"Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 4 - 1957-1960" by VARIOUS ARTISTS featuring The Coasters, The Bobbettes, Clyde McPhatter, Chuck Willis, Ray Charles, The Drifters, The Contours, LaVern Baker, Ben E. King, Carla Thomas and Solomon Burke (October 1991 USA Atlantic 8CD LP-Sized Box Set – March 2006 UK Singular CD Reissue with Same Tracks and 1991 Remasters but with Different Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

  

Above - The April 1987 UK Seven x Double-Album VINYL BOX SET

(Originally Issued December 1985 in the USA)

Both Original Vinyl Box Sets (1985 and 1987) Had 186 Tracks

The Seven CDs in both countries however were Truncated Versions 

- Down to 163 Tracks 

The UK CDs Volumes 1 to 7 also originally issued April 1987 

(reissued October 1990)

Below - The October 1991 USA-ONLY 8CD 203-Track Upgraded Box Set (CD only)

Volume 8 was NEW over the 1985 Vinyl Box Set and 1987 Truncated 7 x CDs

 

Below: US October 1991 Volume 4 

Newly Configured from the 1987 dates of 1958-1962 to 1957-1960

Was Not Issued Individually in the USA in 1991 or in the UK

Reissued However in UK/Europe in March 2006 in Different Artwork 

- see Next Set of Photos

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atlantic-Rhythm-1947-74-International-Release/dp/B000EIEJIC?crid=D35H2ZPHJE9H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iGQNKP2L1p1S3gol8q_TEQ.peiW6oFsaSs9fVghiYsQHFAyga6KKjWrz6m8D2H9-a0&dib_tag=se&keywords=081227757922&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732844875&sprefix=081227757922%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=eee5eec8115daa3f9fbe8a5a8552b629&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…The Right Time…"

Here in the winter of 2024 - this unassuming and admittedly rather naff-looking R&B and Soul CD compilation from Rhino and Warner Platinum has been in the UK and EUROPEAN budget-priced marketplace for the guts of almost 20-years.

Issued back in March 2006 as Volume 4 of 8 – it was-and-is - a showcase for the mighty Atlantic Records and their staggering Black Music Legacy. But don't let the cover fool you - what lies within is solid ***** material despite the no-star slip-of-paper presentation.

In fact - none of these eight cheap-and-cheerful "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" reissue volumes look like much – garish big-lettered front cover art with a piddly gatefold-inlay inside that barely lists titles and artists and not much else. But (as I say) man oh man the music is fabulous. However, to understand what you have in hand and the journey as to how it got here requires some serious investigative history that is worth explaining (including the photos provided above). So, here goes…

The Seven x Double-Albums VINYL BOX SET for "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was first issued in the USA in December 1985 on Atlantic 7-81620-1 and belatedly in the UK in April 1987 on Atlantic 781 620-1. Housed in distinctive black and red packaging (like their Fifties labels) - the individual 2LP sets inside each had unique artwork, extensive liner notes and were also issued as stand-alone 2LP sets. Sometimes sold outside of the box in the UK and Europe - the individual 2LP sets were Atlantic 781 293-1 (Volume 1), 781 294-1 (Volume 2), 781 295-1 (Volume 3), 781 296-1 (Volume 4), 781 297-1 (Volume 5), 781 298-1 (Volume 6) and 781 299-1 (Volume 7). 

There were also 7 individual CDs issued in the UK in April 1987 (reissued Oct 1990) each with the above catalogue numbers but the code -2 instead of 1 for CD (781 293-2 etc). And despite some catalogue books stating that Atlantic 781 292-2 was issued in April 1987 as a CD BOX - there was NO Original 12" x 12" box set for the CDs at that time - and worse - 6 of the 7 individual CD volumes had their track lists truncated - reducing 186 on the vinyl doubles by 17 to 163 in total on CD.

It then transpired that unspecified tracks across the whole seven-volume kaboodle had the wrong takes used. Atlantic USA decided to rectify both the shortfall of tracks on the seven CDs and the wrong masters issue and reissued the entire box set again - but with more tracks and only on CD. So, in October 1991 "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was relaunched on Atlantic 7 82305-2 in the USA (Barcode 075678230523) - this time as an 8CD 12" x 12" box set with 203 tracks (17 extra). The individual booklets that came with the original 7CDs were taken out (replaced with a simple gatefold track list inlays that used the old artwork) and expanded into a full-sized 36-page booklet inside the box (pictured above). The reissue also used the distinctive black and red packaging of the 1985 vinyl box on the front, and the artwork style remained the same for each CD on the inside (collage photos). It also admitted that mistaken masters had been used on the original set but were now all correct. It was ONLY issued as an 8CD Box Set and ONLY in America.

In March 2006 in the UK and Europe however, these 8 Volumes were finally reissued as stand-alone CDs for the first time (no vinyl), but with different artwork (also pictured above). They were also released without the booklets that accompanied the 1987 issues or the bigger booklet from the 1991 reissue box - just basic gatefold inlays.

Completists should also note - to add further salt to a reissue wound - there was a 255-Track JAPAN-ONLY issue of "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" on Warners/Atlantic WPCR-14441 released 25 May 2012 - again with different artwork - which added on 52 new tracks on 2 NEW BONUS DISCS. Chosen by noted Japanese expert Keishi Suzuki - the two extra CDs contained very rare Fifties Blues and R'n'B on Disc 9 and lesser-seen Soul Sides on Disc 10 - much of it unavailable elsewhere. Those two extra volumes are NOT available anywhere else and are exclusive to that Japanese anthology.

