"The Complete Warner Brothers Recordings" by TONY JOE WHITE (2015 Real Gone Music 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Got A Thing About You..."

Tony Joe White's initial career - his first flourish on Monument Records between 1968 and 1970 - followed by three albums on Warner Brothers between 1971 and 1973 - have always been hard to find on both vinyl and CD in the UK (without paying through the nose for such digital delights).

This rather fantastic 2CD haul from US reissue label 'Real Gone Music' lumps together his hugely collectable and revered three WB albums - "Tony Joe White" from 1971, "The Train I'm On" from 1972 and "Homemade Ice Cream" from 1973 - and throws in six rare non-album 7" single sides (I believe) seeing the first digital light of day anywhere.

I've reviewed about eight 'Real Gone Music' CD reissues most of which have been to do with Atlantic Records Soul Artists of the 60ts and 70ts and every one of them has been exemplary in both sound and presentation. They appear to have arisen out of the ashes of 'Rhino' - picking up their reissue baton with great style. Of late (2014 to 2016) they've begun to issue Rock and Pop Artists too - out-of-print acts originally issued on the WEA umbrella of labels - Loudon Wainwright, Vanilla Fudge, Doug Sahm and this - the fab Tony Joe White. Time to get to the nitty gritty...

USA released February 2015 - "The Complete Warner Brothers Recordings" by TONY JOE WHITE on Real Gone Music RGM-0329 (Barcode 848064003298) is a 40-track 2CD set offering 3 full 70ts albums with six rare single sides and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (77:02 minutes)

1. They Caught The Devil And Put In Jail In Eudora, Arkansas

2. The Change

3. My Kind Of Woman

4. The Daddy

5. Black Panther Swamps

6. Five Summers For Jimmy [Side 2]

7. A Night In The Life Of A Swamp Fox

8. Travelling Bone

9. I Just Walked Away

10. Copper Kettle

11. Voodoo Village

Tracks 1 to 11 are his fourth studio album "Tony Joe White" (debut for Warner Brothers) - released March 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 1900 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46068.  Produced by PETER ASHER – it peaked at No. 167 on the US LP charts (didn't chart UK).  All songs are TJW originals except "Copper Kettle" by Bob Dylan and "Voodoo Village" by Lee Ann White.

12. Lustful Earl And The Married Woman - non-album B-side to "I Just Walked Away" - February 1971 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 7505

13. Delta Love

14. That On The Road Look - Tracks 13 and 14 are the non-album A&B-sides of a July 1971 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 7523

Tracks 12, 13 and 14 written by Tony Joe White

15. I've Got A Thing About You Baby

16. The Family

17. If I Ever Saw A Good Thing

18. Beouf River Road

19. The Train I'm On

20. Even Trolls Love Rock And Roll

Tracks 15 to 20 are Side 1 of his fifth studio album "The Train I'm On" (second for Warners) - released April 1972 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2580 and June 1971 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46147.

Disc 2 (67:21 minutes):

1. As The Crow Flies

2. Take Time To Love

3. 300 Pounds Of Hongry

4. The Migrant

5. Sidewalk Hobo

6. The Gospel Singer

Tracks 1 to 6 are Side 2 of his fifth studio album "The Train I'm On" (second for Warners) - released April 1972 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2580 and July 1972 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46147. Produced by JERRY WEXLER and TOM DOWD - it didn't chart in either country. All songs written by TJW except "The Family" by Jon Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, "Take Time To Love" a co-write between TJW and Donnie Fritts and "300 Pounds Of Hongry" written by Eddie Hinton and Donnie Fritts.

7. Saturday Night In Oak Grove

8. For 'Ol Time Sake

9. I Want Love ('Tween You And Me)

10. Homemade Ice Cream

11. Ol' Mother Earth

12. Lazy

13. California On My Mind [Side 2]

14. Backwoods Preacher Man

15. Takin' The Midnight Train

16. No News Is Good News

17. Did Somebody Make A Fool Out Of You

Tracks 7 to 17 are his sixth studio album (final for Warners) - "Homemade Ice Cream" - released June 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2708 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46229

18. Sign Of The Lion - non-album A-side of a March 1974 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers WB 7780

19. Don't Let The Door (Hit You in The Butt)

20. Wishful Thinking - non-album A&B-sides of a October 1974 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers WBS 8042

Tracks 18 to 20 written by TJW

This 2CD set will allow fans to sequence all his period US and UK 7" singles as follows:

USA:

1. The Daddy b/w Voodoo Village (February 1971 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 7468)

2. My Kind Of Woman b/w I Just Walked Away (May 1971 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 7477)

3. I Just Walked Away b/w Lustful Earl And The Married Woman (July 1971 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 7505)

4. Delta Love b/w That On The Road Look (September 1971 USA 7" single on Warner Brothers 7523)

UK:

1. A Night In The Life Of A Swamp Fox b/w The Daddy (June 1971 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers WB 6129)

2. I've Got A Thing About You Baby b/w The Gospel Singer (July 1972 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16200)

3. Backwoods Preacher Man b/w Saturday Night In Oak Grove, Louisiana (November 1973 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16294)

4. I've Got A Thing About You Baby/Did Somebody Make A Fool Of You [Side 1]

If I Ever Saw A Good Thing/California On My Mind [Side 2] (1974 UK 4-Track EP on Warner Brothers K 16411)

The 20-page booklet is a very tasty affair - new liner notes from BEN EDMONDS that go into the history of the three albums - full page plates of each LP cover as well as the gatefold and rear artwork - period photos of TJW in colour and black and white, original recording personnel and details and some reissue credits (no lyrics).

