"Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" by JOHN BARRY (September 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Content ****

Audio *****

Presentation *****

"…The Man With The Sun In His Hair…"

Being something of a JB trouser-stroking aficionado, lifelong bended-knee bellend and all-round worshiper of all things Baz-like - I had such high hopes for this British CD  compilation of his primo Sixties output. 

But while 85% of "Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" is fabtastic in that so-60Ts way (complete with truly terrific audio) – it just falls short of the magic you'd expect from someone – well – as magical as Soundtrack Composer and all-round suave coolsville champ John Barry.

For starters there is the price and content. Fans will look down through the 25-song track list in September 2024 and know they have many of these obvious choices (a few are B-side rarities but they aren't very good, some Stereo US versions when they were only Mono in Blighty and so on) – and as The Real John Barry 3CD set by Columbia is just £6 or less for nearly 60 tunes (see separate review) – where does Ace get off wanting £14 or more for 1CD?

But - there is that Corking Audio and Ace's usual top-notch booklet with liner notes that go deep - instead of a major label skim (none of The Real triples have liner notes but they do have Top Notch Remastered Audio and basic track details beneath each see-through plastic tray). There are also tracks from two very popular 'remakes' compilations - the 1966 set "Great Movie Sounds Of John Barry" and the 1967 UK LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" - both in Stereo - which will please diehards no end.

Even so - it's a four-star offering from Ace when it could have been a five-star double-apéritif in a Soho boozer with an immaculate King Rat schmoozing hotel chambermaids over by the plastic Pineapple Bucket. But - let's give credit where its due - to the Shaken Martinis and Space Capsules with Dr. Kiss-Kiss Bang-Bang giving it a bit of Quiller and Goldfinger up your séance on a wet afternoon (if you catch my patchouli drift)…

UK released Friday, 27 September 2024 - "Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967" by JOHN BARRY on Ace CDTOP 1649 (Barcode 029667111027) is a 25-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (66:31 minutes):

1. The Syndicate (October 1965 UK 45-single on CBS 201822, A-side)

2. Oublie Ca (July 1964 UK 45-single on United Artists UP 1060, Mono B-side of "Séance On A Wet Afternoon" (Track 3 is the A-side) - for a Stereo Version of "Séance On A Wet Afternoon" from the LP - see Track 24)

3. Séance On A Wet Afternoon (see Track 2 for details)

4. Troubadour (October 1964 UK 45-single on United Artists UP 1068, Mono B-side of "Goldfinger" - for a Stereo Version of "Goldfinger" from the Soundtrack LP - see Track 7)

5. Chicken Delhi Cold (from the 1964 US STEREO LP "Man In The Middle - Original Soundtrack Album" on 20th Century Fox TFS 4128 - Note: the UK variant of the Soundtrack LP on Stateside SL 10087 was only ever issued in MONO)

6. Barbra's Theme (April 1965 UK MONO 45-single on CBS 201747, B-side of "A Man Alone" - for the A-side see Track 10)

7. Goldfinger (Remake of the 1964 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

8. The Chase (March 1966 US 45-single on Columbia 4-43544, A-side)

9. Theme From King Rat (from the 1965 US STEREO LP "King Rat - Original Soundtrack Recording" on Mainstream S/6061)

10. A Man Alone (see details on Track 6)

11. The Knack (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402 - for more from 'The Knack' Soundtrack Mono LP - see Track 17 "Something's Up!")

12. Thunderball (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

13. Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Remake of the 1965 classic - from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

14. Four In The Morning (from the 1966 UK MONO LP "Four In The Morning" on Ember NR 5029)

15. The Danny Scipio Theme (October 1966 UK 45-single on CBS 202390, B-side of "Vendetta" - for the A-side see Track 19)

16. Theme From "The Quiller Memorandum" - Wednesday's Child (November 1966 UK 45-single on CBS 202451, A-side)

17. Something's Up! (from the 1965 US MONO LP "The Knack...And How To Get It" on United Artists UAL 5129 - see also Track 11 for a Remake of "The Knack" song)

18. The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068 - written for a Sunsilk Hair Shampoo advert - it was also the UK STEREO 45-single B-side of "You Only Live Twice" in June 1967 on CBS 2825 - see Track 21 for the A-side)

19. Vendetta (see Track 15 for details)

20. The Whisperers (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

21. You Only Live Twice (see Track 18 for details)

22. Space March (Capsule In Space) (Original on the "You Only Live Twice" Soundtrack LP - This Version from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

23. Dutchman (from the 1967 UK STEREO LP "John Barry Conducts His Great Movie Hits" on CBS SS 63068)

24. Séance On A Wet Afternoon (from the 1966 UK STEREO LP "Great Movie Sounds of John Barry" on CBS SBPG 62402)

25. Born Free - Main Title (1966 US 45-single on MGM K 13591, A-side)

NOTES: 

Tracks 1 to 4, 6, 10, 14, 15 and 19 in MONO: all others in STEREO

The 20-page booklet curated and penned by affectionate uber-fan BOB STANLEY is a thing of beauty and packed with details ('Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' was the nickname given to Bond in Japan and Italy so Barry was commissioned to pen a song with this dubious moniker by the market-conscious Producers - JB of course delivered with a wry smile). All the entries have mini photos abutting text for their varying UK and US 45s and LPs - for instance there's a full page spread for 'The Quiller Memorandum' on Page 15 and the photograph for the Soundtrack to 'Four In The Morning' features the correct British sleeve art (on Ember Records) because the US variant is different. Page 12 gives the Mono and Stereo artworks for 'The Knack' soundtrack because they differ - Rita Tushingham on the Mono copy and the snapping Fingers entwined with Legs photo on the Stereo - attention to detail in other words. JB himself is pictured across Pages 2 and 3 examining film reels while there is a full-page spread given to 'A Man Alone' - a picture sleeve on Page 10 you just don't see every day of the carboot-sale week. 

