"Key To The Highway (Rare & Unissued Recordings 1968-74)" by JO ANN KELLY - featuring Tony McPhee and Bob Hall of The Groundhogs, Paul Rowan of The Rowans, Bob Brunning of Brunning Sunflower Blues Band and Pete Emery (October 2011 UK SuperBird CD Reissue of a Compilation Originally Issued on CD in March 1999 on Mooncrest) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Levee Camp Holler..."

"Key To The Highway" by JO ANN KELLY is a straightforward October 2011 reissue of a CD compilation first UK-released on Mooncrest CRESTCD 037 Z in March 1999. The key element here is the missing secondary title – "Rare & Unissued Recordings 1968-1974" – hence the reason why you won’t find 'any' of these 23-tracks on her 8 officially released albums. With that original CD comp now pushing £90 or more on auction sites – this 2011 reissue by SuperBird (Part of Cherry Red’s set of labels) is a smart and timely move.

For decades now - Jo Ann Kelly’s cool finger picking guitar style and her extraordinary voice has been something of a well-kept secret. A sort of British response to Janis Joplin - in fact Columbia who put out her self-titled "Jo Ann Kelly" debut album on CBS Records in the UK in 1969 asked her to live and play in the USA hoping to pass her off as just that – a British JJ – but she again refused. A woman steeped in old Blues, R&B and Ragtime folklore and tunes – she possessed a growler of a larynx (name-checked by Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan) and was once feted by both Canned Heat and Johnny Winter to join their American bands – but she instead chose to work the burgeoning Blues circuit in her native Blighty. So what do you get? Well - although the ragbag nature of "Key To The Highway" throws you with its varied audio sources and dates - there's much to love on this CD. Here are the moaning levees and catfish blues...

UK released October 2011 – "Key To The Highway" by JO ANN KELLY on SuperBird SBIRD 0051 CD (Barcode 5013929885127) is a 23-track CD compilation of entirely unreleased material recorded between 1969 and 1975 (final two tracks are 1988 interviews) and plays out as follows (69:43 minutes):

1. Keep Your Hand Out Of My Pocket [Live] (Otis Spann cover)

2. No Chance With You [Live] (Jo Ann Kelly song)

Recorded 1968

Jo Ann Kelly – Vocals, Tony McPhee – Guitar, Bob Hall – Piano and Paul Rowan – Harp

3. You Win Again (Hank Williams cover)

4. I've Been Scorned (Roebuck Staples song - of The Staple Singers)

5. Can I Get A Witness (HDH song, Marvin Gaye cover)

6. Rolling Log Blues (Lottie Kimborough song)

7. Louisiana Blues (Version 1) (Muddy Waters cover)

8. I Can't Be Satisfied (Muddy Waters cover)

Recorded 1971

Jo Ann Kelly – Vocals and Guitar and Bob Hall – Piano and Mandolin

9. Levee Camp Holler

Recorded 1969 – Jo Ann Kelly – Unaccompanied Vocal

10. Two Nineteen Blues (Mamie Desdunes song)

11. Make Me A Pallet (Traditional)

12. Key To The Highway (Big Bill Broonzy cover)

13. You've Got To Move (Mississippi Fred McDowell cover)

14. Black Rat Swing (Ernest Lawler song)

15. Baby What You Want Me To Do (Jimmy Reed cover)

Recorded 1975

Jo Ann Kelly – Vocals, Dick Wellstood – Piano, Lucas Lindholm – String Bass and Rolf Ahrens – Drums

16. Louisiana Blues (Version 2) (Muddy Waters cover)

17. Boyfriend Blues (Memphis Minnie cover)

18. Catfish Blues (Robert Petway cover)

19. Walking The Dog (Rufus Thomas cover)

Recorded 1970

Jo Ann Kelly – Vocals and Guitar and Bob Hall – Piano and Mandolin

20. Jump Steady Daddy (Lucille Bogan [aka Bessie Jackson] cover)

Recorded 1974

Jo Ann Kelly on Vocals and Bob Hall on Piano

21. Put A Record On (Bob Hall, Dennis Colton and Dave Kelly song)

Recorded 1974

Jo Ann Kelly – Vocals, Bob Hall – Piano, Pete Emery – Guitar, Bob Brunning – Electric Bass and Pete Miles on Drums

