“The Emitt Rhodes Recordings (1969 – 1973)” by EMITT RHODES. A REVIEW of the USA 2009 Hip-O Select 2CD Set Now Given a January 2010 UK Release.

This review is part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

"I Was Dying Inside...I Was Hoping You'd Come Along..."

In truth, there was a time when you couldn't give away Emitt Rhodes albums here in the UK, but something of a rediscovery of his music has taken place in the last two decades that has brought his LPs out of the bargain bins and into the eBay lists.

Hailing from Hawthorne (a suburb in Los Angeles), Rhodes first came to prominence with the US sixties group "The Merry-Go-Round" who made one album for A&M in 1967, their self-titled debut "The Merry-Go-Round". Around the album they issued a wad of singles, but neither bothered the charts. These releases are quite sought after now. And prior to this rather lovely reissue, the only half decent set of his music on CD was a rare 1998 compilation from Edsel of the UK called "Daisy-Fresh". Well not anymore...

Released initially in the USA in May 2009 as a 2CD set, Hip-O Select B0012926-02 is a worldwide limited edition of 5000 which contains 4 full albums and one rare non-album 7" single. It breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (66:13 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The American Dream" recorded in 1969 but released after his debut album (14 to 25 below) in April 1971 in the USA on A&M SP-4254 and on A&M AMLS 64254 in the UK
Tracks 14 to 25 are the album "Emitt Rhodes" first issued December 1970 in the USA on ABC/Dunhill DS 50089 and then on Probe Records SPBA 6256 in the UK in February 1971

Disc 2 (70:06 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Mirror" issued on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50111 in the USA in November 1971 and on Probe Records SPBA 6262 in the UK in December 1971
Tracks 11 to 22 are the album "Farewell To Paradise" issued September 1972 on Probe Records SPBA 6266 in the UK and on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50122 in the USA.

Track 23 is "Tame The Lion", a non-album A-side. In the UK it was on Probe Records PRO 565 and in the USA on A&M 4315, both issued in 1972. "Golden Child Of God" - an album track off "Mirror" - is its B-side in both countries.

The 3-way fold out card digipak houses a 16-page booklet with an appreciation of the man and his music by SCOTT SCHNIDER. There's also a pictorial album-by-album breakdown with relevant production and instrument credits. It's remastered by PETE DOELL at Universal Mastering and sounds fantastic - and given that most of these tracks are self-recorded by Rhodes himself - it's amazing how good they sound. Equally impressive is his musicianship on every track - so proficient, so talented.

Vocally Rhodes is a cross between Nilsson on "Nilsson Schmilsson", Todd Rundgren on "Something/Anything?" and Ron Mael of Sparks on "Kimono My House". But there is also the Beach Boys and Dennis Wilson vibe too. With all these cool influences bounding around, his songs and their arrangements have aroused a lot of interest in those who like their Seventies tunes melodic and layered. His first album is probably his most popular and fans will be glad to see it represented here in its entirety. Also - and impressively - most of the songs on here are entirely written, played, arranged and produced by Emitt Rhodes (how every Prince).

Another nice touch is that the 1st issue of "The American Dream" album had the track "Saturday Night" on it - which was replaced with "You're A Very Lovely Woman" when it was reissued later in a different sleeve - Hip-O has included both tracks so you can sequence either version.

While I like his debut - for me his song writing improved immeasurably on "Mirror". I especially love "Better Side Of Life" and "Really Wanted You" (lyrics above) - very Dennis Wilson - and in a really good way.

To sum up - and as other reviewers have pointed out - this is a superb reissue and luckily for us it's been given a January 2010 UK release for just under twelve quid (rare for Hip-O sets).

It's not all fab of course, but when he was good - he was sit-up-and-take-notice good. Recommended.

"History Of Rhythm And Blues 1942-1952, The" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 101 Tracks Across 4 CDs including Lucky Millinder, Ella and Buddy Johnson, Dinah Washington, T-Bone Walker, Joe Liggins, Louis Jordan, Amos Milburn, Julia Lee, Nellie Lutcher, Nat King Cole, Arthur Crudup, Johnny Otis, Hank Williams, Wynonie Harris, Roy Brown, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, The Dominoes, The Swallows, The Treniers, Ray Charles, The Clovers, The Five Keys, Lloyd Price, Lowell Fulson, and more (May 2009 UK Rhythm And Blues Records 4CD Card Digibook Box Set – Volume 3 of 4 in a Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night... "

 

Released in May 2009 - this 4CD box set is the 2nd issue in a series of 4 releases from Rhythm And Blues Records - a new label out of the UK specializing in quality issues of R&B music from way, way back.

