"I See You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring The Association, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Love, The Monkees, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Factory [pre Little Feat], The Gentle Soul, The Stone Poneys (featuring Linda Ronstadt), The Doors, Clear Light, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Ruthann Friedman, The Holy Mackerel, Barry McGuire, The Mamas And The Papas, The Sunshine Company, Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, Dillard & Clark, Captain Beefheart, The Leaves, Stephen Stills, Tim Buckley, Hoyt Axton, Three Dog Night, The Turtles, Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell, Susan Carter, Canned Heat, Steppenwolf, Frank Zappa, Warren Zevon, Kim Fowley, Essra Mohawk, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Grin (with Nils Lofgren), J.D. Souther, Little Feat, Judee Sill, Linda Ronstadt, Nilsson, Carly Simon, Jo Mama, Gram Parsons, Rosebud (featuring Judy Henske and Jerry Yester), Rita Coolidge, Crazy Horse, Leon Russell, Dan Fogelberg, Ned Doheny, Fleetwood Mac and more (March 2024 UK Grapefruit Records 3CD 72-Track Clamshell Box Set Compilation with Simon Murphy Masters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SEE-YOU-LIVE-LOVE-STREET/dp/B0CRVG8ZL3?crid=1Z0DBXWGN8RGY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7haW0eDtk7NVHffHXnY7sA.1FTX1H98ujURJwSj0OX30wRnkfdBmC_KeQ91p7CVNpY&dib_tag=se&keywords=5013929194304&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1731592949&sprefix=5013929194304%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_3M_AUTOMATED&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=738f40a898dd8ba23ad66fdbc4f69489&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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RATINGS:

Overall *****

Presentation *****

Audio **** to *****

"...My Love Still Burns For You..."

Across the last five years and more, Grapefruit Records of the UK (part of the Cherry Red roster of labels) has been whomping aged-and-mellow collectors like moi with comprehensive deep-dives like this. But just sometimes, head honcho David Wells (the leading light at all things Grape) gets it so damn right that they make my weary information-overloaded head and quad bi-pass battered heart flutter just one more time.

"I See You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975" is so friggin' good – covering a huge amount of artistic activity around that community playground known as LAUREL CANYON (running from Scwab's On Sunset to the suburban San Fernando Valley). And even if Wells must admit that musical giants like Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne and The Eagles are not on here due to compilation-exclusion clauses in recent contracts – what is available across every disc is thoroughly excellent and a times revelatory (there are excellent unreleased tracks too and only a few cuts dip here and there). 

LOVE STREET also boasts one of the best 48-page booklets I have ever seen or read – jam-packed with seriously in-depth info, photos, gig posters, trade adverts, etc. So much to float above…here are the communal love seeds man…

UK released Friday, 21 March 2024 - "I See You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Grapefruit Records CRSEG3BOX143 (Barcode 5013929194304) is a 3CD 72-Track Clamshell Box Set with Three Mini LP Card Sleeves, a 48-Page Booklet and Simon Murphy Masters that plays out as follows:

CD1 Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon (1967-1968) (79:52 minutes):
The front cover photo is the band CLEAR LIGHT (see Track 10)
Title of the compilation are lyrics from the Scott McKenzie song, Track 18

1. Come On In – THE ASSOCIATION (from the April 1968 US LP "Birthday" on Warner Brothers WS 1733 in Stereo)
2. Tighter – PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS (from the August 1967 US LP "Revolution!" on Columbia CS 9521 in Stereo)
3. The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This – LOVE (from the December 1967 US LP "Forever Changes" on Elektra EKS-74013 in Stereo)
4. As We Go Along – THE MONKEES (October 1968 US 45-single on Colgems 66-1031, B-side to "Porpoise Song" – a Carole King cover version)
5. Holding – THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND (from the March 1967 US Debut LP "The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" on Liberty LST-7501 on Stereo)
6.Smile, Let Your Life Begin – THE FACTORY (April 1967 US 45-single on Uni Records 55005, A-side – band featuring Lowell George on Guitar later with Little Feat and Drummer Dallas Taylor later with CSNY and Manassas with Stephen Stills)
7. Our National Anthem – THE GENTLE SOUL (May 1967 US 45-single on Columbia 4-44152, A-side)
8. I've Got To Know – THE STONY PONEYS (from the June 1967 US LP "Evergreen Vol.2" on Capitol ST-2763 in Stereo - band featured Linda Ronstadt)
9. Love Street – THE DOORS (from the July 1968 US LP "Waiting For The Sun" on Elektra EKS-74024 in Stereo)
10. How Many Days Have Passed – CLEAR LIGHT (from the October 1967 US Debut LP "Clear Light" on Elektra EKS-74011 in Stereo)
11. Floating Dream – THE PEANUT BUTTER CONSPIRACY (May 1967 US 45-single on Vault V-933, A-side)
12. Montage Mirror – SMOKEY ROBERDS with ROGER NICHOLS TRIO (Not Originally Released, Recorded 1967
13. Halfway There – RUTHANN FRIEDMAN (Not Originally Released, Recorded October 1967)
14. Wildflowers – THE HOLY MACKEREL (from the November 1968 US Debut LP "The Holy Mackerel" on Reprise RS 6311 in Stereo)
15. Secret Saucer Man – BARRY McGUIRE (from the April 1968 US LP "The World's Last Private Citizen" on Dunhill DS-50033 in Stereo)
16. Mansions – THE MAMAS And THE PAPAS (from the April 1968 US LP "The World's Last Private Citizen" on Dunhill DS-50031 in Stereo)
17. I Need You – THE SUNSHINE COMPANY (from the September 1967 US LP "Happy Is The Sunshine Company" on Imperial LP-12357 in Stereo)
18. Twelve Thirty – SCOTT McKENZIE (from the November 1967 US LP "The Voice Of Scott McKenzie" on Ode Records Z12 44002 in Stereo)
19. A Child's Claim To Fame – BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD (September 1967 US 45-single on Atco 45-6519, B-side of "Rock 'n' Roll Woman" – written by Richie Furay – see also The Souther-Hillman-Furey Band on CD3)
20. Train Leaves Here This Mornin' – DILLARD & CLARK (from the November 1968 US LP "The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark" on A&M Records SP 4158 in Stereo)
21. Blight – THE MILLENIUM (Not Originally Released, Recorded Late 1968)
22. Call On Me – CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND (from the August 1967 US Debut LP "Safe As Milk" on Buddah BDS 5001 in Stereo)
23. Twilight Sanctuary – THE LEAVES (from the January 1967 US LP "All The Good That's Happening" on Capitol ST-2638 in Stereo)
24. You Don't Miss Your Water – THE BYRDS (Not Originally Released Alternate Version of a track from the August 1968 US LP "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" on Columbia CS 9670 in Stereo – This is an Original Version that features Gram Parsons on Lead Vocals rather Roger McGuinn)
25. I Had A Dream Last Night – THE M.F.Q. (Modern Folk Quartet) (June 1968 US 45-single on Dunhill D-1437, A-side – band featured Cyrus Faryar and Jerry Yester – see CD3 entries Cyrus Faryar and Rosebud)
26. Shadow Dream Song – STEVE NOONAN (from the May 1968 US LP "Steve Noonan" on Elektra EKS-74017 in Stereo)
27. Hello, Hooray – JUDY COLLINS (from the December 1968 US LP "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" on Elektra EKS-74033 in Stereo – written by Rolf Kempf of Colonel Popcorn's Butter Band, introduced to Judy Collins by Alan Gerber of Rhinoceros, later covered by Alice Cooper and finally made a hit by him in early 1973 – from his "Billion Dollar Babies" album)
NOTES:
Tracks 12, 13 and 21 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD2 Going Home To California (1969-1971) (79:52 minutes):
The band on the front cover is The Flying Burrito Brothers, see Track 5
Title of the compilation are lyrics from the Rick Nelson song, Track 8

