“Sweet Deceiver” by KEVIN AYERS (2009 EMI/Harvest 'Expanded' CD - Peter Mew Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Do Not Disturb...Do Not Do Anything Wild…"

It’s probably true that by 1975 few people were listening out for Kevin Ayers albums - especially in the wake of the difficult (but brilliant) 1974 outing "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" - his debut album for England’s Island Records. But that didn’t mean the quality dropped - far from it. 

Rehearing "Sweet Deceiver" on this stunning 30 March 2009 UK released Peter Mew CD Remaster (EMI/Harvest 268 2692 - Barcode 5099926829623) only confirms my good memories of its 1975 charms - a beautifully produced album that's even (dare we say it) a bit more poppy than its much-loved drug-addled predecessor. And with five half-decent BBC bonus cuts thrown in featuring his rocking band in genuinely top form - this CD reissue is actually a bit of a sweet deal (the album even features Elton John on three tracks). Here are the deceptive details (61:12 minutes):

1. Observations

2. Guru Banana

3. City Waltz

4. Toujours La Voyage

5. Diminished But Not Finished

6. Sweet Deceiver [Side 2]

7. Circular Letter

8. Once Upon An Ocean 

9. Farewell Again (Another Dawn)

Tracks 1 to 9 make up the album "Sweet Deceiver" issued on Island ILPS 9322 in the UK in March 1975 (no US release). Kevin Ayers & Halsall (credited as Ollie Haircut) produced the original LP with all songs written by Ayers.

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Didn't Feel Lonely 'Til I Thought Of You 

11. Observations 

12. Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes 

13. Interview

14. Farewell Again

Tracks 10 to 14 are live recordings taped at The BBC's Paris Theatre in London on 27 March 1975 (transmitted on Radio One’s "In Concert" program 19 April 1975). JEFF GRIFFIN and CHRIS LYCETT of the BBC engineered and produced the concert - the Band used was KEVIN AYERS on Vocals & Guitar, OLLIE HALSALL [of Patto] on Lead Guitar; GEORGE 'ZOOT' MONEY on Keyboards, RICK WILLS on Bass and TONY NEWMAN on Drums.

The Musicians:

KEVIN AYERS - Vocals, Fuzz Bass, Mandolin, Acoustic & Electric Guitars

OLLIE HALSALL [of Patto] - Lead & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Piano, Vibes & Vocals

JACOB MAGNUSSON - Organ, Accordion, Piano, Clavinet & Vocals

FREDDIE SMITH - Drums & Percussion

JOHN ALTMAN - Clarinet on "Guru Banana"

ELTON JOHN - Piano on "Guru Banana", "Toujours La Voyage" and "Circular Letter"

BIAS BOSHELL - Piano on "Sweet Deceiver"

FUZZY SAMUELS on Bass with CHILLI CHARLES on Drums

and THE MUSCLE SHOALS HORNS [Ronnie Eades, Charles Ross, Harrison Calloway Jnr. and Harvey Thompson] - all featured on "Once Upon An Ocean" only

The superlative 8-page liners notes are once again written by noted expert MARK POWELL and the original master tapes remastered by PETER MEW at Abbey Road. Mew has done a typically stunning job (as he has on all of Ayers' albums) - beautiful Audio quality. Ayers gave Mew permission to be the Remaster Engineer on his entire Harvest and Island Records catalogue. 

Ayers' 2nd LP for Island turned out to be a bit of a strange one - some even saying that he was trying to be a 'rock star' (the pretty boy cover) with more overtly catchy tunes and even cod reggae rhythms. That didn't stop the eight-minute long lullaby of "Toujours La Voyage" being brilliant and blessed with truly superb piano tinkling from Elton John. I've always loved this track and now with this 2009 remaster it sounds just gorgeous (lyrics are the title of this review). "Diminished But Not Finished" was also pretty, but the swirling effect put on "Circular Letter" ruined the feel of the tune. The Calypso structure used by the Muscle Shoals Horns on "Once Upon An Ocean" couldn't rescue it from sounding like some white guy trying to do reggae - and badly. Better is the guitar jangle of “Observations” and the high-strung acoustic guitars of “City Waltz” is typical Ayers “…living in the city fills me with trepidation…” where he longs for the country and a few bevvies in a quite local. The title track “Sweet Deceiver” again chugs along nicely with great treated guitar from Halsall.  

The 5 live bonus tracks are a strange mixture of the dull and the great. The stunning guitar work-out song "Didn't Feel Lonely ’Til I Thought Of You" from "Confessions..." features Ollie Halsall's amazing guitar work - cook like an oven come the end. "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" is probably every fan's favourite, but it just doesn't work live and sounds silly and forced here. "Observations" and "Interview" however see the band kick in - great stuff. "Farewell Again" is better live than on the original LP as Zoot Money and Halsall stretch out on the keyboards and guitar - wicked jamming. 

