"The New Religion (“Come Softly To Me" in the USA)/London Swings 'Live At The Marquee Club'/This Is Jimmy James And The Vagabonds/Open Up Your Soul Plus Bonus Single Sides" by JIMMY JAMES And THE VAGABONDS (October 2020 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 4LPs Remastered onto 2CDs Plus 8 Bonus Tracks – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Open Up Your Soul..."

Like Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band – Jimmy James And The Vagabonds are held in many British beating hearts with a fondness that hasn’t faltered since their exciting heyday five whole decades ago. Both were top-tier live draws in the late Sixties, both multi-cultural bands bringing Soul Music to a hungry crowd – with a fair dollop of sweaty joyous R&B too. And that’s pretty much what you get here...

Four albums originally on Pye and Marble Arch Records of the UK (two each from 1966 and 1968) pumped up by eight Bonuses lopped on at the end (mostly stand-alone single-sides). This 2CD set certainly represents value for money and comes just in time to celebrate their 50th Anniversary with quality and quantity. Let's get to the Swingin' 6ts and the 'New Religion' of Soul and R&B...

UK released 23 October 2020 (delayed from September 2020) - "The New Religion/Long Swings 'Live At The Marquee Club'/This Is Jimmy James And The Vagabonds/Open Up Your Soul + Bonus Tracks" by JIMMY JAMES And THE VAGABONDS on Beat Goes On BGOCD1432 (Barcode 5017261214324) offers 'Four Albums On Two Discs' Remastered plus Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows: 

Disc 1 (76:47 minutes):

1. Ain't Love Good, Ain't Love Proud [Side 1]

2. This Heart Of Mine 

3. Do It Right 

4. I Gotta Dance To Keep From Cryin' 

5. I'm Just A Fool For You Girl 

6. Honest I Do 

7. Hi Diddley Dee Dum Dum (It's A Good Feelin')

8. People Get Ready [Side 2]

9. The Entertainer 

10. Come To Me Softly

11. Little Boy Blue 

12. It's Growing 

13. Amen 

14, Ain't No Big Thing 

Tracks 1 to 14 are their debut album "The New Religion" - released December 1966 in the UK on Piccadilly NPL 38027 in Mono and July 1967 in the USA on Atco 33-222 in Mono. 

The US LP used different artwork and dropped the song "Honest I Do" from Side 1 making a 13-track LP. It was reissued March 1968 in Stereo on US Atlantic SD 33-222 but this time titled after their latest single - "Come Softly To Me". That second variant also had a different track run (only 12 songs) - to sequence it use:

Side 1: Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 

Side 2: Tracks 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14

15. Ain't Too Proud To Beg 

16. I Can't Turn You Loose 

17. Amen 

18. If I Had A Hammer 

19. You Don't Know Like I Know 

20. That Driving Beat 

21. Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do 

22. Sock It To 'Em J.B. 

Tracks 15 to 22 are Side 1 only of the LP "London Swings 'Live At The Marquee Club'" - released November 1966 in the UK on Pye NPL 18156 in Mono. The live album was shared with The Alan Bown Set who had seven tracks on Side 2 (no US equivalent of this album)

23. I Feel Alight

24. I Don't Wanna Cry 

25. I Can't Get Back Home To My Baby

26. Never Like This Before 

27. No Good To Cry 

28. You Showed Me The Way 

Tracks 23 to 28 are some of the LP "This Is Jimmy James And The Vagabonds" - released early 1968 in the UK on Marble Arch MAL 823 in Mono (no US equivalent). Three tracks have been removed here because they are duplicated with the first pressing of "The New Religion" LP. If you want to sequence the 10-track UK Marble Arch LP "This Is Jimmy James..." use the following Tracks on Disc 1: 

Side 1: Tracks 10, 23, 24, 25 and 1

Side 2: Tracks 26, 27, 28, 11 and 7 

Disc 2 (52:13 minutes):

1. Wear It On Your Face 

2. Red Red Wine 

3. Four Walls 

4. Courage Ain't Strenght

5. Who Could Be Loving You 

6. Cry Like A Baby 

7. Good Day Sunshine 

8. Open Up Your Soul 

9. I Believe 

10. Everybody Loves A Winner 

11. If You're Gonna Love Me 

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Open Up Your Soul" - released October 1968 in the UK on Pye Records NSPL 18231 in Stereo (No US equivalent) 

BONUS TRACKS: 

12. Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do - October 1966 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35349, Non-Album B-side to "Ain't Love Good, Ain't Love Proud

13. I Wanna Be Your Everything - February 1966 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35298, Non-Album B-side to "I Feel Alright"

14. Hungry For Love - January 1967 UK 45-single on Piccadilly 7N 35360, Non-Album B-side to "I Can't Get Back Home To My Baby"

15. Bumper To Bumper - June 1967 FRENCH 4-Track  "No Good To Cry" E.P. on Pye PVN24193, Exclusive Track, Second On Side 1

16. Close The Door 

17. Why - Tracks 16 and 17 are the Non-Album A&B-sides of an April 1969 JIMMY JAMES solo 45-single on Pye 7N 17719

18. Better By Far 

19. Give Us A Light - Tracks 18 and 19 are the Non-Album A&B-sides of a February 1970 JIMMY JAMES solo 45-single on Pye 7N 17886

The card slipcase that accompanies all those BGO releases lends the double-jewel case 2CD set inside an air of event, whilst Blues and Soul, Mojo and Record Collector contributor CHARLES WARRING gives us his usual thorough appraisal in the chunky 24-page booklet. All the artwork is here as are the liner notes blurbs that accompanied the original British LPs. James' only US release - the first LP which was renamed "Come Softly To Me" on second issue is pictured too. And the great newly Remastered Audio is care of long-standing BGO Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON - tapes licensed from Sanctuary. All good and full of beans...    

