"Pure Prairie League/Bustin' Out/Two Lane Highway/Dance" by PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE 1972, 1975 and 1976 Albums on RCA Victor Records (April 2019 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation - 4LPs Newly Remastered onto 2CDs) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...All The Lonesome Cowboys..."

A Country-Rock phenomenon in the States (they charted nine albums there between 1975 and 1981 alone) – Cincinnati’s PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE has never really meant diddly in the UK. Even at the heights of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Eagles Country-Rock dominance in the mid-Seventies - I can recall PPL albums (on the ultra-hick RCA label) being reduced to pennies in secondhand racks for years.

But that might change with BGO's newest '4LPs onto 2CDs' reissue - a wonderful sounding transfer of their first two, fourth and fifth albums from 1972, 1975 and 1976 reissued by England's friend to Country and Country Rock music - Beat Goes On Records (the third album missing here is "If The Shoe Fits" from February 1976 USA and March 1976 UK). There is a lot to pedal steel through, so lets don our embroidered shirts all you lonesome cowboys, pick up our zip codes and get cuddly with our inner Kentucky Moonshine...

UK released 19 April 2019 (25 April 2019 in the USA) - "Pure Prairie League/Bustin' Out/Two Lane Highway/Dance" by PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE on Beat Goes On (BGO Records) BGOCD 1376 (Barcode 5017261213761) offers 4LPs Newly Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (68:15 minutes):

1. Tears [Side 1]

2. Take It Before You Go

3. You're Between Me

4. Woman

5. Doc's Tune [Side 2]

6. Country Song

7. Harmony Song

8. It's All On Me

Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "Pure Prairie League" - released February 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4650 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8453 (reissued October 1975 with same catalogue number) - didn't chart in either country. 

9. Jazzman [Side 1]

10. Angel No. 9

11. Leave My Heart Alone

12. Early Morning Riser

13. Falling In And Out Of Love [Side 2]

14. Amie

15. Boulder Skies

16. Angel

17. Call Me, Tell Me 

Tracks 9 to 17 are their second album "Bustin' Out" - originally released October 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4769 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8417. After the belated success of the "Amie" single - the album was reissued February 1975 and charted with the same catalogue number on the US Rock LP charts (their first entry, peaked at No. 34). It was reissued May 1975 in the UK, also using its original British catalogue number of RCA Victor SF 8417.

Disc 2 (65:57 minutes):

1. Two Lane Highway [Side 1]

2. Kentucky Moonshine

3. Runner

4. Memories

5. Kansas City Southern

6. Harvest [Side 2]

7. Sister's Keeper

8. Just Can't Believe It

9. Give Us A Rise

10. I'll Change Your Flat Tyre, Merle

11. Pickin' To Beat The Devil

Tracks 1 to 11 are their third album "Two Lane Highway" - released June 1975 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0933 and August 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8445 - peaked at No. 24 in the USA, didn't chart UK.

12. Dance [Side 1]

13. In The Morning

14. All The Way

15. Livin' Each Day At A Time

16. Fade Away

17. Tornado Warning [Side 2]

18. Catfishin'

19. Help Yourself

20. San Antonio

21. All The Lonesome Cowboys

Tracks 12 to 21 are their fifth studio album "Dance" - released November 1976 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-1924 and January 1977 in the UK on RCA Victor PL 11924 - peaked at No. 99 in the USA (didn't chart UK). 

The outer card slipcase that is now standard for all BGO reissues lends the package a certain class (I always think) and the 20-page booklet features all original artwork between its pages with new liner notes by JOHN TOBLER that includes an interview conducted with the band's producer for the first two albums BON RINGE (and Editor of Omaha Rainbow magazine). The band's name is discussed (taken from an 1938 Errol Flynn film called "Dodge City" - it was a fictional Temperance Union group) as are the writing chops of the band’s principal tunesmith Craig Lee Fuller (interviewed also) and the guitar work of Mick Ronson who guested on the second LP "Bustin' Out". Guitarists George Powell and Larry Goshorn took over the songwriting reins for the second two platters on offer here (on Disc 2) with contributions from Bassist Mike Reilly.

