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Tuesday, 14 May 2019

"D & B Together" by DELANEY and BONNIE and FRIENDS (April 2003 UK Columbia/Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...





"...Only You Know And I Know..."

Released in the last few days of March 1972 - "D & B Together" would indeed be their last platter as a married couple and musical duo before Delaney Bramlett went solo in November of that same year with his "Some Things Coming" album (also on Columbia Records).

There is a Musicians and Vocalists list that is huge and although it doesn't tell us in this reissue who plays on what – check out these names - Leon Russell and Bobby Whitlock, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Dave Mason (of Traffic), Rita Coolidge, Steve Cropper of Booker T & The MG's, The Muscle Shoals Horns and Rhythm Section, Eddie Kendricks, John Hartford, Duane Allman, Patrice Holloway, Venetta Fields, Shirley Matthews and Clydie King – to name but a few! They had always traded in a sort of Rock-Soul songbook - a bit of Stax meets Atlantic meets two great vocalists who adored the genres and could pen a tune or two into the bargain. In fact the dynamic duo had clocked up five prior albums to this - "Home" on Stax and "Accept No Substitute" on Elektra in May and August 1969 and then three more on Atco - "Delaney & Bonnie and Friends On Tour With Eric Clapton" (April 1970), "To Bonnie From delaney" (October 1970) and "Motel Shot" (April 1971). And although "D & B Together" peaked at No. 133 and stayed on charts for just 6 weeks - its remembered with affection and even viewed by some as a wee bit of a lost classic. Let's get to the good things comin'...

US released April 2003 - "D & B Together" by DELANEY & BONNIE and FRIENDS on Columbia/Legacy CK 85743 (Barcode 886972450629) offers a Remaster of the 12-Track April 1972 LP Plus Six Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (59:25 minutes):

1. Only You Know And I Know [Side 1]
2. Wade In The Water Of Jordan
3. Sound Of The City
4. Well, Well
5. I Know How It Feels To Be Lonely
6. Comin' Home
7. Move 'Em Out [Side 2]
8. Big Change Comin'
9. A Good Thing (I'm On Fire)
10. Groupie (Superstar)
11. I Know Something Good About You
12. Country Life
Tracks 1 to 12 are their sixth album "D & B Together" - released 29 March 1972 in the USA on Columbia KC 31377 and July 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 64959. It peaked at No. 133 in the USA LP charts (didn't chart UK).

BONUS TRACKS:
13. Over And Over
14. I'm Not Your Lover, Just Your Lovee
15. Good Vibrations
16. Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone
17. You Don't Know (How Glad I Am)
18. California Rain
Tracks 13 and 14 from the 1972 Delaney Bramlett LP "Some Things Coming" on Columbia KC 31631
Tracks 15 and 17 from the 1973 Bonnie Bramlett LP "Sweet Bonnie Bramlett" on Columbia KC 31786
Tracks 16 and 18 from the 1973 Delaney Bramlett LP "Mobius Strip" on Columbia KC 32420   
Tracks 13 and 14 were also the A&B-sides of a September 1972 US 7" single on Columbia 4-45696
Tracks 15 and 17 were also the A&B-sides of a July 1973 US 7" single on Columbia 4-45897
Tracks 16 and 18 were also the A&B-sides of an October 1973 US 7" single on Columbia 4-45950

The 12-page booklet has outtake photos from the original album shoot, a live shot of Jimi Hendrix joining Delaney on some stage somewhere and detailed reissue credits. The new GREG MARTIN liner notes fill in the tangled history but unfortunately someone stills hasn't waded through the tape boxes to tell us which celeb plays on what track. But what gets me a tad excited is an Audio Engineer I admire a lot - VIC ANESINI - who has handled Presley, Paul Simon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nilsson, The Byrds, Carole King, Roy Orbison, Santana, Mountain and other huge names. The audio here is great - to the music...

From ear I can discern backing vocals on "Sounds Of The City" by Tina Turner, Eric Clapton is on "Well, Well" while he and (I think) Duane Allman play guitars on "Comin' Home" and "Big Change Comin'".

Steve Cropper of Booker T & The MG's co-wrote "Move 'Em Out" with Bettye Crutcher – a duet between Bonnie and Delaney about moving out that old man so the new lady can move in (with you baby). I've always loved their cover of Dave Mason's - "Only You Know And I Know" – a tune Joan Osbourne would do to fantastic effect on her 2002 cover versions album - "How Sweet It Is".

Bonnie credits herself as Bonnie Sheridan on the so-Allmans Funky geetar been-out-on-the-road rock of "Comin' Home" recorded (I believe) as far back as 1969 with Eric and Duane. Weird jerky rhythms comes at us in the very Joe Cocker Funk Rock of "A Good Thing (I'm On Fire)" – another passion belter – more ants in his pants and ardour burning up his insides (great little tune and the kind of song they ate for breakfast). Little Feat chug-chug infuses the Delaney Bramlett and Joe Hicks song - "I Know Something Good About You" – those Muscle Shoals brass fills complimenting the guitar Funk. And on it goes. The six bonus album tracks that double-up as the A&B-sides of three singles from 1972 and 1973 are simply more of the same if not a little jaded by then (the Average White Band was effectively Bonnie's backing band for the "Sweet Bonnie Bramlett" album). 

I can't help thinking that someone like Esoteric Recordings should do a 6LP/6CD Box Set of DELANEY & BONNIE and their 1969 to 1972 output - get all their stuff out there in one cool remastered place - hopefully sometime in the future. In the meantime, give this cheap but rather cool little CD reissue a spin. "...I Know Something Good About You..." they sang 47 years ago. Indeed we do...

"Tracks Plus" by HEADS, HANDS & FEET - May 1972 UK Album on Island Records - June 1972 US LP on Capitol Records (November 2009 and August 2018 UK Cherry Red CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...





"...Warming Up The Band..."

The Seventies (especially in the early years of the decade) is littered with bands that should have been – could have been – but never did get there.

They had the chops, couple of the players might even have had the looks to make the young lassies swoon and the teenage lads emulate. In the mix you might also have scored a decent vocalist, signed to a prestigious label with hipster kudos galore and even sported the popular sound of the day (borderline Eagles Country Rock). And perhaps - if you were a real lucky chum – a big fat hit single to make everyone notice and get a slot with Pan’s People on Top Of The Pops (possibly even a hot date with Babs – the ultimate accolade).