1. Love The One You're With – STEPHEN STILLS (November 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2778, A-side – band features Graham Nash, David Crosby, John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful with Rita and her sister Patricia Coolidge)
2. Pickin' Up The Pieces – POCO (from the May 1969 US LP November 1974 US LP "Pickin' Up The Pieces" on Epic BN 26460 in Stereo – band featured Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, Randy Meisner (of Eagles) and Rusty Young)
3. Buzzin' Fly – TIM BUCKLEY (from the April 1969 US LP "Happy Sad" on Elektra EKS-74045 in Stereo)
4. Kingswood Manor – HOYT AXTON (from the March 1969 US LP "My Griffin Is Gone" on Columbia CS 9766 in Stereo – features David Cohen of Country Joe & The Fish, James Burton and Members of The Wrecking Crew)
5. Christine's Tune (Devil In Disguise) – THE FLYING BURRITO BROS. (from the March 1969 US Debut LP "The Gilded Palace Of Sin" on A&M Records SP-4175 in Stereo – band featuring Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman)
6. Mama Told Me Not Come – THREE DOG NIGHT (May 1970 US 45-single on Dunhill D-4239, A-side – a Randy Newman cover version)
7. Lady-O – THE TURTLES (November 1967 US 45-single on White Whale WW 334, A-side – a Judee Sill cover version, for Judee Sill see CD3, Track 4)
8. California – RICK NELSON (from the September 1970 US LP "Rick Sings Nelson" on Decca DL 75236)
9. P.F. Sloan – JIMMY WEBB (from the September 1970 US LP "Words & Music" on Reprise Records RS 6421 in Stereo)
10. Where's The Playground Susie – GLEN CAMPBELL (from the March 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210 in Stereo - a Jimmy Webb song)
11. Bluebird – SUSAN CARTER (from the February 1970 US LP "Wonderful Deeds And Adventures" on Epic BN 26510 in Stereo – featuring Members of Blood, Sweat & Tears – song is a Buffalo Springfield cover version)
12. I Still Wonder – LOVE (from the November 1969 US 2LP set "Out Here" on Blue Thumb Records BTS-9000 in Stereo – featuring Arthur Lee)
13. Let's Work Together – CANNED HEAT (January 1970 UK 45-single on Liberty LBF 15302, A-side – a Wilbert Harrison cover version)
14. It's Never Too Late – STEPPENWOLF (from the March 1969 US LP "At Your Birthday" on Dunhill DS-50053 in Stereo)
15. Peaches En Regalia – FRANK ZAPPA (from the October 1969 US LP "Hot Rats" on Reprise Records RS 6356 in Stereo – an Instrumental)
16. Wanted Dead Or Alive – ZEVON [Warren Zevon] (from the April 1970 US LP "Wanted Dead Or Alive" on Imperial LP-12456 in Stereo)
17. Born To Make You Cry – KIM FOWLEY (May 1970 US 45-single on Original Sound OS-98, A-side)
18. I Am The Breeze – ESSRA MOHAWK (from the May 1970 US LP "Primordial Lovers" on Reprise RS 6377)
19. White Light – GENE CLARK (from the August 1971 US LP "White Light" on A&M Records SP-4292)
19. Traction In The Rain – DAVID CROSBY (from February 1971 US LP "If I Could Only Remember My Name" on Atlantic SD-7203 – features Laura Allan on Autoharp and Backing Vocals with Graham Nash also on Backing Vocals)
20. Brother Speed – RUSS GIGUERE (from the April 1971 US LP "Hexagram 16" on Warner Brothers WS 1910 in Stereo)
21. Outlaw – GRIN (from the April 1971 US LP "Grin" on Spindizzy Z 30321 – band features Nils Lofgren, went solo, later with The E Street Band)
22. Too Much Truth, Too Much Love – DAVE MASON [of Traffic] and CASS ELLIOT [of The Mamas And The Papas] (from the February 1970 debut album on Blue Thumb BTS-8825 in Stereo)

CD3 Postcards From Hollywood (1971-1975) (78:39 minutes):
The band on the front cover is Jo Mama, see Track 8
Title of the compilation are lyrics from the Ned Doheny song, Track 17

1. Some People Call It Music – J.D. SOUTHER (from the August 1972 US Debut LP "John David Souther" on Asylum SD 5055 – features Ned Doheny on Backing Vocals)
2. Easy To Slip – LITTLE FEAT (January 1972 US 45-single on Warner Brothers WB 7553, A-side - featuring Lowell George of The Factory, see Track 6 on CD1 – for Lowell George Production Credit - see also Track 21 on CD3 for Howdy Moon)
3. Birds – LINDA RONSTADT (from the January 1972 US LP "Linda Ronstadt" on Capitol SMAS-635 – a Neil Young cover version – a live version on a largely studio album)
4. Crayon Angels – JUDEE SILL (from the October 1971 US Debut LP "Judee Sill" on Asylum SD 5050)
5. Driving Along – NILSSON (from the November 1971 US LP "Nilsson Schmilsson" on RCA Victor Records LSP-4515)
6. We Have No Secrets – CARLY SIMON (from the November 1972 US LP "No Secrets" on Elektra EKS-75049)
7. I Don't Want To Talk About It – CRAZY HORSE (from the March 1971 US LP "Crazy Horse" on Reprise RS 6438 – band featured Danny Whitten, Nils Lofgren, Jack Nitzsche and Ry Cooder)
8. Back On The Street Again – JO MAMA (from the August 1971 US LP "J Is For Jump" on Atlantic SD 8288)
9. Danny's Song – KENNY LOGGINS with JIM MESSINA (from the November 1971 US LP "Sittin' In" on Columbia C 31044)
10. How Much I've Lied – GRAM PARSONS (from the January 1973 US LP "GP" on Reprise MS 2123 – musicians featured James Burton, Al Perkins, Buddy Emmons and Byron Berline)
11. Flying To Morning – ROSEBUD (from the July 1971 US LP "Rosebud" on Reprise RS 6426 – featuring Judy Henske and Jerry Yester)
12. Journey Thru The Past – RITA COOLIDGE (from the November 1971 US LP "Nice Feelin'" on A&M Records SP-4325 – a Neil Young cover – band included The Dixie Flyers, Marc Benno and Nick DeCaro)
13. I Think He's Hiding – CYRUS FARYAR (from the October 1971 US Debut LP "Cyrus" on Elektra EKS-74015, ex The Modern Folk Quartet)
14. Paper To Write On – CRABBY APPLETON (from the October 1971 US Second LP "Rotten To The Core" on Elektra EKS-74106 – features Michael Fennelly)
15. Tight Rope – LEON RUSSELL (from the July 1972 US LP "Carney" on Shelter Records SW-8911)
16. Anyway I Love You – DAN FOGELBERG (from the October 1972 US Debut LP "Home Free" on Columbia KC 31751)
17. Postcards From Hollywood – NED DOHENY (from the June 1973 US Debut LP "Ned Doheny" on Asylum SD 5059)
18. Outlaw Man – DAVID BLUE (January 1973 US 45-single on Asylum AS-11015, A-side)
19. For Free – MORNING (from the November 1971 US LP "Struck Like Silver" on Fantasy 9402 – a Joni Mitchell cover – band featured Jay Donnellan [aka Jay Lewis] of Love)
20. Fallin' In Love – THE SOUTHER-HILLMAN-FUREY BAND (from the July 1974 US Debut LP "The Souther-Hillman-Furey Band" on Asylum 7E-1006 - featuring J.D. Souther, Chris Hillman and (ex-Buffalo Springfield) Richie Furey)
21. Cook With Honey – HOWDY MOON (from the April 1974 US Debut-and-Only LP "Howdy Moon" on A&M Records SP-3628 – band featured Valerie Carter (song written by her), Joe Lind and Richard Hovey – overall album produced by Lowell George of Little Feat – above track Produced by Michael James Jackson, famously the Producer for Kiss – David Paich of Toto arranged the strings and Bill Payne of Little Feat played Piano)
22. Say You Love Me – FLEETWOOD MAC (from the July 1975 US LP "Fleetwood Mac" – band featuring Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks for the first time)