22. Guitars, Stars And Early Repertoire (Interview)

23. The Bridge House Days (Interview)

Both tracks 22 and 23 recorded 1988 in conversation - Mitcham, Surrey, UK)

As you can see from the indepth track-listings I've provided above – the emphasis here is mostly Acoustic Blues with some Piano and Mandolin accompaniment. And fans of The Groundhogs and The Brunning Hall Sunflower Band will notice TONY McPHEE, BOB BRUNNING and PETE EMERY on Electric Guitars on the initial tracks - while Harp Player PAUL ROWAN did many albums with guitar-virtuoso Stefan Grossman. The 8-page inlay has decent liner notes from JERRY EWING as well as the session details I've reproduced above and some photos. It's been mastered by ROGER LOMAS at Ro-Lo Studios but doesn't provide sources. These are essentially 'demo recordings' and the audio varies as you can imagine – but all are more than acceptable and don't ever feel 'bootleg' poor.

The opening duo of tunes turn out to be 'live' at some undisclosed location – but the Audio is fabulous with Paul Rowan shining on a heavy chromatic harmonica while Kelly wails with her fabulous Bluesy voice and McPhee strums and chugs on the guitar. McPhee takes a tasty solo while Bob Hall plinks away on the old Joanna like he’s in New Orleans on a hot sweaty night. The audio takes a dip somewhat on the honky-tonk session from 1971 that opens with Hank's "You Win Again" – both her and Hall playing a blinder on Acoustic Guitar and upright piano. The cool duo of players beautifully compliment "I've Been Scorned" by The Staple Singers while they boogie some on a Blues version of "Can I Get A Witness" that's good but doesn't quite work. Better is the more traditional picking of "Rolling Log Blues" – a very short burst that has Bob Hall playing that Mandolin with feeling and finesse while Jo Ann sings about "...looking for room and board...so hungry..." The first version of Muddy Waters "Louisiana Blues" takes a dip on the audio too which is a damn shame because it’s the best on here – their combined playing sounding like a band of four rather than two. Another winner comes in the shape of Kelly playing some amazing slide on an instrumental of Muddy's "I Can't Be Satisfied".

The Acapella "Levee Camp Holler" is probably the roughest track on here – in direct contrast to the professionally recorded piano-driven 6-track batch from 1975 that sounds glorious – the upright bass of Lucas Lindholm standing out. Equally tasty is the compilation title track "Key To The Highway" – Kelly's "...worried mind..." lyrics complimented perfectly by Dick Wellstood on Piano. Back to another rough and ready version of Muddy's "Louisiana Blues" which despite its recorded-in-a-bucket vibe sounds utterly amazing. Of the other three – not surprisingly the wicked hook of “Catfish Blues” comes off best.

In-between all the covers - you find great unspoken players of British Blues. "Put A Record On" is written by Dave Kelly (Jo Ann's brother) – a Blues Guitarist who played with Fleetwood Mac, The John Dummer Band, Tramp and fronted England's The Blues Band. The other two writers are Bob Hall – a Boogie Woogie pianist who played with The Groundhogs, The De Luxe Blues Band and Tramp to name but a few – and Dennis Cotton – who also played with Tramp and many other Blues orientated artists. The two interviews discuss her first twelve-string guitar – what she was listening to in 'swing shops' like Watkins in Balham – musical influences – Leadbelly, Jesse Fuller, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters – gigs at Falafel in Swiss Cottage and Scots House at Cambridge Circus and her residency at The Bridge House Club where she played with John Lee Hooker, Big Joe Williams and Jesse Fuller.

Jo Ann Kelly sadly passed away in October 1990 from a brain tumour aged only 46 – a truly criminal loss to Britain and the world of Blues. At least this very cool CD compilation of unreleased tunes and jam sessions reminds us of why she was feted by so many luminaries of the day. God bless you kid...

