"Unusual" by ROGER RUSKIN SPEAR [of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band] (September 2014 Esoteric Recordings CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Trouble With My Trousers And A Struggle With My Shirt…" 

Following on from his daft-as-a-brush “Electric Shocks” album from October 1972 – one year later and the ex BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND main man was at it again. “Unusual” is a another cocktail of wonderfully eccentric send-up - Monty Python type lunacy where men struggle with submersible trousers and go bumpity bump in roadsters made for two as vaudeville songs played on Tubas waft out of a wireless hidden by Billy Bunter in Felsham hedgerows… As you can imagine it’s very funny and very, very silly. Here are the Mad Dogs and their certifiable Englishman…

UK released on CD September 2014 - "Unusual" by ROGER RUSKIN SPEAR is on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2464 (Barcode 5013929456440) and is a straightforward remastered transfer of the original 1973 11-track LP that breaks down as follows (34:23 minutes):

1. Pinball Wizard [Side 1]

2. On Her Doorstep Last Night

3. Trouble With My Trousers

4. Shove-Off Shostakovich

5. I Love To Go Bumpity Bump (On A Bumpy Road With You)

6. When Yuba Plays The Rumba On The Tuba Down In Cuba [Side 2]

7. Frank The Ripper

8. Morecombe And Wise

9. Heartbreak Hotel

10. My Goodness (Or The Revolutionary New Concrete Mixer Show)

11.Unusual

Tracks 1 to 11 are his second solo album "Unusual" - originally released on vinyl LP October 1973 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29508

Quite apart from the sheer craziness of the proceedings - the first thing that hits you is the great remaster carried out to perfection by BEN WISEMAN at Audio Archiving. The dense multi-tracked original tapes have been given a right polish and all the instrument antics, funny voices and animal noises are here in fabulous sound quality.

The 16-page colour booklet features photos of our Roger with his boggle-eyes, white lab coat and massive Tuba - looking like a doctor who shouldn’t be let loose in any ward. He shares his typically brill reminiscences of each song and how they came to be (the band HELP YOURSELF guest on “Bumpity Bump” while THUNDERCLAP “Something In The Air” NEWMAN plays the piano on his fabulous send up of The Who’s classic “Pinball Wizard”). And as with the preceding “Electric Shocks” issue – there are superb further liner notes from noted writer MALCOLM DOME. It’s very classily done.

Carrying on in much the same tradition as the Bonzo albums on Liberty - the songs are full of madcap rhythms and old timey melodies (like he’s on the set of Boardwalk Empire). You’ll find yourself giggling a lot and his brilliantly deadpan cover of Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” will have you wanting to You Tube it immediately (telling the world of your fab new find). Spear in fact felt that “Unusual” and its comedy suffered unfairly against the more popular “Electric Shocks” album from 1972 (see my review) - and that now in 2014 - it genuinely deserves reappraisal. He’s right because there’s songwriting/comedic genius amidst all of the tomfoolery (check out “Trouble With My Trousers”).

No one but no one does bonkers quite like the British – and well done to all the good people in Cherry Red and Esoteric for getting this forgotten piece of stark-raving mad back out there...

"The Collection" by SIMON & GARFUNKEL - Featuring Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel (November 2007 UK Columbia 5CD/1DVD Mini Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry ...

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"...Your Time Has Come To Shine..."

Released November 2007 - "The Collection" by SIMON & GARFUNKEL on Columbia/Legacy 88697134662 is an inconspicuous 5CD/1DVD mini box set. But not so well advertised is the fact that it uses the stunning VIC ANESINI remasters of "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective from August 2001. So under its rather dull-looking S&G silhouette hood - you get a whole lot of sonic quality for not a lot of your hard earned. Here are the groovy feelings and remastered bookends...

Disc 1 "Wednesday Morning, 3 AM" (40:36 minutes):

1. You Can Tell The World

2. Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream

3. Bleecker Street

4. Sparrow

5. Benedictus

6. The Sound Of Silence

7. He Was My Brother

8. Peggy-O

9. Go Tell It On The Mountain

10. The Sun Is Burning

11. The Times They Are A-Changin'

12. Wednesday Morning, 3A.M.

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut vinyl album "Wednesday Morning, 3 AM" - released 19 October 1964 in the USA on Columbia CL 2249 (Mono) and CS 9049 (Stereo) - the Stereo Mix is used. "Bleecker Street", "Sparrow", "He Was My Brother" and "Wednesday Morning, 3A.M." are Paul Simon songs - the rest are cover versions.

