"Desolation Angels" by BAD COMPANY – March 1979 Fifth Studio Album on Atlantic Records featuring Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell and Simon Kirke (January 2020 UK Swan Song/Rhino 40th Anniversary '2-CD Expanded Edition' Reissue with 19 Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks and New Jon Astley Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desolation-Angels-40th-Anniversary-Company/dp/B081WW8RKT?crid=1AH4NWA5WQ7ZF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.p3TYHuX9KAbYlXM5JIHRTg.Bh40EbMokb8X17EhVaxrm21oUWaDMawWGY9bgRzga7A&dib_tag=se&keywords=603497849345&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733487207&sprefix=603497849345%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=0b7cc5fa189454dbf1c4e38c4c772783&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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Music Of 1977 to 1979 

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RATINGS:

Overall **** to *****

Presentation *****

Audio *****

"…Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy…"

45-years ago (in March 1979 when this album was released) - I was a dapper 20-year-old Hippie/New Wave musical hybrid. I would be 21 in September 1979 and much partying was had and hangovers acquired.

Picture the scene. Me and my head-shaking teen-tribe had grown-up on 1970 to 1974 sounds - and at heart were Rock Band enthusiasts. Sure, we got into Prog and Reggae and Soul and even Jazz Funk and we embraced the hedonistic explosion of ideas and sounds and Two-Tone genres that took place across 1977, 1978 and 1979 with hair-flying gusto. But deep down inside our Desert Boots, Scandi Clogs, Cheese Cloth Shirts and patch-sewn Wranglers (thanks gals) - I remained (like many) a Zep, Deep Purple, Free, Status Quo, Montrose kind of guy with some Doobie Brothers, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Jethro Tull, Cockney Rebel and Lou Reed thrown in to spice up the stew. And of course, we worshiped at the babe-laden feet of the no-nonsense crotch-stroking feel-like-making-lurve Rawk of England's Bad Company - a band millions loved back in the day and for good reason. 

So, after two initial wham-bam-thank-you-mam corkers in "Bad Co." and "Straight Shooter" in 1974 and 1975 followed unfortunately by two dismissible efforts in "Run With The Pack" and "Burnin' Sky" in 1976 and 1977 – the flash very-with-it Hipgnosis gatefold artwork of "Desolation Angels" caught my ravenous eye in March 1979. For most of us rockers, Bad Co. had been away and not in a good way. So, maybe this one would return us to the party-faithful – even be good in places – God forbid! And lo – in parts at least - "Desolation Angels" was a peach.

But what makes these '2-CD Extended Edition' reissues so damn good (this is No.5 in the series – see list below) is that you are not just getting the album raw as a new Remaster – you get the process that led to it. And man are some of these Outtakes and Alternate Versions good. The band is looser, the Rock rawks and Hell – it's even fun in places. And the final let down of the "Rough Diamonds" last LP in 1982 was years away and not yet in our minds. Bad Company were back and sounding snotty. To the details and the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasies…

UK released 10 January 2020 - "Desolation Angels" by BAD COMPANY on Swan Song/Rhino R2 607224 – 603497849345 (Barcode 603497849345) is a '40th Anniversary 2-CD Expanded Edition' Reissue and Remaster of their 5th studio Album from March 1979 on Swan Song Records. It comes with upgraded Digipak packaging, a 16-page colour booklet with new interviews, 19 Previously Unreleased Tracks and it plays out as follows:

CD1 Original Album Remastered (69:44 minutes): 
1. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy [Side 1]
2. Crazy Circles
3. Gone, Gone, Gone
4. Evil Wind
5. Early In The Morning
6. Lonely For Your Love [Side 2]
7. Oh, Atlanta
8. Take The Time
9. Rhythm Machine
10. She Brings Me Love
Tracks 1 to 10 are their fifth studio album "Desolation Angels" – released March 1979 in the UK on Swan Song SSK 59408 and March 1979 in the USA on Swan Song SS 8506. Produced by BAD COMPANY – it peaked at No.10 in the UK and No.3 in the USA on the LP charts

Bonus Tracks, Outtakes and Alternative Takes
11. Smokin' 45 (Alternative Version 1)
12. Smokin' 45 (Alternative Version 2)
13. Rock Fever (Outtake)
14. Oh, Atlanta (Slow Version with Fender Rhodes)
15. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (Alternative Version 1)
16. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (Alternative Version 2)
17. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (Alternative Version 3)
18. Crazy Circles (Alternative Version)

