"The Chess Box" by ETTA JAMES – Single Sides, Album Tracks, Ten Previously Unreleased Recordings, Three New To An Album and Three from Post MCA/Chess CD Compilations. Releases cover March 1960 to April 1975 on Argo, Cadet and Chess Records and Guests Include Harvey Fuqua of The Moonglows, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Lowell George of Little Feat (June 2000 US MCA/Chess Records 3CD 72-Track Digibook Compilation with Inner Attached 40-Page Booklet, Previously Unreleased Tracks and Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00004TS85&asins=B00004TS85&linkId=0ed44f7af781b72d7bcd77eaafd6ec1d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

 

This Review Along With Over 215 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00NED95TW&asins=B00NED95TW&linkId=0061fb4ca8224304480e8a6f1c505bce&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

 

"...At Last My Love Has Come Along..."

 

Between 1988 and 1991 on MCA/Chess - Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and even Bassist and Songwriter Willie Dixon all had their LP-Sized multiple CD Box Sets released in "The Chess Box" series. But because it came late to the reissue dancehall (June 2000 in the USA) – when Etta James finally did get her "Chess Box" set - it turned out to be 3CD Digibook presentation that few seemed to notice at the time or even care about.

 

Which is a damn shame because Etta's 'Chess Box' is chockers with goodies and boasts stonkingly great Remastered Audio by ERICK LABSON – an Audio Engineer with over 1000 credits to his name including almost all of the famous Chess Records catalogue. I seek out Erick Labson transfers - see my reviews for Buddy Holly, Steppenwolf, The Crusaders, The Mamas & The Papas, Three Dog Night, Neil Diamond, Bo Diddley, Bill Haley & His Comets, Bobby Bland, The Dells, John Lee Hooker, The Who and loads more. This is the very best you have ever heard the 1960 Etta James classic "At Last" in all its romantic swooning passion. Despite its title - "The Chess Box" may only be a book, but it rocks like something bigger. To the pain-drenched details...

 

US released 27 June 2000 - "The Chess Box" by ETTA JAMES on MCA/Chess Records 088 112 288-2 (Barcode 008811228828) is a 3CD Long Digibook of Remastered 1960 to 1974 Argo and Chess Mono and Stereo Recordings that plays out as follows:

 

CD1 1960-1962 (75:58 minutes):

1. All I Could Do Was Cry (March 1960, Argo 5359, A-side)

2. My Dearest Darling (August 1960, Argo 5368, A-side)

3. If I Can't Have You (Etta James and Harvey Fuqua, July 1960, Chess 1760, A-side)

4. I Just Want To Make Love To You (December 1960, Argo 5380, B-side of "At Last" – for A-side see Track 9 on CD1)

5. Anything To Say You're Mine (March 1961, Argo 5385, B-side of "Trust In Me" – for the A-side see Track 11 on CD1)

6. In My Diary (from her 2nd album "The Second Time Around" released September 1961 in the USA on Argo Records LP 4011 (Mono) and Argo LPS 4011 (Stereo) - the MONO mix is used)

7. Spoonful (Etta James and Harvey Fuqua, November 1960, Chess 1771, A-side)

8. A Sunday Kind Of Love (July 1961, Argo 5393, B-side of "Don't Cry Baby" – for the A-side see Track 12 on CD1)

9. At Last (December 1960, Argo 5380, A-side – for B-side see Track 4 on CD1)

10. Stormy Weather (from her Debut Album "At Last!" released November 1960 in the USA on Argo Records LP 4003 (Mono) and Argo LPS 4003 (Stereo) – MONO Mix is used)

11. Trust In Me (March 1961, Argo 5385, A-side – for the B-side see Track 5 on CD1)

12. Don't Cry Baby (July 1961, Argo 5393, A-side of– for the B-side see Track 8 on CD1)

13. Fool That I Am (May 1961, Argo 5390, A-side)

14. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) (from her 2nd album "The Second Time Around" released September 1961 in the USA on Argo Records LP 4011 (Mono) and Argo LPS 4011 (Stereo) - the MONO mix is used)

15. Waiting For Charlie (To Come Home) (January 1962, Argo 5409, B-side of "Something's Got A Hold On Me" – for the A-side see Track 19 on CD1)

16. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (from her 2nd album "The Second Time Around" released September 1961 in the USA on Argo Records LP 4011 (Mono) and Argo LPS 4011 (Stereo) - the MONO mix is used)

