"Original Album Series" by CHARLES WRIGHT & THE WATTS 103rd STREET RHYTHM BAND – Including the US Stereo Albums "The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band" (April 1968), "Together" (April 1969), "In The Jungle, Babe" (November 1969), "Express Yourself" (June 1970) and "You're So Beautiful" (June 1971) (August 2010 UK Warner Brothers/Rhino 5CD Capacity Wallet of Remasters in Mini LP Card Repro Sleeves) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

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"…Express Yourself…"

As none of these American albums ever received a UK issue on original vinyl and the Rhino Expanded CD remasters of 2007 are long gone - this 2010 5CD mini box set in Warner Brothers ongoing "Original Album Series" is a smart reissue. It makes available desirable Sixties and Seventies Funk, Soul & R'n'B - even if the music isn't all genius. Here are the street-smart details...

UK released August 2010 - "Original Album Series" by CHARLES WRIGHT & THE WATTS 103rd STREET RHYTHM BAND on Warner Brothers/Rhino 8122 79833 5 (Barcode 081227983352) breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (32:49 minutes):

1. Caesar's Palace [Side 1]

2. Yellow Submarine

3. Brown Sugar

4. Soul Concerto

5. Fried Okra

6. Spreadin' Honey

7. A Little Class & A Little Trash [Side 2]

8. The 103rd St. Theme

9. The Girl From Ipanema

10. Bring It On Home To Me

11. Whole Hog, Or None At All

12. Watts Happening

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut album "The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band" - released April 1968 in the USA on Warner Brothers W 1741 (Mono) and WS 1741 (Stereo) - Stereo Mix Used. The album was also known as "Hot Heat And Sweet Groove" because of these words on the rear sleeve.

Disc 2 (46:48 minutes):

1. Sorry Charlie

2. Something You Got

3. 65 Bars And A Taste Of Soul

4. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

5. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

6. A Dance, A Kiss And A Song

7. Phuncky Bill

8. Get Ready [Side 2]

9. Stormy Monday

10. Giggin' Down 103rd

11. My Summer's Gone

12. Knock On Wood

13. I Wake Up Cryin'

14. Do Your Thing

Tracks 1 to 14 are their 2nd album "Together" - released April 1969 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1761 (Stereo). The album is split between studio and live recordings. Tracks 1, 3 and 10 are Studio Instrumentals while 11 and 13 are Studio Tracks with Vocals - the remainder are mostly cover versions all recorded Live At The Haunted House, Hollywood in California in May 1968

Disc 3 (35:24 minutes):

1. Till You Get Enough

2. I'm A Midnight Mover

3. Light My Fire

4. Comment

5. Everyday People

6. Must Be Your Thing [Side 2]

7. Love Land

8. Oh Happy Gabe (Sometimes Blue)

9. Twenty-Five Miles

10. The Joker (On A Trip Through The Jungle)

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 3rd album "In The Jungle, Babe" - released October 1969 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1801 (Stereo).

Disc 4 (45:35 minutes):

1. Road Without An End

2. I Got Love

3. High As Apple - Slice 1

4. Express Yourself

5. I'm Aware [Side 2]

6. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do

7. High As Apple Pie - Slice II

Tracks 1 to 7 are their 4th album "Express Yourself" - released June 1970 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1864 (Stereo). Albums 1 to 3 were credited to The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - this is the first credited to Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band

Disc 5 (28:30 minutes):

1. Express Yourself II

2. Let's Make Love Not War

3. Just To Settle My Nerves

4. What Can You Bring Me? [Side 2]

5. Your Love Means Everything To Me

6. You're So Beautiful

7. I Got Your Love

Tracks 1 to 7 are their 5th album "You're So Beautiful" - released June 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1904 - credited to Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band

As anyone who has bought one of these sets will know - you get 5 skinny card repro sleeves inside a flimsy card wrap - in this case gathering together their first five albums (Rhino also did "Rhythm And Poetry" from 1972 on an expanded CD remaster in 2007). Speaking of remasters - having had 4 of these albums on the 2007 CD versions - it's clear to me that those remasters have been used here (no new upgrades). The sound is punchy if not a little hissy (especially on the first two albums). The card sleeves are lovely to look at - while the CDs themselves carry a track list with basic songwriter credits but naught else.