CD2 Bonus Tracks (45:16 minutes):
1. Gone, Gone, Gone (Alternative Version)
2. Early In The Morning (Alternative Version)
3. Lonely For Your Love (Alternative Version 1)
4. Take The Time (Alternative Version 1)
5. Evil Wind (Alternative Version)
6. Take The Time (Alternative Version 2)
7. Lonely For Your Love (Alternative Version 2)
8. She Brings Me Love (Alternative Version)
9. What Does It Matter (Blues Jam)
10. Rhythm Machine (Alternative Version)
11. Amen (A Capella)

The foldout card Digipak is pretty enough using those bleached white Hipgnosis photos the original LP gatefold did. But fans will prefer the four inside flaps all used to show rare 45-Single Picture Sleeves ("Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" and "Gone, Gone, Gone" from the USA and Japan) while the 16-page colour booklet has outtake photos, a two-page period-memorabilia collage shot plus 2019 liner-notes from fan and band-admirer DAVID CLAYTON who co-authored the book 'Heavy Load: The Story Of Free'. Drummer Kirke and Guitarist Ralphs contribute memories of the mammoth 86-show American Tour that began in April 1979 where the album and its two singles were well received. And even though Bad Co. had done only four shows in years in the UK – new gigs to support the 1979 album were met with Sold Out concerts and a huge resurgence in interest. Clayton also rightly praises the quality of the work-in-progress unreleased stuff that bolster up both CDs.

Audio Engineer JON ASTLEY of Who-fame has done the Remasters from original tapes and like all his transfers – muscle and clarity emanates from even the hookiest of things like the Gospel chant of Amen. Particularly digging the Smokin' 45 and Rock Fever outtakes and the Rough and Ready Blues Jam on CD2. To the bad boys and their mirror shades…

"Desolation Angels" opens with a treated guitar of "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" rolling across your speakers and here comes the jesters (one-two-three). It's a good start if not quite a great one. The Remaster pumps out that great guitar solo - all economy and doing the business. Acoustic guitars introduces the merry-go-round of life in 
"Crazy Circles" - a surprisingly uplifting song with more than a touch of Gordon Giltarp's 'Heartsong' in its structure. But proper riffage swagger arrives with the wickedly catchy "Gone, Gone, Gone" (better get the boys around and do some drinkin' fast). "Evil Wind" sounds amazingly clear and as it goes into that neck-jerking rhythm when the lyrics start - the extra oomph in the Remaster has upped its game - so Very Bad Co. The big ballad "Early In The Morning" ends Side 1 - sounding good if not entirely convincing - "Shooting Star" it ain't. 

Side 2 opens with "Lonely For Your Love" - an album highlight - a rollicking tune that could be AC/Dc-lite as Paul Rodgers stretches those high notes with his fantastic croaking voice. A hugely enjoyable tune. Harmonica and Rhythm combine for "Oh, Atlanta" - Rodgers an old hound dog roaming around Georgia's finest city. "Take The Time" is the kind of Bad Co. melody song I love - not rocking by any means - but just so good on the ear and head - the kind of hooky catchall that Free used to do so often. "Rhythm Machine" punches the Bass and Keyboards above a Funky Rock beat - the music man playing the Blues in his own fat-man way. Side 2 closes with what could have been single number three - the excellent mid-tempo ballad "She Brings Me Love" - another Paul Rodgers winner. The Remaster on this is gorgeous - warm and powerful. 

We now start in on the Alternates and Unreleased – and for me anyway - "Smokin' 45" is way better than some on the actual album. I like the lighter Take 1 but also dig the grittier Take 2 – very cool inclusions. Then comes another great outtake that I feel is better than "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" – I would have opened the album on "Rock Fever" – Ralphs doing the guitar parts with precision and heart while the organ gives it a joy that could be Humble Pie on a good day. Rodgers starts a Harmonica Blues with a shimmering electric piano note – the alternate version of "Oh, Atlanta" coming as a shock and a treat after being used the more rocking version on the released album. Then comes Takes 1, 2 and 3 of "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" which alter the finished version in small ways. CD1 ends with Supertramp-type walls of Acoustic Guitars on an Alternate of the rather good "Crazy Circles" (lovely gut-string guitar solo). 