"Summer In The City: The Soul Jazz Grooves Of Quincy Jones" by QUINCY JONES – Featuring Album Tracks from 1969 and 1981 on A&M Records – Guest Musicians Hubert Laws, Freddie Hubbard, Bob James, Toots Thielesman, Milt Jackson and more (October 2007 UK Universal/Jazz Club/Verve CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Mysteries Do Unfold…"

Essentially covering his stay at A&M Records between 1969 and 1981 – this rather cool but basic budget-priced CD offers up 14 tracks of quality QUINCY JONES solo and collaborations. As you can imagine The Dude barely puts a foot wrong – with all songs featuring a dizzying array of quality musicians who in 2014 have all but entered legend. Here are the groovy details…

UK released October 2007 - "Summer In The City: The Soul Jazz Grooves Of Quincy Jones" by QUINCY JONES on Universal Jazz Club/Verve 5301956 (Barcode 0600753019566) breaks down as follows (73:18 minutes):

1. Killer Joe

2. I Never Told You 

Tracks 1 and 2 are from the album "Walking In Space" released December 1969 in the USA on A&M Records SP-3023

3. Walkin’ 

Track 3 is from the album "Gula Matari" released August 1970 in The USA on A&M Records SP-3030

4. Brown Ballad 

5. Cast Your Fate To The Wind

Tracks 4 and 5 are from the album "Smackwater Jack" released October 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP-3037

6. Summer In The City 

7. Eyes Of Love

8. You’ve Got It Bad Girl

Tracks 6 to 8 are from the album "You've Got It Bad Girl" released June 1973 in the USA on A&M Records SP-3041

9. Everything Must Change 

10. Along Came Betty

Tracks 9 and 10 are from the album "Body Heat" released May 1974 in the USA on A&M Records SP-3617. “Everything Must Change” features Lead Vocals by BERNARD IGHNER

11. Tell Me A Bedtime Story 

12. Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) 

14. Stuff Like That

Tracks 11, 12 and 14 are from the album "Sounds…And Stuff Like That!!" released June 1978 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4685

13. Velas

Track 13 is from the album "The Dude" released March 1981 on A&M Records SP-3721

The gatefold inlay does at least provide musician credits and at just under 74 minutes and a price tag that borders on peanuts – it's a properly great bargain. The remastered sound throughout is ace as well – really great.

It opens well with the slinky city groove of "Killer Joe". Stretching to the full album cut of 5:11 minutes it features the combined talents of HUBERT LAWS on Flute, FREDDIE HUBBARD on Trumpet and ERIC GALE on Guitar. Both BOB JAMES and TOOTS THIELEMANS turn up on Keyboards and Harmonica for the equally smooth "I Never Told You" (admittedly very hissy). Quincy then goes full-on Vibe Jazz with his instrumental cover of The Carpenters "Walkin'" with MILT JACKSON providing the Vibes. 

"Brown Ballad" was written by Ray Brown the Acoustic Bass player in Jones' Band and is a wonderfully languid instrumental featuring TOOTS THIELEMANS on Harmonica. He gives it his "Midnight Cowboy" style while JIM HALL provides the slick guitar solo. Toots turns up again on "Eyes Of Love" only this time accompanied on keyboards by BOB JAMES and DAVE GRUSIN with Ray Brown playing the most exquisite Acoustic Bass runs while Quincy organises lovely String Arrangements. 

Genius cover goes to his version of The Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer In The City" with EDDY LOUISS and DAVE GRUSIN on Organ and Guitar with CHUCK RAINEY on Bass. Things finally Funk up with his cover of Stevie Wonder's "You’ve Got It Bad Girl" where he unwisely sings Lead Vocals (sounds uncomfortable) while GEORGE DUKE plinks away on the Electric Piano. We then enter the realms of real genius – the gorgeous "Everything Must Change" with a fantastically warm and expressive vocal lead by BERNARD IGHNER. It's a torch ballad with a Donny Hathaway feel and Soulful vocals from Ighner. The LP it came off ("Body Heat") was actually a Number 1 on the American Billboard R&B charts in 1974. 

We enter his commercial take-off period - Herbie Hancock’s slick and funky "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" is a commercial crossover – as is "Superwoman…" with a great Lead Vocal from PATTI AUSTIN. Musicians include RICHARD TEE on Piano, TOM SCOTT on Lyricon Solo, HERBIE HANCOCK on Keyboards with STEVE GADD on Drums. And it ends on the Funky Future of "Stuff Like That". 

Mellow, Soulful and Funky and ultimately a top listen throughout – a wee bit of a winner frankly...