17. Next Door To The Blues (September 1962, Argo 5424, A-side)

18. I Don't Want It – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded Dec 1961)

19. Something's Got A Hold On Me (January 1962, Argo 5409, A-side – for the B-side see Track 15 on CD1)

20. Stop The Wedding (July 1962, Argo 5418, A-side)

21. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) (from her 3^rd studio album "Etta Sings For Lovers" on Argo LP 4018)

22. You Got Me Where You Want Me – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded June 1962)

23. I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You) (from her 3^rd studio album "Etta Sings For Lovers" on Argo LP 4018)

24. Prisoner Of Love (from her 3^rd studio album "Etta Sings For Lovers" on Argo LP 4018)

25. Pushover (March 1963, LP 4018)

26. Be Honest With Me (July 1963, Argo 5445, B-side of "Pay Back" – for the A-side see Track 3 on CD2)

NOTES:

Tracks 18 and 22 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Track 26 is Previously Unreleased on Album

 

CD2 1962-1969 (76:56 minutes):

1. Would It Make Any Difference (December 1962, Argo 5430, A-side)

2. Look Who's Blue? (March 1964, Argo 5465, B-side of "Loving You More Every Day" – Previously Unreleased on Album – A-side is Track 7 on CD2)

3. Pay Back (July 1963, Argo 5445, A-side – for the B-side see Track 26 on CD1)

4. Two Sides (To Every Penny) (September 1963, Argo 5452, A-side)

5. At Last (Live) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded September 1963 at The New Era Club in Nashville, Tennessee)

6. Baby What You Want Me To Do (Live) (From the 1963 US LP "Etta Rocks The House" on Argo LP 4032)

7. Lovin' You More Every Day (March 1964, Argo 5465, A-side – the B-side is Track 2 on CD2)

8. I Wish Someone Would Care (from the 1964 US LP "Queen Of Soul" on Argo LP 4040)

9. Bobby Is His Name (November 1964, Argo 5485, B-side of "Mellow Fellow")

10. Only Time Will Tell (January 1966, Argo 5526, A-side)

11. (I Don't Need Nobody To Tell Me) How To Treat My Man – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 4 August 1965)

12. In The Basement, Part 1 - with SUGAR PIE DeSANTO (July 1966, Cadet 5539, A-side)

13. Lover Man (Oh, Where Can He Be?) (First issued on the 1995 US CD compilation "These Foolish Things: The Classic Balladry Of Etta James" on Chess CHD-9354 – originally recorded September 1965)

14. Do I Make Myself Clear – with SUGAR PIE DeSANTO (December 1965, Cadet 5519, A)

15. I Prefer You (December 1966, Cadet 5552, A-side)

16. It Must Be Your Love (May 1967, Cadet 5564, A-side)

17. 842-3089 (Call My Name) (July 1967, Cadet 5568, A-side)

18. I'd Rather Go Blind (October 1967, Cadet 5578, B-side of "Tell Mama" – see Track 19 on CD2)

19. Tell Mama (October 1967, Cadet 5578, A-side – for B-side see Track 18 on CD2)

20. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man (First issued on the 1993 US 2CD Chess Masters Compilation "The Essential Etta James" on MCA/Chess CHD2-9341 – November 1967 recording)

21. Security (February 1968, Cadet 5594, A-side)

22. I Worship The Ground You Walk On (May 1968, Cadet 5606, B-side of "I Got You Babe" – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on Album)

23. You Took It – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (recorded 2 August 1968)

24. Almost Persuaded (December 1968, Cadet 5630, A-side)

25. You Got It (September 1968, Cadet 5620, A-side)

26. Light My Fire – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Doors cover version, recorded 29 and 30 April 1969)

NOTES:

Tracks 2 and 22 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on Album

Tracks 5, 11, 23 and 26 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD3 1969-1974 (76:16 minutes):

1. Slow And Easy – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 29 and 30 April 1969)

2. The Soul Of A Man – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 29 and 30 April 1969)

3. Miss Pitiful (September 1969, Cadet 5655, A-side)

4. Losers Weepers, Part 1 (September 1970, Cadet 5676, A-side – also on the December 1970 US LP "Losers Weepers" on Cadet LPS 847 in Stereo)

5. I Found A Love (March 1972, Chess 2125, A-side)

6. W.O.M.A.N. (May 1972, Chess 2128, A-side)

7. Never My Love – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded March 1973)

8. I Never Meant To Love Him (First issued on the 1993 US 2CD Chess Masters Compilation "The Essential Etta James" on MCA/Chess CHD2-9341 – March 1973 recording)

9. You Lost That Lovin' Feelin' – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Righteous Brothers cover, Barry Mann, Cynthia Well and Phil Spector song, recorded March 1973)