For my own amusement, I programmed a new "Desolation Angels" running order for Side 1 & 2 that incorporates Album Tracks, Outtakes and Alternates and it rocks for me:

Side 1 Alternate

1. Gone, Gone, Gone (Alternate Version)

2. Smokin' 45 (Alternate Version 1)

3. Rock Fever (Outtake)

4. Evil Wind 

5. Crazy Circles

6. Early In The Morning  

Side 2 Alternate

1. Lonely For Your Love

2. Oh, Atlanta

3. Take The Time

4. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy 

5. She Brings Me Love

CD2 gives you a real feel of the evolvement process - an 11-track 45-minute romp through the riffs and melodies. Not surprisingly it opens with the 'stealing all my booze' swagger of "Gone, Gone, Gone" - the piano boogie up there with the guitars and harmony vocals to mighty effect. The melodious Side 1 closer "Early In The Morning" gets a softer approach on the 'Alternate Version' - cool to hear but the LP cut is better. "Lonely For Your Love" is a lot heavier on Version 1 - a bit ham-fisted and you can so hear why they settled on the warmer approach of the released version. There are two Alternates for "Take The Time" where it feels that Ralphs is working out what's best for his guitar approach - Rock with a Funky flick - I like both and their raw feel. The Alternate "Evil Wind" seems to have a recording fuzzy glitch as it starts which is a shame because it grooves with real power when it gets going. 

But my faves here are the very Free-meets Bad Co of "Lonely For Your Love" and the ballad "She Brings Me Love". I never really liked "Rhythm Machine" on the album - but I dig the rawness and great Production values of 'Alternative' on CD2 (Fats Domino got our boy interested - not The Beach Boys). The Blues Jam "What Does It Matter" is a studio goof where the band are having fun - working out ideas and grooves - and yet you can hear Bad Co. magic in their even when they're goofing around. "Amen" is what you think it is - an all-vocal A Capella version of the Gospel Traditional - interesting but slightly out of place really. 

I have enjoyed these Bad Company '2-CD Expanded Edition' splurges because like Free or The Faces or Humble Pie - they are a British band that fill me with joy and great memories. 

I know that not everything on the twofer "Desolation Angels" is Primo or Grade A - but man when Bad Company were good - they were the best and that's good enough for me to press the Basket Purchase button. Recommended...

Albums in the BAD COMPANY 2-CD Expanded Edition Series

1. Bad. Co [June 1974 Debut] 
April 2015 UK Swan Song/Rhino 081227955540 (Barcode is the same number)
13 Bonus Tracks – 10 Previously Unreleased Tracks Plus 3 Others First Issued in March 1999

2. Straight Shooter [April 1975 Second Album]
April 2015 UK on Swan Song/Rhino 081227955533 (Barcode is the same)
14 Bonus Tracks including Alternative Takes and Unreleased

3. Run With The Pack [January 1976 Third Studio Album]
May 2017 UK on Swan Song/Rhino 081227953645 (Barcode is the same)
14 Bonus Tracks including Alternative Takes, Demos and Previously Unreleased Outtakes

4. Burnin' Sky [March 1977 Fourth Studio Album]
May 2017 UK on Swan Song/Rhino 081227953676 (Barcode is the same)
14 Bonus Tracks including Alternative Versions, Outtakes, Rough Mixes

5. Desolation Angels [March 1979 Fifth Studio Album]
January 2020 UK Swan Song/Rhino R2 607224 – 603497849345 (Barcode 603497849345) 
19 Bonus Tracks including Previously Unreleased (all), Outtakes, Alternative Versions

NOTE:
Issued 2 August 2019 in the UK-EU - Bad Company's 'The Swan Song Years 1974-1982' on Swan Song/Rhino R2 584500 - 603497854592 (Barcode 603497854592) is a 6CD Box Set that contains 2015, 2017 and 2019 Remasters of their first five studio albums (as listed above) - but also has a new 2019 Remaster of their final studio album "Rough Diamonds" originally issued August 1982. 

There was/is a September 1994 UK CD Reissue of "Rough Diamonds" on Swan Song 7567-92452-2 (Barcode 075679245229) available singularly with a Ted Jensen Remaster – but the new 2019 Jon Astley Remaster version is only available in this Box Set.  

"Right Now!/That's What Friends Are For/Closing The Gap" by GEORGIE FAME – April 1979, October 1979 and September 1980 UK Albums on Pye and Piccadilly Records – Guest Musicians included Alan Parker, Bernie Holland, Jim Mullen and Terry Smith on Guitars, Ray Warleigh, Bernie Holland, Steve Gregory, Malcolm Griffiths, Dick Morrissey and Henry Lowther on Horns, Brian Odgers on Bass with Barry Morgan and Henry Spinetti on Drums – Collaboration with Elvis Costello on the Title Song of 'That's What Friends Are For' and Jamaican Reggae Legend Lloyd Charmers on the 1980 album 'Closing The Gap' (September 2024 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 3LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