It’s all impressively thorough and informative - but fans will want the real deal - superb new 2019 Remasters by BGO's longstanding Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON. Even if the playing on the first two LPs in particular sounds a tad amateur at times - there's no getting away from how good this twofer sounds - songs like the gorgeous "You're Between Me" (their first US 45 in April 1972 on RCA Victor 48-1028) and the aforementioned Mick Ronson on "Angel No. 9" from the second platter (I’d swear that’s him on guitar as well as vocals and string arrangements – just not credited as such). You can clearly hear Country legend Chet Atkins guest on "Kentucky Moonshine" from "Two Lane Highway" (guitar solo) while other tunes feature Don Felder of Eagles (Mandolin) and Johnny Gimble (Fiddle). Backing vocals come from Emmylou Harris on "Just Can't Believe It" and Dianne Brooks of the 50ts girl group The Three Playmates on "Leave My Heart Alone". Clarence McDonald arranged horns on the "Dance" album and Hugh McCracken plays guitar on "Woman" from the 1972 debut.

The melody that broke PPL "Amie" is a typically lovely acoustic tune from Craig Fuller and along with tunes like "Harmony Song", "Tears" and "Call Me, Tell Me", it's easy to hear why so many reviewers of the day compared their style and sound to that LP selling juggernaut, the Eagles or even a Countrified version of Ventura Highway America. "Boulder Skies" is a bit Mickey Newbury while "Country Song" on the debut is seven and half minutes of Matthews Southern Comfort, Plainsong and Flying Burrito Brothers pedal steel vs. guitar (John Call is the player). At first it seems to overstay its lengthy welcome, but the clever changes and instrument battles keep it interesting. Not surprising either, that "Just Can't Believe It" and "Kentucky Moonshine" were paired as an A&B-side US 45 in September 1975. Disc 2 gives us other sweet peas like "Harvest", "Fade Away" and their Side 2 ender "All The Lonesome Cowboys".

For sure this kind of fiddle and pedal steel Country Rock will not be for everyone, but fans of melodies and good songwriting should dig in and long time followers of PPL and their cowboy-hat logo will love the great new audio and presentation. Nice one...

"Some Things Coming/Mobius Strip" by DELANEY BRAMLETT (April 2014 United Producers Records/UP Sounds CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Keep It Going..."

When Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell (from Acton in Illinois) met and married Delaney Bramlett from Pontotoc Count in Missouri in 1967 – the two Americans thereafter became professionally known as DELANEY and BONNIE. Separating in late 1972 - both pursued solo careers that are still going to this day – friends or no.

The first digital reissue of Delaney's solo efforts came in October 2007 on Acadia ACAM 8171 (Barcode 0805772817128) offering '2 Original LPs On 1CD' and played at 70:12 minutes. I had that crappy looking CD combo for years just to have the music – but as I recall it had a gatefold slip of paper for an inlay and worse – muffled sound from an unnamed mastering engineer.

Fast forward to here (April 2014) and at last we get a decent upgrade. When I compare the audio on both – there is a definite improvement in this Roger Lomas 2014 Remaster for United Producers Records (trading as UP Sounds) – licensed from Sony Products. Its brighter, clearer and has real punch where the songs need it – something the Acadia issue seriously lacked. Here are the righteous details...

UK released 28 April 2014 – "Some Things Coming/Mobius Strip" by DELANEY BRAMLETT on United Producers Records/UP Sounds UPRS 011 CD (Barcode 5060384950112) offers 'Two Original Albums On One CD' Remastered and plays out as follows (68:56 minutes):

1. Over And Over [Side 1]

2. Thank God

3. Please Accept My Love

4. Keep It Going

5. Some Things Coming (Heartbeat)

6. Down By The Riverside [Side 2]

7. Sit Right Down

8. I'm Not Your Lover, I'm Your Lovee

9. Try A Little Harder

Tracks 1 to 9 are his debut solo LP “Some Things Coming” – released November 1972 in the USA on Columbia Records KC 31613 and in the Netherlands on CBS Records S 65131. Produced by Delaney Bramlett

DELANEY BRAMLETT – Lead Vocals and Guitars

TED HEDING – Organ

JOE DAVIS, JIM GORDON and JERRY JUMANVILLE – Saxophones

DARREL LEONARD and LARRY SAVOIE – Brass

ROBERT WILSON – Bass

RON GRAYSON – Drums

MILT HOLLAND – Percussion

CLYDIE KING, VENETTA FIELDS, GLORIA JONES and SHIRLEY MATTHEWS – Backing Vocals and Choir

GEORGE BOHANON – String Arrangements

10. Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone? [Side 1]

11. What Am I Doin’ (In A Place Like This)

12. A Young Girl (In Her Garden)

13. Big Ol’ Piece Of Blues

14. Circles

15. When A Man Is In Need Of A Woman [Side 2]

16. I’m A M-A-N

17. B.B.’s Blues

18. A Little Bit Of You In Me

19. California Rain

Tracks 10 to 19 are the album “Mobius Strip” – released September 1973 in the USA on Columbia KC 32420 and in the Netherlands on CBS Records S 65760.