Relistening to these albums is a mixed experience - parts of them are great while others are dire - especially the dreadfully limp "You're So Beautiful" album where he ruins his own "Express Yourself" by doing a Part II that sucks. On the plus side as you go through the earlier album you stumble on storming album cuts to savour - the funky instrumental "Oh Happy Gabe (Sometimes Blue)" where Trumpeter Gabe Flemings does the coolest instrumental. There's also the fab "Fried Orka" track - a funky instrumental that sounds like Booker T & The M.G.'s meets War. I also quite like their unusual take on Sly Stone's "Everyday People" which they turn into a monster JB's groove without the lyrics.

"Together" has always been a bizarre album to me - yet one that actually works. Half studio and half live - it opens with the cool studio instrumental "Sorry Charlie" that then segues into a bluesy live cover of Chris Kenner's "Something You Got". That in turn is followed by wickedly funky studio instrumental "63 Bars And A Taste Of Soul" (it was used as the B-side to the non-LP "Bottomless" - put out as a 45 in 1968 on Warner Brothers 7222). The Meters stabbing brass and guitar of "Giggin' Down 103rd" turned up in 2000 on the "Right On! Volume 2" CD compilation - a superb WEA gathering up of rare grooves for collectors. And complimenting the irrepressible "Express Yourself" you also get their other big groove chart hit - "Your Love Means Everything To Me" - an improvisation that sounds like The JB's working out a bad backbeat before their overlord comes into the studio and fines them for missing a beat.

Wright never had the greatest of voices and he would regularly butcher ballads with his stoned whine (their cover of The Doors "Light My Fire" is the lamest I've ever heard - a song that's genuinely hard to ruin). But his band had a fantastic rhythm section - and when they hit that funky groove - you begin to realise why they charted four of these five albums on the American R&B charts. So - good and bad...but man when they were good...

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"Collected" by GERRY RAFFERTY and STEALERS WHEEL (and THE HUMBLEBUMS with Billy Connolly and Joe Egan) - Featuring 1969 to 1995 Tracks from Albums by The Humblebums - "The New Humblebums" (1969) and "Open Up The Door" (1970) – Tracks from albums by Stealers Wheel - "Stealers Wheel" (1972), "Ferguslie Park" (1973) and "Right Or Wrong" (1975) and Gerry Rafferty solo albums "Can I Have My Money Back Please" (1971), "City To City" and "Night Owl" (1978) and more – Featuring Billy Connolly and Joe Egan (February 2011 GERMANY Universal Music 3CD Compilation Of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Get It Right Next Time…"

I've noticed a rather odd phenomenon that's taking place with Universal out of Europe (in this case I think it's Germany). Their compilations seem to be remastered when they don't say so - or just better mastered than those in the UK, USA and even (dare we say it) - Japan. So I took a £10/$15 chance on their STEELY DAN "Collected" 3CD set (see separate review) - and lo and behold - it sounds better. 

Now I'm onto another fave rave of mine – GERRY RAFFERTY – and I'm digging big time what I'm hearing on "Collected". As you can see from the detailed track-lists provided below - each of these three jam-packed CDs is a mishmash of time frames and bands (56 songs in total). But actually that only makes the listens on each a bit more diverse and interesting. And the Audio is better than anything I've heard before. So, here are the details...