As you can see from the above BGO website photo

It appears Beat Goes On made an earlier cover which mistakenly places the

'That's What Friends Are For' LP as the first with the 'Right Now!' LP as 2nd

But the Release Date Order of these albums is the other way around 

The physical copy I have shows the correct comp title and running order

See photos below

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PROVE IT ALL NIGHT 

Music Of 1977 to 1979 

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

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RATINGS: 

Music: ***

Audio **** to *****

Presentation *****

"…Warm And Soft As Sin…"

At a sprightly 81-years of age in December 2024 (26 June was his birthday) – the mighty Georgie Fame is a five-to-six decades survivor and purveyor of Pop, R&B, Latin, Jazz, Samba, Soul, Funk, Reggae and a few hundred other music genres in-between. He's been around hit tunes and GF's chart history can prove it.

But what you get here in this September 2024 UK-issued 2CD compilation is three forgotten LP platters originally on Pye and Piccadilly Records – two from 1979 (April and October) and one from September 1980. Forgotten now (and in some cases for good reason) - you would have to go a very long distance down the biggest dictionary in the world to describe any of them as classic. However, excepting limited and expensive Japanese imports in the 2000s – this trio has been off the British digital radar for almost as many decades as George has been around.

So along comes England's Beat Goes On Records (BGO to you and I) and they have lumped all three into one handy 2CD compilation bundle – remastered the lot to superb results and presented the garish clump to us hipsters in their usual stylish card slipcase and value-for-money manner. To the sins of the past, warm and soft…

UK released Friday, 12 September 2024 - "Right Now!/That's What Friends Are For/Closing The Gap" by GEORGIE FAME on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1533 (Barcode 5017261215338) is a Compilation with 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs (April 1979, October 1979 and September 1980). It plays out as follows:

CD1 (80:23 minutes):
1. A Different Dream [Side 1]
2. Funny How Time Slips Away
3. Little Samba
4. I'm In Love With Ya Baby
5. Ollie's Party
6. Eros Hotel 
7. 'Cross A Lazy Afternoon [Side 2]
8. Country Girl
9. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
10. Too Shy To Say
11. Zulu
12. Last Song
Tracks 1 to 12 are his 14th Album "Right Now!" – released April 1979 in the UK on Pye Records NSPH 18600 (no US issue). Produced by JAMES PARSONS and KARL JENKINS – it didn't chart.

13. Maybe Tomorrow [Side 1]
14. Lovely Day
15. L. In L.A.
16. You
17. I Don't Care Who I Dance With
18. That's What Friends Are For [Side 2]
19. Don't Hit When I'm Down
20. Sitting In The Park
21. If I Didn't Mean You Well
22. Cat's Eyes
Tracks 13 to 22 are his 15th Album "That's What Friends Are For" – released October 1979 on Pye Records N 119. Produced by GEORGIE FAME and TERRY EVENNETT - didn't chart. Title track written by Elvis Costello, Tracks 14 and 21 are Bill Withers cover versions, Track 20 is a Billy Stewart cover. 

CD2 (43:13 minutes):
1. Give A Little More [Side 1]
2. Run Away With Me
3. I Love Jamaica
4. Eros Hotel
5. Everything I Own [Side 2]
6. Lean On Me
7. Uptight (Everything Is Alright)
8. Bring Back My Love
9. Give A Little More (Dub Version)
Tracks 1 to 9 are his 16th Album "Closing The Gap" – released September 1980 in the UK on Piccadilly N 137 (no US issue). Collaboration with Jamaican Reggae Legend Lloyd Charmers who Produced, Arranged and Conducted across the whole LP. 

The card slipcase for BGOCD1533 is a classy looking item (as all these Beat Goes On reissues are) and houses a 16-page booklet with new CHARLES WARING liner notes on this 'comeback' period in Fame's career. The front and rear artwork is there as are the musician credits - Guest Musicians like Alan Parker, Bernie Holland, Jim Mullen and Terry Smith on Guitars, Ray Warleigh, Bernie Holland, Steve Gregory, Malcolm Griffiths, Dick Morrissey and Henry Lowther on Horns, Brian Odgers on Bass with Barry Morgan and Henry Spinetti on Drums. 

There's a collaboration with Elvis Costello on the Title Song of 'That's What Friends Are For' (Fame commissioned him specifically to do so - the first artist to ask Costello to do this) and Jamaican Reggae Legend Lloyd Charmers Arranged, Produced and Conducted the 1980 album 'Closing The Gap'. Waring does a brief prenup on Fame's illustrious Sixties to early Seventies musical career (up to the 'Georgie Fame' album for Island in 1975 and the aborted 1976 LP 'Daylight') before going into a deep dive on all three LPs. Long-time Beat Goes On Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON has done the Remasters from original tapes and the transfers are uniformly brilliant even when the material is seriously dated and letting the side down. 

