"Loving And Free" by KIKI DEE featuring Elton John and Bernie Taupin (June 2008 UK EMI Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Geoff Pesche Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…I Will Untangle Myself…"

Kiki Dee's (real name Pauline Matthews) debut album for Elton John's newly formed Rocket Records "Loving & Free" was originally issued on vinyl LP in November 1973 on Rocket PIGL 5 in the UK. 

With songwriting, Production and band contributions from ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN - the album also housed hugely popular chart hits in the form of two gorgeous ballads - and Kiki's emotive cover of Veronique Sanson's "Amoureuse" and the title song "Loving & Free". Let's untangle this reissue and get to the details...

This UK issued June 2008 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of "Loving & Free" by KIKI DEE on EMI 363 1132 (Barcode 0094636311326) reissues that forgotten nugget and adds on two rare bonus tracks (47:25 minutes). It’s the 1st of 6 albums she recorded between 1973 and 1987 – each being given a sonic overhaul by EMI (see list below) - and a cracker it is too.

1. Loving & Free [Side 1]

2. If It Rains

3. Lonnie & Joseph

4. Travellin In Style

5. You Put Something Better

6. Supercool [Side 2]

7. Rest My Head

8. Amoureuse

9. Song For Adam

10. Sugar On The Floor

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Last Good Man In My Life

12. Six Days On The Road

Two 45s came off the album at the time - with one other single issued 3 years later as a belated hit. First up was "Lonnie & Josie" b/w "Last Good Man In My Life" with both tracks written by ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN. Released in June 1973 on Rocket PIG 2 - it unfortunately went the same as her earlier singles and didn't chart. Making its debut on this 2008 CD reissue (Track 11) - the B-side “Last Good Man In My Life” has long been sought after by collectors as a non-album JOHN/TAUPIN track unavailable anywhere else. Apparently it was an outtake from the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" sessions. The second and last bonus track is a Previously Unreleased raucous cover of Dave Dudley's 1963 hit "Six Days On The Road" – and it's very good too.

The second 7" single finally hit pay dirt. "Amoureuse" b/w "Rest My Head" (both from the album) hit the UK shops in October 1973 on Rocket PIG 4 just before the album's release in late November. A beautiful song - it was an immediate hit with the public. Written by French singer VERONIQUE SANSON - its plaintive melody had lyrics added to it by the British composer GARY OSBOURNE. "Rest My Head" is a Kiki Dee original. "Amoureuse" peaked at Number 13 in the UK and introduced Kiki's great voice to the public. It really was a career-maker.

The title track "Loving and Free" was finally released as a 4-track EP in a Picture Sleeve in September 1976 on Rocket ROKN 515 (sometimes referred to as the "Kiki Dee" EP). It followed on the back of the huge number 1 success of the "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" duet with ELTON earlier in June and July of that year. Its 4 tracks are: "Loving And Free", "Amoureuse", "I've Got The Music In Me" and "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am". Why it wasn't released immediately after "Amoureuse" is anyone's guess?

The album's 10 tracks were famously produced by ELTON JOHN with his house band of DAVEY JOHNSTONE on Guitars, DEE MURRAY on Bass and NIGEL OLSSEN on Drums featuring on many of the songs. Elton himself provided Keyboards and Backing Vocals on seven out of the album's ten tunes (he's also on the non-album B-side). GERRY CONWAY and DAVE MATTACKS of FAIRPORT CONVENTION fame filled in the drums on other tracks with LESLIE DUNCAN of "Love Song" fame providing backing vocals on the superb Kiki original "If It Rains". "Travellin' In Style" is a FREE cover, "Song For Adam" is a JACKSON BROWNE cover introduced to Kiki by Elton, while she gives a very soulful rendition of "You Put Something Better Inside Me", a Gerry Rafferty/Joe Egan written STEALER'S WHEEL song. "Supercool" is the third exclusive JOHN/TAUPIN track - a rocker - though not as good as the better B-side "Last Good Man In My Life".