EU released February 2011 - "Collected" by GERRY RAFFERTY and STEALERS WHEEL (and THE HUMBLEBUMS) on Universal 533 279-4 (Barcode 600753327944) is a 3-Disc 56-Track Compilation of Remasters (1969 to 1995) that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (76:44 minutes):

1. Late Again

2. Stuck In The Middle With You

Tracks 1 and 2 are from their debut album "Stealers Wheel" (1972)

3. Everything Will Turn Out Fine 

4. Star

Tracks 3 and 4 are from their 2nd LP "Ferguslie Park" (1973)

5. Found My Way To You

6. Go As You Please

7. Right or Wrong 

Tracks 5 to 7 are from their 3rd and final album "Right Or Wrong" (1975)

8. The Ark 

9. Baker Street 

10. Right Down The Line 

11 City To City 

12. Stealin' Time 

13. Whatever's Written In Your Heart 

Tracks 8 to 13 are from his 2nd Solo LP "City To City" (1978)

14. Night Owl

15. Get It Right Next Time 

Tracks 14 and 15 are from his 3rd LP "Night Owl" (1978)

16. Bring It All Home 

17. The Garden Of England 

Tracks 16 and 17 are from his 4th LP "Snakes And Ladders" (1980)

NOTES: Tracks 1 to 7 by STEALERS WHEEL featuring Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan.

Tracks 8 to 17 by GERRY RAFFERTY.

Disc 2 (79:01 minutes):

1. Sleepwalking 

2. As Wise As A Serpent 

Tracks 1 and 2 are from his 5th album “Sleepwalking" (1982)

3. The Way It Always Starts 

Track 3 is by MARK KNOPFLER from his Soundtrack Album "Local Hero" (1983)

4. Hearts Run Dry 

5. A Dangerous Age

6. On A Night Like This 

7. Moonlight And Gold 

8. Shipyard Town 

9. Tired Of Talking 

Tracks 4 to 9 are from his 6th album "North And South" (1988)

10. Love And Affection 

11. Don't Give Up On Me 

12. Time's Caught Up On You

Tracks 10 to 12 are from 7th album "On A Wing And A Prayer" (1993)

13. The Girl's Got No Confidence 

14. Over My Head 

15. Down And Out 

16. A New Beginning 

Tracks 13 to 16 are from his 8th album "Over My Head" (1995)

NOTES: all tracks by GERRY RAFFERTY except "The Way It Always Starts" by GERRY RAFFERTY and MARK KNOPFLER

Disc 3 (70:00 minutes):

1. Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway 

2. Rick Rack 

3. Look Over The Hills And Far Away 

4. Please Sing A Song For Us

Tracks 1 to 4 from the album "The New Humblebums" (1969) by THE HUMBLEBUMS

5. Shoe Shine Boy 

6. Steamboat Row

Tracks 5 to 6 are from their album "Open Up The Door" (1970)

7. Mary Skeffington

8. Can I Have My Money Back?

9. Didn't I 

10. New Street Blues

11. Don't Count Me Out 

12. To Teach And Everyone

13. One Drink Down

Tracks 7 to 13 are from his debut Solo album "Can I Have My Money Back Please" (1971)

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14. Johnny's Song

15. You Put Something Better Inside Me

16. Gets So Lonely 

17. Next To Me 

Tracks 14 to 17 are from their debut album "Stealers Wheel” (1972)

18. Blind Faith 

19. Who Cares 

20. Good Businessman

Tracks 18 to 20 are from their 2nd LP "Ferguslie Park" (1973)

21. Benediction

Track 21 is from their 3rd and final album "Right Or Wrong" (1975)

NOTES: Tracks 1 to 6 by THE HUMBLEBUMS featuring Gerry Rafferty and Billy Connolly. 

Tracks 7 to 13 by GERRY RAFFERTY and Tracks 14 to 21 by STEALERS WHEEL featuring Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan 

The 3-way foldout card digipak houses an inlay in the left wallet with the 3 CDs spread across the other flaps. It doesn't say who wrote the liner notes in the rather tasteful 12-page mini booklet and the only reference to sound is 'Mastering: QS Sound Lab'. However, listening to my old EMI versions – the sonic upgrade is noticeably better on the "Night Owl" tracks – especially the fabulous slink of "Get It Right Next Time". The "Baker Street" version is the full "City To City" album cut at six-minutes plus (so the edited single mix remains a tad elusive) and the Stealers Wheel tracks have great muscle in them too (lovely clarity on the classic "Stuck In The Middle With You").