"Ball/Metamorphosis" by IRON BUTTERFLY – February 1969 and August 1970 US Third and Fifth Albums on Atco Records in Stereo - April 1971 in the UK for "Metamorphosis" (July 2015 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation - 2LPs onto 1CD - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Stone Believer..."

Always hard to categorize – IRON BUTTERFLY divide lovers of both the 60s and 70s – some saying they were a one-hit-album wonder (1968's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" which sold 4 millions copies on release and has amassed a further 16 million since) that never fully capitalised on that 2nd album lightning-in-a-bottle magic. 

But this clever and amazing-sounding July 2015 Beat Goes On (BGO) CD Compilation seems determined to reassess that and in the case of the criminally forgotten "Metamorphosis" LP from 1970 (1971 in the UK) – BGO wins the argument hands down. Let's get to the heavy but brightly coloured wings...

UK released July 2015 – "Ball/Metamorphosis" by IRON BUTTERFLY reissues their 3rd and 5th albums onto 1CD on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1193 (Barcode 5017261211934) and breaks down as follows (75:53 minutes):

1. In The Time Of Our Lives [Side 1]

2. Soul Experience

3. Lonely Boy

4. Real Fright

5. In The Crowds

6. It Must Be Love [Side 2]

7. Her Favorite Style

8. Filled With Fear

9. Belda-Beast

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 3rd album "Ball" – released February 1969 in the USA on Atco SD 33-280 and in the UK on Atlantic 228 011 (Stereo). It peaked at No.3 on the US Billboard Rock LP Charts (no chart UK)

10. Free Flight [Side 1 USA - see Notes below re UK]

11. New Day

12. Shady Lady

13. Best Years Of Our Life

14. Slower Than Guns

15. Stone Believer

16. Soldier In Our Town [Side 2 USA - see Notes below re UK]

17. Easy Rider (Let The Wind Pay The Way)

18. Butterfly Bleu

NOTES: Tracks 10 to 18 are their 5th album "Metamorphosis" credited to IRON BUTTERFLY with Pinera & Rhino. It was released in August 1970 in the USA on Atco SD 33-339 and April 1971 in the UK on Atco 2401 003. The British LP reversed the playing order for both Sides – "Soldier In Our Town" to "Butterfly Bleu" made up the 3 tracks of Side 1 (16, 17 and 18 on this CD) - while "Free Flight" to "Stone Believer" made up the 5 tracks of Side 2 (10 to 15 on this CD). It peaked at No.16 on the US Billboard Rock LP charts (no chart in the UK)

The outer card slipcase lends the whole thing a classy feel while the 16-page booklet features liner notes by noted writer NEIL DANIELS including a history of the group and interviews with Panera about new plans for 2014 (a tour, a new album after 40 years). There are album credits, some publicity photos and black and white shots of the boys on "Born To Be Wild" motorbikes (no lyrics unfortunately). Licensed from WEA - the remasters have been handled in 2015 by ANDREW THOMPSON and are amazing – stunning clarity and power on both records – especially the mightier of the two "Metamorphosis".

The "Ball" LP hit the Stateside Top 5 in February of 1969 – going one notch higher than its sensational predecessor "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" which reached No. 4 in July 1968. Although primarily an album's band - Atco launched the catchy "Soul Experience" b/w "In The Crowds" as an American 45 in February 1969 on Atco 6647 but it managed only a 75 chart placing. It was followed in May 1969 with the album opener "In The Time Of Our Lives" b/w "It Must Be Love" on Atco 6676 and it fared worse – climbing to only 96. In fact when you listen to the decidedly un-commercial doom-laden riffage of "In The Time Of Our Lives" – it's amazing anyone thought it would make a viable single when the more chipper and frankly groovy "Real Fright" with its Funky Bass intro (like The Doors on Speed) would have been a wiser choice. 

"In The Crowds" has a King Crimson Prog opening before it quickly morphs into an upbeat Rock song (the audio remaster on this is superlative). The Side 2 opener "It Must be Love" has Ingles' voice similar to Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull - and combined with Erik Brann’s heavy guitar playing and Ingle’s ever-present keyboards – at times it sounds like Jethro Tull meets The Doors (in a good way). "Her Favorite Style" is probably the most dated tune on here sounding like a highly polished madrigal – better is the slightly out-there freakish rhythms in "Filled With Fear" while the floating keyboards of "Belda-Beast" is almost Pink Floyd. Overall the album is good rather than being great...