But still - you ended up being shafted by record company mishaps, bad timing and an inexplicable indifference - a turned-on LP record/eight-track tape devouring public gobbling up anything remotely musical and interesting on any genre – anything that is but 'your music'. Our five-piece British heroes HEADS, HANDS and FEET are one of those groups...

What you get here is their second platter "Tracks" issued May 1972 in the UK on Island Records and a month later across the pond on Capitol Records. Cherry Red have also smartly chosen to ante-up this 2009 CD (itself reissued 2018) with the genuine added bonus of the groups superb first single – the non-album "Warming Up The Band" and its equally tasty B-side "Silver Mine" (albeit placed on the CD in reverse order for some reason). Here are the plus-size details...

UK released 23 November 2009 (re-issued August 2018) - "Tracks Plus" by HEADS, HANDS & FEET on Cherry Red CDMRED 424 (Barcode 5013929142428) offers their second 10-Track album from 1972 plus Two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (46:14 minutes):

1. Let's Get This Show On The Road [Side 1]
2. Safety In Numbers
3. Roadshow
4. Harlequin
5. Dancer
6. Hot Property [Side 2]
7. Jack Daniels (Old No. 7)
8. Rhyme And Time
9. Paper Chase
10. Song And Dance
Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Tracks" - released May 1972 in the UK on Island ILPS 9185 and June 1972 in the USA on Capitol Records ST-11051. Produced by EDDIE OFFORD (of Yes fame)

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Silver Mine
12. Warming Up The Band
Tracks 12 and 11 are the non-album A&B-Sides of their first 7" single issued November 1971 on Island Records WIP 6115 in the UK and on Capitol 3279 in the USA (Note running order, Track 12 is the A-side). The single "Warming up The Band" was released between the first album "Heads, Hands & Feet" in mid 1971 and the second album in May 1972. The British 45 was also reissued in a picture sleeve in the UK September 1976 on Island WIP 6319.

HEADS, HANDS & FEET were:
TONY COULTON - Lead Vocals
ALBERT LEE - Lead Guitar and Keyboards
CHAS HODGES - Fiddle, Banjo, Guitars and Vocals
RAY SMITH - Bass and Vocals
PETE GAVIN - Drums, Percussion and Vocals
Guests:
JERRY DONAHUE (of Poet & The One Man Band and Fotheringay) - Backing Vocals
JERRY HOGAN (of The Flintlocks) – Pedal Steel Guitar

The 12-page colour booklet is cleverly laid out - photos of the rare German and Japanese 1971 picture sleeves for "Warming Up The Band" - a killer cut written by the whole band and their best chance of chart action (sadly not to be). The original LP's 1972 inner gatefold with colour photos of each player is reproduced too in the centre pages and all of it complimented with extensive new liner notes from MICHAEL HEATLEY. There is a see-through CD tray with an inlay advertising similar Cherry Red releases of 2009. Heatley recalls Poet And The One Man Band and their lone 1969 album on Verve Forecast from whence much of Heads, Hands & Feet came. Cherry Red even repro the Jerry Lee Lewis album "London Session" from 1973 - where members of HHF were the Killer's backing band. But the best news is a decent Remaster by ALAN WILSON - no stranger to reissues. The Audio here feels great amplifying the original Production values by Eddie Offord (of Yes album fame). To the music...

Very much taken by Country Rock and Americana in general, the "Tracks" album feels like a British Group who has spent too much time listening to The Band whilst mainlining the funkier elements of 1969's "Farewell Alderbaran" by Judy Henske and Jerry Yester as a side order. Not a bad combo though says you – and it is. "(Let's Get This Show) On The Road" opens proceedings with a rapido Country Funk Rock groove - the Remaster bringing out all that frantic rhythm and the great playing (could even have been a single). Gavin's drums open the excellent "Safety In Numbers" - Albert Lee showing his guitar chops with sexy little flicks and a Funky little groove (again another possible 45). 

"Roadshow" is a piano led ballad by Albert Lee where he bemoans the waiting and the miles and his lady's indecision - waiting on you to come home. "Harlequin" is easily one of my faves - huge acoustic guitars anchoring a melody that feels fresh still - 47 years after the event - the Remaster bringing out Ray Smith's subtle bass line - Jerry Horgan of the 60ts Decca group The Flintlocks guesting on gorgeous Pedal Steel guitar. Side one ends with a very McGuinness Flint sounding "Dancer" - a sort of drunken acoustic strummer with fiddles - the boys regaling the wonders of a lady entertainer - someone they undoubtedly saw on the road - a sequined country gal helping lift up the spirits of deflated punters (amongst other things that she lifted up).

"Hot Property" opens Side Two but its beginning is a badly misjudged faster-go-faster Hillbilly instrumental portion. About a minute in, it segues into a wicked Funk-Rock groove ala Little Feat, Albert Lee zipping up and down the frets. Had someone edited out that Deliverance opener bit - it would have made for a great single. Silver dollar saloons and good whiskey inhabit "Jack Daniels (Old No. 7)" - but it feels dangerously close to an outtake from The Band's second album complete with Lynchburg Tennessee lyrics and Levon Helm vocals. Prettier is "Rhyme And Time" – a lovely melody by Albert Lee. The piano and voices melancholy "Paper Chase" flows nicely into my other fave-rave – the cool Bronco guitar-hooky "Song And Dance" – Albert Lee finding his inner Tony Joe White – sexy guitars and a sexy groove.

What a crying shame the public didn’t embrace the superb "Warming Up The Band" single – a fantastically slinky groove that should have killed the charts. In fact I can’t help thinking had it opened the second album – or Island followed it up with "Song And Dance" (a similar groove) as the second 45 – then the LP might have made real inroads – but alas...

Chas Hodges became one half of Chas and Dave – the popular barroom duo of English booze-up music (cloth caps, braces and ciggies) - whilst I last saw Albert Lee in the all-star band that accompanied Eric Clapton when he did the George Harrison tribute in the Royal Albert Hall – still whipping out those tasty licks and solos.

