"Shades Of Mitty Collier: The Chess Singles 1961–1968" by MITTY COLLIER (June 2008 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…I Gotta Get Away From It All…"

UK released in June 2008 - "Shades Of Mitty Collier: The Chess Singles 1961-1968" by MITTY COLLIER on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 301 (Barcode 029667230124) is a 24-track UK CD compilation which will finally allow fans to sequence all 15 of her US Chess 7" single A-sides (includes best of the B-sides too) - it plays out as follows (69:07 minutes):

1. I've Got Love b/w I Got To Get Away From It All
(Chess 1791 from June 1961, Tracks 24 and 23, A & B-sides)
2. Don't Let Her Take My Baby b/w I Dedicate My Life To You
(Chess 1814 from March 1962, Track 21, A-side only)
3. Miss Loneliness b/w My Babe
(Chess 1856 from June 1963, Tracks 20 and 22, A & B-sides)
4. I'm Your Part Time Love b/w Don’t You Forget It
(Chess 1871 from October 1963, Track 17, A-side only)
5. Pain b/w Let Them Talk
(Chess 1889 from March 1964, Track 19, B-side only)
6. I Had A Talk With My Man b/w Free Girl (In The Morning)
(Chess 1907 from October 1964, Track 18, A-side only)
7. No Faith, No Love b/w Together
(Chess 1918 from January 1965, Track 16, A-side only)
8. Come Back Baby b/w Ain't That Love
(Chess 1934 from March 1965, Track 15, B-side only)
9. Help Me b/w For My Man
(Chess 1942 from July 1965, Tracks 13 and 14, A & B-sides)
10. Sharing You b//w Walk Away
(Chess 1953 from March 1966, Tracks 11 and 12, A & B-sides)
11. My Party b/w I'm Satisfied
(Chess 1964 from July 1966, Tracks 9 and 10, A & B-sides)
12. (Looking' Out The Window) Watching And Waiting b/w Like Only Yesterday
(Chess 1987 from December 1966, Tracks 7 and 8, A & B-sides)
13. Do It With Confidence b/w You're The Only One
(Chess 2015 from July 1967, Tracks 5 and 6, A & B-sides)
14. Git Out b/w That'll Be Good Enough For Me
(Chess 2035 from December 1967, Tracks 3 and 4, A & B-sides)
15. Gotta Get Away From It All b/w Everybody Makes A Mistake Sometimes
(Chess 2050 from 1968, Tracks 1 and 2, A & B-sides)

This release will also allow you to sequence almost all of her lone album on the famous label entitled "Shades Of A Genius" which was issued in 1966 on Chess LP 1492.


Side 1:
1. Come Back Baby
2. I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night [18]
3. Would You Have Listened
4. Gotta Get Away From It All [23]
5. My Babe [20]
6. Hallelujah (I Love Him So)
Side 2:
1. Drown In My Own Tears
2. No Faith, No Love [16]
3. Together
4. Let Them Talk [19]
5. Little Miss Loneliness [22]
6. Ain't That Love [15]

Notes:
1. "I Got To Get Away From It All" on Chess 1791 is Version 1 (Track 23) while "Gotta Get Away From It All" is a remake on Chess 2050 which is Version 2 (Track 1)
2. Excepting "I'm Your Part Time Love", "I Had A Talk With My Man" and "Don't Let Her Take My Baby" (which are in MONO), all other tracks are in STEREO
3. As you can see from the two lists above there are 8 singles complete, but six sides are missing and 5 of the album tracks aren’t on here either. However, 4 of those single sides and 3 of the missing LP tracks are available elsewhere - on the 1999 Chess CD compilation called "Shades Of A Genius".

The booklet is the usual classy affair from Ace Records of the UK, a 16-page info-packed break down of her legacy by noted expert and soul lover TONY ROUNCE. Each single is pictured with label bags, there's the withdrawn sleeve of her lone album "Shades Of Mitty Collier" (featured another woman!) along with US trade magazine adverts. The CD itself apes the front page of the colour booklet while the inlay beneath the see-through tray features snaps of Pye International 7" demos and Chess Records adverts - all of it very nice touches.

Sound - it's been mastered by NICK ROBBINS and has had audio restoration work done by ROB SHREAD at Sound Mastering in the UK. The audio quality is superb given the vintage - the usual top job done by Ace.

Track highlights for me are the extraordinary torch ballad "Everybody Makes A Mistake Sometimes" (written by Lloyd Reese) - a B-side with the balls of an A. The cover of Ray Charles' "Ain't That Love" sounds like Barbara Lewis at her Atlantic best while the Northern Soul dancefloor favourite "My Babe" (a Little Walter cover) is a belter.

History tells us that like Florence Ballard at Motown (looked over for Diana Ross), Mitty Collier felt her releases were second fiddle in the promotion department to Chess's other killer singer - Etta James. Collier charted only 4 titles out of 15 across a near 8-year period, but Rounce also quite rightly notes that this also showed Leonard and Phil Chess' commitment to their artists - they stood by them - even in the dry patches. In the end perhaps Mitty Collier was too soulful for the public to take ("Like Only Yesterday") or the songs just weren't catchy enough for the charts to go crazy over ("My Party").