10. Sail Away (from the July 1973 US LP "Etta James" on Chess CH 50042 – Randy Newman cover version)

11. Down So Low (from the July 1973 US LP "Etta James" on Chess CH 50042 – Tracy Nelson cover version)

12. All The Way Down (September 1973, Chess CH 2144, A-side)

13. God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind) (from the July 1973 US LP "Etta James" on Chess CH 50042 – Randy Newman cover version)

14. Feelin' Uneasy (from the July 1973 US LP "Etta James" on Chess CH 50042 – Also July 1974 US 45-single on Chess CH 2153, B-side of "Out On The Streets, Again" – Track 19 on CD3)

15. St. Louis Blues (from the June 1974 US LP "Come A Little Closer" on Chess CH 60029 – W.C. Handy cover version)

16. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield (from the June 1974 US LP "Come A Little Closer" on Chess CH 60029 – Randy Newman cover version)

17. Gonna Have Some Fun Tonight (from the June 1974 US LP "Come A Little Closer" on Chess CH 60029 – Trevor Lawrence and Gabriel Mekler song)

18. Sookie Sookie (from the June 1974 US LP "Come A Little Closer" on Chess CH 60029 – a Steppenwolf cover version)

19. Out On The Street, Again (from the June 1974 US LP "Come A Little Closer" on Chess CH 60029 – Trevor Lawrence and Gabriel Mekler song)

20. Lovin' Arms (April 1975, Chess CH 2171, A-side)

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 2, 7 and 9 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

The look on the outside of the tall Digibook is almost of Hessian – that famous publicity photo of a young Jamesetta Hawkins centring the text – the whole set compiled and produced by ANDY McKAIE – a trusted name associated with loads of archival Box sets and Anthologies. Inside is a rather lovely and carefully put-together 40-page attached booklet with a History of her career by LEE HILDEBRAND (Pages 3 to 19) with the rest taken up by Track-By-Track info and Discography Details. Etta died January 2012, so she was still alive when the set was compiled and contributed new interviews to Hildebrand that were in turn wrapped around new photos from her own archive and that of Chess. But the big news is ERICK LABSON Transfers and Remasters from Mono and Stereo Tapes which are amazing. The crooner material of the early Sixties did not really suit – so you will (like say Sam Cooke) struggle a tad with material not up to her potential. But make no mistake – it will at least sound beautifully clean and present and it adds so much enjoyment to the music. To the chunes...

 

Of the overall seventy-two tracks, 10 are Previously Unreleased, 3 Previously Unreleased on Album and 3 from later MCA/Chess CD Compilations - the remainder are Single and LP-sides - many being rare Non-LP B-sides and so on. The overall listen as regards songs is not all great as I said already, but when she the material matched the passionate voice, sparks flew. Tracks on CD1 like "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" are too close to bad cabaret – but then you get tingles from the Bluesy almost female Sinatra vibe to "Fool That I Am" – and in beautifully clear audio. The unreleased "I Don't Want It" on CD1 is OK and you can hear why it was canned – better unreleased is the Brassy Bopper "You Got Me Where You Want Me" – a genuine find – gorgeous Stereo Audio too. The orchestra swirling around "I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)" is beautifully presented here even if the sentiment is a tad too syrupy for Etta. Better is the punchy Organ-driven Tony Clarke/Billy Davis kitty-kitty-purring bopper "Pushover" (look out Romeo). A Gene Autry/Fred Rose Country shuffler gets the Etta piano R&B treatment from Etta on "Be Honest With Me" – a single side that has never been on an album until this 2000 Anthology.

 

As you can see from the credits on CD1 - the singles include duets with Harvey Fuqua of The Moonglows and I am fairly sure that that is his spoken voice introducing "Stop The Wedding" like a courtroom judge about to don his executioner cap. "A Sunday Kind Of Love" is a cover of The Harp-tones 1953 Vocal Group classic on Bruce Records – Etta doing it justice. What can you say about "At Last" - a song that still touches and tingles after all these decades. Other highlights include the let's get frisky "I Just Want To Make Love To You" - a Willie Dixon song made famous by Muddy Waters on Chess in 1954 and covered by hundreds of band since. But as I already said, CD1 is slightly let down by too many sappy crooner tunes clearly hustling for that female Sam Cooke/Frank Sinatra marketplace – she feels like Aretha pre Atlantic Records – waiting to be given the right material and then unleashed.