DELANEY BRAMLETT – Lead Vocals, Guitars and Percussion

JOHN USSERY and ART MUNSON - Guitars

RED RHODES of Bamboo and Mike Nesmith’s International Band – Pedal Steel Guitar

TED HEDING – Organ

CRAIG PORTMAN – Synthesiser

JOE DAVIS, JIM GORDON and JERRY JUMANVILLE – Saxophones [Jim Gordon also plays Bagpipes]

DARREL LEONARD and LARRY SAVOIE – Brass

ROBERT WILSON – Bass

RON GRAYSON – Drums

KING ERICKSON – Congas

CLYDIE KING, VENETTA FIELDS, GLORIA JONES and SHIRLEY MATTHEWS – Backing Vocals and Choir

GEORGE BOHANON – String Arrangements

The 8-page inlay has liner notes from BOB FISHER which pictures the front and rear of the original sleeves, provides musician credits and gives an overview of Bramlett’s career before (with The Shindigs) and after meeting Bonnie and Friends (Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Bobby Whitlock etc). Neither of these Columbia Records albums received a British pressing – all copies being Dutch and imported into the UK in small numbers. They weren’t great sellers either (I used to see them prop up secondhand stores all the time) in their orange label CBS glory) – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t choice cuts to be had here.

Six cuts made the top and bottom of three US 45s – September 1972 saw "Over And Over" coupled with "I'm Not Your Lover, Just Your Lovee" on Columbia 4-45696 - "Good Vibrations" came next in July 1973 sporting "Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone" on the B-side of Columbia 4-45897 - while "You Don't Know (How Glad I Am)" and "California Rain" became the final A&B pairing in October 1973 for Columbia 4-45950. None particularly troubled the charts but drummed up some interest in the albums.

I used to put the Funk-Rock "Keep It Going" on Funky Funky 70s Fest CD compilations in Reckless (brought customers to the counter enquiring after it) – a fabulous hard-hitting instrumental groove with guitars and brass punctured by the ladies singing "...Keep On Singing Your Song...Keep It Going..." every now and then. The album's title track is a bizarre hybrid of Dr. John and Eugene McDaniels voodoo rhythms with an Allman Brothers rock centre - the song literally going off on a geetar tangent half way through only to return to the hoodoo vibe.  "Sit Right Down" is another album highlight - treated National Steel guitar, shaking tambourines, the ladies getting Soulful as they sing "...gonna sit right down and talk about it..." - a fab groove as that Manassas Rock-Funk of his kicks in. Southern Soul organ opens the terribly titled "I'm Not Your Lover, I'm Your Lovee" - but don't let the iffy moniker fool you - its a tasty slice of Rock-Soul. The debut solo LP rocks to a 6:13 minute finish with "Try A Little Harder" where Clydie King (I think) is the duet-featured vocalist. The tune also allows the Horn Players to solo and stretch out the Funky Funky...

Album two "Mobius Strip" (still don’t know what that title means) opens with The Beatles vs. The Stones single where some infatuated lady hopes Rock Star Delaney is a bit of both. The acoustic guitar of "What Am I Doin' (In A Place Like This)" opens up a very Stephen Stills melody, once again filled with brass and Soulful rhythms. The first ballad is "A Young Girl (In Her Garden)" - a tale of an artist and his model trying to work out their dynamic - both tentative - both hoping to make love the rule and not be about money the fool. We go Piano Chugging Boogie for "Big Ol' Piece Of Blues" - a cool piece of Seventies Brass-driven Funk. And on it goes to the pretty acoustic strums of "California Rain" where the combo of Organ and Strum make it sound very Faces - a compliment I'm sure DB would relish any day of the week.

I don't know if either album is a masterpiece in 2019 - but this 2014 UP Sounds CD Remaster has made me think that maybe we all missed a trick back in the day by not loving these albums more (they deserve it now). A cool little reissue really of two that slipped past us and shouldn't have...