Jamaican (Michael) Jimmy James already had a career dating back to 1962, 1963 and 1964 with Reggae releases on 45 in the UK (and even a release on Columbia in July of 1965 as JJ and The Vagabonds) - before he finally won over Blighty hearts with his first 7" single as Jimmy James And The Vagabonds on Piccadilly Records - "I Feel Alright" b/w "I Wanna Be Your Everything". Warring tracks the man's near 60-year career (he is now 80) and the (shall we say) healthy competition James had with his main British rival - Geno Washington - both ploughing the same musical turf in London clubs with six-piece bands behind their distinctive vocals. To the music...

The studio debut album tried for two moods – Side 1 the dancer – Side 2 the mellow smoocher. Though in truth both were peopled by grinding Otis Redding type Soul with lashings of Curtis Mayfield via his Impressions songs to smooth out the rough edges ("People Get Ready" and "Amen"). In between he tapped The Dells for "Hi Diddley Di... " and Barrett Strong of Motown fame for the Northern Soul popular "This Heart Of Mine". The one original on Side 2 was his piano and strings "Come Softly To Me" – a shuffling dreamy ballad that had become a No. 44 R&B hit over there in early 1968 – hence their renaming of the band’s American debut LP on Atco after the song. 

Whilst "The New Religion" LP sets up things nicely, you get a real inkling of what they were like in their natural habitat – live on Side 1 of he shared "London Swings... " Album – actually issued a month before the studio set but sequenced here as LP No. 2. There is more Otis Redding, more Curtis Mayfield, more Motown in The Temptations opener - but there is also Isaac Hayes via "You Don't Know Like I Know" – the 1966 Sam & Dave classic. The feel of the whole in-yer-face live show is manic brought to a cauldron fever by "Sock It To 'Em J.B." – a suitable end. 

I actually sequenced the British LP "This Is Jimmy James And The Vagabonds” from Disc 1 – I used to have it on a bettered Marble Arch LP – and it plays so much better than I remember with its six new tunes sat alongside those oldies but goldies. I have sequenced the numbers up above for info purposes. And although there are moments on the "Open Up Your Soul" album like their cover of the Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham Box Tops hit "Cry Like A Baby" and the William Bell song "Everyone Loves A Winner” – I never really like the Beatles cover or even the catchy "Red Red Wine”. However, I must confess I did not know the B-sides in the Bonus Tracks and "I Wanna Be Your Everything" is very cool. As are those Jimmy James solo 45s that I recall you never saw that much in the shop’s box of Soul 45s. 

For sure it is of the time and at times it can feel like Geno did – a glorified covers band that happened to be around at just the right time. But like the Washington platters (also subject to a BGO multiple CD offering in late 2020) - I remember these James LPs with affection and I’m fairly sure that this superb 2CD motherlode from Beat Goes On will make many fans very happy dancing bunnies indeed...

"Strange Brew: Weird & Wonderful Covers From The Warner & Atlantic Vaults" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (Part of 'The In Sound' Series) – featuring Mary Wells, Johnny Harris, Herbie Mann, King Curtis & The Kingpins, Clarence Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Arif Mardin, Ananda Shankar, Brother Jack McDuff, Shirley Scott, Carmen McRae, Marion Williams and more – Guests Include Nicky Hopkins, Barry Beckett, Eddie Hinton, Members of The Crusaders, Miroslav Vitous of Weather Report, The Dixie Hummingbirds and more (September 2004 UK Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...A Walk On The Wild Side..."

What's that inside of you? A "Strange Brew"...

I'm a sucker for a Rhino CD compilation and this little weirdo is right up my far out alley. Part of their 'The In Sound' Series (see list of 9 titles below) - "Strange Brew"...is a very cool if not entirely successful trawl through the murky depths of dodgy cover versions. 

Mostly centring around deep LP cuts from 1969 and 1970 on Atlantic, Atco, Reprise and Warner Brothers Records – you get like-minded musical bedfellows seeking out that 'yeah man, let's get down with the kids hipster-choice' moment by doing the songs of contemporary Rock acts like Bob Dylan, The Stones, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Tony Joe White and so on - in a Jazz-Soulful way. 

Sat beside those were old hands like singer Ella Fitzgerald doing Eddie Floyd or flautist Herbie Man tackling Sam and Dave - and so on. The idea was of course to make terminally unhip Jazz accessible to a younger audience by tapping into those songs that allowed a body to reinterpret – create a groove - maybe even bag a commercial hit along the way. To this end - "Strange Brew"... offers 22 eclectic choices of rarely heard music from WEA combined with quality remastered audio and a pleasingly chockers playing time - a hair's nadge short of 80-minutes. It isn't all 24-Carat Gold as I say, but with guest names like Nicky Hopkins, Barry Beckett, Eddie Hinton, Members of The Crusaders, Miroslav Vitous of Weather Report and The Dixie Hummingbirds sat alongside the Sitar of Ananda Shankar and the Brian Auger arranged keyboard grooviness of Johnny Harris – I'm in like a Prog-Stoned Flynn baby (and that Flynn likes to be in). 

Much to shake a joss stick at, so let's prepare the beany cushions and pick those wild mushrooms (if you know where I'm coming from man)...