I've had the 'Sepia Tone' US CD Remasters of "Tony Joe White" and "The Train I'm On" from 2002 and to my ears - there's virtually no difference in sound quality on either of those titles - that is to say you get gorgeous Audio on the lot. Oddly for a RGM release there are no mastering credits at all - but as I've already said these CDs sound glorious. Taking a track like the magnificent and socially aware "Sidewalk Hobo" off the "Homemade Ice Cream" LP which is just Tony Joe White and his Acoustic Guitar or the lovely electric guitar and keyboard hustle of "The Change" from the first album - the audio is clean yet full of presence. Only the single B-side "Lustful Earl..." and maybe "Did Somebody Make A Fool Out Of You" have more hiss on them than most would like - but the latter is such a good song - you don't notice once the song hits its groove.

Quite why someone in Warner Brothers UK thought that "The Daddy" should have been the B-side and not the A (as it was in the USA) is anybody's guess – but that song is 'pretty'. I mention this because when he’s not Country Funkin' tunes like the guitar-chug of "My Kind Of Woman" and the slightly bitter 'twats at gigs' song "A Night In The Life Of A Swamp Fox" - Tony Joe White could pen a beautiful melody that would stay with you. "Five Summers For Jimmy" is an example - a 'supper table' tale of a woman dreaming of the one she loved who had to 'go off to fight'. It's an acoustic strum with occasional Bob Dylan harmonica jabs and you can 'so' hear Bruce Springsteen's Acoustic forays later on in his career originating here. The same can be said of the Dan Penn soulfulness that seeps through the organ-driven "I Just Walked Away". Despite his obvious dislike for the tag - Swamp Rock was not far away - "Traveling Bone" and the Memphis Horns Funk of the album finisher "Voodoo Village" complete with Meters guitars and Tony Joe doing his best Hog snorts throughout.

But my real poison is his 2nd platter - "The Train I'm On". He seemed to hit his songwriter stride with this record - opening with the gorgeous and infectious "I've Got A Thing About You Baby". Even now it's truly unbelievable that this made-for-Radio and Top Of The Pops smash wasn't just that - a smash. His July 1969 "Pork Salad Annie" would remain his only US chart placing he'd achieve. In a rare cover - he then goes into pure storytelling with John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins song "The Family" - a boy gone wrong with hard times at harvest time. The kid took the train out of there - and you can't help feeling TJ recognised his need to do so. The Fats Domino roll to "If I Ever Saw A Good Thing" make it a happy tune - but far better is the menacing Jews Harp of Ronnie Hawkins on the chugger "Beouf River Road" - a dirty water rising song that could easily have been 1969 Creedence. Back to organ melody for the languid title track "The Train I'm On" where Tony urges us to shed no tears even if the rolling stock sounds lonesome. Side 1 ends with a slice of TJW genius which he plays to this day - the Funky and Funny "Even Trolls Love Rock And Roll" where Tony Joe and his band are on their way to a local gig and on a wooden bridge are accosted by a 'troll' interested in the boogie. He offers them a few licks and on the evidence presented here - his intervention worked.

Side 2 opens with "As The Crow Flies" which Rory Gallagher covered on his awesome "Irish Tour '74" double album on Polydor Records (a stunning studio variant of this turned up on the posthumous Gallagher CD release "Wheels Within Wheels" from 2003 where RG plays a mean National Steel throughout). As it swanks along you can 'feel' the Funk that underlies so much of TJ's output - a wicked groove that doesn't let up. Even if it is a tad syrupy - the sentiment in "Take Time To Love" is strong and sincere even if it is drowned in too many strings. But then we get a four-song-whammy of brilliance - the overweight "300 Pounds Of Hongry" has turned up on Country Soul CD compilations because of its great Funky groove. But warmth like "The Migrant" and the already mentioned brilliance of "Sidewalk Hobo" are the kind of overlooked album gems that make me want to write reviews till my fingers bleed. It ends of "The Gospel Singer" - a wicked Pops Staples guitar groove about as a less-than-angelic singer who sang to the sick and crippled whilst eyeing the ladies in the audience and the whiskey bottle by the door (the perfect B-side to "I've Got A Thing About You Baby").

Album Number Three opens with the grunting 'comb your hair and put your good clothes on' Funk of "Saturday Night In Oak Grove, Louisiana" where his pals turn with mufflers on the exhausts of their pick-ups - ready for the dancing 'Dairy Queens' who will steal their hearts (and money). There then follows a 'don't walk out on me' pleading ballad where TJ wants her to reconsider freedom "For Ol' Times Sake". Similar pain strums its way through "Takin' The Midnight Train" because 'someone hurt me for no reason' - another tale of the road that is simple but so effective. Just as mellow but prettier is "Ol' Mother Earth" where he talks of the planet as a woman with 'too many scars on her face'. "I Want Love ('Tween You And Me)" is a catchy upbeat piano ditty and the title track "Homemade Ice Cream" feels like America with a Harmonica on an Instrumental tip. But the big songs on the album are the wide-brimmed hat strut of "Backwoods Preacher Man" (beloved on Country Soul Funksters) and the melodious grower "Did Somebody Make A Fool Out Of You" - the kind of song that works its way into your heart like the best of J.J. Cale from the period. And I wasn't expecting the stand-alone single "Sign Of The Lion" to be so Meters Funky. Genius and then some...