Released into a Disco and Soul and Punk and New Wave world in April 1979 - Georgie Fame's "Right Now!" feels out-of-place to the landscape - even if an impressively healthy number of the tunes are his own compositions. The Willie Nelson ballad classic "Funny How Time Slips Away" and two Stevie Wonder Motown Funks - "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" and "Too Shy To Say" - get Famed but not in any particularly great way. The side 1 ender is probably the best offering here - "Eros Hotel" - a six-minute strings and melody London-love epic that feels adventurous and accomplished - Fame doing the music to the poetry of Fran Landesman. 

The second 1979 platter 'That's What Friends Are For' LP opens with an attempt at Hitsville - "Maybe Tomorrow" trying hard but again feeling like 80s Gilbert O'Sullivan going Pop - just not in a good way. And like every other songster on the late Seventies scene - Georgie was digging Bill Withers big-time. Bill's gorgeous "Lovely Day" and the softer "If I Didn't Mean You Well" both getting excellent GF makeovers that don't drift too far from the Soulful originals. Another highlight is Fame's cover of the 60ts Billy Stewart R&B classic "Sitting In The Park". But overall, you end this LP listen with too-few-thrills and far-to-many fills. 

All CD2 takes up the third offering - a Georgie Fame nine-track collaborative album with Jamaican Reggae Legend Lloyd Charmers on the September 1980 LP "Closing The Gap". Right from the Chalmers opener "Give A Little More" you are aware of the Aswad-sounding Reggae Pop vibe - high production values on the brass, girly answer vocals and in-the-pocket rhythm. But George's vocal trying to ape Bob Marley grates a little and has not dated well at all. Songwriter Charmers also contributed "Run Away With Me", "I Love Jamaica" and "Bring Back My Love". Cover versions include Bread and Ken Booth's "Everything I Own", Bill Withers ballad "Lean On Me" and Stevie Wonder's 60ts Motown hit "Uptight (Everything Is Alright)". Don't know if I like the reggae-fied version of "Eros Hotel" (appeared to great effect on the "Right Now!" LP. The production values are gorgeous - but this is not The Clash doing Reggae and Georgie doesn't cut it. 

In the end it's all too easy to hear why none of these forgotten albums charted and why they are forgotten. Fans will love this September 2024 Georgie Fame 2CD compilation "Right On!/That's What Friends Are For/Closing The Gap" it - great presentation and top-quality audio - but anyone else needs a listen first...

"Birth Right: A Black Roots Music Compendium" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – A 40-Track Themed 2CD Compilation Spanning 1951 Recordings Through to 2021 - Encompassing Acoustic and Electric Blues, Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Old-Time String Band Music, Acapella Gospel, Traditional and Old Timey Jazz, Spoken Word, Sung Historical Recordings, Cajun, Louisiana and more (February 2023 EU-UK Craft Recordings 2CD Compilation of Paul Blakemore Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review Along With Over 230 Others Is Available in my

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"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)

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RATINGS:

Overall ****

Presentation *** to ****

Audio *****

"…Hard Time Killing Floor Blues…"

Tapping into the vast Rounder Records Roots Catalogue (40 songs across 2CDs straddling 1951 through to 2021) – "Birth Right: A Black Roots Music Compendium" gives you visits to famous collectable labels like Bluesville, Vanguard, Riverside, Smithsonian Folkways, Arhoolie and even Flying Fish Records with the occasional stop off at Specialty and Ron Records along the way. It is roughly a 50/50 split between old and new – the listen encompassing Acoustic and Electric Blues, Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Old-Time String Band Music, A Capella Gospel, Traditional and Old Timey Jazz, Spoken Word, Sung Historical Recordings, Cajun, Louisiana and more.

As you can imagine, the chunky 48-page booklet is a feast of discography info complimented by period photos (from the Concord Archive) and great essays/track-by-track comments from Producer Ted Olsen. This booklet took time and effort – admirable passion invested. 

But with such a huge range of artists and periods represented (compilers SCOTT BILLINGTON and TED OLSEN have spread the genre-net wide) – you might think the Audio is great one moment then seriously comprised the next – no – the whole shooting match is beautifully transferred and shockingly clear. These are PAUL BLAKEMORE Remasters and honestly with my love of the Blues et al and his name attached to the project – I was always going to buy "Birth Right: A Black Roots Music Compendium". I have found his Audio Engineer work exemplary every time.