So there you have it - weak in some parts, but masterful in others - as it's Kevin Ayers - I still had to own it. For fans it’s yet another top job done by EMI and Peter Mew - and a quality audio tribute to an artist who deserved better than never charting a single album…

PS: see also separate reviews for the 2009 remasters of "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" (Island, 1974), "Yes We Have No Mananas" (Harvest, 1976) and the 2003 Remasters of "Joy Of A Toy" (Harvrest, 1969) and "Whatevershebringswesing" (Harvest, 1972) 

This review and hundreds more like it can be found in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series - 1960s and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 - Exceptional CD Remasters. 

It contains over 210 in-depth reviews (a whopping 2400+ e-Pages) and is available to buy/download at Amazon at the following link...

"Yes We Have No Mananas, So Get Your Mananas Today" by KEVIN AYERS (2009 EMI/Harvest ‘Expanded’ CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Genuine Smoked Salmon…" 

Blessed with a typically cryptic and witty title - 1976's "Yes We Have No Mananas, So Get Your Mananas Today" was the seventh album ex Soft Machine Bassist/Songwriter KEVIN AYERS had pumped out in the Sixties and Seventies (following on from 4 others for EMI's Harvest between 1969 and 1973 and two on Island Records in 1974 and 1975).

The many charms of “Yes We Have No Mananas...” have been forgotten now for eons - but like every album our Kev made in those most special duo of decades - deserves another poke/go-round from fans and newcomers alike. And this 2009 EMI/Harvest CD Remaster is 'Expanded' with some genuinely quality bonus tracks. Here are the yummy banana-boat details...

UK released March 2009 (April 2009 in the USA) – "Yes We Have No Mananas, So Get Your Mananas Today" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI/Harvest 268 2972 (Barcode 5099926829722) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (73:14 minutes):

1. Star (4:21)

2. Mr. Cool (3:03)

3. The Owl (3:17)

4. Love's Gonna Turn You Round (4:52)

5. Falling In Love Again (2:38)

6. Help Me (2:42) – Side 2

7. Ballad Of Mr. Snake (2:07)

8. Everyone Knows The Song (2:34)

9. Yes I Do (3:13)

10.Blue (6:32)

Tracks 1 to 10 make up the album "Yes We Have No Mananas. So Get Your Mananas Today" issued June 1976 on Harvest SHSP 4057 in the UK and August 1976 on ABC Records AB-1021 in the USA. MUFF WINWOOD produced the original LP with all songs (excepting the 1930's cover of "Falling in Love Again") written by KEVIN AYERS.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Mr. Cool (3:01)

12. Love's Gonna Turn You Round (4:44)

13. Star (4:42)

14. Ballad Of Mr. Snake (2:23)

Tracks 11 to 14 are Studio Recordings made for the BBC's JOHN PEEL SHOW in Maida Vale Studios, London on 13 July 1976 (transmitted 27 July 1976). The band consisted of Ayers on Vocals and Guitar, ANDY SUMMERS of THE POLICE on Guitar, ZOOT MONEY on Keyboards with Charley McCracken and Rod Townshend from the album sessions on Bass and Drums.

15. Shouting In A Bucket Blues (5:26)

16. Star (4:40)

17. Mr. Cool (3:44)

18. Ballad Of Mr. Snake (2:39)

19. Blue (6:24)

Tracks 16 to 19 are 5 live recordings taped at The BBC's Paris Theatre in London on 30 September 1976 (transmitted on the "In Concert" program 23 October 1976). The live set added BILL EVANS on Flute to the same band line up (the witty title to this review is spoken by Ayers before "Ballad..."), while ace BBC engineer JEFF GRIFFIN produced both Peel Sessions.

The Band:

KEVIN AYERS - Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitars

OLLIE HALSALL [of Patto] - Lead Guitar

ROGER SAUNDERS - Rhythm Guitar

BILL LIVESEY - Keyboards

CHARLIE McCRACKEN - Bass

ROB TOWNSHEND - Drums

The Guests:

B.J. COLE - Steel Guitar on "The Owl" and "Falling In Love Again"

PIP WILLIAMS - String Arrangements on "Falling In Love Again"

TONY NEWMAN - Drums on "Help Me"

RICK WILLS - Bass on "Help Me"

GEORGE 'ZOOT' MONEY - Keyboards on "Help Me"

ROGER POPE [of Elton John's Band] - Drums on "Everyone Knows This Song"

MICK FEAT - Bass on "Everyone..."

ANDY ROBERTS - Guitar on "Everyone..."