 

The first set "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1925-1942" on RANDB001 was issued in early 2008 and is reviewed separately. And I'm delighted to say that this set is just as good as the first - and it's also improved presentation-wise in a major way (Volume 3 covers 1952-1957 while Volume 4 continues the story from 1957-1962). This 2nd Box Set is much prettier than the last and in many ways a much more 'fun' listen. Here are the Big Ten Inch details...

 

UK released May 2009 - "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1942-1952" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB0003 (Barcode 5065001126024) breaks down as follows...

 

Disc 1 (72:45 minutes):

"Jumpin' From Harlem To The West Coast"

1. Little John Special - LUCKY MILLINDER and HIS ORCHESTRA (1942, Decca/Brunswick 3406)

2. That's The Stuff You Gotta Watch - ELLA and BUDDY JOHNSON and ORCHESTRA (1945, Decca 8671)

3. Evil Gal Blues - DINAH WASHINGTON with LIONEL HAMPTON SEXTET (1944, Keynote 605)

4. I Wonder - PRIVATE CECIL GANT (1944, Bronze 117, Gilt Edge 501)

5. Driftin' Blues - CHARLES BROWN with JOHNNY MOORE'S THREE BLAZERS (1946, Philo 112)

6. T-Bone Boogie - T-BONE WALKER (1944, Rhumboogie 4002)

7. Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night - FIVE RED CAPS (1944, Beacon 7133)

8. The Blues Can Jump - THE FOUR BLUES (1945, Deluxe 1004)

9. Be-Baba-Leba - HELEN HUMES (1945, Philo/Aladdin 106)

10. Caldonia Boogie - LOUIS JORDAN (1945, Decca 8670)

11. Milton's Boogie - ROY MILTON and HIS SOLID SENDERS (1946, Jukebox 503)

12. The Honeydripper - JOE LIGGINS (1945, Exclusive 207)

13. Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well - WYNONIE HARRIS with LUCKY MILLANDER and HIS ORCHESTRA (1945, Decca 18674)

14. Strange Things Happening Every Day - SISTER ROSETTA THARPE (1945, Decca 8669)

15. That's The Blues - RUBBERLEGS WILLIAMS (1945, Continental 6013)

16. My Gal's A Jockey - BIG JOE TURNER (1946, National 4002)

17. House Of Blue Lights - ELLA MAE MORSE with FREDDIE SLACK and HIS ORCHESTRA (1946, Capitol 251)

18. Ain't That Just Like A Woman - LOUIS JORDAN (1946, Decca 23669)

19. He's A Real Gone Guy - NELLIE LUTCHER (1947, Capitol 40017)

20. Snatch And Grab It - JULIA LEE (1947, Capitol Americana 40028)

21. Chicken Shack Boogie - AMOS MILBURN (1948, Aladdin 3014)

22. Get Your Kicks On Route 66 - NAT COLE TRIO (1946, Capitol 256)

23. Please Remember Me - WALTER DAVIS (1946, RCA Victor 20-1999)

24. Get The Mop - HENRY `RED" ALLEN (1946, RCA Victor 20-1808)

25. Ooh Pa Pa Dah - BABS' THREE BIPS & A BOP (1947, Blue Note 534)

 

Disc 2 (71:04 minutes):

"Guitar Boogies, Sax Screamers & Gospel Roads"