"D & B Together" by DELANEY and BONNIE and FRIENDS (April 2003 UK Columbia/Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Only You Know And I Know..."

Released in the last few days of March 1972 - "D & B Together" would indeed be their last platter as a married couple and musical duo before Delaney Bramlett went solo in November of that same year with his "Some Things Coming" album (also on Columbia Records).

There is a Musicians and Vocalists list that is huge and although it doesn't tell us in this reissue who plays on what – check out these names - Leon Russell and Bobby Whitlock, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Dave Mason (of Traffic), Rita Coolidge, Steve Cropper of Booker T & The MG's, The Muscle Shoals Horns and Rhythm Section, Eddie Kendricks, John Hartford, Duane Allman, Patrice Holloway, Venetta Fields, Shirley Matthews and Clydie King – to name but a few! They had always traded in a sort of Rock-Soul songbook - a bit of Stax meets Atlantic meets two great vocalists who adored the genres and could pen a tune or two into the bargain. In fact the dynamic duo had clocked up five prior albums to this - "Home" on Stax and "Accept No Substitute" on Elektra in May and August 1969 and then three more on Atco - "Delaney & Bonnie and Friends On Tour With Eric Clapton" (April 1970), "To Bonnie From delaney" (October 1970) and "Motel Shot" (April 1971). And although "D & B Together" peaked at No. 133 and stayed on charts for just 6 weeks - its remembered with affection and even viewed by some as a wee bit of a lost classic. Let's get to the good things comin'...

US released April 2003 - "D & B Together" by DELANEY & BONNIE and FRIENDS on Columbia/Legacy CK 85743 (Barcode 886972450629) offers a Remaster of the 12-Track April 1972 LP Plus Six Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (59:25 minutes):

1. Only You Know And I Know [Side 1]

2. Wade In The Water Of Jordan

3. Sound Of The City

4. Well, Well

5. I Know How It Feels To Be Lonely

6. Comin' Home

7. Move 'Em Out [Side 2]

8. Big Change Comin'

9. A Good Thing (I'm On Fire)

10. Groupie (Superstar)

11. I Know Something Good About You

12. Country Life

Tracks 1 to 12 are their sixth album "D & B Together" - released 29 March 1972 in the USA on Columbia KC 31377 and July 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 64959. It peaked at No. 133 in the USA LP charts (didn't chart UK).

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Over And Over

14. I'm Not Your Lover, Just Your Lovee

15. Good Vibrations

16. Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone

17. You Don't Know (How Glad I Am)

18. California Rain

Tracks 13 and 14 from the 1972 Delaney Bramlett LP "Some Things Coming" on Columbia KC 31631

Tracks 15 and 17 from the 1973 Bonnie Bramlett LP "Sweet Bonnie Bramlett" on Columbia KC 31786

Tracks 16 and 18 from the 1973 Delaney Bramlett LP "Mobius Strip" on Columbia KC 32420   

Tracks 13 and 14 were also the A&B-sides of a September 1972 US 7" single on Columbia 4-45696

Tracks 15 and 17 were also the A&B-sides of a July 1973 US 7" single on Columbia 4-45897

Tracks 16 and 18 were also the A&B-sides of an October 1973 US 7" single on Columbia 4-45950

The 12-page booklet has outtake photos from the original album shoot, a live shot of Jimi Hendrix joining Delaney on some stage somewhere and detailed reissue credits. The new GREG MARTIN liner notes fill in the tangled history but unfortunately someone stills hasn't waded through the tape boxes to tell us which celeb plays on what track. But what gets me a tad excited is an Audio Engineer I admire a lot - VIC ANESINI - who has handled Presley, Paul Simon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nilsson, The Byrds, Carole King, Roy Orbison, Santana, Mountain and other huge names. The audio here is great - to the music...

From ear I can discern backing vocals on "Sounds Of The City" by Tina Turner, Eric Clapton is on "Well, Well" while he and (I think) Duane Allman play guitars on "Comin' Home" and "Big Change Comin'".

Steve Cropper of Booker T & The MG's co-wrote "Move 'Em Out" with Bettye Crutcher – a duet between Bonnie and Delaney about moving out that old man so the new lady can move in (with you baby). I've always loved their cover of Dave Mason's - "Only You Know And I Know" – a tune Joan Osbourne would do to fantastic effect on her 2002 cover versions album - "How Sweet It Is".