The booklet is excellent – they’ve pictured rare 7" single sleeves - photos of Kiki from the time - a knowledgeable CHRIS WHITE synopsis of the album and details of the sessions (its far more comprehensive than I thought it would be). Special mention should also be made of the EMI's remastering done by GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road Studios. The sound is just gorgeous - and I mean that - really clear and full. "Loving And Free" and its beautiful guitar work by PAUL KEOGH now sounds astonishing - a treat to hear it given the respect it deserves. Penned by Kiki - it's a criminally forgotten classic of the time.

A minor downside to this otherwise excellent reissue is that both "Lonnie & Josie" and "Amoureuse" were released in the States on MCA 40095 and 40157 respectively - and as advance radio promos, both singles sported a mono and stereo mix on either side. It's a damn shame that the exclusive "US Mono Mix" of each single wasn't included on here as bonuses when there was plenty of room. Niggles worth mentioning.

Other than that this is like EMI's superb 2006 reissues of Labi Siffre's 1970's Pye Albums - forgotten goodies given great remastered-sound, decent liner notes and genuinely excellent bonus tracks. Thoroughly recommended and a job well done for Britain's Pauline Matthews.

KIKI DEE - June 2008 EMI Records CD Reissues

1. Loving And Free (1973 on Rocket Records)

2. I've Got The Music In Me (1974 on Rocket Records)

3. Kiki Dee (1977 on Rocket Records)

4. Stay With Me (1979 on Rocket records)

5. Angel Eyes (1987 on Columbia Records)

6. Cage The Songbird

Note: Six is an unreleased album recorded during the Rocket Records period, now aired for the first time - it also features contributions from ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN.

"Miracle" by WILLY DeVILLE. A Review Of His Forgotten 1987 Album Now Reissued By Raven Onto CD With Bonus Tracks.

Picture above left is the original UK LP sleeve - the picture above right is the sleeve art for the Raven Label re-issue CD

Willy DeVille's "Miracle" was released in 1987 in the UK on Polydor across 3 formats. 

The LP was Polydor POLH 39, the cassette 833 669-4 and the CD 833 669-2. 

It was produced by MARK KNOPFLER of DIRE STRAITS and featured his distinctive and beautiful guitar work across all 10 of its tracks. There's superlative contributions also from JEFF PORCARO of TOTO on drums, CHET ATKINS on guitar gracing the gorgeous "Heart & Soul" and backing vocals provided by the lovely Margo Buchanan and Vikki Brown on 4 of the 10 tracks. All tracks are written by DeVille except "Could You Would You", which is a Van Morrison cover off the 2nd Them album from 1966, "Them Again". The song "Spanish Jack" is a co-write with Knopfler.

The album was a Full Digital Recording carrying the then desirable DDD code on the back of the sleeve - and was of course an audiophile's dream. Beautifully produced by Knopfler and played sweetly by all, the album gave vent to DeVille's New Orleans street romanticism - a style and a way about him that has captured his fans since his stunning "Cabretta" debut on Capitol in 1977.

"Miracle" received good reviews at the time, and with a heavy-hitter like Knopfler on board, it should have garnished better sales and exposure, but for some reason it failed to break into the top 50 here in the UK. It's worth mentioning that it officially spurned 2 singles here in the UK, which had 3 formats each (7”/12” and CD Single). The 1st was "Miracle" (CD single Polydor POCD 891) 1. Miracle. 2 I Call Your Name 3. Could You Would You. You'll no doubt notice that "I Call Your Name" is a NON-ALBUM track and is an absolute sweetie. A real shame Raven didn't use it as a bonus track here where it would have matched the release. 

The 2nd single was "Assassin Of Love" (CD single Polydor POCD 904) 

1. Assassin Of Love Extended Version. 2. Spanish Jack. 3. Spanish Stroll (Live) 4. Desperate Days (Live). The extended version of "Assassin" was a 12" mix and typical of so many Eighties Extended Version travesties - instead of improving the song - it utterly ruined the stunning slinky menace of the tightly edited album version. The two live tracks fared better though and are previously unreleased (I’m fairly sure they’re unavailable anywhere else). 