Fans will also notice that the set is 'not' chronologically lined-up and I'd argue that it’s so much the better for it. All 3 discs cleverly offer up what feels like mini compilations – with Disc 3 being the oddest as it features the stuff he did with Billy Connolly when they were comedy folk duo The Humblebums. And while the October 1971 Transatlantic Records debut album "Can I Have My Money Back Please" is interesting – I would have much preferred remastered tracks from the "City To City" 1979 follow up "Night Owl". There's the underrated brilliance of 1982's "Sleepwalking" (just how good is "As Wise As A Serpent") and lesser-heard later stuff like the lovely "Over My Head" title track.

What a songwriter and what a loss. Give this Euro 3CD set a go – it contains that rare double whammy - quality and quantity…

PS: Artists in this Universal Euro Series are:

The Allman Brothers, The Band, J.J. Cale, The Carpenters, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cuby + Blizzards, Fairport Convention, Golden Earring, John Hiatt, Joe Jackson, The Moody Blues, Gerry Rafferty Stealers Wheel and The Humblebums, Shocking Blue, Steely Dan, Cat Stevens, 10cc., Thin Lizzy and Gino Vannelli.

I've bought the 10cc set which just sounds like the 1997 remasters and is filled out with a lot of crap solo stuff  - but I hear the J.J. Cale triple has great sound too...

"Tupelo Honey" by VAN MORRISON - October 1971 US LP on Warner Brothers Records - November 1971 UK - With Guest Musicians Ronnie Montrose, Marc Jordan, Jack Schroer and Louis Gasca (January 2008 UK Polydor/Exile Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Two Bonus Tracks and Tim Young Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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"...Wild Night…"

This 2008 CD remaster is probably the 3rd or even 4th reissue of Van Morrison's 1971 album "Tupelo Honey" on the new fangled CD format and its by far the best version to date. The extras are tasty and more importantly - the Audio is top notch. Here are the "…sends you flying…" musical minutiae…

UK released 28 January 2008 - "Tupelo Honey" by VAN MORRISON on Polydor/Exile 5305446 (Barcode 600753054468) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows: 

1. Wild Night [Side 1]

2. (Straight To Your Heart) Like A Cannonball 

3. Old Old Woodstock

4. Starting A New Life

5. You're My Woman 

6. Tupelo Honey [Side 2]

7. I Wanna Roo You (Scottish Derivative)

8. When That Evening Sun Goes Down

9. Moonshine Whiskey

Tracks 1 to 9 make up the vinyl album "Tupelo Honey" - released October 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1950 and November 1971 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46114. 

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Wild Night (Alternate Take)

11. Down By The Riverside 

Tracks 10 and 11 are Previously Unreleased - "Down By The Riverside" is a cover version of an old Traditional. I must say that both bonus tracks are excellent and not at all throwaway crap designed to sucker in punters (as some had feared). The upgraded booklet contains all the lyrics, but disappointingly no history of where the album fits in. The photo of Van the Man, his Lady and the Horse that originally featured on the LP inner gatefold is faithfully reproduced as the booklet centrepiece – a nice touch. There’s also band and production credits – and even lyrics for the two bonus tracks. 

But the best bit is the SOUND. The original analogue master tapes have been 96K/24 Bit digitally remastered by TIM YOUNG at Metropolis Mastering in London for this 2008 release – and the sound is just beautiful – and that's for almost every track. I say this because, I've had the 1998 remasters for a while and always thought they were 'too' loud and 'hissy' for comfort. Don't get me wrong, there is unfortunately still audible hiss on the gorgeous "Tupelo Honey" and "You're My Woman" (two of the best on here) but not 'too' much to detract. Those without hiss are just unbelievably good. The punch out of them! 