Back to the CD in hand. So, what you have here is an American-Based Box Set CD from 1991 subsequently reissued 2006 in Europe as a stand-alone. For this review we concentrate on Volume 4 of 8 which deals with 1957 to 1960. Here are the track-by-track details…

UK re-released 20 March 2006 - "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 4 - 1957-1960" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Warner Platinum 8122-77579-2 (Barcode 081227757922) is a 27-Track CD Compilation that breaks down as follows (73:11 minutes, One Bonus Track – see NOTES):

1. Young Blood – THE COASTERS (March 1957, US 7" 45-Single on Atco 45-6068, A-side)

2. Mr. Lee – THE BOBBETTES (June 1957, US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-1144, A-side)

3. Long Lonely Nights – CLYDE McPHATTER (August 1957, US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-1149, A-side) *

4. Betty And Dupree – CHUCK WILLIS (November 1957, US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-1168, A-side)

5. What Am I Living For – CHUCK WILLIS (March 1958, US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-1179, A-side)

6. Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes – CHUCK WILLIS (March 1958, US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-1179, B-side of "What Am I Living For")

7. Yakety Yak – THE COASTERS (April 1958, US 7" 45-single on Atco 45-6116, A-side)

8. A Lover's Question – CLYDE McPHATTER (September 1958, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-1199, A-side)

9. I Cried A Tear – LaVERN BAKER (November 1958, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2007, A-side)

10. (Night Time Is) The Right Time – RAY CHARLES with The Raylettes (December 1958, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2010, A-side)

11. Charlie Brown – THE COASTERS (January 1959, US 7" 45-single on Atco 45-3162, A-side)

12. What'd I Say (Parts 1 & 2) – RAY CHARLES And His Orchestra (June 1959, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic  45-2031, A&B-sides)

13. There Goes My Baby – THE DRIFTERS (April 1959, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2025, A-side)

14. Along Came Jones – THE COASTERS (April 1959 US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-6141, A-side)

15. Let The Good Times Roll – RAY CHARLES (December 1959 US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2047, A-side)

16. Poison Ivy – THE COASTERS (August 1959, US 7" 45-single on Atco 45-6146, A-side)

17. Dance With Me – THE DRIFTERS (September 1959, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2040, A-side)

18. Just For A Thrill – RAY CHARLES And His Orchestra (March 1960, US 7" 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2055, A-side)

19. This Magic Moment – THE DRIFTERS (January 1960, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2050, A-side)

20. Save The Last Dance For Me – THE DRIFTERS (August 1960, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2071, A-side)

21. Shoppin' For Clothes – THE COASTERS (September 1960, US 7" 45-single on Atco 45-6178, A-side)

22. Spanish Harlem – BEN E. KING (November 1960, US 7" 45-single on Atco 45-6185, B-side of "First Taste Of Love")

23. Young Boy Blues – BEN E. KING (September 1961, US 7" 45-single on Atco 45-6207, B-side of "Here Comes The Night")

24. Stand By Me – BEN E. KING (April 1961, US 7" 45-single on Atco 45-6194, A-side)

25. Gee Whizz – CARLA THOMAS (October 1960, US 7" 45-single on Satellite S-104, A-side – Reissued November 1960 "Gee Whizz (Look At His Eyes)" on Atlantic 45-2086, A-side)

26. Saved – LaVERN BAKER (April 1961, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2009, A-side)

27. Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) – SOLOMON BURKE (August 1961, US 7" 45-single on Atlantic 45-2114, A-side)

NOTES for Volume 4:

* Track 3 (Clyde McPhatter) is a 1991 and 2006 Bonus Track not on the 1987 original version of this CD compilation

Some had complained about the sound quality on the original 1987 CDs - as well as wrong versions of songs being used (personally I found the audio quality of the VINYL doubles to be superlative). So Atlantic made efforts with the 1991 CD reissue which of course has been used for these 2006 British reissues. The liner notes tell us that all tracks were "digitally remastered from mono and true stereo originals" and that "in this edition, the proper tracks have been used in all cases". 

BOBBY WARNER and JIMMY DOUGLAS carried out the Digital Transfers while ZAL SCHREIBER and STEVE INNOCENZI did the mastering. The quality on these CDs is shockingly good - full of life and clarity. It's a joy to listen to. Sure, in the decades since there have been reissues (by Bear Family especially) that knock spots off the 1991 sound offered here (try their "Joe Turner Rocks" or their "Sweet Soul Music" volumes 1961 to 1975). But what you do get is fantastic all the way to the finish. To the tunes for Volume 4…

The first of four volumes from the 8CD Box Set dealing with the transition from Fifties Rhythm and Blues to Sixties Soul and Funk – Volume 4 (1957 to 1960) sees trailblazers like Chuck Willis, The Coasters, Solomon Burke, Ben E. King, The Drifters and of course Ray Charles sit alongside a strong contingent of ladies busting down the genre doors – LaVern Baker, The Bobbettes and Carla Thomas to name but a few. With 27-cuts, Volume 4 is also heavy on content even if it doesn't contain a single Bonus Track (all the other volumes do). 

It opens with the Looka Here-Looka There Jerry Lieber-Mike Stoller-Doc Pomus penned wit of the Coasters chronicling teenage lust in "Young Blood" – a temptress with a yellow ribbon in her hair standing on a corner luring our hero to his conjugal doom (he tried to walk away but was struck lame – been there pal). Delight and the sheer exuberance of being young describes the sheer sweetness viv-and-vim of "Mr. Lee" – all the Ladies in The Bobbettes having a boppin R&B good time – what a winner. Following his stint as the Lead Vocalist with The Drifters – Clyde McPhatter and his distinctive solo vocal shimmer fills the shuffling ballad "Long Lonely Nights" with a pathos few singers could match. The first of three Fifties shufflers for Chuck Willis shows up in the guise of "Betty And Dupree" – a tale of lovers destined to be man and wife to the end. Even sweeter is the sway of "What Am I Livin For" – Willis longing and lonely for her lips and passion squeeze. Time for Chuck to boogie – but his mama warns him to avoid the music with a beat – but Willis is loath to "Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes".