Bonnie credits herself as Bonnie Sheridan on the so-Allmans Funky geetar been-out-on-the-road rock of "Comin' Home" recorded (I believe) as far back as 1969 with Eric and Duane. Weird jerky rhythms comes at us in the very Joe Cocker Funk Rock of "A Good Thing (I'm On Fire)" – another passion belter – more ants in his pants and ardour burning up his insides (great little tune and the kind of song they ate for breakfast). Little Feat chug-chug infuses the Delaney Bramlett and Joe Hicks song - "I Know Something Good About You" – those Muscle Shoals brass fills complimenting the guitar Funk. And on it goes. The six bonus album tracks that double-up as the A&B-sides of three singles from 1972 and 1973 are simply more of the same if not a little jaded by then (the Average White Band was effectively Bonnie's backing band for the "Sweet Bonnie Bramlett" album). 

I can't help thinking that someone like Esoteric Recordings should do a 6LP/6CD Box Set of DELANEY & BONNIE and their 1969 to 1972 output - get all their stuff out there in one cool remastered place - hopefully sometime in the future. In the meantime, give this cheap but rather cool little CD reissue a spin. "...I Know Something Good About You..." they sang 47 years ago. Indeed we do...

"Tracks Plus" by HEADS, HANDS & FEET - May 1972 UK Album on Island Records - June 1972 US LP on Capitol Records (November 2009 and August 2018 UK Cherry Red CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Warming Up The Band..."

The Seventies (especially in the early years of the decade) is littered with bands that should have been – could have been – but never did get there.

They had the chops, couple of the players might even have had the looks to make the young lassies swoon and the teenage lads emulate. In the mix you might also have scored a decent vocalist, signed to a prestigious label with hipster kudos galore and even sported the popular sound of the day (borderline Eagles Country Rock). And perhaps - if you were a real lucky chum – a big fat hit single to make everyone notice and get a slot with Pan’s People on Top Of The Pops (possibly even a hot date with Babs – the ultimate accolade).

But still - you ended up being shafted by record company mishaps, bad timing and an inexplicable indifference - a turned-on LP record/eight-track tape devouring public gobbling up anything remotely musical and interesting on any genre – anything that is but 'your music'. Our five-piece British heroes HEADS, HANDS and FEET are one of those groups...

What you get here is their second platter "Tracks" issued May 1972 in the UK on Island Records and a month later across the pond on Capitol Records. Cherry Red have also smartly chosen to ante-up this 2009 CD (itself reissued 2018) with the genuine added bonus of the groups superb first single – the non-album "Warming Up The Band" and its equally tasty B-side "Silver Mine" (albeit placed on the CD in reverse order for some reason). Here are the plus-size details...

UK released 23 November 2009 (re-issued August 2018) - "Tracks Plus" by HEADS, HANDS & FEET on Cherry Red CDMRED 424 (Barcode 5013929142428) offers their second 10-Track album from 1972 plus Two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (46:14 minutes):

1. Let's Get This Show On The Road [Side 1]

2. Safety In Numbers

3. Roadshow

4. Harlequin

5. Dancer

6. Hot Property [Side 2]

7. Jack Daniels (Old No. 7)

8. Rhyme And Time

9. Paper Chase

10. Song And Dance

Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Tracks" - released May 1972 in the UK on Island ILPS 9185 and June 1972 in the USA on Capitol Records ST-11051. Produced by EDDIE OFFORD (of Yes fame)

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Silver Mine

12. Warming Up The Band

Tracks 12 and 11 are the non-album A&B-Sides of their first 7" single issued November 1971 on Island Records WIP 6115 in the UK and on Capitol 3279 in the USA (Note running order, Track 12 is the A-side). The single "Warming up The Band" was released between the first album "Heads, Hands & Feet" in mid 1971 and the second album in May 1972. The British 45 was also reissued in a picture sleeve in the UK September 1976 on Island WIP 6319.