"Storybook Love" was also featured in "The Princess Bride" movie from 1987 and was Oscar nominated - there was a CD single of it here in the UK but it contained nothing new or unreleased. All 3 CD singles came in card sleeves and are very hard to find today.

The 4 bonus tracks provided on the Raven 1994 re-issue are:

11. "Heat Of The Moment" 12. "Pullin' My String" 13. "It's So Easy" 14. 1987 Willy DeVille Interview. 

Tracks 11-13 are from the 1980 soundtrack "Cruising" and are rare - unavailable anywhere else except here to my knowledge. 

The front artwork on the Raven re-issue is also different – not nearly as good as the album original as you can see above. 

Having A/B’d the sound – there’s no difference between the Raven issue and the original Polydor DDD release – no re-mastering has been done, but then again, there’s no need to – the sound is sweet and full.

"Miracle" used to go for money on vinyl or CD because of the quality of the production (quite apart from the fact that at least half of the tunes are great!). I think it may been the awful opener "(Due To) Gun Control" that put people off - "I Call Your Name" would have been far more appropriate and announced properly the albums overall romantic feel. The Knopfler guitar work and slinky almost soulful feel to "I Call Your Name" could easily have been on any Dire Straits album of the period.

"Miracle" is something of a lost classic from the 80's and I recommend this album to both DeVille and Dire Straits fans alike – a lovely meeting of like-minds producing great music that stands up to its 20th Anniversary in 2007. Ripe for rediscovery I reckon.

“Careless” by STEPHEN BISHOP (2005 Hip-O Select CD Reissue in Mini LP Hard Card Repro Artwork with Foldout Insert & Inner Bag - Non-Numbered Limited Edition of 5000) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Warm Sunny Day…" 

San Diego songwriter STEPHEN BISHOP had gotten Art Garfunkel to include "Looking For The Right One" and "The Same Old Tears On A New Background" on his "Breakaway" album for Columbia Records in 1975. Actually knowing such heavy hitters like Garfunkel meant that when it came to making his own debut album - Bishop was able to call on a large number of rock alumni to session on it. And coupled with its great songs -"Careless" wooed the FM radio audience of 1976 and 1977 completely. It proved to be a huge hit with the album eventually climbing the US charts to number 11 and it's been beloved by fans ever since.

Bishop wrote all the songs in '75 and '76, recorded it in the ABC & A&M Studios in California that summer with the album finally released on vinyl and cassette in December 1976 on ABC Records ABCD-954 in the USA and ABCL 5201 in the UK. It was produced by HENRY LEW and STEPHEN BISHOP and spawned two radio smashes in the USA with "Save It For A Rainy Day" (ABC 12232) and "On And On" (ABC 12260).

On CD, there's been budget issues of some of its tracks here in the UK on MCA/Half Moon and in the US on the excellent Rhino "Best Of" remaster in 1988, but this is the first proper sonic doing of the entire album and the result I'm happy to say is just beautiful - breathtaking clarity that fans will absolutely delight in - for years to come. There were some big names involved so here's a breakdown of who contributed to what:

Side 1:

1: On And On - features Andrew Gold on Electric Guitars with Victor Feldman on Percussion & Vibes

2. Never Letting Go - features Lee Ritenour on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Piano with Chaka Khan of Rufus on backing Vocals

3: Careless - features backing vocals by Art Garfunkel

4: Sinking In An Ocean Of Tears - features Jay Graydon on Guitar, Eric Clapton on Electric Slide Guitar with a Sax Solo by Ray Pizzi

5: Madge - features Strings Arranged & Conducted by Lee Holdridge

6: Every Minute - features Jay Graydon on Acoustic Guitar, Andrew Gold on Electric Guitar, Victor Feldman on Organ, Max Bennett on Bass with Art Garfunkel on Backing Vocals

Side 2:

7: Little Italy - features Larry Carlton on Acoustic Guitar, Max Bennett on Bass, Victor Feldman on Percussion & Vibes, Tommy Tedesco on Mandolin with Chaka Khan on Duet Vocals