UK released 20 September 2004 - "Strange Brew: Weird & Wonderful Covers From The Warner & Atlantic Vaults" on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 5046743432 (Barcode 5050467434325) is a 22-Track CD Compilation in 'The In Sound' Series that plays out as follows (79:21 minutes):

1. Satisfaction - MARY WELLS (Rolling Stones cover from her December 1966 US LP "The Two Sides Of Mary Wells" on Atco SD 33-199 in Stereo)

2. Hold On I'm Comin' (Edit, 4:08 minutes) - HERBIE MANN (Sam & Dave cover from his May 1969 US LP "Memphis Underground" on Atco SD-1922 in Stereo - features Bassist Miroslav Vitous later with Weather Report)

3. Knock On Wood - ELLA FITZGERALD (Eddie Floyd cover on her September 1969 US LP "Ella" on Reprise RS 6354 in Stereo - Pianist Nicky Hopkins guests)

4.  You Showed Me - PHIL MOORE, Jr. (Turtles cover from his September 1969 US LP "Right On" on Atlantic SD 1530 - features Wilton Felder and "Stix" Hooper of The Crusaders with Keyboardist Clarence McDonald and Guitarist Steve Khan)

5. My Girl Sloopy - KILLER JOE (McCoys cover from his June 1965 US LP "International Discotheque" on Atlantic SD-8108 in Stereo, LP credited to The Killer Joe Orchestra, real name Joe Pira)   

6. Wicked Messenger - MARION WILLIAMS (Bob Dylan cover from her 1971 US LP "Standing Here Wondering Which Way To Go" on Atlantic SD 8289 - featuring David Spinnoza on Guitar, Paul Griffin on Keyboards and The Dixie Hummingbirds on Backing Vocals)

7. Whole Lotta Love - KING CURTIS And THE KINGPINS (Led Zeppelin cover, September 1970 US 45-Single on Atlantic 45-6779, A-side, 2:42 minute instrumental) 

8. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - ELLA FITZGERALD (Marvin Gaye cover from her 1971 US LP "Things Ain't What They Used To Be (And You Better Believe It)" on Reprise RS 6432) 

9. Willie & Laura Mae Jones - CLARENCE CARTER (Tony Joe White cover, from his fourth studio album "Patches" issued October 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD-8267)

10. Strange Brew - ARIF MARDIN (Cream cover, from his July 1969 US LP "Glass Onion" on Atlantic SD 8222, features Barry Beckett on Keyboards and Eddie Hinton on Lead Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals) 

11. I Thought I Knew You Well - CARMEN McRAE (Tony Joe White cover, from her 1970 US LP "Just A Little Lovin'" on Atlantic SD 1568)

12. Blowin' In The Wind - BROTHER JACK McDUFF (Bob Dylan cover, from his 1967 US LP "Tobacco Road" on Atlantic SD 1472 in Stereo) 

13. Jumpin' Jack Flash - ANANDA SHANKAR (Rolling Stones cover, from his 1970 US LP "Ananda Shankar" on Reprise RS 6398) 

14. Sympathy For The Devil - ARIF MARDIN (Rolling Stones cover, from his July 1969 US LP "Glass Onion" on Atlantic SD 8222, features Barry Beckett on Keyboards and Eddie Hinton on Lead Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals)  

15. People Are Strange - LEA DeLARIA (Doors cover, from her 2003 CD compilation "Double Standards" on Warner Brothers with Seamus Blake on Saxophone)

16. My Girl - RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK (Miracles cover (with Smokey Robinson), from his 1972 US LP "Blacknuss" on Atlantic SD 1601)

17. Respect - THE FREEDOM SOUNDS featuring WAYNE HENDERSON (Aretha Franklin cover, from their 1967 US LP "People Get Ready" on Atlantic SD 1492) 

18. I Want You - CARMEN McRAE (Tony Joe White cover, from her 1970 US LP "Just A Little Lovin'" on Atlantic SD 1568)

19. I Want You Back - SHIRLEY SCOTT (Jackson 5 cover, from her 1970 US LP "Something" on her 1970 US LP "Something" on Atlantic SD 1561 featuring Eric Gale and Billy Butler on Guitars)

20. Walk On The Wild Side - HERBIE MANN (Lou Reed cover, from his 1979 US LP "Yellow Fever" on Atlantic SD 19252)

21. I Shall Be Released - MARION WILLIAMS (Bob Dylan cover, from her 1969 US LP "The New Message" on Atlantic SD 8228 in Stereo)

22. Paint It Black - JOHNNY HARRIS (Rolling Stones cover, from his 1970 UK LP "Movements" on Warner Brothers WS 3002)  

Compiled by FLORENCE HALFON and featuring liner notes from CHAS CHANDLER - each song gets a small paragraph of explanation in the packed 8-page booklet - the text alongside album covers by people like Marion Williams, The Freedom Singers and Arif Mardin that you don't really see every day of the week. As you can see from the detailed list above, 1969 to 1972 is featured heavily with the odd foray into the earlier part of the 60ts - while comedian Lea DeLaria gets one of her 'wicked' covers featured from a CD album as late as 2003 on Warners (her fab take on The Doors and their witty "People Are Strange"). 

Transfers are care of experienced Audio Engineer GIOVANNI SCATOLA and all of it sounds storming - period Stereo recordings done in quality studios with Arrangers and Producers who knew what was what. Scatola did the Remasters for both of the 2008 2CD Deluxe Editions of Elton's John's early albums from 1970 - "Elton John" and "Tumbleweed Connection" - both of which had truly exemplary audio too. Time to feel those movements, to the eclectic music... 

You may feel you've spent your precious few bob on the wrong compilation when you get an earful of the first three insipid interpretations - all three Mary Wells, Herbie Mann and Ella Fitzgerald covers being the kind of elevator music you'd rather avoid. But then you get where I start this CD - Track 4 and Phil Moore's Clavinet and Melodica instrumental version of "You Showed Me", a Top 10 hit for The Turtles revisited by England's The Lightning Seeds in 1997. It's vibes and funky clavinet backbeat set up the 'Melodica' - every teenager’s musical toy - and suddenly you have a take that actually feels cool and even sort of innovative in a way. Changing back to the mid-60ts, you get a Watusi Cha Cha Cha from Killer Joe sashaying across your speakers as he urges Sloopy to hang on. It's fun and full of cleverly organised Trombone breaks designed to keep the dancefloor full. 