HEADS, HANDS & FEET were:

TONY COULTON - Lead Vocals

ALBERT LEE - Lead Guitar and Keyboards

CHAS HODGES - Fiddle, Banjo, Guitars and Vocals

RAY SMITH - Bass and Vocals

PETE GAVIN - Drums, Percussion and Vocals

Guests:

JERRY DONAHUE (of Poet & The One Man Band and Fotheringay) - Backing Vocals

JERRY HOGAN (of The Flintlocks) – Pedal Steel Guitar

The 12-page colour booklet is cleverly laid out - photos of the rare German and Japanese 1971 picture sleeves for "Warming Up The Band" - a killer cut written by the whole band and their best chance of chart action (sadly not to be). The original LP's 1972 inner gatefold with colour photos of each player is reproduced too in the centre pages and all of it complimented with extensive new liner notes from MICHAEL HEATLEY. There is a see-through CD tray with an inlay advertising similar Cherry Red releases of 2009. Heatley recalls Poet And The One Man Band and their lone 1969 album on Verve Forecast from whence much of Heads, Hands & Feet came. Cherry Red even repro the Jerry Lee Lewis album "London Session" from 1973 - where members of HHF were the Killer's backing band. But the best news is a decent Remaster by ALAN WILSON - no stranger to reissues. The Audio here feels great amplifying the original Production values by Eddie Offord (of Yes album fame). To the music...

Very much taken by Country Rock and Americana in general, the "Tracks" album feels like a British Group who has spent too much time listening to The Band whilst mainlining the funkier elements of 1969's "Farewell Alderbaran" by Judy Henske and Jerry Yester as a side order. Not a bad combo though says you – and it is. "(Let's Get This Show) On The Road" opens proceedings with a rapido Country Funk Rock groove - the Remaster bringing out all that frantic rhythm and the great playing (could even have been a single). Gavin's drums open the excellent "Safety In Numbers" - Albert Lee showing his guitar chops with sexy little flicks and a Funky little groove (again another possible 45). 

"Roadshow" is a piano led ballad by Albert Lee where he bemoans the waiting and the miles and his lady's indecision - waiting on you to come home. "Harlequin" is easily one of my faves - huge acoustic guitars anchoring a melody that feels fresh still - 47 years after the event - the Remaster bringing out Ray Smith's subtle bass line - Jerry Horgan of the 60ts Decca group The Flintlocks guesting on gorgeous Pedal Steel guitar. Side one ends with a very McGuinness Flint sounding "Dancer" - a sort of drunken acoustic strummer with fiddles - the boys regaling the wonders of a lady entertainer - someone they undoubtedly saw on the road - a sequined country gal helping lift up the spirits of deflated punters (amongst other things that she lifted up).

"Hot Property" opens Side Two but its beginning is a badly misjudged faster-go-faster Hillbilly instrumental portion. About a minute in, it segues into a wicked Funk-Rock groove ala Little Feat, Albert Lee zipping up and down the frets. Had someone edited out that Deliverance opener bit - it would have made for a great single. Silver dollar saloons and good whiskey inhabit "Jack Daniels (Old No. 7)" - but it feels dangerously close to an outtake from The Band's second album complete with Lynchburg Tennessee lyrics and Levon Helm vocals. Prettier is "Rhyme And Time" – a lovely melody by Albert Lee. The piano and voices melancholy "Paper Chase" flows nicely into my other fave-rave – the cool Bronco guitar-hooky "Song And Dance" – Albert Lee finding his inner Tony Joe White – sexy guitars and a sexy groove.

What a crying shame the public didn’t embrace the superb "Warming Up The Band" single – a fantastically slinky groove that should have killed the charts. In fact I can’t help thinking had it opened the second album – or Island followed it up with "Song And Dance" (a similar groove) as the second 45 – then the LP might have made real inroads – but alas...

Chas Hodges became one half of Chas and Dave – the popular barroom duo of English booze-up music (cloth caps, braces and ciggies) - whilst I last saw Albert Lee in the all-star band that accompanied Eric Clapton when he did the George Harrison tribute in the Royal Albert Hall – still whipping out those tasty licks and solos.

England's Heads, Hands & Feet are a footnote now in the history of Seventies Rock Music - but they're remembered with affection for a reason and the better tracks on this wicked-sounding CD Remaster prove why. A very cool little reissue really and I'd love to see someone tackle all three of their Seventies albums in a mini box set, and right soon...

"Live! In Europe" by RORY GALLAGHER - May 1972 UK 3rd Solo Album (First Live) on Polydor Records with Five New Tracks and Two Older Tracks in Live Form (January 2012 UK Sony Music/Capo/Legacy CD Reissue in Restored Digipak Artwork with Two Bonus Tracks – Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Going To My Hometown..."

After two solo studio-albums in the one year (May and November 1971) following his exit from Taste – Ireland's greatest-ever axeman Rory Gallagher nailed it big time. While the self-titled debut hit No. 30 in the UK and his far better second platter "Deuce" oddly only managing No. 39 - "Live! In Europe" was the one that broke down every barrier.