Some authors of liner notes pump up the positivity when reviewing lesser material - and you are there reading – going – really? DAVID WELLS is not one of those. The choices and sequencing is clever and inspired. His notes on every song and artist in the fabulous 48-page colour booklet are chock-full with factoids, other musician associations, setting the backdrop and so. It is smart writing to tell you that the band featured on the magnificent Stephen Stills song "Love The One You're With" had Graham Nash, David Crosby, John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful with Rita and her sister Patricia Coolidge on it. But that info also gives you the feel of the time. Huge numbers of artists and bands would stay and leave - dip in and out of the welcoming houses in sunny Californian Laurel Canyon eating them out of fridge and home whilst exchanging ideas and players – and most of time amidst a haze of smoke that was not pancakes on fire on the stove. Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees explains the LC scene was full of college drop-out stragglers and long-haired weirdos. There is an array of LP sleeves between the paragraphs too – photographs of billboards advertising Love LPs – The Monkees and the film poster for Head – snaps of female heroes like Judee Sill, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Judy Collins, Valerie Carter of Howdy Moon. The back page has a montage of 16-other box sets to choose from. 

And the SIMON MURPHY mastering is superb throughout too – only rarely dipping into hints of muffle - but that would generally be because of crude recordings in the first place. Take the Barry McGuire track "Secret Saucer Man" on CD1, Jimmy Webb wondering where "P.F. Sloan" has disappeared to on CD2 or Ned Doheny explaining about the counter-culture scene on the CD3 track "Postcards From Hollywood" – all sounding spiffo. 

I have lived with this set a few days now and noticed some very clever programming. The obvious big-name big-hit cover versions of Randy Newman and R&B singer Wilbert Harrison by Three Dog Night on "Mama Told Me Not To Come" and Canned Heat doing "Let's Work Together" stick out (both No.1 on the Billboard 45-single charts) – but how about six obscure covers where genuinely radical transformations have taken place that put these interpretations above the run of the mill. Take The Sunshine Company doing the Beatles/George Harrison song on "Help!" called "I Need You" – a fantastic take. Or The Turtles tackling a Judee Sill song "Lady-O", Morning having a go at the Joni Mitchell song "For Free" and winning, Susan Carter taking on the Buffalo Springfield tune "Bluebird" with the aid of Blood, Sweat & Tears as her backing band. You get Linda Ronstadt when she was fronting The Stone Poneys as they went at a Pamela Polland tune called "I've Got To Know" and then in her early solo career – a touching live cut of the Neil Young ballad "Birds". And a potence of what was to come – Judy Collins doing "Hello Hooray" which would be taken by Alice Cooper in 1973 and finally made a hit. 

We must talk about sequencing – I am not in the least bit surprised to see CD1 open with the fantastic Sunshine Pop/Mamas & Papas vibe of "Come On In" by The Association. As joyful as 60ts music gets, I use it myself on home play CDs. That is followed by the swirling ebullience of Paul Revere & The Raiders getting "Tighter". Hummingbirds and pigtails in the morning see Love stamp that adventurous 60ts West Coast sound. Clever B-sides like "As We Go Along" by The Monkees – a sublime moment from them perfectly in keeping with the peace, love and understanding lyrics of 1968 (another cover version too – a Carole King song). Then there are the discoveries – The Gentle Soul and their gorgeous "Our National Anthem" – Clear Light getting Acoustic Poppy with their "How Many Nights Have Passed" riling against a lady who broke their fuzz-guitar hearts and then moved on. I am shocked at how good the unreleased "Montage Mirror" is by Smokey Roberds with Roger Nichols (Nichols no doubt dreaming of recording perfection when he teams up with Steely Dan in 1972 for the rest of that decade). Great hippie-sounding Sitar, flanged vocals and Cello string-pulls on the period-groovy "Wildflowers" – The Holy Mackerel living up to their trippy-fishy name (fab audio too). Eagles fans will recognize Dillard & Clark doing "Train Leaves Here This Mornin'" (a gorgeous Bernie Leadon melodious ballad) because they covered it on their "Eagles" debut in 1972 when Leadon had joined Glenn Frey, Don Henley and the gang. The Beefheart song feels out of place actually and has a messy sound. 

Over on CD2 – you get a fab triple-bill in Stephen Stills, Tim Buckley and Hoyt Axton - "Love The One You're With" practically laying down the love-in ethos that dominated those years – Buckley and his "Buzzin' Fly" - all swirling and trippy and Acoustic Folk-Soul (check out the Terry Reid cover of it – was in the running for vocalist to Led Zeppelin) while a seriously drugged up Hoyt Axton (author of "The Pusher" for Steppenwolf and "Joy To the World" for Three Dog Night) warns of "Kingswood Manor" and the perils that lay within (I have reviewed his eclectic 1969 platter "My Griffin Is Gone" from which "Kingswood Manor" is taken). Amazing clarity on "I Still Wonder" by Love - same for the only instrumental on the 3CD Box - "Peaches En Regalia" by Frank Zappa. You can already hear the outlaw/loony tunes mania in the early Warren Zevon cut "Wanted Dead Or Alive" (credited as merely Zevon) and to top off a great run of tracks – you get toppermost melodies from Gene Clark, David Crosby (his "Traction In The Rain" is Godlike to me as is the whole of his debut solo LP "If I Could Only Remember My Name") and Dave Mason (of Traffic) teaming up with Mama Cass of The Mamas & The Papas for their lone duet LP on 1971 (Blue Thumb Records in the USA and Harvest in the UK).