At just under twenty squid for three rare albums and six even rarer single sides - "The Complete Warner Brothers Recordings" is a fabulous way of getting this classy artist and his primo music in one place - and sounding like the business too.

"...He built a lot of homes but never had one..." - Tony Joe White sings on the touching "Sidewalk Hobo". Make a home for this in your house...

PS: see also my in-depth review for the stunning 2006 Rhino Handmade 4CD Mini Box Set "Swamp Music: The Complete Monument Recordings" which deals with the 1968-1970 part of Tony Joe White's career...

"The North Star Grassman And The Ravens" by SANDY DENNY (2005 Universal/Island Remasters 'Expanded Edition' CD with a Denis Blackham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...The Depths Of The Waters..."

Having done her high-profile stints with Fairport Convention and Fotheringay - a lot was expected from Sandy Denny with her 'proper' launch into the murky world of fully-fledged 'Solo Artist'. But with its modest peak-placing of No. 31 on the UK LP charts in October 1971 (and for only two weeks) - Denny's debut for Island Records was considered a let down by some – semi-magical by others.

Despite my four-decade love for her – I’m down with both arguments. “Grassman...” is a patchy album in truth with moments of brilliance nestled uncomfortably alongside material that either seems too ordinary for her incredibly expressive voice or is too often an LP proffering songs that just shouldn’t be here.

But this gorgeous CD Remaster by Denis Blackham from 2005 (issued as part of the 'Island Remasters Series' around all things Fairport Convention) has reminded me of what I loved - hammered home the magic bits – and it’s thrown in a few tasty extras as well in the Bonus Tracks. Let’s read those tealeaves and divine the details...

UK released May 2005 - "The North Star Grassman And The Ravens" by SANDY DENNY on Island Remasters IMCD 313 (Barcode 602498280218) offers up the 11-track 1971 album with Four Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (57:05 minutes):

1. Late November

2. Blackwaterside

3. The Sea Captain

4. Down In The Flood

5. John The Gun

6. Next Time Around [Side 2]

7. The Optimist

8. Let's Jump The Broomstick

9. Wretched Wilbur

10. The North Star Grassman And The Ravens

11. Crazy Lady Blues

Tracks 1 to 11 are debut solo album "The North Star Grassman And The Ravens" - released September 1971 on Island ILPS 9165 in the UK and February 1972 in the USA on A & M Records SP 4317.

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Late November (El Pea Version) - Recorded for the unfinished 2nd Fotheringay LP - it was first released on the Island Records 2LP 'Sampler' set called "El Pea" on Island Records IDLP 1 in 1971

13. Walking The Floor Over You - an Ernest Tubb cover version recorded during the 1971 'North Star' sessions but not completed until 1973. First issued in 1985 on the compilation "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" on Island SDSP 100

14. Losing Game - recorded during the 1971 'North Star' sessions but not completed until 1976 (written by Richard Clapton – no relation to EC apparently). First issued in 1995 on 'The Attic Tracks 1972-1984' CD compilation on Raven RVCD 46

15. Next Time Around - An alternate take without the Harry Robinson string arrangement - first released in 2004 on the 4CD "A Boxful Of Treasures" on Fledg'ling Records NEST 5002

The outer card slipcase has lent all four of her Island albums a genuinely classy feel (these card slipcases apply to the Richard Thompson and Fairport Convention Remasters - there's an advert slip for them beside the booklet) - and all four can be had for less than a fiver in most cases. True some better 'Deluxe Edition' versions ("Rendezvous" especially) - but it want the simple direct approach - then this is the one for you. The 12-page booklet has informative and affectionate liner notes from noted writer and folk-compiler DAVID SUFF (of Fledgling Records reissue fame) peppered with photos of a young Sandy, hand-written lyrics to the title track and a quirky trade advert for the LP's release. The only boo-boo is the 'Pink Eye' Island Records label on the CD - that colouring only applied to 1968 and 1969 LPs - by 1971 it was the 'Pink Rim' Palm-Tree Logo on all their UK LPs. The album artwork is pictured beneath the see-through CD tray as well...a nice touch.

The two-word secret weapon for this CD remaster is 'DENIS BLACKHAM'. Now based in Skye Mastering in Scotland, his involvement in restoration, mastering and remastering goes back to the late 1960s and his resume now shows over 680 credits to his name across a huge range of genres (including a lot of Folk and into New Wave). Blackham has handled all 4 of the solo albums in this reissue series and as you've no doubt read from other glowing reviews, each remaster has been endowed with truly wonderful sound quality - frankly because care was taken.