If "Ball" was good - "Metamorphosis" was a massive jump forward (even if it only charted at 16 instead of Ball's higher placing at 3). It showed a real song-writing maturity and is so often overlooked (like much of their catalogue) for 1968's chart slayer "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". It opens with the rather pointless 50-seconds of "Free Flight" - an instrumental noodle that promises something but never really delivers. But it segues into the Steppenwolf Boogie Rock of "New Day" where Iron Butterfly achieves a Funkiness that’s still cool to this day (amazing it wasn't issued as a 45). The equally hooky "Shady Lady" did turn up as the B-side to the non-album 45 of "Silly Sally" (A-side) on Atco 6818 in February 1971 (sadly not included here). The remaster on both cuts is superb – Richard Podolor's Production values shining through (he worked with Three Dog Night and Steppenwolf). "Best Years Of Our Lives" is probably the best Rock track on the album – great guitars and clever rhythms that defy categorization even now.

It's followed by an unexpected moment of prettiness – the acoustic "Slower Than Guns" which features a gorgeous vocal and beautifully arranged 12-string guitars (it’s a properly accomplished track and evocative too). Both "Stone Believer" and especially "Soldier In Our Town" sound like Three Dog Night writing their own songs and winning (and again really great transfers). The single "Easy Rider (Let The Wind Pay The Way)" was a modest chart hit in October 1970 on Atco 6782 by scraping 66 on the American charts (the excellent "Soldier In Our Town" was its B-side) where the band sounded like a slide-guitar Steppenwolf paired up with the son of Grand Funk Railroad. 

The album ends on the epic guitar and keyboard sleaze of "Butterfly Bleu" which chugs its way into 14 minutes. Sounding a little Zeppelin I and II in places in its chord chops and changes (there's a trippy centrepiece) – the amazing guitar work of Mike Pinera and Larry "El Rhino" Reinhardt hold centre-stage throughout (voice box used to amazing affect) while an impressive vocal by Ingle anchors the whole thing (weird voices and all). It's genuinely wicked stuff and is superbly clear on the remaster...even when that wild bit in the middle threatens to get out of hand...

I had fully intended to hate this reissue with a vengeance but I've been thoroughly won over (especially by "Metamorphosis" which I'll admit I haven't played on any format in decades). But not so - there's shockingly good stuff on here - a far better listen than I remembered. And with that stunning Audio on 'both' albums - this Beat Goes On CD Reissue for IRON BUTTERFLY is a must have for fans the world over...

"Pity For The Lonely: The Ko Ko Singles Volume 1" by LUTHER INGRAM – US 45s from 1968 to 1971 on the Ko Ko Records Label (July 2007 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation – Nick Robbins and Bob Shread Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Love The Way You Carry Yourself…"

Featuring the legendary first ten singles issued by Memphis Soul Man LUTHER INGRAM on the Ko Ko label between 1966 and 1971 (A&B-sides) – this Kent-Soul CD represents something of a wet dream for Soul aficionados. Rated by many Soul Vocalist fans as one of the great voices of the period – Ingram's "Pity For The Lonely" is primo Ace reissue territory – and typically they’ve done a bang-up job. Here are the ‘more reasons than one’ to buy this CD reissue beauty…

UK released July 2007 – "Pity For The Lonely: The Ko Ko Singles Volume 1" by LUTHER INGRAM on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 279 (Barcode 029667227926) breaks down as follows – all USA 7" singles unless otherwise noted (60:08 minutes):

1. You've Got To Give Love To Get Love

2. I Can't Stop (Version 1) 

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records 101, 1967, both tracks by Luther Ingram

3. Missing You (Version 1)

4. Since You Don't Want Me (Version 1)

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records 103, 1968, both tracks by Luther Ingram and Leslie McFarland)

5. You Can Depend On Me

6. Looking For A New Love

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records KOA-2101, November 1968, A-side by Luther Ingram, B-side a co-write with Leslie McFarland

7. Pity For The Lonely

Using "Looking For A New Love" as the B-side (see 6) - the A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records KOA-2102, March 1969, A-side by Dorian Burton and Gertrude Jones

8. Puttin' Game Down

9. Since You Don't Want Me (Version 2)

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records KAO-2103, July 1969. "Puttin' Game Down" (written by Stacy Johnson) was also issued as his first 45 in the UK on Stax Records STAX 142 in February 1970 - but with (10) "My Honey And Me" as its A-side. "Since You Don't Want Me (Version 2)" also turned up as the USA B-side to "Be Good To Me Baby" on Ko Ko Records KOA-2107 in 1971. "Puttin' Game Down" also showed up as the B-side to the April 1972 USA 45 issue of "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" on Ko Ko Records KOA-2111. 