CD3 opens with sometimes-Eagles-collaborator J.D. Souther and a Country-Rock moment of his called "Some People Call It Music" while Little Feat's "Easy To Slip" always thrills. You don't expect the enthusiastic audience reaction at the end of Linda Ronstadt's heartfelt rendition of Neil Young's 'After The Gold Rush' gem "Birds" - a live track on a studio album. Songwriter/Doomed heroes follow in the shape of Judee Sill and Harry Nilsson while the gorgeous Carly Simon and Danny Whitten's Crazy Horse hit you with two fab ballads - "We Have No Secrets" and "I Don't Want To Talk About It" - the latter being a song so many have covered - Rod Stewart being one of the more memorable ones. Genuine discoveries - I knew of the Rosebud album because I've already reviewed Judy Henske and Jerry Yester's "Farewell To Alderbaran" album from 1969 on Zappa's Straight Records (Rosebud the band is essentially them) - but it's so cool to hear a track from it here. Even better is the Howdy Moon self-titled album that has most of Little Feat as the backing band and Lowell George as Producer - Wells quite rightly pointing out that lead singer Valerie Carter is the hero 'Love Street' is focusing on. What a gorgeous tune - and I will have to own that CD. And on it goes with Dan Fogelberg, Ned Doheny, David Blue and Morning doing that wickedly-good cover of Joni's "For Free".

This is the kind of 3CD Clamshell Box Set compilation that might pass you by in a long line of adverts for similar-ish product and even the same subject matter. 

But "I Hear You Live On LOVE STREET: Music From Laurel Canyon (1967-1975)" is a winner on all fronts. When you think that there are three double-albums worth of songs on these 3CDs for about £24 - purchase becomes a no-brainer as well as a reminiscence and rediscovery journey you want to embark on. Top banana to all involved...

"Cold Blow And The Rainy Night" by PLANXTY – October 1974 UK/IRELAND Third Studio Album on Polydor Records featuring Liam O'Flynn, Andy Irvine, Christy Moore and Johnny Moynihan with guest Donal Lunny later of The Bothy Band (November 1989, March 2000 and June 2002 US Shanachie Records CD Reissue – Remastered by CMS Digital in California) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cold-Blow-Rainy-Night-Planxty/dp/B000000E67?crid=35EZ5OCFIF7MH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7iPmKcYTrOlPMY2wIc7ykQ.ggcQ26Sf4P4jZ-1vfGhHCWD3rwrGMc5YcoCo9x9dtFc&dib_tag=se&keywords=016351791122&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1731406927&sprefix=016351791122%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=c63d7412497e5a7b0cc9a9afe55dd1f4&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

This Review And 240 Others Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

BOTH SIDES NOW - FOLK & COUNTRY 

And Genres Thereabouts

Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

For the 1960s and 1970s

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

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RATINGS:

Overall *****

Presentation ***

Audio **** to *****

"…I Know A Bit More About Love Before I Travel On…"

Traditional Irish Folk supergroup PLANXTY hold a legend-like status in the old sod – their run of Seventies albums on Polydor Records being the very stuff of tear-filled nostalgia for a lot of us ageing Irish dandies. 

And platter number three from 1974 - "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night" - is as lovely as the 1972 self-titled "Planxty" debut and its 1973 follow-up "The Well Below The Valley" (see review). 

This third 10-track mix-and-mash offers up Jigs – Polkas – Reels – Ballads of Love and Betrayal – and even original material that isn't five-million years old and smelling of bogs and beermats. Buckle up me hirsute barstool people – time to get juicy around the ramblin' boys ears…

US-released 8 Nov 1989 (reissued 1 March 2000 and June 2002) - "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night" by PLANXTY on Shanachie 79011 (Barcode 0163561791122) is a straightforward reissue and remaster of their third studio album from 1974 that plays out as follows (45:40 minutes):

1. Johnny Cope [Side 1]
2. Polkas: Dennis Murphy's Polka/The £42 Cheque/John Ryan's Polka
3. Cold Blow And The Rainy Night
4. "P" Stands For Paddy, I Suppose
5. Reels: The Old Torn Petticoat/The Dublin Reel/The Wind That Shakes The Barley
6. Bǎneasǎ's Green Glade/Mominsko Horo
7. The Little Drummer [Side 2]
8. The Lakes Of Pontchartrain
9. Jigs: The Hares In The Corn/The Frost Is All Over/The Gander In The Pratie Hole
10. The Green Fields Of Canada
Tracks 1 to 10 are their third studio album "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night" – released October 1974 in the UK on Polydor 2383 301 - Produced by PHIL COULTER (recorded in August 1974)

PLANXTY was:
Christy Moore – Lead Vocals (Track 8), Acoustic Guitar, Bodhrán and Harmonium
Andy Irvine – Lead Vocals (Tracks 1, 6 and 10), Dulcimer, Hurdy Gurdy, Mandola and Mandolin 
Johnny Moynihan – Lead Vocals (Track 4 and 9), Bouzouki, Fiddle and Tin Whistle
Liam O'Flynn – Uilleann Pipes and Tin Whistle (Soloist on Tracks 2, 5 and 9)

Guest: 
Donal Lunny (later with The Bothy Band and owner of Windmill Lane Studios where U2 recorded) - Bodhrán, Bouzouki, Guitar, Organ [Portative] and Album Mixing

Shanachie Records of the USA first put out the "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night" album as a reissue in 1979 on Vinyl and Cassette - then came the 1 November 1989 CD with a Remaster by CMS Digital in California. Their further CD reissues of 2000 and 2002 are based on that 1989 version (the 2002 issue has a barcode on the rear and a 2002 date on the artwork and CD - I think the 1989 CD version does not have a barcode - that's how you differentiate which issue is which). But why mess with a good thing is my point - because the Audio here is sweet and clean and full of the air of life. For sure the gatefold slip of paper that acts as an inlay is hardly spine-tingling - but it does give a potted history on all the songs written by the boys themselves. To the music…

The second medley on Side 1 is a trio of Polkas handled by Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny on Mandolin and Bouzouki respectively and when that pipe-drone comes a-sailing in - you catch a glimpse of The Bothy Band sound that would explode onto the Traditional Irish Folk Scene in March 1976 with their fabulous self-titled debut album "The Bothy Band" (also on Polydor Records in both Ireland and England). The three lads combine their vocal prowess on the album's title track "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night", an Inn-Lady letting a cold soldier in from the rain, but after she has let him have his merry way, a proposal goes unheeded and its then she curses the rainy night. 

Johnny Moynihan makes his lone vocal lead on ""P" Stands For Paddy, I Suppose" where Johnnie roved out on a May morning only to hear two lovers making up for lost time and as he is to go away soon – Johnnie listens in (lyrics from it title this review). Liam O'Flynn lets rip on his Uilleann Pipes for a trio of reels "The Old Torn Petticoat/The Dublin Reel/The Wind That Shakes The Barley" - soon joined by that magic Irish Rhythm Section of Bouzouki, Harmonium and Bodhrán. Andy Irvine brings Side 1 to a close with a lovely air of his own – the sung-and-played two-part "Bǎneasǎ's Green Glade/Mominsko Horo" based on his stay in Baneasa Forest outside Bucharest in Romania. And as it goes into that Bulgarian Dance portion – the Audio is magnificent. 