Musicians - all the good Fairport associated people are here - Richard Thompson, Pat Donaldson, Gerry Conway, Trevor Lucas and Ian Whiteman. Polydor Folkmill artists Robin and Barry Dransfield also put in violin and vocals on "John The Gun" while long-time session man Tony Reeves plays bass on the Dylan cover "Down In The Flood" and Roger Powell plays drums on the Brenda Lee cover "Let's Jump The Broomstick". But my personal fave is "The Sea Captain" where Richard Thompson's delicate guitar picking perfectly compliments the beauty of her wayfaring love song. For sure there is a dry-as-stale-bread plodding feel to "The Optimist" – but I do like the same strangeness in "Wretched Wilbur" resplendent with strings that make it feel melodrama-epic in a Nick Cave kind of way.

Sandy would go global in November 1971 when her name appeared on the inner sleeve to Zeppelin's "IV" LP – the only person to guest as a vocalist on one of their songs – the beautiful "Battle Of Evermore". But even that, NME poll-topping with Rod Stewart and an American tour in February 1972 – none of it seemed to put a match under the album's sales on either side of the pond. “Grassman” has always been hard to find on original Island or A&M vinyl pressings. In February 1972 to promote the US Tour – A&M Records tried “Crazy Lady Blues” with “Let’s Jump The Broomstick” on the flipside as a 45 on A&M 1331 – but it did no business.

Of the extras – the 'El Pea' version of "Late November" is superb - but the Ernest Tubb cover with its rollicking countrified brass baffles the ear even now. Far better is "Losing Game" – a guitar and horns rocker that would have livened up the duller parts of the album. And her "...it's too fast..." intro to the alternate "Next Time Around" precedes a genuinely interesting alternate version...sans strings - it amplifies the lovely Acoustic guitar and is a Bonus Track actually worth of the moniker.

Of course nowadays "The North Star Grassman..." LP is looked back upon as a flawed masterpiece – good stuff on an album that got lost in massive Rock, Soul and Jazz release schedules of the day. But playing the CD Remaster in 2016 and you keep coming back to the sound quality on those better cuts - a restoration that seems to have lifted the beauty of these folk-rock gems out of their former muddiness. Sweet as...

I once had the privilege of nattering to JOHN WALTERS (John Peel's producer) in a pub in 1994 (I worked for Reckless Records at the time and we were buying his extraordinary record collection - he was even more talkative than I am!) and he relayed to me - his first ever viewing of Sandy Denny.

One of his friends in the music industry had begged him to come see this new English folk singer gigging in some Godforsaken bar somewhere in London - he did - and was duly blown away. I'll never forget the look in John Walter's eyes (who along with Peel must have seen so much stunning talent) - he was misty - like he knew he'd had the chance to glimpse greatness.

On listening to this lovingly restored CD - you can't help but feel that all involved in this project felt exactly the same - and have done this great British lady's memory and musical heritage proud. In flight at last...

PS: see also my reviews for the Various Artists 3CD Island Records Folk-Rock Mini Box Set "Meet On The Ledge" (another Denis Blackham Remaster) – and reviews of three other Sandy Denny CD Reissues - "Sandy Denny", "Rendezvous" and the 2016 Island 2CD Retrospective "I've Always Kept A Unicorn"

"Morning Way" by TRADER HORNE (2015 Earth Records 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Here Comes The Rain..."

This obscure and rare Vinyl LP from 1970 "Morning Way" by TRADER HORN (booked at £150 with its insert but can sell for twice that and more) has seen its share of CD reissues - Sanctuary's Castle Music in 2000 and Cherry Red's Esoteric Recordings in 2008.

Now its the turn of new kids on the Acid-Folk block - 'Earth Records' of the UK who focus on seriously rare Folk and its musical environs – British ex Pentangle guitar virtuoso Bert Jansch, America's folky Jackson C. Frank (produced by Paul Simon and featuring a non-album S&G song "Blues Run The Game"), Australian multi-instrumentalist and cult artist Steve Warner and Tasmanian hippy Howard Eynon who recorded one album in 1974 delightfully called "So What If I'm Standing in Apricot Jam" (know what you're saying mate).

This 2015 Earth Records CD Reissue of Trader Horne's lone outing on Dawn Records apes the track run of the Esoteric Recordings version in that it includes two Bonus Tracks - their one-off non-album UK 7" single "Here Comes The Rain" b/w "Goodbye Mercy Kelly" from February 1970.

TRADER HORNE was essentially a man and woman duo - Northern Ireland's multi-instrumentalist JACKIE McAULEY (born in Coleraine) who was ex Belfast Gypsies and Them while JUDY DYBLE had of course fronted Fairport Convention on their 1968 debut Polydor Records LP prior to Sandy Denny joining for 1969's "What We Did On Holidays" (she also spent a brief stint with the offshoot King Crimson trio - GILES, GILES and FRIPP). McAuley and Dyble supplemented their sound with three sessionmen of re-known (see Players below). Here are the Children of Oare and Elven Kings (if you know what I'm saying)...