But best of all is Remasters by NICK ROBBINS - Ace's vastly experienced Audio Engineer and he canes it on all counts. There cannot be any Barry fans who do not adore "Space March..." where the American capsule is swallowed up by another 'foreign' craft orbiting Earth in "You Only Live Twice" or the menace inherent in the "King Rat" theme - both sounding spiffo here. Personally I would have loved the bouncing super-60Ts "Here Comes Nancy Now!" track from 'The Knack' soundtrack rather than the so-so "Something's Up" choice - but that's just me. And the rare B-sides will please hardcore collectors. To the listen...

With a signature Brass and Drums business - "The Syndicate" piano-pounds out of your speakers like the baby brother of 007 shuffling around a Bahama's beach. Crystal clear audio for "Oublie Ca" but I find it silly and dismissible. The overly-fast pace of "Seance On A Wet Afternoon" seems out of kilter too with its title while the Flute and Spanish Acoustic Guitar of the B-side "Troubadour" hints at greatness in his melodies. The plucked harp-strings and plinking tubular bells of "Chicken Delhi Cold" is another strange choice - pleasant enough - but hardly thrilling. 

At last, and six songs in, we get "Barbra's Theme" - another obscure flute-driven B-side (to "A Man Alone")  when his signature slink starts to truly manifest itself. But good as "Barbra's Theme" is, 'tis no match for the gorgeous "Goldfinger" - all 4:22 minutes of it in sophisticated Super Stereo. "The Chase" sounds like its title - secret agents on the run - bad men close behind - a shuffling high-hat giving it edginess until an Acoustic Guitar and Harmonic take it romping home. Fans will adore the brilliant "Theme From King Rat" that virtually oozes prison-camp sweat, menace and even sadness as the titular 'getter' walks clean and untouched amongst the hurt and dirt because he 'knows people' that others consider sworn enemies. 

The familiar piano-plinking makes "A Man Alone" feel like a very British Spy theme - gorgeous audio as the tambourine shakes. But sophistication and playfulness soon return with "The Knack" resplendent here in 2:52 minutes of Stereo glory (yeah baby). Big and brassy comes a thundering in with "Thunderball" - the strings and flutes lifting it up into total classic mode (dig those tasteful piano fills). More brass blasting with "Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" - naughty Bond sashaying across a hotel lobby as the ladies flutter their eyebrows and whatever little else they're wearing. Melancholy and darkness pervades the lonesome "Four In The Morning" taking the listen down a needed notch with style. "The Danny Scipio Theme" could have been any 60Ts TV Spy theme music - our hero up against the odds but still somehow coming out on top with a rubber band and roll of sticky tape as his only weapons. 

A clever downturn in the pace comes with the quiet but effective "Wednesday's Child" from 'The Quiller Memorandum' (an Adam Hall novel adaptation) - the saw warbling Flexatone being the instrument of unusual choice. Very clever sequencing throws "Something's Up" on as a follow-through - organ and ladies voices brought to a crescendo. But this is whomped by blonde nubiles washing their hair in Sunsilk Shampoo as "The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair" plays them (surely there's a waterfall in there Mr. Bond). What a gorgeous and evocative piece of JB magic this is. A reformed Mafioso begins working for the Vatican's anti-Mafia unit - "Vendetta" offering us a so 1966 BBC Spy Show them song (Stelio Candellli was the actor playing Danny Scipio). But good as that is, I'd forgotten how gorgeous the sad and powerful music to "The Whisperers" is - a Bryan Forbes movie about Oldham in 1967. But again all is whacked into touch with the most glorious Bond Theme ever - "You Only Live Twice"  - here in its instrumental magic - all exploding dug-out Japanese volcanoes and Little Nellie suitcases. And I love love (did I say love) "Space March (Capsule In Space)" in all its creeping magnificence - surely the primo example of Barry's genius in setting a film alight whilst making it exotic at one and the same time. And on it goes...

"Something's Up! Film, TV & Studio Work 1964-1967 could be longer (at least ten more minutes) and could include music that tingles rather than just being rare. But as it's John Barry - and as it's his wonder-years - you can only call this Ace Records CD compilation another world-saving gadget success. Goodbye Mr. Bond! Not so fast Blofeld! Recommended like a night out with Moneypenny..

"The Reprise Years 1970-1973" by FANNY – Includes Four Studio Albums Plus Bonuses – Features "Fanny" (December 1970 US Debut), "Charity Ball" (July 1971 US Second Album), "Fanny Hill" (February 1972 Third Album) and "Mothers Pride" (February 1973 Fourth Album) – Band Included June and Jean Millington, Nickey Barclay and Alice De Buhr (August 2024 UK Cherry Red 4CD Clamshell Box Set of 82-Tracks on 4CDs – Reissue Based on a September 2002 US-Only Rhino-Handmade Remastered 4CD 90-Track Box Set called "First Time In A Long Time: The Reprise Recordings") - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Rock 'Til The Break Of Dawn…"

RATING: 

Overall: **** to *****

Audio: **** to *****

Presentation: *****

Back in September 2002 Rhino Handmade of the USA issued the 4CD 90-Track compilation "First Time In A Long Time: The Reprise Recordings" by FANNY which gave fans of the Classic 70s All-Girl Rock Band a mighty haul. It covered four US studio albums from December 1970 through to February 1973 – each of those Reprise Records LPs bolstered up with wads of rare singles-side edits, studio outtakes, live recordings and previously unreleased (including recordings made by Todd Rundgren in 1973 for the "Mothers Pride" set not heard in nearly 40 years). 

