"Night Fades Away/Wonderland" by NILS LOFGREN – September 1981 and August 1983 US Albums on Backstreet Records - Featured Guests include Guitarists Jeff Baxter (Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers) and Elliott Randall (guested on Steely Dan albums), Pianist Nicky Hopkins, Keyboardists Greg Mathieson and Robbie Kondor, Trumpet by Chuck Findley, Drummers Richie Hayward of Little Feat, Jeff Porcaro of Toto and Andy Newmark, Bassists Neil Jason, David Hungate (of Toto) and Kevin McCormick with Singers Del Shannon, Louise Goffin, Edgar Winter and Carly Simon (March 2024 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS: *** Material **** Remasters ***** Presentation

"…Feel This Explosion…"

This is the second release for England's Beat Goes On Records (aka BGO) of Nils Lofgren back catalogue that's been in collaboration with the artist. 

25 February 2022 saw his legendary live-double from October 1977 "Night After Night" be given a classy Remaster on the 2CD set Beat Goes On BGOCD1473 (Barcode 5017261214737) and here in March 2024, we get slot number two in what we must presume will be an on-going reissue series.

This time around we stretch into the Eighties after Lofgren and A&M Records parted company post the "Nils" album in June 1979. Backstreet Records (who were part of MCA) had signed Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers so Lofgren and his explosive guitar Rock must have seemed like a good fit. Big things were expected. But – and this is a big but for me with this reissue – when I worked at Reckless Records in Soho both these 80ts albums were strictly pound-fodder and for good reason (they remain so in 2024). "Night Fades Away" is mired in iffy sub-par material and dreadful bombastic Eighties production values into the bargain - while the saving grace for this twofer compilation is "Wonderland" – a criminally overlooked 1983 studio set that saw him return to the live simplicity of his former bandmates (Andy Newmark from the A&M days) so that when NL went into record – his playing was on fire and more important - the songs were far better. 

Long-term fans and Nils-nerds like me will welcome this great sounding and properly presented British 2CD reissue, but I would advise any newcomers to get a listen first. To the details…

UK released Friday, 1 March 2024 (17 March 2024 in the USA) - "Night Fades Away/Wonderland" by NILS LOFGREN on Beats Goes On Records BGOCD1512 (Barcode 5017261215123) offers 2LPs Remastered onto 2CDs (no Bonus tracks) that plays out as follows:

CD1 (37:27 minutes):

1. Night Fades Away [Side 1]

2. I Go To Pieces

3. Empty Heart

4. Don't Touch Me

5. Dirty Money

6. Sailor Boy [Side 2]

7. Anytime At All

8. Ancient History

9. Streets Again

10. In Motion

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fifth solo studio album (sixth overall) "Night Fades Away" – released September 1981 in the USA on Backstreet Records BSR-5251 and in the UK on MCA Records MCF 3121. Produced by JEFFREY BAXTER (and dedicated to Vietnam Veterans) - it peaked at No. 99 on the US Billboard Rock LP charts and at No. 50 in the UK. All songs written by NL except two co-writes with Jeff Baxter on "Streets Again" and "In Motion" and two cover versions - "I Go To Pieces" by Del Shannon and "Anytime At All" by The Beatles.

BAND and GUESTS:

NILS LOFGREN – Guitars, Accordion, Synths and all Lead Vocals

JEFF BAXTER of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers on Guitar, Guitar Synth and all Production

ELLIOTT RANDALL on Electric Guitar for "I Go To Pieces", "Sailor Boy" and "Anytime At All"

TREVOR VEITCH on Acoustic Guitar for "I Go To Pieces" and "Anytime At All"

NICKY HOPKINS on Acoustic and Tack Piano for "Streets Again" and Fender Rhodes Electric Piano on "Night Fades Away"

GREG MATHIESON – Fender Rhodes Electric Piano on "I Go To Pieces", "Sailor Boy" and "Anytime At All"

ED GREENE – Drums 

JEFF PORCARO of Toto on Drums for "Sailor Boy" and "Anytime At All" 

RICHARD HAYWARD of Little Feat on Drums for "Empty Heart", "Dirty Money", "Streets Again" and "In Motion"

NEIL JASON on Bass Guitar for all tracks except NEIL STUBENHAUS on "I Go To Pieces" and "Anytime At All" and DAVID HUNGATE (of Toto) on Bass for "Sailor Boy"

DEL SHANNON – Vocals on "I Go To Pieces"

CHUCK FINDLEY – Trumpet on "In Motion"

JERRY PETERSON – Saxophone on "Don't Touch Me"

CD2 (40:37 minutes):

1. Across The Tracks [Side 1] 

2. Into The Night

3. It's All Over Now

4. I Wait For You

5. Daddy Dream

6. Wonderland [Side 2]

7. Room Without Love

8. Confident Girl

9. Lonesome Ranger

10. Everybody Wants

11. Deadline

Tracks 1 to 11 are his sixth studio album (seventh overall) "Wonderland" – released August 1983 in the USA on Backstreet Records BSR-5421 and in the UK on MCA/Backstreet Records MCF 3182. Produced by NILS LOFGREN, KEVIN McCORMICK and ANDY NEWMARK and dedicated to James Honeyman Scott and Pete Fardon of The Pretenders – it didn’t chart in either country. All songs written by NL except "It's All Over Now" which is a Bobby Womack cover version done by The Rolling Stones also in the Sixties