13. Bleecker Street (Demo)

14. He Was My Brother (Alternate Take 1)

15. The Sun Is Burning (Alternate Take 12)

Tracks 13 to 15 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 2 "Sounds Of Silence" (41:44 minutes):

1. The Sound Of Silence

2. Leaves That Are Green

3. Blessed

4. Kathy's Song

5. Somewhere They Can't Find Me

6. Anji

7. Richard Cory

8. A Most Peculiar Man

9. April Come She Will

10. We've Got A Groovy Thing Goin'

11. I Am A Rock

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 2nd album "Sounds Of Silence" - released 17 January 1966 in the USA on Columbia CL 2469 (Mono) and CS 9469 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used. All songs by Paul Simon except "Anji" which is a cover version of a song by UK Folk artist Davy Graham

12. Blues Run The Game

13. Barbriallen (Demo)

14. Rose Of Aberdeen (Demo)

15. Roving Gambler (Demo)

Tracks 12 to 15 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001). "Blues Run The Game" is a Jackson C. Frank song and it opens his 1966 self-titled album "Jackson C. Frank" on Columbia Records in the UK (produced by Paul Simon). This studio outtake is S&G's version of it. The other 3 tracks are Traditionals.

Disc 3 "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" (34:13 minutes):

1. Scarborough Fair / Canticle

2. Patterns

3. Cloudy

4. Homeward Bound

5. The Bright Green Pleasure Machine

6. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

7. The Dangling Conversation

8. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall

9. A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)

10. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her

11. A Poem On The Underground Wall

12. 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 3rd album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" - released 10 October 1966 on Columbia CL 2563 (Mono) and CS 9363 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used. All tracks written by Paul Simon except "Scarborough Fair / Canticle" which is co-written with Art Garfunkel and "Silent Night" which is a Traditional Hymn.

13 Patterns (Demo)

14 A Poem On The Underground Wall (Demo)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 4 "Bookends" (34:30 minutes):

1. Bookends Theme [Instrumental Version]

2. Save The Life Of My Child

3. America

4. Overs

5. Voices Of Old People [no music, just elderly people talking]

6. Old Friends

7. Bookends Theme [with Lyrics]

8. Fakin' It

9. Punky's Dilemma

10. Mrs. Robinson (From the Motion Picture Soundtrack "The Graduate")

11. A Hazy Shade Of Winter

12. At The Zoo

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 4th studio album "Bookends" - released 3 April 1968 in the USA on Columbia KCS 9529 (Stereo). Al songs by Paul Simon

13. You Don't Where Your Interest Lies

14. Old Friends (Demo)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 5 "Bridge Over Trouble Water" (44:04 minutes):

1. Bridge Over Troubled Water

2. El Condor Pasa (If I Could)

3. Cecilia

4. Keep The Customer Satisfied

5. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright

6. The Boxer

7. Baby Driver

8. The Only Living Boy In New York

9. Why Don't You Write Me

10. Bye Bye Love

11. Song For The Asking

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 5th and final studio album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - released 26 January 1970 in the USA on Columbia KCS 9914 (Stereo). All songs are by Paul Simon except "Bye Bye Love" which is an Everly Brothers cover version

12. Feuilles-O (Demo)

13. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Demo Take 6)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 6 "The Concert In Central Park" (86 minute PAL DVD, All Regions)

1. Mrs. Robinson

2. Homeward Bound

3. America

4. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard

5. Scarborough Fair

6. April Come She Will

7. Wake Up Little Susie

8. Still Crazy After All These Years

9. American Tune

10. Late In The Evening

11. Slip Slidin' Away

12. A Heart In New York

13. The Late Great Johnny Ace

14. Kodachrome/Maybelline

15. Bridge Over Troubled Water

16. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

17. The Boxer

18. Old Friends

19. Bookends

20. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

21. The Sound Of Silence

22. Late In The Evening

The pull-off lid reveals 5 Card Repro sleeves for the albums standing up inside and a 6th disc - a DVD as documented above. The CDs take their remasters from the August 2001 "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective remastered by Vic Anesini. Compilers of the original 1997 “Old Friends” box set explained how it took Columbia up to 3 years to locate the best possible STEREO source tapes - and the sonic results Anesini produced are simply stunning. Beautiful clarity and real presence...

