to find the best sounding Remasters for every track. Or it could just be that when "The Best Of Cult Fiction" was issued in the spring of 2004 – all that old 'Lounge Lizard Secret Agent' stuff had already been remastered by EMI and Universal – and in either Mono or Stereo – the results were all sparkly and kick-ass.

Whatever you look at it, in the spring of 2024 (twenty years after the reissue event) – this little goofball is a cool buy and a reminder of music that has engrained itself into our subconscious, much of which we heard weekly and secretly loved – yet never thought of (actually) buying. Papa Loves Mambo indeed. Why I almost dusted down my Jetpack and polished up the Aston Martin (almost). 

So, once more, me Olive Cocktail Hearties and Danger Man Smarties unto the cool-theme-song breach. Details Mr. Blofeld please (and easy on the pirahna)…

UK released 23 February 2004 - "The Best Of Cult Fiction" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Virgin EMI New State VTDCD 997 – 7243 5 76701 2 8 (Barcode 724357670128) is a 2CD Remastered 55-Track Compilation of Sixties, Seventies and Eighties TV Themes (CD1) and Film Soundtracks and Songs (CD2) that plays out as follows:

CD1 Cult TV Themes (75:32 minutes):
1. Doctor Who – BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP featuring Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire (1963 Recording, 2000 Remaster)
2. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Theme – HUGO MONTENEGRO (1966)
3. Joe 90 (Title Theme) – THE BARRY GRAY ORCHESTRA (1968)
4. Captain Scarlet – THE BARRY GRAY ORCHESTRA with GARY MILLER (1967)
5. The Champions – TONY HATCH ORCHESTRA (1969)
6. Danger Man Theme ["High Wire"] – BOB LEAPER ORCHESTRA (1964)
7. Return Of The Saint – THE SAINT ORCHESTRA (1978)
8. New Avengers Theme – LAURIE JOHNSON And The LONDON STUDIO ORCHESTRA (1976)
9. The Two Ronnies (Theme from The Detectives) (1976 KPM Library Music)
10. Pink Panther Theme – HENRY MANCINI (1963)
11. Vision On Chase Scene ["Accroche Toi Caroline"] (1967 De Wolfe Library Music)
12. Animal Magic – LAURIE JOHNSON (1970)
13. Black Beauty ["Galloping Home"] – SOUTH BANK ORCHESTRA (1972)
14. World Of Sport – KPM Library Music (1968)
15. Superstars – KPM Library Music (1974)
16. Van Der Valk Theme ["Eye Level"] – SIMON PARK ORCHESTRA (1971)
17. Tales Of The Unexpected – RON GRAINER (1979)
18. Crossroads – TONY HATCH ORCHESTRA (1965)
19. Lovejoy – DENIS KING (1986)
20. Bergerac Theme – GEORGE FENTON (1981)
21. The Sweeney – SIMON WALLACE and SIMON BINT (1975)
22. The Professionals – LAURIE JOHNSON and the LONDON STUDIO ORCHESTRA (1977)
23. Minder Theme ("I Could Be So Good For You") – DENNIS WATERMAN (1979)
24. Auf Wiedersehen Pet Theme (That's Livin' Alright) – JOE FAGIN of Stealers Wheel (1983)
25. Grange Hill Theme – ALAN HAWKSHAW (1975 Music, 1978 TV Show)
26. Roobarb and Custard – ALAN HAWKSWORTH (1974)
27. Blake's 7 – THE DUDLEY SIMPSON ORCHESTRA (1978)
28. Budgie Theme ("The Loner") – SOUTH BANK ORCHESTRA (1971)
29. Taxi Theme ("Angela") – BOB JAMES (1978)
30. Hill Street Blues Theme – MIKE POST featuring LARRY CARLTON on Guitar (1981)
31. Starsky & Hutch Theme ("Gotcha") – TOM SCOTT (1977)
32. The Six Million Dollar Man Theme – JOHN GREGORY and His ORCHESTRA (1976)

CD2 Cult MOVIE Themes (72:26 minutes):
1. Green Hornet (from the movie "Kill Bill") – AL HIRT (1966)
2. 007 (James Bond Theme from "Dr. No") – JOHN BARRY (1963)
3. Ain't That A Kick In The Head (from "Out Of Sight") – DEAN MARTIN (1969)
4. Papa Loves Mambo (from "Ocean's Eleven") - PERRY COMO (1954)
5. Theme From The Magnificent Seven (from "The Magnificent Seven") – ELMER BERNSTEIN (1960)
6. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (from "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly") – HUGH MONTENEGRO written by Ennio Morricone (1968)
7. A Fistful Of Dollars (from "A Fistful Of Dollars") – ENNIO MORRICONE (1964)
8. The Ipcress File (from "The Ipcress File") – JOHN BARRY (1968)
9. Theme From Taxi Driver (from "Taxi Driver") - BERNARD HERRMANN (1976)

10. Theme (from "The Last Tango In Paris") - GATO BARBIERI (1972)

11. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (from "Kill Bill") - NANCY SINATRA (1966, Sonny Bono song)

12. We Have All The Time In The World (from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service") - LOUIS ARMSTRONG (1969)

13. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (from "Jackie Brown") - THE DELFONICS (1969) 