BAND:

NILS LOFGREN - Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Keyboards

ROBBIE KONDOR – Synthesisers

KEVIN McCORMICK – Bass Guitar and Background Vocals

ANDY NEWMARK – Drums with JIM MAELEN on Percussion

GUESTS:

LOUISE GOFFIN sings on "Wonderland" and "Everybody Wants"

CARLY SIMON sings on "Lonesome Ranger"

EDGAR WINTER sings on "Across The Tracks"

The outer card slipcase and substantial 20-page booklet with new liner notes from CHARLES WARING via new interviews with Lofgren give this 2CD Reissue a look and feel of class (let alone artist endorsement). The artwork front and rear for both LPs is here as are other photos (the sweaty teeshirt shot taken by Annie Leibovitz – his small band for album number two sat on steps). Instead of dry facts, Lofgren talks of leaving A&M after four studio albums and one hugely popular live double, his new signing to Backstreet Records (a subsidiary of MCA) and the high hopes both albums had that did not translate into public interest. 

Nils give a song-by-song insight – ex Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers stalwart Jeff Baxter is given real praise – a man who had worked with Nazareth and understood Rawk (he and Nils did pre-production work for weeks at 'Skunk' Baxter's place in Laurel Canyon). The "Night Fades Away" title track was flipped with "Ancient History" as a US 45-single which led the charge in October 1981 (Backstreet BSR-51191) - but it did little business. Released in September 1981, the album stalled on the US LP-charts at No. 99 but did much better in the UK at No. 50. The liner notes recall the great axeman's heyday and how he morphed into the Boss's sideman (Lofgren has been a permanent member of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band since 1984 – an astonishing 40 years burning down that code of the road whilst maintaining a Solo Career on the side). The new BGO Records Remasters are by ANDREW THOMPSON from Universal-licensed original tapes and both shine as much as original techniques will allow (2024 ears will have to adjust to that bombastic 80ts sheen production values they had back then - especially on the "Night Fades Away" album which of the two fares worse in my books). You can't make a purse out of...but what is here is very clear and well done. To the music...

As upbeat as "Night Fades Away" is an opening salvo, there is a crass feel to "Don't Touch Me" and the dismissive anger in "Dirty Money" feels forced too. "Sailor Boy" is a bopper opening Side 2 that does little to help the feeling that there are no tunes - while an ill-advised cover of The Beatles "Anytime At All" feels like Southside Johnny doing a filler song. The flipside of the album’s only single, "Ancient History" is for me the best dead-aim song on a patchy album – the treated guitars, piano and vocals doing the business. His fifth studio album "Night Fades Away" rolls home using two co-writes with Jeff Baxter – the decidedly un-pc lyrics to "Streets Again" making for a weird and uncomfortable listen – the Side 2 finisher "In Motion" with its striking and daring Chuck Findley Trumpet solo being so much better. In his fabulous Great Rock Discography books, music chronicler Martin Strong awards the "Night Fades Away" album a stingy 4-stars out of ten (worst in his catalogue) but I have to say, I unfortunately agree with him. Strong then gives "Wonderland" (next up) 6-stars and again – right about that too.

In the liner notes, Lofgren explains that his band had been jamming and rehearsing and gelling for months prior to the recording of "Wonderland" in 1983 – a back to basics approach - and man does it show. After the almost sedate playing displayed on "Night Fades Away" - it is like Lofgren went mad with his solos on "Wonderland" because they are incendiary. He was clearly excited about the material (10 originals and one cover that suited), his tight unit of a band – the no-nonsense production achieved by all three principal players in his group. Almost Rolling Stones in its down-to-business sound and wild playing - "Across The Tracks" opens proceedings with a kicker – a song about a boy and a girl from different sides of the social divide – Daddy with his shotgun by the railings should young lips touch. "Into The Night" is a typically excellent Lofgren song, simple yet touching, melodic yet softly rocking in its own way.

Things return to Rawk with the only cover on the LP – a hard-hitting very Chuck Berry chugging go at the Bobby Womack song "It's All Over Now" – Nils building the menacing guitar chords to a great solo (breakfast in bed, ease my aching head). The next offers huge guitar pings as an opening where "I Wait For You" later goes into echoed guitar soloing. There's a cool chord chug to "Daddy Dream" that might have made a good double with "Wonderland" as a US 45 (Louise Goffin, daughter of Jerry Goffin, sings on both "Wonderland" and "Everybody Wants"). "Room Without Love" feels like a Ry Cooder ballad – a room without hope where our Nils has been pining for a lady gone to greener pastures. No less than Bob Dylan told Nils in a corridor quick-chat that he loved "Confident Girl" – sound and changes – not bad. The island-beach-sand shuffle of "Lonesome Stranger" features a subtle backing vocal on the chorus from Carly Simon – sweet support that works. The LP romps home with the slight reggae-feel of "Everyday Wants" while his trademark guitar-led rocking bricks "Deadline". 

"Night Fades Away" did OK but despite his high hopes, "Wonderland" the LP didn't chart and was largely ignored. Why - truth be told – neither album is a blinder and it's easy to hear why less than a dollar or a pound will secure either vinyl LP a full forty-years after the events. 