Next up is a genuine discovery to us predominantly Rock-types - the Eartha Kitt vs. William Shatner vocal delivery of Marion Williams. Her Gospel High voice and exaggerated mannerisms of delivery take the "John Wesley Harding" Dylan LP track "Wicked Messenger" into a fantastically cool place. Then it’s cleverly onto the 'heavy heavy' guitar-riffage of the Zeppelin II monster "Whole Lotta Love" given a Rock 'n' Sax update by King Curtis. Although I would have to admit right here and now that as good as it is, Curtis' version will not replace the C.C.S. cover from 1970 on their self-titled debut album (on RAK Records) that was used as the Theme Music to "Top Of The Pops" every Thursday night in England as we sat glued to the gogglebox for our musical fix. 

Back to schlock where Ella Fitzgerald does a dreadfully cheesy cover of Marvin's glorious "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" - that poor man's version thankfully saved by the gruff and gravel Clarence Carter turning Tony Joe White's "Willie And Laura Mae Jones" into a Country-Soul masterclass. Speaking of "...another man's colour..." - Tony Joe's song also addresses racial issues in a subtle humanitarian way without every getting preachy. Clarence Carter made a damn good song choice there and not surprisingly, Tony Joe White's endlessly adaptable, sexy and inherently funky tunes are featured twice more on this compilation - both by Carmen McRae and her lovely renditions of "I Thought I Knew You Well" and "I Want You". 

Speaking of highlights - there are two genuine monsters featured - the Ananda Shankar Sitar-dripping cover of The Stones classic "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and Johnny Harris taking on "Paint It Black". When I worked in Reckless Records in Soho's Berwick Street throughout the 90s and 00s - the "Ananda Shankar" and "Movements" albums were the very epitome of collectability - DJs going crazy trying to find the Indian-cool vibe of Ananda Shankar or the David Axelrod Strings vs. the Brian Auger Organ feel of Johnny Harris. I can vividly remember bootleg copies of both albums showing up in West End shops such was the demand for them when the originals were pushing fifty quid at times. All this and the hero-worshipped Eddie Hinton playing Lead Guitar on the Arif Mardin cover of "Sympathy For The Devil" before going into some weird vocal growls towards the end. And on it goes...

For sure when I play the 1979 Herbie Mann Disco/Funk cover of Lou Reed's sexy and beautifully clever "Walk On The Wild Side" - I can't actually decide whether it's abomination incarnate of a genuine masterpiece or interpretive genius (I'd opt for the first frankly). 

So like myself, when you come to sequence this CD - you may only play 10 or maybe 12 tracks and skip the rest. But costing less than a pound online from some auction-sites (it's cheap in other words) - I'd say take on chance on the gurgling cauldron that is "Strange Brew..." because there is more 'In' Sound than out...

"The In Sound" CD Series

From The Atlantic & Warner Vaults 

UK CD Compilations from 2001 to 2004 - A List 

        

1. Eastern & Hip: Eastern Jazz Grooves From The Atlantic & Warner Vaults

4 March 2002 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 9548-39530-2 (Barcode 9548395302)

2. Glass Onion: Songs of The Beatles From The Atlantic & Warner Jazz Vaults

28 Feb 2003 UK CD on Warner Jazz 5050466149626 (Barcode 5050466149626)

3. Modal And Jazz Waltz: Modal Jazz And 3/4 Time From The Atlantic Vaults

January 2002 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 9548395292 (Barcode 095483952922) 

4. More Psychedelic Jazz And Soul From The Atlantic & Warner Vaults

9 August 2004 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 5046736382 (Barcode 5050467363823)

5. Psychedelic Jazz And Soul From The Atlantic & Warner Vaults 

12 November 2001 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 9548391142 (Barcode 095483911424)

6. Soul Bossa Nova: From The Vaults Of Atlantic & Warner Bros.

14 October 2002 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 5050466048127 (Barcode 5050466048127)

7. Stoned Soul Picnic: Illicit Grooves From The Atlantic & Warner Vaults 

13 October 2003 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 5050466-8018-2-1 (Barcode 5050466801821)

8. Strange Brew: Weird & Wonderful Covers From The Warner & Atlantic Vaults

20 September 2004 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 5046743432 (Barcode 5050467434325)

9. The Word From The Pulpit: Spiritual Grooves From The Vaults Of Atlantic & Warner Bros. 1963-1974

18 October 2002 UK CD on Warner Jazz/Warner Strategic Marketing 5050466040725 (Barcode 5050466040725)

"Roots & Blues: 20 CD Box Set" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (January 2015 UK/EUROPE Sony Music Box Set - Reissues 16 Individual "Roots 'N Blues" CD Compilations Along With One 4CD Box Set Originally Issued 1990-1996 Into One Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Big Legs, Empty Beds And Moonshiners…"

Entirely made up of tracks dubbed from Twenties, Thirties, Forties and Early Fifties 78"s - the 437 tracks across these 20 fabulous "Roots & Blues" CDs (all now in 5" card repro sleeves) represent an Americana Fest you've probably not heard before. 

Bluegrass, Old Timey Country, Guitar Blues, Washboard Shuffles, Church Music and Gospel, Fiddle Music, Piano Blues, Boogie Woogie, Vocal Blues, Cow Bells and Kazoos - it's all here and more - and neatly repackaged too.