10. My Honey And Me

11. I Can't Stop (Version 2)

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records KAO-2104, November 1969. Luther Ingram and Leslie McFarland wrote the A, Ingram the B-side. A-side was also his 1st UK 7" single on Stax 142 (see 8 and 9 above) in February 1970. "I Can't Stop (Version 2)" also turned up in 1972 on the USA B-side of "I'll Be Your Shelter (In Time Of Storm)" on Ko Ko Records KOA-2113. 

12. Ain't That Lovin' You (For More Reasons Than One)

13. Home Don't Seem Like Home

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records KOA-2105, April 1970. It was issued as his 2nd single in the UK in June 1970 on Stax Records STAX 148 but with the sides reversed. "Ain't That Lovin' You…" was written by Homer Banks and Allan Jones and first recorded by Johnnie Taylor at Stax in 1967. It charted at Number 6 on the R&B charts in the USA and at No. 45 on Billboard Pop. "Home Don't Seem Like Home" is a Johnnie Taylor and John Baylor song. 

14. To The Other Man

15. I'll Just Cost You Honey 

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records KOA-2106, December 1970. "To The Other Man" was also used as the B-side to "Love Ain't Gonna Run Me Away" in 1973 on Ko Ko Records KOA-2116. 

16. Be Good To Me Baby 

Using "Since You Don't Want Me (Version 2)" as its B-side (see 9) – the A&B sides of Ko Ko Records 2107, June 1971

17. I'll Love You Until The End 

18. Ghetto Train

The A&B-sides of Ko Ko Records KOA-2108, September 1971. 

19. My Honey And Me (Radio Promo) – Radio Advert Snippet (Previously Unreleased Until 2007)

The 16-page booklet has liner notes handled by Soul Expert TONY ROUNCE whose knowledge and warmth for the music exudes out of every sentence (with help from Dean Rudland, Steve Guarnori and other collectors/fans). Rounce has done literally dozens of these booklets for Ace and Edsel and it makes for a properly informative and entertaining read. The song-by-song breakdown text - is also peppered by photos of those uber-desirable Ko Ko and Stax 45s that make collectors weak at the knees. Ace have even managed to locate sheet music for "My Honey And Me" with the lyrics – typically wicked stuff. 

NICK ROBBINS and BOB SHREAD have done the Audio Restoration and Mastering at Sound Mastering in the UK and these primo slices of Southern Soul and Funk sound fabulous. The earlier Ko Ko Recordings are crude (to be blunt) but the audio quality here is clear and full of Mono presence. By the time you get to Single 3 onwards – the audio ups its game considerably to a point where it's filling your room –overall a great job done. 

There's an embarrassment of riches here – there really is. Ingram was possessed of an amazingly expressive voice - at home with groovers and ballads alike. Tunes like "Looking For A New Love" (so Wicked Pickett), "Pity For The Lonely" (lilting Ben E. King) and the truly gorgeous "Ain't That Loving You…" are the kind of gems that make fans declare Soul Music as being the only genre worth listening too. I regularly used to slip "Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)" onto a CD-R in Reckless - and without fail it would bring punters to the counter - some with tears in their eyes from memories stirred (lyrics from it title this review).

The CD is also funky in the shape of the guitar-driven "My Honey And Me" (how did this not chart in the UK or its UK B-side not get airplay?) while the slinky "Home Don't Seem Like Home" is such a winner. "I'll Just Call You Honey" and the socially conscious "Ghetto Train" end it on an upbeat note. Using the backdrop of "My Honey And Me" as it plays, the 42-second Radio Spot for the 'House Of Wax' Record Shop, 1205 East Washington Avenue, North Of Little Rock is a curio – but a damn cool one. 