Side 2 opens with the crystal clear tale of 24 ladies watching a troop of soldiers parading by where one of those impressionable lads has his heart taken by one of the finest in the crowd. He dons his hat, waistcoat, pocket watch and best duds - only to find she initially has ambitions bigger than a poorly Drummer Boy. But soon she falls for the rolls of "The Little Drummer". Christy Moore instils his vocal timbre on the magnificent American-Cajun ballad "The Lakes Of Pontchartrain" – a slow air of foreign-shores-longing and heart-stealing ache on board. Paul Brady would do justice to this gorgeous Creole Girl (with jet black ringlets) love song on his 1978 Folk LP "Welcome Here Kind Stranger" on Mulligan Records (lyrics from the song literally title the album). Time for some dancing - a trio of jigs on Penny Whistle, Harmonium and Irish Uilleann Pipes (Liam O'Flynn soloist, Johnny Moynihan vocals for Part 3 "The Gander In The Pratie Hole")  - and one minute in - the magic of this music kicks in as does a tale of Potatoes and Foul. The "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night" album comes to an epic end with a long near seven-minute slow air book-ended by a plaintive Pipe solo - "The Green Fields Of Canada". Andy Irvine's echoed olde-Irish voice captures the melancholy of people leaving home only to find they are taxed to the nines and life is just as harsh and then they die abroad - hurting on a bed in a croft building for what they left behind away across the Ocean vast.

Both Planxty and The Bothy Band are held in high esteem everywhere for damn good reason - they were the real deal. For sure this 1989 US CD - reissued God knows how many times since - has never been presented in a manner that the music warrants/deserves - but it's a small compromise. The audio and the music for "Cold Blow And The Rainy Night" are both ace. 

So, in the native tongue of the weary traveller looking for solace and kindness in "The Lakes Of Pontchartrain" - me money spent here is plenty good. Recommended…

"Planet Waves" by BOB DYLAN – January 1974 US Fourteenth Studio Album on Asylum Records (February 1974 in the UK on Island Records) - Featuring the whole of The Band – Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Levon Helm (May 2004 UK Columbia Standard Edition Jewel Case Reissue – First Issued September 2003 in the Bob Dylan Revisited (The Reissue Series) As A Hybrid SACD Remaster in Card Digipak Repro Artwork – Greg Calbi Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall ****

Packaging Presentation **

Audio *****

"…May You Be Forever Young…"

On a rush of advance sales - Bob Dylan's first No.1 vinyl album in the USA (which seems almost unimaginable now in the hindsight mists of late 2024) came not in 1964 or 1966 or 1968 or 1970 - but in January 1974. 

Nevertheless "Planet Waves" irritated me as a teenager – I could never quite nail down why – it felt to me at the time like it was a good album trying real hard to be great. Side 1 is fab but Side 2 drops the ball. Sure, it has wonderful Dylan-mellow in "Going, Going, Gone" where Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson add telepathically classy fills and the wonderful anthemic "Forever Young" of course - but even that is faffed with a Fast Version that opens Side 2 – a silly directionless knees-up-mother-brown repeat that feels like filler instead of joy.

But what brings me back to "Planet Waves" these days (it was done with his long-time muckers The Band) is the stunning new Audio achieved when it was reissued in September 2003 - mastered by the legendary GREG CALBI. Man does this thing sound good - so musclebound that I'm hearing it anew – and even loving the faff-bits. Time to relocate Hazel and get Tough Mama…

UK re-released 29 May 2004 - "Planet Waves" by BOB DYLAN (featuring The Band) on Columbia 512356 6 (Barcode 5099751235620) is a Standard Edition Jewel Case Reissue of a SACD Hybrid Reissue first released in a Card Sleeve Digipak on 15 September 2003 (Barcode 5099751235668). It plays out as follows (42:10 minutes):

1. On A Night Like This [Side 1]
2. Going, Going, Gone
3. Tough Mama
4. Hazel 
5. Something There Is About You
6. Forever Young (5:00 minutes)
7. Forever Young (2:51 minutes) [Side 2]
8. Dirge
9. You Angel You
10. Never Say Goodbye
11. Wedding Song
Tracks 1 to 11 are his fourteenth studio album "Planet Waves" – released 17 January 1974 in the US on Asylum 7E 1003 and February 1974 in the UK on Island ILPS 9261 (all songs by BD). Bob Dylan plays Guitar and Harmonica (Lead Vocals on All) whilst The Band features Robbie Robertson on Guitars, Garth Hudson on Organ and Accordion, Richard Manuel on Keyboards and Drums, Rick Danko on Bass with Levon Helm on Drums. It peaked at No.1 in the USA (his first there) and No.7 in the UK.

First Issued September 2003 as part of the Bob Dylan Revisited (The Reissue Series) – that variant was a Hybrid SACD Remaster in Card Digipak Repro Artwork with a Greg Calbi Remaster. There was a layer for standard CD players also with the Remastered Audio. What you have here is technically a reissue of that Limited Edition into an unlimited edition jewel case in May 2004. The packaging is abysmal – a gatefold slip of paper that reproduces the 'Cast Iron Songs & Torch Ballads' charcoal drawing painting scrawled Dylan liner notes artwork on the inside of the gatefold with a photo of him in the studio (sat in a chair with guitar beside him) beneath the see-through CD tray – and that's your lot. No critique – no history – no appreciation - no lyrics - it just about mentions the Stereo Remaster by GREG CALBI at Sterling Sound on the rear of the booklet. But let's get to the music…

Right from the off, the audio on the jaunty "On A Night Like This" is fantastic, Levon Helm and his Accordion now clear and contributing. Robbie Robertson makes his guitar sound like it's trying to catch a breath – drunk almost - on one of the album's undoubted highlights - "Going, Going, Gone" – Dylan sounding full-throated sincere in his tortured vocal delivery – a gem. Sisters are on the highway while papa is in the big house (his working day are through) for the rollicking Band vs. Dylan shouter song "Tough Mama" – great audio as Dylan wails on the Harmonica and Garth Hudson makes his organ sing. But again, "Tough Mama" is one of those tunes, where you want to explore the themes and wish that Columbia had gone some way to providing lyrics – giving the release something other than what they can get away with. "Hazel" has something our Bob wants – another untouchable lady within reach but so far away. I love the way that his harmonica playing on "Hazel" adds a genuine hurt to the longing rather than just being something to fill the space (it feels old and new). And again, great audio as Robbie warbles those guitar notes in the right speaker for "Something There Is About You" – the other adding layers as both talents whirlwind into each other. 