Still, at least we are left with this legacy of superb powerhouse soul tracks to enjoy. Ace is to be congratulated for this release – because once again, they deliver the goodies.

“Sweet Soul Music – 30 Scorching Classics From 1965” by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 5 of 15] (2008 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…You Don’t Need No Baggage…You Just Get On Board…"

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to.

Released July 2008 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 30 Scorching Classics From 1965" is on Bear Family BCD 16871 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed the second five in the series which were released in September 2009 – 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1965 has "In The Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in Bear Family's award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1965 issue has 96-pages in its booklet (yes 96!), both Wilson Picket and Joe Tex in live mode grace the front sleeve and inner flap - and it runs to a generous 80:37 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the other editions - it's the same here. Proceedings open with joyful brass and vocals of “Voice Your Choice” which sounds like it was recorded yesterday and is followed by the finger-snapping Doo Wop-Soul of “The Boy From New York City” by The Ad Libs (a clever combo of openers). The slow churchy organ on Joe Tex’s “Hold What You’ve Got” now sounds fantastic too as do the bass and drums and plucked guitars of “Ride Your Pony” by Lee Dorsey. Genius choices would include Solomon Burke’s jaunty “Got To Get You Off My Mind” (a very cool tune) and the epic build up of “Oo Wee Baby, I Love You” by Fred Hughes which feels like Phil Spector at his 'getting-the-arrangements-right' best. Roy Head’s “Treat Her Right” is a top inclusion too. But the icing on the cake goes to “Think” by Jimmy McCracklin – an uptempo crossover blues shuffle with a soul twist and an absolute joy to listen to (a discovery if you haven’t heard it before).

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. The compilation begins in January and in rough chronological order ends in December. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "My Girl”, "Iko Iko'" and "The Tracks Of My Tears" are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. Little prepares you for the clarity on the timeless “People Get Ready” by The Impressions (lyrics above). I’ve heard Curtis Mayfield’s prophetic song sound good before because it was well recorded anyway, but I shocked the guys in the record shop by playing it as an example as to the sound on these discs – every instrument beautifully clear and warm. Faces dropped and veteran listeners were genuinely amazed.

THE BOOKLET:
Like all the other issues I've covered, the booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 89, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, the 7" single is usually sat beside that - and even if it isn't - the album it came off is - with most of it in colour. Each song then has a 2 to 3 page essay on its history with its title centred like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. There’s no less that 4 full colour plates of Kin Weston from the same photo session at the end of the booklet – lovely stuff. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes with knowledgeable contributions from Colin Escott, Rudigar Ladwig & Bill Millar. And because the booklet allows Dahl to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – not all of it is an audiophile’s wet-dream – the recorded-in-a-bucket “Twine Time” is really rough, but worse, sounds out of place, “Boot-leg” is a good Booker T. instrumental but again seems superfluous to requirements especially with the far better “Shotgun” from Jr. Walker being on here too – and the Motown-followed-by-Atlantic tracks are perhaps 'too' familiar to many of us. But again – and I can’t emphasize this enough - 95% of these heard-too-often tracks are at least countered by their great sound - and if that's a complaint - I'll take it any day of the week.

To sum up - even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these compilations (no matter what the date) - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year - "1965" is 'the' place to start.

After 35 years reissuing Blues, Doo Wop, Fifties Rhythm 'n' Blues, Sixties Pop and huge swathes of Country Music - this is Bear Family's first real foray into Soul Music - and personally I'm weak at the knees thinking about what they'll tackle next.

As you can tell (like the other reviewers here), I'm properly taken aback - I cannot recommend these beautiful compilations enough. Well done to all involved...

Track List for 1965
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. Voice Your Choice – THE RADIANTS (Chess 1904)
2. The Boy From New York City – THE AD LIBS (Blue Cat BC-102)
3. Hold What You've Got – JOE TEX (Dial 4001)
4. Twine Time – ALVIN CASH & THE CRAWLERS (Mar-V-Lus 6002)
5. Don't Mess Up a Good Thing – FONTELLA BASS & BOBBY McCLURE WITH OLIVER SAIN AND ORCHESTRA (Checker 1097)
6. My Girl – THE TEMPTATIONS (Gordy G 7038)
7. Shotgun – JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS (Soul S-35008)
8. People Get Ready – THE IMPRESSIONS (ABC-Paramount 10622)
[Written by and featuring Curtis Mayfield]
9. Got to Get You Off My Mind – SOLOMON BURKE (Atlantic 2276)
10. Iko Iko – THE DIXIE CUPS (Red Bird RB 10-024)
11. I'll Be Doggone – MARVIN GAYE (Tamla TM-54112)
12. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE (Chess 1924)
13. Baby, I'm Yours – BARBARA LEWIS (Atlantic 2283)
14. Boot-Leg – BOOKER T. & THE MG’S (Stax S-169)
15. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – OTIS REDDING (Volt 126)
16. We're Gonna Make It – LITTLE MILTON (Checker 1105)
17. Back in My Arms Again – THE SUPREMES (Motown M 1075)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
18. Oo Wee Baby, I Love You – FRED HUGHES (Vee Jay VJ-684)
19. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – THE FOUR TOPS (Motown M-1076)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
20. Ride Your Pony – LEE DORSEY (Amy 927)
21. In The Midnight Hour – WILSON PICKETT (Atlantic 2289)
22. Sitting in the Park – BILLY STEWART (Chess 1932)
23. The "In" Crowd – RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO (Argo 5506)
24. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag Part 1 – JAMES BROWN AND THE FAMOUS FLAMES (King 5999)
25. The Tracks Of My Tears – THE MIRACLES (Tamla T-54118)
[Co-Written by and featuring Smokey Robinson]
26. Think – JIMMY McCRACKLIN (Imperial 66129)
27. Treat Her Right – ROY HEAD AND THE TRAITS (Back Beat 546)
28. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS (Checker 1120)
29. See Saw – DON COVAY & THE GOODTIMERS (Atlantic 2301)
30. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) – KIM WESTON (Gordy G-7046)