Tracks 7, 8 and 9 show the marketing and musical genius of Atlantic Records during these formative years. The next pairing of songs is R&B genius but in different rhythms – the socially on-the-ball and wickedly funny "Yakety Yak" by The Coasters (what a hit) followed by Clyde McPhatter slinking across your speakers as smooth as Sam Cooke with his gorgeous "A Lover's Question". Now for the powerhouse singer – LaVern Baker filling "I Cried A Tear" with her fabulous cavernous tone. Then it happens – Ray Charles blows everything away because the night time is "The Right Time" to be with the one you love – even if the lady answering his lead vocal has the sting of cheat in her guttural roar. The Coasters pour on the R&B/Novelty fun with three classic corkers - "Charlie Brown", "Along Came Jones" and the brilliant "Shopping For Clothes" (check out The Steve Gibbons cover on the Live album Caught in The Act on Polydor Records in 1978). The new Soft-Soul-sounding Drifters starting their huge chart presence with "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment" and "Save The Last Dance For Me". The stone classics run continues with Ben E. King and his sublime "Stand By Me" with the mighty frame and pipes of Solomon Burke bringing in the grittier Soul Sound of the early Sixties. 

To sum up – even though it was very much a transition period from Rhythm and Blues and Doo Wop into early Soul (with a novelty tune thrown into the mix every now and then) – Volume 4 is a joyous listen from start-to-finish. And in 2024 and despite being technically deleted, you can get Volume 4 of 8 of Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 (or any of the others) individually on popular auction sites often for less than four quid. Yakety Yak baby!

But (if you got the readies) I would argue that such is the riches on offer across all eight volumes that you consider the big daddy - splashing out on that 1991 US LP-Sized 8CD Box Set with its full booklet and genuine sense of visual purpose. Set you back maybe £60 – but what a wow it is!

If the Big Bad 8-Disc Red and Black Box isn't in your budget purview and you want primo Sixties Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Rare Groove – then go for Volume 5 and 6 and 7 that follow.

But I warn you – the need for the other seven and booklet explanations will quickly manifest itself thereafter…

"Make Mine Mondo! 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 28-Tracks from 1954 to 1967 of Fuzzed Out Garage Bands - Manic Instrumentals and Wayward Rockabillies on the Dore Label and its Subsidiaries (November 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Mine-Mondo-Various-Artists/dp/B0DKG3595W?crid=2M9A3Q120A5K8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hTVB7TX1BVrdh1fkzJ9QzBIdDm7181qZiTcxQOp6qdxQpt79TGUl2vVx3AbPuBOyYF20EyyGJsXlDXM5kqL7K8iejviFkeVpF0_JiXAZZ_24Q6UsUK3L0n6uMxkE3ZbX.NINVYlTDmSWMyCjErEnyTjZf4a75uonnJ9FYkKZzdjY&dib_tag=se&keywords=make+mind+mondo+2&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732730819&sprefix=make+mine+mondo+2%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1-fkmr2&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=ba98bdb7dbb374bdce16b2573ae64a61&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS: 

Overall ****

Presentation ****

Audio *** to ****

"...Hullee Gullee..."

June 2018's mad as a wine-drinking Euro bureaucrat "Make Mine Mondo!" CD compilation from Ace Records concentrated primarily on the Doré Records label – a US 50ts and 60ts independent with a seriously eclectic roster.

That 2018 Volume 1 offered up nearly 68-minutes of wildly adventurous styles and largely unknown names (part genius, part yeah-baby nuttiness) – lambasting our lavishly creamy and unsuspecting fragilities with Fifties and Sixties Garage, Rockabilly, off-centre Instrumentals, Fuzz Guitar Psych, Doom Girl Groups, the occasional surfing tune and much more (1958 to 1969) - nearly all of which worked and entertained like the beautifully presented liner notes promised it would.

Well, what we get here (a full six years later) is Volume 2 for November 2024 - this time covering 1954 to 1967. "Make Mine Mondo! 2" offers up the same butt-wobbling array of drunken Rock 'n' Rollers, yee-haw Rockabillies, unhinged instrumentals and fuzz-guitar loopers - but this time on an array of different labels orbiting around Doré - Flip, Acree, Era, Mira, Rayjack, Downey, Bamboo, Daytone and more. Only one of these Non-LP As and Bs is a returning name from Volume 1 (The Zanies) – the others are often so obscure, there are barely images for them should you do a Net search. Rare and Rocking indeed. Time for Beaver Patrol, Voodoo Doll and The Outlaw Blues (they got their Mojo working I can tell you) – to the details...

UK released Friday, 29 November 2024 - "Make Mine Mondo! 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Records CDTOP 1642 (Barcode 029667111829) is a 28-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (66:59 minutes):

1. Clap Your Hands – AMBERTONES (December 1965 US 7" single on Rayjack 1001, A-side - Reissued January 1966 on Newman 601, A-side)

2. Slander - TY WAGNER (November 1966 US 7" single on Era 3168, A-side)

3. Viet Nam – BOBBY JAMESON (1965 US 7" single on Mira 208, A-side)

4. By Bye Baby (My Pride) – SHANK And MAYDIEA (August 1962 US 7" single on Flip 45-361, A-side)

5. Beaver Patrol – THE BLAZERS (July 1963 US 7" single on Acree 101, A-side)

6. Café Bohemia – THE ENCHANTERS (1961 US 7" single on Bamboo Records 513, B-side of "Touch of Love")

7. I'm A Blind – THE WIZARD'S (May 1966 US 7" single on Era 3161, B-side of "I Want To Live")

8. The Voodoo Doll – BOBBY PLEASE & THE VOODOO DOLLS (1958 US 7" single on Flip 45-342, A-side)

9. Hurricane – CONRAD and THE HURRICANE STRINGS (December 1963 US 7" single on Daytone G-6401, A-side)

10. I Got My Mojo Working – JOYCE HARRIS & THE DAYLIGHTERS (Originally Unissued Domino Records recording first released on the 1997 UK CD Compilation "The Domino Records Story" on Ace Records CDCHD 506 – a Trailer Version of "I Got My Mojo Working" was also UK 45-single issued February 2024 on Ace Records NW 518 with the 1961 recording "No Way Out" as its B-side)