1. That's Alright Mama - ARTHUR CRUDUP (1946, RCA Victor 20-2205)

2. Baby Please Don't Go - BIG JOE WILLIAMS (1947, Columbia 30099)

3. Midnight In The Barrelhouse - JOHNNY OTIS, HIS DRUMS and HIS ORCHESTRA (1947, Excelsior 536)

4. Louie's Guitar Boogie - LOUIS SPEIGINER (1947, Supreme 1501)

5. Guitar Boogie - ARTHUR SMITH RAMBLER TRIO (1948, Super Disc 1004 & MGM 10293)

6. Move It On Over - HANK WILLIAMS (1947, MGM 10033)

7. Play With Your Poodle - LIGHNIN' HOPKINS (1947, Aladdin 209)

8. Shake That Boogie - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1947, RCA 2056)

9. I Can't Be Satisfied - MUDDY WATERS (1948, Aristocrat 1305)

10. Boogie Chillun - JOHN LEE HOOKER (1949, Modern 627)

11. You Got To Run Me Down - JAZZ GILLUM (1947, RCA 2405)

12. Call It Stormy Monday - T-BONE WALKER (1948, Black And White 142)

13. Blues After Hours - PEE WEE CRAYTON (1948, Modern 624)

14. The Twister - PAUL WILLIAMS (1948, Savoy 665)

15. Deacons Hop - BIG JAY McNEELY (1948, Savoy 685)

16. The Hucklebuck - ROY MILTON (1949, Specialty 328)

17. Landslide - JAMES VON SKEETER (1949, Scoop 9000)

18. Pettin' & Pokin' - LOUIS JORDAN (1948, Decca 24527)

19. After While - BIG THREE (1947, Columbia 30103)

20. Milky White Way - TRUMPETEERS (1948, Score 5001)

21. Rough And Rocky Road - STARS OF HARMONY (1948, Supreme 1511)

22. Friends Let Me Tell You About Jesus - DIXIEAIRES (1949, Exclusive 98)

23. St. Louis Blues - JUBALAIRES (1947, Standard U261)

24. Write Me A Letter - RAVENS (1948, National 9038)

25. It's Too Soon To Know - ORIOLES (1948, Natural 5000)

 

Disc 3 (71:09 minutes):

"Have You Heard The News? There's Good Rockin' Tonight"

1. Good Rockin' Tonight - WYNONIE HARRIS (1947, King 4201)

2. Rock `n' Roll - WILD BILL MOORE (1948, Modern 674)

3. Butcher Pete - ROY BROWN & HIS MIGHTY MEN (1949, Deluxe 3301)

4. Saturday Night Fish Fry - LOUIS JORDAN & HIS TYMPANY FIVE (1949, Decca 24725)

5. Rock Around The Clock - HAL SINGER (1950, Mercury 8196)

6. Rock A While - GOREE CARTER & HIS HEP CATS (1949, Freedom 1506)

7. I'm Gonna Rock - RALPH WILLIS & BROWNIE McGHEE (1949, Abbey 3005)

8. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - STICK McGHEE & HIS BUDDIES (1949, Atlantic 873)

9. Cool Down Mama - LOST JOHN HUNTER & HIS BLIND BATS (1950, Four Star 1492)

10. Rocket 88 - IKE TURNER & HIS KINGS OF RHYTHM (as JACKIE BRENSTON & HIS DELTA CATS) (1951, Chess 1458)

11. How Many More Years - HOWLIN' WOLF (1951, Chess 1479)

12. Booted - ROSCO GORDON (1951, Chess 1487)

13. Well, Well, Well - TINY BRADSHAW (1950, King 4357)

14. Good Morning Judge - WYNONIE HARRIS (1950, King 4378)

15. My Baby Left Me - ARTHUR `BIG BOY' CRUDUP (1951, Victor 50-0109)

16. Eyesight To The Blind - LARKS (1951, Apollo 427)

17. Dust My Broom - ELMORE JAMES (1952, Trumpet 146)

18. Two Little Girls - JIMMY WITHERSPOON (1952, Federal 12095)

19. Let's Rock Awhile - AMOS MILBURN (1951, Aladdin 3080)

20. Rockin' Chair Mama - LITTLE WILLIE LITTLEFIELD (1950, Modern 729)

21. Pink Champagne - JOE LIGGINS (1950, Specialty 355)

22. Sixty-Minute Man - THE DOMINOES (1951, Federal 12022)

23. Walk Right In - FLUFFY HUNTER & JESSE POWELL (1952, Federal 12056)

24. It Ain't The Meat It's The Motion - THE SWALLOWS (1952, King 4501)

25. Big Ten Inch - BULLMOOSE JACKSON with TINY BRADSHAW'S ORCHESTRA (1952, King 4580)

26. Go, Go, Go - TRENIERS (1951, Okeh 6804)

 