Originally issued in the USA between 1990 and 1996 by Columbia/Legacy as 16 individual CD compilations and one 4CD box set - the riches contained within this mid-priced European 20-disc mini box set reissue bundle are amazing. But a word about the SOUND first - we're not talking audiophile here - and you need to accept that as a given for every disc. 

Across 20 themed-sets the audio varies wildly as you can imagine - most times alarmingly good in its clarity given the vintage and sources - but on other occasions it can be utterly atrocious (included for historical and rarity value). But I find the clicks and pops (which aren't that often really) and ghostly voices and messages from the past are part of the thrill and charm. This is grittily real stuff and very funny too in places. Go with the flow on this one...

Another downside (if you could call it that) is that a 36-page booklet giving you basic track lists/credits and little else has replaced the heavily annotated booklets that accompanied the original individual CD releases. You do at least get some paragraphs on each compilation by liner notes king DEAN RUDLAND and the pictures are nice - but the songs and artists are so obscure and interesting that you long for more info on what's what. This is one of those occasions where you wish Sony would have gone a bit better on the booklet (worth pointing out). Here are the finite details...

UK/Europe released January 2015 - "Roots & Blues: 20 CD Box Set" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Sony Music 88875043322 (Barcode 888750433220) breaks downs as follows (all compilations Previously Issued in Jewel Cases, here they are individual card sleeves):

Disc 1 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.1", 25 Tracks, 76:09 minutes

Disc 2 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.2", 25 Tracks, 77:52 minutes

Disc 3 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.3", 29 Tracks, 77:52 minutes

Disc 4 "The Retrospective (1925-1950) Vol.4", 28 Tracks, 77:07 minutes

Disc 5 "Legends Of The Blues Volume One", 20 Tracks, 59:00 minutes

Disc 6 "Legends Of The Blues Volume Two", 20 Tracks, 61:21 minutes

Disc 7 "Great Blues Guitarists: String Dazzlers", 20 Tracks, 61:29 minutes

Disc 8 "The Slide Guitar: Bottles, Knives & Steel", 19 Tracks, 57:36 minutes

Disc 9 "The Slide Guitar: Bottles, Knives & Steel Vol. 2", 20 Tracks, 62:10 minutes

Disc 10 "Lonnie Johnson: Steppin' On The Blues", 19 Tracks, 58:26 minutes

Disc 11 "Preachin' The Gospel: Holy Blues", 20 Tracks, 60:23 minutes

Disc 12 "Good Time Blues: Harmonicas, Kazoos, Washboards & Cow-Bells", 21 Tracks, 59:28 minutes

Disc 13 "News & The Blues: Telling It Like It Is", 20 Tracks, 59:03 minutes

Disc 14 "Booze & The Blues", 22 Tracks, 65:44 minutes

Disc 15 "Messed Up In Love And Other Tales Of Woe", 16 tracks, 45:32 minutes

Disc 16 "Raunchy Business: Hot Nuts & Lollipops", 20 Tracks, 61:31 minutes

Disc 17 "Cajun Vol.1: Abbeville Breakdown 1929-1939", 22 Tracks, 61:23 minutes

Disc 18 "Cajun Dance Party: Fais Do-Do", 23 Tracks, 67:58 minutes

Disc 19 "White Country Blues 1926-1938: A Lighter Shade Of Blue Vol.1", 24 Tracks, 73:05 minutes

Disc 20 "White Country Blues 1926-1938: A Lighter Shade Of Blue Vol.2", 24 Tracks, 66:52 minutes

It opens smartly clumping together the 4-discs of the much praised and long deleted "Retrospective: 1925-1950" 4CD Sony/Legacy Box Set first issued June 1992 in the USA (107 tracks). Highlights on Disc 1 are "Cow-Cow Blues" by Dora Carr and "Empty Bed Blues" by Elizabeth Johnson - the kind of 78" Blues you'd swear turned up in episodes of "Boardwalk Empire". Discs 2 and 3 feature names you know like Lonnie Johnson, the piano of Albert Ammons, Roosevelt Sykes, the twelve-string guitar of Blind Willie McTell, Leroy Carr, Charlie Patton, Joshua White and Big Bill Broonzy ("...leaving this morning on the C&A"). Highlights include "Good Woman Blues" where Scrapper Blackwell instructs the lady folk of the USA "...women if you got a good man, give him three meals a day..." and Joshua White worries that he'll have to travel to find love because his "good gal might be in China..." Cliff Carlisle yodels his woes about a lack of clothes, the little ones coming on and his wife eating all the time in "Onion Eating Mama".

By the time you get to Disc 4 every track is really clear and a blast in its own genre right - Bluegrass, Old Timey Country, Guitar Blues, Washboard Shuffles, Church Music and Gospel, Fiddle Music, Piano Blues, Boogie Woogie  - it's all here. Favourites include the saucy "You Got To See Mama Ev'ry Night (Or You Can't See Mama At All)" where our hero is getting instruction on martial bliss and "Mean Black Snake" where another dude suspects his lady is removing traps for another kind of visitor. Two huge Blues giants show up in early form - Muddy Waters and Joe Williams - with William's monster "Baby, Please Don't Go" thrilling still (how many bands have cut their Blues teeth on this song!).

Of the other discs I have two personal favourites - the eerie and harrowing "News & The Blues: Telling It Like It Is" and the deliciously saucy and sexy "Raunchy Business: Hot Nuts & Lollipops". The first has Bessie Smith moaning "it's rained five days and the sky is dark at night...there's trouble in the lowlands..." while the amazing guitar of Blind Willie Johnson has "people run and pray..." as the 1912 Titanic sinks during "God Moves On The Water" (amazing solo in the centre of it). 