But Nils Lofgren fans will also know that outside of expensive and now deleted Box Sets these hard-to-find platters are new to standalone CD and accompanied as they are with quality Remasters and great presentation – you have to say that England's BGO Records have done it again - and how. Wallet ahoy daddy-o, Nils won't go, but you may have too...

"Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 5 - 1961-1965" by VARIOUS ARTISTS featuring The Coasters, Ben E. King, The Mar-Keys, The Ikettes, William Bell, The Falcons, Solomon Burke, Booker T. & The M.G.s, The Drifters, LaVern Baker, Otis Redding, Barbara Lewis, Doris Troy, Nat Kendrick &B The Swans, Chris Kenner, Rufus Thomas, Esther Phillips, Don Covay, Joe Tex (October 1991 USA Atlantic 8CD LP-Sized Box Set – March 2006 UK Singular CD Reissue with Same Tracks and 1991 Remasters but with Different Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

  

Above - The April 1987 UK Seven x Double-Album VINYL BOX SET

(Originally Issued December 1985 in the USA)

Both Original Vinyl Box Sets (1985 and 1987) Had 186 Tracks

The Seven CDs in both countries however were Truncated Versions 

- Down to 163 Tracks 

The UK CDs Volumes 1 to 7 also originally issued April 1987 

(reissued October 1990)

Below - The October 1991 USA-ONLY 8CD 203-Track Upgraded Box Set (CD only)

Volume 8 was NEW over the 1985 Vinyl Box Set and 1987 Truncated 7 x CDs

 

Below: US October 1991 Volume 5 

Newly Configured from the 1987 dates of 1962-1966 to 1961-1965

Was Not Issued Individually in the USA in 1991 or in the UK

Reissued However in UK/Europe in March 2006 in Different Artwork 

- see Next Set of Photos

                                     

Below: UK/EU March 2006 Reissue on Rhino/Warner Platinum

Each Volume (1 to 8) Was Released Individually only in UK/EU

There Was Also a Card Wrap Version that gathered up all Eight Volumes

All were Budget-Priced (usually £3.99) and used the 1991 Remasters

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This Review Along With 215 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

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Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters 

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"…Green Onions…"

Here in the spring of 2024 - this unassuming and admittedly rather naff-looking Soul CD compilation from Rhino and Warner Platinum has been in the UK and EUROPEAN budget-priced marketplace for almost the guts of 20-years. Issued back in March 2006 as Volume 5 of 8 – it was/is a bit-part showcase for the mighty Atlantic Records and their staggering Black Music Legacy. But don't let the cover fool you - what lies within is solid ***** material despite the no-star presentation.

In fact - none of the eight cheap-and-cheerful "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" reissue volumes look like much – garish big-lettered front cover art with a piddly gatefold-inlay inside that barely lists titles and artists and not much else. But (as I say) man oh man the music is fabulous. However, to understand what you have in hand and the journey as to how it got here requires some serious investigative history that is worth explaining (including the photos provided above). So, here goes…

The Seven x Double-Albums VINYL BOX SET for "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was first issued in the USA in December 1985 on Atlantic 7-81620-1 and belatedly in the UK in April 1987 on Atlantic 781 620-1. Housed in distinctive black and red packaging (like their Fifties labels) - the individual 2LP sets inside each had unique artwork, extensive liner notes and were also issued as stand-alone 2LP sets. Sometimes sold outside of the box in the UK and Europe - the individual 2LP sets were Atlantic 781 293-1 (Volume 1), 781 294-1 (Volume 2), 781 295-1 (Volume 3), 781 296-1 (Volume 4), 781 297-1 (Volume 5), 781 298-1 (Volume 6) and 781 299-1 (Volume 7). 

There were also 7 individual CDs issued in the UK in April 1987 (reissued Oct 1990) each with the above catalogue numbers but the code -2 instead of 1 for CD (781 293-2 etc). And despite some catalogue books stating that Atlantic 781 292-2 was issued in April 1987 as a CD BOX - there was NO Original 12" x 12" box set for the CDs at that time - and worse - 6 of the 7 individual CD volumes had their track lists truncated - reducing 186 on the vinyl doubles by 17 to 163 in total on CD.

It then transpired that unspecified tracks across the whole seven-volume kaboodle had the wrong takes used. Atlantic USA decided to rectify both the shortfall of tracks on the seven CDs and the wrong masters issue and reissued the entire box set again - but with more tracks and only on CD. So, in October 1991 "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was relaunched on Atlantic 7 82305-2 in the USA (Barcode 075678230523) - this time as an 8CD 12" x 12" box set with 203 tracks (17 extra). The individual booklets that came with the original 7CDs were taken out (replaced with a simple gatefold track list inlays that used the old artwork) and expanded into a full-sized 36-page booklet inside the box (pictured above). The reissue also used the distinctive black and red packaging of the 1985 vinyl box on the front, and the artwork style remained the same for each CD on the inside (collage photos). It also admitted that mistaken masters had been used on the original set but were now all correct. It was ONLY issued as an 8CD Box Set and ONLY in America.