NICK ROWLEY - Keyboards on "Everyone..." and Solo Piano on "Yes I Can"

DAVID BEDFORD - Choral Arrangement on "Blue"

The superlative 8-page liners notes are written by noted expert MARK POWELL and the original master tapes remastered by PETER MEW at Abbey Road.  Mew has done a typically stunning job – Beautiful Sound Quality. He’s handled hundreds of reissues including Dr. Feelgood, Davie Bowie, Deep Purple, Donovan, Blodwyn Pig, Electric Light Orchestra, Free, Jethro Tull, Duncan Browne, Horslips, Man, Robin Trower (and more) – I’ve reviewed all of the ones mentioned. His work here is amongst his best and Ayers asked for Mew specifically to carry out the transfers.

After his 'difficult' but brilliant two albums at Island Records ("The Confessions Of Dr. Dream..." in 1974 and "Sweet Deceiver" in 1975) - "Mananas" was supposed to be a better and more mature work but it only partially works. It's like a John Martyn album, half of it is good - but my God that good half is stunning. The whimsy of several tracks threatens to drown the record in quirkiness that's amusing at first, but doesn't bear repeated listening. But better tracks like "Help Me" and the Roxy sounding "Love's Gonna Turn You Round" have stood the test of time.

But all is saved by the album's fantastic finishing double-whammy - "Yes I Do" and "Blue". With only Ayers on Lead Vocal and Kevin Rowley on Solo Piano, "Yes I Do" is an achingly stark love song and regarded by many as one of his best works - honest and lovely. Special mention should also go to Rowley's keyboard work - it's beautifully done - and in keeping other instrumentation out of the mix, Muff Winwood added extraordinary power to the song. Now with its 2009 remaster it's just gorgeous. "Yes I Do" is followed by the six-and-a-half minute epic "Blue" - with the band in full 'Ayers' mode. "Blue" contains truly stunning Ollie Halsall guitar work pumped up by David Bedford's arrangement of the choral accompaniment. Really brilliant stuff...

The nine Peel Sessions tracks are 4 in a studio and 5 live. Produced by long-standing BBC engineer JEFF GRIFFIN - the studio cuts are amazingly accomplished and sound like really good alternate album versions. The live tracks are less convincing - a slightly weedy audience - but welcome additions nonetheless. Fans will absolutely have to have those in-the-studio versions though. Besides - any album that has the lyrics "…in case you're wondering about the trousers I'm wearing…they're genuine smoked salmon…" gets my vote. His next stop for Harvest Records would be “Rainbow Takeaway” in 1978.

So there you have it - weak in some parts, but masterful in others - this is still an essential Kevin Ayers purchase for me. Another top job done by EMI - and a sound tribute to an artist who deserved better than never charting a single album...

PS: see also my reviews for his other EMI/Harvest 'expanded' CD remasters - "Joy Of A Toy" (1969), "Shooting At The Moon" (1970), "Whatevershebringswesing" (1972), "Bananamour" (1973), "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" (1974) and "Sweet Deceiver" (1975) 

"The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" by KEVIN AYERS - May 1974 Album on Island Records (2009 UK EMI/Harvest 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue with Peter Mew Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 255 More Like It Can Be Found In My AMAZON e-Book 

 

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"…How Will You See Me Later When You Can't See Me Now…"

I remember buying this album in the summer of 1974 in Dublin. I liked the laminate embossed sleeve - I liked Island Records as a label and I liked the price - two quid. But when I got it home and played the album - I just didn't get it. I didn't know what to make of the disparate song styles - nor did I like the really heavy drug-addiction references that permeated so many of the tracks - especially the 4-part suite on Side 2. But of course across time and several plays - I grew to love it - and even though I traded other albums in second hand shops to feed my music addiction - I never parted with my two quid deal. Here are the needle-fuelled details...

UK released March 2009 - "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI/Harvest 268 2952 (Barcode 5099926829524) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster that plays out as follows (65:50 minutes):

1. Day By Day [Side 1]

2. See You Later

3. Didn't Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You

4. Everybody's Sometimes And Some People's All The Times Blues

5. It Begins With A Blessing / Once I Awakened / But It Ends With A Curse

6. Ballbearing Blues

7. The Confessions Of Dr. Dream Part One: Irreversible Neural Damage [Side 2]

8. The Confessions Of Dr. Dream Part Two: Invitation

9. The Confessions Of Dr. Dream Part Three: The One Chance Dance

10. The Confessions Of Dr. Dream Part Four: Doctor Dream Theme

11. Two Goes Into Four

Tracks 1 to 11 make up the album "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" by KEVIN AYERS released in the UK on Island ILPS 9263 in May 1974

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Another Whimsical Song

13. Lady Rachel

14. Stop This Train

15. Didn't Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You

Tracks 12 to 15 are live - recorded 9 July 1974 at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios for  "The John Peel Show" - 12 and 13 are solo acoustic renditions, 14 and 15 are with his band