The booklet for this budget box keeps it simple - 12 pages of track details, basic recording/release info peppered with some period photos of the American duo. The lovely 5 x 5" Card Repro Sleeves are very well done (front and rear artwork fully represented) and inside each is a charcoal-grey inner sleeve to protect the disc (all the CDs have the same greyish colour scheme and don't reflect the original `360 Sound' Columbia record labels). The DVD uses the artwork of the 1982 double-album "The Concert In Central Park" - and as it contains live Simon & Garfunkel hits alongside many great Paul Simon solo tunes  - makes for a superb addition to the music.

12 of their American hit singles between 1965 and 1970 are here in Stereo form - "The Sound Of Silence", "Homeward Bound", "I Am A Rock", "The Dangling Conversation", "A Hazy Shade Of Winter, "At The Zoo", "Fakin' It", "Scarborough Fair / Canticle", "Mrs. Robinson", "The Boxer", "Bridge Over Trouble Water" and "El Condor Paso". But it's the album nuggets that get you too - the folk warmth of "Kathy's Song", the hip wit of "Punky's Dilemma" ("...talking to a raisin that occasionally plays L.A...."), the irrepressible hippy happiness of "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and the Vietnam war swallowing up peace in the brilliant combination of the "7 O'Clock News" with the hymn "Silent Night". And even now the sheer melodies in "The Only Living Boy In New York" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" still move you (lyrics from Bridge title this review). Some of the bonuses are just as beautiful too - especially their version of the Jackson C. Frank gem - "Blues Run The Game" (what a find).

So there you have it. Although it's not the most awesome thing from the outside - "The Collection" has the audio and visual goods on the inside - and it’s cheap as chips price makes it a stunning deal into the bargain. A Columbia Legacy indeed...

"Carry On" by STEPHEN STILLS - Featuring Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Manassas and Solo and Guests Jimi Hendrix (February 2013 USA, March 2013 UK Atlantic/Rhino 4CD DigiBook Set of Bernie Grundman Remasters - with Full Discography and Track List) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"….A Million Moments…"

After two exemplary 3CD Box Sets for DAVID CROSBY ("Voyage" in 2006) and GRAHAM NASH ("Reflections" in 2009) - the STEPHEN STILLS 4-disc anthology  "Carry On" was supposed to be a final highlight in the lifetime retrospectives of three extraordinary musicians. But there's genius and filler on here in equal amounts - so let's get to the harmonies and riffs right away...

Released 12 February 2013 in the USA (25 March 2013 in the UK) - "Carry On" by STEPHEN STILLS is a 4CD Foldout Book Set on Atlantic/Rhino 8122796730 (Barcode 081227967307) containing 5 hours of music, 82 songs spanning 50 years (25 Previously Unreleased) and an exhaustive 116-page booklet. It breaks down as follows (all tracks by Stephen Stills unless otherwise stated):

Disc 1 (72:19 minutes):

1. Travellin' - STEPHEN STILLS - on Acoustic Guitar & Vocals only, this Previously Unreleased solo track was recorded in San Jose in 1962 for the Voice Of America Radio Relay Station

2. High Flyin' Bird - THE AU GO GO SINGERS - on their 1964 US Stereo album "They Call Us The Au Go Go Singers" on Roulette SR 25280

3. Sit Down I Think I Love You - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD

4. Go And Say Goodbye - BUFFALO SPPRINGFIELD - 3 and 4 are on their debut album "Buffalo Springfield" released December 1966 in the USA in Mono on Atco 33-200

5. For What It's Worth - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD - from the 2nd version of their debut album remixed by the band into MONO and released April 1967 on Atco 33-200A

6. Everydays - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD - originally from their 2nd album "Buffalo Springfield Again" - this is a 2012 Previously Unreleased Mix

7. Pretty Girl Why - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD - alternate mix to the first album version - first appeared on the 2001 4CD "Buffalo Springfield Box Set"