In March 2006 in the UK and Europe however, these 8 Volumes were finally reissued as stand-alone CDs for the first time (no vinyl), but with different artwork (also pictured above). They were also released without the booklets that accompanied the 1987 issues or the bigger booklet from the 1991 reissue box - just basic gatefold inlays.

Completists should also note - to add further salt to a reissue wound - there was a 255-Track JAPAN-ONLY issue of "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" on Warners/Atlantic WPCR-14441 released 25 May 2012 - again with different artwork - which added on 52 new tracks on 2 NEW BONUS DISCS. Chosen by noted Japanese expert Keishi Suzuki - the two extra CDs contained very rare Fifties Blues and R'n'B on Disc 9 and lesser-seen Soul Sides on Disc 10 - much of it unavailable elsewhere. Those two extra volumes are NOT available anywhere else and are exclusive to that Japanese anthology.

Back to the CD in hand. So, what you have here is an American-Based Box Set CD from 1991 subsequently issued 2006 in Europe as a stand-alone. For this review we concentrate on Volume 5 of 8 which deals with 1961 to 1965. Here are the track-by-track details…

UK released 20 March 2006 - "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 5 - 1961-1965" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Warner Platinum 8122-77580-2 (Barcode 081227758028) breaks down as follows (74:09 minutes, no Bonus Tracks):

1. Little Egypt (Ying-Yang) – THE COASTERS (April 1961, US 45-Single on Atco 45-6192, A-side)

2. Amor – BEN E. KING (July 1961, US 45-Single on Atco 45-6203), A-side) *

3. Last Night – MAR-KEYS (October 1961, US 45-Single on Stax S-107, A-side)

4. I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song) – THE IKETTES (November 1961, US 45-Single on Atco 45-6212, A-side)

5. You Don't Miss Your Water – WILLIAM BELL (November 1961, US 45-Single on Stax S-116, A-side)

6. I Found A Love – THE FALCONS and Band (Ohio Untouchables) (January 1962, US 45-Single on Lu-Pine L-1003, A-side)

7. Cry To Me – SOLOMON BURKE (December 1961, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2131, A-side)

8. Don't Play That Song (You Lied) – BEN E. KING (April 1962, US 45-single on Atco 45-6222, A-side)

9. Green Onions – BOOKER T. & THE M.G.s (July 1962, US 45-single on Stax S-127, A-side – originally a B-side on Volt 102 in May 1962)

10. Up On The Roof – THE DRIFTERS (September 1962, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2162, A-side)

11. See See Rider – LaVERN BAKER (October 1962, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2167, A-side)

12. I (Who Have Nothing) – BEN E. KING (June 1963, US 45-single on Atco 45-6267, A-side)

13. If You Need Me – SOLOMON BURKE (March 1963, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2185, A-side)

14. These Arms Of Mine – OTIS REDDING (November 1962, US 45-single on Volt 45-103, A-side)

15. Hello Stranger – BARBARA LEWIS (March 1963, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2184, A-side)

16. On Broadway – THE DRIFTERS (March 1963, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2182, A-side)

17. Just One Look – DORIS TROY (April 1963, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2182, A-side)

18. (Do The) Mashed Potatoes (Part 1) – NAT KENDRICK And THE SWANS (March 1963, US 45-single on Dade 45-5004, A-side)

19. Land Of 1000 Dances – CHRIS KENNER (October 1962, US 45-single on Instant 3252, A-side)

20. Walking The Dog – JOE TEX (September 1963, US 45-single on Stax S-140, A-side)

21. Release Me – ESTHER PHILLIPS (October 1962, US 45-single on Lenox NX-5555, A-side)

22. Mercy, Mercy – DON COVAY (July 1964, US 45-single on Rosemart 45-801, A-side)

23. Under The Boardwalk – THE DRIFTERS (June 1964, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2281, A-side)

24. And I Love Him – ESTHER PHILLIPS (March 1965, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-216, A-side, Beatles cover version)

25. Hold What You've Got – JOE TEX (November 1964, US 45-single on Dial 45-4001, A-side)

26. Mr. Pitiful – OTIS REDDING (January 1965, US 45-single on Volt 45-124, A-side)

27. Baby I'm Yours – BARBARA LEWIS (August 1967, US 45-single on Stax S-231, A-side)

Some had complained about the sound quality on the original 1987 CDs - as well as wrong versions of songs being used (personally I found the audio quality of the VINYL doubles to be superlative). So Atlantic made efforts with the 1991 CD reissue which of course has been used for these 2006 British reissues. The liner notes tell us that all tracks were "digitally remastered from mono and true stereo originals" and that "in this edition, the proper tracks have been used in all cases". 

BOBBY WARNER and JIMMY DOUGLAS carried out the Digital Transfers while ZAL SCHREIBER and STEVE INNOCENZI did the mastering. The quality on these CDs is shockingly good - full of life and clarity. It's a joy to listen to. Sure, in the decades since there have been reissues (by Bear Family especially) that knock spots off the 1991 sound offered here (try their "Joe Turner Rocks" or their "Sweet Soul Music" volumes 1961 to 1975). But what you do get is fantastic all the way to the finish. To the tunes for Volume 5…

The first of three volumes from the 8CD Box Set dealing with the transition from Fifties Rhythm and Blues to Sixties Soul and Funk – Volume 5 (1961 to 1965) sees trailblazers like William Bell, Solomon Burke, Ben E. King, The Drifters and of course Otis Redding sit alongside a strong contingent of ladies busting down the genre doors – The Ikettes, Doris Troy, Esther Phillips, and Barbara Lewis to name but a few. With 27-cuts, Volume 5 is also heavy on content even if it doesn't contain a single Bonus Track (all the other volumes do). 