That rare out-of-the-USA-only compilation on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7734 (Barcode 6034977342) was a numbered limited edition of 5000 copies and quickly sold out – and has not surprisingly acquired huge price tags on secondhand auction sites ever since – sometimes up to £150 and more. There were individual album Remasters and Reissues in 2013 and 2016 by Real Gone Music of the USA (close ties to Rhino) but they too have largely disappeared to the mists of the Net and if they are available – all four will cost ya.

Here in late August 2024, reissue heroes Cherry Red Records of the UK come to the shagpad rescue with a re-run and re-name of that 4-Disc 90-Track beast minus just eight cuts (four of which were promotional spots anyway – so not a lot wasted or dropped). At 82 tracks, 4 albums and with some seriously great stragglers on each disc (check out those playing times) – "The Reprise Years  1970-1973" also comes in a Clamshell Box Set with four of those natty Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves we collectors love and a decent chunky booklet with band input (the Millington sisters and Alice de Buhr) from 2024. At a retail push of about £25 or less – we get Mothers Pride indeed. Even sweeter - and as is evidenced by the play when you plough through the discs - this 2024 Cherry Red reissue (officially licensed from WEA) has retained the clear and muscular Rhino Remasters - a shockingly clear and ballsy listen for old material recorded by famed Producer Richard Perry in a hurry (first three LPs and Todd Rundgren for the fourth). 

Fanny were well liked – and when you hear live cuts from 1972 and 1973 – they absolutely rocked when on stage. The albums in fact may feel a tad tame when someone suggests Rawk or Psych – Fanny were a fun Pop and Rock group and wrote some decent tunes. This all-girl four-piece Rock Band out of the USA also set the template for so many to follow - Heart, The Runaways, The Go-Go's, The Bangles and suchlike buddies in Rock and Roll crime.

If Fanny were so good you might say, then how come they were such a commercial failure with five whole studio albums that barely charted ("Charity Ball" made No. 150 on the Billboard US Album charts in October 1971 while its follow-up "Fanny Hill" made No. 135 in October 1972 - their fifth and last "Rock And Roll Survivors" was on Casablanca Records in 1974 but did not register and none of their LPs charted in the UK). As I recall when I worked the counters at Reckless Records for 20 whole years – Fanny albums were notorious four-to-five-pound fodder. 

But – and this is the big but – circling back to our reissue – it’s the Bonuses on each CD that elevate the listen into a better-than-most feast. A lot of these outtakes and single edits are so damn good and at times brilliant (the 1973 cover version of The Supremes Motown No.1 hit "Back In My Arms Again" is quite possibly the best thing on here). The same I'm afraid could not be said of The Steve Gibbons Band Box set put out by Esoteric Recordings in January 2022 (a division of Cherry Red) where seriously lacklustre supposed Bonus material dragged the whole kaboodle down. Here the extras are a celebration and even an indication of what could have been had they been allowed to simply ROCK. A lot to take in, so time to attend the Charity Ball with our My Fair Lady gals once more. To the details…

UK released 28 August 2024 - "The Reprise Years  1970-1973" by FANNY on Cherry Red QCRCD4BOX173 (Barcode 5013929117396) is a 4CD 82-Track Reissued Compilation Based on a September 2002 US set and it plays out as follows:

CD1 "Fanny" + Bonus Tracks (72:41 minutes):
1. Come And Hold Me [Side 1]
2. I Just Realised
3. Candlelighter Man
4. Conversation With A Cop
5. Badge
6. Changing Horses [Side 2]
7. Bitter Wine
8. Take A Message To The Captain
9. It Takes A Lot Of Good Lovin'
10. Shade Me
11. Seven Roads (see NOTES)
Tracks 1 to 11 are their debut album "Fanny" – released December 1970 in the USA on Reprise RS 6416 (no UK issue). Produced by RICHARD PERRY

CD1 BONUS TRACKS:
12. Ladie's Choice
13. New Day
14. Nowhere To Run
15. One Step At A Time
16. Changing Horses (Single Version)
17. Seven Roads (German Single Edit)
18. Shade Me (B-side Edit)
19. Badge (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)
20. Candlelighter Man (The Kitchen Tapes)
21. Seven Roads (Second Version)

NOTES on CD1: 
Track 11 "Seven Roads" at the end of Side 2 of the released album is a First Version – Fanny re-did the song and that Second Version is in the Bonus Tracks along with a German Single Edit too (see Track 17); Track 21 is a Second version of "Seven Roads" and at 3:46 minutes is shorter than Version 1 on the LP playing to 4:17 minutes
Tracks 12 and 13 "Ladie's Choice" and "New Day" are the A&B-side of their debut US 45-single released March 1970 on Reprise 0901 (no UK equivalent)
Tracks 15 and 14 (note the sequence) are the A&B-side of their second US 45-single released August 1970 on Reprise 0938; both tracks are covers, "Nowhere Man" is a cover version of the Martha & The Vandellas 60ts Motown hit and "One Step At A Time" by Maxine Brown in 1965 on Wand Records
Track 16 is an 2:15 minute edit of "Changing Horses" (LP runs to 3:44 minutes); it was their third US 45-single released November 1970 (a month before the album) on Reprise 0963 with the LP cut "Conversation With A Cop" as its flipside; it was also their first UK 45 issued July 1971 on Reprise K 14086 with the same edit on the A and the same B-side but put in a rare Picture Sleeve (pictured in the Discography towards the end of the booklet)
Track 17 "Seven Roads" was not issued in the USA, but it was released March 1971 in Germany on Reprise 14 080 as their second 45-single there with "Shade Me" on the flipside. Both were edited for that release – the LP cut of "Seven Roads" (First Version) is 4:17 minutes while the German A-side 45-Edit is 3:03 minutes – the LP cut of "Shade Me" is 4:36 minutes while the German Single Edit B-side is 3:55 minutes
Tracks 5 and 19 are "Badge" – a cover version of the 1969 Cream song written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison; Track 19 recorded live in Philadelphia 21 April 1973 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set

CD2 "Charity Ball" + Bonus Tracks (69:53 minutes):
1. Charity Ball [Side 1]
2. What Kind Of Lover
3. Cat Fever
4. A Person Like You
5. Special Care
6. What's Wrong With Me?
7. Soul Child [Side 2]
8. You're The One
9. Thinking Of You
10. Place In The Country (Second Version)
11. A Little While Later
Tracks 1 to 11 are their second studio album "Charity Ball" – released July 1971 in the USA on Reprise RS 6456 and November 1971 in the UK on Reprise K 44144. Produced by RICHARD PERRY.