From the album opener "Wild Night" to "When That Evening Sun Goes Down" - the band might as well be in your living room – it's that vibrant and alive. The session men put in a blinder too - fantastic brass work by Jack Schroer and Luis Gasca on "Wild Night" with equally superb piano touches from Mark Jordan on "When That Evening Sun Goes Down". Ace guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who later formed the US Rock Band Montrose and created one of the hardest and best riffage debuts ever in "Montrose" (1973 on Warner Brothers, also produced by Ted Templeman) plays guitar, mandolin and even throws in some backing vocals too. Not everything on here is genius of course, but there's just something about his Warner Brothers albums (all of them) that's magical. And it’s mid-price too - I picked up my copy for £6 in Central London. 

All in all, a great sounding reissue and one I urge fans and the uninitiated to get stuck into pronto. 

PS: 

Like "Tupelo Honey" - 28 other Van Morrison albums were to be re-issued in remastered form throughout 2008 and into early 2009. Each was to contain upgraded booklets, previously unreleased material and all were at mid-price. They were to be released in 4 batches as follows (29 in total) - but batch 3 and 4 were cancelled indefinitely. "Moondance" has turned up in 2CD and 4CD Deluxe Edition forms in 2013 (see review for the 2CD version) and in 2015 Sony/Legacy have apparently acquired much of his back catalogue but their plans for hard copy CD reissues/remasters remains unclear (possible only downloads). This list is for info purposes:

January 2008 (7 titles)

Tupelo Honey (1971), It's Too Late To Stop Now (2 CD Live Set) (1974), 

Wavelenght (1978), Into The Music (1979), A Sense Of Wonder (1985), 

Avalon Sunset (1989) and Back On Top (1999)

June 2008 (8 titles)

Veedon Fleece (1974), Common One (1980), Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983), Live At The Grand Opera House, Belfast (1984), No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986), Enlightenment (1990), A Night In San Francisco (2CD Live Set) (1994) and The Healing Game (1997)

September 2008 (7 titles) - CANCELLED

Saint Dominic's Preview (1972), A Period Of Transition (1977), Beautiful Vision (1982), Poetic Champions Compose (1987), Hymns To The Silence (2CD Studio Set), How Long Has This Been Going On (Live At Ronnie Scott's) (1995), Tell Me Something – The Songs Of Mose Allison (1996)

January 2009 (8 titles) - CANCELLED

Hard Nose The Highway (1973), Irish Heartbeat (with The Chieftains) (1988), 

Too Long In Exile (1993), Days Like This (1995), The Story Of Them (2CD Set) (1999), The Skiffle Sessions – Live In Belfast (with Lonnie Donegan & Chris Barber) (2000), Down The Road (2002) and What's Wrong With This Picture? (2003)

"Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas And The Papas" by THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS - Featuring Early Bands like The Big Three, The Mugwumps and A Collaboration with Barry McGuire - Mamas and Papas Albums and Compilations from 1966 to 1971 - Plus Solo Tracks by Mama Cass Elliott, John Phillips, Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips and Other rarities (May 1991 US MCA 2CD 43-Track Compilation with Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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"…I Listen To The Records Sometimes And It Electrifies Me…"

Here in 2026 - there are wads of compilations for California's Mamas & Papas - but I'd like to argue that this long-forgotten first officially issued and curated American stab from 1991 still remains among the best (and luckily for us – none too pricey either). Rare stand-alone 45s with their Non-LP B-sides, key album tracks, rarities, early band incarnations, Solo tracks by Mama Cass Elliott, John Phillips, Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips and more. Taking its compilation title from a track on their February 1967 US album "The Mamas And Papas Deliver" on Dunhill Records - here are the beads, flowers and the Mondays you will like…