It opens with a witty novelty, the triple-somersaulting 1949 tattoo'd on her rear "Little Egypt" – a temptress who lures our hapless hero from The Coasters into seven kids crawling around the floor while she's out shopping in the Mall. The Salsa shaker-shuffle of "Amor" slinks across your speakers as Ben E. King comes on like Nat King Cole whose had a few too many oysters. We then the first genuine masterpiece – the truly fantastic mostly-instrumental "Last Night" – the kind of brass-punching organ-grinding tune you have heard in so many hipster hip-shaking movies and TV programmes (and in speaker-kicking audio too). By contrast, the dooby-doo and gong-gong chants by The Ikettes pining over a suitor who's been gone too long in "I'm Blue" is merely good. Slow 1961 Soul comes a high-hatting out of your speakers with "You Don't Miss Your Water" – William Bell the Playboy years bitten by something stronger, and I don't mean a miffed Tarantula (love done got our man).

What a great groove – pained lyrics – gorgeous audio – Solomon Burke demonstrating why so many rated him as the best with "Cry To Me" (now that I rehear it, I catch John Fogerty growling for Creedence – similar fabulous voice). Darling is lying to a distraught Ben E. King in "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" – the 17-year-old with her eyes on something tastier over by the Coke dispenser. Serious contender for the greatest song ever made (well certainly most influential instrumental) comes a boogieing out of your stack next – the Memphis Sound monster that was and still is "Green Onions" – Hammond organist Booker T. Jones with his Fender Telecaster guitarist Steve Cropper creating an unrepeatable legend. It was initially issued on Volt as a B-side to "Behave Yourself", but quickly flipped by DJs and Fans so that Stax reissued it as an A-side in July 1962. Astonishingly and despite a release on a September 1962 London Records 45-single in the UK as an A-side (HLK 9545), the normally savvy to what's good British ignored it (they liked the 1964 LP of the same name and charted that). It was not until The Who used "Green Onions" in 1979’s movie for "Quadrophenia" did the Sixties Mod instrumental chart - Atlantic K 10109 issued late Nov 1979 with "Boot Leg" on the flipside finally making the UK singles chart (it rose to No. 7). 

Perhaps overplayed in 2024 by oldies stations, "Up On The Roof" by The Drifters is still the loveliest of 60ts Soul and it is presented here in warm and summer-tenderness audio. LaVern Baker escapes her domination of Fifties R&B by capturing the prevailing shuffling Soul winds with her catchy "See See Rider" (what I say) – a great inclusion. Ben E. King goes for castanet melodrama once again with "I (Who Have Nothing)" but in all honesty, time has not been kind to this kind of weeper. A pair of yearning-burning pleaders from Solomon Burke and Otis Redding class up the listen with "If You Need Me" and "These Arms Of Mine" before being replaced by the sweet shuffle of "Hello Stranger" – Barbara Lewis caressing a strange mix of organ Salsa and old-school shoo-bop backing vocalists – the song become her signature tune.

Classics don’t get much better than "On Broadway" – The Drifters singing of magic in the air – the something-else girls – the glitter – but an inability to enjoy it all because all you have in your pocket is one thin dime. The mention of guitar-playing as the singer’s way of poverty must have appealed to George Benson who famously covered "On Broadway" in the Seventies to huge success on Warner Brothers. 

While The Bar-Kays get their instrumental vs. shouts moment with "Soul Finger" – the naff and fey lyrics in the Joe Tex tune "Skinny Legs And All" have not worn at all well over the decades – embarrassing really. Thankfully that momentary glitch is firmly kicked into touch with the gorgeous Wilson Pickett take on the Bobby Womack song "I'm In Love" – a genuine masterpiece and Soul discovery for those buying first time. Poignant and touching as the Otis Redding song might have been especially after his untimely and horrible passing - "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" has always felt weedy to me and not representative of his power (the Remaster is so clean and lovely though). Archie Bell gets his Drells guitar player to fall in during the infectious "Tighten Up" – a funky talker and words that became synonymous with late Sixties Soul. Better for me is the sweet Soul slink of "Slip Away" followed by the mid-tempo shuffler "Too Weak To Fight" – Clarence Carter being a huge fave of mine – two counts of top tunes – rasp and rolling vocals – the brass and groove so sexy.

Linda Ronstadt would have a go at "Just One Look" on her 1978 "Living In The U.S.A." album – the big Doris Troy moment fifteen years earlier in 1963 – while Wilson Pickett would take a true monster of a Sixties Frat Party set list "Land Of 1000 Dances" – presented here in its original form by Chris Kenner. All versions float my boat. The remainder of the CD veers more to Mellow Soft Sixties Soul with the likes of The Drifters sauntering "Under The Boardwalk", Joe Tex testifying good advice for lovers in "Hold What You've Got" while a classy Barbara Lewis has a gorgeous ballad in "Baby I'm Yours" – a sweet spot that has drawn many to cover it in subsequent decades.