Downsides - personally, I think it only half works – too many styles and the truly bland cover art and crappy card digipak also do the huge compendium effort a bad one. But (at four stars instead of five) – I am still digging it. Much to sledgehammer – much to lay down and fly – to the details…

EU released 17 February 2023 - "Birth Right: A Black Roots Music Compendium" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Craft Recordings 00888072424869 (Barcode 888072424869) is a 40-Track 2CD Compilation (USA issue is Craft Recordings CR00497) encompassing Acoustic and Electric Blues, Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Old-Time String Band Music, A Capella Gospel, Traditional and Old Timey Jazz, Spoken Word, Sung Historical Recordings, Cajun, Louisiana and more. It plays out as follows:

CD1 (72:19 minutes): 
1. Bourbon Street Parade – PRESEVATION HALL JAZZ BAND (2012 CD "St. Peter And 57th St." on Rounder Records)

2. Station Blues – COREY HARRIS and SHARDÉ THOMAS (2003 CD Album "Mississippi To Mali" on Rounder Records)

3. 61 Highway – MISSISSIPPI FRED McDOWELL (1962 Recording first issue 1995 on the CD "Mississippi Fred McDowell" on Rounder Records)

4. Georgie Buck – CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS featuring JOE THOMPSON (Previously Unreleased October 2006 Recording)

5. Ranky Tanky – RANKY TANKY (2017 CD "Ranky Tanky" on Resilience Music)

6. One Dime Blues – ETTA BAKER (1991 CD "One Dime Blues" on Rounder Records)

7. Eunice Two Step – BOIS SEC ARDOIN and CANRAY FONTENOT (1960s Cajun Recording first issued 1976 on the US LP "Louisianna Cajun Music From The South West Prairies Volume 2" on Rounder Records)

8. Automobile Blues - LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS (1961 US LP "Lightnin'" on Bluesville Records)

9. Grizzly Bear – BENNIE RICHARDSON (1965-1966 Texas chain-gang recording first issued 1975 on the US LP "Wake Up Dead Man: Black Convict Work Songs From Texas Prisons" on Rounder Records)

10. Motherless Children – THE STAPLE SINGERS (1963 US LP "This Land" on Riverside Records)

11. Blues Before Sunrise – BROWNIE McGHEE and SONNY TERRY (161 US LP "Blues And Folk" on Riverside Records)

12. Fox Chase – DINK ROBERTS (1998 CD "Black Banjo Songsters Of North Carolina And Virginia" on Smithsonian Folkways Records)

13. Sweet Georgia Brown – MARTIN, BOGAN and ARMSTRONG [Carl Martin, Ted Bogan and L.C. Armstrong] (1972 US LP "The Barnyard Dance" on Rounder Records)

14. Little Liza Jane – GOLDEN EAGLES (1956 US LP "Jazz In The Classic New Orleans Tradition" on Riverside Records)

15. Ay-Tete Fee – CLIFTON CHENIER And His Band (1955 US 45-Single on Specialty SP-522-45, A-side)

16. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues – SKIP JAMES (1966 US LP "Today!" on Vanguard Records)

17. Weary Blues – GEORGE LEWIS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND (1951 Recording first issued 1956 on the US LP "Jazz In The Classic New Orleans Tradition" on Riverside Records)

18. Yonder Come Day – BESSIE JONES (1973 recording issued 1975 on the US LP "So Glad I'm Here" on Rounder Records)

19. We Will Understand It Better By And By – JOSEPH SPENCE (1978-1980 recording first issued 1991 on the US CD "Glory" on Rounder Records)

20. Best Of All – DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND (2012 US CD "Twenty Dozen" on Savoy Jazz Records)_

NOTES ON CD1:
Tracks 4 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD2 (68:31 minutes): 
1. Step In – CEDRIC BURNSIDE (2021 US CD "I Be Trying" on Single Lock Records)

2. Pretty Polly – AMYTHYST KIAH (2017 US CD "Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Tradition" on Great Smokey Mountains Tradition)

3. St. Louis Blues – LONNIE JOHNSON and ELMER SNOWDEN (1960 US LP "Blues And Ballads" on Bluesville Records)

4. Money Is King – LEYLA McCALLA (2018 US CD "The Capitalist Blues" on Jazz Village)

5. Polly Put The Kettle On – DOM FLEMONS (Originally 2015 US CD "Prospect Hill" on Music Maker Records, Reissued 2020 on "Prospect Hill: The American Songster Omnibus" on Omnivore Recordings)

