"Southwest /Sandman" by HERB PEDERSEN - 1976 and 1977 US Albums on Epic Records with Guests Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Larry Carlton, David Lindley, Al Perkins and Mike Post (June 2014 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation - 2LPs Remastered Onto 1CD) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…If I Can Sing A Song…"

In Country Rock - Herb Pedersen - is not exactly a legendary name – one that rolls off the tongue of every aficionado. I can just about remember seeing a Banjo credit to him on The Doobie Brothers "Minute By Minute" album from 1978 as I scoured the inner sleeve for sessionmen I knew – and nothing else. 

Yet he's turned up on Linda Ronstadt albums from back in the day and even contributes to CDs by supremo guitarist Sonny Landreth in the Naughties. Quietly in the background you might say...

Which brings us to this beautifully remastered 2014 Beat Goes On CD Compilation (BGO of the UK) that makes available two obscure albums by Pedersen for the first time since their US vinyl LP release in the Seventies (1976 and 1977). Here are the plucky fingerpicking details…

UK released June 2014 – "Southwest /Sandman" by HERB PEDERSEN on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1151 (Barcode 5017261211514) offers 2LPs from 1976 and 1977 Remastered onto 1CD (presented in a card slipcase and with new liner notes) that breaks down as follows (63:17 minutes):

1. Paperback Writer [Side 1]

2. Rock And Roll Cajun

3. If I Can Sing A Song

4. Our Baby's Gone

5. Harvest Home

6. The Hey Boys [Side 2]

7. Jesus Once Again

8. Younger Days

9. Can't You Hear Me Callin'

10. Wait A Minute

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Southwest" – released in 1976 in the USA on Epic Records PE 34225

11. Sandman [Side 1]

12. When She Makes Love To Me

13. Cara Is Gone

14. Is That Any Way To Love

15. Fair And Tender Ladies

16. Tennessee Sal [Side 2]

17. About Love Again

18. Bring Back The Smile

19. My Little Man

20. If I Lose

Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Sandman" – released 1977 in the USA on Epic Records PE 34933

The CD is housed in a pretty card slipcase and the 24-page booklet is packed with info, photos, lyrics and in-depth liner notes by noted writer JOHN TOBLER. The Audio is a gorgeous ANDREW THOMPSON Remaster in High Def from real tapes. Production values then were top-notch for this kind of album and the Remaster only amplifies that.

The musical style is solo Ozark Mountain Daredevils (Randy Chowning or Steve Cash)  - fiddles, banjos, country themes and melodies. Some of it works – a lot of it is terribly dated and seriously cheesy if I'm completely honest. However if you are a fan – the sound quality is truly gorgeous – remastered to perfection. To the chunes...

"Rock & Roll Cajun" rocks it out, but despite the sessionman presence of both David Lindley on Fiddle and Manassas mainman Al Perkins on Steel Guitar, Pedersen's cover of The Beatles classic "Paperback Writer" is not a wise choice and smacks of easy crowd-pleasing filler. Both Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt provide lovely backing vocals on the mid tempo "Our Baby's Gone" (other session players include David Lindley on Zither, Al Perkins on Steel Guitar and Leland Sklar on Bass) - while "The Hey Boys" is a faithful Dillards cover. Mike Post (of Hill Street Blues fame) arranges the strings on "Harvest Home" while Larry Carlton and Mike (Hill Street Blues) Post add guitars and keyboards to "Jesus Once Again" and "Younger Days". On the second album, the ballads work best – "Is That Any Way To Love" and "My Little Man" (about his kids).

Another quality reissue compilation for Country & Country Rock fans from England's Beat Goes On (BGO) with superb presentation and genuinely gorgeous sound...

"The Spice Of Life" by MARLENA SHAW (2005 Universal/Cadet CD Remaster - Her 1969 Cadet Records LP) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...All You've Got To Do Is Believe It..."

Released on vinyl in late 1969 in the USA on Cadet LPS-833 - Marlena Shaw's 10-track LP "The Spice Of Life" contains the monster rare groove hit "Woman Of The Ghetto" (the opening track on Side 1) and from there on in - it just doesn't let up. 

"The Spice Of Life" by MARLENA SHAW is one of those fantastic Soul LPs you don't know anything about and should - so Sixties - Funky, Bluesy, Soulful and righteous in its message. It ticks all the right boxes.

This hip little Universal CD reissue (released in the UK and Europe July 2005) on Verve/Universal 0602498818695 comes in an aesthetically cool-looking card digipak with a foldout inlay that repros the black rear sleeve and Louis McGlohan's original liner notes. The lovely BOB CRAWFORD photograph and silver feel to the front album cover art is there too (the vinyl repro of it is gorgeous to look at).

1. Woman Of The Ghetto

2. (They Call It) Stormy Monday

3. Where Can I Go

4. I’m Satisfied

5. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)

6. Liberation Conversation

7. California Soul

8. Go Away Little Boy

9. Looking Thru' The Eyes Of Love

10. Anyone Can Move A Mountain

The remaster (31:32 minutes) was carried out by BOB IRWIN and JAYNE PIERUZZI at Sundazed Studios in the States and is fabulous throughout - clear, full of power, great presence - just a joy to listen to. All of the tracks were recorded at the famous Chess/Cadet 'Tel-Mar Studios' in Chicago between 1968 and 1969 with "Liberation Conversation" actually dating back to September 1966.