A barnstorming live LP that looked the part too (battered Strat and equally shattered check shirt ahoy courtesy of cool Mick Rock photography) - its beautiful gatefold artwork and incendiary Blues Rock content sent the unassuming working lad guitarist into the Top Ten – settling at a deserved peak of No. 9 in an appreciative Blighty. It even gave him his first solo entry on the American Billboard Rock charts, albeit at a more modest peak of No. 101 (it was called "Rory Gallagher/Live!" there and issued in a single sleeve).

But there's something else, and as I'm 60, I recall it like it was yesterday. In 2019, it's hard to understand (unless you were there) the impact this May 1972 album had on Irish and British teenagers and especially on young budding guitarists (everywhere). There was nothing elitist about him – Gallagher wasn't offish or aloof or a technical show-off – Rory was your guy and an absolute hair-raising joy to watch in the live environment. Add his relentless touring ethos – often playing Northern Ireland when others refused or were just too scared to during the horrors of the Troubles – and the sheer energy his tight three-piece exuded – it wasn't surprising that his first foray into the live LP thing was going to leave his rather underwhelming studio recordings in the dust.

Gallagher had also smartly only retained "Laundromat" from the debut and "In Your Town" from "Deuce" – leaving the other five as new to the listener (four covers and one original song). And what winners they were – stuff like "Going To My Hometown" (the original song) alongside covers of "Messing With The Kid" by Junior Wells, "Pistol Slapper Blues" by Blind Boy Fuller and two Traditionals arranged by RG - "Bullfrog Blues" and “I Could've Had Religion". This lethal combo of Blues Rock, Acoustic Blues and Classic Rock set the grooves alight and due to their huge popularity with fans thereafter regularly featured in his set lists some two to three decades later.

But RG CD reissues haven't always been the happiest of affairs. Under the supervision of Donal Gallagher (his older brother and former tour manager)  - Rory Gallagher had his LP back-catalogue first reissued onto CD between 1998 and 2000. Each of those RCA/Capo releases came in jewel cases and had previously unreleased bonus tracks. The campaign culminated with a tremendous outtakes compilation in 2003 called "Wheels Within Wheels". Those initial discs were 'remixed and remastered' by Tony Arnold at Courthouse Facilities in Dorset - these are 'untampered' versions remastered by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at Wired Masters in the UK in November 2011.

Andy and Matt have been involved in and received praise for remasters of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Frankie Miller, Wishbone Ash, The Kinks, Free, Budgie, ELP, Spooky Tooth and a lot more. For these reissues the original 1/4 master tapes have been returned to and the results are really great. It does seem odd that the Two Bonus Tracks are once again slotted into Side 2 (as it was on the first reissue of this CD) and not flipped to the end so you get the right sequencing, but it's a minor niggle.

This latest version of his third album is the first of 'new' remasters released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary (2012) of his Solo career. So what's different? In a nutshell - cheaper price, upgraded packaging and 2011 mastering from the original tapes by two fantastic Audio Engineers. Here are the Bullfrog details...

Released 16 January 2012 in the UK (31 Jan 2012 in the USA) - "Live! In Europe" by RORY GALLAGHER is on Sony Music/Capo/Legacy 88691917432 (Barcode 886919174328) and offers the original 1972 7-Track LP with Two Bonus Tracks slotted in in Positions 7 and 8. Original January 2012 issues of this CD Remaster come in a card digipak (58:46 minutes) – later pressings feature a standard jewel case:

1. Messin' With The Kid [Side 1]

2. Laundromat

3. I Could've Had Religion

4. Pistol Slapper Blues

5. Going To My Hometown [Side 2]

6. In Your Town

7. What In The World [BONUS TRACK]

8. Hoodoo Man [BONUS TRACK]

9. Bullfrog Blues

Tracks 1 to 6 and 9 are both sides of his third solo album "Live! In Europe" – released May 1972 in the UK on Polydor Super 2383 112 and August 1972 in the USA (as "Rory Gallagher/Live!" on Polydor PD 5513 (it peaked at No. 9 in the UK and No. 101 in the USA). Tracks 1 to 4 made up Side 1 and Tracks 5, 6 and 9 were Side 2.