8: One More Night - features Piano by Barlow Jarvis with the Strings Arranged by Lee Holdridge

9: Guitar Interlude

10: Save It For A Rainy Day - features Electric Guitar Solo by Eric Clapton with Backing Vocals from Chaka Khan

11: Rock And Roll Slave - features Art Garfunkel on Backing Vocals

12: The Same Old Tears On A New Background - recorded live with Acoustic Guitar only

This Hip-O Select CD of "Careless" by STEPHEN BISHOP on Hip-O Select B0004157-02 (Barcode 602498800652) is a US-Only Limited Edition of 5000 issued on 4 February 2005 in a hard card album repro sleeve (non-numbered). They also reproduced the inner bag of lyrics & photos that came with the original US LP (wasn't any with the UK copies) and a see-through sepia-printed inner sleeve giving re-issue details. The card sleeve has the words LIMITED EDITION boxed in gold on the rear and the detail even stretches to a pasted-on page on the rear sleeve like US albums of the time. The CD itself also reflects the original label design - all nice touches. It's a shame though that there is no history to the album, no proper liner note contributed by the man himself, not even an original release date of the LP or singles or photos from the sessions - still, that all pales against the real deal - the stunning sound.

BRENDAN MORRIS did the Master Tape Research and GAVIN LURSSEN the Mastering - and a sensational result it is too. Lurssen's superb mastering work is also featured on THE CRUSADERS "Gold" 2CD set and Joe Walsh’s “Barnstorm” (also Hip-O Select releases via Universal - see my separate reviews).

The mastering is 'so' subtle and 'so' sweet - it's like a Mobile Fidelity CD - you feel care was taken with it and the result is a genuine thrill. "Little Italy" - probably one of 'the' great under-rated masterpieces of the mid Seventies - is a perfect example. As you can see from the track list above, the song is loaded down with top session people, but this remaster lets you hear them. All of their contributions suddenly come to life here. As the song opens, Max Bennett's bass jumps out of the speakers, funky and clean (he played on Joni Mitchell's "Court & Spark" "The Hissing Of Summer Lawns" and "Hejira"). His bass is accompanied by the acoustic guitars of Bish and Larry Carlton - very nice - these are followed by the lovely mandolin playing of Tommy Tedesco - then Chaka's fantastically complimentary vocal contribution - it's all a wow! And if that isn't enough, then the beautiful Bacharach horn and woodwind arrangements by Ian Freebairn-Smith float in. It's absolutely gorgeous – I never tire of this wonderful tune.

After all that showiness, we get the lovely melody of "One More Night" where Barlow Jarvis plays such pretty piano work. The 46 second long "Guitar Interlude" sounds like it was recorded in the 1990s on some highly polished James Taylor CD. And then the gem that never gets noticed - the truly lovely "Rock And Roll Slave" (lyrics from it title this review) where Art Garfunkel's vocal work really comes into its own. (Apparently Cheryl Ladd did a cover of it once - but we won't talk about that just now) "Madge" is beautiful too. I would concede that some might find it overly romantic and schlocky in places - but get past that - and you're in for a treat. The last track is Bish on his own with an Acoustic guitar recorded live in Little Hollywood - it's a bit hissy - but the melody is warm and utterly irresistible...

The Hip-O Select label isn't cheap, but like Ace, Bear Family, Rhino and Raven - their issues are the best. For lovers of the album, this a no-brainer - it's a must have purchase. If you're new to the record, tempted and you want a taster, this 2005 version is available on iTunes - try "Rock And Roll Slave" as a download and you'll see what I mean - lovely song, beautifully reproduced...

This reissue of "Careless" is a superlative job done - and recommended big time.

PS: I've bought his 2nd album on ABC Records called "Bish" from 1978 (just as good as the first) and it's also a Hip-O Select card repro too - see separate review...

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"Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart" by VAN MORRISON. A Review Of His 1983 Album Now Reissued And Remastered Onto CD In 2008 With Bonus Tracks.