To sum up – while maybe not as immediate on the ears as say Volumes 6 and 7 that deal with 1965 to 1969 – Volume 5 is still a winner. And in 2024 and despite being technically deleted, you can get Volume 5 of 8 of Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 (or any of the others) individually on popular auction sites often for less than four quid. 

But (if you got the readies) I would argue that such is the riches on offer across all eight volumes that you consider the big daddy - splashing out on that 1991 US LP-Sized 8CD Box Set with its full booklet and genuine sense of visual purpose. Set you back maybe £60 – but what a wow it is!

If the Big Bad 8-Disc Red and Black Box isn't in your budget purview and you want primo Sixties Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Rare Groove – then go for this individually released Volume 5 Thunderbuck Ram of a CD compilation (and get Volume 7 too while you are at it).

But I warn you – the need for the other seven and booklet explanations will quickly manifest itself thereafter…

"Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 6 - 1965-1967" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Willie Tee, Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Don Covay, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge, The Capitols, Jimmy Hughes, Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas, Booker T. & The MG's (October 1991 USA Atlantic 8CD LP-Sized Box Set – March 2006 UK Singular CD Reissue with Same Tracks and 1991 Remasters but with Different Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

  

Above - The April 1987 UK Seven x Double-Album VINYL BOX SET

(Originally Issued December 1985 in the USA)

Both Original Vinyl Box Sets (1985 and 1987) Had 186 Tracks

The Seven CDs in both countries however were Truncated Versions - Down to 163 Tracks 

The UK CDs Volumes 1 to 7 also originally issued April 1987 (reissued October 1990)

Below - The October 1991 USA-ONLY 8CD 203-Track Upgraded Box Set (CD only)

Volume 8 was NEW over the 1985 7 x 2LP Vinyl Box Set and 1987 Truncated 7 x CDs

 

Below: US October 1991 Volume 6 

Newly Configured from the 1987 dates of 1966-1969 to 1965-1967

Was Not Issued Individually in the USA in 1991 or in the UK

Reissued However in UK/Europe in March 2006 in Different Artwork - see Next Set of Photos

                                         

Below: UK/EU March 2006 Reissue on Rhino/Warner Platinum

Each Volume (1 to 8) Was Released Individually only in UK/EU

There Was Also a Card Wrap Version that gathered up all Eight Volumes

All were Budget-Priced (usually £3.99) and used the 1991 Remasters

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"…When A Man Loves A Woman…"

Here in the spring of 2024 - this unassuming and admittedly rather naff-looking Soul CD compilation from Rhino and Warner Platinum has been in the UK and EUROPEAN budget-priced marketplace for almost the guts of 20-years. Issued back in March 2006 as Volume 6 of 8 – it was/is a bit-part showcase for the mighty Atlantic Records and their staggering Black Music Legacy. But don't let the cover fool you - what lies within is solid ***** material despite the no-star presentation.

In fact - none of the eight cheap-and-cheerful "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" reissue volumes look like much – garish big-lettered front cover art with a piddly gatefold-inlay inside that barely lists titles and artists and not much else. But (as I say) man oh man the music is fabulous. However, to understand what you have in hand and the journey as to how it got here requires some serious investigative history that is worth explaining (including the photos provided above). So, here goes… 

The Seven x Double-Albums VINYL BOX SET for "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was first issued in the USA in December 1985 on Atlantic 7-81620-1 and belatedly in the UK in April 1987 on Atlantic 781 620-1. Housed in distinctive black and red packaging (like their Fifties labels) - the individual 2LP sets inside each had unique artwork, extensive liner notes and were also issued as stand-alone 2LP sets. Sometimes sold outside of the box in the UK and Europe - the individual 2LP sets were Atlantic 781 293-1 (Volume 1), 781 294-1 (Volume 2), 781 295-1 (Volume 3), 781 296-1 (Volume 4), 781 297-1 (Volume 5), 781 298-1 (Volume 6) and 781 299-1 (Volume 7). 

There were also 7 individual CDs issued in the UK in April 1987 (reissued Oct 1990) each with the above catalogue numbers but the code -2 instead of 1 for CD (781 293-2 etc). And despite some catalogues stating that Atlantic 781 292-2 was issued in April 1987 as a CD BOX - there was NO Original 12" x 12" box set for the CDs at that time - and worse - 6 of the 7 individual CD volumes had their track lists truncated - reducing 186 on the vinyl doubles by 17 to 163 in total on CD.

It then transpired that unspecified tracks across the whole seven-volume kaboodle had the wrong takes used. Atlantic USA decided to rectify this and reissued the entire box set again but with more tracks and only on CD. So, in October 1991 "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" was relaunched on Atlantic 7 82305-2 in the USA (Barcode 075678230523) - but this time as an 8CD 12" x 12" box set with 203 tracks (17 extra). The individual booklets that came with the original 7CDs were taken out (replaced with a simple gatefold track list inlays that used the old artwork) and expanded into a full-sized 36-page booklet inside the box. The reissue also used the distinctive black and red packaging of the 1985 vinyl box on the front, and the artwork style remained the same for each CD on the inside (collage photos). It also admitted that mistaken masters had been used on the original set but were now all correct. It was ONLY issued as an 8CD Box Set and ONLY in America.

