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Welcome to Mark Barry's Review Blog - SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD... It features in-depth reviews for Quality CD Reissues and Remasters - all with Discography Info (six times Amazon 'Hall of Fame' Reviewer). With over 2,700 posts - genres covered include Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Blues, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Doo Wop, Vocal Groups, 1960s and 1970s, Prog, Psych, Folk, Blues-Rock, Goth, Punk, New Wave, 1980s, Reggae and more. I also review FILMS, TV Shows, BLU RAYS and BOOKS. Enjoy the reads...

Thursday, 10 March 2016

"The RCA Albums Collection" by NILSSON (2013 RCA/Legacy 17CD Box Set - Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Echoes Of My Mind…."

Wow! 17CDs containing 14 full albums (Mono and Stereo variants of the first two LPs on CD for the first time), a whopping 66 Previously Unreleased Tracks, an equal amount of other Rarities from now deleted LP and CD compilations, Foreign Language Versions, Exclusive Single Mixes, Radio Spots and a 1968 Live BBC Recordings Session - and all of it remastered to gorgeous new clarity by Tape Supremo VIC ANESINI (Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, Jayhawks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Janis Joplin etc). There isn’t even enough room to picture all the content on the back cover of the small clamshell box!

You could in truth argue that NILSSON doesn’t actually warrant this kind of lavish treatment – but after ‘hearing’ and seeing this gorgeous little box set – you’ll be rooting for Brooklyn’s Harry Edward instead of poo-pooing his later (and admittedly) patchy output. There’s so much to love and enjoy on here…there really is…

In order to give an idea of the level of thought that’s gone into this all encompassing Retrospective – the first two albums “Pandemonium Shadow Show” and “Aerial Ballet” were issued in both Mono and Stereo and RCA Legacy have included ‘both’ on Discs 1 and 2. But looking at the liner notes carefully you notice that the first slew of RCA singles are listed under the ‘Mono’ entry for each album and ‘not’ the Stereo - because that’s how they were released back in the day – in Mono. Nice touch. In order to do this fab box set proper justice – I’ve provided a full discography. So let’s get to the (many) Nilsson Schmilsson details…

Released July 2013 – "The RCA Albums Collection" by NILSSON on RCA/Legacy 88697915502 (Barcode 886979155022) is a 17CD Box Set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 – “Pandemonium Shadow Show” – 66:33 minutes:

1. Ten Little Indians

2. 1941

3. Cuddly Toy

4. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune

5. You Can’t Do That

6. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

7. She’s Leaving Home [Side 2]

8. There Will Never Be

9. Without Her

10. Freckles

11. It’s Been So Long

12. River Deep - Mountain High

Tracks 1 to 12 are the STEREO version of his debut album - released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7928.

Tracks 13 to 24 are the MONO version – released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7928

Disc 2 – “Aerial Ballet” – 59:33 minutes:

1. Daddy’s Song

2. Good Old Desk

3. Don’t Leave Me

4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song

5. Little Cowboy (1:23 minutes)

6. Together

7. Everybody’s Talkin’ [Side 2]

8. I Said Goodbye To Me

9. Little Cowboy (00:51 minutes)

10. Mr. Tinker

11. One

12. The Wailing Of The Willow

13. Bath

Tracks 1 to 13 are the STEREO version of his 2nd album - released June 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7973

Tracks 14 to 26 are the MONO version – released July 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7973

Track 27 is a Bonus – “Aerial Ballet Radio Spot” from July 1968 and is Previously Unreleased

Disc 3 – “Harry” – 49:55 minutes:

1. The Puppy Song

2. Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore

3. Open Your Window

4. Mother Nature’s Son

5. Fairfax Rag

6. City Life

7. Mournin’ Glory Story [Side 2]

8. Maybe

9. Marchin’ Down Broadway

10. I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City

11. Rainmaker

12. Mr. Bojangles

13. Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear

Tracks 1 to 13 are his 3rd album (in Stereo)– released July 1969 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4197 and September 1969 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8046

BONUS TRACKS:

14. I Will Take You There (Single Mix) – (16 and 14 are the A&B-sides of a USA-only 7” single on RCA Victor 47-9675)

15. Waiting (From the Motion Picture “Jenny”, also a March 1970 USA 7” single on RCA Victor 74-0310, B-side of “I’ll Be Home”)

16. Rainmaker (Single Mix) – see 14

17. Mournin’ Glory Story (Single Mix) (credited as “Mourning Glory”, a November 1968 UK 7” single on RCA Victor RCA 1765, Previously Unreleased on CD)

18. Garbage Can Alley (Alternate Version) – Recorded July 1968, Previously Unreleased

19. Harry Radio Spot – Recorded 1969, Previously Unreleased

20. Voice Of Vista Radio Spots – Recorded June 1969, Previously Unreleased

Disc 4 – “Nilsson Sings Newman” – 60:23 minutes:

1. Vine St.

2. Love Story

3. Yellow Man

4. Caroline

5. Cowboy

6. The Beehive State [Side 2]

7. I’ll Be Home

8. Living Without You

9. Dayton, Ohio 1903

10. So Long Dad

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 4th album – released March 1970 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4289 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8166

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Snow

12. Love Story (Alternate Version)

13. Cowboy (Alternate Version)

14. I’ll Be Home (Alternate Version)

15. Living Without You (Alternate Version)

Tracks 11 to 15 first issued on “Nilsson Sings Newman” CD reissue on Buddah 74465 99703 2 in 2000)

Disc 5 – “The Point!” (Animated TV/Film Soundtrack) – 43:25 minutes:

1. Everything’s Got ‘Em

2. The Town

3. Me And My Arrow

4. The Game

5. Poli High

6. The Trial And Banishment

7. Think About Your Troubles

8. The Pointed man (Narration) [Side 2]

9. Life Line

10. The Birds (Narration)

11. P.O.V. Waltz

12. The Clearing In The Woods (Narration)

13. Are You Sleeping

14. Oblio’s Return (Narration)

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 5th album – released January 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSPX-1003 and April 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8166

BONUS TRACKS:

15. Think About Your Troubles (Alternate Version)

16. Life Line (Alternate Version)

17. Down To The Valley (Alternate Mix)

18. I’ll Never Leave You

19. The Point! Travel Brochure Radio Spot With Bill Martin – recorded March 1971, Previously Unreleased

Tracks 15 to 18 first appeared on “The Point!” CD reissue on BMH Heritage in 2002

Disc 6 – “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” – 54:23 minutes:

1. Introduction

2. 1941

3. Daddy’s Song

4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song

5. Good Old desk

6. Everybody’s Talkin’

7. Bath

8. River Deep – Mountain High [Side 2]

9. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

10. Don’t Leave Me

11. Without Her

12. Together

13. One

14. Closing

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 6th album (remixes/new versions of tracks from the first two albums) – released June 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4543 and in the UK on RCA SF 8326

BONUS TRACKS:

15. You Can’t Do That (Remix) - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000

16. It’s Been So Long (Italian Version) – Previously Unreleased

17. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

18. Without Her (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

19. Cuddly Toy (Italian Version) (on Italian EP RCA Italiana 45UP 62)

20. You Can’t Do That (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

21. BBC Saturday Club Introduction by Brian Matthew - Previously Unreleased

22. 1941 (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

23. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

24. Nilsson Talks With Brian Matthews (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

25. Together (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

26. Good Old Desk (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club

27. Aerial Pandemonium Ballet Radio Spot (recorded July 1971, Previously Unreleased)

Disc 7 – “Nilsson Schmilsson” – 54:45 minutes:

1. Gotta Get Up

2. Driving Along

3. Early In The Morning

4. The Moonbeam Song

5. Down

6. Without You [Side 2]

7. Coconut

8. Let The Good Times Roll

9. Jump Into The Fire

10. I’ll Never Leave You

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 7th album – released November 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4515 and January 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8242

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Si No Estas Tu (Spanish Version of “Without You”) – 1971 Spanish 7” single on RCA Victor 3-10693

12. How can I Be Sure Of You

13. The Moonbeam Song (Demo)

14. Lamaze

15. Old Forgotten Soldier (Demo)

16. Gotta Get Up (Alternate Version)

17. Nilsson Schmilsson Radio Spots

Tracks 12 to 17 first issued on the “Nilsson Schmilsson” BMG Heritage CD Reissue in 2004

Disc 8 – “Son Of Schmilsson” – 57:32 minutes:

1. Take 54

2. Remember (Christmas)

3. Joy

4. Turn On Your Radio

5. You’re Breakin’ My Heart

6. Spaceman [Side 2]

7. The Lottery Song

8. At My Front Door

9. Ambush

10. I’d Rather Be Dead

11. The Most Beautiful World In The World

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 8th album – released July 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4717 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8297

BONUS TRACKS:

12. What’s Your Sign?

13. Take 54 (Alternate)

14. Campo De Encino

15. Daybreak (Single Version) – April 1974 USA 7” single on RCA Victor APBO-0246, A-side)

16. It Had To Be You/I’d Rather Be Dead

17. Son Of Schmilsson Radio Spot – Previously Unreleased

Tracks 12, 13, 14 and 16 first issued on the “Son Of Schmilsson” RCA Legacy CD reissue in 2006

Disc 9 – “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night” – 54:29 minutes:

1. Lazy Moon

2. For Me And My Gal

3. It Had To Be You

4. Always

5. Makin’ Whoopee!

6. You Made Me Love You

7. Lullaby In Ragtime [Side 2]

8. I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now

9. What’ll I Do

10. Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You)