14. Pusherman (from "Superfly") - CURTIS MAYFIELD (1972)

15. Jungle Boogie (from "Pulp Fiction") - KOOL & THE GANG (1973)

16. Across 110th Street (from "Jackie Brown") - BOBBY WOMACK (1973)

17. The Harder They Come (from "The Harder They Come") - JIMMY CLIFF (1972)

18. Stuck In The Middle (from "Reservoir Dogs") - STEALERS WHEEL (1972)

19. Oye Como Va (from "Carlito's Way") - SANTANA (1970)

20. Little Green Bag (from "Reservoir Dogs") - GEORGE BAKER (1962)

21. Hooked On A Feeling (from "Reservoir Dogs") - BLUE SWEDE (1973)

22. Everybody's Talkin' (from "Midnight Cowboy") - NILSSON (1969)

23. Suicide Is Painless (from "M.A.S.H.") - JOHNNY MANDEL (1970)

CD1 offers up many memorable TV moments - nostalgia tears for scribbles during "Vision On" and Gerry Anderson's "Captain Scarlett" getting all sophisticated supermarionation. But you have forgotten Alexandria Bastedo making us us boys weak at the knees in "The Champions" or the Brass oom-pa-pa of the "Van Der Valk" theme "Eye Level" that charted big in 1973. And there can never be enough John Barry, Tony Hatch, Ron Grainer, Laurie Johnson and the like who gave us so many short-sharp-blasts of brilliance - its a bit of a Bobby Dazzler. There are few men of my age who wouldn't get goosebumps at the sound of "The New Avengers" theme or grin at "The Pink Panther" slink or the fifty-year relationship we've had with football's "World Of Sports". But I reserve my true love for Larry Carlton's guitar playing in "The Hill Street Blues" Theme - sublime and cool - like Steely Dan good.  

Latin Saxophonist Gato Barbieri won a Grammy for his 1972 instrumental to "Last Tango In Paris" with Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider rolling around in their nudie suits - but more impressive for me is the lethal one-two of "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" and "We Have All The Time In The World" - Nancy Sinatra (no stranger to Bond soundtracks) and Louis Armstrong shimmering with beauty and raw emotion. Sonny Bono penned "Bang Bang..." which Quentin used to such great effect in "Kill Bill" - while once again John Barry classes up everything for Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Tarrantino has also tapped smoochy Soul as a winner in his movies and the Philly-swoon of The Delfonics classic "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" provided a moment of warmth is his otherwise darkly witty "Jackie Brown". Drugs are never far from Movie or TV proceedings - so we get Curtis Mayfield giving us some 'Superfly' coke and weed distribution in his fabulously funky and social-commenting "Pusherman" - sounding just fantastically clear and punchy for its five-minutes. 

By the time we reach Track 15 and "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & The Gang - things are harder - the get down Funk taking no prisoners as Kool grunts his way to a feel-it-y'all masterclass (another "Pulp Fiction" winner). Speaking of class, who can forget Pam Grier taking that slow-moving airport walkway as the credits rolled for "Jackie Brown" - looking like a real-world woman trying to survive in a dirty man's world as Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street" plays - lyrics that hide nothing. Time to go to the islands and smell the sea air (and other fragrances) as Jimmy Cliff gets Reggae and Gangsta with "The Harder They Come" - such a tune (I have reviewed the superb Universal 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' of that soundtrack - a fully-loaded gem). Much like Ace's "How Come" or AWB's "Pick Up The Pieces" (both 1974) - Stealers Wheel and their 1972 single masterpiece "Stuck In The Middle" never seems to date - memorably used in "Reservoir Dogs" though I doubt either Gerry Rafferty or Joe Fagin imagined it would accompany such a display. Speaking of effortless cool, "Oye Como Va" will be weaving its 1970 Santana's "Abraxas" LP magic for decades more to come - stunning guitar work, keyboards and Latin-Rock rhythms.

"The Best Of Cult Fiction" romps home with the bop-bop winner that everyone had forgotten - "Little Green Bag" by George Baker - a joyous little belter from 1962 that sounds so damn good - even after a staggering sixty-two years. The hugga-chacka chant of "Hooked On A Feeling" by Blue Swede may be fun but doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. But I'm always high on believin' in Nilsson - his gorgeous "Everybody's Talkin'" that played out "Midnight Cowboy" indelibly burnt into my brain (probably one of my 45-Single A-side favourites - a Fred Neil song). CD2 ends with "Suicide Is Painless" - the theme music to the much-loved "M.A.S.H." movie and TV series that made Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Loretta 'Hot Lips' Swit and characters Radar, Klinger, Colonel Potter and all the gang household names. Fifty-five tunes for my sixty-five years - job done. 

"Look at him sway with it...get so gay with it..." Perry sang all those decades ago about his belief in the restorative powers of the hip-swaying Mambo. And ever since then - Mama has been looking for Papa - but Papa is nowhere in sight - that's because he's down at the fleapit thrilling to illicit gyrations or on his couch getting all 'shut it' with his inner Private Eye. 

Great fun, fab audio and "The Best Of Cult Fiction" is cheap too - go for it...

"Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 83-Tracks Across 4CDs featuring Elton John, Paul McCartney & Wings, Slade, T.Rex, Mud, Suzy Quatro, Alvin Stardust, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Mott The Hoople, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Wizzard, Junior Campbell, Steeleye Span, The O’Jays, Roberta Flack, The Isley Brothers, Detroit Emeralds, Temptations, Clifford T. Ward, Strawbs, Medicine Head, Thin Lizzy, Joe Walsh and many more (September 2023 UK Sony Music/EMI 4CD Themed Collection – Now Yearbook Series – Various Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOW-Yearbook-1973-Various-Artist/dp/B0CDNV9LTT?crid=1FBG5IRB0UWCB&keywords=196588182921&qid=1706375725&sprefix=196588182921%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=8f339a497ed06bddd1ad45bbe71c511d&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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"…Cum On Feel The Noize…"

I came at this wee-belter of a compilation arse-about-face. I bought its companion piece first - "Now Yearbook Extra '73" – its 60-tracks having come out in October 2023 – a month after the Big Daddy (see separate review). Bit of a mistake that because despite some moments of brill – it fell often – and hard. Not so here.