Disc 4 (70:54 minutes):

"Soul Train Mambo - Destination New Orleans"

1. Stone Cold Dead In The Market - ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS JORDAN (1946, Decca 23546)

2. Fat Meat `n' Greens - EDGAR HAYES (1949, Exclusive 78)

3. Country Boy - DAVE BARTHOLOMEW (1950, Deluxe 3223)

4. Mardi Gras In New Orleans - PROFESSOR LONGHAIR & HIS SHUFFLING HUNGARIANS (1950, Talent 808)

5. Bon Ton Roula - CLARENCE GARLOW (1950, Macy's 5002)

6. The Fat Man - FATS DOMINO (1950, Imperial 5058)

7. Stack-A-Lee - ARCHIBALD (1950, Imperial 5068)

8. Lawdy Miss Clawdy - LLOYD PRICE (1952, Specialty 428)

9. Goin' Home - FATS DOMINO (1952, Imperial 5180)

10. Mambo Boogie - JOHNNIE OTIS (1951, Savoy 777)

11. Don't You Want A Man Like Me - B.B. KING (1951, RPM 318)

12. Chick Boo - LLOYD GLENN (1951, Swingtime 254)

13. Don't You Know I Love You So - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 934)

14. 5-10-15 Hours - RUTH BROWN (1952, Atlantic 962)

15. Hey Little Girl - BILLY WRIGHT (1951, Savoy 810)

16. Mistrustin' Blues - LITTLE ESTHER PHILIPS & MEL WALKER with JOHNNIE IT IS (1950, Savoy 735)

17. Please Send Me Someone To Love - PERCY MAYFIELD (1950, Specialty 375)

18. Everyday I Have The Blues - LOWELL FULSON (1950, Swingtime 196)

19. T-99 Blues - JIMMY NELSON & THE PETER RABBIT TRIO (1951, RPM 325)

20. Chains Of Love - BIG JOE TURNER (1951, Atlantic 939)

21. Too Late Baby - FIVE KEYS (1951, Aladdin 3085)

22. Do Something For Me - THE DOMINOES (1951, Federal 12001)

23. Give Me One More Chance - ROYALES [aka The "5" Royales] (1952, Apollo 434)

24. Misery In My Heart - RAY CHARLES (1953, Swingtime 326)

25. The Lord's Gospel Train - MARY DELOATCH (1952, Regent 1042)

 

There's a paperback-sized outer card wrap, which houses a 3-way fold out clip holder. The 64-page booklet is detached this time and twice the size of the previous set (the 1st box had it attached to the centre inner sleeve and was difficult to use because of it) - so it's detachment is a huge improvement. The booklet is also such an enjoyable read. Duckett (the compiler) gets to spread out on each song - every smartly-chosen entry packed with detailed analysis of each song - when it was recorded, players if known, USA catalogue numbers, chart positions etc. Between the texts are trade adverts, artist publicity photos and small colour pictures of those beautiful and evocative 78" and 7" labels - Imperial Records, Federal, Atlantic, Decca, Savoy, 4 Star, National, Chess and many more. There's even discussion on the transition away from 78's to 45's and the effect Dime Jukeboxes had on sales and demand. If you want a full printed out version, the same detailed text is available from their website in colour.

 

Expertly and lovingly compiled by NICK DUCKETT - it's remastered by CheekyPaul.com and given the vintage of the recordings (1942 to 1952) - the sound quality obviously varies enormously - some are awful, but others are superlative.

 

Like the 1st box - what doesn't vary is the sheer charm of the recordings themselves - the tracks 'flowing' into each other with real precision. There's Blues of course (lyrics above to "Boogie Chillen" by John Lee Hooker title this review - but there's also Rhythm 'n' Blues, Jive, Doo-Wop, Hillbilly and even a little World War II swing. All manner of life is here  - sexy songs, poverty songs, emigration and work songs, music as solace and a liberation, music about drinking and cheating women - and men who are no better, breaking free music, dancing on a Saturday night music - it all weaves a magical listen. We regularly used it in Reckless as a shuffle-play and it had customers coming to the counter time and time again asking - "Who's this?"