"Sweet Soul Music – 29 Scorching Classics From 1966" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 6 of 15] (2009 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Baby Scratch My Back..."

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to.

Released September 2009 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 29 Scorching Classics From 1966" is on Bear Family BCD 16971 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1966 has "Knock On Wood" by Eddie Floyd), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in Bear Family’s award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1966 issue has 88 pages in its booklet (yes 88!), The Supremes pictured on the front sleeve with the Stax Soulsville U.S.A. Studios on the inside flap and it runs to a generous 79:08 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the other editions - it's the same here – and possibly even better. Proceedings open with the oddly joyous sound of Marvin Gaye having his suspicions on “Ain’t That Peculiar” (Motown at its best) followed by Joe Tex quickly assuring us that Marvin and all stroppy men out there need to stop messing around and hold on to “…A Sweet Woman…”. Although not strictly Soul, the slinky blues shuffle of Slim Harpo’s “Baby Scratch My Back” is followed perfectly by Edwin Starr’s uptempo "S.O.S." song. Genius inclusions are the intense pleading of James Carr on “You’ve Got My Mind Messed Up” (real soul that’s thrilling to this day), the slightly sinister yet so enjoyable “Neighbor, Neighbor” by Jimmy Hughes and the rarely heard but lovely uptown vibe to Darrell Banks’ “Open The Door To Your Heart”. There’s also the rare and desirable Howard Tate track on Verve “Ain’t Nobody Home” which has a wicked organ break in it - and the drums and guitar on the lovely “I’m Gonna Miss You” by The Artistics are as clear as a bell too.

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Uptight", “Hold On, I’m Comin’”, “When A Man Loves A Woman” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. The clarity on the elegant Holland-Dozier-Holland song “Darling Baby” by The Elgins is fantastic, while “Cool Jerk” not only sounds huge on here, it’s the kind of party tune that never ceases to bring a smile to a face and an itch to the feet (lyric above). But the big one soundwise is two slow tracks - Lorraine Ellison’s “Stay” and Aaron Neville’s cover of the Allen Toussaint torch ballad “Tell It Like It Is”. Sounding absolutely incredible – and after so much relentlessly upbeat music, Ellison’s genuine vocal anguish on “Stay” comes both as a shock and a welcome change. Then there’s the clarity of all the instruments on “Tell It Like It Is” - surely the best it’s ever sounded.

THE BOOKLET:
Like all the other issues I’ve covered, the booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 83, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, the 7" single is usually sat beside that - and even if it isn’t - the album it came off is – with most of it in colour. Each song then has a 2 to 3 page essay on its history with its title centred like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes with contributions from good names like Colin Escott, Martin Koppel & Bill Millar and both published sources & websites are named. And because the booklet allows Dahl to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – the Motown-followed-by-Atlantic tracks are perhaps ‘too’ familiar to many of us, but that is at least countered by the great sound – and if that’s a complaint – I’ll take it any day of the week.

To sum up - as with the 1967 and 1968 issues, this CD comes damn close to Soul perfection – it really does. And even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year - "1966" is 'the' place to start.

After 35 years reissuing Blues, Doo Wop, Fifties Rhythm ‘n’ Blues, Sixties Pop and huge swathes of Country Music - this is Bear Family’s first real foray into Soul Music – and personally I’m weak at the knees thinking about what they’ll tackle next.