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"...Rave On…Down Through The Weeks Of Ages…"

"Inarticulate Speech Of the Heart" is part of the 2nd wave of Van Morrison remastered reissues to hit the shops in 2008 (see full list below).

Released Monday 30 June 2008 in the UK and 8 July 2008 in the USA - "Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart" by VAN MORRISON on Polydor/Exile 5308759 (Barcode 600753087596) boasts an upgraded booklet, a supposedly new 96k/24 bit remaster and 2 bonus tracks for the first time. It plays out as follows (56:31 minutes):

1. Higher Than The World [Side 1]
2. Connswater
3. River Of Time
4. Celtic Swing
5. Rave On, John Donne
6. Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart No. 1 [Side 2]
7. Irish Heartbeat
8. The Street Only Knew Your Name
9. Cry For Home
10. Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart No. 2
11. September Night
Tracks 1 to 10 make the album "Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart" - released March 1983 in the UK on Mercury Records MERL 16

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased):
11. Cry For Home (Alternate Take)
12. Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (Alternate Take)

The band consisted of:
MARK ISHAM on Synthesisers and Trumpet
CHRIS MITCHIE on Guitars
PEE WEE ELLIS on Sax, Flute and Backing Vocals
JOHN ALLAIR on Organ and Fender Rhodes
ARTY McGLYNN on Acoustic Guitar
DAVY SPILLANE on Irish Uileann Pipes and Low Flute
DAVID HAYES on Bass
PETER VAN HOOKE and TOM DONLINGER on Drums and Percussion

I played this album and its Celtic mysticism to absolute death in a Dublin bedsit in 1983 - often finding that it moved me to tears. "I'm a soul in wonder..." he sang on version No. 2 of "Inarticulate..." and I often felt that on hearing this criminally underrated 80's masterpiece. I only have to hear the lyrical workout of the extraordinary and wonderful "Rave On, John Dunne" and I'm off to Vanland...

The inlay beneath the see-through CD tray has the same artwork as the album, the booklet reproduces the lyrics for the first time and of course session details, but the booklet is only functionary if not a little sloppy. Unlike the other CDs in this series, the liner notes do NOT reproduce the lyrics to the bonus tracks. Also while the sound is hugely improved over the initial CD releases, when I A/B this with the 1998 remaster, the differences are slight if non-existent - and on most tracks it sounds precisely the same? Which makes you wonder why the booklet doesn't say WHO remastered this or WHEN and why the gold label on the outside jewel case seems to indicate that it's a "new" remaster. Again it should be noted that the sound is clear and warm and beautiful and makes you reassess just how good so many of these tracks were - and still are. But you can't help feel that this smacks of repackaging an old cow with new bells - conning fans into thinking this is a new version - and to my ears - it isn't, which is very disappointing.

The two supposed bonus tracks are hardly worth forking out for - I can barely detect the difference between the Alternate Take of "Cry For Home" with the finished take - if anything the Alternate is a little under-produced. The Alternate Take of "Inarticulate Speech...No.2" is far better - this version has the guitars very much to the fore and it's nearly as good as the beautiful finished version - not as good, but nearly.

Apart from the niggling packaging details and the question mark over the supposed `new' remaster - I would say that those who don't know the album should dig in with confidence. Those who already own the 1998 version, will have to make up their own minds as to a re-purchase, but unfortunately like most fans, I only have to hear "Rave On, John Dunne" and I'm gone, baby, gone - nose down in wet grass....