6. Diving Duck Blues – TAJ MAHAL and KEB' MO' (2017 US CD "TajMo" on Concord Records)

7. Crying Blues – BOOZOO CHEVIS (2001 US CD "Down On Dog Hill" on Rounder Records)

8. Morning Trail – CAMPBELL BROTHERS (1997 US CD "Pass Me Not" on Arhoolie Records)

9. When I Lay My Burden Down – JOHN LEE HOOKER (Unreleased 1950s Recording first issued 2017 on the Craft Recordings 5CD Book Set "King Of The Boogie")

10. Titanic – LESLEY RIDDLE (1993 US CD "Step By Step: Lesley Riddle Meets The Carter Family" on Rounder Records)

11. Go To The Mardi Gras – PROFESSOR LONGHAIR (December 1959 US 45-single on Ron Records 329, A-side)

12. Candy Man – MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT (1966 US LP "Today!" on Vanguard Records)

13. San Francisco Bay Blues – JESSE FULLER (1963 US LP "San Francisco Bay Blues" on Good Time Jazz Records)

14. Special Delivery Blues – ODETTA (accompanied by Bill Lee on Double Bass) (1963 US LP "One Grain Of Sand" on Rounder Records)

15. Step It Up And Go – JACK JOHNSON (1979 US LP "Step It Up And Go" on Rounder Records)

16. Arkansas Blues – TUTS WASHINGTON (1984 US LP "New Orleans Piano Professor" on Rounder Records)

17. Lo, I Will Be With You – REV. GARY DAVIS (1960 US LP "Harlem Street Singer" on Bluesville Records)

18. Ups On The Farm – INMATE Named PETER (1976 US LP "Get Your Ass In The Water And Swim Like Me" on Rounder Records – Spoken Poems by Texas Inmates)

19. John Henry – CEPHAS & WIGGINS (1986 US LP "Dog Days Of August" on Flying Fish Records)

20. Study War No More – HONEY IN THE ROCK (1986 US LP "We All…Everyone Of Us" on Flying Fish Records)

Setting the Historical scene – CD1 opens with Preservation Hall Jazz Band giving a bit of "Bourbon Street Parade"  – a ragtime originally released 2012 in the USA. But I must say it is not my idea of live bliss let alone a good starter. On to something only marginally better – a modern-day Roots duet – Shardé Thomas and Corey Harris doing a 2002 version of a 1930 Mississippi Sheiks 78" classic "Sitting On Top Of The World". Good but again not great. But then it happens – the magic you had hoped for – an astonishing Mississippi Fred McDowell 1962 one-man-and-his-slide-acoustic-guitar recording of "61 Highway" that had remained in the can until it was issued in 1995 on Rounder Records. Complete with foot taps and the occasional cough and recorded at McDowell's home – Blakemore has Remastered the relaxed but mighty Blues Man and his strutting lowdown shuffle into your living room. "61 Highway" made me find every Acoustic Blues (or thereabouts) on CD1 and program/sequence it as such – Tracks 3, 8, 6, 10, 11, 16 and 19. What a listen!

The next half-decent track is Etta Baker plucking her acoustic on the self-penned "One Dime Blues" – another gorgeous recording done in 1990. But again, even that is whomped by the real deal – influential Bluesman Lightnin' Hopkins recorded in 1960 – his fantastic voice and menacing shuffle bemoaning the fact that his former lover is now driving around town with her handsome at the wheel. The fabulous "Automobile Blues" literally shuffles around your Stereo with a barely contained jealous rage whilst emoting the kind of cool white guys with guitars would kill for. Way down in Louisiana Bennie Richardson is leading the Chain Gang as they sing to pick-axe rhythms – seriously eerie stuff to hear. Nice then to catch the familiar healing sound of The Staple Singers – Pops and his distinctive shimmering guitar song while the ladies double-up on the vocal responses (hush now baby, don't you cry). Long-time heroes of the Blues Duet format – Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry sound so damn good on their Harmonica and Acoustic Guitar "Blues Before Sunrise" – and such fabulously clean audio that lets it breathe. Other goodies include a rapido Banjo plucking Dink Roberts trying in vain to "Fox Chase" – Accordion Bop with Clifton Chenier on Specialty Records and a truly amazing Skip James oozing pain on "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" with a Guitar and Voice (how many white Rock Bands dug this and turned it into Led Zeppelin and Cream type Rock-Blues). 