In March 2006 in the UK and Europe however, these 8 Volumes were reissued as stand-alone CDs for the first time (no vinyl), but with different artwork (I have pictured both). They were also released without the booklets that accompanied the 1987 issues or the 1991 reissue box - just basic gatefold inlays.

Completists should also note - to add further salt to a reissue wound - there was a 255-Track JAPAN-ONLY issue of "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974" on Warners/Atlantic WPCR-14441 released 25 May 2012 - again with different artwork - which added on 52 new tracks on 2 NEW BONUS DISCS. Chosen by noted Japanese expert Keishi Suzuki - the two extra CDs contained very rare Fifties Blues and R'n'B on Disc 9 and lesser-seen Soul Sides on Disc 10 - much of it unavailable elsewhere. Those two extra volumes are NOT available anywhere else and are exclusive to that Japanese anthology.

Back to the CD in hand. So, what you have here is an American-Based Box Set CD from 1991 subsequently issued 2006 in Europe as a stand-alone. For this review we concentrate on Volume 6 of 8. Here are the track-by-track details…

UK released 20 March 2006 - "Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 6 - 1965-1967" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Warner Platinum 8122-77581-2 (Barcode 081227758127) breaks down as follows (74:44 minutes):

1. Teasin' You – WILLIE TEE (February 1965, US 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2273, A-side)

2. Get To Get You Off My Mind – SOLOMON BURKE (February 1965, US 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2276), A-side) *

3. I Want To (Do Everything For You) – JOE TEX (July 1965, US 45-Single on Dual 45-4016, A-side) *

4. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – OTIS REDDING (April 1965, US 45-Single on Volt 45-126, A-side)

5. A Sweet Woman Like You – JOE TEX (November 1965, US 45-Single on Dual 45-4022, A-side) *

6. In The Midnight Hour – WILSON PICKETT (June 1965, US 45-Single on Atlantic 45-2289, A-side)

7. Seesaw – DON COVAY (September 1965, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2301, A-side)

8. Respect – OTIS REDDING (August 1965, US 45-single on Volt 45-128, A-side)

9. You Don't Know Like I Know – SAM & DAVE (November 1965, US 45-single on Stax S-180, A-side)

10. When A Man Loves A Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (March 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2326, A-side)

11. 634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.) – WILSON PICKETT (January 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2320, A-side) *

12. Hold On, I'm Comin' - SAM & DAVE (March 1966, US 45-single on Stax S-189, A-side)

13. Cool Jerk – THE CAPITOLS (March 1966, US 45-single on Karen 803K-1524, A-side)

14. Neighbor, Neighbor – JIMMY HUGHES (April 1966, US 45-single on Fame 45-1003, A-side)

15. Land Of 1000 Dances – WILSON PICKETT (July 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2348, A-side)

16. Knock On Wood – EDDIE FLOYD (July 1966, US 45-single on Stax 45-194, A-side)

17. Try A Little Tenderness – OTIS REDDING (November 1966, US 45-single on Volt 45-141, A-side)

18. Mustang Sally – WILSON PICKETT (November 1966, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2365, A-side)

19. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - SAM & DAVE (January 1967, US 45-single on Stax 45-210, A-side)

20. Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY (February 1967, US 45-single on Atco 45-6463, A-side)

21. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) – ARETHA FRANKLIN (February 1967, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2386, A-side - for B-side see Track 22)

22. Do Right Woman – Do Right Man – ARETHA FRANKLIN (February 1967, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2386, B-side of "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)")

23. Show Me – JOE TEX (February 1967, US 45-single on Dial 45-4055, A-side)

24. Tramp – OTIS REDDING & CARLA THOMAS (April 1967, US 45-single on Stax 45-216, A-side credited as OTIS and CARLA)

25. Funky Broadway – WILSON PICKETT (July 1967, US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2430, A-side)

26. Hip Hug-Her – BOOKER T. & THE MG's (February 1967, US 45-single on Stax 45-211, A-side)

27. Soul Man – SAM & DAVE (August 1967, US 45-single on Stax S-231, A-side)

BONUS TRACKS:

* Tracks 2, 3, 5 and 11 are 1991 Bonus Tracks not on the 1987 version

Some had complained about the sound quality on the original 1987 CDs - as well as wrong versions of songs being used (personally I found the audio quality of the VINYL doubles to be superlative). So Atlantic made efforts with the 1991 CD reissue which of course has been used for these 2006 British reissues. The liner notes tell us that all tracks were "digitally remastered from mono and true stereo originals" and that "in this edition, the proper tracks have been used in all cases". 

BOBBY WARNER and JIMMY DOUGLAS carried out the Digital Transfers while ZAL SCHREIBER and STEVE INNOCENZI did the mastering. The quality on these CDs is shockingly good - full of life and clarity. It's a joy to listen to. Sure in the decades since there have been reissues (by Bear Family especially) that knock spots off the 1991 sound offered here (try their "Joe Turner Rocks" or their "Sweet Soul Music" volumes 1961 to 1975). But what you do get is fantastic all the way to the finish. To the tunes for Volume 7…

Before The Queen of Soul began dominating American Soul when she signed to Atlantic Records and popped the absolute balls-to-the-wall debut album for the label "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You" in March 1967 – this volume has the ascendancy of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave and Percy Sledge tearing up the charts with a little dollop of Joe Tex thrown in – both R&B and Pop. Before we get to that, Volume 6 opens with a one-off from Willie Tee – the sexy shuffle of "Teasin' You" – a very cool start indeed to a CD compilation that barely lets the ball drop even once. The huge frame and lung-power of Solomon Burke is next up with his obsessional "Got To Get You Off My Mind" – a pleader that still has Coolsville oozing out of its twostepping pores (gorgeous audio too).