"Now Yearbook '73" is a Cum On Feel The Noize Slade-slammin' 5-stars – Ballroom Blitzing your weary lugs with a tirade of great choices across all genres. Do I want to See My Baby Jive, Get Down, have some Irish Whiskey In The Jar on This Flight Tonight while the Piano Man is Blinded By The Light at the Nutbush City Limits – yes sir, I do sir. Details pleeze - ye Gods of catalogue numericals…

UK released 8 September 2023 – "Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW73 – 0196588182921 (Barcode 196588182921) is a 4CD 83-Track compilation in the 'Now Yearbook Series'. All tracks are 45-singles except when Album Versions are used (see NOTES after each CD list to identify), the whole collection is Remastered by Sony/EMI (some use specific date Remasters, again see NOTES) and I have provided UK release dates and catalogue numbers for each entry – info that is not in the card sleeve (has no booklet). It breaks down as follows:

CD1 (72:23 minutes):
1. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – ELTON JOHN (September 1973, DJM Records DJS 285, 2014 CD Remaster)
2. Live And Let Die – WINGS (June 1973, Apple R 5987, 2018 CD Remaster - Paul McCartney's band)
3. Cum On Feel The Noize - SLADE (February 1973, Polydor 2058 339)
4. 20th Century Boy – T.REX (March 1973, EMI/T.REX MARC 4)
5. Blockbuster! - THE SWEET (January 1973, RCA Victor RCA 2305)
6. Dyna-Mite - MUD (October 1973, RAK Records RAK 159) 
7. Can The Can – SUZY QUATRO (April 1973, RAK Records RAK 150)
8. See My Baby Jive – WIZZARD (April 1973, Harvest Records HAR 5070)
9. My Coo Ca Choo – ALVIN STARDUST (October 1973, Magnet MAG 1)
10. Rubber Bullets – 10cc (March 1973, UK Records UK 36)
11. Get Down - GILBERT O'SULLIVAN (March 1973, MAM Records MAM 96)
12. The Laughing Gnome – DAVID BOWIE (September 1973, Deram DM 123 - a 1967 recording re-issued in 1973)
13. Doctor My Eyes (Album Version) – JACKSON 5 (from the November 1972 UK LP "Lookin' Through The Windows" on Tamla Motown STML 11214)
14. You Can Do Magic – LIMMIE & FAMILY COOKIN' (January 1973, Avco 6105 019)
15. Let Me In (Album Version) – THE OSMONDS (from the 1973 UK "The Plan" on MGM Records 2315 251)
16. Love Train – O'JAYS (February 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1181)
17. Smarty Pants – FIRST CHOICE (July 1973, Bell Records BELL 1324)
18. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love – THE DETROIT SPINNERS (April 1973, Atlantic K 10283)
19. Oh! No Not My Baby (Single Version) – ROD STEWART (August 1973, Mercury 6052 371)
20. Angel – ARETHA FRANKLIN (August 1973, Atlantic K 10346)
21. Help Me Make It Through The Night – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (October 1972 UK 45-Single on Tamla Motown TMG 830, March 1972 USA on Soul S 35094F, first charted Nov 1972 in the UK but stayed on chart until early 1973)
NOTES on CD1:
Track 1 is a 2014 Remaster

Track 2 is a 2018 Remaster; Track 2 is also the (Paul McCartney &) Wings Theme Song to the James Bond Movie "Live And Let Die" that introduced actor Sir Roger Moore as 007 for the first time

Track 12 is a 1967 David Bowie recording that re-charted in 1973
Tracks 13, 15 and 17 are Album Versions (Track 13 is a Jackson Browne cover version)

Track 18 is credited to The Detroit Spinners for the UK, as were all their albums, but they were credited simply as The Spinners in the USA

CD2 (761:36 minutes):
1. Mind Games – JOHN LENNON (November 1973, Apple R 5994)
2. Blinded By The Light – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (February 1973 US Debut 45-Single on Columbia 4-45805 - no UK variant - first UK 7" was "Born To Run" in October 1975)
3. Piano Man (Radio Edit, 4:34 minutes) - BILLY JOEL (October 1973 US 45-Single on Columbia 4-45963 - not released in the UK until April 1975 on CBS Records S CBS 3183)
4. Knockin' On Heaven's Door – BOB DYLAN (September 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1762)
5. You're So Vain - CARLY SIMON (December 1972, Elektra K 12077, uncredited duet vocals with Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones)
6. Take Me To The Mardi Gras – PAUL SIMON (May 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1578)
7. Stuck In The Middle With You – STEALERS WHEEL (April 1973, A&M AMS 7036)
8. Cindy Incidentally – FACES (February 1973, Warner Brothers K 16247)
9. Nutbush City Limits – IKE And TINA TURNER (August 1973, United Artists UP 35582) 
10. Rocky Mountain Way (Single Version, 3:39 minute Edit) - JOE WALSH (August 1973, Probe Records PRO 600)
11. Roll Over Beethoven (Single Version) - THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (January 1973, Harvest HAR 5063)
12. Whisky In The Jar (7" Edit, 3:42 minutes) – THIN LIZZY (November 1972, Decca F 13355)
13. Wishing Well - FREE (December 1972, Island WIP 6146)
14. This Flight Tonight – NAZARETH (September 1973, Mooncrest MOON 14)
15. Caroline – STATUS QUO (August 1973, Vertigo 6059 085)
16. No More Mr. Nice Guy – ALICE COOPER (April 1973, Warner Brothers K 16262)
17. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall - BRYAN FERRY (September 1973, Island WIP 6170)
18. Alright, Alright, Alright - MUNGO JERRY (June 1973, Dawn DNS 1037)