 

Retailing at just under twenty-three pounds from some online retailers - this box set of 101 remastered hits and obscurities - is both revelatory and great value for money. And it's music you'll find yourself loving and wanting more of. Like its predecessor - Volume Two of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues" is another 4CD Box Set corker and comes recommended the most...

“How Come” by RONNIE LANE. A Review of the 2000 CD Compilation on Neon.

Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance are part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

"…I Hitched A Train…Where’s She Bound…I Don’t Really Know…"

This unassuming little CD covering Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance repertoire has both plus and minus points...
But what’s not expressed on the front or rear sleeve is that it’s actually a sequenced UK 7” SINGLES COMPILATION with two live rarities thrown in at the end.
The sound quality is really superb too in places (but only iffy in others)…

Issued in 2000 and made in the Czech Republic, Neon NE 34553 breaks down as follows (72:54 minutes):

1. How Come
2. Tell Everyone
3. Done This One Before
1 to 3 is GM Records GMS 011 from 1974 (1 is the A, 2 and 3 are B1 and B2)

4. The Poacher
5. Bye And Bye (Gonna See The King)
4 and 5 are the A&B sides of GM Records GMS 024 from 1974

6. Roll On Babe
7. Anymore For Anymore
6 and 7 are the A&B sides of GM Records GMS 033 from 1974

8. What Went Down (That Night With You)
9. Lovely
8 and 9 are the A&B sides of Island WIP 6216 from 1974

10. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
11. Ain’t No Lady
10 and 11 are the A&B sides of Island WIP 6229 from 1975

12. Don’t Try And Change My Mind
13. Well, Well Hello (The Party)
12 and 13 are the A&B sides of Island WIP 6258 from 1976

14. Kuschty Rye
15. You’re So Right
14 and 15 are the A&B sides of Gem Records GEMS 12 from 1976

16. One Step
17. Lad’s Got Money
16 and 17 are the A&B sides of Gem Records GEMS 19 from 1980

18. Stone [Live]
19. Sweet Virginia [Live]

The eagle-eyed among you will notice that there’s one 7” single missing – “Street In The City” b/w “Annie” on Polydor 2058 944 from late 1977. It’s off the “Rough Mix” album with Pete Townshend and Neon couldn’t get the licensing rights.

Proceedings open with his debut solo single from January 1974, the fabulous “How Come” and it’s two cool B-sides (the A and B2 were non-album tracks at the time). The terribly English and wistful “The Poacher” followed in June 1974 (both charted well), but them comes an absolute gem. “Roll On Babe” (lyrics above) is second only to the genius of “Debris” by The Faces – it’s one of my all-time favourite Seventies’ songs. There’s just something about the melody and mandolins that turns me to mush every single time I hear it and I’m thrilled to say that it has great sound quality here. VETIVER did a lovely version of it on their 2008 album “Things Of The Past” that I urge you to seek out – very Ryan Adams in a way. It’s B-side “Anymore For Anymore” (the title of Slim Chance’s first album from 1974) also sounds spiffing too.

After the wonderful promise of “How Come”, “The Poacher” and “Roll On Babe”, the subsequent issues are decidedly disappointing affairs – even as a rabid Lane fan it’s hard to justify the awful dullness of “Brother Can You Spare A Dime”. Things improve a little with “Kuschty Rye” and its piano and accordion barroom B-side “You’re So Right”. But the Eighties pop and shiny production values of “One Step” just don’t suit him and end up sounding forced - and worse - the sound quality on the 1976 Island singles both sound suspiciously like crude vinyl dubs.

But the two live tracks end it nicely - they’re vintage. There’s no band details provided and they appear to be licensed from “Lane Family Archive” specifically for this release. “Stone” originally hails from the wonderful “Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance” LP from July 1975 on Island ILPS 9321 and is an old Faces tune as I recall. There then follows a great cover version of “Sweet Virginia” from The Rolling Stones 1972 double “Exile On Main St.” – it’s very, very good. Both were recorded at The Victoria Palace, London in March 1975.

So there you have it – fab in places, mediocre in others, but all of it imbibed with that wonderful character of his.

Like John Martyn, Alan “Fluff” Freeman, Long John Baldry and John Peel – it’s hard to be rational about the gorgeous Ronnie Lane. I miss him.

Still - at the very least, the better parts of “How Come” remember him well.

Buy this and enjoy.