England's Heads, Hands & Feet are a footnote now in the history of Seventies Rock Music - but they're remembered with affection for a reason and the better tracks on this wicked-sounding CD Remaster prove why. A very cool little reissue really and I'd love to see someone tackle all three of their Seventies albums in a mini box set, and right soon...

Friday, 10 May 2019

"Live! In Europe" by RORY GALLAGHER - May 1972 UK 3rd Solo Album (First Live) on Polydor Records with Five New Tracks and Two Older Tracks in Live Form (January 2012 UK Sony Music/Capo/Legacy CD Reissue in Restored Digipak Artwork with Two Bonus Tracks – Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...





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"...Going To My Hometown..."

After two solo studio-albums in the one year (May and November 1971) following his exit from Taste – Ireland's greatest-ever axeman Rory Gallagher nailed it big time. While the self-titled debut hit No. 30 in the UK and his far better second platter "Deuce" oddly only managing No. 39 - "Live! In Europe" was the one that broke down every barrier.

A barnstorming live LP that looked the part too (battered Strat and equally shattered check shirt ahoy courtesy of cool Mick Rock photography) - its beautiful gatefold artwork and incendiary Blues Rock content sent the unassuming working lad guitarist into the Top Ten – settling at a deserved peak of No. 9 in an appreciative Blighty. It even gave him his first solo entry on the American Billboard Rock charts, albeit at a more modest peak of No. 101 (it was called "Rory Gallagher/Live!" there and issued in a single sleeve).

But there's something else, and as I'm 60, I recall it like it was yesterday. In 2019, it's hard to understand (unless you were there) the impact this May 1972 album had on Irish and British teenagers and especially on young budding guitarists (everywhere). There was nothing elitist about him – Gallagher wasn't offish or aloof or a technical show-off – Rory was your guy and an absolute hair-raising joy to watch in the live environment. Add his relentless touring ethos – often playing Northern Ireland when others refused or were just too scared to during the horrors of the Troubles – and the sheer energy his tight three-piece exuded – it wasn't surprising that his first foray into the live LP thing was going to leave his rather underwhelming studio recordings in the dust.

Gallagher had also smartly only retained "Laundromat" from the debut and "In Your Town" from "Deuce" – leaving the other five as new to the listener (four covers and one original song). And what winners they were – stuff like "Going To My Hometown" (the original song) alongside covers of "Messing With The Kid" by Junior Wells, "Pistol Slapper Blues" by Blind Boy Fuller and two Traditionals arranged by RG - "Bullfrog Blues" and “I Could've Had Religion". This lethal combo of Blues Rock, Acoustic Blues and Classic Rock set the grooves alight and due to their huge popularity with fans thereafter regularly featured in his set lists some two to three decades later.

But RG CD reissues haven't always been the happiest of affairs. Under the supervision of Donal Gallagher (his older brother and former tour manager)  - Rory Gallagher had his LP back-catalogue first reissued onto CD between 1998 and 2000. Each of those RCA/Capo releases came in jewel cases and had previously unreleased bonus tracks. The campaign culminated with a tremendous outtakes compilation in 2003 called "Wheels Within Wheels". Those initial discs were 'remixed and remastered' by Tony Arnold at Courthouse Facilities in Dorset - these are 'untampered' versions remastered by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at Wired Masters in the UK in November 2011.

Andy and Matt have been involved in and received praise for remasters of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Frankie Miller, Wishbone Ash, The Kinks, Free, Budgie, ELP, Spooky Tooth and a lot more. For these reissues the original 1/4 master tapes have been returned to and the results are really great. It does seem odd that the Two Bonus Tracks are once again slotted into Side 2 (as it was on the first reissue of this CD) and not flipped to the end so you get the right sequencing, but it's a minor niggle.

This latest version of his third album is the first of 'new' remasters released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary (2012) of his Solo career. So what's different? In a nutshell - cheaper price, upgraded packaging and 2011 mastering from the original tapes by two fantastic Audio Engineers. Here are the Bullfrog details...

Released 16 January 2012 in the UK (31 Jan 2012 in the USA) - "Live! In Europe" by RORY GALLAGHER is on Sony Music/Capo/Legacy 88691917432 (Barcode 886919174328) and offers the original 1972 7-Track LP with Two Bonus Tracks slotted in in Positions 7 and 8. Original January 2012 issues of this CD Remaster come in a card digipak (58:46 minutes) – later pressings feature a standard jewel case:

1. Messin' With The Kid [Side 1]
2. Laundromat
3. I Could've Had Religion
4. Pistol Slapper Blues
5. Going To My Hometown [Side 2]
6. In Your Town
7. What In The World [BONUS TRACK]
8. Hoodoo Man [BONUS TRACK]
9. Bullfrog Blues
Tracks 1 to 6 and 9 are both sides of his third solo album "Live! In Europe" – released May 1972 in the UK on Polydor Super 2383 112 and August 1972 in the USA (as "Rory Gallagher/Live!" on Polydor PD 5513 (it peaked at No. 9 in the UK and No. 101 in the USA). Tracks 1 to 4 made up Side 1 and Tracks 5, 6 and 9 were Side 2.

The card digipak has a new live photo on the inside flap (the photo that adorned the inner gatefold of the original British LP is on Page 3 of the booklet and beneath the see-through CD tray). The 8-page booklet features new liner notes from MICK ROCK who caught the great man on camera all those years ago (47 and counting in 2019). But it’s the AUDIO that thrills – huge sound – real power as the band motors and swings on gigs recorded throughout Europe in February and March 1972. Let's get to the music...

As the speakers hum, Gerry McAvoy plucks his Bass and the crowd roars its approval – Rory launches into "Messin’ With The Kid" – setting the scene. His guitar is over on the left but it’s the soloing that feels so exciting – in his stride right from the get go. He cranks it for the fab "Laundromat" and suddenly this rather ordinary studio riff turns into a kicking romp – craziest place I’ve even been. It’s on to the Blues as we get nearly nine-minutes of "I Could’ve Had Religion" – harmonica wailing at first before he launches into a killer slider lick that’s soon joined by the band giving it oomph. He goes Acoustic for the Blind Boy Fuller 1920s Blues tune "Pistol Slapper Blues" – a very cool piece of Moonshine Whiskey, Blue Murder, Lyin’ Women and Cheatin’ Narky men.