UK and USA released 16 October 2015 – "Morning Way" by TRADER HORNE on Earth Records EARTHCD006 (Barcode 809236170675) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster in a 5” Single Sleeve Card Repro with a Gatefold Insert and Two Bonus Tracks. It plays out as follows (52:51 minutes):

1. Jenny May

2. Children Of Oare

3. Three Rings For Elven Kings

4. Growing Man

5. Down And Out Blues

6. The Mixed Up Kind 

7. Better Than Today [Side 2]

8. In My Loneliness

9. Sheena

10. The Mutant

11. Morning Way

12. Velvet To Atone

13. Luke That Never Was

Tracks 1 to 13 are their debut and only album "Morning Way" - released early March 1970 in the UK on Dawn Records DNLS 3004 and in the USA on Janus JNS 3012. Produced by BARRY MURRAY - it failed to chart in either country.

All songs are Jackie McAuley originals except three - a cover version of the Traditional "Down And Out Blues" while "Morning Way" is by Judy Dyble and "Luke That Never Was" is a co-write between Judy Dyble and guitarist Martin Quittenton who played on all of the Rod Stewart albums between 1969 and 1973 on Mercury Records (including "Maggie May"). 

BONUS TRACKS:

14. Here Comes The Rain

15. Goodbye Mercy Kelly

Tracks 14 and 15 are the A&B-sides of a non-album 7" single released February 1970 in the UK on Dawn Records DNS 1003. 

The Players:

JACKIE McAULEY - Lead Vocals Guitar, Harpsichord, Organ, Piano, Flute, Congas and Celeste

JUDY DYBLE - Lead Vocals, Electric Auto-Harp and Piano

RAY ELLIOTT - Alto Flute and Bass Clarinet

JOHN GODFREY - Bass Guitar and Arranger

ANDY WHITE - Drums

It's as well that Earth Records put a large info sticker on the shrinkwrap of the single card sleeve – because apart from the repro of the fabled and rare gatefold insert that came with original LPs – there's no booklet and therefore bugger all info by way of anything. There's an 'Earth Records' inner card sleeve (the same generic label inner came with my copy of Bert Jansch’s beautiful "Avocet" - equally bare) that has a logo but no other info. Frankly to be charging full whack for this CD (which is what I paid for it) – it’s a bit tread-bare to say the least and is docked a star for lack of effort and imagination. And although their adverts promise and suggest a 'Remaster' – there are no mastering credits or reissue details anywhere on the packaging or disc. So neither you nor I know where 'Earth Records' got this CD remaster. The sound is good if not a little hissy in places – at times its even beautiful (much like the music). I don't have the former CD reissues so I can't compare but let's just say that it sounds good rather than great...

The sticker declares the album to be a 'shining example of British Psychedelia’ that is utter tosh. This is a Folk LP with more Madrigal arrangements that hard-hitting fuzz guitar workouts. You could put better songs like the Mellow Candle melodic "The Mixed Up Kind" and the Jethro Tull influenced Flute Acoustic and Piano "The Mutant" firmly into the Acid-Folk category ("Mutant" turned up on the "Dust In The Nettles" 3CD Box Set - see review). But twee stuff like the Instrumental "Three Rings For Elven Kings" and the dated madrigal "Growing Man" is hard to take. Judy Dyble alone handles the excellent "Down And Out Blues" and the Piano/Vocals of "Velvet To Atone" is stark Kate Bush (but a hissy transfer I'm afraid). The co-write with Rod Stewart's guitarist Martin Quittenton on "Luke That Never Was" gives us a pretty strummer - but best of all is the A-side to the single "Here Comes The Rain" - a genius melody that's better than much of what's on the album. Sanctuary Records chose it as good representative track on their "Garden Of Delights" CD compilation in 2006 compiled by Pete Lawrence and AJ of 'The Big Chill' Radio Program.

Judy Dyble would be replaced by Saffron Summerfield (sometimes known as just 'Saffron') but the band split before recordings were made. Summerfield would have her own Folk career in the 70ts, played with Lol Coxhill and made music into the 00's.

Like so many albums from the period - it's part knob - part brilliance. But thankfully the album has more good than bad...those magic moments being so worth it...

PS: Earth Records also pressed a limited edition COLOURED VINYL Edition of the Reissue (1000 Copies) 

"Number 5" by STEVE MILLER BAND (2012 Edsel 'Special Edition' CD Remaster in Digipak) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"...Industrial Military Complex Hex..."

For many worshippers of 70ts Rock and Steve Miller's LP output from that revered period – our home collections would probably have consisted of 1973's "The Joker" on Capitol Records (in a natty gatefold), 1976's "Fly Like An Eagle" and the wonderful but sorely overlooked "Book Of Dreams" from 1977 (with Inner Sleeve) – both on Mercury Records.

Well here's another 'overlooked' nugget in his voluminous back catalogue - 1970's "Number 5" - loaded down with the talent of Boz Scaggs, Ben Sidran, Nicky Hopkins, Lee Michaels and members of Charlie McCoy's Area Code 615 (who did the 'Old Grey Whistle Test' theme "Stone Fox Chase" on their 1970 LP "Trip In The Country").

Edsel of the UK have been steadily feeding Steve Miller Band fans a diet of these tastefully presented CD reissues in foldout card digipaks - all newly mastered with superb Audio and featuring upgraded booklets with the artists’ involvement (photos from his own collection, reminiscences) - but sadly minus any outtakes (see full list of titles in the series below). Here are the details for five alive...