US released May 1991 - "Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas And The Papas" by THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS on MCA Records MCLDD 19124 (Barcode 008811912420) is a 2CD 43-Track Anthology including early bands like The Big Three, The Mugwumps and Solo Material too. It breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (65:34 minutes):

1. Wild Women – THE BIG THREE (1963 USA LP "Live In The Recording Studio" on FM Records 311)

2. Winken', Blinken And Nod – THE BIG THREE (1963 USA 7" 45-single on FM Records 3003/Reissued in 1964 in the USA on Tollie 9006)

3. I'll Remember Tonight – THE MUGWUMPS (1964 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 5471)

4. I Don't Wanna Know – THE MUGWUMPS (B-side of 3 – both tracks Previously Unreleased on Album Prior to 1991)

5. This Precious Time – BARRY McGUIRE (1965 USA 7" single on Dunhill 4019 – Backing Vocals by The Mamas and The Papas)

6. John Phillips Dialogue from "A Gathering Of Flowers" – JOHN PHILLIPS (on "A Gathering Of Flowers – The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas" released January 1970 in the USA on Dunhill DSY 50073, 2LPs)

7. California Dreamin' (November 1965 USA 7" single on Dunhill 4020, A)

8. Oh Where You Wanna Go (January 1966 USA debut LP "If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears" on Dunhill 5006. Some discographies also list this as the 45 single Dunhill 4018 but it was never released)

9. Monday, Monday (as per 8 on LP, also released as a USA 45 on Dunhill 4026 in March 1966, A-side)

10. You Baby (as per 8 on LP)

11. Do You Wanna Dance (as per 8 on LP, also turned up as an A-side USA 45 on Dunhill 4171 in October 1968)

12. I Call Your Name (as per 8 on LP, Beatles cover version)

13. Spanish Harlem (as per 8 on LP, Ben E. King cover version)

14. Straight Shooter (as per 8 on LP, also B-side to the USA 45 of "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" on Dunhill 4099 in August 1867

15. Got A Feelin' (as per 8 on LP, also B-side to "Monday, Monday" – see 9)

16. I Saw Her Again (June 1966 USA 7" single on Dunhill 4031, A-side)

17. Look Through My Window (September 1966 USA 7" 45-Single on Dunhill 4050, A-side)

18. Words Of Love (August 1966 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas" on Dunhill DS 50010, also November 1966 USA 7" 45-single on Dunhill 4057, A-side)

19. Dancing In The Street (as per 18 on LP, also B-side of "Words Of Love")

20. Mama Cass dialogue from "A Gathering Of Flowers" - MAMA CASS (as per 6)

21. Once Upon A Time I Thought (with False Start and Studio Chatter) (as per 6 on LP, edited version also released on "The Mamas And The Papas" LP, and also released as the B-side to "Look Through My Window" (see 17))

22. No Salt On Her Tail (as per 18 on LP)

Disc 2 (63:25 minutes):

1. Trip, Stumble & Fall (August 1966 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas" on Dunhill 50010)

2. Dancing Bear (August 1966 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas" on Dunhill DS 50010, also November 1967 A-side of a USA 7" single on Dunhill 4113)

3. Dedicated To The One I Love (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014 and also a February 1967 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4077)

4. Creeque Alley (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014 and also a April 1967 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4083)

5. My Girl (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014 and also a October 1968 USA 7" single B-side to "Do You Wanna Dance" on Dunhill 4171)

6. Twist And Shout (February 1967 USA LP "The Mamas And The Papas Deliver" on Dunhill DS 50014)

7. I Call Your Name (Live) (on the USA LP "Historic Performance At The Monterey International Pop Festival" released 1970 on Dunhill DSX 50100)

8. Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon) (on the album "The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas" released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031)

9. Glad To Be Unhappy (October 1967 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4107)

10. For The Love Of Ivy (on the album "The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas" released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031, also, a USA 7" single A-side released July 1968 on Dunhill 4150)

11. Safe In My Garden (on the album "The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas” released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031, also a USA 7” single A-side released May 1968 on Dunhill 4125)