Things lift off completely when he goes Mandolin strumming with "Going To My Home Town" over on Side 2 – the thump of Wilgar Campbell’s drum pedal and the crowd clapping along. It’s a fantastic shin-kicker of a tune (only got one ticket, just can’t afford two baby). Back to Blues Rock and the fab "In Your Town" – nine and half minutes of boogie with solos that elicit yelps from the audience – Rory zipping up and down the frets. It ends on a classic - "Bullfrog Blues" – bringing on memories of The Grove Dance Hall in Clontarf, Dublin where we got head’s down to this night-finisher every week for years. Pleasing too to know that the two Bonus Tracks "Hoodoo Man" and "What In The World" exude the same raw Slow Blues magnetism as the album – though I suspect the slightly muffled vocal on the first and the similarity to "Religion" excluded both from first choice for the LP. Good to have though...

With You Tube and the Net – Rory Gallagher has seen a massive resurgence in appreciation – so many discovering his playing skills (he only got better as the years passed). This is where that excitement began – dig in and enjoy...

The Eleven Titles in the 2012 RORY GALLAGHER Remasters Series
CD Digipaks, Downloads and 'Music On Vinyl' LPs:

16 January 2012 CD DIGIPAK and DOWNLOAD:
1. "Rory Gallagher" (May 1971 debut) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917352 (Barcode 886919173529)
2. "Deuce" (November 1971 2nd studio LP) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917372 (Barcode 886919173727)
3. "Live! In Europe" (May 1972 1st Live LP) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917432 (Barcode 886919174328)
4. "Blueprint" (February 1973, 3rd studio album) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917452 (Barcode 886919174526)
5. "Tattoo" (November 1973, 4th studio album) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917462 (Barcode 886919174625)
6. "Irish Tour '74" (July 1974, 2nd Live Set, 2LPs onto 1CD) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917472 (Barcode 886919174724)

27 February 2012 VINYL:
1 to 6 above also released 27 February 2012 on Limited Edition 180-gram vinyl versions on the "Music On Vinyl" Label

24 September 2012 CD DIGIPAK and DOWNLOAD:
7. "Against The Grain" (October 1975, 5th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461492 (Barcode 887254614920)
8. "Calling Card" (August 1976, 6th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461472 (Barcode 887254614722)
9. "Photo-Finish" (October 1978, 7th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461462 (Barcode 887254614623)
10. "Top Priority" (September 1979, 8th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461452 (Barcode 88725461452)
11. "Jinx" (April 1982) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461432 (Barcode 887254614326)

22 October 2012 VINYL:
7 to 11 above also released 22 October 2012 on Limited Edition 180-gram vinyl versions on the "Music On Vinyl" Label

PS: Most of the eleven above have been reissued since 2012 in standard jewel cases but have different catalogue numbers and barcodes. The jewel case version of "Live! In Europe" for instance is Barcode 886919370126 and has the restored artwork, picture CD and expanded booklet of the 2012 issue. There has also been a March 2018 further reissue on Universal Music 5797717 (Barcode 602557977172) in a jewel case with the nine tracks in the same order (it’s the 2012 version repackaged). So if you want the 'digipak' repro artwork versions of 2012 – use the Barcodes provided above when ordering...

Monday, 29 April 2019

"Pamela Polland/Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" by PAMELA POLLAND (March 2019 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Records Compilation - 2LPS onto 2CDs with Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...





"...Out Of My Hands..."

The music world can be joyous and cruel place - Los Angelino Pamela Polland (born in Hollywood of all things) is a case in point. Originally part of a Sixties Folk-Duo with Rick Stanley called THE GENTLE SOUL - they managed one highly rated self-titled album on Epic Records in October 1968 featuring guest spots from such future luminaries as Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal and Van Dyke Parks. The groovy band imploded and after a stint with Joe Cocker and Leon Russell's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" travelling circus in 1970 and 1971 (Polland is on the double-album and in the film) - it was time for her (inevitable) solo album.

Signing to Columbia Records, Pamela's all-original-material self-titled debut arrived in May 1972 armed with more of the same big-name guests and a few other bands from the period thrown in for good measure (see artists below). But any momentum that initial flurry had was quickly scuppered when the follow-up LP of 1973 was mysteriously scrapped. Recorded in London with Gus Dudgeon of Elton John fame and featuring a guest appearance from Joan Armatrading (the recording her debut on Cube Records) and members of EJ's backing band - it was mixed and made ready for release - even going as far as having a name, artwork and a catalogue number allocated.

Effectively kiboshed by this pull of support at a crucial time, Polland then returned to the civilian world and apart from a foray as an old-timey jazz-singing dame called Melba Rounds in the mid Seventies and a few songs covered by other artists, has been (musically anyway) all but forgotten ever since.

And that's where this typically top-notch 2CD reissue from England's Beat Goes On (BGO) comes swanning in. In conjunction with the artist, this 2CD Reissue and Remaster offers up the 12-tracks of the 1972 debut album alongside the unreleased 11-track second album including two cuts recorded at the 1973 sessions as Bonus Tracks tail-ending Disc 2. Here are the lost and found details...

UK released Friday, 1 March 2019 - "Pamela Polland/Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" by PAMELA POLLAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1369 (Barcode 5017261213693) is a 2CD Reissue and Remaster that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (35:56 minutes):
1. In My Imagination [Side 1]
2. Out Of My Hands (Still In My Heart)
3. Sing-A-Song Man
4. When I Got Home
5. Please Mr. D.J.
6. Abalone Dream
7. The Rescuer [Side 2]
8. Sugar Dad
9. The Teddy Bears' Picnic
10. The Dream (For Karuna)
11. Texas
12. Lighthouse
Tracks 1 to 12 are her debut album "Pamela Polland" – released May 1972 in the USA on Columbia KC 31116 and CBS Records S 64934 in the UK. Produced by GEORGE DALY [ex The Hangmen] – all tracks written by Pamela Polland except the short instrumental cover of "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" (the album didn’t chart in either country).