The big names involved here are RICHARD EVANS and a personal cult hero of mine - CHARLES STEPNEY - arrangers, songwriters and musicians. Stepney was involved in a lot of the Cadet label output - Rotary Connection, Terry Callier and The Dells and was sort of a Burt Bacharach of Soul - bringing beautiful string arrangements and cool brass fills to many songs.

Shaw's cover of T-Bone Walker's "Call It Stormy Monday" is wicked while her version of the song made famous by Nina Simone "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To be Free" ends Side 1 in real style. Ashford And Simpson provide the other huge Rare Groove hit "California Soul" - while "Go Away, Little Boy" is a Goffin-King track made famous by Steve Lawrence in 1962.

Marlena co-wrote the huge hitter "Woman Of The Ghetto" with soul heroes Bobby Miller and Richard Evans ("Liberation Conversation" is also a co-write with Bobby Miller) and it's impossible not to be moved by its funkiness and 'trying to survive' lyrics. Mellow and lovely like Dionne Warwick on a Soul tip - "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love" is a Mann-Weil song with that Gene Pitney melodrama built in. It also has staggering backing vocals with that glass-breaking sky high pitch Minnie Riperton used to get for Rotary Connection. The liner notes don't provide full musician credits - so I wonder is it her - its got to be? It ends on the anthem gospel groove to "Anyone Can Move A Mountain" written by Johnny Marks (lyrics above).

A stunner - a peach - enrich your Soul world with this little beauty...

PS: see also reviews for TERRY CALLIER - Occasional Rain, What Color Is Love and I Just Can't Stand It, Rotary Connection and Songs/Hey, Love (2LPs on 1CD) by ROTARY CONNECTION and Standing Ovation by THE DELLS (all of which have Charles Stepney connections)...

“Deception” on BLU RAY – A Review

"...This Isn't A Negotiation..." – Deception on BLU RAY

Mild-mannered accountant Jonathan McQuarry (Ewan McGregor) sits alone at his laptop in the plush boardroom of yet another New York high-rise mega-company doing employee audits. It’s 10:30 pm and he’s still working.

From out of nowhere – Jonathan is joined by the handsome and very slick Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman) – a lawyer who is clearly living a life poor McQuarry could only dream of. Bose feels sorry for the sad number cruncher - stays for a chat that soon becomes a shared spliff – joking about life (or the lack of it) as they watch the city go by on the streets down below. Next thing you know they’re playing tennis together – Jonathan sees Wyatt’s fabulous apartment – his uber babe lifestyle in city bars – his equally well-heeled work colleagues…

Then by accident at lunch in the park one afternoon – Jonathan mixes up his mobile with Wyatt’s – and that night while Wyatt is in London closing a business deal – he get’s a phonecall from a sexy female executive voice asking if "...he’s free tonight?" Jonathan soon works out that playboy Wyatt is part of a group of sex connoisseurs – powerful people enjoying anonymity and physical liaisons in plush hotels around New York because they’re on "The List". He takes a chance and soon he’s engaging in hot passion with gorgeous corporate women on "The List" who would never have looked at him twice.

But then one night in yet another hotel room - in walks a blonde girl he saw on the subway that he really liked (Michelle Williams) – and an immediate spark is lit between them. He doesn't want her to take clothes off - but talk - like normal human beings. But just as the relationships is moving away from call girl to partner – he wakes up in yet another strange room with one too many drinks taken and her naked body is missing – replaced with bloodied sheets. Then Wyatt suddenly turns up and he’s not the nice guy he once seemed. And on top of corporate blackmail - the woman Jonathan now loves - is in danger from this oily confidence man…

Directed by Marcel Laggenegger in 2008 - Mark Bomback’s razor-sharp script is brilliant – twisting and turning and constantly leading you astray. It’s helped by a trio of superbly chosen actors – McGregor as the put upon nobody who must become a somebody – Jackman as the smiling beguiling snake who knows how to press the emotional buttons in suckers – and Michelle Williams as the reluctant participant – caught up in something that gets out of hand – even murderous…

The BLU RAY picture quality is top notch – beautifully filmed to give it that silver-suit office slickness (Aspect Ratio 2.40:1). Extras include a feature length Commentary with the Director, a Making Of called “Exposing The Deception”, Deleted Scenes and a feature on the various nightclubs called “Club Sexy”. Audio is English 5.1 DTS and English 2.0 Dolby Digital - while the lone Subtitle is English SDH.

"Deception" on BLU RAY is a superb thriller with brains, cool, sexiness and angles you didn’t see coming. Play the game with this one…

“Dante’s Peak” on BLU RAY – A Review

"...Second-Best Place To Live In America..." - Dante's Peak on BLU RAY

Setting aside the ludicrous premise of a magmatic eruption in rural USA - "Dante's Peak" (if you'll forgive the volcanic pun) - is a real blast. And it's a looker on BLU RAY too.