19. Born To Be With You - DAVE EDMUNDS (May 1973, Rockfield ROC 2)
20. Gaye - CLIFFORD T. WARD (April 1973, Charisma CB 205)
21. Albatross – FLEETWOOD MAC (April 1973, CBS Records CBS 8306)
NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 3, 10, 11 and 12 are Single Versions (Track 3 by Billy Joel is a Radio Edit; Track 12 by Thin Lizzy is spelt "Whisky In The Jar" - only Euro and US issues use the 'e' in Whiskey)

Track 5 features Mick Jagger on uncredited duet vocals with Carly Simon

Track 7 actually credited as "Stuck In The Middle" - Stealers Wheel featured Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan - Rafferty was ex-Humblebums with comedian Billy Connolly - the song was also famously used in Quentin Tarantino's debut movie 'Reservoir Dogs'

Track 17 by Bryan Ferry is a Bob Dylan cover version

Tracks 1 and 20 are 2010 and 2009 Remasters respectively

Tracks 21 originally a November 1968 UK 45-Single by (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac on Blue Horizon Records 57-3145 (went to No. 1); reissued in 1973 by CBS Records in a Picture Sleeve, when it peaked at No. 2 

CD3 (78:37 minutes):
1. My Love - PAUL McCARTNEY And WINGS (March 1973, Apple R 5985)
2. Killing Me Softly With His Song - ROBERTA FLACK (February 1973, Atlantic K 10282) 
3. Amoureuse - KIKI DEE (August 1973, Rocket PIG 4)
4. Always On My Mind - ELVIS PRESLEY (December 1972, RCA Victor RCA 2304)

5. Touch Me In The Morning (Single Version) – DIANA ROSS (July 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 861)
6. If You Don't Me By Now - HAROLD MELVIN And THE BLUE NOTES (November 1972, CBS Records S CBS 8496)
7. Me And Mrs. Jones (Single Version) - BILLY PAUL (January 1973, Epic S EPC 1055)
8. Let's Get It On (Single Version) - MARVIN GAYE (August 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 868)
9. I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby - BARRY WHITE (April 1973, Pye International 7N.25610)
10. Feel The Need In Me - DETROIT EMERALDS (November 1972, Janus 6146 020)
11. That Lady (Part 1) - ISLEY BROTHERS (August 1973, Epic S EPC 1704)
12. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (Vocal) - THE TEMPTATIONS (September 1972 USA Single Version at 6:58 minutes on Gordy G 7121F - the January 1973 UK 45-single on Tamla Motown TMG 839 however plays to only 6:20 minutes - this CD uses the longer US mix at 6:58)
13. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001) - DEODATO (May 1973, CTI Records CTI 4000)
14. Morning Glow (Single Version) - MICHAEL JACKSON (July 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 863)
15. Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse - JIMMY HELMS (February 1973, Cube Records BUG 27)
16. Like Sister And Brother - THE DRIFTERS (June 1973, Bell Records BELL 1313)
17. Sweet Illusion - JUNIOR CAMPBELL (April 1973, Deram DM 387)
18. One And One is One - MEDICINE HEAD (March 1973, Polydor 2001 432)
19. Snoopy Versus The Red Baron - HOTSHOTS (May 1973, Mooncrest MOON 5)
20. Part Of The Union - STRAWBS (January 1973, A&M Records AMS 7047)
NOTES on CD3:
Track 1 is a 2018 Remaster, Track 4 is Remaster (No Date)

Track 2 is written about a viewer's reaction to a Don McLean concert, while Perry Como's song on CD4 "And I Love You So" is a Don McLean cover version; Don McLean's own single for 1973 was "Everyday" - but it's not included on either this or the Extra '73 3CD set

Track 3 is a Veronique Sanson song (French singer) and cover version; she was once married to Stephens Stills and their son is Chris Stills

Tracks 5, 7, 8 and 12 are Single Versions (see entry 7 regarding playing time)

Track 6 features an uncredited Teddy Pendergrass on Lead Vocals

Track 13 is a Jazz-Funk version of a Strauss classical music melody

Track 17, Junior Campbell is ex-Marmalade

CD4 (69:57 minutes):

1. Ballroom Blitz - THE SWEET (September 1973, RCA Victor RCA 2403)

2. 48 Crash - SUZI QUATRO (July 1973, RAK Records RAK 158)

3. Roll Away The Stone - MOTT THE HOOPLE (November 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1895)

4. Street Life - ROXY MUSIC (from the November 1973 UK album "Stranded" on Island ILPS 9252)

5. Rock On - DAVID ESSEX (July 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1693)

6. Crazy - MUD (January 1973, RAK Records RAK 146)

7. Dancin' (On A Saturday Night) - BARRY BLUE (April 1973, Bell Records BELL 1295)

8. Young Love (Album Version) - DONNY OSMOND (from the March 1973 UK LP "Alone Together" on MGM Records 2315 210)

9. Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree - DAWN featuring TONY ORLANDO (February 1973, Bell Records BELL 1287)

10. Take Me Home Country Roads - OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (November 1972, Pye International 7N.25599, 2022 Remaster)