I often think that our appraisal of "Planet Waves" would have been elevated had Dylan dropped that crap fast version of "Forever Young" that opens Side 2 and started instead with the bleak pain-drenched "Dirge" where Dylan is glad the curtain fell – no more daggering eyes until one breaks out the battle stare. You also must praise Robertson on zippy Acoustic and Hudson on Grand Piano where they somehow manage to make "Dirge" sound bleak and yet full too – a frantic baroness. "You Angel You" is unfortunately just another Dylan song that floats over you as he shout-sings his way through the motions. Robertson runs his guitar through a waterfall as Dylan sings of someone beautiful whose grace might just make him cry – the short three-minutes of "Never Say Goodbye" feeling like a song you should give a second-chance too. "Planet Waves" comes to an end with "Wedding Song" – an Acoustic strummer that regales how much his lady means to him. A track called "Nobody 'Cept You" (said to be a love song to his wife Sara) was replaced at the last minute with "Wedding Song" - there is also alternate versions of "Forever Young" officially out there too - first can be found on "Biograph" and then on "Bootleg Series Volumes 1 to 3".

There are BD fans who rate his 1974 platter "Planet Waves" as being up there – but I think that Seventies accolade goes hands down to "Blood On The Tracks" from 1975. 'Tracks' was a genuinely great album that moved then and does still. "Planet Waves" has never done that for me.  

But in truth - I am returning to the 'Moonglow' album of 1974 (even if I do not know what he's going on about in those scrawled "Planet Waves" liner notes) – playing it again after all these decades because of the revelatory Remaster. And this time, I'm smiling from the lifeboat and not so seasick…

"The Polydor Years" by ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION – Eight US Albums Plus Twenty Bonus Tracks from September 1974 to August 1980 including "Third Annual Pipe Dream" (September 1974), "Dog Days" (September 1975), "Red Tape" (May 1976), "A Rock And Roll Alternative" (January 1977), "Champagne Jam" (January 1978 USA), "Underdog" (June 1979 USA), "Are You Ready!" (October 1979 USA 2LP Live Set) and "The Boys From Doraville" (August 1980) (May 2019 UK Caroline Records 8CD Clamshell Box Set featuring Eight Albums in Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves Plus Twenty Bonus Tracks – Tony Dixon Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall ****

Presentation ****

Audio ****

"...Georgia Rhythm..."

Arising out of the ashes of Roy Orbison's Candymen and Sixties hit makers The Classics IV (Keyboard player Dean Daughtry and Drummer Robert Nix) - Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS to their fans) hailed out of Doraville in Georgia. 

In the early days, they were a Country Rock act with strains of Lynyrd Skynyrd moving quickly into more commercial Chicago Funky Rock territory in the mid to late Seventies. As this retrospective is entitled The Polydor Years - their first two platters from 1972 and 1973 on Decca Records called "Atlanta Rhythm Section" and "Back Up Against The Wall"  are not covered here – just album number three through to album number ten – September 1974 to August 1980.

A superb-sounding 8CD Clamshell Box Set, you get a great deal of bang for your Euro-anaemic Buck – 8 albums remastered across 8CDs in Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves (collectors love these things) plus a whopping 20 Bonus Tracks – most of which are Single Edits, Promo-only Mono Mixes, Live versions etc. Their 1977 US FM Radio smash "So In To You" from the "A Rock And Roll Alternative" album is here too - as is everything else your average ARS nutter needs. To the Champagne Jams...

UK released 31 May 2019 - "The Polydor Years" by ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION on Caroline CAROLR073CD (Barcode 600753866603) offers 8LPs Remastered onto 8CDs Plus Twenty Bonus Tracks (Single Edits, Mono Promo Cuts and Live Versions) and breaks down as follows:

CD1 "Third Annual Pipe Dream" (47:31 minutes):
1. Doraville [Side 1]
2. Jesus Hearted People
3. Close The Door
4. Blues In Maude's Flat
5. Join The Race (To Inner Space)
6. Angel (What In The World's Come Over Us) [Side 2]
7. Get Your Head Out Of Your Heart
8. The War Is Over
9.  Help Yourself (You Gotta Help Yourself)
10. Who You Gonna Run To (When You're Thru Walkin' On Me)
Tracks 1 to 10 are their 3rd album "Third Annual Pipe Dream" - released September 1974 in the USA on Polydor PD-6027 and February 1975 in the UK on Polydor 2391 136. Produced by J.R. COBB and DON NIX – peaked at No.74 on the US Billboard LP charts (didn't chart UK)

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Angel (What In The World's Come Over Us) – Mono Edit
12. Angel (What In The World's Come Over Us) – Single Edit
13. Doraville (Mono Edit)
14. Get Your Head Out Of Your Heart (Mono Edit)

CD2 "Dog Days" (39:36 minutes):
1. Crazy [Side 1]
2. Boogie Smoogie
3. Cuban Crisis
4. It Just Ain't Your Moon
5. Dog Days - [Side 2]
6. Bless My Soul (Instrumental)
7. Silent Treatment
8. All Night Rain
Tracks 1 to 8 are their fourth studio album "Dog Days" - released September 1975 in the USA on Polydor PD-6041 and November 1975 in the UK on Polydor Super 2391 179. Produced by BUDDY BUIE - it peaked at No. 113 in the USA (didn't chart in the UK)

BONUS TRACKS:
9. Crazy (Mono Edit)

CD3 "Red Tape" (39:42 minutes):
1. Jukin/San Antonio Rose[Side 1]
2. Mixed Emotions
3. Shanghied
4. Police! Police!
5. Beautiful Dreamers [Side 2]
6. Oh What A Feeling
7. Free Spirit
8. Another Man's Woman
Tracks 1 to 8 are their fifth studio album "Red Tape" - released May 1976 in the USA on Polydor PD-6060 and July 1976 in the UK on Polydor 2391 223. Produced by BUDDY BUIE - it peaked at No. 146 in the USA (didn't chart in the UK)

BONUS TRACKS
9. Free Spirit (Mono Edit)
10. Jukin (Mono Edit)

CD4 "A Rock And Roll Alternative" (44:06 minutes):
1. Sky High [Side 1]
2. Hitch-Hikers' Hero
3. Don't Miss The Message
4. Georgia Rhythm
5. So In To You [Side 2]
6. Outside Woman Blues
7. Everybody Gotta Go
8. Neon Nites
Tracks 1 to 8 are their sixth album "A Rock And Roll Alternative" - released January 1977 in the USA on Polydor PD-1-6080 and March 1977 in the UK on Polydor 2391 255. Produced by ROBERT NIX, J.R. COBB and BUDDY BUIE – it peaked at No.11 on the US LP charts (didn't chart in the UK)

BONUS TRACKS:
9. So In To You (Mono Edit)
10. So In To You (Single Edit)
11. Neon Nites (Single Edit)

CD5 "Champagne Jam" (53:32 minutes):
1. Large Time [Side 1]
2. I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me
3. Normal Love
4. Champagne Jam
5. Imaginary Lover [Side 2]
6. The Ballad Of Lois Malone
7. The Great Escape
8. Evileen
Tracks 1 to 8 are their seventh album "Champagne Jam" – released January 1978 in the USA on Polydor PD-1-6134 and June 1978 in the UK on Polydor 2391 319. Produced by BUDDY BUIE and ROBERT NIX – it peaked at No.7 on the US LP charts (didn't chart in the UK)