11. This Is All I Ask

12. As Time Goes By

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 9th album – released June 1973 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0097 and July 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8371

BONUS TRACKS:

13. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows

14. Make Believe

15. Trust In Me

16. It’s Only A Paper Moon

17. Thanks For The Memory

18. Over The Rainbow

Tracks 13 to 18 first issued on the outtakes LP “A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night” on RCA in 1988

Disc 10 – “Pussy Cats” (with JOHN LENNON) – 62:42 minutes:

1. Many Rivers To Cross

2. Subterranean Homesick Blues

3. Don’t Forget Me

4. All My Life

5. Old Forgotten Soldier

6. Save The Last Dance For Me [Side 2]

7. Munch Mungo/Mt. Elga

8. Loop De Loop

9. Black Sails

10. Rock Around The Clock

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 11th album co-credited to NILSSON and JOHN LENNON – released August 1974 in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1-0570 and September 1974 in the UK on the same catalogue number. Note the album that preceded this was a compilation set called “Son Of Dracula” and was on Rapple Records – part of the Beatles Apple label – and isn’t included in this set

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Down By The Sea

12. The Flying Saucer Song

13. Turn Out The Light

14. Save The Last Dance For Me (Alternate) – tracks 11 to 14 first issued on “Pussy Cats” CD on Buddah Records in 1999

15. Don’t Forget Me (Demo – Previously Unreleased

16. Black Sails (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

17. Pussy Cats Radio Spots with Eddie Lawrence – Previously Unreleased

Disc 11 – “Duit On Mon Dei” – 36:39 minutes:

1. Jesus Christ You’re Tall

2. It’s A Jungle Out There

3. Down By The Sea

4. Kojak Columbo

5. Easier For Me

6. Turn Out The Light

7. Salmon Falls [Side 2]

8. Puget Sound

9. What’s Your Sign?

10. Home

11. Good For God

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 12th album – released March 1975 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0817 and in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1008

BONUS TRACK:

12. Goin’ Down (Alternate) – Previously Unreleased

Disc 12 – “Sandman” – 39:47 minutes:

1. I’ll Take A Tango

2. Something True

3. Pretty Soon There’ll Be Nothing Left For Everybody

4. The Ivy Covered Walls

5. Here’s Why I Did Not Go To Work Today

6. The Flying Saucer Song [Side 2]

7. How To Write A Song

8. Jesus Christ You’re Tall

9. Will She Miss Me?

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 13th album – released January 1976 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-1031; Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 arranged by THE BAND

BONUS TRACK:

10. A Tree Out In The Yard (Central Park) – Previously Unreleased

Disc 13 – “…That’s The Way It Is” – 33:41 minutes:

1. That is All

2. Just One Look/Baby I’m Yours

3. Moonshine Bandit

4. I Need You

5. A Thousand Miles Away

6. Sail Away [Side 2]

7. She Sits Down On Me

8. Daylight Has Caught Me

9. Zombie Jamboree (Back To Back)

10. That Is All

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 14th album – released July 1976 on RCA Victor APL1-1119 and in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1062

BONUS TRACK:

11. …That’s The Way It Is Radio Spot – Recorded 197, Previously Unreleased

Disc 14 – “Knnillssonn” – 60:03 minutes:

1. All I Think About Is You

2. I Never Thought I’d Get This Lonely

3. Who Done It?

4. Lean On Me

5. Goin’ Down

6. Old Bones [Side 2]

7. Sweet Surrender

8. Blanket For A Sail

9. Laughin’ Man

10. Perfect Day

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 15th album – released July 1977 in the USA on RCA Victor AFL1-2276 and in the UK on RCA PL 12276

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Ain’t It Kinda Wonderful (first issued on “The World’s Greatest Love – Original Soundtrack” LP in 1978 on RCA Red Seal ABL1-2709)

12. Sweet Lorraine (with DR. JOHN, Previously Unreleased)

13. Shuffle Off The Buffalo – Previously Unreleased

14. Ballin’ The Jack (with DR. JOHN, Previously Unreleased)

15. All I Think About Is You (Demo) – Previously Unreleased

16. Knnillssonn Radio Spot – Previously Unreleased

Disc 15 – “Nilsson Sessions 1967-1968” – 45:50 minutes:

1. 1941 (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

2. World (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

3. Signs (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

4. Cuddly Toy (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

5. This Could Be The Might (Demo – first issued on “Perfect Day” Promo CD compilation in 2006)

6. As I Wander Lonely (first issued on “Personal Best” CD anthology in 1995)

7. The Family – Previously Unreleased

8. Miss Butter’s Lament (as per 6)

9. Mr. Tinker (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

10. Leggenda (1968 Italian RCA single on N 1658)

11. Sister Marie (Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix)

12. She Wandered Through The Garden Fence – Previously Unreleased

13. One (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

14. I Said Goodbye To Me (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

15. Searchin’ (Lieber/Stoller cover – Previously Unreleased)

16. She’s Just Laughing At Me – Previously Unreleased

17. Together (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

18. Bath (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

Disc 16 – “Nilsson Sessions 1968-1971” – 57:27 minutes:

1. You Are Here – Previously Unreleased

2. The Cast And Crew

3. Garbage Can Ballet

4. I Will Take You There (tracks 2, 3 and 4 from the album “Skidoo – Original Soundtrack”, 1968 LP on RCA LSO-1152)

5. Girlfriend (first issued on “Personal Best” CD anthology in 1995)

6. Wasting My Time (Alternate Mix – Previously Unreleased)

7. Rainmaker (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

8. Open Your Window (Alternate Take – Previously Unreleased)

9. Postcard – Previously Unreleased

10. Think About Your Troubles (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

11. Marry Me A Little – Previously Unreleased

12. Ballin' The Jack – Previously Unreleased

13. Gotta Get Up (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

14. Down To The Valley (Single Mix) – non-album version released May 1970 in the USA on RCA Victor 74-0362, A

15. Buy My Album – B-side to 14

16. Joy (Alternate Version) – first issued on the expanded CD to “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on RCA in 2000

17. Blackbird (Beatles cover version – Previously Unreleased)

18. Paradise – Previously Unreleased

19. Lucille (Little Richard cover version – Previously Unreleased)

20. Early In The Morning (Alternate Version) (as per 16)

Disc 17 – “Nilsson Sessions 1971-1974” – 53:05 minutes:

1. Walk Right Back - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000

2. Jump Into The Fire (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

3. Isolation – (John Lennon song - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000)

4. Without You (Demo)

5. Driving Along (Demo)

6. Gotta Get Up (Demo)

7. Coconut (Demo)

8. Old Forgotten Soldier (Alternate Demo)

9. Down (Demo)

10. The Moonbeam Song (Alternate Demo) – tracks 4 to 10 first issued on the expanded “Nilsson Schmilsson” CD on RCA Camden in 2000

11. Jump Into The Fire (Single version) – released March 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor 74-0673, A-side

12. Per Chi (Italian Version of “Without You”) – Italian single on RCA Victor 74-0673

13. Joy (Guitar Demo)

14. Joy (Piano Demo) - tracks 13 and 14 first issued on “Son Of Schmilsson” RCA Camden CD reissue in 2000

15. You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It) (Alternate Version)

16. Lullaby In Ragtime (Alternate Version)

17. Always (Alternate Version)

18. It Had To Be You (Alternate Version) – tracks 15 to 18 were first issued on “A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night” RCA LP in 1988

19. I Want You To Sit On My Face – Previously Unreleased

20. A Souvenir – Also Sprach Schmilsson Schmixon – Previously Unreleased

Put together by reissue champs ROB SANTOS and ANDREW SANDOVAL (have handled The Band and The Kinks to name but a few) - the chunky 48-page booklet is a bit of an informational brute – jammed full of endless details, photos, rare picture sleeves and a brief album-by-album breakdown of Nilsson on RCA by Sandoval. Whenever an album was a gatefold sleeve in the USA – the 5” card Repro Sleeves ape that and are very clearly rendered (they don’t have inners or posters – but most of that info is in the booklet anyway). But the best news is most definitely the SOUND – properly fab remasters by VIC ANESINI who has received unanimous praise for his handling of many prestigious catalogues. When you hear for instance the Stereo take of “One”, “Maybe” or “Coconut” – the audio is beautiful. Move onto the smoochy early Seventies LPs with full orchestras and your HI Fi room is full of warmth and musical quality.

Nilsson’s career feels like a tale of two halves – up to “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night” in 1973 – the albums are solidly entertaining – even brilliant. But the second half of the Seventies is hard to stomach – patchy tunes, too many ill-fitting cover versions and whimsy that stopped being fun years back (drugs and parties).

The audio punch of “Pandemonium Shadow Show” and “Aerial Ballet” is shocking – even now. Stuff like “Without Her” and “1941” are both lyrically and musically brilliant. Again that lovely delicacy comes into play with “Don’t Leave Me” and the truly classis “Midnight Cowboy” finisher “Everybody’s Talkin”’. I still can’t hear it without thinking about Rizzo on the bus into Miami at the end of “Midnight Cowboy” – a cover of a Fred Neil gem – it’s probably my all time favourite song (lyrics above).