PS:
30 Van Morrison albums are re-issued in remastered form throughout 2008 and into early 2009. Each title contains an upgraded booklet; previously unreleased bonus tracks and all will be at mid-price. The releases are in 4 batches as follows:

28 January 2008 (7 titles)
Tupelo Honey (1971), It's Too Late To Stop Now (2 CD Live Set) (1974),
Wavelenght (1979), Into The Music (1979), A Sense Of Wonder (1985),
Avalon Sunset (1989) and Back On Top (1999)
(see SEPARATE REVIEWS for all 7)

30 June 2008 UK/1 & 8 July 2008 USA (8 titles)
Veedon Fleece (1974), Common One (1980), Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983), Live At The Grand Opera House, Belfast (1984), No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986), Enlightenment (1990), A Night In San Francisco (2CD Live Set) (1994) and The Healing Game (1997)
(see SEPARATE reviews for "Veedon Fleece", "Common One", "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher", "Enlightenment" and the 2CD live set "A Night In San Francisco")

September 2008 (7 titles)
Saint Dominic's Preview (1972), A Period Of Transition (1977), Beautiful Vision (1982), Poetic Champions Compose (1987), Hymns To The Silence (2CD Studio Set) (1991), How Long Has This Been Going On (Live At Ronnie Scott's) (1995), Tell Me Something - The Songs Of Mose Allison (1996)

January 2009 (8 titles)
Hard Nose The Highway (1973), Irish Heartbeat (with The Chieftains) (1988),
Too Long In Exile (1993), Days Like This (1995), The Story Of Them (2CD Set) (1999), The Skiffle Sessions - Live In Belfast (with Lonnie Donegan & Chris Barber) (2000), Down The Road (2002) and What's Wrong With This Picture? (2003)

PPS:
Those hoping to see desperately needed sonic upgrades of his 1st and 2nd album masterpieces on Warner Bothers "Astral Weeks" (1968) and "Moondance" (1970) or even "His Band & The Street Choir" (late 1970) will be disappointed to hear that they're NOT in this re-issue campaign - on either side of the pond. "Astral Weeks" and "Moondance" in particular have both been languishing around on crappy-sounding non-remastered CDs for over 20 years now and they're glaringly obvious omissions in this supposedly 'extensive' re-issue campaign. These universally recognized masterpieces have long deserved 2CD DELUXE EDITION treatment (some tracks in remastered form are available across the 3 volumes of "Best Of"). However, I've recently been informed by a good source that all 3 are NOW AVAILABLE since June 2008 in JAPAN in RHINO REMASTERED form. See the excellent Japanese site CDJAPAN.CO.JP for details (worded in English).

"Veedon Fleece" by VAN MORRISON – October 1974 LP on Warner Brothers Records featuring The Caledonia Soul Orchestra (June 2008 UK Polydor/Exile "The Van Morrison Remasters" Edition CD Reissue with Two Bonus Tracks - Tim Young Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 241 More Like It Can Be Found In My AMAZON e-Book 

PICK UP THE PIECES - 1974

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional 

CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45's...

All In-Depth Reviews From The Discs Themselves

Over 2,200 E-Pages

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

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"…You Don’t Push The River…"

"Veedon Fleece" was part of the 2nd wave of Van Morrison remastered reissues to hit the shops in the summer of 2008 (see full list below). And with gorgeous Remastered Audio and two unreleased bonus tracks - represented a great way to acquire this long-forgotten Van classic album from the early Seventies anew. Here are punches you don’t pull and the rivers you need to push…

Released Monday 30 June 2008 in the UK and 1 July 2008 in the USA - "Veedon Fleece" by VAN MORRISON on Polydor/Exile 5308761 (Barcode 600753087619) boasts an upgraded booklet, a new 96k/24 Bit Remaster and 2 Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks (Alternate Takes of 2 prominent album tracks - 56:36 minutes):

1. Fair Play [Side 1]

2. Linden Arden Stole The Highlights

3. Who Was That Masked Man

4. Streets Of Arklow

5. You Don’t Pull No Punches, But You Don’t Push The River

6. Bulbs [Side 2]

7. Cul De Sac

8. Comfort You 

9. Come Here My Love

10 Country Fair

Tracks 1 to 10 make up the vinyl album “Veedon Fleece” - originally released October 1974 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 2805 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56058 

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased): 

11. Twilight Zone (Alternate Take)

12. Cul De Sac (Alternate Take)  

The band consisted of:

RALPH WALSH and JOHN TROPEA on Guitars

JEFF LABES and JAMES TRUMBO on Keyboards

JACK SCHROER on Soprano Sax

JIM RITHERMEL on Flute and Recorder

NATHAN RUBIN and TERRY ADAMS on Strings

DAVID HAYES and JOE MACHO on Bass 

DAHOUD SHAAR and ALLEN SWARTZBURG on Drums and Percussion 

Labes, Shaar, Schroer, Hayes and Nathan Rubin were all part of "The Caledonia Soul Orchestra" who toured with Van and produced the dynamite "It's Too Late To Stop Now" live double released in March of 1974. Tight and complimentary to his style, they knew what Van wanted when he went in to record "Veedon Fleece". The album is a slight return to the style of "Astral Weeks" song-writing - not verse/chorus - but more soulful meandering workouts heavy on the mystical lyrics and falsetto vocals. This style is particularly evident on the fabulous "You Don't Pull No Punches, But You Don't Push The River" which ended Side 1 of the album - an 8-minute strummer that gets its hooks into you and doesn't leave. The chipper "Bulbs" was issued as 7" single on both sides of the pond ("Cul De Sac" its B-side in the US, "Who Was That Masked Man?" in the UK). 

Originally released on vinyl as a single sleeve album with a green insert for the session details, that same bland green is used on the booklet and inlay beneath the see-through tray - hardly original, nor exciting. There's no new interview, no photos, no singles pictured, no history of the record and its place in his catalogue - zip. The lyrics to "Twilight Zone" are reproduced though… 

Also, the liner notes don't mention where or when the tapes were 96k/24 bit remastered (probably by Tim Young who did the first batch). Still, the sound is hugely improved over the initial CD releases - even if there's very audible hiss on almost all of the tracks. 

The two bonus tracks are a mixed bag. As you've probably noticed, "Twilight Zone" wasn't on the original LP; it first appeared as an outtake from the "Veedon Fleece" sessions on the 2CD 1996 set "The Philosopher's Stone". The version on PS runs to 8:24 minutes and is presented on that set in superb sound quality; this take is shorter at 5:51 minutes and different - unfortunately it's also a lot more hissy and not as good as the PS version. "Cul De Sac" fares far better - it's very good - and more than an interesting curio. I'll be playing it again.  

Overall, "Veedon Fleece" is a lovely album and a bit of a lost gem in his catalogue - and this remastered re-issue is recommended despite the slightly disappointing sound quality…

PS: 

Like “Tupelo Honey” - 28 other Van Morrison albums were to be re-issued in remastered form throughout 2008 and into early 2009. Each was to contain upgraded booklets, previously unreleased material and all were to be at mid-price. They were to be released in 4 batches as listed below (29 in total) - but famously batch 3 and 4 were cancelled indefinitely. These lists are for info purposes...

January 2008 (7 titles)

Tupelo Honey (1971), It’s Too Late To Stop Now (2 CD Live Set) (1974), 

Wavelenght (1978), Into The Music (1979), A Sense Of Wonder (1985), 

Avalon Sunset (1989) and Back On Top (1999)

June 2008 (8 titles)

Veedon Fleece (1974), Common One (1980), Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983), Live At The Grand Opera House, Belfast (1984), No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986), Enlightenment (1990), A Night In San Francisco (2CD Live Set) (1994) and The Healing Game (1997)

September 2008 (7 titles) – CANCELLED 

Saint Dominic’s Preview (1972), A Period Of Transition (1977), Beautiful Vision (1982), Poetic Champions Compose (1987), Hymns To The Silence (2CD Studio Set), How Long Has This Been Going On (Live At Ronnie Scott’s) (1995), Tell Me Something – The Songs Of Mose Allison (1996)

January 2009 (8 titles) – CANCELLED 

Hard Nose The Highway (1973), Irish Heartbeat (with The Chieftains) (1988), 

Too Long In Exile (1993), Days Like This (1995), The Story Of Them (2CD Set) (1999), The Skiffle Sessions – Live In Belfast (with Lonnie Donegan & Chris Barber) (2000), Down The Road (2002) and What’s Wrong With This Picture? (2003)