11. Paper Roses (Album Version) - MARIE OSMOND (from the September 1973 UK LP "Paper Roses" on MGM Records 2315 262)

12. Welcome Home - PETERS And LEE (May 1973, Philips 6006 307)

13. Wonderful Dream - ANNE-MARIE DAVID (April 1973, Epic S EPC 1446)

14. Power To All Our Friends - CLIFF RICHARD (March 1973, EMI Records EMI 2012)

15. Never, Never, Never (Grande, Grande, Grande) - SHIRLEY BASSEY (February 1973, United Artists UP 35490, 2000 Remaster)

16. Summer (The First Time) - BOBBY GOLDSBORO (June 1973, United Artists Up 35559, 1991 Remaster)

17. And I Love You So - PERRY COMO (March 1973, RCA Victor RCA 2346)

18. Eye Level (Theme From The Thames TV Series "Van Der Valk") - SIMON PARK ORCHESTRA (October 1972, Columbia DB 8946)

19. Gaudete - STEELEYE SPAN (November 1972, Chrysalis CHS 2007)

20. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - WIZZARD (November 1973, Harvest HAR 5079)

21. Merry Xmas Everybody - SLADE (December 1973, Polydor 2058 422)

NOTES on CD4:

Track 4 is a 2012 Remaster; although not credited as such, it's the full album version at 3:27 minutes and not the 45-single edit at 2:53 minutes

Track 10 is a 2022 Remaster; Track 15 is a 2000 Remaster

Track 17 is a Don McLean cover version; Track 2 on CD3 "Killing Me Softly With His Song" by Roberta Flack is a viewer's reaction to a Don McLean concert; Don McLean's own single for 1973 was "Everyday" - but it's not included on either this or the Extra '73 three-disc set

The svelte cardboard packaging on these Yearbook 4CD Sets is bog-standard and basic – four-flap foldout card sleeves with the CDs in die-cuts on the inside. The track-by-track info beneath those pouches sometimes offers more than is on the basic rear sleeve, albeit in minuscule print - as you can see from the photos above. Some songs are Album Versions and others are Specific Remasters - while some tunes are Sixties tracks reissued and re-charted in 1973 (all are noted in my list). 

There is no mastering credit - but (and I mean this) you can tell these are Quality Remasters – the audio crack-a-lacking throughout – song after song impressing. The running order works so well on some - others it falters - but you could argue that CD2 alone would have made a toppermost-of-the-poppermost singular release on its owneo. Even if you don't dig half the stuff, at 83 tracks, the value for money is astonishing. Now Yearbook '73 set is chock full of audio goodies in both the Rock and Soul spheres with a mishmash of Pop and Glam thrown in. There are number ones galore and top ten hits you've forgotten (some for good reason).

Excepting the awful "Laughing Gnome" from David Bowie (a 1967 Deram single that got reissued in late 1973 on the strength of his "Aladdin Sane" LP success earlier in that mercurial year - where's "The Jean Jenie" or the underrated "Sorrow" for that matter) - CD1 offers a very tasty opening salvo. The opening one-two of Elton's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and Macca's Bond rocker "Live And Let Die" is going to put a smile on even the most jaded mush. And there are few in my generation who will not grin from ear-to-ear on hearing Bolan tear into fantastic riff that opens and sustains "20th Century Boy". But you also forget the Soul and R&B of the year - O'Jays inviting the people of England to be the next stop on the "Love Train" - The Detroit Spinners unable to help themselves "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" while Aretha delivers a sublime "Angel" (no wonder Hucknall's Simply Red covered it). Rod Stewart has an excellent stand-alone 45 in his cover of Maxine Brown's "Oh! No Not My Baby" - but I can pass on The Osmonds, and I know people love Mickey Most's RAK Records Chinn-Chapman output (Suzi Quatro, Mud) but after 50 years they make me reach for skip. The final track too by Gladys Knight & The Pips won't help you make it through the night because it's laden with some mighty levels of hiss (a rare audio let down).

CD2 is an almost perfect run - probably the best of the four. You forget just how lyrically and musically brilliant both The Boss and Billy Joel are - but they remind with "Blinded By The Light" and a hugely evocative "Piano Man" (gorgeous Remastered audio, Bruce only so-so). You can't go wrong with Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" (Mick Jagger duetting uncredited on those harmony vocals and a muscular clean remaster on this lo-fi recording), Rod Stewart with the Faces doing "Cindy Incidentally" ('Ooh La La' indeed) and the fantastic Rock-Funk of "Nutbush City Limits" from Ike & Tina Turner. But it's the re-discoveries like "Gaye" by Clifford T. Ward - gorgeous stuff - Nazareth rocking-up a Joni Mitchell song in "This Flight Tonight" - Medicine Head with their moment of funky-slide-guitar-chorus brilliance in "One Is One Is One" and the truly joyous (and lean) single edit of ELO's "Roll Over Beethoven". It ends on a reissue of the sublime Rock instrumental "Albatross" from Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac - a tune that attained top-slot in 1969 and even managed No. 2 on reissue in 1973.  

CD3 is mostly Soul and Funk and delivers some beauties (Tracks 5 to 13 all work). But top prizes must go to the (would you believe) A-side 'Vocal' Single Edit of The Temptation's masterpiece "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" which runs to an unbelievable 6:58 minutes. What is doesn't say on the packaging is that this is the 'American' version - the UK single ran to about 6:20 and is therefore lesser. And the discoveries - "Amoureuse" by Kiki Dee, "That Lady (Part 1) by the Isley Brothers and a putting-out-the-fevered-word Jimmy Helms pleader "Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse". Nice segue too from the forgotten Drifters "Like Sister And Brother" into ex-Marmalade man Junior Campbell doing "Sweet Illusion". 