PAMELA POLLAND – Vocals and Piano
EDDIE HINTON – Guitars on Tracks 2, 3 and 5
TAJ MAHAL – Silver National Slide Guitar on Track 7
JOHN SHINE – Guitars (unspecified tracks)
NICKY HOPKINS – Piano (unspecified tracks)
DAVID BRIGGS of Area Code 615 – Piano on Tracks 2, 3 and 5
PAUL FAUERSO of The Loading Zone – Organ (unspecified tracks)
NORBERT PUTNAM of Area Code 615 (with TOMMY COGBILL) – Bass on Tracks 2, 3 and 5
BING NATHAN – Bass (unspecified tracks)
KENNY BUTTREY of Area Code 615 – Percussion on Tracks 2, 3 and 5
RICHARD SHLOSSER – Percussion (unspecified tracks)
BOBBY WOOD of Garth Brook’s backing vocal group The Ordinaires – Organ on Tracks 2, 3 and 5
JIMMY SPHEERIS and MARCUS McCALLEN – Vocals on Track 6
RAY SAWYER, DENIS LOCORRIERE and GEORGE CUMMINGS of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show and THE ROWAN BROTHERS – Vocals on Track 8
MARC McCLURE of Joyous Noise – Vocals on Tracks 1 and 8
GEORGE DALY of The Hangmen [LP’s Producer] – Vocals on Track 12
THE HOLIDAY SISTERS – Vocals on Track 2

Disc 2 (50:36 minutes):
1. The Refuge [Side 1]
2. Wild Roses
3. You Stand By Me
4. To Earl
5. Music Music
6. Thank You, Operator
7. Willsdon Manor
8. Untitled (Dusty Rose)
9. The Ship
10. Prelude
11. The Clearing

BONUS TRACKS
12. Didn't Get Enough Of Your Love
13. Take In The Light
Tracks 1 to 11 are her unreleased mixed and ready-for-release second album "Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" scheduled for US issue in 1973 on Columbia Records but withdrawn. Produced by GUS DUDGEON and Engineered by KEN SCOTT. Tracks 12 and 13 were recorded at the Trident Studio sessions in London and are included here as Bonuses.

PAMELA POLLAND - Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano, Guitar and Dulcimer
GEOFF LEVIN - Electric Guitar on Tracks 1, 4, 7 and 9 - Acoustic Guitar on Track 5
RAY FENWICK – Electric Guitars on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13
TAJ MAHAL - National Steel Guitar on Track 6
RONNIE CARYL of Flaming Youth – Acoustic Guitar on Track 13
DAVID HENTSCHEL - ARP Synthesiser on Track 1, Organ and ARP Synthesiser on Track 11
KENDALL KARDT – Piano on Track 6
(Beck’s Dad) DAVID CAMPBELL - Violin and Viola on Track 4
HERBIE FLOWERS of Blue Mink and Sky - Bass on Tracks 2, 3, 8, 11 and 12
LELAND SKLAR - Bass on Tracks 1, 5, 6, 7
LARRY STEELE – Bass on Track 13
RUSS KUNKEL - Drums on Track 1, 5, 6, 7
BARRY De SOUZA - Drums on Tracks 2, 3, 11 and 12
TERRY COX of Pentangle – Drums on Track 13
GUS DUDGEON - Percussion and Bass Backing Vocals on Track 1, Tambourine and Snare on Track 7 and Drums on Track 11
GUS DUDGEON and RAY COOPER (of Elton John's Band) - Percussion on Track 2
RAY COOPER of Elton John's Band - Vibes on Track 3, Water Gong and Tambourine on Track 11 and Tambourine on Track 12
BRUCE JOHNSTON of The Beach Boys and MARC McCLURE of Joyful Noise - Backing Vocals on Tracks 1, 5 and 11
JOAN ARMATRADING - Backing Vocals on Track 2
DEL NEWMAN - Orchestration on Tracks 8 and 9
CHRIS HUGHES – Horn Arrangements on Track 13

The outer card slipcase is classy and so looks the part, but sensing that this release is a bit special for both fans and artist alike, the 28-page booklet is sumptuous even by BGO's standards. It includes high-gloss pages with all the lyrics and album credits for both records and a huge dissection of Polland's career by CHARLES DONOVAN for whom this project has clearly been a lifetime ambition and labour of love. And as you can see from my detailed artist-involvement list above - there are some big-name session players in there along with Bowie's Engineer Ken Scott and Elton's Producer Gus Dudgeon for the unreleased second album. But the really great news is spiffing new audio from BGO's resident Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON - new 2019 Remasters from recently located master tapes. And gorgeous it is too - all those quality original production values now shining through. Let's get to the actual music...

You wouldn't call "Pamela Polland" a "Tapestry" by any stretch, but there's such prettiness in "Out Of My Hands (Still In My Heart)" - a hurt and heartfelt pain pouring out the pounded piano notes ("I think I should go back to my hometown... "). The jaunty "Sing-A-Song Man" is a twinkle-in-his-eye tune about some piano man keeping the punters happy. Columbia tried the Side 1 opener "In My Imagination" as a taster 45 in the USA in June 1972 with the album's "Lighthouse" on the flipside (Columbia 4-45627) - but interest was minimal and stock copies are hard to locate these days (slipped away, just like you always do). "When I Got Home" is a soft-rock ballad of yearning perfectly complimenting "Please Mr. D.J." - a soulful piano plea for a turntable'd happy song so the lady is not alone when she turns the radio on (been working all week). A hippy-sounding bamboo flute and chimes ensemble joins her floating 'down river' on "Abalone Dream" ending Side 1 on a mellow vibe.

Taj Mahal with his National Steel Guitar and organ by Paul Fauerso (of The Loading Zone) lift up the Side 2 opener "The Rescuer" considerably and it seems strange that no one at Columbia saw or heard the upbeat sale angle in the song – especially with Taj Mahal on board. Pamela wants to have a little fun and do her sexy dance for her "Sugar Dad" - or is that a jab at music industry insiders. Forty seconds of "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" probably seemed like a good idea for some between-tracks instrumental back in the day, but now it just feels superfluous. This minor glitch is quickly fixed with a keeping the dream-alive song for her sister K - "The Dream (For Karuna)" being probably the prettiest song on the album. So very West Coast singer-songwriter, "Texas" is a gorgeous piano and acoustic piece of yearning. "Lighthouse" offers ships in darkness a light in the distance - her soulful song hoping all will be saved in the light.