“Harry” feels like the album he was trying to get on Disc 1 and 2. And even though “I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City” is a near identikit of “Everybody’s Talkin’” style – its still very much Nilsson song. And while he’d dabbled with Beatles covers “You Don’t Have To” and “She’s Leaving Home” on those records – his cover of “Mother’s Natures Son” on “Harry” is truly gorgeous – one of the great unsung heroes of his albums. His interest in Randy Newman’s already brilliant songwriting surfaced on “Harry” when he covered “Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear” (the last track) - so the whole album “Nilsson Sings Newman” doesn’t come as a surprise - but it is a joy. Because most of Newman’s songs were virtual unknowns at the time – the whole record feels like a really great ‘Nilsson’ album rather than the other way round. Badfinger’s “Without You” made him a superstar and to this day – the song has a power not to be messed with. I love everything about the standards album too – genius choices – and if you’ve not heard it in remastered CD form – then you’re in for a treat.

The three compilations of Rarities use outtake Artwork photos from three key albums – Disc 1 “1967-1968” from the “Pandemonium Shadow Show” – Disc 2 “1968-1971” from “Harry” while Disc 3 “1971-1974” has “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night”. I’d half expected the “Sessions” disc to be padded out filler (and some it is) – but there’s amazing stuff on here too. Most of the Alternate Takes find him looser – more natural – and their audio quality is top notch too (“Wasting My Time”). Whether you ever want to hear him singing the cast of “Skidoo” again is debatable (mentions Robert Downey’s dad?) but his brill previously unreleased cover of the White Album’s “Blackbird” is great and I wish the tapes ran longer than its two and a half minutes. “Paradise” was recorded January 1971 and is genuinely moving with a cleverly staged muscle-up-the-emotion double vocal. “Marry Me A Little” is a typically tasty Nilsson slant on a Stephen Sondheim classic but the solo “Ballin’ The Jack” is even better. His Italian version of “Without You” called “Per Chi” still has the same tortured passion of the English language version.

Presently reduced to below forty quid – this beautifully presented box set is a winner on all fronts. Invest a few bob in this flawed but lovely romantic troubadour…

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 260 entries and 2450 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap).

Friday, 4 March 2016

"Climbing!" by MOUNTAIN (2003 Columbia/Legacy 'Expanded CD' – Bob Irwin/Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Mississippi Queen..."

"...His crime was a passion..." - Felix Pappalardi sings on "The Laird" and that kind of sums up this most American of Rock bands for me – loud, proud and ear-splitten-louden-boomer. They couldn't give a rat's ass who out there in radio-land thinks its aural hedonism turned up to 13 on a scale of 12. MOUNTAIN rocked and this cool little CD reissue of their second platter "Climbing!" from 1970 shows why these New York boys with Mississippi in their veins are remembered with such affection and loyalty. And in Leslie West they had an ace axeman - geometrically over-sized for sure but charismatic and great fun too. Here is 'The Great Fatsby' and Rocking Friends...

UK and USA released April 2003 – "Climbing!" by MOUNTAIN on Columbia/Legacy 510719 2 (Barcode 5099751071921) is an 'Expanded CD Remaster' and plays out as follows (36:56 minutes):

1. Mississippi Queen

2. Theme From An Imaginary Western

3. Never In My Life

4. Silver Paper

5. For Yasgur's Farm [Side 2]

6. To My Friend

7. The Laird

8. Sittin' On A Rainbow

9. Boys In The Band

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second album "Climbing!" – released March 1970 in the USA on Windfall 4501 and May 1970 in the UK on Bell Records SBLL 133 (both in Stereo only). Bassist and Studio Wizard Felix Pappalardi Produced – the album rose to No. 17 in the US LP charts (didn’t chart in the UK). All songs are band originals except "Theme From An Imaginary Western" which is a Jack Bruce cover version.

BONUS TRACK

10. For Yasgur's Farm [Live] – recorded prior to 1972

MOUNTAIN was:

LESLIE WEST – Guitars and Vocals

FELIX PAPPALARDI – Bass on all Tracks except 6 and 7, Keyboards on Track 1, 2 and 9 and Rhythm Guitar on Track 7

CORKY LAING – Drums and Percussion

STEVE KNIGHT – Keyboards (Mellotron on Tracks 2 and 9, Organ on Tracks 2 to 5)

The 12-page booklet has new liner notes from CORKY LAING and LESLIE WEST (dated November 2002) - and as well as band photos (supplied by the group) features reminiscences on the making of their 'loud' 2nd album with the line-up most feel had that classic hard-rocking Mountain sound, their former band Energy, songwriting/lyric collaborations between Laing and West and more. The CD reflects the original Windfall Records label logo and there's even a Leslie West photo beneath the see-through tray. But the big news is the new BOB IRWIN/VIC ANESINI Remaster from original tapes done at Sony Music Studios in New York. The last time "Climbing!" saw CD reissue was in 1993 as part of Sony's 'Rewind' Series – it was a good stab at the record but this variant is a whole lot better and features a live track as a bonus. As the line on the rear cover famously announced 'This Record Was Meant To Be Played Loud' - you quickly find out that none of the band's players are joking. This mother rocks – vibrato, fuzzy, grunge guitar noises emanate from Leslie West's speaker stacks and threaten to cause a public disturbance with your docile Laura Ashley stereo. The album was never an Audiophile event – so expect some hiss on cuts like the slowish "The Laird" and the gorgeous "To My Friend" – but also expect presence and 'in-the-moment' feel. After my battered copy on Windfall – this CD sounds revelatory to me...