And when the singers let their hair down - the results on "Raunchy Business" are brilliant. Titles like "My Stove's In Good Condition", "Banana In Your Fruit Basket" and "My Pencil Won't Write No More" don't leave much to delicacy but will make you grin. In fact when Lucille Brogan gives us Part 2 of "Shave 'Em Dry" - the opening lyrics about nipples as big as thumbs and pulling back her mattress so Daddy can oil her springs - is shocking even now. Lillie Mae Kirkman waxes lyrical about a man she met last night in "He's Just My Size" where apparently he's a kitchen mechanic who makes her biscuits rise (lovely).

Some of the Cajun and Washboard stuff is samey for sure and hard to take at times - but the "Booze" and "Messed Up" CDs have nuggets galore (The Mississippi Sheiks and Memphis Minnie to name but a few). But that's what so great about a box as full as this - the sheer variety - Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Blind Boy Fuller and so many more - you'll be digging into it for years to come. "Take It Easy Greasy" the song tells us (Lil Johnson on Disc 2) - I say buy it and jump right in and enjoy...

"New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn: Early 60s R&B Dancers Right In Today's Groove" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (Volume 3 of 7 In A Series) – Featuring Tracks from 1957 to 1968 (Including Eight Previously Unreleased) by Luther Ingram, Paul Clifton, Nappy Brown, Banny Prince, Mr. Dynamite, Barbara Perry, King James, The Charmaines, Terry & Jerry, B.B. King and more (February 2008 UK Ace Records/Kent Dance CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Doing The Mule... "

This compilation is entry number three in a very cool Ace Records CD Series (see list of seven titles below) – and I have to admit that I've gone a bit doolally for every single set of 24. But while "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn..." isn't quite as good as say Volumes 1 or 7 - it still delivers plenty sweaty shirts and tight skirts for even the most discerning of aficionados. 

Like its six other series buddies - "...with Added Popcorn" goes after 60ts American R&B with a Mod, Boogaloo and New Breed dance rhythm bent and is a genuine winner on every front – audio – song choices – discoveries etc. Most of the 24-cuts span 1960 to 1968 with three nods towards the late 50ts, topped off by Eight Previously Unreleased Period Tracks. The remainder are hard-to-find 45s and unissued rarities that first saw the light of day on CD compilations in 2007. Here are the ladies that wobble as they walk, while their Dapper Dan men do the mule...

UK released February 2008 – "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn: Early 60s R&B Dancers Right in Today's Groove" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Dance CDKEND 291 (Barcode 029667229128) is a 24-track CD compilation and plays out as follows (58:07 minutes):

1. Oh Baby Don't You Weep - LUTHER INGRAM (2008, Previously Unissued)

2. She Wobbles When She Walks - PAUL CLIFTON (1962 US 45-single on Teen Post 1100, A – also on Ace CDCHD 1165 – see Track 9)

3. You Love Me Pretty Baby - BANNY PRINCE (1965 US 45-single on Jewel 749, B-side of "You Know I Love You")

4. Mata Hari - CHET "Poison" IVEY (2008, Previously Unissued)

5. I've Got A Feeling For You Baby - GLADYS BRUCE (2008, Previously Unissued)

6. I'm Gonna Start A War - BARBARA & THE BROWNS (1964 Sounds Of Memphis recording first issued June 2007 on the UK Barbara Brown CD compilation "Can't Find Happiness: The Sounds Of Memphis Recordings" on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 278)

7. Sh'mon - MR. DYNAMITE (1966 US 45-single on Soultime 001, A)

8. Shirley Jean - GENE BURKS (1964 US 45-single on Arock 1006, B-side of "Take My Hand")

9. Too Young - BOYCE CUNNINGHAM (60s Downey recording first issued on the September 2007 Various Artists CD compilation "R&B On Lakewood Boulevard" on Ace Records CDCHD 1165 - this compilation also features the sought-after Track 2 of this CD)

10. Big Ben - HAROLD ATKINS (2008, Previously Unissued Frisco recording)

11. Coal Miner - NAPPY BROWN (2008, Previously Unissued Alternative and Extended Take of Savoy 1594, US 45-single released January 1961)

12. Tumbling Down - TOM TUMBLEWEED (2008, Previously Unissued Old Town recording)

13. Beautician Blues - B.B. KING (October 1964 US 45-single on Kent 403x45, A)

14. Jack Of All Trades - EUGENE CHURCH (November 1959 US 45-single on Class 261, B-side of "Without Soul")

15. I Idolize You - THE CHARMAINES (1964 Fraternity recording, first issue in 2002 on the UK 45-single Kent Anniversary Special/6ts 6T 18 as the B-side to "Can't Say No" by M&M and The Peanuts)

16. A Man Is A Mean Mean Thing - BARBARA PERRY (2008, Previously Unissued Goldwax recording)

17. First Love Baby - LENA CALHOUN & THE EMOTIONS (October 1961 US 45-single on Flip 357, B-side of "I Ran To You") 

18. I've Got My Eyes On You - MERRY CLAYTON as MARRY CLAYTON (1962 US 45-single on Teldisc 501, B-side to "The Doorbell Rings")

19. I'm A Man - ALBERT WASHINGTON and THE KINGS (January 1968 US 45-single on Fraternity 1002, B-side of "These Arms Of Mine")

20. What'cha Gonna Do - KING JAMES (2008, Previously Unissued Old Town recording)

21. Just Like Yesterday - JOE SIMON (September 1963 US 45-single on Irral 778, A - reissued December 1963 on Dot 16570, A)

22. Mama Julie - TERRY & JERRY (April 1958 US 45-single on Class 226, A - also issued 1965 as a UK 45-single on R&B Records MRB 5009, B-side of "People Are Doing It Every Day") 