12. Midnight Voyage (on the album “The Papas And The Mamas Presented By The Mamas And The Papas" released April 1968 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50031, also a USA 7" single B-side to Cass Elliott's solo single "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" released June 1968 on Dunhill 4145 – credited as "featuring Mama Cass with The Mamas and The Papas")

13. Dream A Little Dream Of Me – CASS ELLIOTT/MAMA and PAPAS (as per 12 on LP, also A-side of Dunhill 4145)

14. California Earthquake – MAMA CASS (October 1968 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4166)

15. It's Getting Better – MAMA CASS (May 1969 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4195)

16. Make Your Own Kind Of Music – MAMA CASS (September 1969 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4214)

17. Mississippi – JOHN PHILLIPS (on the album "John Philips – John The Wolfking Of L.A." released March 1970 in the USA on Warlok/ABC-Dunhill DS-50077, also a USA 7" single A-side released March 1970 on Dunhill 4214)

18. Whatcha Gonna Do – DENNY DOHERTY (February 1971 USA 7" single A-side on Dunhill 4270)

19. Mama Cass dialogue from "A Gathering Of Flowers" – MAMA CASS (on "A Gathering Of Flowers – The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas" released January 1970 USA 2LP set on Dunhill DSY 50073)

20. Step Out (on the album "People Like Us" released October 1971 in the USA on Dunhill DS 50106, also a USA 7" single A-side released January 1972 on Dunhill 4301)

21. The Achin’ Kind – MICHELLE PHILLIPS (on the album "Victim Of Romance" released 1977 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4651)

NOTES: All tracks Produced by LOU ADLER and all mixes are STEREO LP versions unless otherwise stated

BEST AUDIO: Compiled by CARY MANSFIELD and ANDY McKAIE (people involved in many well-praised compilations) and remastered to perfection by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON – the sound on this early 2CD anthology is superlative (better than the slight harshness that crept into later more pricey retrospectives). The 12-page booklet offers track-by-track details but no liner notes. Still what you want is the music – and in Stereo every time – 'Creeque Alley' sounds amazing. 

All 11 of the hits they placed on America's Billboard charts are here between 1966 and 1970 and Solo wins too (chart positions are in parenthesis) – "California Dreaming" (No.4), "Monday, Monday" (1), "I Saw Her Again" (5), "Look Through My Window" (24), "Words Of Love" (5), "Dedicated To The One I Love" (2), "Creeque Alley" (5), "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" (20), "Glad To Be Unhappy" (26), "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" by Mama Cass & The Mamas & The Papas (12) and "Mississippi" (by John Phillips) . 

The early Mugwumps and Big Three tracks are worth having but things start to really sizzle when you get to those album tracks that get lost amongst the more popular hits – stuff like their Monkees-sounding rocker "Straight Shooter" and the Acapella out-take of "Once Upon A Time I Thought" with its false starts and studio chatter gives a great insight into their vocal harmonies and their internal joy/wit.

And then there's Cass's truly lovely "It's Getting Better" – a sunny tune that will tug on the hardest of hearts (always reminds me of when I became a father). Even their hip cover of The Beatles "Twist & Shout" is given a cool California work over that takes you straight into the surf – running alongside the Sixties paranoia of "California Earthquake" where Cass looks at the ground and worries "...the fault line runs right through here…" It finishes with the pretty "Step Out" preceded by Mama Cass talking about how people came up to her at in parking lots and at gas stations saying how much their music meant to them (dialogue from it titles this review). Nice.

 

You can't help but think that their happy hippy-tunes wouldn't make it in today's more fractured world– but man what a joyous sound The Mamas and Papas made – and this unassuming cheapo double CD set gets that across with sonic aplomb.  

"I don't feel all turned on and starry-eyed…I just feel a sweet contentment deep inside…" Cass Elliott sang on "It's Getting Better". Know what you mean you lovely lady…

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