It opens on a rasper – the brilliant snotty Boogie Rock of "Mississippi Queen" – co-written by West, Laing, Pappalardi and Ohio songwriter David Rea. Huge riffage accompanies soloing guitars as Leslie West roars on about a Cajun gal from Vicksburg in Louisiana who isn't exactly unfamiliar with the ways of the world. At 2:32 minutes it was an obvious single and popular too. Released March 1970 with the album - Windfall 45-532 climbed to a respectable No. 21 in the US singles charts with the album cut "The Laird" on the flipside. After two failed sevens from the first album "Mountain" in September 1969 – it became Mountain's first real 45-impression on the charts and remains a huge fan fave to this day. Blighty tried the same combo of tracks on Bell BLL 1113 in May 1970 - but it sold naught and was deleted quickly. "Theme From An Imaginary Western" is a cover of a track from Jack Bruce's debut solo LP after Cream - 1969's "Song For A Tailor" on Polydor (UK)/Atco Records (USA). Bruce co-wrote the tune with Avant Garde British artist Pete Brown (Harvest Records). Mountain take the song's Soulful-Rock feel and layer it with more guitars and organs so that it sounds very Cream in ways – or even Derek & The Dominoes.

Both Laing and West agree that "Never In My Life" is probably the best track on the album – a great riff played at almost "Fireball" speed (they slowed it down in concert because it adds more muscle to it). It's a fantastic piece of American 'Rawk' and odd that Windfall Records went instead to the less catchy "For Yasgur's Farm" for the next single (Windfall 45-533) – a tune that isn't nearly as immediate as "Never..." They paired it with the fabulous Leslie West solo instrumental "To My Friend" - an Acoustic tour de force that shows off West's considerable playing chops and is almost Indian Sitar in some passages. But despite both sides being strong in their own right – "Yasgur's..." didn't follow "Mississippi Queen" into the charts (no British release either). "Silver Paper" is basic rock and similar in vibe to "Theme From An Imaginary Western" in its assembly. Far more interesting is "The Laird" that is co-written with Gail Collins (did the artwork, wrote lyrics) that has touches of the more melodic acoustic side of Uriah Heep and Led Zeppelin (circa 3) – sweet little tune that I couldn't stop playing at the time. How cool is it to hear it with such clarity - even if it is hissy. Massive Corky Laing drums open the driving-down-the-highway riffage of "Sittin' On A Rainbow" – a very Mountain good time rocker that stills sounds beer-belly-rowdy after 45 years on camomile tea. It ends on the piano melody of "Boys In The Band" - pretty hissy it has to be said and probably my least favourite song on the album (the vocal is all over the mix)...

The live version of "For Yasgur's Farm" runs to 4:19 minutes and is plucked from the band's own archive (bit hazy on exact dates). In truth I'd say it's good rather than being great (much like the song itself) and you can't help thinking that at four seconds short of 37-minutes – this entire CD reissue could have done with a few more choice bonus cuts in the live vein to bolster up matters...

Still - what you do get with "Climbing!" is fabarooney – a ballsy American Rock Band in the same vein as Cactus and Grand Funk Railroad – groups that somehow never seemed to gain the recognition they deserved beyond fanatical fan circles. In some ways Mountain's loose 'rawk' feel and gutbucket style recordings remind me of that fabulous sloppiness FREE used to get - effortlessly cool too. And isn't that the best compliment. So lodge your grappling hook and throw out your musical rope...because it's time to abseil bare-bottomed down the barroom underpants of this particularly boozy digital rock face. And I mean in that in the nicest possible way...

"Come Spy With Us: The Secret Agent Songbook" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (March 2014 UK Ace Records 25-Track CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...The Name's Kuryakin...Illya Kuryakin..."

I have to admit as a Bond devotee and lover of anything remotely I Spy/Secret Agent (or spoof of the same for that matter) - I was licking my chops in glee at this beautifully presented Ace Records CD compilation (best Audio too). And while there's so much to enjoy on here - I'd warn against over-excitement because in my view the replacement of original themes with lesser-known versions has in some cases shot the MI5 Jetpack Agent in the head. Here are the 005½ details first...