An indication of what was canned and lost in 1973 by Columbia Records comes in the shape of "You Stand By Me" – the string orchestration of Del Newman lifting the pretty song up into an epic territory. And again you can literally hear why Polland was so crest-fallen when the second LP got pulled – there’s a genuine sophistication to the London recordings – David Campbell and his exquisite violin and viola playing on "To Earl" giving the ballad amazing pathos. Everyone can use it "Music Music" is a tad cornball despite Ray Fenwick’s clever guitar licks – but the US recorded "Thank You, Operator" is a very cool piece of Bluesy Funk as Taj Mahal and the rhythm section of Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel anchor the groove.

"Willsdon Manor" would probably have opened Side 2 of "Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" – another sweetly realised acoustic and piano shuffle – Pamela playing some lovely piano fills. Very much in the Lesley Duncan and Kiki Dee mode of 1973, "Untitled (Dusty Rose)" is also lifted by beautiful Del Newman orchestration. The one-minute "Prelude" sees her play every instrument (guitar, piano and vocals) – a sweet observation of how she starts a song every time love looms its tempting head. That segues into an epic called "The Clearing" where Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys and Marc McClure of Joyful Noise bring in backing vocals, her religious beliefs coming to the fore. It seems odd now that the two very upbeat Bonus Tracks with their huge productions and brass-punchy hipness were left off the intended album, but I suspect the overall mellow vibe took over. And therein lies the tragedy – you can't help think that had "Have You Heard The One About The Gas Station Attendant?" been released 'before' the self-titled debut - the name Pamela Polland would be a well known these days and not just a footnote in Rock music's fickle-fingered history.

This twofer isn't all genius for damn sure (despite what Pamela Polland fans may say) - but you can't help smiling at BGO for doing such a sterling job on this reissue – bringing to people's attention music that deserved better all those years ago. Well dig in now and enjoy...

Sunday, 21 April 2019

"Rare, Unreleased and Live, 1965-2012" by JACKIE LOMAX (May 2015 UK Angel Air SJPCD466 - 2CD Set Of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...



This Review Along With 145 Others Is Available In My
SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

MORE THAN A FEELING 
1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 
Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters
Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs
Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MORE-THAN-FEELING-All-Guide-Exceptional-ebook/dp/B0BGT69MVZ?crid=1RTTPB6MEK9Y7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aCLqQD_0x4Xc4Kd7CEKllFnbfqhZ11PdMT_72etNzX9uk4_p_dYzE7ix7BD2qIIrl8-pAv90HElKfIB-_ZesIaS7TKJ-pDCFTgEP2k9aFX6a08GeBKgOKqyKHE6gcf0WacJEY4AKfVHlvo1EyZXb-psq6hf7c8WNvfvSSQUcNdP73WQfDavTWOHn5u81XeWCHJ47XMXWJqovt2Cx2c7BHgnvhCDYy23xFnpilpsAe90.T6uf-EhIxX_KJ8LfLu5E7Pk739m39vwP0A9sw0LfGno&dib_tag=se&keywords=more+than+a+feeling+mark&qid=1717663975&sprefix=more+than+a+feeling+mark%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=02abe7807076077061be2311e2d581b1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...I'm The Man You Need..."

JACKIE LOMAX has seen his 60ts output with The Undertakers done by Big Beat of the UK (part of Ace Records), his lone Apple album reissued twice in 1993 and 2010 on Expanded CDs and his duo of Warner Brothers LPs from 1971 and 1972 also Expanded by Rhino – all in fine style. 

Now it’s the turn of England’s Angel Air label to have a go. This is a Lomax fan-orientated 2CD compilation, which generously mops up unreleased tracks, rare live and studio recordings and various other unreleased stragglers. But as is the nature of these kinds of releases - it’s a very mixed bag on both song quality and audio (both good and bad). Here are the Sour Milk Seas...

UK released May 2015 - "Rare, Unreleased and Live, 1965-2012" by JACKIE LOMAX on Angel Air SJPCD466 (Barcode 5055011704664) is a 2CD posthumous retrospective and plays out as follows:

CD1 – Unreleased – 76:20 minutes:
1. Soul Light
2. More (Livin' For Lovin')
3. California
4. Who's Foolin’ Who
Tracks 1 to 4 recorded 1975 at Hollywood Central Studio and features Paul Barrere of Little Feat on Guitars (including Slide).

5. If Only I Could Find A Way
6. She Feels That Way
Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of a 1977 USA 7” single on Pan American PAX 134.

7. The Little Things Of Love
8. Fallen Angel (both recorded 1980, no other details available)

9. I'm Gonna Be There
10. You're So Beautiful
11. Green Eyes
12. Don't Talk To Me (9 to 12 recorded 1985, no other details available)

13. Devil Eyes (a cover version of a Tim Buckley song by Jackie Lomax and Juke Logan. Originally on a 1990 Various Artists CD compilation called "True Voices" on Demon FIEND CD 165)

14. Give Your Heart To Somebody
15. Hold On Tight To What You Got
16. Against All Odds
17. The Edge Of The World (Tracks 14 to 17 recorded 1990, no details)

18. I Can't Hold Out (an Elmore James cover)
19. One Night In Chicago (Tracks 18 and 19 by The Undertakers featuring Jackie Lomax on their 2009 CD “Resurrection” on Meadow Records 3. He sang lead vocals on these two songs)

20. Dead And Gone (from the 2012 CD compilation "Black On Blue: A Tribute To The Black Keys" on Cleopatra CLP 8727)

CD 2 – Rare & Live – 74:59 minutes:
1. Throw Your Love Away (1965 recording first issued on the 1996 "Unearthed" CD compilation by The Undertakers featuring Jackie Lomax on Big Beat CDWIKD 163)

2. You Better Get Going Now (by The Lomax Alliance)

3. Genuine Imitation Life (1968 UK solo 7” single on CBS Records 2554, A)

4. Sour Milk Sea (George Harrison song)
5. The Eagle Laughs At You (Tracks 4 and 5 recorded live at the BBC "Top Of The Pops" in November 1968 with Tim Renwick on Guitar and Chris Hatfield on Piano)

6. So War Das Netz Gewoben (German Version of "How The Web Was Woven". Same backing track as the UK hit - just with German lyrics overdubbed).