 

As CD2 starts with a Roy Orbison-good sounding "Would It Make Any Difference" where our EJ wonders if her man would stay away ever she was in trouble bad (he would, the snake) – you are hit with clarity that is stunning. Etta would not like any person to experience "Pay Back" – a cautionary bopper tale – another playing him for a fool in "Two Sides (To Every Story)". The Previously Unreleased live version of "At Last" was recorded in September 1962 and in some ways is bizarre – a rough and rowdy crowd where you cannot make out of they are just drunk or actively against and talk all the way through the performance – it’s like she’s singing to a crowd with a band that is just trying to get through the set. The raucous live version of "Baby What You Want Me To Do" is the same – only the crowd seems more in her boogie favour – her voice and delivery just fantastic (Janis Joplin smiling from ear to ear).

 

The "Etta James" Soul, Funk and Seventies R&B relaunch album from July 1973 on Chess Records saw EJ cover three Randy Newman songs - "Sail Away" from the RN album of the same name from 1972 being the first choice here (the other is "God's Song" – they left off "Leave Your Hat On"). But with just her name in block capitols on the cover of "Etta James", it is hardly surprising that this uninspired and uninspired-looking artwork did the LP no favours. Few Soul fans even knew of its existence. Hip-O Select finally did a Reissue CD of it in 2006 remastered superbly by Gavin Lurssen, but even that is hard to find and expensive in 2023. Thankfully this "Chess Box" also includes the excellent "Down So Low" from the same album – a Tracy Nelson cover version that includes Ken Marco on Guitar, William D. Smith on Keyboards and master sessionman Chuck Rainey on Bass. Another is the Gabriel Mekler (Producer) and Trevor Laurence written opening cut "All The Way Down" which Chess issued as an American 45-single in September 1972 with the album cut "Lay Back Daddy" on the flipside.

 

But perhaps most astonishing of all inclusions on CD3 is the gut-wrenchingly moving almost creepy "Feelin' Uneasy" where she literally sings no words but moans through the music with guttural pleas that have risen up the surface (she was in withdrawal from drugs). "Feelin' Uneasy" was not surprisingly relegated to the flipside of a July 1974 US 45 for "Out On The Street, Again" (Track 19 on this CD) – but what an astonishing moment and somehow a microcosm for her whole troubled life. Little Feat fans will probably know that amongst the guitar players for the 1974 "Come A Little Closer" album sessions was Lowell George (Danny Kortchmar – long associated with James Taylor and Carole King – was in there too as was Wah Wah Watson). Lowell George turns up on three 1974 cuts – the W.C. Handy traditional "St. Louis Blues" and another Randy Newman cover version "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield" – both from the "Come A Little Closer" on Chess. That album ably attacks the old 60ts Steppenwolf/John Kay-written chestnut "Sookie Sookie" – very cool and one that suited EJ.

 

"The Chess Box" is by no means all genius (hence the 4-star rating), but it has 5-star Remastered Audio and enough released and unreleased goodies to satisfy. And frankly anything by the great lady on the many fab labels around Chess Records is nectar to me. Get uneasy with this one...

"CSN" by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH – 77-Tracks recorded by David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash between 1968 and 1990 with NEIL YOUNG on 14 songs. Also Features Solo and Dual Collaboration Projects on Atlantic, ABC, Capitol, Columbia and A&M Records. It Has 25 Previously Unreleased Tracks and Two Originally Non-LP 45-Single Sides. Guests include Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, John Sebastian, James Taylor, Dave Mason, Jimmy Page, Rita Coolidge, Art Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Fred Neil, Carole King, Branford Marsalis, Craig Doerge, Members of Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Poco, Joe Walsh's Barnstorm and many more (30 September 1991 US Atlantic Records Original Box Set in LP-Sized Packaging - 13 August 2013 US Atlantic Records Reissue with Same Songs and Mastering but Updated Liner Notes in a 4CD Fat Jewel-Case and Outer Card Slipcase) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

 

<iframe sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B00CF0ETBE&asins=B00CF0ETBE&linkId=f7befa075b11ae8f9c192e4567276bd6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

 

This Review Along With 371 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

GET IT ON - 1971

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters  

A Huge 2,755 E-Pages (2024 Update)

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

Just Click Below To Purchase

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B06XFXCG47&asins=B06XFXCG47&linkId=6b6b550334019077ff7a777cb9cf83a4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

"...Horses Through A Rainstorm..."

 

The liner notes to the 2006 'Expanded & Remastered HDCD Edition' of CSN's monumental 1969 debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" opens with an Introduction from Ahmet Ertegun – founder and owner of the mighty Atlantic Records. It describes the first time Ahmet heard the tapes by ex Hollies man Graham Nash who had linked up with ex Byrd's tunesmith David Crosby and Buffalo Springfield's guitarist and songwriter Stephen Stills.