23. Doing The Mule - BILLY BLAND (July 1963 US 45-single on Old Town 1143, A)

24. A Lover's Prayer - VERNON GREEN and THE MEDALLIONS (1957 US 45-single on Dooto 425, A)

Tracks 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 20 are PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED - all tracks in MONO

The 16-page booklet is the usual Ace info-fest – track-by-track explanations by Compiler and Enthusiast ADY CROASDELL (has handled most of these New Breed CD compilations). The text is peppered with rare label repros from Jewel, Soultime, Arock, Savoy and Class sat alongside publicity photos of names that are too long forgotten – R&B ladies Barbara Brown and Barbara Perry in colour, Black and Whites of a lean-back Eugene Church, Vernon Green and The Medallions peeking through a door, Albert Washington clutching his Strat while B.B. King signs to Kent Records in 1958. There is even a Test Pressing of the Gladys Bruce track – not something you would imagine comes up for sale too often on the collector’s market. 

The multiple quality transfers come care of DUNCAN COWELL – Ace’s long-standing Audio Engineer who along with Nick Robbins - does such a stunning job on these recordings. The emphasis is on dancers and clarity joy pops out of your speakers - unreleased or not. To the tunes....

Although days are so lonely and nights are so drear, "Baby Weep No More" for Luther Ingram cause his Previously Unissued bopper is an amazing find. The fun continues when Paul Clifton tells us that his gal "Wobbles When She Walks...", then rolls her eyes and generally makes his poor heart beat a little faster (steady yourself man) - while Banny Prince and his "Pretty Baby" has that great whack-drum shuffling beat that drives New Breed lovers to talcum-powder distraction. And spare a dime (never mind a thought) for a smitten Chet "Poison" Ivey who practically begs "Mata Hari" not to lure him into giving away any military secrets for a night of undoubtedly stunning passion lest he face more than emotional fallout the following morning (how about the Firing Squad Chet). Another great shuffler comes in the organ Boogaloo of "I've Got A Feeling" by Gladys Bruce. Speaking of sassy ladies, Barbara Brown notices that a shimmy-shammy gal is dancing just a little too close to her entirely innocent man and not being born yesterday, our Babs promises "I'm Gonna Start A War" with that Saturday Night harlot. 

Other highlights include a Hammer and Saxophone combo in an Extended "Coal Miner" by Nappy Brown (working that lung-dust until he drops) - while Gene Burks gives us a tremendous 'can-I-take-you-home-with-me' bopper in the shape of "Shirley Jean". B.B. has met a fine beautician in a very good condition - a hard-working, good-looking mama that will ensure that Mr. King doesn't have to worry about a doggone thing (isn't that nice). Eugene Church meanwhile is slipping between Eskimo and Airline Pilot in his "Jack Of All Trades" in an effort to do all that his baby requires. 

Merry Clayton could never have guessed that her sweet 1963 vocals in "I've Got My Eyes On You" would six years later turn into a 'murder' rasp and roar for The Rolling Stones in 1969 when she duetted with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter". Albert Washington gets cocky too in his fab "I'm The Man" - a great vocal and shuffle beat - while the mysterious Terry & Jerry (no one seems to know who they are) can't help getting excited as their "Mama Julie" wears a tight skirt, walks so groovy and talks so sweet - and all at the same time too. And on it goes.. 

For sure there were quite a few I felt were good rather than great (hence the four stars), but for 'dancers right in today's groove' - "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn" is an afternoon listen I'll take any night of the week...

Titles in Ace's "New Breed R&B" CD Compilation Series on Kent Dance

In Release-Date Order (2001 to 2020)

1. New Breed R&B: Soulful 60s Blues For Today's Dances (July 2001, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 199 – Barcode 029667219921)

2. King New Breed Rhythm & Blues (July 2002, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 210 – Barcode 029667221023)

3. New Breed R&B With Added Popcorn – Early 60ts R&B Dancers Right In Today's Groove (February 2008, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 291 – Barcode 029667229128)

4. King New Breed R&B Volume 2 (April 2012, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 373 – Barcode 069227237321)

5. New Breed Blues with Black Popcorn (April 2013, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 393 – Barcode 029667239325)

6. New Breed Workin': Blues With A Rhythm (January 2016, Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 443 – Barcode 029667244329)

7. New Breed R&B: Saturday Night Special (July 2020, Ace Kent Dance CDKEND 492 – Barcode 029667098823)

"Help For My Brother: The Pre-Funk Singles 1963-68" by BOBBY BYRD – US Mono and Stereo 45-Singles on Federal, Smash and King Records - Guests Include Anna King, Nat Jones, Ted Wright, Bud Hobgood, James Crawford and James Brown (September 2017 UK Ace Records/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CD Compilation of Remasters – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I Found Out..."

Pals since they'd first met in 1953 at a local baseball game (a full three years prior to the start of Mr. Dynamite's career on Federal in 1956) - James Brown aficionados will know the name Bobby Byrd and smile. 

Singer and Band Leader - Byrd was with JB until 1973 and was the first to get solo releases off of JB Productions. And like all things James Brown associated (Vicki Anderson, Lyn Collins, Fred Wesley and so on) – those Funk outings were and are hugely sought-after to this day (2021). Byrd has been famously sampled too by acts as diverse at The Stone Roses, Eric B. & Rakim and Jay Z. 

But it appears outside of those renowned 70ts Funk 45s, the starter part of career in the 60ts (and some would say, he himself) appear to have been largely ignored. Unfortunately on hearing this compilation of earlier sides – it’s easy to hear why. They try hard and at times they even succeed (mostly the shuffling ballads mind) and the at-times stunning audio/original production values lift things way up too. But most never get near greatness – they are good and at times even pretty – but never great. And those enticed by the word ‘Funk’ in this compilation’s title should consider it a misnomer and look away now – because almost all of this excepting Funky Soul No. 1 towards the end of the disc are R&B based songs – like middling James Brown R&B but stubbornly without the tunes.  