7. Too Complicated (by Heavy Jelly and from their self-titled debut album on Island Records which was Promo Only – never released)

8. Sour Milk Sea (Live)
9. More (Livin' For Lovin') (Live)
10. Peace Of Mind (Live)
11. (Put Some) Rhythm In Your Blues (Live)
12. Blue World (Live)
13. Our Love (Live)
14. Hold On To Your Loved One (Live)
15. It Isn't Only Love (Live)
16. On The Road To Be Free (Live)
17. Hellfire, Night Crier (Live)
18. She Took Me Higher (Live)
Tracks 8 to 18 recorded live at "The Savoy" in San Francisco, California, 12 December 1976

The 12-page booklet has short but informative liner notes by compilation producer ALISTAIR HEPBURN and although it doesn’t state who did the Remasters – all material is licensed from the Estate of Jackie Lomax. The Audio is a very mixed bunch indeed – ranging from superb modern day recordings (the reformed Undertakers) to hissy home cassettes and ok live stuff. This is aimed at fans a whole CD of Previously Unreleased is what they want – those looking for hits should perhaps opt for the Apple CD of “Is This What You want?” or the two Rhino 2005 CD reissues of his Warner Brothers LPs “Home Is In My Head” from 1971 and “Three” from 1972.

It opens with a winner – a four-song session from 1975 with Paul Barrere of Little Feat guesting on Guitars. The audio quality on Tracks 9 to 12 is very bad – clearly dubbed from discs or knackered tapes. It’s a hissy shame because “You’re So Beautiful” is very AWB territory with a sexy Soulful groove and great playing. More funky Rock comes with the 1990 recordings of “Give Your Heart To Somebody” – but again “Hold On Tight”, “Against All Odds” and “The Edge Of The World” are covered in noticeable hiss. Far better is a great Boogie version of Elmore James’ classic “I Can’t Hold Out” by Jackie as part of The Undertakers in properly great audio. His own “One Night In Chicago” isn’t great but a wicked and kicking “Dead And Gone” is fantastic 60ts Freakbeat. The live set on Disc 2 gives the fans what they want by opening with his Apple hit “Sour Milk Sea” and then going into his latest Capitol Records material – the audio on the whole set is only ok.

A mixed bag for sure (especially on the audio front) – but one that fans will love and need to own...

"The Best Of Everything: The Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection 1976-2016" by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS (March 2019 UK Geffen/Universal 2CD Set - Chris Bellman and Ryan Uylate Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...







This Review Along With 145 Others Is Available In My
SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

MORE THAN A FEELING 
1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 
Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters
Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs
Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MORE-THAN-FEELING-All-Guide-Exceptional-ebook/dp/B0BGT69MVZ?crid=1RTTPB6MEK9Y7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aCLqQD_0x4Xc4Kd7CEKllFnbfqhZ11PdMT_72etNzX9uk4_p_dYzE7ix7BD2qIIrl8-pAv90HElKfIB-_ZesIaS7TKJ-pDCFTgEP2k9aFX6a08GeBKgOKqyKHE6gcf0WacJEY4AKfVHlvo1EyZXb-psq6hf7c8WNvfvSSQUcNdP73WQfDavTWOHn5u81XeWCHJ47XMXWJqovt2Cx2c7BHgnvhCDYy23xFnpilpsAe90.T6uf-EhIxX_KJ8LfLu5E7Pk739m39vwP0A9sw0LfGno&dib_tag=se&keywords=more+than+a+feeling+mark&qid=1717663975&sprefix=more+than+a+feeling+mark%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=02abe7807076077061be2311e2d581b1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...American Dream..."

You could argue that we need another Tom Petty 'Anthology' or multiple-disc 'Best Of' like we need another loss of an artist we adore, another slice of our musical past and joy taken too soon. But sentiment aside, what's important to remember with this March 2019 Geffen/Universal 2CD set is what’s new - the 2018 Chris Bellman and Ryan Ulyate Masters taken from first generation tapes. This twofer CD set looks and sounds stunning...

Including tracks from albums that aren't generally available as remasters, not only is the audio good on "The Best Of Everything" but real thought has gone into the play - clever sequencing that slips Soundtrack songs and lesser-heard exclusive cuts in-between all those album reference points we know so well ("Breakdown", "Free Fallin'" and so on). The line up on each disc makes the listen feel fresh. And for us 'have it all' types, we also get two rarities - an Alternate Version of "The Best Of Everything" from the "Southern Accents" sessions in 1985 and an August 2000 unreleased track called "For Real" - each tail-ending Discs 1 and 2.

And frankly this fantastic American Artist and his ace band deserve no less. Let's get to Indiana Girls on those Indiana Nights...

UK released Friday, 1 March 2019 - "The Best Of Everything: The Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection 1976-2016" by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS on Geffen/Universal 00602567934394 (Barcode 602567934394) is a 38-Track 2CD set of Remasters (Two Unreleased) that breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (72:17 minutes):
1. Free Fallin' (from "Full Moon Fever", 1989)
2. Mary Jane's Last Dance (from "Greatest Hits", 1993)
3. You Wreck Me (from "Wildflowers", 1994)
4. I Won't Back Down ("Full Moon Fever", 1989)
5. Saving Grace (from "Highway Companion", 2006)
6. You Don't Know How It Feels (from "Wildflowers", 1994)
7. Don't Do Me Like That (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)
8. Listen To Her Heart (from "You're Gonna Get It", 1978)
9. Breakdown (from the debut album "Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers", 1976)
10. Walls (Circus) (from the Motion Picture Soundtrack to "She's The One", 1996, featuring Lindsey Buckingham on Backing Vocals)
11. The Waiting (from "Hard Promises", 1981)
12. Don't Come Around Here No More (from "Southern Accents", 1985)
13. Southern Accents (from "Southern Accents", 1985)
14. Angel Dream (No. 2) (from the Motion Picture Soundtrack to "She's The One", 1996)
15. Dreamville (from "The Last DJ", 2002)
16. I Should Have Known It (from "Mojo", 2010)
17. Refugee (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)
18. American Girl (from "Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers", 1976)
19. The Best Of Everything (Alternate Version) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (original version on "Southern Accents", 1985)
Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 by TOM PETTY - all others by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS

Disc 2 (74:08 minutes):
1. Wildflowers (from "Wildflowers", 1994)
2. Learning To Fly (from "Into The Great Wide Open", 1991)
3. Here Comes My Girl (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)
4. The Last DJ (from "The Last DJ", 2002)
5. I Need To Know (from "You're Gonna Get It", 1978)
6. Scare Easy (from "Mudcrutch", 2008)
7. You Got Lucky (from "Long After Dark", 1982)
8. Runnin' Down A Dream (from "Full Moon Fever", 1989)
9. American Dream Plan B (from "Hypnotic Eye", 2014)
10. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (a Top Petty and Mike Campbell song from the Stevie Nicks solo album "Bella Donna", 1981)
11. Trailer (from "Mudcrutch 2", 2016)
12. Into The Great Wide Open (from "Into The Great Wide Open", 1991)
13. Room At The Top (from "Echo", 1999)
14. Square One (from "Highway Companion", 2006)
15. Jammin' Me (from "Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)", 1987)
16. Even The Losers (from "Damn The Torpedoes", 1979)
17. Hungry No More (from "Mudcrutch 2", 2016)
18. I Forgive It All (from "Mudcrutch 2", 2016)
19. For Real - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (recorded 23 August 2000)
Tracks 1, 8 and 14 by TOM PETTY
Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 19 by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS
Tracks 6, 11, 17 and 18 by MUDCRUTCH
Track 10 by STEVIE NICKS featuring Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

When looking at the cover on a small shot - I had initially thought the cover photo/artwork was a bit naff actually, but when you open out the three-way gatefold card sleeve, it’s gorgeous to look at inside. They’ve put mini shots of all 18 different album covers across the two CD-holding sleeves (1976 to 2016) - whilst the 20-page attached booklet has three pages worth of single picture sleeves from all over the world (an impressive display). The liner notes are provided by TP’s champion and regular user of his material in his films, Director CAMERON CROWE – giving a potted history of what’s been picked and why. The artwork at the rear has '2018' as the Copyright date for a compilation released in March '2019' - I suspect this has to do with the fact that these transfers were done for the "American Treasure" 4CD Deluxe Retrospective released September 2018. 

AUDIO – everything has been mastered from original stereo master tapes (and some digital files) by CHRIS BELLMAN working at Bernie Grundman Mastering – mastering supervised by RYAN ULYATE. I’d argue that everything after 1994 and the award-winning audio of "Wildflowers", (especially anything with Rick Rubin producing) has absolutely no need for remasters and their sonic power here is awesome. But the 1976 debut through to 1991’s "Into The Great Wide Open" is another matter. A perfect example is the "Southern Accents" LP issued in April 1985 – never remastered fully as an album except in Japan some years ago on an expensive SHM-CD – my crappy sounding MCA CD is a joke on the title track "The Best Of Everything" – a sort of four-minute non-event on an album that many felt underwhelmed. Here the Previously Unreleased (Alternate Version) that ends Disc 1 is 5:25 minutes long instead of four and the audio is staggeringly good. But more importantly this new version makes you feel like someone somewhere missed a trick with this gorgeous ballad. The brass and keyboards is more out there now and the power of the melody is suddenly screaming at you – a lost masterpiece in my books and I can so see why it was chosen for this set.

Other revelations include "Don't Come Around Here No More" and "Southern Accents" – those once-buried sitars with power in the first and those distant strings now beautiful in the second. The sequencing too – take this trio - "Angel Dream (No. 2)" from 1996 (with Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac on very apparent backing vocals) slots in perfectly before "Dreamville", an overlooked cut from the 2002 album "The Last DJ", and then followed by a groovy rocker "I Should Have Known It" from 2010 – all of it works so damn well. The only slight disappointment to me is "The Waiting" where the guitars still sound like they were recorded in another room down the hall – strangely lacking - especially when it comes to that solo – but I suspect that has more to do with the original production.

Over on Disc 2 we get Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, Mudcrutch and that new song. Amazingly 1991’s "Learning To Fly" sits sweetly before a huge remaster of "Here Comes My Girl" from the breakthrough third album - "Damn The Torpedoes" from 1979. The second album Side 2 opener/rocker "I Need To Know" now feels punchy while the Mudcrutch mobile-home song "Trailer" and the acoustic higher-ground of "Square One" are typically deceptive TP songs – tunes that eat their way into heart. It’s fantastic stuff to hear anything from the undervalued "Let Me Up..." album – and here we're given the name-checking "Jammin' Me" song where none-other than Bob Dylan gets a co-credit alongside TP and Mike Campbell as they all vent their spleen about people they don't like (look out Vanessa Redgrave and Joe Piscopo). It sails to a 40-years down-the-line finish with two excellent Mudcrutch melodies from 2016 – his voice in "I Forgive It All" sounding like he was ill - producer and band friend Ryan Ulyate amidst the credits. The new song is good rather than being great - "For Real" - TP doing it his way and keeping it real...

Problems – It should probably have included something from The Traveling Wilburys albums and for some reason Disc 1 offers three track options when put in your computer with the first being all Japanese language (choose option three – Disc 1 of 2 in English). And I’d have put the genius of "Too Good To Be True" onto Disc 1 (from "Into The Great Wide Open") before "Refugee" and featured something better than "You Got Lucky" from the vastly underrated 1982 album "Long After Dark" – but that's just me.

When I think about how ordinary and lazy the 3CD retrospective "Don't Stop: 50 Years Of" for Fleetwood Mac was - you can't help but admire the keepers of TP's flame when it comes to "The Best Of Everything". They’ve not just done him proud, but given us a timely reminder of his four decades.

I miss Tom Petty and his great band. Travel into those fields of musical wildflowers our good friend and thanks for all the memories...

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order