Although it starts out strong with Brian Connelly of The Sweet getting all vocally hysterical on their riffage gem "The Ballroom Blitz" and Ian Hunter's Mott The Hoople reminding us why we loved them so with "Roll Away The Stone" - there is a run of serious Pop Cack from 7 to 14 - dreadful shit. And of course it ends on the two big holiday sevens by Wizzard and Slade (Harvest and Polydor must have made a few quid on these). When you realise that Steely Dan's debut "Can't Buy A Thrill" and second album "Countdown To Ecstasy" hits the shops in January and October 1973 on Probe Records in the UK - there were four 45s Now could have used - in other words what's missing is "Do It Again" and "Reeling In The Years" never mind "Show Biz Kids" or "My Old School". It's a shame that it's so chart-rigid - Wishbone Ash, Pink Floyd, Mike Oldfield, Cockney Rebel, Lou Reed, Stevie Wonder and so many more all had huge albums and 45s in 1973 - and they're not here. But alas...

So - why would I give 5-stars to a compilation that has whole swathes of yuck in places (CD4 - hang your head in shame) - because one man's Caustic Soda is another lady's Blueberry Muffin. There are probably bods as old as me who would shed an actual tear of nostalgia on hearing them (me, I came out in hives). 

But that's the thing with these 'Yearbook' sets - there's just so much to like that glitches and blips can be overlooked. Sony Music and Now did make me an offer I couldn't refuse and I advise you to succumb too. As Macca would say, "My Love" does it good...

NOW YEARBOOK '73 UK Discography

"Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW73 - 0196588183027 (Barcode 196588183027) – released 8 September 2023 as a 4CD 83-Track 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book with 28-Page Booklet

"Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW73 – 0196588182921 (Barcode 196588182921) – released 8 September 2023 as a 4CD 83-Track Eight-Panel Card Sleeve 'Standard Edition' with No Booklet

"Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW734 - 0196588182815 (Barcode 196588182815) – released 8 September 2023 as a 3LP RED VINYL Edition with 47-Tracks Truncated down from the 4CD edition.

"Now Yearbook Extra '73 - 60 More Essential Hits From 1973" on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW73 - 0196588268833 (Barcode 196588268823) – released 13 October 2023 as a 3CD 60-Track Companion Volume in a Tri-Gatefold Six Panel Card Sleeve with No Booklet

"Now Yearbook Extra '73: 60 More Essential Hits From 1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Mud, T.Rex, Mott The Hoople, David Bowie, The Allman Brothers Band, Thin Lizzy, Elton John, Carly Simon, Helen Reddy, Wizzard, Slade, Hudson-Ford, Paul Simon, Timmy Thomas, The Sweet, Jackson 5, Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye, The Detroit Spinners, Dobie Gray, Status Quo, Edgar Winter Group, Electric Light Orchestra, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Paul McCartney & Wings, 10cc, Mud, Nazareth, Albert Hammond, Donny Osmond, Suzi Quatro, Barry Blue, Geordie and many more (October 2023 UK Sony Music/EMI 3CD Themed Collection – Now Yearbook Series – Collectors Edition - Various Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOW-Yearbook-Extra-Various-Artists/dp/B0CHLCGJL8?crid=2HZ2TO48RO6QE&keywords=196588268823&qid=1706260708&sprefix=196588268823%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=edeccc67a39479494225b7271226bef6&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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US AND THEM - 1973
- Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

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"…Solid Gold Easy Action…"

While its Big-Daddy 4CD 82-Track compilation compatriot Now Yearbook '73 is a Cum On Feel The Noize Slade-slammin' 5-stars (released the month prior in September 2023) – its 3CD little brother compadre Extra '73 struggles to say the bleeding least (3-stars). 

Across sixty (more) tunes of supposed Solid Gold Easy Action T.Rextasy, there's a serious amount of badly dated Pop cack here, much of it borderline embarrassing into the pile-'em-high bargain. I am glad I got this at a knock-down price of under six quid from Amazon in one of their regular Sales purges. 

But (and this is the big but) - as with all these Now Yearbook sets – the goodies in-between the line-up cracks rescue your listen big time. "Lamplight" by David Essex is a stormer forgotten to time, the stunning "Frankenstein" from Johnny's brother Edgar Winter must be up there in the top 5 greatest Rock instrumental singles ever (dig that huge synth break rattling around your speakers) and the cool/beauty of "Why Can't We Live Together?" and "Drift Away" by Timmy Thomas and Dobie Gray never date for me – they are both Soul/R&B genius – even 50-years hence. Wings, E.L.O., Quo and Alice Cooper liven things up too. Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me Indeed. 

To the Lamplights, Pyjamaramas, Ghetto Children, Paper Planes, Hell Raisers, Ball Park Incidents and Free Electric Bands…details Mickey Most please... 

UK released 13 October 2023 – "Now Yearbook Extra '73: 60 More Essential Hits From 1973" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW73 – 0196588268823 (Barcode 196588268823) is an Extra Collectors Edition 3CD compilation in the 'Now Yearbook Series'. All tracks are 45-singles except when Album Versions are used (see NOTES after each CD list to identify), the whole collection is Remastered by Sony/EMI (some use specific date Remasters, again see NOTES) and I have provided UK release dates and catalogue numbers for each entry – info that is not in the card sleeve (no booklet). It breaks down as follows:

CD1 (68:10 minutes):

1. Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me - SLADE (June 1973, Polydor 2058 339)