8. Bluebird (4:30 minutes) - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD

9. Rock & Roll Woman - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD -  8 and 9 are from their 2nd album "Buffalo Springfield Again" - released November 1967 in the USA in Stereo on Atco SD 33-256

10. Special Care - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD

11. Questions - BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD - 10 and 11 are from their 3rd and final album "Last Time Around" - released July 1968 in the USA in Stereo on Atco SD 33-256

12. Uno Mundo - BFFALO SPRINGFIELD - 18 May 1968 USA 7" single MONO mix on Atco 45-6572

13. Four Days Gone - STEPHEN STILLS - recorded 18 July 1968, a 'demo' that first appeared on the 2001 4CD set "Buffalo Springfield Box Set"

14. Who Ran Away? - STEPHEN STILLS - recorded 10 July 1968, a Previously Unreleased song on which he plays all instruments

15. 49 Reasons - STEPHEN STILLS - recorded 10 July 1968, this is a 'demo' version of the track "49 Bye Byes" that eventually turned on their debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" in 1969

16. Helplessly Hoping - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH -

17. You Don't Have To Cry - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

18. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - 16 to 18 are from their debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" released May 1969 in the USA in Stereo on Atlantic SD 8229

19. 4+20 - STEPHEN STILLS - originally on "Crosby, Stills & Nash", this is a 2012 Previously Unreleased Mix of a solo version

20. So Begins The Task - STEPHEN STILLS - recorded in July 1969, this is a 'demo' version of a song that eventually appeared on the "Manassas" double album in April 1972

21. The Lee Shore - STEPHEN STILLS - recorded 15 July 1969, a previously unreleased 'demo' version of a song that would eventually turn up on the live double-album "4-Way Street" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

22. Carry On/Questions - CROSBY. STILLS, NASH & YOUNG - from their 2nd studio album "Déjà Vu" released 11 March 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7200

23. Woodstock - CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG - a later mix that the one used on the "Déjà Vu" album - first released on the October 1991 4CD "CSN Box Set".

[Notes: 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 in MONO, all others in STEREO. All songs by Stephen Stills except 21 by David Crosby and 23 by Joni Mitchell]

Disc 2 (71:33 minutes):

1. Love The One You're With - December 1970 USA 7" single 'Mono' mix on Atlantic 45-2778 - Previously Unreleased on CD

2. Old Times Good Times

3. Black Queen - 2 and 3 from his debut solo album "Stephen Stills" released 16 November 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7202

4. No-Name Jam - STEPHEN STILLS and JIMI HENDRIX (2:39 minutes) - recorded March 1970 in London - Previously Unreleased Jam

5. Go Back Home - as per 2 and 3

6. Marianne - from his 2nd solo album "Stephen Stills 2" released 30 June 1971 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7206

7. My Love Is A Gentle Thing - recorded June 1970 and April 1975 - first appeared on the "Pieces" Rhino CD compilation of previously unreleased material issued September 2009

8. Fishes And Scorpions - as per 6

9. The Treasure - Previously Unreleased Studio Version of a song that turned up on the April 1972 double-album "Manassas"

10. To A Flame - Previously Unreleased Mix of a song from his debut "Stephen Stills" (see 2 and 3)

11. Cherokee - as per 2 and 3

12. Song Of Love

13. Rock & Roll Crazies/Cuban Bluegrass

14. Jet Set (Sigh)

15. It Doesn't Matter

16. Colorado

17. Johnny's Garden - 12 to 17 are from the double-album "Manassas" released 12 April 1972 in the USA on Atlantic SD 2-903 and May 1972 in the UK on Atlantic K 60021

18. Change Partners - this is a 2012 Previously Unreleased Mix of a track on the "Stephen Stills 2" album

19. Do For The Others - recorded at Madison Square Gardens in New York on 30 July 1971 - a previously unreleased 'live version' of a track on the "Stephen Stills" solo debut LP

20. Find The Cost Of Freedom - CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG - recorded at the Music Hall, Boston 3 October 1971 - a Previously Unreleased 'live version' of the B-side to "Ohio" - June 1970 US 7" single on Atlantic 45-2740 (both tracks non-album at the time of release)

21. Little Miss Bright Eyes - a Previously Unreleased song recorded August 1973

Disc 3 (75:47 minutes):