CD2 BONUS TRACKS:
12. Charity Ball (Single Version)
13. Charity Ball (Live in Cleveland)
14. Place In The Country (Live in Cleveland)
15. Back In My Arms Again (Studio Outtake)
16. Lonesome Pine (Mothers Pride Demo Session)
17. Old Milwaukee (Mothers Pride Demo Session)
18. Place In The Country (First Version)
19. Queen Aretha (The Band Wild Honey, Demo Session)

NOTES on CD2:
Track 12 is "Charity Ball" – their third US 45-single released August 1971 on Reprise 1033 with the LP cut (Second Version) of "Place In The Country" on the flipside; it was also their second UK 45-single issued with the same tracks November 1971 on Reprise K 14109
Tracks 13 and 14 recorded live in Cleveland 11 April 1972 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set
Track 15 "Back In My Arms Again" was recorded in 1973 with Todd Rundgren and is a studio outtake first issued in 2002 on the Rhino Handmade 4CD set; it is a cover version of The Supremes fifth number one hit on Motown from 1965
Tracks 16 and 17 are Demo Sessions from the fourth LP "Mothers Pride" recorded in New York in January 1973 and first issued in 2002
Track 19 "Queen Aretha" is by the band Wild Honey (Fanny in their first incarnation) from a Demo Session

CD3 "Fanny Hill" + Bonus Tracks (79:18 minutes):
1. Ain't That Peculiar [Side 1]
2. Knock On My Door
3. Blind Alley
4. You've Got A Home
5. Wonderful Feeling 
6. Borrowed Time
7. Hey Bulldog [Side 2]
8. Think About The Children
9. Rock Bottom Blues
10. Sound And The Fury
11. The First Time
Tracks 1 to 11 are their third studio album "Fanny Hill" – released February 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2058 and Reprise K 44147 in the UK. Produced by RICHARD PERRY – Guest Musicians included Bobby Keys on Tenor Saxophone (Tracks 1, 6 and 9) with Jim Price on Trumpet and Trombone (Tracks 6 and 9). Recorded in London – Fanny cover The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' song "Hey Bulldog" in which they add a verse, The Fabs gave their OK on this.

CD3 BONUS TRACKS:
12. Ain't That Peculiar (Single Version)
13. Young And Dumb
14. Knock On My Door (B-side Edit)
15. Tomorrow
16. No Deposit, No Return
17. Ain't That Peculiar (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)
18. Borrowed Time (Live in Cleveland)
19. Hey Bulldog (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)
20. Knock On My Door (Live in Cleveland)
21. Young And Dumb (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)

NOTES ON CD3:
Tracks 5 and 9 "Wonderful Feeling" b/w "Rock Bottom Blues" was their fourth 45-single issued June 1972 in the USA on Reprise REP 1097 (no UK equivalent)
Track 12 "Ain't That Peculiar" is a Single Edit at 3:39 minutes while the LP cut runs to 4:05 minutes; it was issued March 1972 in the USA as their third 45 on Reprise REP 1080 with the LP cut "Think About The Children" on the flipside; it was also their third UK 45-single with the same tracks issued April 1972 on Reprise K 14165
Track 13 "Young And Dumb" (3:33 minutes) is a stand-alone 45-single (an Ike Turner cover version, their fifth US 45) with an 2:56 minute edit of the LP cut "Knock On My Door" on the flipside (the LP cut is 3:20 minutes); it was released September 1972 in the USA on Reprise REP 1119 and October 1972 in the UK on Reprise K 14207
Track 15 "Tomorrow" is a studio outtake from the "Fanny Hill" sessions recorded in London at Apple Studios in December 1971 – first issued in 2002 on the Rhino Handmade set
Track 16 "No Deposit, No Return" is an early 1971 recording first issued 2002 on the Rhino Handmade set; some copies of their December 1970 debut album listed this song on the rear cover but it was never issued
Tracks 17, 19 and 21 recorded live in Philadelphia 21 April 1973 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set
Tracks 18 and 20 recorded live in Cleveland 11 April 1972 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set

CD4 "Mothers Pride" + Bonus Tracks (75:45 minutes):
1. Last Night I Had A Dream [Side 1]
2. Long Road Home
3. Old Hat
4. Solid Gold
5. Is It Really You?
6. All Mine
7. Summer Song [Side 2]
8. Polecat Blues
9. Beside Myself
10. Regular Guy
11. I Need You Need Me
12. Feelings
13. I'm Satisfied
Tracks 1 to 13 are their fourth studio album "Mothers Pride" – released February 1973 in the USA on Reprise MS 2137 and Reprise K 44233 in the UK. Produced by TODD RUNDGREN (sings backing vocals on the last Track on Side 1) – Track 1 is a Randy Newman cover version – all others are originals

CD4 BONUS TRACKS:
14. Summer Song (Single Version)
15. Wonderful Feeling (Single Version)
16. Rock Bottom Blues (Original Version)
17. I Need You Need Me (Single Version)
18. Last Night I Had A Dream (Single Edit)
19. Rock Bottom Blues (Backing Track)
20. All Mine (Mothers Pride Demo Session)
21. Last Night I Had A Dream (Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia)