BONUS TRACKS:
9. Champagne Jam (Stereo Edit)
10. Imaginary Lover (Mono Edit)
11. Imaginary Lover (Single Edit)
12. I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me (Mono Edit)
13. I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me (Single Edit)

CD6 "Underdog" (52:04 minutes):
1. Do It Or Die [Side 1]
2. Born Ready
3. I Hate The Blues / Let's Go Get Stoned
4. Indigo Passion
5. While Time Is Left [Side 2]
6. It's Only Music
7. Spooky
8. My Song
Tracks 1 to 8 are their eight album "Underdog" – released June 1979 in the USA on Polydor PD-1-6200 and July 1979 in the UK on Polydor 2391 398. Produced by BUDDY BUIE, J.R. COBB and RODNEY MILLS – it peaked at No.26 on the US LP charts (didn't chart in the UK)

BONUS TRACKS:
9. Indigo Passion (Single Edit)
10. Large Time (Single Edit)
11. Back Up Against The Wall (Single Edit)
12. Spooky (Single Edit)

CD7 "Are You Ready!" (76:16 minutes, 2LP Live Set):
1. Prelude/Tara's Theme - Sky High [Side 1]
2. I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me
3. Large Time
4. Back Up Against The Wall [Side 2]
5. Angle (What In The World's Come Over Us)
6. Conversation
7. Imaginary Lover
8. Doraville [Side 3]
9. Another Man's Woman
10. Georgia Rhythm [Side 4]
11. Imaginary Lover
12. So In To You
13. Long Tall Sally
Tracks 1 to 13 are their ninth album "Are You Ready!" – released October 1979 in the USA on Polydor PD-2-6236 as a 2LP set – a combination of live recordings and live-in-the-studio sessions – it was their first Live Set (no UK issue). Produced by BUDDY BUIE and RODNEY MILLS – it peaked at No.51 on the US LP charts (didn't chart in the UK)

CD8 "The Boys From Doraville" (42:45 minutes):
1. Cocaine Charlie [Side 1]
2. Next Year's Rock & Roll
3. I Ain't Much
4. Putting My Faith In Love
5. Rough At The Edges [Side 2]
6. Silver Eagle
7. Pedestal
8. Try My Love
9. Strictly R&R
Tracks 1 to 9 are their tenth album "The Boys From Doraville" (ninth studio album overall) – released August 1980 in the USA on Polydor PD-1-6285 and September 1980 in the UK on Polydor 2391 467. Produced by BUDY BUIE – it peaked at No.65 on the US LP charts (didn't chart in the UK)

BONUS TRACK:
10. I Ain't Much (Single Edit)

ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION was:
RONNIE HAMMOND - Lead Vocals
DEAN DAUGHTRY - Keyboards
BARRY BAILEY - Guitars
J.R. COBB – Guitars and Backing Vocals
PAUL GODDARD - Bass
ROBERT NIX – Drums (BOB YEAGER for "The Boys Of Doraville")

Compiled by Michael Cobb - the glossy Clamshell Box Set for "The Polydor Years" by ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION is cool enough and collectors will dig the eight Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves (front and rear covers, all single sleeves, no inners nor gatefolds, bonus tracks are not super-imposed on the artwork). The 20-page colour booklet comes with new liner notes by long-time writer and music buff MALCOLM DOME (done August 2018) filling in all the milestone blanks alongside snaps of the six-piece band in varying stages of their career (they campaigned for President Jimmy Carter in 1976 and appeared on the White House lawn in a gig for the son of the Georgia POTUS). Even though ARS had British LP variants on Polydor Records UK for most of their albums (even attended Knebworth Festival) - Atlanta Rhythm Section were very much a US phenomenon - all their LPs charted in the USA (their sort of trademark Fish & Guitar Logo is on Page 4). 

I have to say though that the final two-pages of credits at the rear of the booklet are barely readable because of the tiny font and blurry colouring (song titles, writers credits and not a lot else) – there is more info in my Discography above than you get here. But what punters and fans will want is the sweet-as-a-nut Audio – the set mastered by TONY DIXON at Masterpiece in the UK. These were well-recorded albums in the first place and the beefy/clean transfers reflect that. Time for some Country Rock and a few genre-stops in-between…

CD1 – Released September 1974 in the USA - "Third Annual Pipe Dream" pays homage to the city that made them with the commercial Country Rock opener "Doraville". They talk of it being a breakthrough in the booklet. With "Who You Gonna Run To" on its flip, it was put out a US single in late 1974 on Polydor PD 14248 and January 1975 in the UK on Polydor 2066 488. It did no business in the UK but managed a very healthy chart placing of No.35 in the States in November 1974. It put them on the map and people tuned in. Polydor tried again with "Get Your Head Out Of Your Heart" and "Angel (What In The World's Come Over Us)" on both sides of the pond (Polydor PD 14273 in the USA, May 1975 in the UK on Polydor 2058 560) but neither side of the water took to it. A cool funky Rock tune is "Help Yourself (You Gotta Help Yourself") which I've put on many 70's FEST compilations. Christian rocker Mylon LeFevre sang backing vocals on "Jesus Hearted People" alongside Hugh Baby Jarret of The Jordanaires. Peaking at No.74 on the US Billboard charts – their third album "Third Annual Pipe Dream" saw ARS start an impressive chart run of albums which saw the following seven titles in this Box Set make good numbers also.

CD2 - The "Dog Days" album of September 1975 gets off to A Pop-Rock start with "Crazy (Times)" – but then things get seriously dirty Southern Boogie with the wickedly groovy grunge of "Boogie Smoogie" - a song about a dive filled with hookers, greasy chicken and beer-swilling clientele throwing their cans at the bar band trying to make a buck. The Audio is superb for this huge fan fave. Their commercial 'let's write one that will be played on Country radio' streak kicks in for the jaunty "Cuban Crisis" - the kind of song Little Feat would have made a better fist of. "It Just Ain't Your Moon" is good old boy Rock 'n' Roll and sounds chunky - a sweet-sounding transfer. Things mellow into the big smooch of "Dog Days" - a power ballad that doesn't really ignite. The instrumental "Bless My Soul" is a funky little Southern Boogie number that sounds more 1977 dancefloor than 1975 chicken coup. Another fave is surely "Silent Treatment" - a wickedly catchy groove with 'honky tonk' harmonica where our boys are captured by a quiet lady (Ronnie struck out). It ends on the warmth of "All Night Rain" where ARS do their best Eagles impression.

CD3 - You really hear the quality of the Remaster with the first 45 lifted off the "Red Tape" LP of May 1976 - the Boogie Rock of "Jukin" - Buie and Nix delivering a wickedly good Rocker - the kind of song Jo Jo Gunne would have killed for. "Mixed Emotions" is the same - another clever ZZ Top type groover with Hammond's vocals sounder better than ever and those dual guitars tearing it up. "Shanghied" is another Rocker as the album begins to sound more and more like "Tres Hombres" with a commercial funk. Not surprisingly "Police! Police!" opens with arriving sirens, doors slamming and then a huge guitar riff (another travelling late at night - got hassled - song). The ballad "Beautiful Dreamers" is at least more convincing than the previous LP's attempts - a piano chord tells us that blue jean friends have faded. Again, back to hard-hitting boogie - a huge guitar sound on "Oh What A Feeling" - and the single "Free Spirit" is the same - amazing clarity.