Pierce Brosnan plays Harry Dalton of the United States Geological Survey who is sent to the sleepy town of Dante's Peak - overlooked by a dormant volcano. Four years earlier Harry lost his ladylove Mary Ann to a blast he and his pick-up truck couldn't outrun - so his bosses think him good at his job - but also over-zealous when it comes to predictions.

Harry meets the town Mayor Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton) and her family of two kids (Jamie Renee Smith and Jeremy Foley as Lauren and Graham) and soon forms a bond with them. But Harry also finds that the town has recently been awarded the "...2nd Best Place To Live In The USA..." - and the council is eager to keep the $18 million investment of an incoming conglomerate called Blair Industries. Unfortunately they are also a little too willing to overlook the Geologist's warnings that something is going on with the wizened trees, dead wildlife and rising acidity levels in the lake beneath the waking giant. And on it goes to a jug of water shaking on a table at a town meeting and all Hell then breaking loose...

When the big bang/property destruction finally does arrive - Dante's Peak disintegrates with real special effects style and believability - Director Roger Donaldson delivering on set piece after set piece. Brosnan looks fantastic - as does Hamilton - and there's convincing chemistry between them, the kids and Nanny Ruth (Elizabeth Hoffman). Right up to the end - the tension and drama is poured on - danger coming in lava flows through the kitchen, boat trips across sulphuric acid lakes, clouds of molten ash in rotary blades and finally to a crushed car in a disused mine.

Given a budget in excess of $100 million in 1997 - the BLU RAY picture is excellent - especially when it goes to the picturesque town and surrounding mountains (idyllic). The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 rattles your speakers with explosions that will wake the neighbours. Other Audio includes French, Italian, German, Spanish and Japanese DTS-Surround 5.1 - while Subtitles include English SDH, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Korean, Latin American Spanish, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and Traditional Mandarin.

"Dante's Peak" is a properly entertaining movie on BLU RAY with a great cast and effects that impress to this day. Boil your bottom on this little hottie...

“Centurion” on BLU RAY – A Review

"...A Soldier Of Rome Never Yields..." – Centurion on BLU RAY

A cleaved and semi-naked soldier is stumbling across a snowy tundra landscape with both of his hands tied in front of him. Quintus Dias is alone in this hostile terrain (Michael Fassbender) – and running from something far more terrifying than wild wolves eager to dig their teeth into his flesh. He’s trying to outpace a barbarous tribe called The Picts…

We now go to two weeks earlier and Quintus is in full breastplate protective uniform standing on the wooden ramparts of Inch-Tuth-Il – the Northernmost Roman Garrison in Britania 117 AD (close to Scotland). "Even the land wants us dead…" he says ominously as he looks out at the dimly lit night. A few moments later and another guerrilla raid will bring that prophecy to fruition. Soon Quintus is in their midst – face to face with their fearsome Pict leader Gorlacon (Ulrich Thomsen) and then forced to fight a woman more blood-thirsty than a vampire – a Pict warrior called Etain who kills without mercy and doesn’t speak (Olga Kurylenko). 

But Quintus escapes and links up with the legendary Ninth Legion out of York and their leader General Titus (Dominic West) - sent on a final thrust into the Northern Territories by Governor Julius (Paul Freeman) who harbours political ambitions. Betrayed by their supposedly loyal guide – disaster follows in a wood ambush – and soon Etain and her merciless Picts are hunting Quintus and a small band of survivors…

Written and Directed by Neil Marshall in 2008 – "Centurion" did bugger all business at the box office which I think is unfair to it. Sure we’ve been in this slice-and-dice territory before – but here we get great actors like Dominic West (The Wire), Paul Freeman (Raiders Of The Lost Ark), Ulrich Thomsen (Fringe and Banshee), Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones), Andreas Wisniewski (Die Hard and Mission Impossible) and David Morrissey (Thorne). And under all that muck and facial warpaint - we even get a double whammy of beauties – the "Quantum Of Solace" bond girl Olga Kurylenko - brilliantly cast as a mute female terminator who can smell you on the wind. Countering her is the gorgeous wild-haired Imogen Poots as a healing necromancer/witch – disfigured and cast out into the woods by her own – a wilderness that might just offer Quintus a future away from generals all too willing to sacrifice him and his men in the name of Rome’s glory…

The BLU RAY picture quality is top notch – beautifully filmed on rugged and wild mountain terrain in Autumn and Winter (night and day) to give it that mud-and-blood feel (Aspect Ratio 2.35:1). The Extras are pleasingly comprehensive - full of the actors commenting and joking on set. There's features about Blood and Gore – Stunts - purpose built villages and wooden forts - and the physical difficulty of shooting in some dangerous and inhospitable locations. Audio is English 5.1 DTS Master Audio and English Audio Description 2.0 Stereo - while the lone Subtitle is English For The Hard of Hearing.

"Centurion" wishes it was "Gladiator" and clearly isn’t (what film is). But it's a very entertaining watch and a proper blood-splattered looker on BLU RAY.

Don your Toga boys and get the Daz ready – you’re gonna get down and dirty on this one…