NOTES on CD4:
Track 14 "Summer Song" was issued in the UK January 1973 on Reprise K 14220 with LP cut "Borrow Time" on the B-side (no US equivalent)
Track 15 "Wonderful Feeling" was issued as their fifth US-45 single June 1972 on Reprise REP 1097 with the LP cut of "Rock Bottom Blues" as its B-side
Track 17 "I Need You Need Me" was issued as a B-side 4:53 Minute Edit to their seventh US-45 single released March 1973 on Reprise REP 1148; the A-side was the LP cut "All Mine" – in the UK the song "I Need You Need Me" was issued as the A-side April 1973 on Reprise K 14250 with "Beside Myself" as its B-side
Track 18 "Last Night I Had A Dream" was issued as their eight US-45 single June 1973 on Reprise REP 1162 with the LP cut of "Beside Myself" as its B-side
Tracks 19 and 20 first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set
Track 21 recorded live in Philadelphia 21 April 1973 and first issued on the 2002 Rhino Handmade set

FANNY was: 
JUNE MILLINGTON on Lead Guitar and Vocals
NICKEY BARCLAY on Keyboards
JEAN MILLINGTON on Bass and Vocals
ALICE De BUHR on Drums

The Clamshell Box offers four Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves (no Lyric Inserts, no Lyrics in the booklet) with a 28-page booklet featuring updated 2024 input from the surviving members of the band. After a few credits pages and track lists – the remainder of the booklet breaks down the June, Jean and Alice reminiscences into discussions on each album – one by one. You get their start as Wild Honey sporting Addie Clement as Lead Guitarist (replaced by Nickey Barclay on Keyboards before recording their first album) stretching right through to weird experiences with Todd Rundgren on a bit of a Producer ego-trip for the fourth studio album "Mothers Pride" (Bernie Taupin of Elton John fame and Denny Cordell who started Shelter Records that featured J.J. Cale and Leon Russell were in the Producer running too). 

Black and White photos abound(one or two colour) of the gals in the studio and on stage, Reprise Records promo shots and even a picture Discography of Albums and Singles across Pages 26 and 27. Jean is particularly vivid when recalling how the band evolved – getting better and better – tapping into cover versions too amidst all the originals. DAVE TURNER did the Mastering and as its Rhino Remasters of old (2002) – the audio is exceptionally good – certainly better than I remember the original LPs sounding.

Disc 3 of the September 2002 Rhino Handmade set "First Time In A Long Time: The Reprise Recordings" introduced eleven live cuts as Previously Unreleased tracks – lucky for us nine are present and accounted for here but have been spread across all four CDs into the Bonuses. They comprise of four in Cleveland recorded April 1972 and five in Philadelphia recorded April 1973 (the two dropped are "Summer Song" and "It Takes A Lot Of Good Lovin'"). And you can hear why they are featured.

Take "Ain't That Peculiar" for instance – Jean Millington is in total blistering form - attacking her axe like she’s Johnny Winter on Slide Guitar speed – fantastic stuff – but then the vocals are off to the side - if at all. It ruins what would have been a fantastic live album. But I can so hear why Rhino and the band included them – to show what a great live act Fanny were when given room to let loose. The four Cleveland cuts have better vocals so Cherry Red mix one after the other – clever. In fact, you cannot help but think that had someone like legendary Producer Ted Templeman been around and miked the band up live – there might have been more to grab the listener on LP. They needed someone to go all Montrose on their sound – but alas. To the LPs…

After building and honing repertoire and settling the line-up from more than a year, the debut album "Fanny" hit the shops in December 1970. There are great Rock Song cuts to enjoy which I am sure would-be mandatory placings on any Best Of - "Candlelighter Man", "Shade Me", "Conversation With A Cop" and their smart covering of the Cream classic "Badge". There is a definite sense of a group finding its feet on songs like "Bitter Wine" juxtapositioned beside the knowing street-sassiness of "I Just Realised" where any man had better watch out. The debut is good – a lost gem even some would say and those extras really make a difference - but the second album is better and more accomplished. 

Both the title track "Charity Ball" and major-fan-fave "Place In The Country" (the more chunky-second-version) were smart choices as a lead off Reprise 45-single – their brand of almost Soulful Funk-Rock helping US Radio use both tracks. It might have lasted only 1 week, but at least "Charity Ball" hit No. 40 on the Billboard US singles chart. Fanny would have to wait until March of 1975 to chart again with Casablanca Records where "Butter Boy" from their final album "Rock And Roll Survivor" did better by going to No.29 and lasting 3 weeks. "What Kind Of A Lover" and "Cat Fever" rank highly by the girls in their "Charity Ball" album liner-notes – and on the money they are too. 

Over on Side 2 both "Soul Child" and "You're The One" show huge leaps had been made in songwriting prowess and it must have peeved Reprise Records UK that the "Charity Ball" LP just didn't take – laminate sleeve and lyric insert or no. The girls also fondly remember the cover artwork shoot - Candice Bergman (yes the actress) taking the photographs - period dresses and costumes from the 'My Fair Lady' film (lent by Warner Brothers) while Nickey (not very comfortable with the whole 'not very Rock 'n' Roll' vibe) hid in a closet (Candice called it unprofessional!). And as already discussed - the Bonuses on "Charity Ball" (CD2) are well tasty - so a forgotten LP with a wad of goodies tacked on - that'll do nicely thank you kindly sir. 