 

The canny Record Industry Giant was stunned and knew something huge was happening. He quotes, "...Crosby, Stills & Nash immediately became my No. 1 project..." And even now in late May 2023 - a full 54 years after the 29 May 1969 US release date of that LP event - their opening salvo album is so damn good – a melodious masterpiece still casting a harmony-vocal shadow over today's myriad-genre musical landscape. Their follow up studio platter "Déjà vu" was just as good in March 1970 and then after a short live stint – it split into solo work and combos thereof.

 

Which brings us to this "CSN" nugget – a 4CD Box Set Anthology first released 30 September 1991 in the USA in LP-Sized packaging and now shrunk down to a more manageable (and more dinky frankly) 4CD Fat Jewel Case with Card Slipcase for 13 August 2013 Reissue. Encompassing 1968 to 1990 – you get Twenty-Five Previously Unreleased songs and versions, Neil Young on 14 and a guest list that reads like a dream - Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, John Sebastian, James Taylor, James Mason, Jimmy Page, Rita Coolidge, Art Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Fred Neil, Carole King, Branford Marsalis, Craig Doerge, Leland Sklar, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkel, Members of Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Poco, Joe Walsh's Barnstorm and many more. There is so much to document, so here are the helplessly hoping details of three men on a sofa with some other Canadian dude on occasion...

 

UK re-issued 13 August 2013 (original LP-Sized Box Set was 30 September 1991 in the USA) – "CSN" by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH on Atlantic 8122797323 (Barcode 081227973230) offers you 77 Remastered Tracks (done in 1991) across 4CDs and pans out as follows:

 

CD1 (73:36 minutes):

1. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Unreleased Alternate Mix) - CSN

2. Helplessly Hoping (Unreleased Live Studio Version, Rehearsal) - CSNY

3. You Don't Have To Cry (Unreleased First Crosby, Stills & Nash recording)

4. Wooden Ships – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

5. Guinevere (Unreleased Early Demo) – DAVID CROSBY

6. Marrakesh Express – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

7. Long Time Gone – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

8. Blackbird (Unreleased Live Studio Version, Beatles cover) - CSN

9. Lady Of The Island – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

10. Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves) (Unreleased Live Studio Version) – CROSBY & NASH

11. Almost Cut My Hair (Unreleased Unedited Original Version, 8:49 minutes) – CSNY

12. Teach Your Children (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

13. Horses Through A Rainstorm (Unreleased Song) – CSNY

14. Déjà vu – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

15. Helpless – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

16. 4 + 20 (Unreleased Alternate Mix) - CSNY

17. Laughing – DAVID CROSBY (from his debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" US released 22 February 1971 on Atlantic SD-7203)

18. Carry On/Questions – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

NOTES on CD1:

Tracks 4, 6, 7 and 9 are from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" (1969)

Tracks 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18 and Track 4 on CD2 are from their second studio album "Déjà vu" (1970)

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD2 (74:13 minutes):

1. Woodstock (Unreleased 1969 Alternative Mix) – CSNY

2. Ohio – CSNY (4 June 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2740, A-side – first LP appearance (along with the B-side "Find The Cost Of Freedom", Track 19 on CD4) was on the 19 August 1974 Best Of vinyl LP compilation "So Far" on Atlantic SD 18100)

3. Love The One You're With – STEPHEN STILLS (from the 16 November 1970 US Solo debut album "Stephen Stills" on Atlantic SD 7202)

4. Our House – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

5. Old Times Good Times – STEPHEN STILLS (from the 16 November 1970 US Solo debut album "Stephen Stills" on Atlantic SD 7202, features Jimi Hendrix on Guitar)

6. The Lee Shore (Unreleased Studio Version, 5:28 minutes) – CSNY (originally showed up as a new song on the 2LP Live Set "4 Way Street" from 1971 on Atlantic SD 2-902)

7. Music Is Love – DAVID CROSBY (from his debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" US released 22 February 1971 on Atlantic SD-7203 – Vocals and Guitars include Graham Nash and Neil Young)

8. I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here – DAVID CROSBY (from his debut solo album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" US released 22 February 1971 on Atlantic SD-7203 – Acapella Vocals only)

9. Man In The Mirror (Unreleased Live Version) – CSNY (originally released on the Graham Nash debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204)

10. Black Queen (Unreleased Live Version) – CSNY (although credited to CSNY it is only Stills and Acoustic Guitar doing a live version of a song that first appeared on his November 1970 debut solo LP "Stephen Stills" on Atlantic SD 7202)