2. Angel Fingers (A Teen Ballad) - WIZZARD (August 1973, Harvest HAR 5076)

3. Solid Gold Easy Action - T.REX (December 1972, EMI/T.Rex MARC 3)

4. Hell Raiser - THE SWEET (April 1973, RCA Victor RCA 2357)

5. Daytona Demon - SUZI QUATRO (October 1973, RAK Records RAK 161)

6. Hypnosis - MUD (June 1973, RAK Records RAK 152) 

7. Do You Wanna Dance? - BARRY BLUE (October 1973, Bell Records BELL 1336)

8. All The Way From Memphis - MOTT THE HOOPLE (Album Version, July 1973 UK LP "Mott" on CBS Records S 69038)

9. Pyjamarama - ROXY MUSIC (February 1973, Island WIP 6159, 1999 Remaster)

10. Lamplight - DAVID ESSEX (November 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1902)

11. The Dean And I - 10cc (August 1973, UK Records UK 48)

12. Why Oh Why Oh Why - GILBERT O'SULLIVAN (November 1973, MAM Records MAM 111)

13. The Twelfth Of Never - DONNY OSMOND (Album Version, from the 1973 UK LP "Alone Together" on MGM Records 2315 210)

14. Daddy's Home - JERMAINE JACKSON (April 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 851)

15. The Look Of Love - GLADYS KNIGHT And THE PIPS (Album Version, a 1968 song from the US 1968 LP "Silk N' Soul" on Soul SS-711 in Stereo)

16. Break Up To Make Up - THE STYLISTICS (February 1973, Avco 6105 020)

17. Skywriter - JACKSON 5 (Album Version, from the July 1973 UK LP "Skywriter" on Tamla Motown STML 11231)

18. I'm Doin' Fine Now - NEW YORK CITY (May 1973, RCA Victor RCA 2351)

19. Ghetto Child - THE DETROIT SPINNERS (September 1973, Atlantic K 10359) Spinners in USA

20. Why Can't We Live Together (7" Glades Version) - TIMMY THOMAS (February 1973, Mojo 2027 012, 2013 Remaster)

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 8, 13, 15 and 17 are Album Versions

Tracks 9 and 20 are Remasters from 1999 and 2013 respectively

CD2 (71:06 minutes):

1. Hi, Hi, Hi – WINGS (December 1972, Apple R 5973 - Double A-side with "C Moon" - Although only credited to WINGS - it was Paul McCartney's band - both tracks Non-LP at the time of release)

2. Showdown (Single Version) – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (September 1973, Harvest HAR 5077)

3. Joybringer – MANFRED MANN'S EARTHBAND (August 1973, Vertigo 6059 083)

4. Broken Down Angel – NAZARETH (March 1973, Mooncrest MOON 1)

5. All Because Of You – GEORDIE (February 1973, EMI Records EMI 2008)

6. Paper Plane – STATUS QUO (November 1972, Vertigo 6059 071)

7. Frankenstein (Single Version) – THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP (April 1973, Epic S EPC 1440)

8. Hello Hooray – ALICE COOPER (January 1973, Warner Brothers K 16248)

9. God Gave Rock And Roll To You – ARGENT (February 1973, Epic S EPC 1243) 

10. The Free Electric Band - ALBERT HAMMOND (May 1973, MUMS Records S MUM 1494)

11. Ramblin Man – THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (October 1973, Capricorn K 17513)

12. Pick Up The Pieces – HUDSON-FORD [ex Strawbs] (August 1973, A&M AMS 7078)

13. Loves Me Like A Rock – PAUL SIMON (with The Dixie Hummingbirds) (August 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1700)

14. Baby I Love You – DAVE EDMUNDS (December 1972, Rockfield ROC 1)

15. Hallelujah Day (Single Version) – JACKSON 5 (May 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 856)

16. Keep On Truckin' (Part 1) (Single Version) – EDDIE KENDRICKS (October 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 873)

17. Take Me Girl, I'm Ready – Jr. WALKER And THE ALL-STARS (January 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 840)

18. You're A Special Part Of Me – DIANA ROSS & MARVIN GAYE (November 1973, Tamla Motown TMG 879)

19. Pillow Talk – SYLVIA (April 1973, London HLU 10415)

20. Drift Away – DOBIE GRAY (March 1973, MCA Records MU 1184)

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 1, 2, 7, 15 and 16 are Single Versions (Track 1 was a Non-LP 45-Single)

Track 5 features Brian Johnson, future Lead Vocalist with AC/DC

Track 13 features the famous Doo Wop/Acapella Group 'The Dixie Hummingbirds'

Track 14 is a cover version of the December 1963 Ronettes US 45 originally on Philles 118. Produced by Phil Spector, Dave Edmunds produced his cover in the same Phil Spector Wall-of-Sound style

Tracks 1 and 4 are 2018 and 2009 Remasters respectively

CD3 (61:53 minutes):

1. Daniel - ELTON JOHN (January 1973, DJM Records DJS 275)

2. The Right Thing To Do - CARLY SIMON (March 1973, Elektra K 12095) 

3. Time In A Bottle - JIM CROCE (November 1973 USA, ABC Records ABC-11405, February 1974 UK, Vertigo 6073 272)

4. Delta Dawn - HELEN REDDY (July 1973, Capitol CL 15757)

5. Rocky Mountain High – JOHN DENVER (January 1973, RCA Victor RCA 2312)

6. Duelling Banjos - ERIC WEISSBERG and STEVE MANDELL (November 1972, Warner Brothers K 16223)

7. My Friend Stan - SLADE (September 1973, Polydor 2058 407)

8. The Groover - T.REX (June 1973, EMI/T.Rex MARC 5)

9. Ball Park Incident - WIZZARD (November 1972, Harvest HAR 5062)

10. Honaloochie Boogie - MOTT THE HOOPLE (May 1973, CBS Records S CBS 1530)

11. Randy - BLUE MINK (June 1973, EMI Records EMI 2028)

12. Step Into A Dream - WHITE PLAINS (January 1973, Deram DM 371)

13. Say, Has Anyone Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose - DAWN featuring TONY ORLANDO (July 1973, Bell Records BELL 1322)