11. Crab Louie – THE SANDABS (July 1962 US 7" Single on Bamboo 522, B-side to "Beach Ball" by Little Herbie and The Sandabs on the A-side, Little Herbie is Herb Newman – reissued July 1963 on the B-side of Catch 107 credited to Little Herbie And The Wise Guys – A-side was "I Want My Beach Ball")

12. I Ain't Drunk – LONNIE "THE CAT" (April 1954 US 7" Single on RPM Records 45x410, A-side)

13. Red Hot Rockin' Blues – JESSE JAMES (September 1958 US 7" Single on Kent 45x314, B-side of "South's Gonna Rise Again")

14. The Wild Bird – THE JIVE-A-TONES (1958 US 7" Single on Fraternity F-823, A-side)

15. Jambo – CLAUDE McLIN (1963 US 7" Single on Mac-Jac Records MJR-1208, B-side of "Jacquelyn")

16. Stalled – THE ZANIES (June 1962 US 7" Single on Doré 638, A-side)

17. Hullee Gullee – FRED RICHARDS (April 1959 US 7" Single on Flip 45-344, B-side of "Barricade")

18. Non-Stop Blues – THE OUTLAW BLUES (January 1967 US 7" Single on Era 3171, A-side)

19. Sleepy Hollow – THE LAST WORD (June 1966 US 7" Single on Downey D-137, A-side)

20. Talk To Me Baby – DONNIE BOWSER (June 1961 US 7" Single on Bamboo 508, B-side of "Tomorrow")

21. Mumbles – JOHNNY BACHELOR (March 1959 US 7" Single on Era 1091, A-side – also issued March 1960 in the UK as a 45-single on London HLN 9074, A-side)

22. Soul Serenade – BEAU DOLLAR & THE COINS (1966 US 7" Single on Fraternity F-960, A-side – Produced by LONNIE MACK)

23. No Way Out – JOYCE HARRIS (January 1961 US 7" Single on Domino R-905, A-side – Reissued March 1961 in the USA on Infinity INX-005, A-side)

24. Tell Me Why – KICKS (1964 US 7" Single on X-P-A-N-D-E-D Sound X-102, B-side of "Oh My Baby (Always Be True)")

25. Don't Leave Me Baby – JOE LOVER And THE GAYLADS BAND (1960 US 7" single on Parliament P-1001, A-side – Reissued 1961 in the USA on Paxley P-754, A-side)

26. So What!! – THE LYRICS (November 1965 US 7" Single on Era 3153, B-side of "You Can't Hurt Me" – Reissued May 1968 in the USA on Feather 101, B-side of "Why'd He Go")

27. Church Key Twist – BOB VAUGHT & THE RENEGAIDS with Barbara Atkins (1962 US 7" Single on Impact 24-IM, A-side – Reissued May 1962 in the USA on Bamboo 520, A-side)

28. The Cave (Part1) – GARY 'Spider' WEBB (April 1961 US 7" Single on Bamboo 504, A-side)

NOTES:
All Tracks MONO except Tracks 3, 5, and 19 in STEREO

Volume 1 came with a 26-page booklet – Vol.2 has 20 – and again each page of the ROB FINNIS liner notes is peppered with those rare US 45-single labels, a Forbidden World magazine, trade reviews for the Fred Richards song, pictures of one-time Elvis Presley mentor and friend Jesse Lee Denson (aka Jesse James), Saxophonist Claude McLin (looking like Inspector Clouseau with Hat and Pipe), a Domino Records Promotional black and white for Etta James-soundalike Joyce Walker (there is a recent interview with the lady quoted) and Ohio Rockabilly hero Donnie Bowser getting his two-frantic-minutes of Rock and Roll B-side glory. 

Finnis knows his onions and what listeners want – his superlative liner notes illuminating histories on so many virtual unknowns while Ace's trusted Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS delivers (as best he can) on a huge variety of Mono 7" singles (only 3 are in Stereo). It should be said – Mondo 2 is very far from Audiophile territory – these homemade productions reflecting their manic strung-together nature – but there is no doubting the punch they pack which I can't help think is exactly what Frat Boys like me want from a CD like this. To the music and its wild variety of genres...

Things begin with a manic tambourine-shaking brass-and-guitar blaster calling all hipsters to get their bellbottoms on and party. Not surprisingly called "Clap Your Hands" - The Ambertones were right on the zeitgeist money. An absolute garage monster – party mania slice number two follows with the wavering Hawaiian guitar sounds and screeching organ of Ty Wagner bemoaning his wayward girl and her big mouth in "Slander". Even better is the Bo Diddley-type sonic assault of Harmonica and Rhythm from Bobby Jameson doing his vocal and lyrical worst to "Viet Nam" – a fantastic frantic piece of social-conscious 60ts R&B. Things slinky-on-down with a clever duet vocal from Ed Wells (as Shank) and his sister Maydiea Cole (as Maydiea) – and as the liner notes – it is an oddly endearing performance that stays on the right side of lounge-cool.

Next up is the first instrumental of "Make Mind Mondo! 2" – Vern Acree, Jr. giving it some Link Wray Rumble-type guitar rat-a-tat attacks while Saxophonist Larry Robins (both in The Blazers) tries to keep up in their homemade and self-financed "Beaver Patrol. The Enchanters start out in their opening notes as a 50ts Vocal Group would – but suddenly about 20-seconds in "Café Bohemia" turns into a shimmy-shaker with echoed Tablas and lounge-lizard type Saxophones schmoozing the olive-laden martinis. So mid-60ts The Wizards and their "I'm A Blind" – remind me of melodious Kinks while the very funny novelty record "The Voodoo Doll" has our poor lead singer opening a box from his gal - who in a call-and-answer duet vocal assures him that the contents within will take only three days to make him hers (permanently – and is he freaked by that). More instrumental madness only this time with a decided Surf vibe - "Hurricane" by Conrad and His Hurricanes virtually dripping bikinis and beach bums riding the waves man.