Ingram passed away in March 2007 aged 69 – but with this and the subsequent volumes – the mighty Ace Records of the UK have done his recorded legacy a total solid. Genius and then some…

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"Original Album Series" by GROUNDHOGS - Including Their Second to Sixth UK Studio Albums on Liberty and United Artists Records - "Blues Obituary" (September 1969), "Thank Christ For The Bomb" (June 1970), "Split" (March 1971), "Who Will Save The World? The Mighty Groundhogs!" and "Hogwash" (March and November 1972) - featuring Guitarist Tony McPhee (February 2015 UK Parlophone/Warners Music Group 5CD Capacity Wallet Mini LP Card Sleeve Box Set Containing Five Albums with 1996, 2003 and 2013 Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 378 Others Is Available 

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"...Who Will Save The World? The Mighty Groundhogs..."

When the "Original Album Series" first appeared in 2010 it was entirely WEA artists and albums. But when the EMI umbrella of labels came into the fold - punters were suddenly getting fresh blood - a whole flurry of associated labels and artists in this massive and popular 5CD Mini Box Set series. 

So far we've had Robin Trower, Edgar Broughton Band, Kiki Dee, Ten Years After, Jethro Tull - and in amongst them is of course England's very own grunge-before-there-was-grunge rockers Groundhogs fronted by ace guitarist Tony McPhee.

This 2015 instalment in the "Original Album Series" misses out their uber-rare debut album "Scratching The Surface" from 1968 on Liberty and gives us the five studio efforts that followed (all now rare and expensive on original British vinyl). And at a tad above two quid a CD - this 5CD Capacity Wallet with Mini LP Card Sleeves and tasty Remasters is properly great value for money.

Each of these albums has received a quality CD remaster in the last two decades (many in 2003) - each fitted out with bonus tracks and comprehensive booklets. As it is with most "Original Album Classics" - the bonuses have been stripped away and each album placed in a dinky 5" card repro sleeve with just the front and rear artwork reproduced. But as fans will know Discs 2, 3, 4 and 5 listed below came with tremendous original artwork when first released on vinyl all those years ago (gatefolds, cartoon sleeves, die-cut holes etc) and that's completely lost here which is a damn shame really. But the good news is that there's been no compromise on the Audio front - they've simply used the PETER MEW Abbey Road Remasters (mostly from 2003) and each is ballsy, clear and full of presence. Here are the world saving details...

UK released February 2015 - "Original Album Series" by GROUNDHOGS is a 5CD Mini Box Set (with 5 x 5" Repro Card Sleeves) on Parlophone/Warners Music Group 0825646179732 (Barcode the same) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (33:55 minutes):

1. B.D.D. [Side 1]

2. Daze Of The Weak

3. Times

4. Mistreated

5. Express Man [Side 2]

6. Natchez Burning

7. Light Way The Day

Tracks 1 to 7 are their 2nd studio album "Blues Obituary" - released September 1969 in the UK on Liberty Records LBS 83253 and in the USA on Imperial LP 12452. The 1996 CD Remaster is used.

Disc 2 (41:14 minutes):

1. Strange Town [Side 1]

2. Darkness Is No Friend

3. Soldier

4. Thank Christ For The Bomb

5. Ship On The Ocean [Side 2]

6. Garden

7. Status People

8. Rich Man, Poor Man

9. Eccentric Man

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 3rd studio album "Thank Christ For The Bomb" - released June 1970 in the UK on Liberty Records LBS 83295 and in the USA on Liberty LST 7644. The 2003 CD Remaster is used.

Disc 3 (39:49 minutes):

1. Split - Part One [Side 1]

2. Split - Part Two

3. Split - Part Three

4. Split - Part Four

5. Cherry Red [Side 2]

6. A Year In The Life

7. Junkman

8. Groundhog

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 4th studio album "Split" - released March 1971 in the UK on Liberty Records LBG 83401 and in the USA on United Artists UAS 5513 (with different artwork). The 2003 CD Remaster is used.

Disc 4 (36:32 minutes):

1. Earth is Not Room Enough [Side 1]

2. Wages of Peace

3. Body In Mind

4. Music Is The Food Of Thought

5. Bog Roll Blues [Side 2]

6. Death Of The Sun

7. Amazing Grace [Traditional Song cover]

8. The Grey Maze

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 5th studio album "Who Will Save The World? The Mighty Groundhogs!" - released March 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29347 and in the USA on United Artists UAS 5570. The 2003 CD Remaster is used.