1. Turn Back The Pages

2. First Things First - 1 and 2 from the album "Stills" released 23 June 1975 in the USA on Columbia PC 33575

3. My Angel - Previously Unreleased Mix of a track from "Stills"

4. Love Story - as per 1 and 2

5. As I Come Of Age - Previously Unreleased `Earlier Mix' from 1973 of a track that appeared on "Stills" (see 1 and 2)

6. Know You Got To Run - recorded live at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle 8 December 1975, Previously Unreleased version of a track originally on "Stephen Stills 2" LP

7. Black Coral - CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG - Previously Unreleased Version of a song that appeared on the Neil Young LP "Long May You Run" in 1976 by The Stills-Young Band

8. I Give You Give Blind - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - Previously Unreleased On CD in the USA, a track originally recorded for the "CSN" album in 1977, this version first appeared as a later remix on the album "Rebound" in 1977 on Atlantic

9. Crossroads/You Can't Catch Me [Live] - a 2012 Previously Unreleased Mix of a live track that first appeared on the 4 December 1975 album "Stephen Stills Live" on Atlantic SD 18156. "You Can't Catch Me' is a Chuck Berry cover

10. See The Changes - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - 2012 Previously Unreleased Mix of a track on the "CSN" album

11. Thoroughfare Gap

12. Lowdown - 11 and 12 are on the album "Thoroughfare Gap" released 31 October 1978 in the USA on Columbia 35380

13. Cuba Al Fin (4:54 Minute Edit) - on the double-album "Havana Jam" released 1979 in the USA on Columbia PC2 36053

14. Dear Mr. Fantasy [6:22 Minutes Edit] - originally appeared on the 1991 4CD "CSN" Box Set as a Previously Unreleased November 1980 recording running to 7:07 minutes; it's a cover version of a Traffic song

15. Spanish Suite - from the CD "Man Alive!" released 9 August 2005 on Titan 50102-2

16. Feel Your Love - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - originally on the "Daylight Again" album from 1982 - this version is from the Expanded CD Remaster of the album issued 24 January 2006 in the USA on Atlantic/Rhino R2 73295

17. Raise A Voice - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - from the live album "Allies" released 6 June 1983 in the USA on Atlantic SD 80075 - this mix Previously Unreleased on CD in the USA

18. Daylight Again - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - from the album "Daylight Again" released 21 June 1982 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19360

Disc 4 (75:19 minutes):

1. Southern Cross - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - from the album "Daylight Again" released 21 June 1982 in the USA on Atlantic SD 19360

2. Dark Star - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - from the live album "Allies" released 6 June 1983 in the USA on Atlantic SD 80075

3. Turn Your Back On Love - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

4. War Games - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - 3 and 4 as per 2; both Previously Unreleased on CD in the USA

5. 50/50 - from the album "Right By You" released 30 July 1984 in the USA on Atlantic SD 80177

6. Welfare Blues - recorded live in the studio in the UK on 5 February 1984 - previously unreleased song

7. Church (Part Of Someone) - 4 November 1989 re-recording of a song that originally appeared on his "Stephen Stills" album from 1970 - previously unreleased

8. I Don't Get It - from the CD "Man Alive!" released 9 August 2005 on Titan 50102-2

9. Isn't It So - on the CD album "Stills Alone" released 26 August 1991 in the USA on Gold Hill/Vision Records VR-3323

10. Haven't We Lost Enough? - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - from the album "Live It Up" released 11 June 1990 in the USA on Atlantic 82107-1

11. The Ballad Of Hollis Brown - as per 8, a Bob Dylan cover version

12. Treetop Flyer - as per 9

13. Heart's Gate - as per 8

14. Girl From The North Country - Previously Unreleased live cover version of a Bob Dylan song recorded October 2012 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City

15. Feed The People - as per 8

16. Panama - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - from the Cd album "After The Storm" released 16 August 1994 in the USA on Atlantic 82654-2

17. No Tears Left - CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - Previously Unreleased live version of a song that originally appeared on the "Looking Forward" album released 26 October 1999 in the USA on Reprise 9 7436 2

18. Ole Man Trouble - CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG - Previously Unreleased Live cover of an Otis Redding song recorded 22 February 2002 at Madison Square Gardens in NYC