A rip-roaring prize here is surely the Wanda Jackson/Judy Henske-like wail of Joyce Harris giving us the fab "I Got My Mojo Working" – an unreleased 60ts Rock and Roller first released in 1997 on an Ace CD. A clever follow comes in the fun-time Sax-driven shout and response what-do-you-want "Crab Louie". Rhythm and Blues comes in the form of a drink-denial Shopping For Clothes tune - "I Ain't Drunk" – Lonnie "The Cat" assuring us the he ain't high – he's just drinking! Another fantastic find for Rockabilly and Rock and Roll fans is the go-for-it-boys beat-basher "Red Hot Rockin' Blues" – a fast and furious B-side from Jesse James. Time for a shuffler that sounds like early Chuck Berry at Chess – only a very cool "The Wild Bird" is a guitar instrumental from The Jive-A-Tones. Sounding like a human Jew's Harp as he literally scats dings and dongs to an Organ and Drums bip-bop beat – Claude McLin is having a blast with "Jambo" – a fabulous inclusion. And the fun continues with the car-not-starting beep-beep of "Stalled" – another great bopping instrumental B-side from The Zanies. Shivering guitars hover a distant beatbox drumbeat in the eerily brill "Hullee Gullee" – Fred Richards earning his place. 

Hurtling towards the end run, we get another fuzz-guitar garage romper in the shape of the driving "Non-Stop Blues" – a head-shaker that has nothing to do with its misleading title. A lone bass note introduces yet another prize on here – the superb Stereo of "Sleepy Hollow" – The Last Word sounding like The Animals and Them combined as they try to convince us there is no headless horseman. Back to Rhythm and Blues Fats Domino rolling rhythm fun - "Talk To Me Baby" by Donnie Bowser - which is followed by the whisper in his ear baby "Mumbles" – dig that echoed Eddie Cochran type vocal. And on it goes with the fantastic Harmonica R&B of "So What!!" to the pleading Vocal Group vibe of "Don't Leave Me Baby" to the Bobby Boris & The Crypt Kickers echoed weirdness of "The Cave (Part 1)" where Jimmy and Julie keep calling out to each other but are lost in the dark.

I had thought that Volume 1 of "Make Mine Mondo!" was going to be a chore – but it wasn't – and to my weary ears – Volume 2 is even better. With so many genres vying for your attention, it's gotta be hard to make it all work and yet – once again – Ace Records have pulled it off. 

In short - "Make Mine Mondo! 2" is another wee nugget CD compilation (November 2024) from the worryingly disturbed minds of men who should know better over at Steele Road, London NW10. Recommended...

"Here, There And Everywhere: Black American Sings John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Twenty-Two Songs from 1964 to 2004 featuring Sam Fletcher, Sarah Vaughan, Natalie Cole, Four Tops, Junior Parker, Madeline Bell, The Supremes, Carmen McRae, Randy Crawford, Syreeta, Mary Wells, Billy Paul, The Drifters, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Keb' Mo', Marvin Gaye and more (November 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Here-There-Everywhere-McCartney-Harrison/dp/B0DKZ3Z95P?crid=104W44UCV8743&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.odG3jsdT2LWBzOWSSnSPfQ.oFzs_p2-DfUD3TE4SuLCRenrk3dizxZpE5yTsUEJl9U&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667111621&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732486546&sprefix=029667111621%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=c8fa2b8bddceb761658e94c484440be8&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall ***

Presentation *****

Audio **** to *****

"...Step Inside Love..."

I have long held the opinion that Soul and R&B artists should leave The Beatles alone. There's something about the Fab's songs that doesn't suit Soul cover versions. In 66-years of being on this musical blue ball - I've honestly not heard many that work. There are exceptions of course - but most feel forced or worse - bandwagon-ish – out-of-time artists using someone else's hip tunes to reignite a fading career. 

And determined as always to prove me wrong - this is example number seven from those learned genre types by Ace Records of the UK – one of my favourite reissue labels (see list below for all entries in the Black America Sings series to Nov 2024).

So, what was cooking for Yesterday. What you get here is the swingin' hipster Jazz Vocals of Sam Fletcher from 1964 pushing on through to the likes of Philly's Billy Paul covering McCartney's Wings hit "Let 'Em In" on to a Blues interpretation by Columbia's Keb' Mo' in 2004 of Lennon's signature song "Imagine". I would admit that Sarah Vaughan's shimmering rearrangement of the Abbey Road gem "You Never Give Me Your Money" is quietly brilliant. But do I need a live version of "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" from 1978 by Natalie Cole or The Four Tops in 1966 crooning Rubber Soul's "Michelle" with syrupy strings and hushed reverential tones - not really - in fact - not never. Before we implode, to the details...

UK released Friday, 29 November 2024 - "Here, There And Everywhere: Black American Sings John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP 1654 (Barcode 029667111621) is a 22-Track CD Compilation of Beatles and Solo Cover versions that plays out as follows (77:07 minutes):

1. Can't Buy Me Love - SAM FLETCHER (from the July 1964 US LP "Sings I Believe In You" on Vee Jay Records VJS-1094 in Stereo)

2. You Never Give Me Your Money - SARAH VAUGHAN (from the 1981 US LP "Songs Of The Beatles" on Atlantic SD 16037 in Stereo)

3. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (Live) - NATALIE COLE (August 1978 US 45-single on Capitol 4623, A-side) 

4. Michelle - FOUR TOPS (from the 1966 US LP "Four Tops On Top" on Motown MS 647 in Stereo - October 1966 UK LP on Tamla Motown STML 11037 in Stereo)

5. Taxman - JUNIOR PARKER (from the 1970 US LP "The Outside Man" on Capitol ST-564 in Stereo)

6. Step Inside Love - MADELINE BELL (December 1968 US 45-single on Philips 40582, A-side)

7. You Can't Do That - THE SUPREMES (from the 1964 US LP "A Bit Of Liverpool" on Motown MS 623 in Stereo)

8. Here, There And Everywhere - CARMEN McRAE (from the 1970 US LP "Just A Little Lovin'" on Atlantic SD 1568 in Stereo)

9. Give Peace A Chance - RANDY CRAWFORD (1982 German 45-single on Warner Brothers 92. 9804-7 , A-side)

10. She's Leaving Home - SYREETA (from the 1972 US LP "Syreeta" on MoWest MW 113L in Stereo)

11. He Loves You - MARY WELLS (from the 1965 US LP "Love Songs To The Beatles" on 20th Century Fox Records TFM 3178 in Mono)