UK released 17 September 2012 (25 September 2012 in the USA) - "Number 5" by STEVE MILLER BAND on Edsel EDSA 5007 (Barcode 740155500733) is a straightforward 'Special Edition' Remaster of the 1970 US 10-Track LP with CD Digipak Packaging/Expanded Liner Notes and plays out as follows (36:20 minutes):

1. Good Morning

2. I Love You

3. Going To The Country

4. Hot Chili

5. Tokin's

6. Going To Mexico [Side 2]

7. Steve Miller's Midnight Tango

8. Industrial Military Complex Hex

9. Jackson-Kent Blues

10. Never Kill Another Man

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 5th studio album "Number 5" - released July 1970 in the USA on Capital SKAO-436 and November 1970 in the UK on Capitol EA-ST 436. Produced by STEVE MILLER - it peaked at No. 23 in the USA but didn't chart in the UK.

As you can see from the list of reissues provided below - Edsel of the UK have had a go at a huge swath of his entire recorded out (excepting a few albums from 1971, 1972 and 1973). The card-digipak is a three-way foldout affair with a picture CD and a new 12-page booklet. JOEL SLEVIN of the Soul Francisco Chronicle fanzine and all-round Music Consultant has done the short but informative liner notes which includes photos from Steve's collection, lyrics, original recording credits/reissue details and some label repro's of American 45s ("Going To The Country" on Capitol 2878 and "Going To Mexico" on Capitol 2945) and the British LP on Capitol Records EA-ST 436. It's nicely done. PHIL KINRADE did the new CD Master at Alchemy in London and it sounds amazing - really lovely warmth on the instruments - none too hissy - but too dry either where NR has been excessively used.

"Number 5" was Steve Miller's best selling American album to date (over 350,000 copies on release in 1970) and featured the songwriting talent of BOZ SCAGGS, Fusion Keyboardist BEN SIDRAN, his Bassist BOBBY WINKELMAN and his Drummer TIM DAVIS as well as great STEVE MILLER originals. The players included England's ace Keyboardist NICKY HOPKINS and members of AREA CODE 615 - Charlie McCoy, Bobby Thompson, Buddy Spicher and Wayne Moss along with ex Family Tree Guitarist LEE MICHAELS. It opens on a song from their soon-to-depart bassist Bob Winkelman called "Good Morning". Winkelman takes Lead Vocals on the song while Steve's younger brother Jimmy Miller plays Lead Guitar - it's tippy wind-swirling entrance is almost Todd Rundgren in its feel and Winkelman's voice could easily be mistaken fro Steve's. Jimmy Miller plays a lead guitar blinder on it too.

Things go decidedly 'Steve Miller' with the wickedly good "I Love You" - the first of four solo-penned songs on the album. While the Acoustic Guitars strum and cascading vocals swoon over your speakers like The Beach Boys circa "Sunflower" and "Surf's Up" - the song is anchored by brilliant Charlie McCoy Harmonica playing. Along with his fellow Area Code 615 band mate Buddy Spicher on Fiddle - McCoy's Harmonica presence is felt again on the first single released from the album in August 1970 - "Going To The Country" - an unconvincing Country-Rock song that's busy but not particularly memorable. Drummer Tim Davis offers up the first of two songs "Hot Chili" (with one 'l') - the other being "Tokin's". Bud Billings provides the multi-layered Trumpet on the Herb Alpert 'Tijuana' vibe to "Hot Chili" while three members of Area Code 615 countrified the hometown "Tokin's" with McCoy's Harp and Bobby Thompson's Banjo.

Side 2 opens strongly with the 2nd 45 single issued by Capitol from the album - a Funky-Blues co-write with Boz Scaggs by Miller on "Going To Mexico". I've always been a sucker for this groovy little tune that features Lee Michaels on Organ and Curley Cooke on Rhythm Guitar while Steve lets rip on some rather excellent lead Guitar. Benefitting from an expert remix from famed Audio Engineer Glyn Johns - "Going To Mexico" was paired on the rarely seen Capitol 2945 7" single in the USA with "Steve Miller's Midnight Tango" - the first of Ben Sidran's compositions on the album (his second was a co-write with Miller on "Going To The Country"). Love it. With Sidran providing cool keyboard tinkles - "Steve Miller’s Midnight Tango" is the kind of SM song that stays with you.

Jon Savage who compiled the superb "1966" double-CD and accompanying book - put together a CD compilation I loved called "Meridian 1970". On it he chose Miller’s sick-of-it anti-war song "Industrial Military Complex Hex" where he wearily sings "...from Sunday to Sunday...all I hear is bad news..." as the mood chugs along feeling like The Who on a melodic song tip. Just as good is the album’s final showings – two more SM originals – the trippy seven-minute guitar and voices of "Jackson-Kent Blues" - another song raging at the 'four shot down by the National Guards' because they didn't agree with Nixon's views on Vietnam. I've always loved it's echoed space guitars and manic voices - like a nation stoned - a nation that doesn't want to be. The album bows out on "Never Kill Another Man" with Lonnie Turner on Fretless Bass and Nicky Hopkins on Piano - both they and Keith Spicher (on Strings) give the ballad a majesty as Miller wishes "...if I can make it through through this life...I'll never kill another man..."