The card digipak has a new live photo on the inside flap (the photo that adorned the inner gatefold of the original British LP is on Page 3 of the booklet and beneath the see-through CD tray). The 8-page booklet features new liner notes from MICK ROCK who caught the great man on camera all those years ago (47 and counting in 2019). But it’s the AUDIO that thrills – huge sound – real power as the band motors and swings on gigs recorded throughout Europe in February and March 1972. Let's get to the music...

As the speakers hum, Gerry McAvoy plucks his Bass and the crowd roars its approval – Rory launches into "Messin’ With The Kid" – setting the scene. His guitar is over on the left but it’s the soloing that feels so exciting – in his stride right from the get go. He cranks it for the fab "Laundromat" and suddenly this rather ordinary studio riff turns into a kicking romp – craziest place I’ve even been. It’s on to the Blues as we get nearly nine-minutes of "I Could’ve Had Religion" – harmonica wailing at first before he launches into a killer slider lick that’s soon joined by the band giving it oomph. He goes Acoustic for the Blind Boy Fuller 1920s Blues tune "Pistol Slapper Blues" – a very cool piece of Moonshine Whiskey, Blue Murder, Lyin’ Women and Cheatin’ Narky men.

Things lift off completely when he goes Mandolin strumming with "Going To My Home Town" over on Side 2 – the thump of Wilgar Campbell’s drum pedal and the crowd clapping along. It’s a fantastic shin-kicker of a tune (only got one ticket, just can’t afford two baby). Back to Blues Rock and the fab "In Your Town" – nine and half minutes of boogie with solos that elicit yelps from the audience – Rory zipping up and down the frets. It ends on a classic - "Bullfrog Blues" – bringing on memories of The Grove Dance Hall in Clontarf, Dublin where we got head’s down to this night-finisher every week for years. Pleasing too to know that the two Bonus Tracks "Hoodoo Man" and "What In The World" exude the same raw Slow Blues magnetism as the album – though I suspect the slightly muffled vocal on the first and the similarity to "Religion" excluded both from first choice for the LP. Good to have though...

With You Tube and the Net – Rory Gallagher has seen a massive resurgence in appreciation – so many discovering his playing skills (he only got better as the years passed). This is where that excitement began – dig in and enjoy...

The Eleven Titles in the 2012 RORY GALLAGHER Remasters Series

CD Digipaks, Downloads and 'Music On Vinyl' LPs:

16 January 2012 CD DIGIPAK and DOWNLOAD:

1. "Rory Gallagher" (May 1971 debut) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917352 (Barcode 886919173529)

2. "Deuce" (November 1971 2nd studio LP) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917372 (Barcode 886919173727)

3. "Live! In Europe" (May 1972 1st Live LP) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917432 (Barcode 886919174328)

4. "Blueprint" (February 1973, 3rd studio album) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917452 (Barcode 886919174526)

5. "Tattoo" (November 1973, 4th studio album) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917462 (Barcode 886919174625)

6. "Irish Tour '74" (July 1974, 2nd Live Set, 2LPs onto 1CD) – released January 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88691917472 (Barcode 886919174724)

27 February 2012 VINYL:

1 to 6 above also released 27 February 2012 on Limited Edition 180-gram vinyl versions on the "Music On Vinyl" Label

24 September 2012 CD DIGIPAK and DOWNLOAD:

7. "Against The Grain" (October 1975, 5th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461492 (Barcode 887254614920)

8. "Calling Card" (August 1976, 6th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461472 (Barcode 887254614722)

9. "Photo-Finish" (October 1978, 7th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461462 (Barcode 887254614623)

10. "Top Priority" (September 1979, 8th studio album) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461452 (Barcode 88725461452)

11. "Jinx" (April 1982) – released September 2012 on Sony/Capo/Legacy 88725461432 (Barcode 887254614326)

22 October 2012 VINYL:

7 to 11 above also released 22 October 2012 on Limited Edition 180-gram vinyl versions on the "Music On Vinyl" Label

PS: Most of the eleven above have been reissued since 2012 in standard jewel cases but have different catalogue numbers and barcodes. The jewel case version of "Live! In Europe" for instance is Barcode 886919370126 and has the restored artwork, picture CD and expanded booklet of the 2012 issue. There has also been a March 2018 further reissue on Universal Music 5797717 (Barcode 602557977172) in a jewel case with the nine tracks in the same order (it’s the 2012 version repackaged). So if you want the 'digipak' repro artwork versions of 2012 – use the Barcodes provided above when ordering...