CD2 opens with a 2021 muscle-recording barnstormer – Cedric Burnside laying into a ZZ Top-ish slide guitar boogie – a child crying at night asking the Lord to his "Step In". Back to roots-basics with the grim-hardship tale of "Pretty Polly" - Amythyst Kiah and his banjo recalling in gruesome detail the story of a young girl leaving her family and loved ones behind forced by a bad man to endure an abusive pig who eventually kills her (literally a knife in her heart) – but her ghost gets revenge of sorts. Lonnie Johnson gleefully informs that he's got 99-women and only needs one more in his philanthropic "St. Louis Blues"  (we know what you feel Lon – stay strong brother). Leyla McCalls lays out the rules of life in her unnervingly jolly "Money Is King" – if a man has money today – he can commit murder and get off free – her roots band plucking Violas, Banjos and Trumpets adding a menace to the lyrics. The Traditional "Polly Put The Kettle On" gets a Vocals and Harmonica going over by Dom Flemons and his band of Roots players. Better and beautifully recorded – Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' give it some National Steel and Acoustic guitar on a 2017 croaking vocal duet of the Sleepy John Estes Blues Classic "Diving Duck Blues" (Taj is going to love his baby until the Moo Cows come home). 

Incorporating Creole and Cajun lyrics/rhythms – I can't understand a word the wonderfully-named Boozoo Chavis is saying throughout the near six-minutes of "Crying Blues" - but the music is joyous and genuinely uplifting in a Van Morrison at-his-best type of way and destined for a mix tape (a highlight on CD2 for me). Time for some shouting Gospel-type Vocals alongside wild Pedal Steel Guitar – Campbell Brothers giving us an energetic 1997 rendition of the Traditional "Morning Train". John Lee Hooker is gonna wear Holy Slippers when he reaches the Golden Land – all his troubles over "When I Lay My Burden Down" – a fabulous late 50ts unreleased Guitar and Vocals recording first issued on the 2017 Craft Recordings 5CD Book Set "King Of The Boogie". Husbands, Wives and Children all lost their lives in the cold abyss – put in the inescapable belly of the poorly riveted 1912 cruise liner – Lesley Riddle and his lone slide acoustic guitar recounting the maiden-voyage tragedy of the "Titanic". 

Old-timers Mississippi John Hurt and Jesse Fuller impress with their slinky 60ts tunes "Candy Man" and "San Francisco Bay Blues" - but are seriously outgunned by a full-throated Odetta as she her guitar and the Double-Bass of Bill Lee (both are pictured on Page 39 of the booklet) beat "Special Delivery Blues" into submission. The hugely personable John Jackson attacks his Acoustic Guitar for "Step It Up And Go" – a 1979 jolly-Blues foot-tapper from 1979 on Rounder Records. Other old-timey winners include Rev. Gary Davis getting serious about his beliefs with "Lo, I Will Be With You Always" and a fantastic cut from Cephas & Wiggins doing the Traditional "John Henry". And on it goes to Sweet Honey In The Rock overdoing it a bit on the Holy Roller front - it has to be said. 

On the inside flap of CD2 is a 2021 quote from modern Bluesman Corey Harris filling us in on what this sonic 2CD compendium is chronicling – "…where we've been and where we are headed…". I have no doubt about that – but the sheer number of genre hops makes for a disjointed and ragged listen and the dull-as-dishwater artwork on the outside does a major disservice to the audio magic contained within.

I have seen this Craft Recordings twofer for as much as £30 or more – not worth that. But if you see "Birth Right: A Black Roots Music Compendium" for below a ten-spot – dive in and enjoy those gorgeous remasters – especially on the Vanguard and Riverside Records 50ts and 60ts originals. And frankly anything that Paul Blakemore masters – I need to own it...

"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

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SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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"…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 came without the booklets that accompanied the 1987 issues or the bigger booklet from the 1991 reissue box - just basic gatefold inlays and sold at a budget price - usually £3.95 each. There was also a bundled variant called "Atlantic R&B 1947-1974" with all eight volumes held in a basic Card Slipcase Wrap - on Atlantic/Rhino 8122 747522-9 (Barcode 081227475529). Again - no booklets - no inlays - just a card wrap around the eight jewel cases that was easily torn once out of shrinkwrap.

With regard to the full box set and Volume 4 contained within it - 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-14441/450 (Barcode 4943674115761). Released 25 May 2012 and again with different artwork - Japan's version added on 52 new tracks onto 2 NEW BONUS DISCS making it a 10-disc set. 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. If you want those tracks - see my separate review for the full box set.

Back to the CD in hand - Volume 4. So, what you have here is an American-Based Box Set CD from 1991 subsequently reissued 2006 in Europe as a stand-alone - its music covering 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…