Disc 5 (39:21 minutes):

1. I Love Miss Ogyny [Side 1]

2. You Had A Lesson

3. The Ringmaster

4. 3744 James Road

5. Sad Is The Hunter [Side 2]

6. S'one Song

7. Earth Shanty

8. Mr. Hooker, Sir John

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 6th studio album "Hogwash" - released November 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29419 and in the USA on United Artists UA-LA008-F. The 2013 CD Remaster is used.

Proceedings open with "B.D.D." (Blind, Deaf & Dumb) which clearly lays out the bands Rocking Blues credentials (all songs on the "Blues Obituary" album are by McPhee). But as well as (Reverend as he's known on the sleeve) McPhee's frantic axe playing - you also get his not-so-great monotone voice and the very basic production values he gave everything. This is down and dirty stuff as evidenced by the wicked Blues of "Daze Of The Weak" - a standout on the record. The Bass of Peter Cruickshank and Ken Pustelnik's Drums on "Time" and "Mistreated" are now clear in the remaster transfer and give the track a very Juicy Lucy swagger.

For most people 1970's "Thank Christ For The Bomb" and its illustrious 1971 follow

Up "Split" are probably their first introduction to the band's particular brand of Rock with a Blues and even Prog twist. "Shafts of moonlight light up the floor..." McPhee tells on "Darkness Is No Friend". In April 1970 Liberty Records UK tried a 45 on LBF 15346 by coupling the unlikely duo of "Eccentric Man" and the slow plod of "Status People" on the B-side - but it raised little interest. There are times when "Ship On The Ocean" sounds like doom-laden Black Sabbath on a jangly guitar tip. The four-parts of "Split" are probably fan's go-to Groundhogs rave up while the hard-rocking "Cherry Red" takes no prisoners chugging along on its rough 'n' ready path. The near six-minute "Groundhog" has McPhee going solo - sat on a chair with his amped up slide guitar - stomping his foot like John Lee Hooker meets ZZ Top meets Rory Gallagher as he whizzes up and down those strings like he owns the Blues. What a winner and it ends the album on a real high (the remaster is fabulous).

1972 was a busy time for The Hogs - two albums in one year. For March's "Who Will Save The World? The Mighty Groundhogs!" - McPhee seemed to have discovered Funk or at least his guitar-strumming version of it. The opening three tracks are all almost Jonathan Richmond in their frantic jagged pace and I love them. There's also a warmth and mellowness to his Side 1 finisher "Music Is The Food Of Thought" where he increasingly sounds like a concerned Michael Chapman or Roy Harper over on EMI's Harvest Records. The Audio Remaster on this album is superb by the way - cymbals, flute and bass - all the backing-instruments so clear. The crudely recorded and doom-treated guitars return with Side Two's "Bog Roll Blues" which again swings in a strange Groundhogs kind of way. The fantastically played Acoustic Guitars on "Death Of The Sun" are superb but again the song is undone by his deadpan vocals treated with some echo in the mix. There's a Soulful church organ and guitar version of the Traditional "Amazing Grace" which is ruined by fuzzed excess and the album finishes on the ten-minute Ten Years After boogie of "The Grey Maze" sounding like a throwback to the best stuff on "Split".

By the time "Hogwash" arrived in late 1972 - the public wasn't really listening and as a result it's hard to find an original vinyl copy - so its CD presence here is welcome. Stuff like "I Love Miss Ogyny" just don't have a tune - better is the jagged Prog rhythms of "You Had A Lesson". But again his vocals grate. The live-in-the-studio "3744 James Road" is preceded by a "1, 2, 3 4!" count in and is probably the best track on the album where the band sound like Alvin Lee's Ten Years After in 1972 with McPhee letting rip on some truly impressive and wild guitar playing. "Hogwash" was another McPhee Self-Production - but this time the audio quality was on the up and you can really hear it in the power of the remaster where both Cruickshank's Bass and the Drums of Clive Brooks leap out of the speakers at you.

"Original Album Series" by GROUNDHOGS is not all genius by any means and with that deadpan set of pipes of his - I've always felt that his band was an acquired taste. But if you've any affection for them - then this latest addition to the impressive "Original Album Classics" is a must own...