12. Let 'Em In - BILLY PAUL (1976 US 45-single on Philadelphia International ZS8 3621, A-side)

13. Everynight - THE DRIFTERS (October 1972 UK 45-single on Bell Records BELL 1269, A-side)

14. Maybe I'm Amazed - CARLEEN ANDERSON (from the April 1998 UK LP "Blessed Burden" on Circa CIRCA 35)

15. My Love - MARGIE JOSEPH (April 1974 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-3032, A-side)

16. Isn't It A Pity - THE THREE DEGREES (a 1973 recording not used at the time - first issued 1995 in the UK on the CD compilation "The Roulette Years" on Sequel NEMCD 753)

17. My Sweet Lord - THE CHIFFONS (1975 US 45-single on Laurie LR 3620, A-side)

18. Imagine - KEB' MO' (from the 2004 CD Album "Peace...Back By Popular Demand" on Okeh CK 92687)

19. Jealous Guy - DONNY HATHAWAY (from the 1972 US LP "Live" on Atlantic SD 33-386)

20. We Can Work It Out - STEVIE WONDER (1971 US 45-single on Tamla T 54202, A-side)

21. Yesterday - MARVIN GAYE (from the October 1969 US LP "That's The Way Love Is" on Tamla TS 299 in Stereo)

22. And I Love Him - ESTHER PHILLIPS (March 1965 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2281, A-side)

NOTES: All Tracks in STEREO except Track 11 (Mary Wells) in MONO

The chunky 20-page full-colour booklet pictures all those shadowy album covers and rare 45-single labels alongside beautiful black-and-white Promo Photos of The Supremes and Mary Wells (Pages 8 and 11) and Soul aficionado TONY ROUNCE does a bang-up job of filling in the Discography details of how Soul aped The Beatles and their solo tunes. It's lovely to look at and a pleasure to read. NICK ROBBINS - long-time Audio Engineer for Ace does the Remasters - 21 Stereo and only 1 Mono - all spiffing, uptight and outta site. To the tunes...

The first four left me cold and it's not until you get to the 'dig this' Junior Parker take on the Revolver opener "Taxman" do things start to impress. Funky, slinky and very cool - it's the first real highlight here. The Madeline Bell version of "Step Inside Love" is awful but Northern Soul hounds might dig the Motown shuffle of "You Can't Do That" - The Supremes catching the 1964 zeitgeist. Carmen McRae tries hard to imbibe Soul emotion into her cover of the Revolver melody that gives this compilation its name - "Here, There And Everywhere" - but as it progresses it feels cheesy – album filler for a 1970 LP no one is interested in. One of the most gorgeous covers of Beatles songs was a live version of "Imagine" by Randy Crawford from 1980 - so it doesn't surprise me to see her featured amongst the list - but this time tackling the John Lennon solo anthem "Give Peace A Chance". At last, you get genuine emotion and a melody vs. spoken word interpretation that stays on the right side of history.

There must be a special kind of Hell for Syreeta's version of the Sgt. Pepper's ballad gem "She's Leaving Home" where just as you think she's got the emotion down and it's gonna work - in sails Stevie Wonder with the most intrusive synth vocoder vocals you've ever heard - trying out a new instrument that kills all tenderness in the song. As if that's bad, the Mary Well's jazz take on "She Loves You" would test the patience of a saint. Infusing Martin Luther King and his I Have A Dream speech into his cheesy Philly cover of the Wings song "Let 'Em In" probably turned on punters and the charts in 1977 for Billy Paul – but man has it dated badly – even to the point where its feels exploitative. At least The Drifters do an interesting and melodious version of the McCartney solo song "Every Night" – lush orchestration taking it to someplace new whilst retaining that lovely hook the song had in the first place. 

Carleen Anderson of The Young Disciples tackles one of the early McCartney ballads in 1998 with the aid of Mick Talbot from The Style Council - "Maybe I'm Amazed" – a stunning love song for Linda McCartney. And Carleen does a great job – her guttural vocals suiting the quiet passion in the song. Margie Joesph equals that pouring-out with her cover of another McCartney love song that moved so many in the early Seventies - "My Love" - cleverly arranged. One of the best songs on the "All Things Must" triple-album from December 1970 - George Harrison's "Isn't It A Pity" had been played during the 'Let It Be' sessions but passed over by the other fabs. It's always been a magnificent song with its building epic quality. The Three Degrees ladies give it a slow Philly-Soul work-over - a 1973 Roulette Records recording that had remained in the vaults until Sequel Records of the UK put it out on a 1995 retrospective CD compilation. Their version is good but it only makes you hanker for the magestic original. 

The Chiffons fey flute rendering of Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" is only a few shades of cringe. Beautifully recorded – the Keb' Mo' steel guitar and strings interpretation of the John Lennon peace-anthem "Imagine" is genuinely lovely – how could it be anything else. The Mary Wells stripped-back Jazz-clicking version of "She Loves You" is re-named "He Loves You" but it is another example of awful. The Donny Hathaway version of Lennon's "Jealous Guy" hasnever been one of my faves and the final three-in-a-row from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Esther Phillips only put more nails in the coffin for me. 

I love Ace compilations - I must have more than a hundred of them and rarely cringe at the listen no matter what genre they're temptin' me with. But despite the great audio and typically exemplary booklet - November 2024's "Here, There And Everywhere..." is not for me. I would advise a listen first before you let nostalgia dictate that bank balance...