The naff and fey lyrics to the Joe Tex tune "Skinny Legs And All" on Volume 7 is thankfully avoided here on 6 with his excellent and mild-mannered "I Want To Do Everything For You" up first - followed a couple of tracks on with "A Sweet Woman Like You" – another soft Soul song showing his affectionate side and caressing vocals. Speaking of caressing – even now when the Otis Redding slow-burning torch ballad "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" starts - it's painfully obvious where the real-deal Soul Power is residing this evening - kicking in the bedroom doors marked Passion Central. Sock it to me and shabby dresses follow with two huge numbers "Respect" and that London Bar Band get-the-crowd-going perennial "Try A Little Tenderness". I've never truly been convinced of the Otis and Carla combo song "Tramp", but I know others love a duet, especially if it's between two powerhouse singers, and Carla Thomas is one of those. 

But the compilation takes off proper with the Wicked Pickett – possessed of a gravel larynx and tunes to match his hyper delivery (Good God Almighty!) – Wilson Pickett smashes through the lovey-dovey with some motorvatin Soul – eager to get to his girl and not for a fireside chat. Killer tunes like "In The Midnight Hour" and the telephone song "634-5789" still sound punchy, lithesome, and sexy to this day - nearly sixty years on. And how many Blues Brothers devotees have done The Watusi and the Long Tall Sally and the Boney Maronie to the fantastic "Land Of 1000 Dances" – na-na-na-na across the dancefloor as the brass and hip-shaking shimmy goes into a frenzy. Even now, it's rebel-rousing stuff - with Wilson Pickett's salacious life-affirming growl probably featured in every Frat-House High-School coming-of-age movie about getting it on that you've ever seen.

While The Bar-Kays get their instrumental vs. shouts moment with "Soul Finger" – the naff and fey lyrics in the Joe Tex tune "Skinny Legs And All" have not worn at all well over the decades – embarrassing really. Thankfully that momentary glitch is firmly kicked into touch with the gorgeous Wilson Pickett take on the Bobby Womack song "I'm In Love" – a genuine masterpiece and Soul discovery for those buying first time. Poignant and touching as the Otis Redding song might have been especially after his untimely and horrible passing - "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" has always felt weedy to me and not representative of his power (the Remaster is so clean and lovely though). Archie Bell gets his Drells guitar player to fall in during the infectious "Tighten Up" – a funky talker and words that became synonymous with late Sixties Soul. Better for me is the sweet Soul slink of "Slip Away" followed by the mid-tempo shuffler "Too Weak To Fight" – Clarence Carter being a huge fave of mine – two counts of top tunes – rasp and rolling vocals – the brass and groove so sexy.

A true monster of the Sixties Soul genre and emotion-evoker to this day – Percy Sledge has his big moment with "When A Man Loves A Woman" – the song so gut-wrenching musically and lyrically – they even named a movie after it. Speaking of cool movie inserts – The Capitols have their glory digitally polished on the fantastic dancer "Cool Jerk" – hit me with those eighty-eights! A truly corking tune and itself followed with another - the lesser-heard but Stones beloved Jimmy Hughes warning about busy-bodies and snoops behind curtains in "Neighbor, Neighbor". Sam & Dave, Don Covay and Eddie Floyd bring up the neck-jerk-until-you-need-a-lie-down rear with (in order) the shouter duet "Hold On I'm Comin'", the up and down of "See Saw" and think I'll knock, knock "Knock On Wood" – all with punchy as Hell audio.

The Wicked hits again with the chugging "Mustang Sally" and as if all of this wasn't enough and a rarity on this compilation – Aretha Franklin gets what must be in the Top 25 singles of all time – both A&B-sides. "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" on the Plug Side backed-with the Dan Penn written masterpiece "Do Right Woman Do Right Man" on the flip. And it romps out with five more bona fide winners – including instrumental organ-boogie "Soul Limbo" from Booker T. & The MGs and another movie named after it song by Sam & Dave - "Soul Man". And of all the eight volumes - if you look up at the four bonuses and know your 60ts Soul - you will know these four are not just clever choices - but actual bonuses.

In 2024 and despite being technically deleted, you can get Volume 6 of 8 of Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 (or any of the others) individually on popular auction sites often for less than four quid. But I would argue that such is the riches on offer across all eight volumes that you consider the big daddy - splashing out on that 1991 US LP-Sized 8CD Box Set with its full booklet and genuine sense of visual purpose. Set you back maybe £60 – but what a wow it is! 

If the Big Bad 8-Disc Red and Black Box isn't in your budget purview and you want primo Sixties Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Rare Groove – then go for this individually released Volume 6 Thunderbuck Ram of a CD compilation (and get Volume 7 too while you are at it).

But I warn you – the need for the other six and booklet explanations will quickly manifest itself thereafter…