16. The Up Song - non-album UK 7" single A-side released May 1974 on Island WIP 6194

17. After The Show

18. Thank You Very Much - 17 and 18 are the non-album A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released June 1974 on Island WIP 6201

THE BAND:

KEVIN AYERS - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars

SAM MITCHELL - Electric Guitar

MARK WARNER - Acoustic & Electric Guitars

RUPERT HINE - Clavinet, Organ, ARP Synthesizer, Electric Piano & Percussion on 3

JOHN PERRY - Bass

MIKE GILES - Drums

THE G'DEEVY ENSEMBLE - Percussion

DORIS TROY, ROSETTA HIGHTOWER and JOANNE WILLIAMS - Backing Vocals

SIMON JEFFES - Brass Arrangement

THE GUESTS:

RAY COOPER [of Elton John's Band] - Percussion on 2 and 9

SEAN MILLIGAN - Backing Vocals on 2

OLLIE HALSALL [of Patto] - Guitar Solo on 3 and Guitar on 14 and 15

MIKE OLDFIELD - Guitar Solo on 4

CAL BATCHELOR - Guitar on 4

HENRY CRALLAN - Piano on 4

STEVE NYE - Organ on 5 and Electric Piano on 8 and 9

MIKE MORAN - Piano on 5

LOL COXHILL - Saxophone on 5

THE HULLOO CHOIR - Backing Vocals on 5

NICO - Vocals on 7

JOHN GUSTAFSON - Bass on 8 - TREVOR JONES - Bass on 9

MIKE RATLEDGE - Organ on 10

The 8-page booklet is packed with details and has an album overview by noted writer and compiler MARK POWELL. But the sound is the big news. The original vinyl LP had quiet parts and it was always difficult to get a vinyl copy that wasn't scratched by the coarse white inner card/lyrics sleeve. These quiet parts on preceding CDs were hissy and less than useful. But on this stunning 2009 REMASTER it finally sounds like the business - clean and clear and with just the muscle it's always needed.

The remaster has been done by PETER MEW at Abbey Road and in order to put this into a sound-quality context - check out his extraordinary work on the 2CD Collector's Editions of "Down By The Jetty" by DR. FEELGOOD and "This Was" by JETHRO TULL. He also added sonic uplifts to "Duncan Browne" by DUNCAN BROWNE (his 1973 album on RAK Records with "Journey" on it) and the fabulous 2CD Deluxe Edition of FREE's "Fire And Water" (reviewed them all). He's a sound engineer whose name I look out for - even Ayers himself has praised his tape skill - having allowed Mew to handle all of his back catalogue remasters exclusively.

Mike Oldfield's tasty guitar work makes the mellow and languid "Everybody's Sometimes..." - while Nico's vocals empower the druggy "Irreversible Neural Damage..." with a genuinely sinister feel. But by far the best addition is the blistering guitar pyrotechnics of Patto's OLLIE HALSALL ("Didn't Feel Lonely...") who also turns up on two of the four Peel Sessions bonus tracks. They were recorded 7 July 1974 at the BBC's Maida Vale studios. The 24-second "Another Whimsical Song" is a cute ditty, but "Lady Rachel" is beautiful - it's a solo acoustic take of a track off 1969's "Joy Of A Toy" and it sound so good - could have been recorded yesterday. After them follows two band efforts, another "Joy Of A Toy" track and a fab rockin' version of "Didn't Feel Lonely..." where Halsall reproduces that fantastic guitar work again. They are 2009 remasters even though they turned up on 2005's "BBC Sessions" 2CD set - done again for better sound probably. The last 3 are non-album single sides - rare on vinyl and make a welcome addition here on CD. The acoustic strum and deep-throated vocals of "Thank You Very Much" is rarely heard and deserves to be.

The four-part "Confessions Of Dr. Dream" is a bit of a masterpiece frankly - opening with an acoustic drubbing that sounds like trance before there was such a thing - slipping into the upbeat (almost pop) "Invitation". But then you get the coolest break ever - the mid-song change in "The One Chance Dance" - fantastic swirling sound - and so damn cool. It blows me away to this day.

So there you have it - a strange and wonderful album (almost Avant Garde in places) bolstered up with genuinely superb extras you'll play again rather than audition once as a curio.  

 

"...It begins with a blessing...but ends with a curse..." - our Kevin warns us. But sounding fantastic at last - this is one aural shot I want mainlined to my well-addled neural regions any day of the week...

PS: see also my reviews for his other EMI/Harvest 'expanded' CD remasters - "Joy Of A Toy" (1969), "Shooting At The Moon" (1970), "Whatevershebringswesing" (1972), "Bananamour" (1973), "Sweet Deceiver" (1975) and "Yes We Have No Mananas, So Get Your Mananas Today"