11. Military Madness – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204)

12. Urge For Going (Unreleased Version) – CROSBY & NASH (originally written by Joni Mitchell in 1966, but unrecorded by her until 1972 as a Non-LP flipside to "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio" – first released version was a January 1967 US 45-single be George Hamilton IV on RCA Victor 45-9059, A)

13. I Used To Be A King – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204 – features Neil Young on Piano and Gerry Garcia, Phil Lesh and John Barbata of The Grateful Dead on Pedal Steel Guitar, Bass and Drums)

14. Simple Man (Unreleased Alternate Mix) – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204 – features Rita Coolidge and David Lindley)

15. Southbound Train – DAVID CROSBY & GRAHAM NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220)

16. Change Partners – STEPHEN STILLS (originally released on his second solo LP "Stephen Stills 2" US released 30 June 1971 on Atlantic SD 7206 – line-up includes Fred Neil, David Crosby and much of what would become Manassas)

17. My Love Is A Gentle Thing (Unreleased Song, recorded April 1975) – STEPHEN STILLS

18. Word Game – STEPHEN STILLS (originally released on his second solo LP "Stephen Stills 2" US released 30 June 1971 on Atlantic SD 7206)

19. Johnny's Garden – STEPHEN STILLS & MANASSAS (originally released on the 12 April 1972 US 2LP Studio Album "Manassas" on Atlantic SD 2-903)

20. So Begins The Task – STEPHEN STILLS & MANASSAS (originally released on the 12 April 1972 US 2LP Studio Album "Manassas" on Atlantic SD 2-903)

21. Turn Back The Pages – STEPHEN STILLS (originally released June 1975 on the album "Stills" on Columbia PC 33575 – his debut with the label)

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD3 (71:21 minutes):

1. See The Changes (Unreleased CSNY Version) – CSNY (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104)

2. It Doesn't Matter – MANASSAS (Stephen Stills) (originally released on the 12 April 1972 US 2LP Studio Album "Manassas" on Atlantic SD 2-903)

3. Immigration Man – CROSBY & NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220 – Lead Guitar by Dave Mason of Traffic)

4. Chicago//We Can Change The World – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204 – features Rita Coolidge, Clydie King, Vanetta Fields, Shirley Matthews, Chris Etheridge and John Barbata)

5. Homeward Through The Haze (Unreleased Version) – CSNY (first issued on the 15 September 1975 Crosby & Nash LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902)

6. Where Will I Be? – CROSBY & NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220 – Craig Doerge on Piano and Leland Sklar on Bass)

7. Page 43 – CROSBY & NASH (originally released on the 5 April 1972 US album "Graham Nash/David Crosby" on Atlantic SD-7220 – Danny Kortchmar on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Piano and Leland Sklar on Bass)

8. Carry Me – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902 – James Taylor on Acoustic, Craig Doerge on Piano, Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

9. Cowboy Of Dreams – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902 – David Lindley on Fiddle, Craig Doerge on Piano, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

10. Bittersweet – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902 – Danny Kortchmar on Electric Guitar, Craig Doerge and Carole King on Piano, Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

11. To The Last Whale...Critical Mass – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 Crosby & Nash LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902)

12. Prison Song – GRAHAM NASH (first issued on the 2 January 1974 LP "Wild Tales" on Atlantic Records SD-7288 – David Crosby on Duet Vocals, David Lindley on Mandolin, Tim Drummond and Jon Barbata on Bass and Drums)

13. Another Sleep Song – GRAHAM NASH (first issued on the 2 January 1974 LP "Wild Tales" on Atlantic Records SD-7288 – Joni Mitchell on Duet Vocals, Joel Bernstein on Acoustic with Ben Keith on Lap Steel Guitar, Tim Drummond and Jon Barbata on Bass and Drums)

14. Taken At All (Unreleased CSNY Version) – CSNY (original version first issued on the 25 June 1976 Crosby & Nash LP "Whistling Down The Wind" on ABC Records ABCD-956)

15. In My Dreams – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Joe Vitale on Vibes, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkle on Drums)

16. Just A Song Before I Go – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Joe Vitale on Vibes, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

17. Shadow Captain – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Craig Doerge on Piano, Joe Vitale on Organ and Flute, George Perry and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

18. Dark Star (Allies LP Version from 1983) – CSN (song first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104, but this re-made version is the one issued on the 6 June 1983 LP "Allies" – James Newton Howard on Keyboards, Joe Vitale on Drums)

19. Cathedral – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – George Perry and Russ Kunkle on Bass and Drums)

NOTES:

Tracks 1, 5 and 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD4 (74:33 minutes):