So what do you get? CDBGPD 309 gathers up all the US A&B-sides Byrd did on Federal, Smash and King Records between 1963 and 1968 including a rare duet with Anna King and one two-sided unreleased 45 - with four of these cuts even presented here in hip-swinging Stereo. To the concertos...

UK released 29 September 2017 - "Help For My Brother: The Pre-Funk Singles 1963-1968" by BOBBY BYRD on Ace Records/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CDBGPD 309 (Barcode 029667085427) is a 24-Track CD Compilation that plays out as follows (65:33 minutes):  

1. I Found Out 

2. They Are Sayin' 

Tracks 1 and 2 are the A&B-sides of Federal 45-12486, released May 1963; A-side by Bobby Byrd, Johnny Terry and James Brown; B-side by James Brown

3. I'm Just A Nobody Parts I & II

Track 3 is the combined A&B-sides of Smash S-1868, released January 1964; both sides by BB and JB credited as Jim Jam

4. Baby Baby Baby 

Track 4 is the A-side of Smash S-1884 by ANNA KING and BOBBY BYRD, released March 1964

B-side was an Instrumental of the A (not included here); both sides by BB and JB credited as Jim Jam

5. I Love You So 

6. Write Me A Letter 

Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1903, released May 1964; A-side by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright; B-side is by Howard Diggs and Joseph Ricks 

7. I've Got A Girl 

8. I'm Lonely 

Tracks 7 and 8 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1928, released September 1964, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

9. We Are In Love

10. No One Like My Baby 

Tracks 9 and 10 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1964, released January 1965, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

11. Time Will Make A Change 

12. The Way I Feel 

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-1984, released May 1965, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

13. Let Me Know 

14. You're Gonna Need My Lovin'

Tracks 13 and 14 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-2003, released September 1965, both sides written by Bobby Byrd and Ted Wright

15. Oh, What A Night 

16. Lost In The Mood Of Changes 

Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B-sides of Smash S-2018, released January 1966, A-side is a cover version of The Dells hit originally on Vee-Jay Records in 1956, B-side is a Nat Jones song

17. Ain't No Use 

Track 17 is the A-side of Smash S-2052, released September 1966, A-side is a Nat Jones song, B-side used "Let Me Know" (see Track 13)

18. I Found Out

19. I'll Keep Pressing On 

Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of King 45-6069, released 1967, A-side is a 'New Version' of "I Found Out" (Track 1 originally released May 1963 on Federal). Both sides are in STEREO; B-side by James Brown and Nat Jones 

20. Funky Soul No. 1 Part 1

21. Funky Soul No. 1 Part 2

Tracks 20 and 21 are the A&B-sides of King 45-6126, released September 1967, both sides by James Brown, Bud Hobgood and James Crawford 

22. I'll Lose My Mind 

Track 22 is the B-side of King 45-6151, released February 1968, by Bobby Byrd. A-side was "You've Got To Change Your Mind" by Bobby Byrd and James Brown - the track isn't included here but can be found on the February 2008 2CD set "The Singles Volume 5: 1967-1969" by James Brown on Hip-O Select. 

23. My Concerto 

24. You Gave My Heart A Song To Sing 

Tracks 23 and 24 were to be the A&B-sides of King 45-6165 sometime in 1968, but were never released.  

All songs in MONO except Tracks 18, 19, 22 and 23 which are in STEREO

The 16-page booklet features superbly detailed and rightly affectionate DEAN RUDLAND liner notes - all the text sat beside US 45-label repros, publicity photos of Bobby solo and with The Famous Flames, trade paper reviews, while a gorgeous black and white publicity snap adorns Page 12 of the beautiful Anna King and a suited 'n' booted Bobby Byrd standing beside the white Miami DJ Rick Shaw - the trio beaming proudly - and why wouldn't they. 

A classy affair bolstered up by NICK ROBBINS Remasters - Ace's long-standing Audio Engineer - a man with thousands of transfer credits to his name. And given the sheer quality of the original production values back in the day, it's clear that the tapes have stood the test of time because these Remasters are lovely - fresh and kicking in all the right ways – even shocking at times in their clarity. 

Highlights include two versions of "I Found Out" – the original groover in Mono where his voice is shockingly good and a Stereo remake that is beautiful to listen too but perhaps trowels on the strings too much. A pleader very much in the vein of "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" – the smoocher "I'm Just A Nobody" impresses too with an Organ presence that is weird but works in a lo-fi way. "I've Got A Girl" is lovely Soul - a forgotten shuffler similar to Dan Penn's "I'm A Puppet" while his duet with Anna King is a bopper very much in the style of Otis & Carla having a shout-off about who loves the other the most. Top Audio accolade has to go to "We Are in Love" - where our hero is making wedding plans no matter what the people might say. And on it goes to the winner that is "Funky Soul No.1" – the only real tune on here that does what it says on the tine... 

Bobby Byrd married Vicki Anderson and parted ways with JB in 1973. Byrd passed in September 2007 (JB had gone the year earlier) with his and Vicki’s daughter Carleen carrying on the singing-soulful torch in The Young Disciples. But of course his influence stretches so much further and will continue to do so (the man behind James Brown, and what a legacy that is). 

You could and should argue that this is a period of Bobby Byrd that Funk fans in general will not really want (especially those wanting Rare Groove 70ts cuts). 

But 60ts Soul boys and gals, Mods and R&B New Breed lovers should investigate and I suspect they will find more than enough to enjoy...