For sure the grittier 'trying times' Side 2 of the "Number 5" LP feels far better than the slightly ditzy Country jigs of Side 1 - but its once again one of those Steve Miller albums that has great moments criminally overlooked with the passage of four and half decades. Time to brings the numbers back into your home...

The 2011 and 2012 STEVE MILLER BAND 'Special Edition' 

CD Reissue Series from Edsel Records of the UK

1. Children Of The Future (April 1968) - released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5003 - Barcode 0740155500337

2. Sailor (October 1968) – released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5004 - Barcode 740155500733

3. Brave New World (June 1969) - released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5005 - Barcode 740155500535

4. Your Saving Grace (November 1969) - released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5006 - Barcode 740155500634

5. Number 5 (July 1970) – released 17 September 2012 on Edsel EDSA 5007 – Barcode 740155500733

6. Fly Like An Eagle (July 1976) – released 11 October 2010 on Edsel EDSX 3010 (with Bonus DVD) – Barcode 740155301033 – see REVIEW

7. Book Of Dreams (May 1977) - released 7 February 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1051 – Barcode 740155105136 – see REVIEW

8. Circle Of Love (October 1981) – released 7 February 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1052 – Barcode 740155105235

9. Abracadabra (June 1982) - released 7 March 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1053 – Barcode 740155105334

10. The Steve Miller Band Live! (April 1983) - released 4 April 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1056 – Barcode 740155105631

11. Italian X-Rays (November 1984) - released 7 March 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1054 – Barcode 740155105433

12. Wide River (July 1993) - released 7 March 2011 on Edsel EDSS 1055 – Barcode 740155105532

PPS: Could someone please get to Remastering long-standing holes in the Steve Miller back catalogue - October 1971's "Rock Love", March 1972's "Recall The Beginning...A Journey From Eden" and especially October 1973's "The Joker" – that way fans and the curious would have access to a 'near' complete run in decent Audio... 

"Goats Head Soup" by THE ROLLING STONES (1994 UK Virgin CD Remaster vs. 2009 Polydor CD Remaster - Track Differences) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Above the VIRGIN 1994 'Collector's Edition' CD Remaster with the 'Uncensored' "Star Star" and an Amazon Link

The 2009 Polydor CD Remaster with the 'Censored' "Pussy" lyrics version and an Amazon Link

 

This Review and 304 More Like It Can Be Found 

In My AMAZON e-Book 

 

US AND THEM - 1973

 

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional 

CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45's...

All Reviews From The Discs Themselves - Over 2,300 E-Pages

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B07WNDRDNP&asins=B07WNDRDNP&linkId=e38188621b9ca981ef13c09c8b8bd55e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

 

 

"...Can We Hear The Music..."

After a four-album run like 1968's "Beggars Banquet", 1969's "Let It Bleed" and their own label meisterworks 1971's "Sticky Fingers" and 1972's double "Exile On Main St." - the single LP "Goats Head Soup" was bound to disappoint. And in 1973 it did. Big time.

But try as I might and despite that truly rubbish 'yellow veils' artwork (and the stupid album title for that matter) - Side 2 of this sucker rarely stayed off my Garrard SP25 turntable for years and years. Like many Stones fans I hold a candle for the mess that is "Goats Head Soup". 

 

But with the Censored and Uncensored versions of "Star Star" on different timeframe Remasters without either announcing that fact - it's had a chequered history on CD and I'd like to sort out what's what. One CD has the original (1994) and the newest version (2009) has the 'doctored' or 'censored' cut. Let's get to the goaties...

1. Dancing With Mr. D [Side 1]
2. 100 Years Ago
3. Coming Down Again
4. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)
5. Angie
6. Silver Train [Side 2]
7. Hide Your Love
8. Winter
9. Can You Hear The Music
10. Star Star
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Goats Head Soup" by THE ROLLING STONES - released 31 August 1973 in both the USA and UK on Rolling Stones COC 59101. Produced by JIMMY MILLER - it also hit the No. 1 spot on both LP charts.

THE ROLLING STONES were:
MICK JAGGER - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica and Piano
KEITH RICHARD - Lead Guitar, Bass and Vocals
MICK TAYLOR - Lead Guitar, Bass and Vocals
BILL WYMAN - Bass
CHARLIE WATTS - Drums

Guests:
NICKY HOPKINS - Piano on Tracks 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9
BILLY PRESTON - Clavinet on Track 1, 2 and Piano on Track 4
IAN STEWART - Piano on Tracks 6 and 10
BOBBY KEYS - Tenor and Baritone Saxophone
JIM HORN - Flute and Saxophone
CHUCK FINLEY - Trumpet
JIM PRICE - Horns on Track 4
NICKY HARRISON - String Arrangements on Tracks 5 and 8
PASCHAL BEBOP and JIMMY MILLER - Percussion

Outside of endless Japanese SHM-CD and Platinum SHM-CD reissues - for most punters wanting the 'original' album for a reasonable sum of money requires Barcode knowledge. But first let's get to that "Star Star" track that ends Side 2 of this much maligned album. It's about groupies and contains some hard-hitting lyrics running alongside a knockoff Chuck Berry riff. Although its title is "Star Star" - it's clear that Jagger is singing  "You're a Starfucker Starfucker Star!" during every chorus - something the BBC apparently didn't notice when DJs first got the album and needed to play an upbeat 'fast' Stones track. 