1. Wasted On The Way – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Craig Doerge on Keyboards, Joe Lala of Manassas on Percussion, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles on Backing Vocals with Wayne Goodwin of the Emmylou Harris Hot Band on Fiddle)

2. Barrel Of Pain (Half-Life) – GRAHAM NASH (first issued on the 15 February 1980 US LP "Earth & Sky" on Capitol SWAK-12014 - David Lindley and Danny Kortchmar on Guitars, Craig Doerge on Organ, Joe Vitale and Russ Kunkel on Drums)

3. Southern Cross – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Richard T. Bear and Mike Finnigan on Keyboards, Joe Lala of Manassas on Percussion, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles on Backing Vocals)

4. Daylight Again (a) Daylight Again (b) Find The Cost Of Freedom – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Art Garfunkel of Simon & Garfunkel on Backing Vocals)

5. Thoroughfare Gap – STEPHEN STILLS (first issued on the September 1978 US LP "Thoroughfare Gap" on Columbia JC 35380 – Al Gould on Fiddle and Paul Harris on Piano)

6. Wild Tales (Unreleased Live Version, 3 Aug 1979) – GRAHAM NASH (original studio version first issued on the 2 January 1974 LP "Wild Tales" on Atlantic Records SD-7288)

7. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Unreleased Version, Recorded 17 Nov 1980, Traffic cover version) – STEPHEN STILLS & GRAHAM NASH

8. Cold Rain – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104)

9. Got It Made (Unreleased Live Version) – CSNY (original version first issued on the 3 November 1988 US LP "American Dream" on Atlantic 81888-1 – this Live Version recorded 25 January 1997 in New York features only Stills & Nash on Acoustic Piano and Sticks)

10. Tracks In The Dust – DAVID CROSBY (first issued on the 23 January 1989 US LP "Oh Yes I Can" on A&M Records 395232-1 – Michael Hedges on Guitar with Backing Vocals from Graham Nash)

11. As I Come Of Age (Unreleased Version) – CSN (original version is on the 1975 US LP "Stills" on Columbia PC 33575 – this version recorded January 1981 – Michael Finnigan and Richard T. Bear on Keyboards, George Perry on Bass with Joe Vitale on Drums)

12. 50/50 – STEPHEN STILLS (first issued on the 30 July 1984 US LP "Right By You" on Atlantic 7 80177-1)

13. Drive My Car – DAVID CROSBY (first issued on the 23 January 1989 US LP "Oh Yes I Can" on A&M Records 395232-1 – Michael Hedges on Guitar with Backing Vocals from Graham Nash)

14. Delta – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Dean Parks on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Keyboards with Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

15. Soldiers Of Piece (Unreleased Version) – CSNY (original version first issued on the 3 November 1988 US LP "American Dream" on Atlantic 81888-1 – this Live Version recorded 25 January 1997 in New York features only Stills & Nash on Acoustic Piano and Sticks)

16. Yours And Mine – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Branford Marsalis on Soprano Saxophone, Craig Doerge on Keyboards)

17. Haven't We Lost Enough? – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Stephen Stills only on Vocals and Acoustic Guitar)

18. After The Dolphin – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Mike Landau on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Keyboards, Uses a President Truman Radio Broadcast mixed into the music)

19. Find The Cost Of Freedom – CSNY (4 June 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2740, B-side of "Ohio" – first LP appearance for both sides on the 19 August 1974 Best Of vinyl LP compilation "So Far" on Atlantic SD 18100 – A-side is Track 2 on CD2)

NOTES:

Tracks 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

As with all of these CSNY-related retrospectives – a team of experts were called upon to do properly real transfers to digital – and the results are gorgeous. In this case 1991 Remixes were carried out by STEPHEN BARNCARD at Sunset Sound along with Analogue-To-Digital by JOE GASTWIRT at Ocean View Digital with both JOE GASTWIRT and JOHN MODELL doing the eventual remastering. Take CD1 for instance- the audio quality on the unreleased "Song With No Words" (Track 10) or the "Déjà vu" title track (Track 14) or the Alternate Mix of "4 + 20" (Track 16) or the Crosby solo piece "Laughing" (with sublime counterpoint vocals from Joni Mitchell) are all little short of breathtaking for us old farts used to hearing our battered LPs of 1969, 1970, 1971 and those early remastered 1990s CDs. The instruments are so clear, their harmonies coming at you like a wall of vocal marshmallow – it’s beautifully clean and not just amped up for the sake of it. Lovely stuff.