Titles in the Ace Records Black America Sings CD Compilation Series

(In Release Date Order - September 2010 to November 2024)

1. "How Many Roads: Black America Sings Bob Dylan"

UK released September 2010 on Ace Records CDCHD 1278 (Barcode 029667042420)

2. "Come Together: Black America Sings Lennon & McCartney" 

UK released May 2011 on Ace Records CDCHD 1300 (Barcode 029667045322)

3. "Hard To Handle: Black America Sings Otis Redding"

UK released September 2012 on Ace Records CDCHD 1352 (Barcode 029667052627)

4. "Let The Music Play: Black America Sings Bacharach & David"

UK released March 2014 on Ace Records CDCHD 1398 (Barcode 029667059121)

5. "Bring It On Home: Black America Sings Sam Cooke"

UK released October 2014 on Ace Records CDCHD 1420 (Barcode 029667062725)

6. "Let It Be: Black America Sings Lennon, McCartney & Harrison" 

UK released September 2016 on Ace Records CDCHD 1483 (Barcode 029667077026)

7. "Here, There And Everywhere: Black America Sings John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison"

UK released November 2024 on Ace Records CDTOP 1654 (Barcode 029667111621)

"The A&M Years" by STEALERS WHEEL – Features Three UK Studio Albums - "Stealers Wheel" (November 1972 Debut), "Ferguslie Park" (November 1973 Second) and "Right Or Wrong" (March 1975 Third and Final) – All on A&M Records - Plus Three BBC Live Recordings taped December 1971 as Bonus Tracks on CD1 – Band featured Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan (December 2017 UK Caroline Records 3CD Clamshell Box Set with James Bragg Mastering) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Albums-Stealers-Wheel/dp/B0766KQDZM?crid=2T3NUPGCNBJKK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kJee9JKGOEo7Yuc7bge_eg.t7OLM_KMJWjcgUnLFzln9rAPZUVtkarOm63cVZOh6_A&dib_tag=se&keywords=602557783438&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732287419&sprefix=602557783438%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=4947856527b3c6fedd93f3d0361f6664&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATINGS:

Overall *** to ****

Presentation ****

Audio *** to ****

"…Stuck In The Middle With You…"

In truth, I have never held much truck with the idea that Stealers Wheel albums were actually any good. Excepting of course that lightning rod moment with "Stuck In The Middle With You" – I always felt they were forever getting there instead of having arrived. 

With Lead Guitarist Paul Pilnick, Bassist Tony Williams and Drummer Rod Coombes having split the band shortly after the release of the debut album – Scotland's Stealers Wheel was essentially Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan as a singing-songwriting duo using session musicians for albums number two and three. 

Having said that - this natty looking and rather tastefully presented 2017 Three-CD Clamshell Box Set from Caroline Records of the UK (part of Cherry Red's group of labels) has its melodious moments and will please fans no end with its pretty presentation and (mostly) good audio. To the good businessmen and chopped earlobes…

UK released 1 December 2017 - "The A&M Years" by STEALERS WHEEL on Caroline CAROLR082CD (Barcode 602557783438) is a 3CD Clamshell Box Set with Three Albums from November 1972, November 1973 and March 1975 on A&M Records onto 3CDs in Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves Plus Three BBC Recordings taped December 1971 as Bonus Tracks – it plays out as follows:

CD1 "Stealers Wheel" + Three Bonus Tracks (43:27 minutes):
1. Late Again [Side 1]
2. Stuck In The Middle With You
3. Another Meaning
4. I Get By
5. Outside Looking In
6. Johnny's Song [Side 2]
7. Next To Me
8. José
9. Gets So Lonely
10. You Put Something Better Inside Me
Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut studio album "Stealers Wheel" – released November 1972 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 68121 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4377. Tracks 3, 4, 8 and 9 written by Joe Egan, Tracks 5 and 6 written by Gerry Rafferty and Tracks 1, 2, 7 and 10 co-written by Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty

BONUS TRACKS Live At The BBC (December 1971):
11. Please Sing A Song For Us
12. Steamboat Row
13. I Get By

CD2 "Ferguslie Park" (39:31 minutes):
1. Good Businessman [Side 1]
2. Star
3. Wheelin'
4. Waltz (You Know It Makes Sense!)
5. What More Could You Want
6. Over My Head
7. Blind Faith [Side 2]
8. Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind
9. Steamboat Row
10. Back On My Feet Again
11. Who Cares
12. Everything Will Turn Out Fine
Tracks 1 to 12 are their second studio album "Ferguslie Park" – released November 1973 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 68209 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4419. Tracks 5, 6, 9 and 11 written by Gerry Rafferty; Tracks 2, 4, 8 and 10 written by Joe Egan; Tracks 1, 3, 7 and 12 written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan

CD3 "Right Or Wrong" (37:39 minutes):
1. Benediction [Side 1]
2. Found My Way To You
3. This Morning
4. Let Yourself Go
5. Home From Home
6. Go As You Please [Side 2]
7. Wishbone
8. Don't Get Me Wrong
9. Monday Morning
10. Right Or Wrong
Tracks 1 to 10 are their third and final studio album "Right Or Wrong" – released March 1975 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 68293 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4517. All Tracks written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan except "Don't Get Me Wrong" written by Gerry Rafferty. 

To this day (and I own the original LP) – I am still one or two entries short on being able to name the eight places that artist John Patrick Byrne placed/hid the name Stealers Wheel on the front cover (Joe Egan's beard, the foliage to the bottom right of the painting, name in the clouds etc). The centre pages of the 20-page booklet (liner notes by MICHAEL HEATLEY) give a tasty display of the six British A&M Records 45-singles that surrounded the three albums - while other pages prior to that line up rare Euro Pic Sleeves – three at a time. There is period sheet music, the inner lyric sleeve for "Ferguslie Park" (albeit unreadably small) – even the artwork for the different American LP label. More importantly, Heatley lays out the history, the break-ups, Rafferty rejoining before going solo proper. It's nicely done - but we never do find out who played Sax on "Late Again". The remastered sound by JAMES BRAGG varies from good to great – clean and clear for the most part – the better-recorded second and third LPs especially shining through. 