As you can tell, I’m properly taken aback – I cannot recommend these beautiful compilations enough. Well done to all involved…

Track List for 1966
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. Ain't That Peculiar – MARVIN GAYE (Tamla T-54122)
2. A Sweet Woman Like You – JOE TEX (Dial 4022)
3. Baby Scratch My Back – SLIM HARPO (Excello EX 2273)
4. Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) – EDWIN STARR (Ric-Tic RT-109)
5. Darling Baby – THE ELGINS (V.I.P. Records V.I.P. 25029)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
6. Get Out Of My Life, Woman – LEE DORSEY (Amy 945)
[Written by Allen Toussaint]
7. Uptight (Everything's Alright) – STEVIE WONDER (Tamla T-54124)
8. Searching For My Love – BOBBY MOORE & THE RHYTHM ACES (Checker 1129)
9. 634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.) – WILSON PICKETT (Atlantic 2320)
[Written by Eddie Floyd & Steve Cropper]
10. This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (Tamla T-54128)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
11. You've Got My Mind Messed Up – JAMES CARR (Goldwax 302) [Rare]
12. She Blew A Good Thing – THE POETS (Symbol 214)
13. Hold On, I'm Comin' – SAM & DAVE (Stax S-189)
[Sam & Dave are Sam Moore & Dave Prater; written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter]
14. Cool Jerk – THE CAPITOLS (Karen 1524)
15. When A Man Loves A Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (Atlantic 2326)
16. Barefootin' – ROBERT PARKER (Nola 721)
17. Neighbor, Neighbor – JIMMY HUGHES (Fame 1003)
18. Open The Door To Your Heart – DARRELL BANKS (Revilot RV-201)
19. Ain't Too Proud To Beg – THE TEMPTATIONS (Gordy G-7054)
[Written by Eddie Holland and Norman Whitfield]
20. Stay With Me – LORRAINE ELLISON (Warner Bros. 5850)
21. Ain't Nobody Home – HOWARD TATE (Verve VK-10420)
22. I'm Your Puppet - JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY (Bell Records BELL 648)
23. B-A-B-Y – CARLA THOMAS (Stax 195)
[Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter]
24. Reach Out I'll Be There – THE FOUR TOPS (Motown M 1098)
[Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland]
25. Knock On Wood – EDDIE FLOYD (Stax 194)
[Written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd]
26. I'm Gonna Miss You – THE ARTISTICS (Brunswick 55301)
27. But It's Alright - J.J. JACKSON (Calla 119)
28. Tell It Like It Is – AARON NEVILLE (Par Lo 101)
29. You Keep Me Hangin' On – THE SUPREMES (Motown M-1101)

“Sweet Soul Music – 30 Scorching Classics From 1967” by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 7 of 15] (2009 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Sock It To Me!"

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (sometimes if you’re lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to.

Released September 2009 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 30 Scorching Classics From 1967" is on Bear Family BCD 16972 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed 1968, 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1967 has "Sweet Soul Music" by Arthur Conley), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in their award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1967 issue has 96 pages in its booklet (yes 96!), James Brown & The Famous Flames on the front sleeve with Stax Studio Session Players (mostly Booker T. & The M.G.’s) pictured inside and runs to a whopping 81:54 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the other editions - it's the same here. Proceedings open with a very clever coupling of two lesser-heard originals – the mid-tempo Freddie Scott gem “Are You Lonely For Me” (later covered by Chuck Jackson) which is quickly followed by a live jazz instrumental with a soulful twist by ‘Cannonball’ Adderley called “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” (January 1967). It was written by his pianist Joe Zawinul (who later formed Weather Report) and then made a hit two more times that year – 1st by Larry Williams and Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson who wrote lyrics to it in March 1967 and then again in the summer by the pop group The Buckinghams. In fact the theme of ‘better’ originals over the more famous covers permeates throughout the whole year. You get the truly fantastic funk-soul of “Some Kind Of Wonderful” by Soul Brothers Six which was made a huge hit by Grand Funk (Railroad) in December 1974 on Capitol and Rodger Collin’s stunning original of “She’s Looking Good” which Wilson Picket aped almost note for note and scream by scream.

Genius inclusions are the irresistibly upbeat “Girls Are Out To Get You” by The Fascinations (a lovely lead vocal by Bernadine Smith on a Curtis Mayfield penned song) and Bettye Swann’s truly gorgeous “Make Me Yours” – as sweet a soul ballad as you’ve ever heard. There’s a gospel organ backbeat to Toussaint McCall’s beautiful “Nothing Takes The Place Of You” and dancefloor-filler funk vibe to Syl Johnson’s “Come On Sock It To Me” – another cool choice.

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Sweet Soul Music” by Arthur Conley and “Jimmy Mack” by Martha & The Vandellas are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. I often found that Rhino sets (good as they were) trebled up everything - here it's a much warmer feel and the clarity is fab. The clarity of the vocals and vibe playing on “Hypnotized” by Linda Jones is incredible and even something as overplayed as Erma Franklin’s “Piece Of My Heart” now sounds just huge. In short - track after track just blows you away...

THE BOOKLET:
The booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 91, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured, the 7" single beside it and even the album it came off (most of it in colour). The titles are centred in each review like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes (with contributions from good names like Colin Escott, Martin Koppel & Bill Millar and both published sources & websites named) and because the booklet allows him to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – there was a penchant for ‘insult’ songs that year – “Tramp”, “Skinny Legs & All” and “Dirty Man” – none of which I like - and then there’s the familiar to the point of being painful - “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough:” and “Higher And Higher” which have been done to death in so many rom-coms that it’s hard to ever listen to them again. I would have preferred “New Year's Resolution” by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas and “Two Can Have A Party” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – but these are purely personal choices – others may welcome the inclusion of the bigger hits instead...