So there they were - British DJs on Aunty Beeb blasting it away on morally upright Blighty airwaves (much to the amusement of the public) - when at a launch party for the album (you could only get in if you had a mock vial of drugs sent out by the Promo people) Jagger approached a BBC Radio 1 Controller and congratulated him for having the balls to air such a tune. Drink in hand and puce-faced - the Controller quickly retired and the next day had the song quickly 'banned' from schedules (I heard that story from a BBC insider I bought records off when I was working at Reckless). 

But while that 's' word was iffy to say the least - the lines "...Yeah I heard about your Polaroids...that's what I call obscene...your tricks with fruit is kind of cute...I bet you keep your pussy clean..." went too far for conservative American Radio. They did a 'doctored' cut that sort of hide the offending 'p' word. Talk is that Jagger wanted Atlantic USA (who distributed The Rolling Stones label there) to put out "Star Star" as a 45 - but they wisely went for "Angie" instead and were rewarded with another Stones No. 1 in September 1973. How does "Star Star" affect the CD Remasters and which CD Reissue has what version?

The June 1994 BOB LUDWIG Virgin CD Remaster of "Goat's Head Soup" by THE ROLLING STONES that carries the original un-doctored song came in two forms - Virgin CDV 2375 (Barcode 724383951925) as a standard jewel case - while Virgin CDVX 2375 (Barcode 724383949823) came as a stickered jewel case 'Collector's Edition' with 'Original Album Packaging' housed inside the see-through casing (total playing time 46:57 minutes). I own the CDVX Collector’s Edition. The repro'd artwork is very cool - the gatefold LP sleeve - the 'Goat's Head Soup' Photo Insert and the two-sided Inner Sleeve that came with August 1973 original Vinyl LPs are all there held within the specially constructed jewel case. Be careful because once out of the shrink-wrap these jewel cases get scuffed so easily and getting a Near Mint one is hard work. Remastered by BOB LUDWIG using the UV22 Apogee Process - that 1994 Virgin version used the English tapes and therefore included the proper 'uncensored' version of "Star Star" as originally released by The Rolling Stones. 

But the May 2009 STEPHEN MARCUSSEN Polydor CD Remaster of "Goat's Head Soup" by THE ROLLING STONES on Polydor 0602527015606 (Barcode 602527015606) apparently used the American Tapes and has 'only' the 'censored' version (without saying so) where someone played with the vocals so that the offending 'p' word is sort of muddled out. That 2009 'censored' version of the album (there is only one version on Polydor in a round corner 'super jewel case') has been used ever since. Farcical really when you hear it too. So which version do you buy and which has best Audio?

For me therein lies another problem. You will probably notice that seemingly knowledgeable Audiophile types state categorically that the 1994 CD is better - I say this is knob. It's very good - it is - and it can't be accused of what they claim is Marcussen's 'loudness' on the 2009 version. But I own both and the 2009 Remaster 'sings' compared to the older variant. This 1973 LP was always kind of 'muddy' and needed to be lifted out of that. The Marcussen version is 'loud' - it is - but man what a wallop it packs. Let's get to the album itself...

On key tracks like the beautiful "Winter" and the trippy "Can You Hear The Music?" - the 2009 Remaster truly excels. Stuff like "Dancing With Mr. D" rocks too (a sequel to “Sympathy To The Devil” that isn’t quite as great) and the largely Acoustic "Angie" can only be described as sublime Audio - not something you say about The Rolling Stones on CD very often. Although they didn't issue it as a 45 in the UK - the USA put out "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" as an A-side 7" single in February 1974 with "Dancing With Mr. D" on the flip - it went to No. 15. 

The sinking into dark-eyes and rotten-teeth druginess of "Coming Down Again" has Keith taking the Lead Vocals before Mick takes over. But as Richards sings in a pleading ache "...she was dying to survive..." and later "...where are all my friends..." - you can literally feel his own spirit crying out for rescue from what was surely a suicidal and inevitable path towards Heroin. Again the 2009 Remaster on this track is fantastic. The 'case of mistaken identity' song "Heartbreaker" about cops with their trigger-happy forty-fours sounds incredible as does Billy Preston’s piano and that trio of expert brass players. And "Silver Train" rocks too - huge build of slide guitars - Mick Taylor adding so much as he always did – while Mick blows a mean Harmonica and claims he 'did not know her name' but she left with all the money anyway (yikes).

I've always loved "Goats Head Soup" - especially the whole of Side 2. Whether you buy the standard CD version of the 1994 Virgin Remaster (use Barcode 724383951925 to locate that issue) or the 2009 Polydor variant (better to my ears - use Barcode 602527015606 to locate that issue) - in 2016 - both are cheap as chips and just as tasty. "Goat's Head Soup" is overlooked in the Stones cannon of work and shouldn't be. 

"...Can You Hear The Music...Can You Feel The Magic..." - Mick Jagger sang on that trippy Side 2 gem. Yes I can Michael...and better too...