UK released March 2014 - "Come Spy With Us: The Secret Agent Songbook..." by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1392 (Barcode 029667058421) is a 25-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that gadgets out as follows (61:56 minutes):

1. A Man Alone (Theme From "The Ipcress File") - JOHN BARRY & HIS ORCHESTRA (1965 UK 7" single on CBS Records 201747, A)

2. Deadlier Than The Male (Title Song From The Film "Deadlier Than The Male" - THE WALKER BROTHERS (1966 UK 7" single on Philips BF 137, A)

3. Arabesque (From The Film "Arabesque") - THE VENTURES (1966 USA 7" single on Dolton 321, A)

4. The Look Of Love (Theme From "Casino Royale") - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD (1967 UK 7" single on Philips BF 1557, A)

5. Theme From "Danger Man" - THE RED PRICE COMBO with Orchestra (1962 UK 7" single on Parlophone 45-R 4789, A)

6. The Silencers (From The Movie "The Silencers") - VICKI CARR (1966 USA 7" single on Liberty 55857, A)

7. Secret Agent Man - AL CAIOLA (from the 1965 US Stereo LP "Al Caiola...Sounds For Spies And Private Eyes" on United Artists UAS 6435)

8. Who Needs Forever (Theme From "The Deadly Affair") - ASTRUD GILBERTO (1966 US 7" single on Verve 10457, A)

9. Theme From The Man From Uncle - THE CHALLENGERS (1965 USA 7" single on GNOP Crescendo 362, A)

10. The Last Of The Secret Agents (From The Film "The Last Of The Secret Agents") - NANCY SINATRA (1966 USA 7" single on Reprise 0461, A)

11. Mission: Impossible - LALO SCHIFRIN & HIS ORCHESTRA (1968 USA 7" single on Dot 17059, A)

12. Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine (Theme From The Film) - THE SUPREMES (1965 USA 7" single on American International 65-1335, A)

13. Our Man Flint - BILLY STRANGE (1966 USA 7" single on GNP Crescendo 367, A)

14. Wednesday's Child (Theme From "The Quiller Memorandum") - MATT MONRO (1967 USA 7" single on Capitol 5823, A)

15. Theme From "Get Smart" - BOB CRANE, HIS DRUMS & ORCHESTRA (1968 USA 7" single on Epic 5-10038, B-side of "Happy Feet")

16. We Should've (Theme From "Modesty Blaise") - CLEO LANE & RAY ELLINGTON (1966 UK 7" single on Fontana TF 704, A)

17. The James Bond Theme (Dr No) - JOHNNY & THE HURRICANES (1963 USA 7" single on Big Top 3148, A)

18. Burke's Law Theme - WYNTON KELLY (1963 UK 7" single on Verve VS 518, A)

19. Where The Bullets Fly - SUSAN MAUGHAN (1966 UK 7" single on Philips BF 1518, A)

20. High Wire (Theme From "Danger Man") - BRIAN FAHEY & HIS ORCHESTRA (from the 1967 UK LP "Time For TV" on Columbia Studio 2 TWO 175)

21. Bye-Bye (Theme From "Peter Gunn") - SARAH VAUGHAN (1965 USA 7" single on Mercury 72417, B-side of "The Pawnbroker")

22. Theme From "Where The Spies Are" - JIMMY SMITH (1966 USA 7" single on Verve VK 10382, A)

23. The Liquidator - SHIRLEY BASSEY (1966 UK 7" single on Columbia DB 7811, A)

24. I Spy - ROLAND SHAW & HIS ORCHESTRA (from the 1966 UK LP "Themes For Secret Agents" on Decca Phase 4 Stereo PFS 4094)

25. Come Spy With Me - SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES (1967 USA 7" single on Tamla T 54145, A)

Tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 23 and 25 are MONO

Tracks 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 20 to 22 and 24 are STEREO

The 24-page booklet is beautifully laid out - crammed to periscope depth full of Spy Novels, Sixties Paperbacks, Film Posters, label repros of original 45's from the UK and US (even a Japanese issue of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.") and period evocative Sheet Music. Inbetween all that visual richness is superlative and informative liner notes by long-time archivist TONY ROUNCE who has for my money written some of his best descriptions on records and their murky history here (and that's saying something). The attention to detail is stunning. If you take the artwork for the CD and look to the top left - they've changed GREAT PAN from the paperback cover of Casino Royale into GREAT ACE as a very clever homage to the iconic artwork of the Swinging Sixties (the paperback is featured in the booklet). Every page is a feast. The rear is a full-colour plate of the "A Man Alone" sheet music showing Michael Caine in Harry Saltzman's film adaptation of Len Deighton's "The Ipcress File". The business as ever from Ace...