To sum up – as with 1968, this CD comes damn close to Soul perfection. And I know as imports, they're expensive, but I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one - they'll be hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year – “1967” is ‘the’ place to start.

Bear Family does it again folks. Fabulous stuff - and wholeheartedly recommended.

Track List for 1967
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. Are You Lonely For Me – FREDDIE SCOTT (Shout S-207)
2. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy – ‘CANNONBALL’ ADDERLEY (Capitol 5798)
3. Funky Broadway Part 1 - DYKE & THE BLAZERS (Artco 101)
[Re-issued shortly afterwards on Original Sound Records 05-64 which charted)
4. Girls Are Out To Get You – THE FASCINATIONS (Mayfield 7714)
5. Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY (Atco 6463)
6. Nothing Takes The Place Of You – TOUSSAINT McCALL (Ronn Records Ronn 3)
7. Jimmy Mack - MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS ((Gordy G-7058)
8. She's Looking Good – RODGER COLLINS (Galaxy 750)
9. Eight Men, Four Women – O.V. WRIGHT (Back Beat 580)
10. Tramp - OTIS REDDING & CARLA THOMAS (Stax S-216)
11. Ain't No Mountain High Enough – MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL (Tamla T-54149)
12. Respect – ARETHA FRANKLIN (Atlantic 2403)
13. Make Me Yours – BETTYE SWANN (Money 126)
14. Baby Please Come Back Home – J. J. BARNES (Groovesville GV 1006)
15. Soul Finger – BAR-KAYS (Volt 148)
16. I Was Made To Love Her – STEVIE WONDER (Tamla T-54151)
17. Some Kind Of Wonderful – SOUL BROTHERS SIX (Atlantic 2406)
[Later covered & charted by Grand Funk (Railroad) on Capitol 4002 in 1974)
18. Hypnotized – LINDA JONES (Loma 2070)
19. Come On Sock It To Me – SYL JOHNSON (Twilight 100)
20. (I Wanna) Testify – THE PARLIAMENTS (Revilot RV 207)
[Features George Clinton of Parliament and Funkadelic/Backing Group is The Holidays]
21. Cold Sweat Part 1 - JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES (King 6110)
22. Get On Up – THE ESQUIRES (Bunky 7750)
23. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher – JACKIE WILSON (Brunswick 55336)
24. Dirty Man – LAURA LEE (Chess 2013)
25. Expressway To Your Heart – SOUL SURVIVORS (Crimson CR-1010)
26. Soul Man – SAM & DAVE (Stax 231)
[Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter]
27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (Soul S-35039)
28. Piece Of My Heart – ERMA FRANKLIN (Shout S-221)
29. Skinny Legs And All – JOE TEX (Dial 4063)
30. Tell Mama – ETTA JAMES (Cadet 5578)

"Sweet Soul Music – 29 Scorching Classics From 1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 8 of 15] (September 2009 GERMANY Bear Family CD Compilation of Jurgen Crasser Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Down On Funky Street…Diggin' The Funky Beat…"

Being a voracious collector of Soul and Funk music on CD for over 20 years now, I'd initially resisted buying this series of themed compilations because glancing at the track lists, I realised that I'd at least 60 to 70% of the songs on each CD already - so why buy them again?

Well - this is Bear Family to start with - uncompromising in their quest for quality presented in the very best way. But the truth is simpler - you buy just one of these peaches and you're screwed - they're so good, you'll need the whole damn lot…

Released September 2009 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 29 Scorching Classics From 1968" is on Bear Family BCD 16973 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed 1969 and 1970). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1968 has "Funky Street" by Arthur Conley on Atco – lyrics above), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in their award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake - I think it's Otis Redding). This 1968 issue has 96 pages in its booklet (yes 96!), Wilson Pickett is on the front sleeve with Charlie & Inez Foxx pictured inside and runs to a whopping 79:58 minutes.

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth's sequencing on the 1969 and 1970 editions - it's the same here. Proceedings open with an amazingly warm remaster of Smokey Robinson’s "I Second That Emotion” which quickly slides into the sublime "I'm In Love" by Wilson Pickett (written by Bobby Womack, later recorded by him). Genius inclusions include "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited – an instrumental few people recognize by title, but know instantly on hearing the brassy line that runs through its upbeat shimmy-shaking length (it's been used in countless movies). Then there's the truly lovely "Love Makes A Woman" by Barbara Acklin that jumps out of your speakers like summer itself (she lived with Eugene Record of The Chi-Lites and co-wrote "Have You Seen Her" with him). Then there's the slinky "Take me in…" song "The Snake" by Al Wilson and a Chess/Cadet rarity - collectors should note that "Stay In My Corner" by The Dells is the lesser seen 45-Single 7" Edit at 3:05 minutes and not the more commonly featured full-album version.