Produced by Rock & Roll heroes Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller (they talk in the liner notes of Brown Ale cases and bottles of whiskey being consumed in copious amounts) - the self-titled "Stealers Wheel" debut opens with a lonesome slightly-distant harmonium drone - "Late Again" - Rafferty talking about ceaseless complaining and owning-up to being wrong. A&M Records clearly had some faith in the melancholic tune because they issued it as the first single from the album in October 1972. A&M Records AMS 7033 had "I Get By" from the LP as its flipside but no joy. In the New Year (January 1973) - A&M tried again to get the public interested with "You Put Something (Better Inside Me)" with another LP cut "Next To Me" on the B-side – but A&M Records AMS 7046 again did no business. 

Finally, Stealers Wheel and their record company hit melodious pay-dirt with the sheer commercialism of "Stuck In The Middle With You" – released as a popular UK 45-single in April 1973 on A&M Records AMS 7036 with the album cut "José" on the B-side. A winner if ever there was one - it would eventually rise to No.8 on the British singles chart and make US inroads too - the album peaking at No. 50 on the US Billboard charts while the single made two rungs better than the UK by peaking at No.6. "Stuck In The Middle With You" would of course receive a whole new lease of life when it became an integral part of Quintin Tarantino's 1992 debut movie "Reservoir Dogs" in that infamous bloody scene towards the end of the movie. 

Speaking of another melody, there's a lovely sound to "Outside Looking In" - clever guitar runs aiding Rafferty's deadpan delivery. Side 2 opens with "Johnny's Song" - a sort of semi-rocker that could have been another single. Soft and soothing is what you would call "Next To Me" - Egan's voice good but not as good as Rafferty. "José" is a horrible cod-rocker that eventually settles down to a softer melody but again it only half works. Plinking and shimmering keyboard notes open "Gets So Lonely" - the same old situation again. The album at least ends on a melody high - the second single "You Put Something (Better Inside Me)".

The three bonus live tracks are interesting and the audio acceptable too. "Please Song Me A Song" was a tune from the September 1969 debut album for the Billy Connolly and Gerry Raffety folk-duo band The Humblebums. Such was the hooky nature of the song, Continental Uptight Band out of Germany even did a Psych-ish version of it in 1970 on Columbia Records. Although the vocals are a bit ropey at the outset, the recordings get better. "Steamboat Row" would eventually turn up on the second Stealers Wheel album "Ferguslie Park" album in November 1973 while the jaunty "I Get By" was on the debut LP released almost a year after the BBC exclusive-concert show. The crowd responds enthusiastically to the boogie. 

The moment the "Ferguslie Park" on CD2 opens with the riffage and acoustic strums of "Good Businessman" - you can hear the production values have been upped big time. Rafferty and Egan (playing everything from Guitars to Kazoo) are joined by session players Peter Robinson (Keyboards), Bernie Holland and Joe Jammer (Guitars), Chris Mercer and Steve Gregory (Saxophones) while Producer Mike Stoller even gets in on the act by playing Electric Harpsichord with Jerry Leiber twiddling the control-room knobs. "Star" is another winner - melodious and highly radio friendly and with the album-track "What More Could You Want" as its B-side - it rose to No.25 in the UK and a very healthy No.28 in the States. Surprisingly though, the "Ferguslie Park" LP (again sporting John Byrne artwork) didn't trouble the album charts on either side of the pond. 

Another slow groover, A&M obviously thought there was legs in "Wheelin'" so they issued it as the album's second 45-single in April 1974 in the USA with the debut LP's "You Put Something (Better Inside Me)" on its flipside - but it didn't take. Lovely Bass to "Waltz (You Know It Makes Sense!)" but it's a strange non-event track. The brand-new Telecaster guitar bop of "What More Could You Want" could have been another 7" single winner (as an A-side) - Rafferty moaning once again about the industry telling him to write hit tunes or take a hike.  Side 1 ends in the ballad "Over My Head". 

The Side 2 starter-for-ten "Blind Faith" is a pleasing rocker - guitars and pianos rolling along to 'a-bop-shoo-wop' chorus. Time for a dead-end-job song (money so low) - "Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind" highlighting some David Gilmour type guitar solos. A song they played at the BBC two years prior now turns up - "Steamboat Row" - Pedal Steel shuffling - a tale of an Irishman working an honest day - a miner covered in dirt and dust - then fifteen miles to get home. "Back On My Feet Again" is about the rockiest tune on "Ferguslie Park" - moving on after the hard times. Piano ballad "Who Cares" has Rafferty singing through echoed vocals - a sophistication in the song that harks to "City To City" in a few years time. It all comes to an end with "Everything Will Turn Out Fine" - as hooky a tune as you could hope for - very Medicine Head. Re-hearing "Ferguslie Park" - you'd have to argue that it's more accomplished than its more famous predecessor - a clear attempt to Americanise the Stealer Wheel sound. 

Stealers Wheel album number three "Right Or Wrong" (from 1975) has never had much of a rep amongst fans. The artwork foregoes John Byrne artwork for a photo of Rafferty and Egan on front and rear. Guitars and strings greet you for the Side 1 opened "Benediction" - hearts crossed, souls seeking out a state of grace. "Found My Way To You" feels like a naff New Seekers tune - "This Morning" at least feeling like there's a melody lurking in there somewhere even it never actually emerges from beneath the strings and layered instruments. Groover ahoy with the guitar chug of "Let Yourself Go" while Side 1 ends with the only slightly better "Home From Home" - a weedy ballad with oddly discordant duet vocals. Only "Don't Get Me Wrong" and the jolly "Monday Morning" on Side 2 lift proceedings but not by much. 

As I said earlier Stealers Wheel had loads of potential but I always felt they rarely realised it outside of the obvious winners. Rafferty would go on to a cannon of fantastic solo albums - his songwriting skills coming to full fruition. A good Box Set let down by not-so-good material. Still, fans will have to own it...