The "Fanny Hill" album did five numbers better on the US Billboard LP charts (No. 135) but at times feels like a band struggling to come up with winners – the pallor of tired and worn out. Still, it opens strongly with a slide-guitar gunslinger version of the Motown classic "Ain't That Peculiar" – an obvious single Reprise threw at the charts in March 1972 with the slow funk LP cut "Think About The Children" on the B-side. How can love grow from pain? A very-Sparks plinking piano introduces "Knock On My Door" – the lady waiting for that tap on wood. Time to Rock with "Blind Alley" – great combo of Guitar and Funky Keys – lyrics about someone getting burned. Acoustic ballad in "You've Got A Home" tells of a story of a single-parent Mom who must tell her unplanned son why Daddy is not around – and why - even if he isn't - at least this beautiful child has a home and love and views of a prettier world outside. Beautiful production, playing, arrangement, it's an unexpectedly poignant moment on an album. 

They were clearly trying for that big chorus winner with "Wonderful Feeling" but it feels like New Seekers Top of the Pops pap – better is the slide-guitar Slade-sounding grunge rocker "Borrowed Time" pumped up with Brass Arrangements. Their cover of The Beatles less-heard classic "Hey Bulldog" was a smart choice for 1972 (the fabs gave the OK and allowed them to add an extra verse) – Fanny giving it their version of Funk-Rock. Are you ready to think about the future they ask in "Think About The Children" – check that mountain beyond the horizon – see that its view remains clear and uncluttered – smart talk for over 50-years hence. Back to fuzzed-up guitar-boogie with "Rock Bottom Blues" – the ladies bemoaning their fate since sweet sixteen – victims of a windy storm – the men letting the gals down. The album kind of peters out with two mid-tempo drips - "Sound And The Fury" and "The First Time". Of the extras "Young And Dumb" feels like a big bad butch retro mistake, but "Tomorrow" is an acoustic winner that could have replaced one of the lesser tracks on Side 2 . CD3 then ends (as already discussed) in a fury of five live tracks that make much of the album output feel tame by comparison even if they are in slightly compromised audio. 

Recorded in England and named after Mothers Pride bread - their experience with Todd Rundgren as a Producer for album number four turned out to be a weird one. But there is no weird in his actual skill behind the console – you can hear an audio lift right away for "Last Night I Had A Dream" – instruments are clear – the vocals layered and cleverly placed. When the pretty acoustic ballad "Long Road Home" floats out of your speakers – it is the best you have ever heard a Fanny album sound. Gorgeous layering of the vocals, a lone floating synth note, warm Bass – all of it giving the overall feel a gentle muscle. "Old Hat" is another mellow slab – a floating organ note anchors wads of acoustic guitars and voices – but you wish there was more of a song amidst all the clarity and melodrama. A parody on chasing chart hits - "Solid Gold" has a weary and sneering vocal with lyrics about the industry they both loath and yet must live with. Better is the piano-soft "Is It Really You?" – a song full of relationship longing vs. the next cheap lay. 

"All Mine" is again beautifully produced but like so many of the others on the album feels like its searching for an actual song. Finally, time to Rock with "Summer Song" – laughing and making out at the picture show – at least this feels like Fanny the band and not Fanny searching for hits. A strangely hissy "Beside Myself" is a poor-me whiner while "Regular Guy" is another plinky-plonky non-event song. Towards the album end, they try one more rocker with "I Need You Need Me" but it is ham-fisted with its echoed screamed lead vocal. A patchy album ends with the upbeat Badfinger vibe of "I'm Satisfied". But again, the extras have goodies that save the day.

Truth be naughtily told, there will undoubtedly be casual observers and listeners in 2024 who will drop any of "The Reprise Years 1970-1973" by FANNY into a CD player and hear great, hear it drop to good, down to plodding, forward to ordinary and flirting around all points in-between. But there will also be those who remember them with affection – and under twenty-five quid – this Cherry Red Clamshell is the Solid Gold they need…

"From The Knees Of My Heart - The Albums 1979-1981" by IAN HUNTER – Includes Four Albums Plus Bonuses - "You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic" (April 1979, Studio LP), "Ian Hunter Live/Welcome To The Club" (April 1980 2LP Live Set), "Short Back N' Sides" (August 1981, Studio LP) and "Ian Hunter Rocks" (1983 Video-Only Set Released Here For The First Time On CD - September 1981 Recordings at the Dr. Pepper Festival in New York) - Featured Musicians Include Mick Ronson, Mick Jones of The Clash and Max Weinberg of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band ad Songs From The Mott The Hoople Era (February 2019 EUROPE-Only Reissue on Chrysalis in a Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves – Based on the October 2012 UK issued EMI/Chrysalis 4CD Fat Jewel Case Set of Peter Mew Remasters called "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981") - A Review by Mark Barry...

Photos above are the 2019 EU-Only Chrysalis Reissue 

Of a 2012 UK-Only EMI/Chrysalis 4CD Compilation in a Fat Jewel Case 

(see photos below for images of the original) 

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"…Standing In My Light…"

Originally released October 2012 in the UK as "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981" in a 4CD Fat Jewel Case – I much prefer the EU only reissue of February 2019 as it comes in a Clamshell Box Set with four of those natty-looking Mini LP Card Repro Sleeves. 

Renamed as "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Albums 1979-1981" for 2019, the reissue retains the same 63-Tracks (full Bonus compliment), Peter Mew Remasters and the Campbell Devine 16-Page Booklet. I just love that artwork and it can be found for prices that vary between £22 and £30. 