We should talk about the audio quality - this may indeed be the 'best' sounding Ace Records CD I've heard in nearly 10 years of reviewing (the audio is off the charts good for most tracks) and compiler Tony Rounce/Remaster Engineer NICK ROBBINS have made some genius choices in the sequencing too. But as a downside it's worth reiterating what I said earlier. When you go to the Bond Theme - it's not the John Barry original but a crap take from Johnny & The Hurricanes - The Man From U.N.C.L.E. theme isn't Hugo Montenegro but the lesser Challengers version and Patrick McGoohan's Danger Man is by Red Price and not the Bob Leaper version we all know and love. And the two Soul inclusions of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and The Supremes sound utterly ludicrous, forced and out of place instead of being fun or even good (others may love them and want them for sheer rarity value). Edwin Astley's "Danger Man" used in 47 episodes between 1964 and 1968 isn't used - but as Rounce explains it wasn't available for licensing. And I suspect that this may have been the case for many of the bigger names and tunes.

Having said that goodies include Bob Crane's slyly hip "Get Smart", Lalo Schifrin's cool masterpiece "Mission: Impossible", Bacharach's gorgeous "The Look Of Love" and the so Sixties opener "The Ipcress File" by the incomparable John Barry - all fabulous. But I would have preferred anything from "You Only Live Twice" rather than Nancy Sinatra's half-hearted "The Last Of The Secret Agents". Better is "Secret Agent Man" by Al Caiola (the American name for the "Danger Man" TV Series) and Matt Monro's version "Wednesday's Child" from "The Quiller Memorandum" (by John Barry) sounds unbelievably good too. Unexpected gems include Sarah Vaughan's lyrically sassy version of the Henri Mancini instrumental "Peter Gunn" theme and the witty "Modesty Blaise" theme sung by Cleo Lane and Ray Ellington clearly enjoying their inner secret agent. The Roland Shaw full-on Sixties Jazz and Strings version of "I Spy" is a blast too.

What a ride! Upon my Blofeld Dug Out Volcanic Lair, but I'm looking forward to Volume 2 - "Come Spy With Me Some More..." And should Ace Records choose to accept their mission - for round two we'd like more John Barry - say "Here Comes Nancy Now!" from "The Knack" or "Little Nellie" from "You Only Live Twice", maybe "Hawaii Five-O" by The Ventures, "Thinking Of Baby" by Elmer Bernstein ("Staccato" US TV Theme) with "Search For Vulcan" by Leroy Holmes (an instrumental Bond mimic) and of course Lalo Schifrin's stunning "Bullitt" theme - to name but a few. I'm sure they're working on their Aston Martin DB9 of a CD as we speak.

Did you know that Robert Vaughn, David McCallum and Leo G. Carroll from the United Network Command for Law Enforcement (U.N.C.L.E.) had to weekly fight the diabolical forces of Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity (T.H.R.U.S.H.)? I can tell you now that James Bond's women had to fight THRUSH on a daily basis too. But we won't go into that. See you next time around 007...

"BOWIE Heard Them Here First" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [DAVID BOWIE Cover Versions] (2014 Ace Records CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Wild Is The Wind..."

The premise is simple – tunes that have moved/inspired David Bowie throughout his extraordinary five-decade career – the original songs by the original artists – 24 melodies he’s covered from 1964 right through to 2003. But this is Ace Records of the UK doing the CD compilation - so the annotation and sound quality is top notch. There’s a wad of facts to get through so let’s have at the Thin White Duke’s Pin-Ups...

UK released April 2014 – "BOWIE Heard Them Here First" by Various Artists [DAVID BOWIE Cover Versions] on Ace Records CDCHD 1387 (Barcode 029667058322) breaks down as follows (76:06 minutes):

1. Louie – Go Home by PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS (1964 USA 7” single on Columbia 43008, A)

Covered by Davie Jones & The King Bees in 1964 on the UK 7” single Vocalion Pop V 9221, A

2. I Pity The Fool by BOBBY BLAND (1961 USA 7” single on Duke 332, A)

Covered by Manish Boys in 1965 on the UK 7” single Parlophone R 5250, A

3. Fill Your Heart by BIFF ROSE (on the 1968 USA LP “The Thorn In Mrs. Rose’s Side” on Tetragrammaton Records T-103)

Covered by Bowie on the “Hunky Dory” LP in 1971

4. It Ain’t Easy by RON DAVIES (on the 1970 US LP “Silent Song Through The Land” on A&M Records SP-4264 – also a USA 7” single on A&M 1188, A)

Covered by Bowie on 1972 LP “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars”

5. White Light/White Heat by THE VELVET UNDERGROUND (on the 1967 LP “White Light/White Heat” on Verve VK 10560)

Covered by Bowie on the 1983 Soundtrack album (recorded 1973) “Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture”

6. Everything’s Al’right by THE MOJOS (on a 1964 UK 7” single on Decca F 11853, A)