As with the other years, Booth took his time with this compilation - actually playing the set through - mixing the famous with the obscure and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. One clever coupling is the lesser known pair of "Girl Watcher" by The O'Kaysions which follows the brilliant “Lover’s Holiday” by Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "(Sitting On) The Dock Of The Bay" by Otis Redding and "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND:
Ace Records of the UK and Rhino of the USA issued the Stax and Atlantic stuff respectively throughout most of the Nineties, but I find that their remasters (good as they were at the time) are now sounding decidedly dated – especially given what is being presented to us on these 2009 sets. Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care. The sound is GLORIOUS – clarity, warmth, details popping out at you at every turn. The drums and vocals in “We’re A Winner” by The Impressions is just incredible, the strings and brass of “Cowboys To Girls” by The Intruders is beautiful and the churchy organ of Percy Sledge’s “Take Time To Know Her” makes you sit up and take notice – and also realise just how underrated his contribution to Sixties Soul is. And on it goes – it truly is a sonic embarrassment of riches.

THE BOOKLET:
Like the other issues, the booklet is astonishing. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 91, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured, the 7" single beside it and even the album it came off (most of it in colour). The titles are centred in each review like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes with contributions from good names like Colin Escott and Martin Koppel - and because the booklet allows him to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast (sources are listed) - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles - except that the cost would put off prospective buyers (which would be a shame) - I don't have any!

To sum up - I know as imports, they're expensive, but I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these beautifully prepared sets - they'll be hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year – "1968" is damned near perfect - and 'the' place to start.

Bear Family does it again folks. Fabulous stuff - and wholeheartedly recommended.

Track List for 1968

(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title)

1. I Second That Emotion - SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES (Tamla T-54159)
2. I'm In Love – WILSON PICKETT (Atlantic 2448)
3. (1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days – CHARLIE & INEZ FOXX (Dynamo D-112)
4. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay – OTIS REDDING (Volt 157)
5. We're A Winner – THE IMPRESSIONS (ABC 11042)
[Written by and featuring Curtis Mayfield]
6. Dance To The Music - SLY & THE FAMILY STONE (Epic 10256)
7. The End Of Our Road - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (Soul S-35042)
8. Cowboys To Girls – THE INTRUDERS (Gamble G-214)
9. I Thank You – SAM & DAVE (Stax 242)
10. Tighten Up Part 1 - ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS (Atlantic 2478)
11. Take Time To Know Her – PERCY SLEDGE (Atlantic 2490)
12. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing – MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL (Tamla T-54163)
13. Lover's Holiday – PEGGY SCOTT & JO JO BENSON (SSS International SSS 736)
14. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone – ARETHA FRANKLIN (Atlantic 2486)
15. Funky Street – ARTHUR CONLEY (Atco 6563)
16. Stay In My Corner (7” Single Edit – See Review) – THE DELLS (Cadet 5612)
17. I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do) – EDDIE FLOYD (Stax STA-0002)
18. Grazing In The Grass – HUGH MASEKELA (Uni 55066)
19. Slip Away – CLARENCE CARTER (Atlantic 2508)
20. Love Makes A Woman – BARBARA ACKLIN (Brunswick 55379)
21. Say It Loud - I'm Black & I'm Proud (Part 1) – JAMES BROWN (King 6187)
22. Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do – BETTY WRIGHT (Alston 4569)
23. Girl Watcher – THE O'KAYSIONS (North State 1001)
[Re-issued and charted on ABC 11094]
24. The Snake – AL WILSON (Soul City 767)
25. Hey, Western Union Man – JERRY BUTLER (Mercury 72850)
26. Soulful Strut – YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED (Brunswick 55391)
27. Who's Making Love – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (Stax STA-0009)
28. Cloud Nine – THE TEMPTATIONS (Gordy G-7081)
29. I Heard It Through The Grapevine – MARVIN GAYE (Tamla T-54176)

"Sweet Soul Music – 28 Scorching Classics From 1969" by VARIOUS ARTISTS [Volume 9 of 15] (2009 GERMAN Bear Family CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...We've Got To Live Together…"

Being a voracious collector of Soul and Funk music on CD for over 20 years now, I'd initially resisted buying this series of themed compilations because glancing at the track lists, I realised that I'd at least 60 to 70% of the songs on each CD already - so why buy them again? 

Well - this is Bear Family to start with - uncompromising in their quest for quality presented in the very best way. But the truth is simpler - you buy just one of these peaches and you're screwed - they're so good, you'll need the lot!

Compilations like this live or die based on a few ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (sometimes) sumptuous presentation. Well "Sweet Soul Music" wins on all counts - it really does.

Released September 2009 in Germany, "Sweet Soul Music - 28 Scorching Classics From 1969" is on Bear Family BCD 16974 AS and is part of a 10-volume series stretching from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed them all up until 1975). Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures a 7" single in its label bag relevant to the year (1969 has "What Does It Take…" by Jr. Walker & The All Stars), the centre flap holds a 60 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 16 titles in their award-winning "Blowing The Fuse" CDs from 1945 to 1960, each spine in the "Sweet Soul Music" series also makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a live shot of a singer leaning into an audience to make a handshake – I think it’s Otis Redding). This 1969 issue has 92 pages in its booklet (yes 92!), Jerry Butler on the front sleeve with Johnny Adams and Shelby Singleton pictured inside and runs to a whopping 80:32 minutes.