 

Staying with presentation for a moment - a really great touch (and smart move) is that the 2013 reissue has an upgraded booklet from the 1991 variant that shows Additional Releases. So the Discography goes from 1969 up to all the big combined and solo sets - up to 'CSN 2012' in July of 2012. The booklet is a crammed 66-pages long, and apart from song-by-song breakdowns (recording dates, musician credits including guests) that also include the boys explaining their history and meaning. Amazingly there is a pictured LP-by-LP Discography (with catalogue numbers) of stuff like Stills and his fab "Manassas" 2LP set (see separate review for the Japanese CD variant in Repro Artwork Mini LP Card Sleeve) to the "Wild Tales" album for Graham Nash in 1974 and so on up to the 2000s. It may be a chubby jewel case, but man both the booklet and the content are loaded with info and musical goodies where you would want it. The card slipcase of course mimics the original LP-Sized photo and is undeniably pretty and frankly more compact than its original big brother.

 

The track placement is clever too – when you go to CD2 it opens with their electric guitar rockier version of the Joni Mitchell song "Woodstock" (an Alternate Mix) which perfectly precedes the same kind of angry sound their stand-alone single "Ohio" exuded – both Neil Young as Lead Vocalist and Crosby as Backing towards the end letting the US political machine know their disgust at University shootings that murdered protestors of the ludicrously poisonous Vietnam war. That in turn is followed by the hugely popular "Love The One You're With" – a 1970 Stephen Stills winner that features Rita Coolidge, Pricilla Jones, John Sebastian propping up Crosby and Nash on Backing Vocals. Then the chipper "Our House" from "Déjà vu" – then Hendrix providing Guitar on the Stills solo track "Old Times Good Times" - you get the picture. In short – someone has paced this set and made each CD a smarter more coherent listen by doing so.

 

For sure when you get to CD4 and the ill-advised Cuban strut of "50/50" by Stills – it is countered by the excellence and beauty of Crosby doing "Tracks In The Dust" from his 1989 "Oh Yes I Can" album. I had genuinely forgotten the gorgeous harmonies and melodies to "Delta" from the 1982 LP "Daylight Again" – another affecting melody that is not thankfully drowned in Eighties production values. And the 7:04 minutes of an unreleased cover version of the 1968 Traffic classic "Dear Mr. Fantasy" recorded in similar slinky Rock mode in November 1980 by Stills & Nash is a genuine discovery – Stills letting rip on distorted guitar ala Neil Young to amazing effect while Nash harmonizes on the chorus. Stills admits in his liner notes to the song to a lifetime admiration of British songwriter Steve Winwood and had intended him to be the keyboard player in the original line-up of CSN (Michael Finnigan adds his trademark Hammond Organ sound to the cover version to get that Traffic vibe). Though well-meaning, the unreleased version of the 1988 "American Dream" track "Soldiers Of Peace" is overwrought with orchestration – and for all its undoubted recording sophistication, the very Sting with Branford Marsalis "Yours And Mine" from the 1990 album "Live It Up" is the same – not touching but ever so slightly insufferable. They end their odyssey on CD4 by putting on the gorgeous and practically Acapella B-side "Find The Cost Of Freedom" – their 1970 plea for an end to war and the politics associated with it – a perfect finish for a spectacular vaults trawl.

 

This 30 September 1991 "CSN" 4CD splurge was by no means to be the end of unreleased material. Stills released his "Carry On" 4CD Hardback Digibook Anthology Set in February 2013, David Crosby had his 3CD "Voyage" back in November 2006, while Graham Nash brought us "Reflections" in February 2009 – another 3CD set with mucho unissued. There has also been a beautiful 50^th Anniversary LP-Sized Book Set for "Déjà vu" in May 2021 (see separate reviews for all of them) and Neil Young has not stopped reissuing unreleased material in his infamous Archive Series of CD and Vinyl.

 

Atlantic Records also put out a 2CD paired down variant of this 4CD "CSN" set for the UK, European and Australian marketplaces on 3 December 1991. Called "Carry On" (reissued 30 June 1998) – it was and still is a great twofer with 36 tracks and can be bought online for relatively piddly sums of money. But I would however advise to opt for this 2013 Reissue of the 4CD Big Daddy instead, because there is just too much to miss out on.

 

Dennis Hopper asked Stephen Stills to pen a tune for the final scene of the Easy Rider movie he was in with Peter Fonda and the fantastic "Find The Cost Of Freedom" was what he offered (even if Hopper was too out of it to get its genius). The band ended every live concert with it – a clarion call to a generation hurting. Well do not leave this amazing overhaul "...buried in the ground...” anywhere near you. I envy you the journey and thanks Coz (passed 18 January 2023 aged 81) for all the beautiful music and memories...