CD4 – January 1977's "A Rock And Roll Alternative" still sees Ronnie Hammond on Lead Vocals and their sound is Funky Boogie Rock exemplified by "Don't Miss The Message" and the rocking Skynyrd vibe of "Outside Woman Blues". But the album is dominated by the huge hit "So In To You" - the kind of Boz Scaggs commercial song that would make you double take if you heard it even now coming out of a radio  - asking - who's that? "Neon Nites" tries to get close to its sound and succeeds with its plucked guitars and slinky beat. Piggybacking on the popularity of the hit single "So In To You", the LP "A Rock And Roll Alternative" was a smash also – peaking at No.11 on the Billboard album charts. It even sparked a March 1977 reissue on MCA Records MCA2-4114 of their self-titled debut (1972) and second album "Back Up Against The Wall" (1973) as a 2LP package simply called "Atlanta Rhythm Section". Even that charted, peaking at No.154 for a 4-week run.

CD5 – January 1978's "Champagne Jam" came one year after its career-changing predecessor and didn't just keep the winning formula tight but improved on it. In October of 1977, half of the ultimate guitar heroes band Lynyrd Skynyrd were killed in a plane crash – a huge blow to anyone around Southern Rock. ARS responded with an ebullient guitar-boogie tribute song "Large Time" which takes pride of place as the opener for Side 1 – the band rocking out as many fans wanted (glad to be living in the USA). And while the preceding album "A Rock And Roll Alternative" from 1977 was seriously popular - the "Champagne Jam" LP of 1978 took ARS Top Ten – rightly peaking at No.7 on the back of a damn good album (it would be their most commercially successful album). And in "Imaginary Lover" and "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me" – they clocked up two more 45-single hits (peaking at No. 7 and 14 respectively). While I find the ballad "Normal Love" just a little too piano-plinking soppy and the b-word lyrics in "Evileen" cringeworthy, other goodies include the wickedly catchy good-time beat in "Champagne Jam" (me and the boys staying out late) and the very Lynyrd Skynyrd drank-like-a-fish and cussed-like-a-sailor Southern crawl in "The Ballad of Lois Malone".

CD6 – Coming one year after its upbeat commercially savvy predecessor – June 1979's "Underdog" is something of a disappointment. Opening with the very Eagles-sounding mellow of "Do It Or Die" (not my cup of Rosie) that is followed fast by another infernally hooky tune "Born Ready" that could easily have been another winner-45. The awkwardly titled and seven-minute long "I Hate The Blues" sees our lead singer craving a crank-up rhythm so he can let it rip (the Ashford/Simpson song "Let's Go Get Stoned" comes in towards the end). "Indigo Passion" is awful, plinking-plonking filler. At least "While Time Is Left" has some good guitar licks but again the strings and overall lack-lustre do for the song. "It's Only Music" restores the confidence – cute girl shaking like a maniac. The album gave ARS two American Billboard hits "Do It Or Die" that peaked at No.19 and a remake of a song that Cobb and Buie made famous with The Classics IV – the mighty "Spooky" (God knows how many cover versions there are of that slinky gem). Time to go to the masses…

CD7 – October 1979's 2LP live set "Are You Ready!" came in the same year as their seventh studio album "Underdog" and featured an interesting mix of Live American Tour recordings vs. new Live-in-the-Studio jams. To a backdrop of Lara Theme playing over the monitors, the compare hits the mike and shouts the album title "Are You Ready!" ARS are then announced as being from Georgia and the crowd erupts as they rip into an electric version of "Sky High" – lead guitarist making his plank bleed. The Funk-Rock of the hugely popular "Champagne Jam" cements a fab double-whammy opener. Things are mellowed by a mid-tempo groove - another single – the ignoring pain and injustice around the world stepper "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me". The crowd loves Hammond saying, "This one is for Lynyrd Skynyrd…" as the band launch into a tight-rocking version of "Large Time" that not for the first time has ARS sounding like the younger brother of ZZ Top. Sentenced to hard labour and on the wrong side of the law, ARS dig back into their catalogue to let the crowd have the good-old-boys character in "Back Up Against The Wall".

A smart choice from album three "Angel (What In The World's Come Over Us)" allows the boys to showcase harmonies, melodious arrangements and geetar playing. They dig out the acoustic shuffle of "Conversation" (from the second album of 1973) – remembering a friend and lover where communication broke down and time did the destructive rest. Hit single "Imaginary Lover" is ok – but their early breakthrough hit "Doraville" is alive – you feel the band enjoying themselves. Keeping up the reach back, ARS hit the crowd with a first album rocker "Another Man's Woman(It's So Hard)" – the guitars and piano both snarling. Time to revisit a sleeper on 1977's "A Rock And Roll Alternative" – the mellow "Georgia Rhythm" which unfortunately has an in-the-distance feel to the tapes. Not surprisingly the live tour proceedings are ended with the mega-hit "So In To You" and a rollicking cover version of Little Richard's incendiary "Long Tall Sally". In the grand pantheon of Classic Double Live Albums of the Seventies "Are You Ready!" by ARS is forgotten these days (2024) - but its charms deserve a return to.

CD8 – Heading into a new decade with "The Boys From Doraville" (their last album on Polydor released August 1980) and Atlanta Rhythm Section are in a return-to-basics mood whilst reaching for the commerciality of yesteryear. "Cocaine Charlie" immediately hits you with that familiar ARS sound – their Southern-Rock Country-Pop swagger – strong and muscular – a tale of a fool chasing ecstasy but now a slave to sniffing fairy dust. The audio is superb. More than a passing nod to their sound of old follows - "Next Year's Rock & Roll" commenting on Disco and New Wave with a slight smirk. "I Ain't Much" is a bopper but it feels old and not particularly fresh nor does "Putting My Faith In Love". The cowboy hero Joe Bob Kinsey and Satin Ladies of Saturday Night get mixed up into "Rough At The Edges" but again it feels like reaching for fun instead of feeling it. Pure Eagles-sung-by Glenn Frey territory shows up in the shape of "Silver Eagle" – carry me away from endless Holiday Inns. The guitar-chug of "Try My Love" and the play-too-loud piano-boogie of "Strictly R&R" feel like the best two tunes on a strangely deflating album. And on it goes with all those edits and single sides hammering home their sound. 

You wouldn't call any of these albums 'masterpieces' - hardly anything ARS ever did could hold a candle to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Little Feat or even The Allmans - bands with real chops and tunes that moved. Having said that - if you're a fan or even partial to Southern Rock – then this superb-sounding ARS Clamshell love-fest is an absolute 8CD must-own...

Atlanta Rhythm Section's brand of Country Rock won't be everyone's cup of Horlicks nowadays and a lot of it feels lightweight with the passing of time (they had neither the integrity of Skynyrd or the sheer balls-to-the-wall Blues Boogie of Foghat) - but those slinky moments in between are worth the purchase (and that top audio quality). 

"...Captured by your style..." Hammond sings on "So In To You". You may feel the same...