1. Everyday People - SLY & THE FAMILY STONE (Epic 10407)
2. I Forgot To Be Your Lover – WILLIAM BELL (Stax 0015)
3. Build Me Up Buttercup – THE FOUNDATIONS (Uni 55101)
4. Can I Change My Mind – TYRONE DAVIS (Dakar 602)
5. There'll Come A Time – BETTY EVERETT (Uni 55100)
[Written by Eugene Record of THE CHI-LITES – see also 13]
6. Take Care Of Your Homework – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (Stax 0023)
7. Twenty-Five Miles – EDWIN STARR (Gordy 7083)
8. Foolish Fool – DEE DEE WARWICK (Mercury 72880)
9. Soul Shake - PEGGY SCOTT & JO JO BENSON (SSS International 761)
10. Only The Strong Survive – JERRY BUTLER (Mercury 72898)
11. Snatching It Back – CLARENCE CARTER (Atlantic 2605)
12. It's Your Thing – THE ISLEY BROTHERS (T-Neck 901)
13. Give It Away – THE CHI-LITES (Brunswick 55398)
14. The Chokin' Kind – JOE SIMON (Sound Stage 7 2628)
15. T.C.B. Or T.Y.A. – BOBBY PATTERSON (Jetstar 114)
(Take Care Of Business Or Turn Yourself Around)
16. Color Him Father – THE WINSTONS (Metromedia 117)
[B-side "Amen Brother" is a huge sample in Hip Hop records]
17. Cissy Strut – THE METERS (Josie 1005)
18. What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) – JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS (Soul 35062)
19. I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man’s Fool) – CANDI STATON (Fame 1456)
20. Mother Popcorn (You Got To Have A Mother For Me) – JAMES BROWN (King 6245)
21. Choice Of Colors – THE IMPRESSIONS (Curtom 1943)
[The Impressions featured Curtis Mayfield at this time]
22. Reconsider Me – JOHNNY ADAMS (SSS International 770)
23. Nobody But You Babe – CLARENCE REID (Alston 4574)
[Note: also issued on Alston 4576]
24. In A Moment – THE INTRIGUES (Yew 1001)
25. Baby, I'm For Real – THE ORIGINALS (Soul 35066)
26. Someday We'll Be Together - DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES (Motown 1156)
27. Backfield In Motion – MEL & TIM (Bamboo 107)
28. I Want You Back – THE JACKSON 5 (Motown 1157)

TRACK CHOICES:
I raved about Dave 'Daddy Cool' Booth's sequencing on the 1970 edition – it's the same here. Proceedings open nicely with Sly Stone's "...different strokes for different folks..." social-awakening song "Everyday People" (lyrics above) and are followed by an unexpectedly slow Johnny Taylor tune on Stax – but it works. Genius inclusions are Betty Everett's "There Comes A Time" – an unbelievably strong torch ballad sounding not unlike Aretha Franklin at her Atlantic Records best, the lesser heard but equally impressive "Foolish Fool" by Dee Dee Warwick and the original of "Soul Shake" by Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson which was later covered by Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett in a more rock vein.

Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through – mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. Also, because of the extended playing time, there's usually only a one second space between each track, so it feels like you're listening to a jukebox of the time - or a good DJ cueing up song after song - seamlessly segueing one cool tune after another. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 and "Cissy Strut" by The Meters are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound…

THE SOUND:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (good Stereo preferred over Mono) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - the sound is GLORIOUS. I often found that Rhino sets (good as they were) trebled up everything - here it's a much warmer feel and the clarity is fab.

The clarity of the guitar and vocals on Jerry Butler’s “Only The Strong Survive” is astonishing as is the beefed-up funkiness of Clarence Carter’s floor-filler “Snatching It Back”. In fact ALL the Atlantic stuff sounds far better on here than the Rhino remasters of the mid Nineties. The same applies to “It’s Your Thing” by The Isley Brothers and “Color Me Father” by The Winstons (shame its famous hip-hop sampled B-side “Amen Brother” isn’t on here). Track after track just blows you away…

THE BOOKLET:
The booklet is to die for. The text for the songs begins on Page 4 and ends on Page 86, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured, the 7" single beside it and even the album it came off (most of it in colour). The titles are centred in each review like a paper nametag inside a jukebox - a nice touch. Noted writer and soul lover BILL DAHL handles the liner notes (with contributions from good names like Colin Escott and Martin Koppel) and because the booklet allows him to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles – I wouldn’t have included “Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Foundations or “Give It Away” by The Chi-Lites – the first is more pop than soul and the second is just too lightweight. But these are minor points in a sea of brilliance…

To sum up - I know as imports, they're expensive, but I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one - they'll be hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of Soul Music for a given year - this is the place to start.

Bear Family does it again folks. Fabulous stuff - and wholeheartedly recommended.