14. Pinball Wizard/See Me, Feel Me - THE NEW SEEKERS (February 1973, Polydor 2058 338)

15. Avenues And Alleyways - TONY ORLANDO (October 1972, MCA Records MCA MKS 5101)

16. I've Been Hurt - GUY DARRELL (July 1973, Ponsa PNS 4)

17. Spanish Eyes - AL MARTINO (November 1965 USA original on Capitol Capital 5542, Reissued UK August 1970 on Capitol CL 15430 and reached No. 49, re-entered the UK singles charts again in July 1973 and rose to No. 5 

18. Fool - ELVIS PRESLEY (August 1973, RCA Victor RCA 2393)

19. The Old Fashioned Way (Les Plaisirs Demodes) - CHARLES AZNAVOUR (April 1973, Barclay BAR 20)

20. Monster Mash - BOBBY (BORIS) PICKETT and THE CRYPT-KICKERS (July 1961 US Original on Garpax P-1, September 1962 UK Single Originally on London HLU 9597, re-issued August 1970 in the UK on London HLU 10320, re-entered the UK charts in September 1973 and rose to No. 3

NOTES on CD3:

Track 6 from the movie "Deliverance"

Track 14 is a Medley of two Who cover versions

Track 16 was originally a hit in 1964; Track 17 originally in 1965; Track 20 was a US No. 1 in 1962

The packaging on these Extra Yearbook 3CD Sets is bog-standard and basic – three-flap foldout card sleeves with the CDs in die-cuts on the inside. The track-by-track info beneath those grooves always offers more than the rear sleeve basics, albeit in minuscule print. Some are Album Versions and others are specific Remasters - Track 10 on CD1 for instance is "All The Way From Memphis" by Mott The Hoople, but the small print tells you that it's the Album Version which is longer than the harder to find on digital shorter version of the 45-single mix. The Roxy Music and Timmy Thomas songs are 1999 and 2013 Remasters, Donny Osmond and Gladys Knight And The Pips are LP versions too. Other years - the Gladys Knight cover of the famous Burt Bacharach song is from 1968 but released in 1973 – Bobby 'Boris' Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers doing "The Monster Mash" ending CD3 is the same – a witty US 1962 No. 1 Novelty song reissued to chart success in 1973 (a graveyard smash, oh dear).

There is no mastering credit, but you can tell these are good Remasters – the audio crack-a-lacking throughout – song after song impressing. The problem lies in the material. Anyone who bought the 4CD Now Yearbook '73 set will know that it's chock full of audio goodies in both the Rock and Soul spheres with a mishmash of Pop and Glam thrown in. Here you get a concentration on the Pop end of Glam, the crooner tunes, and a big hunk of the teen idols and their sickly-travelled saccharine pap. For sure there are moments – "The Free Electric Band" by Albert Hammond is 1973 Pop-Rock at its best, "The Right Thing To Do" by Carly Simon is gorgeous and arguably better than the more famous "You're So Vain" (which is on the 4CD set) and I will take "The Dean & I" by 10cc over their too familiar "Rubber Bullets" any day of the 1973 week (both from their debut album). 

While Al Martino and Tony Christie may make you smile with "Spanish Eyes" and the British gangster lean of "Avenues And Alleyways" - The New Seekers, Elvis Presley, Charles Aznavour et all kills off any good nostalgia vibe. It's also understandable that huge albums of 1973 like Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" and Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" don't make it even if there were singles off both, but where is the "Aladdin Sane" stuff from Bowie or McCartney's "Band On The Run" album or something from Elton's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Where is "Innervisions" by Stevie Wonder with its killer songs and superlative singles? 

There are too few genuine tear-jerking remembrance moments too, like "Gaye" by Clifford T. Ward that ends CD2 on the 4CD set followed by a magisterial "Albatross" by Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac (a November 1968 single and magnificent instrumental that had re-charted in 1973). Instead, you get syrupy goo like Sylvia, John Denver and Helen Reddy - while Diana Ross tries to out-credit Marvin Gaye on a tune that does neither of them any favours. Goodies do come with Paul Simon, Nazareth and The Detroit Spinners, providing moments of Rock and Soul greatness – but for me there are too few of those and too much of the other.

A good set then rather than a great one. If you must buy - get the four-disc Now Yearbook '73  set first (reviewed separately) and start your way to this – albeit cautiously…

NOW YEARBOOK '73 UK Discography

"Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBXNOW73 - 0196588183027 (Barcode 196588183027) – released 8 September 2023 as a 4CD 83-Track 28-Page Special Edition Hardback Book with 28-Page Booklet

"Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI CDYBNOW73 – 0196588182921 (Barcode 196588182921) – released 8 September 2023 as a 4CD 83-Track Eight-Panel Card Sleeve 'Standard Edition' with No Booklet

"Now Yearbook '73" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music/EMI LPYBNOW734 - 0196588182815 (Barcode 196588182815) – released 8 September 2023 as a 3LP RED VINYL Edition with 47-Tracks Truncated down from the 4CD edition.

"Now Yearbook Extra '73 - 60 More Essential Hits From 1973" on Sony Music/EMI CDYBENOW73 - 0196588268833 (Barcode 196588268823) – released 13 October 2023 as a 3CD 60-Track Companion Volume in a Tri-Gatefold Six Panel Card Sleeve with No Booklet