19. Ain't it Always - as per 8

Produced by JOEL BERNSTEIN with GRAHAM NASH and STEPHEN STILLS - the whole thing reeks of quality and real effort. The 116-page chunky booklet is beautiful - jam-packed with photos from personal archives, 45 picture sleeves and posters contributed by fans, early snaps with Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, David Crosby, Richie Furay, Judy Collins, The Muscle Shoals Brass Section, Stevie Wonder and even Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records. Every song is accounted for in huge detail - but the real news for me is the massive sound upgrade. A troop of names were involved in Tape location, research and Digital transfers with maestro BERNIE GRUNDMAN doing the mastering. Everything sounds improved to me - punchy, warm, detailed and never too trebled for effect. With so much sonic faffing around in the last two decades - its great to finally hear all of this period material in the one place and sounding as good as it can. Nice one...

As many other reviewers have already noted - musically "Carry On" is very much a tale of two cities - Discs 1 and 2 which covers 1962 to 1973 being ludicrously brilliant at almost every turn - while the remainder of the set (Discs 3 and 4) covering 1975 onward struggles much of the time to attain the almost effortless magic of old. But this is Stephen Stills with his harmonizing musical allies Graham Nash and Neil Young - so there's greatness on Discs 3 and 4 too.

Re-listening to the sheer musicality of BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD (lyrics from the song "Everydays" titles this review) that then morphed into CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG - you're struck by the fantastic song-quality - over and over again. And hearing them on these sparkling new remasters only adds to the uplift. I could frankly do with a full remaster of the genius "Manassas" double from 1972 (probably everybody's favourite) - I wanted to hear "Anyway" and "The Love Bandit" - but alas... And even though it was on the Buffalo Springfield Box Set - the haunting demo of "Four Days Gone" is the very definition of a magical unreleased outtake.

Downsides - stuff like the eleven-minute "Spanish Suite" is just indulgent and the "Stills" and "Thoroughbred Gap" tracks are passable at best. There's no need to have the live "Allies" version of "Turn You Back On Love" on Disc 4 when the studio version is on Disc 3. And the Hendrix Jam is just plain disappointing to say the least. Also given that the entire second Manassas album "Down The Road" from 1973 remains unremastered on this side of the pond - the inclusion of only one track (albeit the brilliant "Isn't It About Time") is a massive let down. I also feel had the CDs been sequenced so that Disc 1 ended on Buffalo Springfield (with more of "Last Time Around" featured) whiles Discs 2 and 3 covered CSNY and his Solo Seventies stuff - Disc 4 could have had the 80's and onwards. It would have played better and given Discs 1 to 3 room to expand on the period fans really want to hear. In fact in some respects - I can't help but feel that precisely because the David Crosby box only has 3 CDs (with all the brilliant Previously Unreleased stuff on Disc 3 in one place) - it turned out to be the best of all three box sets?

But the clever inclusion of great live versions like the rare "Cuba El Fin" and the stunning acoustic workout of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" seguing into Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me" is a showstopper. The inclusion of "Daylight Again" with its "Find The Cost Of Freedom" refrain as the song finishes is a reminder of how good he is/they are too. His croak on the live version of Dylan's classic "Girl From The North Country Fair" makes his sound almost like Neil Young. And the 1989 rocked up version of "Church (Part Of Someone)" with its brass and girly chorus is excellent as is his bluesy live cover of Otis Redding's "Ole Man Trouble".

But the clever inclusion of great live versions like the rare "Cuba El Fin" and the stunning acoustic workout of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" seguing into Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me" is a showstopper. The inclusion of "Daylight Again" with its "Find The Cost Of Freedom" refrain as the song finishes is a reminder of how good he is/they are too. His croak on the live version of Dylan's classic "Girl From The North Country Fair" makes his sound almost like Neil Young. And the 1989 rocked up version of "Church (Part Of Someone)" with its brass and girly chorus is excellent as is his bluesy live cover of Otis Redding's "Ole Man Trouble". So to sum up - a mixed bag in the end - sonicaly brilliant but with content some might find superfluous. But man when Stephen Stills was good - he was the best!  

 

"I must learn to live without you now..." – he sings plaintively on the "Manassas" gem "So Begins The Task". Despite its niggles - I'm glad someone classy like Graham Nash collated it all together so we don't have to live without any of Stephen Stills' massively influential body of work...