A vaults-haul through Ian Hunter's LP stay at Chrysalis Records with guests like Mick Ronson, Todd Rundgren and Roger Powell of Utopia, Mick Jones and Topper Headon of The Clash, Martin Briley of Brinsley Schwarz, Roy Bittan, Gary Tallent and Max Weinberg all of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band – you get two studio albums, one live double and a Video-Only release making its debut on CD as the fourth offering. There's a lot to get through – so here are the Cleveland Rocks…

EU-only released 22 February 2019 - "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Albums 1979-1981" by IAN HUNTER on Chrysalis CRB1074 (Barcode 5060516091256) is a REISSUE of an October 2012 UK 4CD set. The original was UK issued as "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981" on EMI/Chrysalis 5099923270121 (Barcode 5099923270121) as a 4CD set of remasters in a Fat Jewel Case. This EU-Only Reissue comes with a slightly different title ("From The Knees Of My Heart: The Albums 1979-1981") and is presented in a Clamshell Box Set with Four Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves and breaks down as follows:

CD1 (77:06 minutes):
1. Just Another Night [Side 1]
2. Wild East 
3. Cleveland Rocks
4. Ships
5. When The Daylight Comes
6. Life After Death [Side 2]
7. Standin' In My Light
8. Bastard 
9. The Outsider 
Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic" - released April 1979 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1214. Produced by MICK RONSON and IAN HUNTER – it peaked at No. 49 in the UK and No. 35 in the USA on the LP charts. Featured Musicians included Mick Ronson on Guitars and Duet Vocals, John Cale of The Velvet Underground on Keyboards, Ellen Foley on Harmony Vocals with Roy Bittan (Keyboards and Harmony Vocals), Garry Tallent (Bass) and Max Weinberg (Drums) of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band.

BONUS TRACKS ("Schizophrenic" Outtakes):
10. Don't Let Go (Demo Version)
11. The Other Side Of Life (Outtake)
12. Ships (Early Version) - was a download only track
13. When The Daylight Comes (Early Version)
14. Just Another Night (Version No. 3)
15. The Outsider (Early Version)
16. Alibi 
NOTES: 
Tracks 10 and 11 first appeared on the 2009 on the '30th Anniversary Special Edition' 2CD reissue of "You're Never Alone..."
Track 12 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD
Tracks 14, 15 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD2 (79:37 minutes):
1. FBI [Side 1]
2. Once Bitten Twice Shy
3. Angeline
4. Laugh At Me 
5. All The Way From Memphis
6. I Wish I Was Your Mother [Side 2]
7. Irene Wilde
8. Just Another Night
9. Cleveland Rocks 
10. Standin' In My Light [Side 3]
11. Bastard
12. Walkin' With A Mountain/Rock And Roll Queen
13. All The Young Dudes 
14. Slaughter On 10th Avenue
Tracks 1 to 14 are the 2LP live set "Ian Hunter Live/Welcome To The Club" - released April 1980 in the UK on Chrysalis CJT 6 and in the USA on Chrysalis CHR2 1269. Produced by MICK RONSON and IAN HUNTER – it peaked at No. 61 in the UK and No. 69 in the USA LP charts. Band included Ian Hunter on Vocals, Mick Ronson and Tommy Morrongiello on Guitars, Tommy Mandel and George Meyer on Keyboards (Meyer also Sax and Vocals), Martin Briley of Brinsley Schwarz on Bass, Eric Parker on Drums with Ellen Foley on Backing Vocals.

NOTES: Regarding Side 4 of the live double-album "Welcome To The Club" - see also Tracks 11, 13 and 14 on CD4 and an Alternate Version as Track 12

BONUS TRACKS:
15. One Of The Boys
16. The Golden Age Of Rock 'n' Roll
NOTES: Tracks 15 and 16 were BONUS TRACKS on the 1994 CD reissue

CD3 (77:09 minutes):
1. Central Park 'N' West [Side 1]
2. Lisa Likes Rock 'n' Roll
3. I Need Your Love 
4. Old Records Never Die
5. Noises 
6. Rain [Side 2]
7. Gun Control
8. Theatre Of The Absurd 
9. Leave Me Alone
10. Keep On Burning
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Short Back N' Sides" - released August 1981 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1326. Produced by MICK JONES (of The Clash) and IAN HUNTER – it peaked at No. 79 in the UK and No. 62 in the USA on the LP charts. Produced by IAN HUNTER and MICK RONSON (John Holbrook Engineer)  – Featured Musicians Included Mick Ronson on Guitars and Vocals, Tommy Mandel on Keyboards, Mick Jones (Guitar and Vocals) and Topper Headon (Drums) of The Clash, Ellen Foley and Miller Anderson on Harmony Vocals, Gary Windo (ex-Centipede) on Saxophone, Todd Rundgren (Bass and Backing Vocals) and Roger Powell (Backing Vocals) of Utopia.

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Na Na Na
12. I Believe In You
13. Listen To The Eight Track
14. You Stepped Into My Dreams 
15. Venus In The Bathtub
16. Detroit (Take 1)
17. China (Rough Mix with Ronson Vocal)

NOTES: Tracks 11 to 15 were BONUS TRACKS on the 1994 CD reissue
Tracks 16 and 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD4 (78:13 minutes):
1. Once Bitten Twice Shy (Live)
2. Gun Control (Live)
3. Central Park 'N' West (Live)
4. Medley: All The Way From Memphis/Honky Tonk Women (Live)
5. I Need Your Love (Live)
6. Noises (Live)
7. Just Another Night (Live)
8. Cleveland Rocks (Live)
9. Irene Wilde (Live)
10. Medley: All The Young Dudes (includes excerpts from Honaloochie Boogie, Roll Away The Stone and Ships)
Tracks 1 to 10 are "Ian Hunter Rocks" recorded live at Dr. Pepper Festival, New York in September 1981. It was originally released on Video in 1983 and is presented here for the first time as PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD. Band included Ian Hunter on Guitar and Vocals, Robbie Alto on Guitar, Tommy Mandel on Keyboards, Mark Clarke on Bass with Mark Kaufman on Drums.

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Sons And Daughters (Live)
12. We Gotta Get Out Of Here (Alternate Version)
13. Silver Needles (Live)
14. Man O' War (Live)

NOTES: Tracks 11, 13 and 14 are from the original "Welcome To The Club" Live Set
Track 12 is a rare version from the 1980 2LP retrospective "Shades Of Ian Hunter" (included on the 1988 American CD reissue). See CD2 for the rest of the double-LP. 