“Hellooo Baby! You Know What I Like! – A Wiggle In Her Walk And A Giggle In Her Talk” by THE BIG BOPPER. A Review of the 2010 Bear Family CD.

"…You Know What I Like…”

Released July 2010 in Germany, the CD “Hellooo Baby! You Know What I Like!” has 31 tracks and runs to a generous 73:26 minutes. There’s a lot on here, so let’s get to the details…

Bear Family BCD 17109 AH will finally allow The Big Bopper’s fans to sequence all 6 of his rare US 7” singles – and then follow them with the tribute songs that came after his untimely loss at the age of only 28 (he died in a plane crash in early February 1959 with Richie Valens and Buddy Holly). It breaks down as follows…

BIG BOPPER
1. Chantilly Lace b/w Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor [Tracks 1 and 9] March 1958, D Records 1008
(Reissued September 1958 on Mercury 71343, charted at Number 3)

2. Monkey Song (You Made A Monkey Out Of Me) b/w A Teen-Age Moon [Tracks 18 and 19]
1958, Mercury 71312 (credited to THE BIG BOPPER with THE ECHOES)

3. Big Bopper’s Wedding b/w Little Red Riding Hood [Tracks 3 and 2]
1958, Mercury 71375

4. Someone’s Watching Over You b/w Walking Through My Dreams [Tracks 17 and 15]
1959, Mercury 71416
[Note: the A-side is Version 2 and the B-side is Version 1 – there are other Versions on this CD]

5. It’s The Truth Ruth b/w That’s What I’m Talkin’ About [Tracks 14 and 16]
1959, Mercury 71451
[Note: the 45 A-side is Version 1 – Version 2 of the song (Track 7) is on the album]

6. Pink Petticoats b/w The Clock [Tracks 4 and 11]
1959, Mercury 71482

TRIBUTE SONGS by OTHER ARTISTS

1. Bopper 4860009 by DONNA DAMERON (1959, Dart 113) [Track 25]
2. The Man I Met (A Tribute To The Big Bopper) by RAY CAMPI (1959, D Records 1047) [Track 26]
3. Three Stars by EDDIE COCHRAN (1966, UK 7” on Liberty LIB 10249) [Track 27]
4. That Makes It by JAYNE MANSFIELD (1965, Original Sound OS 51) [Track 28]
5. She Giggles by DON TERRY (1959, Lin Records 5018) [Track 29]
6. Chantilly Lace Cha Cha by BILL KIMBROUGH (1959, D Records 1053) [Track 30]

His lone US album “Chantilly Lace” issued December 1958 on Mercury MG-20402 [Mono] can now also be sequenced using the following tracks:

Side 1:
1. Chantilly Lace [1]
2. Pink Petticoats [4]
3. The Clock [11]
4. Walking Through My Dreams [8] (Version 2)
5. Someone Watching Over You [17] (Version 2)
6. Old Maid [12]
Side 2:
1. Big Bopper's Wedding [3]
2. Little Red Riding Hood [2]
3. Preacher And The Bear [6]
4. It's The Truth Ruth [7] (Version 2)
5. White Lightning [10]
6. Strange Kisses [5]

Finally - Tracks 24 and 31 are “Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor” and “Sweet Lips” by GORDON RITTER [performing as Rick Johnson] and were recorded as a demo session in July 1958 for KTRM Radio Station in Beaumont, Texas – they are newly released on this CD.

The gatefold card digipak sports a superlative 50-page attached-booklet with photos from the fateful Winter Dance Party Tour, heartfelt and informative liner notes by JOHNETTE DUFF (with co-operation from family & friends) and an ANTOON VAN OLDEREN/ANDY BROWN Discography (Van Olderen runs a truly fabulous Eddie Cochran online website). The discography features photos of those original 7” singles and even pictures the press release that came with Donna Dameron’s single (recorded while he was alive, posthumously released). Like so many of Bear Family’s issues, the booklet is a thing of beauty and liable to make fans beam from ear to ear. Then there’s the SOUND…

The original masters tapes have been given the polish of their lives by Bear Family’s own JURGEN CRASSER. I’ve raved about this guy before – his work on the award-winning “Blowing The Fuse” R&B Series (1945 to 1960) and the subsequent “Sweet Soul Music” Series (1961 to 1970) jumps to mind - simply mind-blowing (check out reviews of them). You haven’t heard these Bopper tracks until you’ve heard his careful remastering of them. The sound is huge, clean and a revelation.
Musically – there is dreck on here for sure (one too many Chantilly soundalikes), but when he wasn’t hamming it up and took on a ballad like say “Walking Through My Dreams” or a rocker like “White Lightning”, The Big Bopper had a voice that was a cross between Charlie Rich and Elvis Presley – impressive to say the least. And listening to the fully sequenced “Chantilly Lace” album now (50 years after the event) is both great fun and an eye-opener.

Jiles Perry Richardson will probably always be a one-hit wonder in the annals of pop history, but he deserved more – and at least he is now properly remembered in this top-drawer CD reissue.

The mighty Bear Family does it again folks. Respect given and respect due…