Photos of The Original 2012 UK 4CD Set on which this 2019 EU Reissue is Based

Still Available on Amazon (UK) - Follow The Link Below

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The four Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves of the reissue are all singular (see photos) and their front cover artwork clear enough (they clip the right side of the title on "Short Back N' Sides" just a little too close). But disappointingly these are not Japanese attention to detail so they do not show the rear artwork (or the gatefold of "Welcome To The Club - Live") – instead simply giving boring track lists and naught else. Still, I like them and have grown to seriously dislike those Fat Jewel Case clumps.

The 16-page info-packed booklet with liner notes by CAMPBELL DEVINE is the same as the 2012 version (pictures, all of it) – so no changes there. It sports track-by-track comments from Ian Hunter himself and recording details/musician credits for each set. There are some live photos, 7" picture sleeves from varying areas, small shots of the album covers. It’s hardly knicker-wetting – typical of these sets (what they could get away with). But as ever the big news is with the sound. 

The 2012 remasters (repeated here) were carried by long-time Abbey Road associate and engineer PETER MEW who has handled hundreds of these reissues – and his touch here is typically superb. The tracks rock with real power – but when they need to be subtle and sensitive like the beautiful piano Demo of "Don't Let Go". Same goes for the organ-and-synth driven New York City smoocher "Listen To The Eight Track" and even the Previously Unreleased Rough Mix to "China" with Mick Ronson on Lead Vocals – it is so clear - Mew allowing all of it to breathe without over-trebling everything.

"Schizophrenic" must be a fan-favourite for many – "Ships", "Just Another Night" and "Cleveland Rocks" were all lifted as singles – all of them with a joyful old-time Rock 'n' Roll. "Life After Death" has always weirded me out with its echoed eerie vocal and "Bastard" is a blindingly good bit of riffage that turns up in his live set even now. But my poison is the stunning yet ever so slightly bitter ballad "Standin' In My Light" - an epic synth driven piece that impresses bit time. The "You're Never Alone..." LP ends on the six-minute piano-ballad "The Outsider" - a confessional about life, music and all points in between - our Ian sounding world-weary and near breaking as he sings "...looking for water...there's sweat everywhere...I ain't tasted coffee for days..." And Mick Ronson tears up the guitar in the final minutes while Roy Bittan of Springsteen's E-Street Band plinks away on the old Joanna...

The two live sets feature a lethal mix of Mott and Solo stuff - the Mott Medley on the "Ian Hunter Rocks" new-to-CD rocking like a monster. The lesser-heard "Irene Wilde" and the perennial thriller "Once Bitten Twice Shy" show why fans love Ian Hunter live – he delivers in that ye-olde English Rock & Roll fashion that seems engrained in his DNA. I kind of wish though that they had somehow found a way to transfer the Video of "Ian Hunter Rocks" on as a DVD Disc 5 – but alas. Still, the Box Set hits as a cool cross-representation of studio vs. live - fantastic stuff…

Still rocking but relevant on the studio front – Hunter joined forces with Mick Jones and Topper Headon of The Clash (roping in Ellen Foley and Todd Rundgren and Roger Powell of Utopia too) for the hugely enjoyable "Short Back N' Sides" LP. His lament for Lennon (an old hero blown away) on "Old Records Never Die" always moved me more than a hundred other tributes. "Noises" could be Bowie and was a brilliant departure for him.

But away from the rockers - the track that sent me most was the Side 2 opener "Rain" which I still find magical. A warbling almost shimmering backing track courtesy of The Clash anchors the song that is filled with touching lyrics about his lost mates in Northampton back in the 60Ts. I bought the album off the shelves when I was visiting New York and I played it into the floor. Still gets me after over 40 years. "Gun Control" may as well be a Clash outtake (and in 2024 – more than four decades after the event – is more bloodily relevant than ever) and the sheer pop of "Leave Me Alone" is kind of cool and shocking at one and the same time. Todd Rundgren provides Backing Vocals on "I Need Your Love". But it ends on a typically huge Hunter ballad that lingers and won't leave – "Keep On Burning". 

I'm kind of shocked at how good the Bonus Tracks are – especially the new stuff. Mick Ronson and Weinberg fans won't believe their luck with 'Version 3' of "Just Another Night" rocking like a proper monster - Ronson adding that magic guitar touch and Max whacking those drums like only he can. Although it's easy to see why the all-over-the-place "Alibi" was left off everything. "Detroit" on Disc 3 is a bit of a mess too - but "China" with Ronson on Lead Vocals is lovely and will thrill fans. And the beautiful piano outtake "Don't Let Go" is in my mind better than some of the tracks that were eventually picked for "You're Never Alone... " – mournful, real and uncluttered too. And amongst the bonus tracks – the sax-driven mania of "Na Na Na" is so Ian Hunter in its 50ts Rock and Roll homage – whooping and wailing as he taps his inner Little Richard. "I Believe In You" first appeared in 1994, but it is a nugget worth re-hearing in 2024. And on it goes – pick and mix.

EMI-UK released two Robin Trower sets in these 4CD Fat Jewel Cases - they did Frankie Miller too, Ten Years After, Donovan and Barclay James Harvest – all superb 3 to 4CD Remastered Anthologies. But as the years have passed to here in 2024 - Chrysalis out of Europe have reissued 'three' of them in these cool Clamshell Box Sets. This is right up there with the best. I've also reviewed the Robin Trower Clamshell and the Frankie Miller one too - peaches (see separate entries). 

I would admit, I look at these Ian Hunter albums through rose-tinted bifocal specs nowadays (2024) 'cause there is much that hasn't dated well or might even elicit yawns amongst newer listeners. But I love it and as Alan Freed would say (sampled by Hunter on "Cleveland Rocks") - King of the Moondoggers! Recommended...